Ando

There are so many changes in the pipeline for me, on a personal level. One of the biggest being the break up of a love of fifteen years. It’s time for Pyromesh to call it a day. Without any pretentious thoughts and only feelings of sincerity, I’d like to pay homage to those who have made this band what it is.

But first of all, please come and give Pyromesh the send-off it deserves at Amplifier Capitol on Friday July 4. We are going out on a BIG HIGH, supporting one of Australia’s most iconic metal bands, Sydonia. Thanks to Vin Trikeriotis, we are looking forward to sharing the stage with Tempest Rising and This Other Eden for the first and last time! It would mean a lot to me personally if one and all could make it to this show. I will no doubt be reduced to a blubbering mess by the end of the set, so that in itself will be a sight to see.

Massive love and respect to those who have stuck with us over the years. The sentiments spoken by Rhett Ashby and others last night, really struck a chord with me.

I have undying love, admiration, and respect for Alex Lassetter the lionheart; the engine that kept giving and giving throughout this band’s fifteen year existence. Alex, without your unwavering faith, dedication, determination, drive and talent, this band would never have enjoyed the success it did in its existence. I am proud of everything we have achieved together and I look forward to continuing our musical endeavours, even if King Onion is a tongue-in-cheek cover band! I love you, man.

Ashley Doodkorte, “the man”. I get a lump in my throat thinking about the buckets of sweat and blood that you gave this band. Everything from generating a corporate identity and CD artwork, right through to your percussive talents; I love you and I thank my cousin Rhys for befriending you during those primary school days and later helping to recruit you to the Pyromesh cause!

Clint Lawrence for being the craziness and larrikinism you would expect from the lads at a sporting club. It might not be apparent, but you have been a strong influence on the way I see the world. Thanks for being a faithful and loyal servant in times of dire need, I know Alex will certainly vouch for this as you were a pillar of strength during times of politics and drama; I love you.

Joel Gardner is a gentle giant and quiet achiever who I have also grown to love as a Pyro-brother. Joel is one of the most selfless individuals I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and I am proud to have served with Joel in this Pyro-artillery. I just hope Carlton wins a flag before Brisbane does, but I’d say those chances are a bit slim.

Tim Stelter is a man who I hold in the highest esteem. Not just from a personal perspective, but in the sense of professionalism, discipline and technical excellence. You stepped into this band as a temporary member, and you’re still slamming skins 5 years down the line. This underlines what a man of fine character you are. I love you and I will miss your wit and humour in the jam room. But I won’t miss your farts.

Props to Mike Ioppolo, Alex Stoiche and Craig Swadling for the formative years. Wayne Panomarenko for his help on the keys. Eternal gratitude to Kris Falconer, the feral metal hippy and El Bennett for filling periods of an intermittent six year absence while I was pursuing professional interests. El, your lyrical genius still astounds me to this day. In the process of learning Omnia songs, I unearthed outpourings of emotion and artistry that I could only wish to ever achieve; you have an amazing way with words, and should be immensely proud of your contribution to Pyromesh. Omnia is a masterpiece and in my opinion, your five year stint in Pyromesh was the best thing that ever happened to this band and enabled it to reach the apex of its success.

Thanks to Aidan Barton and Stuart James for your sound engineering and production services. We are forever indebted to you both for allowing us to create our own little pieces of metallic history.

Thanks to Mum, Dad and Matthew for standing by me and being an amazing support, especially when I needed to vent about the negative aspects of the music industry.

Thanks to anyone and everyone who supported us through the purchase of merchandise or coming to our shows. Thanks to the bands we’ve had the honour of sharing the stage with. Thanks to the booking agents, venue managers, bar staff, sound and lighting engineers who made this journey so much easier than it could have been.

Last of all, thanks to you for taking the time to read this epic status update. I’m not the type of person who takes friendship for granted, and I also like to be heard.

Thanks,

Andy Jones

The day I am a true nerd, is the day I start blogging more than once a month.

The latest experience worthy of blogging is my first flying lesson I had at the Murrayfield Aerodrome on Saturday February 16, 2008.

I arrived at the Murrayfield Aerodrome at 13:45, ready for the lesson. We sat in the hangar waiting room with another family who had bought their Dad / husband a flying lesson for his birthday. A good 10 minutes after sitting down, the Cessna 152 was commencing its landing and before I knew it, I was sitting with my instructor / co-pilot Dave, as he briefed me on the basic operation of the aircraft.

It was time to fly, so we headed out to the Cessna 152.

Dave went through a big checklist as I taxied the Cessna away from the hangar area to the start of the runway.

Remembering the theory taught in the briefing, I increased the throttle speed up to 55 knots and took off into the blazing afternoon sun.

We began to ascend, and headed out towards the Mandurah coast.

We reached 4,000 feet and Dave took over the controls to do some crazy aerobatics. He started with 2 loops which were awesome fun, and then he completed a few barrel rolls. The barrel rolls did me in, so he stopped the aerobatics and handed control of the plane back to me.

Dave had previously set some auto-altitude controls to hold us at around the 4,000 feet mark and let me have the plane to experiment with. I had a bit of a play rolling the plane on it’s Y axis, then we commenced our descent.

We landed at 14:35 and I was presented with my docket – which is a valid lesson should I wish to pursue a private licence.

I cannot wait to do it all again, it is a little pricey, but definitely worth the $$$.

I recommend the flying lesson to anyone.

Thanks to Dave for being such a terrific tutor, pity he’s a Richmond supporter :P.