death by guillotine

The National Geographic #7: Passage to Freedom

Inspired by Tom O’Neill’s article “Escaping North Korea”, published in National Geographic, February 2009.

Link to Article

OK, first off, this song contains “adult themes”, if you, for some reason, have your children listening to theses songs, SKIP THIS ONE. It involves human trafficking in the People’s Republic. Just a warning, enjoy

Passage to Freedom

Participants/Guilty Party
Brian Juergens: Vocals
Ben Juergens: Rhythm guitar, Bass, Drums
Mikhail Morales: Stunt guitar
Don Mennerich: Hammond Organ

5 Days of The National Geographic

I’ve been a bit lazy upping material, but fear not, Benjamin and I, your fearless adventurers,  have been plugging away at new material. Starting tonight with the release of a new song, the extra racy “Passage to Freedom”, I will be posting new songs and instrumentals everyday this week.

The National Geographic #6: The Sparrows of Merritt Island

sorry for not posting anything in a few weeks. We’ve been busy with other stuff. Without further adieu, we presnt:

Inspired by Verlyn Klinkenborg’s article “Countdown to Exitnction”, published in National Geographic, January 2009.

Link to the Article

The Sparrows of Merritt Island

Benjamin Juergens: Vocals, guitar, bass, banjo, recorder, percussion, handclaps
Donald Mennerich: Piano, accordion

The National Geographic #5: Big Blue

Inspired by Ken Brower’s article “Sill Blue” published in National Geographic, Mar. 2009.

Link to the article

Big Blue
Big Blue (instrumental)

Lyric:
Off the shores of Costa Rica
Where the sea’s the color of a lover’s eyes
under midnight skies
Mr. Nicklin took a photo
The likes of which I’ve never seen
in all my life

Trailing whales in search of poop
Brower wants to find, just what they eat
and why they’re dying
Whales are really huge
80 feet from nose to fluke
and that’s a small one

Ben Juergens: Lead vocals, drums, electric guitar
Killian King: Background vocals
Don Mennerich: Organ, saxophone, bass, modular synth, background vocals
Mikhail Morales: Electric guitar

The National Geographic #4: Nansen of the North

Inspired by Hampton Sides’ article “1000 days in the ice” published in National Geographic, Jan. 2009.

Link to the article
Download a PDF of Fridtjof Nansen’s account of his journey Here

Nansen of the North

Instrumental to be posted shortly…

Ben Juergens: Drums
Killian King: Vocals
Don Mennerich: Organ, saxophone, bass, electric guitar, vocals
Mikhail Morales: Electric guitar, vocals

The National Geographic #3: Frogs

Inspired by Jennifer Holland’s article “The Vanishing” published in National Geographic, Apr. 2009

Link to the article

Frogs
Frogs (instrumental)

Ben Juergens: lead vox, drums, rhythm guitar
Don Mennerich: clavinet, saxophone, bass
Mikhail Morales: stunt guitar
Killian King: background vox

Nat. Geo #3 delayed

But will be up tonight, promise.. I’m also thinking the band name should be changed to “Benjy J. and the NGs”, opinions?

In the meantime watch some video of Klaus Schultz thats, like, older than me

Klaus Schulze – Live 1977 from Ernesto Cardenal on Vimeo.

The National Geographic #2: Birds Fall Like Snow

Inspired by Bruce Barcott’s article “Ice Paradise”, published in The National Geographic, April 2009.

Link to the article

Birds Fall Like Snow
Birds Fall Like Snow (instrumental mix)

Don Mennerich: vocals, accordion, clavinet, piano, synthesizer, bass guitar
Ben Juergens: slide guitar, drums

The National Geographic #1: “Porcelain Doll”

Inspired by A. A. Gill’s article “Where the Dead Don’t Sleep” published in National Geographic, Feb. 2009

Link to the article

Porcelain Doll (AKA Little Sicilian Mummy Girl)

Ben Juergens: lead vox, drums
Don Mennerich: organ, acoustic guitar, bass, background vox
Mikhail Morales: electric guitar
Killian King: background vox