I… Read Full Bio ↴1. Wood is an experimental noise/ambient music project started in 2023
2. Traditional Rock and Americana from James Maddock and company.
He's just an ordinary guy. We know that because he's forever telling us he's just an ordinary guy in that likable, down-to-earth, "fancy a drink, pal?" sort of way.
But how many ordinary guys do YOU know who amble nonchalantly on stage looking as if they're about to pick a fight with a karaoke machine and then sing with a sublime power that charms and chills in equal measure? How many ordinary guys do YOU know who write a whole catalogue of songs with such emotional depth that they sound like classics the instant you hear them?
He's a Midlands lad called James Maddock from the English city of Leicester, famous for... well, Leicester's not famous for anything at all really. But for years, he's had this unfeasible dream of making wonderful music under the name of Wood and, hey, dreams come true.... "We used to be called 'The Gift Of Love,'" he remembers, "and we were talking one night about music and I said, 'On all the records I really love -- like Dylan and The Band -- you can picture the room they're playing in and you can hear the wood.' And it suddenly hit me. WOOD! That was the name I wanted for my band."
James picked up his first instrument -- the ukulele that his granddad used to play in wartime bands -- at the age of eight. His dad, an optician, filled the house with jazz and if you venture into Leicester on a wet weekend you might still find Mr. Maddock playing in a jazz band in some remote corner.
"By the time I was 14, I started thinking seriously about being able to play the guitar," James recalls, "and I was pretty good at it. I had this great guitar teacher and at the end of a lesson he'd say, 'You should check out this record by Neil Young.... ' I worked on a market stall on a Saturday and I'd go in, get my wages, and then go and buy a Neil Young record. And the next week he'd say, 'have you heard Ry Cooder...?,' and it went on from week to week... The Eagles, Jackson Browne... and all the West Coast stuff...."
"Then I found Born To Run at a friend's house and it completely blew me away," he continues. "I was a big Bruce fan, still am. The Band's second album was a seminal influence on me too. Bob Dylan is a big hero for me."
James Maddock moved to London when he was 20 and served his apprenticeship in covers bands working the ...ahem... boisterous London Irish pub circuit. He played in the Arsenal Tavern, North London, every weekend for several years, an achievement that surely merits some sort of long service gold medal award. It was hard, the audiences took no prisoners and you could play there for a hundred years without being discovered, but James wouldn't have missed it for the world. And besides, from this unglamorous environment of beer, tobacco and loud covers of old standards and the hits of the day, the first splinters of Wood began to emerge about three years ago. "I took over as singer and started doing my favorite songs -- Creedence Clearwater Revival and Bob Marley stuff -- but all the time I was also writing my own songs."
They even recorded some demos of his material (at Abbey Road Studios, no less, where they fantasized about being rich and famous as they arrived to be gawked at and have their pictures taken by Japanese tourists) and waited for unspeakably lavish offers to flood in. Strangely enough, they didn't. But James somehow knew his music's spiritual home was America. "Two of the albums I most identify with are Late For The Sky (Jackson Browne) and Harvest (Neil Young). I love songwriters and I try to combine melodies and story. I've always liked my music to be quite gentle, with an acoustic, friendly feel...."
At a time when nothing got signed in the UK unless it came with nasal voices and loud twanging guitars and could be marketed as "Brit pop," James suddenly found himself flown to New York where a chance play of the demo sufficiently impressed Columbia Record executives to offer him a record deal. Classic songs. Beautiful melodies. Great lyrics. Choruses just made for dancing on the ceiling. A voice to sell your grandmother for. Where had this boy BEEN all their lives?!
"They got me to fly out there and do a gig in their offices!," James exclaims. "It was pretty scary! You spend all your life trying to get to this point and suddenly you're standing there with your guitar and it's all hanging on what you do in 20 minutes in that office."
The boy obviously done good. His old Leicester schoolchum, Bill Newsinger (guitar), and the other two Wood mainstays, Jim O'Malley (bass) and Steve Jackson (drums), found themselves finally summoned to Tongue & Groove Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to record, with producer Dave "Stiff" Johnson, the album they'd begun to despair would ever get made. "It really is a dream come true!," James admits. "When you've spent so long scrubbing around trying to get £50 together for rehearsals you think it will never happen. But when it does happen it's a huge responsibility. I'm learning a lot about myself through this."
The first Wood album, Songs From Stamford Hill, is not only full of unfeasibly memorable melodies and immaculately crafted songs, it has some telling lyrics. "I'd written hundreds of songs before," James estimates, "but when we called the band 'Wood,' everything seemed to fall into place." The album's title was inspired by the area of London where James was living at the time most of the songs on the record were written.
You may already know the opening track, "Stay You," which is featured on the best-selling Top 10 album Songs From Dawson's Creek (Columbia/Sony Music Soundtrax). "Never Ending," the album's closing song, is another key track, a particularly poignant, nostalgic autobiographical song about growing up in Leicester and losing touch with schoolfriends. All of James' years of frustration are reflected in the lyric of "Knock It On The Head," in which he promises to allow himself just one last crack at this music nonsense before giving it all up to get a proper job. Then again, you don't have to spend long in his company to know he could NEVER give it up!
James has a rare way with a sentimental love song, as well. "I really love 'Our Time Has Come', it's so SOPPY!" he laughs. "There's only about three chords in it too, but there's a symmetry as well." And then there's 'You Make Me Feel Bad.' "Oh, that's about a girlfriend who made me decorate the apartment about four times," he admits. "I'd do it and she'd turn round and say, 'Oh I don't like that color!.'" All human life is here.
Wood. Crazy name. Perhaps. Ordinary guy. We think not!
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(3)Wood is rapper from Houston, Tx.
He is member of S.U.C. ( Screwed Up Click) & Half Dead Organization.
(4)Wood is also an instrumental band from Wheaton, IL. They are, what you call, like-minded forward thinkers. http://www.myspace.com/ourbandwood
(5)Wood is also a project by Wouter 'Wood' Loderichs, operating from Apeldoorn, The Netherlands . On his debut he mixes hiphop, funk, rock, blues and a tinge of industrial. More info can be found at his MySpace page.
(6) Wood is also a young Norwegian pop comet, also known as Elsa Marie Skjong. http://soundcloud.com/woodnorway/wood-honey-youre-a-dog
7. Stoner/Doom Metal from Rennes, France
Bandcamp
8. French rapper signed to GrintaRecords who started in 2020
https://www.instagram.com/woodsvs_/
Zelda
Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J'vais pas couler même sur un radeau
J'cellophane du ne-jau fort au fond du salon
La 10 e ici c'est un marron
La vie d'Ribery la vie d'Halland
Rs6 audi j'monte en Hollande
Un demi mili pour qu'je bande
Vener
Pas chez toi que j'vais venir
À part si faut poser des photos d'frappes
J'vais débouler j'ai pu d'heure
Ton vieux rap qui fait vomir
5h50 j'attend boomer
Ma re-pai j'vais salir
J'tape un 100m j'met tempête dans Rover
J'suis loin d'la paix, des îles, du sable, du calme,
Mais trop proche des camés
Proches des blèmes
Plaquette il m'fallait
J'men sors bien j't'ai vu t'emballer
J'taffais les palettes dans l'entreprise, laisse
J'préfèrai côtoyer les méchants d'ma ville pour en créer des business
Elle m'demande c'que j'trafique dans la vie
Elle tema
La voiture
Mais bébé
J'suis pas mature
A 2 dans la caisse monte sur Paris
Sa visser ça sa recule pas
Génération g-star, Kawasaki
Un peu Zelda zéro resta
Elle m'demande c'que j'trafique dans la vie
Elle tema
La voiture
Mais bébé
J'suis pas mature
A 2 dans la caisse monte sur Paris
Sa visser ça sa recule pas
Génération g-star, Kawasaki
Un peu Zelda zéro resta
Un trou dans la caisse
J'me crée des ennemis à la base J'les faisait bosser
Gentil à la base obligé d'crosser
C'est moi qui t'réveille à 8h en cross
J'vesqui les procès
Plus beaucoup d'proches
J't'écoute pas si j'te vois parler sur ton prochain
Nique pas les projos
J'ai kichta au chaud
Pas peur de l'échec
Ça fais partie du jeu
Pas peur de la vie et la
Vivre
Galère fallait surmonter c'est gore
J'rentre dans la boutique j'fais la bise
Elle s'confie à sa copine j'crois que c'est mort
J'reprend 10 articles et son num en balle
J'dois un livrer un sac de sport
J'suis loin d'la paix, des îles, du sable, du calme,
Mais trop proche des camés
Proches des blèmes
Plaquette il m'fallait
J'men sors bien j't'ai vu t'emballer
J'taffais les palettes dans l'entreprise, laisse
J'préfèrai côtoyer les méchants d'ma ville pour en créer des business
Elle m'demande c'que j'trafique dans la vie
Elle tema
La voiture
Mais bébé
J'suis pas mature
A 2 dans la caisse monte sur Paris
Sa visser ça sa recule pas
Génération g-star, Kawasaki
Un peu Zelda zéro resta
Elle m'demande c'que j'trafique dans la vie
Elle tema
La voiture
Mais bébé
J'suis pas mature
A 2 dans la caisse monte sur Paris
Sa visser ça sa recule pas
Génération g-star, Kawasaki
Un peu Zelda zéro resta
The lyrics of Wood's song "Zelda" are filled with references to street life, materialistic desires, and the singer's struggles and ambitions. The first verse begins with a derogatory statement towards a woman who underestimated the singer's strength and resilience. He asserts that he will not sink even if he is on a raft. The line "J'cellophane du ne-jau fort au fond du salon" is metaphorically suggesting that he is wrapping himself in plastic to protect his strong personality and presence.
The mention of "La 10e ici c'est un marron" refers to a neighborhood or district, highlighting the singer's familiarity with a rough environment. The references to professional footballers like Franck Ribery and Erling Haaland, and an Audi RS6 car, indicate the singer's aspiration for success and a lavish lifestyle. He implies that spending a significant amount of money can arouse him sexually, suggesting a connection between materialism and personal satisfaction.
The chorus reflects a sense of rebellion and non-conformity. The singer states that he will not come to someone's home unless he needs to display his achievements through photographs. He describes himself as arriving unexpectedly, indicating his lack of adherence to societal norms and expectations. The line "Ton vieux rap qui fait vomir" expresses his disdain for conventional rap music, suggesting that he pursues a unique style and sound.
The second verse delves into the singer's complex relationship with his city and the people within it. He acknowledges that he is far from peace, the tropical paradise symbolized by islands, sand, and calmness. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a world close to drug addicts and problems. The line "Plaquette il m'fallait" hints at his involvement in drug trafficking, but he claims to have managed the situation well. He prefers to associate with the tough individuals in his town to create business opportunities, indicating his resourcefulness and entrepreneurial mindset.
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the singer's immaturity and his inclination to travel to Paris with someone, underscoring a desire for new experiences and opportunities. The mention of G-Star, Kawasaki, and Zelda represents a symbolically rebellious generation influenced by fashion and video game culture. The reference to Zelda indicates a desire to reinvent oneself or escape from reality, to become a "zero resta" (fully renewed).
In the final verse, the singer discusses creating enemies through his actions, contrasting with his initial kindness. He claims to be the one who wakes people up early in the morning, possibly referring to his dominance or influence over others. Despite the challenges and potential loss of close connections, he remains unafraid of failure, accepting it as a part of the game he is playing.
Overall, "Zelda" portrays a character who navigates the gritty streets, pursues materialistic desires, and challenges societal norms. The lyrics reflect a mix of ambition, rebellion, and a longing for personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Cette pute elle croyait qu'j'étais k.o.
This person thought I was defeated.
J'vais pas couler même sur un radeau
I won't sink, not even on a raft.
J'cellophane du ne-jau fort au fond du salon
I wrap myself in yellow cellophane deep in the living room.
La 10 e ici c'est un marron
The 10th here is a brown color.
La vie d'Ribery la vie d'Halland
The life of Ribery, the life of Halland.
Rs6 audi j'monte en Hollande
I drive an RS6 Audi to Holland.
Un demi mili pour qu'je bande
Half a million for me to get excited.
J'donne ma main c'est tout mon bras qui veulent prendre
I offer my hand, but they want to take my whole arm.
Vener
Come (imperative form)
Pas chez toi que j'vais venir
I won't come to your place.
À part si faut poser des photos d'frappes
Unless I need to take pictures of hits.
J'vais débouler j'ai pu d'heure
I'm going to rush, I have no time.
Ton vieux rap qui fait vomir
Your old rap that makes people vomit.
5h50 j'attend boomer
I wait for Boomer at 5:50 AM.
Ma re-pai j'vais salir
I'm going to dirty my mother.
J'tape un 100m j'met tempête dans Rover
I run a 100m and cause a storm in a Rover.
J'suis loin d'la paix, des îles, du sable, du calme,
I'm far from peace, islands, sand, calm,
Mais trop proche des camés
But too close to drug addicts.
Proches des blèmes
Close to problems.
Plaquette il m'fallait
I needed a plaque (drugs).
J'men sors bien j't'ai vu t'emballer
I'm doing well, I saw you getting excited.
J'taffais les palettes dans l'entreprise, laisse
I used to work with pallets in the company, let it go.
J'préfèrai côtoyer les méchants d'ma ville pour en créer des business
I preferred to associate with the bad guys from my city to create businesses.
Elle m'demande c'que j'trafique dans la vie
She asks me what I'm doing in life.
Elle tema
She's scared.
La voiture
The car.
Mais bébé
But baby
J'suis pas mature
I'm not mature.
A 2 dans la caisse monte sur Paris
Two of us in the car going to Paris.
Sa visser ça sa recule pas
It's screwed, it doesn't go back.
Génération g-star, Kawasaki
G-Star generation, Kawasaki.
Un peu Zelda zéro resta
A bit like Zelda, no pause.
Un trou dans la caisse
A hole in the car.
J'me crée des ennemis à la base J'les faisait bosser
I create enemies from scratch, I used to make them work.
Gentil à la base obligé d'crosser
Nice at first, but forced to cross (fight).
C'est moi qui t'réveille à 8h en cross
It's me who wakes you up at 8 AM by crossing (fighting).
J'vesqui les procès
I escape from the trials.
Plus beaucoup d'proches
Not many relatives anymore.
J't'écoute pas si j'te vois parler sur ton prochain
I won't listen to you if I see you talking about your neighbor.
Nique pas les projos
Don't mess with the spotlights.
J'ai kichta au chaud
I have a stash (drugs) kept warm.
Pas peur de l'échec
Not afraid of failure.
Ça fais partie du jeu
That's part of the game.
Pas peur de la vie et la
Not afraid of life and it
Vivre
To live.
Galère fallait surmonter c'est gore
Hardships had to be overcome, it's tough.
J'rentre dans la boutique j'fais la bise
I enter the shop and give a kiss.
Elle s'confie à sa copine j'crois que c'est mort
She confides in her friend, I think it's over.
J'reprend 10 articles et son num en balle
I take 10 items and her number through the ball.
J'dois un livrer un sac de sport
I have to deliver a sports bag.
Writer(s): Jackson, Noxious
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.