The year was 1999, and it looked like the writing was on the wall for Screaming Trees.
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Formed 14 years earlier, the Trees were born in Ellensburgh, a ranching town in Washington State some 100 miles from Seattle.
Notionally, they were a punk-rock group - as was any band that put out an album on the Black Flag frontman Greg Ginn's SST Records, as the Trees did three times in the late 1980s. But really, Screaming Trees' music came from somewhere else. Theirs was a lumbering, hard-rock sound with a psychedelic, mystical edge - steeped in Led Zeppelin and Cream, but, more than anything else, reflecting the nature of their surroundings: drugs, blue-collar poverty and the dense forests and craggy mountains of the American north-west.
Screaming Trees, who days ago released the last recordings before their split 11 years ago in the form of Last Words: The Final Sessions, were ahead of their time. Their music predated the wave of grunge bands that emerged from the Seattle region in the early 1990s, and when that wave appeared, they rode it: spurred by MTV hits such as Nearly Lost You - a notable addition to the soundtrack from the film Singles - their 1992 album Sweet Oblivion sold 300,000 copies in the US. But Screaming Trees never quite made the leap to being superstars. Their George Drakoulias-produced 1996 album Dust included 10 grandly orchestrated, quasi-religious songs of deliverance set to the vocalist Mark Lanegan's sublime, world-weary baritone. It won glowing reviews but sales were modest, and by the time the Trees came off tour a couple of years later, they had no record label and no industry interest.
"There were no smart rock people at any of the major labels by 1999," says the Trees' drummer Barrett Martin. "It was all going the way of the boy bands."
Screaming Trees might not have had options, but they did have songs. So, between the winter of 1998 and the summer of 1999, the band dropped into three studios - Stone Gossard's Studio Litho and Jupiter Studios in Seattle, and a stint at Ocean Way in Los Angeles - to commit those songs to tape. "We recorded for posterity's sake, and I don't think we thought beyond that," says Martin. "The Trees never really had any grand strategy."
The previous decade or so had been a difficult one for Screaming Trees. A decade spent in each other's pockets had taken a toll on inter-band relations, and Lanegan's drug habit, a problem since his teens, made him a volatile character. Around the time of Dust, the guitarist Van Connor told the UK rock magazine Kerrang! that "this band is like being in a dysfunctional family - you're used to the abuse so you keep on taking it".
Yet, says Martin, for Screaming Trees' final sessions, none of this entered the frame. "Everyone was clean and sober, and it was the summer and fall in Seattle, the most beautiful time of the year."
Friends Peter Buck of REM and the Trees' touring guitarist Josh Homme, then readying his own band Queens of the Stone Age, came by the studio to offer guest parts, and everything was harmonious.
"There was a lot of laughing between the takes, and you can hear it on the multi-tracks. Lanegan was in rare form," adds Martin.
Following a final gig at the opening of Seattle's Experience Music Project in 2000, the band announced their split. The final sessions, recorded to two-inch tape, were sealed and left to gather dust in Gossard's studio basement. And that, for Screaming Trees, was that.
Until now. Last year, Martin and the Seattle producer Jack Endino cracked open the tapes to discover they were still intact. With the band's consent, the pair cleaned and restored the recordings, and the result is the Screaming Trees album that never was.
Songs such as Ash Grey Sunday and Crawlspace are a reminder of what a great band the Trees were at their peak, lean and urgent, shorn of the mellotron, sitar and harmonium that were a hallmark of Dust.
"I like that production, but I wanted to produce the band to sound the way we really sounded - live, spontaneous, explosive," says Martin. "These are elementally great songs, and too much overproduction would have ruined them. The Trees don't need an orchestra to sound like the Screaming Trees."
Following the Trees' split, all have remained in music. Lanegan joined Josh Homme in Queens of the Stone Age, and has pursued a busy solo career, as well as recording with Isobel Campbell and with Greg Dulli in The Gutter Twins. The guitarist Gary Lee Connor and his brother Van play in their own bands, Microdot Gnome and Valis. Martin has toured with REM and Stone Temple Pilots, and currently fronts his own world-jazz outfit.
As for Screaming Trees, well, who's to say?
"I'm not trying to be cryptic about it, but I truly don't know," says Martin. "We're all on good terms, we're friends - family, in a strange way. That's mostly due to getting older, having families, gaining a little bit of hard-earned wisdom after all those years. The important thing is that we made some albums that have stood the test of time. I think Last Words stands up there with Sweet Oblivion and Dust. More importantly, we all survived as people. No small feat in itself."
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Harry%20%26%20Meghan
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
World%20Cup%202023%20ticket%20sales
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Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Mohamed Usman (vice captain), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Imran Haider, Tahir Mughal, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed, Fahad Nawaz, Abdul Shakoor, Sultan Ahmed, CP Rizwan
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
SCORES
Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)
bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.