tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9337026037378097212024-03-14T09:38:50.770+00:00ITAXXXXTHING BLOGUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1096125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-56365283696222593072017-01-04T11:31:00.003+00:002017-01-04T11:37:50.303+00:00New Years Revolutions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuwJ7wOnr7ltY5fkFLMPRfuIjSVwikpaspVHkYAbHawzYu3MlhjqKAUvN0sy8A2sYgGcQADHvjp_6D76BCnw2l9HUAPuTqULSCtLUdBvkyQy76FIBchpApLUHVtduyYuL7rr37njN1EFg/s1600/Mobile-Phones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuwJ7wOnr7ltY5fkFLMPRfuIjSVwikpaspVHkYAbHawzYu3MlhjqKAUvN0sy8A2sYgGcQADHvjp_6D76BCnw2l9HUAPuTqULSCtLUdBvkyQy76FIBchpApLUHVtduyYuL7rr37njN1EFg/s320/Mobile-Phones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The interview below may be a case of confirmation bias on my part, but I will admit to considering that this guy makes a great deal of sense.<br />
<br />
As a parent I do ask myself if I raised my children to have unrealistic expectations of life.<br />
<br />
The answer to that is that I have.<br />
In saying that they can be anything, and they can do anything that they want, I was telling a lie, and I participated freely in the spreading of these falsehoods.<br />
The reason being because we all want it to be true.<br />
We ignore the fact that some things are beyond some people.<br />
We don't acknowledge that for certain things to happen that we need to have specific doors to be opened to us, and without them the chances of securing a dream job, or life, can become so far out of reach that it really is impossible to secure it.<br />
That is just life, and like children we pulled the covers over our heads and pretended that the world out there didn't exist.<br />
We ignored something that couldn't be changed.<br />
And we done our children a disservice from our lack of honesty.<br />
<br />
A bitter pill to swallow?<br />
<br />
Of course it is, but it is of our own making. <br />
<br />
I also ask myself if I provided them with the skills required to navigate their way through adulthood.<br />
<br />
And in a lot of that soul searching that I do I often come to the conclusion that I haven't.<br />
<br />
Mainly because like everyone else I am still trying wrap my head around how to do it myself.<br />
<br />
As a parent that is not an easy thing to admit, and I am aware that I am not a total failure in parenting, but there is nothing wrong with putting your hands up and saying I could have done better.<br />
It is doubtful that anyone could honestly say that they couldn't have as we are all flawed in one way or another.<br />
<br />
Part of the problem is of course environmental too.<br />
<br />
None of us want our children to stand out as different from others so we strive to provide them with everything that everyone else has, and when we fail we feel that we are losing in the game of life.<br />
By doing this we are adding this pressure to ourselves, and passing it on to those we love.<br />
<br />
Another failure really.<br />
<br />
Then, of course, there is the issue of technology and how it has impacted on society, but the reality about this is that mobile phones, i-pads, computer games, and everything else that we now see as basic requirements in life are inanimate objects, and we chose to make them an integral part in firstly our lives, and then our childrens.<br />
<br />
You can't point the finger at a mobile phone and lay the blame of all the worlds ills at its feet.<br />
<br />
We have all played our parts in bringing us to where we all are.<br />
<br />
And why?<br />
<br />
Because we don't want to be seen as losing in a game that has no rules.<br />
Because we have been manipulated by the latest ad campaigns telling us what the latest must have is.<br />
Because even if we are not swayed by them we are still a slave to this happening due to trying to fit in with those who are.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this interview casts up more questions than answers, but it is probably time that we started asking them.<br />
Maybe even time to lift our heads up and enjoy simpler pleasures.<br />
<br />
I still have hope that my children will do fine, that they will find someone who loves them, cares for them as much as I do, and that they incrementally do a better job at this life thing than I have, and their children do a little better again.<br />
<br />
The latest mobile phone isn't all that anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="900" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsmizzymusic%2Fvideos%2F10154718480226427%2F&show_text=0&width=900" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="900"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-13514173547564241992016-12-28T12:49:00.000+00:002016-12-28T16:38:10.543+00:00Where there is fire there's smoke.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSDmL_N1dP-sl8WNB8t0BW9V_LLwraynn1geU22oa2SYUg4M6GIS71uScvdaC3zQRJvoddP8H0SqcI98VhvU_TRgavz-oeGalHi9ol4UAFpnIf66mGmKC5PCXynReYvK3VIJ6en9jF3z/s1600/flame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSDmL_N1dP-sl8WNB8t0BW9V_LLwraynn1geU22oa2SYUg4M6GIS71uScvdaC3zQRJvoddP8H0SqcI98VhvU_TRgavz-oeGalHi9ol4UAFpnIf66mGmKC5PCXynReYvK3VIJ6en9jF3z/s400/flame.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moral outrage!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have got to love it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All it takes is one jerk in a crowd that possesses a knee
and the torches are lit and the mob takes form.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The latest spark that has become a hardy flame surrounds the
alleged incident of a homeless person having his belongings soaked by a
security guard employed by Debenhams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facts are a bit bare at the moment of writing, but if this assault,
- as that is what it is - happened then I would suspect that the store would
instigate an investigation and then act on their findings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anything less would be a pr disaster for them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yet for so many that is not enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A boycott is required.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not just the threat of one, but a call to withdraw custom
from now. RIGHT NOW!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.change.org/p/debenhams-boycott-debenhams-until-security-guard-who-soaked-homeless-man-is-disciplined-or-fired">www.change.org/p/debenhams-boycott-debenhams-until-security-guard-who-soaked-homeless-man-is-disciplined-or-fired</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously the abuse of a homeless person is a serious
allegation, and if true then I have literally no shred of sympathy for the
abuser.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they lose their job then that is appropriate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there were others that were aware of this within the
stores hierarchy, and they condoned this behaviour, then I don’t have anything
to say to defend them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They can all reap what they have sown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are some things to consider though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first being did it happen?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another being that as it is alleged to have happened on Boxing
Day then the time frame of a complaint to a resolution - at this busy time of
year - has to be factored in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the tone of some it would appear that they would have
been happier if this had been addressed on Christmas day, even though it was
alleged to have happened on Boxing Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also has to be asked was there an official complaint lodged,
and is it true that no one has acted on it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For all we know Debenhams already have the wheels in motion
on an investigation and the threats of a boycott are unnecessary. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When news such as this catches the public eye then it is
right and proper that there is a reaction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first of those being that the validity of the allegation
is confirmed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then a letter of complaint should be sent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once that has been done then it is only right that the
company has time to respond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they do address the complaint in a satisfactory manner
than we have our internal social warriors stand down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they do accept that the incident happened, and do nothing, then a boycott is an appropriate response from the public.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anytime prior to that then all it is doing is endangering
the profitability of the company with that then impacting on the job security
of their employees.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think about that for a second.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The woman on the till who knows nothing about what has
happened is at your mercy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The man who is loading the van in the early hours of the
morning and works for a company subcontracted by the store is at your mercy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does the power feel good?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have signed any petition calling for a boycott now,
rather than later when more information is in the public domain then you are a
willing participant of the mob.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that I will now go and stand outside a store with a
placard complaining about an incident that will allegedly happen tomorrow, and
they better have it all sorted out by yesterday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
'Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never be in a hurry: do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Francis de Sales.<br />
<br />
Edit - From 2014<br />
<a href="http://www.recyclinglives.org/2014/01/debenhams-donates-suits-to-homeless-jobseekers/">www.recyclinglives.org/2014/01/debenhams-donates-suits-to-homeless-jobseekers/</a><br />
<br />
Update - <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debenhams-apologises-after-soaking-homeless-man-a7499081.html">www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debenhams-apologises-after-soaking-homeless-man-a7499081.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debenhams-apologises-after-soaking-homeless-man-a7499081.html"><br /></a></div>
<div class="_rTf" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-top: 0px;">
<div class="_Fsf kno-fb-ctx" data-ved="0ahUKEwjRps6K9ZbRAhUKJMAKHZ3TAq8QhFsIrwEoADAc">
<div class="_Tsf">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-79202912221941589352016-08-10T15:05:00.000+01:002016-08-10T15:16:38.429+01:00Reaction - Accelerator<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEYT2G2UCDUmW4eHaGpvaJEPfsHkLhXwUn6zeSbiL-KMkwC8jDU76sE65sukYiycaGUZbh2E9A4PTHapWs-WdknKRU5nEg0pIFQqo3xoK8KzQpClatuSuW-MeCrTB0WK161ns-eR26TcQ/s1600/reaction-acc-cover-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEYT2G2UCDUmW4eHaGpvaJEPfsHkLhXwUn6zeSbiL-KMkwC8jDU76sE65sukYiycaGUZbh2E9A4PTHapWs-WdknKRU5nEg0pIFQqo3xoK8KzQpClatuSuW-MeCrTB0WK161ns-eR26TcQ/s1600/reaction-acc-cover-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented, and neither does
punk rock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It just needs some fresh tires on it, and a foot put down
hard on the accelerator so that it can leave a stretch of burning rubber in its
rear view mirror as it peels away from the kerb.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Reaction, from Airdrie - a breeding ground for disenfranchisement
in all its shades of grey - fundamentally understand this premise, and on their
debut album – after only being together for thirty odd years – deliver a fresh
amphetamine fuelled history lesson to anyone that cares to jump on board for
the ride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sign post that says UK82 is thankfully ignored as they
speed down the highway, and the stops they do make to refuel on the road are
more Stooges friendly, Dead Boys loving, and Ramones adoring, than any band from
the back of beyond have any right to be welcomed in, but welcomed they are as
the quality needle never dips below ‘make my day punk.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Accelerator is not just the band delivering their homage to
the sounds of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>
punk explosion in the early seventies though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clash fans are going to bask in the shadow of some of the
flavouring, and of course with the Damned ploughing the same source material so
many years ago that same Anglo angle on it is there too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course it would be very easy to continue listing the influential
sounds that float to the surface on each and every song, but that would detract
from the taking a step back and letting the whole damn album wash over you and
letting it sweep you away with its passion for waiving the punk rock flag.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay. ‘Can’t help falling in love with you’, the sole cover and
live favourite may have been a better b side on a single than an album track, or
maybe it should have just been left for gigs, but who knows, maybe it is the unskippable
track on the album for someone else.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all subjective after all, and it’s inclusion doesn’t
have them swerving off the road into a ditch they can’t get out of so who cares?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m happy to take a dab of this and try and keep up with
them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out now on Tarbeach Records (<a href="http://www.tarbeachmusic.com/">www.tarbeachmusic.com</a>)</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s also a split single with Heavy Drapes on the label
too punk rock fact fans.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-40297836319536891392016-07-05T11:57:00.000+01:002016-07-05T11:57:11.839+01:00Is sorry the hardest word?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77Qm6aFXLmxO7vhSEtDuvb4m5PkhSVgxDttQcSfSqOtIku4SSjWUX5HIiRigHKjEdyiaMfVdWMAHiL7QImr5DFwuY2qbzVYl0leK2UbbkU05M_ZbKiVtu96GMF8zstR52H5MeytBxSuDT/s1600/edjpg-425x301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77Qm6aFXLmxO7vhSEtDuvb4m5PkhSVgxDttQcSfSqOtIku4SSjWUX5HIiRigHKjEdyiaMfVdWMAHiL7QImr5DFwuY2qbzVYl0leK2UbbkU05M_ZbKiVtu96GMF8zstR52H5MeytBxSuDT/s400/edjpg-425x301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
No one is right all of the time.<br />
As the poet Alexander Pope eloquently stated 'to err is human'.<br />
We all make mistakes, most of us make them daily.<br />
They range from the large to the small, and they can be inconsequential mistakes to life shattering errors of judgement.<br />
Mistakes are simply part of life.<br />
We live with them.<br />
Every single minute of any given day we decide on a course of action, and then once committed to, and acted on, we live with the consequences.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately certain mistakes require others to live with the consequences too, and this is where it all gets a little more complicated.<br />
<br />
If we revisit Pope we find that the latter part of the 'to err is human' quote is 'to forgive, divine' and we, in all our glory, are simply beautifully flawed humans and not divine.<br />
<br />
So forgiveness is not often easy.<br />
<br />
Especially when those who instigated what is, or could be construed as, a mistake, are fundamentally unable to accept their participation in the outcome.<br />
<br />
An example would be in the aftermath of the EU referendum.<br />
<br />
We currently have many of those who voted to exit the European Union advocating that everyone should now be working together to realize the bright future for the UK that they claim is on the horizon if we close our borders and renegotiate trade deals with the world.<br />
<br />
There is some worth in this urge for a positive communal approach, but it would be easier to get on board with it if those who did vote for an exit were able to put their hands up and accept that their vote ushered in not just financial uncertainty in the present, but also that it opened the door to the far right feeling emboldened enough to go forth and deliver misery on every minority residing in this country.<br />
<br />
That is not to say that all exit supporters were aware of this outcome, but rather that it would be easier to work with them if there was an acceptance of it now as a fact.<br />
Some contrition shown, rather than the strong sense of denial that emanates from them, would pave the way to forgiveness, and open positive avenues of communication up, but until others can do that we, as the aforementioned flawed humans, will find it difficult to move on.<br />
<br />
And that is understandable as the refusal to acknowledge what the vote set in motion gives the impression of an unwillingness to embrace responsibility, and if that fundamentally cannot be done then it does not lay the foundations of trust in each other that is required.<br />
<br />
The cry to 'accept and move on' will continue to fall on deaf ears as it sounds like an arrogant refusal to accept the reality of the negatives that their actions delivered.<br />
<br />
So if you are an advocate of leaving the EU, and your reasons are not rooted in low browed media instilled fear of migrants, and you really do want everyone, including those who voted to remain, to work together on building a solid foundation that the UK can rest on, then just for one moment can you stand up and say that you are sorry about the misery that is a by product of your vote, and then, but only then, maybe we can move on.<br />
<br />
Simply shouting at eu supporters to shut up and get on with life is actually offensive, and only encourages more division.<br />
<br />
So it's time to reflect, accept that the vote has delivered a less than positive reality that others have to live with, acknowledge your part in that publicly as a verbal act of contrition, and then hopefully we can all look to navigate through this mess together.<br />
<br />
Or maybe sorry truly is the hardest word to utter, and in failing to say it things will only continue to slide towards further misery for us all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-71479372023496646632016-05-26T12:38:00.001+01:002016-05-26T12:38:31.134+01:00KISS Rocks Vegas, 25/05/16 Kilmarnock Odeon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ydkCjgxgqX2Nmf1e4zFUITMYqMoNsxhQeYkGTGriNv3eDguuIvKGQzjfgjidXaUTPETBFFphyphenhyphen_A37BSKPHqozDlFKAQYCnBfKLrzmVHf3_T83EMRtpzgHtiJSbb633nmkcSUga-VVv_/s1600/KISS-Rocks-Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ydkCjgxgqX2Nmf1e4zFUITMYqMoNsxhQeYkGTGriNv3eDguuIvKGQzjfgjidXaUTPETBFFphyphenhyphen_A37BSKPHqozDlFKAQYCnBfKLrzmVHf3_T83EMRtpzgHtiJSbb633nmkcSUga-VVv_/s400/KISS-Rocks-Vegas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For one night only, in cinemas globally, you wanted the best, and you got the best.<br />
<br />
KISS have carved themselves a legendary reputation in the world of rock, and when they pull out all the stops it is easy to see why.<br />
Their bombastic larger than life theatrics coupled with bona fide classics of the genre set them up as gods of a self made reality.<br />
<br />
Simply put, no one does it like KISS.<br />
<br />
Some would claim that Alice Cooper does it better, but Alice, while equally larger than life, is more theatre in the true sense, a story teller of dark twisted tales, while KISS are the undisputed heavyweight champions of circus rock and roll.<br />
They deal in unsubtle spectacle.<br />
Scratch the surface and there isn't another layer that can be peeled back to reveal yet another.<br />
It's just KISS, KISS, and more KISS.<br />
<br />
And if you can't get to a show then the big screen, as opposed to a DVD/blueray release, is the next best thing.<br />
What the band deal in effortlessly lends itself to the cinema.<br />
It's big, it's loud and if it was in 3D Gene could lick they sweat from your brow.<br />
In fact I think he tried, and nearly succeeded, even within the 2D format.<br />
<br />
Paul Stanley has been on the receiving end of some criticism of his voice recently, with even hard-core fans mouthing concerns that he just can't hit the notes anymore, but he powers through the set in Vegas, and it's doubtful anyone will be complaining about his performance this time out.<br />
<br />
As a more old school fan of the band Detroit Rock City, Love Gun and Tears are Falling impressed, but the segue into The Who's 'Won't Get Fooled Again' in the middle of Lick it Up brought a smile to my lips, and the Led Zeppelin vocal outro turned that into a grin.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere Eric Singer does a sterling job on Black Diamond, and Tommy Thayer carries the lead guitar sound throughout with enough style that rumours of a return of Ace Frehley should probably just be put to bed, as while he will always be the original Spaceman it is doubtful he could really give Tommy a run for his money.<br />
<br />
Over all, as a one off event, this will most certainly do the business for KISS fans, and undoubtedly serve to fill their tanks to tide them over until the band revisit these shores, and if you missed it, well KISS never miss a money making trick and a release will probably see the light of day in one form or another, but unless you have a home cinema the size of a traditional one it really isn't going to be the same experience.<br />
<br />
And yet I suspect it still won't disappoint.<br />
<br />
A different night of rock and roll, but still satisfying.<br />
<br />
This review will also be featured on the New Hellfire Clubs site.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newhellfireclub.co.uk/">http://www.newhellfireclub.co.uk/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-87705314250983804252016-05-15T16:15:00.000+01:002016-05-15T16:15:05.637+01:00Fireball – Fuelling the fire tour. Featuring Less than Jake, The Skints, Mariachi El Bronx (Glasgow Academy)<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ1JGM-rN0vfbOcOFqCoV8vYYkvHv3iJgsw1cr7Ncq81_-o07IMEwnykEU3dPpQkvYqNqFL_SQMl_svvm_qtgbhrpFnchfUWRp7Hj-08XFWMgMBK7W_P0fWk3iMNKBthtGbZs6H_MIUmx/s1600/less.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ1JGM-rN0vfbOcOFqCoV8vYYkvHv3iJgsw1cr7Ncq81_-o07IMEwnykEU3dPpQkvYqNqFL_SQMl_svvm_qtgbhrpFnchfUWRp7Hj-08XFWMgMBK7W_P0fWk3iMNKBthtGbZs6H_MIUmx/s400/less.jpg" width="400" /></a>It is hard to believe that Less
than Jake are creeping up on being twenty five years old.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
When said out loud he next words
on the lips as a response is usually something about where has all the time
gone?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It slipped away when we weren’t looking
is the answer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They will be moving out and getting
their own place soon as we tearfully wave goodbye and then joke that they will
be back with their laundry to be done next week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Pop punk and ska punk has most definitely
come of age.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But while the summer sun, the
skateboards, the flipback caps and three quarter length board shorts may be a
distant memory for most - and currently the stuff of fashion house irony reboots
- the music of the ska-punk bands such as Less than Jake is evergreen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Slip the needle in the groove,
hit play and let the laser pick up the tracks on the CD, or listen to them on
your branded mp3 player, and a smile will creep onto your face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Tired muscles that haven’t had a
work out for a while will twitch into action and for a moment you will feel the
heat of that sun warming you as the songs start to trigger memories.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Half a song in and the twitching
muscles will have reached your legs and the foot tapping, if left unchecked,
can lead to a little go at some skanking, but only if no one is looking as the
dance like no one is watching meme that proliferates on social media usually
results in random strangers laughing at you as the best case scenario, and
being sectioned as the worst.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fear not though. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Instead of making a fool of
yourself skanking out of Central Station in <st1:place w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:place> oblivious to the masses laughing at
you there is another option available.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
If you can just hold that urge
down for a little longer then you can visit the Academy on Oct 9<sup>th</sup> where
you can dance your legs off with the aerobic work out of a lifetime as the guys
hit our glorious city as part of the Fireball – Fuelling the fire tour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even better news is that it’s not just a smorgasbord
of ska punk that is on the bill, but playing alongside them are The Skints, and
a personal favourite of mine, the side project of The Bronx, that are the
magnificent Mariachi El Bronx.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What more could anyone want?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
An austerity busting ticket price would be
nice I suppose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And guess what?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It bloody well is too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
With the tickets set at the price of ten
pounds it’s difficult not to lay a bet on this being a sold out event.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Someone, somewhere, has lost the plot when
deciding on how much to charge, but best not to focus on that and instead just
get the word out and turn the venue into a heaving mass of a celebration of some
great strands of punk rock in all its glory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
#FuelledByFire<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.tickets.o2priority.co.uk/events/fireball-fuelling-the-fire-tour/2898">www.tickets.o2priority.co.uk/events/fireball-fuelling-the-fire-tour/2898</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="615" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vHE7tVq_bBs" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-51607122919889892242016-05-15T14:49:00.001+01:002016-05-15T14:49:53.909+01:00Busted - Glasgow Hydro - 14/05/16<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIWGk1TLCAV-yua3XCdTgcKKl4vkTYD44yCs7K_gZNXwG4DvPE4xgv5EWcBu_vBTn_dXvhcbB9PaS00WK2me_WvdEcoR140E6ayGLyxL_dn_zAh1kOI9I2q6eHTujEcYT8iI2CemqbETT/s1600/Busted+015.JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIWGk1TLCAV-yua3XCdTgcKKl4vkTYD44yCs7K_gZNXwG4DvPE4xgv5EWcBu_vBTn_dXvhcbB9PaS00WK2me_WvdEcoR140E6ayGLyxL_dn_zAh1kOI9I2q6eHTujEcYT8iI2CemqbETT/s400/Busted+015.JPG.jpg" width="400" /></a>I've been to the year two
thousand and sixteen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Not much has changed but we look
a little older.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And in some ways it’s true, but
in others that’s not the case at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Busted are back, and while it
would be easy to cast a jaundiced eye over the reformation to fit with the
stereotype of the older -, but still trying to be hip - curmudgeon music fan
looking down my nose at the teenybopper icons, I just can’t find it in my heart
to do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Why?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Well to put it in very simple
terms there’s not a lot that anyone could comfortably hang a critique on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A claim of not liking what they
are doing is the airing of a subjective view, but to say they aren’t cutting it
musically, or in the delivery of their material, would be a downright lie. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
From the Blade Runner styled reboot
of the Pink Floyd pig balloon floating past, to the darker dystopian angle on
the animal farm pig masks that nudged the playful ‘pigs can fly’ tour title out
of the frame, the band have stepped up and coloured their brand with much
darker adult tones that eases visually towards Roger Waters territory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The new music doesn’t reflect
that, but it is far more introspective and mature as it veers into the adult
orientated niche that the Goo Goo Dolls have such a firm grip on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That tiny step musically does however
make sense, as to go away as Busted, the teen dream scream of yesteryear, and
come back reflecting all the ugliness of adult life without a slicker veneer
would be career suicide. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So instead the visuals are a
little ahead and the music is still transitioning, while the over all impression
given is that they know exactly what they are doing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Listen to new single ‘I’m Coming
Home*’ next to ‘Crashed the Wedding’ and there’s nothing to link them, but with
a careful eye on the running order of the hits and newbies the band avoid any
jarring clashes, and there is arguable not even a hint of a dip in the crowds
reaction as they lap up everything thrown at them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Busted literally have this nailed
down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jw5SYrtvSaxkWbg7up2OZK3RZlrTXiDwTYrtSy_WFtSZKGiIKVggzwaGoDyXe4zjS4v1AIW9l9qiEUzNfmbUAdL0BvvgjNCGi8Klr22jqDXJQDO7RHW-BmcJMyMcheN4iNuwRm1-F9Ot/s1600/Busted+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jw5SYrtvSaxkWbg7up2OZK3RZlrTXiDwTYrtSy_WFtSZKGiIKVggzwaGoDyXe4zjS4v1AIW9l9qiEUzNfmbUAdL0BvvgjNCGi8Klr22jqDXJQDO7RHW-BmcJMyMcheN4iNuwRm1-F9Ot/s320/Busted+2.jpg" width="194" /></a>The crowd is of course still
largely made up of young women. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The preteens and teens of over a
decade ago, - yes over a decade ago – and they are still enthralled by Matt,
James and Charlie, but the hyper response that they keyed into has now been tempered
by their own maturity and they are ready to be taken by the hand and guided
towards the reality that will be Busted 2.0.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This changing gears career wise
from a band that’s core audience is largely young and female into something
that has a wider demographic appeal has proven to be far too difficult a
stumbling block for so many others, and only time will tell if Busted can do it,
but all the pieces are most certainly in place and if they fail to secure a
second bite of the apple then there can be no blame laid at their feet as it
will be more a case of wrong place and wrong time rather than a reflection on
their efforts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
On leaving the cavernous Hydro there
was only one thought that reared up in my head, and that was ‘well that just
kicked the awful taste of McBusted doing that truly fuckin offensively pop punk
by numbers abortion of a track ‘Air Guitar’ out of everyone’s mouth.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Not a bad thing really.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
*On listening to the electronica
version from the studio it fails to come close to the guitar driven live
rendition. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-29090669252062916032015-09-22T17:19:00.000+01:002015-09-22T17:19:25.753+01:00And they all blew down.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX8fTvU6SS36Rm-n6rkKutRN9-PKabZZsaZSoIf32jZU6p7KULrvsxLclDJqdlo4MSu7StfyON2T_HxPZJ8rnE9RPEbEV_vSlM-TucD8jIoaqqPgs2LAg-TBKqbUXtAaLU5-1rmeQ2XwQ/s1600/12045560_979271005447317_5903506610704352446_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX8fTvU6SS36Rm-n6rkKutRN9-PKabZZsaZSoIf32jZU6p7KULrvsxLclDJqdlo4MSu7StfyON2T_HxPZJ8rnE9RPEbEV_vSlM-TucD8jIoaqqPgs2LAg-TBKqbUXtAaLU5-1rmeQ2XwQ/s320/12045560_979271005447317_5903506610704352446_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While we all still snigger away
like schoolchildren about the allegations of Cameron face fucking the severed
head of a pig in a bizarre initiation ceremony it’s interesting to read some of
the reactions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
One that has surprised me is the
amount of people offering a free pass on it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
‘We have all done things we were
ashamed of when we were young’ is so popular that it could be edging into trending
status.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Strange really, because when I
was younger I did a million things that I can shamefully look back on, but rattling
the cold dead tonsils of a severed pigs head with the tip of my tadger while
friends cheered me on wasn't one of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In fact I'm hard pushed to think
of a singular moment that I was in a situation when it looked like this was about
to happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Those claiming that we were all
young once must have walked down a very different path that I, or my peers,
ever did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I can just imagine the old Etonian
asking what the fuss is all about as we all did it, didn’t we?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I mean didn’t we?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I mean only those without sin can
cast the first stone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Can’t they?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Bizarrely if the sin is - yes you
guessed it - fucking the head of a dead pig then I’m guessing that there are
quite a few people that will fit the remit for casting that first stone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then again maybe I'm wrong and
just led a sheltered life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Neither did I burn fifty pound
notes in front of homeless people; I never trashed restaurants or burned down a
neighbours garage like Clegg did either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Damn. I was never as debauched as
these guys. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Nor wanted to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Then there are those who desperately
want to point at another of the revelations from the forthcoming book from
Ashcroft.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Who cares about the pig, what
about Ashcrofts nondom tax status?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They really want to claim that
the sexual congress with the severed pigs head is just a distraction from that,
but is it, or should it be?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Aren't they both just examples of
rich bastards considering they are exempt from the laws and morals that the rest
of us are supposed to adhere to? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And if we accept that they are
both really the same thing then out of the two what has the most entertainment
value.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Is it the boring old tax dodging
angle on it, or the FUCKIN’ A PIGS HEAD bit?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Admit it. We all know the answer
and the proof is all around us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In a decades time if this all led
to his stepping down, or being ousted, and it hinged on the tax issue then how
many would remember the details, but if it’s about the pig then who would
forget?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even if it isn't true I am going
to go out on a limb and say that he still deserves to go as they've been
buggering kids and covering it up for long enough anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And that takes us to another
angle on all of this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Who out there can hand on heart
claim that these people are fit for office?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
They are the end result us
getting what we deserve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We allowed the establishment to
shaft us so often that they think it is their birthright, and then when others step
up from our ranks it is rarely for altruistic reasons, but often because they
want to hang onto the gravy train of cash and privilege with the added bonus of
the get out of jail free card that they all seem to get issued with along with
their silver spoons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Even when they mouth all the
correct altruistic statements they are secretly open to looking into the abyss
and letting the abyss gaze on their soul.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The current state of politics is
that it has alienated so many that those left to throw their hats in the ring
to represent us are often the least able to do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s not everyone of course, but
so often it is a case of those so desperately wanting to lead being the worst
possible people to do so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The sort that would go to a party
to get off their tits and skull fuck a severed pigs head if they thought it would
benefit them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And with that we are back to the
start. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So will some altruistic person
with a level head please get involved in all this, because if they don’t then
it is just going to be an ugly catch 22 scenario forever and ever. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-40846005334982298862015-07-27T19:32:00.000+01:002015-07-27T19:43:31.206+01:00Wickerman 2015 - Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvldNrM7e6uEMUHpupIgCJL4saJHwhrMiew0IT3_JcgbIqZWtymp1jCX4hQTfs3X32jXtxMfPm5Eq4Ylvdpw8yUW_jSyVXPmnEHYeJYhGRCCZoVkpTfSOEoWvsPTBEY90PpzVxmpkxiUuL/s1600/Wickerman+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvldNrM7e6uEMUHpupIgCJL4saJHwhrMiew0IT3_JcgbIqZWtymp1jCX4hQTfs3X32jXtxMfPm5Eq4Ylvdpw8yUW_jSyVXPmnEHYeJYhGRCCZoVkpTfSOEoWvsPTBEY90PpzVxmpkxiUuL/s320/Wickerman+065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Festivals by their nature are hit and miss with the
entertainment provided.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not because they are apt to look to scrape the bottom of the
barrel, but simply because a crowd of thousands of people with different tastes
can’t be kept happy all the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For every stage that is visited that provides the hit there
will always be one that delivers a personal miss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s expected, and it doesn't mean the miss isn't
entertaining, but rather that it fails to be to the individuals liking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s nothing more or less than that, and when you stumble
across that act that doesn’t work for you then the search continues for
something that does, and a well balanced festival will provide it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This however wasn't my experience of Wickerman 2015 though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead it was a whirlwind of quality that often left me
reeling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acts after act defied the odds and resolutely failed to
disappoint.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Musically I didn't experience a singular downside at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked to name a favourite moment I can’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each time I thought I had witnessed the jewel in the
performance crown another act would mirror the experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Hector Bizerk to The Sonics the Scooter tent
relentlessly hit the spot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Julian Cope to The Waterboys the main stage was firing
on all cylinders.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there was any criticism to be levelled at the organizers
then it would be that I didn’t have time to check out the other tents and
stages with the exception of a hit and run on the acoustic tent to catch Little
Fire.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing that was highlighted by Esperanza, Halfrican and
Hector Bizerk was that we are not short of home grown talent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be entirely possible to have not just a stage, but
a festival, dedicated to Scottish acts and it would be a shock and awe assault
on those who claim that we fall short of delivering acts ready to take on the
world</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Garage rockers Halfrican – who were in the Scooter tent - on
vinyl sound like a collaboration between The Ramones and Jesus and Mary Chain looking
to deliver a grungy surf rock release, but live it’s cleaner, clearer, less
lo-fi and more power pop in the delivery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not even sure what I prefer between the two.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dirt, or the sheen?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both are equally attractive propositions, but the latter was
probably more suited to the festival environment where they had the opportunity
to attract people in with a bit of aural honey rather than a more abrasive set
that would have left some on the ropes wondering what had hit them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Halfricannot?fref=ts">Halfrican on Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there was Hector Bezerk who initially raised some
concerns among the punk rock aficionados as they were seen to be an odd fit for
the stage, but their set was probably the most punk rock of all as they pushed
at the boundaries of hip hop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The journey from frontman Louie when solo spitting out Glaswegian
accented rhymes to the initial sound of Hector Bizerk to the current one is a
fast paced delight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is an act that are not only redefining hip hop, but are
now at the point of their evolution that they would not appear out of place if
they took to the pyramid stage at Glastonbury to fill a prime time spot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we are seeing is evolution in action speeded up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As they expand ever further into dabbling in other genres
they are laying down the foundations to be a very important band.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is one act that it would be said that you must
catch now if you want to be ahead of the curve then this is that act.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/hectorbizerk?fref=ts">Hector Bizerk on Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Esperanza are in many ways the polar opposite to Hector
Bizerk as they are not looking to reinvent the wheel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead they are honing the ska sound to sharp perfection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are becoming the lean mean skanking machine that others
aim for but often fall short of having the stamina to nail as soundly as they
do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The turn out in the tent was an unsigned bands dream come
true and the capacity crowd were taken through their paces exhaustively.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again there is no reason at all why the band is not gracing
larger stages.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even with a Commonwealth games appearance tucked under their
collective belts there is far more on offer than that one hit and run moment
into the wider publics consciousness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there was another wave of 2-tone/ska to rise then
Esperanza would be on the crest of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Undoubtedly if anyone is looking for a band that can
guarantee to get a festival crowd on their feet to dance then they needn’t look
any further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they aren’t on the main stage in 2016 then someone will
have dropped the ball.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would have had them signing a contract when they were
seconds off the stage and still on a high from the performance and well
deserved reception.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://esperanza%20on%20facebook/">Esperanza on Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Moving on from the Scottish acts it’s fair to say that
others on the bill at Wickerman were out to ensure that they weren’t left in
the shade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been a long time admirer of TV Smith and consider him
as an unsung hero.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That being the case I was looking forward to his set and
again it was a sublime experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Passionately eloquent he is the punk rock Dylan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bob, not Thomas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the start of his set to the end he relentlessly powered
through a solid half hour of his back catalogue and kept the older fans happy by
giving some focus to The Adverts period with his acoustic renditions of the
1977 double header of Gary Gilmours Eyes and Bored Teenagers drawing attention
to how flaccidly bland the mainstream music scene currently is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not that there’s a dearth of talent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s that there’s a dearth of investment in it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an ideal world TV Smith would be the elder statesman of
rock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A man with a message that is relevant to us all, and the
ability to put it across with no quarter given.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s not to like?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/TVSmith77?fref=ts">TV Smith on Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zntWUxsG0HU" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ramonas are becoming a Wickerman mainstay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the festival isn't known for gravitating towards
promoting tribute bands they are the exception to the rule.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe there’s a throwback to the days that Claire of
AntiProduct played as The Ramonas was originally her baby.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who knows, but with the timeless sound of onetwofrefo
bursting out it’s a call to arms for some aging punks to recommit to the
gabba-gabba-hey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would have been in my element, but Julian Cope was on the
main stage and over previous years our stars have failed to align on the solstice
and our paths had not crossed so I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to get
to grips with the shamanistic madness on offer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, it’s true that there were more bemused looks on the
faces of those facing the main stage than rapt adulation, but this was Julian Cope,
a man whose dalliance with hallucinogenics is well recorded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you play knock knock on the door of perception it’s
Julian that will answer and as I had no expectations other than his set was
going to be an ‘experience’ there was no preconceived idea of what was required
for it to tick all the boxes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turns out that all that is required to enjoy Saint Julian
is an ability to let go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just to allow yourself to live in the moment and if you can
do that then it all makes sense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe not in hindsight, but within the moment it all works.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every quip, every random verbal segue, every song approached
can scream on paper that it shouldn't work, but it does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His whole appearance at Wickerman on the main stage begs the
question of who thought this was a good idea, but thankfully someone did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While some may thank the gods that there is only one Julian Cope
there are those of us who are very pleased that there is actually one as who needs
tow anyway?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here we have a unique artist, one who is willing to explore the
fringes and come back bearing gifts from lands were angels fear to tread.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Insanity never tasted so good. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/juliancope12345?fref=ts">Julian Cope on Facebook</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-85239323043350780492015-07-26T20:56:00.005+01:002015-07-26T21:59:35.992+01:00The veteran curmudgeon guide to festivals.<div class="MsoNormal">
(A light hearted consideration of what has went wrong)<br />
<br />
1) Gazebo glampers aka Your land is our land.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgEPQ_LlF0lHlP9OXtkHYJ2kRXkvcHKU-II4aRFlSCk_20Jnm8b4P2jaj4057alAHB245xGFvUo30uZNeddURL0l_FIYLg8CLyLyGdqwpKaOLSYp4O4AVqbL11uSK_GmqYE3o2Isv-xlj/s1600/Wickerman+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgEPQ_LlF0lHlP9OXtkHYJ2kRXkvcHKU-II4aRFlSCk_20Jnm8b4P2jaj4057alAHB245xGFvUo30uZNeddURL0l_FIYLg8CLyLyGdqwpKaOLSYp4O4AVqbL11uSK_GmqYE3o2Isv-xlj/s320/Wickerman+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half an hour after putting the tent up<br />
and this monstrosity appears.<br />
That, the blue one, a small one, a gazebo out of sight and more<br />
space sectioned off for three adults and two kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Begone roughing it.<br />
The modern festival goer requires a home from home apparently.<br />
Or a bigger home from home.<br />
No longer will a single sleeping bag and tent suffice.<br />
Downsizing and embracing minimalism has went out of fashion.<br />
This is the era of land occupation.<br />
Today <st1:city w:st="on">Glastonbury</st1:city>, T in the Park, Wickerman and
tomorrow we annex <st1:country-region w:st="on">Poland</st1:country-region>.<br />
Modern day festival goers are now the lord's and ladies of all they see as
first arrivals stake a claim and section off space to meet their requirements
using marquee sized dome tents with multiple compartments, a gazebo, another
tent for storage, yet another one for the kids, a second gazebo, strategically
placed windbreakers and enough crime scene tape to stretch to the moon and back.<br />
Why take an inch when a mile is on offer is the motto.<br />
The bare minimum for two adults and one child works out at about an acre per
person.<br />
<br />
It's rumoured that they found Lady Haversham in an unused wing of an abandoned
cavernous tent at the Bestival site.<br />
The poor woman hadn't been seen by anyone in two years and was surviving on
dust motes.<br />
<br />
With the tiny house movement gaining traction globally and a family of five
imaginatively managing to live in a shoebox it seems it's left to festival
attendees to buck the trend and supersize their accommodation as much as
possible.<br />
Gone are the days of one sleeping bag and a two man tent shared between six
drunken students.<br />
Unless you have a reading room, a conservatory and guest room in your tent then
you aren't doing it right.<br />
<br />
We (old folk) used to look at tents laid out in front of us as we crested the
hill and considered that a thousand laid out before us would approximately mean
three thousand people in the camp site.<br />
Now it's the opposite with a thousand tents being occupied by a hundred.<br />
<br />
All well and good as who doesn't like some room to swing their cat?<br />
Unless of course you aren't arriving within the first hour and are left arguing
over a postage stamp sized plot of land in the outskirts of shanty town.<br />
Then it's pish.<br />
<br />
2) Babyshambles<br />
<br />
Kids at festivals enjoying new experiences with their parents are great.<br />
Lord of the flies packs roaming around are not.<br />
Tarquin is not being impish when he and Annabelle play steal the tent pegs.<br />
Eight year old Lucinda wandering around the campsite looking for mummy at 3am
is not cute.<br />
A festival is not a Club 4-10 holiday and there is no prize for how many - no
questions asked - single <st1:city w:st="on">Wellington</st1:city>
boots can be collected over the weekend.<br />
A festival is not a giant al fresco crèche for parents who think it's character
building to abandon their little darlings for twenty hours out of twenty four,
and no the dance tent doesn't have a place to leave your pram you sad excuse
for an adult.<br />
<br />
3) You had to - sort of - be there.<br />
<br />
Non festival attendees attending festivals.<br />
Hundreds spent on tickets, hundreds spent on tents and camping equipment,
thousands spent on booze, hundreds spent on food.<br />
Festival entertainment participated in?<br />
None.<br />
<br />
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A weekend of sitting on a folding chair in a gazebo getting pissed and playing
shit music at full volume while 'avin it large' is the goal and they've unlocked
every master level at doing it.<br />
If they leave the campsite they will lose all credibility with their mates.<br />
Everything they need for a good time is right there.<br />
A crate of Buckfast, the complete set of 'bonkers' downloaded onto the iPod,
top quality speakers purchased in poundland and some Lambrini and glow sticks
for the kids.<br />
And if you are camped anywhere close enough to hear them then the drunken
debate at 3am about how Clarkson leaving Top Gear is a sign of the decline of
Western civilization will no doubt be enlightening.<br />
<br />
They could get six months all inclusive in Greece for what they shell out for
their non participation, but the Greeks have suffered enough so don't tell them.<br />
<br />
4) Captive audience capitalism.<br />
<br />
Once you enter a festival site the law of supply and demand is all that matters.<br />
Those disposable ponchos at five for a quid you seen last week and didn't
bother with will be a fiver for one at the hint of a single raindrop.<br />
A bank of clouds on the horizon can start the prices rising.<br />
A bacon roll can cost the same as a three course meal in a cafe.<br />
You want a coffee?<br />
You can't afford a coffee.<br />
It's something to aspire to.<br />
If one-upmanship is your thing then lounging around with a stall bought coffee
will draw admiring glances from other festival punters.<br />
Buy a Grande and they will think you are the headliner.<br />
Grown men have been known to weep at the cost of a pint of Carlsberg.<br />
The phrase 'crying into your beer' was coined at a festival.<br />
You can buy a festival cash converter app for mobile phones now.<br />
You type in what you want to buy, how much it normally costs and then choose
the festival you are at and it will supply you with the approximate 500% mark
up final figure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whoever thought of putting cash machines in festival arenas is a genius too.<br />
It’s funny how they are usually sitting between the on-site bars and the token
kiosks that the cashless on-site bars take.<br />
That’s purely coincidental obviously.<br />
And as the tokens are a quid each everything has to be rounded up doesn't it?<br />
Bloody genius and I truly do wish I was on a cut of the profits.<br />
Even though the
system boils my blood.<br />
The sign saying drink responsibly next to the other stating the tokens are non
refundable is a bit of an oxymoron, but the latter is in a smaller font and
most people fail to notice it.<br />
Post festival the paper tokens are only usually good for one thing, and that's
breaking the washing machine when you forget to take them out of the pocket of
your muddied forty quid Tibetan lounge pants you bought and will never wear
again.<br />
<br />
5) It's all about the music maaaaaaan.<br />
<br />
It's not.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If there are no jugglers, clowns, people dressed as penguins, theatre, art
installations that boggle the mind, comedians, poets, dancers, cinema and
eccentrics on and off stages and it's just music then it's a gig outside and
not really a festival.<br />
How to tell if you have been to a real festival is to ask yourself if you seen
something, or experienced something, that you never even knew existed and it in
some way enriched your life and if the answer is yes then you get the badge.<br />
Congratulations.<br />
If all that happened was that you seen some bands then you aren't trying hard
enough, or it's not a real festival.<br />
A hundred bands over three days in a field is not a festival.<br />
Stop fuckin' calling them that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-84095009416384155602015-07-15T12:20:00.001+01:002015-07-15T12:27:43.774+01:00Last night the World/Inferno Friendship Society saved my live.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEpvCpPblBHx3axls_FeLfl7swmdJRGEewaBUzOYMuLF5hx0akWQzr-kZintDMmytqyDtTMPdwJ3V4kQecfjHg8cMQhXF-h40hVwn0Vw5pWhYOAKLWvvLqaHnC89hSrAhumMXw6c_g08G/s1600/wifs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEpvCpPblBHx3axls_FeLfl7swmdJRGEewaBUzOYMuLF5hx0akWQzr-kZintDMmytqyDtTMPdwJ3V4kQecfjHg8cMQhXF-h40hVwn0Vw5pWhYOAKLWvvLqaHnC89hSrAhumMXw6c_g08G/s400/wifs.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever had one of those days?<br />
The sort that starts off with standing barefoot in cat puke and then rapidly
goes downhill from that point onwards?<br />
The sort where it feels like some immature malevolent god has decided that for
their own perverse amusement they are going to use their omnipresent powers to
ensure that everything that can go wrong will in fact go wrong?<br />
Not just garden variety minor inconvenience wrong, but spectacular apocalyptic
movie plot wrong?<br />
One of those patience snapping and misanthropy inducing days that grinds you
down so completely that by a certain point you feel physically and mentally
beaten?<br />
<br />
Well yesterday was my turn for that sort of day.<br />
<br />
Quite literally it started off with cat puke between the toes and then there
was a twelve hour shift that replicated a journey through the circles of Dantes
hell.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that was missing was a rectal probe from a pineapple.<br />
<br />
By the time I was finished I was teetering on the edge of mentally and
physically throwing the towel in.<br />
I had reached the point of just wanting to curl up into a ball on the ground and
remaining there until I'd turned to dust and the wind carried me away.<br />
<br />
But instead I went out to see the World/Inferno Friendship Society and they
saved my life.<br />
<br />
Not literally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There was no mouth to mouth or pads on my chest being applied with members of
the band shouting 'its alive' as I twitched a finger in response to the surge
of electricity that had jerked through me, but instead they figuratively saved
it by offering some much needed respite from the daily grind.<br />
A respite that allowed me to recalibrate and open myself up to accepting that
the fight ain't over until some misogynist points out that a lady they consider to be outside social norms in the weight department is singing.<br />
<br />
And for that I would have to extend my gratitude.<br />
<br />
I am truly thankful as here they were residing in their own unique fantasy
world inviting us in once again to partake in momentarily stepping away from
one reality and giving us some time to frantically engage with one of their own
making, and by doing so they provided the perfect antidote to fractious days
and abrasive weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again mucho gracious.<br />
<br />
For those who live in a town called ignorance let me enlighten you as to who they are, they are a
travelling midsummer night's punk rock circus rolling into town that deal in
sonic anarchy that's not for the faint of heart.<br />
It's flamenco jams, off the cuff country and western meanderings, jazz, tribal beats
and so much more filtered through a twisted take on cabaret and it all works.<br />
It magnificently works.<br />
It's a smorgasbord of aural madness that sweeps you away on the crest of its
own wave.<br />
<br />
So if that's your thing, and why wouldn't it be, or it even sounds slightly tempting then consider this
as your invite for the next time they hit these shores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You really don't want to miss them.<br />
<br />
However to get the best from what they do those attending should take some
advice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Call it the World/Inferno Friendship Society 101 class.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's what the script is. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just need to let yourself go.<br />
It won't hurt if you give yourself over to them.<br />
Like the ol' time revivals it's easier to just allow the spirits to take over
when they start.<br />
Sing in tongues and dance, dance some more, and when you think your legs can't
take any more then offer a prayer to St Vitus and keep dancing.<br />
That's all you have to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The band will cover the rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the will cover it in fine style.<br />
<br />
If by the end of the show you aren't drenched in sweat, your heart isn't
hammering fit to burst and your face isn't sore from smiling then obviously you haven't given yourself over to them and will
not have received the full benefits of what they are offering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is your fault.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Live with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The band can't take any responsibility for your failure to get it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They will have delivered on their side of the bargain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Basically they don't want passivity from you.<br />
They want to engage you in symbiotic madness.<br />
To strip away the outer shell and pull a primal scream from you as they wear their hearts on their sleeves.<br />
With these guys in your corner you can proudly proclaim fuck cardio step classes and fuck new age answers to the world's ills.<br />
because here they are with the a fully positive distraction that will recharge your
batteries and set you up for going out to fight the good fight.<br />
And let's be brutally honest about this.<br />
Who doesn't need that?<br />
<br />
If they were offering this every day then I would be beating a path to their
door.<br />
Big pharma would see their profits freefall towards oblivion as people realized
that to make the world a better place all they need is a daily dose of The
World/Inferno Friendship Society live rather than mood altering chemicals that
they have cornered the market on.*<br />
<br />
Maybe we need to crowd source the cash to clone these beautiful fuckers
so we can have them performing every single day in every single town and city.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, I've decided that the world I want to live in starts with a healthy injection of World/Inferno Friendship Society on a daily basis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's not obligatory that anyone else agrees, but I'm right and anyone who does disagree is wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm sorry. You cant argue with facts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
In support were The Spencer's.<br />
A band that sound as if they have been locked in a garage and whose only
stimulation was a Kubrick directed Breaking Glass that was edited by Leigh
Bowery played on a continual loop.<br />
Not a bad thing in my book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Equally worthy of checking out.<br />
<br />
<br />
* Unless of course they are clinically required.<br />
Don't stop meds without professional advice and replace them with TWIFS on my
word. ;)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The World/Inferno Friendship Society.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/worldinferno?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.worldinferno.com/">Website</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Packed-Funeral-Inferno-Friendship-Society/dp/B00NMJ8486/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436957968&sr=8-1&keywords=The+world+Inferno+friendship+society">Buy</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/whoarethesthespencers?fref=ts">The Spencers.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPh9UwySfxA" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-45119232481109853222015-07-09T18:10:00.000+01:002015-07-09T18:10:48.518+01:00Static Rock/Beltur/Magic Trik – HRC Glasgow – 08/07/15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebSEfY_bi2_b1Ru1uRZP4Njzpzj-Djk2X8v1UW1sZAvMga5kVXwNqJsMzgqMT2xBKNkDMKNr1GVnv1WuEViP3RSwAHz-mglKWDmpxZLZfdW7KOcCbR6mCIBgOrON4yvUk1E9pXz-rdlRd/s1600/HRC+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebSEfY_bi2_b1Ru1uRZP4Njzpzj-Djk2X8v1UW1sZAvMga5kVXwNqJsMzgqMT2xBKNkDMKNr1GVnv1WuEViP3RSwAHz-mglKWDmpxZLZfdW7KOcCbR6mCIBgOrON4yvUk1E9pXz-rdlRd/s320/HRC+poster.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Static Rock/Beltur/Magic Trik – HRC Glasgow – 08/07/15</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a tour of some
cities down south already arranged - and their debut single and video Straw Dog
newly released - the very young Glaswegian band Magic Trik are undoubtedly looking
to hit the ground running and shake things up a little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Admirably avoiding skipping down the indie hipster route to
success, and equally making it very clear that faux Scots accented folk
meanderings are not their cup of tea, they are instead looking to go full tilt ahead
and reintroduce rock and roll to the masses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taking the rock blues of the mighty Led Zeppelin as a
starting point they've liberally sprinkled it with some glam fairy dust and concocted
a heady brew that should get some blood rushing through the veins of those who
so readily proclaim that rock is dead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s overdue that we get another band that can walk the walk
rather than taking the talk so it’s pleasantly exciting to see a band doing
just that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Give it a year and there’s a very good chance that they will
be opening some quality shows for larger touring acts and giving the headliners
something to worry about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/MagicTrik?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/luaOT6-SvB4" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beltur on the other hand are a few steps ahead of Magic Trik.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With an eye on writing and performing songs that would be comfortable
residing in stadiums they have sown their wild oats musically and are now
looking to settle down into delivering anthems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anthems such as the current single Breath, a song that has
radio hit written all over it and has the potential to become an earworm given
half a chance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not the only song with that potential that they have
tucked away though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One after another they work through a set of emotionally
mature rockers that lightly touch on the post grunge era when the punk
malcontents moved away from their love affair with riff heavy Sabbath homage’s
and began to shade their output more carefully and subtly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s easy to proclaim ‘what’s not to like’ when watching and
listening to Beltur.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Belturglasgow?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zUA3zRvZoGg" width="900"></iframe></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Static Rock have been paying their dues for a while now, and
have quite probably played on every single stage in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city> with the exceptions of the SECC and
Hydro.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result their material is well honed and solidly
performed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now seems to be the perfect time for them to take things
to the next level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they were to add some new songs to the set and followed
them with a new release then it must surely be within their grasp to secure
their position as one of the bands that will feature on all the ‘ones to watch’
lists. .</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guys must be able to smell it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s that close.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time for them to grab at it with both hands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/StaticRock?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://soundcloud.com/staticrock">Soundcloud</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-83733405487589824042015-06-22T13:19:00.002+01:002015-07-09T18:55:28.238+01:00Only a couple.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sfaIh4ktj1Pw8Dm6bLWlHvMHFusrLSsuXeLlU1rCTOCgTpFiLvmMzxM_vIYUHkFWCsvlTjz7dwSYE7wiOQM6F7nQSu5MyHvGHzndwkGKLWkbxUnoon-vmWopIfTiBTVscp8nA8WaDxZ0/s1600/stock-footage-a-male-fills-a-wine-glass-with-red-wine-in-a-nice-garden-or-yard-environment-a-palm-is-visible-in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sfaIh4ktj1Pw8Dm6bLWlHvMHFusrLSsuXeLlU1rCTOCgTpFiLvmMzxM_vIYUHkFWCsvlTjz7dwSYE7wiOQM6F7nQSu5MyHvGHzndwkGKLWkbxUnoon-vmWopIfTiBTVscp8nA8WaDxZ0/s400/stock-footage-a-male-fills-a-wine-glass-with-red-wine-in-a-nice-garden-or-yard-environment-a-palm-is-visible-in.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone in a garden nearby is tuned into a radio station and
the sound drifts easily on the air.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It crosses my mind that I don’t remember the last time I
heard this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had forgotten about the existence of the radio disc
jockey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the car we play music randomly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The shuffle option is our friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in work we have music that is piped in with no
interruptions and often it just merges with the background noise and barely
registers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now as I sit here and listen to the voice chattering between
the songs it sounds like an echo from the past.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a welcoming reminder that there was a time when life
was less stressful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A time when sitting in the garden and letting the heat of
the sun warm my face wasn't a moment that I could snatch, but instead something
that could be stretched to fill hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As nice as the glass of wine that I have just finished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could have another, but there’s work in the morning and
two might just lead to three and then there would be the morning ritual of asking
myself why did I bother as drinking never really solves any of lives problems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A muscle has a short spasm in my back as I stand up and
reach for the glass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It draws a groan from my lips and if anyone had heard me I
would have followed it on by saying that old age doesn't come by itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be embarrassing to be honest and say that it is a
result of an injury that required a visit to accident and emergency.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I said that it would open the door to questions after
question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of which I really care to answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully no one is within ear shot and no explanations are
needed for the grimace that crosses my face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the glass rinsed out and resting next to the sink I
scan the room to see if anything else needs done before heading to bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s nothing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or nothing that I can see that could be the catalyst for a
one sided argument.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not that anything really has to be out of place if an argument
is going to be the culmination of another night out with colleagues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s already over an hour later than the time casually
dropped in as a rough estimate for when the couple of drinks was going to end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a time that I would sit up and wait, but that
seemed to inflame the situation and there would be accusations of a lack of
trust regardless of my trying to say that it was only because I was worried.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over time I've learnt all the little avoidance tricks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The things that need to be done that will minimise the
chances of a meltdown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t leave anything out that can catch the eye.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The slippers not tucked away correctly that could be tripped
over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The singular plate left unwashed in the sink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anything can really be the catalyst for a drunken tirade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little molehills all have the ability to become mountains in
the heat of the moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A storm can literally rage from a teacup left in view.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Experience has led me to accept that it’s best to just
retire for the night and on their return maybe pretend to be asleep and hope
that my faux unconsciousness is enough to avoid all the trigger points.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tonight my stomach is in knots though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the signs of the darkness were already in place as they
left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Barely anything said, hardly any eye contact, grunts used
rather than words and then of course the sunshine comes out and the smile and
easy laugh appears when their workmates arrive to pick them up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The face is put on for the public and not one of them would
guess at what it looks like in private after a couple of drinks too many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The contorted rage that tightens it, the spittle flecked
lips as they curse, the blankness in the eyes as they ultimately lash out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything leading up to them all clambering into the back
of a taxi ticks of the red boxes that scream danger to me, and yet here I am
going to my bed and crossing my fingers in the hope that a pretence can avoid
it all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s dark outside and headlights have just swept across the bedroom
wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The clock flashes that it’s after three so the couple of
drinks have either led to a visit to a club or another quick one in the house
of a friend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doors of a taxi open and laughter spills out and voices
a little too loud for the time bid farewell and mix in with exchanges of
promises to do it all again soon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I close my eyes and try and relax into a believable sleep
position. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The door opens downstairs and there’s some stumbling in the
hallway, a muttered curse and the sound of keys being stabbed at the lock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every step taken is amplified in the house as there is
barely any other sounds that are in competition with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fridge door opens and closes.<br />
There’s the sound of a
bottle being taken out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more for the road about an hour too late I think.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there are the footsteps on the stairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The door opens and the light switch is slapped at.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the light goes on there’s no point in pretending to be
asleep so I blink bleary eyes and ask how the night was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swaying in the doorway they mutter something unintelligible.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sounds like ‘I fuckin’ hate you’, but I pretend that I
don’t hear it, or the ‘you make me sick’ that follows it, and try and calmly say
‘come to bed.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a slight stagger to the right and they rest against
the door frame and then the bottle of beer is thrown at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no warning, no slow build up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My reactions are slow and it shatters off the metal bedpost.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inches on either side and it wouldn't have broken, but it
has and I can see the glass and beer explode on contact.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then there is the pain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On one side of my face there’s searing pain and I reach up
to touch it and my palm pushes a shard of glass further into my eye and I
scream.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is what I tell the police officer who is
sympathetically questioning me about ten minutes after a doctor in accident and
emergency has explained to me that the damage is too severe and there is no
realistic chance of saving my eye.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He blinks a few times and looks at what he has written.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When he looks up again he asks how many times this occurs
and I tell him that I have lost count over the years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know he wants to ask me why I didn't leave, but I don’t
have an answer for that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A nurse arrives and tells me that procedure means that I
have to be in a wheelchair to be taken to a ward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm taken out and left in the corridor for a few minutes and
I can see the police officer talking to the doctor and glancing back at me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel ashamed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When an orderly comes and gets me we pass the waiting area
and I see my wife sitting there looking lost and terrified as the officer walks
towards her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She doesn't see me and I'm glad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just want to sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was written as over the last few weeks I've seen a few
discussions about domestic abuse that have focussed on women as if it only
really happens to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course figures show that in the main they are by and
large the main victims, but I don’t feel that this means that male victims
should be marginalised.</div>
After all a victim of abuse is a victim of abuse.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly - and I do understand why - when the subject is broached the women who have suffered are very reluctant to acknowledge any views offered by a male. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are the enemy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a blanket condemnation of our gender regardless of how much empathy we have and how much we support any action that will oppose domestic violence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On an emotional level this is, as said, understandable and all women who have been abused have the right to feel whatever way that they wish about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anger, the resentment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of it is natural.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However to truly bring about an end to domestic violence I do believe that we should all stand together and oppose it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Creating factions slows the process down.<br />
Closing the door on those who would wish to stand up and say this is all so wrong is counter productive.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this fictional story is just to highlight that regardless of the gender abuse is wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all when tumbling down the stairs does it matter if it was a male or female hand that did the pushing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of the above is to claim that we do not have an issue with male dominance and how a patriarchal society addresses violence towards women as of course we do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's just to promote a view I hold that working together can bring change to the world faster.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A thousand voices in opposition cry louder than a solitary one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-36326181287800509172015-06-21T22:04:00.000+01:002015-06-21T22:04:30.954+01:00Tony Visconti and Woody Woodmansey - Holy Holy play The Man Who Sold The World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF6b4lXaIF7CfVQ-Aq4-NlO4sX_xcT-7ptav9jcfNBA9tJcLPLbBuFWxcv0ZdqZ2v2gP4H5hBOU9vIPJiNQwz5bZx-vTiPiCXRZLEelSt9XPyqfJoKuI43hz1-EYd809-D7s8n_Ejjevu/s1600/tonyviscontiholyholyjune2015750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF6b4lXaIF7CfVQ-Aq4-NlO4sX_xcT-7ptav9jcfNBA9tJcLPLbBuFWxcv0ZdqZ2v2gP4H5hBOU9vIPJiNQwz5bZx-vTiPiCXRZLEelSt9XPyqfJoKuI43hz1-EYd809-D7s8n_Ejjevu/s400/tonyviscontiholyholyjune2015750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music is the air that I breathe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been my constant companion for as long as I can recall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact some of my earliest memories are linked to certain
songs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pre school age I can clearly remember sitting with what seemed
like giant headphones on and listening to everything from The Rolling Stones to
Elvis Presley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Credit for that has to go to my uncle though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When visiting him with my parents he would provide a steady
stream of albums for my listening pleasure and I am genuinely forever grateful to
him for providing me with an introduction to so many wonderful acts and giving
me such a broad foundation to build on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s also actually factually accurate to say that in many
ways my appreciation of music has enhanced my life in more ways than I could
count.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have made long lasting friendships, been educated by it,
travelled, formed romantic relationships, spent quality time with my children at
gigs, and as said so very much more with it all being positive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However one man who deserves a tip of the hat for providing
so many personal golden moments on my journey through life is the producer Tony
Visconti.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the majority fawn over full bands, and especially
those with the golden tonsils there is sometimes an appreciation blind spot operating
were the people exist who were the conduit for the hits and albums to keep
rolling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the names of <st1:place w:st="on">Bowie</st1:place>
to Presley roll off the lips it is left to the critics and the more infatuated
with music to proclaim the greatness of the producers who worked with the
legends. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if we want to talk about real legends then Visconti is your
guy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight albums with Bolan, from the early incarnation as Tyrannosaurus
Rex through the T-Rex years, of which included the mighty ‘Electric Warrior’
album.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that on a CV most people could retire and bask in the
reflected glory till they shook off their mortal coil, but not Visconti.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So you can add <st1:city w:st="on">Bowie</st1:city>
to the artists he didn’t only produce, but play with to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Man Who Sold The World, Diamond Dogs, Young Americans,
Low, Heroes, Lodger, Scary Monsters, Heathen, Reality and the come back of The
Next Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again you would think that would be enough, but it doesn't
even come close to how many acts he has worked with and sprinkled his magic in
the studio over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul McCartney and Wings, Manic Street Preachers, The
Seahorses, Hazel O’Connors Breaking Glass, Thin Lizzy, Iggy Pop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m reeling these off by memory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then there are The Stranglers, Adam Ant, Anti-Flag, Strawbs,
Ralph McTell and Morrissey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I was to go online and check the list of the acts he has
been involved in and mention each and every one I would end up with a repetitive
strain injury from typing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even with what is listed it is very obvious that this is a
man that has been at the top of his game for decades.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While artist come and go he has been a constant, and for
that reason alone Tony Visconti should be a household name.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to his production and engineering work he has
also as mentioned played with the greats and more recently been touring with
Woody Woodmansey (Bowie drummer) as Holy Holy performing alongside Glenn
Gregory (Heaven 17) and Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) and breathing new life
into The Man Who Sold the World to great acclaim from fans and critics alike,
and so successful was the mini tour that he is currently back on the road with
it to impress all over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Undoubtedly this is a bucket list gig and it’s just waiting
there to be ticked off. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact check out who else is in the band.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James Stevenson (Generation X, The Cult, Scott Walker),
guitar<br />
Paul Cuddeford (Ian Hunter, Bob Geldof), guitar<br />
Terry Edwards (Gallon Drunk, PJ Harvey, The Blockheads, Yoko Ono), saxophones,
12-string guitar, percussion<br />
Rod Melvin (Brian Eno, Ian Dury), piano<br />
Berenice Scott (Heaven 17), synthesiser<br />
Hannah Berridge Ronson (Colin Lloyd Tucker), keyboard, recorder, backing vocals<br />
Lisa Ronson (The Secret History), vocals</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thurday the 25<sup>th</sup> of June he is back in the ABC
in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk/event/73676/tony-visconti-and-woody-woodmansey-with-glenn-greg-tickets">Tickets are available here</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q5NeTDIPrIw" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-52258659845975830732015-06-17T18:00:00.006+01:002015-06-17T18:00:58.417+01:00The Sux Pastels - General Chaos EP. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2wnDPDn6tXfJfdXpXQyZ0nqbP5_w8OXU9XjtwAU1huKRrtBvX7AXHnn0Li0XW_R71GIH7B0mTQ1GGMo_92Pzw2XyeO2SsI3e1Foax2ULVt4340BGOZPvDe8rWu76A2zDXh-hXlRTG5Wt/s1600/11329587_1066185943410088_791826614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2wnDPDn6tXfJfdXpXQyZ0nqbP5_w8OXU9XjtwAU1huKRrtBvX7AXHnn0Li0XW_R71GIH7B0mTQ1GGMo_92Pzw2XyeO2SsI3e1Foax2ULVt4340BGOZPvDe8rWu76A2zDXh-hXlRTG5Wt/s320/11329587_1066185943410088_791826614_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When punk rock first reared its ugly head in the late
seventies its flag bearers instinctively knew that the short sharp message had
to maintain some appeal.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go back and listen to them and there are hooks a plenty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crudely formed some of the material may be, but that was
part of the attraction, and as long as the pioneers kept sight of the structure
of the song being listenable then all was fine and dandy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is until the eighties started to bite in and the shouty
shouty brigade took the baton and ran down a cul-de-sac with it screaming
anarchy at no one in particular.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately their influence cast a shadow over what most
perceived punk rock to be and when the name is uttered in the present day a
sizeable amount of people paint a picture in their heads of Mohican sporting
cider swilling dog on a string individuals acting antisocially.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And while that stereotype certainly does exist it’s only a
small part painted into a corner of a very large canvas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A small part that very often has little to do with majority
of musicians who shelter under the punk umbrella.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bands like The Sux Pastels who originate from East Kilbride
in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a credible amount of years under their belts, and
participation in more projects than they would probably care to admit to, the
four piece have banded together to share their cumulative experiences and see
what they can rustle up, and what they managed to rustled up is a rather grand
overview of punk rock and roll in its entirety.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With nods to SLF, Buzzcocks and many others who carved a
trail the guys have created a solid skeleton to flesh out with their own
talents.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the opening chords to the last guitar string being
plucked the whole ep is punk rock ear candy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cover of Adam Antz Christian D’Or is supremely well
delivered, but it is to the bands credit that this well established, and much
loved, fan favourite doesn't manage to overshadow their self penned material.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead it’s more the icing on an already impressive slice
of punk rock and roll.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The EP is due for release within the next few weeks and pre-orders can be taken on their facebook page.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will be a limited run for physical copies so consider the pre-order tip your chance to secure a copy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/thesuxpastels?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jf796j0fjAw" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-7054360741439987982015-06-16T15:12:00.000+01:002015-06-16T15:12:35.549+01:00The Godfathers - 30th Anniversary tour - Glasgow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmHiZ_f4tK9GrmCIdJxCuSKnTNxO-habDG0H6C1B8I2Lg_n18tsna8jrI4-M9uXNY7wr7DMx4V-lUi3tEIhIPQOwbUXF9iY9DkxbMCiAq7fsmBy266_pkKSGshITI3uR0sPsmVBIUuLfO/s1600/b1391db8-fa4d-4476-bf26-b9916d008877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmHiZ_f4tK9GrmCIdJxCuSKnTNxO-habDG0H6C1B8I2Lg_n18tsna8jrI4-M9uXNY7wr7DMx4V-lUi3tEIhIPQOwbUXF9iY9DkxbMCiAq7fsmBy266_pkKSGshITI3uR0sPsmVBIUuLfO/s400/b1391db8-fa4d-4476-bf26-b9916d008877.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anniversary tours are coming around with alarming regularity
at the moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most are unwelcome reminders that our own drunken teenage
glory days are no longer lurking in close proximity, but rather slowly becoming
lost in the mists of time and if we want to revisit them then we have to buy a
ticket for the nostalgia train.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For myself I will readily admit that each time I see a
poster dubbed with the word anniversary I hear a clock ticking somewhere and
ask myself where all the time has went.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I’m assured that I am not alone in thinking that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So is life really just birth, school, work, death? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See what I did there?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s right ‘The Godfathers’ are doing their thirtieth
anniversary tour, and with a revamped line up and a freshly released single to
promote there’s a welcome refusal on their part to turn the hands on the clock
back, or even hold them still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead it’s a celebration of what lies behind them, what is
happening in the here and now, and an invitation to join the party for future
tomorrows. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So if you want to wallow in nostalgia then expect to have
some of your needs met, but don’t for one second think that the band are going
to look to pander to your every halcyon memory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They will leave that to the other acts that are looking to grab
fumes from what is left in the tank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The current positive state of play within the Godfathers
camp is actually all the more impressive as it was only a year ago when founding
members of Peter and Chris Coyne were thrown into the deep end and had to sink
or swim when both Del Bartle and Grant Nicholas walked without much notice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That they struck out for the side of the pool and recamped
the band on dry land in such a short space of time, and with the forward
momentum of the band and the quality maintained, is something that fans should
applaud and applaud loudly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lesser acts would have crashed and burned, but the brothers
instead knuckled down and kept going while barely missing a step.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now with a tour already drawing critical praise from fans
and journalists alike it would seem that in hindsight the shake up was the
catalyst for them to ensure that they didn’t simply start treading water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rather they took it as a very short watershed moment in
their careers and regrouped and set out to win hearts and minds again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The proof of how successful they have been in doing that
will be on display this Saturday in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city>
as they bring their own brand of punky R&B to the ABC.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Old and new fans are not going to be disappointed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk/event/75973/the-godfathers-30th-anniversary-tour-tickets">Tickets</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheGodfathersFamily?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.godfathers.uk.com/">Website</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gpM3HLgULjA" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-51768029412056024682015-06-08T18:01:00.000+01:002015-06-08T18:01:43.607+01:00You talkin' to me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqWDxiLkgu5-A-DvR4QcxHWl1gNOK3pWWtDN4T2lv2CgrgM74lmY8NBigH_sTMzeX-c1-QT3NL1j0aZfBuipH_r1tyTeel6DyRBFM4tcGp9po6DvRuDswdQwCoGyeV01KEb_CXdXXd67t/s1600/U+talkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqWDxiLkgu5-A-DvR4QcxHWl1gNOK3pWWtDN4T2lv2CgrgM74lmY8NBigH_sTMzeX-c1-QT3NL1j0aZfBuipH_r1tyTeel6DyRBFM4tcGp9po6DvRuDswdQwCoGyeV01KEb_CXdXXd67t/s400/U+talkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes there's a rant building up and there's no real point in keeping it locked inside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's just going to fester there and take on a power of its own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will poison you from the inside out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's often better to just lance that boil and let it all out isn't it?.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So will all due respect I've got to say that I have been thinking about things and come to the conclusion that everything is your fault.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of it is my fault as well, but mainly it’s yours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s more your fault than mine because in many ways I try to
make an effort while I don’t see any being made by you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often fall short of being a paragon of morality and there's no point
lying about it, but at least I am out of the starting gate and speaking out
while you are still in the stalls with your lips sewn shut. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It feels to me that too often I am horrified by the way someone has treated another and I
try and do something about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I try and highlight the injustices I see, and the list of the companies
that I will literally have nothing to do with just gets longer and longer by the
day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not just companies either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s also people to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what I guess I am openly saying is that I'm bloody trying. and you’re not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah, you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm tired of you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry to break it to you in such an abrupt manner. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well maybe not you specifically as there are loads of good
people out there, but even if it isn’t you I bet you know plenty of people that
this fits like a glove.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If so then send them this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do it passively aggressively if you want.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is they ask if it is about them just say you meant to send
it to someone else and then mutter ‘but if the cap fits fucker’ and then make
something up if they partially hear it and ask you to repeat yourself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway the bottom line is that as I've gotten older I have
become increasingly more intolerant of shit, and at the same time others – and that’s
maybe you – have become more tolerant of it all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So tolerant of it that you have allowed it to build up so
deep that we are all wading through rivers of it and I bloody resent that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could scream ‘up your fuckin’ game’ out of the window
right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a general lambaste at anyone walking by as the odds are
pretty good that of them all this will be true of a good chunk of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Too many people are simply not giving enough of a shit about
anything that important.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all superficial crap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For example when someone acts badly and hurts another for no
other reason than they simply can, and they want to, then maybe I will extend a
few chances as there may be some underlying issue, but if they aren't trying to
incrementally change and curb that negative crap then I’m finished with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there you go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm doing something about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My withdrawing from them is highlighting that I disagree
with their actions, and if they blatantly ask me why I'm not talking to them
then I will happily tell them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe that will be the catalyst they need to change as not
saying anything isn’t helping.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you – well maybe not you, but I covered that – will give
them a free pass wont you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s too much hassle to say anything; it doesn’t impact on
your life, it’s nothing to do with you really.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've heard it all before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has it got nothing to do with you though?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s an old guy falling to the ground clutching his
chest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It must be a heart attack, quick…………………….look the other way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thing is that the free pass is really just tacit
approval.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The silence is taken as permission to carry on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So while there are a minority lining up to abuse us from
dodgy political leaders to the dodgy promoter looking to exploit your kid as
they’re wet behind the ears* the fault really lies with us as we are allowing
this to go on unchecked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or more so you, as again I'm ranting about it and you’re
not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guy kicking the dog at the bottom of the street, the
woman, or man, whimpering through the wall as their partner has just took a
belt to them, the company that just laid off one hundred people as they are
looking to boost profits by cutting their wage bill, the lobbyist lining the
pockets of a politician to ensure their paymaster gets a contract, the twat
blaming immigrants for his piles as everyone knows that immigrants are at the
root of fuckin everything that’s wrong with this country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s your fault.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It really is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I probably don’t do enough to oppose it all either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not going to deny that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am aware of my own failings, very aware of them, but I am
also not going to shoulder all the responsibility because while I have many
friends who are equally raging at the ugliness of the world around them there
are too many doing nothing about it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My not saying anything to you about any of this would really be as bad as all
the things you say nothing about to anyone ever.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We really do get the society we deserve.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've said it before and I fully expect to say it again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So look around us and ask yourself if this what we want? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brilliant. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s something good on the television tonight, I fancy a
new car, I’ve just booked a holiday, and I've got a new mobile phone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s the point of getting annoyed anyway? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one ever really changes anything do they?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All this palaver only increases the blood pressure and with
all the fast food burgers I eat that’s not a good idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder what it’s like to not really bother about anything,
or to suppress it all so deeply that it appears that nothing matters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jello said it best with Give me convenience or give me
death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time for a song I suppose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PS - No apologies for the language used.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you can expend the energy to get upset about a few curse words, but can't to oppose injustices around the world then you are part of the problem and not the solution.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
*It’s a pet issue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="675" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W8tvCTXNkeI" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-57133985405219616692015-06-03T20:10:00.000+01:002015-06-03T20:10:15.882+01:00Black and White Boy – The Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_4JKr-GZS3KZ6dHv3M_sJCc3txbVygKez7VjorXEkj_cANeaJioKHNMp8UvrNMtSqgdlOIbKR6SEBAzljnoKploeG2SWkLtqeU0G46r9OoeSkeZrGbUhPvxSZLgbwI0SojnY2obTz5bi/s1600/11212781_906304739425612_6090838965103187977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_4JKr-GZS3KZ6dHv3M_sJCc3txbVygKez7VjorXEkj_cANeaJioKHNMp8UvrNMtSqgdlOIbKR6SEBAzljnoKploeG2SWkLtqeU0G46r9OoeSkeZrGbUhPvxSZLgbwI0SojnY2obTz5bi/s320/11212781_906304739425612_6090838965103187977_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carefully looking to strike a balance between making music
recognisably your own and not falling into a repetitive rut must be the curse
of the musician, but Andrew Nicol - aka Black and White Boy - is still on that high
wire and moving incrementally forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With his talents as a songwriter it could very well be an
easy transition from doing what he wants to, to doing what the public
apparently wants, but it’s to his credit that he refuses to write material by numbers
and instead remains true to his melancholic heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this outing there are still the strains of his Finn
Brothers influences serving as a foundation, but with the addition of some
Springsteen-esque flourishes the songs, while still not moving into party
anthem territory, have a certain shading to them that brings in some lighter
moments that contrasts well with the lyrical content.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s very mature fare and written to appeal to a more
contemplative audience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That being the case there is the possibility that some may
miss out on the magic that lies therein if they are looking for a quick hit as
it’s not a body of material that is looking to grab at the listener, but
instead it’s more about forming a relationship with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Easing in and taking root and ultimately settling in for the
long haul is probably how it could best be described.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s certainly difficult to commit to saying whether this is
a brave or foolish approach in an era that seems keen to simply be guided
towards a more consumerist take on music.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Undoubtedly much of what is on offer in the mainstream is largely
deliberately disposable, but I for one will tip my hat to anyone who considers tilting
at windmills as a worthy pursuit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In short some things are really worth the effort of taking
the time to explore and in this instance I would recommend that you set aside
the time to get your head wrapped around ‘The Avenue.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/blackandwhiteboymusic?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-74214580152943011512015-06-03T16:13:00.004+01:002015-06-03T17:39:55.483+01:00The Eden Festival - The Bucket List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9ncWcu9l1MfS4w0oCLHUTaZypUxu7lu5QRuPt6-kxwE4teRXLJKLSYPn5WBzUIpq6huWfekAK7UveUcW1tudIBHbdB3yryh_cXlT6PxFaR-CyS8B60A4C3XK0AMK6j-HG1rtd98jea-9/s1600/eden-festival-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9ncWcu9l1MfS4w0oCLHUTaZypUxu7lu5QRuPt6-kxwE4teRXLJKLSYPn5WBzUIpq6huWfekAK7UveUcW1tudIBHbdB3yryh_cXlT6PxFaR-CyS8B60A4C3XK0AMK6j-HG1rtd98jea-9/s400/eden-festival-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the countdown to Eden 2015 well and truly started it is
time to give you the itsaxxxxthing/NHC Music top ten of acts to catch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So in time honoured tradition it gives me great pleasure to
announce in no particular order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1- <a href="http://www.facebook.com/colonelmustardandthedijon5?fref=ts">Colonel Mustard and the <st1:city w:st="on">Dijon</st1:city> 5</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a new material on the cards, and a groundswell of
support growing rapidly, it seems very obvious that the band is on the cusp of greater
things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a recent successful outing at <st1:placename w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Sound</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype>
festival - and then the headlining of an event to support the reopening of the
Clutha in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city>
- the band has deservedly secured a place on the lips of everyone from garden
variety music loving punters to the industry movers and shakers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And with all the plaudits flying in their direction fuelling
their desires it seems safe to say that right now is going to be the optimum
moment to catch them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes some of us can be lucky enough to be in the right
place at the right time and in hindsight say ‘I was there’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is your opportunity to be that bar room bore lording it
over lesser mortals whose only claim to fame was serving a failed x-factor
wannabe star a burger as they went through the drive-through on their way to
the bar mitzvah they are booked to play.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t miss it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've said it time and time again, but if a mad scientist stitched
together the perfect festival band then the end result would be Colonel Mustard
and the <st1:place w:st="on">Dijon</st1:place>
5.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ab_QghuiCnY" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/grandmasterflashofficial?fref=ts">Grandmaster Flash</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terms like pioneer, legend, and icon don’t sit comfortably
on the shoulders of many, but some people seem to have no problem at all in
carrying the weight of them around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joseph Saddler aka Grandmaster Flash is one such person.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just think about this for a moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you wake up in the morning you’re not Grandmaster Flash
and never will be, but he is and always will be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A pretty depressing thought for everyone except him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm not going to hold it against him though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gYMkEMCHtJ4" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Son-of-Dave/20791745980?fref=ts">Son of Dave</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a stomping foot and a harmonica he will change your
life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or at the very least make you wonder why music channels on
the television prefer to play wall to wall equivalents of acts modelled on the
Stepford Wives rather than explore the fringes where genius wrestles with
madness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/peXtFrj--wU" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theskints?fref=ts">The Skints</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a period of time when I don’t think a month went past
that I didn't see The Skints.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They could have been on tour with The King Blues, or belting
out their skanking tunes in a basement club, but looking back I don’t recall
ever losing the buzz through familiarity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With every set the blasted through I left exhilarated and
looking to spread the love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a while, but their participation in the <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city> line up is still
something that sends a thrill running down my spine to my feet and lordy there
go my feet to tapping.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WE3PLVmZXw8" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mickey9s?fref=ts">Mickey 9s</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 they are another
of the many Yellow Movement bands who promote worshiping at the alter of the
gods of Good Times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You want the funk then they are bringing the funk.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best bit is that they aren't looking to rip off the bands of
yesteryear, but instead are striking forth to bring the funk into uncharted
territories.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once seen, never forgotten. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ovKYuUMN5dc" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/papashandyandthedrams?fref=ts">Papa Shandy and the Drams.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My one and only introduction to Papa Shandy was when I
ventured out on my own to a rally in George Square and found myself feeling a
tad discombobulated as they ran through a celtic tinged homage to Creedence
Clearwater Revival.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was the proverbial porker in the excrement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lost on the moment I swore that I would make it my mission
in life to dance drunkenly with rum in hand at a festival they were appearing
at.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My time has come. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YKNO7Zq0qN4" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/antonandthecolts?fref=ts">Anton & The Colts</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends raved and I didn't listen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They raved again and I partially listened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When they raved for a third time I bought their ep and
listened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I raved about them and no one listened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I raved about them again and some people listened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am raving about them and you better listen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even better was when I caught them playing two sets in the one
day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first was an acoustic session, and then the second a
full on electric experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since then their CD has never been far from my stereo tray. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3XJr8KdgwrM" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Blackcatbone13?fref=ts">Black Cat Bone</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scottish bands have never been reticent about getting down
and dirty with the blues, and strangely enough can very often give their <st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place>
counterparts a solid run for their money.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It must be something in the whisky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or maybe that’s just what Black Cat Bone would say. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None the less you couldn't argue that they aren't doing it
in fine style.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Expect to hear more about them as the year progresses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rD1bXS2gVGY" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9 - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TrongateRumRiots?fref=ts">Trongate Rum Riots</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Say the name slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think about what it conjures up in your mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You got it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The name encapsulates exactly what they are all about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Drunken sea shanties, drunken dancing, drunken singalongs,
drunken……..okay, you get the picture. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xlWVwMr0-XU" width="900"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 – <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FOCOfficial?fref=ts">Feet ‘O’ Clay</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rising phoenix like from the ashes of the manc brit pop
sound Feet of Clay make you feel unashamed at owning an Oasis album as you
grudgingly have to accept if it wasn't for the mono-browed plagiarists of the
mop top four this magnificent band wouldn't have had a springboard to jump off
from.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lazy buggers don't have a video, but like the rest click on the name and check out their facebook page. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above ten acts are on 'my' <st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place> bucket list for this year, but they are
not the only ones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While going through the line up I was like a magpie
snatching at the glittering diamonds of talent that are littered throughout.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was hard enough whittling the list down to ten and if I
was to start afresh I am sure that some would be dropped only to be replaced by
other equally talented buggers that deserve a mention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alas my self imposed ten will have to stay as it is, but do feel
free to drop in recommendations in the comments of what your top ten list currently
is.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-77848589528149728212015-05-25T17:58:00.000+01:002015-05-25T17:58:24.827+01:00Hello Creepy Spider, San Fran (Minus the Sisco’s) & Damien Johansson The Vale bar, Glasgow 15th May 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_4gZa8Fracc0MfMGtgphnQ2c726L7iNyxtkcIks45nW_CWwzlSEGnGHdoqlfH-Cqbexh_o0YwkknPQkYTTEFSWeqs_igW6jXa4glogcRU4wYlkYpBpUrvz5LJ2sFh2j4KByVDN_a9EtG/s1600/11094855_10152847211225382_1784471148_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_4gZa8Fracc0MfMGtgphnQ2c726L7iNyxtkcIks45nW_CWwzlSEGnGHdoqlfH-Cqbexh_o0YwkknPQkYTTEFSWeqs_igW6jXa4glogcRU4wYlkYpBpUrvz5LJ2sFh2j4KByVDN_a9EtG/s320/11094855_10152847211225382_1784471148_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Another night, another review to
add to my list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
This time I had the privilege to
meet and review four lovely gentlemen with a passion for music and a love for friendly
banter on and off the stage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The setting: The Vale Bar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
An intimate venue situated in <st1:place w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:place> that can
accommodate up to 60 people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In all honesty even with the
limited capacity the turn out for the gig was on the poor side, but this was no
reflection on those performing and everything to do with <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city> being over loaded with venues and
acts playing every single night of the week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I can say that while I was
disappointed in the turn out for the bands I have to add that along with the
rest of the small audience we were were not disappointed by the performances.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
To open the show we had the
musical talents of San Fran, who normally has his Siscos with him doing a solo
outing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
What a set he played. He has
mastered the art of bringing personal experiences to his writing style that
will evoke feelings we are all familiar with (some more than others). He brings
the grittiness of his hometown to the fore front of his music and his style is
complimented by a smooth, soulful voice which makes his music an easy listening
experience that still carries and artistic punch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
If you haven’t had a chance to
catch either San Fran solo or with his band backing him at a gig I suggest you
do so as you will not be disappointed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Next on the bill was the equally
good musical styling of Damien Johansson with the lovely Chrissy on Bass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Playing some new tracks entice
the crowd. The response was lacking enthusiasm, which was disappointing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Although Damien’s music is not to
my liking, he is still a talented musician and his songs are written with
passion ads emotion making for some entertaining music.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAuf7_kVLMbRRfcgDVrzolNcWudqs6w4UQFMNZCzXOROnjGTnq4ZGeRPymiEhKGo1JX1vW4HuJBDhy7CohCWGfS24iw7iSocwstfNCQ_BtVM0yMmGN0DN7pNUgACQ0DagcXG-vESkjQEj/s1600/11288435_10152847211605382_1534484151_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAuf7_kVLMbRRfcgDVrzolNcWudqs6w4UQFMNZCzXOROnjGTnq4ZGeRPymiEhKGo1JX1vW4HuJBDhy7CohCWGfS24iw7iSocwstfNCQ_BtVM0yMmGN0DN7pNUgACQ0DagcXG-vESkjQEj/s320/11288435_10152847211605382_1534484151_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
As for the finale, Hello Creepy
Spider. I was really looking forward to seeing the band after listening to
their album.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
They have a fast paced, rough and
ready punk style with a simple song structure which is refreshing to watch and
will have you rocking out all night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Playing a mix of their own songs
and some classics like ‘Staying Alive’ and ‘Paranoid’ you can see the passion
and energy they breathe into every note/chord they play.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I definitely recommend seeing the
guys in action, they will blow you away. Find out more about the bands on
facebook @: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SanFranandtheSiscos">www.facebook.com/SanFranandtheSiscos</a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/hellocreepyspider">www.facebook.com/hellocreepyspider</a>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/damienljohanssen">www.facebook.com/damienljohanssen</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
You can also purchase the San Fran & the
Siscos AND Hello Creepy Spider @: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NewHellfireClubGlasgow">www.facebook.com/NewHellfireClubGlasgow</a> and
click on shop now or visit the New Hellfire Club at 1103 Hidden Lane, Argyle street,
Glasgow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
By Lisa Naylor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Photos by Alan Fergusson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q1Z1hodMS_M" width="900"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-9386879151886284062015-05-20T12:12:00.000+01:002015-05-20T12:12:31.218+01:00Eden Festival 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXbuloHjfI_3KNdRg5RdA2bjRHyXPUNlRWOcuSTpzTE6Et99Bry3de07JdSDUk4wo_M_vynRaLs9Nb2xLNA7L1sbGrSbsBncCPt3SLdswbIgU_LalULbFb0vvxXAuIv3m69jn8sVvmBph/s1600/1511017_637351519698944_9102172644809999937_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXbuloHjfI_3KNdRg5RdA2bjRHyXPUNlRWOcuSTpzTE6Et99Bry3de07JdSDUk4wo_M_vynRaLs9Nb2xLNA7L1sbGrSbsBncCPt3SLdswbIgU_LalULbFb0vvxXAuIv3m69jn8sVvmBph/s400/1511017_637351519698944_9102172644809999937_n.jpg" width="283" /></a>I’ve made no secret of how there was a time when I fell out
of love with festivals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a singular moment a few years ago when I was returning
from one and I was tired and dirty - and facing an early shift the next day - when
I had a road to <st1:city w:st="on">Damascus</st1:city>
insight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That insight was that I hadn’t really enjoyed myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact I had found it shockingly stressful in many ways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then I had to admit that I personally didn’t have much
fun the previous year either, or the one before that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rot hadn’t set in overnight, but instead crept up on me
incrementally over a period of years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to accept that my ongoing attendance was really rooted
in habit and the expectation of peers to just go along with the flow rather
than any personal urge to participate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t that I was getting too old for sleeping under the stars,
or that I had changed that much, but rather that festivals across the UK had
changed in so many ways, and in the main most were becoming little more than al
fresco gigs with all the eccentricities that I had come to love about them relegated
to being memories from the past.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe it was akin to how travelling carnivals started to
become increasingly sanitized and lost the freak shows and the hoochie coochie
girls only to be replaced by fruit machines and arcade games.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heaven for some I suppose, but hell for others, and I’m certainly
with the latter as I’m more a freak show hoochie coochie sort of guy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me a big part of any festival experiences was never
about the standing centre stage and watching a band, but rather all the wandering
around meeting characters, the coming across talented outsiders entertaining
people in quiet corners, and basically immersing myself in a world that only
had a tenuous link to the stereotypical daily grind that we all live in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once that weekend of anarchic respite started to be usurped
by main stage acts booked to attract the widest mainstream audience possible I
was partially left behind and on that trip home the reality of all that came
crashing in and I hung up my festival boots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is until on a whim, and all very last minute, I ended
up attending the <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city>
festival a few years ago and rediscovered the magic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I arrived I instantly knew that in a sense I was home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here was exactly the thing that I didn’t know I was still
looking for.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here were my brethren that I had become lost from.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people I would refer to as the backbone of any real festival.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The misshaped pegs that refused to be hammered into a
constricting hole, the dreamers and the modern day beat poets, the counter
culture warriors and more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was home and it was quite an emotional moment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once the last tent peg was hammered in I was off looking to
become lost in what <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city>
has to offer and I discovered that it was a real smorgasbord of delights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everywhere I turned I was the magpie with another shiny
shiny catching my attention. From the stalls to the stages, from those
attending to the ales on offer I was swamped as my senses grabbed onto it all
and drank it in like a man lost in the dessert who has suddenly found himself
waist deep an oasis of fresh sparkling water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was in love again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best thing about it was that this was not just an
initially overwhelming rush, but an experience that was maintained all weekend
long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even better was that those feelings were recaptured the next
year and now I am feeling the buzz building for Eden as I have no doubt at all
that it will be more of the same again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically what I am saying is that if you are old school
when it comes to festivals then <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city>
will deliver 100%.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Way before festivals were being called bespoke and bijou <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city> apparently had it
nailed and it was there right under my nose and I hadn’t even known.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though many friends had attended it and raved about how
much they enjoyed it I had been setting their praise aside and considering it
in my ignorance as just another festival.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was wrong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So very wrong and once experienced I came to realize that it has everything I
want and more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Vive le Eden Festival and bring it on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you see me there then please do say hello and watch out
for the post <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city>
review on New Hellfire Club and ItsaXXXXthing blog</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mainy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website - <a href="http://www.edenfestival.co.uk/">http://www.edenfestival.co.uk/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theedenfestival?fref=ts">www.facebook.com/theedenfestival?fref=ts</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-86510082099153363202015-05-14T17:46:00.000+01:002015-05-14T17:46:05.693+01:00Giuda – Broadcast – 13/05/15 (Glasgow)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaerhMMMPnCDLhertkP1Pc9jOA_bTECKZqpQnKslTbxLESFmKaCEbIovJ0VL3asvG3dwDnR23ItB2bYsRIjASo5rAC8UWIZvh6xLF_3ZY_CPFPqFtdHpdysK7DmdXmnv3Lq1cy2QOv_b1/s1600/guida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaerhMMMPnCDLhertkP1Pc9jOA_bTECKZqpQnKslTbxLESFmKaCEbIovJ0VL3asvG3dwDnR23ItB2bYsRIjASo5rAC8UWIZvh6xLF_3ZY_CPFPqFtdHpdysK7DmdXmnv3Lq1cy2QOv_b1/s640/guida.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm a seventies kid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was born in the second half of the sixties and cut my
teeth on the glam rock of Slade, T-Rex and Sweet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And unlike the eighties when the term was usurped by our blow
dried, kohl eyed, hog driving cousins from across the pond our glam rock was a
whole different beast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has some muscle, some street smarts and it was all backed
up by the stomp of the terraces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the bands strutted about in their glitter finery their
fan base were the shaven headed denim clad and monkey booted lads whose
Saturdays were made up of football in the afternoon, a pint in the early
evening, and the dancing* at night where they would roam in packs and dance in
as manly a fashion as they could to the sounds of the latest chart hits from
their heroes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was certainly something in the air and while I was
only of an age to participate in listening to the music rather than getting
right in about it at the dancing it was still heady stuff to be part of.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hell. I think my first moment of a sexual awakening was when
watching leather clad Suzi Quatro straddle a hefty motorcycle on Top Of The
Pops, but that’s another story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it is the whole scene is now looked back on with
nostalgic wonder, and in some ways relegated to being less artistically inspiring
than it really was, but at the time it was those bands that led to Bowie, Roxy Music
and the like to bridge the gap, and joined at the hip with the pub rock scene, give
birth to punk rock.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So with that being the case – although others are welcome to
disagree – maybe we should be considering seventies glam in a more positively critical
light in the present.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially as we now have Italian rockers Giuda flying the
flag for the sound in the here and now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sans the glitter and stack soled boots they walked onto the
stage in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city>’s
Broadcast dressed like they had fallen out of the door from an away supporters
bus in 1973 and then they proceeded to take the roof off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With fists pumping the air and a few dance moves last seen
being thrown out there by MUD they had no intentions of talking any prisoners
and Ramones like ran through a set with barely a break, or breath, between
songs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s no fat attached to what they do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s all lean and meaty rock and roll fired from the hip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much of the set is reminiscent of the working class blue
collar rock of AC/DC circa ’75 with an additional nod to a melting pot of the best
of the best of the era to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s difficult to actually convey how good they are, but if
I was to invent a time machine, or discover a wormhole in the fabric of the
universe, and magically return these guys intact back to the mid seventies then
they would have given the giants of the time a solid run for their money.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I doubt they would break a sweat doing it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact that is exactly how good they are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not a mere facsimile of the bands of the past, but equally as
wonderful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It could be said that they are up there with the greats, and
just separated by a few decades.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now they are mainly attracting a punk following and
playing on punk bills, but a support to a legendary band such as AC/DC as mentioned
could conceivably jettison them onto the big stages of the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not that they don’t fit with the audience they are
attracting, but rather that the cross over appeal is immense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is no idle comment either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Five minutes in a sweaty club is all anyone would need to
understand that they are a step away from grabbing a glittering crown, but only
if people near and far get on board with a glam, or rock, revival.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That may sound a bit unrealistic, but right now I am increasingly
hearing more people express some dissatisfaction with the current crop of major
label pushed artists and the time seems ripe for change.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why not?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best to check this band out no matter what happens.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
File them as your latest favourite act. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*The dancing - Events held in youth clubs, social clubs, working mens clubs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mainy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Giuda/162619653788119?fref=ts">www.facebook.com/pages/Giuda/162619653788119?fref=ts</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Website</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://giuda.net/">http://giuda.net/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d7Ib0KLtRP8" width="900"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-18194168415773008312015-04-19T17:39:00.000+01:002015-04-19T17:59:14.507+01:00Record Store Day 2015 - Breaking News.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLxHw0TCO7bRVFxrbighrZ9G7fu-QaEqPrNNX1FXDLiiby8lYEJTF7icRoq4H1hQ9PR6QGFjyCIjVhMb-sTp2dHshFLkHBsxOjLryHD6tCuknvtPjdbIIslUztxal87ntUdMz9f0bLARw/s1600/James-Last-East-Meets-West-529021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLxHw0TCO7bRVFxrbighrZ9G7fu-QaEqPrNNX1FXDLiiby8lYEJTF7icRoq4H1hQ9PR6QGFjyCIjVhMb-sTp2dHshFLkHBsxOjLryHD6tCuknvtPjdbIIslUztxal87ntUdMz9f0bLARw/s1600/James-Last-East-Meets-West-529021.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning a group of specially trained accountants
employed by an amalgamation of music industry parties emerged blinking and
bleary eyed in the morning light from an office in <st1:place w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place> and announced that Record Store
Day 2015 had been an outstanding financial success.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Once the news broke the head of a major label was happy to
confirm from a moet filled jacuzzi bath in his Hollywood home that this year
they had sold more vinyl releases to people who don’t have a turntable than any
year previously.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jacqui Kissalot, pr to the mogul, who was in attendance
wearing a shiny sequinned g-string coquettishly left untied on one hip, added
that ‘since the news came in he just keeps screaming let’s party like it’s
nineteen eighty four, but I don’t know what that was like as I was born in
nineteen ninety nine, oh I mean six, ninety six.’</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Over in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region>
record store owners were equally ecstatic with one who would rather remain
nameless going on record as saying that he had never seen so many people who
didn't really like music that much visiting his shop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The only downside in his opinion was the moral struggle he
faced as he was in a quandary about whether he should do a runner with the cash
made or use it to pay his staff and remain open for another month or two.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile it wasn't all positive news as keen vinyl hoarder Thomas
Bjork of <st1:city w:st="on">Oslo</st1:city> admitted
that he had failed to get the 180gram reissue of the reissue of the reissue of the
reissue of Judas Priests ‘British Steel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With tears in his eyes he complained bitterly that having
the original on vinyl and all the subsequent reissues, plus the CDs and
expanded legacy packs and the cassette from Cassette Store Day just wasn't
enough, and there was a part of him that died when he was told that his local
store only had one copy of the latest reissue and they were selling that on Ebay with a thousand percent mark up.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3meB_kESmImeBCxlORPeoii1FAZyyvd1Q9b3mys_WQLDL63gniofv2j1EcMQlRp4VPAJxdhK8G6LtRps2bZG17P1CXJy5OoaRK_ZiGWLjlqmdSqMOmfA5rRMpoxmJhTOYpsuM_phdPtX2/s1600/Herb-Alpert-Sounds-Tijuana---510569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3meB_kESmImeBCxlORPeoii1FAZyyvd1Q9b3mys_WQLDL63gniofv2j1EcMQlRp4VPAJxdhK8G6LtRps2bZG17P1CXJy5OoaRK_ZiGWLjlqmdSqMOmfA5rRMpoxmJhTOYpsuM_phdPtX2/s1600/Herb-Alpert-Sounds-Tijuana---510569.jpg" height="396" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Similarly handle bar moustache model Stanley Even of Glasgow
claimed that he didn't know how he could face the week ahead as he was unable
to secure a copy of the remastered James Last ‘East meets West’ in Kremlin red
and Washington Blue vinyl, or Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass classic ‘Sounds
Tijuana’ with the scratch and sniff cover that when scratched and then sniffed evocatively
revisited the smell of a charity shop circa 1990 with an extra limited run of twenty
being specific to Red Cross charity outlets.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He admitted that he was currently considering legal action
as he could factual prove that not being able to purchase these items had left
his standing in community of movers and shakers who reside in the west end of
Glasgow damaged beyond repair.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Less unhappy than the music lovers that had failed in securing
their favourite acts releases were Ebay whose market shares rose by 12% as they
cornered the market on Record Store Day releases.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the early hours of this morning a financial advisor to
the company mistakenly tweeted a private message that confirmed that in 2016
Ebay will be hosting a Post Record Store Day that starts on midnight of the
official Record Store Day which caused a storm of protest and resulted in an
official denial from the company as apparently the name of the event has not
been decided on just yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Also in a jubilant mood was John Campbell of <st1:city w:st="on">Edinburgh</st1:city> who was seen
dancing in the streets after securing four albums by artists he didn't really
know but had read could command a hefty profit when resold.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When asked if he thought that this was rather exploitative
and not in the spirit of Record Store Day he laughed loudly and when he finally
caught his breath said he couldn't give a shit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z9otbOQOWLA" width="900"></iframe></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-84628320150078996472015-04-09T12:55:00.001+01:002015-04-09T15:06:03.549+01:00In conversation with Rank Berry - Guest interviewer Why Von Rusty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGJZv9PufsgipGYL3Wx0gM07a6io8SdNXA-sQ5Wp4oSz7vmNfiI6YpBRk2ixrbxXtcUXFzb08T5IleeuLEcvRfZ__R5YPeR9NpC-glA7lUbUQtxfgz1GgVzQOMtW3wP8MNC_2_gJFsV2g/s1600/11025897_800820739997106_1184432236937511567_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGJZv9PufsgipGYL3Wx0gM07a6io8SdNXA-sQ5Wp4oSz7vmNfiI6YpBRk2ixrbxXtcUXFzb08T5IleeuLEcvRfZ__R5YPeR9NpC-glA7lUbUQtxfgz1GgVzQOMtW3wP8MNC_2_gJFsV2g/s1600/11025897_800820739997106_1184432236937511567_o.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So are you guys the real deal?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Brian - Ha, well that depends on what the real deal is.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Born on the wrong side of the tracks, hard living, working
class rock and rollers?<br />
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<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant - Well we're certainly not hanging off the teat of
inherited money and no one would argue if we said where we come from is most
definitely economically deprived with people aspiring to be working never mind
working class.<br />
Jamie - And I suppose we do like a party if that's what you mean by hard
living? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yeah if that means we’re ‘the real deal’ then I suppose
we might be the unreconstructed romantic notions of what a dirty ol' rock and
roll band should be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Is that sort of redundant and semi cartoon-ish now though?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jamie - It probably is if it's a selling point, a label or management created
pretence, but we're just four guys doing pretty much what everyone we know does
in their spare time. Maybe this is the era of everyone living like a debauched
rock star on the weekend and just coincidently we are in a band rather than
working in a garage so I suppose we fit into the perception better than say
that mechanic.<br />
Marc - I think people can tell the difference between faux debauchery and just
people partying anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
How so?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Grant - It's like the difference between an a-lister falling out of a club at
3am with the paparazzi waiting and Marc slumped naked in an empty car park
communing with the spirits you find in a bottle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
And you are the latter?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Brian - Well that's true about Marc so yeah. No one will say it's big or clever
but we are what we are. We do like a drink.<br />
Jamie - Unapologetic arseholes is probably a better description of us than the
real deal.<br />
Brian - That was the original name of the band. Maybe it will be a side project
in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
How does it feel like to be mentioned in the same breath as iconic rockers from
the Rolling Stones to Guns and Roses?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jamie - That's a strange one. We are obviously influenced by those acts and would
be comfortable with people pointing out that they hear them in what we do, but
to be compared to them, and others, as if they are peers makes me feel a bit
uncomfortable. We only have the one ep out and another about to be released so
it all seems a bit presumptuous to throw us in the ring with the greats.<br />
Marc - It's certainly not something we feel deserving of. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In general we get our heads down and write and practice and
then go out and play live and that's it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we lift our heads up and take stock and find that
people are saying very nice things about us.<br />
Brian - I like it. Not as an ego massage, but in how it makes me strive to push
things harder If someone says you are as good as Creedence then while I don't
necessarily agree it makes me want to live up to the praise. It's good in that
sense.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So your feet are on the ground then?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Grant - They have to be. Our reality wouldn't allow for anything else.
Financially we scrape by from one week to the next like everyone else.<br />
Marc - That's the perception thing kicking in. People see you on a stage, see a
release, read an interview and think there's something more going on. That your
life is better than theirs in some way, but we work jobs and do what we need to
keep this going. The only difference between me and the next guy is that at
night and the weekends I play in a band and maybe he plays darts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's relative. We are both skint.<br />
Jamie - The greats you mention are from another time and place anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if we did go on to write and record a classic rock
album, and that's a solid if, then we still wouldn't be jetting about like the
Stones in the seventies. Those days are gone. The very loose plan is to make
shit hot music, have a laugh and be able to support ourselves doing that.
There's no pot of gold waiting so not having your feet on the ground and thinking
you were better than anyone else would be delusional to the extreme.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So fame and fortune aren't the driving forces for you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Marc – Ha. No. If anyone forms a band to chase either then they are missing the
point about making music.<br />
Jamie- The music has to come first. Anything else is a welcome bonus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As we are speaking about the music what is it you want from it?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Brian - For it to matter. From love songs to party songs it all has to matter
to someone. They all need to connect with people or what is the point?<br />
Grant - It's like if someone uses a song you wrote to soundtrack a moment in
their life. Now that's as cool as fuck. That they link what we have done to a
moment and it is always connected to it for them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
You don't sound like debauched rockers when you say that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Grant - Why? Not that I think of myself as a debauched rocker, but I don't
think that caring about the music and liking a party are mutually exclusive
either.<br />
Jamie - Yeah, when you consider some of the people touted as the greats then
they may be known for their lives as legendary party animals but they delivered
the goods and that's why they are the greats. It's not because their livers and
septum were made by the gods to be indestructible.<br />
Marc- Not that they were truly indestructible either.<br />
Brian - True. Too many casualties and it's not something I'm attracted to. The
live fast and leave a good looking corpse attitude is just bullshit. Our
lifestyles and fondness for a tipple isn't something we want people to focus on
either. While we don't mind admitting to walking on the wild side at times it's
our songs and performances that should be what comes first. For us and those
who like us.<br />
Jamie - It’s something I don't want overshadowing what we do. I can start
recounting dodgy stories of nights on the lash, but what people remember about
good bands is their songs and while the stories are entertaining they should
never be the primary attraction. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One good song is worth a million nights out that end in the
gutter.<br />
Grant - That lying in the gutter looking at the stars nonsense doesn't resonate
with me either. The gutters in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>
are not as attractive as some would have you believe. Maybe LA has better
gutters, and never mind that, when the fuck do we see the stars? It's always
raining here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D0GfOyBM1SH3_uqCM8Qi-rwtdGhb8umUIhVkKwCDWC6S21BXaNpSeyz5LRAGM1vpvhNBxluPQAzYd-A3jJhZ1GYV_hPhLHwuxCizqcjsdyhFkgGoaauCSbOElX5A7_uxvrw_TOE_MbIV/s1600/11050261_590552051081720_7877543482102818001_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D0GfOyBM1SH3_uqCM8Qi-rwtdGhb8umUIhVkKwCDWC6S21BXaNpSeyz5LRAGM1vpvhNBxluPQAzYd-A3jJhZ1GYV_hPhLHwuxCizqcjsdyhFkgGoaauCSbOElX5A7_uxvrw_TOE_MbIV/s1600/11050261_590552051081720_7877543482102818001_o.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
Is there a classic rock album sitting waiting in the wings then? <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamie- It's away off. Even if it was something we could do
it’s not on the horizon just now. Right now we have the new ep to keep our eye
on. One thing at a time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once that's bedded in we have some ideas for an acoustic
release. Then there are the ballads we have written.<br />
Marc - We had a whole ep ready to go and then a burst of song writing flooded
out and we went with some of them for the new release and will go back to the
ballads at some point. We want to show people the shading in what we can do. So
something softer could be the next move.<br />
Jamie - Is the world looking for a classic rock album anymore? Financially it's
restrictive and a great deal of time and effort would go into one and then what
if it falls between the cracks? We wonder about the relevance. The idea is
attractive. Who wouldn't want to do the next great rock and roll album, but
maybe we are out of time and place to be that band.<br />
Brian - Bite size ep's seem to be what is wanted currently. All killer and no
filler releases. Maybe limited runs and then a compilation release bringing
them all together is something we have kicked about as a direction to go in,
but who knows.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
How has the recording of the new material been?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jamie - Very good. Our manager wanted to go for something different and hooked
us up with Andy Miller at <a href="http://www.gargleblastrecords.com/">Gargleblast Studio</a> who has previously worked with
Mogwai, Delgados, Sons and Daughters and the like and it's been a positive
experience. We learnt a lot from him. He went way past just engineering the
material. A very real Godsend for us in the studio.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It's an impressive cv of bands he has worked with, but light in traditional
rock bands. Was that a concern?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Marc - Not at all. When Mainy, our manager, first spoke about it he drew our
attention to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/chrisdevotionmusic?fref=ts">Chris Devotion and the Expectations</a> 'Amalgamation and Capital'
album and we all thought it was the dogs bollocks. So we had no concerns at all.<br />
Grant - Andy exceeded expectations. We didn't go into it worried that he
couldn't capture the essence of who we were, but equally we didn't really take
on board how much he would bring to the table. I think we have found our
engineer.<br />
Jamie - It's now a case of not fixing something that isn't broken.<br />
Brian - Our only problem was time. Four tracks in two days were what we budgeted
for and that doesn't give any wiggle room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished the recording of the tracks on the line, but
there will have to be another day for mixing, but that’s okay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant – If we didn't go in for one more day to let Andy pull
it all together then we would be selling ourselves short. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Is that something that needs to be taken into consideration for future
recordings?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Marc – It is, but it's a luxury we don't have just now. It's all swings and
roundabouts though. We could scratch up the cash and go for another day, or we
could do three tracks instead of four. It's something we have to look at.<br />
Jamie- Money is the root of all evil. In an ideal world we would look to do a
track a day and deliver on it, but that's the ideal world that we don't live in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian – We know the score now though. The next four track release
will be done in three days. Two for recording and one set aside for the mixing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
What is the ep called?<br />
<br />
Grant – We have no idea just now. Seriously!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up until the day before recording one tracks was called ‘the
new song’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian - Song titles and names for an ep isn't something we
are strong on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marc – We leave that to Jamie. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When will it see the light of day?<br />
<br />
Grant - We were looking to have it ready for May when we are playing <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city> with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/eurekamachines?fref=ts">Eureka Machines</a>, but if not then it will be literally days or a week after that. May
the second is the date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
You have played with them before haven't you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jamie - We have. Firm fans of them, good guys and they are so good they make us
up our game just to save ourselves from any embarrassment.<br />
Brian - Eureka Machines are the band no one wants to follow. They deserve to be
playing stadiums.<br />
Marc - When I grow up I want to be a Eureka Machine.<br />
Jamie- That takes us back to the success thing. In every respect artistically
Eureka Machines are a success a long as success isn't measured in financial
gain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/thescaramangasix?fref=ts">Scaramanga Six</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/crookedlittlesons?fref=ts">Crooked Little Sons</a> are on the bill to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Marc - Best line up in the city that night. Take us out of it and I would still
say the same.<br />
Brian - I've been looking forward to it for months. If we can get the ep out
for it then that's the icing on the cake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
What's after that on the live front?<br />
Grant - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/JoeBoneAndTheDarkVibes?fref=ts">Joe Bone and the Dark Vibes</a>, <a href="http://www.wildfirefestival.co.uk/">Wildfire festival</a>, a gig with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aboynamedposh?fref=ts">Rob Duncan</a> (previously of Eddie and the T-Bolts) and then
we have two quality support slots we can't mention just yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Are they unconfirmed?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Jamie - No. All confirmed. The tours have still to be announced officially and
until then we can't say more than that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So you are pretty busy then?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkUmyfAag8iPmrHfRe8mlbhBae7zw5GyCs8acXEdyUHD4HDBz9UhdPyAnubKXPJt0GVK2QYgK4lhWQCC-yamUOIhA7N7QSWAgV4BeW2m-qxIHbBtqLlVJfjpCrERqRysTeAUW1r540mF6/s1600/11034446_590551927748399_1887975442908811860_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkUmyfAag8iPmrHfRe8mlbhBae7zw5GyCs8acXEdyUHD4HDBz9UhdPyAnubKXPJt0GVK2QYgK4lhWQCC-yamUOIhA7N7QSWAgV4BeW2m-qxIHbBtqLlVJfjpCrERqRysTeAUW1r540mF6/s1600/11034446_590551927748399_1887975442908811860_o.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
Jamie - They can't hit you if you keep moving. It's good just now though. It
feels like something is happening. We are being offered gigs rather than our
manager chasing them, interest is building at a grassroots level, we sold ep's
to people in the States and mainland Europe. All positives.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian – I don’t think we have ever been as focussed as we
are just now. There was a time when all the ideas were there and we just needed
to get them in some sort of order. Outside the actual making of music we were
punching in the dark on some levels. Now we have a plan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant – I would agree with that. We are very proud of the
last release.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It drew attention to us and gave us a nudge forward and now
it’s down to us to keep raising the bar and I think we have done that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian – There’s a bit of me that is starting to think I am
in a real band. It’s difficult to really express what I mean. I don’t mean that
anything I had done before wasn't a real band, but now I see that we are
selling t-shirts and CDs abroad and…..right I've got it. I looked at other
bands that had the whole package going. Releases and merch, quality gigs, their
names in magazines, and I thought that one day I wanted that and now that is us.
We are that band.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamie – I get that. In some ways we are just starting out,
but in other ways it has been a long journey. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't
for past members to. Any time anyone left the band it was never acrimoniously.
People moved away, people didn't have the time to commit. All solid reasons and
genuinely no excuses. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I was wearing a hat I’d tip it in their direction. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How is the line up now? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marc – Everyone has known each other for years outside the
band so we are mates first and band members second. That gives us an edge in
some ways. We rip each other apart, but we can because it’s family. It’s
allowed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant – I get what Brian was saying because we have all been
moving towards this for a long time and it feels right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian – Tight. It’s not just us either. Rank <st1:state w:st="on">Berry</st1:state> is becoming more
than just the four of us. We went for a drink last night. Our manager and the
four of us. Everyone ended up emptying their pockets of change to get a round
in. In some way that’s showing how we are all in this together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamie – Then there are the people at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NewHellfireClubGlasgow?fref=ts">New Hellfire Club</a>
in <st1:city w:st="on">Glasgow</st1:city> who
have been supportive. The record shop is our home from home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marc – The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/soulremovermusic?fref=ts">Soul Remover</a> guys. They have the same angle on
things as us. Like a brother band. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brian – Then there’s our partners. Like Marc said it’s like
family. Everyone is pulling together in the same direction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it you against the world then?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jamie –When you look at the mainstream charts it can maybe
feel like that, but we are dipping our toes into a different pool. Instead
of fighting to get noticed we will probably just keep enjoying ourselves and maybe some
people will want to come to our party.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rank Berry </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/rankberrymusic?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://rankberry1.bandcamp.com/releases">Bandcamp</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Physical copies of the début CD are now sold out. Downloads only. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why Von Rusty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-933702603737809721.post-73865902665427064132015-04-01T18:31:00.000+01:002015-04-01T18:33:00.948+01:00Publisher - Empty Hands ep (NHC Music/itsaxxxxthing review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4oMKuwQ2obvrmiPxbTZ34u9WQ7_c1GsJyUQKbhpvqQMrEDb_4HR5muLgmI85Ey0P9qnaaeJ9zQxIo4EtVx7wzbKoJm5eWmS5z2H3Ne0pFmJcIyuHr3K69l2SfVpzy-lNteg3i0bMmOj8/s1600/a1948602730_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4oMKuwQ2obvrmiPxbTZ34u9WQ7_c1GsJyUQKbhpvqQMrEDb_4HR5muLgmI85Ey0P9qnaaeJ9zQxIo4EtVx7wzbKoJm5eWmS5z2H3Ne0pFmJcIyuHr3K69l2SfVpzy-lNteg3i0bMmOj8/s1600/a1948602730_10.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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From the moment play is pressed you can hear that Publisher
aka Arno Blok is happy to freely share his influences.</div>
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There’s the tremulous vocal of Neil Young, some Bends era
Radiohead and hints of MUSE lurking within the songs.</div>
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And maybe a bit of Jeff Buckley is in there to, but then when
the trumpet arrives on ‘Empty Hands it is clear that he understands how to use
what has come before as something that can be a foundation to grow from, and
not solely to emulate.</div>
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It’s something that many artists are unable to do.</div>
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Each song written becomes little more that a faded facsimile
of a work by their musical muse.</div>
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So it’s refreshing to hear something that is so clearly a
bridge from the past into the future. </div>
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Influences should be the building blocks that artists can
stand on to reach for the stars, and reaching for the stars could have been the
title of this ep as Publisher isn't looking to pull any punches.</div>
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This is the real deal.</div>
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He wants it all, but on his terms.</div>
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Here is the talent he possesses fully laid out for all to
experience.</div>
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As the ep progresses there’s a great deal of intimacy attached,
a degree of honesty in the lyrics that is magnetically attractive to the
listener.</div>
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You can float on the songs, drift along with them and feel
them reaching out to be embraced.</div>
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It’s organically emotional and very very human.</div>
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In a wider sense there is a also something rather cinematic about
the over all sound, and if we close our eyes we can immerse ourselves in the
flow and be the supporting cast to the stories that Publisher is looking to
tell.</div>
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In many ways this is a release that can be held up to others
as an example of how to stay true to their artistic self and create powerful
music that doesn't require a tip of the hat from the mainstream to give it any
validity.</div>
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If Publisher was to indulge in sharing his talents with a television talent show then there is little doubt that he could make
the judges and audience swoon, but that he doesn't feel it necessary to sell his
art short to do that is our gain and their loss.</div>
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Time will tell where the path he is on will lead him, but to
take this back full circle and mention artists like Radiohead and Muse consider
this.</div>
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In hindsight would you love to own one of their very early
releases?<br />
Would you have wanted to have seen the nascent talent on display and
invested in it?</div>
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If the answer is yes to both then sadly that ship has
sailed, but there’s time to board Publishers. </div>
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<a href="http://www.publishermusic.co.uk/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/publishermusic?fref=ts">Facebook</a></div>
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Link to NHC online CD and merch sales for this item forthcoming. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0