Music and moving
Man.
I’ve had such a busy week, and unfortunately, there’s no let up either. I went to see Air Traffic (again) on Saturday at the Opera House which was an excellent gig. The band are astounding and their live performance was once again exceptional. Then on Tuesday me and the Sophster went on the train up to the Joiners to watch One Night Only. For a young set of lads, this group were bloody amazing. I had read a lot about them in The Fly, but didn’t quite realise how accomplished they were - so their top five position in the midweek chart (which I was surprised about in itself) is well deserved - not that the charts mean anything nowadays. Good luck to them. Also, Cass Lowe, what a hero - I shall be listening to your music in the car for the next few days. Soph am so glad you enjoyed it!
Also, I’ve got a few of the nicer smaller gigs later next month sandwiching Jimmy Eat World, so I shall be watching Lightspeed Champion and I Was A Cub Scout, both of whom are just up my audible street at the moment. Might even wander up to Brighton to see my Golden Section friends in action on the 3rd - jeepers.
Aside from the electical delights of song, I’ve got the small matter of moving house in the next two days. Rich and I are hiring a van through U-Drive tomorrow and will be carting all our stuff to our new abode. If I know you and I trust you, chances are I’ve emailed you new address already. It’s in Charminster, so we’ll be exchanging Soho for Oscars and Star Stores for Tesco Express… you can’t have it all.
I will also soon upload some more YouTube videos to my channel, and also some January pictures of debauchery and the general fun and games I’ve been up to. So yeah, the next time I blog will be from my new room with the (currently) pink walls! Think I’ll definitely be buying some Dulux tomorrow…
Praise be to live music
I feel compelled to write a blog entry about recent days, because I’ve managed to get a lot done! On Saturday, myself, Rich and Alex did a 12 mile walk in aid of Leukemia Busters across the Purbeck coastal path . We woke up early, drove to Norden, got on the Swanage Steam Railway, and then began our mission. It was chucking it down with rain at times, but even still, we had a great laugh - meeting a few people on the way. Congratulations go out to Stacey for being the first to slip up.
After seeing the Noisettes in Bournemouth for a “while” on the Saturday night, we then went around a few bars - but I couldn’t be out for long, as on the following day I went back to my roots and went to church! I went because there was a dedication service for my niece and nephew, whom I am due to be a Godparent of - something which I’m actually very proud of.
In the week, myself, Alex and Rich went up to the Joiners in Soton for another gig. This time we went to see Scouting Foir Girls, who were absolutely fantastic. Also truly loved the support band called the Golden Section. Not only is their music influenced by Mew, who are probably the best band in the world, they also rocked the place - brilliant. After buying their album for the bargain price of a fiver, I chatted to their lead vocalist and bassist for a bit, really nice lads and I wish them all the best. A really good night - one that was only topped off by a bouncer saying my eyes looked dilated, despite the fact that I was driving. Idiot.
Anyway, work tomorrow and it IS tomorrow - so I had better go to bed. For now, take care…
V Festival
Went to V this weekend and had such a good time! Saw over 20 different bands and gigs, and apart from some rowdy camp-site neighbours and finding a random in our tent while we were sleeping (long story - he wasn’t being devious, he was being just drunk and lost) - it was a really wicked weekend.
Although Sunday will be more memorable for the mayhem under the canvas, most of my favourite bands played on the Saturday, which was my favourite day - my personal highlights included seeing Mew, Bloc Party, Morning Runner, and to my surprise - Keane. It didn’t rain much, apart from a torrential spell for about 20 minutes during Daniel Powter, which was pretty symbolic I thought - so it wasn’t that bad a mudfest at all. I’ve come back incredibly tired and in need of a good old chillax now!
It does make me laugh though how people turn into hippies for the sake of a festival. Fair enough if you are a daisy-chain wearing weed smoker with odd-socks anyway… but I just don’t understand the people who don this image just for one weekend only to go back to their Kappa wearing selves two days later.
I’ve got a few gigs to go to over the next couple of months with Motorettes, American Rejects, Boy Kill Boy, Automatic, and Snow Patrol - so that should keep me going for a while. Definitely want to do V again though.
Lost Aura in Poole
I never realised that Peter Crouch was into the Dorset music scene until yesterday when he made an appearance at Mr Kyps in Poole - he was possibly the tallest person that I’ve seen in my life. Anyhow, I was pleased at his appearance at the venue, however, I was more impressed with Lost Aura. They’re a band who really are excellent - they played a really tight set that outshon the main act of the night by a long way - it’s music you could honestly stand there and listen to for ages.
So apart from Ferndown Locomotive’s tremendous 6-0 beating of the Hollies on Sunday, it’s been quite a normal weekend. Wonderful.
It’s like a bed of roses…
On Tuesday went to see a few bands with Bev at the Joiners, and had a good time. I was very impressed with the red-wine slurping group The Alaskan Pipeline - well talented band and I want to hear more of them, their first track was amazing. Then on came New Rhodes, an interesting lot, whose drummer is “well fit”! Their songs were like Wine Gums - you have a different coloured one and you think it’s going to taste different, but really - there’s not a lot in it.
Morning Runner were a class act, but I can’t help but think they overuse the same lyrics. We must have sang “bed of roses”, “without you”, and “it’s not heaven” more times than I’ve had cold beers. An enjoyable gig, however I think they were taking the mick when they said it’s the most packed they’ve seen a venue before - only because it’s the size of my lounge yes. Anyway it was nice to see Olly making an appearance…
Looking forward to Deal or No Deal on Monday again! No really, I am.
Disgraceful!
Firstly I’ve decided not to watch the Brits tonight because 75% of the winners are absolutely dire. It just amazes me that the evolutionary shift in music trends nowadays means that thirteen year-old kids now seem to be the protagonists in what is supposed to be a “prestigious” music awards event! I said earlier I’d get annoyed if Arcade Fire didn’t pick anything up, and they didn’t. Green Day won Best International Album - yet it was launched in September 2004… As good as they are, I think they’ve had enough pats on the back for that album.
Anyhow, next week am going to see Morning Runner and New Rhodes at the Joiners. Morning Runner remind me of James a bit, and New Rhodes I discovered a while back on some web-site, and they’re really eclectic. Bev - get listening to the tunes now - it will be wickeda wickeda!
PS: Mew last week was definitely the best gig I’ve been to in my life. They’re a lot more accomplished than so many bigger bands and deserve a lot more credibility than they get.
Death. Warmed Up.
I’ve been unbelievably ill this week. I’m not over-reacting like that numpty Robben did for Chelsea at the weekend, but I actually HAVE been really ill. I don’t even know what kind of illness it has been, but I had no appetite, lost more than half a stone in weight, been sick, been sweating like a Danish newspaper-editor, and also a sore throat - beautiful. The result of this is that I’ve started to look like an anorexic Ethiopian on a diet.
At the weekend I was walking around my house feeling really light-headed - not nice at the time, however the bonus of having this experience was that I now know what it must feel like being a typical Bournemouth plastic Barbie blonde. It’s not nice I tell you, you end up talking senseless gumph, you’ve got no co-ordination, and plus you look rank.
I’m watching Mew tomorrow at the Old Fire Station. Bit of an unknown quantity for many, they’re Danish - however their live shows are supposed to be one of the best gig experiences you can have. Their music at first sounds different, and it does take a good few listens to appreciate it, but they put in some amazing visual effects within their shows, so it’s a whole cinematic experience.
Arcade Fire
I’ve been listening to this group before I wore nappies. Finally they’ve got “some” recognition here in the UK with limited airplay here and there. However, I’ve got to say one thing, if they don’t win one Brit at this years awards in February, I will personally go into hibernation never to be seen again!
Meanwhile, how someone like James Blunt can get 20,000 nominations I’ll never know! I’m sure he’s great to watch live, but honestly, one half-catchy song and the whole UK joins the morbid bandwagon.
In the style of Little Britain, mean-wheeeel, next week I’m watching Mew at the Old Fire Station - now there’s a band not many people will have heard of, but they’re definitely worth the £8 (or whatever it was) to see them!
Three cheers for individuality.
The tallest girl in the world
On Tuesday I went to the Kooks in Southampton at the Joiners. An excellent band live, and equally, The Automatic were brilliant - a great buzz hearing them live, and Monsters is a quality tune! I did notice however that the Kooks lead singer does bear a striking resemblance to Simon from Popworld. Never-the-less, it was a great gig, however for 5 minutes of it, I had the misfortune to be standing behind the tallest girl that I’ve ever seen in my life - ten foot tall, sticky out hair, and with about as much interest in the music as I have in cross-stitching.
Back to the music, and I hope the above lot will get as popular as the Arctic Monkeys - who I don’t particularly rate. Although I’m pleased about how a small act has got famous, I just really dislike their tunes - it’s the Northern twang. How come Scottish people like Annie Lennox lose their accent when she sings, but these guys have to hold onto theirs?!
Don’t you dare mention the Proclaimers…
