R.I.P George Carlin

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468681.stm

And I've only really just started to discover George Carlin's outstanding stand-up :(

My favourite rant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

Take that religion!

Rival Schools + Flood of Red @ King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

19 June 2008


I hate to be the person who picks out one member of a group for criticism, but Flood of Red need a new singer. The current chap's style of singing simply doesn't suit the sheer force of what is an incredible outfit. Whiney and often far too weak, he is a shadow of what is going on behind him. For one, the drummer hits the skins harder and more enthusiastically than anyone I think I've ever seen. It has to be said though; this enthusiasm does help disguise a sound that suffers from not being altogether that forward thinking.

To be fair, Flood of Red's vocalist (apologies for lack of naming, no good bios online) is not helped by early technical problems and to his credit his own personal performance and the overall display by the group really picks up towards the end of the set. We'll just put it down to nerves then shall we?



It seems wrong being nostalgic about a band when you're only in your early twenties, but Rival Schools have been away for well over six years and the last time I saw them I was only around 17!

Fortunately the show isn't all about the past. I mean, just look at how far Rival Schools has come. Walter is sporting a tash; Ian has become rather fat; Sam has shaved off his awesome 'fro; while, last but not least, Cache appears now to be Johnny Drama!

On a more serious note, new songs like Paranoid Detective and a wicked cover of How Soon is Now? show there is still plenty in the tank of this supergroup. Add to this all the hits from United by fate, The Switch, High Acetate and Good Things and you have a crowd full of happily satisfied chappies and chappettes.

It's easy to forget than in the time they've been gone, music has changed so drastically. The MySpace and iTunes revolution; even "emo" has moved from post-hardcore groups like Rival Schools to a tag for pop punk bands.

In the end, predictably, Used for Glue prompts the first mass movement of the crowd, and the faithful leaves suitably happy. This Rival Schools reunion feels different to others. It doesn't feel forced and the band members appear to have taken the time they need apart and seem delighted to be back in front of their, still keen, fanbase.

After one of the all-time great debut albums and a seven year wait for the follow up, it's finally almost time for the "difficult" second album. And I for one, can't wait...It's great to have Rival Schools back!

Another dumbass "musician"...

Kid Rock boycotts Apple iTunes.

Robert Ritchie said: "It's based on an old system where iTunes takes the money, the record company takes the money, and they don't give it to the artists."

Waaah waaaah waaaah, I don't have enough millions.

Let's remind ourselves of the genius and pomposity of this nincompoop:

"I'm going platinum selling rhymes. I went platinum, seven times."

Giant Douche or Turd Sandwich??????!? Vote now!!!!?!

If you ever needed a reason for illegally downloading music ...

'Bassist Gene Simmonds explained that his band were refusing to record new material until illegal downloading ceases, calling the act of downloading "uncivilised".'

http://www.nme.com/news/kiss/37419

Now I'm not one to download illegally (hand on heart, not since Napster!) but Kiss really suck, so by all means everyone, keep up your naughtiness!

NME might have actually got it right with this one...

You know when you watch a music video for the first time and the everything about it just works?

I was entranced by one of the most unique sounds I've heard in indie for a long time with an intriguing video beautifully matching the mood. I don't usually hang on till the end to find out the name of an artist, but I will definately be checking out Glasvegas at Glastonbury next week. (Which will be warm? Don't tease me weatherman!)

Good show guys and gal! Check out 'Geraldine' here

Cause we all just wanna be big RockStars...

When someone hands you something free in Edinburgh…it usually goes in the bin. Just look at Fringe show leaflets as the prime example.

So when I was handed a bottle of Rockstar Energy drink on Princes Street, my first instinct was to send it back to where it came for, or chuck it.

Strangely, I and many many other hurried people on lunch, took the drink back to the office.

Even more worryingly I decided to consume the can, despite the ginormous HIGH CAFFEINE CONTENT warning and the whopping 65g of sugar!

Let’s pick up the action in the beginning of the first sip…

13.21: Glug…nothing new. Tastes like Red-bull, something I instantly associate with sticky floors in a dirty old Weatherspoons pub.

13.26: Already feeling the effects. I did give up fizzy drinks well over a year ago, so I have a very low tolerance these days.

13.29: My usually scribbly handwriting is almost unreadable after a few strokes.

13.32: Jesus McChrist there is still sooooo much left. I know I’m not guzzling it down but still. Entering a very dull calm period.

13.35: Shaking a little. No more than usual. Brain is working at “ludicrous speed”, very useful as I’m brainstorming ideas for a client.

13.47: I need a hit! In discussion with the boss, well away from can on desk. Wobbling slightly, nose leaking rapidly. Glug glug. Ahhhh.

13.51: Heart rate nice and rapid.

13.58: Struggling to communicate effectively. Not an unusual sight, but still…

14.02: Contemplating giving up and switching to my delicious looking bottle of water.

14.06: Bursting for a wee-wee. Good to know there is actually liquid in my sugar & caffeine.

14.08: One sip away from this dramatic climax! Vision went slightly blurry back there, worrying.

14.11: It’s all over folks!

It is very worrying how many of these drinks are now on the market. The amount of sugar and caffeine is absolutely obscene so other than rare circumstances, I can’t see why anyone would drink something like RockStar. More to the point, how could you drink it regularly without getting seriously fat and obscenely hyper.

UPDATE: 17.18 – I feel sick.

Scientology's gonna get ya!

This popped into my inbox today at work. I have been targeted by Tom Cruise and his dangerous cult.

Either that or I've joined one John Travolta fansite too many.

Courtesy of http://www.dianeticslondon.co.uk

*Shiver*