What are governments for exactly? - Part 7846b

NOISE LIMITERS
It has been brought to our attention that new noise legislation is about to be introduced that could destroy live music in the UK.
The government wish to consider it a legal requirement that anyone apply ing or re-apply ing for an entertainment licence must have a noise volume control device fitted in the venue.
This will be the final nail in the coffin for pretty much ALL entertainment in the UK as the level at which these devices cut the power off is ridiculously low.
In our experience any venue that has one in use cannot have any electric music as the power is constantly being cut mid-song - and even applause at the end of a song can cut it.
Many smaller promoters have a hard enough job as it is without having events disrupted by these devices. Apart from the fact that they will cause annoyance to the audience!
Whoever came up with this idea has most likely never been to a rock'n'roll gig in their life. Please sign the petition now!

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/

How about fitting noise limiters to the fuckers that gibber through an acts set? I think that would be acceptable. Or applying an electric shock generator to mobile phones so that divots who scream down them when people are playing get fried? Anyway, I don't really hold with this kind of thing but this is important. Maybe not life and death but getting there.

And it wouldn't be a new day without another passing, would it. I missed this yesterday actually...

RIP - Bob May

This song is not for wee Georro Bush. I caught about 20 seconds of U2 on TV last night and felt sick. As the big West Wing vs The Wire soap opera pilot goes live today, I sincerely hope that my friends efforts and hopes are not pissed into the wind as the plotline develops.

Of course, there are other big events going down today. Matt and Kim's "Grand" being released. Plus it's payday so I'm flush for about 20 minutes.

I do get myself into some fankles. This often comes as a by-product of not wanting to let people down. Other times it's borne of the reality of "if you need something doing, do it yourself, then you only have one person that you can blame".

Your reporter here excels in both avenues and also in the art of procrastination. Lately I've been seriously considering trying to spend less time at a computer. Being that I achieve the desired reduction at work then this will have to be tackled at home. However, it's proving to be easier to consider than do. I many ways, it's as bad as those who seemed to be glued to a mobile phone. At least I have no truck with that particularly bad habit.

While I have been known to use one, I do so very seldom. My desire to be like a small number of folks who will have nothing to do with such a device is an aspiration that is within my reach. At the same time, I appreciate the necessary evil status when logistics get futzed but then, and only then.

I can guarantee that when we get to the pub or wherever then the bloody thing is switched off. Honest injun. Are you even allowed to say that in this day and age of political correctness. The need to apply that same sort of discipline to my computer habits is where I'm at. Not sure how many steps it takes but I'll get there. Eventually. Possibly.

Lou Molinaro talks to Nick Vahlberg via the interweb...

Update: I just discovered this via The Nomads myspace...

The Things “Some Kind Of Kick” (Nicotine) provides a full on pummel not unlike The Jim Jones Revue album. Their relentless old school teen punk is designed to be played with the volume on tilt. They’ve discovered and forged their own identity. I think I’ve said before that it’s down to the keyboards. The result owes just as much to the first Modern Lovers record as it does to any psychobillious pshennaigans.

They’ve managed to inject a fresh energy into the common or garden take on the garage disease. Plus they have youth on their side. Maybe that will construct a bridge to lure future generations away from whatever the latest dilution of the already fetid Libertines oeuvre toward the original source. Did you watch that Cramps clip I posted yesterday? Tell me one act that you’ve come across lately that even comes close? In terms of excitement, then these Dublin kids at least have a shot.

What The Things are pushing is nothing new but then again what is? Kudos then that they haven’t just reinvented the wheel either and this particular chemistry should provide some high octane thrills for those of you that follow a particular persuasion. I hope they retain this snarl for some considerable time to come. The album closes with a reflective, relatively slow song called “Sandy Tells Me”. It fuses something of Inspiral Carpets with early Gun Club. Let’s leave calendars and time out of it and present you with the fact that that these kids have made a bloody good debut album. That’s enough to be going on with.

Talking about The Modern Lovers, Jonathan Richman has a multiple language album “¿A Qué Venimos Sino A Caer?” out on Munster. A collection of songs sung mostly in Spanish, French and Italian. Recorded at his home in San Francisco and also Tarifa in Spain, right by the Gibraltar Strait, close to Africa. There’s one exception in English, the sublime, acoustic northern soul vibe of “My Baby Loves Loves Loves Me”. As far as I know this is a special edition and what’s more there’s a limited vinyl pressing so you might want to grab that before it vanishes.

Note to self. Go upstairs and fetch the ML debut. A fitting close to an excellent musical weekend just prior to turning back into a pumpkin, or maybe that should be punk-kin?

From: Leee Black Childers c/o Murray Ramone/Shock and Awe myspace...

Rock and Roll Evolution. On the evening of January 30th, I will be appearing onstage in the Purcell Room at The Royal Festival Hall discussing the strange but true source of glam rock and its inevitable bastard children. Through a show of my photography throughout the 1970's, I'll show rock and roll springing from the teased wigs and false eyelashes of the flaming creatures who once walked the streets of New York -- to grow into its true culmination --ANARCHY!!!

Friday, January 30th, 7:45 PM. The Purcell Room @ The Royal Festival Hall.
London, England.

Rupert Smith talks to Leee Black Childers.

Here we go again...

RIP - Tony Hart

I was just trying to figure out when the last Shoeshine Records showcase for Celtic Connections was. I think it was 2000 but I don’t altogether trust anything I think anymore. So something like 9 years down the ‘pike, it was time to do it all again. The ABC in Glasgow is a great venue, the sightlines are excellent I don’t think I’ve ever been at a show there with bad sound. Seeing an act on a proper stage makes all the difference. For everybody.

Boa Morte (from Cork in Ireland) kicked things off with their soundtratmospheric mood music. Lost a wee bit in translation and even in direction in places for me but they have their moments. The fact that they were playing as people were coming in was a distraction and what they do requires some concentration. And silence, because some of it is very quiet. I guess you could call it post rock with an organic twist.

BMX Bandits set only just seemed to begin when it was done. With most of the songs coming from “Bee Stings”, the eight piece line up literally soared. I heard some people in the lavvies complaining that they should have closed the evening. That kind of controversy is what makes the world go around. “Witchi-Tai-To” was equal parts stunning and mesmerising. It left a massive jag of positive energy in the room. Update - bandits interview here.

It was a surprise to learn that Norman Blake and Euros Child hadn’t done the duo thing in public before. This bodes well for the eventual album that will be delivered from the two, possibly later in the year. Their Simon and Garfunkel vs McGuinness Flint stylings were just the ticket for an inclement January nicht. Closing with a song called (I think) “Cave Dance”, this is a real shapeshifter that goes from being Rockpile via The Beach Boys into a Ron Mael staccato prog via Suicide conclusion. They could fashion a whole EP out of this one alone. The have another show, at the CCA next Saturday (24th). Update - I forgot, the did a great version of "Love Is In Motion" by Michael Brown and Ian Lloyd's Stories.

I hadn’t seen Attic Lights since the opened for the Hacienda Brothers many moons ago. That was the last time I was able to spend time with the great Chris Gaffney so the memory is inseparable. They’ve come a long, long way and the Americana-esque tendencies have given way to distinct west coast (of Scotland) pop. It’s a pretty confident crew that kicks off with their “hits”. Delivering most of their recently release debut album, the presence of a string section (The Cairn String Quartet) really upped the ante. The Lights also performed their take on the Minder theme, “I Could Be So Good For You”, which will grace the new version of the TV show that is about to appear on Channel 5 shortly.

Can’t remember when the last time I saw a four band bill where at least two of them didn’t blow but this thankfully bucked that trend. The icing on the cake was the dj antics of Camera Obscura’s Traceyanne and Carey. Proving that slapping a cd into a desk between sets is an outmoded concept and I know the audience appreciated the human touch. I’d like to go on record at this point to say that I was sold way before they played Arthur Alexander. Andy Dunkley would be proud of you ladies.

You can find photos of all the bands here.

I never saw this before... (discovered via the Staysick board)

I’m listening to North Fork Sound while I attempt to backup and delete stuff from the computer and The Herd’s “From The Underworld” just came on. Always a favourite, the almost never make them like that anymore if ever. But sometimes they do.

The first taste of the Adiam Dymott album is “Miss You” (Razzia) builds on the promise of “Memory Loss” and is structured atop the burundified drum track of Fatboy’s “Born To Love One Woman”. 2 minutes and 56 seconds of unadulterated glitter-rock dynamite and ginchy in the extreme. This is rock’n’roll, not rock and roll, sonically and texturally first rate.

How is it that old parental warning about “the beat” went again? Well it just got very infectious again to the point of tribal. Ladies and gents, the queen of the wild frontier! I wish it could be pressed on 7” black vinyl and the flipside would be the instrumental track. Irrespective of format shortcomings, this is excellent. An utterly caffine-free pick me up.

OK, let's leave that fact that the opening track on Bruce's new album seems to lift the basic components of "I Was Made For Loving You" by Kiss. It's sort of unfortunate but there you go. I know that some of you hate Springsteen like I do Primal Scream and I know of others who detest both. Some were won back by "Dream Baby Dream" recently. Americans (and Germans, another maligned breed) can do irony but maybe it doesn't manifest itself like the Brit versh of that particular commodity and why the fuck should it? It should be stated that I also have a soft spot for Kiss but have become appalled at Simmons in particular. My Kiss are better than The Stranglers routine is, I believe, a firm crowd pleaser .

However, Walmart and the Superbowl notwithstanding - you can't write off a large chunk of his back catalogue. And I imagine that it's this material that will make up the content of the tribute shows taking place in two weeks time at Debaser in Malmo and Stockholm. The info is here if you're in a position to cut along to either of these events.

Mark Hagen's recent interview with the man himself will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on January 24th. When he was there, Mark suggested to The Boss that he listen to Hello Saferide. Bruce, if you did that, then as far as I'm concerned you can recycle whatever the heck you like. With bloody bells on. Ha ha.

Update: Mark's Springsteen interview can be read here.

What year is it? Mott The Hoople reunion info...

(Got this from a myspace post by Mr T. Tex Edwards)

Thanks to HT for the heads up!

(click on image to make it legible)

Another one gone, damnit! Can't the grim reaper take a breather or go after the more deserving??

Anyway, it's the weekend and that's something. I have a wee pile of stuff to root through here and am looking forward to that. I'm also mildly pissed at the whining about The Stooges not being inducted into some ridiculous self congratulatory bunfight. There are some good acts in that fictitious shack but not too many and maybe the criteria was a little more pure then. What was once a well-intentioned recognition of art is now way dilapidated. Surely it doesn't matter. The guy who was the missing link between garage punk and most everything since that's been worth listening to, is gone. No corporate do on earth can make up for them apples.

This virtual nursing home ought to be condemned. The real kudos lies with staying out of the Rock and Roll (no 'n's for these people) Hall of Tame. So, celebrate your heroes and heroines, or just your plain favourite music. Having it validated by a bunch of numpties is not necessary because life, as we're learning recently, is too too short and filled with more stuff than there is time to consume.

So there, got that out of my system. I'm off to play Adiam Dymott's debut single "Miss You" abnormally loudly in tribute to Ron A. Toodle fecking pip anatt!

RIP - Sir John Mortimer

Enough with people shuffling off this mortal coil already. As if life wasn't depressing enough.

However, the weekend is in sight and if I can get it together, I'll be attending the Shoeshine Showcase on Saturday evening. Of course I'd prefer to be at P3 Guld in Gothenburg but them's thar breaks. Paris tonight for the Fleshtones would be a hoot and a half too.

Anyway here's a wee taste of what's in store at P3 Guld...

RIP - Gary Kurfirst

RIP - Ricardo Montalban

Despite my best attempts at procrastination, I made a little progress today. Not much but some. In keeping with that, this will be brief. One thing, I have a copy of the version of the "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne" 10 inch by Primal Scream that's looking for a home. Got it for somebody that doesn't require it so let me know if you do.

As you may, or may not know, I have no time for this crew despite their leaders affiliations with acts that form the very basis of the NBT existence. I'm sure there was something else to run up the mast but I can't recall what it was. Just heard that Tory twerp David Cameron on the radio and his voice and slimy persona has given me the dry boke. As Harry Enfield-esque characters go, this one takes the entire box of caramel wafers.

RIP - Patrick McGoohan

He's back to save the world! Wreckless Eric on the Wrecession!

Jonny Dongel goes pop-psyche!

Check out the Rough Trade Shops blog. Bloody darn entertaining.
(Thanks to Sandy for the link)

Incase you don't check The Houndblog as regularly as you should, there was this link to a radio thing of Iggy talking about Ron Asheton. It's pretty cool.

Here's the scoop on that Velvets book...

This selection of interviews and writings by Spanish Velvet specialist Ignacio Julià draws a chronology of the band and members from its inception in 1965 to today. Featuring the expanded and revised translation of his classic book on the band, the original 1986 Feed-Back —based on the longest interview ever granted by guitarist Sterling Morrison—, it has grown to be a deluxe edition crowded with pictures and memorabilia that now includes, amongst other features and reviews, exclusive interviews thru the years with Lou Reed (4), John Cale (3), Maureen Tucker (2), Doug Yule (1) and Nico (1).

As told to the author, who since the early Seventies has studied the band and interviewed all its members. The Velvet Underground didn’t end with Reed leaving in 1970, or with the untimely deaths of Warhol and Nico in the late Eighties, but with Sterling Morrison’s passing in 1995. He becomes a very alive central voice in these chronicles of a transatlantic musical journey that transformed the very foundations of rock’n’roll in the Sixties as much as Dylan or The Beatles did. From their avantgarde beginnings to pop music’s deepest mythology,

Feed-Back documents the rock icon while grasping for the flesh and truth inside the legend, in a series of exclusive conversations and critical appreciations that run from the early Sixties to the present, including the Velvets solo careers until today. Rare photographs and memorabilia illustrate this personal diary that will engage fans and newcomers alike.

Hardback limited edition, 20 x 20 cm (270 pages) Worldwide distribution by MUNSTER

Tis the right end of Monday again and this will be short and sweet. I really hope that I can wake up tomorrow and not have to post another RIP. Phast must be working overtime on the Grim Reporter right about now. Mr McLean tells me he has "the Munster Velvet Underground book" for sale and it's £35 for shop callers (Avalanche, Glasgow). I've never seen it, nor did I know anything about it but maybe you do and maybe you want it so Sandy's yer man.

Received my Rezillos download today, it really doesn't have the razzle of going into the store and coming out with a bag containing vinyl. Forget cd-ingles, we don't need that landfill. Proper music should be presented in a proper manner. Don't you think?

Time to turn this and the radio off. I might even go for a wander seeing as it's not raining...

RIP - Claude Jeter (Swan Silvertones)

RIP - Freddie Mack (Mr Superbad)

Info courtesy of Stewart Cruickshank. Link to obit will be made when available.

In keeping with the Trakwerx habit of issuing cds in the coolest, most diy fashion imaginable this latest 17 Pygmies concept entitled "Celestina" comes on like David Lynch plotting a course for the Floyd. If grandiose space rock flips your switch then you’ll find much to stimulate the old ‘shroom habit here. Eleven movements rather than conventional songs then, and not entirely like anything I’ve encountered in recent times.


Cult With No Name's "Careful What You Wish For" has hards of Bowie, Bolan and even Leo Sayer dna shaken up in a test tube with that of Ben Folds. A very 70’s piano sound that makes for a strange juxtaposition with the decade that followed it to concoct a strangely commercial, almost baroque pop. The cover of The Stranglers “Golden Brown” is somewhat unnecessary but I’m biased on that score. This is a US release so maybe the song isn’t so ubiquitous over there plus I just outright dislike the group responsible.
CWNN shouldn't be made suffer for my prejudice.


"Nervous Constellations" by Smouldering Ashes could almost be a folk pop companion to "Celestina". It has that Espers doing "Flaming Telepaths" kind of Fairports vibe. Roxy Music coupled with Wind In The Willows too. This is the sort of thing that could catch on with the All Tomorrows Parties scene. Lots of Atmos. It also reminds me of The Paradise Motel. The Ashes are a melding of some aforementioned Pygmies with Animated Mayfly Festival (no, me neither) and others into an entity that I think will infiltrate the nervous systems of anybody that comes into contact with them.

The Maxwells hail from Springfield, Mo. and they’re cut from the same cloth as The Skeletons. Musical styles will come and go but there is nothing on this earth as refreshing as good ol’ rock’n’roll performed the way that nature intended. Straight from the heart and directed at the soles of your feet. Trad as all get the f-word out, The Maxwells are the kind of group that are worth going that extra mile for. They make the kind of music that will tempt you back from the precipice. Make you holler like a damned old fool. That kinda malarkey. On their own Staggeroo imprint, the label’s theme song is perhaps the coolest instro that I’ve heard since The Zantees version of Leon Payne’s “Lost Highway”.

Featuring Springfield alumni, Joe Terry and J. Wunderle – this set of songs will hit the spot every time out. They almost never make ‘em like this anymore. The Maxwells practice a lost art that should be slapped with heritage status forthwith. I hope that one day soon this will be available on vinyl, because this is analogue heaven here on our misguided earth.

Trying to get some info together on some recent gear but meanwhile go to Adiam Dymott's myspace and listen to Black Cloud. Pretty damned good!

A treat for you folks in
Germany, Austria and Switzerland!

3 Feb Bierstindl Innsbruck
4 Feb Rote Sonne Munich
5 Feb B72 Vienna
6 Feb Forum StadtPark Graz
7 Feb Kino Ebensee
8 Feb El Lokal Zurich
10 Feb Mousonturn Studio Frankfurt
11 Feb Privat Club Berlin

Lowside of the Road:
A Life of Tom Waits
by Barney Hoskyns

(Published by Faber & Faber
on March 5, 2009)

"Just about the most absorbing, satisfying, and (whisper it) important biography of a modern artist that I can recall reading. Absolutely outstanding."
(Danny Baker, BBC London)

"It's about time Tom Waits received biographical homage from a rock writer of Hoskyns' stature."
(Stephen Poole, The Guardian)

Next Saturday, 17th January. Further details...

Being an information junkie, I sometimes wonder how other people react to the stuff that they’re ingesting all the time. For instance, the last couple of days have been awash with some shortlist of acts that are expected to rise to prominence during 2009. I’ve listened to each and every one and while I don’t outright detest any of it, I wonder exactly what qualifies any of it to be hoisted above the parapet. And what can really become super-popular anymore anyway? There are no sure-fire means to set any kind of heather on fire except to build an audience person by person. And even then, it’s a hellishly slow burn. I’m beginning to face the sad fact that music just isn’t that important to people anymore.

If they care at all then it’s because it’s tacked on to some game or other. I’m not talking about us here but this is pretty small potatoes. I always check out what people whose taste I respect flag up. Lots of people used to but now doesn’t translate into any kind of buzz at all. I don’t think that the socio-political terrain is changing like it should either. I don’t think people are angry, I don’t think they’re mad as hell and I think they’re pretty much just resigned to taking it.

I’ve never known the malaise to be quite this desperate. There’s more excitement about the prospect of getting a pint for 99p than there is about anything. Getting blasted, that’s the way to go. The constant bombardment is getting me down. I admit it. What would be the point in refuting that? However, I might be down but I’m not fucking out. Not yet. The bastards that caused all this are hoping that we will be though and I hope to hell that there’s some of second wind ready to blow through their cosseted world. For all of our sakes.

Never mind though, America gets a double whammy (I’ve heard that expression be used a lot on the radio this week) on January 20th. It’s the presidential inauguration AND the day of the Matt and Kim album release for “Grand".

Notes to Obama: John Waters

This new BMX Bandits Love EP will be available on 7" (and download) this coming Monday. The Duglas produced Nick Garrie single will also be out on the same day. I was going to reproduce the blurb from the Elefant Records site but I'd rather you visited it.

This Spanish label puts out great stuff in excellent packaging with all the heart and soul that's been buried in this so-called reality fixated world. Real music made by real people. You think it might catch on?

One screening only at GFT - The Monorail Film Club

on Sunday 25th January presents The Transatlantic Feedback

Not to be missed!!

Digesting the past week and the ramifications it has on things down the pike. I believe wholeheartedly in the "what's for ye will not go by ye". Loosely translated it means if your number comes up then you have to deal with it. And that I will. As, if and when.

In the meantime, it's a world without Ron Asheton. Here's Mike Watt on the subject. In my opinion there would never have been a Stooges reunion without him. I remember the time that J. Mascis brought Ron to Glasgow with The Fog. I wasn't there but the excitement was palpable. In my opinion, that "tour" set the scene for Iggy to get his old troupe together. Anyway, here's what MW had to say.

If you go over to Jim Marshall's place then you can find out what James Williamson has been up to. No Raw Power for Coachella then methinks...

The only good news I received this week really is that Annika Norlin won the best lyrics Grammi. If you go to the website, you'll see a photo from the occasion that pretty much sums up what is so special about this person.

And there goes another one...

RIP - Dave Dee

RIP - Ray Dennis Steckler (Thanks to Ben for the heads up)

Art Fein's 23rd Annual Elvis Birthday Bash in L.A. -

Thursday January 8th, 2009

Venue change: the Avalon, 1735 Vine in Hollywood, just north of Hollywood Blvd across from the Capitol Records Tower.

SHOW STARTS EARLY THIS YEAR,
5:30 through 10:30 p.m.

$25 admission
Benefit: proceeds go to L.A. Fallen Firemen's Memorial

Benefactor: L.A. City Councilman Tom Labonge

Acts so far:
Jimmy Angel, Ray Campi, Danny Dean, Lisa Finnie, Blasters, Manny Gonzales, I See Hawks In L.A., Groovy Rednecks, Keith Allison, Carlos Guitarlos, Michelle Shocked, Dusk Devils, Rip Masters, Lisa Haley, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Mojo Monkeys, Lightnin' Willie, Karma, Ronee Blakley, Rod & The Tonemasters, Dave Serby & The Sidewinders, Charlotte Orlove, Clive Kennedy, Joey Buttler, Ridge Route Romeos, Glen Glenn (?), Justin Curtis, Mike Stinson, Harry Orlove, Barry Holdship, Simon Stokes, Lori Dewitt & Todd Eckhart, and from France - Ervin Travis.

The Elvis Bash continues to be the nation's leading Elvis Birthday celebration drawing people from L.A. and all over the world. More guests are being added.

Chez Asheton update. This piece has been updated from the original post.

The comments after the article feature a great entry by Danny Fields and a lot of other stuff that is somewhat "inappropriate" under the circumstances. The human condition is not pleasant.

These I-94 BAR tributes are more in keeping with the positive rememberance.

RIP - Alfred Shaheen (info via Staysick digest)

The new austerity blew a little closer to home today. Not entirely unexpected but I'm continually disappointed when things pan out the way they're foretold. As you may or may not be aware, I'm very much from the "half-empty" school of thought. In light of this, I don't feel much like gabbing but here are a couple of things you may care to check out...

The jury is pretty much out on Elvis Costello these days. I know some of you still care though. And I do too, when he enlists the help of my good friend, Ms Laura Cantrell.



Elsewhere, read Mike Davis of the MC5 on the passing of Brother Ron Asheton.

The frost this morning was pretty severe and curtailed any computer activity prior to leaving for work. To my mind, it's the best time to try and get stuff up here. Any futz with my basic routine can knock things awry for the remainder of the day. This is one of those. So I come home to the news about Ron Asheton and I have to say that it's a shock. All the more heartbreaking because he could have been there for a few days before the discovery.

The noise the man made will live forever though. It's a damn crime that he never got to enjoy the fruits of his labours in recent years. To me, the only good thing about the reunion was that finally Ron got the recognition he deserved. And a boatload of money hopefully. I have it on good authority that he was happy in recent times so that's something at least.

Here is a screaming example of life not being fair. Not at all. Go to the Houndblog, this is the best thing I've found on the subject so far and the way RA should be remembered!

RIP - Ron Asheton (!)

It's always the same, the best laid plans and all that. Seem to have been off work for far longer than any achievement aound these parts would suggest. Dread of actually returning set in early yesterday or maybe even on Saturday. I've been thinking lately that maybe I'm lucky to actually be employed at the minute so I'll keep the grumbling to a slow peep. It's hard to get motivated to anything when you're faced with a constant barrage of statistics that are patently designed to ram home the message that one way or another, one is right royally rogered.

I should really have done the blood donation thing tonight but as I've intimated before, I hate the venue. Sports centres and yours truly don't get along. Keep meaning to make an appointment to make an appontment for either Glasgow or Edinburgh but have failed miserably thus far. Their numbers are way down apparently. I believe, that if it was still in the Town Hall here then the numbers would steady. Anyway, it was a long day and I spent most of it in front of a screen so I'll leave you with this piece about The Long Ryders by fellow rock'n'roll veteran Fred Mills ahead of their Atlanta shindig. Oh yeah, and this.

Sohodolls do The Lords of the New Church

Download it free, Sohodolls is the seventh band on that page and you can grab "Open My Eyes" from there.

Back as the festivities were kicking off for the segue between years, you may remember my attending the David Scott Seasonal Shindig in Stirling. That's more S's tha Shir Shaun could shake the proverbial schtick at... The more alert of you will also recall my discovery of Kim Edgar, an artist who until then I’d never encountered. So anyway, since then she kindly sent me a copy of her debut album which reflects the chops that she displayed in The Tolbooth.

A wee bit of history then, Kim came to the attention of the bods who do Burnsong thing, this shouldn’t be confused with the tartan mafia that tend to hijack Rabbie’s work. There are many talented individuals who have been involved with this and so far none of them have appeared in an ad for the “Homecoming” if you get my drift…

“Butterflies and Broken Glass” contains 10 songs that fall outside the notion that this is just folk music. These are stories that convey the fact that Ms Edgar is not someone who could easily be associated with any particular pigeonhole. Karine Polwart and her band are evident across the course, indeed her husband Mattie Foulds produced this set. “Heavy Skies” is the cut that grabbed me most first. Like all good records, this takes a little time to settle. The heart tugging string-driven ambience of “Skies” is not unlike the mood set by Lou Reed on some of Berlin. “Cinderella’s Slipper” reminds me of Ivor Cutler but that might just be me.

I’m a wee bit loathe to mention Kate Bush but if it makes anybody sit up then there are shards of her influence to be heard here I think. Songs like “House on the Hill” and “Scissors, Paper, Stone” are destined to become favourites as Kim gains ground. The use of understated brass on the record is very cool. It punctuates the overall feel and almost sounds Swedish, on “Climber” in particular.

Great promise lies within this short introduction to a lassie that is destined to become very popular indeed over the fullness of time.

And talking about the fine climes of Sweden, it has been somewhat remiss of me not to hep you to the Autisterna album that Groover Recordings put out a couple or three months ago or thereabouts. “Sista Scenan” is the bands debut, all in their native tongue but such is their way with melody then you’ll hardly notice. This also reminds me that I don’t have the most recent Vapnet collection either. I wish Stacey Shackford would come back and get Glasgow back in the mix, Svensk-wise.

From Denmark via a Dutch label – SPEkTR present “B/W vs Technicolor” on Tocado Records. It’s John Barry in the realm of Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks via Messer Chups, designed to pay homage to the more esoteric soundtracks that have been laid down over the course of history. Manoj Ramdas was involved in an early incarnation of The Raveonettes and will join The Tremolo Beer Gut on their upcoming tour. These are imaginary themes to cinematic scenes you’d dig the heck out of seeing. Like someone had discovered a whole chestful of ITC TV show scores that never saw the light of day because they were too, too far ahead of their time.

Check out their myspace and choose your favourite and hope that this phenom might grace or shores at some point. SPEkTR reminds me of Señor Scott’s Mondo Morricone soundscapes. These compositions sound very like the people who influenced them but with a cool twist.

Join me in an experiment? Indulge an old timer to try and stick one to the smoke and mirrors merchants that are desperately clinging to some outmoded belief that there is a record industry. There is a music industry but that’s different and there are successful exponents of that who love music and buck the trends. Here's where we gird our collective loins and join those individuals who will see to it that there is a future in some way or another.

This experiment will set you back 79p. About 14 shillings and 20 old pence in pre-decimal currency by my reckoning, not even a flipping euro. It would be cool if you’d click on this link. While you’re doing so it is perfectly acceptable to yell or whisper (your choice) – I don’t want any of your goddamn versions of “Hallelujah”. No – I want to rock. The link takes you to The Rezillos "No.1 Boy" and if enough of us do this then we’ll get more. You can do this from anywhere on the planet and from outwith I believe.

I’ve no idea why it’s not on iTunes and I know a bunch of you use that but it’s not so we have to relieve ourselves using the appendage we’ve been graced with if you dig? It might even make a 7” single version possible somewhere down the line and you KNOW you want one of those…

Update @ 4pm: The single will be available on iTunes on the day of release but it would be cool if you could just get past the modernity of all this and just spring for the pre-order. It's all part of the experiment so get that old lab-coat out of mothballs and let's put the wind up the blighters. I don't ask for much and maybe it'll all fall on it's arse but It's worth a tumble methinks!

Just watched Prog Rock Britannia , a pretty entertaining ride interspersed with music that didn't sound good when it was made and that hasn't improved since. It reminded me of a record fair I went to in Berlin once so I'll certainly take those memories.

Was all set to deal with some reviews today but that's been interrupted but could well happen tomorrow. Almost all of the things I half-promised myself I'd do before I came off on holiday remain undone. It's that unscrambled egg syndrome again to close with a not-so clever prog analogy. Going to be another cold one tonight by all accounts... but forget any trials and tribulations that you, or the world might be experiencing. The name of the person who will play Doctor Who in 2010 is about to be announced.

RIP - Bernie Hamilton

RIP - Wilbert "Junkyard Dog" Arnold

(info from Amy Allison)

1.Road of Broken Dreams / 2. No Sound /
3. Threw This Away / 4. My Angel /
5. Dream Baby Dream / 6. Other Lives /
7. Victim of Dreams / 8. I Am Time /
9. Breaks Me / 10. Cold Outside /
11. Anybody /12. Hollywood / 13. Killer /
14. Drifter / 15. Train Station /
16. The White River / 17. Silver Street /
18. Everybody and Their Excuses / 19. This Is

A new collection of songs from ex-Barracudas\Jeremy Gluck, including originals and covers performed by various different line ups of musicians and singers, featuring Nikki Sudden, Alcohol, Superczar and Circo Fantasma.

Original artwork by Jeremy Gluck and photography by Tyron Francis. Building on the legacy of "I Knew Buffalo Bill" with two songs written with Nikki Sudden and covers of the latter's songs. It brings together over 20 years of work and literally sets the stage for Gluck's new band The Yohawks.

Holy Jumping George! The crème eggs are in the shops, the holiday ads are all over the TV and well, things are approaching normality. Or are they? There’s an ad for an insurance company that includes a clip of the Alice Cooper band doing “Is It My Body”. What the hell is that about?? Well, I know what it’s about but nothing is really sacred anymore. It’ll be Frankie Teardrop recommending Tesco next or maybe Sainsbury? Nothing would surprise me anymore.

But it’s so far so good here in the bunker. I’m impervious to the soul-sucking insincerity that I associate with the passing of time. The latest half-baked event to be foisted upon Scotland as a whole is “Homecoming”. In 2009, those who have left this part of the world are being encouraged to return in order to celebrate Rabbie Burns 250th. Far as I know, he’s not coming so why should anyone else?

The main TV ad features a gaggle of Scots capped off with Shir Shone Connery interpreting Dougie McLean’s “Caledonia”. In keeping with the general air it makes my skin crawl, not unlike the BBC’s recent Hogmanay travesty – “Is it pokemon?”.

Anyway, things start to return to what passes for normal. Christ, there are even trains, perhaps to capitalise on the fact that fares go up today. New year maybe, same old song and dance with regard to screwing the punter. I hope that some of you will visit Scotland during the coming year though because there’s no way any of us will be able to visit you the way that sterling is tanking.

RIP - Bill Landis (Thanks to HT for the link)

(Bill was the man behind Sleazoid Express and some of the material in the memorial is definitely not work friendly. It also contains images that could cause offence.)

I’m not gonna be around this computer thing too much today but what better way to begin a new set of numbers than with something of an exclusive to sandblast those cobwebs away.

Named after the instro-stramash that is track 7 on their debut or the street in Brooklyn? I’m not entirely sure but “Grand”, the second M&K opus is upon us on January 20th , courtesy of Fader Label.

There’s a belief that an act should appeal to an audience that is 10 to 12 years younger than they are. Young ‘uns give the illusion that they're more sophisticated these days so it may no longer apply. Although that may not be the right word in these torrid torrent times, I guess the kids wouldn’t be down with the expression "spoiled". It used to take weeks or even months of serious effort to hear or get something this cool.

Matt & Kim retain that old time sense of mystery. Sure, you can hear them on your computer but they have the chops and the charisma to convince people that they want, nay need the product, to have and to own. They make music to believe in, not a commodity, for kids of all ages. Reflecting all that is great about the fleeting nature of all great things. Having been privileged to witness the phenom first hand, I have no qualms in telling you that Matt(hew) & Kim(berley) are the real deal.

A couple of true misfits (and I mean that in the coolest sense of the expression) engrossed in their art. The reason that they’re able to do this is that fundamentally, they create this stuff for themselves. They do their way and, if you’re prepared to go with, then you’ll have a very good time. A generosity of spirit exists within these songs. Then there’s the sound. And finally there’s the live experience. M&K aren’t choreographed and they don’t do encores, a one gal drum corps/one guy organ grinder that has stumbled upon a lethal formula not unlike The Ramones but not like them.

Experience these sensations individually or collectively but know this, what they achieve is way more in keeping with the spirit of real punk rock than the latest bunch of shouty oiks that are alleged to be of any consequence week. “Grand” contains a virus that I’d dearly love the world to catch. No antidote required.

Two songs, “Daylight” and “Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare” can be found online if you look. Regular visitors to this portal may well be familiar with both by now. 11 songs in total clock in at just about the half hour mark. There’s no excess flab here. All wheat, no chaff is the order of the day. Even those with zip of an attention span won’t have time to get bored. “Lessons Learned” is a serious real contender to be the most ubiquitous song this year and each cut could well be a “single” as we old-timers used to call them.

Available as “files” and on cd and vinyl, there’s a version for every persuasion. If you have trouble remembering what fun sounds like then you need to make this pitstop. And when they stop by your neighbourhood then please, cut along and bask in the buck wildness.

OK kids, if you're heading out tonight then don't forget to wrap up warm.

Me? I'm going noplace. There's a sofa ower yonder beckoning me. Wouldn't be entirely surprised if I'm in the land of nod prior to any foray into another year. What a saddoe, eh?

Anyway, there's "Standing In The Shadows of Motown" to watch and sometime tomorrow "The Apartment". That's what passes for a good time around here, not freezing yer knackers off watching Glasvegas in Edinburgh that's for sure. All that remains is to bid seasoned greetings to you and yours for the supposedly bumpy ride that is captioned 2009. It's already here down under so give it laldie wherever you are and whenever it happens. Or not as you see fit.

Found this on 45 blog via So Many Records... and incidentally, the SMR player gremlins are a thing of the past. Dig in, I expect you'll be up for air sometime toward 2010.

I left the bunker a short while ago with the mind of getting to the supermarket before the locusts do. Part ways down the road, I was just hit by the realisation that I couldn't face it. So this is the way that 2008 ends? To add insult to injury, they're claiming that '08 will last 1 second longer than expected. Not sure about you but to my mind, it's all just numbers. There is no significance other than getting the chuff on with whatever is for me. Or for us.

Of course, it is my solemn desire that none of us have to suffer any more nonsense than that which be pre-ordained but I figure that you know what I mean here. Bring it the sweary word on!

Brother Patrick just laid this news on me....

les CRAMPS
Pour l’amour d’Ivy
par Alain Feydri

"Bien plus qu’une simple biographie cet ouvrage très documenté détaille avec précision l’univers de Lux & Ivy."

320 pages, format 15 x 21 cm incluant un livret de 18 photos inédites couleurs et N&B de:

David Arnoff, Buddy 87, Eric Catarina, Stevie Dixon, Emmy Étié, Tony Lacoponelli, Pat Melleville et Ronan Seiryen,
ainsi que 14 illustrations de Jacques-Olivier Leroy.

Prix unitaire : 25 €


(frais d’envoi offert pour toutes commandes passées avant le 31 Mars.)

Julie Production
4, rue de l’imprimerie
34070 MONTPELLIER,
FRANCE

Achat en ligne :
http://www.myspace.com/julieprod
http://julieprod.chez-alice.fr/julieshop

RIP - Robert Ward

I discovered this when Amy Rigby sent me the link to Andy Schwartz's Dictators post on Ted's blog. Please take some time to read the other stuff too because there's some damn fine writing to be enjoyed there. And you didn't seriously want to get up from in front of the screen anyway, right?

Checking out the Nobunny interview at Turn It Down, I discovered Stuffed Animals. Cool beans...

I've just spent the last wee while railing (ha ha - i'm a right comic) against the abysmal public transport that exists here in Scotland. I began to get a bug up my bahookie about this yesterday when I took the bus into Edinburgh (and back). It's possible to do this from just along the road rather than take the car to a train station but anyway. It also allows the individual to have a couple of drinks but it's not wise to have any more than two pints. I would also advise that you make sure that you evacuate that before you get on. As if you have a choice...

So the service is worse than crap but the actual journey is fine. Particulary if you have a good book (in this case, Popular Music by Mikael Neimi) and some music to listen to. Company would be OK too but most folks won't entertain it. Doubt if I will again as it happens either but it was an experiment. No animals (except me) were harmed in its being carried out.

I could really do with seeing the movie of this book again but a copy with English subtitles seems to be unobtainable.

Anyhoo, to cut a long story short, I've written curt messages to Transport Scotland, First Scotrail and also the Scottish Parliament Transport Minister. Woe betide each and every one if I get a form letter response. I have a feeling in my water (see how I brought that back to the pee thing) that this one could run and run (haw haw). My sides are aboot to split here... or are they?

So here we are in the no-persons land between alleged celebrations. Things are about to get very hairy indeed but you wouldn't think that to see the droves in Edinburgh. The place is teeming with people spending money like it's about to be worth nothing. Oh, wait a minute - maybe they're on to something there? It was good to hook up with Peter Tjolsen, my old mucker of the Oslo parish over there yesterday for a couple of libations in the Bow Bar.

A place has opened up straight across from there which I think is fairly obnoxious. They carve up a pig carcass in the window and serve it up to eat in and maybe even out. It seemed to be getting a fair bit of attention. Having not been aware of it's existence I'm curious as to how it got the go-ahead. Edinburgh is in such a palaver to grab the tourist buck that I'm surprised they never considered the feelings of vege/vegans and or people who might find it vaguely disgusting. Imagine if you stoated into a kebab shops and there was a big head on the top of the meatblock? Well it occurs to me that what they're punting is akin to that.

Peter gave me a copy of Vibeke Saugestad's Christmas EP "... From All Of Me" which feature 5 very cool original songs that'll give you a rosy punk poppin' glow from the outset.

"I Must Have Been So Good" is a spiritual cross between Darlene Love and The Ramones. Rip roaring guitars and sleighbells, a lethal concoction. There's a knack to creating that festive mood and those "Hey Ho's" that punctuate "Mistletoe Kissing" prove that these folks have got it down pat. It ain't easy to sound old but not backdated. I really need to get my hands on a copy of her (third!) album that came out earlier this year. This gal is a high calibre singer, "A Christmas Carol (for the Losers in Love)" reminds me of Maria McKee. As the outro of "Christmas Is Calling Me Home" trickles away, it stands out as a further example of how far ahead Scandanavian pop acually is. Clocking in at just under 15 minutes, you wish it would stay around just a little longer.

RIP - Freddie Hubbard

RIP - Delaney Bramlett

Voladoras in action a little less than 24 hours ago(ish) courtesy of Bgrrrlie!

Its round up time and there are undoubtedly things I’ve missed or forgotten or both. It’s an auld age thing. As always, these are presented alphabetically (by artist). I don’t do numerical. Also, in a bid to have you get a tad interactive, I haven't made links. They're all here though if you use the the sidebar or the search facility at the top. Plus there's always Google or whatever your search engine of choice be. You could be in front of this blighter for hours if yr not careful...

4 songs

Memory Loss – Adiam Dymott (Razzia) Can’t wait to hear the album, coming soon…

Ron Asheton’s Loafers – Hyper Plastic (Novoton) The tune lives up to the title.

Sorry Simon – Johnny Dongel (Gravelsauce) Primo UK punk rock via NYC.

Good ol’ fashion nightmare – Matt and Kim (Green Label Sound)
The next big thing for kids of all ages.

5 blogs

Angel’s Non-Tour Diary – Does exactly what it sez on the masthead.

North Fork Sound Blogspot – Great stories from a guy who was and continues to be there.

So Many Records, So Little Time –
Enter a wonderful world you won’t feel much like leaving.

Amy Rigby’s Diary – This lady never loses a beat, you’ve heard her songs – follow her diary. And then click on the link to Eric’s.

The Houndblog – Jim Marshall is another guy with a heckuva way with words. Another lifer.

6 shows

Boonaraaas!!! – London – Always a complete pleasure…

The Dictators – Barcelona – Anthem after anthem after anthem… fuck ac – fucking-dc.

Matt and Kim – Glasgow – This fine Brooklyn couple radiate good vibes and are capable of causing chaos in a live situation.

The Nomads/I Are Droid/Säkert! - Solna/Stockholm –
All in one fantastic evening. There’s photographic evidence so I didn’t dream it…

Suzy & Los Quattro – Barcelona/Madrid – What can I say, they make an old guy who is old enough to know better, renounce his impending senior citizenship. Thanks kids!

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby - Edinburgh/Glasgow – Two very special entertainers that get better and better every night.

10 albums

Death is not my Destiny – Robert Coyne (Turpentine)
Rob is a genius, time for the world to discover that…

A Fifth of Nowhere – Johnny Dongel (Gravelsauce)
Knockout 1978 stylee pop delivered straight from the heart with no small amount of irony.

More Modern Short Stories from Hello Saferide – Hello Saferide (Razzia) If there is any justice then Annika and her crew will rule this sorry-ass planet by this time next year.

Saving Grace – Scott Kempner (02.59)
Top notch songcraft from another great fella that could use a break or three.

Have You Heard About The World? – The Lost Crusaders (Everlasting) Mike Chandler’s R’nR evangelism is something we could all use a dose of right about now.

The Maxwells – The Maxwells (Staggeroo)
This is so recent that I haven’t even dropped a proper review yet but I will.

Galgberget – Pascal (Novoton)
All in Swedish but pound for pound Pascal kick Glasvegas’ hindquarters up and down the park.

Stick with it! – Suzy & Los Quattro (Wild Punk) Deserves to surpass one million, million sales. Guaranteed to sandblast the cobwebs from the most jaded cynic.

Suicide Live 1977-1978 (Blast First Petite) An audio documentary that you have to experience at least once in your life, start to finish, in one sitting.

Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby (Stiff) Made for themselves to be enjoyed by anyone for an ear for the real deal. I wish it had been a “double”.

I'm pretty sure that you probably can't get to see TOTP2 from outside of the UK because of dumbass restrictions but the latest instalment included a great performance of "I Can See For Miles" by The Who that I don't recall seeing before. There was also Nena's "99 Red Balloons", the Associates with the exquisite Martha Ladley doing "14 carat Love affair" and "Sonic Boom Boy" by Westworld. Their hymn to Pete Kember... pretty good comp if you skip the Duran clip and a couple of others...

The UK needs a pop music show that covers all the bases. Unfettered by cronie-isms, that can restore some faith in the art. Some people who inhabit the BBC are up to the task, others - further up the tree - are bricking it. And they'd rather do nothing while Rome burns rather than commission something that might just catch on. Especially if Jools flippin' Holland doesn't crash the party with his patented piano invasions.

T'was a heavy frost-athon this morning. I've clocked up a lttle over three miles on the old pins and I'm probably indoors for the duration. Might unearth more relics or could well plunk down in front of the TV. The world is my oxter, I'm never sure if that's how you spell that colloquialism for armpit and to be honest, I can't be arsed googling it.

One comedian tells me that he'll donate some green to the American Nazi Party in my name if I let him have one of the ACC 45's. He might even be kidding. I could add a quip about being the straight man here but I'm sure that could get twisted too.

There's a copy of "The World's Greatest Sinner" here with my name on it! (Thanks Ben!!) So that's a priority. Haven't seen it in at least 2 decades from a crummy VHS. This one aired on TCM lately and is said to be looking mighty good. I always figured that Nic Cage ripped his schtick off Timothy Carey, even in terms of appearance. Does anybody know if that could be so? Anyway, looking forward to getting reacquainted with that and generally not over-extending ma'sel'.

RIP - "Johnny Cakes" (Info via BLR list)

During the less than strategised archeological dig up in the loft, I found three copies of Angel's dream-mungous take on this Dictators chestnut that originally came with NBT 27 back in 1997.

If you'd like to adopt one and give it a good home then let me know. All I ask is that if you do score one, then you'll make some kind of donation to a charity of your choosing, provided that it's not yourself! There's no such thing as free maybe but this is as near-gratis as it gets.

No need to report the people who made this poster to the trades description department. Even I would leave the house for this!...

RIP - Tris King (Bogshed)

It’s Friday. Never sure which day is which at this time of year. The fact that there are no trains between here and either Glasgow and/or Edinburgh is a complete disgrace but no surprise in this backward nation (I'm referring to the entire UK here as well as Scotchland). The bargain hunters are forced, possibly still pished and high on turkey sandwiches and Santa knows what else into their cars to head for the sales. Being a confirmed nae-sayer – I take no part in it. There was nothing of any consequence to buy in the run up, what are the chances of there being anything now? The stock rooms of the nations struggling high streets will be emptied into the stores and the rose-tinted gel of greed will convince the lemmings that its all good.

I have a plan at the back of my mind that to try and liberate some of the gear that’s squatting in my loft over the time that I’m not at work. This consideration is somewhat flawed in that I’m very easily sidetracked. If the phone rings, or I find something particularly interesting then that’s likely to halt the “dig” indefinitely.

Still I need to keep busy or I’ll drive myself nuts. I’m on a wee bit of a jag to photograph button badges to put up on facebook. This too could be shortlived. The world is my oxter basically and this is what's going down in lieu of actually having a life.

Rezillos vid for No. 1 boy on TOTP2 tonight but there’s a lot could happen afore then. I’m not saying it will but there’s always a rumour of a possibility. A wee backtrack over the past 12 months may also be in order but it'll be all new. No cutting and pasting or edited highlights.

RIP - Eartha Kitt

RIP - Harold Pinter

The fabulous Voladoras + Emma Vikingskull will be at Debaser on Saturday.

File this one under too much fun, but don't dare miss it!

Wherever you are, whoever you're with, no matter what you're up to - I hope it's all going your way.

Thanks for continuing to drop by in these peculiar times.

Catch you on the flipside of this Christmas thing...

GOD JUL!

Christmas Eve and you don’t want to be going out anywhere really? Do you?? Bollocks to that, you want to be firing up the computer and tuning into OH NO IT'S CHRISTMAS with a couple or three of what constitutes your tipple of choice. It’s on Swedish Radio P3 at 8.30 GMT and for that additional, practically radioactive glow, you should listen as it goes out. Don’t fret though because it’ll be available for 30 days after if you insist on going someplace and features...

Annika Norlin, David Sandström, Britta Persson, Adiam Dymott, Robert ”Strängen” Dahlqvist, Jonna Lee, Salem al Fakir, Veronica Maggio, Markus Krunegård and Ison & Fille (whoever the heck they be?).

Ha en KUL JUL!!

(Extra special bumper Christmas cheer to Ms Nenne Z)

Made it to the finish line. It was looking dicey but the old perseverance went into autopilot. I even made it into work today saving 1 whole annual leave day, a very valuable commodity, particularly in the long stretch to March. The days are fair drawing out again but it ne'er got semi-light until at least 9am today. At one point this afternoon, it looked like summer outside.

Need to attend to supplies and then I think I'm gonna baton down the hatch and treat myself to a Twin Peaks-a-thon. That's the semi-plan, provided I don't succumb to the shivering and shaking as so many people are. It's un-naturally mild and therefore the wee viral beasties will be continuing their field day.

I'll be back and forth electronically. catching up on posts and just generally not having to drive anywhere for more than a week. Only thing on the horizon is that I might try to catch Fangs this coming Sunday at Tuts and of course hooking up with the Rt Hon Oslo ambassador, the Rev. Peter Tjolsen. So, all tolled, the mood is reasonable, might be different when I get back from the supermarket but that's a chance I'll just have to take. Actually, sod it - i'll strike bright and early tomorrow, before the greedy bastards get out and about to scarf up everything as though the shops wouldn't be open for a month. It may come to that in 09 but let's get this one over with first shall we...

As much as I would like to see The Rezillos tonight it looks unlikely. Having not been stricken with the lurghi that's been doing the rounds for weeks now, it looks like somebody called my number. Order has kind of been restored to my cd storage over the weekend though so I imagine that punishment is due. That's how it works, right?

With regard to the impending madness, I'm bodyswerving the subliminal guilt trip that certain sections of the media are peddling. That we've got to go to the shops and spend what we (or I certainly) don't have on what nobody needs. The economy is flatlining and yeah, reports of people queueing to get into stores are going to make ME want to join in...

A valiant (really) attempt to find stuff for a select few hit the rocks last weekend. I don't want (and will not) give or send people, shite that can be gotten anywhere in the world.

On top of all this, I started backing up some stuff from the computer this morning. To make some space - thinking it might improve the running speed, etc. 2GB leaner and there's no tangible proof that it has made one shred of an iota of difference. Very frustrating but not altogether unexpected in this half-empty world. I possibly sound pretty p.o.'d right about now.

Nothing new there then... McNuggets anyone?

HT on MX-80 Sound.