A message from Mr Faulkner...

DEFINITION: A botnet (also known as a zombie army) is a number of Internet computers that, although their owners are unaware of it, have been set up to forward transmissions (including spam or viruses) to other computers on the Internet. Any such computer is referred to as a zombie - in effect, a computer "robot" or "bot" that serves the wishes of some master spam or virus originator.

Well, well - here we all are again.'Purity Of Essence' comes out in a little under two weeks.

This endless waiting is agonizing.

So what can you do for us (besides buy and enjoy our album, but let's not talk about that)? Yes, what CAN you do for us?

Funny you should ask: I have concocted a megalomaniacal plan to recruit YOU to join our Human Botnet Project.

Huh? Wazzat??

Let me explain: we'd like you to spam all the friends in your address book (and get them to do likewise to theirs) with the link to the first episode ('Day One') of our little web-series 'Must Travel On Wheels'. Well, "spam" is a little harsh-sounding - let's just call it "flagging": please flag your friends (and frenemies) the word about our new mockumentary serial. A new episode will be posted every week for six weeks and each one will contain a full song performance, plus the "story" about the making of 'Purity Of Essence'. We think our little drama is a world first. Yes, you heard me right: A WORLD FIRST! There have been other web series, some even containing music ('Flight Of The Conchords' springs to mind) but never has a real band built their music videos around a fake "tell-all documentary" and posted it online as a series. Whether we SHOULD have is another question...

You can watch the first episode for free (as they all will be) right now at Bigpond Music however, if you want to, you can buy it as a download for your Telstra mobile phone. In a week's time this episode will also be available on iTunes, bandit.fm, YouTube and other places but Bigpond Music will have every new episode exclusively for a week while the series runs. I have one sad bit of news: Mac users (like myself) will have to wait a week until the content is posted elsewhere (as mentioned) because Bigpond's video streaming does not support Mac: we're simply incompatible. Boo! If you live overseas and are also having trouble accessing Bigpond content (I dunno if that IS a problem) remember we'll ALL get to see it on YouTube and elsewhere, starting in one week.

So, join the Gurus' Human Botnet Project and annoy all your friends with your Gurumania, then get them to do the same to their friends until we achieve a critical mass. We want the 'Crackin' Up' video to turn into a DOS attack (Denial Of Service) leading to internet chaos...well, maybe not. But it would be nice if it made a few more people aware of the Gurus and 'Purity Of Essence' in particular. Let's test that whole "six degrees of separation" theory! I want Kevin Bacon talking about us! Maybe we should threaten seven years bad luck or promise lottery wins if the recipient forwards our link to six other friends...(god, I hate those emails).

So enlist in our zombie army, annoy your friends and join us for laffs a-plenty (at our expense). 'Must Travel On Wheels' is a slow burn but it will definitely repay your attention.Anyway, unlike other 'net spam, at least ours is offering free entertainment. Take it or leave it.

In the immortal words of Hedley Lamarr, "Do do that voodoo that you do so well"

Regards,

Dave

Sunday (28th February) sees the Monorail Film Club do the Glasgow Film Festival thing. It's a year since "The Wrecking Crew"? Good grief. From the programme...

The Delian Mode/Dope at GFT, Glasgow - 4pm
Click here for tickets.

"Shot in a lilting, evocative style by filmmakers Sheldon and Diane Rochlin (now Flame Schon), Dope was praised as a film “ahead of its time” by Ricky Leacock. It works as a magnifying glass into the swinging London drug scene of the ‘60s with a great soundtrack mixed by Mark Dichter and includes rare footage of Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd. Beautiful as well as chilling, Dope melds shots of that inbetween realm - the fragile edges of reality and dream, order and chaos, inertia and motion-reflecting transience, mortality and impermanence. Dope will be preceded by Kara Blake’s The Delian Mode (25 minutes) a fascinating documentary on Delia Derbyshire, the pioneering composer and BBC Radiophonic Workshop innovator who realised the original “Doctor Who” theme and whose influence today is stronger than ever.

This event will be introduced by John Cavanagh, broadcaster, musician and friend of the late Delia Derbyshire."

Inset: Dope (from GFF website)

What a week it’s been… (serial) killer whales, traffic chaos, the worst T in the Park bill in living memory (and you know that's going some)… what the flip is the world coming to? I’m thinking about trading the car in for a wee boat. It would certainly serve the current conditions better. Anyway, I’m back indoors for the duration of today so sod it. However tomorrow... this...

Incase we’d forgotten how it was to exist inside a giant slurpy tank, the weather decided to weigh in with a wee reminder today. Yes, we’re having a traditional winter – the way they used to be – and we’re not used to it. Not wishing to be seen as a climate change denier or anything but this is the first time in eons that it’s been this inclement. I’m not complaining, merely providing a commentary.

And, weather and other logistics permitting – I’ll be doing my “Andy Dunkley” bit at this weekend’s Lux Tribute in Glasgow. This means that I’ll be playing music, not dj’ing per se. Full details are here and it would be grand if you could drop by. This time next week I’ll be Stockholm bound and it cannae come soon enough. Tonight’s mission is to score some travel insurance and a bus ticket into the metropolis.

A Real Cool Time Revisited is out on March 3rd (next Wednesday) and you can order it here at CD ON. The big release shindig is on March 5th (next Friday). You can download an English language synopsis of the liner notes here.

In this world of Chinese phisherfolk and the continual deluge of crap, it sometimes feels like I’m drowning. The anti-spam filters and “protection” doesn’t seem to stem the tide. Every day starts with a delete-athon. The nuisance of this will surely chime with all of you folks. Life is short enough as it is. And what of the piss artists that connive to send and actually perpetrate this cyber commotion? Can there really be anyone out there that gets taken with the supplying of bank info and identity details because they receive an ill-spelled request from wherever. The more sophisticated scams maybe – at a push.

And how much Viagra and other meds do they think that I need. A guy could develop a complex. I’m sure that the perp’s never considered that. They’d make better use of their time if they had, right?

Got word today that an old co-worker of mine passed away. Old in this case being 87 years which means he retired 22 years ago. Hardly seems possible. Anyway, Donald Hardiman was his name and he was the Laboratory Manager in a previous version of the salt mines. A pretty funny guy, he was always pretty taken with the picture of Ivy that I’d taken in Leeds that was at the top RH corner of my board in the drawing office. He was a character. Remember those? We don’t have many of those anymore and it makes it all the more clear when another one departs.

Donald was an avid jazz fan and someone who would often write letters of complaint to the broadsheets. Last time I saw him was at the funeral of another colleague that didn’t enjoy any real time in the sun after he’d completed his service. I travelled in the car with him and it was a pretty hair-raising experience being that it came to pass that his eyesight was shot. Still, it was good to see him again even though a tad dangerous.

So when I got the call this morning it seemed like the close of another chapter, one that I associate with better times and an element of camaraderie. I used to call him “a daft auld bastard”. It was a term of endearment that he seemed to enjoy.

Hot on the heels of that, I took a walk into the factory and heard “Romeo” by Mr Big (UK variety). That always makes me think about Ali(stair) Beattie and how we spent an afternoon in December 1976 looking for copies of “Anarchy” (EMI2566) in a local junkshop basement. Needless to say we didn’t find any but there was a wheen of Mr Big discs (EMI2567) down there. Ali left at a very young age a long time ago but anytime I hear this, it takes me right back to that basement. There was something down there. However, it wasn't Pistols singles.

The snow came back today, nothing drastic but enough to cause minor grief. I’ve allocated myself one hour in front of the computer screen tonight and that is close to being up. Anything else will have to wait until tomorrow.

As if I wasn’t confused enough. Jason and the Scorchers are back sounding like they’ve never been away on “Halcyon Times” their new record on Jerkin’ Crocus. The turbo-charged roots rockers are one of the combos that lit the blue touch paper on the Americana malarkey. Lifting it out of the “country rock” pigeonhole and invigorating that foundation with whopping dollups of rock. Straight out of the traps, “Moonshine Guy” (in a six pack world) is about an individual that digs The Stones but doesn’t care a jot for The Doors. Like a Nine Pound Hammer hoedown where they’re doin’ it for Hank. “Land of the Free” should tickle fans of the Drive By Truckers “Southern Rock Opera” as it includes shards of both Skynyrd and BÖC plus a whole lot more.

“Days of Wine and Roses” sounds familiar because it taps into the mood of all the great loud country we’ve come to appreciate like premium liquor. The twang that matters combined with a predilection for a good riff. And is that Dan Baird on “When Did It Get So Easy (to Lie to Me)?”Here are 14 songs that’ll be sharing a stage with the “hits” when the band takes to the road in May. “We’ve Got It Goin’ On” boasts the finale. If that means a rip-roaring, punk-rockin’, honky tonkin’ snifter for what ails you then they have indeed.

... and here’s some guys that used to be on EMI America too. They both outlived the imprint and are indelibly tattooed in hearts and minds across the planet. Blessed are the faithful indeed.

Here comes Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. with a double dose of

“ballads, boogies & blues” this week! The particulars…

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25th / And the last Thursday of every month! /
OTTO'S SHRUNKEN HEAD / 538 East 14th Street (just west of Avenue B) in ol' Manhattan / Two snappy shows, from 8:00 sharp until 10:00 / With DJ "Son of Scratchy",

salty snacks -- and no cover!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27th / HANK'S SALOON /
46 Third Avenue (at the corner of Atlantic Avenue) in Brooklyn /
One striking set at 10:00, preceded by the gothic angst of Bitter Grace at 9:00 and followed by the "Cemetery & Western" stylings of Ninth House at 11:00 / No cover!

Twice yours, Michael
Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.
"Ballads, Boogies & Blues"

I’m at that stage again where dropping off the face of the earth seems like a very agreeable situation, too much going on, too little time and in a sense, way too little inclination. The prospect of those meatballs at Tranan next week and hanging out with Martina and Daniel not to mention my other Stockholm compadrés makes the immediate struggle almost bearable. I’ve given up on whether or not facebook or e-mail or whatever is working because I never know what’s going where. I do know that a couple of links never made it from work to home today but it’s no biggie, I twigged there was a problemand dealt with it innit..

The start of May is shaping up to be real busy on the prospective entertainment front. That said, a bit of mis-scheduling and just plain bumpy logistics means that I’m gonna be out of whack with some of the shows. Just one of those things I guess but bloody irritating. Sometimes things don’t work out and cloning doesn’t appear to be an available option. Still, it’s a minor grumble in the grand scheme of things. Full details of these “events” will be forthcoming - as and when venues are confirmed, etc.

Often accused of having impossibly high expectations with regard to the quality of how something turns out, it’s fair to say that these are seldom realised. I’m not sure if corners are cut or that calibrations are shoddy but somehow or other, the finished product falls a little short. This happened to me today with something at work. Possibly this is a mild OCD, along with the habit of having to constantly refine things. Shouldn’t that always be the case? Of course, there are exceptions when something happens to distract or flummox me completely. Like getting two names mixed up that are nothing alike. It’s not always possible to find the mistakes in one’s own blogging or copy writing.

You’re too close. And spell checks only provide a cursory safety net. I guess it’s not so bad on screen, it’s when this happens in hard print. That’s when the authority is called into question. Mistakes can easily be made, often because too many tasks are being undertaken at any one time. The human condition doesn’t allow for much slack.

This new Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland looks like a Mark Ryden landscape come to life. Been listening to all this guff about Odeon not screening it because of the window of op in relation to DVD release. There are two audiences for this with a big overlap but who in their right mind would pass up seeing this thing in a cinema and plump for grabbing it on disc. Cinema then DVD surely.

But what do I know...

It's shaping up to be another of these weeks. I just tried to wash my face whilst wearing my gregories. Not sure about where we are in time and space, maybe something to do with the release today of the latest Jason and the Scorchers album. More about that later though. The Eighties didn't altogether suck despite the impression of what the nostalgia business might suggest.

Also, of late, I've been making some right foxes paws. Please, if you notice things that look like complete fiction, let me know. I'm not sure how exactly I got Jake Starr and Dave Champion mixed up. Perhaps it's these glasses, but most likely the more haste, less speed nature of yours truly lately.

There’s a certain band from the West of Scotland. They were everywhere a year or so ago and now it seems like they’re nowhere. Strangely it was a Swede that first alerted me to their existence. I'd seen the name but blanked it because it was so godawful.

When I played Pascal to people, the initial reaction was that they sound like the combo in question. Albeit that the songs were in Swedish. This was ultimately proven wrong over the course of a whole record because these here folks are consistently multi-dimensional. They positively flicker with energy whereas the others have one trick that they do pretty good but sometimes that ain’t enough.

And now is the Gotland trio have further honed their buzzsaw symphonies into a splendiferous racket. Light and shade and space blaze and bleed in their relentless, passionate throb. The MC5’s “Back In The USA” led off with a version of “Tutti Frutti” and "Orkanen närmar sig"(“The Hurricane Is Approaching”) does likewise but instead of bolting out of the traps, this one undulates in a Cramp-tastic fashionIt’s in no hurry to get anyplace beyond under your skin. "Måne över Fårösund” establishes a mood and never lets up. Pascal pulsate. That’s what sets them apart. They swing too and that’s a pretty lethal combination. Dynamic-wise.

I imagine that the language barrier may impede them becoming as popular as they deserve to be. This is the problem with populist culture in general. By the time you get to the eye of the storm, they could be gesticulating in Swahili for all that matters. It’s the sound they kick up that matters. The instro-mental, “Party” channels a message from Link Wray wherever he is and the title song is a brooding, twang-st ridden masterpiece that ebbs and flows kind of like the phenomenon it takes its name from.

This has been out on Novoton since the end of January and the band is currently traversing their home country. Pascal is a tsunami-like force of nature and one to be reckoned with. One of these days I’ll do a little storm-chasing to attend one of their zombie “dansa” shindigs but until then, their recorded squall will have to suffice.

Here's a taster of what we missed last weekend and keeping up the pop element, there's a connection between the two. Div you ken what it is?

Twangtastic stuff... The Tripwires!

It’s a melancholy time following Doug Fieger’s exit from the theatre but the power pop torch still burns braw and bricht. There’s no finer example than this upcoming 7” single from Suzy & Los Quattro and The Rubinoos taking on The Raspberries “Play On” and The Sweet’s “Fox On The Run”. Straddling two generations of titanic “teen” pop collide to bring you the listening equivalent of how space rocks used to go off in your mouth. Elements of The Who and T. Rex bleed into the crunch re-energised for these largely anthem-deficient times. Two ace acts come together for your considerable listening pleasure and a finite example of why everyone should be smitten with these Barcelona-based champions.

Soon as I get a link to where you can hear it, I’ll hook you up. It’ll be available in digital format too but you’ll want to get your paws on the vinyl. That will definitely be available from the illustrious Soundflat in Germany but I’ll let you know where else as soon as I do.

I think we'll go for a pop theme today... whether it's been some time since you saw this or not, it's a heckuva place to start.

RIP - Iain Burgess (thanks to Ben for the info)

I like this... link via Roy Trakin...

If you're in Edinburgh tonight then head along to the Henry's Lux tribute. It will then head along the motorway/railway line to happen again in Glasgow next Saturday.

This is the third time I started this. Last two, there have been power outages so who knows, maybe this one will go the same way. So, I was saying. Yesterday had a bit of a medical flavour to it. Visited my dad in hospital, Mr Henderson recommended a combo by the name of The Ambulances and saw First Aid Kit in Edinburgh at an altogether too small location.

That said, Sneaky Pete's was not as I remembered it. Could I have seen The Cateran there in a previous life? Definitely Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham and The Queers (not together) upstairs at a place called The Attic. SP’s is very small and holds about 100 with sightlines a bit skew wiff behind the big supporting pillar toward the stage. The sound however was excellent and the audience surprisingly attentive for both acts. Quite a rare occurrence these days. Gibbering and phone antics were kept to a minimum.

Openers, The Last Battle exuded a Paradise Motel/quiet Arctic Fire type vibe. A wee bit Fence Collective but to my mind better than Kaptain Kreosote or whatever that guy’s name is. Actually I know exactly what his name is but I just took the opportunity to drop in a wee funny. Or maybe you don’t think so. I think that TLB come from Edinburgh and there’ a kind of Swede aesthetic to their sound. Bit heavy on the maritime subject matter but most enjoyable and their set was just the right length to leave on a high note.

First Aid Kit are something else. If you’ve heard the album then you get the message but in person this takes on an additional dimension. The two sisters, Johanna is the one with the Miriam Linna bangs, Klara the sort of less communicative one that gets razzed by her sibling all the time are joined by a drummer/percussionist and the sound they can kick up is an organic dream. Taking equipment blips and false starts in their stride like seasoned professionals, their 50 minutes flew by in an instant. Forsaking the equipment to sing “Ghost Town”, the shiver to spine ratio was pretty damn high. They got a lot of attention on the back of their Fleet Foxes cover but their own material is just so much better. I can’t remember if the last song “I Met Up With The King” was the one where Klara did a Keith Emerson flourish and ended the song with her leg on the keyboard a la Jerry Lee. They really ripped it up. They have a charming line in clowning and the chops of champions.

Wrapping with a rousing version of Gram’s “Still Feeling Blue” and a “field” version of “Waltzing With Richard” in the audience. It was over. I urge anybody who can to go to Tuts in Glasgow and catch them tonight because the additional banter that’s likely to ensue should be pretty entertaining in itself. Likely to go on to much bigger things, First Aid Kit comprises a little tonic for what ails all of we.

An extensive UK tour is underway now, check their myspace for details. SXSW after that.