Hangover Blues Cured

(Yes i went out last night!) Frank Turner was BLOODY AMAZING.

It was his first gig of the year in the tiniest venue possible, which made it all the better. He has such a great character, made me laugh all through the set. He played some new tracks, all of which sounded great. His song writing is getting a whole lot more adventurous, personal and definitely delivered with tones of passion. He comes across to me as having a 'i don't give a shit, this is how i feel' persona; (which makes him that much more attractive). You can tell he has punk influences (he's a black flag fan, i love him) . Can't wait to see him again, possibly playing at my uni soon, yessssss.
Anyway found this video on The Guardian's Viral Video Chart. This guy's got serious skills:

So today i woke up at silly o'clock and missed the ending of the Desert Session's vinyl on eBay, brilliant. In my anger/depression I decided to make Nigella Lawson chocolate cookies, and also ended up scrubbing the kitchen clean to a soundtrack of Wincing the Night Away and Warpaint.
I'm meant to be packing for travelling back to uni tomorrow, not happening anytime soon. I did have an argument with my Dad before going out last night however, which resulted in him calling me a 'shit' and that i can get a train to my 250mile away destination because he refuses to drive me there.

Daaaaamn.

Might As Well Rename This Blog 'The Warpaint Appreciation Society'

In my excitement for the forthcoming gig in MAY, (bloody ages away), i keep listening to Warpaint. I've had this on repeat all day; i'm getting slightly worried now.



I did try to listen to other stuff. . . .
PJ Harvey- liking a hell of a lot
and tried listening to Bright Eyes' new single and it wouldn't load!

Oh and someone did outbid me on that Desert Sessions vinyl, not happy. I'm sacrificing at least a weeks worth of bitter* money for this. At least i'll get to pre-order QOTSA's first album re-release on Domino Records in peace.

* my drink of preference, so i like a pint of Smith's, shoot me!

Jealous? Me? Never! . . . .

Watching this video on 'Jack and Jil Blog' made me smile and at the same time made me very bitter. If it was women, it would be over how fit they all are, and the fact they get paid to look good. But because it's men, it's because i'm not going out with any of them. Enjoy watching beautiful people have lots of fun.

I'm still deciding whether i want to pursue a career in fashion or music, music's winning.

Late Night Discovery

My latest guilty pleasure (i probs shouldn't really like this, but i do, so there!:
I quite like Lissie herself, heard her stuff through my Dad, Lord.

Still not sure about this Sleigh Bells' remix.
I feel a rant coming along regarding 'dubstep' soon. Just need to find the time. I think of topics to blog about and forget very quickly afterwards. Might have to start writing them down, or is that just weird?

On other matters, just found out that Frank Turner is playing my shitty town on Thursday, can't bloody wait. Now to get drunk or not. . . . . . .(no brainer)

Zombie Boy

aka. Rick Genest (fuuuuuuuckin' hell)
Make of him what you will, 'horrible' was the mother's reaction; but i'm pretty sure he doesn't give a shit what anyone thinks anyway, since he's the one on catwalks now. I quite like him, he had the balls (think he got them tattooed too? oh come on, i can't be the only one wondering!) to do it to himself in the first place, so he might as well enjoy himself. (Plus i'm a sucker for men who come across as 'bad ass mofos') Ah well, want more? Read this on Platform:

http://www.readplatform.com/rick-genest-in-paris/

The Rate I'm Going I'll End Up A Lady of The Night. . .

I jest. (no seriously, i am joking!) Even though my need to convince everyone that i'm having a laugh is slightly worrying, anyways. . . . . .
I've failed in exerting any self control what so ever and brought more vinyl. I'm currently funding my addiction with my wages (meant for uni survival). The parents aren't aware of my 'problem' but they'll soon realise when the TV goes missing. .
I just purchased The Shins- Wincing the Night Away (because lets face it, it's one of the best albums ever made, i always go back to Mr Mercer's dulcet tones). Here's one of my favourite tracks from the masterpiece:

I'm also bidding on a Desert Session's LP 3/4. I think i need some Josh Homme related vinyl. I did see a box set of the sessions but over £1000 is pushing it for me. Like over the cliff, dead. Try not to outbid me, or expect a massive rant about how much of an arse you are, cheers.

Talking of the Sessions, it reminds me of when i was at someone's house at uni (drunk obvs.) and kept rambling on about how disgusted i was that no one had heard of them, (i go to a uni that does a music degree). I even told everyone that Tom waits had done one! No idea where that came from, must be a subconscious desire. But come on, how bloody amazing would that be?!

This is one of my favourite Desert Session tracks, all i can think of when watching this is how much i want to be in PJ Harvey's shoes. OMG, he actually touched her! So i tend not to, it hurts too much:

I haven't properly listened to her new stuff yet, oops, i'll get on it. Oh and i am going out to see friends soon, just thought i'd put that in (for myself mainly).

About Time Too!

This came through the post yesterday morning. I was like a very over excited kid at Christmas; the postman looked slightly worried.



I have such a long list of vinyl to buy it's ridiculous. It's times like these that i have to prioritise my funds.

Going out, clothes, alcohol (part of going out), random eBay buys and oh yes that minor one, FOOD!

Great to listen to albums in full, you know with a glass of whatever. What do you think of this lot? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12209143
I say do it with your friends, in your own homes/garages/sheds/warehouses. The 'club' above is clearly for people who don't have records, a record player, friends or they're trying to date.

19th May will be AMAZING

I've only gone and booked my housemate and I tickets to see Warpaint! Yessssssss. I suppose this had to be done then:

'I'm Not Your Mate'

Typed in 'Drunk Dad' and this came up, thought it was fitting. (Note: My Dad is never this bad; i'm ever so slightly exaggerating)

So the Father turned 60 on Saturday, and we marked the occasion with an appropriately named 'Buss Pass Party'. Booze on tap, which my Dad took full advantage of, great for him, not so good for me. I had my own friends there; luckily they're close friends, so they took my Dad's drunkenness in its stride.
I had to avoid being dragged onto the dance floor the whole night, apart from when The Kinks came on when in my slightly pissed state, i was tempted to dance on my own. Thank God i didn't.
I spent most of the night playing 'hostess' and sneaking out with friends for a well needed dose of nicotine.
I also had to do a short speech where i basically took the piss out of him for being so old, (i thought i'd do it now while i could get away with it). One guest mistook my nervousness for 'emotion'; clearly hasn't heard about me having a heart of stone.

But the ultimate worst part of the night was when my Dad had a go at my best friend's boyfriend for not addressing him properly and instead calling him 'mate'. 'No, No, No, No (he tends to repeat himself when pissed, like Jim) I'm Not Your Mate'. He then went on to lecture him about respecting his elders. (he's 24). The mother was pulling him away on one side and i stepped in the middle of the two guys, (made me feel like i was breaking up a fight, not that i ever could without dying myself). It was horrific! I gave him a bottle of wine to say sorry.

I ignored both the parents all of yesterday, needed some time alone after all that, they don't seem to understand the concept of 'space'. Downloaded music instead.
I might just start on the ridiculously large stock pile of alcohol we have left. . . . (Contrary to the posts on this blog, i'm not a piss head i swear)

Good mood.

My friend sent me this today, he said he thought i might enjoy it. I bloody LOVED it. Made me smile all day. Thank you! Give it a click, you might just like it too. . . .

http://vimeo.com/2143576

God I ADORE this man. . .

Ladies and Gentlemen, a poem by Mr Tom Waits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39087190@N06/sets/72157625810384020/show/

Some of My Current Musical Delights

Seeing these guys all over the internet at the moment and there's good reason for it too:

Zoo Kid- 16, from South East London, effortless attitude and has a GINGER quiff, enough said. Now watch this:

Titus Andronicus- I'm listening to their 2nd album 'The Monitor' a lot recently. Great riffs and a great vocal that many a lead singer would love to have. Definitely need to check out their old material. This is the first song i heard from them, anyone using Springsteen references is a hit with me. The lead singer also realllllly looks like someone i know. . . . . .it's not him.




Body Language- This is one of my favourites from last year, but can't stop going back to it when i'm bored:

And my absolute guilty pleasure is this, don't judge man, don't judge:



Oh nearly forgot. . . The New Pornographers- heard this first on one of the music blogs down the right hand side, can't remember which one. It's a grower.

Other bands i can't stop listening too at the moment are: No Age, Surfer Blood, The Decemberists and The Moondoggies, but i'll let you check them out yourselves, hey, i can't do all the work!

When The Cat's Away. . .

When the parents go out, i recently have a tendency to listen to this, volume 'up to eleven' (Spinal Tap and all that).

And when i'm done with that ridiculous tune, i move on to this one:

Rediscovery.

Thank God for shuffle. I'd forgotten how much i adore this album. What a lovely start to such a miserable day. I could listen to just this one track again and again and again and again. (you get the picture). Enjoy.

"wonder what your boyfriend thinks about your braces"

Keep finding myself spontaneously bursting into this song:

Which leads me to reminisce back to the time i saw them live. That's right, strap in, i'm about to go on a rant. . . . .

Constellations Festival Leeds, 14/11/10

Went along with one of the housemates and saw some amazing bands at this 'dickhead fest' (even though i was hungover from the night before and made the stupid decision of forgetting my ID). Too many good bands on at that same time so we had to prioritise; but we both only really went for 'Local Natives' to be honest. Who are definitely one of our favourite bands. She'd seen them before and said they we're amazing, and that they were. Beautiful harmonies from beautiful faces, (the housemate is in love with Taylor Rice, can't blame her):

Also managed to catch the most entertaining set i'd ever seen from 'Les Savy Fav' with the brilliant Mr Tim Harrington. I spoke to him at the Sleigh Bells set, asking whether he got his t-shirt back from an crowd member or not (made for him by his son). From this 30 seconds i decided that he was one of the nicest guys i'd ever met. Preceding Local Natives was 'Esben and the Witch'. They completely changed the atmosphere of the room with a at times spine tingling performance, accompanied with those beating drums really captivated the audience.

The other two highlights came from the headliners 'Broken Social Scene' and of course 'Sleigh Bells'.
We agreed to watch the first half of the headliners before dashing to catch the second half of Sleigh Bells' set. It was only the day after that we found out we'd only gone and missed the surprise appearance of the legend that is 'Johnny bloody Marr' on stage whilst we were changing rooms. Ah well, the 'Sleigh Bells' set was AMAZING. After weaving through the packed room to get a decent view, we were greeted by the buzz from the only live instrument on stage, the guitar, not that it even matters. It was electrifying (pardon the pun) and Alexis Krauss oozes cool. She truly owned that stage and crowd.

After the gig came the hunt for food and the flat of one of my childhood friends who had very, very kindly allowed us to wake her up at God knows what time in the early hours of the morning to kip on her floor. After a couple hours of fully dressed and made-up pretend sleep, it was part taxi and part 'run of shame' to the train station and then home. All to end in passing out in our warm beds, OH HELL NO! It was a quick shower and then straight to uni. Brilliant.
And breathe. Wow that was longer than i thought.

I hate how quickly you go back to normality after a great night out. I envy you people who go gallivanting around to gig after gig, cavorting with musicians, FOR WORK! (give me your job please. Thank you). Oh well roll on the next one. . . . .

Regrets?. . . . .None.

Friday night saw me go into town for one too many drinks with the gang, which meant Saturday saw me, feverish and ever so slightly hungover. (When the mother says don't go out with that cold, she may be right, but think of all the fun i would have missed!). She wasn't too impressed with the appalling smell i left in the living room either, courtesy of a lamb kebab (not me!). The thought of the contents of that innocent looking take-away box sober is actually sickening, funny how you view them when your pissed, guess it's the same with certain one night stands and instead of being disgusted with the smell (well maybe that too), it's the sight of what's lying next to you in the morning.

Town greeted me with the usual crowds, pervy old men, pervy young men, the people you hate, the people who hate you, chavs, 'dickheads', wannabes and everyone in between. I'd love to know which group i fall into, hopefully none of the above.
However much my friends and i hate where we were born, we keep going back to it's vile, idiot populated, sometimes dangerous heart to socialise, could it be we love it really? (Nah mate, it's just the closest place we can buy alcohol and then stumble back home. We're students, it's what we do, i don't want to ruin any stereotypes for you now).
I fear we may be umbilically tied here for life. I just hope i'm not still living here in 10 years times. fuck that, lets make it 5.

"I'm A Fine Ham, Cure Me"

The best quote to come from my friend's mouth over dinner today. You can always rely on a childhood friend to put you in the best of moods, especially when your dying from a cold. They don't call me a drama queen for nothing you know.

Had to sneak pass the parents once i got back home with the shopping bags. I made the bad decision of visiting the shops armed with plastic. (It's sale time and our economy needs the boost). A reasonable justification i feel. Anyway for those who give a toss, here's today decapitated sartorial decision:

 

I've also spent the day with this song 'in my head', (see what i did there? I'll stop it soon, i promise). A brilliant duo called 'The Hundred In The Hands' from The Big Apple. I'm having a female vocalist phase at the moment. When you're done with this fine tune, try Pigeons, (i wish my vomit looked like hers).

Guilty Pleasures

"I LIKE DUBSTEP and DRUM & BASS"
There i said it, and it's not so much of a 'guilty' pleasure if i'm honest. i subject my housemates at uni to alot of my favourites, much to their dismay. (But where else can you use quotes such as "What the fuck just happened? it dropped and my cat melted :/ ", found here). Everybody likes skanking out to ridiculous basslines in grimey, sweaty, alcohol and drug fueled dark basements don't they?
Dubstep is currently enjoying a boost into the limelight by stations such as Radio 1 and 1 Extra, although it's argued that much of what is played is 'pop' dubstep and it's ruining the underground scene. this may be true but if you like the sound of some thing then listen to it, if you don't, well then, DON'T LISTEN TO IT! Simple. (no meerkat pun intended).

On my internet travels i came across this cheeky little track, well i say little. . . . This initially caused me a bit of internal conflict. I love Henry Rollins (and Black Flag) and take pretty much all of what he says as God's word. But i doth my cap to SKisM for creating this, very clever indeed Sir.



Watch the original piece by Henry here. Oh, and this while your at it because lets face it, Mr Rollins is just A LITTLE BIT AMAZING.

Tonight Michael, I'm going to be. . . .

WARPAINT
No joke, i seriously want to be in this band. they are bloody amazing! Not only are they all gorgeous, have the most beautiful voices i've ever heard and write mesmerising songs that make you think of summer days, in dresses, lying in fields (watch the video for Undertow); they also come across as the nicest 'band of women' ever, who love what they do. (hello, chicks with guitars) I've been listening to this album for ages now, as well as their EP Exquisite Corpse and there's absolutely no sign of me getting bored of them, EVER! Haven't seen them live yet, but they have UK tour dates, yessssss.
So pour yourself a glass of what ever tickles your fancy, go lie on the floor (or outside, hey, it's up to you) and listen to Billie Holiday for starters. I dare you to dislike this, even my Dad loves them, and that's saying something.

Coincidental Namesake.

It's only right to post this song as my first link, they also happen to be my favourtie band. Great clip with the late Natasha Shneider.

The First of Many . . . . .

Was awoken this morning by the dulcet tones of Zane Lowe, instead of that cheeky chapy from Leeds that is Chris Moyles. All part of the 'take over' feature where Radio 1's night time dj's get a week in prime time slots. Me, personally, think it's brilliant. Anything that gets that godforsaken 'Cotton' off of my radio is fine by me. (usually i switch to radio 4 when the 'Rock Goddess' herself is on, discoverer of many a successful band. (if you can't sense my facetiousness, man i pity you).
The Gauardian's Alexis Petridis ponders the stations move and their 'new music' angle. Give it a look. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/03/radio-1-daytime-takeover-playlist.

Moving on to more somber matters, the sad news of Gerry Rafferty's death made me ponder artists who get very publicly caught in downward spirals of drugs and alcohol, (a muscian's tools right?). Rafferty himself had issues with alcohol, but i can't help but think the very publicity of these problems especially in todays 'Heat World' society is only the fuel for the fire, but that's a whole other can of worms, i'll leave the lid on. But i suppose you don't reach proper celeb status these days without a good stint in rehab, oh yes yes yes Amy.

Back to the music, i've had many a song rattling around in my head recently, (and sung outloud, even if it is only in the shower) some old, some new. The old derived from listening to my Dad's record collection, which i guess i could say shaped my music taste, and the new from my constant scouring of music blogs. It seems i have an (unhealthy?) need to be listening to music AT ALL TIMES and when i'm not doing that i'm reading the news, Lord, i'm coming across seriously well right now, and it's because of this that i'm sure i'll fail my degree, . . . .  . miserably.

Next Post: Share those songs with you. . . . .