"When the things get for real my warm heart turns cold."

Nice/Disgusting/Nice/Disgusting

I can't decide whether these are beautiful or really horrible. Still, I need a new pair of kicks so I bid on them.

Mucking about.

I just saw this on Hype Beast and I thought it was pretty cool so I'm posting it. Its the new Justice video for their track Stress and its awesome. It basically features a bunch of youths going around smashing the shit out of Paris. Nice.

"Don't call me and I won't call you"

Last night was a real toss up between going to see Cursed or Health but I figured that since Health are coming back in a month or so, Cursed would be more worthwhile. Also, I had been waiting to see Cursed for forever.

All I can say is that I was not disappointed at all. And despite various technical problems and the push-mosh whateverness, I would say that Cursed were one of the best hardcore/punk/insert genre bands I have seen. Their music on record is intense to say the least, but when brought to a live scenario.... WOW it just blew my mind. Highlight was definately "Friends In The Music Business" played with two basses. Shit-heavy. And check out the singer's sweet tache.

If you don't already own their new album "III: Architects of Troubled Sleep" go out and buy it NOW. It sounds like hell, as in the real hell with all the fire and brimstone and shit. Seriously.

Also my friend picked me up this sick shirt from the Health show. Good times.

"Eggs in any form"

So today I went to the opening of the London centre of the cancer care charity that my dad is involved with and I met Jon Snow which has probably made my entire life. Words cannot describe how amazing he is. Even better was the fact that he didn't introduce himself to me as "Jon" but as "Jon Snow" (with a kind of "You better know who I am" tone).
Awesome.

That said, and on a more serious note, this charity does some seriously good work providing those who have been diagnosed with cancer with psychological and emotional support.
Check them out at: www.maggiescentres.org

Also, if you are into modern architecture you should have a look at their centres which have all been built by world famous architects such as Richard Rogers and Frank Gehry.

Here are a couple of pictures:




Peace.

This man sums up everything I dislike about the world...

His death should be slow and painful.

Fuck his offensive tameness.

Record Reviews Pt 1.

This is a really random selection, but its based on relatively new records that I've picked up recently.

The Black Keys: Attack & Release

What happens when Dangermouse produces a blues record? Answer. An album that makes me want to grow a beard and get fucked up on whisky in some smoke-filled shithole bar in rural Tennesse.

Laura Marling: Alas, I Cannot Swim

Although this isn't a particularly amazing album, compared to the other "critically-acclaimed" female British singer-songwriters such as Lily Allen, Kate Nash & Adele, this is the best thing since sliced bread.

Fuck Buttons: Street Horrrsing

Despite what many people say, Fuck Buttons is an awesome band name and they have managed to create a record that I never thought I would hear: a noise record that its overwhelmingly and effortlessly beautiful. Whereas other noise artists like Merzbow make music that sounds quite similar to what I would imagine goes through a heroin addict's head once his supply has run dry, Fuck Buttons provide the methodone-soaked fuzzy warmth of the relief of that agony. Cool.

Blacklisted: Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God

I tried and tried to force myself to love this but the crushing disappointment that this record is only good and not great is worse than the time when, for my fifth birthday, instead of the new Power Rangers toy, I was given a pencil case.

A Silver Mt. Zion: 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons

"One million died to make this sound". Enough said really.

Broken Teeth: Demo

I've not heard this but this is my friend's review: 'In the singer's words, "WHAT THE FUCK?"'
Oh and their "Intro" is called "Teeth-tro"......... so I've figured I don't ever need to hear it to know its shit.

"Shit apron looks like shit dress"

I'm not even going to begin to take credit for finding this but I feel it must be posted. I was shown it a couple weeks back by a friend and its hilarity increases tenfold every time I watch it.

These guys should be HUGE.

Top Five Zine

I came up with this idea a couple weeks back now to maybe start doing a zine, either printed or online, which is based around the idea of 'top five' lists.

I know thats its a complete High Fidelity rip but I've always found lists, and how other people's lists differ, very interesting.

If i get my act together, I will hopefully start doing this soon and it will feature bands, artists, general people and various other cool shit.

Plus I'm aching to start writing record reviews.

Peace and Love.

Buy the new Vic Chesnutt record "North Star Deserter".

These have shaped '08

Go forth.... and DRAW

This is a new exhibition showing right now at the StolenSpace gallery in Shoreditch and its really worth a visit. Basically, its a whole bunch of cool drawings by 300 different artists.





Here's the link. Check it out, yo: http://www.stolenspace.com/section.php?xSec=3

Lazy

Its been an age since I last updated this thing and I have nothing better to do at the moment so here goes.

This month I've been pretty static, spending most days just hanging out and listening to music but, my God, is it going by quick. This whole year has flown. It seems like only yesterday that I was seeing in the New Year with my cousins, fucked off my face and playing Guitar Hero. Good times.

Despite my recent laziness, I have started a new band which I'm pretty excited about because its completely different to any other band that I have ever been in before. At the moment its kind of got an A Silver Mt. Zion vibe to it but with faster parts. Although, in an ideal world, I would like to just rip off Pavement/Sonic Youth. Still, its keeping me relatively busy. Hopefully we'll have a name, finished songs and a site soon.

I'm going out to Austria for another little skiing adventure next week which should be amazing. I tried to get up photos from my last trip but, alas, I don't have a scanner and I am a retard when it comes to technology.... plus I only have a polaroid camera.

This month's plus list

- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!"
- A Silver Mt. Zion "13 Blues For Thirteen Moons"
- Fucked Up "Year Of The Pig"
- Big Fish
- The 'Draw' exhibition
- Rome... hopefully.

This month's minus list

- Crash (i.e. the most sentimental piece of bullshit I have seen in a long time)
- Recent lack of dollar

Feist - The Reminder

I'm not even kidding when I say that this is one of the best albums I have bought in recent years. I'm digging it so hard. It displays songwriting at its most beautiful and most honest. Seriously, its an essential purchase. It will put a smile on your face.

End Of A Year

So I first heard this band a couple years back now and have had their LP "Sincerely" for a while and for some reason I feel compelled to write about them. I honestly think that they are one the most overlooked bands in the hardcore/punk/whatever scene at the moment. Sure, they may a bit of an Embrace/Rites of Spring rip, but, my god, they do it well. I can't think of a record that I've heard recently that I've found so infectious. It gets better and better with every listen.

If you haven't heard them, hear them now: www.myspace.com/endofayear

You're money, baby.

Swingers.
What a film! Watched it on Friday night. I can't believe I hadn't checked this out before now.
So stylish, so funny and, plus, Vince Vaughan is fucking badass!

Not the greatest start...

to the month of February.
Last night was possibly the most boring night of my entire life. Every plan i made fell through hard. Saturdays are not about staying in ALL day. Last of The Mohicans was on the TV. Was excited to see it because Daniel Day Lewis was in it. Thought it would be good. It wasn't. Truely disappointing.
Plus I missed out on the Baroness/Kylesa show.

Next week is shaping up to be pretty good though.
Heading off to France on Saturday for a week of skiing. YES!

Currently spinning obsessively:
Tragedy - Vengeance
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Black Mountain - In The Future
V/A - I'm Not There Soundtrack

SATAN

An exact replication of Sunn O)))'s backline done in salt and resin.
Artist is Banks Violette.
Its called "(Repeater) Decay / Coma Mirror"

The Oracle LP has a jackhammer 'played' on it. FUCK!

Current want list.

Totally topped by these.

Nerdstock 08

So some kid yesterday tried to convince me that hacking (of all the shit/pointless things in the world) is cool.
Hmmmmm.
Still... nice guy though.

If I died wearing this...

.... I would be satisfied with the way my life had gone, i.e. I had managed to get a hold of one of these.