Saturday, June 24, 2006
Futurama
One of the greatest comedies of our time (well, from a geek's point of view) is officially on its way back for a new series! :-D
Missing Glastonbury
All this summer I've had moments where I wish I was at Glastonbury (that thought made worst knowing there is no festival this year). Usually its something simple, like the smell of cut grass on a sunny day, or the smell of weed or just good old fashioned smoke.
I watched some of the 02 Wireless Festival earlier and they had a performance by the Flaming Lips on there. This made me wish for Glasto more than ever as I have very fond memories of watching them a few years ago at Glasto.
At the time I wasn't a big fan of them. As there was such a big gap between The Soft Bulletin and Yoshima, when the press were raving about them I'd never heard of them. It baffled me that such a so-called well known band had passed me by. The Flight Test was being over-played on MTV2 and I just wasn't getting their music. The song Yoshima wasn't bad.. quite catchy but that was it. (note: Ice Cream Van (Mr Whippy in fact) has just pulled up outside my house.. love living here!)
So they were second on the bill to Radiohead (Other than Pink Floyd, Radiohead were THE band I had to see in my life time) (note: Icecream van has just pulled away.. talk about impatient.. if I was going for one I'd barely have time to slip my shoes on and head over all eager with my coins) and it felt like most people at the festival had never heard of them, or at best had simply heard of them.
Reading the Q magazine you get at the festival, they were raving about what a great live act they are. As it happens, we were always going to watch them as we wanted to be near the front for Radiohead but I think had we'd not gone to watch Radiohead, we'd still have checked them out I think just because of the reviews regarding there stage show.
So there we are, extremely excited about seeing Radiohead. I think I was with:
Dave Maynard
Simon Gee
James Robilliard
Brains
Sorry if I've missed anyone out - I'm sure you are extremely stressed now because of it. Me and Dave were massive Radiohead fans so were very keen to get the Lips out of the way.
And then it happened.. The Flaming Lips performed. It was superb! Everything Q Mag promised and so much more. They put on a real personal show. Wayne Coin (lead singer) had a screen just behind him and a camera on his mic.. so as he's talking out to the crowd, you can see him the whole time in great detail. Made it a real experience. Highlights include:
- The singing nun glove puppet
- Wayne Coin exploding fake bloody all over him
- Him blowing up a big baloon.. when was it going to burst?
- Him singing via a loud-speakerphone.. sounds great!
- 50,000 people singing Happy Birthday to someone in the crowd
- A cover of Pink Floyds 'Breathe'
- Dancing animals with really powerful torches.
There was loads more. It felt like one great party. It was as fun as watching Rolf Harris the year before, but with great music as well (sorry Rolf). All the above doesn't sound like much, but when you are at Glastonbury with the sun setting, its amazing.
Following the show me and Dave turned round to each other and both agreed that we get the feeling Radiohead can't even get close to topping that. Luckily, Radiohead were just as good (if not better).
Following Radiohead, with the addrenelin well and truly pumping we all agreed that we aren't ready to sleep - so we all headed up to the stone circle and sat there for a while. I was happy to stay there, but the others were ready to go, so they headed back to the tent. So there I sat, with 1000s of camp fires in the distance texting Becky (this is soon after we first met and before we had the guts to meet again) telling her all about how great Glastonbury is. Sad I know, but it really was very romantic.
That for sure is my favourite night at Glastonbury, if not the greatest night of my life. So perfect.
Sorry if the above is quite boring, but I enjoyed writing it. Makes me miss Glastonbury even more now. :-(
I watched some of the 02 Wireless Festival earlier and they had a performance by the Flaming Lips on there. This made me wish for Glasto more than ever as I have very fond memories of watching them a few years ago at Glasto.
At the time I wasn't a big fan of them. As there was such a big gap between The Soft Bulletin and Yoshima, when the press were raving about them I'd never heard of them. It baffled me that such a so-called well known band had passed me by. The Flight Test was being over-played on MTV2 and I just wasn't getting their music. The song Yoshima wasn't bad.. quite catchy but that was it. (note: Ice Cream Van (Mr Whippy in fact) has just pulled up outside my house.. love living here!)
So they were second on the bill to Radiohead (Other than Pink Floyd, Radiohead were THE band I had to see in my life time) (note: Icecream van has just pulled away.. talk about impatient.. if I was going for one I'd barely have time to slip my shoes on and head over all eager with my coins) and it felt like most people at the festival had never heard of them, or at best had simply heard of them.
Reading the Q magazine you get at the festival, they were raving about what a great live act they are. As it happens, we were always going to watch them as we wanted to be near the front for Radiohead but I think had we'd not gone to watch Radiohead, we'd still have checked them out I think just because of the reviews regarding there stage show.
So there we are, extremely excited about seeing Radiohead. I think I was with:
Dave Maynard
Simon Gee
James Robilliard
Brains
Sorry if I've missed anyone out - I'm sure you are extremely stressed now because of it. Me and Dave were massive Radiohead fans so were very keen to get the Lips out of the way.
And then it happened.. The Flaming Lips performed. It was superb! Everything Q Mag promised and so much more. They put on a real personal show. Wayne Coin (lead singer) had a screen just behind him and a camera on his mic.. so as he's talking out to the crowd, you can see him the whole time in great detail. Made it a real experience. Highlights include:
- The singing nun glove puppet
- Wayne Coin exploding fake bloody all over him
- Him blowing up a big baloon.. when was it going to burst?
- Him singing via a loud-speakerphone.. sounds great!
- 50,000 people singing Happy Birthday to someone in the crowd
- A cover of Pink Floyds 'Breathe'
- Dancing animals with really powerful torches.
There was loads more. It felt like one great party. It was as fun as watching Rolf Harris the year before, but with great music as well (sorry Rolf). All the above doesn't sound like much, but when you are at Glastonbury with the sun setting, its amazing.
Following the show me and Dave turned round to each other and both agreed that we get the feeling Radiohead can't even get close to topping that. Luckily, Radiohead were just as good (if not better).
Following Radiohead, with the addrenelin well and truly pumping we all agreed that we aren't ready to sleep - so we all headed up to the stone circle and sat there for a while. I was happy to stay there, but the others were ready to go, so they headed back to the tent. So there I sat, with 1000s of camp fires in the distance texting Becky (this is soon after we first met and before we had the guts to meet again) telling her all about how great Glastonbury is. Sad I know, but it really was very romantic.
That for sure is my favourite night at Glastonbury, if not the greatest night of my life. So perfect.
Sorry if the above is quite boring, but I enjoyed writing it. Makes me miss Glastonbury even more now. :-(
Later...
This weeks 'Later...' was certainly worth the wait - not a single dud act on there (a first for when I've watched it). Here's a quick run-down of what I thought of the acts:
The Strokes
There is something about the Strokes that makes me really enjoy watching/listening to them, but I can never put my finger on it. It was no different this time. They forced me to open a beer within a minute as you could tell it was going to be a good show so why not make it better with a beer?
The Flaming Lips
Really good. They put on the sort of performance you'll watch in 10 years time and think to yourself "I wish music was that manic and unprofessional now-a-days!". Of course, they are one-of-a-kind now-a-days. The Yeah Yeah Yeah song was their opening number (shame they didn't play the full length of that, but still great), W.A.N.D was there second tune (it's finally starting to work for me) and sadly they wasted the third song on a cover of War Pigs. It was good, but would have been nice to hear another one of there songs, maybe an old forgotten one.
The Divine Comedy
Along with The Beautiful South, Divine Comedy are a band I dismissed some time ago only to realise my error now. They played 2 songs, both really enjoyable to listen to with the lyrics grabbing my attention. I'll try to get one of their albums some day.
Cat Power
I bought her latest album (The Greatest) when it was released after hearing rave reviews about it, and its never really fully grown on me (doesn't help that I purchased it at the same time as a couple other albums, one of which being Jenny Lewis). I was quite looking forward to seeing her on the show as I thought it might help me to enjoy the album some more. With that in mind it's a shame she played the 2 songs I know and already like but that said, the studio recordings really don't do them justice. Lived In Bars in particular was superb. So sure enough, I'm going to check out the album again.
Plan B
I think I've seen this guy on TV before (NME Awards). Back then I flicked past his performance as he sounded to much like an English Eminem wannabe.. I almost did the same this time, but thankfully I held out. Turned out to be really good. He's basically a rapper with an acoustic guitar and not a bad voice. Different.
Raul Midón
A testamentt to just how good this show was, the fact I really enjoyed the token obscure genre act. You have to see him to realise how good he is. In the simplest form, its a guy with shades on playing a guitar... but boy can he play guitar... and created a drum rhythmm on his guitar... and perform the trumpet solo with no trumpet(!). Really really good to watch! Usually I like my music because it flips a switch in my head that makes me think "this sounds good", rarely because I think "now that's some good playin!" - because to be fair, I don't really know what good playing is - But I can be certain that this guy can play.
The Strokes
There is something about the Strokes that makes me really enjoy watching/listening to them, but I can never put my finger on it. It was no different this time. They forced me to open a beer within a minute as you could tell it was going to be a good show so why not make it better with a beer?
The Flaming Lips
Really good. They put on the sort of performance you'll watch in 10 years time and think to yourself "I wish music was that manic and unprofessional now-a-days!". Of course, they are one-of-a-kind now-a-days. The Yeah Yeah Yeah song was their opening number (shame they didn't play the full length of that, but still great), W.A.N.D was there second tune (it's finally starting to work for me) and sadly they wasted the third song on a cover of War Pigs. It was good, but would have been nice to hear another one of there songs, maybe an old forgotten one.
The Divine Comedy
Along with The Beautiful South, Divine Comedy are a band I dismissed some time ago only to realise my error now. They played 2 songs, both really enjoyable to listen to with the lyrics grabbing my attention. I'll try to get one of their albums some day.
Cat Power
I bought her latest album (The Greatest) when it was released after hearing rave reviews about it, and its never really fully grown on me (doesn't help that I purchased it at the same time as a couple other albums, one of which being Jenny Lewis). I was quite looking forward to seeing her on the show as I thought it might help me to enjoy the album some more. With that in mind it's a shame she played the 2 songs I know and already like but that said, the studio recordings really don't do them justice. Lived In Bars in particular was superb. So sure enough, I'm going to check out the album again.
Plan B
I think I've seen this guy on TV before (NME Awards). Back then I flicked past his performance as he sounded to much like an English Eminem wannabe.. I almost did the same this time, but thankfully I held out. Turned out to be really good. He's basically a rapper with an acoustic guitar and not a bad voice. Different.
Raul Midón
A testamentt to just how good this show was, the fact I really enjoyed the token obscure genre act. You have to see him to realise how good he is. In the simplest form, its a guy with shades on playing a guitar... but boy can he play guitar... and created a drum rhythmm on his guitar... and perform the trumpet solo with no trumpet(!). Really really good to watch! Usually I like my music because it flips a switch in my head that makes me think "this sounds good", rarely because I think "now that's some good playin!" - because to be fair, I don't really know what good playing is - But I can be certain that this guy can play.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
RIP Top of the Pops
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5099894.stm
Its typical - I've pratically ignored Top of the Pops all my life, but since getting a Freeview PVR I've found that I now find myself watching it - and now it gets the axe!
Sure, there is some tosh on there, but thanks to the PVR I can skip past that and on to the usual one or two half decent acts.
Since I started watching it the two best performances I've seen are Belle and Sebastian and Gnarls Barcley (I'm sure I've spelt that wrong).
It's no 'Later...' but its still live music, something lacking on mainstream tv at the moment.
Its typical - I've pratically ignored Top of the Pops all my life, but since getting a Freeview PVR I've found that I now find myself watching it - and now it gets the axe!
Sure, there is some tosh on there, but thanks to the PVR I can skip past that and on to the usual one or two half decent acts.
Since I started watching it the two best performances I've seen are Belle and Sebastian and Gnarls Barcley (I'm sure I've spelt that wrong).
It's no 'Later...' but its still live music, something lacking on mainstream tv at the moment.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Later...
Just watched this week's Later.. With Jools Holland.
Wasn't a bad one, nothing that really jumped out at the me though like I've come to expect from the show (eg. Gnarls Barkley's performance of Crazy, Franz Ferdinand's performance with 10 drummers), but still a good one.
The highlights were Gogol Bordello (an Eastern Europe gypsy-folk-punk band (!)), might have to get their album if I can find it, and The Dresden Dolls (Just a piano and drums, so naturally a little different).
The lows were The Automatic - ok, fair enough they were good but there keyboardist came across as though his ego alone was forcing the band to keep him in.. a modern-day Bez, but with some talent. Also a low were Dixie Chicks. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but disapointed to find an American version of the Corrs.
Still, next week's show sounds great. Not only The Flaming Lips (that would be more than enough), but The Strokes (ok, wasn't a huge fan until I saw them live, but they are a cool act) and Cat Power.
Some reviews on a couple of the bands mentioned above:
Gogol Bordello: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A10426907
The Dresden Dolls: http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/05/11/dresden_dolls_feature.shtml
Wasn't a bad one, nothing that really jumped out at the me though like I've come to expect from the show (eg. Gnarls Barkley's performance of Crazy, Franz Ferdinand's performance with 10 drummers), but still a good one.
The highlights were Gogol Bordello (an Eastern Europe gypsy-folk-punk band (!)), might have to get their album if I can find it, and The Dresden Dolls (Just a piano and drums, so naturally a little different).
The lows were The Automatic - ok, fair enough they were good but there keyboardist came across as though his ego alone was forcing the band to keep him in.. a modern-day Bez, but with some talent. Also a low were Dixie Chicks. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but disapointed to find an American version of the Corrs.
Still, next week's show sounds great. Not only The Flaming Lips (that would be more than enough), but The Strokes (ok, wasn't a huge fan until I saw them live, but they are a cool act) and Cat Power.
Some reviews on a couple of the bands mentioned above:
Gogol Bordello: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A10426907
The Dresden Dolls: http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/05/11/dresden_dolls_feature.shtml
Monday, June 12, 2006
Money
For the first time since me and Becky got the house, I feel skint.
Its taken far longer than expected, but I now find my self seeings things that I want that I can't have.. and its really tricky obeying that fact.
I stupidily walked into Virgin at lunchtime today and saw The Delgados - The Complete Peel Sessions for a tenner. There's three reasons why I want that quite badly:
1) The Delgados are a class band, yet I only have one of there albums and I've been planning on getting more of there stuff.. this is ideal as its pretty much a best of.
2) 2 dics of quality music for £9.99..
3) The album got a rare 9/10 on Teletext's Planet Sound. That alone makes me want to buy it, regardless of the act, as PS rarely fail me.
I resisted though. I think what I'm going to do is see how much money I have the day before payday.. if I have any left, get a/some CD(s) with it.
One reason I'm skint this month is because I didn't realise that everytime England play in the world cup, its gonna cost me a few pints down the pub.
My CD wishlist continues to grow. At the moment, off the top of my head it looks a little like this:
Delgados - Complete Peel Sessions
Muse (their new album)
Hope of the States (their new album)
Sons and Daughers (any album of theirs)
Shack
Mugison (a track of theirs I like on a Rough Trade compilation)
I'm sure there are more besides.
Its taken far longer than expected, but I now find my self seeings things that I want that I can't have.. and its really tricky obeying that fact.
I stupidily walked into Virgin at lunchtime today and saw The Delgados - The Complete Peel Sessions for a tenner. There's three reasons why I want that quite badly:
1) The Delgados are a class band, yet I only have one of there albums and I've been planning on getting more of there stuff.. this is ideal as its pretty much a best of.
2) 2 dics of quality music for £9.99..
3) The album got a rare 9/10 on Teletext's Planet Sound. That alone makes me want to buy it, regardless of the act, as PS rarely fail me.
I resisted though. I think what I'm going to do is see how much money I have the day before payday.. if I have any left, get a/some CD(s) with it.
One reason I'm skint this month is because I didn't realise that everytime England play in the world cup, its gonna cost me a few pints down the pub.
My CD wishlist continues to grow. At the moment, off the top of my head it looks a little like this:
Delgados - Complete Peel Sessions
Muse (their new album)
Hope of the States (their new album)
Sons and Daughers (any album of theirs)
Shack
Mugison (a track of theirs I like on a Rough Trade compilation)
I'm sure there are more besides.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Hello World
Hi World.
I've finally given in and started a blog - the ultimate ego trip.
The reason I gave in is primarily so I have an outlet to waffle on about the latest, greatest tune I've heard - plus it'll be nice to mention some good sites I've been to etc.
To get things started, I've currently got Neil Young on in the background (Like A Hurricane). Good Sunday chill-out music is Neil, in a non-ibiza sunsetting kind of way.
I've finally given in and started a blog - the ultimate ego trip.
The reason I gave in is primarily so I have an outlet to waffle on about the latest, greatest tune I've heard - plus it'll be nice to mention some good sites I've been to etc.
To get things started, I've currently got Neil Young on in the background (Like A Hurricane). Good Sunday chill-out music is Neil, in a non-ibiza sunsetting kind of way.
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