T-Shirts are Awesome

So, it's been election season. As we all, no doubt, know. David Cameron and the Conservatives won. Kinda. The champs at Banquet Records have made a Fat Wreck inspired "Not My Prime Minister" t-shirt.

So, what does this have to do with me?

Anyone who knows me should know I'm a massive Saved By the Bell fan. So much so, I've been re-watching Season One recently and, rather conveniently, happened to come across the "The Election" episode. Quick plot summary: Jessie runs for Student Body President. Zack learns that whoever wins gets a free trip to Washington. Zack decides to run. Zack wins, feels guilty for shafting Jessie for personal gain, and then resigns. Leaving her as president.

So...

If I got these made would you buy one?

Cheers, yo.

Tomorrow is polling day

Tomorrow you have the chance to vote. Please use it. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for (I have my preferences, obviously) but it's not my place to tell you who you can and can't vote for.

What I ask is that you do use that right to vote. You have the ability to take part in this democratic process and I implore you to take advantage of that.

That is all.

Fuuuucccckkkk...

...I haven't used this since October.

So, where were we?

Aside from mis-using promotional tools for cutesy animal movies, of course.

Last night Nick Griffin got rinsed on Question Time. Much fun was had by all.

Work is under way on issue 2 of the zine. So far we've shifted 60 copies of issue 1 (as in sold, given to shops, traded for stuff, etc) and, well, I'm pretty damn chuffed with that! I'm likely going to get another 30 printed up tomorrow. If you want to contribute anything for issue 2 (or any subsequent issue, as this does seem to have become an ongoing project) please get in touch. I should have an interview with Jeff Rosentock (Bomb the Music Industry) in issue 2 which I am absolutely fucking stoked about. I've been a huge fan of Jeff's work for years, and getting to put him on earlier this year was such a high point for me, plus he turned out to be a genuinely nice dude as well.

John Power Up is carrying on the tradition of Power Up in Norwich in my absence by booking some stellar shows. Namely; The Skints, The Peacocks, Kevin Devine and We Are the Union. So if you're in the Fine City, look out for those.

I've nearly finished demoing the new MC iPod EP. The four tracks are written, and I've tracked vocals for three of them, just need to do this last one. I'll see how it all sounds together and make a decision as to where I'll do the final recording. It might end up being my bedroom (as usual), but I'm learning more about recording technique so it'll sound better than previous stuff. The demos - in my opinion - sound pretty good.

So yeah, good times generally. Keep watching the skies, as they say.

Because it is pretty cool...

EDIT: There was an Alvin and the Chipmunks thing here, where you could record your own voice and a Chipmunk would say it. Obviously, mine was obscene. It is now gone though.

O...k...

So, I use Bandcamp to host an MC iPod profile. Bandcamp is ace as you can upload a million songs (well, I've not found a limit so far), charge for downloads if you want, offer many formats, yadda, yadda, yadda.

You also get a ton of awesome stats. Including how people found your profile.

I have an MC iPod song called Sexual Kids which is about realising that every girl has already fucked some dude before you - people fuck younger these days - get over it.

Point is, apparently someone found my profile by searching for the term "sexual kids" on the Polish Google.

So I have a Polish paedo listening to my music. Obviously, him (I'm assuming it's a dude) being Polish isn't an issue, but I can't say I'm thrilled about some paedo listening to my tunes. Especially if they're expecting some sort of graphic depiction of children fucking (which they're most definitely not going to get).

Anyway, rant over.

Listen to my tunes though! Unless you're a paedo.

THE ZINE IS OUT NOW!

Yeah, so I haven't updated this in a while owing to the fact that my much-lauded move to the South Coast lasted a week as I bailed and moved back to Cambridge.

Epic fail.

On a happier note though - as the title eluded to (well, I say "eluded", I mean "fucking shouted") - the zine is ready. 76 pages of interviews, reviews, rants and more.

More information: cocainezine.blogspot.com

Buy here: cocainezine.bigcartel.com

Cheers, yo.

To Do List...

So I am back in Blighty. I hate that word, Blighty. Who the fuck came up with it, anyway?

So, two weeks of humidity and "borrowed" wireless internet (thank you to the dude who didn't encrypt his internet) and I'm back here, less than 24 hours away from finally moving to the South Coast.

I was going to write out a "to do" list, but there's only really one thing to mention on it:

GET THE FUCKING ZINE PRINTED!

The content is so very nearly there, just a couple of pages to finish off. In fact, I've already started formulating plans for the second issue. It's nearly the end of September now, I really hope to have it ready in the first week of October. Hopefully.

Anyway, I shall keep you posted on that. You buy it.

Abroad blog #1

In Malta, on a rooftop in Marsaskala "borrowing" some wireless internet. I hope they don't mind, I'd let them borrow mine.

Been here a couple of days now, it's hot. And humid. And - up until now - internetless.

My Summer: The Mix Tape

Well, CD. Well, list on a blog. Let's not split hairs here.

The point of this? A nice list of what I'd burn onto a CD right now, if I was to compile a soundtrack to my summer. A little taster of the music that got me through the past couple of months. Go...

Star Fucking Hipsters - Zombie Christ
Dave House - All D's, No Future
Sonic Boom Six - The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Inventions
Set Your Goals - Our Ethos: A Legacy to Pass On
Madness - Dust Devil
POS - Purexed
Sam Russo - Tinned Peaches and Diamond Rings
Million Dead - Smiling at Strangers on Trains
MC Lars - Twenty Three
The Get Up Kids - I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel
AFI - Silver and Cold
Company L - Policing the Police
Squirtgun - Social
Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
Fugazi - Waiting Room
Enter Shikari - Juggernauts
Just Jack - The Day I Died
Gallows - I Dread the Night
The Ataris - All Souls Day
Broadway Calls - Be All That You Can't Be

In no order at all.

All Souls Day

You said you wanted to be loved
I think you wanted to be saved
Well tell me how am I supposed to save a girl like you
When I don't even know how to save myself?
Wish I could just forget
The double lives, the awkwardness
A union scarred by bitterness
A house we built on top of our regrets

There we were in California
Two tarnished, golden hearts
Were we ever really together?
Or just afraid of being apart?
I wish I could drive all night
Wake up in the harsh day light
In a different town, start a brand new life
And never have to see your face again

I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever be broken
I wonder if the spell we're under
Is ever, ever going to end

I guess there's never any closure
Just a last look in her eyes
You said that you hoped that I'm happy now
We both know, like everything, that's one big fucking lie
I wish I could turn around
Erase our lives, take back those vows
I guess it's not that easy now
I'd tear that fucking chapel to the ground

I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever be broken
I wonder if the spell we're under
Is ever going to end

Today I woke up and these leaves that are withered
Faded, and fell to the ground
Like our tired hearts

I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever be broken
I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever...

I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever be broken
I wonder if the spell we're under
Is ever going to end

I wonder if the spell we're under
Will ever be broken
I wonder if the spell we're under
Is ever, ever going to end

At the expense of my new friends, this summer's almost over...

A few hours ago my summer of radness ended.

This is a massive shame.

A few hours ago I caught my last show of the summer, as I have a few days now until a two week family holiday, after which I shove some clothes into a bag and head to a new life on the south coast. Obviously I'm scared, but I'm also fairly confident that rad things will happen and all will be happy.

So, my last show of the summer was a great blow-out to my gig spree and I saw a lot more people than I thought I would; bumping into Norwich friends, Peterborough friends, and other friends I've made within the scene.

First up were Smudge, replacing The Season Finale. There was nothing wrong with them, other than being - as I put it in a text to a mate who was en route to the venue - "distinctly average". They definitely weren't bad, but nothing special. Emo-tinged pop-punk, that sort of thing. Speaking of which...

This City were generic emo-tinged pop-punk, but fairly shite to be blunt. A) Please stop over-using disco beats. B) Why oh why would Epitaph sign them?

Next up were the always-on-top-form Failsafe and tonight was no exception. A tight set of post-hardcore influenced punk and rock. My only complaint was the fact that they only played one track - Unity in Progress - off the first album, the album which seems to have more pop hooks than their subsequent release.

Tonight's headliners, Set Your Goals, are a band I've seen before and love. Still, I'd never say they were tight or technically great. Tonight though... They seem to have tightened up. A lot. They weren't 100% perfect but - from a technical stand-point - this was the best I've seen them. Coupled with the fact that the new songs sound awesome live, SYG were on top-top-top form tonight. They played a good mix of songs from the new album as well as older favourites, even digging up a couple from the Reset EP.

They're back in December with the superlative worthy Broadway Calls in support so, y'know, go to a date and be overwhelmed by the rad.

Because I'm sick of looking at my un-sold shirts...

...here's a pointless post, just to put something else on top of that.

Done.

Some t-shirts/other merch for sale

I've got rid of my sale as it was out-of-date, for the up-to-date sale, check out my thread on the Punktastic forums.

Some records for sale

I've got rid of my sale as it was out-of-date, for the up-to-date sale, check out my thread on the Punktastic forums.

Something to write home about...

Oh. My. Fuck.

In keeping with the theme of "this summer is an epic love fest of gigs", I spent the weekend seeing one band I saw a long time ago and never thought I'd see again, and another that I truly never thought I'd see.

So, on Saturday I made my seemingly weekly trip to London and to the newly re-branded Relentless Garage (because, y'know, selling naming rights to Coca-Cola owned energy drinks is awesome) for the first time since it's epic "refurbishment". I put refurbishment in quotation marks as I honestly believe the owners wanted to "close it for refurbishment" (i.e. close it permanently), failed to find a buyer, and then actually refurbished it. That aside though it looks, well, basically the same as the Garage of old.

Venue architecture aside though, being stuck in the queue meant we got in as Mouthwash had already started. A mate who was already in there informs me we probably missed a song or two, which is a bummer. What I did catch, though, was the usual awesomeness I've come to expect from the 'Wash, even more impressive as they had a stand-in guitarist. They ended their set with the now-trademark Rage Against the Machine riff except this time Nipa bounded back onto stage for a lightning-quick cover of Minor Threat's "I Don't Wanna Hear it". Ace.

Next up, The Grit, just didn't do it for me. I'm not a massive fan of rockabilly-infused-punk in the first place so they never really had a chance with me. The crowd seemed to be into them, and they definitely seem to be very good at what they do, I'm just not into what they do.

By the sounds of the crowd The Filaments, despite being main support, were the main event tonight and man, did they meet expectations. It's been a while since their last reunion gig, and tonight they were on form. Sure, they weren't perfect (and the trumpet player seemed a bit lost sometimes) but damn, they were fun. They played all the obvious 'hits' which drove the crowd crazy, and ending on "Trevor" resulted in a see of sweaty punks having their expectations suitably met.

Lastly then, Suicide Bid had to follow. Being a 'musical collective', as opposed to a fully-fledged band, means that members come and go, and you're never quite sure what to expect from them. Unfortunately tonight, it just didn't seem like all cylinders were firing. Babar Luck was notable by his absence, although the sporadic appearances of Itch from the King Blues and the Babylon Whackers' Majah Thunder helped. The set picked up right at the end when Sonic Boom Six turned up from their afternoon gig in Leicester, and Barney and Laila really added to proceedings.

All-in-all, either though I wasn't really into Suicide Bid or The Grit, it was still a fun night. The clubnight-induced early curfew even meant we weren't in any rush at the end to catch a train. Good times.

The main event of the weekend though was still to come. We only went to the Suicide Bid gig as I was going to be in London/Surrey for The Get Up Kids show, so me and Claire thought we'd find something to do on the Saturday.

So, fast forward to Sunday evening and we're at the Peel in Kingston, a venue I love in a place I wish I lived. Beautiful. The Kingston scene (read: Banquet Records) is so unbelievably great, so any chance to catch a show in the suburb affectionately known as K-Town is always welcome, especially when it's such a legendary band in such intimate surroundings.

Kicking off proceedings is Dave House, in his first gig with his new four-piece (i.e. four of them plus him) backing band and all I can say is wow. I've always been a massive fan of Dave House, be it solo or with other musicians backing him up, but tonight was something else, something even more special. Especially so when Dave put down his guitar to rock out with just a microphone, in the crowd, under a see of raised fists and shouted-back-at-him lyrics. Superb.

Of course though, tonight - and this weekend - was all about The Get Up Kids, playing their first UK gig for years and it was unreal. This was amazing. From opener "Coming Clean" through to fake ender "Walking on a Wire", through the encore (and actual set closer "Ten Minutes") this was a massive 200+ person singalong. Sure the band have got old, sure their voices are a little worn, and sure they weren't entirely perfect but none of this mattered. Tonight was about a tiny - and rammed full - room of people singing their hearts out to a band that mean so much to them. The band played for nearly an hour and a half, going through such classics as "Red Letter Day", "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel", "Mass Pike" and everything else you'd expect from them. The encore even included covers of The Cure and The Replacements.

So, this was a truly spectacular weekend rounded off absolutely perfectly with the Get Up Kids' impeccable performance.

Lists Are For the Making

I am a big fan of lists, as evident by my online and offline listing activities. As such, here's a list for you of all the bands I've seen this summer, as I'm curious as to just how epic this will be! By summer, I'm just counting July onwards. Let's do it!

July

2 Peas From the Pod The 255s 7 Day Conspiracy Above Them The Aggrolites The Amistad Anonymous Tip Ben Callanan Beverley Kills Billy Liar Blag The Blockheads Company L Dave House Dorian Gay Ed Ache twice Encyclopedia The Fuckin' Hate Gavin Osborn Gregory Isaacs Gunslinging Outlaws of the Acoustic West Hayseed Dixie Helen Chambers The Hijacks The Hostiles Jerry Dammers' Spatial AKA Judith Owen The Living Daylights Logic Problem

The Luchagors Madness The Magnificent Man Like Me MC iPod twice One Car Pile Up Peachfuzz The Pocket Godzillas The Pogues Protectors Sam Isaac Sam Russo twice The Sceptres Serf Combat twice The Shitty Limits Skimmer Slim Limbs Sonic Boom Six Southport Squirtgun That Fucking Tank This Business is Closed twice Tomato Leaf Tragical History Tour Vanilla Pod Wonk Unit Zapiain Zatopeks + a bunch of open mic guys whose names I never caught

August so far...

Apologies, I Have None Break the Habit Calvinball Chris Murray Colt Seavers

Late 90s One Night Stand in North Dakota Spraynard Wrap it Up

It's amazing how much two all-dayers and a festival can bump up the numbers! I've still got more August plans, and possibly an all-dayer if I can get to Lincoln! Fun times. Point is; this has been an epic few weeks so far, and is still getting better. The zine is shaping up nicely and is going to be an ace document of <Bouncing Souls reference>how I spent my summer vacation</Bouncing Souls reference>.

Win.

No Work and All Play (aka How to Galavant Around the Country Continuously)

So, yeah. Since the start of July I've been technically living in Cambridge. I say "technically" as, well, I am rarely home. Owing to creative budgeting (and living with my parents over the summer) I've managed to find myself in a position where I can just about afford constant train fare and gigs, without having to work.

I did a small amount of temp work a couple of weeks ago (and - due to administrative cock-ups on their part - am still owed some money), but the money from there is in my moving-to-Bournemouth fund.

The other problem is that, over the summer, Claire is staying with her parents in Surrey (and found a job for the summer) so I have greater reason to jump on a train and stop being in Cambridge.

So, what have I actually been up to this summer?

Well, Caire stayed with me in Cambridge for a week at the start of July and we found a ton of shows to go to. Namely:

That Fucking Tank + support (who I can't remember off the top of my head but Serf Combat were definitely one of them)
Ababoonsass all-dayer with The Shitty Limits + more
Walk the Plank all-dayer with Vanilla Pod + more
Judith Owen

I managed to blag onto the WTP all-dayer and did a short MC iPod set to open the day up. That was fun, I'd never played the Portland Arms before so that's a goal sorted.

Soon after this, James Hull paid me a visit and we were at the Zebra in Cambridge for a show and our first interviews:

Sam Russo + Ed Ache + Billy Liar + Tragical History Tour

The next day, we headed back to Norwich week for:

The Luchagors + Slim Limbs + Doriay Gay + The Pocket Godzillas

The Luchagors was another one that I'd blagged onto the line-up for. Good times. Plus we scored an interview with Shane and Amy for the zine, so good times there. I returned to Norwich a couple of days later for:

Sonic Boom Six + Blag + Tomato Leaf

SB6 was another great one.

Then, literally the day after SB6 I was in London for:

Madstock 2009 with Madness + The Pogues + more

Which was fun. Rainy, but fun. At some point during the week a phone call from Sam Russo lead to me being at an open mic night in Cambridge with him. That was interesting.

A few days later I was in Surrey to visit Claire, and head to London for:

Squirtgun + Zatopeks + Company L

And Guildford for:

Dave House + Encyclopedia + Gavin Osborn

Both fun times. Scored an interview with Company L too, so result. Then I got ill. I still went to a Cambridge show though:

The Hijacks + Zapiain + This Business is Closed + Gunslinging Outlaws of the Acoustic West

Which was ace, especially as I got to see a load of the Norwich crew (given that TBIC and James Hul - aka Gunslinging Outlaws - were playing). Then I got more ill. Which sucked. I'm still not sure if it was swine flu or not, but the point it is stopped me being in Kingston for the Rebel Alliance Recordings night (Sonic Boom Six + The Skints + Random Hand + Mouthwash). I was also supposed to see The Ataris but they did get swine flu and cancelled their dates.

So, needing a reason to head back to Surrey/London I remembered a mate was having a barbecue in Muswell Hill so headed to Claire's and that. Claire found some shows to head to whilst I was down, in Brixton:

Chris Murray + Apologies, I Have None + Calvinball + ONSIND

Which was totally fantastic, and tonight in Kingston:

Spraynard + Wrap it Up + Break the Habit + Colt Seavers + Late 90s

So, that - I believe - makes this all current. I've written some actual in-depth reviews which will be in the zine. I just felt like compiling a brief note, of sorts, of what I've been up to for the past month-and-a-third.

Excuse me, do you have any cocaine?

So all has been quiet on the blogging front. Truth be told I've been busy working on a new zine with my good friend James Hull, entitled Excuse Me, Do You Have Any Cocaine? (There is a long story about the name, which is cunningly explained in the issue).

Basically, we've been talking for ages about various projects - none of which ever get off the ground. This time though we are determined to make it work, and so far... well... it is!

We've done some awesome interviews with:
The Luchagors
Company L
Sam Russo
Billy Liar
Tragical History Tour
and more coming soon

We've written some funky articles, we've reviewed some stuff. All is good. We're planning a September release of what will, no doubt, be a bumper-sized issue. So, obviously, here is the obligatory Facebook group plug:

EMDYHAC? Zine Facebook Group

Click there, join the group, and be thrilled to hear about any updates.

Keeping This Seat Warm

Did they crush the enemy from standing?
And I'm just a citizen from Maine
Did they stop the hunters from hunting?
And I'm just aloof all the same

I'd rather be riding on trains
'Cause this is the problem I face

I'm living far from all the tragedy
Can't hear the bombs through
All the merry themed dramas that come over me
I'm keeping this seat warm

And we watch the desert keeps talking
And I'm drinking for the machine
Let's hurry up, the anchor is walking
Let's head to the market in reigns

I'd rather be riding on trains
'Cause this is the problem I face

I'm living far from all the tragedy
Can't hear the bombs through
All the merry themed dramas that come over me
I'm keeping this seat warm

In case we all get bored
From the simple life in store
Forget the men at war
I'm keeping this seat warm

In case we all get bored
From the simple life in store
Forget the men at war
I'm keeping this seat warm