tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45434124781179729862024-02-21T04:57:59.368-08:00Love. Music. Laugh.Music to love, hate, and everything in between.Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-32678789892299569002011-10-13T12:42:00.000-07:002011-10-17T09:21:11.003-07:00Still Rocking and Rolling since Elvis left the building<div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favourite periods in history has to be the 1940’s. Sure World War II was raging like an extremely angry velociraptor in the background, but take that away and you are left with several appealing things to like about this particular era.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first would be the fashion; high - waisted skirts, wide collared blouses, fitted coats and jackets, silk stockings, bespoke hats, I could go on but I’m overexcited enough as it is. All of the above were the epitome of womanhood. Add a string of pearls and some elbow length gloves and you could take tea with the queen never mind just luncheon with the WI! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throw into the mix men in uniform and you wonder why women were swooning all the time!?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second great thing to come out of this disastrous period would be the music.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don’t roll your eyes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know you all secretly love ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ as much as the next person.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most well known, and much loved, trio throughout the war period were <a href="http://www.myspace.com/officialandrewssisters">The Andrews Sisters</a>. Their classic hits such as ‘Rum and Coca Cola’ and ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’, whilst the latter being slightly creepy if the lyrics are taken completely out of context, have managed to define a whole generation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These Minnesotan born sisters (actual sisters in this case) entertained thousands of allied forces and sold over 75 million records worldwide. Their perfect harmonies, combined with their cheeky attitude, made them a household name by 1940. They can be considered to be one of the earliest examples of rhythm and blues. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtoteDhUSPVFi5JS7U0c31MtiunDMCTvkpkl8KsiPte3I7ZcdPo4ik19quycw7yCBOJ7K63uPsztL9f7OHvXMM68FMMgZ2DaNbFMiCq2y8jysCg862LahiGXIZ62tnwYDK70QSHjpq3Rq/s1600/AndrewsSisters.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtoteDhUSPVFi5JS7U0c31MtiunDMCTvkpkl8KsiPte3I7ZcdPo4ik19quycw7yCBOJ7K63uPsztL9f7OHvXMM68FMMgZ2DaNbFMiCq2y8jysCg862LahiGXIZ62tnwYDK70QSHjpq3Rq/s320/AndrewsSisters.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663070373206764242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>And to look at them, you wouldn't think that these three siblings did not get along...</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fast track to today and the closest you will get to this genre will be rockabilly. Dating back to the 1960’s it is currently enjoying a wonderful revival in the form of <a href="http://www.thebaseballs.com/">The Baseballs</a>. Although there are many who would argue that it never really went anywhere. This German trio were founded in Berlin in 2007, and their debut album ‘Strike!’ has received critical acclaim worldwide. Covering modern hits such as ‘Love in this Club’ (which was my ringtone for a year I was that addicted to it), Rhianna’s ‘Umbrella’ and Katie Perry’s ‘Hot ‘n’ Cold’ it is no wonder that it has become a staple for rock and roll lovers everywhere. With a swinging rock and roll orchestral ensemble and harmonies that would put The Andrew’s Sister’s to shame, it would be scandalous not to have this album in your collection.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqUD0rxt9FQDQrlGzF-FTdBShzWA42Wskg54xyqU5I0qeAJNuuCAA4rLBMp3voRHRP_x_1_jC9gdz4PIp-8U3XtjgDAGKRlGLDTKMnPVYylLG0CdB7c4qubKq0Qc08b2cU5_W93R4IWVe/s1600/The+Baseballs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqUD0rxt9FQDQrlGzF-FTdBShzWA42Wskg54xyqU5I0qeAJNuuCAA4rLBMp3voRHRP_x_1_jC9gdz4PIp-8U3XtjgDAGKRlGLDTKMnPVYylLG0CdB7c4qubKq0Qc08b2cU5_W93R4IWVe/s320/The+Baseballs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663070372575033810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i> I wonder how long these three lads spend in hair and make - up?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving closer to home we will find <a href="http://www.bon-temps-sisters.co.uk/">The Bon Temps Sisters</a>. Just as their name suggests, these gals are all about having a good time. A swing, jazz, big band, boogie - woogie and rockabilly ensemble performing all over Chichester for weddings, parties, and like their sisters before them, the Royal Navy. Their renditions of ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ put the original proprietors of the song to shame and their cover of Lady Gaga’s ’Bad Romance’ will make you never want to listen to the original again. Their vocal harmonies, combined with their big band accompaniment, will make you wonder why you ever listened to anything else. Oh and their outfits will make you want to kidnap their stylist. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifareKyKTGFHZNi0rdLLfYl4Z4FD5g-7iBYFAbwnEyXbv-CqF-n0wMWV4Be-wodnGLR1-4SqMXXNhkK2vBzgZMjRQf8OZb1Xz8kIvHXLbW-8issmvAQhzOTFF7bPtyeyEbKh3VPkJqjllm/s1600/The+Bon+Temps+Sisters+%25282%2529.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifareKyKTGFHZNi0rdLLfYl4Z4FD5g-7iBYFAbwnEyXbv-CqF-n0wMWV4Be-wodnGLR1-4SqMXXNhkK2vBzgZMjRQf8OZb1Xz8kIvHXLbW-8issmvAQhzOTFF7bPtyeyEbKh3VPkJqjllm/s320/The+Bon+Temps+Sisters+%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663070381124074802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Seriously, don't you just want their stylist?!?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you like the sound of this good ol’ fashioned retro fun then why not check out <a href="http://www.myspace.com/puppinisisters">The Puppini Sisters</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/imeldamay1">Imelda May</a>, Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho Devilles, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/rockercovers">The Rocker Covers</a> and Ghost Highway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rockabilly is such an awesome genre of music; with a double bass, a drum kit, a piano, a guitar and even the possibility of a mini brass section, what more could you actually want from life? It’s all about great music, good times, and to quote the wise words of Danny and the Juniors, “rock and roll is here to stay, it will never die”. </div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-48557576144581757992011-09-26T14:44:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:26:51.032-07:00Go Folk Yourself!<div style="text-align: left;">Folk.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just the mere mention of the word conjures up some strange images for you doesn’t it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You instantly think of long - haired hippies, wearing home made tye - dye skirts, strumming a lyre, dancing around druid ruins (hopefully still wearing those skirts) and pleading with you to get in touch with the healing powers of crystals. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ha! You stereotypes you. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is simply one area of folk music. We have since progressed from the days above. I hope. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Traditionally folk music was a way that stories were able to get from village to village. Even in the days prior to the internet and flushing indoor toilets, people still enjoyed a good ol’ song and dance. These stories often involved a maid, a garter (usually falling down), and your choice of a tinker, tailor, soldier and a sailor. If you searched hard enough I have no doubt you would come across one with all four. This was the Medieval version of pornography, seeing as the majority of people were illiterate and paper was a stupidly expensive commodity afforded only by the rich. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://www.suedraheim.com/music/images/sue_1968.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 475px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>The guy on the right is blatantly staring at her chest. Pervert.</i><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Nowadays traditional folk has taken on an entirely new meaning. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Take <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thisisbellowhead/music">Bellowhead</a>. An eleven piece outfit including a kazoo, an anglo concertina, a mandolin, a sousaphone, a megaphone and a shaky egg on top of every other folk instrument you can think of, these guys are out of this world. They literally take traditional British folk, rape it, and then leave it for dead. Their vocalists cockney twang makes Dick van Dyke‘s attempts appear ludicrous. I have been told that listening to them on a CD does not compare to seeing them live; the sheer enormity of their set is something that puts Lady Gaga to shame, and that’s a statement that clearly needs living up to. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.theocelot.co.uk/modules/news/images/storys/1003312113-bellowhead1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://www.theocelot.co.uk/modules/news/images/storys/1003312113-bellowhead1.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 251px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>And you thought getting to band practice with four people was difficult!</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the other end of the traditional spectrum you’ll find <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ironandwine/music">Iron and Wine</a>. With a name like that, how could you not instantly fall in love with Samuel Beam? Yes, you read that right. Iron and Wine is actually a one - man band, and that one - man goes by the name of Samuel Beam. He occasionally tours with a live band, but that is sort of a rarity. His sound is hauntingly beautiful. Beam’s vocal harmonies are blended perfectly with traditional folk instrumentals. The lyrics to his songs go beyond meaningful; they weave stories with their words and leave absolutely nothing up to the imagination. Beam’s latest album was an instant success - and for a very good reason. If you don’t add it to your collection instantly, you will regret it for the rest of your life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And yes - Flightless Bird, American Mouth (if you're wondering) is part of the Twilight soundtrack. Unfortunately. The producers clearly held a gun to his head with that one. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/11865571.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/11865571.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 252px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>That is an impressive beard. </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving across the pond into international territory there is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/leventdunord/music">Le Vent du Nord</a>. As their name suggests their songs are sung in fluent French. Heralding from Quebec, Canada, their music is heavily influenced by traditional folk music from both Ireland and Brittany. They even have a hurdy gurdy in their ensemble! You have to love them simply for that! Their songs are bawdy, traditional French folk ballads; all about good wine, fine women, and eating heartily around the kitchen table. It’s the kind of music that you want to stomp your feet to, clap your hands, and break out into some form of erratic Ceilidh. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://onqueueartists.com/images/nord_sky.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://onqueueartists.com/images/nord_sky.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 342px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Takes the meaning of the word multi - talented to a whole a new level. </i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>That’s pronounced Kayley. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of Ceilidhs, even if you hate folk music with a passion, get yourself down to one. They are seriously the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off. Think line dancing but without the cowboy boots. Ceilidhs are traditional Gaelic dances, with a traditional Gaelic folk band. There is a caller who calls out the dances (their name is just such a spoiler don’t you think?) and then everyone follows suit. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tip: don’t wear heels to this and be prepared to get VERY sweaty. Wear lose clothing, but not so lose that you get tangled up and fall on your face. You’ll be dancing up and down, round and round, side to side, in groups of four, in pairs and then as an entire massive group. Believe me - words don’t do this justice - it has to be experienced for itself. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So even if I have not yet managed to persuade you that folk music is definitely something you should add to your iPod, at least let me take comfort from the fact that you can acknowledge that, if nothing else, they are incredibly talented musicians. The majority of them can play the fiddle with their eyes closed, standing on one leg, doing Duck impressions! And that is something I would probably pay to see. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if none of the above are floating your boat yet, check out anti - folk. This genre of music takes traditional folk music and then craps on it - in a hilariously comic sort of way. Try <a href="http://www.myspace.com/themoldypeachesfans/music">The Moldy Peaches</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/rocknrollnerdtimminchin/music">Tim Minchin</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/reginaspektor/music">Regina Spektor</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/adamgreen123/music">Adam Green</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kimyadawson/music">Kimya Dawson</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ahimsakonga/music">SoKo</a>. Or if it’s easier, just download the entire Juno soundtrack. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ll leave you to get your folk on. </div><div><br /></div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-73185292230137429532011-09-13T14:11:00.000-07:002011-09-13T14:14:22.519-07:00To Feel or Not To Feel<div>There are many different themes and emotions which provide the basic foundations to any great song. There’s money, comedy, tragedy, grief, laughter, family, friends, relationships, sex, the good, the bad, the ugly, and that all time favourite, the weather. Each attribute, whether displayed with others, or standing alone, gives songs, and music in general, a particular shape and form.</div><div><br /></div><div>The most frequently used of these, is love. </div><div><br /></div><div>Amore, adore, liebe. Whether you say it in French or Mongolian, it means the same thing. It is a universal concept which has stood the test of time. It can move mountains, repair that which is broken, and can cure even those sick at heart. It can make you feel like the luckiest man alive, or the most broken, desolate person to have ever walked the earth. It can make you feel like singing the soundtrack to the ‘Sound of Music’ along white cliff tops, and just as equally, it can make you feel like throwing yourself off from the highest point, into a raging sea below.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is exactly what a great love song should do. </div><div><br /></div><div>A great song, much like a great book, should toy with your emotions. If the music is sad, then you should feel sad. If the lyrics are hopeful, then you should be filled with hope. </div><div><br /></div><div>More often than not, our language fails to adequately capture that which we feel, and expressing ourselves through music is certainly not a new concept. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Danny sang ‘Sandy’ when he was stranded at the drive in, didn’t our hearts just break for him? When Helen Shapiro burst into the music scene in the late 60’s with ‘Walking Back to Happiness’, didn’t we just want to scream “go get him girl!” As Maria and Captain Von Trap are singing in the garden, our hearts melt, because we are all suckers for three little words; I love you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jose Gonzales’ ‘Heartbeats’ is just so poignantly beautiful. The words are so gracefully true that it is hard to feel anything but complete calm when listening to it. Regina Spektor’s ‘Samson’ is so haunting that you can almost feel the intensity of the love between Samson and Delilah radiating outwards. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is no wonder that more and more couples are choosing Savage Garden’s ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ for their Wedding Song, the lyrics are compellingly puke - worthy, but, unfortunately true for so many couples in love. Even some of the more edgier music scenes are getting involved with the smushy stuff; Mary J Blige took home two Grammy Awards for her 2005 hit ‘Be Without You’. A meaningful song signifying the importance of standing by an established relationship, it moved struggling couples everywhere. </div><div><br /></div><div>It seems that, regardless of whether or not you are a die hard anti - romantic, the love song is still going strong, and will continue to do so as long as the homo sapien has a song and dance left in him. My only solution to you cold hearted bastards is to climb on board and start feeling something whilst you have a chance. Music is emotional for a reason, and there is simply no crime in feeling. </div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-17751754936484430852011-05-29T01:42:00.000-07:002011-06-21T11:08:58.438-07:00Six Inches of Mosh in your Face<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And no, that title is not a euphemism.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The majority of girls take a lot longer to get ready to go on a night out than the average man. I am open, however, to the possibility that there are some high maintenance lads out there. After commenting on my surprise that a male friend of mine possessed a hairdryer (which was worryingly better than mine) his response was, "Yeah, I'm not a barbarian." Isn't the world full of little surprises....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, on that night out heels are normally the footwear of choice. And why not? They elongate the legs, force you to stand up straight, encourage you to stick your rear out and adds a couple of extra inches to your height for good measure. What's not to like about them? Apart from the fact that walking in them involves some serious concentration. It's like balancing on a tight rope, except with a little less further to fall. Still the same cold hard ground coming to meet you though. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://sandalsandflipflops.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Six-Inch-Stiletto-Heels-450x419.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 419px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm so beautiful, yet so dangerous</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's some handy advice that you should take from your Auntie Amy. Never, never, ever EVER wear 6 inch heels to a gig. Any gig. More importantly a metal gig.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's asking for trouble. It's like walking up to the toughest, burliest guy in a tough, burly bar, slapping him round the face with a dead, wet fish whilst screaming his mother is a ninny, and instead of legging it out the door, you stand there and take it as he pulverises you into mush faster than a blender on a crack.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Graphic mental images aside, you see my point. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, there's the issue of stairs. Every venue will have stairs at some point. Walking up and down steps easily is not easy to do in heels. Thankfully health and safety laws have become insane over the past few years so at least there's a rail to cling on to. If you're in one of those dingy, grotty, underground clubs in south - east London, then chances are the owner wouldn't have read the safety manual, let alone understood what it meant. Clinging to a wall for support is never classy. Especially if you've had several tequilas. Running to the loo in heels when you're absoloutely desperate is never a good option either. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secondly, there's other people. Unlike in a club where the music is all sorted from behind a DJ booth and everyone is dancing in some fashion or another, gigs have stages. Stages involve equipment. This usually involves several guys (and gals) running around screaming about lost leads, stolen plectrums and perferated kick drums. There is no where to hide from these organised maniacs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://bose.infopop.cc/groupee_files/attachments/4/8/4/4841028313/4841028313_2nd_Planet_Stage_Setup.bmp?ts=4DE20849&key=5E0A01A13994E2937604829578DB4F7E&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fbose.infopop.cc%2Feve%2Fforums%2Fa%2Fga%2Ful%2F5841028313%2Finlineimg%2FY%2F2nd_Planet_Stage_Setup.bmp" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 479px; height: 282px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Although in this case, it's not so much the equipment they've lost, rather the band itself...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once the stage is all set up, there is then the problem of the crowd. There will be a mosh pit. Or a wall of death. Either way there is no escape. These happen on any form of night, not just metal. I was at a pop, funk electro night a few weeks ago (in 6 inch wedges, tut tut) and there was moshing happening there. So yeah, a load of angry, sweaty, hormonal teenagers pushing and shoving, and there's you trying to perfectly balance on those six inches? Not happening. What is happening, is you falling over on your behind, and inflicting several nasty brusies.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thirdly, you're halfway through the night and you think, oh my feet are beginning to ache, i'll just take them off for a few minutes to rest. Okay, stop right there you absoloute nutter. If you have ever seen a gig floor you'll understand that it is not the most pleasant place to introduce bare feet. It is about the same as walking on a shit load of used hyperdermic needles. There will be spilled drinks. And other forms of bodily fluid. And potentailly broken glass. It's not a nice place. Trying to manoevre on that in heels involves more falling bum over tit. Even thinking about doing it in bare feet makes me want to hug my feet in protection, and then giving myself a tetnus shot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Solution: wear flats. Or perhaps kitten heels. Chances are everyone else will be wearing either skate shoes or DMs. These are significantly more brutal than a pair of stilletos. If you insist on wearing heels all the time (as I do) then invest in a pair of Doc Martens which have a sensible three inch heel, contrary to what they say, size does matter. They're also insanely comfortable and go with everything. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do not say I didn't forewarn you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-22970970090860896612011-05-01T01:48:00.000-07:002011-05-01T02:00:19.827-07:00The Last Resort<div style="text-align: justify;">Sex sells. Fact.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In fact it sells so well that women have been using their bodies to get what they want since the dawn of time. On the other hand, they have also been exploited, abused, harassed, and more often than not, treated lower than dogs not fit to lick a mans boot (here I’m referring to history prior to the Suffrage movement, although given the increase rate in trafficking women rising in Europe, my point still stands).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enter the music industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A beautiful world sugar coated in diamonds and fairy dust, where albums like ‘Aladdin Zane’, songs like ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ and artists such as Kurt Cobain are born. A world where music can make your soul glow and bring a smile to your face. When a record label resorts to using sex in order to sell a product, they’ve clearly run out of any other ideas. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clearly you shouldn’t have to take off your clothes to get a record deal, but obviously this is what the public wants. What the public wants, it gets. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I’m not naïve. Singing, dancing and sex have been intravenously linked since a girl could kick her leg in the air whilst singing a gaudy ballad. It’s funny how things have progressed, from showing the ankles, to the wrist, to our current present day situation which leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.</div><div><img src="http://www.jansworld.net/images/Album-CanCanGirls.jpg" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 261px; " border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <i>It's surprising they don't fall over, what with the weight of those feathers on their head. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So does the music industry feed off the sex industry?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a way. The difference being with sex you know where you stand; it sells and you get paid. Simple. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With record labels it’s far worse. They’re devious and cunning, and more often than not, you’ll be hard pressed to find the money in your hands which they owe you after. How many women, or even men (Elvis was a sex object too you know - although long gone are the days where CNN had to shoot him from the waist up just so girls wouldn't get ‘too hot under the collar.’), reading this are thinking, blast, what more can one possibly do? One has literally done everything to get the industry’s attention: bombarded executives with countless emails, sent demo after demo, performed crappy gigs at crappy venues usually to an empty room (though some of the best bands have played to a non - existent crowd *ahemTheBeatlesahem*) just to get the experience.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XbyAhEKjA2U/TSqh5B4gpkI/AAAAAAAABCg/ryO7pozXLc0/s1600/ElvisPresley.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 450px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Elvis and his infamous pelvis. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Short of setting their trousers on fire (which I don’t think would go down all that well) where do your options lie?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well you could start by taking off your trousers. What? It’s true. We’ve just established that pretty girls parading around in sparkly hot pants and a corset, wearing enough lipstick to keep Superdrug in business for life is what the public wants. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, what’s that you say?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Too degrading?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You’ve got standards?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well good for you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Artists make music for the passion of making music. At least that’s what I’ve always been led to believe. In ye good ol’ days before MTV reared it’s pornographic head, the only way you could listen to music was over the wireless. Or down the local concert hall/opera house. Chances are you couldn’t afford the latter, so large crowds would gather in houses eagerly listening to Vera Lynn belt out tunes that can still bring a tear to your grandmother’s eye. Classy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway my point, which we may have got to in an incredibly crass way, but it’s thus: if you’re a great musician, then that’s just a fact. You’ll create whatever dream you want to for yourself because it always comes down to raw, unadulterated talent. Girls who wear sparkly hot pants are short lived, one hit wonders riding the wave of commercialism at its best. Girls who can hit a top C and only have to wear a pair of jeans a t - shirt to do it, well, you’re survival rate is higher. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Men too of course. I’m not sexist. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-25098502873826698972011-04-22T08:55:00.000-07:002011-06-21T11:11:45.183-07:00Slit Me This is Good<div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All - girl bands aren’t all about hating men and burning bras (partly as this has become an increasingly expensive hobby). They’re punky and fun and enjoy rocking out to an awesome guitar riff. Britain during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s was sprogging out some of the best in the biz. Yet still, so many are quick to knock female artists. I have no idea why, but if you think girls are untalented and are all angry lesbian pixies who have been messed around by men so many times that they have nothing decent left to sing about (the obvious exception being Kittie, who are just plain awful), then you need to check out The Slits before entirely writing the female sex off as musically dead. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Formed from the ashes of several broken bands, Ari Up, Kate Korus, Suzy Gutsy and Palmolive were the founding members of The Slits in 1976. Damn, I wish I had a name as funky as that. But okay, if we’re going to get technical, The Slits haven’t been an all - girl band from the offset. The line up has changed so many times over the past few decades that you couldn’t keep up with it if even if you tried, but the main thing is that they have always been promoted as an all - girl band. PLUS they supported The Clash AND the Buzzcocks. This is all you really need to know to like them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Agree or die. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Their first album Cut was a massive hit, and has influenced so many girls to pick up a guitar and release all their anger and frustration through the beautiful power of music. <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOJs9oycX5E">Typical Girls</a></i> definitely spoke to me the first time I heard it. The lyrics are so punchy and addictive. The meaning of them hits you harder than the morning after the night before, where you knew you should not have had that entire bottle of tequila. Ari’s voice has a Grace Slick - ish element to it; raw and un - altered. A wonderful effect without the harshness of reverb; a far cry away from being a contemporary robot enslaved to the powers of technology. She sounds real.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Their second album also entitled Cut, came 15th in the 20 Sexiest Album Covers Ever. Who could blame the voters - three gorgeous women, wearing nothing but loincloths and caked from head to toe in mud. I mean seriously, check out those ladies below, and tell me you wouldn't be on that faster than a gourmand on a Parisian snail?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://whitgunn.freeservers.com/Davemusic/S/slits/cut.jpg" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 496px; " border="0" alt="" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven’t heard their version of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQxvo_9DEqY">I Heard it through the Grapevine</a> then shame on you. The intro is epic; acapella harmonies, which goes into what can only be described as an orgasmic bass line. You really can’t help but bob your head in time to the beat, doing the scrunchy, lip pouty face thing (you all know the one I mean). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Up until October 20th 2010, The Slits were still touring. Sadly, the German born lead singer, Ari Up, died after a long struggle with cancer. She will always be remembered as the feisty, dread - locked singer, of a fearsome girl band that rocked the world, and if not that far, then they definitely make Monday mornings just that bit more bearable for me. I’m just sad that I never got to see them live. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can check out The Slits on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theslits/music">Myspace</a>/<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/TheSlits">Twitter</a>/<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Slits/109324245761316">Facebook</a>, and if you like them, have a listen to these bands who are on a similar wavelength: Jerfferson Airplane; Xray Spex; The Capricorns and Mika Miko. The Slits were an absolutely marvellous band and have had an incredible impact on society since the moment they first walked out on stage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They were very far from being Typical Girls. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-73421890103574078522011-02-21T15:42:00.000-08:002011-04-24T13:30:54.532-07:00Remaining Calm in the face of 'The Celebrity'.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy6kAx95tib4YlGxOtKkdue6wi4rztpPBvcCfVC_pM4g3VaBdOf3hkHrqyuB__pT7h45puvRfQ7zd3bdBMLuYWveQGHnsYfNwUpCmzvJvn43RGyGeVvEVfEPIhJT1flxVGCR_D2UN-QE4/s1600/youbloom-logo3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijy6kAx95tib4YlGxOtKkdue6wi4rztpPBvcCfVC_pM4g3VaBdOf3hkHrqyuB__pT7h45puvRfQ7zd3bdBMLuYWveQGHnsYfNwUpCmzvJvn43RGyGeVvEVfEPIhJT1flxVGCR_D2UN-QE4/s320/youbloom-logo3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576295299029371458" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I have this new PR internship. The company I’m doing it with are absolutely lush. It’s only teeny tiny, but it definitely makes it more personal working for them. One of their current clients are a band called <a href="http://www.myspace.com/herandthecolours">Her And The Colours</a>, and after only having been there one day, I was lucky enough to attend the YouBloom awards a few weeks ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">YouBloom is an online competition set up by Bob Geldoff (silently screams) in order to hunt down proper talent. By proper talent I don’t mean girls in short skirts propped up against the bar down your local, but no doubt some of those did enter. No, You Bloom is aimed to tap into raw musical talent, the kind of talent that you don’t see on reality programmes such as The X Factor, or Britains Got Talent. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So yes, a few weeks ago, one dark and windy Thursday evening, I trekked across London wearing my beautiful Topshop platform boots to the Cobden Club. Jumped off the bus at Kensal Rise and had 40 minutes to get from the bus stop to the venue. Ample time I thought, given that I hadn’t really thought through my footwear that morning, but they do look so good on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, thank god I’d downloaded Google maps for my Blackberry. After many wrong turns, and several wrong streets (I really should start wearing my glasses all the time) I turned up 15 minutes later than I should have done to the Cobden </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Club.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was not in the least bit intimidated by several burly men on bouncer duty on the front door, but I did give my dad a ring to let him know that I was still alive, and my lifeless body hadn’t been flung into the Thames somewhere. He has a tendency to worry if I don’t check in when I’m out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Upon entering the venue I was delighted by the fact that my name was on the PR guest list! There was lots of screaming going on in my head at this time. Obviously I didn't shriek out loud. The likelihood of being thrown out is higher if you do that. I then proceeded to “gracefully” make my way up two flights of stairs, past the VIP bar, up to the room itself. In fact, I had made it in time to see Bob Geldoff himself (more screaming in my head) take to the stage to present the awards to the 2010 You Bloom winners. Actually they are the first winners ever seeing as it was only founded last year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coincidentally, and I’m pretty sure that their nationality didn’t play a great part in their winning, but two out of the four artists that got first, second, third and fourth positions came from Ireland. Yeah, I’ll let you figure that one out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At this point I’d found a little corner to stand in, trying to blend in with the crowd (that primarily consisted of either muscios, musico jouranlists, PR’s etc etc) so when I say I was overwhelmed, that is a massive understatement. And as I stood in my little bubble of over - excitement and listened to the genius that is Bob Geldoff, I realised something. That this is something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to hunt down amazing bands and get them out there. Bob even said that finding new, different and brilliant artists was becoming somewhat of a rarity. The beautiful thing was, was that this competition had managed to find some of the cream of the crop.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second place went to a three lads from County Derry, known as <a href="http://www.myspace.com/intermissionni">Intermission</a>. They sounded a bit like Muse had just thrown up Placebo, but this aside they were impeccable musicians. Their vocalist had a slightly whiny voice that reminded me somewhat of Tom DeLonge’s vocals for Angels and Airwaves, but after a few songs, it really started to grow on me. The bassist was divine, and I certainly heard no complaints from the crowd. In fact, looking around, everyone was having a fantastic time listening to their sound. Even the intimidating area right at the front of the stage got filled, so definitely a plus!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The winner was <a href="http://www.myspace.com/neev_kennedy">Neev Kennedy</a>. Heralding from County Galway Neev’s style was folk meets rock, and if Norah Jones and Katie Melua had a love child, this is what she would sound like. With beautiful, and somewhat witty lyrics, spot on vocal harmonies and a melody to die for, Neev Kennedy is certainly on the one to watch list. Actually one of her songs entitled Happy Song, was so crazily infectious, I was humming it all the way home. It also did exactly what it meant to, made me happy. Well, happier than I already was, and given the circumstances, that was saying a lot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9U0duuVCH_5fAPKbK-dMxOXfISjZRXSasXOPe4pWoijqhueoaR7iElc4s2n6oWzKZFXqGpgQ-Kv6W1HKetFhmUHqbnS1UZ_lXmin3OIiJqFOvEyRfuDG6vAZoJMpKhSmis-RbjBi-hy8V/s320/Neev+Kennedy+YB+LIVE+CobdenClub+Oct+2010.11900.jpg" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576295304634931266" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those were pretty much the two bands that stood out for me. I was still riding the adrenalin high that came with standing two inches away from Bob Geldoff himself!! I am absolutely certain that I remained cool and aloof: the perfect picture of professional. So yeah if you’re in a band, and you have a new sound and are finding it difficult to catch a break, then why not take a look at the <a href="http://www.youbloom.com/">YouBloom</a> competition. What have you got to lose? There's even a cash prize for the winner!</div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-43139274330858661392011-02-11T10:10:00.000-08:002011-02-11T11:05:40.175-08:00Rocking Harder than an Earthquake at a Geologists Convention<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Hat Factory. Probably the most overlooked and underrated music venue in the Beds, Herts and Bucks region. As I headed over there two Fridays ago I had a feeling it would be a great gig. Firstly because DTA promotions were running the show (and I’ve never been to a bad gig with them) and secondly because I know the venue well; I’ve played enough acoustic sets there to know that the staff are lush and the acoustics are not half bad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gigs are primarily held in The Basement. Yes, you heard right. A basement. Minus the coffins and corpse like creatures, well, the latter is debatable I guess. As I headed down there I could feel a slight anticipation in the air. Partly because this gig had been hyped up for weeks, and partly because I’d also had a lot of coffee that day (you can’t study a degree without it, trust me).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Doors usually open around 8ish, and I have to say, the room started getting packed pretty quickly. To be fair, this music venue, and this room in particular is not the largest. But this is what makes it so great. No matter where I stand, whether it’s right at the front, or in the deepest, darkest, crevice - like corner, it feels like I'm watching the bands from my front room. Albeit, without my comfy sofa and my dressing gown on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cue <a href="http://www.myspace.com/captaindread">Captain Dread</a>. A pretty sweet band from Bedfordshire that kicked the crowd off to an incredibly strong start. I probably say this in every review that I write, but the first band do have an awful lot riding on their set; they set the tone for the rest of the evening and these guys certainly managed to do that just fine. With songs like Hurdy Gurdy and Captain D read, their sound is quite different from the generic picture people usually create with metal, especially the guitar intro to Simon Poons. Certainly a good opening set, and most definitely a band to watch. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Swiftly following these guys were <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ascensionx">Ascension</a>. Once more hailing from my own beautiful county of Bedfordshire. At one point during their set they broke into a metal version of Everybody Dance Now. I have heard many covers done by metal bands over the years, but never a dance track. This absolutely made my day, I actually turned to the person standing next to me (I never did get your name, lovely to meet you) in awe, and said how awesome that cover was. With bass lines to die for, an awesome vocalist, and a sound that made me want to stick them on repeat, you would be stark raving loony if you didn't get on to their facebook page and like them straight away.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIx72xvJt1PsUHwrYX_LnJiYkFUG136JXocEwZggEj-fp_uE4UPlPQk6ZMq4DKYYDiV677sPBPG9oYtiu6cJZINAyYugsj-gGOzgoVVuf5GPStoourwlNaFYsTtyNTwpPaOHLZRkjjm4X/s320/Ascension.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 101px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572506574269533250" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our penultimate band were Hitchin lads<a href="http://www.myspace.com/btmuk"> Brave The Moment</a>. Their set was mind blowingly good. Apparently this was their first gig with their current line up and you would not have thought it in the slightest. Their lead guitarist was wonderful to watch play (also very easy on the eye) and their vocalist rocked harder than a geologists convention on crack. It is a lot harder to scream than people realise, and I was genuinely impressed. In fact, I was nodding my head so forcefully in time to the beat that I’m pretty sure at one point I got whiplash, that was how freakishly addictive they were. I predict these guys will be playing at much bigger venues within the next few years, and you will kick yourself if you don’t go to one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiWJWOi0IJ6jCFjVgDJiSiOZ5jd_pfhfVj3TnJPvBle9OSJJiRE1ths8nEHGV2jms4EB54ZR-Z1EjGkbWBVjv_ODWcUz-Wp5rkbQfwD7g5S0wJbAnYZcuXOmcVIOwMMRPkOrUv1whjUwn/s320/BTM.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572508048546284642" /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And for the finale were <a href="http://www.myspace.com/fallagainstfate">Fall Against Fate</a>. It was an absolute treat to see these guys perform for the first time, after having interviewed them a couple of months back. (The interview is on here, if you want to read about the pillow fights in their underwear!) Walking on to a dimly lit stage, to an incredibly entrancing and hypnotic accompaniment, built an incredibly climatic atmosphere. At this point I was standing pretty close to the front of the stage, so decided to safely retreat to a corner somewhere as I saw several guys, much larger than me, muscle their way to the front of the crowd. This meant only one thing, and the last time I was in a mosh pit, some evil so and so almost broke my nose. I was not having a repeat of that, because casualties, no matter how minor, seriously affect your ability to watch a band play.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fall Against Fate’s entire set was everything I would expect from such dedicated and talented musicians, and more. Their ability to mix the most beautiful, melodic sounds in with killer riffs and strong bass lines is something you do not get from your average mainstream band. Their stage presence, and ability to pump a crowd, is something you would expect to see in bands who have been performing for much longer than a few months. I strongly recommend you go and see them, whether it’s at a local venue now, or a massive arena in years to come. These guys are going places, and are making metal accessible to everyone, everywhere.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y34xNiaKf0fcbgOJo4XuXILRaEzfOG75o9TukeGIOB5LE5ExpOU6ml48AL6zvlzidaMWn1wnXQ2_Cz65xeM9RNxoEghxkhsugMwmZ_wniW6xgB7FONhQCNTGoznPz7ZpWMrM7CJOq3Vr/s320/Fall+Against+Fate+%25282%2529.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572506582539043234" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I always judge how good a gig is by how much I need to go out and smoke during a bands set. I didn’t have to go out all night (apart from between bands) so kudos to you all. I was wonderfully impressed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So if you think any of the above bands sound like your cup of tea, then head on over to their myspace pages. The links are here for you so you don’t even have to do any of the hard work. If you really like what you hear, then add them on facebook, and if you don’t trust my opinion (tut tut) then head on down to one of their gigs yourself, and make up your own mind. Metal is making a massive comeback, so you can either sit on the sidelines and wave as it passes you by, or jump on up and try crowd surfing. I hear it’s fun. </div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-8452345584978712452011-02-08T15:36:00.000-08:002011-02-08T15:39:54.941-08:00Where there’s a Crib, there’s a way<div>I’ve always wondered if it is just me who associates certain songs (or a certain genre of music) to memories, or past events, people and places. They can be both good and bad associations. For example, all I can really remember listening to from the age of seven to eleven, were The Spice Girls. I suppose that’s typical of a 90’s child. Then my father introduced to me to Dire Straits and the musical genius that is Mark Knopffler. Listening to Brothers In Arms for the first time was like awakening from a coma; everything I was hearing was so new and fascinating. Now, whenever I think of my dad, that album always comes to mind. Sub consciously of course, I’m not a total weirdo. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am currently going through bad associations. I cannot listen to The Cribs without wanting to stab someone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately for me this is socially unacceptable. But until I find a way to remove only certain songs from my iPod without wiping the entire thing, my soothing solution is to quickly put on some Iron and Wine, or if I’ve had a million cups of coffee, some Tim Minchin. </div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I love Tim, it really is not the best idea to listen to him on a commute to London at 9am. British people are prudes by nature, and do not really appreciate having someone uncontrollably laughing with hysterics sitting next to them. Especially if they can faintly hear the lyrics to a ‘Peace Song for Palestine’ coming out of your headphones. Not exactly PC is Tim. Trying to suppress a laugh mid flow is even worse. You know when you do that bent over double act, and your face squishes up tight. Not exactly the most attractive thing commuters want to see just after they’ve eaten breakfast. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am hoping, however, that this is merely a phase I am going through, and will end pretty quickly. The Cribs are an amazing band and I seriously want to have their metaphorical babies. Move over Kate Nash. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saying that though, I still can’t listen to Ash without wanting to throw up (some real bad memories there), and that’s almost been four years. This hasn’t actually been a tragic loss, and is a blow that I have actually embraced, more than anything, with open arms. To lose The Cribs however, would mean that one of the only British Indie bands that I genuinely appreciate would be missing from my life, and I just cannot allow that. </div><div><br /></div><div>My long term solution: deleting them from my iPod would be like stabbing my own eyes with a fork, and then pouring salt into the wounds. Instead I intend to force myself to listen to them until I have re - associated them with different memories; ones that don’t potentially involve being arrested for GBH. I am not, by nature, a violent person.</div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543412478117972986.post-30565079846939873152011-02-08T01:06:00.001-08:002011-02-08T01:27:38.607-08:00A Little Bit of Metal Never Hurt Anyone<div style="text-align: justify;">I thought I’d never live to see the day I’d say this, but, ladies and gents, metal is making a comeback. Slowly creeping in from across the pond with bands such as We Came As Romans and Periphery, the metal scene is spreading it’s wings across Blighty’s shores. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fall Against Fate, Hertfordshire’s answer to Slayer (though they’d probably protest if I told them that), are an awesome up and coming metal band. With epic intro’s, crazy guitar riffs, and a beat that would make even David Cameron dive head first into a mosh pit, these are a band that you definitely need to keep your eye on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I caught up with Tom Saunders and Paul Wood a few months ago, Fall Against Fate’s two guitarist’s, to see what they had to say on making it big in the industry; government cuts to Higher Education; Toni and Guy haircuts; and pillow fights in their underwear. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">H</span>i guys, nice to meet you both, so Fall Against Fate is a catchy name.Tell me a bit more about yourselves, how did you all meet?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>It started as a mess around with myself and a few friends. Eventually we realised we wanted this to be more than a mess around, so we introduced a vocalist and started jamming. Since then we have had a hell of a lot of line up changes, whether it be down to commitment issues or simply loss of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>interest; we have lost members and gained members. But we have finally found a solid line<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>up that produces the exact sound we have been searching for. I met Paul whilst on tour with Versus Akira. I met Ross (vocals) from College (we were on the same course together) I met Dave (drums) through Ross. Lewis (bass) has been my best friend for many years now, he was there from the beginning also.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I joined just as Versus Akira were splitting up...the line-up at the time wasn't<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>great, but I could see what Tom was trying to do and that there was loads of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>potential.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>It sounds like you’re all pretty close…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>We are all really close now </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>me and tom = endless banter, god knows what it's gonna be like on our next tour. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I hate Paul. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>haha, we'd give you a few examples, but they're not very PC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>But I LOVE non PC!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>lmao, trust me I wouldn't wanna get sued</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Haha alright, so are you all students? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Me and Dave are…Tom’s just finished a music tech qualification.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Dave is a student at Guildford, I just finished a National Diploma in Music Technology. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>You’re all dotted around the place, that must make life quite difficult….</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Well, it’s basically me that’s far away </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Leeds is a bit of a trekk Paul, no offence…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Haha none taken</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Myself, Lewis and Ross all live in Watford. Dave travels back from Guildford every week for a practise. We usually practise 2 or 3 times a week, and Paul hails from Luton, so once he comes back we just trade off <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>each other, as we have near enough the same studio set up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Amy, being as wise as she is, at this point, chose not to bring up the Watford Vs Luton rivalry that seems to have been going on since the dawn of time…)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>That’s pretty awesome, not a lot of bands can say that they are that finely tuned to each others wants and needs, how long has your current line up been together?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Not long! Tom?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Around 3 months now I feel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Yeah, I think that’s about right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>We've been out of action for a year. We wanted to take a time out and "re vamp" the band, people weren’t pulling their weight, lack of committed<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>etc... as I mentioned earlier. We had a vision of what we wanted the band to be like, and we have now achieved that I think.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>You guys are so far from the mainstream acts that are around at the moment, where are you getting all this inspiration from?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Yeah we are highly influenced by the American scene. It's extremely refreshing. Bands such as: We Came As Romans, August Burns Red, Woe, Is Me, Blessthefall, Chiodos, Miss May I, Volumes, Periphery. A lot of the bands are slowly becoming our friends also which is rad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I love Woe Is Me, and how they use electronic sounds on top of riffs similar to ours, we haven't gone in that direction with the electronic <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>layers... Yet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I think the main issue the majority of people have with metal is that it isn’t what you would call easy listening. Would you agree?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Yeah definitely, it's a bit of a stumbling point, but that's easily overcome with a bit of thought. We try and keep a sense of groove in our song writing. Metal's such a huge genre, there's a lot of bands i'd say are easy to listen to, but it's a case of finding them or having a friend introduce you to ‘em.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I personally got into metal and more heavier music due to the excitement it I filled with, there are build ups, massive epic drops and changes that you just can't get in some music. Like you wouldn't have a dance track suddenly drop into a massive beatdown. BUT you would have a massive beatdown drop into an electronic/dance section, and it works. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>That sounds amazing! But, I hear you’ve managed to sell your EP’s to Tesco’s, tell me more…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Haha, yeah, every little helps…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>We got our first physical USA release out for this record. We managed to get it sold in a Target store in the USA. The first "batch" sold out within the first day which was so overwhelming for us personally.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>And you aren’t signed…?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Nope.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>You’re doing this all by yourself?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Indeed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Guys, you have just inspired hundreds of people struggling in bands <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>out there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>It's surprised me how many places a band can get their stuff into, without being signed to a major record label.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>So what advice would you give to a non - mainstream band trying to make it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I'd say be happy with your sound, no matter how long it takes before you show it off at shows and on CDs etc. It was hard for us, but i don't think we'd be anywhere near as happy with how we're sounding if we'd just 'made do' with where we were going, say, 6 months ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>It takes work and patience and time. If you just keep on pushing your band and finding new original ways of pushing your band then you WILL get noticed. Don't just think an email will do it, companies have phones for reasons, use them, they can't run away from you when you're on the phone to them or face to face with them in their office.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Love it!!! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Yeah. We scrapped so many tracks, must have re written the drums like 4 times, edited guitar riffs loads, wrote tonnes of vocals…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>And I am so loving the drums, especially on the intro’s, I find intro’s really make or break a song.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Me and tom worked on the drums for probably the last 13 months haha…Dave is also a beast for carrying that into our live shows.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>And I’m pretty sure every female reader is now imagining his wonderfully toned </div><div style="text-align: justify;">forearms…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Hahaha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Hahaha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I’m pretty sure Dave’s single…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tom:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>He’s pretty much nothing but forearm…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>There you go ladies, forget rugby players, drummers are now in. I think everyone always assumes metal is just bands with long, greasy hair, showing off their riff skills…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Haha oh god no, it’s not like that. Nah, we are endorsed by Toni and Guy haha, I think that says it all. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I think we are all loving the sound of that. But Paul, being at university yourself, how do you think the government’s plans to cut Higher Education will effect the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>nation?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>It's gonna cripple the nation. They seem to be doing everything they can to tell people they were good for the country this election term but this will show itself over the next generation, when labour or whoever else is in power and then we'll be lacking higher-level workers, and moaning once again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>You’re definitely not wrong there. And final question, what do you all do for funsies?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>I hang out with Tom and Lewis a lot. Ross and Dave are new, so I don’t know them as well, but they seem sound. I stay over at Lewis’ a lot, so <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre">typical </span>guy sleepover stuff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amy:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Pillow fights in your underwear? *raises eyebrows*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paul:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span>Hahaha…no comment</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well you heard it here first guys. Fall Against Fate has several tbc gigs lined up for 2011, so get on their Myspace, Facebook and Twitter to check out their latest events, buy some merchandise or even just to say hi. You can even buy their EP at Tesco’s online, Itunes, or even Spotify them. You’d be crazy not to miss out on this wonderful up and coming band, definitely keep your eyes on them in the next few years. </div><div><br /></div>Love. Music. Laugh.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11795470401741177094noreply@blogger.com1