The Future... again

I've been reading some interesting articles this morning and in my blogging frenzy I've decided that it'd be quite nice to have some sort of plan for the coming year or two. I have no idea how much I can realistically manage, but here it goes:

Jan - June - Keep working at the IFPI untill my placement is all done, then leave a bit early and...

June - Sept - go somewhere and do something! Not sure what yet, could be backpacking round europe, hitching across the states, working in the rainforest, an internship in Canada, Austrailia or New Zealand, 3 months out of this country to really experience a something new.

Sept - Oct - Back to brum, find somewhere to live with the coolest people, find people to make the best band in the world.

Oct - April - Finish my degree, work hard and do well, might as well get a decent degree here!

April - November - all about the band! Get a part time job to keep me in the money while working hard everyday to get the band off the ground (members will be important) If the band isn't doing too well then focus on the promotions, if that's also not going well, then move to Cornwall during the summer monthes and rent a place with my friends. All get part-time jobs and party on the beach everyday!

November - March - if band is looking hopefull then tour. If not, then Ski season! 5 months in the snow with a board on my feet and a bar to keep me in money.

March - ermm.... realise I have no money left, move back in with my dad? Or realise I have no money, crash on someones floor untill I find a job - that sounds like a good plan.

so that'd be March 1012 - we'll all be dead then!

Blogger

Is for people with Babies.

I clicked the 'next blog' link about 10 times just now. 8 of these were baby blogs, 1 was a pregnancy blog, and one was a teaching blog. Clearly the cool kids are on tumblr. I don't really know why, but I'm gunna keep blogging away because I like it here - tumblr seems to be for quick links and pics, not big ass holiday stories or vague rantings.

Who do you think I am?

The top layers may be transparent, but that doesn't mean you can see the bottom.

Sam scares me sometimes...

New York part 4

DAY 9

Black friday - the day after Thanksgiving is well known for it's sales. We'd found this out earlier in the week, and to make the most of this, we saved all our shopping money till then. It's not the most exciting day, but I enjoyed it a lot! Two pairs of shoes, red/black/white Nike highs and Black/White Reeboks Highs, a pair of Levis, chocolate, cuddly toys, another pair of shoes from a secondhand shop White/lime Nike Highs and a brand new snowboard! At 70% off I really couldn't say no! I knew I'd have to pay an extra $50 on the flight back, but with all the other stuff I bought I would've ended up paying that anyway, it's a good thing my tee-s all fitted in the box with the board as my bag was full of shoes!

When we got back after an interesting metro ride home we dumped the stuff got some food and met up with the Uni guys from the night before. After a quickie in the local we headed back out to Brooklyn again, Barcade and Crocodile bar and Union Pool were all hit, before heading back to jump in the hot tub again. But oh no! The tub was out of action - so back down to the local to finish the last night of our trip in style and in comfort. Having picked up a few of the others from the hostel, and met more in the bar it was a pretty rowdy night of giggles.

Sandwhich and bed.

DAY 10

Our last day in NY, and we were feeling lazy, so we headed out to brooklyn, checked out a skate shop with a half pipe, and a massive (but too chic for us) secondhand store. Then we grabbed milkshakes and cookies and headed to the river shore again. While it was painfully cold and hard-to-stand windy it was good to say goodbye to Manhattan. It's an amazing place to be - if you've never been I seriously recomend it! Meeting up quickly with the girl from Santos we hit one last secondhand store and got another pair of Nike Highs (all white) then headed back to the hostel to chillax before the flight. Chilling and watching Anchorman - what better way to relax.

And then we went home...

I love NY and will be going back at some point, soon I hope!

Sam has fun 2

*meh
*im not in the mood for messing
*ive been up all night barfing
Teh-Rawr says:
*I can tell!
Sam V says:
*and ive shit myself twice.

Sam has fun

Sam V says:
*..
*i've pooped two pairs of boxers man!
*what a good day
Teh-Rawr says:
*actually pooped yourself?
Sam V says:
*TWICE!
*rolled over in my sleep on two seperate occasions
*thought it was fart.
*thought it was safe.
*BAM
*wet bung hole
Teh-Rawr says:
*brrruuuuuutal

New York Part 3

DAY 6 tuesday

Today was the first day we really explored Williamsberg. A real haven of arty types, hippys and hipsters. This place is cooler than cool, it's fuckin' Ice Cold! Seriously though, the shops here are not like anywhere else I've seen, everything is made in some super cool ethically perfect warehouse nearby, it's all done with a great little attitude. There's secondhand stores, book shops, and the cutest little places, with the cutest little waitresses and the cutest little cakes! It's all good there, and a fair bit cheaper than manhattan - good times :)

In the evening we headed out to the saosin show - couple of local(ish) supports, but including Inner Party System who do impress, but from our lovely comfy seats we can see the sound guy doing additional vocals and effects - which makes you wonder how much of what's going on is actually the band... Soasin were the only band I cared about though, and from the get go they were on fire. Tune after tune of awesome guitar licks and just perfect vocals, these guys are pro. An amazing encore is a great ending as well, epic repeated climaxes, finishing on 'They sit...' A real rock song that just makes you move. And then the second encore, for some reason the drummer doesn't re-appear so the bassist switches over as they improves crazy brutal hardcore and metal shiz then shred their asses off, after a few repeats the singer comes back out to growl and scream like some demented slayer fan. It's all a bit retarded, but fuck me does it make you feel good to be there with them - it was a real special show!

Back to the local and then off to bed :)

DAY 7 weds

So from our lovely barman at the Local, we head of to Coney Island to check out the fairground rides but specifically looking for the freakshow - a collection of screwed up people who can do freaky stuff, just like you'd ecpect really. It sounded pretty sweet so off we went on the epic metro ride south. About three trains later we come to Coney island - the metro trundles along by the sea front giving a great view of the amusments. It looked a little quiet, but we didn't expect much for a drizzly day in autumn. But when we get out of the station it tells a different story. Big fences, tarpaulin over all the rides, half dismantled go-carts and parts along with the grim weather and total lack of people makes us feel like horry movie victims. Through the centre of the park, between the abandoned rollercoaster, the stationary big wheel and the deserted dodg'ems we wander... finding a few gems. Live human paintball shooting looks awesome and the old rickety pier is worthy of a quick stroll. Still, the place is somewhat lacking in actual content so we grab a quick (vile) coffee and head towards manhattan.

Stopping off to get directions on the way we head to a fabled Bikini bar. Pretty simple concept, it's a bar, where the barmaids are all females in bikinis. There's a stage with a pole at the far end, but it's hardly made the most of. The girls are friendly enough, or greedy for tips, either way the conversation is a bit awkward, but we discover that all the girls there are eastern european. It's not long before we're questioning how much of this place is a front for a brothel. Mmmm easter european sex slaves, how far we've come in the last 100 years!

Finally we're off to check out shimmys, or chavys, or slippys or something like that. It's Andrew W.K.s club, a door in a wall and a room with a shouty indy(ish) band. It all looks like they spent a lot of time making it look cool but it mostly looked like the standard rock bar in every city in the world. At least it didn't try to be be Irish! The band were good, but finished not long after we arrived, and the DJ, and 'contest' were a bit pants. It was all pretty quiet thanks to thnksgiving so we'll forgive it that. We met some cool people there, and ended up getting an uber late night maccies.

A good day, if a little slower paced than normal - skipped the local, and went to bed.

DAY 8 thurs

Thanksgiving! Wooo! So we went to see the parade, and saw many giant things floating in the sky! There was a pikachu, and mickey mouse, a Dora the Explorer and some more! It was quite interesting while there, not so great to talk about though! So from timesqaure we went north to central park, stopping off in the Time Warner centre which is just a mall, but we bummed out in the samsung experience stealing plays on games and decks and sequencers. We even figured out how to work some of them! Back outside and into central park again, it was a good day for a wander, sunny but still bloody chilly! we looked at the ice rink, and nice as it would've been to go, (romantic too) it was a bloody rip-off so we bailed and headed to the Zoo.

The zoo was pretty awesome, we saw sea-lions dancing, polar bears snoozing and snow-leopards falling down hills. There are many cute animals in zoos, so it's always worth a quick look. Small, but cheap this zoo seems very new york - focusing on the biggest and best stuff out there. Red Pandas are dead cute little things as well! I still need to see a real panda though. Best bit of it though, you get a free ticket to the kids zoo next door, so in we wandered to see turtles and bunnies, goats and pigs. Lols were had hiding in wooden rabbits and trying to squeeze into a turtle shell. If only we were 10 years younger maybe we wouldn't have looked so weird!

We headed back to the hostel to take advantage of some free thanksgiving food, which was in fact awesome. Not much in the way of veg, so pure turkey it was! We met a lot of people around the table that day, including a few guys from a uni upstate somewhere, One a british guy, and two german girls, a Danish guy doing god knows what everywhere he could, another brit traveling the world giving out hugs (hug it on/hug it through - something like that - pretty cool concept really, raising money via hugging!), a chap from easter europe (I forget where) and a simply gorgeous french girl studying down south who was doing something in NY. After diner and much talking we make a move down to the local where we discuss many things and bump into a rather delightful austrailian chap. After quite a few drinks a few of us, head back to take advantage of the hostel hot-tub. It's really quite fantasic to be chilling in New York, in a hot tub with friendly people. Even better still when the cute french girl jumps in next to you in her undies!

They say the greatest things in life are free. They're not wrong! Bed!

New York Part 2

DAY 4 sunday

Ok, so after much confusion we worked out what we did on sunday! We went into manhattan again, wandered about a bit trying to find the rather obvious Rockefella building - the second tallest building in New York. We were told it was cheaper and better than the empire state, and it sure proved to be one hell of a view! It almost hurts when you realise how huge that city is. So many thousands of people everywhere you look. And beyond the island, the sprawling masses of brooklyn, queens and the bronx just blow your mind. In each tiny chunk of this huge city there's uncountable stories, possible a person you could spend the rest of your life with - on every block! It's amazing how much you can see, central park strectching out to the north, and downtown, and the business district to the south.

We did a lot of walking today, like most days really, but this one was definately heavy on the feet! After some cool photo taking and a quick wander around Bloomingdales, where I felt less welcome than a brick through the window we headed back home.

We wandered to the local, looking for a good place to go on a sunday night, and got the recomendation to head to williamsberg again and look for a place called the black beauty. We never found it, but luckily we did find another bar, with live comedy. After the first guy made us laugh a lot, and called me a music snob (he was staring at me so much during his whole rant!) the host killed the mode a bit, and introduced number two, who had a few good jokes but few and far between - He was called Jermaine, but wasn't the jackson. Then the host bombed a bit again and introduced a fat beardy indian bloke who seemed to think being a fat beardy indian was enough to be funny. He told lame stories of being a fat beardy indian and his fat beardy indian dad, and fat indian (and probably beardy ) mum. The only laughs he got were when he improvised some shit about a lightbulb or talked about how lame his material was. I'm sure there's plenty funny fat beardy indians out there - pity he wasn't one.

Still, we left in a good mood, and decided to hit the Kellog diner, 24hours of glorious junk food and fat people. Scarily filled with ultra hip scenesters with fake fur and huge glasses, these kids seemed to be rebelling against the revolution and going back to commercial meat eating bastardry! Long live the revolution revolution!

Then we went home for some sleep :)

DAY 5 monday

Today we put on our tourist hats - wish I'd put my fluffy one on though, it was damn chilly where we went! Into Manhattan again and southewards he headed, to hop out at the bottom of the brooklyn bridge. We wander back and forth across this a bit, more of a photo bit this, so have a look on facebook :) Needless to say, it's damn cool and New York is very picturesque from a distance!

From there, past the big ass law courts, and the city hall, we wandered through the financial district down past ground zero, which is now nothing more than a building site, to Wall Street, which is dissapointingly secure and won't let two scrappy brits in for a nose about. But it's a cool area to check out, with a big ole' George Washington to chill with. Heading on south some more we got to our destination, the Statton Island Ferry.

Saying goodbye to manhattan as we drifted past the Statue Of Liberty, the big green lady looking rather dull in the grey light of the day. A reasonable trip over, but we're hungry, so we take a stroll into the ghetto of Statton Island looking for somewhere safe to eat. After dodging some pleasant looking italian places we come across the worst looking (and best)Taco Bell I've ever seen. And we get some meaty sludge with far too much cream cheese in a squishy yellow packet. All in all, a real American meal!

Back on the ferry, and it's dark now, which makes the trip so much better. Seeing the reflection of manhattans light in the water ahead of us is just awe inspiriing. If there's one thing I say you have to do while you're there - do this! It's a truly beautiful sight! At this point we helped out a couple of portuguese girls with some photos, in return for some photos of us, looking suitably moody of course. After a bit of fun, and some great photos by pro-photographer scott we're back on land and in search of a warm drink with our new friends. Due to an alarming lack of Starbucks, we resort to beers (and coke) in a bar, where we drink and are merry. From here we walk back up wall street for more photos and hi-jinks, back past ground zero where say goodbye to the girls. From here we head to Times Square. Another pretty amazing site - it's as bright as day there, with the stupid amounts of lights all around you. The shops are lavish and expensive, with a concentration on being fun, not practical considering the sheer amounts of people that are there! A Bite to eat in Maccies (it's better and cheaper here) and a few laps of the square and we dive into Toys-R-Us, one with a ferris wheel, transformer and dinosaur in! A few gifts later and we're heading home again, back to the local for beer and sandwhichs

oh and bed :)

New York

What we did like...

DAY 1

Wake up with a boy in my bed :S lounge around and pack shit up - get excited, sit on the tube for ages getting from one side of london to the other. Get on a plane and sit on that for ages getting from one side of the planet to the other. Arrive in New York, get shocked by everything around us! Massive cars, and no signs for anything anywhere mean we feel lost. After a couple of metro transfers through some dodgy looking places we arrive, in a dodgy looking place! It's dark, there may be grues, there sure is a lot of run down looking brooklyn around us. No lights, not many windows... But we wander the way we've been directed, seeing a graffiti'd up car with slashed tires and some massive freaking trucks! Finally we find a door in a wall that says 'New York Loft' and wander in. Surprisingly it's a super nice hostel, not the crack den it looked like! After dumping the gear we wander back down towards the hostel looking for a bar that we're told exists. And sure it does! You just can't see it, because the sign is tiny, and the door is covered by a curtain.

But hell, in we go - and it's a really sweet little hipster bar. Artwork on the walls and music from who-ever got the iPod on first. It's small and dark, but warm and friendly and we meet Ben - who should write a book for lame-ass tourists like us, he sure filled enough napkins with places and things to see! After a couple there, and a little chat with some locals we head out to the next closest bar. It's cool, but not as cool. We end up in the corner shop buying the most awesome sandwhich you can imagine. It's just freakin' rammed with food!

Then - sleep :)

DAY 2

Today we have no real plans, so he head to Manhattan, hop out at Union Square and grab a starbucks. We get talked to by a man, then wander into bestbuy where Scott breaks a drumkit and I break a bass guitar. Then off we trot - not sure which way, down broadway, towards Houston... maybe. Got Pizza, saw shops, resisted shoes! We grabbed milkshakes too big to fit in the glass so they gave us the mixer as well! Then wandered soho way, found a small park with a big arch and saw probably the best buskers of the week. Double bass, 5 backing singers and a lead singer, awesome harmonies, and a great jazzy feel. A quick stop in a classic rock bar, then up 5th for a bit and we were on the way home.

Back to the local for couple and we're told Williamsberg is the place to be - so back on the train a couple stops west and we're in the another bit of Brooklyn - as Scott liked to say "winhamsvillton" where we found the bar with the free pizza (crocodile longue) the bar with the arcade games (barcade - get it!) where we spent many quarters on games we sucked at and finally the bar with the pool (Union pool) except the pool was filled, but it still had a campfire and gig room with elctro and a taco van. Two tacos later and many awkward conversations later we wander our way back home, praising the all night metro!

and Bed! :)

DAY 3

Thanks to some lady on the plane, today we got up 'early' and headed to Grand Central station - after gawping a bit too long and missing the train we got another fatass sandwhich and headed off an hour later to the home of Yale university - a town called New Haven. We were told that 'the game' was being played (Yale Vs Harvard) so the town would be full of partying students! We arrived and walked into the town, following the randomly placed and more randomly direction signs to Yale uni campus, where we tried to look smart but failed. Then we found out we'd missed the game, and were still miles from the stadium. Oh well, they'll all be coming back to party! So we follow some undressed blue people untill they all dissappear into various halls and dorms, asking a few people where the party is, and getting a dissapointing "what party? I'm studying tonight" responce. We soon decided that American uni students are too fucking lame to party, so headed back into town to find anywhere that would be fun. Finally a shitty sports bar appears, and tolerating the stench of bbq sauce we head in for a drink.

And it's here we meet Mike. Now Mike was both the best and worst thing about the night. Providing us with retarded promises of chicks up north, and dumb schemes of how to get there, but also helping keep us amused while underage americans had diner with their parents. From sports bar to pizza bar, to tequila bar (where I buy the boys the gayest cocktails the waitress can make! And I have a virgin Mohito(sp) which looks less gay, but sounds more) we party hard in here, tequila shots for all(ish) then head out again. One last irish bar, for one last drink - we're getting scared Mike will kidnapp us by this point! and we think we left without paying by accident - it was mikes round!

Part way down the road and we find a library that has ciabatta for $1 and after much confusion, scott discovers that just ciabatta is not pronounced see-a-batty and that he wants a sandwhich with ham. After poking some drunk chick in the face, without blinding her (a miracle considering he couldn't walk straight!) and yelling at an escaping piece of ham ("Fuck you ham! Get back in my sandwhich now!") we start to head home. Mike asks for money to get, so we run, but not before I notice a really nice looking jazz bar with live music... fuck you mike!

We bump into some girls in that station from the pizza bar, they're heading to brooklyn too, but seating means conversation sucks on the train, and they're all soon asleep, leaving me to work out the riddle on the poster. (5 hats, 3 blue, 2 green, 3 people in a line. The one at the back is asked to say what colour they are wearing and doesn't know, then the middle one is asked and doesn't know, and the one at the front shouts out! What colour do they call out?) and we head home (via the local) for bed :)

I will continue writing this later :)

Please comment :)

looking back

Well, I just went through my old blogs a bit, pretty interesting if you ask me.

A few things I noticed.

1) sam is now my bestest best fwend - not just some guy I go pulling with
2) Forx is still awesome
3) I'm a lot more obsessed with girls than I was - I blame girls.
4) I'm not in the most awesome band in the world anymore - because I moved
5) I still don't write my blog enough!
6) I need to write up some new york shiz (more for me than you fools!)

I still wish more people read this on my blog, not facebook - then they'd see the uber cool tags I put in...

I know no-one listens but here's some bands I like at the moment

Saosin - amazing live
Circa Survive - just amazing
Sounds of Animals fighting - unspeakably amazing
Brand New - you should know how I feel about them by now
Don Bronco - british goodness
Deaf Havanna - more so
Fei Comodo
Dividing the Line
Proceed
We Butter The Bread With Butter
HORSE the band
iwrestledabearonce
rolo tomassi
genghis tron

and... sad to say it, but the BMTH remix album is really good!

Sexism in Rock

Is bullshit.

And if you think there is - you're wrong.

I've never played in a band that has been exclusively male, that fact the every performer has been a guy is only a reflection of the people available. If more girls played guitar (and I mean actually played guitar, not just had a pretty acoustic in the corner of their room) then I'm sure more girls would be in bands. It's a pretty simple link to make. Oh, and the same goes for racism, I don't give a shit where someone is from, who they are, what they do, so long as they're cool and can play their damn instrument properly.

In fact I've been in bands with Iranians, Asians, Greeks, the Welsh, Girls, Christians, Jews, Germans, Lesbians, Gays, Fat people, I'm even combining a few stereo types recently with a new project with an Asian Lesbian on guitar.

And guess what! It doesn't matter at all, she does her job and is cool. Nothing else to it.

People who like music don't care who make it - if it's genuine and makes you nod your head then that's all that matters.

And girls - if I hear you bitching about how hard it is for a girl in rock music, take a second and think whether if it's any harder for you than anyone else. And if I hear you bitching about how few girls there are, then I have only one question for you. What do you play?

Side note:

Emo songs about who evil girls are - I'll admit there's a fair few songs about girls that have broken boys hearts, but I'm sure the same is true for the other way around, plus the amount of shitty TV shows and films that put boys in the role of evil bastard more than makes up for it! Everyone hurts after a break up, I guess these guys just have the talent to get paid to sing about it!

Smile folks - music is made to be enjoyed :)

another daily playlist :)

spotify:user:terrorvision101:playlist:6WRu0aGu6wyT51w8fiverY

pop punk, hardcore, nintendocore, adhd metalcore, hardcore, emo, alt-rock

I love my music :)

and no paramore today! (yet :P)

Yes

So sometimes, I think to myself - my life is awesome!

I love what I do, I love my friends, I love my housemates, I love music, and dancing and girls.

I don't like my sleepy head right now, but sleep will cure that.

Bring it on baby ;)

props to my homeboys (lol)

Clush - comment and be proven to have no life

http://open.spotify.com/user/terrorvision101/playlist/6WRu0aGu6wyT51w8fiverY

here's what I'm listening to today :)

also, if you're on last.fm add me terrorvision101 as usual. There you can see how much I love brand new and paramore!

Go see some bands people :P

broken(lol)cyde

I don't really know where to start with these new bands. Part of me feels like I'm just missing out on a big joke, but the rest of me thinks that these really are the morons they appear to be.

And do you who I blame? - The girls that support this shit.

This music is made by kids with no talent, but the desire to be 'scene' now if you know my views on scene you'll how retarded that is. So my advice, let this wave of shit die down - it can't last long.

I've also come to realise that there's two types of scene kids. There's the ones who are in it to be cool - they'll go to the clubs, and you might see them at a few of the big shows, always sporting the most appropriate tees, and the most elaborate hair. These are the ones that are still listening to MyChem everyday rather than branching out into greater musical reaches. There's even a few that have downloaded every song they could find from every band they've ever seen on a t-shirt - but are stuck listening to metrostation and 3OH!3 because they can sing along.

Then there's the ones who are really into the music. The dress is a little more subtle, and there's clearly less effort involved, but these are the ones that are listening to music all day, the ones that go to the little shows, and the ones that will drive hours to go see a bunch of little bands playing a shed in some dive town. The community with these people is incredible - and I love being a part of it.

Epic Post!

It seems to me that those that like metal often tend to be depressed people. Now I'm not stupid enough to take that to mean that the music has that much of an effect on the person. But more that the music may be a reaction of the person, away from the norm that they are not happy with.

People who do not feel they fit in, use the music as an escape, and the subculture to find more people that are similar situations.

Of course, there is no problem with this in principle, but the problem arrises when you have the patients nursing the patients. While the unity may be there, the support structure is made up of people who need support themselves. This can only lead to bad places. With so many people on anti-depressants these days how can it be that anyone is really happy?

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that by grouping together they may be making it worse for themselves - certainly, some of the shit that arrises when you mix two people that are fucked up together is spectacular.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying all people that like metal (or emo or whatever) are depressed, nor that everyone who is on anti-depressants is fucked up. Just saying, it's an interesting subculture, a trap into which too many people fall into.

On another note:

Have some respect people!

I know that bitching happens, and it's actually a healthy way to vent about someone without having an arguement. But it's when people start fucking others over that I get annoyed. Don't ditch your mates, don't sleep with you ex's mates, don't start a fight over nothing, and don't go stirring. If two people have a fight, listen to them bitch and moan, try to make them feel better, try to sort it out if you want. But don't go feeding the fire by telling the people what horrible things the other has said.

Think about the consequences of your actions, and think of how it would feel to have the same happen to you.

I just want people to be happy!

BTW - I apologise for everytime I've failed to empathise with someone, I know there have been occasions that I've done things that have screwed a friend over. My humblist apologies, I'll do my best not to do it again!

And on another other note:

Hollywood has ruined our expectations of life. Everyone wants to have a happily ever after, a group of friends that will never leave, a BFF, an amazing career as a rock star/secret agent. And it's simply unreasonable, no-one actually leads the lives portrayed in movies, and no-one believe that they do. But they implant in us, at a young age, the idea, the hope that our lives could someday be like that. It stays with us for life - and if you're lucky, it feeds your ambitions and helps to drive you forward. But for others it provides a very unfair comparison to their own lives.

Comparing your own life to a film is like comparing a pebble to a sausage. There are some loose similarities (they both weigh an amount, both can be thrown at a duck) but beyond that there's no point. So how about you compare your life with your own life. Weigh up the positives and negatives, realise what you have got, and appreciate it. Remember the silver lining, all you need to do is reframe things in order for them to become a positive influence in your life.

So, stop think how inadequate your life is, reverse that frame and look at how awesome it is really. Stop sulking - it's ungrateful :P

And finally:

I'm up in brum this weekend, early finish at work, on the train, then off to play games and chill out with the best friends a guy could ask for. Then to anarchy, where I will see so many more people, people I love and care for each in different ways. I will be in my element, with great music, great friends and great dance moves ;)

Saturday will be spent eating filthy greasy breakfast, maybe getting my lip peirced and seeing all the people I don't get to in the evenings - there's a few that are high on this list! Then, at the crazy early time of 5 I'll be heading off to see a crazy amount of crazy metal bands playing crazy metal songs with my crazy metal friend (yes he's a robot) Then I'll be whipping out the costume for a night of more friends, more tunes, and more moves.

I can't wait, and I hope to see as many of you out as possible. You should all know how to get in touch, even my mobile number is on my facebook page!

Be happy people :D I am :P

I need someone to go on holiday with!

I have days I can take, and money enough to go somewhere nice, I just don't have anyone to go with with! Ideally I'd like to go snowboarding, but I'm up for most things

So if any of you are cool enough and rich enough to wanna go on holiday with me let me know :)

Looking at 1 week at most, maybe just a long weekend - not more than £400/£500 for the trip (not including spending obvs)

Yeah - lets go somewhere cool.

150 things to do before 30

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink XXX
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain XXX
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone XXX
08. Said “I love you” and meant it XXX
09. Hugged a tree XXX
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise XXX
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars XXX
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger XXX
30. Had a snowball fight XXX
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can XXX
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse XXX
34. Ridden a roller coaster XXX
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and didn’t care who was looking XXX
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment XXX
39. Had two hard drives for your computer XXX
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk XXX
42. Had amazing friends XXX
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country XXX
44. Watched whales XXX
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip XXX
48. Gone rock climbing XXX
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach XXX
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland XXX
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow XXX
56. Alphabetized your CDs XXX
57. Pretended to be a superhero XXX
58. Sung karaoke XXX
59. Lounged around in bed all day XXX
60. Played touch football XXX
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain XXX
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain XXX
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business XXX
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites XXX
70. Taken a martial arts class XXX
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight XXX
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party XXX
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo XXX
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on a television news program as an “expert”
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage XXX
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music XXX
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date XXX
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents XXX
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold XXX
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country XXX
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking with the windows open
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived XXX
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray XXX
110. Broken someone’s heart XXX
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone XXX
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears XXX
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol XXX
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild XXX
118. Ridden a horse XXX
119. Had major surgery XXX
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States XXX
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi XXX
128. Had your picture in the newspaper XXX
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about XXX
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read XXX
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream XXX
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care XXX
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair XXX
147. Been a DJ XXX
148. Shaved your head XXX
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life XXX

Bit of a geeky list, but there's some good ones in there that I haven't done yet, looking forward to ticking some of them off!

This kind of thing makes you think about your life somewhat, and what you want to do, where you want to go. At some point this year I want to go see the Northern Lights, (there's a big ad for them in the tube stations!) and after uni I want to go study in the US, not sure how yet, but I'll work it out. After that, it's time to tour the world - although at some point I'll be joining the band that gets me touring and playing music. Hopefully before I'm too old to do so. There's so much to do in this world, I think my biggest fear is missing it all. If I could see even 1/100th of this planet I'd be happy!

Here's to ambition!

MUSIC -

Confide
As Cities Burn
Paramore
Brand New
Don Bronco
Fei Comodo
Blakfish
Bats
The Monroe Effect
Bane
Deaf Havana
Secret and Whisper

because I'm getting old and want to feel young

things I do want for my birthday

Hats! You all know I love them!
Shoes - Nike Hi-tops all the way there
Stretchers - I'm still down a 10mm taper, but I should have that soon (unless ebay people are lying bastards) so I'll have 2 18mm holes, and 2 8mm I like metal tunnels, but if you want to be more fun, go for it.
I like books, but don't go to waterstones, grab a sneaky deal at a secondhand bookshop ;)
ACCESSORIES! I'm a big girl at heart, so phat accesorises make my smile. Stupid scene necklaces probably won't get worn, but belt buckles, bandanas and hats are good. I don't wear stuff on my wrist much, but a nice watch would be cool, doubt anyone can afford that though! I think I'd have to be with you as well, my tastes are undefinable.
Guitar related goodies! Picks, Strings, straps, leads, fancy majiggers, and do-dads are all cool
PC games - because they never seem to work unless they're legal. CODWAW, Bloodbowl, or anything that looks cool and has sweet online capabilities
Same goes for xBox games, an xBox live membership would be pretty hot. I NEED skate 2 btw, my disc is lost somewhere :(
TATTOO DESIGNS! Draw me something fit and I'll get it ;)
and that's all I can think of atm

Things I do not want!

I know it's sounds dickish, but it'll save you money!
NO CARDS - I hate these things, it's just really expensive paper, it's fine in an office or something, but I'd much rather a letter than a card, put some thought in :P
No gimmicks - you know what I mean, little electronic bits of tat, or things which are fun for 10 mins... Give me a nice hug instead ;)
No clothing without approval, I don't want you spending loads on something I don't like, and as I'm well fussy, I probably won't like it :P
CDs/DVDs - I aquire these from other sources.

yeah, I'll add more as I think :)

Writing like a 14 year old girl makes me feel younger btw

I've just realised how much of a pussy I've been in my blog lately. It's always been pretty negative, what with all the super big rants about shit that annoys me, but it wasn't so miserable. I live a very happy life, I enjoy my work, I enjoy where I live and I like the people I live with. I get to go out and see bands a lot, and I get to go with cool people, I even get to do things I've never done before as well as meeting new people nearly everyday. This life is not bad, so if you feel like it is, maybe it's time to make a change - a real change. I see no reason for a healthy adult to be enjoying themselves everyday - even if you're working there's ways to have fun! Just talk to someone!

Please be Happy people - I'd hate to be the only one ;)

Music, people and music.

MUSIC1

It's been too long, so here's a megapost to keep you filled till something else happens that makes me write something.

I've been going to lots of gigs lately, it's one of my favourite things about living in london, but last night was somthing special. i went with Rob (of I Have clones) to see Blakfish, a band we played with a few years back while still with Allucinere. They were supported by Bats, and another band I've forgotten the name of. To put it bluntly the show was incredible. Highly technical, emotional, dynamic music, the kind that just isn't seen elsewhere. All the bands had a similar style, but their own unique sound added to the mix, elements of so many genres thrown together to make this intelligent hardcore type thing.

It sure makes the poppier bands I saw on monday look rather tame by comparison. While all the bands had a good sound, and some great catchy tunes, it was nothing compared to the intensity and complexity of last night. I can understand why the music scene is so disperate, and seemingly unhealthy, as unoriginality seems to be a key way to make it big.

I'm not sure what I'm trying to say, maybe just that bands like Blakfish and Bats deserve to be so much bigger (not that they're not doing pretty damn well these days) especially while other bands on the UK touring circuit are actually quite shit. I suppose in many ways I'm happy that these bands aren't huge, as their whole style would be lost in a room too big, the intimacy lost. Maybe one day it'll all work itself out.

PEOPLE

My greatest happiness and the deepest depression comes from the effects of other people. I expect this is the same for everyone. I've said this many times before, that I'm certainly not a perfect person, I don't like upsetting people and when I do, I feel very bad about it. But there are some people that seem to take solace in the destruction of others. There is no reason to deliberately talk down about people, I understand that bitching occurs, it's something that happens a lot and is usually quite healthy. It allows you to exhaust your greivences about a person before it blows up further. No-one wants to know it happens about the as well, so I think most people don't pass on this information. I know for damn sure that I wouldn't tell someone about a person bitching about them. It causes unnessesary grief for all involved - which just ain't cool - it's shit stirring.

And then there's those that seem to need to tear others down in order to build themselves up. In game theroy this is called Amoging, taking the piss out of another guy to make you look cool, however in game therory this is used to get the girl. Not that that makes it ok, it's still for wankers that don't have the personality to impress girls normally. But to do it with the sole intention to stop the other man from talking to a girl. That's just spite. If you think I'm a dick, I don't care, but at least give other people the chance to come to that conclusion themselves - I'm pretty good doin it myself, I don't need jealous losers doing it for me.

Makes me glad I've moved sometimes, knowing that such people are now a much smaller part of my life.

MUSIC2

It seems to me that the issue of music piracy is still a very big deal, from Lilly Allen, to Lil Boosie bitching about how it's destroying the industry, to band members sending download links to fans just so they hear the songs. It's so hypocritical when it comes down to it, when an artist is just starting, they just want people to hear the songs, but when they get big (sometimes because they have some actual talent) it all becomes about the money. I can understand that people want the money they have worked for, and I work for the company that helps them! But you can't use file sharing to get yourself popular then denounce it when it's losing you money. I look forward to a day when artists are making music because they want to, not because it might pay well, use your talent - get paid for it if you can - but if you're rich enough to waste money on fucking stupid jewellery and 10 holidays a year, then you're rich enough to not worry about some downloads. People make the assumption that every single person that downloads an album would have otherwise bought said album. This is not the case! I expect less than a quarter of downloaders would have even thought about buying it.

Get over it people, you're not too important to face facts - how about you be thankfull that people want to listen to what you create. How about you be thankfull that anyone at all would pay for it! You're doing a lot better than a lot of others, so stop your whining.

FINALLY

Where's all the scene/emo kids in london? and don't say camden.

People

Hello, I am a person.

Like all people, I have flaws (and plenty of them!) but in general I think I'm a pretty ok guy. But every now and again I come into contact with people that I really struggle with, people that are just plain horrible.

I don't understand these people, they're always miserable, seeming so unhappy with what they've got. Not only that, but they seem to want to bring everyone else down with them, as if somehow that'll make them seem better by comparison.

I don't live an ideal life, (what with the girls n all) but I don't hurt people on purpose, infact I avoid it as much as possible. I'm not great at it, but at least I don't attack others.

What I like most is meeting people, but I don't like meeting those people. It takes a lot to get me down, so when someone does, they were either very close, or very miserable!

Be happy people, and lets get on with our lives yeah?

Emo post

This one's about a girl. If she ever reads this, which I hope she does, then I hope she understands.

I've been feeling a bit down of late, having fallen out with the girl, but I don't feel it was entirely fair, I was made to be the villan by her own victimisation. There were so many things that she could have done to stop what happened, like being as straight up with me as she always insisted I was with her.

But that's not the point, she's got new friends now, and a new guy too. But I miss her, more than I ever thought I would. I really cared for her, and while I may not have shown it so well, she was one of my best friends. The amount of time we'd spend together, is now empty time. I don't like this feelin of lonelyness at all. I guess what I wanted her for was not the sex, but the companionship. I like to feel that. I'll never get back what I lost with her, and I suppose she'd say that it was karma, but while I made mistakes, I never hurt her diliberately. I never wnated for this too happen, and it's possible that I'll be fine once I find another girl. But there will always be a place for her.

It's hard knowing that she moved on so quick, as if my holiday wasn't just me going away, but a chance for her to start cutting me out of her life. She's replaced me, and in some ways I'm happy that she's got more friends, friends that will be there for her after I've gone. But it doens't make me feel much better. I know that my lifestyle is one that is not often thought highly of, but while I'm young and able, I want to enjoy what I enjoy. Even if what I enjoy is chatting up girls. In the end, it all comes down to sex, and for me, talking to girls, just being with girls, is one of my favourite things. I get such a buzz and I enjoy the rewards, but there are many times when I need that bit of reliable female company. Someone who is more than just a lay, more than just some girl, and while it's rare that the girls I meet are so casual, it's nice to have something more intimate, more personal.

I want what I had with this girl back, not the sex, but the company. I miss her so much. I don't know what I'd do just to spend a night with her again. Especially with me going away. I don't want to have such a big regret, I don't want to leave on bad terms. She's one of the coolest girls I know, and as close as any of my girlfriends have ever been, but it went wrong, and now I can't look at her without feeling that hurt. I miss her soo much. I don't know how I caoul ever fix it, and in soo many ways I don't want to, because I don't want to mess up what she has now.

I will get over this soon enough, but for now - I just want her back.

TOUR!!!!

Yeah,

I'm going on Tour! Rob, the brains and skillzzz behind the awesome I Have Clones and I are off for three weeks around the UK to play the music to 1 man and his dog in as many venues as will have us!

However, we're going in a corsa. Which will be shit for sleeping in, so if you live near any of the venues (obviously we'll see you at the gig) then let us know if we can crash with you. It'd be a massive favour and we'd do our best to return the favour.

Seriously, help us out if you can, we'll love you for it! I hope to see you all at the gigs, come and say hi if you see us :)

x0x

the fun you can have with girls

this is a rather self-indulgent post.

I'm rather annoyed, that through no fault (other than perhaps a slight forgetfulness) I feel beat down because I've done something wrong.

I can't be assed to explain the situation, but I sure feel I'm getting made the villan for no reason. I know life isn't fair but there's a limit.

I'm really looking forward to my holiday now, it'll be really nice to get away, and to see my dad and while I'm really going to miss some people (they know who they are) I'm going to really enjoy not organising anything. I tend to end up taking charge, and as soon as you do, you do it wrong. It's impossible to please all parties, and the more you try, the worse it gets.

Last night I shouldn't have bothered to try and organise going to the pub. I should have stuck with the plan that was made for me, even if it did mean leaving people out. It would've worked out a lot easier if I just hadn't bothered. How silly of me to try and include all my friends.

Is it worth it?

It has occured to me lately, that a lot of things really aren't worth the effort.

Uni - see previous post
relationships - surely far more hassle than they're worth
gigs - far too much effort and that I'm sure of
bands - not too bad...

I guess it's just the stress of trying to run a promotions company and having so few people come along. I don't try to make money, I just want the bands to get paid for their efforts (or at least their petrol!)

I got a good friend in to help, but that rather turned into a disaster as we're both as stubborn as each other, and now I think she hates me :( this certainly wasn't the intention - more people = less stress? I wish!

Everytime I do a gig, it seems that I put so much work in, and while the bands are always great (there has been only one exception so far) I don't make any money and the night ends rather on a low. I don't want this, but I don't know how to actually get more people into that room and enjoying it!

So I guess the big qustion is simply - is it worth it?

why go to all this effort? my band plays to a bunch of apathetic people who only came to see their mate, and to the wags as usual, and the other bands suffer the same.

There's a gig coming up on the 3rd June, I think it will be my last (at least until after summer) I don't mean to be emo today, or melodramatic, but this blog is for me to write what I want so there.

PS

Listen to:

iwrestledabearonce
rolo tomoassi
cobra starship
brand new - always listen to brand new
glassjaw
sonic boom six

now go to bed.

Cunts that don't like music

I know a lot of people that list music as an interest.
I know a lot of these people won't pay £2 to see some new bands and support a friend.

University

I'm sure you all know I'm at uni, and right now I have two exams looming over me. I don't have a clue what I'm doing, but I've had a few thoughts about the whole uni process.

If I could I'd do a dissertation on why most universities are plain awful and ways to improve them.

I know I'm just bitching really, but I'm sure there's a lot of you out there that think that the quality of teaching, and organization is so poor even in comparison to college.

I don't know what I want this post to achieve, and I know everyone dislikes uni, but perhaps if people realised quite how retarded it is at times then something might be done. Paying £9K for someone to tell you to read a book, or to talk about gear with your class mate seems a little steep.

Perhaps there should be a cull of universities - get rid of all the ones offering lame courses that make no sense, get rid of the ones with low entry grades. Universities should be for the kids that really want to learn, the ones that actually do what the staff tell them to. Improve the quality, increase the entry grades, really make a degree something worth having. With smarter kids, there'll be less drop-outs, and the standard of teaching can be improved.

I realise this will mean I'm out on my ass, but the fact is, universities are promising to 'teach' people when it's not really like that at all, it's just guidance. So, for all the non-redbrick unis, stop the charade, go back to being poly-technics and institutes and all that shit, stop trying to act all grown up, and stop accepting people that clearly aren't committed.

Uni is too much the easy choice for people that don't want to start work, for people that aren't worried by their huge debts, and it's not good, degree standard is low enough already! If uni was something that really had to worked at to get into, something that required real proof of dedication then those that are too lazy to make the most of it will be filtered out.

Not that there should be no-where for those people to go, the ex-universities can help there, with a more structured and college like style courses, designed to really teach these people, but courses should be reduced to one year, with follow-ups for those more advanced.

I realise that I wouldn't get into uni if this system worked, but I also feel I learnt a lot more in my a-levels than I have done at uni. It sure feels to me like I've barely learnt anything, just been introduced to a load of stuff.

Yeah, I'm ranting, but surely there's a lot of people that agree with me? Not nessesarily about the solution, but about how shitty unis can be.

Bah, I don't like exams.

Comfortable?

I wasn't last night

I guess someone who is truely confident will be comfortable in every situation. Last Night I dressed up as a pirate, and while people said it looked good, I felt pretty unhappy. I made me think - I'm a confident person, I get on well with people and I very much enjoy my life, but remove me from my comfort zone, and will I be the same? Or will I collapse into a neurotic, self hating wreck?

I don't think I would, but I'm gunna be trying it anytime soon!

IN OTHER NEWS

I'm attempting to book ATWE a tour atm, I need dates in the UK and perhaps a tour support to come with us. As well as that, I need to sort out a van and make sure everyone can make it! Check out

At The Waters Edge - Facebook
At The Waters Edge - Myspace
and VsVsVs Booking - Myspace


ALSO!

SCRUFFY MURPHYS 13th MAY



For everyone that's reading these posts on facebook, they get imported from a blog, I import it to save effort, not so everyone reads it.

I saw some ace bands last night.

much respect to

Canterbury
All Forgotten
LYU

all great bands.

On the theme of great bands - I'm putting on a show at Scruffy Murphys again in two weeks time. It's only £2 and theres some awesome bands playing, including my band At The Waters Edge and the amazing Dissolved in.

It's all being run through my new promo company VsVsVs which you should become fans of on facebook and friends with on myspace :)

www.myspace.com/versesvsversus
www.myspace.com/atthewatersedgemusic
www.myspace.com/dissolvedin

It should be a really good night, and it's always good when my mates come down, so - if you're in brum around that time and aren't too busy, come along.

It really does mean a lot to me when my friends come along :)

x0x

Nostalgia, regrets and remorse.

I've made a lot of mistakes in my life.

I keep making mistakes (when will I learn?) and I have plenty of regrets, but I'm in two minds, I've I'd have done it all differently, would I feel any happier? Would I have accomplished more? Would I be any different?

Well, here's a little list of the big decisions, it's a little of my insides for you to look at.

Birmingham - I love and hate this city. It's horrible, but I've some of the greatest people I could ever hope to meet here. I want to leave, but I don't want to leave those friends, and I definately don't want to leave the bands! It's a horrible city where everyone is horrible, there's no grass, and no comunity. Worst of all, there's fuck all music scene. But I love my house... and I love anarchy... I just don't know what to do!

University - Why did I ever go to Aston? Because it was what I was supposed to do, if only I'd listened to my brother, and just told my parents that I wasn't sure about uni. Perhaps I'd have done a gap year and how my life would've been different...

Music - You know what, I really don't know if I could've done much more here! I joined every band that wanted me, I play with anyone that asks me, and I fucking go for it. I'm scared it's now too late, the 18-21 gap is gone. I just hope thats not the end of my chances.

Girls - I want to experience (yes, I mean sleep with) all of the pretty girls that I went to school with, all of the pretty girls I've met over the years. It just seems like a wasted oppurtunity... So much fun could've been had.

Everyone - every cool person I met and never got to know. Where are you all now?

In the end, I've missed out on a lot, but I've also done my fair share. My mission in life is to make an impact, to be rememebered for something more than just being alive. To have truely existed, and not be forgotten. Or at least to experience everything I can.

There's millions of things I haven't done, people I haven't met, places I haven't been, and I want to do as much as I can before I blink out of here.

So, changing subject somewhat. If you can offer me an experience (I will consider almost anything) Whether it's going to see a new town, playing a new game, even just going to a new pub, I am up for it.

Please, just invite me along, and be friendly!

Hell, I'll do the Fight Club thing if I can!

blogs, twitter, facebook and more

Yeah,

I just watched a rather facinating video on twitter, involved Andrew Dubber and Steve Lawson (New Music Strategies Steve Lawson) about twitter and how it can be used essentially as a great marketing tool. Which in many ways supports my theory on how everything is marketing.

But, in a world of millions of people, thousands of musicians, hundreds of communities, does the impersonal twitter really make much difference. Now Steve and Andrew are both very much supporters of Twitter, and while I'm a user, I really find it rather dull (with the exception of the excellent Sockington). I don't follow anyone that twitters unnesesarily, so I don't get the really shit posts, but I still don't give enough of a shit about anyone else to really want to know what they're doing all the time!

My point is, with so many posts, no-one reads them all, and so, just like myspace the quality is drowned in a flood of crap.

Blogs are great, if you want to spend your life reading. Like newspaper columbs for people that can't get printed. Again, there's some amazing stuff out there, but again, a lot of it is shit, totall wastefull shit. I guess in many ways, mine isn't worth reading either :( but my point remains.

Sure, you'd be crazy not to be on every site in the world, it's a great way to spread your name about, but it doesn't sell records, it doesn't make you friends. It opens doors, and lets be honest, there's more than enough open doors for you already.

I've found that one of the best ways to sell tickets to my gigs is to flirt with girls on myspace. It's shameless and rather banal at times, but it comes down to basic one-on-one human interation. These people don't come to see us just on a few flirty messages, I usually have to msn them, maybe meet them at another gig.

Basically, it comes down to real face to face charm! Until you've really got some momentum, your best bet at making real fans, is by making real friends. Admittable these friends should be people that will like your band, but still. Strangers don't meet strangers much, although i expect this is less the case with older generations.

So, now I've totally lsot track of what I was saying...

Yes! Use every avaialble resource to plug you, your band, your product, but if you want true support, make new friends! Friends that love what you do, and will support that, not because they're obligated, but because they want to. These people will get you off the floor. Unfortunately, not much further, but it's a start ;)

So, use what you want, but in the end - make time for real people, you need them!

Me, in brief!

I just wrote this on facebook, but it sums me up well so I'm reposting it.

"I (if you hadn't guessed) play bass guitar, that's most of my life. I just wish I could quit uni and play bass all day. I study Music Tech at BCU. I'm straight edge so I don't drink any vodka leomonade. I live in erdington. I go to subway city, but only once a fortnight for anarchy. I love the Gosta Green, my friends are always there so I feel like someone from friends when I walk in. Some people say I'm scene as fuck, but I think scene is bullshit (as I say so lots) I do wnat to meet you, but that makes you more priviledge, not less. I don't know how tall I am, but I like my body. I love music, sex and snowboarding. I play with bands, there should be links on my profile somewhere, but I don't think facebook likes them. I'm playing Barfly on monday. I want you to come.

I want to see every pretty girl I meet naked. Does that make me a pervert, or just honest?

My three favourite things are music, sex and snowboarding - in that order.

There's a slightly worrying insight into who I am!"

What should I write about next people?

SEX

so, I thought I've done enough about music for now and it's time to cover the 2nd most important thing ever. (first is music, third is snowboarding - money doesn't count, it's just an enabler)

Inspired by the amazingling stunted article in Spaghetti Junction, BCUs uni mag (almost as bad as the Aston Times) who I just applied to write for... Hi if you're reading this!

The question:
1 Is Romance dead?
2 What constitutes as dating?
3 How does a relationship really work?

in short:
1 Yes
2 Sex with talking in between
3 Badly, with too much of the talking and not enough of the sex

but that's just from my perspective - I think that this is not the way for most people! So, in long:

1
Romance is a concept that is touched upon, a single gesture or an entire evening can be romantic, unfortunately romantic is often a synonym for cliche. If a guy takes a girl for a meal, candle lit, single rose on the table, then on to a nice bar (and I mean an actual bar, not just the nearest place that does cheap booze) for a drink and a dance, then walks her home. Well then he's probably loaded. But if you're imaginitive you can still be romantic. If you like your partner, all it takes is a little effort to say I Love You in a nice way. We're all too lazy these days, but make the effort, surprise that special someone, and you'll both be happier for it.


2
Dating is a bit of an enigma. No longer do we meet the oposite sex in pubs/bars we're all too scared to take the plunge unless we're drunk and in a club! Which ruins the dynamic completely, you can't go from full snogging to dating, and you really shouldn't go from a one night stand to dating. It sets the whole thing up in the wrong way (although this is exactly how I like to do it!)

Either that, or we're getting with our mates, no this works great, you know you get on and everything goes great till you break up. All of a sudden everything gets really fucking awkward for you, him/her and all your other mates. So my advice is, unless you're sure about it, don't fuck your mates!

So, the classic way is to get her number while your out, the go for coffee, if that's good, then a meal, then a goodnight kiss, the another meal, and 'back to mine for coffee' - these days it's a pull and a number, then 'wanna come over and watch a dvd' yeah, we all know what that means, I sure hope so, because I'm texting that to a girl sometime soon (how long do you leave it? 3 days minimum, what's the max!)

But this doesn't lead to a healthy relationship, it leads to sex and intimacy issues, so if that's what you're after then go you, but if you want a real relationship that random you pulled the other night is not the one. My advice is to MEET PEOPLE! it's all you can do, your friends will have friends you don't know, so go with them sometime, meet your mates mates, becomes mates with them, then meet their mates. This increases your circle and number of possible partners hugely, and without ever having to do it the real man way and actually talk to a stranger. So that's for the wusses, and for the guys with balls, go to a pub and introduce yourself to a table of people, most of the time they'll be lovely people and you'll have a great time talking to them, and you never know who you might meet!

Keep an open mind, have confidence in yourself and you'll find someone soon (I don't know where this went from dating dynamics to dating advice, but hell, it can't hurt can it! (oh and I don't think I'm an expert, I'm just bad at staying on topic!))



3 - Finally!
Relationships are hard, I should know, I've been in 3 in the last 8 months! So of mine start with the sex. With no intention to go further, but the sex leads to more sex which leads to a relationship, fine. Once in the relationship, we spend a fair amount of time together, maybe 3/4 nights a week. This time is spent playing games or watching films, and occasional nights out. Perhaps this is too much time together not doing much, which is why the relationships don't last more than a few months. So, my friends relationships... Living apart from each other means they only see each other one weekend in two, usually with both nights spent out, once to a club, once just the pub. And perhaps this is the way it should be, they've been together a long time and seem to have no problems. Other friends are living with their partners, but when they're both working full time, this seems like a good arangement, evenings are spent relaxing together, and weekends are for fun things.

You know what, just do whatever works! I don't know what the secret is, but there's been times when I wish I could just snap my fingers and make it work.

Right now - I'm happily single, so if that's your thing let me know ;)

rhythm section for hire

Myself and a very good friend are now whoring ourselves out as a rhythm section.

He plays awesome drums, and I play awesome bass. You can hear examples of what we play on the right of this post :) We'll hopefully have some new stuff soon as well.

While we love punk hardcore emo ska metal and alternative mostly, we're happy to play anything, if the price is right :)

so if you need a profssional rhythm section for anything, give me an email and we'll sort something out. We learn fast and play with our all.

This is fucking my chances for a job with the IFPI

THIS IS FUCKING RETARDED!

I really like the band that posted this image on their myspace but if they honestly think that supporting the frankly idiotic music industry is a good thing then they as bad as fatcats that have ass raped good music for the last 20 years. Only a music industry based around such greed could ever lead to a pop-culture based around pop-idol. I am ashamed to live in a country where two of the greatest selling artists of the previous year are contestants on a show where talent is made a laughing stock.

DO NOT BUY MUSIC. YOU'RE ONLY ENCOURAGING THEM.

as NOFX put

"It's my job to keep Punk-Rock elite
this music ain't your fucking industry"

Support bands by going to see them, I don't know a band that would rather you bought their album than saw them live. Hell, if you like 'em enough, buy the album FROM THEM! The big record labels have bastardised our society enough already. Support underground bands, support Indie labels. DESTROY THE INDUSTRY!

I HAVE TICKETS!

There's a lot of you I love out there, but I only really love the ones that come to my gigs :P

GIG TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE!

HEADLINE SHOW @ Bar Academy 13th Feb - £4
Supporting FEI COMODO @ Barfly 2nd March - £6

FREE EP when you buy ANY ticket from us!

FREE EARLY DEMOs + SIGNED CD when you buy BOTH tickets ;)

Message us via here, or terra@allucinere.com, or 07871174581

IDEA!

My idea is the ultimate in collaboration (and stolen quite a lot from the sounds of animals fighting)

Each musician is given the Key/keys and tempo of the piece. Each musician then plays for however long they like, improvising riffs solos or whatever they want for as long as they want. This is then sent to ME! and I listen to it all, cut up all the good bits into usable samples, of varying length and whatever. Then using the samples I have, build them all up into a song. The instruments are not limited, and neither is the musician in any way, anything from the clunk of the mic to the greatest guitar solo of all time will be considered.

and the musicians? Well, it's very tempting to use my friends, and for the time being I probably will, because they're the only people that will read this post!

So, if you're interested my first piece will be based around 120bpm and [EDIT] BMajor but don't feel limited by it, I may or may not use anything and everything you send me.

Of course all profits(lol) will be distributed between the contributers, but this music will be given away free so there won't be any, I'll be releasing the work under an Attribution Non-Commercial Sharealike Creative Commons licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ (thanks Dubber)

Oh, and there's no reason not to send me drum loops, samples, quotes or ANYTHING!

and VOCALS! I imagine vocals will be the least submitted bit, so do what you want down a mic for me ;) you can even record at mine if you want

Drums as well, probablt hard for you to record, but I have a kit here and drum mics so hit me up. Or just record it however you can, even your phones voice recorder will do, and will give the whole thing a very dirty feel as well ;)


Lets do something new and different, save the cheerleader, save the world ;)

PS: link your friends here, I wan't to get this worldwide!

PPS: myspace page now made, website on the way... I hope!

GENERIC!

Just been sat on myspace listening to bands for the last half an hour. I could not tell you anything about any of the bands. From all around the country, there are bands that are trying to write the same song.

I must admit they're shit load better than the horrible electro crap that is being flagged as 'scene' (God fucking damn I hate shitty electro!) but they're still all shit.

Most of them had two lead vocalists, but no talent so they just took it in turns (idiots) and nothing more original than that. But the thing with all these bands is that they are touring the UK, all part of this magical UK scene that allows bland as fuck bands to travel round the country banging underage girls and spending daddys money on beer every night.

I realise that's a total presumption that won't be true most of the time, but the point is that these days, it's not song writing that is making these bands, but who they know and how nice their hair is. I know I'm a bit late jumping on the band wagon here (and hypocritical complaining about their hair :P ) These kinds of bands are what is known as the 'sea of crap' that people wade through searching for real talent.

I guess my biggest fear is that my bands are considered part of the sea by others. I like to think that if we don't stand out now, then we will soon. It'd be nice to be part of something that really helps music develop, rather than another sheep following what has already been. I don't know where music is going at the moment, and I don't suppose that many people do. But every now and again you hear something that is truely new and inspirational. The Outline, played very basic stuff, simple riffs, simple structures, but had a really impressive way of writing songs. I liked it. Enter Shikari (whether love them or not) did they're bit as well, the first commercial sucessful combination of dance and hardcore. Not including Refused, who did it first and better than anyone, but they wern't comercial so there. ES certainly inspired lots of talentless kids to buy micro-korgs.

Anyway, this eventually gets me to my conclusion, in order to prevent the recreation of the same music all the time a new new way of making the music has to be made.

EDIT: the rest of this post has been reposted as IDEA!

Breakdancing

So... like everyone else in the world I think breakdancing is pretty cool. I mean, sick flips n stuff, it's kinda like parcour without the running and fuck me does it look cool. Unfortunately you need to be good at it or you look like a dick.

I'm pretty fit though, and there's a few things I can do already, so I'm looking at videos on youtube, beginners stuff and this blog is just linking you too my favourites.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZISfyfHG454 - critical fail.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FwSjRtn6Eng&feature=related - handstands made to look easy
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GMJjXReFZUo&feature=related - lols - not breakdancing!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hvL2K54209o&feature=related - little girl lols
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NZpz9cFYjpo - uber lols
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pvwC_hSZu10 - go fatboy go!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Xg84e6rKw - wtf

K I'm done now!

music

GO LISTEN TO SOME FUCKING MUSIC!¬!!!!!

Chiodos
Circa Survive
Shiny Toy Guns (they're not fucking scene!)
MC lars
Brand New (obviously)
Charlie Brown JR.
Chasiing Victory

and for lolz

BrokenCYDE
the Medic Droid
them other ones...

Rob, what did I miss?

I found a cool website today. It made me lqtm.

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Scene-Kid

and this is my comment on it.

This is really a waste of time, anyone that wants to be scene and needs a guide is clearly not going to pass it off as being scene!

I'm pretty sure people think I'm scene, but I've never tried to do it, infact, my hair is a kind of a joke! Still I really love my music and dress is a way that allows people to see that. Clothing and hair are easy to change, but show some commitment to a style. Tattoos and piercing however show a real dedication, someone with scene tattoos or huge flesh tunnels is clearly going to have more credibility than those without simply because they're put the time, effore, money and their bodies into that choice. Just like sXe kids aren't truely sXe untill they get the tattoo, scene shows this dedication in the same way!

It got me thinking about shit like that... and makes me wanna stretch my ears more, and get my new tattoo soon!