I have moved my blog to Wordpress instead of Blogger after being advised to do so.
This blog will stay open if you feel like you have to read old posts, it will be inactive though. I won't be publishing anything else on this blog.
The new address is itsonthemind.wordpress.com.
Just blogspot with wordpress and you have converted the old URL to the new one! WOW!
See ya on the other side,
-Luke Morton
Monday 17 November 2008
Friday 14 November 2008
Record Of The Week: Week 1
I've decided to start this little feature on my blog, to possibly introduce people to some new music or merely offer an opinion on music you already know. I'm going to write this little piece every Friday (hopefully) and it will include both a single of the week and an album of the week (except this week). These will not necessarily be recent tracks or albums, as not all new music is actually good.
Single Of The Week: A Wilhelm Scream - The Rip
For those of you who follow me on Twitter, I have been raving about this band as of late. I have recently rekindled my past love for new American punk music and A Wilhelm Scream personify the genre perfectly. The song The Rip is fuelled with anger and emotion but it's also melodious and catchy. The chorus somehow manages to drill itself into your head and stick with you all day, the song has just been on my stereo all week.
Find it on their album Mute Print, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mute-Print-Wilhelm-Scream/dp/B0001WAGTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1226695183&sr=8-3
I will include an album next week, I don't particularly have a favourite album for this week and I didn't want to lie about what I've been listening to.
Single Of The Week: A Wilhelm Scream - The Rip
For those of you who follow me on Twitter, I have been raving about this band as of late. I have recently rekindled my past love for new American punk music and A Wilhelm Scream personify the genre perfectly. The song The Rip is fuelled with anger and emotion but it's also melodious and catchy. The chorus somehow manages to drill itself into your head and stick with you all day, the song has just been on my stereo all week.
Find it on their album Mute Print, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mute-Print-Wilhelm-Scream/dp/B0001WAGTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1226695183&sr=8-3
I will include an album next week, I don't particularly have a favourite album for this week and I didn't want to lie about what I've been listening to.
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Another Innovation In Online Music
Launched this week is a brilliant little resource for music lovers, known as We7. This website is filled with thousands of albums and singles which are available to listen to in their entireity for free! Not just pop music either, I'm currently listening to Hot Water Music as I have been meaning to check them out for a while and this website allows me to listen to 3 pages worth of their material (unlike Myspace Music which usually includes 4 songs maximum on an artist's profile).
I'm not sure whether We7 is going to take over Myspace Music as Myspace Music is definitley a handy little tool when researching bands or simply wanting to check out new music, but We7 seems much more professionally done. With the option to purchase any one of the songs on the website for 77p (2p cheaper than iTunes) some could argue that it will soon rival Apple in the online music market...but I doubt it. Unless We7 manage to encourage artists who are not part of iTunes to sign up for their online music store, then iTunes will still reign supreme for the forseeable future.
Despite this, We7 is still very much a 'must have' on your bookmark list if you're really interested in music as it has many more songs on offer than Myspace Music and they're good quality too (the majority of songs on Myspace Music are of reduced quality).
We7 also features an unsigned artist section which allows bands to upload their own material for people to listen to and rate. My suggestion if you're in a band is to get yourself on We7 as it can only be beneficial, who knows your music might influence a lot of people?
So here it is: www.we7.com, get yourself over there and discover a new world of music!
I'm not sure whether We7 is going to take over Myspace Music as Myspace Music is definitley a handy little tool when researching bands or simply wanting to check out new music, but We7 seems much more professionally done. With the option to purchase any one of the songs on the website for 77p (2p cheaper than iTunes) some could argue that it will soon rival Apple in the online music market...but I doubt it. Unless We7 manage to encourage artists who are not part of iTunes to sign up for their online music store, then iTunes will still reign supreme for the forseeable future.
Despite this, We7 is still very much a 'must have' on your bookmark list if you're really interested in music as it has many more songs on offer than Myspace Music and they're good quality too (the majority of songs on Myspace Music are of reduced quality).
We7 also features an unsigned artist section which allows bands to upload their own material for people to listen to and rate. My suggestion if you're in a band is to get yourself on We7 as it can only be beneficial, who knows your music might influence a lot of people?
So here it is: www.we7.com, get yourself over there and discover a new world of music!
Saturday 8 November 2008
Lincoln Isn't Just Indie Fans!
This has been playing on my mind for a while now, as I'm sure it has for many other music lovers in Lincoln. The main music venue in this city is the Engine Shed, which opened its doors in 2006 to a wide range of artists...or so we thought. The first bands to play (of which I took notice) were Embrace, The Zutons and Shiny Toy Guns. Sadly when the Engine Shed first opened it was an 18+ venue and I was not 18, thusly I was denied entry.
As of late however the gigs are now 16+, which has allowed more fans to attend the gigs and more bands to play (knowing there would be more people, especially in the age range they aim for). However, all these bands have been commercial indie tripe which are being passed around the Radio 1 playlist like God know's what and therefore becoming popular without actually trying.
When the Engine Shed started booking bands on a regular basis though I did attend, mainly to support my local music scene. In the space of a few months I had seen The Hoosiers, Scouting For Girls, The Script, Reverend And The Makers, The Black Kids, Kate Nash, Cage The Elephant and The Pigeon Detectives. Not really a wide selection of music there by anyone's standards, all of the aforementioned bands have been overplayed on both BBC and commercial radio which apparently means they're going to be amazing live...sadly not.
Personally I'm not a fan of commercial indie at all (mainly bands emerging in the past 2 years beginning with 'The') and the shows I saw at the Engine Shed confirmed my stance on the genre. Admittedly some of the bands were good and the crowd got going for it, but it was never anything out of the ordinary. The usual forté of a vibrant frontman running around everywhere whilst the rest of the band stand still for the fear they might get noticed by the crowd.
Since the starting of regular gigs at the Engine Shed, there has been a constant barrage of indie band after indie band infecting the stage with their unbearable 'new take' on the genre, which somehow sounds like everyone else. Bands which have appeared recently are; The Kooks, The Ting Tings, The Charlatans and other such bands beginning with 'The'. There have been some 'alternative' bands though in the past 2 years which such as Deftones, Cooper Temple Clause and Feeder. I attended the Deftones gig which was majorly underpromoted (the tour date wasn't even on the t-shirts on sale at the gig) as such the venue was just over half full. Yet if a Radio 1 posterchild is given the opportunity to headline then their posters will be all over the city of Lincoln like a tropical rash.
The mere idea of an 'alternative' band must somehow scare the 'powers that be' in charge of the Engine Shed and will only book indie bands as they know it will sell out and therefore make a profit. The population of Lincoln is around 100,000 and the capacity of the Engine Shed is 1,500 - I'm sure if they book a popular band that is not indie then tickets will sell. Bands such as Enter Shikari, Pendulum, Gallows, Klaxons and other such artists could fill the venue many times over - but probably will never get the chance.
I was most excited when the Taste Of Chaos 2008 tour was announced at the Engine Shed for November this year, but was cancelled in Lincoln due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. After 2 years of waiting some metal bands were going to play Lincoln but it got cancelled, and no-one seems to know why. I knew many people who bought tickets, including myself. I was ticket number 700-and something which must mean it was nearly half sold out months before it was due to happen...but nevertheless it was cancelled.
So overall it seems that the people in charge of booking talent for the Engine Shed are scared of not selling the venue out, so only book bands which are played on the radio more than 3 times an hour every hour for months on end until the general public finally give in and start liking the band. Personally I feel the bookers for the Engine Shed should at least give it a shot booking a big non-indie band, if it fails then fine I was wrong that Lincoln isn't just full of indie fans - but there is still only one way to find out...book someone else!
As of late however the gigs are now 16+, which has allowed more fans to attend the gigs and more bands to play (knowing there would be more people, especially in the age range they aim for). However, all these bands have been commercial indie tripe which are being passed around the Radio 1 playlist like God know's what and therefore becoming popular without actually trying.
When the Engine Shed started booking bands on a regular basis though I did attend, mainly to support my local music scene. In the space of a few months I had seen The Hoosiers, Scouting For Girls, The Script, Reverend And The Makers, The Black Kids, Kate Nash, Cage The Elephant and The Pigeon Detectives. Not really a wide selection of music there by anyone's standards, all of the aforementioned bands have been overplayed on both BBC and commercial radio which apparently means they're going to be amazing live...sadly not.
Personally I'm not a fan of commercial indie at all (mainly bands emerging in the past 2 years beginning with 'The') and the shows I saw at the Engine Shed confirmed my stance on the genre. Admittedly some of the bands were good and the crowd got going for it, but it was never anything out of the ordinary. The usual forté of a vibrant frontman running around everywhere whilst the rest of the band stand still for the fear they might get noticed by the crowd.
Since the starting of regular gigs at the Engine Shed, there has been a constant barrage of indie band after indie band infecting the stage with their unbearable 'new take' on the genre, which somehow sounds like everyone else. Bands which have appeared recently are; The Kooks, The Ting Tings, The Charlatans and other such bands beginning with 'The'. There have been some 'alternative' bands though in the past 2 years which such as Deftones, Cooper Temple Clause and Feeder. I attended the Deftones gig which was majorly underpromoted (the tour date wasn't even on the t-shirts on sale at the gig) as such the venue was just over half full. Yet if a Radio 1 posterchild is given the opportunity to headline then their posters will be all over the city of Lincoln like a tropical rash.
The mere idea of an 'alternative' band must somehow scare the 'powers that be' in charge of the Engine Shed and will only book indie bands as they know it will sell out and therefore make a profit. The population of Lincoln is around 100,000 and the capacity of the Engine Shed is 1,500 - I'm sure if they book a popular band that is not indie then tickets will sell. Bands such as Enter Shikari, Pendulum, Gallows, Klaxons and other such artists could fill the venue many times over - but probably will never get the chance.
I was most excited when the Taste Of Chaos 2008 tour was announced at the Engine Shed for November this year, but was cancelled in Lincoln due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. After 2 years of waiting some metal bands were going to play Lincoln but it got cancelled, and no-one seems to know why. I knew many people who bought tickets, including myself. I was ticket number 700-and something which must mean it was nearly half sold out months before it was due to happen...but nevertheless it was cancelled.
So overall it seems that the people in charge of booking talent for the Engine Shed are scared of not selling the venue out, so only book bands which are played on the radio more than 3 times an hour every hour for months on end until the general public finally give in and start liking the band. Personally I feel the bookers for the Engine Shed should at least give it a shot booking a big non-indie band, if it fails then fine I was wrong that Lincoln isn't just full of indie fans - but there is still only one way to find out...book someone else!
Monday 3 November 2008
Simon Cowell Will Kill Music Television
This news may be common knowledge to people now but I've been too busy over the past few days to put my opinion on the matter onto the screen, so here it goes.
It has been reported that Simon Cowell himself is going to bring Top Of The Pops back! But to ITV. This is one of the reasons why I can see TOTP failing again. TOTP ended in 2006 after a 42 year run on the BBC which to be fair is a very long time for a television show, especially a music show. The only reason that TOTP survived was that it changed with the times and incorporated new, weird and underground bands onto the show - which music lovers like. Actual music lovers don't listen to manufactured pop music such as the X Factor drivel Simon Cowell is pumping into the living rooms of our nation every Saturday night.
Simon Cowell has built his empire on knowing what will become #1 in the charts, which are predominantly pop. I can see now that the new TOTP will be another outlet for Mr. Cowell to force his latest plastic popstar onto the world, but it won't be the same. T4 music is sort of along the right lines, they have a lot of underground and lesser known bands but it's usually on at 2am which isn't really primetime viewing. Also as TOTP will be broadcast on ITV it means there will be adverts, woo hoo. There will probably be 2 songs MAXIMUM in each part then we'll be blown away by adverts for car insurance, or injury lawyers or a variety of brightly coloured cleaning products - things that really appeal to the youth of today.
Basically this is going to be the death of music television, not even MTV plays music any more. That's been spread amongst it's children (MTV2, MTV Base etc) which are on 24/7, TOTP is going to be an hour long and have pop song after pop song after cheesy pop song and no-one will care. Of course I could be wrong and this venture will change music as we know it...but I doubt it.
It has been reported that Simon Cowell himself is going to bring Top Of The Pops back! But to ITV. This is one of the reasons why I can see TOTP failing again. TOTP ended in 2006 after a 42 year run on the BBC which to be fair is a very long time for a television show, especially a music show. The only reason that TOTP survived was that it changed with the times and incorporated new, weird and underground bands onto the show - which music lovers like. Actual music lovers don't listen to manufactured pop music such as the X Factor drivel Simon Cowell is pumping into the living rooms of our nation every Saturday night.
Simon Cowell has built his empire on knowing what will become #1 in the charts, which are predominantly pop. I can see now that the new TOTP will be another outlet for Mr. Cowell to force his latest plastic popstar onto the world, but it won't be the same. T4 music is sort of along the right lines, they have a lot of underground and lesser known bands but it's usually on at 2am which isn't really primetime viewing. Also as TOTP will be broadcast on ITV it means there will be adverts, woo hoo. There will probably be 2 songs MAXIMUM in each part then we'll be blown away by adverts for car insurance, or injury lawyers or a variety of brightly coloured cleaning products - things that really appeal to the youth of today.
Basically this is going to be the death of music television, not even MTV plays music any more. That's been spread amongst it's children (MTV2, MTV Base etc) which are on 24/7, TOTP is going to be an hour long and have pop song after pop song after cheesy pop song and no-one will care. Of course I could be wrong and this venture will change music as we know it...but I doubt it.
Thursday 30 October 2008
The Band Remains The Same?
So it seems Led Zeppelin is going to return after all, but without Robert Plant. This has left (I'm sure) a lot of Zeppelin fans like myself divided on the issue. On one hand I am annoyed that Plant has denied to join Zeppelin on their reunion tour, but on the other I don't think one man should hold back possibly the world's best rock band from reuniting for their millions of fans.
Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones told the BBC that a new singer was being sought after Plant ruled himself out. NME have reported that Alter Bridge's vocalist Myles Kennedy has been rehearsing with the band lately.
Now I've heard some of Alter Bridge's stuff, and I like a couple of songs 'Find The Real' is a pretty good tune. But they have a completely different sound to that of Led Zeppelin. This of course isn't a bad thing, but if you're going to front the band then you should at least sound like them. I have a growing fear that Zeppelin are going to turn into a poor tribute version of themselves, which cannot happen! Led Zeppelin are one of the biggest and best rock n roll bands of all time, and they can't have a 'final' tour without Robert Plant.
On the other hand however this is probably the only chance that people like myself are going to have to see Led Zeppelin live before they eventually give up. If Robert Plant is not there, it is still Zeppelin in all their glory performing some of the greatest songs ever written. If Led Zep do go on tour without Robert Plant I would still try my hardest to get tickets for the nearest show, but if Plant does decide to reunite then I would even pay eBay prices for a ticket.
So whichever way this goes, I'm still going to try and go. But if Robert Plant suddenly has a change of heart and decides to go on tour with his bandmates then I will definately be there, no matter what it takes.
But as it seems Plant won't be changing his mind, here's a video of Alter Bridge doing a cover of 'Kashmir'. It's not bad, but it's not Robert Plant!
Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones told the BBC that a new singer was being sought after Plant ruled himself out. NME have reported that Alter Bridge's vocalist Myles Kennedy has been rehearsing with the band lately.
Now I've heard some of Alter Bridge's stuff, and I like a couple of songs 'Find The Real' is a pretty good tune. But they have a completely different sound to that of Led Zeppelin. This of course isn't a bad thing, but if you're going to front the band then you should at least sound like them. I have a growing fear that Zeppelin are going to turn into a poor tribute version of themselves, which cannot happen! Led Zeppelin are one of the biggest and best rock n roll bands of all time, and they can't have a 'final' tour without Robert Plant.
On the other hand however this is probably the only chance that people like myself are going to have to see Led Zeppelin live before they eventually give up. If Robert Plant is not there, it is still Zeppelin in all their glory performing some of the greatest songs ever written. If Led Zep do go on tour without Robert Plant I would still try my hardest to get tickets for the nearest show, but if Plant does decide to reunite then I would even pay eBay prices for a ticket.
So whichever way this goes, I'm still going to try and go. But if Robert Plant suddenly has a change of heart and decides to go on tour with his bandmates then I will definately be there, no matter what it takes.
But as it seems Plant won't be changing his mind, here's a video of Alter Bridge doing a cover of 'Kashmir'. It's not bad, but it's not Robert Plant!
Monday 27 October 2008
Who Knew Excel Could Be Used For This
As AC/DC are currently #1 in the album charts I thought it was fitting to post this video on here. AC/DC's "Rock N Roll Train" performed through Microsoft Excel!
To download the spreadsheet, click here: http://www.acdcrocks.com/excel/
To download the spreadsheet, click here: http://www.acdcrocks.com/excel/
Drugs End Dubstep Night In Lincoln
This post is just a quickie whilst it's still in my mind, and it's about dubstep in Lincoln. There is a very small following of the genre throughout the city yet certain clubs and promoters put on dubstep nights to support the niche group. I think this is great as I am a dubstep fan and a few months ago there was nothing like it in Lincoln, yet now there are many nights dedicating themselves to drum and bass/dubstep. However, people do tend to ruin things don't they? This past weekend I went to a dubstep rave at The Cell, it wasn't busy in anyone's eyes but the people there were having a great time - myself included. Due to run from 10pm through until 3am the night was sure to be good, especially with the clocks going back an hour to add an extra hour of dubstep (meaning it would technically finish at 4am). However it finished at 2:30am thanks to two guys who felt it necessary to take too much of a certain substance. I'm not completely sure what it was but I'm 99% confident I do know what it is, and it's a stupid drug. I'm not going to name it in case I'm wrong but these two men were incapable of movement besides shaking and couldn't open their eyes. They were carried out by bouncers and I'm presuming their friends, ambulances were called and the night was shut down. Annoyance ensued. DJs and fans alike were stood outside in sheer disbelief that the night had ended an hour and a half early. So we had a cigarette and went home, angry that what should have been a tremendous night of dubstep was cut short by just two careless people.
Friday 24 October 2008
A Quick Look At wiL Francis
Now I've never been a fan of Aiden, that whole 'emo' scene wasn't really my thing. A lot of similar bands came out at the same time and they just didn't appeal to me, but each to their own and all that. However whilst flicking through this weeks issue of Kerrang! magazine it seems Mr. Francis has gone solo! Not really a big deal I suppose but I was always under the impression that lead singers from bands leave to do solo projects if the band starts to fail, but I've heard no word of this.
Nevertheless this little rant isn't about Aiden or their current status, it's about how wiL Francis has a cigarette in his hand in every single picture promoting his new album. Now I'm not ranting about him smoking as I smoke myself, it's about how he's doing it just to look 'cool'. I feel as though I can say this as I smoke, but smoking doesn't make you look cool. Anyone that smokes will tell you that, it might make you look 'hard' in front of your friends at school but not any more.
Here is what I believe to be the cover of his album Hate Culture. I found it on his myspace page and yet again he is smoking to look cool in front of his fans - and this bit is what started the rant. I smoke anywhere from 5 to 20 cigarettes a day depending on what I'm doing (which I'm OK with) but I hate seeing other people being peer pressured into smoking, it really angers me for some reason. Now if you are a fan of Aiden/wiL Francis/William Control you will more than likely be aged 13-16 and highly impressionable. So if you really like wiL and his music and see pictures of him smoking EVERYWHERE then chances are you will start yourself.
So well done Mr. Francis, in a vain attempt to look 'cool' you could in fact influence your fans to start smoking, congratulations!
Picture Reference: myspace.com/williamcontrol
Nevertheless this little rant isn't about Aiden or their current status, it's about how wiL Francis has a cigarette in his hand in every single picture promoting his new album. Now I'm not ranting about him smoking as I smoke myself, it's about how he's doing it just to look 'cool'. I feel as though I can say this as I smoke, but smoking doesn't make you look cool. Anyone that smokes will tell you that, it might make you look 'hard' in front of your friends at school but not any more.
Here is what I believe to be the cover of his album Hate Culture. I found it on his myspace page and yet again he is smoking to look cool in front of his fans - and this bit is what started the rant. I smoke anywhere from 5 to 20 cigarettes a day depending on what I'm doing (which I'm OK with) but I hate seeing other people being peer pressured into smoking, it really angers me for some reason. Now if you are a fan of Aiden/wiL Francis/William Control you will more than likely be aged 13-16 and highly impressionable. So if you really like wiL and his music and see pictures of him smoking EVERYWHERE then chances are you will start yourself.So well done Mr. Francis, in a vain attempt to look 'cool' you could in fact influence your fans to start smoking, congratulations!
Picture Reference: myspace.com/williamcontrol
14 Years In The Making...
...and who actually cares? I'm sorry but I don't think anyone is that bothered about Guns N' Roses' latest offering. Due for release in the UK on November 24th, Chinese Democracy is the much awaited new album from 'Axl and friends'. I think there would be so much more hype about this album if it was the original lineup, but sadly it's not. It's just Axl the ginger dreadlocked wonder and a band of his merry men, who aren't that talented. I've seen Axl and friends live twice (once at Download Festival and again at Nottingham Arena), and to be fair they were good...and only good. They weren't mind blowing, they were just good. The songs they performed from Chinese Democracy on the other hand were dire, just cheesy ripoffs of songs they had previously written. Not a single 'new song' stood out for me on either night, so I won't be purchasing the album.
I am confident though that it will more than likely reach #1 in the album charts, just because it's their first album in 14 years and they still have a large following. There will be a large amount of disappointment though I'm sure, Axl will never top the almighty Appetite For Destruction and he knows it. He's quite content with running his own legacy into the ground, one record at a time whilst trying to earn some money, just like a real rocker right? Wrong. Axl should have given up a long time ago. His former band members disbanded and formed Velvet Revolver who have been very successful in the music world, having two high selling albums and doing countless stadium tours all over the world. Axl on the other hand might do a tour outside of the US if you're lucky, even then he might not show up.
So overall I have to say Chinese Democracy is going to be a success for a while, until people actually listen to the tracks. It's not going to be the same experience as Appetite... or Use Your Illusion, it's going to be a mediocre attempt at a former glory. Ah well!
I am confident though that it will more than likely reach #1 in the album charts, just because it's their first album in 14 years and they still have a large following. There will be a large amount of disappointment though I'm sure, Axl will never top the almighty Appetite For Destruction and he knows it. He's quite content with running his own legacy into the ground, one record at a time whilst trying to earn some money, just like a real rocker right? Wrong. Axl should have given up a long time ago. His former band members disbanded and formed Velvet Revolver who have been very successful in the music world, having two high selling albums and doing countless stadium tours all over the world. Axl on the other hand might do a tour outside of the US if you're lucky, even then he might not show up.
So overall I have to say Chinese Democracy is going to be a success for a while, until people actually listen to the tracks. It's not going to be the same experience as Appetite... or Use Your Illusion, it's going to be a mediocre attempt at a former glory. Ah well!
Monday 20 October 2008
The Living Daylights Tear Up The Bivouac
It's another Friday night at the Bivouac in Lincoln, local bands turn up to play to their friends and local music lovers alike. However, tonight the local band seem to be friends with half of Lincoln! Outside the Bivouac well over 100 people wait outside for the 100 tickets reserved for the door whilst the people with tickets are either outside smoking or inside drinking. Not one piece of flesh is left unpierced amongst this crowd of Lincoln's finest punk followers, who are here to support Lincoln's best punk band The Living Daylights.Tonight is their night, it's their album release show and the second date of their headlining tour. Various members of The Living Daylights and the two support acts (The Shuffle and All Idols Fall) rush up and down the stairs into the Bivouac past the crowd until the doors finally open, albeit 10 minutes late. The crowd are forced through the doors in single file and stand patiently on the stairs hoping their is enough tickets left for them to get in. "It's just like the good old days" said Bivouac owner Steve Hawkins - and indeed it was.
Filled to near bursting point the Bivouac was turned from a local music venue into a massive party. The bar is packed and the front of the stage is already full of fans for the first band of the evening, All Idols Fall. They propel themselves through a ridiculously fast paced set which gets the crowd pumped up and screaming for more punk than it is physically able to consume. Here to serve up the next dose of mayhem is The Shuffle. Sadly for the first few songs about half the crowd are downstairs still recovering from All Idols Fall, but about halfway through their set the floor is alive again with bodies flying into one another and fists pumping in the air.
Despite both support bands playing some of the best punk the Bivouac has ever seen, nothing comes close to the music and the atmosphere of The Living Daylights. As soon as they walk onto the stage the atmosphere is transformed into both a party and a true appreciation of music. All five members of The Living Daylights look pumped up and raring to go on what is essentially a celebration of their music. Powering through anthemic songs such as Maps and inciting the first major singalong of their set - Carve It Out. The highlight however was the tribute to Calum Howell through a performance of MCD's Heads Held High during which numerous friends of the band swarmed the stage, whilst the crowd screamed the lyrics as loud as humanly possible. The night comes to a close as they blast through a mind blowing Hanging On inciting the crowd into a frenzy as fans and band members alike crowd surf through until the end of the set. Not one person in the room is left disappointed, everyone is covered in sweat and has a massive smile on their face. The Living Daylights are definately the most popular punk band in this city, and will hopefully soon gain this level of popularity throughout the UK on their tour...they definately deserve it.
Photo Source: myspace.com/thelivingdaylightsuk
Monday 13 October 2008
Bits And Pieces
A few things have caught my eye today whilst reading the latest music news on the world wide web, some much more interesting than others.
The first story is that AC/DC's latest album 'Black Ice' has been downloaded 400,000 times - illegally. As I posted a while back on this blog, AC/DC were boycotting iTunes as they didn't much care for it and didn't want fans downloading individual songs. This seems to have gone 'bellies up' as it were for the Aussie rock band as 400,000 of their fans have now obtained the album from the internet for free! I'm not saying that if the album was on iTunes then this wouldn't have happened, but it's an ironic turn of events in my opinion.
Despite not being released for another week (official release date Oct 20th), the album has been leaked onto many torrent websites. It is reported however that AC/DC's record label Sony released 'fake tracks' online to stop users downloading the album, however Torrentfreak claimed "there was no evidence of the fake tracks online".
Personally I don't care for the latest AC/DC offering, I'm quite happy with three of their golden oldies rather than some modern attempt at trying to relive their former glory. And if that many people downloaded the album for free it seems to me that they don't care enough for it to pay, so haha to you AC/DC.
The second story I saw was that Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip are doing a UK tour, of libraries! I am a huge fan of Le Sac vs Pip and think they're style of music is both surreal and superb. For anyone who hasn't heard of them, listen to them now! It's a cross between random electro beats and spoken word poetry. I've seen them live three times now and sadly the library tour isn't coming near me, but I'd love to see them on this tour. It seems such an odd concept, but at the same time suits Le Sac vs Pip quite well. The tour dates are as follows;
Walsall Library (December 5)
Lancaster Library (6)
Burnley Library (7)
Skelmersdale Library (10)
Poole Library (11)
Gray's Thurrock Library (13)
London British Library (14)
Prices are £6 a ticket, with £1 off for library members.
Picture Reference: dirtybronson.co.uk
The first story is that AC/DC's latest album 'Black Ice' has been downloaded 400,000 times - illegally. As I posted a while back on this blog, AC/DC were boycotting iTunes as they didn't much care for it and didn't want fans downloading individual songs. This seems to have gone 'bellies up' as it were for the Aussie rock band as 400,000 of their fans have now obtained the album from the internet for free! I'm not saying that if the album was on iTunes then this wouldn't have happened, but it's an ironic turn of events in my opinion.
Despite not being released for another week (official release date Oct 20th), the album has been leaked onto many torrent websites. It is reported however that AC/DC's record label Sony released 'fake tracks' online to stop users downloading the album, however Torrentfreak claimed "there was no evidence of the fake tracks online".
Personally I don't care for the latest AC/DC offering, I'm quite happy with three of their golden oldies rather than some modern attempt at trying to relive their former glory. And if that many people downloaded the album for free it seems to me that they don't care enough for it to pay, so haha to you AC/DC.
The second story I saw was that Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip are doing a UK tour, of libraries! I am a huge fan of Le Sac vs Pip and think they're style of music is both surreal and superb. For anyone who hasn't heard of them, listen to them now! It's a cross between random electro beats and spoken word poetry. I've seen them live three times now and sadly the library tour isn't coming near me, but I'd love to see them on this tour. It seems such an odd concept, but at the same time suits Le Sac vs Pip quite well. The tour dates are as follows;Walsall Library (December 5)
Lancaster Library (6)
Burnley Library (7)
Skelmersdale Library (10)
Poole Library (11)
Gray's Thurrock Library (13)
London British Library (14)
Prices are £6 a ticket, with £1 off for library members.
Picture Reference: dirtybronson.co.uk
Monday 29 September 2008
Opinions On This Year's EMA's
It's not so much a news story I'm writing about today, I just felt I should keep writing on this blog or I'll just forget about it and it will become another one of my good ideas which fades away after about a week. So today I'm going to give my brief opinions on this year's MTV EMA nominations - woo!
Album Of The Year
• Alicia Keys – As I Am
• Britney Spears - Blackout
• Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
• Duffy – Rockferry
• Leona Lewis – Spirit
I don't own any of the albums on that list, nor have I listened to any of them fully either for personal taste or just not being exposed to the album. I've heard bits of the new Coldplay album and I'm not a fan, at all. The single Violet Hill is nothing special, neither is the title track Viva La Vida. Coldplay as a whole are just one of those bands who try to appeal to everyone and succeed rather well, but nobody knows how.
I feel quite ashamed to be typing these words, but I don't actually mind Duffy. Admittedly she's one of those increasingly common UK female solo artists in the vein of Lily Allen, but it seems the UK pop music scene is swinging that way these days. The other three albums on that list I haven't heard and don't want to hear, especially Leona Lewis! So in conclusion I hope Duffy wins, she's the best of the worst.
Headliner
• Foo Fighters
• Linkin’ Park
• Metallica
• The Cure
• Tokio Hotel
I've seen three out of these five bands on the list and one of them instantly springs to mind who was best - Foo Fighters. I've also seen Linkin Park and Metallica, both of which were good and I'd most likely go see them again, however neither of them come close to the spectactle and the atmosphere of Foo Fighters live. Dave Grohl controls the stage and with anthems such as All My Life and Everlong, and there is no better or happier feeling than watching thousands of people around you all smiling and singing along. For both Metallica and Linkin Park I was 'caught in the mosh' as it were, which was good for a while but watching Foo Fighters was completely different. Everyone there appreciated the music, instead of fighting to it. Foo Fighters for the win!
Most Addictive Track
• Coldplay – Viva La Vida
• Duffy – Mercy
• Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
• Kid Rock – All Summer Long
• P!nk – So What
Kid Rock is awful. Enough said. He has yet to write a good song and has somehow sold over 15 million records worldwide and the track All Summer Long is another reminder of why some people shouldn't have a record deal. His lyrics too are much to be desired - "we were trying different things, we were smoking funny things" - rhyming things with things is not hard, I'm quite sure a 6 year old could rhyme the same word. However this award is not for the best track of the year, it's for the most addictive. And sadly All Summer Long was everywhere and everyone knew it, so I'm 99% positive it will win that category.
New Act
• Duffy
• Jonas Brothers
• Katy Perry
• Miley Cyrus
• One Republic
I don't actually know what to write about this award as I don't listen to any of the nominees. I suppose I have to say I want Duffy to win, plainly for bigging her up earlier in the blog. The Jonas Brothers are terrible, Katy Perry is annoying, I don't know who Miley Cyrus is and One Republic just aren't very good.
Act of 2008
• Amy Winehouse
• Britney Spears
• Coldplay
• Leona Lewis
• Rihanna
This could be a hard fought for category as each artist has done a lot this year, either in terms of their personal life or the music charts each artist deserves to be there. Amy Winehouse has been in the news a lot this year through her numerous drug binges and out of control behaviour, but she is a very talented singer. Britney Spears has also been all over the headlines for the past year for one reason or another, but again she can sing and has made a successful comeback to the music world. Coldplay are overrated and dreary, but popular. Leona Lewis can sing well but is still famous for basically one song. Rihanna is a very talented singer and has had great chart success this past year, I think she has a good shot at taking this award but I have a feeling Britney will go home with this award.
Ultimate Urban
• Alicia Keys
• Beyoncé
• Chris Brown
• Kanye West
• Lil Wayne
I don't listen to urban music and know very little about it. I have a few Kanye West songs on my iTunes and listen to them from time to time, but I'd hardly call myself a fan. I know Lil Wayne is huge in America, but have no idea how popular he is in Europe. I hope Kanye wins simply for the fact I know who he is, sorry.
Rock Out
• 30 Seconds to Mars
• Linkin’ Park
• Metallica
• Paramore
• Slipknot
The last category is best rock band, dubbed Rock Out. I don't like 30 Seconds To Mars at all, they're famous for being emotive in their music but in person they're pretentious. I can't see them winning this category at all, they don't embody the image of rock music or what it stands for. Linkin Park have a good shot at this award as they have done very well the past year with success in the album and single chart, their single with Busta Rhymes was on Radio 1 constantly throughout the Summer. Metallica have made their climactic return to the rock scene this year with their new album Death Magnetic which made it to #1 in the UK album chart and have been in most if not all music magazines in the past few months as well as being on numerous TV and radio shows to let us all know that they're back. Paramore are not rock music, they're pop-rock at best. Additionally they haven't really done anything this year, their biggest single Misery Business was released in 2007. Slipknot on the other hand I thoroughly want to win. I've been following them for the past 7 years and love their music and what they do on stage. Having been on hiatus for the past few years their fourth studio album All Hope Is Gone saw Slipknot make an awesome return to the music scene and the world as a whole. Slipknot have been on my playlist since 2001 and aren't leaving anytime soon, in my opinion Slipknot are the best rock band of 2008.
Source for nominations: MTV.co.uk
Album Of The Year
• Alicia Keys – As I Am
• Britney Spears - Blackout
• Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends
• Duffy – Rockferry
• Leona Lewis – Spirit
I don't own any of the albums on that list, nor have I listened to any of them fully either for personal taste or just not being exposed to the album. I've heard bits of the new Coldplay album and I'm not a fan, at all. The single Violet Hill is nothing special, neither is the title track Viva La Vida. Coldplay as a whole are just one of those bands who try to appeal to everyone and succeed rather well, but nobody knows how.
I feel quite ashamed to be typing these words, but I don't actually mind Duffy. Admittedly she's one of those increasingly common UK female solo artists in the vein of Lily Allen, but it seems the UK pop music scene is swinging that way these days. The other three albums on that list I haven't heard and don't want to hear, especially Leona Lewis! So in conclusion I hope Duffy wins, she's the best of the worst.
Headliner
• Foo Fighters
• Linkin’ Park
• Metallica
• The Cure
• Tokio Hotel
I've seen three out of these five bands on the list and one of them instantly springs to mind who was best - Foo Fighters. I've also seen Linkin Park and Metallica, both of which were good and I'd most likely go see them again, however neither of them come close to the spectactle and the atmosphere of Foo Fighters live. Dave Grohl controls the stage and with anthems such as All My Life and Everlong, and there is no better or happier feeling than watching thousands of people around you all smiling and singing along. For both Metallica and Linkin Park I was 'caught in the mosh' as it were, which was good for a while but watching Foo Fighters was completely different. Everyone there appreciated the music, instead of fighting to it. Foo Fighters for the win!
Most Addictive Track
• Coldplay – Viva La Vida
• Duffy – Mercy
• Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
• Kid Rock – All Summer Long
• P!nk – So What
Kid Rock is awful. Enough said. He has yet to write a good song and has somehow sold over 15 million records worldwide and the track All Summer Long is another reminder of why some people shouldn't have a record deal. His lyrics too are much to be desired - "we were trying different things, we were smoking funny things" - rhyming things with things is not hard, I'm quite sure a 6 year old could rhyme the same word. However this award is not for the best track of the year, it's for the most addictive. And sadly All Summer Long was everywhere and everyone knew it, so I'm 99% positive it will win that category.
New Act
• Duffy
• Jonas Brothers
• Katy Perry
• Miley Cyrus
• One Republic
I don't actually know what to write about this award as I don't listen to any of the nominees. I suppose I have to say I want Duffy to win, plainly for bigging her up earlier in the blog. The Jonas Brothers are terrible, Katy Perry is annoying, I don't know who Miley Cyrus is and One Republic just aren't very good.
Act of 2008
• Amy Winehouse
• Britney Spears
• Coldplay
• Leona Lewis
• Rihanna
This could be a hard fought for category as each artist has done a lot this year, either in terms of their personal life or the music charts each artist deserves to be there. Amy Winehouse has been in the news a lot this year through her numerous drug binges and out of control behaviour, but she is a very talented singer. Britney Spears has also been all over the headlines for the past year for one reason or another, but again she can sing and has made a successful comeback to the music world. Coldplay are overrated and dreary, but popular. Leona Lewis can sing well but is still famous for basically one song. Rihanna is a very talented singer and has had great chart success this past year, I think she has a good shot at taking this award but I have a feeling Britney will go home with this award.
Ultimate Urban
• Alicia Keys
• Beyoncé
• Chris Brown
• Kanye West
• Lil Wayne
I don't listen to urban music and know very little about it. I have a few Kanye West songs on my iTunes and listen to them from time to time, but I'd hardly call myself a fan. I know Lil Wayne is huge in America, but have no idea how popular he is in Europe. I hope Kanye wins simply for the fact I know who he is, sorry.
Rock Out
• 30 Seconds to Mars
• Linkin’ Park
• Metallica
• Paramore
• Slipknot
The last category is best rock band, dubbed Rock Out. I don't like 30 Seconds To Mars at all, they're famous for being emotive in their music but in person they're pretentious. I can't see them winning this category at all, they don't embody the image of rock music or what it stands for. Linkin Park have a good shot at this award as they have done very well the past year with success in the album and single chart, their single with Busta Rhymes was on Radio 1 constantly throughout the Summer. Metallica have made their climactic return to the rock scene this year with their new album Death Magnetic which made it to #1 in the UK album chart and have been in most if not all music magazines in the past few months as well as being on numerous TV and radio shows to let us all know that they're back. Paramore are not rock music, they're pop-rock at best. Additionally they haven't really done anything this year, their biggest single Misery Business was released in 2007. Slipknot on the other hand I thoroughly want to win. I've been following them for the past 7 years and love their music and what they do on stage. Having been on hiatus for the past few years their fourth studio album All Hope Is Gone saw Slipknot make an awesome return to the music scene and the world as a whole. Slipknot have been on my playlist since 2001 and aren't leaving anytime soon, in my opinion Slipknot are the best rock band of 2008.
Source for nominations: MTV.co.uk
Friday 26 September 2008
AC/DC Resist The Future Of Music
Whilst roaming around the internet looking for the latest music news, and amongst the latest tour dates and album releases it seems AC/DC have lost their minds.
AC/DC at present do not have any of their back catalogue on iTunes available for download, instead they are sticking to CDs.
Angus Young (guitarist) told the Telegraph; "We believe the songs on any of our albums belong together. If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album. We don't think that represents us musically."
Now don't get me wrong, I agree that all songs on an album belong together. But I have three AC/DC albums and none of which would I consider a 'concept' album, it is perfectly possible to listen to one song and enjoy it without missing the backstory. However there are bands who do produce concept albums and have the songs individually listed on iTunes to download, these include; The Mars Volta, Mastodon and even Pink Floyd. If you were to download the Pink Floyd classic 'Another Brick In The Wall Part.2' then you not only have you missed out on parts 1 and 3 but the rest of 'The Wall' album. On the other hand, if you downloaded the infamous AC/DC track 'Highway To Hell' you wouldn't miss out on it's meaning or relevance to the rest of the album.
Mr. Young went on to say; "Since iTunes came into existence, we've actually increased our back catalogue sales without being on the site". Now this may be the case, but I don't think many new people have been introduced to their music. I tend to download songs from iTunes to see what a band is like - it's only 79p - but if I walk into HMV I don't spend £10 on an album that I might not like. I'm pretty positive the sales AC/DC have attributed are from present AC/DC fans, not music lovers looking for something new.
If AC/DC want to keep a fanbase and expand on it in the future then using the internet is the way forward. They have an album coming out on October 20th and I can guarantee only current AC/DC fans will buy it.
Picture Reference: http://www.virginmedia.com
AC/DC at present do not have any of their back catalogue on iTunes available for download, instead they are sticking to CDs.
Angus Young (guitarist) told the Telegraph; "We believe the songs on any of our albums belong together. If we were on iTunes, we know a certain percentage of people would only download two or three songs from the album. We don't think that represents us musically."Now don't get me wrong, I agree that all songs on an album belong together. But I have three AC/DC albums and none of which would I consider a 'concept' album, it is perfectly possible to listen to one song and enjoy it without missing the backstory. However there are bands who do produce concept albums and have the songs individually listed on iTunes to download, these include; The Mars Volta, Mastodon and even Pink Floyd. If you were to download the Pink Floyd classic 'Another Brick In The Wall Part.2' then you not only have you missed out on parts 1 and 3 but the rest of 'The Wall' album. On the other hand, if you downloaded the infamous AC/DC track 'Highway To Hell' you wouldn't miss out on it's meaning or relevance to the rest of the album.
Mr. Young went on to say; "Since iTunes came into existence, we've actually increased our back catalogue sales without being on the site". Now this may be the case, but I don't think many new people have been introduced to their music. I tend to download songs from iTunes to see what a band is like - it's only 79p - but if I walk into HMV I don't spend £10 on an album that I might not like. I'm pretty positive the sales AC/DC have attributed are from present AC/DC fans, not music lovers looking for something new.
If AC/DC want to keep a fanbase and expand on it in the future then using the internet is the way forward. They have an album coming out on October 20th and I can guarantee only current AC/DC fans will buy it.
Picture Reference: http://www.virginmedia.com
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