2006.

Well this is the first time I've done this.
Just a look back at highlights and low lights of the year.

Firstly there is this little beast. I've always wished I'd kept a diary. I think I've experienced enough in my life, with travel and music (my passions) to make one worthwhile. I only wish this would have been available to me say 25 years ago. But lets look forward not back, well ok just the last 12 months.

I've wondered how to do this, do I just ramble on or use a more "diaristic" approach?

A bit of both.
This has been the year I started this project as I said . Joined Myspace, a necessity at the time and prompted by Andy, but glad I'm there now. The first time I travelled west, again a necessity due to three certain ladies. I've been to more gigs this year than I have for many a year. Bought even more albums than last year, I didn't think that was possible. This was also the first year I struggled with my age. Anyway by month here we go -:

January.
Not much happened I hate Jan anyway. Most notable thing I bought a new lap top. I also ordered Gossip, Arctic Monkeys, Clap yr hands and Broken Social albums from Amazon.

February.
Notable thing a trip to Manchester to see Broken Social then to Bristol the next day to see Laura Veirs.

March.
The month was dominated by a trip to Switzerland. I travelled on my birthday which was the only thing that stopped me from committing suicide. For some reason I got really down about being 45. Anyway went to Basel then to Geneva then to Lucerne.

April.
Bought the Rogers Sisters album. Saw Giant Drag and the Organ in Manchester. Oh and set up this little baby, my blog site.

May.
The main thing here was the S-K UK tour. I did Bristol - Leeds and Glasgow. This was a great trip met some good people, had a chat with Corin and Janet for the first time. I also got Corins set list in Bristol and Carries in Leeds.

June.
World cup. Saw Joan for the first time.
Oh! and that day, yes that day. The "indefinite hiatus" day. 27th a night I wont forget in a hurry. I swear I just stared at the announcement for 20/30 mins went to make my dinner and kept coming back to see if it had changed. I then shot straight to the message board where all hell was going on. I proceeded to drink 2 bottles of wine and eventually turn my computer off at 7:10 am, run into the shower then off to work. A sad day.

July.
The scramble for tickets for S-Ks last show dominated here. The one thing that came shining through was how the people from the message board came together as a "community" and helped each other obtain tix and just made sure anyone who was a true fan got tickets for the last shows. I thank Korina and Tom here and of course others who helped others. It was a strange phenomenon people from around the world who just became this close knit community.

August.
The first of the East Coast shows was Philly (actually on 31st July, but I'll put it here). I had a really tight schedule for my flights Liverpool - Dublin - Shannon - Philly. It went sweet as a nut though, apart from a grilling at Philly airport. "Why you here" 3 gigs! "Who ya seein'?" ect ect!!
Anyway I was a phenomenally hot day, I struggled in the line here (I got there 2 ish) at times I thought I was going to pass out. Don't forget I'd been up since 3am plus the 5 hour difference in time. Eventually met up with Andy, Kori and Garrett. The rest as they say is history, I rank this as probably the best I've ever seen S-K. Therefore the probably the best gig ever. I ended up being awake for 30 hours. The next morning the four of us got the bus from Philly down to DC. I have posted all this in my East Coast review. The cancellation of the DC gig just before the ladies were due on stage in some way seemed to bond the four of us. Even at the time it was one of those strange incidents that only good was going to out of. I got the train separately to NYC the following morning and got to Webster Hall at about 11:10 am Who's already on the steps? Sharron, she must have had a time machine. Again all the details I posted earlier but these turned out to be an incredible few days. It's impossible to mention all the incidents and things that happened, there were just too many. Even now I think of things and say to myself "oh yeah I forgot about that". Fact is Andy, Kori and Garrett I now consider you true friends. Back home, 3 days in work then off to PDX. Again I could go on and on about everything that happened in those few days too. Again though I met some wonderful people who I now consider as friends.
Oh! and the ladies totally rocked too. 10 days later I went to see Janet with Quasi in Manchester and had a really nice chat with her, she also made a point of coming over to say goodbye at the end too.The board eventually came back up as well.

September.
How do you follow the previous two months, well a holiday in Serbia is about as good as it got. I had a nice week. I spent a few days in Belgrade then travelled up to Novi Sad for a few more days. Weather was good (of course) and I just tried to relax as much as poss. I also got my "final show" poster framed which is so beautiful.

October.
I saw the VEG Club for the first time and also EE for the first time. Both were great they also ended up topping my 2006 album list. I'll say this here and it's not the reason I like 'em but Louise Mason is freakin hot. I also caught the Gossip again in Liverpool, shit venue though.

November.
Saw the Gossip again this time at the Roadhouse in Manchester. Great gig excluding S-K shows the best of the year. Met some good people the crowd totally rocked, Beth clasped hands with me again. They really exuded their new found fame and confidence here, had a brief chat with Brace after too. Other good shows this month included the Sound Movement (the smallest stage in the world) and The Rogers again. Veg Club with You Say Party-- Louise lookin' hot again!!. This month also saw Ruth turn 50, A great party was held at Broad Oak with a performance from Nath and his band of travelling poets.

December.
Not much here really except my first view of Blood Red Shoes. I like this duo, Laura - guitar and Steven - drums. Good angular punk stuff.

There you go the year in brief , honest!.
Dominated by three ladies. I thought time would heal the "hiatus" (I'll hate that word for eternity). Whether it's just a bad patch I don't know but I miss them more than ever at the moment, the thought of not seeing them live next year is depressing.

Kristin, I need you to save my life.

Mothers 85th Birhtday 25-12-06

Xmas Day. Broad Oak. Rossett.

Not the most flattering photo mother but not bad for 85.

This was the first and last Xmas at Broad Oak, somehow I missed Nayland Ave. In fairness Xmas dinner was superb considering it was the first time Ruth had cooked it on a range stove. No name tags at the table though!!
It was good to have Martin there as he was on good form earlier on. Unfortunately he deteriorated as more alcohol flowed as the day/night wore on. I paced myself well as I'm not as big a drinker these days. Good to have Tom there too, I feel as though I haven't seen Simon in far too long. I think a trip to Sweden is on the cards next year. A thanks to Nathan and Natalie who assisted Ruth with the kitchen duties.

(Ruth & Sue)
Reintroduced this year was the vodka sesh while watching Pete do the washing up. I did miss part of this though due to a photo showing session. I think this is what finally saw off Martin.
As the evening wore on the usual suspects hung around, namely Nath, Nat and myself. Nath and I finally spent the last hours seemingly discussing my chosen path of disassociating myself with most forms of media. Nath found this hard to grasp and we started to argue about it. I think we finished on a we'll have to agree to disagree type thing.
I finally crashed on the settee at 4:45.

My top albums of 2006

I'll start by saying that the first four albums here are actually in a tie there is no clear "winner" as such. It would do each of them an injustice to say any one of them is better than the other.
1. Erase Errata. Nightlife.
Yeah they sound like the name. Three ladies whose first few albums are short sharp angular punk tunes. Hmm where have we heard that before. Love this slice of angular punk, I really love the sound they create. Jenny's guitar at first comes across as erratic, but on closer inspection is very clever. Backed admirably by Ellie's base and the excellent drumming of Bianca. Great album.

2. The Victorian English Gentleman's Club. S/T.

The best way to describe this would be an eccentric British version of EE. Similar set up, a three piece. Angular guitar throbbing bass, courtesy of Louise Mason and again an excellent drummer in Emma Damon. This is so different than anything else out there which is why it caught my ear I suppose. They're good live too.

3. The Rogers Sisters. The invisible deck

Another three piece. Think Yeah Yeah Yeah's crossed with Sonic Youth with a tinge of the Velvet Underground. What I love about this is the varied track length, from 3 min sharp rock to 8 min drawn out art rock. Superb live too.

4. The Gossip. Standing in the way of control.

This is the album that has broken the Gossip in this country. The media went mad for Beth, NME even naming her coolest person on the planet. This is soulful dance punk at its best though. You won't find a better bass line than the title track anywhere.

5. Midlake. The trials of Van Occupanther.

My discovery of the year (OK with the RS and TVEGC) I ordered this in after reading a review. As soon as I got it I started raving about it. I mailed Stuart Maconie and Gideon Coe (R6) about it to no avail. 4 month down the line they finally pick up on it. I t now appears on every top 10 list I've seen. This is warm folk rock that has beautiful arrangements, and has a lovely old world theme running through it. The years "beautiful" album.

6. Controller Controller. X Amounts.

Of the contingent of the Canadian bands I've listened too this year this is probably the most consistent album. I can't remember how I came across them (probably heard a song on R6).

AH! I've just remembered, would you believe I saw a poster in the Night & Day in Manchester at the Giant Drag gig. The power of advertising eh! I checked em out, bought the album and here we are. Just a consistently good rock 'n' roll record.

7. Quasi. When the going gets dark.

I think this is Sam and Janets most consistent album. I love the eclectic feel the off kilter arrangements, all played with great musicianship. J brought in Dave Fridman to produce (Woods) which is why J's drum sound is much better than other Quasi records, imo.

8. Keith. Red Tread.

Now I did discover these on R6, they played a session for Gideon . I liked what I heard so bought the album. Best point of ref here is Turin Brakes, but more key led. Another album that has a good variety of track length. A lovely album though.

9. Silversun Pickups. Carnavas.

Another great discovery. I think it was Insound I read a review of this so ordered it in and was not disappointed. It was an album that took several plays to get really under the skin but once there you realise what a great record it is.

10. Joan as Policewoman. Real Life.

I'd been tracking Ms Wasser for a while, got her EP early in the year but it was the full album everyone was waiting for. My favorite singer songwriter album of the year. Lovely arrangements again, as she is an excellent musician.

The next 10- not in order (well I change my mind every hour).

CSS - Cansei de ser sexy (Dance yr ass off!!)

Metric - Live it out (Great dance punk)

The Long Blondes - Someone to drive you home (think Jarvis/Pulp)

You say party we say die - Hit the floor (again dancy punk at it's best)

Giant Drag - Hearts & Unicorns (Annie is nuts)

Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (the youff back and doin' what they do best)

Sound Movement - Ichi go ichi e (shoegaze)

The Organ - grab that gun (think The Smiths, but Canadian girls )

Two ton boa - Parasiticide (great bass lines)

Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam. (their best for many a year)

Damn there are so many others to mention - The Decemberists, Broken Social Scene, Calexico. Sod it I could go on and on, so I'll stop.

Best gigs this year.

My list of the best gigs Ive been to this year.
I'm going to take the format of only one gig per band as though I've been to a lot this year I've tended to see a select number of artists a few times (S-K 7, Gossip 3, Rogers 5, Joan 2 YSPWSD 2, TEVGC 2) This makes it tough for the S-K gig, the obvious would be PDX, but here we go.
As foot note as most people who do this giggin' lark know it's not just the band and their performance that makes a good gig it's everything that surrounds it. The people the place the travel. The whole experience basically.

1. S-K - Starlight Ballroom - Philadelphia. 31/7.
Yes I'm ranking this show as the best, even ahead of PDX2. Where do I start, everything here was such an experience. I swear after the opening bars to "Start Together" and when they ripped into the body of the song I had tears in my eyes. Then "Fox" - "Drama" an S-K show couldn't start better than that. Everything else that surrounded it too. I ended up doing a 30 hour day, there were times in line for this show I thought I wasn't going to make it and was close to passing out, as the heat was unbearable. Is this fun? well it was an experience and I did it. All this then after the show when the ladies came out Corin points at me and says "Hey I know you from England don't I". It was here too that I first met some lovely wonderful people, who made the whole thing more than worth the money. Thanks again.

2. Gossip - Manchester - Roadhouse. 4/11.
This was the third time I'd them this year, but again what surrounded this gig was so good. The show itself so was so good, they seemed to have a new self confidence here. The venue suited them, the crowd was really full and up for it without being too violent. Beth clasped my hand again, yay!. Again I met some lovely people, Vilevile creatures, and their friends. Nick from the S-K board. Shook hands and had a quick word with Brace too. Great night.

3. YSPWSD/TVEGC - Manchester Roadhouse. 14/11.
This gets third spot cuz both band were on great form on this night. It was also the second time I'd seen both of them. I had a really good chat with two of the guys from YSPWSD before the show too about the state of Canadian music. I also had a chat with Lou after and got a signed limited edition 7" single. These are two bands that I really like live too.

4. Quasi - Manchester - Roadhouse. 22/8.
I was apprehensive about this because I had persuaded my mate Tim and his girlfriend Bev to come along. It was also the first post S-K outing seeing Janet. They were great though, even if they did have a few sound probs at first. Half way thru the show Tim was proclaiming Sam to be a genius. I had a good chat with Janet before too, I said I'd forgot to thank her for the water in Philly. We chatted and she asked me where I lived, I said about 40 mile away and we joked that it was a local gig for me then. Lovely lady. She made a point of coming over and saying goodbye after the gig too. Special lady.

5. Erase Errata - Brudenell Social Club - Leeds. 16/10.
The only reason this is not higher up the list is that the other bands on the bill were not up to much. EE were great, I would love to have seen them more than once, but they only played 3 or 4 UK shows. Leeds being the closest. I did grab Ellie's set list though.

A mention will also go to Broken Social Scene- Manchester Academy
Joan as policewoman - Manchester - Night & Day.
Metric/Scissors for Lefty - Manchester - Life Cafe.

So there we are, next up my fave albums of the year.

Blood Red Shoes (+ irregular sleep even for me)

Manchester, Night & Day, 15/12.



Usual routine shoot off from work and get the train. Got to the Crown & Anchor at about 19:10. When I come to book in they didn't have my booking on file. Anyway they found me a room. The landlady gave me the keys, one for the room and one for the side door to get in after hours. I went up to the room, the door was open so I just went in sorted myself out and went back downstairs, shuting the room door behind me (this is relavent information for later).
I decide I haven't time to eat now so I have a drink in the bar and leave to check the venue. I check the N & D doors are at 8pm, it also has plastered all over that tonights show is sold out (I have a ticket so I'm ok). I found this stange as BLR are not that well known, they've only released a couple of singles. It's now about 19:45 so I nip to a pub I know round the corner to have a pint or two. I'm thinking get there about 20:30ish. I get back just before the half hour and go straight in. I find out there are 4 bands playing BLR being the main and last act. The firt two bands come and go, in fairness the first band "The Situationists" weren't too bad. The third band on were "The Pigeon Detectives" who I know from the few singles they have released. As it turned out most people here had come to see TPD as there was a huge crush up to the front by a hundred or so spotty oiks. It was very lively almost violent at times there were two stage invasions. I'm ok with all this as I have plenty of expierience of this sort of thing. What I couldn't understand was why? The PDs hail from Leeds, they play what I would describe as "anthemesque cock rock" a`la Kaisers. The band themselves are not that good if it wasn't for the lead singer who crowd surfed several times. I just couldn't see the reason why they were so popular (mmm! age Tim I think).

Blood Red Shoes.

After the mayhem of TPD's BLR took the stage a two piece drum and guitar - male(drums) female (guitar)- set up a`la Giant Drag/White Stripes ect ect. I've only heard their "myspace" songs so I was a little blind here, but I liked what I heard more punky and angular than GD. They set up in a manner so that they play at each other which was good. It created a good intraction and musical raport I think. All of the "oiks" had left front stage and there were only a few people at the very front. Stephen did say they felt a bit daunted by following TPD's but to me they were by far the best/most interesting band of the night.

Ok the reason for the detail earlier is thus:-

I left the venue headed into China town (2/3 mins) and found a restaurant still serving , as it's gone 12:30 by now. I have a nice meal and head back to the pub I'm staying in. When I get back I can't get the key I had been given to work in the side door. I tried and tried. It's 01:45 by now, so I don't want to start making a racket and wake up other residents. I try the key in all the doors to the place, no luck. After about an hour of trying, and pondering I start to thing I'm gonna have to find somewhere to else to stay here (and this is Manchester, it's raining, permanantly). At about 03:15 - 30 after some more anger fuelled bangs on the door the landlady opens the door, finally I'm in. Both of us being pissed off with each other not too many words are exchanged, so up to my room I go. I try the key to my room, DOES NOT WORK!! I try and try ect ect. I give up and decide to just kip on a small couch on the landing. Eventually some guy comes up to the landing and asks what room I'm in, gets a key and lets me in my room. It has well gone 4am now, I'm wet, cold, tired, and pissed off. I was up for breakfast at 8am though.

I wont carry this on detailing the next 24 hours, other than to say even for me my sleep patterns were very weird this weekend, and limited.

Was it a good weekend? Hell yes!

At last!!

Well I finally got round to buying a pair of external speakers for my lap top. I've found I've been listening to more and more music thru my computer this year, so to get some decent speakers to attatch was a necessity. The only problem now is I have more cables and wires than Scotish Power. It does not show it in this pic but believe me there are rucks of cables coming out the back of that small miracle of a machine. My internet conection, mouse, mp3 conection mobile phone conection. Other cables underneath include -Sky box, yep I pay for it but almost never watch (used more for listening to BBC R6 than anything) Record deck, cassett deck (yep I still have one) CD player, Printer and now external speakers. Jeez it's like a recording studio in the 60's

That apart my new speakers rock!

Kristin plays the provinces at last. Updated

I'd given up on seeing Kristin in London hoping that a UK tour would back up the show and the album. Anounced tonight 9 UK dates in early March. I now have to decide which to attend. Manchester is the closest then Sheffield. I somehow fancy the 3 date tour in the midlands Leicester, Nottingham and Birmingham on three consecutive nights. Then Manchester cuz I can do that one without taking time off work.

Ok I've booked Manch'r, so I think the mid's and just Manch'r will do.
I hope she has Bernie and Rob and the McCarricks with her. I don't know what form the shows will take yet wether they are purely solo and acoustic or if she will plug in at any stage. Whatever it'll be great to see K in this country again, play "Listerine" for me?
I presume she'll play "Christian Hearse", there is bound to be a great monalouge to accompany that too.

Ok update here. Billy has confirmed K will have Bernie and Rob and the McCarricks with her for the tour.
Update #2. I'm now just thinking of doing Manc'r and Sheffield. Those two nights will be good 2 venues I know, hmmmm what to do??????

Sound Movement

Ok I know this is about 4 weeks late - sorry!

The Sound Movement - Metropolitan, Liverpool - 9/11/06.

Liverpool Music week ran from 4/11 - 13/11 and showcased many local bands and some not so local. Many of the gigs were in pubs and small clubs. Most of the shows were free and featured six or seven artists on one bill. About 3/4 weeks earlier I heard a song on BBC Radio6 which sounded quite good. It was by a band called Sound Movement. I wrote the name down as I usually do with the intention of checking them out online when I get chance. As it happened I did check them within a day or so. Firstly I like the name, I know it's trivial but, I just do. They look fairly intresting without any gimmick of trying to look it. They've had an interesting journey. They are from Melborne, moved to Tokyo (for 6 months) then to Manchester. Too cold and wet in Manc'r so they moved to London, where they now base themselves. They play jangly guitar "shoegaze" indie rock (ok now't new but it just seemed to fit). I notice from their "Myspace" page they've just released an album and are playing this free gig in Liverpool. As the wonderfull city I reside in is about as up-to-date music wise as a tatan pair of Lionel Blairs, I have to order the album in.

The Thursday of the gig I'm actually off work but decide to get the train up at about 6pm (45 mins). I also decide not to stay in Liverpool and to catch the last train home, about 11:25 pm. When I find the Metropolitan it's a quite large pub with a small stage set up at the back end. I have a chat with the barman who says SM are probably the last on of seven bands and it will start at 8pm. Hmm! if they are gonna be on last I'll probably miss them as I have to get to the station for the last train, damn!. It was then I notice The bass player Kat, quite noticeable as you see from the pics. A bit of luck they set up and play first, great. The downside being there wasn't much of an audience, but hey I got a good view without trying. I was going in blind as their album hadn't turned up yet so I'd only heard their myspace songs. I enjoyed their set though and recognised a couple of the tunes. I'd like to see them on a bigger stage, there was not much room on the small platform they were on. At one point the guitatist on the right (in photo) did venture "off stage" and played side on to the rest of the band.
I stayed and watched a couple more bands and left to get the 11pm train home. Two days later the album turns up, typical. As I say they're nothing new but good at what they do. I like the album very much and it will probably make my top 20 for the year.