"I tried to illuminate but the shadows kill"

AMAZING!

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Jackals

Some of my friends have started a new band called Jackals and last night I went to Earth studios to watch them practise. There's six of them in the band with Jack and Wes doing dual vocals and what I've heard so far sounded brilliant! It's nice to see a band progress from the very start and I have high expectations because they all seem very talented.

http://www.myspace.com/wearejackals

p.s the photo is actually a framed "lenticular portrait" which was in the halloween section in Sainsbury's and I thought looked amazing, my mum bought for me (THANKS MUM!).

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Fix Me

I apologise for the terrible terrible photo! (it's actually a photo of a bad photo I took). I saw Dead Swans play last Sunday and I've left it too late to write a detailed account of the evening. To sum it up...I enjoyed shouting along to the Black Flag cover after a long day working!

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"little light, lead us through the night"

I bought this album today and so far it sounds beautiful.

"Well I've tried, God knows that I've tried"

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Songs to scream at the sun.

I forgot to mention I saw one of my all time favourite bands for the final time this summer (Have Heart are playing their last show in Boston on the 17th). This band have had a real impact on my life, cementing values which I hope I always consider important and inspiring will to overcome problems in my life. No doubt that may sound cheesy but I feel emotional distress can be a truly crippling thing and the way words and instruments work together have a profound effect on many people. What I mean is when it's put into context for example when you're feeling the weight of the world and you listen to a song the words sound different to how they would be read. The first time I saw them play was in a pub which was almost overflowing with people. I don't think I had ever been to a show without a stage before, hardcore and the principles surrounding it were an unknown and exciting thing to me. I imagine myself still loving this band when I'm old and grey and look forward to reflecting on the words I shouted at the top of my voice when I was a kid (even now I'm especially fond of those memories).

"and for this gift I don't deserve to get, I'll make damn sure I earn this."

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http://www.myspace.com/haveheart

(photo by Face The Show...http://www.facetheshow.com/index.php)

people are just people

I like Regina Spektor's singing voice.

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Hold Your Ground

"have no fear of your critics, be proud of the life you lead"

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"All my friends are living saints.."

On Saturday I made my way (tagging along with some sweet people) into London to see Polar Bear Club and A Wilhelm Scream play at the Underworld. We set off in Alex's car around 2 o'clock and after a few annoying parking issues we got into Camden around 6ish. I enjoyed a well needed "sub of the day" then headed into the venue to watch some rad bands. I only started listening to PBC earlier in the year but since they've become one of my favourite bands! Hearing them play "His Devotee" was a highlight as I've considered it to be a bit of a summer tune. Another favourite was definitely "Living Saints" and I can't wait to hear the rest of their new album. I'm not a massive fan of AWS however they're a great band to see live and I'm going to give them more of a listen from now. It was fun to watch my friend Mr Batten singing his heart out in the VIP section and stagediving (apparently elbowing a lady in the face before apologising profusely). The photo above is a promo he did for AWS beforehand. I feel he did a great job and I'd go as far to say he's my favourite photographer! Good times with good people.

"Broke, sore, laughing more...got my friends, got my songs, got it out and I'm moving on."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbatten/

http://www.myspace.com/awilhelmscream

http://www.myspace.com/polarbearclub

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"And if a double-decker bus, crashes into us, to die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die."

I was wandering around rainy Norwich today and decided I'd go see a film I've been anticipating for a while. I felt apprehensive about seeing this by myself but decided that if I was in time for a showing then it was destined (I arrived 15 minutes before the 3.30 showing). As I sat down in the cinema I briefly had the whole screen to myself and in a childish way I found it exciting and really hoped it would stay that way. The film was exactly what I was hoping it would be and not the boring chick flick I was worried it might be. It was interesting, moving and relatable. I want to see it again now so I consider that the sign of a good film.

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My Door Is Always Open.

Just finished watching the film accompanying Noah And The Whale's new album The First Days Of Spring. It's a really good album and I feel inspired me to try to start doing some filming of my own. Today I tried to hunt for the oldest video camera I could find. I found an interesting one in an antique shop for £55 I'm considering.

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Start Today!

The past few days have been really good. Not that I've constantly been on top of the world but I'm pretty cool with that because I'm glad to be doing things I enjoy and not letting the blues get the best of me (just living).

After work on Sunday I got a train to Ipswich then a bus to Newbury park then finally the tube to Liverpool Street (thankfully all went smoothly!). I stayed at my Grandma's house with her and my Aunt which was nice as always, they're such good hosts.

Monday I spent most of the day wandering around Regent street trying not to walk into anybody and checking out shops. As always I searched for music I wouldn't be able to pick up in Norwich. Oddly it took me a while to find stuff I wanted however below is what I bought in the end...goodbye money but hello folk/positive hardcore/dirty blues/metal soundtrack.

In the evening I made my way to The Garage to see Set Your Goals. I felt self conscious at times which made me feel uncomfortable. I think I often feel that way around large groups of people however apart from that and annoyingly forgetting some lyrics it was excellent. I have a lot of love for this band and I'm certainly not alone! They played almost every song I wanted to hear, my favourite being Echoes and also Summer Jam was a good'un...I was looking forward to singing "I'm just trying to get my smoothie on dawg" for ages!! It was really nice to hang with friends from back home and elsewhere too (always nice to see friendly faces!). I briefly spoke to Matt (one of the vocalists for SYG) after the show and embarrassingly found myself pretty star struck. Worn out I hoarsely told him that I really enjoyed seeing them play and that I love the new album to which he gratefully thanked me and shook my hand, after that I didn't know what else to say! I would have liked to have spoken to him beforehand so I could have more eloquently put into words just how much his band's music means to me however I think he appreciated my comments and understood my shyness. I look forward to seeing them when they tour again (they're coming back at the end of the year!)

I always seem to get really annoying people loudly commenting on how sweaty I look after shows. Got back to my Gran's house after getting confused about which tubes to get. Enjoyed a cold Pepsi max and pizza while watching Six Feet Under (nearly finished series 1!).

Woke up bright and early so I could look around Camden quickly. Sadly All Ages records was shut however I might have a look saturday as I'm going back to see Polar Bear Club at The Underworld.

It's a busy time for gigs right now. After my train home and a quick rest I went to see Bane play the Marquee.

(photo by Jan Urant-Bane in Norwich 07)

Gold Kids started first- I found a lot of their songs sounded similer however I enjoyed it and the song "Island Disease" was fantastic!

Lewd Acts- I was pretty unsure what to make of these guys. They're set was definitely interesting, the singer stalked around the room in such a creepy way and threw his microphone around seemingly without a care while the guitarist or bassist bashed into people. Most people I spoke to really seemed to dig it however the pushing people around bothered me. I'm going to have a little moan separate from this because it's not as though they were intentionally kicking people in the teeth or anything and I feel they played really well and seemed friendly speaking to people after their set.

Getting pushed around is something I expect at shows, it's just part of it and it's just something you learn to deal with or should stay out of the way but I'm torn on the subject because part of me gets it must be so dull and sad playing to a bunch of people who stand around while you're giving it your all, it's exciting to have an element of danger and its fun to just go crazy. On the other side I feel people might do it to feel cool and that really pushing people around shouldn't be acceptable because it's fucking annoying if you're not up for it. Some of my friends (many which have much respect for) jump around into people at shows and it's not like I hold it against them, I guess it's just not my thing. Another thing that gets to me is when people complain about what other people do while watching a band. People pay money to go to a show and want to have a good time so why can't they fucking do whatever they please. It's not necessary for everyone to move around. In my mind it's better to care less what other people are doing and just have a good time!

I really enjoyed seeing Bane play for the 3rd time. They headlined one of the first hardcore shows I went to when Mike Darkside put them on in Norwich back in 2007. The majority of the crowd didn't seem that into it this time however I tried to put my inhibitions aside and sang my heart out when I could remember the lyrics. In my mind they have some brilliant songs and the positive message they send out means a lot to me. Once again it was nice to hang out with friendly people and enjoy one of my favourite bands and some really rad supports.

Today I had a chilled out day with my brother. We went for a subway and to Vue to watch The Final Destination. He was a little freaked out at the start as I stupidly told him it was going to be scary however in reality it's a pretty silly film which is hardly different from the last three but still entertaining.

If you've read this far..thankyou!

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