Wednesday 19 October 2011
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Definitely something funny going on with my viewing stats. My blog supposedly received 575 views yesterday and in the last week 893 of which 709 were from the USA! Definitely something fishy and possibly sinister going on.
Any ideas?
On the off chance that there really are people in the USA tuning in please feel free to leave to leave a comment or two.
Signing off
Paranoid from the Boro!
Any ideas?
On the off chance that there really are people in the USA tuning in please feel free to leave to leave a comment or two.
Signing off
Paranoid from the Boro!
Monday 10 October 2011
Rock Garden Revisited John Otway/Shrug/Bob Fischer
Work today after a great week-end off. I've had worse Monday's.
Thursday night went well and Linda and James accompanied me to The Sessions to watch Gary. He was a bit subdued by his standards to be honest. The other artists (can't remember names were average at best) but as ever Gary was great company.
Went for a decent walk Saturday with Shamila around Thorpe Thewels, Whitton and Stillington and later went to the latest Rock Garden re-visited show at the Georgian Theatre Stockton.
To be honest the punk revival isn't my thing. I've been over my association with the Rock Garden (think on LJ) before so I'll spare you on this occasion and although I admire the promotional work of Steve Harland and friends I do not feel a jot of nostalgia for either punk rock or the Rock Garden. I went to one of their previous shows, Subway Sect/Drop earlier this year and hardly recognised anybody outside my circle of friends. Shame all the old punks haven't worn as well as me. Ha ha!
Anyway, Ste fancied this one and as I've dragged him to a few recently and it wasn't Punishment Of Luxury, Spear Of Destiny or 999, why not. At least John Otway is still a working musician.
Otway was never a punk. He had his first hit in 1977 and because it was 1977 and as he wasn't easily identifiable as heavy metal or prog rock he was labelled punk/new wave. His hit, with his then sidekick, Wild Willy Barrett was Cor Baby That's Really Free. I seem to remember him later releasing a version of Green Green Grass Of Home' It was a long time ago but I don't remember being very keen.
As I say he's had a musical career though and apparently even had another hit in 2002 with a song called Bunsen Burner, based on Disco Inferno by The Trammps coupled with a version of House Of The Rising Sun.
There was a reasonable turnout, about 140 according to Steve and a fair few of them seemed to know the drill as Otway knocked out staccato versions of his hits plus cover versions of Crazy Horses, Blockbuster and You Aint Seen Nothing Yet. He didn't do Green Green Grass Of Home though, so here it is. It all pretty much sounded like that to be honest.
Still not my cup of tea musically and bah humbug, I found the comedy all a bit staged and pedestrian but the fair people of Teesside lapped it up so who am I to pick nits? John Otway seemed happy being brought back for 2 encores but I suspect he knew that's the way it was going to pan out.
Bob Fischer and Shrug?
I remember John Power from Cast referred to Bob Fischer as a "bit of a local hero" when Bob admirably replaced Power's bass player at short notice at Stockton Riverside Festival a few years ago. BBC Tees presenter, champion of new music, writer (look at the reviews, wow!), and one time contributor of (maybe he still is - I no longer read it) Boro fanzine "Fly Me To The Moon". Not sure about hero, I don't know the him but he's very funny on the radio and here on stage and makes a great a great contribution to alternative music.
Ably assisted by Miniature G (also one time FMTTM contributor) on backing vocals and bongos and a lad who used to be in a post punk band from Leeds, Bob whipped through a very nice set of amusing folk/doo wop numbers culminating with memorable (to me anyway) versions of Laurel (Bishop Auckland's finest) and Hardy's "The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine" and "Whispering Grass" (immense vocals by Miniature G) . Now that's what I call nostalgia 2011!
Shrug were bloody marvellous actually. The best I can ever remember. Now a 7 piece including violin on the impressive Captain Cook inspired Legasea from their new Too Many Cooks EP which you can listen to streaming here and if that's not enough you can give their their whole archive by (funnily enough) clicking on the archive graphic.
Lead vocalist Rob Nicholls charged around the stage making lots of dramatic gestures towards the audience as per usual with a constant change of clothes, wigs, masks and props. I can't comment much on earlier versions of Shrug but the 2011 vintage really is (I think the modern phrase is) tight as. Held together by a great drum/bass back line. The guitars crash wonderfully and the keyboard provides simple (is best) sparse melodies.
Rob loves The Fall and there are similarities with the sound but his songs are clever and good humoured and his repartee with the audience is informal and friendly (local show for local people). Actually about as far away from Mark Smith as you could get. Rob probably thinks of it as musical theatre and he's right on the button. Great stuff, looking forward to seeing them again already.
Thursday night went well and Linda and James accompanied me to The Sessions to watch Gary. He was a bit subdued by his standards to be honest. The other artists (can't remember names were average at best) but as ever Gary was great company.
Went for a decent walk Saturday with Shamila around Thorpe Thewels, Whitton and Stillington and later went to the latest Rock Garden re-visited show at the Georgian Theatre Stockton.
To be honest the punk revival isn't my thing. I've been over my association with the Rock Garden (think on LJ) before so I'll spare you on this occasion and although I admire the promotional work of Steve Harland and friends I do not feel a jot of nostalgia for either punk rock or the Rock Garden. I went to one of their previous shows, Subway Sect/Drop earlier this year and hardly recognised anybody outside my circle of friends. Shame all the old punks haven't worn as well as me. Ha ha!
Anyway, Ste fancied this one and as I've dragged him to a few recently and it wasn't Punishment Of Luxury, Spear Of Destiny or 999, why not. At least John Otway is still a working musician.
Otway was never a punk. He had his first hit in 1977 and because it was 1977 and as he wasn't easily identifiable as heavy metal or prog rock he was labelled punk/new wave. His hit, with his then sidekick, Wild Willy Barrett was Cor Baby That's Really Free. I seem to remember him later releasing a version of Green Green Grass Of Home' It was a long time ago but I don't remember being very keen.
As I say he's had a musical career though and apparently even had another hit in 2002 with a song called Bunsen Burner, based on Disco Inferno by The Trammps coupled with a version of House Of The Rising Sun.
There was a reasonable turnout, about 140 according to Steve and a fair few of them seemed to know the drill as Otway knocked out staccato versions of his hits plus cover versions of Crazy Horses, Blockbuster and You Aint Seen Nothing Yet. He didn't do Green Green Grass Of Home though, so here it is. It all pretty much sounded like that to be honest.
Still not my cup of tea musically and bah humbug, I found the comedy all a bit staged and pedestrian but the fair people of Teesside lapped it up so who am I to pick nits? John Otway seemed happy being brought back for 2 encores but I suspect he knew that's the way it was going to pan out.
Bob Fischer and Shrug?
I remember John Power from Cast referred to Bob Fischer as a "bit of a local hero" when Bob admirably replaced Power's bass player at short notice at Stockton Riverside Festival a few years ago. BBC Tees presenter, champion of new music, writer (look at the reviews, wow!), and one time contributor of (maybe he still is - I no longer read it) Boro fanzine "Fly Me To The Moon". Not sure about hero, I don't know the him but he's very funny on the radio and here on stage and makes a great a great contribution to alternative music.
Ably assisted by Miniature G (also one time FMTTM contributor) on backing vocals and bongos and a lad who used to be in a post punk band from Leeds, Bob whipped through a very nice set of amusing folk/doo wop numbers culminating with memorable (to me anyway) versions of Laurel (Bishop Auckland's finest) and Hardy's "The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine" and "Whispering Grass" (immense vocals by Miniature G) . Now that's what I call nostalgia 2011!
Shrug were bloody marvellous actually. The best I can ever remember. Now a 7 piece including violin on the impressive Captain Cook inspired Legasea from their new Too Many Cooks EP which you can listen to streaming here and if that's not enough you can give their their whole archive by (funnily enough) clicking on the archive graphic.
Lead vocalist Rob Nicholls charged around the stage making lots of dramatic gestures towards the audience as per usual with a constant change of clothes, wigs, masks and props. I can't comment much on earlier versions of Shrug but the 2011 vintage really is (I think the modern phrase is) tight as. Held together by a great drum/bass back line. The guitars crash wonderfully and the keyboard provides simple (is best) sparse melodies.
Rob loves The Fall and there are similarities with the sound but his songs are clever and good humoured and his repartee with the audience is informal and friendly (local show for local people). Actually about as far away from Mark Smith as you could get. Rob probably thinks of it as musical theatre and he's right on the button. Great stuff, looking forward to seeing them again already.
Damn Statistics
As personal friends know I've never been one to court popularity for my blog and I don't normally read anything into it on the odd occasion when more people tune in.
Not sure if something sinister is going on but I've just checked my stats and on 3 October my blog had 600 viewings. I'm normally lucky if I get 50! I'm guessing it's not a coincidence that my post of 3 October was a political post.
Don't know whether to be chuffed or scared. It was clearly a one off because I'm now down to my usual 25 or so (as ever thank you all).
Not sure if something sinister is going on but I've just checked my stats and on 3 October my blog had 600 viewings. I'm normally lucky if I get 50! I'm guessing it's not a coincidence that my post of 3 October was a political post.
Don't know whether to be chuffed or scared. It was clearly a one off because I'm now down to my usual 25 or so (as ever thank you all).
You're A Foreigner!
Currently sharing my house with this beast!
Awe...Don't knock it, at least he's company!
Sunday 9 October 2011
Art or Fart? 2 and 3
What do you think of these paintings from The Tate Modern in London?
...and what about?
I'd have this on my my wall. I don't think it's too bad.
This is bullshit, if this art so are my living room curtains!
...and what about?
I'd have this on my my wall. I don't think it's too bad.
End Of The Road Festival 2011 - My Last Post About Probably
Just received 2011: A Space Odyssey by The Cambodian Space Project from Amazon Marketplace and that brings to a close my EOTR Festival purchases for 2011.
The complete list is
The complete list is
Walk Into The Sea and I’m An Old Believer - Slow Down Molasses
2011: A Space Odyssey – Cambodian Space Project
Grand Union EP and Homemade Tour EP – Skinny Lister
If The Ocean Gets Rough and Where The Humans Eat – Willy Mason
Clap You Hands Say Yeah and Some Loud Thunder – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Into The Murky Water – The Leisure Society
Last of the Country Gentlemen – Josh T Pearson
Get Well Soon - Sarabeth Tuceck
Tassili – Tinariwen
Dead Flowers – Caitlin Rose
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
More than enough to be honest but hey ho.
And if anybody wants to know what the fuss I made was all about, or even if you want to read a proper review take your pick from the great, the good, the not so good and my friend Richard.
My Friend Richard (you will need to scroll down to September 2011 posts)
A view from The Woods Stage, Saturday Night
Come In Dr Fox your time is up!
Though I loathe the Conservative Party with all my heart I can't deny a grudging admiration for the transition made by Dr Liam Fox from Pop Idol Judge to Defence Secretary for the government.
Oh well, I guess it's back to Satellite Radio for Foxy. Still not too bad though.
Oh well, I guess it's back to Satellite Radio for Foxy. Still not too bad though.
Friday 7 October 2011
The Acceptable Face of Rock'n'Roll
The very wonderful Slow Down Molasses
and
Punt Sessions - Slow Down, Molasses from Nick Seagrave on Vimeo.
and
Monday 3 October 2011
What's Got My Goat?
So Foxy got off. Some campaign eh?
Needless to say, couldn't really give a toss. I've wasted far too much time watching/listening to this story in the news. Obviously, feel sorry for poor girl that got murdered and her family. The fact that I would have to look her name up on the Internet says it all. But that's justice.
Interested in the story about the change in the unfair dismissal law though and the fact that you now have to be employed by a company for 2 years before you can make a claim for unfair dismissal. They reckon the change will save business almost £6m per year, whoopee do! If you have been employed for 2 years and want to claim unfair dismissal you'll have to pay a fee which you will only get back if you win. Happy days for unscrupulous employers and lazy managers.
I had first hand knowledge of unfair dismissal law when my son was sacked by the Sporting Lodge (not sure I've seen a more pathetic corporate web-site by the way) Hotel. I'm not going to bore you with details of the case but the tribunal proved the managers of the hotel lied, produced retrospective documents, didn't take statements off any independent witnesses and basically didn't follow employment law. Thankfully their cover up was so woefully inept their evidence was ripped to shreds by the independent tribunal and the fact that the 4 managers who gave evidence against my son are still working for the the Sporting Lodge speaks volumes about the company.
My son had been working for the hotel for only 18 months so under the new law he wouldn't have been able to challenge his dismissal and would have had the blemish of "sacked for misconduct" on his employment record. Justice was done in my son's case but it won't be for many others in the future.
The Tory press talk about it as an attack on trade unions. That's bullshit, my son wasn't a member of a trade union. He was seen by the management of The Sporting Lodge as an easy target.
Wrong!
By the way keep your eyes open for Sporting Lodge seeking free publicity on "Love Middlesbrough" group and the like on F***book and for my subsequent comments. Happy for Sporting Lodge to see me in court, if they want, I've kept all the paperwork.
And I offer this little snippet without further comment (for now) - "Minimum wage harming job opportunities for young". Scrapping the National Minimum Wage is not yet government policy but watch this space.
Needless to say, couldn't really give a toss. I've wasted far too much time watching/listening to this story in the news. Obviously, feel sorry for poor girl that got murdered and her family. The fact that I would have to look her name up on the Internet says it all. But that's justice.
Interested in the story about the change in the unfair dismissal law though and the fact that you now have to be employed by a company for 2 years before you can make a claim for unfair dismissal. They reckon the change will save business almost £6m per year, whoopee do! If you have been employed for 2 years and want to claim unfair dismissal you'll have to pay a fee which you will only get back if you win. Happy days for unscrupulous employers and lazy managers.
I had first hand knowledge of unfair dismissal law when my son was sacked by the Sporting Lodge (not sure I've seen a more pathetic corporate web-site by the way) Hotel. I'm not going to bore you with details of the case but the tribunal proved the managers of the hotel lied, produced retrospective documents, didn't take statements off any independent witnesses and basically didn't follow employment law. Thankfully their cover up was so woefully inept their evidence was ripped to shreds by the independent tribunal and the fact that the 4 managers who gave evidence against my son are still working for the the Sporting Lodge speaks volumes about the company.
My son had been working for the hotel for only 18 months so under the new law he wouldn't have been able to challenge his dismissal and would have had the blemish of "sacked for misconduct" on his employment record. Justice was done in my son's case but it won't be for many others in the future.
The Tory press talk about it as an attack on trade unions. That's bullshit, my son wasn't a member of a trade union. He was seen by the management of The Sporting Lodge as an easy target.
Wrong!
By the way keep your eyes open for Sporting Lodge seeking free publicity on "Love Middlesbrough" group and the like on F***book and for my subsequent comments. Happy for Sporting Lodge to see me in court, if they want, I've kept all the paperwork.
And I offer this little snippet without further comment (for now) - "Minimum wage harming job opportunities for young". Scrapping the National Minimum Wage is not yet government policy but watch this space.
Sunday 2 October 2011
New Section - Art or Fart?
Just found this on Youtube. EOTR again I'm afraid. I was at the Piano Stage on the last day watching 3 members of The Mountaineering Club playing a couple of songs when a poet got up and joined them. They decided to have a bit of an improv jam and the poet, Richard Watkins asked me to film it on his camera. Not really into poetry but I think it's ok. What do you think?
What the hell, here's the other one he uploaded.
Celeb Watch
Btw, meant to say, whilst in London I spotted Simon Heffer looking the stuffy pompous twat he is in Kensington (can't believe he's only a year older than me) and Clare Short in Earls Court.
Sunday Bloody Sunday (for real this time)
Back to work tomorrow. It seems ages since my last post and I've done quite a bit this week. Shamila and I went to London Monday to Thursday. We went for our (becoming) customary picnic up Eston Hills for her birthday on Friday and I went to Ste's 50th birthday party followed by a late night visit to Bandstand at The Crown. Saw a couple of bands, The Janice Graham Band and The Christophers but the highlight was Rikki Doolan's finale party piece of Psycho Killer. , Needless say still feeling a bit delicate.
I enjoyed London. We stayed in Earls Court which was a pretty good base for what we had planned and especially what we ended up doing. Shamila wanted to visit The Tate Modern, The V&A Museum, view the general tourist attractions and do some shopping in Oxford Street. I was happy with all but the latter but it all turned out ok because Shamila soon got sick of Oxford Street and decided to give Kensington High Street a go leaving me to chill out reading, listening to music on my iPod and sleeping in Kensington Park. Result!
It was interesting being in London the same time of the Labour Party Conference which I followed from the TV News, The Times, The i and the free Evening Standard. Ed Miliband didn't go down too well did he? It seemed that way to me anyway. I applaud a lot of what he said but then again I suppose I would. I particularly liked the spirit of his idea to punish "predatory businesses" but it's all dreamland stuff. Big business quickly turned it round on him asking him to explain what he meant by "predatory businesses" and what he proposed to do about it and they were right. Own goal! I fear Labour might be in opposition for a long time.
Looking around London there weren't many, if any signs of an economic downturn. Loads of development and building work going on. EG, some (turns out 199) new 1and 2 bedroom apartments being built near The Tate Modern a snip at £1m to £5m each!
Who on earth buys these properties? I could speculate about Russian Oligarchs, foreign businessmen, Arab royalty, "predatory businessmen", Premier League footballers et al. People not paying much UK tax anyway but then again what would I know? What I do know though is that it's unlikely I'll earn enough in the whole of my life to buy even one of the "cheapies". Jeez, another world isn't even in it! That said, they can have it for me, if they're daft enough. Nice to spend a few days there but happy to leave. I took a few photos and might post a few up later.
So what's on this week? Double header on Thursday - meeting up with some old work colleagues for tea and a couple of drinks and then going to see Gary R at The Sessions in The Boro. Obviously no work Friday and then going to see John Otway at The Georgian Theatre on Saturday.
Cheers
I enjoyed London. We stayed in Earls Court which was a pretty good base for what we had planned and especially what we ended up doing. Shamila wanted to visit The Tate Modern, The V&A Museum, view the general tourist attractions and do some shopping in Oxford Street. I was happy with all but the latter but it all turned out ok because Shamila soon got sick of Oxford Street and decided to give Kensington High Street a go leaving me to chill out reading, listening to music on my iPod and sleeping in Kensington Park. Result!
It was interesting being in London the same time of the Labour Party Conference which I followed from the TV News, The Times, The i and the free Evening Standard. Ed Miliband didn't go down too well did he? It seemed that way to me anyway. I applaud a lot of what he said but then again I suppose I would. I particularly liked the spirit of his idea to punish "predatory businesses" but it's all dreamland stuff. Big business quickly turned it round on him asking him to explain what he meant by "predatory businesses" and what he proposed to do about it and they were right. Own goal! I fear Labour might be in opposition for a long time.
Looking around London there weren't many, if any signs of an economic downturn. Loads of development and building work going on. EG, some (turns out 199) new 1and 2 bedroom apartments being built near The Tate Modern a snip at £1m to £5m each!
Who on earth buys these properties? I could speculate about Russian Oligarchs, foreign businessmen, Arab royalty, "predatory businessmen", Premier League footballers et al. People not paying much UK tax anyway but then again what would I know? What I do know though is that it's unlikely I'll earn enough in the whole of my life to buy even one of the "cheapies". Jeez, another world isn't even in it! That said, they can have it for me, if they're daft enough. Nice to spend a few days there but happy to leave. I took a few photos and might post a few up later.
So what's on this week? Double header on Thursday - meeting up with some old work colleagues for tea and a couple of drinks and then going to see Gary R at The Sessions in The Boro. Obviously no work Friday and then going to see John Otway at The Georgian Theatre on Saturday.
Cheers
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