Don't be a loser but you are a loser

Hello,

Despite reading that blogging is not cool anymore I decided to keep going. Mainly because I'm less than cool when it comes to jumping off bandwagons.

Anyway, I wanted to talk about two of my favourite live bands watched recently:

Future of the Left
I have had the pleasure of watching this band many times over the last month or so. They are just a ferocious live force which should be recognised in its own right rather than people being upset that McKlusky aren't a band anymore. They have a live album out now so you should get it, I generally think it's better than their records. Although their records are good too...... whatever, check it.

Dan Deacon Ensemble
Watched Dan Deacon play on his own a couple of times and enjoyed muchly but nothing compares to the amazing live show he produced for this year with a 15 piece band (roughly, I'm not sure if I counted them all). 2 xylophones, 3 drummers, 4 keyboards and a rotating bevvy of guitars, saxophones and a whole manner of other bits and bobs. Not to mention Dan himself making a racket with his table of blips and beeps. Amazing Stuff.

Also, once The Hangover makes Zach Galifanakis a big star or whatever, I would urge you to watch his Live at the Purple Onion DVD, the man is beyond hillarious. Comedy to the point of tragedy at its best. If you can find his special, called Look Who it Isn't, then get it, it's better/worse.

Of course you can have a video:


I might empty my phone one day and put my own movies on here.

Until then, who cares!

Gavin x

But I just started

Oh dear, what a waste.

Touring is not a holiday

Unless you book yourself into a hotel on your day off and do nothing except watch this



eat this



and sleep.

Actually, I also watched Ghost Town, the Ricky Gervais film. It's OK, little bit American smoltz for him though I think.

Boring....................

Gavin x

If you read one blog only

Make it this one http://blogs.myspace.com/pattonoswalt

Golden, if you read two, read thisiswhyyourefat.com

Gavin

You can rely on the old man's money..............

Yes dear reader, that is me, I went to a cottage near Auchtermuchty (thats right, it's a real place) and got up to some shenaniagans. These mainly involved being a city boy in the countryside and making the usual school boy errors like walking through hedges and wondering about fires.

Also really fun times were had by all, I think. I went swimming, argued about cheese and talked a lot about how the internet is my best friend. Silly, really silly. This photo particularly upsets me because I look like one of those people I hate, but also thin, hence it's inclusion.

Anyway, back to things that are music related. I have discovered a couple of little things which I'm liking a lot at the moment. Also some fairly constant loves I haven't spoken about on here, first the newbies:

First Aid Kit
From Sweden, covered Fleet Foxes, beautiful little voices. Infact here is that cover in youtube video form, however, please listen to their other stuff as its a bit great, really sweet.



Ice, Sea, Dead People
Ok, it might be the worst name since Shed 7 but they have some real potential, check it out.

Calories
This band have been swimming about my conciousness for a while now. They used to be part of Distophia, who's Soda Lake record is awesome. However they've surpassed that with their new venture. Absolutely amazing stuff and it makes me wish I had some cash so I could buy that album of theirs.


Holy Fuck
Pretty much my favourite live band ever. Saw them three times last year and was blown away each and every time, including the time when they still played despite the fact all their stuff got stuck on a plane.

Frightened Rabbit
I watched Scott Hutchison, singer of above band, sing some of his songs with an acoustic guitar in the back room of a pub the other day. I have to say that he is one of the few Scottish men who makes genuinely important music, not self important apart from in the way that matters.

Other loves this week

Only one, the blog written by Foals on their Myspace Website (here). Really nice photos (Jack mainly) and really witty and intellegent discourse on being in a pop band and other things (Edwin and Yannis), well worth a read whether you like the band or not. However you really should like the band because they're probably better than the one yr in/wish you were in.


Thanks everyone, see you next time, it may be from somewhere what isn't my home

Gavin x

This is how we do it in Texas

Hello people who reads this, I'm much better now thanks

Since this blog is supposedly about the music that I like I thought I'd dedicate it to the music which has filled my eardrums recently.

Chamillionaire
Pretty much the best hip-hop money can buy at the moment. I have to say that I'm particularly enjoying his Sound of Revenge album from 2005, but latest record Ultimate Victory is also the shit. Especially as it has a classic collaboration with Lil Wayne, who is justifiably everybody's favourite rapper at the moment. Chamillionaire seems to be grossly overlooked in this country so I want to redress the balance slightly, he's got some of the best lyrics out there.


Parts & Labor
Here is a band who I recently experienced live and loved. They are from Brooklyn and are currently touring the uk to support their Receivers album released last year. Their previous album, Mapmaker, is where its at though, just a fantastic piece of constistantly tuneful noise rock. They also happen to have an amazing drummer and a really beautiful guitarist, which I feel bad for saying because I don't want to retract from how amazing they are to listen to. Here's a video to savour, but go and see them live if you can, it'll make you feel good.




Maps & Atlases

A band I previously loved last summer and then promptly forgot about until today. They were constantly on my stereo for about 6 months until my last i-pod died. I'm so glad I remembered about them because they are a band that will surely continue to produce greatness every time they commit something to record, class act.

Arab Strap
One word, obsessed. So obsessed infact that I contemplating shelling out thirty pounds for Aidan Moffat's new album despite the fact that I have no job, no money, plus its probably shit. Actually scratch that last one, it's not going to be shit but certainly is unlikely to stir me in the same way that I Can Hear Your Heat (Moffat's solo record from last year) or The Weekend Never Starts Round Hear does.

Ratatat
Fast becoming one of my favourite bands ever. Caught them live last summer again and still feel impressed by the show. All there albums Rock too. Also their hip-hop remix records are were inspired.

Times New Viking
1. Get Ripp It Off
2. Play Loud
3. Repeat

Alternatively, go see them live. As they rock ferociously, and are much louder and the scratchy shitness of their recordings isn't there, which is a nice change, although it does sound charming.


Gang Gang Dance
Vowel defying album Saint Dymphna has been a real treat for me since it plopped out of my letterbox last year. I only just got round to rinsing the excellent God's Money also. First Communion was my favourite song of last year I think. The sort of music I wish they played in clubs still. But they don't, or rather they don't where I'm from.

The Beatles
I recently realised that the Beatles aren't shit after all, however much they are overrated. Paul McCartney's a fucking brilliant songwriter, end of. The rest of them are a bit rubbish more often unfortunately. Then again old Paul is responsible for Ob -La-Di-Ob-La-Da, no thanks. To conteract my feelings of resentment toward them however I've chosen some great Beatles moments which some people might not have heard/cared about.

The Things We Said Today (Hard Day's Night)
Mother Nature's Son (White Album)
I'm Only Sleeping (Revolver)
I'll Follow The Sun (Beatles For Sale)
I Need You (Help)
Two of Us (Let It Be)
Pretty much all of Rubber Soul. Especially I'm Looking Through You.

Other things I liked recently:

Singin' in the Rain - best film ever
The Guardian on a Saturday (got a free poster of dinosaurs, nice)
Fifa '09
Aubergines

Thanks for listening future me

Gavin x

And as I climb into an empty bed.

I was going to do a post today but I'm ill so I've put it on hold for a bit. I have however started a twitter so you can find out what sandwhich I'm eating next here.

While I'm here, here's a link to a song I like. It's dance music.

Lies in Disguise - Meet Yr Replacement

I'll speak in a bit.

Gavin