Seasons greetings

All of us here at The New Wave would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and an alcohol filled New Year!

The Mandatory 2008 Post Continued

I know, the suspense must be killing you, just who will obtain that oh so glorious accolade of my favourite album of the year?

5.The Last Shadow Puppets-The Age of the Understatement
It was obvious from the moment the new side project of Alex Turner's came into public awareness that it was going to be a hit. He seems to have the midas touch, what with the Arctics going from strength to strength; the band picked up 2 Brit awards in February of this year, one of which for their album Favourite Worst Nightmare. And then there's this bloke called Miles from some Northern Indie band. The music industry seemed to hold a collective breath when news of an album was uncovered: would this be as good as some of what the Arctic Monkeys did? Did this mean that they were splitting up? And who the hell is this guy called Miles? Whilst we still don't really know the answer to the latter (ok so he's the guy from The Rascals, but does anybody care?) we do now know that whilst venturing into a thoroughly different terrain, it seems the boys still know how to make just as exciting an album. If you're a fan of the vintage James Bond films then you'll love the lush orchestral backing, and for those who actually enjoy a song with meaning (I mean really, are we human or are we dancer? Please) there's plenty of Alex's ever-so-clever wit to keep you entertained for the duration of the record. If you like this, then also check out some of Scott Walker's stuff, it runs along a similar vein and is where the inspiration for this LP.






















4. The Ting Tings- We Started Nothing
I think we can safely say everybody on the face of the little dot that is our world is aware of this pop duo. No doubt you've seen the iPod ads, hummed along to it on the radio and probably seen them being interviewed countless times on the tellybox. So, I hear you ask, why the hell do you have them here when they've become largely annoying? Well, for one this album is the perfect example of how music should be played. Tracks like We Started Nothing have a definite groove to them, you feel as if you're a fly on the wall of Katie and Jules' garage having a jamming session. Others, like Fruit Machine and Great DJ are cheeky slices of pop, completely inoffensive and, more importantly, infectious. I challenge you to hear this album in its entirety without once smiling or bobbing your head. I can testify that this is, infact, impossible. Yes they've been a constant presence in 2008, but for damn good reason; Jules and Katie really love the music, you can tell from the this record and, when listening to them, it's hard not to agree with them.























3.Lightspeed Champion-Falling Off the Lavender Bridge
So, your band Test Icicles has just fallen apart and you're left with nothing to do, what now? Well, you create a whole new alter ego and create an album full of truly magical folk. Duh. I could only compare this album to After Eights: Rich and indulgent, yet at the same time bitter, and as much as you try you can't eat just one. A similar experience is listening to Falling Off the Lavender Bridge. Dev utilises the mass of instruments he has at his disposal, from flutes to fiddles, and features the fantabulous Emmy the Great on a number of tracks. All of these combine to make a warm and welcoming sound, traditional of Western folk, but still retaining a hint of darkness. I don't know what Dev had to go through to think of lyrics like "Guzzle down, my neck will burn as we kiss and I'm sick in your mouth" and frankly, neither do I want to, but still, there's a sense of acidity and purpose. Equally interesting is song Midnight Surprise. Although at first glance the 10 minute song seems daunting and ostentatious, you soon forget it's one song but rather 3, the movements seem to interweave effortlessly and upon its ending you still find yourself yearning. This deserves to be placed higher on my list than #3, and would have been if it weren't for those pesky Americans..






















2.MGMT-Oracular Spectacular Alright, hands up if this is a shock. I thought so. Funnily enough this little known band (I jest of course) have made quite a stir both sides of the Atlantic. I vaguely remember reading an article in the NME near the beginning of this year, something about bands to watch out for in 2008, and these guys were featured quite highly. Described as fresh and psychedelic, a kind of new Flaming Lips for all the indie kids to drool over, if you will. It wasn't until I'd heard their now infamous Time to Pretend featured on the last episode of Series 2 of Skins that I actually had any inclination to agree. Then, after much googling and downloading of their album, I regretlessly joined the growing cohort of MGMT fans. My only sulk about this band was that they played two sets at Glastonbury at awkward slots, in between nap time and wandering around the Green fields. Damn them. Anyway, this album is the perfect soundtrack to lazing about in a field somewhere, prancing about the flowerbeds and hugging trees. Or what the 70's would have been like if it were ever so slightly more edgy. This album contains more than a few hooks, prompting many a shout-a-long at their gigs and the skill of the guitarist is incredible. Some bands like to coyly shuffle onto the scene with a little ditty about some girl that left them. Not these guys though. They exploded onto the indie/rock airwaves with an astonishingly magnificent first album. Let's hope they don't fall in the trap that is the second album curse.






















1. Vampire Weekend-Vampire Weekend
And so we reach the climax of my top ten album rundown with the lovely Vampire Weekend. The main reason this band's album is my favourite of the year is because it contains the blueprint for success in the indie industry, both in terms of appearance and music. This group of preppie types certainly know how to dress well whilst also in keeping with the afro-influenced style of their music. Now I'm not a huge fan of African music, purely because although it sounds ok there's nothing that catches me, it just sort of ambles along. Vampire Weekend's afro-indie however does anything but. The influence of Afro syncopation adds a rather exciting pace to the track, thoroughly different from the boring 4/4 rock we've been enduring for some time. Plus the harmonised vocals on this are truly a delight, particularly on tracks like Oxford Comma. Each song also has a distinctive vibe to it that sets it apart from the next, from the hyper bouncing A-Punk to the lazy Sunday afternoon The Kids Don't Stand a Chance, every track is treated as a potential single rather than a bunch of tracks thrown together carelessly. As well as using African influences, the group have also included a seemingly odd orchestral backing that, surprisingly, actually works quite well. Although some may deem this band too preppy for their liking, I adore this record as it is truly one of the most original things to have come out of this decade so far, not just the year, makes a lovely change from the mockney masses, don't you think?

So that was my very long album chart, but here's some more albums you may want to try:

• Glasvegas-Glasvegas- Miserable music at its best.
  
• The Cure-4.13 Dream- It's like they've never been away-hurrah!
• Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes- Another interesting take on the typical American rock album.
• Sigur Ros- With a Buzz in Our Ears we Play Endlessly- Truly awe inspiring ambiance from the band with the unpronounceable song titles.
  

What have been your favourites of the year?

"I pledge allegiance, to the shoe......"

Or shoes, even, that were hurled at George 'I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully' Bush, one after the other, by iraqi cameraman Muntadar al-Zaidi during a conference in Baghdad on Sunday.....



At the time of the incident;
(a rather flustered)Bush: "it's a sign of free society"
Zaidi: "it is the farewell kiss, you dog".

When probed by the press, the soon-to-be ex-president's response was hilariously ever reflective of his infamously integral intelligence and humour; "All I can report is a size 10".
HA.

Piercings: Or how I stopped worrying and learned to love the holes in my face

my dream..

My sister got a piercing when I was 10, she had got her ear cartilage pierced and made me promise not to tell our mum. When my Mum did eventually found out, she didn’t get angry, she actually wanted to get the same piercing herself and this kind of ruined it for my 15 year old sister. Through out the next couple of years she would get lots of things pierced and my mum would only look at her go ‘Oh dear’ but never seemed to care. My sister was like the black sheep of the family and now and again my grandmother told her that no boy would ever marry her if she looked like that.

It seemed that piercing was something my sister would always be interested in, she’s taken a lot of them out but still has her facial piercing. I was watching her change, and seeing how she became more confident because she had indulged in something she thought looked good. Even though some of her friends hated them, she didn’t seem to care, she said that it was her choice and it didn’t matter. I mean it’s only a bit of metal. So when I was 12 I decided that I was going to get piercing’s and tattoo’s because I thought they looked cool. Now I have only uttered the immortal words of ‘I think they look cool’ but why is that not a valid reason? Do I have to have a spiritual reason to shove a needle through my face, it’s just cool man, you don’t understand okay.

For somebody who is considering getting a piercing that will be on display you will have to have the same love/hate relationship with it that most people have. I have been shouted at in the streets, family and friends say I’m ruining my looks and it’s unlikely you’re going to get a job as easily if you could if you didn’t have piercings. If you’re someone who won’t stand by your principles, save your £20 and the pain and don’t get it done. I have considered taking my piercings out, but I love them, I don’t think I could take them out without feeling like me. Piercing falls under the umbrella of ‘body modification’ which literally means changing your body, this includes fake nails, hair extensions, hair dying, make up, wearing a corset and tanning. I bet most guys wouldn’t be able to leave the house without gel in their hair, like most girls wouldn’t face the world without their make up.

Now I’m nearly 18, I’ve realised that I don’t need to conform to what people want to actually survive in the world. I can go work in bar, a music shop or be one of those awful charity workers on the street and proudly wear my piercings. If I get more done I know that even my sister would have her doubts that it looked good; after all, there’s a lot of piercing hierarchy. Ideally I’d like to get another lip and nose piercings, an industrial bunch of cartilage piercings, cheek piercings, my tongue and some naughty places too. If you see me in 10 years and I’m not covered in tattoos and have all those piercings it means that I lost my principles and I’m working in Tesco.

Teenage Angst

So tonight my friends and I thought it would be nice if we actually went out somewhere instead of locking ourselves in our bedrooms watching the IT Crowd followed by some obscure comedian's warblings all night. So, after many a google search (not really, it was advertised well enough) I found that local folkman Barry Dolan, aka Oxygen Thief was celebrating his 100th gig by playing with a couple of other singer-songwriters at a local pub in Stokes Croft. Lovely. Now usually the people in Stokes Croft are lovely to us young 'uns, well by that I mean we can get into The Croft without hassle, even though we are sixteen, hardly toddlers. However, tonight's escapades have proved to be the exception..

So after having a stressful week of exam revision and coldness we thought a civilised night of folk wouldn't go a-miss. So, after eventually getting there and getting in easily enough, we settled down to watch the first of the acts play, in a state of blissful unawareness of what was about to unfold.



Before I continue I must stress, we're not exactly innocent (there was some hunting for alcohol involved, alas to no avail) but still we had absolutely NO intention of even trying to purchase alcohol in the pub in which we were, I mean that's just poor logic isn't it? Plus we were there, well I was anyway, to see Oxygen Thief play again.



After seeing him support Chris T-T in the pub down the road from The Junction, I definitely jumped at the chance to hear him play live again. Oxygen Thief makes music both interesting and refreshing; almost like when you dip your face in water and, although it stings a bit, wakes you up. Hmm, maybe a poor analogy, but needless to say I like his music. He has a distinct personality that definitely comes across in his songs, and has a genuine enthusiasm for the music that he plays, a trait that is seldom seen these days. So, understandably, I was looking forward to hearing his set and having a quiet night with some friends before the hussle and bustle that is the festive period. However, just after the first act had left the tiny stage (sort of like what Snow Patrol would sound like if they needed a bit of prozac) a barmaid kindly asked us to leave the premises, as another pub had been raided for underage drinkers. Underage DRINKERS.
Why is it that just because we're teenagers in a pub that we would be classed as underage drinkers?



Now normally I wouldn't mind so much, but when it comes to music I have no sense of humour. Why should we be discriminated against due to our age? Why should our junior years restrict us from enjoying good music? I could even understand if there were age restrictions of gigs with explicit content, like, say a German Death Metal troupe (why German? I don't know, but they sound more grr) But really, it's folk.



Folk I tell you.



And this isn't the first time this has been an issue.
You only need to go to the local ticket shop to see that us under 18's have been ostracised in terms of gigs. The list of clubs and bars we can't go to is endless; Louisiana? Nope. Fleece? Uh Uh. Thekla? Don't even bother. Everywhere you go bouncers are quick to push you out the door just because you don't have a valid id or are a few months younger than the rest of the punters. Age doesn't make you more mature. Neither does it mean you should all of a sudden be let into the magical world of good music on your eighteenth birthday. We all deserve the right to enjoy ourselves in a safe environment where we can see genuine talent. Yes there's the Academy, but unless you're fliering it don't come cheap for a night out. And we're only poor students afterall.



Look at the huge response Underage Festival got this year, it's clear to see that teenagers are sick of being alienated from the music we enjoy. So to any venue managers out there, the next time a group of sober, money paying teenagers enter your venue looking to support local talent such as Oxygen Thief, give the kids a chance. Innit.


http://www.myspace.com/oxygenthief

Ashes 2009 - What are our chances?

Finally, it’s nearly here! After years of anticipation and hope, the Ashes are returning to England, but what chance does this under performing England side have against a new look Australia? With Kevin Pieterson leading from the front for England and no Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist or Justin Langer for Australia I think England have a decent chance of banishing those demons who have been haunting them since the 5-0 white wash in the 2006 Ashes in Australia.

Now it’s not as easy as I am making it out to be. Australia may be without some of their star men, but they still have Ricky Ponting, the best number 3 batsman and captain in the world, Simon Katich who is scoring runs for fun at the moment, Matthew Hayden, one of Australia’s better players in 2005 and Brett Lee, one of the fastest bowlers in the world. So it’s by far a weak Australian team. However, they are yet to replace Shane Warne with a leg spinner of a respectable standard, they have failed to bring in someone that has the same effect on the game as Adam Gilchrist and no one will ever be able to replace the legendary Glen McGrath. Australia are not the dominant force they were in 2005 or ’06, they are an old side, who base their still of play on experience rather than the pure aggression we saw in ’05 and ’06.

England, on the other hand, have got a healthy mix of experience, aggression and athleticism, with Kevin Pieterson possessing all three attributes. Peter Moores (England coach) has brought back the once great Steve Harmison, who was one of the stars in ’05; he has been patient in bringing back Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff from his recurring ankle injury and there are talks that he may be bringing back the master of reverse swing, Simon Jones, who is most remembered for ripping Ricky Ponting’s off-stump out of the ground in the ’05 Ashes series. However, it is not just older, more experienced players that Peter Moores has worked into this England team. He has also brought in youthful players such as Ravi Bopara, Owais Shah, Samit Patel and Stuart Broad. All of which he has picked out of the county leagues where Peter Moores made his name as coach of Sussex.

Despite what I have said, England do have there problems building up to the next Ashes series. The England wicket-keeper position is still vacant of a solid applicant, all the wicket-keepers in the pipe line have their flaws, Ambrose isn’t good enough at batting, Prior makes a lot of mistakes, the list goes on. Whilst I am on the point of selection, I don’t see the logic behind picking Stuart Broad above several other worthy replacements, he is only in the team because he can bat at number 8, that’s it! He is supposed to be a bowler and his main priority should be to take wickets, but he doesn’t even do that. He doesn’t have the pace to trouble the likes of Ricky Ponting and he doesn’t have the experience and intelligence to vary his line, length and pace like the great Glen McGrath used to do. I am not saying that you have to be as good as Glen McGrath to get into the England team but at least show potential as a top wicket taker. Stuart Broad still fails to step up to the big stage of test cricket and I don’t understand his constant selection into this team.

As you can see both sides have there strengths and weaknesses leading up to this Ashes series and it is hard to predict the outcome of the series as Cricket is an unpredictable sport in its self. However, there is one thing separating these two teams and I think it will be the difference in 2009, that difference is Kevin Pieterson. This South African born, big hitting number 3 possesses the aggression needed to battle the Australians and with him leading the charge in 2009, I think that is what will give England there edge in the summer. He was our main man in ’05 and he’ll be our main man again in ‘09.

I am predicting a 2-1 victory for England in the much anticipated 2009 Ashes, with Kevin Pieterson proving that he is the best in the world.

Film review: Waltz with Bashir

Film review: Waltz with Bashir

Lacking what was probably ample knowledge of a context which pretty much scaffolds this film, (but still drawn by curiosity of what looked like impressive animation), I was a bit apprehensive as to what I'd make of Waltz with Bashir, but, for anyone else unfamiliar with the Lebanese war of 1982; don't be hesitant, it's not as big an impairment as you think...

Directed and written by Ari Folman, whose own memories, or perhaps lack of memories, are what sculpts the films narrative, Waltz with Bashir depicts a riddled soldier, Ari (voiced by the director himself) who, after a nostalgic conversation with an old friend who confides in him about his recurring nightmares in which he is chased by a pack of 26 vicious dogs, believing that it has some connection to his memoirs of an Israeli Army mission he took part in during the war and having long forgotten himself what surrealy seems like a bad dream, attempts to recollect the hazy fragments of his time spent in Palestine during the war. From here-on in the film is a quirky, jigsaw - like sequence of borrowed memories and accounts of others, collected through a series of rendezvous’ with his fellow comrades, that Ari is hoping will help resurface his own. These accounts are real, the only fictitious aspect being the fantastically similar animation of the men who give them.

It's not just the enthrallingl and surreal recollections the interviews with Ari’s associates unfold that leave us transfixed; the incredible graphics alone make Waltz with Bashir undeniably elite amongst all comparative docu-films. Razor sharp illustrations brilliantly personificate everything on screen, and, be it the impeccibly defined physical characteristics of Ari and his comrades, or the surfaces of water or landscapes that crawl in motion, there isn't an animated stone left unturned.

Inconceivably, the subtitled but contextually humorous dialogue only further superiorizes what is already a visually and historically poignant portrait. However, I think that the icing on this cake is the concluding couple of minutes, during which a transition is made and Folman, using archive video footage of the trails of wreckage left in Lebanon post-war, brings his animated masterpiece to life in grim and quite disturbing reality.

The Mandatory 2008 Post

So, it's that time of year again when everybody gets a little gushy and retrospective about the year that has passed, and what a year it's been. The Recession, Obama's monumental victory and umm, well, Mugabe has meant that you couldn't call this year dull. Besides all the tedium of the political world, there's been some great stuff about in the musical side of things. Folk has seen a surprising comeback and it seems people are finally growing tired of the Libertine sound-a-like sea of indie bands out there, choosing a more unconventional style instead.


I thought I'd add to the endless list of bloggers doing this and compile my very own list of 2008. However, due to my ramblings it will follow over a couple of posts. enjoy!

10. Ladyhawke-Ladyhawke

In case you haven't yet noticed, 2008 has been the year of the synth. It's been unavoidable as of late, so much so that I wanted to get one and break it into teeny tiny pieces. However, Ladyhawke's self-titled debut is definitely the exception to the rule. This is an album full of potential singles, not a filler in sight. For someone who describes herself as being an introvert, you certainly can't tell listening to this. Pip's vocals ooze confidence and her songs have the perfect blend of synth and guitar that combine to make a damn catchy album. I'm already looking forward to her follow up, get to it Pip!






9. Robots in Disguise-We're in the Music Biz

Ok, so I know this album wasn't exactly ground breaking stuff, but this was the record that made me fall in love with this edgy electro duo. My friends and I saw Sue Denim and Dee Plume play songs from this album the night before its release, and they were as adrenaline fuelled and chaotic as they are on the album. This record proves that not only can the girls make tracks fit for dancing like no-one's watching but they also have a good sense of humour; giving us a more realistic view of the rock'n'roll lifestyle in Can't Stop Getting Wasted and unleashing a tongue in cheek tirade against conformity in Don't Copy Me. This is a much rougher album than their previous in terms of style, but it's the edginess that makes this well worth a listen.

8. Frank Turner-Love Ire & Song

2008 has really been Frank's year. He's spent much of the year touring bloody everywhere and yet still had time to release a refreshing and witty album. What a nice bloke. Mr. Turner is one of my favourite finds of the year. Frank writes music that not only makes you think but allows you to actually enjoy his clever lyrics. Charity single 'Long Live the Queen' is a testament to this, as on first listen it's a catchy song but if you dig deeper and listen to the lyrics, you hear the story of a young women dying in hospital from breast cancer, the charity in which the single's revenue goes towards. This is the most underground artist on my list, and I really hope that by this time next year I will be able to gloat that I introduced this chap to you when he's one of the UK's most successful debut singer-songwriters.



















7.Ladytron-Velocifero
For me personally, 2008 has seen my musical tastes expand into the unfamiliar field of electro. Having grown up with the likes of Placebo, New Order and Echo and the Bunnymen shoved down my throat, I thought it would be nice to see what all of the fuss was about regarding this strange mesh of electronic sounds. Listening to this album is almost like being hypnotised and punched in the face simultaneously. The edgy beats and angst ridden synths create a definite groove that makes it all the more addictive to hear. Although some of the songs on here do make this album lose a touch of its charm, (Predict the Day's jaunty rhythm is more nauseating than exciting) others simply thrill me (see Versus' dangerously catchy refrain and bizarre kitten lyrics), making this album a definite one for the weekend.




















6. Laura Marling
Now at this point I'm going to say that I don't intend to market this album rundown as the most unconventional thing to do at the end of the year, lets face it Joe and Jane Bloggs have and are going to write posts along the same vein as this here thing. I can bet you 3 packets of Jellytots that this young lady will feature heavily. Laura Marling is the brilliantly talented songstress who's managed to take the alternative music scene by storm and is a staple of 6Music's playlist. Aaaand she's only 18, lest we forget. This album is a true testament to her talent, with her warm raspy vocals leaving you wanting more and her brilliantly dark yet witty lyrics. It's been said before but it's hard to believe from hearing this album that she is only just an adult, a mature and rather graceful air seems to resonate from this record. How this girl did not get the Mercury Prize is beyond me. The only question I'm left asking after hearing this is where can she go from here?
What have been your favourite records of 2008?

St Brendans Sports Review 3/12/2008

Welcome to the much loved weekly sports round up of all the college action. Brought to you by popular demand!

Unfortunately there is no action to report on this week as both the football and rugby matches were called off. This week was a victory for English weather.

Good luck to everyone in your upcoming fixtures.

We should Boycott for Geoffrey's return

I am sure that I’m not alone in my view that the current Cricket commentators on Sky Sports are simply not good enough. They have a silver lining for every mistake, blunder, error and they are too afraid to say anything bad about the currently under performing England side. Now, there was one man that stood out from the crowd of ’every cloud ..’ commentators and that man was the legendary Geoffrey Boycott OBE.

Boycott is most well known for his ’controversial’ England career as an opening batsman. He would bat for days on end, accumulating large scores but at a snails pace. This caused problems between him and his team mates, especially all-rounder Ian Botham and legendary fast bowler Fred Trueman. British sports journalist Ian Wooldridge OBE once said “Boycott, in short, walks alone". Whilst many disagreed with Boycotts ‘selfish’ batting style, he did play 108 tests for England and scored over 8,000 test runs, so its not like he didn’t do his bit for the team.

They say that ‘those who cant do talk about it’ and that’s exactly what he did. After retiring at the age of 42 with an average of 47 runs per game underneath his belt he moved on to commentary. He was just as influential within cricket whilst in the commentary box, he invented the phrase ‘corridor of uncertainty’ which is the most well known phrase through out cricket to this day. It is also believed that he invented the ‘key test’, this is where you use a car key or a house key, stick it into the cricket pitch and you can tell how hard the wicket is.

His first job in the media was with Talk Sport who offered said that they would stick by him despite his assault conviction which was upheld on appeal. He continued to commentate for the sports based radio station, along with several satellite and Asian channels. His commentary career was sky rocketing, until his life was threatened by throat cancer, it seemed that if he did beat the cancer it would be unlikely that he would ever commentate again. However, having successfully undergone chemotherapy he was back in our ears by late 2003. That is when he hit the big time and struck a deal with channel 4 commentating on the 2005 Ashes victory. That is when we all sat up and took notice of the greatest living Yorkshire man again.

The 2005 Ashes was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen by a team, in any sport, but it wasn’t flawless and you could bet your money on Boycott picking up on those flaws. He would tell it how it was, he didn’t care if it made England look bad, all he cared about was his opinion and getting that opinion across to the public. Obviously many people were not happy with his honest criticism of the England team, especially the players, after witnessing a dropped catch he said ’ I reckon my mum could have caught that in her pinny’. This didn’t make him popular within the England camp, Steve Harmison once said ‘The fact is that within the England dressing room Boycott's views are regarded as a joke…. Indeed, quite a few of us cringe whenever he comes near’. Harmison should just be pleased that Boycott wasn’t commentating on his first ball in England’s defence of the Ashes in 2006 when he managed to bowl it to Andrew Flintoff at first slip!

Geoffrey Boycott’s absence in that Ashes series was extremely noticeable as England lost 5-0 and there wasn’t a commentator there who would say what every England fan was thinking, “England are playing crap!”. I am quite sure that if Boycott had been commentating on that series he would have used a lot harsher language than that, and I don’t think anyone could have argued with him. The reason that Boycott was absent for that, shocking England performance was that Sky Sports had just bought the rights to show all live International Cricket and they didn’t see Geoffrey Boycott as a suitable commentator for there new brand of cricket.

Instead they replaced him with the likes of Michael Holding, a West Indian who has never played for England, Nick Knight, who only ever played 17 tests for England and made his name in county cricket, and Ian Botham who in my opinion shouldn’t be in the commentary box, he should be coaching this below par England team.

So Sky Sports have replaced an outspoken, honest, truthful, England legend with a group of ‘yes’ men who would describe a wide ball as innovative bowling. When will Sky Sports realise that we want honest commentary, we want someone to tell it as it is, we want the greatest living Yorkshire man Geoffrey Boycott.

There's fun to be had yet......

My calender for this week:

(Skint? Cheapskate options in bold)
*Recommended*

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Wednesday, 3 December
Shakoom (First Degree Burns, Gemmy, Superisk) @ The Croft £4***
Groove On @ Dojo (Late of the Pier)
Propaganda@ Syndicate £5

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Thursday, 4 December

Audio Discharge & I Feel Space @ Timbuk2
Bass to the Face @ Dojo Lounge
Death from Above @ Thekla
Flannel Xmas Party @ NATIVE

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Friday, 5 December

Blurred Vision @ B-Sides
Brazilian Beatz @ Warehouse ***
DOP present: The Last Investigation @ Timbuk2 (DJ Food & DK)
Free Party @ Native (Breaks,House, Dubstep etc)
Grand Opening @ The Lanes (The Zen Hussies)
Hip Hop Lounge @ The Croft (Sir Beans OBE + Asian Hawk)
Liquid Lounge (Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Breaks) @ Cosies
Shit The Bed @ Lakota (Switch / Zinc / Si begg / Rusko / Danny Byrd)***
Ramshackle @ Carling Academy


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Saturday, 6 December

Bump Afterhours @ Native***
Ezee Sounds @ Chesters
Hardtek Sessions @ BlackSwan
Socialism @ Thekla £5
Switch & Just Jack @ Timbuk2
Western Soul @ Native

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Sunday, 7 December

Reggae Sundays @ Cosies
Roasted @ Tube

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Monday, 8 December

Gorilla Audio @ Thekla

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Tuesday, 9 December

Club NME Bristol @ The Croft
Run @ Native (Ntype) £5 ***

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Wednesday, 10 December

Propaganda@ Syndicate £5
Sink (Dubstep) @ Thekla £5***

December Academy Shows

Once again the guys at the Academy have given us the chance to gain free entry to one of the many gigs taking place this month. So, if you're willing to give out fliers to the punters for an hour before the show starts, then leave us a comment and we will get back to you. My friend and I fliered for a gig the other week and it was hardly as dull as you'd think.

After an hour or so of handing out fliers in the warm confines of the venue and chatting with the crowd, we got to see Electro band Ladytron as well as the support Asobi Seksu. Although the headliners' set was a little electro-by-numbers, it was well worth seeing Asobi Seksu, one of the not so polished gems to come out of NYC, a city that has housed the likes of MGMT and hundreds of other hype bands this year. And all for nout! Sounds good to me..

December Shows at the Academy

Thurs 4th December- MINT Presents…
THE EXILES / SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS / NOVA ROBOTICS / THE FUEL + DJs

Fri 5th-THE ZUTONS

Sun 7th- ALABAMA 3

Mon 8th- APOCALYPTICA + SWALLOW THE SUN

Thu 11th- BLACK STONE CHERRY

Sun 14th- THE DAMNED

Tue 16th- THE POGUES

Wed 17th- THE WEDDING PRESENT

Thu 18th- FROM THE JAM

St Brendans Sports Review 26/11/2008

Welcome back to another eagerly anticipated sports round up of all the action from last week. We start off with the basketball and a grudge match between St Brendans Hussells and Richard Huish College.

If the lads needed anything to help them bounce back from last weeks disappointing result in the South West Tournament, it was this match. A chance to settle the score with Richard Huish College who, earlier in the season, made a mockery of the Hussells by beating them 61 – 27. St Brendans started off well with some good play and quick attack, but once again they couldn’t handle the Richard Huish attack, who were firing on all cylinders. The lads put everything into this match, everyone knew the importance of getting a win and putting there last match with Richard Huish behind them, but they couldn’t do it. Richard Huish were too quick in attack and too strong in defence. St Brendans scored 42 points but they were beaten by a familiar points tally of 61. Man of The Match goes to Chad Barley, who scored 27 of the 42 points.

Next up we have the netball and their friendly against Richard Huish College.

This may have been a friendly match but neither side were taking this match lightly, they all put in maximum effort and the desire to win was inspiring. The girls looked simply brilliant when attacking but it was their defence that let them down, at times it was sloppy and there was a lack of concentration. Richard Huish were, as always, organised and ruthless in their play, and looked unstoppable. The final score was St Brendans 26 – 46 Richard Huish College.

Finally we move on to the St Brendans Rugby team and their friendly against Ashton Park.

The lads went into this match, not really knowing what to expect from this Ashton Park side, but they were not expecting such an easy ride to victory. Ashton Park just didn’t seem up to the challenge of taking on such a strong force as St Brendans. They played with a sense of caution to go forward and if you play like that against St Brendans you haven’t got a chance. The lads bombarded them with waves of attack and Ashton Park were surprisingly resilient at the back but they had nothing to answer with when going forward. The final score was Ashton Park 0 – 36 St Brendans. Man of The Match goes to Mike Uren who played with real grit and determination.

Congratulations to everyone who played this week, good luck in your upcoming fixtures.

Not A Lot To Do!

The other day I was taking a mental note of some of the facilities we have available to us around college and I noticed that we have McDonalds, the Refectory, McDonalds and the Refectory. So as you can see we are spoiled for choice! However, I don’t want to put on 12 stone by the time I leave St Brendans, so that rules out McDonalds, and I don’t want to get crushed in a crowd of people, which rules out the Refectory. So as you can see, there really isn’t that much to do in a free.
Of course you could be spending all your time revising, completing homework or just practising some mental arithmetic, but there are some crazy people out there who don’t want to study 24/7. Those fools!
However, the problem with studying is that when you need a computer, you go to the library, log in, open up Word and then a teacher comes along, removes you from the computer and escorts out of the library. So much for studying then. Although you do have another option, the gym. Once again this option comes with a barrier, and that barrier is your induction. Even though nearly all the students here did some elements of weights training in their secondary school, you are still not aloud to use the gym without taking part in an induction. Fair enough, I know safety is paramount but the only problem is no matter how hard I try, no matter how long I beg, I can’t seem to get an induction for when I’m not in lesson. So long toned physic, I’m off to McDonalds!

What is there that can be done?

Well, I have spoke to people who are currently in a sixth form or a college and they can’t believe how little we have in terms of free activities. They have a common room, table football, a snooker table, a weights room that is actually available to students, the whole 9 yards. I don’t want you thinking that this is coming from students in posh schools, who wear blazers and have to call their teachers ’Master’. This is coming from students at Hengrove sixth form and Broadlands sixth form, not schools with the highest budgets or reputations.
If these schools can fork out a couple of hundred for a decent common room and some free leisure activities, why can’t we! We are not asking for anything special, just something to keep us from spending £5 on 1000 calories. It’s not much.

For those of you who were expecting some info on a secret hangout just outside of college. I am sorry, I am sorry to report that our options only stretch as far as a ‘thrilling’ retail park, Lidls and Miss Millies (If you can be bothered to walk that far).I am truly sorry for our loss

St Brendans Sports Review 19/11/2008

Welcome back to another round up of the weeks sports matches. We start with the college football team and their away fixture against a strong Yeovil College team.

The lads went into this match not knowing what to expect from this Yeovil College side, St Brendans had been playing well recently but Yeovil have a reputation as a strong attacking side, and they upheld their reputation in this 3-1 victory. The lads played with determination to not let Yeovil score, but it was not enough for Yeovil College’s quick passing and intelligent movement off the ball, at times it was like watching Man United. St Brendans managed to pull a goal back through Jay Bellow, but it proved only to be a consolation in the end. The lads worked hard and were unlucky not to get more from the game. Man of The Match goes to Chris Gardner.

Next up we have the rugby and the lads encounter with a Richard Huish side that has caused the college teams some problems in the past.

St Brendans started this match well aware of the performances Richard Huish College has put in against St Brendans in recent encounters (especially Basketball) , and that just added extra incentive to go out and win the match. It was a tough match for the Richard Huish defence, having to face waves of attack from St Brendans, and they couldn’t cope. The lads scored 14 points to Richard Huish College’s 5 and it was a truly brilliant display of disciplined attack. All the lads put in 110% but Man of The Match goes to Sam Hallwell.

Finally we have the St Brendans Hussells performance in the South West Tournament. The lads played well in a tough tournament and were unlucky to only finish 5th out of 10. Some great performances from the lads but they came up against some extremely tough competition.

Congratulations to everyone who played this week, good luck in your upcoming fixtures.

Everything is Average Nowadays

Is it just me or is Chart music getting progressively worse lately?
I listen to Radio 1 in the mornings for the lovely Chris Moyles (love him or hate him he must be doing something good, with millions of listeners, something XFM would probably kill for) and today I swear with each song, excluding Oasis' Lyla (one of their weaker songs in my opinion) the quality got more and more dire. I mean, have you heard that TI song that's currently the second biggest download on iTunes?








It's utter bilge, and yet more people have downloaded this song this week than Kings of Leon or Guns 'n' Roses. How is this possible?

Now I'm not a huge fan of either of those bands, very much overrated really, but surely their music is much more original and musically interesting than a song whose best bit is the riff they borrowed from O Zone? Elsewhere, you've got songs like Womanizer by Britney Spears, albeit not as terrible as some of her songs released in her bald headed psycho phase, but still, where's the substance?

Each to their own and all, and I know the same could be said for some of the gazillion white guitar bands out there, but there's nothing new here. Nothing to excite me, nothing to make me stop what I'm doing and actually listen to it. Not on the radio anyway, unless you go to stations like NME Radio (and Kerrang radio to a certain extent, though ever since they played Scouting for Girls I have abstained from listening to it, rock my arse) or 6 Music, which offer some alternative. Still, what's evidently clear is that the above is the type of music that appeals to the mainstream, teenage i.e. downloader's market who will actually purchase the songs; altogether a very depressing thing.


Am I wrong? What do you think about the state of the Top 40?


Some decent Radio stations:
Radio Flex- For a truly diverse mix of music designed to wake you up in the morning.
NME Radio
XFM
Triple J
6Music
Think of any more? Let me know, I'll add them here.

Skinny Jeans: Are you man enough?

Man Style!

By reading this article I am assuming that you are considering purchasing your own pair of skinny jeans, and I say congratulations to you on bettering your life.

For those of you who have a slim figure and don’t know what to style goes well with your shape, skinny jeans are an untapped source. However, before you go down to Cabot Circus and make your purchase there are one or two things I need to let you know about with wearing skinnies.

Despite what I have said I don’t want you to go thinking that these styles of jeans are faultless. They are not. First of all you will have to deal with that little voice in your head telling you that you look like a woman. That is an unavoidable barrier that you have to overcome. No matter how masculine you are. However, this voice’s name is ‘self-confidence’ and if you care about what other people think of what you wear then I would suggest that you stop reading at this point…….

For those of you who have not closed down your computer and gone out to buy a pair of Addidas tracksuit bottoms, let me tell you the next problem you men will face, the comfort. Don’t get me wrong, skinnies are the most comfortable pair of trousers I have ever worn and that is due to the fact that that you don’t even notice you are wearing them. However, that skin tight feeling comes at a price, quite a high price aswell, we all know that when you get an itch in your, ‘Happy Zone’, shall we say, that it is a battle between man and denim to itch the area discreetly, it is an art that nearly all men have mastered. I’m sorry to say that if you wear skinny jeans, denim has won that battle. Due to the nature of the jeans, you would have to have the thinnest hands in the world to even reach down there, let alone without anyone calling the police because of indecent exposure. So if you are the type of man who plays with his ‘Happy Zone’ all day long, then this is where your journey ends ……

So far I have eliminated the self conscious and the down right disturbing, and now for those of you who are self confident and don’t feel the need to touch yourself every two seconds, I am going to let you into some of the perks of wearing skinny jeans.
Firstly, exclusiveness. As you can see I have eliminated over half my audience in the first segment of my article and you who are left are the chosen ones. You are the ones who don’t mind a few itches for the sake of looking good, you are the ones who would use a tie as a belt just so that you look different, you are the ones who should and can wear skinny jeans.

Another great reason to choose skinny jeans above any other style in the denim family tree is the wide variety of clothes that can accompany this style, for example, shoes. There are a large choice in shoes that can be worn with skinnies, daps, converse’, Vans, DCs, Etnies, the list goes on and on.

So if you are still reading at this point, here is some advice for you, buy skinny jeans. You won’t regret it!

Return of AC/DC: Modern great or money maker?

AC/DC are back with avengence!

Black Ice is the returning album of rock 'n' roll titans AC/DC, showing that class is truly permanent. Like a fine wine, they have gotten better with age, and yes, their fashion sense may be a tad out of date and have a grey hair here and there but they sound like they've never been away.

Their new feature album is 15 tracks of pure gold. I'm a rock/rock 'n' roll lover and have bought many albums such as Appetite for Destruction, Death Magnetic and I would like to buy Chinese Democracy and now I can because I've been saving up the money for the past 7 years and finally have enough. Anyway, I would strongly recommend buying this album since it contains all the things a brilliant rock album should: powerful and distinctive vocals, kick ass guitar solos/riffs and lyrics that don't contain random swearing. Fun for the whole family!

Thankfully, this isn't a hollow attempt from the band to try and earn more money, they have actually collaborated together again and have put pure passion into playing. If you don't believe me, listen to Brian Johnson's vocals and tell me he's not giving it his all. Angus Young has some sweet solos without overdoing it too much, putting emotion into every chord.

There's not much more I can say about this modern classic. Except buy it.

Rock 'n' Roll with Black Ice

Kerching!: The Sound of The Smiths?

So I got the latest of a series of Smiths' compilation albums, this one entitled 'The Sound of The Smiths' today; as an avid fan of the seminal band I thought I'd better. When I first heard about the new record I, like countless others (probably) held a faint glimmer of hope that the Gods of Gloom would reform. Now to be honest, I think the day they do reform will be the day those crazy CERN guys wipe out the planet with a black hole. Still, as much as I love The Smiths, hearing this album I can't help but hear the distant ding of cash registers.




The double album boasts 45 Smiths' songs, including classic such as Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now and William it Was Really Nothing, as well as live tracks and 'rare' B sides, and all this for £15 (!). I actually really like this album, the tracks have been slightly remastered and not sound so clangy as on other versions, and the album art of their previous album art looks quite good, (you can tell who was in charge of picking the pictures can't you?) but I have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that this is all rather unnecessary. I like that it's out as it gives those unlucky (or lucky if you count the Thatcher years) enough not to have been around whilst they were still together, but it's really just a very unsubtle attempt at making a few bob.



Although this album was remastered by Johnny Marr, and Moz had the arduous task of thinking of a name for it, a part of me wonders if really this album was executed by Warners in an attempt to shift a few more units in an era where album sales have declined. I don't mean to get all conspiracy theorist on you, but it would make sense:

• When the band did join Warner Bros. it was at the very end of their career, so they can't have made that much revenue from them. Some also signalled the point that they joined a 'mainstream' label as the beginning of the end for them. The band were already struggling with management issues amongst alleged internal squabbles, and there had already been two compilation albums since the extraordinary Queen is Dead, it seemed that they were running out of steam.
• After numerous failed attempts at getting the band to reform, a reunion didn't ever appear on the cards. Morrissey even went as far as saying he'd "rather eat my (his) own testicles than reform The Smiths," and, for a vegetarian that's serious.
  
• So, it would seem apt that now, in an age where the likes of Take That and The Verve have reformed that the label would want to release another compilation in order to boost sales and potentially propel the rumour mill into thinking that they too are jumping on the bandwagon and have kissed and made up.
  

I'm sorry for being so cynical, I must say I do adore this band, and you just have to take a look at a lot of the modern indie bands out there to know that they've been a huge influence on the music scene. I promise that if The Smiths ever reform though, I will publish a post declaring that I will prance about in the centre of Bristol wearing a jam jar costume complete with Gladioli, and I will do so gladly.



The Sound of The Smiths is out now, on Physical copy, 12" and download.



What do you think:

Is this album purely for the dosh?

Or is there something more to it?





Do tell.

An Alternative night out?

attend the theatre, yes, on the one condition that you wear this.

A typical night out may often entail a stint of heavy drinking with a group of friends, which may result in a rather embarrassing incident of having your head in a bucket, and looking like Regan out of the exorcist the next morning.

However, your beauty sleep can be restored with a therapeutic evening out at the Bath Theatre Royal. Really? I ask you say. Well I aimed to test this theory, and happened to enjoy a relaxing evening of contemporary dance and men in spandex, the combination was ‘Splendid’ as my ecstatic Grandmother remarked sitting next to me. Although not deliberately humorous, I personally found the pirouetting displays of men in Y-fronts a sight to giggle at, as did Gran.

You may be thinking that I am sad spending my Friday night watching dance with my Granny, however I feel that at our age we are forced into a stereotype of only enjoying binge drinking, and cat fights in the town centre. I say add a bit of culture to your sacred Friday night, and it may surprise you.

Theatres and dance halls were once upon a time the place to be seen on a Friday night out. So why did that change? Why can’t we incorporate watching theatre and dance in our social lives? It seems that it has become associated with a dull family outing which you are dragged along to, and not something we would do for fun. However there is more out there then a cheesy thigh slapping Panto, (though a big fan!), I appreciate that it isn’t for everyone’s taste, there is an extensive range of theatre available in Bath and Bristol, from musicals at the Hippodrome to one women shows at the Tobacco Factory, and most of them are only the cost of a couple of pints.

Of course I am not suggesting you abandon a good old knees up on the weekend, quite the contrary, (I mean the theatres have a bar!)

However, why not occasionally consider a change to your routine Friday night at the pub, ‘and go to the theatre darling!’ For a hang over free night out.

Appearing at ‘The Tobacco Factory’ soon..

Oh what a lovely war!

13TH – 22ND Nov

A cast of colourful characters swap hats, helmets and sides to give a vibrant and touching account of the four years between 1914 and 1918 during the War that shaped the twentieth century.


Goodbye Mrs Chips

25TH-29TH NOV

After nearly 60 years of sterling service at Brookshields School, dinner lady extraordinaire, Mrs. Chipping is finally hanging up her potato masher, egg mallet and gravy sieve for the last time. She has watched generation…


Shades of Brown

30th NOV

Comic, bold and deeply moving, this thought provoking one-woman show asks: can one person’s healthy glow be another’s social stigma? Around the globe money and time is poured into tanning or bleaching. From a South…