The Thom Lyons Band

Folks, I have no excuse for not having blogged for nearly a month, and I make no apologies for it. I figure it always pays to keep my public wanting more.

I believe that the name Thom Lyons will be familiar to some of you, I'd be surprised if he had not been mentioned in previous blogs. Thom Lyons is a very good friend of mine. In the past year or so of friendship, I have seen him go from playing London acoustic nights, to booking his own gigs in America, and I have seen him grow from a solo artist to a full and bona fide band member. Last night the Thom Lyons band exploded into the London music scene in their own inimitable way.  Our boy is all growed up!  It was quite an emotional night, Lyndsey and myself had to fight back the tears as we saw the amazing transformation before our very eyes.  It would seem churlish to not mention the lovely boys in the band, who have each contributed to the joy that is the Thom Lyons Band, Oli Felton on guitar and funky moves, Andrew Shannon on drums, and Thomas Quillfeldt on bass.  The new arrangements of the old songs made me feel like I was hearing them again for the first time, the new sound is oustanding and inspiring, who would have thought the difference some instruments and a couple of amps would make, thats not to say that we didnt like you before Thom, we just love you even more now.  Its a long time since I have been at a small gig like that and seen people compelled to stop and listen at the door. I dont know how this happened but I like it. The Thom Lyons band are going to go far. Check them out here and here.  Spread the love

A special mention must go to fellow artist Steve Haze, for managing to sing about blow jobs almost unnoticed. Love you as well Steve

6:50 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy Fucking Birthday

Every year, I say Im not going to do another birthday drinks, cos its a total waste of time, and every year I do cos I think itll be different.  It was almost a waste of time this year too.  I havent counted, but I may have just about hit double figures, if I count the people who were there coincidentally for a works thing.  Next year, ill be thirty, and I cant even get more than ten people to celebrate with me. Im on My Space and Facebook and the Carter Forum, and all I amount to is lees then ten people, and some of them were friends of freinds, It would be embarrassing if it werent so depressing. Id love it if somone could tell me what I am doing so badly wrong. Well, I had a great time with the people that did turn up so,  Happy Fucking Birthday to me. Hurrah

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I Love Wight

For those of you who are wondering. (a) Where I have been for ages (b) How my holiday was.  I will say this. I have been on the Isle of  Wight for almost two weeks, you may not have been quite so aware of my absence as I had internet at my Mums house. The holiday was lovely, really relaxing, but also jammed full of stuff. The weather was beautiful and I am very tanned. I topped my holiday off with the Isle of Wight Festival, which was also good. I could bore you to tears with a blow by blow account of my holiday and the festival.  I have instead decided that I will give you a potted account of my holiday, followed by my very own Isle of Wight Festival Awards. Please feel free to ask any further questions

Potted Holiday Account

Walked on the beach, Sat on the beach, saw some ducklings and some lizards, paddled in the sea, went on an open top bus, saw a marching band dressed as Spidermen, read some books, saw all my family, made a new friend, went to the park  got sunburnt, peeled, went brown, went shopping, and all that good holiday stuff.

Festival Awards

Best Band (In my opinion) – The Fratellis

Best Non Music Related Event – A complete Red Arrows performance

Biggest Disappointment – Ash

Most Enjoyable Performance – The Fratellis/ The Feeling (Close Call)

Best New (to me) Act – Wolfmother/ Carbon Silicon (As Above)

Best Dressed – Muse

Biggest Surprise – Mel C was actually really good

Best Singalong moment – On Sunday when Queens Don't Stop me Now was played inbetween acts

Funniest Moment – Drunken dancing to Morrissey in the middle of Strawberry Fields (Where all the stalls are)

Worst Act – James Morrisson (I did give him a chance)

Act I wish I had seen – Paulo Nutini

Drunkest Act – Amy Winehouse (So I heard)

Sweariest Act – Kasabian

Best Company – Roy (That was kind of inevitable!)

Best use of Space – The Rolling Stones

Best Cover Version - 'Video Killed The Radio Star' done by The Feeling

If you can think of any more awards let me know and I will let you know the winners (or losers!)

Thanks for listening.

9:34 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The one where Jim Bob plays in a library and Milk Kan play at Frog

So another gig filled, alcohol fuelled bank holiday weekend beckoned. This started on Friday evening when I headed to Richmond Library to see Jim Bob (ex Carter USM) perform a few acoustic tracks and read from his new novella. It ws very strange to arrive at  gig and find everyone sitting in silence, but that didnt last long once the forum crew arrived and the win started flowing! After a brief and fleeting meeting and photo opporunity with Jim Bob (be still my beating heart). It was a mad dash back to North London to see Proud Mary perform a one off show at a small bar in Tuffnell Park. It was a shame to have to leave the Jim Bob gig so sharpishly, but it was worth it. Proud Mary were really fucking awesome. The set was almost perfect, with all my favourite tracks getting a look in.  I also got to have a good ol dance. As is usual for me, the only thing to mar my enjoyment was an idiot girl in the crowd, but I guess by the law of averages, that whereever there are people there must be idiots, in fact I am sure there must be a mathematical equation to prove this point!  Thanks to the by D for accompanying me, and making sure that my spare ticket didnt go to waste.

I spent much of Saturday in recovery, resting my battered liver and lounging around on the sofa unil it was time for me to head back into London for round two. The evening started off in a pleasant enough way, meeting my friend Dan for a couple of pear ciders in Angel, before heading to Tottenham Court Road to meet up with the other forum peeps. Our plan was to head to Frog @ Mean Fiddler (Little did I know at the time how much these words would make me shudder now)  Frog is, and I say this without impunity, probably one of the worst places that I have ever been to. Much as I have a great affection for the Subliminal Girls lyrice, I now fully understand what they all mean to. You only need to listen to Mirror, to understand the full horror of Frog. Pretentious, faux indie kids, spending Daddies money on more alcohol than they can handle. Had I not been there to see Milk Kan, I would have left immediately! (Actually to be fair, the initial  dj set wasnt too bad, the best being a mash up of Jay-Z's 99 Problems and 99 Red Balloons by Nena, it worked surprisingly well) Thankfully a combination of Scrappy, Jimmy Blade and the raucous guitars scared off the more sensitive indie kidders so we were able to enjoy the set in relative peace, well not peace exactly, but you know what I mean).  The highlight of the Milk Kan gig was, now let me see, oooh just about every song, (in particular, what you see aint what you get, Without you, and Real Fake World) and um, oh yeah and Scrappy daringly scaling the PA system and diving onto the balcony for the fnale.  (A personal Message to Scrappy if he's reading this thanks for letting me take Splinx place on the guest list, I hope she is okay). We also had the dubious pleasure of seeing Noel Fielding prancing around on the stage looking like a twat with a rubbish hair do and pretending to be a DJ. You aint fooling no one, Fielding. Eventually rounded everyone up and headed back to Mels for some well earned sleep. 

Thanks to, Jim Bob, Proud Mary, Andy P2, Peter C, Dan, Two Wheels, Mel, Scopie, Hops, Parry, Kittie, Milk Kan, Scrappy, and that twat fielding, without whom this blog wouldnt have been possible (and apologies to anyone I mised)

8:22 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Books

Books what I read

(Just cos I havent blogged in ages and I know you must all be missing me)

We're in Trouble  -  Chris Coakes,

(Yes the title had some bearing on me choosing it!)

A series of short stories but so beautifully written. Nick Hornby was quoted as saying 'sometimes when you are reading these stories you forget to breathe' I found this to be increasingly true as the book went on. My only complaint was that some of the plots were so good, they could have been full novels in themselves and I was dissappointed for them to end

The Time Travellers Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

(I attend a book club at my local library and this was April's book, chosen by me)

Who am I to say whether this is the most beautiful and ungushy love story that you will ever read? Its not my place. I however, thought it was the most exquisite love story that I have ever read.  I struggled a bit to keep up with what year we were in and who was what age, but once you get your head round the idea, it works really well.  Highly recommended.

I am currently reading Goodnight Jimbob - Jimbob, kindly leant to me by Dan (You aint getting it back mate!)

I also have a pile of books nearly as tall as me that need reading, next in line are Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius – Dave Eggers

I love books, me

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Subliminal Girls - The story so far

At last a Subliminal Girls gig that I was almost sober enough to remember. Unfortunately last night I wanted to be drunk enough to jump about like a loon, at the front of the stage, but it just wasn't happening. I don't think the majority of the crowd at The Metro last night were really 'feeling' the Sub Girls, but in my own biased opinion I thought they were better than ever. (Plus the fact that I didn't want to ruin my cool as a cucumber reputation!) I'm really getting to know the songs which always adds to the enjoyment of the set, it was nice to know loads of people and to bring someone who is unfamiliar with it all along for the ride.  The new stuff from the Sub Girls is cracking. They really are a force to be reckoned with.  I think I have mentioned before that some of the appeal of the Sub Girls is their dashing good looks. I love the fact that they love it so much, I love that Jim Rhesus always appears so wired, I love that I cant mention Jim without using his 'surname' I love that Nicky Biscuits hair is getting bigger and that his name is Nicky Biscuit. I love all the tracks, I love how different and special each one is, I love how the lyrics mean something to people like us.  You might think I am gushing now, but seriously, all of this just adds to the whole runaway train that is the Subliminal Girls. I would recommend that you see them, but that's would be like offering to get you started on crack. They really are a pretty addictive bunch, and I am already planning my next outing.  Purple Turtle on 29^th May anyone?

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The Windmill Alldayer

Its always destined to be an interesting when the clock strikes four and I am already part way through my first Corona (Ok poetic license there, it was probably more like 4.30).. I was in Brixton for the charity all dayer at The Windmill (Nice one Foxy it was ace).  There were a few bands on during the evening, but I really only watched two, and only really clearly remember one of them!!! Lol.  The first band on were The Sexual Hot Bitches, not a name that really trips off the tongue, and not really my cup of tea if I am honest. I didnt like them at all, but thats just me. They were followed by Subliminal Girls absolutely awesomely beautiful and perfect as usual. I have only ever seemed to mention The Subliminal Girls in passing, but trust me, they are worth so much more than that. I heard them described, this morning as indie punk with a disco beat, and seeing as that sums them up so perefctly, I dont think that I will hurt my head trying to think of a better phrase. The latest date for the single release is June  11th (I think) and I cant wait!  The Subliminal Girls, were closely follwed by Abdoujaparov I have mentioned them in previous blogs, although I would have probably called them Abdou. Its Les (Fruitbat) Carters new band.  Sadly, whenever abdou play, I am almost just a little bit too tipsy to remember it, although I will always know the songs when I hear them.  I didnt see very much of either of the other artists so I am really unable to comment on them.  In terms of company I met up with some old friends and made some great new ones. We all had such a laugh together. At the end of the evening I was lucky to be able to go back to Les's house and I was able to stay there.  Imagine my excitement when I got back from the cafe this morning to discover that the lovely James (JimBob) Morrison sat on the sofa, and not even realising it was him, until I had left the house, I didnt even say anything!!!!  Even so, I can still tell people that I have been in the same living room as Carter USM, which is pretty damn cool if you ask me.  Aran and Jim from The Sub Girls were also there, which always brighten up my day.

Click here for photos

7:52 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

What I am listening to

I put my IPOD on shuffle this morning whilst I was working, here's what transpired

Teenage Fanclub – Straight and Narrow

The Police – Can't Stand Losing You

The Buzzcocks – Why She's the Girl From the Chainstore

Blur – Coffee and TV

Bjork – Venus as a Boy

The Boo Radleys – Its Lulu

The Sultans of Ping – Frenzy

Paul Weller – You do Something to Me

Madness – My Girl

Jason Mraz – The Boy's Gone

Barenaked Ladies – Light Up My Room

David Bowe – Aladdin Sane

The Wonderstuff – Ruby Horse

Beck –  Loser

The Who – The Kid's Are Alright

Radiohead – No Surprises

Carter USM – Twenty Four Minutes From Tulse Hill

Airhead – Easy

The White Stripes – Take, Take, Take

Carter USM – Going Straight

It could have been worse

6:47 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Sunshine

I woke up this morning to the news that your clothes cant protect you from the sun's killer rays! Thats fantastic news, it means that I can now sunbathe to my hearts content absolutely guilt free. They do reckon that you're slightly safer if you cover up completely in dark clothes and denim, so instead of getting skin cancer I will just cook myself to death. Way to go with the choices. To back up this groundbreaking research they interviewed a woman who has been frying herself in olive oil for the last 35 years and now has two forms of skin cancer.  I hardly think its the same as going out in the sun, with just a skimpy T-shirt on.  If we listed everything that is supposedly bad for you, I think it would be terrifying. Too much food, Not enough food, too much alcohol, not enough alcohol, not enough water, too much water, I could go on. At the end of the day a little bit of what you fancy does you good, and as long as you dont go overboard your chances of survival are pretty much the same as everyones elses. If you took note of every health scandal that has come about, you would live in a bubble have not eaten anything but lettuce (pesticides anyone) for the last twenty years. Its just getting a little boring now.  My question is this.  Now they have made smoking all but illegal, how soon until they do the same with sunbathing, or heck, just even entering the outside world when the sun is out? Click here to read more, and then click here.  The sun is it good or bad, or can we not really make up our minds?

1:49 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Sublimination and Randomness
Current mood: drained

Theres just some invitations that you cant say no to, so when the lovely Subliminal Girls posted a bulletin inviting everyone to their video shoot in Kilburn, how could I refuse. I recruited my friend Lyndsey to join me in my quest, and we headed to The Good Ship. The day was interesting, we spent most of the shoot dancing to 'Burn Koko' and avoiding actually being caught on camera!!  Being at the video shoot was a lot of fun, but the shine was taken off  slightly by some crazy guy who kept approaching me in a really aggressive manner, despite all my best attemts at ignoring him. He was eventually thrown out by the bar staff, but not before I was so terrified that I wasnt sure that I would be leaving Kilburn alive!   About 7 ish we decided that it was time to blow the joint and headed to Nandos for a bit of munch before heading to Shoreditch to see a band called Milk Kan. I had heard of Milk Kan only once previously when I had been handed a Milk Kan badge at a Sultans gig in Islington, I never really though anything about it, but when Parry described Milk Kan to me as "Kind of like Chas and Dave but punk" I knew this was a gig that I couldnt miss, and it was free!!!!!!  Milk Kan were total class, I loved them, and would highlt reccomend them to anyone although a more accurate description ould be Chas and Dave meets Carter USM meets Sultans of Ping, if you can imagine that. My perfect kind of band. After all that I still got home before midnight and treated myself to listening to The Best of Ned Atomic Dustbin on the way home. Ahhhh, what a life.

Currently listening : The Same Old Blues By Proud Mary Release date: 18 June, 2001

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