The rich aren't like you and me

Unlike we serfs, they can commit motherfucking perjury in a federal court and have their sentence commuted by our so-lame-as-to-be-circling-the-drain-duck President.

WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term on Monday, issuing an order that commutes his sentence.

It's not like it wasn't expected, but I need a drink, STAT, all the same.

Shit.

This is a low

I blame Kazza.*

She's the one that started me on my current Blur kick, most likely by accident.

Though I think this may be retribution for getting us started on our mutal lusting for Thomas and Sergio....

For the love of God, I'm an Oasis fan! How can I suddenly fall for the many charms of Damon Albarn?

The winking, the mugging for the camera... Oh, God. This is not good when I consider those positives.....

I've resisted for a really long time, and what put me over the edge? The picture of Damon dressed as Debbie Harry in Blondie circa the early '80s.

First of all, I'd kill for those shoes. And the legs.... Dammit, KAZ! You did this on purpose!

You're making me question whether I picked the right team in the battle of Britpop! I mean, Dave was totally acceptable looking and has the right politics, and I love a delightfully dorky Graham and pretty, pretty Alex.....guh.

You couldn't have said that about Guigsy, Bonehead, Tony or Whitey. Or even my beloved Noel pre-2002 (getting his teeth fixed and growing his hair out= very good things. Yay Sarah, well done!)

And they never would have done a video that referenced 'A Clockwork Orange,' because the concept would have taken too long to explain to Our Kid.

Crap, I'm going to have to re-evaluate my whole existence now. I fucking hate that.

*it's also entirely possible that I've finally watched 'Dress To Kill' one too many times.

'Superstar Tradesman' at Glasto

They are so cute to me.....

"She said this and that"

'North Country Boy' by the Charlies....

Spice up your life!

Things I never imagined I'd say.....I deeply covet Sporty and Scary's outfits and hairdos....

Parklife!

The things I do for friends

My girl, Jen, and my best friend since forever, Traci, have their 15th class reunion tomorrow. God, they are some old beeotches! Hee. Because I am soooo much younger. 345 days younger in Trace's case....

But I digress.

Obviously, they've both lost their respective minds, because they asked me to make a late 80's-early 90's mix CD for tomorrow's festivities, and since I love making them, I said yes.

Jen, being a FUN HATER, told me that under no circumstances was I to include The Mondays, Primal Scream or The Smiths even though they are in the correct time frame. I had no idea that this would make the creating of aforementioned CD actually PHYSICALLY painful for me.

This is the playlist (in case you care, which is doubtful)-

1. Just Can't Get Enough- Depeche Mode
2. Surrender- Cheap Trick
3. Don't Stop Believing- Journey
4. Gypsy Road- Cinderella
5. Temptation- New Order
6. Crazy Train- Ozzy
7. Raspberry Beret- Prince
8. Fat-Bottomed Girls- Queen
9. Girlfriend In a Coma- The Smiths (hee hee)
10. Fallen Angel- Poison
11. Tempted- Squeeze
12. Part-Time Lover- Stevie Wonder
13. Hungry Like the Wolf- Duran Duran
14. She Bangs the Drums- The Stone Roses
15. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye- Steam
16. Material Girl- Madge
17. Call On Me- Primal Scream (double hee hee)
18. Always On My Mind- Pet Shop Boys

Random Ten

Kanye, Wino and Timmy, OH MY!

1. Golden Touch- Razorlight
2. B-Boy Baby- Mutya Buena feat. Amy Winehouse
3. Deadwood- Dirty Pretty Things
4. Gold Digger- Kanye West
5. Kevin Carter- Manic Street Preachers
6. Clubfoot (live @Glastonbury 2007)- Kasabian
7. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over- Charlatans
8. Some Girls- Rachel Stevens
9. Middle Eastern Holiday- Hard-Fi
10. Hot Soft Light- The Hold Steady

Bonus-
11. Skin and Bones- Jet
12. Step Out- Oasis

Living For the Weekend

Mmmm, lovely.

The Gossip

The Gossip, originally uploaded by Glastonbury on the BBC.

Goddess.

Boggles the mind

The following is Rolling Stone's coverage of Glasto 2007.

Rolling Stone: Rock Daily » Blog Archive » Will The Libertines ...
Up to the minute breaking news from the world of music, from the editors of ... Will The Libertines Reunite At Glastonbury? Wu-Tang Clan And James Blunt
...
Rolling Stone: Rock Daily » Rock News
Up to the minute breaking news from the world of music, from the editors of Rolling ... Glastonbury notes: The Specials reunite… to back up Lily Allen, ...
Rolling Stone: Rock Daily » Morning News Roundup
Up to the minute breaking news from the world of music, from the editors of ... A Glastonbury Festival-goer died on Sunday after a suspected drug overdose. ...

No, I'm not kidding. That's it. Now I realize that not everyone in the U.S. is an Anglophile like myself, but this is fucking ridiculous. Nearly 400 thousand people attended a festival with a stellar lineup, and all that you mention is that someone died, the possibility existed for a Libs reunion and the Specials were going to collaborate with Lil.

Oh, for GOD'S sake..... Get a clue.

Ooooo

I must say, this sounds like a fun group-

ARCTIC Monkeys frontman Alex Turner is forming his very own supergroup. And the band - made up of Lily Allen, Dizzee Rascal and James Righton of Klaxons -have already recorded some songs.

Alex told us backstage at Glastonbury: "It's definitely happening. We're recording an album. It will be out before you know it." Alex worked with Dizzee on his fab album Maths And English. And Dizzee teamed up with Lily on his hit Wannabe. The three roped in James during a fancy-dress do in the VIP bar. An insider tells us: "Their fans won't know what's hit them."

Diamond Lil with (some of) The Specials

from Glasto

Floral wonkery

P1010394, originally uploaded by The Secret Garden Flower Shop.

This weekend, we have a rather large wedding at the flower shop. I've been trolling Flickr, looking for ideas, checking the profiles of various florists that have accounts.

While I initially bookmarked this shop because they listed The Stone Roses! as one of their favorite bits of music, I think the proof is in the pudding, so to speak.

This is gorgeous.

(tall vase-y looking flowers in the center- mini Calla Lillies, dark pink roses- Orlando or Hot Princess, small dark pink flower- Nerine lillies, light pink cabbage rose-looking roses- Esperance and spiky varigated leaves- Lilygrass)

Golden Rooftops

Golden Rooftops, originally uploaded by Kenny Maths.

Dance Into the Night- Glasto 2007

The View! The View! The View are on fire!

With bonus Wee Kyle yelpage, Wee Kieran shaking his tiny little bum all over the place, Wee Pete guitar and Wee Steve drum heroics. I love these boys.

And yes, I find their wearing of their Wellies onstage darling. And no, I have no idea what Wee Kyle says most of the time.

L.S.F.- Glasto 2007

Sweet Lord, are they good.....

Chelsea Dagger- Glasto 2007

This is possibly the best song to shake your ass to, ever. God Bless The Fratellis.

Mardy Bum- Glasto 2007

You've officially made it when your fans are singing the fucking guitar line to your song.

Also, Helders and I have the same trackie bottoms! But mine aren't tucked in socks....

Dirty Pretty Thing

Good God, I think Carlos is trying to kill us.....

picture by Andrew Kendall

"I don't want to be a skinny bitch anyway"

Diamond Lil, getting down with her bad self at Glasto. God Bless her.

Allen was in a combative mood before she played 'Everything's Just Wonderful'. She said: "This song's about sticking your fingers up at the man- mortgage lenders, poli-fucking-ticians and America in general. I personally get put down by fashion magazine editors. I don't want to be a skinny bitch anyway."

picture by Andrew Kendall

You know....

I do think rainbow sequined unitards, as seen on Lovefoxx CSS, are due a revival.

picture by Andrew Kendall

Diamonds and Dizzee

Again with the fetal position.....

My girl, Casey, and I saw these lads on their first North American tour, and they still had acne. Now they're headlining Glasto. I have a somewhat maternal sense of pride with them... even though I'm (only) 10 years older....

Arctic Monkeys were joined by special guest Dizzee Rascal when they headlined the Glastonbury Festival tonight (June 22)- and they also threw in a surprise cover.
...

Arctic Monkeys then sprung another surprise on the crowd.

"We liked to play a cover for you, like we said it only happens once, so we want to do something special for you, we're thrilled to be here," explained Turner of the next song which saw producer and Simian Mobile Disco member James Ford join them on the aforementioned organ.

"Shirley Bassey is playing on Sunday, so this one is for Shirley," added the singer as his band launched into her 1971 Bond theme 'Diamonds Are Forever'.

Don't mind me

I'll just be over in the corner in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, weeping gently...


Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Thomas looks good! (yes, I know he's a total spaz. But oh so pretty....)

When Noel Gallagher first heard Kasabian, his interest was naturally piqued by their junior-Oasis gobbiness. "I wanted to hear whether they had anything to back it up," he recalled to NME. "Then I heard one of their tunes, and I was like: 'What's he saying there? Is he actually saying 'Oosh!? That's top, that is."

Tonight, Kasabian were oosh-ing all over the place. They were ooshtastic. They're the band who run their ship like a rock'n'roll aerobics class, Tom the thin-trousered instructor, exhorting the hordes to ever-greater heights of merriment.

They've become an essential festival band because they make you pay attention: for the first time, the Pyramid Stage seems entirely taken-up. Tom, Serge and the other ones bring new meaning to the term 'enormous juggernaut hunkering over music like a spaceship poised to destroy the earth'.

Good or bad (and 'The Doberman' is as flat as ever), it's enormous, and absolutely demands your attention.

Across the field, the banners are fluttering, the punters are jiving, and as Tom curls his bicep, makes a fist and thrusts it forward, one word is on his lips: 'Ooosh!'

Best Song: 'LSF', complete with row-row-your-boat-style partitioning of the crowd.

Best Moment: The 375th time that Tom reiterates that 'you fookers' of Glastonbury are 'fookin amazing'

The View! The View! The View Are On Fire!

My Wee The View lads are all grown up.....

Scottish indie pop sensations The View have played the first of their two Glastonbury Festival sets on the Pyramid Stage this morning (June 22).The band got the early morning revellers going, despite the pouring rain, with a string of tracks from their chart-topping debut LP 'Hats Off To The Buskers', including the singles 'Same Jeans', Wasted Little DJs', 'The Don' and set closer 'Superstar Tradesman'

*if you want to see what is all the fuss about The View, read this review from their Dundee! homecoming concert

Random ten

1. You Know I'm No Good- Arctic Monkeys
2. I Want You Back- K.T. Tunstall
3. Panic- The Smiths
4. Do You Wanna Dance- The Ramones
5. British Legion- Kasabian
6. Knock On Wood- Amii Stewart
7. Parklife-Blur
8. Eton Rifles- The Jam
9. A Day In the Life- Carl Barat and Pete Doherty
10. Firestarter- The Prodigy

Bonus-
11. Ramblin' Man- Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan
12. Fuck Forever- Babyshambles

So pretty

Well, Thomas is....

Love Nicky's bootleg Manics t-shirt, though....

Arctics

Oh, this is sooo cool-

THE ARCTIC MONKEYS have called in legendary punk poet JOHN COOPER CLARKE to write a rhyme for their next single.

The Seventies wordsmith is frontman ALEX TURNER’s hero and a big influence on his work.

The pair met when Alex was 16 after John performed in a Sheffield pub where the young Monkey was working.

It set Alex on his way to becoming one of the best lyricists of his generation.

Now John has contributed a poem to appear on the sleeve of their new single, Fluorescent Adolescent, out next month.

A source said: “Some musicians worship LENNON or THE STONES, but John is Alex’s hero.”

The Brit Box

I own most of the tunes on this box set, but will probably buy it. Sad, I know. I am predictably obsessive.....

'The Brit Box: U.K. Indie, Shoegaze, and Brit Pop Gems of the Last Millennium' is due out on October 2 via Rhino and includes recordings from 1985-2000.

Disc 1

The Smiths -'How Soon Is Now?'
Cocteau Twins -'Lorelei'
Felt -'Primitive Painters'
Shop Assistants -'Somewhere In China'
The Mighty Lemon Drops -'My Biggest Thrill'
The Cure -'Just Like Heaven'
Echo & The Bunnymen -'Lips Like Sugar'
The Jesus And Mary Chain -'April Skies'
Spacemen 3 -'Walkin' With Jesus (Sound Of Confusion)'
The Primitives -'Crash'
The Wonder Stuff -'Unbearable'
The Stone Roses -'She Bangs The Drums'
The Charlatans UK -'The Only One I Know'
Happy Mondays -'Step On'
Primal Scream -'Loaded' [single version]
Inspiral Carpets -'This Is How It Feels'
The Trash Can Sinatras -'Obscurity Knocks'
The La's -'There She Goes'
The Sundays -'Here's Where The Story Ends'

Disc 2
Ride -'Vapour Trail'
Pale Saints -'Sight Of You'
My Bloody Valentine -'Only Shallow'
Lush -'For Love'
The Telescopes -'Flying'
Chapterhouse -'Pearl'
Catherine Wheel -'I Want To Touch You'
Bleach -'Trip & Slide'
Curve -'Coast Is Clear'
Five Thirty -'You'
Moose -'This River Will Never Run Dry'
The Family Cat -'(Thought I'd Died) And Gone To Heaven'
The Dylans -'(Don't Cut Me Down) Mary Quant In Blue'
Thousand Yard Stare -'0-0 A.E.T. (No Score After Extra Time)'
Ned's Atomic Dustbin -'Grey Cell Green'
Birdland -'Shoot You Down'
Manic Street Preachers -'Stay Beautiful'
Teenage Fanclub -'Star Sign'

Disc 3
Suede -'Metal Mickey'
Swervedriver -'Duel' [radio edit]
Eugenius -'Breakfast'
Superstar -'Barfly'
New Order -'Regret'
James -'Laid'
Nick Heyward -'Kite'
The Boo Radleys -'Lazarus'
Saint Etienne -'You're In A Bad Way'
Stereolab -'Wow & Flutter'
Blur -'Tracy Jacks'
Oasis -'Live Forever'
Pulp -'Common People'
These Animal Men -'Speeed King'
Mega City Four -'Wallflower'
Echobelly -'Insomniac'
Gene -'Sleep Well Tonight'
Menswear -'Sleeping In'
Supergrass -'Alright'
Cast -'Alright'
Elastica -'Stutter'

Disc 4
Dodgy -'In A Room'
Ash -'Girl From Mars'
Sleeper -'Sale Of The Century'
Marion -'Sleep'
Kula Shaker -'Tattva'
Ocean Colour Scene -'The Riverboat Song'
Babybird -'You're Gorgeous'
The Bluetones -'Slight Return'
Super Furry Animals -'Something 4 The Weekend'
The Divine Comedy -'Something For The Weekend'
Cornershop -'Brimful Of Asha'
Silver Sun -'Service'
Spiritualized -'Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space'
Mansun -'Wide Open Space'
Hurricane #1 -'Step Into My World'
The Verve -'Lucky Man'
Rialto -'Untouchable'
Catatonia -'Mulder And Scully'
Placebo -'You Don't Care About Us'
Gay Dad -'Oh Jim'

All Glasto, all the time

I'm just picturing myself on Friday and Saturday, clutching a bouquet or corsage in one hand, hitting F5 to refresh the NME's Glasto site with the other.....

Jen and I are totes taking Mom's van to set up for the weddings on Saturday. It has Sirius, and more importantly, BBC Radio1.

Main stage

Friday - Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, The Fratellis, Bloc Party, Magic Numbers, Amy Winehouse, Gogol Bordello, The Earlies, The View, Adjagas

Saturday - The Killers, The Kooks, Paul Weller, Paolo Nutini, Lily Allen, Dirty Pretty Things, Guillemots, The Pipettes, Seasick Steve, Liz Green

Advertisement

Sunday - The Who, Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers, Dame Shirley Bassey, James Morrison, The Marleys, The Waterboys, Corb Lund, National Youth

Other Stage

Friday - Bjork, Arcade Fire, Rufus Wainwright, The Coral, Super Furry Animals, Bright Eyes, The Automatic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, Reverend and the Makers, Mr Hudson and the Library

Saturday - Iggy and the Stooges, Editors, Maximo Park, Babyshambles, The Klaxons, CSS, Biffy Clyro, The Long Blondes, Brakes, El Presidente, The Swtiches

Sunday - Chemical Brothers, The View, The Go Team, Mika, The Rakes, Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Cold War Kids, Sunshine Underground, The Enemy, The Holloways, Kharma 45

John Peel Stage

Friday - Hot Chip, Maccabees, Mumm Ra, Jack Penate, The Hold Steady, The New Pornographers, Tokyo Police Club, Good Shoes, The Annuals, Disco Ensemble, Fear of Music, Look Sea Proof

Saturday - The Twang, Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Patrick Wolf, Bats For Lashes, Pigeon Detectives, Calvin Harris, You Say Party! We Say Die! Holy F***, The Heights, The Rushes, The Hours, Grim Northern Social, Blue Bullet

Sunday - The Gossip, Jamie T, Just Jack, Mark Ronson, Scott Matthews, Young Knives, The Rumble Strips, The Horrors, The Noisettes, Tiny Dancers, Auqalung, Shoot the Moon

When I'm 64

For the 40th anniversary of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' various Brit pop star-type people re-recorded the tracks, with varying degrees of success.

My favorite, other than Peter and Carlos's rendition of 'A Day In the Life,' is Russell Brand's take on 'When I'm 64.'

He's so dirty. The song is so sweet. It's just wonderful.

Thanks, Kazza!

pic via

The Universal- Blur

Sweet Christ, it's Damon Albarn circa 1995. With eyeliner on.

Oh, fuck right off

I admit, there are quite a few albums that are soooo over-rated. Especially by rock snobs. However, I do not consider the Roses first album to be among those.

So, suck it. Wankers.

Lovely

When I'm ranting about the sporadic brilliance of one Peter Doherty, this, THIS is what I'm talking about.....

A girl after my heart

Check out The Winehouse's rider for this weekend-

2 bottles of red wine

1 large bottle of vodka

1 bottle of champagne

1 bottle of brandy

1 case of lager

40 Marlboro Lights

chocolate

3 "good quality" HOT pizzas

Ahhh, I see

the little Klaxon boys have joined in on the Cim and Tarl lovefest.....

The Chavs- a supergroup consisting of members of Klaxons and The Libertines performed a short set tonight (June 19).

The band's first ever gig consisted of a five song set at London's exclusive Cuckoo Club venue.

The group of rotating members included Carl Barat and Gary Powell of The Libertines plus Jamie Reynolds and Steffan Halperin of Klaxons. Lead vocal duties were taken by Tim Burgess of The Charlatans while the group of augmented by Didz Hammond and Anthony Rossomando from Dirty Pretty Things.

Oh my dear sweet Lord

When my dear friend, Queen Bee, failed to acquire tickets for Glasto, despite the best efforts of her girl in the Motherland, she said something to the effect of-

"I just know that Pete and Carlos are going to have some big Libs reunion at Glastonbury, and I'll miss it."

And so, this may come to pass..... Poor baby....

Following Pete Doherty and Carl Barat's first recording session in three years on Friday (June 15), there are now rumours the pair will play another gig together at Glastonbury this weekend.

The Buchaille

The Buchaille, originally uploaded by gms.

He's trying to kill me

Oh, God

My family is coming to visit this week. My whiny brother and his equally petulant wife. Eeek.

'Shag anoofer bottle of Chardonnay?

Dior Haute Couture

Ahhh, the return of the supermodel. Nice.

Christian Dior's July 2 couture show is shaping up to be a blockbuster. First came the news that the models have been asked to arrive at the venue—a little place called Versailles—eight hours before showtime. Now we hear that none other than Naomi, Christy, Linda, and Kate will be walking the runway. (The last time John Galliano came close to having that much supermodel superpower on his catwalk was Dior's Fall 2005 couture show—and that season, Christy and Kate were otherwise occupied.) What's more, the fantastic foursome is said to be hosting the house's 60th anniversary after-party. Marie Antoinette, eat your heart out—

via Fashionologie

Nice!

First Kasabian, now The View. Does this mean that Christopher Bailey and I have the same taste in rock boys?

Most fashion houses' bi-annual campaigns are about showcasing collections. Burberry's campaigns have become the place to find exciting new talent.

Next season's advertising images are no exception, featuring the brightest British stars from the modelling and music worlds. Burberry discovered the model of the moment, Manchester-born Agyness Deyn, two seasons ago and she takes centre stage once more alongside fellow Brit-models Lily Donaldson, Kiera Gormley and Georgia Frost.

Christopher Bailey, the brand's creative director, has picked members of some of the country's hottest new bands to star alongside the girls, including The Paddingtons who are about to tour with Pete Doherty's band Babyshambles. The View, Larrikin Love and the 23-year-old singer /songwriter Patrick Wolf have also joined the Burberry team this season.

Random ten

1. Always On My Mind- Pet Shop Boys
2. For Once In My Life- Stevie Wonder
3. Miss Lucifer-Primal Scream
4. Elizabeth, My Dear- The Stone Roses
5. Push the Button- Sugababes
6. Wild Night- Van Morrison
7. A Certain Romance- Arctic Monkeys
8. Me and Mr. Jones- Amy Winehouse
9. What Katie Did- The Libertines
10. Face For the Radio- The View

Bonus-

11. Queen Bitch- David Bowie
12. Ready To Run- Dixie Chicks

No bitterness here

No sir, none at all...

A new documentary about The Smiths, as told by the band's former rhythm section; Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke, is to be released on DVD next month.

"InsideThe Smiths" tells the history of the band, and describes what it was like working with Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Mike Joyce says the reason he and Rourke have spoken for the first time on camera was that: “We wanted people to know what it was really like. It is more truthful than anything we have revealed in interviews before because we were relaxed with how it was done and who was doing it.”

Made of awesome

As much as I love Beckham- fwaaah, David, and as much as I adore the Fratellis-fwaaah Jon, Baz and Mince, this is too cool:

The Fratellis have turned down a chance to record the official song for David Beckham's first game as an LA Galaxy player.The Scots, who were asked to re-record The Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' for the July football match, reportedly said, "No fucking way," according to Dotmusic."

We've turned down a huge list of ridiculous things like that," said frontman Jon Fratelli. "We're not a bunch of travelling salesmen. If we don't get successful on our own terms then we won't do it at all."He added: "We were like, 'No fucking way.' It would have got us noticed, of course, but we'd have lost our self-respect."

Snowdonia

Snowdonia, originally uploaded by Iconoclast!.

Men's Needs- The Cribs

Great song, cracked-out video

You don't say?

The headline? 'Blair attacks 'feral' media.

This is the picture that accompanied the story.

Wallace, Gromit- BACK AWAY FROM THE POODLE!

I can see it

Peter quite frequently looks like he's slid down a chimney, so I guess he's a natural for 'Chim-Chiminey'

Pete Doherty is set to perform 'Chim Chiminey' from the musical 'Mary Poppins'. The one-off will be part of a tribute to the Disney Songbook, which will take place at London's South Bank Centre in June. Along with Doherty, the event will see Disney covers from the likes of The Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, Nick Cave, Bryan Ferry, Baaba Maal, Ralph Steadman, Beth Orton and Jarvis Cocker.

Nicely done!

Way to go, Winehouse! And Keith did my favorite Keef song, 'Slipping Away.' Wonderful, just wonderful.

For the first time in 31 years, The Stones are back at a UK festival. And boy, do they pull out all the stops. Kicking off with fireworks (take that Muse!) it's a big stage show, the works, and in their 15-song set they wow us with the big hits (opener 'Start Me Up', 'Satisfaction', 'Brown Sugar'), a few more obscure (if they can ever be obscure, It's THE STONES) back catalogue numbers ('You Get Me Rocking', 'Rough Justice') - and a couple of special guests.

As we revealed on our blog earlier, the young 'uns got involved. Paolo Nutini came on to duet nobly on a cover of Robert Johnson's 'Love In Vain', while Amy Winehouse got her on her knees to play her part in a simmeringly sexy cover of The Temptations' 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg'.

As is custom at their live dates now, they went out to a tiny stage in the crowd and belted out a few classics, including disco classic 'Miss You' and a euphoric 'Honky Tonk Women'.

The NME is trying to kill me

part of an ongoing series-

They march onstage like they own the field and Muse should be sodding grateful to them for letting them go on last. They've got all the "are you having a good time PLACE NAME?" stadium patter down pat. They have a massive gong. They are Kasabian and a passing punter might think they're the headliners. Tom Meighan has certainly perfected the Liam swagger and the tunes are simply massive from an opening 'Shoot The Runner' through the Serge-sung classic 'Me Plus One' and the horn blasted Big Ballad 'The Doberman', right up to a storming 'LSF' that has the crowd chanting the 'la-la-la' bits right up until Muse. They bang a gong and, fittingly, they get it on.

Best Song: 'Me Plus One'
Best Moment: Tom: "this one's called 'Processed...'! (Checks setlist) Um, '...Beats'!

Update- OH, HELL YES! YouTube is the best!

Skag Trendy

From Radio1's Big Weekend 2006. They are just too cute. And fantastic little musicians!

Waaaheeeyyyy! What's all this?

The Winehouse might be making an appearance at The Stones set tomorrow at the Isle of Wight Festival. ONSTAGE.

From the NME news section-

She added that despite strong rumours she will perform with The Rolling Stones when they headline the festival tomorrow (June 10), nothing has been confirmed yet."Oh, I don't think it's true, but I hope," she explained. "That kind of thing would be amazing. I am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. It's going to be the nuts!"

From the NME festival blog-

Yes, not only has Amy Winehouse turned up, but it seems she might be sticking around for an encore. A source told us that her people are desperately trying to find Amy a hotel room on the island for tonight. So where could she possibly fit on tomorrow's packed bill? Over to you Mr Jagger...

From The Sun-

In an interview with Virgin Radio Amy revealed she'd be playing a famous Stones song at the festival - but didn't perform a cover during her Saturday afternoon set.
Amy also booked a hotel to stay over on Saturday after originally planning to return home. A festival source told Bizarre: "Nothing is confirmed but the evidence suggests the biggest collaboration of Amy's short career."

We'll have to wait and see. Dammit. I hate being patient. Amo's not going to be able to rock the Louboutins like she usually does. She'd be a foot taller than Mick

Stone Gallery

Stone Gallery, originally uploaded by otrocalpe.

Amazing photo. I want to go to LDN again so badly, it actually hurts.

Random Ten

1. Picturesque- Manic Street Preachers
2. Living For the Weekend- Hard-Fi
3. Easy- Sugababes
4. I Remember Nothing- Joy Division
5. Harmony In My Head- Buzzcocks
6. Skag Trendy- The View
7. Butcher Blues- Kasabian
8. Bridge Over Troubled Water- Aretha Franklin
9. Take What You Take- Lily Allen
10. Sister Rosetta (Capture the Spirit)- Noisettes

Bonus-
11. This House Is a Circus- Arctic Monkeys
12. In the City- Paul Weller with Dirty Pretty Things

Stax Anniversary

Some of the bits of culture I was exposed to during my formative years- the things that really influenced me- were Monty Python's Flying Circus and the music of the Stax Records stars. God or whomever bless PBS and the soul radio stations out of Chicago.

I can't imagine what my childhood would have been like without the Ministry Of Silly Walks, The Fish Slapping Dance, Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.

It's nice to see Mr. Stewart and Ms. Axton's massively influential label in the news again.

The sound was never exactly polished, but it had plenty of soul, and the Memphis sound created at Stax Records has found its own special place in the history of American music.Some of pop's most cherished recordings came out of the Stax studio, including Sam & Dave's "Soul Man," Otis Redding's "(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay," and Isaac Hayes' Oscar-winning "Theme from Shaft."

Now, 50 years after a white country-fiddle player started down the road that led him to open a recording studio in a predominantly black, inner-city neighborhood, the Stax label is trying to make a comeback.

This is so cool

The BBC is currently doing a series on "The Seven Ages of Rock," and has a really cool section on their site that has pictures and information about all the bands profiled.

I love this pic of The Roses. God, they were babies!

I do have one problem, though.... WHERE THE FUCKING FUCK IS THE FUCKING JAM IN THIS FUCKING SERIES?

Brit Pop? Indie? Most music since 1978? Wouldn't have evolved in the same way without Paul, Bruce and Rick.

She so crazy

Oh, Posh. You seem to have forgotten your skirt. Is skirt off sick?

Victoria Beckham wins woman and entrepreneur of the year at the Glamour awards. She turned up wearing hotpants, corset and stockings.

One of my favorite cover versions, ever

Arctic Monkeys version of 'You Know I'm No Good,' written and originally performed by The Winehouse.

It's a filthy song, and somehow, Young Master Turner makes it sound even dirtier..... Bless.

But Jesus, Helders, what the hell is on your face? Have you been hanging around with My Thomas?

*wipes drool from chin*

In honor of Sweet, Sweet Carlito's b-day, I rather fancied watching YouTube clips featuring Mr. Barat.

Then I found this. My fav Libs song, sadly, with no Pete, but with added Stanley bonus action!

YouTube= possibly the best thing ever.

Happy birthday, baby!

sweaty-carl.jpg, originally uploaded by amandarg.

Nice tie, Carlos. As this look REALLY works for you, feel free to replicate whenever, wherever..... Please.

Um, yeah!

Hello, foresight! (the last bit- though the part about going to Mani's den of iniquity is hilarious)

You could be forgiven for assuming that in Pete Doherty's case, 'career' is just a verb, but The View have the Professional Unprofessional to thank for kickstarting theirs. In 2005, industrious bassist Kieren Webster dug out the thermals and camped out ahead of a Babyshambles gig in hometown Dundee, and thrust a homemade demo tape into his idol's clammy hands.

As if they'd slipped Lady Luck a fiver, after listening, Doherty was both impressed and lucid enough to offer the band a support slot for that evening's gig. Not only that, he recommended The View to James Endeacott - the man who discovered The Libertines and A&R'd The Strokes - who signed the emaciated scruffs to his
fledgling 1965 label.

In fact, drummer Steven Morrison was even the subject of much police - not to mention press attention - when he was caught beetling down a one-way street in a car with... oh, who else? Yes, you've guessed it: poodle-haired Welsh bellower Bonnie Tyler! (Oh, OK: it was Messer Doherty, but it's all a bit predicable, non?)

....

There's no denying The View, currently number three in the charts with their single, Same Jeans, have crammed more into their two-year existence than most bands accomplish in their entire career. They've supported the likes of The Kooks and Primal Scream ("the best band in Britain. We went to Mani's house!"), as well as earning plaudits from Oasis.
.....

By this time next year, expect them to have slayed Glastonbury, become
the Oasis for the MySpace Generation and generally done everything except being
caught in a compromising position with Bonnie Tyler.

The lads are on the Pyramid Stage at Glasto. Pretty damned good prediction, MEN......

This week's sign that the Apocalypse is upon us*

When my girl, Stace, and I saw The Strokes on their 2002 tour, Har Mar Superstar was the opening act.

I don't remember a lot about his set, other than the fact that he was, ahem, a bit portly, and he stripped down to his tightie whites and rolled about on the stage at one point. Icky.

The lack of recollection of his set has mainly to do with The Strokes BLOWING my mind during the main bit. Mmmm, 2002-era Julian. Fabbbbrrrrrrrriiiizioooo...... They knocked me out of my classic rock rut, they did!

So color me surprised Har Mar has his own teevee show in development.

*borrowed from S.I.

Fwaaaah, Spy Daddy

Jennifer Garner - with hubby Ben Affleck - caught her old Alias co-star Victor Garber Sunday night at the Huntington Theatre Company's revival of Noel Coward's Present Laughter in Boston.

Not only did Garber play Garner's father on the Alias but the actor also got a minster's license and married Ben and Jen in their private Caribbean ceremony.

They're like Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight!

Sparkly! My favorite color!

I must have La Aguilera's handbag. Or her shoes. Or, ideally, both.

I know, I know

that it was the 40th anniversary of 'Sgt. Pepper's' last week, and that this is from 'A Hard Day's Night.'

But this is just lovely.....

Oooh, exactly!

So, we listen to a lot of Girls Aloud at the flower shop. Why? It's well-crafted pop nonsense with amazing production. And also, we all feel that we could be friends with Sarah and Nicola. They seem cool. (The blonde with the short hair and the ginger).

And women cannot subsist on a diet of The Fratellis, The View, Arctic Monkeys, Primal Scream, Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and The Libertines alone.

But I digress....

Upon reading this review of GA's performance at Wembley Arena, I was struck by the following:

the closing "Biology" is perhaps GA/Xenomania's finest moment. It really shouldn't work, seeming to consist of two or three songs jammed together (it's Bowie's "Jean Genie" interbred with Wings' "Band On The Run"), but somehow it does.

Eureka! We have a winner! That's EXACTLY what the song sounds like! Go watch. It's big, fun stupid pop.

Me Plus One

The Fratellis
Notoriously one of Britain's most rabble-rousing bands, the tipple-friendly Glaswegians' rollicking anthems should go down a storm at Glasters. If you fancy drowning your mates in lager or dancing with underwear on your head, this is the band to provide the soundtrack.*
Where to see them: Friday, Pyramid Stage, 7.45pm

Kasabian
Before they were famous, Britain's "people's band" read about Altamont and staged their own mini-festivals on a Leicestershire farm. Now they're living out their fantasies for real,** and with festival-slaying anthems like Empire and bosom buddies like Oasis, you never know who (or what) might join them onstage.
Where to see them: Friday, Pyramid Stage, 9.15pm

With the announcement of the official lineup for Glasto yesterday, Queen Bee, Kazza and I have been talking a LOT about said lineup.

With QB, we've been mourning her inability to obtain tickets, despite making it into the ticket lottery.

(and I'm not sure she knows Dirty Pretty Things have been added to Saturday's bill. The same day as Babyshambles. Shhhhhh.....)

With Kaz, we've been speculating on potential backstage activities of the Friday bands. Because that's what we do.

I'm sure that all bands will go home early, for church (or synagogue).

Because, it's not like-

- Fratellis videos frequently feature half-dressed Vargas-type girls

- Kasabian- well, I'm sure the Lads from Leicester would never do anything naughty, despite Serge's resemblance to the Prince Of Darkness

- Amy Winehouse likes a drink or ten

- Young Alex Turner has ever dropped his trousers (while massively drunk) and urinated in front of Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz. Allegedly.

-Wee The View Lads have ever-

• drank 2 grand worth of booze (all of them) & knocked people over whilst doing running handstands (Kyle)

• been arrested driving the wrong way on a one-way street with one Peter Doherty (Steven)

• been banned from all Travelodge hotels after leaving the bathtub on while at the pub (Kieren)

• had a makeup artist cover up their zits and hickies before opening for Big Brother at the Prince's Trust concert series (all of them)

So, I'm not thinking much mischief will be made backstage.

*"If you fancy drowning your mates in lager or dancing with underwear on your head, this is the band to provide the soundtrack."

If I knew nothing else about the Fratellis, this sentence would make me buy their album.

**"Now they're living out their fantasies for real..."

Kasabian. Fantasies. Bet Thomas's involve Star Wars.

*falls over dead*

That Bloody Mary's lacking in Tabasco

Oh, the boy's a slag......

Arctic Monkeys are set to release 'Fluorescent Adolescent' as their next single on July 9. The single will be released on CD, seven-inch and 10-inch versions. The CD and 10-inch will feature the tracks 'The Bakery', 'Plastic Tramp' and 'Too Much To Ask'. The video of the track was made by 'Nathan Barley' director Richard Ayoade, and stars Stephen Graham, who acted in the 1998 gangster movie 'Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'.

Mark my words, this song is going to be HUGE.

Stormy Weather

Today, a tornado hit to the north of us. No one was killed, but there's quite a bit of damage.

Around noon, we saw two State Troopers hauling ass up Highway 61 (Iowa's Coolest Flower Shop is right on the highway)- we knew something was up.

Unlike some of our local deputies, the troopers don't turn on their lights and floor it because they're late for lunch.

Growing up in the Midwest, you get used to tornado season, but it's always scary when one hits 20 fucking miles from your house.

They're slightly unusual round here, though. The Mississippi River generally causes them to skip over us and nail Illinois or stops them altogether.

Boy, wouldn't it be nice if the Iowa National Guard were stateside?

Go boys!

Sting may annoy the hell out of me, but this is huge for Jon, Barry and Mince. Go Fratellis!

Wow, Fratellis at Giants Stadium. That's just mind-boggling! Check below for all The Fratellis' summer coliseum/stadium dates with Sting & the gang.

Crazy times down at Costello Music, indeed.

6/13 Oakland, CA - McAfee Coliseum
*7/19 Philadelphia, PA - Citizens Bank Park
*8/5 East Rutherford, NJ - Giants Stadium*

Random Ten

1. Ride a White Horse- Goldfrapp
2. Saturday's Kids- The Jam
3. Miss Lucifer (album version)- Primal Scream
4. Gett Off- Prince
5. Time Has Come Today- The Chambers Brothers
6. The Don- The View
7. It's Tricky- Run-DMC
8. The Girl From Ipanema- Astrud Gilberto
9. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (live in Moscow)- Noel Gallagher
10. Surrender- Cheap Trick

Bonus-
11. Reach Out (I'll Be There)- Four Tops
12. Where Angels Play- The Stone Roses

Darlene Love on Letterman May 2007 River Deep Mountain High

This was just on a repeat of Dave. Love Darlene. Love Dave. Love Dave loving Darlene.

OMFG! OMFG! OMFG! OMFG!

Fuck me, the Friday (pending) lineup is SPECTACULAR!

Friday (June 22)
Arctic Monkeys
Kasabian
The Fratellis
Bloc Party
The Magic Numbers
Amy Winehouse
Gogol Bordello
The Earlies
The View
Adjagas

Saturday (June 23)
The Killers
The Kooks
Paul Weller
Paolo Nutini
Lily Allen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
Guillemots
The Pipettes
Seasick Steve
Liz Green

Sunday (June 24)
The Who
Kaiser Chiefs
Manic Street Preachers
Shirley Bassey
James Morrison
Damien Marley
Stephen Marley
The Waterboys
National Youth Orchestra (with Goldfrapp)
Glastonbury Town Band

AMY!

Girlfriend is on the cover of the Rolling Stone and Spin!

Get down with your bad self, Miz Amy Jade Winehouse!

Though I do have a small bone to pick-

why must media types refer to all female singers as "divas?"

While I adore Amy, Amy, Amy, the girl is 23, which is not nearly old enough to qualify for diva status. In my eyes, anyway.

35-36, then we're talking!