2:46PM - home news from abroad

GeEkgiRL were ace, as ever, last Saturday. A 47minute set in a tiny pub with thirty people watching... how good is that? There were four acts on too - I use the word 'acts' because one was a solo artist... and if I could play guitar as well as that I'd make sure I didn't sound like James Blunt! Pity he didn't have the same thought...

The second lot were called Moly, an electronic duo in the Kraftwerk/John Foxx mode - they were fegging brilliant. I started recording them after a minute... and they gave me their CD after the show.... they'd travelled from Gatwick (!) to play at the Whit! To make this sort of music was brave enough in the 80's, let alone now....

Third up - didn't catch their name, didn't really want to - they answered the question "What would Led Zeppelin sound like if Liam Gallagher wrote their songs and sang lead?" I think you can all guess the answer to that one....

Then the GG - fantastic show, i was five feet from Fi, God but that girl can belt it out, it was lovely to hang out with her for a while, like old mates...

Here's to Vanilla, on the 10th!

3:58PM - Tony Wilson (1950 – 2007): Mr Manchester goes to the After show Party in the sky.

When he heard that Tony Wilson had died, a friend of mine said "It's like a part of Manchester has disappeared". And, in a way, he's right.

Love him or hate him, Tony Wilson’s influence and contribution to Manchester's urban life and music scene is almost incalculable. From the odd little reports for Granada TV, to the groundbreaking music show So It Goes, Factory Communications Ltd., the Hacienda, supporting devolution for Manchester, co-creating, with Yvette Livesey, the In The City festival (the annual music event more often than not held in September in Manchester) and - most importantly - *not* moving to London, his influence will continue to cast a long shadow.

I first met Tony in 1976 at Tiffany's in Sale. I was waiting on tables, he was an after-dinner speaker at a De La Salle College Parents' Evening dinner. He was wearing a white dinner jacket that had a large red wine stain down the left hand side. He explained that he *could* have had this cleaned, but, as the wine had been spilt on him by Leonard Cohen in a Montreal hotel room in 1974, he wasn't particularly minded to. I liked him for that. He displayed (and would, to a greater or lesser extent, continue to display) an independence of spirit and personality, which would lead many to revile him, but I always respected and admired this spirit (albeit from a distance). There aren't many people that can be thrown out of their own club for being drunk and then apologise to their staff the next day. He was truly one of a kind and we were lucky to have him here.

The favourite accusation is that he was a twat. I believe this was a convenient persona for Tony, one that he could don like a cloak of invisibility when he needed to get something done, or get away from someone he'd rather not speak to. I always found him to be engaging, and, on the few times we met, to be genuinely interested in what was being said to him. For instance, at a book launch for the Factory Catalogue last year, I took along a copy of "24 Hour Party People", which I had covered in thin plastic in imitation of FAC2, the design of which had been mirrored on the book's cover. I know he liked seeing that, he said as much as he signed it. It was the least I could do in homage, for a man who will never now know how much we owe him.

We will all miss him, and in his passing we are all made poorer. Let's try to keep his memory and inspiration alive. A statue would be a nice start, maybe outside the Town Hall, or inside the Briton's Protection. After all, the Briton's was where many a Factory decision was made... Remember, this is Manchester - we do things differently here.

Goodbye Tony, you embodied all that was good and vital about this city. Although you should have signed the Smiths, you *were* right about Simply Red.

12:31PM - christmas present suggestions...

I can't believe you can actually BUY these...

http://www.selecttitles.co.uk/

So, anyone fancy being a Nob? Or making me one?

4:47PM - Dig Infinity

the CP Lee Lord Buckley tribute was amazingly good. He also dug the CDR I had made of his previous show back in 1983...

Anyway, he promised to ask the Manchester Music Archive about access to Rob Gretton's JD/NO tape stash for me, as some of the tapes appeared to be mouldering and are in need of digital transfer. He did and I got his email this afternoon, telling me that Peter Hook now has these and is handling the transfers. Damn! So close....

I also exchanged email addresses with Liz Naylor (ex City Fun writer) as she's a close friend and a very near neighbour of Richard Boon. So the JD footage from 1979 is tantalisingly closer. (no pun intended)

Just goes to show - I need to get out more.

And I've found where my artist's studio is located... (since WHEN was stalking a crime? ;-) )

all in all, a good time was had.

Stay solid, everyone.

2:49PM - New Readers start here...

Last night went quite well, really.

Since I took up with Jenny and Heather (hereafter referred to as The Evil Twins) life has gotten a bit fun. When we're not competeing against each other at The Cornerhouse, we're joining forces at the Clarence in Rusholme... much beer is consumed, and a good night is had by all. Even if we don't win (two points behind the winners! Boo!!!)

That they also like ZatS and Helen Love is a bonus.

Added to the mix is an artist called Rachel, with whom I have been flirting quite madly and really must ask out properly. Maybe to the next VCs gig or CP Lee's Lord Buckley presentation at the King's in Salford... of course for her to actually BE single would be unexpected, seeing as how she is quite simply a gorgeous creature. She makes me feel like popping my bubblegum, if you know what I mean (and I think you do...) Actually she makes me feel like I do when I listen to Angel Interceptor by Ash, which isn't *actually* a love song but makes _me_ feel giddy. Excuse me while I go and listen to it now.

And I'm reading two books at the same time (I know...) One is a critical companion to Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and the other is on the history of the Vampire film from 1896. Obessed? Moi?? :[

Anyway, more of this drivel later.

*

10:59PM - Unnatural hair colours...

Nothing retouched, some basic colour correction to flesh tones, but the hair... what WAS I thinking?

( beware - here be monsters )

10:20PM

A - Accent: BBC.
B - Breakfast Item: Coffee, Orange Juice, coffee and more coffee.
C - Chore you hate: shopping.
D - Dad's Name: Bernard.
E - Essential everyday item: iPod=Love.
F - Flavour ice cream: Cream Soda.
G - Gold or Silver?: Silver.
H - Hometown: Sale.
I - Insomnia: Yes, unfortunately.
J - Job Title: Assistant to the Board Of Directors (but I prefer to be a Professional Assassin).
K - Kids: One - Jessica (8).
L - Living arrangements: Alone, but not lonely, 2 bed flat in Newton Heath.
M - Mom's birthplace: Stretford.
N - Number of significant others you’ve ever had: four *really* significant; about fourteen not so.
O - Overnight hospital stays: hernia (age 4); Skin Graft (left thumb, age 13) .
P - Phobia: flies.
Q - Queer?: Sorry, no....
R - Religious Affiliation: Lapsed Pagan.
S - Siblings: two brothers, one sister (all younger).
T - Time you wake up: About 10.30am - four hours after I get out of bed.
U - Unnatural hair colours you've worn: White, ginger (hey!! It was the 80's!!).
V - Vegetable you refuse to eat: I'm a vegetarian - that means I don't eat any vegetables.
W - Worst habit: drinking cold coffee.
X - X-rays you’ve had: Teeth; right foot; MRI scan of lower spine.
Y - Yummy: Sarah Smart or Teri Garr (but IRL? my lips are sealed...)
Z - Zodiac sign: Aquarius

12:46AM

yeah, that's my idea of updating my journal... although *one* of my resolutions is to be better this year at letting people know what's up in craigie*land...

how long will it last?

who knows? certainly not me

and capital letters are *so* last year. :)

12:36AM

My name using Egyptian Hieroglyphs!

Try your name

Script by jackol

9:08PM - Someone's got it in for me...

...They're planting stories in the Press.

Apparently I have a new girlfriend! Can't wait to meet her. And find out what exactly it is I've been saying about her. And who she is.

I can only assume that my end-of year meme has been interpreted in a way in which it was not intended.
Further explanation *may* be needed, but may not be forthcoming.

Suffice to say that:

1: I am still single (Steady, ladies! Form a queue, form a queue!!). This should have been obvious from the answers to some other questions.

2: I may have fallen in love hard, but have yet to actually *speak* to the girl in question.
This happens a lot, but rarely lasts for this long. It definitely isn't something I ate, I can tell you that much.
And *IF* I see her again, I *will* have to try to talk to her, thus ending any chance I have of having a relationship with her as I tend to babble.

3: Verity and I had a lot in common, and got on really well. After all, we both fancied Redheaded girls. And she convinced me to dance, no mean feat in itself. Although it *was* after midnight, and, as everyone knows, I don't dance before midnight.

4: The person I miss most is someone I haven't seen for nearly twelve years.


So. The search continues.

Indefinitely, for now, although I'm sure I can convince SOMEONE to have a go. Eventually.

Where there's life there's hope etc.

2:01PM

( the end of year meme )

7:34PM - because I update less than ANYONE I know...

Your Birthdate: February 11

Spiritual and thoughtful, you tend to take a step back from the world. You're very sensitive to what's going on around you, yet you remain calm. Although you are brilliant, it may take you a while to find your niche. Your creativity is supreme, but it sometimes makes it hard for you to get things done. Your strength: Your inner peace Your weakness: You get stuck in the clouds Your power color: Emerald Your power symbol: Leaf Your power month: November

and now I'm going for a bath.

And then I'm going into Manchester to search for intelligent life. Or buy hair products. One or the other. It might involve alcohol consumption...

Why not join me? (text me from my info page - I need to know if it works!)

3:19AM - OH NOES!!!

from Zombina dot com:

"Hello there

We're all very sorry about this, but unfortunately we have to tell you that all of this weekend's Halloween gigs have been cancelled :(

Our guitarist Louie Diablo was taken ill this afternoon, and is now in hospital where he's waiting to find out what's wrong with him. Without going into too much detail, there's no way of knowing when he'll be OK to come home and we can't really work out how to do the gigs without him.

We're gutted that we're going to miss out on the Halloween fun, but you should know that all the gigs we were playing at are still going ahead without us so go along anyway and have yourselves a good time :)

Hopefully next weekend's gigs will still be happening, we'll know more in a few days time and will update the website with news if we need to.

Sorry for the news :("

well. there goes MY friday night.

12:43AM - EEEK!!!!

alert LJ Drama!!!

I've woken the Fashion Nazis of Manchester and they're after me!!!

http://www.livejournal.com/community/manchester/358417.html

ask an innocent question and LOOK WHAT HAPPENS!

1:28AM

http://www.livejournal.com/community/livejournal_uk/3604067.html?thread=40658275#t40658275

and they say Canadians are stupid...

more proof.

9:54PM

The Boy Next Door Random Gentle Love Dreamer (RGLDm) Kind, yearning, playful, you are The Boy Next Door. You're looking for real Love, a lot like girls do. It might not be manly, but it's sweet. We think the next three years will be very exciting and fruitful ones for you. Your spontaneous, creative side makes you a charming date, and we think you have a horny side just waiting to shine. Or glisten, rather. You enter new relationships unusually hopeful, and the first moments are especially glorious. If you've had some things not work out before, so what. Your exact opposite: The 5-Night Stand Deliberate Brutal Sex Master On paper, most girls would name the Boy Next Door as their ideal mate. In the real world, however, you're often passed over for more dangerous or masculine men. You're the typical "nice guy:" without just a touch of cockiness, you're doomed with girls. A shoulder to cry on? Okay, sure. But never a penis to hold. More than any other type, Boys Next Door evolve as they get older. As we said, many find true love, but some fail miserably in the search. These tarnished few grow up to be The Men Next Door, who are creepy as hell, offering backrubs to kids and what not. ALWAYS AVOID: The Nymph CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor, The Peach Link: The 32-Type Dating Test by OkCupid - Free Online Dating. My profile name: Rick-Ghastly

1:02AM - because I was told to...

Truly a legendary post


spread the word, chillun, spread the word

7:17PM

LJ Interests meme results

1. black books:
   one of the best UK comedies EVER. Up there with Father Ted, Red Dwarf, and Spaced.
   
   Now, get out.
2. crushes:
   I think having a crush is more dizzyingly exciting than having a relationship. Safer, too.
3. girl drummers:
   I blame Gina Shock from the Go-Gos. But honorable mentions for Tori Castellano (The Donnas) and Kit Shivers (Zombina & the Skeletones)
4. joy division:
   It's a Manchester thing. You wouldn't understand.
5. maria mckee:
   ex-teenage Californian rock popette becomes uber-depressive rockette. Kurt Cobain was NEVER this depressed. Still has one of THE best voices in music today.
6. ramones:
   Who doesn't? And if you need the Ramones explaining - you ARE dumb.
7. sound processing:
   I loves the making of LPs into shiny CDs. No snap crackle and pop here...
8. the cure:
   because boys don't cry. And it feels like heaven. Or something...
9. urusei yatsura:
   Not the Welsh band, the Japanese Cartoon featuring Ataru and Princess Lum. "Those Obnoxious Aliens"
10. zombina venus hatchett 笙･:
    My hypno-mistress. One look in those eyes and I was gone gone gone... hers now to command, I walk the earth in search of new recruits to swell the ranks of her legions...

Enter your LJ user name, and 10 interests will be selected from your interest list.

11:54PM - i don't do this often but....

Oh. My. God.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dyfferent/chav/

don't laugh. you'll go to Hell.

And these people will be there too.

11:25PM - between heaven and tesco's

well, tonight was good... down in Clayton Square, with all the shoppers...

the band was good even if the sound was patchy. The mics weren't turned on until AFTER the first number, and Doc's was low all the way through... Zombina was loaned the Radio Mic in time for the second half of ComeOn! so it wasn't TOO bad... no heckling, egging, or other anti-social behaviour on display, and only one half-hearted attempt to 'rush' the stage by a couple of drunken piggy backers.

short set, due to time restrictions, but hopefully it'll be better next week.

I didn't get a freebie CD-R (Chris says I've got all the stuff on it anyway, but that's not the point...)

see you there next week? it's OK, we don't bite... :[

Set list: ComeOn! / FBI / Punk Rock Vampires: Destroy! / Zombie Hop / Janie's Got A Dissolvo Ray / I Love Rock'n'Roll / Prom Night