This gun's for hire

Victor FME performed at the Magnet last night. It was the first time I'd seen them since new keyboardist Amo stepped into Joe Tucker's not inconsiderable shoes, and I have to say she did an admirable job. The band sounded great, after a couple of songs they got right into their stride and the raw emotional power that characterises their sound started coming through big time. An impassioned cover of "Dancin' in the Dark" sounded not at all incongruous next to Rafferty's own tales of small town disquiet. Obviously Joe's input is missed, and the band do need to gig more, but seriously, I know their my mates an' that, but I don't reckon there's a better young band in the region. They're fucking excellent musicians and play like they mean it, goddamit. Take note.

The night itself ("Ping Pong") wasn't the greatest, suffering somewhat from too many acts and a bit of a mismatch in sound. I might have been more into it on a Friday night, but I had an exam the following morning and just wanted to watch Victor then fuck off to bed. As it was I had to wait 'til quarter to twelve to see them play for about 20 mins. It was worth it though.

Btw, my hair is now very short. It had to be done.

Fiction Man

I'm finally listening to Robert Pollard's "Fiction Man" album. It sounds like fairly typical fare on the first couple of listens, although I suspect it will be a massive grower it hasn't thus far grabbed me in the way that his last solo album "Motel of fools" did. A lot of the "angular" riffs with big crashing cymbals that characterised much of "Earthquake glue" are present, production sounds a little weedy although that could just be the fact that I'm listening to it on my Mum's shitty hi-fi. Pollard has a great talent for making me eat my words, whenever I'm initially disappointed by one of his releases it usually ends up on my Top Ten Albums of All Time list within a month. I'm fairly confident that will be the case this time.

In the same parcel as the CD came a copy of "Eat", a collection of Pollard's collages, lyrics and made-up band names. Basically you have to be me to enjoy it.

Come On!

Munkyfest has been confirmed for 31st July. Am I happy about this? You better believe it, chuckles. This thing just just gets bigger and better every year. The line up looks great already, good mix of regulars and new faces. Seriously, check it out. It's only about four quid or something.

Good, good, good, good vibrations

Oh my good lord, the weather's fantastic at the the moment. Makes you happy to be alive... how shit must it be to be dead in May? In fact, stop looking at blogs and get out there and enjoy it. I've got nothing to say anyway.

I walked into my living room on Saturday morning only to find this fuck asleep on the sofa.

Moon Carrot Pie

I made a fantastic purchase on eBay recently- a first edition copy of my favourite childhood novel, "The Talking Parcel", long out of print, by the legend who was Gerald Durrell. It still enchants me now, although obviously being a sort of adult I can see boring stuff like subtext and social commentary (Durrell was not big on breeding). I'm not going to talk about the plot, just go track down a copy and read it. You owe it to your inner child.

I've just been told that the pub opposite my flat is being made into one of those "It's a scream" chain pubs. This is bad news in the extreme.