Current Top 10!

1. Social Media Fatigue:

Whilst I actually never thought I would say it, I am bored of everyone know what im doing 24 hours a day. And whilst I was interested before, I am not interested in what people are doing 24 hours a day either. I WANT people to text me to ask if I am going to a show. I WANT people to ask where I am when im not somewhere. Distancing yourself from sharing your every waking moment is the new tweeting. And maybe it’s a good thing, as apparently, spending too much time online can lead to depression as stated here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8493149.stm

2. Summer Fest Announcement time:

According to an oversized rat in Pennsylvania, there is still six more weeks of winter left.. so what better than being reminded that, REALLY, summer isn’t that far away. All fests, from the majors like Hellfest, Download, and imminently, Reading, to the smaller euro hardcore jaunts like Filled With Hate and Ieperfest, have began announcing their line ups. Whilst most of us will have to pick and choose, it just means that we will only have to brave the cold winter months for a tiny bit longer.

3. Being in your 30s.

Its apparently the new “20s” now. Heh.

4. Holiday Songs:

Ke$ha, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado, and of course the black eyed peas to remind you of good times.

5. Valentines day hate.

I have ever only had one good Valentines day which involved flowers in the morning from a stranger (RIP Chris BTN) and then seeing SOIA. To this day, I have not had a good one, and still hate it with a passion. Fuck you Valentines day. Fuck you to hell.

6. The return of awesome tv season.

Around this time of the year, everything is looking kind of slow. Christmas is gone, summer is seems like its an eternity away. Which makes the return of awesome tv shows all the more better.. especially since I was totally over Glee after the 5th episode. Grey's Anatomy, and Greek are my current favourites. But in the same breath, we bid a sad farewell to "jersey shore". FIST PUMP!

7. Spotify

I have been raving about this service for roughly about a year now. I have mentioned it HERE. Anyhow, I am still loving it as it means that i dont have to go out of my way to find shit that i cant be bothered to look for and download onto my ipod.

SO. Heres the fun part. I want to listen to some new stuff. Recently, all i have played on my spotify is Manic Street Preachers and various pop songs im obsessed with (that are probably about 10 years old because that is when I finally latch onto a popular song haha).

Help me fill up a spotify play list full of stuff to listen to before I go out.. This could be anything from hardcore to soul to the cheesiest pop (which is what i have started out with).

Link is here:

Help. May.

Knock yourselves out kids.

8. Lounging.

Going out is awesome. But really, I would rather stay in, and lie on the couch and watch tv. In 10 years, i will be going to my local Waitrose in my velor tracksuit and Ugg boots carrying my Chanel handbag.. you wait and see. Alternatively, when I win £85m on the lottery tomorrow, this will also happen.

9. The Excitement of New Awesome Bands.

One of the best feelings in the world is watching a UK band, thinking, "fuck.." and then getting excited about seeing their name on upcoming bills. It happens literally once in a blue moon, and as there was a blue moon a couple of weeks ago, the band in question are "Breaking Point". Literally, have seen them twice, and both times, they have blown me away. Check them out. One of the best new bands to come out of the UK:

http://www.myspace.com/thenotoriousbxp

10. PMA.

There are certain people that are simply mood hoovers. They suck all the life and good feelings out of a person. When I am around such people, and they begin to bring me down, I think of this. Rid yourself of this.

Thanks 2009!!

Thank you for all the laughs, for opening my eyes about certain things, for showing me something I didn't believe in before, and mostly thank you for the good health of everyone I love.

Roll on two thousand and ten. Plans are already being made.

An open letter to A:

Dear A.

On Wednesday 9th December, 2009, myself and my friend Tom attended your concert at the Islington Academy in Angel.

Being quite a big fan in the late 90s, I was very excited to, lets say, relive my youth.

Firstly, Kids In Glass Houses suck and do not know how to respond to hecklers. Please educate them when mastering their new album which will, no doubt, be rubbish not through any fault of yours, Jason. They are just not a good band musically .. You can't polish a turd and all that.. (if you could also ask them to stop raping that Glassjaw song, that would be grand, thanks.).

Secondly, Jason Perry, you have not aged in the past 10 years and I would like to know your secret.

And finally, and my most important point:

I loved your band and have many awesome memories watching you live. I had been very excited about the show. I thought you guys played very well, and played some songs that I loved, especially the tracks off "A Vs Monkey Kong". BUT I am one of the older generation of A fans, and "How Ace are Buildings?" still gets heavy rotation on my ipod. So imagine my surprise when, at the end of the show, I realize that we were only going to get Foghorn played live. Disappointed is too tame a word to describe how i felt. GUTTED was more like it.

I will say this though. It has been a long time since I have been at a show that was so much fun that my good mood flows over to the next day. I DID spend your whole set grinning.

So I am requesting you do another tour, and play songs only off your first 2 albums as I would really like to see you do "No1" one last time.

Thank you,

M x

PS. This song was the best part of the whole set (minus foghorn of course).

"I'm your biggest fan, i'll follow you till you love me..."

The post before this entry is important. Very important. But I feel the need to write this before my mind explodes.

I have had "Papparazzi" by Lady Gaga stuck in my head for roughly three days now. Nothing, I mean NOTHING, will shift it.. I have tried everything, from my favorite songs ever, to Christmas songs (usually, "Winter Wonderland" works a treat) to shift it. Nothing. I wake up and its there. I go to work, its there. I listen to my Ipod and I wish I could be listening to it. Its getting bad.

Whats the problem, you ask? I HATE Lady Gaga... I hate hearing her songs, I hate seeing her perform on the telly and I hate reading about her and her stupid outfits in not only magazines, but newspapers too. I am sick of her.

And the thing is, I wrote my disseration at University on "Artists" like her, who use image and shock to sell records and I can't believe that people buy into this still.

I predict by this time next year, she will look totally normal, just be a bit "nutty".

I dont know.. Maybe I'm just angry because she gets to kiss Hot Vampire Sheriff (even if he DOES look like around 50% of every male that comes out of Scandinavia, not the point!).

ENJOY! FEEL MY PAIN.

Happiness.

friend (frěnd) n. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

Someone said something to me this weekend that stuck in my mind and hasn't left. It made me think of friendships from the past, how people treated me, and how I want to be treated today.

And the best thing is, I'm finally at peace and not upset anymore. Not because I forgive nor forget. But because I realize that I simply don't care.

The need to bitch about people behind their backs left me a long time ago. Why? Because I don't feel the need to bully/put down anyone else. I am, by no means, perfect. Until you ARE perfect, until you are free of criticism by others, and until noone has a bad word to say about you then you too have no right to either.

I defend many people. People that are disliked by a lot. But what are you gaining? And have you heard the full story? Something that happened recently made me realize that I hadnt.

People make mistakes. People who dont go out to hurt people intentionally are the good people. The people I want to be around. People who dont go out to intentionally hurt ME are the people I want to be around.

So say what you like about me. People have spent YEARS trying to make other people hate me. Some have suceeded. I don't want to be mates with people that can be swayed by other people's opinion anyway. So talk shit because really.. I actually don't care.

and sometimes.. just sometimes.. saying nothing at all when people say stuff about me to you is worse than joining in the conversation.

And sometimes.. some things just can't be forgotten and I will never ever forgive.

RunningRiotFest is going on a hiatus

For the foreseeable future, there will be no fest. People keep telling me I will get the itch. And in all honesty, i dont think I will.

Thank you to all the bands that played both fests, all the punters that came out, everyone who helped (including the people that offered help) and thank you to all of my friends, especially the ones that travel over oceans to surprise me, because they know that it will make me happier than ever.

Heres to new friends, old friends and best friends of them all. Much love.

Treat others how you would like to be treated.

People that are TOO nice are the most two faced of them all.. You have to have some hate. If you dont, you arent human. But when you act like the hate doesnt exist, like its not even there, and say things to other people against someone who you smile and laugh to, its not that person that looks bad. Its you.

Especially if the person you hate is not a bad person at all.

Not aimed specifically at anyone, just a thought.

Mind= Blown

RunningRiotFest is in about a week.

It is nice that people that I didnt expect to have come out of the woodwork to help me with this.

This is the only thing I have to update.

"Youre as straight as the line..."

Seriously. I want to watch this movie. Why? I dont know. What are they going to say that I wasnt aware of before?

If tickets are super cheap, im going. If not, im going to stay at home and watch Edge of Quarrel. And no, im not joking.

Edge: The Movie.

Want Want Want

I am slightly obsessed with getting my hands on a pair of these trainers. I saw them in Footlocker this time last year and put off buying them for too long, and now they are gone. They are pretty much my perfect pair of Air Max's. All red? Yes please! Also, Nike ID is pretty lame. I am not paying over double what I usually pay for a pair of 90s so i can have the colourway that I want.

If ANYONE knows of a legit place online that isnt charging an arm and a leg for these, let me know. I need to have them.

RunningRiotFest

God only knows why once a year, I do this to myself. This year is a lot less stressful due to mainly uk bands and no work permits worries.

ANYHOW, the line up is as follows:

Saturday 24th October

Black Friday '29 (De)
Down and Outs
Deathskulls
Give (USA)
Diction
Hang The Bastard
Ironclad
Famine (Ire)
Union Town (Nl)
Hard Target

Sunday 25th October

Dead Swans
TRC
Deal With It
Injury Time
Cold Snap
Cold Ones
Chains of Hate
Horrorsttuck
Intentions
HalfPastDeath (De)
Breaking Point

Doors 1pm
First band on shortly after

Tax: £11 a day/ £20 for the weekend in Advance

for more info, please go to http://www.myspace.com/runningriotfest and look at the blog.

If you are bored, post up a flyer somewhere.

Oh Hardcore. How i love you.

A couple of things.

1. Pressurefest was awesome.
2. Check out the Ieperfest Line up. www.ieperfest.com
3. RunningRiotfest Line up is up..
4. add LDNLove on twitter. http://twitter.com/ldnlove
5. Pics up from the Dirty Money/Bitter End show up.

Click on the pic below to see them:

Bettie Mae Designs

A year ago, on a trip to Newquay, i was introduced by a good friend to Claire, who makes the most incredible handbags, the best hair flowers and now jewellery. I have spent so much money on her stuff, its ridiculous.. but all well worth it.. having a box come from her is like Christmas and my birthday rolled into one.



I REALLY want these earrings, but can't afford to buy anything that isnt food this month. ha.

Go and check out her Ebay store. You wont be disappointed.

O HAI!

Life is good. I am happy.

Summer is here. You wouldnt have thought it with the weather, but so far, its been bangin.

so far, been all about:

- him.
- Big Brother
- Booking RunningRiotFest (nearly all done!)
- Summer Dresses
- Trips away.
- Weddings
- Newquay, Rach, Ruby and Wayne.
- GRTBR.
- My new heels.

I am slightly obsessed with the new Black Eyed Peas song. The first time I heard it, I was in a hotel room in Germany waiting for Lynne to turn up, drifting off to sleep after travelling from Sweden. I hated it but now I love it and it is definetly my Summer 2009 song... I am well aware that it is not great. But still, I love it.




and finally, pics from the Gravemaker show I put on in April are up.. click on the pic for a link! Thanks to Joerg for finding these for me!!

A blog you should check out.

I met John McKaig a couple of years ago, but do not know him more than to say hello to when he pops up at shows here in London every once in a while.

He has a blog that every couple of months, I go back and check because I am reminded that he takes not only amazing photographs at shows, but he leads a pretty interesting life and every once in a while, someone I know will pop up in the pictures.

Click on the pic to get to his Livejournal:

"So rotten on the inside, guaranteed to die alone"

Oh Channel 4 News. How I love thee.

So here goes. 2 British National Party members get voted into the European Cabinet. Nick Griffin, the leader, being one, and Andrew Brons being the other. What do Channel 4 News do? Get their John Snow in to do the interview? No. They get Krishnan Guru-Murthy to do it. Genius. Watch this. Incredible

"Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup..."

I love Me First and The Gimme Gimmes. I love them on record. I love their live shows. I just think they are awesome.

Last nights London show was incredible.

Anyhow, you should love them too.





There are a handful of bands that I reckon I could watch everyday and not get sick of them. I think Me First have enough covers for me to be able to see them every day for at least a couple of years.








Fuck. I love them.

Hardcore/Clothing Label Collabos

The Hundreds are releasing around half a dozen shirts as a "Tribute to Hardcore" along with other designers and Revelation Records.

Out of the whole bunch, the only one I find even vaguely appealing is the "Chain of Strength" shirt (as pictured above), and in reality, this is only because it looks so similar to the original COS shirt design.

The line will apparently be released tomorrow. Prices have not yet been released.

My thoughts?

If you want to do something for hardcore, to "thank hardcore for hardcore", then go to a show, support your local bands, support touring bands, buy merch from them.

But there is a link up there so make up your own mind.

A lovely "couple of things" update.

Insomnia is a bitch, and whilst one would rather be asleep, I am not going to attempt to do so before at least 10pm as it will frustrate me, thus making the insomnia even worse.

• LondonCalling has been updated. If you follow this blog, you should totally follow that one too. You should also follow the LondonCalling/LDNLove Twitter which is located HERE.

• H2O are touring. I'm 'cited. Lynne is 'cited. Should be awesome

• I love Nu-Metal:

• I also love Betrayed and cannot WAIT for Pressurefest.

Nemi

A very senior manager that I had previously worked with pointed out the similarities between myself and this comic strip character. I love her. Its the first part of The Metro that I read, and i often find myself chuckling at her predicament as I can usually totally relate.

GO READ THE STRIP IF YOU ARE BORED.

Is it worth risking eternal happiness in heaven for a fleeting happiness on earth.

Bitter End are playing in a couple of weeks. You should come.

Hardcore.

Its not about who you know. Its not about what you do. Its not about how much you have done.

The reality is that noone in hardcore is "cool". Go out on the street, and ask anyone if they know you, know your band, know what you do, and they would look at you like you are insane.

It has always been about respect... being able to voice an opinion (and God knows, I have been crucified for this).. being stood in a room where you feel safe... at home.

You aren't a legend. You aren't John Joseph. You arent Henry Rollins. You aren't Ian Mackaye. These people earned it. They are smart. Intelligent. Never bullied people into respecting them.

You are nothing. A nobody. Don't ever forget that.

I've been getting away with it all my life.

Electronic- Getting away with it.

This track is possibly one of my favourite songs ever written.. and the beauty of it is that its a track that isn't too well known. The song was released orginally in 1989 by the side project band, Electronic, which featured Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys, Bernard Sumner from New Order and Jonny Marr, who used to guitar for the Smiths.

While none of the bands other releases interest me at all, this track will, at least once a week, stick in my head for at least a day.

Apparently, according to its WIKI page, it has only ever been performed live a handful of times and only reached number 12 in the UK charts (when the UK charts actually meant something unlike today).

(make sure you click to the right song as there are a bunch of videos on this one)


Electronic TV on MUZU.



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Lady Gaga was on Jonathan Ross on Friday night. It was possibly one of the most uncomfortable interviews I have had the misfortune to watch, and for the first time in my life, my heart went out to Ross. One word answers and coy glares at him. You arent mysterious, your music is rubbish, and you are odd looking. And it fucking sucks that your latest song is one of the catchiest songs being played EVERYWHERE at the moment.

I want to punch you in your po-po-poker face.

Football songs.

Like, never a good idea. But this one has always been my favourite. I mean, not only is it New Order, but its also got the John Barnes rap. THE BEST.