Feel Good Friday: Artful Dodger, Robbie Craig & Craig David - Women Trouble

Whether or not you are feeling fine this Friday or are in need of a bit of a pick me up me and this tune are here for you. Back when Craig David was still hovering round the UKG scene in 2000 he teamed up with Artful Dodger and Robbie Craig for this classic.

It peaked at number 6 on the UK singles chart back 14 years ago. Man I’m feeling old…. But seriously what better way to get you in the mood for a weekend vibing and dancing the night away.

TWO STEP!!!!!

Throwback Thursday: Puddle Of Mud - Blurry

Sorry for the lack of Throwback Thursday last week, sadly once more real life got in the way.

For this week’s track I’m going all the way back to 2001, October 29^th to be precise. I loved this track when it came out and played it to death off the Now album that it appeared on. (Cut me some slack I was 11) Wes Scantlin’s voice just suits this track perfectly, and even as an 11 year old I was drawn to that whole ‘rock voice’ thing. This song is actually about a breakup and about how much singer Scantlin misses his son. (Who appears in the video)

The song peaked at number 8 in the UK and sounds as good now as it did then. And frankly what more could you ask for?

Ether Part 2 - My Beef With The Local Music Scene

On the face of it, to many of you writing this post will look like quite a strange decision on my part and there is a fair chance that you are right. But all of what I say below hasn’t been written for effect or to try and attract hits. There is a real possibility that I could lose work over this. But I genuinely believe these things need to be pointed out and I think I am in a position to do so. Therefore I think I would be letting myself down as well as letting all of you down if I didn’t put pen to paper so to speak. So here goes…

One of my main issues is with venues and in some cases the people who promote events at these venues. Or more accurately don’t promote events at these venues. If you are a venue who is going to put on bands, then you need to decide whether you are going to fully commit to it or not. Because if you aren’t going to take it seriously just stop pretending. I’m sick of seeing venues promise bands the world and then deliver absolutely nothing. If you want to ‘support local music’ by putting a band (s) on then promote it! Of course the band will bring people but it is your job to also put the word round and get people through the doors.

In addition I don’t think it’s too much to ask that you pay the bands something, even if is only expenses. I have no problem with you offering a trial period or whatever to see how a band goes down but it should not cost them money to help you. Yes, you are giving them a platform to perform, but they are also bringing fans into your establishment who will put money in the till. And members of the band may have given up a nights work to come and do this gig, so it’s only fair that they don’t get hit in the pocket twice surely? I know some of you will say that bands need to pay their dues etc and back in the day bands gigged for free all the time, and yeah they did but just because something always happened does not mean that it should continue.

I witnessed a prime example of this amateurish approach the other week when going to see a gig at Vagabonds in Brierley Hill. They had barely promoted the event therefore, for a Saturday night the turnout was shockingly low. People simply didn’t know that there was a gig on. The sound system and equipment was awful. If your equipment is useless then no matter how brilliant the band is they will sound rubbish. The knock on effect is that those in the audience will probably never see that band again because they sounded so bad and in reality couldn’t tell if they were any good, plus it demotivates the band because they know they are facing a night long struggle to try and look decent. Simply put if the sound is useless, people won’t come back. I have also heard rumours about this particular venue that they are not exactly reliable when it comes to paying their bands either, if this is true that’s just pathetic.

Now as many of you know I am not employed to write to for anyone. This is all off my own back, I have no one paying for the articles that I turn out, I do it because I love it. But like all of you I hate it when people think that they can take advantage of this. The plus side of doing this of course is that generally I get to cover bands etc that I like so when I cover your band or event I will be giving you a load of free publicity. After all this blog gets hits all around the world. So when I do a gig for a band for example I ask that I get free admission, and petrol money. I don’t ask a fee to make a profit but I think it’s fair enough that it doesn’t cost me money while you the band get all the benefits.

Many people that I work with agree with me and think that this is fair enough, as I am basically providing a service and they are using my particular set of skills. However, my skills and my profession are writing and blogging, but as ‘everyone can write’ I am expected to just do it for free. Now let’s flip that round, I have a basic knowledge of how plumbing works but when I ask for a plumber to come to my house to do a job I don’t expect him to do the job for nothing do I?

But what is worse is saying that you want me to review your stable of acts and work with your little business and then ignoring me when I ask if I could get petrol money for driving all-round the West Midlands giving YOU and YOUR bands a load of publicity. Deal with me like a real person, common courtesy is free. (Yes BritRock Army Management I am looking at you)

The bottom line of all this is that things could be so much better, and people like those that I am talking about above are giving some brilliant people a bad name. The music scene in the Midlands and the West Midlands in particular is buzzing right now and there are some amazing people doing a lot of brilliant work, but some of you are letting these people down.

Help nurture local talent and local people don’t destroy them.  

Face Of A Stranger - 'Swallowing Grenades.' World Exclusive 1st Review!

As well all know its Valentine’s Day and to celebrate this fact Face Of A Stranger have blessed us with this new track, ‘Swallowing Grenades.’ After all nothing says love and romance like the phrase ‘Swallowing grenades’……

The track officially goes live at 8pm but yours truly is in the very privileged position of having had this track in my possession since last night. And what a track it is.

If you have ever seen the band live then chances are you will have heard this mighty slice of rock greatness before, but trust me when I say you have never heard it quite like this.

The opening line ‘Raining bullets on my conscience’ is just brilliant and a total signal of intent, this track is a musical assault.

The riffs are big; the drums are crisp and clean while the vocal from front man Mitch Jones is as powerful as ever. This really is FAOS at their very best. The breakdowns are fantastic; as always the boys are in total tune with one another, and the vocal layering adds another nice little element to the track.

As far as comparisons with their other recordings go I’d say this would probably sit along something like ‘Dysphasia.’ It’s very much a FAOS record but there is no danger of it sounding predictable. It’s them but a little bit different.

Basically what we have is a straight up hard record that will have you air drumming like you think you’re Dave Grohl. I’ve said before that Face Of A Stranger are on a serious upward curve and on this evidence it shows no sign of stopping.

Rating: 5/5

When the song goes live you will be able to find it here -

https://soundcloud.com/faceofastranger

And if you like what you hear the boys will be playing Vagabonds in Brierley Hill this Saturday night (15^th Feb) as well as supporting the mighty Slam Cartel at Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on 14^th March.

The Valentine's Day Conundrum

I know it’s hard to believe but today is Valentine’s Day. Now, many men treat today as way of saying to their partners ‘thanks for putting up with my shit because lord knows I don’t think  could find anyone else who would.’ Of course this is ridiculous; there are hundreds of women who will put up with your shit, just the length of time for which she will do it will vary widely, normally ranging from 30 seconds to 30 years.

I must confess my attitude towards Valentine’s is pretty mixed. On one hand I think it’s great that people will take the time to make their partners feel special and what not. But on the other I think it’s ridiculous that it’s expected that people do that on this specific day of the year. Especially when businesses will use the opportunity to rob you at every turn! Why must it cost twice as much on the 14^th of February compared to March 15^th to show your love for your girl?!

Anyway my very simple view on things is this. (And this is what I also told my girlfriend by the way) I’ll feel the same about you on the 13^th and the 15^th as I do on the 14^th so what makes that day so special? And right now some guys will be looking at that thinking that that is a very impressive cop out, but it’s true, well it is for me anyway. After all I would like to think that my girlfriend wouldn’t need a ridiculously expensive meal out, surrounded by bored couples trying too hard on ‘date night’ to know that I really quite like her.

BUT… That isn’t to say that today I haven’t sent her a little something. However this has more to do with the fact that like many of the men out there I like to buy the girl in my life things little presents than what day it is. This morning the girl in question received some flowers and fingers crossed she is happy with them and made her smile, but I sent her flowers a couple of months ago for the same reason, it feels good to know your other half is happy. I did this because I wanted to and frankly sending your loved one something on Valentine’s Day especially for old romantics like me is quite a nice thing to do. But my God I could do without the media pressure to do so!

Man alive. Today is the most sexist day of the year bar none. TV adverts basically revolve around this…. Bankrupt yourself by buying a girl something ‘girly’ and she’ll have sex with you. However, in the real world we know that this just aint’ true. Over the years I tried, trust me. Plenty of women I know moan about the gender stereotyping of women but men should really be more vocal about this shit. Men being treated like feckless idiots who need directions on how to buy chocolates for their wives needs to stop!

Right, that’s the ranty bit over and done with. What I have spent the last 500 words trying to say is that today is whatever you want it to be. I know that in my life there will be no champagne, no posh chocolates, no expensive night out. I’m a journalist who also delivers leaflets to make money I’m far from rich folks. But there will be a TV, my girlfriend’s sofa, a takeaway, a bottle of vodka and each other. And you know what? That last bit is all that matters.

Throwback Thursday: The Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)

Today’s effort is chosen in part by Face Of A Stranger frontman Mitch Jones. Here we go, everyone loves this. Id not listened to it for too long but after digging it I’ve had it on a loop ever since.

It is taken from the bands 4^th album ‘Americana.’ The track was released on November 9^th 1991 and charted at number 1 in the UK. Boom!

Listen up and enjoy.

NEW MUSIC!! Iggy Azalea - Fancy feat Charli XCX

This is a seriously big tune. I’m not normally a massive fan of Iggy but I really love this track.

This Gwen Stefani influenced banger was given its first ever play on Mista Jam’s 1xtra show last Thursday night and it has been in my head ever since.

It’s taken from her upcoming, much delayed new album ‘The New Classic,’ which is currently slated for a April 14^th release, and this track itself will get a full release on 6^th April.

I love it and I think it’s gonna be huge.

Throwback Thursday: Guns N Roses - Welcome To The Jungle

Evening… Now because I care about what my readers think (And I’m lazy) for the first time in a while I haven’t picked this week’s throwback track. That honour has fallen to Rebecca Winfield of RAW Music Online fame, and I have to say that she has pretty good judgement.

This song serves as the opening track on what is in my opinion not only one of the greatest rock records of all time but one of the greatest off all time full stop. ‘Appetite For Destruction’ was released on 21^st July 1987 and this particular track followed in early October becoming the bands 2^nd ever single. It charted at number 7 in the US and 24 in the UK.

From the moment you hear that guitar skip across the musical abyss like a warning shot just before war and destruction commence you know that it’s on. It not only set the tone for the album but for the band as a whole. You knew exactly what you were letting yourself in for.

I could go on for ages telling you what a brilliant track this is but the fact is that you already know, so turn this all the way up and for 4 mins and 34 seconds piss off your neighbours like you never have before.

The Crimson Star - The Greed Effect (NEW VIDEO!!!)

Followers of the blog will know that I review these guys EP last week and was quite nice about it. Basically it’s a damn fine piece of work. Well now we have a visual to one of my favourite tracks from the record ‘The Greed Effect.’

I will now sum up the video… Microphone, guitars, bass, drums and sausage. Lots and lots of sausage.

Check it out for yourselves. Nice video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ4cOQMKOqw&list=UUBb9DLIg7IXWRjIdzr5lYgw


And as a special bonus we have the skinny sausage free version.