Can someone pleeeeease explain to me what the hell is going on with the whole 'buying gig tickets' scenario in this country?
Case in point: Holloways at Hertford Marquee on 6 November is £10 in advance and £12 on the door. Now, the more conscious of us would think "Holloways, good band, high demand" and would try to get in advance. But why bother? Having looked, you gain absolutely nothing out of advance sales, and in fact you are paying more. A total sham of a situation. Which begs the question, why charge extra on the night.
In advance, the Holloways tickets (per ticket) come with a £2.01 surchage. So yes, if you buy one in advance, you're actually paying 1p more than you would if you chanced your arm on the door. And that's only if you pick up from box office. Postage is an extra 50p. So essentially, what is being said here, is that you can't - anywhere - actually get a ticket at face value. Because obviously if they're cheaper in advance, then that's how much they are, period.
Obviously, go to the larger, more prominent ticket retailers and they'll find any god-given reason to stick as much as they can on the order. I'm pretty sure I've paid a fiver booking fee for a £8 ticket before. Does this not put pressure on our beloved artists/groups to perform to ensure that our booking fee hasn't gone to waste...?
26 October 2008
Tottenham Hotspur
That Levy, he hasn't got a clue. Of course I speak with the knowledge that 'Arry is already joining the circus, but a year after Levy pushed Martin 'Look at me go in Germany, I'm actually quite good ta' Jol out the door, he's encourage Ramos the same way. Asides from the obvious farce, Ramos (like Jol) was hung out to dry but the ineptitude of Damien Comolli.
Last year-
"Damien, we need a defender and defensive midfielders"
- "I got Darren Bent"
"You tool."
This year-
"Damien, we need a defender and defensive midfielders, and it's deadline day and we'll get what we want for Berbatov.
- "Uh, Frazer Campbell? "
"You tool."
Last year-
"Damien, we need a defender and defensive midfielders"
- "I got Darren Bent"
"You tool."
This year-
"Damien, we need a defender and defensive midfielders, and it's deadline day and we'll get what we want for Berbatov.
- "Uh, Frazer Campbell? "
"You tool."
25 July 2008
Now that's what I call nostalgia
Fear not. I am merely delaying the compilation of my 'best-off' for the last four years. It takes time and many, many listens on my iPod. Many listens. Many.
MANNY?!
MANNY?!
21 June 2008
That was the year that was...
... an extension to the three years that were. To keep things ticking over I have this little ditty for you. Well, it's not so much of a ditty, more of a ramble. I have every intention of creating some form of magical mix-tape that will sum up my four years as one of the great unwashed.
But for the time being, I'll leave you to muse over quite what weird and wonderful lyrical treats I might muster for the challenge.
But for the time being, I'll leave you to muse over quite what weird and wonderful lyrical treats I might muster for the challenge.
27 April 2008
Race for the Playoffs: 27 April
Stevenage Borough 1-2 Northwich Victoria
22 April 2008
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
This was to prove the final nail in the coffin; the bullet to the wounded animal if you will. With Exeter winning, Stevenage HAD to win this game if they wanted a chance on the final day to try and edge their way into the playoffs. And they didn't. Dino Maamria, a man who took Stevenage to the playoff final in 2005 by virtue of his two goals against Hereford, returned to haunt his former side and in doing so, ensured his Northwich side would survive the drop with a game to spare.
It's galling to think that two defensive blunders cost two goals, and then Daryl McMahon was given twenty minutes to change the game from midfield. And he nearly did. Scored one with a free-kick, and had one other free-kick well saved. At the end of the day, Boro' knocked on more than one occasion, were slightly wasteful but just weren't value for a win. Into the final day, then, with nothing to play for...
Halifax Town 1-2 Stevenage Borough
26 April 2008
The Shay, Halifax
... and another game with an opponent needing to win to stay up. Stevenage, due to their recent form, were out at 3/1 for the win here. A team that was once 15 POINTS inside the playoffs; an inexcusable fuck-up. But pressure off, an adventurous 3-5-2 set-up and three points which were pyrrhic to say the least. But what have we learned now? That a football season can be a VERY LONG time; that Daryl McMahon was cruelly underused in the run-in; that Steve Morison is a total legend who continued to give 110%; and that Peter Taylor may not be manager next season if a meeting on Monday 28 April produces a result that the NLP believes is the case. Interesting times, but forgive while I retire to the IPL for the forthcoming weeks...
... shit, it's on Satanta. Gah!
22 April 2008
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
This was to prove the final nail in the coffin; the bullet to the wounded animal if you will. With Exeter winning, Stevenage HAD to win this game if they wanted a chance on the final day to try and edge their way into the playoffs. And they didn't. Dino Maamria, a man who took Stevenage to the playoff final in 2005 by virtue of his two goals against Hereford, returned to haunt his former side and in doing so, ensured his Northwich side would survive the drop with a game to spare.
It's galling to think that two defensive blunders cost two goals, and then Daryl McMahon was given twenty minutes to change the game from midfield. And he nearly did. Scored one with a free-kick, and had one other free-kick well saved. At the end of the day, Boro' knocked on more than one occasion, were slightly wasteful but just weren't value for a win. Into the final day, then, with nothing to play for...
Halifax Town 1-2 Stevenage Borough
26 April 2008
The Shay, Halifax
... and another game with an opponent needing to win to stay up. Stevenage, due to their recent form, were out at 3/1 for the win here. A team that was once 15 POINTS inside the playoffs; an inexcusable fuck-up. But pressure off, an adventurous 3-5-2 set-up and three points which were pyrrhic to say the least. But what have we learned now? That a football season can be a VERY LONG time; that Daryl McMahon was cruelly underused in the run-in; that Steve Morison is a total legend who continued to give 110%; and that Peter Taylor may not be manager next season if a meeting on Monday 28 April produces a result that the NLP believes is the case. Interesting times, but forgive while I retire to the IPL for the forthcoming weeks...
... shit, it's on Satanta. Gah!
22 April 2008
Race for the Playoffs: 22 April
Burton Albion 3-0 Stevenage Borough
18 April 2008
The Pirelli Stadium, Burton
This was a big blow. Despite perhaps being the better side during the first half, chances simply weren't converted and in the second half a succession of individual errors contrived to hand a much-improved home side the three points. Clark Masters hadn't exactly looked the part between the sticks in Alan Julian's regrettable absence, and it was he who failed to claim a high ball that gifted Burton a first goal. Ashley Westwood conceded what is probably his 18585th penalty since joining Boro' although TV replays suggest Boro' were hard done by, and the third... well by that point who cares.
Coupled with other results, Stevenage now sit three points adrift of the playoff zone - an area where they have occupied for more or less the whole season. A superior goal difference is Boro's primary weapon now. But it pre-supposes two wins in the last two games against teams from the bottom six fighting for their lives. And then Burton v Exeter on the last day could be a big deal. But who knows - we'll know more after tonight's fixture at home to Northwich. Cambridge go to Torquay, while Burton and Exeter are expected to pick up victories.
Tomorrow could be a half full or a half empty day. We'll have to see which...
18 April 2008
The Pirelli Stadium, Burton
This was a big blow. Despite perhaps being the better side during the first half, chances simply weren't converted and in the second half a succession of individual errors contrived to hand a much-improved home side the three points. Clark Masters hadn't exactly looked the part between the sticks in Alan Julian's regrettable absence, and it was he who failed to claim a high ball that gifted Burton a first goal. Ashley Westwood conceded what is probably his 18585th penalty since joining Boro' although TV replays suggest Boro' were hard done by, and the third... well by that point who cares.
Coupled with other results, Stevenage now sit three points adrift of the playoff zone - an area where they have occupied for more or less the whole season. A superior goal difference is Boro's primary weapon now. But it pre-supposes two wins in the last two games against teams from the bottom six fighting for their lives. And then Burton v Exeter on the last day could be a big deal. But who knows - we'll know more after tonight's fixture at home to Northwich. Cambridge go to Torquay, while Burton and Exeter are expected to pick up victories.
Tomorrow could be a half full or a half empty day. We'll have to see which...
Music Filch
Glasto-A-No-Go?
Every year it would be the same – you'd know at least one smug bastard who was lording it up because they'd managed to get their grubby mitts on Glastonbury tickets. They wouldn't stop until YOU knew how cool THEY were for finding that magical secret passage past the engaged tones and unhelpful crashing websites. And there never seemed to be a decent-enough comeback that would stop all the facetious bragging. Not even "well, I am going to Reading?"
Blitzen Bop
The self-styled teeming Oregon-based musical clan that are Blitzen Trapper are on their way back to Britain next month for a spattering of dates nationwide. The eclectic Americans last dazzled fans this side of the pond back in November as part of a successful stint on the road with Two Gallants, and it appears that they enjoyed it so much that they want to return.
All aboard the Boris Bus
Fear not all ye apolitical souls out there, this is not a rallying call for the impending London Mayoral mandate. On the contrary, it is the very important and equally exciting news that the Japanese punk-rock trio Boris are returning to these shores towards the end of April.
Move over Paul...
Few songwriters are capable of displaying the distinctive acerbity of Josh Weller, which makes the news that he’s heading out on the road just that little bit special. And having already gently tickled the underbelly of fans and critics alike with his lyrical treats, here’s an opportunity to indulge yourself, for Weller will be in support of The Maccabees for six dates at the end of the month.
White On Time
Rock'n'roll in it's truest, most energetic sense has been frustratingly hard to come by. Just the feeling of knowing a band is giving it some real welly is enough to warm the cockles. But instead of thrashing out power chords and lightning riffs, it's been more often the case that songwriters have preferred to reach for an acoustic guitar and dole out any old rubbish in A-minor. Thank god, the angels cry down then, that White Denim have announced that they have a debut album ready to lock'n'load.
Murder by Death - Red of Tooth & Claw (Album)
In the insidious underbelly of America’s mid-west comes a rumbling with more menace than the thunderstorms that clatter around Tornado Alley. Like some errant and deviant offspring of John Wayne, this follow-up to last year’s debut from Murder By Death lets you know that you’ve now strayed onto their turf. Here business is conducted wholly on their terms, rife with scenarios of lust and betrayal, governed by an almost biblical sense of justice and revenge; sounds intense, is intense.
Elle Milano - Acres of Dead Space Cadets (Album)
And just when you feel that life has become nothing more than adhering to a wholly dissatisfying pop culture, it’s taken three members of the potential workforce to show that the reclusive art of meticulous cynicism need not be totally dead. The echoes of eighties agit-pop may well be frittering away into ever-decreasing significance, but the angst of young partisans can’t always be quelled with a cushy office job and affable healthcare plan.
Every year it would be the same – you'd know at least one smug bastard who was lording it up because they'd managed to get their grubby mitts on Glastonbury tickets. They wouldn't stop until YOU knew how cool THEY were for finding that magical secret passage past the engaged tones and unhelpful crashing websites. And there never seemed to be a decent-enough comeback that would stop all the facetious bragging. Not even "well, I am going to Reading?"
Blitzen Bop
The self-styled teeming Oregon-based musical clan that are Blitzen Trapper are on their way back to Britain next month for a spattering of dates nationwide. The eclectic Americans last dazzled fans this side of the pond back in November as part of a successful stint on the road with Two Gallants, and it appears that they enjoyed it so much that they want to return.
All aboard the Boris Bus
Fear not all ye apolitical souls out there, this is not a rallying call for the impending London Mayoral mandate. On the contrary, it is the very important and equally exciting news that the Japanese punk-rock trio Boris are returning to these shores towards the end of April.
Move over Paul...
Few songwriters are capable of displaying the distinctive acerbity of Josh Weller, which makes the news that he’s heading out on the road just that little bit special. And having already gently tickled the underbelly of fans and critics alike with his lyrical treats, here’s an opportunity to indulge yourself, for Weller will be in support of The Maccabees for six dates at the end of the month.
White On Time
Rock'n'roll in it's truest, most energetic sense has been frustratingly hard to come by. Just the feeling of knowing a band is giving it some real welly is enough to warm the cockles. But instead of thrashing out power chords and lightning riffs, it's been more often the case that songwriters have preferred to reach for an acoustic guitar and dole out any old rubbish in A-minor. Thank god, the angels cry down then, that White Denim have announced that they have a debut album ready to lock'n'load.
Murder by Death - Red of Tooth & Claw (Album)
In the insidious underbelly of America’s mid-west comes a rumbling with more menace than the thunderstorms that clatter around Tornado Alley. Like some errant and deviant offspring of John Wayne, this follow-up to last year’s debut from Murder By Death lets you know that you’ve now strayed onto their turf. Here business is conducted wholly on their terms, rife with scenarios of lust and betrayal, governed by an almost biblical sense of justice and revenge; sounds intense, is intense.
Elle Milano - Acres of Dead Space Cadets (Album)
And just when you feel that life has become nothing more than adhering to a wholly dissatisfying pop culture, it’s taken three members of the potential workforce to show that the reclusive art of meticulous cynicism need not be totally dead. The echoes of eighties agit-pop may well be frittering away into ever-decreasing significance, but the angst of young partisans can’t always be quelled with a cushy office job and affable healthcare plan.
18 April 2008
Land of Whose Fathers?
The recent call by a non-descript Welsh politician to have Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau played at the FA Cup Final is something of an erroneous decision. Rhodri Glyn Thomas believes this will be a case of common sense prevailing if the FA submit to the request, that has hardly been a vociferous one. You might think I ought to tread carefully on the matter considering that I do live in Cardiff at the moment. But I won't.
I can't see Mr Thomas' plea on this matter as anything more than political point-scoring on his part. Pandering towards a nationalist sentiment that the occasion owes nothing towards. Perhaps he ought to be reminded that Cardiff City, along with Swansea City and Wrexham, compete in the English leagues and as such should follow English convention. The FA Cup Final is an English event and as such has no obligation to fulfil Mr Thomas' wishes.
In 1996, the three teams concerned, as well as Merthyr, Colwyn Bay and Newport in the non-league pyramid were invited to join the Welsh Premier League, governed by the FAW and supplicant entries into the Welsh FA Cup. They declined and here we are now in the unprecedented modern scenario whereby Cardiff have reached the FA Cup Final.
In lieu of the 1996 decision, I rather feel that Cardiff City made their bed, and regardless of what colour the duvet is, they now must lie in it.
I can't see Mr Thomas' plea on this matter as anything more than political point-scoring on his part. Pandering towards a nationalist sentiment that the occasion owes nothing towards. Perhaps he ought to be reminded that Cardiff City, along with Swansea City and Wrexham, compete in the English leagues and as such should follow English convention. The FA Cup Final is an English event and as such has no obligation to fulfil Mr Thomas' wishes.
In 1996, the three teams concerned, as well as Merthyr, Colwyn Bay and Newport in the non-league pyramid were invited to join the Welsh Premier League, governed by the FAW and supplicant entries into the Welsh FA Cup. They declined and here we are now in the unprecedented modern scenario whereby Cardiff have reached the FA Cup Final.
In lieu of the 1996 decision, I rather feel that Cardiff City made their bed, and regardless of what colour the duvet is, they now must lie in it.
15 April 2008
Race for the Playoffs: 15 April
Stevenage Borough 1-3 Torquay United
13 April 2008
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
A win - that's all we'd ask for. No matter how it came, just to provide some added security to the Stevenage cause in the playoff hunt. And the chance to string two wins together for the first time in bloody ages. The performance against Woking the previous Tuesday was hardly vintage but it did the job. The Devonian visitors would be an entirely different prospect, with the Gulls sitting tight in second place and looking a shoe-in for one of the four playoff spots.
Goalless at half-time suited. Hell, I'd have taken a draw considering Cambridge and Burton were to mess up their respective games elsewhere around the country. And then came a penalty - dubious, but a penalty nonetheless to Stevenage shortly after the interval. It was a break that came out of the blue if truth be told, but Gavin Grant put away the spot kick to put Boro' ahead. Then employ the old adage; keep it tight and simple for ten minutes and then who knows. But when luck needs that helping hand, twatty referees are always on hand to make an arse of himself.
Not long after Boro' took the lead, Peter Vincenti made an absolutely wonderful tackle inside the Torquay half. Free-kick awarded to the visitors. Play restarts and moments later, Vincenti is stung on the arse by a fiercely struck football. Free-kick for handball to Torquay. Needless to say, the visitors go on and equalise. Poor defending, but absurd refereeing. That was enough to put the Gulls back on top and they didn't look back.
No need to go into too much detail about Chris Zebroski's header. How he can out-jump a 6ft 7 defender is a mystery, but he did and he made it 2-1. It is fair to say that the home side had no real impetus to get back into the game. And so it was no real surprise that Torquay notched the next, and crucial goal. But the referee hadn't finished with his role in the game, awarding the Gulls a penalty when Lee Phillips fell over. In it goes, meh.
That's how it goes - another disappointing performance in the end, time for the end of season party. Yeah, the end of season party. Two weeks before the season ends. Marvellous...
13 April 2008
Broadhall Way, Stevenage
A win - that's all we'd ask for. No matter how it came, just to provide some added security to the Stevenage cause in the playoff hunt. And the chance to string two wins together for the first time in bloody ages. The performance against Woking the previous Tuesday was hardly vintage but it did the job. The Devonian visitors would be an entirely different prospect, with the Gulls sitting tight in second place and looking a shoe-in for one of the four playoff spots.
Goalless at half-time suited. Hell, I'd have taken a draw considering Cambridge and Burton were to mess up their respective games elsewhere around the country. And then came a penalty - dubious, but a penalty nonetheless to Stevenage shortly after the interval. It was a break that came out of the blue if truth be told, but Gavin Grant put away the spot kick to put Boro' ahead. Then employ the old adage; keep it tight and simple for ten minutes and then who knows. But when luck needs that helping hand, twatty referees are always on hand to make an arse of himself.
Not long after Boro' took the lead, Peter Vincenti made an absolutely wonderful tackle inside the Torquay half. Free-kick awarded to the visitors. Play restarts and moments later, Vincenti is stung on the arse by a fiercely struck football. Free-kick for handball to Torquay. Needless to say, the visitors go on and equalise. Poor defending, but absurd refereeing. That was enough to put the Gulls back on top and they didn't look back.
No need to go into too much detail about Chris Zebroski's header. How he can out-jump a 6ft 7 defender is a mystery, but he did and he made it 2-1. It is fair to say that the home side had no real impetus to get back into the game. And so it was no real surprise that Torquay notched the next, and crucial goal. But the referee hadn't finished with his role in the game, awarding the Gulls a penalty when Lee Phillips fell over. In it goes, meh.
That's how it goes - another disappointing performance in the end, time for the end of season party. Yeah, the end of season party. Two weeks before the season ends. Marvellous...
9 April 2008
Race for the Playoffs: 9 April 2008
Away from the madding crowd in the upper echelons of English football, there is a pretty tight and beguiling battle being fought out in the Blue Square Premier. And the media are invited to remain ignorant because it is far too fascinating to concern Sky and BBC. While Aldershot become the now-annual team that decides to run away with the title, the fight to finish in the four playoff spots has effectively now come down to five teams. And my latest intention is to comment on each stage of the battle until the outcome is known in little over a fortnight's time.
Torquay, Cambridge, Exeter, Burton and Stevenage are the protagonists in a fight that's likely to go to the last minute of the last day (oh so courteously shifted back two hours by Satanta). And the latest instalment in an intriguing contest so far from a Stevenage viewpoint came last night at Kingfield, Woking.
----------------------------------------------------------
Woking 0-2 Stevenage Borough
8 April 2008
Kingfield, Woking
After the terrible performance served up against Exeter City at Broadhall Way on Saturday, the prospect of risking the M25 on a Tuesday evening to attend a game between two fierce rivals didn't seem all too appealing. Not least because they would be more than willing to throw a spanner in the Boro' works. In fact, if I were to choose before the game, I'd have a home win or draw at the very best down as the outcome. So much so that I didn't even put a bet on Stevenage to win, as I usually do.
Anyway, decision to go made, and straight to Woking Snooker Club to knock back a few pre-match pints. After all, this could prove a long night. But at least the travelling numbers broke into three figures. Saturday's result and performance could easily have threatened that. Negativity, however, is apparently a banished word now, despite it's intrinsic nature to the life of a Stevenage Borough fan. So, a decent turnout coupled with the heaven-sent news that Daryl McMahon was finally restored to the starting eleven put things on a positive keel ahead of kick-off.
And it was barely three minutes in before Steve Morison headed home Tyrone Berry's cross to put Stevenage a goal to the good. Not that it eases any nerves at such an early stage, but as the game progressed it was reassuring to see that Boro' were at least attempting to play football rather than the hoofing that dominated the Exeter defeat. I'd have you believe that was McMahon's influence, but kids in glass houses... With the second goal in the 73rd minute from Luke Oliver, it was a case of being home and dry as far as we were concerned for the night. Despite Steve Morison's needless sending off in the 90th minute, it was three points I'd not have punted on us getting.
As for other results: Well Altrincham conceded late on to Burton, Rushden failed to hold Cambridge and Oxford couldn't keep Torquay at bay. But Salisbury delivered a knock-out blow to Exeter's prospects which provided a comfort zone for those currently occupying the playoff spots. This leaves Exeter four points adrift with a game in hand, but now Stevenage host Torquay at the weekend and it is a vital fixture for Stevenage with rivals playing lower positioned sides. Squeaky-bum time? Where have you been for the last two months?
Torquay, Cambridge, Exeter, Burton and Stevenage are the protagonists in a fight that's likely to go to the last minute of the last day (oh so courteously shifted back two hours by Satanta). And the latest instalment in an intriguing contest so far from a Stevenage viewpoint came last night at Kingfield, Woking.
----------------------------------------------------------
Woking 0-2 Stevenage Borough
8 April 2008
Kingfield, Woking
After the terrible performance served up against Exeter City at Broadhall Way on Saturday, the prospect of risking the M25 on a Tuesday evening to attend a game between two fierce rivals didn't seem all too appealing. Not least because they would be more than willing to throw a spanner in the Boro' works. In fact, if I were to choose before the game, I'd have a home win or draw at the very best down as the outcome. So much so that I didn't even put a bet on Stevenage to win, as I usually do.
Anyway, decision to go made, and straight to Woking Snooker Club to knock back a few pre-match pints. After all, this could prove a long night. But at least the travelling numbers broke into three figures. Saturday's result and performance could easily have threatened that. Negativity, however, is apparently a banished word now, despite it's intrinsic nature to the life of a Stevenage Borough fan. So, a decent turnout coupled with the heaven-sent news that Daryl McMahon was finally restored to the starting eleven put things on a positive keel ahead of kick-off.
And it was barely three minutes in before Steve Morison headed home Tyrone Berry's cross to put Stevenage a goal to the good. Not that it eases any nerves at such an early stage, but as the game progressed it was reassuring to see that Boro' were at least attempting to play football rather than the hoofing that dominated the Exeter defeat. I'd have you believe that was McMahon's influence, but kids in glass houses... With the second goal in the 73rd minute from Luke Oliver, it was a case of being home and dry as far as we were concerned for the night. Despite Steve Morison's needless sending off in the 90th minute, it was three points I'd not have punted on us getting.
As for other results: Well Altrincham conceded late on to Burton, Rushden failed to hold Cambridge and Oxford couldn't keep Torquay at bay. But Salisbury delivered a knock-out blow to Exeter's prospects which provided a comfort zone for those currently occupying the playoff spots. This leaves Exeter four points adrift with a game in hand, but now Stevenage host Torquay at the weekend and it is a vital fixture for Stevenage with rivals playing lower positioned sides. Squeaky-bum time? Where have you been for the last two months?
30 March 2008
The Curse of Setanta
Today's Non-League Paper (30 March) offers an assessment of Setanta's coverage of the Blue Square Premier that seems ridiculously out of touch with reality, if personal experience is anything to go by. The man responsible is columnist John Lyons, dubbed either by himself or a benevolent editor as 'the loudest roar in non-league', and his assertion just doesn't match-up to the consensus of the fans.
The claim? "Not many people would quibble with Setanta's coverage of the Blue Square Premier this term."
But in reality, there are plenty of those who would dissent from that view. And angrily so.
The concept, from the outset, was an exciting one for fans in the Blue Square Premier. For some, it would be the first time they could get themselves on the television without having to battle through the early rounds of the FA Cup while hoping for that lucrative draw against a proper team. It showed that a television company was prepared to make a committed attempt to sell the passion and pride of the non-league to a wider audience following a half-arsed effort by Sky previously. And to start with, there were few problems.
For an example, let me use my own - Stevenage Borough. We understood that the occasional fixture would have to be moved to Thursday night for television purposes, and a return of three live games in the first 20 wasn't such a problem - after all, Boro' had started the season brightly and had briefly sat on top before establishing themselves as genuine playoff contenders. Further more, one of those games didn't need to be moved; a Bank Holiday clash with August put back from 3pm to 7.45pm. Fine, we thought - this is no big deal. After all, Boro' were on the telly for the first time in a long time and enjoying similar exposure to those Premiership clubs so willingly courted by Sky. As 2007 drew to a close, the ratio was sitting at 3/23, with two fixtures moved to a Thursday night.
Now here we are, at the end of March 2008. Since the turn of the year, Boro' have played 16 fixtures and have appeared live on Setanta five times. And all these games have involved fixture changes at the shortest of notices. Suddenly, planning ahead was no longer an option as the television company appeared to add fixtures to its schedule at a whim. Boro' fans with pre-booked tickets to Leeds for the Farsley Celtic game had no use for them when Setanta announced within a fortnight of the fixture that it would be moved to the preceding Thursday. Similarly a fixture away at Salisbury City was moved at short notice, and now there are unconfirmed rumours that the trip to Burton Albion in three weeks time may be moved. Again, a fixture where pre-booked tickets - which are planned when more or less when the fixtures are published in June are sorted out - become redundant. Not to mention the fact that Saturday's fixture with Exeter City has to be played at 5.15pm because the powers that be have Exeter playing on Thursday and Tuesday either side of the weekend.
Setanta seem unruffled by this. York fans were similarly troubled for a trip to Torquay and were only saved from an unfounded financial outlay by the generosity of a train company. That's not to mention that the coverage has been poor at the best of times. Wobbly cameras, partisan punditry from Paul Parker and ad-hoc interviews in the middle of the action have all contributed to a less than satisfactory service. And their customer services don't appear to care, if responses to fellow supporters are anything to go by.
Never mind the fact that Boro' are piss-poor on the telly, the treatment of the fans this season has slowly descended into farce and insult. And it is indicative of a trend that affects the highest level of the game too when Premiership games are shifted about for the sake of ratings. But then again, you tell me whether Setanta really are going to strike ratings gold with Grays v Droylsden before forcing fans to put up with it. Is it any coincidence that attendances are on the slide when fans are expected to make cross-country trips on Setanta's whim on a Thursday night. So, would not many people quibble with the coverage? Take a peek at what Aldershot fans think...
And what's more: Say No To Setanta
The claim? "Not many people would quibble with Setanta's coverage of the Blue Square Premier this term."
But in reality, there are plenty of those who would dissent from that view. And angrily so.
The concept, from the outset, was an exciting one for fans in the Blue Square Premier. For some, it would be the first time they could get themselves on the television without having to battle through the early rounds of the FA Cup while hoping for that lucrative draw against a proper team. It showed that a television company was prepared to make a committed attempt to sell the passion and pride of the non-league to a wider audience following a half-arsed effort by Sky previously. And to start with, there were few problems.
For an example, let me use my own - Stevenage Borough. We understood that the occasional fixture would have to be moved to Thursday night for television purposes, and a return of three live games in the first 20 wasn't such a problem - after all, Boro' had started the season brightly and had briefly sat on top before establishing themselves as genuine playoff contenders. Further more, one of those games didn't need to be moved; a Bank Holiday clash with August put back from 3pm to 7.45pm. Fine, we thought - this is no big deal. After all, Boro' were on the telly for the first time in a long time and enjoying similar exposure to those Premiership clubs so willingly courted by Sky. As 2007 drew to a close, the ratio was sitting at 3/23, with two fixtures moved to a Thursday night.
Now here we are, at the end of March 2008. Since the turn of the year, Boro' have played 16 fixtures and have appeared live on Setanta five times. And all these games have involved fixture changes at the shortest of notices. Suddenly, planning ahead was no longer an option as the television company appeared to add fixtures to its schedule at a whim. Boro' fans with pre-booked tickets to Leeds for the Farsley Celtic game had no use for them when Setanta announced within a fortnight of the fixture that it would be moved to the preceding Thursday. Similarly a fixture away at Salisbury City was moved at short notice, and now there are unconfirmed rumours that the trip to Burton Albion in three weeks time may be moved. Again, a fixture where pre-booked tickets - which are planned when more or less when the fixtures are published in June are sorted out - become redundant. Not to mention the fact that Saturday's fixture with Exeter City has to be played at 5.15pm because the powers that be have Exeter playing on Thursday and Tuesday either side of the weekend.
Setanta seem unruffled by this. York fans were similarly troubled for a trip to Torquay and were only saved from an unfounded financial outlay by the generosity of a train company. That's not to mention that the coverage has been poor at the best of times. Wobbly cameras, partisan punditry from Paul Parker and ad-hoc interviews in the middle of the action have all contributed to a less than satisfactory service. And their customer services don't appear to care, if responses to fellow supporters are anything to go by.
Never mind the fact that Boro' are piss-poor on the telly, the treatment of the fans this season has slowly descended into farce and insult. And it is indicative of a trend that affects the highest level of the game too when Premiership games are shifted about for the sake of ratings. But then again, you tell me whether Setanta really are going to strike ratings gold with Grays v Droylsden before forcing fans to put up with it. Is it any coincidence that attendances are on the slide when fans are expected to make cross-country trips on Setanta's whim on a Thursday night. So, would not many people quibble with the coverage? Take a peek at what Aldershot fans think...
And what's more: Say No To Setanta
A Spattering of Reviews
Clocks - Old Valve Radio (Single)
This is a single that has a) probably been released a month or two too early and b) will get lumped in with the chart-invading prowess of One Night Only. And if it’s dangerous to say it, I will anyway – I’ve not heard such a relentlessly upbeat stomper of a guitar-led summer release since Dodgy’s Good Enough over a decade ago.
O Fracas - Brouhaha (Single)
Pure indie beats drenched with ferocious hi-tempo riffs – you simply can’t beat it sometimes. The return of O Fracas after last year’s Factfinding EP is pretty much off-the-wall in all quarters and offers a captivating synergy of rolling drums and anarchic melodies from the start.
Free Blood - Part 2 (EP)
Unlikely to be seen anywhere the mainstream anytime soon, this is exactly the contradictory soundtrack for those who prefer the grimy nights out in city sub-terrains. The entire premise of Free Blood appears to be set against the awkward, awry situations that give you the highs that are twisted by their very design.
This is a single that has a) probably been released a month or two too early and b) will get lumped in with the chart-invading prowess of One Night Only. And if it’s dangerous to say it, I will anyway – I’ve not heard such a relentlessly upbeat stomper of a guitar-led summer release since Dodgy’s Good Enough over a decade ago.
O Fracas - Brouhaha (Single)
Pure indie beats drenched with ferocious hi-tempo riffs – you simply can’t beat it sometimes. The return of O Fracas after last year’s Factfinding EP is pretty much off-the-wall in all quarters and offers a captivating synergy of rolling drums and anarchic melodies from the start.
Free Blood - Part 2 (EP)
Unlikely to be seen anywhere the mainstream anytime soon, this is exactly the contradictory soundtrack for those who prefer the grimy nights out in city sub-terrains. The entire premise of Free Blood appears to be set against the awkward, awry situations that give you the highs that are twisted by their very design.
22 March 2008
England Cricket Team
Don't care about search engine optimisation. If anyone finds this, they'll probably agree:
Now a waste of space. Woo! Win the Ashes in 2005 and spend the next three years being rubbish? No ta. Will someone a) take responsibility and b) get rid of Strauss. I would have scored more in this series than him.
Don't anyone say they're missing key players. Jacob Oram, who's he? England cricket team? Dangerously close to an utter joke.
Now a waste of space. Woo! Win the Ashes in 2005 and spend the next three years being rubbish? No ta. Will someone a) take responsibility and b) get rid of Strauss. I would have scored more in this series than him.
Don't anyone say they're missing key players. Jacob Oram, who's he? England cricket team? Dangerously close to an utter joke.
11 March 2008
Musey Newsy
Le Sac Is Back
After bloodying the noses of the great and good with 2007’s salient singles Thou Shalt Always Kill and Beat That My Heart Skipped, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip have channelled their finely tuned electro-pop into a debut album that will be hitting the shelves in May.
The Kids Are Growing Up
Tongues are already wagging about Black Kids since they first came across the pond, and it looks as if they’re making themselves at home over here. Not content with merely playing second fiddle to both Kate Nash and Sons and Daughters of late, it’s now time to up the ante and take the controls themselves as they prepare for their first UK headline tour
Massive Tour Is No Mystery
You wouldn’t believe it until you saw the size of it yourself – Mystery Jets are back with a big bang and are going on a huge bender to celebrate.
They Throw Parties, You Buy Tickets
Cardiff's darling own indie starlets Los Campesinos! are coming to a town near you after announcing that they'll be touring the nation in April. Admittedly five of the dates are in London, but a tour has been a long time coming so you should be grateful that the chance has fallen into your lap.
Bigger Names For Bigger Oxegen Festival
This year's Oxegen Festival is set to be the biggest and best ever, and one glance at some of the names on recently announced line-up will go some way to proving that. And not only that, for this year's event will be growing in size which means continuing on into a third day for the first time ever. How good are those organisers?
Grasshider
Famed for banging out the best in drum’n’bass across the nation, Radio 1 DJ Grooverider will now have to acquaint himself with the finer sounds of cell bars. The DJ – real name Raymond Bingham – has landed himself a four-year jail sentence in the United Arab Emirates after being arrested at Dubai Airport in November with some cannabis.
News jiffy.
After bloodying the noses of the great and good with 2007’s salient singles Thou Shalt Always Kill and Beat That My Heart Skipped, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip have channelled their finely tuned electro-pop into a debut album that will be hitting the shelves in May.
The Kids Are Growing Up
Tongues are already wagging about Black Kids since they first came across the pond, and it looks as if they’re making themselves at home over here. Not content with merely playing second fiddle to both Kate Nash and Sons and Daughters of late, it’s now time to up the ante and take the controls themselves as they prepare for their first UK headline tour
Massive Tour Is No Mystery
You wouldn’t believe it until you saw the size of it yourself – Mystery Jets are back with a big bang and are going on a huge bender to celebrate.
They Throw Parties, You Buy Tickets
Cardiff's darling own indie starlets Los Campesinos! are coming to a town near you after announcing that they'll be touring the nation in April. Admittedly five of the dates are in London, but a tour has been a long time coming so you should be grateful that the chance has fallen into your lap.
Bigger Names For Bigger Oxegen Festival
This year's Oxegen Festival is set to be the biggest and best ever, and one glance at some of the names on recently announced line-up will go some way to proving that. And not only that, for this year's event will be growing in size which means continuing on into a third day for the first time ever. How good are those organisers?
Grasshider
Famed for banging out the best in drum’n’bass across the nation, Radio 1 DJ Grooverider will now have to acquaint himself with the finer sounds of cell bars. The DJ – real name Raymond Bingham – has landed himself a four-year jail sentence in the United Arab Emirates after being arrested at Dubai Airport in November with some cannabis.
News jiffy.
9 March 2008
FAO: English Cricket
1) The term 'building for the future' is rhetoric and most certainly not an excuse for this shower of shite being served up in Hamilton.
2) The mid-1990s was not a glorious spell for England's cricketing fortune. Trying to revive it now
for whatever reason, be it nostalgia or something, is not met with the approval of fans both here and on tour.
3) The idea of surrendering meekly is a French trait and in no way indicative of what used to be perceived of English grit and determination even if not slightly good. Stop being charitable.
4) Harden the fuck up.
2) The mid-1990s was not a glorious spell for England's cricketing fortune. Trying to revive it now
for whatever reason, be it nostalgia or something, is not met with the approval of fans both here and on tour.
3) The idea of surrendering meekly is a French trait and in no way indicative of what used to be perceived of English grit and determination even if not slightly good. Stop being charitable.
4) Harden the fuck up.
6 March 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 5th Test, Sydney
At the ground fondly remembered for some of Donald Bradman's greatest exploits, observers could have been forgiven for thinking England may take their foot off the gas and allow a way in for the Australians to steal in to regain some pride after the visitors regained the Ashes with victory in Melbourne last time out.
But that would be presuming wrong. In a series that has ultimately shown the England team to be at the very peak of their game, the icing on the cake was perhaps this victory at the SCG when the odds seemed to stacked against them at more than one point over the five days. And the manner in which the visitors secured the win demonstrated an urgency and confidence so delightful to see in Michael Vaughan's men.
It was a good pitch coming into the first day, and Australia rightly opted to bat after winning the toss. And it is fair to say that the Barmy Army may have felt this was the game in which the Aussies finally asserted themselves; something that hadn't happened much over the past few weeks. Jaques and Ponting hit quite brilliant tons, while Hayden fell six short in between, hanging the usually-potent England bowlers out to dry. Declaring on 457/3 in the circumstances was a tad generous on the visitors, what with Clarke set on 31 not out, and Symonds back in the team and looking to impose himself with the bat.
In reply, England struggled from the off. Cook fell early, and despite half centuries from Vaughan and Bell, 166-3 was not a score England wanted to be. That became 172-4 when Collingwood was dismissed cheaply but the much-needed rally came in the form of Pietersen and Hayman, two batsmen so dominant over the course of the series. Alas both fell short of centuries, Hayman becoming the start of an important spell of pressure from Hilfenhaus who accounted for entire lower order. Mustard made a decent cameo with 58 but the tail buckled and England were all out for 383. For the first time, England looked in trouble. Trailing by 74 runs, and facing the prospect of chasing on a fourth innings pitch, Australia could really pile on the pressure.
And for the first time this series, the hosts capitalised on their advantage. Both Jaques and Ponting again made centuries, as Australia motored to 377/2 before declaring with a lead of 451 at tea on the fourth day. Time was against whoever sought a result, and England could quite happily have tried to see out the draw, but that was never the intention. Yet, it could have gone horribly wrong and provided an undignified way to end an imperious campaign.
Cook fell before there was the chance to see out the end of day four, but not an event that made England reconsider their approach. Instead, Vaughan and Bell pushed on, sharing an incredible partnership of over 300 to see England to tea on day five needing just around 100 runs from the final session with nine wickets in hand. If only things were so simple...
Both Vaughan and Bell fell after tea, as did Collingwood and Pietersen without much trouble to the scorers. 332-1 became 339-4, and soon again to be 353-5. Hayman and Mustard came together and reignited the England charge with an hour's play remaining; the former hitting a 26-ball half century to dazzle the hosts. But the urgency got the better of the rookie and he holed out to Hayden and mid-on from Hilfenhaus' bowling. Flintoff came and went fairly quickly, leaving Hoggard and Harmison together on 446-8. Five was the required amount, but the tail has been less than fruitful with the bat on several occasions and nails were still being bitten.
But experienced heads saw England home to a third victory, a massive chase successfully completed, and a brilliant series brought to a close from a traveller's perspective. England retained the Urn in style, and left the Aussies questioning what would become of the new-look side. Well, they'd find out with the forthcoming CB Series, and before that, the Twenty20 match. Pride is still very much at stake down under.
Final series score: England 3-0 Australia (5)
But that would be presuming wrong. In a series that has ultimately shown the England team to be at the very peak of their game, the icing on the cake was perhaps this victory at the SCG when the odds seemed to stacked against them at more than one point over the five days. And the manner in which the visitors secured the win demonstrated an urgency and confidence so delightful to see in Michael Vaughan's men.
It was a good pitch coming into the first day, and Australia rightly opted to bat after winning the toss. And it is fair to say that the Barmy Army may have felt this was the game in which the Aussies finally asserted themselves; something that hadn't happened much over the past few weeks. Jaques and Ponting hit quite brilliant tons, while Hayden fell six short in between, hanging the usually-potent England bowlers out to dry. Declaring on 457/3 in the circumstances was a tad generous on the visitors, what with Clarke set on 31 not out, and Symonds back in the team and looking to impose himself with the bat.
In reply, England struggled from the off. Cook fell early, and despite half centuries from Vaughan and Bell, 166-3 was not a score England wanted to be. That became 172-4 when Collingwood was dismissed cheaply but the much-needed rally came in the form of Pietersen and Hayman, two batsmen so dominant over the course of the series. Alas both fell short of centuries, Hayman becoming the start of an important spell of pressure from Hilfenhaus who accounted for entire lower order. Mustard made a decent cameo with 58 but the tail buckled and England were all out for 383. For the first time, England looked in trouble. Trailing by 74 runs, and facing the prospect of chasing on a fourth innings pitch, Australia could really pile on the pressure.
And for the first time this series, the hosts capitalised on their advantage. Both Jaques and Ponting again made centuries, as Australia motored to 377/2 before declaring with a lead of 451 at tea on the fourth day. Time was against whoever sought a result, and England could quite happily have tried to see out the draw, but that was never the intention. Yet, it could have gone horribly wrong and provided an undignified way to end an imperious campaign.
Cook fell before there was the chance to see out the end of day four, but not an event that made England reconsider their approach. Instead, Vaughan and Bell pushed on, sharing an incredible partnership of over 300 to see England to tea on day five needing just around 100 runs from the final session with nine wickets in hand. If only things were so simple...
Both Vaughan and Bell fell after tea, as did Collingwood and Pietersen without much trouble to the scorers. 332-1 became 339-4, and soon again to be 353-5. Hayman and Mustard came together and reignited the England charge with an hour's play remaining; the former hitting a 26-ball half century to dazzle the hosts. But the urgency got the better of the rookie and he holed out to Hayden and mid-on from Hilfenhaus' bowling. Flintoff came and went fairly quickly, leaving Hoggard and Harmison together on 446-8. Five was the required amount, but the tail has been less than fruitful with the bat on several occasions and nails were still being bitten.
But experienced heads saw England home to a third victory, a massive chase successfully completed, and a brilliant series brought to a close from a traveller's perspective. England retained the Urn in style, and left the Aussies questioning what would become of the new-look side. Well, they'd find out with the forthcoming CB Series, and before that, the Twenty20 match. Pride is still very much at stake down under.
Final series score: England 3-0 Australia (5)
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 4th Test, Melbourne
Firstly, a disclaimer. Given the reality of current events in NZ, with England's bowling attack looking terribly impotent at the best of times, a morale boost is required...
In one of the world's great sporting venues, England arrived for the traditional Boxing Day test knowing that anything other than an Australian win would guarantee that they would retain the Ashes - something that was beyond the dreams of some fans ahead of the series. And if the tourists had written a script with a glass half full beside them, they probably wouldn't have come to predicting the quite magnificent victory at the MCG that secured both the series with one to play, but also possession of the hallowed Urn until 2009.
The test couldn't have started in a less anti-climactic manner, with some uncharacteristically dismal weather that had contributed towards a rather damp pitch. It was no surprise, then, to see the visitors insert the Aussies into bat upon winning the toss and set about trying to restrict the hosts to a low score. And there were team changes to boot for both sides. For England, Hayman was pushed up the order after his fine form in the previous tests to open in place of Alistair Cook, who made way for an extra bowler in Ryan Sidebottom. Meanwhile the Aussies brought in Nathan Bracken at long last at the expense of Andrew Symonds, a puzzling decision considering Roy's ability with both bat and ball.
Under the grey skies on day one, Hayden and Jaques appeared to make a decent enough start for the hosts, sharing a opening stand of 55 before Harmison and Sidebottom removed them respectively after both men had made starts. Ricky Ponting again steadied the ship before become the first of what would be a marvellous fifer for Paul Collingwood on 44. Clarke, Hussey and Haddin all too got in and got out when more was perhaps promised, and England rattled through the tail to keep the Aussies down to 241 in poor conditions as Collingwood took 5-83.
England's response was stunted by a rain break in the late afternoon of day one and things weren't helped by the early dismissal of Hayman in single figures. Fortunately, Vaughan and Bell were imperious in getting on top of the new ball, and the England skipper was unlucky to be bowled by Gillespie on 45. Bell, and then Pietersen earned half centuries in a scorecard that saw little of note after that except for Flintoff's unbeaten 41. With just 301 on the board come the end of the England innings, the visitors may have felt slightly disappointed that all they gained was a lead of 60.
And that lead was wiped out without much fuss in the Australian second innings by Hayden and Jaques before a bizarre run out cost the wicket of Hayden. Jaques followed very soon after, as did Ponting as Australia slipped from 62-0 to 73-3. Michael Clarke provided a foundation for recovery posting 62 but after Hussey fell to Collingwood for 27, little support was offered to Clarke. He fell, leaving the hosts on 193-7, a precarious position for them, and one not helped as Collingwood wrapped up the innings by removing Lee and MacGill without conceding a run. It was an effort that saw Australia rather stagger their way to a mere 200, a lead of just 140. And with two days left, there was definitely going to be a result.
Yet again, hearts pounded as they did in 2005 at Trent Bridge as England sought victory. Hayman hit a quick fire 30 before a needless dismissal saw him depart at 43-1. Vaughan too made 30, albeit more measured, at the score on 90. By now, it appeared England could not throw this away. But both Bell and Pietersen fell looking to push things on quicker than necessary, an example of impetuosity at a time when England could have taken as much time as they liked. It was the approach that saw Collingwood guide England home with Flintoff largely a spectator before hitting the winning runs with a boundary to send the Barmy Army into raptures.
Australia now travel to Sydney playing for pride only, but England may seek to maintain the momentum ahead of the CB one-day series after the tests come to a close. And what could be better than the promise to rack up a third victory and humiliate the Aussies in their own back yard.
Series score: England 2-0 Australia (4)
In one of the world's great sporting venues, England arrived for the traditional Boxing Day test knowing that anything other than an Australian win would guarantee that they would retain the Ashes - something that was beyond the dreams of some fans ahead of the series. And if the tourists had written a script with a glass half full beside them, they probably wouldn't have come to predicting the quite magnificent victory at the MCG that secured both the series with one to play, but also possession of the hallowed Urn until 2009.
The test couldn't have started in a less anti-climactic manner, with some uncharacteristically dismal weather that had contributed towards a rather damp pitch. It was no surprise, then, to see the visitors insert the Aussies into bat upon winning the toss and set about trying to restrict the hosts to a low score. And there were team changes to boot for both sides. For England, Hayman was pushed up the order after his fine form in the previous tests to open in place of Alistair Cook, who made way for an extra bowler in Ryan Sidebottom. Meanwhile the Aussies brought in Nathan Bracken at long last at the expense of Andrew Symonds, a puzzling decision considering Roy's ability with both bat and ball.
Under the grey skies on day one, Hayden and Jaques appeared to make a decent enough start for the hosts, sharing a opening stand of 55 before Harmison and Sidebottom removed them respectively after both men had made starts. Ricky Ponting again steadied the ship before become the first of what would be a marvellous fifer for Paul Collingwood on 44. Clarke, Hussey and Haddin all too got in and got out when more was perhaps promised, and England rattled through the tail to keep the Aussies down to 241 in poor conditions as Collingwood took 5-83.
England's response was stunted by a rain break in the late afternoon of day one and things weren't helped by the early dismissal of Hayman in single figures. Fortunately, Vaughan and Bell were imperious in getting on top of the new ball, and the England skipper was unlucky to be bowled by Gillespie on 45. Bell, and then Pietersen earned half centuries in a scorecard that saw little of note after that except for Flintoff's unbeaten 41. With just 301 on the board come the end of the England innings, the visitors may have felt slightly disappointed that all they gained was a lead of 60.
And that lead was wiped out without much fuss in the Australian second innings by Hayden and Jaques before a bizarre run out cost the wicket of Hayden. Jaques followed very soon after, as did Ponting as Australia slipped from 62-0 to 73-3. Michael Clarke provided a foundation for recovery posting 62 but after Hussey fell to Collingwood for 27, little support was offered to Clarke. He fell, leaving the hosts on 193-7, a precarious position for them, and one not helped as Collingwood wrapped up the innings by removing Lee and MacGill without conceding a run. It was an effort that saw Australia rather stagger their way to a mere 200, a lead of just 140. And with two days left, there was definitely going to be a result.
Yet again, hearts pounded as they did in 2005 at Trent Bridge as England sought victory. Hayman hit a quick fire 30 before a needless dismissal saw him depart at 43-1. Vaughan too made 30, albeit more measured, at the score on 90. By now, it appeared England could not throw this away. But both Bell and Pietersen fell looking to push things on quicker than necessary, an example of impetuosity at a time when England could have taken as much time as they liked. It was the approach that saw Collingwood guide England home with Flintoff largely a spectator before hitting the winning runs with a boundary to send the Barmy Army into raptures.
Australia now travel to Sydney playing for pride only, but England may seek to maintain the momentum ahead of the CB one-day series after the tests come to a close. And what could be better than the promise to rack up a third victory and humiliate the Aussies in their own back yard.
Series score: England 2-0 Australia (4)
5 March 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 3rd Test, Perth
England arrived in Perth understandably buoyant having taken a one-nil lead in the series at Adelaide. But at the same time, the pressure would be on to make sure that the advantage wasn't squandered. And for the third consecutive game, the visitors were able to field an unchanged team, meaning Andrew Strauss was still unable to force his way into the team.
On a hard, bouncy track, England would have taken great comfort from winning the toss and being given the chance to put some runs on the board having opted to bat first. But it couldn't have started any badly as Brett Lee continued his new-found form from Adelaide and removed both Cook and Vaughan to leave the tourists on 6-2. As Kevin Pietersen settled in and found his rhythm fairly quickly, both Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood also fell before England had reached 100. It was looking as if England's series lead was severely under threat, with a score less than 300 being unacceptable.
As Hayman teamed up with Pietersen, another epic partnership involving the rookie followed - this time a combined of 209 with both men reaching hundreds. Phil Mustard chipped in with a valuable 62 before England fell to 390-9, still short of an ideal score. Finally, however, the tail wagged with Panesar and Harmison adding 51 to the score to leave England on 441.
The Australian response was the most assured it had been all series. Even though Ponting and Clarke failed by their high standards, Hayden's 121 and an unbeaten 91 for Haddin powered the hosts onto 463 and a first innings lead of 22. Flintoff did most of the damage for England with figures of 4-71, and provided the visitors could bat competently in the second innings, a draw was fast becoming the most probable outcome.
And it was contributions all round that boosted England second time out as Cook, Pietersen and Collingwood all fell agonisingly short of half centuries, while Vaughan holed out on 98. But yet again there was a century for Hayman before Flintoff came in and added 66 to push England further towards their eventual resting point of 439. With the hosts requiring over 400 for victory on a worsening pitch with two and a half sessions to get there, it was an outcome that would not come to pass. The question was whether England could force yet another remarkable victory.
Alas no. Battling half centuries from Jaques, Hayden and the unbeaten Ponting kept Australia well and truly alive for the draw despite a fantastic spell of bowling from Paul Collingwood. The medium pacer managed to take 3-35 including ducks for Clarke and Symonds but it was in vain as Australia made the end of the match on 195/4 to keep their chances alive of turning things around in the series.
England will take heart from their batting but will look to be more clinical with the ball at Melbourne on Boxing Day. The bottom line, however, is that anything less than an Aussie win at the MCG will mean that England take the Urn back with them in the New Year, and that is a very relishing prospect.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (3)
On a hard, bouncy track, England would have taken great comfort from winning the toss and being given the chance to put some runs on the board having opted to bat first. But it couldn't have started any badly as Brett Lee continued his new-found form from Adelaide and removed both Cook and Vaughan to leave the tourists on 6-2. As Kevin Pietersen settled in and found his rhythm fairly quickly, both Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood also fell before England had reached 100. It was looking as if England's series lead was severely under threat, with a score less than 300 being unacceptable.
As Hayman teamed up with Pietersen, another epic partnership involving the rookie followed - this time a combined of 209 with both men reaching hundreds. Phil Mustard chipped in with a valuable 62 before England fell to 390-9, still short of an ideal score. Finally, however, the tail wagged with Panesar and Harmison adding 51 to the score to leave England on 441.
The Australian response was the most assured it had been all series. Even though Ponting and Clarke failed by their high standards, Hayden's 121 and an unbeaten 91 for Haddin powered the hosts onto 463 and a first innings lead of 22. Flintoff did most of the damage for England with figures of 4-71, and provided the visitors could bat competently in the second innings, a draw was fast becoming the most probable outcome.
And it was contributions all round that boosted England second time out as Cook, Pietersen and Collingwood all fell agonisingly short of half centuries, while Vaughan holed out on 98. But yet again there was a century for Hayman before Flintoff came in and added 66 to push England further towards their eventual resting point of 439. With the hosts requiring over 400 for victory on a worsening pitch with two and a half sessions to get there, it was an outcome that would not come to pass. The question was whether England could force yet another remarkable victory.
Alas no. Battling half centuries from Jaques, Hayden and the unbeaten Ponting kept Australia well and truly alive for the draw despite a fantastic spell of bowling from Paul Collingwood. The medium pacer managed to take 3-35 including ducks for Clarke and Symonds but it was in vain as Australia made the end of the match on 195/4 to keep their chances alive of turning things around in the series.
England will take heart from their batting but will look to be more clinical with the ball at Melbourne on Boxing Day. The bottom line, however, is that anything less than an Aussie win at the MCG will mean that England take the Urn back with them in the New Year, and that is a very relishing prospect.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (3)
3 March 2008
Happiness is...
Fuck search engine optimisation.
Here's a story that makes me feel all warm inside. Listen up indie clones, this is how it's done...
"Won me a mocking bird..."
Here's a story that makes me feel all warm inside. Listen up indie clones, this is how it's done...
"Won me a mocking bird..."
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 2nd Test, Adelaide
After narrowly missing out on what would have been a remarkable victory in Brisbane, some England supporters may have been forgiven for thinking that there was a sniff of a possibility of a chance of taking a series win in Australia. But at the same time, was the near miss going to lull the tourists into a false sense of security? What better way to test the resolve and credentials of the English than to get straight back into the action in Adelaide.
And what a result it proved to be. If a draw in the first test was a great result, then this victory must have exceeded all expectations and then the wildest dreams of England fans. And much of the credit for the win probably has to go to a quite literally fantastic 300 first innings partnership between Andrew Flintoff and the rookie Hayman. And there was a valuable contribution from Steve Harmison just when it was required.
Australia never looked settled after opting to bat first and quickly lost Jaques and Ponting to leave the score at 46-2. But Hayden and Clarke came together to strengthen the hosts' cause, although both missed out on milestones with 49 and 98 respectively. Symonds added a half century but there was little else but the cameo 25 from Brett Lee as English pace-men rattled through the last six wickets for 61 runs; Harmison with 4-70 and Flintoff picking up 3-73 as Australia staggered to 302.
Frustratingly, in response, England stuttered and were already staring down the barrel at 62-5 with Vaughan and Bell both getting out to dismal run outs. Gillespie took Pietersen and Collingwood out of the action with neither of the two batsmen breaking into double figures. So when England hauled themselves to 135 before Mustard fell, there was only once chance left to make an impression. And my, what an impression was made. Not a wicket fell for the next 300 runs as Hayman followed up an impressive start in Brisbane with an even better 209 here, ably assisted by Freddie Flintoff who made it to 141 before falling to Gillespie. The last three wickets fell cheaply but courtesy of what must be a record 7th-wicket stand for England (I haven't checked Wisden), the visitors found themselves looking mighty at 457, possessing a first innings lead of 155.
In Australia's response, they cancelled out the deficit with the loss of two wickets, but then batsmen started to fall around the imperious Ricky Ponting. When the captain eventually went for 114, bowled by Hayman, only Andrew Symonds offered any resistance finishing unbeaten on 32 as England mopped up the tail. Australia had once again staggered to a stop, and their tally of 304 this time around meant that England required just 150 for victory. Three wickets collected by Harmison, Panesar and Hayman second time out.
Anyone who remembered the 4th Test at Trent Bridge in 2005 may have thought that it could be a bridge to far for a fledgling England team. After all, Brett Lee had to come to the party at some point, and boy, did he. After a solid start for England, Lee accounted for both Cook and Bell in the space of two runs. Yet, at the other end, England were afforded freedom, and it was duly taken by a man you can't give much room to - Kevin Pietersen. With Vaughan, they established a 50 partnership although they became over-zealous in trying to secure the victory. Vaughan went for 44 trying to hoik MacGill over long-off only to miss the flight and lose his bails, while Pietersen holed out in an undignified manner to Hayden off Lee at mid-on for 58.
But by this point there was no real worry for England, with the score at 142-4. The eight runs needed for victory were duly taken by Collingwood (13) and Hayman (1) to secure a fantastic victory and one that continued England's rise in the ascendency. Brett Lee finished with 3-75 in the end, a decent effort considering the circumstances, and perhaps now starting to find ominous form. Next, it's onto Perth and England will be looking to continue their good run of form - a win in Western Australia would guarantee that England retain the Ashes.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (2)
And what a result it proved to be. If a draw in the first test was a great result, then this victory must have exceeded all expectations and then the wildest dreams of England fans. And much of the credit for the win probably has to go to a quite literally fantastic 300 first innings partnership between Andrew Flintoff and the rookie Hayman. And there was a valuable contribution from Steve Harmison just when it was required.
Australia never looked settled after opting to bat first and quickly lost Jaques and Ponting to leave the score at 46-2. But Hayden and Clarke came together to strengthen the hosts' cause, although both missed out on milestones with 49 and 98 respectively. Symonds added a half century but there was little else but the cameo 25 from Brett Lee as English pace-men rattled through the last six wickets for 61 runs; Harmison with 4-70 and Flintoff picking up 3-73 as Australia staggered to 302.
Frustratingly, in response, England stuttered and were already staring down the barrel at 62-5 with Vaughan and Bell both getting out to dismal run outs. Gillespie took Pietersen and Collingwood out of the action with neither of the two batsmen breaking into double figures. So when England hauled themselves to 135 before Mustard fell, there was only once chance left to make an impression. And my, what an impression was made. Not a wicket fell for the next 300 runs as Hayman followed up an impressive start in Brisbane with an even better 209 here, ably assisted by Freddie Flintoff who made it to 141 before falling to Gillespie. The last three wickets fell cheaply but courtesy of what must be a record 7th-wicket stand for England (I haven't checked Wisden), the visitors found themselves looking mighty at 457, possessing a first innings lead of 155.
In Australia's response, they cancelled out the deficit with the loss of two wickets, but then batsmen started to fall around the imperious Ricky Ponting. When the captain eventually went for 114, bowled by Hayman, only Andrew Symonds offered any resistance finishing unbeaten on 32 as England mopped up the tail. Australia had once again staggered to a stop, and their tally of 304 this time around meant that England required just 150 for victory. Three wickets collected by Harmison, Panesar and Hayman second time out.
Anyone who remembered the 4th Test at Trent Bridge in 2005 may have thought that it could be a bridge to far for a fledgling England team. After all, Brett Lee had to come to the party at some point, and boy, did he. After a solid start for England, Lee accounted for both Cook and Bell in the space of two runs. Yet, at the other end, England were afforded freedom, and it was duly taken by a man you can't give much room to - Kevin Pietersen. With Vaughan, they established a 50 partnership although they became over-zealous in trying to secure the victory. Vaughan went for 44 trying to hoik MacGill over long-off only to miss the flight and lose his bails, while Pietersen holed out in an undignified manner to Hayden off Lee at mid-on for 58.
But by this point there was no real worry for England, with the score at 142-4. The eight runs needed for victory were duly taken by Collingwood (13) and Hayman (1) to secure a fantastic victory and one that continued England's rise in the ascendency. Brett Lee finished with 3-75 in the end, a decent effort considering the circumstances, and perhaps now starting to find ominous form. Next, it's onto Perth and England will be looking to continue their good run of form - a win in Western Australia would guarantee that England retain the Ashes.
Series score: England 1-0 Australia (2)
1 March 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 1st Test, Brisbane
Isn't this what all cricketing fans would have been waiting for? After the fireworks in England during the hacienda summer of 2005, England went halfway around the world in search of a first series win Down Under for the best part of two decades, and going out there was a fairly inexperienced squad. But similarly, the Aussies had upheavals to deal with, and their old guard of Warne and McGrath were no longer around to torment the England batsmen.
England team to face Australia: Vaughan (c), Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Hayman, Mustard (wk), Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
Australia team to face England: Jaques, Hayden, Ponting (c), Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Haddin (wk), Hilfenhaus, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill
Probably the biggest surprise to you, dear reader, is the self-indulgent inclusion of all-rounder Hayman. But that aside, Strauss didn't earn a starting berth, leaving Vaughan to open the innings alongside Cook. Surprisingly for Australia, Hilfenhaus was preferred to left-handed paceman Nathan Bracken, but that's not my fault.
Toss won by Australia, and somewhat strange on a decent Brisbane track England were inserted into bat to get the proceedings off to a start. Far better than the Harmison delivery to gully eh? And England enjoyed a fairly solid opening, with both Cook and Vaughan surviving the early ball to notch up a 100 partnership before the first wicket fell without the score advancing any further into three figures, as it was left to Stuart MacGill to remove the England captain for 51. Cook soon fell for 69, and Pietersen could only muster three runs, but the tourists managed to get themselves to a respectable 295-4 when Collingwood fell for 68. Ian Bell racked up the first century of the tour, while Flintoff also hit a half century as the tail fell apart around him leaving England five runs shy of a psychologically-boosting 400.
But the main worry for England was the fact that already a spinner had done the damage, with MacGill taking seven scalps for 100 runs. Yet if it was a worry, then Monty Panesar did enough to ease the minds of England chiefs. In their first innings reply, Australia were restricted to 401, not the run-fest England bowlers may have had to endure although Ricky Ponting ended not out on 166. Panesar took four wickets for 99 runs while Hayman, Hoggard and Harmison took two apiece.
England, just six runs behind going into the second innings, made another assured start with Cook and Vaughan sharing 110 together before valuable contributions through to Andrew Flintoff boosting the England score. None more so than the maiden test century for Hayman, but while the tail enders of Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar upped their score, neither got out of single figures. But, for Panesar, it was another not out for him. And this time it was Hilfenhaus who did the major damage, taking 6-114 whereas the elder statesmen now, Lee and Gillespie, were struggling to contain the batsmen.
Australia then entered the fourth innings requiring 398 for victory, needing the runs in just one day's play. Not a formality, but not exactly unattainable... or so they may have believed. Any thoughts of a home victory had to be abandoned once Monty Panesar had single-handedly reduced the hosts to 60/3 before the spinner teamed up with Harmison and Flintoff to rattle through Australian wickets to leave the score on a perilous 203/8 with two overs left. Hussey was hanging in there, but was off strike for Panesar's last over of the game. And with the first ball of the penultimate over, a chance to pouch Gillespie was spurned by Pietersen. Although the wicket came four balls later (KP off Panesar), Hussey was left to face the last over of the game and assuredly defended.
So, shades of the 2005 Old Trafford test reminded the Aussies that the English meant business, and the visitors were aggrieved not to have secured the win. But the chance will come again as Adelaide awaits next time out.
Series score: England 0-0 Australia (1)
England team to face Australia: Vaughan (c), Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Hayman, Mustard (wk), Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
Australia team to face England: Jaques, Hayden, Ponting (c), Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Haddin (wk), Hilfenhaus, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill
Probably the biggest surprise to you, dear reader, is the self-indulgent inclusion of all-rounder Hayman. But that aside, Strauss didn't earn a starting berth, leaving Vaughan to open the innings alongside Cook. Surprisingly for Australia, Hilfenhaus was preferred to left-handed paceman Nathan Bracken, but that's not my fault.
Toss won by Australia, and somewhat strange on a decent Brisbane track England were inserted into bat to get the proceedings off to a start. Far better than the Harmison delivery to gully eh? And England enjoyed a fairly solid opening, with both Cook and Vaughan surviving the early ball to notch up a 100 partnership before the first wicket fell without the score advancing any further into three figures, as it was left to Stuart MacGill to remove the England captain for 51. Cook soon fell for 69, and Pietersen could only muster three runs, but the tourists managed to get themselves to a respectable 295-4 when Collingwood fell for 68. Ian Bell racked up the first century of the tour, while Flintoff also hit a half century as the tail fell apart around him leaving England five runs shy of a psychologically-boosting 400.
But the main worry for England was the fact that already a spinner had done the damage, with MacGill taking seven scalps for 100 runs. Yet if it was a worry, then Monty Panesar did enough to ease the minds of England chiefs. In their first innings reply, Australia were restricted to 401, not the run-fest England bowlers may have had to endure although Ricky Ponting ended not out on 166. Panesar took four wickets for 99 runs while Hayman, Hoggard and Harmison took two apiece.
England, just six runs behind going into the second innings, made another assured start with Cook and Vaughan sharing 110 together before valuable contributions through to Andrew Flintoff boosting the England score. None more so than the maiden test century for Hayman, but while the tail enders of Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar upped their score, neither got out of single figures. But, for Panesar, it was another not out for him. And this time it was Hilfenhaus who did the major damage, taking 6-114 whereas the elder statesmen now, Lee and Gillespie, were struggling to contain the batsmen.
Australia then entered the fourth innings requiring 398 for victory, needing the runs in just one day's play. Not a formality, but not exactly unattainable... or so they may have believed. Any thoughts of a home victory had to be abandoned once Monty Panesar had single-handedly reduced the hosts to 60/3 before the spinner teamed up with Harmison and Flintoff to rattle through Australian wickets to leave the score on a perilous 203/8 with two overs left. Hussey was hanging in there, but was off strike for Panesar's last over of the game. And with the first ball of the penultimate over, a chance to pouch Gillespie was spurned by Pietersen. Although the wicket came four balls later (KP off Panesar), Hussey was left to face the last over of the game and assuredly defended.
So, shades of the 2005 Old Trafford test reminded the Aussies that the English meant business, and the visitors were aggrieved not to have secured the win. But the chance will come again as Adelaide awaits next time out.
Series score: England 0-0 Australia (1)
28 February 2008
Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07...
Like many English cricket fans, I'm convinced that the ill-fated Ashes Tour of last winter didn't *actually* happen. Reason enough, surely, to retreat into EA Cricket 07 to recreate the adventure Down Under in the pursuit of retaining the urn so gallantly won in 2005. And in doing so, at least in my mind and house, rewriting cricketing history to further dent Aussie pride and strengthen the legacy of the modern England cricket team.
So, as a little project conjured up in my spare time, I'll be letting you know just how my bid to alter the whole space-time continuum goes, starting with the 1st Test in Brisbane whenever I can be arsed. It should also be noted that the England and Australia squads are based on the current roster and not those at the time. Which means I shan't be facing McGrath, Warne and Langer. Advantage? Well, no. For they won't be facing Simon Jones, Trescothick or even Geraint Jones. Yeah. I kept Flintoff. I'm not stupid.
So, as a little project conjured up in my spare time, I'll be letting you know just how my bid to alter the whole space-time continuum goes, starting with the 1st Test in Brisbane whenever I can be arsed. It should also be noted that the England and Australia squads are based on the current roster and not those at the time. Which means I shan't be facing McGrath, Warne and Langer. Advantage? Well, no. For they won't be facing Simon Jones, Trescothick or even Geraint Jones. Yeah. I kept Flintoff. I'm not stupid.
The Results Are In... NME Awards 2008
Some things in life are guaranteed without fail. Your football team will always let you down at a critical moment, you'll always be a disappointment in bed, and hoards of adolescent fuckwits will vote Pete Doherty their hero of the year. It's enough to make you lose faith if you are actually prepared to let yourselves be bound by the annual ego-trip that is the NME Awards.
London's O2 arena was the venue for this year's festivities, and it seems as if the NME's faithful consumers have gone out of their way to defy logic, and more importantly, piss me off. Several of the results, particularly the bigger awards, are on the verge of being incredulous albeit sadly predictable. And where better to start than the oft-unbelievable 'Hero of the Year' award. It seems tradition dictates that Pete Doherty wins it every year... clearly because a crack addict producing second rate music in a watered-down guise of previous glories is clearly something that the nation's 14-16 year old scenesters aspire to. And I blame that particular trait for One Night Only among others.
And then it's only right that the Arctic Monkeys are rolled out to pick up every gong going for being the Arctic Monkeys. A quiet 2007 has yielded Best Video, Best Album and presumably Best Song featuring the name Brian. Oh, and The Enemy picked up Best Band. For what, exactly? Wearing tracksuits in a non-threatening manner while trying to be Coventry's version of Oasis.
But there is a silver lining to the immense grey clouds... the Manics picked up Godlike Genius showing that the NME have, yet again, gone full circle in their love-hate relationship with the Cymraeg gods (and also if you believe that Morrissey would have taken it had he not had a tiff with them).
It's hard to criticise the NME cos they are fucking good at what they do. It's just the majority of their readers that get on my tits, uniting morons from GCSE to Undergraduate level. More concerned with image than the music, not knowing who Richey Edwards was when he was on the cover two weeks ago, and trying to impose their will on free-thinkers. I'll continue to occasionally pick up the NME if I can afford it. But just don't ask me to relate to some of their readers, because even a labotomy might not even help 'em. And yeah, I'm angry for getting so bothered about it. Maybe it's just that I still have a lot of faith in (new) music and am already resigned to knowing that people won't give a shit unless the NME tell them.
London's O2 arena was the venue for this year's festivities, and it seems as if the NME's faithful consumers have gone out of their way to defy logic, and more importantly, piss me off. Several of the results, particularly the bigger awards, are on the verge of being incredulous albeit sadly predictable. And where better to start than the oft-unbelievable 'Hero of the Year' award. It seems tradition dictates that Pete Doherty wins it every year... clearly because a crack addict producing second rate music in a watered-down guise of previous glories is clearly something that the nation's 14-16 year old scenesters aspire to. And I blame that particular trait for One Night Only among others.
And then it's only right that the Arctic Monkeys are rolled out to pick up every gong going for being the Arctic Monkeys. A quiet 2007 has yielded Best Video, Best Album and presumably Best Song featuring the name Brian. Oh, and The Enemy picked up Best Band. For what, exactly? Wearing tracksuits in a non-threatening manner while trying to be Coventry's version of Oasis.
But there is a silver lining to the immense grey clouds... the Manics picked up Godlike Genius showing that the NME have, yet again, gone full circle in their love-hate relationship with the Cymraeg gods (and also if you believe that Morrissey would have taken it had he not had a tiff with them).
It's hard to criticise the NME cos they are fucking good at what they do. It's just the majority of their readers that get on my tits, uniting morons from GCSE to Undergraduate level. More concerned with image than the music, not knowing who Richey Edwards was when he was on the cover two weeks ago, and trying to impose their will on free-thinkers. I'll continue to occasionally pick up the NME if I can afford it. But just don't ask me to relate to some of their readers, because even a labotomy might not even help 'em. And yeah, I'm angry for getting so bothered about it. Maybe it's just that I still have a lot of faith in (new) music and am already resigned to knowing that people won't give a shit unless the NME tell them.
12 February 2008
Latest music offerings...
Black Kids Extend UK Stay
One of the big hopes for 2008, Black Kids, are going to be staying in Blighty a while longer after being asked to support both Sons & Daughters and Kate Nash in the month ahead. The Yank rockers were already over here to play London’s Water Rats on 6 February and a NME Awards show alongside Pigeon Detectives at Astoria on 7th February, but these latest dates will keep the music playing well into March.
Spread The Love
Those sassy Swedish songsters Love Is All have revealed the exciting details of their forthcoming new album, not to mention the important matter that a new boy has joined their ranks.
And a review...
The Superimposers - Harpsichord Treacle
When that umpteenth cup of tea or that extra woolly jumper fails to release you from the cold clutches of winter, you do could do a lot worse than to reach the new release from London duo, The Superimposers. For Harpsichord Treacle is a lush world of wonder capable of invoking memories of halcyon Sixties summer days, and I wasn’t even there. I just get my ideas from that Procol Harum video, but it warms the cockles if only for the shortest of spells.
One of the big hopes for 2008, Black Kids, are going to be staying in Blighty a while longer after being asked to support both Sons & Daughters and Kate Nash in the month ahead. The Yank rockers were already over here to play London’s Water Rats on 6 February and a NME Awards show alongside Pigeon Detectives at Astoria on 7th February, but these latest dates will keep the music playing well into March.
Spread The Love
Those sassy Swedish songsters Love Is All have revealed the exciting details of their forthcoming new album, not to mention the important matter that a new boy has joined their ranks.
And a review...
The Superimposers - Harpsichord Treacle
When that umpteenth cup of tea or that extra woolly jumper fails to release you from the cold clutches of winter, you do could do a lot worse than to reach the new release from London duo, The Superimposers. For Harpsichord Treacle is a lush world of wonder capable of invoking memories of halcyon Sixties summer days, and I wasn’t even there. I just get my ideas from that Procol Harum video, but it warms the cockles if only for the shortest of spells.
30 January 2008
Latest from the world of music...
Weather Wit You: Pete Hayman talks to Johnny Flynn:
Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit are born out of the leafy green pastures of south east England and carry an effortless sound bathed in eternal sunshine. Judging by recent weather, it is, of course, down to your state of mind, but you get the idea. What is also certain is that there is something undeniably cute about the outstanding talent that this group of young people possess. And something incredibly envious too.
Label Profile: Across the Pennines:
Across the Pennines, the brainchild of Mark Edwards, is on a mission. That mission is to educate you, and in doing so, prove that even out in the sticks away from the bright lights of London, there is some exciting music talent that must not escape your attention. Not that places like Manchester and Leeds should need to prove their credentials, but still, people can be ignorant and that is where ATP will plug that drain of knowledge.
Some news soon, like...
Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit are born out of the leafy green pastures of south east England and carry an effortless sound bathed in eternal sunshine. Judging by recent weather, it is, of course, down to your state of mind, but you get the idea. What is also certain is that there is something undeniably cute about the outstanding talent that this group of young people possess. And something incredibly envious too.
Label Profile: Across the Pennines:
Across the Pennines, the brainchild of Mark Edwards, is on a mission. That mission is to educate you, and in doing so, prove that even out in the sticks away from the bright lights of London, there is some exciting music talent that must not escape your attention. Not that places like Manchester and Leeds should need to prove their credentials, but still, people can be ignorant and that is where ATP will plug that drain of knowledge.
Some news soon, like...
28 January 2008
24 January 2008
Note to Damien Comolli
Please find a way to keep Radek Cerny at Tottenham Hotspur. Why spend big money elsewhere when there's an able candidate currently between the sticks...
End.
EDIT: Yeah, there's no way I can gloss over his mistake at Old Trafford.
End.
EDIT: Yeah, there's no way I can gloss over his mistake at Old Trafford.
23 January 2008
Rules of Love Pt. 3
Through the joys of Virgin's on-demand service, albeit at a price of £3.50, I finally got round to watching the latest instalment of the Die Hard series. And it has to be said that I learned a valuable life lesson courtesy of one of the film's subtexts. It could point as to where I have been going wrong in recent times.
You see, apparently, the way to a girl's heart is to save her life. And I thought it was just about being nice etc. Awwww, how naive was I!
Let it never be said I am a bit cynical sometimes.
You see, apparently, the way to a girl's heart is to save her life. And I thought it was just about being nice etc. Awwww, how naive was I!
Let it never be said I am a bit cynical sometimes.
22 January 2008
Films I never want to see again #481
Mike Bassett: England Manager
Cringeworthy rubbish that attempts to tap into a nation's love of football and does so badly. Hadn't England stopped playing at the Old Wembley by the time that came out? Clichéd "the Scottish are rubbish" gags are a bit out of date now considering they fared better than England in trying to get to Euro 2008. And the blatant parody of the Maradona goal - I just hope they weren't trying to make it somewhat believable!
Cringeworthy rubbish that attempts to tap into a nation's love of football and does so badly. Hadn't England stopped playing at the Old Wembley by the time that came out? Clichéd "the Scottish are rubbish" gags are a bit out of date now considering they fared better than England in trying to get to Euro 2008. And the blatant parody of the Maradona goal - I just hope they weren't trying to make it somewhat believable!
21 January 2008
I wish I still had my radio show!
Believe it or not, it is a genuine expression of a former love lost. Not that Strip It Down every Thursday night on Swansea's Xtreme Radio was some form of great citadel of radio broadcasting (it wasn't far off, but it was no Today programme, for example), but it was my baby. And I loved putting it together every week. No shit, a show on student radio that was actually prepared. But there is one reason above all else why I miss it right now.
It's got nothing to do with the fact that street-teaming for XFM South Wales has reminded me of former radio glories. Hell no, for a start, I get paid to pound the streets of Cardiff handing out XFM merchandise and swapping anecdotes with the beautiful, drunk gig-goers of the capital. It's all to do with the music that I played. For all the slating that the 1980s get, some of the music produced was the right side of the line marked 'phenomenal'.
Yes, some of the music was truly awful, but then the same can be said of any period of music - there were some shite punk bands, and there are some shite indie bands now - nearly all guilty of shameless, unoriginal copycat behaviour. But the post-punk and new wave eras of the early-to-mid-1980s deserve a lot of love that it rarely gets. Some of the songs I unearthed to play on my show have survived the end-of-uni cull and graduated into my iTunes, and some have even gone on to the iPod. That's how good they are - you have to be pretty special to get onto my iPod I tell you. I'm just that picky with what I listen to when out and about. Even bands I've discarded I still have respect for.
Count or discount Elvis Costello if you will, but certainly Gang of Four, Generation X and Public Image Ltd score highly; Stiff Little Fingers, The Ruts (yeah, Staring at the Rude Boys) and Talking Heads too - all alongside the always-influential stylings of The Clash and The Ramones. And who can forget Joy Division's humble beginnings? And then towards the end of the 1980s came the Madchester bands, and still the 1980s are slammed. It's not all new romantic rubbish you know.
Certainly some bands today could do with a bit of education in the art of changing things, ripping it up and stripping it down. Just because were good, made some money and had a good time, doesn't mean you will too. Do something different, take a chance ferchrissakes! Having said that, I am reeling from the apparent demise of Milburn. They were better than the Monkeys don't you know... seriously. And no, I've not totally given up the idea of getting back on the airwaves sometime soon either.
It's got nothing to do with the fact that street-teaming for XFM South Wales has reminded me of former radio glories. Hell no, for a start, I get paid to pound the streets of Cardiff handing out XFM merchandise and swapping anecdotes with the beautiful, drunk gig-goers of the capital. It's all to do with the music that I played. For all the slating that the 1980s get, some of the music produced was the right side of the line marked 'phenomenal'.
Yes, some of the music was truly awful, but then the same can be said of any period of music - there were some shite punk bands, and there are some shite indie bands now - nearly all guilty of shameless, unoriginal copycat behaviour. But the post-punk and new wave eras of the early-to-mid-1980s deserve a lot of love that it rarely gets. Some of the songs I unearthed to play on my show have survived the end-of-uni cull and graduated into my iTunes, and some have even gone on to the iPod. That's how good they are - you have to be pretty special to get onto my iPod I tell you. I'm just that picky with what I listen to when out and about. Even bands I've discarded I still have respect for.
Count or discount Elvis Costello if you will, but certainly Gang of Four, Generation X and Public Image Ltd score highly; Stiff Little Fingers, The Ruts (yeah, Staring at the Rude Boys) and Talking Heads too - all alongside the always-influential stylings of The Clash and The Ramones. And who can forget Joy Division's humble beginnings? And then towards the end of the 1980s came the Madchester bands, and still the 1980s are slammed. It's not all new romantic rubbish you know.
Certainly some bands today could do with a bit of education in the art of changing things, ripping it up and stripping it down. Just because
18 January 2008
Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing
From the first time I heard I'm Shakin' back in 2003, I developed something of a very casual interest in the Los Angeles band, Rooney. But although I quite liked the up-tempo indie-pop, some of the other stuff at the time was raw and skimmed across the further reaches of my consciousness before the band seemed to drop off the radar completely.
But on a recent trip to Italy, I discovered that from literally nowhere, to my mind, the band had returned thanks to hearing When Did Your Heart Go Missing off a new album that had taken four years in the making. Reading back, it appears it came out in the UK in May, and failed to make the Top 40, which is incredibly disappointing considering how catchy this tragically epic song is.
And to think my first experience of it was thinking "Why the hell are these still making MTV Italy?" Without a word of a lie, it seemed this song was everywhere in Milan. Well, sort of. Two nights in a row in what became a favourite restaurant, the song sat snugly amongst other mid-to-late-2007 indie/powerpop releases. And to think when I first strained to hear it in this establishment I thought it was Lostprophets' A Town Called Hypocrisy. What an error.
But on a recent trip to Italy, I discovered that from literally nowhere, to my mind, the band had returned thanks to hearing When Did Your Heart Go Missing off a new album that had taken four years in the making. Reading back, it appears it came out in the UK in May, and failed to make the Top 40, which is incredibly disappointing considering how catchy this tragically epic song is.
And to think my first experience of it was thinking "Why the hell are these still making MTV Italy?" Without a word of a lie, it seemed this song was everywhere in Milan. Well, sort of. Two nights in a row in what became a favourite restaurant, the song sat snugly amongst other mid-to-late-2007 indie/powerpop releases. And to think when I first strained to hear it in this establishment I thought it was Lostprophets' A Town Called Hypocrisy. What an error.
Look Who's Back...
... it's everyone's favourite 'messiah'. Although it's not. Kevin Keegan has 'sensationally' returned to Newcastle United a decade after bottling the job, the league - just about everything. And my, how the fans (best fans in the world, truly) are excited. Oh, and the media just cannot get enough of it. Someone in the editorial department at BBC Sport online clearly cannot live without the mandatory seven references to King Kev on the Sport front page. Give me strength.
Outside of Newcastle, this story is admittedly one of the bigger stories this week, but it's not something that is changing my life so extraordinarily, that I feel compelled to watch videos and read Alan Hansen's view on the matter. Alan Shearer's comments, on the other hand, are hilarious to note in whatever form. If you want a job Al, just ask Kev. Don't make a thinly veiled attempt at subtlety on national television.
Don't get me wrong. In the mid-nineties, I quite liked Newcastle, with their brand of attacking football, but was shocked when they bottled the league in such spectacular fashion. But after their antics against Stevenage Borough in the FA Cup in 1998, I no longer held any respect for them. Managers that have gone there have had to live with the outlandish expectation that Newcastle is somehow still a big club. Wake up, you've been passed by half the league in the last decade.
And now, in early 2008, the Magpies are six points above the drop zone with a new manager who likes to prioritise attack over defence. No doubt they'll enjoy a honeymoon period against Bolton at the weekend, but I for one won't be too saddened nor even surprised if Newcastle fail to avoid the drop. And what then for the hero they call Kev?
Outside of Newcastle, this story is admittedly one of the bigger stories this week, but it's not something that is changing my life so extraordinarily, that I feel compelled to watch videos and read Alan Hansen's view on the matter. Alan Shearer's comments, on the other hand, are hilarious to note in whatever form. If you want a job Al, just ask Kev. Don't make a thinly veiled attempt at subtlety on national television.
Don't get me wrong. In the mid-nineties, I quite liked Newcastle, with their brand of attacking football, but was shocked when they bottled the league in such spectacular fashion. But after their antics against Stevenage Borough in the FA Cup in 1998, I no longer held any respect for them. Managers that have gone there have had to live with the outlandish expectation that Newcastle is somehow still a big club. Wake up, you've been passed by half the league in the last decade.
And now, in early 2008, the Magpies are six points above the drop zone with a new manager who likes to prioritise attack over defence. No doubt they'll enjoy a honeymoon period against Bolton at the weekend, but I for one won't be too saddened nor even surprised if Newcastle fail to avoid the drop. And what then for the hero they call Kev?
9 January 2008
Note to The Bill producers...
The recent trend of filling cast vacancies with ex-Eastenders and Hollyoaks people is just about tolerable, given how saturated it has become for former residents of Albert Square and... well, Hollyoaks.
BUT the decision to sack Jeff Stewart (or Reg Hollis) is simply wrong. For it is surely the case that part of The Bill's appeal is tuning in to see what wacky capers PC Hollis is getting up to 24 years after he first pounded the Sun Hill beat.
Regrettably, this decision leaves me now expecting the seemingly inevitable departure of Tony Stamp, and following that it will be left to DCI Jack Meadows to keep my interest in the show at a level I have become accustomed to.
It's a sad day in Sun Hill.
BUT the decision to sack Jeff Stewart (or Reg Hollis) is simply wrong. For it is surely the case that part of The Bill's appeal is tuning in to see what wacky capers PC Hollis is getting up to 24 years after he first pounded the Sun Hill beat.
Regrettably, this decision leaves me now expecting the seemingly inevitable departure of Tony Stamp, and following that it will be left to DCI Jack Meadows to keep my interest in the show at a level I have become accustomed to.
It's a sad day in Sun Hill.
8 January 2008
My favourite ever headline?
Some headline writers are masters of wit and punnery, and some, I would imagine, stumble upon it without even realising.
The creator, for example, of the delight that was "Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic Were Atrocious" must surely be an example of the former. Ingenious wordplay, and no doubt fortuitous to have had such a situation fall into his (or indeed her) hands.
But an example of the latter is this beauty I came across on nonleaguedaily.com, and before anyone says a thing, yes I am aware that it exposes the lingering adolescent within my mind, but I don't think for one minute that the writer here fully realised the innuendo that he (or, again, indeed her) was about to publish for amused souls like myself.
Marvellous and shit, isn't it?
The creator, for example, of the delight that was "Super Caley Go Ballistic, Celtic Were Atrocious" must surely be an example of the former. Ingenious wordplay, and no doubt fortuitous to have had such a situation fall into his (or indeed her) hands.
But an example of the latter is this beauty I came across on nonleaguedaily.com, and before anyone says a thing, yes I am aware that it exposes the lingering adolescent within my mind, but I don't think for one minute that the writer here fully realised the innuendo that he (or, again, indeed her) was about to publish for amused souls like myself.
Marvellous and shit, isn't it?
7 January 2008
A Selection of News
M.I.A. SLAMS VIDEO CENSORSHIP
GET MOVING FOR LATITUDE PRE-SALE
There were other stories but I cannot find them, such as the Foals lead singer monging his foot up. Spiffing what ho?
GET MOVING FOR LATITUDE PRE-SALE
There were other stories but I cannot find them, such as the Foals lead singer monging his foot up. Spiffing what ho?
2 January 2008
Now that's what I call 2007
Just as soon as it was thrust upon us, the year that was 2007 is about to be consigned to history. Naturally, the best way to celebrate this fact is to gather round the television for the hours of lists and reviews that somehow do the year's events justice. But rather than watch Jimmy Carr scoff his way through the funny side of Chelsea winning the cup, here goes my attempt at creating a "Best of..." list that even I can't disagree with, surely?
One of the most eagerly deployed clichés is 'what a year this has been in music', and if you look in any of the music mags, they'll probably say something to that extent. I'll happily subscribe to that claim though. It's not been an epoch-defining year, but there has been some good shit this year, and this is a shameless attempt to sign-up to the list-makers' guild with a look at some of the better music of 2007 type of thing. Some might be a bit older, but I reserve that right, isn't it?
Babyshambles - Delivery
Bloc Party - Flux
Cajun Dance Party - Amylase
Foals - Hummer
Hadouken! - That Boy That Girl
Heavyweight Champion of the World - He Said He Loved Me
Jack Penate - Second Minute or Hour
Jukebox Vandals - Yeah, No, Definitely
Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow
La Rocca - Sketches (20 Something Life)
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing
Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers
The Cribs - Men's Needs:
The Dykeenies - Stitches
The Holloways - Generator
The Maccabees - X-Ray
The Pigeon Detectives - I Found Out
The Rakes - We Danced Together
The Sunshine Underground - Borders
The Wombats - Kill The Director (CSS mix)
VWF - Family Man
I could offer explanations but I'll let the music do the talking. If I missed any out, hey, it happens. Lovely.
One of the most eagerly deployed clichés is 'what a year this has been in music', and if you look in any of the music mags, they'll probably say something to that extent. I'll happily subscribe to that claim though. It's not been an epoch-defining year, but there has been some good shit this year, and this is a shameless attempt to sign-up to the list-makers' guild with a look at some of the better music of 2007 type of thing. Some might be a bit older, but I reserve that right, isn't it?
Babyshambles - Delivery
Bloc Party - Flux
Cajun Dance Party - Amylase
Foals - Hummer
Hadouken! - That Boy That Girl
Heavyweight Champion of the World - He Said He Loved Me
Jack Penate - Second Minute or Hour
Jukebox Vandals - Yeah, No, Definitely
Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow
La Rocca - Sketches (20 Something Life)
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing
Manic Street Preachers - Send Away The Tigers
The Cribs - Men's Needs:
The Dykeenies - Stitches
The Holloways - Generator
The Maccabees - X-Ray
The Pigeon Detectives - I Found Out
The Rakes - We Danced Together
The Sunshine Underground - Borders
The Wombats - Kill The Director (CSS mix)
VWF - Family Man
I could offer explanations but I'll let the music do the talking. If I missed any out, hey, it happens. Lovely.
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