Now This Red Cap Takes A Rap From His Critics.

I have nothing profound or emotionally engaging to write about.

The first blog for blogging sake I guess?

Well in a weeks time I will be at Reading Festival seeing two bands directly from my adolescence. Limp Bizkit and Blink-182 are without a doubt going to be the highlight of the weekend for me and I am grateful that I get to share it with two of my best friends.

Blink-182 became one of my favourite bands thanks to Mr Tom O'Dwyer. After being introduced to their amazing live album in year 10 of school we sang the whole thing pretty much everyday on the German Exchange trip. Getting told off by teachers for the less than radio-friendly lyrics will always be a memory I will share with Tom.

Limp Bizkit. Shaun O'Neill. Could two names ever go more hand in hand?

I don't quite know where the Limp Bizkit obsession started with me and Shaun. There were many times during Sixth Form where we would be driving around instead of being in free periods, or driving into school after nights out feeling worse than wear, when Limp Bizkit and the modern day poetry of Fred Durst acted as the soundtrack.

The refrain to Take A Look around could quite often be heard blasting from the windows of my car as me and Shaun came back into school after a lunch time jolly.

Screaming "NOW I KNOW WHY YOU WANA HATE ME!" with him in a weeks time, undoubtedly on the way to mass inebriation is going to be amazing. I am excited for Reading like a young child on Christmas Eve.

Thursday 26th: The adventure begins. O'dwyer, Peett and O'Neill hit Reading 2010.

Someone better pack the beer bong!

peace.x

It has been a long long time since I last wrote a blog on here.

There has been a few reasons I haven't written anything. One of the main reasons is that I haven't had a lot to use as content. I started this blog months ago as a way of venting my feelings online, and while I was in Stoke I had a lot to vent.

As I've been back in Cheltenham I have been living a relatively easy life. I haven't had anything to complain about for this reason.

For one reason or another I haven't really listened to any new music, nor had the opportunity to go to any gigs to review.

The one gig I have been to this summer that really has stuck in my mind was when I saw Another Breath in Stoke. The show was a really good advertisement for the current hardcore scene.

The support bands really stepped up to the plate and threatened to steal the show. Unrestrained were a small band from America who blew my mind. Between songs the singer talked about how music has effected his life, and he really connected with the audience.

Another Breath played a fantastic set, drawing from material from their most recent album The God Complex. This album has an amazing lyrical content that questions the existence of God and through very auto-biographical writing the album is extremely personal and moving.

Songs such as The God Complex and No God spoke massively to me the first time I heard them, and seeing it live just exaggerated the passion and desire the band put in to their work.

I haven't though about morality and religion a lot since I finished my A-Level in R.E but the lyrics of this album coupled with getting a new job have kick started my mind.

I've started working as a Ward Clerk at the hospital where I live. I was originally sceptical about this job, but in the week I have been working I have started to find a massive amount of respect for both the staff and especially the patients. The ward I am working on is the cancer ward and it is this that has made me think more about the theological world.

As i was walking through the ward I saw the Catholic chaplain going into a patients room.

These are seriously ill people who inhabit our ward and it perplexed me as to how he could do this job.

I do not disrespect people with religious belief, I have just never found comfort in religion.

The question I asked myself was, what does the Chaplain say when he is with a patient.

They have been stricken by a chronic, life shortening illness and are close to death. Does the Chaplain try to rationalise what has happened to them? Does he apologise for the fate that their God has put upon them? How can people hold belief in a God when they're life has hit such a dreadful period?

I question God for this reason? God loves and cares for his people, but if so, then why would anybody with a chronic illness like Cancer be allowed to die?

It does amaze me when you see some of the patients, although they are ill they have a positive attitude that defies belief. I have a massive respect for them

The nurses deserve a huge amount of respect for the job they do. When someone dies suddenly after perhaps being nursed by a small team for weeks or months, it must hurt inside, do they wonder if they could have done more?

Seeing the workings of this tight unit from the outside looking in has given me a new perspective on life.

No matter how hard you think you have it, there are people much worse off, who despite all of their problems are positive.

peace.x

T.V heaven, T.V hell....

The new series of Big Brother is upon us.
And may I add, the FINAL series of Big Brother.
This is the original reality television series and probably the most successful, going world wide and spreading the infection.

I'm not really aware of the past series, but this one has a Circus Theme to it. It is very fitting considering the range of freaks and clowns they have put into the house to battle it out to become the Ultimate C-List Celeb of 2010!

Good luck to all of them I say.

Let every single poser, fake, bitch fight it out for the viewing pleasure of a majority of the UKs viewing public.

Why do we love this type of visual drudgery? Is it because we look at these people and think "there are people worse than me out there" is it because everyone has a secret voyeuristic element inside them and this lets them indulge in this fascination without the stigma attached to voyeurism normally....

When I say "we" I try not to count myself in this demographic.

Big Brother and reality TV: The reason that I stick to listening to music.

Good luck to all the freak, tarts and oddballs.

In other news...

N.W.A and Dr Dre currently playing on my Mac. Straight up Gangster shit!

Peace.x

Know Your Enemy.

Ahhhhhhh where to begin?!

I haven't blogged for a long time as I haven't really had anything negative to rant about!

I've been enjoying my time back in Cheltenham since returning from Uni, last week I had a mini-gathering with some people who I hadn't seen for a while before hitting town.
Staying up til 4.30 playing Fifa, followed by beer for breakfast and a 4 mile walk home at 3 the next morning made for an entertaining evening!

Before all of this happened I got to spend just under a week with my girlfriend as she was back from University briefly.
While we only had 6 days together and with time taken out by work schedules it was still really good times. 6 days seemed to turn into hours though as it always goes too quickly, roll on months together over the summer, hopefully it wont fly by!

Last night I was lucky enough to see Rage Against The Machine at Finsbury Park.
In simple terms, they were incredible. Every song they played was delivered with conviction and energy, this was a band genuinely celebrating their victory against the giant that is the Pop industry.

Highlights of the set for me were Bullet In Your Head, Township Rebellion and Freedom. Every song Rage played was an anthem and the capacity crowd screaming the refrain of "Fuck you I wont do what you tell me!" to Killing In The Name was incredible!

On another note, I started work today. Working on a factory line packing boxes. It ain't glamorous, it ain't fun, it does however pay well!

peace.x

A grey tinge on the summer day.

I just heard the news that Slipknot bassist Paul Gray has been found dead in a hotel room in Iowa.

While I am not the biggest Slipknot fan, I have a few of their albums, but more than that I appreciate how much the band has done for heavy music and how important their debut album was for the rock scene.

Really tragic news, especially as its not long since Dio passed away.

R.I.P Paul Gray.

May Slipknot and all of the associated families pull together and stay strong through this.

Tragic.

Summer.

Ahhhh so the sun has finally decided to rear its head and bless England with some beautiful weather!

Unfortunately I've had to spend a few hours each day stuck inside my bedroom re-painting the walls while my dad is at work as he doesn't want to do it. This has just given me a reason to listen to a stupid amount of music as I work so I'm not too upset about it.
Listening to the new Trash Talk album and lots of old Black Flag gave me the idea to make my painting a little bit more rock and roll so I added my own designs to the wall....

When I have managed to get in the sun I have made the most of it. Today I went t

o play golf with some friends and I was blown away by

what a fantastic day it was.

A few wisps of cloud in the sky and gorgeous sun all afternoon made it great regardless of how badly I was playing.

We were all shocked that there were so few people on the course, but relieved as it meant less embarrassment

when you had to head to the hedgerows to retrieve your ball!

As it was so beautiful I decided to take a few photos of the course to share with everyone else!

Fantastic day out in the sun having a laugh with some mates! Perfect!

To conclude the first of my Summer Blogs I will leave you with the soundtrack to the summer for me.... Mariachi El Bronx.

Down.

Recently I have rekindled my love for Down.

I am a massive fan of this groove laden sort of rock music. Being a hardcore fan primarily it may surprise some people that I like this sort of rock.

Down manage to blend both groove and melody with power and heaviness to create a sound that I absolutely love.

Where the love for Down begins is with their iconic front man Phil Anselmo.
Anselmo has a stage presence that is nothing short of menacing. He prowls the stage commanding his band like troops and challenging the crowd with his eyes alone. Anselmo had a lot of problems with Pantera what with drugs and falling out with Dimebag Darrel. He never got to apologise to Dime, who as well as being a band mate was also a very good friend. This loss affected Anselmo deeply.

His performances with Down show the true power of Anselmo as a songwriter principally and a frontman secondly. He writes lyrics that have real thought and meaning, yet are delivered with true power and aggression.

What I find about Down is that they harness a sense of power. The riffs and vocals ooze control from the speakers. When you watch a live video of the band, they seem to be effortlessly churning out these huge grooves like they were born to do it.

Down are a band who I would love to see in the near future. With rumours of another album coming out I may yet get the opportunity.

I shall leave you, my dear readers, with a taste of Down in full flight. A set I would love to be able to time travel to and watch for myself.

peace.x

Eyes And Nines

The new Trash Talk album is quality.

A genuinely exciting band who have yet to put out any bad material.

Every song sounds passionate and fresh, and they're close to capturing their live feel now.

Reading is going to get destroyed by the Sacramento Four and I for one can not wait!

peace.x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hx66G3C0HM

Been listening to the Radio One Punk show as they had Trash Talk in session.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s9wlr/Punk_Show_with_Mike_Davies_11_05_2010/

about 45 minutes in then about 1 hour 20 there are four tracks. Two from the impending album, Eyes and Nines and two from past albums.

Hearing them record a short set in a rough manner gives people who haven't seen the band a feeling of what its like to see them live.

I've been to a lot of gigs but seeing Trash Talk is an absolute experience. When you see hardcore bands its flying fists and feet from the crowd you need to watch, but Trash Talk bring it to the crowd. Singer Lee Spielmann shows no hesitation to get the crowd onstage or to get into the crowd and mix it up.

They are a genuinely exciting band who have made the mainstream sit up and listen with music that should not be at all accessible to a variety of people. Powerviolence is soon to become the new black in the world of heavy music.

Trash Talk - ones to look out for.

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The Blue Dawn

Well as its 20 minutes to 7 on the 7th of May I suppose there is one thing on everyones lips, the Parliamentary elections.

As it stands, there is going to be a Hung Parliament with the Conservative Party taking the majority of seats.

It is a triumph for the Tories but will it be a good change of direction for the country?

I feel sorry for the people who have bemoaned Brown since he came into office as the PM, they have looked at the situation he was faced with and not taken into contemplation the task he faced. They have slagged him off for not changing anything or fixing stuff straight away when he was dropped in at the deep end in the first place. Blair played his hand beautifully and left when the shit hit the fan.

As it is, Cameron and hit Etonian chums seem to be the preferred option for reforming this once great nation. The people have spoken and it looks as if the Tories will get in, even if its by a slim margin.

The great Nick Clegg campaign appeared to be media hype and spin doctor workings with the Lib Dems gaining a quarter of the seats that the Tories have at the time of writing.

It is now that the Libs should build upon their new found "interest" and try to build a party manifesto that can contend with the Big Two.

One day the Lib Dems will enter this two horse race and all will be different in UK politics.

All I know now is that its nearly 7am and I think I need some sleep.

Goodnight and god bless. I hope you have enjoyed this break from my usual music rantings, and lets all hope the Tories work for the change they have promised.

peace.x

Meet and Greet.

Tonight something awesome happened.
When you go to a gig its nice when you can talk to the band at the merch desk, or if they're hanging out after the show.
This evening I went to Oxford with my University Class to watch The Bronx. We travelled for nearly three hours on a stuffy coach on the way there and were all pretty fed up by the time we reached Oxford.

After arriving at the gig we witnessed the frankly awesome Mariachi El Bronx. Anyone who hasn't checked them out needs to, they bring it big style.
They were followed by the equally as inspiring Ghost Of A Thousand, they got the crowd moving and warmed up for The Bronx.

It was at this point that the whole class received a text from our lecturer telling us that we had secured "Press Access" to the band and to get a wristband from him.

I was immediately excited about this, The Bronx are one of my favourite bands having seen them 5 or 6 times around the country, so to get the chance to talk to them one on one was incredible.

After their fantastic set we were ushered into a room out the back of the venue and after 10 or so minutes of waiting, Matt Caughthran and Joby J. Ford strolled into the room. After an initial moment of awkwardness where no-one quite knew what to say, everyone got into conversation.
One group of people talked to Matt and another stuck with Joby. I decided to go between the two, asking questions and listening to anecdotes and stories.

Both guys were truly inspiring, giving up their post-gig time to talk to a bunch of Uni students. Even the members of the class who hadn't enjoyed the gig due to either the music not being their thing, or general ignorance were taken aback by the honesty and friendliness of these two "Rock Stars".
We talked for about an hour before they had to take their leave and after a few pictures and handshakes they left and we left, buzzing from our first real experience of rock and roll interaction.

All in all a fantastic evening, made even better by seeing and meeting a fantastic band,
The Bronx: a stellar group of people.

peace.x

Here I Go Again...

Wow its been a long time since I blogged on here.
A lot has been going on in that space of time. I have been finishing off my first year of University. As of now my work is complete and I am ready to leave.
To think that in a week I am no longer a fresher is a very odd experience as it feels like I haven't been here for 8 weeks let alone over 8 months!

My work recently has been pretty intense, pulling all nighters in the library to finish off essays earlier. But it has all been worth it.
As a result of doing my work early I was able to see my girlfriend for a few extra days and also manage to see The Bronx in Bristol on a boat. A BOAT!

Anyway, the purpose of this post was to post my last bit of work, see what y'all think of it.

This is a feature I have written about a band back home with one of my best friends in it, I hope you enjoy it:

The Cheltenham music scene is one that is growing weekly and bursting at the seams with fresh new bands. Hailing from Cleeve School, Slunk Monkey is one of the bands at the front of this new wave.
They play a type of music that is reminiscent of early Arctic Monkeys with the attitude of The Libertines.
Slunk Monkey is made of singer and guitarist Tom Love, lead guitarist Krishan Patel, bassist Henry Chatham and drummer Sam Fryer. A relatively new band compared to others around, they have only been a functioning unit since last September when Tom joined Cleeve 6th form and they started to jam together.
Their first live appearance was at the Gloucester Guildhall, only a month after they had been together as a band. Tom had been offered the gig and needed to put a band together. “It was a gamble as we had only been together a month, but we all pulled together and pulled it off, everyone was really keen to do more after that!” Tom said when I asked him about that debut performance.
After the success of the initial performance the band carried on looking for more shows and it wasn’t long before they were booked again. The Jack Frost Ball, a NSPCC fundraiser at Cheltenham Town Hall was the bands next performance where they played a set comprising their own songs as well as a few well-known covers, including Helicopter by Bloc Party and I Bet You Look Good On The Dance floor by Arctic Monkeys.
The popularity of this young band on the local scene really showed when they secured their first headlining show at local music venue the 2pigs Pub.
Playing The 2pigs is a rite of passage for young local bands to play and Slunk Monkey performed brilliantly. Playing to a sold out venue like it was no problem the band played a strong and impressive set, dominating the crowd with their presence and their ability to play a set of tight and exciting songs. Even more impressive that night was that they played above Che, a band set to make it big.
Slunk Monkey stand out from the crowd for a few reasons. On a scene that can come down to success being how good you look on stage, they are a band that plays with real integrity. Watching a Slunk Monkey set, you can watch knowing that the band is giving everything, every time. They play with passion and a willingness to entertain, a refreshing sight on the indie scene nowadays.
“We don’t have anything booked right now, but hopefully we will have some more bookings over summer for people to check us out at” said Tom regarding up and coming gigs.
If they aren’t on your radar already, they should be.

Thank you for reading.
peace.x

Festival Season.

Well Reading 2010 is on the cards.
The main-stage lineup has been announced and I must say, I am pretty impressed.
There is a handful of bands playing the main-stage that I will go and check out.
Just waiting for the Lock Up Tent to be announced and hopefully it will be job done!

Must say that I am stoked to see Limp Bizkit on the bill, hopefully they will tear shit up!

Peace.

Welcome Home...

I've been back in Cheltenham for two days now.
Since I've been back I haven't stopped.
Last night I went to a gig to watch my friend play in a band. For a local gig it was really good, all the bands put on a good show and the crowd responded well to the bands.

My friends band, Slunk Monkey, put on a good show and were deserved headliners. Check them out www.myspace.com/slunkmonkey

Today I went to Bristol to look round the Uni with a friend. It brought back memories of when I was looking around last year, loads of wide eyed soon to be freshers.

I half envy them, half pity them!

In music news, the shit has hit the metaphorical fan.

There are rumours flying around the Internet that Refused are to re-form.

If they were to get back together it would create mass hysteria in the Hardcore scene as nearly every hardcore band at the moment would cite them as an influence.

I for one am absolutely stoked.

If you haven't heard of Refused, shame on you.

Enlighten yourself.
peace.x

Wide awake and raring to go...

I woke up today at 7.24. This is the earliest I have been awake in a long period of time, as i have now slipped into the University sleeping pattern of "sleep until you HAVE to get up."

I was awake this early so I could get up and attend the free for all that was module sign up for 2nd year Journalism.
The shitstorm that was the first floor of the Flaxman building was hot, cramped and confusing. With people jostling to get close to the sign up sheets then just staying there and not moving out of every ones way.

It was definitely way too early to be stressed out with worrying about modules that are months away.

Now I am home and bored. What to do when your next lecture is 5 hours in the future?

5 hours seems like such a long time, there are many possibilities for things to do... I could read a book and make a good dent in it. I could watch The Deer Hunter twice through. I could attempt to go back to sleep.... I am tempted by the idea of going for a run.

All these decisions to make and little motivation to carry any of them through!

Right now I'm sat listening to Metallica... I think I could happily stay here and do this for the next 5 hours.



peace.x

I have this overwhelming fear that I'm not in control.

I am in a strange mood today.
Somewhere between apathy and depression.
One of those moods where it seems that nothing will improve. Like you're trapped in a cycle of melancholy.
I need certain people to break this cycle, but right now I don't have them with me.
I'm back in Cheltenham on thursday, a change of scenery might make a change of mood. We shall see.

I'm going to use music to change my mood for the better this evening.

"These days are long when no-one looks my way"
Blackhole - Tides.

Perfect lyrics, this song can really speak to you if you let it in.



Enjoy.x

sleep is elusive...

Well its quarter to 4 in the morning and I'm not tired.

I don't have lectures tomorrow and I think that my body knows this and refuses to let me sleep so I can get the most out of the hours I am awake!

This evening has been a quiet one. While most people have been out partying I have been relaxing and abstaining from drinking as my quest for sobriety continues. Whether this will be in vain come the Easter holidays is a question I ask myself daily.....

To fill the void of drunken oblivion most people seem to throw themselves into on a Thursday evening, I have been filling my time with new music.

By listening to bands that are new to me, I can expand my horizons and enrich my knowledge for the job I want in the future.

This evening I have indulged in the new Dillinger Escape Plan album (see previous blog), Crowbar - Crowbar, Give Up The Ghost - We're Down Til We're Underground and The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows Your Name.

I may or may not review these albums... only time will tell.

Right now I'm just hoping to get some sleep!

I shall leave you with a sample of my evenings music, enjoy.

I've Been Gone A Long Time.

Well its been a while since I lasted posted on here!
I have spent a weekend with my girlfriend and I must say I had a fantastic time. Just spending some quality time together was brilliant as we live so far apart for long periods of the year. Its tough but I know we will be fine :)

In the musical part of my life quite a lot has been going on as well.

In an effort to do more and become more proactive I have picked up the guitar again. Playing the guitar used to be a big part of my life, having been in bands with some of my best friends I have great memories attached to the instrument. It all came from rediscovering the Nirvana Unplugged In New York album. I completely forgot how much I love this album as Kurt Cobain was surely at the height of his godly powers. Every song he sings sounds beautiful and soulful, his death in 1994 robbed the musical world of a true talent.

"Where Did You Sleep Last Night" never fails to move me when I listen to it. Cobains cracked voice just spills emotion and anyone who listens to it becomes attached to this mans internal plight. When he howls the last verse it is impossible to not be moved. Try it, i dare you.

On a new music note my mind was blown this week by the new Dillinger Escape Plan album "Option Paralysis." I came across Dillinger after listening to their previous album "Ire Works" and this album has just made me more interested in them. A mixture of perplexing rhythms which will really test a listener, but interestingly enough I think it is the slower, piano based songs that are the most powerful. This album is a strong contender for album of the year in my humble opinion.

On the completely opposite end of the musical spectrum to Dillinger, I saw the new Lady Gaga video for her single Telephone this week. An epic 9 minutes of advertising through music (check the Virgin Mobile, Diet Coke and Chanel to name a few) but nevertheless a fantastic and stylish video from the undisputed new Queen of Pop, Madonna has had her day!

People hate on Lady Gaga but I can not help but admire her for her perseverance to be different and to astound people. Respect.

Anyways, music discussions over.

peace.x

Good moods and good times.

Ahhhh the sun is finally shining in Stoke.
It may still be a touch on the cold side here but at least it isn't overcast anymore!

This post is being written as I am in a great mood today.
After a fantastic weekend visiting friends in Manchester I feel on top of the world.
We didn't really do much except party and watch some rubbish films on Friday (Hot Chick anyone) but i had a brilliant time!

The weekend coming up i get to see my girlfriend and i can't wait. Being 200 miles away from her is hard but we make it work, and it means when we get to see each other the time is even more precious!

I think I may even start one of my assignments my mood is that good!
Its strange what good weather and good times do to me!
peace.x

where does journalism end and bullshit begin?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2875287/Gorilla-seen-in-Nasa-snap-from-Mars.html

Yes. That is a story from The Sun Online all about the possible sighting of a GORILLA upon Mars.

I for one will admit that my grasp of science to do with the Red Planet isn't the most advanced. My knowledge as far as i know that the presence of water on the surface of Mars is still being discussed.
Water is in discussion but according to The Sun, the presence of one of the most advanced primates on Earth is a "good spot" if this is true it would be the spot of the decade!

I think that Nigel Cooper needs to lay off whatever substances he is evidently taking if he believes that this is real.
Real good reporting by The Sun....

What comes next?
Yeti spotted shopping in London?
The Loch Ness Monster on the Moon?

Keep up the stellar tabloid reporting guys!

A blast from the past.

Don't you just love it when you stumble upon a song that you haven't heard in a while?

I was trawling through Youtube due to my disturbed sleep patterns when i rediscovered a classic song from my youth.

Roll Deep was the first time I listened to Grime music, a genre that along with Hardcore i try to keep up to date with as much as possible.

I believe Grime is similar to hardcore in the aspect that most acts aren't mainstream (yes there are some big stars such as Lethal Bizzle and Wiley) but the majority of people are still pretty underground (JME, Frisco etc)

Grime is music that I think is honest and isn't made to be filler for radio stations.

Anyhow, back to the old school memory i discovered... Roll Deep with The Avenue.

This isn't the video version as that misses out the last verse.

Enjoy.x

$£$£$£$£$

Ahhhhhh why is it that I want so many things yet can't afford any of them?!

Clothes and visiting friend seem to be top of the agenda right now but can i afford them? no I can't.

On the upside the summer holiday is coming together which I'm stoked about.

A week or two away in the sun with my girlfriend... sounds perfect :)

anyone want to donate me some money so I can afford everything above now?

Mo Money Mo Problems.... no Biggie, No Money, Mo Problems!

Vulgar Display Of Power.

Hatebreed at Stoke Sugarmill... WOW.

In all of the gigs I have been to I've had the privilige to witness some fantastic bands, but last night Hatebreed put on a hell of a show.

Each song was delivered with so much passion and enthusiasm that they couldn't fail to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

I was amazed at how humble the band were, Jamey Jasta looked in awe when the crowd exploded into life for opener I Will Be Heard.

The band looked vitalised by the crowd reaction and every massive hook was followed by visceral, brutal, crushing breakdowns.

All in all, a fantastic night and a fantastic live band.

I can't stop listening to Mastodon.

saw them on Wednesday and they were incredible.

I have been to a lot of gigs but none have been as musically impressive.

Each song from Crack The Skye was beautiful and encapsulating. Its awe inspiring that a metal band can make such beautiful, melodic music.

peace.x

my own idiocy.

why do I have to be a grumpy bastard sometimes?

I get in these moods that are just dark for no reason.

as a result I say things I don't mean which hurt the people i love the most.

I say these things without considering the consequences and without any reason.

The people who I hurt mean the absolute world to me. I couldn't live without them if i'm being honest.

Sometimes I wonder whether i'm completely with it. Why do I hurt the people who love me as much as I love them.

Feeling pretty low about my actions right now.

I just hope that the people who I upset know there is absolutely no malice, its just inner demons reaching the surface and I cant stop them.

I'm sorry.

this scene is dying....

as someone who follows hardcore music with a certain vigour, the future of this genre worries me.

one question begs an answer... when did hardcore become "cool" to the masses?

i started listening to hardcore through the new wave of British bands such as Gallows and The Ghost Of A Thousand which makes me a relative newcomer to the scene. however i do not pretend to like all the stuff that this genre creates.

i dont understand the poser kids who go to shows just to fit in.

i don't have tattoos, i don't have stretchers, i don't wear flat peak caps. i'm not hating on these people at all, i have plenty of friends like this.

its just the people who style themselves like this without integrity that i don't understand.

how many of these kids who devote themselves to YMA6 and Forever The Sickest Kids etc will delve into the genre. "Scene" bands are becoming associated with hardcore and it annoys me.

i love music. i don't want to become a music nazi at all.

i just want people to expand their minds. before declaring that you are in the hardcore scene why not go back and look at the beginnings?

Listen to Black Flag and Minor Threat. Listen to Fugazi. Ian MacKaye? Rollins?

Listen to Refused. then realise this scene is about what you believe not what you wear.

rant over.

introduction.hello.welcome.etc

well i'm new to this whole world of blogging.

i'm not sure what inspired me to do this, maybe the feeling that i want somewhere to spill my thoughts when my head is full of them.

maybe i want people i don't know to read this and be inspired.

maybe i just want a little chunk of this internet to be called mine.

i wont be blogging about stuff thats too deep or heavy, i'm certainly not here to preach.

if anyone likes what i'm saying give me feedback. i wont be offended either way, take it or leave it.