This has been a mixed bag of a month so far. For a kickoff, I haven't been this busy in a very long time. The travelling between the North Coast, Larne and the places I/we end up is taking its toll, especially when combined with uni, work, gigs and times. I had a fantastic fortnight when Danielle came home for the first time since the start of September, and as I type this she's probably just about arriving back in her flat in Germany. She left late last night, which was utterly gutwrenching all over again. I defy anyone to go through this and tell me its even slightly easy. We're getting stronger though, I saw it over the past 14 days. It's unbelievable.

As you probably know by now, Crimson Fight broke up. That's a whole different kettle of fish and there's a fairly open and honest blog about it on our Myspace, so there's little need to go over it again. We all feel its for the best, and I'm absolutely certain that I'm not done with music yet. As far as I'm concerned it's onwards and upwards...I just need time to finish my degree and find some kind of stability in relation to a home, finances, all that grown up stuff. There's talk of one last gig, happening some time around Christmas in Larne. I'd love to see you there.

I think this will probably be among the last blogs I'm going to make on this Myspace profile. I'd like to start a new one and solely add my friends and cohorts...as opposed to every average band and tom dick and 'arry who presses for a friend request. I'll put a link here to my new profile when I get a minute to start it, please still be my mate.

This all sounds very downbeaten, but I honestly am fairly happy at the minute. I've been saying it all year to anyone who would listen, but 2008 is/has been a year of change for me, my friends and our lives. I guess you could call all of this growing pains. There are absolute constants though, and I'm grateful to God for those who have proven to me time and time again that they're proper friends. Thank you guys.

Gigs have been fairly thin on the ground recently due to ongoing lack of funds, but I found myself checking out Enter Shikari on Friday night past at the Mandela Hall in Belfast, for the fourth time. It was (devastatingly) an all ages show. It's hard to enjoy yourself when the average punter is 15-16 years old, has got out for the first time to live the rock and roll dream with a cheap bottle of vodka and has drank him/herself stupid. I have no problem at all with the band (who were fairly average on Friday), more the breed of airhead who identifies with that particular 'scene'. What the hell is a scene? Anyway, I came away with one positive. DJ P-Dex, drum and bass hero. Check him and his mental glasses right oot.

In terms of music, there is only one recent discovery I feel compelled to point out at the minute. If you haven't heard Glasvegas, I suggest you at least try them. I bought the debut album on personal recommendation and can't get enough of it. Not my normal cup of tea, but it's definately a grower, with each of the haunting and airy lament-style songs getting more and more layered and interesting with each listen. The broad glaswegian vocal is so addictive, and the lyrics are steeped in normal working class imagery. It's music that most people can relate to. Feel free to discard it, but hey...I tried.

Glasvegas- Daddy's Gone



How much does the singer (far right) look like Joe Strummer?

till next time
x

Hi everybody. Hope this finds you all well. With the first week of the semester just drawing to a close, and all the distraction that comes with it, I haven't had much of a chance to be on here blogging. A lot has happened recently. I'm sure you'll be filled in before long.

I'm pleased to let you know that Dani's doing really well in Germany. I know I'd like to be spending the day before my 21st at the legendary Oktoberfest. She's been teaching away and (from what I can tell) loving it. We're currently 12.5 days away from her first stint home, and I honestly can't wait. It'll hopefully incorporate many good times seeing friends, and will be capped off with our forth time on the rave with Enter Shikari. London Rachel and her sisters are coming over for it, and we've all been looking forward to that for a long time. I think the last time I saw them was Summer last year, when we saw loads of animals, got our faces blown off on brighton pier and got dazzled by Beth's superior magic skills. Good times indeed.

This weekend I find myself in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. I'm sitting with Dingo and Spike (the biggest dog in the world) in AJ's living room. We're here for Hussy's birthday weekend, which incorporates what will probably be an eventful and hilarious fancy dress night out tomorrow. Have you ever seen two 18 stone men dressed as 'fat fairies', complete with stockings and wigs, and elaborate cigarette holders? Pictures to follow...

It's actually really cool to be down here, especially this particular weekend. There's a big buzz about the place, as last week Tyrone lifted the all Ireland GAA Championship. The locals are apparently quite pleased to have Sam McGuire back in the county, as everywhere you go there's red and white flags. There were even attempts to do kerbstones. Dingo (raised in Belfast) couldn't understand where the blue was.

Gotta cut this short. Steak calling.

Live the dream, bring the awesome.
Jx

I came across this video while I was idly ambling (I resent the term 'surfing') around the internet trying to kill an hour or two before I go back to the North Coast later on. If anyone can legitimately tell me (even after watching the tutorial) that you would have half a notion about playing this thing, then you are a greater man/woman than I. This guy's youtube profile is full of illuminated, bleepy insanity.



Oh, also, I'm currently reading Yes Man by Danny Wallace, and I cannot recomment it enough. If you think your life could benefit from 300 pages or so of sharp wit, one instance of hard drug taking, a small invisible dog, the notion of geese spawning world peace...and much, much more...purchase this book. It's being made into a film starring Jim Carrey set for release towards the end of this year, so you could also look really good in front of your friends by having known of it already.



and when you're done with it you could buy his current book, Friends Like These, which actually made me cry a little bit.

something of more substance soon.
(don't believe my hype)
x

(edit...I just remembered, New Found Glory are almost finished in the studio, and the new album has been produced by Mark Hoppus (Blink/+44). It's apparently a return to their roots. I can't wait...)

If you've ever been to a game of football with me, or even sat and chatted about the local game in my presence, you'd most likely know that I hold a relatively high disdain for one Linfield Football Club. Without going into the many reasons for this, I feel I should come on here and admit something I never thought I'd admit.

 

See, yesterday I found myself chatting briefly with Linfield boss, and all round legend in blue country, David Jeffrey. This is the man who has not only played for the blues (and once upon a time, Larne), but has guided them to multiple championships and won a record 23 manager of the month awards. He is, to a lot of Irish League fans, the embodiment of Linfield, and thus the embodiment of everything that is to be hated about them.

The thing is, I don't think I have ever met a more engaging, polite and genuinely nice man in my life. It turns out my stepdad Geoff (who played for Larne in his younger years), used to play with the him back in his Northern Ireland youth days, and they have known each other for an age. Davy took great pleasure in telling me one or two stories about their...well...formative years together.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a blog proclaiming that all is forgiven. I'll likely spit rage from the terraces at the townie so-and-so's for many years to come. It's a reminder that perceptions can be decieving. I'll never cease to be amazed at how people actually are when you get up close to them, when held against any sort of public opinion that they may inherit.

Plus, the man was smoking a pipe. How could we not get on?

x

I'd like to start off by saying that I feel somewhat sorry for Eastenders legend Wendy Richards. The cheeky cockney has caused a whole furor over supposedly racist comments she made about BB9 contestant Kat on Big Brother's Little Brother during the week. In today's ultra sterile PC climate, its hard for even the most conscious of people to keep up on what is acceptable and what isn't. She genuinely did not seem to wish to cause harm, and is reportedly in a bit of a state about all that has gone on. Any thoughts?

I spent the day yesterday out on Rosso's boat, The Grouse. It's a stunning self-restored wooden motor boat, somewhere between 16 and 20 feet long. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of it from the outside (navigating your way from a rubber dinghy onto a considerably sized sea-vessel is tricky at the best of times, let alone with a camera in one hand), but I did snap some pictures of Larne Port and the surrounding area when we got on board.


the 'Wee Grouse', which took us out to its big brother.

taken from the dinghy, going through Larne Lough on the way to The Grouses moorings.

a group of Shag (stop sniggering at the back) swimming.

looking over the roof of the cabin on the way out of Larne Harbour

the ever beautiful Ballylumford Power Station.

the European Mariner

I actually caught three fish on the first line I cast. These are Herring. I was terrified of them. That's why Ross is holding them up. Seriously.

turns out, to my surprise, that I can drive a boat pretty well.

Port of Larne on the way back in, taken from the bow. L-R: European Mariner, European Causeway, P&O Express, and the Stena Seafarer. (Colin, feel free to correct me on that...)

the closer you get, the creepier they are.

Port Control

Taken from the Stern.

This is Ross. He is legitimately dancing to an Abba cassette tape in the cabin.

This morning I came across a video of Dustin Kensrue performing live on Letterman in the U.S. I'm a great advocate of his debut solo album Please Come Home (in fact, the only wedding plan I have made in my life thus far is that a track from this album is being played), and it always fills me with renewed enthusiasm whenever I see an artist delivering the goods live just as well as he/she/they do on disc. So, please check out this performance of 'I Knew You Before' and feel free to let me know what you think:



Until next time.
x

I'm really glad to report that Dani made it to Germany safely, after miraculously being able to pack the practical contents of an entire three bedroom house into one fairly typical sized suitcase. She's at a training course for the next three days, before moving on to her School and brand new apartment (which, as I'm told relentlessly, has a pool).

Honestly, I'm completely devastated that it's finally happened and she's gone, but I've known it was coming for years, and I know it's something we have to get through. She's been handed an amazing opportunity, one that many aren't fortunate enough to get. Living in another country for almost a year, being paid fairly well, learning a new culture and teaching English in a language that she undeniably loves to German school children. 

I think the time apart (although almost impossible to comprehend at such an early stage) will really help us to build for our impending future. What greater test is there really? Once we've kicked this nine-month stretch's ass, I'll feel ready for almost anything. It's the last great hurdle. Things are going to happen fast once she gets home.



I recieved an exclamation mark riddled text last night telling me that Snow Patrol's new single 'Take Back The City' was being aired on Radio1 for the first time. It's definately a departure in sound from almost anything they've done since breakthrough album Final Straw, and I must say I think I like it. You can listen (in inferior quality) here. The rolling bass-drum through the verses gives it a nice punchyness a la Coldplay's Viva La Vida, and with a chorus as typically anthemic as this, I can see it flooding car stereos on the way home from work for many months to come.

What can I say...I've always had a soft spot for Lightbody and Co. I went along to their Christmas 2006 gig at the Odyssey as an intrigued music fan, and by the time I found myself holding men I didn't know and singing the words to Run as fireworks filled the Bangor night sky (Summer 07), I was a convert. I can't help it.

Speaking of musical shame, I currently find myself almost unable to turn off this little 80's bad boy:



With a tracklist including Boston, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Billy Idol, Foreigner and REO...it's terribly hard not to love the yankie-ass off this cd. I originally bought it for my step dad last father's day, but I doubt he'll be seeing much of it in the near future. Seriously, check it out if you like your cheese cheesy. Thanks Mark.

Hopefully some legitimate music-news next time.

Oh, and before I go, thanks to everyone who came out to see us last Friday. I had a really good time, and I hope you like the new cd.

Jx

We had a really great night catching up with Az and Lois last night. It's something we definately had to do before Dani vanishes for nine months. I feel that the world needs to know, however, that last night in the Bamboo Chinese Restaraunt (Ballyclare) we sat and listened for two hours straight to a piano version of Michael Jackson's Earth Song. On repeat. Over and over.



I don't know if it was meant to be a practical joke or some sort of subliminal coding. All I know is that I yearn for a surgical mask when I go out in public and every time I pass a building with a balcony I think about spending time with my five year old brother.

In other news, I've been made slightly envious today by spotting one of the greatest band names of all time on the internet. All I can gather is that they're local, and have played a Johnny Cash tribute set at Lavery's Bunker this summer.

If anyone can shed any more light on The Rusty Shacklefords then please let me know. Pure genius.



I'm heading out in Belfast tonight with all the ones from work. Must jook.
x

So, some pictures from our Alkaline Trio road trip yesterday. I think it is a safe assumption that our travelling contingent (me, Dani, Mark, Shoney and Rosso) and those whom we met during the day had a blast. Among the in-jokes I wish to reference in this blog we have:

1."bob humpty?"
2."are you goin' ta belfast?" "aye mate" "...where's belfast?"
3."you'd get shot pure dead...brilliant."

I'll spare you the rest.

The show itself was a unified and hearty experience. Alkaline Trio are one of those bands who just nurture a cult-like following. If every band could understand the formula that it takes to achieve it, musical-jealousy would be a thing of the past.

To see the show as a non-committed enthusiast was a great experience. There were emphatic highs, like set-opener Private Eye running straight into Calling All Skeletons, which had the masses singing their hearts out. There was an especially poignant moment when Goodbye Forever was dedicated to the late great Jerry Finn, and was delivered with the kind of conviction that made me glad I parted with my cash and made the trip. There seemed to be a perfect blend of anthemic nostalgia to underpin the bulk of the set. Tracks from albums 'From Here To Infirmary', 'Good Mourning' and even earlier were tossed in confidently. It's admirable for a band to be unafraid of dipping into a discography and seeking fan-favourites over music television hits (notably missing were Stupid Kid and We've Had Enough), and the gesture was met with riotous applause after every song's final chord. Pics:


matt skiba: rocking the Heath Ledger shirt.


Dan: ginger-beard-tastic.


Derek...the other one.





Even before the show had started, the craic was in healthy supply. It was awesome to see Mark 'Jimbo' Stewart and spend some time with him in an awesome little pub we found called Madigans. He's an East Coaster currently residing in Glasgow who we've been tight with since the year dot. More pictures:


Dani and Shoney in Madigan's pub, O'Connell Street.


Happy times. Rosso, me, Jimbo and Markey.


Almost looks superimposed from the top one...is alarmingly not.


spotted on top of a condom machine in Madigans. A legend is born.


They had to be taken. And distributed. Enthusiastically.


what 12 hours on the road makes you look like...(i am, of course, speaking for the gentlemen, and not their lovely girlfriends.)


after the show, we got to hang out with Irish Neil and Irish Keith. Who are both Irish. And old friends. And terrible at ordering burgers.

The Alkaline Trio boys were kind enough to sign my copy of From Here To Infirmary...

...which makes me feel vaguely how Mark looks here...

unbridled joy.

Me and Dani continue her farewell tour tonight (4 days till Germany) at dinner with Aaron and Lois, which I'm really looking forward to. It'll be great to catch up with them for the first time in too long.

Next stop, Crimson Fight at the Phoenix on Friday.

Much love.
x

I hope this blog finds everyone well. I've been neglecting a lot of friends recently. It seems as I get older I just get busier, and a lot of people I used to see a lot are all over the country doing their thing; in relationships, having tiny incredible children, pursuing the rock n roll dream...so, for anyone I haven't even as much as messaged in a long time, I'm sorry. I hope that you're at least as busy as me so you can understand what it can be like. I think the problem was starting a band at 13 and meeting so many awesome people over the years. The price to pay for never growing up huh?

So, on Tuesday, we're all off to Dublin (and I do mean half of Larne apparently) to see Alkaline Trio.



This is one of those shows that you can tick off the 'baunds tae see before ah slip aaf ma twig (as Willie Drennan* may or may not say)' list. A lot of us have been waiting many years to see the trio. It's both accomplishing and perturbing that my list is getting shorter and shorter. I fear a time when I can no longer get excited about big bands touring in the UK. I also fear that by that statement I'm kidding myself, and I'll be turfing my hard earned pounds at ticketmaster for many years to come. (relaxed sigh)

I found a supposed setlist from a July gig of this year:

Private Eye
Armageddeon
She Took Him to the Lake
I Lied My Face Off
In Vein
Help Me
Calling All Skeletons
Nose Over Tail
Message from Kathleen
We've Had Enough
Crawl
Time to Waste
Mercy Me
Maybe I'll Catch Fire
Goodbye Forever
This Could Be Love

Encore:

Old School Reasons
Radio

It looks pretty fantastic...but of course with this being a promotional tour for new album Agony & Irony, I'd expect it to be drawn heavily from that too. Top Marks for Jimbo Stewart, who is going to the Trio show in Glasgow the night before, and then meeting us in Dublin the next night. I've only ever done two double show-ers. Rancid in Belfast and Glasgow back in 2003, and Less Than Jake/Dangerfields in Dublin and Belfast some time in the last couple of years. Good times.

Friday is the Crimson Fight show at the Phoenix if anyone is around and free. We're launching our new EP 'Eastcoasthardcore', with support from This Year's Confession and Cause For Concern. It's only a fiver in if you want a CD, and three quid without. Three quid for three bands and much jubilation. You can't go wrong. We played at the Phoenix club a few months back and had one of the best nights we've ever played. Don't let the unusual venue put you off if you missed the last one.

This show will be worth your while getting to. Believe me.



More newsworthy stuff to blog, but no more time.
Seeya at the show/s.
x

(*if you actually decide to click the link and find yourself watching local television phenomenon and Ulster-Scots 'celebrity' Willie Drennan, please note the fact that the 'wee swarrey' he goes to is held in the Orange Hall where our first band, Dave's Not Here, practised. We spent every Saturday in that hall in Cairncastle, wreaking absolute havoc. Also take note of the late great Ian Duffin. RIP)

Hi. So, I've been doing a lot this summer. Me and Danielle had an amazing week in Rhodes. I'll maybe post some pictures here in the near future. Sorry I haven't been around much.

This is just a quick blog to let you know that I've broken my phone AND my backup phone within the space of a month...and I'm now onto my third. So friends, I need numbers again. If you pretty much class me as your friend or have my number on your phone send me a PM with your number...I'm trying to build up my address book again. There's only so many times you can text your ma or the Chinese Takeaway on Agnew street and have them reply with enthusiasm.

Oh, and if you've never seen the Lipdub by the Bustedtees.com office for the song on my profile at the minute, you haven't lived.



Peace.
Jx