Right, i just wanted to use this blog to point y'all to two things.

One is a new blog: http://lesacvspip.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/a-message-from-scroobius-pip/

And one is a video: http://www.basildonandthurrocksamaritans.org/blog/

I know its a bit weird to use a blog to link to another blog but it wanted to get two things across in this one so instead of just copy and paste them i thought id give you the choice!

Pip

Theres no avoiding what happened at Upton Park on Tuesday night so i felt i would like to address it and give my view and opinion.
And im not just going to slag off West Ham!
Although its tempting.
I was at the game.
I was inside the ground so i didnt see all the terrible scenes that went on outside so i cant really comment on them. From what i have heard BOTH sets of fans acted discgracefully. Doing as much damage to their own supporters by throwing bricks and bottles as they did to their supposed enemy.
Although i wasnt outside i can comment on how i feel this could have been avoided and handled.
Millwalls allocation of tickets was cut dramatically (i believe by the police). Inside the ground, away support CAN be governed and contained. With a small area to cover it is manageable by a combination of stewards and police. With this being such a local rivalry it was ridiculous to think that cutting our allocation would stop huge crowds of "fans" coming down to Upton Park. Those who wished to start trouble would still make the journey and, as we saw, the trouble would erupt in far more widespread and almost unpoliceable terrain.
Both sets of fans are at fault here.
Now to inside the ground.
As you would expect the atmosphere was intense.
Both sets of fans exchanging abuse from before the kick off.
When Millwall went ahead it was a dream come true for all the South London lot.
From that point onwards Millwall seemed ontop. Shockingly we werent just out working West Ham but actually outplaying them! Harris, Martin and Hacket were having a field day running rings around a team two leagues our senior.
For the 70 or so minutes that we were on top you heard very little from the West Ham fans.
in about the 70th minute the police had some trouble trying to stop a number of West Ham fans in each corner next to the away support from trying to burst through.
In general it was handled well.
The police at times seemed a little heavy handed but, in the inflamed environment, it wasnt too shocking. The Millwall fans jeered but remained in their area of the ground (which is pretty easy to do when you are winning. Taking the higher ground is far easier then).
Then, against the run of play in my opinion, West Ham equalized.
The Hammers fans flooded onto the pitch.
Millwall did not.
Once order had been restored (the police and stewards ellecting to let things die down naturally instead of going full force) the game continued.
As soon as it got into extra time it was clear that from the 90minutes of effort from Millwall, they were out of gas. West Ham started to take control. There were two more goals and two more pitch invasions. All from West Ham.
I was very proud to see all the Millwall fans, whilst angered, remain in their allocated area. A mindless few threw things on the pitch but onto empty ground. Not at people. Still a condemable act of course. But the restraint shown was impressive.
I heard alot of people complain that, after each invasion mor epolice and more stewards where allocated to police the MILLWALL end. This may seem bias and unfair but, once again i would applauded the policing. it was clear that they could not handle the whole ground so by standing infront of the millwall fans it would stop anyone from our end that may try to invade the pitch and also stop anyone getting to us. Preventing a clash of fans inside the ground should be the main objective.
I did, however, feel this gave little consideration to the safety and well being of our players, left stranded on the pitch amongst hoards of rival fans.
After the final whistle we were kept in the ground for about 20minutes as the home crowd left. During this time the Millwall team came out to applauded their support for remaining in their allocated area and showing support from start to finish. They threw their shirts into the crowd and there was mutaul appreciation.
I feel that Millwall, as a club, handled this tie as best they could.
Millwall HAVE a hooligan element. That is a fact that is engrained in our history and reputation. But, as a club, they have spent years doing all they can to control and eleminate this from our game. To get tickets for this tie you had to be a season ticket holder. For all away games you have to be a member of the supporters club so that they have all your details on file. If you are identified causing trouble you are banned. THIS is why the behaviour of the Millwall fans IN the ground was passionate but within reasonable restraints.
The actions OUTSIDE, from what i have heard, were disgraceful. I have been going to millwall for 20 years and I am not the type of fan to just pass it off as part of the fun of it all. I do, however, feel I have to use this space to highlight the relentless and constant efforts on the part of the people at this football club to do all they can to stamp this behaviour out.
Now, most of y'all on here that follow me probably dont give a shit about football so i will stop my rant now!
Well done to everyone at Millwall, on the pitch, backroom staff and in the crowd.
As the players left and we were finally let out of the ground a chorus rung throughout our support...
"We're proud of you Millwall"


p.s. I would also like to quickly condemn the actions of one Carlton Cole who repeatedly made obscene gestures at the away support. At such a volatile game someone of his stature in the game should NOT be further insighting things. I have heard reports that he had suffered racist abuse. I did not hear this but, if this was the case then the fans responsible AND Mr Cole should both be punished accordingly.

Right so, August 8th we are playing Boardmasters festival in Newquay (with Cypress Hill...we appear to be on the "stoners" day...haha).

On our rider we state that we don't want anything on our rider that is made by Coca Cola or Nestle (for obvious reasons if you know our stuff!).

So we just got an email from them pointing out that Relentless is an energy drink that is made by Coca Cola.

Bad News.

We hadn't really realised this.

Too be honest its a slip up on our part as we have so many fesitvals lined up and we are working away on the next album.

Obviously, with tickets sold already (some of which are to our fans) its too late to pull out.

So i just wanted to publicly apologise on here for doing a show that kind of goes against what we preach (and generally practice).

Up until now we had managed to avoid any such shows but this one slipped by us somehow.

Anyway, im sure it will be a delightful weekend.

And maybe bring your own drinks with you....

Pip

p.s. If you want to look into any companies that you are unsure of and get their background and "pro's &con's" then head to www.knowmore.org

p.p.s. Even more detailed blog at http://lesacvspip.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/we-did-a-boo-boo/

Riz MC...

Watch...

Listen...



He did give me my face back after.

Dont worry.

Pip

I have decided it may be time to trim back my beard a little.

Dont panic!

Im not looking to get rid of it.

And it shall remain longer than chin length!

I just fancy trimming it back slightly.

BUT i feel it deserves an expert hand!

So if you are a barber or know of a good old school barbers that specialize in beard stylings then sling me details.

Also, feel free to post pics here of different beard styles you think i should go for!

Pip

Howdy y'all.

im currently moving flat (in the next few weeks anyway).

In the packing of stuff i have found a wad of copies of my ultra rare debut album "No Commercial Breaks".

People often ask me about this so the only logical way to get them out there was to sling them on ebay.

I say logical....this moving lark is expensive!

:)

But it was genuinely the only fair way to let people that have been asking me about it for ages fight it out.

I will obviously sign them or personalize them and all that if people want.

For some reason it wouldnt let me do one posting for multiple items so there are 15 different ones up there.

I wonder which one will go for the most!

Heres where they are.

Scroobius Pip - No Commercial Breaks

Happy bidding!

Pip

p.s. only 1000 were ever pressed and they rarely turn up these days so act fast!

EVERYONE must come to this ace spoken word gig im part of.

There are still some tickets left so grab them in advance if you can!

Its basically with polarbears band, kate tempests band and Josh&musa's band!

So, if you know anything of the current spoken word scene...thats the very very best of British!

Plus me!

Heres the details!!!

...in the form of a podcast!!!

Thats right ladies and gent right here we have the last Satin Lizard lounge podcast!!!

iTunes click here (launches iTunes), if you don't use iTunes click here http://www.alanshortis.com/audio/podcasts/sll4.mp3

The last night was a real special one.

Both the book poets (Joshua Idehen and Musa Okwonga) put in amazing performances debuting new material and the TWO secret special guests!!!! Well they just surprised everyone and smashed it.

All in all a really good night.

I even ended up doing a little set at the end in all the excitement!

So go download and enjoy it!

Its sad thats its over but its a great way to go out...

Pip

p.s. Wanna see a new installment of poetry + football? Then go here and watch the poem i did for setanta's FA Cup final coverage.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-QgnQlgqys

p.p.s A big thank yu to EVERYONE that attended and that helped out at the Lizard Lounge. It was an awesome run.

Yes my dear friends...it is coming to an end.

The limited run of 4 Satin lizard Lounge nights at puregroove records has reached its swan song.

But its a damn good song!

Right this week is an extra special one!

We have Joshua Idehen (awesome) and Musa Okwonga (awesome) PLUS some extra special secret guests!

Thats in the usual 6.30-8pm slot (over in time to catch most of the champions league final in the pub down the road).

However THIS week we have a specail Youth Lizard Lounge on too!

Childline and Channel 4 online have asked if i would organize and put on a youth "pre-show" piece and it is looking awesome.

It will start at 5.30 and have some AMAZING young poets doing pieces about the pressures of growing up.

I will end that section of the night by doing a spoken word performance of "Astronaut".

Then we will get back to business as usual!

This Youth Lizard Lounge will be being filmed.

So come down and bid farewell to the best spoken word night this planet has ever seen!

And, of course, its still FREE!!

Pure Groove Records, West Smithfields, London.

Pip

p.s. all the other Satin Lizard Lounge nights are still available for free download on itunes. If you search "Satin Lizard Lounge" or "Scroobius Pip" they should come up. They are ace.

Thats right y'all...the THIRD Satin Lizard Lounge podcast is available for download now!

And its FREE!!

This weeks podcast features Chris Hicks, Ross Sutherland, Gideon Conn and a competition to win a bag of my hair! Oh yes!


iTunes click here (launches iTunes), if you don't use iTunes click here here

Next week (wednesday 27th) is the last Satin Lizard Lounge and it will be a special one!

We have Josh Idehen and Musa Okwonga as confirmed acts and then...we have the secret special guests (and, as ever, tunes spun by overview)!

Also, as a "last week special" we have the youth Lizard Lounge! Between 5pm and 6.30pm E4 online and Childline will be filming a handful of the best teen spoken word artists doing pieces about the pressure on them as they grow up in this society.

I will end their set by performing "Astronaut" as a spoken word piece to complete the themed youth portion of the afternoon.

Then, at 6.30pm, it will be business as usual!

The best FREE spoken word night in town!

See you all there!

It promises to be a classic afternoon/evening.

And all done in time for the Champions League final (second half at the very least...and thats the important half)!

Pip