So Jacko is dead people. We were on the tourbus heading back from a particularly hot and sweaty gig in Liverpool when we heard the news. I guess it's gonna be one of those,'where were you when you heard' type vibes,like where were you when you heard that Lennon got shot, or when the Twin Towers came down. Well I was tucking into a Marks and Spencers Chilli con carne from the count on us range (only 375 calories apparently), heading south on the M18. The texts came pouring in,and I have to admit to feeling a little strange. Of course it was all over the news, tributes coming in from such luminaries as Uri Geller, telling us that under hypnosis Jacko told him he "never touched those kids". Fuckin daft spoon bending twat. Whether he did or didn't I suppose will always be shrouded in mystery, but it casts a long dark shadow over the bizarre life of one of the most talented musicians ever to walk this earth. I mean, to be accused of it once could be considered unfortunate, but more than once and it doesn't look so good. Especially when you starting throwing 20 mill of silence money around. Personally, I think considering his fucked up background and seeming inability to break the cycle of abuse that was started in his childhood and continued till the day he died, it's odds on that he behaved at best innapropiately with a few young uns. He was a bad ass motherfucker though when it came to singing, dancing and writing a tune. His music will surely live on for as long as humans are around, and Thriller will always be the biggest selling album of all time, all the more amazing and wierd is that the title track was written by a fella from Cleethorpes!

Anyway, the King of Pop is dead, and as I was watching Glastonbury on the telly last night I came to the conclusion that his crown is safe as houses. At the risk of sounding like an old fart, should Lady Gaga really be playing at Glasto? I mean, she was obviously just singing over the top of a backing track (with her own voice still on there I might add), is that what Glastonbury has become? It certainly is one step further on from Jay Z playing, which I thought was pretty fuckin cool. I suppose she is entertaining in her own way, although it's not my cup o tea. I met her once, she seemed pretty nice. She had just met Grace Jones and was awestruck. I told her that I made a record with Grace Jones and that she was once 9 days late for the studio,I  think she liked the sound of that! That Poker Face tune is catchy though, but then again, so is Cholera.!

Anyway, I'm on a train to Glasto right now as it happens. I'm gonna go see the boss, Jarvis and undoubtedly the greatest band in the UK right now-Kasabian. It's gonna be their festival,no question in my mind. They are amazing every single night right now, every song is fuckin quality, not a weak moment in the set. All killer, no filler like motherfucking Thriller baby. It's their time,you can feel it in the air. I can't wait to see and hear the audience reaction to Fire, if there was a roof, it would blow the fucker off.

So the sun is shining,the weather is hot. I wish we were playing Glastonbury but I guess we'll have to wait our turn. Next year we'll be there, you mark my words! Hope all is good people...Ant...x

Dearest friends and visitors to our humble home in cyberspace,how's life treating you all? It's been an interesting few weeks I can tell you. That Ronan Keating wasn't kidding when he said life is a rollercoaster, our world is up and down like a yo yo mofo. We've been playing with those Kasabian lads,they are absolutely on fire right now, beautiful melodies and harmonies wrapped around pumping beats and psychedelic sounds. It's a pleasure to stand in the audience and listen to them night after night. Have you got their new album yet? If not then I advise that you go out and get it TODAY!

We had it confirmed last week that we're supporting those lovely Irish lads U2 on their British tour and also two nights in ZAGREB!! Big up the Croatian massive! Well it did say in a recent review that songs like Come On should be sung in a stadium so there you go! It's gonna be pretty fucking exciting..."Hello Wembley!", kind of mentally hilarious! I remember watching U2 at Wembley stadium on their Popmart tour,me Jarvis and Steve Mackey went to see em,completely E'd off our nut,it was fucking amazing!
I won't be taking an E this time(too old and insane for all that palaver),but I still reckon it's gonna be a bit of a night. 
 
So in the last year we will have supported Oasis,Kasabian and U2. Not a bad endorsment,wouldn't you agree? Actually,we've all got something in common. We're all working class lads who were brought up with fuck all and had delusions of grandeur that propelled us out of our humble beginnings and into whatever universe we inhabit today(some days I wonder if it's all a dream,or if the police are gonna burst in and arrest me for having too much of a laugh!). It's a long way from Jordanthorpe, Sheffield where I was brought up. Google it,check out the Jordo pub,it's a lovely place-NOT!! (One of my best friends at school was brutally murdered on the steps of that pub about 5 years ago...R.i.p Zia) but it's not where you're from, it's where you're at people,and I don't want to diss my roots. I'm really fucking glad I'm from where I am from, it taught me loads and made me who I am. But I had delusions of grandeur then. The teachers told me not to dream about being a musician, that I would never amount to much, as did my parents. It was just the working class ethos-you're born, you cope, you die-FUCK THAT SHIT!
So there you go, that's my thoughts for today...love and good vibes to you all...Antski...xx

P.S GO BUY KASABIANS NEW RECORD TODAY,IT'S AMAZING!! If you don't like it, I'll give you your fuckin money back when I see you!!

Hey there people,what gives? We are out on tour,and we've been really enjoying playing the new stuff,and the people that have been coming the gigs have been amazing! Top of the handclaps chart so far(I ask people to join in on a busking version of Big Black Hole)are the beautiful people of Stoke,who clapped along loud and proud at The Sugarmill.

Last night in Manchester we had a really good gig,I think our new drummer Adam is really doing the business,it's sounding more alive and exciting than it has ever done.

Today me and Slatts went for a stroll in th sunshine in Leeds,and we popped into the city art gallery for a bit of culture. Above the stairs there was a massive photo of four soldiers,probably from the second world war,crossing a collapsed bridge. In the background there was a huge forest that had obviously been desimated by bombs. It was a mental picture,four young lads in the middle of nowhere wondering if they'll ever get out of there alive back to the ones they love. It really makes the trials and tribulations of being in a band,trying to get our music out there and all that business,seem completely insignificant in comparison to the shit that goes on in this world. It was an interesting reality check. Art galleries make you think...I should go to them more often.

When we came out,we sat in the sun on the steps of the gallery. In the space of a couple  of minutes we saw two very different faces of humanity. A woman of about 60 tripped on a paving stone and bashed her head,and three men immediately went to help her,she seemed okay after a few minutes and went on her way. As she walked past us I saw a couple of dishevelled looking fellas in about their mid thirties walking by,one of them was a spindly man with a craggy,weathered appearance. He was smoking the last bit of a roll up cigarette and all of a sudden he took it out of his mouth and flicked it at the back of a womans head who was walking just ahead of him minding her own business. What a lovely fella eh. There right in front of our very eyes was the two opposite ends of the spectrum of human behaviour. To the left caring,considerate helpful,to the right evil,nasty,spiteful and cuntish. What a crazy fucking world we live in.

I hope the guy who flicked the cigarette tripped on a paving stone further on down the road and fractured his skull. We don't need evil fuckers like that on this planet.

I went to the doctors in Leeds today cos my glands are swollen and I've got a sore throat. I walked in,filled in a few questions,got seen in 10 minutes and walked out with a prescription and didn't have to pay a penny. Sometimes I really think we've got it pretty good in this country. I'm feeling better already. God bless Alexander Flemming.

Playing in Leeds tomorrow,hopefully my throat will be recovered enough for me to sing some tunes! Off to sleep now...nighty night..Ant xx 

 

Hey peeps,how are you? I am writing to you from my bed in a hotel in Liverpool,we are playing here tonight! We started in Sheffield on sat night,my home town. It was a really great night,our first gig with our new drummer Adam,I loved it. Loads of my family were there,including my lovely Aunty Margaret who is 76 but would put some of the young uns to shame with her energy! There was also an old friend of mine from school who I haven't seen for over 20 years called Craig Saxton. He introduced me to The Beatles when I was about 12 years old...I owe you man! Incidentally,I couldn't help but buy some Beatles memorabilia yesterday like a sad tourist-the fab four made out of China for my mantlepiece!

After Sheffield we went to Carlisle,which was great too,and then we played Newcastle Cluny. Everyone was in a good mood after the magpies had won 3-1 the night before,and I was in a great mood cos The Blades had beaten Preston to get to the play off final at Wembley,WOOHOO!! The gig didn't go as smoothly as the other two(a bit of technical bollocks) but the Geordie massive were very nice to us.

So tonight we are in 'The Pool',home of so many great bands. We rehearsed yesterday and are looking forward to a beauty gig tonight. Right,I'm off to get some breakfast...bacon and eggs..proper northern fayre...sweet as la....Ant...xx

Hey friends and visitors to our wee home on myspace,today we are in bonnie Scotland! We are doing some radio shows and are running(well,driving actually)around the uk doing accoustic songs and talking to all those lovely djs who play our music across the airwaves. Yesterday we were in Inverness with lovely Marion,then we drove down to Aberdeen to see Michael Gordon at Northsound. We love just bowling up to radio stations and playing,Slatto on his melodica with Rich and Mike on their accoustic guitars and little old me singing and clapping. It's like we are a Salvation Army band man,but without singing about that lad with the long hair and the sandals!! 

I couldn't help but notice today that we have had a lot of hits today,almost 800 plays already and it's not even 10am! Can anyone tell me why they think this is? Maybe they've been blasting out Big Black Hole on This Morning,or Barack has made Come On his official presidential tune! Any ideas anyone? Not complaining like,we love it that actual humans are listening to our music...I just hope whoever you are that you like it and want to come see us or even rush out and buy a copy of See The Light!! If you do,I promise I'll put my arms around you and give you a big sloppy kiss when I see you next! Keep living the dream people! Love Ant xx 

Even if you missed the start of the competition, you can still win the grand prize: questions 1-7 will be revealed over the first 7 days and you can answer them at any time up to midnight on Saturday 25 April:

For full details:

http://www.guardiansolutions.co.uk/hirstcomp/

Good Luck xx

Hey there beautiful friends and visitors to our wee home on myspace,how the hell are you? Our brand new album came out today and I hope you all rush out and bought,or indeed,stayed in and downloaded a copy. If you like it I would love you to tell us about it,leave us a message and tell us what you think. And if you really like it,then please tell someone else about it,or better still send them a copy,or even just an mp3 of your favourite song. We are on a mission to convert people into Hours people,and we need your help! Without you we are nothing! We make this music so we can connect with people and get our songs out there into the world and for that we need your support. So come see us play in May,and come and say hello if you do. Thankyou to everyone who has supported us on our way,keep spreading the word of The Hours to anyone who will listen. And if they won't listen,give em a slap round the chops and make em listen baby! See you all soon I hope...Ant...x