|
|
Monday, April 30th, 2012
| |
5:28 pm - BEST OF APRIL 2K12
|
A honeymoon, a continuous high from the wedding (more about that later, sometime..), and thudding back down to earth with work and plan making.
Best album of recent times
Aeon Zen - The Face Of The Unknown (2010) - Rich Hinks with guest vocalists Jem (Frost) Godfy, Michael (Circus Maximus) Erikson, Nick (Spock’s Beard) D’Virgillio.
Alice Cooper Welcome 2 My Nightmare (2011) – The diversity makes this a good Coop album for me.
H.E.A.T. – Address The Nation (2012) – I wasn’t sure at forst, but it’s grown on me.
Seasick Steve - You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks (2011)
Arena – The Seventh Degree of Separation (2011) - A 6 year break has given this British neo-progressive rock band a great sounding 7th album. Loving the vocals of new guy Paul Manzi.
Best album from ages past
Little Ceasar – This Time It’s Different (1998)
Gram Parsons – Grievous Angel (1974)
Seasick Steve - Man From Another Time (2009)
Carrie Underwood – Play On (2009)
Seasick Steve - I Started Out With Nothin And I Still Got Most Of It Left (2008)
Best best of album
Brad Paisley – Hits Alive
Alan Jackson – 34 Number Ones - I’m still working my way though dozens of country mp3 albums given to me.
Gig of the Month
Nathan Burton Comedy Magic (@ Flamingo)
Circus De Soleil O (@ Bellagio, Las Vegas – An aquatic masterpiece of surrealism and theatrical romance)
Steel Panther @ The House Of Blues, Madalay Bay, Las Vegas
Cinema film of the Month
The Cabin In The Woods - A film explaining why that if all other horror films were real the reason why it was those monsters attacking those people in those locations. A very Joss (Whedon) film, could have easily fit into an later series of Angel.
Marvel's Avengers Assemble - I wasn’t sure what direction it was going to take in some places but Joss Whedon and all involved pulled it out of the hat. Good screen time for everyone and an oddly funny role for Mr Hulk.
Film on TV
Johnny English Reborn
Yogi Bear
Suckerpunch
Seven Pounds - The tale is all pretty much laid out from the beginning (although there was one slight twist, but I enjoyed Will Smith.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Fincher + Pitt = somethign special. I’d heard some bad things about it, but I liked it,
Best DVD bought
Captain America
Top purchase
Wifi bridge - To attach to my Sky box so I can get 'Sky Anytime +' to download loads more telly I have no time for.
Acer 5733Z Laptop (Intel Intel Pentium, 4GB, 640GB, 15.6" Display) Grey - The power of net is slowly returning to the downstairs.
May has a bank holiday, birthday party and DIY (probably done by someone else) :o
current mood:  working
|
|
(3 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Friday, April 13th, 2012
| |
4:52 pm - SRF UPDATE
|
H.E.A.T (S)
Hard radio rock featuring Swedish "Idol" vocalist Erik Grönwall
NIGHT RANGER (US)
Hard 80s AOR - The missing link between Billy Joel and Van Halen. A great addition to the festival lineup.
10cc (UK)
OR Singer/bassist Graham Gouldman And cohorts, BUT STIL BLOODY GOOD :)
TWISTED SISTER (US)
Their first concert at Sweden Rock without their trademark makeup and stagewear
SLAUGHTER (US)
Singer/guitarist Mark Slaughter and co.
RETURN (N)
Norwegian hair metal heroes are Swedish.
RIVAL SONS (US)
Powerful, simple, groove-based rock
DYNAZTY (S)
Flamboyant, melodic hair-metal
STEVE RODGERS (UK)
Son of Paul.
SEPULTURA (BRA)
Thrash metal
FIDDLER'S GREEN (GER)
Speedfolk rock
EXCITER (CAN)
Thrash metal
ENTOMBED (S)
Death metal
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Thursday, April 12th, 2012
| |
3:04 pm - BEST OF MARCH 2K12
|
Entertained American visitors, got married, went on honeymoon, you know, the usual ;p
Best album of recent times
The Answer – Revival (2011)
Rival Sons - Pressure & Time (2011)
The Union - Sirens Song (2011) - showing that Thunder guitarist still has plenty of great songs in him, especailly if he teams up the the right singer/songwriter.
Best album from ages past
Rival Sons - Before The Fire</b> (2009)
Darius Rucker – Learn To Live (2008) - Hootie and the countryfish
Best best of album
The Best of Chris LeDoux - Modern country stuff
Gig of the Month
Rammstein
The Union / TheAnswer
Circus De Soleil Zumanity (@ New York New York - A cabaret exploring the spectrum of human sensuality)
Marc Savard Comedy Hypnotist (@ Planet Hollywood)
Rammstein
Film on TV
Hannah
The Eagle
All About Steve
Super
Fast Five
Tin Tin
Tower Heist
Warrior
A draw between young girl assassin thriller Hannah and the fun adventure of Tin Tin.
DVD watched
Lemmy
Top purchase
MY WIFE! (and the honeymoon I guess)
April has 13 days at work and seeing the wife off to 2 gigs :o
current mood: working
|
|
(3 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Tuesday, March 13th, 2012
| |
12:20 pm - The Union / The Answer
|
SUNDAY 11th
The Union is Thunder guitarist Luke Morley and his mate ex-Winterville vocalist Peter Shoulder. Their hour had great vocals with a deep soulful tone wrapped in nice riffs and a good feeling.
Setlist
(1) Watch The River Flow
(2) Black Gold
(2) Blame It On Tupelo
(1) Saviour
(1) Step Up To The Plate
(2) Obsession
(2) The Remedy
(2) Cut The Line
(1) Easy Street
(1) Black Monday
(2) Siren's Song
Irish band The Answer also did an hour and were a bit louder and more energetic than The Union which at times brought them above the previous band, but then a few songs seemed to dip lower and not hold the attention as much. But they were still great, mostly down to the great voice of Cormac.
Set list
(3) New Day Rising
(1) Under The Sky
(3) Vida (I Want You)
(3) Faith Gone Down
(1)Come Follow Me
(3) Trouble
(3) Nowhere Freeway
(1) Preachin'
(3) Tornado
(2) Too Far Gone
(3) One More Revival
(3) Waste Your Tears
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Saturday, March 10th, 2012
| |
7:52 pm - RAMMSTIEN
|
FRIDAY 2ND (where did the last week go)
I’ve been wanting to see Rammstein for a while. I enjoy their music (industrial rock with vocals all in German) but I’d heard their stage shows are great experiences.
My experience started when the lights dimmed and the 7 band members entered 1 by 1 from a door behind me. The front Rammsteinian held a flaming torch aloft and led the rest of the band through the crowd to a small platform in the centre of the arena. When all were on it started to rise at the same time a metal bridge descended towards them connecting them to the stage. They strode purposely across towards the stage and when all assembled the music began.
This was a tour to support their best of album so I knew quite a few of the songs. I had no idea what they were singing about but it sounded good.
To enhance the event were possibly the most explosions and pyrotechnic dispels I’ve ever seen. These included breathing firing, flame throwers, bow and arrow fireworks, bangs, whooshes, kabooms and ftangftangs. Oh and the vocalist wearing giant wings that were on fire and also spurting fire from the tips.
The most bizarre moments came when the band were led back across the bridge to the small platform on all 4s in bondage gear while whipped by the drummer wearing a blond wig. Once on the platform they performed a few songs, one which had the singer squirting the crowd and band with a continuous stream of something from his huge penis.
But to finish the show was an ever bigger penis. One that the singer rode on as it blasted foam into the first 20 or more rows.
I was a little upset that I missed the keyboard player surfing across the crowd on a life raft (although his almost constant walking on his treadmill was always fun to watch), but the whole thing was absolutely brilliant.
Set list (might not be 100% accurate)
Sonne
Mein Land
Keine Lust
Sehnsucht
Asche zu Asche
Feuer Frei!
Mutter
Mein Teil
Du Riechst So Gut
Links 2-3-4
Du Hast
Haifisch
Bück Dich
Mann Gegen Mann
Amerika
Mein Herz Brennt
Ich Will
Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen
Engel
Pussy
current mood: productive
|
|
(2 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Friday, March 2nd, 2012
| |
11:40 am - SRF UPDATE
|
BAD COMPANY (UK)
EXCELLENT!
LITTLE ANGELS (UK)
90s UK (popish)rock band return after 18 years.
THE FLOWER KINGS (S)
One of my favourite 90’s contemporary progressive rock bands.
SLADE (UK)
70s glam & 80s rock from Dave Hill (guitar) and Don Powell (drums) with bassist John Berry (ex-Mud) and vocalist Mal McNulty (ex-Sweet). Brill!
SOUNDGARDEN (US)
A grunge band I never got to see. Looking forward to it.
GOTTHARD (CH)
Melodic hard-rock from the Swiss band who tragicly lost singer Steve Lee in a traffic accident. But now they're back with a new singer who I'm sure will help continue to help the band make great music.
STEEL PANTHER (US)
Cheesy taking the piss at rock while actually being very good rock
KING DIAMOND (DEN)
One of the most iconic heavy metal-musicians in Scandinavian history.
UGLY KID JOE (US)
90s rock
SEBASTIAN BACH (US)
Ex-Skid Row vocalist.
ADRENALINE MOB (US)
Drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), singer Russell Allen (Symphony X, who are already playing the festival) + guitarist Mike Orlando John Moyer (Disturbed) on bass - heavy, groove-based and modern American metal.
AXEL RUDI PELL (D)
Classic, melodic hard rock in the spirit of Rainbow. Featurng Johnny Gioeli (Hardline) on vocals
MICHAEL SCHENKER'S TEMPLE OF ROCK (D)
With Doogie White (ex-Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen) at the microphone.
ELECTRIC BOYS (S)
A hybrid of funk and the mighty distorted riff.
FISH (UK)
Ex-Marillion vocalist promises a rocking setlist.
THE DARKNESS (UK)
Already seen them recently, but they do put on a good show.
AXE (US)
80s hard rock.
TYGERS OF PAN TANG (UK)
New Wave of British Heavy Metal. With mainly songs from the first 3 albums.
GIRLSCHOOL (UK)
The longest lasting and one of the most respected all-female heavy metal bands ever.
VDELLI (Aus)
Bluesy power-trio
IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC (S)
The groove of rock’n’roll with strong pop melodies.
THE GLORIA STORY – (Sweden)
Rock
ORANGE GOBLIN (UK)
Stoner rock
NATIONALTEATERN (S)
Swedish rock.
BLACK SPIDERS (UK)
Metal
GRAVEYARD (S)
70s hard rock.
MOTÖRHEAD (UK)
20 years with the current line up. 37 years, 21 studio albums and me either sitting down somewhere or watching whatever else is on.
MASTODON (US)
Metal
SKYFORGER (Latvia)
Metal
DEALS DEATH (Sweden)
Metal
SAINT VITUS (US)
Downtuned doomsday heaviness and punky aggression
SACRED REICH (US)
Second generation of American thrash metal.
FEAR FACTORY (US)
Death and industrial metal
EXODUS (US)
Thrash metal
CANNIBAL CORPSE (US)
Death metal
current mood: working
|
|
(2 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Thursday, March 1st, 2012
| |
9:24 am - BEST OF FEBRUARY 2K12
|
A quick month as always but I did get to see various members of my soon to be extra cose family.
Best album of recent times
Black Stone Cherry - Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
Daughtry - Break The Spell (2011)
Pendragon - Passion (2011)
Rhapsody Of Fire - From Chaos to Eternity (2011)
Therion - Sitra Ahra (2010)
A nice bit of UK neo-progressive rock on their 9th album in 27 years Pendragon – Passion (2011)
Best album from ages past
Black Stone Cherry - Black Stone Cherry 2006
Black Stone Cherry - Folklore And Superstition 2008
Best best of album
Glen Campbell Southern Nights - His Greatest Hits
Phil Vassar - Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
I’m quite liking the country stuff I’ve been given recently, but I like the UK progressive pop of It Bites – Calling All The Heroes – The Best Of a bit more.
Gig of the Month
Big Country
Cinema film of the Month
The Woman In Black
The Muppets was fantastic. Some of it was nostalgia but it also had to be made well and it was.
Film on TV
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
True Grit
Killing Bono
Priest
Orphan
Battle: Los Angeles
Tomorrow When The War Began
I enjoyed Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours but was presently surprised by the mix of humour and sentiment of Ricky Gervais’s ‘s Cemetery Junction.
Book read
I’m spending a night in a hotel on my own soon so maybe I’ll speed it up there :)
I’m also going on a plane, but they have great films on them nowdays.
Top purchase
My new PC Monitor is more rectangly than my old one but doesn’t always seem as clear. But my new PC Speakers are quite nice and can go louder without ruining the sound.
March has just over 12 days at work, 2 gigs and a MARRAIGE :o
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
| |
11:16 am - BIG COUNTRY
|
THURSDAY 16th
Support came from Gun. Last time I saw them they had Toby (Little Angels) Jepson singing for them and they sounded good. Now the bass player has moved to vocals and while he does a decent enough job it didn’t seem as good as last time. The sound seemed a bit too loud, too distorted (man I sound like an oldie). I did still toe tap though but wouldn’t see them again if they headlined.
Big Country’s Stuart Adamson died in 2001. 6 years later for their 25th anniversary the remaining members briefly got back together and now a few years later are back again, this time with the guitarists son added on second guitar and also Mike Peters of the Alarm on vocals.
I think they already played Rock City last year and were back again, but this time to perform their 1983 ‘The Crossing’ in its entirety.
Before that they did 30 minutes of other songs which I think might have been connected to the album before then heading nearly 30 years into the past.
Having never seen them originally I don’t know how Mike compares to Stuart, but for me I think he did a very good job both with the singing and the interaction with the audience.
Highlights for me were the well known songs In a Big Country, Fields of Fire (400 Miles) and Look Away.
They played for under 2 hours and the crowd had a great time and so did I. If they will return I will too.
Gun set list
Don't say it's over
Better days
Last Train To Central
Butcher Man
Word Up
Steal your fire
Shame on You
BIG COUNTRY SET LIST
Angle Park
East of Eden
Another Country
Balcony
Restless Natives
The Crossing
In A Big Country
Inwards
Chance
1000 Stars
The Storm
Harvest Home
Lost Patrol
Close Action
Fields of Fire
Porrohman
Encore:
Tracks of My Tear [Smokey Robinson & The Miracles]
Look Away
Wonderland
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
| |
7:04 am - BEST OF JANUARY 2K12
|
Counting down the days and having a birthday and a face that looked sunburnt due to an food reaction.
Best album of recent times
Chickenfoot - III (2011) – Supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar & Joe Satriani
Adrian von Ziegler – Requiem (2010) / Lifeclock (2010) / - Across Acheron (2011)
– Wanderer (2011) / - Mirror of The Night (2011) - Independent solo artist from Switzerland who composes different styles of Music(Gothic, Celtic, Metal, Scores, Electronic, Pagan, Symphonic, Classical)
Magic Pie- The Suffering Joy (2011) - Norwegian progressive rock band. If it’s Scandinavian and progressive it’s usually good :)
Best album from ages past
Barclay James Harvest - Turn Of The Tide (1981) / Victims Of Circumstance (1984)
Steve Marriott - Marriott (1976)
Nickelback - The Long Road (2003) / The Right Reasons (2005) / Dark Horse (2008)
Johnny Van Zant - No More Dirty Deals (1980)
Blackberry Smoke - Little Piece of Dixie (2009) – Can’t beat a good bit of Southern Rock.
Gig of the Month
Livewire - A Great 2 hour + set from the AC/DC cover band with 2 vocalists.
Cinema film of the Month
Haywire was good to watch thanks to its Steven Soderbergh direction but The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo had that little something extra (even though I had previously seen the original)
Film on TV
The King's Speech
Paul
Gulliver's Travels
Rango
Sanctum
The Green Hornet
Limitless
John Carpenter's: The Ward
The King's Speech was better than I thought it might be.
Limitless was a great thriller.
Paul was hilarious throughout, but with Pegg & Frost involved I’m not surprised.
Best DVD bought
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest
Captain America
DVD watched
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played With Fire
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest
Book read
I’m using them for lighting fires :p
Top purchase
New Pirelli tires for my car
– Lots of great features but also user friendly.
Feb has 20.5 days at work, 1 gig, and a boys night out.
current mood:  okay
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
| |
7:52 pm - Prawn free
|
Last night we had a meeting with the wedding venue then got home for a nice fishy tea.
An hour later I was doing something weddingy related on the PC upstairs when my eyes became itchy, followed by my face and then arms.
At first I thought I been bit, but then I started itching more and came out in a few lumps here and there, the most worrying being on my face because you hear all these stories about allergic reactions sometimes turning quite deadly.
So I went downstairs where the voice of reason told me I needed to take an antihistamine tablet. But I had used all my hay fever pills in the summer. But she got the scent and found some more.
As we’re not used to this kind of thing happening to us the heath service was rang and they suggested getting an appointment for the NHS GP out of hours services. Luckily there was one within 30 minutes so we got ready and K rally drove me there.
Although by the time we got there my face was nearly back to normal. But we saw the Dr anyway and I showed him the picture of my big red face on my phone.
We mentioned prawns to him and he said that they were a high contender for what I had. Possibly a (really) bad prawn had affected my system and sent in into bubbleface mode.
It was bedtime by then and I didn’t get much sleep the night before so was thankfully in noddyland within 30 minutes. All I need to do now is flush the bad prawn out of my system and not eat anymore for at least a few months.
If it stays with me I’m wondering what superpowers Prawnman might have. Holding my breath underwater might be handy but I’m not sure about the special smell power :o
current mood:  drained
|
|
(2 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Saturday, January 28th, 2012
| |
9:56 am - Livewire
|
SATURDAY 21st
My birthday began on the Saturday with a close up viewing of the AC/DC cover band called Livewire.
Since I saw them last a couple of years back the guitarist has been replaced by a younger guy who actually looks like he’s still in his teens. But this kid (nicknamed Ashgus) can play remarkably well. He was loving it, the band were loving it, and so were we as they did over 2 hours of rocking tunes with the 2 vocalists representing the 2 different eras of the band.
After a mellow Sunday I woke a year older (37, eek!) and got some nice gifts including – Vitamin C tablets, deodorant for MAN, Muppet socks, Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest DVD, Captain America DVD, Black Crowes - Crowology CD and from Kel a really nice new compact digital camera that after playing with for a few days I’m comfortable with and know where most of the functions are.
We then half drove half walked into town to see Haywire at the cinema followed by a cheapy lunch in a gothic pub. What with it being Chinese New Year we also had some sneaky Chicken Chow Mein later on that night.
I’ll be getting another gothic feeding today as a few of us go into town to be measured for our suits for W-day in 56 days :o It’ a pity I didn’t manage to lose more weight for that occasion, but there’s still time to trim down a little more before the big day. I look ace enough anyway though ;)
current mood:  awake
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Monday, January 23rd, 2012
| |
10:17 am - 生日快樂 (sàangyaht faailohk
|
|
| Monday, January 9th, 2012
| |
9:23 pm - Crimbo + wedding
|
Crimbo Eve Eve
We both finished work early and went into town and to the Soulville Steakhouse for a good stuffing. Quick food with good portions and good taste. I then rolled about on the sofa until bedtime.
Crimbo Eve
We got new tires for K’s car in the morning, then did as little as possible until it was late enough to open the presents that weren’t from either of us.
Crimbo
Opened our presents to each other in bed then got ready to visit my Mum, Dad and brother for 4 hours until K went to work for 8 hours, and I went to work for 3 hours then watched Dr Who.
WEDDING
On Wednesday 28th it was K’s sister’s wedding.
K was a bridesmaid and I had the honour of being an usher. I ushed to the best of my abilities and hopefully helped as much as I enjoyed the day.
The whole day went well for the bride and groom and the guests enjoyed the food, speeches and night time entertainment from a Beatles cover band.
I had a little too much evening buffet and stopped drinking alcohol about 10pm but apart from that I survived dignity almost intact as I pranced around in my kilt.
NYE
6 of us round a mates house not doing a lot apart from listening to music on last.fm, a bit of Kinetic sports, playing the wear a hat game, then ringing in the new year in an almost empty pub down the road where K joined us after her 8 hour work shift and drove us home.
Well that was a little less than I had planned to write. But I'm a busy boy these days :)
current mood:  relaxed
|
|
(2 Minkeys | Join the zoo)
|
| Saturday, December 31st, 2011
| |
4:50 pm - BEST OF 2K11
|
A year of future planning, a few parties, extra hours at work, telly watching, sweating in the gym, rabbit sitting, gigs,
going to Sweden, recovering from Sweden, a nice couple of long weekends home and away with and without family, a stag doo, beer, wedding plans, chilling, feeding, Crimbo and a wedding.
Best CD of recent times purchased
Allen Lande – The Showdown / Rhapsody Of Fire – The Frozen Tears Of Angels / James Blunt - Some Kind Of Trouble / Rhapsody - The Cold Embrace of Fear - A Dark Romantic Symphony / Mr Big - What If / Coheed And Cambria – Year of The Black Rainbow / Helloween - 7 Sinners / Spock’s Beard – X / Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville – Kiske Somerville / Royal Hunt – X / The Feeling - Together We Were Made / Pure Reason Revolution - Hammer & Anvil / James Labrie - Static Impulse / Kamelot - Poetry For The Poisoned / Steel Panther – Balls Out / Trace Adkins - Cowboy's Back in Town / Nightwish – Imaginaerum
TOP 10
Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier
Them Crooked Vultures - Them Crooked Vultures
Journey – Eclipse
Kimball Jamison - Kimball Jamison (2011)
Karmakanic - In A Perfect World
Transatlantic – The Whirlwind 2009
Symphony X – Iconoclast
Whitesnake - Forevermore
Yes – Fly From Here
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011)
Best CD from ages past purchased
1994 – 1994 (1978)
1994 – Please Stand By (1979)
Roger Daltry - Ride A Rock Horse
Last Action Hero - Soundtrack
Status Quo - Blue For You
Take That – Beautiful World (2006)
Van Halen - 5150
Elton John – Don’t Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
Garth Brooks – Fresh Horses (1995)
Dio - Dio At Donington UK: Live (1983 & 1987)
Glenn Hughes - Play Me Out
Mike Oldfield – Crises (1983)
Pete Townshend - All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
Evergrey – Torn (2008)
Kevin Costner – Untold Truths (2008)
Eyes Of Eden – Faith - 2007
The Hoosiers – The Trick To Life (2007)
Kevin Costner – Untold Truths (2008)
Best best of CD purchased
The Levellers – One Way of Life 1991-98 contained more great tunes for me.
Little River Band – Greatest Hits
Rod Stewart - Storyteller - The Complete Anthology: 1964-1990 (4CD)
Bob Segar – Greatest Hits
Best mp3 of recent times added
Ghost - Opus Eponymous
Ed Kowalczyk - Alive
Jon Anderson - Survival & Other Stories (2010)
The Union – The Union
Houston – Houston
Best MP3 from ages past purchased
Lee Aaron –Lee Aaron / Emotional Rain
Steelheart – Steelheart / Tangled In Reins / Wait
Mustach – Latest Version / Parasite
Winterville - Everything In Moderation
Doc Holliday – Doc Holliday
Alien - Alien
Alien - Dark Eyes
Coney Hatch - Coney Hatch
Coney Hatch - Outa Hand
Jeff Paris - Smack
Jeff Paris - Wired Up
Strangeways - Native Sons
Strangeways - Walk In The Fire
Unruly Child - Unruly Child
Unruly Child - Waiting For The Sun
Unruly Child - Worlds Collide
Jeff Paris - Lucky This Time
Best best of MP3 purchased
Jason & the Scorchers - The EMI Years
Coney Hatch - Best Of Three
Gig of the Month
Comedy
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue
Music
Roxy Music / Europe / James Blunt / Ocean Colour Scene / Manowar / Saxon / Paul Rodgers / Magnum (Wolverhampton) / SRF (Bob Log III - FM - Saxon - Judas Priest - Houston - Mr Big - Hellloween - Whitesnake - Spock’s Beard - Styx - Rhapsody - Thin Lizzy - Ozzy) / Paul Simon / A Foreigners Journey / Roger Daltry / Thunder – Skin / The Feeling / Electric Boys / FIREFEST (Houston, Jimi Jamison, Jeff Paris, W.E.T., Steve Augeri, Carl Dixon, Newman, Alien, Mitch Malloy, Coney Hatch, Unruly Child) / The Darkness / Pure Reason Revolution / Magnum (Bilston) / Whitesnake (Crimbo show) / Thunder (Crimbo show)
TOP 10
FIREFEST (Houston, Jimi Jamison, Jeff Paris, Carl Dixon, Alien, Mitch Malloy, Coney Hatch)
Magnum (Nottingham)
Whitesnake
Iron Maiden
Yes
SRF (Mr Big - Hellloween - Spock’s Beard - Styx - Rhapsody - Thin Lizzy - Ozzy)
Crosby & Nash
Styx – Foreigner – Journey
Dream Theater
Rush
Cinema film of the Month
Scre4m
Insidious
Bridesmaids
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
Transformers: Dark of The Moon
Final Destination 5
BEST:
The Hangover Part II
Thor
X-Men: First Class
The Zookeeper
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The Inbetweeners
Captain America: The First Avenger
A Lonely Place To Die
Sherlock Holmes
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
BESTEST:
Both Thor & Captain America: The First Avenger
Film on TV
The Hole / Open Range 2 / Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs / Machete / The Book of Eli / Green Zone / Love Happens / Repo Men / Robin Hood / Micmacs / Legion / 27 Dresses / The Bounty Hunter / 4321 / Marley & Me / The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas / Bride Wars / The Gift / Death At A Funeral / Rec 2 / Scott Pilgrim Vs The World / Fantastic Mr Fox / Fanboys / How To Train Your Dragon / Tooth Fairy / Devil / Night & Day / The Last Airbender / Resident Evil: Afterlife / Piranha / Cats & Dogs 2 / Tron: Legacy / Beth Cooper, I Love You / Wake Wood / 4 Lions / I Am Number Four / Jonah Hex / Broken / The Warriors Way / Made In Dagenham / Get Him To The Greek / The Warriors Way /
TOP 10
Due Date
The Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
The Adjustment Bureau
Men Who Stare At Goats
Hot Tub Time Machine
Gone Baby Gone
Despicable Me
Up
Let The Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in) & Let Me In were both eerie, dark, a little disturbing and interesting to watch. I can’t figure out if I preferred the original or remake.
Rewatched Film on TV
The Decent Part 2
DVD watched
Date Night
Paranormal Activity 3
The Lovely Bones
Best DVD bought
A Muppet Christmas Carol
The New World
X-Men: First Class
Music
Crosby & Nash In Concert
IQ – Subterranea – 1997
Book read
Star Trek: New Frontier by Peter David
I don’t promise to d better next year :)
Top purchase
Walkman headphones / Kodak printer / My upgrade to Sky+ HD / MP3 Speaker Docking Station / Panasonic Digital Cordless home phone / KFC in Germany / Sweden Rock Festival blanket / Doctor Who Electronic Flight Control T.A.R.D.I.S. / Garden chairs / Go Ape / Rucksack / Aluminium (SD) Memory Card Case / Icelandic rune necklace thing (with the rune for Victory) / 3 cool youthful rock shirts
Dyson Ball DC24 vacuum cleaner cleans very well
HP touchpad lets me use the net quicker very well
A Rockin’ Wedding Ring will be more use next year ;P
Samsung Galaxy S2II lets me do phone things very well (which is almost everything now days)
New eyes let me see very well :)
2012 has 40 days holiday from work, getting the married, having the longest holiday ever and a whole new batch of brand new adventures :)
I’ll be in touch again properly soon :)
HAPPY OLD & NEW YEAR
current mood:  thankful
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| |
12:25 am - BEST OF DECEMBER 2K11
|
Knees up, Sauna, Crimbo
Best CD of recent times purchased
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2010) - New drummer but a great progressive metal album.
Kimball Jamison - Kimball Jamison (2011) Bobby (Toto) Kimball & Jimi (Survivor) Jamison. 2 great vocalists, 1 great album.
Nightwish – Imaginaerum (2011) 2nd lot of symphonic rock with new vocalist Annette.
Saint Jude - Diary Of A Soul Fiend (2011) - New bluesy female fronted band.
Dream Theater - A Dramatic Turn Of Events (2011) – New album with their new drummer shows that their spirit can carry on.
Best CD from ages past purchased
The Hoosiers – The Trick To Life (2007)
Best best of CD purchased
Rod Stewart - Storyteller - The Complete Anthology: 1964-1990 (4CD)
Best MP3 of recent times added - I’ve actually bit the bullet and spent money on my first mp3 album bought for myself. I feel a little sad that I won’t have the psychical disc, but I’ll get over it.
Ed Kowalczyk - Alive (2010) Vocalist from Live
Slash - Slash (2010)
Jon Anderson - Survival & Other Stories (2010) A nice album from the now ex-Yes vocalist.
Best MP3 from ages past added
Marconi Union - A Lost Connection (2008) - Ambient electronica
Marconi Union - Distance (2005)
Marconi Union - Under Wires & Searchlights (2003)
I don’t know which ones best as they’re all very chilled out.
Gig of the Month
Steel Panther / Motley Crue / Def Leppard
Whitesnake
Rolf Harris
Thunder
As they were both brilliant special shows it’s too tough to choose between Whitesnake & Thunder.
Cinema film of the Month
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Sherlock Holmes
Film on TV
The Dilemma
Unstoppable
Armoured
Mirrors 2
Jackass 3.5
The Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage Of The Dawn Treader
Best DVD bought
The New World
As much as I like X-Men: First Class A Muppet Christmas Carol will be around with me longer I should think.
DVD watched
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Swedish version)
Book read
I did one Star Trek: New Frontier by Peter David
Top purchase
My nifty reduced HP touchpad.
January has 1 days off work, 1.5 gigs
current mood: awake
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
| |
7:51 pm - Thunder (Crimbo show)
|
WEDNESDAY 21
For a band that retired a few years back I’m seeing rather a lot of Thunder.
Once again their special Crimbo show was at Rock City and featured extra musicans, lady backing singers, 2 sets, a few brilliant cover songs, dancing Santa’s, indoors snow and a great night of rock and roll jollity.
As part of the ticket price in mid January we will also get our special CD of selected highlights from the night. Brilliant!
Set list:
Acoustic
Everybody Wants Her
Living for Today
We Can Work It Out (Beatles)
Everybody's Laughing
Breakdown (Tom Petty)
Come & Get It (Badfinger)
The Thrill of It All
You Wear It Well (Rod Stewart)
You're My Best Friend (Queen)
Once in a Lifetime
Just Another Suicide
Electric
Loser
The Devil Made Me Do It
Higher Ground
Castles In The Sand
Living For The City (Stevie Wonder)
Gimme Some Lovin' (Spencer Davies Group)
Like A Satellite
You Can't Keep A Good Man Down
Live and Let Die (Wings)
Love Walked In
I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll
A Better Man
Dirty Love
Merry Xmas Everybody (Slade)
current mood: busy
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| |
3:28 pm - Rolf Harris
|
WEDNESDAY 14TH
I’d seen the legend that is Rolf Harris once before at Rock City of all places. It was full of students some who I’m sure were stage diving as he went through his best songs, played the didgeridoo, wobble board, accordion and taught us how to swear in Australian.
But he’s a little bit older now so for his gig at the Concert Hall there was a little less energy, fewer songs, an older audience but he did also paint a huge picture of Uluru.
He was on stage for over 2 hours in total telling stories, cracking a few gags and generally gently entertaining us. It was a very nice experience.
Set list:
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport
Tie Me Huntin' Dog Down, Jed
Jake the Peg
Sun Arise
Waltzing Matilda
Six White Boomers
Raining On The Rock
Delilah
Two Little Boys
Stairway to Heaven
Goodnight, Irene P
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport (British version)
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
| |
7:25 pm - Whitesake
|
THURSDAY 8TH
We had also seen Whitesnake a couple of times this year. But we couldn’t resist a special Evening with type gig that lasted well over 2 hours but kept us entertained with songs, cheeky banter and a few mini a cappella moments from Mr Coverdale.
Good full song moments included Give Me All Your Love, Love Ain't No Stranger, The Deeper The Love, Now You're Gone, Is This Love and a few with ex-Whitesnake guitarist special guest Bernie Marsden - Fool For Your Loving, Here I Go Again, Still Of The Night and Burn / Stombringer.
Because of the length of the show we could forgive the long guitar solos and the drum solo. Although the drum solo was actually pretty good. I especially liked the luminous and bouncing drum sticks. Having a seat only 20 feet away helped.
It was a really nice gig with nice touches like the band singing I’m Dreaming Of A White(snake) Christmas.
Set list:
Bad Boys
Give Me All Your Love
Love Ain't No Stranger
The Deeper The Love
Now You're Gone
Steal Your Heart Away
Forevermore
Guitar Duel
Can You Hear The Wind Blow
Rock Me Baby
Love Will Set You Free
The Badger
Drum Solo
Band Intro's / Walk This Way / Can't Touch This / Another One Bites The Dust / Sunshine Of Your Love / Slow An Easy / Fire / Slide It In / All Right Now
Is This Love
Fool For Your Loving (with Bernie Marsden)
Here I Go Again (with Bernie Marsden)
Still Of The Night (with Bernie Marsden)
Tour Thanks
Soldier of Fortune (A capella)
Burn / Stombringer / Burn reprise (with Bernie Marsden)
White(snake) Christmas (with Bernie Marsden)
current mood: relaxed
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| |
6:38 pm - Steel Panther / Motley Crue / Def Leppard
|
TUESDAY 6TH
I’ve been so busy with work and life that I haven’t even posted any of my giggy things let alone anything of more importance :o
I was just starting my 4 days off work. The first was so I could rest before heading to Birmingham NEC for a trio of rock bands.
I’ve seen Steel Panther once at Rock City where it was so crammed I couldn’t actually see them. The next time was a shorter but great set in Sweden. Now with their new album I got another good viewing (although missed the first few songs).
They are a joke band who can actually play very well, but the between song banhhetr is usally the highlights. This time I liked it when bassist Lexxi Foxxx asked the crowd to raise their hands if they liked going to the zoo. Vocalist Michael Starr then said ‘Don’t be stupid....Everyone likes going to the zoo’.
Set list:
Supersonic Sex Machine
Tomorrow Night
Asian Hooker
Just Like Tiger Woods
Gold-Digging Whore
Community Property
17 Girls In A Row
Death to all but Metal
After a short burger break we were back for Motley Crue.
They were a bit louder, a bit more rock than the other 2 bands and most songs were performed well (although there are reports of off stage over dubbing). Tommy’s 360 degrees rotating drum solo was impressive in a mechanical way but lacked the variety talent of others I’ve seen. There were also a bit too many dark stage gaps between songs.
The most humorous moments were when the band covered the first few rows in red water and when during Girls Girls Girls various images of ladies faces were on the screen and at one moment Justin Be**ber was up there :)
Set list:
Wild Side
Saints of Los Angeles
Live Wire
Shout at the Devil
Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)
Primal Scream
Home Sweet Home
Looks That Kill
Mutherfucker of the Year
Drum Solo
Dr. Feelgood
Girls, Girls, Girls
Smokin' In The Boys Room
Kickstart My Heart
Having already seen Def Leppard a few time this year I thought I would leave half way through. But as the gig went on I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I thought I would. There were a few moments when the flow slowed. But it seems I enjoy the classics more than I thought, and the set list was filled with pretty much all of them.
Set list:
Undefeated
Rocket
Action
Make Love Like a Man
When Love and Hate Collide
Let It Go
Gods of War
Two Steps Behind
Bringin' on the Heartbreak
Switch 625
Hysteria
Armageddon It
Animal
Photograph
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Let's Get Rocked
Wasted
current mood: relaxed
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
| Thursday, December 1st, 2011
| |
6:17 pm - Magnum
|
I had already seen Magnum twice this year. But K loves them and wanted to see them again and they’re always great entertainment so I tagged along.
I also went because it was at a venue in Bilston, Wolverhapton that I had never been to before and if I liked it I might consider going back sometime.
Support came from Pat McManus who was once in an 80s rock band called Mama's Boys but now goes under his own name. Pat was brilliant on guitar with influences coming from Gary Moore & Rory Gallagher but with extra flourishes. His drummer and bassist fitted in well with his style and if he supports another band I’m seeing or playing local I would definitely go and see him again.
Magnum were of course as good as ever.
The set list was almost identical to the previous shows but it’s a good collection of their old and new tunes that doesn’t lessen too much after multiple viewings.
Set list:
Back to Earth
When We Were Younger
Wild Angels
Brand New Morning
How Far Jerusalem
Spin Like A Wheel
The fall????
Freedom day
Les Morts Dansent
Black Skies
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom Of Madness
On A Storyteller's Night
current mood: working
|
|
(Join the zoo)
|
|
|
|
|
