Think dull lighting, disorganised sets, bad acting and a very anticlimactic finish.
As reported by the Grauniad today, David Cameron, heir to Tony's throne when Brown's support collapses, is video-blogging from his home in an effort to reach out to the disaffected technophile generation.
Bertie, move over. You've been trumped in the PR stakes. Go watch it here. tags:webcameron Published by Colm.
Butterfly Explosion tonight launch their keenly anticipated EP Turn The Sky at Crawdaddy with support from other distinguished members of the Dublin new music scene, The Terribles and Envelope.
The Terribles will be kicking things off shortly after 8p.m.
Turn The Sky is now available from Road Records where it is a CD of the week recommendation.
1. Sophia 2. Car Park 3. Next Year 4. Chemistry 5. Score
"...their releases just get better and better....little bits of the noisy sounds of slowdive, the wailing distorted guitars of my bloody valentine and even the slow building post rock of the likes of mogwai, lots of heavy swirling guitars, lush synths and thunderous but slow building drums." (SINGLE OF THE WEEK) - Road Records
"Turn The Sky, their new EP, is quite glorious. Like a loved-up Radiohead, Butterfly Explosion deal in weighty dirges but with choruses you can hum on the bus" ****(SINGLE OF THE WEEK) - The Metro
"The Butterfly Explosion have yet to put a foot wrong musically, and I am pleased that the new material from the forthcoming EP has me yet again mesmerized, and proving yet again to be one of the finest bands to emanate from Ireland in many years." - Lost Music (UK)
"Butterfly Explosion shows again masterful technique in instrumentals and applies the same formula to their vocals, providing yet another ambient and softly powerful EP. Don’t miss this one." - Losing Today (USA)
"I'm rightly Shanghai'd this time. You be alright Bertie; just get Google to censor pesky Irish bloggers"
After years of charm offensive after charm offensive, Bertie Ahern faces the realisation that a 7-inch grin and the odd "De Dubs are grate" thrown in for good measure might not be as useful as a paddle going up the shit creek he's attempting to navigate. At some point in the next 24 hours he's going to have to answer some very hard questions about a very large sum of money he received in 1993.
Considering he keeps company with the dons of the construction industry, why then are people acting so surprised that this time Bertie may not come out smelling of used bank notes? The crucial question to be answered is whether any of his very generous friends have benefitted from their benevolence since 1993.
Let's see. Ireland around 1993 = relatively poor country with few prospects Ireland since the mid 90s = explosive economic growth substantially boosted by 80,000 house creations per year
Have developers made lots of money? Check Have shady deals been done between politicians and the construction industry? Check Have any Fianna Fail TDs spent time behind bars resulting from said deals? Check (Burke and Lawlor) How does the Taoiseach spend the last week of every July? Snuggling up the construction industry gang who fight their way into the Fianna Fail tent at a cost of €400 per head.
Of course the Taoiseach is innocent until proven otherwise. But considering the questions asked above, is anybody really surprised at the events that are unfolding?
UPDATE: Ahern confirms 'loan' of £39,000 but says no repayments made yet (since 1993). Those friends of yours are keepers Bertie. Now there's a loose definition of a loan if ever I heard one ... no repayments! If only my bank manager would look at things like you do, Taoiseach.
His anniversary was marked here last year, and this year will be no different. On this date three years ago, Matthew Jay fell from his balcony to his death at the age of 24.
I bought Draw on Market Street, San Francisco on September 10th 2001.
A single was posthumously released yesterday and can be previewed over on MySpace.
It's funny in spots, and tonight you will probably spot this pale-faced Irish blogger in the audience for Russell Brand's MTV show "1 Leicester Square".
Thinking we were safe from the cameras, myself and fellow In Fact, Ah contributor Euzie parked on one of the couches in the studio. Then the Zutons and Brand start to interview a few feet away.
I don't have MTV, so I won't even get to see this inglorious appearance of mine on the box.
As Colm mentioned here earlier in the week myself and some In Fact, Ah associates are heading over to London for the weekend. We're not going just to bump up our carbon debt to society and neither are we going simply to check how Colm is settling into big city life. Personally the weekend ahead is one of the most mouth watering and anticipated in a long and sparkling year of live music.
Myself and my esteemed colleague Padraig had made a new year resolution to get a bit more balance in our musical diet this year by getting back to our roots and raising the intake of electronic music. 2005 certainly had been a year of gorging on indie guitar fodder, I suppose the year will always be captioned for me by two amazing summer experiences in tents. Interpol at Oxegen and Arcade Fire at Electric Picnic were experiences bordering on live musical perfection.
So, luckily for us in our 2006 quest to restore the balance in the force, we had a trip penciled in to Germany, on face value to see some sporting event or other, I can't quite remember what it was now that I'm submerged in the blinding white light of the Ryder Cup. Anyways, on my mind on the train to Berlin it was techno and proper clubbing that occupied my thoughts rather than a football match. For three consecutive nights in Berlin I danced past breakfast time.
The final night, which I haven't written about here before saw us rather fortuitously arrive into Berghain/Panorama Bar in the sunny morning light around 5a.m. (we left around 1p.m. lunchtime when the midnight to midnight party was still in full swing). I guess I'm still so gobsmacked by that night I still find it hard to convey how horizon changing it was. You really just have to go. It's not solely about the bleeding edge music, the primordial centre of the electronic music universe feeling, it's not about the overwhelming venue or even the enthralling amazingly diverse and friendly community which are regulars at the place - Panoramabar/Berghain is a place that you'll just have to experience for yourself.
So with a marker stuck in one highlight for 2006 so far, this weekend could be number two after an Electric Picnic which didn't provide anything as memorable as the two festival performances I mentioned above from 2005. Tomorrow night will be my third time to see Mogwai this year and I'm positively salivating at the prospect, partially because of the venue. The Royal Albert Hall has been sold out for quite a long time and the tickets have been burning a whole in my pocket since they went on sale back in the spring. Mogwai began their 2006 tour on the back of the release of their heralded 2006 album Mr. Beast One of the very first dates on the tour was the Temple Bar Music Centre in Dublin, where as impressive as the set was, it didn't realise the full potential of the new material due to some early tour teething problems.
Since then they've done over 100 live shows across the globe including Japan, Australia, The US and several jaunts around the UK and Europe. After this weekend in London another glut of shows awaits, again around Europe/UK before heading back to Japan again. An ambitious twelve month schedule by any standards I'm sure you'll agree. Their performance at Electric Picnic looked much more consummate and polished than back in January, however for "The Mogwai Experience" (TM) you really need a hermetically sealed indoor acoustic space, something I think the Royal Albert Hall will provide without question. This coupled with the fact this gig has been in the offing for over 6 months now and the fact I believe Mogwai have positioned it as one of the jewels in the crown of their seemingly interminable 2006 tour leads me to expect something special.
Mogwai Fear Satan, live from Coachella this summer
Just to ensure that I don't leave London raving about some indie guitar act, we've lined up a trip to London's legendary club Fabric for Saturday night. A pioneering artist I already crossed paths with at Berghain/Panoramabar this year is bringing his show to town on Saturday night/Sunday morning for a 10p.m. to 9:30a.m. extravaganza. Richie Hawtin will headline the main room while his proteges from his M_Nus stable Magda and Heartthrob will whip things up nicely for him. Although a quite overused label now Minimal Techno is the sound and I can't wait for this minimal mania marathon!
M_Nus label Introduction
Richie Hawtin - The Tunnel
Richie Hawtin - We (All) Search
I'd like to thank Colm for his heads up earlier in the week, and with tongue lodged firmly in cheek return the favour with some words of wisdom for Saturday night. So Colm - 10 steps to become a minimal techno hipster:
1. If you have some money to spend, feel free to bring lots of cocaine and ketamine. Don’t splurge it all on the actual party , as the after party is where your drugs count - expect to be feeding your favourite minimal DJ’s with tons of nose candy until late the next day. Be sure you can hang.
2. If you have a nice big flat and don’t mind it being temporarily used as a crack house, be sure to offer it to your favourite minimal DJ before he or she leaves their respected party - be aware that you will most likely have no say on who actually attends the after party, but rest assure you are on your way to becoming a minimal hypster.
3. The haircut is very important, although it is very important - you must not let this be the DEFINING aspect. For tips on hypster haircuts, check on the internet for the latest pictures of Magda - be sure the photo is hot and up to date, as this commandment rotates about every 2 weeks - by that time there is thousands with the same haircut.
4. Underrated but very serious in your quest to minimal hyperstardom is the minimal scarf. Normally used by French artists say to the world "hey I am an artist, shuchameblah" this is now a sure-fire way to let everyone else know - hey I am down with the minimal sound. Current minimal hypsters who sport the minimal scarf include Luciano, Ricardo, Richie, Magda, Troy and Marc Houle.
5. If you ever have the chance to meet Rich Hawtin, when talking with him - make sure you agree with everything he says and most importantly REPEAT. If you do not have the pleasure of meeting him personally, but have a friend who has - just repeat to everyone what your friend has told you he said. If they are a true minimal hypster they will surely repeat their whole conversation anyway. With people such as Troy Pierce, Magda, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano, this same rule applies to a lesser degree, but still enough to get you on your way.
6. This one is very important, forget about your health and live for the moment. You must be willing to take as many drugs as your favourite minimal superstar DJ. As long as your are willing to party until the last moment on a broad combination of drugs all at the same time, such as Ketamine, Mdma, lots and lots of cocaine, speed, LSD and the occasional mushrooms you will surely be accepted and furthermore run the possibility of being admired. You can never imagine the power of totally ruining your body and mind in the conquest to being a minimal hype star.
7. This one is simple! Keep it superficial. Under no circumstances should you have a conversation with some depth or meaning. Recommended topics of discussion are haircuts, the newest minus record, how cool magda is, how much drugs Ricardo took the night before, how cool the current party is, and how amazing of a musician Luciano is. Just tell yourself over and over, this is not actually being superficial - it’s just being minimal.
8. Sex, Sex, Sex - in the minimal hypster world you should never expect to get laid before 48 hours of straight partying. Even if you have a special liking for that certain someone, keep in mind that if they too are an aspiring minimal hypster like yourself they will most definitely be at that after-hours, and where better place to get down to sexual business. (This is the time when taste, memory and morals are all flushed down the toilet) if you are a female, this is the time where you chances are highest of scoring with your favourite minimal superstar DJ, therefore immediately catapulting yourself into minimal stardom.(most of the time you will just settle for someone who knows Rich Hawtin).
9. Be sure to constantly read the writing of PHILIP SHERBURNE - he is the man who will always keep you informed on the newest and best hype on the internet. DO NOT EVER QUESTION HIS INTENTIONS OR MENTION THE FACT THAT ALL HE WRITES ABOUT IS HOW COOL RICARDO, RICH HAWTIN, MAGDA, LUCIANO, ROBAG WRUHME AND MUTEK CREW IS. He is literally the man to go to if you want to be fed with the minimal hype. Although it seems as if he is desperately trying to fit in and be accepted, everyone should realize HE HAS ALREADY BEEN ACCPETED. He just loves his role as minimal hypster so much that he wants to spread the love. As with Rich Hawtin the same rule applies to Mr. Sherburne, everything he writes or says AKNOWLEDGE, AGREE AND REPEAT.
10. THE MINIMAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD BERLIN! If you wish to be a minimal hypestar, one of the easiest ways is to come to Berlin with no plan and frequent places such as the famous drug spots like bar25, club de visionarie and panoramabar. It is these locations in which your minimal fantasies become realities - expect to see people like Rich Hawtin, Matt John, Konrad Black, Troy Pierce and Magda totally out of their minds and much more easy to approach. It is here that you can forge those life long, superficial - I mean minimal relationships.
We've covered this topic before on In fact,ah but I thought this was worth a mention. Over the past week a number of extracts from George Monbiot's latest book 'Heat' have been published in the Guardian. Monbiot is considered a bit of a left wing nut by many in the main stream media for his views on global politics and the environment but his articles always make for an interesting and refreshing perspective on issues varying from Iraq, to genocide in Sudan and of course global warming.
Today in the final extract from his new book he proposes the radical suggestion that most aeroplanes flying today should be grounded immediately if we want to save the planet from imminent global meltdown. A suggestion almost as popular as the Pope paying a visit to Iran. Still he makes a compelling argument that might at least make you question the ethical and moral conundrum of cheap air travel or more likely it'll remind you of that €1 Ryan Air flight to Barcelona you need to book for the October bank holiday weekend.
It's a cash machine. You type in your number, press a few buttons, collect your cash then walk away.
Presto Hey!!!
So why is it, that some people treat withdrawing money like it's a bloody MENSA challenge. How can it really take 5 minutes? Is it asking you questions about world history? Is it making you do a sudoku on screen? Are the instructions in Latin? Do you realise that this is the only working machine for miles?
Seeing as an In Fact, Ah colleague and some In Fact, Ah associates are coming to London this weekend, I thought it would be wise to point out one piece of trivia to them before they arrive.
Warning. Do not tell your fellow tube passengers that you are changing at Baker Street. You might just get slapped across the face for doing so. See, Baker Street is the only tube station in London where you can change from the Hammersmith & City line to the Bakerloo line.
In other words, from the pink to the brown. An awful euphemism, I'm sure you'll agree.
Dr. Ilan Pappe is a Jewish Israeli academic from the School of Political Science at The University of Haifa in Israel and one of the foremost international commentators on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is the son of Jewish refugees who fled Germany. Given his background his views on the conflict and Israel's wrongdoings in the middle east are always very interesting and valuable. I saw him speak earlier this year at a conference in UL and this week he was back in Ireland for a conference in Trinity titled "Palsetine As 'State Of Exception': A Global Paradigm."
Dr. Pappe spoke with Tom Mc Gurk on RTE Radio 1 during the week in a very interesting discussion which you can hear here. Dr. Pappe's slot begins about 40 minutes into the program.
At the end of this discussion Dr. Pappe calls for an international Boycott of Israel because of its apartheid policies (which I discussed earlier here and here). This boycott should be similar to the international treatment of South Africa during its apartheid era and is one of the last available avenues in the bleak quest to non-violently fight Israel's wrongdoings in the Middle East.
Tomorrow, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign will hold a National Boycott Day on Israeli produce in Irish stores in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Sligo and Limerick (for Limerick details call 087 272 5300)
In a brazen attempt to win over votes just weeks before the 2002 general election, you Mary Harney visited a company I worked for at the time to announce 360 new jobs. How we rejoiced and danced for joy when we heard the positive tidings you came to tell. We even managed to get over the fact that the chocolate vending machine was completely empty by time you left the building that day (this may have just been a coincidence).
Oddly enough, only five months later NETg started shedding jobs in large numbers. I, myself became surplus to requirements some three months later. That's life and is not something to get hung up on. Business make decisions and you take it on the chin.
But your cynical electioneering was hollow. Good riddance to any politician who tries to curry voter favour in such a manner by making empty promises.
"There's never anything on." When I was younger, I always considered that phrase the reserve of old people unable to be stimulated by really interesting things on television.
As a teenager, nothing was too boring to watch. Going for Gold, Murder She Wrote, Picket Fences, Play the Game, Matlock, Where in the World etc. You name it, I watched them.
Now, in my mid-to-late twenties (still clinging desperately to the mid part), I can't bear to sit for more than five minutes. Nothing holds my attention now apart from some sport and current affairs shows.
The Internet has undoubtedly brought about this. But I'm not the only one.
A survey conducted on behalf of the search engine [Google] found that the average Briton spends around 164 minutes online every day, compared with 148 minutes watching television.
In an attempt to steal Mary Harney's thunder, the folks at www.irishelection.com have published a press release outling the plans for a blog-in that happens on October 7th. Other media and politcos are welcome too.
Reams of column inches are already predicting the battlegrounds where the 2007 general election will be won and lost. The usual old chestnuts such as health, crime, economy, education etc are thrashed about in an attempt to define whether the current government's record will beat opposition policies.
Government chief whip Tom Kitt sees things differently. At the Westport think-in, Kitt said: "We have to accept the reality of the opinion polls we’ve seen in recent times, but my view is that, coming closer to the election, people will say ‘how have we, and our families, fared economically?".
Indication of negligent approach to working on social and economic policy or more a case of calling it as it really is? You know, he's probably right. For all the phone-ins to Joe Duffy and all the bad press that this government has received, none of these can compare with the sum totals on personal bank account statements.
This is sad but probably a fair reflection of voter indifference to the state of the nation. But we could have had it so much better had we looked after the coffers.
Semifinalists Massive Attack Modeselektor dEUS Spank Rock Jape The bean bags in the cinema tent Broken Social Scene The crowd being much the same as the previous two years Gary Numan The pleasant security staff Mogwai 2 Many DJs Andy Weatherall Dancepig The atmosphere watching the Ireland Game 8 Ball Laurent Garnier The well behaved weather The Rapture Aberfeldy The food and drink stalls
The Bad:
Pet Shop Boys Hot Chip Tiefschwarz
The Ugly:
"Nathan Fake cannot play today, Barry Redsettaz will fill in" ATM queue
TV documentary about Blogorrah's owner John Ryan and his success with two dog publications "The New York Dog" and "Hollywood Dog" will be shown Tuesday night on RTE 1 at 10pm.
Mulley causes a stir with his remarks on the passing of the irreplaceable Steve Irwin.
