Among the many things children love are chocolate, sweets, crisps, ice-cream and TV. It’s impossible to deny the link between a bad diet and obesity, but what about the unconscious musical implications assigned to adverts by confectionery conglomerates? I chose 25 of the most influential adverts from the ’70s through to the early ’90s, and listened closely to the accompanying jingles.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbwALe_qBaY
I wasted a lot of time playing MK on the Megadrive in the ’90s. Something similar is happening now, and I’m in bloody ecstasy.
There’s no doubt that my favourite, living British comedian is Stewart Lee. Last night, he played to almost 2,200 people at the Royal Festival Hall. Having seen Lee a few times now, this was easily the largest crowd I’ve seen him perform to. Introduced by Armando Iannucci, The Complete Vegetable Stew lasted 3hrs 45mins (including three 10 minute breaks). Though a lot of the material was recently visible on the tellybox since he got his show, Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, anyone that had seen him live over the past two years would have been familiar with most of the content.
Surprises were supplied in the form of improvised gags – his own alarm clock unexpectedly sounding near the start providing the first distraction. Like many of Lee’s shows, it was difficult to gauge the audience’s reaction. With few walk-outs, most people near me were either in hysterics, silent or busy getting pissed on the cans of beer they’d smuggled in. The dreadlocked hippie in front of me kept falling asleep during the first hour.
A band formed from the ashes of Birmingham band Chromium Hijack, I found this unmastered CD when I was having a bit of a clearout today. It’s me on guitars, Billy on bass, Shay on drums, and Sky on vocals. The date on the disc is 01/02/02. I suspect two of these tracks were CH tunes after guitarist Jabulani Robbins left the band.
Anyway, we recorded these tracks in a day down at Sandwell College’s studios (thanks Pete and Craig – wherever you are), and there was some post production editing by Jupiter Collision‘s Marcus Cornall.
I can’t remember why the band split up: I think Sky had childcare issues or something. Anyway, have a listen, and a download if you want.
I was working on Marathon day. Afterwards, I sat in Trafalgar Square and watched some hippies (under the influence of alcohol) try and play drums and convince passers to join the fight and smash capitalism. Some tourists took pictures and others got frightened when approached by a man that could barely form a coherent sentence.
It was a moment typical of the Green Fields at Glastonbury, but in London, it became an exercise in the surreal. There was even a man with a token ‘Free Hugs’ T-shirt. Underneath this slogan he had a piece of A4 stuck on with masking tape saying, ‘Or a kiss for £20′.
Oh, the irony.
Blogging. It takes time. And, anyway, why would you be interested in my everyday mundanity when you’ve got your own to contend with?
In case you’re wondering where all the reviews n’ that are, they are – in truth - unlikely to be forthcoming in length any time soon. Not only am I due to become a Father in September, but film projects are currently up 300%. I’m knackered, but happy about being busy.
I’m still in mid-term class (main class starts in May); I’m currently reading Irvin Yalom‘s When Nietzsche Wept and I’m also revisiting Satyajit Ray‘s back catalogue.
