Well, apparently I'm now the moderator of bandphototrade, a community for live music photography posts and discussion. It kinda got palmed off to me under belief that it is dying/giving way to Flickr etc, but I intend to keep it alive and kicking. So if you have an interest in live music images whether as a photographer of, or just a music fan who likes looking at band pictures, or know anyone in either of these positions, then come and join the comm and help bring the fun back! :)

That's bandphototrade, folks.

OK so we're all familiar with New Order's classic track Bizarre Love Triangle. A true CHOON, from one of the finest purveyors of music. which is why I ask you, gentle LJ-ers... WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT SUPPOSED TO BE?



I almost cried. Really, I haven't been this traumatised by a cover/remix of a song since the time I heard that godawful "Hold me closer, shiny dancer" tune.

Aubrey O'Day and Rosco Umali.. whoever the hell you are.. please learn how to properly interpret a song without completely raping and destroying it:



And just because we all need to be reminded of how good the original is:

I am happy to report that there ARE some interesting Australian bands out there. I may make it back to the ol' pub for some live music yet!

First cabs off the rank are Le Kingste and The Red Tree. http://greataustralianmusicsearch.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for more

there was a time, in the not too distant past, when local music was all the shiz, and i was often found at any one of sydney's greatest indie music venues. nowadays, i flip open a drum media and stare blankly at the gig guide wondering who the hell these bands are.

so as of today, i am beginning The Great Australian Music Search. i am not convinced that there are that many amazing local acts around anymore; however, i'm very open to be proven wrong.

my mission: to find out what all the local kids are listening to, and see for myself what they're like. i'll list my findings, good or bad, and comment honestly on what i think. i warn you: i can be a harsh critic.

music lovers - please feel free to share with me your favourite local musicians; not just your mates' bands, but bands you really dig.

so.. let The Great Australian Music Search begin!

ps i will also be documenting my progress at http://greataustralianmusicsearch.blogspot.com as well. just cos.

Last weekend I was wandering through Central station in Sydney and I saw a random guy take a photo of an advertising poster on his phone. It was a 2Day FM ad for Kyle & Jackie O, and someone had scrawled over Kyle's forehead, on the glass, the word COCK.

This morning I saw hacked2death had posted what I had thought at first was that very same photo, but on closer inspection I think they're different: the one in Central is just outside the Devonshire St tunnel and indoors - this picture (which I totally ganked from h2d) is clearly taken from outside.



It may be juvenile, but it kinda warms my heart to think that someone out there might have gone out of their way to deface every poster in Sydney with the same graffiti.

Inspired by my recent visit to Dymocks, and subsequent discussion with Julia lunaminor about how their staff is ALWAYS friendly, and after commenting that people never praise great work enough, I penned this email (to be sent to the store, and to corporate):

Dear Dymocks Hunter Street,

I just wanted to commend your staff on your consistently excellent customer service. Although I only purchase books from your store occasionally, each time I do I am always met with exceptionally friendly and chatty people at the counter. Most staff at other Dymocks stores are very helpful and good, but at Hunter Street I feel like they make an extra effort. I don't think I have ever been served by anyone who hasn't been exceptionally lovely, or hasn't been extra nice(r) to their customers.

Thanks for making the pleasure of buying books even more of a pleasure!

Cheers,
Michelle

I am pretty sure I am the last person to actually see this, but Aure pointed these videos to me last night after I showed him an episode of The Sarah Silverman Program (which he voted to watch instead of Rock of Love - boo Aurelien!) and I though they were worthy of posting (or re-posting) - even if its just for Matt Damon's kickass dance moves.

Sarah Silverman subtley tells her boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel....



And of course you can't see that video without seeing Kimmel's awesome response (which features a really impressive list of guests by the way):

Find & post 5 songs beginning with the letter allocated to you by whoever did it last (in this case, sarin_girl).

Comment if you would like me to assign you a letter.

Songs in the key of 'S':

• Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub: One of my all-time favourite pop songs (and bands).
• Society by Eddie Vedder: Taken from the soundtrack he penned for the film 'Into the Wild'. Interesting movie, and I can't sing the praises of this soundtrack enough. Lovely stuff, Mr Vedder.
• Sexy Boy by Air: Just because I think we all need a bit of sexy french electronica in our lives. I also love this clip!
• Say Yes by Elliott Smith: This song remains one of my favourites of the late Elliott Smith. Bittersweet. (this is a live version)
• Skull by Sebadoh: A song to appeal to the lo-fi indie kid that I know exists, somewhere, in all of us. Apparently this song was written by Lou Barlow for Evan Dando, about a particularly large drug binge he took Loobie on one time in Australia. Ha!

a little bit o' punk rock...

NOFX - Leave it Alone



Nitocris - Ten Stories Down

Tune of the night at Sydney We Love Sounds 09

i might be showing my age here, but does anyone remember The Jayhawks? I absolutely ADORED this song. i think i can probably still remember how to play it on guitar.

i love it when my iPod in shuffle mode picks a long-lost and almost-forgotten song. how quintessentially '90s is this song!

dear css,

i may not like your music, but i LOVE your music taste. excellent programming on Rage tonight.

best,
meesh

Dear Splendour in the Grass organisers,

Come on guys. You're not even TRYING anymore, are you?

http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/18097/Splendour-Line-up-2009.htm

Best,
Meesh

Trent Reznor (and as an aside, Bill Bailey) make my Twitter account worth keeping.

Loved Reznor's April Fools gag. no response from Chris Cornell yet though...

http://twitter.com/trent_reznor/status/1432430958

or just head directly to this page....

http://www.nin.com/strobelight/

music i'm currently enjoying:

the decemberists - the hazards of love
royksopp - junior
james zabiela - renaissance the masters series vol 12

what is everyone else listening to at the moment?

I vaguely remember someone on my f-list posted about places to buy cheap contact lenses. It just so happens that I am in the market for cheap contact lenses, but can't recall who/what/where etc.

Heeelp :)

need some suggestions for some farewell gifts to give to a co-worker who is leaving on Wed to do volunteer work in Nepal for several months.

apparently the money collection is pretty big. i was going to get her something like a Paddy Palins gift voucher and maybe a bottle of wine, but does anyone have any other ideas for stuff to give to someone who is essentially throwing herself out of her comfort zone and into culture shock? :)

i like demetri martin a lot.

i cannot stop listening to this song at the moment. it has a hold on me, for some reason.

i still think this is one of Frente's best songs, ever. it's always magical hearing angie hart perform it! oh angie.

Labour of Love by Frente.




Oh am I fooling you?
Do you fall for it all
Or do you just see right through?
Are you as cool as you believe?
Are you playing hard?
Are you waiting just to quietly clock my card?
Are you waiting for a moment to leave?

I don't know how I bent what you said
To what I believe you meant
I don't know anything at all
I'm standing in the push and shove
And I'm just within the rescue
Of the labour of your love
I can't do anything but fall
A-fall, a-fall-fall-fall
Why do I feel like I can never find you?
Why do I feel like I'm the only survivor?
Why am I thinking of -
You and me and the labour of love?

One chance, one shot
That's all anybody ever got
Newborn still warm
Naked in the rush hour
Dancing in my gutter
And if you want to find me
Call me, I'll be far from
The cars and guitars and
Everybody
Why do I feel like I can never find you?
Why do I feel like I'm the only survivor?
Why am I thinking of -
You and me and the labour of love?

And I never knew before
But I feel like a child in a cold, cold war
So strong, so tough
Sitting in suburbia, waiting for the wind up
And I don't want to dance
I just want to jump from the prison of circumstance
Why am I thinking of -
You and me and the labour of love?
Why do I feel like I can never find you?
Why do I feel like I'm the only survivor?
Why am I thinking of -
You and me and the labour of love?