Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Film you need to watch - CLASS OF 1999
"Now be careful! These things are like a bad, fucked up, George Jetson nightmare!"
Some films are just immune to criticism and nothing you can say will take away from the fact that it's just a really fun and awesome film. Class of 1999 is one of those rare films. You can complain as much as you want about the dodgy acting or absolutely ridiculous plot, but it just doesn't matter. It has Pam Grier playing a robot teacher with flame throwers for arms, so screw you! Any criticism is immediately rendered invalid due to this fact. Class of 1999 is fucking awesome! It also one of the most insanely ridiculous things I've seen in a long, long time. But, it is mainly awesome and I was wearing a giant 'what-the-fuck-is-happening?' grin from start to finish.
Made in 1990 and set in 1999, a future where American schools are suffering from serious "discipline issues". Most inner-city high schools have been taken over by gangs and police refuse to enter these so-called 'fire-free zones'. A new program run by Dr. Bob Forrest aims at fixing this discipline problem by taking cyborgs, originally intended for military combat, and using them as teachers. Our hero and former troublemaker Cody Culp is released from prison and arrives back at school and finds that things are worse than ever between his old gang The Blackhearts and their enemies the Razor Heads.
However, Cody has no desire to return to jail and is determined to stay out of trouble, something which proves rather difficult for a number of reasons. He develops an interest in the new headmaster's daughter, something which is never good for the 'street cred' of a former gang banger. He also is the first one to suspect something is not what it seems with these new teachers, who are taking a rather heavy-handed approach to teaching. Can he convince his former enemies to join forces in time? Cue shitloads of guns, blood, amazing outfits, explosions, weird drugs and old-school computer graphics and stop-motion animation.
Class of 1999 is a hell of a ride and I strongly suggest you get on it. Actually, you should start by watching Director Mark Lester's previous effort Class Of 1984, which is every bit as awesome, but actually maybe a "better" film.
5 out of 5
Some films are just immune to criticism and nothing you can say will take away from the fact that it's just a really fun and awesome film. Class of 1999 is one of those rare films. You can complain as much as you want about the dodgy acting or absolutely ridiculous plot, but it just doesn't matter. It has Pam Grier playing a robot teacher with flame throwers for arms, so screw you! Any criticism is immediately rendered invalid due to this fact. Class of 1999 is fucking awesome! It also one of the most insanely ridiculous things I've seen in a long, long time. But, it is mainly awesome and I was wearing a giant 'what-the-fuck-is-happening?' grin from start to finish.
Made in 1990 and set in 1999, a future where American schools are suffering from serious "discipline issues". Most inner-city high schools have been taken over by gangs and police refuse to enter these so-called 'fire-free zones'. A new program run by Dr. Bob Forrest aims at fixing this discipline problem by taking cyborgs, originally intended for military combat, and using them as teachers. Our hero and former troublemaker Cody Culp is released from prison and arrives back at school and finds that things are worse than ever between his old gang The Blackhearts and their enemies the Razor Heads.
However, Cody has no desire to return to jail and is determined to stay out of trouble, something which proves rather difficult for a number of reasons. He develops an interest in the new headmaster's daughter, something which is never good for the 'street cred' of a former gang banger. He also is the first one to suspect something is not what it seems with these new teachers, who are taking a rather heavy-handed approach to teaching. Can he convince his former enemies to join forces in time? Cue shitloads of guns, blood, amazing outfits, explosions, weird drugs and old-school computer graphics and stop-motion animation.
Class of 1999 is a hell of a ride and I strongly suggest you get on it. Actually, you should start by watching Director Mark Lester's previous effort Class Of 1984, which is every bit as awesome, but actually maybe a "better" film.
5 out of 5
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Free and legal music - Cowabunga Babes
Cowabunga Babes are alot of fun, but I guess with a name like that you'd be kind of disappointed if they weren't.
They're from Austin, Texas and the sunny climate has definitely rubbed off on their sound. This is upbeat, bouncy garage pop at its most fun and has been brightening up the dull London "summer" for me over the past few months.
Volar Records are releasing their debut LP Going Nowhere on coloured vinyl and you can order it HERE.
Until then you can also download an older seven-inch for free with the band's approval (well, I assume so anyway, since the link is taken from the band's own myspace)
Download the Cowabunga Babes Peluso 7" here (mediafire)
Cowabunga Babes - Beach Babe - Live at Origami Vinyl
They're from Austin, Texas and the sunny climate has definitely rubbed off on their sound. This is upbeat, bouncy garage pop at its most fun and has been brightening up the dull London "summer" for me over the past few months.
Volar Records are releasing their debut LP Going Nowhere on coloured vinyl and you can order it HERE.
Until then you can also download an older seven-inch for free with the band's approval (well, I assume so anyway, since the link is taken from the band's own myspace)
Download the Cowabunga Babes Peluso 7" here (mediafire)
Monday, 29 August 2011
Anguish Sandwich at Reading Festival
Amazing...Anguish Sandwich playing the BBC Introducing stage at Reading Festival at the weekend.
They are playing at The Wilmington Arms on 16th September. You should come.
They are playing at The Wilmington Arms on 16th September. You should come.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Video of the day (Cowabunga Babes - Hot Babez)
Sad realisation of the day: I can't even remember the last time I was in a bouncy castle :(
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Exciting new things! Veronica Falls and Christmas Island
How good are the preview songs from the upcoming Veronica Falls debut album? Fucking awesome, I'd say! I really love this song:
Veronica Falls - Bad Feeling by Slumberland Records
The album is out in October on Bella Union in the UK and Slumberland in The US.
There's also a new Christmas Island release on the horizon, a limited edition 12-inch on Volar Records. If this preview track is anything to go by, it's also going to be fucking awesome. They're taking pre-orders now.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND--Poisoner by Volar Records
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Indietracks 2011
Another year, another Indietracks. This year's festival was probably my favourite one so far. Not only did I get to play in a packed church, I also saw some of my favourite bands play amazing sets.
On Friday we arrived just in time for Suburban Kids With Biblical Names.
It was the first time I'd seen them play with a full band and they were amazing. I couldn't have hoped for a better start to the festival. We all sang along, danced and drank ourselves silly. Then we kept dancing to a Sacred To Dance DJ set in the shed.
It was a great start to the weekend.
On Saturday it was time to panic a little about our set. I had been worrying about being the first band on for quite some time. I shouldn't have. The church was packed by the time we soundchecked and people were standing outside peeking through the windows. It was an amazing feeling.
The show went well…we didn't even mess up that much. Well, The Monkey and My Princess kind of imploded in a heap of "Aaah I can't hear the drums and have no idea where in the song we are". But, that's all part of the Moustache experience.
After the show, it was time to plug Album Of Death to the merch-hungry crowd. It all went surprisingly well. In between stints at the merch tent I managed to catch a bit of Dignan Porch in the church and they were absolutely ace.
I really need to check them out further.
In the evening, it was finally time to relax and just enjoy the festival. Then the generator at the main stage blew up. This could have been a disaster, but instead it meant The Hidden Cameras could perform a truly special totally unplugged mini-set.
I've never seen such a large crowd stay so quiet in order to hear the music. AMAZING!
The band played a "normal" set later on in the shed, but the earlier one is the one I'll always remember.
Then...
DANCING!
DANCING!!
DANCING!!!
DANCING!!!
DANCING!!!
The rest of the night was spent with the lovely Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, first freestyle rapping to a very confused taxi driver about his "awesome style", then drinking beer and eating Monster Munch until the wee hours. A lovely end to a great day.
Sunday came and surprisingly I didn't even feel sick. Travelodge is clearly the way to go. Anguish Sandwich in the church were absolutely brilliant.
They are one of my favorite UK bands at the moment and you should definitely grab their name-your-price download EP on bandcamp. Get it HERE.
Whilst doing another stint in the merch tent I caught MJ Hibbett doing a short set in the merch tent to a completely captivated audience.
It's such a lovely place to just walk around, so many friends and happy faces everywhere. You'll never know who you'll bump into...
An Allo darlin' smiling...
...a Monster Bobby singing...
...a Ballboy sitting...
...or a naughty Tigercat smoking...
Happy Days!
Also on the Sunday afternoon, some of the Fika artists played a few songs each at the Fika Tea Party.
Horowitz
Red Shoe Diaries
Moustache of Insanity
Lisa Bouvier
Evening time and a triple-bill of awesome headliners. Jeffrey Lewis was absolutely brilliant in the shed.
Few people can turn that stage into something utterly awesome, but he managed. Herman Dune joined the band on stage for a few songs, which only added to the magic.
The second Jeff and Co finished it was time to run to the main stage for Withered Hand.
The band looked a bit nervous at first, but in the end it only added to the intensity of the performance.
Time for a little break until Herman Dune hit the main stage. It's quite a responsibility, closing the festival and personally I think they chose a rather strange way to do it.
Instead of playing a set of hits mixed with new stuff it was pretty much exclusively new material. Two songs from the previous two albums and a Sonic Youth cover. That was it. No 'Not On Top', no 'I Wish I Could See You Soon'. In the end the cover of 'Dirty Boots' was the highlight of the set, with Jeffrey Lewis' band returning the favour from earlier and joining the band on stage.
We had a final couple of beers, a final dance in the shed, before saying our goodbyes and making the emotional final train journey back.
A massive thank you to Team Indietracks and all the volunteers for making it happen and reach new levels of awesomeness year after year!
We'll be back in 2012. I'm already counting the days. Assuming that it starts on 27th July there are only 358 days to go! yay!
On Friday we arrived just in time for Suburban Kids With Biblical Names.
It was the first time I'd seen them play with a full band and they were amazing. I couldn't have hoped for a better start to the festival. We all sang along, danced and drank ourselves silly. Then we kept dancing to a Sacred To Dance DJ set in the shed. 
It was a great start to the weekend.On Saturday it was time to panic a little about our set. I had been worrying about being the first band on for quite some time. I shouldn't have. The church was packed by the time we soundchecked and people were standing outside peeking through the windows. It was an amazing feeling.
The show went well…we didn't even mess up that much. Well, The Monkey and My Princess kind of imploded in a heap of "Aaah I can't hear the drums and have no idea where in the song we are". But, that's all part of the Moustache experience.
After the show, it was time to plug Album Of Death to the merch-hungry crowd. It all went surprisingly well. In between stints at the merch tent I managed to catch a bit of Dignan Porch in the church and they were absolutely ace. 
I really need to check them out further.In the evening, it was finally time to relax and just enjoy the festival. Then the generator at the main stage blew up. This could have been a disaster, but instead it meant The Hidden Cameras could perform a truly special totally unplugged mini-set.
I've never seen such a large crowd stay so quiet in order to hear the music. AMAZING!The band played a "normal" set later on in the shed, but the earlier one is the one I'll always remember.
Then...
DANCING!
DANCING!!
DANCING!!!
DANCING!!!
DANCING!!!The rest of the night was spent with the lovely Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, first freestyle rapping to a very confused taxi driver about his "awesome style", then drinking beer and eating Monster Munch until the wee hours. A lovely end to a great day.
Sunday came and surprisingly I didn't even feel sick. Travelodge is clearly the way to go. Anguish Sandwich in the church were absolutely brilliant.
They are one of my favorite UK bands at the moment and you should definitely grab their name-your-price download EP on bandcamp. Get it HERE.Whilst doing another stint in the merch tent I caught MJ Hibbett doing a short set in the merch tent to a completely captivated audience.
It's such a lovely place to just walk around, so many friends and happy faces everywhere. You'll never know who you'll bump into...
An Allo darlin' smiling...
...a Monster Bobby singing...
...a Ballboy sitting...
...or a naughty Tigercat smoking...Happy Days!
Also on the Sunday afternoon, some of the Fika artists played a few songs each at the Fika Tea Party.
Horowitz
Red Shoe Diaries
Moustache of Insanity
Lisa BouvierEvening time and a triple-bill of awesome headliners. Jeffrey Lewis was absolutely brilliant in the shed.
Few people can turn that stage into something utterly awesome, but he managed. Herman Dune joined the band on stage for a few songs, which only added to the magic. The second Jeff and Co finished it was time to run to the main stage for Withered Hand.
The band looked a bit nervous at first, but in the end it only added to the intensity of the performance. Time for a little break until Herman Dune hit the main stage. It's quite a responsibility, closing the festival and personally I think they chose a rather strange way to do it.
Instead of playing a set of hits mixed with new stuff it was pretty much exclusively new material. Two songs from the previous two albums and a Sonic Youth cover. That was it. No 'Not On Top', no 'I Wish I Could See You Soon'. In the end the cover of 'Dirty Boots' was the highlight of the set, with Jeffrey Lewis' band returning the favour from earlier and joining the band on stage.We had a final couple of beers, a final dance in the shed, before saying our goodbyes and making the emotional final train journey back.
A massive thank you to Team Indietracks and all the volunteers for making it happen and reach new levels of awesomeness year after year!
We'll be back in 2012. I'm already counting the days. Assuming that it starts on 27th July there are only 358 days to go! yay!
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