Doss Spot

Time to stop dossin' - pastures new a-callin'

2008-07-31T12:09:00.001+01:00

Well after 114 posts I've decided to wind down this blog. As has been mentioned elsewhere, the blogging scene is a demanding one, with a constant pressure to post stuff that seems relevant. It doesn't help that I lacked a coherent focus as to what this blog was about but hopefully I'll take my lessons onto the new music blog I'm involved in.

Thanks to those of you who have commented all along - I feel like I have made some electric friends through this blog and it's something I'm glad I tried and learned from.

If you all could check out guesslist.ie that's where I'll be posting from now, and who knows, I may return here from time to time to post the stuff that wouldn't fit there.

Thanks again and I'll hopefully see you on the other side...

Bluff called, Willie

2008-07-28T16:40:00.000+01:00

Boylesports offers €10,000 for O’Dea to shave moustache

28/07/2008 - 16:11:22
The Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea is being offered €10,000 to shave his moustache by betting company Boylesports

Minister O'Dea is quoted in today's Irish Examiner as saying he would only shave his famous facial hair for charity and it would have to be a substantial amount of money.

Boylesports is now offering to pay the princely sum of €10,000 to the minister's charity of choice if he takes the plunge.

Lolcats + Batman = Lolbats!

2008-07-24T12:44:00.002+01:00

Ok I know I'm going OTT on the Batman but I'm suitably excited having read Rick's blog. Anyway, saw these here.

Also check out your Batman-a-day fix on The Daily Batman

I promise not to mention Batman again until I see it.

I'm loving Batman stuff at the moment...

2008-07-23T15:46:00.000+01:00

...THAT gif.....veiled insults to my mother and sister that I might "do a Bruce Wayne on ya"...

It's all good. As is this spill.com version of a Michael Bay script for Batman, as seen on One For The Road's blog.

Insult of the day blog?

2008-07-23T15:44:00.000+01:00

I accidentally typed diss-spot.blogspot.com into the address bar....interesting idea that.

Though I'm already busy with the other one...Monday hopefully!

Nominees for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize

2008-07-22T12:17:00.000+01:00

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Radiohead - In Rainbows
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Burial - Untrue
Estelle - Shine
Adele - 19
Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset - The Bairns
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
Portico Quartet - Knee-deep in the North Sea
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

No Foals?

Coldplay announced for the new O2 arena...

2008-07-22T11:48:00.000+01:00

Meh.

In other news, got my Fleet Foxes tickets. :)

I can see how Billy Joel giving up booze is a bit like the death of millions of Jews alright...

2008-07-18T11:29:00.000+01:00

Joel: 'Clinic was like concentration camp'

18/07/2008 - 10:40:19
Billy Joel hated his 2005 stint at the Betty Ford Centre in California - because the clinic was like a "concentration camp".

The Piano Man singer checked into the famous Rancho Mirage rehabilitation clinic in a bid to kick his alcohol dependency and admits the experience was a tough one.

He tells Details magazine: "I hated it. It was like a concentration camp - well, I can't say that, I've never been in a concentration camp. But, for me, it was.

"There's a lot of dogma that goes with it, and there's the whole AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) thing, and for a lot of people that works. I didn't necessarily follow that."

It might not have been the best experience but it helped Joel battle his demons: "It was good. I dried out. And it was probably one of the best things I ever did, because I realised I was just drinking too much, and I really don't need to do that.

"Once in a blue moon, I'll have a glass of wine. But I'm very afraid of going beyond that. I don't want to be out of control."

Nice perspective there, Billy.

Feist on Sesame Street

2008-07-14T21:57:00.002+01:00

If this doesn't make you smile at least once you have no soul.

The "I didn't go to Oxegen" Weekend review.

2008-07-14T12:49:00.000+01:00

Friday: Back to work post-Prague, wrote one article and played with the internet.

Saturday: Got ready to go to G-G-G-Galway for the Film Fleadh and a book launch. Missed the book launch, didn't go to any films. Started with drinks in the rowing club, then giant tankards in the Beer House (which I'm probably spelling wrong) and then onto Rosin Dubh (for my first time, ashamedly) where a various concoction of beers, spirits and energy drinks was consumed. I remember dancing to Battles and MGMT...the rest is a blur. Vague recollections of successfully slurring an order for chicken nuggets in Supermac in Eyre's Square. Made it back to friend's place, slept on kitchen floor and had a lime shoved in my mouth as I slept...apparently.

Sunday: Lazy sleepy day. Watched Futurama, Tour de France and Munster Final before heading home. Took an hour to get through Limerick due to the GAA. Collapsed into a slumber to be woken by a friend I hadn't heard from in months who picked the middle of the night to call me about Oxegen and the 2 guys on the bus "who say they live in the same town as you and have no idea who you are and say you don't write for the paper there."

Monday: Got up to write for the paper there.

You have to hand it to the Communists...

2008-07-11T11:28:00.000+01:00

as oppressive and all as they were, they left Prague with a damn good public transport system.

Just back from a week at the aforementioned city, thus more lack of blogging.

Hopefully....HOPEFULLY...that'll end soon.

[/tedious build up...for now]

Words cannot adequately express how much I love this.

2008-06-27T15:22:00.000+01:00

Have a good weekend y'all.

Nana nana nana nana...

2008-06-26T13:13:00.001+01:00

....BAT-MAAAAAAAN.

Early review positive for The Dark Knight.

Pub landlords could save thousands a year...

2008-06-25T16:02:00.001+01:00

Recession. A word no one likes to hear (and I ain't jumping on the popular "Oh look how George Lee loves it" bandwagon either). The word recession prompts memories of the 80s, when the masses huddled around their television screens for warmth and Richard Dean Anderson offered distraction from CJ telling us to "buckle our belts" (and sure at that didn't poor MacGuyver only have an elastic band and a paper clip to stop nuclear war - tough times indeed.) That's recession for ya.

It certainly wasn't a word the poor aul pub landlords wanted to hear. Hit with smoking bans, grocery acts and drink driving clampdowns, statistics show that a rural pub closes in Ireland every SECOND.

Or something. And yet, I find it hard to feel sorry for the barmen, even the one's who pour a nice pint of Guinness (which are hen's teeth these days, to be fair). For the business savvy amongst them have brought in an element that guarantees business. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Saviour of Irish rural public houses, the pub DJ.

In come the spend-happy demographic of men in striped and boxed shirts they got on a 2-for-1 in Dunnes, sucking in their middle age spread as they dance with the middle aged girls in their sleeveless tops and "invisible" plastic bra straps that creep out from underneath to witness the debauchery (girls, you know we can see them yes?).

The pub DJ is one of them, slightly older, with a slightly larger middle aged spread hidden under a slightly larger boxshirt from Dunnes Stores. Yet in reality he is more than just "one of them" - he is their Pied Piper, leading them to drunken oblivion behind the console of his mothership of sound, his trusty chrome case open by his side, chocablock with "Greatest Hits."

The landlords know this is big business, and yet to quote Morrissey (the only time this blog will do so, promise) it is time to hang the DJ.

A radical thought that I'll allow to sink in for a moment, but it makes perfect sense.

We can rebuild him, we have the technology. And it'll be cheaper to boot.
Pubs could save thousands of euros a year if they follow this simple guide to pulling the punters without paying over the odds for an MC.

1. Argos do those multicoloured twirling light fixtures, ususally for less than what a pub DJ is paid in one night. Get one and kill all other lights so people can't see where the door out is.

2. Turn up the sound system normally reserved to broadcast George Hamilton's voice around the pub.

3. Burn a CD with the following tunes

Dolly Parton 9 to 5
Bryan Adams Summer of '69
Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer
Mundy The Galway Girl
Journey Don't Stop Believin'
Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen
Anything from Grease.
Tina Turner Simply The Best
Footloose
Rick Astley Never Gonna Give You Up
A-Ha Take On Me
Stealer's Wheel Stuck In The Middle With You
The latest dance tune heard ad nauseum on 2fm's Lunchtime Request
Any rehash of a trad song heard on Irish Clubland's latest compilation.
YMCA

Don't worry about repeating songs on the playlist, even the pros do it. This way the latecomers can hear the hits and those who heard it the first time will be too bladdered to remember.

4. Hook a mic into the system, do "shout outs" and repeat the name of the song you've just played.

5. Make sure there is no atmosphere or refuge for anyone who chanced there local for a drink with friends. They'll spend too long talking and less time drinking or quenching their thirst.
Successful pubs aren't the one's with "character" you hear so much about - they're the ones where the desperate go in search of a wife/husband/grope/line.
If you're male customers don't have substantial sweat stains under their armpits, and your female patrons are in the toilets crying or telling a friend how "He's a dickhead anyway, yer better off"- then you're doing it wrong.

6. Come back and thank Doss Spot for saving your business. Or add your own suggestion. Eitherway I'm off to Carry Out for a 6 pack.

Heinz pull 'kissing men' ad following complaints.

2008-06-24T12:18:00.001+01:00

Clicky for article and video of the ad.

Ok.

It's 2 guys kissing. A peck. That lasts a second.

The joke is that the mother, with her fantastic Heinz mayo, is like a New York Deli chef.

People who complained about this should be arrested for citing hatred to be fair...

The Daily Mail reveals the Taliban's magical powers!

2008-06-13T10:42:00.000+01:00

First of all, long time no blog - was on holidays in Barcelona (Primavera) and had a lot of work to do when I got back. Anyways...

You gotta love the Daily Mail. In a recent article titled "RAF blow up world's biggest drugs haul worth £225 MILLION in Afghanistan desert" the guardian of all that is good an decent revealed the Taliban's phenomenal powers of alchemy with this lil golden nugget of info

Officials believe the area - near to the Taliban stronghold of Quetta in Pakistan - was turning dried cannabis leaves into heroin.

They are stronger than we thought!
One can only assume that golden nugget was converted from a lump of lead.

It depresses me to think whoever wrote that is more than likely on more money than I am...

Speaking of karma....

2008-05-27T09:32:00.000+01:00

Apparently John Terry ain't the only one to get comeuppance.

According to Sharon Stone the earthquake in China (you know, the one that killed thousands of people, destroyed homes and so on, that lil thing) may have been karma for China over the way they treated "her good friend" the Dali Lama.

If I

a) Believed in karma

and

b) Was responsible for inflicting Basic Instinct 2, Catwoman, Sphere, The Specialist etcon the world

I would lock my self away in a bubblewrapped room.

And while on the subject of karma and movies, George Lucas I hope your money pile falls on you and causes at least paralysis after what was undoubtedly the biggest piss take of a movie ending. Spielberg and Ford - I'd expect you two to know better.

Has John Terry seen My Name Is Earl?

2008-05-22T16:37:00.000+01:00

But why oh why would the media highlight such an incident.

An England Captain? spitting?

Never.

"Democracy simply doesn't work.."

2008-05-19T16:06:00.001+01:00

Young people urged to 'Rock the Lisbon vote'

19/05/2008 - 15:12:40
A pressure group established to encourage youth voter turnout in the last election has turned it's attention to the upcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and is urging young voters to exercise their right to vote.

Pop group The Flaws, along with You Tube Starlet Sofie Merry were amongst those who were at the launch of the campaign in Dublin today to generate interest in the upcoming Lisbon referendum.

Those involved in the campaign are hoping that young people will educate themselves on the details of the Lisbon Treaty and the impact it will have on the country if it gains a majority Yes vote on June 12.

So yet another vapid patronising attempt to engage an electorate is peddled out. These campaigns are a joke. They make zero attempt to educate their target demographic as to what the referendum is about and rely on crass media whoring to convince young people that they can "Rock the vote".

Why not tell Johnny and Sally Bebo what the Lisbon treaty is about? Why bother getting people to vote for the sake of it? Like last year's election these campaigns are a complete waste of time and money (whose money, for that matter?). So compelled with being bipartisan, this bullshit exercise in PR offers nothing in the way of information or debate, and does nothing to compel people to vote on the issues at hand. Do we REALLY want people swayed by these hallow soundbites to have a say in the running of the country? People harp on about our democratic duty, which is idealist to say the least.

Put it this way - I'd rather the vote had a turnout of 40% of the electorate who had an informed opinion of the referendum at hand rather than see polling cues of clueless 18 year olds there because The fucking Flaws told them that voting is cool.

Watch this space.....

2008-05-16T10:41:00.000+01:00

...well.

This one.

Ban these SICK games.

2008-05-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

A picture's worth a thousand words...

2008-05-06T12:20:00.005+01:00

So I finally found the latest issue of State Magazine.You know it, yeah? The new monthly music magazine with contributions from some of the internet's finest music and pop culture aficionados?

It was shelved in the "Women's Interests" section of a local supermarket.
Draw your own conclusions.

Picture of The Dark Knight's Two-Face leaks...

2008-05-06T09:14:00.002+01:00

...and WAS available on Comic Book Resources. While several doctored pics of Aaron Eckhart are floating around, the fact that Warner Bros have hunted down any site with this particular image suggests it's genuine.

So I can't put it here. But, put it this way, I don't see it being used in any ad campaigns...it's GRIM.

Meanwhile a new ad is up on Why So Serious?

Is this the greatest ad ever?

2008-05-05T22:36:00.003+01:00

By the way, the tune is "Don't Speak" by the Eagles Of Death Metal.

"Who cares if the invisible man comes to dinner?"

2008-05-02T13:35:00.002+01:00

The quite fantastic Peep Show is back for its fifth series tonight, Channel 4 at 10.30pm. (Mental note, must get Sky+)

Thanks to Chortle, here are some sneak peaks at what's to come.

Saved By The Bell on the telly, Frosties reflectors in your spokes..

2008-05-02T10:41:00.002+01:00

...and other such 90s childhood memories will come flooding back with this sweet EP with remixes of classic 8 bit games.

Download The Nintendo Vs Sega EP from the Remix Artist Collective for free here.

I Guess I'm Floating has one track from the EP, a remix of Zelda's "A Link To The Past hosted on the blog here for a sampler.

Got tagged y'all

2008-05-01T13:39:00.003+01:00

I've been Memed by Rapture Ponies. Here's how it goes.

Link to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Write six random things about you in a blog post.
Tag six people in your post.
Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Let the taggee know your entry is up.

1. Books which I have half read on my bedside locker include Catch 22 (yes I know, I should finish it), Bob Dylan's Chronicles Volume 1 (Good book but I'm reading it sloooowly), Woody Allen: The Complete Prose (Though that's not so much a book you "finish" per se, more dip in and out for articles) and Diarmuid Ferriter's Judging Dev (Thought I just started that one). I am a serial book commitment phobe. I rarely see them through to the end.

2. I am surprisingly spending more time on Pro Evolution Soccer 08 on the Wii than Mario kart, though both games are fantastically innovative. (If you fancy some on line fun leave your friend codes here!)

3. I totally got my better half with Ray's trick today. For those who don't know he urged the men of the country to text their girlfriends/wives/bit on the side telling them to turn on Today FM. After the ad break he played a "special request" for the girl who was just texted to tune in. As Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately" played I was texted and informed of the MAJOR brownie points I scored.

I came clean in the end, and thankfully she saw the funny side.

4. I got a birthday card from Guinness. As in the drink company. Seriously.

5. The West Wing is the best TV drama ever made in my humble opinion, with Band Of Brothers being the best Mini Series.

6. I used to have a psychosomatic thing where I would gag if I ever tried to take a tablet. I got over that fairly lively when I briefly suffered chronic migraines earlier this year. All's well on both fronts now.

I'll tag Ray, One For The Road, John Cav, Thundercrack, Matt, and the pair at Modern Cadence.

The Manic Street Preachers Cover Umbrella

2008-04-23T15:15:00.004+01:00

This has several consequences.

1. Another shit summer. It wasn't a coincidence that this rain dance plagued the radio and single charts during the wettest summer ever.

2. That sound, along with James Dean Bradfields screams of "Eh eh eh under my um-bar-ella" is the mighty hammering of a nail into the coffin of the little credibility the band had
left.

3. This man now has a rival for worst "RAWK" song of the year.

Indie Pendence Festival Line Up Revealed

2008-04-21T10:08:00.002+01:00

The line up for the Indie Pendence festival has been released, revealing a decent line up for a free festival considering two major sponsors have pulled out of funding the event.

The line up, which is expected to have more names added in the coming months, is headlined by Cathy Davey, The Blizzards and Ham Sandwich with Fight Like Apes, The Flaws, The Chapters, Dirty Epics, Alphastates and Travega all taking to the stage in Mitchelstown's New Square on the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Don't forget: Record Store Day tomorrow

2008-04-18T11:55:00.002+01:00

Record Store Day is tomorrow, a really cool idea that deserves support for reasons gone into in depth on Jim's blog.

So whether it's Plugd in Cork or Road in Dublin at least pop in and buy something. Yes, it's easy to download and it's something we've all done but as Nick Hornby put it

Yes, yes, I know. It's easier to download music, and probably cheaper. But what's playing on your favourite download store when you walk into it?
Nothing, that's what. Who are you going to meet in there? Nobody. Where are the notice boards offering flatshares and vacant slots in bands destined for superstardom? Who's going to tell you to stop listening to that and start listening to this? Go ahead and save yourself a couple of quid. The saving will cost you a career, a set of cool friends, musical taste and, eventually, your soul. Record stores can't save your life. But they can give you a better one."

"Love Thy Enemies" says Jesus....and Google ads.

2008-04-15T12:43:00.001+01:00

From The Guardian

Much embarrassment at the Green Arrow Forum, the bloggers' website that supports the BNP. At the top of the site is an advertisement for singlemuslim.com, the UK's leading Muslim marriage service. This has caused much consternation to the perplexed BNP bloggers. It transpires that the ads are placed by Google, whose computerised brain must have noted that the Green Arrow constantly refers to Islam and thus thought this would be an appropriate site for lonely Muslim hearts. Some BNP bloggers have also twigged this and suggested that in future, Islam be referred to only as "the threat to the west" to avoid confusion.

Free festivals feeling the pinch

2008-04-14T15:03:00.003+01:00

As Jim will tell you, gig economy is changing as the music scene readjusts in line with global downturns (or Rip Off Republic prices, or the scene hitting saturation point, depending on your point of view.)
The old adage of "unforseen circumstances" is wheeled out more and more often, time and again to circumvent admitting that often big names just aren't selling.
However it appears that it isn't just punters who are questioning the value for money the live scene promises these days as the big advertising spenders look at just what they're getting for their buck.
With that in mind it is interesting to hear that Diageo have pulled out of sponsoring the Mitchelstown "Indie Pendence" Music Festival amongst others in line with a revised national policy of sponsoring such small events.
Following this festival's success last year (the first time in years the event in Mitchelstown finished in the black after disastrous flirtations with Danni Minogue and, er, Eamon) hopes were high that the line up of Fight Like Apes, Director, Delorentos, Republic of Loose, Sultans of Ping and co could be built on, however these hopes appear to be dashed. The rumoured line up for this year's festival (and I ain't sayin' nothin' yet - I learned my lesson) still promises great value for money for punters going to a free gig, but Arthur G. and co don't see it this way and organisers will hope revellers will be feeling generous when the buckets come around.

Is this the funniest multinational corporation web site ever?

2008-04-13T20:42:00.002+01:00

Fair play to Maccy-Dee's for their website www.makeupyourownmind.co.uk, a place where worried customers can air their grievances and ask the questions they want to the faceless corporation.

"Bah! A PR stunt!" I hear you say. Maybe so.

However, judging by some of the questions posed to the fast food giants the website is not a simple FAQ made by the company and there is some straight-faced lackey earnestly answering WHATEVER is posed to McDonalds. Here's a selection taken from the site.

QUESTION: I notice that, in general, people who eat at McDonalds appear to be less healthy and less attractive than those who don't. In your opinion, is this a result of diet or of other economic and social factors?

ANSWER: This is certainly not a conclusion that the company would agree with. All sorts of people, from different walks of life, all with different tastes are welcome to enjoy the food at McDonald's restaurants. With many new additions to the menu and detailed nutritional information available in the restaurants on the reverse of trayliners, on most packaging and via the internet, all customers can make better informed decisions about the food that they eat. (June 2007)

QUESTION Have you stopped poisoning people?

ANSWER: McDonald’s is a legitimate business and sells food and drink acting fully within the laws of the countries where it operates.

QUESTION: I have nightmares about the ronald mcdonald clown... Would you be willing to compensate by sending me some free food vouchers to help me get over my fear of clowns and aid my rehabilitation into society?

ANSWER: McDonald's is saddened to hear that you are having nightmares about Ronald McDonald. As McDonald's Chief Happiness Officer, he has been the face of the company since 1963 and is one of the most recognised characters in the world. Unfortunately, the company will not be able to provide you with any free food vouchers.

QUESTION: Is Ronald McDonal (sic) secretly teaching little boys that it's normal to wear lipstick?
ANSWER: Ronald McDonald is all about teaching children how to understand and enjoy food, to be active, and have lots of fun.

and finally....

QUESTION: A McDonald's near me got shut down due to a "worrying amount of seman in the fries" how much is a worrying amount, how much is actually allowed in our food?
ANSWER: This is a myth and is not true.

Hint: for the best questions type "Ronald" into their site search engine and enjoy the various different questions and hypothesis of his origin and genealogy.

See you next year.

2008-04-11T13:10:00.001+01:00

Enough said?

Brady's got a chippy on his shoulder.

2008-04-08T22:21:00.003+01:00

To all those who doubt the quality of entertainment that soccer can provide I produce Exhibit A; RTE's Champions League punditry.

Yet another performance that will go down in the annals of history along with Dunphy's questioning of Staunton's qualifications ("Would you let him drive the train to Cork, Bill?"), last night's hissyfit from Arsenal employee Liam Brady will live long in the memory.

And kudos to Dunphy for his antagonising jibes dressed as serious analysis (comparing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's sideline mannerisms to Monthy Python's Ministry of Silly Walks was sublime piss taking at it's best). The car crash telly continued by Brady's assertion that he would have refused to go on air had he known the backstage crew had assembled a video of Wenger's sideline behaviour and reached a climax when Dunphy revealed that he had a part to play in the editing room. Graeme Souness must have thought to himself "This would never happen at Sky"

No doubt some clever sod will provide a youtube clip, when it surfaces, regardless of your attitude to football I implore you to watch a sore loser and a wind up merchant at their best.

UPDATE: It's on YouTube at HERE, I'll embed when I'm home (work nazis have blocked YouTube here.)

Delusions of Grandeur

2008-04-03T15:03:00.005+01:00

Coughlan and Hanafin throw support behind Cowen
03/04/2008 - 13:49:51

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan and Education Minister Mary Hanafin have both come out in support of Brian Cowen as the new leader of Fianna Fáil.

The two ministers were both regarded as possible candidates for the job, but they confirmed that they believe Mr Cowen should take over as Bertie Ahern's successor.

European Affairs Minister Dick Roche has also declared support for Brian Cowen, as have ministers Micheal Martin, Willie O'Dea and Martin Cullen.

The comments suggest the Laois-Offaly TD may get the job without a contest.

However, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has refused to rule out a leadership bid, while Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern has also declined to publicly state his intentions.

Noel Dempsey? Taoiseach?

The first person to leave a comment convincing me that he would be a good Taoiseach wins a prize.*

*Prize being my admiration.

Massive Attack for d'Marquee

2008-04-03T14:51:00.000+01:00

According to Jim.

Still not a great line up.

April Fools jokes.

2008-04-01T12:57:00.001+01:00

They've reached saturation point, it's tiring. But have you heard any decent ones?

Actual Electric Picnic Line Up and the scurge of on-line rumours.

2008-03-27T09:17:00.006Z

According to an Electric Picnic press release:

Sex Pistols, Sigur Ros, Grinderman, Franz Ferdinand, George Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars, My Bloody Valentine, Goldfrapp, Christy Moore, Wilco, The Gossip, Duffy, Underworld, Tinariwen, CSS, Tindersticks, New Young Pony Club, Josh Ritter, Lisa Hannigan, Cathy Davey, That Petrol Emotion, The Breeders, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sinead O'Connor, Henry Rollings (sic) The Waterboys, The Roots, Kila, Micah P Hinson, Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Hayseed Dixie, Candi Staton, Juana Molina, Turin Brakes, Faust, Midnight Juggernauts, Tartit, Hadouken!, Silver Apples, Mark Geary, Teitur, Blitzen Trapper, Absentee, Balanescu Quartet, Lou Rhodes, Adrian Crowley, One Day International, The Yard Dogs, Tobias Froberg, Boss Volenti, Dawn Landes, Constantines, Yacht, Lionheart Brothers, Large Mound, Emmy the Great, Foals, Kormac & the BSQ Band, Jape, Noisettes, Dublin Gospel Choir

With more to be announced. The acts in bold were predicted on the very different list I posted the other day, which many, including Nialler9 felt was legit too - it was heavily rumoured on the Electric Picnic Forum. Hopefully the remainder of the acts on the "leaked" list will emerge, because as of yet the following rumoured acts haven't appeared:

Moby
Super Furry Animals
Fat Boy Slim
Elbow
Chic featuring Nile Rogers
Gary Numan
The Human League
808 State
The Orb
Mogwai
Neon Neon
Jamie Liddell
Lee Scratch Perry
Baaba Mal
The Wedding Present
Sebastien Tellier
Billy Bragg
Marty Mulligan
Saul Williams
Booka Shade
Transglobal Underground
Two Gallants
King Creosote
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Damien Bloody Rice
The Duke Spirit
Crystal Castles
Red Snapper
f*ck Buttons
Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
Fish Go Deep
Grand National
Cinephile
Kings of Convenience
David Kitt
Donal Dineen
Gemma Hayes
Plaid
Kevin Rowland
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Two Gallants
Trentemoller
Richie Hawtin
Massive Attack
Paul Weller
James
Bloc Party
Fat Freddy's Drop
Cornelius
Buzzcocks
DJ Krush
Supergrass
The Coral
Bonnie Prince Billy
Notwist
Calexico
Jimmy Cliff
Robyn
Low
Dirty Three

So officially the "leaked list" had 18 right out of a predicted 78 (or a 23% success rate fact fans!) and failed to foresee 42 of the acts actually announced.

Hmm. It smacks of someone taking all the acts touring at the moment, throwing on a list and seeing what sticks. Given the calibre of some of the acts that haven't been officially announced, I hope this isn't the case.

A rehashed old rant on our 'enlightened' times.

2008-03-26T15:57:00.006Z

Today the inquest into the deaths of Nollaig Owen and her son returned an open verdict. The whole story has been, quite rightly, been treated delicately by the press and all concerned have full sympathies with the young woman, who clearly had mental health issues. While the inquest returned an open verdict it is taken that the most likely explanation is that the mother took both her child and her own life, similar to another tragedy when a mother threw herself and her child off the Cliffs of Moher.

If it were a father, however, would he be given the same benefit of doubt or would he be denounced a "monster" by the tabloids?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is a stigma around men's mental health issues that really need to be addressed by the media in this country. It reflects on how we still see the divisions of gender - the strong men and weak women - I'm amazed more women weren't offended by Eoghan Harris' patronising defense of Grainne Carruth, the Taoiseach's secretary on Today FM's The Last Work last week. The constant references to how she's had three children, how she's "just" a housewife now and suggesting how the big bad tribunal are harassing a lil woman who is out of her depth in this mans world of a tribunal were unbelievable. I nearly expected Harry Enfield to pop out.

In this day and age you can add "Men: don't expose yours" to that mantra.

Alleged Electric Picnic line up

2008-03-25T15:31:00.001Z

My Bloody Valentine
Sex Pistols
Moby
Tindersticks
Underworld
Super Furry Animals
Fat Boy Slim
The Breeders
Elbow
CSS
George Clinton
Chic featuring Nile Rogers
Gary Numan
Franz Ferdinand
The Human League
808 State
The Orb
Mogwai
Faust
Neon Neon
Jamie Liddell
Sigur Ros
Foals
Lee Scratch Perry
Baaba Mal
The Wedding Present
Sebastien Tellier
Henry Rollins
Billy Bragg
Marty Mulligan
Saul Williams
Booka Shade
Transglobal Underground
Two Gallants
King Creosote
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Damien Bloody Rice
The Duke Spirit
Crystal Castles
Tinariwen
Red Snapper
f*ck Buttons
Micah P Hinson
Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
Fish Go Deep
Grand National
Lisa Hannigan
Cinephile
Kings of Convenience
David Kitt
Donal Dineen
Gemma Hayes
Gossip
Plaid
Kevin Rowland
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Two Gallants
Trentemoller
Richie Hawtin
Massive Attack
Paul Weller
James
Bloc Party
Fat Freddy's Drop
Cornelius
Buzzcocks
DJ Krush
Supergrass
The Coral
Bonnie Prince Billy
Notwist
Goldfrapp
Calexico
Jimmy Cliff
Robyn
Hayseed Dixie
Low
Dirty Three

From the Electric Picnic forum - we'll see tomorrow hw accurate it is.

Democracy simply doesn't work.

2008-03-24T23:50:00.002Z

Long time no post - was on a relaxing internet free holiday. Calmed down, chilled out, all good.

Then I saw Kerrang's Top Ten Greatest Rock Bands Of All Time.

10. Bowling For Soup
9. Queen
8. Avenged Sevenfold
7. Paramore
6. Evanescence
5. Elliot Minor
4. Nine Inch Nails
3. HIM
2. 30 Seconds to Mars
1. My Chemical Romance

For the record, Led Zeppelin were 41st, pipped to the big four-oh by The Rasmus. Yes, I know it was a public vote organised by a magazine whose key demo are angry 14 year old suburban kids in "I hate myself and want to die" Cobain hoodies who are unique and in no way similar to the other angry 14 year old suburban kids in "I hate myself and want to die" Cobain hoodies, but come on! Any self respecting magazine should either

a) Suppress such an embarrassing gauge of its readers' tastes.
b) Complement the list with an editorial condemning their tragic taste. Gotta be cruel to be kind, in a few years the kids will thank you.
c) Just pack it in altogether.

Remember the next time you slate Hot Press or NME. It could be so so so much worse.

It could be Kerrang.

Kids - don't do drugs.

2008-03-12T09:50:00.000Z

MGMT/Futureheads/CSS sells out. Oxegen still hasn't.

2008-03-07T13:35:00.003Z

I wonder if the Oxegen bubble has burst - tickets are usually gone by now.

In other news, rumours abound that the MTV Spanking New Music Tour dates in Dublin have sold out.

What do you do with all your old magazines?

2008-03-04T22:29:00.004Z

I'm a hoarder. I keep stuff of little or no practical use, often claiming "sentimental value" or insisting that in years to come the many discarded items that lay strewn across my room or dormant in the attic will be worth something some day. When my mother suggests that she'll give my old childhood toys to charity I have a simple reply. Suggesting that armed with only an arts degree to my name my main source of financial income will be the antiquated by-gones of my youth, I imply that should she want me to put her in a good nursing home she'll keep my 1980s heirlooms, lest she appear on a "Prime Time 2030" expose of substandard geriatric care hosted by a cyborg Miriam O'Callaghan.

But I digress.

Another thing I keep is magazines. Lots of them. In fact it has gotten ridiculous - impractical even. I have pretty much every issue of Empire from the last 7 years in my room, taking up valuable book and DVD space. Then there are the various music magazines in boxes at the end of my bed.
Now many people are, at this point thinking "Why not recycle them?". That's what my mother argues. My girlfriend likewise (Now we could go off on a psychological tangent right there, but lets keep it Freud-free mmmkay?).
People who say this aren't hoarders. They can't understand that for people like me it is not good enough to simply extract the literal value - i.e. the content of the magazine - from it. Oh no. We hoarders need to feel another value from it. Throwing these items away is like admitting defeat - something a proud hoarder would never do, for it also exposes an underlying fear; that all this collecting, the pedantic cataloguing of these things has been futile - hours of our lives wasted. Maybe cleaning all this space would be cathartic but then the fear that an opportunity to redeem that value of the hoard could be potentially missed.

Anyway, reading the lively debate on magazines on Jim's blog, there are plenty of magazine buyers out there. Are you a hoarder? If so where do you keep your bounty? Are you a reformed soul who took the brave step of dumping your lot? Or are you the disposable type who dumps something once it has served its purpose?

I hate the term 'Nanny State'.....but

2008-03-03T11:34:00.005Z

It's a knee jerk reactionary phrase to unpopular laws. Yes, we can be over regulated at times but such Orwellian terminology only serves to sensationalise situations in a bid to attract attention.

Yet as hypocritical as I'm going to sound, I'm quite surprised that more hasn't been made of Eamon Ryan's proposal to give more prime time viewing hours to public service announcements, which smacks of the government dictating to us what we should watch.

Mr Ryan insists that RTE must stop 'chasing ratings', claiming that 'RTE's key role is in the provision of high-quality content in innovative creative output.'

A key role it has served in recent times with output such as 'Celebrities Go Wild', 'Celebrity Jigs and Reels', the upcoming 'Celebrity Banisteoir' and the interminable 'You're A Star'.

The fear now is that there will be a split in how money is spent by the national broadcaster - advertising funds will go towards buying in imported television shows and sporting events, with license fees going toward the proposed 'public service content'.

Obviously RTE will have to increase the fees taken from advertisers to cover the dramas and sports coverage that they currently host on the station but the question is will advertisers bother stumping up that much more? Considering that Irish people can, and do watch many of the shows RTE boasts in its lineup on Satellite television (the big hitters such as Lost, Prison Break, Desperate Housewives and Scrubs are all on Sky One and E4) how much is the Irish market really worth? The crown jewel in RTE Sport's Autumn to Spring line up is the Champions League - available on ITV and Sky Sports.

The pressure is on RTE to compete with these channels, it is not the advertisers job. Should RTE lose these ratings earners an anemic line up will have advertisers in a position to pay less for air time - albeit for a schedule that will have less viewers. However many of these advertisers have air time on satellite television also; will they be concerned knowing that many Irish have a mini-dish?

This draconian attempt by Ryan to 'serve the people' is reminiscent of De Valera's fear of the influence of television on Irish culture. While Dev's fear of 'cultural colonialism' is all to apparent in modern Ireland, any attempt by the government to impose what it believes is important viewing on the public will be of little benefit and will ensure millions turn to Sky and NTL for what they really want to see.

The next ROG-Gate?

2008-02-26T23:16:00.004Z

As seen on Mulley's site.

Reminds me alot of another picture...

Reasons to be Cheerful for Cork Gig Goers

2008-02-26T22:02:00.007Z

With the disappointment that is the Marquee gigs line up, music fans in the Rebel County could be forgiven for thinking that all the good gigs are limited to the 'big schmoke' of Dublin.

Not so, and a quick look at the list below proves that there's many the good night to be had in Cork in the future..

Fri 29 Feb / 9:00PM / Si Schroeder / Cyprus Avenue / €10
Sat 01 Mar / 10:30PM / Fuck Buttons / Liquid Lounge / €10
Thu 13 Mar / 9:00PM / Ham Sandwich / Cyprus Avenue / €8
Fri 14 Mar / 9:00PM / Hooray For Humans / Cyprus Avenue / €8
Sun 23 Mar / 9:00PM / Fight Like Apes / Cyprus Avenue / €10
Fri 28 Mar / 9:00PM / Stanley Super 800 / Cyprus Avenue / €10
Thu 8 May / 9:00PM / Black Rebel Motorcycle Club / Savoy / €30
Fri 9 May / 9:00PM Iron and Wine / Savoy / €25.50

Thanks to corkgigs.com for the specifics.

"I got you one of those One 4 All Vouchers!"

2008-02-26T16:23:00.003Z

"Now be sure to use it because it says you have to before the end of July. But they're great! Can use them in practically any shop!"

Hmmm. Here's an idea. Save yourself a service charge and give CASH. It works in ALL shops, no fucking practically about it and it doesn't have an expiry date. Giving someone a One4All voucher does not cover the fact that you are too uninspired to think of a gift for a person so at least be honest about it, rather than appease your guilt by buying into An Post's scam.

Those things do my head in.

Is there anyone cooler....

2008-02-26T16:02:00.004Z

...than Jon Stewart? What an absolute gent he was on Oscar night to Marketa Irglova. A damn good and funny host to boot. The only people on Oscar night who could possibly be cooler are...

George Clooney
Javier Bardem
Jack Nicholson
Forrest Whitaker (strikes me as the nicest guy ever. And did you hear him sing on Jonathan Ross?)

And that's only people who strike me as being possibly cooler. Mr Stewart, I salute you.

On a personal note, for someone with an MA in Film Studies I have seen a worryingly low amount of the 80 Best Film Award Winners.

Predict Monday's LiveLine.

2008-02-25T09:27:00.003Z

"Izza dizgrace Joe"

"Sure sure"

"I mean, all the yoooo-rows wasted on bleedin tribunals ta find out how much Bertie won on a bleedin scratchcard in April 1993 an all da, who cares?"

"Do you not think the public have a right to know?"

"Right to know? It's been years, we'll never know. And anyway, my point is this; milions of yoooo-rows on tribunal that could be invested in the yooot."

"The youth?"

"Yeah. In music. That way we could send a decent act to the yoooo-row vision. Izza disgrace. Or we could use the millions to get that Glen Hansom fella. He did well."

"He did."

"I mean how come we can spend millions and millions makin' films like that one da did well there last night and not on the music that represents us in the wurld?"

"Errrr..."

On another note, fair play to The Scotsman for giving us the benefit of doubt.

CONGRATULATIONS to Ireland in choosing as its submission for this year's Eurovision Song Contest a grotesque puppet turkey called Dustin, whose gobbled rendition of Irelande Douze Points is set to ruffle official feathers.

Critics may see it as an act of insulting ingratitude to those millions across Europe who have so often over the years voted the Irish submission the winner that the country has grown weary of hosting the competition.

But it is, of course, as we would expect from Ireland, a more profound existential statement about the meaning of popular music – or the lack of it. In this regard it marks the first truly post-modernist submission for the contest. As such, it deserves equal treatment to those maniacally cavorting bands whose meaningless librettos have reduced the contest to farce long before the arrival of Dustin the Turkey.

Who would have batted an eyelid had Dustin been submitted to the Tate Modern as a contemporary work of sculpture? It would have probably won a prize, and tucked itself into Tracey Emin's unmade bed for good measure.

Dustin the Turkey may well end up knocking the stuffing out of the competition. But we have cause enough to celebrate the entry as the most original Eurovision Song Contest act in years. All it awaits is hearty approval from Terry Wogan.

Friday Randomness

2008-02-22T10:01:00.005Z

19 year old gets his own blog with prominent UK paper. Comments are less than kind. The Guardian miss the point completely.

Yes there were some nasty resentful comments based on class. But it's convenient that they ignored the genuine criticisms of the article (that it was clichéd ridden posturing with very little insight). It's easy to point at the vitriol that the guy endured but me thinks the editor needs to look at the quality of what's put on the site rather than the quantity of comments it receives.

There is going to be an Arrested Development movie.
At last the world's first analyst and therapist goes to the big screen.

A sixteen year old Argentinian girl has given birth to her second set of triplets. She now has seven kids. Love the response to the family's plea for Government health. "Some Argentines are arguing that perhaps what Pamela needs is more advice on contraception."

Finally, I made a rare trip over to Ireland AM on TV3 this morning.
They were discussing foot nail fungus and possible treatment. I was having my breakfast.

Irish bidder gets "World's Greatest Music Collection" for $3,002,1500

2008-02-21T14:52:00.002Z

Clicky

Hasn't this guy heard of torrents?*

*The above comment was made purely in jest. Doss Spot in no way encourages the illegal distribution of music and such jokes are in no way to be taken seriously by Lars Ulrich, Paul McGuinness or any record companies.

Meteors killed the Radio Stars

2008-02-19T11:02:00.003Z

Seems there's a war of words brewin' between National DJ of the Year winner Ray Foley and 2fm's Nikki Hayes over alleged comments she made about him at this year's Meteor awards.

Apparently Foley mentioned on his show how he was told that Hayes made disparaging comments about him before he walked into the green room of the awards, held in the RDS last Friday.

Hayes, however, didn't take kindly to this, and left him a comment on his blog.

Ray I didnt appreciate your comments on the radio today, any comment I made at the meteors were meant in jest, however, you are a dick.

Doss Spot awaits Foley's reply with the kind of interest reserved for Oireachtas Report.

The Smashing Pumpkins, Live @ The RDS

2008-02-19T09:39:00.003Z

Review I did recently.

Smashing Pumpkins @ The RDS, Dublin. February 9 2008

Amongst the spate of reunion that the music scene has seen in the last few years, the Smashing Pumpkins stand out as an act that has undergone a ‘reformation’ rather than a reunion, releasing new material following a seven year hiatus. While some acts will come back for money spinning tours banging out the hits their audience come to hear once again, Billy Corgan and company clearly believe that they have something new to offer, that they are still a creative force in comparison with other bands living off former glories.
However, based on tonight’s performance, more specifically the set-list, the Smashing Pumpkins need to learn how to tread their line more carefully, for while the band certainly have generated good will with their audience, very few fans would go to tonight’s gig hoping for a set list overly laden with tracks from last year’s badly received Zeitgeist.
There was a palpable feeling, based on the lukewarm reception of the newer material, that the audience were willing to indulge Billy his meanderings in return for renditions of the bands earlier hits. When these come, such as stand out moments like Tonight, Tonight, Bullet With Butterfly Wings and the show stealing solo acoustic 1979 they are all too brief moments of magic in a mediocre set, the rapturous applause that greets them mere occasional punctuations in an otherwise quiet crowd lulled into muted token appreciation as they hope the band will just get the new material out of the way and play what they came to see.
The problem with tonight’s show is not just the imbalance of the set in terms of new and old material but the pacing and tempo of the entire show. The crowd are never whipped into a frenzy, as when things get good and the energy is built up amongst the fans they are brought back down to earth by another forgettable offering.
The encore saw Corgan at his most self indulgent, with overblown and overlong solos that isolated the audience and those who lost patience headed for the doors early missed the Cherub Rock finale.
Much like Zeitgeist this two an a half hour set offered more quantity than quality, a bloated mess of a show that can count a stripped down acoustic number as the highlight of an otherwise overdone effort.
Corgan’s “Best Crowd In Europe” platitudes at the end of the night are clichéd enough yet still come across as an earnest thank you to the fans, but he and the latest incarnation of his band would be better off trimming their self-serving set and realising that shows like the one witnessed in Dublin tonight are damning indictments that as a creative force, the Smashing Pumpkin’s zeitgeist has come and gone.

The 10 Best British Albums

2008-02-18T11:22:00.002Z

According to Q

1. Oasis, Definitely Maybe
2. Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
3. Radiohead, OK Computer
4. Beatles, Revolver
5. Stone Roses, Stone Roses
6. Beatles, Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
7. Clash, London Calling
8. Keane, Under the Iron Sea
9. Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon
10. Verve, Urban Hymns

Now. I'm loath to give lists like this the time of day but according to this list Keane's Under The Iron Sea is better than (off the top of my head)

Kid A
Rubber Soul
Anything by Led Zepplin
Piper At the Gates Of Dawn.

Dear God. Yes, lists are lazy journalism, done so people will buy the magazine, see the list, get indignant and give out to their friends, who will in turn get indignant and buy/borrow the magazine nd give it more coverage.

But, journos of the world at least make the controversy somewhat credible...I mean Keane?

Hit me with more deserving mentions. I'm sure there are many.

DISCLAIMER:
1. Yes, I'm aware Q is a rag of the highest order, aimed at 30-somethings to have on their coffee table.
2. I'm also aware that due to and despite my protestations I have fallen for the very tactic I bemoan.

Meteor Awards Winners '08

2008-02-16T00:49:00.002Z

Best Irish Female: Cathy Davey
Best Irish Male: Duke Special
Best Irish Band: Aslan
Best Irish Pop: Westlife
Best Folk\Traditional: Damien Dempsey
Best Irish Live Performance: The Blizzards (Oxegen 07)
Best Irish Album: 'Addicted To Company, Part I' - Paddy Casey
Best International Live Performance: Muse (Oxegen)
Best Irish DJ: Ray Foley
Hope for 2008: Ham Sandwich
Livetime Achievement Award: The Saw Doctors
The Meteor Industry Award was posthumously present to Jim Aiken.

The most overused joke at the moment...

2008-02-14T09:57:00.004Z

"Sure isn't his English better than Staunton's?"

No it's not. Shut up.

New Indiana Jones Trailer!

2008-02-14T09:45:00.002Z

On Ahora Hollywood.

Takes something special to keep Batman off my 'most anticipated summer movie' list.
Kudos to you Mr. Spielberg.

Decency in entertianment media - an oxymoron?

2008-02-13T13:49:00.003Z

UK gossip site Holy Moly's decision to self censor in the light of increasingly invasive paparazzi photos is to be welcomed. An interesting case study will be to see if in year or so their site viewings or advertising revenues will drop. Methinks not.

As has been said before, by Phil on The State or even myself it's up to the media to draw the line at the depths sunk for a story. People are only compelled by Amy Winehouse or Britney's latest breakdowns because it is what is fed to the general public through papers and television. This is not to patronise the public but it really is a case of the media declaring a story is a story 'because we say so' rather than it being in the public interest. There would be little public outcry if the media didn't cover these events, the interest would shift to whatever (in an ideal world more significant and worthy) story that is presented.

Sadly I think Holy Moly's stand will be an isolated incident, as many editors and producers reach for Webster to understand the basic concept of integrity.

Taoiseach admits rules broken. No one cares.

2008-02-11T14:46:00.001Z

An interesting throwaway comment in last Saturday's Examiner from Bertie on 'Rebel' Ned O'Keeffe TD.

Asked if he would welcome Mr O’Keeffe back, Bertie Ahern said: “Ned and I have been friends for 30 years, of course I would.

“I was talking to him earlier and he told me he had four comhairle ceantar meetings tonight, so he’s busier than ever.”

Hmmm.

Because a letter circulated by Fianna Fáil (ya know, Bertie's crew? Who Ned left?) following O'Keeffe's resignation says the following:

As a member of the PP (Parliamentary Party) he was entitled to attend and speak at the meetings of all Comhairlí Ceantair (CC) in the Cork East constituency, (Rule 29 (i)), but now he has lost the right to attend and participate at all meetings and activities of this cumann.

So let's get this straight. In less time than it took the FAI to replace Stan, Ned O'Keeffe left Fianna Fáil because he wouldn't vote confidence in Mary Harney, (though he didn't vote against, he just abstained) has continued to go to Fianna Fáil meetings even though he's not a member anymore and is now rejoining?

'Rebel' Ned indeed.

UNKLE split

2008-02-11T13:55:00.000Z

As reported on State a statement on the band's website confirms the split after 10 years.

The video is their remix of QOTSA 'No One Knows' put to some anime.

Legal free music is always good

2008-02-11T10:57:00.000Z

So Thundercrack Playlist is worth a look.

Here's the details.

A playlist of the best new music around as well as live and rare tracks from the biggest bands in the world. I will give special focus to unsigned bands when deciding who to feature on the playlist. Any bands or musicians who would like to be featured on the playlist send ONE of your songs along with a bio and relevant website links to thundercrackplaylist@gmail.com

There's something....unsettling about this picture.

2008-02-08T11:49:00.000Z

Sorry, could you say that last bit again?

2008-02-07T14:48:00.000Z

From Reeling In The Years, which I nerdishly want on DVD.

Wait until the end.

"Recorded 100% on solar energy"

2008-02-07T12:35:00.000Z

Dear God.

I think I just heard an ad for Jack Johnson's new album actually brag that it was recorded using solar power.

That's all we need - for the pretentious pious knobs out there for find a new "product" to be high and mighty about.

"Ya I used to like Bjork but then I heard that the plastic cases for her last CD were produced by workers who are paid less than the international average minimum wage AND she didn't plant a thousand trees for every gig she did on her last tour so her music now means nothing to me. I mean, are her microphones fair trade?"

Rumoured new acts for the Marquee.

2008-02-07T12:20:00.000Z

Include Jay-Z and Neil Young.

I'm still not terribly interested.

Road Rage.

2008-02-05T10:53:00.000Z

Ok class, what we should revise today.

1. Cars coming from a secondary to a main road yield for the oncoming traffic on that main road. Not the other way around. Yes, it's awfully nice of you to allow people out in front of you.

Consider this though.

While you may not be in a hurry, the other rush hour commuters may not appreciate getting stuck behind a school bus.

2. All road users have the same rights. Regardless. Honestly, I know, I know, that Lexus probably cost you ten times what I paid for my second hand Nissan but I should still be allowed on the road. Maybe if you pay the right people a law forcing the likes of me onto the hard shoulder will be passed but until then check the aggression.

3. "Slow lane ends: 200m" is an indication that the two lanes will merge into one, and informs drivers to beware.
It does not translate as "Make a sudden burst and anyone in front of you be damned." See point 2. (I hope it was worth it, getting to be one whole car ahead of me as we got stuck in the subsequent bottleneck.)

4. The outside lane is for overtaking, only to be driven on if there is a car impeding your progress on the inside lane. It is not for driving at the same speed as cars in the other lane.

5. Lanes approaching roundabouts are not mere 'suggestions'. It would also be nice if you would at least indicate before swerving in front of other traffic.

6. Yes, employers, as unbelievable as it all sounds these things can all happen in a half an hour's drive. Please be tolerant of staff late for these reasons, for further aggravation will require a cathartic release of tension.

Such as wasting company time on a blog.

Random Monday rambles...

2008-01-28T11:20:00.000Z

Agoraphobic man dies after going out.

It's like 10,000 spoons...

Music Industry takes a swipe at Internet Service Providers

Though I think the most surprising aspect of the article is the revelation of the most downloaded single in 2007 - Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend? Rhianna demands a recount.

Jape @ De Barras, Clonakilty, 27/12/07

2008-01-25T13:29:00.000Z

Apologies for taking so long to put the review up - shitty health will do that though.

And so it was on a wet, windy miserable Thursday night that many, nursing their St. Stephen's Day hangover, ventured to De Barras in Clonakilty for a unique one man show by Richie "Jape" Egan.
Compressing the accompanying band music down to his "magic box", Egan faced an unusual venue for his energetic indie electronica, the snug setting more appropriate for a trad session than the type of performance that Whelan's in Dublin would witness days later on New Year's Eve.
This gig, however, was tempered by low-tempo renditions of To The Sea and a cover of Leonard Cohen's Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye amongst others, and thankfully he didn't appear at least to be underwhelmed by the static, seated crowd, feeding off his own energy when needed, bounding around the tiny stage with gusto and necessary care so as not to trip on the myriad of instruments at his feet.
This was a good thing too, because the noise and movement of the crowd, or lack thereof was in no way an indictment of a bad show. Call it the festive mood or whatever, all were captivated and took in a gig with an intimate atmosphere and a compelling act, who, stripped of supporting band didn't suffer.
Finishing with Phil Lynott, this was an unusually cosy setting for Jape but one that was welcomed by a crowd who, like Richie himself confessed, just wanted an excuse to escape Christmas for a few hours.

Some Links Worth Following Up

2008-01-21T12:53:00.000Z

Have been all over the place this month, was ill for a while but thankfully (considering the state of the hospital I was in - cheers HSE!) it turned out as nothing serious. I'll have a review of Jape's one man show in De Barras in Clonakilty a few weeks back up soon hopefully.

In the meantime a couple of links to some legal free downloads.

The first is a selection of mash-ups released in 2007, including a track from the excellent Go Home Productions, who I had assumed had split.

http://simoniddol.freeblog.hu/archives/2007/12/20/Mashups_Of_The_Year_2007/

The next is a site I've found with mp3's of live Radiohead stuff, worth a look.

http://www.lders.nl/index.php?entry=entry060617-233544

The Choice Music Awards

2008-01-10T10:47:00.000Z

By now you're probably aware of the shortlist for the Choice Music Awards

Adrian Crowley “Long Distance Swimmer” (Tin Angel)
Cathy Davey “Tales Of Silversleeve” (EMI)
Delorentos “In Love With Detail” (Cottage)
Dry County “Unexpected Falls” (Lazybird)
The Flaws “Achieving Vagueness” (Arrivals)
David Geraghty “Kill Your Darlings” (Decal)
Kila “Gambler’s Ballet” (Kila Records)
Roisin Murphy “Overpowered” (EMI)
Stanley Super 800 “Louder & Clearer” (Sofa)
Super Extra Bonus Party “Super Extra Bonus Party” (Alphabet Set)

Cathy Davey is the clear favourite, which means there's a good chance she won't win - I fancy Super Extra Bonus Party as an outside bet.

I also noted with interest the panel of judges:

Brian Boyd (The Irish Times), Alan Corr (The RTE Guide), Michael Carr (Cork 96FM), Ronan Casey (Westmeath Examiner), Dan Hegarty (2FM), Anne Marie Kelly (Today FM), Sheena McGinley (Entertainment.ie), Una Mullally (Sunday Tribune), Paul McClean (BBC Northern Ireland), League O’Toole (Foggy Notions), Nadine O’Regan (Sunday Business Post and Phantom 105.2) and Jon Richards (Galway Bay FM).

Quite a few local journalists...must mention that to my editor but alas I fear our policy of not reviewing music will continue. It's like Footloose around here..

Next summer's Irish Aural Leaving Cert leaks...

2008-01-07T17:24:00.000Z

From Cork based comedian Alan Hurley

Fair Play to Eamon Dunphy

2008-01-07T12:28:00.000Z

After having picked up both English player of the season honours, came third in FIFA world player of the year, was the 2nd highest scorer in the league for 06/07 and is currently top scorer this season (from midfield), Ronaldo will be relieved to know that in today's Irish Daily Star Eamon Dunphy has done a u-turn and admitted that the lad is a decent player, and not the "puff ball" Dunphy called him last season.

I want a copy of this

2008-01-04T17:00:00.000Z

Scotch Mist is described as "a film with Radiohead in it made for New Year's Eve, 2007. Features every song on their new album In Rainbows"

Alas I have only seen it on YouTube but it is an interesting way to see all the tracks played live.

Reflections on 2007

2008-01-02T13:46:00.000Z

I always think it's premature to have your list or review of a year gone by until it's finally over. For example, Sky News (alright hardly a shining example of new journalism but run with me on this) had their 2007 review cut and broadcast, yet already looks horribly dated, and incomplete in the wake of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

For me, personally it was a good year, but one with plenty of disillusionment with my profession. It has been a terrible, terrible year for journalism, both nationally and internationally. A writer can get a book and a television special on the back of sensationalist claims she can't substantiate with any hard evidence. The death of a model is elevated by hacks in the D4 circuit to the point that the leader of the country feels compelled to send a representative to the funeral. These are the journalists who control what Irish people read - the ones who by day write hyperbole after hyperbole on the scurge of cocaine and alcohol but by night go to the trendiest Dublin hotspots. What's worse is that the lines between news and celebriy has become so blurred that they are interchangeable. Here in Ireland we have a terrible need to "keep up with the Jones'" - reality TV is a hit in the UK? Lets get Celebrities doing jigs, or going wild. People want to know about the rich and famous? Let's give Lorraine Keane a DAILY half hour show on gossip.

It's a sad state of affairs when gossip is given that sort of coverage, but then again it is TV3 giving it. The channel offers little of anything uniquely Irish, the only program I recall was the shoddy, cheap and exploitational "documentary" on Irish Debs ball culture.

We need to look long and hard at our priorities as a society, when there is such apathy about the highly questionable nature of our elected leader's personal finances. But moreso the Media. This year I have been astounded at the assignments I have been given to do in the trivial and in some cases, worthless nature of the story other than a "novelty". I was trying to sum up the words to express my feelings on the media this year, and then I saw Christmas' Extras

This is something we in the media need to realise; we generate the public demand. No one would care about Paris Hilton's jail sentence had Sky not given her trip to prison live coverage. Katy French's death deserved no more coverage than that of Kevin Doyle and John Grey, but didn't the national outpouring of grief that met Princess Diana's demise sell papers by the bucketload in the UK? Let's try the same here - why not? We do it with our reality television and talent shows.
The value of Madeline McCann's life was elevated above that of all the hundreds of people who went missing both in the UK and here in Ireland because Sky decided so. There was an uncomfortable xenophobic undercurrent in the whole thing - it was all to easy to have a pop at Johnny Foreigners policing of the situation, not like the sterling work done in the UK.

There is little to inspire an aspiring journalist to stay clear of the gutter, to avoid sensationalism when it's the easy path to success that is not only apparent but absolutely promoted within the industry.

Here's to 2008.

I've always wondered...

2007-12-18T11:19:00.000Z

Looking for payday loan?

Based on a survey I took on http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/

Only a few days left....

2007-12-18T09:56:00.000Z

....to join Adam's campaign to make Tom Waits' ‘Christmas card from a Hooker in Minneapolis’ the Christmas number 1 and to break the monopoly that the winner of X-Factor (regardless of who it is) has over the seasonal top spot.

So go to your legal recognised download provider (iTunes etc) and for a couple of euro you can make a difference.

Anything you can do...

2007-12-14T16:28:00.000Z

So, as Sinead has discussed, Lily Allen is on the Orange Prize panel of judges because she reads books.

Well that's nothing - not to be outdone is Kate "Lily Mk II" Nash who is preparing her literary debut..

'Kate Nash has revealed that she is currently writing a series of short stories, and plans to release a book in the future...Nash explained that she is working on a story for children based around a seven-foot transvestite named Roy, and that author Roald Dahl is an influence on her work. "I'd like to release a collection of short stories," she explained. "I'm writing one a bout a 12 year-old boy called George, who meets a seven-foot cross-dresser called Roy. It's a concept about imagination and being whatever your dream is. There's a lot of things I want to achieve creatively," Nash went on to say. "I just like chucking things out and thinking, 'Whatever'"

I, like many of you, await the first book from the lady that wrote "You said I must eat so many lemons, because I am so bitter" with much anticipation.

The Battle of Evermore Gig Prices

2007-12-11T10:14:00.000Z

The Zeppelin reunion has gone down well, and a 2008 tour has been suggested. Happy times. However, as Jim and his excellent coverage of gigonomics will tell you, gigs aren't cheap these days.

When Radiohead charge €70 for a ticket (yeah I caved and got one...an early Christmas present to myself?) how much are Page and co. going to ask? Especially when there are many many middle aged people who don't normally go to gigs but will want to go to this?

There's a promoter who knows all that glitters is gold...

Catholic Heaven Vs. Protestant Heaven

2007-12-10T13:24:00.000Z

It's well known that the quality of The Simpsons has been in decline for years, but one of the most inspired gags they've ever had is in the recent (well, last year or two anyway) episode where Bart and Homer convert to Catholicism

via videosift.com

Brilliant. If only they kept that standard...

Charlie Brooker on "heat" magazine.

2007-12-03T10:44:00.000Z

Excellent article in The Guardian on the celebrity magazine phenomenon.

Though how do "superior" yet like minded tripe like Hello or even our own VIP get away with similar criticism? They may not be as tacky as to give away stickers, but Hello is still a vapid waste of paper that has been dining out on the royal family for years. Maybe that's the secret to staying "classy" - focus on the upper class rather than a "chav's" 15 minutes.

Ok, I'm getting excited about this now...

2007-11-28T09:45:00.000Z

Empire has the latest on "The Dark Knight", the next Batman film from Christopher Nolan including bits on Heath Ledger as The Joker.

So I went ice-skating yesterday

2007-11-23T14:03:00.000Z

At Cork On Ice, Little Island. A lot of fun though I brought someone who had never been, and she subsequently injured her ankle.

Still....could have been worse

For your increased license fee today...

2007-11-18T22:37:00.000Z

Over the course of the weekend RTE have subjected viewers to Jade Goodey on the Late Late and Bill and the boys managing to continue their bitter, stubborn crusade against Manchester United's Christiano Ronaldo- before an international fixture between Ireland and Wales.

The most unforgivable has to be the continuation of "RTE Physics" - a rare phenomenon in which sound, in particular George Hamilton's commentary, travels faster than light, being the actual picture on our screens.

Marvel as George tells us the Welsh goalie has spilled a cross before the ball is even kicked!
Gasp as George predicts a goal before the player even strikes the ball!

In this day and age a lag between picture and sound on a live broadcast is barely acceptable from a feed coming from the Middle East - how the hell did RTE mess up a game being broadcast from Wales, the closest country to the island of Ireland?

Killer Or Victim? Man or Woman?

2007-11-15T15:15:00.000Z

The story about the death of a family in a fire in Omagh has shocked and saddened many. The suspicions that it was the father of the family that may have started the family has only added to the sense of tragedy.

However, as many reports, especially in the tabloids, refer to the father, Arthur McElhill, as 'demented' amongst other sensationalist demonising phrases the question must be asked: would similar language be used if it were suspected that the mother of the family had started the fire?

As seen in the case in Wexford last year, the media jumped to demonise the father, however when it was revealed that his wife visited an undertaker with him the week before, the tone softened considerably.

In the last year we have seen the suicides of Nollaig Owen and the mother and son who died on the Cliffs of Moher, yet never is the phrase murder-suicide used.

Terminology when describing these events tend to be much more sympathetic towards the women in question, with reasoning such as Post-Natal depression given to explain these tragedies.

There is a regular push to quash the social stigma of male mental health yet men with mental issues are not given the same benefits in the media as women are. That is not to suggest that women are deserving of the same treatment subjected to men in the media, but to suggest that men who are responsible for these tragedies are subject to the same criteria when judged by the media.

Ultimately it is a reminder that in our society mental illness is a 'weakness': permissible in 'the fairer sex' but unforgivable in men, who are supposed to be the strong, dominant gender, who are 'demented' as opposed to 'tragic'.

Goodbye workday.

2007-11-13T11:45:00.000Z

For those of you who appreciate a classic videogame and fancy an unproductive day may I heartily recommend Virtual NES.

A wealth of games from the classic NES, all uploaded and playable online.

Hope the boss isn't expecting too much of me this week...

Players go GAA-GAA

2007-11-10T15:03:00.000Z

95% of inter-county players have voted to go on strike following the GAA's decision not to distribute 5 million euros worth of expenses awarded by the government to the players.

The GAA believe that doing so would go against the Association's ethos of the games remaining amateur.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the government want the players to have this money why don't they distribute it? Why thrust responsibility onto an organisation that wants nothing to do with it?

Surely the all powerful GPA, who represent inter-county players, can facilitate the distribution? If there is, as is believed, thousands being awarded to the players can they each not pay the GPA a nominal administration fee to hire a staff who can organise the distribution of the money?

There are thousands of GAA players who play for their local club, don't get paid expenses and would love the opportunity to play for their county. The GAA should show some balls, let the players strike and watch as people who want nothing more than to represent their county get their go.

Editorial license...

2007-11-08T10:12:00.000Z

Dear editor,

If you must add an introduction to a piece I submit at least tell me before hand. This way I can explain how what you are adding actually negates the first 500 words or so of my article.

That is all,

J

Finger on the Pulse

2007-11-05T10:28:00.001Z

The Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, has acknowledged public unease about the scale of pay increases awarded to the Taoiseach and Cabinet ministers.

The 'No Shit Sherlock' Award goes to...

While Bertie has reportedly said that any U-turn on the pay rise (making him the best paid democratically elected head of state by far) would be 'tokenism'. Which is fair enough. I mean, Charlie had his own island for God's sake - Bertie has trouble with a modest house.

The budget should be fun.

For Your Tax Money Today

2007-11-02T10:54:00.000Z

The Equality Authority have criticised Pat Kenny's presentation of last year's Late Late Toy Show. According to today's Indo

During last year's 'Late Late Toy Show' on RTE "the main presenter persistently reinforced stereotypes of gender", according to the study. In the case of one toy, a human skull shown to ooze slime, the comment was uttered "made for boys, I think".
The study carried out by the Centre for Gender and Women's studies in Trinity College Dublin found blue and pink is often used to communicate gender appropriateness of toys, while boys are mainly depicted playing outdoors and girls indoors.
Under the Equal Status Acts, the code of standards states advertisements and promotions should avoid sex stereotyping, Mr Crowley said.
He said they would be working with the Advertising Standards Authority to ensure the standards are applied.

Now I'm all for criticism of Pat the Plank but the Equality Authority have put me in an uncomfortable, unprecedented position.

I'm on his side. This is absolutely ridiculous, the Toy Show was on nearly a year ago, it has taken 11 months of deliberation (by people paid from taxes) to made this crazy announcement.

Surely the Equality Authority can distinguish between being equal and being the same?

If anybody wants me I'll be hiding in the women's changing rooms in Dunne's Stores screaming "FACIST!!!" at anyone who tells me I'm not allowed to be there.

L Plate blues

2007-10-29T18:52:00.000Z

So my week off work has been fun so far - Arcade Fire in Phoenix Park, Redneck Manifesto in the Liquid Lounge in Cork. Might go to see Fight Like Apes tomorrow.

What has fucked me up is trying to figure out the latest stance on the whole provisional drivers fiasco. Dempsey says the Gardai will be lenient. Gardai say otherwise. Then there's a three month 'probation' period.

It has been a typically ham fisted approach from an inept department of transport, taking advice from a quango of an organisation (RSA) that appoints a former chat show host (who, incidentally, admitted that he has never sat a driving test) as their organisation head.

Of course, much like Hearney and the HSE the government can shift accountability by pointing to the RSA as the instigators of this mess.

Working for a regional newspaper in County Cork my car is essential. I also applied for my test last March. I got confirmation last week that I have my test at the end of November. Everyone knows that a reform of Irish driving rules is needed. But the government needs to step up in other places - such as the cutting of waiting lists for the test and a better provision of public transport.

I was in Dublin when I heard the news. With the Luas and Dublin bus I had no hassle getting around to my friends' apartment into the city centre, to pubs and gig venues and back to Heuston Station. It was the longest I have gone without driving since I started work.

Driving home from the train station in Mallow I thought to myself: 'I wonder how often a bus travels this route?'

This is ridiculous.

2007-10-26T03:50:00.000+01:00

I have full sympathy for anyone who has lost a child, but seriously?

Six months later you release a non descript pic of the person who has taken your kid?

Hey - it looks like Jack White, must be him!
Hey - looks like Real Madrid favourite Raul - must be him!

or, as South Park fans may tell you, it was some Puerto Rican guy!

Toy market plays God REDUX

2007-10-19T16:23:00.000+01:00

Yup. It was a hoax. Wiki explains all

Genpets are a mixed media installation art piece by artist Adam Brandejs.^[1] It is considered a hoax of exposure. The project has been shown in multiple galleries in Canada and Europe and has garnered some attention in the mass media.

Certainly got a reaction out of me. Then again I'm slow and it's late on a Friday afternoon. I'm not a big modern art aficionado, (possibly why I haven't heard about this before) but I must say I 'm impressed with this. While I was skeptical of it, I did ponder the implications of such technology. Which was the point.

Toy market plays God.

2007-10-19T16:15:00.000+01:00

Got sent this today - it must be a wind up.....right?

www.genpets.com

Genetically engineered living creature pets, designed to live for a set cycle and are drugged up to the point that you can choose the 'personality' of the pet.

This is some kind of hoax...isn't it?

Cathy Davey @ Cypress Avenue

2007-10-19T14:36:00.000+01:00

A fantastic show last night by Ms. Davey whose album, I'm ashamed to say, I haven't gotten my hands on yet (can't find it in any of the big towns nearby and refuse to use iTunes).

Based on the strength of her new material I greatly look forward to it though, the intimate venue suited her well but her galloping rhythm of songs like Sing For Your Supper and infectious choruses will translate to a bigger venue well.

Songs like current single Reuben and The Collector will hopefully see her go stellar in '08.

Peas in a Pod

2007-10-18T14:07:00.000+01:00

Anyone notice who was seated next to John "The FAI will appoint a world class management team" Delaney at last night's horror show in Croke Park?

Yup, Mr Ahern himself. I presume the topics of discussion included the pairs appreciation of how great it is not to be held accountable for their actions or deceit.

I'm angry today.

A long day.

2007-10-10T12:45:00.000+01:00

So I slept in. Had to rush to work

No Radiohead download for me. Stuck in the office with an Apple Mac (and not a clue how to work WinRAR for macs) so it'll be 6ish before I hear it.

Thoughts? Based on what I've read there's the predictable range of 'Meh' to 'OHMIGOD', with no real consensus (apart from 'videotape' which everyone seems to rate.)

Top 5 Radio Ads That Are Doing My Head In

2007-10-09T15:20:00.000+01:00

5) Galvin for Women.

You know the one. Woman complains that she has nothing to wear; yer man from Bachelor's Walk suggests going off to Galvin for Women in Tullamore.

It doesn't so much annoy me as disturb me. That little noise he makes as she reveals she might get something sexy for his party is a bit...unsettling. It's like that old man noise when he spots "a fine young girl" in a pub. It's not quite a quiet orgasmic groan, not quite an "ooohhh" but it's a strange place in between. It disturbs me.

4) The new financial regulator ad.

Getting a late night bus has been destroyed by the "I don't know what a tracker mortgage is" man. Many the drunken village idiot thinks he's the hilarious original satirist by doing this on the bus, and now the demons responsible have continued the cult of personality surrounding the guy by giving him a follow up ad.

Do they not realise that this will only encourage more people to mimic this on the nightlink? The knock on effect being more people will risk driving home drunk rather than endure more of this unbearable 'hilarity'. It's Borat all over again I swear...

3) Eircom phone watch.

So most burglaries occur while the occupant is IN THE HOME? Doing everyday chores or watching TV?
Hook myself up with a wire free alarm? Ok. Question.

Who sets the alarm while they're in the house doing the dishes? Does anybody go 'Shit, I'll be absorbed by Prison Break - better set the alarm lest I be robbed?

2) I dont even know what the ad is for.

I switch off. I presume it's for some eye-rejuvenating product. Basically a woman sees a guy in her office with his head in his hands.

'Alright John?'

'Ugh. Late night.'

'Well you look (AAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH HIS EYES HIS EYES AAAAAAGGGGGGGHHH) fine'

So. Fucking. Annoying. At that point I switch off. At least I remember what the other ones are for - this ad is both annoying AND fails to inform me of the product.

1)

'Wakey Wakeeeeeeeeeey! This is your little inner voice.'

No it's not. My little inner voice is much deeper and sinister in tone. It tells me to find all responsible for this audio abomination and cut them with rusty blades.

Like number 2 it doesn't sell well; only by making a concerted effort did I find out that this was for a mortgage. Top spot is secured by the repetition of the 'precocious' little shit at the end of the ad.

'wakey wakeeeeey!'

A 'Gift' From Arcade Fire

2007-10-06T10:34:00.000+01:00

After the hype and speculation (fuelled by Pitchfork saying it was going to be 'cool') it turns out the gift from Arcade Fire is an interactive video.

Which is fun it itself, but announcing a 'gift' like that the week Radiohead have pretty much given away their new album is akin to an uncle promising a present, which turns out to be a once off trip to the local leisure centre, when Daddy's just bought you a pool.

A bit of an anti-climax in other words.

This one has backfired methinks Mr. Butler...unless I'm missing something?