Beulah : Gene Autry

Gene Aughtry, a song by the now defunct San Franciscan Six-Piece Beulah, is reminiscent of early work by L.A Indie Rockers Rooney. The optimistic sunny beat is offset by deliciously dark verses and a bridge that lifts the spirit.
Its namesake, found fame as The Singing Cowboy and still remains the only celebrity to have 5 stars on the Hollywood walk of Fame.
Founded by Miles Kurosky and Bill Swann, whilst working in an office mail room, the band released four albums, Gene Autry being the standout track on 2001 LP The Coast is Never Clear.
It is the must have track for that road trip compilation CD, right between Len's Steal My Sunshine and The Isley Brothers Summer Breeze, and I'd be playing it in my car had I not failed my driving test last week!
The retro chic video is as pleasing to the eye, as the track is to the ear, and this song has me mourning the loss of a band that until an hour ago, I had never heard of.

I'm a non-entity, get me out of here!!!

So, the most recent batch of z-list celebrities have embarked upon the 'life changing' journey through the Australian outback, with its toothless crocodiles, non poisonous snakes and oversized house spiders.
The 'camp' is being put into camp by interior designers Colin and Justin and Celebrity chef Gino D'acampo, with Kim Woodburn playing the Matriarch and the despicable Joe Bugnell playing 'Daddy.'
I took the greatest of pleasure in watching all 6 consecutive bushtucker trials involving Katie Price, and delighted in watching her squirm whilst devouring other squirming creatures even slimier than herself. She left the jungle in disgust after finding out the worlds worst kept secret....everybody hates her.
The burgeoning romance between that bird from that band that time, and that bloke from Hollyoaks is actually far less interesting than I've made it sound.
Oh and Lucy Benjamin was the first to be voted out. Who, you say? I don't know either.

The collapse of the Twin powers...

So, the British public finally saw sense and saw off Jedward.
I'd actually gotten quite attached to them, like the wart I had on my index finger throughout my childhood.
But, like that wart, there came a time for them to 'pop off'.

So now it gets serious. As serious as a TV talent show can get. You can always tell when it gets to this 'intense' moment as Cheryl Coles outfit choices get more and more ridiculous and her hair begins to swallow her face. The revealing nature of these outfits are sure to paper over the cracks in Lloyd's rather ropey performances.

What has Louis Walsh got against Lloyd? He embodies everything that gets gets the little Irishmans pulse racing, blue eyes, blonde hair...just old enough to shave...what more does he want from this live action 'Ken' doll. Oh yes, it's a singing competition. I'd almost forgotten.

Viki Duffy Mocks the Royal Albert Hall

I want some of the party favours given out backstage at Children In Need Rocks the Royal Albert Hall....
First up was Robbie Williams in his trademark inebriated state, evoking images of Michael Flatley's feet of flames, after a few too many babychams.

Then there was Paulo Nutini and his 'new shoes.'
I'm sure i'm not alone in being unable to comprehend a single syllable he uttered during his 3 minutes on stage.
Like a baby panda, he struggled to open his eyes, and seemed to be doing his best impression of a nodding Buster throughout.

Then I mused on Muse. I found no words.

Snow Patrol stole the show with their massive hit 'Chasing Cars' and then grabbed all the headlines with their collaboration with national treasure Cheryl Cole, who is no Martha Wainwright, but held her own throughout lesser known 'Set fire to the Third bar.'

I almost burst with excitement at the prospect of a long-awaited Lily Allen and Ceryl Cole 'Bitch Fight' until I found Cheryl using Dame Shirley Bassey as a human shield.

Run for your life, Ronan!

X Factor bosses have shocked the nation by informing Louis Walsh that for every week John and Edward stay in the X Factor, another one of Boyzone gets it!!!
I don't mean to cause a national panic, but we may lose half of Westlife too!

Radieux

Gig Preview : Radieux at The Pilgrim 20th November 2009.
Cost : Free

'Stop Luca!
Stop Once You Start.
To Be Unique, An Art.
Noise One Enjoys, Music A Melody.
Shared is Harmony, In The Key Of Free Form.
Born Of Mayhem And Merriment, Strike A Chord.
All Scales Explored, Luca Here, Luca There.
Beware, Handle with Care!
Stop, Not Pop. Cock Rock, NOT.
Other Than Heavy Metal.
Whatever Genre, Just,
Stop Luca. '

They count their influences as Radiohead, The Beatles, Sonic Youth and The Aphex Twins, and although their music is reminiscent of early Radiohead, there's nobody quite like Radieux on the Indie scene right now.
Formerly known as Stop! Luca, they have played gigs at The 02 Academy 2, supporting The Clone Roses, The Rampworx Unplugged Festival, and Liverpool's trendy Korova bar.
The band consists of Niall Blanchflower on lead vocals and Guitar, Josh Birchall on Guitar, Synth and Backing Vocals, Joe Colburn on Bass and Luke Anderson on Drums.
They have a large following on Liverpool's music scene and some 1000 members on their MySpace Music page. Radieux aim to keep the fans involved and have a blog where they can suggest cover versions and remixes the band should do, and they also run competitions where fans can win hand painted Radieux Tshirts, and even a bottle of their favourite booze personally bought for them by Bassist Joe Colburn.
Their songs can be downloaded from their MySpace Page, and if I may, I recommend 'Tears' which is one of the best Indie/Experimental songs I've heard since Gorecki by Lamb.

They plan to do a set of 6 songs, including the aforementioned 'Tears' alongside cult classics 'Shinbent' and 'Clutches' and new songs 'Pitch Black' and 'Five Four.'
Their sixth song in the set, will either be :
1. Where did you sleep last night - Leadbelly
2. Bangers n' Mash - Radiohead
3. The Fear - Lily Allen
4. Nobody Does it Better - Carly Simon
5. I Put a Spell on You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins

If you're intending to go to this gig and want to have your say, go to http://www.myspace.com/radieuxofficial and vote for the song you'd most like to hear covered by the guys.
The gig is free, so even for the poorest of students there's no excuse to miss out on watching one of the best upcoming local bands around, and it's only £2.00 for a treble vodka and coke! What's not to like about a great night out, great music and cheep booze? Get yourself down to The Pilgrim on Pilgrim Street (just off Hardman Street) at 8pm on 20th November and let Radieux rock your world!

Compulsory Blog

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
I'm blogging because Paddy says I have to, so I might aswell make the most of it.