Culture Shock !!!

I remember back in my youth, back in the 1980's when the Brit culture was full of diversity and different styles. Punk's with their shocking hair and rebellious clothes, Mods in slick gangster suits, Heavy rockers swathed in denim and leather, futurists with obtuse hair styles adorned in vibrant colours, Brosette's, Wham girls, Rasta's and your average pop lover that just liked to look trendy. There was always a panoply of people in pubs and bars, all mingled and enjoying themselves, they seemed to be golden days full of excitement and change.

Now what do we have? We have 'Chav's'. Chav's are the burberry baseball hat, bling wearing, tracksuited yobs that are in abundance on our streets today. The thing is, they all look the same - characterless, there's just no identity there at all. I walked through my town the other day only to notice that the 'Chav's' had taken over, which ever way I looked I saw one.

I guess (more like hope) that it's just a passing trend, I think I would have paid good money that day to see a punk rocker appear wearing tartan jeans, mohican hair and a pierced nose - someone who wanted to make a statement and really did get noticed.

www.chavscum.co.uk

Motivation

Do you ever get times when you just can't get motivated? When nothing seems to stimulate you? I guess I'm in that place right now, at a bit of an impass waiting for some catalyst to come along and kick start me. I know deep down only I can change things, turn how I feel around.

I plan to do some of my college work then lose interest, have a mind to tidy my flat then decide to chill and play video games instead. It's odd isn't it that in this futuristic age of gadgets and toys we still get bored, still crave something else.

Maybe its just the time of year, dark brooding days and I guess working nights doesn't help either because its dark in the mornings and evenings - seemingly constant darkness for me as I sleep during the day.

Well thats my musing over.

Reach up for the Sunrise

I got the new Duran Duran cd 'Astronaut' today, it's their first studio album with the original line up in over 20 years (since 1983). I'd seen them back earlier this year in concert and this cd also came with a dvd of selected tracks from that concert.

If you think the new album would be typical Duran then you'd be wrong, it's a myriad of different styles, dancefloor grooves interlaced with class rock riffs - John Taylor is amazing on bass. You can see and hear on the cd/dvd that the band has matured both acoustically and visually, I loved Andy Taylor stomping about the stage in his suit chewing on a cigar.

I think my fave tracks so far are 'What happens tomorrow', 'Bedroom toys', 'Taste the summer' and 'Finest hour' but as you all know a cd takes several listens before it embeds in your mind fully.

As one critic said 'Duran Duran has produced a fine album that smartly pays tribute to their past but does not wallow in it'.

www.duranduran.com

Late thought's on Early Doors

It's not very often a television programme comes along that evokes so much laughter and emotion within me but Early Doors (Monday BBC2 10pm) does so. For me it has an 'Epic' sense of genuineness, it's so real in these days of 'fast food tv'.
The program is set in a run down Manchester pub filled with all walks of life across all age groups - each character is a vital cog in a comedy engine that never eases up on the laugh's. It's not just about comedy though, it's about life itself and the trials and tribulations it brings.
The format is a simple one and the cast isn't made up of household names but this programme exudes quality, it's a jewel in a mountain of t.v trash, its programmes like this that make you content with paying the t.v licence.
Sadly this current series has ended now, it ended on a high note - it's the sort of television that makes you feel good and after watching the last episode I certainly had spring in my stride.

'To the Regiment.... I wish I was there!'

www.early-doors.com

Beatles Vs The Stones

I was walking to work last night listening to my mp3 player, I'd just put some new stuff on it including half a dozen Rolling Stones tracks. It was then the question occured to me, who do I really like most, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones? It always seems to be an ongoing argument on forums and in the media. It's just down to peoples preference I guess, with me I think it's my mood. I perhaps do like the Beatles more, they are after all legends but I have to be in the mood for them, where the Stones seem more upbeat and something you can move to! not that I make a habit of dancing in the street (forgive the pun).

Well I'm off to finish my boring night shift and then into town to see if I can find the new Duran Duran cd, the one with free dvd of the concert at Wembley!

Wild boys always shine!

In Memorium

On October 3rd my good friend Gerrard Shannon passed away, he was known affectionately to his friends as 'Gerry' 'Gez' or 'the Shan', he was a mere 42 years young.

It's hard to describe Gerry in a few words, he was a lively character, extremely witty and sharp but someone that also cared about the welfare of his family and friends. In my formative days of drinking copius amounts of beer Gerry was a constant character in my life, always vibrant and always with a story to tell.

Gerry had a gift, that gift was making people laugh, he could ignite a whole pub into fits of laughter just with his presence, I often likened him to the comedian 'Tommy Cooper'.

Not only was he funny, he was streetwise, generous and very intelligent. He'd not worked for several years because of ill health but this never curbed his zest for life.

His passing is a sad loss, it was the day the laughter died. It has certainly (and even with my counselling experience) affected me deeply. I'll never forget Gerry, thats for sure, neither will his large circle of friends and family.

I can just see the big irish fella now, telling jokes and causing his own brand of mayhem !