Update and stuff Ja, I’m home now, back in the ‘hood wit me bredren and all that. And how lovely it is too- only today I was faced with the amusing spectacle of a bundle of rowdy chavvy kids being booted out of the Centrale shopping monolith: “tccchh, you can’t do dat to us, wha’ you doing man? We weren’t doin’ nuttin’…”. Yes, nothing, other than the fact you’re gobby little shites pissing around annoying everyone, already stressed out with their Christmas shopping enough without you jamming on the escalator’s emergency stop for its amusing consequences.

---

I can’t believe I forgot to mention this previously, but I have taken my first steps towards megalomania and world domination, erm, I mean, I should say a successful political career. Yes, I have been voted in as the Selwyn College JCR LBGT Officer- how exciting! Even with my little Freudian slip whilst husting (“I will force every LBGT student to join the society. Oh, no, I mean encourage… forcing is, er, not so good…” – goodness knows what plan I had in the back of my mind when I said that), I still managed to bring in 210 votes! Woo! But, admittedly, there was only me and dear old RON standing for the post, who managed to grab 3 of my votes, the git.

---

Since arriving home I’ve also been able to get hold of an album I’ve just been itching to listen to: Ladytron’s new release, “Witching Hour”. And boy, it was worth getting to- instantly, tracks like Destroy Everything You Touch, Beauty*2, High Rise and International Date Line pound you, grabbing your very fibre and pulsing the electro beat through vein and artery, this is not something to listen to quietly. Also pleasantly surprising was the change from very simplistic beat-led electro sounds to more melodic, complex songs. If “604” and “Light and Magic”, were hors-d’œuvres, “Witching Hour” is the main course, meaty and satisfying- but leaving you excitedly curious to know what Ladytron will serve up for dessert. Good stuff.

---

Talking of good stuff, I was mightily excited to see Elle Milano a week (or two?) ago at The Garage, along with Mr Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Battant and some other band, who weren’t very good at all (think R’n’B hitting indie rock in a horrible accident), called Flesh (I think; I forget).

Miss Elle Milano were up first as a supporting act, but my, they could give it, even to a venue that was not even full yet. Playing out most of my favourites, Sunshine In Happyland, Men Are Bastards, and the superb Swearing’s For Art Students (“How many A-levels does it take to rule the world?”) I was jumping along, somewhat restrainedly admittedly from the emptiness of the Garage, and having a supremely good time. It was a shame they didn’t play “Ooh Beyonce Baby”, but I can’t complain, I’ll certainly be seeing them again I hope! Another side-effect of this gig is that I learnt that pin-up rock stars do exist, or, at least, I found mine… the lead singer guy is hotter than hot. Seriously swoonerfic (see crappy photo below).

Oh, Battant were super-fun-cool too- much bopping to that (by this time the venue had filled and bopping was highly conducive), so I hope I see them round and about more as well. Check out this track, suitably called Jump Up. Quirky and fun, I’m loving them.

Last on the bill were Mr Quintron and Miss Pussycat, who having heard nothing about before the gig, certainly stretched the definition of what a band actually is. Before even reaching the stage, we were wondering what offering was to be made: various bits of set and scenery were erected, including a drumkit-synth combo fronted with the front grille off and old yankee car. We were in for something quite unique.

The set began with a puppet show, two cavemen wanted to get GIIIRLS, and their skunk friend helped them out, and they did indeed rein in two hot chicks, burning down a bar in the process. Continuing on from the unexpected puppetry, Mr Quintron and Miss Pussycat appeared on stage, Mr being a little bit too into the occasion, perhaps a result of the bottle of Southern Comfort just consumed; Miss wearing a fifties style housewife dress, with a felt dinosaur (the band’s mascot it seems) stitched onto the front. The music wasn’t particularly amazing after the spectacular puppet show, but it was good fun nonetheless.



Posted: 18-12-05 00:57 :: Permalink: http://ben.corale.co.uk/archive/v1/215.html

Comments Use the form at the bottom to post your comments. Here is the feedback:

NJR writes Today Selwyn, tomorrow the world... Commented: 19-12-05 00:14