Timewave theorists got it right?

We were waiting for April 2009 to come round in our house to see whether Novelty theorists were right about it being a significant date - it seems to be - what do you think? Novelty theory wiki

Animals and Men 'John of the Sword'

This is Susan's film of one of the tracks off our forthcoming ep on Convulsive.
John of the Sword

We dedicate this to John Michell

John Michell

This month's Fortean Times has a special feature on this English writer who has since the 60s covered many topics in his books such as numerology, UFOs, megaliths, Glastonbury...and much more. Basically before Michell Glastonbury was another Somerset town - actually that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get my drift. I learnt quite a few things about this great writer I didn't know - he was once a friend of the Rolling Stones for example - and named the UFO club for Pink Floyd. So if you have a liking for this original thinker maybe you should try and get hold of Fortean Times before it sells out.
In a way reading John Michell makes you into a bit of a dreamer - a 'normal person' would scoff at some of his ideas but even a rationalist reductionist would find it hard to argue with some of the strength of his notions and how convincing they are. My favourite book is 'Twelve Tribe Nations' which argues a literal 'enchantment' when perpetual choirs chanted and the world was divided along astrological lines. I can't really explain it in a few lines - you have to read the book and consider the evidence before judging it a fancy. Michell is no fake or fakir - he's a true English visionary and eccentric with a great writing style. I recommend you give him a read. Whether he's writing about Crop Circles, Glastonbury, strange phenomena or whatever it's hard to put him down - his ideas intoxicate the mind. Wiki

Loads more stuff at the Butts Bugle

Lots of interesting local news stories from the Frome area are up to read at the Butts Bugle.

Robert Wilkins 'Rollin' Stone'

This mournful but very catchy tune has been on our stereo this last week. Give it a go - you might succumb to its hypnotic melancholic charms - it might be from 1928 but it still manages to captivate. Robert Wilkins wiki. And if you are wondering what a biscuit roller is you can find out at this language of the blues site that tells you the meaning of all the obscure references in the lexicon of blues suggestion. It's an excellent site that will have you smiling and learning the language at the same time. Wilkins illustrated discography

Bath's Day of Heritage

The City Bath is getting excited ready to have a visit from the Ermine Street Guard - Britain's longest established Imperial Roman military display group. Here's a list of Bath World Heritage Day events this saturday the 18th.
Image search Ermine Street Guard

The Tu-Tones 'Natural Born Lover'

I was searching Jimmy Reed on youtube and found this Texas duo - a pretty damn good sound that manages to be authentic sounding but they're own thing. Excellent stuff.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Zero'

I missed this on telly the other night - not that I watch much but this is a great performance and a great song and I think you might enjoy watching it too.

Count Five 'Double Decker Bus'

Susan and I were thinking this might be a good one to cover - not sure of the rave up bit - it does break the song up a bit rythmically...great lyrics and riff. I suspect loads of people have done versions of it though but what the heck, it's the thought that counts. I've always had a strong liking for the Count V - maybe it's the crappy punk harp... the thumping punky bass - what's not to like?

Paranoid Time

Paranoid Time is a fanzine/blog and a radio show every tuesday night from Lyon France. Listen to it Tuesdays at 11pm (10 pm if you're in the UK with our time) at http://www.radiocanut.org/. They play punk music from all over the world and even music from Radstock! Last week they played a track off our forthcoming vinyl 12 inch ep on Convulsive Records 'Songs from the Somerset Coalfield' so they must be good guys don't you think? This is a track they have been playing - a 1984 song by the Big Boys 'We're not in it to lose' There is a couple of hours worth of streaming stuff if you want to give it a listen. It's a mix to please all punk fans I would say.

The Clovers 'Lovey Dovey'

Inspirational doo-wop from one of the greats at the top of their game. Am I not good to you?

Banshees 'Make up to Break up'

Great clip from 77 when the Banshees were a punk band. This song isn't one of their best from that era but it serves as an illustration as to what they were like on stage in those days.

Daughter Bea in the local paper!

Bea works for a local independent toy retailer Snooks. You might have seen her Gorilla in a toy shop video. Anyway they're gearing up for the comedy festival. Also here on the online version of the Bath Chronicle.

Best friends for the day!

This is a mad and great idea. Paul Good and his mates will be your best friends for the day. Here's the ebay page so start bidding.
Here's what they say

How would you like lots of new best friends?
Well now you can for a whole day thanks to this great offer.
We will spend the day being your best friend, doing what
best friends do. Shopping, dancing, ice skating. You decide!
Because as your new best friends we want you to be happy!

Brilliant.

Frome record shop on the telly!

Frome record shop Raves from the Grave was featured in an article on the disappearing independent music emporium on Breakfast tv this morning. Well done. Use it or lose it folks.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Zero'

We're enjoying the new YYYs album 'It's Blitz' - they seem to be keeping up the quality on their releases...lasting the course.

Planxty 'The Good Ship Kangaroo'

I picked up a copy of the book 'The humours of Planxty' by Leagues O'Toole today and it being St Patrick's Day thought I'd post this classic song from the 'After the Break' lp. I don't really like Folk music but I like Planxty...give it a whirl...you might like it.

Animals and Men t-shirt

Hey there music lovers...want to look cool? Why not get yourself one of these fine Animals and Men t-shirts? If you want one email carynep@yahoo.co.uk - do it quickly while stocks last.

New Goth book 'Music to Die For'

Mick Mercer is someone who was in at the start of the movement known nowadays as Goth - he was one of the only people who gave our band Animals and Men serious attention back in the early 80s so I know he was in at the beginning and knows his Goth onions.

The blurb reads

'My fifth book concerning Goth has now arrived. It is 624 pages long, containing individual entries on 3,581 different bands, from 70 countries, with 183 photos. It covers bands from the beginning of these scenes to the present day and wherever possible contains full line-up details and discographies as well as unusual facts revealed by many of the bands. This is the biggest guide ever printed about the underground scenes in which Goth, Post-Punk and all things noir co-exist with equal splendour. http://www.myspace.com/musictodieforbymickmercer

You can find this on Amazon, Barnes & Noble (etc) but if possible please use the link below to buy direct from the publisher http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/musictodiefor.php. This time around I am delighted to have discovered details on many countries I had never been able to infiltrate before.

Musically we have representatives from these distinct and Goth-related genres:‘Alt’ (covering a multitude of sins) – 336, Ambient – 71, Classical/Ethereal – 33, Comedy – 1, Deathrock – 12, Electro – 99, Electronic(a) – 79, Folk/Country – 67, Glam – 11, Gothic – 1042, Gothic/Metal – 449, Historical – 4, Horror – 25, Indie – 99, Industrial – 117, Other/Exp/Minimalist – 135, Post-Punk – 356, Psychobilly – 93, Punk/New Wave – 234, Rock – 238, Shoegaze/Psychedelic – 36 and Surf/Garage – 44.'