Rocksplorer

Triumphant? Return

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:35:01 +0100

Well, hello there

I must apologise for my extended spell of leave from writing in this part of the internet. Lots going on, etc etc. I can tell you though, over the last few weeks I have succesfully moved into uni, made friends, done some work and all that kind of stuff one usually expects from a student.

Oh, and drinking. Quite a lot of drinking.

But seriously, I've found student life to be most definitely for me. Amongst all the above factors, I've also found myself being exposed (and often subjected) to new and interesting forms of music. I say subjected because for every Stone Roses fan there will be at least three people who prefer The Hoosiers.

Oh, and I can hardly forget THE gig. I say "the" because it is seemingly the only major event in Aberystwyth of any real size. But dear me was it exciting. I speak of course of the visit of Wheatus.

Ok, so they were rubbish. Except Teenage Dirtbag. But what do you expect, really?

Then of course I've been looking at music myself. Here's one everyone knows. Probably.

You just have to love that. I've also been listening to a little more obscure 90's stuff. This being the most likely song for anybody to know.

And that's all the music I have for you today. Hopefully I'll get into the habit of posting in here a bit more. But I wouldn't hold me to that if I were you.

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Apologetic Interlude

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:30:45 +0200

This is a very brief blog to apologise to anyone who happens to be interested in reading more of this blog.

Essentially, I am without internet (more or less) and am currently in the process of preparing for my big move to university next weekend. Once I'm settled in there I'll get back to writing here. Believe me I have very little idea what's even going on with the move. In fact the only aspect of it I know enough about so far is the drinking-based events occuring that week.

One aspect of this move I'm looking forward to however is the live music on offer in Aberystwyth. Although, most of it is terrible. Except of course, for this:

That's right. You heard me.

Be back with you soon!

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Apologetic Interlude

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:23:36 +0200

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Ever Fallen back to the 70's?

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:47:05 +0200

Apologies in advance here, if i seem a little slow blogging aver the next few days. Blame it on "technical difficulties," or whatever the BBC term is for "our computers aren't working." This thing's been playing up quite a lot lately, and i'm not terribly hopeful that it'll turn on again in the morning. Here's looking forward to my laptop!

I suppose, as people seem to be reading what i write in this space, i should mention a little bit about me. So here's the short of it.

My name's Tom, born and raised in a little town in Devon called Ivybridge, about 10 miles from Plymouth. I'm 18 years old, and currently not doing much. At least until September 22nd, when i head off to university in Aberystwyth to study English, an event which i am sincerely looking forward to.

I told you it would be short.

Now I'm not going to make a mention of everybody who ever comments on this blog with something along the lines of "this song is good." Because, frankly, I wont like all of them. I did give a listen to a band, on advice, called Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, however I didn't terribly enjoy them. Some of their acoustic stuff was alright, but otherwise I'm not a fan. However, i passed the site on to a friend who seemed to like them. Half of the fun is in the sharing after all.

However, I did get one suggestion that i very much liked..

"Ever Fallen in love with someone (you shouldn't have)" is an absolute 70's punk classic by the Buzzcocks. And I, self-indulgently enough, have to admit to liking it. It's slightly romantic in an exceptionally aggressive way.

Still, back onto more recent movements in the world of music (although in saying that the buzzcocks are still touring, possibly posthumously.) Lately I've been listening rather a lot to a new band called Alberta Cross. And I can't help it, because they exceedingly uplifting. A sort of alt/folk band, with rather high pitched vocals, and very young.

I was lucky enough to see them live at the Carling weekend: Reading last month, playing a low slot in the smallest tent, which gives an indicator as to their current popularity. However, i predict a sharp growth in that popularity in a short time. Keep your eyes peeled.

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The New King Of Blues

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:12:21 +0200

There's a new man who will soon come to own the title "King of Blues," at least, if I have anything to do with it, with my powers to spread the word. You may have heard of him already, as he's sure making waves, particularly in the UK right now.

The man in question is Seasick Steve

To give you his story in short, he's a 69 year old trance/blues player from southern USA, who left home when he was 14, wandered around the country and somehow acheived a record deal in his 60's. He first managed to get really noticed in the UK after playing the 2006/7 Jools Holland annual hootenanny, later embarking on a marathon tour of the UK in '07.

How it took him so long however, I'm not quite sure. Steve is an old fashioned musician, playing is gigs with the same beaten up guitars, yet acheiving a sound that can be bested by few, thus making him loved by all. His humble attitude towards his fans just makes him even more widely loved, which he in turn seems to persistently refuse to believe. I had the pleasure of seeing him live in August, and it was quite honestly one of the most fantastic live performances I've ever witnessed. Anyway, take a listen, and see what you think.

Frustrated at the seeming lack of new music lately, I've taken instad to looking to old bands. Thus i found this piece of wonder hiding in the backwaters of the internet.

The band is Candlebox, formed in '91 and one of the most consistently acive grunge bands of Seattle. Their greatest claim to fame is attracting Dave Krusen, original drummer of Pearl Jam, to work on their 1998 album "Happy Pills."

Although they may not be terribly well known, they still produced what, to my mind, is some of the most powerful gunge ballads of the 90's. Particularly "Far Behind," (see video above, if you haven't already.)

Anyway, I hope this blog gave you some idea as to the music I like, and hopefully found you something you'll like. I'll be back soon!

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My Blogging Aim

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:32:26 +0200

Hey there.

This is a new blog, created with one specific goal in mind; to find bands, new or old, which you may or may not have heard of before, and to spread the joy of real music to as many people as possible. Music is, after all, the great communicator.

So I hope, while i write this blog, I'll discover a whole load of new bands for you, and me, to enjoy, as i've discovered a big hole in my music collection when it comes to the current decade.

The type of music i'll be trying to find, as the title of this blog may make evident, is rock music, and real rock music. The type with nice twiddly solos and proper muscle. Not the kind you'll hear too much of on BBC Radio 1, which can often be quite terrible.

So, I hope you'll enjoy my little journey through the internet, and discovering bands with me. Come back soon!

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