Mat Bowles

Via oletheros, we present conclusive proof that bleepy music should be banned. Because, y'know, who wants a sun tan?

The obligatory Mat has a mild sunlight allergy comment is inserted here for new readers. I'm not just pale because I'm a goth...

Hmm, not sure what to think on this one. mendees, having moved to Exeter, is thinking of going to the Cavern tomorrow night. Fine, fairly normal. To see a band called "Betty Curse". The lead singer of which is a persona created by Megan Burns, the actress who played Hannah in 28 Days Later. Now, of course, she's 20, not 13/14 as she was at the time of the film. And, um, she looks pretty good from what I can find (band Myspace, her Myspace). She's also, it appears from a few interviews, fairly switched on.

However, she's backed by Island Records quite heavily, the contact section of the site (no direct link, not possible, see below) essentially promises to spam you with stuff about all their bands that might be of interest, and it just oozes marketing shill. ( Musings on how the marketing men take over the world, and how it turns us all into (too) cynical gits... )

So, cool new artist with both track record to appeal, the looks to carry it off and a genuine goth/alt girl to like, or simple marketing dream designed to cash in on a market that the big boys in the industry can't, normally, get in on?

And, perhaps of more direct relevence, given it's apparently free entry, if I were to cancel my normal Monday night stuff, anyone interested in going along tomorrow?

Didn't think of this while I did them all, but a prize for the least spelling/grammar errors should be given out. NB, I don't think any of them have none.

Least blanket assumptions or mass generalisations may be more difficult. ( Crappy what goth test, but purty pictures ) Oh look, I'm an old fart. Quel surprise eh? ( Burn the land, boil the sea ) WTF? Ah well, the test is actually not bad, I didn't scream at the grammar or spelling errors, and there are lots of results.( I'm the dark brooding one (again) )Meh, not even a pretty picture... ( If I'm this, how far off the scale are some of my friends? )Methinks some of the creators of these tests are a little too innocent for their own good. ( The guy in charge. Again. Anyone spot a pattern here? )Is it wrong that I've almost been talked into reading the books? ( How sweet and innocent; 'the space between the legs'... )Really? Never would have figured that out on my own. ( Radical come reformist/pupulist? Me? Never )This one isn't bad. and let's be honest, it's not innaccurate is it? ( Somehow, this doesn't surprise me, and given the previous one, is probably fairly accurate ) Unlike JFK, I don't spend half my life chasing blondes. Brunettes, redheads, bright purple, etc, yes, but not blondes... ( I refuse to believe it ) Or is that the whole point? ( Only 42% Green? Oh, wait, US Green party... )Probably close enough, if the Dems have a radical libertarian-left reforming branch. ( And when, exactly, did you ask me about my politics? Oh, you didn't. So you must know all about them then. You're pretty close about the music though... ) I hate the govt because I like punk music? No, I loath this govt because they're a bunch of authoritarian berderline fascists, I like punk music because I like punk music. The two are only vaguely linked, and there's achance I may like the next govt. Unlikely, but still...

Well, what else is a boy to do when he takes the day off ill? Sort the flat, update the websites, the laundry, some washing up, etc? Go away conscience, I saw a pretty picture...

So, I read the headlines, and get this one:
Beatles hailed 'best of British'
and I go to read the full story. I mean, I love Day in the Life, it's a great song. But, um, the full top 10?

1. A Day In The Life - The Beatles
2. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks
3. Wonderwall - Oasis
4. God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols
5. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
6. My Generation - The Who
7. Angels - Robbie Williams
8. Life on Mars? - David Bowie
9. Sympathy For The Devil - Rolling Stones
10. Unfinished Sympathy - Massive Attack

Oasis' Wonderwall at 3rd best song of all time? It's shite! The rest I can see as pretty good songs (especially good to see the Pistols there), but, well, most of them aren't 'of all time', they're 'since Rock music was invented', and even then it's dubious. Ah well, popular votes for all time categories are bound to get stupid results.

Congratulations!!!! You are an Old school Goth and
we thank you for keeping it real!!!! Now go
enter 2004 and get your head out of your ass
and realize that there are good groups that are
new!!!!


What Gothic Subtype Are You? (with great pictures)
brought to you by Quizilla

Volts was very cool last night, really glad I went. Thx to Pink for talking me into going, Mark for being fun and everyone else for generally being around.

Now, explain this in the same article:
"Student journalism is often a heady mix of passion and ignorance. A criticism labelled at student ‘hacks’ is a failure to check and clarify a story"

As a follow on to this:
"Two years ago, Exeposé printed a mock interview that claimed that RocSoc members dressed in black because they were abused as children. Quite understandably, many people were very upset, which led to a stand-off in the M&D room during an editorial election. RocSoc hired a lawyer to proceed with a libel action,"

Hmm. You'd have thought that, given there are plenty of people still around on campus who do remember the full details, they could at least have, well, checked their own records?

RocSoc didn't hire a lawyer; as a Guild Constiuent Organisation, it would be unable to sue another part of the Guild anyway. Court case of Exeter guild of Students versus Exeter guild of students anyone?

I, as honorary President, "consulted legal advise". Well, that was what we said publicly. I bought a friend (a lawyer) a drink and asked his opinion. Fucking stupid student media types. We decided not to sue for libel because, despite it being justified, the petty vindictiveness of one idiotic editor and her stooge is not enough to damage an organisation we broadly supported.

Ah well. So, should we let the myth perpetuate, or point out the facts to the relevent editors and/or guild types?

Well, slept most of the day (again, really have to stop sleeping in on Saturdays, it messes my bodyclock something chronic even though I mostly am exhausted). So went to OtherCon late, played a bit, then decided to go to the Bunker. Completely unplanned, got there about half 10.

Talked Dot and Beadle (although he tells me that's not how is name is spelt) into going as well, both enjoyed it.

It was actually a pretty good night;Anne-Marie jumped me as I got to the bar, fortunately Chris pulled her off; good to see they're still happy together (especially good to just see her happy). Felt old again, but gotta get over that; just because her father's a pretty good friend...

Finally met (Lyrical) Nikki from RocSoc; she's even prettier in reality, boyfriend :-( We bitched about how crap most of the committee are; I think she might make a good President, hope she runs. Also introduced her to Dot, who also wants to sort things out. So some progress.

Emma and Matty were down from London as well, so Tara, Louise et al were out in force; always good to see the mad bunch. In fact, I saw more people there I liked than people I didn't know, which is unusual for that place. Will is growing a mohican, wonder how silly it'll look.

Am glad Alice rang me to find out where I was, and also very glad to make the (late) decision to go out afterwards; Dot is fun, and Beadle seems a decent bloke as well. Overall, me in a good mood. Now all I need to do is get some sleep and wake up on time tomorrow...

Barry/Rox; am in Exeter on campus tomorrow from 12, no idea if oyu're doing much, but might get time to do at least come say hello; unlikely but I'll text at some point either way.

K, spent last weekend at nadriel's, and went to synth_culture, which was, as before, very very cool.

Saw lots of people I knew as well, including Louise/"Gothic Britney" from the bunker who's now all grown up and studying up there, and Rich/Angel of Black, who lives in Salisbury now and was celebrating his birthday. Good mix of music, good mix of people, some very attractive women. And I even managed to sleep a bit on Mike's floor, despite the snoring. I'm considering a hotel closer to the venue for next month, if I make it. definately going again.

Saturday, I slept the morning, then went shopping in London. Bought the Best of Ministry CD and the new one (thanks to tispity and shadow_exe for going on about it and reminding me, very cool). Also bought Bauhaus Gotham, which turned out to be a live album, not a best of, but very cool nonetheless. Anyone know if Bauhaus has done a best of CD? Not a huge fan, but I like Ziggy and Bela Lugosi so I reckon I'll like more. Then I went to Waterstones Piccadilly. Large bookshops are really bad for my wallet. Bought the rest of Scott card's Ender books, which I've completed now; anyone who hasn't read it, read Ender's Game. Just do it. I also bought the then China Mieville and the new Jon Courtney Grimwood. Half way through the Mieville, bit more confusing than Perdido St Station, but very cool. Barry: China Mieville, Perdido St Station. Seriously, I suspect you'll love it.

Afterwards, went back to Mikes, chatted a bit, then drove home, got back to Torquay at 1.30am, 3.5 hours after leaving London; not bad journey time that, A303 was pretty clear...

Sunday, I woke up mid afternoon; then went to Exeter, played some games,t hen went back tot he flat to sleep.

Work? Well, Monday and Tuesday we had colleagues from Germany over; 2 I'd met before, good to see them again, in contact with both a lot by email so faces useful. 3 others, one actual agent from Munich, and two newer staff I also contact a lot. Sandra was nice. Michaela was gorgeous, and a vegetarian. Spent a lot of time chatting to her, and definately going to really push to get sent over there at some point soon. Damn my professionalism (and the untidy state of my flat, really must clean the place up if I'm going to start flirting with women again)...

Rest of the week has gone pretty quickly, read books in free time, slept a lot (really tired after germany/London) and got through a bit of work.

Ah well, off to have a shower, Mike down, so a Bunkering we go...