30 Day Song Challenge - Day 26

A song you can play on an instrument.

Like a good friend of mine I can probably play The Triangle!

I do play guitar, not particularly well but enough to keep me happy. I watch bands and wish I could play like they do.

I've been following a local band as I have mentioned before http://www.myspace.com/ihateyoumoremusic and then I realise how little I know on the guitar.

I did treat myself to a Dean Razorback guitar which I will treasure as a collectors piece.

At college I was in a band like many people were and there were a number of cover songs we played often.

The obvious choice here would be "Wild Thing" by The Troggs but I reckon most people could manage this song - it's only three chords, a bit like The Beatles & Oasis!!

My favourite little tune to play is "Knockin' on Heavens Door" - again it's a three/four chord masterpiece.

But my choice for today is a favourite we used to play in the band (My Uncle George) and it's gonna be great to hear at this years http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/

http://youtu.be/1yLVufAfby0

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 25

A song that makes you laugh.

Comedy songs are for the best part pretty awful. For as long as I've been listening to music there have always been comedy songs, songs which aim to make the listener laugh and more often than not fail miserably.

Casting my ears back, I can think of the following to help you all reminisce;

http://youtu.be/JAIOzM7SsMo - words fail me

http://youtu.be/FCARADb9asE - I think they actually thought this was good!

The biggest arena for "funny"songs is Christmas. Two of my favourites are;

http://youtu.be/W-eslNwGXrI - roll on http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/ - haven't seen them live since 2004!

http://youtu.be/od7GUy9XS7c - it was for charity so even more enjoyable.

Monty Python for me are the kings of comedy for songs, way too many to showcase but lumberjacks, brave Sir Robins and crucifixion songs are all firm favourites.

Choosing a song for this category is once again a difficult one to choose.

First choice http://youtu.be/XP9pnSXhibw - the man is a genius

Second choice, seen these guys 3 times now, from a very small tent at Download to the second stage last year in the pouring rain (much needed comedy) and again at Ozzfest. Ok so the jokes are starting to get thinner but the songs are still epic and have captured all the hair metal nuances.

They have two songs I really find funny "Community Property" is one and the crowd always sing all the  words for them. The one I'm going to choose is their obvious testament to Bon Jovi (great synth opening).

Warning Parental Guidance (contains swearing & sexual references!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_r7ZxigS0g

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 24

The song you want played at your funeral.

I've always been cautious of songs at funerals. I understand that music can be used to celebrate life but the the song is very often then only linked to the occasion, which in many ways should be a celebration of life but is too often a sad reminder of loss.

There are of course in recent years some superb funeral songs.

Some of my favourites include, the theme tune for Countdown. Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". Living in a Box's "Living in a Box" and The Jam's "Going Underground".

A friend of mine always said he'd have Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life' which is a great choice and I wonder what others people would choose - perhaps you could comment below for some interactive fun :-)

So I've never really thought of a song for my funeral. Looking through my collection of music I guess I could choose anything by Death! Or perhaps "Now I lay thee down" by Machinehead, "Creeping Death" by Metallica, "South of Heaven' by Slayer if I was feeling particularly sure that down not up was the destination.

To tell the truth I'm a bit stumped by this one. If I had to choose then I would go with

http://youtu.be/Xn01nSG4cvU

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 23

Wedding Song.

The simplest challenge yet as we've been married for 7 years this year and therefore have already picked and used the song.

The secret is that Mrs Nik really wanted http://youtu.be/SWd73bK9-zc but 5 minutes of dancing in a slow circle in front of a big crowd was way too much for me (I'm still called a grump for that!)

So instead we chose a musical legend with a more up tempo beat which immediately every one could jump into, a classic song with great words and only about 3 minutes long!

I still clearly remember Mrs Nik's classic moment sitting on the floor in her Wedding Dress with friends from work and her bridesmaid sister plus the obligatory glass of wine in hand doing http://youtu.be/IeHDnF7MU90

Still to this day; the best day of my life, thanks Mrs Nik xx

http://youtu.be/JPKXKt5pkpo

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 22

A song for when you are sad.

I don't really get sad that often so I'm just going to choose a song I really like -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrv6sa0PrtU

I guess this song would work if you were sad and wanted to belt out a brilliant ballad. Still think Corey is the best Metal singer alive.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 21

A song that you listen to when you're happy.

After yesterdays challenge the next few choices follow a particular theme - moods.

As mentioned yesterday, gaming can make me angry but it also makes me happy :-)

Overall I am an extremely happy person, I have great friends, a great family, a fantastic wife and a great life.

But others in the world are less than happy. There are so many problems in the world at the moment which have been compounded in recent months.

Japan needs our help, their tragedy is immense - http://bit.ly/fG1Dh7

There were earthquakes in Thailand & New Zealand recently too. The floods and fires in Australia have been destructive and affected thousands. Watching Comic Relief again highlighted the awful state of life for people in Africa and the UK. Watching Ross Kemp's "Extreme World" highlighted to me some of the areas totally devastated by human hand, like Congo, whilst other areas have again been FUBAR'd by nature such as Haiti.

Last night I finished listening to a Radio 4 Play of The Week which focused on poetry and dialogue relating to the terrible death of Sophie Lancaster. For me there are two important messages that come out of this horrendous event. Firstly, the power of the human spirit. Sophie's Mum has spoken on many shows in recent months and this particular play was a difficult listen. Her openness and obvious love for Sophie is apparent throughout and her bravery to talk and campaign on the subject is something to be truly proud of. Her human spirit is so strong that it should be applauded.

If you don't know the tragedy yourself, I urge you to watch to the following;

http://youtu.be/qW2ve6_BkRA and visit http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/

The second message which is more terrifying is the shear hatred shown by the perpetrators of this crime. To think that in today's modern society people can still judge on looks alone, what's more they can kill because of it. It horrifies and sickens me. I think it should shock me but then our society often pretends to be better than it is.

All these events which highlight the destructive power of both human and natures forces perhaps assist many of us to contemplate our lives and realise that no matter have difficult it gets, how down you can feel at times, it keeps you sane to fight to be happy even if it feels so difficult to achieve.

There are so many songs which help with the Happy mood. Songs that are uplifting or sunny or just plain old fun.

Some immediate ones that spring to mind are;

http://youtu.be/4zYdDU_ETCI

http://youtu.be/xCChxBSRo1Y

http://youtu.be/_qkP8SvHvaU

My choice for today, a song for when you're happy - it has to be http://youtu.be/bUZcTNznmdU

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 20

A song you listen to when you're angry.

There could be loads of songs for this type of mood. Some could be soothing, others up tempo to keep the adrenalin high and help with that anger management!

The only thing that really gets me mad is gaming - it's like a bittersweet relationship, that desire to get it right, win at all costs and beat every possible level in every possible way. The enjoyment  and thrill of the challenge is equalled and sometimes bettered by the frustration and anger which can be felt.

I wouldn't want it any other way (those around me might disagree however).

I guess some songs to sum up the mood would be something angry by Slipknot or Bring Me The Horizon. I particularly like 'It Never Ends' http://youtu.be/ltbt9MaepFY to sum up angry moods.

The choice I'm going with today is (Parental Advice Required) http://youtu.be/ZpUYjpKg9KY

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 19

A song from your favourite album.

Oh my gosh, this has to be the hardest challenge yet. I have so many favourite albums to choose from;

Avenged Sevenfold's "Nightmare" - check out http://youtu.be/94bGzWyHbu0

Machine Head's "The Blackening" - check out http://youtu.be/GTN2oKj4kmM

Slayer's "Reign in Blood"

Slipknot's self titled album.

But the one I'm going to choose are from a band that kept my excitement high for metal, their energetic shows are superb and to be honest they seem like a nice bunch of dudes too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX226Db63ZE

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 18

A song you wish you heard on the radio.


Sticking with the radio theme from yesterday. After discussing the repetitive playlists and the songs I do like to hear on the radio, there are a few artists which deserve playing on the airwaves too.


Casting our minds back it is easy to remember when songs were banned from playlists. Take Frankie's "Relax" for example which was only in 1984 and was successfully banned by Mike Read after he refused to play it (homophobia gone mad perhaps!?). 


It goes further back than this, my favourite being the Sex Pistols "God Save the Queen" The song reached number one on the NME charts in the United Kingdom, but only made it to number 2 on the official UK Singles Chart as used by the BBC. This led to accusations that the charts had been "fixed" to prevent the song from reaching number one. In March 2001, the BBC wrote that the single "reached number one in the UK in 1977 despite being banned by the BBC".


So perhaps banning songs has relatively disappeared. Now we face the necessary but evil 'editing' of songs. Now I understand the need to edit songs on the radio particularly at certain times of the day. Protecting the vulnerable listener is a good shout, however there has to be some accountability from the listener and if affected the parents of the children. 


We have a watershed on the television, I think, unless I am wrong that this runs up until 9:00p.m. After which, television gets much rawer. I recently watched the first episode of the new series on Sky 1 Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. It seemed to be not only lots of ultra violence (they are Gladiators), numerous sex scenes (they are Romans) but the language featured the 'F' word almost every other sentence amongst other swear words. This programme is broadcast at 10:00p.m. after the watershed.


Now perhaps the watershed works, although talking to those who teach our younger generation, a large proportion who have seen films such as 'Saw' maybe it doesn't. I can still remember watching "An American Werewolf in London" when I was too small and the forest scene still scares me today, although the Jenny Agutter scene had & has other effects. 


There is of course the storylines which many of our Soap Operas employ, are these protected by the watershed, it appears not, as they seem to dominate TV schedules all week and then all day at a weekend. Are these storylines any worse than some of the stories told after the watershed?


So the watershed is there on our televisions, but it appears that our radio stations have a watershed all day and edit almost all the time.


An unedited version of the awesome Rage Against the Machine's number 1 song "Killing In The Name Of" would be fine in my opinion after 9:00p.m. or maybe 10:00p.m. to be on the safe side.


Most Rap records would probably sound better less edited and is it me or does the editing of most songs on a radio simply just accentuate the missing words?


Editing isn't just against words, the cuts in some songs make the song unbelievably dull. Meatloaf's "Bat out of Hell" is 95% of the time edited to a shortened version, as too is Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and I have never heard the full version of Free's "All Right Now" http://youtu.be/iR2V60yLIaw - extended guitar solo making the song, wait for it, a massive 5mins and 19 seconds long!


More recently playlists have become adventurous and included much more of the metal communities favourites. I remember Jo Whiley first playing "Duality" by Slipknot at about 11:30a.m. on a Monday, it was her 'record of the week' and I was most impressed. Since then artists such as Bullet For My Valentine, Lost Prophets, Enter Shikari have made daytime listening.


This year I have even heard Architects on Radio 1 during the day http://youtu.be/tKTG_oc3o_w  and I know that the rock show on Radio 1 plays some bone crushing music but they are scheduled only once a week and from Midnight!


So come on lets hear some other metal music during the daytime, it's not all shouts and screams, maybe they could even play an Opeth track like http://youtu.be/tKTG_oc3o_w (granted they would need to actually release a single but hey it's a thought).

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 17

A song you hear often on the radio.

Ah the wireless, the amazing piece of metal and plastic which manages to project voice and music from the ether.

When I was young there was nothing better than a Sunday night trying to record the Top 40 on cassette. Pausing the button to miss any voiceover, stopping at exactly the right point to capture the end of a song. It was an innocent and fabulous time, albeit what the industry calls piracy but since our main man Sean Parker the possibilities for this have become endless.

Even some musicians admit that unpaid downloaded music is something they need to embrace, rather than fight against. In a recent magazine a new band The Defiled http://www.myspace.com/thedefiled talked about why they had placed their debut album on the front of the magazine. "To be honest", they began, "We could have easily put the album into stores and reached a population of listeners but placing the CD free on a magazine reaches a much wider audience". They continued to discuss that CD's are no longer the mainstay for a bands earnings and ticket sales for concerts, the merchandise offerings are the big ticket. One member of the band even admitted how hypocritical it would be to charge for some of their music when they themselves had a collection of non paid for downloads.

I'm not going to defend illegal downloading but I enjoyed the viewpoint from a bands perspective, if only Lars had been so open to new possibilities. I still believe in supporting bands and will regularly plug a friend's band whose album is out on both iTunes & Amazon http://www.myspace.com/ihateyoumoremusic, they deserve a break like so many new bands. But there is a flipside which is certainly prevalent in the film industry.

On a recent podcast for Radio 5 where I enjoy the ramblings of Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo, Mark discussed a film called "Heartless" which had been released in cinemas on a Friday as per the norm. What was interesting about the friday release date was that the film was then released on the immediate Monday after on DVD and Blu-ray. Mark's view was simple. Offer the public the choice, cinema, DVD, Blu-ray or download on the same day and watch the piracy begin to diminish. Perhaps there is a way to simplify this for music. Certainly the insistence to charge significantly more in the UK on iTunes as an example than France, Germany or other iTunes stores means that purchases here are more fought against than embraced. After all, the MP3 file will be the same wherever it is downloaded?

So back the wireless. I have been an avid listener to the radio since those early days of Top 40 recordings followed by Pete Tong "Welcome to the Weekend" dance mixes.

My main jobs have involved a lot of driving and the radio has kept me company through many hours of traffic. I still miss Mark & Lard on Radio 1 and the addiction to the 'Red Button' whilst Chris & Dave attempted the 52 hour show rekindled my enjoyment of the radio.

I have moved my allegiance to Radio 2 in the main, probably age, and I have noticed that the playlist on this station is not very different to Radio 1. There is certainly a wider variety of Radio 2 and a much, much less repetitive playlist. However, there are those songs which just keep getting played and played. Many of which become so catchy it's untrue.

The return of Dr Dre, which I find exciting, proves this no end when I cannot help singing 'I need a Doctor" over and over again. Try it and see if it doesn't happen to you http://youtu.be/VA770wpLX-Q - I love the video too. Couldn't help thinking of The Rock "You just f'd up your Ferrari" - "It's not mine!"

But one song which has caught my attention recently is by a band I have heard of but had never heard. It has been played on Radio 1, Radio 2, Kerrang - I have seen it on the T.V.

It's also very catchy, once you've worked out what is being spelt; so today's choice is http://youtu.be/Y8XuMDi-wIk

20 Day Song Challenge - Day 16

A song you used to love but now hate.

This is the toughest challenge yet as I genuinely cannot think of a single song which immediately comes to mind.

For most of these challenges certain songs have presented themselves almost straight away and despite some hesitation the challenge of choosing a track has been simple.

There are so many songs and artists I no longer listen to in all genres of music but the songs I like from these artists tend to be songs I still like and none have become songs I hate.

I already mentioned "Livin' on a Prayer" but this doesn't count as when the album came out I preferred other songs on it.

As for artists, I vary rarely listen to any of my hair metal favourites, Poison or White Lion for example. Both artists still have songs that I like and if I don't like a song, then I probably never did.

At this time of my Hair Metal days when house parties were all the rage, a sleep over, a bottle of Malibu or some Thunderbird (Red or Blue?). The music of choice back then was most often 'House' music, some Steve Silk Hurley, Fingers inc. or Farley Jackmaster Funk.

As I write about those early house parties and remember some of the other music which was played so often and there were certain groups which always managed to sneak into the party mix. I remember one particular group, Hue & Cry who for some reason at the time became extremely popular. To be honest I can only really remember two tracks; 'Looking For Linda' and 'Labour of Love'. I think I actually went to see them live too - doh!

Looking back at the music for this period and what became acceptable includes; Level 42, Bruce Willis (yep, he had an album!), Erasure, Bryan Adams, Prince (the awesome Sign o'the Times), Deacon Blue, I could go on.

There were of course rock and metal acts representing for the fans, Motley Crue, Anthrax, Whitesnake, Heart, Faster Pussycat to name a few.

So it is extremely difficult to pick a song that I now hate because to be honest I don't hate any song that I previously didn't dislike already.

So by the power of cheating and the magic of www.youtube.com I decided to reminisce some songs I don't choose to play anymore.

http://youtu.be/n2dORQp78vM - where's my vinyl copy? Hair metal is still so catchy!

http://youtu.be/pZb3Xya7jQ8 - Blackie Lawless - headlining http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/ this year!

http://youtu.be/BtR6IrvxeFs - loved the film, never really liked Dokken - had the album on cassette lol

http://youtu.be/Lr-OgG1A74c - what was I thinking!

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 15

A song which describes you.

Interesting one this as it obviously depends on what mood I am in. I asked my good lady yesterday about this one and she just laughed - I didn't ask for more details.

So lets think this through, I'm loyal, stubborn, annoying, fun, impatient and patient (not in equal measures). I can sometimes be moody, sometimes be laid back, I can be intense and caring at the same time.

I am often the 'devils advocate' in many discussions so I guess 'Heretic Anthem' by Slipknot would be a good choice, I mean in those moments and a few others I can think of 'If you're 555, then I'm 666'.

I enjoy having a good time so anything by 'Fun Lovin' Criminals' would be a good.

My good lady came up with a choice today about split-personality which must relate to my mood swings!

So I thought immediately of this http://youtu.be/LoF_a0-7xVQ

So I asked a few people and I'm going with the first response that came through and I like it, cheers Rasta P ;-)

http://youtu.be/PmVusVh4TRQ

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 14

No would expect.

Songs that people wouldn't expect you to like. Well I've already admitted to liking Glee, I mean what more do you want from me. I don't secretly like ABBA too!

So lets keep this one simple.

Every now and again I hear some music which still makes me move and isn't my beloved metal. One key example of this was the first time I saw Pendulum at Download in 2008. I didn't really know the music but still enjoyed The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers. So off we trod to see Pendulum - a dance band at a rock & metal festival.

It was such a strange and eye opening experience. In 2008 the festival did not have the best layout and the second stage was plonked onto a car park which essentially made sitting down a pain in the arse - literally. The crowd that gathered for Pendulum was enormous and when they started the entire crowd danced and bobbed like punters at Creamfields! Pendulum rocked hard, real instruments, catchy songs, vivid light show and great energy. To see the hardened metalheads dancing and I'm not talking about those of us who love the music but can put on a uniform or suit and blend, I mean the ones who live, breathe and can never blend (maybe that tattoo on your face will haunt you eventually, but you'll be a very cool pensioner), the whole thing was a great spectacle. No wonder they have been back since.

So my enjoyment of music which makes me move continues. Some songs are just catchy, I mean I like Jessie J's 'Price Tag' song and BoB's 'Airplanes', I even like Chase and Status (and some N-Dubz!).

But the one that I like the most and reminds me of the best Download festival ever where for the entire weekend we all sang this song and quoted Les Grossman (that's right kids, "Step back mutha-hubbard") http://youtu.be/KwXTrodgu-4 and ate beef Monstermunch http://www.megamonstermunch.com/.

http://bit.ly/6k2TEh "Player!"

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 13

Guilty Pleasure.

Once again another simple one for me and I'll get straight in there - it's Glee.

"Woah, slow down dude" - I hear you say. "Glee, seriously?"

The simple fact is I'm not too arrogant to say it, whilst I continue to fly the flag for metal I heard about this new show which was coming from America and was described as very funny. My father-in-law saw the pilot episode whilst on holiday there and despite not telling us much simply echoed the critics about the show being funny and mentioned two words 'Sue Sylvester'.

Now if you've never seen Glee then this may not mean anything to you but simply put she is hilarious. Her sarcasm , wit and insults know no bounds and the delivery is always superb. Try not to laugh when you watch her - http://youtu.be/970yJGLpot0

Now for a rock and metal fan there can be nothing worse than cover versions. Lately it was claimed that the Bieber covered Pantera - WTF!

The All Saints cover of 'Under the Bridge' deserved a prison sentence.

On the flip side, metal is very good at cover versions - Marilyn's versions of "Tainted Love' and "Sweet Dreams" are great, A Day To Remember's version of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone' is fabulous http://youtu.be/wIwOhNQgKJI. Even the ginger *bleep* did a great a job of 'Live & Let Die' & 'Knockin' on Heavens Door' with Guns n' Roses.

There are exceptions to every thing though Children of Bodom, a personal favourite of mine, did a whole album of cover versions and to be honest, most fell way short. Even their attempt at Britney was worse than the original despite having some quirky appeal.

So for many the Glee version of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' was pure sacrilege. But in all honesty the original version was a pure hair metal cheese anthem and the cover version is a pure cheese anthem. But put the song into context of the show and it changes entirely.

The opening episode of Glee took me by surprise as I wasn't expecting a musical (kind of) or a show which manages to handle some fairly serious subjects, teenage pregnancy, homophobia, general ignorance and intolerance of the outcast, underdog and misunderstood. Plus it remains charming, funny and sometimes very moving.

The use of this particular song was perfect, it captured the whole essence of the series and worked well for this first episode. It got better too as at Download festival Journey also played and this song rocked (possibly twice as hard!).

I urge and dare people to watch the first episode without prejudice and not feel a little moved - and yes to be sick in the bin if that's your final thought lol

So here it is Glee's version - http://dai.ly/94dj00

Journey's version - http://youtu.be/0WEbHzVi1Ak

Cheesy smiles all round

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 12

A song from a band you hate.

Well this one is pretty easy for a change, there are many bands & artists that I dislike intensely. Some of obvious targets others a little more obscure but to name a few before this simple choice;

1. Madina Lake - meh!
2. Whitney Houston - oh please!
3. Dokken - lol
4. Jedward - ugh
5. Florence & the Machine - seriously what's the fuss - she can't sing.
6. Fleet Foxes - I mentioned them once

You know what, that'll do, I know there are others but this post is too negative. 

So the choice today is Celine Dion - that's it - all of it - no exceptions and no link to a video because I do not want to ruin anyone's day. 

See you tomorrow for a good topic.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day 11

A song by your favourite band.

A seriously tough challenge today as there are so many bands I like and judging by the CD & download count I have many favourites.

To make my life and your life simpler I'm going to concentrate on three titans of the music industry.

Formed in 1993 this group has gone from strength to strength despite some challenging times, the death of a member and taking a leave of absence for sometime only to return stronger. Boyzone have fought hard to maintain themselves as one of the true titans in music only being challenged in my humble opinion by Westlife and the massive Take That.

Choosing favourite songs is difficult from the massive array of hits these band have had and still continue to churn out. Boyzone's "No Matter What' is probably one of their the most well known song whereas Westlife's "Flying without Wings' released in 1999 is still a true classic. Westlife themselves have continued to be the ballad masters and even today without the stools and despite loosing a member can still wow the audience with their masterful standing still on stage.

Fighting harder than most groups though is Take That, from the early days it was clear to see the talent of the group and they simply couldn't put a foot wrong producing a string of all time classic songs. After breaking many peoples hearts and 'calling it a day' they triumphantly returned in 2006 bringing us even more hits. One of my personal favourites stems from the hit film 'Stardust' and is now used on many shows to emphasise joy to all, 'Rule The World' was an return to their awesome best.

For me Take That really only made one mistake, something that Metallica would have been guilty of had they let Dave back in the band - man from Stoke and men from Manchester you know your crime.

And so I come to the moment of choosing a song by my favourite band. This was such a close run thing but after some thought I choose;

http://youtu.be/9xRXy7qNO3c

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Ten

A song that makes you fall asleep.

I never really thought about music sending me to sleep, I mean I have fallen asleep listening to music - on long car journeys there are certain tunes which will immediately invoke a trance like state such as The Chemical Brothers or Leftfield or most dance songs heard on late night radio. Then there is classical radio which you need sometimes to just chill out to ultimately ending in the drowsy eye moments if played on long journeys late at night.

So before I get to a song which I can listen to with the purpose of relaxing and falling asleep one could, and for a good rant I will,  interpret this category as music that bores you.

A few years ago I had completely overdosed on metal, the time had produced some awesome albums. Nile's 'For Whom the God's Detest', Mastodon's 'Crack the Skye' and Slayer's 'World Painted Blood' to name but a few. I had decided that I needed to investigate some soothing music to achieve a balance in my listening (how Zen of me). I was dragged along with the massive amounts of hype by people I knew, the radio and TV and eventually purchased a Fleet Foxes album.

It even to this day hurts me to write about them. It was a mistake, plain and simple. The album was so boring it has never graced my iPod or left the shelf since that initial listen. Now I know that many albums need more than one listen but this for me would have been one more too many.

It is hype around music that sometimes wins and very often loses. Hype stretches to books, films and TV series. Some clear examples of this for me are; Sky Atlantic launches Treme - 'The Wire with Trombones' - such hype, interesting cast and idea, failure to deliver.

Take the hype around Mumford & Sons, ok so one of their songs has a catchy chorus but since then everything else sounds the same as that song.

'The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo' has been so hyped they are remaking the film so quickly into American and yet the book and original film failed to deliver close to the hype. On the flip side "Let The Right One In' has been hyped and didn't need a bloody American remake!!!

Even Linkin Park who's return to music was highly anticipated. I remember sitting in the car waiting for the world exclusive play by Zane Lowe, I actually had tingles from the excitement as they had been described as back to their best, their Hybrid Theory best. Then the 'Catalyst' started and I felt like a small child who had just dropped their ice cream.

So our friends from Public Enemy were right "Don't Believe The Hype' - http://youtu.be/9vQaVIoEjOM.

Ok one sided ranting view over now, back to the song which I can use to help me fall asleep.

I listen to my iPod every night. I relax by enjoying podcasts such as, Dave Gorman - http://bit.ly/C90jT, Frank Skinner - http://bit.ly/3Z3NW, One Metal - http://bit.ly/cxaOZR or Metal Hammer - http://bit.ly/c0WbBJ. Often needing to rewind as I fall to sleep listening to these.

But I do have music to substitute for these eye closing moments. One of my favourite albums which mixes intensity with (kind of) relaxing tunes is by many classed as a masterpiece. Music that is used in so many TV moments and would for many people be instantly recognisable.

There are many tunes from the album which serve to bring on a trance like state but this is my favourite - night, night all (oh wait it's 12:00p.m.!)

http://youtu.be/WQYsGWh_vpE

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Nine

A song you can dance to.

When I read the challenges coming up I knew that this one would be, well, challenging. You see I don't really dance. I would rather headbang, stand still or just sit and chat whilst others close to me dance away the evening.

The other challenge is that most of the music I listen to on a regular basis is not really known for it's intricate dance routines.

I have often thought about learning to dance, I mean properly at lessons but to be honest after the baptism of fire that is Xbox 360 Kinect plus Dance Central I realised that my coordination for dancing isn't really there.

There of course songs that spring to mind here - James 'Sit Down' - I can do that! Most Indie songs - head down, swaying a little side to side, I can do that! The one where you sit on the floor in a line and rock side to side - I've done that (once!). Our wedding song - we danced to that - it's tradition you know!

None of these are really though proper dancing and I am certainly no Mr. TimberUsher.

So it's back to Kinect and one of the songs which my score isn't too bad on and yes you do actually have to dance.

It's also a very funky song ideal for a summer barbecue and sums up most guys dancing prowess - what a dated video though http://youtu.be/xy4FXhkm6Nw

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Eight

A song you know all the words to.

What a challenge, I have such a vast collection of music from a wide range of genres. I know the words to many songs from all of these genres.

So the challenge is choosing is an impressive song perhaps, one with so many words that it would astound people - nah; that would be stupid, so I think about those songs I really love.

Lately I've been listening to the new Bring Me The Horizon album, and album with such ferocity and anger in it that even my Mum loves it! And, I'd like to say that I know all the words, never stumbling. never stammering Bertie style (ooh the topical humour surprises even me!) but the truth is I don't and I resort to the CD case lyrics again and again. To be honest with BMTH reading the lyrics helps more often than not, clarifying the songs sentiment and helping the listener appreciate the angst. This is to me is the point, lyrics are so powerful that they propel the audience to a place where the song makes sense, somewhere the audience can relate to the moments being described, they create happiness, sadness, laughter, pain and tell so many stories. Learning the lyrics to a song is easy when you can relate to the words, it also shows your dedication to the band.

Then there are songs like Bohemian Rhapsody which truth be told I do know all the words to having been listening to this song since it's release 1975. To be fair at 2 I didn't really understand the lyrics and Beelzebub wasn't one of my first words although that would have been very cool. There were however many later holidays in France with parents when Queen was a staple diet on the journeys often mixed in with some E.L.O. - les bons moments.


There are songs I have already mentioned in previous Blogs - House of Pain's 'Jump Around' can be successfully duetted in an MC style by myself and a good friend - sometimes there are some missed lyrics but mostly that's caused by the alcohol which accompanies the evening. There are even Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg tracks I could happily sing too in full.


But the time has come for me to choose a song I know all the words to and amongst all of the songs I can claim for this there is one that I can say hand on heart that I do every time I hear and sing it, yup it's Poison's 'Every Rose Has it's Thorn' - just kidding (but I do know them all!).


Last night Mrs. Nik and I spent some time out with our closest friends, it was, as always, a brilliant evening and during the evening we discussed other friends some of whom have moved away with family to other parts of the UK. This means that in some cases the interaction between the circle of friends diminishes over time. But true friends will always be there when you need them and for me this is summed up by one song. A song I heard in college and immediately took as a 'Mates' anthem.


I know all the words and sing the song loud when it's played, and yes the sentiment can be called cheesy but with the sh!t going on in the world today aren't friends and family the one thing we all need to count on?


Enjoy and learn those words http://youtu.be/OqhHdbkTZGE

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Seven

A song that reminds you of a certain event.

Oh it's so simple this one, one of the best Headline shows I've ever seen, the crowd participation was outstanding with everyone sitting down (starts at about 4.58). Even my good lady sat down and she rebels against most interaction at gigs, except for cider drinking lol

WARNING CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

http://youtu.be/cTxhn5yVCUw

This show for me was crystallised and made all the more historic not for the fact that it was their 10th anniversary but for the fact that it was Paul Gray's last performance live with the band. R.I.P. Paul.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Six

A Song which reminds you of somewhere.

Wow, what a tough challenge to pick one song that reminds you of somewhere. Songs are almost always linked to places, people or emotions, many songs are linked to all three.

I have been listening to music since as far back as I can remember, it is to me the best pastime ever and beats watching films, reading books, playing computer games even enjoying a drink! Without music life would be dull.

So when the challenge invited me to think of a song which reminds me of somewhere there were a few which sprung to mind immediately.

Audioslave's 'Be Yourself' http://youtu.be/WC5FdFlUcl0 played almost every time we turned on the radio in France on one of my holidays. It became a joke really and put Radio 1 to shame with the repeated playing and Radio 1 overplay a lot of music.

Then there was my first ever festival, headlined on one of the days by Linkin Park, a band I had no idea about when they launched and bought their first album on a whim, the huge song 'One Step Closer' was awesome and the video had martial arts in it! http://youtu.be/pmUTBDuUGz8. Unfortunately Linkin Park have become considerably worse (IMO) as the years have progressed losing their exciting momentum after album two. Despite seeing them live three times now and they are much heavier and rockier live I won't be watching them at this years http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/2011/.

So picking just one song again has proved challenging.

So I recalled some wild nights in my college years which fueled my love for music further. Nights spent at 'The Hummingbird' nightclub, moshing like a frantic lunatic to many songs. Enjoying, well drinking, Red Stripe Lager http://www.redstripe.net/, I know some of you have been there too!

The song which never failed to get us up to the dance floor and away from the sticky carpet, it's hard to believe we actually sat down on the floor there, has to be one of the Grunge movements favourites and no it's not Nirvana, who back then I rebelled against due to everyone saying they were the best - I've always favoured the underdog.

Get your moshing clothes on and enjoy http://youtu.be/O0qmKAN9ZQ0.

If you like it their seminal album is still available although probably not on vinyl anymore so I too had to upgrade http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superfuzz-Bigmuff-Deluxe-Mudhoney/dp/B0016MJ2QE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299840868&sr=8-1

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Five

A song that reminds you of someone.

Simple one this, my main man, my best friend.

He is someone who has been through some difficult times and has been dealing with some difficult stuff.

His friends have got his back and I know how much he likes this artist, plus the song sums up his determination.

http://youtu.be/nUTXb-ga1fo

Nice one dude \m/

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Four

A Song that makes you sad.

This is a most difficult category for me because I don't tend to listen to music which makes me sad. The ballads I like don't make me sad; think Poison's 'Every Rose Has its Thorn' or Skid Row's 'I Remember You'. These are perfect rock ballads which for many people would remind them of trying times. Maybe, but they are also songs you can sing your heart out to knowing all the words and pull that perfect 'rock ballad a la Michael Bolton face' whilst singing, so really they are potentially guilty pleasures for someone who likes Metalcore, Thrash, & Black Metal.

There are those songs which give you that 'tingling' feeling, perhaps not particularly sad feelings but the songs could be used to emphasise those moments. Someone who introduced me to this challenge (check out her blog http://staceinspire.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/30-day-challenge-day-four/) chose a song from Les Miserables and to me there are definite moments of sadness in this remarkable musical. 'Bring Him Home' and 'On My Own' are two masterpieces, both of which can evoke sad and tingling feelings.

Then there are those songs which are used in films with the sole purpose of making the audience feel emotionally drained, 'My Heart Will Go On' from Titanic. Now I don't want to spoil it but the big boat doesn't have a great voyage and it's quite sad at the end I believe. I'm guessing here from what limited knowledge I have as I have never seen the movie (oh and Celine Dion always makes me feel sad). Then there is Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing' from Armageddon - a 'Rock Face' ballad but set into the movie after a roller coaster emotional ending.

So it is to the movies I head for my sad song. It was a close run thing between two titans of music from two massive films when I was young. Both made me cry, both still create that sad feeling. The trauma they created for many young people was equal to no other and was shared equally amongst all who watched these films as a young person.

The runner up is the music from E.T. - just cast your mind back to the grey, dying little alien and tell me you can't feel the sadness returning. http://youtu.be/WJHMg77pQck (plot spoiler averted).

But my winner has to be the one that would still make me cry if I watched the movie today. The film that I am sure traumatised so many children and adults alike, turned many into vegetarians and did wonders for the Pet industry.

The song which (still) makes me sad http://youtu.be/MODq81_cDKI.

Now where are the tissues :-(

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Three

A song that makes you happy

I wanted to choose something by Glee for this one but I'm saving that choice for later in the challenge.

It's easy to knock Glee for being twee and well a bit rubbish but it's just enjoyable escapism really whilst also dealing with a number of big issues in a manner that people can relate to (aside from the breaking into song moments). Plus it's kind of fun and most of the other programmes I watch involve detectives, guns, murder & autopsy!

So I thought long and hard about which song makes me happy (well about 24hrs). It could be my first dance song from my wedding - but that comes later in the challenge. It could be a song from my childhood but once more that comes later.

After much thought, I decided on the song at about 4.00a.m. this morning when I couldn't get back to sleep and was listening to the http://www.onemetal.com/ podcast.

The song that I can sing to with one of my closest friends, MC style. The song that wherever you are, whatever mood you're in, whatever the weather, time or date, the first three opening bars bring a smile to your face and your body begins to move - it can only be;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwQbPgouUYo

Enjoy people and keep smiling :-)

30 Day Song Challenge - Day Two

Least Favourite Song

Hmmm, songs I don't like, songs I hate. Where to start, anything by ABBA, anything by Celine Dion, these would be simple choices for such a category but this isn't what the title implies.

Least Favourite Song to me is a song which you can listen to but just don't enjoy listening to. There are a few in this category mainly songs which have been overplayed by radio & TV stations making them so annoying to hear and whilst I'm on that subject the song I have chosen springs to mind.

Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' http://youtu.be/lDK9QqIzhwk.

Why have I chosen such an iconic song? Well it's for that reason alone. Bon Jovi do have some truly great songs, some masterpieces perhaps, think 'Wanted Dead or Alive'; 'Blood On Blood'; 'Keep The Faith' to name but a few and yet 'Livin' on a Prayer' is every radio stations, TV stations, Wedding DJ's and Party/Nightclub DJ's go-to Bon Jovi track. *sigh!

The truth is it's not that great a song, in my humble opinion, if you were going to choose off that superb album 'Slippery When Wet' and I still remember buying it on Vinyl, then 'You Give Love a Bad Name' is a better track if you really want the commercially acceptable Jovi. Don't forget 'Wild In the Streets' and 'Raise Your Hands' which if you have never heard the album (those at weddings may fit this category!) then do check them out.

For me ' Livin' on a Prayer' has been destroyed by the curse of overplaying and becoming the song that defines the group on any occasion particularly where no rock or metal is involved. To support this frankly admittedly grumpy and one sided view consider this -

If a pop-bubblegum nightclub suddenly plays 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and people dance like mad to it singing all the words wouldn't you love to canvass the audience for their other favourite Nirvana track names!? I think that this also goes for 'Livin' on a Prayer'.

30 Day Song Challenge - Day One

Your Favourite Song.


To be honest there are so many songs I could have picked for this one. I love almost all Queen songs, I love Metallica songs too, I even enjoy Counting Crows, Matchbox Twenty and some but not all classical songs.


Do I have a favourite song, it's hard to decide. Do I have a song which every time I hear it I cannot help remember when and why I liked it so much, sure.


So here it is, the one I decided to choose - A song from my youth, the one that got me hooked on Metal.http://youtu.be/jsmcDLDw9iw. Iron Maiden's 'The Number of the Beast'. 


In 1985, I was 12, my uncle had introduced me to the guitar, The Boomtown Rats (Tonic For The Troops album) and Meatloaf's Bat out of Hell album. I knew the louder the music, the more I liked it. My Dad on the other hand enjoyed playing me The Shadows, John Denver & Mike Oldfield but hey I didn't get them back then.


My parents and I stayed with a family member for a weekend and their son had this album by an unknown (to me) band Iron Maiden. The cover mesmerized me, a huge skeleton beast breaking out of a grave in a graveyard.


I needed to put this album on - and then it hit me - heavy metal. The next step up from Meatloaf and Bat out of Hell is a great tune.


As the Live After Death album played, on vinyl!!, I got more and more hooked. I remember the opening of this track and the description from Revelations about the mystical 666. Then there were the guitar solos, two of them in one song - genius.


And so, it began my some might say decline into the world of metal music, the noise that has taken over me, perhaps defined me in some way and always, always stays with me.

It's all new

Ok, so I've never blogged before. I'm not expecting to become Chaucer or Dickens and to be honest I don't really expect many to read my ramblings but hey why not have a go.

I mean I'm interested in things which others may find intersting too, I like films, books, xbox, real ales, photography, heavy metal music - come on, I know some people like these things too.

So having used Twitter for a while - why not follow me http://twitter.com/#!/DRAV3N_UK and Facebook, I thought it time to branch out to a new realm.

I'm going to start by doing the 30 Day Song Challenge which was recommended to me and the details found here http://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Day-Song-Challenge/120874111270003.

So here I go into the unknown, unsure of how long this will last, then again I never thought I'd use Twitter much either - 2,050 tweets later :-)

See you on the other side \m/