I used to have an electronic journal. A big text file hidden away in an encrypted zip file. It started at the end of year 12 (1995) and continued to 1999 some point when I deleted it. As far as I know I have no record of this old splatering of my mind on textfilepaper.
Why did I delete it? I discovered that I was only really writing my complaints. It was one big long explaination as to why life could be better. Failed relationships, pre-failed relationships when I exposed my lameness, winging about work, complaining about life. I read back and just plain didn't like it. I wanted to look forward.
I'm not sure if I'm any better off for doing it. I'm definitely better off for leaving that life behind and starting again. I've got a few resolutions for this year. Move out of home, whether I think it's 'logical' or not. Make the most of my current situation or get out of it. Spend less time bullshiting around on the computer (failing miserably on that count). Release an Approximate EP. Complete some random acts of kindness...
Greyhound
The Greyhound Indie night Walken was trying to get a gig at has folded. Although venue '9th Ward' has taken over the indie gig providing post by providing a night for bands, $5 on the door with all money going to the bands. 286 Flinders Lane, near the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Lane.
Top 10s
Before you read my Top 10 comment below, check out Dave's little comment on them, and why he won't be listing.
The future of music
Another cool article explaining a 'could be' future of music. What if Napster is banned completely? Just how far could it get? This article (from Discover.com) explains it's alarmist future.
The worrying trend for content providers to want to control everything we use to listen to is only to get worse.
Memory
Computers are stealing our memory. At least according to the article linked from Slashdot. Apparently we're relying too much on our PDAs, our email, our computers in general to remember things for us... so much so that we just don't remember anything anymore. They say this because they're finding many 20-30 year olds with severe memory problems.
They automatically blame computers... I'd be more likely to automatically blame polution (electronic, chemical, social) myself but that's just as bad really.
Did they run around saying this when they invented paper?
Although, I have a lot of trouble remembering things lately. I frequently tell people to e-mail me a request to do something even though they just asked... because otherwise I just won't remember.
Scour
Scour asked me if I'd like to transfer my info to the 'new company' today. I politely told them to piss off (clicked unsubscribe). No more Scour in my life.
Netfm.net
I noticed netfm.net silently pop up randomly one day. 'Not your usual internet radio station'. So they won't go bust in a month then? They're claiming to soon be offering music/albums on demand. THAT could be interesting, but in the meantime they just look like a bunch of hacks with an already failed idea. My favourite is their little blurb on their awful splash page... "Online Radio is the future of music delivery. No long MP3 downloads or the worry of getting busted for using sites like MP3.Com or Napster."
Um... busted for using MP3.com? Someone doesn't have a clue.
I just clicked and there is a nerdy chat show on the Microsoft hack (that wiretap thingy)... hmmm.
ARGH. Annoyingly you have to be on their page to listen. It's an embeded Windows Media player. Lame.
Smashing Pumpkins
The recentish story of the Smashing Pumpkins told as a Charlie Brown comic. As usual, only really funny for the choice of characters to play real people.
And while we're talking comics, I may as well offend some Christians.
Pre_Shrunk
Pre_Shrunk are finally going on another tour. Check out gig dates on their official site, or mine. Their new single, "Frogga Boogaga" is supposedly out now but funked if anyone can find it.
Ultimate in Get-Rich-Quick
Forget pyramid schemes or lotto, spend a day coding and you're a millionaire. Imagine a site where people post their photos... not even the actual photos, just links to their own hosted photos, add a description and an email and ask people to rank if they're any good looking or not. 350,000,000 hits in two months. With almost zero bandwidth costs and zero maintenance. Bang. Welcome to AmIHotOrNot.com. Australian version? rankme.com.au. If only I'd thought of it.
Bumblefoot
Influenced by Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck, sounding like Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Mr Bungle, US band Bumblefoot truely do rock. I definitely suggest you check out T-Jonez. Extreamly early Bungle.
Walken gigage
After Walken's (Heath and I anyway) little open mic gig a couple of weekends ago we've been offered a gig at the same place, only this time with the full band and for a full 45 minute set. 17th Feb between 4 and 5pm at the Duke of Windsor, Prahran. Be there!
Title
I've always found the 'Title' question in my log to be a pain in the arse. I write about many things and one title just isn't enough. One option is to change this site to a news site, with each article appearing as written etc. That option is likely, depending how hard it is to convert the existing site. However, for now, the title will remain the same as it is now.
Interestingly, last time I did this my readership dropped by half.
Top 10
Regular readers would know that I am developing my 'Top 10' albums of all time list. It's a slow process involving listening to albums I used to love, seeing if they're worthy. I've been very picky, leaving out some great albums (Bjork etc.) and as I get closer to actually getting ten albums on the list, picking gets much harder.
Recently I've been listening to Smashing Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream", Tool's "AEnema", Mr Bungle's "Disco Volante", Regurgitator's "Tu Plang" and Powderfinger's "Internationalist" and "Double Alergic" albums.
Siamese Dream used to be my favourite album of all time. On re-listening I found myself rediscovering all the past greats. Many times I thought the album was over but another passed love would pop up... 'Geek USA', 'Mayonaise', 'Silverfuck', 'Soma'. It is certainly one of the most influencial albums of it's time and definitely the best work Billy Corgan ever did. However... it didn't grab me the way it used to. It may have been the car stereo, it may have been over listening, or it may be a saturation of similar sounding bands throughout the 90's and a draining of my respect for the band from that most recent two albums... I'm still undecided.
Mr Bungle's "Disco Volante" is genius. Pure friggin genius. It has it's problems ("Everyone I Went To High School With Is Dead", the too extream changes in dynamics) but even so, on every listen I'm blown away by something new. Some people call it 'random bullshit noise with sections of untalented crap throughout', but these people are deaf. And may they remain so.
Regurgitator's "Tu Plang" has only one problem in my listening mind. It's too damn short. It was in my car on the way to work today and I listened to the whole thing one and a half times before hitting the carpark. Coming in at only about 40 mins, I'm always left wanting more at the end... except there isn't any. Tu Plang is a compilation of pretty much all the songs that didn't make it onto their two EPs (New and the self titled 'Hamburger' EP). Thus, it is a strange collection of rap/metal/pump/pop/techno dragging influences from their early days into the more recent sounds that ended up on 'Unit' and '...art'. I love every song on this album... especially the music industry bagging 'Music Is Sport' and the fantastic rap satire 'Pop Porn', but could I let something this frustrating into my top ten? No.
I've only heard Tool's 'AEnema' once recently so it has no hope of making it yet, however every relisten I give this album it takes my metal loving core and drags it to the front on my brain. Always after hearing this album I want to run home, bash out some Toolesque drum beats in Hammerhead and jam over the top until my fingers bleed. The only likely stopping point is the vocals. On multiple repeat listens they do begin to shit me. We'll see.
And finally, Powderfinger. In a desperate attempt to rebuild my shattered confidence in the band, I dug up 'Internationalist' and 'Double Alergic'. DA was my first album from the band, having picked up the 'Pick You Up' single and deciding this band might be worth something. I found the album a little patchy but overall pretty darn good, especially the genius of providing three extra excellent quality tracks as hidden tracks. It's a much harder edged rockier album than the band is ever likely to do again, and this was reflected in the awesome live shows at the time. 'JC', 'Pick You Up' and 'DAF' are the most well known tracks, however jems such as 'Boing Boing' and 'Skinny Jean' show the bands previous love of experientation, something they have most definitely lost.
'Internationalist' was an album I previously didn't like anywhere near as much as DA, however now I find it about even. 'Passenger', 'Already Gone', 'Don't Wanna Be Left Out/Good Day Ray', 'Hindley Street', 'Celebrity Head', 'Day You Come'... there is little on this album I don't love ('Over My Head' is pretty darn lame).
But on listening to these albums I also dug up the old Powderfinger singles and created myself two CDrs. 'Powderfinger B-Sides Volume 1' and 'Volume 2'. Volume 1 contained everything from the 'Parables' singles to the end of 'Double Alergic'. Volume 2 is a collection of everything from 'Internationalist' right up to the recent 'Like A Dog' single, including the soundtracks/compilation tracks they've done. And I found... I like Vol2 B-Sides more than the two albums. This CD ROCKS and it has rarely left my car stereo all this week. How could I possibly put either of these albums in my top ten when a collection of b-sides beats it? Given I've not allowed myself to put compilations into the Top 10... I guess there is no Powderfinger to be found here.
Maybe I'll change my mind another day.
Just to recap for those who fell asleep, Disco Volante made it, the rest... maybe later?
