it's a trap!

i'm sure it must be a trap!

there is absolutely no way that i am gonna get reeled into having to sit through Episode 1 again, not least when i'll have to pay for the privilege on seeing the stupid thing in 3D, no thanks George.

quick to jump on this blooming stupid 3D (but not even really 3D, just a bit 3D) bandwagon that will lead us all into the mouth of hell, George Lucas climbed down from the giant money stack he had been sat on at his Skywalker ranch and decreed that his 6 Star Wars films shall be re-tooled with some crummy 3D and then drip-fed into cinemas over the course of 6 years in order to bleed die-hard geeks of more of their earnings.

i grumbled when i first heard the news, but now a release date for Episode 1 has been pencilled in for next february i feel the need to grumble a little bit more, and publicly...

because me and my girlfriend have been having our own screening of the two trilogies in our own front room (her suggestion actually) with our projector and our conveniently painted white wall with no pictures hanging.

we'd start at the start (or the middle, dependant on your personal viewpoint) with Episode 1, by no means a classic, but despite the derision and the fact that the film is far from great, i've held a kind of naive fondness for it in my mind, but sitting through it again, i was relieved when the end credits rolled

back in 1999 i think i was kinda caught up in the hype, full of excitement that my generation would have it's own Star Wars legacy to witness anew after growing up with A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi as a standard Bank Holiday TV staple, i don't ever remember being shocked by the revelation of Luke's parentage as it was almost a received wisdom.

right now tho, in 2011, The Phantom Menace sticks out as a moment that the dream soured and as a terrible choice of a way to spend a couple of hours (and however much a ticket to a 3D film will be going for in 2012).

thankfully the other two prequels managed to claw back some of the self-respect lost in Episode 1, but the damage had already been done, and we became imbued with more of a curiosity for parts 2 and 3 instead of being blessed with another huge cultural phenomenon for a later generation.

(and i dare say i may be tempted to sneak into the 3D screenings of Episodes 2, 3 ,4, 5 and 6 as they roll out)

now we are at the halfway point with our screenings (well sort of, she slept through most of Revenge and should realy catch up) and we'll probably fire up the projector tomorrow night and step back in time, but further into the future, although they're all a long time ago anyway, but i'm sure you catch my drift, yep, we'll be watching the 'special' edition of 77's A New Hope.

ok, the lightsabre duels are a hell of a lot slower, and no-one jumps around so much, but nobody mentions midichloreans either, so the other factors that date it don't really matter at all when put into the context of Episode 1.


and for those that are bored of the same song that the Mos Eisley Cantina Band have been playing for what seems like an eternity, then perhaps tune into this Star Wars honouring video for mopey rockers Scattered Trees (no, i hadn't heard of them either) that, through the kitchen sink drama of some Imperial downtime, shows the downside of capturing pretty female jedis if you're a bit of an emotionally charged stormtrooper.

oh, and Boba Fett knows how to play drums, reinforcing his reputation as one of the coolest characters of the franchise.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, (ever so slightly tedious link) that reminds me t remind you, that my the review of The Fetts' debut album (see what i did there) is up over on my other blog, Desperately Seeking Susan Boyle...



and before i go, i must also comment on how impressed i am with their use of some chalkboard paint nonchalantly daubed on the walls, looking very cool.

how i've rolled...

this week may not have been the most productive from a creative point of view

but they are things on the go and ideas up in the air (and articles to write)

i am still tinkering around - on acid - with a remix idea that i didn't find enough time to devote to this week, all the essentials of the finished piece are in place as far as i'm concerned, but now comes the hard graft and spit n polish that should see the track come through the other side as a fully formed remix ready to tackle the blogosphere (tho it will more likely become buried beneath a bundle of other un-inspiring remixes that have already been doing the rounds)

and i have also made prelimanary preparations for another three pieces of music, a couple of which shouldn't take too much time to complete, but then things very rarely, if ever, actually go to plan, so perhaps it would be best not to hold your breath waiting for a prolific splurge of new material from Hunchbakk.... those that hang around shall be rewarded eventually, and the wait shall be cluttered with mutterings, utterings and obviously videos of a geeky nature....

and what of my writing in general?  well, last week i had a preview copy of Beady Eye's debut album posted out to me, and my review should be up on glasswerk in the very near future, i'm also considering knocking together a piece on Liam Gallagher's new band to share between the Advertiser and my new blog, Desperately Seeking Susan Boyle, which is kind of like this blog, but for those with more discerning tastes that perhaps don't want to deal with all of my ramblings and obsessions... yes, it is a music blog in the more traditional sense

talking of music, and blogging, and music blogging, and also talking of the Enfield Advertiser, i have a couple more write-ups to be getting along with, one of which is the long-overdue 9Blind piece, and the second (tho it will likely come first) piece shall be on The Fetts, another local band, that have just self-released their debut album and who played at last week's Sel-out gig at Bar Form at which i DJed, all by myself up in that little triangle window...

the gig was hardly over-subscribed, but it was a nice little turn out for the band in an intimate environment, and without the pressure of trying to please a bunch of willies who have quite clearly turned up to the wrong night, shouting 'play something funky!' i could get a little bit self-indulgent and truly eclectic with my choices, knocking out a set choc-full of tracks i wouldn't usually play or perhaps have neglected, mixed in with a handful of old standards and crowd pleasers, even if the crowd hadn't considered it when they were heading for a night out, they did seem kinda pleased to hear boom-shak-a-lak

the nature of my DJ sets and the obscurity of my tastes did actually prompt a request for a mixtape of decent mixes, which is the third of its kind that i shall have to get to work on, and also brings me back quite nicely to the concept of blogging, and in particular back to Seeking Susan Boyle, for although the content may be pasable for now, i do hope to up the game a little bit, some artwork and an overall style aesthetic is being analysed as we speak, as are plans for a bit of coincidental merch, and also a monthly mxtape, for those that prefer their music in bulk, as opposed to drip fed weekly... all very exciting stuff... if only there were more time to do it all in....

oh damn it, better get started on these other articles......
but do check back, and check Seeking Susan Boyle

and consider yourselves updated
thank you

what does it all mean, Basil?

i've had the weekend off of blogging for yet another family wedding and my still tempestuous computer isn't exactly making things easier for me, but while i can grab afew minutes online now let's get things moving on here as we cast our mind back to the start of May....

you see, the Enfield Advertiser have just followed up my Deadmau5 article with one a little closer to home, so i'll post up the article for you here for those that haven't had the good fortune to read it yet

and remember you can always view the Advertiser online too (page 26 of the 2nd june edition)


you may notice that it has been edited slightly when it went into the paper, entirely glossing over any mention of the bank holiday, probably so it didn't seem so out of date...


The Fetts, Enemy Planet and Worst Case Scenario @ The Hollybush, 01.05.10

or as the paper entitled it
Between rock and a soft place
(seriously, what does that mean?)


Bank holiday weekend in Enfield Town and music fans seem spoilt for choice.


Friday at Bar Form kicked the whole thing off with a Hacienda styled weekender starting with an evening of live bands while Saturday night was choc full of DJs playing a broad spectrum of dance sub-genres to brighten up what had turned into something of a wash-out weather wise.


But those still looking to get their live kicks for a second night in a row had descended upon The Hollybush in Lancaster Road.


Three local bands were brought together that, although stylistically were not a million miles apart, showed a real diversity of experiences within the Enfield music scene.


Worst Case Scenario are alumni of the Enfield Music Project that has been nurturing and supporting young musicians and has been turning out a number of talented bands and running regular gigs of it’s own.


Their opening set was a pleasing slice of acoustic Katie Tunstall with a Tabasco style splash of mariachi stirred in to spice up their soft rock inclinations, played out before  a receptive crowd of youthful friends and family.


Not only are they talented, but they are also troublingly young – despite the fact that the band has already been performing together for five years – and are only likely to improve as they mature.


Enemy Planet and The Fetts are more recent additions to the Enfield school of rock, both formed within the last couple of years, but having roots in bands that have already forged themselves locally in Partners In Justice and The Kases respectively (give or take a role call change or three).


Kicking everything up a notch, Enemy Planet impart on us a heavier sound with radio friendly polished edges, something similar to Paramore, with big riffs and ballsy female vocals.


Headlining the night were The Fetts, fronted by Ben Evans who has been in bands since his teens and ploughing a style that is steeped in 90’s rock influences.


Shades of Stereophonics, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Feeder permeate every chord and ring through the gathered backroom crowd as enough drinks are sunk to see everyone through the long weekend.