massive tunes on a mini disc

Does anyone remember the MINI DISC? For those of you who don't, it was (I quote wonderful Wiki here) "a magneto-optical disc-based data storage device initially intended for storage of up to 80 minutes of digitized audio. Introduced in 1992, the MiniDisc was targeted as a replacement for the analog cassette audio tape system. Despite having a loyal customer base (primarily musicians and audio enthusiasts), MiniDisc met with only limited success."


I had one and I thought it was the coolest thing.. As it were the mid '90s a lot of my little discs were filled with triphop and drum 'n bass type a stuff. For instance I had all the Massive Attack albums on MiniDisc. But at a certain point my precious gadget broke down and I never listened to Massive Attack again. Up until two weeks ago, when my friends from the Word Virus Essay asked me if I wanted to come along to one of the three charity gigs that MA was putting up for the Hoping Foundation, an organization in aid of Palestinian refugee children. The ticket wasn't cheap, but it was for a good cause and it turned out to be a show that was worth every penny..

The concert was held yesterday in nearby Newport (supposedly the worst city in the UK!), just across the water from MA's native Bristol. The venue was a leisure center with a tropical swimming pool, squash, etc. It had a faint smell of chlorine throughout and judging by the lines on the floor the main hall doubled as a basketball field. And when I got lost on my way to the toilets I ran into literally rows of old fashioned bubble gum machines. I bought a giant "jaw breaker", which I frantically tried to finish before the first beat dropped.

Anyways.. I thought the light (a giant LED light wall) and sound and band (including two drummers) were amazing. Best of all were the guest vocalists they brought with them: Horace Andy (the man is a legend!), Martina Topley Bird (who you also might know from her collaborations with Tricky) and Shara Nelson (who sang Unfinished Symphony and Save from Harm).

Their new album Heligoland came out this week and track number 4 has been stuck on repeat! "Tune, innit?"


Massive Attack feat. Horace Andy - Girl I love you. Get it here (YSI). But I suggest you buy it and play it properly over your sound system. Loud!

the zombie skank

Ever heard of zombie walks? God, I think this would be the best thing to do on Halloween ever! Dress up like a zombie and invade the streets with hundreds of other zombies. I knew of zombie walks in the US and Canada, but I didn't know there was one so close to where I live: in Bristol!! They had a zombie walk for the first time last year and was a huge success. Just look at the pictures! Anyone who fancies joining next year's walk should check out their Facebook group or MySpace and let me know so we can stride together!


I would definitely be heading over to Bristol to walk along today, if it wasn't for the fact that my day is packed with other fun events and parties here in Cardiff. First I'm heading over to the Halloween October Fest at Artisan Beer's on Kings Road. It's a micro brewery (it's so small you could call it a nano brewery!) within an artist studio complex, so there will be the best beers, market stalls, open studio's, a BBQ and lots of live music. Among which the amazing Word Virus Essay!! I'll then be popping over to a friend's birthday party and to top it off I'll be dancing till my legs are worn away down to my knees at Dance of the Dead!! The line up of Toddla T, Ms Dynamite (she's back!!), Mumdance and Squire of Gothos (just to name a few) will have me walking home like a zombie for sure!!

"bringing the Bristol sound to Cardiff"

Not that I'm not biased or anything, but I would like to call to your attention this excellent band from Cardiff: The Word Virus Essay. Their singer Rachel has a golden voice and it sounds like she comes up with the most beautiful melodies effortlessly. Then there is Daryl, who writes most of their songs and is responsible the electronics and plays guitar as well. Their rhythm section is ace. Sanders is a really really really good drummer, and their double bass player Casper is not only a fine musician, he's also a HOTTIE ;-) The music is a mix of trip-hop (you know, that mid 90's Bristol sound), drum 'n bass and trance (in a very good way!!).

Catch them tonight at The Promised Land in Caerdydd! There are two other bands on the bill, including another Cardiffian band called Miss Maud's Folly. I've heard a lot of good things about this band, so I'm really looking forward to this gig!

The Word Virus Essay - Two lives. Get it here (YSI).

shake rattle & bowl

Should you ever be in London and feel like BOWLING, go to the basement of Tavistock Hotel for some good clean fun!
A friend of mine celebrated her birthday here last Saturday and WE HAD A BALL (sorry, that was too cheesy). DJs were spinning rock 'n roll, soul, garage rock, girl groups and boogaloo while I was guttering every single throw. The place got packed; cardigans, petticoats and polkadots galore! There was some serious hipshaking going on at the dancefloor, while the bowling continued and burgers were being served in the diner. Ace!!

There are Shake Rattle & Bowl clubnights in Bristol as well!
www.shakerattleandbowl.com