It's been a long while.

Indeed it has. Well I'm back at least for today. Bloggers block? Or a bout of CBA Syndrome? (Cant Be Arsed) Probably a bit of both, cos life is about a balance, and I wouldn't want to be unbalanced Well, what's been going on? Pretty much the same shit, just a different year and different places.

Violent uprisings in the Ukraine and in Britain people are moaning about the weather, dodging rain showers not snipers bullets.

Nationalism unites and divides nations, the debate about Scotland’s independence from Britain continues. In Ukraine its a clash between Eastern and Western values that have turned the country into a warzone, where things will only get worse, especially with the EU countries getting involved due to the strategic importance of the area. Here's a little piece I started writing nearly a month ago about a few things:

“Nice to see fires of dissent are burning bright on the streets of Cairo and in the Ukraine. It warms my winter to see burning tyres rolling across the road towards riot cops sheltering under shields from showers of sticks and stones. Not good seeing Syrian refugees, being displaced, things must be bad if they are seeking refuge in Iraq. Talking of Iraq....What's that cunt Blair on about, it's fuckers like him and that retard Bush that have fucked the world and are now gonna blame it on religion, not ideology. Well tell us something we didn't already know; RELIGION KILLS! A car bomb in Belfast or a suicide bomber in the Sudan, and so does ideology GOVERNMENTS KILL! A drone attack in Baghdad or a Tomahawk Cruise in Tripoli. Western governments interference in areas of the world already divided by religious and ethnic grounds have made things worse, by creating power vacuums, so when Tony Blair says that it is religion not ideology that causes conflict, he is right, but it is a conflict he has created with his free-market West is best democratic globalisation ideology. Western business interests continue to arm global conflicts.”

As a footnote to the above, it is worth remembering that Europe’s gas supplies pass through pipelines that cross the Ukraine, there have been talks of dividing the country on ethnic/religious lines, in a bid to bring stability to the area. Talking of instability in the world, it has all been kicking of in Venezuela as well with protesters taking to the streets and making a stand against their government. The Venezuelan leader is blaming the US for plotting to overthrow the government. It is worth noting that Venezuela has some of the worlds largest oil and gas reserves, and that the opposition leader has strong links to American business and the oil sector. Talking of oil, one of the big issues about Scottish independence will be about North Sea oil. Like I said same old shit!

MONEY AND POWER! 

BLOODY REVOLUTIONS....THERE'S ALWAYS A PRICE TO PAY....

The image is of a protester shot dead by the Venezuelan National Guard on Feb 19th 2014. There appears to be a media blackout in Britain as on what is going in Venezuela in favour of the coverage of the Ukrainians fight for freedom!

COLORYDE - The 1994 Demos. (Re-Uploaded)

Twenty years since these demo's were recorded, Coloryde have returned to the studio to record an album, scheduled for release in March. Coming straight out of Welwyn Garden City/Hatfield, England in the early 1990's. Coloryde were a indie/mod/punk band with a collection of infectious and passionate songs. In the Brit pop years Coloryde should have been massive, but alas we got the likes of Shed Seven instead.  WHY?  Because the taste makers had no taste!

Check out Coloryde's 1994 Demo's here! and hear what all the fuss should have been about then.

Check out their facebook page here! and find out what the fuss is gonna be about now!

MING CITY ROCKERS - I Wanna Get Out Of Here But I Can't Take You Anywhere

More about Ming City Rockers here!

THE REVERENDS - Moocher (Live at The Pipeline, London 2013.)

THE STEVE DIOR BAND - Songs For The Wicked (An Unauthorized and Unofficial 3 Track Promo)

Steve Dior formed The Idols along with Barry Jones in 1976, by 1978 they had been joined by ex Heartbreakers and New York Dolls Jerry Nolan and Arthur Kane, The Idols became Sid Vicious's backing band at his Sid Sings at Max's Kansas City gigs, by the early 80's Kane had been replaced by another former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and the band became The London Cowboys. In 1993 Steve formed Filthy Lucre with Phil Lewis from LA Guns, but that was then and now it's today.

Songs For The Wicked is set to be Steve's first album for fifteen years, and if the three tracks Some Kind of Saint, Song For The Wicked and Hanging Onto The Backside of Something Good are anything to go by it should be a good 'un. They take a reflective look at the world through Rock'n'Roll eyes, loads of subtle references to what's been going on over the last few years. If you are only as good as your last kiss, then Steve Dior and his band are gonna have to go something to top these tunes, cos they are all one hell of a whiskey soaked tongue in the mouth kiss! Soulful and slick with tinkling pianos and swooping soaring Rock'n'Roll guitar riffs'n'licks. The biggest surprise is Song for the Wicked which sounds like Johnny Cash fighting with Nick Cave over the last bottle of valium.   Like a good malt Steve's music has matured with age.  but....Hey don't take my word for it check it out here. 
Link removed due to copywrite reasons, but the tunes can be listened to here at their web page.

TWENTY FLIGHT ROCKERS - I Love To Rock and Roll (A Radio Session)

Here's a repost for the Twenty Flight Rockers, and their classic leather clad Rock'nRoll Punk; Eddie Cochran meets The Clash and the tower block rocks! Back in the day the Twenty Flight Rockers were a phenomenal live band, never saw a duff gig, and I saw a few of 'em, at places around London;  Dingwalls, The Croydon Underground, The Fulham Greyhound, The Electric Ballroom to name a few. I remember going to see 'em at Brunel University in Uxbridge and I recall there were some 'issues' because the Student Union wouldn't allow the band to put up their backdrop as it was deemed to be sexist, don't think they stopped the band wearing their leather jackets with the same logo adoring the backs of them though. A similar problem unfolded when students at Bradford Uni tried to ban The Queer Boys from supporting The Cherry Bombs, and protested during their set by handing out flyers proclaiming their name was offensive. Shortly afterwards they tucked their tongues firmly in their cheeks and changed their name to The Pretty Girls. I appear to have digressed, so back to the Twenty Flight Rockers...A planned live album Nine Yards of Dead Cow never materialised, and only two singles were released in the bands short life time. They should have been massive, they had it all; the looks, the image, the hype, but more importantly the songs! As this MP3 from my original well worn and well played tape of a unknown Radio Session from 1985 will testify. ENJOY!

Post Script

Former Twenty Flight Rockers singer and songwriter Garry Twinn is now strutting his stuff along side Glen Matlock, James Stevenson and Clem Burke in The International Swingers, who at present are recording an album, which if their recent demos are anything to go by should be worth a listen if you like yer Rock to Roll!

Thanx to Nekrodad for requesting this!