Tuesday, 10 July 2012

The Thespians

I stumbled, via a magazine article, a website which intrigued me the other day. Pleadgemusic.com
A place where, we, us, the great unwashed, can help new, and sometimes not so new bands and musicians get funding to launch such things as debut albums, fund tours or new EPs.
The way it works is, you find a band, or solo artists you like the sound of, and, if you so wish, you can pledge money to them, which goes towards the total they are after reaching. No money leaves your account, unless you pledge via Paypal, until the total is reached. If for any reason they fail in reaching their total then no monies are taken. It must be mentioned that if you do pay with Paypal then the money is taken straight away, it is however returned should the pledge drive fail.

Well, anyway lets cut to the chase.
I found a band that I liked the sound of, and thought I would take the liberty of sharing my findings with you, bloody cheek eh!

The Thespians is their name, Paul, Jess, Phill and Danny. They are after funding for their debut album, which they hope to release, with a little help from their friends, this year.
At the moment they are unsigned and without management, so its a real big deal for these guys to sort this out. They have arranged the studio already, its Parr St Studios in Liverpool, where Coldplay recorded their first couple of albums.
They are offering some gifts as a thank you for pledging, the list can be found here, http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/thethespians as can details of how to pledge. So, its not actually something for nothing, well, unless you just want to just give.


I sent an email to the band informing them that I was prepared to offer them a smidgen of my blog, in return for, sod all actually, big of me huh, like they say at a well known supermarket, 'every little helps' (other large supermarket slogans are available, but just not as apt as that one)
Well, I've been sent some background info back through from Paul, the bands singer and I would like to pass some of it on if I may, well, I'm going to anyway.

Performing live for the first time in November 2010, The Thespians have since headlined the Liverpool o2 Academy 3 times, the Dawson's Stage at Chester Rocks Festival (alongside Iggy and The Stooges) and BBC Introducing Stage at Mathew St Festival.

Last year they were picked up by MTV New York, who licensed, 'The Crash' and 'First Impressions', and labelled them as, 'The next massive garage rock band, the UK's answer to The Strokes'.

Their debut video for 'Reason To Reason', went viral within days of uploading it to YouTube and has now racked up nearly 40,000 views, leading to them being offered the chance to shoot a £20K video for 'Too Fast To Live' by a top London film studio.

 Their sell out EP launch show resulted in them being given a residency at the legendary Eric’s Punk Venue in Liverpool and the opportunity to headline the main stage at Liverpool’s Threshold Festival.
 They were recently invited to perform at Alan McGee's (Oasis/Libertines) showcase night in London, ‘Death Disco’ and attracted the attention of BBC Radio 2’s Janice Long.

Here are a few things that the press have said about them.

‘I was mesmerised when I saw them, and blagged a cd to play on my show. Cracking songs with great guitar riffs. I LOVE THEM!’ Janice Long (BBC Radio 2)

 'The Intensity of UK vintage punk with a brazen social consciousness far beyond their years…. a dangerous combination of charisma, intelligence and straight up unapologetic honesty' Mine Salkin (Liverpool Bido Lito Magazine)

 'The punk four piece followed with a set that could have come straight out of New York. Catchy riffs and memorable vocals. These leather clad rebels look set for big things' Richard Denton (Liverpool Live)
 'One of the best upcoming Liverpool bands' Dave Monks (BBC Radio Merseyside)

Here's a couple of their videos, listen, watch enjoy, and maybe, just maybe, give a little.
Linked with kind permission of the band, many thanks.
If you like what you hear and feel that you can pledge a few bob just click the link towards the top of the page. If you want to see more about them click here
http://www.thethespians.com/
On behalf of the band, cheers. 

Wednesday, 4 July 2012

But I feel the cold!

Have you ever noticed how simpletons don't seem to feel warm, they do however seem to feel the cold. I've never seen, how should I put this, ahem, the touched, without a coat on.
I'm on the bus back from Colchester and there are a couple of folk up the front who I shall describe as' to closely related for it to be healthy' sitting with big anoraks on. Outside it's about 21 degrees and the driver, for some reason, has the heater on, so to describe it as warm would be fair, but still they sit, coats on, inwardly shivering.
I wonder if the part of the brain that deals with sense also has our temperature gauge in it.
Chatting away loudly like they are the only people on here, gets on your tits.
Why do they talk so damn loud?
There are a few people in town who wander around in all weathers who are touched by the hand of incest ,always wearing a coat, it just ain't right.
I know I'm just taking the piss but next time you are out and about in the summer, and you see someone in their coat, mark my words, steer clear.

Now, where the hell did I put my coat.

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

A fox in wolfs clothing

A parliamentary enquiry in to the banking scandal. Interesting, mainly due to the fact there's already a procedure in place to tackle things that are against the law, it's called legal justice. We have a police force.
I can't help but think that putting MP's in charge is like asking Mr Fox if he could possibly look after the chicken run for me.
I understand the big fines for the actual corporation but surely the individuals need to go through the legal system.
By the way, who's going to end up paying the fines, yes, us, with bigger fees and charges.
Please, don't put MP's in charge, some of them can't even look after there own ethics, so how can they possible tell someone else what they are doing is illegal.
If we break the law we go to court and then possibly, if the crimes serious enough, we go to prison.
Let's see some heads roll. We desperately need to get the banks in check, after all they've been running the planet for the past few years, they need a wake up call.
Sitting in their great big offices with those smug grins on their faces, they need to learn a lesson, but not by MP's