Michael MacLennan

ahaha' date=' that's us told then.

i didn't realise this was 1995 when only geeks with no friends went on the internet.[/quote']

Oh man, I wish somebody had told me that back then. And I thought it was just my orange dungarees and tanktop that had been inhibiting my social skills...

Members previously involved in Subsistence

Great to see a comeback in the offing, but is mentioning that really any way to attract members? Now, if you were to mention Spinal Pap, you'd get some offers pretty damned quick...

Seriously though, if you need someone to play drums who has no sense of rhythm, is becoming increasingly bitter at being isolated in the Highlands, would only be able to make a practice every few months, and used to be able to play guitar badly, I'm your man. You'll have to buy me a drumkit though, and a vat of whisky.

Incidentally, it isn't. But your comment is so moronic I can't even summon up the energy to explain. Which I guess is some sort of achievement on your part.

PS But wait, you're right, next time I want to stir up some racial incitement at my local pub those penpushers might stop me! Do we have any freedom left at all?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oh boy!

yeah i only noticed that it was all different people after i posted' date=' they're all still guardian writers though.[/quote']

No they're not, they're Guardian contributors. It's like calling Ann Widdecombe a Guardian writer because of her agony aunt column. Stop trying to weasel your way out of the fact you attributed the opinion of a group of diverse contributors to the collective view of a newspaper, then asking 'What does the Guardian like?' like some pretentious wankbag. Your point was rubbish, and your oh-so-wellcrafted attempt at having a dig at a national newspaper was far, far worse than any of the opinions on display.

I'll bump you

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1369292,00.html

Should be ace, looking forward to seeing the 3D monstrosity of Nathan Barley...

Hot dang, sounds like it'll be fantastic, especially with Big Fat Pig, both installments of Big News, Impetus, A Shotgun Named Marcus... they'd better be coming back here soon, against all expectations I have to say 'Blast Tyrant' is my favourite album yet, can't wait to hear some of that material live...

Haven't you choked on your stultifying sense of showbiz yet? Luckily I'll be here minding the dogs, and have no time to look down my nose at your crapulence. Bah!

they were excellent at glasgow' date=' though the non-shouty bits were painful as he couldn't hit a note. Dillinger were fearsome! 0 to full on rock fury in 0.1 seconds.[/quote']

Bollocks, I was supposed to go to that, but then couldn't make it. Then got a message saying it was their best show in Glasgow yet, damn. However, I reckoned that they will hopefull be back in six months, as Dillinger seem to come back every six months. Time before was in May with Mono, then the time before that was in December, I think Beecher were playing that time...

Depends how 'stupid/unwise/not a good idea' their actions consitute. Friendship shouldn't be about sticking up for someone whose idiotic actions have endangered others.

Ie If I found out my friend had attacked someone without justification, then I'd rat them out like a little mafia squealer.

Time? But I'm an artist! Time means nothing to me! Would you do this to Van Gogh??? Would you?!?!?

I just realised I've missed out two of the most positive things I've done this year. I started training in Hung Ga Kung Fu during the summer after a few years away from martial arts (and any kind of fitness regime whatsoever) and I quit smoking. Well I say quit' date=' I've had a few lapses lately while drunk but I havne't had a sober cigarette since April. Healthwise I feel better than I have done for years, just wish this gut would go away![/quote']

Ditto the martial arts, except it was karate that I did, and am now attempting to do again. The first time back I thought I was going to collapse, and lose my body weight in sweat. I still do think that, except now I'm kinda used to it.

PS Ditto the gut, so close, yet so far...

Hmm, my year so far:

* Saw some great gigs in Glasgow (inc. Isis, Dillinger, A Perfect Circle)

* Drank a lot, had lots of great nights out with friends, though not enough times in Aberdeen unfortunately

* Wrote short story for competition, got nowhere with it, but got some ideas going

* Got a post-graduate qualification in Journalism

* Got job back in the Highlands as a journalist, so moved back somewhat reluctantly, but now doing job I actually enjoy, and trying to find a way back to a decent city

* Worked very hard during the summer to produce a 15,000 dissertation on press ethics (as interesting as it sounds) in order to up my qualification to a MLitt (still waiting to hear the results)

* Resurrected Popcorn Fiend for a couple of gigs, including the superfun Gavfest, though stagnated a bit since then

* Worked even harder to get fit, have lost over a couple of stone (and looking a lot better for it), and ran Loch Ness 10,000m. Now preparing to do marathon next year, and ran half-marathon distance a couple of weeks ago. WILL NOT STOP UNTIL SIX-PACK! Which means I'm stuck doing exercise five times a week for the next few years, until I collapse dead.

* Family moved to a nice new house, and slowly starting to pay off the sizable debts I accumulated in Glasgow

* Got to review Ross County every week and get paid for it, as well as being on a first name basis with Alex Smith, and having him phone me

A fair bit I would have liked to do, but lots of ideas for the future, and think I've achieved quite a lot compared to previous years. Also a lot happier than I had been, and more positive in many ways, if there's something I don't like I try and do something about it rather than sulk.

The downsides are pretty much the same as Chris, been single for whole of the year, and musically done nothing like as much as I would have liked to, especially with regards to being in a proper band. Also sucks living in the Highlands, where all my friends have gone to bigger and better places, leaving myself a bit isolated (I rectify that by talking to myself a lot more). But trying to get in shape to look half-decent again, and will rectify music situation once I'm in a place where I can get into a good band. Bring on 2005!

Just write a review anyway. I doubt that the journalist has actually been to any of the gigs they review in the music press

I'd rather see the band and not write the review, but that's not going to happen, so I have to lower myself to the level of music journalist once again... living in the Highlands sucks...

Uh, you guys want a review of the Dillinger gig on Sat? I'd pretend I was being altruistic, but the bloody thing's sold out, and I need to find some way of blagging in entry. Bollocks. It'd be a great piece thought! Full of thrills, spills, and other kooky action!

What are you talking about, the Microsoft upgrade? It stops you from using Bit torrent apparently. How is it you fix that again? Christ I'm a desperate drunken fool.

The only thing hate more than neds is the "alternative" crowd. The only hassle I have ever had in town is from the alternative/gothic/punk crew.

I'd give you hassle any day 'Monk Rocker'. But then I'm gothic skatepunk postalternative to the max! Take that! Kapow!

I thought it was incredibly cute (in a completely innocent way), the little kiddies getting into goth, how sweet! Latching onto the latest trends, and trying to find themselves, sounds like pretty much every person's formative school experiences... unless, of course, everyone on this message board was born in a Shellac t-shirt, you condesending twats.

What happened to the other acts? I was due to play with Popcorn Fiend, very sorry to have to drop out a few weeks ago, but had other important matters to attend to. Glad at least I gave decent notice! Though hoping to play Drakes again soon, I miss Aberdeen so...

We should add.... we have played with a good few on the list.

One particular act are a bunch of wankers - and do suck corporate cock... took two hours to soundcheck leaving at least two bands on that bill (one was us' date=' the other was... "Half Cousin" - I might be wrong) fucked... though we got what, 30 seconds to sound before performing.... Oh wait and they overan causing us to play at... 5:30am!!! In the morning! Yay!... Bastards.

[/quote']

Yeah, you always get bands like those, most burn out on their stultifying sense of self-regard. Being bitchy, I'm glad Degrassi aren't on the list... when Subsistence (a band I was once associated with, but had nothing to do with, honest) played with them at the Lemon Tree they took a similar amount of time to soundcheck, taking 15min over the sound of the ride cymbal while the other bands patiently waited on, without any apology afterward...

Glad to say I reviewed them for the Glasgow Evening Times recently with Sluts of Trust, and thus able to note (and put into the article) that they have no songs of any note, no chance of any success, even with Bob from Idlewild (who I assume must still be on the booze)... I'd say revenge can be sweet, it wasn't really revenge though, just honesty (surprisingly for a journalist). Huzzah!

you boys need to buy some bloodbrothers...(crimes being the new one out).

peep

Huzzah! Have 'Crimes' and the previous album, both fantastic. Camp hardcore, nothing like it! Though I do wish to get the Maple album, however much like the pixies/libertines/mcfly it sounds, but I shall wait until next time I'm in Aberdeen at One-Up, oh, the nostalgia...

The shack had it's 4th birthday on thursday night. How ironic. The shack was shit anyway. Long live the garage.

Good god, I went to the Shack once last year, can't remember why, had something to do with a birthday, jesus it was horrible. The thought of it brings me out in a rash. Can't say it being razed to the ground brings out feelings of any adverse nature. The Garage, though, is also a place I'd rather forget...

What a shock, some small Scottish bands get recognition in a national magazine in what seems a positive move, and then everyone starts bitching.

It seems quite obvious that the 'new' bands are those which most people without an avid interest in local music scenes would likely never have heard of, what else are you going to do, have a journalist do an undercover investigation into every band to determine their age?

Personally, I don't like some of the bands on there, but I can still see why they've merited a place. Well done to Hookers Green, who I love for reasons well known to those who know and despise me (and uninteresting for those who don't), and other local(ish) bands on the list.

It's never going to be a springboard to fame, but if it gets a couple more people interested in their bands, jolly-ho. And I'm sure some A&R men will pour over the details looking for the 'latest thing', so who knows where it could lead.

Baaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Tacto' date=' forget Doom 3!

I got about 4 hours in and gave up due to total boredom.

Half life 2 is so much better[/quote']

Oh, I'm tempted, but I haven't even played half-an-hour yet, at least four hours represents some effort. Anyway, already neglecting music as it is, must make promise to myself not to purchase any more distractions...