Michael MacLennan

To generate discussion concerning the NME, for one thing... it's the sort of thing that'll be sent via a press release to other media outlets, disseminated via message boards, and it's evidently worked given the four pages on this thread so far... Even if it's negative publicity in some ways (ie because people will say the list is 'rubbish') it still does wonders for brand awareness. I pretty much agree with Mart. It's just a silly little thing to prompt a good discussion, I doubt the journalists at the NME take it seriously, at least not as much so as the fools who go into an apoplectic rage and then feel the need to let their emotions run rampant on an internet message board. Without even getting paid for it, unlike those 'stupid' music journalists.

Nah, had to go home for the weekend, plus I haven't heard the other (well, now only) Maps, though I have seen they're starting to get some good press. They any good then?

I like the new name. I'm also glad I didn't send the PM I was planning before the other Maps played at Tut's last week (expressing my delight at getting the chance to see your band), I might have looked a fool...

Due to that very person the piano-tinkler's very name just makes me think Jools 'Rinky Dink' Holland. Followed by a chuckle. Then a shudder. The line-up tonight looks balls. I'll still watch though, music whore that I am. Then I'll feel dirty afterwards. And maybe drink some more.

Me too. Yes. Me too.

What are you up to nowadays Mr Blastcap? I'm sure it's ace. Yeah?

Someone starts a pointless thread - people pointlessly disagree.

I've a strange feeling that might be a 'joke', but I'm so desparate I'm going to scour the streets looking for that shop anyway...

Bah, I wanted to go as a Satanic vicar to the Cathouse, but I couldn't find anywhere to buy the church clothes required. Balls! Balls!

Cool, thanks for the address.

Nice, that's the sort of thing that I'd be interested in, if anybody was actually stupid enough to reciprocate the interest. The video game soundtrack route sounds quite interesting, I'm friends with a band that got onto a couple of soundtracks recently. I'll have to ask how they did it... but 25% doesn't sound too bad.

You son of a bitch, Al. I wonder, can you hear the sound of my heart breaking while you lord it up in Aberdeen? Well, can you?

I don't understand that argument at all, it shows a highly successful band with a hell of a lot of issues, which isn't really that surprising. The fact that they had control over the rights to the documentary, but allowed it out unedited, is actually commendable. Lars has even admitted that he comes across as a dick, it's that sort of honesty that I think does them well in the long term, rather than trying to appear as though they're a perfect slick rock machine, ie U2...

You sure about that? Because one of my friends (well Neil, who you kinda know) got a first class from RGU, but it was a lot longer than three months before he got a degree-related job, though his subsequent career development is very impressive... As for myself, I went to Aberdeen, did Philosophy, oh what memories... I wouldn't have changed that for the chance of a job straight after, not least because I had no idea what the hell I wanted to do. In fact, I still don't...

Hey there, my new project I Am Subsisty is online - come check it out: http://myspace.com/iamsubsisty It's kinda pop, kinda electro, kinda rock, kinda punk, kinda dancey, kinda all sorts of stuff. The limited-edition first EP is due out next month, once me and the designer James get together to hand-make all the booklets containing the CD. Groovy! Thanks for reading this. xIAmSubsistyx

Thanks, much appreciated!

Yeah, I'd be interested thanks. I've had so many people saying that certain songs of mine sound like they belong on film soundtracks that it's an option I'm looking at exploring. I can imagine worse ways to make a living. In fact, I know worse ways to make a living.

Not really, I just posted it on the wrong forum, and then you wilfully misinterpreted a question. I thought people might want to list specific organisations that might be worth trying to approach, etc, I don't think you're so stupid as to not realise that was my intention. It seems fairly par for the course with this forum nowadays that a thread which could be of assistance to some people descends instead to petty bickering about something which has little to do with the topic. Which was fine when it was the Wasteland, but the music discussion forum is increasingly becoming a waste of time (at least from my perspective), which is a shame.

Nice display of sarcasm, especially considering you then go on to say that people should share public knowledge. In a thread about publishing deals, I was just wondering if people knew of organisations especially applicable to bands/artists reading these pages. But well done, your reply really increased the knowledge base here.

Anyone know which organisations provide publishing deals?

Yeah, I heard that a while ago. I think it's good news, because I never really liked Lamarr, at the best of times it was pretty tired humour aimed at easy targets (I know you could blame the script-writers, but he had no comic timing, it was far better when he was the butt of jokes in Shooting Stars). I only saw Huey presenting in the latest series and he was ace, but Simon Amstell seems like an obvious choice for such a role...

Interesting fact of the day: did you know Basement Jaxx could have signed for Warp instead before they did their major label deal? Certainly interesting to think how things might have been different (they say themselves how they might have gone in a less-mainstream world music direction)... Good pop music is amazing; some of Timberlake's first album was just awesome, despite the fact I hated him in NSync. It was just damned fine songs, though I do think a lot of credit (well, probably most) should go to The Neptunes. Your age or intelligence has nothing to do with liking ace pop music, unless you're predispositioned towards hating anything that might enter the Top 40... If it's a good song, it's a good song. Hence why I like a lot of songs by artists I hate (ie Toxic by Britney Spears).

I really don't think he is an imbecile though; he's a highly intelligent man playing the buffoon because he knows it wins him 'likeability' by a great number of people. It's the same as that drunken old uncle that everybody has who plays upon his reputation for cheap laughs, and who everybody therefore loves. It can be a convenient card to play, though obviously it costs Boris in terms of his potential as being a leader (ie, it won't happen). Besides, pretty much everyone I know would prefer it if he gave up the politics and just became full-time host of Have I Got News for You, nothing would be sweeter...

I think the desperation is quite understandable really, considering they lost 200,000 on a story that they will maintain is substantially true. If Tommy Sheridan was holding up his hands and admitting most of the allegations were true but some were fabricated, then that might assuage some people, but to instead accuse most MSPs from his former party (and now his best man) of lying is just ridiculous. The attempt to say that the video tape is 'stitched together' is just ludicrous. Of course the News of the World would want vindication over someone who has (allegedly) lied to the back teeth - and gotten others to perjure themselves for him - to claim damages from them.

Strangely, no...