Richie

It really depends on what you consider 'making it' to be. You can head down to Glasgow and get on 'Britain's Got Talent' or 'T-Mobile Unsigned Act' (officially the worst TV show name in history) and enjoy ten minutes of screen time.

Or you can use the Internet - MySpace is now almost 100% about new bands but if you haven't set one up already then...really...give up now! Youtube is chock-full of amateur footage...if you're funny then put together something mildly amusing which also features your music and has potential to be forwarded on as a viral e-mail.

Mind you, there's that awful myth that the Arctic Monkeys were created via the Internet and specifically MySpace. That's bollocks - a mate of theirs simply knew how to create basic web pages and uploaded their demos to it. From there they got a play on Zane Lowe in late 2004 and it grew and grew.

As for record company A & R men not coming up here, that's largely nonsense too. True they won't just pop up here "for a look" but how many of them actually do that anyway? Usually when they go to a venue in London or Glasgow it's to specifically see someone they've done some background research on. There's no way anyone would say "nah, Aberdeen's too far away" if they'd been really impressed by a demo of yours, they'd come up and have a chat. If you're not good enough for someone to travel to see you then you aren't good enough to sell records to the masses.

So...that's the way I see bands from Aberdeen communicating with the action down south. Once you're signed up, then you can do a Geneva or a Shamen and relocate to success or oblivion.

Damn, I'm out of the country on that day.

In other news - they're giving away a free track on their website now - Culturedeluxe - News - Stricken City Give Away New Track

Was just thinking though that it's somewhat ironic that HMV's music section has shrunk to that wee section upstairs in the shop. Sign of the times I guess though - folks are moving to downloads.

The new album is pretty much Franz by numbers - it's not going to change anyone's opinions. But if you like their sound (and I do) then you will like it (and I do).

If they get rid of the carpet floor....

I thought they put down a new one?

Not sure what this means really - might secure the long term future of Moshulu even if the acts going there become a wee bit poppier. We still have The Tunnels and the new Drummonds (?) right?

Shooting fish in a barrel to some degree, but spot on across the board

Not much point in mouthing off about these bands though - their audiences are people who don't read about music, they simply digest whatever's the easiest to reach for.

Well, them and old Oasis / Verve fans who just can't admit their favourite bands are now utter pish (and were complete pish at the height of their success too! Oasis have been awful since Some Might Say and The Verve's supposed 'great album' was a collection of hyper-obvious Radio 2 singalongs).

Ooh, I'm away in Australia when this is on - shame, I'd love to see the Spinto Band again. Highly recommended - and bring a kazoo!

It's called I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris and it's on his MySpaz

MySpace.com - Morrissey - US - Alternative / Indie / Rock - www.myspace.com/morrissey

Just me or is it totally forgettable?

Just listened to it tonight - definitely more accessible than Strawberry Jam (well, in places at least!)

I stuck a review up here tonight

Culturedeluxe - Album Review - Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Ha - I did a few of those. Also Dunproofin, who's done loads on there is an Aberdeen boy too.

Been meaning to get this written up for eons.

Culturedeluxe - Feature - Getting to Know #9 - Findo Gask

Much love for the Moorings!

It's good but I still find myself singing Lucid Dreams all the time.

I was most impressed with Vesuvian this year I'd say.

I submitted a Top 20 towards my website's overall countdown and it was like this...

1 James Yorkston - 'When The Haar Rolls In' (Domino)

2 Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan - 'Sunday At Devil Dirt' (V2)

3 Eine Kleine Nacht Musik - 'Eine Kleine Nacht Musik' (Modular)

4 Pete and the Pirates - 'Little Death' (Stolen)

5 The Futureheads - 'This is Not The World' (Nul)

6 The Aliens - 'Luna' (Pet Rock)

7 Friendly Fires - 'Friendly Fires' (XL)

8 Get Well Soon - 'Rest Now, Weary Head! You Will Get Well Soon!' (Nude)

9 Zombie Zombie - 'A Land for Renegades' (Versatile)

10 Stereolab - 'Chemical Chords' (4AD)

11 Young Knives - 'Superabundance' (Transgressive)

12 Neon Neon - 'Stainless Style' (Lex)

13 Fonda 500 - 'Je M'Appelle Stereo' (Record Mountain)

14 Johann Johannsson - ''Fordlndia' (4AD)

15 Lightspeed Champion - 'Falling Off Lavender Bridge' (Domino)

16 Aidan John Moffat - 'I Can Hear Your Heart' (Chemikal Underground)

17 Dan Deacon - 'Spiderman of the Rings' (Carpark)

18 Matmos - 'Supreme Balloon' (Matador)

19 The Tindersticks - 'The Hungry Saw' (Beggars Banquet)

20 The Long Blondes - 'Couples' (Rough Trade)

I make a point of not going to the Wheatherspoons, Foundry or the other one. I still remember those buildings as being a bike shop, fruit shop and Parrot Pine.

Plenty of bikes still get ridden in 'spoons I bet

Thunderton then Doomtoon for me on xmas eve

Aye, I remember those too.

...and, yeah, it's almost mandatory to end up in Downtown on the 24th Dec...even though it's always horrible! The curfew rules are ridiculous too - having to spend an hour or so in that Plus place before you can get in if you're late. Seriously, someone needs to rethink that.

Boo - I won't be here for the gig on the 27th but the line-up is great.

I thought Edgar Prais were from Aberdeen? Seen them a couple of times and they were great in Drummonds but the sound seemed a little empty in Moshulu.

Another vote for The Howff. Also Ma's and The Tilted Wig.

I'll second the Thunderton too - hope to spend the night there on Christmas Eve and not in one of the awful chain pubs that Elgin is full of now.

Didn't know what - I knew they were Scottish but I assumed they came from Fife or somewhere.

Bought "Music has the right" nearly a decade ago and loved it - also love "In a nice, big place out in the country" or whatever it's called but I remember being seriously underwhelmed by "Geogaddi".

This is my favourite. These lyrics are great

'Gordon Brown,

face like a bum.

Gordon Brown,

what has he done?'

Wow, I'm rather impressed. It's not that different from 2007 but I love the new 3d match engine.

Started the demo with Celtic and came back from 3-0 down at half time against Bayern Munich to draw 3-3. Donati got on the scoresheet so it's not that true to life.

Didn't realise there was an Aberdeen connection.

Preferred the double A side debut Tak o Tak and Bardou, but Lost Art is a good un too

Culturedeluxe - Stricken City Profile

Seems a little unlikely, but Blur and The Specials said they wouldn't reform either...so a good chance.

Wonder if Jim Martin would be included?

It being Christmas I've had 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Jazz Version)' and 'In Dulce Jubilo (Mike Oldfield Version)' in my head for the past week. Roll on January.

Ha ha, it's images like that that make me remember how much I've loved the CM / FM series over the years (started out with the original on an Amiga!)

I'll have to download the demo of the new one now and, if my laptop likes it (and more importanly if I do!) then it'll be on me Santa list.