Alphas

I went to the Illicit Still on Wednesday, had a burger that shot grease on my hand and burnt it and then I had to sit through the Dons game with stomach ache...not sure if that was the food though.

Kind of what I've been thinking. There are no guarentees a new manager is going to come in and improve our fortunes. What if we sack Jimmy or he quits and we bring a new guy in and go backwards. Whilst getting embarrassed (again) is a pain in the fucking hoop, we have at least been in the right half of the table for the last four or five seasons and considering we spent how many years staring at relegation we're certainly in a better off situation. We fucked up last week, Jimmy and the team collectively, but personally I don't think changing the manager at this stage of the season when we are actually in a European spot in the league would solve any problems. If we lose the majority of the games towards the end of the season then there is a big decision for the board to make though.

Whilst Jimmy didn't get the tactics right, I think the worst part was (and generally is when we don't play well) the inability of the players to stick to any strategies set out at the start. Obviously I don't know what was said in the dressing room before the game but pretty sure it wasn't "Stop moving off the ball and hit it long to Mackie". You'd hope the players would have enough tactical awareness themselves to know the long ball isn't working, especially if Dunfermline aren't leaving space at the back for our pacy players to get in behind them. Some leadership and motivation on the pitch would go along way with the Dons, instead our players (with the exception of Kerr and Diamond) didn't look like they wanted the ball. Surely the players are also being told from the sidelines but there just wasn't much reaction from them. Anyway, best team on the night one I guess and good luck to them in the next round.

Got tickets for the SECC gig, can't wait. Will be my third Dylan gig, may not be everyone's cup of tea with the way he sings these days but always good to hear what songs he pulls out the bag.

Those shows were the shit! Essential Saturday afternoon viewing for any 80's child. Bonus points for anyone who remembers Manimal and Automan.

I did wonder what those joins were actually, spotted one near Arethra Franklin!

Photo taken with a hi-res camera at the Obama inauguration. The camera has stupid amount of megapixels meaning you can zoom in for detailed close-ups on nearly the whole crowd. Most of my afternoon at work consisted of trying to spot famous faces in the crowd, apparently Robert De Niro is visible but all I could spot was Barack Obama (who doesn't count I guess) and some random punter who looked a total fanny in a pair of bright blue earmuffs. Impressive anyway and a bit of fun. Photo

Striped T shirt...from Newcastle..."Man gets bummed for wearing a toon shirt".

And The Killers have been announced as headliners...on the Saturday according to their website. I thought that was the night Blur were headlining?!?

You could maybe try a place called the Tolbooth in Stirling, it is up near the castle and I'm pretty sure they put bands on. The Fubar nightclub also seem to have put on a few bands of late but this may be for larger gigs and may not be a regular thing. Tolbooth may be worth a look though.

...can be listened to in its entirety on his myspace site...if you're interested!

Radiohead were superb that night, easily the highlight of the day. I remember they were trying out new songs that were to appear on OK Computer and played a rock version of No Surprises with Thom and Jonny on electric guitars. Think Electioneering and Lucky got a run out as well. A bootleg of that gig is available as well...which is nice.

I have actually had the song "The Genius Is Loose" in my head since my last post...and to think I called them ropey!

First festival was T in the Park in 1996, which I think this was the last year it was at Strathclyde. Was only there for the day and Radiohead headlined but had to endure some ropeyness such as Space and Honeycrack (who if memory serves me right had four guitarists). Still, introduced me to a world of warm pints and noodles.

Get Static in the City back up and running after a bit of a hiatus as we (or at least I) have missed playing.

I went in 2008 and absolutely loved it despite the pissing rain on the Sunday. Was intending to go this year so a bit gutted now but like folk have said already it is perhaps a good idea. Seems like it will go ahead next year so a sensible move to safeguard any future. And the campsite last year was indeed a shambles. Driving tractors through the campsite after a week of rain and when the festival was in full swing maybe wasn't the best idea!

Cheers for the help guys. Played around with the settings in Control Panel and seemed to allow CuBase to recognise the USB connection. Still a long way to go to grips with it but a start anyway!

I recently installed CuBase but haven't been able to get it working. I bought a cable to connect guitar to laptop (a SoundTech Lightsnake) but CuBase doesn't seem to detect it in the USB port. The only luck I have had recording is through the internal mic so it is possible to record, just not through the USB. I have followed the instructions pretty closely but can't seem to get anything to work. I've also tried changing the settings on the Control Panel on my laptop and while it seems to pick up my guitar it still doesn't work on CuBase. Has anyone had a simlar problem? I may be missing something obvious but starting to get a bit pissed off with it now!

Blur at the SECC (94 or 95 I think). Supported by an orchestra that played britpop covers.

Further to my last reply, the street I'm thinking of is 48th st and between 6th and 7th avenues (not 7th and 8th like I previously said). The directions from Times Square will get you there regardless. Manny's is on that street and considered a bit of an institution as far as I'm aware. As mentioned above, pawn shops may be worth a shout if you're looking for a bit of a deal.

If I remember rightly, there is a whole street of guitar shops near Times Square. Think it is about 47th or 48th street and between 7th and 8th avenue. Basically, head down 7th ave from Times Square and the street you are looking for is off to the right.

New band (provisionally called Electrolytes) are seeking a bass and/or synth player. This band consists of two members of Static in the City and will be a side project as such but the intention is to take it seriously and play some gigs and perhaps a bit of recording. A myspace with some rough home recordings will be available soon but for an idea of what it may sound like, visit www.myspace.com/staticinthecity and listen to a track called Express. Obviously we intend it to sound different but this will give you the jist. If you are interested, get in touch.

Was gutted not to get to this. Saw them at Connect and they were by far my highlight highlight of the weekend. Was a relatively similar set though, Gobbledigook is amazing live with all the drums. Truly an amazing and creative band. Superb photos as well.

Unfortunately Static in the City can no longer play this gig. Arse.

Tonight.