Tuesday 30 July 2013

BAIBS Tuesday 30/07/13

I was thinking I'd had quite a prolific month of blogging. This is blog number 19 this month but with tomorrow being the last day of the month I wont beat my current record of 23 blogs in a month. That was January this year. Now given I don't blog if I've not done a show it would follow that in that most depressing and cold infected of months I made my most radio appearances. My least productive being April with only 12 blogs. I have no explanation for this suffice to say my birthday falls in the middle of April. That could be it.

Is it acceptable to say on the radio, 'I'd rather have my ears bitten off by a rabid goat.'? Kinda tough if it isn't 'cos that was my response when asked if I'd like to interview Scouting For Girls. Well, just what is the point of Scouting For Girls?

I'm a tad peckish and there's another box of mussels in the fridge. Dare I? It's like being a member of a dangerous sports club. Think I'll give it a miss and have cereal. You know where you are with a flake of corn.

I was thinking I had a nice steady day today but I've got a phone interview to organise on Thursday's show (the very brilliant Chantel McGregor), a Yorkshire Day playlist to sort out and I'm hosting The First 45 for JJ on Friday and really should have some idea what I'm gonna play. I've been told it's to be a Springsteen free zone!

Now as you know I've always championed us pedestrians as free spirits. Not tied down by no entry signs. No keeping left for us. No parking here between 5:14pm and 6:27pm unless you have a permit signed by the Chief Llama doesn't affect us. (I spent a lot of time there researching affect or effect and think I got it right). BUT I'm fast thinking that the Pavement Code maybe long overdue. Someone walked into me today then claimed 'it was there right of way.' (I know it's their not there but they looked illiterate). And then some old couple just braking suddenly in front of me. A six pedestrian pile up was narrowly avoided. Sort it out people. If they bring in a Pavement Code it wont be long before this government latch onto a pavement tax.

Right, I'm off to glare at mussels.

Laters

SS

Playlist Tuesday 30/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
My Hero - Foo Fighters
The Eton Rifles - The Jam
The First Of The Gang To Die - Morrissey
Fishing For A Dream - Turin Brakes
Coming Around - The Vans
Whatever - Oasis
They Couldn't Hear The Music - Ian McNabb
Sex - The 1975
Special Brew - Bad Manners
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads
Ruby Soho - Rancid
There Goes The Fear - Doves
The Heinrich Maneuver - Interpol
Show Me The Wonder - Manic Street Preachers
Food For Thought - UB40
Peaches - In The Valley Below
Balloons - Foals
Forgotten Town - The Christians
I Got Love - The King Blues
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Spinning Plates - Middleman
She's In Fashion - Suede
A Certain Romance - Arctic Monkeys
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Coldplay
Postcard - Southern Sunrise
Disarm - Smashing Pumpkins
Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush
The Beat(en) Generation - The The
Baby Don't Cry - INXS
Slow It Down - Amy MacDonald
L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. - Noah And The Whale
Bagboy - Pixies
Love Song - The Damned
Sound Of The Suburbs - The Members
Venus As A Boy - Bjork
To Be Like - China Rats
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers


Monday 29 July 2013

BAIBS Monday 29/07/13

You will see in today's playlist Good Enough by Dodgy. It was dedicated to the mussels I cooked and ate last night that have left both myself and the Cherry Blossom struggling somewhat today.

I was in charge of tea last night as way of an apology for failing to make it home Saturday night and all I've managed to do is poison us. If Carlsberg made boyfriends......

The weekend. Friday night was Doncaster Dome for the Rock4Youth MidTeenz grand final. 11 acts of the highest quality, all under 24 years old. I've mentioned before the talent that there is in Donny. Friday night just reinforced that. I was privileged to host such an event. The judging was a bit fraught at times. 4 categories: Best Band/Best Acoustic Act/Best Original Band Song/Best Original Acoustic Song. Every single act that played gave the judges something to think about. If memory serves I think every category was decided by a single vote. Annette normally ended up with the casting vote though that was more because she just couldn't decide between them.

So a massive congratulations to the winners:

Down To Earth
Michelle Green
Fluidity
Missing Pages

But also to every act that got to play a big stage for the first time. They all handled it magnificently:

Sleeping With The Heartless
Down Your Weapons
Infirmity
Scott Dominic
Luke Maddison
Sam Wright
Liam Walker

Liam did a live session for me on the show this morning. Stunning was one word that came my way while he was playing. I'm hoping to get all 11 acts on other the next few weeks.

Saturday just got messy. Went to watch Rovers at Bradford in the afternoon, half gatecrashed a party at the Masons later, (I'd forgotten I was invited), went to The Woolpack opening and ended up celebrating a christening. It's all a bit of a blur.

OK, I'm off to complain to someone about mussels.

Laters

SS

Playlist Monday 29/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Swords Of A Thousand Men - Tenpole Tudor
Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves And The Vandellas
Understanding Jane - The Icicle Works
I Still Believe - Frank Turner
Slash 'N' Burn - Manic Street Preachers
Closed Hand Full Of Friends - Foy Vance
Sweet Thing - Van Morrison
Can Stand The Rain - The Talks
True Faith - New Order
Shackled And Drawn - Bruce Springsteen
I Lost Myself At Hello - Infirmity
Everybody's Changing - Keane
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
10/10 - Paulo Nutini
Sex - The 1975
This Is Real - The Enemy
Ghost Town - The Specials
Formaldehyde - The Editors
The Distance - Funeral For A Friend
Bubbles - Biffy Clyro
Revolution - The Beatles
Rebirth - Yuck
Let's Do Rocksteady - The Bodysnatchers
Life's What You Make It - Talk Talk
This Is Not A Game - Skunk Anansie

LIAM WALKER LIVE SESSION

A War
Only Love

All Together Now - The Farm
Good Enough - Dodgy
They Couldn't Hurt The Music - Ian McNabb
Transmission - Joy Division
Late March Death March - Frightened Rabbit
Waiting On A Sunny Day - Bruce Springsteen
Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
New Natives - Jim Lockey And The Solemn Sun
Song 2 - Blur
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers



Friday 26 July 2013

BAIBS Friday 26/07/13

Well first up apologies for lack of show yesterday. There's something amiss with my back. It's possible I did myself an injury leaping around to The Talks last Saturday or it's equally possible that the fan got me. The hot weather has necessitated a fan in the bedroom so I now have the option of being kept awake by the heat or the noise of the fan. I've been going for the fan option but I think the cool draught on the small of my back maybe the cause of the twinge. After a particular painful and sleepless night on Wednesday I failed abysmally to get out of bed Thursday morning. Today I'm hobbling around manfully with a heat relief patch on my back. Still hurts but it's a warm hurt.

Enough moaning.

Shopped again today. Standard practice. Stall on the market sells sunglasses, same place every year. Went, looked, bought. Easy. The second pair of shades this summer. The law of averages states I'm still due to buy at least one more pair. Whether they get sat on, lost somewhere in Hampden Park or generally destroyed in a wet decking incident I can never get through the summer with just one pair.

Joined on this morning's show by the extremely talented violinist Alexandra Parker. She's just finished a charity busking tour. 9 cities in 5 days. a lot of fiddle playing all for cancer research. You can still donate to this worthwhile cause here:  http://www.justgiving.com/Alexandra-national-busking-tour-challenge

Hang fire while I just stick some crumpets on, I'm peckish.

So tonight sees me down at Donny Dome for the Rock4Youth MidTeenz battle of the bands final. I'm on stage hosting. Way out of my comfort zone. I like my little room, just me and a mic. Still Annette Ramsay has (almost) promised to sing on my show if I do this. Then into town to hopefully catch either Auction For The Promise Club at The Social or Yashin at The Leopard.

Spoilt for choice tomorrow. Start with The Darlingtons playing down at Electro Music. There was a possibility of me heading down to London with Bang Bang Romeo but finances dictate that's out. There's a christening invitation too or a freebie at Valley Parade to watch Rovers take on Bradford City. It's all go.

Nearly burnt the crumpets!

Sunday back to work. Sunday night hopefully sleep fan notwithstanding.

Laters

SS

Playlist Friday 26/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Come Home - James
Spanish Stroll - Mink De Ville
She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult
Better - The Tricks
Night Mail - Public Service Broadcasting
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Under China - Auction For The Promise Club
Closed Hand, Full Of Friends - Foy Vance
Do You Remember The First Time? - Pulp
I Wish I Was Someone Better - Blood Red Shoes
Bring On The Dancing Horses - Echo And The Bunnymen
Silly Thing - The Sex Pistols
Kennedy - The Wedding Present
Give It Up - The Hothouse Flowers
Soul Uncensored - Section 60
One Way - The Levellers
Debaser - Pixies
Hurricane - Bob Dylan
Freakin' Out - Graham Coxon
Burn This City - Famous Villains
Everything - The Darlingtons
Drift Away - Dobie Gray
Sinful - Pete Wylie
The Dancing Song - Little Comets
Lost - The Pigeon Detectives
Why You So Cold - Wet Nuns
Lost Innocent World - Gogol Bordello
I Lost Myself At Hello - Infirmity
Tumbling Dice - The Rolling Stones
Miracle Worker - Superheavy
Don't Stop - The Rolling Stones
Hunger - Frankie And The Heartstrings
Friday Night - The Talks
Rise Up - The Skints
Rebirth - Yuck
The Uprising - Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

Wednesday 24 July 2013

BAIBS Wednesday 24/07/13

Well apologies for the late show this morning. A classic snooze button debacle, i.e. I turned it off so the 5 more minutes became a good hour and a half. Still, we got there eventually.

Short blog today 'cos the erstwhile Mr. Wilkes is on his way to take me to Leeds for the festival press launch. More ligging and blagging.

Many thanks to Darrin Snider for his useful comments on butterflies after yesterday's blog. My butterfly was dead apparently. Which made it more of a shock when I nudged it and it flew off. Only thing is I've lost it now. Never was good with pets. It is of course possible that in a few months I'll be overrun by caterpillars and the patter of a tiny feet. Are they called feet on a caterpillar?

Today was to be the first show in about 4 weeks without a scheduled guest only for a couple of Dutch lads to turn up unannounced. Pieter and Brom are doing the Cannonball Run which basically involves travelling around doing various tasks. Yesterday had them taking traditional English tea and finding Trinity Street in Cambridge. Today task one was to have a photo took with a local radio presenter whilst he was live on air. They'd spent last night camping in Rotherham and a quick internet search lead them to our door. Glad to be of service. They're now heading to Alnwick Castle (some Harry Potter task) and then to Edinburgh to do something with kilts.

The Do It Unplugged voting has begun. To hear the 15 acts who played go here: http://www.sinefm.com/a_z_of_shows/do_it_unplugged then follow the link to vote for your favourite.

Quick follow up on the royal baby thing. The Daily Mail, that bastion for all right minded free thinkers (sic) today ran 21 pages on the story. Included in this was the story as to whether or not the BBC's coverage was overkill. Genius. Fancy there being no common sense at The Daily Mail.

Anyway, must dash.

Laters

SS

Playlist Wednesday 24/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
La Tristesse Durera (Scream To A Sigh) - Manic Street Preachers
This Charming Man - The Smiths
I Lost Myself At Hello - Infirmity
Shake It Out - Florence And The Machine
The Rock - Deer Tick
She Bangs The Drums - The Stone Roses
Rebirth - Yuck
American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem
Ripples - The Coopers
Kelly's Heroes - Black Grape
Tonight, Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
Long Train Runnin' - The Doobie Brothers
Heart Of Lothian - Marillion
My Life To Live Again - Ian McNabb
The Passenger - Iggy Pop
The Jean Genie - David Bowie
Losing Days - Frank Turner
Antarctica - Sound Of Guns
I Second That Emotion - Japan
Carry On, Carry On - Edwyn Collins
My Girl - Madness
Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
Break On Through (To The Other Side) - The Doors
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

Tuesday 23 July 2013

BAIBS Tuesday 23/07/13

I'm proper multitasking here, knowing full well something will go amiss. Got a stack of emails to answer, a load of new music to sample, a blog to write, bacon to cook and a butterfly to worry about. Let's see how it goes.

I'm being hampered by a very slow laptop that has decided downloading music is an optional function that it's chosen to give a miss today.

So the rains have come. I still braved shorts this morning in the hope it would clear by ten. It's got monumentally worse. A definite bus journey home. Someone in their infinite wisdom has decided to change not only bus times but also the stands at the interchange that buses leave from. Obviously though they neglected to tell anyone. Of course because that's just what we'd expect them to do. Always keep 'em guessing is obviously South Yorkshire Transport's current policy. Someone gets paid stupid money for that decision.

I'm getting through my new music emails. Beady Eye in woeful new single shocker. Admit it Liam, you're nothing without him. Onto the 15 CDs I have to wade through now.

Laptop refusing to acknowledge the presence of a CD. It's going to be a long afternoon.

So a baby was born yesterday. A future king of England. Historic I agree but not worthy of the news saturation we got. For over 12 hours TV showed photographers taking photographs of other photographers because there was nothing else to do. Hoards flocked to the hospital and Buckingham Palace to, as one twonk said, 'witness the historic moment.' Er, I'm pretty certain that the actual giving birth bit was kept private. All you got to see was an easel with a hastily typed note on it. That's if you were at the front. If you weren't you may as well have watched it on the news. They had it pretty much covered. David Cameron came out and lied on my behalf again. Apparently this year I've both mourned a great leader and been excited by a royal baby. I know I have 'cos the shiny faced Eton toff said so. Is it coming across that I'm not a royalist? 'But they're good for tourism' is the standard defence. Prove it. 'They bring in so much money.' Prove it. Quick bit of maths.

Buckingham Palace - 420,000 visitors last year. Palace of Versailles - 5,000,000 visitors last year. Ah, but Buck House is only open 8 weeks a year. More maths. That equates to about 2,750,000 a year. Just over half the Versailles total and I'm pretty sure the French monarchy gave up residency sometime around 1789. Think my point is as much as the monarchy is of interest to tourists we don't actually need them to maintain this interest.

Are any of you lepidopterists? Last Friday, when the sun was beating down (ah sun.it already seems so long ago) two butterflies came dancing through the open back door. They fluttered around for a bit then I lost sight of them. One reappeared later that day clinging to the ceiling but is still there four days later. Is this usual behaviour? Is it asleep? Dead? In labour waiting for the press to turn up? I don't speak red admiral so can't communicate. I think it's a red admiral. I only know two types of butterfly and it's definitely not a cabbage white.

I've droned on enough. One final thing. I really should get a diary. I'm hosting the Rock4Youth MidTeenz event at The Dome on Friday and had arranged a meeting with organiser Annette Ramsay for tomorrow, only to be reminded this morning that I'm at the press launch for Leeds Festival tomorrow. Oh you caught me out. That last bit was just me showing off and nothing to do with a diary at all.

Right, this bacon wont cook itself.

Laters

SS

Playlist Tuesday 23/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Monkey Gone To Heaven - Pixies
The Fortune Teller - The 48ks
So Here We Are - Bloc Party
Losing Days - Frank Turner
Dream Factory - Section 60
Valerie - The Zutons
Rise - Public Image Ltd.
Under China - Auction For The Promise Club
Hands Off She's Mine - The Beat
Cosmic Dancer - T-Rex
Melody Calling - The Vaccines
Dreaming - Blondie
The Whole Of The Moon - The Waterboys
Help Me - Chantel McGregor
Sing - Travis
Itchycoo Park - The Small Faces
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough - Manic Street Preachers
Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers
1996 - The Wombats
Tears Dry On Their Own - Amy Winehouse
Carnival - The Cardigans
Ball Of Confusion - The Temptations
Neighbourhood #3 - Arcade Fire
Back Down South - Kings Of Leon
Queen Of The Disco - Hail To The Eskimo
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
My My, Hey Hey - Neil Young
Friday Night - The Talks
White Lines - Grandmaster Melle Mel
My World - Secret Affair
Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns 'N' Roses
Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran
Tom Hark - The Piranhas
Inhaler - The Foals
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers




Monday 22 July 2013

BAIBS Monday 22/07/13 - Tramlines

Tramlines broke me. And I only managed two out of the three days. Today I feel like an Australian batsman, dazed, confused and battered into pitiful surrender, not even daring to review the situation.

Worth it though.

So where to begin? I should warn you there'll be some shameful name dropping in here.

As I said on Friday there's that much going on at Tramlines that the only viable plan is to pick two or three must see bands and whatever happens in between happens. Hopefully you'll drop onto some quality live acts. Joyfully this was the case.

So Friday's plan was Leadmill for Famous Villains, Frog And Parrot for Bang Bang Romeo then back to The Leadmill for King Charles. Mission accomplished. Villains were acoustic on Friday. A nice gentle start to proceedings with their obvious class drifting over the building Leadmill crowd. A yomp through the 30 degree Sheffield night for the weekend's first sweatbox, a rammed full Frog And Parrot. Bumped into the Section 60 boys there. I love that band but always manage to miss them playing live. Got 'em tied down for a radio appearance in November. Best chance I've got to see them. BBR nailed it. Starsie has mastered the art of working a crowd. A Frog and Parrot singalong to Chemical, some quick goodbyes and back into the scorching Sheffield night. Got to The Leadmill in time for The Gentlemen, the weekend's first bonus. Never heard them before. I will be again. Outside for a quick fag where myself and Martin Black formed a new band, The Red Lipstick Boys. Back inside I bumped into King Charles who kindly invited me up for beers in his dressing room. A chance to catch up with The Gentlemen to show my appreciation. Sheffield band Liberty Ship were ligging with King Charles too. Great band managed by Reverend And The Makers John McClure and another radio slot sorted. Charles invited me on stage for his We Didn't Start The Fire finale. Sadly the last train ruined that moment. Late trains on Tramlines weekend wouldn't go amiss.

Bumped into Christian Carlisle on the train home and thankfully our drunken conversation managed to distract me from the guy who managed to throw up all the way from Sheffield to Donny.

Saturday. The plan: The Talks and Public Service Broadcasting at The Harley, The Likely Lads and The Ratells at The Leadmill. The day started with a Stewart Black detour to find The Washington. We failed. Left him to it and headed to The Harley. Bonus number two. Ska band Feelgood Culture on stage. Brilliant. The place was already heaving. A sweat soaked gem of a venue. Outside and the queue is already getting silly. PSB are the attraction and they're still 3 hours off their stage time. Hats off to the bloke who tried to jump the queue by climbing over the fence into the beer garden. Snagged himself on the railings in a place a bloke just doesn't want to get snagged. And once he had fallen in there was a doorman waiting to escort him back out again. Next up bonus act number three, The Mother Folkers, a mix of soulful blues/folk that has the crowd, in their words, 'a-hollerin'. A bit more name dropping as I chatted with Public Service Broadcasting about Glastonbury, 2nd albums and the Mercury Music Prize before The Talks.

The Talks had flown in from the Czech Republic with minutes to spare and no sleep. It didn't show. Arguably the set of the weekend. A blistering ska fuelled romp through the catchiest music you will ever hear. The Harley was dripping. After their set fresh air was a must. The fire alarm evacuation was a bonus! A cool breeze and a chance to catch up with The Talks. More radio sorted! Ushered back inside for Public Service. I don't think anyone expected this band to take off just as much as they have. The place is solid. The queue is all the way down Glossop Road with a one in, one out policy. No-one's going out. I've reviewed PSB before so you know how I feel about them. This time out they have the crowd singing along. To what are essentially instrumentals. J. Wilgoose Esq. and Wrigglesworth look more surprised than anyone. Even more so when the 'Wrigglesworth, Wrigglesworth' chant drowns out the band. A set that is over far too soon and The Harley empties with people dancing down the road still singing Everest. I've ten minutes to get to The Leadmill for The Likely Lads.

No chance. I'm too hot. And a burger stop off is required. Got to the Leadmill to catch the end of their set. Tight as ever. Then straight to the small Leadmill stage to see The Ratells. Caught up with both bands outside but the chat got slight marred by the doorman asking if I'd be wearing lipstick again. Think I lost any respect they may have had for me. Bumped into Christian Carlisle again wearing what can only be described as the greatest suit ever. Think old BBC colour test card. I really can't do it justice here.

So that was Saturday.

Sunday was a double edged sword. I was working so missed it. Probably a good thing though as I don't think I'd have survived. Did mean I missed The Darlingtons, Dexters, Section 60 (of course) and Johnny Borrell sadly.

So it was a very tired show this morning. And a hectic one. The Darlingtons came in for a chat and to play a track from their new live EP and I had a live session from the brilliant John Lennon McCullagh. So much talent at such a young age. He's gonna be huge. And he's promised to come back for another live session soon. Can't wait.

I'm now off to rest my weary bones before work tonight.

Laters

SS

Playlist Monday 22/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Everest - Public Service Broadcasting
Not Too Fussed - The Likely Lads
Spies - Famous Villains
Can Stand The Rain - The Talks
Cemetry - Bang Bang Romeo
National Express - The Divine Comedy
Bam Bam - King Charles
The Opener - The Courteeners
Faces - The Ratells
Spread Your Love - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Sally Cinnamon - The Stone Roses
Some Might Say - Oasis
Cut Me Down - Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Watch Yourself (Live) - The Darlingtons
Bats - The Darlingtons
A Ton Of Love - The Editors
The Only One I Know - The Charlatans
Wide Open Space - Mansun
Blue Collar Jane - The Strypes
Can You Dig It? - The Mock Turtles

John Lennon McCullagh Live Session

North South Divide
Slipping Away

Just Like The Rain - Richard Hawley
Midnight Wave - Two Wounded Birds
Chemicals - Various Cruelties
Shackled And Drawn - Bruce Springsteen
Hotel California - The Eagles
Rebirth - Yuck
Coming Around - The Vans
You Held The World In Your Arms - Idlewild
Away From Here - The Enemy
Juxtaposed With You - Super Furry Animals
Revolution - Young Kato
Golden Skans - The Klaxons
51st State - New Model Army
Naive - The Kooks
Never Knew Your Name - Madness
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers






Friday 19 July 2013

BAIBS Friday 19/07/13

Ici vous allez:

(I have no idea why I did that in French)

Playlist Friday 19/07/13

Chevy Thunder - Spector
Ship Of Fools - World Party
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Let The Day Begin - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Groovy Train - The Farm
Road Rage - Catatonia
Train In Vain - The Clash
Cadillac Ranch - Bruce Springsteen
Flying - Cast
Road To Nowhere - Talking Heads
Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire
Back Of My Hand - The Jags
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
Driving In My Car - Madness
Last Train To Clarksville - The Monkees
Last Train To London - E.L.O.
Last Train To Transcentral - KLF
Down In The Tube Station At Midnight - The Jam
Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles
Dead End Street - The Kinks
Coming Around - The Vans
Always Like This - Bombay Bicycle Club 

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - PHOENIX SALVATION

Attention
Demons And Wolves

Motorcycle Emptiness - Manic Street Preachers
Drive My Car - The Beatles
Love Train - Holly Johnson
Love Train - The O'Jays
Just What I Needed - The Cars
Signal 30 - Public service Broadcasting
Hope Street - The Levellers
Bicycle Race - Queen
Spanish Caravan - The Doors
Night Boat To Cairo - Madness
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen
2-4-6-8 Motorway - The Tom Robinson Band
The Mighty Ship - The Housemartins

Ok a bit tenuous in places but a general transport theme to today's playlist. Don't know why but it was one I particularly enjoyed. And well done to Nettie Spaghetti and The Cushty Librarian who picked up on it pretty early.

Speaking of transport I nearly got run over, walking through Donny market place this morning, by a Peruvian pan pipe player (that's a sentence you don't get to say every day). He leaned out of his van and screamed in Spanish, '¿Por qué no miras por dónde va usted mucho gordo bastardo pelo. ¿No ves que estoy conduciendo? Follar peatones!' which I think translates as 'I must say I like your long hair and trim waistline. I'm sorry for nearly running you over in what is obviously a pedestrian area.'

I finally bought some shorts. Got them in fat b*****d size. They didn't fit. I've exchanged them for extra fat b*****d size so here's hoping. In fact I'll try them now.

Well I'm obviously an extra fat b*****d waist but as for these being 3/4 length obviously not on someone my height. Try again tomorrow.

So the final Do It Unplugged session this morning with Midlands band Phoenix Salvation. 15 bands have played and the quality has been outstanding, today being no exception. Voting for your favourite will start next week, watch this space.

(In case you were wondering of course TMS is on and a nice little last wicket flurry from Swann and Broad is in progress).

It's a weekend and as per a hectic one is planned. Tonight is The Leopard trip to Tramlines. Leadmill guest list to see Famous Villains and King Charles, and a few in-between too.

Tomorrow will see me again attempting the shorts buying thing and then back to Sheffield for more Tramlines shenanigans with The Talks and Public Service Broadcasting on the to do list.

Sunday is back to work.

And then it's Monday with 15 year old phenomenon John Lennon McCullagh joining me live on the show.

Laters

SS






Thursday 18 July 2013

BAIBS Thursday 18/07/13

Buenos dias.

That's for the one Spaniard who's had a peek as to what's going on here.

Be warned, the Second Ashes Test is underway at Lords so Test Match Special is on. Blowers in fine fettle talking about pigeons, cranes and strawberries.

I've been shopping. For shorts. I live in shorts in the summer but have a problem with pocketage. Keys, phone, iPod, money, fags, lighter. Not easy in two pockets. And one pocket had given up the ghost in my old shorts. Pocket number two gave up yesterday, not surprising given it had to do all the work.

So, as per, go to shop that sells shorts, buy shorts, leave. But it would seem all that is available is either Sponge Bob Square Pants shorts or ones that would go perfectly with white socks and sandals. And the amount of pockets is poor. Looks like I'm taking a pair of scissors to an old pair of jeans.

I'm ignoring the cricket 'cos England have made a woeful start.

It's Tramlines Festival in Sheffield this weekend. If anything though there's just too much going on. Gotta be something in the region of 400 acts across about 40 venues. Planning who to see, where and when is a logistical nightmare. I've decided to just pick 2 bands I really want to see and work out the rest when I'm there. I promised to take Cherry Blossom but it could get messy.

Just found out I'm on The Leadmill guest list for tomorrow though. That's a bonus and saves too much thinking. And we all know I love a guest list!

I've done it again!!! Too much blogging and not enough concentrating on the oven. Cheese and onion crispbakes burnt.

The good news is the temperature control on the shower is moving again and no longer on a permanent gonna take my skin off  45 degrees.

Sick Note Tez (Terry Dunn) joined me on today's show for the Do It Unplugged session. A couple of new songs and quality stuff they were too. He's becoming an angry old man.

I'm off to try out this shower and hope that England don't lose any more wickets while I'm up there.

Laters

SS

Playlist Thursday 18/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Ain't Even Done With The Night - John Mellencamp
Island In The Sun - Weezer
There She Goes - The La's
Good Enough - Dodgy
Night Terrors - We Were Frontiers
Night Mail - Public Service Broadcasting
The Bucket - Kings Of Leon
Adore Me Dear - Bang Bang Romeo
Start To Run - Dexters
Roll To Me - Del Amitri
The Doors Of Then - Tim Burgess
This Garden - The Levellers
The Only Living Boy In New Cross - Carter USM
Pictures Of You - The Cure
524 Fidelio - The Wedding Present
Formaldehyde - The Editors
Front Row - The Fallows
Two Doors Down - Mystery Jets
(Love Is Like A) Heatwave - Martha Reeves And The Vandellas
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have)? - The Buzzcocks
The First Picture Of You - The Lotus Eaters
Loveblood - King Charles
Time And Money - Turin Brakes
Waterfall - The Stone Roses
Safe European Home - The Clash
Rose Tattoo - Dropkick Murphys

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - SICK NOTE TEZ

Come The Day
Marching Along

Can Stand The Rain - The Talks
A Pair Of Brown Eyes - The Pogues
Honky Tonk Woman - The Rolling Stones
Rebellion (Lies) - Arcade Fire
Molly Gray - The DN Allstars
Mandela Day - Simple Minds
The Dancing Song - Little Comets
Silver - Echo And The Bunnymen
To Be Like - China Rats
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers






Wednesday 17 July 2013

BAIBS Wednesday 17/07/13

The Dutch are flying up the rails having overtook Russia in the readers of this blog. I'm putting that down to Mike Laidlaw who is far too kind at times so I'll give him a special mention. Thus.

Hot innit. I nearly bought a 15 hole oscillating sprinkler off Donny market. I have no use for a sprinkler. No matter how many holes. The oscillating would be a bonus but it would still be a pointless purchase. Just sounded useful in hot weather. It's probably just as well I had no money on me. An unwelcome 15 hole oscillating sprinkler would take some explaining.

As promised here is yesterday's playlist. As mentioned before it involves reading my own handwriting. Not easy. I'm presuming that what looks like Cold On The Creambun - Block Hoys is actually Gold On The Ceiling - Black Keys. This could take a while.

Playlist Tuesday 16/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen
Nothing Our Way - Frankie And The Heartstrings
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
We Came To Dance - Ultravox
Sex - The 1975
Back On The Chain Gang - The Pretenders
Dead Wrong - Hanni El Khatib
Walk - Foo Fighters
Alternative Ulster - Stiff Little Fingers
Lost Innocent World - Gogol Bordello
Brassneck - The Wedding Present
Welcome To The Cheap Seats - The Wonder Stuff
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
We No Who U R - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Spirits In The Material World - The Police
Roxanne - The Police
Melody Calling - The Vaccines
Had Enough - The Enemy
The Wrestler - Reverend And The Makers
Gunslingers - Section 60
Everyday Is Like Sunday - Morrissey
Atomic - Blondie
You And Your Ego - Hail To The Eskimo
Aces High - Iron Maiden
Babies - Pulp
Drink, Dance, Play - Young Kato
Moving - Supergrass
Formaldehyde - The Editors
Destiny Calling - James

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - JACK'S HOUSE

Let Me See You
Running Out Of Time

Sound Of The Suburbs - The Members
Cold On The Creambun - The Block Hoys
Summer's Child - The Coopers
007 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker And The Aces
The Israelites - Desmond Dekker And The Aces
Fu Man Chu - Desmond Dekker And The Aces
Somebody Might Wave Back - The Waterboys
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

That took some doing!

Another cracking Do It Unplugged Session this morning from Hail To The Eskimo. They're not just one of my favourite local bands but one of my favourite bands fulls stop. And always an absolute joy to hook up with.

Anyway, must dash. Kitchen needs de-fumigating after the kipper debacle yesterday. And whoever's put the sun behind a cloud can pack it in right now.

Laters

SS

Playlist Wednesday 17/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
The Irish Rover - The Pogues ft. The Dubliners
Vlad The Impaler - Kasabian
Brilliant Mind - Furniture
Antarctica - Sound Of Guns
Help Me - Chantel McGregor
God Is A DJ - Faithless
Tonight - Fluidity
The Story Of The Blues - The Mighty WAH!
Chain Gang - Sam Cooke
Rag Doll - Aerosmith
Soul Uncensored - Section 60
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
Sonic Boom Boy - Westworld
Signal 30 - Public Service Broadcasting
Flying - Cast
Bread - The Coopers
Solid Bond In Your Heart - The Style Council
La La Love You - Pixies
Love And Affection - Joan Armatrading
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place - The Animals
Blood, Sweat And Tears - The D.O.T.
Sale Of The Century - Sleeper
Pure Morning - Placebo
This Is Real - The Enemy
Police And Thieves - The Clash

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - HAIL TO THE ESKIMO

Queen Of The Disco
Burning The Fires Of Love

Carry On, Carry On - Edwyn Collins
Regret - New Order
Teenage Icon - The Vaccines
Never Take Me Alive - Spear Of Destiny
Spinning Plates - Middleman
Listen Like Thieves - INXS
Jilted John - Jilted John
Stingin' Belle - Biffy Clyro
Paranoid - Black Sabbath
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

Aaagggghhhhh!!!! I've burnt my chicken and mushroom slice.



Tuesday 16 July 2013

BAIBS Tuesday 16/07/13

I'm just a blogging in the sunshine. Bad Manners wrote that. Good on 'em.

Good morning Ghana. I'm pretty sure I know no-one in Ghana but hi anyway, good to have you on board.

This blog's gonna be a mess. To start with apologies for no blog yesterday. I'm not going for the sympathy vote, though what I mean by that is I'm obviously going for the sympathy vote. I woke up yesterday feeling lousy. Now I'm not gonna rule out the excesses of the weekend but it might not have been that. Honest.

Anyway, alarm went off, felt ill, thought day in bed. But we had someone booked in for the Do It Unplugged Session and I can't let them down so off I trundled in to Sine FM Mansions an hour late. Just the nice steady two hour show. And the Do It Unplugged guest didn't show. Typical.

There were gonna be two playlists again in this blog, yesterday's and today's, but once again my ineptitude (I'm blaming me but it could be hotmail's fault) has left me with only half the email for today's set list. So I'll post yesterday's today and today's tomorrow as well as tomorrow's tomorrow. We all following?

Actually I'm blaming hotmail cos every email I'm trying to send is being returned unsent and I know I can't be that hopeless. Who is this postmaster who refuses to let me email. Bet he has a nasty uniform and is taking it out on me.

A hectic weekend as per. GirlSpit on Friday night showing just what a tight band they've become and in Rob have possibly the most full on front man in Donny. Goldblade proving that as a socioeconomic experiment they are more successful that Yugoslavia. Just trust me on that one.

Saturday saw me and Mark Kelly nipping to Sine FM to congratulate Wayne Ryalls on his 60 mile charity bike ride and generally destroy his Lock Down Show.

Saturday night we don't need to talk about.

Sunday saw the brilliant Japanese indie rockers Taffy play an awesome set. Although communication was pretty much all done through smiles and handshakes. Fluidity were also on the bill, the other band who failed to show up for the Do It Unplugged Session. They had a crisis of confidence and didn't think they could do themselves justice acoustically. I'd say given how talented they obviously are they've done themselves a disservice.

All this done to a backdrop of one of the tensest Test matches ever. Oh and I so nearly got through a blog without mentioning cricket.

Today's session was young lads Jack's House, another band I've seen live a few times and who never fail to impress. Only 3 acts remaining to play before the voting starts. I'm a little excited and intrigued to see how it will go.

Right, I'm off to eat kippers. Been instructed to eat them outside so apologies to the good people of Balby. The rest of Balby can just suffer.

Laters

SS

Playlist Monday 15/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Master Blaster - Stevie Wonder
A Design For Life - Manic Street Preachers
Spies - Famous Villains
So Long - Taffy
Come Back To What You Know - Embrace
My Very Favourite Stalker - The Adulescents UK
Video Killed The Radio Star - The Buggles
Two Tribes - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
The Electric Co. - U2
Dancer - Auction For The Promise Club
Go Right Ahead - The Hives
Top Of The Pops - The Rezillos
The Killing Moon - Echo And The Bunnymen
Can Stand The Rain - The Talks
Skinhead Moonstomp - Syrammip
Bam Bam - King Charles
Too Bad (That's Sad) - Edwyn Collins
Whippin' Piccadilly - Gomez
Transmission - Joy Division
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
Atmosphere - Joy Division
Bagboy - Pixies
Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream) - The Icicle Works
Night Mail - Public Service Broadcasting 
Midnight Wave - Two Wounded Birds
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

Quick footnote: These kippers come in a self ventilating bag, no piecing required. On being cooked the kippers slide out themselves. I can't explain how impressed I am by this. I'd be more impressed if I'd known 'cos they slid out onto the kitchen floor. My kipper unpreparedness was plain to see.




Friday 12 July 2013

BAIBS Friday 12/07/13

A definite short blog today, and another cricket fuelled one. A bit. Not TMS today which is just as well. One: because England are batting and we don't want a flurry of wickets, and two: because it does lead to blog interrupted. 

My good friend Richard Pierce joined me on today's show. He's up for the Hallcross School Old Boys vs First XI cricket match and his appearance on the show the morning of this much anticipated game is becoming as much a tradition as the game. I have no other interest in the game. I was a Danum schoolboy. We sneered at the 'posh' Hallcross school because they played rugby and hockey whereas we played football, smoking and hiding in Sandall Beat Wood. But I will watch any cricket and it was a very pleasant sunny morning down at Doncaster Town Cricket Club and I got to see Richard's full innings. A cameo of 6.

It's possible we talk too much 'cos today's playlist is a good 6 or 7 songs shorter than average. I love a bit of banter though.

Also joined on today's show by the brilliant Missing Pages for their Do It Unplugged Session. Quality as always from this young duo. It's the last week next week, 5 final acts and I'm glad I don't get a vote because the standard has been exceptionally high.

So it's the weekend. Work tonight and getting paid to see the brilliant Goldblade live. Tomorrow was meant to be my first Tom Harking of the season as Rovers take on Motherwell in a pre-season friendly but I've agreed to go down to Sine to greet my boy Ryallsy as he finishes his charity bike ride from Cleethorpes hopefully getting to Sine in time for his Lock Down Show at 3pm tomorrow. Sunday sees me back at work this time getting paid as Japanese indie band Taffy take the stage.

Before that it's the Drumbeat Studio Presents at The Hallcross pub on Sunday afternoon. My good friend Dean Cousins runs Drumbeat Studios and every few months his students get chance to play with a full band on stage. It's a brilliant idea and proves to be a very emotional experience and well worth nipping in for an hour or so. I love it.

Gotta dash.

Laters

SS

Playlist Friday 12/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Chevy Thunder - Spector
Hot In The City - Billy Idol
Guns Of Brixton - The Clash
Local Boy In The Photograph - Stereophonics
Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
Born Slippy - Underworld
Parklife - Blur
You Love Us - Manic Street Preachers
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Ripples - The Coopers
Mrs. Robinson - The Lemonheads
Shackled And Drawn - Bruce Springsteen
All Together Now - The Farm

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - THE MISSING PAGES

Reflections Of Summer
Webs Of Memories

Sex - The 1975
Teenage Kicks - The Undertones
So Long - Taffy
Seven Seas - Echo And The Bunnymen
Lost Innocent World - Gogol Bordello
Regret - New Order
1996 - The Wombats
American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem
Cum On Feel The Noize - Slade
Brown Sugar - The Rolling Stones
Roll The Woodpile Down - Bellowhead
Hunting For Witches - Bloc Party
Into The Valley - Skids
Rockin' All Over The World - Status Quo
Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac
Spread Your Love - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Holidays In The Sun - The Sex Pistols
Mutiny - Goldblade
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

Thursday 11 July 2013

BAIBS Thursday 11/07/13

Warning: Again this is a very cricket friendly blog. Just read the playlists if you're not a fan.

Well a complete change of plan. Working tonight as oppose to today. Swapped shifts although no-one informed me. Well, I say that. It's equally possible someone did tell me and I forgot. So no late blog but no sofa chilling tonight.

And the sun is out. May get chance to top up the burn. With TMS playing of course. Just in time to say morning to Vaughanie and for Jimmy to take Australia's 5th wicket. Happy days.

Right as promised yesterday's playlist. This involves reading my own writing. Not easy. My writing is without doubt the worst in the history of ink. Still, here goes:

Hang on! Swanny!! 6th wicket down!! Barmy Army!!! Barmy Army!!

If it's not come across I absolutely love cricket.

OK, back to the blog.

Playlist Wednesday 10/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Drift Away - Dobie Gray
Sparky's Dream - Teenage Fanclub
(All I Wanted Was) Danger - The Milk
I'm In The Mood For Ska - Lord Tanamo
Sex - The 1975
Temptation - New Order
Cemetry - Bang Bang romeo

7 down!!!! It's a rout!! Go Jimmy!!!!

Sorry.

Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie           (How apt!!!)
Love Burns - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Lemon - U2
Antarctica - Sound Of Guns
Break On Through (To The Other Side) - The Doors
Some Might Say - Oasis
Jukebox Generation - Goldblade
In-Between Days - The Cure
Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush
Do I wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys
Babylon's Burning - The Ruts
Bagboy - Pixies
Elysium - Section 60
North Country Boy - The Charlatans
Rewind The Film - Manic Street Preachers ft. Richard Hawley
Wages Day - Deacon Blue
Paper In Fire - John Mellencamp
Rock Lobster - B52s
Country Girl - Primal Scream

Oh Jimmy, Jimmy!! Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy Anderson!!!! 8th wicket down! Awesome bowling performance!!

America - Razorlight
Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel
Dreadlock Holiday - 10cc
This Is Not A Game - Skunk Anansie
Left To My Own Devices - Pet Shop Boys
Getting Away With It - Electronic
Lifetime - Noah And The Whale
Can't Stand Losing You - The Police
Girls In Their Summer Clothes - Bruce Springsteen
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers

So that was yesterday and it has become quite obvious that England bowling well is not conducive to a coherent blog. For example:

9th wicket down!! Been an amazing half hour's cricket! 5 wickets for 9 runs off 32 balls.

I'm just gonna go back to the top of the blog and warn non cricket fans again!

Classic bit of TMS:

Jim Maxwell: It's a lovely day for batting.
Boycs: Only if you can bat.

Do It Unplugged back up and running today with late substitute Martin Black. I've touted Martin as the most improved musician in Donny over the last 2 years. He's finally found his voice and attitude and is writing some quality stuff. The competition is hotting up.

OK there's pizza sat next to me and I'm obviously distracted by the cricket. Normal service will hopefully resume tomorrow.

Laters

SS

Playlist Thursday 11/07/13

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag - Pigbag
Babies - Pulp
Beat The Clock - Sparks
Everest - Public Service Broadcasting

DO IT UNPLUGGED LIVE ACOUSTIC SESSION - MARTIN BLACK

Fingers Bleed
Take My Hand

Revolution - Young Kato
Reptilia - The Strokes
On Trial - The Tricks
Blue - Fine Young Cannibals
Dancer - Auction For The Promise Club
Lifetime - Noah And The Whale
When The Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys
Silent Sigh - Badly Drawn Boy
Waiting For The Man - The Velvet Underground
Sex - The 1975
Grounds For Divorce - Elbow
Wild Wild Life - Talking Heads
Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
The Love Cats - The Cure
It Can't Be Me - The 48ks
The Magnificent 7 - Bad Manners
Love Is A Wonderful Colour - The Icicle Works
The Beautiful Ones - Suede
Lost - Pigeon Detectives
Debaser - Pixies
Frog Princess - The Divine Comedy
Step On - Happy Mondays
Just - Radiohead
Chasing Rainbows - Shed Seven
After Hours - We Are Scientists
Recovery - Frank Turner
Tom's Diner - Suzanne Vega ft. DNA
Marlene On The Wall - Suzanne Vega
Lost Innocent World - Gogol Bordello
Baggy Trousers - Madness
Hit The North - The Fall
The Only Living Boy In New Cross - Carter USM
Egyptian Reggae - Jonathan Richman And The Modern Lovers