Rock Snob: February 2006

i already hate March and it's still February

It's Pancake Tuesday! Celebrate by wearing some beads, flashing your bits to strangers, and enjoying the excuse to carb-out!

I want to go to V Festival so bad! Morrissey and Radiohead on the same bill! Any rich and kind strangers want to sponsor me? I'd bring you back a present I promise ;)

Pete Doherty has been arrested again on suspicion of stealing a car and possessing class A drugs. Oh just send him to jail already.

Dirty Pretty Things have announced their debut single "Bang Bang You're Dead" will be released on April 24.

The Paddingtons to recreate one of the Sex Pistols' most famous gigs by playing a special gig aboard a boat on the Thames.

Kasabian are a wee bit bitter about missing out on a Brit Award.

Preview some new tracks from Sondre Lerche's new album 'Duper Sessions' over on his official site.

To everyone who moaned about my annoying pop-ups in the past - no more bitching! I've switched to Sitemeter so that should eliminate the annoyances!

i saw dead people

So yesterday at 2am my significant other and I checked out BodyWorlds 2 on its last day of exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre. It was every bit as amazing as everyone told me - I just wish I had gone sooner so I could have encouraged more people to go! It's heading to Houston and Denver next so if you live there (or anywhere near there) I totally urge you to check it out.

I heart You Tube. It's a nice resource for catching up on NME Awards footage like Ryan Jarman (The Cribs) busting up his back on the Kaiser Chiefs table (OW!) and Babyshambles performing "Albion"... Poke around and I'm sure you'll find more.

CBS has an obituary for John Martin, the mastermind behind The New Music and MuchMusic. Thanks Torr.

Kate Moss apparently having secret dates with Pete Doherty. Scandal!

Sex Pistols snub the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame next month. Here's the scoop.

Maximo Park gutarist Duncan Lloyd broke his arm after the NME Awards 2006. Shows scheduled in the next two months are cancelled.

Lisa Moorish, mother to both Liam Gallagher and Pete Doherty's children, has reportedly set her sights on Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner... who is, like, half her age.

Arctic Monkeys are the musical guest on SNL on March 11. So much for them not liking TV performances.

Lots of good stuff in (Canada's) TV land this week...

The cast of Grey's Anatomy is going to be on Oprah this Tuesday.

CBC is airing the 2006 Brit Awards this Thursday at 8pm (EST). You know I'll be tuning in... and taping on VHS... cos I'm awesome like that.

MuchMoreMusic is airing last summer's Glastonbury coverage that same night (Thursday) at 9pm... But you can catch it again at midnight or Friday at noon or 4pm. Tune in and look for my smiling face in the crowd of 115,000.

And, I'm spent...

gin on a schoolnight.

I need to stop going out on weeknights.

Here's a list of who won what at the NME Awards. Some of my boys did quite well - Pete Doherty won Sexiest Male (but even I am baffled by this) and Ricky Wilson won Best Dressed (well-deserved). Oh and incase you're interested in seeing how Ian Brown looks compared to Jarvis Cocker, here's a small gallery of pics from the night.

Oh and this is what Pete Doherty looked like. Not so sexy.

I didn't know this but apparently Ricky Wilson (Kaiser Chiefs) has split with his girlfriend.

The Guardian has the stories behind 12 classic songs.

Chris Clark hooked me up with "The Gap (Between The Rich And The Poor)" from Vancouver's You Say Party! We Say Die! I like it.

Pockettrax is a new site dedicated to sharing music - not reviewing it. How refreshing.

You have to check out this awesome Aziz Ansari comedy short over at Stereogum.

Gwens. So best.

Meghann told me about this... Brokeback To the Future.

Still bored? Monk-e-mail is fun.

give me sleep or give me Wake-Ups

Just a teeny tiny post today because I just drove back from Toronto after celebrating Alana's birth at Tabloid last night. Good times. Rebecca rules at life for playing Libertines for me.

The New York Times article about Toronto's music scene. Link from For The Records.

Morrissey says he was investigated by the FBI and British intelligence after speaking out against the American and British governments. Heart.

The Killers are being sued for $9M by their former manager. He's gonna make a pretty penny. I remember sitting next to him the night we all went with the band and Stellastarr* to Sneaky Dees. In retrospect, I kinda wish I had flirted more... Ahahah.

Ian Brown's not a fan of the Brit Awards... or Israel.

The NME Awards go down tonight.

Damnit! Gael Garcia Bernal is back together with Natalie Portman. Tis a sad day for me.

Kate Moss is moving back to Britain.

Two Pint Challange = Suprisingly hard.

indie rock babies

Just a quick one because I'd rather be enjoying the beautiful day outside than blogging.

Test Icicles have split. That was fast.

New Morrissey Q&A over at True To You. (From the almighty Torr.)

Pete Doherty appears to have broken his promise to stay clean. Dumbass.

Dirty Pretty Things played a secret gig in London last night. I'm glad Carl's still playing some Libertines songs too.

The Raconteurs have announced their first (UK) shows in March.

Stereogum has Broken Social Scene covering "Puff The Magic Dragon". Aw, the lil' indie-rock babies are gonna love it.

For The Records informs me that Hard-Fi are returning to Toronto for a show at Phoenix on April 5th.

This makes me happy.

the music and the mayhem

Buy my extra Ray Davies tickets and I'll heart you for life.

Loads of great indie bands on the Serge Gainsbourg tribute album.

Morrissey turned up at London's Metro Club to catch a gig by The Boyfriends. He lasted less than 10 minutes before being mobbed and forced to retreat to a fire escape.

Moz is on the cover of the NME this week.

The Streets video for "When You Wasn't Famous". Fuck, Pete Doherty would have been awesome making a cameo in it.

Ten Reasons Why Pete Doherty Is Brilliant And Not Crap At All.

Kylie has denied she's getting hitched. Thank God.

BBC news story about the Glastonbury festival documentary.

One of the interns is leaving Grey's Anatomy. I wish it was Doctor Grey herself. Better not be my George.

Meanest Dad Ever.

there won't be a dry eye in the house

Radiohead are reworking an old song for the new album.

Hear The Charlatans new single "Blackened Blue Eyes" on their MySpace.

Kasabian say their new album's "still really fucking ugly". I think thats supposed to be a good thing.

Mogwai call James Blunt a "tawt" and Chris Martin a "fuckface". Well done.

Is Kylie going off the market? I can hear men's hearts breaking everywhere at the prospect.

Paris Hilton cites Pete Doherty as a major influence.

I've also been informed there was a Pete Doherty reference on Gilmore Girls (the 'Vineyard Valentine' episode) last week... Oh and DUMBEST rumour ever: The Pete Doherty Hoax.

Brokeback Mountain cleaned up at the BAFTAs (like the British equivalent of the Academy Awards).

WHOA! What was up with the last 60 seconds of Grey's Anatomy last night!?! If Meridith breaks George's heart (as she inevitably will) I will certainly shed tears. Sorta like I do at every episode. But like, even more.

Apologies about all the swearing today!

the end of my last (uneventful) spring break

We Are Scientists frontman Keith Murray made the Arctic Monkeys acceptance speech at the Brits. Despite having an AMERICAN accent accepting the BRITISH Breakthrough Act no one noticed he wasn't in the band.

Coldplay have a sense of humour? Really?

Preview the new Morrissey video for "You Have Killed Me" while you can!

Here's a really interesting and very recent Morrissey interview.

The Field Guide to North American Hipsters, Vol. II. Apparently as a female "(North) American Anglophile" I am the "worst of the worst"... It hurts because it's true.

SO GROSS! There's a lame sex tape involving Kid Rock, Scott Stapp (aka that guy from Creed), and some groupies. SO GROSS!

In case you missed The Daily Show's segment about MySpace the other night you can watch it here by clicking "Trendspotting: Social Networking".

My friend Ian hates MySpace and has come across someone (from Toronto) who exemplifies everything that is wrong about it. Here she is: Taylor Stevens. Pretty girl but what upsets me most is that she exploits herself in such ill-fitting bras.

the brits

Kaiser Chiefs won big at last night's Brit Awards! They took home Best British Group, Best British Rock Act and Best Live Act AND Arctic Monkeys won the Best British Breakthrough Act. Check out the some of the arrival pictures and the full list of winners.

Ian Brown was joined onstage by Paul Ryder (Happy Mondays) last night in Manchester.

Zombies Ate My Blog has the Streets new single "When You Wasn't Famous". Thoughts?

Go here to grab the Field Music Remix of 'Stay' by Maximo Park. It's dramatic.

Go download The Duke Spirit's "Cuts Across The Land" from Stereogum. It's teh sex.

Listen to a snippit of Sugababes covering Arctic Monkeys. FUNNY!

I got my ticket to see Art Brut at the Horseshoe on April 1st. MM, I got you one too.

Wicked news! Much More Music is airing Glastonbury 2005 coverage on March 2nd at 9pm!

The new America's Next Top Model bitches. Just off first-impressions I like Kari, Leslie, Mollie Sue and Wendy... Sara looks all "Blue Steel".

love is the drug

I had a WONDERFUL Valentines Day and I'm still kinda recovering from it... Sorry for the delay my pretties.

I'm currently listening to Brit Awards coverage on BBC Radio 1 if anyone else is an eager beaver like me.

Lots of exciting festival news is starting to emerge... for British people anyway. Franz Ferdinand have confirmed they're playing T In The Park and Ian Brown and Maximo Park have confirmed appearances at a new British music festival 'Hi:Fi' - but what is even more awesome is the accompanying picture of Ian Brown looking smiley and cute!

The Streets 'The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living' tracklisting has been announced.

Damon Albarn is writing a stage musical based on life in Notting Hill. WHA?

Oh, if anyone's interested in seeing the legendary Ray Davies at Massey Hall (Toronto) on March 30th then shoot me a message. I have four extra tickets that I'm willing to sell (for less than Ticketmaster price) for wicked first balcony seating.

Paris Hilton got 'floured' by PETA at London Fashion Week.

Kevin Federline: still better with guns than Dick Cheney.

my funny valentine

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis is receiving an honourary degree. Again... But he deserves it.

Pete Doherty's been invited to the Brits to, essentially, cause trouble. Jesus, people really need to stop encouraging him.

The Streets announced the next single will be "When You Wasn't Famous". Based on a true story.

Pitchfork tore apart the new Elefant album. From what I've heard it seems appropriate.

CNN's headline "Cheney's Got A Gun" last night was the funniest thing they've ever done.

For the Valentine's Day haters... A cynical "love contract" and funny Valentines.

For the rest of you, have a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

pink mist

CONGRATULATIONS to my girl Mariah and her boy Mike! The lovebirds got engaged yesterday and I couldn't be more thrilled for them!

Pete Doherty's prison diary was printed in The Guardian over the weekend... And just hours after swearing to kick drugs for good on national television, he was thrown out of a football match for doing heroin in the toilets. Classy.

Hip hop producer J Dilla (Jay Dee) died over the weekend at the age of 32. So sad.

The Who and Red Hot Chili Peppers are headlining T In The Park this July. Kaiser Chiefs, Sigur Ros, Primal Scream, Arctic Monkeys and The Ordinary Boys are also scheduled to play.

Holy shit. Grey's Anatomy was sooo much drams last night.

Hey guys! Tomorrow is Valentines Day so you should get making those cards and mixtapes tonight... and if you are single (as I so often have been) you should start stocking up on booze and junk food and making plans with your single friends!

So since I'm on Spring Break (and yet I still have loads of work to do) ... that's all for now folks!

100,000

Gilberto kindly direted me to this handy BBC timeline of Pete Doherty's dramatic life thus far.

The Ian Curtis (Joy Division) biopic has been cast. No big names.

The Futureheads have finished recording their new album. 'News And Tributes' is due in May.

Arctic Monkeys made a movie.

Noel Gallagher is not a hypocrite! It's not like he WROTE the damn song for AT&T.

Is it just me or does Meg White look terrible in her ads for the new Marc Jacobs campaign?

New issue of Vice online. That magazine's only good for the DO's AND DON'Ts so just take advantage of the fact they're free online.

A few pictures from Michel Gondry's new movie "The Science of Sleep" featuring the sexy/adorable Gael Garcia Bernal.

International relations explained by using characters from The O.C.! I like it!

Wow. I'm really fucking awesome. I'm expect my 100,000 hit (since moved to Blogspot and got a counter) in the next 24 hours! It's been a long time coming since the big move (where I went from well over 1,000 hits a day at the old site to like 200 a day after the move)... But once again I'm movin on up! Can I get a HELLS YEAH?

TWO WORDS: SPRING BREAK!!!

i'm all music'd out

NOW Toronto's Love & Sex Guide 2006 is out. The survey results are always interesting!

Pete Doherty played a freedom gig last night. It's becoming a disturbing tradition of sorts.

No way! Lohan dating Ryan Adams?

Ricky Wilson is not short on self-esteem!

Because I realize not everyone hates Madonna... You can preview her video for "Sorry" ("featuring bloody roller-skating, leotards and, one would guess, more brazilian waxes") over at the new Holy Moly! website (you'll need to register first).

Attention Victoria's Secret! I love your work but this bra has to be the ugliest thing I've ever seen with your name on it. What do the boys think (of the bra, not the tits)?

sometimes it's fun to hate on famous people

Some thoughts on the Grammy's... Because I judge.

Madonna needs to stop trying to be sexy (i.e. running her tongue over her teeth, writhing suggestively, etc. ). It's just wrong.
Coldplay were terrible - correction - the band was good but Chris Martin was shit! He seriously needs to stop trying to be Bono. He also needs to stop bouncing around the stage and instead work on hitting notes and singing on key.
God bless Kelly Clarkson for bustin out the "ugly cry". Atta girl!
I will never forgive God for not making me Beyonce!
Paul McCartney + Jay-Z = Awkward! And yet cool! (I just ignored Linkin Park - as everyone should.)
I still hate country music. With good reason (as demonstrated by tonight's performances).
Mariah Carey did not look totally shit! Surprisngly. Mimi could stand to lay off the minidresses and tits... but she did sound great.
I love Kanye. He really is the hip hop Liam Gallagher. (I could do without the chesthair though!)
Fiona Apple is one moody-lookin broad.
Gwen Stefani's husband (aka Gavin Rossdale) stole Jude Law's look!
In the age old battle of Britney VS Christina - its now official: Christina won by a landslide! She looked great! And sounded even better! Three cheers for talant -- and not being white trash!
Queen Latifah: Fire your stylist!

What did you kids think?

miraculously let off the hook once again

Pete Doherty leaving court this morning!

Pete Doherty (still) a free man! He was in court this morning and was served with a 12-month community order after pleading guilty to possession of drugs. As part of his sentence he has to go to a drug rehab program for the next year and be tested for drugs once a month. Hurrah! Now he better not fuck this up!

Chart has a review of the Supergrass show (in TO) on Monday night.

You can listen to Belle and Sebastian "Live On Music: Response" over at the XFM site.

Torr has a stream of the new Embrace single, "Nature's Law".

Take Your Medicine has an Art Brut track entitled "NME My Enemy" (scroll to the bottom of the post) which is just ridiculous.

Ordinary Boys frontman Preston has been dumped by his girlfriend 5 days after proposing to her. I don't know why she ever said yes in the first place.

Keira and Scarlett naked. In the same picture. Genius idea... But Tom Ford being a pervy old man just ruins it for me.

Grammy Awards are on tonight for your entertainment if, like me, you classify entertainment as tuning in solely to judge people based on their outfits.

there is no such thing in life as normal

Listen to Morrissey's first single "You Have Killed Me" over at his MySpace. I'm so glad he's back.

Pitchfork gave "I Will See You in Far Off Places", also off of Morrissey's new album, a very poor review because they're assholes.

You can listen to (and watch) Dirty Pretty Things new song "Deadwood" on their official website.

Stereophonics are releasing a double live album. Them boys have done good.

Paul Weller hates everyone.

K.T. Tunstall is the musical guest on Conan tonight.

Stereogum has a link to the new Yeah Yeah Yeah's track "Gold Lion". I still don't give a shit.

Britney Spears needs to work on that whole 'being a good mother' thing.

I love Victoria Beckham but this MP3 of her singing "Like A Prayer" is hilarious.

we don't stop

Zombies Ate Music has MP3s from The Raconteurs and Broken Social Scene's performance of "7/4 (Shoreline)" on Conan last week.

The Rolling Stones halftime performance at the Super Bowl XL yesterday was censored. So lame.

Courtney Love's back on the loose after beng relieved of her house arrrest sentence.

Liam Gallagher's disturbing the neighbours - not with partying - but with running on his treadmill.

And since we're talking about mouthy drunks... That Charlotte Church is such a bitch... love her!

What would inspire someone to attempt to plot 100 years of music on a London undergroud map? Really? How come everyone else seems to have so much free time!

i testify to having guilty feelings

Yeah Yeah Yeah's have a new member. I don't really care about YYYs anymore... Once a band (that were never that mind-blowing to begin with) disappears from off radar for a while I tend to lose total interest.

I quite enjoy the goofy Jenny Lewis video for "Rise Up With Fists".

Remember The Sounds? I always liked them and now they're back! Download new song "Painted By Numbers".

The Modern Age has posted a link to Maximo Park's demo version of "Apply Some Pressure" which I really like.

Melissa Auf Der Maur has confirmed a Smashing Pumpkins reunion. Once again, for people (other than myself) who might care.

Speaking of reunions, The Who are plotting a world tour.

Fuck I am so busy. Have a great weekend everyone!