The Kills-Baby Says.

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When Blood Pressures came out last year, it was all I listened to. For a solid week it was all I cared for. Thing is, it still is. I play it every single day now. I play every album by The Kills every single day. I just have to do it. If I get to about 9pm and I haven’t heard anything by them, I stop what I’m doing and just go listen to them. They go beyond being a band to me. Blood pressures is a perfect record. There’s gritty moments, there’s soft moments. Like all their records. With each of their records, I’ve always found one or two songs that utterly captivate me in ways I didn’t know a song could. Then I heard Baby Says.

I know they have over 10 years worth of material. All the B-Sides, albums, covers..they have so much. So why did it take a song from their most recent album to have such an impact on me? What is it about Baby Says that just makes it one of Alison and Jamie’s strongest tracks? It is because the lyrics are nothing like I have ever heard before? Is it how wonderfully Jamie plays the guitar during the song? Is it their voices? All of this, plus much more? Of course it is. If I could pinpoint what it is exactly that I love about this song, I would. I think though, I’m going to have to say it is the lyrics. Not just how amazing they truly truly are- but how their voices together, just create a scene in the song that nothing else has ever done. I have no idea how I’m going to do this, but I have Baby Says on repeat to try to help me make sense of the words that I am about to write. (I need more tea!)

“Baby says she’s dying to meet you,
Take you off and make your blood hum,
And tremble like the fairground lights.”

I just love this, what a perfect way to open a song. Everyone knows how the band are influenced by the Velvet Underground. There’s a fine line between being influenced and straight up ripping off. This to me, just sounds like a perfect tribute to them. Jamie has said that the lyrics to this song are the ones he is the proudest of, and so he should be. They are just so bloody amazing. It reads like a poem. Even if you do not like The Kills, just read the lyrics to Baby Says and it will just come across as a beautiful and romantic piece of literature. There are two verses to this song that just make me shut my eyes and think “This is what euphoria feels like.” The first one is :

“Baby says a howl of romance I’ll get.
From all your sleeping dogs, you thugs of God,
I’ll get one yet.”

If I could tell you what this does to me and how it makes me feel, I would. It is one of those verses that makes you think, “Was this written for someone like me?” I have no idea who or what this song is about (I know Jamie sometimes dedicates it to his wife, Kate at gigs) but I like not knowing and being able to just create your own meaning. This is the kind of song that I hope, someone hears and it makes them want to start a band. I write songs, and I cannot play an instrument..but when I heard Baby Says, I took how I write songs in a different direction. However, I rarely show anyone what I write because it is a bit personal and..you know, I can handle someone saying “Oh Olivia..you really are a shit Music Writer.” But if someone read my songs and said something bad, I’d probably cry. You should never mock or belittle a persons feelings. Ever. Feelings are personal. They should never be toyed with, mocked or ignored.

The other verse that just sends me into an internal frenzy is :

“Baby says for all I’ve forsaken,
Make something of all the noise,
And the mess you’re making.
And all the time’s it’s taken.”

Blood Pressures just shows how much they have grown, in so many ways. For me, this verse is one of the best things The Kills have ever written. I love it so much. Favourite part for sure. What I take from this verse is that, no matter what you are doing- or trying to do, if you are creating chaos in the process, just turn it into something positive. You can ALWAYS do it. It doesn’t take something big to realise this, I found it in this song. I guess this song could be my crutch or something. I listen to it, and I just think, “Fuck it..I’m going to amount to something. I’ll make something out of this.” That’s probably not what the song is about, but that verse especially for me, just feels like that. Like I said earlier, and many times before- The Kills go beyond being a band to me. This song is a perfect path to escapism and growing. I’ve cried to this song, I’ve solved things to this song, I’ve gained confidence because of this song. Baby Says makes me feel like there is something. You cannot wait for something, you’ve got to go get it yourself.

If you are broken, play this song. It’ll fix you up real good. If you just want to feel part of something, feel this song. If you want to feel like you’ve got to where you want to be, listen to this song. If you feel like you haven’t quite got there yet, listen to this song and you’ll get there.

Things take time. Look at what The Kills have accomplished in their 10 years as a band. It is something that makes me honoured to be fan. Then I play this song, and I just..I don’t know. A lot of feelings are involved. It has everything I want in a song. Lyrics that just reach me to the core and make me feel okay with how things are.

Blood Pressures made 2011 worth seeing out. It wasn’t the best year, but it is one of the records that made every bad feeling worth living through. Baby Says is one of the few songs that I had playing over and over in my head when it all got too much. When a band can do that to you, nothing in the world can ever compare to it. Nor can anyone ever take it from you.


Holly Miranda.

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You know when a voice is just so perfect, and when you listen to it you are so unsure of the right words to use to describe it? That’s pretty much my feelings towards Holly Miranda. I started writing this last year (sometimes, I’m really slow with important stuff. I know my bad traits all too well) and for some stupid reason I left it. I guess I just didn’t know what to write, or how to write it. So I re-read what I had written and in a fit of “I AM SO SHIT” I deleted it. I deleted it just before starting it again. Normally I’d just ignore it and never think about it again, but it has been on my mind most of the evening. It makes a change because most of the time my thoughts are all over the place. Maybe it is because I haven’t had a nap today.

I was a huge fan of The Jealous Girlfriends. Organs On The Kitchen Floor is a song I play a hell of a lot still. It reminds me of self-indulgent cowards, we all know some. I try to avoid them. However there are some things in life you just cannot avoid. So enough putting off writing this. I spend my time just writing and writing. Seems like the quote to sum up my life is from the film, Almost Famous : “I’m always home, I’m uncool.” It doesn’t phase me anymore, especially when it means writing about Holly Miranda.

So yes, it all started with her being in The Jealous Girlfriends. I have no idea where I was when I first listened to them, I think I was at University to be honest. Seems about right. I think it was around 2007. Then a year or so later, I really go into Holly’s solo work. It just blew me away. I just wish I had the right vocabulary to express to you how much I love her voice. It isn’t your typical kind of voice, it’s why I love her SO much. You know when you hear a singer, and you just think “I want to meet this person and talk about music, and everything about it.” That’s how I feel. I’ve got about 10 musicians I feel this way about, Holly is one of them for sure. I’m just drawn to musicians that make music with all they have. You can tell they do it for the love of the art- not for the money. Selling out massive arenas isn’t what its about- it’s about staying true to your art. I just love that. Those who do not compromise who they are and what they do are people I find easy to admire and connect with. I find it to be the most inspiring trait a person can have.

Her voice is so damn soulful. It has such a bluesy feel to it- much like Janis Joplin. Did I just compare Holly to Janis? Yeah, I did. I went there. I’m not sorry. I don’t expect you to agree, but seriously..they both have that rugged yet vulnerable texture to their voice. It is so so perfect. Aside from me absolutely being in love with her music, there’s another reason as to why I’m writing about her.

Like a hell of a lot of musicians, Holly has a Pledge page where you can donate money in order to help the record be funded. Even if you’re not a fan of her work, please check out the Pledge site because you may just find your new favourite band. You can check out Holly’s page at : http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/hollymiranda Also, money will be going towards a charity Holly has chosen to endorse which is : http://www.i-live-here.com/malawi.html

I don’t regard sexuality to be a big deal in music, and I don’t see how you can use it to define a sound. Maybe it’s because I’m secure in my sexuality and don’t use it to define who I am. Who knows. Anyway, Holly is gay (big deal, I know but stay with me..) and I read a quote once and it pretty much said,

“I have no problem being out, but I don’t think it has anything to do with my music.” 

Can we just take a moment to applaud her for speaking the TRUTH. Her personal life is just that..PERSONAL. Same with anyone. I don’t care who you’re involved with. Just be happy and safe, you know? Music is music. It’s a force that brings people together regardless.

Holly’s music is just something I hold very dear to me. As you know by now I’m not a fan of covers but she’s done some AMAZING covers such as Ex-Factor, Let’s Get It On (her version of it is a serious deal..if it doesn’t sexually frustrate you, seek help), I’d Rather Go Blind..she’s just..man, if I had the right words I’d use them. But, I’ve done all I can. Holly if you see this (I wish you would) then I am so sorry I haven’t done you justice with this. I just think you’re incredible. I’ve put this under my “Influential Women In Music” category, because I believe she truly is influential in so many ways.

Anyway, have some songs to make up for the fact that I’m useless and she isn’t. ENJOY!

Happy Birthday Lou Reed!

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70 years today one of the greatest musicians of all time entered the world- LOU REED.

Deny is talent, well you must be mental. His song-writing skills have influenced so many. His music is perfection- whether solo or with Velvet Underground. There’s nothing I can say about this GOD that hasn’t already been said. Velvet Underground are one of my biggest loves, they are one of the few bands I felt this instant connection with from the very first listen. The haunting sounds of Venus In Furs just drew me in. That debut record is a masterpiece. I have mixed feelings about Warhol, its best if I don’t explore them. Lou is just everything.

The way he explored so many subjects in his songs..so freely and in such a poetic manner has always been an inspirational thing for me, personally. He was part of the reason as to why I did part of my dissertation at Uni on the relationship between with Punk and Poetry.

I know most say it (and lets face it they are right) Transformer is one of the best albums ever made. If I was the kind of person to have the will to stick to a list of my favourite albums of all time- it would be up there. I always change my mind. Sure it is a solid, but I’d end up faffing around with the list.

I honestly don’t need to go on and on about how important Lou is, you should already know that. So with that…Happy Birthday Lou. Thank you for EVERYTHING.

Dee Dee Penny.

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Every so often a band come out, and they have the most striking lead singer EVER. You find it hard to actually decipher what it is about this person that has lured you in with great speed, but the thing is- trying to explain it would ruin the mystery. This person holds more than most. You’re unsure of if you want to BE the person or if you just want to be in their company. Who knows. But, you are sure of one thing- you admire them. Sure they may not have been around as long as some others, but they’ve impacted your life in a way that is close to the likes of Kim Gordon and Patti Smith. They have everything you want in a lead singer, they are just the pinnacle of all you admire. Call it a band crush, if you want. Call it just straight up admiration. Whatever the word is, you’ve never managed to understand it.

I’ve loved Dum Dum Girls since I first heard them in 2009. I heard a song called Catholicked. It was just my mind that was blown, it was my heart that was stolen too. The absolutely incredible girl group and garage rock band fusion probably left me curled up in a corner from being overcome with so much joy and happiness over the fact I was hearing something so new, but with such an instantly historical feel to it. I am not ashamed to say that their music has reduced me to tears many times. Last year, I heard Coming Down and froze. My body froze and all the tears my eyes could produce streamed from my eyes. You know when you just connect with a song, and think “This is my life. This is how I feel, this is what is going on.” I was feeling pretty low, for reasons which are obvious (my mum got ill…people’s general shitness..you know the deal) and I heard this song, and I just felt like, every fucking frustration in my bones and every bout of despair was just falling out. I’m sure Coming Down stopped me from going insanely insane at the time. I listen to it now, and I just get this euphoric feeling coming over me. Anyone who has heard this song and connected to it, knows exactly what I mean.

What is it about Dee Dee Penny aka Kristin Gundred that I just adore? Well in short, EVERYTHING. In person, I’m not someone who has many words. However, with this I need to be extremely vocal. You see, I firmly believe that Dee Dee should go down as one of the best females in music. Her style, her musicianship, her song-writing, her shy demeanour it is all something any fan of the band treasures. There’s one thing that I always seem to fall for in a singer- if they seem shy in interviews and at home on stage, I will probably adore them. For some reasons being confronted by one person is more daunting than spilling your heart out on stage to thousands. I don’t understand it, but I think I get it. I guess you can be someone else on stage, or maybe you can be yourself. It’s the one on one thing that is too much.

Of course I love the way Dee Dee and the rest of Dum Dum Girls dress, anyone with eyes can appreciate just how heavenly stylish and flawless they all are. I’ve always said that, you should wear your clothes and not let your clothes wear you. I think I once blurted that out in a drunken emotional outburst once. Don’t give me Rum because THAT happens. I turn into Yoda or something..or when I’m extremely tired, it just all comes out. I can sort your life out. But my own? The less said about that, the better. I’ve read many interviews with Dee Dee and I’ve watched some too and you can see how shy she is but the thing is, you can also see how important making music is to her. That’s another thing that draws me into a band. I don’t care what genre of music you make, if you are making it with all you have and every ounce of passion you have is filtered into your art- I will admire that. For instance, I’m not a fan of say..Jessie J but I can see how important making music is to her, and how much she adores her fans. And for that, she gets my respect. You don’t have to be a fan to acknowledge the heart someone puts into something. To dismiss it and brush it off just makes you ignorant.

I was reading a few interviews before I began typing this, and I found a quote from Dee Dee that just hit me right in the heart. I just felt this immediate understanding of it, and thought “Fuck this is the quote I need right now.” Anyway, here’s the quote :

 “You can work so hard and put everything you have into it, and there’s an overwhelming chance that nothing will come of it. I don’t know: I’ve always had something inside of me that has helped me to keep going, despite basically failing at what I was trying to do for years.”

As someone who has been writing for the past 6 years and getting nowhere, and is increasingly amounting to nothing by the day- this quote is the damn TRUTH. For this alone, my love for Dee Dee can be 100% and more, justified.

When I listen to Dum Dum Girls I try to think of all the reasons as to why I love them, and to grab strangers and just yell “YOU NEED THIS BAND IN YOUR LIFE. YOU NEED TO ADMIRE THEM. LOOK AT THEM.” But I have learnt that I need to keep it inside, however if you were to discuss music with me, Dum Dum Girls would be one of the bands I’d talk about and would find it hard to stop.

Dee Dee’s voice is so crisp and pure. She sings every word so wonderfully clear. The pronunciation in the words just makes you feel it so much. On the song Just A Creep, you can sense how pissed she is at this person but she has such a beautiful voice that your attraction goes to her voice rather than the words. The vast majority of Only In Dreams is heartbreaking. I don’t want to go into detail, mainly because I don’t want to delve into Dee Dee’s personal life. But knowing she was going through quite possibly the worst thing ever, you really feel every song. But, you do have certain songs that just make you so bloody happy. Bedroom Eyes is such a fantastic song. Do you want to call it pop music? Okay, well if that’s the case- it was the best pop song of 2011. The repetition for some may be annoying but to them I say SHUSH. I listen to it, and I just want to sing it at people. Maybe a person in particular. I have no idea, it just makes me so happy. Dum Dum Girls just make me so happy. Even the sad songs make me feel alright. That’s what music is about- making you feel alright when you’re not so sure.

The first record, I Will Be. Oh my god. Jail La La, Bhang Bhang, Yours Alone..the whole record is just a bloody brilliant first record. I remember hearing Jail La La when it first came out, and just thinking “Is this from the 60s?!” I was in total awe of what I was hearing. The distorted sound mixed with a girl group feel and garage rock. I was in Heaven. Nothing else could compare.

I’m close to wrapping this up, just a few more things to touch on.

Their cover of There Is A Light..see, I knew Dum Dum Girls were forever owners of a part of my heart when they did a song by The Smiths justice. I stand fully by them being the ONLY band to cover this song and do it well. Any song by The Smiths really. I don’t need to rage about the one who RUINED Please Please Please…over the Christmas period. I will always be angry at that.

There’s so much that I admire about Dee Dee Penny, and to be honest I’ve only briefly touched on it here. She (and the rest of the band) just has this amazing talent. If you’ve never listened- please go listen. Your soul will be lifted, you’ll feel enlightened. If you feel a bit shit, they will improve your mood. Dum Dum Girls just caused my 60s girl groups obsession to go mental. It was always a bit too much, but since listening to them it has gotten way out of hand. However, I’ll never wish for it to be tamed.

I’m going to end this piece with my favourite line from my favourite track by them. It’s a verse that just means so much to me. You already know my feelings on Coming Down, and I believe that song shows Dee Dee at her finest. She hits a note..you know the one, and it just makes you gasp and be enthralled in the talent and range. It is just so haunting. First listen, that note made me cry. I’ll own up to this, it doesn’t bother me.

I’ve yet to meet someone who understands my love of this band. I keep it sacred, much like when I listen to Warpaint, Ramones and Captain Beefheart. Dee Dee isn’t your typical front-woman, and that is why I have a lot of love and respect for her.

“You abuse the ones who love you,
You abuse the ones who won’t.
If you ever had a real heart,
I don’t think you’d know where to start.”

Garage Rock.

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Aside from Punk, Garage Rock is the only other genre to own my heart. I’d put Shoegaze and Riot Grrrl up there but for me they were more like a movement rather than a genre. Of course Punk was a movement too, but..well, you know what I mean. For me, Garage Rock is such an important genre of music. As much as I love songs that last over 5 minutes and take me on some weird trip, I also love music that lasts about 2 minutes and has the ability to make me feel like I’m being punched right in the chops. Passionately furious and enough to make you want to dance. Throw in some psychedelic vibes and I’ll be the happiest person around. It isn’t just Garage Rock bands from the 60s that make me feel this way, bands that are around now that can be seen as Garage Rock make me feel this way too. Take the debut record by The Horrors for instance. It had EVERYTHING that was Garage Rock. Short songs, loud guitars and vocals enough to deafen you. Sure not all Garage Rock is like that, but fuck man..as far as debut records go that one was a SOLID.

So this is what I am going to do. Instead of rambling on and on about it, I’m going to give you my 5 favourite OLD Garage Rock bands and my 5 favourite NEW Garage Rock bands.  If you want to disagree or hit me with some bands I should check out, then PLEASE let me know. Just be gentle if you’re going to be negative, okay? Thanks. Alright, here’s the first lot.

I must add that, although I don’t think I could ever list my favourite songs of all time..but if I did, I’d put Count Five in the Top 3 EASILY.

There are many more than I would’ve loved to have included, but I kept it to 5 each otherwise I would just get carried away!

Slug Guts.

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I do listen to what others would call “happy” music, but it doesn’t make me happy. Music created from bands such as The Horrors, The Kills etc make me happy. You know why? Because I can sense how much they believe in what they are saying. It is all about connecting. Music, books, people- if I cannot connect to it, I won’t stick around. Slug Guts, aside from having a pretty cool name are nothing short of brilliant. I’m listening to Howlin’ Gang, and it is just what I need after having a really shitty and fucked up day (I’ll spare you the details..I’m trying to spare myself from it too.)

I love music that has the potential to scare me. I want music to make me feel like I’m being chased through a dark, misty forest with no way of getting help. A joyful sense of being trapped, and being so far removed for society and any way of being contacted. Isolation isn’t always a bad thing. Just society likes to drill into your skull that you must ALWAYS be around people. You must ALWAYS try to impress others and find a partner. Oh really? Cock off love. It isn’t about that, it never has been. Or will be. Strike out on your own, and accept yourself. Then see if anyone else will; consider yourself lucky if someone is willing to and wanting to spend time with you. I’d say I’m waiting for it to happen, but it is obvious it never will. Instead, I’m constantly seeking out new music to bang on about rather than seeking some kind of person to love. I think music will always be the only constant thing I ever have. I’m cool with that.

So let me tell you something about Slug Guts. They come from Brisbane. What I take from their music is that, it makes you feel like you are driving along a dusty, desolate desert. Driving in a rage that is slowly creeping up on you. You’re escaping something. I know that feeling too well. You’ve got what you own in the back of the car, and you’re playing music like this to get you to where you want and need to be. This is the only time where your wants and needs are the same. They are usually conflicting. The music just screams out “I GOTTA GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE” to me, and I love that. I cannot think of anyone who I can say that they sound like, you know I hate doing that. I try my best to never do that because it is lazy and it isn’t fair. I’m a lot of things but I’m not lazy or unfair (depends on who you ask though, some wanker will say I am. Ignore them, they don’t know.)

Their songs may be short, but they get right to the point. Besides, you can just keep on hitting that repeat button when it is over.

I love the vocals. I want to say that they remind me of Nick Cave, but again- lazy and unfair. So I’m just going to say that the vocals and the sheer musicianship is just utterly and perfectly perfect. I just want to listen to Slug Guts over and over..slip into some kind of trance. Wake up, and some kind of Armageddon  will be about to start. Typical. Well, as long as I don’t miss it..

Oh, and their new record is out just in time for Summer. I think it’ll be one of those that you wander around in the blistering heat (maybe not if you’re in the UK, it’ll probably snow or something.) Sweat it all out as you listen to something truly heart-racing and fucks with your mind in such a beautiful and haunting way.

Shirley Manson.

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“I think it’s a great thing to have failed in life and then pulled yourself up by the boot straps and actually done something, because then you appreciate it more.”

Here’s to the first woman (aside from my mum) that I remember admiring and wanting to be just like. A few years later, I added Patti Smith to my list. Basically, I admire strong people who talk from the heart. I do that, but I’m labelled various expletives. I’ll never win, I’ve accepted this. So, I’m going to try my best to write down why I think and feel Shirley is so fucking influential.

About a month ago I wrote about Bleed Like Me. Shirl saw it, and cried. If she sees this and cries again then I’m going to have to buy her flowers aren’t I? I’m doing this for many reasons- but the main one being, her lyrics have given me hope. I do feel ashamed to say that they saved my life. I’d probably be dead if it wasn’t for her lyrics. To this day, they have been the only band to sum up every good and bad feeling I have ever felt. The hope and drive their music has instilled in me goes beyond my own comprehension. So with that in mind, this is sort of like my “thank you” to Shirley. And in a way, I guess I hope to make someone else who looks up to her, feel less fucking alone with it. Let’s face it, we live in a time where having certain feelings are made to be hushed. No. Don’t let them shut you up anymore. Listen to a Garbage song, and it will place some courage in you. It has done it for me so many times. I’m probably going to have to cry after writing this hah..or I’ll just go look at cute photos of Snow Leopards again. Or have a cup of tea. Who knows. Maybe I’ll do all three. I’m so wild.

I remember seeing a Garbage video on the tellybox for the first time. I was in awe. I think the first time, the music just went over my head. I was utterly and completely enthralled with Shirley from the start. The video appeared again a few days later I guess, and the music..the song just stayed with me. I was only about 7 or 8 years old, but I just connected. I have this horrific trait where I am entirely empathetic, it’s pathetic. It never does me any favours, no matter what. I don’t learn though.

Why is Shirley such an influential force? How long have you got? No I’m deadly serious. There are not many things that hold my attention. Not because I’m ignorant, but because I find it hard to focus most of the time. Yet, I can sit in silence and read a book- no problem. I’ve learnt to not question my mind and what I do anymore. I love Shirley so much because everything she does and says is with the utmost honesty, pride and passion. She says things that can drag you out of the fiery pits of Hell and so you can feel comforted- because she has been there too. These are the factors that make a person believable. Speak from experience, and people will listen. I listen to songs like Medication, You Look So Fine, Metal Heart and I just feel like someone is summing up past feelings. Present feelings too at times. Some people go to a friend for advice. I go listen to Garbage because her lyrics say all I cannot get out of my mouth. Always on the tip of the tongue, and that is where they seem to stay. I frustrate myself, but whatever. I’m human.

Shirley is influential in my eyes because, she makes you feel okay with having feelings. If you’re pissed off- say so. If you feel happy- let it out. She makes you feel normal (the hell is normal anyway, I know) with however you are feeling. Sure it isn’t okay to feel low. But it is healthy to have a balance of feelings. Today you may feel trapped, but tomorrow something may happen to make you smile. You just don’t know. And the never knowing part keeps me alive. That’s what Garbage’s music did. I didn’t exactly have the best teenage years (did anyone?!) and Shirl’s lyrics made it a little bit easier. I’m 25 years old now, and some say being an adult is easy. It isn’t. Nothing is easy, why should it be? Her lyrics taught me so much. From accepting I was different to appreciating the fact that I HAVE to stick around and push myself- but do not let anyone push me around. Sure at times I let people walk over me, but I’ve grown to be so cautious of people. Trust is like love- do not give it away unless you are so sure. Just another thing I learnt from Shirley’s lyrics.

It is important to be true to yourself and stop hiding. This goes for anything. You can take it as sexuality if you want to, that’s totally fine. But ALWAYS be honest with yourself. It is okay to feel. I’m just regurgitating all the things that Shirley’s lyrics have taught me, and I don’t think I can full explain it all in one go. But I am trying.

I’m still holding on for a Garbage UK tour this year. It’s going to happen, right? It has to. I’ll be at the front shouting every lyric back to the band with all I have. Singing the songs that saved my life and gave me some meaning to it. I’ll be a crying mess, I don’t care at all. With every interview I have read and watched with Shirley, I have always taken something from it. You see, females are frequently subjected to being a certain way in the media. You MUST dress this way, and if you don’t then you are not good enough. Bullshit. I’m not buying into that. I’ll stick to my dark make-up, black jeans and Doc Martens. Fuck what society tells you to be, just be YOURSELF. Yes, another thing Shirley Manson has been teaching me since I was 7 or 8 years old. Do your best to keep yourself strong, but remember it is okay to be weak. I have to carry this around a lot. I listen to Garbage’s music, and sometimes I think what would’ve happened if I never listened to them? Would I have been forever lost? I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to know.

I’m writing this listening to Garbage and I cannot help but think I haven’t done Shirley justice with this. That I have missed something out. The struggles in the past she has spoken out on make her someone you can easily connect with. She changed my life and I’ve never met her. If I did, I think all I’d be able to say would be “Thank you.” Maybe that’d be enough. You should always show your appreciation for another in the best way you know how. No, I don’t mean stalking the person you like and yelling “I REALLY ENJOY YOUR FACE.” That’s too far..and creepy.

Everyone has that ONE person who is their definition of inspiring. The person they wish they could be as strong and passionate as. I firmly believe you should be yourself and never emulate others. Admiring and emulating are two different things, but can easily be twisted and misjudged. When I grow up, I want to have the strength and courage Shirley has. Live through it, and don’t be ashamed of who you are. If I realised all this when I was in my teens I would’ve saved myself a lot of..well, shit basically. But, I like to think the older I get the more I understand.

I feel I have missed so much out, but it has all come from the heart. I feel there is so much more I could say as to why she’s so influential and important but right now, this is all I have. I know there’s more just dying to be poured out, and I’m sorry- but for now..this is all there is.

All I know is that I wouldn’t have so much strength and fight in me if it wasn’t for Shirley Manson. I’d do as I was told and I’d accept “No, you cannot do that” or “No, you cannot be that” if it wasn’t for Shirley. Stand-up and speak out. Shout if you have to. But for fucks sake, do not let them take anything from you. Ever.

“It’s a torturous time, when you learn almost everything you really have to know about survival. The important thing to remember when you are living through it, however, is that you have absolutely no idea quite how smart and strong and beautiful the pain will make you. So go forth and suffer…. you’ll rule the world.” 

Thank you Shirley. Just..thank you. Again.

Nice Face.

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Last night I wrote about a musician that I look up to, but sadly a few people took it the wrong way and projected some stupidly bad feelings about it. I’ll delete it before I go to sleep, just in case anyone cares to read it..but they won’t. So, it’s cool. What I’ve learnt from that..and more recently is to just stop putting everything I have into something because when someone rips it apart it is worse than being rejected by someone you like. Maybe people enjoy being bitchy and I just don’t understand. Or maybe..maybe I was wrong to write it. Maybe I was so fucking wrong to write something praising Camila Grey and attempting to get people to see how awesome she is. I’m sorry, I won’t fucking do it again. I’ll stick to writing about bands that aren’t as known as they should be, and using this as a platform to promote them in the hopes someone gives them a listen. There’s no harm in that is there? I bet you’ll find fault in it. So with that, I’ll stick to what I know..which depending on who you ask- may not be much.

Nice Face. Nice name for a band. If anyone asks me who I’m enjoying right now and I say “Nice Face” they’ll probably think I’m acting perverse and trying to avoid the question. Well, depending on who you are- it could be true. But let’s be honest, I’m not someone you want hitting on you. I’m socially shite and I’d just want to talk about music. These are a few more reasons as to why I’m remaining on that dusty shelf. But it’s cool, I’ve got music like Nice Face to keep me company.

Here’s the thing- Nice Face are perfect. Look, I know I bang on about bands being loud and a riot in the ears- but it is truly what gets me going. I love music that still has that Punk vibe to it. Unapologetically loud and raw- how it should be, how I want it. I like my music how I like people; passionate, thought-provoking, deep and the ability to make me feel something worth feeling. Maybe I’m still waiting to meet a person like that. But, I’ve found it in Nice Face.

If I’m correct (which may or may not be the case) is just one person- Ian Magee. I don’t know where he is from, I’d say a different planet to be honest. His music in unworldly and beautifully unholy. When you listen to Nice Face it is like you are stepping into the underworld. That place you were warned to never go. I’ve had this feeling before. When I first listened to Cold Cave and Crocodiles in 2009 I think. I remember that feeling. It was a bit like, “Should I be doing this? Or screw it..gonna do it anyway.” I did it, best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve not done much. Nice Face make you feel as if you are delving into something so unknown. No one has ever picked up on this before. Nobody knows what is going to happen, and you feel the ability to care about the outcome disappearing with every listen. If music can make me feel like I’m approaching something sinister, I will treasure it forever.

Immer Etwas is an incredible record, and I think (and by think I mean HOPEFULLY) the second record will be out this year. I hope it is as brutal and bold as Immer Etwas. Maybe I’m alone with this, but it feels like..Ramones fused with an electro band. I know they weren’t electro but if you combined Joy Division with Ramones, you’d get the general idea. Or..I could be wrong. Actually I am wrong. Ignore that. The only comparison you can get from those two bands is that, Nice Face will make you want to dance like Ian Curtis and possess the same energy as the Ramones. That’s it really.

I’ve probably failed at my attempt and I could’ve just said it in a couple of sentences but I really love Nice Face. I love how loud the music is. I love how it has the potential to take you to a dark place. It lurks in your mind then everything rages out of you like an insane monster. Let it all fall out, and fall in love with some of the most passionate and brilliant music you will ever hear.

Emily Haines.

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My love for Metric could be listed as obsessive. I’m obsessed with music, so I don’t really see this as a bad thing. I’m also going to try my best to stick with this “Influential Women in Music” thing I started ages ago here..but sort of let it go. I have no idea why. I need to learn to stick at something properly. I’ll blame Writer’s Block, because that seems a more legitimate reason than just forgetting.

Writing about Emily Haines is going to make me happy because there are SO many reasons as to why I love her. She looks like someone you could just hang with and do dumb stuff with, but at the same time- you could hang out in a library with her and she’ll open your mind to a different world. I’ve been lucky enough to see Metric live, and it is one of the gigs I’ve been to that has firmly stuck in my mind. The room was cramped. You could touch the ceiling with your grubby sweat ridden mits, your body was wet with sweat and probably water, your throat ached from singing a long to every single word. I remember it as if it was yesterday. If only it was yesterday. It was a gig that helped with so much, as did interviewing them a few weeks before. It was just an experience that I needed, that partly saved me from losing my mind at the time. Fantasies came out and taught me about survival. It was Blindness that did it. Nobody will ever fully get what that song meant to me then, and it still does now. I told Emily, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off. It’s the main reason why I cannot write-up the interview because the subject matter of the interview..it is just entirely personal. She made me feel like I was talking to a long-time friend, you know? It was easy but at the same time a bit painful. But it is something I hold so dear to me.

Emily Haines looks so gentle, like her voice. The way she moves on stage is the opposite. Her lyrics on her solo work are much more delicate than that with Metric. I’d never pick what I loved the most, I love both equally. Knives Don’t Have Your Back is one record that I feel I cannot go a day without listening to- which is also how I feel about Live It Out by Metric. Her words (solo and Metric) just read like perfect poetry. Which is no surprise as her dad was the amazing poet, Paul Haines. I feel that her solo work portrays Emily’s mellow side that  can calm the wildest of personas. Then you have Metric. Metric give you that loud, unashamed freedom. You shake your body, lose your shit- you just go mental listening to them. Any song from Stadium Love back to Empty, you just allow your body to flail madly out of control. And why must you always have control of what you do? Let go. Emily’s lyrics can teach you to let go. From a break-up, to leaving a life behind that you just cannot handle anymore (I feel this right now more than ever) her words just ease all the tension and trauma you feel inside. I’d be lost without it.

There are so many females in music right now that could learn so much from the likes of Emily and Alison Mosshart (I could list many more but..) Emily has this stage presence which makes you feel like she is encouraging you to start your own kind of riot in the crowd. Not a bad one. One that means you just make a load of noise, spread the love and have a good time.

I know I’m probably mentioning her solo work more than Metric or Broken Social Scene work, but her solo work is so haunting. Her and a piano is truly one of the best things in life.  It just makes you feel right, you know? It does something to you. It takes you to an untouchable place. It is just you and Emily’s voice. The fragile voice she has covers you in goose-bumps. Your limbs become weak and talking seems too much. You want to embrace all the silences in-between. Her voice is just beyond perfection.

What drew me in when I first heard Metric (Combat Baby was the first song I remember hearing) I was just in awe. A voice so calming over a riotous drums, bass and guitars. Surely not?! This cannot be real. Oh it was real. So very real. “No one here wants to fight me like you do.” Her tormenting lyrics sung in the most playful manner imaginable just lured me in, there was no way I could have stopped it from happening, and why oh why would I want to? That’d just be silly.

You know, finding a Metric fan is hard. I know about two people who like them. It is pretty sad because Metric are such an incredible band that have put out solid records constantly. The new record, I firmly believe will be as stunning as previous. I cannot wait for it- and a tour too. There are so many layers to Metric’s music, but with Emily’s solo material it is so simple. Seeing these sides to her way of making music goes beyond being inspirational. However, regardless of who she is making music with her lyrics always seem to hit you right in the heart. This is due to her evidently writing from the heart. I cannot listen to music that doesn’t seem true- to the heart and to the self. I don’t want to hear anything that doesn’t sound genuine. Emily Haines manages to make you smirk with her sometimes sexually charged lyrics, then straight away you feel your heart is going to fall to pieces with the sheer honesty she pours out. There’s just no way humanly possible that you can deny how important and influential she is. Those that know of her, know how true this is. Maybe the new Metric record will cause you to finally pay attention to all you’ve been missing.

“What it is and where it stops nobody knows,
You gave me a life I never chose.
I wanna leave but the world won’t let me go.”

The Beatles….I don’t get it.

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Firstly and..lastly I suppose, my intention isn’t to offend anyone with this. I really can’t be arsed with offending anyone. I probably do it without knowing but hey- stop taking shit so personal? Okay, cool. We like what we like, we don’t like what we don’t like. For instance The Jesus And Mary Chain are my favourite band of all time- but I don’t expect anyone to fully get why I love them or understand what they mean to me, if they aren’t a fan. I understand that someone may not like them. Not everyone enjoys a distorted, reverb sound mixed with dark lyrics and a gloomy voice. But I do. That’s what I like. Much like how I really cannot see how 21 by Adele is a decent album. I guess it’s because I don’t dig that kind of music..lyrics about a lover who has clearly done you wrong. I just don’t want to hear that, so I don’t listen to it. I keep my headphones in pretty much all the time when I go out.  This all leads onto something. If you’re still reading.

I hate negativity. I know a lot of bitchy people. You know the kind. Hide behind a screen but will smile in your face. They’ll tear you apart to their friends (who were once your friends) but if they are to talk to you- you will either be handed some kind of cold vibe OR they will drag up past mistakes. People that live in the past because the future and present turns them into a coward. Why? Just why? Anyway, this does all come together. Negativity…fuck it. No need. There’s bad words and actions everywhere isn’t there. The past…we are still clinging onto the fact that The Beatles were and are the best band ever. Here comes the part that you’ll hate me for (if you don’t already.)

I really don’t “get” The Beatles. Come on..“She loves you yeah yeah yeah.” Can someone explain to me why that is classed as good song-writing? Maybe it’s because I like songs and bands with substance. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand why someone would like them..but best band of all time? Seriously? Come on. What about Ramones? MC5? Iggy & The Stooges? New York Dolls? Velvet Underground? Bikini Kill? Captain Beefheart? I’ll stick to being in the minority. It’s friendly and non-judgemental there.

So here’s the thing. I’ve listened to The Beatles. My mum was a HUGE fan when they were about. She had their autographs and saw them support Tommy Rowe and Chris Montez in Doncaster. SUPPORTING. No one knew who they were, no one cared. She told me every time The Beatles were on the telly, her and her chums would scream like obsessed and possessed fan-girls at the screen. I used to do that when Backstreet Boys and Garabge were on the telly. I do it now when I see The Kills, mainly because it is so rare. I fully appreciate what they created and caused- mass hysteria. But for what reasons? Why? Did they care for the music or was it just “the look” that they had? Four lads dressed pretty well, from Liverpool. Was it, like most things, just one big gimmick?

I’ve spoken to my mum about this so many times, and I said to her I just do not get it. I don’t get why people are still going apeshit over them. She said something along the lines of, “You had to be there at the time to fully appreciate it.” Maybe she is right. But, I know people who are my age who love them an insane amount. So what is it? If I was a massive twat, I’d write this and rip the band apart- but I’m not like that. I don’t see the point at all. I just want to know what it was about them that caused people to label them as the best thing since a free bus pass? Just what is it? My mum said, as she got older she realised that they weren’t as amazing as people made them out to be.

If that’s the case, why are their records still being sold as successfully as they are? Re-issue after re-issue. Documentary after documentary. Is it because the UK hasn’t produced anything as successful since then, and are clinging onto The Beatles because it is all they have? I’m positive others have had similar success, right? But why must we base success on how many girls faint at concerts or how many number one songs you have? Why can’t they have the same love for playing their own music like The Horrors do and not care for mainstream attention?

I’ve written this in the hopes someone can inform me as to why The Beatles are regarded as the best band ever. I could give you 20 bands that are much better. But let’s face it, it is all down to personal taste. So why oh why does the media feel the need to ram them down our necks and tell us “YOU MUST LOVE THEM.” Never buy into what anyone tries to sell you. Have your OWN opinion. Start your own movement. Love what you love. Love whoever you want to love. Anyone I have I said, that I don’t like The Beatles to has looked at me as if I have 3 arms and no head. I don’t get it. Maybe I am just a really shit human being who knows nothing. But, do you? It’s all personal taste.

I know that whoever reads this will feel the need to think ill of me, it’s okay..most do anyway. You get used to it after a while. Then you ignore them and focus on those who matter- the ones that don’t judge.

But please, if you can tell me why The Beatles are apparently so great, please do. I don’t want to like them, because I’ve tried. I’ve listened and I just don’t get it. I do know people who don’t like them, and they’ve said the same as me-boring, repetitive lyrics and just utterly dull. So why do people like them? That’s all I want to know.