Slap A Ham Records are closing down soon, so if you’re a fan of good underground hardcore, grindcore or power violence, check out their site quickly because they’re liquidating their stock. Dirt cheap too: 3 CDs for $25 for international orders. You don’t find deals like that for stuff like this every day.
I just bought myself a bunch via Paypal. To give them at least some business while they’re still here. Fingers crossed everything works out and I get them sometime soon. It’s a shame they’re shutting up shop, they are the home of the legendary Spazz after all (whom I first heard of through that 30-second song comp that came out on Fat Wreck Chords a few years ago), but at least the scene is more alive than ever.
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Mat seems to be having the time of his life in Thailand. He’s got pictures, too.
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Yep. Late again.
http://fridayfive.org/
1. What is your favorite scary movie?
That would be Ring, followed in second place by A Nightmare on Elm Street.
2. What is your favorite Halloween treat?
I don’t have one. That’s not to say that I don’t like chocolate and sweets and stuff; I just don’t have an out-and-out favourite.
3. Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, describe your best Halloween costume.
I don’t, or at least haven’t done for years. Too expensive in terms of money and time to come up with anything really good (or that hasn’t been stolen by anyone else). Plus my physique doesn’t really accomodate the best ideas too well. When I was a kid, though, I went as Batman one year. I think I was 10 at the time. It was a cool costume. I had the cape and everything, and a brilliant mask that my mum helped me to make (or rather, I helped my mum to make) out of newspaper layout card and black duct tape. It was sweet.
4. Do you enjoy going to haunted houses or other spooky events?
If we had them, I would, but over here people don’t seem to go all out for the spooky experience, or even the really fun experience. It’s just another excuse for people to get drunk here. That being said, I did see the coolest thing last Hallowe’en, when walking down Grafton Street I passed three geezers impersonating the Scousers (of Harry Enfield fame), curly wigs and fake tashes and all. That was inspired.
5. Will you dress up for Halloween this year?
Not this year. But next year I’m planning to dress up as Jushin Liger.
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I just remembered it’s Mat‘s birthday today, so If you happen to bump into him somewhere in South-East Asia, wish him a good one for me, will ya? Much appreciated.
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The Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, is issuing a directive instructing the telecommunications regulator to introduce flat rate internet access in the Irish market.
It’s about fucking time.
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http://fridayfive.org/
1. How many TVs do you have in your home?
Four, but only three are used.
2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week?
I watch less TV now than I used to, mainly because I spend a lot of the time that I would have spent in front of the TV online. I guess three hours a day, maybe more maybe less, unless I have a day off, which would triple that amount (not that I’m always watching it, I’ll just have the TV on while doing other things).
3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children?
I definitely think parents should monitor what their children are watching, but I don’t think television is a bad thing for kids, at least over here. Channel 4’s educational programming for one is a fantastic example of how brilliant television can be. Of course the Yanks are capable of it too – look at Sesame Street, over 30 years on the air and still great. Sure the whole Elmo merchandising mania thing might cloud your vision, but it shouldn’t negate the show’s ability to educate through fun. I mean, come on, what can be better than one-two-three fooour-five six-seven-eight niiine-ten, eleven twelve!?
4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you’re heartbroken?
None really anymore. I’ve grown less and less attached to the box. I used to get really pissed if I missed the wrestling or something like that, but not so much anymore.
5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like?
Ohh, I’ve thought about this one before: an anarchic mixture of pro wrestling from around the world, underground music, and the Discovery Channel. Who wouldn’t want to subscribe to that??
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I received a nice surprise when I got home this evening: a parcel all the way from San Francisco containing the new Black Dice album, Beaches & Canyons, and the 2xCD Troubleman Mix-Tape. Sweet. I only ordered them five days ago. Midheaven mailorder rocks.
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Yes, it’s two days late, but I haven’t been running at 100% capacity this weekend.
http://fridayfive.org/
1. If you could only choose 1 CD to ever listen to again, what would it be?
If I can’t choose an mp3 mix CD that I burned myself, then The Punch Line by the Minutemen.
2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be?
One of them I’m sure I haven’t seen yet. The other one however simply has to be Billy Madison. It was on TV last night and it was as good as ever. It’s one of those that just slips through the net. It doesn’t make any sense, doesn’t fit neatly into any single category and has some incredibly surreal humour for a major studio picture (and a supposed star vehicle to boot; probably the reason that Adam Sandler’s career didn’t really skyrocket until the not-as-good Happy Gilmore). I am amazed that it has yet to attain the cult status it so truly deserves.
3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be?
I’m not the kind of person who re-reads books. I take the position that there’s so much good literature out there that I shouldn’t be wasting my relatively short time on this mortal coil with stuff I’ve already read.
4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be?
I’m gonna have to give really general answers for this one: milk chocolate, bread, cheese, and Pepsi Max.
5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be?
I can’t answer this question, since I’d need at least a limit of 10 before I could consider choosing who makes it. Suffice to say that if you think I’m gonna pick you, then I probably will.
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http://fridayfive.org/
1. What size shoe do you wear?
It depends on the type of shoe; normally size 10 or 11 UK (size 11 or 12 US).
2. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I currently own something like five pairs of shoes, but that number includes my dress shoes, which I haven’t worn in over a year at least. I only wear one pair day in day out.
3. What type of shoe do you prefer (boots, sneakers, pumps, etc.)?
Sneakers I guess, high tops. Something with support, and wide, because I have flat feet. Having said that, and I know it’s most likely totally uncool to say this (not that I give a damn), I love Hush Puppies. They are without a doubt the most comfortable shoes in the world.
4. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Why are they your favorite?
I don’t really have a ‘favourite pair’ per se. The shoes I wear daily, my DC skater ones, I wouldn’t wear them if I didn’t like them.
5. What’s the most you’ve spent on one pair of shoes?
I haven’t spent more than £100 (or €100 or whatever) on a pair of shoes. Yet.
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