Author: Graeme

Dreams May Come True
Here’s a little ditty from a few years ago. I love reading back a poem that is just as relevant now as it was when it was written. And for anyone with kids…let them dream to their hearts content.

DREAMS MAY COME TRUE

No rules, be what you like
In dreams, get on your bike…and
Venture into the unknown
I’ll begin now the seed’s been sown.

Red tiles that lead to the door
Cracked as you walk on the floor
Start to split and then show you more
Is this real, have I been here before?

I am now in a place that’s sereen
Am grateful for all that has been
I am sure I am sane, am I mad
Be your own judge you will and I’m glad.

Colourful heaven are you able to tell
I put me here, perhaps it’s as well
Imagination paints a scene
Watch where I’m going, not where I’ve been.

Graeme Richardson
Jul 00
TO BE CONTINUED

http://hbomb06.wordpress.com
28th August 2012
The Gramotones and Hatcham Social

Following on from my last post, I think this recommendation is quite special. This is music I’ve been listening to for a few weeks, following on from seeing both bands live. One of the bands I’d heard of and wanted to see, the other I honestly hadn’t heard of. Now, I think they’re both great.

The first are Hatcham Social. Obviously you can check out what the music presses say about them and it will be far more eloquent than I can put it. I’ve been listening to both their albums and of course have my favourites. From the opening ‘Crocodiles’ on debut album “You Dig the Tunnel, I’ll Hide the Soil” their music grabs a hold of me and makes me want to think about what their saying. Some of their songs make me want to close my eyes, chill out and let the music wash over, others make me want to jump up and (shake my hair about) dance. It’s guitars, drums and vocals combining to make engaging music. I could tell you what it reminds me of, but I hear different influences each time I listen. Lead singer Toby’s voice also vaguely reminds me of someone else, but it doesn’t matter who. He sounds good and I like the way his voice, along with some great riffs and energetic drumming gives life to their songs. Just go check them out.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/24488472″ iframe=”true” /]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhux67uILoQ&w=560&h=315]

Next, The Gramotones.

Hailing from Manchester, The Gramotones have been together, gigging for about a year now. In an attempt to break the modern day mould and perhaps the occasionally monotonous club circuit, the guys have played some pretty interesting venues that include a barge and the real life incarnation of Tim Burgess’s metaphysical diner Tim Peaks Diner, at Kendal Calling festival last month. The band played two sets over the weekend and went down a storm. Without giving the game away too much I will say that there are definitely shades of a certain Liverpudlian sound emanating. Imagine the jangle of days gone by, shaken down and freshened up to make a vibrant 21st century feel good sound. I reckon the band will appeal to a wide cross section of todays music fans. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Take a listen for yourself.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/19159103″ iframe=”true” /]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnZazQawdEk&w=560&h=315]

There we go, and you’re very welcome. Once you’ve listened feel free to come back and tell me how much you enjoyed both bands. Even better, go tell your friends. Spread the love people.

18th August 2012
Tell it how it is!

What exactly are you looking for in your next favourite band? And what is it you look for when reading a music review? OK, I’ll admit it, a couple of leading questions if I ever did and so I’ll tell you why I ask. Of late I’ve been making the time to listen to new music again as well as read about what the music press has to say about new music from new bands as well as lots of already established bands. I love music magazines. Without them my music taste would be a lot more drab than it is these days. (No bad thing I can hear some folks saying) Oh yes, I was getting to the point was’t I? So, whether you are looking for a piece of musical mastery that tantalises your ear drums, a sprawling artistry of lyrics, an exploration of new territory in sound or perhaps your looking for bit of music that either helps change your mood or prolongs/enhances the one you are already in. But your looking for something different. Or maybe your looking for something similar to something else. You might know exactly what you’re after or have no clue. And that is where our friends, the music magazines come in. Now, I only have one itsy bitsy problem, which I tried to explain to someone recently during a late night discussion. It’s not really a major criticism, more a part of of their territory, which really is unavoidable. They sometimes, write ‘bad’ or ‘harmful’ reviews. That may come in the form of technical idiosynchrosies, over comparison to another artist or genre and sometimes just downright negativity. Sometimes it’s just because the person reviewing doesn’t like it and that is their choice. And unavoidable or not, that can have a very detrimental affect on a bands future. In this day, for a band to make a living out of music has become increasingly difficult. Since the dawn of digital it’s all been different. Money that can be made from touring, merchandise, the rise and rise of the VIP meet and greet, and any other side projects the band may be able land themselves.

So, although I believe music magazines have a responsibility to tell it how it is, there is part of me that wishes they could avoid telling how it is when it’s not so good. Couldn’t they just ‘not’ tell it. Well, perhaps that’s part and parcel of what has made them so popular, made their money and kept them going. And I guess most folks are probably all pretty glad that’s the case. It’s not going to change but this is also a time for having your say and this is mine. So, what to do when negativity might just be unavoidable??

“Well, it’s avoidable for me”. I do try. But that statement answers a question I’ve been asked a few times recently. “Why are all the reviews you post so full of praise for the artist /album /gig / whatever”? Why is everything so great when you write about it? Do you never go to a bad gig, listen to a bad record or just think some music sucks? It’s pretty simple really. With the exception of the small exercise I undertook to review some music that friends had recommended, I’ve chosen it all myself. So, I like it. For stuff that may just not be my cup of tea, I’ll let someone else write something nice about it. Everybody wins!

And you know what, with that, I have a couple of recommendations for you. But they’ll be in the next post. Before you read that, ask yourself this. What exactly are you looking for in your next favourite band?

16th August 2012
Doors close on Tim Peaks Diner Again.

The first time I wrote about the doors of Tim Peaks Diner closing it earnt me the honour of becoming writer in residence when Tim Peaks Diner became a reality at Kendal Calling.
First time round I mentioned it saw the end (?) of the hugely successful brainchild of The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess.
I may also have expressed my thanks for the musical memories that pretty much define the soundtrack of a generation, for keeping going and, for opening the doors of Tim Peaks Diner in the first place.
I also believed then that everyone who had stopped by would testify, it’d been an enormous amount of fun.

And so, here we are again, a few days after the real Tim Peaks Diner closed it’s doors at at Kendal Calling music festival.
Having had those days to reflect on what was quite simply, one of the best weekends of my life, I thought it worth adding a final chapter, a musical epilogue if you will, on the weekends events. Is it strange that I’m still pinching myself to convince my brain that it did indeed happen? Did it actually happen or did I just have some really bizarre, beautiful, realistic dream?
Well, rather than write too much more (you can see each days events on previous posts) I thought perhaps you might prefer, and maybe it’d be nicer for posterity if you could just click on the button and sit back to reminisce with a cup of Joe.
But before you click, please allow me to thank the people who made this such a very special weekend.

Tim Burgess, Nick Fraser, Brian Shields, Lucy and the entire Tim Peaks Diner staff.
Mark Mace Smith, Nick Heyward, Jackie Hagan, Tony Walsh, Hatcham Social (Finn, Dave, Riley & Toby), Edwyn Collins, Roddy Frame, The Gramotones, Joe Stretch, Minny Pops, Dave and Christine Haslam, Dave Viney, Scott Tyrell, Tracy and Simon Rackley, Mike Garry, Callum Ellis and family, Heather Booth Martin and family, Kate who introduced me to Dakota Beats, Beth from the Glasgow Guardian, Jamie from the NME, everyone else I had the pleasure of chatting to and a special mention to anyone who managed to sit through my poetry on the soapbox stage.

Not forgetting Kendal Calling for staging the weekend.
And finally, to Heather. My wonderful daughter(@thehbomb06), who blew me away with her complete enthusiasm, dedication to writing and performing herself. For all your help over the weekend, for being a real trooper and for writing the Tim Peaks poem. You partied until the wee hours and kept coming back for more. You rock!

To everyone mentioned, you all rock! Without further a do, I invite you to sit back with a damn fine cup of coffee.
This is my tribute to Tim Peaks Diner and everyone who made the weekend possible. Enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGr3sxfJwCw&feature=youtu.be]

1st August 2012
Tim Peaks Diner @KendalCalling – Day 3

What better way to start off day 3, than with a nice bowl of Totes Amazeballs. Heather thought it was a great idea and also commented how nice it was that there are also seats outside the diner.
Inside was absolutely packed this morning, so we watched diner guests come and go as we ate our breakfast. Once I make my way inside I see one of the reasons why it is so busy. The pace is definitely slower in the diner today. Not the staff, I’m quick to add. They are still darting around like crazy’ ensuring the place remains clean, tidy and that the food is so cleverly displayed, you just cannot help but want to eat lots. All in all ensuring everyones experience is just perfect. The diner guests are consuming Totes Amazeballs by the truck load it seems today, the jukebox choices have a much lower BPM and the faces of contentment are also just starting to show the slightest evidence of some late nights. And so Tim Peaks is soothing the souls for now it seems.
Tony Walsh starts the days entertainment off again today, performing and introducing some fine poets including Dave Viney, Thick Richard and Scott Tyrell.
With it being Day 3, a few faces have become quite familiar to me, you could say the diner regulars.
Poet Mike Garry has been here supporting the diner all weekend as have Manchester band The Gramotones. I have a quick chat with the band before they play their second set of the weekend, who tell me they have had an absolute blast over the weekend. They also let me know their first single will be out soon, which is great news, because these guys sound fresh. Worth keeping an eye out for them and rest assured further reviews will appear in due course.
Before The Gramotones are Dutch electro outfit Minny Pops, who recently recorded a single for O-Genesis. (Tim’s record label) The band mesmerised the diner guests with their unique interactive performance. When asked to describe it, the winner of a t-shirt during one number said it was unbelievable but difficult to describe.
The Gramotones then entertained the crowd again, going down a storm. Remember The La’s? Imagine invigorating that spirit with a fresh sounding 2012 go get em approach and your not a million miles off.
Young author and poet Joe Stretch read an excerpt from his upcoming novel “The Adult”, worth buying for the Katy Price tape description, which he delicately edited (ok removed completely) with their being kids present.
There was a slightly sad moment today though. When the men came to take the jukebox away, it was startling realisation that Tim Peaks Diner residence at Kendal Calling was coming to an end.
The remaining acts of the day kept the crowd entertained but watching people leave the diner for the last time, you could already sense the onset of deflation.
Staff, special guests and customers all made this one of the best weekends of my life. But don’t just take my word for it. I’m pretty sure plenty of people will agree? Dave Haslam, Finn from Hatcham Social said pretty much the same.
Heather said to me, “Dad, it’s kind of been like a dream. I can’t believe all this great stuff happened and I met so many lovely new friends.”
And that kind of sums it up for me. What better endorsement for the gaffer Tim Burgess than the words of a 10 year old girl.
What Tim has accomplished is to take a virtual / metaphysical diner, transform it into the physical and yet still make it feel like it’s all been so good that it was too good to be true.
Anyone who visited over the weekend and stayed a while will all have the same question on their lips, so I’ll ask it on behalf of them all.
Tim, will you do it all again? Please?

30th July 2012
Tim Peaks Diner @KendalCalling – Day 2

Dave Haslam kicked off the day with a short memoir of the hazy crazy Madchester days of Happy Mondays an The Stone Roses, which really set the mood for the rest of the days events.
Then he introduced Edwyn Collins, who spoke frankly about family, ilness and recuperation, current and future projects, childhood, courage and titanium plates in his head as well as OJ days, spitting, Rip it Up and a bizarre TOTP performance.
All this led nicely into the musical entertainment for the day. The diner guests were already feeling the love when Roddy Frame and Edwyn Collins took the stage.
This was followed by a short set by Hatcham Social, then Tim Burgess accompanied by Hatcham Social.
We then welcomed Roddy Frame back to the stage, who was joined firstly by Tim for a beautiful rendition of Walk into Winter. Both were then joined by Edwyn for Consolation Prize and Girl like you. Anyone who was in the diner will tell you what a very special moment this was.
As everyone was catching there breath, in cam Kyle from The View, who took requests from the audience for his set.
Once he had finished Nick Heyward wandered into the diner looking pretty darn cool in his Wellies and shorts.
He opens his set with “hiya, shall we warm up with some love” (+1)
Soon he has the diner guests dancing before Tim joined him on stage for the set closer.
They had the crowd singing back to them in what was another very special moment indeed.
Tim came back out for a Q and A session and a few book readings and still had time for another impromptu poem about the late Tony Wilson, from poet Mike Garry thrown in for good measure.
Dave Haslam said this had been one of the best days of his life and I would not argue with that.
Metamorphosizing the virtual phenomenon that wasTim Peaks into the reality we have been experiencing at Kendal Calling has taken skill, a lot of good judgement and a lot of hard work.
That work paid off today as Tim Peaks Diner became a roaring success. On behalf of all the guests, I’d like to thank Tim, all today’s performers and everyone who worked so hard to make this such a Fantastic Day.
Over to Heather for a few closing words.
Wow how can I add anything to that? Well you covered it all!
🙂
Totes Amazeballs for breakfast ?

28th July 2012