Year: 2008
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Albums Of The Year 2008
Good evening! There’s less than an hour of 2008 left and so it’s time for my traditional Best Albums list. This year, I had to whittle it down from 63 albums to the final forty below. Therefore, every album below is a winner, no matter the placing, I had to leave a lot out that…
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Merry Crimbo 2008!
Ho ho ho! As a special festive treat, for one week only you can download the mp3 version of my 2006 ‘A New Surprise EP’ totally free! I’ve even written a little background blurb that I’ve included as a text file. The EP was originally released as 7″ vinyl by Heavenly Pop Hits, a Swedish…
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Bzangy Groink Playlist 17/12/08
The best new tune tonight was ‘Never Stops’ by Deerhunter. Check out their lovely new album! The best old tune was Lulu’s ‘To Sir With Love.’ What a beautiful pop song! Tonight, you heard: Danny Elfman – Edward Scissorhands Rae & Christian – Blazing The Crop Money Mark – Hand In Your Head Sunny Day…
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These Waves EP Launch
Last night, I went to the These Waves EP launch gig at the Vic. Sadly, I missed the first two bands but I managed to catch Wintermute and These Waves, who both rocked like buggery. Check out their new EP! Click on the pic above for more shots!
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Frosty Sunday Morning
Click the pic above to see some more frosty shots!
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Bzangy Groink Playlist 3/12/08
Tonight’s best new tune was ‘Vuvuvu’ by MSTRKRFT. It’s simply a great slab of electropop, bumping along like a baby rhino. Get it now! The best old tune was ‘Voyage Voyage’ by Desireless. Again, great electropop! I love the semiquaver bass-synth thrumming in the chorus. Fantastic! Midtown – Direction Chromeo – My Girl Is Calling…
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Menezes Inquest Corrupted
The jury at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes will not be able to consider a verdict of unlawful killing, the coroner has said. Sir Michael Wright said that having heard all the evidence, a verdict of unlawful killing was “not justified”. Mr de Menezes, 27, was shot dead by police…
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Foggy Day
I took a few pics out in the fog yesterday. It was freeeeezing! Click the pic for more. 🙂
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Georgian Ambassador Claims Georgia Started War
A former Georgian ambassador has caused uproar in Georgia by saying his country, not Russia, started August’s war over South Ossetia. Erosi Kitsmarishvili, a former envoy to Russia, was testifying at a parliamentary commission hearing into the war the breakaway Georgian region. “Russia was ready for this war, but the Georgian leadership started the military…
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Capitalism Fails Again, Socialism Bails It Out – Again
The US government has announced a rescue plan for the Citigroup banking giant after its shares plunged by more than 60% last week. The US treasury department is to invest $20bn (£13.4bn) in return for preferred shares in Citigroup. The treasury and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp will also guarantee up to $306bn (£205bn) of…
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Roomba Driver
Just in case you haven’t seen it already. Amazing! 😀
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Why I’m Not DJing At Quad
Last night, I quit DJing at Quad. Here’s the email I just sent to them explaining why: Hi, Sadly, last night I had to walk out of DJing as it was pointless to carry on. The factors leading to this were: 1. DJing to an empty room again. I can get easily get a good…
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Bzangy Groink Playlist 19/11/08
Another busy Bzangy at Bar Lisi! The best new tune tonight was ‘Connjur’ by School Of Seven Bells. Floaty, twinkly and quite, quite lovely. It’s from their new album, ‘Alpinisms,’ and if you haven’t heard of them already, check it out! The best old track was ‘New Life’ by Depeche Mode. Over the last 27…
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Pludtarb Playlist 1 – 7/11/08
Woohoo! First Pludtarb at the lovely Quad! Here’s what I played: John Powell – Main Titles (Bourne Identity) The Lovin’ Spoonful – Speakin’ Of Spoken Corisco e os sambaloucos – Balancafro Camera Obscura – Lloyd, I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken Astor Piazzolla – 12 Monkeys (Intro Suite) Backyards Of Our Neighbours – Au Revoir Simone…
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Bzangy Groink Playlist Bonfire Night ’08
Tonight’s best new track was the sublime ‘Anna’ by Hello Saferide. It’s a beautifully sad poem to a child that never was and it’s taken from her lovely 2008 album, ‘More Modern Stories From…’ It’s yet another fantastic album from Sweden, the current top dogs of indiepop. The best old track was ‘Hope’ by Descendents.…
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17 US Terrorist Attacks On Pakistan Since September – Media Applauds
One of the issues most vexing to Pakistan is the ongoing missile strikes by US unmanned Predator drones, or UAVs, into Pakistan’s tribal areas. Since 1 September, there have been at least 17 of these strikes and, while US officials say al-Qaeda leaders are being successfully targeted, local tribesmen say scores of civilians have been…
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The Presets Live At The Royal, 29/10/08
The Presets! Click the pic for a small gallery! Whoah! Last night I went to see The Presets and they were awesome! I’ve liked them ever since I heard ‘Are You The One?’ off their debut album and 2008’s newie, ‘Apocalypto’ is even poppier. It’s a raw, chunky slice of electropop, fusing classic synthpop with…
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Gothness
Release the bats! I don’t think it’s much of a secret that I’ve got quite a big streak of goth in me. Not goth in the modern, American sense (all latex and metal) but in the more British, ’80s, 4AD, Dead Can Dance, Depeche Mode, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry way. So I thought I’d do…
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Bille The Vision And The Dancers Live At The Royal, Derby, 24/10/08
Billie The Vision And The Dancers, live last night! Click the pic for a gallery! If you’re a regular Groinker, you probably already know that I have a soft-spot for Billie The Vision. So, as soon as I heard they were playing in Derby, supporting The Pipettes, I got tickets and me and my mrs…
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Bar Lisi Playlist 22/10/08
Wednesday was special. I played multiple tracks by Billie The Vision And The Dancers as I was so excited that they were gigging in Derby on Friday (I saw them!). So, the best old song was ‘I’m Pablo’ by BTVATD. (Off their 2005 album.) And the best new song was ‘Groovy’ by BTVATD. (Off their…
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I’m A Monster In Bed
Some silliness with my camera and a blue friend. 😀
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Royal Views
Click the pic to see some shots in and from the Royal nightclub, Derby.
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Geoff Hoon – Evil, Moron Or Both?
Hoon, right, with another happy child-murderer Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has said the government is prepared to go “quite a long way” with civil liberties to “stop terrorists killing people”. He was responding to criticism of plans for a database of mobile and web records, saying it was needed because terrorists used such communications. By…
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Garden October ’08
Click the pic about to see a few autumn sunshine pics from my garden!
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Mushrooms
Popping up everywhere in the garden! 🙂
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The 39 Steps At Quad Derby
Today, my mrs. and I went to see one of my favourite films, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The 39 Steps.’ I’ve seen it many times on telly, I’ve got the DVD but I’ve never seen it at the cinema so when I saw it in the Quad programme, I couldn’t resist. It’s the first time I’ve seen…
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Bar Lisi Playlist 8/10/08
Woohoo! This week, there’s no best old tune as I have *two* top new tunes for you! The Fairline Parkway The first is by The Fairline Parkway and it’s the sublime ‘Eaves.’ What a gently shimmering track, reminds me a little of American Analog Set. Check out the album too, it’s all great! My Big…
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Navel-Gazing
Above is a summary of my Flickr stats for today. Most popular pic, clockwork. Second, fit girls. Third, fit lad. Fourth, group shot people have clicked on to see if they can spot themselves. Now, here’s a graph of my views on this website. For some reason, it’s gradually increasing which is both gratifying and…
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Moodychops Swan
Click the pic to see more of ACTOR SWAN! KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!
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Snug Social
I was out at the Snug Social last night and I danced till the very last note from the PA – 3.30am! A lovely night and a great atmosphere! 🙂 Click the pic for a gallery.
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Bar Lisi Playlist 1/10/08
Blitzen Trapper Wooo – what a packed night! And loads of great requests, old and new! Speaking of which, the best new track was ‘Gold For Bread’ by Blitzen Trapper. It’s off their very poppy new album, ‘Furr,’ and it was released last week. Check it out for singalong loveliness! Gary Numan The best old…
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Derby Festé 2008 – Heliosphere & Fireworks
Heliosphere & Fireworks from Jyoti Mishra on Vimeo. Some more footage from Friday night’s opening program of marvels. This time, a flying lady and some lovely fireworks.
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Giant Insects Video
Derby Festé 2008 – Sarruga Insect Invasion from Jyoti Mishra on Vimeo. Ahhh, I love the Sarruga entertainers! 🙂 Look at this post for an explanation!
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Derby Festé 2008
WOW! What an absolutely amazing night the opening of Derby Festé 2008 was! Giant insects: Fireworks: And the enchanting Heliosphere pictured at the top. We got into town around eight and were just in time to see the Sarruga insects marching past Bold Lane. I think my fave was the mantis, I loved the way…
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Big Blue Playlist 24/9/08
Braintax Tonight’s best new track was ‘The Beast Is Us’ by Braintax. This track sums up why I love hip hop so much more than any rock, indie or other song-form music. It’s so powerful, it’s the perfect meld of brain and body. The lyrics are ferocious, intelligent and funny and the beat is undeniable.…
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Why I Love CD Baby
Look! I’m RICH! Well… it’s a start… Ahhh, look at it. Money I’ve made from music, posted directly to me. No label, no accountants, no expensive audits to see how much money the label has “forgotten” to pay me this time… bliss! I think this is the fourth cheque this size I’ve got from CD…
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How Piracy Helps Independent Musicians
If you were to be looking at my Last.fm page now, at 20:56 on 9/20/08, you’d see the below pic: The artist I’m listening to is Modcam. About a fortnight ago, I found his album on the internet and downloaded it. I’d never heard of him before: that’s what I use the net for, discovering…
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US Kills Yet More Iraqi Women & Children
The US military says seven people, including three women civilians, have been killed in an air strike in Iraq. Witnesses are quoted as saying the attack happened after US troops had surrounded a compound in the village. Reports quote Iraqi officials and neighbours saying that the family whose members were killed in the air strike…
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Bar Lisi Playlist 17/9/08
The Presets Best new track tonight was the Lifelike Remix of The Preset’s ‘This Boy’s In Love.’ A fantastic tune augmented by a deft remix that brings out the bass harmonies. Lovely! The Human League The best old track was ‘Empire State Human’ by the Human League. Pounding, melodic, witty electronic dance music – everything…
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Quadness
Yesterday, I went for a meeting at Derby’s new centre for the arts and film, the Quad. I’ve been invited, along with around with a few other peeps, to be a Quad Ambassador. Sadly, this doesn’t mean that I can embark on a crime spree and then scuttle to sanctuary in the Quad. What it…
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A Great Sight
Ahhh, there’s nothing as satisfying as emptying your inbox. 🙂
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American Attacks Good, Russian Attacks Bad
President George W Bush has authorised US military raids against militants inside Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad, the BBC has learned. Pakistan has said it will not allow foreign forces onto its territory. “Pakistan would not accept foreign troops. This is not the best way to pursue the war against terror,” he [Husain Haqqani,…
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iTunes 8 Not So Clever
Soooo… I updated to iTunes 8 tonight. I like the new layout for albums: Although iTunes remains rubbish at fetching album art so most of them remain blank. I also love the new visualizer: But the new Genius function seems rushed and half-baked. I’ve tried for the last two hours to get it to work…
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1930s Experiments
Click the pic above to see a few attempts at getting a 1930s’ glow. Some work, some don’t. 🙂
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US Hypocrisy Reaches Critical Mass
Dick Cheney – proud mass-murderer US Vice-President Dick Cheney has condemned what he called Russia’s “illegitimate” attempt to change Georgia’s borders last month. Mr Cheney added that Russia’s actions during the recent conflict with Georgia had cast doubt on its reliability as an international partner. (Source: BBC News) This is the same Dick Cheney that…
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Bar Lisi Playlist 27/8/08
Whoop whoop! Another excellent night at Lisi, loads of people in what seemed like two shifts with an emptier bit around 10.30ish. Russian Circles The best new track tonight was Russian Circles’ ‘Harper Lewis.’ I don’t normally go for lengthy, instrumental rock but, blimey, is their new album good. ‘Harper Lewis’ moves from dreamy, swooshy…
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The USA Murders Sixty Children, Nobody Cares
There is convincing evidence that 60 children and 30 adults were killed in a US air strike in western Afghanistan last Friday, the United Nations says. The US originally said its planes had killed 30 militants in the attack in the province of Herat. “Investigations by Unama found convincing evidence, based on the testimony of…
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Russia vs. America – Some Facts You May Have Missed
President Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Russia formally recognises the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Mr Medvedev told the BBC Russia had tried to preserve Georgian unity for 17 years, but that the situation had changed after this month’s violence. He said Moscow now felt obliged to recognise South…
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Chocolate Cosmos
This wonderful flower is called a chocolate cosmos! And it does smell of choc! Click the pic for a few more snaps.
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Runner Bean
The beans are still very small but you might be able to spot them if you click the pic!