The land where dreams come true...

You know those places, the sorts where dreams are made... for arguments sake lets say Disneyland for example. Well add a bunch of Shoreditch folk, a lot of alcohol, a sprinkling of sand and a dash of salsa dancing and you get Shunt (the 'interactive' gallery/club under London Bridge station). Well i'll tell you something...i've never seen anything like it in my life.

In every alcove a different magical experience awaits, from bingo to pinball. One room had a caravan, a beach complete with sandcastles and even the sea. You better believe it kids. A trip to the little chapel gave every tipsy couple the chance to get hitched, even offering wedding attire and bouquets. Sounds a little bit Glasto doesn't it?

Ten pounds may be a tall order for students but i'll tell you it's the best tenner i've spent in months. Not a pretentious club kid in sight which was the refreshing twist. Having said that who's too cool to build sandcastles and go paddling in the sea? Most definitely not me that's for sure. Now if you excuse me i'm off to wash the sand out of my ...ahem toes.

When it rains, it pours.

Men are like london buses. When you want one it is the hardest thing to track down in the world, and when you aren't too bothered, it's sunny outside and you want to save a bit of cash so you may as well walk, three come at once.

This is my social observation of the week. Horoscopes have regrettably become my best friends.

On the contrary to the headline it has been gloriously sunny here in the Capital this week. It is however highly unfortunate that on the hottest day of the year i am cooped up inside writing this blog and 'revising'. I call it 'revising' because it isn't really. It's just flicking through my notes aimlessly hoping something might stick. Here's hoping.

I am also particularly sad today because it is Darwen music festival, perhaps the greatest thing that has ever happened to Blackburn and Darwen since the 10 hour day. And i am stuck here in oh so sunny London. That doesn't quite sound right does it?

Anyway my books are calling me so i will return with more enlightening tales next time.

Most certainly not the National Front.

Neils Children and Disconcerts @ The Queen of Hoxton 04/05/09


The whole of the moustache club were out in Shoreditch last night to see these two fresh new bands on the scene at a free, yes you heard me right, free gig in the lovely brand spanking new Queen of Hoxton which is just fabulous don't you know. Unusual crowd considering the band were very much british punk which for me was unexpected. I, clad in my tartan dress was very fitting with the politically fuelled tales of backstreet Britain. How very working class.

The Disconcerts were up first and although raising a relatively small crowd they provided a quick travel back in time to the 1970's for their short 30minute set. The lead singer's voice was not unlike Johnny Rotten's, the difference between these young lads and Pistols being that the disconcerts could play their instruments. Very well in fact. The only way to appreciate this music was to po go like it was 1979 and is just what the crowd did.

Towards the end of the set the Queen started to fill up and after the whole place cleared for that all so very important cigarette for the Shoreditch crew, they were back for Neil's Children.



(Before their makeover!)

I've seen this band before but i am pretty sure the lead singer did not look like the little boy from This is England last time??! Clad in docs, drainpipes, shirt and braces the lead singer/guitarist could easily have been an extra in the film. The bassist looked very drawn and Ian Curtis like with his polo shirt done up to the top and the drummer had black and blonde hair sticking out all over the place in a gothic esque way. This band looked like they shouldn't work but they really, really did.

After some heckling from the crowd...is it ok to shout peodophile at a band member nowadays?? I didn't know that was normal protocol! The band got underway. The lead singers cock-e-ney english tones with the fast paced guitar riffs worked so well. It was the sort of set you couldn't not dance to. After a whopping hour and a half without a break(!) i take my hat off to those lads...the room was awash with sweaty looking club kids (mostly with moustaches, when will this trend end?)

What an exellently free night in a lovely venue with some not so lovely people...i'm talking to you creepy guy stood in front of me.

Definitely support these lovely lads.