Well, as gigs go tonight's was fucking brilliant. If you can imagine a concert with three bands each of which was worthy of headlining on their own you might get the picture.

First up was Byrne who I can only describe as indescribable. Yes, that it, I can't use my usual NME style of describing the as remnants of other bands. They were rocktastic, musical, and just god damn lovely. They really should be at Wembley rather than a tiny club in Cambridge. Great things will come of them, I promise you.

After a brief interlude where Tikka almost bought herself a backing singer job and we realised just how nervous the Broken Family Band were tonght Saloon came on. Now these were a lot more pedestrian much to my embarrasment since I mentioned to the bass and violin player how much I prefered Byrne. Nevermind, she wasn't that good looking anyway. They sound an awful lot like Stereolab.

The Broken Family Band were, as always, fantastic. Not as much banter as usual, but I think it's because they were nervous. Instead of the usual floating backing singer (Mary happened to be in Bulgaria) they had a guy playing the accordion/squeezebox and I have to say it worked rather well, lending a very Cajun sound to the proceedings. I would hope that both accordion and female backing singers become a permanent fixture as this would give them a much needed boost to their sound. Don't tell Tikka though, she has aspirations.

And to top it off, some of us headed to KamBar, which on alternate Saturday nights is indie. T'was rather good and to prove what a small town Cambridge is Mick, the drummer from the Broken Family Band was there, giving the sign of the horns as was strange Forbidden Planet guy.

All in all a fantastic night. Well done Cambridge.
Pip Pip
Damo.

Athlete played a great gig last night. Think 1980's video game sounds playing on a keyboard accompanying some great Coldplay rock and you haven't even come close to their sound. They seemed to really enjoy what they were doing which always makes a nice change in a world where most bands look bored and apathetic. I'd recommend checking them out if you can but it's probably not a good idea to try to yell Bubble Bobble during the quiet bits.

You can now listen to my LaunchCast Station

I'm off to see Athlete tonight. I suspect a review will appear soon.

Fig or Die! Fig or Die!

This report of the recent India v New Zealand cricket match from The Guardian made me laugh. It probably says more about how interesting a game of cricket is than any other piece of reporting.

The Turin Brakes:
Playing at the Corn Exchange appears to be the sign of making it in Cambridge and it seems that this lot have made it.

If you think of Radiohead with a ton of Pink Floyd riffs and the whole musical soundscape thang that I like so much then you've half an idea what these guys are like. They seem fairly low key on stage, preferring the music and light show to do the talking but it worked very well. They're not your typical Rock God band.

Unfortunately we missed the support band I am Kloot which was a shame. Maybe they'll be playing at Glastonbury.

I have to stop this gimpery.

Especially as I've only slept an hour last night.


You come from the Middle Ages. Your soul came from
a time when dragons, knights, war and
Princesses ruled the land.

Where Did Your Soul Originate?
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I hate feeling sick.

But in all honesty I would love to know who stole the leg of time.

I tell you what. I'm going to go to bed and once the leg has been place on my bedroom locker there'll be no repurcussions Terry.

Good stuff, eh?

The annual, Catholic, Giving-things-up competition has started again. That's right, yesterday was Ash Wednesday and it's time to offer up something nice and yummy for a bloke who died on a cross a couple of thousand years ago. This year I'm using it as an excuse to give up smoking. That's right, boys and girls, so you have fair warning that I could kill you if you wind me up at the wrong time.

Actually, I got myself a nicotine inhaler and it seems to be working out just fine. I still miss an old smoke, but at least the cravings are lessened. We'll see what happens when I head out tonight - I imagine the £50 bet I have with a housemate on lasting will keep me focused.