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Monday, May 12th, 2008
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4:35 pm
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I've just done a phone interview with Dan O'Connor of Four Year Strong. If you didn't get to see them at Give It A Name this weekend make sure you catch them at one of the Give It A Name Introduces shows. I'm going to start transcribing the interview now... You'll be able to find it in issue 57 of Black Velvet.
current mood:  good
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| Friday, May 2nd, 2008
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3:11 am
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I got my Broadway Calls interview transcribed last night - although still need to finish making it into an article. This evening I went to Kill Hannah's free Kerrang! Radio show at Birmingham Barfly. Thankfully my panic that the gig had actually been yesterday and I got the date wrong wasn't true, and we got to see a nice show by Kill Hannah in the small upstairs room at the Barfly/Sanctuary (with no support band).
A few pix are at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/killhannahphotos.htm
current mood:  tired
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| Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
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7:50 pm
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I just got off the phone from interviewing Ty from Broadway Calls. You can check BC out at http://www.myspace.com/broadwaycalls. They're on Adeline Records and will be in the UK soon to play Give It A Name and then a tour with All Time Low and Cobra Starship.
My interview will be in issue 57. Not out for a while (since issue 56 only just hit the streets), but I figured I'd get the interview done now while life wasn't so hectic (because part of May and most of June are gonna be crazy, lol).
I'm on a mission to get the interview all transcribed tonight.
PS. I'm stoked to hear that Matthew of Madina Lake is now vegetarian. How awesome. This makes me super-happy.
current mood:  working
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| Saturday, April 26th, 2008
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8:54 pm
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3:21 am
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Went to see Mindless Self Indulgence/Templeton Pek this evening at Birmingham Academy. Before going there I took the new Black Velvet to MSB Recording Studios in Bromsgrove and Dales News, the newsagents by the Academy. If you're by either make sure you go in and get one!
Some photos of Mindless Self Indulgence are now up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/msiphotos.htm
PS. I'm currently amused by Story Of The Year calling John Feldmann 'John Bon Feldy' in the thanks list of new album 'The Black Swan'.
current music: Story Of The Year - The Black Swan
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| Friday, April 25th, 2008
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8:39 am
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| Thursday, April 24th, 2008
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5:33 pm
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Black Velvet 56 is out now and includes:
- Interviews with The Audition, Jimmy Eat World, Simple Plan, Flyleaf, Goldfinger, City Sleeps, New Years Day, The Get Go, Kids In Glass Houses & Brigade (the latter includes a report on the band's videoshoot for new single 'Pilot').
- Heaps of concert reviews including 30 Seconds To Mars, Paramore, the Kerrang! Relentless Tour featuring Coheed & Cambria/Madina Lake, Fightstar, Circa Survive & the Good To Go Tour featuring MxPx/Punchline/The Get Go, The Audition/You Me At Six/Just Surrender, Sum 41, The Matches, Not Advised & Jimmy Eat World
- Tons of album, single and demo reviews from the likes of Goldfinger, Sick City, Them Terribles, The Playing Favorites, Four Year Strong, Dr Zhivegas, Flyleaf, Bambix, The Audition, Nonpoint, Plastic Toys, The Condors, New Found Glory, Crash Romeo, Kill Hannah, F451, Four Year Strong, The Crash Moderns, Anti-Flag and many, many more
- Column by Tommy Gleeson of Slaves To Gravity
- Rockin' America - column by Black Velvet's east coast USA correspondant Suzanne T.
- All the usuals such as 'Me Me Me & My Rock CV' (this issue featuring Scott Bartlett of Scream Promotions), zine and book reviews & Supersonic Future Superstars (featuring Exit Avenue, White Clouds And Gunfire and Rebel Territory).
- Cool ads from Crimson Casket, Crystal Productions, The Condors, Rattlesnake, Beat Photography, Rex Recording Studio, Millionaire Misfit & Rebel Territory
How To Get Your Copy Of Black Velvet 56:
IN PERSON: Go to one of the shops that stock Black Velvet. Check http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/shops.htm
ONLINE STORES: You can order Black Velvet online at
(UK)
http://www.fwmusicstore.co.uk
http://www.punkrockshop.co.uk
http://www.word-power.co.uk
http://www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk
http://www.beeunique.co.uk
(USA)
http://www.atomicbooks.com
http://www.quimbys.com
http://www.theeshop.com
(Australia)
http://www.waterfrontrecords.com
MAIL ORDER FROM BLACK VELVET: UK £2.50. USA $7 cash, Canada $9 cash, New Zealand $10 cash, Europe 5 Euro cash. All other countries please send either US$7 or 7 Euro cash. P&P/shipping included. UK only make cheques payable to Black Velvet. Black Velvet can ship anywhere, so no matter where you live, you can get Black Velvet delivered to your house.
TO: BLACK VELVET, 336 BIRCHFIELD ROAD, WEBHEATH, REDDITCH, WORCS. B974NG. ENGLAND
PAYPAL FROM BLACK VELVET: US $7, UK £2.50. Europe 5 Euro. Click the Paypal button on our page.
current mood: good
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| Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
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8:59 pm
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| Monday, April 21st, 2008
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1:20 pm
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Had quite a busy weekend this weekend. After going to the animal rights march in Oxford on Saturday (which meant getting up at 5.30am and getting back home just after 7pm), yesterday I went up to Nottingham to see Simple Plan. I've just put a few photos up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/simpleplanphotos.htm. Met Simple Plan's press officer at Atlantic for the first time which was cool.
current music: Brigade
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| Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
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8:13 am
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From bonjovi.com:
Bon Jovi has confirmed that their long-running, highly successful Lost Highway World Tour will finally come to an end with a pair of explosive shows at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on July 14th and 15th. Joining Bon Jovi will be opening act All American Rejects, who have previously warmed up the stage on two Lost Highway World Tour dates, including Bon Jovi’s 10-night run and grand opening of the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ in November 2007. With two shows to accommodate overwhelming fan demand, these performances mark the final milestone in the superstar band’s Lost Highway World Tour.
current mood:  excited
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| Thursday, April 10th, 2008
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2:43 pm - Halos Photos
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| Wednesday, April 9th, 2008
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9:56 pm
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I'm home from LA. The flight from LA to Frankfurt was one of the best flights I've had in a long time. It was less than half full, so while I should have been sat next to a Bert McCracken lookalike, I ended up moving seats and going to lie out across a row of 5 seats all on my own (well, I only took up 3 of the 5 seats). I actually fell asleep at one point and had two dreams. That said, I'm feeling a little jetlagged and not looking forward to work tomorrow. I've just been going through some photos from one of our days in Orange County. I met up with a couple of pals on the day of the second Bon Jovi show and we went to Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach. Check the photos in my blog at http://www.myspace.com/sbvphotography
Here's the pic of Fred of The Color Fred from Bamboozle (taken by Jett) with Black Velvet 54:
current mood:  exhausted
current music: City Sleeps - Not An Angel
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| Monday, April 7th, 2008
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1:14 am - Greetings from California
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I guess it's time for a little post from the US. I flew to LA on April 3rd. April 4th and 5th I went to see Bon Jovi at the Honda Center in Anaheim. I've written reviews for the official Bon Jovi fan club, http://www.backstagejbj.com. They're up on the news page. If you're a member you can read them. If you're not, you can't.
Today was Bamboozle Left. My pal Jett picked me up from Anaheim and we went to the Verizon Wireless Ampitheater in Irvine for the second day of Bamboozle Left. We watched lots of great bands, including Goldfinger, My Chemical Romance, Billy Talent, Blaqk Audio, Anti-Flag and The Color Fred. Bumped into John Feldmann while over by some of the food stalls and went to say hi to Fred of The Color Fred at the peta2 booth. All in all, had a great time, topped off with Gerard singing 'Livin' On A Prayer' during the My Chem set.
Have just arrived in Hollywood now, eaten vegan pizza and am in much need of sleep.
Off to the Roxy tomorrow night for the Brian Ewing art show featuring Finch, The Secret Handshake and Halos.
current mood: good
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| Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
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10:33 am
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Big thanks to Big Cheese for their review of Black Velvet 55 in their new issue. The 4/5 review mentions that Black Velvet 55 'offers up some great interviews', has 'plenty of gig reviews' and ends stating that it's a 'great 'zine that just keeps giving'.
Cue big smile from me. Thanks fellas.
current music: Four Year Strong - Rise Or Die Trying
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| Monday, March 31st, 2008
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10:24 pm - I should be doing Blaaaack Velvet work but...
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Lenny the lamb from Hillfields Animal Sanctuary is just too inspiring.
current music: Four Year Strong - Rise Or Die Trying
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| Sunday, March 30th, 2008
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9:06 pm
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| Thursday, March 20th, 2008
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8:12 am - I just got up and...
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| Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
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10:50 pm
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I just got off the phone from interviewing John Feldmann of Goldfinger. It was awesome to speak to him again. Seems like only yesterday (even though it was last Summer) that I interviewed John for the Vegan Society mag. So we talked all about the new Goldfinger album ('Hello Destiny' - which will be out on April 21st in the UK and April 22nd in the US) and other good stuff. I mentioned to him that 'Get Up' off the new album would be good for their myspace player... so if you see it appear, it was via a nudge from me! I totally want to put that song on my http://www.myspace.com/sbvphotography page, it's a great song with great lyrics.
The interview with John will be the last interview that gets in issue 56 of Black Velvet - which will be out at the end of April/beginning of May. I'm gonna go and start transcribing it in a few minutes.
So make sure you get the next Black Velvet - AND 'Hello Destiny'.
current mood: good
current music: Goldfinger
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| Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
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11:31 pm
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| Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
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5:45 pm - Def Leppard's Collen is a cool 'un.
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12:52 pm
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| Saturday, March 8th, 2008
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2:59 am
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| Tuesday, March 4th, 2008
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2:12 am - Sum 41
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Went to see Sum 41 at Birmingham Academy tonight, supported by Reuben and Sound And Fury. I've just put 24 Sum 41 photos up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/sum41photos.htm - they get 24 photos (rather than 12 or 15, or even 18) because they had awesome lighting. Best lighting I've had for a gig (at the Academy) in forever. If only every band had Sum 41's lighting, I would be a happy camper. I took almost twice the amount of pix that I usually do and I didn't frown or mumble under my breath once.
current mood: tired
current music: Goldfinger
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| Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
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4:23 pm
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3:03 am
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| Thursday, February 21st, 2008
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7:37 pm
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Remember when I did my week of volunteer work at the Vegan Society last August and I did a phone interview with John Feldmann of Goldfinger for The Vegan magazine? It had to be edited down a little due to space constraints. A couple of days ago I asked Roz @ The Vegan Society if it would be ok if I put up the unedited full length question and answer version onto the Black Velvet website - so a few more people can read it. She replied saying yes, so I've just put it up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/goldfinger.htm
Go read!
We talk about the environment, Kevin KJonaas, winning awards, Lostprophets, 'poo-poo and pee-pee' and lots more!
current mood:  giddy
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| Monday, February 11th, 2008
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7:12 pm - Even the keyboard knows the truth
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1:45 pm
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| Saturday, February 9th, 2008
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3:02 am - If I was a cheerleader I'd cheer 'T - I - R - E - D' except I wouldn't have the energy to cheer it
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| Friday, February 8th, 2008
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12:05 pm
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In my bid for the busiest week of the year so far in Black Velvet Land (although that's not saying much since I didn't go to a single gig in January), last night I went to the Kerrang! Relentless show at Birmingham Academy featuring Coheed & Cambria, Madina Lake, Fightstar and Circa Survive. I've just put a few small pix of the awesome Madina Lake up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/madinalakephotos.htm
current mood: busy
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| Thursday, February 7th, 2008
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11:11 am
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I just got an awesome book called 'Striking At The Roots: A Practical Guide To Animal Activism' by Mark Hawthorne, published by O Books (you can find it at http://www.o-books.com/product_info.php?cPath=110&products_id=477 - priced at £9.99/$19.95). The book features chapters such as leafleting, tabling, writing letters/articles, protests, animal sanctuaries, rescue centres, shelters, the global reach of multimedia and more. I haven't read it yet as it's only just arrived but I've had a flick through and it looks awesome. There's a lot of advice from PETA and I am even quoted on page 46 in the section 'Animal Writes: Letters, Opinion Pieces & Articles'. This section is largely about magazines such as Vegan Voice, Herbivore and VegNews (shame Lifescape wasn't included) that are vegan based mags although I say "Black Velvet is first and foremost a rock music magazine. However, as I believe in animal rights, I have included a couple of animal rights-based interviews over the years and a lot of the the time try to mention if a musician is vegetarian, vegan or a supporter of animal rights.'
There are lots of links, tips and it's great reading material if you care about animals and think you want to do something - rather than nothing - no matter how small. Every little bit counts.
I totally recommend that everyone get hold of the book and have a read. I'm going to take my own advice and start properly reading it now!
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| Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
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11:06 pm
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11:00 am
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| Sunday, February 3rd, 2008
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1:53 am
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| Saturday, January 26th, 2008
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6:07 pm - Black Velvet 55 Is Out Now
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Issue 55 includes
Interviews with Madina Lake, Motion City Soundtrack, Mindless Self Indulgence, Fightstar, Say Anything, My American Heart, You Me At Six, TheSTART, June, Holy Ghost Revival & a Q&A with Ortega
Heaps of concert reviews including My Chemical Romance, Alice Cooper, Taste Of Chaos featuring The Used, Rise Against, Aiden, Gallows and The Blackout, Bowling For Soup's Get Happy Tour, Sugarcult's 'Christmas In California', Elliot Minor, Neurosonic, You Me At Six, Pitchshifter, Hellogoodbye/Say Anything, Funeral For A Friend and Steriogram
Gazillions of album, single and demo reviews including CDs by The Color Fred, Blow Up Betty, Caffeine Kill, Pet Genius, Fell Far Behind, Envy On The Coast, Soraia, Caffeine Kill, Skindred, Serj Tankian, Victory Pill, Simple Plan, Say Anything, City Sleeps, Johnny Panic, Donnie Vie, Ted Poley, Kid Rock, Stevie Klasson, Avenged Sevenfold, Richie Kotzen, Powderfinger, The Lonely H, Chiodos, Moros Eros & Hundred Reasons
Rockin' America - column by Black Velvet's east coast USA correspondant Suzanne T.
Black Velvet's newest section - 'Me, Me, Me & My Rock CV'. You get to tell us what you do and why you do it. This issue featuring Luisa Mirabilio of Waterfront Records
All the usuals such as Fanzine Reviews, Books & Supersonic Future Superstars (featuring Love And A .45, The Electric Diorama and Dive).
Plus a free 2008 mini calendar. Perfect for your back pocket, wallet, handbag, desk or anywhere else you might want it to check a date!
Advertisers this issue are: Conscious Chocolate, Crystal Productions, Rebecca's Cakes, Johnny Panic, Maniacal Plan & Spiral Archive
To get this issue of Black Velvet:
Order online from:
(UK)
www.fwmusicstore.co.uk
www.punkrockshop.co.uk
www.word-power.co.uk
www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk
(USA)
www.atomicbooks.com
www.quimbys.com
www.theeshop.com
(AUSTRALIA)
www.waterfrontrecords.com
These stores can ship anywhere.
Go to one of the retail stores/stockists that stock Black Velvet. They include:
(UK)
Birmingham City Newsagents (Corporation St) & Dale News (by Birmingham Academy), Bromsgrove MSB Recording Studios, Cardiff Spillers, Derby Reveal Records, Dudley ST Records, Edinburgh Word Power, Hull Starhouse, Leeds Jumbo Records, London Virgin Records - Piccadilly Circus, Northampton Spiral Archive, Redditch Train Station Newsagents, Sheffield Rocky Horrors, Southampton October Books
(USA)
Austin, TX Book People, Baltimore, MD Atomic Books, Charlotte, NC Joseph Beth, Chicago, IL Quimbys Bookstore, Cincinnati, OH Shake It Records & Joseph Beth, Claremont, CA Rhino Records, Melbourne, FL Thee Shop, Lexington, KY Joseph Beth, Lyndhurst, OH Joseph Beth, Memphis TN Davis Kidd, Nashville, TN Davis Kidd, Pittsburgh, PA Joseph Beth, St. Louis, MO Star Clipper, Tampa, FL Vinyl Fever
(Australia)
Sydney Waterfront Records
Japan
Tokyo Shibuya HMV
Order from Black Velvet directly via the Paypal button on our MySpace page or www.blackvelvetmagazine.com
If you don't have paypal or a credit/debit card and would like to order Black Velvet, visit http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/contents.htm for more options.
http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com
And ooh look, Kids In Glass Houses have got their copy already!:
current mood: busy
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| Saturday, January 19th, 2008
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9:16 pm - I Spy Me
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Here's New Years Day's opening song from Anaheim House Of Blues supporting Sugarcult on my birthday - December 20th. If you look hard you can see me in the photopit. Always the best way to spend a birthday. Or any other day for that matter.
By the way, an interview with Ash of New Years Day will be in issue 56 of Black Velvet. And of course the review of this show will be in issue 55, which is coming soon.
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| Thursday, January 10th, 2008
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6:01 pm
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I've just done my first interview of the year. Kicking things off in fine style was Ely Dye, vocalist of the awesome City Sleeps. I caught these guys with Funeral For A Friend in Wolverhampton in December and was blown away. I hadn't actually heard the band prior to that point, although recognised their name (from them being in John Feldmann's top friends/John having recorded their album). I was so impressed I almost went to the merch table and bought their album right after their set. Then after contemplating my pauper-ness, I convinced my friend that maybe HE should buy the album FOR ME for my birthday. But then in the end we held back and I've since been sent a review copy from City Sleeps' UK press officer (ah, the joys of being a zine editor). So we scheduled a phone interview and I just got off the phone.
Of course due to Black Velvet 55 being at the printers, this means the interview won't be in print until issue 56. An album review is in issue 55 though, along with the Wolverhampton gig review.
current mood: good
current music: City Sleeps - Not An Angel
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| Tuesday, January 8th, 2008
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3:16 pm
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I've only just read this shocking news... Saw Keith play with the awesome 3 Colours Red a bunch of times (and met him briefly a few times). Check http://www.myspace.com/3cr if haven't listened to them - or just to remind yourself how great they were. I loved that band. Still do. RIP Keith. Condolences to Keith's family and friends.
http://www.therapyquestionmark.co.uk/news/read.php?newsid=228
It is with a truly heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of good friend and musician Keith Baxter. Many of you will know that he was the vastly talented drummer with Three Colours Red who helped Therapy? out in 2002 and was on our Scandanavian tour as well as many summer festivals that year.
All of us are in shock and our thoughts are with Rachael and his family as well as any former bandmates and crew who spent time with him.
An intelligent and humble man whose wide eyed sense of excitement was infectious, he will be missed by many and will always have a special place in our hearts.
Love and Respect,
Therapy?
Keith - on the cover of the early issue 15 of Black Velvet (second from left):
current mood:  shocked
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| Monday, January 7th, 2008
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11:22 pm
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I remember a couple of years or so ago after a trip to New York writing a blog on here and casually mentioning within it how I felt sorry for the horses that have to pull people around near Central Park after going up around that area and seeing some. I'm glad to see that P!NK and PETA have a great new advert out targeting those horse drawn cart rides:
Click on the ad to read more.
Oh and sign the petition!
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| Thursday, January 3rd, 2008
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12:19 pm - Free Black Velvet Calendar
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No rest for the wicked. It's all go, innit? I'm having to resend the files for Black Velvet 55 to the printers due to a slight technical hitch. Hopefully this time it will be ok.
In the meantime,
Black Velvet mini calendars!
See how good we are to our readers.
If you get the next Black Velvet... Issue 55... you will get a FREE Black Velvet mini calendar.
Now I know you probably have a calendar already. Hey, I have three, at least. But, you need a mini calendar. Nothing is as good as a mini calendar. You can carry it in your purse or wallet, or your back pocket. It is just a bit bigger than a business card, with the Black Velvet covers, logo etc on one side and 2008 calendar on the other. So no matter where you are... no matter what you're doing, you'll have the dates of 2008, and a little slice of Black Velvet.
So order Black Velvet 55 right now to make sure you get your get a free mini calendar. Treat it as a late Xmas pressie from me to you. 'Cuz I ♥ ya. Black Velvet 55 will be out at right the end of Jan.
current music: Stone Halo
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| Monday, December 31st, 2007
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5:34 pm
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So it's New Years Eve and in a few hours we can say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2007. I'm hoping that 2008 is a great one for us all. For me, for Black Velvet, for the ones I love, for you, for the animals, for the earth and everyone on it that deserves goodness and happiness...
I've just washed my hair and now I'm ready to rock. By rock I mean start on the last page of Black Velvet 55. Yep, it's nearly complete and no, I'm not going out tonight. I'm going to get Black Velvet 55 finished. Maybe I'm boring... but I figure I can go out on any night of the year. And I already know that 2008 is going to be a year of lots of gigs and tours. I don't need to go out on New Year's Eve just because it's the end of one year and beginning of the next and everyone else is going out - especially when there are no good concerts in Birmingham to quench my thirst. Tonight I'm going to stay in, get Black Velvet finished - and then, well maybe I'll start on issue 56 as well while I'm at it (there's already an interview I need to research for and I have a pile of CDs here)! I might give myself an hour or two off to watch a DVD I was given from a friend for Xmas (by the way, who's watched Ratatouille? I pretty much NEVER watch movies but it was on my flight to LA and it was sooooo cute! If anyone wants to get me a belated birthday or Xmas pressie, send me Bee Movie because that looks cool too!)... but for the most part I'll be ringing in the new year working on Black Velvet - as always.
Make it your New Year's Resolution to subscribe to and read every issue of Black Velvet!
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| Saturday, December 29th, 2007
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3:10 pm - Reformations
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Reformations annoy the hell out of me. It always seems like a band reforms after splitting up, going their separate ways, trying their hand at new projects and not achieving as much success as they did in THAT BAND. So after a few years they figure THAT BAND is worth starting again. Am I cynical in thinking most reformed bands reform for monetary aspects? I mean, sure, your heart was there initially and you gave everything to that project, but then you all left it. You gave it up for x amount of years. If it really counted, would you have done that? Why return & restart now? I know sometimes musicians need a break from one type of music or scene, but...
But anyway, one reformation that I'm actually happy about is Eve 6. And I hear that Matt of our beloved Bandcamp is touring with them for the time being.
Damn. Come to England.
current music: Eve 6's myspace tunes
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| Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
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5:00 pm - CHOC
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A few days before the Sugarcult Christmas show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim that I went to (on my birthday), the band played an acoustic set for some of the children at the Children's Hospital Of Orange County. Living The Dream (Hurley) arranged for the band to play for some of the kids that suffer from cancer, cystic fibrosis, renal failure and more. Check out the footage at the link below - and then next time you're at a gig complaining about the setlist, or just complaining about life in general, remember those who are less well off and don't have the chance to do half the things that us healthy folk do.
http://www.hurley.com/index.cfm?aid=8666&e=showVideo&height=338&width=600&TB_[iframe]=true
current mood:  touched
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1:44 am
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| Tuesday, December 25th, 2007
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9:33 pm - More photos...
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5:58 pm
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| Monday, December 24th, 2007
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8:21 pm
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I got back home to the UK about 3 hours ago. I have a cold. It's not too bad yet. I'm guessing it will be worse tomorrow. I've just put a few photos from the Sugarcult Xmas show (AKA Shari's birthday show) up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/sugarcultphotospage2.htm
I have a huge pile of work and am not sure what to start on next. I have photos of the other bands that supported Sugarcult to put online. I also have photos of Spiders & Snakes from the Cleopatra Records Xmas Party show and The Penfifteen Club photos from December 21st. Oh, and some scenic Shari does photography pix, such as Hollywood Blvd at night and Malibu Beach on a cold winter's day. That's not really work but I'll post a handful in the blog of http://www.myspace.com/sbvphotography. I have my Sugarcult review to type up, an album review to type up, and the last few pages of Black Velvet to lay out, proofread and complete before New Year. I have lots of mail to open too.
At some point I need to unpack.
current mood:  sick
current music: The Playing Favorites - I Remember When I Was Pretty
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| Friday, December 21st, 2007
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10:17 am - My birthday / LA / Sugarcult
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So it was my birthday yesterday. Yep, it's true, I really AM 196. But anyway, I flew to Los Angeles on December 19th, the day before my birthday, and I'm having a good time over here celebrating my ancient-ness. After 3 connecting flights and an arrival into LAX at 4.30pm, my pal drove me to my accommodation where I had a couple of hours to get ready before heading over to the Viper Room for the Cleopatra Records Christmas Party. It was my first time ever at the Viper Room. As it was a special Xmas Party we were all on the guestlist. I took photos of Spiders & Snakes, since Tim had sorted a photopass for me. We watched Spiders & Snakes, Blackboard Jungle (such a blast from the past - I used to love those guys in the early 90s), Jetboy, Stephen Pearcy and more. Stephen Pearcy sang all the old Ratt classics such as 'Round And Round'. I finally got back to my hotel just before 2am and crashed out until the traffic outside woke me up at the much too early hour of 7.30am.
Yesterday, my birthday, was spent in Anaheim. My pal Jett picked me up at midday and we went for vegan pizza, then to Wholefoods (gotta stock up on Eco-Planet non-dairy cheddar crackers and the like), and then drove down to Anaheim where we had a wander around the stores near the House Of Blues. Sugarcult were headlining and it was good to see the SOLD OUT sign lit up at the front of the venue. The night was awesome with Them Terribles, Rocket, Lorene Drive and New year's Day supporting. I took photos of all of the bands. At around 10.30 Sugarcult took to the stage... a review will be squeezed into Black Velvet 55 before it heads off to the printers... around New Year's Day (no pun intended). It was so good to see them again. It's been a year and a half since I last caught them in New York, and way, way too long since they toured the UK (thanks to their label V2 screwing up and dying). Seeing them play one awesome song after the other reminded me how amazing they are, how much they've been missed and how they really deserve something good happening for them. Go check http://www.myspace.com/sugarcult and listen to their wonderfulness.
Marko gave me a copy of his side project's (The Playing Favorites) CD. Go check them out too at http://www.myspace.com/theplayingfavorites
Today I'm meeting up with a pal and heading over to Malibu - as I've never been there and feel like checking the place out... and then back to another show in Hollywood tonight.
current mood: happy
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| Wednesday, December 12th, 2007
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11:28 am
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1:33 am
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Went to see Funeral For A Friend (and Kids In Glass Houses and City Sleeps) tonight at Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Took photos of Funeral For A Friend. I've just put 12 b&w pix up at http://www.blackvelvetmagazine.com/ffafphotos.htm
I was most impressed with City Sleeps who I'd never seen before. A band for a future Black Velvet methinx. I was also impressed with Aled of Kids In Glass Houses for wearing a Bon Jovi T-shirt onstage.
A review of the show will be in issue 55 of Black Velvet.
current mood: exhausted
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