Amsterdam (25/12/2005 01:56:39)
This band is nothing to do with Rock Idols but I recommend you all go and listen to Amsterdam, www.amsterdam-music.com. Joes kiss is probably my favourite song from their excellent album, the journey. 31

First round is done (21/12/2005 03:28:10)
Wow, that was a long one. Had some great gigs and some not so great gigs but its all over and now we get into the second round where things to get a bit more serious. The second rounds are booked and the bands confirmed. Be sure to check out all those playing and try to come and give them some support where possible.

I feel I should some awards out for a few things so here we go:

Feel the rhythm award for best drummer: Has to be the dude from Silverysky or the touchs skinsman.

Da' Funk award for best bassist: Fred from the strand without any doubt. Wobble those legs.

The axl rose award for best frontman: There are a few that deserve a mention. The guy from Livid is pretty funny, as is the guy from blind pilots but they are trying to hard to copy things from the past. The guy from the colors had some awful shoes but I think the best frontman award has to go to your man out of the Brights.

Joney stoddern award for best Guitarist: very very difficuly I really liked the guy from the Hartes but the award has to go to Nick from 4ft Pimp

Cool as fuck: We see foxes by ten lengths. Fucking awesome band, my favourites so far and that is saying a lot because I love a lot of the bands.

The fussy fuck award as choosen by Paul Tong of Rebbeca: Either We see foxes, Azure glow or Star studded 78.

So what are my predictions for the final? I dunno but I'll see you there...

Now that Im back home there should be some good updates going on. 30

Why music journalism sucks (28/11/2005 01:14:14)
Most reviews and descriptions of bands in press such as the NME doesnt actually make any sense. Its just a collection of big buzz words put together in a way to make the band sound good but in fact it does nothing to describe the band at all.

I read a review recently that said something along the lines of listening to the music made you feel like a firework, embracing the night in your arms! What the FUCK does that mean?

I suck at reviews, I suck at most things but at least I know my role. Will people like the NME please get some reviews that create some sort of idea about what a band actually sound like. We need some sort of universal system for reviews accessible to everyone.27

The tour (28/11/2005 01:06:53)
Dont worry Im still alive, the tour van hasnt been run of the hard shoulder. I just havent had much time to blog of late.

This year has been quite mental, four gigs in the space of a week is no easy task. Next week I have four gigs in four days and although not all four are rock idols gigs I do have Glasgow and London on consecutive days (why did i book that??)

Hoochie Coo will be playing ULU on Friday 2nd December. Entry is free but you do need a ticket (which is free). They are collectable from me (in person) outside ULU between 7.15-7.45pm. The Brights are also playing so be sure to come down.

On Saturday 3rd December Rebbeca will be playing a home town gig at the Zanzibar in Liverpool. Come down if your in the area and see what all the fuss is about.

Ill do a big long blog on my fave bits of the tour once its over. But for now I recommend you look at my picks to see the best bands so far...26

What an interesting night that was (16/11/2005 02:12:41)
So on the day of the heat it turned out the room we had booked months in advance at Birmingham Guild of students was no longer available. So in 3 hours I had to book a new venue and alert all the bands playing including the ones coming down from Warwick.

Luckily thanks to the help of a few people we managed to book the Bar Academy and the night went relatively smoothly. I even discovered one of the best bands to grace rock idols so far. Definitely up there with we see foxes and they are azure glow, check them out in my picks section.

See you in Sussex25

A quick catch up (14/11/2005 02:06:43)
Hello again. I havent been on this section for a while. The tour is now in swing and Ive been loosing sleep and a small amount of sanity. Ive also embarked on the brave decision of writing this blog directly into the html thing that AJ kindly made for me without putting it through MS word first. That means this blog has not been spell checked, which is worrying considering my rather slim grasp of the English language.

Anyway leeds was on Saturday and I have to say that Leeds University is without any doubt the best in the country for good times and fine women. Trust me on this one. If you have not yet made the decision about which university you wish to attend may I reccomend Leeds. How many double letters is in reccommend? shall I just use as many as possible? I reccoommeendd that I do. Can you rreccoommeennd something to yourself?

The best two bands of the competition so far for me have been We see foxes from Liverpool and The Touch from Leeds so check them out.

Ill be back in touch soon.24

First Night (03/11/2005 01:25:11)
The first gig of this tour is over and I would like to give a mention to one band in particular and that is we see foxes. Those guys are fucking awesome. Check out their mini site HERE.

I would particularly recommend ‘Open your eyes' incredible tune. 23

Tomorrow it begins (01/11/2005 00:24:16)
So the Rock Idols 2005 tour officially kicks off today in my hometown of Liverpool, although it doesn't really get busy until Monday when the tour bus gets cracking. Even if your band didn't make it to Rock Idols Live this year you should come check out the bands that did, keep your mini site regularly updated and then try again next year.

Tomorrow will not only see the first gig but it will see the return of Last years winners, Rebbeca, and also a Rock Idols Classics set by Trailerpark Trash. Both of whom are worth the night alone.

On another note, now that Xfm finally got www.xfm.co.uk/rockidols up I've decided to restart my picks since they are included on the site. After each rock Idols Live gig I will update my picks, if a band are really good they will last for a good while on the picks, otherwise they might quickly get knocked off. This is when the Editors picks will start receiving a lot of traffic and a place is worth a lot more to bands, so send your cash my way ;P

See you all tomorrow at John Moores Union, I'll be the handsome unshaven one... 21

Rock Idols Live bands (31/10/2005 17:47:26)
Just added a nice new link on the left hand side of the Rock Idols music (in the grey box) that allows everyone to see who is playing which heats at Rock Idols live and gives you a link to their mini site. So if you want to see who is playing at a heat then you can. Remember that last years winners, Rebbeca, will also be playing a promotional set at every first round heat. Its worth coming to the heats just to see them!

I will be updating this section from now so keep checking for the latest bands to be confirmed 20

Rebbeca's new tune (25/10/2005 17:31:50)
Check out Rebbeca's latest download, it's a clip from their new single, Loaded Gun. Listen to it HERE.

Remember these guys will be playing a promotional set at every first round heat as last years winners. 19

xfm.co.uk/rockidols (11/10/2005 23:17:26)
Xfm.co.uk/RockIdols I must apologise for the fact that this site is not up yet. I am going in to xfm tomorrow to check it over and get it up. I'll make sure that the first bands to go up on there as my picks are ones that have been up on here before to make sure they get the exposure.

On another note may I point out I have updated my weekly/fortnightly picks and I would like to extra recommend Monkey Tribe to anyone who has a musical appreciation beyond just rock.

I'm going away for 5 days tomorrow night so I might be a bit quiet and any questions sent to me may be unanswered. I'll be back though so don't worry :) 16

Lack of Blogging (09/10/2005 13:43:43)
I promised that I was going to blog regularly and this last week I have not kept that promise. I apologise, I've been crashing in mates places round London but I'm going back to Liverpool where internet is plentiful today so I'll update my picks tonight and let you all know whats going on in the world of Rock Idols. 15

Want to help out and get involved with Rock Idols? (07/10/2005 13:04:04)
Just to a quick blog to let people know that Rock Idols is always willing to accept help from like minded music fans. If your interested in promoting music, organizing gigs, doing reviews, interviews or anything you can think of that might interest us then please get in contact through HERE.

We will be in touch asap to any contacts. 14

Recommended Gigs (05/10/2005 13:24:07)
I just want to advertise a gig by a band from Rock Idols music, called the Strand.
You can view their mini site Here
They are headlining the Hope and Anchor in Islington on Saturday 8th October. They will be on stage about 10pm. I highly recommend them, their live performance is fantastic.

Secondly, I've just been given two nights through the music tourist board, http://www.musictouristboard.co.uk/ The nights are Monday 7th November and Monday 14th November. I won't be able to actually attend the night but I will be booking the bands, organizing the event and sending one of my minions to do the stuff on the night. Already booked for these nights are Hoochie Coo, The Brights and The Strand.

The gigs are at the Walpole Arms on New cross road but I'll give more info nearer the time. 13

What does the general public (you) like to hear? (02/10/2005 18:43:46)
Last night I went to a gig in Manchester and Rebbeca were playing. They were playing just after the headline band (which was a bit weird). Now Rebbeca always give a truly spectacular live performance and always sound huge, like U2 or muse say. However it was clear that this particular audience were not fans of the ‘big' sound. This boggled my mind a bit at first because I can't understand how anyone would not like that stadium sized sound. Then I realized just how strange music is and just how hard it is for a band to build a following when everyone has such individual and constantly changing tastes. So what do you really want to hear? Maybe someone should do a national survey and sell the info to bands!12

Editors Picks (29/09/2005 16:56:07)
Today, Thursday 29th September, I finally got round to updating my picks section. I hereby solemnly swear that from this week onwards I will update my picks every week on a Thursday. If I don't may my head become bald and my arse become smelly. Anyway check out my picks. I particularly recommend We see foxes although at the moment they have yet to upload any mp3's to Rock Idols so you have to click through to their own site to hear them.11

A Joke and review advice.... (28/09/2005 18:24:49)
Firstly I'll tell the joke (by tell I mean copy it from one website and paste it into my blog)...

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing.
He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed."
"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That`s terrible!"
His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President
sits, head in hands.
Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

Secondly, how does one write a review of a band?? I find it really hard. There are the obvious things to say, like compare to other bands, say how good they are as musicians on their instruments, slag off their vocals and round up with whether you would pay hard earned cash for it. But that's just boring, what makes a good review??? Please let me know. That's it for me today. 9

Back in Liverpoool (27/09/2005 11:37:15)
So I'm living back up north in the promised land for a bit. Rebbeca, last years Rock Idols Live winners, are playing at the night and day cafe on Saturday, 1st October, as part of the in the city festival in Manchester. I was with them in their studio last night and they are sounding great. They are on around 12.30am in night and day cafe, if you can come and check them out. It will be a good day anyway. I'm going to be blogging a bit more from now on as I have nothing to do now other than Rock Idols (finished uni, horrah!). 8

Rock Idols Live update (12/09/2005 10:56:53)
Today, 10/09, I have finally got round to going through entrants for Rock Idols Live 2005. So if you have applied you can expect to hear from me within the next week either confirming your place or saying you will have to wait till nearer the date. If and when I come across any gems I will be sure to put them up in my picks section so keep checking my picks and my blog. Its good to see so many applicants and Im really looking forward to the tour.7

Xfm Update (12/09/2005 10:56:12)
So we have officially announced that xfm are going to be supporting us this year on both the live and music side of Rock Idols.
So your wondering what this means. Well firstly it means they are going to be helping us out with promoting rock-idols.com online through banners on their website and mentions on their mailing list. This means more people coming to check out bands registered with us.
Secondly it gives rock idols a great name association giving us much higher regard amongst music industry personnel.
And most importantly we are soon to be launching xfm.co.uk/rockidols and on this site I will have the freedom to promote what I want (within legal reason obviously, I think my emu wrestling federation will be staying underground for now!) When this is launched I have decided to include previous Rock Idols winners, ie Hoochie Coo and Rebbeca, last years finalists and of course editors picks (so start sucking up to me and you might get your band promoted on xfm's web site (how good is that eh!) 6

My Introduction (02/09/2005 11:44:17)
Id best introduce myself, Im the guy who is going to be reviewing your stuff but dont worry Im a nice guy (if you dont piss me off). I have respect for music of any genre, if you have the balls to make it and put it out to other people then its not my place to say its crap but it is my place to praise it if I find it particularly pleasing to my lug holes.

I will try to review everyone but dont get offended if I dont review your music. Its either because I havent gotten to your review yet or because I am impartial to your sound and am getting someone else to review it who will be a bit more enthusiastic (surely this is better than a bad review).

If your simply browsing for bands and want to know if my opinion counts for anything well read my top 10 favourite bands of all time (in no particular order apart from Guns n Roses are number 1) and why I like them
Guns n Roses November Rain and Estranged created by genius I cant even comprehend, simple as.
U2 Their 3 best albums couldnt sound any different to each other, they are namely War, pop and The Joshua Tree. If you dont agree I completely respect that, all of their albums have unique sounds and are great in their own ways.
Aerosmith A band who have survived time, sex, drugs and rock n roll. A band that both you and your dad love and a band who can play their new songs at concerts without the older generation of fans complaining.
Manic Street Preachers How James ever managed to create music to fit some of the lyrics provided by Richie still amazes me, the fact that he made the music not only fit but sound fuckin good is just genius.
Jimi Hendrix I play the guitar, what more can I say.
AC/DC Gym music, makes me run faster and last longer.
Andrew WK This man IS a god. With him its all about fun and good times. His theory is that if your music makes people happy then its good, Id like to see anyone attempt to challenge that theory. Plus if youve ever been to one of his gigs you will know what a nice guy he is (gets fans up on stage, hangs round signing autographs and having beers with fans, rings up people who buy his album to thank them)
Hoochie Coo Ok, youve never heard of these guys, they won the first Rock Idols live competition a couple of years ago and they are awesome.
The Cure Just like heaven is the greatest love song ever written and their other stuff is pretty damn good too. Ive never connected to lyrics like I have to some of the tracks on Bloodflowers, The world is neither fair nor unfair, the ideas just a way for us to understand.
Tom Petty Every album made by this guy, be it solo, with the heartbreakers or with the critically acclaimed but relatively unknown Travelling wilburys. is oober. Just a pointer for those of you who dont know who the travelling wilburys are, its a band consisting of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and George Harrison (I bet if you havent heard of them your gonner go check them out now eh! Listen to tweeter and the monkey man).

So thats my music. Rock Idols live has introduced me to some fantastic bands who I may never of hears otherwise and Hopefully the new rock idols music site is going to be an equal source. And if or when I do find something great Ill be sure to put it in my picks for the week, so check them out. 3