Thursday, 29 September 2011

Sunday, 25 September 2011

Knackered

Did a 15 mile ride yesterday, even though I was really knackered after The Nightwire show on Friday.

That was a lot of fun and we played very well. The sound was excellent too but it's a good job the people I had asked to watch us had turned up. So even though the gig was great, I was left feeling a it disheartened as there were so few people there. I'm starting to get pissed off at playing empty rooms, we're too good for that. Those there enjoyed it but we deserve so much better.

I look around at other acts who are getting recognition and they are nowhere near as good as us. They don't have the songs, the singer or even the backing vocals for that matter or the stage craft. But they know which is the right arse to lick or they are getting the luck that we aren't. To be honest, I don't know how much longer I can go on without getting up to the next level. The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that we are still writing such great songs. The bullshit that I hear on the gigging scene is really starting to become a drag and I can't bear it for much longer. having to say to bands you were great when it's so far from the truth, is just fucking stupid. Why can't I say "your so fucking shit and I want to be playing with better bands"

And the lack of common courtesy within the gigging scene is astounding. I lend people bits of gear and get no thanks whatsoever. Or we thank a band from the stage and they can't bring themselve to extend the same thanks to us. Well you know what, fuck em, I can't be arsed to even speak to people like that anymore. If that makes them think I arrogant the so be it. I haven't got time or the energy to deal with people like that any longer.

And it's some of the established artists who are the worst for having no manners whatsoever. We supported a singer who was in a good band and is now playing acoustic (think about the size of bovine animals and singing with a comedy double act) who ignored us basically when we tried to chat with him and couldn't be arsed to watch us or even thank us for playing. Ignorant bastard. Or the Seattle band we supported who couldn't be bothered to watch us because "3 bands is too much music for us to listen to" they were idols of ours, but you should never meet your idols!

We've met a few great people during our time, Friday night being a case in point with the ever supportive Ted and Andie and the lovely Ann Duggan who we supported. But it's always the wankers who stick in my mind and bug me. Thats probably just my problem and I should forget about them, but as you get older, that gets more difficult.

Just take a deep breath.........

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

No fucking time

No fucking time to do anything really*

No bike riding, hardly used the new camera, no recording going on. Mainly because work is really fucking hard at the moment.

The Nightwires have quite a few gigs booked which is great, but my energy levels are low so its hard trying to sort rehearsals for these shows. I'm sure we will be great but I feel I'm getting worn down.

*Sorry for the swearing

Thursday, 8 September 2011

A morning mind clearer

17.99 miles 10.1mph avaerage. Not bad saying first ride for a fortnight. Mad dogs and kamakarzee (sp) squirells.

Friday, 26 August 2011

Post work ride

Got out yesterday after work. 16.87 miles 11mph average. Getting better and my knees dont hurt so much this morning!

Bombed it on the way back as I overtook a couple of people and didn't want to get caught by them again. Stupid idiot.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Nikon D7000 - rather good!

The newly purchased Nikon d7000 is rather good! First "shoot" at Carsington Water last weekend proved it is very easy to use and quite logical (neither of those things apply to me!)No thats not a beach, it is a resevoir! Full report to follow.









Monday, 15 August 2011

New tyres, better ride



Did my second ride post holiday yesterday. The first was a disaster and left me yearning gears again in my usual kneejerk way.

Yesterday felt alot better however and I managed 19.4 miles at 10.7mph average. This was the second outing for my new Maxxis tyres. A Crossmark on the rear and Advatage on the front. The Crossmark is a pure race tyre with very low profile tread so reading the reviews, I thought I'd better go for something grippier on the front, hence the Advantage. This is the grippiest tyre I've had for a while but I think the rolling resistance is decent and the Crossmark on the rear certainly helps with that. Got a double puncture in teh crossmark near home though!!

Still trying to think of ways to make the bike lighter as well but theres not alot of room left for that. Tubeless? not sure. Maybe lighter pedals woulf help but I like the platform on my Times. Carbon bars? I love the Ragley Carnegies I have but stepping up to the carbon version is a £95 expense I could spend elsewhere at the mo. I do still thing silver Thomson seatpost and stem would look rather good however!

I have splashed out on another camera too! a Nikon d7000 dslr and 35mm lense. More on that to come!