hotpress.com members update: "All Xtravision staff think they are Randall from Clerks"
27 June 2007
Hello there happy campers! Campers, we say, because we at hotpress.com are gearing up for the festival season. Yes indeedy, Oxegen is almost upon us, and this issue we're tackling all things festive. So, while we're in this good mood, let's continue with this week's cheery ezine!
Last week we were extremely nice to you with this little gem of a lyrical teaser:
"Her brother started school
Again today, a thought to pass the time
To occupy my mind, while I'm waiting for her"
Nice and Irish, we said. Well it could only be Ash with 'Goldfinger', which was a single way back in 1996. Where does the time go? hazie was one of the many who remembered the mystery lyrics as if they were yesterday, so congratulations to you! We won't mention that a certain bigbros thought it was Oh Yeah. We won't mention that at all ;)
Now, whiling away some more time with another testy teaser:
"You could get arrested for
getting your kit off in the street
How many times have I told you
It's not polite to meet and greet"
...who's this discourager of nudity? Let us know by hitting reply!
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VOTE FOR YOUR FIVE DESERT ISLAND DISCS
What did the critics think were the best albums over the last 30 years? We look back at critics' choices - and YOU vote on your faves!
Have a look at what Hot Press has chosen as its favourite albums throughout its 30 years - and then vote for YOUR favourites.
Hot Press' critics - including Liam Mackey, Jim Carroll, Neil McCormick and Kim Porcelli - have over the last 30 years always pondered the "best albums of the year".
We pulled up the top five from each year and reckoned you'd get a bit of fun reliving them - suffice to say we won't name those who voted for what, and NO we don't understand how they left Never Mind The Bollocks out of their top 5 in 1977 either!
Controversial omissions aside - and Peter Murphy dissects some of them in the magazine - we reckon you'd be able to produce a cracking five album fiesta.
Interesting? Yes. Fun? Of course. And will your vote really count? Indeed it will.
Have a look at the albums and vote here: http://www.hotpress.com/vote/30yearsalbums/albums.adp
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NEW ISSUE - OUT TOMORROW!
It's the Hot Press Oxegen issue, meaning we're here to tell you everything you need to know about this year's festival. With arguably the line-up of the summer, there's no shortage of amazing bands ready for a pre-gig chat. We spoke to headliners Snow Patrol, Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro and indie-heads Razorlight. There's even an interview with Sinead O'Connor, carried out by none other than Mr Shane MacGowan himself! Luckily, Olaf was there to monitor the situation and report back.
Aside from festival fun, we have the usual coverage of politics, sport, music and movies, with an extra special interview with Bruce 'Die Hard' Willis as he looks forward to the fourth installment of the blockbuster franchise.
And that's not to forget that we're still in birthday mode, celebrating with more retrospective features - including Ireland's top 30 sporting moments, and we track down the former star musicians who've disappeared off the scene. Whatever are they up to now?
Best of all, there's also an extra-special treat inside in the form of a FREE 32-page reprint of selected articles and editorial from 1977 which features Rory Gallagher on the very first Hot Press cover.
With articles on the aforementioned Rory, Lizzy @ Dalymount, On the road with Clannad, Bill Graham interviewing The Clash, Gene Kerrigan on the threat to the future of the Irish Times, Bob Geldof & Jonnie Fingers interviewed in London it crams more into it's 100% authentic 32 page black & white newsprint pages then you can possibly imagine. With very, very, very, long headlines.
Hold this little piece of history in your hands, get along to a shop now!
Take all this home for just e3.50!
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Songs That We've Been Listening To This Week!
Ted Leo - 'Tell Balgeary, Balgury Is Dead' (from Hearts Of Oak, 2003)
Rufus Wainwright - 'Cigarettes And Chocolate Milk' (from Poses, 2001)
Mark Ronson (featuring Paul Smith) - 'Apply Some Pressure' (from Version, 2007)
Justin Timberlake - 'FutureSex/LoveSound' (from FutureSex/LoveSounds, 2006)
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LAST CHANCE: PLAY AT CASTLE PALOOZA!
Today's your last chance to get your band on the bill for Castle Palooza!! Hot Press has teamed up again with the good people at Castle Palooza to offer an unsigned band the chance to play at Ireland's best new festival.
To be in with a chance of playing at the festival - joining Sister Sledge in the line-up - bands must send an mp3 of ONE song to palooza@hotpress.ie OR send a demo CD of ONE song to:
Your Band at Palooza
Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
HURRY! The closing date is today, so this is your very last chance!!
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Essential Reading On hotpress.com Department
1. Cinema Paradiso - 101 must-see films from the last 30 years
Our resident film critic Tara Brady gives us her top 101 films from 1977 to today. But don't worry, she's divided them into sections so as not to tax your weary brain! Find out about the best indie, Hollywood, animation, world, Asian, chick and comedy films ever made, here:
http://www.hotpress.com/2932117.html
2. The Edge interview
In a special interview, The Edge reminisces about the early days of Hotpress, explains Bill Graham’s role in U2’s development, and comes clean about what the band have been up to recently in Morocco.
http://www.hotpress.com/music/interviews/2932157.html
3. Editors album review
Could Editors be the next Coldplay? New album An End Has A Start is bleakly compelling, with frontman Tom Smith almost passing for a moderately glummer (but no less earnest) Chris Martin. Our reviewer fears a pasty arena-rock future for the Birmingham fourpiece.
http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/2932206.html
4. La Vie En Rose film review
The tragic life of French chanteuse Edith Piaf is played out in La Vie En Rose, the latest music biopic of a troubled star. Born in a whorehouse and raised on the streets, Piaf toured with the circus, battled a heroin addiction, and lost her sight in childhood. Not exactly a cheery night at the flicks, but definitely one worth seeing.
http://www.hotpress.com/features/filmreviews/2931329.html
5. Bootboy's top pink icons
If our columnist was having a party to celebrate gay culture in Ireland who would he invite? Graham Norton, David Norris and Nell McCafferty all make the cut as Bootboy honours talented Irish people who live outside traditional relationship ideals.
http://www.hotpress.com/politics/bootboy/2931306.html
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PLUG INTO THE FESTIVALS WITH THE POWER OF ONE
Check out the festivals of the fortnight with "Plug into the festivals with Power of One" in this week's issue of Hotpress - With complete festival listings and lineups it's every festival goers essential guide.
Check out www.powerofone.ie to find out about the ways that you can save energy and money by looking at your lifestyle and implementing change where you can. It's a lot easier than you might think, so start using your power of one today!
http://www.powerofone.ie
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FIRST CUTS: BANDS WANTED!
As you probably know by now, Hot Press has joined forces with the Wexford Arts Centre and Beat 102 103 FM to present a series of monthly gigs for new bands and solo artists in the South-West called the First Cuts Sessions. After much deliberation and following acts have been chosen for the first two gigs:
13th July, 8pm, Wexford Arts Centre
Frantic State (Kilkenny)
The Rumours (Tipperary)
Chaplin (Wexford)
17th August, 8pm, Wexford Arts Centre
The Arrangements (Waterford)
Niall Colfer (Wexford)
Chaplin (Wexford)
Remember: Acts who have already submitted entries will be considered for their September and October gigs. New entries are still welcome.
For information on how to enter see www.hotpress.com or email any queries you may have to: firstcuts@hotpress.ie
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Old News Is Good News Department
Hot Press isn't all about music and politics you know, we're into our sports as well. Soccer mainly but we'll watch just about anything. Except curling, thats just a bit too silly to be considered a sport. This week we've had a dig around in the sports archive to come up with some sporting gems from times gone past. Rest assured, none of them involve curling.
Stuart Clark anticipates a North American World Cup, 1993
Our soccer-obsessed Assistant Editor visits the USA Cup '93 and wonders if the Americans will ever 'get' the beautiful game.
www.hotpress.com/archive/456338.html
Interview with Roy Keane, 1993
Speaking when he was still a fresh-faced Nottingham Forest player making his first tentative steps into the world of international football, Roy Keane talks about his mistrust of the tabloid media, his impact on the Premier League and his desire to play in Italy.
http://www.hotpress.com/archive/1752497.html
Interview with Niall Quinn, 2002
The man who would become the saviour of Sunderland Football Club talked to Hot Press back in the days when himself and Keano were still giving each other the cold shoulder. How things change.
http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2619157.html
Interview with Tom Humpries, 2003
After his interview with Roy Keane caused all that commotion out in Saipan, Hotpress sat down with Ireland's best-known sports writer to discuss the possibility of soccer in Croke Park, Michelle Smith and, of course, that bust-up.
http://www.hotpress.com/archive/2661760.html
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WANT TO GET AHEAD IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
The HOTPRESS MIX 07 (Music Industry Xplained) is a course for those seeking careers in, and for those already employed in, the music industry.
The course will give participants a practical overview of the workings of the industry. MIX SIX is a 12-week series of lectures (one each week) by top professional exponents from the Irish and International music industry. Lecturers include: Willie O'Reilly (Managing Director Today FM), Janine Nallen (Marketing & Business director RMG Chart Entertainment), Steve Averill (U2 Designer) and Jackie Hayden (Hot Press).
Key subjects covered in the course include Music on the Internet, Record Companies, Music Marketing, Publicity, Image Development, Record Production, Songwriting, Music Publishing, Working with the Media, Management, Finance, Touring and Distribution.
MIX 07 will run at The Holiday Inn, Pearse St, Dublin every Tuesday at 7.30pm from September 25th to December 11th, 2007. The Course Directors are music publisher and IMRO board member Johnny Lappin and Jackie Hayden of HOTPRESS.
For further information see http://mixsix.hotpress.com, contact Elaine at HOTPRESS on 01-2411 500 or email mix07@hotpress.ie
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Our Favourite Postings From The Dank Bathroom Wall / Personal Advert Column / Huge Throbbing Collective Brain That Is The World Famous hotpress.com Messageboard...
RUDEST MUSIC SHOP ASSISTANTS
**snapshot:
Anyone got any hall of shame stories? Although it's not easy working in a place where most of the customers are complete dingbats.
**mark_g:
The folk in iTunes are awfully rude and pushy, making me download an updated version or a patch at least once a week.
**muzzlemusic:
some fucker asked me did I want one of their "special offer dvds" for a fiver!! That was HMV - the dvd's were shit and they were on sale for less in virgin!
**cyberbuli:
I remember ages ago when I was at college in Carlow RTC I had a little sack with strings on it that I used to carry books in. One day in a music shop I heard a male assistant say aloud:
'Look there's a puff over there.'
He meant me. I was browsing with my back to the counter. I felt like thumping the idiot. I got rid of the sack after that when I realised that it was what made me appear gay.
**************post of the week: for representing the kind of aggression we all feel sometimes****************
**delisha:
It's shop assistants in clothes shops, records stores, video librarys but particularly ones in clothes shops. They give you all this attitude and it's like you're not part of the fashion/music/culturally cool industy, you're in fucking retail and on miniumum wage. Now serve me.
I've only ever come across helpful record store people in other countries. There's a dude in this wonderful shop in Camden with an encyclopaedic knowledge about random stuff. Anything he's ever recommended to me has been a gem.
The worst is Dunnes though. I went in after work and from the start of our transaction to the end, she only told me my shopping came to €18. No please, no thank you, no nothing. I felt like headbutting her just to get a reaction.
**************end post of the week**************************
**mark_g:
Xtravision is pretty bad. They all think they are Randall from Clerks. Unfortunately for them I actually am Randall from Clerks.
**evil_giraffe:
I hate shop assistants...I always feel like if they give me the slightest bit of help I'm obliged to buy something. The one exception that rule are assistants in Electronics shops that know their stuff. I find headphones great for keeping them away.
**evil_giraffe:
More rude shop assistants in films:
Jack Black in High Fidelity.
**mark_g:
I didn't realise Steve Winwood's bass playing brother was to blame for the Hobbit!
I suppose that's another reason not to trust bass players with their Machiavellian designs and quiet megalomania.
**ronan_f:
I worked in a music shop for years. I was only rude towards the very ignorant. Mostly helpful.
**evil_giraffe:
Musically ignorant or just rude ignorant?
"He offended me with his crappy taste in music"
I used to work in the service industry and no matter how happily I started the day by 11 I'd always have met some horrible, ignorant and usually abusive person who would put me in a foul humour for the rest of the day.
**delisha:
I worked in a cinema and in a video library. Both were fine. If someone was rude to me, I'd be efficient and extremely polite which would only servce to infuriate them further. A simple approach but worked wonders. Or the "I'm sorry, I can't assist you if you continue to raise your voice at me. If you'd care to calm down, I'd be happy to help." Drives people beserk when they're already irritated. That's why people like me shouldn't be in the service industry.
**********
How do you deal with rude shop assistants/ignorant customers? Have your say:
The Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland, now in its fourth year, sees world renowned musicians from around the world congregate in Dublin for a series of concerts, workshops and masterclasses, a number of which are free of charge. These will take place in various venues around the city, from Temple Bar to the National Concert Hall.
The festival covers all genres of music so there is something for everyone, you can buy a festival pass for e95 which gives you access to all of the concerts. The masterclasses, workshops and seminars provide a unique opportunity for guitar fans. It's set to be the most exhilarating programme of events fans are likely to experience this year. Tickets can be bought through the box office: National 059 9146287 or by email info@gfi.ie or drop into Walton's Music Shops (North Frederick St and South Great George's St).
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See You Down The Front Department
Ted Leo + The Pharmacists
27/6 Crawdaddy, Dublin
28/6 Roisin Dubh, Galway
29/6 The Bunker @ Laverys, Belfast
Travis
27/6 Waterfront Hall, Belfast
INXS
27/6 Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Cascada
28/6 Live At The Marquee, Docklands, Cork
The Redneck Manifesto
28/6 Whelans, Dublin
The Who + Biffy Clyro + The Answer
29/6 Marlay Park, Dublin
TKO
29/6 Whelan's, Dublin
Duran Duran
29/6 Live At The Marquee, Docklands, Cork
Dirty Epics
29/6 Crawdaddy, Dublin
Sultans Of Ping
29/6 & 30/6 Spiegeltent, Cork
Jason Byrne
29/6 Vicar Street, Dublin
The Who
29/6 Marley Park, Dublin
30/6 Live At The Marquee, Docklands, Cork
Declan O'Rourke
29/6 The Cherrytree, Dublin
Vesta Varro
29/6 The Music Factory, Carlow
30/6 An Bodhran, Mitchelstown, Cork
Christy Moore
29/6 Blackbox, Galway
30/6 Blackbox, Galway
REM
30/6 Olympia Theatre, Dublin (with David Kitt)
1/7 Olympia Theatre, Dublin (with Simple Kid)
3/7 Olympia Theatre, Dublin (with Cathey Davey)
Bell X1
30/6 Malahide Castle, Dublin
1/7 Live At The Marquee, Docklands, Cork
