Deus Ex Machina

I find it funny how the atmosphere you are in, reflects on your thoughts and actions.
How you move to another area or house and because of those around you, the usual course of action awaiting you at 3 in the morning changes compared to when it would normally comprise of a dabble in a new musical artist or writing a blog.

I left Blackpool for the Summer the other week, and the place I now call home before returning to University is at my Dad's in Blackburn/Accrington. It's very close to Blackpool but yet it is a completely different atmosphere. I'd go as far as to say it's another world.
Both sides of my family are complete opposites; my Mum's side enjoy a trip to the pub for some lunch and maybe even a pint. My Dad's enjoy nothing more than to sit in on a Saturday night and making up a game of Family Fortunes or a harmless Ludo tournament. Yet the changes I feel in myself are much greater...

The only way I can describe it is primarily down to culture. I try hard not to split the two cultures by sounding resentful to each one but it's difficult because both have perks and downsides.
My Mum's side is very freely going, allowing you freedom to do what you want, when you want. Everyone has varying opinions and a range of tastes in movies and music. I also find that these aspects are never criticized when around them.
My Dad's side is a collective family. Everybody rallies together and enjoys each others company, despite age difference or gender. However, they are very like-minded so if anyone with a different taste strolls in, it's mocked upon and seen as weird.

I find it hard most times because I stand out from the crowd in many ways at my Dad's. Ranging from my hair to the bigger difference; skin colour. It's hard to fit in... But I plough through it because it's worth it. They are just as important as those on my Mum's side. And I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for both sides of my family.

One aspect of the big differences between them cropped up today. I have been staying at my cousin's house for the past 2 nights because of my Dad's house being decorated. It is where everyone usually congregates and a lot of discussions arise each night; from music to sport to religion.
I hate discussions on religion, mainly because it never causes anything but anger and disagreements.
Religion is a part of life, there is no way of denying that. But in a good way? I strongly disagree... Especially when you look at the events of a certain anniversary that we have just passed yesterday. People act recklessly when religion is involved, at first people think it's the most thought out plan but it's not.

Killing in the name of a higher power, is by far the most ridiculous idea ever thought up.

A debate arose earlier on tonight, in which certain family members believe the Sun is always getting closer to the Earth because God is becoming angry at our actions. First of all, they claimed this as fact. However, the next comment really shocked me; science is fake and nonsense. I of course had to comment on this little Sun comment, in which I said "where is your scientific proof?" They then replied with the previously mentioned statement. Apparently because science is hard to understand, it's not real. As well as psychology. But God's all noticeable self, up there in the clouds causing world wide disasters with his tear induced tsunami's and casual allowance of murder and rape is much more understandable.

It puzzles me to no end. I am not a firm believe in God, angels or any sort of prophet. But I have respect for it all, I even capitalise the name. Though some people cannot see things right in front of their face. To say science is not real, is like saying gravity does not exist and that a man simply came up with the idea of oxygen whilst simply blowing up a balloon.

In the eyes of most people, God is the ultimate Deus ex Machina. The problem solver to end all problem solving, abruptly entering right at the end of time to save every one's souls from the hurt and neglect in which we have caused our planet. A 'cheat' is what I classify it as, arriving out of nowhere to make everything okay again. A bit like at the end of a movie, a man about to be shot in the middle of the street by another main character, only to have the tide turn when the bad guy is run over by a random person.

My theory on it all has always been that God has never had a foothold in my living, so why would he/she have a hand in my dying.
I won't believe that all of these problems in the world is just a sign leading to 'the end of days'. Science has led people to becoming what we are today more than that of religion. Religion gives hope to people in times of need, but science can stop those times by creating penicillin for the diseased or the physics of a digger's controls to rescue those praying from under the rubble.


"You came on your own, and that's how you'll leave. With hope in your hands, and air to breathe."

Vanilla Slices, Continued...

Decided to put up a few poems that I wrote a while ago and a few in which I wrote recently.
They are just a couple that I thought were best to post now, because to be honest some of the others are a bit dreary and stuff even I don't like reading...

Don't.
Don't let me lye on the water, keep me afloat. 

Keep me adrift, don't let me drown no-more.

Don't let me bathe in flames, keep me cold. 

Keep me from burning, don't let me melt away.

Don't let me switch off the light, keep me from the dark. 

Keep me from a shadow, don't let me lose my sight.

Don't let me sleep with misery, keep me completely solemn. 

Keep me from pain, don't let me run away in fear.


Wishful Thinking.
Stood atop a building up high.
A few steps to the left, or a couple of feet to the right.
Plummeting to your arms with eyes shut tight.
Tears that cannot be seen but wholeheartedly felt.
Never wanting to be on this Earth without you, all by myself.

Barrel by my side.
And a chunk of lead in hand.
It would be a quick sight, a flash before my eyes.
Memories of false hope and a happiness full of lies.
I think I'll leave here now, fed up of being reminiscent.
Never wanting to be on this Earth without you, all by myself.

A quickening end, surrounded in a cloud of bubbles.
It might be quick, there'll still be a struggle.
How can I compare it to this hangover.
Where you are by yourself, the both of us never together.
All I wanted was to be sat between beginning and happy ending up on our book shelf.
Never wanting to be on this Earth without you, all by myself.

Selfish Regret.
I sleep in til late,

And ignore pleas for me to wake,

A lot of the time we share, so incredibly short,

Lets return to our beginnings, upon our honeymoon resort.

I'm feeling so selfish and I truly regret,
Absolutely all of it.
I've always been so selfish but you make me complete,
Every single little bit.

Colliding with each other,
A vast collection of nouns,
Each one so powerful, I'm shaken to the ground,
I wish we could start over,
Forgetting all the anger and reminiscing with sweet words.

I'm feeling so selfish and I truly regret,
Absolutely all of it.
I've always been so selfish but you make me complete,
Every single little bit.


Ocean Tide.

I'm swimming out towards you,

Right out into the middle of it all,
You push me back,
Pushing me away, back towards a desolate land,
Towards the centre of population in a big shipwreck,
The place on land where we all belong to heartbreak,

Fighting against you, and losing the battle,
I'm crashing against rocks held inside your waves,
The beat of your heart so quickening but steady,
Crazed and deranged, you suck me in like a whirlpool lagoon,
I'm not ready to sink towards the empty bottom,
Give me a chance to stay and tidy up the clutter,

Your current state of mind,
It's a different kind of current,
Unable to swim within and difficult to drown beneath,
Please I plead, stop sending me back,
The shore is a lonely place,
Around there you won't find a trace,
Of me and you wherever,
So calm your oceans and let me join you out there,
You and I together.

Prosper & Struggle.

August ends,
For a new day to begin,
We laughed and we cried,
But the sun starts to hide, no a longer shine,
The waves are calm, soon to be rampant,
Where the winds will soon blow the trees, to a haunting slant,
The air isn't clear,
But I'm okay to be here, right here with you,

Leaves once green,
Fade to a dustless stance,
Empty branches and a cold air romance,
We used to walk in the heat,
Now we will lye next to one another, to warm each others feet,
Clouds fade to a grey,
Among a moody sky, the rains here to stay,
The air isn't clear,
But I'm happy to stay right here, right here with you.

Gaze at the stars,
Hid among the cluster of dust,
Soothing sounds and a gentle lust,
We would stare for hours,
Without a fear of it turning sour,
The ground covered in frost,
Clambering to our feet out of fear of becoming lost,
The air is never clear,
But I'm in love here, in love with you.

Hope you enjoyed reading them, and if you want give me some pointers on what you think needs improving. I expect poem names to be among this list, as they are pretty, pretty lame.

Jake.

"I hope you find the love that's true, so the morning light can shine on you. I hope you find what you're looking for, so your heart is warm for ever more."

Top 7 Favourite Songs - White Lies

I think the last time I did a "Top 7 Favourite Songs" countdown was about 2 weeks ago, which was also the first I had done.
Like I stated in that post, the reason behind doing this was so that I just didn't have to be all philosophical so damn much but also share some music with you that I love. So like last time, I will do my countdown and post video clips up with it and if you don't know the songs then hopefully give you something new and inspiring to listen to...

The second artist/band that I will be doing this list for is none other than, White Lies.
An indie rock band with a modern punk look to them, they first appeared on the scene back in 2009 through their first studio album (To Lose My Life). Although they had been around for much longer than that like all bands, they originally started off under the name "Fear of Flying" later changing it to the name they are now known as. A lot of articles if you manage to read them state that the change of name was due to the darker tone of songs and becoming much more serious than they first intended to be.

I'd say that they are up there as one of my favourite bands of all time. And that is for various reasons... From just how dark they can be in their song meanings to how thunderous the chorus' of nearly every song is. Despite a sound which I would describe as quite a revelation compared to some bands around these days which are just a rehash of past groups and inspired semi-cover bands; White Lies are continually likened to other bands within the Indie rock category. Joy Division being one of them, and I find it hard to see the comparison. Although the meanings of some songs are dark and awe-inspiring, much like Joy Division, they never have that edgy sound which JD had. They are more of a super tweaked version with real direction and anthemic sounds. That is not what Joy Division were in anyway.

With only 2 albums under their belt and a handful of B-Sides, it's a much harder list to make than the latter list featuring John Butler Trio as it could generally be half and half or the whole list full of one album. Thankfully, they have 2 incredibly good albums and some pretty amazing unreleased songs which made it very hard for me to choose the list in any sort of order.
So without blabbering for much longer without giving you anything to listen to, here is my top 7 list;

7.

From The Stars

From the first album, I always class this as the song that had me hooked on White Lies. Songwriting to me is storytelling, but it's rare you hear a song that is actually telling a story. And that is what this song does, it describes a man returning to his home town for a funeral, a man that has gained some sort of fame but whilst there realises life is incredibly short and how despite his success he is still meaningless in a world so big. The chorus' lyrics capture it so perfectly;

"He catches raindrops on his window, it reminds him how he falls, From the stars back to our cities, where we've never felt so small"

The songs story reaches a climatic end when it appears he has had a breakdown to which the maid finds him shivering on the floor.

6.

The Price Of Love

Also from the first album, it won't be a recurring factor in this list I promise. The Price Of Love is a song by White Lies which I would call a hidden gem. One that most overlook but should be remembered as a song that had the audacity to close the first album yet went wholly unnoticed by many. A worthy song nonetheless to close any album and with a powerful meaning behind it in an almost comical way (much like some of their songs).

Right from the start of the song, you can tell what it's about. A man who's girlfriend seems to be held hostage by an unknown man and requesting an outrageous figure of 1 million for her release. The great part of the song is that many of it goes unnoticed, such as the opening 4 lines;

"Don't lay a finger I said, but he held her with five. Kissed the crest of her lips and put his hand on her thigh."

That already gives away an underlying tone, I see it as the woman already has a sort of sensual relationship with the kidnapper and perhaps a hoax kidnapping. They know he won 800,000 and set the whole thing up because the main man loves her dearly and would give anything up for her. Hence "The Price Of Love" but by the end of the song, the hoax hasn't worked and the kidnapper leaves the woman, leaving her alone without anyone at all.

5.

Is Love

First song on the list from their second album "Ritual". Very different from most of their other stuff but then again, so was the majority of the second album. One major difference between 1st and 2nd albums was the focus... The 1st being about death mainly and the 2nd being about love and heartbreak.

Is Love talks about love in a way nobody really explains, it's a great thing but people give it a simple name. A lyric within the song states this;

"She says 'the only thing I've ever found. That's greater than it always sounds, Is love"

Plus, the killer beat going on when it kicks in just enthralls me. It's as if the feelings pressed into the song are mish-mashing together forming this electric sort of sound.

4.

Streetlights

Another from 'Ritual' and another song with a different vibe to it than that of it's predecessor. The lead singers voice in this song is what makes it incredibly good for me. His words are just so drowsy that they ooze melancholy, something that is so key to a song coming across effectively if you are going to sing about boredom and doomed relationships. In my opinion anyway. 

I read an interview with the band a while back and they spoke of the songs lyrics and what they meant; they went through each verse one by one and said how they could contribute to a bad relationship or explain why it has gone sour. One verse in which they described truly stood out for me...

"Bored girls and sad boys, Dull roads to anywhere. Bad sex and ethanol, High scores on solitaire"

They stated that both the boy and girl had become bored, to which they now headed down a road that neither wanted to be in the others company. Then said that due to this the sex had become bad but wondered if it had been down to ethanol (aka alcohol) for which makes me think that they now felt no attraction so relied on alcohol to go through with it. And everyone knows what happens when you consume too much alcohol ha ha.

The last line summed it up, nobody plays solitaire out of joy. Most of the time you do it when there is nothing to do and you are bored. They have played it that much out of boredom that they now have high scores. Metaphorically or not, it really captures the mood.

3.

E.S.T.

One of those rare songs that should be a single but instead becomes an album filler. Not in a bad way, it's one of the cult favourites among fans off of the first album. So in line with the dark motives of the album and an upbeat chorus that somehow makes you happy and sing-a-long.

One of the band members said in an interview that it was about his grandmother who was undertaking 'Electric-Shock Therapy', and I also wrote a blog a while back about the song and the therapy mentioned. People undergo it for depression because it sort of numbs any feeling that person may have, it's basically a dumbed down version of a lobotomy and is only used in serious conditions.

In the song, the person seems to be taking this therapy and during it he is skipping through reality and imagination. The narrator believes the depression keeps him sane and allows him to feel something sad rather than nothing at all. So he believes the therapy would make him like any other person... He'd rather die than fit in. To which it seems he achieves by the end, when he says;

"I'm only going where you'll be some day. So don't say, "Rest In Peace" in your prayers"

It is a weird, dark loving sentiment really, he is going to die and leave them but he looks forward to seeing them in the afterlife and knows at some point they will also die. So why ask for him to rest in peace when one day they will be together again.

2.

Taxidermy

Okay, so I have said in previous songs on the list that there are gems among some of White Lies' songs. Well this is the biggest. Having never featured on any of their albums, it instead was a b-side to the To Lose My Life single. White Lies have a number of deeply dark songs and songs with a hint of comical effect added in. The great thing about the latter songs are that some bands never pull it off effectively, but White Lies do it perfectly. Whilst being haunting, they make you chuckle because the way that they tell a story.

Taxidermy is the supreme definition of this. And I could pretty much guarantee nobody could really explain the meaning, however, the band explained the song and it's so strange that I was puzzled...

They said that the song is about a girl who outright despises her family, specifically her mother and father. Because of her hate, she runs away and years later her parents die. When she finds out, she immediately wants to see the will and the true joke and revenge is then played out in the song to which her parents had played on her. They requested that upon her death, they be stuffed and placed in the living room of their house in which she has now inherited.

It's so incredibly horrible that it's funny and a true act of revenge in that she must always see them in front of her whilst in the house. Now you know the meaning, the lyrics should whole-heartedly spell it out.

"You can burn your parents in the fireplace"

Is one that makes me chuckle because she really could.

But the defining lyric of the song is this;

"I saw you run through the cold, put ice in my heart. 

Now tell me all your fears, I'll be your greatest fear"

From the perspective of a parent, she ran away into the cold out of fear and hate of her parents. Now her greatest fear is back again and her parents know it.

1.

Unfinished Business

One of the GREATEST pieces of songwriting in history. Dark, haunting and yet romantic in a horrifying sort of way. From their first album, and at one point released as a single but the song was changed for the album version. It was made more upbeat and Harry McVeigh seemed to put a bit more passion into the chorus making it all the more special.

When I saw them live, it was the one song I hoped I would hear them perform and I wasn't disappointed. Fantastic music and the story within the lyrics is a little bit special to be honest.

How can you sum up a song that has a meaning to it that shouldn't even be thinkable in terms of ideas and inspiration. Inspiration of course meaning you'd have to be dead to write it. Confused?

Unfinished Business is the story of a man who is, well to put it bluntly, murdered by his wife/lover. He then returns to her with no recollection of the act, only to realise he is dead and then remembers everything. The touching part of the song is that he realises his purpose of being there is to haunt her as it is his "Unfinished Business" but he still loves her no matter what, so therefore can't bring himself to cause her any harm or distress.

He can see the blood on her hands and see her whispering to God yet all he wants to do is dance like they used to. It's incredibly powerful songwriting and I have never heard anything like it before.

These lyrics sum the song up for me;

I looked in the mirror, 

b

ut something was wrong. 

I saw you behind but my reflection was gone.

There was smoke in the fireplace, 

as white as the snow. 

A voice beckoned gently - 'Now it's time to go'.

Well, that was my Top 7 Favourite White Lies songs. I'm partially sorry that it was incredibly long but I enjoy writing about music I love. If you are interested in any of White Lies' music or just want to talk about them, then sound off in the comments or something.

There are definitely more great songs by them, and to be honest both albums are incredibly good so there are more than what I just put on this list. Especially Death, To Lose My Life, Farewell To The Fairground and Bigger Than Us which I am anticipating a backlash for not featuring them on the list.

Until next time, I hope it was a decent read and a good listen.

Jake.

"Let's grow old together, and die at the same time."

Wild Boys Never Lose It

Somewhere within the deep mountainous roads of the Lake District, a loud bellowing of singing could be heard for miles on end. And as the lyrics to Gold by Spandau Ballet were being belted out, many in the surrounding area perhaps believed it to be a reformation, an emergence of the late 1980's synthpop and funk band. But all hope was once abandoned as dog-walkers and carefree joggers witnessed a convoy of 3 cars carrying a group of 8 lads towards a perfect campsite destination.

Coniston.

The bastion of all Lake District towns and villages. A place where you can see for miles but feel like you are within touching distance. A place in which sun and rain come hand in hand. A perfect paradise in your own backyard.

It has become a ritual of mine and several others that each Summer we go on a 3 day camping trip. For the past 3 Summers I have sat beside a fire in the dead of night, in total peace but never felt more excited. I class our trip as something to look forward to each year... Where you can just 'let go' and enjoy the simpler things in life. No need for a TV or a gaming system; instead all you need is a fire, the odd bit of rain, a whole lot of sunshine and a lake. One big, intimidating, beautiful lake. I find it incredibly hard to describe in words just how much I enjoy being outdoors, under a bright yellow sun or a star filled sky. But once you are there, you feel no need to express how much you love the place but instead just take it in and revel in every moment in which you have there.

Coniston is a beautiful place, it's somewhere I think everyone should visit at some point in time but a place where many don't. In a country where more and more buildings are being constructed, buildings that are more often than not, put in place for others to gaze at in amazement. Such ideas confuse me, especially when there are emerald green hills, and magnificent forests full of so many different trees that have been there for possibly centuries. I have also always considered that it is the people that make the places... And I feel that if you were to approach 10 people in the Lake District, you'd find it hard to dislike them. Relaxed, polite and humble are some of the ways in which I would describe the inhabitants of the Lakes. They are people that have earned their place living there.

When 8 young lads turn up and seemingly disrupt this homely feeling in a place that has a sense of being untouched by any commercialised business plans, you have to wonder if you are out of your depth. All worries are quickly dispatched when you come to the realisation that everyone out in the Lake District just wants to enjoy the things you are there to enjoy. Sharing quality time with friends or family in the open atmosphere of freedom.

So, obviously as soon as you get there you instantly want the best spot on the campsite. It's a subject we all discuss whilst on our way down and I believe becomes harder every year due to there being more of us or just wanting to improve on what we have already experienced. Nevertheless, we approach the situation with a calm head and a slice of optimism. This year had to be the best. Without a doubt in my mind. Our little pitch which we came across due to our meeting of a pretty awesome guy who went by the name of GT Dave (the previous year) was our first thought. Sat atop a little mound, quite a way from the rest of the site and providing us with much cover from anyone wishing to be nosey.
All of our tents set up in a semi-circle with wind breaks blocking off the front entrance. Just to add risk to our little endeavour, there was a slight muddy patch in the middle that according to one person in the group would "go up and over once it starts to pour". We had a chuckle and ignored, like you do, not letting anyone spoil the fun.

When you are done with all the usual setting up of the site and indulging in some of the more finer cuisine purchased prior to arrival; you aim to participate in one thing. Getting out on the lake, swim or dinghy. It simply doesn't matter how you get out there, as long you admire just how free you feel when you have around 50m of water beneath you and 800m to the other side. I also doubt you have experienced cold water until you are up to your neck in the stuff and desperately trying to push a dinghy along whilst someone is inside it with one paddle.
No matter how you approach your time next to the lake, you can always see how many other people just want to be there as well. From children skimming stones, to a few amateur kayaks seeing how fast they are against an increasing current, and then a couple enjoying the breeze under a lake side tree. It sort of feels right, lying down on the grass even though you are surrounded by people who are totally different from yourself.

All of the days antics lead to the mystifying night. And night time is something of a blessing. You are not supposed to light open fires on the campsite apparently but we do each year. They are always something a bit special and regularly get out of hand. Usually down to a bottle of white spirit and a couple of cans of beer. It's all good fun and it won't be ruined by a bit of rain. An interesting aspect of the Lakes is that when it rains, it certainly does pour. But again, you get on with it and prevail with a bit of help from a gazebo.
Once that very helpful gadget is in place the celebrations continue, in a drunken lary fashion accompanied by a whole range of music.

If you have ever been camping you may have noticed that despite whatever sleeping pattern you have, you always sleep earlier than usual and nights seem to drag. Nights dragging is by no means a bad aspect of the trip as you want it to last forever, but when you look at the time due to it being pitch black and notice it is only 10:30 pm you don't half wonder what the hell is going on. And like all nights, they must end with you hitting the sack and waking up the next morning for some delightful selection of BBQ breakfast.

The following day and night comprised of another trip to GoApe and a raving fire that threatened to burn a drunken friend. They are all great memories and I feel that I could type forever but I suppose, in a selfish sort of way, that some memories should be kept to yourself. Memories that you want to share with just you and those there because I guess if you do this, you remain in that little bubble where you were all free and didn't have a care in the world.

Every bubble bursts in the end. But I'll pray it doesn't for just a little longer.

"Take me to the docks, there's a ship without a name there, It is sailing to the middle of the sea. The water there is deeper than anything you've ever seen, jump right in and swim until you're free."

Time Will Tell Us Nothing, I'll Take A Chance On Something

Order has been restored among the world.

The football season has resumed, and just in time. After the past weeks crazy happenings, everything has come together for the big weekend of Premier League action. I don't mean that to sound as if the well being of peoples homes and businesses are less important than football, but a fact lies deep within what I just said. And what that fact was, is that football brings people together.

Football has the power to make those from a good background converse with those from a less well off background. Football makes you put faith in a group of people that you hardly even know, a faith that can bring you to tears of sadness or tears of joy. Football is the embodiment of emotion.

People everywhere, base their life and activities around the beautiful game and to 'outsiders' its strange. But truly, there is nothing more simple than a man's love for the game but nothing more complicated than there commitment to their team. 11 players don't lose on that pitch, thousands of people do. 11 players don't lift that trophy, every single supporter does. It's a rare sight, that in a world so divided, you can be brought together by a bunch of guys kicking a ball around. And that is what is so beautiful about Football.

The riots that countless amounts of people, young and old, took part in this week, all seemed so strange to me because effectively when I was 14 years old the only thing I ever wanted to do was play football. A patch of grass, a couple of jumpers to act as a net, a crappy half inflated ball and your mates; creating that small envelope in time that nobody was allowed to open but you and those taking part. Your heaven, saving grace and biggest desire. To risk being half an hour late for tea, arriving home for your Dad to give you a rollicking, and all in the name of winning a match against a mish mash of local lads met on the park.

Yet you have these lads kicking in windows and looting televisions from any shop that would have one. Even a hairdressers. Opportunists of the younger generation, striking out what they would call a justifiable attack on society in the name of their local council estate gang or the areas big time drug lord. Such idealists that wouldn't know a 'foul throw' if the ball hit them in the face.

I sat watching the third night of rioting on the TV until around 4am. This was around Sunday or Monday, I'm not completely clear at this moment in time, but the one thing I am incredibly clear of is how I predicted it to end. To stop in time for the Premier League season to start. Not out of hope, and not out of ignorance. But because of the only way you can describe it in a simple sense - "because Football is on..."

That is the wholehearted truth. Yes, the police did a damn fine job of preventing mass scale riots but that is not giving enough credit to young people. Of this generation especially. They are resourceful... If you need something, you Google it. You don't spend hours flicking through a book or asking your parents. I believe that if they wanted to continue, they would have. But because of that sacred, passionate and heart on your sleeve game of two halves, it became a flash in the pan.

I suppose, if that was the reason and admitted by one of the young offenders, then you might look and say they are immature because they just trashed a town centre and unjustly destroyed a business that had graced the streets of London for more than century, all because they were simply bored without any football on the TV screens. If you want to look at it even more ruthlessly, then hey they probably robbed TVs just to watch the footy on.

Not for one second am I siding with these people or explaining the havoc they caused as a little practical joke. I condemn for what they did and I hope that they are caught and do time for the people that have lost jobs and family members that have lost lives. They are scum, and they make young generations of children look like yobs. And this leads to what I was explaining earlier. We love football in this country. We breathe, sleep, eat and drink football. From the moment we wake, to the moment we close our eyes. The sport that brings people together each and every week, was put on the back burner this past week because a young bunch of kids got bored. They should have been at home watching the England game, or on the local field with a ball at their feet.

Yet they chose a darker path and many of them will be sitting in a cell in even more darkness now. You take part in those events out of choice, like anything else in life. But the biggest problem I see is that, although many took part out of choice, some of them just don't have much opportunity. So when any sort of opportunity arises, they will take it. For some, an opportunity is a job interview at a high profile company straight out of University earning money that will enable you to live a life you love. Others simply don't get that chance, and I think the government ignores this. Sport and Football in particular is a major boost in that area. I know that for me and friends alike, if we never had sport we could have ended up being delinquents on the corner of streets trashing cars and stealing from shops. Sport is important, more important than most understand. It's an underrated aspect of our society and in this day and age it needs more respect.

Football is a beautiful game and deserves to be enjoyed by all. Not just those with opportunities given to them at birth.

I'd much rather see this;

Than this;

And I think many more would as well.

Sport needs to be taken more seriously, it could save lives in more ways than one.

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Top 7 Favourite songs - John Butler Trio

I decided the other day that instead of always writing some sort of deep meaningful blog. I would just do a weekly thing where I put 7 (because 7 is a pretty awesome number) of my favourite songs from a band or artist, maybe give a little reason why or a fact about the song and then erm, I don't know? Post up a video clip of the song as well I guess.

So... First up on my top 7 countdown; John Butler Trio.
Perhaps my favourite band of all time although I actually haven't had a big chill session to them recently as I have had my attention elsewhere, which will probably be the band I choose to countdown next week. However, I'm here to talk about JBT. The beautiful, electric-acoustic, folk and roots musicians straight out of Austraaaalia.
They have been around for quite a while but apart from the main man himself (John Charles Butler), the lineup of musicians within the band itself has differed and shifted from time to time. With the original members alongside Butler being a drummer by the name of Jason McGann and on bass - Gavin Shoesmith. Eventually, after multiple changes, the band has ended up with a lineup consisting of Nicky Bomba on drums and Byron Luiters... Bomba is also quite a well known musician in Australia anyway, due to him having his own band before JBT, plus the other little known fact is that he is the brother of John Butler's wife - an artist known as Mama Kin (who you will hear a little later on).

Seeing as the band has gone through many changes, the sound of each album has had changes. But only minor changes, mainly down to JB being the producer on basically all of the songs on each album.
The list of albums are as follows;

• John Butler
• Three
• Sunrise Over Sea
• Grand National
• April Uprising

Out of all the albums, I suppose Sunrise Over Sea is my favourite of the lot. Whereas the first 2 albums featured heavy amounts of instrumentals, which should be noted that when it's John Butler, this is definitely not a bad thing. The latter 2 albums are also strong albums, but I guess Sunrise Over Sea just meshed incredibly well. You can tell that JB was in a great mood at the time of writing, especially with one of my favourite songs - Peaches & Cream.

I guess I'd better move onto my list then, seeing as I have given you a fair share to read. Would only be kind of me to enable you to use your ears now instead :)

7.

Daniella

This is from the album 'Grand National' and it's about, well basically... "Daniella" who is his wife. It's a simple meaning, singing about how much he loves her but even if it is a personal song. You just cannot deny the brilliance of the musicianship going on in the song.

6.

Zebra

From the album 'Sunrise Over Sea', it's classic JBT with catchy riffs and John Butler sneaking in a bit of scat type singing. It's all about opposites, opposing forces and how they aren't really against each other but working together and how you can be either if you really want to - as it's your choice. The song name choice? Down to the age old debate of "is a Zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes" haha.

5.

I'd Do Anything

'I'd Do Anything' is from the newest album, released back in 2010 called April Uprising. The full name of the song actually features in brackets (Soldier's Lament). Meaning Soldier's deep regret, which makes the song self explanatory when hearing the lyrics, it's about a soldier away from his love and wanting to be with her so badly, that he'd do anything to be with her. It's a sentimental reason in which I love this song, and it's between me and someone very special. Although it is about a soldier, I think all people when away from the one they love can understand what it's like to want to be with them so much but yet at times, you can't.

4.

What You Want

Another song off of 'Sunrise Over Sea' and it's fairly similar in meaning to 'I'd Do Anything' but is a bit more broader based. Everyone has experienced that moment where they have fallen out with someone they love, just purely based on the fact you are both apart from each other and it's starting to get hard just communicating over the phone. One of the reasons I truly indulge in this song so much is down to the kick-ass intro and backing track that features some heavy smooth violin playing.

3.

Funky Tonight

'Funky Tonight' is what happens when you mix roots, funk and rock. Incredible music and something that makes you want to dance 'til you are pretty much dead. It's from the album 'Grand National' and from a comment in which JB said a while back, he claimed it was about trying to recapture the spark in a relationship you had when you first met each other. It's hard to tell if that is exactly what he is trying to do in the song because he met his wife in "1999" which he mentions in the song as well. But I guess that's whats great about music, mixing fact and fiction together.

2.

Losing You

First released on 'Grand National' as just a JBT song. It has recently been re-released as a duet between JB and Mama Kin. The reason behind the duet was to raise funds for a charity in Australia, and the original intent of the song was to be a love song. I think it's one of the most pure love songs I have heard and doesn't venture off into confusing figments of lyrics, it's plain and simple - he doesn't care about anything but all he really minds is losing her. I chose to put up the duet, for the sole reason of it being between JB and his wife, I think you get a real purpose of the song, especially when you see them looking at each other singing.

1.

Peaches & Cream

The finest song in terms of dedication towards someone in my eyes among all songs. Released on the album 'Sunrise Over Sea'. The video I put up basically explains the song, with the explanation coming from the man himself - John Butler. How all the bad things in the world were corrected ever so slightly when his baby girl arrived in the world and how he now looks at his cup "half full" rather than "half empty". It's a beautiful song and I could listen to it all day.

BONUS

I decided that I would put up a bonus song as well, seeing as it was an instrumental and pretty much captures any emotion you want to feel at the time of listening. Which in turn, would basically overcloud any actual song with lyrics. So yeah, here it is;

Ocean

The video clip above is from July 7th, 2011. A gig at Manchester Academy in which I attended, recorded on someones phone and put up on YouTube by some kind chap. To me it is the greatest piece of music I have ever heard. Whether that be recorded in a studio or hearing it live... It brings up so many emotions, emotions which should conflict with each other; yet when listening to it they all mesh and become this overpowering feeling and thought that brings a tear to my eye. Upon hearing it live, being there in the crowd and witnessing this masterclass of guitar playing I felt pure happiness and sadness at the same time. If I had no self-control that night, I could quite easily have shed a tear. But instead I held them back and just admired. Yes, he does have unusually long nails, but if that makes him play that much better then I couldn't care less.
I plead that anyone reading this, please listen to the full version of it. Even if it means you never take anymore recommendations of music off of me ever again. This is the sort of thing that I can truly listen to and say "I love music".

John Butler Trio, I salute you.

If you have read this entire blog and listened to a song I have posted, then thankyou for putting up with me. And I hope you enjoyed it...

Jake.

"There you are. Right in front of me, A brand new day, Sunrise Over Sea. No longer, My cup half empty."

It Went The Dull & Wicked Ordinary Way

I suppose it is easy to moan about the smallest of things. Half of the time, I guess it isn't even down to whether you truly believe that they are the most important stuff jangling around in your head. Instead your mind just really believes that it's much simpler to forget about the larger aspect of life and fret over minor technicalities.
Almost as if your subconscious just wants to look out for you and protect your well being.

This doesn't always work, and eventually something comes along that just niggles at you all day and night. By evaluating your subconscious as somewhat of a guardian, it would be hard not to be slightly annoyed with all that circuitry going on up there in your head for letting stuff build up from time to time. But I suppose really, if you think of it exactly the same way as before, then it is perhaps helping you out still. You have to face up to those moments eventually and pass them. One hurdle at a time. Nobody is going to be Colin Jackson either, it takes time. Not world record time, or even hourglass time. Just the right amount of time for you to consider it "dealt with".

There has always been those type of things going on in my head and even as I write this blog, I am still unsure whether I have conquered that recently jumped hurdle. It's as if I did one of those catastrophic jumps where you clip the tip of the hurdle and it falls over. You beat it, but it slowed you down. All the way until the end of the race... Your time won't be the same as it would have if you had cleared it perfectly. That's how I feel; everyday it crops up in my mind and I wonder if I have truly put it to bed.

As long as I can remember, I considered my situation unique. Really, it's only the way I could look at it. Do you dwell on certain things or just go with it? I chose the latter and my life has been pretty incredible from my perspective. Growing up in a family half Christian and the other half Muslim. In a town that never understood it and at times feeling left out. It is all I have ever known and I still don't know what to think. Being brought up by a step-Dad but only to later call him Dad, not even a flinch in my thought at 5 years old. Never thought twice and still don't. Having a slice of both worlds as opposed to having a full cake from just one is something I am eternally thankful for. I have learned to appreciate different cultures, if someone eats with their hands as opposed to a spoon or instead of chop-sticks. Who cares?

People always speak of fate and believing that things happen the way they were meant to. I'm not too sure, but if it wasn't for him; I'd be nowhere near the person I am today. He stepped in to my life when I was being raised by my Mum and Aunty and any other female relative. Until my Dad arrived, my only fatherly figures were my Grandad and Uncle. He brought me up and made me a man. Taught me you need to have a bit of steel but yet share some compassion. He is the reason I love football.

And even when he and my Mum split up, he still guides me along. Fate or whatever the funny little component is, led me to where I am now. So if all that is true about things happen for a reason to make such stuff combine and create other dynamics then it puzzles me. Primarily because for me to be at the University I am at now, to have met all the great people I have met, to be in love with the girl I love and to be writing this very blog right now. Then fate or destiny would have had to have set up or believed that my parents splitting up was the thing that made everything else "tick".

To put a long, long (sorry for this very long post) story short; when they split up, I moved with my Dad to a different town. I attended college that I at first was not meant to attend. Studying a subject I originally was not going to study. Meaning I attended a University campus in which I never would have gone, to meet all the people I have met and of course in a relationship with a much more amazing person than I could have been blessed with.

In the end, I wonder if fate does certain aspects the way they are meant to be or just so that everything works out better for everyone. A double edged sword in fact. In a way you could call it selfish for how things end in order for other stuff to begin. But as I think this, I imagine every person I know in my head and realise that everything worked out okay and everyone is happy. Well until fate plays it's next big hand.

"I had a hole in the middle, where the lightning went through it, I told my friends not to worry."