Author Archives: tincanman

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Spillt-on-bury: A DIY festival for less hardy souls

pic via bekman-walker http://bit.ly/YYf0ud

pic via bekman-walker http://bit.ly/YYf0ud

Let’s face it, demurring that work, family and budget demands will keep us from Glastonbury this year is a crock. We would too be allowed to go if we wanted. A weekend ankle-deep in filth ping-ponging between half-crazed, foul-mouthed drunks while our ears are assaulted by distorted echoes of  shit we’d never play at home? Heck, that’s the morning commute in the London subway system, ba doom bah.

No, Spillers are too self-assured to sleep in a field for cred. We have our still-a-rebel-at-heart pride, and that step we’ve lost is more than made up for by knowing how to enjoy the finer things in life. Like a roof. And a kettle. And free garlic bread with orders over £12.

And so….Spillt-on-bury, an online, interactive music festival for those of us who have earned the right to tune in and check out stuff from the comfort of our own home.  Continue reading →

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[UPDATE 2, in which my dryer arrives]: Used to be you had to physically enter a store to get hoodwinked. Now there’s GotchaDirect

This is a true story.

tesco trolley

March 13, 2013, 7 p.m. @TescoDirect:

RE: Your email notice that the White Knight/Crosslee tumble dryer I ordered two days ago has been dispatched - for delivery in 10 days.

On calling to ask from where on earth – sorry Earth – it was being dispatched that would take 10 days, I was told the factory doesn’t start building them until the order is received.

Now I will admit to being a sceptical man at times, but I find it hard to believe that a retailer as big as Tesco buys bog-standard, entry level appliances individually. Or that a factory has renounced 100+ years of Henry Fordism and subsequent efficiencies. Unless of course it is a multi-use factory in China that builds tumble dryers on the third Thursday of the month, iPods on the first Friday and cans soup the rest of the month. Continue reading →

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Too tired/broke/lazy/indifferent… to travel to Austin next week? Stay home then

I don’t know if an online music festival is virtual or not, but #CXCW (a take on SXSW) exists, and it is brilliant. This year looks just as awesome.

WTF IS #CXCW? As explained on the Couch by Couchwest site:

CXCW 2013 6 DAYSNo badges, lanyards, bracelets, parking fees, ticket lines, exclusive parties, VIP tents…just the sweet comfort of your own couch. Here’s how it works, artists and bands from all over the globe record a video performance for us from their living rooms, kitchens, porches, bathrooms, you name it…pretty much anywhere but a stage…and we post them (March 10 – 16, 2013).

NOTE: Submissions accepted until the final day, so psst this to bands you know.

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A mountain to tunnel, and in that tunnel, courage to dig

RE: RRSA Shakespeare: Near where Marconius and I live outside Vancouver is an attraction called the Othello Tunnels – a series of five train tunnels and bridges through a rugged mountain gorge. I have oodles of photies, but this 2-min video someone made does the trick.

Dug by hand, they were the  most expensive railway mile in the world $300,000) in 1914. It was part of a line through the Rocky Mountains and as the project’s engineer was a lover of Shakespeare, he named each station after a Shakespearean character.

Who ever loved them not at first sight?

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Earworms: Feb 4, 2013

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Robert Wolf – Spirit of the Sky
If anyone’s expecting Norman Greenbaum…now for something completely different! I imagine the neighbourhood dogs pricking up their ears at the high-pitched tones in this.   – debbym

Dennis Quaid – Closer To You
From The Big Easy, a bit of a love-it or hate-it selection, probably. Me? I think it’s lovely; very romantic. But I’m waiting to discuss the vocal performance from an unexpected source with y’all.   - DsD

Lucinda Belle Orchestra – Daydream
Lucinda Belle plays the harp and sings and does some quirky cover versions (including Smells Like Teen Spirit) and writes her own songs and wears nice boots. She used to run the family launderette in Balham and has supported Rufus Wainwright and Katzenjammer. How could I not love her?   - Severin

Happy Mondays – Bob’s Yer Uncle
I was driving to work with my iPod on shuffle when this little beauty popped on, and damn it haven’t I been whistling that little flute riff all day and humming that honking bass sax noise, driving everyone around me mad – I hadn’t heard it for a while and I can’t believe I’d forgotten how good it is, yeah, it’s a bit dirty and grotty but what a noise! Perfect.   - BeltwayBandit

PH Electro – An Englishman In New York (Sting remix)
German DJ Paul Hutsch does some interesting adaptations; some are ill-advised but this is masterfully done. It preserves the essence of the original and removes the bits that irk anti-Sting people. (It’s about Quentin Crisp btw, not autobiographical)   – tincanman

Jimi Hendrix – Mannish Boy
Kickass Muddy Waters cover, completely tranforms the song.   - RipThisJoint

Welcome to new Wormherder Ali Munday, who starts next week and has already laid down a challenge: Send in your best worms and test her eccentricityness. [Is too a word!]

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EARWORMS: A fork in the road, a knife to the heart, or a spoon something something

fork in the roadGreetings Earwormlings,
Wilemena has decided Jan. 28 will be her last as Earworms host, which provides a timely opportunity to review the series and its future. Please murmer amongst yourselves below.

I’ll be Mum in the meantime, and fresh Earworms will pop up Feb 5. I am moving house and look forward to reading your ideas when I get back.

One change I propose is swapping release days with amylee’s 11 to 10 (or whatever it is called). Earworms is six songs chosen for catchiness while the 11 require many extra listens.

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Spill Challenge: Think you’re indie, or know your indie?


Okay, you have to send me a list of the top five indie bands out of the U.K. (I think you said Scotland had a few?). Boomer co-worker here who grew up listening to punk (and worships Paul Weller) agrees there are some interesting acts out that way so I’m curious.”

………… Facebook message from a friend in Ontario, Canada

Over to you Spillers: (I’ll just send him the link. He already knows I’m lazy)

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NEW GAME: Vote one out, episode 1

ImageThis started as an idea for a random post about the 10 most perfect songs ever but I got stuck on 11 and decided to improvise and make it into a series to cover my butt.

The game is simple: you must vote one of these songs off the list and say why. Whatever choice you make will of course be wrong, but c’est la vie.

Next week someone else can have a turn and be laughed at :) . Post 3, 4 or 15 if you like. But one has to go because I said so.

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A ‘Spill challenge for you (but I’ll say it’s me if it helps)

What a wonderful idea (click & select Cassette From My Ex)! I’m betting it will connect with  ’Spillers given our love of poking around in others’ music collections and tendency (given our predisposition to geekiness) to get dumped.

So, is there a song in your collection you still cling to like a pathetic wretch BACKSPACE that was too good to throw out with the bathwater, so to speak?

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Spill Challenge: Sing it loud, sing it proud …. DaddyPig is 50

Anyone who has been to a ‘Spill/RR social will have noticed DaddyPig taking himself off to a quiet corner early in the evening to call home and sing his little angel a bedtime song. [And when he's done, his wife puts their young un on for awhile. ba doom b..oh n/m]

OK, it’s a bit heartwarming. Those of us with kids exchange knowing smiles and there has been the occasional tear shed.

Tears of LAUGHTER, the whuss!!!!!!!

OK, your turn. The man turns 50 on Friday. Let’s roast the old fart! This week’s Spill Challenge: What song would you sing down the phone to DaddyPig?

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Phat Tinny says Get Down, Get Funky this summer

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The Village Voice’s Maura Johnston is one of those non-flashy music writers who lets her opinions do her talking, so when she says one of these 7 songs is destined to be THE summer anthem of 2012, listen up.

With titles like Let’s Go, Lemme See and Best Song Everrr, you can be sure they won’t overburden the intellect. But summer songs aren’t supposed to, are they?

Shall we pick our favorite? (Write-in candidates allowed)

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Updated dropbox: Now let someone view without a download

A Dropbox update makes it easier to share direct links to files inside your Dropbox folders without using your Public folder.

The new system allows you to “Get Link” by right clicking on any file or folder in Dropbox. Send the link so the recipient can view the photo, watch a video or read a document in their browser – no download required.

The feature should be live in the Dropbox webapp, mobile apps, and desktop client right now. (via Lifehacker. Also, dropbox vs Google Drive vs …)

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Hyperinflation hits Argentina: S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y out costly

New peso coin specifications; Argentina, 1974

In 1974, Argentina came out with a new peso coin (the peso leya).

It was 2mm thick, weighed 5 g, and was made of aluminum-bronze. It was generally described as round, and had a narrower rim than the 1976 peso coin. In addition, the sun on the 1976 peso coin was larger than on the 1974 peso coin. The edge was milled. Lettering on the coin read: REPUBLIC ARGENTINA on one side and 1 PESO on the other.

This was a period of high inflation in Argentina. It took 11.90 pesos to buy one American dollar at the start of the year, and by February it had jumped to an exchange rate of 12.30 pesos. There was little change in March, but in April it jumped to 13.30 pesos. By the end of May it took 14.40 pesos to purchase one American dollar. There was again only a modest increase for one month, but by the end of July the exchange rate was 16.60 pesos to one American dollar. In August the exchange rate increased to 17.55 pesos per American dollar. By the end of September the exchnage rate was 18.70 pesos, and by the end of October it had risen to 20.05 pesos. November saw a minor increase to 20.90 pesos, and by the end of December you would need 22.00 Argentinian pesos to purchase $1US.

Meanwhile, also in early 1974,  in the UK  Les McKeown was hastily re-recording lead vocals on the Bay City Rollers’ forthcoming single, “Remember (Sha La La La)”. It was the break the Edinburgh pop/rock/pop rock/bubblegum pop/glam rock quintet needed as it became a sizable hit and a lead-in to a series of UK chart hits.

Continue reading →

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Message from Levon Helm’s family

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

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I know let’s write a song. And not just any song – a Big Hit Record. With a bullet.

Australian music comedy troupe The Axis Of Awesome demonstrates the prevalence of the I V vi IV chord progression, perhaps the most common pop chord progression in modern music. (via Antiquiet)

ATTN Spill Bosses: We don’t have a humour category. Huh? When you post  something funny and we’ll create one? Why you impudent……

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Backyard BBQ Challenge #1: What are you bringing?

THE TURN in the UK weather has brought out the BBQers, and it is a myth that ‘Spillers spend all their time indoors listening to music and organizing our record collections. Quite a few us venture outdoors for leisure on a regular(ish) basis … as long as there’s music. So come on over to The ‘Spill backyard/garden and bring us a tune.

People will have their own ideas about what makes a good BBQ tune, but to me the music is the salsa of the BBQ. It sets the tone and gives extra life to everything around it. I want it fresh, and I want some spice, but I do not want it to be in charge. I’ll start us off with Taller Children by Elizabeth & The Catapults because it’s nice and lively with a good mix of ingredients. I think it should go with anything you guys bring.

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‘Spill Challenge #XVI: It’s only THE biggest night on our social calendar ladies AND gentlemen

As some will remember, the second Tuesday of March is by tradition reserved for the soiree of soirees at The Spill, to wit, the start of Fashion Week! Some will, admittedly, not remember this all to well. And bully for them because I’ve just made it up.

But if we were having a Spill Fashion Show, what would you be wearing down the runway and what music would accompany you?

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It was a cold and stormy night. The woods were deep and dark. Somewhere in the distance, a lone beaver howled

ddw social


This is chris7572,  tincanman, alimunday, Darcey’sDad. and gordonimmel at The Castle Hotel in Manchester after seeing The Deep Dark Woods last Monday.

 Photo by Mrs Tin

(Someone was going to post this last week, but I’m not one to point fingers at the tallest person in the above photo so shall remain shtum.)

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Spill Challenge, star date 2435.101.15: Thursday and no challenge this week? For those who like a quickie:

Since this is a Thursday instead of the usual Tuesday, and inspired by Nilpie‘s embracement of Dr Seuss on RR, we turn for inspiration to a line from a children’s rhyme….

Thursday’s child has far to go

What was the first(ish) song to come to mind?