Four Letter World

New kid on the blog

2010-06-27T12:32:00.002+01:00

I will now endeavour to post some crap over at www.frogsnakes.wordpress.com in the vain hope that it will be easier to update than this heap of junk. see ya there.

This blog is dead

2010-02-01T21:36:00.001Z

At least according to blogger. I guess they have a point I have done fuck all with this in a while. I have however moved and house recently so theres a little excuse. Im thinkinb of taking things in a slightly different direction and focusing more on photography and documentation around Birmingham, so keep your eyes peeled for a "re-activation post" coming soon.

Internet Rummaging

2009-05-25T09:08:00.002+01:00

Museum Collections Centre

2009-05-04T21:14:00.004+01:00

The Mrs and I went round to the Museums Collection Centre (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery) today, as they had one of their seldom open days. This is where the BMAG stores parts of their collection that arent currently on display, and believe you me there is shitloads of random stuff there. Mostly engines and machinery from long-gone factories, but also swathes of taxidermy, ceramics, models and artifacts of everyday life. As a "bikie", I found the old Brummie bicycles of particular interest, have a gander at what we found.

Early front-geared bike.

Italian moped.

Sweet sidecar!

Any ideas what this is? Single-speed tricycle?

Ahm nawt a graffidi ahwtist...

2009-03-23T20:49:00.003Z

CAP MPC Interview over at Senseslost.

Mandatory.

http://senseslost.com/interviews/cap-interview/

Carts of Darkness

2009-02-04T21:41:00.000Z

Coolest documentary I have seen in quite some time. Cheers NFB!

http://www.nfb.ca/film/carts_of_darkness/

Go! pt 3

2009-01-07T20:20:00.003Z

Sort of a semi-discography here, released on epistrophy recs in 1995 from what I can gather. This record contains the first four 7's, and some demo and comp trax. As with the other records grab this one, if only for the lyrics. Should be easy enough to find in the bigger distros.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=475d82c4a597aad4d2db6fb9a8902bda

Go! pt.2

2009-01-05T20:42:00.004Z

So heres the first 7" they recorded after their reformation in 2006. Somehow I ended up with both the 7" and the Cd version, but thats a good thing, cuz the CD has 11 live tracks as a bonus (recorded in 1990 as the "Root Canal" flexi).

Solid, pretty fast and recorded at Don Fury's so you know what to expect. Do yourself a favour and cop this shit at www.designbymike.com/go

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=475d82c4a597aad4d2db6fb9a8902bda

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

2009-01-04T19:43:00.002Z

GO! are among my favourite bands of all time, so heres part uno of their discography which I will publish in installments. GO! were a third wave NYHC band who played short, fast and funny, making it onto a bunch off different comps with songs a few seconds long. They seemed to gravitate towards the ABC No Rio scene with some live tracks floating around. Singer Mike also made a pretty cool stand about gay people in the hardcore scene, poking fun at Bad Brains etc.

Anyway this 7" was recorded in 2007, one of the two released after their reunion.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=475d82c4a597aad4d2db6fb9a8902bda

Hit Me Back/Out of Vogue

2009-01-04T19:39:00.003Z

Cali thrashers offer four cuts each on this 625 and Art of the Underground release from 03 I believe...

Fast skate-y stuff as youd expect from 625. Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=475d82c4a597aad4d2db6fb9a8902bda

Chi-town Beatdown

2009-01-04T19:21:00.004Z

Picked up this comp last time I was in London (which I try to avoid like the plague), a very DIY affair from 1993 showcasing some interesting bands from the windy city. What should get most peoples attention is the Los Crudos number, but give the rest a go.

Critical Beatdown- Whats to come
Critical Beatdown- C.H.A
Fuck the bureaucracy- Consume Amerikkan
Fuck the bureaucracy- Cranial Structure Tribute
Cranial Structure- Gotta Try
Mob Action- Corporate Scams
Los Crudos- Vendedores de Dolor

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=475d82c4a597aad4d2db6fb9a8902bda

yet more pics, and still no music

2008-12-02T18:36:00.002Z

This week in pictures

2008-11-02T21:59:00.001Z

Hardcore High

2008-10-02T19:59:00.003+01:00

Ah the joys of the job...What do you do when you have a new class to teach and dont know their ability level? Get them to do portraits of Ian Mckay. Not that im obsessed or nothing, i just thought that was a good photo to work from. Some others did Rollins, but those didnt turn out as well.

this week in pictures

2008-09-27T22:47:00.002+01:00

thousandswilldie

2008-09-27T22:19:00.003+01:00

Heres summat I picked up in the states about two years ago. I was staying with some friends in Oakland and we rocked up at this houseshow which Peligro Social, Red Handed, Thousandswilldie and Witch Hunt were playing. Long story short, I was psyched, it was a cool show and much fun was had. Heres the demo I acquired that evening, Grind with the customary abrasive vocals and no bass if I remember correctly. The singer seems to be responsible for the graphics, seen his work on some other flyers. Very tidy, check that out.

Enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=dbf918c910d95d25ab1eab3e9fa335caa9ee761ea70e47f4

This week in pictures

2008-09-09T21:24:00.002+01:00

Proof that I am still alive and well looked after

2008-08-27T20:19:00.002+01:00

Shitting hell its been ages again since Ive posted anything. And with my return to work looming, things arent looking up... Oh well.

Summer's been weird and sort of dissapointing, what with having to call off some well deserved holiday time after breaking my foot. The irony being I broke it on my first day of summer holidays, and only just had the cast removed. Ready in time to get back to the job, hooray. Despite being stuck in the house Ive managed to dodge a shiteload of work I should have gotten ready.
But on the upside the new bands been working out nicely (www.myspace.com/fixedgrins) with songs being written and two shows played with Career Suicide. Were currently knocking up some bandanas (eco-friendly, produced locally) and should be recording in the near future. Ears to the ground my friends.

Got plenty of 7's lurking around that will get ripped so expect some actual music related posts coming this way.

Now go listen to some 411: http://prediction-error-signal.blogspot.com/2008/08/411-four-one-one-this-isnt-me-and.html

Dropped...

2008-07-12T00:40:00.002+01:00

According to this:

http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine

it would take 70.53x

to bump me off. What a prospect.

Slight Slappers

2008-07-01T21:27:00.003+01:00

A gem I managed to get for a pittance a few years ago. Great jap thrashcore, with the expected "odd" edge. The title track is my fave.

Try: http://www.mediafire.com/?dv0bm9h3myd

Buy: http://www.interq.or.jp/japan/hgfact/

Splitting Headache Part 2

2008-06-28T12:46:00.003+01:00

As promised, here's the second installment of Splitting Headache, in form of an EP from 2005. Six tracks of hardcore the way it should be. This time i've included the scans.

Try: http://www.mediafire.com/?fsrnnm4zfgu

Buy: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=38875583

Another one down..

2008-06-21T23:20:00.000+01:00

One by one, theyre being picked off.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/new...2746-21104463/

Powerviolence Overload...

2008-06-20T23:33:00.002+01:00

Christ, massive props to Robxt over at www.youbreedlikerats.blogspot.com , who has aquired interviews from various zines of many of my personal faves; Neanderthal, No Comment, Crossed Out, Laerm and others.

Read, digest, listen.

Well done mate.

Starstruck...

2008-06-02T00:00:00.001+01:00

I saw the guitarist Of Napalm Death today. In Aldi of all places...he bought what looked like two packs of biscuits, whilst wearing a sleeveless Morbid Angel t-shirt. Oh the banalities of lief....

Peregrines in Brum

2008-05-11T13:07:00.003+01:00

I was always aware that there was a pair of Peregrines nesting in Birminghams BT Tower, but after speaking with an RSPB Officer today it turns out that there are now three pairs! The falcons from the BT Tower have now relocated to the Colmore Center (tallest building on Colmore Row), probably nesting on the grey ledge above the windows on the side facing the cathedral.
There is also pair nesting in the Clock Tower of Birmingham University, and one at Fort Dunlop apparently. Whilst looking for the inner city falcons today I spotted a Buzzard circling high, quite unusual, but there have been a few raptors in the city recently. Bearwood is a pretty good spot to check them out as we are on a rise and they seem to like gliding over. I've had Buzzards, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks in the last few weeks, all seem to enjoy harassing the swifts that have returned.

That time of year again...

2008-04-28T23:57:00.003+01:00

The sun comes out and I feel the need to get the fuck out of the place i've been holed up in all winter, like many others this time of year. This Peacock was the first butterfly i've seen this year, hopefully a sign of good things to come.

No Spring Hunting in Malta!

2008-04-27T13:58:00.001+01:00

Bit of a long one here people, but things are finally starting to move in the right direction. For those who dont know, Malta is an important crosssing point for birds migrating between Europe and Africa, and there has been a long history of indiscriminate slaughter on this island. Many of europes rarest species have had massive setbacks as they are killed purely for "sport", with absolutely no consideration of the impact on the species population. Activists from Birdlife Malta and other groups trying to assess the situation have been physically attacked, shot at and had their cars burned out. Though this new directive probably wont do much to change the mind set of maltese hunters, it is a step forward.

(following text taken from proact mailing list)
UPDATE: READ FULL TEXT OF EUROPEAN COURT DECISION No spring hunting in 2008, EU courts rules The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has on Thursday decided to ban spring hunting in Malta as an interim measure, preventing the government from opening the 2008 hunting and trapping season for Turtle Dove and Quail. Click here to read the full text of the European Courts http://www.maltastar.com/pages/msrv/msfullart.asp?an=20641

Splitting Headache Pt. 1

2008-03-24T18:38:00.004Z

Long time no post, so here's another cracker from the record crate. On "Night Terrors", Splitting Headache deliver some great straight up HC, with great lead guitar work. Vocals are the standout aspect of this band, to my knowledge the singer used to be in Tear It Up, so you know what to expect! They have a couple of releases on Collapse Records and Chainsaw Safety Records. I do have one of their other 7's lurking around, that'll be in Part 2 then.

Try here: http://rapidshare.com/files/101281900/Splitting_Headache.rar

Buy here: www.myspace.com/splittingheadache

xBrantaxCanadensisx

2008-02-20T22:15:00.000Z

Product Review: Lowepro Minitrekker

2008-02-12T19:41:00.000Z

I recently took the opportunity to field test my new Lowepro Minitrekker, that I received with a subscription to an unnamed magazine, at Upton Warren WWT. When it first arrived I was surprised at how chunky it was, but quickly realized its potential as a serious touring/birding rucksack.

Behold the shite photos taken inside one of the hides:

Contained are: 0.5 Liter Thermos, 2 Books, Gloves, Hat, Camera, Binoculars, and some food that I ate. Loads of space inside with adjustable velcro straps to accomodate your stuff. Inside and outside pockets, and interestingly a fold-out All Weather Cover at the bottom.

Quick Release Tripod Holder in action. (Iwonder which magazine this came with?)

Quite chunky, but well secured.

All in all, a nice piece of kit catering well to the photographer/birder/wandering perv with telescope. Note-I removed some of the excess straps beforehand.

Free Sin Dios Downloads

2008-01-13T15:53:00.000Z

Just a quick one today, Spanish legends Sin Dios have put up their entire discography for free download on their site.

http://sindios.info/sin_dios_dis.html

The bands politics were absolutely sound; firmly anti-racist, -fascist, -sexist, DIY and anarcho-syndicalist. Their sound grew quite complex over the years, though for the most part rock solid hardcore, their musicianship really set them apart. Get it got!

Verse & To Kill

2008-01-08T20:38:00.000Z

Stoke, The Glebe 07/01/08

^To Kill (Italy)^

^Verse (USA)^

Words to live by:

"Get Nike out of Hardcore!"

"Fuck Security!"

Albany Style Hardcore

2008-01-03T23:17:00.000Z

Next up is a 4 way split from one of my favorite US scenes. Sheer brutality from By The Throat and Devoid of Faith, straight up HC from Police Line, and sxe grind by the almighty Monster X! This slab of wax is on Gloom Records (#005), I think there was a repress as well as I have seen an alternative cover.

http://rapidshare.com/files/81057530/Albany_Style_Hardcore_1999.rar

For more Monster X head over to http://sunold864.blogspot.com/2007/12/to-positive-youth.html

Please excuse the crap photos, I havent got a scanner at the moment.

Up Front- Daybreak

2008-01-02T21:26:00.000Z

So... few things cause me as much gut-wrenching frustration as "hardcore". Music built on passion and motivation and inspiration, and yet i am repeatedly slapped in the face by absurd macho idiocy. Fashion, social exclusivity, revenue, all things so many of us have tried to avoid have become mainstays, even trademarks. what a shame.

Anyway enough moaning, heres the first gem from the record crate. CT straight edge rippers Up Front, now theres a band who's style has evolved over the years. Just check out their first full length "Spirit" and them compare it to 1997's "Movement".
1990's Daybreak offers some great melodic yet fast paced numbers, sorry about the amateurish track seperation, it is after all my first rip. If there's any probs just leave a comment and i'll fix things. This pic btw is from the 1993 re-issue. Get it got!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/biky62

If you like what you hear then PLEASE support the artists by buying the record. Good place to start for Up Front releases is www.smorgasboardrecords.com
The firts press will shurely be up on ebay or amazon somewhere, these tracks are also included on the "Five by Seven" CD.

Big things in the Pipeline!

2007-12-29T21:28:00.000Z

Having scrimped and saved I have now got together the set-up to start rippin some of my vinyl, to place here for your downloading pleasure. My collection isnt all encompassing, but there are a few hc/sxe/powerviolence etc gems in there. Give me some time and the links will appear. safe.

Best AFP Photos 2007

2007-12-17T18:32:00.000Z

Two that struck me the most.

Public hanging in Teheran.

Crocodile/Veterinarian altercation.

Us and Them

2007-10-31T08:57:00.000Z

Krap Nek and Dead Offenders, Market Tavern 28/10/2007

Real People, Real Food, Real Bullits!

2007-10-07T21:55:00.000+01:00

Sum pics of Crime Wave and The Horror at the Market Tavern on Oct 5th. Great show, more gigs of this calibre needed in the second city.

..this next one is called "Krang's Robot Body Dub"...

2007-10-02T20:07:00.000+01:00

Cleggy is watching you.

2007-09-29T19:35:00.000+01:00

Saturday night, listening to these:

Wanting to go out and play with this:

8.5 inch width. 62 wheels. 6'3" Rider. Hang ups are a thing of the past.

2007-09-23T22:09:00.000+01:00

So having moved and all that I've sadly lost touch with my old local patch, Edgbaston Reservoir. Stopped by briefly today for some birding on my way into town, and it was great. One of those places were you can really feel at peace with yourself. It was good to see the Great Crested Grebes' youngsters almost fully grown, still in infant camo mode though. Had a pleasant encounter with a Gray Wagtail as well. Still brightly yellow on face and tail, scooting along without a care in the world. Also good to be stood underneath a flock of buzzing Housemartins again.

On to the music: Go to www.coregasm.blogspot.com and grab the Knotwork demo+7 inch, great early melodic sXe hardcore.

As ever,

Fritz

Lesson learnt today:

2007-09-06T17:16:00.000+01:00

If you dropkick a (dead) Jerusalem Cricket, you will get white gunk all over your shoes.

2007-09-01T19:15:00.000+01:00

Ok, once again not many new posts here, but that would be down to the fact that I'm on holiday. I'm in San Francisco at the moment, have shot plenty of photos, but I'll only be able to put them up once I get back later in the week.

Its been fun so far, plenty of gigs and birding, the highlight being spotting the ever elusive California Clapper rail! Kudos to me!

What have you been doing?

2007-08-16T10:46:00.000+01:00

Well, I spent a week in here working on a rush job. Twas fun and good times though the work was quite tedious.

Sorting out tens of thousands of these:

Proof I was well liked:

Keeper of the Gates

2007-08-11T18:27:00.000+01:00

Having now finished moving, I am sampling the delights of our new back yard. Who knew that these:

would attract these:

Gatekeeper - Pyronia tithonus

Dude, why the fuck is there nothing new on here?!

2007-08-11T13:57:00.000+01:00

Because:

-Branson's Henchmen removed my router
-I have just moved house
-I've been working two jobs
-Im preparing to go to University
-Im going on holiday soon, gotta sort that out

That enough reasons for you??!!

Gonna sort a new internet account soon, am now enjoying the delights of scamming someone else's Wifi

As ever

Fritz

Show stopper

2007-07-31T00:45:00.000+01:00

Damn what a show tonight! Having a lockup has paid off well, we played tight even though we had to sound check to "4 pack Justice" about 7 times...We got a good reception and had a laugh watchin Big Difference fuck about, although Pete was worried about his guitar bailing! It survived this baptism of fire, sum pics of the above named are included for your enjoyment.

Milling in Sandwell Valley

2007-07-29T14:24:00.000+01:00

Some more Butterflies I found today, sadly no new birds for the yearlist, which currently stands at 96. Forshame.

Small Skipper - Thymelicus sylvestris

Small White - Pieris Rapae

Escape!

2007-07-24T15:03:00.000+01:00

This here is Aix sponsa, a female Wood Duck.
It's about three quarters the length of an adult mallard, and the species usually resides in woods, swamps and lakes on the east and west coasts of north america. This example here though has been living on the brum canals for a couple of years now. These pics were taken just opposite Sibila's where you can often spot the duck chilling on the jettys.

Because of their attractive plumage (the male is far more colourful) they are popular in private collections in this country, so the chances of this duck being an escape are 99.9% . Feral populations have been temporarily established in Surrey in the past, but they are not considered to be self-sustaining. Due to its native distribution there is a chance that this species can occur as a natural vagrant in western europe, previous records in this country having been in Cornwall and the Scillies.

This female is not ringed, but I have no idea if captive birds are marked. But as I said it has been seen for a couple of years now and is almost definetly an escape. Nonetheless cool to look at so keep your eyes peeled for her.

Wekend Highlights

2007-07-23T15:43:00.000+01:00

1.) Witnessing a man consume 6 g's of coke, 20+ pills, and vast amounts of beer and vodka in one night, only to go to the pub with him the next morning.

My first question of the day was "How the fuck are you still alive?"

2.) Killer Vegan all-you-can-eat buffet at some thai place off Leicester Square.

3.) Greasy veggie fry-up somewhere in Clapham. (I like food. A lot.)

4.) Milling around in Brixton till 4 am and not getting mugged let alone approached.

5.) Completing various clandestine activities succesfully, and putting names to faces.

Result.

Today in Hockley

2007-07-19T23:22:00.000+01:00

Outside the practice room:

Small Tortoiseshell -Aglais urticae

And inside:

Drummer and Guitarist

Ornithologist by nature, Entomologist by necessity

2007-07-18T01:42:00.000+01:00

Being in possession of only average camera equipment, I haven't been able to do much of any Bird photography. I love being out in the field observing, but sadly I just havent got the funds to amass the SLR's and Lenses I would need to get some decent shots. With this in mind I decided to concentrate more on the Insect life on my next birding expedition, and was duly rewarded. Shots here were taken at Upton Warren with my Samsung 7 megapixel camera, they arent brilliant but I am quite happy with them. Its been good fun looking for insects, and then IDing them at home, could be a good alternative when theres not much birds about. Anyhow, enjoy these, feel free to send in any corrections!

Red Admiral -Vanessa atalanta

Comma -Polygonia c-album

Black-tailed Skimmer -Orthetrum cancellatum

Emerald Damselfly -Lestes sponsa

Peacock- Inachis io

Banded Demoiselle -Calopteryx splendens

Ringlet -Ahantopus hyperantus

Southern Hawker -Aeshna cyanea

Shameless Self Promotion

2007-07-16T00:21:00.001+01:00

As you might be hearing, I've put up some rough tracks we recorded in the lock up the other day. All hail the mighty cheap-ass four track! Heres some upcoming shows were playing as well.

Species Count at the ER

2007-07-13T00:52:00.000+01:00

Its been some time since I last did a species count (of Birds) at Edgbaston Reservoir, I think I did the last one in January. Anyway I counted late in the afternoon, arguably a very poor time to look for birds, but still got a good oversight. Results below:

-Coot

-Mallard (+many ducklings)

-Lesser Black Backed Gull

-Canada Goose

-Stock Pigeon

-Moorhen (+chicks)

-Great Crested Grebe (+chicks)

-House Martin

-Wren

-Wood Pigeon

-Common Tern (breeding?)

-Carrion Crow

-Jackdaw

-Magpie

-Black Headed Gull (making a comeback)

-Swift

-House Sparrow

So thats 18 species in total, rather poor, but considering time of day and extremely high level of water, understandable. I mean Blackbirds, Starlings, Robin, Nuthatches etc are all abundant, I just didnt happen to see any on my way round.

So even despite the fluctuating water levels, the Grebes have managed to breed, much to my relief. For a while it looked like a pair of Little Ringed Plovers might have settled down, but the heavy rain must have scared them off. Surprisingly, three Common Terns have hung around for some time now. Today I saw one feed another which could mean two things: there are two parents and a juvenile present, or they are getting ready to breed.

Might pop down Upton Warren tomorrow, as the year list still only stands at 95....Hope to crack 100 species asap.

Friendly punk needs home...plz

2007-07-10T15:48:00.000+01:00

The lease on our house is up at the end of the month and some of us need a new place to live...Been looking all over this town and it seems we have narrowed down our search to Moseley/Kings Heath. Nice place, I hope we can get ourselves somewhere not too bloody expensive, thanx to the ridiculously inflated housing market and assholes buying property to refurbish and the let to some poor schmucks.

Its a frustrating business trying to find a domicile with only 3 weeks left to go. And then theres the whole matter of getting our first deposit back, paying the next one and trying to make out we didnt fuck up the house completely...Maybe Django Reinhardt will cool my temper somewhat.

Leftovers...

2007-07-02T17:09:00.000+01:00

Random Pics left on my memorycard...

Somewhere in the East End

On Broad Street

Midlands Sailing Club

Upper deck on the No. 9 Bus

Taken at Haweswater in the Lake District a few weeks ago.

The Oral History of Powerviolence

2007-07-02T00:35:00.000+01:00

Cool article I found over at Decibel Mag.
Check it.

http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/jul2007/powerviolence.aspx

Quote of the Day

2007-06-24T21:25:00.000+01:00

From "Beneath the Underdog" by Charles Mingus. As said by Fats Navarro:

"Well, if things don't change, Cholly, do like I tell you, get yourself some heat, guns, cannons, and be willing to die like they was. Thats all I heared when I was a kid, how bad they was and not afraid to die-to arms, to arms and all that schitt, give me liberty or give me death! Show me where that atomic power button is and I'll give them cocksuckers some liberty!"

Johnny Rad's "Skateboard Shuffle!"

2007-06-18T22:39:00.000+01:00

From Powell's "Search for the Animal Chin" Skatevid. I remember this blowing my mind when I was about 12...

I'll be back...

2007-06-18T18:21:00.000+01:00

Hey everybody, I've decided to resurrect Four Letter World, after realizing that I spend far too much time on the internet looking for interestin stuff...The old version was mainly thoughts and book reviews, I'll try and widen the scope on Mark II. I'm thinking more mp3's, but I'm gonna have to work that one out first. Anyway, pop in and enjoy my findings.

Feel free to trade links!