Lads and Dads

British Rail Logo - Symbol of Saturday

Welcome to South Bermondsey

 Back in the 60s British Rail wanted to shake off it's steam driven and antiquated image and set out to find a new forward thinking modernist label for itself. In 1965 Gerald Burney came up with this gem that has stood the test of time, outlasting even BR and becoming the overall symbol for today's privatized rail network. Despite lasting nearly 50 years, and counting, in its career the double arrows have often stood for indecision, delays and under investment. But it has also stood for ill intent, excessive drinking, violence and skulduggery, the arrows suddenly taking on a double meaning come Saturday.

 In the 80s most firms used the rail network for travelling en mass first using the Specials and then the 'ordinary'. Several groups even hijacked the BR moniker (much like they did the trains) to provide their own identity. The ICF, the Service Crew et. al used it to good affect and suddenly the arrows took on a more sinister meaning than one for old rolling stock and blocked up bogs.

www.casualco.com

It's the same today though. We all love getting the train. And football is at it's best when you walk under the double arrows in your home town, throw yourself on the vulgarities of the National Rail system, have a few cans and a laugh, and then swagger out into the unknown a few hours later to police escorts, 'away' pubs and a few hundred of your own kind hemmed into the corner of a ground and singing your heart out.

So here's to another 50 years from Burney's symbol and the train chucking us out at the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester Picc and London Kings Cross en route to fun and games.

Young Wilson at Meadowhall

  

Gorillaz (2001-2012)

Felt the need to post regarding virtual Britpop band Gorillaz demise. With co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett not seeing eye to eye at the moment, a pin has firmly been stuck in the whole cartoon band thing.

It's a sad thing because they've been with me throughout an important time of my life. Although I bang on about Madness, the Mondays, the Roses etc. they were all before my time. Oasis and Blur were closer but being young teenager when they were going head to head I couldn't get involved. So when hitting my peak in my late teens it was the Gorillaz who have been the background music taking me through the past decade, from invincible leary feck of an 18 year old to a settled 29 year old married dad. And the Gorillaz, like myself, have changed a lot over that time.

I first became aware of them, as everyone did, in 2001 with the thumping debut track 'Clint Eastwood'. Fuck knows where the title came from but the tune was banging. There we were freshi out of sixth form, on release for the weekend, a friday night starting off in the gloom of the Durham City Snooker Club - Cheap pints of Grolsch and bags of Seabrooks, a few frames, then off to chase the wanny. And then this song comes on. It's good. Bloody good. So we turn to the box to check out the accompanying video. But fucking hell these little cartoon men are singing it. What is this? This was the Gorillaz. (Strangely enough the next music vid after this was another animated one - Robbie Williams 'Let Love be Your Energy. We preferred the Gs).

The self titled album contained some great, albeit weirdly named, songs - classic pop tunes mixed with an angry edge, and also a hip-hop vibe provided by 'Del the ghost', counteracting 2D's melancholic voice. Bass provided by Stoke based sadist Murdoc, drums by big Russel and Japanese child Noodle played the other guitar. The perfect manufactured band.

By the time the massive 'Demon Days' came out in 2005 a few years had past. University education was coming to and end, and with it came a deep sorrow. I loved the lazy lifestyle and boozing it up with my pals from Leeds, Redcar and Sunderland. Now the end was nigh and it was time to grow up. Demon Days was like that too. Gorillaz had grown up. The album had a darker edge. It suited my mood. It was there as a chapter of my life was closed and a new one opened. Education gone, time to work. And whilst searching for work I bought Demon Days with the pennies gave to me by the DSS. It kept me going whilst on the dole for sixth months. The pick of the litter for me was 'Dare', mainly because Shaun Ryder was in it. My main memory about this LP was with being out with some old school pals on a student night in Lancaster, monged out of my brain and ad-libbing to Feel Good Inc. whilst trying to keep my guts down on the dance floor. Magic. When my passport to pleasure on the Rock and Roll was over and I finally got a job a few of the (swearwordless) songs were on the company's radio list. Along with this I met a girl...

And step forward to the third album half a decade later, Plastic Beach is unlike the two albums before it. Melancholic relaxed content electro. It almost isn't the Gorillaz. And to an extent it isn't. The cartoon holograms seen performing 'live' in 2005/06 have gone, it's now officially Albarn from Blur and 50% of the Clash in daft sailor hats. They'd changed. And I had too. 2010 and I'm happily married to said girl and expecting a child. He comes along and now I'm Plastic Beached. Content and reflective. I'm sat on Melancholy Hill. Now at 17 months old he loves the Gorillaz too. Bopping to 1999-2000.

But I can't help feeling a touch of sadness when I listen to the final single from Plazzy Beach, 'Doncamatic'. This is a reflective song with an underlying message. That it's finished. Daley sings the song, not Albarn, and it's about closing the book, someone stealing your face etc - something that has actually happened to the cartoon characters we love from the Gorillaz. And the most crushing lyric being that "we're all played out".

It's the end of them. It certainly isn't the end of me, but the me of 2001 and 2005 has certainly long gone. But I'm pleased the cartoony nuttiness of Gorillaz was with me providing the soundtrack to some of the most important and enjoyable times of my life...

Eyemouth (Scotland)

Connoisseur Naess Hat

Plopped through the letterbox today. Pleased as punch to pick one up after missing out last time. Prefer the navy colourway but decided to stay loyal to my Kangol bucket, which the same colour, and therefore opted for sand - they say variety is the spice of life. The stamp on the wee bag was a nice touch, plus the brown paper bag itself is useful to keep the hat in and also store the build up of CC stickers I've amassed. Will probs keep the badges in there too as I haven't got the nuts to pierce it with them four like! Keeping it nice. After the disappointment of the Tam Weir hat not fitting, pleased this actually does as would have been heartbroken. Delighted with it, you'll be looking at cucumber boy in this, as in 'cool as a'...

Guide to being a Dad

It's been nearly 7 weeks now, thought I'd share some things I've discovered on the rollercoaster journey of being a Dad...

Joe is your Friend
Get the coffee in. Drink it, smoke it, stick it on a spoon, burn and then inhale it. Or even take in a nice cheeky line of the finest Kenco pure Colombian. Either way you're going to need a caffeine hit to get you through the first couple of days. And by first couple of days, I mean the next 16 years of your life.

Clobber Close Down
Lock up the Lacoste, stash away your Stone Island and bury that Barbour. No point wearing owt decent for the foreseeable, what with drool, sick, piss and shit (although I'm used to that after a night out on North Road). High street the order of the day, stuff you don't mind getting wrecked - George, BHS and Primark. Real piss poor gear. And Penguin.

Brainwashing

Don't be afraid to inflict your beliefs on your offspring. Jake is only 50 odd days old and already supports Hartlepool United, likes his clothes, votes Labour and has a Nectar card.

Background Reading

Do your research before he arrives and read books on baby's, their behaviour and illnesses etc. I didn't and have regretted it. But I did read 'Hallelujah'. So I know nowt about the little mans behaviour, but I do know plenty about Shaun Ryder's on the Mondays '99 reunion tour. And that is invaluable.

Talk Talk
None of that baby talk rubbish, chat for real with your lad. You want a good natter as soon as he can - about Pools squad rotation, Nick Clegg being a cunt and the quality of latest Adidas reissues. What else are you going to do? Talk to the wife? Give over.

4am TV

When up in the early hours, embrace the chance to see the watershed in reverse. The other night I watched the tail end of Enemy at the Gate followed by Thomas the Tank Engine. And if you fancy being risque - the top end freeview channels have muted crack whores girating for the camera in their skiddies, talking to some night porter getting his rocks off on the other end of the phone. Showings finish 6am. And are then followed by Peppa Pig. She keeps her clothes on though. Disappointing.

NEC exhibition

Welcome to my blog. I'll be posting semi-regular regarding anything, mainly 'casual' related - purchases, brands, new releases (plus old ones), football news, transfers and results etc. Hopefully you'll enjoy.