VIETNOM LIVERPOOL

 This Small Independent Restaurant makes really good Vietnamese food , coffee and cocktails.

Its across the road from my studio and has got me through the second half of 2020.

Thank you Melissa Peter and team.

BOOK A TABLE

Hallouminato Food

 

Peak sandwich bar in Chester market

LIVERPOOL SCOOTERS

 

Melodic Distraction on the Move

 MELODIC DISTRACTION RADIO

LOST ART x JOHN COOPER CLARKE

This started as a passing idea one morning at New Bird.
It didn't sink in until the sparkling waters were being poured out and I'm sat around the big table.
" Dr. John Cooper Clarke is coming to Town for his new Book Launch. 
Your gonna sit and av a chat, it'll be filmed we'll extract lines
of your yammering and from their you can put it into pen and ink for new LA collab! "
The caffeine buzz and chewing gum took the hot air out of my brain and into my note book.
Stoked, if it happens it happens. 
I dropped the needle on Katy's Orange Plectrum shaped 'Gimmick' 7'' and within 30 seconds
he references skateboarding! 
here we go.
The next 7'' put my hands on is recorded Live in Erics '78!
This is all falling in place as the Indian ink flows and the email trains start choo choo'in.
'Gimmick' gets back heeled, tier 3 meant the meet up couldnt go down so it is a agreed
Lines from 'Chicken town' are more relevant than ever.
The Amber turns Green and before ya know it the cameras rolling and im charging round Salford with a new balance box under my arm trying to keep up with West Derby's fastest growth spurt Charlie Birch! @charlie_birch 
*Side Note.
Mr Leviathan of Palace Capital County Boutique, please get his face on a postage stamp or a five-pound note before the years out. He's currently operating on a higher frequency. I was honoured to watch.

I limp off the train, the ink has cured on the shirts and the edit will be out any minute.
The Gear will be available through Lost Art Very soon.
Hopefully @johncooperclarke will make it here in one form or another and we can discuss Hoola Hoops, Skateboards, Cheshire, heshers and threshers.
Thank you all @lostartshop heads for me getting me involved here. one for the CV.

My Mum and Dad will stoked on this too.

#lockdowninchickrntown

Full line of gear availble from LOST ART SHOP WEBSITE

 

Little Dumpling King

 

New Pop Up Restaurant opening soon

The Bagelry

Ive ate hear, played in their, drank out of their lampshades and they employ good peoples.

No brainer for the

The BAGELRY 

Lilth Silver Jewellry

LILITH SILVER JEWELRY

MELODIC DISTRACTION 5th Birthday

These guy did a little feature on us.
Thanks
https://melodicdistraction.com/five-years-spinnin-a-sketch-stance-story/

COVID 19 MASK UP T-SHIRTS

BUY HERE at The Print Social 50% PROFITS GO TO TACKLE RACISM
Theredcard.org

Printed on Continental t shirts.

Melodic Distraction are 5IVE..

... and are doing a line Merch with proceeds going to STOP HATE U.K.

Check the full line and get Pre Order HERE

SKATEBOARDING OWES YOU NOTHING

Sometimes you go out so hyped and cock sure your gonna have a great skate.
Other times your just head home with nothing but an aching bodying...

I'll spend the rest of the week thinking about it and roll away next hopefully..

KEEP IT LOCKED

Killer Hip Hop Radio show

No White Tees

Stoked to have worked with these and printed a run of shirts.
Thanks for the tunes Rich and Joe ( brother of Serious Sam Barrett )

DO BETTER / Thank you Kim Thompson

Kim Thompson is an incredible talent.
I think i met her at at Bloody Head / Sheer Attack gig in a brewery few years ago.
She hung her full colour, paint on paper Exhibition in Buyers Club a few months later.
From Poison ivy to tits with teeth, Grace Jones to Upside cats the brick walls were 'Witchin!'

She worded a perfect text to accompany the image above yesterday.
Inspiring and informative.
Thank you KIM!
Exhibition 20'Post Covid Please.

Everybody, myself included need to learn and re-learn more to stamp out racism,
THE FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS.

This book shop is stacked with knowledge

Booksmark Bookshop

UNTIL FREEDOM website

BLACK LIVES MATTER

x DAMN STRAIGHT x

Daves got a long history with Straight Edge.
Here some recordings he did a few years ago with few other OG SxE heads.
This was written and recorded in 3 hours!
https://damnstraightukhc.bandcamp.com/

Skate x Edge

Lockdown Memoirs, Dear xSkateboarding Youthx

Ive never claimed straight edge , Xd up my hands or wore a t-shirt with a back print adorning a threshold charged pit scene framed by American College varsity lettering.
I have certainly been around it,  have friends who've dedicated a life time to it and own records by heavyweights of the genre.
However i'd say between the age of say 16 - 21 drinking wasn't on my agenda.
Id hadn't had my growth spurt.
I looked too young, couldn't get served and the idea of goin into 'Town' at the weekend to clubs with a gelled fringe, a pastol shirt and a pair of kickers just wasn't appealing.
I didnt smoke and couldn't get any attention off girls who i thought were cool.
For while i did year on, year off but nothing stuck.
All i did was consistantly was Skateboard.
And if i wasn't physically skateboarding i was obsesssing of the culture of it.
I was staring at walls differently.
I was discovering who Minor Threat were, what Vegan meant.
Making tapes composed by songs off videos.
I was travelling on trains all over the  northwest and encountering a full host of nutters and village idiots.
We even made our own scene video reel to reel.
This was meant to be my Prime peer pressure / adolescent / drinking/ pot munchies / first heartbreak years and i experienced none of it.
I just skated.
Thinking back was i XSkate EdgeX? ( Eeerrrugh, yea i did just type that .. hahah)

STEVIE

NYC

DONT MESS WITH TEXAS

Around 21 i moved to moved to Liverpool.
Drinking and skating went hand in hand, i've never looked back.
Keep rollin, dont let a hangover get in the way of a session.

got milk.. (Photo Willy )

Last nights out part 2

Turnstile, Gag, One step closer,  Glitterer
March 9th Manchester Academy.

Since 2017 Turnstile's 'The Non Stop Feeling' Record gets my charged!
Its  loaded with so much undeniable hype. Its Coffee, Red Bull, Jäger, Pepsi, Gack what ever you need to get a fast buzz and charge.
Ive missed them countless times for i dont know what valid reason. Maybe the live Youtube vids have given the show away or maybe just wrong time wrong place wrong venue?
Im making excuses..
Tonight however im doing it.
It was Dull miserable rainy monday, theirs 4 bands on the bill, ive been offered a space in the car and if anything its a good excuse to sit in the car with Bilzo, Kelly and Dave.
As usual ive not bought a ticket in advance and tonights gig has totally SOLD OUT but i fancy my chances.
In some weird logic i figure the promoter has made his money and if i get there early enough, just on my own and i slip him a tenner there shouldn't be any problem me squeezing in the back and watching the stage dives from a safe distance clutching a pint.


'No chance!' says the women in the ticket booth.
I walk back out in the Rain. No touts..
I peep the van load-in zone but its totally lashing so doors are shut and bus curtains are drawn.
I was back into the academy trying cop any familiar faces.
No dice ( starting to feel outta touch as i dont have buckle back cap or a bum bag )
'Sorry man, no can do ' says a long haired with a laminate at the piss trough.
"Sorry for asking while ya slashing mate .."
...that was low.
Im Getting desperate following crew member into toilets.
Looking back i did thoroughly was wash my hands whilst awaiting his eye contact.

I walk back out in the rain for third or maybe fourth time and theirs my man!
Shufflin on the corner with a large Sports Direct Umbrella.
'' Don't you stress, I'll sort you out matey" he says in a thick Mancunian accent.
'' Tickets will be here in 20 mins,  go sit in the pub across the road i'll find ya when they arrive"
I kinda releaved but still anxious , i get £20 out the cashy, fold into my pocket and drink a cold Guiness, in a cold student pub in wet dog clothes.

After 25mins he hasnt show up but i see him out the window across the street issuing his wares to a couple who pick up and then run off into the venue.
Did they get the last tickets!!!?
I leg it over grapsing a pair of soggy folded 10ers
"Whey here he is,  how much man?" i say in an eager jokey mannor.
He avoids eye contact  and looks over his shoulder.
" 30 "
'What! they were £15 online.. here ive only got £20"
His Manor turns a little nasty and his SP (street presence) instantly dwarfs me.
'"ive been here waiting 20mins for you! ...Now if ya wanna get in, ya better go the jog on to the cash machine matey!! "
Im not gonna raise the fact he instructed me to sit in the pub and wait for him. Maybe he's on commission from the pub?
Its fully cats and dog now.
He's won. Ive caved theirs now rules on the streets!
Lesson learnt hole in pocket burnt

Im in, im morally defeated but im in and im gonna fill my boots and not miss a sinlge moment.

Last time i saw this guy perform he was singing with the band Title Fight in MoHo Live around 2012.
I was going through a break up the bands performance and him in particular his connected with me.
Tonight he's on his own with a mic and a backing track. He's looking a little lost .pacing back forth between his water canteen and his mac book with his grown out hair.  Its kinda like heart felt
karaoke with some mild synth pop. Maybe he's is a little lost. Sorry Glitterer im going to check the merch or maybe im still stinging from getting duped by the tout.



Lots of it.
I think Turnstile have some 'Fullfill the dream' era Shortys graphic agenda going on. Werid.
One step Closer have tour only 12'', look kinda cool.
I'll watch an decide.
They are very young, singer reminds me of baby faced Gray Sayle.

There from Philly so im listening. Its tuney, kids are singing.
Very Melodic, my mind drifts back to when Bilzo put Strike Anywhere on with
the xThe Last Chancex, mid way through with play thoughtful shoe gazey instrumental break.
My mind drifts to xSworn Inx / Give up the Ghost in Jillys.
Thier not breaking the mold, but i like. The youth Fuckin love it!
Im gonna buy the limited LP.
If its shit i'll flog it and get double my money back and level the sting on the ticket.
A still panting band member informs me all 100 of the tour 12''s sold out before they even played.
Bare in the mind this was their first gig on the first ever european tour! wow
Bigger press next time Pls.

GAG rule, Marios is fuming cause they have gone before their time slot.
Im pretty sure for the first 2 song the mic isnt even on.
The Singer just rips into the set regardless.
He's got all the 80s' sleevlesd, brusied and shaved head front person maniac going on.
He looks cool, i like his intensity, its real. Their sound is maybe too brutal for some of the audience.  Its relentless, fast, in ya face and clears the whole front row of depop Supreme clones.
Midway through their set a pair of side stage hoovers appear.
They kinda distract  from the bands gripping stage attack for minute. They stand half mean faced, nodding along in full view of the entire room. 'yea i know your in a band too and you got in for free, but they sound even better down here. Dont be a posey pants potato.
I imagine these with in smaller venue would be  full blood, sweat and beers.

The room is now full for turnstile.
Dynmo the magican walks past.
The audience is fully mixed now.
Size? models, Games workshoppers, kerrang boyfriends,  skateboarder girlfriends, stoned camo beanie boys and neck tatted pint clutchers.
I see 2 Merseygrit Tshirts!(smile)
The obligitory hooded roadie with laminates keeps walking back a forth across the stage for about 20 mins shining his Mag light at anything important looking.

Im at a safe distant next to the bar, Gag made me beer thirsty.
Its really dark when they come on, i cant really see the stage and their are alot of pillars.
The humans are too tightly pack for any windmills.
Its air gets very dense, the bodys are bouncing.
The play the familiar tunes the room is pogo'in.
The sound is weird or maybe they'd tuned a step down.
Maybe i wanted more outta the front man..
The Side stage potatoes have multipied. i even spot one from a band ive seen many times before tapping the AAA sticker on his pants to the beat on the breakdown. A Detail, but it cracked me up.
Lotta sing alongs, but i dont really connect.
Its too inpersonsal. I turn into a scene observer oppose to a participant.
I wish id witnessed these songs live four years ago, i think i missed the boat on the epic live turnstile experience.
I feel a little alienated but glad ive seen them now.
They play a short set which think is respectable and cool way of getting 4 bands on the bill.
I cant deny they had a good couple of 100 people leaving with smiles on their faces.

I return home with the only af
fordble memento being a stage time ticket poster and ticket stub.

The next day katy and i stop and services just outside Lancaster en route to the lakes.
We sit in the car and eat gregs and who mopes past the front of the car?
Freaky franky, Ned , two Gags and i think young Philly kid.
The tour is in the space across the carpark!!
It was kinda surreal, i didnt speak to them even though i could deffo hold court talking skating but i just shrivelled up.
To think i paid through to teeth to see em last night, now i get to see em for free going to get their KFC ...haha

Turnstile Lancaster Services M6 

Looking back now im glad i made the effort.
A week Later the country went in to lock down.
To think of all the Covid 19 multiplying in that pit.
It was the last Pint of cold Guiness i had.
Im glad i half went just to sit in a car a appreciate old friends company.
There proberbly wont be any more gigs this year.
This was my last night out.

NEWPORT GIGS

I only befriended Dave recently after doing some printing for him and then after a few schoonz
realised we have loads in common.

One of those interactions that turns into a conversation then a pint then a 'do you want another? ' to 'No way... i know him' or 'Yea i was there! and ' that was you? '

Friends, Music, skateboards, Art, records, gigs.

He's not long moved back to Liverpool after a long stint in South Wales where he was part of a Collective called CHEAP SWEATY FUN.

Scroll down and Check the flyers and rooster of bands that plugged in down their.

CHEAP SWEATY FUN  GIG

COVID SHREDDER MASKS

SK8 Action Magazine Liverpool article 1991

Scored this issue in a trade with U.K  Zine collector Steve Castle from

608 Skateshop 'darn South Somewhere.

Some Nostalgia for the Oldies and some History for the youth.

Write up and Photos by James Hudson

Get in touch if you want Hi Res Scans.

Uncredited nose grinder, but he looks scarily like Tom Tanner before he was even born!

LAST NIGHTS OUT part 1

 Last nights out Part 1.

Missing mates, gigs, pubs, skateboard sessions, observing human behaviour..

Got me thinking of last epic nights out i had.

This was a good one.

IMPERIAL WAX , Live Rooms Chester 31st Jan 2020

End of the month of discontent. Tax Return done, got pityful amount of beans left in the bank but was ready to come out of hibination and earn a good hangover.

What better way than wathcing the remaining members of the Fall playing new a with a new Outfit called IMPERIAL WAX in a former working mans club in Chester.

I dont like to book tickets, dunno why,  Ludite? maybe i like to just wing it and be open options.

I don't like limitations on the possiblites of where the night could go? Id like to think Mark E. would approve of this.

However In this case Sean bought us tickets because he is on it and like me needed an away game.  First Pints on me..

Seen The Fall twice towards the end and they were hit and miss, Mark was always visually entertaining but what i do distinctly recall was how solid the backing band were.

Taking this on board and hearing the new single i was hyped for 'the WAX!

Few scoops in The Plums, last minute text to Luke , he's down. We are on our way!

Luke and i were gifted free last minute tickets for The Fall at Kaz a few year ago, so were both heading into this from the same reference point.

Katy stays sober queen and drives  and exchange for the door tax. She is an angel.

Tins in the car, spotify Dj. Hyped. Started getting loud. (like a devil)

Get there kinda early, not too busy, tiny stage.

Pints.

BoB from probe shows up. Good sign.

Support wasnt fussed for. Pintage.

Dj got some retro fit turntables and slick shoes.

Pints and maybe a a hit on a zootah?

The 'Wax plug in and errupt loud as fuck, tight too!
30 people between 19 and mainly 40 ? North West city with a Cannal and once home to the countries largest council estate.. Mark E would approve.

Pint. (smile)

Still figuring what to do with new hair cut at gig, they play my fav tune

BROMIDIC THRILLS!

Pint.

Some  werid argy bargy goes on..

i avoid, not tonight. keep boppin'.

They Finish, ears ringing!

Merch table. £20 for 7'!! 

The Collector in me is tempted but my fears

are confirmed when card in declined on next round.

Hand shakes with band, a long pisses and then we 

are all lured into the room next door where a full tops off glow stick 90s Happy Hardcore Rave night is pounding. 

Pints appear , full tilt lost in the strobes party shapes ensue.

To think we saw Jerry Only on that stage 5 years ago..haha.

mARK E would deffo approve.

eerrr, blurrr. 

Katy Queen sober drives home, Gn'R live all the way home.

She took these pics.

We had one of our last Nights out.

audience jackets

shoes for a wooden dance floor

neu Hair stare

..vinatge?

backs and the wax

rainbows

support band enthusiasm

fast music

what temperature is this room?

be stiff..

lost of chewy on the floor