I love my Vans....

BLACK FLAG LINE-UP.......HAIRSTYLES 76-86

"Imitation is the greatest form of flattery....?"

CRUCIAL SECTION are a Japanese Hardcore band heavily influenced by the 80's UK/ Euro HC scene.

Bands such as Larm, BGK, Heresy, Ripcord and my old Band JAILCELL RECIPES to name a few.

Above is the sleeve of our POULTON RD. ep released in 1989(I think) and also a 7-inch from C.S. I picked up on a trip to Japan a few years back. I wouldn't be going too far to say that the latter is definitely inspired by the former!

I began corresponding with Hiro, the vocalist in C.S. via Myspace a coupla years back and actually booked some UK dates for them in November 2009.

I picked 'em up from the airport and me and Sean drove 'em around for a few days finally dropping them off at Dover to take the ferry to Europe to continue the tour.

Our new (old) band BAIL-BOND...3/4's of JAILCELL RECIPES, also played the UK dates, and as an encore, Hiro even did a few old songs with us.....which was great fun but it killed Ian the drummer...we stopped playing those superfast songs back in 1990!

Crucial Section have returned the offer and have asked Bail-Bond to do a few dates in Japan in 2011...

I think we showed these guys a good time but with a major language barrier....its hard to tell....they do look pretty happy in these pictures though. (The Jailcell banner is 23 years old)

Wada: guitar

Hiro: vocals

Dr. OT Madd: drums

Sniper: bass guitar

Down on the Skooter Farm.....I'm addicted!

Awesome after-work session with myself, the Captain,Wilky and Richard May. The track really needs some water on it to make it more consistent and predictable......still had a bunch of fun though. Did some drills with our new cones...working on 'Diamonding off' the corners and timed laps through the cones.
Can't wait until the weekend session!!

Day on the Dyno......

Day out to MOTRAC RACING in Ellesmere Port with Joe Crow and Wilky to run our race bikes on the Dyno. Both mine and Wilky's bikes have developed carb troubles since modifying the exhausts to meet ACU noise testing!! Sorted out the wooliness at low revs and squeezed a couple more horses out of my bike. Pete found out he needs to "de-tune" his engine somewhat to be able to use his existing exhaust system.
Steve the Proprieter and his brother both loved the Flat track bikes and were super helpful and friendly. I fully recommend their services.

motrac-racing

THUNDERBIKES ARE GO!

Thunderbikes final at Buxton Speedway last summer.....that's me # 31, in the red and black leathers in 4th place.

THE BOMB UK tour kick-off

Great band, great show! Met some friends I ain't seen for a while!!

Check out these UK dates for THE BOMB

Thursday 8th April - Cavern Club, Exeter

Friday 9th April - Scruffy Murphys, Birmingham

Saturday 10th April - Le Pub, Newport

Sunday 11th April - The Windmill, Brixton

Monday 12th April - The Croft, Bristol

Tuesday 13th April - Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds

Wednesday 14th April - The 13th Note, Glasgow

Thursday 15th April - Bannermans, Edinburgh

Friday 16th April - The Casbah, Sheffield

Saturday 17th April - Fighting Cocks, Kingston

Sunday 18th April - Club Revolution, Peterborough

THE STAGS IN THE 'POOL

Same weekend as the Stafford Classic Bike Show but always a great night out!!

THE BOMB .......Chigago

THE BOMB from Chicago (where else?) play chugga-chugga power punk with authority and so they should, the singer, Jeff Pezzati, was the frontman of NAKED RAYGUN and original bassist in BIG BLACK.
Crusty Myke brought this band to my attention and also the fact they play in Manchester tomorrow night.
Picking up were PEGBOY and RAYGUN left off ....I bet they kick yours and my ass live!!!
Check out their Myspace here turn it up loud and check out if they are playing anywhere near you!!

Here is a review for the new record SPEED IS EVERYTHING that I found online:

"Naked Raygun was a huge inspiration for me. Along with Fugazi and Leatherface, they helped create the bedrock that defines the "Gainesville sound". As much as I discredit the root idea that such a sound even exists or is quantifiable to such a finite point, I will at least concede that there are certain key influences for many a young (at heart) local miscreant. I digress. The fact that twenty-one years after NR played a legion hall in Gainesville, we are putting out a record that not only stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best NR album, but perhaps surpasses, well, this blows me away. I have a hard time finding words that express how much Pezzati's voice shakes me to the core. So I'll abandon words entirely and quote the man himself "Whoa Hey Ho". Yes. This record means that much. Crafting the music and bringing the workhorse/powerhouse ethic are Jeff Dean, Mike Soucy, and Pete Mittler, who have truly risen to the occasion. They have been in countless Chicago bands, and continue to split their time with several noteworthy, exceptional bands, including The Methadones and Four Star Alarm. Energy. Focus. Intensity. As if it could get any better, the album was recorded by J. Robbins, who also makes appearances on various songs. He really brought out the best in the band and songs, amplifying and directing, especially in the vocal harmonies and melodies. Pezzati turned in vocals on the last Paint It Black album, and Dan Yemin returns the favor here. Bob Nanna also lends his inimitable pipes to the mix." - -Var