Leonard Smalls

Went to see Sirom - they bill themselves as an imaginary folk band from Slovenia. There's three of them, and at least fourteen instruments. All acoustic, from some Mongolian two string bass to penny whistle, from a Moroccan 1string violin thing to a weird nine string cross between a bass banjo and a lyre to a hurdy hurdy. And lots of things to bash. They played four "songs" in just over an hour, there were repetitive beats on a home made glockenspiel overlaid with clashing zither melody and African two string thing that became a big fat groove, then dropped out to leave ethereal singing interspersed with gong and one of em playing a dog bowl with a violin bow. I normally hate folk music. But this was like they played all the folk music in the world at the same time. I loved it, and would urge anyone to go see them, they're in Brighton this eve , then in Belgium *.. *@Hellzero - 4AD muziekclub, Diksmuide 22/11. Highly recommended!

Off to see Slovenian Avant Folk trio Sirom this evening...

Cock around the clock - Bill Haley and his Grommets

Like a Virgin - Madonna

Touch Me (I Want Your Body) - Samantha Fox

Whispering Grass - Don Estelle & Windsor Davies

The Shortest Straw - Metallica

Prayer for my Demo - Urban Dance Squad

IA - MC Solaar

Won't be able to watch... Our transmitter is Freeview Light, which means no Sky Arts.

Be Stiff - Devo

Big Log - Robert Plant

No rehearsal at all, due to drummer having a flat battery and not being able to start it as his battery pack thingy was in his electric car wot his Mrs had taken out.... (????) And one guitarist was too hungover to come anyway. So I spent the afternoon recording bass lines for the other band's upcoming 2nd e.p. (all recording is remote with Weeds!).

Space is the Place - Sun Ra

Compared to What? -Brian Auger's Oblivion Express

Bend Me, Shape Me - The Outsiders (original version!)

Sex Type Thing - Stone Temple Pilots

Didn't you see them when you came and saw us at Percy's?

I'd ensure logs are seasoned at least a year, two for oak, and have a moisture content of below 20% before burning. As for bass, you need a flashy one as it's all about showing off, so you'll need to stand at the front and slap it like there's no tomorrow, preferably while hiding any guitar players behind you.

Here's mine!

Lovely bit of funky bass...

Apparently Nothing - Brand New Heavies

Reveille Rock - Johnny and the Hurricanes

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? - Bing Crosby

Kill the Poor - Dead Kennedys