Ade you’re in good company, the RZA’s on a no caffeine tip too…

(apologies for the swearing on behalf of the Wu)

Click here to view the embedded video.

For every music fan who says rock ’n’ roll ain’t what it used to be; for every pundit who concurs with Hunter S. Thompson’s assessment of the music business as “a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free;” there are an equal number who will say that the business of creating and releasing innovative and satisfying music is as healthy as ever — it’s just done on a smaller scale.

Such Hawks, Such Hounds is a testament to the vitality of rock music. Relying only marginally on nostalgia, it says that at any point in history, the music being made is as worthy of attention as that of times past. It’s an introduction to an underheralded subgenre and a realization of its cinematic possibilities.

Such Hawks tells a story that needs to be told. Since the Alternative Revolution of the early 1990s, there has been a heightened interest in music with roots in the underground, hence such excellent genre studies as Hype!, Scratch and American Hardcore. While a similar celebration of sounds held dear, Such Hawks captures a moment as it is happening.

Such Hawks explores the music and musicians of the American hard rock underground circa 1970-2007, focusing on the psychedelic and ’70s proto-metal-derived styles that have in recent years formed a rich tapestry of unclassifiable sounds.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is uprooting from the mothership festival in the Canadian Rockies and will shortly be heading for the UK to tour to a location near you.

As well as climbing flicks, there will be a selection of other brilliant mountain based films featuring mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, whitewater kayaking and speed flying (a cross between paragliding and skiing including some incredible aerial footage as they descend Mont Blanc). Full details of the film programme at each venue, as well as more information and how to buy tickets can be found at http://www.banff-uk.com

As well as seeing some great films, you can also win some great nightly prizes as well as go in the draw to win a 7 day Mont Blanc trek. A bar will be open at all screenings before the films and during intermission.

i just found out about this, anyone seen it yet?

Made in Queens is a short film that lifts the lid on an underground scene emerging in the outskirts of New York’s Queens borough. Directed by Nicolas Randall and Joe Stevens, the film looks at a small crew of Trinida­dian teenagers, led by Nick Ragbir, who are obsessed with customising their bmx bikes with the fattest soundsystems they can possibly hook them up with.

Kim sent round an email this morning warning the Cardigan lot that she and Ade had been experiencing a few punctures lately (probably due to the building work going on next door) and warning everyone to be extra vigilant.

Kim i feel your pain, I’ve been having the worst luck recently and punctures have become the bane of my life, in this week alone i’ve already had 3, the amount of glass that get’s stuck in my tyres is unbelievable. I have to empty them over the bath each time i replace an inner tube.

Interestingly enough i also just found out this little fact …

“Punctures come in threes; if you get one, you’ve a 46.8% chance of getting another each time you go out until you reach your three”.

Maybe my luck is about to change!

can anyone beat my 3 in a week???

here’s a review of 2009 as seen through the hawk eyes and lens of Ricky Adam, it’s well worth 5 minutes and 25 seconds of your time!

a mate of mine from ‘boro has just created this little monster. Genius!

i was sent this picture the other day, its from a friend of mine and it’s of her dog Winnie and some new arrivals, i’ve been trying to find an excuse to post it on here ever since, after the video from tim i thought it might help put a smile on peoples faces, this is what i came up with…

december = christmas

christmas = snow

snow = huskies

huskies = puppies

puppies = everyone loves a puppy

Serious Sam Barrett plus shreddin equals a recipe for success, here’s his brand new video…

My present was a trip to the UK wolf conservation trust in Beenham just outside Reading to go on a wolf walk and meet all the wolves up close. It was a dream come true for me and i thoroughly recommend a visit or even just a look on the website to find out a bit more about this worthy cause, it’s not something im gonna forget in a hurry!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I found this article on UKclimbing.com by keen climber, runner and environmental consultant Es Tresidder on the relationship between Climate change and Mountain sports.

Also tonight on Countryfile, BBC1, 7pm, John Craven is reporting on how eating less meat can contribute to saving our planet!

Ethics of eating meat byCaroline Stacey

”if the average UK household bought half as much meat, according to CIWF’s calculations, carbon emissions would be cut by more than if we used our cars half as much. Is it really such a sacrifice to cut out a chop or a chicken breast here and there to decrease our animal intake to 500g of meat and 1 litre of milk or 100g of cheese per week, if it means, in the words of CIWF’s D’Silva, “healthier people, happier animals and a healthier planet”?

Both articles make for very interesting reading.

My mate Sam has 2 record release shows coming up to promote his new ‘Close to Home’ Lp, there’s one up north and one down south so if you’re lucky enough to live near Leeds or London here’s the details…

13th August, Nation of Shopkeepers, 27-37 Cambridge Street, Leeds, 8:00pm, Free Entry (<you can’t argue with that!)

14th August, The Green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden, London, 8:00pm, £6 (tickets available from wegottickets there’s only 15 left so be quick)

I know he would much appreciate the support and if you can make it to either one you’ll get to witness something pretty special…

LONG LIVE THE YORKSHIRE RAMBLER!!!

i managed to make it back from Peru in one piece, plus a sprained ankle, a few blisters and a major case of  freckles

made it to Lima – Ayacucho -Andahuaylas – Cusco – Puno – Arequipa – Paracas

i cant recommend it highly enough

733 photos and this is my favourite!

In 6 days time im off to Peru for a month, i’ve never been to South America before so i can’t wait to get there.

I’m flying to Lima and then after a few days making my way to Cusco by bus to begin the Inca trail.

I’ve got new shoes, new bag, loads of merino a toothbrush but not much of a clue!

Anyone got any words of wisdom before i get myself in a whole heap of bother 4200 metres above sea level???

My mate Sam has just written and recorded his first full length album, it’s coming out on a DIY record label http://yadigrecords.blogspot.com/ that our friend Rozze has just started up in leeds.

This is the first release and it’s a reet corker!

He’s gonna be playin around the country and the USA over the next couple of months so go here http://www.myspace.com/sambarrett  have a listen and see if he’s playin anywhere near you, you’re in for a treat!

Long live Serious Sam Barrett!

After hearing rave reviews (mainly from herself) and with a little persuading i managed to talk Hollie from our customer services team to bake us some cakes.

This morning they arrived with our delivery, we knew they were coming, we could smell the chocolate a mile off, i didnt have any breakfast this morning so id have extra room in the old belly!

Thanks Hollie (have you made us the crispie cakes yet?)

Ps. watch your teeth on those little silver ball thingys!

If  you’re at a loose end tomorrow why not have a go at this?

Man Vs. Horse

Man has always pitted his wits and body against his fellow men, the animal kingdom and the natural world to demonstrate superior athleticism and mental strength. This is never more apparent than during Llanwrytd Wells’ annual Man versus Horse Marathon.

Inspired by a conversation in his local pub, in 1980 Gordon Green, the landlord of the Neuadd Arms, overheard the claims of one of his patrons who professed that over a significant distance across country, man was the equal of any horse. Deciding this was a matter for a public challenge, the Man versus Horse Marathon was born.

The race has been run every year since, changing and attaining new levels of entry and challenges each time. It took 25 years before a man finally beat a horse, when Huw Lobb won in two hours and five minutes, finishing two minutes before the fastest horse.

The race itself is run over 22 miles of mixed and very hilly terrain, including farm tracks, foot and bridle paths, forestry roads and open moorland. The event attracted 414 entrants in 2008: 299 runners, 74 relay teams and 42 horses. Dukes Touch of Fun ridden by Geoffrey Allen won to claim the £1000 prize.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8071865.stm

turns out the owner of the land wasnt too happy when he turned up one day and saw what was goin on, but for now he’s left them to it, don’t know how long it’ll last but fingers crossed itll be there for a few years yet, if youre in the area go take a look for yourself cause it’s pretty impressive so far!

get buildin!