I Remember When Rock Was Young, Me and Fifi Had So Much Fun

Top 5: Songs That Remind Me Of Reading Festival

I have had a bit of a moan in the past about Reading Festival and how much it hates me, but there have also been really good times - these are the five songs that remind me of those times. Also, to save repetition later, my friend known as The Music Guru was with me when all these events happened. And most likely The Welsh Boy too.

5. Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Running into the tent and dancing like a loon while leaving the bags with someone else. Good times.



4. Cobra Starship - Snakes On A Plane
In a street teaming effort, we had to deposit some rubber snakes around the site in promotion of the single. I am not convinced we had much of an impact in the sales of the single, but we did leave a rubber snake on a condiments table and then ran away.



3. Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp
As referenced before in a post on mosh-pit style experiences, this was one hell of a dance party! Which may have happened on two occasions, or I could be remembering it incorrectly.



2. Feeder - Buck Rogers
This is gonna sound like a random memory, but this song reminds me of needing to go the lovely toilet facilities during the Feeder set, dancing in the seemingly endless queue and then taking what felt like forever trying to find where I started in the first place.



1. Taking Back Sunday - Error:Operator.

We met TBS at the signing tent and one of them said they liked my T with a teddy on it. I have chosen to believe this was sincere and repeat this fact on a regular basis. I also love that we always get really excited about this song and no-one else does.

Top Five: Rock Band Front Men/Women : RETRACTION

It has come to my attention that back in October 2009, I declared Gabe Saporta as one of the top 5 front men. I wish to take this back. I have since seen the error of my ways, as more recent posts have probably indicated. If you could all pretend I had never said it, it would be very much appreciated. I shall be issuing a new list in due course, just in case anyone is concerned.

Top Five: Fueled By Ramen (Past & Present)

I'm not gonna lie to you folks, when I was young and impressionable, I pretty much lapped up everything that the Fueled By Ramen folks threw in my direction. To be honest, that is pretty much still the case, just not with quite the same level of enthusiasm as before. There are loads more bands I could mention who could have quite easily been in the list. Gym Class Heroes, Cute Is What We Aim For, The Hush Sound, The Academy Is..., Friday Night Boys, October Fall... all are quality bands that nobody has probably heard of, unless you are of the pop punk/happy emo persuasion.


5. Cobra Starship
If I had done this list about a month or so ago, then Cobra Starship would have been a lot higher in this list. However, I have recently seen them on their headlining theatre tour, and it has come to my attention that the lead singer of said band, Mr Gabriel Saporta, is an arrogant, vain numpty who likes the sound of his voice WAY too much and has an inflated sense of his own self importance. That aside, the rest of the band is made up of highly likeable boys and girl (Ryland, Vicki, Nate and Alex) who make genuinely happy music that makes me want to join the band, apart from the fact I may actually kill the lead singer. And to think, I once had that man on my desktop. The computer desktop that is. I don't think I have sold them too well...
Best Tracks: Good Girls Go Bad, You're Not In On The Joke, Guilty Pleasure, Keep It Simple, Snakes On A Plane


4. Panic! At The Disco
I was/am a little bit in love with their first album. I listened to it nearly all the time and even my mum seemed to like them. So it was with great excitement that I pre-ordered album number two, in a special pack including a jigsaw, CD, LP and t-shirt (value for money, people!). Unfortunately, the album is god awful - a prime example of when a change in direction was a really bad idea (hence why I've used the name with the "!"). The early stuff though is still one of my favourite albums with music that transports you to another place and lyrics that you would not expect to come from eighteen year old boys. Recently, the band has split into two citing "musical differences" (i.e. we aren't friends anymore), so I have high hopes that all members will return to their former glory - they're most recent single, by those still allowed to work under the Panic umbrella, is definitely a return to form.
Best Tracks: New Perspective, I Write Sins Not Tragedies, But It's Better If You Do, Build God Then We'll Talk, Camisado.


3. Fall Out Boy
Another band who suffers from arrogant band member syndrome, although this time not the lead singer, but the notorious bass player, whose douche behaviour far extends band activities. I loved this band before they were the toast of the town, ever since I discovered them in some cheesy girls magazine. But no-one cared about them in those days. I have no idea how exactly they became popular, but they no longer seem to be an active band, so are likely to fade away in the not too distant future, which is quite a shame, although I don't think their latest album was one of their best. I don't think this list is going to do much to encourage anyone to listen to these bands. I promise to only say nice things about the final two.
Best Tracks: Sugar We're Goin' Down, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, XO, Grand Theft Autumn, I Don't Care.


2. The Cab
I can't really think of much to say about this band, expect I am in love with their boy band-esque lyrics and happy, rock backing music. It sounds awful on paper, but they are so good. I clearly remember being introduced to this band by a very good friend while sat on her bed and was instantly hooked. A criminally under-rated band of the highest degree.
Best Tracks: Vegas Nights, Bounce, High Hopes & Velvet Ropes, One Of Those Nights, Risky Business.


1. Paramore
I think my views on Hayley Williams are pretty clear by now. I have never heard a song of theirs I didn't like and would go to see them live a hundred times, and I am pretty sure I would never, ever tire of them. With every album they release I fall in love with them, and I am glad that the rest of the world is catching on to their brilliance, even if it did take being associated with a certain vampire movie for it to happen. Although they weren't exactly unpopular prior to this, it was a pretty good business decision by my reckoning. Even NME approve of them now, and they are a right bunch of music snobs.
Best Tracks: Misery Business, Decode, Brick By Boring Brick, Emergency, Born For This.

Desert Island Discs

Going against my usual 5 for a change. 8 is going to be hard enough!

Inspired by the blogging prowess of ADHS and Langley's Blog. So go read them too.

Track One: Error:Operator - Taking Back Sunday

This song holds nothing but good memories for me. Every time I hear it, I have images in my mind of Fi dancing round the room, singing along to the track at full volume at Reading Fest while no-one else even moved a muscle... It's my personal favourite TBS track, which I promise has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the song appears on the soundtrack for the Fantastic Four. In fact, I like this song so much, I have based my twitter name on it. I do wonder what non-TBS fans think its based on.

Track Two: Sugar We're Goin' Down - Fall Out Boy

Although I had liked music of the rock persuasion before discovering Fall Out Boy, it wasn't until I heard this track that I experienced my first love of rockier music (I used to like to think that the Busted/McFly stuff counted, but it really doesn't). I remember reading about them for the first time in some random magazine aimed at teenage girls like Bliss or Sugar or something and decided to check them out, and I am beyond glad that I did. I remember how excited I was when I got tickets to see them for the first time, and then how dissapointed I was when I couldn't go because of university. Not that it did me any good. But I have righted that wrong now.

Track Three: Misery Business - Paramore

I rather love Paramore, as readers of the blog may have already gathered by now, and in particular the powerhouse that is Hayley Williams. She has a voice that can lift your heart a little even on the darkest of days, which would probably be a good quality if you were stranded on a desert island. I chose this particular track as it is one that is not only good for dancing around to, but also for those moments when you want to pretend that you too are a rock star. I know you all do it. You can't fool me.

Track Four: Could It Be Magic - Barry Manilow

Yes, Barry Manilow. I remember listening along to this in the car with my Ma when I was little on a cassette she had of Barry's greatest hits. For reasons I am not entirely clear of, I thought this was one of the greatest things I had ever heard, and I supposed to a degree I still do. He is a bit of a legend in my book. I have vague recollections of seeing him on Noel's House Party back in the day, and I used to love that show. I also clearly remember it being played at the end of mine at Fi's joint 18th birthday and no-one giving a damn. They really should bring it back. I am sure at some point of my life I will be mildly cool, but it's not looking good.

Track Five: Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship & Leighton Meester

I still get a little excited whenever I hear this song, even though I have listened to it a fair few times by now, and I hope that would continue throughout my extended stay. I love Cobra Starship and I love Leighton Meester, so it's a bit of a no-brainer really.

Track Six: If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher

No, wait, come back! I can explain! When I was a little Emma, I used to love standing by the side of Ma while she did her Cher fitness videos and have a go at doing them myself. I remember there was a lot of step aerobics, and as I was only a small child and mother didn't want to kill me, I would use the floor instead. It was a proud day when I was promoted to a small step. I say step, it was probably about as high as a CD case, but at the time I felt really grown up. With it being her exercise video, there were a fair few of her songs in the background too. Like subliminal messaging or something. But I loved it. I am sure at some point of my life I will be mildly cool, but it's not looking good.

Track Seven: Feeling Good - Michael Buble

I find it almost impossible to listen to this song without singing along. I am little bit in love with The Buble (anyone who says they aren't must be fibbing), and if I have his awesome tones playing in my ear I can pretend that he is with me. I was originally going to chose Home as my choice track, but I think that might be taunting myself with that and would probably end up as a nervous wreck.

Track Eight: I'm On A Boat - The Lonely Island

Hello, My name is Emma and I am highly predictable, slightly obsessive, and have a somewhat childish sense of humour. I choose this songs for two reasons. Number One: I can pretend that I am on an actual boat, and therefore not on a desert island, and therefore can be on my way to a movie night at Hotel Fi. Number Two: I could sing/swear along to it as loud as my lungs will allow me to without the fear of someone overhearing me.

Book: This is actually more tricky than the songs, which surprised me a little. So I am decided to take the Harry Potter selection, and I am adamant that doesn't count as cheating. It's essentially the same story seven times anyway!

Luxury Item: My first thought was that I could cheat and bring an ipod, but that's not really in the spirit of the game. My second thought was to take my DS and games, but then I realised that the battery would run out pretty quick, and that would be pretty useless. Then I decided I was thinking about this far too much and really should get a life, so opted for a pillow or a puzzle book.

2009: Top Ten Most Played Artists

My most played artists this year according to LastFM.

I can sense your disapproval already.

10. Panic At The Disco

Most played song: I Write Sins, Not Tragedies

9. Jonas Brothers

Most played song: Burnin' Up

8. Take That

Most played song: Sure

7. Cobra Starship

Most played song: Guilty Pleasure

6. Maroon 5

Most played song: Makes Me Wonder

5. Linkin Park

Most played song: What I've Done

4. Taking Back Sunday

Most played song: Error: Operator

3. Paramore

Most played song: Misery Business

2. Fall Out Boy

Most played song: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

1. McFly

Most played song: Bubblewrap

Music Vids

Slightly lazy post, but I highly recommend watching these music videos. They made me very excited. But I am quite easily excitable. I shall list five. Because 5 is the way I do things round here.

1. Panic At The Disco - New Perspective

If you don't like the band, this probably isn't going to win you over. But is a nice medium between the emoness of album one and folky, cheeriness (and not-so-goodness) of album two. Plus I loves Brendon a little bit.

2. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

Not a massive fan of the song (love the chorus, hate the verses), but the video is fairly epic. Likely to cause bouts of excitement for lovers of fashion, dancing, anime eyes and half naked women. This must cover just about everyone right?

3. Cobra Starship - Hot Mess

The Cobra's would be my guilty pleasure if I actually felt guilty about it. Like the idea of the video and have already played the song to death. There is something exciting about finally seeing a music video to a song you really like.

4. Leighton Meester - Somebody To Love

Ms Meester is one of my two girl crushes, so was therefore bound to love the video. Ridiculously sexy video, but in a classy way. Mostly. Again, not a massive fan of the song, but it is starting to grow on me the more I hear it.

5. 3oh!3 Feat Katy Perry - Starstrukk

Just to even things out, this is girl crush number two (everyone has girl crushes, right?) and I am currently a little obsessed with this song. Until I can afford to have ownership of it, I have just been watching the video online. Good old internet! Unfortunately I can't whistle, so singing along is limited.

I am going to try and remember to recommend videos every Weds/crazy early Thursday morning. If I can organise myself this is.

Top Five: Rock Band Front Men/Women

5. Jared Leto - 30 Seconds To Mars

Maybe its just the fact that he is 'Jared Leto', but it is very hard to take your eyes off this man when he is on stage. His rock credentials are slightly let-down by the fact he tries to play up to it too much and tends to over-swear a little bit. Instead of being hardcore, it ends up being rather humorous.

4. Gabe Saporta - Cobra Starship

I just love Cobra Starship. He may not be the best singer the world has ever seen, but he doesn't pretend to be. He, and the band, are there to have fun and to make sure the audience have fun too.

3. Hayley Williams - Paramore

Not generally a fan of female fronted bands, as I sometimes find them a bit overpowered, but there is barely anything in the world that can outshine Hayley Williams. A huge bundle of energy and pretty much one of the best voices in the business.

2. Adam Lazzara - Taking Back Sunday

Vocal abilities? Check! Likes to climb the stage? Check! Facial fur? Sometimes Check! Microphone swinging? BIG check! Always looks like he is having the time of his life, and also happens to be a very friendly chap indeed.

1. Matt Bellamy - Muse

What. A. Legend. Armed with more gadgets than er... The Gadget Store, Bellamy is a force to be reckoned with. Has more musical talent than is really fair. Not sure what it is about him, but ideas seem more genius, just because he was the one to do it. He is also likely to be seen wearing very bright jacket, and may own one of the coolest collection of guitars ever. I may not be able to play the instrument, but I am still jealous.