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: Life Changing Gigs

These are not necessarily the five best gigs that I have attended, but the ones that have changed my life the most in some way or other. It might sound a little over-dramatic, but bear with me on this one. Also, you should bear in mind that I do not have an impeccable memory, so any dates mentioned will be courtesy of my dear friend Mr Google, or the stash of tickets currently living in a yellow box under my bed. I apologise in advance for the number of times I am probably about to use the word "gig". I also apologise to person I shall refer to as "Music Guru" who has attended the majority of these events so probably doesn't want to read about them again.

5. 30 Seconds To Mars @ Bristol Academy - 2008

One of the many bands that have come into my life courtesy of my dear friend and music guru (they are the same person by the way). I was a little sceptical of seeing a band with a celebrity lead singer, and was a little scared by the screaming girls/women surrounding me, but it turns out that 30 Seconds To Mars are a band that benefit from the live environment. I don't think I would be as keen on this band if I had never seen them in this live capacity. To be honest, I mostly threw this gig in the mix because I couldn't think of five gigs. But it was a pretty awesome show.

4. 911 @ BIC, Bournemouth - late nineties

This was the first gig I ever attended. I went with my mother. The support band was Atomic Kitten, back in the days when they were called Automatic Kitten. This probably tells you everything you need to know about the whole experience to be honest, and I can already foresee that you are all now bitterly disappointed that my taste in music has not always been at its current high standard *cough*. However, had I never danced the night away with 911 & co, I may never have caught the gigging bug, and that would have been a little bit tragic, as this was the night that I realised that music was meant to be played live, not out of a stereo.

3. You Me At Six, Forever The Sickest Kids, We The Kings @ Newport Centre, Newport - March 2010

Two Reasons. 1) I had been desperate to see FTSK live for ages and ages, so I feel like an ambition was reached. 2) It has triggered a slight YM@6 (though admittedly mostly lead singer based) obsession. I have always liked the band, but something happened on that fateful evening in Newport which has resulted in my brain being consumed by an urge to listen to their music at all hours of the day. Plus, I melt a little at the sight of Josh Franceschi's smiley face. I'm not sure how long this will last, but for now, I am 100% hooked. I feel slightly better as Music Guru is in the same boat.

2. Muse @ Earls Court, London - 2004

To date, probably the best live band I have ever seen. I have seen them in a few different locations over the years, but this was the first time I witnessed them, and to say I was blown away is a little bit of an understatement. It raised my expectations of what to expect when seeing a band. I may be wrong, but I also believe it is the first time I have had to leave gig early and have a (not so) leisurely run through the tube station with Music Guru in order to catch the last public transport home. The annoyance at having to skip out before the end is slightly balanced out my the tannoy announcement telling us to stop running as we sped through Earls Court train station, but only slightly.

1. Taking Back Sunday @ 93 Feet East, London - August 2006

Prior to attending this gig, my only experience of this band was through Music Guru. I had liked the music, and as the gig was to take place in one of the smallest venues known to man, this was too good an opportunity to waste. As it turned out, we were stood effectively in the second row, which remains the best "seats" I have ever had at a gig - I could actually see the band for one thing (something that is not always easy when you are a person as short in stature as I unfortunately am). I went from casual listener to huge fan during the set and haven't looked back since. I remember the set drawing to a close and me thanking my friend for introducing me to the band, and said friend buying me a TBS T-shirt as I really wanted one, and at the time was a bit on the poor side. It remains one of my prize possessions. This awesome show was followed by seeing the band AGAIN just a few days later at Reading Festival, which was in turn followed by me and the music guru queueing up to meet my brand new heroes. I will never turn down a chance to see these guys.

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

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.