Here We Goal!

The FIFA World Cup 2006 will only start kicking on June 9 in Germany, England's official World Cup anthem is already out now. Certainly the FA had picked a wrong band, British indie-crooner Embrace to record the anthem. The Yorkshire band produced a mellow ballad titled "World At Your Feet" [download] as the anthem that is supposed to be chanted in terraces and lift the spirit of England team winning the cup. I listened to the song and find no England, no football were mentioned, only vague lyrics like these in the chorus:

"With the world at your feet
There's no one you can't beat
Yes it can be done
With the world at your feet
There's no height you can't reach
This could be the one
It's calling, it's calling you now
You know it's going to be our time
Cause the world is at your feet
Yes the world is at your feet"

There is also Justin Hawkins singing the much-more uplifting "England" [download] in his solo project British Whale. The non-official anthem has provoked much controversy with its lyrics referring to World War II. Also, the chorus which is just the word "England", is based on the German anthem. Lyrics go like these:

"England men, England women, England boys, England girls
Tears of pride will
stain your faces when we conquer the world
England is the motherland of
football
And the World Cup will once again be hers

Football will be
our only weapon
Skill and power will be our only shield
We fought them
on the beaches, now we'll play them on the field
And once again the world
will surely yield

England, England, England, England, England, England,
England England, England, England, England, England, England, England

From the Tyne to the White Cliffs and the Cornish Sea Every rolling moor
and every shining city
Every town and village shouting ever so proudly For
an English victory
Our boys have got balls, all we need's a pitch Scratching
away at the 40 year itch
Pull on the England shirt, be proud of every stitch
'cos this year's pickings will be rich

England, England, England,
England, England, England, England England, England, England, England, England,
England, England

England, England, England, England

Engerland

England, England, England, England, England, England, England England,
England, England, England, England, England, England England"

With the title word mentioned at least 50 times, I can see the tanked British footie fans belting out the chorus in a German stadium, rather than the musically and lyrically not-so-brilliant official anthem. But how would the Germans react when English men singing to tune of their anthem? another World War?

Embrace - World At Your Feet

British Whale - England

Updated by YS

Chic Rock Fashion

Rock music and fashion always go hand-in-hand. Fashion models date rock stars. Rocker style was every now and then strutted on walkway. Now, grudge is out, designers have been inspired by the chic rock style donned by hipster indie bands. Watch the fashion shows, you'll find some of those hottest fashion elements resemble those hip kids who play music.

1. Skinny Pants
When everyone was still wearing bangy or bootcuts, rockers have been wearing skinny pants since forever (never mind those pop-punk skateboarders). Now, every model is struting their much longer and slimmer (than the rockers) legs in super-skinny jeans.

Kate Moss in Skinny Jeans

Silver Skinny Pants by Dior Homme 2006 Spring Collection

The Strokes in Skinny Pants

2. Stripes
Nautical style is so in now. Stripey clothes are must-have in nautical collection. Wait a minute, didn't Franz Ferdinand wear black-and-red striped shirts in "Do You Want To" video? I recalled the last time I attented Franz Ferdinand concert in Singapore, almost every kid came in striped shirts of any colour, whether thin or bold, vertical or horizontal.

Stripes by Mens Emporio Armani 2006 Fall Collection

FF's famous Black-and-Red stripes

3. Skinny tie
Hipster bands like The Libertines, The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, etc have been sporting tailored-suits. Skinny tie is the perfect compliment to finish off that cool indie mod look. Get rid of your regular-off-to-work ties and don a plain or striped (again) skinny tie now!

Skinny Tie by Dior Homme 2006 Spring Collection

NME Best Dressed Ricky Wilson wearing Skinny Tie

4.White
White is the new black. The very hot colour this season, the catwalks have had an extraordinary amount of white clothings. I see chic rockers wearing white suits, white tie, white leather loafers, and one even bearing "White" in his name.

White Suit by Paul Smith 2006 Spring Collection

Brandon Flowers at Live 8

Worn by Julian Casablancas in "Reptilia"

Mr. "White"

Conclusion:
To be as cool as these chic rockers, the keys are thin, white, or stripes. But be careful, you don't want to turn out like this:

The catsuit look is so old, Justin...but the stripes are alright

Updated by YS

T In The Park

T in the Park is back! On the 8th and 9th July with even bigger and stronger lineup. Some bigger acts already confirmed include Glasgow very-own Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Who, Kaiser Chiefs, Arctic Monkeys, etc. More will be announced in coming weeks. Me looking at the line-ups, goodness those who managed to snatch the tickets are one lucky bunch. This year tickets were already sold out in a record of 40 minutes. Anyway, this doesn't really concern me because I could never afford to attend the event. Though the accomodation can be easily taken care off, with my aunt living in Glasgow, the air fares to Scotland can already burn a big hole in my pocket. Haih, I shall just set my mind on the follow-up to Bangkok 100 Rock Festival (hopefully there will be one), albeit smaller and has much lesser acts, it would be more affordable and nearer to my home.

T in the Park Flashback:

Franz Ferdinand "Take Me Out" @ T in the Park 2004

The Strokes "Last Nite" @ T in the Park 2004

Oasis "Live Forever" @ T in the Park 2002

Beastie Boys "Intergalatic" @ T in the Park 1998

Updated by YS

Albert, The Birthday Boy

Whoa, it has been a while since i last posted about The Strokes - The coolest ever band on earth.

Today is one of its member, Albert Hammond Jr's 27th birthday. In case you don't know, he is the big-afro dude always seen wearing formal suits and playing guitar in high horizontal position. He shares his birthday (9th April) with Gerald Way (My Chemical Romance), Robbie Fowler and Dennis Quaid.

According to a recent NME article, it was said by the band's best friend, Adam Green that Albert is recording a solo album, though there is no further information. Well, we will have to wait and see...

Check out these Albert's songs:

The Strokes (Albert Hammond Jr.) - Elephant Song

The Strokes (Albert Hammond Jr.) - Obstinate

Ben Kweller (ft. Albert Hammond Jr.) - Wait (The Beatles Cover)

Updated by YS

Dirty Pretty Things

While Pete Doherty is waiting for his trial for drug possesion scheduled on 20th April, Dirty Pretty Things led by his former bandmate Carl Barât, is set to release its debut album 'Waterloo To Anywhere' on 8th May 2006. The other members include two former libertines - Gary Powell (drums) and Anthony Rossomando (guitar/backing vocals) as well as an ex-Cooper Temple Clause, Didz Hammind (bass/backing vocals), a fill-in for Pete Doherty.

The latest trend in indie music is neither skinny pants nor outrageous haircuts. Guess what? It is leaked tracks or even one full album. After we heard the leaks from the Secret Machines, Snow Patrol, The Zutons and of course The Raconteurs, intentionally or not, DPT's Waterloo To Anywhere has also followed the path. If you like the sound of early Libertines and Doherty's band, Babyshambles, check this out!

Tracklisting as follows:

01 Deadwood
02 Doctors and Dealers [download]
03 Bang Bang, You’re Dead
04 Blood Thirsty Bastards
05 The Gentry Cove
06 Gin & Milk
07 The Enemy [download]
08 If You Love A Woman
09 You Fucking Love It
10 Wondering [download]
11 Last of the Small Town Playboys
12 B.U.R.M.A.

Also check out Bang Bang You're Dead & Deadwood videos.

Updated by YS

Razorlight's New Song

Razorlight is currently recording their follow-up to the 2004 debut album 'Up All Night'. From the studio, they have streamed a new song called 'Pop Song 2006' via their official site days ago. As the streaming was only available for a couple minutes, many have missed the insight into their second album, including myself.

But someone did rip and share the track, so here you go:

Razorlight - Pop Song 2006

Updated by YS

Short Break From Hell

To compensate myself after enduring 2 weeks of hell, I bought Ten Silver Drops by Secret Machines. Was kinda suprised to see it at a local record store, well I thought the release date was 25th of April. Though all the tracks have leaked months ago, still I was pleasantly excited.

The closest thing to rock I've encountered in the past 2 weeks was doing aerobic to Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice, a bass rip-off of Under Pressure by Queen. For these 3 days, I'm going to immerse myself into non-stop music. New materials by Dirty Pretty Things, Arctic Monkeys, The Vines, The Raconteurs, Snow Patrol and The Streets, phew, alot to catch up!

Gosh I missed the chance to audition for Rock Star! The new series are looking out for a vocalist for supergroup called Supernova which consists former members of legendary metal bands - Motley Crue, Gun N' Roses and Metallica. Hopefully won't be a mc poser representing Malaysia.

Don't get why people saying NS is fun. NOT AT ALL. Food sucks. People sucks. Bathroom sucks. Rules suck. Everyday-same-routine sucks. I'm sick now. Real sick. Damn.

Gonna bring my mp3 player loaded with my favourite tracks back there. Listening to Claire's caller ringtone is just not enough. No music, no life.

Shout out to NS:

The Presets - Get The Fuck Outta Here

The Vines - Homesick