February 2012
2 posts
Enconium of your mum
Second term of second year has started. There’s been all sorts of excitement already, as I’m sure you can imagine. We’ve discussed topics as harrowing as domestic violence, as broad as abductive reasoning and as historically important as Gorgias’ Enconium of Helen. But more, much more than that, we’ve seen that some of our fellow philosophy students have an...
What came first, the music or the misery?
What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop...
January 2012
2 posts
The Death Ramps
I don’t even care that they’re posing and shit, it’s just such a good song:
Christmas and that.
It’s been a charming Christmas.
In rough chronological order: I’ve seen old friends, old neighbours, enjoyed Christmas, enjoyed Boxing Day, had a nice time in London over New Year’s Eve, had a nice time in Berlin, and sat around in my pants a lot betwixt them all and every one.
Here is a picture of a sea thing:
It’s a jellyfish of sorts, right? It looks like a scary...
December 2011
1 post
5 a side
Our five a side football team has been doing well.
Guess which ones we are. I’ll give you a clue..we’re 6th. This was actually before we lost our tenth and final game of the semester. Current goal difference now stands at around -65.
November 2011
4 posts
Disappointment - 24/04/2010
We’ve all been there. You eagerly anticipate a new album after hearing a killer single, only to find the same killer single, surrounded by deeply unpleasant noise on either side. You think you’ve found the girl of your dreams, and it turns out she’s actually a bit of a racist with a slight moustache. You stockpile mephedrone, and the government makes it illegal. You make a...
Oh shit, they're blokes!
Welly welly well then. It’s been a busy few weeks. Since pumpkin day, I’ve seen lots of people.
First of all, Elisa’s mum, brother and brother’s girlfriend came over to visit. We went to York, and even hung around outside the castle for a bit. We had a race up the stairs which was exciting, mainly because the rain and duck shit had formed a slippery paste all over each...
pump(iron)kin
Did rugby.
Made a pumpkin.
Pumpkin died.
It’s the Student Radio Awards tonight. Joe and I aren’t going because a) we’re too poor, and b) we’re banned from student radio for life. Still, hoping to win something.
October 2011
2 posts
falafel
The El Dude Brothers are back in town.
Rings, Wings, Bings, Mings, Stings, Kings & Tings...
Been up to all sorts. Played some rugby, played some football, read some philosophy, eaten some chicken, all that jazz.
Recently went to see Shrewsbury take on Arsenal. We lost 3 - 1, but it was a good day. Here’s me and Joe in the paper:
Not drinking at the moment as part of a new rugby training plan, but decided to not let it stop me attending parties. Not everyone followed my...
September 2011
1 post
yummy yummy tummy tummy
After Cornwall, I had week in France with Elisa, then the family. We stayed in Port Grimaud and Pampelonne respectively. This is Elisa and I chilling in St Tropez. There were two German girls up there who took our photo, so Elisa was in her fucking element. I’m not sure what they were saying, but I’m pretty sure I heard blitzkrieg mentioned, whatever that is.
Then it was my...
July 2011
3 posts
Bronhom
I went to Cornwall with my family the day after returning home from Germany.
I think my sister is rather good at taking photos:
Nice that.
If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled.
You can see where I get it from.
It’s been left empty as a moving memorial.
Chilling.
The photographer.
Rolling Stones...
Sauerkraut sandwiches.
I went to Germany for a couple of weeks to see Elisa.
East meets West.
James meets horse. It was a big horse and I rode it good and proper.
James meets dog. I really fell in love with it.
We went sailing, it was very nice.
Luca and I recreated the D&G light blue advert.
We wandered through the Palace’s gardens in Potsdam.
Forgive and forget.
I don’t wanna...
10 years
The first episode of The Office aired at 9.30pm on Monday 9th July, 2001.
To celebrate, here are my favourite photos of Ricky over the years.
and finally
June 2011
3 posts
Capes.
I’ve been back two weeks tomorrow, time has gone pretty quickly considering I’m pining like a moron for Elisa. It was my grandad’s 80th birthday party the weekend we got back, along with his twin’s and my cousin’s 18th. Big family occasion, I told Elisa to just speak with a heavy german accent and shout ‘WAS!? WAS!?’ if it got too much at any point....
Vancouver
Panzercakes.
Wagwan.
Still loving the new arctic monkeys’ ablum. Really pleased that it’s so good, something decent to listen to this summer.
Lots of people, including Elisa, finished their exams today. Everyone’s going out, but unfortunately I have an exam tomorrow. Also, more importantly, I have no money.
This is the funniest thing on the internet:
It’s real. It was filmed for...
May 2011
1 post
Like a peacock on amphetamines.
You can stream the new Arctic Monkeys’ album Suck it and See on their website. It’s really very good. It’s like the best of the first three albums rolled into one plus a 60s feel, and some Stooges influence in there too. I’ve been listening all day. I’m lucky enough to be seeing them on the 10th June in their home town, and my adopted home town, Sheffield. I’ve...
April 2011
4 posts
Ich bin ein Berliner
Today I have woken up, sneezed and eaten fish pie. These incidents were not directly linked.
After getting out of bed, I went on a run then came back and felt all knackered for a bit. I went on a walk round Attingham Park in the afternoon, always nice. I had a calipo afterwards which was a treat, because it’s been a while. It was some tropical bullshit though, not orange. Kids today.
...
Slop
I wanted to call this blog post ‘sloppy’, but that’s just a step too far I think.
Sloppy is such a horrible word isn’t it?
Anyway, Holly’s friend Hannah came to stay.
That was nice. We drank a lot and discussed Hannah’s heritage (Jewish) in relation to Easter (awkward).
Later that evening we all went to town.
I lost Holly and Hannah pretty early into...
Sweating
Hallo.
Had some nice family friends round a couple of days ago.
I’ve just been on a run, the first one in quite a while as it happens. Various vices have had a serious effect on my lungs, but it should get easier now they are a thing of the past.
I’ll be signing up to the 2012 London Marathon when the application process goes live, on the 26th April. I’ll try and think of a...
Puffin da Herb
Song of the day: Puffin Da Herb - Tin Dog, Filthy Fusion. It’s brilliant, enough said.
Elisa came up to Shrewsbury last weekend:
This is an old classic:
March 2011
7 posts
Look at me like that again, and you'll be going...
Song of the day: Kid Cudi feat. Collie Buddz - Day n Nite Remix
Vodka lemonade conception.
Today’s song: Oh Dearest Daughter - Kevin Tuffy, such a great song. It features Laura Marling who won Best Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and has been nominated for the Mercury Prize twice I think. It’s a slightly old song, there’s more new stuff on Kevin Tuffy’s myspace/sound cloud that you should listen to. He’s always doing a gig somewhere in London, so...
This is another festival.
Song of the day: This is Another Festival by Jackie Edwards It’s absolutely incredible. First heard it at a David Rodigan set a few weeks ago.
Had a really nice day with Elisa including a buffet, sunshine and visits to Pleasure Town.
The James and Joe Show have a wikipedia page, which is an exciting development.
Download the bloody podcasts now.
Awh it's me favereet.
Hullo.
What have I been up to, I hear you ask?
Well, I’ve been out:
I’ve been tidying my room:
And mostly I’ve been letting Elisa take photos me with her new phone:
Anyway, the exciting news is, is that me and Joe are going to do a video podcast for you this weekend! Lucky bastards.
For new listeners, you can download the best of the last series condensed into a 20...
birfday
I went home this weekend for my sister’s 21st birthday. I came back from Sheffield, she came back from Siena. I think I had a more stressful journey though..bloody railways etc.
Holly prepares a morning snack.
Holly, James and Nikki stand up.
James, Lauren and Jonzalez stand, smiling.
James and the Tate stand, smiling.
Hannah and James stand.
Theo, Alex, Hannah, Holly,...
February 2011
5 posts
He's not the Messiah.
Today’s song: Call Pon Dem - Chezidek
James and Joe Show fans: Fill in this form and demand we are reinstated despite being very naughty boys: http://forgetoday.com/radio
Listen to the show we got kicked off for.
Today’s song: I Be High - Kid Cudi. It’s just really, really good. Listen.
Birthday Pie
First it was Alex’s birthday:
I liked it.
Then it was Sam’s birthday. I wore my pacman onesie. To the 02 in town.
5pm
5.12pm
Then we went to the pub, but we didn’t take the camera.
So then it was
7.20pm
And I forget exactly what happened, but suddenly it was
That’s vodka he’s spraying me with. A lot.
Then we went to the 02. In our...
Let's fish for gold and throw off our rags.
Lots of nostaliga tonight.
Watch/listen to this: Kid Harpoon - Riverside. It’s brilliant.
I reviewed his latest album for the Express when I had just turned 17. Mental.
Babylon
It’s been a pretty slow week. I had my last exam on Monday. However I’ll be making up for it this weekend. Alex is having a birthday flat party on Saturday night and Sunday will be spent celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday. Lectures start again on Monday.
I am astonishingly skint at the moment. I am also fairly hungry. I had pizza earlier and I have just made a cheese sandwich,...
January 2011
12 posts
Response to a bit I did in the guardian.
From The Ironic Times…
Two comments from first panel member James Ashford.
1. From his contribution ATL:
The comments from Gray and Keys were ignorant and they were offensive, they should have known better. The sad thing is that they’ve probably been saying this kind of thing throughout their careers, they just got caught this time.
2....
Revising, clearly.
Corped it last night. Some quite hilarious moments to come out of the evening, mostly from Alex who was completely off his face. Some witty lines from Elisa though, mostly to do with her German history.
Beating the exam stress.
Me, Tom, Alex, Jon and Adonis.
Tom, Alex and Adonis payed a 4am visit to my flat. Didn’t go down well with the flatmates. Probably because they were banging on...
Humble pie just wasn't tasty enough.
As you probably know, Joe and I do a radio show called ‘The James and Joe Show’. We release podcasts of the shows and other material here.
Last Thursday we broadcast an impromptu show when the station was off air.
This was naughty.
Now we’re not allowed to play radio anymore.
HOWEVER:
We’re going to keep on podcasting. We’re going to podcast our little hearts...
Cheese, Gromit?
Today’s song: Let It Be, No Cry - Bob Marley vs The Beatles, FAROFF mashup. It’s one of the best mashups I’ve ever heard. Seriously good.
I need a Benicassim ticket. Please sort it.
You shoulda see me and the ranking dread.
Today’s song: Uptown Top Ranking - Althea and Donna, who doesn’t love it?
I went on a little run today. Main emotions were that of someone who is considering the very real possibility that their lungs are about to explode. I’m meant to get up at 9am tomorrow to go on another one with the chaps. I woke up at half past four in the afternoon today. Still, here’s hoping.
This...
1969
Today’s song: You Got The Silver - The Rolling Stones, a rare Stones song, in that the lead is sung by Keith Richards. It was the first time Keith sang solo lead on a Stones track. It appeared on the 1969 album Let it Bleed.
1969 was such an amazing year. I’m going to do a 1969 to 2010 comparison soon.
I really want to get the session on with Keith Richards - I want to drink Jack...
I'm no schoolboy.
Today’s Song: Brown Sugar - Ryan Adams and Beth Orton, not as good as the original, but I guess you’ve heard that. If you haven’t, we’re not gonna be mates. Unless you change your ways pretty damn sharpish.
Today’s song: Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley, what a cool song from such a cool cat. You can really hear the blues to rock and roll reaction going on throughout the song. It reminds me of early Rolling Stones covers. Though of course, it should be the Stones that remind you of Bo Diddley. It would be if I’d heard it all chronologically, but I didn’t, and we’re all going to have to...
Sprinkler
Today’s song: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley, a great track once again. I never used to like Elvis. I never used to like proper music though, and I certainly didn’t understand why some of it was incredibly important. Elvis was incredibly important. He became the biggest thing in music by singing the blues with his collar up. Elvis inspired young people to make bands. John Lennon...
Roots
Today’s song: Yer Blues - The Dirty Mac, an absolutely incredible version of the original Lennon/McCartney composition. The Dirty Mac consisted of John Lennon singing and rhythm guitaring, Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Keith Richards on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. The best line up in the world then, and probably ever. It’s like making your perfect fantasy football team. The band...
Moanin at Midnight
Every day I will include a song in my ramblings. I will include a spotify or youtube link. So you HAVE to listen to it. And I will be checking.
Today’s song is: Dust by Broom - Elmore James, originally recorded by Robert Johnson. His version is obviously a classic, but Elmore James’ guitar is absolutely mental in this one. I love everthing about it.
Yesterday me and Joseppi recorded...
New Year always reminds me of Forrest Gump.
I hope you had a good New Year. I was in Sowf Lundun with family and friends and it was very lovely. It really was.
Today I have been learning a lot of Chuck Berry because I am in a new and exciting rock and roll band. It’s just me and Adonis so far, but that is ok because he’s pretty cool. He reads good books and he’s called fucking Adonis.
This is us. Soon there will be...
December 2010
9 posts
I don't care that he hasn't got a vajayjay, he'd...
Imagine
I go through stages. The last few months I’ve wanted to be a radio genius. Earlier today, I wanted to be in the cast of Les Mis. Right now I want to be a rock and roll star. I’m talking 50s rock and roll.
The rock and roll star ambition is probably the most recurring.
Someone just reminded me of some texts I sent Joe:
Bon evening you cheeky bitches.
Ashford Palace
Went out in Shrewsbury last night. Considering how bad it is here, I actually had a really nice evening with Joe and Josh.
Me and Joe recorded a podcast in the pub on Tuesday, I haven’t listened back yet because I’ve been busy editing our Christmas Best Of, which you can download here now, and on iTunes sometime tomorrow I should imagine. It’s all old content, so don’t get...