What's In a Name ?

With reference to "In God We Trust" Why is it used? Who is it used for? Where does it come from? Good questions I think. The name is for my band/alter ego come pet project. Its derived from the saying on the back of the $ bill. As such it has a resonance within these days. The bill in question was over my first Atari computer so has come to stand for the electronic music produced by my self since then. Its for all, a reference to money, god and the American way. It also outlines deeper ideas. The effect it has world wide can be found in a small book by Karl Marx and Engles called Wages, Prices and Profits. It it he out lines the "Boom and Bust" of todays capitalism. Way ahead of his time !! Check Marx out at Karl Marx

The pen is mightier than the sword !! Except of course in Brent. Here your find the spray and pray Ozi sub machine gun has to have a say. Violence is often overstated within inner city areas. However since living in this borough I've been a little to close too a number of shootings. One of these was of a girl aged 8 years old. Very sad by these wanna be gangsters. 

Saw a piece recently about the effect of ASBO's. Good or bad. The subject of one complained that his actions had justification. He had to go to school with holes in his shoes !! He had the piss taken out of him because of his cloths so he had a right to rob !! Who has been poor and in this situation. He could have learnt to write, got his education, used some words wisely and possibly learnt that the pen can be mightier than the sword. 

How the world has changed. There was a time when a sight like this would have never happened. The powers within the western world, who's power had so long been based on repression, would have worked to  suppress such a thing. Now of course the world has changed and men such as this now protect the halls of power. Or as Eddy Murphy said " I'm your worse nightmare a nigger with a badge and a gun "

Edinburgh for Wally

I know a guy called Wally Eames. He was a great guy !! A true war hero and Romantic. He loved with all his heart and he loved for all his life. Not many people do that these days but he did. He loved for richer and for poorer and in sickness and in health. I wont pretend I know him well but I know him well enough.  

He went through world war two with the eighth army. He is dad to three beautiful daughters. He met his wife in the field of war and took her home as his bride. I didn't know him long but he was kind to me. That meant a lot to me and always will. He was an old style hero with a love of Marmalade. He once took a trip across the desert to find some !! ( and came back) . 

I'm proud to know him. I showed my pictures of me and the queen. He's daughter is my girlfriend. He could be kind or grumpy but always charming. Funny and honest with a quick wit. I know a guy called Wally and I miss him so !!!

Lost Phone or I Phone

I lost my phone!! Nothing new in this day and age but it made me think, and indeed relies, how much the phone means to me. Most of the pictures on this blog have been taken with my phone. I just started to document some of the things (events, gigs, life) that I'd seen. It came a time when I'd got a job that enabled me to see a lot of "art". The term is used loosely to cover events and performances I've experienced.

Many of the groups I've seen and documented wouldn't term them selves as artists. Many of them have fought to be recognised as such and have felt marginalized because of the lack of respect for their craft. There has been a constant lack of recognition for the intellect and creativity of these groups. A constant failure to see how forms such as be bop within jazz have made contemporary classical composition possible is an example ( I know it has been said but I'll point it out again). An example of this debate can be found on the sustained theatre website. Sustained Theatre

Anyway, the phone is lost, all my numbers, contacts and pictures. But what it does mean is an opportunity to start again. Possibly an I phone because I love my macs. May be not because they can be a target (same way I don't have an I pod) and I'd be even more upset about the loss !!

Carnival Soon

Notting Hill Carnival

It's almost august and carnival time. Doesn't time fly. Its like waiting for Christmas. I haven't been so involved this year because of the move to the south east but I'm still looking forward to it and I'll be in the middle of it once again. Thinking about the place for the after party. A good place to be would be the Masons Arms. I'll put the link up here if I have the time (or inclination).  

Also good to see the mas bands at Notting Hill Carnival. These are the true heart of carnival and give it its colours and flavour that makes it a world class event.  Best place to see them are at the judging point.