Archive for March, 2009

Mar
28
2009

When amplifiers shrink!!

From my list of things to buy this year, I decided to get the Orange Dual Terror and a small 1×12″ cab to go with it. Well I tried and failed to buy one of those! There are none available until June/July and I need a new amp before then so I went on another hunt for something physically smaller than my AD120VT for a good price. I’ve wound up with something rather special….

A Laney 30 Watt, 2×10″ valve powered combo!

Powered by 4 EL84 valves through 2 10″ Jensen (for now) speakers it packs a mighty punch! Hella loud for house playing, and just enough gain for what I currently need.

For some additional gain I’m gonna have to pick up a Tube Screamer, but considering this combo cost less than just the orange head on its own I can budget that in, along with a sweet phaser pedal.

ROCK ON!!!!!!

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Mar
25
2009

Sober for 3 weeks?

After several weeks of over indulgence (by my standards) I started to physically ache in all the vital places that made me think about giving up the wonderstuff for a few weeks.

I felt that 3 weeks was enough to clear me out and get me back in shape for another big session.

I stopped drinking on the 15th, so I’m 10 days through the 21, and I feel pretty damn good! More awake when I’m awake, sleeping much better and generally feeling like I have much more energy than usual.

I’ve been to the pub a few times, it’s pretty easy to see why people think I’m an annoying dumbass when I’m drunk as I can now see what other people are like when they’re drunk from the sober side of the lens.

I’ve been tempted a few times, but decided against it. It’s only been 10 days, bah.

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Mar
21
2009

The Festival Rounds!!!

So, haven’t had an update in quite a while – will get round to a proper one at some point. With photos (ooh la la).

Most of my holiday this year will be taken up by travelling to festivals, and many of them. This update has been inspired by the delivery of my Bloodstock ticket! HURRAH! That’s one festival in the bag.

What’s the calendar looking like then…

12,13,14 June – Download Festival, Donington Park, Derby, UK - Still unsure of this one, only really FNM, ZZ Top and Limp Bizkit pulling me to this so far.

26,27,28 June – Graspop Metal Meeting, De Boertang, Dessel, BELGIUM – Definitely a go this one, ticket being ordered (when Sentinel get around to replying to me), have to sort out travel and accomodation for before and after the festival first though, a few nights at De Heksenketel is a must! More folk music and funky beer.

1,2 August – Sonisphere Festival, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, UK – This is looking more like a definite yes by each announcement and a chance to see NIN can surely not be turned down, along with Alice in Chains and The Sword!

14,15,16 August – Bloodstock Open Air, Catton Hall, Derby, UK – As said above, just had my ticket delivered for this one, gotta keep it safe till august, damn that’s gonna be tricky!

Unknown time in November – Damnation Festival, Leeds University, UK – Whenever it is, I’ll be there. It’s freakin’ freezing in leeds, but well worth it for an awesome evening of brutality.

Why are all the festivals in June and August?! Why couldn’t there be a few good ones in July to go to, like maybe stick Graspop a couple of weeks later, or Sonisphere a couple of weeks earlier – would make holiday from work easier and also make the festival goodness last a lot longer.

That reminds me, I have to buy a new tent – mine kinda got destroyed last year at GMM, somebody managed to chuck pasta sauce all over it, and I couldn’t be arsed to wash it off so just smashed it up.

Luckily I’m living with a couple of cool people now so have fewer bills to worry about, and awesome company most of the time so can afford all of these trips. Anyway, that’s an update for another time, with pictures.

Laters.

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