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SystemSystem Posts: 12,590
edited April 2014 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The Euro elections are being totally overshadowed by Scotland and that could have an impact on May 22nd

Maybe it is because I’m on my way home from Edinburgh after being immersed totally in Scottish politics for two days but I am convinced that the immensity of what will be decided on September 18 is overshadowing everything.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    first
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,760
    FPT: Some interesting Scottish news:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-26936703

    I really liked the giant horse-head statues anyway, but they look perhaps even better illuminated at night.

    On-topic: not sure it'll affect the actual voting too much south of the border. North, the SNP would welcome a good result but probably won't care if it's bad.

    Agree entirely that the referendum is eclipsing an election that would have pretty low interest anyway.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Not gigs... I suspect that the albert hall doesn't count!
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    I'm sure this thread has been very influenced by your Scottish experience! Indy debate often dominates local Scottish TV news.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,760
    Mr. Charles, why wouldn't the Albert Hall count?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Charles said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Not gigs... I suspect that the albert hall doesn't count!
    Although I've seen Beautiful South, Eric Clapton, the Kinks and Van Morrison there
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Cons will be third. Medium term effect - zero.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Charles, why wouldn't the Albert Hall count?

    Sitting on velvet covered chairs eating smoked salmon sandwiches doesn't seem really very 'giggy'
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    I saw The Rolling Stones at Wembley in 2003 or 04, but far more enjoyable to me was seeing The Counterfeit Stones at Hornchurch Theatre in 2000!
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,760
    Mr. Charles, it's a better class of gig!
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Pulpstar -

    I smiled :)
  • charlesboneycharlesboney Posts: 1
    Sorry Mike but here in Cornwall I have not heard one person mention the issue unprompted (apart from the occasional Mebyon Kernow dreamer). Most of us more concerned about the weather, how many visitors will come this year, whether the rail link will survive the next high tide.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    JBriskin said:

    Pulpstar -

    I smiled :)

    How far did you walk though ?
  • volcanopetevolcanopete Posts: 2,078
    David Letterman on fracking.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGEc8KBKO8I&list=RDXGEc8KBKO8I
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Oddly enough first band I thought of was Texas.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    corporeal said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Oddly enough first band I thought of was Texas.
    Mine was Big Country
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 46,319
    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Momus, Del Amitri, Deacon Blue, Wet Wet Wet...
    And of course, the Proclaimers.
    All excellent.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,760
    Mr. Boney, welcome to pb.com.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    SeanT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Primal Scream.
    Check out this early Winehouse interview.. incredible how fame changed her

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFcG0pBhKPA
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    Toploader played my Freshers week - I was informed afterwards that they were 'really good' by some friends. Thought they were a crock of shite personally.
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    isam said:

    SeanT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Primal Scream.
    Check out this early Winehouse interview.. incredible how fame changed her

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFcG0pBhKPA
    Fame? Surely 'Crack' had the most influence.
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,331
    Aztec Camera, The Jesus and Mary Chain. And both from the same town (East Kilbride)
  • ThomasNasheThomasNashe Posts: 5,331
    SeanT said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Momus, Del Amitri, Deacon Blue, Wet Wet Wet...
    And of course, the Proclaimers.
    All excellent.
    Del Amitri wrote some truly fine pop music (even tho the lyrics could be a bit iffy). Not sure why they are so neglected and forgotten.

    Driving With the Brakes On is significantly upsetting.
    And who could forget the official World Cup song of 1998?
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    TheWatcher said:

    isam said:

    SeanT said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Primal Scream.
    Check out this early Winehouse interview.. incredible how fame changed her

    Fame? Surely 'Crack' had the most influence.
    Ah yes, the "war" on drugs!

  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    isam said:

    corporeal said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Oddly enough first band I thought of was Texas.
    Mine was Big Country
    Bay City Rollers ;-)
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    JosiasJessop said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Momus, Del Amitri, Deacon Blue, Wet Wet Wet...
    And of course, the Proclaimers.
    All excellent.
    The Vaselines
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Bay City Rollers...

  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    In a video discussion for the Telegraph today, Louise Mensch said MPs don't give a fig about the EU elections.

    She thought the big story of the EU elections would be the collapse of LD support.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10769926/Google-hangout-Why-is-Ukip-still-stealing-Conservative-voters.html
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    SeanT said:

    ON topic - one thing is clear is that the complacency in the NO camp has now, finally, been blown away, mainly thanks to me and my blogs in the Telegraph, and maybe the polls too. Even the Guardian is acknowledging that the fight is real and serious.

    Theoretically this should benefit the NO campaign, as they will, now, presumably pump money and resources into winning a referendum they had hitherto presumed was a walkover.

    However, given their penchant for cocking things up, who knows.

    I presume when the referendum is won you will be taking on the title "The Man Who Saved Britain"
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    edited April 2014
    Map of the local election areas.

    twitter.com/election_data/status/456742060096114688

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_England
  • MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    I'd say The Cocteau Twins was the only truly great band out of Scotland.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    Oh dear, sad news

    The Telegraph ‏@Telegraph 2h
    George Alagiah has been diagnosed with bowel cancer http://fw.to/S14dolX (Photo: BBC) pic.twitter.com/zuNegQlesJ
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    corporeal said:

    SeanT said:

    ON topic - one thing is clear is that the complacency in the NO camp has now, finally, been blown away, mainly thanks to me and my blogs in the Telegraph, and maybe the polls too. Even the Guardian is acknowledging that the fight is real and serious.

    Theoretically this should benefit the NO campaign, as they will, now, presumably pump money and resources into winning a referendum they had hitherto presumed was a walkover.

    However, given their penchant for cocking things up, who knows.

    I presume when the referendum is won you will be taking on the title "The Man Who Saved Britain"
    He deserves nothing less than Fid. Def. as his reward...
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,760
    Off for a bit, but before I go I hunted down another old blog post about game music: http://thaddeusthesixth.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/game-music.html

    I could've mentioned some tracks from Dragon Age: Origins too, amongst other games.

    Anyway, this is a nice track from Vagrant Story, one of my favourite games (probably second to Phantasy Star IV). It's aged bloody terribly due to being one of the first 3D RPGs, so the graphics are rough and there's no voice-acting, but the translation from Japanese is staggeringly good:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMcSr4PyutQ
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    RT - Anti-Kiev Protests Spread Across Eastern Ukraine
  • AnorakAnorak Posts: 6,621
    edited April 2014
    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
  • SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    Anorak said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    The Red Hot Chilli Pipers
    Groan - one week at ConHome for you my friend...!
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Pulpstar said:


    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.

    I already had one on the previous thread, so let's go with

    Goodbye Mr MacKenzie

    Swiftly followed by Hipsway, Hue & Cry, Love & Money
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    isam said:

    Oh dear, sad news

    The Telegraph ‏@Telegraph 2h
    George Alagiah has been diagnosed with bowel cancer http://fw.to/S14dolX (Photo: BBC) pic.twitter.com/zuNegQlesJ

    :( Not good. specially bowel cancer, must be one of the worst illnesses to have on the planet.
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    edited April 2014
    Charles said:

    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Charles, why wouldn't the Albert Hall count?

    Sitting on velvet covered chairs eating smoked salmon sandwiches doesn't seem really very 'giggy'
    As long as the booze is up to scratch it sounds fine by me provided the music isn't too demanding; Mozart or any of the Baroque is about as much as I can manage these days.

    Wasn't always like that, of course, probably the best "gig" I ever went to was The Who at the Kennington Oval in the very early seventies. The music was rubbish, the view was worse but I fell in with a young lady and got my brains banged out afterwards, which was fantastic. David Bowie at the North London Polytechnic was much the same (can't remember the year but Spiders from Mars was just about to be released). At the same venue at about the same time Elkie Brooks got her boobs out on stage and the whole thing developed into a near orgy. The best band of that time for a libidinous audience was, in my experience, the Pink Fairies.
  • EasterrossEasterross Posts: 1,915
    Increasingly when I attend social events or have a social break in the middle of business meetings, the conversation turns to the IndyRef. The people who are affluent and highly educated, especially middle class Labour voters tend to think NO will win easily. I try and convince them they are detached from the majority of our fellow countrymen and that there are as many who are convinced YES will win. When I am talking to employees of clients etc they are almost universally YES voters and the more London figures "threaten" us with dire consequences, the more determined they are to vote YES. It is 1998 all over again but this time it is Scottish Labour rather than the Scottish Tories who are getting it all wrong.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    Fascinating reading a report:

    http://www.ippr.org/images/media/files/publication/2014/04/England-local-dimension_Apr2014_12120.pdf

    After first having read the research:

    http://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/n7j4epfe7j/University of Cardiff_England sample Results 121128.pdf

    "special pleading" does not quite cover it......

    I guess this report (based on research nearly 18 months old) was designed to underpin Miliband's "sunk without trace" localism speech....
  • Innocent_AbroadInnocent_Abroad Posts: 3,294
    Charles said:

    corporeal said:

    SeanT said:

    ON topic - one thing is clear is that the complacency in the NO camp has now, finally, been blown away, mainly thanks to me and my blogs in the Telegraph, and maybe the polls too. Even the Guardian is acknowledging that the fight is real and serious.

    Theoretically this should benefit the NO campaign, as they will, now, presumably pump money and resources into winning a referendum they had hitherto presumed was a walkover.

    However, given their penchant for cocking things up, who knows.

    I presume when the referendum is won you will be taking on the title "The Man Who Saved Britain"
    He deserves nothing less than Fid. Def. as his reward...
    We should replace democracy with an absolute dictatorship - Sean Thomas and/or Paul Staines. Anyone not supporting this idea 100% to be boiled alive, and their families minced for kebabs...

  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Covering both memes, strangest gig by a Scottish band...

    One of only 3 guys in the audience for Horse in Birmingham.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    Talk about desperate:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27062091

    Cardiff LOL !
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    If the SNP do less well than expected in the Euro elections, would it undermine the independence campaign to any extent? Or might it lull supporters of the Union into a false sense of security?
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    Innocent_Abroad said:

    Charles said:

    corporeal said:

    SeanT said:

    ON topic - one thing is clear is that the complacency in the NO camp has now, finally, been blown away, mainly thanks to me and my blogs in the Telegraph, and maybe the polls too. Even the Guardian is acknowledging that the fight is real and serious.

    Theoretically this should benefit the NO campaign, as they will, now, presumably pump money and resources into winning a referendum they had hitherto presumed was a walkover.

    However, given their penchant for cocking things up, who knows.

    I presume when the referendum is won you will be taking on the title "The Man Who Saved Britain"
    He deserves nothing less than Fid. Def. as his reward...
    We should replace democracy with an absolute dictatorship - Sean Thomas and/or Paul Staines. Anyone not supporting this idea 100% to be boiled alive, and their families minced for kebabs...

    Not adverse to the concept, as second best to going back to an Elizabethan monarchy, but I think you'll find TSE has first dibs on the dictator for life job.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    AndyJS said:

    If the SNP do less well than expected in the Euro elections, would it undermine the independence campaign to any extent? Or might it lull supporters of the Union into a false sense of security?

    They'll do fine I think. Lib Dems are the ones with the 'expectation management' about...
  • volcanopetevolcanopete Posts: 2,078
    This adds weight to Corporeal's post.

    Is it invidious of the public to expect the standards of behaviour in the HoC to reflect those of an ordinary workplace in the 21st,not 19th Century?
    The Speaker mentioned at PMQs that children were watching.If the HoC is not a fit place for children to witness,is it fit for purpose?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27062577
  • EasterrossEasterross Posts: 1,915
    AndyJS said:

    If the SNP do less well than expected in the Euro elections, would it undermine the independence campaign to any extent? Or might it lull supporters of the Union into a false sense of security?

    It would probably have a negative effect for a few weeks but then the Bannockburn and Commonwealth Games would change the story. However if the Nats do well and win the 3rd Euro seat then expect SLAB to press the panic button and some Scottish Labour figures to start filling their breeks as the reality starts to set in.
  • TwistedFireStopperTwistedFireStopper Posts: 2,538
    edited April 2014
    The trouble with 80s bands is that they all think they can come back, and can still play and sing like they did back in the day. We go to Rock City in Nottingham a lot, and as my wife is still a rock chick, we see a lot of her favourite 80s rock bands who are still touring. We saw Magnum there a while ago, and I swear I heard Bob Catley's hip give out when he tried to put his foot on top of a speaker stack, honestly, he stood there with a rictus grin, still belting out his lyrics, until the song finished, and he gingerly croffled off stage!
    It has to be said, a lot of 80s hair metal bands haven't aged well. I have a Kerrang magazine with a picture of my teenaged wife in rock chick uniform, draped over Motley Crue during a promo night at Rock City. I'm biased, but she still looks hot today. Nikki Sixx, Mickey Mars and the rest of the Crue look like the effing Walking Dead nowadays!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,849
    TwistedFireStopper said:

    The trouble with 80s bands is that they all think they can come back, and can still play and sing like they did back in the day. We go to Rock City in Nottingham a lot, and as my wife is still a rock chick, we see a lot of her favourite 80s rock bands who are still touring. We saw Magnum there a while ago, and I swear I heard Bob Catley's hip give out when he tried to put his foot on top of a speaker stack, honestly, he stood there with a rictus grin, still belting out his lyrics, until the song finished, and he gingerly croffled off stage!
    It has to be said, a lot of 80s hair metal bands haven't aged well. I have a Kerrang magazine with a picture of my teenaged wife in rock chick uniform, draped over Motley Crue during a promo night at rock city. I'm biased, but she still looks hot today. Nikki Sixx, Mikki Mars and the rest of the Crue look like the effing Walking Dead nowadays!

    Was in Corporation Sheffield Saturday night, good to hear Rock City is still around - Jilly's in Manchester got taken over by a f*cking Tesco D:
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    TwistedFireStopper said:


    It has to be said, a lot of 80s hair metal bands haven't aged well. I have a Kerrang magazine with a picture of my teenaged wife in rock chick uniform, draped over Motley Crue during a promo night at Rock City. I'm biased, but she still looks hot today. Nikki Sixx, Mickey Mars and the rest of the Crue look like the effing Walking Dead nowadays!

    Wendy James from Transvison Vamp looks a bit odd now too.

  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Azure Blue tie by Kerry
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    Quite so, Mr Stopper. The Hurstpierpoint and District Gentlemen's Temperance Association (Junior Section) had an outing to see Jethro Tull a few years back. The sight of Ian Anderson trying gamely to stand on one leg while he played one of his flute solos and running out of puff and balance half-way through was, frankly, embarrassing. Mind the audience hadn't aged well either, the smell of over-full colostomy bags was strong and getting to the bar was difficult because of all the wheelchairs.
  • TwistedFireStopperTwistedFireStopper Posts: 2,538
    Pulpstar said:

    TwistedFireStopper said:

    The trouble with 80s bands is that they all think they can come back, and can still play and sing like they did back in the day. We go to Rock City in Nottingham a lot, and as my wife is still a rock chick, we see a lot of her favourite 80s rock bands who are still touring. We saw Magnum there a while ago, and I swear I heard Bob Catley's hip give out when he tried to put his foot on top of a speaker stack, honestly, he stood there with a rictus grin, still belting out his lyrics, until the song finished, and he gingerly croffled off stage!
    It has to be said, a lot of 80s hair metal bands haven't aged well. I have a Kerrang magazine with a picture of my teenaged wife in rock chick uniform, draped over Motley Crue during a promo night at rock city. I'm biased, but she still looks hot today. Nikki Sixx, Mikki Mars and the rest of the Crue look like the effing Walking Dead nowadays!

    Was in Corporation Sheffield Saturday night, good to hear Rock City is still around - Jilly's in Manchester got taken over by a f*cking Tesco D:
    Rock City is alive and kicking. They get big acts there, considering the size limitations. Around the time of Download at Donington race track, you usually get a few of the headliners playing "secret" gigs.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,070
    Simple Minds? Have they been mentioned? Are they Scottish? Can I ever get don't you forget about me out of my head?
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Cathy looking disturbed by the coughing.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,070
    TwistedFireStopper said:

    The trouble with 80s bands is that they all think they can come back, and can still play and sing like they did back in the day. We go to Rock City in Nottingham a lot, and as my wife is still a rock chick, we see a lot of her favourite 80s rock bands who are still touring. We saw Magnum there a while ago, and I swear I heard Bob Catley's hip give out when he tried to put his foot on top of a speaker stack, honestly, he stood there with a rictus grin, still belting out his lyrics, until the song finished, and he gingerly croffled off stage!
    It has to be said, a lot of 80s hair metal bands haven't aged well. I have a Kerrang magazine with a picture of my teenaged wife in rock chick uniform, draped over Motley Crue during a promo night at Rock City. I'm biased, but she still looks hot today. Nikki Sixx, Mickey Mars and the rest of the Crue look like the effing Walking Dead nowadays!

    I believe much of this is down to post-modern irony but if it makes a buck for the old guys then so much the better.

    I saw Adam and the Ants were touring the other day although he has not strictly ever left us.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 46,319
    HurstLlama said:

    Quite so, Mr Stopper. The Hurstpierpoint and District Gentlemen's Temperance Association (Junior Section) had an outing to see Jethro Tull a few years back. The sight of Ian Anderson trying gamely to stand on one leg while he played one of his flute solos and running out of puff and balance half-way through was, frankly, embarrassing. Mind the audience hadn't aged well either, the smell of over-full colostomy bags was strong and getting to the bar was difficult because of all the wheelchairs.

    Jethro Tull is one of Mrs J's favourite bands (up there with Kate Bush and pre-Collins Genesis), and so I was dragged down to watch them play in Southampton a few years ago. I know f'all of their songs, and the theatre's acoustics were the worst I have ever heard. It was awful, but she loved it.

    Her taste in music is as questionable as her taste in men... ;-)
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Yes - Simple Minds are Scottish - to bring it back to Britpop - I think Liam Oasis was a step dad of the lead singers son.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,672
    edited April 2014
    Easterross said:

    AndyJS said:

    If the SNP do less well than expected in the Euro elections, would it undermine the independence campaign to any extent? Or might it lull supporters of the Union into a false sense of security?

    It would probably have a negative effect for a few weeks but then the Bannockburn and Commonwealth Games would change the story. However if the Nats do well and win the 3rd Euro seat then expect SLAB to press the panic button and some Scottish Labour figures to start filling their breeks as the reality starts to set in.
    Hmm, been reading your comments with interest. On this particular issue, do you suggest that because voting for the SNP is - more or less - a crude surrogate for voting Yes in the indy ref? Or are you also thinking that a good vote for the SNP would basically ring the alarms, because it would confirm that a lot of voters don't believe the scare stories from the unionist side? [edit: specifically on EU membership]

  • TwistedFireStopperTwistedFireStopper Posts: 2,538
    JBriskin said:

    Yes - Simple Minds are Scottish - to bring it back to Britpop - I think Liam Oasis was a step dad of the lead singers son.

    Not to sound too ungentlemanly, but I think that lad has had a few step dads.

  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    TFS - Yeah but Liam wrote a whole song about it.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,070
    hmm, OGH comes back from a week with Scottish political geeks and asks if Scottish politics is the most important thing in the world?

    Not convinced.

    There is a lot to be said for NickP's point about if people really cared they would get out and vote but a lot of the changes brought about by Europe (of which there have been a very great deal and not of no import) are unnoticed by members of the public.

    If, for example, it was an EU requirement for kebab shops to heat their kebabs to 83.7 degrees and keep them covered and not less than 1.6metres from the shop counter, the general public might not realise that this was an EU directive. But for those affected, it matters a great deal and is an impediment to efficiency.

    (Made up story about kebab shops. I hope.)
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,775
    edited April 2014
    SeanT said:

    ON topic - one thing is clear is that the complacency in the NO camp has now, finally, been blown away, mainly thanks to me and my blogs in the Telegraph, and maybe the polls too. Even the Guardian is acknowledging that the fight is real and serious.

    Theoretically this should benefit the NO campaign, as they will, now, presumably pump money and resources into winning a referendum they had hitherto presumed was a walkover.

    However, given their penchant for cocking things up, who knows.

    NO need to stop running up the white flag, emotionally and intellectually. Their approach and some of their arguments sound morally bankrupt. Talking about how much money Scots get out of the UK and how screwed they will be if they don't vote NO is wrong approach. Talking about how Scotland will get more powers anyway if they vote NO is also the wrong approach.

    They need to show some positive leadership and inspire Scots as to why Scotland remaining a united part of the UK is part of an exciting, optimistic vision for Scotland's successful long-term future.

    If they can't win that argument then, no matter what happens in September, in the medium-long term the UK will lose Scotland regardless.

  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    The song in question -

    http://youtu.be/WFNAZGgt1VQ
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    JosiasJessop said:

    HurstLlama said:

    Quite so, Mr Stopper. The Hurstpierpoint and District Gentlemen's Temperance Association (Junior Section) had an outing to see Jethro Tull a few years back. The sight of Ian Anderson trying gamely to stand on one leg while he played one of his flute solos and running out of puff and balance half-way through was, frankly, embarrassing. Mind the audience hadn't aged well either, the smell of over-full colostomy bags was strong and getting to the bar was difficult because of all the wheelchairs.

    Jethro Tull is one of Mrs J's favourite bands (up there with Kate Bush and pre-Collins Genesis), and so I was dragged down to watch them play in Southampton a few years ago. I know f'all of their songs, and the theatre's acoustics were the worst I have ever heard. It was awful, but she loved it.

    Her taste in music is as questionable as her taste in men... ;-)
    We saw them in Southampton too, at the Civic Centre. I wonder if we were at the same performance. The curry House round the corner was rather good.
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Oh - that was easy - I was wondering how other people were doing it.
  • dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,321
    CarlottaVance said:

    Pulpstar said:

    SeanT said:

    Shall we talk about music?

    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.
    Bay City Rollers...

    Playing the BCRs was a great way to increase the bar takings.
  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    ITV4 - 19:30 - LIVE FA Youth Cup Arsenal V Chelsea (Radio Times) [You can just imagine me being one of those people from benefits st or gogglebox if you like]
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 46,319
    HurstLlama said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    HurstLlama said:

    Quite so, Mr Stopper. The Hurstpierpoint and District Gentlemen's Temperance Association (Junior Section) had an outing to see Jethro Tull a few years back. The sight of Ian Anderson trying gamely to stand on one leg while he played one of his flute solos and running out of puff and balance half-way through was, frankly, embarrassing. Mind the audience hadn't aged well either, the smell of over-full colostomy bags was strong and getting to the bar was difficult because of all the wheelchairs.

    Jethro Tull is one of Mrs J's favourite bands (up there with Kate Bush and pre-Collins Genesis), and so I was dragged down to watch them play in Southampton a few years ago. I know f'all of their songs, and the theatre's acoustics were the worst I have ever heard. It was awful, but she loved it.

    Her taste in music is as questionable as her taste in men... ;-)
    We saw them in Southampton too, at the Civic Centre. I wonder if we were at the same performance. The curry House round the corner was rather good.
    I think it was 2009 or probably 2010. And yes, it was at the Guildhall / Civic Centre.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,775
    On music: I am constantly told The Beatles were pioneering, amazing, epoch-making, ground-breaking, amazing songwriters, musically brilliant, the best band ever etc.

    I'm not at all qualified to comment on that. I know very little about the technical and historical side of music. In many respects, I'm sure they were. After all, they are the most consistently popular band of all time.

    I don't know if it's over-familiarity, or over five decades of hype, but I've listened to many of their tracks, repeatedly, over the years. All I know is that, personally, I find them a bit boring; they do nothing for me.
  • TwistedFireStopperTwistedFireStopper Posts: 2,538
    Casino_Royale said:

    On music: I am constantly told The Beatles were pioneering, amazing, epoch-making, ground-breaking, amazing songwriters, musically brilliant, the best band ever etc.

    I'm not at all qualified to comment on that. I know very little about the technical and historical side of music. In many respects, I'm sure they were. After all, they are the most consistently popular band of all time.

    I don't know if it's over-familiarity, or over five decades of hype, but I've listened to many of their tracks, repeatedly, over the years. All I know is that, personally, I find them a bit boring; they do nothing for me.

    I like to wind up Beatles fans by calling them a second rate Oasis prelude.

  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    Cameron looking pretty grumpy on sky. Maybe just cold or doesn't really like to read the telegraph.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,979
    TOPPING said:

    Simple Minds? Have they been mentioned? Are they Scottish? Can I ever get don't you forget about me out of my head?

    Absolutely. The best Scottish band by a distance. On the waterfront, Belfast Child, Alive and Kicking.
    Saw them in Dundee more years ago than the band and I would want to admit.

    But my favourite gig ever was the Rolling Stones at Edinburgh Castle. They did an unplugged set that was just magic and a version of "Like a rolling stone" I will never forget.

  • The_WoodpeckerThe_Woodpecker Posts: 506
    Altered Images were Scottish but sadly Clare Grogan wasn't looking so gorgeous when I saw in the street recently.
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    Seen him six or seven times since the first time in 1988. Always a great performance and rarely less than 3 1/2 hours on stage and 25+ songs. Best live performer around for the last 3 decades.

    I've seen Springsteen over sixty times, right back to Hammersmith in 1975. Far and away the best live performer of my generation, he also does solo tours and the Seeger Sessions stuff, I saw that Sean mentioned the Pogues, the Seeger stuff is like that. Who else could make this into a great live song:

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rTebgVrHEVM

    Saw someone recommend The National and they are very good, also the Hold Steady are excellent. Not sure if anyone likes Jake Bugg but his first album was amazing for one so young.
  • The_WoodpeckerThe_Woodpecker Posts: 506
    Yes agree with you about The National, The Hold Steady and Jake Bugg. Royal Blood are good too.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,979
    On topic I am hoping to take part in a bleather together session in Edinburgh on Wednesday which is telephone canvassing.

    It remains a concern to me that there is a lot of activity in Aberdeen to the north, Edinburgh to the south and some evidence of life in SLAB in Glasgow but Dundee remains a dead spot. Absolutely zilch locally that I can see.
  • TwistedFireStopperTwistedFireStopper Posts: 2,538
    edited April 2014
    Dave Lee Roth at the NEC Birmigham, 1991ish. He'd broken a rib leaping about during the previous night's gig, and took it easy that night, more of a stand up show than a rock concert, but he did swig profusely from a bottle of Jack Daniels. He was superb. I never got to see Van Halen, though. If ony they'd stop bickering enough to tour soon.......
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    edited April 2014
    DavidL said:


    Absolutely. The best Scottish band by a distance. On the waterfront, Belfast Child, Alive and Kicking.
    Saw them in Dundee more years ago than the band and I would want to admit.

    Still touring. Saw them last year with Ultravox in support, got tickets for July.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,173
    Casino_Royale said:

    On music: I am constantly told The Beatles were pioneering, amazing, epoch-making, ground-breaking, amazing songwriters, musically brilliant, the best band ever etc.

    I'm not at all qualified to comment on that. I know very little about the technical and historical side of music. In many respects, I'm sure they were. After all, they are the most consistently popular band of all time.

    I don't know if it's over-familiarity, or over five decades of hype, but I've listened to many of their tracks, repeatedly, over the years. All I know is that, personally, I find them a bit boring; they do nothing for me.

    I find some of their stuff decent and catchy, but for the most part I'd agree. Such is the fervour of their fans, and the intensity of their legacy, that I rarely feel it wise to be totally honest about that though.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,173
    Pulpstar said:

    AndyJS said:

    If the SNP do less well than expected in the Euro elections, would it undermine the independence campaign to any extent? Or might it lull supporters of the Union into a false sense of security?

    They'll do fine I think. Lib Dems are the ones with the 'expectation management' about...
    Even before the latest slump they were briefing about returning no MEPs, so it will be...interesting to see how hard they try to spin returning one or two, if they manage it, as some kind of victory. One of my favourite political pastimes is seeing how hard party hacks and their hack-like supporters have to twist themselves in knots to spin something as good or acceptable for them in the face of tremendous reasons to think otherwise.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Honourable Scottish mentions for The Big Dish, The Indian Givers, Bloomsday, Idlewild, Franz Ferdinand, Kid Canaveral
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Join me in imagining a hypothetical scenario.

    Imagine George Osborne sat in Parliament as an MP of the ‘Conservative & Tory’ Party. Imagine this affiliated party was funded by a large business conglomerate, the Tory Group. Now imagine Osborne boasted of helping to change the law so that the Tory Group could strike a merger deal for its Tory Bank arm.

    Let’s say the deal went sour, the Chairman of Tory Bank was engulfed in scandal and turned out to be totally unsuited for the job, then the Group was forced to sell 70 per cent of it just to stave off disaster. Members of the board brought in to reform Tory Group resign in the face of internal opposition, and finally the company reports losses of £2.5 billion – but still intends to keep funding George Osborne and his fellow Conservative & Tory MPs.

    What would Ed Miliband, Ed Balls and Chuka Umunna have to say about such a situation?
    http://www.conservativehome.com/leftwatch/2014/04/a-case-for-miliband-balls-and-umunna-or-maybe-not.html
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 40,054
    No-one's mentioned the Rezillos/Revillos.

    And what about Aztec Camera and Orange Juice?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,979
    Scott_P said:

    DavidL said:


    Absolutely. The best Scottish band by a distance. On the waterfront, Belfast Child, Alive and Kicking.
    Saw them in Dundee more years ago than the band and I would want to admit.

    Still touring. Saw them last year with Ultravox in support, got tickets for July.
    In Vienna?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,979
    edited April 2014
    woops.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    DavidL said:


    In Vienna?

    This means nothing to me...
  • The_WoodpeckerThe_Woodpecker Posts: 506
    Biffy Clyro, Glasvegas, Travis (though they were rubbish).
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,453
    edited April 2014
    Ahh those names bring back a lot of memories of my more youthful days. Band I most regret never getting to see live has to be Fleetwood Mac, and I am now so fecking jealous of Seant for having seen The Pogues live in their heyday.
    Scott_P said:

    Pulpstar said:


    Name a Scottish band. First one that comes into your head.

    I already had one on the previous thread, so let's go with

    Goodbye Mr MacKenzie

    Swiftly followed by Hipsway, Hue & Cry, Love & Money
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 33,480
    If we are talking Scottish music then a big shout has to go out for Alex Harvey. 'Next' and his version of 'Delilah' are just awesome.
  • MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    edited April 2014
    You can tell when themes crash. OGH has launched 2 threads today, (will we have a third) on the Scottish referendum, and has caused almost everyone on PB to discuss anything but that subject.

    The great yap about pop groups and stars (which has gone on for 5 hours), is boring my tits off; mainly because after the Beatles and Queen everything else is crud.

    One can also tell that today is a slow news day, when Farage has not been mentioned as doing something dastardly for hours now.
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    Richard_Tyndall said:

    If we are talking Scottish music then a big shout has to go out for Alex Harvey. 'Next' and his version of 'Delilah' are just awesome.

    I was going to say exactly the same thing! His version of Delilah is quite scary.
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,897
    HurstLlama said:

    Quite so, Mr Stopper. The Hurstpierpoint and District Gentlemen's Temperance Association (Junior Section) had an outing to see Jethro Tull a few years back. The sight of Ian Anderson trying gamely to stand on one leg while he played one of his flute solos and running out of puff and balance half-way through was, frankly, embarrassing. Mind the audience hadn't aged well either, the smell of over-full colostomy bags was strong and getting to the bar was difficult because of all the wheelchairs.

    I'm a big Tull fan and I am pleased to say Anderson has stopped trying to play the flute while standing on one leg. However his voice is shot, and you don't realise how much the band relied on his distinctive vocals until you hear him trying to sing the old numbers now. He can't. I saw him on the Thick As A Brick 1&2 tour, and he had a stunt double doing most of the vocals on TATB "1" while he had obviously written TATB2 to suit his current vocal range.

    Martin Barre can still play the guitar, though.

  • JBriskinJBriskin Posts: 2,380
    MikeK - Yeah, shame TSE missed out on his music one even if we did kind of do it anyway.
  • volcanopetevolcanopete Posts: 2,078
    More evidence of Gideon's economic miracle.

    http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-blog/
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,453
    You obviously missed the infamous and lengthy discussion on vegetables and kitchen utensils among other hot topics debated here.
    MikeK said:

    You can tell when themes crash. OGH has launched 2 threads today, (will we have a third) on the Scottish referendum, and has caused almost everyone on PB to discuss anything but that subject.

    The great yap about pop groups and stars (which has gone on for 5 hours), is boring my tits off; mainly because after the Beatles and Queen everything else is crud.

    One can also tell that today is a slow news day, when Farage has not been mentioned as doing something dastardly for hours now.

This discussion has been closed.

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