I'll confess up front that I really like the documentaries Sam Dunn has made - Metal: A Headbanger's Journey / Flight 666 (Maiden) / Beyond the Lighted Stage (Rush). They combine a fan's passion with a very warm, inclusive presentational style.

His new 11 part series shown on consecutive nights on Sky Arts is taking a very in-depth look at Metal, from roots to today and it's a delight. He's even made me take an interest in Kiss.

Well worth a look.

Well, we assembled from the North-West, from Sweden, from Ireland and from the South. Mr Paul Du Noyer graciously appeared as a representative of "The Management". Bisto made a short speech thanking Hannah and myself. A toast was raised to Stimpy.

More photos in the comments section

In case anyone missed it, and as there quite a few admirers of Mr Sorkin's work on the Blog, here's his self-deprecating cameo on a recent episode of 30 Rock. Tina's obviously a big fan..

Happy Holidays y'all. X

A few of us are gathering in the Salisbury Pub prior to the HMHB gig at the Ritz.

If the Christmas shopping has fatigued you, feel free to pop in and say hello from 4PM onwards where a Rock-Creche will be in full operation.

If you've never been to a North-West Massive Mingle, why not use this opportunity for a "Taster" session? Pop along, say hello and if you enjoy the experience come along to the next evening one in Liverpool in late January (details TBA).

Here's the pub -
http://www.qype.co.uk/place/233041-The-Salisbury-Manchester

Here's the band...

Has anyone else heard of these?

I recently stumbled across this terrific site http://www.archive.org/details/ird059 and have become fascinated and unsettled by the recordings that it has on there.

The recordings themselves are quite unnerving (especially "Swedish Rhapsody") but it's mainly the fact that these transmissions actually have a purpose and someone, somewhere is waiting to take orders from them that freaks me out.

I appreciate that these aren't new, we're all being monitored through our mobile phones, CCTV, Jason Bourne etc.etc. but the fact that some of these stations are transmitting every day using this (comparatively primitive) technology gives us a worrying glimpse into a world of international relations that exists within and yet outside our lives.

The Lincolnshire Poacher was MI6's according to some sources.

Last night I was enjoying the free downloaded demo of a neat little PS3 game called Limbo. As hopefully evidenced below, it's an incredibly atmospheric game with a very simple premise - solve problems and run away from everything.

So far, no problem. However, at one point ( and this is on the video below) you come into contact with smoothly rendered giant spiders. I loathe spiders, those speedy and tenacious bathroom terrorists, with a passion. They freak me out, man.

Video games have been good at mining that primal arachnid fear quite effectively. In the original Resident Evil you entered a room, shot one on the ceiling and then got out of there before hundreds of tiny demons burst out it's body to chomp on you. So well rendered was the beastie that I still get goose bumps recounting that particular section.

So I'm sitting there last night, lights on in the living room, GLW with Kindle but curiosity suitably piqued that she's offering helpful hints on gameplay and I'm tackling these terrifyingly big Boris'. It's intense and I'm focused, too focused.

My text alert goes on my phone and I simultaneously yelp and jump sideways on the sofa away from my phone as if it was attacking me. If my GLW had been drinking then the liquid would have shot out of her nose she was laughing so much.

I'm nearly 42 and haven't experienced a scary moment like that in years.
Anyone else care to share? When did you last have a (harmless) moment of terror?

This Friday to Sunday sees the 9th Supersonic Festival being held at The Custard Factory in Birmingham. Fearless cross-genre sonic exploration and cake is the order of the day.

Anyone else that's attending fancy a pint over the weekend before we all scuttle off to catch Cut Hand's Afro-Noise set?

Yet again, An Outlet and its charming staff did an excellent job of supplying us with coffee, beer, bacon sarnies and other assorted nibbles.

We swapped CDs, talked (Thomas Dolby in Liverpool?) a bit and laughed a lot.

I won't say much else, apart from saying a big "Thank-You" to everyone that attended. It was lovely to see you all.

Liverpool next. Sooner rather than later.

Piccies in the Comments section.

Following on from Hannah's London Mingle on the 16th, it is beholden for me to leap up-and-down and gesticulate wildly in order to publicise the next North-West Massive Mingle in Manchester.

The location - An Outlet - http://www.anoutlet.net/

Map location - http://bit.ly/hrCpn7

It's 3 minutes walk from Piccadilly Station ( go out the station ,turn right, walk down hill to crossing, turn right, then first left).

They can do nibbles, have wine, coffee and soft drinks available. It's cosy and can be COMPLETELY OURS for the duration, from 6.30pm until 11.30pm. No cost, but we have to spend £40 an hour. The beer is bottled and imported and I think it's snug enough for everyone to sit around have a drink and chat and the smokers will be just outside the door. It does have a loo. Parking after 6 is on the street, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Please let us know below if you can make the 23rd.

Oh, and The CD compilation?

We've agreed on - "Music without Words". These can be instrumentals, Jazz, folk, dance numbers, ambient pieces, Happy Hardcore, Post-Rock, soundtrack scores etc.

If you'd also like to say what type of CD compilation you're bringing so we can avoid unnecessary duplication? I'm not sure we want five Tangerine Dream Best Of's.

Thank you all again for putting in the effort and making them all such good nights. See you in a fortnight(ish).

Having taken in some reviews, it was with some trepidation that I joined a group of (predominantly) "older" Cinephiles at Liverpool FACT this afternoon to watch Ben Wheatley's "Kill List".

Has anyone else seen it yet?

Not since watching "Se7en" has an audience, in my experience, exited a film in complete silence at the end. There was laughter, some audible groaning at some of the nastier moments during the course of the movie,(it's an 18) BUT NO-ONE LEFT.

That's testimony to a great movie, in my book.

As we seem to be summoning up the numbers when necessary, I'm tempted to set up rotating venues between our two most successful "Private"(and free) venues The Ship and Mitre - and the next but one Liverpool Massive meet will be booked there, and for our next gathering in Manchester An Outlet - http://www.anoutlet.net/

What do people think?

Map location - http://bit.ly/hrCpn7

It's 3 minutes walk from Piccadilly Station ( go out the station ,turn right, walk down hill to crossing, turn right, then first left).

They can do nibbles, have wine, coffee and soft drinks available. It's cosy and can be COMPLETELY OURS for the duration, from 6.30pm until 11.30pm. No cost, but we have to spend £40 an hour. The beer is bottled and imported and I think it's snug enough for everyone to sit around have a drink and chat and the smokers will be just outside the door. It does have a loo. Parking after 6 is on the street, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I am going to provisionally book the 9th of September and offer the last 2 Fridays also for people to vote on, in case there is such a groundswell of opinion and numbers indicated that moving it makes sense.

Here's the voting link.

http://www.doodle.com/taqkinu3zunctmh8

The 16th isn't being offered as Hannah's organized the London "do" for then.

Please let us know below if you can make the 9th, or vote in the poll above. If you do, can you please use your WordName, you'd be surprised at the comedians who decide to chip in with their own "funny" contributions.

Oh, and The CD compilation?

We've agreed on - "Music without Words". These can be instrumentals, Jazz, folk, dance numbers, ambient pieces, Happy Hardcore, Post-Rock, soundtrack scores etc.

If you'd also like to say what type of CD compilation you're bringing so we can avoid unnecessary duplication? I'm not sure we want five Tangerine Dream Best Of's.

Thank you all again for putting in the effort and making them all such good nights. See you in September.

What can be said when the inevitable happens?

Obviously BIG THINGS are happening in this sceptr'd Isle.

What better time to gather for an informal (no CDs necessary) chat, a putting of the world to rights, and, of course a pint?

Please drag yourself along if inclined.

Let us know below if you're coming, so we don't move on without you!

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/ye-cracke-liverpool

Convening time is 7pm. We finish when we finish.

Looking forward to seeing you. It's been too long.

Like all of us on this blog, I enjoy the physical experience of buying "something" in a record shop. Following on from Doods post (see below) about the demise of HMV, is it viable to want to start open a music shop in this day and age?

I've read "Last Record Shop Standing" and regularly visit the fine emporiums of Manchester and Liverpool. I've even made a specific pilgrimage to Second Layer Records in Highgate. I used to work for Andy's Records. I'm also currently suffering from a mid-life crisis after 16 years of doing the same job and want to do something that I'll enjoy (a long shot, I know).

So, I turn to the Massive and their collective nous.

Is now a good time to think about starting a music shop?

An extended white liberal apology for sexism, rape fantasies, homophobia and general nastiness that would never be tolerated if the artist was
a) White
b) English
c) Working Class?

If so, can I look forward to an overview and reappraisal of the Macc Lads back catalogue as a true representation of English white working class attitude in the 80's and 90's?