Bruce's keynote speech at SXSW.

He may divide opinion around these parts, but there's little doubt that this is something that he does pretty well. It's 50-odd minutes but there's something for everyone.

I'm sure this has been posted many times before, but I like having a watch every now and then. You never seem to have to wait more than a few seconds before people march ont the crossing, and stop, whilst their mate gets in the road to take a picture at the right angle.

http://www.abbeyroad.com/crossing

Here, kickstart your monday on me....

Last night in the car I heard "Come on Eileen" on the This is England soundtrack.

Now, I can sing along to "Come on Eileen", everybody can, right?

I mean, I remember when it was Number 1, seen the video loads of times, heard it countless times on the radio, and every Wedding I've ever been to....

Of course, it starts - "Poor old Johnny Ray"

Then I realised, I had no clue what the following lines were. I had to Google them - who knew?

Go on, sing it to yourself....do you know ?

Any other good examples? - Brown Sugar springs to mind

Between the support act and the appearance of Noah and the Whale at Brixton last night, played over the PA were, amongst others, Creedence, Bruce and Bob Seger. I thus felt assured that I would be in good hands.

So, what pre-gig music do you remember, do you take any notice, and which acts seem to put the most effort into their selections ?

Surely if you are in a band it's the perfect "mix-tape" opportunity ?

I have a spare ticket for tomorrow night's gig in Bournemouth, as the GLW has finally owned up to not being arsed about standing for 3 or 4 hours watching these wizened old cronies.

It's a standing ticket, £60 face value, £40 to the Massive member to pm me and that will meet me there and buy the first beer....

I was in a Curry House at the time

That's me in the korma

I mean, I feel quite guilty about this, and it isn't a grown-up and sensible view, given the potential hardship involved for lots of people..

...but, part of me wants Greece, Italy, Spain, The Eurozone, banks and whoever to crash, just to see what happens, and revel in a bit of chaos

I feel almost disappointed with the (admittedly few) stories of financial recovery, and an almost voyeuristic glee at another news report of impending doom. Part of the culture of rolling new stations and the t'internet I suppose.

Simon Mayo played Kenny Rogers' Coward of the County last night on R2. A track that I remember my dad having on tape in the car when I was a kid. I don't recall hearing it often, if at all, in the intervening years.

Anyway, I remember that the Gatling boys beat up his Becky, which is why he realises in the end that "sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man"

Except that last night, it dawned on me what that verse is saying

One day while he was working
the Gatlin boys came calling
They took turns at Becky
and there was three of them

Oh.

Saw this shining through the dross on last weeks 1976 TOTP rerun.

I'm saying it has the best backing vocals in the world, ever.

Heard this on the Huey show yesterday on 6music, and I've had it on heavy-rotation, as they say, ever since

Currently rocking my journey to work. The current album is something of a blast....

I'm off to Romford Greyhound racing tonight, for the first time, and the prospect has just been enhanced considerably by checking the advance race card.

So, here we go, 13 races, and 13 dogs, or are they Blues legends ?

Blackstone Bob
Rathdaniel Oak
Riverside Hawk
Liscahane Luke
Little Sensation
Brooklyn Bandit
Lambstown Brett
Little Spark
Black Paws Down
Cagey Joe
Ballymac Jackson
Longmeadow Dude
Rio Venturo

It's nearly payday, and we just got our letters advising of the pay rise for next year.
A flat % across the board at my place - less than half the latest inflation rate, since you asked.
And it's a sign of the times that that didn't seem too bad, or invoke much grumbling about the office.

What about others who are employed - pay rise, cut, freeze, overtime etc etc ?