On the way back from Scotland last week, we were listening to the rather excellent 'Bad Vibes: Britpop & My Part In It's Downfall' audiobook, written and read by Luke Haines.

While I heartily recommend that book/audiobook, it was the mention of the name Momus that struck a chord.

I've heard him mentioned before, and heard his vocals on the opening track, "As You Turn To Go" on The 6ths "Hyacinths and Thistles" album - but never his own work.

The 6ths - As You Turn To Go

A quick search of You Tube late one night lead me to the following video - and this was one occasion when a little oddity (and creepiness) in music makes a real impression...

Momus - Precocious Young Miss Calloway

PS: The 6ths are a side project of Stephin Merritt - the mind behind The Magnetic Fields.

PPS: Momus is Nick Currie, cousin of Word favourite Justin Currie (of Del Amitri fame)

I've had my digital camera for over a year now, but never really used it. So, it stayed in the drawer for pretty much most of it's life - but I quite fancy making use of it more often, and though I' d try a few little ones on you, The Massive.

With these photos I've taken, they are all sections of a much large image and part of it has been picked out.

I've only used the very basic Microsoft programme, and no fiddling about has taken place.

I just wondered what you all thought...

All hints / tips / suggestions for decent photo-editing software would be much appreciated.

What happens in the human mind is always a puzzle, especially while we sleep.

When I woke up this morning, the images remaining in my mind were of goldfish floating in the sky (not their natural habitat I admit), but when they returned to their 'natural' home of the fish tank - they and the water they swim in turned into orange juice.

Now, I've put it down to the chemical effects of Night Nurse - but I hesitate to wonder what if anything it signified.

Anyone else admit to odd things that have been through their slumbering minds in the dead of night?

Who are the bands, actors or any person in the entertainment industry who are either past their sell by date (They've produced good stuff - it's now just a pale imitation of what it was) - or those should just give up trying?

I ask this after I read (and after I stopped laughing) that Danny Dyers new film 'Pimp' only took £205 on its opening weekend (or 24 people, to put it into terms of bums on seats). If that isn't a sign your acting career is not going anywhere, I can't imagine what is...

Well, it seems like someone is trying to piggy-back on the success of the wonderful Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain by calling themselves the United Kingdom Ukulele Orchestra.

UOGB are not happy, as it seems the rogue UKUO are...

another organisation, claiming to have been playing in the UK and Europe since 1998, and to being "the cult sensation from London" is being promoted in Germany and Austria.

This show is using publicity text and photos similar to that used by the UOGB, and has indeed been promoted online using an actual photo of the UOGB. A publicity quote for this other organisation is said to come from "The London News". We do not know this newspaper.

In addition, the other organisation has announced that Peter Moss has "taken over the musical direction of the orchestra". Please note that Peter Moss has no prior or current involvement with the UOGB.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain would like to make it clear that it has nothing to do with this other organisation.

At the very least this is all confusing, and it is known that some ticket buyers, ukulele fans, and venue managers in Germany have already been given the impression that they were dealing with the UOGB.

The UOGB however continues to tour all over the world, with many dates in Germany and Austria in 2010 and 2011; and will be performing in the Theaterhaus in Stuttgart on October 2nd and 3rd 2010.

If ever you do get a chance to see UOGB, you won't regret it.

After hearing The Manic Street Preachers less than cheery ditty Of Walking Abortion first thing yesterday morning (The danger of the shuffle), I was rather pleased that today I got to listen to this track

Please add your suggestions for the gentle sounds for a Sunday morning...

... except classical.

This is a strand of music that has passed me by - mainly by its non-appeal for the youth and its pretentious reviews/fans. I can hear its influence in electronic music, and do have some of what is known as 'modern classical' music to be found at Boomkat (Leyland Kirby as an example below)

Can the Word Massive point me in the right direction to the past influences on the future?

Afternoon to the massive,

A collegue at work has a problem with Excel, and I thought I's ask you good people to help.

We know how to hide/unhide rows & columns - but in this case (some how) someone has managed to add buttons you can press to the side and top of the spreadsheet, that have the effect of switching between viewing all cells or what the sheet looks like with the cells hidden.

How do you get rid of this? (Presuming I've explained it well enough...)

Many thanks in advance

Reno

Just recived an e-mail heralding the fact I have recieved priority information to let me buy tickets to see a rock/pop superstar. Woo Hoo!!

Sadly it's Michael Bolton... Thanks, TicketMaster - but no thanks.

There are times when I wish I had a keener mind.

Listening to a past podcast on a drive back from Newcastle last night, I heard the discussion between DH & Fraser regarding the criticism of Bob Dylan’s Festive Album. And then it struck me – I wish I’d heard the podcast earlier (jetlag gets the blame), just so I could post this line on the blog at a time when it was still relevant.

“… and then you go and spoil it all by saying stupid like I love Yule”

What are the things that make you mutter to yourself “Don’t you just hate it when…”?

My mobile phone contract is due to finish next month, and I’m pondering my options. I’d dearly love an iPhone, but with my tendencies, I’d want the 32Gb 3Gs version.

However I’ve seen a G2 Touch, and this has Android, and the monthly price is pretty much what I’m paying now.

In essence, it all comes down to the apps available, and I wondered if I could read your views on what the android marketplace has that the appStore doesn’t? (and vice versa)

Thank you all kindly

In an attempt to bring a little cheer to Victoria Park on matchdays, the heirarchy at Hartlepool United have decided that each player will get their own tune played over the tannoy when they score.

We already have "I Feel Good" for when James Brown scores (made popular by Sir Jeff Of Stelling) and the theme to "The Sweeney" when Anthony Sweeney slots one in the back of the onion bag. I'm hoping that there is a bag-pipe version when Leon McSweeney pops up with a 25 yard-drive...

As for the others, well, I'm struggling. So I thought I'd get the Word massive (prefer the term 'collective' myself, but never mind...) to help.

Please could you come up with your suggestions for the following players?:

Neil Austin
Sam Collins
Ritchie Humphreys
Garry Liddle
Ben Clark
Ritchie Jones
Denis Behan
Adam Boyd
Andy Monkhouse
Johnny Rowell
David Foley
Michael Mackay
Jon-Andre Friedriksen
Alan Power
Matty Tymon
Peter Hartley

EDIT

New signing!
Steve Haslam

Whilst reading this months Wire magazine, I noticed a track by Matmos entitled California Rhinoplasty. It’s clearly not chart-bound with a title like that – but found it rather odd/disturbing to find that the track had been made using samples of plastic surgery performed in California.

Can anyone else think of any track that is that literal to its title– or of any other pieces of music recorded using rather odd techniques or samples?

Driving home (not for Christmas), up popped this little beauty on my iPod.

Always wondered where the "Have you got a light, mac? No, but I've got a dark brown overcoat" joke came from...

Also had a very good chuckle at Top Gear on Sunday night.

... brought a touch of glamour (and an unhealthy dose of botox - Ed.) to Royal Ascot as the Queen made a triumphant entrance to the world famous race meeting."

Any other examples of journalistic nonsense you've seen recently that has got right on your tits?