Entertainment For Lively Minds
From the Controversial to the Convivial
We've had a right good argue with each other over the last week or so, but at the end of the day there must be a hell of a lot more that we all (or mostly all) agree about than we disagree about - otherwise we wouldn't still keep turning up here and chewing the fat, would we?
So I would like us all - for a little while anyway - to have a think about what brings us together rather than what pushes us apart. To misquote a wiser man than me - if the Massive is united, it will never be divided.
Come on, let's have a big old group hug and celebrate the common ground.
I'll start, because it's my game...
Wilko Johnson is a National Treasure.
There were a lot of pretty good albums released in 1971.
That Messi's a bit of a footballer, isn't he?
We're not really that taken with Mumford and Sons.
The answer is usually, but not always, David Bowie.
There has yet to be a Massive Mingle, anywhere in the country, that has not been a damnably fine night out.
And no matter how many corners the thing has got, this particular corner of the internet is a fine, fine place that should be cherished and protected.
So join me - in a celebration of all the things we all like, and a throwing out the window of those we don't.
What else brings the Massive together?
- More from Paul Waring.
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I think Wilko Johnson are s**t
Sorry
But I really like Mumford and Sons. And, to pre-empt a comment later on from someone who hasn't realised that the character of Barry in High Fidelity is supposed to be a gruesome parody, Oasis were one of the most important bands of my youth.
Oh, and Messi wouldn't last 5 minutes on a wet Tuesday in January at Home Park.
10 minutes with Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend has turned me grumpy.
Marcus Mumford...
The Michael McIntyre of Folk (copyright David Quantick)
Messi at gnome park
....true. Especially if he'd not had his wages paid. Arf.
In all seriousness, was sad to see the announcement yesterday. Still, better to take the ten point reduction this season than next...
Crumpets?
.
...
Win.
country went to the dogs
when they stopped calling them Pikelets
Pikelets
aren't they thin crumpets ?
I thought pikelets
We're travelling crumpets renowned for tasteful weddings and 'grabbing'
I like crumpet!
© Robin Askwith 1974
A difference
of opinion?
I agree with all your points
except I haven't experienced the legendary mingles (TMFTL) but clearly they are a good thing. But there will not be total consensus on anything, except perhaps that this is a good place to get some thinking done, though you'll still get the odd one who wonders where it all went wrong, or even thinks it never went much right.
For everything I can think of there will be a naysayer. There's always one as they say. A love of music? That's about it. Like a uninformed Japanese soldier some of us even still fight the punk wars. How about an appreciation of daft puns and obscure, weird and wonderful pop cultural history?
A shared love / loathing of Radiohead
I think they're the Marmite of this site (FWIW, it's love for me, for both Radiohead and Marmite)
Hail to the Marmite...
:-)
Just so long
as you don't bring Marmite cakes to the next drink.
Duly noted
*crosses "Marmite cakes" off list*
Marmite cakes
Why does that sound to me like a euphemism for something dubious?
Anyway, is it ok to be agnostic about Radiohead? I sorta quote like them, but I have no strong feelings either way.
Marmite, on the other hand, I am passionately pro.
Marmite isn't "marmite"
I don't believe marmite is a love-it or hate-it thing for many people. Certainly for me it's not. I don't mind it every now and again, but it's not something I feel passionately about one way or another.
They seem like good blokes.
Every time they release something new I think 'Why don't I like them? I must like them, they're obviously a good band." So I listen and I hear some great introduction and then Thom starts singing and I just can't stand it.
Strange
It's odd isn't it that there are bands like that? All the elements are there for me to like Radiohead, they like a lot of my favourite bands and a lot of people that like very similar stuff to me worship the ground they apparently hover over but I can't stand them. I don't think I've heard a single track of theirs that I would be happy to listen to all the way through. The odd thing is that much the same thing could be said about Coldplay but I know that they're awful so I don't feel I might be missing out.
What brings us together?
We all care a little too much about music.
But then we all agree that you cannot care too much about music.
Brilliant summing up...
...Drakey girl. Bang on the money.
Pop music (showing my age straightaway), is both totally trivial & utterly important, & I have been in love with it for almost 50 years, & will hopefully remain so for many years to come.
I Like
but others don't.
(see if you can spot yourself)
Dreadful band.
Almost as bad as the Beautiful South.
Never liked them
Too clever by half - as my Gran would say. A bit arch, I would say, but then so is Andy Partridge and I love XTC. I am also passionate about the band from whence your moniker sprung.
Does anybody not like this?
Everyone, without exception, loves
fireworks, and ice cream.
Not necessarily at the same time.
And bunk-ups.
Although combining those with fireworks, except of the figurative kind, would probably be bad.
I don't love fireworks
They make me jump too much. I end up whimpering pathetically and attempting to hide under my scarf, instead of being able to enjoy them.
See also performances of the 1812 overture.
(sorry)
Me too
They truly annoy me.
1. They're EXPLOSIVES. Sold on high streets to the public. Why in the name of fuck is that allowed? Never mind legislation - they will find their way into the hands of twats.
2. They're set off by twats at midnight for ages before and after Bon-fucking-fire night.
3. They're set off by twats at midnight at New Year. Why? Stay indoors and have a party and keep the fucking cold out.
4. I hate fireworks.
Oh sorry. This is meant to be a feel good thread. I shall lighten the mood further down the page. As you were.
EDIT: I do not imply that the good Dadwardo (who loves fireworks) is a twat. Nothing further from the truth I'm sure. But I really can't stand them.
I yield the point...
...despite my alleged twattishness. ;) *
but I will not be moved on ice cream. Mmm.
* First, and hopefully last, time I've ever used a smiley.
Ice Cream
In a more perfect world it would be all five of your required five a day.
Actually there's no fat in it. Just sugar and milk.
No fat in proper ice cream
but much of the stuff that's passed off as 'ice cream' in the UK contains all sorts of muck - non-milk fat, vegetable fats etc. Urgh.
Nah ya can keep ya fancy Ice cream
as Bill Drummond once said "Make mine a 99"
with juice and nuts ideally
I prefer mine with one and two-thirds Flakes
a 69...
with juice and nuts...
(here all week, try the veal, etc etc)
There's LOADS of fat in ice cream.
Ice cream depends on fat. It is, essentially, a frozen foam consisting of micro-globules of fat surrounded by a matrix of minute ice crystals and air bubbles. It gives ice cream the silky feel in the mouth. A proper custard base for ice cream needs cream, egg-yolks and sugar. The less fat, the less nice the ice cream. Making it with just milk would give a grim result, depending on the type of milk used. Jersey stuff would probably be OK, skimmed a load of toss.
Yes I know
It was a rather poor joke. 'No fat. Just sugar and milk....'
In fact it's not just poor it's invisible
*smiley thing*
Ice cream.
Mmmmmmmmm, Mackays (? spelling) vanilla.
That'll be
Mackie's. Definitely the best ice cream made in Aberdeenshire.
Harsh
I love fireworks. Big display fireworks. It's a bit harsh judging an object because a small minority of idiots misuse it. You could level the same accusation against computers or cars (or aircraft?!). Fireworks set off as part of a display can be magnificent and is just about only way they should be appreciated. No reason why it has to be cold either. They're not just for bonfire night (they never were - ask the Chinese).
It certainly was harsh
But not to be taken wholly seriously (I don't think anyone has done that).
Computers, cars and aircraft aren't specifically designed to explode though. Whether in a controlled environment or not.
None of the above wake me up at an ungodly hour having been detonated by an anti social a-hole but yards from my gently snoring napper. Not usually anyway.
But Fatty, I hear you say, cars and aircraft have already killed and maimed more than fireworks ever have or will. And you'd be right. It would be at this point I would run away from the debate to do some colouring.
Hope
the colouring went well. What colour is Peppa Pig now?
Green
She's not very well today.
She doesn't like fireworks either.
Everybody Loves
I don't suppose everybody loves "Everybody Loves A Clown" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys. But I certainly do. Don't really get actual clowns though.
this blog celebrates the works of the mighty Angus Young
even those who pretend not to like AC/DC and call them cavemen etc, are really secret fans too who are only trying to appear sophisticated to their wives and girlfriends (or, where applicable, husbands and boyfriends). Here is some Angus again. Lets give this a big group hug.
Quite.
Not liking AC/DC is like not liking oxygen.
No concensus here
I don't have to explain myself.
And I don't care if I'm alone in this.
I fuckin HATE AC/DC with a passion.
gimmicks you just cant get past
maybe there's already been a thread on this or maybe there should be but the thing is that sometimes I find gimmicks so annoying I just can't get past them.
AC/DC falls into this category because, even though I'm partial to a bit of head banging and do enjoy what I've heard from them (often through tribute bands), I just can't get past the school uniform thing.
I get the schoolboy / rock paradox and the sight of a little guitarist prancing about in shorts and a cap in a heavy rock band once or twice may have been vaguely amusing but to adopt it as a trademark just seems too desperate.
I Agree
Totally
Quite like AC DC
... can't stand oxygen though.
the above video does not play here so here is another one
this is important stuff. hope this works
Sesame Street and The Muppets
are universally loved.
Completely unconnected I heard this on the radio tonight, surely everyone loves this?
The Pretenders "Don't Get Me Wrong"
Sesame Street??
I've posted previously about my loathing of Sesame Street.
Coincidentally
My three year old daughter saw the Cookie Monster in action for the first time this morning. ROTFL, as I believe the vernacular has it.
Beer, wine
and Fray Bentos pies.
could happily never drink a drop of wine* ever again
beer and pies however yes please.
* don't dislike it just prefer beer.
I do dislike it,
I'm sure it's just me, Everyone else can't be wrong but I've tried, really tried to like red wine. I've been at meals eating the right food to go with the right wine, I've been told this is an "excellent tasting full bodied" bottle of red "have a taste, I'm sure it'll change your mind". But no, it just tastes of slightly acidic water. Sorry. I'll keep trying a sip or two until hopefully the blinkers fall from my eyes and the flavours explode across my tongue like they should. Till then I'll stick with the many different beers that do do the trick for me.
I'm not keen on white wine either but will drink that if there's no beer available.
Fray Bentos
Not much loved by the veggie portion of the Massive.
Pies in general
Actually this veggie slice of the massive (or massive slice of veggie) could easily forgo any pie. I like the fillings but the pastry always seems like filler to me - I'd rather have a plate with just the filling with a bit extra to fill me up.
but that scottish veggi football treat, the...
...macaroni cheese pie, simply wouldn't work without pie to hold it together...
Macoroni cheese pie
Food of the gods.
Surely every sentient human being loves this?
Get well soon Nile.
Tom and Jerry
Complete with scenes of unadulterated mutual cruelty.
Brilliantly funny.
I can still remember being shouted in from playing outside with the magic words 'Tom and Jerry are on!'. Just last week. I'm 46.
One subject where all our opinions converge..
The Daily Mail.
Hating things
seems to be quite popular
This is the internet
after all.
I rather like cake.
Anyone not like cake? Anyone?
I hate people who don't like cake.
A jest, of course.
Actually I like people who don't like cake. Because they might give me their bit.
I'll give you a bit,
next time I see you, Beezer.
Wahaaay!
There's no answer to that, Matron!
*removes '70's sitcom polyester flared suit and facial leer*
It'll be diet cake I trust?
*puts Beezer's '70s sitcom polyester suit back on him*
Who said anything about cake?
The 90s US college rock band?
I don't think I've heard any of their stuff.
Treat yourself
Have a listen. They're excellent. I eventually got round to getting one of their albums a couple of years ago and it's excellent - it's the one with "The Distance" on it (which you surely must have heard.) but having read reviews, I'm not sure which one to go for next, it seems that I may have started at the top!
Ooh, ooh, sir! Please, sir!
Cake are wonderful. I've read a review somewhere that called them the anti-Radiohead: sticking with the same formula every album instead of all this challenging, re-invention mallarkey.
I'd give "Comfort Eagle" a try next if I were you. It has 'Short Skirt/Long Jacket' on. Ace.
CAKE!!
Man, I LOVE DE CAKE!
I love cake
Cakey cakey cakey cake!
Any chance of anything chocolatey at the next London mingle to annoy the CC's? (I'm with you brothers and sisters but I have no will power)
Did somebody mention Sesame Street...?
...it doesn't get any better than this...
Sorry I don't
like Sportball so I can't comment on Messi. Bah ruined the vibe already.
You'd be hard pressed to find anything the Massive universally agree on, including whether they like the flippin magazine itself as someone will moan that they don't like the sodding cover or whatever.
Maybe Cake is the answer.
Cake is...
...so often the answer.
*Ducks quickly and runs away before the other Chubby Checkers see me*
P. G. Wodehouse
Through the controversial book opinions thread, not a word to be said against the great man. This is as it should be. Possibly responsible for bringing more joy into the world than any other writer.
I cannot give you...
... enough up arrows sir. Approved.
I don't like cricket
I love it
That
is a deceptive trend
How dare you!
Vegemite
It's the Marmite of Marmite-like yeast-extract-based 'foods'.
Crisps
Everyone likes crisps don't they? Even those who follow healthy diets surely enjoys an occaisional bag as a treat.
Sorry.
I don't like crisps. Never have. At their very best they're alright, but mostly they taste of not much and get stuck in the middle bit of me molars. I hate that feeling. Any time I have a crisp, I'm digging bits of potato from out of my back teeth for half the day.
But then, you can also keep chips, unless they're very, very good chips (i.e. frites, really well-prepared and cooked twice in beef dripping before being piled in a salty, rustling sheaf next to a steak of Rik Walleresque proportions and a quarter of a pint of béarnaise sauce). I'll eat a few chips if they're there, but I wouldn't ever go out of my way. My wife literally refuses to believe this isn't some kind of mad posture. Without chips, I genuinely wonder if she'd be able to go on.
Right, fried potato rant over. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
"mostly they taste of not much "
Cobblers. They taste of LOADS. Just nothing you'd particularly recognise. Particularly, they don't taste like the flavour printed on the packet.
I think all crisps should just be called "Nice" flavour.
That would suggest they tasted of sugary biscuits
with an attractively serrated edge.
I suggest 'Crisp Flavour' instead.
But everyone loves a Roast Potato...
...here's a good recipe...gnarf
I'd Have
a right go at those roasties, given half a chance. HELLO!
Mmmmm
all big and fluffy with rivulets of molten butter running down their sides and dripping off....
Rolf Harris?
Surely no-one hates Rolf.
same goes for David Attenborough.
And...
Oliver Postgate.
Oliver Postgate
should have a posthumous knighthood for reminding us of the gentler things in life. Who can dislike Noggin The Nog?
Well
Nogbad the Bad?
It's ok
He's away visiting his auntie in Finland.
A sad case of a dysfunctional childhood.
Nog bad's badness is really fuelled by frustration. He really wanted to be loved but never was and it turned in on himself and he now projects it onto the world. He also always fails in his naughty deeds. He's really just a grumpy old man who's lonely in his castle and just needs some tlc. He also plays a part in balancing Noggin's goodness which would otherwise make you want to punch him on the nose.
I take that back.
I would never want to punch Noggin on the nose.
Does anyone hate...
... Half Man Half Biscuit? Alan Bennett? The late, great Humphrey Littleton?
The late, great Humphrey Littleton?
....I think Lional Blair might disagree about that one...
Piers Morgan is a twat
Ah, common ground.
Nope. I don't get what people dislike about him.
Seems to me like someone who had a successful career then, when the wheels fell off the newspaper game, he parlayed an almost non-existent talent into a money-hoovering second career whilst writing a couple of best selling books based on tangential friendships with B-list celebs.
That's chutzpah to be admired.
Viglen
Am I allowed to say Viglen? Will withdraw if not
New definitions for old words on I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue
Killing Piers Morgan - Countryside
Nick Drake
Don't often hear a bad word said against him in these parts?
The Sopranos? About as word friendly as it gets.
Morecambe & Wise? I shall have to ask any detractors to step outside.
Morecambe & Wise? My wife...
...will be there shortly to administer a right good kicking. She really can't stand them and can't explain why. Mark you she doesn't like Michael McIntyre either. so she's not totally weird.
The Andre "Preview" sketch
cures 99% of all known doubters
Kate Bush
Seems To have Goddess status amongst the massive,not really surprising or undeserved
XTC too seem to be very popular as does atheism
Surely we can all agree
on Norman Lewis's books, Top Cat, Frasier, Northern Soul and Motown music to lift the spirits and I am going to put in another plug for Ian Sansom's books to bring a smile to our chops (no, I'm not his agent).
Has anyone mentioned the HJH?
I realise that they divide opinion. But the naysayers are just, well, wrong (he said generously).
One thing I rather like about this place is that it seems ok to "beg to differ", to disagree without rancour - that's rather cherishable, even if some of what's discussed (and agreed upon) passes me by (eg. the "merits" of L*d Z*ppelin or the Cl*sh).
For that reason, I'm not sure I can think of any unifying factors, apart from the civilised virtues - we can discuss all sorts of trivial - and not-so-trivial - bollocks, while not actually making death threats. This strikes me as a Good Thing.
PS.
I agree about XTC. Not liking them should be against the law.
Do I get off with a caution
as I'm not fussed but I don't dislike them?
Not Illegal
I'm sure that it's only illegal to dislike them but I would imagine that you're probably required to sign up to some sort of rehabilitation scheme to make sure that it doesn't get out of hand.
You are hereby banned
from all future London massive drinks.
*scribbles furiously on clipboard*
The last verse of 'Eclipse' by The Beta Band
has a neat list of stuff to agree on which seems to chime with the OP:
"So the people with the answers met the people with the questions
and the people with the books sat down
They finally decided to sit around to talk about their problems
to see if they come up with some answers to meet the questions
and some questions to meet the answers
well, the leaves on the trees are green
[ok we're agreed on that]
and the roads are not very clean
[ok we're agreed on that]
and the food we eat is not very healthy
[ok we're agreed on that]
and the music we make is not particularily good
[ok we're agreed on that]
and the planets sort of revolve around the sun
[ok we're agreed on that]
and the moon is a big ball with nothing on it, and I don't think anyone's ever been there
[ok, so we're kind of agreed to that, so what are we arguing about?
Well, I don't know..."
Wonderful
That was the first Beta Band song I ever heard. I haven't heard that much since then, but of those I have heard, Eclipse is my favourite. So, so unusual and charming.
Hacked!
A very naughty person has jumped on my computer and spoken for me. He has been duly slapped hard round the face.
*EDIT*
I saw what you said!
It wasn't that naughty. In fact, it was a perfectly reasonable assumption of common ground. Are you sure it wasn't you wot said it?
It wasn't...
...and, yes, I agree it was common ground but rather blunt, even for me. And I'm a filth merchant.
I left the screen open near a 18 year old boy. Although, he did ape a turn of phrase I use a lot, which was quite clever.
And the good thing is, looking through "your oldies site" he has asked to borrow some XTC and Kate Bush as he liked the links above.
how about that Gene Kelly can dance
funny face(7)-Uploaded by dividu. - Up-to-the minute news videos.
Simon Cowell is a twot
nuff sed
Clare Grogan
Everyone likes her, right?
Gregory's Girl, Altered Images, I mean, how can you not?
Clare Grogan
Can I reccomend The Word podcast featuring the divine CG (52 IIRC)
So, so good, I didnt want it to end.
Ron Sexsmith
...gotta' love Ron
But he's gone all Autotuney/Melodyney now!
Which, as we all know, isn't allowed.
Has he?
Please say you're joking. I am eagerly awaiting the new album next week.
Judging by the new single, he's turned to the Dark Side.
Gah
I was listening to it, before I saw your comment, thinking "that sounds a bit auto-tuney, but it's Ron Sexsmith, surely not"...
...we already know the man can sing, I can't see why he'd need autotune. Faintly depressing.
The Shadows
While Cliff may divide opinion like no one else, surely none but the most flinty-hearted has a bad word to say about The Shadows?
Along with Lonnie Donegan, the Shadows influenced EVERYONE in pre-Fabs Britain and kick-started a million bands.
Please be upstanding for the Shads, especially Hank and Bruce, a couple of true gentlemen.
You can tell my heart
my flinty flinty heart