Some people are alcoholics. Nymphomaniacs, crackheads, obsessive-compulsives- everyone's addicted to something. So how come I get landed with a passion for Geometry Wars Retro Evolved on the X360 instead of something more real-word?

Going by the Xbox Live Leaderboards I suck immensely, but all the same id like to think I am pretty good at the game, even if my measly score says otherwise. The game is just so much fun, bringing videogame pleasure back to the days before there were horrible plotlines and obligatory stealth sections- for a retro blast like no other there's really nothing like it at all. Such a small concept, odd shape shoots other shapes, and yet, so much pleasure and satisfaction to be found, even more so than that found in full-price "proper" games.

Screw, Gears of War, Viva Pinata, and what have you, this alone is the reason you need to buy an X360.

I saw Hell is for Heroes live last week. Alamos- a band i'd never heard of before- opened the night, playing a mere six song set, but believe me, it was more than enough to grab my interest.

Consisting of brothers Kris Keiller on vocals and Mark Keiller on drums, the duo are joined by bassist Fraser Stewart (or Fritz) to complete the line-up. Having toured with bands from the afore-mentioned Hell is for Heroes to Franz Ferdinand and Biffy Clyro all in the space of three years, Alamos have a unique sound of intensity that undoubtedly goes hand in hand with many of the acts they've supported in the past. Raw, untamed, and still fused with melodic choruses throughout, this couldn't be more evident than in their recent single “Silly Icarus, But You Can’t Really Blame Him For Trying”.

The first new material from their self-titled debut in 2006, the band are going to be working on their second album imminently (or so I was told!), which is being recorded with the rather pivotal Steve Albini. The band as i've mentioned are loud, and still being new out of the gates they're still in possession of that under-produced style, which, if you think like me, is fantastic, but regardless of their contemporaries or influences, Alamos are here, loud, and certainly, a band to watch out for in 2007.

The final nail in the PS3's coffin?

The fact alone that the console is severely overpriced may have deterred some, but it's clear now more than ever that Sony Computer Entertainment are intent of chasing away all possible customers- with shovels covered in barbed-wire.

Launch day on March 23rd will certainly be interesting.

Digital Spy now has a Gaming section of it's site!

It's not going to revolutionise the status of Videogames, and it's not going to contribute much to them becoming the most important entertainment platform in the world (maybe), but it is nice that it's getting more and more coverage in contemporary culture, even if it is mostly negative.

David Gibbon who ran the games section on BBC Interactive is currently head writer.

I missed the recent X360 coverage on Watchdog last week, but thankfully, God invented YouTube. Unfortunately God also invented the chance for moronic comments to be left under videos hosted by YouTube, but more on that another day.

After watching the news item though, I now wish I really hadn't. As expected, it's a horrible report, where the interviewees are clearly individuals without a life, a stereotype the rest of the world has come to label gamers before perhaps falling in love with the Wii. As with most media coverage of any news subject nowadays though, it's just another news item that's been heavily exaggerated.

Thank goodness then that we've got blogs where it's all news, without any opinion negative or positive...

US-rockers Audioslave have split up, citing age-old-excuse "musical differences" as the problem.

The end composition of Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden, the band released three albums throughout their six-year career, including a self-titled debut, "Out of Exile" and "Revelations". With three of the original members of RATM on board, the band had a very distinct funk sound that many fans had become accustomed to, largely due thanks to the work of Tom Morello on guitar. While similarities were present between Audioslave and it's predecessors on occasion, many fans (including myself) were annoyed that the band weren't as good as it's source material.

With the news of Rage Against The Machine playing live again, rumours are almost inevitable that this may be more than just a temporarily reform, and that's something i'm hoping for myself. Meanwhile though, a second solo-outing from Chris Cornell is on the way, while Morello is also expected to release a solo record later this Spring. Indeed, it's maybe these "musical differences" that caused Audioslave to split in the first place. Who knows, but hopefully we'll be able to hear more from all of the band members in the not-so-distant future, instead of them disappearing forever into a horrible black void of doom.

To coincide with London Fashion Week, UK R&B Songstress Jamelia has appeared in a PETA advertisement, as is the case, protesting against the wearing of fur. The advert couldn't come at a better time given the fact that Jamelia was Brit-Award-nominated for Best Female tonight, sadly losing out of course, but that's besides the point.

Jamelia obviously looks fantastic, but as always this is a PETA advert with a true cause and a message that needs to be heard. How that message is conveyed of course is irrelevant, but using sex to get the message across is a very effective way of grabbing attention from the masses as has already been proven with their past campaigns featuring equally sexy ladies.



How much this affects London Fashion Week remains to be seen, but hopefully it will make a difference, and even if it is only a small one, isn't that still worth it?

Labels: Celebrity, Culture, Music, Photography

Hell is for Heroes played Moshulu in Aberdeen last night with support from Brigade and Alamos- more on the latter next week.

The band (I thought) were on absolute top-form, and played a range of material from both albums as well as the imminent self-titled newie. They closed the set by playing a cover of "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure.

I didn't take my camera (in what was perhaps the dumbest decision i've ever made this year), but thankfully, photographers like Manuel Brauer -whose photo is on the right-were on hand, and all in all, it was a great night out.

Oh the irony-

The Kaiser Chiefs have criticised the current state of guitar bands, claiming the standard is way below that of previous generations.

Drummer Nick Hodgson is fed up with bands trying to replicate the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, and admits the industry chiefs are to blame.

“There’s so much s**t in guitar music at the moment," he told NME.

Well, besides trashing hotel rooms how else are you going to get publicity for your new album other than slate other bands as equally crap as yourself? Ugh, it's surprising they've even been given the chance to release a second-album, they're awful.

Resist the hype and promotional work, do not buy their album at the end of this month.

Amazon.co.uk sent me one of their automated emails today, wondering if i needed any inspiration on what to get that "special someone" that's supposedly in my life for Valentines Day. I cried, with laughter.

Next time please research me a little better Amazon.

Thank you.

Labels: Internet, Me