Positive Songs For Negative People

To celebrate the release of Frank Turner's new album Positive Songs For Negative People, he played a few small instore shows. So of course, when I heard that there would be one in my favourite record store, I had to go!


I dug out an old Frank Turner shirt for the occasion! I'm surprised it still fits haha.


The first act was PJ Bond, and he was really good! Although obviously I couldn't see a damn thing because I didn't bother turning up mega early in favour of reading in the park for longer.


Then there was Frank. His set mostly consisted of new songs which was hardly surprising, and it was great to hear them (even though I felt like the only person singing along most of the time). Although it was a shame that nothing older than England Keep My Bones was played.


After a long wait (in which I read again, which impressed some other people in the queue as I looked well prepared!), I got to meet Frank again!


I got my copy of the CD signed, & I also had a chat to Barry Dolan (of Oxygen Thief) and PJ Bond while waiting in the line, so I got them to scribble on my purchase confirmation email I had in my bag...haha.

Such a good evening! Makes me look forward to Reading finally!

Record Store Day 2015

Any of you who were following any Record Store Day updates this year will already know why I had to put myself through it all again. Biffy Clyro's album Puzzle has finally been released on vinyl! I needed it!


As such I donned my Biffy Clyro shirt, hoodie, & tartan toasties for the occasion. Excuse how messy I look, we got up just before 5am for the occasion and this was taken when I got home at around midday.


We arrived at Rise Bristol just before 6am. The queue wasn't too big, and we ended up being tickets 50 and 51. Had to get a pain au chocolat and hazelnut hot chocolate since they sounded delish (and they were).


We were also given goody bags!

I'm not sure what time we got into the store. They opened just after 8am, so I guess half hour or so after that. I panicked when we got in there, struggled to find things. Luckily Rob helped a lot (as well as only being there to drive me so I didn't have to wait up all night in town ♥). Couldn't find any Tears For Fears, talked myself out of We Are Scientists and Placebo, and Foo Fighters sold out pretty much instantly.


So aside from Puzzle I caved and bought records by The Used and Daughter/Warpaint (this one is mostly for dad). Probably not worth the early start and waiting, but it wasn't all that bad and I didn't want to risk missing it (though it turned out there were loads of copies...).


We went for a little wander afterwards and I finally found Jeffrey Campbell shoes in T.K.Maxx! They had 2 pairs in my size, but the other ones were ugly white patent heels. These JC Play beauties were only £20 ♥ just hope I actually get wear out of them!

We then found a little food place that sold everything for 99p and I had a panini. Would definitely go back as cheaaaapppp.

Bit worn out now, but not as much as my wallet is! At least I didn't have to work this afternoon as I worked last night instead. I wonder if there will be any good RSD releases next year? I kind of hope there aren't as Rob said he wouldn't take me again!

Belated Christmas(?) Shopping!

On Tuesday I was dragged shopping with my mum. I hate shopping with my mum. She doesn't let me buy much (even with my own money) and bullies me into buying clothes that don't fit by calling me fat, etc. And what was supposed to be late Christmas gifts is apparently now birthday ones a month early =/


First stop was Gourmet Burger Kitchen for food. Mum's choice, I don't like the soggy mush they call a veggie burger in this place. The onion rings & skin-on fries are HEAVEN though! I could barely move afterwards & didn't need to eat again for a full 24 hours so that says something about the amount I ate as I'm always hungry usually.


I also took the time to powerwalk from town up to Rise to pick up another copy of The Mindsweep, this time a signed vinyl. I managed to get up there & back in around 35 minutes, which is pretty good going. I almost died, hate that hill! Got another Xtra Mile wristband too, for some reason!


Here's the stuff I bought myself. There were some cute cheap boots I wish I had picked up, but daaamn I was so between sizes in them! The boots & rings here were from an H&M online order that arrived while I was out. The jacket is from Primark, I'm not sure about keeping it as the arms are too big, but I doubt I'll find better at an affordable price, & I may hand it to my grandparents for them to give to me for my birthday. The crop is also from H&M, but is somehow too loose despite being the smallest size they do (say whaaa?!).


Stuff mum bought me. Hate to sound ungrateful but the only things that fit are the sports bra & gym bottoms (these are borderline, I could have sized down again but there is no way mum would ever buy me an 8 in anything), & that's coz I ignored her objections to my size choices for those. Everything else is too big, but I'm stuck with them as she paid on card. At least if I ever get fat I have clothes, I guess? Definitely refusing to go shopping with family in future. Which means I'll never get any gifts as mum refuses to give me money as I'll 'waste it'. Because clothes that don't fit aren't a waste at all or anything...

Shikari Signing!

Okay, I lied about no more Mindsweep posts...although that's not the main focus here, I guess?

All this week Enter Shikari have been doing signings in various record stores across the country to promote the release of the new album. When I saw that there was a signing in Bristol, and that by some miracle it was at a time I could do, I just HAD to go.


I arrived at Rise a little while before the advertised time, so I had a much needed cup of tea after powerwalking up Park Street. Unfortunatly that meant that by the time I got upstairs the queue was super long, and I had to wait in line for an hour and a half. Lesson learned. I guess arriving early would still mean a similar wait time though, so swings and roundabouts.


By the time it was my turn, the posters had run out (I was the first person to not get one, typical!). However the guy who was taking photos for people etc insisted on going out to get more purely because I had the fancy book version of the release. Success! Huge-ass poster, come at me.


While he was getting those I had a little chat with Rob and Chris, including really bad jokes from Rob!


Then onto Rou and Rory...were they grouped according to facial hair or something? Ahh I feel all silly thinking back, everyone was so nice and I wanted to take them all home in my pocket or something.


Rory almost instantly noticed my galaxy blue toasties (SENPAI NOTICED ME!), and pretty sure this is a photo of that very moment. The photo guy (I feel so bad for not knowing who he is) told him his guitar had competition and that he should get a pair of them too =P


See, galaxy blue guitar!

I was grinning like a loon all the way home. My social anxiety was ripping into me too, but I tried to ignore it. I just felt so dumb that I couldn't think of things to say to them, and I kind of ran off quickly with the second two as I'd used up all my bottle with the first two. Noooooooo! But damn if I get another chance to meet them, I will take it!


And my copy of the album, all scribbled on. Still waiting on my Japanese CD release, and today I ordered the smaller fancy book version from Banquet Records and a signed copy of the vinyl from Rise. Woopsie!