One last update

As you may have seen, I haven’t updated this blog for quite some time. For those who don’t know, after 10 years at the helm of Punktastic I have passed the baton on to a new team. I’m extremely proud of what Punktastic has achieved and never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined 15,000 daily visitors reading my drivel, as well as scooping all the mainstream music publications over the years. I’ve met and become friends with some amazing people and I have memories which will be with me forever.

I have every confidence the site will go from strength to strength with the new team. For anyone wanting to keep in touch with me, follow me on Twitter @pmsav or read my new blog at http://thesavaged.wordpress.com

— Paul

[From James & the new team - we always thought of this as Paul's blog rather than Punktastic's so we're going to leave the blog right here as it is.]

This is gonna be good

I’m looking forward to Scott Pilgrim…

Well hello…

I really do need to get back into blogging properly again…

The radio really does still suck

I promise never to complain about Radio 1 ever again. Radio stations here in the US have to be heard to be beleieved – there are so many adverts, pretty much after very single song, while the songs they play tend to be dire. Staind followed Alanis Morisette followed One republic. what year are we in, 1995? We are very lucky, no matter what we think, to have the luxury of commercial-free radio stations, despite my hatred for Chris Moyles. The fat cunt.

Emo is not fucking dead

One of the major things you notice here in the States, especially when you’re out and about in one of the many shopping malls, is how prevalent ‘emo’ culture still is. there’s Journeys, Hot Topic, Zumiez and many more – all clothing based stores dedicated to clothes, t-shirts, CDs and everything linked to hardcore/emo and whatever else is deemed to be fashionable at the time. i find it difficult to think of a few brands that carry the same weight back home – sure, some stores carry certain brands, but there doesn’t seem to be the same dedication on a national level as there is here. I went to a mall yesterday and was astonished at the number of Attack Attack! t-shirts and references to Nevershoutnever. Seriously, that kid is huge over here. god knows why.

I think in my own mind that particular musical trend was on it’s way out. the Warped Tour line up this year, for instance, seems to be a bit more pop-punk orientated. Radio, MTV and popular ‘mall culture’ is suggesting otherwise.

Sucks.

Phototastic

I visited Ellis Island on my trip to NYC and there’s this awesome museum charting the history of the immigration system and how people were deemed fit enough to enter the US. while there I took this photo. It just seemed to totally fit every emotion you could have about the place. I also thought it would make a pretty cool album cover…

New York, New York

I’m an Internet addict. I bought an iPhone two years ago because I needed to be able to access email on the go. Yes, I said needed. If a couple of hours goes by and I’ve not used the web I start to reach for it. My addiction got so bad that on holiday last year I broke my promise of going 7 days without using my phone – I lasted 48hrs before I had to check my email.

I’m currently typing this while on a flight out of Newark, New Jersey. I’ve spent the last five days in New York City. It’s the most incredible city, probably the best city I’ve ever visited (and I hate cities, generally). I had my phone with me and I had public access to wifi, but I didn’t ever feel like reaching for it. Five days without the Internet – and moreover five days without Punktastic – has been an absolute joy. I have no idea what’s going on in the world of music at all. Instead I’ve been able to enjoy the sights and smells of one of the most vibrant cities in the world and take it in with a musical backdrop I’ve been able to enjoy rather than listen to in critical form.

I know that in a few days time I’ll be back to normal and it’s likely to be another year before I can escape the clutches of running PT. It’s a labour of love. But with views like this, who can blame me for taking a well deserved break?

Brav-fucking-o

Thirty Days of Night Records have balls as big as footballs by making this…bravo chaps.

Fame at last

Now I’ve made Music Week I can retire. Right?

Apathy rules

Rightly or wrongly, bands are role models. This is especially the case to younger people who listen to lyrics intently and tend to be influenced by the things musicians say. This is both a good and bad thing – Millionaires talking about the stuff they sing about perhaps may not be the best message to spread to young people, but then there are bands who sing about world matters to try and raise the profile of certain things. I may personally think Anti-Flag have dumbed down their message in the last few years, but credit to them for tackling big issues and not giving up entirely. They’ve managed to make a career off the back of their politics.

Now I don’t usually like blogging about politics, but I read a couple of things today that really pissed me off. As we all know May 6 is election day; the day that people have given their lives to allow us to go down to the ballot box and mark a ‘X’ in the space of the person we want to govern. I wouldn’t dream of telling anyone how they should vote, but I do believe it’s important people have their say. People have fought wars to give us our freedom. We are lucky to live in a democratic country where people have a voice – we can elect (and get rid of if needs be) those who govern. We don’t live in a world where a warmonger or a dictator can oppress and brainwash a nation.

In an interview with Rock Sound published yesterday, Frank Turner advocates spoiling his ballot paper as a kind of protest vote. Now I have a lot of respect for Frank. He’s a straight talker and he’s managed to get into a position where he can push his message. But I think he’s wrong on this one. Frank should be – and thankfully is – allowed to vote for who he likes. But some of his fans reading that article may think ‘well if Frank says it’s OK…’ and pass up on the chance to vote. What we don’t need, in a time of recession and with people struggling to make ends meet, is apathy. We need people to stand up and want to make a difference. Look at history, look at the times when this country, and others, have needed someone to lead, someone to make that difference. I’m not saying David Cameron, Nick Clegg or Gordon Brown is some kind of superhero who can wave a magic wand, but casting your vote for your local candidate can help you make a difference to your city, town or village. I found it hugely ironic that Frank won’t be voting because he’s in China – a country with one of the worst human rights records in the world and a country where no substantial legal political opposition groups exist. It’s also a country with thousands of political prisoners. Frank uses the excuse he’s not in the country – he could vote by proxy or by post. It’s not an excuse.

Frank isn’t the only musician to come out and advocate apathy and I don’t want to paint him to be the only one to do so. In a recent interview with Kerrang! magazine, both Itch of The King Blues and Rou of Enter Shikari advocated not voting. Itch, when asked if he would be voting, replied “no”. Rou was quoted as saying: “I was thinking of voting for either the Green Party or the Liberal Democrats, but it does seem kind of pointless because neither will get into power.” It’s especially surprising for The King Blues who have been anti-BNP since day one – but if you don’t vote it’s one less vote to fight off the rise of extremist parties.

It’s right that some people should feel let down by politicians. It’s also true that some people may feel a change is needed or that the current party may best bring us out of bad times. But it shouldn’t be for someone in a position of influence to promote apathy and suggest people should not vote. We all have a democratic part to play in the electoral process and that means having our say and casting our vote.

Frank sings “You’ve only got yourself to blame” on ‘Reasons Not To Be An Idiot’.

Apathy rules, OK?