The Bard

Don't forget to sing Auld Lang Syne, written by my Great Great Great Great Grandfather Rabbie Burns, tomorrow at midnight.

Free Auld Lang Syne by The Glenn Miller Orchestra MP3

Auld Lang Syne Lyrics

Robert Burns Biography

Just a tip to all y'all Yanks...if a Scot ever tries to tell you a Haggis is an animal don't believe them!!

I sure am glad I'm not home to witness this shite!

I am Googled!

I discovered today that if you type "Brand Knew" in the google search engine, this very site is the first one listed. Mainly it has to do with the fact that Google does host this site.

Broken Social Scene on NPR

If you've ever wondered about this band, Broken Social Scene, that I am constantly blabbing out on this blog, there's a great audio clip about them on National Public Radio. It really summarizes how they started, where they are now, and where they're headed.

To hear the clip CLICK HERE

Brand Knew Mixtape #3

***CHRISTMAS EDITION***

I received this in an e-mail today....they sure do make me wanna shout!

Should I send a reply saying, "I hope your plane crashes en route to your next away game!"? The fact that their punter in the most marketable player shows how bad the team is. HE SHOULD NEVER BE ON THE FIELD IF THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING! Don't even get me started with the Knicks!

Knew's Top Five Albums of 2005

After viewing pitchfork media's query to some musicians asking for their top five albums, I thought I'd follow suit. I don't think I can think of another album that is even close to these five, although if we're talking songs I'm sure I could throw down 100.

Stars - Set Yourself on Fire (Arts & Crafts)

Although I was already a fan of this band due to their connection to Broken Social Scene, I was blown back by this album. To me it is the only "front-to-backer" of the year, whereas you can listen to it front to back without skipping a track. The buzz behind this band was solidified to me after seeing them in Manchester this past fall. Favorite Track: The Big Fight

Broken Social Scene - Broken Social Scene (Arts & Crafts)

This was an easy choice for me as they are everything I look for in a band. Experimental yet down to earth, hard yet soft, big yet compact, and old yet young. This may be seen as a slip from form for this band, but fortunately they should be releasing another album this year, considering it took three years to put out this one. As I once opened some Xmass gifts early then rewrapped them one year when I was a kid, I had heard most of the songs on this album before it came out, so it sort of ruined it. Favorite Track: Hotel

Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask(Epitaph)

Although my love for Hip-Hop has waned in the last few years, something as epic as Danger Doom can not be ignored. Comprised of two of the saviors of Hip-Hop, producer Danger Mouse (The Grey Album, Gorillaz), and MC MF Doom (KMD, Madvillian), their mixture gells like no other duo out right now. Playing on the fact that both of their handles are cartoon in nature, the whole Adult Swim gang makes appearances. The beats are stellar, the rhymes are ingenious, and the mix of real Hip-Hop and pot shots toward the rest of the industry mesh like two sides of a zipper! Favorite Track: Sofa King (Retarded)

Doves - Some Cities (Capitol)

Most people know I have a soft spot for Brit-pop and the rest of you have never heard that term before. It may not be the correct classification for this band, just like most people can't tell the difference from Techno to House (and rightfully so), but it will have to do. This Manchester trio hit a soft spot with me this year because as I learned I may be moving to England, their song "Black and White Town" was in my head, and gave me a taste of what it would be like (although completely untrue). I could have easily jumped on the Coldplay wagon for this list, but I haven't gotten through their whole album and this one is clearly better. They really mix pop with elaborate sweeping sounds so well. Favorite Track: Snowden

KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope (EMI)I also have a place in my heart for women singer songwriters. KT cannot hold a candle to the Feist's and Kimya Dawson's of the world, but her cocky attitude is so appealing. Her songs are a little poppy for the indie elite, but it suits my soul perfectly. The only thing she may lack is the mysterious qualities of the aforementioned singers, but the catchiness of her album drew me in immediately. Favorite Track: Under the Weather

When I embarked on this task I was under the impression it would be easy to pick five, but it was harder than I could have imagined. Next year should be unbelievably easy, as Feist, Broken Social Scene, Badly Drawn Boy, The Streets, Sam Roberts, The Strokes, The Shins, Tenacious D, Modest Mouse, and De La Soul are due to release albums in 2006. Shit, we may even see a Spice Girls reunion or even more unlikely, I may not even be using computers by next year!!

My Neice and Nephews at ChristmastimeBaby Sarah

Finley and Grayson

London Town

Being in London for the Broken Social Scene show, I took the next day to do some sight seeing. Here's a few pics from the trip. The rest of the photos (and there are many) are on my Webshots page.

Picadilly Circus

The London Eye

Big Ben Parliament

Buckingham Palace

Heeheeheeheehee

Broken Social Scene London

I took a little two day trip to London-town to see the greatest band on the planet, Broken Social Scene. After checking into my two star hotel, meeting up with Joey Joe Joe, and necking a few Stella's, we hit the tube to make our way there.

The venue, called The Cargo, was down a dark alley in the North side of the city. Unfortunately we missed the opener, The Most Serene Republic, who I didn't really like but have since changed my mind. As the band was setting up we purchased a couple Old Speckled Hen's and made our way into the bunker type room. As the band hit the stage the crowd jammed in the room to make it uncomfortably tight. After about ten songs and needing a bathroom break, we made our way out to the bar. Fortunately the whole show was on the big screen in the bar with the audio coming from speakers right next to us. Joe needed to catch his train back to Sussex, so he took off and I had a few more Hen's and watched the end. After the show I stuck around to see who I could talk to. John Crossingham first made his way through and we had a nice conversation. Then Justin Peroff the drummer entered the room and I approached him. Talk about the most down to earth human musician I've met. We chatted for a while and bought a couple rounds. After the crowd left and the security wanted to kick everyone out he gave the guard the ole "he's with us." I helped them break some of the set down and conversed with the rest of the band. Being from Toronto they are well aware of Buffalo television. Their horn/guitarist Charles Spearin and I had some laughs about Irv Weinstein and the town names he had remembered from the weather report such as Tonawanda and Cheektowaga. They then took me back stage. It wasn't the most glamorous setup but the booze was free. After having many conversations with a wide array of folks from the BSS family I need to crash. On our way out we ran into a elderly rastafarian who was freestyle Raggaing and asking for change. Justin and I both being hip hop fans were very intrigued. I then took a cab back to my hotel on the other side of the city and passed the hell out.What an amazing experience. They are coming back to England in February and I will surely run into them again!

Bath T Christmas Party

The U16's and U12 Juniors met up at Chicago Rock, Trowbridge for the Christmas Party. In all there were 26 players letting balloons and food fly around. Coaches Mike Brand Colin Carey and Nik Roberts, chose the most improved players in both age groups. Darren May, who plays Defence for the U16''s and Sam King the U12 Goalkeeper. This is the third year that the juniors have met up for Christmas in the Chicago Rock, balloons that became missiles and helium that became squeeky voices were all provided.

Pub Golf

After yet another loss to the hands of Hampstead, a majority of the team ventured into town for our Christmas party/pub golf debacle. This was my first experience with the sport, and if our country wasn't so massive I would recommend it. Here's a quick breakdown of the rules. Every drink is a hole, in our case we had every pub designated with two drinks as to keep our travels to a minimum. Each time a sip is taken from the designated drink from the list it counts as a stroke. The stronger or larger the drink the higher the par. You neck/slam/pound/down the whole drink in one that is of course a hole in one.

The game got off to a smooth smart with most of us getting a few holes in one in a row to start. If you know my drinking habits (it obviously is inherited from my father who gets pissed off of one Manhattan) I could only really last nine holes, which is more than I can last at real golf. I was then back to drinking pints at my own pace...very slowly of course. After hitting the Ale House for a few boundys, we finished at the infamous Huntsman. Of course the two pseudo alpha males, Sharky and Jeff, claimed to be tied after 18 holes warranting a playoff hole. The official for the match Nik Roberts disappeared to the bar to return with two pink drinks and 2 shots of Bailey's. The shots were dropped in and the drinks began to curdle. Both drinks were downed, Sharky's staying down and Jeff's reentering the atmosphere as fast as it was consumed, to the displeasure of the unfortunate table. After some unnecessary dancing we made our back to the hostel we rented and began to act like children. Wrestling matches broke out, underwear was forcefully removed, and my camera had a very bad meeting with the wall at high speed...it clearly deserved it!

To add insult to injury, the runner up Jeff, also vomited in the street the next morning!All pictures from the evening can be found here

Bath 9:16 Hampstead By: Mike Brand (they've let the literary genius shine once again!)

Although marred by an unfortunate display of aggression from both sides, the match was very well played. The Bath side had to do some personnel rearranging which saw a defenceman and midfielder up on the attack side. With that in mind prior to the opening face, the defence and midfielder's picked up the slack to keep Bath still in the match. Fortunately the sun cooperated and stuck around for the whole match, although not to the delight of the goalies. The first quarter saw six goals as Bath trailed 4-2 at the end. The defence bossed the game and Dan Weil kept Bath in the match early with aggressive play that would set the tempo of the entire match. Matt Wellings and Doug MacKay paced Bath with the 2 goals of the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter also showcased the defence, as Hampstead was only allowed 3 goals to make the halftime score 4 to 7. The 3rd quarter is when the Bath side showed their resilliance and battled back to tie the game. The lone regular attackman Simon Griffith's registered his first goal of the season off a botched clearing attempt by Hampstead, literally batting the ball into the cage. After a Hampstead penalty, usual long pole Mike Brand gave a no-look cross crease feed to Doug MacKay for another goal. The score was then tied 7-7 with Hampstead taking a time out. Unfortunately the break in action seemed to cool off Bath's momentum. After two lost draws Mark Jeffery's temper got the best of him and took his frustrations out on his opposing face partner. After a delayed retaliation attempt by Hampstead, cool heads prevailed and the game was brought back to order. Hampstead then added 2 goals to bring the end of the 3rd quarter score to 9-7. As has been the story all season, Bath's small and rearranged lineup ran out of gas. Hampstead pumped in seven goals in the 4th to bring the final score to 16-9. Bath has a length break in action until they host Reading on the 7th of January, whom they lost by one to earlier in the season.Quote of the day:'Moving Pick' by a referee. mmm really, on Mike Brand!!!!

Sucks To Be Buffalo

Dry as a bone here in Trowbridge! The bottom of my jeans aren't ruined and our football team isn't absolute SHITE!

Bath Uni 2nds v Bath City 2nds

Uni 8:9 City

I had 3 goals 1 assist and the game winning goal. I'm the best at being modest!

By Nik Roberts

When the decision was made to make a development squad it was done with the hope that the youngsters coming through the ranks would step up to the crease and play ball. As a coach you often worry that the lads will be put off laying bigger opposition, 14 yr olds against 20 yr olds doesn't look good on paper, but boy were we right to gamble, they looked good against Gloucester, and today they looked excellent.The whole day is a big step forward for Bath as a whole, given that the University team were also a development squad, the City looks strong for the future of the game. Bath City had 7 seniors and 10 U16's playing, giving a nice balance, and a good chance for the younger players to learn. Man of the Match for the City side must go to Lloyd Butler, who made half a dozen good, brave saves, and remained between the posts for the last 5 minutes, despite having a sprained thumb, and unable to hold the stick properly. Defensively the U16's have an awesome future with 5 really classy long sticks. In Attack there was some good movement, and a nice long give and go from Jake Beck resulted in his first goal. After a week that the Bath seniors would probably rather forget, this was a real tonic, good lacrosse played by enthusiastic, skilful players. Hopefully there will be a return fixture in February. Quote of the day: "Man, that's the most fun I've had all season" Coach Mike Brand at the end of the Match.

Bath 5:11 Spencer

By Nik Roberts

Bath looked dreadful for a fair chunk of this game, they didn''t get out of the blocks, giving Spencer all the initiative and a healthy 7:0 half time lead. Despite a third quarter rally, Bath, who should regard Spencer as a winnable game just didn''t play. Even the Odd Down Pitch (used to accommodate the Rugby on the rec) couldn''t account for a dreadful performance. Dropped balls, bad passes, bad choices,etc etc. Highlights of the day few and far between, Matt Wellings three goals being it. Half the season over, and Bath need to pull their socks up.

Brand Knew Mixtape #2

A little less rap this time but an added Document file with a little track by track description. Still fits on a CD so burn and enjoy.

IMAGINE

Brand Has Career Night For Buffalo

They should have played this game at the HSBC arena. Why does Los Angeles have two pro basketball teams and we have none? I would renounce my love for the Knicks in a heartbeat if Buffalo got another team. If anyone sees the orange Brand Braves jersey online let me know, or just surprise me for x-mass. I already have the black one so it would complement my collections nicely.

Saturday Evening in Bath Me & Picket

I'm not sure if you Yanks heard about it, but for the first time since WWI the drinking establishments in the UK can stay open as late as they want. The gov't and media press on the fact that there is a huge binge drinking problem, so they passed the new law to lengthen the drinking hours to try to slow the drinking habits of people. What a mistake! Skill and her mate My new best friend TomJoey Joe Joe Joe Joe Joe Gay Luv

Hitchin v Bath

Final Score

Hitchin 9:5 Bath

By Nik Roberts (THIS ISN"T ABOUT ME HENCE IT SAYS BY NIK ROBERTS!!)

I could go on, as I sit (or try to sit) here writing this about the little S*** who thought it necessary to spear me in the small of the back near the end of this game, however it has been pointed out to me that it could have been 'just a bad hit, not deliberate', there again, how the butt end of a Lacrosse stick is rammed into the back with enough force to put someone out of the game is a 'mistake' is beyond me. Part of the problem is the lack of referees in the South (nothing new there), players are roped in to do the job, and so long as not biased, it's deemed OK, but the problem has now become, the few players on the pitch who see this as licence to maim, late hits, blind hits, deliberate game ending attempts to hurt are creeping in, all of which I have witnessed this season in almost every game where the players have refereed themselves. Basically the 'gentlemanly conduct' that used to be the tenet of the game is being eroded by the few. Where it will end I don't know, maybe a lawyer will end it, after all, if a career is on the line, or a kidney, it's assault, and both the player and the poor sod refereeing will be to blame. What do I tell parents of my juniors, who might be watching (kids are invincible, so don't see the threat), play Lacrosse, great game, no regulation, and a good chance to maim, maybe I'll make a poster for the schools.

The Game: Bath travelled with a reasonable squad on their longest road trip of the season, and, in fact outnumbered the home team who had only 10 players. The game was rough, but even, with keeper Nige Gates having a great game for Bath. Again Bath managed to hit the post 2 or 3 times, and it was a case of one that slipped away. Dougie Mackay waded in with 3 individual goals, and was by far the West Country teams best player on the day, and the team missed the face of skills of Ken Murray. Again another good performance, but with no result in the end, lets hope the home leg will be a different story.Quote of the day:'Arming off Bath, see I didn't miss that one' Hitchin Referee after about the third argument with the Bath captainsSwear of the dayNik Roberts, using just about every one he knows, after being speared. Funny how it's so easy to swear when in pain, yet breathing's so damn difficult.

Thanksgiving in BicesterThe family I am currently living with took me to Jo, the lady of the household's, parents house in Bicester for dinner the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Her father was a member of the US military stationed in England for many years. I can't thank Ted and Irene enough considering what they did for me and the fact they have Sky TV which allowed me to watch NFL football! Surprising Nev on his way out of our house The car ride Narcissistic Geo Unorthodox (to me) salad Photogenic Jo My plate!