Howling at the moon

I sing in the shower. Personally I consider it to be one of my more endearing qualities. This is debatable, my house mate, who is not a morning person, thinks its fucking anti social, however another one of my friends has been known to stand by the door when I'm in the shower and join in with me wailing along to James (Laid...obvs) or Kate Bush (Running up that hill...obvs). Why am I telling you about my shower singing activities? Well. I like a song I can have a good wail along to. Generally I like music that isn't lyrically void, however for singing in the shower one needs to be able to howl. This is where The Vaccines entered my life. Post Break Up Sex is a song which gives one plenty of room for prancing about in the shower doing ones best Ian Curtis impression (does anyone else hear Joy Division in The Vaccines?) whilst having a good old how to something that is quite frankly lyrically nonsense. I was lucky enough to go and see the Vaccines in Leeds in November, and it was a splendid gig. I drank lots of Jack Daniels and had a good jump up and down in a hot sweaty mosh pit with one of my dearest friends.
Whilst watching the vaccines I was lucky enough to see another shower howling band...Howler describing themselves as a Surf/Trash (contradiction much?) band hailing from Minneapolis I think this band are destined for great things. Their songs are catchy, not lyrically deep, but equally not lyrically void either. If you like your music catchy and bouncy with potential to howl and a nod to Sheffield, Ian Curtis and the Beach Boys all rolled into one then may I suggest you go check them out.

They are also playing at Leeds Cockpit next month. May I recommend them. I'll be there...tickets HERE!

You, Me and The Bougeosie

The summer is upon us. Wimbledon is around the corner and the Great British weather is playing its usual tricks. The garden is in full bloom, and nothing makes the dinner table unless it is full of vegetables and sunshine. The following recipe is a wonderful accompaniment to a summer salad, turning a plate of "rabbit food" as himself so happily calls it into a meal that will satisfy even his appetite for things dunked in butter and cholesterol.

Garlic Dough Balls:
The following recipe serves 4 with a main meal or 6 for pre dinner nibbles. They are perfect served warm with the accompanying butter but also great with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dunk them in.



250g plain flour (nothing special, I just use the value stuff)
1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tsp olive oil
140ml warm water (I use about 40ml boiled water added to cold water in a jug.)

Mix everything in a bowl.
Add the water little by little, you may need a little more, you may need a little less.
When it all comes together as a smooth dough knead for about five minutes. The dough will change in texture whilst you are doing this.
Once kneaded leave the dough in an oiled bowl in a warm place covered with a damp cloth.
The dough can be left to rise for as little as 20 mins or all afternoon. The longer you leave it the better as the yeast has more chance to do its magic.

Once risen you can separate the dough into 16 balls, or 8 sticks and put on an oiled baking tray. This recipe also makes brilliant pizza bases.
If making pizza you don't need to let the dough rise again, otherwise leave the dough somewhere for about 10 mins, (or more if you have time!) Then all you need to do is chuck them in a pre heated oven (180 degrees C) for 10-15 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside.

I serve these with garlic and herb butter:
2tbs Butter
1 tbs Mixed fresh herbs, Basil is particularly good, also oregano, rosemary, you get the idea
Drizzle Olive oil
2-4 cloves garlic (we like LOTS of garlic, but its a personal thing)
Couple of grinds of salt and pepper.
Chuck everything in a bowl, and mix it up. Perfect for dunking.


Continuing the theme of summer I said in my post about The Mountain Goats Live at the Brudenell recently that the support act The Submarines deserved a post all of their own. I was originally sceptical having heard heard that The Submarines provided songs not only for iPod/Phone adverts but also a song for the Nip/Tuck sound track. Most American sound track fodder makes me feel a little ill. I remember the hype for the O.C sound track, and all that really brought us was The Fray and a feeling in the stomach that one only really gets from having eaten too many sweets. However I was pleasantly surprised by The Submarines. California based John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard form a wonderful male/female vocal that is just quintessentially summery but not saccharine. With surf rock undertones evident the lyrical content make The Submarines thoroughly more interesting. You, Me and the Bourgeoisie is perhaps their most well known track, the chirpy melody but with a darker lyric is infectious. Hazards vocal us unfalteringly beautiful both live and on record, and Dragonetti doesn't fail to deliver supporting Hazard's leading vocal with a beautiful backing and utterly wonderful guitar playing.
Their music is undeniably American, and not strictly deep or unusual, the riffs and choruses come where one would expect them, but the songs are up beat, and summery. And when the weather will do what it will, summer may well have to be found in music.