Applicants BLOG

Back in 2007...we had LONG straws

2011-06-08T15:33:00.006+01:00

I don't remember reading this review of our gig at Old Blue Last. I was quite impressed & from what I remember it was very much a lot of fun.

I don't really remember the long straws at this particular gig (must've had some in my pocket), but I do remember from childhood, taking loads of straws from McDonalds & making an EXTRA long straw to drink from far far away.

I guess I was trying to re-live that moment but on a more adult level.

x x

Jeff

Malaysia Image No. 2

2011-04-06T09:29:00.007+01:00

This is, Malaysia No. 2:

The first night in: jetlag. Jeremy picked us up from the airport & settling in meant none other than pub, beer & cigarettes.

interesting fact: leo fender, inventor of the fender guitars, never learned how to play guitar. he was an accountant that lost his job during the great depression.

x x

jeff

Malaysia Image No. 1

2011-04-05T08:22:00.007+01:00

Hello,

So i thought i would give this a try, have a blog with threads reaching more than one. I will try & attempt to post-up a picture each day regarding our Malaysia trip & hopefully write something illuminating about each of them. Perhaps if there isn't much, I shall attempt at some little fact that is fairly interesting for the soul. Enjoy.

This is, Malaysia No. 1:

So, what is there to say about this pic? It was hot & a sweaty evening in Kuala Lumpur & I think if my memory serves me right, we were just about to go & have a search for some lovely vittles. yes. vittles. I think compositionally, this image depicts a sense of camaraderie. Fidel is holding a map. This was the first night we were there & our sense of direction was circular as it later panned out.

x x

jeff

Nessun Dorma

2011-03-22T20:16:00.002Z

Here's a very lo-fi recording of three of us (Jeff was ill) playing a cover of Nessun Dorma last night.

We originally did this in the "Indie World Cup" in Highbury last summer. We got kicked out in the first round.

It ends abruptly as it got too loud and the phone I was recording it on gave up the ghost

Applicants Nessun Dorma by adamboult

Nambucca Gig CANCELLED Monday March 21st 2011

2011-03-17T09:44:00.004Z

Hello Everyone!

Just to let you guys know, some things have come up and we're no longer playing this gig on Monday at Nambucca! So, thanks for everyone that were going to come and all the replies! Instead, just look at this lovely picture and come on down next time to the raucous caucus!

Applicants will get a gig together soon and it'll be awesome!!

x x
jeff

the many faces of applicants

2011-03-07T13:20:00.002Z

Seeing that we don't really have that many updated photos of us, Paul suggested I used my new camera to do just that. Before the gig at the Buffalo Bar on the 22nd of February, I took these snaps (with the help of Paul's picture of me). Look at these stylish mugs!

More pictures to come soon!! swoon!

x x

jeff

ps the camera's not bad either

Paul and Jeff in a taxi in Malaysia last year

2011-03-04T09:58:00.000Z

APPLICANTS GIG This Friday 4th March 2011

2011-02-28T11:39:00.008Z

Hello!

So it's almost March & luck will hopefully be leering it's gorgeous phantasmagorical head my way.

This friday, if you're at a loose end, or want to partake in my chance joyeuse please come down & have a hot hop, sultry skip, or jagged jump! Also you may have a look at my gorgeous new/old phone.

The Miller

96 Snowsfields Road

Starts at 8pm & it's a paltry £5

Nearest Tube: London Bridge

See you lovely lads & ladies there!!

x x

jeff

février, Qu'ai-je fait?

2011-02-22T15:59:00.004Z

As Adam sang in the New Year with his top tunes, I sung along with him. As January was pushed in, blustery and cold, with intermittent blue skies, I felt hopeful. School was going well, grades were getting improved, and I felt a sense of surprising calm. That is, until February. Perhaps the double double toil and trouble was all for me, but I am ending it on what seems to be rather an un-high note.

Project meetings, essays and a multitude of coursework came cascading down. For some reason, I seemed to have less money in my bank than I thought, and applying for part-time work seemed to run me into dead-end streets with rats scuttling in their corners, paper bags blowing in the breeze.

It wasn't over yet, no. February gave me a rotten hand, which took away my phone. I now, have a replacement. After a day of declaring my case to the metropolitan police, claim numbers, insurance numbers, phone numbers, card numbers, the insurance company still wanted to keep my case in pending. So here is the fruit of my labour thus far, Alcatel. Midi ringtones bring a cacophony of much missed sounds.

My dear Al shall keep me connected. I have not yet been beat by the system! Let's just hope that March will bring some kind of respite from this February storm.

appelez-moi

x x

jeff

What I've been listening to this year

2010-12-30T22:29:00.011Z

Now 2010 is just about finished, I thought I'd put together a list of my top songs of the year.

Not all of these were actually released this year (quite a few weren't in fact), but they've been new to me or rediscovered over the last few months.

These are my favourites out of what I've been listening to. So now you can listen to them too and pretend you're inside my brain. Or else just scoff at my poor taste.

25. Jumps The Fence - The BPA

I've no idea what this is all about

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK6wbxCFIhw

24. Try This At Home - Frank Turner

Earnest guilty pleasure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66knvY3vxsA

23. Abdul Abulbul Amir - Frank Crumit

This was one of Lynn Barber's Desert Island Discs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6vyZ_q-TjA

22. California Gurls - Katy Perry

I can't help it. Sorry. I even like Snoop's rubbish rap. The video is horrible though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSepxmZQNg

21. Pop A Cap In Yo Ass - Ben Watt, Estelle

Much better than the title implies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3g0II40U24

20. Once - Diana Vickers

I think Cathy Dennis wrote this. Deserves more recognition. I am not in the slightest bit cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7K91hm29tA

19. Romance is Boring - Los Campesinos

Indie indie indie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebhVhkba3Xk

18. Stepfather Factory - El P

Can't decide if this is genius or very naff. Possibly a bit of both.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCSXMMF430w

17. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour - Lonnie Donegan

It's Jeff's fault I've been listening to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6bFTVi0hHs

16. 16 Tonnes - Tennesse Ernie Ford

This too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joo90ZWrUkU

15. Let's Go Swimming - 'Allo Darlin'

Just the right side of too twee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWP9w02mWxE

14. Pass Out - Tinie Tempah

I've also been to Southampton and not Scunthorpe, so I identify

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzvGKas5RsU

13. Let's Go Surfing - The Drums

I've really got no desire to go surfing. I went on a stag do once where the "activity" was that we were all supposed to go surfing. I boycotted it and went to a jumble sale on my own instead. Then we went clubbing in Newquay. Newquay's an awful place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdyJUrEJD9U

12. Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

This reminds me of Eye of the Tiger, but possibly even better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6VatNuR_Uk

11. Round and Round - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

It's a grower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiLqAu4s-_s

10. Younger Us - Japandroids

Not quite the best Japandroids song, but the one I've listened to most this year. Contains my favourite recent couplet: "Remember that night you were already in bed/Said fuck it got up and drank with me instead." Yes. Yes I do remember that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R2pZQ0eqs8

9. Undertow - Warpaint

This is great, but sadly the rest of their songs turned out to be a bit boring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkqbY0oGKQ

8. Ageless Beauty - The Most Serence Republic

I know nothing about this. Can't even remember where I heard it. It's rather jolly though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHm1tkrK1iw

7. Scribble - Underworld

Apparently the new album wasn't that good, but you wouldn't know going by this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHs8LxPepKU

6. Smells Like Content - The Books

The sound of going for a walk at 5 in the morning when you've been awake all night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNArEfBKdc

5. Daydream - Beach Fossils

I heard this song and thought it was good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Yt2LcCqrk

4. Lisztomania - Phoenix

I nearly went off this when I found out the guy from Phoenix is going out with Sofia Coppola, which makes me a shallow and terrible person

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BJDNw7o6so

3. Bang Bang Bang - Mark Ronson

Infinitely better than all that Amy Winehouse 60s Zutons nonsense he was messing around with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzE5dS6fnFk

2. Swoon - The Chemical Brothers

I don't even particularly like Chemical Brothers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCp_3zw-CxA

1. MTFU - Napoleon IIIrd

Whoosh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aeG6EEtdoA

Applicants Gig at 229. An Afterword.

2010-11-26T10:17:00.006Z

It has been quite a fun-filled week. Applicants got to play at 229 on Wednesday with Mat Motte formerly from Mower headlining. Paul was beside himself with delight, as he is a big Mower fan. So in good Applicants style, here is the picture to document such an event. The gig went down well & i managed not to spill anything (this time). We had to cut our set short to fit in all the bands, but that was fun & i managed to get one of my science lecturers, Dr. Curley to come down! that was a definite highlight for me & it seemed like he really enjoyed it (Thanks Dr. Curley). Mat Motte managed to surprise the audience by stripping off to nothing but his boxer-shorts, from full-attire of a suit complete with suspenders, a top-hat and briefcase. The move into semi-nudity, reminded me of when Applicants toured & played in someone's basement in Brighton, where Fidel, managed to manifest the same happening, although went all the way, by removing his pants (it was quite hot in the basement).

Anyway, thanks to everyone for coming down & i'm off to uni to put my bacteria in the incubator now. Grow my pretties, grow & fluoresce!

x x

jeff

Badly recorded intro to new song

2010-10-27T11:32:00.002+01:00

- which we're going to be playing at the Wilmington this Saturday.

Mystery Guest Intro by adamboult

From the Halloween Archive of Applicants

2010-10-04T17:41:00.015+01:00

I guess I missed spring cleaning, as it's autumn now, but no matter, I still pressed on & decided to clear up my cable drawer. Rubber bands courtesy of the Royal Mail at the ready, I set out to detangle the web of cables that inevitable gets tangled, no matter how hard you try to maintain its neat presence. I had no idea what some of the cables were for,they were missing their limbs which gave them a purpose, so sadly, I had to amputate them from the drawer & into the inevitable black hole bin bag it went. Au revoir dear cables! I did enjoy your connectivity of power.

Anyway, I found a digital camera which I was not aware that I had. Proceeding to find the rest of the "set" I managed to find a cable in which to connect it to my computer. It was a treasure trove of old memories of existences pas

t. A portion of which were these Applicants Halloween pictures of when we were such bright, young, things.

Adam was of course celebrating in a more civilized manner, some whiskey, and a good old chin wag with chums. Right Adam? If you could add your halloween costume to this post, as a post-post-comparison?

I do vaguely remember that the paint we used was messy & that it was a gig we did at the Russian bar. I proceeded to stupidly wear REAL ballet slippers (forgot about broken glass on London streets), not to mention an enormous authentic ballet tutu (which is archived up storage somewhere). It was a good gig. Although I think it was very chaotic & I completely forgot the lyrics to "in the drink". I think. The funny thing was that I didn't have many things to sing or shout back in the day, so it was pretty

stupid of me to forget a couple of lines. I blame it on the drink. Although I somehow now remember that maybe we celebrated Halloween twice?

The other pictures depict us heading back to London at a rest-stop on the motorway. Notice the tired faces.

Hope you enjoy the pictures & maybe it will give you some inspiration for this one coming!

x x

jeff

Jeff Meets Adam Ant

2010-09-23T21:25:00.009+01:00

& who'd have thought that working would bring such a meeting together?

I was working tonight at the Haunch of Venison Punk in Pictures exhibition which was curated by Toby Mott. My instructions were, to stand by the door & tell people that they weren't allowed to bring their drinks in (any drinks). I was wearing a topshop dress (underneath the polka-dotty shirt) as I was required to wear black, I didn't have time to go home today. I kept the tag on for a quick return tomorrow (not sure I really liked it). Reading that back, the last line sure made me sound like a wet-napkin, unless you like wet-napkins. I'm not so sure about them myself. Depends on how moist they are I guess. Not the dubious moist.

Floods of people, much more than I expected, for me & another guy working. The large amount of bodies, created a very humid environment, which was not welcome to many & definitely not to me. I don't think I do very well in humid-heat. Got comments in the tune of, "That's not very punk is it?" from people in pin-stripes & work suits. Horse & Hound types en masse crowded the gallery & desperate to regale their tales of when they remembered punk & so-and-so & who-and-who. I didn't understand the no-drink rule, as they were all posters on the walls behind plastic sleeves & fanzines under glass observation tables.

Anyway, it was crowded, hot & very busy this time around. People were faced with the dilemma of whether to leave their drink on a rather full & complicatedly messy table, or to chug their beer they just got from the bar & risk the ever crude after-burp which inevitably comes when chugging a high volume of a carbonated beverage, not to mention the heavy-full feeling, which isn't very welcome at any time (to me).

Adam Ant entered into the melee & I tried to tell him about bringing his drink into the gallery. Toby Mott then stepped in & said "he's alright, he's with me. he's the exception." Well I guess he was then.

He milled around for a while & during the last hour or so, I decided to ask him for a picture. He was really nice & then when he left he grabbed my hand, gave it a squeeze & said "nice to meet you".

Okay, so it wasn't the best anecdote ever. I mean, breezing past Mugabe in a chemist was, I have to say was slightly more exciting? but oh well, can't win them all I guess; but he was a Prince Charming.

Thanks Adam Ant it was very nice to meet you too.

Another nice review for Escape from Kraken Castle

2010-08-31T11:57:00.004+01:00

From UK Music Review

"Overall, Applicants are going to completely blow your mind with ‘Escape from Kraken Castle’. Genre tampering usually results in a mismatched disaster but Applicants seems to be one of the only bands who managed to play electro and rock against each other, with both sounds coming out as winners. ‘Escape from…’ demonstrates an achingly fresh, blindingly addictive sound that is going to violently blow the top off the music industry."

More here!

Applicants doing Shed Seven

2010-08-29T20:14:00.000+01:00

Making a video for Evelyn Waugh

2010-06-23T09:38:00.005+01:00

We went to Wolverhampton

2010-06-15T23:10:00.003+01:00

They spelt the band name wrong here:

This is Bad Apes, one of the other bands who were playing:

(longer video here.)

On the way home we had a brief stop at Watford Gap services:

And here's Jeff enjoying some Lonnie Donegan on our way out of Wolverhampton:

Escape from Kraken Castle OUT NOW!!!!

2010-06-07T13:00:00.002+01:00

Get your copy here!!!

http://tigertrap.greedbag.com/buy/escape-from-kraken-castle/

NME review!

2010-06-07T12:59:00.004+01:00

We just might be bona-fide geniuses - 8/10!!!

Applicants Album Launch TOMORROW!!

2010-06-03T17:39:00.005+01:00

well, it's here! it's really happening, after a good review from NME, it seems that tomorrow the album launch will be a brilliant one! I have been so so excited these past few days & I don't think it's just because the weather is starting to get reasonable.

my seratonin levels are up & am really excited to see what happens with album number two!

the wind is blowing sun-luminous leaves outside my window....think it's the wind of change finally billowing applicants' sails into full view! all hands on deck!

x x

jeff

Coffee!

2010-04-26T22:49:00.006+01:00

During last weeks Record Store Day everyone went mad for vinyl for a morning. As it was a Saturday and we had gone out the night before to see Gum Takes Tooth I was in no way able to get to a shop early enough to buy any of the amazing limited specials that had been put out.

By the time I turned up pretty much everything was back to normal but there were still so many gems to find. Even though my record player is too fast, i think it plays things at about 35 and 48 so everything sounds a bit funny, its still such a lovely sound and of course record sleeves are the perfect size for cover art.

Anyway, look what we saw! Crappuccino sharing shelf space with an absolute classic, and if Hello Tiger as a neighbour is not enough well the other side was a leopard print Kenickie picture disc, yeah wow!

Jeff narrates the Malaysia trip

2010-04-07T21:33:00.002+01:00

Recorded at about 4.30am on our last night in KL while slightly inebriated and sat on a kerb waiting for some takeaway food

New Album Released 7th June

2010-04-07T20:18:00.002+01:00

Applicants in Malaysia

2010-04-07T18:33:00.005+01:00

Adam wrote a piece about his time in Kuala Lumpur with us for a fanzine called HOSPITALIZED FOR APPROACHING PERFECTION. Fanzine also includes Agony Aunt Manda Rin from Bis!

For more information and to get one head to:
www.comeout2nite.wordpress.com

It's nice to see you...

2010-04-04T15:04:00.007+01:00

So last year we took a trip down to Brighton to record the as yet unreleased video for the single 'Gameshow'.

Early morning arrival to sunny Brighton.

We recorded the video infront of a green screen which is one of the strangest things to do as you really are in an imaginary world.

Slicking up the host

Director Mike

It was a great day and we got to dress up in some pretty outrageous costumes as we went through the ages of the the TV gameshow.

See if you can guess from the pictures below which decade we each represent?

it might be too late to apologize

2010-03-21T22:58:00.002Z

so, decided to try & cover a song with Paul Blades- this was the result! one republic, eat your heart out!

x x

jeff

Applicants in Malaysia

2010-03-10T15:16:00.004Z

some clips i took in Malaysia. editing-wise i'm sure it won't win any awards, but come on! the cinematography!

we did have loads of fun. lots of waiting & indecision. not to mention good food at 5am & trying to recall whether we paid or not.

hope you like it you guys!!

x x

jeff

Treble 20 at Gunfactory

2010-03-10T14:10:00.001Z

Filmed by Jeff at last night's practice.
For the most part best viewed with your head at 90 degrees.

Threads

2010-03-05T10:28:00.004Z

Paul on the seminal nuclear war drama.

Happy Valentine's Day & Year of the TIGER!

2010-02-14T14:03:00.003Z

If you haven't gotten any new years resolutions achieved since january, then this is your chance- Happy Chinese New Year everyone!

Plus, valentine's day...but i mean...yea....

x x

jeff

Applicants Ramblings From a Time Gone By

2010-02-09T01:30:00.005Z

This is something from the vaults- i just never remembered that i recorded this gem of a piece of Applicantage.

I think this was our blossoming beginnings with Adam & where were we? Of course, a quiet evening in the Red Lion. Band Meeting. If you ever wanted to see what a band meeting was like. Let's also note Adam's keen artistic-senses arise after a couple pints.

x x

jeff

when jeffrey howls at the moon

2010-02-06T00:35:00.002Z

okay, okay, it's not the best cover!

but how productive was i today?

x x

jeff

Another FREE GIG in Dalston - Bardens Boudoir - this Wednesday 20th Feb

2010-01-18T22:43:00.005Z

Cool films, then bands to follow -
Applicants on stage about half ten, doors at 8.
FREE ENTRY - PLUS FREE POPCORN
WEDNESDAY 20th February@ Bardens Boudoir

facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=274383375615&ref=nf

PS.
Fidel is coming to the gig straight from the studio where he will have finsihed Applicants' album. Exciting times!

Applicants Free Gig in Dalston!

2010-01-07T21:59:00.002Z

Fraiday 22nd January
Dalston - London
Club.The.Mammoth. @ The Hobby Horse// FREE ENTRY
http://www.clubthemammoth.com

The Applicants Quiz

2010-01-05T20:25:00.007Z

Test your knowledge in this quiz. Its absolutely free to enter...

1. 'Life In The Bus Lane' was a hit album by which band?

2. Rearrange these letters to spell out excellent band, 'APPLICNATS'

3. Words Round: 'kandidaten' is a Dutch word and 'претенденты' is a Russian one. But what do they both mean?

4. Simon Cowell famously said, "now! that's what i call music" about which band?

5. Rearrange this description to reveal a top London band, 'PANIC SPLAT'

6. The band 'Applicants' famously play a song called 'Evelyn Waugh', but what is the name of the band?

7. If you are a 'cant, you are a fan of which sensational band?

8. Which of these bands comes first in the alphabet, 'APPLICANTS' or 'ZZ TOP'?

9. Name of a band.

10. Applicants?

Finished? So now tally your score!
If you got 0-3/10 = You are a failed applicant, you need to do better.
If you got 4-7/10 = Not bad, you are just ok.
If you got 8-10/10 = You really know your stuff, you 'cant!

Merry Christmas Message from Jeff

2009-12-25T01:59:00.002Z

Hello, Merry Christmas! It's not the Queen's speech, but it will maybe suffice?

Applicants Tour Holmfirth 2009

2009-11-27T01:46:00.007Z

I know, some say it's been a long time- Halloween succeeded the inevitable ending of our time at Nora Batty's steps & wandering the lovely cobbled streets of Holmfirth with bread crumbs in our hands feeding ducks by shit covered grassy paths.

As the illustrious Adam has demonstrated the great pulling-power of the moving image, I have decided to add something of my own to the Applicants archives.

So here it is- enjoy! x x jeff

Lloyd Grossman's Band

2009-11-15T11:57:00.005Z

Last night Paul and I went to see Lloyd Grossman's band play a gig. No, we really did. People are asking me - "woah - what was that like?!", so this is my review.

The gig started funnily enough, the singer's first line's being "I'll provide the skin... you provide the ambre solaire", which frankly had us in stitches. Lloyd would set off on ponderous blues rock licks and at one point was on even on his knees rocking out - including on his own for 2 minutes at the start of song 4. The crowd however didn't seem as up for it as Lloyd was himself, and rather like Lloyd's hair, the whole thing began to wear a little thin after 10 minutes.

If you see these through your keyhole, keep the door firmly closed.

Fidel.

Halloween Pictures

2009-11-15T11:50:00.005Z

Thanks to Ichi for taking the pictures and to all the people that danced and dressed up.

Further Northern Adventures

2009-10-27T09:26:00.003Z

Fidel and Jeff playing piano

2009-10-06T11:41:00.002+01:00

Fidel's Tour Diary

2009-09-21T15:51:00.004+01:00

Last three days have been spent in the North playing with Applicants. We were meant to play in Birmingham too, but that fell through 10 hours before we had set off – perhaps that was for the best as the only thing down on the venue website for that date was comedy night, although being Applicants, I think we could have probably pulled it off.

We couldn’t afford a huge van with enough seats, so Adam and I had to take turns sitting in the boot. It didn’t have any windows so it was very dark, but Adam donated some much needed bean bags and a laptop with some films on, and it really wasn’t that bad back there. I watched about 10 episodes of Robot Chicken, but then forced myself to stop because I got scared I would start quoting it at the gig and would upset everybody.

The first date was in Holmfirth where Napoleon the IIIrd lives, so it was kind of his local pub. Holmfirth is a very picturesque place; it is in fact where they film every episode of Last of the Summer Wine. You can get a vintage coach taking you round all the sites. The local cafe too where they shoot has a diseased looking statue of Compo – I don’t know if that’s how he died, but the statue looked like his body had a genital disease, like one of the exhibits from the Wellcome Collection in London I visited recently. The collection contained anatomical life size models, many of which were carrying sexual diseases that were used both for doctors to train, and as circus entertainment at the same time. This counted as sex education back then, and was still around in Europe around the 1950’s.

Back to the gig, and the gig was tiny. Jeffrey had made friends with a younbg girl called Phoebe, and the whole side room was being covered in bunting. A great moment happened when 20 seconds into our tour and we were told off for being too loud by the next-door neighbour, and that was only the sound check! We never saw him again, but apparently he does it every time. The gig went well and the people were friendly. I think we played every song that we could have done. Lunch too was rather plush. We were cooked Guinea Foul, and a Beef Tagine thing and goats cheesed mushrooms all of a platter. It was delicious and homely. The pub, well the whole village, it seemed so ironically English, but also like nowhere else in England at the same time. I felt like we were playing in an episode of a Rick Stein program in France where he says “you can’t get this in England” instead of a gig. I toasted Keith Floyd I think, who had died the previous day. I had done that the previous day too without realizing he was dead. Perhaps Keith himself didn’t know either in his semi permanent drunken haze.

The pub stayed open until what seemed like 2 or three am, a gang of about 10 playing acoustic guitar and singing in the back. I ended up playing guitar for all right now by free with a big grin on my face because I was very drunk by now, pretending I knew the solo, although somehow I managed to jam the bass line bit. I remember the lady next to me started talking to me after that. I thought she said she was watching me play earlier, and during it all she could do was think about giving me a blowjob. She said she had been talking to her partner about it. She said it so matter of fact-ly, and I was so drunk as well, I simply assumed that I had imagined it and tried to carry on the conversation down a different path. This sort of thing didn’t really happen in last of the summer wine. Although Adam did fall over comically on the steps by where Nora Batty sweeps and threatens to hit Compo for being a dirty old man. But I don’t think that was the same thing.

Hangover, the next day smacked us all in the face like a fat stinky ass that wouldn’t quit. We loaded the van and got breakfast. The chalkboard offered a Yorkshire Breakfast. Jeff asked what that was. As quietly as the joke would permit me I said, “it’s like a normal breakfast, only louder”.

After that we hit the charity shops. Jeffrey bought a toy bear with a slightly odd expression on its face. I bought a children keyboard with animals on a train, and a usb cup warmer. Not tried that yet, sounds really dangerous! James bought a board game version of Tetris. It was weird; I just kept getting the same L block.

Later that night we went into Leeds where Fuck Buttons were playing. Had to get a train from Huddersfield, which seemed a strange place. But we’re only judging that on the grandness of its architecture and the hardness to buy any crisps for the journey from any nearby shop. Jeffrey bought some noodles form the Polski Sklep and ate them raw. Paul was appalled then tried one, then said they were nice.

I think Adam is a bit scared of Leeds, but I quite like it. We went on a pub-crawl towards the venue. The Fenton being the most notable – firstly for the drinks being £1.55 a pint, and secondly for the guy 55 year old man with a really long beard with bells woven into to them. He was already a bit frightening, but then he started moving all the tables and chairs about and we thought he was nuts. Turns out he was moving it so a band could set up there. But we left because we thought Fuck Buttons might have been better.

They were good of course. Bilge Pump were the first band, they were bloody amazing. The second band were well world music, so I headed off next door and played darts. The Brudenell is amazing like that. If you don’t like the bands you can just go and play full size snooker in the adjacent room. I reckon all venues should be like that. We met Tristan there. It was good to see him too.

The train journey back to Huddersfield was most eventful. Jeff was drunk and talking shit to anyone who would listen. Mostly she was saying “sharp as a daisy” and the end of each garbled sentence, telling everyone unfortunate to be in earshot that this new saying would catch on. We kept telling her it didn’t really mean anything, but then she just did it more. Then the locals got involved. An ex-RAF guy with gelled hair, started saying that it wasn’t a saying, then got talking about where we were going. He knew Holmfirth and had grown up there. He found it boring growing up there, but then I suppose he joined the forces and wanted to see the world. He had been busy in the world, he had an obscure Oasis lyrics tattooed onto his right forearm, then tried to sell us a 60GB iPod for £100. Not sure if the two were related. Then, and this was the best bit – he asked where James lived in Holmfirth, and he told him, and this is more or less what he said:

“Ah, you know by where you live, only just up the hill a bit from you there’s a massive house – you cant miss it,. It’s the one with the black gate. You go into the black gate and this family have a huge house and a swimming pool with big slides and everything, and the best thing is, they’re on holiday for the next 3 weeks in Greece”.

I’m not sure if he actually knew these guys. He got off the train soon after, and we went into Huddersfield for some more drink. Found a bar and did just that. Near the end, two zero crop guys were arm wrestling and shit and being so homoerotic with each other – it was like the most gayest and heterosexually hardest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t think anybody noticed export me; everyone else seemed more interested in the Spiderman pinball. Got a taxi back to Holmfirth, James was so drunk himself he just went straight up to bed, leaving me and Paul – drunk ourselves, not knowing how to inflate the inflatable mattress. We gave it a go for about an hour, but in the end, Paul and Jeff just slept on the hard floor. They must have woke up stiff.

The next day took a good while to get going. We ate in a biker cafe, and then headed to Leeds. Paul was meant to follow James, as he didn’t know where the gig venue was, but either James was a bit fast, or Paul was a bit slow – or possibly unlucky – but I think he had to skip two red lights to keep up.

Nobody was at the venue, so we headed into Leeds again to get a drink. We walked past the hospital, and the two most curious things happened in quick succession. The first were all these fucked looking guys about 40 – one guy walked past the group of about 4, and there was a stand that lasted too long were they all looked stared at each other for far too long a period of time to be anywhere like near comfortable. I thought they were going to all have a fight, but they just kept staring at each other quizzically, but like they were also entering that guerning competition at the same time, until the silence was broken by this really really high pitch “Elliott??!”

We kind of ran laughing, and then two scally looking kids came up to me and James, “Hey, I like your hat, can I have it?”
“No I said”.
“No, not him the other one”, said the older guy slightly behind. Could have been his elder brother, could have been their Dad...
“Where did you get it from?” said the boy to James.
“TK Maxx”
“Can I have it?”
“No”

Completely bizarre behaviour, I quickly checked my pockets as we walked on.

The gig was at Joseph Well; it was huge space inside, so I was worried, but half hopeful. We started playing to literally nobody in the room, but thankfully people filtered in. We ended better than we started, and while it was messy, we got through it. The Darrien especially seems to go down really well each time. A suprise for a song we’ve only played 5 times. My throat died soon after though, and we had to drive back later that night to give the van back before 1pm in Kings Cross.

Napoleon played well, and we had drinks for the road (well mot Paul, he was driving, ha ha). But that meant we got the occasional text from Adam who’s turn it was in the back saying that he needed a wee. I was far too tired and swiftly becoming ill for all that.

Paul did incredibly well to get us home, think we got back around 4 or 5am; I would have fallen asleep at the wheel. Perhaps that’s why they call it hitting the road. And that was only 3 days.

Some pictures from the tour

2009-09-20T23:47:00.004+01:00

We went through a brilliantly named village in Yorkshire.

Fidel entertains an open mic crowd with some acoustic Britpop classics.

Norah Batty's steps. Paul is miming a Batty-esque sweeping action.

Terrifying Compo Golum.

Check out who was playing at the Well in Leeds the night before us.

Leeds!

2009-09-16T12:11:00.002+01:00

We're off to Holmfith now to play a show, with another show in Leeds on Friday, not sure what we'll do Thursday yet, our Birmingham date has been cancelled!

something old

2009-09-10T12:02:00.004+01:00

digital is no fun! stick to film! look what i discovered!

from deep in the archives- EXCLUSIVE leak of a never-seen-before picture of Fidel!

I was at a loose end

2009-09-07T17:42:00.006+01:00

so I took my labeller to the shop with me.

Too many bands... it's just the Cold War in Reverse.

2009-09-07T12:39:00.003+01:00

Trying to book a band practice in London can be surprisingly difficult with the number of bands around. It can be argued, there are simply too many - at least when I can't get a booking. That, (along with a bacon sandwich) got me thinking about starting a band cull...

In Soviet Russia, any prospective band weren't allowed to play without having played in front of a panel of army Generals first. I think it was called the Khudsoviet - and the generals would tell you to cut your hair because it was too long, and tell you to sound more like Smokey before allowing you to go out into the public realm. Anything else was anti-revolutionary.

Seems a bit strict, but is it that much different to what we have now? Pop-idol is easily for more sinister and worse. Hell, in London you even have to have a permit before you can busk on the tube. I've heard the panel are people like Andrew Lloyd Webber, only less famous and more bitter. Its hard for me to know if he would be worse than a randy old Colonel...

People say that since the end of the Cold War the Communist countries have opened up and become more like the West, but isn't it true that in some ways the West has become more and more like the ex-Communist states? The UK probably has more CCTV than East Germany ever had. The USA have state owned bank's these days! Obama even dared to think about giving poor people some kind of healthcare?!! Being British though I can't see that as communist - just insane that all other countries don't have something similar.

Fidel.

12th September, we're playing the Fistful of Fandango Afterparty!

2009-09-07T12:32:00.003+01:00

We're playing the Aftershow for a Fistful full of Fandango this Saturday! The line up is really strong, so if your coming, stick around after Art Brut to see us play too. It should be amazing!

http://www.nme.com/news/art-brut/46509

229 Great Portland Street, London.
You can get tickets via the link.

auto-tune.

2009-09-07T08:53:00.002+01:00

is this what's missing in our lives?

the code to a good pop-future? albeit gratingly annoying after a couple times round the block.

most improved darts player.

2009-09-06T22:04:00.004+01:00

i told Fidel, but here's the pictorial truth!

the night of beautiful magical darts! this was before i belligerently stumbled out of the angel, with the help of a couple of good sturdy friends.

i am now a medal-holder for the Most Improved Darts Player in the Angel!

...anyone up for a game? x

You better believe it...

2009-09-05T18:42:00.001+01:00

Gig Cancelation!!!

2009-08-27T15:04:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow's gig (28th August at the Enterprise, Camden) - is OFF!
But don't fret, we are playing on Wednesday literally just down the road!

2nd September
applicants playing with ten city nation & dallas
The Camden Head, 100 Camden High Street, London NW1 0LU

NME Staff Party/ Alec Empire's Says Don't Mess with Pong

2009-08-26T16:41:00.008+01:00

Yesterday was such a strange day. I went to an NME staff leaving party at Old Blue Last, and then saw Gaggle play upstairs. For those of you who don't know, Gaggle are a 22 piece all girl band - kind of like a choir in neon burhkas. They were amazing! At the party downstairs an Italian man recognised me at the bar. He knew my name and that i was in Applicants - I felt really famous for a minute, until I found out he only knew me because we got the bus home together a couple of times. On the way home one of the NME staff told me off for not tucking my shirt in. I felt like I was 12 years old. Tom Tigertrap was wearing a Comanechi T-Shirt, and then Akiko from the band turned up and I think she jumped on him. She was the most drunk I think I have ever seen someone, and that's really saying something being a member of Applicants.

Went home and had a Facebook chat with Alec Empire of all people. Hadn't spoke to him for possibly 9 years. We talked about Pong. I said Pong would be better if you had a missile that could shoot the other person's bat at the same time. He said that was messing with nature.

Fidel

Worcester Sauce

2009-08-25T13:07:00.003+01:00

I wanted to make a shepherd's pie once, so i bought some Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce as I had been told that it is a key ingredient. About 6 months after this shepherds pie the bottle is still rather full, so I've taken to putting dashes of it into everything I cook. The weird thing is though, just as I've put it in whatever I've cooking, I'll say to myself "and now a taste of home"... despite not ever living in Worcester. This has been going on for about a month now! Where is this going to end?!

Fidel

Pictures from 229 Gig

2009-08-25T12:15:00.007+01:00

Pictures taken by:
http://www.robertriczu.com

New Applicants Gigs!

2009-08-25T11:45:00.004+01:00

We're playing Camden twice this upcoming week, and after that we're making a concerted effort to play outside of London for you, so there's no excuses not to come and see us!

28 Aug 2009 - The Enterprise, Camden Town, London

02 Sep 2009 - Camden Head, Camden Town, London

16 Sep 2009 - The Nook, Holmfirth, Near Leeds

17 Sep 2009 - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

18 Sep 2009 - Joeseph’s Well - (with Napoleon IIIrd!) - Leeds

19 Sep 2009 - SECRET LONDON/MIDLANDS GIG

xx Nov 2009 - Labour Club, (date TBC) - Northampton

Applicants T-Shirts

2009-08-25T11:42:00.001+01:00

Tell us your size, and we'll tell you what colours we have in stock!

fidel.applicant@googlemail.com

NEW COLOURS! >>> royal blue / black with white print / purple / bright yellow / sky blue