Teenage kicks...

So, I will be 20 on Friday. Fucking hell, pretty scary stuff really. The end of my teenage years, when its acceptable to be silly and reckless. And then this big fat zero comes along and looks at you with a pair of concerned eyes, almost saying "Right, come on now, stop being the twat that takes his shirt off when he's pissed", etc etc. But let's be honest, things like that aren't gonna change in the next 3 days. Roll on Friday.

The day after my birthday brings LCD Soundsystem LIVE at the lovely venue that is the Academy, and I can't stress how amazing it will be. After getting into them heavily in 2007, they've become one of my favourite bands of all time. And with their newest album being utterly ridiculously amazing, the gig should be a treat. I can't wait to see James Murphy's sweaty unshaven face screaming down the mic - what a man.

British Sea Power played at Moho last night, and even though I was stood at the back with Ross sweating out the weekend's excess, I still thoroughly enjoyed the set, which included my favourite song "Apologies to Insect Life". The sound was a bit shit for the first half, with the bass completely dominating the vocals and guitars, but it got better and better as the night went on. And the guys at the front looked like they were having a good time, so fair play to them. Definitely a band I would see again, but in better circumstances.

Aaaand while we're on the topic of gigs, I saw my new favourite band (for now) a few weeks ago at the Deaf Institute. The Strange Boys, a 4 piece from Austin, Texas, are basically fucking amazing at what they do. They sound like they walked right out of the 60's, playing a mix of fast-paced garage/rock'n'roll and soft, soulful blues that displays singer Ryan Sambol's unique southern drawl in all its glory.

Therefore, his vocal style drawing comparisons to Bob Dylan is inevitable, but in current musical times comments like these are totally irrelevant, due mostly to the fact that the Strange Boys are so original and refreshing against a backdrop of boring and generic indie bands. Not since the Turbo Fruits (from Nashville) came along has a band stuck with me as long as the Strange Boys, and both bands have proved that the South of America is a force to be reckoned with. So, for anyone who loves old school rock'n'roll awash with intelligent and poetic lyrics, check out the Strange Boys. Trust me, you won't regret it.

As I always seem to say, I am going to keep up with this blog and update it as often as possible. Maybe turning 20 years old will give me a kick up the arse and motivate me to write write and write even more. Here's hoping so...