CD Baby

We're finally getting on the road to full digital distribution.  And so you can find the album here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/billyruffian

Yes, I know you can't buy it yet.  I tried.  Sadly we're not 100% all systems go, but check it out, it's listed and that's a start.  It's only a matter of time until we're on the hallowed ground that is iTunes.  We'll rig up a fanfare for when that happens.

On the positive side, you can still log into CD Baby (what do you mean you're not registered with them) and add a review of the album.  We'd like it if you did that.

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The lovely Dirtblonde are playing tonight at Tiger Lounge on Cooper Street, Manchester for the Fiction Non Fiction people, it's free in, they should be on stage around about 9:30 so if you want to hear some rather good music and have some funtime drinking with at least two Ruffians, then get your arses down there.

A New Beginning

The world and his dog are on iTunes so I thought I should get us on it.  We have registered on CDbaby, they have our audio and I'll be posting some links when they come through.  Welcome to a whole new era of digital distribution.  Considering at least 2 of the tracks on the album are solid gold pop classics and downloads count as chart sales I'm looking forward to our first appearance on Top Of The Pops.

Come to the Castle Inn, Oldham Street, Manchester tomorrow as we've got:

Plague Doctors
Manchester's finest mask & cape wearing, slightly disturbing boy band.

Dirtblonde
Liverpool's finest punkrockest duo.

The Colt.45s
Durham's best kept secret.

Das Wanderlust
England's definitive answer to Kiss.

It's only £4, you get a free sampler from Filthy Little Angels and you might even get to meet Woon. But only if you're very nice.  Full details here:
http://www.filthylittleangels.com

In other news, I'm going to watch the Fall tonight. I'll let you know how it goes.

How the SWP Can Save the UK Music Scene

Some lessons from Tony Cliff, founder of the Socialist Workers' Party, which promoters and unsigned bands might take to heart:

- There's no use burying your head in the sand and saying 'there'll be 20 people there'. Much better to admit that 7 people are going to turn up, and work hard to get an 8th.

- Don't mistake grand names and attitudes for actual popularity. Tony Cliff was once introduced to a woman who claimed to represent 'The Pan African Liberal Christian Women's Movement for Democracy and Freedom'. His first comment was: 'I hope there are as many members of this organisation as there are in its title'.

More on Tony Cliff: http://www.marxists.org/archive/cliff/index.htm

Trivia Corner

These days, I try to get most of my information from packets of rolling paper. It was via this medium that I learnt that the fifth biggest selling single in the UK, of all time, is Rivers of Babylon, by Boney M.

It hardly needs pointing out that Rivers of Babylon is far from even being the best Boney M song.

And yet the people who parted with their money (presumably earned, through working) to place this single in such an elevated position are allowed to vote.

Proof, if proof were ever needed, that the man on the Clapham omnibus is a cretin.

Billy Ruffian are now 'influential'

We found a review of a band called 'Cop On The Edge' on these Internets. The line that caught us attention was, "I like this Sarf Landahn quintet. I hate describing things but it's DIY Electro-Indie, and reminds me of anything from Billy Ruffian to The Young Knives...."

Blimey. So we're an influence now, are we?

Last night's gig at Bar Amp in Sale was rather good fun. The sound was good, the audience was far from our usual, and I even attempted some acrobatics. We went down well, but I forgot to hand out any flyers. Dearie me.

'Leaving Soon' was back in the set last night for those who watch these things ('Youth Club' was on leave).

Time-Filling Schemes

I'm off to Paris for a week from today, so I thought I'd leave you with some space-filling Top 5 lists. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments section.

Top 5 Gigs I'm Looking Forward To in 2007

• Old Crow Medicine Show, Manchester Academy 3
• Marilyn Manson & Turbonegro, MEN Arena
• Alice Cooper, Motorhead & Joan Jet, MEN Arena
• Gogol Bordello, touring
• A Weekend of Filth, Manchester, September 22-23

Top 5 Favourite Guitars

• Gretsch White Falcon
• Gibson 335 (cherry red)
• Gibson Melody Maker (sunburst)
• Danelectro 56-U3
• Fender Jaguar

Top 5 Films About Upper Class England/English People

• If...
• Wah Wah
• Gosford Park
• Bright Young Things
• Another Country

Top 5 Cheeses

• Halloumi
• Cheddar
• Feta
• Roule
• Mozzarella

Top 5 Drum n Bass Tracks:

• DJ Krust & Saul Williams – Coded Language
• Bad Company & Ray Keith – Nitrous
• Dillinja & Lemon D – Grimey
• Roni Size Reprazent – Dirty Beats
• Technical Itch & Ice Minus – Altered Beast

Top 5 Revolutionary Movements:

• Sandanistas, Nicaragua, 1979-
• Paris Commune 1871
• EZLN, Mexico, 1983-
• Angry Brigade, UK, 1970-72
• International Brigade, Spain, 1936-39

Top 5 Rom Coms

• A Life Less Ordinary
• Four Weddings and a Funeral
• Music and Lyrics
• Keeping the Faith
• Wimbledon

Top 5 Books By Modern British Authors:

• Magnus Mills: Explorers of the New Century
• Will Self: The Book of Dave
• Ian McEwan: Saturday
• Julian Barnes: Arthur and George
• Irvine Welsh: Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs

So Very Tired

As something of a connoisseur of rock n roll euphemisms, I was delighted that Amy Winehouse's 'people' tried to pass off her drug-induced hospitalisation as 'exhaustion' the other day. It's such a plausible excuse - after all, who among us hasn't been so worn down from work that only an adrenaline shot to the heart could get us though the day?

Other favourites of mine include:
'mystery virus' - drug overdose
'emotional' - arseholed
'creative differences' - singer shagging the bassist's wife
(of a new album) 'a raw vibe' - we ran out of money to pay for studio time, so we had to release the demos
'archive tracks from the vaults' - too rubbish to fit on the original double lp
'eclectic' - equally rubbish, whatever the genre
'crossover appeal' - we really hope Pepsi decide to license this
'this tour takes us back to our roots' - we couldn't sell enough tickets to fill a single decker bus, let alone an arena

Feel free to add your own suggestions