The One Hundred and Fifteenth Doodle - A metal gig in The Borderline

Right, so, I don't claim to know lots about music. I just know what I like and what I don't like. That's just how it is; and I like a good ol' dose of metal-y madness. Seen as my resolution for 2014 was to do illustrated reviews of cool stuff I see and do around this bangin' town of Londinium, gigs are well and truly up there. Especially smaller gigs with ridiculously hard working bands, sloggin' away trying to carve out their own niche- I totally feel that.

So me and the fella put on our glad rags (and by glad rags, I mean I cracked out the black glittery Vans. I know right, I'm so pimp) and shimmied down to The Borderline to watch Chapters, Idiom and Rise To Remain- a cracking line-up if ever I saw one.

This was the come back gig for Chapters after getting a new drummer and guitarist; we walked in just after they started and they were shredding it - beautifully intricate, melodic, heavy and changeable songs along with epic, punch-you-in-the-face-and-call-you-a-muppet vocals. The lead singer Nally was admittedly knackered, and though you could see it in between the songs, you didn't see (smell?!) a whiff of it while they performed. The drummer literally made the whole process look effortless, how the bloody hell do you do that man?! I'd have drowned in my own sweat after two of their epic songs. Considering Chapters have two new members, they seemed pretty tight from where we were standing. I say standing. I mean head flinging. Smashing stuff.

Next up were Idiom. They are one of the most energetic bands I've seen in a very long time, their intensity was infectious and outrageous. Apart from some mixing issues that meant the vocals were often a bit drowned out by the drums and guitar (not sure who was doing the mix but it was slightly off) the songs were punchy and raw and we couldn't help but bounce around like loonies. The lead guitarist Kris was a musical menace, and genuinely filled me with a mixture of fear and awe with his craaaaazy eyes and insane finger work - he looked like he'd slice a nasty ass riff off for 10 minutes, jump off stage and headbutt an OAP. And his hair was beautiful. What a guy. Matt, the singer, was asked to show us his tits twice, to which he humbly obliged. Sexual. 

So there's always pressure on the headline act to smash it, and I don't know what you guys think but I reckon Rise To Remain smashed it pretty bloody hard! Another outrageously energetic live act, RTR had some lush vocals and another ridiculous lead guitarist (who kept going cross-eyed and pulling faces at us while he melted our faces with his playing, love a bit of tha'). Apart from a wee incident involving a swinging mic and a collision with the guitarist (slight lols there) there were all so on form, and looked like they were really bloody enjoying themselves. I know it sounds stupid, but crowds notice that stuff, it's important. And speaking of crowds, it started to get mosh-y and nuts about half way through the set, with skinny boys in low cut vests crowd-surfing their way on to the stage, and sweaty hands reaching out desperately to grab literally any part of Austin. I did hear a lovely quote on the way out - 'Oh my god man, Austin like had his hand on my shoulder for ages, it was amazing.' Having a big metal head bloke in this 30's swoon over being touched for a few moments is a fairly good sign you're getting some pretty dedicated followers!

As the gig ended we scuttled off into the night, cradling our vibrating eardrums and discussing which flavour pasta we'd have back home (so rock 'n' roll), as well as OBVIOUSLY ragin' about how much fun we'd had. I'm sure we'll see all you guys again soon. 

The Eighty Eighth Doodle Interlude- Vans Warped Tour!

So we went to Vans Warped Tour at Alexandra Palace last year for their first venture in to London, and it was pretty bloody sick. BUT, I'm pretty certain this year kicked last years little wobbly ass right outta the window!

Everything felt way cooler this time round. Maybe it's because I'm old (27 I am now guys, jeez) but I liked not getting squashed to a messy pulp in every room. Actually, I liked just being able to go into every room whenever I liked (as opposed to last year when they had to close off the doors as capacity in one room was at max. So you were trapped in the one you didn't want to be in missing the band you were dying to see. Brilliant.). They also had a cool merch hall, the acoustic stage was moved out to the ice rink room (official name? Meh) and downstairs was the Kerrang stage. Basically it all flowed a hell of a lot better, and I for one had a RUDDY EXCELLENT TIME.

My musical highlights (god it sounds like I went to the opera) were definitely We Came as Romans, Attila (I love their description of themselves as 'party metal', amazin'), Memphis May Fire and Blood Command. FIT. Lonely the Brave, Fact and Itch were also pretty sick, and Parkway Drive. I bopped myself silly to these lot, a mixture of metal type shreds, a splice of pop punk (but not too much to make it twee) and a hell of a lotta screaming. HEAVEN.

The only band that I thought 'Oh I am gonna love these guys' was Chiodos, and, to put it bluntly, I didn't. But lots of others did so that's all marvellous. As for all the other bands, I either didn't see them, or I did but they made no particular impact on me. That's how it goes innit.

(Also I'm totally reppin' my 'Lady & the Beast' t-shirt, cheeky.)

Ok I said I'd do some apparel shoutouts - 'cause I'm a girl and I like buying shit ok.

First to Vans, oh mate, you must have made a killing. £15 tees with a free bag or hat?! You bloody geniuses. I totally went there, and I don't regret it either.

Secondly I (because I'm weak) got this gorgeous wee necklace from Then, Now, Always apparel. It helps when you wander past a stall and you instinctively go 'Ooooooo!' at whatever they have on display, but it also helps immensely if the person at that stall is friendly and engaging. You don't want the hard sell, you just want someone to be, well, nice. And this chap was. I don't know his name, but he was a blonde American dude; so well done to you sir. Their stuff is pretty simple, but it's well made and it's those little details that get you. I love the name/slogan too, as a hopeless romantic at heart I was sucked in. Typical.

After getting sucked into very pretty but ultimately pointless jewellery (but that I still dote on), I decided to get something that I actually needed- a winter hat. Having a scruffy old one from H&M which looked a bit more like wearing Grumpy Cat on my head wasn't yankin' my chain no more, so I doggedly went to each stall and looked for a burgundy woolly hat (yes, I'd already decided the colour beforehand. That's how annoying I am.). I was spoilt for choice but in the end I went for this sassy number by Big Deal Clothing. They had some rad stuff, and I got a free cookie, sweeties and stickers. I mean, what's a girl to do in the face of all that free stuff, really.

The only thing to put me off a smidge since then is actually their website- there's a 'be a big deal' tab with photos of girls with their arses and whatnot on display being a 5 minute celeb. There is of course lots of other photos of cool looking lads and lasses sporting the clothing, but considering their 'Biggest Deal of the Month' is not one of these lot, but a lady with her boobs out (in a hoodie, how love?! How?!) well, meh. I'll stick with the fully clothed more subtle lot I think.

 

I like a bit o' mystery me.

 

And on top of all that, I bought the We Came as Romans cd. Well, I was at a gig wasn't I ;)

The Fifty Third Doodle

 

I may not be able to paint much (painting lying on your stomach in bed while propped up on your elbows is very tricky) but I have had a wee bit of joy playing with pens. I confess I hadn't used coloured pens or markers much before, but they are great. This skater girl sketch above will soon have some colouredy (YES IT'S A WORD) treatment, and this makes me happy. I mean my back is killing me, but not much I can do about that right now, so lets focus on the good stuff ey.

So yeah, as an arteeest, I recommend the double ended ProMarker. A bit pricey but well worth it. If you look in somewhere like Cass Art they often have great sales, if you can grab a whole pack it's much better for your wallet. Or your dads wallet. Considering it's a marker you can get so many different shades and levels from just one pen, they're fab.

As for the fineliners, gotta go for the old classic Stabilo coloured pens. Thin and nicely coloured - what more does an illustrator need from a coloured fineliner ey?

So I have found I struggle to draw or anything for more than about 15-20 minutes. Lack of comfort being the primary issue, but also my concentration levels are totally shot. This blog post alone took me ALL DAY TO WRITE. God I'm a tit. 

So here's images to show you what else I have been doing while recovering-

 

1) SLEEPING. SO MUCH SLEEPING. 

Now I class myself as a somewhat lazy individual, but even for me this is getting ridiculous. My bed has a Ruth shaped dent in it, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I aint light and dainty, that's for damn sure.

 

2) PAINTING MY NAILS. BADLY. 

I know right, I'm a artist. Yet I am shite at painting my nails. I'd say I have a good excuse right now though. Not being able to sit up means you have to paint said nails in unusual positions (namely lying down or standing) so I end up splodging nail varnish all over the show. But, you know, I lose my painting mo-jo when I'm stood up. Gravity pulls it all out.

 

3) BUYING TOPS. 

Actually, that isn't quite true, I bought one top. BUT it's COOL. And it was on sale, and it is made by an independant clothing company Own The Night. So really, I didn't buy it for ME. It was a selfless purchase. YEP. I am like a walking charity worker me.

 

4) LISTENING TO BANGIN' TUNES AND THEN REALISING I REALLY AM NOT COOL ENOUGH TO PULL OFF BANGIN'

I got the Of Monsters and Men album as a 'get well' prezzy from my beau, as I do love them so. Other bands who have soothed me the last few days include A Day to Remember, Tool, Deftones, Jessica Lea Mayfield and The Offspring. I know, I have odd eclectic tastes right. 

The Twenty Second Doodle

Ahh the musicians, aren't they marvellous. I do like to draw musicians.

This particular chap, Liam, has been a victim of mine several times. He is just very good to draw; a handsome fellow, with tattoos, and a grungy sort of look. All ticks for me!

This is a build up of layers of watercolour, I wanted a very dark and intense image, with emphasis on the eyes. Half musician, half zombie.....