friday

I have a major soft spot for S2000's so...er...get the S2000! :wack: :D Used to own a BBR turbo Mk1 MX-5 and loved the "chuckability" of it round the twisties. For me, the S2000 holds the same attraction: it's a car that handles like a go-cart and which, although not entirely practical, is fantastic fun to drive. P.S. and off topic: I really miss my old alloys! (in Si's post...such a shame they weren't wide enough... :cry: )

This look was done very well on a yellow UK Zed a few years ago that was featured either in Japanese Performance or Banzai (can't remember which but I have the copy knocking about somewhere...it was also on TV a while back with Mike Brewer doing an inane commentary). It's something that I've planned on doing from day 1 of my own build (although translated to a 99 spec front end).

Si, just make sure you get WinUAE with the frontend as it makes it fairly simple to use. :) Funnily enough I've been revisting the old Amiga games myself recently. Some haven't aged well but others, like Alien Breed, Chaos Engine, Speedball 2 and Gods (BTW, what a soundtrack!) or the old point and click adventure games like Leisure Suit Larry 3 and Future Wars are still incredible!

James, I hope you don't mind but I just thought I'd put a post up for those that don't know the quality of Leon's work as I think setting up a group buy would be a great thing for club members. :) Leon is making up the manifolds for mine and John's Nissan V8 conversions (not to mention a load of other fabricating!) and to be absolutely honest, we wouldn't want anyone else to do them. The work involved is not only incredibly difficult but requires a level of craftsmanship that most people these days don't have. Speaking of manifolds, below are a couple of shots of his last manifold project (a work of art in itself!): a Chevron historic racecar running a 900bhp American V8. He was also sorting a new exhaust system for it. It's made in 321 stainless which is a bugger to work with and apparently there are 200 hours work in them!! I've included an internal view of collectors: notice the peak to ensure minimal flow disturbance as the streams join, very few people will go to those lengths. Seriously guys, at the prices leon's offering on this group buy...bite his arm off! And on a side note regarding the single exit systems, speaking from personal experience, the exhaust note is absolutely unbelievable. I can guarantee that if you go for one you'll be totally bowled over by the sound (not to mention the look ;))...it really is phenomenal. Leigh.

"I Am Legend"...one of my favorite short stories ever...think it was voted into the top ten of all-time SF books. I REALLY hope the film does it justice. Interesting casting of Will Smith in the lead role. Definately not who I would've chosen but let's hope he pulls it off. If you haven't read the book, seriously, go and find it, it's worth it. :)

You old Luddite you! :D ;) Mark, just follow the directions to the MP3 Player embedded in the site(or click the link that takes you directly there ;)), highlight the track you want to play and press play (the 1st track in the list , which at the moment is "Repeat to Fade" should play automatically without having to do anything). DirtySanchez: really glad you like them mate, and it's a big thing to be told you don't sound like anyone else! I naturally have influences but it's something my producer has said as well, which is very encouraging! :) Just back from another gruelling session in the studio...went very well. The new tracks will be online shortly...:)

If anyone else has any buying advice/what to look for/places to source one etc it would be greatly appreciated. Pm'd Paul@SWZ as advised but sadly haven't had a reply back :( Cheers, Leigh.

...at my producers website here: http://www.jamesbrede.co.uk/ The track's called "Repeat to Fade" and it's hopefully having a video made soon to accompany it. Feel free to sign up to the producers website and leave feedback. To get there: On the opening page, click on the hand (Recording Studio), then MP3's. Or if you don't want to see the rest of the site, click the following link to go straight to the MP3 player: http://www.jamesbrede.co.uk/Hand%20MP3.html Friday.

Had a set of Riverside (in other words "Trafficstar") alloys myself in the past. If you have any fitting issues (not saying you will but they're a little on the large size width wise for stock arches, and you may have a problem even when they're rolled if the offset isn't in your favor) send me a PM as I'd have them off you mate. Cheers, Leigh

Lol! :D ;) Cheers for that mate, about to reply via PM on that other thang as well :) Absolutely knackered today as didn't leave the studio till 12:30am after a full day working on a new track (it's a...*sharp intake of breath*...upbeat, "happy" song...think "Summer Loving" from "Grease" on speedballs and you get the idea... ;)). Back again on saturday to lay some vocals down...will subject everyone to them very soon if people fancy hearing them...:)

Any help or offer of contacts is always muchos appreciated Liam, cheers :) If you don't mind sending me your details I'll send one over.

I love that the swear filter doesn't allow "sVVanky". It amuses me to the point of indecency. ;)

Glad you like it guys...pass it on and tell your friends...I'm looking at you particularly Mr. Tim: being a freelance journalist, when you're attending your s****y media bashes, eating swan and lighting cigars with £50 pound notes feel free to mention the hot new band you've just discovered that your young nephew in Gordonstoun absolutely adores...:D ;) If anyone wants a copy of the three track promo which is bound to be worth a fortune in years to come, give me a shout....

Kind of....always found that there are a lot of drummers available but only a few really good ones! And when you're looking for a more jazz influenced alt rock drum style (ie more than the usual 4/4 trad rock beat) like a certain Mr J. Chamberlain then it gets tough to find the right guy or indeed, girl :)

Ahhh...the old "blind us with science" technique, lol! I'm sorry but that in itself is an over simplification and doesn't take into account some of the finer nuances of the arguement. The human ear has it's limitations unfortunately and despite the theory, as you say, telling the difference becomes extremely problematic. Although not concerning the vinyl vs CD arguement per se this discussion is interesting reading if you're the kind of person that likes using phrases like "Nyquist frequency" ;) : http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=1&t=9311

I remember reading about Roger Sanchez at the demonstration for the CDJ 1000 challenging the press to stand with their backs turned and to tell whether he was scratching on vinyl or CD. They couldn't :)

Sorry chap, disagree about vinyl having the upper hand on sound quality. And yes, you can scratch with CD's...though it involves electrickery...;)

Sorry, slight misunderstanding there mate! I'm Leigh (Friday) of The Few and the culprit responsible for "Stronger, Faster, Fitter". ;) James Brede is the producer I'm working with. Glad you like the track! :) It's a shame you're not closer to Birmingham/Wolverhampton as I'm currently looking for a decent drummer!

Aside from the snaps, pops and crackles...;) TBH, I'm a big vinyl head so I've been playing devil's advocate. What you (and myself and many others) hear with vinyl is a "warmth" to the recording that is perhaps lacking from some CD's. Essentially it's the difference between analogue and digital. Vinyl uses a wider range of frequencies than CD does. Although the human ear can't hear the extra frequencies that vinyl uses, some say it's perhaps not necessarily something you can hear, but something you "feel" hence the "warmer", "fuller" sound. However with the advent of better CD tech and with a proper mix, CD's can achieve the same and even better levels (IMO) of "feeling". Aside from the "sound" there's also practicality involved in the vinyl vs CD debate. If you're gigging, would you rather lug round a heavy as hell vinyl case or a light as a feather (-ish ;)) box of CD's? Not to mention the fact that in a gig environment, CD's are waaaaay more durable than vinyl. End of the day, the big issue is how the DJ prefers to "interface" with his tools. CD mixing tech is now virtually on a par with "old school" mixing, however Vinyl has a very tactile quality and there's no denying the buzz from putting the needle in the groove and spinning the wheels of steel! Lol! :D

Er, vinyl for audio quality? Seriously?? ;) For the "feel" of it when mixing live etc it used to be the outright winner, sure, but even that is being challenged by the high end CD decks. A friend of mine has one and I have to say I know which I'd prefer to gig with...

I've never seen Graham Coxon with his brothers before...interesting... :wack: ;) I took a girl I was dating to see "Return of the King". What a mistake. We were both bored sh1tless after the first 40 minutes. Thankfully we were in the backrow, the cinema was virtually empty and she was wearing a very short skirt. There's a lot to be said for making your own entertainment. :wack: :D

Lol! ;) Yeah, I heard the pair of you were off out painting the town...I hope you're still in one piece...:rofl: :D ;) They've changed a lot since I sent them and I'm itching to get the final versions up now! Cheers for the comments matey! :D

...at my producers website here: http://www.jamesbrede.co.uk/ "Stronger, Faster, Fitter" is a slow-burning anthem-esque song that started from very lo-fi inspired guitar roots...and subsequently had a head on collision with an orchestral string section. For best results, turn the audio player and your speakers up to 11. Five tracks off the ten track debut album "A Muzzle for the Masses" by The Few have now been completed so "Repeat To Fade", "No Surrender", "Everlasting" and "Glass" (still a working title) will follow shortly. To get there: On the opening page, click on the hand (Recording Studio), then MP3's. James Brede is also an artist in his own right and currently has two tracks online ("Cherished" and "A Fading Memory of Me"). Please feel free to browse the rest of the site (currently work in progress in itself). There is also a forum to be found in the Tower section. If you've got time, please join up and leave your feedback on the tracks. My own site is currently in development (thanks to the amazing Mr. Bunny ;)) and will be unveiled as soon as is humanly possible. Friday.

I feel your pain! :D Just started going to the gym a month ago. Never been before but the docs recommended it for my Crohns, osteoporosis and recovering broken hip. Luckily I had a good trainer set up a programme so got a good combination of cardio stuff, weights and balance centred excercises. Used to be very fit before my illness kicked off in a big way around the age of 18 and it's the running that I'm really enjoying getting back into (although, since my once perfect balance is now a bit shot due to my gammy hip, staying on the treadmill is a job in itself lol! :D). Only down for doing a 15 minute warm up run but got into my tunes and the "rush" so much the other week that I ended up running 4 miles in 40 minutes lol! :D The other bonus is that almost all the female staff are absolutely drop dead gorgeous...which is nice...:D ;)

Congrats Nick! Looking forward to seeing her in the "metal" sometime! :D :D Leigh.