A few weeks ago a saw the Born Ruffians at the Oxford Art Factory...

The gig was ok but the (mens) toilets were amazing. Instead of your regular stainless steel trough, you urinate over a regular graffitti covered brick wall. There is no air-con in the bath room so it is hot as hell which makes the urine covered bricks smell horribly. So why are they amazing? Not quite sure, I think it has something to do with the thrill you get when you do something you're not supposed to do. Even though you know you're supposed to piss all over the wall you can't help but feel like a baddass, like you're sticking it to/pissing all over the man. Mix that with beer and one of the best new bands of 2008 and you got the recipe for perfection. I can only imagine what the female toilets are like, although i do that any way.

The Born Ruffians were excellent also, even if the crowd were a bunch of wankers (actually talking over the band) 'Kurt Vonnegut' was a highlight. Cloud Control were perfect for a support act.

Saw Phil Elverum (The Microphones and Mount Eerie) at Sound Summit in Newcastle. I had no idea what to expect but was completely blown away.

He was on the side stage with just his electric guitar (couldn't see what it was) and an old peavy studio pro (like only 65 watts or something). no pedals or other instruments. he turned the gain up until individual notes were only vaguely distinguishable.  

It was kind of obvious from the start very people knew who he was but after a few minutes he had attracted a fairly large crowd. 

After the show he sat down and just talked to anyone who wanted a chat. Definitely encourage seeing him if he comes anywhere near your local town.