A MESSAGE FROM DENNIS LYXZÉN WHICH YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.

'When every expression, no matter how radical it is, can be transformed into a commodity and be bought or sold like cheap soda, how is it then possible that you are going to be able to take "art" seriously? When every political idea has to become safe and categorized just so that it can be defined by disgusting "journalists" who¥s only aim is the selling of issues and the cashing in of paychecks, how can we then show the seriousness of the situation? When the single purpose of every song written is to accumulate capital for the record companies that will only kill every attempt at spontaneity and creativity, how are we then expected to create? When every show played just becomes another brick in the wall between people, between "fans" and "stars", when we instead of getting communication and interaction are being forced to become nothing but consumers and producers. When people are being praised as geniuses and idols just because they play music or write books or something equally boring and "cultural", when the widespread belief that their creation is more important than that people take part in everyday life...What does that say about the rest of us and what does it say about the system that we have? When we continue to uphold the bourgeoisie myth of self realization by saying that anyone can make it, just as long as they work hard, or pick up a guitar, we uphold the dream of good vs. bad jobs (rockstar = good, factory worker = bad) thus we also uphold the class system and the justification of it. When the self appointed elite talks about culture, the culture that tricks us into believing that there is such a thing as culture, without any thought or consideration of the political or economical system. When we become just another subculture with all the right attributes instead of a real counter-culture, then it is time to die, to revalue the position that we are in.'

I SAW VIVIAN GIRLS LAST NIGHT.

I was so lucky as to be part of the sold-out crowd who saw Vivian Girls on their first gig of their current UK tour at Brighton's Freebutt last night. They played at least 3 songs that they had never performed live before; all of dependable excellence [and they even managed to eek one of them out to a startling five minutes long!]. Brimming, energetic and a lot of fun. Definitely go and see them live if you get the chance before they die like Jay Reatard :(

A British band called Veronica Falls supported them, who were ridiculously charming. They played a 60s-Californian brand of shoegazey pop that sent me into a slightly blissed-out narcosis. Joint female and male singing also helped things along very nicely.

If you haven't heard of either of these bands then do yourself a favour, please.

Tip: If you find that a gig of theirs is sold out before you buy yourself a ticket then I recommend that you hang around outside the venue and look to see if Cassie Ramone is smoking a cigarette, then ask her if she can help you watch her gig. Maybe she'll put you on the guest list. [true story]