Hey! It's the return of the column we're really going to have to stop calling "occasional" if we keep on getting this many entries. After tackling a much-loved pop icon last week, this week we have a double whammy, with a reader being told to fuck off by not one, but two pop stars at the same time. Pretty good going, I think you'll agree...
"I was lucky enough to win a Kerrang! competition in 2004 to watch Deftones at Wembley side stage and meet the band prior to the performance. Being a huge fan of both Deftones and The Smashing Pumpkins, I was naturally thrilled at the opportunity to meet not only Deftones, but also James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins as he had recently joined A Perfect Circle, who were supporting. Whilst doing the meet and greet with Deftones back stage, I saw James out of the corner of my eye at the other side of room. None of the other 20+ competition winners had recognised him, so I strolled over alone and introduced myself, told him I was sorry to interrupt but was a huge fan and would be very grateful if he could sign a CD for me".
"If there had been a crowd of people I could have understood, but being the only one, you would not think that 30 seconds to sign one CD was too taxing. I was obviously very wrong. James, along with his APC bandmate Twiggy Ramirez (formally of Marilyn Manson fame) told me, 'Fuck off, I am way too busy for this shit, I'm going to get a beer' and purposely bashed into my shoulder as he walked off, closely followed by Twiggy behind him who did the same. Smashing Pumpkins have never quite sounded the same to me".
Has a pop star told you to fuck off? Tell us your story by emailing [email protected]
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Here we go everybody, it's time for the CMU Track Of The Year vote update. Thanks for all the votes that have been submitted already - if you haven't voted, well, do so now. Just email us your favourite track released this year and a couple of sentences saying why you love it to [email protected]. We'll be featuring some of your votes so far here in the Daily each day until w/c 15 December, when we'll announce the overall top ten and let you vote a second time, for your favourite from that list. Here's today's votes...
Attic Lights - Never Get Sick Of The Sea
In a year where the phrase "indie landfill" applies to so many guitar bands, Attic Lights came along with something genuinely different. The opening track to their debut album packs more warmth, emotion and kick-ass poke than a lot of established bands could muster this year. With firm nods to The Beach Boys and Teenage Fanclub, these guys from the sun-kissed beaches of, er, Glasgow set their stall out with melodic, intelligent rock music. The singer's got a great voice and they do the business live too. There's clearly something interesting going on here, and it's well worth hunting down their cover of Kirsty MacColl's 'They Don't Know'.
Gerry Gallagher, Bravado Retail & Licensing, Universal Music Group
Death Vessel - Bruno's Torso
Stand-out track from one of the most inventive and downright magical albums of the year. Young Joel Thibodeau - responsible for those gloriously androgynous vocals - calls upon bluegrass, americana, acoustica and even jazz across the breadth of this record, but it's 'Bruno's Torso' where all the pieces fall spectacularly into place. Light brushes of banjo, the odd cornet blast and suddenly you've got a fitting tribute to Zach Condon or Devendra Banhart and a brand new king of the nu-folk world.
Matt Brown, Stay Loose
If you haven't already, get your vote in. Just email us your favourite track released this year to [email protected].