Androo's This & That

The moment I heard what Heaven sounded like.

2011-03-08T12:00:00.006+01:00

As a guitarist I should be more than happy with what I've already got. A signature Les Paul, a Strat and a bloody Marshall - what more could I possibly want? No, scratch that. What more could I possibly need!?

Time for a story!

Yesterday my friend and flatmate Chris "Red" went to a music store to order an amp and I tagged along. He desperately... desperately needed one. Once at the store, what could have been a straightforward experience turned into a huge mindfuck. The store assistants completely disagreed with Red's choice and did everything in their power to change his mind. He did. Wise choice too. Anyway midway through this mindfuck one of them told Red to listen to one particular amp, an ENGL Screamer 50, before he made his choice. The ENGL was some 400 EUR over his budget but the assistant insisted [so many Ss - Ed] on Red hearing it. He grabbed a budget PRS, plugged it straight into the ENGL and switched it on.

I fell in love. Instantly.

I had never heard something so smooth, so pure, so tight, so versatile, so in-your-face in my life. I want it. I need it. I crave its heavenly sounds. Fuck my Marshall, THIS is the amp, the tone, I had been looking for ever since I bought my Les Paul.

I want that ENGL Screamer 50 Combo. It costs an arm and a leg but I'd sell my soul to own such a brilliant little amplifier.

Androo

Back [Again]!

2011-03-08T11:46:00.002+01:00

After almost two years I've decided to update my blong once again. So many things have happened since I last updated:

- I'm in my final year at University;

- I added a Fender Stratocaster to my "collection" and sold my Ibanez [!];

- Manchester United lost a Champions League final (deservedly) against Barcelona;

- After winning three leagues on the trot, United surrendered the league to Chelsea;

- At the moment in time United are first in the league and, unless we do a nose dive, might be on our way to number 19;

- I've joined a band - Synergy & I've got the pleasure to be able to play with some great musicians every week;

...and lost of other stuff! Watch this space.

Androo

Spaniels, Man United and Summer Holidays!

2009-06-20T10:16:00.004+02:00

A few weeks ago, right after my exam I got a call from my dad that my 8 year old Cocker Spaniel dog was in his last hours. It was the biggest shock of the year for me. Just the day before I had called home and dad told me that Tinker (that was his name!) was merrily playing in his usual spot. Apparently he was severly sick with kidney failure and even though there were some signs, like a very dry nose, every time we took him to the 'vet' he told us that nothing was wrong. Nothing wrong my ARSE! Tinker peed a lot of blood in the afternoon and in a couple of minutes half his body was paralysed and he couldn't manouver his hind legs whatsoever. He didn't want to eat and couldn't be bothered with anything. Basically he was dying. After a very emotional few minutes me and my dad decided to put him to sleep since blood tests showed that nothing could be done whatsoever.

Fastforward two weeks and we now got a very, very cute Springer Spaniel female pup! She is the most playful little bugger I've ever met. Here's a few info on her:

- I've named her Perla (conincidentially Slash's wife is named Perla XD);

- She's nine weeks old;

- LOVES to bite EVERYTHING, especially my feet;

- Her hobby must be pooping since she does it quite regularly every day;

- Since she's still 9 weeks old she gets tired easily and therefore sleeps a lot too;

- She loves to cuddle;

- I never knew potty training a puppy was so darn tough.

Sleeping on my bed... ain't she adorable? =)

On a different topic - Manchester United were crowned Champions of England for the 18th time last May but lost 2-0 to Barcelona a week later in the Champions League final therefore surrendering the European title to the Spanish Champions - deservedly so, I might add. United's Portugese primadonna is off to Real Madrid after all for £80 MILLION POUNDS. Christ almighty Real Madrid are absolutely DAFT. Ronaldo wanted to leave, he only had two years left on his contract and they could have got him for so much less in a years time. Hey, no one's complaining in the United camp. Sir Alex (aka The Best Manager In The World[TM]) now has about £106 million to spend in the summer - Ronaldo = £80M, annual transfer budget = £20M, sale of Campbell - £6M. Although we haven't yet started the spending spree we will as soon as Ronaldo puts pen to paper soon. Who are we getting? Benzema? Ribery? Aguero? Only time will tell. I honestly only want one of the mentioned three since I'd like to see our youth more often next season. Macheda, Welbeck, Tosic and Ljajic have great potential! August 15th can't come soon enough!!

Roo

PS: Summer holidays!! Wohooooooooooooooooo!! Swimming, spending time with Redentine (3 years, 8 months and counting!), potty training Perla (-_-'), teaching English to foreign students who really don't give a crap and obviously kicking Oliver's ass online in PES09 (someday!). Ciao for now!

I'm back!

2009-04-23T12:13:00.002+02:00

I was never really gone, just stopped bothering really. But Manchester United's win against Portsmouth last night promted me to write this:

Manchester United are [most probably] champions of England once again!

After a tiny blip which saw us lose two games in a row and draw at OT against Porto in the Champions League United are back to what they do best: win... without really trying. Yesterday we should be scored at the very least 6 but most didn't bother and two were enough.

Wohooo!

On another topic, I recently broke, then later repaired, my controller. I am obsessed with Mario Kart Wii's online component and after a series of really good wins I lost several ones to drag my points back to square one. Then I got disconnected and Nintendo chalked off DOUBLE the points I hate won since they thought I disconnected on purpose, which was not the case. Of course there was only one solution left and I grabbed the poor innocent controller and smahsed it in two. Thank God Nintendo's products are made of steel and it didn't go bust, except for the casing.

My article on this very topic on Kombo.com will be up in a week's time. I'll post it here as well when it does.

Roo

PS: Manchester United rock - forever and always. I'm sorry scousers but you were never meant to be as popular as us. Even when you were winning trophies we made more money than you simply because people love us more.

Dimitar Berbatov - Class Act

2009-01-19T10:19:00.001+01:00

Click HERE to watch it in HD. This is the stuff of a champion.

Roo

RIP nannu Guzepp.

2009-01-19T00:10:00.002+01:00

17th January 2009 is a date I will never forget. I lost what remained of my gradparents. In-nannu was, to be honest with myself, quite battered but he was still going. As my dad said and will continue to say is that he [in-nannu] probably lived till 86 because of his will power. We are 100% sure that he was suffering, a lot, but he never showed it and never ever had the thought of staying in bed to get better. Every single day since I can remember his daily routine was going to St. George's Basilica for about 3 consecutive masses and then off to a local bar to have a cup of tea with his friends. Every single day this routine never ever changed even when he was in dire back pain. I can only wish to have 1/5 of his will power - his spirit to continue going.

Life is cruel. A man as strong and as independent as my grandpa should have never died this way. How can a man like him become bedridden in 2 weeks and die? It's just not fucking fair.

Rest in peace nannu. Take care.

Roo

I just got robbed.

2009-01-13T14:17:00.004+01:00

Some dickhead stole my car cover. I got it as a gift for Christmas since, being broke to the bone, I was using plastic as a shield against the elements. I usually keep my car parked in the same spot from Sunday night till Friday morning here in Malta.

I feared this would happen. Plus this confirmed my theory that everyone here [Malta] is a fucking git and that there is no other place in the world like my native Gozo. Fuck all the cunts who think that this is funny and I hope that these fuckheads get caught. I always hated Malta and all its snobbish people who think that they know better. This sealed the deal I guess.

Roo

The Champions of Everything (Man Utd) trash the Hopefuls of Everything (Chelsea) 3-0!

2009-01-13T10:33:00.003+01:00

A first half goal by our magnificent Serbian defender Vidic and two second half goals by both our strikers Rooney and Berbatov secured a very important win for Manchester United. You can watch the highlights HERE.

Post-match interviews and expert analysis HERE.

All I have to say is: Were you watching Merseyside?

Roo

PS: We are 5 points below the leaders [till Sunday] Liverpool with TWO games in hand. By Sunday we could [will] be top of the table.

Let's all laugh at Man City: Sky Sports' CLASSIC

2009-01-05T17:25:00.001+01:00

Roo

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE OFFICIALLY THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!

2008-12-21T18:00:00.003+01:00

Today is a very proud day indeed for me and for the legions of Man Utd fans around the world: Manchester United have been crowned WORLD CHAMPIONS after winning the Club World Cup!

This secures all three prestigious awards:

- May: Champions of England;

- May: Champions of Europe;

- December: Champions of the world!

Those Merseyside scousers are fucking dead. Enjoy your time in the top spot punks. It won't last. Just ask Rooney (Player of the Tournament AND FIFA Player of the Match!)!

Roo

New blog dedicated just for my gaming rants etc - Roo's Gaming Goodness

2008-12-20T15:43:00.002+01:00

LINK HERE.

Sorry for that but I won't keep posting all my gaming sh!t here. I've started a new blog just for that. It's better for GoNintendo readers as well as all the other. Hope you enjoy!

Roo

What Wii can look forward to in 2009!

2008-12-11T15:57:00.018+01:00

Well 2008 is practially over so what do Wii [see what I did there?! Twice too! =)] have to look forward to next year? Plenty actually and I'm going to list the very best right here followed by video footage. After a disappointing 2008, 2009 is looking magnificent.

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1. MadWorld

Developer: Platinum Games

Publisher: Sega

What makes it so special?

The visuals. What you think a Wii game can't look good? This looks magnificent! The style is out of this world plus the gameplay looks like tons of fun. Just watch for yourself.

2. Sin & Punishment 2

Developer: Treasure

Publisher: Nintendo

What makes it so special?

This one is truly a surprise and a present so-to-speak from Nintendo. The first one was released on the N64 in Japan only and just recently released worldwide on the Wii's Virtual Console. It's an on-rails shoot with over the top combat and impossibly large boss battles. Utilising the Wii's pointer for the obvious this is sure to be a big hit.

3. Monster Hunter 3

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

What makes it so special?

A montser hunting [duh!] RPG that has proved time and time again that it's a system seller in Japan. The rest of the world has since been left out but fans of the series as well as R

PG lovers are begging Capcom to release it WW. Hope we see it here in Europe as well.

4. Another Code 2 (Trace Memory R)

Developer: Cing Inc.

Publisher: Nintendo

What makes it so special?
This one is more of a fan favourite and a personal favourite of mine. The original Another Code was a first generation release on the Nintendo DS. AC was point-and-click adventure which rejuvinated the dead genre. The new one looks better than ever and I'm psyched for the sequel. I couldn't find a trailer for this game so sorry for that. I have a lovely pic for you though!

5. Fragile

Developer: tri-Crescendo

Publisher: BandaiNamco

What makes it so special?

Another JRPG for Wii owners worldwide. This one promises to thread on the survival-horror genre as well. Here's a direct quote from it's Wiki page:

Fragile is set in a post-apocalyptic near future world that has lost its light and is covered in a dense fog. Almost all the world's population has vanished, and the cities have been left abandoned. The game places the player in the shoes of Seto, a young boy.
Seto wanders the world, searching for survivors and the answers behind the disappearance of everyone else. Seto also searches for a mysterious girl named "Ren." In his quest he must deal with ghosts and demons that lurk within the ruins of the abandoned cities. Despite this, the producer of the game insists that Fragile is not a survival horror in the same vein as Silent Hill, rather it will focus on "human drama".
The world of Fragile will be filled with objects, sketches and short stories for the player to examine. Each artifact holds the memories of its former owner, and offers back story and hints to the player. A competition will be held where readers of gaming magazines can send in their own sketches and short stories to be included in the game.

6. The Conduit

Developer: High Voltage Software

Publisher: Sega

What makes it so special?

Personally this is the game I'm most looking forward to in 2009. It's a FPS-(Wii owner)-fan's wet dream. Promising to be the best looking game on Wii (and from trailers I have to agree), supporting 16-player online matches, WiiSpeak and WiiMotion+. I love it so much that I'm going to post two trailers for it!

7. Wii Sports: Resort

Developer: Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

What makes it so special?

Wii Sports came packaged with the Wii and although it was fun for a while I doubt anyone is still playing it solo. The sequel promises to be much better plus it will be packaged with the WiiMotion+. The WM+ is a tiny "chip" that plugs in the WiiRemote to give it true 1:1 motion. Honestly, the WiiRemote should have come packaged with this from the very beginning. Anyway better late than never.

8. Sonic & The Black Knight

Developer: Sega

Publisher: Sega

What makes it so special?

Sequel to the warmly received Sonic & the Secret Rings, S&TBK promises to eclipse it's predecessor in everything. Gorgeous settings, interesting gameplay and an intriguing story this Sonic outing will be a blast!

9. No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle

Developer: Grasshopper

Publisher: Ubisoft

What makes it so special?
Another favourite of mine NMH:DS is a sequel to one of Wii's best games to date, No More Heroes. Travis Touchdown is back to his badass self ready to kill whatever comes in his path. DS will have better stylised visual than it's predecessor plus Sude51 promised a darker, more mature storyline. I just HOPE Travis doesn't loose his over-the-top humour in DS.

10. Fatal Frame 4

Developer(s): Temco/Grasshopper/Nintendo

Publisher: Nintendo

What makes it so special?
Just look at the developer(s)! This game gets an automatic AAA-status. The forth enty in the popular horror series Fatal Frame will surly benefit from the Wii's motion controls (WiiRemote+Nunchuck combo). Plus it's being released here in Europe before America!!

11. Punch-Out!! (Wii)

Developer: Next Level Games

Publisher: Nintendo

What makes it so special?

This is pure fan-service from Nintendo. The original Punch-Out!! was released on the NES in 1987 and fans of the series (a lot) have been crying for a sequel ever since. Well, Nintendo's delivering and it definitely looks interesting!

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Honourable Mentions:

Click on each title for it's trailer and/or screenshot. Thanks to Devil_Rising from GoNintendo for the list that follows!

1. Little King's Story:

A fun-looking strategy game - a mesh of Pikmin and World of Warcraft if you will!

2. Kizuna

I have no idea how I missed it. A beautiful epic adventure in the style of the PS2's Shadow of the Colossus - my personal favourite PS2 game ever. Definitely a must see. But will it come to Europe or even America?

3. The House of the Dead: Overkill

A mature on rails shooter promising some very good visuals. Plus this is a prequel to the first game in the sequel for fans of the series. And guess what? This is Sega's third game on the list. They are seriously publishing/developing some of Wii's best of 2009!

4. Muramasa: The Demon Blade

A 2D action-RPG from the makers of Odin Sphere. What more could you want? Plus look at the visuals. Quite beautiful if you ask me!

5. Arc Rise Fantasia

Another traditional JRPG will be hitting the Wii next year developed by Imageepoch. I am a fan of traditional RPGs so the more the merrier!

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RPG fanatics may notice that Square Enix are missing from the list. Not that they don't have any games in development but I just don't think any of them will be released in 2009. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers hopefully will see the light of day in 2009. The newly announced Dragon Quest X won't for sure be released in 2009 because Dragon Quest IX still has to be released for the DS!!

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Bring on 2009 (and beyond!).

Roo

In a mood for a [MASSIVE] rant!

2008-11-30T00:16:00.005+01:00

Music:

First I want to get one thing clear: if you have an iPod and even have the slightest liking of rock music you should instantly get Nickelback's Dark Horse. It is by far the Canadian rockers' best yet and that's saying something because All The Right Reasons was phenomenal. I have to say that Nickelback are the most dynamic rock band I have ever heard. They are so inconsistent with their style of music. Silver Side Up, which made them famous through How Do You Remind Me, was the perfect example of progressive rock. Catchy riffs, melodic vocals and so on; never threading on non-progressive territory. The Long Road, which to me was mediocre compared to their previous compilation, went from strictly progressive to mainly monotonous crap; except maybe Someday. All The Right Reasons stuck all the right chords. All of the songs were singles-worthy and Nickelback knew this because they released six singles from the album! In this one they opened up their boundaries to more solid, heavier rock. Just listen to the intro to the first song and you wouldn't believe you're hearing from the creators of How You Remind Me. Now after the astronomical success of ATRR Nickelback weren't afraid to change their sound again. They are oozing confidence and it shows because Dark Hose couldn't have been better. Their new sound has become darker and I am sure that through this Nickelback can catch heavy metal fan as well as the progressive modern rocker that has been following them since their beginning. Buy it NOW. No don't download it, buy it. It's well worth the price. Unlike Chinese Democracy... but that's for another rant.

Games (full of F-bombs):

Why are the so called 'hardcore' gamers so anti-Wii? Seriously. In every Wii-related article there will be comments from 360/PS3 owners claiming that their Wii is gathering dust somewhere. No. You're lying. You don't have a Wii and all you seem to like to do in your pathetic miserable and outright boring life is to bash your console's competitors to justify your purchase. Oh and one more thing: the Wii has more that just "Zelda, MP3, Super Mario Galaxy, Brawl and Kart" for the hardcore. Believe it or not there is a thing called third-party support! Yeah dude. So grab a Wii remote, buy de Blob/Okami/Boom Blox/Tauma Centre etc. and treat yourself to something other than a fucking shooter.

Yeah I agree the Wii does have an overwhelming ammount of completely horrible minigame compilations. But I'll say just one thing: who the fuck cares. Simple: DON'T BUY THEM YOU FUCKING DUMBASS. If you have a Wii it doesn't mean that you have to buy and play this shit. This year was the year of sleeper hits: we got Fire Emblem, de Blob, Okami and Boom Blox. Plus so much awesomeness from the WiiWare titles World of Goo, Lost Winds and the rest of top quality software available only on the Wii's downloadable service.

This goes for the other consoles as well. The awesome Playstation 3 does not only have Metal Gear Solid 4 and Resistance. Those who only own those two only are failures in life. The Xbox 360 doesn't only have "Gears and Gaylo". Stop the god damn hate and be true gamers.

For a gamer there is only games. I am mainly a Nintendo gamer. Their games speak to me like no other but that doesn't mean that I don't like or play games on other systems. Nintonysoft FTW!

Other random shit:

A new mall just opened, The Duke, and I've noticed two very peculiar things:

- No Nike seller to be found. Just addidas with a huge Steven Gerrard poster and a Liverpool FC shirt on display. Fail. Epic Fail.

- There is a Toshiba shop; mostly HDTVs. And how do you advertise an HDTV? By plugging a Wii in the set of course! To add insult to injury it was plugged through an RGB cable not component plus is was only showing the system menu. Why bother putting the Mario Kart disk in and letting the game loop the opening cinematic just for looks? Here's a little tip: plug the PS3 that's tanding next to the Wii. It can show 1080p. Or at least for fuck's sake put in Mario Kart and let the game loop. Some people are just plain stupid.

Important Reminder:

Today - @ 2:30pm - Man Utd vs Man City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Roo

Androo's Random Rant: I'm sick, bored and helpless - play time then!!

2008-11-24T13:09:00.005+01:00

Yes I am sick. So sick in fact that I had to make a mature decision - I decided to stay at home instead of going to lectures and such at University today to get better. I like making mature decisions; so much so that I'll probably make one again tomorrow!

Anyway since I am stuck here I thought it would be a good idea to pop out The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess [GameCube version] again since I haven't completed it once. I completed the Wii version twice but not the GC version. I honestly cannot believe how much this game is standing the test of time. It still plays, looks and feels so epic that I felt as if I was transported back in time, to Christmas '06, when I first fired it up and just stood there amazed at this fantastic piece of software.

I am currently at the beginning of the water temple - my least favourite of the nine temples in the game. I actually cannot wait to complete it; what follows is truly spectacular and worth watching. I'll link a video of the cutscene after the 4th temple [the turning point in the game] for those who care.

So many things have been done right in this game that I cannot phantom how Nintendo will improve upon the Zelda series. There are a few things I would like to see in the next LoZ game though:

- Voice overs [except Link];

- New items;

- Different level design: as in, change the normal mini-boss > new item > boss > kill boss with new item > cutscene etc etc;

- A deeper, darker storyline: TP has probably the best story of all Zeldas yet I'd love to see Nintendo go more into the RPG realm story-wise with the next one;

- Of course better visuals: push the Wii to the limit. If Galaxy is any indication the Wii can do so much that I'm dying to see how the next Zelda looks!

The series can benefit a lot if the story is deeper and the visuals are better. TP was a big step for the LoZ series. The [proper] Wii iteration, which supposedly has been in development since 2006, will blow our brains out I'm sure of that just like TP did in 2004 [look below - unbelievable].

Well, I'm waiting.

Roo

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: HBC successfully installed!

2008-11-21T16:55:00.003+01:00

After exactly 17 attemps I have been able to install the Hombrew Channel via the Twlight Hack. I absolutely couldn't install it. Whatever I did, what ever I tried the Wii usually froze right before the "Install" screen appeared. Ultimately I found out that the SD card was the problem. Message to Ascer: YOU FUCKING SUCK!

How to install and a demonstration of the HBC:

Anyway now that I have the HBC here is a little list of what I can actually do with the device:

- Homebrew apps/games;

- Play DVDs/DIVX/AVI/MPEG/JPG/WMV files;

- Play mp3/wma/ogg files;

- Play PS1/SNES/NES/N64 (as well as many others) ROMs completely free - goodbye Virtual Console;

- Manage files directly from my computer to my Wii;

- Without any hardware modifications I can actually play backups;

- many many many more applications that I cannot bother list.

Roo

Santa needs a big sack for me this year!

2008-11-20T18:28:00.004+01:00

Here's the tiny list of the things I will be opening on the 25th of the coming month:

- LG 22" LCD TV;

- Mario Kart Wii;

- Guitar Hero World Tour [Wii];

- Super VGA cable;

- Component cable for Wii;

- USB Keyboard*;

- Call Of Duty World at War (Wii)**;

- de Blob (Wii)/Tales of Symphonia Dawn of New World (Wii)***;

- Loads of clothes for my wearing pleasure!!

I can add two other things there but that would be unfair because they will be downloaded not opened: WiiWare titles - World of Goo and T_t__s P_r_y. The last one I will be buying and downloading specifically to play with my girlfriend! Hence my desire to not reveal the name.

~ If you're a curious cat CLICK ON THE ITEMS you'd like to know more about!! Some of them pictures/videos/info linked to them.

Roo

* Already opened.

** I'm hopeful...

*** Hopefully one or the other.

UPDATE October sales data are in: Wii shatters records once again!

2008-11-14T00:48:00.007+01:00

Just before the official sales estimates (for America) were released Reggie Fils-Anime, President of Nintendo of America, predicted that the Wii would have sold around 450k in October. That is already quite a heafty number - extremely high expectations? Not quite. More like - way off the mark because the real figure is almost DOUBLE that. Un-farking-believable. Look:

Ninetendo Wii: 803,000;

Nintendo DS: 491,000;

Xbox 360: 371,000;

Sony PSP: 193,000;

PS3: 190,000;

PS2: 136,000.

Combined, both Nintendo devices on the market have sold 1.29 million units in October alone... in America alone. The PS2 - the best selling console EVER, didn't ever have this momentum. Very healthy for Nintendo. Software estimates have also been released with Fallout 3, for the Xbox 360, taking the top spot and deservedly so. Mario Kart Wii, Wii Fit as well as Wii Play are still occupying top spots from the top ten list! I am amazed at the shelf life of these games. Wii Play is probably selling because of the Wii Remote packaged with it - which is cheaper that then stand-alone controller. *WTF?!*

UPDATE: Nintendo have released an official statement in reaction to the October NPD sales data:

Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ topped the U.S. sales charts and combined to sell more than 1.29 million units in October. Nintendo sold 803,210 Wii consoles and 491,176 Nintendo DS systems in October, according to the independent NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States. These figures bring the lifetime U.S. sales for Wii to more than 13.35 million and Nintendo DS to more than 23.02 million, extending their leads as the best-selling hardware of this generation.
Nintendo’s total hardware unit sales represent a 25.7 percent increase over October 2007. They also account for 59.3 percent of the industry’s total hardware unit sales.

Wii Fit™, the game that combines fun and fitness, sold nearly half a million copies in the United States in October, six months after it launched. The lifetime U.S. sales for Wii Fit now total more than 2.83 million.
“Nintendo provides consumers with the best value not only among video games, but also among most entertainment options,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Nintendo also provides an incomparable range of experiences that everyone can enjoy, whether you’ve been playing for years or are just getting into video games.”
Three games made for Nintendo systems placed in the top five best-selling games of the month, including Wii Fit™ at No. 2 with 487,234 copies sold, Mario Kart Wii™ at No. 4 with 289,869 copies sold and Wii Play™ at No. 5 with 281,844 copies sold.

Roo

PS: The world is currently deep in recession, especially America, and still the gaming market is shattering record after record. This must be one of the heathiest markets in the world. Brilliant!

Champions League Update 06/11/09

2008-11-06T15:50:00.004+01:00

How English Clubs faired in Europe:

- Manchester United got a late equaliser through a Giggs header at Celtic Park.

- Arsenal were held to a goal-less draw by Fenerbache. The Gunners are struggling.

- Chelsea lost 3-1 to struggling Roma. Shameful.

- Liverpool, again, equalised by a scrupulous move by Gerrard and a clearly empty-headed referee which resulted in a penalty in injury time.

Surprises of the week:

- Juventus shamed Real Madrid with a 2-0 victory on Spanish turf.

- Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Basel.

Roo

A Nintendo themed Christmas

2008-11-06T10:58:00.013+01:00

I want to take this opportunity to share with you why Nintendo is, for me, the best videogames company out there: honest-to-God fun. Whether it is their consoles or their games I always plan to get a Nintendo-developed something to open on Christmas morning, right after midnight mass. And I'm 19 years old.

The story begins during the turn of the century: Christmas 1999. I was only 10 years old back then and still without a videogame system even though I had been begging since 1997 when my friend got his PlayStation! My parents decided that I was mature enough to own one (read: I bore the hell out of them with endless rants on how, if they buy me a PlayStation, my school marks will magically skyrocket...). So long story short, I got my first console then and boy was I happy playing endlessly Crash Team Racing! Then, to coincide with my new console, I bought a videogame magazine and what do I read? That my favourite game of all time (from my limited memory of just 3 back then) was a "cheap imitation of Mario Kart 64" said this magazine. How dare they say that such brilliance in the form of CTR was a copy... a CHEAP one at that... or Mario Kart 64. I mean, Mario was for babies. Us, Sony gamers, had outgrown Mario (even though I hadn't played a Mario game in my life... yet)! I declared war.

Until, that is, March 2000 when I was given a Gameboy Colour - coupled with Pokemon Blue. I loved it. Adored it. Cherished it with all the love I could give it yet all this time feeling that subtle, humble anger that I had been cultivating since Christmas before. I DIDN'T want to love it, yet the simple charm of the handheld and the game made it impossible for me to hate. Anyway my PlayStation-owning friends all had a Gameboy so I wasn't a traitor right?

I bought another magazine. This time it had a list of the best 100 games of all time, of course released until then. And the first three spots where given to:

#3: Super Metroid [SNES];

#2: Super Mario 64 [N64];

#1: The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina of Time [N64];

I was stunned. Plus I also started to wonder whether my Nintendo-is-for-kids mentality was unfounded. After all, I was actually still a kid. Slowly I was being dragged over to the wonderful world of Nintendo but, stubborn as I was, I didn't buy the Nintendo 64. Then news hit that the next generation of consoles where on the horizon and I was psyched! The PlayStation 2 was hyped to astronomical levels while the GameCube, because of Nintendo's honesty, was dubbed as an inferior purple-lunchbox! Everyone was talking about the PS2 and the Nintendo GameCube was completely wiped out of my mind.

In 2003 I took the plunge and bought a PS2. I was in seventh heaven - especially after playing FIFA03. Being quite a football fan myself I was completely blown away by the incredible visuals the PS2 could offer. I mean... I could actually see David Beckham in all his free-kick-kicking(?) glory not a pixelated monster with a head, two arms and two legs! After I got bored of FIFA I wanted to broaden my collection with the PS2 iterations of my PS1 heroes - mainly the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon series. This is when, I believe, was the turning point in my gaming life. Both Naughty Dog and Insoniac, developers of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro respectively, had sold their franchises in order to develop more, ahem, 'mature' titles for the PS2's cool teen audience. In defense of Insomniac, Rachet & Clank was and still is a far better offering than Spyro [PS1] ever was but Naughty Dog's Jak & Daxter left me wanting. Gone were the days of simple platforming and now Jak had a gun and was fighting the system.

Why Naughty Dog? Why? This trend has apparently gripped ND because with the PS3 they have apparently abandoned the J&D series in favour or a Lara Croft-style adventure but instead with a male protagonist - Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Again, why? This is not to say that they're not good. By far J&D is one of PS2's greatest ever games plus Uncharted was voted one of the best games of last year.

Yet the clumsy cheerfulness of the PS1 days, the very x-factor that made me love videogames so much, was missing. I was left empty.

To counter this I bought the Gameboy Advance. The system had incredible graphics coupled with, what I believe, is the very best RPG game(s) of all time: Golden Sun and it's sequel Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Plus Crash Bandicoot's GBA appearances were far better than the PS2 ones and I loved them. Guess what? I was getting my fix from a Nintendo console. Unbelievable.

Still though, something was clearly missing. One day, when visiting IGN.com I didn't click on the IGN-PS2/GBA channel like always. Oh no. I clicked on the GameCube channel. I was sinning!! There was my fresh new copy of Final Fantasy X [PS2] waiting to be played and loved and there was I, stepping onto the world of the enemy. But I didn't care. I downloaded a video of Super Mario Sunshine and I was completely hooked. THIS is what I was searching for. That colourful cheesiness which made me so content during the PS1 days. This is what makes videogames such a beautiful hobby. If I were sad all I had to do, back in 1999, was fire up my PlayStation and play some cheerful Spyro the Dragon. All my sadness was wiped away in an instant! And that was it.

I wanted a GameCube. I wanted a Nintendo console. I wanted fun. Goodbye old friend. I hadn't outgrown the PS2, instead the PS2 had, for purposes I cannot even phantom today, outgrown me.

Yet again, before I bought my first Nintendo console, I bought my third Nintendo handheld: the incredible Nintendo DS. Christmas 2004 was a very bright one. I bought it, coupled with Super Mario 64 DS what a blast it was. For one thing I was played what many regarded as the best game of all time on a new Nintendo handheld. This was proof that I was a dedicated Nintendo fan. Why? I got it before it actually launched in Europe. A trend had started.

Christmas 2005 (yes I know... very late) was a landmark year in me. I bought the Nintendo CameCube, with it The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Super Mario Strikers and Killer 7. Add to that the Nintendo DS iteration of Mario Kart and I can safely say that it was the best Christmas I ever had. This was my world, this was me.

Christmas 2006 was a bit disappointing. Mainly because I couldn't find a Wii through any online retailer anywhere and eBay prices where sky high. Yet there was still New Super Mario Bros., arguable the best Nintendo DS game ever, and the almighty The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. It wasn't such a bad Christmas after all!

I got the Wii in February of the following year which made Christmas 2007 all the better because I bought the two greatest games I ever played - ever. One of them demolishing anything in it's best-game-ever path: Super Mario Galaxy, the other being Metroid Prime 3. SMG is the best Mario game ever developed, the best Wii game and the best game on all consoles period. The gameplay was so fresh that I couldn't believe my eyes. Plus this game looked magnificent. Metroid Prime 3 is truly the best ending to an incredible trilogy a fan could hope for. Samus truly left with a bang!

So what's for Christmas 2008? Mario Kart Wii. I am a hardcore fan of Mairo Kart having bought all available iterations except the SNES version because it hasn't been released for the Virtual Console yet. I wanted to buy MKWii since its launch in April but I cancelled my order three times because of several reasons, one of them to keep it for Christmas. Even better - my girlfriend is getting it for me!

Seriously, I cannot imagine a Christmas without Mario and co., without Nintendo. Thank you Nintendo, from the bottom of my heart.

Your diehard fan,

Roo

PS: I'm sure many of you guys out there feel like me. Share your experiences in the comments section below. I'll try to make a seperate post with your stories once I get a significat amount of feedback!

Report: Man Utd 4, Hull City 3 - Old Trafford stunned, Rooney frustrated, Sir Alex fumes despite win!

2008-11-03T10:04:00.003+01:00

"If there was an abiding memory from this match, it was not the sight of Hull City making such a dramatic late fight of it, as plucky as it may have been; Dimitar Berbatov bamboozling his markers, as good as he was; or Manchester United missing a mind-boggling number of chances, as has often been the case this season. Rather it was Wayne Rooney, the embodiment of frustration, charging around like a madman.

Opposing teams tend to know when they have United rattled – when steam starts coming out of Rooney’s ears and the brilliant forward suddenly resembles a bull in a china shop. And so it proved, the moment that Geovanni scored from the penalty spot for Hull to leave hanging in the balance a match that the Barclays Premier League champions should have had sewn up long before.

Rooney has delivered some of the best football of his career for club and country this season, but just as he possesses an ability to excite and enthral, so his occasional recklessness can make supporters wince and cringe – and for two of United’s past three league matches this side of Rooney’s character has manifested itself. Can it be any coincidence that he has not scored in those games?

Anonymous away to Everton the previous weekend, Rooney was substituted for his own good by Sir Alex Ferguson when, having just been booked against his former club and with the score at 1-1, the 23-year-old was spotted kissing the badge on his shirt as his exasperation got the better of him. Ferguson did not take the same drastic action against Hull on Saturday, but he should have done.

The United manager complained – rightly – that Michael Turner, the Hull defender, who had already been cautioned, should have been shown at least a second yellow card for fouling Michael Carrick on the edge of the penalty area, but Ferguson might count himself fortunate that Rooney was not dismissed two minutes after Geovanni had made it 4-3.

Nothing went Rooney’s way against Hull, which is saying something given United’s dominance, and it showed. Contesting a drop-ball with George Boateng, the Hull captain in the absence of the suspended Ian Ashbee, Rooney launched in with both feet. It was nasty and dangerous, but Mike Dean, the referee, barely had time to blow his whistle when the ball ricocheted into the path of Andy Dawson and Rooney flew in with an equally reckless challenge.

If Rooney was lucky to escape with a booking, it was a wonder that he was allowed to stay on the pitch after directing a volley of abuse at one of Dean’s assistants, then the fourth official.

Phil Brown, the Hull manager, attempted to defend Rooney by saying that “maybe we need to look at that and instil that kind of anger, that drive and desire to win, in our players”. But watching the forward blow his shaven-headed top like that, it is hard to escape the feeling that such behaviour is detrimental to the team, especially on occasions such as these, when cool heads are required.

“The referee didn’t know who should have possession so I said give it to United and let them give it back to our goalkeeper, but Rooney didn’t want that – he wanted to compete for it [and take a drop-ball],” Boateng said. “I said, ‘Fine, let’s do it’ and then he lost it a bit. He’s a temperamental player, one who plays from the heart. He is an outstanding footballer, but he gets frustrated when things aren’t going right.

“You can’t take that out of him because it’s part of what makes him so determined to win – he’s got fire. But that’s when they realised they had a game on their hands. We had them rocking in the last ten minutes.”

They did, but how United found themselves in such an “embarrassing situation”, as Ferguson described it, was mystifying and a little worrying.

As inspired as Bernard Mendy’s introduction was – the Hull substitute capitalised on a poor back-header from Patrice Evra to make it 4-2 and won the penalty, after being upended by Rio Ferdinand, from which Geovanni scored – United’s failure to put the game to bed was a source of frustration for Ferguson for the third match running.Despite battering Everton during the first half at Goodison Park, United had only a one-goal lead to show for their supremacy and were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw, while Ferguson was critical of his players for taking their foot off the pedal against West Ham United in midweek and not adding to their two first-half goals.

It would be churlish to be too critical of a team who scored four times against Hull, but their profligacy was marked – Ferguson was not guilty of exaggeration when he said that the game could have finished 10-1 – and with Chelsea already boasting a goal difference that is more than double that of the champions, the United manager will hope such wastefulness does not come back to haunt his side.

On the plus side, Cristiano Ronaldo plundered another two goals to take his tally for the season to seven in 11 matches, even if the Portugal winger might have had five, Carrick impressed on his first start for seven weeks and Berbatov produced his best performance in a United shirt, one that left Brown purring. “That’s why the saga [with Tottenham Hotspur over the forward’s transfer] went on so long and United ended up having to pay over £30 million for him,” the Hull manager said.

What the Premier League’s surprise package lack in skill, they more than make up for in character and pride. They were the first team to score three goals at Old Trafford since Chelsea 3½ years ago, but Hull are likely to get under the skin of plenty more teams this season. Just ask Rooney." - James Ducker, TheTimesOnline.co.uk

Roo

Side note: This was really a football fan's match to see. The European Champions were almost embarrassed by Premier League newcomers in the Theatre of Dreams! Hull City are here to stay and thank God for that. They are a team worthy of the EPL status.

Also in the League Liverpool (aka the scousers) lost to bottom of the table Tottenham Hotspur which saw them loose their first place seat to Chelsea. Liverpool to win the EPL? People talked WAY too soon. Liverpool are on one leg just by loosing Torres. No depth in squad = no PL trophies!

Britain has a new F1 champion in Hamiltom! he almost lost it but the lad came fifth in the final corner of the track. Incredible last moments of the race. Congrats to him!

A star is born: Wayne Rooney!

2008-10-23T12:46:00.007+02:00

Against Everton Wayne Rooney could grab his 100th club goal - 17 of which came from his time at Goodison. Here, we track his path to Old Trafford...

Amid the pandemonium at Goodison Park, Clive Tyldsley bellowed: "Remember the name, Wayne Rooney." Moments earlier, the 16-year-old had announced himself to the football world by hammering a 30-yard injury-time winner against champions Arsenal.

Thirty-five miles down the East Lancs Road, knowing looks were exchanged. Master Rooney had surfaced on United's radar long before making a mug of David Seaman. He'd done the same to United's Schmeichel - Kasper Schmeichel, that is - at Littleton Road, against a United Under-9s side playing their first ever match.

“We hadn’t played any games before, the boys had just been training together,” recalls Paul McGuinness, now manager of United’s U18s. “We didn’t even have a goalkeeper, so Peter Schmeichel’s son Kasper played for us. He was the only kid we knew who played in goal! The Everton boys had been playing together for at least a year in a league beforehand, so they were used to playing games. You could tell, because they absolutely hammered us."

It wasn't just the scoreline (12-2) which stuck in the memory. All the talk was of a stunning goal from Rooney. “He scored a few (six to be exact), but there was one goal that stood out. It was basically the classic overhead kick, the perfect bicycle kick, which for a kid of eight or nine years old was really something special.”

“We were all wondering who this kid was,” recalls McGuinness. “It transpired that he was from a tough, boxing background, a sporting family and he was a diehard Everton fan. At that time you didn’t really get any kids crossing over to Manchester from Liverpool. We looked at it behind the scenes, but he was too fixated on Everton to contemplate leaving them.”

Keen to put a positive spin on the news that the new U9s had taken a double-digit hammering, McGuinness informed Sir Alex Ferguson about the 9-year-old talent that had done all the damage. “I remember coming back saying that we’d been beaten by 10 goals," he recalls. "You don’t generally want to advertise that fact to the manager - but I did mention that we’d seen a kid who had done very well."

*The goal that put Rooney onto the radar! Pure classic.*

Rooney continued his fast-track ascension through Everton’s ranks. The double hat-tricks and overhead kicks were harder to come by, but the competitive streak was even sharper.

“When we were playing for the U13s against Everton, me, Adam Eckersley and Mark Howard, who’s now left the club, played against him,” recalls United goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

“I think it was a 1-1 draw, and Mark and Wayne actually had an altercation which ended up with them both being sent off. That was pretty unheard of that level, usually it’s just a word to the managers asking if the offenders can be subbed off, but these were straight reds!”

Heaton would get several close-up glimpses of Rooney in action down the years, with one particular encounter at Altrincham’s Moss Lane in 2000 persuading United’s coaches that the Everton striker was realising his massive potential.

Tommy Martin, manager of United’s U15s, can vividly remember Everton’s number nine terrorising the Reds’ backline. “Overall we were too strong for them but he stood out on their side,” he smiles. “Wayne gave our defence a really tough time. After 10 or 15 minutes, you knew he was on the pitch because he was really upsetting our defenders. His pace always made him a handful.

“He was a winner back then – you could tell. He has changed in some respects, obviously, but even back then he was going back and tackling. He's always been in love with the game of football. For all the attention, fame and wealth it brings, I still see him as a kid in love with playing football.”

“I remember sitting with Jim Ryan watching him at Altrincham,” concurs Paul McGuinness. “We won the game 5-1, but I remember Jim saying ‘look at their number nine, he’s keeping at it and going all the time.’ He was running around after the ball and trying shots, and he really stood out in that game. We started following him closely from that point.”

One of United’s subsequent scouting missions, at Everton’s U19s clash with Bolton, yielded a breathtaking encapsulation of Rooney’s capacity for the incredible. Now the ripe old age of 15, he brought down a hoofed clearance from Bolton’s goalkeeper with his first touch and, still inside his own half, with his second lashed the ball back from whence it came. The helpless Trotters keeper could only watch as the ball sailed over his head, against the crossbar and back into his arms.

According to United’s chief recruitment officer Geoff Watson, however, the Reds’ keen interest wasn’t always fuelled by what they saw of Rooney in action – more Everton’s total assurance that they had a nailed-on player on their hands.

“He invariably scored a couple of goals, but sometimes you'd go and watch Wayne and he wouldn’t do an awful lot,” says Watson. “The important thing that struck me was that when you spoke to the Everton people they were always so confident that they had a star in the making. They were so convinced about Wayne's ability.

“It was obvious he was a special talent. So many people went to watch Wayne Rooney that it was easy to get an opinion about him, there was a big buzz about him. Everton knew what they'd got from an early age.

“Obviously we weren't always privilege to that – one thing you learn in this business is that the club always know better about their own player than anyone else. They see him every day, while scouts from other clubs only have 90 minutes during a match to judge him on.

“Scouts will tell you there were games they went to and he hardly did anything. Scouts can only report what they see – they can't dream. To be honest, I think Wayne was always waiting for the bigger stage.”

Progress couldn’t come quickly enough for the young Rooney. Having raced up through Everton’s youth ranks, he went on to star for the Toffees’ Reserves, while also playing an integral part in the U18s’ run to the 2002 FA Youth Cup final, scoring eight goals in as many games.

Just over five months after the young Blues had slipped to a two-legged defeat against Aston Villa, and still five days shy of his 17th birthday, Rooney acquired hero status at Goodison Park with his unbelievable maiden strike against Arsenal.

As the ball cannoned in off the crossbar at the Park End, some 200 miles away Sir Alex Ferguson was making his way to the Loftus Park dressing rooms, having watched United endure a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham.

As news filtered through of Arsenal’s defeat at Goodison, however, Sir Alex could reflect on the day with renewed positivity. Especially after discovering the identity of the scorer, a name with which he had long since been very familiar.

Roo

- I got the above article from ManUtd.com;

- Pictures from all over the internet;

- Video from Youtube.

Let's FIFA 09!

2008-10-23T11:47:00.003+02:00

This is EA's lastest advert to promote their latest installment in the FIFA franchise. I have to admit... what a stunner! See for yourself below.

The video above was aired during the half time of the Man Utd vs Chelsea game. Smart aren't they?

Roo

Report: Man Utd 3, Celtic 0 - Unbeaten home record stretched to 17!

2008-10-22T01:29:00.007+02:00

Wayne Rooney was hailed as “unplayable” last night as normal service was resumed with a vengeance at Old Trafford. Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory over Celtic in their all-British clash, a result that stretched their unbeaten home record in the Champions League to 17 matches and confirmed that their England forward is in the best goalscoring form of his career.

The first two goals came from Dimitar Berbatov — who has scored four in two European appearances for his new club and five in total this season — although on each occasion he appeared to be offside. However, Celtic’s displeasure was downplayed by Gordon Strachan. “I’m not going to sit here and scream about offside,” the manager said. “I’m a football man and I know when I’m beaten — and well beaten.”

In 19 away games in the present guise of the competition, Celtic have failed to muster a single victory and that sequence rarely looked in danger on their latest excursion south of the border. While their spirit could not be questioned, particularly in the opening half, United’s superiority told, with Rooney and Berbatov the key figures.

Rooney has mustered nine goals in his past seven appearances for club and country, a tally that exceeds the eight in seven he scored 12 months ago. “I’ve always said that Wayne’s goalscoring goes in spurts,” Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said. “His goalscoring performances will even out as he gets older, we’ve no worries about that. I just hope the spurt he’s on lasts for a few more games.”

Strachan, the former United midfield player, was effusive, however. “I just think he’s unplayable,” he said of Rooney. “We tried different shapes and tactics, but he turns this way and that and then turns up somewhere else. When you see players like that you have to hold your hands up and say you’ve seen one world-class player backed up by a couple more, and then other international-class players.”

Strachan described United’s performance as “one of the best I’ve ever come across watching European football” and “better than anybody since I’ve been at Celtic”. That may have been excessive, but Ferguson’s players have served notice on their rivals in England and abroad that they remain a force to be reckoned with, keeping five clean sheets in succession and scoring 14 times in the process.

“We’re in a good bit of form at the moment and have terrific momentum,” Ferguson said. “I’m very pleased with the performance.” He has targeted ten points to qualify for the knockout stages — they have seven with three games to play, including Aalborg at home — but is intent on leaving group E as winners.

Ferguson also paid tribute to Berbatov. “Dimitar showed some fantastic pieces of football,” he said of the Bulgaria forward, who was slow to shine after his £30.75 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. “The rest of the team are beginning to understand the type of player he is and he can always produce a pass that will mean something. Some of his passing was absolutely superb.”

Berbatov was substituted with a hip injury, but Ferguson insisted that he and Cristiano Ronaldo, who took a knock to a kneecap, should be available to play away to Everton on Saturday. The manager had said that he would consider resting Ronaldo against Celtic, but said that the player “demanded to play this morning”. Rio Ferdinand was absent after sustaining a minor knee injury in training. - George Caulkin, TheTimesOnline.co.uk

Roo

Manchester United slaughter WBA 4-0!!

2008-10-20T09:05:00.007+02:00

IF MANCHESTER UNITED have been less than convincing in the early stages of their defence of the Premier League title, this performance provided promise of the strength and style still to come.

Wayne Rooney was brilliant, delivering a world-class goal that finally broke the deadlock in the second half and setting up Cristiano Ronaldo and substitute Nani for two more, with Dimitar Berbatov scoring his first Premier League goal for the club in between. It was almost vintage stuff.

Yet the game presented a microcosm of United’s season so far, for they were flat and anxious for much of the first half before Ronaldo and Rooney combined effectively on the edge of the area and Rooney fired a low shot past Scott Carson, the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper. Referee Mark Halsey penalised Rooney for the manner in which he challenged Gianni Zuiverloon before setting up his strike, which seemed to ignite Rooney and his teammates. The longer the match went on the better they became, which Sir Alex Ferguson is sure will be the story of the season.

“The players have now got the legs to play 90 minutes and the rhythm and tempo as well. The speed of our game was terrific today,” said the Manchester United manager. “That was our best 90 minutes of the season. I reckon we are back on track and playing more like the real Manchester United.”

With free-scoring Chelsea having thrown down the gauntlet early in the day and Liverpool rising to the challenge against Wigan, it was imperative for United to demonstrate their ability and willingness to join the fight. They struggled early on, Ronaldo remaining a marginal influence until the second half and Berbatov unable to make any real impact before his pass sent Rooney on his way for the opening goal. The way he held up the ball before laying it off to Rooney, who crossed to Nani for the final goal, emphasised his class and it is a matter of time before the Bulgarian becomes a more consistently effective threat.

With Carlos Tevez and Anderson omitted Ferguson deployed a fluid and attacking midfield in support of the two strikers. Ronaldo and Park Ji-Sung switched flanks seamlessly and took up positions as part of a front four as frequently as they operated in midfield. But with Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson absent, United appeared to lack solidity in midfield in the opening skirmishes, leaving themselves exposed to West Brom’s counter-attacks. When Darren Fletcher missed a tackle, allowing Robert Koren to set up Chris Brunt for a long-range shot, this became apparent, but Brunt’s effort was too close to Edwin van der Sar. Alas, it was as close as West Brom would come to springing an upset.

Inevitably, United’s movement and passing improved. Ronaldo manoeuvred his way through on the left side of the box to strike a shot that Carson saved and the Baggies keeper had to be alert again when Ryan Giggs’s free kick into the near post was headed goalwards by Rooney, Carson managing to parry the ball away.

*Please note that the above video does NOT feature the goals against WBA. This is because YouTube is disallowing anyone to upload any direct-from-tv videos due to copyright reasons. To watch the goals click HERE.

Increasingly, the visitors found themselves pinned in their own half. A strong shout for a penalty was dismissed by referee Mark Halsey when Paul Robinson appeared to handle the ball but, from the resultant corner by Rooney, Nemanja Vidic’s header was saved by Carson’s legs.

West Brom rarely troubled their hosts but they worked hard and their defenders, especially Robinson and Jonas Olsson, were brave and obstinate, while Carson performed admirably. But Rooney, who has scored eight goals for club and country in his past six games, would not be denied and his goal, when it finally arrived, would have been worthy of winning the game.

He collected Berbatov’s pass, checked his run superbly when he entered the penalty box and cut inside to beat Ryan Donk before shooting past Carson into the bottom right corner. It signalled the end of West Brom’s resistance. Ronaldo and Berbatov were able to make them pay as United went some way towards addressing their goal difference behind Chelsea.

Rooney released Ronaldo on the edge of the area the Portuguese coolly stroked the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs. Two minutes later Nani crossed from the left and Berbatov met the ball with a sublime right-footed volley. Nani scored a fourth goal with a good finish from a ball supplied by the man of the moment.

“They paid £30m for Rooney but what is he worth now? £100m? I don’t know,” said Tony Mowbray, the West Brom manager. - Brian Doogan, TheTimesOnline.co.uk

Roo

Rooney shines, Gerrard answer his critics and England look set to qualify for the 2010 World Cup

2008-10-16T12:24:00.006+02:00

Fabio Capello, the England manager, goes into a World Cup hiatus having made history, revived a broken team and breathed life into dying men. Not a bad two months, then. The most eye-catching fact is that this was England’s fourth consecutive group six win, which represents the best start the national team have made in the qualifying stage of this competition, but bald statistics cannot express the extent to which the Italian has transformed English football, or the way he has contrived to do it with so little fuss.

Capello has made a prolific goalscorer of Wayne Rooney again, brought harmony to the heart of midfield, emboldened a protégé in Theo Walcott and found a line-leading centre forward in Emile Heskey where it was previously considered none existed. He has turned a group of players who staggered from their last campaign, shell-shocked like war veterans, and made them the epitome of calm, battle-hardened efficiency. In adversity here, they did not panic. Under incredible pressure in Zagreb, they rose to the challenge. It is like watching a different team, yet the personnel has barely changed.

Capello said he wished to be judged only when the competitive games began, and his self-belief was justified. The stuttering England witnessed in his friendly games is a distant memory now, a childish doodle, an early work, crude and unformed. This is the real deal. Maybe this England will be, too.

Credit is due to all who have played a part in carrying out Capello’s instructions with such assuredness, but, in Minsk, it was down to three in particular: Rooney and Steven Gerrard, the match-winners, and Heskey, whose selfless efforts have turned England into prolific goalscorers, with 14 in four competitive matches (and only two of those in the turkey shoot of Andorra). Heskey’s name rarely appears on the scoresheet but his aura does, it is what has turned Rooney into the confident, world-class forward who has been missing since the European Championship finals in 2004.

The days of trial and error are over. Capello knows Rooney’s best position for certain now and it is behind a target man-striker. It will take exceptional circumstances for him to be moved again. Together, Heskey and Rooney put in football’s equivalent of a double weekend shift and then some in Minsk, always available, always providing an option for a midfield that needed to move the ball on quickly under pressure from a youthful Belarus team. With the scores level at 1-1, Heskey and Rooney combined for a goal that illustrated perfectly why their partnership is such a success. Heskey battled his way down the left flank, shrugging off the attention of defenders, looking up for a quick cross only to see Rooney having problems holding the line and half a yard offside. He delayed, rode another challenge, waited until Rooney was in the perfect position to receive and slipped him the ball, the striker opening his body to steer it past Yury Zhevnov in the Belarus goal. Together, they made it look so simple; in reality, it was far from that.

Yet England are making a lot look simple these days. This was a tough game and Belarus are difficult opponents, capable of messing up superior opposition the way the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia did Steve McClaren’s England when drawing at Old Trafford. By the end, though, England were in complete control in a way that surpassed even the teams managed by serial qualifier Sven-Göran Eriksson. Rooney’s second put air into the scoreline, and what a beauty it was. Rooney dummied a pass 35 yards out but continued his run towards goal, at which point he was picked out perfectly by Gerrard.

As Belarus hit the panic switch, Rooney dribbled around one desperate tackle before finishing high into the net from eight yards out. It was a goal that spoke for England’s rebuilt confidence and of one man in particular. Capello is starting to get a higher level of performance out of Rooney than any other manager in recent years; perhaps even Sir Alex Ferguson.

Had Gerrard not hit a post with an open goal beckoning after going round a defender and the goalkeeper, the scoreline would have matched the victory in Zagreb, but it would be churlish to make this miss — although it was a howler — too much of an issue; especially as Gerrard did Capello’s bidding by starting on the left and got the goal that eased the pressure on England and put the team on their way.

It came after just 11 minutes. Frank Lampard won a tackle in midfield, the ball ran loose, Rooney scuffled for it, found Gerrard and he steered a sublime curling shot out of the reach of Zhevnov and into the far corner. He has now scored twice in the past three games in which he has started left of the midfield four. Perhaps that debate can be laid to rest, too, now?

What Capello also got right, though, was his assessment of the technical ability of the Belarus team, with his comparison to the nimble, shortpassing game of Arsenal. Those who believed the England manager was indulging in hyperbole and perhaps a little self-preservation by talking up the difficulty of the opposition were quickly dissuaded from this hopeful fantasy by the Belarus response to England’s first goal. Far from being stunned or subdued by Gerrard’s early intervention, they used it as the motivation to play to their attacking strengths and came at England, initially overrunning the midfield with quick, imaginative passing interchanges and movement.

David James, the England goalkeeper, was not looking convincing and when Pavel Sitko — a 22-year-old left-sided player who will surely not remain at his club, Vitebsk, for long — tested him with a shot from 20 yards, it took James two attempts to bring the ball under control. Not a good sign. There were more worrying developments on the flanks, where Wes Brown and Wayne Bridge were getting little protection and the Belarussians were looking increasingly dangerous.

Igor Stasevich, a 22-year-old right-sided player with BATE Borisov, the first Belarussian team to make the group stage of the Champions League, was causing Bridge particular problems and it was no surprise that the equalising goal should be his creation. If this underplays the contribution of his team-mates it is only because there were too many involved to list by name, the goal coming at the end of 23 passes in a manner that made Capello’s reference to Arsenal seem remarkably prescient.

Cutting to the chase, though, Stasevich dummied a cross, Bridge did not so much buy it as have the damn thing nationalised and Sitko stole in behind Brown at the far post so that when the ball did arrive, he stooped low unmarked with only James to beat.

On another night, under another manager, there might have been darting eyes and nervous glances. Instead, Capello gave his players the hard stare and they continued executing the plan as directed. It sounds so straightforward, this new thinking, maybe even a little dull. It is not. For this team, it is revolution writ large, although Capello will make it look and sound easy, like so much of what he does. - Martin Samuel, TheTimesOnline.co.uk

Roo

The utter obscurity of Killer7

2008-10-15T14:49:00.003+02:00

Since I have started life in Malta again I have found a good batch of free time for me to divulge in previously unfinished games on my neglected GameCube. I always wanted to play Suda51's Killer7 since 2005 when it was released but I didn't have a GameCube then. I bought GameCube in late 2006 and with it 4 games - The Legend Of Zelda The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Killer7 and The Legend Of Zelda Twilight Princess plus the pack-in that came with the GCN Super Mario Strikers. What happened though was that Metroid Prime plus the two Zeldas took most of my time of GameCube-ing and i completely forgot that I owned Killer7. Let me add that the two Zeldas plus Metroid Prime are mind-blowing games that every hardcore gamer should seriously check out.

Anyway in February of 2007 I invested in the GameCube's successor - the Nintendo Wii. Although the Wii is backwards compatible I was way more interested in Wiimote waggling software than my old forgotten GCN games. Now, in October of 2008, when I was packing my GCN alongside my other belongings (I leave my Wii at home for safety reasons) I remembered Killer7! I have been playing it every chance I get since. It is so surreal, obscure, psychopathic and yet mature that I was bound to fall in love with it. This is the very first game that can either be hated until the end of time or loved and cherished until the sun explodes. Foretunately I fall in the latter category. I will tell you why in a later post. Now, I'm off to kill with the 7 Smiths.

I believe that I have to eliminate one of Androo's Top Ten Videogames to have enough room for Killer7. I'm not sure yet. We'll see.

Roo

The Nintendo DSi is so awesome because of....

2008-10-11T11:42:00.004+02:00

8. New games

New games are a given of course. But not only new games but new innovation in games. Think of what the camera can do in a game (discussed later). Even without new features, there were a few launch titles announced for the DSi. The biggest being Mario & Luigi RPG 3.

7. Onboard memory

The flash memory is probably going to be used mostly for the DSWare games (again discussed later), but it might also be utilized in some games, you never know.

6. Better speakers

...Mean better sound quality. 'Nuff said.

5. SD card slot

Probably will be used for saving data once the onboard memory is full. Also to send photos over to computer and Wii (wait a camera? what? ...discussed later).

4. Bigger screens

The DSi will have 3.25 inch screens versus the DS's 3 inch screens. It's supposed to have a little bit better resolution too.

3. The web browser

The original internet browser you could buy for the DS. I've never used it before and heard it kind of sucked. Plus it was discontinued in the U.S. But the new DSi has a built in web browser that uses the same internet browser, Opera, as the Wii's one. The Wii's Internet Channel works pretty good in my opinion (could use some tabs) so hopefully this will turn out good too.

2. DSWare/Apps store

Similar to WiiWare, DSWare will allow smaller games and more indie titles to reach the audiences. The prices range from free, 200, 400, and 800 points. A lot of the apps could be like the iPhone's (MySpace, weather, etc.), but I also hope Nintendo releases Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA games for downloads, especially seeing that there's no GBA slot.

1. Build-in camera

The single biggest change of the DSi is the camera. Some sites claim its a 3 megapixel, while most others say it's a 0.3 megapixel. If it's the latter then that's not that high of quality. Even so, the possibilities the DSi opens up with a camera are pretty big. You'll be able to directly send the photos you snap over to your Wii's Photo Channel. There's also a built in editor on the DSi similar to the Wii's (in the Photo Channel).

All in all, the DSi brought quite a few changes. Though some may complain about the lack of GBA backward compatibility, the newer innovations, particularly the camera, DSWare, and the bigger screen and speakers, make it worth it. Plus having a new seperate Wifi-specific switch will make online DS gaming seemless! I will be be preordering it as soon as an EU release date is announced!

Roo

Interview: Slash on everything, from top-hats to Metallica!

2008-10-03T15:09:00.002+02:00

Slash: The MusicRadar Interview

You've played lots of Les Pauls and had several signature models over the years. How do the new models compare to those you've played in the past?

"That's actually a really good question. The quality – and I'm not just blowing smoke up Gibson's ass – in all honesty the quality of the guitars that the Gibson Custom Shop, Gibson USA and Epiphone are making is such that you can pick one up off the rack or out of the box and actually use it.

"And I say that because I started the last Velvet Revolver tour with one of my guitars I'd used for years, and at some point Gibson had made one of my signature Les Pauls. I received it, used it at soundcheck then stuck with it for the rest of the tour. I did very little to it besides changing the strings and it was great."

Do the new models have any features you wish that your Les Pauls had 20 years ago?

"Really when it comes down to it a Les Paul is a really simple instrument – even things like the TonePros bridge are basically an update on an old idea. We shave the neck to make it fit certain individual hand sizes – the particular type of neck that I like to use is a pretty thin neck, so we go for that. The new Goldtops have the custom tone controls too which don't get muddy if you roll them back."

"All I'm doing is playing guitar. I don't go in for any pyrotechnics and I don't need any bells and whistles."

Is the neck shape based on one particular guitar?

"It's not just one. I think what's happened over the years is I've played so many different Les Pauls, I've always had four, if not 10 Les Pauls out with me on the road, and I think the signature models are basically just accruing information that I've picked up over the years having played Les Pauls for so long.

"I've identified the different features that I really like, and so those particular necks are what I've gravitated towards with particulars guitars on the road, so it's basically just an accumulation of knowledge."

Have you ever been tempted to incorporate any crazier features into your signature instruments?

"Well personally all I'm doing is playing guitar. I don't go in for any pyrotechnics and I don't need any bells and whistles and I think the more you cut out of a guitar to make room for any sensationalistic amenities like that the more you take out of the guitar's original sound, and I try to keep it intact."

Do you modify any of your Les Pauls for slide playing?

"I actually tend not to play slide on Les Pauls, only because there's different guitars like Les Paul Juniors and Melody Makers that are really good for slide. That's not to say I won't pull a slide out and play slide on a Les Paul occasionally but if a song requires it the chances are I'll have a guitar set up accordingly."

How many guitars do you currently own?

"I've got somewhere between 80 and 90 guitars and I'd say 75 percent of them are Les Pauls. It seems ridiculous – but they all have a unique purpose."

Is there one that would you run through the flames and save if your house was burning down?

"Well, it would definitely be benefiting this particular promotion if I said one of my signature guitars – but in all honesty it would be the guitar I've been recording with ever since Appetite For Destruction. It's been my main 'go to' guitar for years.

"Having said that I have 80 or 90 guitars there are two that I keep close by with me at all times. Really you only need one or two guitars in your whole career. But you end up collecting a lot of guitars before you discover that reality."

So back to the house burning down, you can also save one record, and one other miscellaneous item, what are they?

"That's a tough one. I don't really have any what you'd call important miscellaneous items with the exception of my top hat I guess. But if it was a record then that's a tough call. Um…I'd probably say just a great, well-rounded rock record…Exile On Main Street. Plus it's a long-playing record."

"It's funny looking back at old pictures at some of the stupid hats I'd wear."

Not Rocks by Aerosmith?

"You know, normally – that's one of my favourite records of all time, but it's one of those records that's sort of a little bit limited and you have to be in that mood."

You've tended to play predominantly sunburst Les Pauls over the years. Is there a particular favourite Goldtop that inspired the latest Epiphone and Gibson models?

"That's a good question because where this particular Goldtop comes from, in the nineties on the Use Your Illusion tour, I picked up a brand new Gibson Goldtop which became a major part of the set and I used it for all of the sort of epic ballads that had long sustaining guitar solos. Sweet Child O' Mine, November Rain, Estranged, Knocking On Heaven's Door, So Fine, and my guitar solo as well, so I did The Godfather with it.

"The tobacco sunburst and regular sunburst are very aggressive sounding guitars, so it wasn't necessarily as aggressive but it made up for it with this really nice, warm, round lead sound. For those songs I would take the tone and I would turn it all the way down for those really creamy, sustainy solos.

"There's different singers for every song and I think it will be the choice of vocalists that surprises people the most." Slash on his forthcoming solo album

"And that particular guitar got stolen out of my recording studio in 1998, so I went to Gibson and asked if they could make me another one, modelled after that 1991 Goldtop, and that's basically what this one is. So the tone pots have particular significance."

Any guitar that could withstand the hardcore touring schedule of the Use Your Illusion days must be pretty tough.

"I think Gibsons are hands down the toughest guitars, I have to say. I smashed one once at a show in New Jersey a while back, and it took a couple of good, heavy whacks."

We've heard rumours about a Slash solo record. How is it going?

"I started writing on the road with Velvet Revolver and then when we finished the tour and I got back from the UK at the beginning of the summer I started to sift through the ideas I'd recorded and elaborating on them."

What do you use to record your demos?

"It's not real complicated, it's a 16-track Boss digital recording studio. It's really simple because I really can't stand to deal with anything complicated. At this point though I've got a friend who has a Pro Tools set up in his garage and he's been sort of engineering. I put down the basic ideas here at home, then go over there and sort of expand on that at his place. And that's basically the demo at that point."

Do you think your solo record will surprise people?

"I don't know if it will be so much surprising…I mean, it touches on a lot of different sounds. There's different singers for every song and I think it will be the choice of vocalists that surprises people the most. But you'll just have to wait and see who they are. I'm sure there will be huge rumours going around will be reported as if they are a matter of fact!"

"We want to try different things – with Scott in Velvet Revolver it was kind of limiting."

On the subject of rumours, everyone from Sebastian Bach to Lenny Kravitz has been reported as being the new Velvet Revolver singer. Are you any closer to finding a permanent replacement for Scott Weiland?

"I mean, we haven't picked anybody, so until we actually pick somebody and find that guy….the first time around we auditioned so many singers – we weren't even called Velvet Revolver at the time – and then Scott became available. We sort of knew it was a pretty touch and go situation.

"Anyhow, this time around we've established ourselves as a proper band and we want to try different things – with Scott it was kind of limiting – so we are concentrating on just writing really cool stuff and waiting for the right guy."

You've worked with really great singers in the past, but on occasion they've perhaps been difficult to work with so finding someone really easy going would be a bonus too…

"Haha, I figure we've paid some dues."

Fans recently voted for Axl Rose to be the new Velvet Revolver frontman on MusicRadar. Something tells us that this is unlikely to happen.

"I heard that too. Yeah right. Anyway...haha."

On a more light-hearted note, you are obviously famous for sporting a top hat – who are your favourite hard rock hat wearers?

"I always thought Stevie Ray Vaughan looked pretty cool in that cowboy hat. Lemmy always wears that same kind of hat too, it looks pretty good on him. I think that back in the day, Mick Jagger used to wear a couple of different hats that all seemed to be pretty cool for him. I don't know though, I never really singled out people who wore hats!

"It's funny though because before the top hat came around I was always on a quest for a hat – it's funny looking back at old pictures at some of the stupid hats I'd wear at any given gig. Then the top hat came and it just stuck, it's sort of like the Les Paul, you know, here's something that works. I always though Rick Nielsen's baseball cap was particularly cool for him."

Along with the top hat and the Les Paul, we've got used to seeing you photographed with a cigarette over the years. How are you coping with the smoking bans that have come into force in the various countries you visit?

"I've paid a healthy sum of fines! You just have to go to the promoters and ask for extra money. That's not a bad idea, I'm glad I just thought of that. So you need to go to the promoter and say you need an extra 400 quid every time…"

Finally, there's a big fuss about the new Metallica record. Have you heard Death Magnetic and if so, what do you think?

"I've heard one song, which was great, but I haven't heard the whole record. It's worthy of a big fuss because everybody has been waiting for a new like, Metallica Metallica record for years so I'm excited to hear the whole thing and actually have a physical copy in my hand. I can't wait to put it on my car stereo and drive around at high speed."

It's definitely a record for driving fast to, even if that is a little dangerous…

"Metallica are meant to be dangerous."

Next DS just around the corner?

2008-09-28T09:49:00.005+02:00

Well, it seems that the Next Nintendo DS is just around the corner! For the record, this picture is simply a mock-up. By NO MEANS is it the real deal. Well, Wired.com apparently has inside info that Nintendo will reveal the new DS soon and it will have such features as:

- (digital) Camera included;

- music playback function;

- Wireless connection function power up;

- larger screen;

- to be released this year in Japan;

- under 20000 yen;

- new types of games by using the camera;

- get/exchange data from Wii and SD card (SD card slot included?);

Now... you want to really hear the interesting part? Nintendo is going to hold 2 simultaneous press conferences on the 2nd of October, one in Japan and one in the States: at the same time. I'll be damned if they don't announce something big!

Roo

Man Utd win through none other than Rooney & Ronaldo!

2008-09-28T08:52:00.003+02:00

Second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney put Manchester United's title ambitions back on track with a 2-0 defeat of Bolton at Old Trafford. Ronaldo won and converted a disputed penalty on 60 minutes to score his first league goal of the season, before Rooney arrived from the substitutes' bench to seal victory with an exquisite finish late on. The result represented only United's second win in five Premier League matches, and the first time Sir Alex Ferguson's team have scored more than once in the top flight this season. The opening exchanges belonged to Bolton, however, who took no time in asserting their trademark physicality on United's comparatively lightweight midfield.

Two minutes in the visitors had the first shot on target, when Kevin Nolan reacted first to a loose ball and struck a firm volley into the arms of Edwin van der Sar. Kevin Davies was the next to threaten, driving in from the left and sending over a far-post cross which Rio Ferdinand dealt with comfortably. But United escaped the early volleys unscathed and gradually started to settle in possession. On 13 minutes, Dimitar Berbatov met Darren Fletcher's right-wing cross with a crisp header, but could only direct it straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

Two minutes later Carlos Tevez cut in from the left and fired a low shot that Jaaskelainen parried into the path of Park Ji-Sung. The South Korean found the angle too tight, however, and could only find the side netting. Just after the half-hour mark Jaaskelainen made a fine save to deny Anderson, and soon after repeated the feat to punch away a powerful Ferdinand effort.

Bolton were being outplayed and bookings for Johan Elmander, Davies and Gavin McCann owed much to their inability to cope with United's attacking threat. Just before the interval, however, Gary Megson's men launched a counter-attack and missed a glorious opportunity to take an undeserved lead. Gretar Steinsson was the architect, reaching the by-line on the right and finding Fabrica Muamba with a fine cross - only for the midfielder to shoot wide from six yards with Van der Sar sprawling. The second half began with United firmly in the ascendancy. Ronaldo cut across the Bolton box from the left to shoot against the post on 52 minutes, and the visitors duly parked all of their resources behind the ball.

The Portuguese winger moved to the opposite flank soon after and won his side a penalty from referee Rob Styles after Jloyd Samuel was harshly adjudged to have brought him down.

Replays showed the defender got the ball, and Ronaldo compounded Bolton's frustration by sending Jaaskelainen the wrong way and putting United ahead with a flourish. In truth it was no more than the home side deserved, and they doubled their lead on 77 minutes with a fine finish from substitute Rooney. Ronaldo was inevitably involved, driving into the Bolton box before finding the England striker with an impudent backheel. Rooney dragged the ball back and sent a curling shot beyond Jaaskelainen into the far corner. There would be no response from Gary Megson's toothless Bolton, who other than the occasional foray were hopelessly bereft of ambition and ultimately could have suffered a far heavier defeat but for the efforts of Jaaskelainen.

Substitute Paul Scholes was sent clean through by Berbatov on 88 minutes, but the impressive Jaaskelainen once more came to the visitor's rescue - saving with his legs. United played out the closing minutes comfortably, and Ferguson could even afford the luxury of withdrawing the ever-influential Ronaldo once his important work was done. With both he and Rooney on the scoresheet there was a familiar look to this United victory - one that will surely send a clear message to those who dared to doubt United's title credentials.

Roo

PS: Rooney scored, so please shut the hell up all of you pundits who say that Rooney is useless. He's as useless to United as a guitar is useless to a guitarist!!

Slash solo album on the horizon!

2008-09-26T12:05:00.004+02:00

"Slash is hard at work on a solo album, according to Rolling Stone. The magazine caught up with the former Guns N’ Roses/current Velvet Revolver guitarist after his weekend appearance at a Los Angeles Guitar Center Sessions. He said making the record has been a “cathartic” experience.

“I’m totally on my own,” Slash said. “A buddy of mine has got a mini-studio in his house and we stay until two or three in the morning just recording the basic demos,” he says. “I’m used to a band situation where I’m one fifth of the input no matter who brought the song or whatever it is. Every band I’ve ever been in we all just sort of tear it apart, put it back together, and it comes out however it comes out. This is interesting for me because I’m just doing my thing and I have no one to answer to.”

He said he has a running wish list of guest vocalists he would like to recruit to sing the songs, adding that at the rate Velvet Revolver’s quest for a new singer was going his solo work would most likely come out before anything by that band." ―Aidin Vaziri

Roo

HVS: The Conduit should have a "MoH Wii-like online". FANTASTIC!

2008-09-24T17:14:00.004+02:00

High Voltage Software stated a few weeks back that friend codes will be a probable inclusion in The Conduit’s online set up. After all, as the company has mentioned, it is ultimately up to Nintendo to decide which companies can develop and include a homemade online system, much like EA did with Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 on Wii.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel, however. High Voltage Software has yet again noted that “If there is any possible way for us to get around this [friend code] system, we will.” Better yet, it was also added that “A system similar to MoH2’s would be ideal.” High Voltage is hoping that Nintendo will offer “the same exceptions they granted EA.” Gamers might end up with friend codes in the final product, but at least it can be said that High Voltage is doing everything in their power to make the online experience as good as it can possibly be.

The Conduit is shaping up to be Wii's Halo. Actually, much more than that! For more information on The Conduit click HERE.

Roo

PS: If HVS can get EA as their publisher (which is what the rumours are saying) then this would be a no-brainer. The online in Medal of Honour Heroes 2 Wii is incredible and it would really make The Conduit better that it is already shaping up to be!

Manchester United are back in full swing!

2008-09-24T16:31:00.005+02:00

I am ready to take a stand and claim and even the most avid, die-hard, Man Utd fan was sceptical before last Sunday's match-up against Chelsea. Lets look at the figures shall we? Chelsea were coming from a fantastic start to the season. Out of four games they had won three and drawn once. They had also given a well deserved beaten to Frech side Bourdeux in the Champions Leage Match Day 1. Manchester United on the other hand didn't have such a rosy start. Some of their key players, including the Portugese wonder-boy Ronaldo, were out because of injury. This reflected on the abysmal results. Out of 3 games Man Utd won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1. Chelsea looked, by miles, the stroger team and was also the favourite to come out victorious after the game.

We all know what happened, Manchester United played very very well, going in front by Ji-Sung Park's 18th minute goal but were denied victory by Kalou's late winner. It was probably they best game yet this season. Both sides battled fiercely for a victory which ended in 7 yellow cards, and a £25,000 fine for the Red Devils. Manchester United were back, in clear uncut fashion. The game proved once and for all that it will be tough for any team to clench the Premier League (and hopefully the Champion's League) trophy from Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed his first goal of the season as Manchester United booked their place in the Carling Cup fourth round at Old Trafford last night, but what would otherwise have been remembered as a satisfying evening’s work was marred by a moment of madness from Emanuel Pogatetz.

There are occasions in football when the result seems almost incidental, and as Rodrigo Possebon was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg, the victim — on his first-team debut — of an appalling challenge by the Middlesbrough defender, that appeared to be very much the case for Sir Alex Ferguson as the United manager reflected on the kind of tackle that can end careers.

If there was any justice, it was that Pogatetz’s red card swung the game in United’s favour, although Ferguson may not be pacified unless the FA takes firm action against the Austria defender, whose nickname of “Mad Pog” hints at an unsavoury side. A mandatory three-match ban should be the least that Pogatetz can expect.

“It’s not good, we hope it’s not the worst possible news,” Ferguson said. “For the kid to make his first-team debut and get an injury like that was pretty horrendous.

“For the ten minutes after, I think everyone was numb about it. It killed the momentum a bit, too. The thing about these challenges is that the opponent always claims his innocence. That’s what I can’t understand, he should have just walked off.”

The incident happened midway through the second half when, challenging for a ball that he would never have won legitimately, Pogatetz launched a shameful lunge at Possebon, the United midfield player feeling the full force of the defender’s studs. The four-inch gash high on the 19-year-old Brazilian’s shin said it all and he had to be given oxygen as United’s medical team attached a splint to his leg before carrying the player off on a stretcher and taking him to hospital.

As Pogatetz remonstrated against his dismissal, Ferguson tore into Colin Cooper, the Middlesbrough assistant manager, for attempting to absolve the player of blame. Gareth Southgate restored order, however, when he apologised to the United manager for what he conceded was a “poor tackle”.

“Their bench was out screaming that it was never a sending-off and there was nothing wrong with the player,” Ferguson said. “But at least Gareth Southgate was very good afterwards. He understood the gravity of it and was very apologetic, but it was a terrible tackle. I really don’t want to see it again.”

Southgate was unimpressed with Pogatetz, not least by the manner in which the sending-off handed United the initiative after Adam Johnson had put Middlesbrough back on level terms with a terrific volley to cancel out Ronaldo’s first-half header.

Ryan Giggs scored the decisive second, when he seized on a mistake by Chris Riggott to chip Brad Jones, and Nani added gloss to proceedings during the nine minutes of stoppage time played as a consequence of Possebon’s injury.

“Our first thoughts are with the lad, but in terms of the impact it [the sending-off] had on the game, we had just got ourselves back into it and then that knocked all our momentum,” Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, said. “The last two years he [Pogatetz] has worked incredibly hard on his disciplinary record and that’s an unusual aberration for him.”

Ferguson had made 11 changes to the team who started against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two days earlier, but with him perhaps being keen to guard against the risk of a repeat of the 2-0 defeat by Coventry City at this stage of the competition last season, Ronaldo, Giggs, Nani, Anderson and Nemanja Vidic were involved and it was a tactic that paid off.

Despite a brief Middlesbrough rally in the 56th minute, when Johnson hammered home a 20-yard volley after Vidic had only partially cleared Gary O’Neil’s cross, United were worthy winners. Unfortunately for them, their second victory of the season proved a bittersweet experience.

Roo

Guess what I've been doing?

2008-09-16T23:49:00.002+02:00

Sorry for the lack of any update guys. I've just been extremely, erm, 'busy' actually. I have been wearing a helmet, holding a gun and shooting German forces (see way below for proof!)! Let me give you a more clear hint to what I've been doing.

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Don't worry guys. I'll tell you in detail soon why I've been so uncannily hooked to this VG. But that's for another time.

Roo

PS: If you are a soldier in MoH:H2, I'll see you online on the battlefield. Add me: AndrooSlash

Look at that flame!!

2008-09-11T16:50:00.003+02:00

I've been trying to catch my Les Paul's figured top on photo for ages now without the ugly 'flash spots'. And I have finally succeeded! The end result is pure beauty...

CLICK to enlarge. You owe it to yourself to do so.

Roo

Androo's Top 10: Videogames - #9

2008-09-11T16:06:00.004+02:00

To be honest I have been wrecking my mind for this position. I just couldn't decide. I hope that I've made the right decision.

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The #9 spot goes to: Rachet & Clank 1. 2 and 3

Yep, another series, this time by Naughty Dog's best buddies Insomniac. Just like Naughty Dog Insomniac sold it's PS1 Spyro the Dragon lincenses to Activision to focus on it's PS2 project: Rachet & Clank. The weasel and his robot buddy worked wonders for Sony. This was pure platforming genious. Players took control of Rachet with his trusty sidekick Clank destroying everything in sight. And guess what? It was fun. Insomniac proved that blood wasn't necessary to make a game fun (I'm looking at your dumbfucks GTA fans). The PS2 offered the developers more room to play with. The end result was a platformer so deep, so engrossing, that even diehard RPG fans could go to bed with the series.

Another aspect that makes the whole series pure classics was the fact that Insomniac, even though the PS2 could do much much more in the 3D department than the PS1, they opted for stylish graphics instead of over the top realism. This worked so well that the games still look good today, 8 years later. [Oh and by the way, the picture is from the PS3 version. I haven't played it yet but I'm sure it's spectacular. I couldn't find a siutable screenshot of the PS2 games.] They were also drop dead funny. Rachet was incompetent and Clank was the genious. That's a recipe for gold right there! If you haven't played these games you cannot call yourself a gamer. Period.

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I wish I still had my PS2 to play these. I sold it to buy the Wii. I'm happy that I did but still, I won't turn down a cheap offer for a PS2. In fact, even though I sold the console I kept the third game in the R&C series as well as another game that will make it's appearance way down in this list. I'll give you $10 if you can guess what it is. I'm sure you won't.

Roo

England stick 4 [goals] into Bilic's proud ass!

2008-09-11T15:59:00.004+02:00

Unsurprisingly, praise has been unanimous for the England team and their coach after their thrilling 4-1 demolition of Croatia in Zagreb. Here's how the newspaper columnists saw the game in the cold light of day.

Most could not help but make the comparison between England's 5-1 win in Munich back in 2001, when the then 21-year-old Michael Owen conquered Germany with a hat-trick that instilled a great sense of hope for the future of the national game. We all know what has happened since then, but Theo Walcott's wonderful goalscoring performance at the Maksimir Stadium - inspired by some astute tactical manoeuvring from Fabio Capello - has had much the same effect.

Richard Williams in The Guardian wrote: "Walcott's performance was a triumph both for the player and for his manager. Intelligently deployed, he refused to be discouraged when things did not go right in the opening minutes and took each of his three chances with a sang-froid that Owen himself would have envied."

The Daily Mirror's Oliver Holt could not resist the temptation to draw comparisons with events in Germany, writing: "This is his [Capello's] Munich. This will make him fire-proof - just like beating Germany 5-1 gave Sven-Goran Eriksson a couple of years of being immune to criticism." Holt added that the England players showed "courage, skill and determination" and "assurance to claim this victory in one of the most hostile environments in the game".

John Dillon in the Daily Express said: "It delivered the joyful surprise of an England team playing with speed, precision, organisation, maturity and adventure in the box - words which had been expunged from the guide-book to our mis-adventures on the international stage." Meanwhile, former England striker Alan Smith hailed England's new found self-belief, which he believes emanates from a man "reeking of the stuff".

Smith wrote in The Daily Telegraph: "Forget the four stunning goals for a second. Concentrate instead on the well-balanced set-up of the side even before the opening goal and the discipline that coursed through every single player. That's what we wanted this highly paid import and, above all else, that's what Capello provided on a remarkable night."

Meanwhile Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp could barely contain his relief that this England team finally put in a performance worthy of their reputations. He wrote in his column in The Sun: "Capello has arrived in the nick of time to revitalise the best group of players this country has produced in ages, a crop of Premier League stars who have under-achieved for years under the Three Lions banner - until Wednesday night.

"Had we waited much longer, it could have been too late. Too many could have been past it. But, on Wednesday night, I believe the whole country sensed the England team had a refreshed look about it, even though the roll call of names has not changed that much in the past couple of years." Matt Dickinson in The Times identified the importance of the "mental fillip" the result has given to the entire England operation, "from the manager to the players and on to the supporters."

And Paul Haywood said in the Daily Mail: "It may have been only one performance, one step, but at least the players can be sure the build-up to the next match against Croatia will not feature pussycats in place of the three lions, as had been the case on one Zagreb newspaper". Those very Croatian newspapers did not make such good reading for Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, who came under fire in his homeland after being so comprehensively "outwitted" by Capello.

"It was payback time, and some," Jutarnji List daily said. "This is not [Steve] McClaren's England. This is a powerful team, at the moment stronger and better than Croatia." "Hats off, Mr. Capello," said a headline in another widely circulated daily, Vecernji List. "Fabio the Great has humiliated Bilic on the eve of his [40th] birthday."

"The wily Don Fabio has shown Bilic and our boys that they need some additional education. Bilic is highly talented but still needs to fully master the trade," the Vecernji List said.

Roo

Androo's Top 10: Videogames - #10

2008-09-10T14:12:00.007+02:00

Ok so now I have a couple of 'features' that I'm happily running on my blog even though probably nobody reads it [yes that's a joke so laugh damn it!]. Starting from today I am going to list my top ten games one at a time. I'm not going to make any promises - I'll do it when I can! Believe me this is the hardest thing for me to do: listing only 10 excellent games is not an easy feat since I've probably played a bazillion of quality titles. Please note that I'll probably list more than one game in a specific position, to make things easier.

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Enough ranting and on to my list. Here's my #10: The Crash Bandicoot [PS1] Series

What made it so great?

Simple, honest to God, platforming is what made the Crash Bandicoot series one of Sony's prime PS1 games between 1997 and 2000. It's no secret that Crash was Sony's unofficial PS1 mascot to rival Nintendo's Mario and Sega's Sonic. Naughty Dog, the then third party developer, did an excellent job to create a character people actually liked and that had attitude - something that the Big N's Mario seriously lacked.

The first Crash Bandicoot was a masterpiece in itself. It was a serious of levels one afte the other with no actual plot; simply keep on beating levels and you'll arrive at the end where you can meet your nemesis N-Cortex. The simplicity worked because Crash didn't need a complex storyline at all. If it did it would have hindered the tight gameplay it is renowned for.

Crash Bandicoot 2 is my least favourite of the three. The way you moved around as well as the levels weren't up to standards that the first CB set. It is still a PS1 classic but it is far from the best platformer. I even found some of the levels annoying!

The golden apple of the CB series is the third one; Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. All of it was pure gold. The levels were varied to unprecedented levels, new characters that were introduced actually worked (I'm looking at YOU Sonic) as well as the implementation of special powers. Crash could now double-jump, triple-spin and even shoot apples from a bazooka!! These power-ups were so cleverly implemented that some even wondered how Crash could exist without them! The game sold so many copies and was so highly regarded that Sony took the plunge and bought the company that made it, Naughty Dog!

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I know that there are other CB games on the PS1 but one of them deserves a better place in the list and that is why I didn't include it here. Crash Bash, is a pitiful excuse from an unknow company to make money off the CB series after Naughty Dog sold the lincenses to them so that they could focus on their new PS2 Jak & Daxter series.

Roo

Quote of the Day: September 10th

2008-09-10T14:11:00.002+02:00

Be careful what you wish for; it might happen.

True words or wisdom!

Roo

This Day In Music: September 10th

2008-09-10T14:07:00.002+02:00

2007, Girls Aloud broke the record for most consecutive top 10 hits in the U.K. singles chart by a female act. Their latest single ‘Sexy! No No No’ entered the chart at number five giving them a run of 16 top 10 hits. The previous record was held by Destiny's Child, who had 11 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart.

2007, Pamela Anderson's ex-husband Kid Rock was involved in an alleged assault on drummer Tommy Lee, (who was also married to the actress up until 1998). Police interviewed witnesses to a tussle involving the pair at the MTV Music Video Awards in Las Vegas. Lee was removed from the ceremony while Rock, was allowed to stay.

2005, the 1967 Beatles track ‘A Day In The Life’ from Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was voted the best British song of all time by music experts. The survey by Q magazine called the track "the ultimate sonic rendition of what it means to be British". The Kinks' song ‘Waterloo Sunset’ came second in the poll and ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis was voted in third place.

2002, Chris Cowey the man behind the UK's longest running music TV show Top Of The Pops, accused record bosses of controlling the singles chart with marketing scams and as a result the chart lacked credibility and was 'full of crap records.'

2001, Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay pleaded not guilty to assault charges after being accused of hitting a photographer and destroying camera equipment outside London night-club. Photographer, Dennis Gill, alleged that on April 14, Jay Kay punched him and destroyed camera equipment worth £250 outside the Attica night-club in London's West End, the case was adjourned until October 22.

2000, Modjo started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lady'.

1999, Paul McCartney made headline news after being seen at a New York City party minus one of his front teeth after a crown broke off when he was eating. He'd lost the tooth in a motorcycle accident in 1967.

1997, an electric chair, which was used in Alcatraz and once owned by Andy Warhol, sold for £4,800 at an auction in Bristol. Warhol used to sit in the chair and watch horror movies.

1996, music journalist Ray Coleman died of cancer. Coleman had worked with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and had been the editor of the UK music weekly Melody Maker.

1994, REM were at No.9 on the UK singles chart with 'What's The Frequency Kenneth', the song the inspired by a bizarre incident when a US newsreader was attacked.

1992, appearing at the International 2, Manchester, Smashing Pumpkins, tickets £6.50.

1991, Nirvana’s single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ was released in the US.

1989, Wet Wet Wet topped the bill at a free concert held in Glasgow Scotland.

1988, Guns N' Roses started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Sweet Child O' Mine', the groups first US No.1, a No.24 hit in the UK.

1988, Phil Collins was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'A Groovy Kind Of Love', also a hit for The Mindbenders in 1966.

1984, Iron Maiden kicked off a 24-date UK tour at The Apollo Glasgow.

1983, former Stevie Wonder guitarist Michael Sembello, started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Maniac'. The track was featured in the film 'Flashdance'. A No.43 hit in the UK.

1979, Appearing live at The Assembly Rooms, Derby, England, The Police.

1977, Elvis Presley's '40 Golden Greats' went to No.1 on the UK album chart.

1974, The New York Dolls spit up. The influential American band formed in 1972 and made just two albums, the 1973 'New York Dolls' and 1974 'Too Much Too Soon'.

1973, The BBC banned The Rolling Stones single ‘Star Star’, from their Goat's Head Soup album because it contained the word "Star-fucker" in the chorus a dozen times.

1971, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin appeared at Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse.

1968, The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Hey Jude', the groups 15th UK No.1 and the longest chart topper ever at seven minutes and ten seconds. The single was the first release on the groups Apple records label.

1966, The Beatles started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Revolver', the groups ninth US chart topper.

1966, The Supremes started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'You Can't Hurry Love', the groups sixth US No.1. It made No.3 in the UK and gave Phil Collins a UK No.1 in 1982.

1965, The Byrds begin recording ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’. Unlike their first hit, ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, members of the group itself were permitted to play instead of session musicians.

1964, The Kinks third single 'You Really Got Me', was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Future Led Zeppelin founder and guitarist Jimmy Page played tambourine on the track.

1964, Rod Stewart recorded his first single, a version of Willie Dixon's 'Good Morning Little School Girl.' Future Led Zeppelin bass player John Paul Jones played on the session.

1963, during a chance meeting between The Rolling Stones at Studio 51 Jazz Club in London with Paul McCartney and John Lennon, the two played the Stones a partly finished song 'I Wanna Be Your Man' which the Stones later record.

1963, The Daily Mirror published a two-page article about The Beatles. Written by Donald Zec, the feature is entitled ‘Four Frenzied Little Lord Fauntleroys Who Are Earning 5,000 Pounds A Week’ Zec, who had attended a Beatles concert in Luton on Sept. 6 and then invited them to his home to complete the interview, referred to The Beatles' haircuts as ‘A stone-age hair style’. The article provided a major boost to their career.

1962, The BBC banned Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and the Crypt Kickers single 'Monster Mash' saying it was offensive. The single went on to be a UK No.3 hit in 1973.

Roo

Quote of the Day: September 8th

2008-09-08T10:37:00.003+02:00

RAP means Retards Attempting Poetry.

Now that's class!

Roo

This Day In Music: September 6th

2008-09-06T14:52:00.002+02:00

2006, Victor Willis, who performed as the policeman in The Village People was given three years probation for drugs offences after pleading no contest to the charges, dating from March 2006. Willis co-wrote some of the group's biggest hits - including ‘YMCA’ and ‘In The Navy.’

2001, Earth Wind and Fire announced that Viagra would sponsor their forthcoming 30th anniversary American tour.

1997, Elton John recorded a new version of 'Candle In The Wind' after performing the song live at Diana Princess of Wales funeral. A record 31.5 million across the UK watched Elton play the special tribute to Diana. The track went on to become the biggest selling single of all-time.

1990, Tom Fogerty guitarist with Creedence Clearwater Revival died aged 49, due to complications from AIDS acquired during a blood transfusion.

1985, 'Desperately Seeking Susan' went on general release in the UK, the movie featured Madonna and Rosanna Arquette.

1980, U2 kicked off the first leg of their 29 date UK 'Boy tour' at the General Woolfe in Coventry, England.

1970, Jimi Hendrix made his final live appearance when he appeared at the Isle Of Fehmarn in Germany. The guitarist died on 18th Sept this year after choking on his own vomit.

1968, working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recoded overdubs onto the new George Harrison song ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Eric Clapton added the guitar solo and became the first outside musician to play on a Beatles recording and George recorded his lead vocal.

Roo

World Cup 2010 Qualifiers: England vs Andorra

2008-09-06T14:37:00.002+02:00

And so it begins, the saga for world supremacy in football! England meet Andorra at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona 17 months after being frustrated by the whipping boys of European footbal in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

England were jeered and booed by their own fans before scoring three second-half goals to win 3-0.

Terry said on the eve of Saturday's match: "As players we understand and take the responsibility of the last two years of disappointments.

"We understand the fans' frustration. After 20 minutes last time the fans did not get their goal and they went against. Stick with us, it's a new campaign, it's a fresh start and we go again.

"We need the fans' support, we realise they pay an awful lot of money for their tickets and travel - and it's about time we put on a performance and got the results for the fans and the whole nation," he added.

Terry said the World Cup qualifiers represented a "fresh start" for England after the disappointment of missing out on Euro 2008.

"We start here against Andorra, hopefully we'll get a good start and take that confidence into the Croatia game."

England face Croatia on Wednesday in Zagreb, the team that knocked them out of the qualifiers for the Euros last November with a 3-2 win at Wembley Stadium.

England will be without central defender Rio Ferdinand on Saturday (back) and either Joleon Lescott, Matthew Upson or Wes Brown will partner Terry in the middle of the England back line.

Quote of the Day: September 6th

2008-09-06T14:30:00.005+02:00

Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity.

The most blunt, yet true, saying I ever heard.

Roo

"You play?" - The best commercial EVER!

2008-09-06T09:52:00.002+02:00

Roo

Metallica's Death Magnetic ready for download!

2008-09-05T09:17:00.003+02:00

Well, the loooooooong wait is over. The follow-up to 2003's sonic abortion St. Anger, Death Magnetic, is up for download (I just wrote an oxymoron ha!) long before it's 12th September release date. Metallica won't be happy but who cares?! At least it's compensation for the unlucky sods like me who spent £12 on St. Anger.

Download the album from HERE(password: metal-forever).

Roo

PS: I'll post comments after I listen to it thoroughly. Hope the guys still have it in them.

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop! Good lord another one...

2008-09-05T09:10:00.002+02:00

Straight from the Gibson Lifestyle website:

As the lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, Slash singlehandedly revitalized the electric guitar with some of the most blistering, colossal riffs know to mortal man. At a time when the spirit of rock and roll and heavy metal was adrift, Slash appeared and with a vengeance slammed it back on course. And he did it with an arsenal of Gibson Les Paul Standards, now immortalized in Gibson’s incredibly popular collection of Slash Signature Les Pauls.

With the introduction of the USA Slash Signature Goldtop and the Epiphone Limited Edition Slash Les Paul Goldtop, Gibson is paying further homage to the man who embodies rock and roll.

The new Slash Signature Goldtop from Gibson USA – limited to just 1,000 guitars worldwide – is a heartfelt tribute to Slash and one of his most beloved guitars. With Slash offering his valuable input, Gibson USA has able to build one of its legendary Goldtops with all the individual features and unique characteristics that arouse Slash’s creative and musical instincts.

The new Slash Signature Goldtop from Gibson USA starts with a standard, un-chambered mahogany body with Gibson’s traditional weight relief system, consisting of a series of “Swiss cheese” holes that give it a comfortable yet heavy feel, exactly as Slash likes his Les Pauls. The body is topped by one of the Les Paul’s trademark features — a hand-carved maple top. The body is then painted with the same finish as the first Les Paul model in 1952 – Bullion Gold with an aged Cherry back.

A pair of Seymour Duncan Alnico II pickups – exactly the same pickups Slash uses on many of his guitars – provides all the power, punch and performance expected of a Slash Les Paul. The Slash-designed neck is a solid piece of mahogany with a hybrid profile that takes the roundness of the Les Paul necks of the late 1950s, matching it with the slimness of the necks from the early 1960s. Slash’s personal skull/crossbones and top hat logo with signature adorn the headstock.

At Slash’s urging, the electronics of the new Goldtop were enhanced to include proprietary wiring, caps, resistors and tone pots that give the new Slash Goldtop its own unique tone. It is also set up using the revolutionary Plek system — a computer controlled set-up that carefully measures and dresses each fret, accurately measuring the height4 between the fingerboard and the string, virtually eliminating string buzz and providing unbeatable playability.

Other features include a TonePro Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, all chrome hardware, Kluson-style Gibson tuners, and a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity in a metal fold-over frame. The guitar comes in a custom-made hardshell case with Slash’s logo screened on the smooth black exterior, and a plush white interior.

The new Slash Signature Goldtop from Gibson USA is a fitting tribute to a true rock music legend, and one of the best guitarists to ever pick up a Les Paul Standard. "

Custom pots and caps huh? I'd have to research this out. Instead of buying the Goldtop, just rewire my Slash Signature and hey-presto I have the 'custom' Slash wiring coupled with the best finish.

Roo

FAIL: An overheard conversation with an IDIOT...

2008-09-04T11:17:00.005+02:00

Customer: "Do y'all carry Super Mario for X-Box?"
Employee: "Oh, no... I'm sorry, you can only play Mario games on Nintendo."
Customer:She was not to be discouraged so easily. "How about for PlayStation?"
Employee: "No... Nintendo owns Mario, it has to be a Nintendo."
Customer: "He's lying. We play Super Mario on Wii all the time."

Roo

I'd like to wish a....

2008-09-04T10:09:00.000+02:00

...to me.

This Day In Music: September 4th

2008-09-04T10:04:00.005+02:00

I'd like to excuse myself for the lack of this article. I've been extremely busy and didn't have time to write all this. Well, here's what happen on my birthday several years ago in the world of music!

September 4th:

1996, Oasis created outrage at the MTV awards held at New York's Radio City Hall. During the bands performance of 'Champagne Supernova' singer Liam spat on stage and threw a beer into the crowd.

1984, U2 played the first of five nights at Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia during their Unforgettable Fire World tour.

1982, The Steve Miller Band started a two week run at No.2 on the US singles chart with 'Abracadabra' the groups third US No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK.

1976, The Sex Pistols made their television debut when they appeared on the Manchester based Granada TV program 'So It Goes'.

1971, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin appeared at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada.

1968, The Beatles recorded promotional videos for ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Revolution’ at Twickenham Film Studios. The vocals are recorded live over the pre-recorded instrumental tracks to get round the current British Musicians Union ban on lip-sync performances. For ‘Hey Jude’, The Beatles were accompanied by a 36-piece orchestra and 300 fans and other assorted extras who join in singing the long refrain.

1965, The Who had their van stolen containing over £5000 worth of equipment outside the Battersea Dogs Home. The band were inside the home at the time buying a guard dog. The van was later recovered.

1954, to coincide with the release of his second Sun single, ‘Good Rockin' Tonight’, Elvis Presley, along with Bill Black and Scotty Moore made their first appearance at The Grand Old Opry. The audience reaction was so poor, the Opry's manager, Jim Denny told Elvis that he should go back to driving a truck.

Roo

Tomorrow is...

2008-09-03T10:46:00.002+02:00

...just another day that marks my 6930th day on this planet. You do the math (or look at the picture for a little hint)!

Roo

Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame Honours Les Paul!

2008-09-03T01:09:00.003+02:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the "father of the electric guitar" this fall. Les Paul will be honored at the annual American Music Masters series, a weeklong event that begins Nov. 10, Rock Hall officials said Tuesday. A tribute concert - artists will be named later - is scheduled Nov. 15 at Cleveland's State Theater.

Paul, 93, is hoping to attend, said Rock Hall President and CEO Terry Stewart.

"You have an inductee who in some ways maybe has had one of the biggest influences of all our inductees with the creation of his solid-body guitar, overdubbing ... not to mention his musical styling and his ability to play," Stewart said. "He's become an idol and an icon to people in the rock world, as well as people in jazz and popular music."

Paul began playing guitar as a child and by 13 was performing semiprofessionally as a country-music guitarist. He later made his mark as a jazz-pop musician, recording hits like "How High the Moon" with his wife, singer Colleen Summers.

He built a solid-body electric guitar in 1941 - an invention born from his frustration that audiences were unable to hear him play.

In 1952, Gibson introduced the Les Paul model, which became the instrument of choice for musicians such as Duane Allman, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

"It's not just his innovation and his musical playing, but sort of the residual effects of that guitar," Stewart said. "It's become the beginning point for so many people in music, particularly rock music."

Paul still performs weekly at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City. He was inducted into the early influence category of the Rock Hall in 1988.

Paul is only the second living recipient of the annual American Music Masters award, which began in 1996 to pay tribute to artists who helped change American culture. Jerry Lee Lewis was the first living recipient in 2007. Past recipients include Woody Guthrie, Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke.

Roo

WE HAVE BERBA!!

2008-09-02T01:52:00.006+02:00

Finally, after a very very very long day the transfer window has just been officially closed and with it came the most joyful news: Dimitar Berbatov is an official Manchester United player. The European Champions have signed Spurs striker for a 4-year deal and is expected to make his Premier League debut against title rivals Liverpool.

As part of the deal, United striker Fraizer Campbell will spend the rest of the 2008/09 season on loan at White Hart Lane. Upon becoming a United player, Dimitar told ManUtd.com: "Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me. I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come."

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to finally capture the elegant striker and admitted: "This is a key signing. Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football. His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I’m sure he will be a popular player with the fans."

Of course, fans like myself are over the moon with delight. One of us [fans] had this to say: "Just picture this: Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo heading at you. God have mercy on our opponents." - Daniel Griminger. Just try to imagine that situation yourself. It's actually quite funny for us, and dreadfully terrifying for the Premier League hopefuls.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 30th

2008-08-30T10:46:00.002+02:00

2007, Rap star Lil Wayne was sued by a woman for $1m who claimed she was crushed at one of his concerts after a large amount of cash was thrown into the audience. Tyrique Layne, then 17, said she lost consciousness after being trampled by the crowd at a gig in Maryland in October 2006, and had suffered memory loss and severe headaches.

1997, members from The Wu-Tang Clan were arrested after the alleged assault on a record promotions manager after a show in Chicago.

1989, Izzy Stradlin from Guns N' Roses was arrested for making a public disturbance on a US air flight. Stradlin had urinated on the floor, verbally abused a stewardess and smoked in the non-smoking section of the aircraft.

1988, Bruce Springsteen's wife Julianne filed for a divorce after newspapers published photos of Springsteen and backing singer Patti Scialfa together.

1972, John Lennon and Yoko Ono played Madison Square Gardens to raise money for the One to One charity. Stevie Wonder, Sha Na Na and Roberta Flack also appeared at the event. Lennon personally bought $60,000 worth of tickets which were given to volunteer fund-raisers. Several of the performances were later included on Lennon’s, Live in New York City album.

1969, two weeks after the Woodstock festival, the second Isle of Wight festival took place. Over 150,000 turned up over the two days to see Bob Dylan, The Band, Blodwyn Pig, Blonde On Blonde, Bonzo Dog Dooh Dah Band, Edgar Broughton Band, Joe Cocker, Aynsley Dunbar, Family, Fat Mattress, Julie Felix, Free, Gypsy, Richie Havens, The Moody Blues, The Nice, Tom Paxton, Pentangle, The Pretty Things, Third Ear Band and The Who. Tickets 25 shillings, ($3.00). Celebrities who attended include Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, John & Yoko, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jane Fonder, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton.

1969, The three day Texas Pop Festival took place featuring Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Sam & Dave, Santana, Johnny Winter, Grand Funk Railroad, Delaney & Bonnie, Nazz, Spirit, BB King, Canned Heat and Chicago. Over 120,000 fans attended the festival.

More at ThisDayInMusic.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 29th

2008-08-29T13:46:00.001+02:00

2005, 77-year-old Fats Domino was rescued from the flooding in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. He had earlier told his agent that he planned to remain in his home despite the order to evacuate.

2003, winners at this years MTV Video Music awards held in New York included, Missy Elliot, Video of the year for 'Work It', Viewers Choice award, 'Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous' Good Charlotte, Rap Video went to 50 Cent for 'In Da Club', Pop Video, Justin Timberlake, 'Cry Me A River.' Maddona stunned a packed Radio City Hall audience by passionately kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during a racy version of 'Like A Virgin.'

2000, Slipknot caused chaos at this years Kerrang! Awards, after smashing glasses, setting fire to their table, throwing a monitor off the stage and destroying a microphone. The band picked up 3 awards including best single and best live act.

1990, Elton John checked into a rehab center in Chicago to receive treatment for bulimia, alcoholism and drugs.

1987, Def Leppard scored their first UK No.1 album with 'Hysteria', which also became No.1 on the US chart in July the following year after spending forty-nine weeks working its way to the top.

1984, U2 kicked off their Unforgettable Fire World Tour at Christchurch Town Hall in New Zealand, the first of 19 shows in Australia and New Zealand.

1977, three people were arrested in Memphis after trying to steal Elvis' body. As a result, his remains would be later moved to Graceland.

1976, appearing at The Screen On The Green, London, England, The Sex Pistols supported by The Clash and The Buzzcocks.

1966, The Beatles played their last concert before a paying audience, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California to a sold-out crown of 25,000. John and Paul, knowing what the fans do not (that this will be the last concert ever) bring cameras on stage and take pictures between songs. During this tour, The Beatles have not played a single song from their latest album, ‘Revolver’. They finished the show with a version of Little Richards 'Long Tall Sally'.

More at ThisDayInMusic.

Roo

Manchester United winger, C. Ronaldo, grabs the gold!

2008-08-28T23:53:00.002+02:00

Christiano Ronaldo, Manchester United's star, grabbed UEFA's European Club Footballer of the Year. He was also honoured with the Best Striker award for scoring 42 goals last season, eight of them in the UEFA Champions League.

I still believe that Rooney is the better option as a penalty-kick taker. Just my 2c.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 28th

2008-08-28T11:49:00.001+02:00

2005, Rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight was admitted to hospital after being shot in the leg at a party hosted by hip hop star Kanye West. The party was held at a club in Miami, Florida, to celebrate this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

2005, Green Day cleaned up at this years MTV awards held in Miami winning seven awards including, Video of the Year for ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ and the Viewer's Choice Award.

1996, Issac Hayes, who co-wrote the Sam and Dave's classic ‘Soul Man’, sent a protest letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole, requesting Dole to stop using his song, which supporters had changed to ‘I’m A Dole Man.’

1993, Billy Joel started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'River Of Dreams.' Joel claimed most of the music came to him in his sleep, hence the title. The singers second wife, one time model Christie Brinkley, painted the album cover which was later voted worst album cover of the year.

1988, Kylie Minogue set a new UK record when her debut album 'Kylie' became the biggest selling album by a female artist in Britain with sales of almost two million.

1972, Alice Cooper was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'School's Out'.

1968, working at Trident Studios, London, The Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song ‘Dear Prudence’. They built the song instrument by instrument, utilizing the 8-track equipment at Trident. John and George played guitars, while Paul plays drums to compensate for Ringo, who had quit The Beatles on August 22.

1965, The Rolling Stones announced that Allen Klein, who they had met three days earlier, would co-manage the group along with Andrew Long Oldham. At the same time, The Stones signed a five-year recording deal with Decca Records.

1961, Tamla Records released the Marvelettes first single, ‘Please Mr. Postman’. The song went on to sell over a million copies and become the group's biggest hit, reaching the top of both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

Metallica release their 2nds single: My Apocalypse!

2008-08-27T11:42:00.003+02:00

Death Magnetic, Metallica most recent album is due for release on September 12th, yet they are keeping us [fans] busy with singles. A few days ago Metallica released their first single, The Day That Never Comes and today they've released a new single, My Apocalypse (CLICK on title to download).

Paul Magmar [him...] (click here for some trivia on him as well as his first contribution to this blog!) is still unimpressed with Lars, Metallica's drummer, yet he had all this to say on My Apocalypse:
"Second Single released 25th august.. that was quick!! The blood of thrash still runs into 'tallica's veins as seen on My Apocalypse. Awesome riffage and soloing. What seems to screw things up, once again, is the drum line."

Roo

PS: Click HERE for some information on, as well as a download link for, The Day That Never Comes.

This Day In Music: August 27th

2008-08-27T09:26:00.001+02:00

2004, Winners at this years Kerrang! awards included The Darkness for best British band and best live band, best band on the planet award went to Metallica. Green Day were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame, Lostprophets won the best single for ‘Last Train Home’ and best album went to Muse for ‘Absolution’.

2004, appearing at this years UK Carling Weekend in Reading and Leeds: Green Day, The Darkness, The White Stripes, Morrissey, The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, The Hives, 50 Cent, (50 Cent was booed off stage after being greeted by a rain of bottles thrown at him and his G-Unit crew as they came onstage). The Streets, The Vines, Soulwax, Dogs Die In Hot Cars, The Offspring, Ash, Placebo and Lostprophets.

2003, P Diddy was being sued for $5m (£3.20m) by a woman who claimed she was assaulted by a bouncer outside his New York restaurant. Stephanie Grieso, said she was arguing outside Justin's in August 2002 when a bouncer grabbed her by the neck and pushed her down on the pavement, causing leg injuries.

2001, Five were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Let's Dance', the groups final UK No.1.

2000, percussionist Richard Jaeger died. Worked with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Pointer Sisters.

1999, appearing at The Carling Reading three day festival, The Charlatans, Blur, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Offspring, Catatonia, Reef, The Chemical Brothers, The Divine Comedy, Pavement, Silverchair, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, tickets, £78.

1994, Boyz II Men started a 14 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'll Make Love To You', a No.5 hit in the UK. The record- breaking 14 week stay came to an end when they knocked themselves from the top with 'On Bended Knee'.

1993, this was the first day of the three day Reading Festival with headline acts New Order, The The, The Lemonheads, Rage Against The Machine, Dinosaur JR, plus on the Melody Maker stage, Blur, Radiohead, The Boo Radleys and Shampoo.

1992, John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to The Beatles song ‘A Day In The Life’ sold at an auction for $87,000, (£47,220).

1990, Stevie Ray Vaughan was killed when the helicopter he was flying in, hit a man-made ski slope while trying to navigate through dense fog. Vaughn had played a show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin with Robert Cray & His Memphis Horns, and Eric Clapton. Vaughan was informed by a member of Clapton's crew that three seats were open on a helicopter returning to Chicago with Clapton's crew, it turned out there was only one seat left; Vaughan requested it from his brother, who obliged. Three members of Eric Clapton's entourage were also killed. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Stevie Ray Vaughan #7 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

1988, 'Monkey' gave George Michael his eighth US No.1 single of the 1980s, a record only beaten by Michael Jackson.

1988, Tracy Chapman went to No.1 on the US album chart with her self-titled album.

1983, Barry Manilow appeared at Blenheim Palace the British stately home.

1982, during a North American tour Queen appeared in Myriad, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
1977, The Floaters were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Float On'.

1969, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin played two shows at the Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Haven.

1967, The Beatles manager Brian Epstein was found dead, locked in a bedroom at his London home. A coroner's inquest concluded that Epstein died from an overdose of the sleeping pill Carbitrol.

More at This Day In Music.

Roo

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes: READ OUT LOUD!

2008-08-26T15:00:00.002+02:00

Roo

A few words from our neighbourhood drummer: Paul!

2008-08-26T14:40:00.006+02:00

Following my last blog post about Metallica's new single Paul (aka Magmar, Mags, Maggy etc..) wrote some words for me to post on here about the single and the album in general:

"Although James Hetfield's voice is not as sharp as it was back when they released their self titled masterpiece [the 'Black Album'], the front man appears on the album with vocals which without any doubt are far better than the ones on the band's previous studio album, 2003's release "St. Anger". Hetfield's fellow 6 stringer, lead guitarist Kirk Hammet also made a return to his roots as he colours the new singles with his signature "old school" solos which aid Hetfield's riffs to produce the classical Metallica sound. The band's ninth studio album is also bassist's Robert Trujillo writing debut and as seen and heard so far, Trujillo is doing a pretty good job. The bass riff on "Cyanide" (which was debuted live at Ozzfest 08) proves that back in 2003, Metallica made the right pick when they were replacing Newstead. To the disappointment of many, the band's cofounder Lars Ulrich did not offer the fans what they were expecting. The first single off from the new album titled "The Day that never comes" was described by the media as a reminiscent of the epic breakthrough single "One, but on the contrary to the latter, Ulrich doesn’t offer that machine gun drumming he did offer back in the old days. Let’s just hope that on the remaining nine tracks of the new album Ulrich delights the fans with the legendary sound which made Metallica the Icons of Metal."

Some trivia on Paul:
Mags is a musician. Wait... scratch that... he's a drummer actually (the picture proves it!). He has been a fan of Metallica since his foray into metal music. It is because of Metallica's drummer that he started playing drums and it is his personal aim to be better than his drumming hero (yeah right...). He is also the only guy who's as tall *cough* as I am. Magmar is also known to lurk in the shadows of the living room late into the night watching YouTube videos on his laptop (formerly on mine) as well as writing (silly :P) riffs on Guitar Pro 5. Paul is also allergic to any kind of shirt and is mostly seen bear-chested.

Roo

FINALLY: Metallica release their first single from Death Magnetic!

2008-08-26T13:56:00.004+02:00

Yep they did. After such a long long wait Metallica release their first single, The Day That Never Comes, from their highly anticipated new album due for release of September 12th Death Magnetic.

The song is definitely a return to their roots - a relief to many fans including myself. Metallica have also recorded a music video of the song which will premier near the album's release date. James Hetfield had a few words to say about the album and the new song:
"That's the beauty, I think, of writing vague but powerful lyrics — that someone like a movie director can interpret it in his own way and obviously, someone creative is able to take the metaphors and apply them to whatever he needs in his own life," the frontman explained. "The main [theme of the video] is the human element of forgiveness and someone doing you wrong, you feeling resentment and you being able to see through that in the next situation that might be similar and not take your rage or resentment out on the next person and basically keep spreading the disease of that through life...The one thing that I wasn't keen on here was Metallica plugging into a modern war or a current event [that] might be construed as some sort of political statement on our part... There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions, and people believe it's more valid because they're popular. For us, people are people — you should all have your own opinion. We are hopefully putting the human element in what is an unfortunate part of life. There are people over there dealing with situations like this, and we're showing the human part of being there."

METALLICA ARE BACK!!! And I mean it. Welcome back guys.

Roo

PS: You can download the song off of iTunes, or for the unlucky sods with no money or iTunes account from HERE.

This Day In Music: August 26th

2008-08-26T13:47:00.000+02:00

2007, Police who raided the home of US rap star DMX, found 12 neglected pit bulls terrier dogs and a number of guns. The bodies of three more dogs had been buried. No arrests were made and DMX told police he had not been at the property in Arizona for at least two months. The rapper who had launched his own range of dog clothing, including caps, scarves and raincoats for canines also featured on the cover of his latest album, Year of the Dog... Again, with a pit bull straining at the leash.

2005, A post office near the Los Angeles studio where Ray Charles recorded much of his music was renamed after the R&B legend. A federal bill was signed by US President George Bush to rename the post office. Charles, died in June 2004 at the age of 74, suffering from acute liver disease.

2005, Green Day were named best band on the planet at the 12th annual Kerrang! rock awards, they also won best live act. Welsh metal group Funeral For a Friend won best British band, while New Jersey's My Chemical Romance picked up best album and best video. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame.

2003, Rolling Stone Magazine named Jimi Hendrix as the greatest guitarist in Rock history. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ry Cooder also made the top 10 list.

1970, appearing over three days at the third Isle Of Wight Festival, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, (his last ever UK appearance), Donovan, Jethro Tull, Miles Davis, Arrival, Cactus, Family, Taste, Mungo Jerry, ELP, The Doors, The Who, Spirit, The Moody Blues, Chicago, Procol Harum, Sly and the Family Stone and Free. Weekend tickets, £3.

1967, The Beatles held a press conference at University College in Bangor, North Wales with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Beatles announced that they had become disciples of the guru and that they renounced the use of drugs. The four had become members of the Maharishi's 'Spiritual Regeneration Movement', which obligated them to donate one week's earnings each month to the organization.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

I found it!!!

2008-08-25T23:49:00.004+02:00

Let me tell you a little story:

Last December Androo returned home from another week in Malta for the Christmas holiday ready to spend as much time playing the guitar and the Wii as humanly possible. What he was really looking forward to was the fact that on Christmas day his whole family would gather in the living room and since it was the first Christmas with a Nintendo Wii Androo was already prepering a Wii Sports Competition. But alas when Christmas came round one of the Wii Remotes disappeared. His mum and dad as well as himself searched every nook and cranny in the house but to no avail it was no where to be seen.

Fast forward to the 23rd of August 2008 and Androo, while prepering for his British cousine's wedding, lost something else; this time the glasses. Again his mum and dad as well as himself turned the house upside down to try to find it but it was nowhere to be seen!!

But guess what? Thanks to the lost glasses Androo found his long lost Wii Remote!! Not only that but a long disappeared Distortion Pedal, the Dunlop guitar polish as well as the Fender Channel Switcher. Androo couldn't be happier!

Roo

Manchester United seal their first Premier League win!

2008-08-25T23:38:00.002+02:00

FA Cup winners Portsmouth struggled to keep up with the Reds as the Manchester United lads held the game in their hands (feet?). Fletcher scored an easy goal after Evra and Tevez did all the work for him to finish. Rooney was denied a very dubious offside goal as well as a clear penalty. All in all, the better team won and if this game was a sign of things to come Manchester United have a pretty bright 08/09 season in front of them.

Shouldn't be a surprise to anyone actually.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 25th

2008-08-25T10:06:00.000+02:00

2005, Two former members of Guns N' Roses were suing singer Axl Rose for allegedly naming himself sole administrator of the US rock band's copyrights. Slash and Duff - otherwise known as Saul Hudson and Michael McKagan, accused Rose of "arrogance and ego". The legal action claimed the singer "was no longer willing to acknowledge the contributions of his former partners".

2001, US singer, actress Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas aged 22. The small Cessna plane crashed a few minutes after take off killing everyone on board with exception to four passengers who were pulled from the wreckage but later died. Aaliyah had been filming a video for her latest release ‘Rock The Boat’ on the island.

1997, a deranged man who had escaped from a mental institution near Helsinki Finland was arrested. The man had planned to set fire to the stage that Michael Jackson was performing from was arrested before he was able to light the gasoline he had put on the stage.

1994, Jimmy Page and Robert plant recorded their MTV unplugged set at London's television centre.

1979, The Knack started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'My Sharona', the groups only US chart topper, a No.6 hit in the UK. Lead singer Doug Fieger said he was inspired to write the tune by Sharrona Alperin, a 17 year old senior at Los Angeles' Fairfax High.

1970, Elton John made his US live debut when he kicked off a 17-date tour at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. In the audience that night were Don Henley, Quincy Jones and Leon Russell. Elton’s latest single ‘Border Song’ had just debuted at number 92 on the US chart.

1967, Brian Wilson returned to performing live with The Beach Boys in Honolulu after a 2 year hiatus. The group had just released ‘Heroes and Villains’ in the US.

More at This day in Music.

Roo

Apology!

2008-08-25T09:58:00.004+02:00

Sorry to all the people who visit my blog (both of you). I haven't updated since Thursday and that is because I have been on a weekend holiday at my girlfriend's place in Zebbug for the local feast.

I'll continue my 'This Day In Music' feature from today onwards. I'll try to make a separate post on the feast itself sometime this week.

Roo

Miserable display by the British lads!

2008-08-21T15:56:00.003+02:00

Yesterday a slew of international teams played friendlies before the actually qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup start next month. England played Czech Republic at the new Wembly Stadium and it was one of the worst football matches ever played by the British national team. What's even worse is hearing Capello's after-match comments saying that "the team played well." A 2-2 draw saved by a late stoppage-time goal by J. Coal is not great it's insanely bad.

Capello chose the wrong squad in my opinion. Beckham has shown time and time again that he is useless on an international level while Emile Heskey should have been left at Wigan. Where was Bently, Barry or even Lennon? The first qualifying match against Croatia in September will be a very tough one. I have no idea how Capello will redeem himself in the coming matches. Let's hope he does or he can kiss his international career bye bye.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 21st

2008-08-21T11:38:00.001+02:00

2006, a man surfing the Internet in America foiled three men who broke into a Liverpool shop in Liverpool, England. The man who had logged onto a site streaming live footage of Mathew Street and a forthcoming Beatles festival saw the men smashing a window of a shop and climb inside. He phoned Merseyside police who arrested the men.

2005, Robert Moog, inventor of the synthesiser died aged 71, four months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Dr Moog built his first electronic instrument, a theremin - aged 14 and made the MiniMoog, "the first compact, easy-to-use synthesiser" in 1970. He won the Polar prize, Sweden's "music Nobel prize", in 2001. Wendy Carlos' 1968 Grammy award-winning album, Switched-On Bach, brought Dr Moog to prominence.

2004, a man from Stoke-on-Trent, England, named Bryan Adams as the ‘other man’ in his divorce papers after years spent trying to cope with his wife’s obsession with the singer. Rob Tinsley said he had to live with a 6ft cut-out of Adams which stood at the foot of the bed and posters on the bedroom walls.

1997, ex-Stone Roses drummer Alan Wren was jailed for seven days after being rude to a top Manchester Magistrate. He was before the court due to having no car insurance and lost his temper after being quizzed about his earnings.

1997, Oasis' third album 'Be Here Now', became one of the fastest selling albums ever, shifting over a million copies on the first day of release.

1983, Ramones guitarist Johnny Ramone had a four-hour brain surgery operation, after being found unconscious in a New York Street where he had been involved in a fight.

1982, U2 singer Bono married Alison Stewart, his girlfriend from 1975 at All Saints Church, Raheny in Ireland. U2 bassist Adam Clayton acted as Bono's best man.

1969, during a North American tour Led Zeppelin appeared at the Carousel Theatre in Framingham, Massachusetts.

1966, on their last ever US tour The Beatles performed in two cities due to a cancellation due to rain the previous day. First they performed at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Then they flew to St. Louis, Missouri, for a concert at Busch Stadium, where they performed under a tarpaulin due to heavy rain. It was this gig that convinced Paul McCartney that The Beatles should stop performing live.

More at This day in Music

Androo's Gear: #2

2008-08-20T09:31:00.009+02:00

Hey guys, I'm back today with a very special feature: reviewing my Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard. I'm going to split my review in various sections for the sake of clarity.

History:
The 2008 Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard is Slash's third signature guitar from Gibson. The first, launched in 1995, had a reddish finish along with the Slash's Snakepit logo on the body. On the neck it had the cool snake inlays. Only 400 of these were made internationally. Buying one today would cost you about £8000.

The second signature model, launched in 2004, is still available through Gibson's Custom Shop. I personally do not like the finish on this one; it features a plain-top and finished in tobacco burst. Not exactly my cup of tea. It also has (this is what I really like about this guitar) a Fishman Pro bridge with a mini toggle switch between the knobs. It gives the guitar that authentic acoustic sound when turned on.

Along with the 2008 Standard Gibson decided to release another two - one from Custom Shop and one from Epiphone. The Custom Shop model features Slash's original 1988 Les Paul Standard's finish and body type while the Epiphone is basically a cheap version of Gibson's Standard. The Custom Shop version is limited to 400 units, the Gibson Les Paul Standard 1600 units and Epiphone's Standard to 2400 units worldwide.

Features:
* AA Figured Maple top Antique Vintage Sunburst Nitro-cellulose lacquer finish (Burst color formula personally chosen by Slash);
* Un-chambered Mahogany body finished in Slash's preferred dark walnut colour;
* Custom one-piece Mahogany neck designed by Slash. Never offered before and available only in this model;
* Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Humbucking pickups. Made in the USACustom Slash-designed artwork and logo on the headstock;
* 22-fret Bound Rosewood fingerboard;
* Chrome hardware;
* Tone Pros Locking Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge;
* Tone Pros light stopbar tailpiece;
* Custom smooth black case with white interior and Slash artwork and logo;
* Certificate of Authenticity.

I have to add that I did not receive a CoA. I bought my guitar from Ishibashi, a large Japanese retail chain of stores and they informed me that they do not have any certificates. I truly am disappointed about this omission. The rest, as stated in the list of features is all there in all it's glory.

Looks:

This lovely instrument is finished in Antique Vintage Sunburst on a figured maple top, features vintage binding around the body and neck as well as amber/cream and gold plastics coupled with nickel hardware. It is really a B-E-A-utiful guitar. I couldn't, and still cannot, stop staring at it whenever I open the case. The guys at Gibson have truly made a wonderful job on this guitar. Kudos to all of them.

A nice little touch on the LP Standard is Slash's artwork which is custom painted on the headstock and on the case as well by Gibson's Custom Shop artists. I'll let you judge from the slew of pictures in this article!

Electronics:
Like all of Slash's guitar this one features a set of Seymour Duncan's Alnico Pro II humbuckers. All I can say is that I am truly impressed. I had read all over the internet that these humbuckers are very mellow, very soft and bluesy and I wasn't expecting much to be honest. I couldn't have been more wrong. They are, in one word, perfect. I was able to get as much gain as I wanted without any static noise whatsoever - a drastic difference from my Ibanez!

Of course, the Les Paul's electronics are the base of these humbuckers. Like all LP Standards this one features two volume and two tone knobs, two for each humbucker respectively. With these magical knobs one could sound his/her guitar pretty much exactly as he/she likes. As I said in my review of my Ibanez I didn't like the lack of customization options on it. The LP's, on the other hand, are unlimited! I could create the most mellow of blues to the heaviest of metal. With the right equipment one can basically sound exactly like they want!

The LP really shines is when it's on its clean channel. This is where most guitars fail miserably, including my Ibanez (but not to the miserable level... maybe 'unsatisfactory'. Yeah that's it...), but not the Les Paul. It is not bassy, not trebly, not too bright, not too deep. Epic. You have to hear it to believe. Incredible.

Playability (Feel, ease of play and finally it's tone):
The guitar is wholly made of mahogany except the figured maple top on the body. This is, along with it's shape (IMHO), the Les Paul's secret weapon. This is where that sound comes from. The same humbuckers on a different guitar would sound so much different you wouldn't believe that they are the very same. Other features that helps the guitar's sound is the fit-through neck.

Unlike other guitars, which feature a bolt-on neck the LP's neck is glued into the body to eliminate any air bubbles and gives the guitar a much tighter neck. As listed in the features above this model features a Slash-Profile neck which is basically somewhere between the 50s chunky profile and the 60s slim neck. Coupled with the smooth Rosewood fret-board this is one comfortably neck! From the very first time that you hold it in your hands you can tell that this is a quality instrument. It feels tight, hard and virtually has no fret-buzz on the neck whatsoever. It is very easy to play except the when on higher frets one would have to adjust to the shape since the Les Paul body starts from approximately the 15th fret.

Because of the wood used to build this guitar, the shape and of course the electronics the Les Paul has that distinctive tone which is definitely not sparse here. I could sear that this guitar has a soul. Honest! It just feels so alive when you're playing! I really thought that people exagerated when they mentioned the Les Paul. I believe them now that I own one. It is truly, magic.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 20th

2008-08-20T09:25:00.004+02:00

2007, the funeral of Manchester music mogul and broadcaster, Tony Wilson was held at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Manchester. Peter Hook and Stephen Morris - two members of first Factory signing Joy Division, and later incarnation, New Order attended along with Happy Mondays front man, Shaun Ryder.

2003, Madame Tussauds in London opened an interactive Pop Idol display with a speaking waxwork of judge Simon Cowell. The waxwork made comments such as: 'That was extraordinary. Unfortunately extraordinarily bad.' 'Do you really think that you could become a Pop Idol' Well then you're deaf.' 'Thank you. Goodbye and That was the worst performance I've ever seen.'

1991, Nirvana and Sonic Youth kicked off a joint European tour at Sir Henry’s Pub, Cork, Ireland.

1988, two rock fans died while 'slam dancing' as Guns N' Roses played at the 'Monsters Of Rock' Festival, Castle Donington.

1986, Rick Allen drummer with Def Leppard made his first live appearance with the band after losing an arm in a car accident, when they appeared at the Monsters Of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, England.

1971, on the second night of a North American tour, Led Zeppelin appeared at the Seattle Centre Coliseum, Seattle, Washington.

1969, after finishing ‘I Want You, (She’s So Heavy), The Beatles worked on the running order for the Abbey Road album. A preliminary master tape was compiled, The medley was originally slated for side one of the album, and the placement of ‘Octopus's Garden’ and ‘Oh! Darling’ were reversed from the final version. The album was to end with the slashed guitar chord that finishes ‘I Want You (She's So Heavy)’. This was the last time all four Beatles were together in Abbey Road studios.

1968, The University of Tennessee reported that a guinea pig subjected to days of rock music played at 120 decibels had suffered acute hearing damage.

More at This Day In Music.

Roo

This Day In Music: August 19th

2008-08-19T16:34:00.005+02:00

A cool little feature I'd like to start in my fresh blog is This Day In Music. It consists of random events that happened throughout the years. Enjoy.

____________________________________________________________________

2005, a life-size bronze statue designed by Paul Daly of Phil Lynott was unveiled on Harry Street in Dublin. The ceremony was attended by his former Thin Lizzy band members Gary Moore, Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham.

2003, a man from Nottinghamshire who sent threatening emails to S Club singer Tina Barrett was jailed for six months. 41 year-old Steven Hindley, showered the singer with roses, chocolates and teddy-bears. But when the messages were ignored, he began to mention threats to the band, including a potential sniper attack. One email begged Miss Barrett to visit him at his home, claiming he was the victim of an incurable brain-tumour and had just three weeks to live.

1999, a TV ad featuring the late Linda McCartney urging a boycott of fishing was banned by the Advertising Clearance Centre in the UK.

1996, James Brown appeared in Montauk, New York, as part of his Back at the Ranch tour. Brown who had a history of beating his wife, offered money that was raised at the event to an anti-violence organization called The Retreat, but was turned down.

1988, ‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline, and Elvis Presley’s, ‘Hound Dog’ were announced as the most played jukebox songs of the first hundred years. The jukebox had been around since 1906, but earlier models had been first seen in 1889.

1977, The Sex Pistols started an undercover UK tour as The Spots, (an acronym for Sex Pistols on tour secretly).

1969, Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Jefferson Airplane all appeared on the ABC TV Dick Cavett Show from Television Center in New York City.

1967, The Beatles scored their 14th US No.1 single with 'All You Need Is Love'. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Graham Nash, Marianne Faithfull and Walker Brother Gary Leeds all sang backing vocals on the track.

Roo

Androo's Gear: #1

2008-08-19T15:44:00.006+02:00

This is my first official, relevant, blog post. I play the electric guitar and as an avid rock fan I am always trying to expand my ever growing family of instruments and adjoining gear. My main axes are my 2002 Ibanez RG1550MZ and my just recently purchased 2008 Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard. I couldn't be happier with these guitars. They are so vastly different from each other that I cannot simply ignore one for the other. Although I have to say, having the Les Paul I have lowered my original quality idea that I had of my Ibanez by tenfolds unfortunately. I play these through a cheap Zoom effects pedal, soon to be replaced by a Krank Distortus Maximus. Then into my Fender FM212R twin-amp which I'm actually quite proud of. Very powerful, very clean with very classy looks.

Today I will be introducing my Ibanez to the world:

My Ibanez RG1550MZ was made at the
Fuji-gen Plant, Japan
2002
Production Number: 16796

The above information I got by submitting my guitar's serial number (found on the back of the headstock) in the awesome Guitar Dater Project website. Therefore my guitar was, as stated, made in Japan, in 2002. It was also the 16,796th made in the RG series. I purchased this guitar in 2005 and I was quite pleased to know that my guitar is even older (I'm a sucker for old guitars!).

The guitar features a bolt on maple neck. I doesn't have a specific fret-board, the frets are glued directly into the neck. It has 24 frets rather than the conventional 22 as well as having jumbo frets for extra accuracy. It has a floating tremolo system, the Floyd Rose tremolo as well as a locking nut. The Floyd Rose is the guitar's major Pro and Con. Because of the Floyd Rose I can change the pitch of the notes to my exact liking instantly as well as create cool effects. But it is the biggest pain in the ass to change the strings. While on a locking tremolo system you can change strings in second this will take you literally almost 20 minutres to change all the strings and tune them correctly.

I am also proud of the guitar's pickup combination (H-S-H) as well as it's five switch positions. It can do the muddiest of metal and the cleanest of acoustics! A cool little touch is the pickguard binding. Breaks the whole black-monotony!

Now for the tiny blemishes in the guitar! The only thing I really hate, and I mean loathe, about it is that because of the jumbo frets, couple with the low action of the Floyd Rose tremolo system I get some small buzzing on some of the strings. I had to higher the action which isn't to my taste whatsoever. I am also unhappy with the number of control knobs on the Ibanez. Only 2. One volume, one tone. The people at Ibanez bascially gave those who buy this guitar no option to customize the humbuckers and the pickup to their respective choices. Nope, you have one setting for all of them.

Let me add that I named her Black Beauty back in 2005. I now know that Gibson have an Ebony Les Paul Custom, with a three humbucker configuration that they named Black Beauty (from the 50s/60s) as well. I have to admit that Gibson's BB is much more of a beauty than mine. But all that in my next gear introduction when I introduce my Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Standard.

Thanks for reading,
Roo

First blog post!

2008-08-19T15:39:00.001+02:00

This is a monumental day in my life! I'm posting my first blog post!! Basically all I want to say is, well... what am I going to say?

Just stick around. If you love guitars, rock, video games etc you'll (hopefully) like my blog as well.

Roo

Androo's This & That

The moment I heard what Heaven sounded like.

Back [Again]!

Spaniels, Man United and Summer Holidays!

I'm back!

Dimitar Berbatov - Class Act

RIP nannu Guzepp.

I just got robbed.

The Champions of Everything (Man Utd) trash the Hopefuls of Everything (Chelsea) 3-0!

Let's all laugh at Man City: Sky Sports' CLASSIC

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE OFFICIALLY THE BEST IN THE WORLD!!

New blog dedicated just for my gaming rants etc - Roo's Gaming Goodness

What Wii can look forward to in 2009!

In a mood for a [MASSIVE] rant!

Androo's Random Rant: I'm sick, bored and helpless - play time then!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: HBC successfully installed!

Santa needs a big sack for me this year!

*UPDATE* October sales data are in: Wii shatters records once again!

Champions League Update 06/11/09

A Nintendo themed Christmas

Report: Man Utd 4, Hull City 3 - Old Trafford stunned, Rooney frustrated, Sir Alex fumes despite win!

A star is born: Wayne Rooney!

Let's FIFA 09!

Report: Man Utd 3, Celtic 0 - Unbeaten home record stretched to 17!

Manchester United slaughter WBA 4-0!!

Rooney shines, Gerrard answer his critics and England look set to qualify for the 2010 World Cup

The utter obscurity of Killer7

The Nintendo DSi is so awesome because of....

Interview: Slash on everything, from top-hats to Metallica!

Slash: The MusicRadar Interview

Next DS just around the corner?

Man Utd win through none other than Rooney & Ronaldo!

Slash solo album on the horizon!

HVS: The Conduit should have a "MoH Wii-like online". FANTASTIC!

Manchester United are back in full swing!

Guess what I've been doing?

Look at that flame!!

Androo's Top 10: Videogames - #9

England stick 4 [goals] into Bilic's proud ass!

Androo's Top 10: Videogames - #10

Quote of the Day: September 10th

This Day In Music: September 10th

Quote of the Day: September 8th

This Day In Music: September 6th

World Cup 2010 Qualifiers: England vs Andorra

Quote of the Day: September 6th

"You play?" - The best commercial EVER!

Metallica's Death Magnetic ready for download!

Gibson Slash Signature Les Paul Goldtop! Good lord another one...

FAIL: An overheard conversation with an IDIOT...

I'd like to wish a....

This Day In Music: September 4th

Tomorrow is...

Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame Honours Les Paul!

WE HAVE BERBA!!

This Day In Music: August 30th

This Day In Music: August 29th

Manchester United winger, C. Ronaldo, grabs the gold!

This Day In Music: August 28th

Metallica release their 2nds single: My Apocalypse!

This Day In Music: August 27th

Learn Chinese in 5 minutes: READ OUT LOUD!

A few words from our neighbourhood drummer: Paul!

FINALLY: Metallica release their first single from Death Magnetic!

This Day In Music: August 26th

I found it!!!

Manchester United seal their first Premier League win!

This Day In Music: August 25th

Apology!

Miserable display by the British lads!

This Day In Music: August 21st

Androo's Gear: #2

This Day In Music: August 20th

This Day In Music: August 19th

Androo's Gear: #1

First blog post!

UPDATE October sales data are in: Wii shatters records once again!