It's a perfect example of somebody letting crazy ideas for design and layout ruin any chance of a site actually being useful or interesting in any way. :P

 

(see also: radiohead.com)

Yes radiohead.com is a very good example, pretty...but useless. :/

As British as fish and chips

 

 

BRITAIN’s best-loved tea cosy is back.

 

For an unassuming Bolton lad, Damon Gough’s new album Born In The UK is breathtaking in scope and ambition.

 

As Badly Drawn Boy, he’s written a compelling snapshot of life for a 36-year-old bloke in this country in 2006. Admittedly, the bloke has to have a Bruce Springsteen obsession and enjoy fish ’n’ chips.

 

The title clearly references Springsteen’s classic 1984 album Born In The USA and the final line on last song One Last Dance reveals Gough’s passion for all things Boss: “And if we don’t have a plan, let’s just listen to Thunder Road.”

 

The album cover finds the beanie-wearing musician sitting in a typically British, typically greasy cafe — a rather large clue to homespun contents.

 

He says: “The album is me rationalising: ‘Has where I was born meant where I have ended up today?’ Growing up in the UK means we can achieve something. I’ve done OK for myself by having a talent and a music industry from which you can make a decent living.

 

“I’m grateful I grew up somewhere where this is possible. That’s the point about the title of the album.

 

“Born In The UK is also a nod to the time I discovered Springsteen and his music.”

 

The album is Damon’s first release for major label EMI and is full of big radio-friendly tunes, and is every bit as good as his eclectic Mercury Prize-winning debut The Hour Of Bewilderbeast.

 

In his typically modest way, Damon describes why he changed tack and joined EMI from indie stable XL: “My partner Claire and my mum and dad were telling me it was the right move.

 

“They said ‘Come on, you’re a lad from Bolton and you’ve done well for yourself — you deserve more.’

 

“But there is a scary view of the corporate thing when you come from a place like Bolton like I do. I didn’t want to feel like I’d sold out. But I’m really chuffed with my decision as they’ve been top notch.”

 

He is in no way ashamed of the album’s commercial appeal. He explains: “The challenge making this album was to do something which would sit well next to Keane and Coldplay and all those other bands doing well.

 

“Personally I want that success and I’m not going to deny that. I want an iconic record.”

 

Born In The UK comes with a heavy price, as Gough first had to abandon an album he was making with whiz producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs).

 

He explains: “It just didn’t feel like the right record to release or that the songs were heading in the right direction. It seemed easier to start afresh.”

 

Did any of the original songs survive? “Just two . . . but it took me a while to revisit the songs as I didn’t feel I wanted to.

 

“I gave in and reinvented Degrees Of Separation and The Time Of Times but they’re quite different versions.”

 

Damon had started again on his own but a chance meeting with producer Nick Franglen of sonic maestros Lemon Jelly changed everything.

 

“I was thinking screw everyone else as I really wanted to prove myself again. It became an addiction. Then I met Nick — he literally walked into my management office the same time I quit the first record. They called me and said I should call Nick. We just got on and recorded two positive songs in the evening. He had enthusiasm. He was bouncing around like Tigger . . . making me do things. That’s what you need sometimes.”

 

Of the new songs, perhaps the most personal and grand in scale is Nothing’s Going To Change Your Mind.

 

He says: “It’s almost the song I have in my head when I revisit the time when I met Claire. I met her and fell for her and I really wanted to make her my girlfriend. It was a struggle. This song is about me saying: ‘I want you to be mine and give you a good life.’”

 

Damon revisits his relationship on the swoonsome final song and imagines himself and Claire as Fifties Hollywood lovers: “I’ll be your Troy Donahue if you’ll be my Sandra Dee.”

 

He suggests: “It was my reference to the film Grease. I always wanted to use it.”

 

As for fish and chips, Damon’s running a contest on his website to coincide with the album for Britain’s best chippy and he’s promised to play a gig in the winning shop. “It’s surprising how many people remember Friday nights watching Harold Lloyd and eating fish ’n’ chips. Obviously it’s a bit of a joke to do a competition but it’s a reflection of the institution.”

 

Finally we chatted about the great love of his life after his wife and kids . . . Bruce Springsteen and especially The Boss’s 1975 classic song Thunder Road.

 

“It changed my life,” says Damon. “It was an epiphany.”

 

Hence the reference to the song at the end of his own album?

 

“Yes,” he says. “It invigorated me and I can’t explain it.

 

“It didn’t make me decide to become a musician overnight but it made me inclined that way.”

 

Has Damon met his hero?

 

“Twice,” he says. “The first time in a hotel bar in Manchester. Claire and I were staying there when he’d been playing. I was bricking it. I had a copy of my first EP at the time and gave it to his security guy.

 

“Then he came over and shook hands, I gave him a hug and I apologised for buying so many bootlegs of his over the years but I’d bought records too. He was really charming.

 

“Then my first album came out and a band I knew said they’d been to dinner with Bruce and he said he’d bought my album. It was an amazing feeling.

 

“I met him a second time at Manchester cricket ground a few years ago. I was invited to say hello before the gig.

 

“I told him we had a couple of kids now and that our little boy was called Oscar Bruce and that we didn’t want to just call him Bruce as it’s a crap name unless followed by Springsteen.

 

“Then during the show he dedicated Thunder Road to Oscar Bruce. That was my best moment — better than the Mercurys.

 

“It meant so much and I ended up buying a bootleg of the gig just to prove it had happened!”

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006140003-2006470622,00.html

i actually have an album for him somewhere on the computer - Born in the UK

its a 2006 i think, i never listened to it tho, maybe i should give it a try

I like that one song of his, Pissing In The Wind, or something like that. I don't think I've heard much else..

I love him too :D at least I love One plus one is one..

Wow, ain't seen this thread in ages. Does he have a new album out now or what?

.

 

 

http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0' date=',2006471259,00.jpg[/img']

 

BRITAIN’s best-loved tea cosy is back.

 

For an unassuming Bolton lad, Damon Gough’s new album Born In The UK is breathtaking in scope and ambition.

 

As Badly Drawn Boy, he’s written a compelling snapshot of life for a 36-year-old bloke in this country in 2006. Admittedly, the bloke has to have a Bruce Springsteen obsession and enjoy fish ’n’ chips.

 

The title clearly references Springsteen’s classic 1984 album Born In The USA and the final line on last song One Last Dance reveals Gough’s passion for all things Boss: “And if we don’t have a plan, let’s just listen to Thunder Road.”

 

The album cover finds the beanie-wearing musician sitting in a typically British, typically greasy cafe — a rather large clue to homespun contents.

 

He says: “The album is me rationalising: ‘Has where I was born meant where I have ended up today?’ Growing up in the UK means we can achieve something. I’ve done OK for myself by having a talent and a music industry from which you can make a decent living.

 

“I’m grateful I grew up somewhere where this is possible. That’s the point about the title of the album.

 

“Born In The UK is also a nod to the time I discovered Springsteen and his music.”

 

The album is Damon’s first release for major label EMI and is full of big radio-friendly tunes, and is every bit as good as his eclectic Mercury Prize-winning debut The Hour Of Bewilderbeast.

 

In his typically modest way, Damon describes why he changed tack and joined EMI from indie stable XL: “My partner Claire and my mum and dad were telling me it was the right move.

 

“They said ‘Come on, you’re a lad from Bolton and you’ve done well for yourself — you deserve more.’

 

“But there is a scary view of the corporate thing when you come from a place like Bolton like I do. I didn’t want to feel like I’d sold out. But I’m really chuffed with my decision as they’ve been top notch.”

 

He is in no way ashamed of the album’s commercial appeal. He explains: “The challenge making this album was to do something which would sit well next to Keane and Coldplay and all those other bands doing well.

 

“Personally I want that success and I’m not going to deny that. I want an iconic record.”

 

Born In The UK comes with a heavy price, as Gough first had to abandon an album he was making with whiz producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur, Kaiser Chiefs).

 

He explains: “It just didn’t feel like the right record to release or that the songs were heading in the right direction. It seemed easier to start afresh.”

 

Did any of the original songs survive? “Just two . . . but it took me a while to revisit the songs as I didn’t feel I wanted to.

 

“I gave in and reinvented Degrees Of Separation and The Time Of Times but they’re quite different versions.”

 

Damon had started again on his own but a chance meeting with producer Nick Franglen of sonic maestros Lemon Jelly changed everything.

 

“I was thinking screw everyone else as I really wanted to prove myself again. It became an addiction. Then I met Nick — he literally walked into my management office the same time I quit the first record. They called me and said I should call Nick. We just got on and recorded two positive songs in the evening. He had enthusiasm. He was bouncing around like Tigger . . . making me do things. That’s what you need sometimes.”

 

Of the new songs, perhaps the most personal and grand in scale is Nothing’s Going To Change Your Mind.

 

He says: “It’s almost the song I have in my head when I revisit the time when I met Claire. I met her and fell for her and I really wanted to make her my girlfriend. It was a struggle. This song is about me saying: ‘I want you to be mine and give you a good life.’”

 

Damon revisits his relationship on the swoonsome final song and imagines himself and Claire as Fifties Hollywood lovers: “I’ll be your Troy Donahue if you’ll be my Sandra Dee.”

 

He suggests: “It was my reference to the film Grease. I always wanted to use it.”

 

As for fish and chips, Damon’s running a contest on his website to coincide with the album for Britain’s best chippy and he’s promised to play a gig in the winning shop. “It’s surprising how many people remember Friday nights watching Harold Lloyd and eating fish ’n’ chips. Obviously it’s a bit of a joke to do a competition but it’s a reflection of the institution.”

 

Finally we chatted about the great love of his life after his wife and kids . . . Bruce Springsteen and especially The Boss’s 1975 classic song Thunder Road.

 

“It changed my life,” says Damon. “It was an epiphany.”

 

Hence the reference to the song at the end of his own album?

 

“Yes,” he says. “It invigorated me and I can’t explain it.

 

“It didn’t make me decide to become a musician overnight but it made me inclined that way.”

 

Has Damon met his hero?

 

“Twice,” he says. “The first time in a hotel bar in Manchester. Claire and I were staying there when he’d been playing. I was bricking it. I had a copy of my first EP at the time and gave it to his security guy.

 

“Then he came over and shook hands, I gave him a hug and I apologised for buying so many bootlegs of his over the years but I’d bought records too. He was really charming.

 

“Then my first album came out and a band I knew said they’d been to dinner with Bruce and he said he’d bought my album. It was an amazing feeling.

 

“I met him a second time at Manchester cricket ground a few years ago. I was invited to say hello before the gig.

 

“I told him we had a couple of kids now and that our little boy was called Oscar Bruce and that we didn’t want to just call him Bruce as it’s a crap name unless followed by Springsteen.

 

“Then during the show he dedicated Thunder Road to Oscar Bruce. That was my best moment — better than the Mercurys.

 

“It meant so much and I ended up buying a bootleg of the gig just to prove it had happened!”

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006140003-2006470622,00.html

Ah yes, should have scrolled back a page :dozey:

Badly Drawn Boy in onstage meltdown during Los Angeles show

 

The singer, real name Damon Gough, is said to have become annoyed after suffering sound problems four songs in to the gig, reports Hollywoodreporter.com.

 

"I don't give a fuck, I'm going home man," Gough told the audience. "This is the end of the show for me. Because if these ****s keep saying shit I'm fucking off. Anyone else wanna say any shit to me?"

 

He added: "Do you think I enjoy this? Do you think I wanna be away from my two kids and do this shit? "

 

After a fan shouted out "give us our money back", Gough responded by calling her a "****". He said: "Anyone that doesn't wanna be here, fuck off. I'm gonna play some more songs. I'm trying my best, just fuck off if you don't wanna be here. Fuck off, you LA ****s."

 

Gough then clarified his last statement: "I'm just saying the LA ****s that need to fuck off, not the LA nice people."

 

He then launched into a version of 'What Tomorrow Brings', before finishing the set.

 

Later on, Gough reportedly called the show a "fucking disaster", adding: "I just want the world to swallow me up."

 

Watch fan recorded video footage of the gig below:

 

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfPIyb31tGA]YouTube - Badly Drawn Boy - Troubadour 12.16.20[/ame]

 

nothing new, badly drawn boy is an asshole

Any fans?

I can't say that I'm a fan because I don't know him so much... but it's incredible that today I listened him randomly on the MP3, a song called "Promises", and now I'm listening to the song again on Spotify and at the same time... look, I've seen this post! "Promises" is really beautiful...

I can't say that I'm a fan because I don't know him so much... but it's incredible that today I listened him randomly on the MP3, a song called "Promises", and now I'm listening to the song again on Spotify and at the same time... look, I've seen this post! "Promises" is really beautiful...

 

Well I can honestly say that I've heard all of his songs and that is one of my favorites. You picked a good one!