10 Observations From Dontaku

Okada tombstones the big man. Credit: NJPW

Following the disappointment of Payback – although some people liked that show more than me – it’s easy to drop into a wrestling related mood. Many a time a bad show can leave you feeling like you can’t be arsed anymore. Thankfully, that’s when New Japan tend to step up to the bat. While, as is the case with most New Japan shows, there were plenty of tag matches to get through before you hit the juicy stuff, Dontaku was a good to occasionally great few hours of pro wrestling and here’s what we thought while we enjoyed it.

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04/05/2017 0

letlive

I’d love to know how many bands I’ve declared to be my favourite. From my early years when I couldn’t imagine not loving My Chemical Romance or Fall Out Boy to the fiery passion that Nirvana still raises in me. I fall in love with a different band on a near weekly basis, and the truth is I don’t have a favourite. I have a family of albums and songs that surround me and which make my life better. However, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I haven’t been introduced to a band in the last ten years that mean more to me than letlive.

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02/05/2017 0

7 Observations From Payback

254_pay_04302017jg_4274-fa69a248f25061e1713e40228f864f38 — The Big Dog strikes again. Photo Credit: WWE

Was anyone excited about Payback? The first big show after WrestleMania is always a bit of a slog, but this year a slog would have been an improvement. The Superstar ‘let’s move them all around a bit and not really explain it’ Shake-Up threw a spanner in the works, and we hit Payback with all the momentum of a wet hanky. But when have we ever let that stop us? Here’s a few thing we noticed during this horribly average show.

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01/05/2017 1

Bray Wyatt

Ah, Mr Wyatt, you had so much potential. The cult leader with the golden tongue. The man who begged us to follow the buzzards to salvation. In you, we saw a new Phenom. A new figure of dread to reign supreme over the world, or should we say Universe?

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27/04/2017 0

Meltzer’s Classics: Steamboat vs. Flair III

I’m almost sad to be writing this article for it means we come to the end of Ric Flair vs. Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat. The final match in their iconic series (although not in their careers) takes place at NWA Wrestle War in 1989, a month after their two out of three falls match. That means Ricky is still the NWA Champion and Flair is desperate to get it back.

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25/04/2017 0

The Menzingers w/ The Flatliners & The Dirty Nil

Music to dream to would be a nice way to describe this particular tour. The Menzingers are on the road with bands that are perfect for long drives down American highways with the windows down. At least they feel like they are. As a resident of Scotland, it’s not a theory that I’ve been able to put the test. The closest I can come is seeing how they feel at the Oran Mor in Glasgow on a Saturday night. Spoiler, they feel pretty good.

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24/04/2017 0

Jinder Mahal

021_sd_04182017cm_0322-67537dc54f33aa0a9160a38dbbf3803d — It was a rather motley collection of faces.

What a difference a few months makes. If you’d asked a hundred wrestling fans who they have expected to get a push coming out of WrestleMania, I’m willing to bet not one would have said, Jinder Mahal. Mojo Rawley, Curt Hawkins and The Drifter would have been surprising, but even that would have made more sense than Jinder’s sudden rise to the top.

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21/04/2017 0

The Smith Street Band – More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me

The ability to tell a story through music is an incredible thing. There are millions of bands on the planet, but the number who can sit down, play a song and take you on a journey is much smaller. It’s a talent that turns good songs into masterpieces. It allows you, as the listener, to connect with them in a way that a good riff just can’t do by itself. And it’s a talent that The Smith Street Band have.

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20/04/2017 0

Weekly Playlist 19/4/17

This week’s playlist takes a dive into one of my favourite labels as we focus on the work of Xtra Mile Recordings. Not only does this allow me to put a bit of Frank Turner and Against Me! on there but we also get to dive into both Jamie Lenman and Reuben as well as a bit of the gentler stuff with Beans On Toast. Frankly, I think everything on here is brilliant so sit back and enjoy.

19/04/2017 0

Tearaway Unfolded

Tearaway Unfolded is the gaming equivalent of a hot bath. You slide into its world and relaxation takes over. It might be a little bit too hot, forcing you to hit the cold tap for a little bit, but there’s no real challenge there. If you’re of younger years, you’ll need more cold water than your adult friends, but the end result is pretty much the same.

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18/04/2017 0