Runnin On Empty

Frayed

2026-09-30T14:45:39.066-07:00

Relationships, Family & Friends,

Frayed like the end of a rope

And we hold on and hope it can heal, but it never will

Because everything has it’s time & some things are done

And so we watch as those

frayed strands unravel further and fall to the ground one by one.

But I’m still here,

still standing, still frayed around the edges.

Adrift

2026-09-30T14:39:19.191-07:00

As I drink & inch closer to the bottom of the glass

like a glass bottom boat we float

& see the world through a watery haze

Or maybe tears my eyes they glaze,

& days like this grow ever more

For time does not heal of that I’m sure,

Nor comfort do these memories bring

Or light with joy the dark within,

It’s sink or swim, what choice to make

When neither will my soul awake,

From such depths it can’t be reached

By land, nor sea, nor bible preached

So once again I nonchalantly refill

And swallow amber liquid til

I inch closer to the bottom of the glass

And like a glass bottom boat we float

And see the world through a watery haze

Or maybe tears my eyes they glaze

For days like this grow ever more

And time will not heal of that I’m sure.

Empty Corners

2026-09-30T14:34:26.815-07:00

If it is so dark I cannot see

How then, do I know it is the dark that envelops me?

I cannot touch these invisible walls & yet it denies my eyes

From seeing all that lies beyond.

So how can it be that I am free to walk through this black oxygen

To seek and find for myself, but not for fear?

And so I sit here in the silent company of darkness daring not to move

For when I stand and reach for light, it strikes me down without word

So down I stay this time to sit and wait

For what I do not know.

Maybe the tallest of all ladders so that I may climb

One rung at a time and reach the mountainous sky

To kiss the moons milky white face and taste a little on my lips

Just enough to illuminate my heart and spark my soul

To light my path & lead me safetly from the dark where

I have been lost for so long

Stolen

2026-09-30T14:28:10.405-07:00

We are here but for a fleeting moment

and yet I can only spectate

From the shackles of disease that I long to escape

I often find myself grieving for who I used to be

Before invasion, trespass & vandalism of this body & this disability.

It stole from me, robbed me of that fleeting moment,

That time frame that was mine and like quicksand I’m pulled beneath the surface ...

One Stupid Dot

2026-09-30T14:24:37.676-07:00

Me & M.E, same letters separated by a dot

One’s who I am, one’s what I’ve got

One’s who I used to be, one's what I’m not

Oh I’m still me, there’s just a dot In-between

But It’s a dot that can stop you from living a dream

It’s a dot that separates the M from the E

And while It’s sat there It’s hard to be me

The Me That I Was In Healthier Days

Before the dot came forcing the parting of ways

I’m nothing as M and empty as E

But side by side again I could be me

That dot has got a lot to explain

How can something so small cause so much pain

So much devastation, be endlessly cruel?

It’s just one stupid dot after all

Why does It have to be stuck In the middle

Causing complex symptoms that read like a riddle?

I have to believe that just as It came

That dot will mysteriously vanish again

Every night before sleeping I hope and I pray

That I’ll wake up as me without a dot In the way.

Nobody Knows

2026-09-30T14:20:21.275-07:00

Nobody knows your nose you know

As well as you know your nose

Your arms , your legs, your belly, your head

Your fingers and your toes

Nobody knows your nose you know better than you do

Coz nobody knows you as well as you know you.

You Can't Trust Trustpilot

2025-10-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've been with trustpilot for many years now and while as a company I've been well aware they can't be trusted, I've obviously trusted in the reviews I've shared on their site, some good, some not so in the hope it will help others . Most of us I believe used our common sense reading reviews, you could often gage if there was something suspicious about them, maybe there were way too many gushing over the top ones or ones that sounded more like a marketing ad, but overall I found the site rather helpful when deciding whether to shop with a company or not.

However that changed this week when having made a first purchase with Smyths toys and being impressed, I decided to leave a review. I rarely write reviews, a purchase has to be exceptionally good or exceptionally bad for me to give up precious time to write one, in this case I felt it worthy. It was only a short to the point review, that it was a first purchase, how I was impressed with speedy delivery, how the items were well packed and the items themselves had been a very good price and I would recommend the company based on my experience.

The usual process is a day or two after posting, Trustpilot send an email to say your review has been published , not so in this case. I was shocked to receive an email to say my review would not be posted because their automated tech had flagged up the review based on algorithms, they went on to say that they couldn't say why but suggested that maybe I'd posted spam ? (Nope) Maybe I'd posted a link to take people away from the Trustpilot site? (Nope), it was a fairly boring standard 5 star review to be honest, just a couple of lines saying what I've already shared with you, nothing excitingly naughty or sinister? ? Trustpilot went on to say that if I thought they had got it wrong I could ask for a review and send screen shots of documents to prove i had made a purchase with the companies logo clearly on the document.

Questioning my integrity after being on there for years and sharing reviews irked me immensely and while I had better things to do with my time I felt it important to write back defending the simple review and suggesting that they check their so called automated tech which is evidently wrongly flagging up reviews. As proof of purchase I also sent two documents, one, an order confirmation from Smyths with logo clearly emblazoned along the top and the paypal receipt with the companies details on as well as mine. I thought that would be the end of it, but yesterday I received another email from Trustpilot to say they are standing by the automated techs decision and wont be posting the review ? It's absolutely ludicrous, so much so I went straight over to the website and deleted my account completely along with about 14 years worth of reviews that I'd written.

If they can wrongly flag 5 star reviews and refuse to publish them purely based on a bot, but be happy to post 1 star reviews without question they have the ability to falsely sabotage a companies reputation? How can anyone trust that ? More and more sites are relying on automated tech to make decisions and the more I look into it the more frightening it becomes, the biggest issue isn’t the tech itself, it’s the lack of human review

If appeals just get auto-processed again, the system becomes self reinforcing and unaccountable. That’s when trust breaks down, ironically, on a “trust” platform. Til Next Time, Back Before Elvis.

Magpie-No Other Love Single

2025-07-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Horne, allow me to rectify that. Because you’re about to see it everywhere, on song-writing credits, on industry boards, in mentoring programmes, and crucially, in your headphones under her artist alias Magpie .

From honing her craft at the Brit School to earning a seat on the Ivors Academy board and all the transformative steps in-between, Magpie is not just a musician, Eve Horne is a trailblazer, songwriter, producer, artist, mentor, activist wearing, more hats than a millenary convention but rocking every one of them. She is one of the voices demanding real inclusion in an industry that often seems stuck in the past and uses her platforms to shine a spotlight on the often stubborn gender and racial gaps in the music industry.

A power house of a woman she doesn't just talk the talk when it comes to helping others. As founder of "We are the unheard" Academy offering music production training and mentorship to the underrepresented, she's proving that if the industry needs shaking up (Spoiler alert: It does) she's got her sleeves rolled up and is getting things done.

Which leads me perfectly onto her latest single "No Other Love" a professionally recorded and beautifully delivered soulful pop love song , tenderly dedicated to her daughter, a detail that shines through in the warmth of the delivery and honesty of the lyrics.

There's no gymnastics needed here, with verses that breathe and a chorus that swells it gives the track a natural flow and Magpie's vocal is the heartbeat of the track, subtle, soulful and without doubt a showcase of her talent. Available now on streaming platforms inc Spotify "No Other Love" is the sound of an artist with something to say and the skill to say it.

Eve Horne is proving that "empowerment" isn't just a hashtag, it's a mission.

WAIT....So just as I was about to wrap up this article I accidently stumbled across more, including Magpie's cover of Kate Bush's Runnin Up That Hill from five years ago, it just happens to be one of my fave tracks and oh boy time absolutely stood still. Eve's vocals are beautifully pure and strikingly emotional, perfectly paired with a powerful hard hitting video that completely commanded my attention for all three minutes and seventeen seconds. Rumour has it there may be a re-release and I can honestly say it's a version that deserves it. Time to turn up the volume and watch........

This was followed by another standout track and video "Fall Apart With Me" which I felt compelled to share with you. I know it's lyrics will resonate with many of you, Magpie's intimate performance style has a way of drawing listeners in, forging a genuine personal connection between artist and audience. She say's of the song: "It is about being able to look at your inner self, going deep inside and finding your traumas and things you still hold on to as a result of your past. It's about telling yourself It's ok, that you are safe and only YOU are responsible for your inner happiness, only YOU can make that change, and that if you have the courage to look inside, everything will become clear and you will be just fine."

To follow Eve's/Magpie's journey, Check out: Linktree Insta Linkedin and if you enjoy supporting new music and indie artists/bands then please go show them some love and also share this article.Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.

Nick Ward- Everybody Knows The Dice Are Loaded Album

2025-06-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

I've been following Nick as a friend on Facebook for some years now before realising Sacrè bleu, as a music artist I'd never given him a much deserved write up, with a new album looming it seemed only right to make amends.

Welsh singer-songwriter Nick Ward returns on a confident new frontier with his seventh studio album, Everybody Knows The Dice Are Loaded, due this summer. Known for his genre-spanning roots—from folk and country to alternative and rock—Ward has a storytelling strength that's up there with the best, no surprising then that some of his influences include legends such as Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Glen Campbell, The Beatles and Hank Williams.

Picking up a guitar at just 14, his journey has been anything but an overnight success. Every milestone has been hard-earned, from years of graft to a breakthrough moment in 2009 when he was signed by Audiofile Records. which he later took over. and still runs today But that initial deal helped launch his music to a global audience, leading to an impressive catalogue of 22 singles, 2 EPs, and 6 albums, very shortly to be 7.

And onto reviewing the forthcoming 9 track album that was a treat to listen to and kicks off with Saddle Up Settle Down, it's an invitation to slow down and disconnect and discover a quieter rhythm of life, it's a track that's both grounded and reflective, an Americana infused folk number with a timeless quality. The Beatles' influence is unmistakable on “Here’s a Song I Wrote” from the melodic structure and crisp drum fills to the jangly guitar riffs, vocals and harmonies, it echoes the spirit of classic British pop while still sounding entirely Nick Ward.

“It’s an Easy Life” is another standout, stripped back to just piano, harmonica and Nick’s gentle vocal, which sits effortlessly in the mix. It’s a beautifully understated track that lets the emotion breathe through its simplicity.

What I've gauged from listening to this album is that Nick isn't one to chase trends, instead he delivers a body of work that feels authentic and timeless, it weaves between acoustic balladry, country tinged melodies and subtle rock moments and lyrically he demonstrates the ability to say more by saying less, his vocal tone soft and never forced sitting as one with each arrangement. Nick said "Now I'm recording myself I'm trying to keep it real and fresh sounding, not over produced, so I use first or second takes, I'm not looking for perfection, perfection is boring" Set for release on the 4th July "Everybody knows the dice are loaded " is another winner from this seasoned songwriter. For listeners craving sincerity it's an album to sit with, let sink in and return to.

You can follow Nick at his website:Nick Ward Facebook: Twitter: Instagram: Spotify:

Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.

The Final Cut!

2025-04-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

The longest serving worker along Goodwood Parade shops on Courtlands Drive in Watford is about to hang up her hairdressing scissors after sixty one years on the parade, that's sure alot of haircuts, so I caught up with Naomi Coyle to find out how it all started :

"When I was thirteen, I used to work Fridays and Saturdays at the Hairdressers , it was called "Malcoms" back then. When I left school at around thirteen/fourteen I did my apprenticeship there before leaving for a short while, but then I came back and the shop had a new owner and name "Richards" and I must've worked there for a good forty years. When Richard retired and the shop closed I moved over to the other side of the Parade where owner Julie Allery had the Hair Tech salon and I've been here ever since"

There has been alot of filming on the Parade over the years and some of you might remember the Confused.com insurance ad with Brian the robot ? I believe they were filming in the Chip shop at the time and a few curious spectators went to have a look and grab a photo , handy for Naomi as she was only working next door.

"You must've seen many changes at the Parade over the years?" I asked her and I wasn't disappointed with her response, in fact it was a wonderful walk down memory lane :

" Yes, I remember there was Wright's shoe shop, Eileen's wool shop, Braybrookes tyre shop, and Thorpes the Greengrocers. There was a bakers, Chilcott cafe on the corner, Osmans supermarket, Harrops the hardware store was on one side of the parade but then moved to the other when a bigger unit became available, the betting shop and newsagents have always been there , I could go on, I've seen so many changes as you can imagine ? Hollytree house retirement flats opposite the parade weren't there, it was all prefabs back then."

As our chat comes to an end I can't help but think the Parade just wont be the same without Naomi , I've known her since I was thirteen and started working in the newsagents just a few doors down from her, she's also my hairdresser. There's not many places you can go to have your hair done, get insulted and cry until your belly hurts but I've been fortunate enough to experience it all these years, as have many others, a one of a kind, salt of the earth human being who will be sorely missed, She will be at the salon until May and then she's hoping to take a much needed holiday. I'm sure we all wish her well in her next chapter, whatever that may look like? Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Man Like Chez-Type Beat Album

2025-03-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

If Oasis ever took a detour through the world of hip-hop, the result might sound something like Man Like Chez. With a distinctly northern, no-nonsense flow and lyrical style that hits with honesty and grit, Chez brings a refreshing rawness to the scene. His songwriting is real, relatable, and unapologetically authentic. Throw in his skills as a DJ and producer, and you’ve got a multi-talented creative with his teeth sunk into a whole platter of artistic pursuits.

Real name Andy, Chez adopted his now-familiar moniker at the age of nine. “My brother is even Little Chez,” he laughs, “It’s that classic northern thing where your nickname comes from the first syllable of your surname. So when it came to picking an MC name, it was a no-brainer.” With a new album now available, it feels like the perfect time to talk about what pulled me into Chez’s orbit in the first place. I’ve been following his journey since the release of his 2023 EP Madblo, and it was the track Amateurs that first stopped me in my tracks. It’s been a regular fixture on the speakers at Runnin With My Rhythm HQ ever since. And now — boom! — it's your turn. Give it a listen below and see what all the noise is about:

Madblo by ManLikeChez

Not always a Hip-hop head, it wasn't until much later that he got into the genre: " I was a raver / junglist back in my teens growing up in Cheshire, and it wasn’t until I got to Uni in Sheffield about 1995 that I started seriously listening to Hip-hop. But yeah love all those Golden Era east coast classics like Wu-Tang Clan, Tribe, Nas, Mobb Deep etc."

The first track to blow him away was a mixtape of a Jungle DJ called LTJ Bukem from about 92/93:

"It was one of those where they record their set from the rave and sell the tapes. this was the first jungle tape that totally converted me, before that it was all Altern 8, 2 Bad Mice, The Prodigy piano breakbeat stuff" he said.

Chez’s roots in music go deep , back to 1996, when he blew his second-year student loan on a pair of Technics 1210s and dived headfirst into the world of Jungle DJing. “We had a little sound system and would play house parties, squat raves, the odd night in a proper club,” he recalls. “One night they needed someone on the mic, we didn’t have an MC, and I’d had a few cans, so I said I’d do it! That was my first time on the mic as a jungle MC.”

From that spontaneous debut, things snowballed. He began freestyling, writing lyrics, and sharpening his craft. Soon he was part of Sheffield’s late-90s underground scene, linking up with local crews and eventually becoming part of Multiverse 3 — a collective that captured the raw energy of the era.

Multiverse 3 was originally me, MC Epicentre and DJ Riles as a live act, with a crew of producers, guest MCs and other great talents supporting it all off-stage. We were active from about 2001-2004 and had a good run of live shows and even released an EP. But the money was pretty tight even back then, so in the end I got a day job and that meant I had a lot less time for tunes so things started to fall off.

I went abroad working for a while, got back to the UK in 2016 and reconnected with some of my old mates, one of which was Epicentre. He’d got a load of studio masters he’d found in an attic and we hit upon the idea of re-releasing them to raise money for a Sheffield homeless charity. That kinda re-lit the fire and I started Djing, producing and rapping again both with Epicentre as a resurrected Multiverse 3 and as a solo artist. I also DJ with an online collective called Breaks and Bass Fam we upload a new mix every Saturday with quite a range of genres. So long as its good, is basically the mantra!"

Type Beat lands with confidence. In his own words, Chez “raps like the bastard child of John Cooper Clarke and Lord Finesse” and you certainly believe it. His delivery mixes northern bravado and introspective swagger, riding on nostalgic ’90s East Coast vibes with a Mancunian twist.

I’ll be honest, I usually have little patience for hip-hop album intros. I’d rather watch broccoli grow because they tend to be a time wasting “yadda yadda, and have me reaching for the skip button, yes, on an actual CD player ( I still roll Jurassic-style). But Type Beat catches me off guard. This intro? It lands. There’s a line where a woman simply says, “Chez is different,” and she’s absolutely right. Then boom we’re straight into Rock A Jam Right, and the vibe is officially set. The energy’s there, the beat hits hard and that momentum doesn’t let up. The smooth groove of Vibes (feat. Dr Big F MC) is a real standout, slick, warm, and full of soul. Then comes Rogue Trooper, followed by Fire in the Peaks, and I’m still floating in hip-hop heaven, half-expecting a dud track to bring me back to Earth. But it never comes. Check out some of the tracks for yourself:

ManLikeChez type beat by ManLikeChez

By the time we hit the final cut, Victory Lap (feat. T.C), I’m not ready for it to end. I’m ready to hit replay.

Man Like Chez has come a long way as an artist, and Type Beat feels like a major moment, the kind of release that cements his place as a serious creative force in UK hip-hop. Whether he’s touching on life, politics, or the chaos of the universe, Chez always has something worth saying and says it in his own way.

Time for a Victory lap....

1.Intro

2.Rock A Jam Right

3.Vibes Feat (DrBig F MC)

4.Rogue Trooper

5.Fire In The Peaks Pt 2

6.Right Flow (WillHouseRemix)

7.Solomon's Mine (FeatEpicentre)

8.Camel

9.Manifesto

10.Consume/Create

11.Ain't Nothing Changed (AD Remix)

12. Victory Lap (Feat T.C)

You can get your physical CD now over at Bandcamp & follow his various platforms via: https://linktr.ee/man_like_chez
So go give it a spin, and let me know which tracks had you nodding the hardest! If you enjoy good music then please show your support for the artist and consider sharing. Keep on keepin'on. Back Before Elvis.

One Step Beyond ?

2025-01-29T12:06:00.000-08:00

It may seem madness that as we start 2025 the DWP have already announced some of its plans to ramp up its intimidation and fear mongering of disabled claimants and this is going to include using social media.

They've stated they aim on hiring teams of people to search social media for claimants and look for posts so that they can build a case against them. We're not talking organised criminals fleecing the system of hundreds of thousands here although that's what they are leading the public to believe with one breath, but in another they state they will be looking at peoples posts to see if they're doing something they've perhaps said they cant do on a claim form, or any activity that could show they aren't as ill/disabled as they have stated. Now there's a huge problem with this......

Firstly as we all know, people can create false lives for different reasons, photos can be photo shopped, someone bed-bound that never leaves their room can create a social media presence that is the complete opposite, its not hard to do? Secondly the forms and subsequent assessments are designed for an individual to fail or be classed as fraudulent. As an example, during my assessment on the section where i was asked about eating, I explained about the difficulties with choking (unsafe swallow) due to exhaustion and also muscle problems. I was then asked what meal is easiest to eat over the day? I explained that as my illness fluctuates it was impossible to answer . Ignoring this the assessor pressed ahead, breakfast ? Lunch? Dinner? Supper? so I repeated why it would be impossible to answer honestly. I was then told I HAD to choose one because failing to do so would jeopardize my renewal claim, "Shall we say breakfast?" she said. When the report came back it stated I'd received no points for problems with eating due to the fact I'd said breakfast was the easiest meal to eat over the day therefore I could eat something between the hours of 7-12 if i wanted ? When i questioned this, I was then told the decision was also based on the fact for unsafe swallow I wasn't under a Psychiatrist ? Eating disorder clinic? or Weightloss consultant ?

Er...hallo, firstly I've had M.E for 34 yrs, hospitals tend not to keep you in the system that long, plus as there was and still is nothing they can really do for M.E sufferers due to the neglect of governments and the medical profession we had to find our own way of coping, which I have, secondly unsafe swallow is one of the many physical symptoms of M.E, DWP accept M.E but they won't accept the symptoms of M.E unless there's proof of each symptom, and their suggestions of the consultants I should be under only goes to show their complete ignorance ?

There's not a day goes by when I don't see the media jumping on the fear mongering bandwagon, with photos of police with battering rams smashing in someone's door with the headline that DWP are going to be given powers to raid claimants homes, remove any items they want, they will also be able to check bank accounts, take money out of bank accounts, the legislations have got to go through court yet, they may not even pass, and yet government ministers and the media seem hell bent on causing as much anxiety as possible. It's heartbreaking to see and read about so many vulnerable people being terrorised and bullied in this way. This behaviour will not deter criminals or save money, criminals will have the health, energy and know- how to continue ripping off the system, this is, as always about targeting those vulnerable whose money will be easy to stop, easy to take and save the government a few quid.

The fact of the matter is #DWP are one of the most corrupt departments that exist, they lie, create papers, files and situations regarding a claimant that have never occured to secure a false conviction, they will do whatever it takes including lying on oath in a court of law, so to give them even more powers is terrifying and doesn't bear thinking about ?

For all those waiting, I would say to have hope, despite what the newspapers are reporting and the government are saying, it all has to be passed and it hasn't as yet, in fact the DWP lost a major court case today regarding changes to the work and capability assessment, so there is much to be optimistic about....for now at least. Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Life With M.E

2023-05-25T11:12:00.010-07:00

May is M.E awareness month, after 33 yrs of living with it & campaigning I kinda hoped we'd be somewhere by now where awareness wasn't needed, and I wouldn't be here again boring the pants off you, but unfortunately that's not the case, there's still alot of ignorance surrounding M.E (No we're not a little tired) and there's still no treatment and no cure, so here I am once again to hopefully give those of you unfamiliar with the illness a very brief insight that I hope will help, next time you hear it mentioned.

M.E known by it's medical name Myalgicencephalomyelitis (Yes I know, let's just stick to M.E) is still classified by the World health Organisation as a neurological disorder, It's often referred to as a "lingering death" because quite frankly that's exactly how it feels. The illness is a complex chronic one that affects the whole system, physical and also sensory, from a whole body exhaustion, to cardiac, gastro, muscular, immune, sight, sound yadda yadda and so on. (I won't list it all in case you fall asleep) So in simple terms on a daily basis we have to find a way to live, cope, manage and still carve out some kind of a life for ourselves while dealing with symptoms that make you feel like you're dying, in fact an M.E sufferers daily symptoms have been likened to the last days of a dying aids patient. Sadly for this reason and the fact that there is still no treatment or cure, it becomes too unbearable for many and they end up taking their own life. In the early days of my own diagnosis I too looked at the assisted dying hospital Dignitas in Switzerland because apart from not wanting to be a burden on family or society I wasn't sure I would be able to cope with living a life with M.E. After alot of soul searching and chatting with family I decided to stick around and use my point and purpose to campaign and raise awareness for future generations, even after 33 yrs years of it I still believe it will come eventually, not in my lifetime but it will come and considering it's now looking like Long Covid may be similar to M.E, for that generation it's going to matter and make a difference.

As with many other illnesses and disabilities referred to as invisible, you often can't tell someone has M.E, there is no visual, no missing limb, our heads don't spin 360% , in fact we will probably look fine, normal even (Although in my case some may say that's pushing it?) Some of you may have even seen me about at the local shops with the mother, who i let out from under the floorboards daily so she can stretch her legs? I guess Goodwood is my Rock N Roll, my limit, it's what i can manage and not have too major impact in the main. For the past fortnight I've not been able to do alot at all, go into the recording studio, do yoga, even at home. My cousin came over from Kenya recently but I couldn't even make it to Stevenage to see her, We often miss weddings, funerals, parties, gatherings because every thing an M.E sufferer does has an impact usually between 24-72hrs later , so if we do make it to an event you won't see the fall out that happens later behind closed doors. The last thing people with M.E want is a pity party, it's just about others having some understanding, it's nice to be included and invited and to still feel a part of things even if the majority of the time we can't come . So there we are, if you've got this far, thank-you, I hope it's given you a brief insight into a still much misunderstood illness, If you would like to find out more you can always head over to the wonderful Charity Invest In ME research run entirely by volunteers who take no wages. I'd just like to leave you with a little thought, no matter the cards we are dealt, good or not so good there is still always a point and purpose to life and much that we can contribute, we can be reminded of that in the passing of Tina Turner, not once in the out pouring and tributes have we heard about her mansion? Wealth? Chart position? Only of her kindness, her strength, her contribution and her inspiration, all of those things don't cost anything and are things we are all capable of no matter the cards dealt. Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

M.E? All Talk, No Action?

2022-06-08T10:52:00.005-07:00

Originally I was looking to write a piece for M.E awareness month in May, in fact I started writing it three times and then deleted it (no mean feat when your primary symptom is exhaustion?) but I just kept getting frustrated by it all, and as I wrote I kept thinking what's the point? 31 yrs in, still campaigning, still ranting, still writing and still have M.E? The injustice to M.E sufferers continues, I believe those with Long Covid are being treated in a similar fashion, and the DWP have already been told not to accept Long Covid as a disability? Maybe they need to refresh their brain cells as to what disability actually means?

"A physical or mental condition that limits a persons movements, senses or activities"

you only have to type into a search engine "Explain the word disability" for a whole heap of explanations to pop up and yet the DWP have a ( secret not so secret) list of illness they've been told not to class as a disability? Everything is designed to treat disability as a crime or at the very least a nuisance.

When I saw the headlines all over social media about Sajid Javid promising to tackle the "incredibly disabling condition" I was angry, angry because he's acting as if M.E is some new kinda thing. I did write and ask why it has taken so long, would it just be another empty promise and would M.E sufferers and their carers ever get an apology for the decades of abuse & mistreatment? Obviously he didn't respond, but having spent the past 31yrs writing letters to Prime ministers, MP's and various government depts I'm really not surprised.

The thing that's got my goat is that back at the beginning of getting ill the figure 250.000 sufferers was being banded about , fast forward to today and it's the same data being banded about, now i'm no scientist or mathematician, but even I know it can't possibly still be the same figure? Once again I've written to the World health organisation, NHS & Government on a number of occasions, with absolutely zero response.

Some may call me a cynic, I prefer realist but unless we see appropriate action I do not trust Sajid Javids spiel, and on the subject of action ,let's talk about charity Action for ME. Now this is a tough one for me as some of you that have followed my journey will know I once had a Column in the charities quarterly magazine, and while I will always have a love for the organisation in it's early days, there is no denying it changed, to the point there was mass exodus of membership when they started towing the government line in the hope of getting their foot in the door regards funding.

It was an extremely difficult and stressful time because I was being hit with private and public messages from long time followers and friends in the M.E community asking how I could stay, they felt I was betraying them. But I stayed because sometimes it's too easy to walk away and I hoped that I could express peoples disappointment and stop the Charity from going down the road it was heading. However, it became apparent that I wasn't going to change any minds and they were comfortable in their decision and so with heavy heart I did eventually leave a few months later .

And now the government have partnered with Action for ME, and remembering the earlier days of mistrust in the Charity, I have to say this makes me feel very uneasy, you have a government that can't be trusted working with a charity that can't be trusted?

As tough as it is, sometimes you have to stand by your beliefs because its the right thing to do and not pay lip service just to maybe get something you want? I guess the worry is now they've got their foot in the door what are they prepared to do, we already know they are willing to tow the party line? You see this is what happens when you lose all trust? The government have spent decades pushing and funding the narrative that we're all a bunch of fruit loops, Prof Wessley was knighted for that very same view and at every stage of the game whenever we've tried to speak up, defend ourselves against this dangerous misinformation, we've been portrayed as evil activists, threatening murder on anyone who disagrees? And now all of a sudden we're expected to believe the Government have had a change of heart and are going to start taking M.E for the serious physical illness that it is?

The first thing that needs to happen is to stop the DWP treating M.E sufferers and disability in the disgraceful manner that they do. M.E comes with numerous complex symptoms and yet we're required to have documented evidence that each symptom exists, That alone shows the absolute ignorance we're dealing with. I've actually invited DWP agents to spend the day, night or both because I can't bring on symptoms to cue for their pleasure within a certain short time frame of their visit? Naturally they declined. I also pointed out that's it's been well documented that while there is no argument that it exists, due to M.Es complexity there are as yet no established bio markers to scientifically prove it's existence for diagnosis purposes, so then how are we meant to give documented evidence for each symptom of a whole illness?

In a nut shell, they weren't interested, they just repeat the same spiel that they don't make the rules and are just doing what the government have asked them to do. This is why if Sajid Javid is serious about helping M.E sufferers I'm urging him to look into this and get it changed. Diagnosis, treatment and cure is important yes, but we have to live in the meantime, and living with better understanding and not treated as criminals by one of their own departments would be a great start.

However I for one wont be holding my breath that any action vaguely significant will be happening anytime soon, not that I want to be sitting here in another 31yrs saying " I told you so" but I think you catch my drift?

I'm interested to know how you are all feeling about this latest development ? Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Social Media Madness?

2022-03-31T14:41:00.004-07:00

Social media (Do we have to?) some of you may have seen a recent post about me contemplating or rather constipating over deleting all my social media accounts? This was posted in a moment of absolute loathing at Facebooks decision to change how we run our pages, which I wasn't aware of until I went to post the normal way and couldn't. It had come without warning, so thinking it was a browser error? Windows update error? Whatever error? I used time I'll never get back trying to sort it, only I couldn't of course because some pre-pubescent genius at Facebook thought it would be a great idea to change everything and make navigation and use like a challenge off the crystal maze. But there was no prize, just a blood boiling frustration that was in danger of seeing my head explode (Not much to see there then?)

I very much have a hate/love relationship with social media the problem is I'm an over thinker who just happens to give a damn. Only the other day I went to someone's page to see how they were doing, only to find they'd gone, then of course you start worrying that they're okay? Turns out they were, but what it always highlights for me is it doesn't feel nice or good when someone just vanishes especially if you've had a long online connection. It's not personal of course, people leave all the time, and I totally understand why, but it's for that reason I really find deleting my accounts completely, hard to do .

I've been on social media since it started, you can't get around to everyone to say your leaving and I don't want to be giving absolutely everyone my personal email either, with three pages on Facebook, plus Twitter etc it would be impossible to do, my Mama Chill Facebook music page alone has over 10,000 followers, although I think alot of those turned up accidently thinking it was a site they could buy Cannabis? Over-thinking can be a curse, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this dilemma?.

There was a time when I would talk about deleting social media to live in the real world, but lets face it, like it or not the digital age has become the real world? If we quit its just burying our head in the sand, pretending it isn't happening, we either grit our teeth, growl and go along for the frustrating digital ride, or we live in ignorant frustration getting someone else to deal with it for us?

My other problem is people, there are so many traumatized triggered souls on social media that you only have to fart in the wrong tone for someone to brand you something that ends in "ist" or "ic" ......or "unt" of course ? They tell you what, why and how you've written what you've written and what you meant. Despite attempts to explain they're on a totally different ward to the one I'm on, it makes nada of a difference, and you find yourself using precious energy trying to defend as their followers and friends pile in wolf pack stylee to add their own "Ist" or "ic" .......oh go on then, or "Unt" of course?

Being a writer these days is like running the gauntlet every time you post something, but I refuse to re-edit myself to appease the minority . For those that have followed over the years you will have probably gaged my writing style by now, honest, black comedic, sarcastic, ironic, ranty, have I mentioned sarcastic? The one thing I would never ever do is personally mock someone......oh, hang on a minute, I think I once referred to Boris as looking like a regurgitated Honey Monster, but I was kinda hoping you'd forgive me that one?

But apart from that, just as someone that has seen & experienced much over my Jurassic decades, including disability & self-body struggles, as one human being to another I would never be purposely cruel, in fact whenever I have written about someone else's story, I always let them read it first and give a thumbs up before publishing. As a naïve musician back in the day I was often caught out when reading an interview I'd done, with whole paragraphs twisted and taken out of context, it can not only be damaging and lose you opportunities, it also makes you feel stupid, shafted and helpless. It is something I have never forgotten and the reason I prefer to be the writer I have chosen to be, one that supports others.

Saying that, the one thing I am rather brutal on in posts, is when it comes to injustice, the government, its lies and its departments treatment of people, but you don't have to agree of course, it's a truth that I stand by, it wont necessarily be yours?

So I have come to the conclusion the only way I'm going to cope with this social media madness without deleting my accounts is to step back every now and then, to holla my own "ucks" & " ollocks" (no "unts") and go sit on the naughty step until I'm chilled again, to give my eyes a break from rolling at the often patronizing, condescending "I'm right, you're wrong" responses, the "Do as you're told" wagging finger brigade. To give my head a break from shaking at those who haven't understood why Twitter only allow 280 words for a post and go on to respond with a following 32 comments ? Stoooooop enough already ?

Oh, one last thing, 3D images, I'm sure they are meant for scenery photos, wildlife yadda yadda?, I can't tell you the times i've nearly soiled myself while scrolling and someones giant 3D selfie head has popped up.....Whaaaaaaa!

Is there anything good about social media you might be wondering? Well yeah, you lot of course? Heeeey someone pour the cheese.

Feel free to come share your own social media frustrations with me? Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Helefonix (nee MidLifeMix) -Orchestral Manoeuvres EP

2022-02-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

If you're someone that has trouble getting motivated, then check this out...or look away now? Since lockdown Electronic muso Helefonix aka Helen Meissner has not only taught herself music production, but since her first release "Liberation" back in August 2020 she's gone on to release Two EPs a number of singles, been all over the papers whilst also permeating the airwaves via various radio stations including BBC three counties where legendary presenter Mike Naylor has been super supportive of her sound. Another super supportive has been Cambridge 105 where her track "Joyride" has been in their radio chart for nineteen weeks and at number one for over half that time, plus it received a record breaking 4703 votes in just one week leading radio presenter Tim Willett to call it the anthem of lockdown, she's had a name change from MidLifeMix to Helefonix, won the Clouzine Best Electronic dance EP and is just about to release her third EP Orchestral Manoeuvres on Friday 26th Feb that has already won the Clouzine best Electronic Classical EP award for Spring 2021 .....you might want to catch your breath or need to go for a lie down at this point?

This is an artist who hasn't put a musical foot wrong since the off, and her forthcoming release is sure to be another success, it's a brave move to veer into the classical playground, but then Helefonix has already proven she's not one to shy away from achieving goals and pushing boundaries. While classical the new EP still retains the contemporary feel of her other works and it still has that unique Helefonix stamp running throughout. With the opening track "Evolution" we're treated to dramatic Violins that conjure up the image of a tango, the track builds with more orchestral sounds and the surprising twists and turns that I've come to love and look forward to with this artist.

With "Reflection" I detect an RnB vibe going on and with Transformation and last track Reconnection there's a menagerie of instruments that keep things exciting, Helefonix sound is quite indescribable and I can only urge you to take your own journey and experience it for yourself, go on I dare you? Follow on Bandcamp. Keep on keepin'on.Back before Elvis.

Oka Vanga

2022-02-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

Lights off, candles on and the sound of folk and roots duo Oka Vanga aka William Cox & Angela Meyer float across the room. I'm instantly lost within the mystical music and vocals of the Wicken Tree, which is the first track off their new album "Dance Of The Copper Trail"

It follows on from "Pilgrim" their award winning debut Instrumental album in 2014 & their 2015 EP release "Tales From Eyam" which after much persuasion from Wil, saw Angela introducing her alluring vocals.

The same has to be said for this new album Co- produced by Mark Tucker & Angela Meyer & worthy of a mention. If you're lucky, you'll often find two or three stand out tracks on an album, I was on my sixth when I gave up. Ashes To The Wind, The Devils Tide, My Sweet Guitar...and they kept on coming.

its a great album start to finish. From guitar to mandolin to double bass (Oliver Copeland) and a fiddle (Patsy Reid) to die for. When it comes to musicianship this is a masterclass and one you'll want to be downloading. It's released on the 31st March but available for Pre Order so go follow them on Bandcamp Keep on keepin'on.Back before Elvis

M.E isn't N.I.C.E?

2021-11-10T00:38:00.001-08:00

Ever since the N.I.C.E (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) debacle over delayed publishing of the new M.E guidelines I've struggled to write this article, in fact I've buried my head and done everything possible to avoid it and I didn't know why? Until now that is, and while what I'm about to say is incredibly hard to write, I feel I owe it to myself and the M.E community and to all those still uneducated and unaware of the magnitude of abuse dished out to sufferers by the medical profession, media and wider community. For many sufferers the abuse also came from family members and so called friends and in many cases still does.

I have suddenly realized, as an M.E sufferer of over three decades that I have become conditioned to the abuse, the government deemed it acceptable and therefore the rest of society normalized it and eventually I accepted it too. I'm not sure when exactly, there was no definitive moment, facing physical and mental abuse just became a regular norm, but It reminds me of the NSPCA advert where a small upset child is in a cot and the narrator says something about the child knowing that even when he cries, nobody will come, so eventually he stops crying altogether?

With typical ignorance, one social media follower asked why if it was that bad I and other M.E sufferers didn't report it? My answer to that is/was, who to? Unless you were there, living through it, you would have no idea of the horrendously frightening epic widespread ignorance and the accepted abuse often dished out, as I stated earlier we are talking government, the medical profession, media to name but a few. I'm one of the lucky ones, in the sense that I'm still alive to tell the tales, many aren't, another reason why I felt I had to write this. My own personal three decades of abuse by the very people trained to help and save lives would fill a book and far too long for here, but this isn't a blast at the NHS, I know there are many good people, but I cannot and will not deny the truth that many have lived either, and remember, this wasn't just the NHS it was society as a whole.

I, like many were constantly bullied into believing we had a "serious mental illness" or was "going crazy" and even though I knew it to be untrue, it was confusing and extremely scary trying to hold on to rationality and truth when so many powerful individuals and organizations are against you, but it was a standard diagnosis born out of ignorance, often given to M.E sufferers without even being seen by any psychologist/psychiatrist. The media also jumped on the bandwagon and had a field day vilifying sufferers, as lazy, attention seekers, mental and dangerous activists. When all many were doing were fighting to be believed while trying to hang on to their sanity.

And so fast forward to 2021 and the result of the eventually published N.I.C.E guidelines on M.E on 29th October :

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-me-cfs-guideline-outlines-steps-for-better-diagnosis-and-management

While it looks like a step in the right direction, it still feels like biscuit crumbs, and at the end of the day it will depend on the action. M.E has been classified as a neurological disease by the World health organization since 1969 but that evidently has, over the decades made no difference whatsoever to belief or treatment or vilification and so until the change becomes real and is acknowledged by those throughout all organizations and we all start to see and feel that change I think many of us will remain in numb, emotionless, abuse accepted damaged mode?

I, like many have been writing and campaigning for decades with very little change, and just like the little boy in the Ad that ran out of tears, I think regarding M.E I've become exhausted and run out of words, but hopefully not hope? We still have to hold on to hope, that from the N.I.C.E guidelines things WILL get better, if not for us then for those who come after us, and not just for M.E but for any other new illnesses that may come , lessons must be learnt so that no individual getting physically sick is dismissed , faced with physical and mental abuse, mistreated and neglected. "Hope" such a small word, but there within it lies life and death and so we have to hope this time actions WILL speak louder than words. Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Minister of Dickery ?

2021-08-25T11:17:00.002-07:00

Some of you may remember that back in June, I went on a writing spree.?.....yes another one, I've lost count of the letters and emails written over the past thirty years in the very pin head size of a chance that someone, somewhere, would see sense and stop the abuse and manslaughter of the sick and disabled. I also raised a number of specific concerns, the treatment of Sick and disabled under the present Government via D.W.P, increase in Mental health and pushing people over the edge under the present system which is ultra disablist despite their spiel. I also criticized the loaded questions both on paper and also at assessment stage that are impossible to answer honestly and fairly and yet people are forced to do so ?

As for Myalgicencephalomyelitis (M.E) I stated that while M.E has been recognized as a complex chronic disabling illness with multi symptoms & listed by the World health organisation as a neurological disease since 1969 at this stage it cannot be medically proven. On June 9^th at the European roundtable on M.E hosted by Brussels that I was invited to attend virtually by Charity Invest In ME Research, Professor Kristian Sommerfelt (European M.E Research Group & European M.E Clinicians Council ) stated that due to lack of funding & therefore research, while the world knows M.E exists, there is at this stage no Biomarkers to medically prove its existence.

Therefore it is medically impossible for any M.E sufferer to give evidence for something for which there is no evidence. If M.E as an illness cannot be medically proven then neither can all the symptoms that are part of that illness?

You won't be suprised to hear that although the Assessment centre contacted me the day after receiving the letter I've not heard from them since, despite telling me they would investigate and get back to me within 28 days ?

The response from D.W.P was that they couldn't accept my complaint because it didn't fit the criteria?

"Eh, come again......surely I can complain about what I want to complain about? "

Apparently no longer, there is a criteria and they will only accept complaints that fit that criteria. For instance, if an assessor says they will ring at a certain time but they don't ? You can complain, but you can't complain about the system, how it's run, how it's delivered, or the often derogatory, condescending soul destroying wording of the reports, you can't complain because you think it's wrong, none of that fits their Criteria, so as the woman who was told to call me stated, we can't accept your complaint, so it can't be looked at as a complaint. (Now I've heard it all) ......

Well I thought I'd heard it all until today when I received an email from D.W.P, turns out that Minister for disability Justin Tomlinson couldn't be arsed to deal with my letter about the treatment of the sick and disabled because he gets so many, so he gave it to the D.W.P to respond to instead, how ironic? Below was their response, it could have been written to anyone, it certainly addressed nothing stated in my letter and was/is an absolute cop out, just the standard waffle, the standard lies that we've all become accustomed to.

I, like many am so exhausted, not only by the illness itself but by decades of using up precious energy fighting for justice against those determined to hold on to outdated views, those who blatantly put up blocks and those who continue to lie, abuse and mistreat, but as individuals and together we must keep fighting even when it seems futile, No matter how weary, we must keep moving forward in hope, hope for the day there will be justice, hope for future generations, hope, that one day what we are living through will be deemed unacceptable, when those responsible for the abuse and mistreatment of 1000's are tried for crimes against humanity instead of given a knighthood? And hope that one day we will have a genuine compassionate Minister of Disability instead of the Minister of Dickery that we are often given?......We can but hope? Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

Helefonix- Nature's Grace -Album

2021-08-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

I do like an artist/band that takes a risk and doesn't give a shit whether it's popular or not, whether it will get radio play or not, they just make the music they want to make and you can either love it, leave it or bog off, and that's one of the reasons I have time for Helefonix , she doesn't fit in, she stands out, having released what seems like a copious amount of offerings including Singles and E.Ps since bursting onto the scene Tada stylee only last year I was keen to hear her latest, the 11 track debut album "Nature's Grace", you never quite know what you're going to get with Helefonix other than it will be different and I have to admit the first thing that sprung to mind on opening track "Dawn Chorus" was "What the Fffffff?" There were birds, lots of them 9.09mins to be precise, and not of the two legged, large chested gobby variety, I suppose the clue was in the title but then I'm not the sharpest of beaks ? I realized I was going to have to approach this album differently and so I sat back and closed my eyes, and "What the Ffffff?" was replaced with a meditative lush green wooded area ablaze with sunshine as all of the tension slipped from my body and I was memorized by the sound of the "Dawn Chorus" ah, now I get it ?

Nature's Grace by Helefonix

Bird song is like a golden thread weaving through each track but it's far from boring, there is still plenty of room for a Helefonix element of surprise, and as you would imagine with an album title such as "Natures Grace" this is very much an album to chill to, meditate to, and one of my faves is "Maids of Mer" with it's crashing waves and haunting harmonies.

A very special track on the album to Helen is "The Little Things Ft Herbert & Gladys Davies, she says : "This is a tribute to my Grandparents, joyful companions to me and my sister Julia in our childhood, and we all benefited from them living next door, something for which I am truly grateful for. When I took the video camera out to film them chatting to me in 1992 I captured lots of detail about their younger years, some of the chat was hard to hear and my grandad has a wonderful Teesside accent. They have long since passed but I felt these phrases summed up their approach to life: "You see it only boils down to one little thing doesn't it? Being kind makes all the difference. We live each day and we enjoy it. It's the little things in life that really count. One thing we've always been able to do, and that's laugh. Well I say, your Granny just laughs at me you know? I've had a very happy life and I'm grateful. Oh it's like being in heaven here."

The album ends as it begins with the only instrument being natures bird song and proves that Helefonix can do no wrong, there really are some beautiful pieces on this album that is already receiving rave reviews and play on BBC radio 3 and BBC radio 6, Helefonix is a one off, quirky, rebellious, winning awards as well as fans and not about to stop any time soon, as a late comer to making music, just last year to be precise, she's achieved more in this past year than many musicians do and have in their entire career. You can catch her at the "Tomorrow Calling Festival" Old Kent Road Sunday 5th Sept and also follow her journey on Bandcamp Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.

Lew Elliot- Spirits Up- E.P

2021-08-06T10:58:00.000-07:00

It only seems like yesterday I was reviewing the poptastic debut of Watford's very own teen writer, musician, producer Lew Elliott after a chance meeting during Lockdown last year and the discovery that he was a neighbour, and here he is again with debut E.P "Spirits Up. First track up is "Lover" and what I've gaged since meeting Lew is, he not only has a knack of writing catchy, memorable intros, he also has an annoying habit of writing that one line that holds your brain hostage like it or not and then escapes out of your mouth, and that was the very reason I was given dodgy looks in the supermarket checkout queue the other day on realizing I was mumbling "She's not my lover, lover, lover, lover" Oops! I dare you not to succumb to the same fate?

Second track up is "Right With You (RWY)" and as if on cue there goes that intro and instrumental hook, it's got such an upbeat summer vibe with a production that wouldn't sound out of place on BBC radio or Capital and I confess I've been blasting this around the house since I got my hands on it, ah the perks of reviewing new music ? Third track "Spirits Up" serves up a more stripped back acoustic vibe that really exposes Lews vocals, that with a pureness & vulnerability he pulls off with ease.

He is hoping that listeners will relate to his lyrical honesty, saying "All the songs come from the heart, I mean what I write" and that's evident once again in the last track on this dinkum debut, ballad "Believe Me" .

Like alot of people Lews plans went Awol when Lockdown hit but after another year or two at West Herts College he's hoping to get back into the Liverpool Institute for performing arts. In the meantime he's going to be kept busy making new music, promoting the E.P, gigging and building up a fanbase. And the dream? "To be a well established artist/songwriter/ producer, and to perform my work all around the world"

It hasn't gone amiss that Lew resembles Olly Alexander from Years and Years and with the time and space to grow, I have no doubt that he is destined for similar success. "Spirits Up" is out 8th August and you can show your support and follow Lews journey on Instagram Keep on keepin'on.Back before Elvis.

It ain't Football?

2021-04-21T01:12:00.012-07:00

I have to say I'm not really surprised by the latest Football debacle and news of this European Super League, the club owners have got away with far too much for far too long so this has been an opportunity waiting to happen. I fell in love with football as a young whippersnapper before girls went to games let alone played, in junior school there was a boy I fancied that was a Celtic fan but he wasn't ready to be interested in girls, in fact he'd pull that face that little boys pull whenever girls are mentioned, the one that says "I'd rather eat worms than talk to you" I'd watch as he and the rest of the boys gathered to talk football on a Monday morning before class began and so I hatched a plan to follow Celtic too in the hope he'd like me, sadly it didn't work but having spent Saturday afternoons watching Football on TV with my Dad & Grandad I went on to follow my home team Watford (Graham Taylor will always be the best Manager Watford has ever had, he not only changed the club, he bought Community to Watford) I also supported Arsenal, I'll shout it until I've no breath left but back then Football was real Football played by men.

I feel excited just at the thought of reliving memories. Things that made Football Football, like when it rained, the pitch, made up of just good old earth and grass turned into a hippopotamus mud bath, if players went down they often slid the length of the pitch.

Games were played with such passion that it was common for players to crack heads, fans watching would do that thing where you suck in air and start to turn your head away, followed by "Ouch" even through a TV screen you felt it as though it had happened to you, sometimes the player would just play on, blood rushing down one side of their face until it started running into their eyes and buggered up their ability to see and then they would reluctantly go off to get a bandage wrapped around their head like an Egyptian mummy so that they could come back on and finish the game before getting stitches, others would get stitches and come on again later. By the end of a game the players were so exhausted having given everything they would often be lying on their backs, scattered all over the pitch, head to toe caked in mud, blood and sweat, raw and real, THAT was football.

You'd know every player in the team first and last name, the manager, the coach, and if anyone dare leave the club and not stay until retirement it was a crime & the topic of conversation amongst fans for weeks, if they were in the championship league but got a place in the premier they were eventually forgiven because you wanted them to do well, but if they moved to a club in the same league it was the ultimate betrayal and they were seen as traitors for life, and then there was the testimonials, a match in honour of a player who had given long loyal service to a club. I find it sad there will be many young football fans that wont even know what that is, because players rarely stay long enough to even get their wages at the end of the week these days let alone reach a testimonial.

The way in which Football has been allowed to change sickens me, the owners of the clubs are to blame, selling out for greed time and time again until for me and I'm sure many others the game has become unrecognizable , no morals, no honour, no loyalty, no heart and soul, just money and pure greed, and that is why I fell out of love, football is no longer football in my humble opinion and this Super Europeon League is just another nail in the coffin. But I don't think Football is alone, I've seen that same greed creep into many other things and I can't help but feel far far more frightened by this greed spreading throughout our society than I do about Covid ? But I'm thankful I at least got to experience Football before it became a game of handbags, expensive handbags mind, but handbags all the same. Personally I think there will be an almighty backlash from the fans, and rightly so, will it be a little too little too late? Only time will tell over these coming days and weeks, but whatever happens I don't think football will ever be the same again, feel free to hit me up with your thoughts?

UPDATE: So after publishing I heard the good news that all clubs have withdrawn & the Super European League wont be going ahead, a much deserved win for the fans, fans who I think have been treated quite despicably over the years by some of the top clubs, call me a skeptic but I have a feeling this will only be temporary?

While I'm here let me tell you about "Your Not Singing Anymore" from true Football fan and Folkstress Minnie Birch who took a collection of football songs and reworked them: " Football Chants are one of the lasting oral traditions of our time, they are sung by hundreds of thousands of people who do not consider themselves ‘folkies’ ‘musicians’ ‘historians’ ‘social commentators’ but this is exactly what I think these people are." If you fancy taken a listen and purchasing a copy head over to her Bandcamp page. Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

The M.E Name Blame Game?

2021-03-17T01:41:00.003-07:00

Before I start, let me just say that I can only write from my own personal experience as an M.E Sufferer of 30yrs, while hopefully many of you will relate? Everyone's experience and levels of illness and views on the subject will be different.........Right, now grab a biscuit and I'll begin.....

It seems whenever M.E/CFS appears anywhere there's outrage of varying degrees, and yes I still prefer to use a dot in-between the M & E as was originally often used

...BUT, originally before that, even though the word Myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E) existed, some believe as far back as 20's/ 30's the name the media and medical profession referred to it as in the 80's before the word M.E was widely known was "Yuppie Flu" ... was I hacked off? Not really, I was confused more than anything, It was always reported as an illness that posh people with high flying jobs in the city were going down with, I came from a broken home, lived on a council estate and worked in a newsagents ? So when anyone spoke to me about my "Yuppie Flu" it felt uncomfortable, but nowhere as near as uncomfortable as the illness itself with it's barrage of symptoms invading my body en-masse .

Of course I believe as many do M.E & CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) are two entirely different conditions that have over the decades wrongly been defined as the same illness. While in the UK "Yuppie Flu" was later referred to as M.E, the CFS term coined in the USA was then wrongly adopted over here and started being used instead of M.E or alongside, and while many of us argued and battled over many years to get that changed at the time, it's sadly remained. Over the years there has been a constant deluge of wrong info on M.E going out into the world & so many sufferers wronged that we have to weigh up what takes priority, that's not to say the M.E/CFS name usage doesn't matter, it does, but I believe there are more pressing things in which our energy is needed?

Thanks to outdated data, zilch Government help, an ignorant medical & media profession and no support apart from M.E Charities, most of the battling to raise awareness, funding and bringing change is fought by those living with the condition themselves and Carers which means when you have to fraction in getting your clothes on in the morning and making it to the bathroom for a Wee it really does come down to having to choose our M.E battles. There are many victims in this M.E/CFS debacle and I don't think it serves any positive purpose at this stage as an M.E community to alienate a group of people (CFS) that through no fault of their own have been dumped under a wrong Umbrella?

And to be honest it goes way beyond M.E/CFS, that term is actually just a dumping ground for anything, everything and everyone that those in the medical profession can't diagnose or are too lazy to diagnose correctly, I'm sure it will be no surprise to know it's political? I have it on good authority from consultants themselves speaking off record that it's not good statistically to have floating patients in the system, GP surgeries and Hospitals are run as businesses with an eye on keeping costs down and targets expected to be met, for that reason anyone presenting with symptoms that tests can't show up are often put under the M.E umbrella because it keeps them moving through the system.

It was evident when I was invited onto one of the first pilot M.E Clinics back in the day that many of the people there did not have M.E, after chatting with them over the weeks and hearing their stories it became clear that the majority were suffering from acute reactive depression due to extreme stressful life circumstances and nothing to do with M.E there are too many cases to detail here but there were a couple of women who clearly shouldn't have been in the group and weren't getting the psychological one to one help they evidently wanted and needed but were just too poorly to say, as ludicrous as it sounds seeing as I'm not a doctor, just well knowledged on mental health and especially depressive illness I actually spoke to those leading the clinic and they agreed to chat to the women to see if that was the case, turned out it was, and the ladies were removed from the group and given the correct treatment needed, but there were others that were depressed due to being lonely which was impacting on what quite clearly were things like arthritis and anxiety disorders, there were no symptoms of M.E, I was quite appalled by numerous cases of lazy diagnosis.

I believe the only way this will eventually get sorted is when there is a definitive physical diagnostic test and that and only that is when it will separate the M.E from the CFS and those with other illness dumped under the umbrella and that's why charities like Invest In ME Research and many individuals put our time focus and energy into trying to achieve that....hopefully one day soon?

But as far as I'm concerned for all the reasons I've spoken about above they could call it Elephants Armpit in the short term if it means we can get continued biomedical research that will lead to that definitive test and eventual cure.

Of course it sucks having to put up with an incorrect name in the meantime but then there's also been many a debate that Myalgic Encephalomylitis is wrong as it's not proven there's brain inflammation and instead the illness stems from the gut ? One thing I'm sure we can all agree on is the frustration at the likes of Wessley, Crawley and Garner given platforms to spout their ignorant and false information without consequences and then crying victim when we dare to defend ourselves? We all have opinions, and there's no doubting there's many things that are wrong including merging M.E/CFS as one, but for now surely it's better that we stick together, the M.E patients and the CFS patients and other until a later date, because together we're stronger in fighting and righting all the other wrongs?

Finally on a separate note I got another text today, My GP's surgery has contacted me more times in the past six months about the Covid Vaccine than they NEVER have in the thirty years I've had M.E after getting Flu, and they wander why we're an angry bunch? But I guess that's ANOTHER battle for another day? 😁 Til next time, Back Before Elvis.

The Sheratons -Singles

2021-03-05T14:12:00.000-08:00

Let a mischievous bull loose in a china shop, Out the way I'm coming through Stylee and you have the sound of The Sheratons, Raving And Drooling is kickass exhilarating, an overdose of B12 injections, and despite my bones saying differently I feel like 17 again and upfront at one of their gigs.

Describing themselves as an indie rock band with frontman & Guitarist Kane Bulleyment, Emma Liu on drums, Finley Ryan on Guitar and Alex Creasy on Bass, this four piece from Leeds UK are deservedly gaining attention with support from local and national radio stations including Steve Lamacq BBC Radio 6 & BBC Introducing to name just a few. This young band with an average age of 20 caught the attention of Producers at Sugar House and haven't looked back since.

So how did the band form and where did the name come from?

" The name actually comes from a make of guitar used by Noel Gallagher, explained Finley . While we're not really into labels when it comes to genre, Oasis were always an influence in the earlier years and a band me and Kane really enjoyed listening too. Seeing as we both grew up together and both had a passion for music it was inevitable we'd end up doing something at some point. We connected with other musicians in Leeds and that's where we picked up Emma and Alex "

It was while listening to their track "These Kids" with their youthful and exuberant sound that reminded me of a similar vibe to The Undertones, and what a band they were?

There's also a third and must listen too worthy track "Part Of a Picture" The Sheratons can do no wrong, great songs with equally great hooky jangly guitar riffs, I can not get enough and I'm already chomping at the bit to get my hands on the yet to be recorded E.P or album. So what have the band got in store after Lockdown? Hopefully plenty of live gigs and festivals including Bingley Weekender, playing alongside bands such as The Libertines, Primal Scream & Peter Hook to name just a few and to just keep making a name for themselves while doing what they love to do. I have no doubt 2021 will see The Sheratons gain further success and a whole new heap of fans ...in fact I'm just about to head back into that china shop?

You can follow The Sheratons and show your support: Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube Spotify

Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.

The Org-Still A Long Way To Go -Album

2021-02-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

There is very little in Life that can shift my mood from "Meh" to feeling as though I've downed 3 double shot Americanos while bouncing on a trampoline, but hey, that's what happened at the start of the year when an email popped up from Rap/Hip-hop outfit "The Org" to say they were about to drop their debut album "Still A Long Way To Go" . It took all of a nano second to reply "Send it over" . As they say in their bio "The Org are an inspirational group whose members Shawn "B Down" Chapman and Clinton "360" Smith will help save souls through music".

Having reviewed their Single back in 2017 a new offering felt long overdue and I couldn't wait to wrap my ears around it. I've always rated these guys highly and if like me you're into that quality old school vibe? I'm happy to report this 15 track feast delivers. First up is spoken word "Hannah's intro" and it couldn't be any more apt right now to how we're all feeling I'm sure?

"In times where chaos and mayhem are at an all time high, with so much division, so much hatred, so much strife, many are finding various ways of coping" As experienced artists who've been around awhile I was curious as to the album title? Shawn explained: "It's significant in many ways, although we've made some steps in terms of music, faith and awareness, we still have a long way to go to get to where we want to be.

Although humble we can't be stagnant, the album is a great personal achievement because it tells different stories with everyone in mind and we hope there's something for everyone to grab hold of and relate to? The reason it's taken so long for the debut is because we wanted to make sure we got everything right, you only get one chance to make a first impression, also in the middle of recording one of our bandmates left, but although Covid has been tough for everyone it's allowed us the necessary time for our craft and family"

As first impressions go, my Tympanic membrane is still happily vibrating, it's fair to say The Org have arrived. The first single to drop "We do it for him" is testament to the quality that the guys & their message bring, it features Christian rappers Gemstones who thankfully survived a brush with death in 2020 when his vehicle was rammed and he was shot by unknown assailants, and Mouthpiece both exceptional artists in their own right and defo worth checkin' out:

As for producers it's an impressive Holy Macaroni! with names such as Rashad Coes ( Ice Cube, Death Certuficate LP +) , The 45 King ( Jay-z, Hard Knock Life, Eminem, Stan +) Grandaddy IU ( KRS-ONE & Ice-T+) But I was equally feeling the skills of VQ, Sooquan, Sean Turner & Blacklight.

There is no duff track, skip track, whatever you want to call it ? This is hip hop at its finest, every track a relevant story and I couldn't get enough, The Orgs flow is relaxed while still being edgy enough to deliver their message, On "Tears" which features Brother Hahz and Neena I was surfing on the waves of its smoothness & lush vocals that could easily be mistaken for the Queen that is Lauryn hill, in fact the whole album sails effortlessly from start to finish and it's over way too soon, but easily remedied by hitting the play button again. You can show The Org your support by pre-ordering "Still Along Way To Go"

Keep on keepin'on. Back before Elvis.