Birthdays!

There's two VERY important birthdays coming up.

The first is mine, obviously. 9th September, write it down.

The 1st October is a very special day - it's Flecking Records 3rd birthday. To celebrate, Issue 6 will be going online mid October (date tbc) and it's shaping up to be one of the biggest issues yet.

"Bigger than Chico?" you say? Yes! Bigger than Chico!

Battling it out for this issue's cover will be Bowling For Soup, All Time Low and 3Oh!3 - who do you want to see on the cover?

My favourite Flecking interview Q&As...

When ever anyone asks me about an interview I've done for Flecking Records I ALWAYS find myself saying "Oh that's my favourite interview ever" about every single one.

I guess they are all my favourites in a way, I really can't pick just one (or two, or three etc...), so I've decided to post the best bits from each. I'll throw in a few others by my fellow Fleckers that have also been published in Flecking Records magazine.

So in no particular order, here we go...

Scott Whyte
Is there a Mrs Whyte on the scene?
No Mrs Whyte unfortunately.
How would I win you over?
I'm a pretty laid back guy. Things that really win me over would probably be basic and simple. Being able to carry a conversation, being witty, and being able to hang with friends and family of mine. Not always going 100 miles a minute is good too. I don't need someone who's wanting to party like a rockstar 24/7. So how do I win you over?
I think you just did!
You're looking good at the moment. You've got a sort of Keith Urban meets modern day Billy Ray Cyrus look going on. It's a compliment I promise. Is that the look you were going for?
[laughs a lot] I'll take it as a compliment! I'm always just changing my look, so this is kinda my falvour of the month, or perhaps few months. I didn't conciously think to myself 'What would Billy Ray Cyrus and Keith Urban look like if mixed?' although I do see that concept in myself now you mention it.
Describe Flecking Records in three words...
YOU GUYS RULE!



James Buckley
We love The Inbetweeners – did you know shouting “Bus wankers” has really caught on? We’ve seen it happen!
Yes I’ve had messages from friends that have been called a bus wanker!
Has anyone shouted it at you in the street?
Not yet. I’m thinking I may shout it once. Do you think people will be honoured to be called a bus wanker by the actual Jay?
Do you ever get embarrassed? Some of your lines are pretty rude!
Oh yes you have to really not think about what you say too much. It’s all funny asking an old lady if she gives oral sex but what people forget is that I actually had to say to an old woman "can you suck me off" while we were filming. It’s very embarrassing!

Third Time Luckie
Matt: Frankie I think we should go out on a date!
Wait, let me check the interview to see where you're taking me...
Matt: Read the interview, we aint going anywhere love!

Mat Horne
Who's a bigger hit with the ladies, you or James Corden?
In the normal world, him. On MySpace, me.

Hill Valley High
Phil: My penis is called Johnson!
You named it?
Phil: Yes!
Do all boys name them?
Dan: Mine doesn't have a name.
Phil: Yours is an orphan. Everyone should have a name for their penis, and all boobs should have names! Pinky and Perky, Starsky and Hutch.
Can you name boobs after boys?
Phil: Yeah if they've got the right build.
Yeah but you wouldn't give you dick a woman's name like Joanne would you?
Phil: That's a good name for a penis!
Dan you can have that one!
Dan: Cause mine's the orphan.



Steve Rushton
Why do you always seem to have an excuse to get your arse out at every occasion?
What can I say? I am a naturist and I am very proud of my hobbit like features so I wish to share them. Check YouTube for more.
What possessed you to have your hair cut similar to the guy from AFI?
He copied me, haha!
Any wedding plans?
You having a laugh? No no no...
Steve, how are you?
Very peachy thank you Fleckys!
Still no plans to get married?
No no no no no no!

Danny Hall
Did you vote for yourself in the SoD favourite band member poll on our forum?
Yes lol!
What is the weirdest gift you have received from a fan?
A wanking kit is by far the maddest thing. Do you think they were trying to tell me something?
What's your favourite position?
All of them!

David Wilcox (formerly of 10 Reasons To Live and Triple 8)
David David David, haven't we seen you somewhere before?
You may remember me from the Spider Man films, I play Toby Maguire's stunt double. Triple 8? Never heard of them!
We don't think Leeds were quite ready for those red shoes...
Neither was Dorothy!

Chico
What time is it really?
It's always Chico time!
If you were a superhero what would your name and special power be?
The Rainbow Warior, he's a spiritual kung fu master that comes to the aid of anyone that has a Chico time watch and calls out 'What time is it?' LMAO

Brendan B Brown, Wheatus
How does it feel to have your songs played in High Court during the Busted court case?
Mixed emotions on this one. On the one hand it's pure Monty Python genius. You couldn't pay millions to the best video director to paint that picture. Only in this surreal world of ours is that possible. On the other hand I am a bit angry. I am good friends with James Bourne, I know he was in the right and I though 'You c*nt! How dare you use my song to try and steal from my friend? I'll reach down your throat and pull your fucking skeleton out' Pwned!
Teenage Dirtbag is and always will be an amazing song. Does it annoy you when people associate you with that and nothing else?
Absolutely not, I love that song. Unless it's being played by a farcical thieving twat in High Court, and even then it sort of reminds me of an ex-parrot!
10 years in the business is amazing, you must be really proud of all you’ve achieved?
Um, sometimes, and other times I feel like it would have been much better if these fucking cheese dick baby boomers who run media companies would just get the fuck out of the way. But alas, there are so few people who have had the experiences I've had and I am indeed grateful and fulfilled in that.



Mike, Hypo Psycho
What makes Hypo Psycho different from all the other ska bands out there?
None of us have any tattoos.
Any good tour stories for us?
We had someone run on stage naked at one of our recent shows for Stalker Girl. We tried to hint for security to get rid of him but they misunderstood and thought we wanted to leave him on there. It doesn't wash off!

Second Chance
You did some filming with us recently, how did you find it?
Steve: Always a party whenever Flecking records are involved. I'm a little nervous to watch the finished interview, who knows what I may have said...
Kris: I had a good time. It was a fun evening even after playing with the other band... I haven't seen the footage yet so I'm looking forward to it. I know Steve was hammered so I'm looking forward to taking the mick out of him for it!
The last time we interviewed you Steve, you had just left Make It Better Later and Kris, you left Hypo Psycho not long after. How have things been since?
Kris: Much better, I'm having a wicked time.
Steve: It's been good, we've been on tour, [to Frankie] you saw part of the Doncaster gig didn't you?
Yeah...
Kris: Part of.
Steve: She swanned in when there was like two songs to go, the cheek of it.
That's how we roll at Flecking!
Steve: That's how you roll!
Someone watching the live show just asked to see your cock...
[interested, the whole band ask who?]
Someone called Mark...
[Steve, Ben and Kris all backtrack at the obviously male name]
Kris: [to the camera] You show me your cock!
[We wait for a response]
He just says ‘please’
Steve: Well that’s very polite...
Sum the band up in 3 words!
Kris: Awesome awesome awesome.
Steve: We’ll each do one! Up-beat! Ben? Just think of any word in the dictionary.
Ben: I’m trying to think.
Steve: We’ll come back to Ben. Kris?
Everyone says energetic!
Steve: Yeah well we’re lazy!
Kris: We’re energetic on stage but as you can see when there’s a bed in the room we’re like this!
Steve: Friendly!
[laughter]
Steve: Stop belittling my suggestions!
Kris: Go on Steve, you do all three!
Steve: Fuck it, cheerful, friendly and...
Kris: Fiddly.
Steve: Fiddly!
Where do you see the band in 10 years time?
Kris: Still talking hopefully.
Steve: Still in a Travelodge, with Flecking Records!
Kris: Fiddling! Flecking records will have taken over the world by then.
And we’ll still be hanging out in Travelodges!


Leigh Francis
Craig David said you ruined his career, we think he might have done this on his own. Thoughts?
He wrote his songs, I had nothing to do with his muisc. He calls me a one trick pony but it must be a good trick if it ruined his career. I can't believe he's still harping on about it, I haven't done Bo Selecta for 2 years. There were over 100 masks, didn't ruin anyone elses career...
Can we have Fabio's number?
What his favourite number? Probably 69!

All Time Low
We're going to give you a test on English slag. What does 'feed the pony' mean?
Alex: What? That's slang?
[Flecking do the cupping sign]
Alex: I have no idea!
It means to cup a woman.
Alex: Nice!
You could use it as a chat up line.. 'Hey how's it going? Can I feed you pony?'
Jack: Hell yes! I'm gonna start saying that a lot!
Describe Flecking Records in 3 words.
Alex: Sex with horse.
Jack: Feed the pony!
Summerlin
Do you believe in ghosts?
Ben: Do you remember Strange But True?
Oh my god, I couldn't watch that when I was younger!
Ben: Me either, there was one about a bin bag, I've been scared of bin bags ever since.
Drew: Tell us about the bin bag Ben.
Ben: A police car pulled up to a bridge and he could see something waving around and there was a bin bag up there, then he got back in his car and something was banging on it. So scary. Drew: A bin bag banging on a car?
Ben: I haven't been able to touch them since.

Evil Jared Hassellhoff, Bloodhound Gang
Any words of wisdom to finish the interview on?
I think it's worthy to note the political progress that has been made in America. A mere two hundred years ago Obama could have been sold as a slave, Sarah Palin may well have been burned as a witch and John McCain was just breaking in his first set of wooden teeth.

Just Like You
What would you do if you had a time machine?
Ross: I've often thought about going back in time and stealing songs, and releasing them first, like the Thriller album!
Aaron: I'd go back, and go to Seattle, and quickly grab Kurt Cobain's gun and say "No!".
Ross: You could do so much...
Aaron: I'd do it Back To The Future style, just go back and fuck everything up.
Ross: Did anyone watch Bernard's Watch where he could stop time?
[Everyone in the room remembers Bernard's Watch and gets excited]
Aaron: I used to love that! He never stole anything did he? He used his powers for good!
He cheated on his maths test...
Ross: He was never curious about what boobs looked like, at that age you would! That's what I'd do, I'd just be stopping time and undressing people.
Aaron: To see what boobs looked like? Just go steal a load of porn, don't embarrass people!


Blazin' Squad
Boys! You’re back, but where’s the rest of you?
Yeah! It's been a while! The rest of the lads are fine, they're all doing their own thing. We all see each other quite regularly and they're really supportive of what we're doing.
Less is more right?
Yeah you can say that, it's a lot more manageable now.
You’re all very snappily dressed in the new video – who’s the most stylish?
I don't know who's the most stylish, I think everyone of us has got different styles. So who knows, depends what you like !
Do you all have to spend ages getting ready or does it just happen?
It just happens.

Chris, Bowling For Soup
What did you think of Son Of Dork?
They were a fantastic time on the Get Happy Tour. I was really impressed with all of them. Great musicians and great fellas.

"I had to say to an old woman 'Can you suck me off?'"

Issue 5! My gosh! Deffo one of my favourite issues so far - but don't I always say that?

So, what have we got for you?

A true contender for our all time favourite interview, our cover boy James Buckley – in our opinion the star of The Inbetweeners, clunge lover Jay. He chatted to us about the E4 hit show, Soccer Six, his band, bus wankers... the usual! We’re slightly disappointed he’s nothing like Jay in real life but he’s definitely just as funny and a much sharper dresser!

We’ve also got an interview with the new and improved Blazin’ Squad, not that they weren’t our dirty little secret first time around! Mus, Kenzie and James (the 3 fittest, come on!) gave us all the gossip on the slightly smaller Squad!

The wonderful Brendan Brown from Wheatus chatted to us about the band, the new EP and celebrating their 10 year anniversary – has it really been that long?

Steve “oh-ay-oh” Rushton filled us in on life as a Disney star and his love of a good scarf. Insightful stuff, not to be missed.

We’ve also got an account of our bogey-rific time with DJ Willis (you’ll have to read to find out what we mean) and an On Tour With McFly special. We got the ball rolling with a review of our own then left it to fans from all over the world (Brazil, Argentina... Manchester) to write about their tour encounters with the McBoys!

We’ve also reinvented the way we bring you the goings on at Celeb Soccer Six – this time you’ll read about what happened in the forum of some pretty funny awards!

The news pages are graced by Joe Jonas, Zac Efron, Matt Willis, James Bourne, Steve Rushton and more.

You can read the magazine by visiting www.fleckingrecords.co.uk

Big thanks to Jism & Jorge!

DJ Willis & Cleopatra

Another day, another big handbag, another train, another hotel, another gig.
It wasn't just another day though... it was Matterday!

That's right, for one night only DJ Willis and Cleopatra (Coming At'cha) would be at Sheffield SU, and we were going to be there - we being myself, Lucy, Amanda and Julia.

Let's get the important stuff out the way first yeah? At Flecking we always use Ibis hotels - they're awesome! You can go to the bar at 4am without shoes, they have porn AND High School Musical (I know, they're similar) and they totally don't mind all the boys we go in and out with (read in to that what you wish haha), but the Sheffield Ibis... ew.

Man it was dirrrrty. The cups were fuzzy with dust, my tea was yellow and smelt like a public toilet - something I'm trying not to read too much in to.
Oh and they think chips are crisps. Chips are chip chips. Chip chips take half an hour + approximately 7 minutes. They come from the oven and look disgusting - Amanda and Lucy took that bullet.
They also have a sorry little school dinner style plate with 5 sorry little apples on, plonked on the desk at reception. We felt especially sorry for the only red one so Lucy decided to break it free. We thought we'd show it a good time, take it along to see DJ Willis and Cleopatra.


When you get in a taxi, and you ask them to take you somewhere a mile or so down the road you generally expect them to know the way - no such treatment in Sheffield I'm afraid. We all had to give him directions.

It's all about Twitter these days. Tweeting while out and about is awesome - it's even better when you all sit at the same table, Tweet the same things and @reply each other.

We were on the guest list you know - the guest list was a post-it note.
The place was full of football fans. We totally cheered both teams... whoever they were.

DJ booth (or lack off) looked a bit dodgy. Nice wooden table with a sign that kept falling down - we half expected a CD player but they kitted it up.
Shout out to the guy in the glasses that set up for blatantly picking his nose while he worked. Even more disgusting than the blocked over flowing toilet in the girls loos. Proper rank - and not just once, he kept picking and picking.

DJ Willis came on and he was awesome - as always. Ever the professional, and snappily dressed.
I was hoping he'd play a bit of Busted, but Head Automatica, Blink-182, The Offspring and Jimmy Eat World all popped up in his set.
He seemed to spend half the time bent over - much to the delight of the girls and even the boys who were trying to take photos.



Best bit had to be when Lucy decided our sad little red apple needed to see more of the world.
"Shall I put it on his decks while he's turned around?" and so she did. He noticed as soon as he turned around, and knew who to blame straight away. Wonder why?
He told us it was warm... we had been playing with it for a while, or maybe it was just excited to see the world/get out of the stinky Sheffield Ibis?
Matt was very lovely afterwards, as always.

We were also on the guest list for the Cleopatra gig - remember them?
Outside the venue there was me, Amanda and Lucy. We weren't allowed in due to a security meeting. We were totally rowdy.
I have some strange memory of the French Prince of Bel Air? Someone is gonna have to fill in that blank for me. "Dans Le West Philadelphia...".

Very strange moment when a group of girls came to queue up (a grand total of 6 vs 40 security) and were like "why did Matt say he wanted you guys to go with him after his set?" - you never know who's listening? haha!

So this event we were crashing was actually school disco themed. They gave us all hats on the way in - I have never actually seen anyone wear anything like them in schools. Maybe 100 years ago? That said, we wore them.

So what time were Cleopatra on stage? Erm... only like 2 AM!
I was expecting something beautiful, it was awful. People were throwing drinks at them.
Wasn't keen on the lectures between songs about how boys should grow up and something about the recession.
Only counted one slight mention of the boob jobs though - courtesy of Living TV.
Really wasn't feeling the new stuff - sorry ladies.
We didn't really get any photos, although Amanda got this one of the stage. We think it works?


Do you remember a song from the 1990s called I Want You Back? That's what Cleopatra were wondering.
No? Probably because it's from 1969 and by the Jackson 5. Ohh now you remember it.
Cleopatra covered it in 1998. We know this because it contained the lyrics "1998" several times.

Called a taxi... the ones who didn't know where they were going. We waited ageees then decided to jump in a different one parked outside the venue. Scary choice, the driver was listening to some audio book that contained the line "and then she was executed." Scary.

Back to the stinky hotel for a bit to watch the police drug busting chavs - on the TV obviously. It wasn't THAT bad there. Finished off the night with a 3 in a bed.

Apple apple, rap rap, love love, chip chips.

Awards...
Most said phrase: "Chip chips".
Best Celeb look-a-likes: McLovin' and Bruno.
Worst thing found in a cup: Dust.
Rankest site after the bogey man: That over flowing toilet.
Biggest crime committed: That stolen Apple or perhaps the attempted poster theft.
Best inflatable thing: Giant pencils.
Best anecdote: "You kicked me in the head at Mayfest..."
Most sophisticated guest list: Post-it note.
Funniest misheard sentence: "Cock milk".
Motto of the day: You snooze, you lose.

Stats...
Posters stolen: 4
Fires: 1
Taxis: 2 1/2 (one we didn't actually get in)
Price of yellow tea: £1.60
Most people in one bed: 3
Tweets: Countless

My Job Rocks!

So issue 4 of the Flecking Records magazine is online now, I've had a blast working on it!

Inside we have...
The gorgeous and hilarious Evil Jared Hasselhoff from The Bloodhound Gang, Hill Valley High, Gavin & Stacey star Mat Horne, Just Like You, Summerlin, Saving Time!, Second Chance, Matt Willis, James Bourne, McFly, Lily Allen, The Kooks, The Mighty Boosh, VV Brown, Ida Maria, Sliced Peach, Steve Rushton, Reemer and much more!
We've also got another guest review by MC Lars, this time he's reviewing Last Letter Read.

Big big massive huge thanks to iJames who owns at his job. It's techtastic. I literally understand none of what he does so it must be good.

Thanks to Joey Monk and his eyes - without which none of this would be possible.

Thanks to the team! Especially Lucy who it is a BLAST to work with come pay per view porn or High School Musical.

Thanks to all the bands I've worked with and interviewed for this issue - you've almost all been good fun!

Looking forward to starting work on the next one! Any requests?

www.fleckingrecords.co.uk/magazine

Please...

... can you take a couple of mins to fill in this survey on social networks for me?

Click here. Thank you x

Sexycam!

Today started badly, very badly!

You know one of those days when everything goes wrong? I thought the worst had happened when I got foundation in my bleach blonde hair (which isn't coming out?) but I like to think I hit my lowest point when I tried to leave the house in my PJ bottoms!

Today me and Lucy were interviewing for the magazine, but for a laugh (and with the help of Jism our tech guy) we decided we'd stream the interviews live on the net! What fun!
Not so fun when I didn't realise it was pointing at me in the mirror and was stood fiddling with my bra and sucking on a lolly - bet people wondered what kinda show they were about to see!

But seriously, it was a blast! The first band (not the first first band, they were a let down and replaced with Pop Top Trumps cards and HSM Uno cards - which I have to say, everyone seemed to enjoy) The Headstart were awesome and the best part was everyone getting involved and asking them questions. We were even featured on the BlogTV home page!
Kyle, Shimmy, Luke and Gaz all played along, even answering some of our viewers stranger questions and the photo shoot afterwards was fantastic too! Personal highlights include the Beatles stylee photo and the traffic cone malfunction! We sealed the deal with formal handshakes and a group hug! Loves it! Oh and thanks for the CD! It was in plastic and everything and we were thoroughly impressed!

A special shout out has to go to the key card activated lift in the hotel! It's a sad strange day when we're the only ones that can work the lift! Hearts go out to the two guys who had made it to the third floor but then had to do the walk of shame past us to the stairs!

Then we had Steve, Kris and Ben - Second Chance! Any followers of Flecking will know we love these guys!

For me, this is probably why:

With this being our first interview with them since that dodgy late night drunken video shoot in Leeds we were expecting the good stuff and that's just what we got!
They were funny, they interacted with the viewers and they put us on the cheap list! The one and only let down was the lovely Steve not being drunk enough to sing hero again.
We saw them at the Cockpit afterwards (probably the stinkiest venue everrr!) and they were awesome! Loved the cover of Keep On Moving by Five!

Funniest moment of the gig: Boys who stand a little too close!
Funniest overheard conversation: Two gay guys questioning a straight bloke over how much, ahem, lady love he gets "on average". It's always best to discuss such things on average!
Funniest web cam slip up: My bra moment was a close second but I do love Lucy's "just quickly showing the token ugly drummer" comment followed by "ohhh is the microphone on?"
NBF: The guy outside the gig with the woman trouble who taught us maths that we actually understood!
Best submitted questions: Jism's Mac or PC question obsession is something I always enjoy and Jayne's "Who has the biggest cock?" was good fun, more so because The Headstart answered!
Most over used phrase: "I'm bluffin' with my muffin'"

Keep an out of for the next issue of the mag where you can read the interviews and see all the sexy photos!

My job is sooo hard!

I shall be spending tomorrow in Leeds doing interviews!

A whole day in a hotel with band boys, it's so hard sometimes!

We've just decided we're gonna stream the interviews live on the net so we'll see how that goes!

You can watch live on www.fleckingrecords.co.uk/music

In the evening we'll be at The Cockpit to see Second Chance so get down there if you can!

RIP Huey Lewis!

Those of you who know me will know what happened last month... my beloved laptop Huey Lewis was taken from me!

It was horrible, he never saw that glass of Irn Bru coming (at the hands of my darling younger brother Joey) and despite everyone's best efforts to save him he didn't make it!

I get on computers for work but it's just not the same!

So that's why I haven't been posting much, but my shiny new Dell is on the way!

The moral of the story? Don't drink Irn Bru probably!

Band Life Update

The documentary is coming along nicely,
watchin it back, it's funny and informative.
I'd like to thank the three bands who were involved, they were all great.

The only problem with editing is cutting around the porn banter which was on and off (mainly on) throughout the whole of the Hill Valley High interview, but that's why we love them!

I personally think the show is stolen by Jamie from Severn's hair, just look at it. Both myself and Lucy were amazed by it.

"They're all sat watching porn..."

Severn may just be my new favourite band, they're funny.
If you don't know what happened in Manchester click here, if you do then read on.

Severn put up a blog about their time filming the documentary with us, here's what is says:

"Thanks to Flecking Records!

We had an amazing time yesterday in Manchester with these guys!

We were filming a documentary and had a photo shoot!

It was weird though I tell you, we walked in the hotel room and they're all sat watching porn with a huge red dildo on the bed! Ahh whatever you're thinking! It was our thoughts exactly!

But it was absolutely fantastic and we loved working with them :)

Look out for us in there magazine and documentary!

www.fleckingrecords.co.uk :D

See you all soon

Severn"

As if we didn't have enough of a reputation already!

Band Life - Behind The Scenes!

Yesterday I was in Manchester filming a documentary about band life with friends Hill Valley High and two bands I'd never met Severn and Idol Minds.

The crew consisted of myself, Flecking Lucy and Mike and Stu - who I'm sure had no idea what they were letting themselves in for.



Hill Valley High were up first (well Dan, Danny and Phil) and before the interview started we took our eyes off them for a second, and before we knew it Mr Danny Hall had ordered some pay per view porn and their eyes were glued to the tv. Lucy and myself probably didn’t enjoy Chocolate MILF and Asscapades as much as they did! Despite the porn they were great. All three got involved and Danny (who was so quiet in his Son Of Dork days) seemed to let it all about band life.
The funniest thing was the fact that the porn was on in the background (muted obviously, we're professionals) all the way through the interview and it's interesting to see who is watching it as the interview goes on.



It was all good fun up until the mischievous HvH boys decided to talk very loudly in the hotel reception to imply something dodgy was going on up in the room. Why does this matter? Because Severn, who I have never met before over heard this. Why does this matter? Because when I took them up to the room the bloody porn was still on the TV. If that wasn't bad enough our Flecking mascot, that suspiciously shaped devil's tail, was laying on the bed.
It all worked out in the end though, once they realised it wasn't a porn shoot, and the guys were so much fun. Jamie was hilarious.
Then we did a photo shoot which was so funny, especially the stuff on the stairs.

The award for the dodgiest moment of the day (no, the porn wasn't it) has to go to the guy working in the take-away where Lucy bought her Pizza. Let's just say the punchline of the joke was 9"...



Idol Minds were last, but not least. They did a great interview and they totally stole the show at the gig - they had the biggest crowd and the best reaction. The other bands didn't do too much for us, although hats off to a man still trying to bring back 90's fashion with his hair cut and Adidas jacket.

It's worth mentioning the toilets at the venue - they were a bit rank. The actually had the cheek to ask you to wash your hands - my hands felt dirtier for washing them. However they had dolphins on the tiles so that made it all better.
You know how when you go to a gig, you go to the toilets and there are band stickers all over the mirrors? It was a pretty cool moment when I realised I'd interviewed all the big names stuck on there. Shame they were covered in goo. Ew.

So how did we finish the night? Me and Lucy laid in bed drinking tea, eating sweets, watching Step Brothers and High School Musical 3 and Facebooking each other. All in all a good day!

2008!

What a year! Flecking wise this year has been pretty epic, here's a few personal highlights, Flecklights if you like...

Issue One Of The Magazine


We had interviews with Steve Rushton and Danny Hall (which satisfied my inner teenie), David from 10 Reasons To Live (which satisfied my inner 16 year old) and Chico (which just satisfied me generally). For everyone else we had Chris from Bowling For Soup, Saving Aimee and Brigade.
Matt Willis did his first DJ set, which we covered, we also had bits on Bourne moving to the USA, McFly leaving their label and Matt & Emma presenting together again.
The Backstage with Matt Willis and the McTour stuff were also personal favourites!

Vid Shoot / Spunge Tour


First of all it was the day we were filming our documentary/interview with Second Chance. Secondly, the amazing Spunge were playing in Leeds with the lovely Hypo Psycho.
Of course, we were late for the gig (Sienna Miller was there!) but it was absolutely fantastic, afterwards we went off with Second Chance and did some filming. After this myself and Lucy and our two favourite bands of the moment went to the Cockpit, we had a blast.
The day after I was tourknapped by Hypo Psycho and the lovely girl selling their merch (she can do it handcuffed don't you know). I had loads of fun but you know me, it wasn't long before I was wearing other peoples clothes and bitching about my hair (I didn't even have a brush with me!). Hypo are a wicked bunch of guys, but their bus aint that comfy to sleep on. Regardless, I loved it.
Lucy is fab - my first and probably favourite Lucy highlight of 2008 has to be her not hearing our room number at the hotel reception, and not asking to hear it again. Our plan of action was to try them all and see which worked - thank good the bar men helped us find our room and showed us how to operate our door!
The main lowlight had to be the weirdo on Hypo's tour bus at 6am standing over me! I now understand how, but I'll never know why...



Army Of Freshmen Gig


The gig was in Leeds and it was wicked, I went with Dani (a guaranteed blast) and we drank lots.
Poor AoF, not only was I too preoccupied with my Dani and my drink to interview them, but I missed their set to sit in the bar drinking chocolate shots and learning French. A plus tard AoF!
The hotel was fab, I think we spend a record 8 minutes in the lift not moving with the doors closed. Must learn how to operate lifts. Then the hotel door wouldn't work. Must learn how to operate hotel doors. Although the door thing wasn't our fault, the man at the desk forgot to charge our key or something... Il est stupide!
They may have got rid of the porn but film wise I had a fab time! 10/10 for Leon The Pig Farmer!

Vous êtes une pomme de terre avec le visage d'un cochon d'inde!

Issue Two Of The Magazine


Matt Willis, Wheatus, MC Lars, Leigh Francis, Hypo Psycho... amazing issue if I do say so myself!
The Busted Court Case coverage was one of my favourite features - you know, the one we slept with McFly to get information on! (If you read McSecrets you'll know what I mean).
It was during the Busted Court Case Coverage that I met my wonderful friend (and of course my favourite author and journalist) Chas Newkey-Burden! Sometimes I feel like going out, stealing a traffic cone, putting it on my head and saying, "Look at me, I'm a giant witch." - I'm so lucky to have met Chas, we're coming up to our one year anniversary and hopefully it's the first of many!

Legitimate Piracy


Yarr! The album they should have called "Songs Frankie Likes" because all but one of the tracks was selected by me! Big thanks to all the bands who took part - MC Lars, Army Of Freshmen, Second Chance, The Story So Far, Make It Better Later, Kobe, Hypo Psycho, Not Your Hero and Sliced Peach - and all the bands and people who helped me with the article to go with it, especially Ki Fitzgerald. I'd like to say we're doing our bit to combat music piracy however we're probably just promoting bands that I like! Look out for Volume Two coming soon?
My favourite track? Download This Song by MC Lars. Listen below and click here to download the album for free!

Issue Three Of The Magazine

Or as I like to call it, the sexy issue. Back when I was a teen I loved the TV channel Trouble! The Fresh Prince, In The House, Saved By The Bell, but one I really loved was City Guys.
Imagine my excitement when I had the opportunity to interview movie star and musician Scott Whyte - Sexy Chris from City Guys. He is such an interesting person, every single word of his interview was captivating and my inner teenie will forever cling on to the possible mid interview flirt... of course you'll have to read it to find out.
We also had All Time Low, we quizzed them on their British slang and the boys even shouted out "Feed The Pony" on stage during the gig after.
To launch the Flecking album we also have a feature on music piracy, with little bites of knowledge from the bands involved. This is probably MC Lars' area of expertise - the guy knows what he's talking about when it comes to music.



Interviews : Leeds



Just Like You, Summerlin and Saving Time!
We probably walked about 8 miles to find the hotel you can actually see from the train station but what a day! All three bands were so much fun.
If you want to read about it click here.

Interviews : Manchester



Ahh the wonderful Hill Valley High! Again, I have also blogged about this so if you want to read about it click here.
I love these boys so much, they're so much fun, they've got bags of character, they're ones to watch in 2009 for sure!

Issue Four Of The Magazine



The Christmas edition, with the full version going online in 2009. Personal highlights include the Evil Jared Hasselhoff interview (he is SO funny), Hill Valley High (obviously) and Just Like You.
We also had some weird and wonderful stuff, as well as all your favourites!
Watch out for the full issue online.

So there we go, just a few Flecking moments from 2008, with more to come in 2009.

Thank You
Cheese time!
Thank you to my fellow Fleckers. iJames - I don't know what I'd do without you. You are the glue that holds Flecking together. Lucy - you're not only great to work with but so much fun. I will forever associate you with hotels and Step Brothers. Nat - All assistants should be like you, willing to go that extra illegal mile and listen to me rant. Joey - My Monk. My Sim expert. My hero haha! And thank you to all my family and friends. Chas - What on earth would I do without you now?
Thanks to all the bands I've worked with, you've almost all been a joy to deal with.
Thanks to Ibis Hotels everywhere - thank you for putting up with our antics, letting us visit your bar without shoes late at night and giving us Step Brothers to watch.
Thanks to everyone on the Fleck board too, well... almost everyone. ;)
And to anyone I've missed.

Bring on 2009!

Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
I'm sat here with the music channels on, all my work is done, all I need to worry about now is my favourite Christmas song, is it Merry Christmas Everyone by the legend that is Shakin' Stevens or Last Christmas by Wham? Heartbeat by Steps was pretty epic too - it's so nice to have no real problems for a few hours, the closest thing I have to a real problem right now is the gun ache I've got from too much Wii'ing, a year on and I'm still not bored of it.

Hope you've all had a cracking day! I'll be putting up some kind of new year blog looking back at the year, try contain your excitement.


Look away now, the next bit is pretty mushy, but I just want to thank everyone that's helped me through the past week.
My entire family have been cracking, Jism & Joey are not only my best mates but they're incredibly talented and more than helpful - one of you better follow in your sister's pretty shoe shaped footsteps!
Lucy has held my hand through the whole thing. Her devotion to all that we do takes the weight off - even when she just listens to me complain that I have loads to do, I feel better! She's been a huge help! She braves public transport and she knows how to decorate a hotel room!
Last but certainly not least, my knight in McFly loving armour, the amazing Chas Newkey-Burden! He did more in one phone call than a year's worth of anti depressants could. I really want to be him, but being his friend is a pretty awesome consolation prize.

Issue 4

The ever so sexy Christmas edition of Flecking Records magazine is online now!
We've got Evil Jared Hasselhoff from The Bloodhound Gang, Just Like You, Hill Valley High, Matt Willis album exclusives, Bourne In The USA and much more! Click here to read. Loves it!