The Great Scam - Saint Valentine's Day

So we are only three days away from one of the most overrated days of the year.

Ok, that may be a biased point of view seeing how I will spend this Valentine's Day completely single, only cuddling my border collie. However, I feel like I do have a point.

If I am correct, St Valentine's Day originated from Christian saints named (obviously) after St Valentine which was a major Christian event until 1969. The idea of romance and sending cards didn't come around until the 1800s. Even then, it was a nice gesture which could lead to a relationship.

Then things turned sour.

Since the 1950s Valentine's Day has been materialistic. To make money, companies started flogging chocolates and jewellery as a way of making profits. That may not seem so bad, but it really can - ironically - ruin relationships. I can remember I was 12 and an admirer sent me a card and some sweets. I didn't fancy her, but I was a little grateful. However, I later complained at the fact that they weren't very nice and it was a bit cheap. That's what Valentine's Day turns people into - ungrateful swines who think that everything is about presents.

Personally, I think that Valentine's Day would be better off if they completely stripped it back to nothing special and no brilliant presents. You shouldn't rely on a day of the year to get your loved one something nice because it takes away the spontaneity of gifts and leaves you expecting something. See that way you want an iPhone for Christmas and you get a Nokia brick and you're disappointed? Yeah, well Valentine's Day is the new Christmas.

To sum up my feelings about Valentine's Day, without sounding cheesy, you should show your love for your partner every day of the week. You should be spontaneous whenever you want to be. Love is about the unexpected, not the planned. So whether you are sitting eating ice cream greeting at The Notebook; having a one nighter; or spending it with loved ones, don't forget that Valentine's Day is just another day - as we singles put it.

Do you disagree with my look on Valentine's Day? What's your opinion? Let me know by leaving a comment.

For updates, follow: @mickyhaitch

What Music Culture?: 12 Things I Learned From the Grammys

So this year social media really got me into the Grammys, arguably the biggest music awards ceremony in the world. I noticed that it is such a grand ceremony, with a lot of big shots. However, there were 13 (unlucky for some) things that I did learn from the Grammys:

1. Jay Z Wants to Kill Jamie Foxx

Right, maybe a bit hyperbolic. Anyway to sum it up, Foxx told Hova that his wife Beyonce was hot. Joke or not, Jay Z decided to just grab his wife whilst delivering a bit of a death stare to the actor.

2. Lorde is Really Cool 

When she went up to receive one of her awards she just seemed so laid back and down to earth. Humble as pie. She almost seemed like she didn't care so much about winning. Good to see good music win, but will she go down the Adele route and just become boring? Only time will tell. Hopefully not.

3. Daft Punk Are Heroes

Why? Because they turned up to a swanky awards' ceremony in a suit - with their trademark helmets. They also refused to talk as Pharrell and Nile Rodgers both spoke on behalf in what was a piece of comedy from the robots who obviously took inspiration from The Stig.

4. Kendrick Lamar was on Fire

The Compton rapper collaborated with Imagine Dragons as they mixed tracks. The performance started off quite wonky, but Lamar tagged in and performed a great version of his song "m.A.A.d City", leaving the rock band looking minuscule in compare.

5. Imagine Dragons were Awful

I do like Imagine Dragons, they are a fun, decent band who have been unnecessarily over-hyped. No wonder they failed to live up to my expectations after being told they were "great" live. This could have been an off night, but it was not the night that you want to mess things up. The band's instrument playing was actually good, but the singer managed to murder his own song. As I said above, Kendrick absolutely outshone the band.

6. Same Love is Just Beautiful

When Thrift Shop came out, I was already categorising Macklemore and Ryan Lewis under the "funny one hit wonders" alongside LMFAO and (although I don't find it funny now) The Crazy Frog. Yet who really thought that The Heist would have such a great song on it? It pretty much summed up and justified in three and a half minutes that you should be able to marry whoever you want. The Grammys went OTT with the couples marrying, but still, Macklemore is one of the unlikely heroes of 2013.

7. Daft Punk Doing Get Lucky Was Sweeeeettt

Stevie Wonder joined the supergroup that is Daft Punk featuring Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams. Wonder, sadly seems to have lost his vocals with age, but everyone pitched in for a really cool song. Right at the end Daft Punk appeared from behind a window as well to everyone's delight.

8. Taylor Swift Won't Want to R-(wait for it Taylor) emember Her Early Celebrations

You've got to feel for the girl. Her album "Red" was up for best album which lost out to Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories". However, Swift reacted after only hearing the "r". To her embarrassment she then realised that she hadn't won, but she was gracious in defeat. It is a funny video though, I recommend watching it.

9. Queens of the Stone Age Really Did Rock

Josh Homme and co ended the Grammys along with Lindsey Buckingham (formerly of Fleetwood Mac) and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. There was a lot of controversy as the performance was cut for adverts, but it was really good. QOTSA were nobodies in the UK just a few years ago, but now they have added to their already huge fanbase in the US. My God Is the Sun was pretty special.

10. Pharrell is (un)officially the Greatest Dresser of the 21st Century

He is a fucking mannequin! You put something on him and it suits him. In the Blurred Lines video he wears a silver shell suit, how did he pull that off? If I done that, someone would assume I was quite rough. Long shirts with denim shorts and a bow tie in his Happy video, which also featured a slightly ugly shirt that he manages to pull off again? He pulls off leather, suede, braces and even hats. His Grammys hat looked almost ridiculous like a Canadian mountie, but you couldn't help but think that he looked quite cool. Also, it would be nice to see N.E.R.D. back Mr Williams.

11. Madonna looked like Calvin Candie

You know the guy in Django Unchained? The guy that owns Candyland? Leonardo Di Caprio plays him? Yeah, well Madonna was the spitting image of him when she appeared in Macklemore's performance of Same Love. She looked like the Tarantino villain crossed with an amateur cowboy, a bit inappropriate to dress like a character who opressed many people when the song is trying to stop that. Kudos.

12. The Grammys Are Awful 

Sorry if I have offended anyone with this, but they are. Much like the Brits, they have lost that fun that they used to have. The jokes are safe and unfunny, it's too professional; and you have the likes of Kendrick Lamar - who grew up in one of the most dangerous areas in America - suiting up, not putting a foot out of line or being outrageous. I find it hard to believe that Kendrick would usually act so professional, so why should he have to? The sad thing is, we no longer get moments such as Jarvis Cocker mooning at the Brits when Michael Jackson performed the pretentious Earth Song. No longer are the days where all the artists get absolutely smashed. So sadly I will have to finish on a sad note, but yes, awards ceremonies are destined to head in the same direction as the Grammys: a party as fun as being a prisoner-of-war - because ultimately, the Grammys are like that, minus the brutality and physical punishment.

Don't agree with me? Drop me a comment and express your opinion.

For more updates, follow me on Twitter: @mickyhaitch

What Music Culture?: 2014 Festivals - The Year of the Comebacks?

I have been to only one festival in my whole 18 and a half years on this planet.

It was The Wickerman Festival in Scotland, it was a bit strange. The reason why? There were many. For a start, it was in 2009 when I was 13, a time where my favourite bands where Elliot Minor and The Wombats - I am currently cringing at the keyboard. When I was 13 my music taste was all right, but wasn't very broad compared to now. So, going to an obscure festival with bands that were only appealing to folkies (folk music lovers) and hipsters, I was a little bored. Idlewild played and I'm pretty sure Human League did as well, but at that point I had no clue about that 80's band. The other main reason was I was with my mum and my siblings. There were students taking legal highs and everyone seemed wild - except from me. My mum didn't make it look cool, but nonetheless I'm happy that I at least got to go.

Now, in the year 2014, I am a musicaholic addicted to do musicahol, or else as it's better known, music. I have already bought tickets for two festivals this year: T in the Park in Kinross and Leeds Festival in well, Leeds. Leeds was always on my mind, but the early announcements of Blink 182, Disclosure and Jake Bugg sealed it for me. I promised myself that I would go to TITP this year and when Arctic Monkeys were made headliners, I jumped at the chance.

Once you have bought tickets to festivals there is one big question - Who's going to play? There are around another four months of anticipation and my question to myself was, is this the year of nostalgia? The Stone Roses and Blur started off reunions in 2012, but 2014 is looking brilliant. Outkast have been confirmed for Coachella which got everyone going. Then, Foo Fighters reunited after a very brief hiatus, which surely means that they will play festivals this summer. The Strokes - although not broke up - have all went their own ways and our now due to play The Governor's Ball sparking rumours that they could tour festivals. Blur could make another comeback as Damon Albarn is swinging around and they have stated that it isn't completely off the cards. Also one to be excited for is Kasabian who look set to release a new album this year and will surely play a least one festival. Oh, we almost forgot about Prince and Fleetwood Mac.

Then you have two bands who everyone really wants to reunite: Oasis and The Libertines. Noel Gallagher seems to be flying high with his High Flying Birds, but Liam seems desperate to get his Beady Eye nightmare over with. The whole "I fucking hate him" and "he's dead to me" patter between the brothers seem to be almost fake now because of how much I've heard about it. The other band, sadly seem to be a million miles away from a reunion. Carl Barat and Pete Doherty had a relationship like JD and Turk from Scrubs, but Doherty's drug use has damaged their friendship. Doherty has already been deemed unreliable in his band Babyshambles, but in the words of that little shit Justin Bieber or that country lass Taylor Swift, "never say never". The London quartet did reunite in 2010 for Leeds, who says that they don't get back together? That seems like a long shot.

Anyway, I think there may be more comebacks than usual this year. I will finish on my predictions for T in the Park, Reading and Leeds and Glastonbury.

T:  Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, Kasabian
R&L: Blink 182, Foo Fighters, The Strokes
Glasto: Arcade Fire, Prince, Foo Fighters (if not Fleetwood Mac)

Of them, I predict about four of them will be right (three have already been announced). Anyway, peace out.

21st Century Britain: A Nation Hungry For Answers

Many families across the UK will have finished their Christmas shopping this week, spending big bucks for no reason (I still find it hard to believe that because Jesus was born, I deserve £300 worth of stuff). However, there will also be families who haven't got their Christmas presents yet.

These people aren't usually leaving it until the last minute, they simply don't have money to buy gifts because surviving is more important. This has led many skint citizens of Britain visiting foodbanks this Christmas to get through the turbulent times of the Winter season.

Yesterday, there was a debate in Parliament about food banks and poverty in the UK in which Labour's appeal to reduce dependency on food banks was defeated by 43 votes. From watching it and reading multiple articles, I realised I am not the only one who is absolutely appalled by this.

Lets think from a non-biased point of view here. Who can honestly say that they think that human beings should have to use food banks? It's demeaning, it's embarrassing, it lowers your reputation and destroys your dignity.

Now, back to politics. According to shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle, 500,000 people in the UK - a third of them being children - have relied on food banks in the past eight months. That is almost 1% of the population. If you live in a town of 40,000 people, around 300-350 people will have relied on one. Put this into figures for London, a city of 8.1m and you have over 80,000 people relying on food banks. Sickening figures.

Yet with these sickening figures, you have greedy politicians. Iain Duncan Smith is shown above giggling during the debate and when called upon to answer questions, he moved the responsibility to his deputy Esther McVey, before leaving early. McVey's speech has been called one of the most disgusting and Labour's Gerald Kaufman described it as the "nastiest" speech he had heard in his 43 years as an MP.

Although most Tories sniggered and snorted at the thought of an alternative, credit has to be given to Conservative MP Laura Sandys who said "Food banks are not the answer. They must be seen as a transitional support mechanism for families in stress at particular moments." Perhaps there is a trace of humanity in the party after all.

What would my solution be? To first of all create jobs so that we don't have a problem with income; then offer support to families who are struggling at this time of year; and finally, to grab energy companies by the balls to make the winter season easier to survive in. Last year my house suffered from no heat for three months and no one done anything useful about it. Kettle baths and extra blankets weren't a fun experience. So I can imagine how people who can't afford to turn their heating on must feel. The only reason I feel that I can live with the heating on is because Scotland isn't as badly hit as the rest of the UK. 

So, if you have time, go down to your local food bank, help out. Volunteer or deliver goods. If you are reading this and think all hope is lost, don't think like that. It can hardly get worse than it already is.

It's Not All Bad...:Holidays Being Well Spent

Since I decided to get a 30 day free trial with LoveFilm yesterday, I've been cramming every minute I have watching films from the "To Do List". I've watched sci-fi action film Looper and comedy 30 Minutes or Less. Looper was brilliant, fun and a good take on a dystopian world. 30 Minutes or Less was less impressive and although some scenes were hilarious, there were some that were quite cheesy. However, I have watched a film (twice now today) which has to go down as one of my favourite films and probably my favourite coming-of-age film. I'm talking about The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This film is evidence that life is worth living. It's basically a film about misfit freshman Charlie who befriends a boy called Patrick in his craftshop class and his step sister Sam. He is accepted into their social circle and faces many problems along the way, including his never-ending love battle as he loves his best friend, Sam. The film deals with many issues which could possibly fling a film for being such huge issues to tackle in a film, yet it's perfect. The music in the film is incredible, with the main characters growing up in the early 90's (as they don't even mention Nirvana) listening to The Smiths and Nick Drake. Of course, there is also the "Tunnel Song" which they later figure out is David Bowie's "Heroes". Music brings Sam and Charlie closer together, which is such a huge factor. 

Then there are more important issues: without giving much away the film deals with mental trauma, sex abuse, sexuality problems, suicide, death of a lost one, bullying, loneliness, drugs and love. Yet, with all these things happening, the honesty of this film works. There's no far fetched scenes and others make you smile uncontrollably. 

This film is for losers. If you have ever felt like you are on the outside looking in, feeling like you don't belong, feeling depressed - get this film. Before watching this, I was pretty much in a downer for two days, just feeling shitty about life in general. Then I watched this and it gave me hope. It made me feel like I wasn't the only one who sometimes felt left out. 

However, the pinnacle of this film is the quotes. They are life quotes. My favourite being "But even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there."

So, today I will go to bed knowing that my life feels that much better from watching a film. The film ends on a beautiful quote which will stick in my mind for the rest of my life.

"We are infinite".

What Music Culture?: Are the Newgen a good gen?

"Remember when rock was popular and actually good?"
"Who do we have nowadays that are anything near as good as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles?"
"Music is dead."

All three of these statements have their faults: they are the words of the ignorant. The kind of people that wish that they grew up in 1960s.

Except there are no iPods, the internet is the webbing in swimming shorts and you wouldn't be able to read this blog - you lucky bastards. Adding to that is the lack of civil rights back then. Oh, so you are gay and you want to live in the 60s just to grow up listening to the Stones? You are an ethnic minority likely to grow up in a world of hate and segregation, but you want to be part of Beatlemania?

Grow up guys. The 21st century isn't all bad.

So getting back to my main point, the opening statements are complete bull and I'll tell you why.

Tackling the first sentence, yes rock music was popular and was incredible back in the day, however, why is this statement wrong? It may not be a popular genre - in terms of charts - however, the quality has not dropped.

You still have so many artists who are fantastic, yet they are ignored by many; thrown onto the scrapheap because they simply can't make a living. Take London band Tribes who recently split. Fair enough, their second album was disappointing, but their debut was a great listen, yet, only two people I know, know of the band. First lesson is to give all sorts of music a chance before labelling it "crap". Arguably, the best music you hear these days involves a little searching.

The second sentence, how can we compare The Rolling Stones and The Beatles to say, Arctic Monkeys or Muse? It's ridiculous.

The Rolling Stones and The Beatles were pioneers. They were the first to do something very obvious and since the 2000s I can only think of one genre of music that has emerged as new and that is dubstep. Everyone always thinks first is best, but sometimes the progress of music is better. I honestly think that The Clash were a million times better than The Sex Pistols, yet the Pistols were the first to really popularise punk music. Arctic Monkeys and Muse have both pushed the barriers moving into hip-hop and dubstep-influenced rock.

In saying that, Kanye West has the potential (if not already is) the greatest hip-hop artist of all time. Before I get smacked in the face with Biggie Smalls' lyrics or threatened with a Tupac chorus, think about it. Did Biggie or Tupac completely change hip-hop multiple times the way Yeezy is today?

Of course not.

Artists such as Frank Ocean, Drake, Chance the Rapper and The Weeknd all owe so much to Kanye due to his change in hip-hop in his album "808's and Heartbreaks". This popularised slow hip-hop and has only grown since Ocean's debut "channel ORANGE". Recently West has also been the first to mix heavy electro beats and tribal music into his album "Yeezus" which is a confusing album, yet it's a work of art.

So again, don't think that everything is rubbish just because it is modern. Music is ever-growing and we have to give everyone a chance.

And finally "Music Is Dead". No it is not.

People became very familiar with this phrase from the day that crap music dominated the charts (see 80s onwards). However, is it really?

You would have to be an idiot to say yes.

Although, the critically acclaimed are usually kept underground and anonymous to most, doesn't mean that you can't still see them live; buy their albums; or sing their songs. Only when these artists no longer exist, will there be an argument that music is dead. The newgen are hugely exciting.

In the past few years we have had many bands and artists breaking through: Miles Kane, Haim, Peace, Palma Violets, Django Django, The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club, Merchandise, Earl Sweatshirt, Parquet Courts, Swim Deep, Chvrches, Iceage, Disclosure, Jagwar Ma, Drenge, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, Radkey, Baby Strange, The Orwells, King Krule, Lorde, Jake Bugg, Spector...to name a few.

He have already seen the likes of Haim, Lorde and The Vaccines becoming big on the radio and around the UK and the other bands mentioned have great potential. I would say that music is, if anything, stronger these days because you can find it anywhere and you can become noticed easy. So, yes I would say that the newgen are indeed, a good gen. There's nothing better than finding as many influences in music as you can, and these new kids can use that to their advantage.

Have I missed any new bands/artists that you feel have done well in the last few years? Do you agree with me on the three statements? Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.

21st Century Britain: The Dark Secrets of Ian Watkins

How often do you see your favourite frontmen on a personal level?

The answer is usually never.

They can look like they enjoy themselves, when really they are suicidal, like Kurt Cobain. They can seem really and nice, but turn out to be a knob, like Damon Albarn. Or, they have a twisted dark side. Much like former-Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins.

Last year it was revealed that the Welshman had been charged with numerous child sex offences, shocking pretty much anyone who knew of his band. Unfortunately, the band ceased to exist after these allegations.

Lostprophets announced in October after a lengthy hiatus that they were officially over after 15 years as a band, a sad time especially when they really had no choice. Quit now or continue as the band that used to be fronted by a child abuser?

Yesterday, Ian Watkins pleaded guilty to 11 acts of child abuse, which grotesquely included raping a baby. In court it showed Watkins appearing to Skype fans with young children and telling them to abuse them. Watkins even discussed with one of the women about blowing crystal meth smoke in her infant's face. Jesse Pinkman would not approve.

However, I discovered today that an ex-girlfriend of Watkins had already complained to the police after Watkins frequently confessed to being a paedophile. These accusations were dismissed as there was not sufficient evidence, which is fair enough.

Then, I came across an article in the Independent. It mentioned that Watkins uploaded videos of him featuring in child pornography on illegal porn sites. Fans of Watkins - after seeing indecent images on his computer - also reported him to the police. Now at this point, it goes by "angry stalker" and becomes serious. Several accusations and not even a search from the police raises some questions when an innocent football fan - Rangers fan in the Manchester riots of 2008 - can be singled out and beaten to a pulp on assumption, yet the police don't react on assumption in a case that is a more serious matter than drunken fighting.

If accusations like that weren't enough then you would think that the video for their 2008 single "A Town Called Hypocrisy" wasn't an additional clue that something wasn't right. The video consists Watkins being a children's TV show presenter before getting drunk and mental in an after party. There's something very creepy about the video and as allegations first came about around that time, I am sure that they could have possibly suspected something.

But like Savile, Glitter and Harris before him; he got away with it for a while before being brought to justice. However, that is at least five years where he was freely allowed to abuse children as he pleased and delve into the darkest, vilest corners of pornography. There has to be a tighter grip on these sort of accusations, but also, you have to respect privacy to a certain extent. Hopefully this kickstarts an improvement in the police force.

To wrap up, I was shocked by this news. Loved a few Lostprophets songs (who didn't like Rooftops?) and at one point I was naive enough to think he was really cool. It's a shame for the other five band members who have pretty much lost their career and my sympathy goes out to them. As for Watkins after reading all the disturbing stories of his personal life, I cannot describe my hatred for him, but yet, a little part of me has died. I hope Watkins is the last of these "celeb paedos" because it starts to ruin everything that you believe in as a teenager, idolising these "role models".

Sadly, I find it hard to believe this will be the last.

Follow me on Twitter: @ML0g