The Live Earth Concert in London began with the SOS Allstars: Roger Taylor (Queen), Chad Smith (RHCP), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) backed up by a team of drummers from around the world performing a dynamic percussion piece based around the International Morse Code Distress Signal (· · · — — — · · ·), better known as the SOS. Nothing demonstrated the mixed messages sent out by Live Earth better than this vibrant drumming piece, partly because it seagued into Queen's hoary old, classic rawk anthem 'We Will Rock You' thus acknowledging the troupe of dinosaur rock acts that were to take the stage in the name of a good show and partly because the SOS signal is usually sent by ships in distress such as the Titanic and the Lusitania which are already sinking. The only problem is that, in Earth's case there are no lifeboats to hand and, unless UFO obsessives are right, no passing spaceships to take us on board.  I am not qualified to argue either side of the coin in regard to climate change, but I do know as an experience diver and surfer that when you send out the distress signal, its already too late to save the ship.

Oh, and in case you thought that Al Gore's interest in Green politics began with 'An Inconvenient Truth', check out this spoof film made by President Bill Clinton just before he left office.

And finally, New Scientist asked its readers to calculate the electricity bill of the Live Earth gigs.

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I recently came across a version of Arcade Fire's 'No Cars Go', on their first EP which is available on i-Tunes. It is a song which, according to the All Music guide, "sounds like a blueprint for Rebellion (Lies)". What it sounds even more like is the re-recorded version of the same song that is the penultimate track on the band's sophomore album release, "Neon Bible". In fact, apart from a glossier sound, the new version is identical to the original, down to the guitar licks and the 'hey, hey' vocals. So, what is going on ? Are the band running out of ideas so soon into their career that they are already raiding their not exactly extensive back catalogue ? Are they perfectionists who felt that they could do even better re-recording this particular song ? Is it part of a canny plan to include one track from their first EP on every one of their later album releases? Answers on the comments board below, thanks.

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The following clips are are from surfing's answer to Apres Match, a very funny show called, "Dawn Patrol".

"Benji Surfs"

"Eating"

"Car Keys"

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Maximo Park: 'Books From Boxes'

The Gossip: 'Standing In The Way of Control'

Bright Eyes: 'Four Winds'

Arcade Fire: 'Intervention'

To those of you who went, hope you had a great time and that the mud washed off before you were due back to work. Peace.

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I was watching both 'Music & Lyrics' and ' End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones' in quick succession recently. In the former, the female pop superstar Cora is seen during one scene wearing a figure hugging, grey Ramones t-shirt and in the latter Richie Ramone is heard complaining that he never got a cut of 'the t-shirt' money during his time on the band. It got me thinking that perhaps the lasting legacy of The Ramones might just be a sartorial look which can be yours for just €24.99 in all good record stores. Along with the "CBGBs" t-shirt that I have seen many an aging Irish music industry guest judge on "You're A Star' wearing around Dublin it seems to be the most popular mass produced garment at present for those who want to be seen expressing their individuality and their belief in a personal freedom. The Ramones were famous for having a 'uniform' that remained as rigid and unchanging as their music and one which Dee Dee railed against but I do wonder from time to time if their onstage look and the logo which is the motif of the t-shirt was the pinnacle of their creativity, whether their lasting influence is not on music but on casual fashion and brand awareness. Hey, I love "Cretin Hop" but maybe it was Gap and not Green Day that learned the most from them. After all, there's no stoppin' the cretins from shoppin'.

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On Sunday 15th July, Dublin will see the first Irish performance of Glen Branca's "Hallucination City: Symphony for 100 Guitars". Below is a taster of what you are likely to hear on the night. Personally, I think it is great but then I also dig Lou Reed's 'Metal Machine Music' and Steve Reich.

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First off, the man who in my opinion is, along with his cousin Jack, one of the two lost fathers of country music, Woody Guthrie.

Now, the man who first tuned me into Woody, the Boss himself, performing a Johnny Cash favourite.

Now, the Man in Black, performing one of his greatest and darkest songs.

Next, a guy who is one of America's greatest songwriters, John Hiatt.

Finally, a guy who became a hero to me at 14 and remains so decades later, Steve Earle.

Until next time; ride hard, die hard, and keep on twangin'

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Until I saw Karen Taylor on BBC3, I thought that casting Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones could not be bettered, now I'm not so sure. Taylor is the first English comedienne in recent years to emerge from the British club comedy scene who looks like she could steal the crown of Victoria Woods or Dawn French. The second episode of her series for BBC3, "Touch me, I'm Karen Taylor" saw her turn the Arctic Monkey's hit "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" into the sort of glitzy, big band ITV dance extravanganza that Morecombe and Wise used to lampoon so memorably. Karen Taylor is funny and sexy, one to watch, and here is a taste of her smart, modern and ribald humour courtesy of YouTube.

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I turned on the radio this morning to Phantom FM, a station I normally don't get to listen to, and what did I hear ? A surf report giving surf conditions for Ireland! Hey, all I can say is that Sound Waves has caught the zeitgeist.

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The Live Earth concerts are on 7/7/2007. This is about the event, this is the full lineup of artists performing, and this is how you can take action to help.

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