February 11, 2017

From Blur To Dr Dee: My Fascination With Damon Albarn

Hi, my name’s Charlie – I am a 21-year-old Damon Albarn fanatic born in North Yorkshire, England. I discovered Damon Albarn only five years ago (in 2012), and I know this is relatively short in comparison to many of the BlurBalls readers. A lot of you probably fell in love with Albarn when he was young, when Blur were in their hey-day, but I wasn’t even born until 1995!

I think my discovery of Albarn is unique because it happened after a Blur performance that most of the country thought was terrible. Even BlurBalls (!) published a piece reflecting on its poor quality. But, for me, it was brilliant and unforgettable. I talk about this, and other stuff (including the big anniversary of ‘Blur’), in my article that Huffington Post were kind enough to publish for me. 

From Blur To Dr Dee My Fascination With Damon Albarn, From Blur To Dr Dee My Fascination With Damon Albarn Charlie Clissitt, Charlie Clissitt blog post, Charlie Clissitt damon albarn

Here’s a little excerpt:

“It was the 2012 BRIT Awards that sparked my Blur obsession into life. I was watching it with a sort of ‘love to hate’ attitude. I remember some pretty dreary performances from Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. At the end, Blur took to the stage, launching into an unforgettable performance of 'Girls and Boys'. Sporting red Doc Marten boots, Albarn was clearly a bit tipsy. He regularly entangled himself in the microphone wire, and those high-pitched ‘oh oh oh’s were strained and out of tune. Albarn encouraged the crowd to sing along but he reacted with disappointment when the suited, seated celebrities and swathes of teenage spectators barely responded. My sisters were horrified, but the energy of Blur’s performance and the charisma of Damon Albarn had me hooked. I bought The Best of Blur that night.

The next day at school, I learned that one of my best friends (with whom I shared a great love of Bowie) had hated the performance. He told me I’d become a fan of four middle-aged dads, which was true. I bought the Blur 21 boxset in July. I remember stacking crisps with such enthusiasm on my Saturday shift at a supermarket, knowing the box was waiting for me at home.”

Read the full article HERE




February 9, 2017

How To Dress Like Damon Albarn- featuring Lammyman

Damon Albarn is the quintessential Britpop style icon of the 1990s and early 2000s. Today we're going to break down what wardrobe essentials YOU need to dress like the Blur frontman, deemed one of the most fashionable men of Britpop in England. Most of the items can be bought on one of our favourite shops, Lammyman, a great, affordable store selling high-quality Mod, Skinhead and Retro clothing for men who want to get the look. They've been in the business for a while, and offer a huge selection of clothing for a 90s look. 

A bit about Damon Albarn' look- Damon Albarn dresses in what you would call a typical 'Mod' look. The classic Mod look is a strong vibrant statement where emphasis is placed on attention to detail. Since its emergence in the 1960's the look has evolved and become a staple of many a persons wardrobe. From Loafers, Sta Press trousers, Button-Down shirts to the classic Harrington Jacket , they all come with the word 'Mod' attached.

Lammyman stocks a huge range of clothing that look like they're straight out of Albarn's wardrobe. They also stocks a variety of handmade clothing from Connection Knitwear in Italy and are one of the few UK and Ireland stockists. Trojan Records Clothing polo shirts are a must for anyone wanting to stand out from the crowd. 

Without further ado, here are 5 essentials you must get to achieve Damon Albarn's Mod look. 


damon albarn harrington jacket, lammyman
damon albarn harrington jacket
damon albarn harrington jacket
lammyman harrington jacket, lammyman blog review, lammyman review, lammyman shop
lammyman harrington jacket, lammyman blog review, lammyman review, lammyman shop
lammyman harrington jacket, lammyman blog review, lammyman review, lammyman shop

A Harrington jacket is a classic Britpop/ Mod statement piece. Several decades on and the Harrington has been revived and updated for the modern male. It's versatile, vintage and looks perfectly on par with the 90s. Damon Albarn is sporting a Beige Harrington jacket, with a neutral color which matches with anything- the tartan lining gives it a classic preppy look, and it goes well with pretty much anything- a shirt, a polo shirt, a simple tee. 

You can often spot Damon Albarn sporting a Harrington jacket in many of Blur's photoshoots. Beige seems to be his color, but there are lots of other choices available, such as Navy, Burgundy, Green and Black. Fit is very important for Harrington jackets. A classic Harrington’s body will always be cut short in relation to the chest size and arms.

We ordered Lammyman's Combat Harrington jacket (above) and it arrived quickly in perfect condition. The sizing fits true to size, and the quality of the jacket is excellent. It is well-made, sewn properly and made in the UK. The inner tartan lining of their jacket gives the Harrington a fantastic and classic look. The sleeves are just the right amount of puffiness, and the jacket hits at just around the hip area, making it the perfect, put-together Britpop look. 


lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket

Playing football, drinking a beer at the pub- these were all in during the 90s, as lad culture was booming everywhere in England. In fact, sports jackets are associated as much with the musical scene than ever, since many celebrities and musicians engaged in friendly combat during their leisure time. We're thinking Britpop grunge, Nike, Adidas and the likes- striped shirts, jackets and waterproof lining. A sports jacket is definitely something individualized and  eclectic, which may be another reason it appeals now, when a pick-and-mix approach to culture and fashion rules.

3) Polo Shirt 

lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket
lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket
blur polo shirt, damon albarn polo shirt, britpop polo shirt, britpop fashion, lammymanreview
blur polo shirt, damon albarn polo shirt, britpop polo shirt, britpop fashion, lammyman polo
blur polo shirt, damon albarn polo shirt, britpop polo shirt, britpop fashion
blur polo shirt, damon albarn polo shirt, britpop polo shirt, britpop fashion, lammyman polo

Again, this is a must-have if you're going to get his look. Damon Albarn is renowned for his Fred Perrys, especially during the wake of his recent gigs. The polo is smart- just like the Modsters who wanted to be differentiated from the Rockers. They're best worn with slim trousers, big boots and of course, a big floppy head of hair (just like Albarn's). 

But did you know that during the 90s and the Mod revival era, not everyone was able to afford Fred Perrys? There are much more affordable options from brands such as Trojan Records and Merc, available here. These classic polo shirts are slim-fitting and have a collar with striped details. The Trojan polos were very popular in the 90s due to their association with the record label Trojan Records, which have signed a great number of Britpop bands. 

We ordered a Black polo from Lammyman, and were not disappointed. In fact, it's made of high-quality cotton and feels great on the skin. Perfect for a Damon Albarn look, and something that he would totally wear on stage or out and about in London. 

4) Button Up Shirt (preferably patterned) 
lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket

To catch up on the modern Mod trend, a lot of the button-down shirts are now a 3 finger collar from the likes of Brutus and Britac and 1960's sportswear knits from Art Gallery. These go great with Stay pressed trousers which are slim-fitting, and goes well with penny loafers. Damon Albarn often exudes a slightly 'preppy look'. No one does a penny loafer better than Bass Weejun. Bowling Shoes are very much to the fore again for the summer and Delicious Junction offer a great range. 

5) Striped Knit Sweater 
lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket
lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket,
lammy man clothing review, lammy man blog review, mod clothing blog review, how to dress like damon albarn, damon albarn style, damon albarn fashion, damon albarn polo shirt, damon albarn harrington jacket

Damon Albarn's known for his signature sweater - the striped, horizontal sweaters he wears for music videos such as Beetlebum and the like. Stripes were the symbol of the 90s and the Mod era- maybe it was something to do with the need for straight lines amidst the chaos of Britpop and the music scene. It was a crazy, chaotic time, and stripes were something of a calm order.

There's something youthful and simple about crew neck jumpers, and the way they exude confidence. Nonetheless, we're loving Damon Albarn's simple, yet eye-catching choice of knitwear in his days of being the King of Britpop.

With these 5 essentials, you'll have no problem getting Damon Albarn's look from the 90s.

Check out Lammyman's store at: lammyman.co.uk
Like them on Facebook HERE
Instagram: @lammyman


February 8, 2017

Celebrating 20 years since Blur's Beetlebum - Archive Interview Brings Back Memories

It's been 20 years since the release of the Blur's epic Beetlebum single. Check out this old interview of Blur from 1991- where they're all looking young and lovely.



When asked if it feels uncomfortable being labelled the hottest band in the world right now, a baby-faced Albarn replies: "It's quite an easy seat to sit in". "We're not lying back thinking we're amazing or anything, but at least we're kind of enthusiastic about it," he adds, while lying back unenthusiastically.

How much time flies! Stay tuned for more news regarding a possible new Gorillaz (and Blur) album!

Watch Beetlebum's music video here:


February 7, 2017

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz - Song Lyrics

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz

Song Lyrics 

Verse 1: Benjamin Clementine]
Here is our tree
That primitively grows
And when you go to bed
Scarecrows from the far east
Come to eat
Its tender fruits
And I thought the best way to perfect our tree
Is by building walls
Walls like unicorns
In full glory
And galore
And even stronger
Than the walls of Jericho
But glad then my friend
Out in the field we shall reap a better day
What we have always dreamt of having
Are now for the starving
It is love, that is the root of all evil
But not our tree
And thank you my friend
For trusting me

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)

[Bridge: 2-D]
How will we know?
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?

[Spoken Verse: Benjamin Clementine]
Don't worry, my friend
If this be the end, then so shall it be
Until we say so, nothing will move
Ah, don't worry
It's not against our morals
It's legally tender
Touch my friend
While the whole world
And whole beasts of nations desire
Power

[Bridge 2: 2-D]
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah
Hallelujah money!

[Outro: Spongebob Squarepants]
(Cries)

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz Song Lyrics, Hallelujah Money Gorillaz Lyrics, new gorillaz song review 2017, gorillaz song lyrics new


February 4, 2017

Blur Sheffield Poly Gig- 1990/ 1991

Here are 2 early Blur gig tickets that a Blur fan sent in from 1990/ 1991! Mark said that "I remember that the 1990 one was in a pretty empty bar. All I can rememberer though is that the very small crowd invaded the stage and Alex (I think ) climbed up on top of a very tall speaker stack system on the right hand side of the stage to escape!". What a throwback!

blur sheffield gig 1990, blur 1990s, blur tickets gig, old blur tickets, britpop tickets 1990, blur 1991 throwback

blur sheffield gig 1990, blur 1990s, blur tickets gig, old blur tickets, britpop tickets 1990, blur 1991 throwback


February 2, 2017

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz- An Honest Song Review

Overall Score: 2/5 
Catchiness: 1/5
Lyrics: 4/5

So Gorillaz delivered their latest track around 15 days ago, and it's been provoking a mixed reaction from fans. Judging from the number of likes and dislikes from their Youtube video, it's about time to finally write an honest review about what we thought of their song Hallelujah Money (below).

The song begins by crooning by Benjamin Clementine singing "Hallelujah Money"- it's a creepy, slightly eerie song, with a gothic and scary-movie feel. Damon Albarn then croons "How will we know when the morning comes" in his signature electro-pop synth sound in the background. The melody contains a choir singing in the background, not unlike the Blur single 'Tender'- but it's very, very different.

The song wins in it's lyrics- it's the best part of the song. The song's a slam to the regime of US President Donald Trump, as well as a rant on being human and the world we are living in. The message is clear- it's quite anti-Trump, anti-money and anti-capitalism. Period.

However, the song loses out in it's melody and tune. It lacks a tune, to put it simply. It's quite dead beat, and the tune lacks some of the oomph which makes Gorillaz what they are- a catchy band with top melodies. This song disappoints in terms of it's tune- it sounds like listening to a radio broadcast rather than an actual song. Even the song Doncamatic, released a few years ago by the band, seems much better.

All in all, it's a disappointing song, albeit one that carries a strong message. It's a bit like songs from Gorillaz's epic iPad album- only we have to say that we prefer Damon's iPad fiddlings much, much more.

On the other hand, check out Damon Albarn's genius lyrics below.




Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz

Song Lyrics 

Verse 1: Benjamin Clementine]
Here is our tree
That primitively grows
And when you go to bed
Scarecrows from the far east
Come to eat
Its tender fruits
And I thought the best way to perfect our tree
Is by building walls
Walls like unicorns
In full glory
And galore
And even stronger
Than the walls of Jericho
But glad then my friend
Out in the field we shall reap a better day
What we have always dreamt of having
Are now for the starving
It is love, that is the root of all evil
But not our tree
And thank you my friend
For trusting me

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
Hallelujah
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)

[Bridge: 2-D]
How will we know?
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?

[Spoken Verse: Benjamin Clementine]
Don't worry, my friend
If this be the end, then so shall it be
Until we say so, nothing will move
Ah, don't worry
It's not against our morals
It's legally tender
Touch my friend
While the whole world
And whole beasts of nations desire
Power

[Bridge 2: 2-D]
When the morning comes
We are still human
How will we know?
How will we dream?
How will we love?
How will we know?

[Hook: Benjamin Clementine (Choir)]
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Past the chemtrails)
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hmmm
Hallelujah money
(Hallelujah money)
Hallelujah money
(Oooh)
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah money
Hallelujah
Hallelujah money!

[Outro: Spongebob Squarepants]
(Cries)

Hallelujah Money by Gorillaz Song Lyrics, Hallelujah Money Gorillaz Lyrics, new gorillaz song review 2017, gorillaz song lyrics new


January 20, 2017

New Gorillaz Song Released- Hallelujah Money ft Benjamin Clementine

Looks like Gorillaz has just released their latest hit of 2017- a new, slightly spooky track called Hallelujah Money, featuring Ben Clementine. This song is expected to be the first of many, with Gorillaz releasing their latest album tentatively in 2017.

The song is released in time for US President Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration, the band has dropped a brand new song - their collaboration with James Murphy and Andre 3000, "Do Ya Thing.” Titled “Hallelujah Money,” the song features Benjamin Clementine on main vocals, crooning about building walls and love being the root of all evil. Sounds familiar?

This Trump-bashing anthem is creepy and slightly unusual, but it is by no means a signal into the album's full content, of which is still a secret now.

hallelujah money benjamin clementine gorillaz, new gorillaz song, new gorillaz song 2016, new gorillaz song 2017,

Murdoc introduced the track on the band's Facebook: "In these dark times, we all need someone to look up to. Me. That's why I'm giving you this new Gorillaz song, a lightning bolt of truth in a black night. You're welcome. Now piss on! The new album's not gonna write itself."

According to UPROXX, the song is "the first taste of their new record which is coming later this year".

Give it a listen below and vote on the poll about what you think!




Do you like the new Gorillaz song?

Yes love it
Average
Not really
No Hate it
No comment


January 4, 2017

Best Bag for Men- MAHI Leather Bags

Ever wanted to get a leather bag for an affordable price? Look no further. MAHI Leather sells excellent unisex, pure leather bags for all occasions. With bags ranging from leather holdalls, duffle bags to backpacks and satchels, they have it all.

Every MAHI bag is made to order and shipped direct to you. This removes the middlemen, significantly reduces waste, and removes the costs associated with stockpiling large quantities of leather. They are also ethical, for they donate $1.50 for each bag sold to a charity that helps the poor.

Even Damon has one! 

MAHI bags are shipped worldwide and they also offer a 30-day money back or replacement guarantee on all orders. All shipments are fully insured and trackable with DHL. This means that you can order these as gifts for your friends, lover and family. Bags can be personalised with an embroidered!

Check out their site today!


December 16, 2016

Blur Memories

Here are some old Blur photos to jog your memories!


















ShareThis