Filed under: Music, religion | Tags: Acoustic, American Lesion, bad religion, Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin, Music, New Maps of Hell, punk, Review
The cynics among us sees re-releases of albums as little more than poorly disguised attempts to squeeze every last cent from adoring fans. Bad Religion’s deluxe edition of 2007’s New Maps of Hell, is more than just a slipcase, an artwork booklet, a bonus DVD and a couple of “classic” posters.
The original 16-track album was, arguably, the punk album of 2007, despite concerns from some fans they had sold out, after the first single “Honest Goodbye” showed a slower, softer side to the band. Such fears were allayed, however, as the album mixed the passion and pace of their eighties’ releases and the precision and song quality of their later albums. The classic Bad Religion sound rings throughout, from the vocal backing “oozin’ aahs”, the fast power-chords, the melodic leads, to the thunderous trademark drumming.
So is it worth fans buying the deluxe edition if they already own the original album? (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Philosophy, Politics | Tags: Anmesty International, AUT, Beijing, China, Freedom, George Orwell, Human Rights, Journalism, Michael Phelps, New Zealand, Olympics, Sports, Te Waha Nui, Usain Bolt
This is an opinion piece I had published in AUT’s student newspaper Te Waha Nui. Based largely off posts that I have previously posted on undergroundnetwork, I try to balance my love of sports and my passion for human rights, in regard to the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. A real juggling act!
Politics, protests, patriotism and the pursuit of sporting perfection
Every four years I plant myself in front of the television for two weeks and wear down the cushion of my couch. I find myself enthralled by sports I would otherwise not even have a passing interest in, learning the finer points of gymnastics, dressage, handball and synchronised diving. I eagerly await our anthem blaring over the speakers in a packed stadium, with our hero standing in front of our flag, with our gold medal shining around their neck.I love marveling at the skills of the athletes, getting consumed by the drama of the competition and reveling in the emotions of the winners and the losers.
But should I be watching these Olympics? (more…)
Filed under: Music | Tags: anti flag, Auckland, Australia, Big Day Out, Bright Lights of America, Charity, Die for the Government, Gigs, New Zealand, Politics, punk, Rip it Up, Taste of Chaos
Anyone who checked this band out at this year’s Big Day Out or Taste of Chaos a few years back will be excited about the news that Anti-Flag is returning to New Zealand and Australia in December. Considering both those shows the band played as many tracks as possible in the short-length sets the band were allotted, they should be exceptional at their own headlining shows. I understand the gigs are likely to be charity shows, where the band asks fans to bring something to donate to the chosen local charity. I reckon this is awesome, because it is one thing to see a band sing about caring and politics and shit, but this is an active way to make a difference, involve fans and help the community the band is touring in. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: AUT, Journalism, News, Newspaper, Politics, Sports, Te Waha Nui, University
AUT’s student newspaper Te Waha Nui has hit the shelves for the first time this semester. Not only do we students have a paper we can be proud of, we now have a great new website which shows off our hard work. Although there is a strong political focus because of the upcoming election, there are some great features, brilliant opinion pieces (mine included!) and fine reviews. I encourage everyone to check it out.
It was stressful producing a paper, especially as we were running behind most the time, but it was a valuable experience. In the end it came out better than I had expected. There are always creases to iron out and things to sort out, but we can be proud of what we achieved. I look forward to the next issue coming out in a fortnight, as I reckon it should be even better.
This first issue I became the default sports reporter, which I enjoyed, but I’m keen to write some great politics story for future issues. I also hope to write a good feature profile in the future…
Filed under: Politics | Tags: Beijing, China, George W Bush, Georgia, Human Rights, Natalia Paderina, Nino Salukvadze, Olympics, Politics, Protests, Russia, Shooting
If nothing else, the Olympic games provides a fortnight of positive, feel good stories to relive us of the troubles of the world. I think this story does just that, providing a glimpse of hope for the Caucus region as Georgia and Russia fight over the disputed South Ossetia. Amusing that a Georgian and a Russian join each other on the podium for shooting’s women’s 10 metre pistol though! (more…)
Filed under: New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: Election 2008, Journalists, MMP, National, New Zealand, NZ First, Peter Brown, Politics, Ron Marks, Simon Bridges, Winston Peters
A recent poll has shown Winston Peters’ political days to be numbered, with Tauranga voters preferring National’s young candidate Simon Bridges. As New Zealand First is languishing beneath five per cent threshold, the media once again contemplates a parliament without Winnie. Many in the media would be pleased to see him go, as no doubt would many voters. He is never far from controversy and the latest concerns over donations may perhaps be the final straw for the electorate. Could he really be gone in a few month’s time? (more…)
Filed under: Journalism | Tags: Auckland, Coromandel, Hauraki, Hauraki Herald, Journalism, New Zealand Herald, Newspaper, Thames, Waihi
As part of my Graduate Diploma in Journalism, I will be spending the next five days in Thames writing for the Hauraki Herald. The Hauraki Herald is a Fairfax regional paper that covers the Thames/Hauraki/Coromandel/Waihi etc area. It should be interesting to see what kind of stories are written for these communities compared to those written for the New Zealand Herald, where I did a two-week internship a few weeks back. Reading through past papers I find my ignorance of rural/small community life exposed, as I really am only used to the North Shore, Auckland suburban life. I look forward to the challenge of writing stories for these communities, which will be something very different. Should be an exciting and valuable experience. I love the atmosphere of the newsroom and a well earned beer at the end of the day!
To any Hauraki Herald readers who may be reading this, I would love to hear of any good story ideas. Leave a comment and I can email you. I don’t think I’ll be writing any new posts for a few days, but hopefully I’ll still be able to approve any new comments. I’m keen to see any reader responses to this post (from Coromandel region locals) and my previous post “open letter to National voters”. Cheers.
Filed under: New Zealand Election 08, Politics | Tags: Economy, Election 2008, government, Helen Clark, John Key, Labour, National, New Zealand, Policy, Politics, Voting
I’m under the impression that most of the support National is getting in the polls is a backlash against the government and people are keen to punish Helen Clark and the Labour party. For why else would anyone support National?
I’ve blogged it once and I’ll blog it again, without knowing the details to National’s policies, how can anyone make an informed decision on who to support? Tumeke has kept an eye on National’s policy releases (or lack of), and it makes for interesting reading. Many of the policies that National have not yet released are issues of concern for voters and areas where National have been making the most noise. It does strike me as bizarre that voters are turned on by what the perceive to be National’s position, yet they do not actually know. National may claim to have bigger tax cuts in store for voters than Labour, but until the actual details are released, voters are naive to get carried away with what is essentially all talk. National has not said how they will pay for the cuts and although they have ruled out borrowing the pay for them, news that investments in infrastructure will be paid for through borrowing is hardly different to borrowing for the cuts. It comes down to whether voters trust National’s leaders gambles, which makes it all the more surprising Key has converted voters without clearly outlining what he has to offer. It seems the only policy we do receive are one page releases scant on detail, or confirmation that they won’t scrap Labour’s existing policies, despite having previously rallied against them. (more…)
