We've never claimed that this blog was particularly cutting edge.

I mean, I'd like to blog about the coolest stuff well before the rest of the music world new it was cool. I'd like the AIR blog to be a tastemaker (the pitchfork of WIN organisations) but the fact is, we've got an organisation to run. We're trying to get money out of MTV for indies, we're trying to expand export opportunities for independent artists and labels. We've got charts to administer, awards to organise and an entire sector to deliver proffessional development programs to.

That's why it took me 6 months later than anyone else to jump on the bandwagon of Philadelphia Grand Jury.

It started last week when I 'met' a 56 year old African American man called Calvin, he lives in  Sydney. He's the new drummer for the Philly Jays. Running up the hallway clicking his drumsticks together at the BIG SOUND conference in Brisbane last week yelling out "ALL THE WAY WITH PHILLY JAY!!!, he made quite an impression. Then I heard the delicious but unsubstantiated rumour (please let it be true) that decades ago he was the drummer for the Village People! Wicked! My sort of drummer.

That night, at the BigSound showcases (many of which were brilliant, The Chemist, Little Red, [ME], Bertie Blackman, The Medics and Sounds Like Brisbane Shocases all spring to mind) Philadelphia Grand Jury tore the marcquee behind the Artisan Gallery to shreds. The energy was amazing, the stage presence brilliant, the banter hilarious. MC Bad Genius (He's the bass player) was frightening as he stormed off the stage cutting a swathe through the audiance with a murderous glint in his eye. Philly Jays were tight,dirty, punky, yelly, catchy, rockin, fun. Can't wait to see them again, or get hold of their debut album in a coupla weeks 'Hope Is For Hopers'. 

That night as I went to the casino at 2am to watch England beat Croatia 5-1 in World Cup qualifiers i was ready to party.  I had this song going round and round in my head... it was apt.

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