It’s a Blog ! Not a Log !

so here it is, this evenings post . .its been an exciting week in the life of Vince, to start the week I had 2 PC’s at work infected by what I’ll call the DHL email virus.

This was a little bugger of a trojan/malware that came via a zipped file attached to an email purporting to be from DHL, the body of the email went along these lines :

Dear customer!

The courier company was not able to deliver your parcel by your address. Cause: Error in shipping address.

You may pickup the parcel at our post office personaly!

Please attention!
The shipping label is attached to this e-mail. Please print this label to get this package at our post office.

Please do not reply to this e-mail, it is an unmonitored mailbox.

Thank you.

DHL.

once the zipped file was opened it contained what appeared to be an excel spreadsheet, however upon clicking on this spreadsheet you discovered that it was in-fact an executable file, which within and instance had disabled/uninstalled your Anti-Virus software and proceeded to install a fake Anti-Virus program which was now telling you that you had 70+ virus’s that it could clean, but only if you bought the full version for $49 by entering your credit card details, it also installed a number of backdoor trojans and probably for good measure a key-logger.

Well after the 2 users informed me (happened to 2 people on 2 different days, even after I’d sent an email after the first instance warning people of this email) I downloaded Malwarebytes and Superantispyware onto a USB stick and booted the PC’s into Safe Mode (follow the link to learn how to boot into Safe Mode.

Once into Safe Mode I installed both programs and run one after the other, which resulted in over 80+ virus/Trojans hiding on the PC’s, so as instructed it removed them and rebooted the PC, however this wasn’t the end of the problem as one of these nasty little buggers messed about with the registry which resulted in first the Logon/Logoff screen looping every-time you entered your User details and also once this issue had been resolved denied access to the Task Manager and Display properties for the desktop.

After googling for a bit I found these instructions for changing the Registry settings back to there original perameters (details here, much thanks go to the  Ian Luke Kane for posting this info), there are 2 solutions to resolve the issue, me being me went for the Tricky one, I suggest if you have a Windows disc as it asks to go for the easy one as if you don’t know much about Registry editing you could do more damage than good.

Once I’d completed these steps, just to be sure all the virus’s were gone I removed the hard-drives from the infected PC’s and attached them to my PC as secondary drives and ran Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and Mcafee Virus scan on them, which resulted in about 6 more infected files being found, after running one more time with a clean bill of health, reinstalled the drives back in there original PC’s, then reinstalled the Anti-virus software . . .  I then sent out an email again warning people of this DHL Virus Email . . .  touch wood no one else has so far fallen  for it and got infected.

After the excitement of virus infections at work it was time for some relaxation and downtime for Vince, how better than to get on Twitter and chat to various people I know on there and it was thanks to these Twitter types that I made a wonderful discovery which has swelled the 38,000 tracks I have the option to play in my iTunes library to well over 100,000 tracks.

So what is this discovery then ?

Well its a piece of software called Simplify Media, which lets you share your  music on your PC using  programs like iTunes and Windows Media player, its like Spotify in a sense, but different, once you’ve installed the software you can invite other people you know who use it to share your library and vice-versa, once you’ve added them you’ll need to ensure that you’ve turned on view shared library’s in iTunes, wait a little while for the information for their library of music to be updated on your machine and then you can simply click on a track in their shared library in your itunes.

Here’s what Simplify Medias FAQ says about how it works :

Simplify Media software lets you browse and play remote music using the iTunes, Front Row, Winamp, Windows Media and Rhythmbox players, and remote photos using the Simplify photo viewer, iPhoto, and Windows Explorer. Specialized music and photo applications are also available for the iPhone and iPod touch mobile devices.

Media is streamed directly between computers over the Internet within small groups that you control. Your group can be made up entirely of your own computers, for example home and office or home and iPhone. You can also invite close friends and family to join. Once an invitation is accepted, you will be able to view and play each other’s libraries when online. See more

All I can say about this piece of software is go and download it, its fucking amazing, there’s even an app for the iPhone which lets you stream your music onto the iPhone(download it here , which for me is great, I’ve so far used this app to stream music to my iPhone and then using the Blue-tooth connection from my iPhone  I’ve streamed this same music through my car stereo, so instead of being limited to what CD’s or waht tracks I have on my iPhone I now have 100,000’s of tracks to choose from while driving my car . . .  how fucking cool is that.

The other good thing about Simplify Media, is that if I’m at someone house and there music’s shit, as long as they have an Internet connection and iTunes (just a case of downloading it) I can install Simplify Media on their PC logon using my details and I have access to my music to play . .  get innnnnn, no more shitty music . .  (not saying all my friends music is shit by the way)

Heres a screen shoot of the app open showing just how many tracks I have access to stream now (names  blacked out for obvious reasons)

Simplify Media Library

If you haven’t got this app, what are you doing still reading go and download it now and if your a friend or mine email me your Username and I’ll invite you to share my library.

Now after that immense plug of Simplify Media, back to the mundane part of my life.

Wednesday was spent at electriks helping Luke Unabomber with Mac problems/issues again, actually I can’t call this mundane as it was a laugh doing it, Lukes a funny guy when your trying to teach him Mac stuff, anyway just a case of showing him how to move files from one Mac to another.

Thursday was curry night were I prepared my body and soul for a rather nice Tandoori Chicken Masala which I must say was very very tasty, though it has repeated on me throughout the day . .  but it was worth it.

And now to today Friday . .  well believe it or not I’m ending the week resolving  Virus infected PC’s again, this time, its a laptop that’s suffering, not from the same virus, but one very similar i.e. it installs fake software and Trojans, again I’ve run much the same procedures as with the previous machines and thus far its discovered about 80+ infected files, I’ve cleaned these off and now am just in the process of running the secondary scans, they should be finished in about another 1/2hr, which has given me all this time to update my blog.

Hoping that once the scans are finished it’ll just be a case of installing some free anti-virus software on it and passing it back to the owner and seeing how much he’s willing to give me for doing it, I usually charge a bottle of Bombay Sapphire and 4o Lambert and Butler, which I think is fairly reasonable  . .  don’t you ?

As for tomorrow I’ve got to pick up an PC from Amanda at the Nook which again is virus infected, so after walking Blue grabing a Latte in Electriks I’ll spend a couple of hours sorting that out and by the most of my weekend will be gone, but hey I enjoy doing it and one day I might need a favour doing which they can help me with . . .  what comes around . . goes around as my old mate used to say . .

There as promised a post to my blog, hope its to your satisfaction and isn’t to long and boring . . .  if it is tough shit I’ve typed it now so there  . .

Good night

Well what can I say except that the Unabombers End of Year Riot at Electriks at Legends was a belter of a night . .  the venue the DJ’s, the music and most of all the people were fantastic, not had a night out as much fun as that in god knows how many years . . .  has definitely set me up for tonight’s NYE party at Electriks Bar.

I took a few picture of the night and am still in the process of uploading them to flickr, should hopefully have them all uploaded later on today, so keep checking back, didn’t get any video footage as it was way to dark in there to film.

Highlights of my night apart from the music and the people were the lovely Gemma who I know from going to Electriks Bar was recognizing me and asking where Blue was and some absolutely bolloxed up guy ambling across to me, grabbing me by the hand, shaking it profoundly and saying he was very upset that my Essential Mix on Radio 1 hadn’t been voted the top mix of the decade . . .  looking a little bemused I asked him who he thought I was . .  apparently according to him he thought I was Brandon Block . .  made me laugh . .

Anyway the night was a right good laugh, met some really nice people, who I shall hopefully bump into again at some point . ., guessing the same will happen tonight.

So before  go better wish you all a Happy New Year and hope to see you on the other side later

Could’nt sleep this morning so decided to upload a few more videos to YouTube.

First one’s of Blue in Longford Parkin Chorlton enjoying running through the Daffodills, she seems to like them, reminds her of long grss no doubt

This second one’s of our return journey from Yorkshire to Manchester, not to sure about the music I added to it though think I might have to change it to something a bit more uptempo

Anyway enjoy and feel free to comment

On the way to work this morning Barton Road in Stretford was cordoned off just before the Robin Hood Pub, my first thoughts were that there’s been a crash of some sort, but as I continued to work there was a report on the BBC News that a 16yr old boy had been shoot outside the pub in the late evening of Sunday.

Seems that the young lad had been with friends at a music event at the pub and as he was leaving in a car with a group of friends the car they were all travelling in was shoot up by someone, out of the four in the car he was apparently hit in the head and later died in Trafford Hospital.

Just when you think you know somewhere you discover that its not as safe as you first thought, I know Stretfords pretty crap, but I never thought there’d be drivebys on its streets, thoughts go out to this lads family and to any family effected by gun crime, Police initially arrested 3 people in connection with the shooting, but have released 2 and keeping the other for further questioning, I’m guessing the 3 arrested were the people in the car with him and there just going through the process of questioning them and figuring out whats gone on.

Its bullshit that people have to resort to guns to sort out differences, that such young life’s have to be wasted because there members of the wrong gang or in the wrong place, just hoping that the Police can find out who did it and get another killer off the streets, but as one goes to jail there will always be another waiting to take there place.

A very sad state of affairs our worlds coming to . .   and people wonder why I don’t want to bring children into this world . .

Just had a feast of a tea from electriks, Bangers & Mustard Mash with a grand helping of gravy, comfort food if ever there was, and its all being slowly washed down with a couple of pints of Vedett, never had Vedett before tonight and I’m certainly liking it, seems they’ve ran out of Hoeggarden, so I’ll be on this for the rest of the night.

Anyway while I’m in here I’ll be uploading some videos to YouTube that I should of uploaded ages ago to be honest, so expect quite a few listed in my next post.

Now what can i tell you about the bar I’m in apart from the fact it sells good beer and good food, well its the brainchild of 2 of Manchesters finest . . .  Luke Cowdry & Justin Crawford, put togeather these 2 gents make up the Unabombers who together run The Electric Chair (Home of The Unabombers / Electric Chair nightclub).

They’ve turned what used to be the Revise bar into there Chorlton adventure “Electrik’s Bar”, its situated on the main road opposite the legendary 24hr off-licence A & S Booze and it’s certainly seems to have been embraced by the locals, as can be seem Friday and Saturday nights when it’s fairly rammed with people enjoying themselves.

They’ve certainy got a good selection of beers and spirits to keep everyone happy and to add to it all they’ve got a free jukebox, so no more looking for pound coins to put in it, though don’t expect to find anything commercial on it, its a bit of an eclectic mix of tunes from all styles and periods of music.

But for me the best thing is its a dog friendly bar and they definatly make Blue welcome, she’s even donated a dogbowl to them so she’s always got something to drink ouut of when she visits.

Now that’s what I’m talking about . . , so where am I enjoing this value for money breakfast . . .

Orlando’s Bar in Chorlton of course, where else would I be on a Saturday morning.

So what is the £3.95 breakfast made up of then:

2 x Rashers of bacon
1 x Sausage (Very tasty sausage indeed)
1  x Fried Egg
1 x Hash Brown
1 x Portion of Baked Beans
1 x Portion of Tomatoes
1 x Portion of Mushrooms
1 x Black Pudding
1 x Sliced toast

Not bad for £3.95 and you get to eat it in lovely surrounding, where the music is conducent to relaxing while eating and as usual the staff are friendly and fun.

Orlando’s is also doing a full Roast Dinner for £4.95, something I’ve not sampled as yet, but will probably give it a go tomorrow and let you know what  thought of it, but for now I’m going to enjo my breakfast.

I actually feel a bit more alive now after that, plus the ibuprofen are starting to kick in a bit now.

Anyway last nights visit to the Windmill was definately worth it, got to see 2 of the bands that were on last night, these being Kovak a five piece band comprising of Abby Harmony: Vocals, Karl: Vocals, Guitar, Dazza: Drums, Toby: Bass  and Martin: Synth, there musics a sort of mix of electro, indie dance(reminds me a bit of Blondie in some ways), Abby thelead vocals definitely has a voice that you enjoy hearing, has a sort of hypnotic sound to it, just makes you want to swing,bop,dance and just generally gyrate, filmed some of their set last night and will be sticking it on YouTube shortly for your enjoyment, had a bit of a chat with them after the gig and they seem like decent types (even if they are southerners lol), the band come from Brighton and seem to have quite a big following down there, they also have a a club night called  ? yep you’ve guessed it Club Kovak down there where I’m guessing they’ve been cultivating there sound and their fanbase, next time I’m in Brighton I might have to check it out as from the sounds of the music they play live I’m guessing the Club Night will be just as good.

Now why don’t you do the decent thing and instead of reading my quick and rather rubbish review (not the best reviewer in the world am I) go and download there latest single, you can find it here I Love the Dancefloor and tell me what you think.

Anyway its time I took Blue for her walk, shes sat here whining at her dad, so I’ll be back later with a review of the 2nd Band “OneandaZero”

Well it started at the Green Windmill, where we enjoyed a few good bands and a few good drinks, saw Zoe and her partner, whose name I never did quite here the first time I met him, blame it on the loud music, so my apolgies for not knowing your name, anyway when we left the Green Windmill the night was still quite young so after a few times being a taxi I got everyone back to Bernies and were all here now, the roll call so far is :

Bernie, Amanda, Debbie,Nicola, Stacy, Lisa, Cath,Liam, Damian, Kev, Andy, Paul,Steve,Phil, Jon,Mel and Me.

Think it might turn into a bit of a mad one, shame Ben, John, Sophie and Ash are’nt here, but its not to be, saddens me a bit does that, Niki and Andy are’nt here either or Kenny again a bit of a shame, but theres always next time.

Not seen Kev and Andy since Blackpool, good to see the pair of them, really good lads the pair of them, was’nt to sure of Kev when I first met him a couple of years ago, but then again we were both a bit fucked to be honest, but think Kev and Andy are top lads, invited them out for our lads night out in Nov while Mel’s away the cats will play.

Leslie and Tim were out with us, but they decided not to come back with us, Leslie’s had a shit week, shame as it would have been nice again to have everyone here, so what is it about us lot when we get togeather, were mad for it as they say, were more then mad for it I think, we enjoy it to much to be mad for it, I’ve managed to rest control of the music so we’re listening to a bit of dance music which everyone seems to be getting into, well I hope they are anyway, if not tough shit I’m the dj for the night so fcuk em all

So does Bernie look any older for being 43 well her tits seem closer to the floor, but thats about it, shes still the same excitable Bernie that we all love and hold dear, and we would’nt want or have her any other way . . .

Happy Birthday Bernie may many birthdays follow and may all of them be in the company of friends and to those who are’nt here I’m thinking of you all and your here in spirit if nothing else.

Well its nearly 3:00am here and while I’m typing this the party’s going on around me and I now need to say bye for now and go mingle and mix.

BACK TOGETHER AFTER 25 YEARS!
This is’nt actually my post, I’ve taken it from a forum I use, but thought I’d just have to share it with you all as this looks as though its going to be one hell of an evening, going to try and get there myself

Calling all dance music aficionados. You may never again get the chance to see such an impressive gathering of seminal Manchester DJ’s together at one unique event.

It’s nearly time for the electrospective.

4pm to 3am Saturday August 30th – just over a week to go!

None of these DJ’s should need any introduction, but just in case you don’t know who we’re talking about:

Greg Wilson, who’ll be hosting the event, was a major underground figure from back in the day – the first DJ to mix live on UK TV. Remembered for his cutting-edge Electro-Funk nights in the early 80’s at Legends and Wigan Pier, his groundbreaking mixes on Piccadilly Radio, and for his pioneering role at The Hacienda way back in ’83. Made a hugely successful return to DJing in the past 5 years after a 2 decade hiatus, and now appears at clubs and events throughout the world.

Colin Curtis is one of the most respected UK DJ’s of all. He played a key role in the development of not just one, but three major dance movements here in Britain – Northern Soul, Jazz-Funk and House, playing at a whole spectrum of influential venues in the North and Midlands, including Blackpool Mecca, The Ritz, Rafters, Cassinellis, The Powerhouse, Rock City, The Locarno, Berlin, The Playpen and Legends.

Between 1978 and 1986, Mike Shaft’s Piccadilly Radio Soul Show, ‘Takin’ Care Of Business’ was something of a Manchester institution. Along with Greg Edwards and Robbie Vincent in London, Mike completed the trio of most influential black music presenters in the UK. Also a major force in clubland, Mike would move on to BBC Radio Manchester, before launching specialist black / dance music station, Sunset, in 1989. All these years on, he can still be heard, in his inimitable style, on Radio Manchester.

Hewan Clarke is perhaps the quintessential Manchester DJ. He’s been playing quality tunes in the city for 3 decades, be it at Moss Side’s hallowed Reno, to The Haçienda, where he became the first resident in May ’82. A black music selector par excellence, Hewan has seen them all come and go down the years.

Having followed Greg Wilson into Wigan Pier and Legends, as well as taking over his Piccadilly mix slot in 1984, Chad Jackson was one of the first British DJ’s to fully master the Hip Hop styles of cutting and scratching, Jackson would later go on to become the DMC World Mixing Champion in 1987, and in 1990 scored a Top 3 hit with ‘Hear The Drummer (Get Wicked)’.

Also in attendance – original members of the great Manchester breakdance crews, Broken Glass & Street Machine, with Tim’ Bones’ Forde’s film, ‘The Birth Of British B Boys’, screened at 8pm.

Full running order as follows:

16:00 Doors open
16.30-17.00 Greg Wilson-Introduction
17.00-18.15 Discussions with Colin Curtis & Mike Shaft
18.15-18.30 Break
18.30-17.45 Discussions with Hewan Clarke & Chad Jackson
19.45-20.00 Break
20.00-21.00 Tim Forde aka Bones Film / Q&A
21.00-21.05 Broken Glass & Street Machine-Introduction
21.05-21.45 Breakdancing-Open floor
21.45-22.00 Break (change around for club night)
22.00-23.00 DJ Chad Jackson
23.00-00.00 DJ Hewan Clarke
00.00-01.00 DJ Mike Shaft
01.00-02.00 DJ Colin Curtis
02.00-03.00 DJ Greg Wilson
*please note that all timings are flexible & subject to change

electrospective – manchester pre-rave 82-88

Manchester District Music Archive has teamed up with electrofunkroots to bring a marathon celebration of Manchester’s 1980s electro scene.

The event, led by pioneering DJ and producer Greg Wilson, will explore the impact of this seminal underground movement through films, talks and music. Greg will be hosting Q&As with key figures from the era, followed by the first ever public screening of Tim ‘Bones’ Forde’s life-affirming film, ‘The Birth of the British B-Boy’, a 40-minute documentary about Manchester’s legendary breakdance crew ‘Broken Glass’.

The event will climax with a club night featuring some of the scenes most important DJs and dancers.

Tickets only £6 available from Quaytickets (0870 428 0785) or over the respective counters at Piccadilly Records, Vinyl Exchange and Fat City.

http://www.quaytickets.com/WhatsOn/EventDe…px?EventId=2134

electrospective facebook
Includes Electro-Funk Fix – a download a day right up until the event.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33864547848

Further Info
http://www.mdmarchive.co.uk
http://www.electrofunkroots.co.uk

E Mail
electrospective@hotmail.com

X Press 2

So every couple of months I get an email from those lovely people at Skint records touting there wares and every so often they have a little competiton to win stuff, so everytime there is one I have a go and enter it and I got and email back just a few moments ago to tell me I’ve just won 2 guestlist places for this

Be upstanding for the legendary X Press 2!!!
Rocky, Diesel and Ashley Beedle have become world famous as the trio that make up X-Press 2 and to help celebrate the launch of their Best Of Collection titled Raise your Hands the guys are dropping by to do what they do best and DJ for 6 hours for the Gallery at Ministry of Sound. Combining 3 mixers, 6 decks and a myriad of EFX and quality tunage the boys are always sure fire winners with crowds across the globe and the Ministry of Sound and Gallery are the natural hosts for the London leg of the tour. The trio have been dishing up Balearic house, progressive, disco and pop house since the early nineties often employing male vocalists such as David Byrne (‘Lazy’) and The Music’s Rob Byrne (‘Kill 100′) and Kurt Wagner (‘Give It’) on their biggest singles. Raise your Hands lifts its title from the Sole Fusion sample used on their second single ‘London X-Press’ and the collection includes their four big singles from 2002’s crossover album Muzikum, three cuts from follow up Makeshift Feelgood as well as early singles on Junior Boys Own. The collection also comes with a second remix disc including big X-Press 2 re-rubs by Carl Craig, Freeform Five and Superchumbo as well as X-Press 2’s remix of ‘Star69′ by Fatboy Slim and The Gallery faithful will no doubt be treated to a bevy or original and remixes throughout the six hours. In short… this is the London Album Launch Party and it’s gonna be one unmissable event!!

We’re giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets for this party (3 pairs available to first 3 correct answers out of the email hat)

But heres the sad bit of news I can’t fcuking get there because Mrs HP’s dad’s staying with us and although I’d love to say sorry future father in law but you know how I said I’d take ya out for a beer on Friday, well tough I’m going to London town for a bit of a laugh and a crack . . I cant cause then I’d have me rations reduced by Mrs HP, so at the moment I’m just trying to get hold of a mate in London to see if he can go instead.

4 comps I’ve entered with Skint records and 4 times I’ve won some guest pass or other and 4 fcuking times somethings come up to prevent me going . .

How unlucky am I