The Phoenix Foundation, one of NZ’s most popular bands and featuring my very own little bro Samuel, have just released a new ep “Merry Kriskmass” available for download and as usual it is effing awesome!

Here’s what the band had to say:

‘’I feel no pain, feel no fear, for the Krisk is a white reindeer” …. yes, a small stuffed white man and a reindeer have somehow managed to inspire our brand new little EP called Merry Kriskmass.

This fun, slightly odd 6-track EP managed to enter our lives during the time we were supposed to be recording our new album, providing much needed distraction from the often-gruelling album recording process. So much so, that we decided to share it with you in the hope that perhaps it brings some extra Christmas cheer.

We hope you enjoy. New album coming next year, and MEEEEERRY KRISKMASS.

Buy it here!

Happy birthday Sam.

Also today is my dear friend Audrey’s birthday. She is EVEN OLDER than Sam! I don’t have much to embarrass her with except this photo of her aged 17…

Happy birthday Audrey.

You are both awesome, and also both look good with guitars. And have shaggy hair and stuff.

Sam sent me this pic of Harry having a bash over Christmas. What a rocker!

Archie is going great at school, apart from being sick for 50% of the days so far. Hopefully that is just a temporary aberration, he is back now and raring to go.

I have just discovered Threadless and am obsessed, though as yet unable to afford any of the t-shirts. Why don’t you buy one and that’ll get me $3 towards my own! Or even better, just buy me one of these cos you love me… or this one… mmm there is nothing like a good t-shirt!

Diverse and perverse – the new album from Wellington’s Phoenix Foundation seals its reputation as the best band in the country…

Ever loved a band so much it hurts? So much that you want to sing its praises to anyone who’ll listen? So much that if you were still a spotty adolescent you’d be writing its name on your pencil case? Then you’ll know I feel about Wellington’s Phoenix Foundation, a beardy band of under-stated and under-rated country-punk synth-rock pioneers who are, in my view, destined for greatness.

Read the full article or just buy the new album! I’ve been playing it non-stop, it really is astoundingly brilliant.

PS I like to think that the continual exposure of young Samuel to Madonna, Prince, the Bangles and Wham! also played a part in his musical development…

Just had a chat to me bruvver Sam on a great new chatroom they have set up at their site…. check it out at http://www.whizzkids.co.nz/whizzchat.html And go vote for Sam’s band – they are up for Unreleased Song of the Year at BFM. Vote here for Phoenix Foundation – Loaf. Go Sammy!

Settlement on track for 3pm this afternoon. Please cross all available appendages for us.

Some great gossip in the Popbitch email today which I just have to reproduce here.

• Is Stevie Wonder really blind? According to Sam, of Motown legends Sam and Dave, the great man has always had partial sight. Insiders claim that Stevie’s blindness made great PR when he was a child artist, but that this made it impossible to retract the story – leaving his ability to see as “the greatest secret in the music industry”.

• In 1984, Marilyn (superstar tranny) received a letter from the mother of a terminally ill girl whose biggest wish was to meet the star. His manager Paul Caplin arranged for mum and daughter to come up to London, where they spent a great day out with Maz. Back at Paul’s flat, they were about to leave for home, when Maz asked them to wait, as he had a present to give them. He handed the girl a small parcel, which she eagerly opened. It was a book on reincarnation. Inside the front cover Marilyn had written ‘Better luck next time – love Marilyn’.”

Due to popular demand, I have added the animal members of the family to the pictures on the right. Sadly all our photos of Bootsy are packed up ready for the move but I’m sure his smiling face will be greeting you soon.