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RICHIE FURAY Announces Double Album '50th Anniversary Return To The Troubadour' Out 4/2
Under : Press Releases
DT: JANUARY 15, 2021
FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK
ANNOUNCES APRIL 2 RELEASE OF
'50TH ANNIVERSARY RETURN TO THE TROUBADOUR'
AND SHARES VIDEO OF "KIND WOMAN" FROM THE SHOW
DOUBLE ALBUM + DVD CONSISTS OF CAREER RETROSPECTIVE SET
AND FRONT-TO-BACK PERFORMANCE OF POCO'S CLASSIC 1971 ALBUM 'DELIVERIN,' RELEASED 50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
50th Anniversary Return To The Troubadour'
Front Cover Art '50th Anniversary Return To The Troubadour'
Back Cover Art
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee RICHIE FURAY (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, The Souther Hillman Furay Band)–one of the chief architects of the country rock genre–has today (1/15) announced the April 2 release of the live concert album 50TH ANNIVERSARY RETURN TO THE TROUBADOUR (*see his quotes below from the liner notes). It will be released as a double CD and download as well as a single DVD concert film on DSDK Productions, distributed by MRI Entertainment. Pre-save and pre-add the album here.
Recorded with The Richie Furay Band at the iconic Los Angeles venue in November 2018, it is comprised of two powerful sets: "Still DeLIVErin,' which encompasses Buffalo Springfield songs, favored Poco tunes and some of his finest solo work, and "DeLIVErin' Again," a front-to-back performance of Poco's classic 1971 live album DeLIVErin' plus their 1972 signature song "A Good Feelin' To Know" with Timothy B. Schmit (who joined Poco in 1969) on vocals.
Notably, the classic DeLIVErin' album was released 50 years ago this week. In honor of it, FURAY—noted for his unmistakable soulful voice, evocative songwriting, and hard driving guitar playing–has shared the Troubadour performance of the album's "Kind Woman," FURAY's Buffalo Springfield song, Watch it here and listen to it here.
The Troubadour show was truly a magical evening in many ways. The sold-out concert marked FURAY's 50th anniversary return to the venue where Poco (originally as Pogo) performed their very first shows in 1968. The evening was marked by Timothy B. Schmit joining FURAY on the Schmit-penned "Hear That Music" from DeLIVErin' and the above-mentioned "A Good Feelin' To Know." Timothy also introduced FURAY onstage
after reading a congratulatory note from Cameron Crowe (who intended being at the Troubadour in person but could not make it at the last minute). Timothy then introduced the esteemed artist and producer Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon), who presented FURAY with a commemorative award for his 50th anniversary return to the Troubadour. Also on hand at the show and backstage was Randy Meisner, Poco's first bass player before Schmit replaced him.
Here are RICHIE FURAY's quotes from the liner notes:
"Poco released their first "live" album in 1971, it was called DeLIVErin'; here we are 50+ years later and I have re-recorded this iconic album with my "live" band – RFB! I don't know of any other group that has ever re-recorded a live album from their past catalogue and truthfully, I wasn't sure it could be done either; but, I took on the challenge and now you get to hear it for yourself. In many respects it was a labor of love because I knew how important the 'original album was to Poco fans and if RFB didn't meet the standard, it would be a disappointment. I do not believe you are going to be disappointed. From my viewpoint, we have met and exceeded any expectations. Listen for yourself, but I believe we have captured the heart and soul of the music; even Timothy B. got on board to sing one of his originals. So, I hope you enjoy listening to this recreation – "DeLIVErin' Again". Shut your eyes, pretend you're one of the wall to wall people at the The Troubadour in Los Angeles, California that November evening and turn it up loud."
Tracklisting Page in '50th Anniversary Return To The Troubadour'
Track listing for 50TH ANNIVERSARY RETURN TO THE TROUBADOUR CD + DVD
CD1: "Still DeLIVErin'"
Let's Dance Tonight
We Were The Dreamers
Don't Let It Pass By
Go and Say Goodbye
Wake Up My Soul
Hard Country
Anyway Bye Bye
CD2: "DeLIVErin' Again"
I Guess You Made It
Hear That Music (with Timothy B. Schmit)
Kind Woman
Child's Claim To Fame
Pickin' Up The Pieces
You Better Think Twice
A Man Like Me
Just in Case It Happens, Yes Indeed
Consequently So Long
Encore: A Good Feelin' To Know (with Timothy B. Schmit)
Richie Furay Band:
Richie Furay: guitars, vocals
Jesse Furay Lynch, tambourine and vocals
Scott Sellen, guitars, banjo and vocals
Jack Jeckot, keyboards, harmonica, guitar and vocals
Aaron Sellen, bass guitar and vocals
Alan Lemke, drums
Dave Pearlman, pedal steel guitar and dobro
Timothy B. Schmit, vocals
WARDRUNA Reveal Lyric Video for New Single "Skugge"(Shadow) from January 22 album 'Kvitravn'
Under : Press Releases, WARDRUNA
FM: KELLY WALSH, SRO PR
NORDIC FOLK OUTFIT
RELEASE NEW SINGLE & LYRIC VIDEO
"SKUGGE" (SHADOW)
FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM
'KVITRAVN'
OUT JANUARY 22 VIA BY NORSE MUSIC / SONY
(Photo Credit: Arne Beck)
In advance of the worldwide January 22 release of their highly anticipated fifth full-length album KVITRAVN via BY NORSE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC / COLUMBIA RECORDS, the traditional Nordic folk outfit WARDRUNA have shared a new single "Skugge." Translated to "Shadow" in English, the song traces an eerie sonic journey voicing a dialogue between man and shadow. Its brooding introduction recalls the subtle majesty of fan favorite track "Helvegen" (from their 2013 album Runaljod – Yggdrasil) as WARDRUNA's idiosyncratic synthesis of hypnotic percussion and delicate vocal interplay comes to the forefront. The lyric video for "Skugge" was recorded by Ragnarok Film with producer/director Ole Fredrik Wannebo, photographer/editor Toni Kotka and Sverre Brandtzaeg. Watch it below or view it across all streaming platforms along with pre-order options for KVITRAVN HERE.
Each track on KVITRAVN is ingrained with meaning that delves deep into the philosophical, the esoteric, the Nordic myths and how old traditions define human nature and nature itself. "'Skugge' feels particularly personal for it shifts the focus inwards," remarks founding member and composer EINAR SELVIK. "It is a song about shadows, echoes and the balance between seeking answers and wisdom internally and externally. The accompanying lyric video allows the listener to journey deep into Wardruna's world and offers space for reflection and contemplation, should you submit to it…"
WARDRUNA – "Skugge" Lyric Video
SELVIK was recently announced to headline the JORVIK Viking Festival–the largest Viking festival in Europe—during a special live-streamed event taking place as part of That JORVIK Viking Thing online festival from February 15-20 hosted by the JORVIK Viking Centre. He will talk about his music, demonstrate traditional Nordic instruments, and play some of WARDRUNA's most recent music. The event will be streamed live from Norway on Saturday, February 20 at 7:30 P.M. CET. Tickets can be found at jorvikthing.com or jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.
WARDRUNA were last seen stateside in 2018 when they sold-out a headlining show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and are scheduled to return to North America in fall 2021; the dates and tickets can be found HERE. With a sound that must truly be experienced live, they performed their first-ever concert in front of the 1,500-year-old Gokstad Viking ship in Oslo, NO and are the only band to have ever been allowed to hold an amplified concert at the Viking ship museum. Since then, they've performed sold-out shows worldwide, including major festival headlining appearances (Hellfest, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, Castle Fest, Echoes & Merveilles, Rock oz Arenes, Rock The Coast, etc.).
KVITRAVN cover artwork
Find more information on WARDRUNA here:
For press inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact:
SRO PR
Kelly Walsh – kwalsh@sropr.com
TOMMY EMMANUEL To Release 'Imagine' Digital-Only EP 1/15; Shares New Video
Under : Press Releases, TOMMY EMMANUEL
DT: JANUARY 8, 2021
FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK/LYNDIE WENNER
SRO PR (LOS ANGELES, NASHVILLE, LAS VEGAS)
TO RELEASE
'IMAGINE' DIGITAL-ONLY EP ON JANUARY 15
FEATURING HIS
ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTAL OF
JOHN LENNON'S CLASSIC "IMAGINE"
PLUS TWO ORIGINAL EMMANUEL SONGS,
"SINCE WE MET" AND "I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF YOU"
"SINCE WE MET" HAS BEEN RELEASED TODAY AS A SINGLE
ALONG WITH ITS VIDEO; WATCH IT HERE
In 2020, TOMMY EMMANUEL released a newly recorded acoustic instrumental of John Lennon's classic "Imagine"–on the same day (October 9) Lennon would have been 80-years-old–as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl exclusive to music retailers. Now, the acclaimed and Grammy-nominated acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter will release the digital-only EP titled IMAGINE on his label, CGP Sounds. It will consist of this version of "Imagine" plus two original EMMANUEL songs: "Since We Met" and "I've Always Thought of You."
"Since We Met" was the B-side to the above-mentioned 7-inch, while "I've Always Thought of You" is a new addition to this release. "Since We Met" and "I've Always Thought of You" were songs originally on EMMANUEL's 1999 album Only, but they have been re-recorded and are appearing for the first time on certain digital outlets such as Spotify.
Today (January 8), "Since We Met" has been released as a single along with a video that was filmed in March 2020, just before the pandemic shutdown, in the back of Tommy Emmanuel's tour bus outside the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, TN. It was directed by Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard for Neighborhoods Apart Productions. As TOMMY explains at the beginning of the video, he wrote the song back in the '90s and it was recorded with a full band. Over the years it has evolved as an intimate solo piece for him and has become a song requested by fans. "There have been people who've written to me and said, 'I'm going to propose to my girlfriend if you play 'Since We Met' tonight in the show.' That's happened a few times; it always touches me so much that a song could make someone feel that way."
Next week, the track and video for "I've Always Thought of You" will be issued to coincide with the EP's January 15 release.
Meanwhile, the video for EMMANUEL's stirring version of "Imagine" can be viewed here.
Read the press release here. The limited edition 7-inch vinyl is now also available on TOMMY's web-store. It's also interesting to note that 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Lennon's "Imagine" single and album of the same name.
In other exciting TOMMY news, his guitar work graces Barry Gibbs' new solo album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers' Songbook out this Friday, January 8. EMMANUEL plays on the Bee Gees' classic "How Deep Is Your Love" featuring Little Big Town.
Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen
ABOUT TOMMY EMMANUEL:
TOMMY EMMANUEL has achieved enough musical milestones to satisfy several lifetimes. At the age of six, he was touring regional Australia with his family band. By 30, he was a rock n' roll lead guitarist burning up stadiums in Europe. At 44, he became one of five people ever named a CPG (Certified Guitar Player) by his idol, music icon Chet Atkins. Today, he plays hundreds of sold-out shows every year from Nashville to Sydney to London. He's piled up numerous accolades, including two Grammy Award nominations, two ARIA Awards from the Australian Recording Industry Association (the Aussie equivalent of the Recording Academy); repeated honors in the Guitar Player magazine reader's poll including a cover story for their August 2017 issue; a cover feature for Vintage Guitar's July 2020 issue; and was Music Radar's reader's poll #1 winner of the Ten Best Acoustic Guitarists in The World (December 2019). A noted fingerstyle guitarist, EMMANUEL frequently threads three different parts simultaneously into his material, operating as a one-man band who handles the melody, the supporting chords and the bass all at once. His talents, which translate in any language, carry him to the far corners of the globe, but EMMANUEL never plays the same show twice, and he improvises big chunks of every date. That leaves him open to those technical imperfections, though they also provide some of the humanity to an other-worldly talent. On May 8, 2020, he released a newly recorded career-spanning double album, THE BEST OF TOMMYSONGS, via CGP Sounds/Cruzen Street Records). Watch the album trailer here which focuses on TOMMY's unique ability to tell stories without words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOQEMWYAQ4&feature=youtu.be
For more information on TOMMY EMMANUEL, visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
SRO PR Assets + Press Releases:
http://sropr.com/portfolio/tommyemmanuel/
For press inquiries regarding TOMMY EMMANUEL, contact:
(Los Angeles, Nashville, Las Vegas)
Mitch Schneider // mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk // afaulk@sropr.com
Lyndie Wenner // lwenner@sropr.com
BUDDERSIDE Share New Single/Video "Pardon Me" Feat. Phil Campbell (Motörhead) Dedicated to Lemmy Kilmister
Posted By : Kelly Walsh/
Under : BUDDERSIDE, Press Releases
HEAVY ROCK OUTFIT
BUDDERSIDE
REVEAL ANIMATED VIDEO FOR SECOND SINGLE
FEATURING PHIL CAMPBELL (MOTÖRHEAD)
SOPHOMORE ALBUM
'SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE'
DUE MARCH 26, 2021 VIA MOTÖRHEAD MUSIC/SILVER LINING MUSIC
Hollywood, CA-based heavy rock'n'roll outfit BUDDERSIDE have shared the second single, "Pardon Me," featuring Motörhead's Phil Campbell, from their upcoming sophomore album SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE out March 26 via Motörhead Music/Silver Lining Music. Available now across all digital platforms HERE, "Pardon Me" was inspired by none other than the late Motörhead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister who personally signed them to his label before his passing and previously enlisted frontman and vocalist Patrick Stone (ex-Adler's Appetite) from his famous "road crew."
The animated video for "Pardon Me"—seen featured below—was, as STONE reveals, "inspired by my experience of meeting, being taken in by, working for and ultimately BUDDERSIDE being signed to Motörhead Music by Lemmy Kilmister."
STONE explains that "'Pardon Me' is an oath. A look at life from the perspective that only our hero Lemmy had. It's a promise to live up to, declared to the greatest man that ever lived."
CAMPBELL has lauded the group, sharing, "Check out Budderside for a slice of real modern Rock N Roll pie…Brilliant!"
BUDDERSIDE – "Pardon Me (feat. Phil Campbell)" Official Music Video
SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE was recorded with legendary producer Jay Baumgardner (Bush, Godsmack, Papa Roach) and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage). Its 10 tracks careen through STONE's journey of overcoming addiction, loss and heartbreak to discovering resurrection with patience, perseverance and meditation set over soaring melodies and catchy refrains. BUDDERSIDE shared the album's first single "Zen" via MXDWN last December which American Songwriter applauded for "hav(ing) effortlessly aligned jazz, funk and pop influences with their rock persona that lends to interesting chord progressions and key changes."
SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE Track Listing:
1. Wide Awake
2. Zen
3. Amber Alert (feat. Carla Harvey of Butcher Babies)
4. Pardon Me (feat. Phil Campbell of Motörhead)
5. I'm A Man
6. Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
7. Things We Do (feat. Musyca Children's Choir)
8. Feels So Good
9. Soul Searches
10. Daygobah
The quintet shared their infectious live performance with audiences during the holiday break via a special livestream performance at the iconic Sunset Strip venue Whisky A Go Go which was aired across their socials as well as the equally famed Rainbow Bar and Grill's networks. BUDDERSIDE has previously been seen on tours alongside Motörhead, Slayer, Anthrax and L.A. Guns as well as being featured on international festivals including Wacken Open Air, Motörboat, Malmö Festival and the Monsters Of Rock cruise.
For more information on BUDDERSIDE, please visit:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE
SRO PR Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/budderside
For press inquiries +/or album review requests, please contact:
WARDRUNA Celebrate Winter Solstice with new single "Andvervarljod" (Song Of The Spirit-Weavers)
DT: DECEMBER 22, 2020
TRADITIONAL NORDIC FOLK OUTFIT
CELEBRATE WINTER SOLSTICE WITH NEW SINGLE
"ANDVERVARLJOD" (SONG OF THE SPIRIT-WEAVERS)
TRACK FEATURED ON UPCOMING JANUARY 22 RELEASE
VIA BY NORSE MUSIC
Photo Credit: Kim Ohrling
WARDRUNA will continue to keep Norse traditions relevant in today's society with their unique blend of contemporary compositions with traditional and historical instrumentation and narratives. In celebration of the Winter Solstice (12/21)—one of the most important ancient Pagan holidays—the band have today, December 22, released the third single, "Andvevarljod," from their forthcoming 2021 album KVITRAVN. A special Skaldic version of the song was premiered via a livestream on the Winter Solstice along with a speech on its importance and meaning by WARDRUNA founder/composer EINAR SELVIK.
"Andvevarljod," translated in English to "The Song of The Spirit-Weavers," explores the Nordic deities of fate (also known as the Norns), the spinning of life threads and the Norse and Sámi common idea that a person´s spirit is connected to wind, both before and after birth. It features guest appearances by a small group of prominent Norwegian traditional singers including Kirsten Bråten Berg, Sigrid Berg, Unni Løvlid and Ingebjørg Reinholdt alongside WARDRUNA's own Lindy-Fay Hella.
"On a personal level, 'Andvevarljod' is a song I hold very dear and it was also my starting point on the new album," shares SELVIK. "Musically, it gives voice to very old song traditions and on top of that, it is voiced by some of the most central reasons why these traditions are being kept alive for us and the generations to come. Special thanks go out to our guest singers for lending us their talents and for the invaluable work they do for keeping our traditions alive!"
Stream "Andvevarljod" across all digital platforms at this link: https://orcd.co/andvevarljod
KVITRAVN (which translates to 'White Raven') will be released on January 22 via BY NORSE MUSIC in the U.S. and SONY MUSIC / COLUMBIA RECORDS (worldwide excl. U.S.). Throughout its 11 songs, KVITRAVN discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs. Pre-orders are available via digital download as well as CD and 180-gram 2LP gatefold vinyl (black and ltd. Edition white options) at https://orcd.co/kvitravn_album.
WARDRUNA were last seen stateside in 2018 where they sold-out a headlining show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and are scheduled to return to North America in fall 2021, dates of which can be found in the admat below. With a sound that must truly be experienced live, they performed their first-ever concert in front of the 1,500-year-old Gokstad Viking ship in Oslo, NO and are the only band to have ever been allowed to hold an amplified concert at the Viking ship museum. Since then they've performed sold-out shows worldwide, including major festival headlining appearances (Hellfest, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, Castle Fest, Echoes & Merveilles, Rock oz Arenes, Rock The Coast, etc.).
In addition to their recorded music, WARDRUNA have exposed their music to a broad audience worldwide with massive musical contributions to History Channel ́s TV series VIKINGS and most recently SELVIK's featured work on the score for the latest installment of the Assassin's Creed® franchise, Assassin's Creed Valhalla of which two of his songs were featured on the official soundtrack The Ravens Saga (via Lakeshore Records) in addition to contributing to the game's main theme. A ten-track album Assassin's Creed Valhalla: The Wave Of Giants featuring all of SELVIK's contributions was also released via Lakeshore Records on December 4.
SRO Press Releases + Assets: www.sropr.com/portfolio/wardruna
For press inquiries, please contact:
New FRANK ZAPPA Tribute Beer, "Why Does It Hurt When IPA?" Set To Debut 12/21
Under : ZAPPA FAMILY TRUST
NEW FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE BEER,
"WHY DOES IT HURT WHEN IPA?"
SET TO DEBUT ON ZAPPA'S BIRTHDAY, DECEMBER 21
The ZAPPA TRUST and San Diego-based Duckfoot Brewery Co have teamed up to launch a new FRANK ZAPPA tribute beer, Why Does It Hurt When IPA? It's set to debut on ZAPPA's birthday, December 21.
It's a wild, improvisational jam of an IPA, brewed with ZAPPA hops, Simcoe and Cascade. The West Coast-style IPA has notes of passion fruit, spice and grapefruit (a favorite of FRANK ZAPPA's) with a clean and dry finish. The can features never-before-published photos of Frank which pair nicely with the beer itself. In addition, the label explains more, "the Zappa hop, like the man, has a hugely eclectic style. Published flavor notes have ranged from passion fruit, mint, spicy, savory, fruity cereal, and uh…purple. (Try the beer, you'll get it). Just like Frank, this hop is one of a kind and awesome."
You can order Why Does It Hurt When IPA? by visiting ZappaBrew.com. The beer is offered solely in the U.S. as a 6-pack ONLY at 4.99 per beer, plus a flat rate of $25 shipping. There is a limit of two six packs per customer (with the shipping rate of $25).
The beer, which like many things ZAPPA, came about through a personal connection. Duckfoot co-founder, Matt DelVecchio, a ZAPPA fan from the age of six, is a longtime friend of Zappa Plays Zappa touring musician Pete Griffin who made the intro to the family.
"Our new friends (but they feel like old friends) at Duck Foot Brewing Co are making a delicious new brew using the Zappa hop," AHMET ZAPPA says. "Stay home, be safe and enjoy Why Does It Hurt When IPA? responsibly. All the Zappa Trust proceeds from this batch will go to support the music community in need. Music is the Best!"
"We are so beyond thrilled to be making a beer for one of our favorite musicians of all time," Matt Delvecchio, Head Quack/Founder, Duck Foot Brewing Co adds.
Look for AHMET and the Duck Foot Brewing Co team to do an online meeting in the new year to discuss everything about the beer and take questions from fans around the world.
Why Does It Hurt When IPA? comes at the end of a busy year for ZAPPA. Beyond the releases of The Mothers 1970 and Halloween 81 earlier in the year, last month saw the debut of the long-awaited and highly-acclaimed Alex Winter documentary, "Zappa." The film tells the story about the prolific genius composer, free speech activist, cultural ambassador to Czechoslovakia and legendary musician, Frank Zappa. It was accompanied by the surprise digital release of the corresponding Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. A perfect complement to the film, the 68-track soundtrack is available to stream and download now via Zappa Records/UMe. "Zappa" is now available everywhere in the U.S. from Magnolia Pictures.
www.zappa.com
https://duckfootbeer.com/
Motörhead Music Heavy Rock Outfit BUDDERSIDE Announce Whisky a Go Go Livestream 12/24 In Celebration of Lemmy's Birthday
MOTÖRHEAD MUSIC/SILVER LINING MUSIC
ROCK'N'ROLL GROUP
ANNOUNCE 12/24 WHISKY-A-GO-GO LIVESTREAM SHOW
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY OF LEMMY KILMISTER
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL + WHISKY A GO GO
INCLUDES SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE + Q&A WITH
MTV VJ/MUSIC PERSONALITY MATT PINFIELD
DUE MARCH 26, 2021
(Photo Credit: Rob Berezowski)
Hollywood-based heavy rock & roll outfit BUDDERSIDE bridge the gap between the sexy swagger of the Sunset Strip and the soulful depths of Seattle. Having been personally signed to Motörhead Music/Silver Lining Music by the late Motörhead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister due to founder/vocalist Patrick Stone (ex-Adler's Appetite) being part of his famous "road crew," the band will honor Lemmy on his birthdate, December 24, with a festive livestream performance from the infamous Los Angeles venue, Whisky-a-Go-Go. The free show will be hosted by the famed Rainbow Bar & Grill—a daily hangout spot where Lemmy visited–and the Whisky simultaneously via their Facebook pages at 12:00 P.M. PST. The livestream will feature new music from their upcoming March 26 album SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE–recorded with legendary producer Jay Baumgardner (Bush, Godsmack, Papa Roach)—along with a Q&A session with MTV VJ/music personality Matt Pinfield, who will also join BUDDERSIDE onstage to guest on their cover of the classic Motörhead song "Ace of Spades." RSVP for streaming links and further details at https://www.facebook.com/events/437015540657885.
"Join us on Lem's birthday, December 24 at Noon (PST)," says BUDDERSIDE. "We'll be playing songs off our forthcoming album 'Spiritual Violence,' delivering some super sick Motörhead surprises and even a Q&A by the legendary Matt Pinfield. Let us bring Lemmy's Lounge to wherever you may be and let's raise a toast (and a little hell) together!"
BUDDERSIDE recently shared SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE's debut single "Zen," which premiered December 3 via MXDWN, with an adventure-filled music video that was filmed in Tokyo, Japan. "The video finds us being seduced by desire and lured into a den of evil, from which there is no escape," shares STONE. "The nightmare of Kuchisake-onna, Kappa, Rokurokubi and Gashadokuro come to life before your very eyes." Watch it on YouTube here or streaming below.
The 10 tracks on SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE, mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage), empower listeners as they careen through the journey of overcoming addiction, loss and heartbreak to discovering resurrection with patience, perseverance and meditation set over soaring melodies and catchy refrains. Guest appearances include Butcher Babies' vocalist Carla Harvey on the sultry track "Amber Alert," Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell on the Lemmy-inspired "Pardon Me" and even a children's choir.
BUDDERSIDE is rounded out by a reenergized lineup including guitarists Logan Nikolic and Sam "Bam" Koltun (Faster Pussycat, Dorothy), bassist Gabe Maska, and powerhouse drummer Jeff Dewbray. Their debut self-titled 2016 album was produced by Lemmy's son Paul Inder Kilmister and saw the band bring their infectious live show on tours alongside Motörhead, Slayer, Anthrax and L.A. Guns as well as being featured on international festivals including Wacken Open Air, Motörboat, Malmö Festival and the Monsters Of Rock cruise.
For press inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Greek Stoner/Psych Rock Band 1000mods Debut "Warped" Music Video; Fourth Album 'Youth Of Dissent' Out Now
Under : 1000mods, Press Releases
GREEK STONER/PSYCHEDELIC ROCK GROUP
1000mods
DEBUT MUSIC VIDEO/SINGLE
TRACK TAKEN OFF FOURTH FULL LENGTH ALBUM
'YOUTH OF DISSENT'
OUT NOW VIA
OUGA BOOGA AND THE MIGHTY OUG RECORDINGS
Greek stoner/psychedelic rock outfit 1000mods have spent the past decade as "torchbearers of the Greek underground" (The Obelisk, 12/21/2018) performing sold-out arena shows across their home country as well as appearing abroad at several of Europe's most popular festivals (Hellfest, Copenhell, Desertfest, Motorcultor, etc.) and touring across North America, Europe and Australia.
This April saw 1000mods release their new album YOUTH OF DISSENT which was recorded by legendary producer Matt Bayles (Soundgarden, Isis, Mastodon) at Stone Gossard's (founding member of Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog) Litho Studio and London Bridge Studio (Pearl Jam). The album breaks the spacetime continuum over its 11 primitive, original and inspiring tracks as 1000mods time travel to the glorious 90's, where fused elements of punk rock and heavy metal changed the face of music industry and led to the legendary grunge rock explosion.
Today, December 11, 1000mods have shared a jarring music video for its third single "Warped" which premiered yesterday (12/10) via New Noise Magazine. The dystopian-esque video was filmed in the band's studio—the main character of the video–on a 90's-style handheld portable mini DV camera by directors Tassos Gkoletsos and Giorgos Argyropoulos. "The isolation within the four walls of the studio during the creation of 1000mods latest album was followed by the lockdown, travel restrictions and concert banning by law," Gkoletsos and Argyropoulos share. "Along with the band, we tried to depict this odd sense they had inside their heads of living in a distorted reality, reflecting the 12-month experience. It was the psychograph of a year, put in a clip."
"Time and space as we know it might be bent (warped)," shares 1000mods. "But we will not let them create twisted (warped) history and facts about people's need of real freedom without masters and authoritarians. We should not let them lead us to distorted (warped) lives anymore."
Watch the music video for "Warped" streaming below:
YOUTH OF DISSENT is available now via digital download, CD or Black 180-gram 2LP at 1000mods.bandcamp.com.
For more information on 1000mods, please visit:
LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats Announces Release of New Solo Album 'Gather Round' 1/22
Under : LEE ROCKER, Press Releases
FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANDREA FAULK, SRO PR
LEE ROCKER
OF THE STRAY CATS
ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF NEW SOLO ALBUM
'GATHER ROUND'
DUE OUT JANUARY 22, 2020
LEE ROCKER of The Stray Cats fame today (12/10) announced the January 22 release of his new solo album GATHER ROUND on Upright Records (his label distributed through Orchard). Get ready to "Gather Round," start "Pickin' and Grinnin,'" enjoy a "Dirty Martini," do the "Doghouse Shuffle" and place a bid at the "Graceland Auction."
GATHER ROUND marks the Grammy-nominated upright bass player, singer and songwriter's first album of all-original music since 2007's Black Cat Bone (Alligator Records). The sizzling 10-track rockabilly album was produced by ROCKER (vocal, string bass), who is joined by Buzz Campbell (guitar, backing vocal), Larry Mitchell (drums, percussion) and Matt Jordan (piano, organ).Two songs with videos—"Doghouse Shuffle" and "Pickin' and Grinnin'"—are now available, with a third track/video due out ahead of the album's release. Pre-order the album here and watch the trailer here.
Most of the songs on GATHER ROUND were written after the pandemic started. "My wife Deborah and I hit the road in our airstream and criss-crossed the country from California to New York and back," shares ROCKER. "We rolled through 20 states from north to south and from east to west. In addition to the pandemic, the presidential election was raging. I wrote songs and music and drove 6,000 miles. It's been year filled with global disaster and uncertainty. It's also been a time of introspection and for me a time to reimagine how to record an album under these circumstances.
"When we returned to Southern California," he elaborates, "I booked a studio to record in one day week for months. I played many of the instruments myself and had my band, Buzz Campbell, Larry Mitchell and Matt Jordan send me their tracks from remote home studios."
Opening track "Gather Round" powerfully gets the album rolling." It's a song of positivity, of love, joy and happiness. When I wrote and now listen to the song, I feel like I'm raising my middle finger high in the air and waving it to 2020."
"Graceland Auction," explains ROCKER, "came about by my lifelong obsession with Presley. I've been a bit of a collector and have bid and bought various Elvis stuff. "It makes me laugh and it makes me want to cry."
"The Last Offline Lovers" is a song "I wrote to my wife Deborah. We've been together for 32 years and she has been my inspiration, love, and strength. All of the instruments on this are acoustic and I played all of them with the exception of the drums performed by Larry Mitchell."
Another album highlight is "When Nothing's Going Right," a song ROCKER wrote that appears on the Stray Cats' album last year, 40. "This is the original version I recorded before the Stray Cats' version. I feel it has that spark of original fire."
ROCKER minces no words and looks to brighter day on "Pickin' and Grinnin." He says: "I wrote this song as my statement on Trump and the dividing of this country which I love. We all need to reside in the UNITED states of America. Come together gather round. I know that we all can't agree on everything but we should be able to agree we live in a democracy and that every four years we have an election that should be respected."
ROCKER's infectious party spirit is in full effect on "'Dog House Shuffle." "It's just plain fun! It's really my tribute to the original rocking bass players that have influenced me so much. These guys are in a way the unsung heroes of rockabilly and early rock. We've incorporated these players into the video."
Last year, in a multiple-page feature in the new Bass Player magazine (December 2019), ROCKER was asked about his ability to come up with fresh rockabilly bass-lines. He says: "I'm still discovering things. I still have revelations: 'how did I not think of this before?' There are a lot of different rhythms and slaps, and different ways to walk your bass-lines. There's only 12 notes but there's an infinite number of ways to play them."
The GATHER ROUND track listing is:
1. Gather Round
2. Graceland Auction
3. The Last Offline Lovers
4. Everybody Wants to be A Cat
5. Pickin' and Grinnin'
6. Every Time I See You
7. A Dirty Martini
8. When Nothing's Going Right
9. Dog House Shuffle
10. Ophelia
LEE ROCKER, photo credit: Jet Luna
About Lee Rocker:
Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass in the legendary music group The Stray Cats. Grammy-nominated, The Stray Cats have sold nearly 10 million albums and garnered an astounding 23 gold and platinum certified records worldwide. Founded by Rocker, Brian Setzer, and Slim Jim Phantom, The Stray Cats remain a radio staple, were music video pioneers at the infancy of MTV, and repeatedly brought rockabilly music to the top of the charts. From the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine, to appearing on Saturday Night Live, to headlining music festivals and touring with the Rolling Stones, Lee Rocker has seen and done it all. In addition to The Stray Cats and the Rolling Stones, Rocker has toured and performed with George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, and John Fogerty. In 1982, Rocker and his father Stanley Drucker, (classical clarinetist) both received Grammy nominations; this was something that has only occurred twice in the history of the Grammy Awards. In 2012 Lee appeared on Broadway in the hit musical "Million Dollar Quartet" and in 2014 he was inducted into the Bass Player Hall of Fame. Rocker has received numerous honors for his contributions to music and the arts, including being inducted to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and he is a recipient of the Visionary Artist Award by the City of Laguna Beach California. Lee Rocker and his band look forward to touring again and performing Stray Cats hits including "Rock This Town," "Stray Cat Strut" and "Sexy and 17" as well as slamming renditions of songs from his many solo albums.
For more information on LEE ROCKER, visit:
For press inquiries, contact SRO PR:
Mitch Schneider│mschneider@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk │ afaulk@sropr.com
MARTY FRIEDMAN To Host Unique Multi-Dimensional Livestream Show On New Year's Day
Under : MARTY FRIEDMAN, Press Releases
DT: DECEMBER 8, 2020
FM: KELLY WALSH/ANDREA FAULK, SRO PR
TO HOST UNIQUE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL LIVESTREAM SHOW
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
DESIGNED BY LEGENDARY MOTION GRAPHICS CREATOR
NOBUYUKI HANABUSA
SHARES UPDATE ON NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE OF NEW ALBUM
'TOKYO JUKEBOX 3'
Photo Credit: Susumu Miyawaki
Legendary guitar icon MARTY FRIEDMAN will host a special livestream experience on New Year's Day (1/1/21) at 9:00 P.M. (local time) from Tokyo, Japan where he has resided for the past 17 years. The live concert will take place in a daring new multi-dimensional visual atmosphere designed specifically for this show by cutting edge Japanese motion graphics creator Nobuyuki Hanabusa (enra). View a trailer for the show streaming below or via Marty's Facebook page HERE.
Alongside his notorious Japanese band—which consists of drummer Chargeee, bassist Toshiki Oomomo and upcoming guitar wunderkind Naoki Morioka—MARTY will roar through his most fiery material including concert staples to explosive tunes taken from his upcoming album, TOKYO JUKEBOX 3. Start 2021 off on New Year's Day with this truly special live performance, which is sure to overflow with aggressive energy and exceedingly positive vibes. Tickets are on-sale now at this location: https://martyfriedman.zaiko.io/_item/332651.
"This year I've been locked down in the studio recording 'Tokyo Jukebox 3'," shares MARTY. "Recording an album like this one requires an abnormal amount of being sequestered anyway, so if anything, the pandemic kept me focused a bit more than usual. The goal was to come up with music that would be aggressively cathartic to those who were hit harder by the pandemic than I was. Having that in the back of my mind gave me one more layer of inspiration and energy, and hopefully it shows in the music."
MARTY`s presence in the world of music, the world of guitar and Japanese pop culture is mystifying, bizarre, and nothing short of inspiring. His first major impact in music was in the game-changing guitar duo Cacophony, which he founded with equally enigmatic and now legendary guitarist, Jason Becker. He then spent 10 years as lead guitarist in the genre-defining thrash metal act Megadeth before moving to Tokyo due to his love for Japanese music, language, and culture.
Following his move, he landed a starring role for a new TV comedy, Hebimeta-san ("Mr. Heavy Metal") and its spinoff, Rock Fujiyama, which ran for six seasons and propelled him into the living rooms of Japan`s mainstream. He has since appeared in over 800 tv shows, movies and commercials, including a two-year campaign with Coca-Cola for Fanta, authored two best-selling novels and was the first-ever foreigner to be appointed as an Ambassador of Japan Heritage and perform at the Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo Marathon in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
At the same time, MARTY has continued his career in music with several solo albums in addition to writing and performing with the top artists in Japanese music, racking up countless chart hits including a #1 with Smap, two #2 songs with Momoiro Clover, a #2 with Sound Horizon—just to name a few. His most recent release was 2018's ONE BAD M.F. LIVE!, his 14th solo album, which was recorded live in Mexico City during his latest North American tour in support of 2017's full-length album WALL OF SOUND via Prosthetic Records. The self-produced album debuted on Billboard's Heatseekers chart at #12 and was recorded in part at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in California with engineer Paul Fig (Alice In Chains, Rush, Deftones) and mixed by Jens Bogren (Kreator, Opeth, Sepultura). MARTY self-produced the majority of WALL OF SOUND bringing on legendary producer Mack (Queen) for two tracks.
MARTY will soon reveal details on his next album, TOKYO JUKEBOX 3, due out in North America and Europe in early 2021. It will mark the third and most exciting work in his popular "Tokyo Jukebox" series, which has not only introduced Japanese music to new fans all around the world, but has forged an image of MARTY as one of the most unique arrangers of our time. Stay tuned for details in the new year.
WHAT: Marty Friedman Tokyo Jukebox Live Worldwide 2021
WHEN: New Years Day (Friday, January 1, 2021) @ 9:00 P.M. Local Time
WHERE: Streamed live from Tokyo, Japan
TICKETS: https://martyfriedman.zaiko.io/_item/332651 (*Ticketholders will be able to stream the show following its initial airing until January 5)
For more information on MARTY FRIEDMAN, please visit:
For press inquiries, interview opportunities or review tickets, please contact:
Kelly Walsh –kwalsh@sropr.com
Andrea Faulk – afaulk@sropr.com
1234Next ›Last »


text:
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Scheduled Journeys
Your Signature Experience
Wine & Dine in Spain
Viva La Vida 10 Nights and 11 Days
Starting from $225 / per day
A European destination with its unique brand of charm, Spain is a poignant and passionate journey of the soul. From the fiery flamenco to the tantalizing tapas and the beloved Spanish fiestas, this is a country that loves to celebrate its culture and legacy. Taste the flavours of Spain on this culinary journey through the enticing regions of Catalonia, Basque and Castile.
Signature Experience: Learn the art of making the best olive oil in the world from the locals with a visit to an 800 year old plantation.
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---USD 1500 - 2500USD 2500 – 3500USD 3500 onwards
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Day 1: Welcome to Barcelona
We begin our Spanish sojourn in the dazzling city of Barcelona. Vibrant streets, warm people, gourmet cuisine and Mediterranean vistas, are all a staple of this beautiful seaside metropolis. After checking in, we will visit the elegant Passeig de Gracia, one of the most luxurious streets in the city where you can check out designer boutiques and showrooms. From here, it's on to the Gothic Quarters, Barcelona's Old Town which rests on the ancient Roman city of Barcino, and houses architecture dating back as early as the 13th century. And end the day at the famous Sagrada Familia, an astounding piece of Gothic architecture in construction since the 1880s!
Day 2: Culinary Catalonia (Barcelona)
Today, we spend some time learning about and savouring the famous cuisine of the Catalonian region. A personal class with a chef will unravel the mysteries of popular local dishes. Learn the finer nuances of Mediterranean cooking along with the subtle art of wine pairing. This is a great chance to taste some delectable Spanish wines and explore the different grape varieties that this region is known for. The class concludes with the preparation of a three-course Spanish meal, which you can then sit and devour.
Day 3: Medieval Outing (Barcelona – Girona - Barcelona)
The next day starts with a day visit to the historically rich Catalan city of Girona. Located between Barcelona and Costa Bravo, Girona is famous for its medieval architecture, Jewish history, rich museums, cobbled by-lanes and a thriving food culture. We start at the picturesque medieval village of Peratallada and proceed towards an 800-year-old plantation that specialises in the produce of local favourites like olive oil and wine. Learn the art of making the best olive oil in the world from the locals who have been working in the farm plantations. And sample local food and wine as we make our way through the region.
Day 4: Coastal Fare (Barcelona - San Sebastian – Getaria)
Say adieu to Barcelona as we board our train to the coastal town of San Sebastian, famed for its golden beaches and lush hillsides. With a reputation of being one of the world's greatest dining destinations, San Sebastian celebrates the art of eating in myriad forms. From here, we continue our journey along the coast to the village of Getaria. This is one of the only three villages that make up the renowned Txakoli wine area. You can enjoy the freshest seafood, straight from the ships harboured at Getaria, at the scenic cafes and small restaurants that dot its coastal landscape.
Day 5: Basque in Glory (San Sebastian)
Begin the day on an Insider's Fun and Food tour in San Sebastian. The alluring coastline of the city plays host to some of the best eateries in the world. Our food journey will take us from small family-owned shacks serving up decadent oysters to Michelin-starred restaurants offering the best of the local Basque cuisine, including Idiazabal cheese, local anchovies, Bonito, Iberian hams, and the region's most popular export, olive oil.
Day 6: Walk or Wine (San Sebastian)
Today, we have two enticing options to experience San Sebastian's regional charm. Begin the day early with a short trek through the charming San Sebastian coastline. We will travel to the quaint fishing village of Pasajes de San Juan and end at the historical town of Pasajes de San Pedro. The walk is a great way to soak in the colourful culture and history of the area. For people who are not fans of trekking, there is daylong wine excursion at the best wineries of La Rioja. Explore how some of the rarest wines in the world are crafted, straight from the makers and owners of Spain's famous wines.
Day 7: Wine Country (San Sebastian - Ribera del Duero)
We start the day with road travel by leaving San Sebastian for Ribera del Duero. Famously called the new wine capital of Spain, Ribera del Duero is giving stiff competition to the La Rioja region in terms of wine excellence. The wine country here stretches for over 70 miles along the beautiful Duero River. The differences in landscape, from small mountains to lush plains, from high temperatures to colder climes, make for optimum conditions for growing the world-famous Tempranillo grapes.
Day 8: Into the Vineyards (Ribera del Duero)
The day starts with a visit to two of the best wineries in Ribera del Duero. Spanish wine, as we know it, has been produced in the region for over a thousand years, but the viticulture in the Ribera del Duero region started with French Benedictine monks, from Burgundy, who identified the region as being apt for producing fine wine.
Day 9: Once Upon a Time (Ribera del Duero – Madrid)
About two hours north of the lush green countryside of Ribera del Duero is the golden metropolis of Madrid. As we drive down the scenic countryside to Madrid, we will stop at the historic town of Segovia. A place of myths and legends, the first sight of Segovia seems like a page out of a childhood fairy-tale – thanks to the grand Alcazar castle, which is said to have inspired Disney's castle for Sleeping Beauty. Set amid the rolling hills of Castilla, the sandstone hues of Alcazar offer a magical quality to the land of Segovia. Visit the castle before we drive down to Madrid.
Day 10: Exploring Madrid
Start your day by exploring the sights and sounds of this fabulous city. Our walking tour begins at the famous Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish royal family which is today used for state ceremonies. From here, we begin exploring some of the most impressive sights of the city, including Plaza de Oriente, the 17th century Plaza Mayor, the Austrias centre and lastly the renowned Prado Museum, which houses more than 7000 works of art. Come evening, sit back at one of Madrid's charming street cafes with a glass of ruby-red Sangria and the auburn sunset to keep you company.
Day 11: Farewell Madrid
Bid adios to Spain, as we check out of the hotel, and proceed towards the Madrid International Airport, for our flight back home.
Journey Includes:
2 nights accommodation in Barcelona
1 night accommodation in Girona
3 nights accommodation in San Sebastian
2 nights accommodation in Ribera del Duero
Daily buffet breakfast at the hotel
Sight-seeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary above
Transfer from Barcelona airport to Barcelona hotel
Transfer from Madrid hotel to Madrid airport
Transfer from San Sebastian to Ribera del Duero to Madrid
CT Signature Tours Pvt Ltd
engage@signaturetours.in	(+91) 124 4567777	Creative Plaza, 283 Udyog Vihar Phase 2, Gurugram, Haryana – 122016. INDIA
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
from __future__ import absolute_import
import string

from telemetry.internal.actions import page_action

# Map from DOM key values
# (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/KeyboardEvent/key) to
# Windows virtual key codes
# (https://cs.chromium.org/chromium/src/third_party/WebKit/Source/platform/WindowsKeyboardCodes.h)
# and their printed representations (if available).
_KEY_MAP = {}

def _AddSpecialKey(key, windows_virtual_key_code, text=None):
  assert key not in _KEY_MAP, 'Duplicate key: %s' % key
  _KEY_MAP[key] = (windows_virtual_key_code, text)

def _AddRegularKey(keys, windows_virtual_key_code):
  for k in keys:
    assert k not in _KEY_MAP, 'Duplicate key: %s' % k
    _KEY_MAP[k] = (windows_virtual_key_code, k)

def GetKey(key_name):
  return _KEY_MAP.get(key_name)

_AddSpecialKey('PageUp', 0x21)
_AddSpecialKey('PageDown', 0x22)
_AddSpecialKey('End', 0x23)
_AddSpecialKey('Home', 0x24)
_AddSpecialKey('ArrowLeft', 0x25)
_AddSpecialKey('ArrowUp', 0x26)
_AddSpecialKey('ArrowRight', 0x27)
_AddSpecialKey('ArrowDown', 0x28)
_AddSpecialKey('Esc', 0x1B)

_AddSpecialKey('Return', 0x0D, text='\x0D')
_AddSpecialKey('Delete', 0x2E, text='\x7F')
_AddSpecialKey('Backspace', 0x08, text='\x08')
_AddSpecialKey('Tab', 0x09, text='\x09')

# Letter keys.
for c in string.ascii_uppercase:
  _AddRegularKey([c, c.lower()], ord(c))

# Symbol keys.
_AddRegularKey(';:', 0xBA)
_AddRegularKey('=+', 0xBB)
_AddRegularKey(',<', 0xBC)
_AddRegularKey('-_', 0xBD)
_AddRegularKey('.>', 0xBE)
_AddRegularKey('/?', 0xBF)
_AddRegularKey('`~', 0xC0)
_AddRegularKey('[{', 0xDB)
_AddRegularKey('\\|', 0xDC)
_AddRegularKey(']}', 0xDD)
_AddRegularKey('\'"', 0xDE)

# Numeric keys.
_AddRegularKey('0)', 0x30)
_AddRegularKey('1!', 0x31)
_AddRegularKey('2@', 0x32)
_AddRegularKey('3#', 0x33)
_AddRegularKey('4$', 0x34)
_AddRegularKey('5%', 0x35)
_AddRegularKey('6^', 0x36)
_AddRegularKey('7&', 0x37)
_AddRegularKey('8*', 0x38)
_AddRegularKey('9(', 0x39)

# Space.
_AddRegularKey(' ', 0x20)

class KeyPressAction(page_action.PageAction):

  def __init__(self, dom_key, timeout=page_action.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT):
    super().__init__(timeout=timeout)
    char_code = 0 if len(dom_key) > 1 else ord(dom_key)
    self._dom_key = dom_key
    # Check that ascii chars are allowed.
    use_key_map = len(dom_key) > 1 or char_code < 128
    if use_key_map and dom_key not in _KEY_MAP:
      raise ValueError('No mapping for key: %s (code=%s)' % (
          dom_key, char_code))
    self._windows_virtual_key_code, self._text = _KEY_MAP.get(
        dom_key, ('', dom_key))

  def RunAction(self, tab):
    # Note that this action does not handle self.timeout properly. Since each
    # command gets the whole timeout, the PageAction can potentially
    # take three times as long as it should.
    tab.DispatchKeyEvent(
        key_event_type='rawKeyDown',
        dom_key=self._dom_key,
        windows_virtual_key_code=self._windows_virtual_key_code,
        timeout=self.timeout)
    if self._text:
      tab.DispatchKeyEvent(
          key_event_type='char',
          text=self._text,
          dom_key=self._dom_key,
          windows_virtual_key_code=ord(self._text),
          timeout=self.timeout)
    tab.DispatchKeyEvent(
        key_event_type='keyUp',
        dom_key=self._dom_key,
        windows_virtual_key_code=self._windows_virtual_key_code,
        timeout=self.timeout)

  def __str__(self):
    return "%s('%s')" % (self.__class__.__name__, self._dom_key)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Eastern Florida State Women's Soccer Team Ranked No. 4 in NJCAA Preseason Poll
By Michael Parsons, Eastern Florida State Sports // August 17, 2018
Admission to games at Titan Soccer Complex are free
The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team will begin the season as the No. 4 team in the country. (EFSC image)
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team will begin the season as the No. 4 team in the country.
The Titans are ranked fourth in both the NJCAA and the United Soccer Coaches Association NJCAA Division I preseason polls.
Eastern Florida State College will open the season at home next weekend. The Titans, who have been to the national tournament six straight seasons, will open the season against No. 2 Laramie County Community College Friday night at 8 p.m.
The women's soccer team will also travel to Rochester, NY in September for games against No. 16 Monroe College and No. 10 Monroe Community College. Region 8 foe Daytona State is also ranked, starting the season No. 7.
The Titans will play one more preseason game, hosting NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Admission to games at Titan Soccer Complex are free.
The complete schedule can be found here.
Eastern Florida State Women's Soccer Player Teyah Lindo to play for Bermuda National Team


Cook pasta according to instructions on package. Do the same with peas, beans and broad beans. Drain off. Chopped onion and garlic stew on a pan with olive oil and butter till they get tender. Afterwards add cut into strips ham and thyme, fry until browned ham. Then add the cooked vegetables. Simmer everything till they get soft and season with salt and pepper. Serve the cooked pasta poured with sauce.


text:
Q: How to include the users Gmail signature when using GmailApp.sendEmail from Google Sheet I've created a report template which has the function of exporting the Google Sheet via PDF and then emails the created PDF using the GmailApp.sendEmail function. I've got this working perfectly, except I've noticed the emails sent out don't include the senders gmail signature.
Note I state the "Senders" email
I've read a fair few posts regarding signatures on Gmail API, default signatures, and even using a draft email but none help me as far as i can see. Here are my issues:

*

*As this is a template sheet, it can be used by anyone and therefore the email that is sent needs to use that particular users gmail signature. Most posts only provide a "default" signatures that are manually entered in the script.

*Other solutions I have seen which use "DRAFT" messages to pull this signature from my email, just flags up errors within my script or doesnt send an email at all.
So, to keep this question simple...
Is there a way I can include the "current users" Gmail signature when using the GmailApp.sendEmail function? And if possible, how do I add this into my script below?
The final section of script this applies to is as follows:
function sendSpreadsheetToPdf(sheetNumber, pdfName, email,subject, htmlbody) {
var spreadsheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var spreadsheetId = spreadsheet.getId()
var sheetId = sheetNumber ? spreadsheet.getSheets()[sheetNumber].getSheetId() : null;
var url_base = spreadsheet.getUrl().replace(/edit$/,'');

var url_ext = 'export?exportFormat=pdf&format=pdf'   //export as pdf
+ (sheetId ? ('&gid=' + sheetId) : ('&id=' + spreadsheetId))
// following parameters are optional...
+ '&size=A4'      // paper size
+ '&portrait=true'    // orientation, false for landscape
+ '&fitw=true'        // fit to width, false for actual size
+ '&sheetnames=true&printtitle=false&pagenumbers=true'  //hide optional headers and footers
+ '&gridlines=false'  // hide gridlines
+ '&fzr=false';       // do not repeat row headers (frozen rows) on each page

var options = {
headers: {
'Authorization': 'Bearer ' +  ScriptApp.getOAuthToken(),
}
}

var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url_base + url_ext, options);
var blob = response.getBlob().setName(pdfName + '.pdf');
if (email) {
var mailOptions = {
attachments:blob, htmlBody:htmlbody
}

GmailApp.sendEmail(
email,
subject+" " + pdfName +"",
"html content only",
mailOptions);
}

This is tried and tested and is happily sending my active sheet via PDF, but no signature is present!
Any thoughts?

A: Adding a signature is a setting on the clientside of the Gmail Web UI, it is not available via API

*

*You can think about filing a feature request for it on Goolge's Public Issue Tracker

*In the mean time:

You need to manually fetch your signature with the Users.settings.sendAs: get method of the Gmail API and manually append it to the end of you email body

*

*To use an Gmail API method in Apps Script you can either do a URL fetch request or (easier) enable the Advanced Gmail Service
Sample code snippet in Apps Script:
  var signature = Gmail.Users.Settings.SendAs.get("me", "your email or alias").signature;
  htmlbody += "
" + signature;

UPDATE
Full code:
function sendSpreadsheetToPdf(sheetNumber, pdfName, email,subject, htmlbody) {
  var signature = Gmail.Users.Settings.SendAs.get("me", "your email or alias").signature;
  htmlbody += "
" + signature;
  var spreadsheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  var spreadsheetId = spreadsheet.getId()
  var sheetId = sheetNumber ? spreadsheet.getSheets()[sheetNumber].getSheetId() : null;
  var url_base = spreadsheet.getUrl().replace(/edit$/,'');

  var url_ext = 'export?exportFormat=pdf&format=pdf'   //export as pdf
  + (sheetId ? ('&gid=' + sheetId) : ('&id=' + spreadsheetId))
  // following parameters are optional...
  + '&size=A4'      // paper size
  + '&portrait=true'    // orientation, false for landscape
  + '&fitw=true'        // fit to width, false for actual size
  + '&sheetnames=true&printtitle=false&pagenumbers=true'  //hide optional headers and footers
  + '&gridlines=false'  // hide gridlines
  + '&fzr=false';       // do not repeat row headers (frozen rows) on each page

  var options = {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer ' +  ScriptApp.getOAuthToken(),
    }
  }

  var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url_base + url_ext, options);
  if (email) {
    var mailOptions = {
      attachments:blob, htmlBody:htmlbody
    }

    GmailApp.sendEmail(
      email,
      subject+" " + pdfName +"",
      "html content only",
      mailOptions);
  }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
The Taranaki Anniversary Day is almost here!
Lily HunterMarch 8, 2022
Reading: 6 minutes
What Do You Plan on Doing This Taranaki Anniversary Day?
Taranaki Anniversary Day is one of the provincial holidays celebrated in the Taranaki region in New Zealand. Every year it is celebrated on the second Monday of March. Interestingly, this is not precisely the founding date of Taranaki, originally known as New Plymouth. It was later renamed Taranaki in 1859. The Taranaki Anniversary Day celebrates and commemorates the creation of this province. However, it has been adjusted to this date so that it does not occur too close to Easter.
According to the holiday pact of New Zealand formed in 1981, every region in the country will have its founding day as its local holiday. So, on the Taranaki Anniversary Day, schools, most businesses, and the general population observe a public holiday.
A Little History of Taranaki
The Taranaki region is a beautiful southwest corner of the North Island. It was initially inhabited by the Maori tribe roughly 700-800 years ago. Later they were chased away by other Maori tribes. The place was unhabitable before the Europeans arrived. The tribes that chased away the Maori tribes were called the Pakeha. The Maori and the Pakeha tribe lived in co-operation for a long time before they started clashing. This day can be viewed as a day to reflect on the Maori and Pakeha tribes used to live in harmony.
As the rest of New Zealand lives their ordinary lives and goes to work or school, as usual, people residing in Taranaki can enjoy their local holiday! Nowadays everyone is living a busy life. That is why it would make perfect sense for some people to relax and have a fun day at their home stress-free. However, New Zealand, especially the Taranaki region, has been blessed by mother nature. And you could also spend your holiday with family and friends to explore the beautiful sites here.
Fun Activities to do on Taranaki Anniversary Day
The Taranaki region has some of the best spots for surfing in New Zealand. You could get your boards and go surfing in the hippest surf spots in New Zealand. There are spots like Ahu Ahu Road and Kumera Patch that have been a favourite for a long time. And Taranaki Anniversary Day is a beautiful day to visit these places.
Visit the Paritutu Rock
This rock is a volcanic outcrop. It is situated between Ngamotu Beach and Back Beach. The Paritutu rock looks like a thumb that sticks out between these water bodies. You can make a day out of climbing this rock. The incentive to climb this rock is that you get to see the beautiful view of New Plymouth and a part of the Taranaki coastline.
The Dawson Falls is one of the most serene and accessible waterfalls in the region. It is located in the Egmont National Park, and it is a 10-minute walk through the beautiful native forests. The walk is as breathtaking as the 18m high waterfall.
Dam Dropping
Dam Dropping is a locally invented activity. All you have to bring is a Kayak or a water sledge down the Normanby dam that is 8m tall. It may not be as famous as bungee jumping or skydiving, but it is one of the favourites for the locals as well as the travellers. If you are looking for an adrenaline-filled low-key adventure for Taranaki Anniversary Day, this could be it!
Climb Mt. Taranaki
The Taranaki region gets its name from this legendary mountain. Mount Taranaki has a great significance to the history of New Zealand. It was imperative to the Maori tribe that originally lived here. It is highly recommended that you do not stand on the mountain's highest point out of respect to the rich history. Also, it is the perfect time to visit as these mountains will only be accessible from December to April.
These were some of the things you could do on Taranaki Anniversary Day. There are many reasons to commemorate them, and it being the founding day is just one of them. This day can also stand as a reminder of everything Taranaki has accomplished. For example, the economy has been booming and striving. New Plymouth, the central city in Taranaki, is recognized internationally as one of the best places to live. The environment had been damaged catastrophically. However, it has been recovering at an incredible pace.
It is the foundation day, no doubt. But it can also serve as a reminder for everyone in Taranaki. It can remind you to thank anyone and everyone responsible for everything Taranaki has achieved over these many years.
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Author Lily Hunter
Lily began an exciting journey in the iGaming industry more than 10 years ago as a content writer for various online affiliate sites, especially those located in New Zealand. With her passion for gaming and an interest in the l... Read more about the author
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Personal Military Decorations
The Navy Medal of Honor
LTJG Aloysius H. Schmitt
LT Cornelius McMullen
LCDR Bruce Hyatt
LT Richard O. Young
Lieutenant Walter B. Burwell, MC, USNR
Bronze Star: SW2 Robert D. Stethem
Bronze Star: BMC Joseph L. George
Navy Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service and Campaign Awards
Special Order No. 81
The Medal of Honor
The Navy and Marine Corps' Medal of Honor is our country's oldest continuously awarded decoration, even though its appearance and award criteria has changed since it was created for enlisted men by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles on 16 December 1861. Legislation in 1915 made naval officers eligible for the award.
Although originally awarded for both combat and non-combat heroism, the Medal of Honor today is presented for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty.
The design of our highest military decoration is rooted in the Civil War. The central motif is an allegory in which Columbia, in the form of the goddess Minerva uses the shield of the republic to put down the figure of Discord, plainly a reference to the unfolding split in our nation. The design is encircled by 34 stars, representing the states of the Union at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War.
The Curator Branch of NHHC holds several Medals of Honor in its collections. Visit the Curator page for information on artifact documentation, preservation, and loans.
The Navy Medal of Honor (an overview of the history of the medal)
Extraordinary Bravery: Lieutenant Weedon Osborne and the Battle of Belleau Wood
H-Gram 023-2: U.S. Navy Personnel Awarded the Medal of Honor During World War I
H-Gram 019: First Medal of Honor for Naval Aviator in Vietnam War: Lieutenant Junior Grade Clyde Everett Lassen
H-Gram 018: Dental Valor
H-Gram 015: "Take Her Down!"— Commander Howard Gilmore and USS Growler (SS-215)
Surface Warrior – Remembering Ernest Evans
Medal of Honor Recipient Fireman 2nd Class Telesforo Trinidad
Navy Medal of Honor Recipients at Iwo Jima
The Warrior of Kāneʻohe: Pearl Harbor's First Medal of Honor Recipient
Honoring Harvey C. Barnum, Jr, Medal of Honor Recipient
A Matter of Honor – History of the Medal of Honor
The History of Medal of Honor Recipient, Thomas J. Hudner (infographic)
The History of Medal of Honor Recipient, Michael A. Monsoor (infographic)
The following pages list Medal of Honor recipients by time period and conflict; in some cases, citations are also provided.
Civil War, 1861–1865
Interim period, 1866–1871
Korea, 1871
Spanish-American War, 1898
Philippine Insurrection, 1899–1906
Boxer Rebellion, 1900
Action Against Philippine Outlaws, 1911
Mexican Campaign 1914
Haiti, 1915
Dominican Campaign, 1916
World War I, 1917–1918
Second Haitian Campaign, 1919
Second Nicaraguan Campaign, 1926–1933
World War II, 1941–1945
Korean Conflict, 1950–1953
Vietnam War, 1964–1975
Global War on Terrorism
For more information on recipients from all services, please consult the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Published: Mon Apr 22 11:24:56 EDT 2019


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Home /Recent Post/U.N. warns India against anti-Muslim prejudice
U.N. warns India against anti-Muslim prejudice
State ViolationsMarch 25, 2009
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – The U.N. human rights chief urged India on Monday to counter suspicion against its Muslim minority following the Mumbai attacks and warned the country's strict anti-terror measures threatened human rights. India is still on edge after gunmen killed 166 people in a three-day rampage on the financial hub last November. Hundreds of Muslims were detained and questioned over the attacks, angering rights activists who said innocent people were caught up in the backlash."The horrific terrorist attack in Mumbai has also polarized society and risks stoking suspicions against the Muslim community," said U.N Human Rights chief Navanethem Pillay.
"Both internal and external terrorist threats have led to counter-terrorist measures that put human rights at risk," Pillay said in New Delhi during her India visit.
Religious and caste-based prejudices remain entrenched in Indian society, she said.
Secular India has a long history of tensions between its majority Hindus and minority Muslims that have exploded in deadly violence. More than 2,000 people, mainly Muslims, were killed in communal riots in Gujarat state in 2002.
After the Mumbai attacks, the government rushed through new laws in December to allow police to hold suspects for up to 180 days without charge and created a new FBI-style national police force, in what was seen as an attempt to soothe public anger.
But human rights experts at the time said India's main political parties ignored concerns the new legislation could be misused in the absence of an independent supervisory body to monitor its implementation.
Pillay also questioned India's human rights record in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces have been battling a 20-year separatist insurgency that has killed more than 47,000 people.
Pillay said security forces have excessive emergency powers under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, a law which lets them fire at civilians breaking laws in "disturbed" areas and make arrests without a warrant.
"In the past two decades, hundreds of cases of disappearances have been reported in Kashmir," Pillay said. "These cases must be properly investigated in order to bring a sense of closure to the families who for far too long have been awaiting news, any news."
By Matthias Williams, Reuters, Mar 23, 2009
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In the most comprehensive outline of the financial planning scandal anywhere, Dr Evan Jones explains why the Commonwealth Bank was never in danger of a Royal Commission being called into its systematic criminal behaviour.
FOR TWELVE MONTHS, the Fairfax press has been reporting on the skullduggery at the heart of the Commonwealth Bank's subsidiary Commonwealth Financial Planning Ltd, where another swathe of retail investors were generated whose savings were fraudulently plundered.
The financial regulator ASIC was initially nowhere to be seen. Belatedly, ASIC has intruded gingerly and inadequately into the scandal, giving little comfort to the bank's defrauded clients.
A Senate Committee was established to inquire into ASIC's negligence, and its recent report lambastes both the CBA's predatory behaviour and lack of repentance and ASIC's failings.
However, current commentary devoted to reforming the financial planning sector misses the deep origins of the scandal, and the political impasse that inhibits a comprehensive assault on finance sector malpractice and criminality.
Simply put, the last 25 years has seen constructed an elaborate financial regulatory apparatus but one staffed by ill-trained and accommodating personnel, attenuated by 'revolving door-ism'. The political class has evolved along comparable lines. Cowardice and complacency are endemic in those who we rely on to serve the public interest in an ethical, competent and assertive manner.
This piece will look at the events that led to the financial scandal, details the institutional responses and failures and then reach some conclusions and recommendations.
On 4 June 2013, a regular meeting of ASIC senior personnel before the Senate Estimates Committee transcended the conventional formalities. ASIC deputy commissioner Peter Kell displeased several senators in his convoluted answer to a question. Thus on 20 June 2013, the Senate agreed to an Inquiry by the Senate Economics Committee into ASIC's performance. The Report of that Inquiry was published on 26 June 2014.
The spark that ignited the inquiry was the debacle at the CBA's subsidiary Commonwealth Financial Planning Ltd. The spark was provided by a whistleblower trio led by financial planner Jeff Morris, beginning in October 2008.
Fanning the combustion was the Fairfax press, led by journalist Adele Ferguson, with the first article appearing on 1 June 2013. The 12 months coverage by Fairfax of the issue has been exemplary.
The CBA promised those nurturing a nest egg expert advice and consummate husbandry if the said nest egg was committed to CFPL's keeping. Instead, the customers were sucked into a racket.
The Senate report is a mammoth 553 pages in length. There were 474 submissions, some in multiple parts. Many submissions are designated Name Withheld or Confidential — a tangible reflection of power imbalance, skullduggery and victim fears. Kudos to the Secretariat staff who had to master the material and write the bulk of the report.
The report's scale is forbidding. However, ready access to the guts of the issue can be found in the initial 39-page submission by Jeff Morris, numbered #421 (Morris made seven supplementary submissions).
Morris joined the CBA as a financial planner in April 2008 for personal reasons. He soon smelled the dead fish. Morris came with wide experience that gave him the skills to discern the internal problems and the detachment to confront and expose them.
Rogue 'advisor' Don Nguyen, operating from the Sydney suburban Chatswood branch soon appeared on the radar. His entire modus operandi was corrupt. Fabricated client 'risk profiles', translated uniformly into 'hyper aggressive investment portfolios'. Purloined client files, bribes to fellow staff to hide his procedures, false billing of the bank itself, and so on. A very rotten apple — and there were more.
But this story is not about rotten apples. It is rather about the venality of the CBA itself.
Nguyen was suspended in September 2008. He was reinstated in October precisely in order to quarantine his victims. Nguyen was retrenched in mid 2009 on 'health' grounds and given a pension. Thus, he was protected by his superiors.
Morris labeled CFPL 'nothing more than a low rent sales channel', driven by a bonus-centred culture right up the hierarchy.
The role of CFPL 'planners' was to shovel clients into CBA products, within the 'wealth management' Colonial First State subsidiary and an insurance subsidiary CommInsure, in the meantime charging fees both unnecessary (one could access CFS directly) and spurious (for non-existent advice).
A lot of these clients would be 'harvested' (Morris' term) from the CBA existing deposit base, who would be seduced out of their de facto preferred position of cash or term deposits.
The Customer Experience (sic) section blamed the clients. Group Security was more interested in tracking down the whistleblowers. Nguyen's replacement was similarly directed to quarantining Nguyen's victims.
Meanwhile, Head Office had sent in a huge team, under the rubric 'Project Hartnett', to clean up or reconstruct client files. Morris made offers to the CEO and the CBA Board to fill them in, but his offers were declined.
The bank aimed to isolate each client victim and compensate them as little as possible — preferably nothing.
Confronted with evidence that senior management were implicated, Morris et al faxed a document to ASIC on 30 October 2008.
Receiving no immediate response, they followed up with emails.
At some stage ASIC claimed to be investigating the matter, but they hadn't claimed any files.
In April 2009, a document discovered accidentally confirmed the complicity of CFPL senior management. Contemplating that ASIC were not merely incompetent, but perhaps too 'palsy' with the bank, the whistleblowers decided to go public.
Thus, a series of articles were published in the trade journal Investor Daily in May-June 2009. One article names Nguyen, which sets in train the resignation of Nguyen. But there is no response at ASIC.
The whistleblowers eventually have a meeting with ASIC staff in February 2010, 16 months after Morris et al had raised the alarm. ASIC declines Morris' offer to help decipher the CFPL files.
In March, ASIC demands CFPL files but gives the bank two weeks to produce them. By this time, the bank has long been massaging the files.
Morris notes that the CBA has never produced a single original document, only photocopies and ASIC hasn't demanded any.
Belatedly, the CBA and ASIC contrived an 'Approved Compensation Scheme' in November 2010. ASIC claimed that the CBA demonstrated 'a cooperative and consultative approach'.
A reflection of the CBA's brutal approach was its refusal to negotiate with the client if the latter wanted their own adviser. Yet ASIC left the administration of the scheme to the CBA.
… ASIC did virtually no investigative work of their own but basically just added what CFPL gave them to what the whistleblowers did. I have no doubt that a proper investigation would reveal at least 100 current or former planners of CFPL [of a revolving population of 750] whose clients should be compensated for dodgy/and or just plain incompetent, advice.
First to the good part.
At this stage, the committee's confidence in ASIC's ability to monitor the CBA's implementation of its new undertaking regarding the compensation process is severely undermined. Furthermore, the CBA's credibility in the CFPL matter is so compromised that responsibility for the compensation process should be taken away from the bank. The committee considered five options to finally resolve the CFPL matter. But, given the seriousness of the misconduct and the need for all client files to be reviewed, the committee believes that an inquiry with sufficient investigative and discovery powers should be established by the government to undertake this work. To resolve this matter conclusively and satisfactorily, the inquiry would need the powers to compel relevant people to give evidence and to produce information or documents. The committee is of the view that a royal commission into these matters is warranted.
The report provides substance behind this summary position.
But the report is a disappointment on some key fronts.
The Committee notes that no investor has the right to be protected from loss per se. But consumers have every right to expect that ASIC should fulfil its mandated responsibilities. Indeed, ASIC was expanded from its forerunner, the ASC, for precisely this purpose.
The major fallout in Australia from the 2008 GFC has been the huge losses incurred by family retail investors with their life savings, disappeared within a wide range of spiv investment schemes — a list that included some operated by Australia's formally most respected financial institutions. ASIC has manifestly failed these people.
In spite of its length, the Report concentrates on ASIC's failings in only two arenas — the CBA's CFPL debacle (the catalyst for the Inquiry itself) and the banks (and brokers') dubious, and often predatory, retail mortgage lending practices.
With respect to the CFPL issue, coupled with the CBA's lesser subsidiary Financial Wisdom Ltd, the CBA's and ASIC's cynical response to the Senate Committee in their misleading submissions tipped the normally sedate Committee over the edge into its Royal Commission recommendation.
12.27 The committee is of the view that a judicial inquiry is warranted. The CFPL scandal needs to become a lesson for the entire financial services sector. Firms need to know that they cannot turn a blind eye to rogue employees who do whatever it takes to make profits at the expense of vulnerable investors. If this matter is not pursued thoroughly, there will be little incentive for Australia's major financial institutions to take compliance seriously.
Apart from the two 'case studies', the Committee report diverts to an exploration of the functioning of ASIC's 'External Dispute Resolution' schemes, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Credit Ombudsman Service (Chapter 7). Given the parameters of the report, even FOS is discussed purely from a retail customer perspective.
The report is much too kind to FOS. It does recommend that the dispute value limit for FOS treatment and its compensation limit be increased (marginally), but it is weak on the six-year 'statute of limitations' limit.
Worse, it accepts meekly everything proffered by senior managers Shane Tregillis and Philip Field, who unstintingly defend all current arrangements — including the funding arrangements, the claimed effective analysis of systemic malpractice (a joke), the non-naming of financial institutions found wanting, and the existing value limits on dispute handling and compensation.
The Committee had submissions from financial service provider victims highlighting FOS' lack of independence.
I digress to one of the original complaints with regard to Bank West and note that when the question of the offer made by Bank West as supported by written communications from Mr David Veal, Bank West's response was something along the lines of "… Mr Veal is no longer with our bank and therefore anything he has said is not relevant ..." This was and still is a critical point which your office conveniently chose to ignore. This alone brings into question your independence.
It is not acceptable that your office continually side [sic] with the FSP and deliberately withhold [sic] evidence and information which is critical to our claim and or simply dismiss things as being out of your procedures and or jurisdiction. Your office needs to stand up and take responsibility for what is lodged with you and deal with it in a truly independent and unbiased manner. The fact that you are funded by the Banks is in itself questionable and your blatant bias in these matters is unconscionable.
I can attest that this victim's experience with FOS is not exceptional.
FOS puts victims through a Kafkaesque hierarchy of multiple respondents, multiple layers, long delays, artificial deadlines for the victims but not for the guilty party or themselves, with FOS' frontline staffed by ignorant youngsters. The Committee has failed to confront the manifest dysfunctionality and complicity of FOS (on all but minor complaints), and to make strong recommendations accordingly.
A brief word is warranted on Trio Capital.
This scandal is mentioned in passing several times in the report, not least in Appendix 5 where some key past 'enforcement' actions of ASIC are usefully summarised. The Committee feels justified in passing over this and other issues because of coverage by other inquiries or reports. But the Trio Capital case deserves special mention.
Trio Capital was conceived and executed purely as a criminal scam. Trio's Australian head, Shawn Richard, admitted guilt and was gaoled.
But, as Trio Capital activist Paul Matters highlights, Richards was pursued by ASIC under the Corporations Act rather than the Crimes Act, with the maximum gaol sentence under the former being five years. Richard is now free after two and a half years in prison.
Yet the Wollongong community, in particular, remains devastated by the losses.
ASIC has dropped the case, claiming (ludicrously) that there was 'insufficient evidence' to pursue the American-based mastermind. The inaction on Trio Capital is a significant indictment of the gutlessness of ASIC and of the Australian Federal Police.
There is nothing – zero, zilch – on bank corrupt practices against SME and family farmer borrowers. The Committee flagged its preoccupation with the CFPL issue, but the Committee missed the opportunity to reinforce its case.
The report cites my submission (#295) several times, but omits to pursue the substance behind the sentences cited.
In particular, there is not a single mention of the CBA's BankWest scandal.
This same Committee's previous inquiry (The post-GFC banking sector) was instigated by the BankWest scandal, but the Committee's Report bizarrely ignored the issue, a cynical and cowardly process that I outlined in an April 2014 article. The BankWest scandal has thus been doubly interred.
If the Committee had acknowledged the CBA's (and other banks') corrupt practices in the SME/farmer domain and ASIC's comprehensive inaction, in spite of its legislated mandate, the Committee could have enhanced its argument regarding ASIC's failings with respect to the report's designated emphases and enhanced its leverage regarding the failings of ASIC.
ASIC's negligence and complicity is, thus, more comprehensive and profound than that proposed in the Senate report.
If the media is readily covering the report's findings and implications, the report's silence on SME/farmer malpractice facilitates an ongoing non-coverage by the media of this latter issue. This arena of dense corruption simply ceases to exist — by construction.
Worse, by ignoring the SME/farmer arena in this report, the Committee effectively ensures that ASIC's complicity will not merely not be exposed in the immediate future but will, effectively, be further legitimised.
What does this financial planner imbroglio mean? What is the problem?
'CommBank findings mean banks must do more to regain trust in planners'.
Collett is a competent and ethical columnist, and he does highlight the structural conflict of interest built into bank-employed financial planners. But the problem is not going to be solved by better training of financial planners and signing on to a industry 'code of practice', pushed by the Financial Planning Association.
No-one is asking the big questions. How did we get to this parlous situation? How does one eradicate the structural conflict of interest? What and who are the forces inhibiting substantive reform? And so on.
The backdrop to the malaise should be self-evident.
It started with the comprehensive deregulation of the finance sector, unleashed by the 1981 Campbell Report.
No-one then in authority thought of how to generate a corporate culture for this socially vital sector, in a backdrop of increasing global integration, that would continue to serve the public interest. Instead deep veins of both incompetence and venality quickly developed within a cowboy mentality that suffered no internal restraints — classically embodied in the 1980s foreign currency loans scandal.
With respect to the CBA, in particular, this trend is outlined in my March/April 2012 series: 'The Dark Side of the Commonwealth Bank', here, here and here.
Thus the current failings of the CBA have deep roots and have been long in gestation. They are not an aberration.
In the crucial transition period to a new regime during the 1980s, the pundits crudely offer up 'competition' as the universal elixir. The prescription was, of course, always mythical. But no-one in authority took competition seriously anyway — least of all the competition regulator.
Through the process outlined here and here, the rise of the Big Four – through a long process of amalgamation (coupled with demutualisation and privatisation) – produced the most protected and profitable cartel in global banking.
The rush to amalgamation transcended banking per se. The law of the jungle prevailed. The trading bank, traditionally a narrow specialist institution dealing in short-term liabilities (deposits) and short-term assets (overdrafts), in octopus fashion became the allfinanz conglomerate that we enjoy today. The narrow talents within the trading banks were never enhanced commensurately. The separation of banking and insurance disappeared. 'Wealth management', launched on a sea of superannuation and retirement savings, was unthinkingly integrated into the mix.
The 1997 Wallis Committee and Report, without opposition, legitimised the package.
We arrive at a situation in which everyone who matters is committed to the current dysfunctional structure. To step back and unwrap the package would involve an inevitable excommunication from the Club of Respectability. Thus the present impasse and pursuit of ephemeral 'solutions'.
Thinking laterally, how about a clean separation between banking and wealth management, with divestiture forced upon the banks? The structural conflict of interest would be thus readily addressed. Not the whole solution, but a good start.
Alas, those in authority or who command 'respect' cannot see the obvious remedy. In short, the problem is not rogue or poorly trained financial planners. The problem is the system itself.
And it is unlikely that that system will be questioned in its essence by the current Murray Financial System Inquiry because, to date, its Chairman David Murray has been an integral component of the process that has delivered us to the present impasse.
Has the CBA turned over a new leaf?
CBA CEO Ian Narev has 'unreservedly apologised' to CFPL victims. But these are crocodile tears.
The CBA consistently tried to bury CFPL victim complaints and to pay as little compensation as it could get away with. All of the CBA's actions for the recent past point to a consistent strategy — dig in, and never admit wrongdoing.
The CBA is the unrepentant corporate Alpha Male. Nobody amongst senior management has fallen on their sword or been sacked. The CBA Board is silent, inactive and complicit.
The CBA is still trying to brush aside unfinished business with Storm Financial victims.
The CBA is still brutally attempting to destroy on a case-by-case basis the hundreds of BankWest customers that it defaulted after the BankWest takeover.
The CBA settled with BankWest victim Rory O'Brien in May because of the probability that it was going to lose in court, thus preventing the disclosure of incriminating evidence and the establishment of an 'adverse' legal precedent. Even then, the CBA ludicrously claimed the settlement to be a vindication of its stance, claiming that it had nothing to hide on the nature of the BankWest purchase. Well why then has the CBA not disclosed fully the BankWest purchase terms?
Finally, the CBA is still ruthlessly defaulting and/or pursuing through the courts individual SME or farmer victims of its own lending managers, or those of its BankWest subsidiaries.


An army mechanic who chose to dress to impress in his first attempt of an infamous obstacle course topped the leaderboard.
The competitor, who was born and raised in Witham, also took a date to the show and competed as a rainbow unicorn - complete with a colourful wig, horn and all colours of the spectrum.
Tristan Steed, 30, wanted to stand out, but not only was his appearance colourful, he topped the leaderboard and beat the other contestants.
Tristan finished first and had the fastest time out of the night, in the episode broadcast on Saturday, April 28 on ITV1.
Tristan was nervous about messing up in front of millions of viewers at home, but he was also on his first date with his partner, Rachel Anne, who flew in straight from America.
Why did he pick a rainbow unicorn?
The competitor began getting into sports and fitness five years ago, he then progressed to obstacle courses and running, but felt the sports could be taken too seriously.
Tristan said: "The nerves are the hardest part of the show. The physical stuff isn't that bad, but you never get to practice how to deal with the camera and nerves that much.
He got through to the show and had to master the Ninja Warrior course as well as the dreaded warped wall.
At the end when asked by presenters how well he thought he did, Tristan didn't believe he performed better than others that night, but was shocked to find out he in fact had the fastest time.
He will now compete in the second round of the show as part of the series.
To see how well Tristan did check out his attempt above or on ITV1 demand.


Abstract: Interference alignment (IA) is a promising technique that allows high capacity gains in interfering channels. On the other hand, iterative frequency-domain detection receivers based on the IB-DFE concept (Iterative Block Decision Feedback Equalization) can efficiently exploit the inherent space-frequency diversity of the MIMO MC-CDMA systems. In this paper we combine iterative IA precoding at the transmitter with IB-DFE based processing at the receiver for MC-CDMA systems. The receiver is designed in two steps: first a linear filter is used to mitigate the inter-user aligned interference, and then an iterative frequency-domain receiver is designed to efficiently separate the spatial streams in the presence of residual inter-user aligned interference at the output of the filter. The matrices for this non-linear space-frequency equalizer are obtained by minimizing the overall mean square error (MSE) of all data streams at each subcarrier. Our receiver structure is explicitly designed taking into account the residual inter-user interference, allowing both an efficient separation of the spatial streams and a reduction in the number of iterations of the IA procedure. We also propose a simple, yet accurate analytical approach for obtaining the performance of the proposed receiver structure. Our scheme achieves the maximum degrees of freedom provided by the IA precoding, while allowing an almost optimum space-diversity gain, with performance close to the matched filter bound (MFB).


PETALING JAYA: Glomac Bhd is buying 191.75 acres of agricultural land in Dengkil, Selangor, for RM66.8mil or RM8 per sq ft from Lee Chin Cheng Dengkil Oil Palm Plantations Sdn Bhd.
Glomac told Bursa Malaysia that it had plans for a mixed residential development for the land. The deal is subject to the Estate Land Board's approval for the transfer of the land.


On April 11, 2019, on Thursday of the 5th Week of the Great Lent, Thursday of the Great Canon, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the Dormition Cathedral in the city of London.
His Grace was assisted by Archpriest Vitaly Polishchuk, Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, and Protodeacon Vadim Santsevitch.
After the Liturgy, Vladyka Matthew addressed the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral with words of preaching and spiritual edification.


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Friday Footnotes: Higher Salaries Lead to Higher Fees; EY Auditors Quit; Senator Rags on Greedy Accounting Firms | 1.27.23 Research: Working From Home Frees Up Two Hours a Week, Time Many People Spend Doing Work If This Person Can Pass the CPA Exam, So Can You EY Germany Gives 40 Partners and 380 Staff the Boot to Boost Profitability After That Whole Wirecard Thing Do Ex-Big 4 Accountants Make Good NFL Team CEOs?
BDO November 16, 2010
BDO Culminates 100th Anniversary with a Two-Hour Disney Production on the History of the Firm
by Caleb Newquist
As you probably know, BDO has spent 2010 celebrating the firm's 100th anniversary in the U.S. Throughout the year there has been various celebrations along with Jack Weisbaum's successful run as Dos Equis dopplegänger.
The apex of the firm's centennial is going on as we speak in Orlando, at the firm's Centennial Partners Meeting where 700 some-odd partners, alums and their better halves are celebrating the big one hundo.
A brief word from the most interesting accounting CEO in the world:
"In 1910, there were a little more than 2000 certified public accountants (CPAs) in the United States, that's approximately the same amount currently working at BDO. Today, there are hundreds of thousands CPAs, but just a handful of national firms that have been able to grow and prosper across the country and build networks with member firms around the world," said Jack Weisbaum, CEO of BDO USA. "Our firm bears little physical resemblance to the firm Maximillian L. Seidman started a century ago, and it is sure to change drastically in the coming century. What will stay the same is our unwavering commitment to clients, our capacity to adapt to change and our ability to find opportunity in every challenge."
In addition to the Weisbaum speech, last night attendees were treated the aforementioned two-hour Disney production about the history of the firm.
Entitled "Proud Past – Bold Future," the firm's story is told with an extensive cast and musical arrangements, interspersed with video interviews of BDO partners – from both past and present – as the firm's progress is tracked over the past century.
A Disney production sounds nice but two hours? Beauty and the Beast was nominated for Best Picture and it only ran for 84 minutes. Not that you can fairly compare the 100 years of getting to know BDO to animated bestiality. There really is no comparison but we're just hoping – for the sake of the audience – it was screened before the comfort food and booze.
Tags: A Disney Production, Awesome parties, BDO, Jack Weisbaum, People who know - know BDO, Walt Disney would not be down for this
BDO January 6, 2023
BDO USA Botched More Than Half of Its Audits Inspected By the PCAOB In 2021
by Going Concern News Desk
Fat Joe's favorite audit firm once again had a spectacularly horrible PCAOB inspection report. In the 2021 inspection of BDO USA, LLP, the PCAOB assessed the firm's compliance with laws, rules, and professional standards applicable to the audits of public companies. We selected for review 30 audits of issuers with fiscal years generally ending in […]
BDO December 20, 2022
BDO's Global Revenue Went Up About a Billion Dollars in 2022
The results are in at BDO, and the fifth largest accounting firm in the world brought in $12.8 billion in revenue during its 2022 financial year, which ended on Sept. 30—an 8.5% increase over last year's revenue of $11.8 billion. The new guy in charge of BDO globally, Pat Kramer, said, "In the change-dominated world […]
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The county's Department of Health Services is asking for the public's help in identifying a patient picked up by paramedics last November in South Los Angeles, about 10 miles northwest of the Long Beach border.
The Latino man was found at South New Hampshire and West 112th Street on November 5, 2016, according to county officials. Paramedics brought him to a local hospital which is now seeking the public's help in identifying him.
He had no documentation or evidence of his identity with him when he arrived to the hospital, county officials stated.
"He is currently alert but unable to communicate any information that will assist to identify him," according to a release.
Health officials tried to identify the patient through other means over the months but have exhausted those avenues, which included working with law enforcement.
He is described as Latino in his late 40s with brown eyes and brown and gray hair. He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He has a slight build and no tattoos.
Health officials said he arrived at the hospital with a well-groomed mustache and goatee (also brown/gray) and was wearing gray dress pants, white Adidas sneakers with black stripes and a black belt.
Anyone with information that may help to identify him is asked to contact (310) 222-4235.