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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 3, 2022 15:00:40 GMT
Pop at the Lock in Middlewich yesterday was good. I wasn't massively familiar with any of the bands, but they were all good, with 80s popsters The Darling Buds the highlight - much rockier than I expected with even a couple of punk-like tracks. Other highlights were The Just Joans, and MJ Hibbett and The Validators (missing a bassist due to illness), who both had sets full of catchy indie pop tracks with lots of laughs from the chat in between. Jetstream Pony sounded excellent but perhaps a bit samey overall, though I liked them enough to get more familiar with their material. I think the 80s is the worst decade for music and came upon a last-minute cheapo ticket, and I'm glad I did. Shout is one of the best songs I've ever heard live. I didn't realise Sowing the Seeds of Love was a Tears for Fears song, and that's a cracker. After enjoying some Yazoo in the leadup, so it's disappointing Alison Moyet had to pull out due to Covid at the last minute. I didn't think the sound was great for her replacement, Brand New Heavies, with the bass way too loud and the guitar barely audible. You sure? Is there such a thing as a worst decade? Just a cursory think it gave us.... The Smiths, ABC, Lloyd Cole, peak U2, Marillion, Tears for fears, ELO, Talking Heads, Big Country, Dire Straits, peak Kate Bush, The Jam, Depeche Mode.....I'm sure I've missed a shedload Matt Bianco?
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Post by felonious on Jul 3, 2022 15:11:02 GMT
You sure? Is there such a thing as a worst decade? Just a cursory think it gave us.... The Smiths, ABC, Lloyd Cole, peak U2, Marillion, Tears for fears, ELO, Talking Heads, Big Country, Dire Straits, peak Kate Bush, The Jam, Depeche Mode.....I'm sure I've missed a shedload Matt Bianco? I did forget Stevie Wonder sorry
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 3, 2022 15:21:58 GMT
Pop at the Lock in Middlewich yesterday was good. I wasn't massively familiar with any of the bands, but they were all good, with 80s popsters The Darling Buds the highlight - much rockier than I expected with even a couple of punk-like tracks. Other highlights were The Just Joans, and MJ Hibbett and The Validators (missing a bassist due to illness), who both had sets full of catchy indie pop tracks with lots of laughs from the chat in between. Jetstream Pony sounded excellent but perhaps a bit samey overall, though I liked them enough to get more familiar with their material. I think the 80s is the worst decade for music and came upon a last-minute cheapo ticket, and I'm glad I did. Shout is one of the best songs I've ever heard live. I didn't realise Sowing the Seeds of Love was a Tears for Fears song, and that's a cracker. After enjoying some Yazoo in the leadup, so it's disappointing Alison Moyet had to pull out due to Covid at the last minute. I didn't think the sound was great for her replacement, Brand New Heavies, with the bass way too loud and the guitar barely audible. You sure? Is there such a thing as a worst decade? Just a cursory think it gave us.... The Smiths, ABC, Lloyd Cole, peak U2, Marillion, Tears for fears, ELO, Talking Heads, Big Country, Dire Straits, peak Kate Bush, The Jam, Depeche Mode.....I'm sure I've missed a shedload It's something I've considered enough to write about. There are exceptions to every rule. You did bad to start your list with The Smiths (I like the music just not Morrisey's voice and persona), but your last three released some great stuff. I'm over halfway through listening to albums from every year since 1960 (not in order) and 80s years are often saved by metal or AOR. There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Some bands maybe do everything I dislike but do things so well I love it (Please by Pet Shop Boys is a great album). I think overall each decade was better musically than the previous one, with the 80s being the exception. I have a hidden gems Spotify playlist with a song from each year, and my 80s picks are the worst overall there too.
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Post by ChesterStokie on Jul 3, 2022 15:24:39 GMT
Tears For Fears at Telford QEII Arena last night. 80s music is really not my thing and I've only ever bought one of their records (the Everybody Wants To Rule The World single) but I was gifted a ticket at the last minute so thought I'd give it a go, but went along with fairly low expectations. I don't think my expectations of a gig have EVER* been so wildly exceeded as this one. I thought the show was superb and I was totally gripped by the whole thing from start to finish. Stunning sound quality. Really goods songs (even the ones from their new LP which I'd never heard before stood up really well). Top notch backing musicians playing real instruments. Great dynamics, lots of light and shade, even some acoustic guitars. And they both seemed like likeable blokes as well. Funny old world, isn't it. * (except for Brian Wilson's comeback Pet Sounds show at the Royal Festival Hall in 2002) I think the 80s is the worst decade for music and came upon a last-minute cheapo ticket, and I'm glad I did. Shout is one of the best songs I've ever heard live. I didn't realise Sowing the Seeds of Love was a Tears for Fears song, and that's a cracker. After enjoying some Yazoo in the leadup, so it's disappointing Alison Moyet had to pull out due to Covid at the last minute. I didn't think the sound was great for her replacement, Brand New Heavies, with the bass way too loud and the guitar barely audible. Yes, I was sorry Alison Moyet didn't make it. I agree the bass player in BNH was way too loud. His bass amp was pointed right at me and I wondered if I was picking up the bass from there rather than through the PA. I could hardly hear the singer especially in the first few songs. I can't believe it was deliberately mixed that way. They were funky though. I didn't realise they had 15 hit singles in the 90s (though only one reached the Top 10).
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Post by ChesterStokie on Jul 3, 2022 15:43:31 GMT
You sure? Is there such a thing as a worst decade? Just a cursory think it gave us.... The Smiths, ABC, Lloyd Cole, peak U2, Marillion, Tears for fears, ELO, Talking Heads, Big Country, Dire Straits, peak Kate Bush, The Jam, Depeche Mode.....I'm sure I've missed a shedload Sorry to be pedandic but ELO were not an 80s band. 99% of their best work was done in 70s.
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Post by ChesterStokie on Jul 3, 2022 15:52:44 GMT
There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Perfectly put. At least to my ears a lot of 80s music (particularly the pop end of the market) suffers from that early digitally produced sound. Most of the drum machines on records sounded dreadful back then and haven't aged well at all...
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Post by felonious on Jul 3, 2022 15:54:31 GMT
You sure? Is there such a thing as a worst decade? Just a cursory think it gave us.... The Smiths, ABC, Lloyd Cole, peak U2, Marillion, Tears for fears, ELO, Talking Heads, Big Country, Dire Straits, peak Kate Bush, The Jam, Depeche Mode.....I'm sure I've missed a shedload It's something I've considered enough to write about. There are exceptions to every rule. You did bad to start your list with The Smiths (I like the music just not Morrisey's voice and persona), but your last three released some great stuff. I'm over halfway through listening to albums from every year since 1960 (not in order) and 80s years are often saved by metal or AOR. There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Some bands maybe do everything I dislike but do things so well I love it (Please by Pet Shop Boys is a great album). I think overall each decade was better musically than the previous one, with the 80s being the exception. I have a hidden gems Spotify playlist with a song from each year, and my 80s picks are the worst overall there too. I reckon the best decade if there is one is the one of your youth and that's only because it comes with that warm feeling of nostalgia. Morrissey bless him got shit for being outspoken, gay and vegetarian in an era when society was very unaccepting. I listened to a playwright talking about him last week and it was an interesting insight. As a very young man he wrote his first piece and being a huge fan of the Smiths sent it to Morrissey and received an encouraging response and an invitation to meet up. He says he met a very charming man who encouraged him to pursue what became a successful career. Everything about the Smiths is shit hot and he was a great front man.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 3, 2022 16:14:29 GMT
It's something I've considered enough to write about. There are exceptions to every rule. You did bad to start your list with The Smiths (I like the music just not Morrisey's voice and persona), but your last three released some great stuff. I'm over halfway through listening to albums from every year since 1960 (not in order) and 80s years are often saved by metal or AOR. There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Some bands maybe do everything I dislike but do things so well I love it (Please by Pet Shop Boys is a great album). I think overall each decade was better musically than the previous one, with the 80s being the exception. I have a hidden gems Spotify playlist with a song from each year, and my 80s picks are the worst overall there too. I reckon the best decade if there is one is the one of your youth and that's only because it comes with that warm feeling of nostalgia. Morrissey bless him got shit for being outspoken, gay and vegetarian in an era when society was very unaccepting. I listened to a playwright talking about him last week and it was an interesting insight. As a very young man he wrote his first piece and being a huge fan of the Smiths sent it to Morrissey and received an encouraging response and an invitation to meet up. He says he met a very charming man who encouraged him to pursue what became a successful career. Everything about the Smiths is shit hot and he was a great front man. Their sound and musical chemistry is up there with the best ever in my opinion. And Morrissey had remarkable stage presence considering how he was portrayed
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 3, 2022 16:46:00 GMT
It's something I've considered enough to write about. There are exceptions to every rule. You did bad to start your list with The Smiths (I like the music just not Morrisey's voice and persona), but your last three released some great stuff. I'm over halfway through listening to albums from every year since 1960 (not in order) and 80s years are often saved by metal or AOR. There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Some bands maybe do everything I dislike but do things so well I love it (Please by Pet Shop Boys is a great album). I think overall each decade was better musically than the previous one, with the 80s being the exception. I have a hidden gems Spotify playlist with a song from each year, and my 80s picks are the worst overall there too. I reckon the best decade if there is one is the one of your youth and that's only because it comes with that warm feeling of nostalgia. Morrissey bless him got shit for being outspoken, gay and vegetarian in an era when society was very unaccepting. I listened to a playwright talking about him last week and it was an interesting insight. As a very young man he wrote his first piece and being a huge fan of the Smiths sent it to Morrissey and received an encouraging response and an invitation to meet up. He says he met a very charming man who encouraged him to pursue what became a successful career. Everything about the Smiths is shit hot and he was a great front man. I think teens/youth is by default for many people, because after that most lose interest in current music for various reasons. Morrissey is talented and looks to have a great stage presence from clips I've seen, but he's said plenty of ridiculous and often damaging things and only seems to have got worse with age.
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Post by whatsashig on Jul 3, 2022 17:20:27 GMT
There are loads of reasons I consider the 80s the worst overall: too many bands embracing digital technology before it was ready is the main one I think, that Yamaha DX7 electric piano preset that ruined so many songs, the general production on pop, the guitar sound in so much 80s music, electronic drums... Perfectly put. At least to my ears a lot of 80s music (particularly the pop end of the market) suffers from that early digitally produced sound. Most of the drum machines on records sounded dreadful back then and haven't aged well at all... Your dead right it’s quite a shame that the electronic thing/influence wasn’t built upon earlier. Kratwerk did something quite extraordinary even I think in 1970 it’s strange it took so long to build on
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Post by whatsashig on Jul 3, 2022 17:21:48 GMT
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 3, 2022 17:30:51 GMT
Perfectly put. At least to my ears a lot of 80s music (particularly the pop end of the market) suffers from that early digitally produced sound. Most of the drum machines on records sounded dreadful back then and haven't aged well at all... Your dead right it’s quite a shame that the electronic thing/influence wasn’t built upon earlier. Kratwerk did something quite extraordinary even I think in 1970 it’s strange it took so long to build on Yeah, Kraftwerk were ahead of their time and so much music might not have existed without them (Radiohead?). And not forgetting Delia Derbyshire in the early 60s, who was also ahead of her time with electronic stuff, most famously the original Dr Who theme:
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Jul 6, 2022 19:55:59 GMT
A spiffing trio of bands in Birkenhead last night, and a great venue in Future Yard.
I went to see Slow Crush: epic shoegaze walls of melodic noise. Maybe the best band I've seen post-lockdown.
They were in a punk sandwich, with Tits Up first up (they have an EP called Greatest Tits) - lyrically direct and catchy punk rock.
US band Mannequin Pussy headlined. Their set started with a bit of punk and dreamy noise rock but built to a load of hardcore punk. The latter isn't usually my thing, but they were great. Somewhere in there was a sizeable monologue from the frontwoman about the state of the US and how if we're not careful, the UK will continue to go further backwards too. As well as asking men to stand up for women's rights. The monologue ended with everyone in the venue screaming and straight into some of that heavy punk. Cathartic stuff.
Slow Crush and Mannequin Pussy were LOUD. But somehow, my ears haven't been ringing?
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Post by sheds1862 on Jul 9, 2022 10:11:47 GMT
Went to see James supported by the Lightning seeds in Rhyl last night.
Having seen James in December they weren't a patch on that performance sadly.
Tonight another seaside venue, Scarborough to see Dmas
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Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 9, 2022 10:25:13 GMT
Pearl Jam, Hyde Park, Day 1:
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Post by Northy on Jul 9, 2022 17:47:20 GMT
Sat in a pub in Northwich waiting to see sac and craic from Stoke, not normally my stuff.
Just been outside another pub in town for the afternoon watching swampy dogs
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Post by Northy on Jul 9, 2022 17:48:27 GMT
Pearl Jam, Hyde Park, Day 1: My brother was there last night, he also went to see them in Berlin a couple of weeks ago.
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Post by telfordstoke on Jul 9, 2022 17:56:40 GMT
Dodged a bullet Thursday as had tickets for Iron Maiden in Bologna a 50th birthday gift from 2020 and after much deliberation I'd decided not to go.got a flight refund but had been unable to move ticket on so was taking a hit on it.
Was then gobsmacked to see news of the huge lightning storm that hit the area after the support bands played and thus decision to cancel Maiden show.
Gutted for the fans concerned but has worked in my favour as now entitled to a refund , which I'll gladly accept. Same trip had included Stuttgart tonight but managed to sell that one on. I'd also kept an eye on flights and was much upheaval on those this week also. I'll get abroad again but considering this week very much bullet dodged
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Post by danceswithclams on Jul 9, 2022 23:52:36 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl.
If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions.
All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍
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Post by wilcopotter on Jul 10, 2022 7:12:46 GMT
Great gig last night, went to see M.Ward in Nottingham. Great singer and guitarist, if you like Americana music he’s truly worth a listen if you’re not familiar with him. Saw him at The Bodega which is a great little venue.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 10, 2022 8:21:49 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl. If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions. All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍 Yeah, watched the Glastonbury performance on the TV and said the same thing, they really looked like a band who could no longer give a shit.
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Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 10, 2022 8:24:40 GMT
Pearl Jam, Hyde Park, Day 2:
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Jul 10, 2022 10:03:19 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl. If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions. All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍 I thought they were ace. A copper of all people gave me a free ticket outside the venue. Never heard so much talking at a gig though, fucking annoying. Went to the Strokes in Lytham on Friday who were also great.
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Post by riproaringagain on Jul 10, 2022 16:25:47 GMT
Went to see Green Day last weekend one of the best gigs ever they rocked the place
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Post by maninasuitcase on Jul 10, 2022 16:37:36 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl. If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions. All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍 I'll have a look at Walt Disco as i was a fan of the associates. I thought there insane music was brilliant. Sadly no one else i knew really appreciated the artistry of Billy Mckenzien and Alan Rankie.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 10, 2022 16:46:44 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl. If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions. All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍 I'll have a look at Walt Disco as i was a fan of the associates. I thought there insane music was brilliant. Sadly no one else i knew really appreciated the artistry of Billy Mckenzien and Alan Rankie. Another fan of The Associates here👋🏻
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 10, 2022 16:58:09 GMT
I’ll have a shower
And then phone my brother up..
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Post by danceswithclams on Jul 10, 2022 18:40:18 GMT
Just got home from Manchester after taking in Primal Scream playing Screamadelica in full at Castlefield Bowl. If I'm being entirely honest, The Scream Team's performance was a bit lacklustre and whilst it was great to hear all those tunes together in the same set, it was a bit flat in terms of energy and looked very much to me like a band going through the motions. All three supports - Walt Disco, LoneLady and The Mysterines - were impressive however with oddball gender-bending Glaswegian upstarts Walt Disco standing out with their blend of The Associates / John Foxx mashed up with Adam & The Ants had all the aforementioned been produced by Brothers In Rhythm 👍 I thought they were ace. A copper of all people gave me a free ticket outside the venue. Never heard so much talking at a gig though, fucking annoying. Went to the Strokes in Lytham on Friday who were also great. I've seen Primal Scream probably more than any other band (bar New Order and The Chemical Brothers) over the past 25 years and this was the most below par performance I've seen them give. Looked and sounded like they were phoning it in from my vantage point. Conversely, the last time I saw them was also in Mcr at The Albert Hall on the Total Rock and Roll tour pre-pandemic and they were blisteringly good. The best part of the gig for me last night was watching the innumerable portly middle aged blokes in Gazelles and windcheaters staggering about saucer-eyes and sweating and wondering why they'd made such a bad decision after necking two pills in an ill-advised attempt to relive their long lost youth for one night only 🤣
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Post by danceswithclams on Jul 10, 2022 18:47:06 GMT
I'll have a look at Walt Disco as i was a fan of the associates. I thought there insane music was brilliant. Sadly no one else i knew really appreciated the artistry of Billy Mckenzien and Alan Rankie. They're very, very good indeed. The singer sounds exactly like Billy Mc - whether this is a good thing or not however I guess is down to personal opinion. You'll like them badger but be warned, some of them are (whisper it quietly) 'non-binary' and this may or may not offend some of your more anti-woke sensibilities 😮😉
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 10, 2022 18:58:53 GMT
I'll have a look at Walt Disco as i was a fan of the associates. I thought there insane music was brilliant. Sadly no one else i knew really appreciated the artistry of Billy Mckenzien and Alan Rankie. They're very, very good indeed. The singer sounds exactly like Billy Mc - whether this is a good thing or not however I guess is down to personal opinion. You'll like them badger but be warned, some of them are (whisper it quietly) 'non-binary' and this may or may not offend some of your more anti-woke sensibilities 😮😉 I couldn’t care less as long as they’re not banging on about it 24/7 or others are banging on about it 24/7 on their behalf! I’ll keep an eye out, they sound right up my alley if you know what I mean👀
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