MEDIA RELEASE - 29/3/2006   Monika Lackmann, founder and managing editor for FasterLouder.com.au, Australia's premier rock website, has returned from her honeymoon and is looking for an exciting and new endeavour to sink her teeth into.   "I decided it was time to move on," said Lackmann. "I've loved my time at FL, but I feel that the site and I have moved in different directions. It's time for a fresh start. I've had many wonderful musical experiences, but I need something more."   Under Lackmann's guidance, FasterLouder rose to prominence in the Australian online market, hitting the Top Ten list of music websites in the country in under two years. Her steadfast refusal to turn the site into a mainstream-only concern won much respect from the industry.   "It's great to have a platform that gives grassroots talent the support it needs," she said. "The bands we have here, locally, are easily the match - or better - of anything that Pitchfork, the NME or Rolling Stone US can throw at us, and I'm glad that I've been able to give them my total support, even in the face of adversity.   The site's contributors, says Lackmann, are key to its success. "There's no way the standard of content on the site would be the same without the dedication of its contributors, both major and minor. They're who'll I'll miss the most."   And as for the future? Has rock seen the last of Lackmann's feisty personality?   "There's plans afoot," she says, enigmatically. "And I wish FL every success in the future."   While Monika plans her next endeavour (and searches for the right environment) she can be contacted via email through this site (just click on her name) or you can read her blog here . ~ENDS~

Life moves in stages I reckon. And I've never been happier. Apart from the huge workload here and the seemingly constant chasing for more sleep, I can't complain.   Fantastic partner, wonderful family and friends, not to forget to mention my feline creatures who never fail to amuse. You know you're getting old though when you spend what you would've spent in the past at the pub on booze and bands on the weekend on plants. Yes, plants. It's a strange feeling, being excited by baby cos, mixed lettuce and rocket. And being amazed by it's growth overnight.   And ensuring you spritz the ferns every morning, remarking to the frollicking felines who are enjoying your company in the backyard how delightful it is to see the new fronds appearing. I may just take some photos to put up here.   Yep, getting old and sounding/acting more like my mother every day. And in my books, that ain't a bad thing - its goes without saying that my Mumma is tops-a-rama and that is that!  

Yikes! It’s a month since my last blog post. And the reason being – there’s a few, I suppose, considering being at the helm of FasterLouder takes up most of my waking life, looking for a new house to live in; celebrating landmark birthdays; keeping my friendships alive catching up with my friends here and there…   To keep those abreast of the latest with Kaspar, his wound has completely healed and his fur is nearly back to normal. As is with most kitties during the winter months, he and Iggy are more inclined to snuggle with you as much as possible and yes – that includes trying to sit on my lap whilst I type.   The last month has seen some landmark celebrations for friends and family, my lovely sister turned the big-three-o. We spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at the best Greek restaurant in Sydney, Perama with family and long time friends. Indulging on the banquet menu. Oh so yummy!   Today, I’m working from home, ‘cause this horrid cold/flu thing has finally beaten my white blood cells. So, apart from packing boxes this weekend (geez, I hate moving!) you’ll be finding me on the couch, Foxtel remote in one hand, book in the other…   Kinda like this…  

  Who you calling Scarface, huh?       Yeah, I'm watching you, just waiting for the time you capture me and shove those yucky tablets down my throat... I try to be tenacious and keep them in the side of my mouth until you put me back down on the floor and spit them out! Why do you have to be so mean to me, haven't I gone through enough pain lately?   So there you go, some images of the convalescing puss, Kaspar.   Friday night's shenanigans was catching up with some mates at the Hollywood where too many glasses of red wine were consumed on an empty stomach, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the back of the 'Dale (mmm... the Spring Rolls there are the best) and caught Snowman and the Morning After Girls .   Don't you love weekends where you can just potter about doing what you want to do and attending to chores that you can't put off any longer? Four loads of washing leaves me wondering how do I manage to use all these clothes, towels, sheets, etc, vaccumming, bathroom, clothes off the bedroom floor, Bpay bills, search online for prospective houses to live 'cause we may be moving soon. Was going to mosey down to the Sydney Turbojugend BBQ but the couch, soup and snuggles was too enticing and I know how those BBQs end up - MESSY!   Created pea'n'ham soup from scratch yesterday from an old (German) family recipe, with some smoked speck from Norton Street Grocer - it was delicious although a bit too salty for my liking due to the smoked ribs I chucked in there. Rocket frittata this morning for brunch and I'm trying to muster the energy to bake some scones which will accompany the homemade jam courtesy of my beloved Mumma.   Bring on my holiday! Yes, Friday was one of those days/weeks/recent months where I was very close to opening the window and shouting " I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" so I've decided to escape on Wednesday night to, of all places, the Gold Coast for five days of beachside relaxation! Going to catch up with Rooney on Friday night, which'll be fab! Apart from that, all I have planned is sleep, read, swim, watch the ocean and relax with no computers and no phones and no thoughts about FasterLouder. Yeah right, as if.

I've had loads of emails with get well wishes for my puss Kaspar so I thought I'd give you an update for those who care.   He's recovering quite well, we no longer have to bathe the wound, he's still a bit sooky and he easily forgets that we're horrible to him twice a day forcing huge anti-biotic pills down his throat.   I'll post a photo of his shaved patch and healing wound over the weekend.

Ever had one of those days which in hindsight, make you shake your head in wonder?   Today is one of 'em.   Firstly, the gross part. I awoke to find my sweet feline furry friend; Kaspar's suspected abscess on his head just above his eye had burst, with pus overwhelming the poor creature. Quickly grabbing him in horror, I and my beloved cleaned it off - yes it made me retch numerous times, I have a weak stomach at the best of times - and packed him off to the vet. The lovely vet shaved his fur, opened the wound a little more so all the detritus could depart more easily, stuck a thermometer up his bum and shoved some antibiotic down his throat.   Brought him home where he decided to slink onto the bathroom mat (his new favourite spot strangely) to recover from his travails. Bathing it once before I had to leave to…   Interview Tommy Lee ! What a nice down to earth man he was too. Sitting up on the top level of a swanky harbourside hotel, we chatted for about 20 minutes. He complimented me on my shoelaces and wanted to get a pair to wear with his black and pink pinstriped suit he's wearing tonight at the Jack Awards, they’re with skulls and pink stars which my beloved gave me for my birthday care of Route 66 and mentioned that I “asked very different and interesting questions”.   So that’s my strange day, one minute tending a pus ridden puss to the next sitting across from one of the most rock’n’roll musicians in the world, having a nice chat.   Bizarre.   Stay tuned for my interview with Tommy.  

Damn. Jetlag is lingering... I'm not enjoying the 5am wakey wakey, Moni, you're wide awake!

The numerous thoughts and tangents milling one moment confused, the next lucid around my cerebral entity.   My Coachella highlights – Bauhaus, Fantômas, The Locust, Nine Inch Nails. Spotting the boob jobs, plastic surgery, the porn stars, the has been musos, the two free pairs of Converse sneakers care of the Converse Tour Bus, the amazing resort : 42 fucking swimming pools for example - thanks very much Capitol/EMI, spending time with our Coachella winners; Kali and Clinton, not noticing the various other megastars but happy to see Perry Farrell still dresses like a dandy (but more in later my review of the festival.)   Well, as I wrote to my pal Ross Clelland (who I might add has declared that he's now disowned me as a friend): "Yeah. Bauhaus . How’s this for opening song greatness… Pete Murphy being lowered upside down on a wire in an upside down cross pose, whilst belting out Bela Lugosi’s Dead and he stayed in the upside down pose for the whole nine damn minutes!"   I was lucky to catch up with Michele and Ross from Tourettes on the last night spent in the plastic, soulless and sprawling city of Los Angeles whilst they were spruiking a sampler of their new recordings on the sidewalk outside the Key Club to major and minor record company A&R bigwigs, who in my experience the majority wouldn't know true talent if it punched them in the face. They both took some time out to hole up in my rented Dodge van, chucked the CD on and away we delved into the Land of Tourettes. I do hope they took my quiet musings as a positive sign – I can’t understand why somebody hasn’t had the nous to sign them – not only are they über talented and determined but they certainly have managed to capture their amazing live shows on the few tracks I heard.   Interviewing Tommy Lee on Tuesday so doing some prep work for that. The Jack Awards are on later that night which should be a hoot. Always take these types of events with a grain of salt – so much pretension and vacuous people in one space. As I was a judge this year, in my naivety, I hope my nominations paid debt to those who are deserving.   Tonight is my first home cooked dinner in ten days. Organic roast chook with mash potato and freshly steamed veggies along with a nice bottle of Australian red wine. If another thing was reaffirmed lately, damn Americans have got a lot to answer for with regard to food (apart from their politicians, gun laws, poverty, etc). Sugar in everything, including sourdough bread. They can’t make a good cup of tea if their life depended on it. Greatest place in the world, Australia, that’s for sure.   Lordy! I need a holiday. To spend time reading, not thinking about FasterLouder, laughing, sleeping and snuggling my beloved…

Sure, I'd had about 5 hours sleep in the last 24 hours, mix that with 20 hours of international travel, timezones and duty free booze and you have a long-winded blog entry which became part of the ether. *shrugs* oh well.