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This week I’m making future memories, with just two words: Skibidi Toilet.
Though familiar to some of you I suspect this is new to the majority; one day you’ll think back and say “I first heard about Skibidi Toilet from Winston Watusi”. You’re welcome.
First up, pronunciation, which is not what you might expect. That would be “ski” as in “skid”, and “bidi” as in “old biddy”. It is a story told entirely in short YouTube videos, a couple of minutes each. The story? Well, strap in for the ride...
John Michaelz.
Skibidi Toilets – toilets with human heads – led by G-Man, are engaged in a war with people who have CCTV cameras, speakers and televisions for heads. They fight across an expanding dystopian industrial world, trying to destroy humanity and transform more people into Skibidi Toilets.
Kinda niche, right, not really mainstream? Except for the 65 billion views on YouTube last year alone. Yes, billion.
CD revival
So what? Well, Michael Bay, the director who gifted us the Transformers films is now on-board with big Hollywood money and promising that this “could be the next Transformers or could be a ‘Marvel’ universe”. So in a couple of years’ time when the world is deluged with Skibidi Toilets and you’re thinking that life can’t possibly get any stupider, remember: you heard it first here.
Here’s another weird thing: CDs appear to be making a revival. Seriously. I have stats, which will wait till next week, as now I have an actual CD.
The cover of John Michaelz’ new album ‘Some Songs III’. Photo: supplied.
John Michaelz’ new album Some Songs III is available on CD from Record Roundabout at the Historic Village. It’s also available as a USB stick. I have no idea on sales figures for those. Does anyone use them anymore? Email or message with opinions.
Since it’s a little off the beaten track let me just plug Record Roundabout, with its fantastic range of vinyl, CDs, books, posters and all sorts of music memorabilia. Tony Pill, who runs the place, is a true enthusiast and it’s well worth a visit and chat.
Unreleased demos
John’s album is a collection of unreleased demos, alternates, and live tracks reaching back to 1997, plus two new songs. This means uneven sound quality and backing stretching from Auckland band Kosher and short-lived Whangārei outfit The Watts to local musicians Ewan Laycock, Pat Hawkins and members of Kokomo.
Among the offerings are Waiting For The Sun - John in Dave Dobbyn mode with lively backing vocals from Sandy Mill – the charming ukulele duet A Single Thing, and a wild White Horses with John and Ritchie Pickett each trying to out-sing the other.
The two new songs are the lovely Landscape and Gravel Road Blues, a jumping jam featuring Nick Ririnui and Tim Julian’s excellent rhythm section, splendid harp from Mike Butler and Mike Kirk’s immaculate guitar.
John-Mayall. Photo: supplied.
Martin Phillipps. Photo: supplied.
Finally, R.I.P. Martin Phillipps and John Mayall. No connection other than their music hugely affected my life. Yours too maybe. Some people make your life richer. They did.
Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: