We're into a new year.

The first day of 2011 it sounds like I've turned into a super keen fitness fiend. One of my resolutions was to exercise every day. However, we kicked things off well today.

Francisca and I walked up Mt Majura, then swam some laps at Dickson Pool. Just to complete the day, we kicked a soccerball around once it got a bit cooler in the evening.

I honestly couldn't tell you a top 10 of albums that came out in 2010, the quality just wasn't there, or I wasn't looking for it.

I did like

The Amity Affliction- Youngbloods

The Gaslight Anthem- American Slang

I Exist- I: A Turn For The Worse

Alexisonfire- Dogs Blood (EP)

How about a top 10 shows that I attended for the year...that will be easier to complete.

1. Polar Bear Club, Break Even, The Gifthorse @ Rosies, Brisbane

2. Polar Bear Club, Break Even, The Gifthorse @ The Fort, Brisbane

3. The Ghost Inside, Break Even @ Underworld, London (UK)

4. Machine Head, Hatebreed @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

5. 4 Dead, Hoodlum Shouts, Boonhorse @ Bar 32, Canberra

6. Ruiner, Hopeless, I Exist @ Bar 32, Canberra

6. Alexisonfire, Comeback Kid, Anti Flag @ The Forum, Sydney

7. Alexisonfire, Break Even @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney or The Palace, Melbourne

8. Dangers, Graf Orlock, 4 Dead, Vera @ Bar 32 Canberra

9. Slowburn last show @ The Jam Factory, Canberra

10. Elysian, Ignite The Ibex @ The Basement, Canberra

2010 was a great year personally, easily the best ever. 2011 will definitely be an adventure, a big year ahead. I should have a new issue of Capital Eyes in the next few days, with interview from Elysian and Yoko Oh No.

Capital Letters- NGA Zine Fair

Sorry, but the image is really small, I haven't really seen any other pictures about the zine fair.

As a part of the Space Invaders street art exhibition, they are having a zine fair at the NGA. That's right, zine at the NATIONAL gallery. Kewl.

I'm going to be having a stall with my zine Capital Eyes. I am midway through preparations for my 10th issue, so hopefully I will get that done in time. I was going to say it's going to be a bit more personal, but it isn't really. A couple of the things in it will be reprints, but basically it's going to be a look at the recent trip I did to Sydney and Melbourne to see Alexisonfire and Break Even, and a bit of a reflection of the times I lived in those places and what I think about those bands.

Funnily enough, Capital Letters was an idea of a name I had for a zine when I was tossing around ideas in my mind. I wanted it to be Capital something, as it was a Canberra based zine, and Canberra is the capital. Another one that struck me was Capital Waste, the name of a garbage disposal company, but I thought people would think it would just be a waste.

I went with Francisca to check out the new galleries at the NGA yesterday. Definitely worth a look. I'm not really an expert on art, so I won't give it a review.

Alexisonfire

Last week I went to see Alexisonfire in Sydney and Melbourne, it was pretty good times all round.

Here is an interesting interview, done in 2004 just after Watch Out came out.

http://www.europunk.net/interviews/114

The next issue is going to be about my adventures in going to these shows.

ooooooohhhh Young Cardinals

Triple J are currently playing a recording of Alexisonfire's set from the Sydney soundwave festival.

I saw them at this show and also at their sideshow alongside Comeback Kid and Anti Flag. According to my last.fm profile, they are my most played band. Apart the two times this year, I saw them one other time, in Brisbane in 2006 with Parkway Drive and The Amity Affliction. Funnily enough, they were not particularly massive. Parkway had started getting quite a strong following, while Amity had a pretty strong following in Brisbane, but not much outside of that.

Each band has released new albums in the last couple of weeks. Amity was first up, debuting at #6 in the ARIA Charts. That terrible band Thirsty Merc released a new album the same week, on a major label. It came in at #14. This time around it was Parkway Drive's turn, straight in at #2. Only Eminem's new record stood in their way.

Anyhow, this post was originally about Alexisonfire and how great they are. I'm quite excited to see them again in October.