Valentine’s isn’t just about chocolate boxes and roses – it’s more than that! We know it’s a nail-biting day of will she or won’t she, lovers and losers, the worry of trying to outshine her last boyfriend and a sprinkling of why doesn’t anyone love me panic.
In the midst of this, we needed some cold hard facts about the whole Valentine’s Day experience. Are text messages really an appropriate way to say “i luv u”? Is your gift-buying always a last minute rush? Does a DIY gift really do it for you?
So who better to ask than our Facebook fans! Check out the results below!
These guys have been around for donkeys years now but just about seem to be getting the mainstream success that they deserve over here in the UK. Latest single, Lonely Boy is a bluesy stomp that you can jive to like there’s no tomorrow.
Why women will like them:
They look cool and they’re rock and roll in the same way that Kings of Leon used to be before they started wearing Prada and making weird music videos of them playing football in Africa.
Why we will like them:
They’ve got a convincingly bluesy whisky tinged drawl that you wish that you had, as well as having enough catchy blues licks to clean a plate.
Lynx Effect line to drop in conversation:
“Black Keys you say? Yeah I’ve been listening to them for a while now, since their first EP that they recorded on a busted up four track. Speaking of key’s I’ve left mine at home… can I stay with you tonight?”
Now we realise that this should not be the only reason that we go there but it can’t hurt to have another bit of motivation to get us down the ol’ gym can it? Let’s face it the public embarrassment and hard work is not going to get us to go. But before you go launching in there like a dog on heat, it’s probably best to keep a few of our simple tips in mind.
Don’t stare
Nobody likes feeling like they’re putting on a show for the whole world to see except maybe… Paris Hilton. And even she gets annoyed with it sometimes. If you stare you are doing a number of things. Firstly, you’re looking weird and creepy. Watch any horror film, the odd psychos are always the ones with stare issues. Secondly, you’re making her feel uncomfortable and nobody wants to feel uncomfortable, especially when they’re working out. So no staring ok, no matter how hot she is.
Don’t interrupt
One of the worst things that you can do to someone that is trying to work out is interrupt them. Nobody wants to be stopped mid rep so that some perv in a vest can try out his chat-up lines. Oh no. Instead choose your moment carefully, wait until she’s taking a break and use her downtime as your way in. ‘Coincidentally’ sync your own break with hers and go over and say ‘Hi,’ or even better, wait for an opportunity where she is struggling to work a particularly complicated machine. Then, quickly slip into your shining armour, get over there and help her! *
Towel
Before you go over for a chat, make sure you grab a towel and wipe your face and hands. There really isn’t much worse than shaking a sweaty hand or becoming target practice for beads of sweat when you enthusiastically attempt to help her exercise.
Don’t grunt
For reasons unknown a lot of men in the gym grunt ridiculously loudly when working out. As if sounding like an animal awakes some primal desire or waves of admiration from everyone around them. It doesn’t. It makes you at best look like a moron and at worst, constipated.
Don’t show off
If you can’t lift the biggest weight in the room don’t. Likewise, if you can’t run around at 55mph think about putting on a slower speed when you’re pounding the treadmill. Your failures will make you look like exactly that, a failure. Work out within your own remit and she will respect you for it.
*Disclaimer: We will not be held responsible for anything that happens if you don’t actually know how to use said machine but still decide to help anyway…
We’ve all been there; your friends or perhaps your date are running late and you’re sat all alone warming up a bar stool like a prize idiot. The eyes of the room are slowly beginning to pan your way and the crowds are all muttering things like, ‘I wonder if he’s been stood up,’ or, ‘Do you think he’s a serial killer?’ Like I said, we’ve all been there.
In this situation there will always be the odd few that will glare at you with a mixture of pity and awkward embarrassment but there are some things we can do in the way of a salvage mission to keep dignity our intact.
Avoid clock watching
Do not look at your watch, do not break out your phone every two seconds to check the time, do not stare at the wall clock and certainly do not ask the bar staff for the time. If you’re clock watching you are not comfortable and you are just drawing attention to the fact that you’re alone and potentially stood up. Just don’t do it.
Do not text
Or rather don’t pretend to text. People that are waiting alone in a bar always seem to instantly grab for their phones where they will invariably either re-read old messages just in case they missed some key detail or desperately begin scrabbling through their phone numbers to find someone that they can message. It’s obvious that you’re struggling. If you must get your phone out, then make an actual phone call. At least that way it’s obvious that you have at least one friend. Unless you called your Mum, in which case you’ve failed.
Don’t get too drunk
Drink responsibly because in the event that your pals do eventually arrive you don’t want to be the drunk fool in the corner. That’s never a good look. On the flip-side of things, if they don’t arrive you definitely don’t want to be the lonely drunk fool in the corner. Also, never a good look.
If the place is quiet, talk to the bar staff
You’re alone and the chances are that they are as bored as hell and also counting down the hours until they can get out of there. It makes sense for you to talk to them. In general they will probably welcome it and take it as a spot of light relief. The advantages of this are that you don’t look so socially inept anymore and that you may also make a new friend. A new friend with access to the drinks fridge, which is always good for dodging those queues later on.
Failing that just follow the lead of our old Lynx man…
Dry the river are a beardy folk five piece hailed as the saviours of ‘new folk.’ Imagine the thinking man’s Mumford and Son’s and throw in some Bon Iver style harmonies and a little intelligence and you’re coming pretty close to Dry The River.
Why we should like them:
They’re catchy and they paint brilliant romanticised audio pictures about beautiful subjects that men shouldn’t really be able to talk about in a catchy manner that stays in your head. Providing us with easy to remember ‘intelligent’ chat-up lines. Say good bye to the old, “Was your Daddy a thief” standards.
Why women will like them:
They have beards and paint brilliant romanticised audio pictures of beautiful things and everyone knows that girls dig beards almost as much as they like poetic prose about a load of old guff that nobody understands.
Lynx Effect line to throw into conversation:
“Yeah music today is mostly just noise, it’s like nobody knows the beauty of a violin anymore.. . I know… have you listened to Dry The River….we should both go to a field somewhere and listen to them together, what do you think?”
Check out our last band of the week, Fridge Magnets, here.
We love Lynx but we also love it when you guys love Lynx too. Especially when you love it so much that you create awesome tribute videos and adverts. Check out this brilliant Lynx video entered into the Kodak Student Commercial Awards in 2009. The film was made by Joey Wong, Steven Wyatt, Robin Anson, Richard Massara and Loredana Longo. Great piece of work guys, truly the Lynx Effect!
Have you made your own Lynx advert? Or maybe you’ve written a Lynx song?
Send us a link and we might feature you on the Lynx Blog!
When the first Max Payne came out it was a groundbreaking time for gaming and paved the way for a bazillion copycats that have had us frustratingly pounding our control pads ever since. Since then though things have been relatively quiet on the Payne front, other than an utterly terrible film adaptation which only served to devalue the whole thing. But it seems our hero is now back and Mark Wahlberg free and this time he’s bearded and tearing it up in South America. Interested? We know we can’t wait.
Metal Gear Solid Rising: Revengeance
Remember Metal Gear Solid, the tactical espionage action game that is perhaps better known as the GREATEST game ever made? Well there’s a new one on its way this year! A spin-off featuring the character of Raiden who was first introduced to us back in MGS2, this promises some serious in-depth character development giving us the who, what and why of how he became such a lone warrior. The environment is also set to be the most interactive ever seen in the Metal Gear franchise.
Hitman Absolution
Up there competing strongly with Max Payne as the mental lone gunman game of the year is Hitman Absolution. We don’t know too much about this just yet but images and trailer spots show some serious development on the graphic front as well as the removal of the map element seen on previous games. Meaning this time around you’re going to have to rely on instinct.
Grand Theft Auto V
A potential final curtain call from the crime breaking, GTA classics. The games seemed to have peaked at some point between Vice City and San Andreas and despite a few spin-offs and add ons we must say that the series has been getting a little stale. Developers, Rockstar promise this to be the biggest map of the GTA series so far although that’s something we’ve generally come to expect anyway with each new release. More interesting perhaps is that developers claim to have turned the whole franchise on its head for this installment… whatever that means it sounds exciting.
Twisted Metal
Another classic game that started out in 1995 and has been a long-running series since. A car racing game that is less about racing and more about destroying your opponent in some brilliantly odd vehicle themed combat. The game has been revamped and given the PS3 treatment to bring a whole new side to that dratted Sweet Tooth and soul-stealing Calypso.
You might recognise this cheeky Scottish rabble as the winners of our Lynx All Nighter competition. A watertight indie dance act, these lads caught our attention last year with their tune Death Of Rock N Roll to win a coveted slot supporting Calvin Harris at our Music Star party.
Why we should like them:
They’re down to Earth lads that you could have a pint with and can write a hook as effortlessly as a text message.
Why girls will like them:
It’s a band who make music that you can dance to and combined with the fact that they’re a little bit cheeky, well dressed and full of Celtic charm, they’re practically a rock n roll dream.
Lynx Effect line to drop into conversation:
“Fridge Magnets? Yeah I heard about them ages ago when they played the Lynx All Nighter – an invitation only event. I know a few people who got me on the list… I could probably sort you a ticket out for the next one if you want?”
Struggling for a last request or resolution for 2012? How about these four for a little food for thought. 2012 is going to be the year to leave nothing undone so let’s start as we mean to go on yeah?
Talk to her
You know that girl that you think about all the time? You know the one with the awesome smile that you were thinking about at around midnight two days ago. Yes her. Talk to her. Tell her what you’re thinking and leave no regrets this year. You never know, she might actually say yes and if she doesn’t so what. At least you tried it and there will be plenty more fish in the sea as they say.
Do what you need to do
Don’t like your job? Thinking of going back to school? What is it that you really want to do in life the most? This year take the steps to doing exactly why you want to do. It’s no good having big dreams and just standing still – you need to make it happen. Just like with our last requests. Get out there and get on it guys.
Watch more sunrises
Ok so it’s a little bit twee but sunsets are awesome and on the flipside of things, if you’re awake and watching the sunrise there’s a good chance that it’s because you’ve had an awesome night out before it. So what’s not to like? Let’s watch some more sun rises this year.
Go on a road trip
Grab your best friends and organise a road trip this year. Take out one week or one weekend to have the best time you and your mates could ever have. You won’t regret it and will have stories to tell for years afterwards. We can guarantee it.
Do you have anymore requests and resolutions for the new year? Tell us what they are by visiting our last request generator, here.
A fidgety, psychedelic pop prospect from Dalston-via-Edinburgh, hotly tipped foursome Django Django are so good (say salivating trendsetters) they named them twice! Not convinced? Just one spin of infectious, future single ‘Default’ should have even the most floor-shy among us gyrating under the strobes.
Why they should impress us:
They’ve managed to craft wholly original, art-school pop with a unique and bewildering aesthetic which defies easy categorisation. For proof, watch the trippy visuals that decorate their ‘WOR’ video, which sees a pair of massive lips devouring the band off a human chessboard suspended in space. It’ll blow minds.
Why they’ll impress the ladies:
Plaudits have championed their Beta Band-aping appeal, but in truth they’re really much closer to the ever-creative Klaxons (in ideas rather than execution) and we all know how wild women went for their Day-Glo, space spiel in the summer of ‘07.’
Lynx Effect line to drop into conversation:
“I, like, literally love Django Django! Their mind-expanding, sexy psychedelia has an uncontrollable effect on my pelvic muscles. Just pop this on (*hands 7-inch*) and feel my groove!”
Django Django’s self-titled debut album is released on 30th January on Because Music.
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A fidgety, psychedelic pop prospect from Dalston-via-Edinburgh, hotly tipped foursome Django Django are so good (say salivating trendsetters) they named them twice! Not convinced? Just one spin of infectious, future single ‘Default’ should have even the most floor-shy among us gyrating under the strobes. 
