Bad Detectives at Myspace

Frome rock and rollers the Bad Detectives have a myspace account
Theyre playing the Griffin Inn on 7th July
Apparently the song Ralph The Diving Pig is not about me

Eurovision song contest - Lordi

Yes I actually watched this example of good old-fashioned light entertainment. I suppose I was talked into it with the promise of Arctic lapland masked rockers Lordi being on it. They were hilarious with lyrics like 'the Day of Rockening'. Of course they won, which was fun - but there were other acts of note. There was some amazing spazz attack dancing from the Lithuanian entry 'We are the winners'. Watch it at least until the violin solo - funny...
There was a bit of a vote campaign for Lordi - see http://www.votelordi.org/ - shame it turns out they might be christians - and I am told by experts in the field a ripoff of GWAR. Watch GWAR on youtube
Wiki on Lordi

Primal Scream Country Girl lyrics

Here's the lyrics to the Scream's big hit single and album tracks. Some discrepancy over the lyrics on the official site though. On that site you can see and hear various versions of their single and album.

Primal Scream 'Riot City Blues'? Ripoff City Blues

'We're a punk rock band' Bobby Gillespie shouted quite a few times at Glastonbury last year - well sorry Bobby - you are not punks - there's one word from the punk era that describes your band ....'dinosaurs'. This new so-called rock and roll album is another PS celebration of the year 1969 with the band taking in the Stones and the Thirteenth Floor Elevators in this dumbed-down homage to the hippy era.
It starts out fine enough with the stomp 'Country Girl' but then it kind of goes flat. Presumably this album is aimed at the American market as nothing is that difficult to digest and no evidence of any of their unmarketable politics. The lyrics are basically song titles cut up and pasted into so-called new songs - 'Shake some Action! Get right down to the real nitty-gritty' - umm boys..? Those of us not born in the last ten years call that plagiarising. One song 'When the Bomb Drops' (the Bomb drops?) sounds like a sloppy jam around the Elevators' Rollercoaster and about 4 other 12-bars adorn this album with such hackneyed phrases as 'Boogie' and 'Allright' thrown in for good measure. Of course the Scream have been here before - with better poppier results - this time round they're saddled with super-bassman Mani which means a touch of psychedelic noodling is in order. The result is a bit like 'Satanic Majesties' or 'Exile on Main Street' played by sixth-form weeds whose parents have bought them musical instruments. Good job Primal Scream weren't around in the 60s and 70s as they basically don't have an original musical bone in their bodies and would have been ignored - they'd have made an ideal pub rock band with their fake American accents and their badly played harmonica.
However in this age of music being so afraid of originality this will no doubt be praised to high heaven for its wonderful qualities. Certainly there is some hedonistic joy to be found here and there and it's a fun game spotting the musical references - or thefts if you are old-fashioned like me.
Listen to a couple of tracks here
PS I got the comment 'a bit harsh' from the family - OK I admit to liking it a bit, but the problem for me is Mani constantly saying the Scream are this country's best rock and roll band - that's the Fall in my book - Mark E Smith and co have more ideas in one song than Primal Scream have in their entire back catalogue. Primal Scream are just a bunch of hippies - you can tell they are by their constant and obsessive recycling! Why are BG's lyrics always going on about junkies? The Jesus and Mary Chain school of writing it is - glamorising drugs, ripping off 60s Bob Dylan - you know the style - everybody did that years ago - that was what 70s British songwriting was all about. You might sound like Ziggy era Bowie or Bolan but surely that's the realm of the tribute band?
So... An allegedly anti-semitic Dylan rip-off 70s tribute band then is our country's best rock and roll act? I think not.
KILL ALL HIPPIES? - AS LONG AS PRIMAL SCREAM ARE FIRST

Italian WW2 wargames figures in 1/72 or 20mm

So you have checked out the reasonable selection in plastic and found some holes. Well luckily Mirliton, an italian company do a good range of infantry, vehicles artillery etc. British customers buy them here. Gallery here.

The Monks 'Oh How to do Now'

If you haven't heard the Monks - 60s mavericks active in West Germany - then watch this clip.
And then Boys are Boys and Girls are Choice or maybe Complication their most famous song. They sort of operated in a parallel world to anyone else in the 60s by being unselfconscious and totally original.
In order to persuade you to become Monk devotees I copied and pasted this description of their music from the Wiki on them - it's a pretty good read. I had never heard the Monks until a couple of years ago and I was quite shocked that they'd been so ignored.
The group's sound
The band abandoned many accepted musical norms of sixties rock n roll:
They have very little emphasis on melody, their songs are rhythmic, rather than melodic. The rhythms are heavy and repetitive, with the drums supplying a sound often described as 'tribal'. The drum kit was played without cymbals, leaving the beat as unembellished as possible.
Song structures are minimal and repetitive, but do not tend to follow the standard verse-chorus-bridge patterns of a pop song.
The band's lyrics are dadaist and playful, yet paranoid. They combine nursery rhyme style lyrics ("higgle-dy piggle-dy") with angry war commentary ("Why do you kill all those kids over there in Vietnam? Mad Vietcong! My brother died in Vietnam"; "People kill, people will for you. People run, aint it fun for you. People go, to their deaths for you"), incomprehensibly surreal interjections ("James Bond, who was he?") and paranoia about girls and love ("I hate you with a passion baby! And you know why I hate you? It's because you make me hate you baby!").
The vocal delivery is strangled, wailing and frantic, contrasted to deep chanting backing vocals which recall Gregorian chant.
Gary Burger utilises a great deal of guitar feedback and dissonance (According to Eddie Shaw's Black Monk Time, the group invented the use of audio feedback for musical purposes).
Dave Day replaced his guitar with a banjo upon which he played guitar chords. This sounds much more metallic, scratchy and wiry than a standard electric guitar.
Many of these musical elements are also found in sixties New York acts like The Fugs and The Godz in particular, but also The Velvet Underground. When the Monks developed their sound, the only one of these bands who had put out any records was the Fugs; it is unclear if the Monks had actually heard the Fugs or developed their sound independently.
Because of these features, they are often referenced as forerunner of the later punk movement.

'Bill is Dead' The Fall

A love song from the Fall. Nice to see videos being shot in public facilities.

Da Vinci Code

The movie of this popular though totally unoriginal book has been getting bad reviews. Hooray. IMDB facts here. My advice stear clear of this moronic unoriginal pap. Two people were reading the book on the bus the other day. Why? Because of the hype no doubt.
This era is going to be remembered for its dumbing down of everything and the recycling of ideas - the Da Vinci Code and Harry Potter will be its flagship novels.

Tanks in the Spanish Civil War

Spanish language site with lots of pictures on the vehicles of that war.

Responding to a request - I'll bore you with some of my reenactment photos

My Adventures in the 18th century
These photos are of me recreating a woodland indian of the French and Indian war and a French colonial Marine officer for the same period. This was for the society New France and Old England which I formed in the mid 90s. For the American Revolution I was involved with the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment - there are some photos of the Ulster American folkpark on that site - a great place with recreated dwellings for the Old and New World. I was lucky enough in 1999 to go to the US and take part in the Lake George tactical and meet reenacting friends in the flesh.
I'll put some pictures up of my adventures in the late 17th century soon.

Battle of El Alamein (1969)

An epic Italian movie telling the tale of the battle from the perspective of a Bersiglieri unit. Review here Wiki on the battle

Clip of wrong person being interviewed by the BBC

Lost weekend festival

rumours here

Camionetta 42 Sahariana

Well it seems Italeri are producing a kit of this interesting desert jeep used by Italian forces in World war two - photos of the model at the above link - it comes out May so should be available soon.
Article from Flames of War site on their use

Monochrome set Reach for your Gun

I wasn't able to buy this single the other day so I'm glad to see this up on Youtube. Sources of the live DVD seem elusive so far but I'll continue looking.

Crielmodel - Italian vehicles in 1/35

This is a company specialising in Italian 1/35 ww2 vehicles and figures in resin. This one is an L3/35 but you'll find every obscure make of tank and armoured car there on the site.
The Italians had some great trucks - this original came up on ebay recently. The Camionetta 42 Sahariana was their desert patrol truck - looks quite futuristic.
Check out Italian ww2 military history at http://www.comandosupremo.com/

BBC interview wrong man on live tv

Swords of a thousand men on top of the pops

This is a great record by Ten Pole Tudor from the 80s. This ought to be the 2006 Football song for the England team. I know it's nothing to do with football but that's the point. This song refers to the era when you had to practice your longbow skills instead of playing football.
Lyrics to sing along with.
Deep in the castle and back from the war
Back with milady and the fires burnt tall
Hurrah went the men down below
All outside was the rain and snow
Hear their shouts, hear their roars
They've probably had a barrel, and much, much more
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Over the hills came the swords of a thousand men

We had to meet the enemy a mile away
Thunder in the air and the sky turned grey
Assembling the knights and their swords were sharp
There was hope in our English hearts
Hear our roar, hear our sound
We're gonna fight until we have won this town
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Over the hills came the swords of a thousand men

When the knights come along at the end of the day
Some are half-alive and some have run away
Hear our triumph, hear our roar
We're gonna drink a barrel, and much, much more
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Over the hills came the swords of a thousand men

Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea - yea

Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea - yea

Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, Yea
Over the hills came the swords of a thousand men

Lion of the Desert review

This epic movie from 1980 stars Anthony Quinn as Omar Mukhtar - a bedouin who led a rebellion against the Italian colonial forces in the 1920s. Oliver Reed plays Graziani the Italian general sent by Mussolini to sort the situation out. Lasting 3 1/2 hours this is a movie that isn't going to be the family's favourite but if you are the sort of person who enjoyed 'Lawrence of Arabia' you should watch this and watch it a.s.a.p! I think its a crime that this film isn't better known - I vaguely remember a feature on the director/producer Moustapha Akkad but it went largely ignored in 1980.
Production values are high - the vehicles and uniforms of the Italian are stupendous - seeing the columns of fiat tanks and armoured cars will make your jaw drop - makes Hollywood epics set in the desert look a bit stingy by comparison. Of course it's not Hollywood so you get a take on the whole subject of colonialism that you won't see by watching anything similar - this film makes no question of the fact that colonialism is bad and resistance to it is noble.
So invest in this movie and give your eyes a treat. Such a shame that there will be no more Akkad movies - this one is a classic.
IMDB facts

BA-3 Soviet armoured car

Zvezda have just released this Broneavtomobil 3 kit in 1/35 - it was a pretty good design for the time - small numbers were used in the Spanish Civil War - and it saw service in the Finnish winter war. It had a T-26 turret on it. Photos of Russian armoured cars here.
More photos here Wiki here

Haysi Fantayzee 'Shiny Shiny'

Don't think the above link works but if not HF were a duo from the early 80s that had a kind of interesting sound and look - well I liked them anyway and if I remember correctly got some some stick for it too. I bought the album but I think that was a step too far - three singles were good though - John Wayne, Shiny Shiny with its better bontemps b-side, and the admirable Holy Joe which came out when the Pope came over I think. I had a picture disc of the awful 'Sister Friction' which contained the terrible chorus 'Sister friction love addiction'.
You can listen to them and see pictures here at the wonderful Kate Garner's site. Wiki here

Football German Helmet

Here's a hat that's apparently going to be very popular for Dutch fans at this year's world cup in Germany. Called a Helmpje and based on the stahlhelm worn by German forces in two world wars it has been criticised by the Dutch football authorities as being in bad taste. This variant means 'Let's Go', there's others including a flower-power one. Buy one from ebay here
The stahlhelm was introduced in 1916 replacing the picklehaube and was intended to lessen the effects of shrapnel. More at http://www.german-helmets.com/. The first helmet to be introduced was by the French in 1915.
The stahlhelm is a symbol of German militarism and has been popular with Hell's Angels and moped riders in Indonesia apparently... Leroy Gorman of Bow wow wow wore one covered in Native American symbols.

The Great War in a different light

I highly recommend this site. 'Accounts and Galleries from Great War Books and Magazines
with more than 7500 Authentic Period Photos, Illustrations and Newsarticles.'
It takes a look at books written at the time or shortly after, things like children's books, magazines etc on the Great War. The result is fascinating - some really excellent artwork and a look at the way our ancestors were encouraged to look at the war. A lot of it in colour. This picture left of German Uhlans comes from a French children's book Joffre-Foch which depicts action in a picturesque and comic-book style. Uhlans were featured a lot in the books of the time - they were to the popular press THE German cavalry.
Anyway visit this site - check out the Uniforms section or the section on Minerva armoured cars, tanks in action to give you a flavour of what's on offer.
I started this search wanting to see some colour pics of the 1914 Belgian army.

Soixante-quinze - 75mm gun of 1914-18

This page of colour photos also links to an article and some interesting photos of this famous field gun of the French forces in 1914-18. Check out this reenactment photo page for a modern photo of the 151eme de ligne - in the US of course.

Italian WW2 reenacting in the UK

IFG who make the 'Italian front' uniforms and equipment are sponsoring a WW2 Italian army UK section - see above link. Maybe I'm mad but this is about as tempting as it gets - not because I'm a Mussolini sympathiser (not that that would be appropriate) but because the Italians have got a bad press, and their kit is pretty stylish.

Primal Scream When the Bomb Drops

Primal Scream showcased two songs from the forthcoming Riot City Blues lp on the album chart show - the second song after Country Girl was When the Bomb Drops. Sounds like they ripped the backing music off 'Rollercoaster' by the Thirteenth Floor Elevators. I was horrified and disgusted. Why is it that bands these days think it ok to be unoriginal and plagiarise things so readily. Post modernism? It stinks.

Hannibal

Sunday night sees a docudrama Hannibal - filmed in Bulgaria apparently using extras and kit for two previous roman epics Spartacus and Caesar for those of you who like that sort of information. The elephants - 3 in number were digitally reproduced - website here. The Balkans are becoming the place to film these days - anyway this what the Radio Times website says

This feature-length dramatisation of Hannibal's audacious military campaign to beat the Romans by marching his army 1,500 miles over the Alps is definitely one for viewers who like their history bloody. Every five minutes someone gets stabbed or decapitated, while the battle scenes are bathed in so much gore, they must have had a Hollywood movie-sized budget for fake blood. So beware: it may be educational but some younger viewers may find it too violent. Alexander Siddig plays the young Carthaginian warrior with the necessary zeal, while Kenneth Cranham gives the voiceover suitable gravitas. Overall, it's a well-executed if lengthy drama that reveals a bit more about the man behind the myth and gives us some impressive set pieces. However, there are a few clunking moments. notably when the dialogue spells out the obvious. I wouldn't want to be in those mountains when the snows come," a soldier tells Hannibal. And guess what happens next? While the snow and wind machines are used extensively, Hannibal's elephants, sadly, don't get much of a look-in. RT reviewer: Jane Rackham

The Impressionists - BBC at its best

This docudrama about the lives of Manet, Monet, Renoir and Degas has been a visual feast. Recreating some of the scenes in the actual locations has meant some great and stunning camera work, particuarly pleasing to the eye when the dappled sunlight and so on favoured by the impressionists is filmed. Performances are keen and good and a sense of the time is reasonably well-captured. If you missed this - its coming to a close this sunday - and you have an interest in this pivotal movement, then invest in the inevitable dvd. Some interesting Franco-Prussian war scenes too in there too.

Gene Vincent Blue Jean Bop

Gene Vincent had a second career in Britain and France where his style of rockabilly was still the rage for some - notably bikers. This clip is from 1960 and shows GV from that era's beginning.

Before the Fall

This is a German film on release in the US at the moment. It's about the schools 'Napolas' that trained youths to become the Nazi elite. Reviews are favourable.

1848 for free!

This is a game set in Hungary in the pivotal year of 1848. The game was partly sponsored by the Hungarian government and will be downloadable for free in the next few weeks

Saving Private Ivan

Article in the St Petersburg times about the Russian soldier in the Great Patriotic War

Lord Haw-Haw's last broadcast

Just finished reading the The Meaning of Treason by Rebecca West about some of the British traitors of WW2 - in particular Lord Haw-Haw - someone who terrified my mother as a child with his, to her, terrifying voice. A sad character. There is a moment described in the book when Joyce is captured and shot in the leg. As he is lifted out the ambulance at the British base all the squaddies have fun shouting imitative 'Jairmany Calling' - it was his first realisation that he was a figure of fun back home - such a let-down for him! Listen to his last radio show linked above.

Ferret babies

We've just had our first litter of ferret babies this morning - 8 - quite a shock as weren't expecting them for another week - maybe it was the thunderstorm we had last night. More to come for another pregnant female. Hope someone will want them...

Big Walter 'Shakey' Horton

Great clip of this maestro of blues harp.

Tamiya 1/35 French Char B1 Bis

A totally new tank kit by Tamiya is interesting - when it's a French tank even more so. Get it soon from Hannants in the UK
Wiki on the B1 Bis
Specs
http://www.tarrif.net/ has an excellent film clip in their movie section - seee these monsters move...

Lion of the Desert (1980)

A film that cost 35 million dollars about the Italian invasion of Libya partially funded by the Libyan government has to be worth seeing - check out the above article (also stills). Review soon! More links and so on here Wiki here. The film bombed though it is now highly rated.
Biography of producer Moustapha Akkad who was tragically killed in 2005. He was working on a big budget movie on Saladin with Sean Connery which was going to be filmed in Jordan.

All Blood Runs Red Print

Eugene Jacques Bullard - America's first black fighter pilot

While reading 'Retreat Hell! We Just got here' - the story of the AEF in the Great War I read about this man who might make a suitable subject for a biopic. The above link gives a good version of his story - my idea for a title 'All Blood Runs Red'. Roughly his story begins; Grandson of a slave, making a living as a boxer in Paris when war breaks out - joins, like many Americans, the Foreign Legion eventually serving as a pilot. When America enters the war the experienced 300 or so American pilots were needed to create an American air corps - Bullard's call never came - because he was black. Later trumped up charges of insubordination mean that he is transferred back to the infantry. Eventually Bullard is honoured as a hero. Short piece here.

Rare records and things Monochrome Set

I don't presume to go into details about all the records we buy and sell but I thought I'd let you know that we got 103 pounds for our Mental ep - so the moral is there if someone tries to sell you something like a record, book or something - buy it and store it - it might be worth something. Flushed with our success we have put our Ideal for Living Ep by Joy Division up on ebay - hardest part is convincing buyers it's not a fake it's so rare. But we're not just selling the family jewels we're buying a few things - holes in our Monochrome set collection. We found someone with copies of the live dvd - see elsewhere on this blog - should be for UK format. Also bought the live lp Fin and we hope to get the Bid solo single 'Reach for your Gun' (by bidding).
A propos the Monochrome Set - did you know Morrissey was a fan - maybe an Mset plagiarist? We sussed it out thanks to our son who is a fan of both. The songs are from a similar perspective - poetic outsider writing about taboo subjects in a world weary louche way - over twangy guitars. Anyway I think the fact that he doesn't often mention he is a fan is a good indication of the fact that he might feel some guilt over this - the only mention I've found of it is a quote from Mozzer on the wikipedia entry "How can anyone go through life without the dear, cuddly Monochrome Set?" So come on Morrissey - time to come out of the closet - stop going on about the New York Dolls - it's a red herring - you owe a creative debt to the Set!

Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30

Yes - another WW2 f.p.s game - another outing for the Garand and the Thompson - this time exclusively in Normandy 1944. Well I was glad there wasn't another long D-Day cut scene to endure but other than that I'm not too sure about this game. It features a unique squad tactical element which means you don't just run around with a bunch of homies like Call of Duty 2 but instead you command them to give suppressing fire and so on. There is an icon showing how pinned the krauts are. I found it all a bit difficult to control. The online multiplayer set-up was bothersome and tedious, and not very encouraging - there were only two people playing when we dropped in - which is not good for a game that came out in 2005. The only advantage this game has over their rivals is the 2 player split-screen mode enabling you to practice pwning people before going online. So my verdict - Call of Duty 2 is still the best. Maybe I ought to try harder with this one but first impression is it's too complex. The online aspects of these games have the potential to be more fun than any mission so game designers should work on this more. A favourable review here

Sonny Boy Williamson on video

A couple of really great clips of this maestro of blues harp. An innovative bluesman SBW is pretty much overlooked these days though out of all the Chess artists he is undoubtedly the most original. His radio show King Biscuit Time introduced electrified blues for the first time and his trips to the UK in the 60s brought real blues to Europe. As a songwriter he is head and shoulders above Willie Dixon creating some of the best blues poetry. Most of the time his lyrics were improvised on the spot with only a few notes to guide him. As a matter of policy he played every day of his life and was permanently on the ball to make music. Watch Nine Below Zero and Bye Bye Bird and enjoy one of the most underrated artists of the 20th century.

40mm scale heaven - Drabant Miniatures

These figures look fantastic. The designers have taken what could be a drab period and by the quality of their sculpting elevated it to an exquisite degree. These figures are well worth a look at - there's not a large amount of cavalry yet, but there's some pretty impressive infantry. I hope this company do well as its definitely raising the standards in what can be a difficult market.
From what I know of this period the French figures are more for the later Marlborough period having the belly-box and side bayonet carriage rather than 1701 as marked in the catalogue, but that's a minor thing.
I am so impressed by these if anyone wants one and he sends it to me I will paint it for free.
The website has some idiosyncratic English and it would be nice to see some bulk deals.
Also available from Old Glory in the UK

Wargaming in 40mm

This is a very useful article on all the different manufacturers who make figures in this new scale. Collecting seems to be a large part of this hobby - there's a discussion group here for 40mm collector's and wargamers. This scale seems to be appealing to two different types of collector - they either appeal on aesthetic grounds - better figures more fun to paint - led by people like the Perrys - (their Napoleonic range in particular) or to the toy soldier traditional style based on moulds or stylised traditional figures by people like Irregular miniatures. This falls into the category of Old School wargaming. To see an example of self- moulded figures en masse check out this Swedish club.
Other companies mentioned elsewhere are Sash and Saber and HLBS - who have just released a modern horror range.

Great War items of interest

The BBC history section has an interesting selection of films on the Great War broken into subjects matter.
Channel 4 have a page reviewing most of cinema's Great War movies.
The site firstworldwar.com has some interesting items. One piece on Hitler's experience of the Great War is illuminating - in particular an episode with a British soldier.

American tanks in the Great War

While on the subject of the AEF I thought it would be useful to see what vehicles also were used - site here
Modelling - RPM of Poland does a good selection of early vehicles, and HAT do the FT-17. The Reenactment group Pershing's Doughboys has a great website - their section Motors is well worth a look at.

The Lost Battalion

I watched this 2001 tv movie yesterday. I'd seen it before but I like movies about the Great War and so wanted to see this one again. Set and filmed in the picturesque Argonne forest this story of a surrounded battalion of inexperienced but tough New Yorkers fighting it out has a distinct advantage over stories set in the trenches - it wasn't quite so grim. So it didn't have all the usual trench cliches in fact it looked more like some of the recent American Civil war movies for all its forest fighting. Well worth seeing and a useful addition to the genre. Director Mulcahy cut his teeth on pop videos!

Link to historical site with all manner of background information.
A reasonable book on the Doughboys is 'Retreat Hell We Just got Here'
Wargames
This year saw American WW1 1/72 figures released by two manufacturers - check them out here and here. Free wargames rules for the period here. (I know we're supposed to spend a fortune on printed rules but I can't see the point since the invention of the internet. )

Call of Duty Finest Hour

After enjoying Call of Duty 2 The Big Red One with its online play I thought I'd give its precursor a go. This was a good deal cruder - it came out in 2004 so it shows you what a year or two can mean in terms of game improvements. The good thing is there are some more maps to play with online and you can get to be Russian! Of course it's cheaper as its an old game and graphically its a bit challenged - a bit like Medal of Honor, but it doesn't really bother you too much though it does make you wonder what the next generation will be like. I haven't really bothered with the story part of the game yet - just got on with the online play. You'll be glad to know that I got to be the number 1 player in the first game I played online so it can't be that difficult. Review here
Teaser trailer for Call of Duty 3 - out this autumn

Urban legends quiz

Here's a fun thing - guess which photos are real and which ones are faked... go to this site for more pics

Conquest Miniatures

Conquest are offering their 28mm figures post-free in the US for May so now's a good time to invest in their well-sculpted models of such as these personality figures of Tecumseh and the Prophet from their 500 Nations range.

Italian kits

Hot Chip new single/video

New single Back From School - on tour at the moment - see official site for details

Ramones 'Spider-man'

This was one of the first videos we downloaded when we got the internet - the combination of the Ramones and Marvel comics is a potent cocktail that is so good you'll wonder why they didn't do this more often.

Slither

I don't normally like horror movies - I don't like being scared as a sensation and if they're not scary then what's the point? But I do like ones where there is humour and this one has some pretty good lines in it, so I watched it. It is a simple plot - thing come from Space and takes a local as a host before trying to taking over the world in a form that resembles a leech or slug but larger and of course there's millions of them. It is well done - similar in style to Tremors - sort of tongue-in-cheek but also quite shocking. So pretend it's the late 70s (I do that anyway) and go along and watch this one. IMDB facts here

Scarlet's Well

New live album w/ Monochrome Set songs

Siesta Records have just released "Unreal" by Bid's band Scarlet's Well. There are 3 (previously unreleased) live versions of Monochrome Set songs included on this album.

You can listen to song samples or purchase the album here:
http://www.siesta.es/pags/novedades.asp

Bid (ex-Monochrome Set) started Scarlet's Well as a studio project in 1998, and has since released four albums with Siesta Records (Spain): "Strange Letters" (1999), "The Isle Of The Blue Flowers" (2000), "Alice In The Underworld" (2002), and "The Dream Spider Of The Laughing Horse" (2004).
In January 2004, Bid conceived of a bizarre concept- the raising of two Live bands, Scarlet's Well and The Unreal Scarlet's Well. The former would consists of UK musicians, to play concerts and record together in the long term, and the latter would consist of any foreign group of musicians who were willing to learn the music and play one or more concerts with Bid. The way this worked was that, after first contact was made, Bid sent the music sheets to the various musicians for them to rehearse without him, a gig was booked, and Bid flew in to rehearse twice beforehand- indeed, this was the first time he met any of them.
From Spring 2004 to Spring 2005, there had been four different US, one Swedish, and one Irish Unreal Scarlet's Wells.
Most of these Unreal performances were recorded, and have been compiled into a live album, Unreal, which includes versions of both Scarlet's Well and Monochrome Set songs.
It is a unique and fascinating collection of performances, some live on stage, some live-in-the-studio, and one, a not-so-straightforward string quartet cover version (the only song not featuring Bid). Many of the musicians involved are themselves heroes/heroines in their own countries, though the performance with the legendary Belfast band, St. Vitus Dance, is sadly not included on this album, as the recording was corrupted.
During this time, the "real" Scarlet's Well also played around Europe and are presently recording their 5th album.
You can download booklet artwork here:
http://www.bid.clara.net/unrealbooklet/booklet.zip

Tracks:
how the cypress made apollo
eine symphonie des grauens
the return of the hesperus
street of a thousand fools
pirate
jacob's ladder
the isle of the blue flowers
walking with the beast
willy whispers
miss twinkle's been on holiday again
sweetmeat
how the cypress made apollo (suite)

****
And two live Monochrome Set songs (Sugar Plum & Straits of Malacca) which didn't make this album can be heard here:
http://www.myspace.com/lazerlove5

Monochrome set 'He's Frank'

This was shot in 1990 when the M Set had a comeback to record a few albums and to play a few gigs. The sound was the same though they looked quite different - at least Bid did. This track was the Set's first single on Rough Trade. This live set is still available on dvd - US and UK - though they seem to be getting scarce so buy now if you want it.
I remember when this was screened on tv - about 2.30 am - I was working nights at the time and rang Sue up for a detailed description. 'Bid has shoulder-length hair and leather trousers' 'What??!' 'Andy isn't using the rickenbacker anymore...'
If you are wondering what Andy Warren, bass player supreme is up to - he's in the Would-Be Goods who look pretty stylish by their website and of course the Monochrome Set's official site is here
What I'd next like to see on Youtube is the Set on the Old Grey Whistle Test. We used to have it but stupidly taped over it - tapes used to be really expensive! - they did 405 lines, B-I-D spells Bid and The Lighter Side of Dating

Italian armoured units of ww2

The above book looks a good place to start in a study of the not very good Italian tanks of the Second World War. Italian tank kits are pretty thin on the ground in 1/72 scale - see here but the Esci M13/40 os being released by Italeri soon so not so long to wait for this. BUM of Spain do the CV-33 in a set that includes a cd of Italian marching songs. The kit is a copy of one by Doc

Some Velvet Morning

We were chatting about the version by Primal Scream featuring Kate Moss and then it came on the telly! How often does that happen? Quite a lot to us. We do have as a default setting pop music stations though. It wasn't a hit which was a shame. Is it any good? Judge for yourself by comparing it to the original by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood. It's an odd song with references to Phaedra, whoever that is. The Primal Scream version claims to have been influenced by the excellent Roland S Howard and Lydia Lunch version on 4AD which I must admit is where I first heard the song. Lyrics here
It seemed to have made to No 1 in the Telegraph's great duets here it says
1 Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra
Some Velvet Morning, 1968
Most pop music is quickly forgotten. All too rare are the songs that endure, whose sheer otherness takes your breath away, even 30-odd years after they were conceived. Some Velvet Morning belongs in that company. Around the time that Frank Sinatra sang Somethin' Stupid with his daughter Nancy, she was making other duets which brought a hipper, bolder edge to the format, and which would influence countless subsequent pairings. Nancy conducted these with Lee Hazlewood, a laconic Oklahoman who had masterminded her kitsch anthem of women's liberation, These Boots Are Made for Walkin'.
In 1967, he recorded songs with her for possible inclusion in her first TV Special, Movin' With Nancy. One, incredibly, was Some Velvet Morning – one of the strangest, druggiest, most darkly sexual songs ever written. Somehow, perhaps as a sop to the new demographic opening up during the Summer of Love, it made it on to the show. There are "flowers" and "daffodils", but it's hardly Sonny and Cher. Hazlewood's sonorous, old-manly tones tell of "Phaedra, and how she gave me life, and how she made it end", the reverberating bass sounds surrounding his echoey voice like storm clouds.
The music changes to a skipping, childish rhythm, and Nancy chimes in as Phaedra, innocent but ever more menacing as the verses are intercut more regularly. It's a song whose mysteries have occasioned numerous covers, most recently by Primal Scream, with Kate Moss "doing" Nancy. None, though, can rival the macabre atmosphere of the original – ambitious, beautiful and unforgettable.

Worst duets

Toy Soldier online gallery

This is an amazing site dedicated to one man's toy soldier collection. It's a good way of seeing what's around and what they look like as it seems a pretty exhaustive project. You can spend ages here admiring the work - I did anyway.

Sash and Saber 40mm figs

This is an American company that seem to be producing some interesting figures in 40mm - French and Indian, American Revolution and the ever popular Napoleonics. Prices don't seem unreasonable.

First world war computer games

After watching the tail-end of the Blue Max I thought it would be interesting to see what games are available for this period. I found 1914 the Great War - an r.t.s. for the pc which looks good. There is WW1 the Red Baron for the PS2 (see pic) specs here which looks good enough to risk though may be easily confused with Snoopy vs the Red Baron game.
If you enjoyed the movie Blue Max you might enjoy Aces High a 1976 film taken from a British perspective, starring Malcolm Mcdowell. Try the Aerodrome for information on aces and aircraft of the Great War

John Peel

We listened to a cd last night of a John peel punk special he broadcasted in 1976 featuring a session from the Damned and various bands that had records out at the time. The Saints, Tuff Darts, Pere Ubu, the Ramones - it was fascinating listening. One of the things that came over was how much hostility there was about for anyone that actually liked that sort of music, and Peel was feeling like he had to justify himself in some way. He also mentioned that at 37 he wouldn't be changing his appearance - but 37! That amazed us! He seemed to put over an old man's perspective at that time and he was only 37. Anyway it was good to hear his voice again and maybe I'll have to see what shows I have on tape. Festive 50s year by year - check out the 76 one and you can see what his audience was like then. Watch him talk about the Fall here Peel quotes here

May Day History

This is an interesting story of attempts to co-opt this day and politicise it. April 30 is also Walpurgis Night so light your bonfires... or watch a May Day parade in 1945 in Moscow here

Tristan and Isolde review

Set in Dark Age Ireland and Cornwall this story of love, betrayal and duty is a surprisingly good film. First of all its very pleasant to look at with some great buildings and beautiful settings. The costumes are a little fanciful but they don't detract too much - the director did Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and the costumes have a similar look - kind of knitted. The cast do a fine job - in particular Rufus Sewell who smoulders as the cuckolded Marke. Apparently Ridley Scott was going to do this before he got the call for Alien but he and his brother are still involved as executive producers and it can be seen what they saw in it - lots of woodland settings filmed in a style that reminded me of John Boorman's Excalibur. Of course the story is as old as the hills but that really only makes it all the more believable - I watched it alone and found it quite gripping and of course there's plenty of fighting to keep you amused. The music's pretty good apart from an out of place segment by the Afro Celt Sound System. The same song used in Gangs of New York I reckon.
Basically it's a good old-fashioned film at heart and might actually do pretty well in time - so if you want to rent a love story and you have a passion for the Irish coast or the Dark Ages then this will be your movie. At the cinema in the UK
IMDB facts here Lots of reviews here
Historical background to the saga and its various versions through the ages here.

Ghosts of the Battlefield

The June issue of Fortean Times is out and its one which I can heartily recommend; its a Battlefield special with particular emphasis on the Great War. Articles about good luck charms and myths are there as well as interesting side pieces on spectral battles and dead comrades coming to help. Worth a trip to the newsagents.
The Great War for obvious reasons was the centre of a revival in spiritualism and it is fertile ground for some great stories - mostly from the British side. Was there a similar interest in these matters in France and Germany?
If you want a flavour of this, a very influential book 'Raymond; or life after death' is available to read online. It deals with the existence of a lost relative, Raymond and automatic writing to contact him.
I've spent quite a bit of time on battlefields at odd times and I've never seen or experienced anything - though I heard some impressive first-hand stories surrounding Basing House - the site of a Civil war siege and one of that war's worst atrocities.
Some battlefield ghost stories are here

Going to school in Frome was tough...

This is a picture of me in the 60s - proving that I actually invented English Civil war reenactment. The Civil war was one of the first periods I got interested in - reading the Ladybird Oliver Cromwell book and historical novels.
The photo was taken outside Milk street school by Derek Gill, Frome historian and schoolteacher at the time.
I was pretty taken by the Richard Harris/Alec Guinness movie Cromwell at the time - recently I rewatched it and thought it still was a good film. Review here . One Civil war movie you never see these days is the Carboard Cavalier a comedy with Sid Fields. All of them surpass the luckless To Kill A King with Tim Roth that is the most recent addition to the genre of British civil war pics.
So the part of me that is still like this photo is pleased to see Call to Arms' Cromwell's Ironsides (see below) and will be nagging the current me to buy some.

Record Collector magazine

This month's issue is a punk special - so many records there that we have that we nearly ran around shouting 'we're rich!' but then that might be a good way of getting burgled. Suffice to say my copy of the Mental ep is going on sale pretty soon. We bought that record off one of the band - we were in the Centre cafe in Bath trying to get our record put on the jukebox and someone approached us and made us an offer we couldn't easily refuse ('no thanks - it looks like the sort of record we'll never play' didn't seem in the spirit). Anyway they went onto become the Subhumanz and were/are pretty big so what did we know?

English Civil War toy soldiers (1/32 and 54mm)

A good few years ago plastic soldier manufacturer Call To Arms produced 1/32 ECW musketeers, pikemen and command figures. Then artillery. Very nice but would they ever make the necessary cavalry? Well they finally have made the cavalry in the form of Cromwell's Ironsides and they look very good indeed. The picture of the painted cavalry is from the Steve Weston toy soldier site - they're too new for the Call to Arms website. Coincidentally Airfix have issued an English Civil War collection - kits of two mounted figures - cavalier, roundhead and a pikeman and musketeer. So there's now now excuse - you can create an 1640s force in this satisfyingly large scale. Replicants have produced dismounted harquebusiers and musketeers for some while - buy them from www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

Grassyrun event

This looks an interesting historical event commemorating Ohio's history at Williamsburg OH. News item here Historical account here Simon Kenton website Tecumseh biography Ohio Indian Wars proboard

John Malkovich

I first really noticed JM in Dangerous Liaisons and Empire of the Sun. Since then he has made a successful career playing cold-blooded intellectual baddies in films like In the Line of Fire, Conair and so on. Having a bald head and a brain is part of the Hollywood arsenal of evil. He has his own website
www.johnmalkovich.org which features his own range of clothing including things like t-shirts and berets. There is a Libertine shirt! He also has his own design company http://www.mrsmudd.info/ - so quite the renaissance man. He co-produced the Libertine so I should think he needs to shift a few t-shirts to counter that venture.

Drop Dead Magazine

In this day and age with the web it's always a pleasant surprise to see something new that actually is physically printed. This mag looks interesting indeed - I hope it becomes available here...

Animals and Men 'Revel in the Static'

I couldn't think of anything to put in today's issue so I thought I'd plug our compilation of late 70s early 80s post punk, that came out last autumn. Above link is a biography that's reasonably accurate. The final project mentioned 'Red Hot & the Sans Culottes' from about 84 did get as far as a demo - hopefully we can put it out in some form one day (how about it Gavin?). Check out the Hyped-to-death website for more releases including many more d-i-y bands of the era
Review on Agony Shorthand Buscate un novio
Part-time Punk Review
Thanks to all the radio shows that have been playing it - check them out for more obscure gems; WBAR WFMU
We thought some of the songs were lost forever but luckily Mick Mercer - writer/photographer of the punk and Goth genres had kept a copy of a tape we sent him in about 79. His journal and free downloadable mag the Mick are always worth a look - updated regularly.
Watch the Terraplanes do 'Evil Going On'

'Chatterbox' New York Dolls

Johnny Thunders was a great stylist - this outing with the Dolls shows him at his best performing this song which he played throughout his career, but this captures him at his peak. Heroin was the great downfall of JT but that shouldn't spoil our enjoyment of his legacy. The solo stuff post Dolls is patchy but there are some gems in there - particularly with the Heartbreakers. Sue and I wrote a song about him called 'Little Johnny Guitar' which we'll try and make available soon.

May Day historical events

This weekend - May Day Bank Holiday sees the English Civil War Society recreating the final siege of Newark. It looks like a worthwhile event and by the look of it it's free. Check the above link for details. Sue and I used to be members of the ECWS - it's a great society with lots of talented people who can really bring the period to life. Well worth a trip out.
The Sealed Knot - the 'other' Civil war group are in the South-West at Berkeley Castle.
In the south-east the Hop Farm hosts a Wild West event that promises to be fun - with all manner of Cowboys and Indians and American Civil war action.

Punk-Shui

This is an amusing book that tells us how to make your home more individual. No mention of cobwebs though - our trademark all year round decoration.

Wargaming

This is an article on miniature wargaming by the reliable Wikipedia. However there is no mention of the Perry twins - the sculptors who have set the standards for the 28mm lead figure with their work at Games Workshop, Wargames Foundry and now their own company Perry miniatures. They have some great ranges that include 40mm Peninsular war figures that are really exceptional - minor works of art. I don't wargame any more due to lack of space and funds but I do enjoy browsing the manufacturers sites and seeing what they're up to.

Adam and the Ants Videos

If you have got so excited by the approaching date of Adam's autobiography then watch a few videos from the golden age of his pop career.
Dog Eat Dog - this was probably my favourite of the chart hits - Prince Charming possibly the worst - there was some controversy at the time that the tune originated from Rolf Harris' War canoe - apparently Ant/Marco settled out of court. Hear a remix of the two songs here. The look here is based on the Incroyables, name-checked in Ant Rap - reactionary dandies of the French Revolution.
Goody Two Shoes was the first solo hit - Friend or Foe was the follow-up. The jacket and cravat worn on these videos looks inspired by Naval costume of the late 18th and 19th century - a touch of Billy Budd perhaps (see pic left).
The dolman - or Hussar jacket that Adam wears in the early videos was rented from Berman's and Nathans (now Angel's) the costumiers - it was the same coat hired by Jimi Hendrix back in the 60s. The coat was made for the film Charge of the Light Brigade and was worn by the late David Hemmings as Captain Nolan.

Adam Ant autobiography news

Stand And Deliver, the Adam Ant Autobiography is now available to pre-order as FOUR audio CD's narrated by Adam himself (5 hours in length). MacMillan Audio Books will be publishing the audio CD on 15th September 2006. The book itself will be released on the same date.
Hardback copies of the book have been announced as £18.99
Publication Date - 15/09/2006
More details on the autobiography here
The book's page on this site here.

Association Vauban

A French association involved in the research of the master of fortifications. French language only.

Mylene Farmer ."Pourvu qu'elles soient douces" 1988

Babelfish translation? 'Provided that they are soft'. Umm. This is an interesting video by the 'French-Canadian Madonna' - well when I say video it's more like a short movie - set in the Seven Years War would you believe - it's a bit risque - there is some nudity - but not crude - it's a rare incident where 18thc warfare and popular music combine so watch it for research purposes. . . it ends in a battle that's pretty atmospheric so soldier on through the plot which seems partly based on a scene in the film Revolution where the British officer has a strange relationship with his drummer boys and the finale is quite worth seeing. Of course drummer boys were a Victorian concept and have nothing to do with the 18th century. This video could be said to offer and insight into what French people think of the British, though.

I would think on the whole the video was inspired by Barry Lyndon - it has the 'look' but the costumes let it down (Barry Lyndon was much more of a hit in Continental Europe than the UK or US I was told by none other than David Chandler who worked on the project).

This video I heard about from someone involved in the 18thc military side; after a reenactment I organised there was a full house chez nous of American and French reenactors. The French produced this video which they'd done - it seemed a far cry from the sort of culture the Americans were used to. There is a prequel to it - Libertine - if that takes your fancy. Stills and write-up of the videos of Mylene Farmer here

Draughtsman's Contract trailer

If you enjoyed The Libertine you might enjoy this - the debut feature by Peter Greenaway who, when coupled with the music of Michael Nyman was quite fashionable in the 80s. I love this film not only for the fact that they mention Radstock in the dialogue, something to do with the gardens - which this movie is preoccupied with - but the whole ambience is one which though being very much of the period is also fresh. In fact it is one of the few films on this subject - gardens - there was another A Serpents Kiss that was a bit of a flop set in 1699 about the creation of a garden, but that's it for gardens as I can remember.

Billy Childish & the Buff Medways Medway Wheelers

The Medway Wheelers was apparently the name of the cycle club of Chatham-based Childish's mum. Also the title track on their latest album.
This is a great video from an interesting band. They have managed to combine a love of raw garage with some unusual themes that have included a First world war concept album '1914'.
Considered a worthy artist by the media Childish has starred in his own Arts documentary for the South Bank Show.

The Adverts Looking through Gary Gilmore's Eyes

Sue loves the Adverts - here's their finest moment on Top of the Pops. Gary Gilmore was executed and according to the song lyrics donated his eyes to science. TV Smith apparently came from Torquay. TV Smith homepage
Interview with Tim Smith

Commando picture library

I picked up an annual of one of these titles yesterday. Don't worry it was only 10p. Some words of German are useful - achtung, Gott in Himmel and of course Teufel will help you with these tales that read like mini b-movies. These type of comic books are still produced apparently - they seem a distinctly old fashioned post-war take on things - they did seem archaic in a fun way even back in the 70s when we used to read them. A list of some of the comics in the same genre are here

British battles

This is a well put together site focussing on the battles involving British troops from the mid 18thc to the end of the 19thc - so the colourful years. Full of interesting illustrations like the one on the left from the Seven Years War, it is a mine of information for those campaigns.
Buy books on the Seven years war.

The Libertine

This is a movie I have been looking forward to seeing for a while. The Restoration is a great period for movies and the life of the Earl of Rochester played by Johnny Depp with John Malkovich as Charles II seemed like a bit of a winner but sadly this while movie is worth seeing it is ultimately dull.
The dialogue is funny - ranging from mock Shakespearian to modern outbursts, and the look is superb - one of the best recreations of 1660s London I've seen - but there's something unengaging about the whole thing as if it was created by a committee who had no idea what the general theme was to be - so the whole is a bit of a mess. It covers the key points of his life fine and well but it just wasn't quite interesting enough and if it didn't interest me and I love this kind of movie it isn't going to sit well with many. The female characters (in particular Samantha Morton) were better and more believable than the male - Malkovich for example has a funny stick-on nose with a funny stick-on accent too. The lighting is superb in this movie - apparently entirely shot with natural light - almost as good as Barry Lyndon for its soft candlelit interiors.
The soundtrack is by Michael Nyman - his style of composing and his background fits the period perfectly though there is a sense of deja vu over a couple of songs. Sue noticed the one that appears at the end is already on his Movie songs compilation as 'If' and if the Amazon message board is to be believed isn't on the soundtrack (presumably for copyright reasons).
Watch this film - it's definitely a film that is a worthy project and will no doubt impress you - but don't be surprised to find yourself falling asleep.
John Malkovich on the Libertine IMDB facts Review Lots of reviews!

Howlin' Wolf 'Shake For Me'

This is a great clip which shows the Wolf ripping through this classic - listen out for the godlike Hubert Sumlin on lead guitar. Adopted son of Wolf Sumlin played some of the meanest accompanying guitar ever recorded although never really taking the limelight. Johnny Thunders rated Sumlin as well as Hendrix and Clapton (whoever they are...) check out the gallery on his webpage for photos of him with the luminaries of music.

Barry Lyndon

This image of an unnamed skirmish in the Seven Years War gives a good impression of warfare in the 18th century. Kubrick made the definitive movie for a lot of different genres and Barry Lyndon is one of the great historical pictures. This shot shows how the use of extras is maximised by having a mere half dozen in the foreground and then the proportions are reversed and the French are shot as a host.
Barry Lyndon reconsidered. Kubrick talks about the film

Oblivians The Leather

Memphis trio the Obilivians wrote great songs with brilliant titles that scratched the veneer of good taste. Swapping around instruments kept the sound primitive and raw. The songwriting was always inspired. Also check out this one and this live one.

Friese-Greene's 1920s colour footage

This is worth checking out - this time it's not a punk video or film trailer - its footage shot in 1920s Britain from an old vauxhall car by pioneer film-maker Freise-Greene in strange colour. Originally titled The Open Road the film is a record of life between the wars. The programme that accompanied it on BBC2 was charming to the extreme with Dan Cruikshank tracking down descendants and reconstructing the shots. Fascinating to see goldfish in the Roman Baths!

Extreme makeover wish list

This is an amazing story on an interesting site Smoking Gun. Basically it is a list of people the producers of Extreme makeover would think might make an interesting subject for one of their shows where they remake their house. Sick.

Waterloo movie

Above is a respectable review of the Dino De Laurentiis/Mosfilms Waterloo. If you enjoyed Waterloo you must next put on your list of films the Russian epic War and Peace by the director Bondarchuk. Now available in a special dvd package to enable it to be seen in its original glory.

Video clips of Russian tanks

Some interesting footage showing the Bt-5 fast tank which influenced a great number of tanks, including the Cruiser types.

Gun amnesty relic

An interesting story from Canada. I wonder how many historical firearms have been destroyed because they were guns? More here

Bath's Purr Club back in action

This was a great club night playing hosting some excellent bands like the 5,6,7,8s and the Dirtbombs as well as having a great selection of records, and now it's back. 1st and 3rd Fridays at a new venue.

Snakes on a plane

This is quite an interesting phenomenon based around the internet and so on - read the above prepublicity info, and if that intrigues you read this blog and this. It seems like this movie is being created by consensus what with lines being written on blogs and then the film gets reshot to accomodate the line and then the songwriting competition - this looks like the most eagerly awaited film about transport and dangerous creatures yet. There's plenty of Snakes on a plane related items on the net, so google away

Remembering Eddie Cochran

April 17th was the date in 1960 when a fatal collision on the A4 between Bath and Chippenham took the life of Eddie Cochran. A pioneer in multitracking and songwriting he recorded some of the best white rock and roll records. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cochran

Matchpoint with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers - Richard Hell lookalike!

This is a BBC film by Woody Allen set in London, with a mainly British cast but also starring Scarlett Johansson. Imdb here
Sue is a big fan of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers - an actor from Cork who first came to our notice in Velvet Goldmine and the tv Gormenghast but has suffered a patchy career up to now mostly playing low-lifes, drug-dealers and so on. We think he would make a great Richard Hell if they ever do a biopic of the inventor of the punk style - his real name is Meyers too... My favourite J R-M character up til now was the evil Rebel bushwacker Pitt Mackeson in Ang Lee's Ride With the Devil. But I digress - the film Matchpoint is the film in question.
Without giving the game away the film is about Chris Wilton - an ambitious Tennis player who manages to ingratitate himself with a wealthy family befriending Tom before bedding his sister, Emily Mortimer. However Tom's fiancee, Johansson playing an American actress, draws Wilton into a chaotic triangle that threatens his carefully managed existence.
This is a brilliant movie with some great understated performances from Brian Cox and a host of comedy types playing it 'straight' in what could be described as a romantic thriller. J R-M is on top form as the caddish climber and the world of upper-crust Britain seems well rendered - from what I've seen of it anyway. Rent this DVD and give yourself a treat - a mature well crafted film. Fansite

The Stiffs - old school punk rock from Frome

Last night we saw the Stiffs - a brand new band of veterans hitting the pub circuit in and around Frome. To me this was no ordinary thrash along - they captured something special, and are worthy of investigation and praise. They evoked what you might call the 'Punk Rock age of innocence' in their choice of covers - a time when punks wore black suits and ties and liked it all as long as it was fast and only 3 minutes long. They covered the Clash, The Jam, Buzzcocks, SLF, Rezillos, Pistols and the Ramones in an r&b tinged way that seemed very much in keeping with ox-blood martens and suits they all uniformly wore.
Fronting the whole show is Grant who baited the crowd and roared himself hoarse, leaping with a tamborine into the throng like a whirling dervish. A perfect frontman. In fact, Grant is one of those rare instances where someone who always seemed to be a natural showman but a musician as such actually managing to really do it; I remember many times in the 70s saying to Grant that he ought to front a band as he occasionally leapt up on stage to sing when I was singing with the Bad Detectives - somewhere like 30 years later he took up my advice! It's a different kettle of fish doing a whole set of songs with cohesion but this was achieved with deadly efficiency. Although long in the tooth this band were as energetic as puppies belting out 'River Deep Mountain High' a la the Saints for example in frantic mode that reminded me of the Hives. Paul Tozer, the guitarist, also in the Bad Detectives played tight to his bass player brother playing sparcely in the no solos tradition.
So if you want a shot of 70s punk delivered in an old school style, why not seek out the Stiffs.
http://www.myspace.com/theukstiffs
Catch them at the Frome festival at the Griffin Inn on July 15th

Primal Scream Country Girl

Quite strange - I've been having a bit of a Primal Scream revival and so there I was, listening to 'Kill All Hippies' with the tv on with the sound down - like you do when you're me - and Bea shouted 'Dad!' as if I was about to be hit by a lorry - and lo! on the box was the new Primals video for Country Girl - their new single.
Hear it on the link above - video here... article here
It's a pleasant song - sounding like they went back again to listening to the Stones Let it Bleed LP for this country stomp. The album apparently ditches all the electronic sounds of the past so we should prepare for more of this sort of stuff. They previously mined this territory before Mani joined and instituted a more bass-driven sound - whether this will be the case - we shall see. The video is a kind of countryfied 'Smack my bitch up' so be warned...adult content...I can see the video might cause speculation that it's about Kate Moss...was that intentional?
Anyway it seems the band are touring at the moment - maybe I picked upon that somehow hence my revival - there's a review and set list of their recent show on at http://www.nme.com/news/primal-scream/22099 and here
Apparently they are playing the Isle of Wight this June.
Their forthcoming album Riot City Blues has this tracklisting - 01 Country Girl 02 Nitty Gritty 03 Suicide Sally & Johnny Guitar 04 When The Bomb Drops 05 Little Death 06 The 99th Floor 07 Boogie Disease 08 Dolls 09 Hell's Comin' Down 10 Sometimes I Feel So Lonely
I don't suppose the track Boogie Disease will be the Doctor Ross track from Sun records back in the 50s but you never know - the band has got good taste when it comes to oldies, covering 'Slip Inside this House' by Rocky Erickson. Nitty Gritty? Is this anything to do with the Shirley Ellis track? I was reliably informed the Nitty-gritty was the name given to the foul matter that was at the bottom of slave ships.
So text away to your video station (The pop TV request channels have added the video: The Box (Channel 349: 09056 52 52 52) Selection #123, The Hits (Channel 358/Freeview 18: 09056 525 777) Selection #106 Those calls cost money and we would prefer if you chose the Hits since this is one channel we watch all the time... Apart from E4 music.) and then I can watch the whole thing with the sound up.