Red Baron (2008)

Just to bring you bang up to date on our short season of biplane movies here's a trailer for the recent German movie 'Der Rote Baron'. It's available on dvd in Germany already though there's been no release over here yet. It had mixed reviews but it looks like a fine film to me. The Red Baron is one of the most iconic of all the aces celebrated in all manner of media - see the Red Baron in Popular culture wiki - fascinating - Wiki on the movie here

Comic art in Bath Gallery

The forthcoming exhibition at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery showcases some of the greatest comic artists of the 20th century. The Exhibition, entitled Comic Art, runs from 13 September to 19 October at the gallery next to Pulteney Bridge in Bath.

The work on display in this exhibition ranges from the early days of the 1940s, through the Marvel Comics of the 1960s and 1970s, when the recognised geniuses of the field expanded the craft, to the finest artists working today.

Artists in the show include:

Jack Kirby: The King of Comics – During his prolific lifetime, Kirby created thousands of characters and genres, from Captain America during WWII to a whole universe of concepts that made Marvel Comics in the 1960s.
These include The Hulk, Fantastic Four, The X-Men and many more.

Steve Rude – One of the most accomplished comic artists working in the field today, Rude has won many awards for his hyper-detailed, clean-lined artistry. He has forged a career independent of the main publishing houses Marvel and DC Comics and his creation – Nexus – is regarded as his supreme achievement.

Gene Colan – With an art style that borrows from the cinema, Colan worked for both Marvel and DC in the 1960s and 1970s on such titles as Iron Man,
Daredevil, Howard the Duck and Batman.

The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge in Bath, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 1.30pm to 5pm. The Gallery is closed on Monday. Admission is free.

For more details call 01225 477233 or visit the Gallery’s website at www.victoriagal.org.uk

Wings (1927)

As you can see from this silent claasic starring Clara Bow the classic stringbag movie cliches are already in place. How many movies show the same old shots? - the machine gun bullet holes ripping up through the fuselage fabric, the exploding airship... seen one ya seen 'em all - but still we come back for more...

The Blue Max (1966) 'attack'

This may be a deleted scene - I'm not sure I recognise it but it is quite a staggering sequence with music by Jerry Goldsmith. Showing German planes supporting infantry assaults, presumably during the Michael Offensive, it is, to my mind, one of the best World War One depictions in recent cinema.

Richthofen and Brown (1971)

Due to popular demand I will extend my Great War season with a few more biplane movies - this one was directed by Roger Corman. It uses a lot of the props from the 1965 movie The Blue Max. The entire collection of aircraft, uniforms and supporting equipment was purchased from 20th Century Fox by ex-RCAF pilot Lynn Garrison. He kept the collection together in Ireland under his company, Blue Max Aviation, Ltd. Over the following years they played a part in You Can't Win 'Em All, Darling Lili, The Red Baron (1971), Zeppelin, Von Richthofen and Brown, plus a number of television commercials

Aces High (1976)

This film starring Malcolm Mcdowell is the last in my short season of Great War movies. I really rate it - it's based on the play Journeys End and it has quite a cast including David Woods who was also wih Mcdowell in 'If...' so it has a strange connection with that film. Also on board is Peter Firth fresh from the Double Deckers so more slightly surreal casting but on the whole this film stands up well with other stringbag movies. I was thinking the other day what with the new Red Baron movie and the recent Hollywood offering 'Flyboys' there is a good spread of films about WW1 airman - enough for an all-nighter - you could call it 'Chocs away' or something. There is a kind of generic synopsis for them all - if you have seen one you have seen them all but I really like them and would like to see more. Maybe it's time for a Biggles revival.
Wiki on the movie Aces High here

The Light Horsemen (1987) - attack on Beersheba

Australians in one of the last successful cavalry charges, ever. Wiki on the movie here

UOMINI CONTRO (1970)

An amazing clip. Part of a short season of world war one movies. This sequence has to be seen to be believed - an assault of armoured men - Ned Kelly style - attacking in the Great War. This actually is based on fact if my Funcken book is correct.

Microsoft Pinball Arcade

I'm a little late catching this but recently I have been taken into its spell. It basically emulates a series of classic D Gottlieb pinball machines (one from each decade) with frightening realism...so real you believe you are playing a 3d game with silver balls and all. You can revisit your pinball past without having to give up half your living space with clunky machines. Of course there is no better than the real thing - and they're not that expensive either...there is one - featured in the Microsoft game 'Spirit of '76' up on ebay for 600 quid. We did have a couple of pinball machines back in the early 80s before we had kids - many happy hour was spent bashing those balls about the table...happy days.

Art prints of Bushy Run (1763)

This is a slideshow of art by Randy Steele featuring the battle between Woodland Indians and Highlanders - part of Pontiac's Rebellion which was a kind of footnote to the French and Indian war. These are great images and worth a look if you like frontier history and great artwork.

Gorilla in a toy shop

My daughter works at Eric Snook's - Bath's largest toy and nursery shop - and as you might imagine working in a toy shop can be quite fun. She made this movie with her gorilla costume and the staff there - I was asked to put some music and I chose the Ideals 'Go Gorilla'...I think the results are pretty good - check it out and see what you think...

New 28mm hard plastic Napoleonics

Victrix - a new company have just released sets of hard plastic British Napoleonics with French in bicorns to follow. Work out at 38p each. Excellent news indeed. With the Perry Waterloo French coming along I can see that this is working out well for those companies that have invested in this medium.

Civilization IV Colonization

A new game based on the Sid Meier classic from 1994. We used to play the original all the time - even when on the phone - we used to know all the catchphrases by heart 'You can kiss my pinky ring' is one that comes to mind. Basically you have to bring a colony from one of the major European powers and build it up gradually until you eventually declare independence. I'm not sure how many of you remember this game - but it certainly looks worth revisiting.

BBC's new Tess of the D'Urbevilles

Having a gloomy disposition means that I am pretty susceptible to a bit of Thomas Hardy and though the story of this is well familiar I sat down with relish for some fresh Dorset rural misery. It was really well done - possibly the best adaptation there has been to date - the locations, interiors and of course the acting was all top notch and while I usually find the BBC's costume dramas all posh frocks and Mr Darcy (that is nothing to do with real life for the majority of us) this at least showed some of the lower classes, their lives and their lot. Recommended
Watch episode one on iplayer here

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)

Amazing overhead scene - surely inspired by Bondarchuk... I've been a bit ill this weekend so I finished up watching a lot of telly including my backlog of movies - first on the list was this one based on the famous book. It is of course quite depressing but impressive nonetheless and certainly kept my attention for the length of the film. All the great Native American actors are there including a small performance from Wes Studi as a Ghost Dancer prophet. I have to say I also watched Major Dundee (1965) Pekinpah's cavalry western so it felt like a balanced diet...

B-52s 'Funplex'

Well this is something to celebrate - a new B-52s album - their first for some time -this is the single from it - and really good it is too - a fine return to form.

The Sticks

One of the bands we played with this weekend - this clip is from the Westhill Hall Brighton taken by Susan. You might be able to detect a bit of a Monks influence in there...

'Mao Mao' Claude Channes

With English subtitles... from the Jean-Luc Godard movie La Chinoise. I dare you to watch this and not have it bore into you like an ear worm. One of my favourite movie songs... it's not often you get lyrics like this...savour them.

Jimmy Rogers If It Ain't Me

Sue's got fed up with all the rockabilly I've been playing and wanted a bit of Chicago blues...it has to be said Rockabilly is a bit like blues before its balls dropped and to illustrate this I thought I'd post this fine 1956 band offering with backing by Walter Horton, Robert Junior Lockwood, Otis Spann and Fred Below - pretty much a dream team playing this mid pace piece of blues pop. I like the pop blues of the 50s - attempts by Chess to break into the teen market - purists tend to hate them but I love them. Expect more on this theme.

Dale Hawkins 'Little Pig'

I'm having a bit of a Dale Hawkins revival at the moment. Excellent 1958 rockabilly from one of the greats - that also usually includes James Burton on guitar. This song is so catchy I can't understand why it wasn't a huge hit. I dare you to play it.

'Aly, Walk With Me' The Raveonettes

Interesting video to a pleasant song by this Danish rock and roll duo. They have a cool twangy sound on the guitar, which I like and the song is simple enough to enjoy first time around.

Performing Ferrets 'Rouse Rouse'

Messthetics band from Maidestone 1980-2. This is a short film made to promote their cd on Hyped 2 Death and very good indeed it is too. I would recommend anyone who has an interest in those times to watch this as it is a gem.

Carl Perkins 'True Love'

Staying with the rockabilly theme I thought I'd post this little sequence showing the highly underrated Perkins doing one of his great hits. Funny seeing him play a Les Paul - nowadays it's all semis for rockabilly but a lot of the greats did play the solid bodied gibson...can't think of any at the moment...James Burton maybe? No I just checked - he played telecasters... let me know if you can think of any Les Paul playing Rockabilly artists...

The Cheaterslicks

Saw a great rockabilly band last night - the Cheaterslicks - a trio (upright bass, guitar and drums) and what a night it was. Turning up in their band transport - a beautiful '51 Mercury with white wall tyres it set the tone for the evening - hot rod inspired authentic scorching white hot rock and roll. With their own compositions and classics from a diverse range of sources from Link Wray to Johnny Cash they stormed the place and took no prisoners, it was quite simply amazing. The West Country seems to be the home of some great rock and roll and rockabilly... a lot of them on Western Star records...be great to see a line up of them all - a festival or something.

Big New Prinz The Fall

From 88 - introduced by the late Tony Wilson. Great clip. I used to think the chorus was 'he is nuts...appreciate it' as opposed to 'he is not... appreciated' and I thought the verse was 'drink the launderette' instead of 'drink the long draught'.

Ray Harryhausen creature list

Bos lent me this great book The Art of Ray Harryhausen the other day - it is an amazing book of concept art, 3d models and, most tantalisingly. artwork for films never made. This short video purports to show all the creatures by this master of stop motion animation in chronological order. I think they may have missed a few out but it's a cracking 4 and a half minutes. Recommended.

'Do the Clam' Akire Fuse and the Blue Comets

I'm a little obsessed by this tune. It's amazing how many of Elvis' songs are about shellfish or crustaceans - the Shrimp Song, Crawfish, actually I can only think of two now I'm thinking about it. This is a great version of this classic beach party song with some shamelessly awful dancing.

'Having a Wild Weekend' trailer

This Dave Clark Five vehicle was one of the best of the 60s pop films - probably as it had a certain John Boorman as director. Recommended.

Billy's Blues

Hear Jody Williams (see below) on this - 2nd guitar Bo Diddley - a song that was ripped off by Mickey & Sylvia and became Love is Strange. Listen and see if you notice the plagiarism... of course pop music is all about ripping people off - why should we get upset about it?

Jody Williams 'Return of a legend'

If you have a reasonable knowledge of Chicago Blues you will have heard Jody Williams as he was session guitarist on all sorts of hits from Howling Wolf, Bo Diddley, Billy Boy Arnold as well as recording some scorching solo tunes - mostly stinging instrumentals. Anyway he's back - he gave up music many decades ago fed up with people stealing his licks and became a xerox repairman, but recently - has returned with two brilliant albums that have ensured his anonymity was a thing of the past. Here he is earlier this year playing his signature tune 'Lucky Lou'.

Caveman (1981) trailer

This comedy with Ringo Starr and host of other actors passed me by in 81 - never heard of it till now. Looks like a classic flop.

Crazy Gang 'Alf Button's Afloat' (1938) extract

Maybe it's time for a little classic British comedy.

The Move 'I can hear the grass grow'

This isn't a call to get out and mow the lawn by the way. It is a slice of British psychedelia which on the whole I don't like as a rule but this track is good enough to be considered alongside the US nuggets bands in my opinion. I think the Fall's version alerted me to what a good song it was - which is what a good cover should do. Apparently references Chesney Allen in the middle 8. According to the wiki on the Move, because the publicity material for 'Flowers in the Rain' had a cartoon of Harold Wilson (PM at the time) and Marcia Williams in bed together, after a court case which the band lost all royalties for the song were awarded to a charity of Wilson's choice - still in force after his death in the 90s. That's a bit harsh isn't it?

Sara and Hoppity (1960)

Susan was saying yesterday that much of her early childhood was spent swinging on a gate which reminded me of this programme - one of my earliest tv memories. It's actually really frightening - disturbing even - with some classic bad parenting - 'if she was my child I'd give her a good hard smack' and 'have some jelly and cream but don't tell mummy' and so on. LIke as not you won't remember this slice of ghoulish puppetry - hope it doesn't give you bad dreams...

Somerset cider

Many of you have drank our cider at gigs and parties - this is where we get it from - our local cider farm 'Creedies' - we made this film just for you. We're also buying a lump of cheddar cheese - really tasty it is too. Music is 'Cider' by Social Security, a Bristol punk band. And Yes, we will be bringing a few gallons to our gigs in Stoke Newington and Brighton (5th and 6th September - see below). If you want to buy cider online - go to Thatchers website.

Animals and Men live in Brighton

Yes indeed... with the Sticks and Go Faster DJs... See ya there music lovers? We're playing the preceding night at Stoke Newington, if you live in London...why not go to both?

The Saints live in 1977

This is a little gem - the Saints playing This Perfect Day, Run Down and Erotic Neurotic. Anyone from Frome from the old punk rock days has a soft spot for this band for they provided many magic moments of crazy dancing...never got to see them live but this almost makes up for it.

The Dils 'I Hate the Rich'

Classic US punk rock from back in the old days. I really liked this single and bought it - didn't know anything about them or the other single I had 'Class War' but they seemed really on the button. If you like great frantic punk give this a spin.

Rattles 'The Witch' video

This bit of German pop is pleasant on the ear and eye... quite atmospheric in a sort of budget horror movie type of way...like an outtake of Psychomania.

Austro-Prussian war reenactment slideshow

As you know I am very impressed by the Austro-Prussian war reenactment scene in Europe - it seems so well done - it's like a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the rubbish reenactments going on - have a look at these images and judge for yourself...these pics are 2005-7 so it's probably even better now...

Lulu 'Love loves to love'

I'm a tiger here

Joël Denis - Vas-y dis-lui

This song from 1965 is a French Canadian version of Mickey Lee Lane's Shaggy Dog - and if that don't make you want to listen to it then I can't help you. Filmed on the streets of Quebec. Another one here.

The Fabulous Wailers 'Hang Up'

Fantastic garage rock and roll or whatever you might call it from one of the originators set to scenes from the 69 film 'Astro-Zombies' - great song great visuals.

Revolution (1985) battle scene

Huzzah!! Someone has posted the battle scene from the Goldcrest movie Revolution...a film that was a terrible flop for all involved but for me revived my interest in history. It was filmed in the UK - this scene is on Exmoor so it doesn't really look like any other American Revolution movie but I still love it - please watch this and make up your own mind - you might like Donald Sutherland's Yorkshire accent - you might like the props... the uniforms are all pretty top notch... make my day and watch it... I personally think this sequence is one of the best 'redcoats in battle' bits going - the atmosphere, the shadows, the wintry landscape... all very beautiful in my view.

Stupid questions at English Heritage sites

EH have published a list of dumb questions asked at their sites. Not sure if that's a wise idea - sneering at the paying punters....but they are funny.

Bob Dylan 'Don't Start Me Talkin''

I love this version of the Sonny Boy classic - shows Bob Dylan can 'do' the blues I reckon...

Lew Lewis Reformer live in 1980

This is a bit of a gem - canvey harmonica genius Lew Lewis live on stage in 1980... if you like this sort of thing and want to see Lew Lewis play with the Hot Rods in 2008 go here...

Inglorious Bastards

This Italian war film from 1977 is to be remade with a stellar cast by Tarantino so I thought it might be time to look at the trailer. I wonder what the soundtrack will be like? Tarantino said
But the thing is, I won't be period specific about the movie. I'm not just gonna play a lot of Edith Piaf and Andrews Sisters. I can have rap, and I can do whatever I want. It's about filling in the viscera

Animals and Men gig in London

Ryan's bar - Stoke Newington 5th September with Electricity in Our Homes and the Pheromoans. Tickets from Rough Trade East in person and We Got Tickets. It's a fairly intimate venue so grab a ticket while you can.

Serge Gainsbourg '69 Annee Erotique'

As it's summery I thought maybe post some French pop. Beautiful bass riff going on through this song. Chorus is a bit crazy but it only adds to the unusual quality that this song has.

Francoise Hardy 'Comment te dire adieu'

Really good classy pop song - what else can you say?

13th Floor Elevators 'I've got Levitation'

One of their best rocking tracks this song is a masterpiece. Glorious and genius rock and roll from 60s Texas of all places.

13th Floor Elevators-ive Got Levitation via Noolmusic.com

Race with the Devil (1975) trailer

Dave's bought himself a camper so that is a good excuse to post this in my 70s movie season. A story of a vacation that goes wrong when it stumbles on a sacrifice. It's a fantastic thrill ride of a film - sadly being remade so I hear... Watch the trailer if you've never seen it.

Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm 'She made my blood run cold'

This is a really great song that defies categorisation but should be on the list of everyone who likes good rock and roll. Give it a spin and see if you like it - can't see why you shouldn't but there's no accounting for taste...

The Devils (1971)

As part of an occasional series of classic British films of the 70s what better than the film based on Aldous Huxley's novel the Devils of Loudon. Starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave its basically about a mass possession but in reality it's a tour de force of iconoclasm and disturbing scenes. Worth watching...

Seminole War reenactment

If you like obscure periods being reenacted well then have a look at this interpretation of the Seminole War - a war in Florida in the 1830s - the battle of Dade to be precise...it's very good. The background helps a lot by adding to the atmosphere. The bumph reads
On December 28, 1835, Seminole warriors ambushed and annihilated a relief column under the command of Brevet Major Francis Langhorne Dade. Of the 108 members of the column, only one was ultimately able to make it back and tell the tale. The Dade Battlefield Society, a dedicated band of reenactors, has brought this tempestuous time back to life for over the last twenty years. The reenactment takes place in Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, where the actual battle took place over two hundred years ago. The reenactment is well planned and rehearsed and almost everyone has a close-up, ringside seat. The park is located in Bushnell, Florida. More information and schedules for the next reenactment can be found at www.DadeBattlefield.com.

Freddy King 'Hideaway'

This is a tour de force instrumental from one of the greats...see how many themes you can recognise in this trip through guitar lick wonderland...

Avril Lavigne and Li'l Mama 'Black Friend'

Bea chose this - it's very funny and of course true... see if it makes you laugh.

Primal Scream 'Can't go Back'

Quite enjoying the new PS album - it's quite poppy like this one - the single - bit summery bit shallow bit easy on the ears, all with nice phat bass and backing vocals... see what you think...

Brigitte Bardot 'Harley Davidson' (1968)

Great song and lovely film - if you haven't seen this before then you must watch it now...don't put it off for another minute...

Count Five 'Peace of mind'

Not their best song but worth watching anyway...

Wars of Louis XIV

Hey.... I made a slideshow to promote my Wars of Louis xiv blog. The music is 'Marche du regiment du roi' by J B Lully. It's in answer to any of you who said 'Why Louis xiv?' - it's not so much the man as the era, and the artistic representation of it that is interesting. The music is a rocking item too. Actually the blog is doing pretty well...30 hits a day average stay 5 minutes...next step I shall invade the Low Countries...

Swansway 'Soul Train'

Peformance from 83 on the Tube. I really liked this at the time and bought the 12 inch single which had, in my opinion a really boring intro but that's 12 inchers for you...Love the song...not sure how you could describe it - Dexy's meet Joy Division? I dunno...

Zardoz (1974) trailer

'The gun is good. The penis is evil.' I'm not really a fan of sci-fi but this film with Sean Connery from John Boorman is an underrated British classic - if you like the Wicker Man you might like this. I think all the parts are up on youtube if it floats your boat...

Ticonderoga 250th footage

This is the best footage I've seen from the Fort Ti reenactment a few weeks ago - if you want to see large units manouevring about this captures it pretty well. I am no fan of the roastbeef cause but this is worth a watch. It gets better as it goes along. I think the practice of the Highland ncos walking facing the line, backs to the enemy is a bit weird... I imagine there is a bit of American civil war influence in there...what do you think?

Watchmen trailer

Need I say more? The film everyone will be going crazy for next year...

Marianne Faithfull 'Song for Nico'

Interesting photo biography to go with this haunting lament for one of the 60s deepest and most artistic of all the female icons - Nico. Recommended. Imagine what it would have been like if Brian Jones and Nico had made a record together?

Junior Wells 'Messin' with the Kid'

Caught the Bad Detectives last night in Bristol - was great of course - thought I'd post something they might like so I chose this virtuoso performance from a great line-up - Odie Payne on drums - Buddy Guy of course... it's an electrifying stampede through the song - marked by some great drum licks - you might want to play it two or three times...

Keoma (1976) trailer

My son likes odd westerns - well they are odd to me as someone who still likes John Wayne - but I admit there are some great soundtracks to the more unusual westerns. This one has some nice harmonica, some operatic warbling and on the soundtrack Lp Franco Nero growling like a toad. First time I heard this it was like 'wtf?' but now I like it and would like to cover it. Hear it here on the credit sequence - other songs are also up for your pleasure

Saturday night in Bristol

Looking forward to saturday night (19th July) when we go to see the Bad Detectives and much more at the Thunderbolt Inn Bristol.

Bad Detectives website

Geoff was telling us he listened to the Bad Detectives radio show from Dubai...how about that? If you missed them they are no doubt archived on Frome FM.

Phil Thomason's Oudenaarde 1708 photos

These are really good quality professional images. Some great shots... links to more photos and videos on my other blog - www.warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com

Roky Erickson movie trailer

This looks good. The bumph reads:
This is the story of Roky Erickson: manic frontman for the legendary band The 13th Floor Elevators, creators of psychedelic music and muse to Janis Joplin. YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME is a disturbingly intimate portrait of an imploding family and the struggle between modernized medicine and religion.

Known for his colossal heroin & LSD binges, struggles with "schizophrenia", and an unthinkable term at Rusk Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Roky went missing from the world.

YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME reveals the shocking & triumphant truth behind one of Rock’s great mysteries.

CSS 'Rat is Dead' video

New song from Brazil's hot export...umm the consensus chez nous is that they have lost something - is it charm, or innocence? Still good but not brilliant...

Haysi Fantayzee 'Shiny Shiny'

Great pop record from 1982. I used to love this group - not sure if anybody else in our little clique at the time liked them much but I think it made me love them all the more. Do they really sing 'I'm a hot retard, Marquis de sade'? I must admit I didn't really like John Wayne is Big Leggy and the album was a bit naff but this moment I do like. There's some interesting demo versions and stuff on youtube - worth spending time on if you like this sort of thing.... fan site

'Time Machine' Jayne County

'I wish I had... a time machine'.... I know some of you heathens don't like punk rock - well you might like this - it's a ballad - it's a great song and quite appropriate for this blog - maybe I should dedicate it to all the people who are fascinated with history...

Oudenaarde 1708 reenactment footage

I know, I know - you think this sort of stuff should be on my Wars of Louis XIV blog - well it is but I thought some of you might also like to see it. Actually I am mostly covering the late 17th century but footage like this is always interesting to look at.

Punk rock's top ten mightiest guitar gods

Interesting list of punks best guitar players... who else might you put in there? In a way the best punk guitarists are the ones that aren't gods I reckon - people like Matthew Ashman (Ants, Bow wow wow) - maybe even guitarists you don't know the name of. Nice to see Robert Quine in the list though.

Sonic Youth 'Tunic (Song for Karen)'

Great song - about our theme for the weekend, Karen Carpenter. Lyrics here

Sonic Youth 'Superstar'

If you're having a Carpenters phase at the moment - maybe you should play SY's tribute to the lead sister herself. Original performed here bythe Carpenters. Part one of the controversial Barbie Doll biopic by Todd Haynes here.

Werner Herzog night on BBC4

Save yourself buying Fitzcarraldo and Aguirre Wrath of God by setting your timers for tonight's treat of this master German filmmaker.

Carpenters 'We've Only Just Begun'

Did you see the Carpenters night on TV yesterday? What? You missed it? Ok watch some of it on the BBC i player. Susan reckons they all sound the same - this one I particularly like as it started out as a commercial for a bank. It sort of reminds me of a 70s life I didn't lead.

Sir Henry At Rawlinson End Trailer

Classic comedy movie from 1980 starring Trevor Howard - I am sure you all know it... My son is a big Viv Stanshall fan - so he will be glad someone has posted up the whole movie in parts

Carmel 'More More More'

If you are of a certain age - what a naff intro - but I'll progress anyway - then you will remember this great video directed by the great Lindsay Anderson of British cinema greatness fame - it captures something of the mood of the time I think - not sure how but this video is like 1984 in a box. Cool jazzy pop.

Behind the abbatis at Ticonderoga 250th

If you were wondering what it would have been like on the French side at the Ticonderoga reenactment this video pretty much, I imagine, captures it - the French were behind log walls firing at the British who got shot to pieces...more photos on the Fort Ti website

Psychedelic Furs 'The Fall'

Great stomping tune from their early period. Excellent stuff - cynical lyrics - should have been a single.

Republica 'Ready to Go'

See if you can spot Dave Barbe on drums (see below) (and audibly) on this hit from ....not sure

Glorious Revolution of 1688

Can you remember what you were doing 20 years ago? I was in the English Civil War Society and reenacting the 300th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution - we did a few interesting things in this almost bloodless invasion - there were minor engagements at Wincanton and Caversham Bridge Reading. This image shows ECWS members reenacting Killiekrankie in 89.
For stuff on this period in its various offshoots visit my new blog - OK... please - I've just put up a counter so I really need those visits...

Bow wow wow 'Go Wild in the Country'

Do Bow wow wow count as punk rock? Are they too upbeat to be counted as Deathrock? Anyway I love them - and this is probably them at their best - we heard from Dave Barbe - the drummer - recently - he has a new musical project that sounds pretty exciting - we'll let you know more when we find out for ourselves. He's played on some big records as well as creating the big drum sound of the 80s as well as having a novel published. He's one the all time great rock drummers and so we were pretty chuffed to meet him last year.

Blog with pictures of the Fort Ticonderoga 250th

Some pleasant photos and a write-up on the weekend's reenactment.

Cavalry Kettle drums

As part of my music and war occasional series I thought I'd post this clip of Household cavalry kettle drums. I have always found these fascinating...the idea of huge drums mounted on horses - they were in the old days considered trophies and were highly prized and if captured would be often reused. Their origins - like most military drumming was derived from the Islamic armies of the Crusades

Bender and David Johansen

Am I the first person to notice that the voices of Futurama Robot Bender and New York Dolls singer/shouter David Johansen are almost identical? See if we can get Johansen to shout 'bite my shiny metal ass' sometime during the current tour - for dates see below. By the way the Futurama movie 'The Beast with a billion backs' is a real treat - lots of gags and cameos - a must see for all fans.

Riot on Sunset Strip (1967) feat. the Standells

This - the opening 5 minutes of the movie which like Blow-Up is also a bit about youthful rebellion in the 60s but from a different distinctly US perspective. Worth watching, honestly...

Bound for Glory trailer (1976)

This biopic on the great Woody Guthrie didn't really receive the public's interest though it did get some critical acclaim but it seems to have disappeared since then. Time for a revival. Certainly recommend the book too.

Battle at the Bridge of Arcole 1796

Nice clip of the famous battle featuring the young Napoleon.

Battle of Sedgemoor 6 July 1685

Well it was at 10 o'clock at night when the luckless Duke of Monmouth led his men silently out to surprise the Royal army as it lay encamped outside of Bridgwater. One man - a trooper of the Oxford blues noticed something in the gloom and fired a warning shot and alerted the camp. Unable to find a causeway across the ditches that criss-crossed the moor the Rebels were forced to withstand musketry before retreating in confusion to be followed by a deadly aftermath of executions and murder.

More on this period and all manner of late 17th century topics on my blog http://www.warsoflouisxiv.blogspot.com/

Bad Detectives at the Thunderbolt Bristol

While at the Thekla my pal Graham picked up a flyer - Bad Detectives - didn't you used to be in a bad with that name? I inspected it and felt a burst of pride - 'it's them - they're amazing now - well worth going to - it's all sorts of music - surf, rockabilly, cajun, country - all with a humorous twist - all their own stuff'. They're doing the Thunderbolt, which is rapidly becoming a premiere music venue on July 19th backed with 'Poppy Von Tarte - the girl who can't say no' which I am guessing is a burlesque rock and roll experience. Also the djs look pretty special... I might even venture out of my comfort zone again - see ya there music lovers?
Also the Bad Detectives are back on the radio for the Frome festival from the 4th July - schedules here.
Hear the Bad Detectives on their Myspace

New York Dolls in Bristol

If you know me in RL you might know I don't go out to gigs much - it takes a living legend to get me out of the comfort zone and last night was one of those trips out under the wire to see the New York Dolls at the Thekla. What a night! Scorching singalong songs played by our favourite rock stars. Some nice tributes were paid to Bo Diddley and of course Thunders and they even morphed into Little Walter's Mellow Down Easy during Jet Boy which we loved. I have to say Johansen has possibly the best white blues voices in modern pop - it's still growling and a howling...what a star. People forget how bluesy the Dolls are, with their wailing harp - Sonny Boy and Diddley covers - it is all there... mixing punk with trash ten years before most people even got to hear them. They seemed to be loving playing and the audience lapped it up singing all the whoo hoos and choruses making Johansen grin like a cheshire cat.
We had a bit of a nice tribal gathering of old pals there too - probably hadn't all been together since about 83 so it was quite an emotional evening - I felt tears well up when they did Lonely Planet Boy as the timeless quality of the evening kicked in.... anyway to conclude - get to see them if you can music lovers it's rock and roll par excellence! See them play Dance Like a Monkey and be interviewed on British tv in 2006
The Rest of the Tour
July 3 - Manchester, UK - Academy 3 - Headline July 4 - London, UK - Wireless Festival - Headline Tuborg Stage July 12 - Kent, UK - Down on the Farm Festival July 13 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Club Vega - Headline July 16 - Athens, Greece - Fly Beeyond Festival July 18 - Benicassim, Spain - FIB Festival July 24 - Stezanno, Italy - Druso Under the Sky Festival July 25 - Pinarella Di Cervia, Italy - Rock Planet Club - Headline July 29 - Tel Aviv, Israel - Heatwave Festival w/ Morrissey Aug 2 - Lokeren, Belgium - Lokerse Festeen Festival

Bo Diddley Let Me Pass (1965)

Another great clip from the great Bo Diddley. I'm always discovering new BD tracks I've never heard before - he was so prolific - looking forward to the ultimate Bo Diddley box set.

Russian Peter the Great era reenactors

I am not the only one who likes to keep up with our Russian guardsmen of the era of Peter the Great friends you know - lots of - well some - folks like to see what is going on over there as it usually looks fun and there's usually a spectacular element to it. These pictures are great - they are celebrating the founding of a town in 1703 - certainly looks quite different to here anyway...
More here
have a look at them rowing and having fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FZ0iNudrSkhttp://www.reenactor.ru/index.php?showtopic=10692

The town Petrozavodsk was founded in June 1703 and in festivities this weekend.

Wars of Louis XIV figures

I've been investigating figures for the late 17th century for my new blog and have come to the conclusion that Donnington Miniatures 15mm figs are the best range for the job. I want to visually recreate the view of the period as shown in all those brilliant battle paintings that are quite panoramic usually showing miles of rows of tents and thousands of tiny figures milling about so 15mm should be about right to get that effect. The Donnington miniatures range cover all the relevant troop types and are from what I remember full of the right type of poses for pike and shot warfare - that is fairly static. Photos and review soon on my other blog.