On the Road 2012 trailer

Today is Kerouac's 90th birthday and a couple of days ago this trailer for the long awaited film version came out. I wonder what he would have made of it.

A Blues mixtape or two by me

Hidden Charms - some Chicago blues from Animals\u0026Men on 8tracks.

Blues Jukebox 2 from Animals\u0026Men on 8tracks.

Mixtape by Ralph and Susan (Animals & Men)

1-2-3-4 from Animals\u0026Men on 8tracks.

Blues and rhythm dance party from Animals\u0026Men on 8tracks.

Bad Detectives 'Alligator Rosie'

The new BD's album has been getting good reviews but how about this one from a couple of cds ago?

Napoleon themed amusement park planned

Thanks to Andy for finding this.

Borodino 2012

This is going to be the big anniversary next year - Russian Napoleonics are very well done as this video demonstrates.

Bad Detectives in 1979

Supporting Animals & Men at Newton Park College Bath. Check out their blog here

Adam Ant in Frome

This was a great and entertaining show with lots of old 70s favourites from the Dirk era and beyond. Crowd loved it - so did we. Energetic and satisfying. Reead Venue magazine's review here

Animals & Men play France

2nd December 2011. With the Dreams and TG plus a DJ set from Rosa Vertov. Venue

Les Instants Chavirés

7, rue Richard-Lenoir

93100 Montreuil
Facebook page for the event

I wish you would/It's Hip. - The Terraplanes (Animals & Men) 1981

Playing a battle of the bands at the Granary in Bristol we were required to play one cover - this was our choice Billy Boy Arnold's hit from 1955. The line up was Susan Wells vocals Ralph Mitchard Harp Dave Mackay bass Andy Payne drums

Cider Safari

Inspired by the song off the Bad Detectives new album we thought we'd go on a cider safari to Thatchers in Sandford. Went through Cheddar Gorge to get there.

Bad Detectives 'Look at Life'

Frome's own songsmiths have another cd out. Go here to read more about it - tracklisting etc. Looks good.

'The Loft' Radstock's newest shop

Hey exciting! Radstock has a new second hand guitar shop - it also sells amps and all manner of musical usefuls including strings, picks etc. Also do second hand vinyl and all manner of sundry items - they're on the county bridge if you want to check them out. I wish them all the best. Website here

Pinballs in Weston Super Mare

Went on a Pinball Pilgrimage to WSM yesterday - there was 4 machines in the Grand Pier - Spiderman, Shrek, Batman (Dark Knight) and Big Buck Hunter Pro. We have heard there's a whole arcade of tables at Brean Leisure Park so maybe a trip there is next on the cards...

Adam Ant to play Frome Cheese and Grain

Info here. Pre tour warm up on November 10.

The Elephant's Leg - comedy play at the Egg

Venue review here
I'd have to be pretty churlish not to mention this - a new comedy play written by my son Red and his pal George Mills. It's showing at the Egg, Theatre Royal Bath from 1st - 3rd September. Tickets available from the Theatre Royal. It all takes place in a kitchen at a party - wait - I'll copy and paste the description from the webpage

A party somewhere in Bath, shy Ted listens patiently to host Josh's joke. And listens, and listens.

The longer it goes on the more difficult it is for Ted to leave before the punch line. In the background the party is in full swing, with lovers’ tiffs, burnt shoes and vodka-pineapples constantly hindering the joke’s completion. Will the distractions ever cease?

Will Ted ever hear the end of the joke and will it ever live up to its extraordinary build up? The Elephants Leg is a manic, comic farce of jokes, drink and distractions.

The Legless Theatre Company is a new young and boisterous group brimming with confidence as it prepares for its debut

Otha Turner "My Babe"

Fred McDowell 'Louise'

Great colour footage of the man.

Schleich Wolverine

This is a great new figure from Schleich - well worth buying if you like mustelids.

Susan Wells (Animals & Men)

This was taken by Neil Mitchard at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco July 2011.

Back from the USA

Well our (animals & men) tour went well and we played with some great bands, some really great bands and some extremely marvellous bands. Thanks to Alex for organsing and being a great Tour manager. You can find some links on our Facebook page to some live recordings we made while we were there. Read our interview with the LA Record's Chris Ziegler here

Animals & Men 'Don't Misbehave In the New Age'

Here's us playing in Frome a few weeks ago - filmed by Paul of the Bad Detectives and Magic Tractor. The gig was promoted by Ultrabreaks, so a thanks to all those mentioned.

See us in the US at

WED JUNE 22nd PORTLAND on the LIFE DURING WARTIME show on KBOO Community Radio
THUR JUNE 23rd PORTLAND at EAGLES HALL w/Future Less Vivid (members of Tyvek, Little Claw), Light Brigade (ex-Quack Rainbow), and Sad Horse
FRI JUNE 24th SEATTLE at FUNHOUSE w/Evening Meetings (members of A-Frames, Love Tan), Witch Gardens, Partman Parthorse
SAT JUNE 25th OLYMPIA at NORTHERN w/Morgan And The Organ Donors, Western Hymn
SUN JUNE 26th PORTLAND at TONIC LOUNGE w/Psychic Feline, Cat Fancy
TUE JUNE 28th SACRAMENTO TBA
WED JUNE 29th OAKLAND at SUGAR MOUNTAIN w/Brilliant Colors, English Singles, American Splits
THUR JUNE 30th L.A. at THE SMELL w/Dunes, Wounded Lion, KIT
FRI JULY 1st SAN PEDRO TBA
SAT JULY 2nd SF at BOTTOM OF THE HILL w/Grass Widow, Rank/Xerox
SUN JULY 3rd The CRUSHER FEST at Stork Club in Oakland w/Nikki Corvette, Paul Collins etc.

Top ten Napoleonic movies

I thought it might be fun to make a chart of the best and worst Napoleonic movies - I decided not to include miniseries. Thanks to Mike and Andy for their help in compiling it.
1 - Voyna I Mir (1968) Russian epic that is one of the most expensive movies ever.
2 - Waterloo (1970) great film of the battle. Steiger is good as Napoleon and the various small characters are fun
3 The Duellists (1977) Ridley Scott's directorial debut is a picturesque look at the emnity between two French hussars.
4 War and Peace (1956) Hollywood version. OK Henry Fonda was miscast as Pierre but Audrey Hepburn as Natasha makes up for that.
5 Napoleon (1927) - Silent film about the early career of Napoleon. Impressive tryptich at the end.
6 Master and Commander (2003) Peter Weir's naval adventure.
7 Captain Horatio Hornblower RN (1952)
8 Colonel Chabert (1994) Depardieu plays the title role set in the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars. Excellent depiction of Eylau in flashback
9 Adventures of Gerard (1970) Based on a novel by Conan Doyle this rarely seen Brit flick is worth watching.
10 The Battle of Austerlitz (1960) Abel Gance directed this largely studio shot epic. Strange. Watch clip here


Some of the films that didnt make the list are Woody Allen's 'Love and Death', the 'Pride and the Passion' - Sophia Loren in Spain. Kolberg (1945) is a Nazi made epic that is terrible. The 'Scarlet Tunic' (1998) wins a prize for having the lowest budget - investors got parts in the movie in exchange for dough. Watch the trailer here

13 Assassins trailer

My son who if you read this blog is a Samurai afficiando is getting ready to watch this Takeshi Miike movie at the cinema so I thought I'd tip you off in case you like Samurai movies...

Animals and Men live in Frome 28th May

Kleenex 'Heidi's Head'

Mississippi records have issued a big vinyl box set of this influential band. Buy it now before they all sell out...

X Ray Spex 'Identity'

Sad to hear that Poly Styrene has passed on.

Dambusters remake

My son spotted this- a remake written by Stephen Fry with 10 full sized replica bombers made for filming - the wiki reads

Remake

Work on a remake of The Dam Busters, produced by Peter Jackson and directed by first time director Christian Rivers, began production in 2008. Jackson said in the mid-1990s that he became interested in remaking the 1954 film, but found that the rights had been bought by Mel Gibson. In 2004, Jackson was contacted by his agent, who said Gibson had dropped the rights. The rights were purchased by Sir David Frost from the Brickhill family in 2005.^[4] Stephen Fry is writing the script of the film.^[5] It will be distributed by Universal Pictures and StudioCanal.^[6] Filming was planned to commence in early 2009, on a budget of USD 40 million,^[7] although no project-specific filming had begun as of May 2009.^[8]

Weta Workshop are making the models and special effects for the film and have made 10 life size Lancaster bombers.^[9]

The last living pilot of the strike team, Les Munro, joined the production crew in Masterton as technical adviser. Jackson will also use newly declassified War Office documents to ensure the authenticity of the film.^[10]

PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Wiki on the album here

Animals and Men play Salford May 1st

Details here of this gig at the King's Arms Salford. Promoters 'Comfortable on a tightrope'.

Scene from Godard's Weekend (1967)

Lovely scene from this black comedy/experimental film that is considered by many to be Godard's best work. The cars in this clip are great - there's an NSU Prinz or two - this was our first car bought cheaply.

Made in USA (1966)

This is one Godard film I don't think I've actually seen more than once so I don't remember too much about it but it looks great from this trailer. Wiki on the movie. It was the last full length movie that Karina and Godard worked together on so a kind of 'end of an era' movie. Based slightly on the Big Sleep it had copyright issues with a book called the Jugger and wasn't realeased in the US for many years

Pierrot le Fou (1965)

I am going to have a short season of Jean-Luc Godard trailers. This is one my favourites with brilliant cinematography by New Wave legend Raoul Coutard and the great teaming of Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina as leads. So what's not to like? Wiki here

Monochrome Set

Good to see the Set back in action with all manner of gigs coming this year, which means that Bid has recovered from his brain aneurism - they're playing the Thunderbolt Bristol on June 18th. They have a Facebook page if you're a Set maniac with all their dates including a German tour and a gig at Dingwalls.

Billy Boy Arnold 'I wish you would'

Cool performance of his 55 hit.

Miracle on the Vistula photos

Some excellent photos here

Revolution Under Siege

I suppose I ought to mention this 2010 Ageod strategy PC game set in the Russian Civil War. There's a few clips on Youtube but it doesn't look like my cup of tea but it might be yours. Website here where there are clips and screenshots

Soviet Cavalry 1920 in 2011

Still from this website from the forthcoming Jerzy Hoffman film Battle of Warsaw 1920.

Old Russian toy soldiers

This page has some fine old fashioned Russian soldiers from the 70s and earlier - some depicting the Red army...worth a visit. This is the main page

Battle of Warsaw 1920 (2011)

Classic Fall

This is my favourite line up for the Fall - not saying I don't like the modern stuff but these guys were excellent - here they are doing Lost In Music and Why are People Grudgeful. Good performance of a band in their prime.

Red's Samurai movie season

Thought you might be interested in the Samurai movie season my lad has put together for Uni friends and gamers. I am impressed by the list so thought it might be a good idea to give them a wider audience


1. Seven Samurai (1954)

2. Onibaba (1964)

3. Goyôkin (1969)

4. Samurai Trilogy I - Musashi Miyamoto (1954)

5. Samurai Trilogy II - Duel at Ichijoji Temple (1955)

6. Samurai Trilogy III - Duel at Ganryu Island (1956)

7. Kwaidan (1964)

8. Shogun's Samurai/The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (1978)

9. Throne of Blood (1957)

10. Samurai Rebellion (1967)

11. The Last Samurai (2003)

12. Lone Wolf & Cub 1 - Sword of Vengeance (1972)

13. Seppuku (1962)

14. Yojimbo (1961)

15. The Sword of Doom (1966)

16. Lone Wolf & Cub 2 - Babycart at the River Styx (1972)

17. Kagemusha (1980)

18. Kiru (1968)

19. Sanjuro (1962)

20. Zatoichi (2003)

21. Sword of the Beast (1965)

22. Rashomon (1950)

23. Incident at Blood Pass (1970)

24. Ran (1985)

Первая конная (1984)

This film (Pervaja konnaja - a remake of an earlier film) about Budyenny and the First Horse Army is online at Youtube - full movie without subtitles.

Modettes 'White Mice'

Saw this band at Corsham art college about this time - they were very good and we loved this single.

Elvis and Ann-Margaret

From Viva Las Vegas. Note the two drummers.

Animals and Men Vague fanzine interview

Here is an indepth interview from about 1980 with the legendary Tom Vague from his webpage Vague rants.

Animals and Men: Futurist Manifesto

‘Uno, due, tre, quattro, Marinetti, Boccioni, Carra Balla, Palasechi, Marinetti, Boccioni, Carra Balla, Palasechi, Futurist Manifesto, Futurist Manifesto, War is the world’s only hygiene, energy and fearlessness, racing car the beauteous beast, hurl defiance at the stars.’ Another mysterious local band for you – Animals and Men. I know the name reeks of Ants rip-off dated punk, also they come from Somerset, so on the face of it they seem lacking in street credibility. The one thing I knew they did have going for them was that Puddle ex-Stalag 44 drummer and local hero was playing with them. March 15 Puddle brought the rest of Animals and Men over to the Ship one night… They are a very individual bunch leaning on the arty side except Puddle, they’ve renamed him Dean incidentally. Their lead singer Susan Wells does not fit into any Sioux, Styrene, etc look-alike slots, and within the confines of a noisy public bar they are very eloquent and gave us our best interview yet.

Firstly I query Ralph Mitchard, the guitarist and spokesman, about their choice of name: “The name came about 8 months ago, before the Ants’ John Peel session, it’s been a longstanding thing, we haven’t just jumped on the bandwagon. It was intended as a sort of tribute. We thought the imagery of the name suited our music and if we didn’t acknowledge the name somebody would. Anyway, we’re pretty influenced by the Ants and wanted to give them credit, because at that time they were not getting any press. We could have just masqueraded as another band not anything to do with them but we wanted to say we were on their side… We’re more like the old Ants, I like their music but a lot of things about them I don’t like.”

“We started about 10 months ago as a 3-piece, Geoff, Nigel and me, called Psychotic Reaction, that’s a song by Count 5, the 60s psychedelic punk band, good name, it started as a 60s punk orientated thing, influences; Elevators, Mysterons and so on, and American punk rock like the Dolls, Stooges, Voidoids. To a certain extent we bypassed the Pistols. We’ve only done 5 gigs, 2 in London, our bass player (Nigel House) lives in London, one in Frome and 2 in Bath… Our lyrics are more socially orientated, the Ants are more about themselves. We sing about situations rather than feelings – some political, some other things… The lyrics aren’t politically orientated they’re about real life situations… Individualism.” Puddle says he’s got socialist leanings and then goes off to have another game of Space Invaders.

Ralph continues: “We don’t sit down and aim to write a song seriously about a particular subject… Everybody writes the songs – we all contribute – no individuals take the credit.” On the new single: “It’s called ‘Car Crash Blues’.” Puddle: “It’s Siberian reggae.” Ralph: “Cars taken from a cynical viewpoint. A semi-humorous view of cars crashing, parodying the sexual implications of a car crashing.” On their first single ‘Don’t Misbehave in the New Age’: “It’s a tongue in cheek standard 1984 oppression nursery rhyme, very glib and pithy, it was brought across in a poppy way. It shouldn’t have been a single really. ‘New Age’ is more serious but we made it too jokey, even sing-along. People took it on face value. The object was to bring serious songs into a light-hearted aspect, like ‘Young Parisians’.

“It was recorded really cheap, about £20 at a 4-track studio in Porton. It’s got a really trashy production – only took one and a half hours to do. There’s mistakes on the B-side. We wanted the record company to re-record it but they had no intention of doing that. We had 1,000 pressed, all gone, no profit… We don’t have a lot of fun, we don’t enjoy playing.” Sue: “We do – well, I do – everybody else enjoys playing except for Ralph.” Ralph: “I enjoy it better than going to work. We’re not martyrs to any cause except Dean to his sexuality… We’ve lost about £500… We went to London to get the badges pressed and Adam came in shortly after we left. We wrote to him asking what he thought and he consequently replied saying he was honoured and that he liked the single; said it was a pure product, glorious, danceable with great promise, great vocalist, tight rhythm section…”

“We asked if we could support them and we were going to go on the gigs in the south but that’s all fallen through now. Perhaps it was not such a good idea. When we supported Toyah at Bath we had a very poor response, the audience was not interested in the support band… We were going to support Crass in Bath but that fell through. They had wanted to read our lyrics before agreeing that we could support them. But I think Crass are on the right track although I don’t entirely agree with the way they are doing it, whereas Toyah are just another showbiz rock band… The Psychedelic Furs, we’re more like them than the Ants. We’re not necessarily like them, just influenced by them and the Monochrome Set and the Pop Group.” Fave bands: Puddle – Punishment of Luxury, Nigel – the Doors, Sue – the Velvet Underground, Ralph – the Ants.

“I think the Pop Group are pretty commendable, not in the least bit boring. There’s nothing wrong with being naïve. It’s better to be naïve than cynical. I sympathise with them, I’m naïve, Adam’s naïve. If you’re cynical you lack enthusiasm. I think enthusiasm is connected with naivety. The Ants are naïve enthusiasts whereas the Banshees are tailor-made cynics made by the music press. The Ants and the Banshees are the 2 extremes… I’m more influenced by the cinema, by films and directors. I find early silent, 30s cinema interesting. They provide the inspiration to some of my songs. I like Warhol who was anti-art… I doubt if we’ll stay here, we’re not very popular in Frome, only a few people have shown any interest, most of them think we are arty posers, that’s not bad I suppose. If they don’t like us they can fuck off but we’ll probably fuck off instead.”

Mad Dog Morgan (1976)

The full movie - in good quailty. Film is a western set in Australia starring Dennis Hopper. If that sounds like your bag - and my son rates this early Ozploitation movie - then give it a whirl. Wiki on the movie.

'Captain America the first Avenger' trailer

This summer's superhero movie...looks good.

Love and Death (1975)

Of course War and Peace was satirised in this earlyish film by Woody Allen. Here's the trailer.

War and Peace Battle Scene

2012 is going to be a big year in Russia for battle reenactments - it being the bicentennial of their successful war against Napoleon as depicted in this movie. Expect large scale events - maybe not as epic as this 1968 film but maybe worth going to.

True Grit trailer

This current Coen Brothers remake of the Wayne classic looks good but my son who has seen it reckons the mumbling was such that subtitles are needed. Shame.

Attack on Leningrad (2009)

My son got me this film for Christmas - it's very good - this part - the beginning has an excellent action sequence that leads you into the movie. A Russian production but made with an eye to the international market with Gabriel Byrne as a Journalist. Imdb here

Happy New Year

Here is me and Big Rich playing with the Otis Blackwell song. In our kitchen.

18 degrees below

Below are some links sent to me by a friend who attended to a recent Russian Napoleonic event - (a not for public battle) that took place in 18 degrees below with knee high snow. Lots of frostbitten reenactors enjoying themselves in sub zero temperatures...hope that is festive enough for you..
http://photogoss.spb.ru/index.php-ru&ft_fotojan.htm

http://picasaweb.google.com/piterskaya2010/Janino2010#

http://picasaweb.google.com/piterskaya2010/Janino2010_2#

R L Burnside 'Shake 'em on down'

We haven't had any blues recently on this blog so let's take care of that oversight right now with this enjoyable groove from the great R L himself. 'Shake 'em on down' - who did the original? I'm guessing (and I'm guessing mind) it might be Tommy McClennan. It has been around the block a few times in different hands - Bukka White, Doctor Ross...the list is long. This version seems inspired by the Fred McDowell version.

What's New Pussycat?

A film with Peter Sellers and Woody Allen? Has to be good right? Well....it isn't that good but like a lot of 60s movies it's a must-see.

'The Knack - and how to get it' trailer

I am going to do a short season of 60s films - this is a must see from Richard Lester. Of course pretty dated nowadays but then that's the point.

Yardbirds in Antonioni's Blow Up

This was the first film I had on VHS - taped off the telly and watched rather a lot. Originally this scene was to have the Who hence the guitar smashing - the club is a carefully reconstruction of the Ricky Tic Club. One of the great 60s movies I guess - up there with the best of the Swinging London films. I think this film influenced me into buying some white trousers...

Un homme et une femme (1966) trailer

Back in the old days we used to do a cover of this song - the movie and the soundtrack are excellent but our version was a little ropey.

What's the Point?

Went to the Railway in Radstock to see this punk band (What's the Point) - they were great - lots of uptempo singalong compositions that went down very well with all present. Pub was friendly too so all in all a good evening.

Russian Civil war battle Tachanka vs White Cossacks

Haven't had much from the Russian Civil War recently on this blog - hopefully this Tachanka action will make up for it. The blurb says
'A scene from Soviet-Yugoslav 1958 movie "Aleksa Dundić" which shows a battle between Red Cavalry Tachankas and White Cossacks.'

Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920)

It's relatively easy to be a film buff these days. You have the IMDB and accessible greats like this one online for your perusal. In the old days before videos it wasn't so easy. You'd have to go to late night screenings to watch unusual films abd if you wanted information you had to buy film books - my shelves are full of them - I don't consult them anymore as there is no need but they're there as a reminder of the days when information wasn't so easily come by. Anyway here's an early expressionist classic - I expect you have seen it but Conrad Veidt is one of my favourite actors (he plays the sleepwalker Cesar).

M.I.A 'Born Free'

It's very rare for me to see anything I like on Later with Jools Holland but I saw this last night and was much impressed. Of course it samples one of music's best riffs (I won't tell you - you can listen)and there is a nice feel to it.

Animals and Men on Facebook

We've started a Facebook page - hopefully we'll get some visitors. See ya there?

Gene Vincent 'Bluejean Bop'

Interesting early clip with the man wearing an all leather ensemble - maybe the first time a rocker graced the stage in leather strides if I am not mistaken.

The Fall in Bath

At the Komedia, 30 November

Ari Up of the Slits has passed on

Sad news indeed. The 48 year old had a long and serious illness apparently. Rest in Peace.

'Working in a coal mine' Lee Dorsey

I love this clip. This is for the Chilean miners...

Postcard from Radstock 1914

Guss and Crook

Picture is of Foxcote Carting Boys in 1904 - I wonder if my Grandfather Jack Mitchard is one of them? He was a carting boy at Foxcote at that time. Started aged 12. Got taken to the Co-op to join the society and buy his pit boots after his first day. The lads in the photo (from 'History of the Somerset Coalfield' by Down and Warrington) are protesting about the Guss and Crook - a horrible device that went around the waist and below the groin that turned boys into beasts of burden and always resulted in blue scarring around the mid region. Only Somerset miners used this device because of the narrow seams.

Shannon 'Abergavenny' (1969)

It's funny isn't it when you hear a song that you haven't heard for some 40 years and it acts as a strange time capsule - this one did that - I heard it on WFMU of all places Irwin's show - the same show played one of our records and we get a kick out of hearing the whole show and whoomph this one took me right back to rainy holidays in Wales, feeling carsick driving through bleak mining villages and just trying to pass the time and singing this song when the town's name appeared on a signpost. It's easy to feel nostalgic for the easy listening songs of the 1960s isn't it? Do you know the way to San Jose?

Van Morrison and the Chieftains 'Star of the County Down'

'Trouble of the World' Mahalia Jackson

Scene from Douglas Sirk's 'Imitation of Life'.

bitwa warszawska 1920 film

So Polish filmmaker Jerzy Hoffman - known for his 'Fire and Sword' epic is about to release a film about the battle of Warsaw - when the Red army was defeated by the Poles - known as the miracle on the Vistula. Not much on this film yet as it's not released til 2011 but if you are interested search 'bitwa warszawska 1920 film' and you'll find some production stills like this one of Red soldiers.

Javan Rhinoceros

Possibly the rarest large animal on earth with only a small population of less than 50 left. Wiki here. Join the Facebook group save the Javan Rhino here

Battle reenactment satire from Armstrong and Miller

Faithful re-enactment of the famous Civil War battle between the armies of Elvis Presley and Gordon Jackson.

Gene Vincent 'Baby Blue'

I hope you like this - I do anyhoo

Dave Clark Five Everybody Knows

Vintage footage of Bath and Salisbury Plain are in this clip from 'Catch us if you can'

Dave Clark Five Because

Another clip from the below-mentioned film.

Dave Clark Five 'When'

From the movie 'Catch us If you can' which is one of the best pop vehicles ever being directed by John Boorman. Some of this movie is shot in Bath - must get hold of a copy and watch it again.

Dave Clark Five 'Bits and Pieces'

One of my earliest musical memories is sitting in the back of my parent's car and beating this out on the upholstery while I sang along.

Peekskill Riots

This event happened today in 1949. It would make a great film. Paul Robeson organises a benefit concert that results in mob action against the organisers and concert goers. First World War airman Eugene Bullard - the only black pilot in the Great War was attacked by a State Trooper - Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger's car gets rocks thrown at it. Dark days.

Aircraft from their origins to 1914

This set of wonderful aviation images by the creator of Tintin Herge were found by blogger Scott on his I like the Things I Like Blog but I thought you might like a look.

Storming of the Bastille

This is interesting - looks like a French miniseries telling the story of the French Revolution. Quite convincing this clip.

Shangri-Las 'I'll Never Learn'

Nobody can do sad like the Shangri-Las. They seem to be able to be dramatic without making it corny. This is a brilliant song - I can't understand why it wasn't a hit - maybe it's just too darned sad.

Red Balloon clip

Reissued in HD. Did you know the film's director invented the board game 'Risk'? Well it's true.

CPS Myspace

Bristol singer-songwriter CPS has a new-look myspace with some videos and songs for you to enjoy.

Demain dès l'aube (2009)

Thanks to a French speaking friend for letting me know about this French film which explores the world of reenacting in a darker way than say 'Faintheart'

Imdb says
Just saw this one at the Göteborg International Filmfestival. It was my opening film, and considering the talent, I expected something quality, and I got it. Vincent Perez plays a concert pianist, Mathieu, who takes a break from his good, but perhaps complicated life, to offer support to his brother Paul (Jeremie Renier), who lives with their very sick mother. Paul is into reenacting historical battles from the Napoleonic era, and Mathieu is sucked into this fantasy world, to stand by his brother. It turns out that the fantasy is more real than he had bargained for, and things get serious when people are easily offended, while playing the game. I'm not about to give the whole story away, but besides the interesting plot and excellent acting, there is also beautiful piano music and fantastic dueling scenes at dawn with great light. So go see, I'm glad I did!

Hot Dang Paydirt!

My son and I started a discussion with our selves about what the phrase was in this Dowliners Sect black horror comic offering 'I want my baby back' and so we decided to ask the man himself, and emailed the Sect and got a reply from Legendary vocalist Don Craine and he says it is 'Hot Dang Paydirt' - there - now you know.

Joe 90 theme

I was bout 9 when this came out and I got presribed some corrective glasses and I chose some to look like Joe 90. The only trouble was I got called 'Joe 90' which I didn't foresee or like. I stopped wearing them. Then later I had to wear specs - and when I went onstage at Bath Pavilion with Animals & men I heard someone shout 'Joe 90' at me from the crowd. Wow that was a bummer. Good theme though.

Papo Prestige 1er Empire

Sometimes it works out rather well having a daughter working for a toy shop. She snapped up these discounted French Napoleonic cavalry with her staff discount at 4 quid each! I feel like a kid again. Thanks!

1792 Aux Armes Citoyens

More French Revolutionary fun for you.

Chouans! (1988) (trailer)

Movie set in the Vendee during the French Revolution.Imdb

Valmy 1792-2012

This pivotal battle of the French Revolution is being recreated in 2012 which is great as I love the period. It has a Facebook page so check it out.

Brian Jones and Jimi Hendrix 'My Little One'

So Brian Jones will always have a 'what if' hanging over him. He was apparently going to do a group 'Balls' with Lennon and Hendrix - but who knows? Read about his legacy here.

Salamanda Palaganda

Picked up a copy of Prophets Seers and Sages by Tyrannosaurus Rex today for 45p. That's a bargain in anyone's world. I do like the Steve Peregrine Took era much more than the later Mickey Finn years. Seems more underground and more sincere. We used to be in the Tyrannosaurus Rex appreciation society - they used to publish old programmes and the odd vinyl release - it was good. Read Steve Took's reply to Marc Bolan's answer 'In the Gutter Somewhere' to the question where's Steve Peregrine Took these days? here

Invicta dinosaurs

We have a pretty good collection of these plastic dinosaurs that were sold at the Natural History Museum - and we still add to them when we find them. It has become unpopular to make large hard plastic dinosaurs these days after kids used them as clubs to batter siblings so they are a bit of a relic of the past. Kids loved to chew these so finding ones that haven't been munched is also a challenge.

New Beyonce single

The good thing about nobody reading this blog much means I can post what I like and I do like this video for the single 'Why don't you love me?' by Ms Knowles. Sort of influenced by Betty Page and done in a home movie style there is plenty of humour and some gratuitous smoking in here. Well done.

'The Twelves (Dirty Dozens)' KOKOMO ARNOLD (1935)

John Peel used to play this fast paced suggestive blues a lot. I can see why - it's almost punk rock - an attacking riff, irreverant lyrics and a louche persona - what else do you need? Wiki on the man.