A relic from my printing days

Garamond swash italic

Animals & Men facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/AnimalsandMen

Prroof reader

Just in case the exhibition on Frome's history doesn't feature any proof readers I thought I'd supply my own photo of me doing it back in the 80s.

Making an Impression: Frome’s Printing Past

here for more

30^th June – 14^th November 2015


Frome has been home to several printers and this exhibition will highlight the importance of the town’s printing industry over time, with particular emphasis on the town’s most high profile colour book printing company of Butler and Tanner.

Son House - Death Letter

Norton St Philip fete - 27th June

Website here
I will be here selling copies of the booklet The Days of King Monmouth

Inside the curious world of the Bad Detectives

here

The Days of King Monmouth

Finally got round to getting this to the printers - should be ready in a week or two - it's a day to day guide to the Rebellion from when he landed on June 11th up to the executions and beyond. About 45pp.  Colour art by Sean O'Brogain.
When it's ready in a couple of weeks it will be available from here

THE WRECKING CREW

more here

Парад 1987 год кавалерия

Recreation of the Red Cavalry

Radstock

Kev Saunders - the early days

Article here on Frome musician Kev.

Something I am pretty excited about and spotted by Michael James on my Monmouth Rebellion FB group is this series which is getting the DVD reissue treatment! It has an excellent story and is well worth getting. The Sedgemoor episode was especially good but then I was an impressionable child when I saw it.  Do you remember it?
Details here

Animals and Men live in EXETER supporting the Sleaford Mods

review here

MusicMuso

'We got some great shots of a legendary band who supported sleaford mods last week in Exeter, they're called Animals & Men and they ROCKED the place http://musicmuso.com/animals-and-men'

animals & men badge

from Bernard's collection is this original - sold quite a few around and about

new Bad Detectives album

"The Bad Detectives are hard to pigeon-hole and that's a good thing right?
In their 10 year recording history with Western Star the band have recorded 5 albums and appeared on numerous compilations. Their music has often popped up on TV shows and the band seems to get a lot of airplay. With a world-wide cult following The Bad Detectives amble along, seemingly unaware of their popularity. We're proud to have them on Western Star!

The Bad Detectives The Curious World of WSRC 088
1. Tiki Tunnels
2. Demon Surfer
3. Whos Gonna Watch The Skies
4. Sheppard’s Barton Special Agent
5. The Chesil Beach Luau
6. Glam Rock Lock-In
7. BSA Bantam
8. Hoodoo On Me
9. Michael Landon Bit Me
10. Emmets & Grockles
11. Bloody Mary
12. When The Levels Break
13. So Long Baby I’m Toast"
http://www.western-star.co.uk/…/the-curious-world-of---the-…

Radstock and Norton in the 60s

Willie Mabon - I'm Mad!

American Folk & Blues Festival. Germany, 1980. with: Hubert Sumlin (guitar), Eddie Taylor ( 2nd guitar), Bob Strogger (bass), Odie Payne (drums)

Bristol boys make more noise

This book on the punk era in Bristol has an unexpected gem of a photo - Frome punks Charlie and Nigel Fenby with Steve Keep pogoing to the Straits, an all-girl band from York who played on the stage at the Westway Cinema. There's a cd that goes with the book.

at 2.48 is our band from 1979 - thanks for Geoff for finding it

Women's Fall/Winter 2006 Sleeper in Metropolis - Anne Clark Don't Misbehave in the New Age - Animals & Men Drop it Like It's Hot - Snoop Dog That's the Way - KC and the Sunshine Band Work It - Missy Elliot Random - Lady Sovereign Buffalo Gals - Malcolm McLaren The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five http://forums.thefashionspot.com/f62/music-prada-shows-201743.html

New Age single Animals & Men reissued!

Get it from http://dangerrecords.bandcamp.com/

You Excite Me Baby - the Terraplanes (Animals & Men) 1982

From the cd 'Revel In The Static' . Images are either from the time or of Frome Somerset where we lived. The line up had 2 singers - Susan Wells and Brenda Austin and 2 drummers Andy Payne and Geoff Norcott. Dave Mackay (bass) and Ralph Mitchard (guitar) also present.

A bit of shade

Ferrets don't like the hot weather - so Susan makes shade with sheets. She's also sneaked a few of her favourite plants in there too. What a summer?

Animals & Men in Paris

Here's us at the Danger Records Party #2 doing 'Easy Riding'. Copies of our 10 inch ep containing this song are available from Bandcamp.

Battle of Montereau 1814

This battle took place this day 1814

Ralph Mitchard when he was in the Bad Detectives

I was vocalist harp player so I don't know why I am playing the drums but this was at our debut gig on a farm kitchen near Bruton. Note the bad spots - I was 17 I reckon then.

Gig in Paris

Supporting the ever brilliant Monochrome Set. Why not come along? 15th March

The Stars Look Down 1940 - Full Movie

Movie about mining - a British classic. Wiki here

Steam at Midsomer Norton

Yesterday we went on a short trip to the Heritage Railway Station at MSN. Was great fun and pleasant to see the station awash with steam.

Cheer Up! Ye Poor British Miners

Mining songs from the North Somerset and Beyond - by Dave Byrne and the Guss and Crook Band and Chorus.
  I picked up this cd (a tenner from Radstock Museum) and I have to admit it's well worth getting if you have an interest in Mining. The music's good and well executed. Proceeds to Radstock Museum.
"These workers' songs are not folk songs in the recognised sense but songs written for a particular purpose," he writes. "Usually to garner support for miners in times of industrial strife, to raise morale and funds for miners on strike or sold on broadsheets to raise money to support the families of colliers killed or wounded at work." The CD is being sold to support the work of Radstock Museum, which is the best place to go to learn about the local coalfields. The album was made possible thanks to the research carried out by museum trustee Tom Randall at the time of the mine closures and in subsequent years. Dave has been singing for nearly 50 years.
The CD is available for £10 from Radstock Museum, Waterloo Road, Radstock, North Somerset BA3 3EP, tel: 01761 437722, or directly from Dave on 01761 419224.

Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Songs-help-memory-miners-live/story-20251617-detail/story.html#ixzz2nYYU5qI4

 1898 photograph of Camerton colliery lads wearing the guss and crook harness, with a group of adult miners. They are also wearing caps with candles in them.

Flodden 1513

Today is the 500th anniversary of this battle between Scotland and England. The last time a British monarch was killed on the field of battle when James of Scotland perished at Flodden.

new Animals & Men ep out

 

This review from Maximum Rock and Roll is by Allan McNaughton: "A new self-released 10" from eternal post-punk underdogs Animals and Men. I think the four tracks are a mix of old and new material,but it was all recorded this year.If you've heard the band,you won't be in for any surprises musically:primitive,simple bass-driven post punk with Susan's detached vocals over the top. The surprise is that they still sound somewhat fresh and relevant.They do what they do without pretension and there's something very admirable about that,especially after all these years.My hat is off to 'em." MRR #367.....

Spain in Flames

Go here to see about a new feature film set in the Spanish Civil War and watch the trailer.

Howlin' Wolf - The Howlin' Wolf Story. The Secret History of Rock and Roll

'Oh Death!' (traditional) Animals & Men

Spiritual that is a track off our forthcoming vinyl ep.

Remembering the genius of Reg Presley

Harvey Keitel in the Duellists

This look has probably influenced Adam Ant in his current incarnation.

We are the Tyning Boys

We are the Tyning Boys
we are the Tyning boys
we know our manners
we pay our tanners
We are respected wherever we may go
Out on the long wide road
we always carry our load
We can laugh we can grin
We can lose we can win
We are the Tyning Boys
(Song reproduced in a letter in the NR Journal about Whitelands -)

Adam Ant - Cool Zombie - Full Official Video

First video for ages - what do you reckon? Alright I reckon

Mud Sharks Dave Barbarossa

I've always been a fan of drummer Dave - from back in his days playing in Adam and the Ants and Bow wow wow but this book is so good it has blown me away.... again. It tells the story in the style of page-turner fiction of his early life and his musical paths and the people that were central to that story. It is a work of genius IMHO - rather like his drumming. Buy it here.

Lines of Wellington

Interesting new film with John Malkovich in the title role with some well known faces in there too. Apparently a TV series as well...wiki

Băneasă's Green Glade - Andy Irvine 1976

We had a deer visit us this morning which got me to humming this old Planxty tune. Charming.

In Baneasa's green forest out under the trees
We'd lie on our backs, we'd live at our ease
We'd wake in the morning at the first shafts of day
And watch the shy deer as they scampered away

We'd rise from our warm beds as the sun it got higher
And cook up our breakfast on a sweet scented fire

In the still early morning a cool gentle breeze
And the echo of woodpeckers rings through the trees

We'd sit in our glade till the heat of the day
Walk down to the zoo to sing and to play

Well the money rolled in and the people looked on
When the hat was quite full we'd up and be gone
In Dimovitsas tavern we spent money free
And drank to our friends wherever they may be.

We'd talk of old times, fond memories we'd trade
At dusk we'd walk home to Baneasa's green glade.

Happy world Rhino day

9eme Legere book

  'Incomparable' - a new book published by Osprey on the life and times of the 9eme Chasseurs.

Author: Terry Crowdy

About this book
An elite battalion under Louis XVI, the 9th Light Infantry regiment were with Napoleon from almost the beginning, turning the field at Marengo and breaking the Austrians. They then spent over a decade fighting their way across the continent, following Napoleon to the bitter end. Bringing their Eagle out of hiding when Napoleon returned from exile in 1815 they almost saved the day again, at Waterloo, spearheading a charge to rejoin Napoleon. But unlike at Marengo, they failed. Napoleon dubbed them ‘Incomparable’, and their story is extraordinary even by the standards of the dramatic and turbulent years in which they lived. Buy it here

200 years ago today

The Moscow fire.

Borodino action footage

News item about Borodino 2012

Here

Putin at Borodino

My friend Boris got to shake his hand when he was presented to their regiment. Cool!
Read a news item on the event where this photo is from.

This looks like an official recognition of the Russian reenactment hobby - something that has been considered a bit marginal but thats just my opinion - I am not an expert on politics - just an enthusiast.

March to Waterloo 200

This is an interesting initiative by the Napoleonic Association to get more members ready for 2015, They are organising open days and the like. Go here to join their Facebook page.

Borodino 200 is coming

Ralph Mitchard (1981)

Here's a picture of me in my prime - when I was 21. Those were the days.....

Borodino 2012

Coming soon this spectacular reenactment. Details here 
In English here

Waterloo Rd Radstock

This is an early photo from the time before the coming of the railways. Named Waterloo Rd as the Scots Greys camped there before departing for Waterloo and glory.

Crossing the Neman 1812

So today 200 years ago Napoleon begins his invasion of Russia.

Serge Gainsbourg and pinball

From the movie Anna (1967) which is up in its entirety on Youtube.

Russian Style Reenactment

This is an excellent blog that enables the non Russian speakers an unparalelled look at the Russian reenactment scene through the lens of participant Liudmyla. Periods covered are the Great Patriotic war (WW2) - the Crimean war and Napoleonic wars.

A Very British Civil War

This set of scenarios are for a fictitious series of campaigns that revolve around the concept that Edward VIII doesn't abdicate and instead the country is split asunder with various armies - Red, Fascist, Monarchist Anglican - you name it - all explained here. I like this one as I live in North Somerset - be interested if any of you have it you can tell me if they mention Radstock or Frome?

Red Tails (2012) HD Movie Trailer - Lucasfilm Official Trailer

This looks good - bout time someone made this movie it reads

1944. World War II rages and the fate of the free world hangs in the balance. Meanwhile the black pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program are courageously waging two wars at once -- one against enemies overseas, and the other against discrimination within the military and back home. Racial prejudices have long held ace airman Martin "Easy" Julian (Nate Parker) and his black pilots back at base -- leaving them with little to do but further hone their flying skills -- while their white counterparts are shipped out to combat after a mere three months of training. Mistakenly deemed inferior and assigned only second-rate planes and missions, the pilots of Tuskegee have mastered the skies with ease but have not been granted the opportunity to truly spread their wings. Until now. As the war in Europe continues to take its dire toll on Allied forces, Pentagon brass has no recourse but to reconsider these under-utilized pilots for combat duty. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) awards them the ultimate chance to prove their mettle high above. Undaunted by the prospect of providing safe escort to bombers in broad daylight -- a mission so dangerous that the RAF has refused it and the white fighter groups have sustained substantial losses -- Easy's pilots at last join the fiery aerial fray. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies in a heroic endeavor to combat the enemy -- and the discrimination that has kept them down for so long. Directed by: Anthony Hemingway. Starring: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Brandon T. Jackson and Nate Parker. Red Tails is an upcoming film directed by Anthony Hemingway, from a script by John Ridley and story by executive producer George Lucas. It is based on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American combat pilots during World War II, and is the first Lucasfilm Ltd. production since Radioland Murders (1994) not to be associated with the Indiana Jones or Star Wars franchises.

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