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

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