Movie Doppelganger

You know the phenomenon - you wait all year for a movie about something and then two come along. This is a list of movies on the same subject that came out at roughly the same time - whether for commercial, coincidental or commemorative purposes like the Columbus movies. If you are of a certain age this could be called the Antz/Bugs Life effect. Confusing.

Don't Misbehave in the New Age mp3

I am sure you're all getting excited about coming to our do on the 23rd, so play this to get you in the mood. If you haven't got an invite email me and you can have one. I was reading a thing in the Sunday Times (which we don't buy I hasten to add) and it is the guide to throwing a very 2006 party and one thing to do is get some trashy bands. Well we got that right. Susan and I met in 78, for the record, outside the Granary in Bristol. Kev Saunders introduced us and though we both lived in Frome didn't know each other. The Ants were supporting Wire but the gig was cancelled. So, after chatting to Bristol's then rising rock star Johnny Britten who talked about dating one of Paul Maccartney's daughters, we went for a drink over the road to the Old Duke pub. The rest, as they say, is history. Or, to quote Girls Aloud, Biology.

Cock and Bull Story

Have you ever seen yourself parodied on screen? Well according to my kids I have, in this comedy about the making of an 18thc history picture based on Tristram Shandy (a few Barry Lyndon references in there) starring Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden. The character in question is played Mark Williams of the Fast Show and is a nerdy historical reenactor-cum-expert who is present when they are shooting the battle scenes of Namur 1695. 'They're cheap' someone says, 'We would have done this for free we love this period so much' he says - my lot said I winced. There's a fantastic model of Namur citadel in his garden too. You'll have to see the movie. I think he's nothing like me, but I take on board I used to be a bit like that. The film itself is very funny. KInd of like 'Extras' but a movie version with lots of the usual backstage bitchiness you can expect for a film about the making of a film.

I recommend you rent this very witty movie or buy it if only to see the second film to lampoon 18thc reenactors - the first being Alan Alda's 'Sweet Liberty'.

Napoleon the ferret

Did you know that if you do a Blog search for Napoleon the ferret you get some other ferret - an American one - so I think it's time to give him a bit more exposure. As you can see he's a little on the chubby side but he does get plenty of exercise - he just has a healthy appetite.
I've managed to prevent him getting the nickname Nappy but he is occasionally known as Mr Chuckles because of the happy noises he makes while he scurries about. Maybe I ought to record it and put out a cd - bet the other Napoleon hasn't had that.

The Cramps 'Primitive'

Live version of the Groupies classic from this summer's visit. You get a view from the moving audience. We do a version of this song - it's a classic from 66... 'Because I love...and I live...Primitive'. The Groupies were all extremely young and when they were signed to Atlantic -got on a wrong plane finished up on the wrong coast and got dumped by the label. The 1960s NY Garage band scene

Germany preserves bunker with history running back to World War One

Worker's Songs from the Somerset coalfield

This is a musical posting really. I think. Issue 3 of the Radstock Museum Journal has some wonderful songs that were sung during strikes and so on during the late 19th century. They are stirring stuff and as some are written by G. Mitchard, Somerset Miner's Association official, so I am bound to be interested. Anyway I'd like to see some of these songs redone - - in a new way. There's about 7 in the article by Tom Randall - if you think it might be fun get in touch. To give you a taster of what is a typical song this is the last verse of 'Who Will Help Them'
The kind-hearted colliers of the North of Old England
Have offered to help them and set them free,
From their tyrant oppressors who have long been supreme,
And those Radstock colliers will never give in,
There's no end of danger they're in down below,
Doing their best to bring us good coal,
Yet still in this danger, they're sorely oppressed,
By those who employ them for wages so low

Strong stuff...

Somerset mining memories

If you are local or looking for a gift for a relative this might fit the bill. It's a high quality documentary by Tim Bateman on the Somerset coalfields told through archive photos but most notably by interviews with old miners. The stories are both sad and funny and much ground is covered - from the miners brought into the coalfields from the Northeast, from Italy and Poland as well as dealing with subjects like accidents, early history, comradeship and so on. A visual treat for anyone interested in the area. Available from Radstock Museum, which is having a Christmas fair on the 2nd December.

Badly Drawn Boy video

I'm not normally a BDB fan - I don't really like pianos and I like my music exhuberant but this has grown on me - it has a melancholy charm and seems very English and for that reason you might - if you are dropping by from somewhere else -learn something from this video. Not sure what though...the chorus is worth waiting the long wait for but you might be ready to give up before then but hang on...it's worth waiting for.

Conan the Historian

This history blog is excellent - check it out for some really stimulating stories from around the world.

Flyboys trailer

This has been getting mixed reviews - here's a favourable one. I quite enjoyed it - it was a superior Hollywood treatment all in all - I was pleasantly surprised in a way - obviously aimed at a young audience I would be happy to recommend it to someone who wasn't a World War One nut. Not that I know anyone...

The Black Mountains quartet

Of course with all these books coming out about Radstock and the Great War you might think that this would be a good area and era for a novel - well luckily there have been four - starting with the Black Mountains (a reference to the spoil heaps of coal which dominate the landscape). Local authoress Janet begins the saga of 'Hillsbridge' a mining town in Somerset and follows the family's fortunes through the generations until 1955.
Janet Tanner has also a fiction work 'Tucker's Inn' loosely based on the pub Tucker's Grave. Interestingly this must-visit cider house was also the subject of a song on the last Stranglers album. Funnily enough Hugh Cornwell was out there once when I was there. Small world.

Bow wow wow 'Do you Wanna Hold Me'

It's been weeks since I put a Bow Wow Wow video up and what with the Marie-Antoinette film out I think it's time they had a revival. All we need is 'Sun Sea And Piracy' to be on a commercial and away we go.

Frome's Fallen Heroes of the Great War

I just received this book by David L Adams and can recommend it wholeheartedly. It tells the tale of the 450 or so men killed from this small industrial market town in North Somerset during the First World War. I found it particularly interesting as many of the surnames were familiar having grown up in Frome and the addresses also give a picture of the town as it was, and their occupations show the area and its neighbouring little different from the days of my youth. A cross section of a national tragedy. Available from local museums and an ideal, though sombre Festive gift for someone who lives in the town as it reinforces how short life can be for the brave.

Death of Blackbeard

Today is the day when Bristol's own legendary pirate met his grisly death. Now he has his own festival

and tv series, which I didn't get to see.

Ben Affleck hits with Superman tale

Return to form for Affleck as he plays George Reeves the man who was Superman.

King Biscuit Time

Pass the Biscuits! As the tag went. This was broadcast or the first time today in 1941, and made a legend of Sonny Boy Williamson. This was an influential programme introducing a new blues sound across the south. Watch Sonny Boy playing Keep it To Yourself here

The realm of the hungry ghosts

Sue went with a neighbour to a buddhist meditation evening - when they talked of the realm of the hungry ghosts she thought of Pacman!

Marco interview

Talks about music, punk, and of course A Ant. Damaged goods
Wolfmen single out today

Battle of Narva

Epic battle fought in blizzards this day in 1700 in present day Estonia. The Russians lost. It's also the day when Plastic Soldier review posts their comments on Zvezda Swedish infantry. They reckon they're more 1706-21. I still rate them as the best plastic 18thc figures so far.

See Great Northern Wars reenactors here

Figures here