Frome Festival

Nearly the time for the Frome Festival. It's full of artistic and musical delights so check out the above link if you are in the South of England or looking for something different. Frome's historic buildings are well worth a look - the Rook Lane chapel is having its 300th anniversary and is now an art gallery or so I have been told. The musical calendar features the Bad Detectives (14th Griffin Inn (a micro brewery)) and the UK Stiffs (13th) as well as the Stranglers. I saw a great music video the Bad Detectives made of their track B-movie Scientist - I think they should show it at their gig...

Planxty 'The Little Drummer'

As it's the anniversary today of the defeat in 1798 at Vinegar Hill it's a good excuse to put up some Irish music. I am not a folk fan much but I love Planxty - there's something in their approach that makes me love 'em. Give it a go - you might just like it. I've turned a good few people into PLanxty fans over the years...maybe you're next...? If you like it then you also must watch them playing 'A Blacksmith courted me' - wait for the uileean pipe solo at the end - brilliant... more on the song and lyrics here

Polysics at the Croft 'Best gig ever'

Last night was an outing to the Croft in Bristol to see my eldest daughter's favourite band the Polysics. They hail from Tokyo Japan and last time in Bristol she was away so she was very keen to enjoy it this time. She got herself up a replica red jumpsuit as worn by the band and fought her way to the front. Her devotion to the band was rewarded when the singer/guitarist during a particularly manic solo handed her the pick and let her do some twanging. Talk about thrilled. 'Best gig ever' she declared - it was certainly brilliant and energetic. I got drenched in sweat and loved it like the old days of punk. Why aren't they bigger in this country? Anyway if you get the chance I recommend you check them out, but beware - it's a lively and manic set! Photo by Susan

Metal Urbain

MU made some great innovative records in the late 70s but were largely ignored by the English music press as they were French. They were ahead of their time methinks - check this clip out. I never found out anything about what they were singing about but it sounded good anyway - I hear the odd word like anarchy and subversion popping up so that'll do me - I wish I could see them live - their Mypace linked above has some of their new recordings which I think are produced by Jello Biafra and their tour dates - unfortunately Dublin is as near as they get to the UK - do they have something against us? Official 76-78 site.

Zvezda Janissaries reviewed

Ferrets and trouser legs

Susan has insisted I post this apology to her on the subject of ferrets and trouser legs. I have long mocked her for her taping her flares in order to prevent incursions by ferrets - telling her that it was a myth that these lovable creatures dart up these confined spaces. Well it happened. They were straight drainpipe trousers too - one of the nursing female mothers, Barbarella. probably the last ferret you would want in yer kecks, especially while hormonal, dashed up there and sank her teeth into the flesh on the way up. She only got as far as the knee and then arched her back to take up the slack, making it difficult to remove her. So it isn't a myth and I'm sorry I mocked Susan's precautions. I am also sorry I didn't have a camcorder on me at the time too.

Throw it on me

If you've been wondering what became of Swedish rock and rollers the Hives they are about to be blasted around the world with this collaboration with Timbaland.

It came from Detroit Teaser trailer

Definitely one of the best live bands I have seen in recent years the Dirtbombs rock out 'I can't stop thinking about it'.

Zvezda Russian Infantry of Peter the Great

I wonder what my Russian friend thinks of these? I like them - these and their Swedish infantry are the best 18thc figures in 1/72.

Von Sundenfed

Impressive collaboration between MES and German duo Mouse on Mars. Check out their Myspace and see if you like it too. The Observer magazine sums it up 'In the aftermath of John Peel's death, Mark E Smith has found himself installed as de facto spiritual leader - a kind of Salfordian Dalai Lama - of those left bereft by the passing of his most eminent establishment patron.' (Ben Thompson) - I always thought of the Fall like that anyway. I really like this album - it's actually quite catchy and also humourous in places. Recommended.

Samurai Reenactment footage from 2007

The Battle Of Kawanakajima - really impressive footage - well worth a look - I can imagine this really taking off - some more links of other impressive samurai things on Youtube.

Alphaville (1965)

Probably the most underrated movie of all time this movie by Jean-Luc Godard depicts a future that is chillingly accurate - a classic

Napoleon the father

Talking about being proud - Napoleon (who had his first birthday recently) is the proud father of a litter of ferret babies - the first of many to come this summer - get in touch if you fancy owning a ferret. You know you want to...

The Konks

This Boston band are brilliant - check out this clip of garage rock and roll mayhem as the Strangeloves 'Night time' gets the treatment. Brilliant. Did I tell you this band does a cover of our 'I Never Worry'. I am so proud.

Animals and Men at Ant Pride Live

Last week we played our first gig in London for about 27 years - we went down a storm. It was quite an event with people saying they really felt the years drop away as we gave it to them old school style.

Almanza 1707 reenactment footage

Interesting film featuring a number of European groups coming together to celebrate the 300th anniversary of this battle.

Plan B mag issue 20 out

This is pretty exciting for us - our band Animals and Men get a mention and even a photo in this wonderful music and culture mag. All part of a feature on the Messthetics label. We even get a mention in the editorial! Buy it from Fopp or Smiths. In the US Barnes & Noble and FYE stores.

300 movie

I thought this was pretty lame - in fact I think the 1962 original 300 Spartans was actually more historically accurate. The villains in the current version look nothing like ancient Persians - more like Lord of the Rings Orks or possibly samurai - and Xerxes? Did he really look like an s&m gimp in a jock strap and facial piercings? I think not. Also they completely avoided the issue of Spartan sexuality - there is an off-handed remark about Athenians liking boys but if memory serves me correctly the cornerstone of this Spartan military society was the total relegation of women to vessels of breeding purposes only. As a film it was dull anyway - too many speeches, only one female character and a stagey look that didn't really give an indication of the epic nature of this battle. The above linked review pretty much sums it up in my opinion. Why was it so popular? It certainly has been a talked about movie - so full marks for getting ancient civilizations discussed in pubs - and full marks for a fleeting armoured rhino - the rest I wouldn't bother with. Wiki on Spartan pederasty

Gig in London

We're (Animals and Men) are playing in the capital May 10th. Should be great. Details here

Amazing Grace trailer

A film about the political machinations that led to the abolishing of the slave trade may not be an obvious box office hit but watch the trailer and see what you think.