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Tuesday, 1 June 2010
We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Going to Use it
Two things I learnt from seeing Fuzzbox last week:
(a) they are still a little bit rubbish
(b) I still fancy the little lesbian one (Although I wasn't sure she - or I - was in those days)
It was a really fun blast from the past. They seemed to much prefer - hurrah - singing their older punkier songs than the hits that made them famous International Rescue and Pink Sunshine.
Vix and Jo hadn't changed one bit but Maggie, bless her, looked like she was trying a bit too hard, and had stuck her finger in a plug socket.
We had a great night. and whilst I'm not convinced their comeback single - pop musik - is going to catapult them back into the spotlight. I would definitely see them again and would advice anyone else to do so.
(a) they are still a little bit rubbish
(b) I still fancy the little lesbian one (Although I wasn't sure she - or I - was in those days)
It was a really fun blast from the past. They seemed to much prefer - hurrah - singing their older punkier songs than the hits that made them famous International Rescue and Pink Sunshine.
Vix and Jo hadn't changed one bit but Maggie, bless her, looked like she was trying a bit too hard, and had stuck her finger in a plug socket.
We had a great night. and whilst I'm not convinced their comeback single - pop musik - is going to catapult them back into the spotlight. I would definitely see them again and would advice anyone else to do so.
Monday, 26 April 2010
The only time I enjoy bouncy young men!
Last week I went to see the nice young boys - the f**k buttons. I have seen them a few times before but was a little worried about the fact that they were playing Koko. Had they got to big for their boots, would they still be enjoying themselves and bouncing up and down?
The good news it they were good, and they were bouncy. I thought they were the best ever actually, but maybe happy hour wine previously helped!
Later in the week I went to see some weirdness at the Roundhouse. it featured a tattooed woman, giving a talk about zombies, a contortionist and a vague attempt to saw someone in half. It was bizarre, probably quite crap really, but intriguing!
The good news it they were good, and they were bouncy. I thought they were the best ever actually, but maybe happy hour wine previously helped!
Later in the week I went to see some weirdness at the Roundhouse. it featured a tattooed woman, giving a talk about zombies, a contortionist and a vague attempt to saw someone in half. It was bizarre, probably quite crap really, but intriguing!
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Pirates is certainly back
I went to the wonderfully shabby chic Wilton Hall last week to see the all male version of Pirates of Penzance. Having never seen anything by Gilbert and Sullivan before I had no idea what to expect, especially as men played all the female characters.
I have to say it was amazing. The venue was small and the action took place everywhere without the aid of microphones. I have never heard a man with a falsetto like that of the leading lady. I was totally wowed. It was funny and touching, and there was never a dull moment.
We went home singing and then listened to it all again on Spotify!
I have to say it was amazing. The venue was small and the action took place everywhere without the aid of microphones. I have never heard a man with a falsetto like that of the leading lady. I was totally wowed. It was funny and touching, and there was never a dull moment.
We went home singing and then listened to it all again on Spotify!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Debbie Harry gorgeous
A bit of buggery on a Sunday afternoon is not everyone's cup of tea but I went to see the exceptionally well executed play "Rip her to Shreds" at the Old Red Lion Theatre last week (http://www.icarustheatre.co.uk/shows/rip.html)
In the first few minutes - there weren't many people there, and the initial acting was a little shaky - I was a bit worried but once it settled down it was funny, sad and endearing all at the same time. It was a bit over the top in places but all in all I really enjoyed it and the brilliant support roles played by the mother, father and brother helped. It was made all the better by having a lovely meal in Cubre Libre afterwards and a full and frank discussion on the practicalities of the sex scene!
In the first few minutes - there weren't many people there, and the initial acting was a little shaky - I was a bit worried but once it settled down it was funny, sad and endearing all at the same time. It was a bit over the top in places but all in all I really enjoyed it and the brilliant support roles played by the mother, father and brother helped. It was made all the better by having a lovely meal in Cubre Libre afterwards and a full and frank discussion on the practicalities of the sex scene!
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Cultural girl about town
I've been pottering about like a little pottery thing lately and have been enjoying multiple visits to galleries, films and a random one day course on the Green Man. It must be Spring!
I went to see Alice in Wonderland, and it was all right. I think my expectations were so low by the time I went to see it that I took it all quite well. I wasn't very impressed with Alice, she seemed to suck all the joy out the film. Johnny Depp to seemed to be struggling. As for the White Queens eyebrows, well there is no need for that! She looked equally as unpleasant as the Red Queen, who I did like. Most of my love in this film goes to the animals, I liked the cat, the dog and the frogs! Don't bother though, really.
I then went to see a Guy Maddin double bill: Careful and the Saddest Music in the World, mental and marvellous are the only words I can find to describe these. Incest in the Alps and beer bathing singing contests are some more. Go and see them. I want to see My Winnipeg now.
Finally at the weekend I went to the Simon Anand exhibition at the V&A of photos taken before actors go on stage. It was wonderful and full of famous faces having a fag, putting on lippy, looking whimsical in grease paint. This was followed by Henry Moore at the Tate Britain. Who would've thought he was such a good artist. His war and mining pictures were amazing. It was really good to see a lot of his earlier and more random work. Shame you couldn't touch them though. I gave the one outside the Tate a big hug afterwards.
I went to see Alice in Wonderland, and it was all right. I think my expectations were so low by the time I went to see it that I took it all quite well. I wasn't very impressed with Alice, she seemed to suck all the joy out the film. Johnny Depp to seemed to be struggling. As for the White Queens eyebrows, well there is no need for that! She looked equally as unpleasant as the Red Queen, who I did like. Most of my love in this film goes to the animals, I liked the cat, the dog and the frogs! Don't bother though, really.
I then went to see a Guy Maddin double bill: Careful and the Saddest Music in the World, mental and marvellous are the only words I can find to describe these. Incest in the Alps and beer bathing singing contests are some more. Go and see them. I want to see My Winnipeg now.
Finally at the weekend I went to the Simon Anand exhibition at the V&A of photos taken before actors go on stage. It was wonderful and full of famous faces having a fag, putting on lippy, looking whimsical in grease paint. This was followed by Henry Moore at the Tate Britain. Who would've thought he was such a good artist. His war and mining pictures were amazing. It was really good to see a lot of his earlier and more random work. Shame you couldn't touch them though. I gave the one outside the Tate a big hug afterwards.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Curiouser and curiouser
No its not the supposedly rubbish Alice in Wonderland! I went to the Old Red Lion to see a play called Alice's Adventures in the New World.
It had a brilliant summary on the promo info which made it essential viewing in my book:
It is 1882. You are a seventeen year-old girl and you have just discovered your deceased mother is still alive and living in America. You set off to find her and meet:
a) an artist with an opium addiction
b) a depressed Socialist preaching free love
c) a hypochondriac debutante
d) a cattle rustler whose four husbands have all mysteriously disappeared
e) Oscar Wilde
f) your mother or
g) all of the above.
If you get a chance you should really go and see it. With an all female, corset wearing cast - the male characters were distinguished by a paper moustache - its very clever and even breaks into a song and a little dance every now and again.
We were left a bit deflated by the ending but the journey itself was superbly acted, funny and touching.
It had a brilliant summary on the promo info which made it essential viewing in my book:
It is 1882. You are a seventeen year-old girl and you have just discovered your deceased mother is still alive and living in America. You set off to find her and meet:
a) an artist with an opium addiction
b) a depressed Socialist preaching free love
c) a hypochondriac debutante
d) a cattle rustler whose four husbands have all mysteriously disappeared
e) Oscar Wilde
f) your mother or
g) all of the above.
If you get a chance you should really go and see it. With an all female, corset wearing cast - the male characters were distinguished by a paper moustache - its very clever and even breaks into a song and a little dance every now and again.
We were left a bit deflated by the ending but the journey itself was superbly acted, funny and touching.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
My life in three acts
I went to see the rather marvellous life story of Bette Bourne the other day at the Soho theatre. It was a moving and amusing slice of living history that is usually hidden in the LGBT world.
Although it was slightly scripted - a re-enactment of a conversation between Bette and Mark Ravenhill - it was still pretty amazing.
I could have listened to Bette talk for hours. It made me wonder why we never get to hear from the older LGBT crowd. If you listen to Bette's story it make's you realise that many of his peers probably never made it that far.
I think we should listen more to wonderful people like Bette and learn from the tales they have to tell.
Lesson number 1: If someone picks you up in Soho, takes you back to their flat, and tells you they are not queer, they are probably lying. As Bette said, 'turned out he was very queer indeed!' LOL
Although it was slightly scripted - a re-enactment of a conversation between Bette and Mark Ravenhill - it was still pretty amazing.
I could have listened to Bette talk for hours. It made me wonder why we never get to hear from the older LGBT crowd. If you listen to Bette's story it make's you realise that many of his peers probably never made it that far.
I think we should listen more to wonderful people like Bette and learn from the tales they have to tell.
Lesson number 1: If someone picks you up in Soho, takes you back to their flat, and tells you they are not queer, they are probably lying. As Bette said, 'turned out he was very queer indeed!' LOL
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Middle aged minge but still hot!
How rude! I saw the lovely and liberated Ursula Martinez last night. She did a show at the Barbican, telling short stories from her life, and then recounting emails she recieved after a copy of her Hanky Panky magic show appeared on the internet a few years ago.
For those who haven't seen it, this is the clip she showed us
The emails she read out were hilarious and accompanied by photos of sad looking middle-aged American men, nudists who wanted to use her as a poster girl to champion their cause, or those who just wanted to do something else to her.
I enjoyed both halves of the show but I really could have just listened to her telling the snippets of stories from her life all night, especially as she is from the same 'manor' as me.
Oh, and she did get naked at the end!
For those who haven't seen it, this is the clip she showed us
The emails she read out were hilarious and accompanied by photos of sad looking middle-aged American men, nudists who wanted to use her as a poster girl to champion their cause, or those who just wanted to do something else to her.
I enjoyed both halves of the show but I really could have just listened to her telling the snippets of stories from her life all night, especially as she is from the same 'manor' as me.
Oh, and she did get naked at the end!
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Wotever Winter Ball
The music was great cheesy 80s, the dance card with the slow dance power ballads was inspired and the table of cupcakes had to be seen - and tasted to be believed.
There was a prom photographer, a kissing booth and at midnight we got two rather saucy bedtime stories from writers Shaun Levin and Helen Sandler.Thursday, 21 January 2010
Modest me, no immodest!
Last night I went to the premiere of Burlesque Undressed, with a promised appearance by Immodesty Blaize. Although this event had her stamp all over it, the appearance was more the fact that she was sat in the audience.
The film was really interesting. With the history and interviews with burlesques' golden girls being a highlight. It was filmed at events that I have actually seen so in one respect it didn't hold anything new, but it was good to see close ups of the acts, and the audience - in which a friend of mine features.
The camera work was a bit low budget and all over the place occasionally, and my advice to Immodesty would be not to go into acting! Sometimes speaking ruins the mystique. She is stunning though, and its a stunningly colourful film. Oh and as always, Dirty Martini you rock!
The film was really interesting. With the history and interviews with burlesques' golden girls being a highlight. It was filmed at events that I have actually seen so in one respect it didn't hold anything new, but it was good to see close ups of the acts, and the audience - in which a friend of mine features.
The camera work was a bit low budget and all over the place occasionally, and my advice to Immodesty would be not to go into acting! Sometimes speaking ruins the mystique. She is stunning though, and its a stunningly colourful film. Oh and as always, Dirty Martini you rock!
100 club, 100s of people
I went to the beacon of Oxford Street, the 100 club last week to see Macavitys Cat and the Men They Couldn't Hang. It was a packed night and lots of exuberant bouncing ensued. I had a slight sense of humour failure when a drunken bouncer managed to simultaneously knock my drink and step on my feet repeatedly. After managing to shimmy away my mood improved, although perhaps it didn’t for those who were now standing around her.
Macavitys cat have been around in various guises over the years. They are lots of fun, and it increases proportionally to the amount of them on the stage. They seemed a little unhappy in there early time slot, and referred to it frequently in a good natured way!
When the Men they couldn't hang came on, serious politically rousing tunes commenced, well for a while anyway. It turned into a moshing, throng of beered up bodies, and we all went home happy.
Macavitys cat have been around in various guises over the years. They are lots of fun, and it increases proportionally to the amount of them on the stage. They seemed a little unhappy in there early time slot, and referred to it frequently in a good natured way!
When the Men they couldn't hang came on, serious politically rousing tunes commenced, well for a while anyway. It turned into a moshing, throng of beered up bodies, and we all went home happy.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Turner, a bit of a copycat
I went to the Tate Britain at the weekend to see the Turner exhibition and I have come to the conclusion he was a bit of a sod.
He used to find artists he liked, and copy their work, attempting to make it bigger or better. He also used to find out what people were due to exhibit and then paint the same subject, he made final touches to works, and even turned up to exhibitions with a blank canvas, that he filled when he had looked what everyone else was doing.
I admire that kind of steely determination, however, the exhibition made me realise that in 9 out of 10 cases I preferred the original, and that's why this exhibition was so good. A must see for compare and contrast purposes.
He used to find artists he liked, and copy their work, attempting to make it bigger or better. He also used to find out what people were due to exhibit and then paint the same subject, he made final touches to works, and even turned up to exhibitions with a blank canvas, that he filled when he had looked what everyone else was doing.
I admire that kind of steely determination, however, the exhibition made me realise that in 9 out of 10 cases I preferred the original, and that's why this exhibition was so good. A must see for compare and contrast purposes.
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Smile for the camera
I went to see the very interesting Points of View exhibition at the British Library the other day as an antidote to Christmas.
Its my first visit to the library, and I really liked the space. The exhibition was interesting, and engaging, although I did hit exhibition saturation point about 5 mins before the end.
My favourite bits were the tales of set up pictures, depicting supposed far away lands and people. And, the thought that as people were travelling more, the advent of photography must have stunned and amazed everyone. Seeing their first hippo or foreign land.
Definitely worth a visit.
Its my first visit to the library, and I really liked the space. The exhibition was interesting, and engaging, although I did hit exhibition saturation point about 5 mins before the end.
My favourite bits were the tales of set up pictures, depicting supposed far away lands and people. And, the thought that as people were travelling more, the advent of photography must have stunned and amazed everyone. Seeing their first hippo or foreign land.
Definitely worth a visit.
Its not Christmas unless you have seen the Pogues
We ventured out from our usual Brixton gig this year and went to see the Pogues in Sheffield.
A much smaller venue, it was good - but slightly more in range of the beer-soaking mosh-pit - to be more in the fray, and to see the band better. Not that you could see Shane, the only singer in history to demand darkness around him. Not a spotlight in site.
They were however the best I have ever seen them, seemingly getting on, exchanging some banter, and staying in time, and in tune. All in all a great night out, and I only got covered in beer once!
A much smaller venue, it was good - but slightly more in range of the beer-soaking mosh-pit - to be more in the fray, and to see the band better. Not that you could see Shane, the only singer in history to demand darkness around him. Not a spotlight in site.
They were however the best I have ever seen them, seemingly getting on, exchanging some banter, and staying in time, and in tune. All in all a great night out, and I only got covered in beer once!
Thursday, 10 December 2009
ATP: the eventful year
I always look forward to All Tomorrow's Parties and this year was no exception. However, there were a few things set to try us: we were ill, I drove my car into a wall, I was burgled. These events will probably make it one of the most memorable years, but really, it should be remembered by the music.
Here are the bands I saw:
Friday
Here are the bands I saw:
Friday
- De La Soul - Used to love them when I was younger but on the day I hadn't had enough to drink yet
- Primal Scream - Not as good as I thought they would be. Bit serious musio rather than fun 'god is this Primal Scream as well!'
- Josh T Pearson - I like him, a bit Nick Cave/Seasick Steve
- Buzzcocks - Fantabulous jumping around music
- Television Personalities - Good fun, another blast from the past, featuring the violinist from Le Volume Courbe
Saturday
- The Tyde - Looked like a seventies porn star, very happy chappy
- Sun Ra Arkestra - I recognise they are fab but not for me
- The Horrors - Have had a makeover since we last saw them. Not so much black and leather, pretty good.
- J Mascus and the Fog - Far to serious musio project by Dinosaur Jr blokey
- Spectrum - I came, I saw, I can't remember!
- Fucked up - Jolly Canadian Punk
- Le Volume Courbe - I really liked these, French with cute violinist
- That Petrol Emotion - Back to the old school, much better than I thought they would be, and so loving it.
- Lightening Bolt - The highlight, WOW really
- Ariel Pink - We had about a 30 min discussion on whether the lead singer was a boy or a girl. Also a strange man turned up in a raincoat who turned out to be the lead singer from the Lily's
Sunday
- Lily's - His camp chirpy pop amused me for a while but then he began to get on my wick
- Th' Faith Healers - Quite grew on us after a while.
- Dirty Three - fabulous druggie violins
- Swervedriver - a little disappointing
- Bob Mould - bless! Dull, dull, dull
- My Bloody Valentine - Good music but couldn't hear the vocals
- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Good fun, we didn't stay for it all though because it was a fight between them or the Dirty Three, and the Dirty Three one
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Alphonse Mucha
Whilst swilling gluhwein at the Christmas markets of Munich I took time out to go and see the retrospective exhibition of Mucha's work which was pretty amazing.
Mucha is a world-renowned Art Nouveau figure head. He was famous for his poster designs, particularly of Sarah Bernhardt, book illustrations and jewellery creations. What I didn't expect to see though was a very occult/religious driven, spooky body of work which was also exhibited. It was beautifully executed, using pastels and chalk and all in all this was a pretty special exhibition.
Mucha is a world-renowned Art Nouveau figure head. He was famous for his poster designs, particularly of Sarah Bernhardt, book illustrations and jewellery creations. What I didn't expect to see though was a very occult/religious driven, spooky body of work which was also exhibited. It was beautifully executed, using pastels and chalk and all in all this was a pretty special exhibition.
Wham Glam Jam
Staying local the other night I went to see the lovely Lady Imelda and her erstwhile glamorous assistant at the Piano Bar at 286.
Having not been there for a while I had a fab, and very late night out. Enhanced by watching Jedward being kicked out of the xfactor first over a few drinks.
They are both terrific singers, and the members of the audience who got up and sang where also very good.
Roast potatoes at half time (be that about 11.30) reminded me of pubs of time gone by and did help to mop up the alcohol. All in all a very glam jam indeed.
Having not been there for a while I had a fab, and very late night out. Enhanced by watching Jedward being kicked out of the xfactor first over a few drinks.
They are both terrific singers, and the members of the audience who got up and sang where also very good.
Roast potatoes at half time (be that about 11.30) reminded me of pubs of time gone by and did help to mop up the alcohol. All in all a very glam jam indeed.
Wacky Le Clique
We all had a fun night out to Le Clique at the Roundhouse the other day culminating in lots of drunken hilarity and that was just the performers!
My favourite acts were The Wau Wau Sisters - acrobats with a rock twist and Ursula Martinez - hailing from Spain via Croydon.
Some of the more bizarre acts included a Queen obsessed juggler, a purposely rubbish Swedish magician and Meow Meow, who got 4 unsuspecting guys from the audience to try and shape her arms and legs into a swastika (why I have no idea).
My favourite acts were The Wau Wau Sisters - acrobats with a rock twist and Ursula Martinez - hailing from Spain via Croydon.
Some of the more bizarre acts included a Queen obsessed juggler, a purposely rubbish Swedish magician and Meow Meow, who got 4 unsuspecting guys from the audience to try and shape her arms and legs into a swastika (why I have no idea).
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Atheist's Guide to Christmas
I went to the very packed launch of this book at Foyle's the other day. I was intrigued by the selection of guests: David Baddiel, A C Grayling, Richard Dawkins and Derren Brown.
As I wedged myself into a chair hanging on the end of a row the whiff of B.O. in the air was vaguely reminiscent of the socialist conference I went to in the Summer. As people asked ridiculous questions, this feeling intensified. However, as I found at the socialist conference, any excuse to feel like my brain isn't leaking out of my ears, and I enjoyed it.
I found A C Grayling very interesting and Derren Brown was a bit of a revelation. Having previously thought he was a bit of a tit, I was surprised to find a slightly awkward, intelligent, endearing guy. I am now intrigued by the Croydon boy. It may not be enough for me to watch his programmes, but I may check out his new book.
As I wedged myself into a chair hanging on the end of a row the whiff of B.O. in the air was vaguely reminiscent of the socialist conference I went to in the Summer. As people asked ridiculous questions, this feeling intensified. However, as I found at the socialist conference, any excuse to feel like my brain isn't leaking out of my ears, and I enjoyed it.
I found A C Grayling very interesting and Derren Brown was a bit of a revelation. Having previously thought he was a bit of a tit, I was surprised to find a slightly awkward, intelligent, endearing guy. I am now intrigued by the Croydon boy. It may not be enough for me to watch his programmes, but I may check out his new book.
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