Inside information

Stephen Gardner's new project, EU Insider, has gone live. Follow the story at: www.eu-insider.com.

Witness this

Spent Saturday evening at the Brussels Rhythm'n'Blues Club's fundraiser for three villages in India affected by the tsunami. Held at the BRBC's regular haunt, Le Sounds in Ixelles, highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the set by The Witness, a tight five piece 60s R&B combo, fronted by the magnetic Thong. Dubbed 'the Vietnamese wild man of rock', he certainly has a brooding stage presence, like a Hanoi Iggy Pop fronting The Troggs. Worth the entry fee, whatever the occasion.

Two more to bookmark

www.euro-reporters.com
David Ferguson's new site dedicated to news from central and eastern Europe.

http://apostatewindbag.blogspot.com
Victor S calls Hitchens a twat.

Link or you'll miss it

Some fruits of recent surfing:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1391951,00.html
An illuminating article about HSS, the technology which is making predicting hit records a science, rather than an art. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/12/20/16164.shtml
Create your own remix of the Dr. Who theme tune with the Radiophon-a-tron, a cool tribute to electronic music pioneers, The BBC Radiophonic Workshop.

Welcome to Room 102

The Hotel Cittadella in the town of Cittadella (Veneto, Italy) is one of the most curious places I have spent a night. At first glance, the hotel (in which I stayed yesterday on a business trip) is a fairly standard 3-4 star establishment, with most of the mod cons you would expect and a good breakfast to boot. What sets it apart is the surreal decor. Imagine walking into the lobby and passing a dressmaker's dummy wearing a ballgown on one side and a gas fire located at head height on the other. While you wait to check in you might like to sit on the off white rococo banquette or perhaps rest your feet on a monochrome leather foot stool. Once you have your tasseled key (or key card - some rooms use one technology, some the other) and made your way down a corridor painted with fruit trees in pastel shades, eerily reminiscent of a psychiatric ward at the hospital where I once worked, you can finally rest your weary bones, perhaps glancing up at one of the oddly positioned skylights (20 feet above you) if you are on the top floor.
The piece de resistance though, has to be the bar. The size of a small dentist's waiting room, this area, which appeared to be self-service, as we never saw a bartender, has a number of memorable features. The combination of animal print carpet on the top half of the walls and one door (black and white, although I pause to call it zebra print, as I've never seen a zebra with markings like it), accompanied by a silver curtain and another door of green glass, is bizarre enough. But when that decor sits alongside wood panelling (the bottom half of the walls), clear glass tables and metallic chairs and a series of classic Coca-Cola adverts more suited to a 1950s diner (as well as a colourised photo of an unknown Hollywood starlet), you have to start to fear for the sanity of the decorators. Either that or bow down before their genius. Sit back and enjoy a Splügen beer (an Italian lager with a German name, natch) and drink it all in. And only when you leave do you realise that you have been sitting in Room 102: the bar is in a converted bedroom, although one so small that you can barely imagine a cot fitting comfortably in there, let alone a bed for a paying guest. Truly remarkable.

More from the alt. radio vaults

The saga continues...

This tape was recorded in July/August 1992 and comprises tracks featured on The John Peel Show, Mark Radcliffe's Out on Blue Six and Pete Tong's Essential Selection.

Side 1

1. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – Hypocrisy is the greatest luxury
2. Babes in Toyland – Right now
3. DC Basehead – Brand new day
4. Ultraviolence – Die alone screaming
5. Sonic Youth – Stalker
6. Robert Wyatt – Yesterday Man
7. Fire Engines – (We don’t need this) fascist groove thang
8. Glenn Rix – Baby, I’m for real
9. Original Rockers – Push push
10. Steve Peregrine-Took – Strange sister
11. John’s Children – Smashed, blocked
12. Polyphemus – The chamber of Wednesdays

Side 2

1. Sister Love – The Hypnotist
2. Joey Beltram – Track 37
3. Elements of trance – A taste of your own medicine
4. Heavens to Betsy – I want you dead
5. Dance II Trance – Hello San Francisco
6. Cutty Ranks and Cocoa Tea – Gang war
7. Polaris – Annihilator
8. The God Machine – pictures of a bleeding boy
9. The 13th Floor Elevators – Fire engine
10. Alison Limerick – Where love lives (Morales/Knuckles mix).

Notes:
Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy were popular with white liberals like me, but never really won the hearts of the black hip-hop audience. Frontman Michael Franti is now heading up Spearhead.
I remember nothing about DC Basehead other than that they were a hip-hop act from Washington DC, but a quick search on Google reveals that the 'Play with Toys' album from which this track was taken, was voted the 10th best of 1992 by the Village Voice.
Ultraviolence come from Nottingham and are still making noisy electronica for local stalwarts, Earache. Check out www.teamuvr.com for more details.
The Robert Wyatt track is fantastic. It was his follow-up (three years later) to the 1974 hit version of 'I'm a believer'.
Fire Engines' cover of 'Fascist groove thang' pisses all over Heaven 17's original. Pity too few people were listening to what they had to say ("Reagan is President elect, fascist land advancing, generals tell him what to do, stop your good time dancing.")
I really miss the Glenn Rix and Original Rockers tracks. The former is a sublime piece of roots reggae from sometime in the mid-70s. Highly obscure. The latter dates from the short-lived 'Ambient Dub craze' and is a great cover of the roots track first recorded (I think) by Black Uhuru.
Yes, that's the same Steve Peregrine-Took who played the bongos in Tyrannosaurus Rex. Strange sister is a lovely piece of psych folk.
John's Children also have a Marc Bolan connection, being his first band (although 'Smashed, blocked' was recorded before he joined). This track is my favourite from the freakbeat (mod turning hippy) era (1966/67).
Polyphemus were a Californian psychedelic outfit of the early 90s. Here's a brief history: http://www.beggars.com/banquet/index.htm?../artists/catalogue/polyphemus/index.htm&0

As I recall, the Sister Love track was a post-rave chillout piece with samples from a new age self-help tape. Very early 90s.
As was Joey Beltram. Not sure what Track 37 sounds like, but doubtless not a patch on the awesome 'Energy Flash'.
Elements of Trance and Dance II Trance: Now, who can guess what the latest club sound was called? I once made the mistake of buying a Sven Vath tape. What a mistake!
Heavens to Betsy were a female indie rock duo, part of the Riot Grrrl scene. Hey, there's a website dedicated to them at this url: http://www.nodeadtrees.com/ezines/geekgirl/h2b/
The Cutty Ranks/Cocoa Tea track had a catchy chorus and a fantastic dancehall vibe. Less than 12 months later this type of music would go mainstream. Unfortunately, it was Shabba and not Cutty Ranks who led the way.
I think the Polaris track was also something to do with Joey Beltram. A sinister piece of Hardcore techno.
The God Machine were an angsty indie trio hailing from San Diego. They recorded 4 EPs and two albums during their short existence (1990-1994). This track was taken from the Desert Song EP. For more history:
http://www.geocities.com/cdmunter/godmac2.html
The Alsion Limerick track was a sweet piece of Garage House. Where is she now?

The end of an institution

Video House International, a fixture of Brussels' anglophone community for the last 18 years, has closed down. The video shop, on Chaussee de Vleurgat in Ixelles commune, appears to be the victim of the success of the DVD format. In the video era, VHI was one of the few places in Brussels where English-speakers could rent movies in their own language, and customers were happy to pay a small premium for the privilege. Now that DVDs come in multi-language versions, you can go to any rental place and pick up the movie of your choice in English (or Danish, or whatever).
It will be interesting to see what becomes of the vacant lot. Odds are it will be turned into yet another sandwich bar or restaurant on a street already teeming with them. And chances are in 12-18 months that eaterie will be shutting its doors too, unable to establish itself in the face of intense competition. A better business proposition would be a walk-in backrub and smoothie bar for the many stressed office workers in the area. Well, you can but hope!

A walk in the park(st)

Here, available for public consumption for the first time, is an article I wrote during my first year in London (1999-2000), when, to get to know the city, I visited as many of its parks as I could manage (I got up to about 80, including all the parks in London Underground zones 1 and 2). This piece was originally titled 'Green Lungdon' (the memory of which inspired the lame pun for the heading of this entry), which perhaps explains why I never sold it (;-)

Parks peace
Spring has sprung, and what better way to enjoy it than a stroll in the evening sunshine? But when Hyde Park on a Sunday feels like Leicester Square on a Friday night, maybe it’s time to head off the beaten track? Justin Toland goes in search of some of London’s less-celebrated open spaces.

Falcon Park:
A real island of calm. Close to Clapham Junction and surrounded by railway lines, this little-known gem is hidden away down a cobbled side-street. Secluded enough to turn Mondeo Man into Man Friday. Well, almost.
Nearest station: Clapham Junction (BR)

Priory Park:
A pleasant municipal park in dull, semi-urban, Hornsey, Priory Park is not the first place you’d expect to find a budding Alain De Botton. But tucked away in a corner is the ‘philosophers’ garden’, a collection of picnic tables fenced off from the rest of the greenery. Here you can find perceptive comments on the human condition such as “Fuck You”, **** is a suckhood” and “Lady Tease + Shimmers woz ere.” Words that will ring through the ages, I’m sure.
Nearest station: Hornsey (BR)

Postman’s Park:
Halfway between St. Bart’s and St. Paul’s, this tiny enclave is of interest chiefly for a fascinating commemorative wall. Built at the turn of the last century, it celebrates the extraordinary feats of ordinary Victorians who gave their lives saving others. Chill on a bench and drink a toast.
Nearest station: St. Paul’s (tube)

Abney Park Cemetery:
Resting place of Salvation Army founder William Booth, Abney Park abjures the neat lines and uniform plots of your common-or-garden cemetery in favour of a life-affirming wildness – ramshackle, haphazard but free.
Nearest station: Stoke Newington (BR)

Vauxhall Park:
A bit of a curate’s egg and all the better for it – wrought iron trelliswork, miniature townhouses, winos and a bowling green so ill-kempt it could be the perfect venue for a Camper Van Beethoven gig.
Nearest station: Vauxhall (tube/BR)

Wormwood Scrubs:
Fly a kite or kick a ball and spare a thought for all those inside the notorious nick. It looks like three Tesco’s stores stuck together – 23 hours in a supermarket, enough to keep you on the straight and narrow?
Nearest station: East Acton (tube)

Maryon Park:
This natural amphitheatre is bound to bowl you over. Used as a location in Antonioni’s swinging London classic, Blow Up, it also affords some great views of the Thames Barrier. And on a good day you might catch site of an urban fox or two.
Nearest station: Charlton (BR)

Meanwhile Gardens:
At the foot of the Trellick Tower, admittedly this isn’t the most beautiful of spots. But close your eyes and the wonderfully poetic name, evocative of lazy summer’s days on the riverbank, takes hold of the imagination. Open them again and the Grand Union Canal becomes that Arcadian idyll…
Nearest station: Westbourne Park (tube)

Is a blogger a journo?

A highly pertinent question, as this NY Times article by Tom Zeller Jr. illustrates:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/11/technology/11apple.html

As a blogging journalist, I am happy to see the same legal rights extended to 'non-professional' bloggers as long as they are willing to be judged by the standards of professional media organisations. Bad writing, sloppy research and unsubstantiated gossip should be as unwelcome in the blogosphere as in the traditional media channels. Let us all aspire to the standards of the best, rather than drag the best down into the mire with the rest of us.

Waterstone's sacks blogger

Scores PR own goal: http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/weblogs/story/0,14024,1388466,00.html

Welcome back

Word on the street is that Grace Jones will have a new album out later this year, her first since 1989 (Bulletproof Heart). With Kate Bush also set to deliver her first new album in more than a decade, it looks like 2005 will see the welcome return of two of the most iconic and talented female pop stars of the last 30 years.

Pictionary with The Wurzels, anyone?

Singing for their supper isn't obligatory, but for the D-list celebrities who have signed up to a new UK booking agency with a difference it will probably earn them a little extra. Supper with the Stars ("Where food meets fame") is a new service that hires out once-renowned sports people and entertainers to be 'special guests' at private dinner parties. Prices start from as little as £300, with the top of the crop costing £5,000 to book. In addition to joining a party of up to eight people for dinner and conversation, some of the celebs WILL also sing and/or play party games. Founder Louisa Loney says she came up with the idea after going to a party and seeing how interested everyone was in talking to a former Eastenders (British soap opera) actor who was also present. To see the full roll call of 'stars', plus terms and conditions, go to: www.supperwiththestars.co.uk. Here's how the BBC reported the news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4117481.stm

Battle of the bands - the grand final

For those of you who were wondering what happened in the final of the 1997 Smirnoff Battle of the Bands in Nottingham (see post October 17, 2004), here's the answer:

Smirnoff Battle of the Bands - 1997 grand final @ Sam Fay's, Sunday November 2nd
So here they were then, the creme de la creme, the 3 bands who had battled their way to this showdown in search of fun (a recording session), fame (airplay on Trent FM) and fortune (GBP 500 cash).
If you saw issue 4 of The Pulse you'll know that Elfin are polished but don't shine, expensive effects attempting unsuccesfully to cloak a lack of inspiration. Tonight was the same story with, paradoxically, a better PA system making them seem even less compelling as it revealed their dull lyrics and cliched music more fully than in the semi-final. After a welcome break, Skatterbrain took to the stage and, like Elfin, they are obviously officianados of the Chilli Peppers, but with a much more rough 'n' ready approach. They brought a sizable following with them who responded gleefully to the singer's exhortations to dance. The vocalist himself led the leaping about and I couldn't help finding the whole set more of an aerobics session for gloomy adolescents than a musical experience. Garbled lyrics and some inept thrashing about (which at times sounded like the loading sequence for the ZX Spectrum) merely added to this impression. It was only on the closing number, Oasis' "Don't look back in anger" as an illegible blur, that Skatterbrain made a virtue out of their limitations, showing some wit in their trashing of/tribute to the sacred Gallagher cows. However, the fact that this was the only song in their set with an indentifiable melody doesn't say much for the composing skills of the band, which are what, after all, any group with aspirations to greatness gets judged by.
The final contenders were Harsh, a power trio who place themselves firmly in the 'mod pop' lineage (Small Faces, Weller, etc.). If this sometimes means they're a tad trad (dad), it also means that (unlike Skatterbrain) they put some thought into their songwriting. This paid dividends on the wistful "Distance" amongst other tracks, a number which revealed as well the quality of the frontman's singing.
Harsh have certainly improved since last year when they were semi-finalists in this competition. The same (unfortunately) cannot be said about the (undeserving) winners of 12 months ago, Dog Tomas, who played while the judges deliberated. From sounding like a second-rate Blur last year, they've now developed into a Radiohead rip-off. Ho-hum. But enough of this digression, let's cut to the chase. The verdict: 3rd place, Elfin; runner-up, Harsh; Skatterbrain the winners. The best unsigned band in the area? No chance! Maybe the trouble is that really good groups wouldn't dream of entering this kind of contest, it's too demeaning. If that's the case then next year, like tonight, it'll be music that's the loser.
(With thanks to Jon Duckworth. First published in the Nottingham Pulse December 1997/January 1998).

Internet Radio at its best

http://erika.net

New year, new vibration

Phamous 69 is a new London-based online magazine from the fashion director of Sleaze magazine. Launched in October, it aims to be, "A modern take on the original Playboy". The content, erotic photoshoots for men and women, as well as music, travel, food and other lifestyle pieces, is good, but what really stands out is the design. Phamous 69 is the first online publication I have seen that really competes with the glossy print magazines (Vogue et al) in terms of look and feel. Design studio ten4 has done a fantastic job, with little features such as the ability to click and drag the photos to turn to the next page (just like in a 'real' magazine) being particularly impressive. Of course, the feasilibilty of this venture is closely tied to the increasing number of broadband consumers - twelve months ago it would have been an impossible sell. It will be fascinating to see whether advertisers, usually wary of online, give Phamous 69 the backing it needs to survive and thrive. Certainly it has the potential to serve a similar taste-benchmarking role for hipsters in the second half of this decade as The Face and i-D did in the first half of the 80s. www.phamous69.com