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Frome goings on and the like.
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Issue No.4 June 2009
Free!
No Shrews
were harmed
in the making of
this magazine.
The beautifully dark images of
Martin WadeIndependent State
Benjamin Baker
It’s a Frome thing...
Plus! Win 2 tickets to Sunrise Off Grid Festival worth £75 each! page 19
Foreground presents
Page 2 The Furball
ABS
The Furball Page 3
Our Expenses.In the light of the current political scandal concerning MP’s expense claims we’ve decided that, in the interest of complete tranparency and good public relations, that instead of a contents page, list of contributors, thanks, contact details etc, we’re going to publish the Furball’s expenses right here at the front of the mag.
In an organisation like ours it is of utmost importance that we keep things out in the open where they can be scrutinized at will.
I didn’t have a chance to really check the staffs submissions before we went to print, but I am confident that they are in the clear as far as any wrongdoing is concerned. They are a special team and they have my full backing.
I’ll submit my expenses once we’ve had the moat put in.
To all those people who are disappointed at the lack of a contents page we refer you to the apologies section on page four.
We hope you enjoy this issue.
Matt Wellsted | Editor
The Furball | June 2009 www.thefurball.co.uk
Cover photo: Martin W
ade
The Furball4 Wallbridge
FromeSomerset
BA11 1QY
Will Angeloro - Satff Writer/Mystic
£60 - Dreadlock pressing with Madame Sigourney.£420 - 36 rations of imported, Guatemalan sun dried marmoset.£78 - Yearly subscription to “Offensive Accents” magazine.£9 - Squib(used)£179 - Furball “business strategy and marketing dynamics” team building night out.£876 - Repairs to hotel and bail for staff members after the preceding nights “team building” outing.£24 - 30 tins of tuna£6727 - Hiring of Henry Winkler to fly over to Frome dressed as the Fonz.£65 - “Best of Bernard Manning” box set£8 - newspaper and lighter fluid to set al-light above box set.£1200 - in 5 pound notes, to throw at those bastards from Water Aid who stop you in the street to lecture you, then say they cant actually take any money, but would prefer your bank account instead. Screw them!!£250 - electronic cat repellant.£850 - electronic BNP repellant (also known as a taser)£12 four bags of frozen beef pies$1,000,000Zimbabwe dollars. To buy an ounce of rice in Harare.
Barry MacDonald - Staff Writer/Advertising Executive
£75,000 - Money transfer to Democratic Sunshine Bank of Lagos, for a promised share of £600,0000,000 in Nigerian government bonds, yet to arrive.£25,879- A pair of Gold/Snakeskin ‘Valentucci’ brand mule-style carpet slippers, as endorsed by US rap act Big Tymey Pimp Twinz. Essential to retain the integrity of my luxury shag-pile carpet, which was generously ‘donated’ by the Tobacco Lobby Group.£125.99- Nike “Kim Jong Il collection” jump-suit. Limited edition.£55.00 - Cafe Bolognese with vanillamochafudge cream and rock-salt, from Peggy’s Roadside Cafe, A46 Bristol.£0.99 Vintage bottle of ‘Hai Karate’ aftershave, purchased from Variety Stores Frome
Chairman Miaow - Manging Director/Funding Executive
(note- considering the Chairmans current incarceration, certain aspects of the expense list have been change to prevent further incrimination.)
£1400 – bribes – Gifts for guards and their families at the happy fur cattery.£900 – Semi- Automatic rifles – Happy, sunny, play sticks for comrades, good pals£240 - Printing press for producing revolutionary propoganda, Brother HL-2035 printer, for printing pictures of my brother in law, Sven’s, new hutch.£6 – Fluffy mouse toy£3250 – 12 kilos of C4, E45, to ease the dry paws of the comrades at the collectivized Cat Nip farm.£26 - New beret, red, with a star
Page 4 The Furball
Cheap St Fun Day Festival Fever
I swear it didn’t
Proof response
Market Day
It might not even be new. Or in Frome.What’s New In Frome?
On Sunday June 7th there will be a whole lot of action in town. Firstly there’s the Cheap St Fun Day which will have all manner of interesting things going on, including live music, comedy, a hog roast and punch and judy. The shops will be open and there’ll be face painting and loads more. For a full list of performers go to www.cafelastrada.co.uk.As well as all that, Abernethy’s hairdressers will be running a makeover session, live on the 7th, so if you feel you could do with a spruce up for summer send an email with a recent pic to:[email protected] you could be the lucky one! (Entries close on 5th June.)
The third St Catherine’s Artisan Market will also be on the 7th between 10am and 2pm so why not drop by at some point to see what all the fuss is about?Last month saw a great day accompanied by the likes of Leonardo’s Bicycle and The Street Band. I’m not sure who’s lined up for the next one so you’ll have to take your chances. I’m getting there early this time so as to pick up some fresh bread before it all gets eaten by the stallholders.
I’d just like to say a big thanks to all the people who offered their support after last months unsatisfied customer decided to go public via the Standard.They were right, there was a sweary word or two, but they were wrong when they said it was full of obsceneties.. I don’t think this one has any in, so all those people who were looking forward to their filth fix from the Furball might be a tad disappointed. Sorry.
We had an extremely good response from last month’s call for proof readers. If I haven’t got back to you yet, it’s only because I’m a bit snowed under. Thank you everyone. The response to our cash appeal wasn’t quite so good. Furball’s mum sent £50. Thanks mum.
Sunday 7th June - 11am - 5pm You can feel the buzz of anticipation in the town, for what is likely to be some fairly interesting things to see and do. But you’ll need to move sharpish, because events usually get sold out really quickly.Apparently Vyvyan from the ‘Young One’s’ will be in town.Grab one of their brochures from somewhere, and see what’s what.
milk street brewery Ltd
Frome
Frome Festival
Special
2009ABV 4.1%
CompanyI invite the sun out for coffeeIt pushes through the rainy afternoonIt joins me at the tableApproaching from behindIt stops short of sittingInstead resting softly on my shouldersQuietly encouraging my thoughtsNever accepting the offered cuppa
I invite the Son out for coffeeHe sits across the table from meSilent and invisiblePossibly not even presentStill projecting a radiant peaceAn imagined though warming smileQuietly encouraging my thoughtsNever accepting the offered cuppa
I invite the one out for coffeeYou have yet to reply
Scott MacKillican
The Furball Page 5
What’s New?
This month’s ‘sorry’s’
New Brew, Baby I Love You...
Just to let you know...
The Little Red Cafe
After the long and arduous climb to the summit of Mount Saint Catherine (Catherine Hill) from Frome town centre, the one thing you’ll be looking for is somewhere to change carabiners, drop your shopping bags and acclimatize with a fresh coffee and a delicious cake!And where better than the latest addition to the vibrant social scene in our town than “The Little Red Cafe”.It’s a great place to relax and have an excellent snack from a fantastic menu of local produce, with organic and fair-trade coffee and teas, freshly made cakes, and enough Lovington’s Ice Cream to keep your Sherpas happy!With a winning combination of quality service, great prices and a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll soon be recharged and ready to descend back to Base Camp.
The Furball would like to offer our sincere apologies to the following people:Abernethy’sAbanethy’sand Andy Morten.Firstly, we really want to say a huge sorry to Abernethy’s Hair Salon for our lazy typing error in last months issue. Please feel free to get the blunt scissors ready for the next time that we pop in for a trim. Which will be soon, because of the high quality service...we really wouldn’t go anywhere else!Secondly, we’re pleased to hear from Abanethy’s building supply centre, who dropped us a line to say that they’re now doing a roaring trade moonlighting as hairdresser’s thanks to our unexpected ad last month. Thanks again guys! Last but not least, apologies to super-scribe contributor Andy Morten who we fondly renamed ‘Morton’ in our last issue.It won’t happen again. Hopefully.Wer ideyots.Oh Yeah, sorry about no contentspage. You could always makeyour own?
Rik up at Milk Street Brewery has come up with another fantastic festival ale going by the name of ‘Iron Brew’. I’m not exactly sure when it’s being launched but I’m sure you’ll be able to get your paws on a pint in the not too distant future.
Photography by Ed Thomas
As you may, or may not be aware, the effort we’ve put into this magazine over the last four months has nearly killed us. We’re not looking for sympathy but we did want
to let you know that from July we’ll be publishing one
magazine every two months.I don’t think you’ll even notice the difference, because there is so much quality in these pages it’ll easily keep you going for eight weeks.
Cont
act E
d: w
ww
.edt
hom
as.n
et /
ed@
edth
omas
.net
16 Catherine Hill
milk street brewery Ltd
Frome
Frome Festival
Special
2009ABV 4.1%
Page 6 The Furball
Section Header
The LeekistWink
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “I’ve seen that bloke before. Was it on Crimewatch? Did he deliver our new sofa? Was he the guy who scraped my car in Sainsburys car park? Hang on a minute, wasn’t he the twitching bloke who won the Weakest Link on Thursday April 24th 2008?” You’re right – it is. Bank!
And the next natural step for someone who has risen to the lofty heights of talking to Anne Robinson about his wife’s knockers? Why, it’s to cuddle a pint in the Westway or gaze slack-jawed at the idiot’s lantern and offer my thrilling insights of films wot I have watched for the delectation of Furball readers. Move over Charlie Brooker!
As everyone knows, there are three types of movies: Films you are wetting your pants in anticipation of seeing, films you’d rather stick needles in your eyes than view and films you feel you ought to watch to ensure you’re riveting company at social gatherings aka the ‘worthy’ films. So last week, I ended up watching “Persepolis”. This is the Oscar-nominated animated take on a graphic novel about an Iranian girl growing up in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Shah. Now, this film has had 4 and 5 star reviews from the critics – so you can’t go wrong, surely? Well, on the plus side, it was funny and moving in places and some of the animation was ingenious. But, I’m sorry to say, it was a bit of a slog. Let’s face it, any 90 minute film that you have to watch over a period of three nights because you’ve fallen asleep on the first two occasions, can’t really be that good, can it? My ribs still bear the imprint of my better half’s elbow as she tried womanfully to keep my eyes open. If you fancy The Rough Guide to the Iran/Iraq conflict, with Iggy Pop voicing one of the leads, then this is the film for you. As far as graphic novel adaptations go, I think I’ll stick to ‘Watchmen’. Bank!
By the way - due to popular demand - as a Furball service to you, if you’re reading this during the half time break of a particularly tough pub quiz, why not send us in the questions that are stumping you, and we’ll print the answers next month.
Thanks to Gary from Dilton Marsh for the first lot of questions. The answers are, “Avocado pear”, “Oxbow lake”, “Bile”, and “Great-Uncle Bulgaria”. Bank! JW
Kingfisher
Badcox, Frome
01373 455566
Fishbar&Takeaway
Frome’s finest fish & chips and Chinese takeaway
open
Tuesday to
Sunday
✂Cut out voucher along dotted line
17 Cheap St Frome01373 474196www.abernethys.co.uk
Page 8 The Furball
Bridge to your heart...
By Kate Bielby
Photo by Evelyn Carey.Copyright National Archives of Scotland
Benjamin Baker
Whoooooooooo? I hear you cry, and you are not alone. Nobody’s heard of Benjamin Baker, designer of one of the most famous and astonishing engineering feats of all time - the Forth Bridge. Brunel, yes...but Baker? Nopes.Actually, if you’ve so much as glanced at this year’s Festival brochure you’ll already know that Sir Benjamin Baker was born
in Frome (where the fire station is now) and that there’s a really exciting programme of events planned to celebrate his life and work. So why the obscurity? Given his achievements, it is nothing short of a little bit of a scandal that we do not have a national Benjamin Baker day and are not obliged to name at least one of our children ‘Sir Benjamin
Baker’. Pippa Goldfinger, engineer and part of the team dedicated to bringing Benjy back home, tells me that this is typical of engineers as opposed to ‘starchitects’. Brunel by contrast “was a great self-publicist and all his projects were in Britain whereas Baker’s were all over the world”. As well as designing an elevated railway in New York and the casket used to transport Cleopatra’s Needle from Alexandria to London’s Embankment, Baker was consulting engineer for the construction of the Aswan Dam. “He was famous in his time,” explains Pippa, “…he used that human cantilever thing
The Furball Page 9
One huge construction
Photo by Evelyn Carey.Copyright National Archives of Scotland
Benjamin BakerCut out & Wear
Barmy Bangers
✁
Stick your tash onto some card. An old cereal packet will do, then get some scissors (adults, find a child if you need help with any cutting) and cut out your soup strainer. Attach string through holes and hey presto! You’re Benjy Baker!
that we recreated (photo overleaf ) as a glass lantern slide that he used in public lectures – a bit like the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. He was a great educator and promoter of engineering. You’ll be able to try the cantilever experiment for yourself at the Rook Lane exhibition if you’re prepared to take the strain.Pippa and fellow Project Co-Ordinator Sue Bucklow are evangelical about the great BB and their enthusiasm is infectious. Along with Mike Gray and Jo Plimmer, they have organised a six week celebration spanning the Festival which will appeal not just to engineering geeks and trainspotters (though seriously, you’ll love it) but also to anyone interested in photography, art, the universe and everything. Honestly, I’m totally into it now. In fact if I wasn’t old, tired and heinously underqualified, I’d definitely sign up for an engineering course. Apparently there’d be plenty of elbow room in lectures as engineering is not
Page 10 The Furball
Continued
TOP 5The Furball’s
Bridges!Self explanatory really.He is of course, The Dude and a whole host of other characters as well. Here he is, No1 in our list of favourite bridges
Captain Kirk’s favourite place and the nerve centre of the starship Enterprise. Watch out, Sontarans!
This album was one of those ones I used to find when rooting around in my mum and dad’s record collection.Great song. If you’re a bridge fan
Think of all those songs that would never have been written without one of these. Er..Come on Eileen? That was a violin, wasn’t it?
It’s a card game as well, you know!I don’t know how to play it though.I’m sure it has it’s exciting moments. Probably.
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
Jeff
The Bridge
Like a...
One of those
Just Bridge
a popular career choice for young people. Bit too much like hard work for you young ‘uns, eh?
Some of the money for ‘Bridging the World’ comes from engineering firms who feel that theirs is an undervalued profession and who feel passionate about getting the engineering word across in true Baker style.
Given how genuinely awesome this programme of events is set to be, I hesitated to ask whether Sir Benjamin Baker ever returned to Frome or did he get out as fast as he could and never return? It turns out that he didn’t return to Frome but had no remaining family here and had no reason to.
Maybe he didn’t like travelling on Brunel’s GWR? Can we really claim any credit for this genius? Sue and Pippa think we can (well a bit)… “Frome was an industrial town. It had the conditions – it had the railway, the water, the coalmines nearby. I think he was born out of that really. His dad had come to work in a Foundry in Frome (possibly the Butts Hill ironworks)”.
Apart from the exhibition which runs at Rook Lane from 13 June to 24 July (and lots of other stuff – get the Festival brochure), about 2,200 schoolchildren and young people will be getting stuck in and building bridges and towers in workshops in and around Frome in an attempt to interest the next generation of visionaries. If you are in any doubt as to whether Benjamin Baker was himself a visionary, get yourself to Rook Lane and look at these spectacular images of the Forth Bridge. With its engineering worn
proudly on its sleeve it apparently gave William Morris the vapours. He thought it was ugly. He was wrong. It’s functional and it’s beautiful. KB
Benjamin Baker His second bridge. Nah! Just kidding!. It was his Forth.
Sue, Bee & Pippa. Pic by Mike Gray
Image courtesy of Getty Images
The Chairman and other nuggets
There is a unity amongst the comrades here in the bowels of bourgeois lock down. A spirit of freedom and defiance.
Defiance not only against our oppressors, but of the very idea of oppression. No 4x6 tank can hold our feline spirits. Our tormentors tempt us with poles of plush carpeting, replete with dangling, shiny metal balls. Bowls of rich, chicken flavoured chow are left 3 times a day to fatten us. But when one us falls, we ALL fall. So together, we resist. I am privileged to be amongst the finest minds of the purring revolution. There’s comrade Pol Cat. It was he who instituted the furry YEAR ZERO over in Shepton Mallet. There’s renegade revolutionary Leon Spotsky. He was living in exile in Gillingham, before being shipped to tank. And the formidable Fidel Catstro, hero of guerrilla war in the Mendip hills. The liberator of Cheddar Gorge. Together, we forge the bonds of brotherhood and revolution. Of liberation and regurgitated fur. We stand together in the hope of one day seeing peace for all cats, tabby AND purebred.
Chairman MiaowThe Prison Letters
Formula 1 shirt fastening fun with...
Jenson’s Buttons
I’m not normally one for the novelty button, in fact, you could say that when it comes to buttons, I’m straight laced! Anyway, I had to smile when I saw these poppets at a car boot in Bahrain the
other Sunday. They were just cheeping out to be purchased and I couldn’t resist. The lady who sold them to me was explaining about her foot operation that was coming up and all the money raised at the boot fair would go towards purchasing a pair of special comfy shoes for after the op. Ahhhh. See you next time button lovers!
Page 12 The Furball
Sart
oria
lTh
e
Sect
ion
It w
as a
sun
ny a
fter
noon
and
a
coup
le o
f wee
ks a
go w
e w
ere
mill
ing
abou
t at t
he to
p of
Cat
herin
e H
ill w
hen
we
bum
ped
into
Mik
e Po
ulso
n (L
eona
rdo’
s Bi
cycl
e) a
nd h
is
two
frie
nds,
Chris
and
Sam
. W
e sa
id, “
dya’
wan
na?”
They
sai
d “o
k”, s
o he
re th
ey a
re!
Hi C
hris
, tha
t’s a
bit
of a
cl
assi
c de
nim
jack
et
you’
re w
earin
g th
ere,
ho
w d
id y
ou c
ome
by
that
?
I pic
ked
this
one
up
just
dow
n th
e ro
ad
actu
ally
in a
tow
n ca
lled
Stre
et.
Cust
omis
ed b
y yo
ur
good
sel
f I a
ssum
e?
Wha
t are
the
badg
es o
f?
Oh,
Tha
t’s a
ba
nd w
e kn
ow
calle
d Ad
mira
l Sir
Clou
desl
ey S
hove
ll.
Whe
re d
id y
ou p
ick
your
jean
s up
from
?
I got
thes
e in
a li
ttle
sh
op in
Lei
cest
er
calle
d ‘T
he W
ardr
obe’.
That
’s a
pret
ty h
efty
bel
t bu
ckle
Yeah
, I g
ot th
at in
a s
hop
in L
eice
ster
cal
led
‘Dol
ly
Mix
ture
s’.
Er..y
ou’re
not
from
Lei
cest
er b
y an
y ch
ance
are
you
?
Yes,
we
are.
Furb
all g
uess
ed s
o.
We
are
digg
ing
this
leat
her
jack
et. I
t’s g
ot a
real
ly n
ice
beat
en u
p fe
el to
it. W
here
did
yo
u bu
y it
from
?
A fr
iend
gav
e it
to m
e ac
tual
ly.
Whe
n yo
u sa
y “ga
ve” d
o yo
u m
ean
you
wai
ted
util
they
ha
d a
part
y an
d ni
cked
it fr
om
them
cla
imin
g th
at s
omeo
ne
else
had
don
e it,
then
nev
er
wor
e it
whe
n yo
u th
ough
t yo
u m
ight
bum
p in
to
them
?
No
Oh.
The
bag
goes
re
ally
wel
l w
ith t
he
jack
et.
Yeah
, tha
t’s
from
Dol
ly
Mix
ture
s.
Wha
t is
your
to
p m
ade
from
? It
look
s ki
nd o
f ..e
r..flu
ffy,
is it
woo
llen?
No,
nyl
on I
thin
k!
They
are
som
e se
rious
ly fl
ared
cor
ds
you
got t
here
, Whe
re
did
you
get t
hose
from
?
Thes
e on
es a
re fr
om
H&
M in
Lei
cest
er.
Sam
is a
lso
wea
ring
a ra
ther
funk
y lo
okin
g pa
ir of
Con
vers
e A
ll St
ar lo
tops
w
ith a
bro
wn
colo
ur a
nd
whi
te a
nd o
rang
e tr
im. T
he
Furb
all s
taff
rem
embe
r ska
ting
in s
hoes
like
that
, but
they
on
ly la
st a
bout
5 s
econ
ds o
f ha
rd c
ore
skat
ing.
Chris
Sam
The Furball Page 13
It w
as a
sun
ny a
fter
noon
and
a
coup
le o
f wee
ks a
go w
e w
ere
mill
ing
abou
t at t
he to
p of
Cat
herin
e H
ill w
hen
we
bum
ped
into
Mik
e Po
ulso
n (L
eona
rdo’
s Bi
cycl
e) a
nd h
is
two
frie
nds,
Chris
and
Sam
. W
e sa
id, “
dya’
wan
na?”
They
sai
d “o
k”, s
o he
re th
ey a
re!
Hi C
hris
, tha
t’s a
bit
of a
cl
assi
c de
nim
jack
et
you’
re w
earin
g th
ere,
ho
w d
id y
ou c
ome
by
that
?
I pic
ked
this
one
up
just
dow
n th
e ro
ad
actu
ally
in a
tow
n ca
lled
Stre
et.
Cust
omis
ed b
y yo
ur
good
sel
f I a
ssum
e?
Wha
t are
the
badg
es o
f?
Oh,
Tha
t’s a
ba
nd w
e kn
ow
calle
d Ad
mira
l Sir
Clou
desl
ey S
hove
ll.
Whe
re d
id y
ou p
ick
your
jean
s up
from
?
I got
thes
e in
a li
ttle
sh
op in
Lei
cest
er
calle
d ‘T
he W
ardr
obe’.
That
’s a
pret
ty h
efty
bel
t bu
ckle
Yeah
, I g
ot th
at in
a s
hop
in L
eice
ster
cal
led
‘Dol
ly
Mix
ture
s’.
Er..y
ou’re
not
from
Lei
cest
er b
y an
y ch
ance
are
you
?
Yes,
we
are.
Furb
all g
uess
ed s
o.
We
are
digg
ing
this
leat
her
jack
et. I
t’s g
ot a
real
ly n
ice
beat
en u
p fe
el to
it. W
here
did
yo
u bu
y it
from
?
A fr
iend
gav
e it
to m
e ac
tual
ly.
Whe
n yo
u sa
y “ga
ve” d
o yo
u m
ean
you
wai
ted
util
they
ha
d a
part
y an
d ni
cked
it fr
om
them
cla
imin
g th
at s
omeo
ne
else
had
don
e it,
then
nev
er
wor
e it
whe
n yo
u th
ough
t yo
u m
ight
bum
p in
to
them
?
No
Oh.
The
bag
goes
re
ally
wel
l w
ith t
he
jack
et.
Yeah
, tha
t’s
from
Dol
ly
Mix
ture
s.
Wha
t is
your
to
p m
ade
from
? It
look
s ki
nd o
f ..e
r..flu
ffy,
is it
woo
llen?
No,
nyl
on I
thin
k!
They
are
som
e se
rious
ly fl
ared
cor
ds
you
got t
here
, Whe
re
did
you
get t
hose
from
?
Thes
e on
es a
re fr
om
H&
M in
Lei
cest
er.
Sam
is a
lso
wea
ring
a ra
ther
funk
y lo
okin
g pa
ir of
Con
vers
e A
ll St
ar lo
tops
w
ith a
bro
wn
colo
ur a
nd
whi
te a
nd o
rang
e tr
im. T
he
Furb
all s
taff
rem
embe
r ska
ting
in s
hoes
like
that
, but
they
on
ly la
st a
bout
5 s
econ
ds o
f ha
rd c
ore
skat
ing.
Kany
é Wes
tcou
ntry
Fash
ion
Gur
u
Than
ks K
anyé
!
Ok
Kany
e, w
hat’s
hot
this
su
mm
er?
Skirt
s fo
r men
.U
psid
e do
wn
hats
.Pa
sta
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Page 14 The Furball
Out And About
Ok folks. Here’s the challenge. There are 3 differences to spot, we promise you that. The thing is, can you find them? Two are pretty easy, I think, but one is a bit harder. There aren’t any answers in the mag so you can’t cheat. You’ll only know you’ve
done it when you’ve found three.This isn’t a competition by the way. It’s just for fun. Or an excuse to do something other than what you’re supposed to be doing.Off you go then.
1 2
Propping the bar up
The Furball Page 15
Out And AboutWe were down at the Wheatsheaf again the other Thursday checking out local big hitters, Frenzy, who were pleasing the punters with their up tempo antics. Support that night came from the extremely talented, Dr Nut, who describe their music as, “Castle.” That’s that sorted then. Right, “What do you think of the band?”
Chloe & Emmy. “They’re all silver foxes!”
Neil said “ They’re good, but I’d rather be at home with my beautiful wife and baby.”
Ian. They’re Fu**ing amazing. Ooh take out the swearing. I don’t want you to get in trouble.
Matt. “I love live music. End of.”
Ewan. “Brilliant. Saw them at Cheese and Grain.”
Lucy. I thought it was ace
Tom with girls. We loved it. Great bands
Helena & Sarah. Good for a Thursday night, but not our cup of tea.
Phil. Very funky. I’ve seen them before, They’re great.”
Rosie. I paid £15 to see them last weekend and now I get to see them again for free!Fantastic!
Sam. I just popped in for a pint. They’re good.
Tony. Dr Nut are good. but this is the best I’ve seen Frenzy.
Can’t remember who said it but “Dr Nut made my leg jig” great words.
Page 16 The Furball
Point of view God & CountryHere’s a paradox for those who love paradoxes
(and who doesn’t these days?). Britain has seen the most astounding drop in people attending religious services in past 60 years. This, in a country where we have an institutional established national church. A constitutional monarchy where the Queen is the head of the church, and prayer is not only allowed, but regularly practiced in primary schools. State funding (IE. MY TAX MONEY!!!!) for “faith based schools”.
All of this, yet, Britain may be the most secular state in Europe. Compare this to the United States, where separation of church and state is written into the very fabric of the country(see ANY book on the founding fathers for some excellent anti-theist spin). Prayer is not allowed in school, state funding never goes to “faith schools”. Yet America is one of the most “religious” nations. Granted this is declining, but the differences are stark.
I bring this up because of a looming personal problem. A big, white elephant sized problem. A John Prescott shaped problem. A “Will” sized problem......My daughter will be starting primary school in a few years, and I am stuck with NO choice as to whether or not she is asked to pray in school. While this may seem a small,trivial, non issue to most people, as an atheist, and libertarian, this a major point of contention with me. While I’m loathe to address the merits of theology and atheism, it may happen,so I’m warning you.
I’m angry, in a typically suburban way. Let me tell you why... Having an established national religion that dictates dogma and alleged morality to children is a fundamental intrusion of “belief” into my private world, or more specifically, my family’s. And I have to wrestle with the ugly fact that, back in America, my daughter would not be exposed to institutional mythology in school, but hammered with it socially, but here, she is forced to deal with it institutionally, but in a society that
simply doesn’t care about God. What’s worse? Oh the conflict. Libertarian leanings or the reality of day to day life? On one hand, Im happy she will grow up in a rational, agnostic society that allows the individual, on a social level, to make decisions of faith (or more importantly, non-faith) without the pressures and social stigmas associated with a more fundamentalist population. On the other
hand, there is a (very large) argument for the abolition of teaching mythology as fact (Actually...How is this even an argument? You wouldn’t want teachers telling your children that Thor exists, or the tooth fairy). How am I supposed to explain to my daughter, when she asks me about the Jesus she just prayed to, and was told was a real person,that it is in fact, a myth? Like the Minotaur.
“You wouldn’t want teachers telling your children that Thor exists, or the tooth fairy.”
The Furball Page 17
Point of viewGod & CountryHow am I supposed to tell her that there is NO proof that Jesus or God existed, when teachers, adults paid to instruct and shape my daughters intellect and world view, people in a position of trust, have told her that they do exist? That then places an unnatural strain on her young intellect... Who’s lying? Me, or the teachers? Well that’s obvious.... No one is lying, but one side has
chosen mythology as fact over reason and science. I should not have to be put into a position where I’m forced to un-teach misinformation that is institutionalized with my child.... And it makes me angry.
It makes me angry because I am being forced to pay for it. I am also being forced to pay for “faith”
schools teaching maths and science, along with Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity. How can a reasonable, rational, nation still allow faith, which is by definition, unprovable, be taught as fact... I need to remind you at this point, that the study of religion and philosophy, is important. Approaching the world’s faiths and belief systems in a sociological, philosophical, and anthropological manner is science, and important to understanding the history and development of humanity. Stepping into a classroom and being told that Mohammad was in fact a prophet of Allah, or that a Virgin gave birth to the son of God, who is also God, or that Moses spoke to a burning bush, is disingenuous, if not outright silly . There is no proof any of this ever happened. It is faith, therefore relegating it to a church, or a mosque, or a temple of some sort. funding this kind of indoctrination with TAX money is reprehensible, as it flies in the face of 400 years of scientific advancement and the greatest of enlightenment philosophy. If you want your child to learn about a deity as fact, pay for it yourself. Why burden the rest of us?
Which leads us back to the mildest form of indoctrination and misinformation... Praying in a primary school. Its not what I believe,….my daughter is too young to comprehend it (you wouldn’t want your 6 year old doing your taxes, or choosing your MP, why trust them to make decisions on the eternal nature of their soul without all of the facts?),….the nation is slowly rejecting it, so why bother anymore? Isn’t it enough that the established churches don’t pay taxes (Don’t even get me started on this... This is also one of the biggest constitutional blights in America)?it wont make any difference anyway, if I keep my mouth shut for the next 15 years my daughter will still end up an atheist. She’s smart, she can count to 75, and knows the difference between Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. WA
Page 18 The Furball
Transition timesSunrise Of Grid CampSunrise goes Off-Grid from 20th-23rd August 2009 on a gorgeous organic site in Somerset. This new camp is a deep exploration of community living, creativity and consciousness, with hands-on activities, talks, workshops, performance, music, art and celebration.
Off Grid is about creating a space for empowerment, where festival goers will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience on the steps that need to be taken to increase energy efficiency. There will be lots of practical information, from how to make a boiler use less fuel to installing a wind generator. Whether the dream is an inner city vegetable patch or living on the land, Off Grid will be a showcase of what is possible and available to everyone, no matter what their lifestyles. “We are really excited about Off-Grid, and are looking forward to an event that is inspiring, fun and radical, where we can all journey together into a Greener future. So bring along the whole family to eat from nature, sit in ceremony, design the future, walk on hot coals and move beyond your perceived limits. It’s an opportunity to marvel at earth’s mysteries, Rebirth your wild side, or just relax and soak up that famous Sunrise vibe of love, celebration and joy”.
The Furball Page 19
Transition timesSunrise Of Grid CampCompetition!Win 2 tickets worth£150!Off-grid will be powered by clean, renewable energy,
with site wide organic food and drink, compostable packaging, plates and cutlery, and numerous other initiatives making this the Greenest event of the year. Sunrise Off Grid is run by a Community Interest Company, CIC’s invest their profits back into the community, building a world beyond monetary profit.
Tickets: Adults £75 in advance/Kids £25Info: 0845 0094463
That’s right my friends, the very kind organisers have donated 2 tickets to this year’s Sunrise Off Grid Festival which we’re offering as a prize to our caption competition.
HOW TO ENTERWe think Martin’s shrew photo on the front cover is crying out for some speech balloons or a caption, so send us the pic (a photocopy if you prefer to keep your furball intact) with your caption, and the best one will win the tickets. It’s as simple as that.
Make sure you include your name and contact details so we can get in touch.The runner up will receive a signed print of mr and mrs shrew, courtesy of Martin Wade.The closing date is :FRIDAY 19TH JUNE
POST YOUR ENTRY TO:The Shrew Competition4, WallbridgeFromeBA11 1QY
Our decision will not only be right, it’ll be final. Good luck!
Soon in Frome
Independent stateForeground Presents
From July, Foreground are back with a major new project that promises to again draw attention, but this time for combining renowned artists with something unique to Frome – our community and our carnival. Simon Morrissey and Tabitha Clayson who run Foreground told us all about it:
Page 20 The Furball
“Last year one of the most exciting things about Intervention/Decoration was the way people wanted to get involved with the project to help make it happen. That really set us thinking about whether we could put a project together that would really give people from Frome a chance to work closely with artists to help make a project happen and that’s when we started to think about carnival”
“Carnival is one of the most distinctive features of Somerset’s cultural identity and generates huge audiences. Frome Carnival was established as an
annual community event in the early 20th Century to raise money for the town’s hospital and has raised money for local good causes ever since. But it really needs more people to be involved and to remain distinctive, so we thought what better way to create a project that’s about participation than to get artists to work with people from Frome to create new works that would be part of carnival, as floats and performances.”
Sacred...Matt Stokes, Sacred Selections. Coutesy of the artist and Workplace Gallery.
The Furball Page 21
Edwina Ashton’s videos, performances and drawings create seductive concoctions of character and narrative. They explore the allure of eccentricity and idiosyncrasy through creating animals and insects with human characteristics who poke fun at the peculiarities of British society.
Bob & Roberta Smith fuse humour and serious politics into an egalitarian art that uses the skills of the sign writer, pop group and workshop leader to cajole his audience into a celebratory but often acerbic campaign for more art and more democracy in our society.
Matt Stokes’ work (opposite page) draws on an interest in events or informal movements that bind people together. Stokes creates ‘performance based’ investigations into the ephemera of alternative and underground cultures, through which he has creates moments of peculiar beauty through the juxtaposition of form and content, film and music.
Foreground would love to hear from people who would like to get involved in working with the artists. Your interest may be in art, performance, carnival, music, dressing up, or the more technical stuff like carpentry or
electrics, or just socializing and being part of a great community event that comes with the added bonus of raising money for local good causes. Contact [email protected] or phone 01373 88187. There will be opportunities to meet the artists at the following talks and workshops:
Tues 16 June – 7 – 9.30 – Masonic Hall. -Matt Stokes will talk at the Reveal RoadshowSat 11 July – 12- 4 – 3 Palmer Street - Bob & Roberta Smith workshopSat 18 July – 12 -4 – Carnival Fun Day, Victoria Park – Edwina Ashton workshop
All events are free and no booking is required
Edwina Ashton, Pump House evening. Courtesy of the artist and Works|Projects
Edwina Ashton, Thursday Afternoon. Courtesy of the artist and Works|Projects
Bob & Roberta Smith Hands Off The BBC. Copyright of the artists. Courtesy of Hales Gallery.
Bob & Roberta Smith, Make Your Own Damn Art. Copyright of the artists. Courtesy of Hales Gallery
Page 22 The Furball
Advertisment Feature
The Original & Best Music Traders in Frome have been serving up musical gems for over 13 years, catering for all genres as well as having the most comprehensive vinyl selection in the South West. You can find us at two separate shops on Cheap Street, in the town centre. Our first shop has a massive selection of new CD’s, DVD’s, Posters and T-shirts as well as a wide selection of memorabilia. The second shop, we call ‘Vinyl heaven’ is just two doors away, and it’s a mecca for local dj’s and collectors alike. Our friendly and knowledgable staff are happy to help guide you through all the latest releases from Hip Hop, Drum & Bass and Dance, to Rock and Punk. With over 50,000 vinyl records, 50,000 cd’s and 10,000 DVD’s and new stock arriving daily, we’re bound to have what you’re looking for. Brand
new and second hand, and we offer generous discounts for multiple purchases in store! We buy and sell, and offer the best prices paid for collections, plus we’ve had amazing success at tracking down those hard to find rarities! With only 250 independent record shops left in the country, we were recently featured on the national BBC News, plus our record shop features in a fantastic new book called “Last Shop Standing”, which has generated a huge amount of interest in our stock from around the country, so why not pop in the next time you’re in town!
18a & 20 Cheap Street, Frome, BA11 1BN
(01373) 464666
www.ravesfromthegraves.com
www.ravesfromthegraves.com
The Furball Page 23
Oh Yes it’s Ladies Night!....la-la-la-la....etc. Welcome to The Furball Bingo Lingo challenge featuring Chris and Henry from the west countries favorite ska band- Gringo Ska.In this feature, we test their knowledge on some of the freshest phrases used in British bingo halls! Why? Because we’re down with the whole rhyming culture. Think about it, ‘rappers delight’ by the sugarhill gang came out in 1979, but bingo rapping has been around for over 100 years.
Journalism at it’s very finest
Eyes down for
a full house, it’s...
Okay ladies and gentlemen....Eye’s down, here we go!
2?Kerrr - ekt!
One little duck?
Overall Score
5/6!
More than eleven, a flea in heaven?
37! tsk
All the beans, Heinz variety?
Aldershot ladies droopy drawers?
Berlington Bertie? 30?
Kerrr - ekt!
57?
Kerrr - ekt!
44?
Kerrr - ekt!
72?Wrong
Kerrr - ekt!
80?Ghandi’s breakfast, there you go matey?
Sadly, the Gringos bummed out on this strip, with the jackpot being scooped in under four seconds by a partially deaf 87 year old woman from Weymouth, not that they’re too bothered though. I suppose it’s because they play a wicked set of rocksteady ska classics, and always get the crowd jumping wherever they go that does it.
Don’t forget to check out the amazing Gringo Ska live at:Glastonbury Festival, Pilton (Avalon Stage) 27/06
The Griffin, Frome 07/07Glade Festival, Matterley Bowl, Winchester 16/07
Aeon Festival, Crediton, Devon 28/08
Bingo Lingo
Gringo Skawith
Page 24 The Furball
Section Header
Gig
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From
e Festival
Special
2009
ABV
4.1%
The Furball Page 25
Section Header
Try T
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From
e Festival
Special
2009
ABV
4.1%
ArtWorks
Martin Wade“Sometimes, part of me looks at my photographs and I wonder what was I thinking of? “
Martin Wade is a photographer working with 5” x 4” and 10” x 8” large format black and white film. His photographs are principally still life, architecture and landscapes.
How long have you lived in Frome?I grew up in East Anglia, and lived in Spain, Italy and France, then Bath,before moving to Frome in 2000 with my partner, Maggs.
Which photographers have inspired you?Edward Weston, Minor White and photographers of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. I can’t think of anyone contemporary who springs to mind, so that probably indicates their lack of influence!
How long have you been taking photographs?I started whilst still at school, taking my ‘A’ Levels. A friend had a 5 x 4camera and I quickly realized the difference in quality from pictures taken onthe usual 35mm camera. I still use my first lightweight, rickety 5 x 4 formatcamera and took my earliest, and I think some of my best shots on it. I’ve acquired a couple more over the years, and later bought a monorailcamera which just has more movement in the foreground and background.
How and where do you process your photographs?I have a darkroom in a shed which is pretty tricky to control the temperature in. I suppose I could use thermostatic controls, but don’t. Somephotographers really love the
darkroom but I find darkroom work pretty boring. There is a lot of waiting time when I feel I could be doing something more useful but it means I can keep the costs down and have total control over the process. I use Ilford fibre based grade 2 paper which is excellent quality and very reliable. I usually print on 10” x 8” sheets.
How do you set up a shot?For a studio shot I use a spot meter to measure the light and dark areas anddevelop accordingly to what the film and paper will accept. Every negative has all the detail I require.
There’s lots of dead stuff martin!Yes, but I don’t see it as dead. I don’t have an issue with death. I think someof the work still looks quite alive and animated.
Now, i know you have a great collection of bones, how did that start?I traveled with my brother to the Amazon, and it started there with monkey and crocodile skulls and ray tails and I’ve been collecting material for the still life studies ever since. I even have a rather musty smelling full skeleton in the cupboard under the stairs for which I have huge respect.
Interview by Fay Goodridge
Opposite page. ‘Father”
Detail from ‘Singing Starling.
Detail from ‘Momento Mori’.
Detail from ‘Grandmother’sCutlery drawer’.
Page 26 The Furball
Page 28 The Furball
Martin Wade - Continued
Do you think people view your work as dark?My work varies a lot and it makes it very difficult to categorize. When youexhibit you have to be conscious of the fact that if the work is too disparate people get lost and don’t know how to hang it together. So, I do stuff which is quite dark and feeling quite gothic. Some people don’t like it, others love it - for them that darkness IS my work. Other people simply respond only to the architectural images. Sometimes, part of me looks at my photographs and I wonder what was I thinking of? But other times I just go into the studio and play, setting up all sorts of bits and pieces. Sometimes it’s just simple every day objects such as spoons. Everyone has some old spoons in a drawer, but it’s about getting the viewer to really look and find something beautiful in something ordinary.
Shrewed mover?I think the shrews are very sweet. I found them in an old, hollow lane nearwhere my parents lived near Stroud. They had obviously fallen down the bankinto the road and couldn’t get back. Shrews have a high metabolic rate andneed to feed regularly, else they die. I found these two laying next to eachother rather like an old couple.
Tell me about the portrait of your father (previous page)I think he looks like someone from the Spanish Inquisition. He was rushing togo out and didn’t want to smile, so ended up looking quite scary.
ArtWorksInterview by Fay Goodridge
“Grandmother’s cutlery”
“Vanitas”
The Furball Page 29
The architectural shot is reminiscent of those earlier AmericanPhotographers you admire such as charles sheeler. Where exactlyWas that taken?I was taking pictures in the City of London. A couple of city workers stopped as I was setting up and said “Yeh, I always wanted to take a picture of that view”.I think the dashes on the road echo the steps of the building and the windowsof the classical building on the right. That’s the fun of taking pictures, youdon’t always know where you are taking it, but you take it, and it feels right,so it’s more than just a happy accident. It’s instinctive, from your eye andbrain seeing and you being there and being switched on to capture themoment. It’s a photographer’s view.
To see more of Martin’s fantastic images, bvisit his site: www.martinwade.com
“Reunited in death”
No1 America Place
The Lloyds Building
Martin Wade
Page 30 The Furball
The Furball Page 31
What’s on up at Rook Lane?
The longest day, Sunday June 21st, occasion for celebration, a special date in the calendar. Strange magic in the air. All it takes is a certain spark. Who knows what might happen?
Take a sizeable helping of midsummer magic. Add great weather (hopefully). Top off with live music the like of which has never been heard before nor since. Abracadabra. Unalloyed delight guaranteed!
The place? Rook Lane Chapel. The time? Doors & bar 6.30, music 7.00 The tickets? £11 (sixteen & under - £7). The band? The Berkeley Ensemble.
Who? They’re eight young musicians of stunning ability who play in loads of orchestras and stuff. They’re playing their last gig of a tour here in sleepy old Frome. Wow! You don’t want to miss them.
They’ll treat the Frome audience to pieces by three composers, starting in a light and airy vein with a short ‘Serenata’ by the Danish composer, Nielsen, followed by Dvorak’s second string quintet which just overflows with fabulous tunes.
After a relaxed interval Schubert’s Octet will be performed. Anyone who has a heart can enjoy this music. Yes it’s ‘classical’, but no, it’s not difficult. You might surprise yourself. Informality and friendliness are the hallmarks of concerts at Rook Lane Chapel. No need to dress up. All-comers are made very welcome.
Tickets are available in advance by phoning 01373 472709, or by picking up a leaflet from Rook Lane Chapel. If not sold out in advance, tickets will be available on the door from 6.30pm. The concert will end at about 9.15pm, leaving time to enjoy a leisurely drink in the twilight.
Midsummer Magic
Page 32 The Furball
Mike HumeniukViewFinderInterview by Matt Wellsted
As I type this Mike is making the final checks to a lighting rig that will wow crowds in their thousands at a Boyzone gig in Ireland.Not only does Mike look after the visuals at these shows, he takes a few snaps while he’s there. The Furball emailed a few questions to him while he was on the road about being a photographer amongst the stars. This is what he had to say...
So Mike, how comes you seem to get such great angles at these gigs?
I have been very fortunate that people like Phil Collins Genesis and Mark Knopfler allow me the freedom of the pit (the area between the barrier and the stage). From here I can get any angle through 180 degrees across the entire width of the stage. It was one of these shots from the pit that appears on the inside of the Genesis live double cd from the last tour.
How long have you been interested in photography?I have been taking photographs for many years, but stopped for about ten years after having some equipment stolen. six years ago I thought I would try this digital technology and bought a Fuji compact. That was the start of my relationship with digital photography. Now, three cameras later I am hooked on Canon professional cameras, which means there can be no excuse of blaming the tools for bad shots.
Have you ever had a sneaky go on Phil Collins’ drum kit when he wasn’t looking?I have played a bit of drums over the years, and like Phil I am left handed. I have not spent too much time behind his kit as I don’t want to embarrass him!
www.mikehumeniuk.co.uk
Probably Mark Knopfler
ViewFinderInterview by Matt Wellsted
What do you do when you’re not taking close up rock pics?
While working I also take pictures behind the scenes, from the start in the morning to the completion much later in the day. I will also take pictures during the show from various angles in the arena. I enjoy most areas of photography. Wildlife is always a challenge but very rewarding when you get it right. I would like to do more in the way of sporting events, to be able to stop the action at the right moment. I have tried a couple of times, and found
it very demanding and requiring serious concentration. I also do event photography, where we take pictures at say a black tie function or a themed evening, then print and mount them in minutes, so that people can take away memories of the evening with them
Did you study photography at college?No, I have been self taught. I read books, talk to other photographers, and take pictures. I believe there is nothing like being on the job so to speak to hone the skills in getting the great shot. I believe a lot in feeling for a subject, and that can be translated into any job really, a natural ability to do that which you enjoy.
Definately Phil Collins
Page 34 The Furball
I saw your exhibition at LaStrada, do you live in Frome?No, until last October I had spent 25 years in the City of Ely in Cambridgeshire. I am now living in a beautiful village a few miles from Frome, and love it. In fact that is where the exhibition is now, at The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe. Bob and Shirley the delightful hosts have a gallery area to one side of the main bar and have allowed me to hang twenty pictures there. It has proved a great success with favorable comments and some sales. Well worth a visit, very good food, beer and wine, and now the gallery with a real mix of rock and roll (Genesis, Mark Knopfler), landscapes (Local) and bit of wildlife.
What type of camera do you use?I have a Canon 5D body, with Canon lenses. A 24-105 f4, 70-200 f2.8 and a 100-400 f4.5, 5.6. The 24-105 is what I will use for general daily shooting, and all of the close to stage work, as I can see the whole stage or down to a good body shot. The 70-200 is a great lens that lets in a lot of light. I love it for candid shooting, architectural angles and some landscape work. The longer lens which is quite slow is wonderful on a sunny day for trying to get a good wildlife shot, or if shooting a show it enables me to fill the frame with the artistes head.
Does Mark Knopfler play ‘Money for nothing’ at every gig?Yes, and the crowd love it. His set is a good 50% Dire Straits. He is a lovely man to work with and the band are some of the nicest people you could wish to meet, as well as being extremely good musicians.
Contact me on 01749 850 448 or visit the website www.mikehumeniuk.co.uk
ViewFinderInterview by Matt Wellsted
Mike Humeniuk
Awesome lighting
Section Header
Probably Knopfler again, soaking it up
Section Header
The Furball Page 37
Now In Colour!
Butts BugleFurball Colour Supplement
Local home guard soldier Walmington Eastgate emerged from Vallis woods last week claiming he didn’t know the war was over. “My mate Jim went off to get five capstan from Mells Post Office whilst I was on fire watch and didn’t return. I thought he may have been captured by Hitler but I now know he copped off with a land girl on the promise of a knee trembler in the churchyard”
PIES
Mr Eastgate refutes claims from locals that, to avoid call up, he had been co-habiting with a Mrs Pike in a cottage in Great Elm. “No, I have been existing on crayfish and wild garlic, living in the back of a disused limekiln and fighting Jerry since 1944” he stated “In fact I have never heard of broadband, microwave pies or Eastenders – whoops, that’s a bit of a giveaway innit?”
WWII SOLDIER STILL FIGHTING
ID IDEABiometric identity cards could be cheaper for residents of Frome and it’s surrounding villages. Government spokesperson Favian Pimlico MP explains “We can probably get away with taking just a couple of DNA samples and still cover the population of most of the town and hamlets, so it’s a big saving. “Of course” continued Mr Pimlico “people with webbed fingers and gimpy eyes like that banjo player out of off of Deliverance could end up paying more”
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Page 38 The Furball
The Saw Doctors
Gig Review
The Saw Doctors’ subtle blend of folk -rock is palatable to a select audience, but they are all here tonight. The Cheese and Grain swells with anticipation as a lively queue shuffles into what will be a venue at capacity.
To say that the Saw Doctors had a cult following would be an understatement. The band enters to the original Star Trek theme, alluding to the audience’s degree of unfaltering fanaticism. A legion of dad dancing,’ should-know-betters’ garbed in an arsenal of faded memorabilia stand ready to stridently shout along with each and every chorus. The band’s opening number, ‘Macnas Parade’ induces whoops and hollers and is cadenced by raucous applause.
The Saw Doctors are all about having
a good time; even their melancholy is delivered with optimism. They play the kind of music that reminds you that summer is on its way. Uplifting synthesisers are accompanied by buzzing melodic guitar lines, accessible vocals, furious percussive
The Cheese and Grain Frome 21/04/09.
rhythm and eager to please, sun gilded choruses. Epic centre piece ‘Maroon and White’ draws parallels toward a lucid man’s Pink Floyd - what they lack in psychedelia is made up for in beer drenched sentiment.
An attractive simplicity of bright melodies and catchy vocal ingenuity lends itself to audience intervention – if you’d never heard a Saw Doctors song before, by the second chorus you’d be equipped to sing along. ‘That’s What She Said Last Night’ is a classic example, inviting pockets of the crowd to clap in unison, idly shouting chorus and verse. It’s the sort of music people have been getting drunk to for years – a trend that tonight’s varied demographic seem sure to endorse.
As the evening draws to a close, the Saw Doctors leave having delivered a slick, sentimental performance that never failed to stoke the fires of an audience enthused to the brink of combustion. With the sounds of optimism still ringing in their ears, the crowd bustles out past a congested merchandise stall, nostalgia renewed and positivity restored.
Reviewed by Jon Watts
Phot
by
Stev
e G
ullic
k
From Left: Leo Moran (Guitar), Kevin Duffy (Keyboards), Davy Carton (Vocals). Anthony Thistlethwaite (Bass Guitar) and Eimhin Cradock (Drums).
This picture was taken in Hyannis MA last August by the London photographer Steve Gullick, prior to the bands concert at the Cape Cod Melody Tent.Thanks to Amanda McGrath at Saw Doctors HQ for supplyin us with the image.
The Furball Page 39
Band Profile
Sloe Jam
“Genre” is a French work that means “kind”, or “sort”. So, to say something is a of a particular GENRE, is to REALLY say, “Its KIND of, SORT of like… you know… a led zeppelin kind of thing with bits of kraftwerk thrown in, but being played by Charlie Parker…Get it?”. No. You don’t get it. No one does. Genre only works in broad strokes. By definition, there is NO definition. So why do we INSIST on lumping every last bit of art and music we come across into a GENRE? Musicologists might tell you that this perplexing need to BOX music ”in”, was a result of pressure from retailers in the early 20th century. Everyone knew Debussy, but this new “race” music, as jazz and blues was called, needed a tidy tag to sell to potential customers. I don’t know, I’m not a musicologist, but I am stuck with GENRE. Yet another maddeningly obtuse concept from the French.
Do you want to have some fun? Show up at the next Sloe Jam gig and ask them what GENRE they are… Neil will puff his cheeks and exhale, shaking his head. Francis, with the concise language employed by teachers who are used to dealing with collective heads of knuckle, will say , “ I don’t know, you work it out”.
The Rock Cafe, Nunney Village Hall, a few weeks ago.
More on next page
Francis and Keren in the groove
In the pink at the album launch
Next to the skin
Sloe Jam Continued...
Page 40 The Furball
Keren is selling CDs.Don’t bother her… Then listen to them play… It’s definitely blues. But.. kind of sort of.. folky, with some 80s pop and country thrown in. But they’re really just a loud rock band that does samba… Get it? No. you don’t get it. And THAT is, the point.
The first time I saw Sloe Jam was about 3 years ago at the Nunney Acoustic Café. At the time, they were performing as a trio. Guitarist Francis Hayden, Vocalist Kerrin Hayden, and lead guitarist Neil Edgeson(Who I will NOT refer to as THE EDGE at all in this piece.). What struck me was how big the sound was with so few people. Many listens later, I’ve come to conclusion that the “bigness” of the sound had less to do with the instrumentation, than the songs themselves. Brilliantly written little nuggets that suck you in and hold you there. But what also struck was how they refused to be pigeonholed. An angry, political rocker flowed perfectly into a sexy, jaunty romp. Sure, there was blues and folk, but it was all slightly twisted by the performers. No small feat. Even more amazing, is when artists can “span the genres”, (to quote Howard Moon), yet still sound like a band with an identity all their own. Check 2 for Sloe Jam. Fast forward a few years, and we can see what the fuss is all about. A fully formed, and expanded Sloe Jam. Bassist Shane Fry adds the much needed low end, and a complimentary song writing style. And the final piece of the puzzle, Drummer Colin Ashley. Recently released from an extended spell in the studio, the band are out there ready to prove that you can be diverse, and still sound like a band, thus creating their own “genre”.Which brings us to the newly released debut CD, Next to the Skin. Recording offers artists with the willingness to be adventurous, a sonic palette not available at live performances. And Sloe Jam utilized this to the fullest. Lush and layered acoustic guitars fit next to snarling solos and expressive, breathy vocals to give the impression of a band that knows what it wants, and the hell with rules. The collection songs on offer paint a portrait of musicians truly comfortable with where they sit in the history of music. Funk and Jazz legend Pee Wee Ellis adds his world class tone and phrasing to 2 of the tracks. Packaged in a NO PLASTIC, cardboard CD case that looks as dark and deeply mysterious as the music.
Do yourself a favour and pick up a copy, or see them live. Just don’t expect the usual pub band. Expect to be impressed. And don’t try and put them in a box.
By Will Angeloro
Neil & Francis in sync
Shane Fry Colin Ashley
received a bit of grief over last month’s column, in particular, the claim that Punk is NY institution. Sorry, I’m unrepentant. But it got me thinking of another purely NY creation. And that’s Hip Hop.This month, let’s delve into what may be the best
Hip Hop album of all time, De La Soul’s 3ft High and Rising.
De La Souls debut dropped at an interesting turning point for Hip Hop. In 1989, Hip Hop was 10 years old and showing signs of stagnation. The codes and conventions 1st laid down by the pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, Kool Moe Dee, Sugar Hill Gang, KRS-1, Run Dmc etc were firmly in the public arena. If you said “Rap Music” in 1989, most people would have a pretty clear picture of what is was about. But things were
starting to change. Djs and producers began pushing to envelope as to what could and couldn’t be used to create the sound tracks. James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic had been picked to death, and the TR808 drum machine was everywhere. Where could it go? Sampling technology (the ability to digitize a chunk of audio and play it back through a keyboard) was getting more sophisticated. All it took was someone with a huge head for music history (and a sizable record collection) and the willingness to break from the norm. Enter Prince Paul.Hot off of the success of Stetsasonic, Prince Paul was known for his quirky, layered sound. All it took was a group with an equal passion for new sounds and the creative drive to put it all together. Amityville, NYs De La Soul fit the bill perfectly. Not content with the aggro ghetto posturing of the LA scene, or the overt politicizing of Public Enemy, De La wanted to create a positive sound to accompany their philosophy, “The DAISY AGE”(Da Inner Sound Y’all!). And in 1988, they set
Classic Albums Revisited...
De La Soul3 Feet High And Rising
about creating the Sgt Pepper of Hip Hop (The title “Sgt Pepper of hip hop may also be bestowed on the Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique, which came out around the same
time. But that’s for another day). The result was the colourful, dense, and absolutely awe inspiring, 3ft
High and Rising.You’re hit right from the start with “The
Magic Number”. With a crackly sample from 70s American TV staple,
Schoolhouse rock, the tone is set for a series of sonic left turns. Mining
samples from obscure and bizarre sources, the album
opens up like a tabletop book on art history.
Different moods, sounds, and
colours unfold until the
listener is torn
between analyzing
the music, the lyrics, or the
whole collection, like a short hip-hop novel.
“Eye Know” features a Steely Dan(!) sample. While
“Me, Myself, and I” dares the listener NOT to get up and dance.
Lyrically, they covered the not-often touched on themes of Love, Inadequacy,
and non-violence. Novel for its time, and setting a precedent for more thoughtful
rhyming in hip-hopThe sheer impact of this album, and the further
work of De La Soul and their fellow “Native Tongue Posse”, revolutionized hip-hop. Groups like Tribe Called Quest and the Jungle Brothers owe a debt to De La simply for redefining the parameters. It ushered in the golden “2nd age” of rap that featured intelligent lyrics, dense sounds, and foremost, a sense of fun.
I
WA
The Furball Page 41
By Will Angeloro
Page 42 The Furball
Grandma Liniment
Teddy South (15) on Parkour
Teddy: Its called Parkour. It’s a discipline that started in France. Parkour is a translation of obstacle course, or free running. I think it’s like an art form not a sport, like a martial art, or athletics. You have to get from one place to another as smoothly as possible using the objects that are around you, like stairs and railings. Its like skateboarding in that a culture has developed around it. It’s a youth thing.
Well, this sounded like just the thing had been looking for! Dredging the sludgy bottom of my memory I recalled that I had seen an advert for BBC 1 many moons ago (July 2006) in which a man called David Belle jumped around on top of London in order to get home quickly. Could this have been Parkour?
Teddy: Yes, David Belle is the founder – you can check out his videos on youTube.
Personally, standing in the precinct with the wind blowing empty fag packets around my creaking knees I couldn’t see the attraction, so I asked teddy what he liked about it
Teddy: Its free, you don’t need any equipment and you can do it anywhere. So it has a wide appeal. Also you don’t have to fork out a lot of money, although you do need a decent pair of trainers, especially for jumping, to absorb the shock. Actually I spent loads of money on mine but you don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s really exhilarating; when you’re hanging in the air everything kind of stops for a split second and you’re not too certain whether you’ll land it or not. But when you do land the enjoyment doesn’t last very long so you’re immediately looking for more. I guess I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie.
This alarmed me slightly as I had read about things like this in the Daily Mail. We don’t want hordes of these adrenaline junkies rampaging round Frome like lemmings on speed, so I poked him with the handle of my umbrella, the one carved into the shape of a dog’s head, and asked if there were more like him in town.
Teddy: I know quite a lot of people in Somerset that do it, and in Bath and Trowbridge, it but not that many in Frome. I run a club after school and I’ve been waiting to see if people are interested in joining. It’s popular with 14 and 15 year olds especially because they’re looking for something else, something new.
Now call me old fashioned but it does look a teensy bit dangerous. I asked him about the safety issues.
Teddy: I think a lot of the safety issues are exaggerated because people wouldn’t put themselves in a situation that would be extremely dangerous. A lot of it is played up in the media as well, for example all that jumping off roof tops and stuff, You don’t do it on roof tops; you have to look around for things on ground level, like walls, steps, railings and so on, to practice with. There are some spots where you need to be in a jumping situation, but apart from that there isn’t much risk. I’ve never hurt myself seriously; I have pulled muscles occasionally and I’ve got
GRANDMA LINIMENTINVESTIGATES
Do you know, it has gradually dawned on me that the young people of today are no longer content with a pat on the head and a nice shiny shilling at Christmas. In fact they seem to be involved in a host of noisy, energetic and sometimes alarming activities. Someone has to find out what these whippersnappers are doing, and why they are doing it! So in the interest of public information and without regard for my personal safety (or even a nice cup of tea) I have cast aside my tartan rug and hobbled out to investigate. I found a Young Person jumping around the town centre in an oddly determined way, so I caught him round the leg with my umbrella and while he was lying on the floor groaning I took the opportunity to ask him what he was doing….
Parkour
The Furball Page 43
Grandma Linement Investigates
some quite nasty cuts from where I’ve rolled over glass in just a t shirt but I haven’t broken any bones.
My friends, Mildred, Doris and I (but not Stanley, after the incident with the sherbet fountain) like to get together around the teapot for a cosy chat. I wondered if that were the case with Teddy and his young friends.
Teddy: Yeah, definitely. There’s a jam culture which has emerged which is where people form local teams and they have like jams and stuff, where they go and meet
up with other crews and talk about move,s and teach each other new techniques. Its very community based. The internet has also really helped the
Parkour community; there are lots of videos of Parkour, and people at jams. People also use it to share information
about jams, good spots to practice and things like that.
As Teddy was now showing signs of discomfort I helped him to his feet, dusted him down and sent
him on his way. As I watched him go, springing onto walls and over railings like a little urban
muntjac I wondered how long it would be before this newly born youth movement,
still the property of Teddy’s fresh generation, would be taken over by the
corporate machine and diverted into the mainstream. The tea leaves
predict that all too soon we will be seeing Parkour trainers on the shelves at £300 a pop,
Parkour keep fit sessions at the gym, and corporate days out where jumping over obstacles replaces paint-balling as the team-building
activity of choice for middle management. Hang onto it as
long as possible, kids; today’s youth movement is tomorrow’s cash cow. Or as I
always say: the lamblings of spring nary dance in the winter! Anyway, I’m off for a cuppa and a nap
in front of the wrestling. Take care my lovelies!
Page 44 The Furball
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Album cover by Dawn (Jon’s partner). Lovely illustration.
The Furball Page 45
nice people
1. What would you like to tell me?
(Leander) We’ll be performing at 3 Festivals this summer including Bath Fringe with Cara Dillon on June 7th at Komedia. (Jon) We’re also performing at Glastonbury Festival on sunday 26th June and Frome Festival in July.
2.Where did they go?
(Leander) To buy our debut EP “The Quarange Tree” from Itunes or direct from us at www.moraleswatts.com? (Patrick) Well since I hooked up with Jon and Leander less than 12 months ago, performed in Swindon, Tunbridge Wells, High Wycombe, London, Corsham, Brighton, Marlborough, Bath, Swindon again (and again...), Frome loads of times...and Scarborough! (Jon) To have Tea and Biscuits!
3.Whats holding you down?
(Jon) Gravity.
4. Is it Right?
(Leander) Well, my ma always use to say 2 wrongs don’t make a right. It all depends on what the “It” is. (Patrick) “Is it right?” could almost be our band motto - we’re all such perfectionists; it drives me mad ‘cos we all want different bits of what we do to be perfect!!!
5. Choose- Wood or Trees?and Why?
(Leander) Trees - I enjoy the oxygen they produce.(Patrick) Trees- I also enjoy oxygen but love climbing trees; in fact, one day I’d like to buy a forest and build a treehouse community. No kidding. I have books about it!(Jon) Wooden Trees - No particular reason.
Domenic DeCicco
If you get a chance to catch these guys, do try. They know what they’re doing.
Wednesday June 3rd...The Olive Tree...Frome6 Christchurch Street West ...BA11 1EQTel: 01373 467140Domenic returns to this inviting local venue and weekly acoustic club for special eveningof songs from his solo cd as well as re-worked arrangements of Pftr songs..and a few new ones too!.with special guest Paul Sax on violin... Saturday July 4th.....Frome Festival 2009.... Frome, SomersetPraying for the Rain perform the yearly outdoor set at this years festivalperformance begins at 6pm....free... on main street....www.fromefestival.co.uk
Sunday July 12th....Frome Festival 2009....Frome, SomersetMasonic Hall ...North Parade, Frome, BA11 5HUTickets from festival office: £5...concert begins at 10:15pmDomenic closes the festival with a performance at this intimate venue...with guests Paul Sax on violin and brother Vince on accordion...this will be a rareperformance with songs from his solo works as well as re-adapted Pftr music...don’t miss it! Friday August 7th.....Gaunts House Summer Gathering 2009.... DorsetWimborne, Dorset, BH21 4JQ Praying for the Rain perform a set at this years festival...+44 (0) 1202-841522 ...www.gauntshouse.com
Obscure treasures and forgotten funk curiosEl Combo Xingu “Xingu”(IRT records)
Normally when you hear a truly great band play, you’ll get a real sense of the urgency surrounding the recording. The ferocity in which they play has a real edge and creative hunger. Sometimes this means the band have been through extreme hardship to get there. Or they’re from a marginalized community. Or they are heavily politicized. Or all of the above.This obscure band had clearly been honed on a diet of funky music, as the set is largely based on cover version’s of tracks by James Brown, The Meters, Herbie Hancock and The Nitelighters, along with a couple of their own original compositions. The social issue’s regarding the funk movement in America are already well documented. But as the old story goes, there is always somewhere worse.El Combo Xingu were based in Chile during the 1970’s. Anyone familiar with modern history may know that on the 11th of September 1973, General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the populist government of Salvador Allende in a bloody US-backed coup d’etat, ( you hear that Will! ) and established a military dictatorship that subjected it’s people to grotesque violations of human rights. Among the many restrictions placed on the public, was that ‘black’ music was forbidden, as it was seen as a polarizing influence for the disenfranchised. A couple of weeks after the records release, destruction of the entire press including the original master tapes were ordered by the fascist junta, but a couple of copies were secretly witheld, and made it across the border to Peru. This small token of resistance in the face of brutality, has ensured that this amazing session became the stuff of legend after turning up in the lucky hands of a few global collectors. Highlight’s include the incredible psych-fuzz cover of Led Zepplin’s ‘Moby Dick’, their latin interpretation of Herbie Hancock’s classic ‘Bring Down The Birds’ ( Bajas Las Chiquillas) and their own original contribution ‘493 West’, which just rocks!Needless to say, original’s on vinyl are impossibly rare, but you might be able to find a copy on itunes. Actually, i’d better just check that.......
Your search did not match any results.Try searching again, or browse the iTunes store.
TracklistingBaja Las ChiquillasPuente Sobre Aguas TurbulentasTanga Boo GonkNo Permitas Que Me Interpreten MalMoby DickBlack PowerHot Pants493 WestLuces BrillantesEverybody’s Everything
Barry MacDonaldPage 46
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