Watching The Divine Comedy

I saw the Divine Comedy the other week. You can read my review here...

I saw Archie Bronson Outfit live

I saw Archie Bronson Outfit a week or so ago. Here's the review...

I saw Tindersticks live

I saw Tindersticks last week. You can read my review here....

Filler

Not much going still. Granted I did go back to Stoke for the weekend - so nothing interesting there. I did get a replacement laptop and my brother is kindly retrieving my hard drive from my old one, so that’s fine. And I shall be paying for my new laptop with my £825 tax refund - oh yeah...

I saw the newly reformed Cornershop.


And the rescheduled Ladytron gig...

And here are some more review type things…

Sunset Boulevard (1950) William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich Von Stroheim. Dir: William Wilder

Down on his luck screenwriter Holden gets caught up in the twisted web of a former silent screen goddess. Iconic film noir with Wilder’s trademark sharp dialogue, but it’s the loaded performance of real life former icon Swanson that steals the show. OTT but with the bitter pill of truth

DDDDD

Theatre of Blood (1973) Vincent Price, Diana Rigg, Ian Hendry. Dir: Douglas Hickox

Shakerspearian ham actor Price takes revenge against his critics with a series of bard inspired murders.
Price is having the most fun in this entertaining spoof, but the narrative is very bitty, and the tension never seems to really build up. But the set pieces are very memorable.

DDDD

Marnie (1964) Sean Connery, Tippi Hedren, Martin Gable, Diance Baker. Dir Alfred Hitchcock

Connery is smitten with Hedren, a frigid kleptomaniac who‘s robbed him, so he determines to set her straight. Lesser Hitchcock - hard to believe that Connery would keep patience with such an unlikeable lead, the audience certainly won’t and the ending doesn’t vindicate it. Mother is sympathetic for once

DDD

Bestiality Case of the Day...

Pictures

I have had the immense pleasure of seeing a number of wonderful bands during the last two months. I'd like to share with you some photographs from these special evenings.

Clinic at the 220 club.


Portishead at Hammersmith Apollo.


Supported by A Hawk And A Hacksaw.


Bjork, also at Hammersmith Apollo.


Elbow at Brixton Empire (feat Richard Hawley).


Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds at Hammersmith Apollo.


Jonathan Richman at Shepherds Bush Empire.


Ladytron at London Astoria


Sparks at Islington Academy


Einsturzende Neubauten at London Forum

I'm Not Ashamed Of It!

Yes that's right, I went to see the Pet Shop Boys last week, and I'm proud of it damn it. Pure entertainment that's what it was.

Almost two hours of quality fun, I don't care what anyone says about them!!!

THEY'RE GREAT




I can assure you that's a mike stand that Tennant's holding.

If you're like me and desperate to know who made it to the no1 spot in the poll of the top 100 Belgians then click here now. It took me by surprise I can tell you.

Samuel Goldwynism's of the day:

“In two words, im-possible.”
“Can she sing? She’s practically a Florence Nightingale.”
“Why did you name him Sam? Every Tom, Dick and Harry is named Sam!”

Photos

Here is me climbing a tree in Epping Forest:

Yes, yes I am holding tight.

Here is french multi-instrumentalist Yann Tiersen playing at the Scala in London:


And this is Ro-man, enjoying the delights of the million dollar bubble machine:


Samual Goldwyn Quote or 'Goldwynism' of the day: "Anyone who would go to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined!"

First-Greatwestern Admit Fiction Train Concerns

Dear Mr Nixon

Thank you very much for your correspondence concerning your journey between Penryn Cornwall and Stoke-on-Trent on 10 June 2006-07-10

I’m really sorry that the length of your train journey was longer than you expected it to be. Our colleagues at Network Rail have a programme of engineering work in place at the weekend and as a result train timings are generally longer than those in the week. For this reason, and because late notice changes are often needed, we strongly advise customers to check journey times with www.virgin.com/trains or with national rail enquiries, before they travel*.

At times of engineering work we are unable to offer discounted tickets and make seat reservations** until Network rails confirm the re-timings of the amended services. Re-timings may not be completed until the day before travel.

Customers who purchase tickets in advance are then sold the normal standard fare, which is what happened in your case.

In view of your experience I would like you to accept the enclosed travel vouchers*** for £19.00****, which you can use over the next twelve months.

We do appreciate your feedback on our level of service and for taking the time to writing to us

Yours sincerely

CENSORED *****

Customer Relations

*Assumes I have the internet or that the person at National Rail will have a half reasonable grasp of English and dammit if they move or cancel a train why don't they contact me!

**Some people did have reservations. Why not print tickets closer to the day when reservations are available, though this is difficult if your train doesn't exist.

***There's just the one voucher

****How did they arrive at the figure of £19, via the Virgin Trains conpensation calculating dart-board perhaps?

*****Double-barrelled - not to be trusted

Saw Divine Comedy at Somerset House on Thursday, they were wicked as per usual.

Quote of the Day: "Years ago, I saved up a million dollars from acting—a lot of money then—and I spent it all on a horse farm in Tucson. Now when I go down there, I look at the place and I realize my whole acting career adds up to a million dollars worth of horseshit.” - Robert Mitchum