MODERNAGE MAGAZINE by Ben Archer

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EDITORS LETTER Welcome to the first ever issue of modernage magazine. This magazine is designed to keep you up to date with the worlds of music, film and television, as well as providing insightful interviews and features, along with reviews of the latest releases. This month’s cover star is Andrew Halligan, lead songwriter in English rock ‘n roll band ‘Furious’, who are currently shaking the very foundations of the rock scene. With stories from the bands trips to Russia, France and a bomb scare in Reading, Halligan paints a picture of what it is like to be a young up and coming band touring the world for the first time. We also have an interview with Liverpool based band Drop The Girl, as we speak to them about their influences and aspirations. Television features heavily this month, with looks at two major American TV series’. ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ has taken America by storm over the past 5 years, and we look at the shows best characters, moments, and discuss the possible reasons why it has not yet been brought over to the UK. Next up is The Walking Dead, you will find all you need to know about Season One of the zombie epic, with a roundup of the shows debut season. We have a complete guide to the biggest and best tours to look forward to in 2011, featuring Beady Eye, The Strokes, Kasabian, Foo Fighters and many more. You will be kept up to date with the latest goings on in both music and film, with news features rounding up the biggest stories causing a stir today. This is the modernage...

music - film - television 3

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16 22

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S T N E T CON 6 Music News 8 Gig Previews A look ahead to the biggest tours of 2011

12 Chord Book Learn how to play the hits of Bon Jovi and U2

16 Drop The Girl! Interview Ben Archer speaks to the up and coming Liverpool band

20 Album Reviews Michael Jackson, Weezer and Brandon Flowers are up for discussion

22 Furious Interview Ben Archer speaks to the band shaking the foundations of Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Roll

30 Film News 32 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Always Sunny in Philadelphia A look at the American comedy series

36 The Walking Dead We round up Season One of the hit zombie series

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MUSIC

!” G IN D E E P S L IL T S , R A “DIFFERENT GE

Album: Different Gear, Still Speeding Artist: Beady Eye Release:28th February 2011 Label: Beady Eye Records

Beady Eye announce details of debut album

eady Eye have announced details of their debut album, to be released in early 2011. The band, consisting of the remaining members of Oasis, will release the album on their own label, Beady Eye Records on February 28th. ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’ will feature 13 tracks, with song writing duties shared between band members Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer and Andy Bell. The album has been produced and mixed by Steve Lillywhite, who has previously worked with bands such as U2 and The Smiths. The band was born after the events of August 2009, which seen Oasis chief songwriter Noel Gallagher quit the band moments before they were due on stage at a large European music festival, where they were due to play a headlining slot. It is believed that an altercation between the Gallagher brothers forced Noel’s hand, and he released a statement commenting on how he could not continue to work with Liam for a moment longer. Not wanting to work under the burden of the Oasis name, the remaining members named themselves ‘Beady Eye’, and began work in 2010 on new material. In late 2010 album taster ‘Bring the Light’ was released as a free download, receiving mixed reactions from the loyal Oasis fan base. However, album lead single ‘Four Letter Word’, has been received warmly, with many fans commenting that it trumps Oasis’

The album will mark the beginning of a new era for Liam Gallagher later work. Short previews have also been released online, allowing fans the chance to sample each track on the album, lifelong Oasis fan George Rowlands commented, “I think Beady Eye's new album will definitely sur-

prise a few people, and personally I can't wait for the new album.” Rowlands continued, “After hearing the preview clips of each song from the album I am certain this album will be right up there with the last few Oasis albums.”

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MUSIC Strokes IV on the way Julian Casablancas has announced that the as yet untitled new Strokes album has been recorded. The album now just needs to be mixed and it will be ready for release in Spring 2011. Speaking via his personal Twitter account, the New York singer wrote in reply to a question about the new albums progress “Still not going to be out for a few monthsmixing, etc, but JUST finally finished it yesterday actually!?”. This news was then backed up by Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture commenting “YES! It's true. Strokes IV is DONE!! Let's go party”. The album will mark the bands return to the music scene, after a five year break since their last release, 2006s’ First Impressions of Earth. Each band member has taken on solo projects during the time, with Casablancas releasing his own album, Phrazes for the Young, in 2009. The new album will be the fourth studio album released by the band, which made its name on the music industry with the highly rated debut album, Is This It, in 2001.

Spiderman musical hits new setback The Spiderman musical due to hit Broadway in 2011 has hit a new setback, after an actor fell from 20 feet during a live dress rehearsal. Actor Christopher Tierney was rushed to hospital after the fall, in a new incident that joins a long list of problems the production has encountered. Tierney suffered four broken ribs, a bruised lung, three cracked vertebrae, and a hairline skull fracture. The 31 year old actor underwent surgery, with his family commenting that he is doing well in recovery. The musical that has been written by U2 band members Bono and The Edge has been plagued by accidents and delays, and this latest incident will only increase the onset tension. In the past weeks of rehearsals, several actors have been seriously hurt by falling from a height, with healthy and safety a growing concern now between actors.

TWITS Liam Gallagher Happy Christmas to all the boys and girls from Liam Nicole Lennon Gene ruby and kid see you in the new year x

Kanye West I've finally realized as long as you use profanity when you talk about art and fashion it's better accepted!!!

Rivers Cuomo How many times do you meet someone before you stop shaking their hand?

Axl Rose I'd like to thank all our fans for coming out to the shows over the last year all over the world!! Was great to see you n' to be able to perform for you!! 7

Berry on stage collapse Rocker Chuck Berry is recovering after collapsing on stage at concert in Chicago. The 84 year refused to go to hospital, after he was seen to fall onto his piano mid song. Berry continues to tour despite his age, and has recently completed tours across Europe and America. The singer returned to the stage after the incident, but was too weak to continue playing. Berry, famous for hits such as Johnny B Goode, spoke to the crowd to explain the situation, and apologise for not being able to continue. Speaking to the Chicago tribune, the veterans agent commented “All I know is he felt faint, he felt weak, and I was told to call 911, 15 minutes into the set it went from fine to something wasn't right.”

Grohl: New album is done Dave Grohl has confirmed that the Foo Fighters have finished recording their latest album, and it is ready for mixing. The album is due to be released in the Spring, with the band headlining major festivals across Europe in promotion of the work. Grohl, speaking to Radio One, said “There are 11 songs and front to back there's not one sleepy ballad, we did it without any computers and it just sounds massive.” Fans of the band will be happy to hear the news that the band is returning to the out and out rock sound that can be found on the bands earlier efforts. The album will mark the bands first release since 2007 effort ‘Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace’. Former Nirvana producer Butch Vig has produced the record, the first time Grohl has worked with the producer since he was part of the band in the early 1990’s. The band made their live comeback with a surprise gig in America. The Foos’ were joined onstage by former Nirvana band members Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, with the band previewing some of the new material found on the as yet untitled album. Foo Fighters are set to headline the Isle of White Festival, as well as T in the Park which is held in Scotland.

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MUSIC

Benicassim and Isle of Wight 2011 Festivals Strokes, Kasabian, Pulp, Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys to play

Benicassim 2011 promises something special, with the headliners already announced, it is looking to leave all other 2011 festivals in its shadow. July will see The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire and Primal Scream descend on the port town of Benicassim for the four day event, with over 100 acts set to play. The event has become more of a British festival abroad in recent years, with such artists as Oasis, Morrissey and Kasabian playing, as well as the thousands of tourists that travel each year. The Strokes return to the festival this year, five years after headlining the 2006 festival. With the as yet untitled fourth studio album due for release in early 2011, you can expect two hours of no frills pure rock n’ roll, that is all to rare in the more modern indie rock bands of recent years. Arcade Fire will also headline the main stage at some point over the long weekend. Still touring their brilliant third album ‘The Suburbs’, they will make their ( ) appearance at

the festival. Their 2010 UK arena tour sold out instantly, as did all other European dates, so a huge crowd will be expected for their headline slot. Another act certain to draw the numbers, Arctic Monkeys, also play the festival. The band have not played any UK tour dates since 2009, so fans will be eager to see the band after a couple of years away. Although last album, ‘Humbug’, didn’t provide as many hit singles as their previews two efforts, it presented a band with a much more mature sound, it was a critics favourite if not everyone’s cup of tea. They have become one of the best live bands in recent years, producing a powerful sound with their arsenal of anthems. Go to headliners ‘Kings of Leon’ are strongly rumoured to be making an appearance, promoting their newest release ‘Come Around Sundown’. Pulp make their return to the music scene in 2011, with a headline slot at the Isle of Wight festival. They will join Kings of Leon, Foo

Fighters and Kasabian over the three day event in June. Since their last gig in 2002, singer Jarvis Cocker has released a number of solo efforts in the nine years that has passed, and it will be interesting to see how the band will form after such a lengthy hiatus. The opening night will see ‘Kings of Leon’ headline their only UK festival in 2011. Foo Fighters headline the Saturday night, a month before they host two massive shows the MK Bowl. The 2011 event will be closed by Kasabian, who are rapidly earning a reputation as the country’s best live act. Their last album, West Pauper Lunatic Asylum, took the band to a new level, with the album gaining commercial and critical success. Singles ‘Underdog’ and ‘Fire’ where two of the biggest selling releases of 2009, allowing the band to sell out some of the country’s biggest arenas and catapulting them to headline status all over the world.

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MUSIC

Bon Jovi Announce UK Tour

Band to play huge Manchester and London shows on jaunt

Bon Jovi return to the UK and Ireland in June for a series of huge outdoor shows. Titled ‘Open Air 2011’, the shows will see them visiting Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Dublin and London’s famous ‘Hard Rock Calling’ festival at Hyde Park. The band’s latest release, 2010’s ‘Bon Jovi Greatest Hits’ reached #2 in the UK album charts, with the album soaring high at #1 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Portugal and the official European Top 100 Chart. To promote the album, the band will tour the world once again following on from last years ‘The Circle Tour’. Now, Bon Jovi are not every music fans cup of tea, but the band have built a fierce live reputation, and with 25 years of touring ex-

perience, they know how to put on a show. With guaranteed sing-alongs You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive, It’s My Life and Always the shows are sure to be entertaining ways to spend a summers day, and being part of a 60,000 strong crowd singing Livin’ on a Prayer is a moment that everyone deserves to experience. The first stop see’s the band hit Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on 22nd June, the band then move on to Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester on Friday 24th June. A day later the band head to Hyde Park to headline the Saturday of ‘Hard Rock Calling 2011’, with the UK and Ireland tour finishing with two dates at Irelands RDS Arena on the 29th/30th June. The band also return to Bris-

tols Ashton Gate stadium, returning to the venue they first played in 2008 as part of the Lost Highway tour. Rumours had surfaced that the band was due to the play a London date at Wembley Stadium over the summer. These rumours were a surprise due the bad blood between the bands promoters and the stadium management after Bon Jovi’s official stadium opening had to be cancelled back in 2006. Take Thats’ huge summer tour is likely to have effected the venues Bon Jovi is due to play. The band have taken over the majority of the UK’s stadiums in June, including Wembley, and the City of Manchester Stadium, the later a venue Bon Jovi have played twice before on previous tours.

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MUSIC Beady Eye announce first ever UK tour

Foo Fighters to play MK Bowl in summer

Foo Fighters make their comeback with two mega shows at the MK Bowl. Over 120,000 fans will pass through the gates over the 2 days, which will mark the band’s first live shows anywhere in the world since 2008. Dave Grohl’s men have been slaving away in the recording studio since summer 2010, and these shows will see them showcase new material alongside tracks found on their ‘Greatest Hits’ release in 2009. Grohl’s live showmanship is not to be missed, with his ability to make a stadium show feel like an intimate club gig between just the band, you and a few thousand friends. The show’s sold out within hours, which is astonishing considering the capacity of the venue, although it does prove that the love is still strong for the band on these shores even after a few years away. Foo’s live gigs are really not to be missed, while they do carry an impressive production (that once included a separate acoustic stage descending from a venues ceiling into the middle of the crowd), they let the music do the talking, boasting a sound louder than any band currently performing. There are still ticket and coach packages available from various ticketing agencies, however do not leave it too late as these are sure to sell fast.

Liam Gallagher makes his live music return in March with a short UK and European tour with new band ‘Beady Eye’. After Noel Gallagher quit Oasis in August 2009, the remaining band members decided to ditch the Oasis name, and continue making music. This decision has seen a number of changes in the bands live set up. Gem Archer takes over on lead guitar, with Oasis bassist Andy Bell moving onto guitar. Jeff Wooton, part of Gorillaz joins to take over on bass duties. Chris Sharrock stays on drums, with Matt Jones on keyboard. The band will play nights in Gallaghers home city of Manchester, at the Apollo venue, as well as multiple nights in Glasgow and London. All of the UK dates sold out within minutes of going on sale, with only a few of the European dates still selling tickets. Gem Archer has already ruled out the possibility of the band playing songs from Oasis’ back catalogue, therefore the set list will consist of material from the band’s debut album, ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’, due for release in February.

Take That for summer stadium tour Robbie Williams rejoins Take That for their mammoth UK stadium jaunt in the summer. With every person in the country seemingly trying to buy tickets, the gigs sold out instantly. The demand has left to the Mancunian five piece to playing an amazing seven night at the City of Manchester Stadium, and another seven nights at Wembley Stadium, as well as numerous nights at other venues across the country. Robbie will get his time in the limelight at the gigs, with some of his solo material scheduled to be performed. Whilst this may annoy some people, the majority will be happy hearing these songs standing shoulder to shoulder with the full bands hits.

NME Big Gig The annual NME Big Gig takes place this year at Londons’ Wembley Arena. The event will be headlined by Foo Fighters, whose front man Dave Grohl will receive a Godlike Genius award at the 2011 NME Awards. Other artists on the bill include Cee Lo Green, Band of Horses and No Age. The event is staged each year as part of the NME Awards Show, and will take place on 25TH February. The event has previously seen bands such as Manic Street Preachers, Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons and The Cribs take to the stage, with last years’ event at the O2 Arena headlined by The Cure.

Elton John summer gigs Elton John will play a trio of outdoor dates this summer. Accompanied by his backing band, the artist will perform shows in Shrewsbury, Northampton and Sussex. John has recently announced that he will be retiring from the music business, therefore shows such as these will offer a final glimpse of a true living legend doing what he does best.

Eric Clapton residency

Eric Clapton will perform a short residency at the Royal Albert Hall in May. The singer songwriter will play six dates at the famous venue during May, with a further five nights accompanied by Steve Winwood. Clapton also played the venue in late 2010, headlining the Princes Trust Rock Gala Concert.

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SONGBOOK

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SONGBOOK Wanted Dead or Alive It's all the same, only the names will change Everyday it seems we're wasting away Another place where the faces are so cold I'd drive all night just to get back home I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride I'm wanted dead or alive Wanted dead or alive Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days And the people I meet always go their separate ways Sometimes you tell the day By the bottle that you drink And times when you're alone all you do is think I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride I'm wanted dead or alive Wanted dead or alive I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back I been everywhere, and I'm standing tall I've seen a million faces an I've rocked them all I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride I'm wanted dead or alive I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side I'm wanted dead or alive And I ride, dead or alive I still drive, dead or alive Dead or alive [x4]

‘’Slippery When Wet’ was the album that trasnformed Bon Jovi into one the biggest bands on the planet, including hits such as Livin On a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, and of course, Wanted Dead or Alive. The song is an ever present in the bands live setlists, 24 years after its release, and its populalirty is still increasing.

Chords

Verse D, C, G, C, G, F, D Chorus C, G, F, D, C, G, F, D

Lost Highway In my rear view mirror, my life is getting clearer The sunset sighs and slowly disappears These trinkets once were treasure, life changes like the weather You grow up, grow old or you hit the road 'round here So I drive, watching white lines passing by With my plastic dashboard Jesus waiting there to greet us

‘Lost Highway’ was the tenth studio album released by Bon Jovi. The album was seen as an experiment from the band, with the album carrying the influence of Nashville and country music. The title track was the one of the most popular songs on the album, and was later released a single.

Chords Introduction C, C/B, Em, D Verse G, Em, C

[Chorus] Hey hey! I finally found my way, say goodbye to yesterday Hit the gas, there ain't no brakes on this lost highway Yeah, I'm busting loose, I'm letting go, out on this open road It's Independence Day on this lost highway Hey hey! Hey hey! I don't know where I'm going but I know where I've been And I'm afraid of going back again So I drive, years and miles are flying by And waiting there to greet us is my plastic dashboard Jesus [Chorus]

Bridge D, C, D, F Chorus C, G, Em, D

Oh 'Patron Saint of Lonely Souls' tell this boy which way to go Guide the car, you got the keys, farewell to mediocrity Kicking off the cruise-control and turning up the radio Got just enough religion and a half tank of gas, come on, let's go! 13

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SONGBOOK

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SONGBOOK Beautiful Day U2: ‘Beautiful Day’ was the opening track and lead single of the bands 200 album. It is to this day one of the bands biggest hits, reaching #1 in numerous countries including the UK. Since the songs release, it has been played at every single U2 live show, as it quickly became a fan favourite.

The heart is a bloom Shoots up through the stony ground There's no room No space to rent in this town You're out of luck And the reason that you had to care The traffic is stuck And you're not moving anywhere You thought you'd found a friend To take you out of this place Someone you could lend a hand In return for grace [Chorus] It's a beautiful day Sky falls, you feel like It's a beautiful day Don't let it get away

Chords Verse A, Bm, D, G, D, A Chorus A5, B5, D5, G5, D5, A5

You're on the road But you've got no destination You're in the mud In the maze of her imagination [Chorus] Touch me Take me to that other place Teach me I know I'm not a hopeless case See the world in green and blue See China right in front of you See the canyons broken by cloud See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out See the Bedouin fires at night See the oil fields at first light And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth After the flood all the colors came out [Chorus] Achung Baby, released 1991, was the bands seventh studio release and spawned several hits for the band that are still popular all over the world today. Along with ‘One’, ‘Mysterious Ways’ quickly became one of the bands biggest hits, reaching #1 in several countries around the world.

Chords

Verse A, D, A, E

Bridge Em, D, G

Bridge Am, D, C, G

Chorus A, D, C, G 15

Mysterious Ways Johnny take a walk With your sister in the moon Let her pale light in To fill up your room You've been living underground Eating from a can You've been running away From what you don't understand... Look It's all right, it's all right, all right She moves in mysterious ways It's all right, it's all right, all right She moves in mysterious ways O-o-oh Johnny take a dive With your sister in the rain Let her talk about the things You can't explain To touch is to heal To hurt is to steal If you want to kiss the sky Better learn how to kneel On your knees boy It's all right, it's all right, all right She moves in mysterious ways It's all right, it's all right, all right She moves in mysterious ways Love It's all right, it's all right, all right lift my days, light up my nights Love One day you will look... back And you'll see... where You were held... how By this love... while You could stand there You could move on this moment Follow this feeling

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Drop The Girl!

Ben Archer talks to John Stocker, guitarist and songwriter for the punk rock band from Liverpool...

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MUSIC

Drop The Girl! are an up and coming pop rock group from Liverpool, currently recording their debut EP. Ben Archer sat down to talk with songwriter John Stocker to discuss how the band formed, and the problems that face new bands in the modern music industry...

odernage: First things first, how scene at the moment? That kind of music meant to play a gig a week earlier but it got did the band form? hasn’t been really popular mainstream wise cancelled, and then we got an email saying “Me and the singer Rob when since the early 2000s, when Blink 182 were we had been put forward for The Blackout to college together, and we one of the biggest bands going. gig, and we wondered if they had sent the formed a band. It didn’t go to well though, “Yer, in the UK, on this scene, the main email to the right people, as we had never so we finished it and just waited until we fin- band that are achieving success are You Me played a gig before. But they got back in ished college. Once we finished we got the at Six, then after that there is no one else touch with us and confirmed it. It seemed other members that are in it now together that can be just as good as them. So that is like the best show ever, our first gig and and just started jamming together, from what we want to try and ain towards. We there were over 400 people there. It was in there it let led to writing and doing gigs to- just have to make sure we are in the right the theatre in the old Bar Fly, which is now gether.” Masque.” Modernage: The first band that Modernage: Were you nervous? didn’t go so well, what happened “Once I heard the Blink 182 stuff on “I was a bit. It was a matinee show as there? well, at about 2pm, so we had to get to it I was hooked. I went out and “We were under a different name to the venue for around 10 in the morning bought their album Enema of the what we are now, but the other two to sound check. I got nervous as soon guys who were with us then didn’t as we finished the sound check. We just State after that. After that I just want to write the same kind of music went off into the backstage bit to do wanted to do what they did...” we did. When we got the band toour own thing waiting to play, and I gether like it now, we all were like just felt so nervous.” minded and wanted to play the same kind place at the right time like they are.” Modernage: Do you think it has helped the of music.” Modernage: So growing up, what where band, jumping in at the deep end like that? Modernage: You talk there about the same your major influences? “Definitely. You can tell the difference bekind of music, what would define your music “Blink. Literally just Blink. I remember when tween bands who have played the bigger as? I was about 12, my cousin gave me a mix CD gigs, and those who have just done small “Pop rock, pop punk. It’s hard to distinguish with loads of stuff on it, it had the likes of local gigs. It just gives you the confidence to between the two, they are basically the Sum 41 and Green Day on it, but once I have a bit of showmanship about you, and same.” heard the Blink 182 stuff on it I was hooked. interact with the crowd.” Modernage: Is that because of the Blink 182 I went out and bought their album Enema Modernage: When are you planning to do a influence? of the State after that. After that I just proper tour? “Yer they are more like the pop punk, but wanted to do what they did.” “End of the summer, or the beginning of authen you have bands like You Me at Six, Modernage: What was the first ever gig you tumn. We are in the middle of booking which is more pop rock.” did as Drop The Girl? stuff.” Modernage: Do you think there is a need for “We played with a band called The Blackout Modernage: Is it hard trying to secure the pop rock or pop punk bands on the music for Liverpool Sound City Festival. We were gigs?

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MUSIC

“Well in Liverpool, there is around a handful of bands that can be chosen when a gig comes up. I think now, we are one of those bands. So when it is gigs in Liverpool, people don’t really need to listen to us. Having said that, in other cities no one will have a clue who we are, so with those it is a case of sending our demos out.” Modernage: As you have no problem with gigs in Liverpool, are you wary of becoming too comfortable just playing gigs local? “Yer, definitely. I don’t want to become one of those bands that are content just playing the same places, just for the sake of it to better themselves.” “We have our first gig out of Liverpool next month in Preston, with a good up and coming band called Francesca.” Moderage: You are gearing towards the creation and release of an EP, how many songs are you looking to release on that? “It might be three, it might be five. It all depends on the cost of it all. We are recording with Matt O’Grady, who has produced You Me at Sixs’ albums, and is currently producing Deaf Havana.” Modernage: You mention about costs, is one of the main struggles when starting up as a band money? “The problem getting yourself heard is, you have to have the best sounding songs, but they also need to be recorded with the best person possible. If you can turn around and say we have recorded with Matt O’Grady,

they will link that to You Me at Six and think we must be decent.” Modernage: What is it, apart from having money, do you think new bands need to do right to make it? “Don’t stop practicing. Just because you have written a bunch of songs and played them live a few times, it doesn’t mean they sound great and you sound tight. Once you have practiced, that is when you become tight as a band, and you can add extra things into your performance. You can then think about putting on a show for the people that have come out to see you.” Modernage: Since you first started writing songs has your style changed at all? “I think when I first started writing songs, it was very American. Fast, pop punk. “ Modernage: Do you think that was a case of trying too hard to sound like Blink 182? “It literally was Blink 182. But when we got together as Drop The Girl, because we are in to so many bands and types of music now, we have learnt from just listening to other music.The more we started writing, the more we have started to develop our own sound. At the moment in Liverpool, I can’t think of anyone that has the same sort of sound that we have.” Modernage: As a new band, what would you do without social media? “I honestly do not know. I have read about how bands used to do it, someone would turn up a gig, like them, give them money

to record an album. But now, labels aren’t making as much money as they used to, so now they are just looking for the finished product. Bands that have got the songs, got albums, got the fan base, got the merchandise. It is shame, but bands have got to work so hard now to even get noticed. I like bands that work for it though, the likes of You Me at Six used to be playing to ten people in clubs and pubs, but now they are touring the country with Blink 182. It does show though, that if you work at it, you can do it.” Modernage: Do you think illegal downloads can ever have a positive impact on bands, new bands especially? “I still buy my music, but I believe in the karma that if I go and buy music, someone will go and buy mine. With us though, the EP we are making, we could just release it on iTunes, but I think it would be good for us to give it away for free, just to get people listening and noticing us. At gigs, bands like us are selling shirts for £7-£10, and kids buy them, so you make your money off your merchandise.” Modernage: Looking forward, what do you want to achieve? “I want to be able to tour the UK. I would love to have a music video. I would love to sell out a venue in Liverpool, just to be able to say. Again though, just the thought of being able to go and play our own shows in different cities, were people would come out to see us would be amazing.”

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MUSIC

! G IN K E H T F O N R U T E R There is not many bigger musical events than the release of a new Michael Jackson album, and his death in 2009 has only added to the anticipation of the release of ‘Michael’. But does the album live up to the singers’ legendary status? Ben Archer reviews the record...

6.5

Michael Jackson: Michael ~ Epic Records ~ Release: December 2010 He may not have been with us for over a year, but a new Michael Jackson has still caused mass debate and discussion. The King of Pop returns to the music scene with his first studio release since 2001’s Invincible. Put together using old recordings left by Jackson, various artists and producers have contributed to an album consisting of 10 new songs, with mixed results. Let’s start with the high points of the album. It is certainly a better collection of songs than the disappointing Invincible, holding at least three or four very strong pop songs. The strongest being a stomping rock song. With Lenny Kravitz on guitar, and Dave Grohl on drums, (I Can’t Make It) Another Day is the closest that Jackson has come to a song in the same vein as previous efforts such as Dirty Diana and Give In To Me. A

reoccurring theme found in Michael is that of media intrusion and attention into his private life. (I Can’t Make It) Another Day possibly finds Jackson searching for salvation “At night, I pray before I sleep in hopes of finding you / I've opened up my heart I want you to come through/ I close my eyes I'm searching for your love.” The albums lead single, produced and featuring Akon is the most accessible track on the album, on listening it becomes obvious as to why it was selected for release. Hold My Hand finds the vocals seemingly split between Jackson and Akon, and it actually becomes hard to tell which bits are actually Jackson singing, due to the heavy production. This is one of the main problems of Michael, and a discussion which has raged for many months before the album

was even released. Jacksons’ more hardcore fans are angry at publishers Sony for putting the album yet, with many claiming some of the vocals aren’t Jackson at all. Another argument is that while the vocals are indeed Jackson, the songs are not as he would have wanted. The artist was a notorious perfectionist, wanting every single aspect of a track released under his name to be up to the level he defined as perfect. This is an idea which resounds heavily when listening to Michael, is this release an accurate representation of the music that Jackson was planning on releasing? Or instead is it just a collection of songs that Sony have put together using some left over Jackson vocals, in one last attempt to drain money from Jackson.

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8.5

7.0

7.5

Album: Flamingo Artist: Brandon Flowers Label: Island Records

Album: Hurley Artist: Weezer Label: Epitaph Records

Album: Greatest Hits Artist: Bon Jovi Label: Island Records

Flamboyant, over the top and featuring catchy hooks that echo his previous work, Flamingo marks the solo debut of Killers front man Brandon Flowers. Named after the Las Vegas hotel, the album is a 53 minute ride through the highs and the lows of Vegas, full of synthesisers, symbols and a poker reference around every corner. Is it all too much? No, not at all. Each song contains at least two or three excellent vocal or instrumental hooks that will keep you coming back for more. Lead single Crossfire opens with a riff that will become instantly recognisable even after the first listen, a song that is sure to get Flowers’ solo career off to a flier. The stand out track however is Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts, the closest that the artist has come to replicating the song that started it all, Mr. Brightside. Lyrically, the song follows suit to the Hot Fuss single, the two songs go hand in hand together; “When I Saw You Dancing/ On the Moon Now/ I Watched Him Spin You Round and Round/ Why Did You Roll Your Dice/ Show Your Cards/ Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts.” The song builds and builds through the verses to a chorus that will see many dance floors fill up over the next few years. The album also features a great duet, featuring Jenny Lewis. Flowers’ vocals combine perfectly with Lewis’ on Hard Enough. The singer was an apt choice, hailing from the city of Vegas itself. If Flowers can carry on this kind of song writing back over into his day job in The Killers, then we have some very strong work to look forward too over the coming years. It is pretty hard to find any faults with this opening solo effort, each of the 10 tracks have something about them to make you want to listen again, and surely any song that does it, means it’s doing something right.

Weezer return with their eighth studio album, named after the Lost character Hurley, even actor Jorge Garcia adorns the album artwork. It has been only a short year since the band released their last effort, Raditude, an album that was slated by fans and critics alike. Whether the quick release of more material is an attempt from Cuomo to fix the mistakes, it is not known, but the album goes a long way to banish the dark memories of Weezer circa 2009. Coumo did have help writing Hurley, numerous songwriters contributed to the album, many of the tracks have been co written. Stand outs from the collaborations Trainwrecks and Run Away. The first track is co written by Desmond Child. Child has previously worked with artists such as Bon Jovi, Kiss and Katy Perry. The result is a guitar heavy pop song, the type of which Weezer have done so well for the majority of their long career. The later is one of the albums highlights, Adams song writing connects perfectly with the Weezer style. Unspoken, a soft acoustic track is the true stand out track from the album. It evokes memories of the bands earlier work, such as Island in the Sun; “And if you take this away from me/ I'll never forgive you, can't you see?/ Our life will be broken/ Our hate will be unspoken.” Now to the negative aspects of the album. Keeping in track with the last few Weezer releases, there are a number of misses to accompany the hits. Where’s My Sex? sounds like it was written by a 12 year old schoolboy. The lyrics are probably the poorest Coumo has ever written; “Sex-making is a family tradition/ Going back to the caveman days/ They were walking around in a haze/ Until they figured it out/ And they said/ Gosh dang, this is great!” Erm, ok Rivers...

It’s been 16 years since Bon Jovi released Crossroad, a greatest hits compilation album, in that time they have had numerous more hits, therefore they have seen it as the right time to release this latest compilation. Released in two separate editions, the standard containing 16 songs, deluxe featuring 30, the main highlights found over the discs are the four new songs written and recorded for this Greatest Hits. What Do You Got? No Apologies, The More Things Change, This Is Love This Is Life are the main songs up for review here, as the rest of the album features songs we have all known for a lifetime. What Do You Got? is standard post 2000 Bon Jovi fare. A radio friendly love song, it is an easy to listen to song, that never really goes anywhere. It won’t get anywhere high in the charts, but will appeal to the casual fans more than that die hard Jovi fans. No Apologies, The More Things Change and This Is Love This Is Life is where the real interest lies. The three songs represent some of best work released by Jovi in recent years, certainly trumping efforts found on 2009 release The Circle. Although the songs do features chorus’ all to reminiscent of It’s My Life, they do it better than most. As for the rest of the album, most of the work has been previously released on the Cross Road album, although the notable additions include It’s My Life, Who Says You Can’t Go Home and We Weren’t Born to Follow. Songs such as Livin’ On a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive and I’ll Be There For You make up the rest if the tracks, and any CD which includes songs like these will have more positives than negatives.The album represents a solid body of work from the New Jersey band, and is a CD containing enough hits with a sprinkle of new material to keep both the casual and more hardcore fans happy.

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Long Live Rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Roll Ben Archer sits down with Andrew Halligan, guitarist and songwriter for Furious, to discuss family feuds, Chuck Berry, Russia, and just how he ended up on stage with Lemmy at the age of 18...

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MUSIC

The Halligan brothers prepare for battle

He has been involved in bomb scares, punch ups, and shared a drink or two with Lemmy. At the age of 21, what has motivated Andrew Halligan to take the rockabilly world by storm, and produce one of the most talked about albums on the scene this year... ndrew Halligan has been labeled the band? know it was on the flyers for our next gig so a British Style Genius (by the "Noooo, I think the other lads were a bit too it stuck. It was to do with our connection to BBC, no less.) His band have re- self-conscious at the time. We were all in Billy Fury really and we were mad at everyceived rave reviews for their ex- school and they just didn't get it! one! Especially all those who gave rock n’ plosive live performances, as well as for their What was the band called? roll a bad name." debut album, ‘Wreck The Hoose Juice’, "They had a different name every week!" So what was the first gig you ever did towhich made Number 10 in the HMV pre Was that because they were so bad, they had gether? order charts. to change their names between every bar? "The Nalgo social club in Old Swan. It His band has played all over the world, in- (Laughing) “Yer! They played all the clubs ended up burning down that night but it was cluding Germany, Spain, Russia and nothing to do with us! It’s where the America. He is only 21, and has a long Beatles played quite a bit but the first career ahead of him; Modernage sat “The way he looked and sang was as gig as 'Furious' was at the Heaven & down with the youngest rockabilly Hell club on Fleet Street. The drumif he was fighting society and everyidol on the scene. mer left us on that Wednesday to It all started in 2005 when his brother one who lived by rules! I wanted a bit pursue a proper career; luckily we was part of a band playing small gigs met Dave Searson who was in Blue of that!” around Liverpool. Demon, a great Liverpool band! That "I used to follow them in the pubs was on the Thursday then we played around Liverpool and ended up joining around Birkenhead, all the clubs in Liver- on Friday with him. It was crazy but brilliant! them." pool, it was good fun!" I've still got the live recording somewhere!" Was it the same style of music as Furious? Was it your idea to change the name to Fu- So how did you and Mark end up into this "Yer, they weren't very good but I came in rious? kind of music? It is pretty rare these days to with my Crazy Cavan records and said, this "No I wanted to call them something com- find a band that play this type of old rock n is it, and we got a bit wilder!" pletely mad but Mark thought of Furious. I roll. So did you end up kicking everyone out of said no, then he said yea, the next thing I "Well, when I was four years old, my brother

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MUSIC

Influenced

Live in Valencia, Spain

Chuck Berry

Supporting Imelda May in Manchester on her recent tour threw a brick at my head! I haven't been right since you know! Nooo, that’s true but we found a few crazy records and they blew us away!” "They were me dad’s, it seemed like music no one had ever heard! It was mad stuff! The records were Crazy Rhythm, Rare and Rockin’ Eddie Cochran. What people don't understand is the music was so exciting and so passionate! It’s not the cheesy stuff the media likes to put out. When we first heard these records, the likes of the Spice Girls were in the charts, you know, and we'd be listening to Crazy Cavan. He looked like he could eat these bands for breakfast!" So was the Crazy Cavan look and style something that appealed to you? "He was just dead hard and dead cool! That’s what rock n roll is to us! The way he looked and sang was as if he was fighting society and everyone who lived by rules! I wanted a bit of that!" So who were your main influences growing up? "Eddie Cochran was the biggest, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Brian Setzer was brilliant but you've gotta look past his image to see what he's really

Andy takes backs up brother Mark on vocals doing! I'm influenced by everyone I have ever heard!" Is it true you travelled to a gig in Moscow after sacking your last drummer? "Yer, we travelled to Russia without a drummer. We ended up getting a Russian lad to drum with us. It was pretty weird; he knew all our songs off the album. He had learnt them all from drum tabs; it even got to the point where he was telling us how to play them! He couldn't speak a word of English either so he had an interpreter telling us how to play our songs!" How many shows did you play with him? "Just one night in Moscow. We would have taken him home with us if we could, he was brilliant! Did you see Vladimir Putin singing Blueberry Hill on the telly as well?! I’m not saying we influenced him but it’s a bit of a coincidence don’t you think, that he’s singing Fats Domino a few days after our gig." (laughs) What was the crowd like in Russia? "Amazing, I've never seen anything like it in my whole life!” On some of the photos I've seen of the Russia gigs there were guns. "Yer, I don’t think it is like that everywhere

A pinoneer of rock ‘n’ roll, Berry took the world by storm in the 1950s with his fast paced guitar work. Best known for hits such as Johnny B. Goode, still touring the world.

Eddie Cochran Delivered a youth edge on rock and roll in the late 1950s, befopre he was tragically killed at the age of 21 in a car accident. His short career lives on as his songs are still played to this day on the rockabilly scene.

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MUSIC in Russia but it seemed like everyone looking after us carried a knife and some others just take it a bit further. I remember one fella behind the bar at the after party; he had to put his gun down to serve me a pint. That was mad! We were taken there after the Moscow gig, we had to walk through metal detectors to get into the place but they obviously didn’t work” You have played all over world, Spain, Germany, Russia, America… "Yer, we're going to America again next year. We had to turn down a tour a while ago but we've gotta go for it this time! From Texas to New York and anywhere else in between. The last time we played in America, a few years ago, we ended up playing with Lemmy out of Motorhead. He was playing in a band he's got with Slim Jim Phantom, who was Brian Setzer's drummer in the Stray Cats. We only played a few songs with them but it was great fun! It was surreal! The gig was in a Casino, and you know you have to be 21 in America to drink or even to get in these places. I had just turned 18 the week before and I was slaughtered on stage with them! We know we're dead lucky and not all our gigs are that glamorous." Did you have a few drinks with him after the Andy rides a wave of gig? adoring fans “Yer, it was a festival spread over 2 days, so in the day he was just in the casino on the one arm bandits. I was just walking round at the same time our 'ASBO Shuffle' was don't really have faces for the telly do we?! trying to find the stage and he shouted me getting a bit of airplay. We got to know a Looking back now it was daft saying no to over and said 'Come over here Ted' and we couple of DJ's in Texas who liked our stuff the BBC but luckily they said it’s alright we'll just got on.” so it all stemmed from there really. We were come to you. We finished this gig in “So it was me and Lemmy sat at the slot maeven offered a chance to record in Chess Southampton, drove home for work and the chines with him telling me old stories about Studios with Bo Diddley but we weren't busi- BBC van was waiting outside my house! It the time he lived in Liverpool, he had a girlness men and we couldn't organize it! I re- looks glamorous but we were hung over on friend here years ago. It got even more surgret that like hell! Not long after he passed that!" real after the gig as well, Slim Jim put his Let’s go back to basics, and song writarm round me, called me a 'cheeky ing. How is the process for you? chappy' and said come and have a "Well it changes, most of the time I'll “I would like to add at this point, drink with Lemmy backstage, so we just be sat down playing about with my got into the back room and Slim Jim our songs are about real life. About guitar, coming up with tunes or a goes 'This is Mark and Andy, they’re melody.” being 21 years old, unemployed, like a little John Lennon and Paul got not money, but your still having “Then the lyrics come to me when I'm McCartney all over again', and out and about, I write them down in Lemmy replied 'I know I met them a good time.” my head and put them together with last night!’ They were so down to the music later.” earth, they even wanted to come and So you can't just sit down and think to see us playing our own gigs but how could away." yourself, I'm going to write a song? we do that in America?" You were also a TV star, appearing on BBC "No it just doesn't work like that for me, as So how did you end up getting those gigs in Two. soon as you sit down to write something you Chicago? This was when you were 18 and (Laughs)" Yer, the BBC was making a TV se- don't get anywhere. the band had only just come together in a ries about British style. They asked us to be What are your main influences when writserious form. in it for the street style episode; they went ing? "I know, it seems crazy but we were young right back to the 50's and worked their way “Women and beer, Buckfast is a big influand just took our chances! We originally through the decades. At first we said no, we ence!” went to Wisconsin for that festival; this was

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MUSIC

The Album

Furious: Wreck the Hoose Juice Nervous Records 2010 Tracklisting: 1. Hang Your Head 2. Cool Little Sue 3. My Eyes Run Dry 4. No Ifs No Buts No Maybes 5. All Night Long 6. Crazy About My Whiskey 7. Pretty Little Lilly 8. For You (My Angel) 9. Don't Change Your Style 10. Let It Out 11. Pill Poppin' Annie 12. Me Ald Man Robbed Me Bike 13. Crazy High School Baby 14. Carry On 15. Punk Bashing Boogie 16. We Are The Teds 17. Crazy About My Whiskey (Instrumental)

On location for the music video shoot of single ‘Cool Little Sue’ You have something of a connection with Buckfast. "Nooo, not anymore! We've got a reputation to keep! (laughs) We're sponsored by George Cox creepers though, £150 for a pair of shoes! We get given them for gigs and photo shoots. I would like to add that our songs are about real life, you know, when you’re 21 and unemployed, you've got no money but your still having a good time." So don't you think the songs and artists who make up the charts are representing real life? "Well no, Lady GaGa, whats that all about?! It's just for kids! You can't relate to that stuff! So you believe people can relate to your songs more? "Yer, give me a song about bargain booze and hairy women any day! (Laughs). We do write some meaningful songs as well though!” So your first official album is out, how long did that take you to record? "It took about a year to go through the process of writing and recording. We were still playing gigs across the country while recording and we could only use the studio on a few weekends.”

“We went through a few drummers as well. One of them couldn't play in time so Mark is on quite a few tracks playing drums. It was stressful just trying to keep it all together." Why was there so much stress? “We had a lot of pressure to get the album out as soon as possible. We brought out an EP which created a buzz around the band. A lot of people couldn't wait for us to make a full album but it took us too long to get it out. It’s one of my biggest regrets, not capitalizing on that buzz and getting an album out sooner" How long was it between the EP and the release of the album? “(laughing) Three years! We released the EP in 2007 but then we lost a drummer, I lost my job, Mark got a mortgage and life just happened to all of us.” “But I’m happy we've got the album out now, we were number 10 in the HMV charts you know! Above Elton John and Thin Lizzy, Eric Clapton was above us but we don't mind that, I can't play guitar like he can.” “But yer, how lucky where we to get to number 10, we had no backing from any major label, no manager and hardly any promotion.”

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MUSIC Andy and Mark play a live acoustic set on BBC Radio Merseyside

Would you be happy to join a bigger label? been a bomb scare so we got kicked out the “(laughing) Yes!” venue. “ Wouldn't some of your fans see that as sell- “We were gutted, our gig was cut short. We ing out? ended up fighting after as well so we don’t “Probably but I don't think they could think have great memories of this one!” any worse of us.” Was this just an argument or actual fighting? Why? "We had a proper fight, a lot goes on in our “We're a bit heavy aren’t we?! Writing songs personal lives and then spending all the time about ASBO's and drugged up girls.” together it just happens. There was a lot of So is this not what teddy boys want to hear? “Ah I don't know... We just write about “If we weren’t brothers then the stuff we know and please ourselves. We band would have finished a long can't write about trains or juke joints, it time ago” just doesn't fit! We know we can't please everyone. We're like Marmite; you either love it or hate it. We would never sell out whiskey and vodka involved though!" though! We hate all that!” Can you see it splitting up the band in the So let’s go back a couple of weeks to the future? Reading gig. "Well you know we are brothers aren't we. I "Yer, the Rockers Reunion. It’s been going head butted him but he knocked my teeth on every year for about 25 years. It’s one of out, he's twice the size of me!” them gigs that mean a lot, we played there “The next morning when we woke up we a couple of years ago and it was like our real were best mates again. If we weren't brothstart for the band.” ers, the band would have finished a long S”o we were really excited for this one, time ago." couldn't wait, we had been putting in extra With concerts, do you find there is a particpractice, then when we turned up there had ular place where the crowd loves you more?

"I can't say, we seem to get good crowds around London, we played a great gig in Glasgow, right in the city center, you couldn't move in the venue. Most gigs are getting like that now, we've started getting good crowds in for our own songs as well, that’s important you know!” “If you’re playing covers and the crowd cheers, it feels like they're cheering because they like the original song you’re playing, not you as a band." What direction do you want to take Furious in? "At the moment we're just focusing on improving constantly. Imelda May's husband Darrel has been asking us to record with him for a few years so we’ll be working with him on that!” “We're having fun playing and that’s the important thing. We just want to improve and be the best we can be." It was with this the interview came to an end. They may not be situated in the most mainstream part of the music industry, but Furious are doing everything they can to be heard, rocking all over the world, and with experiences like Mr. Halligan has had over the past few years, then why stop now.

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FILM

! S E S I R T H G I N K K R A THE D Nolan casts Hathaway and Hardy in sequel Warner Brothers have ended all speculation regarding the casting of upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises by announcing that Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy will feature in the title. Hathaway and Hardy will play the roles of Catwoman and Bane in what is widely expected to be Nolans’ final entry in the series, making it a trilogy. The film is currently scheduled for a summer 2012 release, with filming due to complete in November this year. Rumours had focused on the character of The Riddler playing a major part in the film, titled ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. However, it now seems that these stories were unfounded, as the Catwoman and Bane have been announced. Both these characters have featured in earlier Batman based films, with Michelle Pheiffer starring as Selina Kyle in Tim Burtons 1992 ‘Batman Returns’. The character of Bane appeared in the gigantic flop that was Joel Shumachers’ ‘Batman & Robin’. Batman fans were unhappy with the portrayal of Bane in Shumachers’ film, as they felt the character deserved to be more than a simple henchman. The character has been forever present in the Batman comics, being one of Batmans’ most notable villains. Tom Hardys’ participation is of no surprise to fans after his impressive turn in the biopic ‘Bronson’, and in Nolans’ blockbuster Inception, one of the highest grossing films of 2010. The news has caused a mixed reaction from fans of the franchise, with many happy with the actors chosen, but not the characters they will portray. Andrew Adlen, a lifelong comic book fan and Batman enthusiast commented, “As pleased as I am with the casting of Tom Hardy, I am a little bit disappointed that Nolan chose to use Bane and didn’t go for a character with a lot more depth, such as Black Mask or the Riddler. Then again there was controversy among Batman fans when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker for the Dark Knight and it ended up being one of the best films of the last 10 years, so I suppose you have to trust Nolan’s judgement. I think Nolan has made the right choice with

The Dark Knight Rises will complete Nolans’ Batman trilogy

regards to both actress and character. Hav- The previous film in the series, The Dark ing seen a few of Hathaway’s films there is Knight, grossed $1,001,921,825 worldwide. no doubt that she is a capable actress and I This triggered Warner Brothers to begin think she suits the role of Selina Kyle per- plans for the next film in the series. It took fectly. Hopefully Nolan will use her in the a while to come together, as Nolan was at to make to be reluctant thought Rises firstKnight Re-Dark same way Tim Burton did in Batman finalanwill be the The turns, as a love interest of Bruce Wayne and other, but the sequel was officially conchapter in Nolans Batman story firmed in early 2010. as a nemesis of Batman.”

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FILM ‘Kings Speech’ up for 12 Oscars ‘The Kings Speech’ and ‘The Social Network’ are up for numerous awards in this year’s Oscars, after the nominations for the 2011 Academy Awards were announced. Raking in 12 nominations, British film ‘The Kings Speech’ is sure to be a big winner. The title is nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay amongst others. Other titles up for the Best Picture award include ‘Black Swan’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘Inception’, ‘The Kids Are All Right’, ‘127 Hours’, ‘Toy Story 3’, ‘True Grit’ and ‘Winters Bone’. The Best Director category followed a similar pattern to Best Picture, with David O. Russell, Tom Hooper, the Coen Brothers and Darren Aronofsky picking up nominations. Colin Firth is runaway favourite for the Best Actor Oscar, but he will face tough opposition from Javier Bardem for Biutiful and the impressive James Franco for his role in Danny Boyles’ 127 Hours. Natalie Portman leads the nominations for Best Actress, with Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams and Annette Benning also nominated.

Sutherland: film still on schedule

TWITS Jim Carrey I'm thankful 4 the love of my Family and 2 the Native Americans who invited us 4 dinner and let us take their stuff! Happy Spanksgivin!

Simon Pegg Cypress Mountain is like one bigger than Cypress Hill and two bigger than Cypress Mound. It's way bigger than Cypress Lump. A to the Mfing K

‘24’

Kiefer Sutherland has quashed rumours that the planned film adaption of ‘24’ is dead. The 44 year old actor has stated that filming will begin as planned later this year. Reports had suggested that a script for the film had been rejected, leaving the project dead in the water. Sutherland however commented that these problems will not affect production, “It’s a very difficult thing to take something that you’ve done for eight years and almost 200 episodes, and try and find a story that’s unique and yet also service the history of the show.” The American show, which started in 2001, has now ran for 8 seasons. A feature length version of the shows has been released before, with the straight to DVD 24: Redemption. Studio executives will be hoping for a cinema release for the new film.

Ben Stiller Just saw Paul McCartney at the Apollo. Beyond great!! He is beyond iconic, he and his band were amazing. Fell like I am 12 years old. Wow.

Eli Roth It really is the ultimate Jewish Christmas to spend it in Shanghai. It's like every other one was a warmup for this one. 31

Favraeu steps down from Iron Man 3 Jon Favreau has confirmed that he will not be directing the next entry in the Iron Man film franchise. The director, who took the hot seat for both Iron Man and Iron Man 2, has parted ways with Marvel Comics. Writing on his personal Twitter account, Favreau said that he will instead by directing ‘Magic Kingdom’. “It’s true; I’m directing Magic Kingdom, not Iron Man 3. I’ve had a great run with Marvel and wish them all the best.” The news means that Marvel will now begin the search for a new director, they do have time however, as the film is slated for a 2013 summer release. Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr has a director approval role written into his contract for the franchise, therefore any appointment would have to be run by the actor first. Favreau has later stated “I look forward to seeing what others can do playing in the same world.”

Farrell for ‘Total Recall’ Colin Farrell has been confirmed as the lead for film remake ‘Total Recall’. Producer Neal Moritz stated that the actor has signed up for the film, with filming beginning in May. The producer also commented on how the remake will not replicate the original 1990 Paul Verhoeven action film, starring Arnold Schwarznegger. “It’s closer to the book, the big difference is we don’t go into space” said Moritz. Director Len Wiseman is on board, whose previous efforts include Die Hard 4.0 and Underworld. “I think the world that Len Wiseman is creating is incredible. It’s a real world, where cities are just built up, up, up, up. There are all these technological advancements, and it’s just really, it’s cool.” Whether or not the lack of space will annoy the die hard fans of the original is to be seen, but with Farrell on board and filming starting soon, more details are sure to be leaked before the end of the year. For more film information be sure to visit www.modernagemag.blogspot.com.

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It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia “What’s up bitches?” A look at the greatest comedy series you have never heard of... 33

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TELEVISION

Frank, Charlie and Sweet Dee share breakfast in the pub addy’s Pub, Philadelphia P.A, a gang of five social misfits waste away their days by getting into various situations for our amusement. This is the basic premise of American show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It’s also a simple premise that has provided the world with one of the funniest TV shows in recent memory. The tragedy for us in the UK, is that no channel has had the guts to give the show a series of showings. Digital channel Virgin 1 showed a few episodes late at night, but then suddenly axed the show. While the shows themes (abortion, racism, kidnapping) may be a bit too dark for our screens, surely the likes of More4 could find a nice little slot to fit Philly in. So why is the show so good? Firstly, each main or recurring character in ‘It’s Always Sunny…’ is, quite simply, brilliant. The gang consists of five members. Dennis, one of the owners of Paddy’s Pub, is one of the vainest characters to ever grace television. Happiness is his life is determined by what others think of his looks and body, with him degrading others in order to make himself feel better “My nose was chiselled by the gods themselves, Frank. My body was sculpted to

the proportions of Michelangelo's David. You, on the other hand, well; you're a pit of despair. Frank, you disgust me. You disgust everyone”. Next up is Dennis’ sister, Deandra, or as the gang calls her, Sweet Dee. Dee is a failed actress, who is constantly dreaming of a life beyond the walls of the pub, where she is the main (and only) barmaid. She sees herself as above the other gang members, but is often brought back down to earth with a bump, with the realisation that actually, she isn’t. Mac, is the muscle of the gang, or so he tells them nearly every episode. He is co-owners of Paddy’s Pub, and if often coming up with plans or schemes to drive up the business of the pub, none of them so far successful. He portrays a ‘bad ass’ image, but when push comes to shove, often his confidence backfires and he is forced to back down from a situation. Charlie is the third co-owner of Paddy’s Pub, and a childhood friend of Mac. Charlie struggles often with reading and writing, drinks too much alcohol, sniffs glue, and often has mini nervous breakdowns causing him to have an angry outburst. The final gang member was introduced to

the show in Season 2. Frank Reynolds is the legal father to Dennis and Dee, and possibly the biological father to Charlie, who he lives with in the show. Frank, portrayed by the excellent Danny De Vito, often exploits the gang for his own needs. Danny De Vito joined the show after his children began watching it. The show needed a big name to take it to the next level, and De Vito was the person to do it. Each episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia begins with a pre title sequence. This sequence introduces us to the story of the episode, and often features some of the funniest moments of the show. Episodes are also accompanied by a title, which sum up that episodes story in one sentence, some favourite episode titles are ‘The Gang Gets Racist’, ‘Charlie Got Molested’, ‘The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby’ and ‘Dennis Looks like a registered sex offender’. In truth, every episode title could have been listed, they are that good. It’s Always Sunny in Philly uses a similar style of comedy to other American TV show’s such as Curb Your Enthusiasm in the way that an episodes situation and story it set up. The majority of the gangs mishaps

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TELEVISION Top 5 ‘Sweet Dee is dating a retarded person’ This episodes see’s the birth of Dayman. Charlie, Frank, Dennis and Mac start up a band, leading to disagreements over the type of music they should be playing, leading Charlie and Dennis to start up the Electric Dream Machine. Meanwhile, Sweet Dee questions whether her new rapper boyfriend is actually, retarded.

"Mac & Charlie Die (Parts 1&2)" Mac’s father is released from prison and looking for revenge after Mac and Charlie refused to smuggle drugs into prison. Fearing for their lives, they take Sweet Dees’ car and fake their own deaths. Frank and Dennis find a glory hole in the toilets of the pub, and seek to use it to their own advantage.

Charlie writes Dayman, with the help of glue come, like Curb Your Enthusiasm, from the inability to interact with the social world around them. Whether it be through saying the wrong thing, accidental kidnapping or through hunting a man on the streets. The major difference between ‘It’s Always Sunny...’ and shows like Curb, however, is that the subject matter is much darker. The line ‘Seinfeild on crack’ follows the show around for good reason. The show is written by its stars, a reason possibly as to why the characters have been such a success. All of a characters mannerisms and lines come from the minds of the actors, therefore they know the characters better than anyone else could. The series was developed and created by Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glen Howerton, who play Mac, Charlie and Dennis respectively. It was McElhenney however who came up with the original idea for the show. Picking up bit parts and small roles in various TV shows, such as Law & Order, he was struggling to make a name for himself. In 2004, he decided the only work to guarantee work was to write his own material. McElhenney’s manager and agent went to the American television network FX, presenting McElhenney’s idea and pilot, star-

Dennis and Mac in their party mansion ring Howerton and Day, for a new sitcom. FX took the idea, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia was born. 6 years later, and the show is currently airing its sixth season, with FX commissioning a seventh to broadcast in 2011. It’s Always Sunny... has also been moved to the stage, with the actors and cast performing a few small performances of the ‘Nightman’ episode for a live audience. The episode involved the gang performing a play written by Charlie, following the story of the Daymans’ fight against evil. Of course, the real reason for the play is the fact Charlie is trying to impress the waitress. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one the best comedies in the past ten years, and is another example of America now surpassing Britain in comedy writing. It is rare in British television to find the subjects dealt with in Sunny transformed into comedy material, and it is even rarer for a mainstream channel to pick up. Due to the success of the show, the writers have been hired to write a new series for FX. As the show goes from strength to strength, it is only a matter of time before a UK broadcaster notices the brilliance that is ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’.

"The Gang Dances Their Asses Off" Charlie causes big problems when he puts the pub up as first prize in a local radio dance competition. This forces the gang to take part in the competition, where the last dancer standing wins. However, the other competitors are made up of characters they have made enemies of so far this series.

"Charlie Wants an Abortion" Only the second episode ever of Sunny, but one of the best. Mac signs up to an abortion protest rally in an attempt to impress a girl he has met. Of course, this doesn’t go as planned, but it does give Mac the opportunity to raise the question, what if Jesus was aborted? Charlie is also told that he the father of a child, leading to him trying to get to know his new son, who is now a teenager.

"Charlie Gets Crippled” Charlie Gets Crippled see’s the introduction of Frank into the series. After being run over, Charlie is stuck in a wheelchair. Noticing that is attracts the attention of women, Charlie and Frank hit the strip bars.

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The Walking Dead As the first season closes, we round up the hightlights and key stories from the zombie apocalypse series... 37

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TELEVISION

The main cast of The Walking Dead

From headless bodies, punch ups to love aﬀairs, Ben Archer looks at the first season of The Walking Dead, an opening which promises much for the future... lone sheriff patrols around an after days being unconscious. He wakes to can be seen to make on a number of occaempty petrol station. The silence find the hospital empty, apart from the sions throughout the season. His desire to is deafening as he makes his way corpses of those who were not as fortunate find his family lands him stranded in Atlanta through abandoned cars, only as he. city, stuck in an abandoned tank surrounded broken by a faint shuffling noise. He is then So what did we learn in Season One? Who by ‘walkers’. He is only saved by Glenn who presented with what he fears the most, a exactly are the characters we need to be has been watching him in the city, it is from walker. This walker comes in the form of a watching for in Season Two? What unan- here that Rick finds his way to the other surbadly maimed young girl, no older than 10 swered questions were left? vivors, which include his wife and son. years old, who has turned into one of the The obvious person to look at initially is Rick As suggested, Rick’s eagerness puts his life, walking dead. Grimes. Portrayed by English actor Andrew and others, in danger on more than one ocAMC’s The Walking Dead didn’t ease the Lincoln, famous for roles in films such as casion. An example of this is found in viewer into its zombie apocalypse; it threw Love Actually, Grimes begins the series a episode three, “Tell it to the Frogs”. This it full force into our faces. There isn’t more desperate man in search of his family, and episode see’s Rick reunited with his family, shocking a sight to be however, he is keen to found on television in re- A lone sheriff patrols around an empty petrol station. go back to Atlanta to cent years than that of a The silence is deafening as he makes his way through find a character that was young child covered in left behind in the previabandoned cars, only broken by a faint shuffling noise. ous episode, and too reblood, missing half her face, clutching tight hold trieve a bag of weapons of her toy teddy bear. And this was before ends it as the leader of a group of survivors. that he accidently dropped when attacked. the titles had even rolled in the season pre- Rick’s character arc changes through the six Members of the survivors go with him, takmiere. episodes that make up season one. The pre- ing weapons and man power away from the The Walking Dead follows the story of a miere finds him scared, desperate, and cling- camp. This backfires when the camp is atsmall group of survivors, who are making ing to the hope that his family is still alive. tacked by a large group of zombies whilst their way across America in order to find It is only towards the end of the episode that Rick and the other away, leading to the answers and a solution to what has hap- we see the leader in Rick, and the qualities deaths of many people. Rick is later blamed pened to the world. The series focus’ on that made him a town police sheriff. for leaving them with no firepower, or Rick Grimes, who we see get shot in the His eagerness to find answers lands him enough people to fight away the walkers. opening episode, to later wake in hospital trouble in this episode, a mistake which he Rick also leads the group to CDC, were he

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TELEVISION

Top 5

Series One Moments Camp Attack With Rick back in Atlanta with Glenn and the others, Shane is left at camp with the rest of the survivors. Their peaceful night ends in tragedy when a group of walkers come out of the nearby forest, causing havoc in camp, and resulting in the deaths of major characters.

Wake Up

Laurie Holden and Jeffery DeMunn believes the group will find safety. It is a controversial decision by Rick, that doesn’t go down well with the rest of the group, but he is determined that it is for the best. These actions once again have a negative impact on the group, when they reach CDC in the season finale, as all is not as they thought. Next up is the character of Shane, portrayed by Jon Bernthal. There have been two sides of Shane shown the series, one side that is Rick’s best friend, and will stand by his side in any situation, the other side is the one which has grown too hate Rick, as he has fallen in love with Lori Grimes, Ricks wife. During the initial outbreak that led to the ‘walkers’ rising, believing that Rick was dead, Shane took care of Ricks wife and children, and ensured their safety. Shane quickly became involved in a romantic relationship with Ricks wife, which continued up until Rick returned to his family at the camp of survivors. Upon Ricks return, Lori immediately cut off the relationship with Shane. This didn’t go well, with Shane reacting angrily and lashing out at other camp members, leading to a confrontation between Lori and Shane in the final episode at CDC. This matter was left unresolved, and will no doubt be a huge plotline and story in season two. It is possible that Shane’s anger will boil over, leading to an attack on Rick. The relationship between Rick and Shane

The Grimes family is reunited may become the main focus of season two. Lori and Shanes affair has yet to come out, and the longer it stays a secret, the worse the tension in the group will get. There were a number of memorable moments in season one, each contributing to the story in a great way. The first incident occurred in the season premiere, and involved the character of Merle. Merle had been causing the group problems, being somewhat of a loose cannon, who solves situations using violence, and also is racist towards other members of the survivors. In order to stop Merle, Rick handcuffs him to metal pipes on the roof of a building they are using as a hideout on a scavenger hunt. Things don’t go as planned once again for Rick, as the keys are lost by mistake, and the group are forced to leave Merle on the roof as they make their escape. This incident prompts the groups return to Atlanta during episode 3. They make their way back onto the roof, only to find the severed hand of Merle, who has chopped off his own hand in order to escape. Merles whereabouts are a running story throughout the rest of the season, if not in the episodes, but in the mind of the viewer. It was constantly in the back of the viewers mind, that he could return at any moment, be it alive and looking for revenge, or as a walker. This matter was left unresolved as the season

Rick wakes up in hospital after being wounded in a police shoot out. His walk through the abandoned hospital, and finally into the devastation outside was a strong way to open the season. His walk through the hundreds of piled up bodies, and the brief glimpses of mutilated corpses let us know that this show was not going to hold back.

Explosive Ending After being trapped by the mad scientist in CDC, the group find themselves in a race against time to get out of a building that is set to self destruct. The building explodes in spectacular fashion and the survivors barely make it out alive.

Camp Attack Never giving up hope, Rick spends the first few episodes in search of his family. When Rick returns to the survivor’s camp in Episode Three, he is reunited with the family that though he was dead. This turn of events triggered many other highlights throughout the season.

Guts Rick and Glenn cover themselves in the guts of a dead walker. With their new found skin, then make their way through the hoards of waiting zombies, but it all starts to go wrong when the rain starts to fall and washes away their disguise.

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TELEVISION ended, and it is still unclear with the Merle storyline has gone, and we are left to wonder what actually happened to him, or if the writers are keeping it held back for better use in later episodes. Another moment in the premiere episodes that stands out, is that when Rick comes across a walker. The walker has no bottom half, and is slowly crawling through the streets. This moment emphasises what The Walking Dead has done so well. It simply doesn’t just use the zombies as a means to create some actions and add a sense of danger to the personal story lines between the characters, it gives them a personality. It always means the characters react to them in a way that they know they were once people to. People with lives, husbands, wife’s and children. This leads to the viewers, as well as the characters, feeling remorse the way a walker has reached the end of their life. This fact sets The Walking Dead apart from the majority of zombie films, as it gives them as much as a heart as the series’ main characters. As discussed, the character of Shane has different sides of his personality. The dark, angry, frustrated side was shown in episode three, “Tell it to the Frogs”. A moment in the episode exposed this side of Shane, and planted the seeds of doubt as to whether Shane was the caring and kind person he had been made up to be in previous episodes. During the episode, a number of women from the survivors are doing their washing at a nearby river. One of the women, Carol, has been the victim of domestic abuse from her husband. This is known by the women of the camp, who try to protect Carol. An angry exchange between Carol and her husband Ed leads to a small scuffle, as the abusive husband attempts to drag Carol away from the river. Shane see’s this, moments after he has been told by Lori to leave her and her son alone now Rick has returned. Shanes’ frustration boils, over and he gives Ed a vicious beating. Even though it only lasts a number of minutes, this scene is a stand out from the series. Emotionally strong, it is hard to watch, as Shane beats Ed to a pulp, in front of a screaming Carol. From this moment on we know what Shane is capable of, that he could click a any second and become a man possessed. Another highlight was lifted straight from the British film Shaun of the Dead. Aptly titled ‘Guts’, the episode found Rich and a number of the survivors trapped. The only way to get free was for Rick and Glenn to

Rick wakes up in hospital pass through the zombies and bring back a car for the rest to escape, but they needed a plan to do this. It is pointed out early on that zombies can tell the difference between the living and dead through smell. Walkers can smell fresh meat, and therefore attack, whereas the dead meat walking beside them has no meaning to them. Rick then comes up with an idea. Using the body of a recently killed walker, they must cover themselves in dead meat, meaning they could pass successfully through the thousands of awaiting zombies without being noticed. This scene is one of the few comedic moments in an otherwise dark television series. It says a lot when the scene with the highest comedic element involves the group of survivors chopping up a corpse and smearing themselves with what’s inside. Series One was an excellent way to begin the live action version of the Walking Dead story. Although at only six episodes, it was on the short side, it did everything it could to fit in as much as possible, without becoming too packed. It did have many highs across the episodes, but it also included a few lows. The main one that sticks out is the fact that there wasn’t too much action to be found. Whilst each episode did include scenes of action, they were largely dialogue heavy. On the

other hand, this could bode well for Season Two. Season One has provided us with in depth characterisation. We feel that we know each aspect of a characters personality, and what to expect from them. In this aspect, the hard work has been done for the writers. Season Two now offers them a chance to have fun, and throw these built up personalities into danger. The final episode was bitter sweet, there were no conclusions to some of the ongoing stories developed through the series, so although we were treated to an explosive ending action wise, we are left with more questions than answers. This is a trend that is common in modern day television, especially in a season finale. The writers need to give the viewers a reason to come back to the next series, and to keep coming back after that. It is a game of give and take, the viewer must be given enough answers to feel satisfied, but also be left with enough niggling thoughts and ideas on stories to come back. In regards to the UK, The Walking Dead has been picked up by Channel 5 for repeats, which might lend a clue to what station might show the second series. Although Channel 5 is not everybody’s favourite station, at least it will guarantee the prime time slot this show deserves.

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modernage magazine ~2011 Written by Ben Archer Furious cover photography by Muddkiss Fanzine www.modernagemag.blogspot.com

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