Catch 22 Magazine Summer 2010 Issue by Catch Mag

Celebrating youth culture & creative minds Summer 2010

Start Date: 27th October 2010 Application Deadline: 24th September 2010

THE PROGRAMME:

ED’s NOTE The sun has finally come out and so has our summer edition, and it is bursting with the talent of our young writers; perfect reading material for all those sun-bathing sessions. Once again Catch 22 has brought all you curious and intelligent people out there a stimulating mix of fun and thought-provoking articles, with subjects ranging from 50’s style dating to weird objects used as weapons, all the way through to the realities of being a police informant. I’m sure you’ll agree that you won’t find that diversity of subjects in your usual celeb, gossip and beauty obsessed magazines. Those responsible in providing you with much of this cornucopia of writing are our everincreasing gang of voracious trainee journalists, who have worked hard learning the tools of the trade whilst also putting those tools into practice. We hope that you think that the results are as professional, informative and savvy as we think they are. We are always on the search for new talent related to the creative industries. If you are aged 30 or under and a graphic designer, illustrator, photographer or journalist, why not contact us and join our growing backlash against media conventions. Or alternatively if you just want to give us your valued opinion, either e-mail us at info@catch22mag.com or call 020 8880 9501/9510/9507.

Priscilla

Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa

ASSISTANT EDITOR Priscilla Eyles

FASHION EDITOR Kara Sarkodie-Mensah

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DESIGN Rashpal Amrit, Kieren O’Keeffe

ARTWORK/ILLUSTRATION Rashpal Amrit, Simon Lewis, Marcos Triguero Fernandez, Caspar Williams, Emma Wright

TEXT

P.S And don’t forget to check out the website and let us know what you think about it. Here you’ll be able to read more reviews, get answers to our regular feature ‘what you listening to?’, find out what some of our members are doing.

“At our training academy we engage, nurture and champion undiscovered young creative talent from unlikely backgrounds. Along with our website and communications agency, each edition of this mag is the professional by product of their hard work, learning and dedication. As a social enterprise it is our business to make a difference.” Funding Partners

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John-James Anisiobi, Beck Robertson, Alex Christofides, Sonita Dowd, Priscilla Eyles, Nike Forrest, Rebecca Gonsalves, Roxi Jahanshahi, Hayley Joyes, Sebastian Joseph, Susan-Louise Okereke, Amy Redmond, Hayley Thorpe, Noona Uranta

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Catch 22 is published by Catch 22 Magazine CIC. All material copyright © Catch 22 Magazine CIC 2010. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in print without the written permission of the publisher. While every effort is made to ensure the information in this publication is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, which Catch 22 Magazine CIC holds no responsibility. The views herein are not necessarily those of Catch 22 Magazine CIC or the staff of Catch 22 Magazine CIC.

04 Red Bull

18 Freeganism

08 Londoners

24 What You Listening...

Worth The Price Of...

62 The Hub

74 Reviews

1950s Gentlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s...

26 Fashion: V.I.P

Reinventing The...

Grass Roots

50 Melons Of Mass...

68 Drums Of Death

76 Pirate Radio

54 Gallery

70 Religious Renaissance

78 The Rant

The Red Bull Music Academy 2010 Words: Susan-Louise Okereke Image: Dan Wilton/Red Bull Music Academy

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Sixty musicians from 32 countries forced to live and work together for one whole month in a foreign country. It sounds like a crazy new reality television show but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now in its 12th year, The Red Bull Music Academy brings musicians together from the most diverse backgrounds to see what they will create. With workshops, access to state of the art music equipment, the chance to perform at one of the many scheduled Red Bull Music Academy events and daily lectures from pioneers in the music industry (this year saw the likes of Jazzie B, Flying Lotus and Mark Ronson delivering lectures). This is like the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket for any aspiring music artist.

The Academy has been to Cape Town, Sao Paulo, Dublin and Melbourne and this year it crash lands in our very own London. Housed in a specially designed building in London Bridge, the Academy boasts twelve studios, a lecture theatre, newspaper and film production offices, a radio studio and catered food three times a day. It is seriously impressive. The building is a hive of creativity and buzzes with excitement; walking around there are sounds of dubstep, funk, xylophones and samplers wafting through the air. There are young international people scattered around talking, playing and listening. It’s like the coolest university halls you could imagine. But how did this come about and why don’t more people know about it?

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We spoke to Many Ameri, one of the cofounders of the Academy to find out what is really behind this project. C22: How are you? M: I’m very good but a bit tired. We’ve done three weeks and two weeks are ahead of us. We find it hard leaving the studio before four or five am every morning. This is because in this county the clubs close so early and the participants often come back to the studio after they have played a gig in the city. This is the most interesting part for us watching people from around the globe from the most diverse of music styles, knowing each other for a few days, start to make music. C22: So, how did Red Bull Music Academy come about? M: In 1998 in Berlin, Red Bull approached us and said they wanted to give something back to this culture that had helped them grow. They wanted to do something that wasn’t just a party or sponsorship of a music style, the stuff you usually see when a company starts funding things. They wanted to initiate something long-term but didn’t know how to do it. We had the idea to create a place where artists from different musical backgrounds could come together, learn from each other and find out about different music scenes. We wanted a place where even the lecturers could sit down and reflect on why they are doing what they are doing. A place where it was okay to ask questions that, especially in the late 80s & 90s, people were not allowed to ask because everyone was too cool for school. We wanted to document this and create a place where this information would become accessible. It was all about sharing knowledge. This is where this whole thing started. Then we decided not to get teachers, instead we brought the actual artists that had coined these music styles. It became more of an anecdotal place rather than a place where you find absolute truth. C22: For the participants that get on to the Academy the opportunity seems amazing, with the workshops, lectures from legends, performances etc. How do they hear about what you do? M: There is no advertising campaign around the academy. It’s just former participants, former lecturers, team members and people we call ambassadors in different countries talking about the project and telling people to apply for it. We get such a variety of applicants from a jazz drummer in Kazakhstan to somebody that plays the loot in Bahrain, to a dubstep producer in Romania. It adds a completely new layer to what we were doing. Also there are a lot of local courses that are not as big as the academy and they happen everywhere, from Bangalore to Tokyo. This year we have done 128 of these workshops in 48 countries. It is all built on the people that are part of this academy community. It is something that has grown gradually by people that want to do something within their scenes. C22: How intensive is the application process? M: It’s quite intensive. We are a bunch of Germans that came up with this, we have our systems! [laughs]. The application is in two parts, the written application form where a lot of the questions are very personal. Then they send us their music.

The way we look at it is, not everybody is going to benefit from this experience.You have to be in certain mind space to even like what we are doing. We know what our programme is like, every day you are get to meet a great person but from a world that is completely different to yours, that comes from a completely different musical sphere, and you’ll be at the other end of the world with a bunch of nut cases from around the globe. It couldn’t be more diverse. C22 So what characteristics do you need to be a participant? M:You need to be open minded, you need to allow yourself to let your shield down.

‘this is me, this is what I’m about and this is why I make music.’ C22: …It’s like therapy? M: In a way it’s like therapy but it’s therapeutic for everyone involved, even the lecturers. The lectures are not usual music interviews. It’s not about ‘bitches to the left and bitches to the right, and my next album is dropping on…’ that doesn’t happen. If you’re the kind of person that can leave your ego at the door and you know you want to be part of this, you will be a great lecturer, a great team member and a great participant. The Academy is not about skills, it is about sharing ideas. It’s about grabbing each other’s hands and leaving your comfort zone and trying something you wouldn’t do at home. C22: So what does the future hold? M: If I told you, I’d have to kill you! [laughs]. We are looking at three different cities, one is Tokyo, another is Mexico City and the third one is New York. The aim for the future is to keep the Academy as the lighthouse in what we do but we are also interested in doing more local workshops in interesting places around the globe. We want to be doing more lightweight things that are more focused on the local scenes, where local people can attend. We’ve also become a good source for programming at festivals. We have our own stages at Sonar etc. and we’d like to see more of that. We are at Detroit Electronic Music Festival, South by South West and Montreux. We are everywhere. And, the radio is something that we are really interested in expanding. We want to find a way to get interesting music from around the globe to be played around the globe, without any limitations from programming and playlists and all that bulls**t the normal commercial world has to deal with. That is one of the luxuries you have when you do something that is funded by a corporation but has no commercial sense attached to it. C22: I am amazed at how free you seem from the commercial element of this. M: That is the Red Bull thing. In many cases you need to protect what you are doing from being abused. But in this case there has been a huge learning curve for the company to look at things in a different way. The reality of this company is it wants to find out more about the culture it is trying to get into, and if that means getting two people to sit on a couch and talk to each other, that is quite a radical thing to happen in music and Red Bull is prepared to do that. www.catch22mag.com

One in three Londoners are born outside the UK and of the remainder, only a fraction were actually born in the capital. No wonder the streets are so empty on public holidays. Noona Uranta (born in Camden Town, 1987) asks:

Where have all the Londoners gone? Image: Neil Palmer

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London is home to over 7.5 million people; it’s the largest city in the UK, known for its cultural diversity, eclectic sounds and buzzing night-life. It’s the capital for fun-loving thrill seekers, not to mention a place where anything goesfrom late night debauchery to cutting edge street-styles and drinking copious amounts of alcohol, usually resulting in reckless behaviour.Yes, this is London in a nutshell, one of the wildest and hippest places to be. People travel far and wide just to experience what its streets have to offer. But if London is such a desired destination, then why is it that walking

To most people around the world, London is just a figment of their imagination where the streets are paved with gold and opportunities are endless. To these people sights like The Tower of London, Big Ben, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge, are visions seen only on the back of a postcard, not reality. This is why people are so fascinated with it, it’s filled with so much history, and each building you walk past has a story to tell.You can even visit the Queen’s house if you fancy it; just don’t expect to be invited in for a cup of tea and biscuits!

“Trends come and go cockneys, hippies, jazz bars, discos, footy hooligans, protests and raves. Not one person is the same” through its streets, you will rarely see a ‘real’ Londoner? Where do they all go, as millions of newcomers troupe in? I embark on a quest to unravel where all the Londoners have gone. As a Londoner born and bred, it feels weird to think that I am part of such a unique and special club. The more I look around, the more I realise that real Londoners are few and far between. When I tell non-Londoners that I live in London, their first reaction is, ‘Oh wow, I would love to live there.’ Karen, originally from Australia says, “You have a unique city. I was especially envious of the Underground, I’ll be back to visit again.” Do I feel proud that people are envious? Who wouldn’t! London is an exciting place to live and I’m glad to be a part of such a dynamic, diverse and entertaining microcosm. A place where you can fit in, no matter what you look like or what your interests are. “London is a booming metropolis full of many diverse cultures and lifestyles, which is why it’s so special,” agrees 21-year-old Michael Baker. “Trends come and go cockneys, hippies, jazz bars, discos, footy hooligans, protests and raves. Not one person is the same.”

As real Londoners however, these just aren’t places we would choose to venture. I can’t say I’ve ever had the desire to jump onto one of those red double-deckers and go sightseeing, or sit on the London Eye for an hour looking at sights I see on a daily basis.You’ll never find a real Londoner going to famous night-clubs in the West End; you’re more likely to find us hiding out in any gem of a place that no one knows about. We opt for underground clubs or warehouse parties that you can only find if you’re a true

Londoner, hidden shops in Camden stocking unusual goods, small and local bars and festivals where an eclectic range of live music is always available. And we will always venture anywhere if there is a sign saying, ‘FREE ENTRY!’ Us Londoners love to explore the unknown, we just can’t help ourselves. A few months back, I went to an Austrian bar in Marble Arch. It was a bar like no other, a true sausage fest quite literally. Low-key and undercover, all you could eat on the menu was sausage - beef sausage, smoked pork, sausage stuffed with cheese - and a selection of famous Austrian beers to choose from. I was amazed that you could get 1 litre beers, they were huge and a fair price too! What I love most about London is that it’s quirky and if you look hard enough, you will always find a place that will surprise you. With such excitement, it’s a wonder that anyone ever leaves. But people do. In 2003-04 it is estimated that 348 thousand people moved to London and 362 thousand left. Most of the outflow (267 thousand) went to other parts of the UK. But why is this? Why are Londoners neglecting their roots and opting to live elsewhere?

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22-year-old Michael Smart is originally from London, but moved away at the age of 13. “It was my parents’ choice to move to Fenland, (Cambridgeshire) I never wanted to leave. I felt very sad at leaving because Fenland was so quiet; it was a huge culture shock.” Although Michael’s loyalties lay with London, two years ago he made the decision to move to Thailand. “My main reason for leaving was because I disliked my job and decided that I wanted to teach English over there,” he says. “I still tell people I’m from London when they ask and I don’t think I’ve lost my accent either, which is good. London

“London is so diverse that you’re more likely to meet a nonLondoner than a Londoner” Elizabeth may never want to come back to London again, but there are plenty of non-Londoners happy to take her place. Despite its negative aspects, “I love London,” says non-Londoner Poonam Surani. “You can do pretty much anything; find a cute café in Covent Garden, a oneoff piece in Camden, or take in all that places like Leicester Square have to offer.”

“Trends come and go - It’s always lively and caters to every need, however niche your interests are”

is just a great place to be,” he adds. “It’s always lively and caters to every need, however niche your interests are.” According to the Institute for Public Policy Research, almost one in ten British citizens are living overseas. Studies show that at least 5.5m British-born people live abroad and the number of people hoping to leave in the near future has doubled since 2003. One of the main reasons for this is employment opportunities; twothirds of Britons who leave do so to seek employment abroad. 22-year-old Lucy Odigie is no exception, having moved to New York last year to

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pursue a career in political journalism. She finds that it offers a wider range of job opportunities compared to London. It was this “range” that really motivated her decision to move. “The thing I miss most about London is the transport system and the people. Londoners are funny!” Unfortunately, not everybody shares this sentiment. 30-year-old Elizabeth Knapp is originally from London, but decided to move to Essex three years ago. “I just couldn’t stand the negativity some Londoners have,” she says. “I still class myself as an original Londoner but I would never consider moving back.”

Although Londoners often complain about over-crowdedness and noise, there are still those able to celebrate what the newcomers bring to London. “I think they make London exactly what it’s famous for: diversity,” says 20-year-old Nadia Khan from north west London. 29-yearold Danielle Holder, born and bred in Hackney, east London agrees, saying, “London is so diverse that you’re more likely to meet a non-Londoner than a Londoner, I think it’s great!” The biggest challenge of this journey was finding real Londoners to speak to. I thought it would be an easy undertaking but the truth is, we really are a rare breed and we should celebrate this fact. Although people have left London for various reasons, all of them have one thing in common - they still proudly call themselves Londoners in their new homes, and most have plans to return. Non-Londoners seem to love London just as much as I do, if only they stuck around for Xmas and Easter...

You know you’re a Londoner when… You have never been to The Tower of London or Madame Tussaud’s, but love Brighton Your day is ruined if you don’t get a copy of the Metro on the way to work A cup of tea and a full English breakfast is the best cure for a hangover You know not to EVER take a black cab You call Central London the West End You know all the different prices for the same product and buy the cheapest one A single day’s outfit includes sandals, shorts, scarf, coat, sunglasses and an umbrella You’re on your way home after a night out when people are on their way to work A “person under a train” is an inconvenience The bus driver closes the door in your face and drives off, pretending not to see you You’re sitting on the bus with someone who feels the need to have their music on full-blast

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After a series of failed first dates that never made it to a second, Sebastian Joseph takes some lessons from the Fifties to see if Artwork: Emma Wright they could help him improve his chances

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The food was good, the vibe was nice and I had managed to sustain a decent conversation. This is exactly what I thought after each of my last three dates.Yet despite my optimism, none of these led to a second. I’m not looking for sympathy, but feel you should know that for someone who thought he knew dating, I was lost and so shouldn’t be judged too harshly for doing what I did next. A couple of weeks ago I was complaining to my friend Anita about my lack of second date action and, as she sat there laughing, her 80-yearold nan chipped in and said, “When I started dating, a man would behave like a gentleman when out with a lady. Back then, there would always be a second date. Dating was simple, it was based on etiquette.” Could it really be that straightforward? Intrigued, I began taking 1950s dating etiquette lessons from Anita’s nan, who I will call Mrs S from here on. Here’s what I learnt from her. How to ask a girl out My etiquette lessons began with Mrs S telling me that everything had to change, starting with the way I asked a girl out. “A man should always ask a lady out. It should be the easiest part – she’ll either say yes or no. Make sure you tell her in advance where you’re taking her and the time you intend to pick her up.” Assertive and organised, sounds simple enough, yet for someone who favours the laidback approach I lapped up this information with extreme trepidation. Concerns aside, I needed to test my new approach on an actual woman, that woman being Sasha. I explained to her that we would be going to a Chinese restaurant and then on to see a movie. As I put the phone down, I wondered whether I should have told Sasha about the etiquette lessons, deciding not to in an effort to get a more honest reaction out of her at the end of the night. Preparing for the date I thought preparing for a date meant making sure my clothes were ironed, that I smelt fresh and possibly checking cinema times. According to

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“As a gentleman what you wear is most important, possibly more so than arriving on time to pick her up. A nice dinner jacket is always a safe bet, along with a smart pair of shoes.” With the restaurant table booked and cinema time noted, everything was going accordingly until Mrs S said: “When meeting a lady, bring her flowers and ensure that you have left enough time to meet her parents if they are home.” Giving Sasha the flowers was worth it for the smile alone, but when I asked her if I could come in and meet her parents the silence that followed was wrong, and her “why?” response was just awkward. (I mean who actually asks to meet parents on a first date without coming across like an idiot?). In that moment I really did see the date ending. Instead, Sasha shut the front door and we walked to the tube station.

menu, order for the both of you. If your date should have to leave the table for whatever reason, make sure you rise with her and only sit back down once she has left. Maintain an upright position while seated and always observe basic table manners.” Despite concern from Sasha as to why I was sitting so stiffly in my seat, dinner went well, although I did give myself indigestion as a result of standing up every time she left the table. Flirting over dinner was something I liked to do but with my flirting ban in full swing I found it refreshing to have a set of topics I had to stick to (work, family, goals). The cinema As we got to the cinema, Sasha asked if she could buy the tickets. With great pain and the words of Mrs S ringing loudly in my ear, I politely declined. “Paying for the date is your responsibility as the man. Do it without hesitation and refuse any attempt by your date to help out.” Thanks to indigestion and lightness of wallet, turning Sasha’s offer down was by far the most painful part of the date, but it was also the most relaxed I had been so far. There’s not much that can go wrong when you’re sitting silently in a cinema. It was only when Sasha started throwing popcorn at me during the credits that I failed to adhere to Mrs S instructions and retaliated. Walking home

The restaurant With the parentgate memory a few tube stops away, being led to a reserved table as opposed to waiting for one to become available was cool and hopefully cast me in a more appealing light. As we moved to the table all I could hear was the voice of Mrs S saying: “Make sure you pull the chair out for your date so she can be seated comfortably. After finding out what she wants from the

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“When walking with your date, under no circumstances should you be holding hands – this will only draw unnecessary attention to you both. Ensure that you are always nearest the curb and, when crossing the road, your hand is placed on her elbow. The evening should end with you thanking your date for her company and presenting her with a love letter prepared by you in advance.” With the last vestiges of shame pouring from my body I handed Sasha my letter. All I could do now was wait and see whether this date would lead to a second. We live in a time where people are more concerned with developing their careers than developing a relationship. As a result, fewer people embark on relationships believing they are going to last forever. In spite

of this, I’m not entirely sure that dating has changed that much since the 1950s. I mean, clearer defined gender roles aside, did I really need to go through the etiquette lessons to find out how to get a second date. The answer is yes. The whole process became more about me rediscovering the art of making a good first impression than learning some secret aspect to dating. I’d like to think it was my amazing letter or the sight of me in a dinner jacket that made Sasha send me that text as I walked home that night. But the truth is I think she just appreciated the effort I had made at every stage of our date. Like I said, the vibe was good, the food was nice and I was the perfect gentleman. Which, even though we’re no longer living in the 1950s, apparently still works. The love letter I wrote “Maybe you will read this, maybe you won’t. If you do, then I hope you realise that it is with my earnest prayer that my attention will meet favourably with you. I stumble, I stutter, I shake in your presence (as you have no doubt seen tonight); blinded by some ethereal aura that you radiate with such youthful unwariness. I’ve said enough now. Please forgive my words if they offend or embarrass. I await your next syllable like the birds await spring…”

Seb asks the people of London their opinions on 1950s dating etiquette Seb: In the 1950s, the guy was responsible for every aspect of the date. From your own experiences and opinions, would you say this is still applicable now?

Seb: Standing up when a lady leaves the table, giving her gifts, love letters…these are all examples of 1950s etiquette. Do you think any of these would help you get a second date these days?

James, 19: “The way I am I don’t like to be that assertive, especially on a first date. Because we’re both going on it I think the girl should have an input into the date as well.”

Nick, 23: “To be honest, that etiquette stuff doesn’t sound that bad. What girl doesn’t like receiving gifts; if I could afford it then I definitely would. Giving a girl a love letter is kind of long, though, what if she thinks you’re weird?

Seb: During the 1950s the guy was the one who would organise the date. How do you feel about relieving that much control over the date, especially the first?

Seb: How would you feel if a guy gave you flowers when you met up with him for your first date, and when was the last time this happened to you?

Sherika, 21: “Providing the guy is not an idiot and one of those bossy types, then I would be happy to go on a date where everything was planned without me knowing, especially if everything was on point.”

Nikita, 25: “Any kind of a gift, especially on a first date, is good. It shows that the guy is actually bothered and cares about making an impression. Sadly, the last time this happened was when I was 12 and the present was a chain from Argos.

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Freeganism Something for nothing?

Words: Beck Robertson Artwork: Marcos Triguero Fernanadez

Fed up of spending a fortune on food that ends up out of date and in the bin? The answer could be freeganism. But is there really such a thing as a free lunch? And what other ways are there of finding something for nothing in London? 18

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It’s 6:30pm and I’m hanging around

outside the Eat store on Tottenham Court Road with Sam, a 21-year-old art student from Central St Martins. We’re waiting for the store to close and the last of the staff to leave. We may look slightly suspect but we’re not casing the joint to rob the place. We’re after the contents of the Eat bins, because Sam is a freegan whose diet consists entirely of the food he can find discarded at the end of the day. The term ‘freegan’ originated from a combination of the words ‘free’ and ‘vegetarian’ although by no means are

their products out at no cost) and even organic gardening. Sam tells me that the Eat chain usually drops its unwanted food waste outside its stores just before closing time. “Competition between people for the discarded sandwiches, wraps and salads can be surprisingly fierce at times,” he tells me, “with people even getting into fights over them.” He mentioned how lately gangs in the area have been taking whole binbags full of food and then repackaging and selling them on to unsuspecting members of the public. The

store manager of Eat, Tottenham Court Road, thinks so. “When people raid the bins of a store for discarded produce, they have no way of knowing if the stuff they are salvaging is sanitary or not. It could be discarded along with potentially hazardous cleaning materials.” When I ask Sam the same question he seems to think it’s a simple matter of survival. “It’s a small risk,” he says. “Most of the stuff is disposed of wrapped and in separate bags to other waste. Put it this way, I’m a student subsisting on a grant and a low-paid retail job that barely

“Competition between people for the discarded sandwiches, wraps and salads can be surprisingly fierce at times” all freegans are vegetarian. There are many different types of people who call themselves freegans, just as there are many people who indulge in freegan activities who wouldn’t necessarily think the term applied to them. Freegan activities range from bin-raiding like Sam, to non-food activities such as sampling (where companies send small sizes of

gangs stand outside underground and rail stations with trays of the repackaged goods, in order to make a profit from hungry late-night commuters. “These kinds of people can get quite unpleasant if you get under their feet,” he warns me. But isn’t there a health and hygiene risk to this kind of activity? Rex Tettah,

covers my rent each month. If I don’t do this, I often don’t eat. To me it’s worth the risk.” Sam lives in a small shared studio flat with another St Martins student. They share the cost of the rent but the rising cost of living in the capital means more and more young people like Sam are looking to alternative measures such as bin-raiding to sustain themselves.

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While Sam is simply skint and hungry, other reasons why people may embrace freeganism are many and varied. For some it is political, a wish to opt out of capitalist society; while for others it is a way to protest against the sheer amount of uneaten food thrown away in the UK each year. Much of the food we throw away is unopened, with over 484 million yoghurt tubs alone, being discarded annually by households in the UK.

of avoidable food waste is discarded in the UK every year. Some major chains have already recognised the benefits to be had of redistributing their unsold food. Edward Metcalfe, charitable food co-ordinator of Pret a Manger, says: “To me, feeding hungry people is even more important than selling sandwiches. Pret has a scheme in place in over 40 of our shops, whereby we collect surplus food at the end of the day and redistribute it to about 30 hostels and charities.” Justin Morris, of Arlington House, a hostel for

Back at Eat, it’s 6:35pm and the last employee leaves the store clutching three green binbags. They lock up and place the bags outside the store where the council will come to collect the rubbish in the morning. But not before Sam and I examine the contents. I am dubious about whether there is actually going to be anything edible inside, but in the first sack we open we find dozens of unopened packets of sandwiches that look exactly like something you would buy in store.

“I think because of the recession more people will come to see activities like this as quite understandable given the circumstances” Is Sam worried that by subsisting on leftovers discarded by stores he isn’t getting the correct amounts of nutrients in his diet? “Not really,” he says. “As long as I don’t go hungry I’m happy and the produce from the stores I frequent – Eat, Pret, Paul’s – tends to be of a fairly high standard with a fair amount of vegetables included in a typical sandwich. In my situation you can’t really afford to be too fussy, and to be honest the nutritional content of my diet is secondary to whether or not I can find enough food.” Over 4 million tonnes, worth £10.2bn,

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the homeless in Camden Town, agrees; “It’s an excellent way of ensuring there is no wastage and the food goes to the people that really need it,” agrees When I mention freegans such as Sam to Metcalfe, though, the reaction isn’t so positive. “This kind of activity causes serious problems with the local council because of issues like littering. I would strongly advise someone who is in genuine need of food not to take this route but to contact the store directly. We will usually be more than happy for you to come and collect it straight from us.”

“The food waste is the last thing they dispose of before they close,” Sam says, “so as long as you get here soon after it is just like walking out of the store with paid-for produce.” After looking through all three sacks, Sam takes an assortment of eight sandwiches and wraps away with him. “I’ll refrigerate most of these as soon as I get in, and that food will see me through most of tomorrow until I come back,” he tells me. Sam thinks the amount of people participating in some form of freegan

activity will increase as more and more people cut down on their spending. “I think because of the recession more people will come to see activities like this as quite understandable given the circumstances, and will start turning to ways to pay less and even get things for no cost. Soon everyone will know at least one person who takes part in activities that would be considered freegan in nature.”

Fancy being a freegan? Here are some other ways to get something for nothing in London Free organic fruit and vegetables Clio Turton of the Soil Association says, “ Any available space you have can be used to grow your own even on a small windowsill or balcony. A surprisingly huge variety of produce can be grown in a windowbox or small urban space and you really do taste the difference from the generic store bought equivalent.” Free samples Rachel, 22, is a media student at Goldsmiths College and a keen internet freebie hunter. “There are loads of companies online eager to give away free samples of their product in order to encourage sales,” she says. “I use sites such as www.magicfreebiesuk.co.uk to apply for free offers and samples.You just click on the offer that interests you and it should take you to a form on the company’s website.You fill in your details, click submit and that’s it, it should be in the post.” www.moneysavingexpert.com is also an invaluable resource for samples and discounts such as 2 for 1 vouchers for meals at restaurants. Free films See Film First give away free tickets to preview screenings of the latest films. You have to be quick to apply as seats go fast, but it’s definitely worth applying and saving yourself up to £10 for the price of a cinema ticket. www.seefilmfirst.com for details and to apply. Free recordings of TV shows Sites such as www.lostintv.com and www.tvrecordings.com often give away tickets to television shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks that are recorded in front of a live audience. Become a part of that audience by registering (for free) as a member and then take your pick from the list of shows on offer. Free food If you want to combine a free meal with learning about another culture, the Hare Krishna distribute food Monday to Saturday at three locations around London.Visit www.iskcon-london.org and click on Food for Life for details of times and venues.

and the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Visit freelondonlistings.co.uk or www.timeout.com/london to check listings. Freecycle Need a sofa for your flat but can’t afford to buy a new one? Looking for a computer to help with your college studies? Why not check www.uk.freecycle.org to find the local group for your borough and get searching. Free theatre Until March 2011, 12 of London’s most exciting theatres are giving away loads of free tickets to young people under 26. Check out freelondontheatre.com for details. Over 26? The Scoop at More London Riverside offers free outdoor performances.Visit www.morelondon.co.uk/scoop.html to see what’s on. Free workout Outdoor gyms are cropping up all over the capital. Forget expensive gym membership and head to your local park to work out in the open air. Check www.tgogc.com for details of your nearest outdoor gym Free tuition Online learning organisations such as www.alison.com offer free courses like digital literacy and IT skills or touchtyping. Or for those on a low income, major colleges such as London’s Birbeck University offer concessions on a lot of their courses to those on benefits or earning under a certain amount whereby you merely pay a nominal amount of around £30 for registration and receive free tuition in exchange. Order a prospectus from www.bbk.ac.uk Free haircuts Toni and Guy has two hairdressing academies in the capital that offer free haircuts performed by their students. It might take longer than normal but all the cuts are supervised by an experienced hairdresser so you can be assured you will walk away looking presentable. Contact 020-486 4733 to book an appointment.

Free festivals Hundreds of festivals and events are hosted in London each year and many are totally free of charge. Some of the best include the Thames Festival, Pride www.catch22mag.com

Start Date: 27th October 2010 Application Deadline: 24th September 2010

THE PROGRAMME:

What You Listening To? Quiz

We ran around town stopping individuals listening to music and asked them one very important question. Now all you have to do is work out who gave us which answer. Scribble the number you think matches up in the box provided.

A Steph, 23, Sales Assistant

Oliver, 21, Dancer

C If you think you have worked it out, check the correct answers available on our website: www.catch22mag.com

Joseph, 21, Politics student

Jenna, 24, Works in events

myTunes

Charlotte, 21, Business student

Ajay, 20, Politics student

Shane, 21, Dancer

Black Buddaflies Sheets and Pillows

Mikey J D Clash

Robbie Williams You Know Me

Foo Fighters Best Of You

Stephen Marley Overdose

Sean Kingston Replay

Trey Songz Already Taken

Lil Wayne On Fire

Ria, 22, Steward

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Photography: Carl Court Photography Styling: Kara Sarkodie-Mensah Assistant: Jasmine Furelid for Stylish Stylissimo Styling Make Up: Patrizia Lio Models: Jermaine Donegal, Fattma Joaque, Symara Templeman Venue: Marketplace

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Jermaine wears: Shirt by Upper 5th, Trousers by Uniqlo, Loafers by H&M, Necklace and Leather Bracelet by Topman

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Jermaine wears: Trousers by Ryan Noon @ www.ryannoon.com, Necklace and Leather Bracelet by Topman, Boots â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Models own

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Fattma wears: T-Shirt by Ryan Noon @ www.ryannoon.com, Skirt by H&M, Belt, Hair Tie, Adidas Trainers – Stylist's own Symara wears: T-Shirt by Topman, Cycling Shorts by H&M, Necklace by H&M, Fur Stole and Boots – Stylist's own

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Symara wears: Swimming Costume by H&M, Gold Sequin Shorts by H&M, Belt worn as necklace, Earrings, Bracelets – Stylist's own, Shoes – Model's own Jermaine wears: Trousers by Uniqlo, Shoes by ASOS, Snakeskin Belt by H&M Fattma wears: Jacket, Bandeau Top, Scarf worn as skirt by H&M, Necklace by ASOS, Bracelets and Boots – Stylist's own

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Symara wears: Maxi Dress by ASOS, Necklaces worn as Bracelets, Earrings - stylist’s own Fattma wears: Fringe Dress by H&M, Necklace by ASOS, Bracelets by ASOS, Sandals – Stylist's own

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Jermaine wears: Hareem Pants by Topshop, Leather Bracelet by Topman and Necklace models own

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Fattma wears: T-Shirt Dress by ASOS, Snakeskin Belt by Primark, Leather Belts by Topman, Boots, Bracelets and Earrings - Stylist's own Jermaine wears: Hareem Pants by Topshop, Necklace by Topman Symara wears: T-Shirt Dress by ASOS, Belts, Earrings Bracelets and Boots â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Stylist's own

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G TH

E R I N L

N T E I V

They’ve got no s gears, no brake and if you ain’t ain’t pedalling, they asks moving. So why, is fixedAmy Redmond, thing to gear the hottest hit cycling since the BMX?

W HEE

Image: Nedim Nazerali

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It’s Sunday evening on Brick Lane. Cyclists weave between shoppers, cheeky PRs promote their curry houses and market stall holders pack up for the day. It’s a standard East End scenario. Trendy kids in geek glasses, musicians, artists and creatives sit on the pavement with a Red Stripe, as food is sizzling on the BBQ outside Cafe 1001. The bars and clubs are beginning to show signs of life. Over the past two years one thing has united these subcultures of east London; the fixed-gear bike. A fixed-gear bike or ‘fixie’ has no gears or freewheel, which means you can’t coast along without pedalling. You can stop without using a brake by resisting the rotation of the cranks, and also ride in reverse. Originally purely used as track bikes, the fixedgear scene exploded in America in

onary says a The Urban Dicti ‘a hipster’s is e ik b r a e g d fixe nsportation a tr f o rm fo in a m

the 90s and is still a standard bike choice for an American city cyclist. London bike couriers adopted the scene based on speed and ease, when getting about the city cycling all day. Fixed-gear bikes evolved into being used for cycle ball, (football on bikes), bike polo (polo with bikes instead of horses) and tricks (similar to BMX tricks) And now, with cycling being the cheapest, easiest way to get around an overcrowded London, these east London cyclists are pioneering the start of a two-wheeled revolution. East London is an on-trend hub for fashionistas. The Urban Dictionary says a fixed gear bike is ‘a hipster’s main form of transportation.’ There are two key bike shops pioneering the scene in this area, 14 Bike Co and Brick Lane Bikes. Outside 14 sits Raphael, a born and bred east London

FIX

boy and devoted fixed-gear rider. He says east London is “the spiritual home of fixed gear in England” and has “seen a huge expansion in the followers of the craze. It’s highly likely that three in five bikes you see in the Shoreditch area are going to be fixed-gear.” He is 23 and works in fashion, his bike is clearly an extension of his style. With pink shoes and a multicoloured bike, we are not just talking about practical cycling here, for Raphael and so many other riders, this is a fashion thing. He sits beside his stickered-up fixedgear bike, wearing pink Vans trainers, black rolled up skinny jeans, a Tokyo Fixed Gear T shirt and 55DSL bobble hat. ‘The fashion I would associate with the scene would be Carhartt, Stussy or Vans. Hats, t-shirts, relatively stretchy jeans and usually Vans of some form are worn to ride in.’

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f the growth o f o s e m lu o v It speaks onsider the c u o y n e h w ing fixed gear rid for a bicycle ts n e n o p m o fc rise in cost o

There was the BMX boom in the 80s and mountain bikes in the 90s. Is this the trend that is going to define the noughties/teens? Raphael says, “it speaks volumes of the growth of fixed-gear riding, when you consider the rise in cost of components for a bicycle. Frames costing £500, aerospoke wheels costing £300 for a set are an example of how prices have soared with the interest in the hobby increasing.” Has this made it a case of style over substance? Raphael says “only a few months ago, a friend was bemused by the fact that he saw a 15year-old boy in the 14 Bike Store with his parents, spending £3000 on a bike that realistically is worth £1000 max.” Noticing that the boy did not have the necessary skill to ride a bike with no brakes, or even understand the concept of riding fixed, he also called

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into question the parents’ intelligence in allowing their 15-year-old son to ride a bike without brakes!” Ian Parkinson has ridden fixed-gear for over 30 years, he says, “I started commuting year-round on fixed about 15 years ago, you’d see a couple of messengers and a few old codgers on fixed and that was about it. There wasn’t really a “fixed scene” when I started, but I’ve watched it grow. During this last summer, you couldn’t move for fixed bikes with matching pastel wheels.” Max is the owner of the Tokyo Fixed Gear shop in Soho that opened in November 2009. Having previously lived in Tokyo, he opened the shop “on the foundations of a web shop which had been running for 2 years, exporting frames.” At a time when

business seems bleak, it seems Max has chosen his trade wisely. “Everyone wants fixed-gear bikes, everyone wants imports and there’s not many people doing them in the UK and Europe. It was quite a fast leap for me, I’d seen track bikes in London ridden by messengers, I got to Tokyo and everyone was riding track bikes in bright colours. I bought a few and stuck them on ebay and made a 500% margin on them. It’s becoming big business, from it being a niche, it’s just there right now.’ Juliet Elliot, 28, rides for and is sponsored by Charge (a British bike company),Vans and Carhartt. Style wise Juliet is rocking the Carhartt look too, “a lot of people are into street wear because it’s practical. I used to wear a lot of high heels but then I started riding bikes, now I never wear

What’s good r about fixed gea is it’s reignited a ng passion for cycli

them, I wear Vans. It’s a practical thing and a style thing.” She adds ‘what’s good about fixed gear is that it has reignited a passion for cycling. Bikes weren’t very cool or trendy, five years ago even, and the fixed-gear bike thing has pushed bikes to the forefront of young people’s minds. So they’ve all started riding, which can only be a good thing.’ Would she ever go back to the heels and public transport? ‘I can’t stand the tube, biking is free, it’s good for you, it’s good for the environment and it’s really fun, what could be better?!” 19-year-old Londoner Mickey has been riding fixed for a year and a half, his bike has an orange frame, a front wheel in baby blue, and a rear in lime green. He bought it all in parts and built his bike himself, before finding

out that there were a lot of other young cyclists doing the same thing. He says, “I looked at the Fixed Gear London forum and realised there was a whole scene going on. And with shops like Tokyo Fixed, 14 Bikes, Brick Lane Bikes, Cavendish Cycles and Putney Cycles popping up round the place its good, there’s something for everyone.” David Kitchen started the London Fixed-gear and Single-speed forums. (www.londonfgss.com) ‘When it started there was no fashion. The fashion came later when there were enough people to create peer pressure about that kind of thing. I don’t mind that fashion drives innovation in the extremes, but tolerance of everyone in the middle ground is a key thing for me. Everyone started somewhere.”

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It is fashion for some and passion for others

John Mack got into riding fixed-gear from being a courier. He plays polo for SLAP (South London ‘Ardcourt Polo). They have league games most nights of the week (mallets get thrown in to the centre of the court and drawn in lots of 6, 3vs3 for games). He agrees that although people on bikes is great but “people coming to fixed (particularly brakeless fixed) with no experience is dangerous and gives fixed riders a bad name.” “I find it disturbing that someone would use a type of bike to affect a style without knowing how to safely ride it.” Matt is 23 and works at Cycle Surgery in King’s Cross, he rides a glow in the dark fixed gear bike. But admits he is “anti the fixed trend,” spending a lot of his work time fixing punctures for

fixed riders, for whom he says it’s a “fashion accessory” over a practical choice. He thinks the scene will wear out, “they’ve bumped up the prices for parts, it’s annoying. Everyone copies the cool kids, then the cool kids move onto something else.” Rudy is a passionate fixed gear rider originally from Brazil, he’s been in London for seven years. Would he ever move home? “I could, but I’d miss the bike community. It is fashion for some and passion for others, like me. It is the cheapest, quickest and funnest way to transport around a busy city. A lot of people get involved because it is cool to have a “cool” looking fixedgear bike, it is understandable. And it is easy to be influenced by a lot of things that are going on, especially in east London where you can see a fixedgear bike everywhere you go.”

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An upside to more people riding fixed is a n’ ‘healthier Londo coupled with healthier social lives

How does Raphael feel about this bike as fashion accessory’ opinion? He says “an upside to more people riding fixed is a ‘healthier London’ coupled with healthier social lives. A downside to the growth of the scene is that you get a lot of phoney riders, and those who detract from the purity of riding.” Raphael compares the scene to “surfing, in so far as it’s usually laidback hippy style young men. Purity of cycling basically means that it is cycling in its most rudimentary form, ultimate physics at work.” He says, “whatever energy you put into the cycling is reflected by your speed”, as opposed to geared bikes where you are helped along your journey by changing gear.

rush to get the last tube home, there are contented smiles as cyclists pedal off, free from the constraints of public transport. I think back to Raphael’s ‘purity of rider’ comment and it starts to make sense. The wheel has definitely been reinvented in London town.

There’s a great vibe here; the fixedgear scene is about good people, united by being on two wheels. At the end of the evening as people in bars

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Grass

Roots

FROM A SEEMINGLY INNOCENT CHILDHOOD NURSERY RHYME, WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TELL-TALE TIT. BUT IS GIVING INFORMATION THAT CAN LEAD TO THE CAPTURE OF CRIMINALS REALLY AS BAD AS THE WORDS “SNITCH” AND “GRASS” SUGGEST? JOHN-JAMES ANISIOBI INVESTIGATES Artwork: Simon Lewis

n December 2004, an underground DVD called Stop Snitching was released and circulated around Baltimore, USA. The DVD featured local drug dealers threatening violence against anybody they believed might give evidence to the Police about their criminal activity. It quickly became the norm, afterwards, to see young people wearing t-shirts with the words “stop snitchin” adorned across their chest. Some t-shirts had bullet holes drawn on them, insinuating that snitches should be shot. As the popularity of the stop snitching movement increased, big name rappers began to show support for the anti snitching campaign, notably Cam’ron, who claimed that if he was living next to a serial killer, he would still not snitch to the police.

Fig 1.

“I DIDN’T EVEN HIT ANYONE BADLY ENOUGH TO DO PROPER DAMAGE, BUT BECAUSE I WOULDN’T GRASS ON MY MANS THE JUDGE DID ME” A multitude of other artists have also been vocal in their support of the antisnitch campaign: notably Lil Wayne, R Kelly, The Game and Swizz Beatz have all made songs encouraging their listeners not to co-operate with the Police. With such a negative stigma attached to snitching, why would anybody actually do it – and what is the protocol for being a whistleblower? A criminal informant is someone who provides privileged information about

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a person or organisation to a law enforcement agency, without the consent of that person or organisation. In 2009 the British police paid out more than £6million to people with information on criminal activity. Quinton is a 24-year-old semi-professional boxer. In 2004 he was sentenced to three years in prison for his involvement in a street brawl in Harlesden, London. Quinton could have had his sentence reduced to community service if he had

“snitched” on the people who were also involved in the fight. “My solicitor basically said to me that if I give up my mates’ names, I can get off,” he says. “I didn’t even hit anyone badly enough to do proper damage, but because I wouldn’t grass on my mans the judge did me.” And it wasn’t even worth it to reduce his own punishment? “I’m not a snitch,” he says. “Never have been and never will be. If it happened again, I’d make the same choices again.” In his world, he says, it’s a simple choice. “All you have in my ends is your name, your word and your reputation. If you lose one of them, you lose all of them. I know enough people that have been beaten up, stabbed, shot for snitching. One man even left the area because he snitched, so the local gangsters torched his mum’s house instead. It’s a standard thing, and people know not to do it.”

Fig 2.

And some snitching is worse than others. “There are two main types of snitch,” Quinton continues. “The first is the kind of person that witnesses something and tells the police because they seen something. The second is the person who will tell the police something in order to get themselves out of trouble. It’s the second kind of snitch that is going to get beaten down for definite.” Vigilante justice may be readily dealt out and accepted as the norm in some areas, but is there gratitude for those who don’t snitch? Apparently not. When asked what his friends did when they found out he would be going to prison for not telling the police their names, Quinton says, “Nothing. They didn’t give themselves up and I didn’t expect them to. That’s just the way things are. I’m not friends with them no–more but I still occasionally will meet up with them.”

“THE YOUNGER COMMUNITY HAVE AN ISSUE AGAINST THE POLICE. I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY’RE LEARNING THIS ATTITUDE FROM”

According to the Association of Chief Police Officers, police informers are “vital in bringing offenders to justice”. Mr McCormack has worked as a policeman for just over 30 years, working with informants on a regular basis. “The first time I ever used an informant was by accident,” he says. “Some random kid in a chip shop offered me some weed and I told him I was a police officer. His face dropped and he was clearly shaken,

“THE FIRST TIME I EVER USED AN INFORMANT WAS BY ACCIDENT” then he started ranting about all these local drug dealers who had loads of drugs in their houses and he’d tell me there names if I didn’t arrest him. The thing is, I was never gonna arrest him. I wasn’t on duty. I just wanted to get my kebab.” McCormack began life in London’s Metropolitan Police as a Police Constable. He now works as a Scene Of Crime Officer and says that informants are hugely important to the success of his cases. “On average I would say that I use about 30 different informants per year. Some of them are criminals that have committed serious crimes and are in and out of prison but most of them are petty criminals that are trying to stay under the radar.” How does he protect the identities of the informants he uses – and what is the feeling of the community towards them? “It’s a real mix up. The older generation on my beat are quite happy

Fig 3.

to help the police with information, but the problem is the younger community have an issue against the police. I don’t know where they’re learning this attitude from.” Could it be that those youngsters, particularly ethnic minorities, may feel the police can’t be trusted because of past incidents where racism and harassment have seemed apparent?

Fig 4.

“I know that stats got released some time ago that showed young black men were more likely to get stopped and searched than white men. But how can we help if nobody wants to help us change them? It’s a vicious circle.” Given the widespread anti-snitch sentiment, what sort of protection can the Police offer informants from getting attacked – or what protection does he, personally offer? “Well as far as I know, my informants meet me somewhere discreet or phone my mobile when they

“AT THE END OF THE DAY I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM AND WHAT I’M DOING. I’M NOT ASHAMED OF TELLING THE POLICE WHO’S PHONEY AND WHO’S FAKE” have news for me. Nobody knows that they are grassing up criminals to me, so there is no need for me to protect them anymore than I am already doing.” What about the big criminals that have had prison time reduced because they cooperated with Police? “That’s a different kettle of fish. Those kinds of informers are paid big money; they get moved to a new area and get their identities changed too.” It is interesting, then, to hear what smaller-scale informants get out of helping the police. “I shouldn’t really say this,” McCormick admits, “but we turn a blind eye to some criminal activity. Not all kinds, but little things that could mount up the paper work we do can get ignored in exchange for some information. If, say, a guy has tipped me off about a drug smuggling operation, I may forget to arrest the informant for driving without a valid licence or for not appearing in court when he was summoned. It’s a reciprocal thing.” Alex is a 28-year-old male from Notting Hill, west London. He has been ‘snitchin’ since he was 14-years-old and he claims to make a decent profit from it. “Yeah people can call me what they want but at

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the end of the day I know exactly what I am and what I’m doing. I’m not ashamed of telling the Police who’s phoney and who’s fake.” Alex isn’t what I expected to find in a police informant. He does not conform to any of the stereotypes that the Hollywood films had lead me to believe. He doesn’t linger in the shadows, he doesn’t act nervous or suspicious and he doesn’t speak like a wise guy. “When I was young I used to tell my uncle, who is a police officer, all the gossip and talk from my ends. In return he’d give me a quid. As I got older I started telling him more useful, more concrete information and I got bigger rewards.” When asked what kind of rewards he received, Alex claimed that “anything from a brand new Dyson vacuum, to a couple hundred pounds. The more I grassed people in the better I felt and the bigger the arrest, the more cash I got.”

How is it possible that Alex had avoided being caught out by his community? “I’m just a normal guy. I went college and I got a normal job. I’m just like everyone else. Nobody suspects me because there is nothing to suspect. The only person that knows I tell the police is my girl and my uncle and they aren’t gonna go telling anyone.” Maybe the reality of being a snitch is different to how the media portrays it. Alex is doing a service that helps his community reduce crime and generally makes the street safer, yet he will forever be an unsung and perhaps unnamed hero. “I don’t really care what rappers say. Telling five-o about rapists, drug dealers or killers is fine by me. If I could be a copper like my uncle I would, but then I wouldn’t get any information on the criminals. I’m like a double agent. I’m like James Bond but in the hood.” Some names have been changed

“I DON’T REALLY CARE WHAT RAPPERS SAY. TELLING FIVE-O ABOUT RAPISTS, DRUG DEALERS OR KILLERS IS FINE BY ME”

Start Date: 27th October 2010 Application Deadline: 24th September 2010

WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION? Gumtree, eBay, ScarletMist... the internet has changed the way we buy gig tickets forever. Rebecca Gonsalves asks if touts are all dodgy Del-Boys, or do they offer a valuable service to live music lovers? Artwork: Caspar Williams

aux-fur jackets, red lipsticked pouts and superskinny jeans mark out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs fans in the crowd of commuters surging up the escalators at Brixton station. Immediately outside the station the pregnant buzz of eager gig goers is punctuated as the waiting touts heckle their catchphrase “buy or sell tickets, buy or sell tickets”. They accessorize dark bomber jackets and beanies with a menacing demeanour — as much a part of their uniform as the Brixton Academy doorman’s high-viz jacket. In the shadowy world of ticket touting, there’s a war going on. The street touts are on the frontline and taking serious flak from the power of the internet. We all know that the Internet has changed the music industry in so many ways. But it’s done it with such speed, that it’s easy to forget the monopoly that street traders previously exercised over the secondary ticketing market. The days of the heavies outside the venue being your only hope for a last minute ticket are long gone, as the internet provides traders with a fresh approach in a market close to saturation. In simple economic terms bedroom resellers create demand for their product by restricting supply in the first place. When gig tickets are released, often on a Friday morning through a venue’s online ticketing partner, buyers can generally be split into two distinct groups. Group one are online touts who pick up the maximum allowance of six or eight tickets. Group two are dedicated fans — those who sign up to their favourite bands’

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mailing lists or scour listings magazines for upcoming gigs — who see their chances of getting a ticket dwindling. Websites crash and sold out signs pop up to dash hopes, and a quick browse of eBay reveals the elusive tickets with a price tag doubling the face value.

“The street touts are on the frontline and taking serious flak from the power of the internet” How can we get our hands on those golden tickets? In Brixton, the frustrated fans hoping to pick up a ticket on the night are easily identifiable. Eyeing up the touts, the queue, any ticket buying competition and their watch are all signs of a desperate fan hoping to strike lucky. Lauren came down with just such a plan in mind. “Over a year ago I was desperate to see Battles at the Astoria and I sorted a ticket from a guy on Gumtree called Kevin, which was advertised for £25. But when I met him at Liverpool Street station, he wanted £35 and pulled the ticket out of a big bag of them. It got pretty tense and he ended up walking away without a sale. A friend had the same trick pulled on him by the same guy. He’s obviously a career seller. He may only be charging a tenner mark up, but the volume of tickets he had made it seem pretty lucrative. “Now if I can’t get a ticket from someone on [ethical trading

site] ScarletMist, which is a great idea but tends to have mostly obscure artists, I’ll try and pick one up straight from a tout. I’m just as likely to get ripped off, but I can try and haggle and once one drops their price, they all will. I don’t mind paying a bit more depending on the band. If I have a spare ticket I’ll stick it on Gumtree, but I don’t do it to make money.” The army of touts huddled on the corner outside Brixton Academy are surprisingly candid about their role in the evening’s proceedings. The leader is happy to explain their strategy. The black market works in the same way as the stock market; you buy low to sell high. “We never pay full price for a ticket — we buy them cheap, then run interference. Get in the middle of people that wanna sell and people that wanna buy.” The touts’ aura of menace ensures fans with spares pass them on for less than face value, relieved to be rid of it and making any cash back. There’s a surprising sense of organisation; everyone has a role to play, whether it’s buying, selling or just running messages. “The Internet has affected the tickets game, the eBay people they’re not normal touts at all. They’re just people who’ve got normal jobs and do it as a sideline, and they’re making good money out if it. “I work every single day, I’m up at the crack of dawn. We will [sell online] sometimes, problem is everybody knows what everything’s worth. If there’s a good event, you can’t buy cheap

tickets, so it makes it harder. It’s on the cut-throat side, more so now than ever cos there’s not as much money in it.” A Range Rover Vogue with personalised number plates cruising past cuts our chat short, as our tame tout dashes off for a strategy meeting with the boss. Someone’s making a lot of money from secondary tickets, but I doubt he’s up at the crack of dawn or standing on street corners every night. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs may be playing two consecutive sold out

“Justin Timberlake tickets cost £50; I bought six and sold them for £150 each through eBay.” gigs at the Brixton Academy, but they’re not the type of act from which touts can make their biggest profits. Paul started selling tickets online when he was a student. “I tended to do gigs in big locations, arenas and stadiums, because you could make the most mark up. Justin Timberlake tickets cost £50; I bought six and sold them for £150 each through eBay. £600 for a couple of hours work is a lot when you’re a student. Getting tickets involves queuing for a long time. If you’re prepared to queue you can still buy box office tickets a lot easier than you can online because ticket sites can crash so quickly.”

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It makes sense that people grasp the opportunity to make quick cash if it’s there, and touts offer something that primary sellers don’t. A band’s fans will know when they’re releasing an album and look out for the accompanying promotional tour. But say you hadn’t heard of this band until your favourite radio station makes theirs the album of the week.You can’t get it out of your head and are converted.You go online and see to they’re touring soon, but the tickets sold out months ago — is a tout your only hope? “A lot of the problem is to do with the system. Touts buy six tickets at a time, whereas if you drip feed the system, people would be able to buy a ticket without planning so far in advance. And the ticket sites play into the hands of the touts. They rarely take returns, so unless you want to write off 20 odd quid because you can’t make a gig, it makes sense to try and sell it on. Whether or not you make a profit is up to you. Street touts can profit from the murky legality of the system, it adds pressure to close the deal quickly. Online auction sites allow more scope for profit — the buyer is bidding up rather than haggling down.” Chatting to Paul, the parallels between the trading of tickets and stocks and shares are even more prominent. “It’s high risk, high reward. It’s so crowded on [secondary ticket site] Seatwave.com as soon as one person drops the ticket price they all drop. It’s a market confidence thing; people are nervous and drop the price just to get rid of them. ” Should we be resigned to occasionally having to fork out for a heavily inflated ticket? Rob Hammond, creator of MyTicketPod.com a personalised ticketing system that prevents reselling, doesn’t think so. “I really wanted to stop [secondary] ticket sales; fans deserve tickets at the correct price. Also there’s a high quantity of fake tickets being sold, I believe it’s the responsibility of the ticket sellers/ venues to ensure it’s stopped and I’ve proved that it can be done. When you see an artist has sold out in record time, it’s not entirely true. Fans haven’t had a chance before the touts get the tickets. But it looks good in the media so touts are tolerated. ”

“ I’ve bought tickets from touts many a time and will continue to do so ” Ben, another onliner with tickets to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs going for almost twice face value on Gumtree disagrees. He started reselling when a friend left him with a spare ticket at short notice. “I’m a huge music fan and don’t see the harm in selling tickets — when I can’t get tickets through the normal avenues I will explore every possible way of getting one. I’ve bought tickets from touts many a time and will continue to do so, as will thousands of other music fans.” Ultimately, as long as fans continue to demand the service touts offer, and are willing to pay for it, the battle for market dominance will continue on and offline.

Things to consider: There is currently no legislation banning concert ticket resale, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no plans to introduce any, favouring industry self-regulation. However, it is illegal to sell items on a street corner without a street trading licence. Promoters and venues have individual policies, but secondary tickets are often considered void.

How to buy from touts: Venue: Only bring as much cash as you can afford to spend. An extra £20 will weaken your resolve and haggling ability, and invariably end up in the tout’s pocket. Turn up early and make enquiries, but wait until as late as possible to do the deal. Once the crowds are inside and the support act has started, touts will be eager to offload any tickets they have left. Push your luck, but stay respectful. Remember you’re dealing with a stranger and being aggressive won’t impress.

Online: Do your research and be cynical. As well as genuine resellers, there are a lot of fake ticketing scams online. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. On eBay, set your highest bid then log out. Automated bidding will go up to this limit, so you’ll never pay more than you can afford. Check out ScarletMist.com, an ethical forum where tickets are resold at face value, but don’t expect to find tickets for stadium tours — listings tend to be for more obscure acts.

Prevention is better than cure: Get onto mailing lists and plan ahead. Buying tickets on their release means you’ll have something to look forward to. And if you can’t go, I know a man who’ll gladly take it off your hands!

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Melons of mass destruction

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From Marmite to air-fresheners, sometimes an assault can take place with a not-so-deadly weapon. Roxi Jahanshahi speaks to the victims of such random and unexpected attacks and asks if the experience left them with stitches... or in stitches University life was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. And, as the last person to move into my halls, I was hoping to avoid being confronted by the awkward, evil initiations that occur in American films – buckets of freezing cold water or waking up with no eyebrows, you know the kind of thing. But of all the things I had been expecting with the carefree, fun-loving university lifestyle, I most certainly wasn’t anticipating the thought of being attacked with a fruit. It was a sunny day in June and a friend of mine had come over to watch some DVDs. After gulping down the rice and curry I’d cooked we were possessed by what we like to call the ‘Itis’ (the curse of wanting to lie down after a good meal). With nice weather being something of a rarity, I asked my friend whether he’d like to go outside and lie on the grass till it wore off. With his approval I opened the back door that led to our communal garden, and within ten seconds of stepping outside I spotted something flying towards me. It was a sight I’d never seen before, it resembled the bombs you see in cartoons except that it was significantly larger and dark green. I just had time to step aside. Reality dawned as the “bomb” hit the floor, its thick green skin cracking as its insides exploded.

Thinking more about the curious case of the flying watermelon, I started to ask myself whether other people had ever been involved in such random attacks and how it had happened. We

“I didn’t move fast enough and ended up being covered in splodges of pink pulp and black seeds I had officially been hit with a watermelon” I ended up being covered in splodges of pink pulp and black seeds. I had officially been hit with a watermelon. I could hardly believe it, not only was I embarrassed that my friend had witnessed the attack, but why would anyone want to throw a watermelon at me. I stood there looking bemused and irritable, ranting about what had just occurred. It turned out my neighbour was drunk on vodka and Coke and thought it would be a funny thing to do. Typical student life!

hear a lot about knife and gun crime, but there have also been recent occurrences of people using abstract weapons. Take the Post Office worker in Manchester who fought off armed robbers with a little help from her odour-eliminating friend, otherwise know as a can of Oust. With this in mind, I set off to find similar acts of randomness. Love it or hate it, Marmite is one of the most popular savoury spreads in the UK. My first victim, Stephanie, expressed her dislike for the spread not for its ‘unique’ taste, but for the way

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it left her with a giant bruise. Like my melon attack, Stephanie’s experience occurred in her own home, but the motive was rather different. After an argument with her sister about the lack of general hygiene and the constant build-up of rotten food in their fridge, Stephanie decided to go and stay with a friend. When she returned a week later, she walked into the kitchen and saw the counter piled high with dirty plates while her sister was making a sandwich. “I felt my blood boil and told her she was a disgusting pig who deserved a slap.” As the argument continued, things got physical. “I grabbed her sandwich and dropped it on the floor, and told her eat it like

numerous saddening and life-threatening cases, but on the flip-side he got to witness trivial arguments and hear about random weapon choices. “As an officer you have to remain professional, but as a human sometimes you get the urge to chuckle in disbelief... I stuck to my role and laughed outside work hours.” Needless to say, over his 40 years in the force, Jerry saw numerous odd weapon choices: ‘I’ve seen it all – from staplers to cabbages, I could write a book on the A-Z of oddities.” While the cabbage brought back melon memories, Jerry’s

“I felt something big and rubbery slap across my bum… I turned and saw a dildo on the floor and my boys in hysterics” the swine bag she was,” Stephanie says. As she stood with her hands on her hips, Stephanie saw something flying towards her. Before she knew it, she was “kneeling on the floor side by side with a jar of Marmite”. My victim number two, Bobby, had been on a lads’ holiday in Amsterdam celebrating exam results and sharing a hostel room with eight of his friends. On their last night, they had “been strolling the red-light district looking for something funny to take back”. As the home of drug and sex paraphernalia, Bobby’s mate Don decided to buy a goody bag of smoking pipes, lighters and sex toys to give to those friends who couldn’t afford the trip. They returned to their hotel and “sat around cracking up about all the crap we had bought, it was too much jokes”. After smoking, eating and drinking beers until 6am,

next story was possibly my favourite. He had been called to a domestic affair where a husband had claimed his wife had attacked him. Arriving at the house, Jerry’s colleague recognised the husband as a “priest at his local church, despite the fact that his face was partially concealed by a bag of frozen mince”. The wife had explained to them that religious affairs were taking over his life and getting in the way of their relationship. She reached boiling point when the priest had missed dinner and come home late for the third time that week. The man had tried to calm her down but the more he apologised, the angrier she got. Jerry recalls that the woman had felt her husband needed a wake up call and had grabbed the Bible to throw at him. “It’s ironic,” Jerry remembered, “that a man so acquainted with holiness was smacked across the face by the word of God.”

“I’ve seen it all - from staplers to cabbages, I could write a book on the A-Z of oddities” Bobby decided to get up and have a shower to freshen up for their 7am flight back to London. When he came out the shower, “everyone was sleeping, so I took my towel off to put my boxers on and I felt something big and rubbery slap across my bum… I turned and saw a dildo on the floor and my boys in hysterics”. His tone of voice let me know that he found it just as funny as them: “Usually, I would have gone mad but it was one of those Amsterdam moments that the boys always bring up and still makes us cry with laughter.” Spurred on by Bobby’s sex-toy attack, I decided to get some insight from someone who has to deal with crazy weapon choices on a regular basis: a police officer. I was lucky to get into contact with Jerry, a retired member of the Metropolitan Police. He stressed that being an officer meant dealing with

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Life, it seems, can literally throw anything at you. If there’s a moral to these stories, it would be to try to be as virtuous as possible. And if all else fails, have fast reflexes or take up dodge ball – because you never know what will be coming your way soon.

I didn’t see that coming... No hard feelings George W Bush was welcomed at a Baghdad press conference by an Iraqi journalist who decided to call him a dog and throw his shoes at him. The then US president showed a surprisingly speedy duck and cover manoeuvre and escaped any collateral damage

FREEZE! Put the Mars bar down A jogger in South Shields was struck at 10.30am by a frozen Mars bar that had been thrown from the window of a passing car, no help at all to the jogger’s plans for work, rest and play

Mayonnaise Bandits The Japanese cities of Adachi Ward & Soka City had 19 police reports over a twoday period of people being covered with mayonnaise and attacked with plastic pipes. The suspects claimed, “We wanted to do something funny”

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GALLERY

Alex Christofides

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Pass/India In January I travelled to India for two months to capture some of the magnificent culture. This image is from the Holi festival which is celebrated by throwing powdered paint at each other. Ronan Gallagher

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GALLERY

Magic Hour Series: 3 Birds From a series of photographs documenting the magic hour (first and last hour of light in a day). Warmer hues, diffused light and sillouettes are intense during this period. Rashpal Amrit

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Joamerica It was a time of uncertaintity and exotic moments taken on the 17th January 2007 in New York, on a road which was going somewhere new, somewhere that I was unsure about going. I finished my drink bent down and snapped away with my camera contemplated with myself how different this road now looked, and carried on my uncertain journey. Joanna Kay

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GALLERY

Yim Mas Gan Yim Mas Gan was a limited edition print created for Brighton based juice bar, SeJuice. The print was based on a sixties reggae track by The Abyssinians "Yim Mas Gan". Richard Grainger

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Thank Tank A self-initiated project experimenting with shape, colour and image. The photo is of a block of flats in Berlin and after closer inspection the image reveals deeper depth and illusion like details. Richard Grainger www.catch22mag.com

GALLERY

Greenwich Foot Tunnel This 107-year-old tunnel is used by over a million people every year so patience was needed to take this shot where nobody was in sight. Joining Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs, this tunnelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eerie atmosphere was something that I had to capture. Chris Dorney

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Alex Christofides

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This might just change the world a little

Got a great idea but not sure how to get it off the ground? Maybe The Hub can help? A social enterprise and global network spread over 12 cities in four continents aiming to bring creative people together to encourage positive change, The Hub enables young people to start their own business ventures by providing “hot desk” working spaces for budding entrepreneurs. Beck Robertson investigates a small idea that’s creating a raft of world-changing schemes from an “anti-apathy” project to “environmentally responsible carpet tiles”

Can a globe-spanning project that offers an alternative to the traditional office environment really be changing the world project by project? The Hub, founded by author and entrepreneur Jonathan Robinson five years ago, is a worldwide network of open-plan space and resources that aims to offer an inspiring and cost-effective alternative to the traditional nine to five. But The Hub is far more than just office space, it’s a chance to network, build contacts and meet people who can help you get things done while you create positive change. The Hub’s mission statement is, “bringing people together to change the world for the better.” And my initial research found

out that most Hub users have what is called “a social conscience” – i.e. they aim to improve people’s lives in some way with what they are doing. Take Puck Markham, a Hub user who founded Community Money, a microfinance project giving much-needed loans to impoverished individuals and community groups in London and the UK. Tired of the traditional banking world, when the opportunity to take redundancy presented itself, Puck decided to tackle poverty by setting up the enterprise, which provides people in need with small loans. “A tiny amount of money can have a huge impact,” he tells me when I ask him what was behind his decision to

diversify into the charity finance sector. Like Puck, many users of the Hub see the place as a useful tool for getting their projects off the ground. “It’s a great place to get started as they offer a lot of the resources you need,” Puck says. “Every person starting out in any kind of business needs support, and at The Hub you are surrounded by creative, energetic people offering advice and ideas.” Like The Hub, Community Money is a social enterprise – meaning any profits are ploughed straight back into the business. So how much of a force for social change has The Hub actually been? Well, Big Issue founder John Bird is a user of the service so, to investigate further, I visit www.catch22mag.com

“We have everyone from CEOs to film-makers to students, a lot of charities also use this as their base including The Wallace and Gromit Foundation for sick children”

Hub Islington, where it all started five years ago. I arrange to meet up with Alex Rinsler, project director of the flagship branch. It’s a rainy evening as I arrive at the Torrens Street base, on the fourth floor of a converted warehouse. Once inside, I am surprised by how cosy it feels – not at all like your usual soulless office HQ. It’s all wood and concrete, artfully haphazard shelving and stylishly shabby chic furniture. But what actually goes on in here? Rinsler greets me with a smile and offers me a drink while I disintegrate after climbing four flights of steep stairs. Hub users must be in shape, I think to myself, while shaking my head politely.

Looking around I see a fair amount of bespectacled media types hunched over their Apple Mac laptops in an industrious fashion, so I ask Rinsler for the typical profile of a Hub user. “There’s no specific social profile,” he says, “but the common thread is that everyone here is working towards positive social change in some way.” So if I wanted to rent some space here would I just be able to join up? I challenge him. He pauses: “All our members are vetted before they can join the network. But what I would say is that you need to have had some initial success to be able to justify the cost of our monthly charge.” I ask him what kind of people

actually use the Hub. “We have everyone from CEOs to film-makers to students, a lot of charities also use this as their base including The Wallace and Gromit Foundation for sick children.” I press Rinsler as to how much it would actually cost me to join and start taking advantage of what’s on offer.“Most people opt for Hub Connection, the £10 a month basic package which introduces you to the network and gives you access to Hub events. It’s ideal for making contacts and plugging into creative ideas.That would get you on the mailing list and you’d also get five hours a week to use the resources here, which include broadband internet, fax, copier, phones, etc.” I learn that the top-flight package of www.catch22mag.com

“Everything from a monkeymaking workshop to raise funds for children with cancer to skills based lunches where attendees bring their individual talents to the table and discuss ways to create social change” £310 a month gets you unlimited access to all The Hub’s resources providing you with your own key and mailing address. “If you have that package, the space feels more like it’s yours,” Rinsler says, “and it’s much cheaper than renting office space in London.” OK. So, I’m a fully signedup member. Can I really expect instant connections with the kind of people who can help me achieve things and a constant exchange of innovative ideas? “Well,” Rinsler smiles, “first I’d sit down with you and have a chat to find out exactly what you hoped to achieve as a new member.” Would he introduce me to people who could help me? “Yes, but you’d also soon discover the daily mailing list is very active

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too; with between 10 and 20 updates per day of events being hosted, help required and opportunities to collaborate on projects.” What sort of events does The Hub host that I’d have access to? “Everything from a money-making workshop to raise funds for children with cancer; to skills-based lunches where attendees bring their individual talents to the table, and discuss ways to create social change,” he says proudly. So is The Hub actually enabling people to create positive changes in society? Well, the list of Hub projects is certainly impressive with users such as Emily Miller, creator of Meanwhile Space, which collaborates with local government to

make better use of vacant shops and businesses. Or Ogunte, a global project that encourages women to become involved in the social economy. Even Kofi Annan has praised one Hub collaboration: The Soweto Mountain Project, is a group of youths from South Africa who are reviving their local community by engaging in various environmental and cultural projects; such as painting and weaving, sculpting wood, recycling waste and tending the land. In the end, The Hub will be defined by its users. After all, anyone can access and make use of the vast resources and contacts it offers. As Jonathan Robinson, Hub founder says: “This is a space in

which to move and be moved. To take risks and make mistakes. To collaborate and participate. To laugh and despair. To lead and to learn.â&#x20AC;?

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Words: Hayley Joyes Image: Mailia James

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Is Drums of Death really that elusive and how did he come about? “Drums of Death is an amalgamation of what makes me who I am. I have kinda multiplied and projected it and the Greco-Roman artwork has me as a cartoon villain. I am not a performance-art sort of guy, so I didn’t want to be over the top. I wanted it to be what I grew up with, rock and roll. Some performers have a case of ‘laptopitous’ and I wanted to try something different!”

In an age where AKAs, aliases and split-personalities are the guidebook for the aspiring musician, it seems that everyone is covering up before they dare appear on stage.To look at Drums of Death you would think he is part of the ‘AKA’ movement, but Colin Bailey has nothing to hide. On stage he romances his audience with lush lyrics. Catch 22 catches up him with to find out more about the man behind the mask

Your upbringing was quite interesting, as apparently you wanted to be a clergyman. What happened? “I grew up in a very religious area – it was a small fishing port off the west coast of Scotland. At about nine I wanted to be a Catholic priest. Then a friend of mine came out as gay and he got quite a lot of shit and I couldn’t understand why. After that, I started kissing girls, listening to rock and roll and the devil took me away from Jesus [giggles]!” So it was Black Sabbath in all senses? “I grew up on metal; I used to sing in hardcore bands. Me and my friend didn’t smoke or do drugs, we drank and bought records. We weren’t even DJing, we were just obsessed with vinyl – like open, empty vessels ready to receive stuff!” Your make-up is a key to your performance, how did this come about? “It is almost like black-metal make up, I’m using imagery from voodoo rituals and the Mexican Day of the Dead. I like the look of the Mexican thing and I am excited by mysterious Russian fairy tales, spirits and imps… The moral is always, ‘Behave or the spirits will get you’.” Your music embraces darker tones. Where do these influences stem from? “I’ve always had love for bass music. I found jungle when I was 21 and my eyes were opened to electronic music. I am influenced by acid house and I am bit of a techno kid, as well. One of my earliest techno influences was the French producers Micronauts and their Bleep to Bleep LP. It sounds like a breathing organism; some of it is so heavy and fun. I also like grime – the percussion is amazing, so crunchy and nasty. Some of my stuff is a bit like that.” Do you plan to keep the slap on forever? “If I’m doing DoD in 10 years’ time the logical progression will be arriving on stage illuminated by one candle playing classical piano for an hour.You have got to do what is right for you as an artist. Music is the reason I get up in the morning.” Myspace.com/drumsofdeath4eva

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From binge-drinking to Buddhism, from clubbing to Christianity, Alex Christofides wonders why - in an increasingly image-conscious and consumer-led society - more and more young people are turning to religion

We are the Facebook generation, hooked on reality TV and glossy mags, obsessing over the latest trends and rigorously following fashion. And yet, according to a recent report on young people in the UK, 50 per cent believe there is a God, 20 per cent said they were spiritual, and 18 per cent were practising members of an organised religion. So is there some sort of religious renaissance going on out there? Are we returning to traditional beliefs, or is this the birth of something new?

as the Koran and the Bible are outdated and unfashionable. So what is it about religion that still appeals, drawing in new recruits from a digital age? Has religion become cool? Has God got his mojo back? In his book Vital Faith:The Irrelevant Spiritual Quest of Generation X, Tom Beaudoin writes: “People are sensing a real absence in their lives and have a very ambivalent relationship with their family.” Beaudoin suggests that as people struggle

by binge-drinking, sexual promiscuity, reality TV and anti-social behaviour, but the Government brandishes this as democracy”. It would seem many have lost faith in Western values, and some see the British system as lacking substance and structure. At the Tottenham Islamic Centre one young member tells me: “I enjoy spending time here, sometimes it is hard but you build friendships and learn a lot.” This same sense of belonging

London, according to the Office of National Statistics, has more religiously observant people than the rest of the country. This is due to a higher level of faith schools and community projects. Many community centres have seen an increase in membership. Kalaled Abdul Mayeed, centre manager of the Tottenham Islamic Centre, says: “Young people play a major role in this centre and its continued growth.” In Christianity too, figures have been steadily increasing – a fact put down to a greater emphasis on activities. Robert Higgins, a part-time worker for Sudbury Church in London, says: “The motive here is to teach faith, but with good values and understanding of citizenship.” All of which flies in the face of the belief that religion is dead and old scripts such

to find answers, they will often turn to religion. So is it the sense of belonging, guidance and support that religion offers that is attracting young people? Or is it a lack of alternative options, have people given up on the British system and its values? In a pamphlet promoting Islam, it states that “Britain is currently categorized

can be applied to other religions. Joy Canter, project manager for the Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade, says: “It’s about being a part of something, belonging to a group and having a place, even a cause to work towards.” A survey conducted by the Associated Press and MTV recently discovered that religion and family are two of the

strongest components contributing to the happiness of people aged between 13 and 24. And with two out of three marriages nowadays ending in divorce, it is perhaps no surprise that the survey discovered that 80 per cent of religious believers considered themselves to be happy, as opposed to 60 per cent of non-believers.

strict in its teachings and not practical. I believe it is important to follow something that works for me. I don’t want to be constrained by other people’s rules. I don’t want to be told what I can and can’t do. I’m a free spirit. I don’t feel that something as ancient as traditional religion can play a part in my life because I just can’t relate to it.”

Perhaps in a world that is moving so fast, this generation more than ever needs this sense of belonging and purpose. Christine, a 26-year-old student from London told me, “I went up to Manchester to university when I was 21. One day, my flatmate told me that she was going to church and I decided to go with her. This as a result changed my lifestyle. Away from my family, I found a strong connection and strong community at church. It soon started to become more serious; I stopped drinking and going out so much. Making that decision meant I had something to motivate me, it gave me a chance and an outlet. It was particularly in prayer that I found encouragement. I found it gave me a strong grounding and a real sense of security.” Even those who choose not to follow an organised religion, still seem to be on a search for spiritual meaning in their lives. Ashley, a 25-year-old artist, says: “I do not believe in God and am not religious, but I believe in karma. What goes around comes around; you don’t have to believe in God to be good. I try to live my life to my own code. I don’t need to go to church for this.

But plenty of people, it seems, can. And maybe there is still something for the modern world to learn from ancient teachings. Baha’i is a 19th century faith that began in Persia. It is a religion that believes in the constant evolution of mankind and the spiritual unity of all living things. The president of the Baha’i Society told me: “Every generation needs a message, a divine manifestation.” And, perhaps, just perhaps, he has a point.

“When I was about 15 I looked into alternative religion because I was curious. I even looked into Buddhism at one point and found even this to be

Start Date: 27th October 2010 Application Deadline: 24th September 2010

reviews Greenberg US indie films seem to thrive on the idea of misanthropes doing nothing much whilst spouting witty aphorisms. Director Noah Baumbach certainly doesn’t stray too far from this formula, but still manages to inject his film with great insights and engaging characters. The film’s central character Roger Greenberg, (Ben Stiller, who proves his ability to give a more nuanced performance) is a carpenter and ex-mental patient who decides to take a break from New York and just do nothing; house sitting for his brother in LA. While he is doing ‘nothing’ we meet his friend and ex-band mate Ivan (Rhys Ifans), who we learn is resentful that Roger refused to sign a major record deal with their band. He also pitifully pursues his ex-girlfriend Beth (Jenifer Jason Leigh, who also collaborated with Baumbach on the film’s story) who now has kids, and zero interest in getting back together. He meets his brother’s PA the pretty, kooky and vulnerable Florence (Greta Gerwig in a breakout role), who Roger initially cruelly dismisses and then gradually falls for. He also looks after his brother’s ill dog and writes a lot of angry letters to various companies complaining about things like faulty airplane recline buttons. The film is full of great lines such as when Roger’s embittered response to Ivan’s belief that ‘youth is wasted on the young’ is that ‘life is wasted on people’. But it’s also more than just witty lines. What makes it better than films like Juno is that you really want to know what motivates someone like Roger, seeing that behind the cranky behaviour is disappointment and frustration“hurt people hurt people” as Florence puts it. And the developing relationship between Roger and Florence is genuinely touching. So if you’re looking for a film that’s intelligent, funny, subtle and honest look no further.

Priscilla Eyles

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Sia - We Are Born Sia’s fourth album is the one she had been waiting to make ever since being constrained by record company demands to make a downtempo record, the result of which was the nevertheless sublime Some People Have Real Problems. This album then is decidedly more upbeat and poppier, a definite party album, with producer Greg Kurstin having previously produced Lily Allen, Kylie and Britney. However, Sia’s beautifully seductive and soulful vocals immediately puts her a class ahead of those artists. And even though the album is more commercial and some fans may be disappointed, the album remains interesting and eminently listenable, as well as danceable; recalling Roísín Murphy, Hercules and The Love Affair, Har Mar Superstar and CSS alongside Lily Allen. The album is also given an extra edge by having The Strokes’ Nick Valensi on guitar duties. Highlights include the opener The Fight, a funky disco number with an uplifting chorus and catchy beat. Even better is first single You’ve Changed which features a great guitar riff from Valensi and sounds like a song Gossip could’ve done. Big Girl, Little Girl is another great dancey number with it’s drunkenly distorted guitar sounds. More downtempo numbers which most recall her previous album, like the mellow, atmospheric Be Good To Me and the mournful piano-based ballad I’m In Here, are also equally good and provide a breather from the all that disco fun. Ultimately it’s not as affecting an album as Some People, but the fun and joy exploding out of this album is infectious, unstoppable and guaranteed to get you smiling on the dance floor.

Priscilla Eyles

Girl Friday Jane Green’s Girl Friday is a fun, summer read with a feel-good vibe. The whole way through the novel, you are willing the loveable divorcee Kit to find happiness. A year after her divorce, Kit feels she has finally managed to be the person she has always been deep down. She has a fantastic job, as an assistant for star novelist Robert McClore, and a new family home that’s cosy and hers. She can finally speak to Adam (her ex-husband) on friendly terms, as well as managing to squeeze in yoga with her new friend,Tracy. Tracy is a strange one. Throughout the book, you can never tell if she’s a good or a bad character, as she is very guarded and very secretive. As is Steve, who comes across as completely adorable, but is he too good to be true? Is there an ulterior motive to his relationship with Kit? Kit’s new neighbour, the kind-hearted Edie, is the mother she’s yearned for her whole life. Edie proves to be a friend and saviour. She helps give Kit back the confidence she once had. Girl Friday proves that sometimes the people you thought you’d lost make their way back into your life again. Girl Friday is an enjoyable read, its a chick lit book with an uplifting feel, a mysterious twist and a happy ending. Which is what every girl hopes for, isn’t it? I’ve never read a Jane Green book until now, but after reading Girl Friday, I may just take a look at what else Ms Green has to offer. Jane’s first novel ‘Straight Talking’ was published 14 years ago and since then she’s had 11 novels which have all been bestsellers. If you enjoy female fiction with an added twist then Girl Friday will delight you.

Together Closing Party The first Together Season has included some of the world’s biggest DJs, live acts and existing club nights. The Coronet Theatre, tucked behind the hideous Elephant and Castle shopping centre is like a musical tardis, once you get inside the huge space engulfs you. The main arena is a perfect playing ground for live acts to command the space and DJs to lord over the expectant crowd. Lock and Load have promoted the last three months of eclectic offerings and have picked the cream of the crop from Tinie Tempah, Plastician, Kissy Sell Out, Boy 8 Bit,Yo Yo DJs, Work It DJs, and finished up the mammoth season with DIM MAK records don Steve Aoki. Mid March, Nuke Them All DJs; Fonteyn, Buster Bennett played a set in room two alongside The Kool Kids Klub DJs in room three for a night of electro glitch heaven The last night was a bag of treats with Mr Aoki doing a meet and greet for early arrivers, and later putting on an amazing bass shaking set that had the entire venue bouncing around and arms flying about. Kid Sister performed an exciting set of hip hop, pop and electro vibes, her voice, attitude and frantic dance energy had the crowd singing along and making mad shapes. The upstairs bar has a more intimate feeling with sofas and live bands performing, and a few stragglers dancing around the bar area. Next season is set to be equally satisfying and starts in October, but if you can’t wait check out Together @ SW4 festival this summer on Clapham Common.

Sonita Dowd

Hayley Thorpe

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HAS PIRATE RADIO BEEN LOST TO THE DIGITAL WORLD? NIKE FORREST PONDERS ON WHETHER PIRATE RADIO GOING DIGITAL HAS HELPED OR HINDERED PIRATE RADIO CULTURE Remember that pirate radio station you used to listen to all the time? Whether it was straight after school, chilling with friends, cooking Sunday dinner, or driving in the car. If you was a Hip Hop, Reggae or Garage head, old or young you always had that particular station that you locked on to.

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking well yes! Hello! It is 2010 get with the times, digital is the new analogue, and over half of the population have access to computers, laptops, and cable. BUT pirate radio evoked a sort of culture and authenticity that was only accessible to their loyal listeners.

Pirate radio had that exclusiveness. It was something raw, real, and suited to your area. Something that you could relate to, especially when it was suited to your genre. Instead of those commercial radio stations which played mainstream music, these radio stations were catered to you. Now that pleasure of being able to switch on your favourite pirate radio station has changed. The majority of existing pirate radio stations have changed to digital, and new pirate radio stations have just gone straight to digital.

It was highly likely for that set to be based in your area, and if it was it was highly likely that you knew, or knew of the DJ. Pirate radio were the life givers and the nurturers, of some of the hottest UK artists, particularly in Grime, Hip Hop and R&B. Pirate Radio was the chance for people to talk about situations going on in their area, or just general topics that were on the listeners mind at that time. “There would be live conversations on the air, literally call after call.” A Hip Hop DJ from a former radio station React FM says, “One listener text me 40 times.”

Pirate radio was more intimate because it was broadcasted to a niche audience. It had that intimate culture, sense of reunion and positivity however a few problems did come with it. There was constant competition with other radio stations. Other problems consisted of competitors taking radio station’s rigs, or the police raiding and confiscating equipment. “The funny thing about it was that we weren’t your typical pirate ghetto radio station. We were promoting positive things. We had adverts promoting non-violence, adverts trying to stop knife and gun crime,” said a Funky House DJ. The independent regulator Ofcom, have come down hard on illegal broadcasting, constantly taking pirate radio off air which seems harsh but fair, not for the fact that pirate radio is illegal but also for the fact that it sometimes drowned out legitimate radio stations. From 2008 till now Ofcom have dealt with over 432 cases on illegal broadcasters, and have secured 39 successful convictions. Ofcom is also responsible for taking action against the sale and use of equipment that does not comply with UK and European regulations. During the year Ofcom undertook 106 enforcement actions resulting in 807 items of illegal equipment being removed from the market, and secured five convictions.

“DIGITAL RADIO DOESN’T CARRY THE SAME ESSENCE” This could be the reason why pirate radio has gone digital. Not just because it’s a more legitimate way of broadcasting but because it’s cheaper. When police raid and confiscate equipment: records, music, vinyl’s and decks, it’s all gone. Equipment that has cost them thousands and thousands of pounds. Money that can’t be retrieved because pirate stations are making little money if any. Going digital has become helpful, as there is no trouble having to find a location,no interference with other legitimate analogue stations; no fear of equipment being confiscated, and an opportunity to branch out to a wider audience is accessible. Kudos to the internet, as it helped pirate stations branch out to listeners beyond the UK. Current pirate stations such as

“TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM JAPAN AND MESSAGE ME SAYING BIG TUNES, WAS LIKE A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT” Riddim’ Radio now incorporate an MSN plug where they get listeners to add them, enabling them to converse; either sending out messages informing them of the new sets coming up, or where listeners could request a song they wanted. DJs were able to post their timetables out on forums and Facebook pages, and it was a way of advertising themselves. Pirate radio had found a new culture through the digital world, a culture that would give them more coverage and appreciation. “Best thing about it being on the internet and digital was that I was getting people from all over the world, people from Japan, Peru, America, Europe, it wasn’t just west London. To have someone from Japan message me saying “BIG TUNES,” was like a major accomplishment for me, and I hold that really dear,” said an online bashment DJ. The digital world seems to have helped the pirate radio stations through legal and financial circumstances but even something so great has it flaws. Those who do not have access to the internet are missing out, and if you do instead of a flick of a switch, you need to go to your computer/laptop; wait for it to load, wait for wireless broadband to connect, log onto Internet Explorer and type the address into Google, and have your radio station BUFFER. I don’t know about you but that is long with a capital L! Digital radio has taken out the context of what pirate stations are about. Digital radio doesn’t carry the same essence. There’s no excitement, the thrill has gone and become something that is out of many people’s reach. Digital radio has become both accessible and inaccessible at the same time.

THE RANT

espite the fact that I’m very short (standing at 5ft nothing, the same size as Kylie Minogue as I often like to point out), I’m often not too bothered by this fact. But in the case of standing areas at gigs or festivals there is definitely a problem. It seems to me that when I get a good spot where I can just about get a clear view of the singer’s head - which is a good view for me - some tall guy, often with an enormous afro, pushes in front. Thereby reducing my gig experience to an exercise in how long I can stand on my tip-toes and how long I can stand neck pain - which is not long I can tell you. I also get the usual pitying or amused looks from smug tall people who seem to be saying, ‘I’m so glad I’m tall’ (one of my tall friends did actually say this outright once). One solution to this problem is to look at the video on people’s cameras, but it’s never really the same thing watching tiny figures on a tiny screen, which keeps stopping as they take picture or stop filming. Another solution is to be more organised and get there early for a place at the front, but you know I do often have things to do, and getting my friends together on time is another story.

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Occasionally sympathetic people have put me on their shoulders but it’s a short-lived pleasure, as soon as you’re enjoying that rare clear view of the entire stage one of three things happens: a security guard angrily motions to the person to put me down, someone behind voraciously complains (now, you know how it feels!). Or I feel self-conscious that I’m wearying the person (often a total stranger) I’m sitting on and soon can’t enjoy it anyway. I would like to introduce a system whereby petite people get some kind of reserved place at the front, but that of course isn’t really feasible or practical and it certainly wouldn’t be popular. So I’d like to suggest that instead tall people should try and look about them more. Maybe be a bit more compassionate to those less fortunate in height and give them right of way without any fuss. Maybe then I could feel like I’m enjoying myself at a gig and not just enjoying the back of someone’s head.

Priscilla Eyles

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