fac i al FRANK TURNER Folk singer Frank tells us about his aversion to Spotify, how Eton College shaped his career, the Olympic experience and he reveals his favourite Christmas time songs.
Obsolete or for the Elite? To the western world, facial hair is a fashion statement, a display of virility, often just the sign of a heavy weekend without the razor. Novelty events spring up and those that are capable may grow a temporary beard or moustache but the serenity of facial hair seems to have disappeared down the drain along with the economy. After all, a beard is the natural form for the face to take. It is how our faces are intended to be. It is what defines us as men. In India, the growth of a beard or moustache, traditionally and historically, represented wisdom and dignity. Indians treated their beards with great care, and the punishment for adultery and crimes against morality was to have the beard of the offending parties publicly cut off. However, it seems that even India’s famous bushy moustaches are under threat from a new clean shaven age. India’s famous cricketers and Bollywood stars are now mostly opting for a smooth face, resulting in a major lack of bearded role-models for India’s youth. Beards are still widely accepted and encouraged across many different faiths and many religious figures are displayed sporting a large beard. In Sikhism, it is forbidden to trim hair from any part of the body. It was an order of the Sikh’s Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh to follow the 5 Rules, and untrimmed Hair & Beard is one those. Male Rastafarians wear beards in conformity with injunctions given in the Bible, such as Leviticus 21:5, which reads: “They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.” In Greek mythology Zeus and Poseidon are always portrayed with beards. But in a country, which has strayed away from its religious roots, where going to church is considered dated and uncool, does this put the future of beard culture on shaky ground? Beards may become just something our ancestors had. As more and more camp adolescent pop-stars become the role-models of today, I guess we’re left with a pretty major question that needs to be hurdled…. Is a good beard or moustache still a genuine sign of true greatness, or is it purely an obsolete tradition, swallowed by the conformity of modern age? If you honestly had to think about that question, you may have picked up the wrong magazine by mistake.
Chris Hunt Editor
cont ents “we’re all going to die reasonably soon so you might as well have fun in the meantime...”
Our editor interviews the world renowned bodyboarder Jack Johns on page 7. Movember may be well in the past, but we can still learn the messages. More on page 9. A handy rundown of beards in popular culture is on page 11. We look at beards throughout history on page 13. Our cover star Frank Turner rocks up on page 15. Aman has a fight with a leopard on page 17. Fashions and robot uprisings are on page 19. You’ll find reviews of Skyfall and Dead Space on page 21. A stylish pull-out poster of a moustache’d man and a classic car is on page 23. An interview with the chairman of the British Beard Club is on page 25.
After one of the best sessions of the year went down at Ireland’s most famous big wave spot, Chris Hunt caught up with the stand out of the day, Cornwall’s very own Jack Johns, to discuss facial hair, careers and waves. In a sport heavily dominated by the southern hemisphere, Northern Europe doesn’t exactly spring to mind as a destination to find talented bodyboarders. Hailing from Cornwall’s sunny seaside town of Penzance, 26 year old, former British Bodyboard champ Jack Johns spent his youth travelling the world with his bodyboard under his arm. He gained a reputation for himself in the best waves the world has to offer, all the time sporting one hell of a gentlemen’s moustache.
spend some time here before I disappear off anywhere.”
I put most my time into my business, Boogtique.com”
How long have you been riding the boogie?
What are aspirations?
“A fair few years; since I was a kid really.”
“Dude, don’t ask me that, such a hard one to answer without sounding like a knob. I’m pretty happy with the work I’ve been doing recently, I’ve been learning a lot as a camera assistant, but I guess one day I’d love to be a DOP. (Director of photography)”
Firstly what do the ladies make of that mo?
Who are your sponsors?
“The ladies seem to love it, but not so much my girlfriend.” Is there any beard that you envy? “I Went to Austria this summer and there were some serious lederhosen, beard combos... it was awesome.” Is there any facial hair the world could do without? “A freshly shaven face, with a long stringy goatee.” Have you got any plans for Movember? “I just want to relax as I’ve just moved into a new house in Porthleven and like to
What’s your favourite wave? “As a destination I love the waves we get in Ireland, they usually fulfil my needs. Aileen’s for the scare factor and the big barrels and just all the other fun waves over there.”
“NMD boards, Zion Wetsuits, Soyroll, LeCerfBlanc, Stealth and SAS (Surfers Against Sewage).” Do you have any trips planned? “I’m heading to Gran Canaria at the end of the month for a few weeks, but other than that I like to keep my options open, wait for swells and just do a few trips to Scotland and Ireland.” When you’re not floating around in the sea what are you up to? “I’m a freelance camera assistant, but I have to travel to London for that, so when I’m down here (in Cornwall)
your
making us any money, but we’ve learnt a lot and we’ve had fun doing it.”
career
Current World number 1, Dave Winchester, was quoted saying he’d like to see you get the funds to make a go at the world tour. Do you fancy it? “Geez, I’d love to give the IBA (International Bodyboard Association) tour a go, it would take a lot of commitment and pretty much the whole year travelling, but if someone was to give me the money to do so, I would jump at the chance.”
This year’s pro model looks like a real beaut? How long have you been with NMD, and how has that been? “I’ve been with them for around 6 years now and the boards just keep getting better and better.” You’ve been pretty fortunate to be able to work alongside Mickey Smith on so many of his projects; do you guys have anything more lined up? “We just did a pretty mega 6 week stint filming on a commercial around Europe and Mick’s still stuck in the edit suite trying to get it finished off, so once he’s done with that I think he’ll want to chill for a while.... but who knows, he’s always creating something.” Have you got any shoutouts?
Boogtique seems like it’s been a real success not only as a business, but also at pushing the UK Bodyboarding scene further. How has it been creating a business out of the sport?
“Love to Ruthie, my mates and those supporting the Mo cause.”
“It’s been awesome; Fintan (Gillespie) and I both feel pretty proud of setting it up. It’s still more for the love at the moment as it’s not
7
Image courtesy of www.movember.com
man's month
Women’s issues garner a lot of attention from the press. Breast cancer is obviously a serious issue but why don’t men’s cancers garner similar attention? Sam Bellis takes a look at Movember, the gentlemen’s cancer charity, to find out what can be done to raise the awareness of testicular and prostate cancers; where you can give your money and what can be done to raise even more to put a stop to cancer... Gentlemen, the time is upon us. The nights are drawing in and the temperature is falling. Movember is here. Some say it’s better than Christmas, others say it’s a celebration of manliness. Mostly though, it’s the chance to grow a fine moustache for charity. That’s right - for charity. Your girlfriend can’t tell you to get rid of it and your wife can’t shave it off in your sleep because it is all for a good cause. The mo’ you grow goes to raising the awareness of prostate and testicular cancer while the money you raise will support the related charities. Of course, men’s health is no laughing matter. Testicular cancer, while still rare, is the most common form of cancer to afflict men between the ages of 15 and 45. Yes, testicular cancer is a serious disease but the cure rates are particularly good, even if the cancer spreads. If it’s found early the cure rates are 98%. For you older gents, prostate cancer is more common. 37,000 men are diagnosed with this form of
cancer every year in the UK and it is most common for men aged 55 and over. These are grim facts to face but it’s important that gentlemen everywhere know what to look for and how the month of Movember can combat the disease. Of course, Movember isn’t just for men with mos. Women can get involved too by wearing fake mos - which could be more fun, different styles every day! - and by supporting the MoBro’s efforts. A simple nod in the street, a small donation. Anything. If you’re looking at getting involved the best way to do so is to head over to the Movember website. You can create your ‘MoSpace’ and encourage people to donate that way. You can also update your ‘MoBros’ on the progress of your mo. The rules of engagement are simple: 1. You must shave your face on the first of November 2. You must not shave off your moustache until the final day of the month. 3. You cannot link your moustache and sideburns together (this
is a beard) 4. You must not link your moustache to your chin (this is a goatee) 5. You must act like a true gentleman for the whole month. Simple really. Grow a moustache throughout November and make money for a great cause. Movember is a registered charity - if you’re anxious - and the funds go to Movember Europe and affiliated testicular and prostate cancer health partners. Last year nearly 80 million pounds was raised. While most charities’ funds are eaten away in running costs and admin fees (typically as much as 25%), Movember takes just 8% for running costs. This means that more of the money you raise gets to the causes you’re raising it for. Cancer is a serious disease and while we can all have a lot of fun during Movember it is important to note that it is a killer - a preventable one - but a killer all the same. It’s important that you familiarize yourself with your body and know the signs.
Not all lumps can be cancer but if you are worried do not hesitate in calling your GP. It is far better to be wrong than dead - odd as that may seem. Prostate cancer is often associated with the frequent need to visit the lavatory. Affected people may not be able to maintain steady streams and there may be blood. Similarly, impotence can be a symptom. Again, if you’re worried - call your doctor. To sum up: cancer is a killer but it does not need to be. By growing a moustache for the month of Movember you can raise money and awareness of the disease and help put a stop to needless deaths caused by prostate and testicular cancer. Girlfriends, wives and significant others must not attempt to shave it off while your guard is down, no matter how itchy the fuzz may get.
9
who's who?
How do you rate your beard? Is it as stylish as Robert Downey Junior’s? As scraggly as Zach Galifianakis’s? As fictional as Hagrid’s? Harley Gilbert-Rolfe guides us through some of the more well-known face forests on the planet and the styles that go with them.
Spread the word, the beard is back- but should the modern beard be an item of style and sophistication or a return to the concept of the ‘real man’- strong and instinctual. A brief look at beards over the last few decades ought to shed some light on the subject, and a few familiar examples may give some styling ideas to modern bearded men. Modern men take care of their appearance. Take for example the fairly recently developed term ‘Metrosexual’ – men who groom themselves. It’s often used as a negative but applies to many beards in the modern day. In fact a touch of metrosexuality could be the cure to the image of the beard as a wiry, unkempt and unclean extension to the faces of Vikings and seamen. Celebrities like Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr are displaying top examples of the modern beard- short and stylish with an air of wit, a look which Gillette are currently angling their products around with their latest ads involving their ‘Masters Of Style’. Adrien Brody, Andre ‘Ice-Cold’ 3000 and Gael Garcia Bernal.
But how did the modern beard come to pass? Back in the 70’s beards had a more ‘lumberjack’ air to it; because the rise of the industrialist in contemporary popular culture very much promoted function as opposed to fashion and lead to a more practical approach to beard keeping. Moving on to the 80’s, beards were lost in favour of ‘taches because of a trend for growing longer hair, so in order to avoid looking too hairy the moustache was kept while the beard was shaved off. Men like John Oates and Lionel Richie gave us prime examples of this iconic 80’s trend. The 90’s were a time of both apathy and rebellion, and the goatee became popular. The goatee had a look which stated something about the man behind it- he was an individual, he wanted to change the world, and your rules didn’t apply to him- or his face, in particular. Chin beards were somewhat prominent in the 00’s- a further trimdown still from the goatee look. David Beckham and Brad Pitt could be spotted sporting one of these, and it
certainly reeled in the ladies. Furthermore the full beard made a welcome comeback after a long silence through celebrities like David Mitchell, Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross all sporting strong, healthy beards in mainstream British television. In the modern day the beard has taken aspects of all the previous decades- Brad Pitt has swapped his chin beard for a longer healthy growth now that he’s settled down, whereas Robert Downey Jr appeared on screen in the Iron Man movies with a perfectly trimmed goatee. On the other hand, the long-enduring full beard will always be an impvressive facial addition, and may even be seen more frequently now, with a rise in the popularity of the Fantasy genre thanks to TV programmes such as Game Of Thrones and the widely anticipated upcoming The Hobbit movies, perhaps a return to the traditional concept of a man’s beard is on the cards. Who knows, with women swooning over Sean Bean and Liam Neeson and their more familiarly furred up faces perhaps the Age of Men is not yet over,
despite a statistic which states that women only find men with full facial hair twothirds as attractive as their clean shaven counterparts. Somehow though, this look has survived the centuries. The manly, bushy beard conveys a sense of strength and earthiness, which isn’t quite achieved by the ordered trim of the city’s playboy’s facial hair. Facial hair, and what to do with it, will always be a consideration in men’s fashion. Many styles will be repeated or revamped, as greater grooming gadgets for men are produced and more interesting shapes and styles can be shaved from it. There is also always the choice of the full beard, whose classic manly image will outlast many of its competing looks. In this day and age, its possible to pull off any look you desire with the facial hair you have, so if there’s a time to grow your beard and get creative, this is truly it.
11
facial history
Ever wondered about the provenance of facial hair? Ever wanted to learn more about the various styles held throughout the ages? Take Pearce Baker’s hand and skip through time have a gander. Sun Tzu, Tom Selleck, Ambrose Burnside and more are all here. Join the fun...
Throughout the ages, facial hair has been an enormous part of man’s appearance. To understand the history of moustaches and beards, we must first ask, why does the human male grow facial hair? This question was asked by the great beard wearer Darwin himself, who hypothesized that the reason males have facial hair is in order to attract females. As it turns out, Darwin’s theory was somewhat true, with modern day scientists finding evidence to suggest that females do find men with beards more attractive. Apart from being more sexually attractive sporting a beard and ‘stash, it is also indicated that they promote dominance and in some cases, sexual virility. Strong evidence to support this claim is demonstrated by Tom Selleck. So now that we have understood why some men choose to wear beards, we can look at some historical figures, their beards and moustaches, and how they have influenced other styles in today’s culture. Ancient philosophers have nearly always grown a beard or moustache, as it symbolizes knowledge and wisdom. Styles of these philosophical beards varied
though, much like many other beard wearers. Trends were started, trends were set. Here are a few examples… While being considered one of the worst Generals of all time, Ambrose Burnside sported probably the best, most awesome facial hair of all time instead. While we don’t see this particular style very often, when we do see it you can’t help but think “That is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen”. This style is most commonly found on older men, perhaps those with a more military past much like Ambrose Burnside himself. It was because of his name, we derived the term “Sideburns” for the strips of hair protruding from the side of the head towards the chin. Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese war tactician is up next. Famous for writing “The Art of War”, Sun Tzu also is known for his ‘Fu-manchu’ Chinese style facial hair. This type of style is seen mainly in oriental countries and on bad guys in films where the Chinese mafia are the enemy. Interestingly, we seem to relate this type of facial hair mainly to people associated with war, fighting or a position of power, perhaps because of Sun Tzu himself. The sharp edges and fine
shaving are what makes it a particularly intimidating style of facial hair, suitable for heroes of war who want to take the advantage of instilling fear to the opposition through facial hair. Perhaps one of the most recognisable and famous styles of facial hair ever is presented by none other, than the legendary Abraham Lincoln. Being the first US President ever to wear a beard, Lincoln took a risky step in growing such a new, bold style. Yet, after he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in 1865, future Presidents could be seen with beards as well as other important political figures. It is mainly described as a variant of the popular “chinstrap” which is seen amongst people in today’s society around the world. No President since Lincoln has grown such an extravagant beard, maybe because they can’t pull it off or maybe because they just aren’t as daring as Honest Abe. Either way, in terms of world history Lincoln can be considered a facial hair God. Finally, we arrive at the one and only, Tom Selleck. While there are many different styles of moustaches in all shapes, sizes and extrusions, Selleck’s is by far the most
well-presented, well styled and best kempt moustache of them all. Actor Tom Selleck has starred in copious amounts of Hollywood films and TV shows and through his gruff voice and marvellous moustache has made a name for himself as one of the most respected and manly actors of all time. The Mexican and Handlebar style moustaches are very similar to Sellecks ‘brush’ style, but don’t seem to have the same authoritative and intenselike panache as Mr Selleck. In conclusion, facial hair is more than just a personal style. It is a statement of who you are, it can make you appear mean, wise, dirty, creepy, awesome, inventive, imaginative, crazy and so much more. When we look at the style of historical figures, we begin to associate their styles with their personality, which we then associate with other people who wear the same style. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is up to the individual, but whichever style you choose, you can count on it having an effect on how the people around you see you.
13
How do you like Cornwall for telling me that, it’s really so far, and while you’re going to help’. So the whole here what’s your thing was just odd, I mean favourite pasty filling? it was amazing to do. Partly I love Cornwall, I haven’t because I’m a professional actually played down here musician trying to make a for a few years but I used to living and you can’t really come down here on holiday turn down an opportunity as a kid. It’s great, I mean of that kind of exposure the West Country generally and partly because I think is great, I love it. I played at you should say yes to this venue in 2008 with The everything in life, we’re Levellers which was a great all going to die reasonably tour, so it’s nice to be back. soon and you might as well And also, it always feels have fun in the meantime. really good to come back to So it was a crazy experience. a venue you were “there are definitely Y o u ’ v e a support act at songs which workfor me come a long way, over and headline; better than other ones.” the past few it’s kind of like ‘tick’, you know? But pasties, years especially. In the wow, I haven’t had a pasty first few years of your solo today, is that bad? Should career did you ever feel like I have done? I just kind just giving up and pursuing different? of like meat and cheese something Yeah, a lot of the time in a pasty, is that good? What was it like to play actually. I mean I don’t want to at the Olympics? That get too kind of melodramatic must have been massive. about it, because it was all It was massive. It was self-inflicted, you know, I strange for the most could have gone and done part. I mean it was weird, something else with my because we were on a fake life. Basically Million Dead Glastonbury hill surrounded did their farewell tour and by people dressed as miners, we headlined with like 500 and playing to a bunch of people at every show, then sheep and shire horses in we broke up and I went a sports stadium that had and did my solo shows and 80,000 people in it. Then it went down; at the first just before we were about London show there were 2 to go on one of the grippers people there. I don’t care grabbed us and said, ‘Oh how punk you are, that’s yeah, there’s 27 million a blow to the ego. It makes people watching right now you feel like ‘Wow, no-one on the television,’ and we cares.’ It wasn’t the easiest went, ‘Oh brilliant, thanks time. No-one cared for a
interviewed: frank turner
long time. But I learnt a lot made by someone who was of lessons about how to tour contented with their lot in life. and how to write songs and So you went to Eton how to engage a crowd and College when you were that kind of thing, which are younger, some people important to what I do now. may find it quite strange You’ve got a fair amount that you went into a of material; do you punk/folk career. What have a favourite song? inspired you to do that? Picking one would be Well there is some logic agonizing, it would be like too it, I was a kid on an choosing a favourite child, academic scholarship when it’s not only impossible but I went there and I felt very, kind of immoral; but having very socially alienated said that, there are definitely when I went there because songs which work for me most of the kids there come better than other ones. I from very similar social and mean, I think about songs economic backgrounds; they from my older albums and I all live in Chelsea, they all go look at them and go ‘ Really? on holiday to the same places I’m never playing that one every year, all their sisters go again’, or there are ideas to the same schools and shit, that kind of came out better. and they’re all very wealthy. We just finished making a You can’t hold that against new record and I’m really, kids, it’s just the way you’re really excited about it and born into life but it wasn’t really happy with all the quite like that for me and I songs on it, so probably felt very on the outside there. some of the new stuff. So when I then discovered What was your inspiration punk rock when I was about behind the 13 years old, new album “if they fall asleep I stumbled of the bunk then across Black coming out? outside they are fair game for It’s kind pretty much anything” Flag and bands of a break like that, and up record; it’s not a very it made a ton of sense to positive record if I’m honest. me because there’s a lot The lyrics are really raw and of rejection and rage and really exposed, and now the defiance behind punk, and creative period is finished it’s like ‘Fuck you world I I’m kind of worried about won’t take your shit, this is how they’re going to go over. me’, and that really spoke to I’ve got a feeling they’re me at that point in my life. going to upset some people You must have had some I know, but art shouldn’t be classic moments on tours comfortable. No great art was with bands such as the
Offspring. What has been your funniest moment so far? Picking one is difficult. It’s been fun. I’ve toured around with a lot of great bands. I was out with The Levellers, when we were on tour, one of the guitarists fell asleep outside his bunk on the tour bus which is a major no-no. Well at least the rule on tour buses is generally that if someone is asleep in their bunk then leave them alone, but if they fall asleep outside of the bunk then they are fair game for pretty much anything. So they drew swash-stickers on his eyelids. The thing about it was that he looked in the mirror when he woke up and he thought he looked fine, and he spent basically this entire day trying to figure out why the entire world was treating him like a complete social leper. It wasn’t until near the end of the day that he finally realised and was like, ‘you mother fuckers!’ That was a good one. You headlined Blissfields Festival near your home town in 2011. What three acts would you choose for your own festival? I’d choose The Band, Robbie Robertson’s band who I still think were the greatest rock and roll band of all time. I would choose the Kinks in about 1965 and I’d choose Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Putting on a fine show here, it’s got to be said.
You recorded your new album in Burbank, just after your US tour. How did your tour go, was your music received differently in the US American and English crowds aren’t that different. I’m more associated with the punk scene in the US than I am here, which is fine; I couldn’t really give a shit either way to be honest. America takes an awful lot of work to achieve things there, and to get something going because it’s just so advanced. We’ve done an awful lot of work over there, I’ve played hundreds upon hundreds of shows all over the USA, and now we’re playing up to 1000 people a show, which is an amazing achievement I think. I’m really proud of it as we’re heading in the right direction. Finally, do you have a favourite Christmas song? I kind of hate Christmas songs actually, I find them annoying. I can think of two that I like; ‘Fairytale of New York’ [The Pogues] and also my friend Jay does a thing called Beans On Toast and he has a song called ‘Tesco’s at Christmas’ which is a very good song.
15
a fight
for life
It’s not every day that you get attacked by a leopard. However that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared to fight against one should the time come. Jack Dodd speaks to one man whose whole life came to pass through the paws of a growing leopard while on a trekking holiday in Africa...
At seventeen Tom Platts had won three caps playing rugby for Wales alongside a team of future stars including the likes of Sam Warburton and Jamie Roberts. His other passion, wildlife photography, seemed the less dangerous of the two. Tom began his rugby career playing for his local club Coalville, in West Leicestershire. From there he went on to be scouted by Premiership giants Leicester Tigers and then Wales. He played in international matches against England, Ireland and Scotland. The other love in Tom’s life, his photography, led him to the South African Botswana border with the charity Born Free. There he was meant to be documenting a scheme aimed at combating the overhunting of lions. After being in Africa for a few months Tom began to grow more comfortable with his surroundings and, despite being told to stay with his armed guides, he set off to photograph a herd of zebra. Looking back on it Tom laughed, “That’s when it all went a little bit pearshaped.” After spending the
morning tracking the zebra he found them and slowly approached from tree to tree. Once close enough he began to take pictures from around the base of a tree. On hearing a scrambling noise above he looked up just in time to see a leopard heading straight for his face, claws extended. The leopard landed straight on top of Tom, its claws sinking into the side of his head. Its mouth opened to bite him but closed around Tom’s camera which he had flailed above his head in an attempt to defend himself. “I never believed in luck before that point,” said Tom. As Tom and the leopard hurled towards the floor he somehow found himself above it with his arm around its neck. At 6foot 3 and weighing close to 19 stone Tom a sizeable 17 year old and after an epic struggle he astonishingly managed to crush the creatures windpipe and it stopped thrashing. Although he was dazed for most of the clash Tom remembers thinking: “I just remember thinking ‘I can’t let go of it, it’s going to get up and make a horrible mess of me.”
An inspection of the corpse showed that the leopard was still maturing and that was the cause of its aggression. “If it had been a full grown leopard it would have killed me.” Tom was flown to Johannesburg for emergency medical attention. Despite apparent good fortune his list of injuries was still extensive. He suffered a fractured skull, a crushed eye socked, a broken cheek bone and a dislocated jaw. After 8 blood transfusions and treatment from a gifted plastic surgeon called Vadameer who Tom remembers saying, “I’ll put your head back together mate”, Tom began his recovery. Another procedure led to him having a ceramic plate implanted in the side of his skull. Despite now being a vital part of Tom this does pose one slight problem: he is yet to pass through an airport metal detector without setting it off. Despite Tom’s resilience meaning he made a quicker recovery than most, the prospects of him playing rugby at the same level he once did were poor. Whilst
demoralised about the loss of a potential rugby career and struck by unfortunate family problems Tom was thrown a lifeline when he met photographer Peter Williams. “Peter had been photographing for so long he was using glass plate cameras. He took me under his wing and sorted me out. He got me taking pictures again.” Now studying at University College Falmouth, Tom is back doing what he loves and looking back on the attack says: “When I was younger I was bitter about it but now I look back and think there was nothing I could have done.” He has even found a silver liningnerve damage meant that he didn’t feel any pain when having the tattoos he has on his arms. He also says it also makes for an interesting ice-breaker. When being interviewed for University the lecturer said: “That’s the best story we’ve ever had in an interview” and Tom has since become something of a local celebrity.
17
Germans finally take London By Jack Dodd The German outlet, hailed as ‘Germany’s answer to Tom Ford’ opened their first British store at 54 James Street, London. Director of the Hellmann UK franchise Gerard Grischew, said: “We look forward to providing the UK market with a new dimension of service and expanding the lifestyle solution for our clients.” As well as stocking their trademark luxury suits, coats and shoes, the London store also houses a tailors where
customers can get their suits made to order. At the launch of a new line at the Pitti, in Florence, it was stated the “Patrick Hellmann Collection takes up the classic English style of business fashion and awards it an important trace of extravagance distinguishing its wearer through the modern and subtle implementation of Italian styles.” With traditional, formal clothing staging a serious comeback the fusion of classic English fashion and the more exciting,
flamboyant European wear makes Hellmann stand out in an arguably crowded market-place. Despite being most famous for their quality men’s wear Hellmann also offers a variety of other goods; selling women’s and children’s clothing, sportswear, fragrances, home accessories and jewellery. The future does seem promising for this Berlin based fashion house. Shelley Frosdick, a senior account director in PHA’s fashion
and lifestyle department; responsible for the marketing of the English Hellmann branch, enthused: “We are extremely pleased to be working with the Patrick Hellmann Collection and believe the brand will be a great success in the UK.” In a time of recession the public choose where to spend their hard earned money more carefully and, if on the quest for quality clothing this Christmas, call in to Patrick Hellmann.
Risk of robot uprising studied By Pearce Baker Researchers at the University of Cambridge have started investigating the possible scenario that robots may one day be a danger to human life. As our technology advances into a more digital, advanced age, we are beginning to find new ways of making our lives easier, longer and healthier. Robots already play a large part in the scientific field, we use them to make cars, make discoveries on planets, help with disabilities and lots more.
But as we begin to develop Nano-technology and more sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI), the stories that we see in the Sci-fi movie genre actually become a worryingly realistic notion. A website dedicated to the research has been set up by the Cambridge researchers with the introductory paragraph “Many scientists are concerned that developments in human technology may soon pose new, extinction-level risks to our species as a whole.” The problem with creating
robots which have AI that is more intelligent than a human, is that whatever form the robot manifests itself (perhaps restricted to robots that are able to manipulate objects or are linked in to a computer network) they may well over time, begin to develop and practice their own ideals. Perhaps helping the human race does not become part of their best interests, perhaps they will begin to take control for themselves. While it’s relatively safe to say that we won’t have to
worry about this too much in our lifetime, Huw Price, a professor at Cambridge University notes “It seems a reasonable prediction that some time in this or the next century intelligence will escape from the constraints of biology.” But the films such as I, Robot need not concern us now, we should embrace the amazing world of technology while we continuously advance forward with it.
19
Skyfall reviewed By S J Bellis After four years in the making, Bond fans are now fully rewarded for the long and painful hiatus. After the abomination that was Quantum of Solace, Skyfall kick starts the franchise back in to life. It. Is. Fantastic. After being accidentally ‘killed’ on a mission – to recover a hard-drive containing the identities of undercover NATO agents – by fellow MI6 agent Eve (Naomie Harris), 007 goes in to hiding. Drinking many alcoholic beverages at a beachside resort. Until, that is, a mysterious computer assailant attacks MI6. Shrapnel recovered from Bond’s shoulder takes him
on a trip halfway around the world where he rejoins Eve and engages in relations with the mysterious Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe). Marlohe doesn’t get all that much chance to influence the story and feels more of a bolt-on attachment. Of course, 007 still has sex with her, but her character is almost entirely superfluous to the plot, except for the fact she leads us to the big man; the wonderfully camp Silva (Javier Bardem). Bardem portrays him beautifully with an unhinged personality leaving you unsure of what he will do next. His unique appearance will leave Silva in the back
of your mind following the films and he has an excellent screen presence, I may even go so far as to say that he is one of my favourite Bond villains of all time. Silva’s eventual capture by MI6 leads to a pulsating final 40 minutes with a chase through the London Underground; aided and abetted by a hybrid-style score by Thomas Newman (incidentally the first Bond composer who didn’t have a first name as a last name). He perfectly infuses old elements of previous soundtracks with his own interpretations and a modern twist. Ben Whishaw assumes the
role of Q perfectly. A young man making the gadgets just makes sense. Dame Judi Dench reprised her position as M with perhaps her largest role to date. Integral to the story, her interaction with Daniel Craig is perfect, flitting between tough-loving mother and wise-cracking boss. It was refreshing to see her out and about getting involved with the story rather than sitting in her office overlooking Vauxhall Bridge. Skyfall is a Bond classic. It betters Casino Royale and absolutely demolishes Quantum of Solace. Craig is certainly looking to seal himself as the number one.
Dead Space reviewed By Pearce Baker Why is he banging his head against the wall? I don’t know why, but he’s doing it and he’s doing it extremely hard. I’m at the other end of the length of the hallway and I have absolutely no idea how to approach this. Everything that has led up to this point has been bad news, The level of mystery, horror and anxiety have set my pulse to an abnormal rate, similar to going jogging for ten minutes and is yet further intensified by THIS. Everything about this game so far has taught me to proceed extremely lightly. In the corner of my eye something happens, in the corner of the room something happens, in the corner of my mind I think I see something that happened. I approach, slowly, carefully, my weapon sights trained on this potential enemy, or maybe it’s somebody who needs help. I just don’t know. I stand
four feet away from him and hear a sickening crunch as he takes one final smash of his cranium against the pipelined, blood-stained, dark wall of the gigantic and abandoned spaceship, the USG Ishimura. As this unknown man’s lifeless body slumps to the floor, you can’t help but feel relieved for him. No longer does he have to endure the horrific terror that the player experiences while attempting a rescue and repair mission on this ship which had been sending out a distress signal to anybody in the galaxy around them, the campaign still continues for me; Issac Clarke, Engineer with nerves of steel. Throughout the game I am perpetually plagued with the shocking, disgusting and terrifying ‘Necromorphs’. What were once humans, are now twisted, colourless creatures which have been turned by an alien
infection with little physical resemblance to anything that was once a near harmless human with a personality. Razor sharp claws and two part javelin-like extrusions protrude two feet from their shoulders, hung over in front of them ready to slice, stab and kill anything unlike them. But using the array of weapons, I can slow down individual objects or people, or maybe I could use the kinesis module to throw something at it and then prepare to take it out with carefully place shots from my trusty ‘Plasma cutter’ for which ammunition is scarce. From the moment I started playing, until the extremely intense ending of this game, I was completely fixated. The attention to detail on making such an atmosphere with extremely frightening enemies is unbelievable. There is barely any relief, barely any time in which you feel safe. The only respite
from the chilling reality is the frequent communication with the team that you went in, and are now trying to make your way off the ship with. Completed objectives are rewarded with ammunition, credits to spend at the store to increase health, ‘power nodes’ to increase weapon capacity, damage, reload speed, anything to fit your playing style or that you think will help with surviving the story. Needless to say, I am massively anticipating the second Dead Space game, the first has brought to light a new wave of fear in computer games, which I had initially thought, could rarely ever be scary. I would massively recommend Dead Space to anybody who loves an in depth, compelling and highly atmospheric game which is as rewarding as it can be terrifying.
fac i al
Image courtesy www.iaincrockart.com
beards as
birthright
Hands up who knew there was a club in Britain for men with beards? Well, now you do. Jack Dodd spoke to the man behind it all, David Dade, about what it is to wear a beard as a man, the history of the British Beard Club and more...
facial fact “Terminal length is the universal pogonophile term for the maximum untrimmed length of beard attained by the time that any further growth has ceased. This is genetically determined and therefore different for every man. In my case it’s about 8inches, but it can be (and often is) much longer, or shorter for other
men.”
“It’s your face, and growing a beard is your birthright. You do what you feel is right for you. Your beard is your most personal possession.” These are the weighty words of David Dade, Honorary President and Organiser of the British Beard Club. Beard and Moustache Mo clubs have, for many years, been a popular entity in Europe. It wasn’t until two years after the Second World War in 1947 when a group of ex-RAF fighter pilots, renowned for growing luxuriant moustaches, founded the Handlebar Club. The name of the club was a reference to the way in which they styled their beards; large bushy moustaches with “graspable extremities” curled in loops to resemble bicycle handlebars. Despite being fans of facial hair the club ruled that only those with moustaches were permitted to be members, bearded folk were left out in the cold. The beginning of the 21st century saw the forming of the World Beard and Moustache Club (WBMA) by a group of European and American facial hair clubs to promote the appreciation
of beards worldwide. A biennial event called the World Beard and Moustache Championships was created and a successful bid by the Handlebar Club in 2007 saw the competition come to Brighton. It was a year later at the next international event, the European Beard and Moustache Championships in Germany, when a band of bearded men from the UK decided to do something about the lack of a club in Britain. The British Beard Club (BBC) was formed. The club has since gone from strength to strength and now boasts over 470 associate members, ranging from those with a few days stubble; people with flamboyant novelty beards and some people who are just fans of facial hair. There are regular gatherings at which David ensures “no-one thinks it’s weird to discuss and chat about growing our beards, grooming then and living our working and leisure lives being bearded.” When the Facial team were lucky enough to speak to David about the club, its members and its involvement with the first ever British Beard and Moustache
Championship this year he seemed a font of beardrelated knowledge – a true pogonophile*. David describes the moustache and beard championship ‘scene’ as “really quite competitive in some respects, and just a lot of fun in others.” The contestants go to great lengths to win the favour of the judges including, “an extravagant or elaborate costume to complement the beard style entered.” Looking past just the beard the judges look at poise, presentation and personality to get a full impression of the contestant. David said: “Size and length of the beard and moustache are not necessarily factors that guarantee a high score”. – You heard it here first folks, size isn’t everything… David himself has been a beard-wearer since the young age of 19. He currently sports an impressive beard which he describes as: “mostly white, with a ridiculously long 8 inch chin section that tends to separate into two spikes, a sometimes waxed 8 inch wide moustache, and cropped-shorter connecting cheek and sideburn growth.”
(A spectacular image). The gentleman at the club truly believe a man’s natural state is to be bearded. David says: “Many shaven men who feel ‘bearded inside’ would love to grow out their beards, and be as natural as the male of our species is intended to be.” He lists bearded icons throughout history from “Jesus, through Archimedes, Leonardo Da Vinci, Jimmy Edwards, Sean Zatorsky…” an endless list. The British Beard Club really does seem to have a culture about it, the members build up a real friendship over a mutual love of the face hair, and why not? After all “far from being a mask or something to hide behind, growing a beard makes you stand out from the rest.” So Facial fans, if you are looking for some camaraderie, some beard-grooming tips or simply a group of beard wearing gents to share a pint with, get in touch with David and the BBC. www. thebritishbeardclub.org. *Pogonophile- One who loves or studies beards.
25