LeftLion Magazine - October 2006 - Issue 13

Mushroom Season

LeftLion Magazine Issue 13 October-November 2006 Editor Jared Wilson (jared@leftlion.co.uk) Deputy Editors Al Needham (nishlord@leftlion.co.uk) Nathan Miller (nathan@leftlion.co.uk) Technical Director Alan Gilby (alan@leftlion.co.uk) Artistic Director David Blenkey (mail@woot-design.co.uk) Listings Editors Florence Gohard (florence@leftlion.co.uk) Tim Bates (timmy@leftlion.co.uk) Music Editor Sadie Rees-Hales (sadie@leftlion.co.uk) Proofreaders Charlotte Kingsbury (charlotte@leftlion.co.uk) Natasha Chowdhury Photography Editor Dom Henry (dom@leftlion.co.uk) Photographers Kevin Lake (staticsoulphoto@yahoo.co.uk) Matt Dalton Jon Rouston Illustrators Rob White (robwhite@thearthole.co.uk) Rikki Marr (rikki@dealmakerrecords.com) Contributors Amanda Young Andy Clydesdale Dannii Leivers James Walker Jennie Syson Jenny Hill Jesse Keene Michelle Bayton Paul Klotschkow Roger Mean Simon Hodge Tom Hathaway Magician In Residence Jack Curtis Marketing and Sales Manager Ben Hacking (ben@leftlion.co.uk) “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”

Hunter S. Thompson LeftLion 349a Mansfield Road Nottingham NG5 2DA 0115 9123782 If you would like to reach our readers by advertising your company in these pages please contact Ben on 07843 944910 or email ben@leftlion.co.uk

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Notts The Nine O’Clock News Go Out To Play Totally Orson, Dude Divine Inspiration LeftLion Extravaganza Sounds of the Streets The Hooded Man Bruce Almighty/Cool for Cats Charitable Boy John McGregor Prepare for Lif Off Spaced Out Buzz Lightyears Nottingham Zoo Artists Profiles Nottingham Zoo continued NOW that’s what I call Art Nottingham Events Listings Transatlantic Operation Cheese Lovers in Bohemia... Beware!

Nottsword/Quiz Rocky Horrorscopes/Notts Trumps

First off, a welcome to all the students arriving into Nottingham. This city is geared towards going out and when the universities close over summer everything goes quiet. Club nights shut, pubs are empty, shops close early and all the eye candy goes south. So we’re glad you’re back and hope you enjoy the place like we do! We’ve even put together a Nottingham Zoo centrespread, to guide you around some of the species you may find in town.

Preparing this issue has been full of ups and downs. Ghostface Killah of the Wu Tang was going to be in here, but unfortunately we found out too late that his watch operates on ‘hiphop time’.

Instead you’ll probably see that interview on LeftLion.co.uk soon (he plays Rock City on 3 October). Jonas Armstrong (the new BBC Robin Hood) was also going to chat to us, but then someone nicked the master tapes of the new series and he had to go and refilm. Grrr!

But this is still our biggest issue ever!

Inside these 48 pages you’ll find interviews with Badly Drawn Boy, The Divine Comedy, Mr Lif, Sparklehorse and Orson, as well as some proper skill acts from the neighbourhood. It was nice to get Rapunzel Map in here. She’s one of the most underrated artists in Notts and a good friend of the LeftLion crew.

Likewise with the bands on the October Extravaganza line-up, we’ve chosen them all because we really liked them when they last played in front of our sticky banner.

So, come along and catch five of the best bands in Notts for a fiver at the Rescue Rooms!

Jon McGregor also features in here. He’s one of the most respected young authors in the country at the moment and has been seen repping a Three LeftLion’s World Cup T-shirt at some of our events. Big up!

We relaunched LeftLion.co.uk in September and we’ll be adding more new features over the coming months. Whether you want to find out what’s going on in town, natter with the forum crew or listen to Nish and the K play some sweet local vocals via mp3, there’s something ‘onlion’ for everyone. We’re always looking for fresh talent too, so if you want to contribute get in touch.

jared@leftlion.co.uk

LeftLion magazine has an estimated readership of 40,000 in the city of Nottingham. In September 2006 LeftLion.co.uk received over 450,000 page views.

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nOTTs THE NINE O’CLOCK NEWS with Nottingham’s ‘Mr. Sex’ Al Needham

BBC Radio Nottingham I listen to Karl Cooper’s show sometimes when I’m getting ready for work. It’s fairly inoffensive stuff. Occasionally amusing, but in the sort of way that your nana would laugh at it too.

Jared If you were driving past Nottingham and your radio locked on to any of the local stations, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d leaped back twenty years. Nottingham is changing beyond all recognition but local radio hasn’t kept up at all.

Lord of the Nish The Beat is a good show during the last hour and a half, they play a lot of local bands. They also have a live session and they’ve had some crackers on there as well.

Not just your usual NME shite. richardsnow Since the Sunday show with Dennis McCarthy I ain’t tuned in....Code 5 Dennis!

Barnze I like the afternoon phone-in show: “Afternoon Doris from Bulwell. How can we help?” “Alright duck, I’ve been looking for a bowl to keep my fruit in, it’s got to be big enough for my apples and preferably made of glass…” Excellent stuff.

MegamanX Didn’t Radio Nottingham do a big special before Drop In The Ocean? Gotta give them repect for that, I guess. Also, their folk music programme makes me think of my dad’s cooking.

The NJM 3000

What Have You Learned Today?

If you drop a penny off the empire state building it will not take a chunk out the concrete at the bottom or slice anyone’s head off who has the misfortune of standing underneath. jackcurtis I learned how to properly use ‘affect’ and ‘effect’. Also the warning signs of Alzheimer’s.

LadyBee I do like Indian food, after all. I also learnt what the best and worst things ever to happen to my best friends are.

Family 1st I learned that if it takes you two hours to put your driving playlist together, you won’t even be past the A’s before you arrive in Manchester.

Nuclear Sis I learned you can leave the coffee machine on all night and it won’t necessarily burn down the whole office, which was a bit of a relief to be honest.

Pan Troglodytes Today and last night I’ve learned that the future looks bright. And that my Dad is the bargain hunter king of second-hand shop heaven!

Sara

1 August

The Post throws up its hand in horror at the news that an Arnold bloke with an ASBO for kerb-crawling is still nobbing prostitutes.

Note to police; think about putting the tag somewhere else next time…

2 August

Hero of the bi-month: Arnold shopkeeper Kuldeep Lalli responded to a chav twat robbing his store by tracking him down to his flat and pinning him down until the police arrived. Hopefully getting a few knees to the head in while he waited.

3 August

Another crushing blow for the Off-Your-Face Market, as cocaine (which as we all know is God’s way of letting men know how it feels to queue up for a nightclub toilet) worth a hundred grand is recovered by police on a train to Nottingham.

5 August

A Skysurfer (whatever the fuck that is) is removed from a park in Bridgford because adults are coming out the pub and quite rightly fancying a go on it. As someone who believes that the Council should pull down the current Castle and replace it with a bouncy one, I weep at the backwardness of this move.

8 August

Rock City dishes out their most expensive ticket ever, a whopping £33, for the arrival of eighties hair-and-bulge act Whitesnake. Those armadillos down the trousers don’t come cheap, y’know.

10 August

Nottingham East Midlands Airport reacts to recently-uncovered terrorist plot by going on severe lockdown, banning hand luggage, liquids and…oh, sorry about that. I stopped writing this half an hour ago to see if there were any crumbs of weed on the carpet somewhere and now I’ve lost me thread.

12 August

Notts get skanked by Leicestershire in the final of the Twenty20 Cup at Trent Bridge when the umpires fail to call an obvious no-ball in the final over. Grr!

13 August

A 66 year-old former rowing club president from Chilwell gets four months in the Naughty Room for lumping a woman on the head with a wine bottle on a flight, after his defence that he knows a former Tory MP falls flat. “If it happened on a bus or train an apology would have sufficed. But it happened on a plane and in these days of zero tolerance, situations escalate out of proportion” says his missus. Political Correctness, eh?

16 August

An epochal day in Nottingham history, as Primark opens. Offices all over the city centre are full of women gassing on about how they bought an entire outfit for 75p and pulling out bits of cloth and clucking at each other.

18 August

At long last. Broadway gets its drinks license back and the city breathes a sigh of relief. All summer, film buffs have been rampaging through the city, getting into fights over whether Ingmar Bergman was a better auteur than Yukio Mishima and ramming copies of Halliwell’s into each other’s faces.

Hardy and Hanson, the last Notts-owned brewery in the county, is sold off to some yokels in Suffolk, ending hundreds of years of tradition. Bah.

7 September

‘Lifestyle club brand’ (retch) Gatecrasher buys Media, with… and please excuse me while I vomit on my keyboard… ‘an accent on elegant clubbing’. On the upside, they intend to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory. On the downside, they’ve not said owt about changing the crap name.

8 September

The Post go right into one at the news that Notts County Council are ‘cancelling Christmas’ by imposing new Health and Safety laws on outside decorations. About time…I’m sick of my estate looking like a North Korean shopping centre for three months.

9 September

The Bar Humbug lapdancing saga drags on like a wounded hedgehog, as the Council slap down a bid to keep it open until 4am. The owners’ plans to ensure an upmarket audience include charging six quid a pint, proving that they’re the biggest tits anyone has ever seen in that dump.

13 September

The Great Nottingham weed famine is in full effect.

17 September

Bouncers from Templars come to the aid of another stabbing victim in town, administering first aid and alerting the authorities. Then they told the poor sod he couldn’t come in because there was all blood on his trainers. Alright, I made that last bit up.

18 September

The police announce that an officer has lost fifteen rounds of ammunition somewhere in town, so do ‘em a favour and have a look down the back of your sofa. Oh, and if there’s any spare buds down there…

19 September

Notts County beat Middlesbrough in the second round of the League Cup. Crikey!

20 September

Lower division footballers are seen weeping openly over the selling-off of Geisha, one of those places where bell-ends go when they get promoted up to Cheese Manager at Asda. The downside is when they have to shoulder-barge the front door of their ponceboxes down in order to get past the mound of final demand notices from Capital One... and then have a good roar about their utterly vacuous life.

21 September

The Broad Marsh Centre, the red-headed stepchild of Nottingham retail, reports a flasher on the premises. People are warned not to approach him, mainly because you’d have to go in the Broado to do that and its rubbish, isn’t it?

22 August

22 September

23 August

23 September

Accrington Stanley knock Forest out of the League Cup, or whatever it’s called this year, sparking bad Scouse accents in the black and white half of town. Meanwhile, Notts County beat Crystal Palace.

The Turf Tavern, home of the most wonderfully chelpy landlady in town, shuts down. Expect another faceless ponce bar to take its place because, as you know, we really need another one of those kind of bars.

Official ‘If you’ve still got England flags on your house it means you’re a racist’ Day passes without incident.

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5 September

A thong-eating dog from Stapleford needs an operation to have a pink g-string removed from his intestines, after eating ten over the course of a year. “We have to make sure that nobody leaves any pants on the bathroom floor,” said his owner. “We put them in the basket straight away otherwise he will surely have a pair.” Fact: my Mam once pulled a bra out of a dog’s arse.

21 August

27 August

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3 September

A new community sentencing project where people in St Anns and Aspley get to decide how criminals are to be dealt with is announced. The council had better think about getting some gallows fitted in the new Square, then. Personally, I’d like to see the Burberry Ape and his minging missus who nicked my phone in the Social the other week be made to pick up broken glass with their arse cheeks. Live on East Midlands Today.

A bogus doctor is discovered prowling around the QMC. Here’s an idea... why not get him to work in the A&E at weekends and deal with pissheads who have had a fight with their own reflection in bus shelters?

Notts CCC, who were champions last season, get relegated from the top flight of county cricket.

26 September

The season for thick twats letting off fireworks, even in the day when you can’t see anything and it’s nowhere near bonfire night, officially begins. It is scheduled to end on 13 March 13 2007.

words: Billy Hatcher

Computer gaming is officially the new rock and roll! As sales of video games now outsell music CDs, characters like Super Mario and Lara Croft are as recognisable among the kids as the Beatles and David Bowie were to previous generations.

The popularity of gaming as a whole, has been increasing steadily ever since the mid 1980s and looks set to continue.

But the average age of the video UK game player is now thirty, belying the long held myth that gaming is largely a diversion for teenagers.

Video games have in fact, become the major cultural phenomenon of the last generation… so it’s only right that they should have their own festival to rival the likes of Woodstock and Glastonbury, right?

GameCity is a new festival of interactive entertainment which takes place in Nottingham city centre at the end of October. Organisers describe it as a ‘street-level cultural celebration of videogames and interactive entertainment’ and it’s open to everyone to come along and play.

The festival will be officially unveiled by Lord David Puttnam of Queensgate on Wednesday 25 October, in a special event in the Council House. Puttnam produced classic movies like Bugsy Malone (1976), Midnight Express (1978) and Chariots of Fire (1981) and in the eighties became the first ever European-born boss of the Hollywood Studio in Columbia. He commented; ’I’m delighted to be able to open this first GameCity festival in Nottingham. Videogames are at the cutting edge of the future of the creative industries in the UK and it’s an index of the success of their journey into mainstream culture that something like GameCity is able to happen at all. It’s

I’m absolutely dire at games that involve driving a car, shooting something, playing sports (except maybe pong) so things like old Lucasarts games have always been favourites of mine. Sam and Max, Day of the Tentacle and Monkey Island(s!) are all so much fun.

Kayonbee Jet Set Willy on the Amstrad CPC6128 (my first ever computer, a proper icon of the 80’s!), quite possibly the most surreal and fantastic game ever, they don’t make ‘em like that any more! Did anyone ever actually complete it? I never came close and not without trying either.

Evilthumbs James Pond = Mario/Sonic for kids whose parents wanted them to have a proper computer.

Snooo

particularly appropriate that the event should be happening in the East Midlands, one of the regions most noted for its extraordinary successes in game development.’

Indeed, the region is on the up in terms of video game creation. With the likes of Rockstar (creators of the Grand Theft Auto series), Core (creators of Tomb Raider Lara Croft), Free Radical Design, Circle, Eurocom, Monumental and Strawdog making a national impact, we have some of the brightest sparks in the UK industry on our doorstep.

Alongside these the festival will bring together some of the old guard of gaming such as Sony and Electronic Arts, who will be unveiling their latest creations to the Nottingham public.

Events planned at the festival include: The Arcade Trail : Play the Past Fifteen shops and venues around the city will form a heritage tour of arcade game history, each hosting a different classic arcade game. You don’t even have to remember to bring change!

When? 25-29 October all day Into The Pixel An exhibition exploring and celebrating video game artwork. Curated by industry veterans and experts from the art world, this will be the first ever showing outside of LA and is presented in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. When? At the Council House from 25-29 October and then moves on to A View From The Top (the gallery above the Waterstones) until 5 November.

BAFTA and Lorne Lanning With a background in Hollywood visual effects and having

Oh my god, James Pond was Amaaaaziiiiiing!!! Wow, playing that game was one of the most sublime aspects of my childhood/teendom! I loved bouncing on the jelly in the sweety land. I’ve gotta play that again!

Nuclear Sis Sensible Soccer. I used to work for a MegaDrive mag in the early 90s and had access to every game on the Drive and the SNES months before they came out, and we always spent the last two hours of the day around an Amiga. Even though we had a SFII cabinet in the office Lord of the Nish In modern times San Andreas is about as good as it gets.

I remember as a kid talking about what the best computer game ever would be and that’s pretty much what we came

sold over five million games and gained worldwide recognition for his work in the video games industry, some could argue that what Lorne Lanning doesn’t know about movies and interactive entertainment isn’t worth knowing.

In an exclusive keynote speech supported by BAFTA, videogames visionary Lanning will be sharing his unique perspective on the future of videogames. He will discuss the inspiration for his career in the industry and the realities that inspired him to create the stories and characters that ultimately became the multi-platinum selling and critically acclaimed Oddworld series of games.

When? Saturday 28 October at the Broadway Cinema, New College Nottingham and the Djanogly City Academy.

High Score Acclaimed director, Jeremy Mack will be screening the European premiere of his new documentary High Score. The film follows die-hard gamer Bill Carlton as he attempts to break the record for playing Atari classic Missile Command over two days without sleep.

When? 6pm on Friday 27 October at the Broadway Cinema.

Music at Kudos Narco and Idiot Joy are two Nottingham exponents of punk funk (the latter featured on Bilboard posters in versions of Grand Theft Auto for those who look carefully). They have both joined forces with Free Radical’s Gong of Terror, to give you your chance to deliver a two minute pitch for an exclusive two-week internship with one of Europe’s greatest videogame developers. So, loud music and the possibility of a job at the end of it…

When? From 8pm on Friday 27 October at Kudos. or more details about Game City call 0871 220 0260 or visit www.gamecity.org

up with, only the graphics are way ahead of anything we could have imagined back then.

Alan The way the music was used in old computer games was brilliant, I’d find myself writing lyrics for the tunes in my head as I played, avoiding ‘dying’ as much to stop the music changing to the customary funereal dirge as to continue the game.

Family 1st As far as multiplayer games go, the best shoot ‘em ups by far are Halo 2 and Goldeneye. These two games stand out for the sheer quality of the gameplay. No matches ever seemed the same with all the options you could set.

Johnnybulldog

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Totally Orson, Dude words: Michelle Bayton

Orson have quickly become the recognised face of Californian bubble gum pop. Alongside shining recommendations and a glistening debut single, their Bright Idea album has seen them described as the missing link between The Rolling Stones and The Scissor Sisters.

Not bad for a band who have been supporting the likes of Robbie Williams and Duran Duran on tour!

The men who paid their own way from Hollywood to England to get a record deal are Jason Pebworth (vocals and piano), George Astasio (rhythm guitar), Kevin Roentgen (guitar), Johnny Lonely (bass guitar) and Chris Cano (drums). We hooked up for a chat with bass player Johnny, who let us into the world of rock’s new wave soldiers.

So what’s behind the name Orson?

Most bands find it hard to find a name. Like all of them we kicked around with a couple of possibilities until one sprung to us in a Hollywood café when we were all having lunch. This cafe gave great historical names to sandwiches and dishes like the Greta Garbo or the Clark Gable. We all picked up on the Orson Wells sandwich and as we started to think about who he was, we realised he was someone who always went against the grain and not always to his own benefit. We all felt we could relate to that because we’re not about the jangly pop or the rock’n’roll scene of the Strokes. In fact we’re more like Hall and Oates than the Strokes… we just play what we want to play.

Just out of interest what was in the Orson Wells Sandwich?

It was some kind of cheese and bacon with pickles combination. None of us really fancied the actual sandwich though.

How did you all meet and form as a band?

Well… originally Jason and George were together as a band and were looking for a drummer. We were in a band called Co and both Jason and George regularly came to see us and became big fans. When Co eventually disbanded we got together with Jason and George and after a few sessions and gigs Orson was born.

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You had to reschedule your June gig at Rock city. What happened?

Ah man… we were crushed! Jason basically broke down for a week. We have been travelling around loads and sleeping very little. Our days off would be spent doing promo work, so we never really had a break from it. Our management truly work us to the bone and none of us ever realised it would be this hard. It’s definitely not all the glamour and richness you expect it to be. We were all basically burnt out in June, especially Jason. We see our live play as our release and reward for all this work and so to cancel our Nottingham gig was really gutting. We were all really mortified about cancelling and it took Jason about ten days to feel better again.

Have you been to Nottingham before?

No, never. We’re looking forward to discovering it though.

Do you know anything about the city?

Just that there was some kind of Sheriff who chased a crazy guy in tights with bow and arrow or something like that. Is that right…?

Well that’ll do …his name was Robin Hood Ahh yeah I know it… a good name for a band maybe?

Maybe. So what’s the inspiration behind Orson’s tunes?

We’re inspired by life… our music is more like a political experience. We’re inspired by each other and each others lives. Orson is about experience and happenings. It’s all reality.

Deep…. isn’t that what all bands say?

Only the good ones... haha. No, seriously there’s no point writing about anything else. We want people to relate to it.

You seem to be quite a spiritual person so do you carry a philosophy for life?

Most definitely. Keep it simple and live one day at a time.

It’s short and sweet but also very true.

Is this what motivates you?

Yeah. That and playing live with the band. Personally and

collectively we all get motivation from playing live and it’s the only reward we get from all the hard work. We certainly aren’t rewarded by the money… we’re not making any yet!

So everyone who thinks that your life is full of glamour and coin is wrong?

Yep. We’re certainly not living any life of glamour yet, just a life of sleep deprivation and exhaustion! But the feeling of playing our stuff live makes it all worth it!

Is there anything aside from the exhaustion that really irritates you in the music industry?

Well I’m a Californian so I’m a real easy going character but if I had to say one thing I don’t like it’s working with liars. I can’t stand people who are so obviously full of shit and make promises they can’t keep. Luckily we haven’t experienced too much of that but it’s still an irritation.

What are you listening to at the moment?

My album of the year so far is We are Scientists’ With Love and Squalor. It’s amazing and every song is brilliant! You know when you listen to a record and you fall in love with every song? Well that happened with this and I really love what they do. My favourite band though has to be the Flaming Lips. Those guys are genius!

You’re probably best known for your chart-topping single Bright Idea. So what is Orson’s bright idea?

Our bright idea is to get out there and play our music to as many people as possible! That’s our mission.

Have you got anything else you’d like to say to LeftLion readers?

To all LeftLion readers in Nottingham and beyond. Give Orson a chance and you won’t be disappointed!

Orson play at Rock City on Monday 16 October 2006. Their debut album Bright Idea is available in shops now. www.orsonband.com

Divine Inspiration…

Where have The Divine Comedy been over the last few years? Ten years ago their Casanova album catapulted them into the mainstream with hits like Frog Princess and Something For The Weekend. At the time it served as the perfect antidote to a Britpop scene dominated by the likes of Blur and Oasis. Their next three albums, however, didn’t quite bring the same level of success.

Now, with an impressive nine albums under their belt they return with brand new album Victory for the Comic Muse. Lead man (and sole full-time member) Neil Hannon fills us in on what’s been keeping him ticking over. words: Michelle Bayton What you been up to since releasing Absent Friends in 2004?

I’ve been doing lots of stuff for other people, writing and composing for everyone and anyone. My song Home for Jane Birkin’s album Fiction is the only one that’s been given the light of day as yet though.

Do you prefer writing for yourself or others?

Well… writing for yourself is more satisfying yet more terrifying. When I’m writing for others it’s almost a challenge, trying to impose my own style on them, but I feel that if people ask me to write for them they must want that anyway. I think it’s probably easier to write for others but you don’t get the same thrill or adrenaline rush as writing and performing something for yourself. But it’s cool to be in the background once in a while…

How do you feel that your Songs of Love theme for the Father Ted TV Series has helped your career?

People see or hear your work and if they like it they’ll want to use you I suppose. Father Ted was such a great sitcom that anyone who worked with it would have boosted their career in the way of becoming a recognised name, so of course it’s helped. I composed the music for The IT Crowd too, another sitcom for Graham Linehan. It’s something I enjoy doing. Like I said, if people like what they hear then it works in my favour.

Do you feel that your music has improved and evolved as a result of working for others?

Yeah. I think I’m just a lot better at it and not just from doing it for other people. You think differently and write differently as you get older. I wouldn’t be able to write as I did when I was 21 and I wouldn’t want to. I never want to stay in the same place for too long and I think I have achieved that through the years.

Is this shown in the new album?

Well yeah. I’m still writing with the same aim, to try and amuse, move, or do something vaguely interesting. But like with anything, the more you do it the closer you get to your aim. With age comes wisdom.

Your first album was called Fanfare for the Comic Muse and your new (now ninth) album Victory For The Comic Muse. What’s with the titles?

Well I love the names and they’re perfect to confuse journalists as much as they confuse me. Fanfare for the Comic Muse was about starting out with a request and Victory for the Comic Muse is a way of saying “Hooray I’m still here!” The title is also an original quote from EM Forsters Room With A View.

So does this suggest you’re surprised to still be here with a ninth album?

I’m just glad … very glad.

You’re playing in Nottingham in November.

What do you think of the city?

It’s a beautiful place. I really love Nottingham.

Any interesting stories from past gigs here?

I remember a Radio One Roadshow we did in the Market

Square where we played with the great and long-lasting pop band Let Loose. Remember them?

Are you going to heaven, hell or purgatory?

I’d like to think I’m going to heaven.

I try not to…..

Well that was cool, but I also remember our first show at Rock City supporting Supergrass in 1995. It was a great show, but I’ll always remember this one very aggressive girl sticking her finger up at us all through the gig. She really didn’t want to see us play.

Anything else you want to say to LeftLion readers?

Actually yeah … I want to say ta to you for being nice and secondly don’t read the Portsmouth news.

It didn’t put you off then?

God no, it just made us more determined. Not everyone’s going to like what you play, but it’s not nice if they make it so blatantly obvious.

What are you listening to at the moment?

The Arctic Monkeys album… and I’m not just saying that to be cool, I do really like them. Also I love the Flaming Lips and Belle and Sebastian… the list could go on.

My favourite album so far this year is probably St Elsewhere. I do really love Gnarls Barkley. I think their stuff is mad! I love it and I don’t care if it’s overplayed on the radio… you’ve just got to think past that!

Is music a source of motivation for you?

That and being alive generally. I don’t know why I’m here but whilst I am I may as well do something good with my time. That’s my motivation!

Why? Because I’ve just had an interview with a woman from a Portsmouth paper who kept trying to get me to diss other bands and the music business in general and I’m just not into it. I asked her if she was gonna ask me about the new record and she said “No its not really my cup of tea.” I just put the phone down on her. It proper pissed me off! I don’t care if people don’t like my music… just don’t tell me you don’t!

Feel better now?

Yeah. Thanks for allowing me the rant …and by the way this interview has been a lot better, so thankyou.

The Divine Comedy play at Nottingham Trent University Students Union on Sunday 5 November 2006. The new album Victory for the Comic Muse is out now. www.thedivinecomedy.com

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words: Jared Wilson

The Atoms are a local pop-punk band who seriously rock! Imagine a band that combine elements of Green Day, The Pixies and the Beach Boys with two guys on guitars going for it alongside the sweetest, most serene lady drummer in Notts. We like them so much we invited them to open our Extravaganza…

What have you all been up to since LeftLion last spoke to you?

Tom: Releasing an album, doing some gigs, buying a new bass guitar, having our photo taken in a toilet. The usual stuff famous rock stars get up to…

Jess: It’s been a pretty busy year for me…I’m currently finishing my degree and working full time in between playing gigs and general other stuff…

Joe: Getting our album out on Stressed Records, playing shows, getting into trouble and getting drunk... the last two are possibly linked.

What’s the best gig you’ve played in Nottingham in 2006?

Jess: For me it was when we played with Dragonflies Draw Flame for LeftLion Presents at the Orange Tree. A bunch of middle-aged lecturers turned up and started dancing on the tables and singing

along. That really made my night.

Joe: We played with Copter. I’d never heard of them but they were fucking grand and they have their own comic too! I have no recollection of playing that night but Jess told me we did.

Did you make it to any festivals this summer?

Jess: I went to Ponce in The Park in Derby.

Tom: I went to Pentrich rock and blues festival with Whitesnake, Hanoi Rocks and The Damned. Mmmm… classic rock!

Joe: I had a ticket to see Super Charger’s reunion show in Rotterdam but couldn’t afford the travel expenses, so I stayed at home kicking walls. I did make it to Ponce in the Park but I remember nothing apart from my ugly mug ending up in the local Telegraph.

What’s the best album you’ve bought this year?

Jess: I haven’t bought it yet.

Tom: Teravolts’ Endless Summer. It didn’t come out this year though.

Joe: Lillingtons’ Death by Television. It’s a re-mastered version recorded by Mass Georgini. They sing about Aliens and that’s good enough for me.

Who are your favourite Notts bands apart from yourselves?

Jess: My favourite Notts band was Chip Johnson and The Unforgiven, but they’re not together anymore. I also really like Clambake, TV-OD and The Spazmatics.

Tom: Alice Rock Joe: Alice Rock or Clam Bake. Can I have two?

Are you Forest or County fans?

Tom: Neither. I’m from Derbyshire anyway but football’s not my thing.

Joe: I grew up next to the Forest Ground before Stan the man beat his missus up.

Then I got disillusioned and now I like the Nottingham Panthers instead.

Who is your favourite superhero?

Jess: Benny Ramone.

Tom: Tim Hen Man. Joe: George Bush cos he punishes Terror.

I’ve never been a fan of Terror.

Anything else to declare..?

Joe: We have an album out so please go buy it and make your CD collection much better.

Also, Derby is Surf City number one and don’t stare into the sun.

Tom: Lets all learn to surf!

www.myspace.com/theatomsuk

Lo-Ego are growing up. Two of the members will be married by the time you read this article and straight after they play for LeftLion at the Rescue Rooms they head off to Europe on tour with melancholic Swedish band Paatos. We put a few questions to them before they go…

What have you all been up to since LeftLion last spoke to you?

Mark: Writing, rehearsing, recording, getting married, organising a European tour, the usual.

Simon: I’ve managed to knit an entire jersey out of my belly-button fluff.

Martin: I have been setting up as many myspace sites for myself as I possibly can. Don’t you just hate it when people do that?

What’s the best gig you’ve seen in Nottingham in 2006?

Mark: The Deftones were pretty good at Rock City.

Simon: Laura Viers.

Paul: Went to see a friend’s band called Hopewood from Sheffield...they always deliver!

Ste: The open mic night at Pit and Pendulum. I never thought acoustic versions of Cradle of Filth could be so poignant.

Paul: The last amazing gig I can remember was Mastodon at All Tomorrows Parties last December and then two days later at Rock City...

What’s the best gig you’ve played in Nottingham in 2006?

Martin: We try not to play Nottingham too often nowadays.

Trying to spread our wings and fly a bit. In fact Drop In The Ocean would have been our last gig.

Ste: I’ve played some amazing shows in my bedroom on webcast.

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Paul: Looking into my crystal ball I can see that the Rescue Rooms on 22 October is going to be the best!

Who are your favourite Notts bands apart from yourselves?

Mark: The Dead City Presidents!! Love Ends Disaster, Hellset Orchestra and Amusement Parks.

Simon: Love Ends Disaster and Black Vinyl Heart Paul: Amusement Parks, The Union Station Massacre and Love Ends Disaster Ste: Love Ends Disaster and O Lovely Lie. Are you Forest or County fans?

Mark: Me and Simon are really the only ones who follow football. He supports Queen of The South and I support Newcastle United. I go to a few Forest games with mates though.

Simon: Queen of the South, through and through. I’m not from round these parts, sorry.

It doesn’t look like the Market Square is going to be finished in time for New Year. Any thoughts...?

Simon: Yes. All of them rude...

Martin: I heard a rumour that they are getting rid of the

lions and replacing them with ten ants on either side of the council house. That would then mean this mag would have to be called left ten ants.

Ste: I heard they are going to use real lions and feed them a chav a day.

Mark: I hate it! I have to walk about five minutes out of my way just to get to the other side and it has couped all the goths in my way more than usual. I come out of there stinking of Teenage Angst!

Anything else to declare..?

Paul: Give things a go...you don’t know where they might lead.

Ste: Don’t listen to Paul... you don’t know where it may lead.

www.myspace.com/loeg

Grain are Rich (guitar and banjo), Dan (bass), James (drums), Loz (Percussion) and Ben (vocals, harmonica and guitar). Their self styled brand of hillbilly kung-fu funk rock has been attracting national attention, with plays on XFM. They stormed a LeftLion Unplugged set earlier in the year, so we’re bringing them back for the Extravaganza…

What have you been up to since LeftLion last spoke to you?

Loz: Writing new material mostly. We also got played on XFM London last month and we’ve had lots of gig offers rolling in from around the country.

What’s the best gig you’ve seen in Nottingham in 2006?

Rich: I really enjoyed The Dirty Backbeats at the Maze.

Loz: I second the DBBs and also The Legendary Shack Shakers at Rescue Rooms What’s the best gig you’ve played in Nottingham in 2006?

Ben: Global Village Peace Gathering and Drop in the Ocean at Dogma. Playing naked with just an apron on is highly recommended.

Did you make it to any festivals this summer?

Rich: Didn’t make it to any biggies. Global Village Peace Gathering was fantastic though. Would have loved to have seen Beck and Radiohead at V festival. Gutted!

Ben: Again Global Village. I also went to

the Green Man festival in Wales but it was pretty rubbish… there’s only so much folk music you can take.

What’s the best album you’ve bought this year?

Rich: Dan’s copied me a load of Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Ben: I honestly haven’t bought an album this year!

Who are your favourite Notts bands apart from yourselves?

Loz: Wholesome Fish and Old Basford.

Rich: Trickster.

Ben: Moon Buggy, Old Basford and Trickster.

What recording studio do you use?

Loz: The Boiler Room is good, we did our last demo there. Lovely big men, fair price... and a nice cup of tea and scones.

Are you Forest or County fans?

Rich: Neither.

Loz: Eh? Ben: Bollocks.

Weeble are one of Nottingham’s most popular ska-punk bands and have been together for the best part of a decade. The line-up and the music have changed along the way, but now they’ve got the fine art of making music totally sorted.

Is there a serious side to Weeble? Or are you just in this for the fun you have on stage?

Matt: Being in Weeble is serious fun!

Benjuth: We have to be organised because we are such a large band. We have to remember to let everyone know what’s going on and where we need to be.

Big Dave: It’s like having a second job. That’s why I’m not at work right now.

Jody: Though the songs might sound really happy and bouncy, some of the lyrics aren’t. We’ve written about some very serious stuff.

You’ve released a couple of albums together. How do they compare?

Ribsy: The addition of the brass section has really changed how we sound.

Stef: They resemble how we are live and our current line up.

Jody: It shows how our time and use of facilities has changed as well.

Do you work together when writing music and lyrics or do you sometimes feel like pulling each others’ hair out?

Ribsy: Yes to both. We write stuff in many different ways because there are so many of us in the band.

It doesn’t look like the Market Square is going to be finished in time for New Year.

Any thoughts…?

Rich: Bit of a waste, I reckon.

Loz: I think it was better how it was thousands of years ago, mud huts, witches, trees and ogres.

Dan: Yes, ogres.

Ben: I think there should put a big bronze statue of a group of hoodies put up.

Who is your favourite superhero?

Loz: Scuzzlebutt, a monster with a hand of celery, leg of Patrick Duffy and a penchant for weaving wicker baskets.

Rich: Gotta be Batman for me.

Ben: I don’t do favouritism with superheros.

Their egos are big enough.

Anything else to declare..?

Ben: I’m hungry and I need a cuddle. www.myspace.com/grainuk

The Hellset Orchestra are like a rare bird, swooping around the Notts music scene. Attempts to describe their sound always end in arguments. There are elements of rock, classic, prog, gothic, pop and maybe even a little bit of ska, but in truth they are all and none of these things… if you’ve never seen them then you’ve never seen anything like it. We put some questions to lead man Michael Wetherburn.

What’s the best gig you’ve played in Nottingham in 2006?

Definitely the Dot to Dot festival upstairs at Rock City. It was a great day, plus it’s not often the band get a bit of room on stage to move about in.

Introduce the band to our readers…

My lords, ladies and gentlemen. We give you the Hellset Orchestra.

What’s the best album you’ve bought this year?

As in an album that came out this year? I quite like Archie Bronson Outfit at the minute. Yes Virginia by Dresden Dolls is also fantastic. I’ve just bought the new Mars Volta album but am yet to listen to it all. I went through a big Nick Cave phase, followed by a Tom Waits phase earlier this year.

What have you been up to since LeftLion last spoke to you?

Playing gigs and recording new songs mostly. Then recording some more and playing some more gigs. Now, we’re doing some more recording. Then we plan to do a few more gigs.

What’s the best gig you’ve seen in Nottingham in 2006?

Nick Cave at the Concert Hall. I think that was this year. Eels, also at the Concert Hall, were great.

Did you make it to any festivals this summer?

I made it to my own festival where I was the only act and the only one there.

Who are your favourite Notts bands apart from yourselves?

I like the soon-to-be-no-more Legion of Doom and Lords are always top notch.

What recording studio do you use?

There is no clear thought really as we all have input.

Jody: The basis of the music is me and Ryan, but everyone does help. Stef has started doing more writing too. People bring in solid ideas and I’ve never done a song that hasn’t been changed by the band. The input is so important, because we want the songs to sound like they’ve been created by us all.

Stef: They’ve been Weeble-ised.

Which local bands do you recommend?

Matt: Grain, Stupid Stupid and Steve.

Stef: Breakneck, Mr. Wolf.

Ribsy: Winning By Default.

Big Dave: Metallica, Def Leppard!!

Jody: We want to mention 7 Seconds of Love, even though they’re not local.

We tend to do most things ourselves, out of necessity really.

Are you Forest or County fans?

I’m a Middlesbrough FC fan, but I prefer County to Forest. There’s something endearing about the underdog I reckon.

It doesn’t look like the Market Square is going to be finished in time for New Year. Any thoughts…?

It’ll make the Evening Post happy.

Who is your favourite superhero?

Mad Max. Anything else to declare..?

Yes. I meant every single word. www.thehellsetorchestra.co.uk

Do you ever feel like you would want to cover other genres of music? Or is that why you’re in other bands like Fat Lady Singh and Jimmy the Squirrel?

Jody: I think Weeble has its style, it’ll change and evolve but it will always stay Weeble. But, yeah I mean if we did any of our solo stuff in Weeble it’d be pretty mad! There’d be guys doing acoustic stuff, electronica stuff, political stuff... We’d sound like a right odd bag of bits n bobs Do Weeble wobble but don’t fall down?

Jody: We rock and we do occasionally fall over. I almost fell over last night, I tripped over a monitor, but I didn’t fall. So I guess the answer could be yes.

www.myspace.com/weeble

.

LeftLion Extravaganza takes place at the Rescue Rooms on Sunday 22 October 2006 ts.

Tickets are £5 and available from www.LeftLion.co.uk/tickets as well as the usual outle

www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

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If you like to go out for a few shandies on the weekend in town, you will probably have heard Rapunzel Map busking around the left lion in the Market Square.

Whether you’ve just staggered out of a club or are waiting for the chatty night bus, you can guarantee that somewhere along the way her soulful late-night sounds will have featured in your Saturday soundtrack. She’s busked at Glastonbury, turned down DJ Sammy remixing one of her songs and gets given blokes pants when playing at night. You go girl… words: Sadie Rees Hales

For those who’ve never heard you before, can you describe your music?

I think my subject matter is very individual. In Ultraviolet Eyes, it’s about a beautiful female alien. It also is about my interest in science and the ultraviolet spectrum. But I find it easier to write my songs than trying to describe them. That is hard!

When I make music, the only thing that limits me is what instruments are available. However, I hope that people can hear other sounds in the music. I guess my songs are melodic pop, but it’s not genre specific. I don’t feel I’m a good guitarist but I’m confident in my songs, they are different and interesting.

How long have you been creating music as Rapunzel Map? Rapunzel Map became my acoustic name in 1999. It separated me from the music, a certain element of anonymity. I didn’t want a twee name, however, it’s relative and also it’s connected visually.

Do you come from a musical background?

My Dad is very musical. He doesn’t write songs but he has such great taste in music and is a very charismatic performer. People have even booked him for their birthday parties! To call him a pub singer would be almost insulting to him. I was always tripping over guitars at my dad’s house when I was younger. I’m self taught but I never played in front of anyone until after university. My dad introduced me to some great music. My brother is also an amazing electric guitar player and is in a band called Stuck In The Pie. They write fun songs with great melodies, but don’t take themselves too seriously.

Got any amusing stories from late night busking sessions by the left lion?

Every time I busk, something funny happens. A normal gig can be a bit boring in comparison. I wish I’d kept a diary or filmed it to see people’s reactions. Generally drunk people are amusing. There are so many funny stories that I can’t think of one in particular. People have put pants in my guitar case though! Busking is always fun and different.

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There’ve been quite a few characters busking around Notts over the years. Ever felt any rivalry from others, such as the Xylophone Man (R.I.P.)?

No! Most good buskers or just generally good people have an awareness of each other. The buskers are almost like a little club! You can’t be territorial and have to be considerate of others.

You set your own record label Liquid Dust Records. Was that to put out your own stuff or do you have any interest in representing other artists?

I set it up with the help of the Prince’s Trust. What I like about the label is that I have total control over my music and it’s production. If money was no option, I would sign loads of other bands like 1st Blood and Stuck In The Pie to allow them to make music exactly how they want to, giving them 100% creative control. However, business always takes you away from the creative side. I’ve never done a proper release as I’ve not had the financial resources, but I do sell my own CDs on my website and at the shows.

What local artists do you have most respect for?

1st Blood are phenomenal. Three years ago I was given their first CD and every song is catchy, well produced and has great lyrics. The fact that they want to work with me too is a real compliment. David Gow also makes beautiful stuff.

It’s rare that I actually like acoustic music but he’s magical.

Also Ben EG from Derby and then my brother. He’s not local but he has gone out busking with me in Nottingham!

Do you prefer playing indoors or outdoors?

It really depends as the atmosphere is made by the people who are there. I love having a diverse crowd when I’m busking, they’re honest and less inhibited. Some people have stayed watching me busk till 4am!

You’d had previous interest from DJ Sammy which you, perhaps wisely, turned down. Had any commercial interest since?

I’ve not put myself out there as much as I could. I’ve been offered management deals but it’s not felt right as it’s such a big decision. I had interest from American music lawyers

but because they’re abroad it makes it very difficult… the setbacks can be very frustrating.

Would you still be called Rapunzel if you decided to get a skinhead?

Yes because the story of me being called that is still there.

I’ve got the name but I’ve put my own stamp on it.

Instead of selling your soul on Pop Idol, what advice would you give to people wanting to get into music?

The internet has made this so much easier. Find out about music conferences and get involved in the local music scene. Don’t just stay in your bedroom making music, put it out there or you won’t be discovered. Be organised and ready for when opportunities arise. Don’t dwell on lost chances and realise that you need stamina… be prepared for that!

Other than music what are you passionate about?

There’s not a lot that I’m not passionate about. That can be your downfall though. I love new physics and spirituality, people, psychology. It might be easier to tell you what I don’t like… such as football. Although I did go to the World Cup! I’m into visual arts and want to write and direct videos for my music as I always have a concept for the video when I write a song. I love studying life and then expressing it.

Also I love reading books and I spend way too much time online. I’m a proper info junkie!

While the Market Square is being redone, where can we find you?

I’m going to be doing more gigs in venues or at my new spot by the Yorkshire Bank, by Pelham Street and Clumber Street. I also live in cyberspace and can always be found online.

Rapunzel MAP is playing LeftLion Unplugged at the Malt Cross on Tuesday 21 November 2006. www.rapunzelmap.com www.myspace.com/rapunzelmap

te1.co.uk a n o t e .d www

®

NOW presents J Spaceman® Acoustic mainlines St Mary’s Church, Lace Market, Nottingham Performing the music of Spiritualized, Spacemen 3 and others Accompanied by strings and gospel choir 8.00pm Thurs 26th October 2006 £14.50 / £12 concs / £7.25 disabled To book, contact The Royal Centre on 0115 989 5555 www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk For more information check www.beherenow.org.uk Strictly ticket only

Performi

The Hooded Man

The BBC is set to launch a new series of Robin Hood onto the Saturday night schedule this Autumn.

We take a look at those who have played the hooded man on the small screen… words: Al Needham JASON CONNERY

(ROBIN OF SHERWOOD, 1986)

MARTIN POTTER

(THE LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD, 1975)

IN A NOTTSHELL: The less brooding, less spiritual, more blonde Robin.

IN A NOTTSHELL: The forgotten Robin, with a 70’s basin-cut-and’tache look reminiscent of an English teacher Which is a shame, as some people would tell you this is the best version of the story ever made.

THE SHOW: Instead of a Dr Who-style transmogrification, Robin of Loxley was killed off and Sean was drafted in as another servant to that horned Irish thing, Robin of Huntington.

There was a bit of a plot about being the half brother of nemesis Guy of Gisburne, but it was business as usual.

THE SHOW: A bit gritty and dry, but a cult classic only recently released on DVD. Quality cast with Diane Keen (before doing the masturbatory hand-gesture Nescafe adverts) did the Maid Marian thing, Paul Darrow played the Sheriff (before playing Avon in Blakes 7), but the real shocker is an early role for Ford Prefect himself, David Dixon, who was born in Derby but lived in Notts as a kid.

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? If you squinted your eyes, he looked like a younger Stuart Pearce.

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Seeing as Potter was actually born in Nottingham, very.

MICHAEL PRAED

ROCKET ROBIN HOOD

(ROBIN OF SHERWOOD, 1984-1985)

(1966-1969, CANADA)

IN A NOTTSHELL: Raaaaabin! The Hooded Man! The brooding, spiritual, sexy Robin, the only man in the mid-80s to be able to carry off a mullet with any dignity and panache whatsoever and the benchmark of modern-day Hoodiness.

THE SHOW: A radical shake-up of the format saw the introduction of paganism, sympathetic Islamic characters and Clannad, which only served to make Robin Of Sherwood more realistic than its predecessors. Robin was the servant of Herne the Hunter, a Celtic horned God and it became one of the most successful ITV programmes of the decade.

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Filmed in Bristol, with an Irish theme tune, a lead actor from Gloucestershire and Ray Winstone as Will Scarlet? What do you think?

RICHARD GREENE

(ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, 1955-1960)

IN A NOTTSHELL: The shit-thick, yuppified, cowardly Robin in the extremely right-on and too-good-for-kids programme Maid Marian and Her Merry Men. THE SHOW: Created by Tony Robinson (who also played the Sheriff), Marian was the brains behind the outfit and Robin was a right ponce. It even featured a Rasta Merry ‘Mon’ in the form of Danny John-Jules, who also played Cat in Red Dwarf.

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Not only was it set in Worksop (even though it was filmed in Somerset), but there was a character called Clough.

JONAS ARMSTRONG (ROBIN HOOD, 2006 - ?)

IN A NOTTSHELL: The latest in the line.

THE SHOW: Written by Dominic Minghella, starring Keith Allen as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Lucy Griffiths as Maid Marian. The master tapes got stolen, so much of it was filmed again over September in time for the October premiere.

HOW NOTTINGHAM IS IT? It was filmed in Budapest, the launch was in Lincoln and Jonas Armstrong looks about as ‘Nottingham’ as jellied eels.

ROBIN HOOD NO DAIBOKEN (1990-1992, JAPAN)

PATRICK TROUGHTON (ROBIN HOOD, 1953)

THE SHOW: The first stab at Robin from the BBC, it went out live as filmed, meaning that all cock-ups stayed in. Including the

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Well, he lived on Sherwood Asteroid in the galaxy of N.O.T.T. (National Outer-space Terrestrial Territories)…

(1989-1994)

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Not very. Aimed directly at the American market (with a scriptwriting team who worked under pseudonyms, due to them being blacklisted by Hollywood for their leftwing sympathies). It’s your bog-standard English countryside and RP vocalisation here.

IN A NOTTSHELL: Robin the obscure. Only one episode of this show still exists.

THE SHOW: Moderately successful Canadian cartoon series, although it was never screened in the UK (as far as we know). Set in the year 3000, even though he had an electroquarterstaff and zoomed about under jet propulsion, he still kept it real and dressed in green.

WAYNE MORRIS

IN A NOTTSHELL: The classic fatherly middle-class Robin, but not exempt from the traditional jumping-on-logs-and-laughing-forno-particular-reason palaver. Film historian Jeffrey Richards called him ‘Everyone’s favourite Uncle’ and even compared him to a WW2 officer…

THE SHOW: Probably the most popular TV Robin ever. One of the first shows to be screened on the brand-new ITV (and the first show commissioned by the mighty Lew Grade), it was a massive hit all over the world and rammed to the gills with future stars. Paul Eddington (The Good Life, Yes Prime Minister) played Will Scarlet, Donald Pleasence was Prince John to a tee, and there was even room for Macca’s future girlfriend Jane Asher and 70s sitcom king Richard O’Sullivan. The theme tune (yeah, that one) was the one Forest ran out to for decades.

IN A NOTTSHELL: The futuristic, psychedelic one, robbing the cyber-rich and giving to the astro-poor.

backdrop of Sherwood Forest that was inserted the wrong way, meaning the trees stuck out horizontally.

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Probably not at all.

IN A NOTTSHELL: The weird Anime one.

Massive eyes, badly animated mouths, that sort of thing.

THE SHOW: Never screened in the UK (to our knowledge), it was the usual Robin story… just, you know, more Manga-y. The episode titles are skill; A Great Disguise For An

Infiltration In Nottingham Castle, Sherwood On Fire, Thunderstorm In Nottingham, An Unexpected Arrival, Witchcraft In Sherwood and our personal fave A Mad Run Towards Nottingham!

HOW NOTTINGHAM WAS IT? Come on now. www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

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UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

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Bruce Myers is a familiar face on the Nottingham live music scene. He runs the Open Mic nights at the Golden Fleece and also plays a bit himself.

We’ve invited him along for a set at October’s LeftLion Unplugged at the Malt Cross and caught up with him for a bit of a chat...

So, tell us about Bruce Myers…

What do you want to know?

Well, where are you at musically right now?

I’m essentially a solo artist. Usually written up as a singer/ songwriter but I’m more of a song writer than a singer, in the sense that that’s my biggest strength. My songs are the most important thing.

Will you play the Malt Cross solo, or is anyone going to join you?

Well depending on commitments I’m hoping to have Paul Quadros from Fat Digester and Trickster on double bass, Hattie on Flute and Richard from Trickster on banjo and guitar. I should really get Nick from Trickster in to play some fiddle as he seems to have played every other LeftLion unplugged night in various bands!

What’s in your CD player right now?

Tom McRae. A couple of demos are lying around like The Stoatz. I listen to a lot of stuff on myspace and the internet generally. It’s a good way to check things out.

What age where you when you wrote a song that you where proud of?

Twenty four. I moved from Bristol to Skegness and jammed with a friend of mine called Andy who encouraged me to write my own songs.

Those involved with the open mic circuit consider you part of the furniture at The Golden Fleece. What do you think to the place since it changed hands?

Initially everyone was thinking ‘what’s going to happen?’ particularly with the live music side to it, knowing that the new owners came from a dance music background. They’ve improved it vastly, kept the charm but smartened the place up a bit, keeping the old crowd but also bringing in fresh

faces. I know it sounds biased but I think its one of the best pubs in Nottingham.

You run what is regarded by many as the best open mic in town. Who’s been your favourite act?

There’s so many. Before Nick Armstrong went off to support Paul Weller he’d pop in and do a set. Beck Goldsmith, Jezz Hall and David Blazye are all very good.

What can we expect from your appearance at the Maltcross?

Mostly miserable songs but I’ll try and keep it upbeat, with a hippy vibe.

Bruce Myers plays LeftLion Unplugged at the Malt Cross on Tuesday 17 October. www.myspace.com/brucemyers

Cool For Cats

words: Glen Parver

Clarky Cat are a relatively new (and young) band who have earned themselves something of a cult following in the city. When separate they are Mark, Jack, Arne and Gemma, but when they come together they form a strange musical beast that answers only to a name inspired by a Chris Morris sketch. Read on suckers…

Where did you all meet?

At a fancy dress party we coincidentally went as the four different corresponding parts of an immense cat which happened to fit together perfectly.

What inspired the name Clarky Cat? Chris Morris and his seminal television programme Brasseye.

What’s your favourite of your own tracks?

Clarky Cat does not have favourites. Clarky Cat argues with itself regularly about which tracks to use.

What’s your favourite track of all time?

Anything by Prince.

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What are your favourite venues to play in and out of Notts?

In Nottingham Clarky Cat has liked playing Stealth and The Rescue Rooms best so far. Outside of the city, Clarky Cat has liked playing in gay clubs and warehouses best so far.

If you could get anyone in to play with you, who would you choose?

Clarky Cat would choose The Kooks so that Clarky Cat could beat them to death with cat faeces whilst they play.

They are bad men!

Who are the best upcoming bands in Notts we should check out?

Clarky Cat thinks Late of the Pier are the best band in Nottingham.

What can people expect from the show for LeftLion at the Orange Tree?

A pulsating mess, resulting from Clarky Cat attempting to make beautiful music with itself.

What was the last album that you bought?

Clarky Cat cannot remember. Probably a good electro-esque one.

What was the last book you read?

Clarky Cat does not read. Clarky Cat listens to the audiobiography of Cilla Black over and over again.

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

The audio-biography of Cilla Black.

What was the last thing that made you cry?

Clarky Cat does not remember having ever cried. Clarky Cat is a hard ass cat who does not succumb to primitive emotions like you humans.

What is coming up for you over the next year?

More gigs, more songs and a music video.

Anything else you want to say to LeftLion readers?

No. If they have read this far they are already bored by now.

As is Clarky Cat. End of communication.

What do you listen to on the stereo at home?

Whatever is on the radio at the time. Unless Clarky Cat does not like what is on at the time, then the stereo gets turned off and spat at.

What are your favourite hangouts in Nottingham?

The ones that play good music and have a dancefloor large enough to contain the cat. Clarky Cat can regularly be viewed from afar in the Rescue Rooms, Stealth and The Social.

Clarky Cat play LeftLion Presents at the Orange Tree with Electric Mouth on Saturday 4 November 2006. www.myspace.com/clarkycat

Charitable Boy

This September, Badly Drawn Boy (aka Damon Gough) played a gig at the Rescue Rooms in support of Oxjam. This is a month-long series of gigs and club nights that will be rocking Nottingham venues throughout October (as well as the rest of the country) all in aid of charity. We managed to grab a few words with Damon, in between soundchecks and phone calls from the States… words: Paul Klotschkow

At the gig you were donating a pound from every ticket sold to Oxfam. How important do you think it is for people to get involved in Oxjam?

I think what Oxfam has done over the years is excellent.

People have always got a bit of disposable cash and they don’t always know where to put it, or whether it’s trustworthy to give it to someone in the street shaking a box. At least Oxfam historically has always been a trustworthy charity that sets its goals and achieves them.

It’s all a very simple, basic premise, but it keeps people alive. I think for at least that reason everyone can afford to give a pound at a gig I put on, because they are always going to spend twenty quid on beer. If people can be made more aware of it being as simple and effective as that, that is the reason why I’ve always been involved.

Your new album, Born In The UK, is out in mid-October.

Describe it to me in five words?

Hardest thing I’ve ever done!

What are your favourite songs off the new album?

The favourites keep fluctuating really, especially as you start playing the songs live. You can never predict which songs are going to feel good or sound good live, or what the audience will react to, so that is when you start testing them out. The first real single off the album, Nothing’s Going To Change Your Mind, was always my favourite song I wrote within this period of time. It was a pivotal song in the making of the record, it just made me feel like we were getting somewhere when we wrote it, it was a bit of a breakthrough. I wrote so many songs for this album, and the twelve that made the album I think make it a more concise and rounded piece of work than I’ve done before.

It’s slightly more commercial in a sense that I think a wider audience might understand it and enjoy it, without alienating the people that already like what I do.

When you go to write a song, do you have a particular subject in mind that you want to write about or do you just see what comes to you?

On this album, I spent three months before Christmas in a studio in Stockport just making up ideas. So most of the songs were written in less than a day, apart from finishing the lyrics, which I’m always slow at. I set myself the task of writing a song in the morning, going into the studio to record it and then having something to take home at the end of the night, so they were always pretty quick to write musically. The lyrics took months to finish but that is always the case. I just sit playing guitar all of the time and record stuff into my Dictaphone, but if we are in the studio then I record decent demos. I started recording this album properly in January with Nick Franglen from Lemon Jelly.

So we spent January to July recording and we recorded about three times more stuff than we needed, but I always tend to do that.

Do you have a favourite place to write songs?

It tends to be mainly my back yard or the kitchen, where I like to watch TV at night. I sit at the kitchen table with my guitar or have a fag in the back yard and just play my guitar, so that tends to be my favourite spot.

How did winning The Mercury Music Prize in 2000 affect you?

I don’t know… I think it gave The Hour of Bewilderbeast a certain kudos from people that may not have wanted to embrace it at the time. The album was already doing quite well because it came out in the summer, so had already been around a few months. The Mercury just kind of vindicated the interest that it had already created. It didn’t feel like a massive ‘whoosh’, or that things changed over night. I think times have changed in the last three or four years, so that winning the Mercury Music Prize now does potentially make a difference. Everybody has their opinion about why give it to the Arctic Monkeys because they don’t really need the leg up, so give it to someone else. I know

what everyone means by that but it’s not fair. I think what the Mercury’s try to do is to genuinely try to pick out the album that stood out that year. The Arctic Monkeys album did because they did something different on their own terms. I think it was a fair result.

Are you reading any good books at the moment?

I’m three quarters through about four or five books. I always get to a certain point then get interrupted and struggle to pick it up again, like with Bob Dylan’s, Chronicles.

I read that last year.

I got about three quarters in then I started a different book

by Bernard Shlick called The Reader, but yet again I only got three quarters of the way through it. I like reading a lot of factual stuff to be honest, rather then fiction. I get more inspired reading them. I have various Springsteen books that fans have given me, I like reading that kind of thing, as it inspires me to believe in what I am doing.

Do you still uncover new things about The Boss?

There’s not much left for me to uncover about him. But I’m just constantly inspired. Everyone seems so focused on age in this industry, like you’ve got to be a young band to get on. But all these old acts that are established have kept their audiences interested.

When was the last time you went dancing?

I didn’t!

Oxjam festival is a series of gigs taking place across Nottingham venues in October. See the listings section for more details. www.myspace.com/oxjamnottingham www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam

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“These things, the way they happen.

These things, the way they begin” If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things (2002) earned Jon McGregor numerous awards as well as a Booker Prize nomination… quite an achievement for a debut novelist based in Nottingham! Through a poetic and absorbing prose the novel magically transforms the ordinary everyday lives of its characters into something quite beautiful.

His second novel, So Many Ways To Begin, examines what happens when our lives fail to take the turns we expect through the eyes of David, a museum curator, who finds out his whole life has been constructed around a lie.

Like it’s predecessor it also made the longlist for the Booker, putting McGregor at the forefront of a new crop of British writers. We put some questions to him about his new book and the city he has adopted… words: James Walker What brought you to Nottingham?

I first came to Nottingham because I was following a girl.

She came here to do a post-grad diploma and I just tagged along. Obviously it was the right thing to do because we’re married now.

How have you found living in the city?

There’s not that moany old London thing of expecting life to be served up on a plate, which is refreshing. The pleasures are harder to find than in some cities, but if you look closer they’re there and I have to say LeftLion are doing a lot to bring some of the more underground stuff to the surface.

Are you still living on a boat and what attracted you to this particular abode? I myself once lived in a converted garage for three years...

No, the boat thing was short-term. I was only ever planning on passing through Nottingham but once it became clear we were staying put it seemed daft to live in what was essentially a very small and wobbly caravan. What was the garage like?

Like a very small but static caravan… Your first novel was a tremendous success and certainly my book of the year. How did you find the added attention?

The attention was fun and mercifully short-lived. You could win the Nobel Prize for literature and still not get recognised on the bus. Obviously it changed my life in that I was able to quit the day-job, write full-time and develop a massively over-inflated sense of my abilities.

I found If Nobody similar to Amélie. Both treat Princess Diana’s death as peripheral within the narrative and in doing so inverse societal norms by championing the ‘ordinary’ over celebrity. What are your feelings on this comparison?

Hey that’s funny. I never really thought of that, but it’s a neat (and flattering) comparison. I guess me and JeanPierre Jeunet had the same kind of idea; didn’t any other sad stuff happen that day? But yes, I love that film and anyone who accuses it of being over-sentimental has a rusting tin can for a heart. Thinking about it actually, I probably found that intricate attention to detail, the following through of unforeseen consequences and coincidences, the tiny moments which turn a life round quite an inspiration on my own work.

What are your thoughts on celebrity culture?

There’s nothing much left to say is there? Other than that the rotting decadence of late-stage capitalism is laid bare every time some talentless nark steps out on a red carpet or grimaces for the camera.

Given the themes in your books, can human beings ever really fully connect?

Yes, but it’s hard though don’t you think? Sometimes it feels like people aren’t trying so much to make those connections or they can’t imagine how much sweeter life might be if they did.

Both books, despite the events that go on, seem to foster hope.

Would you describe yourself as a positive thirty-year-old?

I’ve always felt that when you’re in one of those moments

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where life clicks into place, like sunrise, your first beer garden pint of the year, cycling downhill or watching Peter Crouch and his robot dance, then how can you be anything but positive about the world? Mind you, when I’m not being such a sunny optimist I’m usually engulfed by fury and despair about the avoidable environmental catastrophe which everyone seems to be doing their best not to avoid...

If Nobody… is set nowhere in particular whilst So Many… is set across numerous cities. Was this change of setting difficult to make?

It was difficult in that it forced me to make some fact or fiction decisions I’d not had to make before, like just how true to life should a fictional location be? If I’m inventing characters who live in a real city, am I allowed to invent the name of the street they live on? It was tricky to know when to let the research stop and the creativity begin.

Two of the cities used in So Many… were Aberdeen and Coventry which through their industrial and manufacturing roots are quite similar. Does this particular environment interest you?

I was definitely interested in their parallels (ship-building, car-building and oil). I think a British novel set in the mid to late twentieth century would find it hard to avoid at least an allusion to industry and manufacturing. Britain was built on industry and manufacturing, its urban culture developed as a result and the painful social upheavals of the last thirty years have been a direct consequence of the collapse of

the industrial economy. So yes, that kind of environment interests me.

Truth is very important to David in the novel. How important are your roots?

I left Bermuda at the heady age of five months. I did go back there once, when I was nineteen and was surprised by my emotional reaction. I felt it might have just been projection though, it’s kind of cool to go and find your roots somewhere, isn’t it?

The use of artefacts was a novel way of introducing chapters. When did this idea come about? Very early on.

It seemed like a convenient way to structure the book and obviously it fitted with the main character being a museum curator; it also gave me a direction for the story, that he was assembling this collection in order to take it to someone.

If you were to take an artefact to represent Nottingham, what would you choose and why?

Hey, good question. Actually, I went to meet my Japanese translator a couple of years ago, and since the Japanese are big on gifts I thought I should take him something to represent Nottingham. Rather pathetically the best I could come up with was a lace placemat. Right now I think the best thing would be a copy of LeftLion. www.jameskwalker.co.uk www.bloomsbury.com/jonmcgregor

How does it feel to be back in the UK? It’s so amazing to be back here, I mentioned it a couple of times at the show last night but I was really worried that there weren’t going to be many people there. So I was relieved when I got to the club and saw the energy when Cool Calm Pete was on. I was like “wow I can’t wait to get on stage.”

So have you been busy since you crossed the water?

Since I have been here it really has been just constant interviews, It’s like I got here, took a nap, then went up to XFM to meet with Dan Greenpeace and that was great.

Me and Cool Calm Pete did an interview with him and we did a live performance up in the studio of a couple of the exclusive tracks from the album. The next day was all interviews until show time and today it’s more interviews again. Tonight I’m meeting with my booking agent so that I can tell him that I want to focus on the UK. Then after that I’m off to record a track with Morcheeba!

So you’re over here to promote the new album. Enlighten us a bit on the content of Mo Mega?

I really wanted to come back and go for what I know. I felt I had done some deviations from what people expected from me. It’s not that I want to always give people what they expect, but I just wanted to go back to my foothold and come with some of the rawest, hardest possible shit that I could. I wanted to include some of the hardcore politics and make some songs that are insightful, you know.

At the same time I put a few tracks into the mix, which expand on what people think of me and let them know that I can make more than just political songs. The first five songs are real rugged. It starts off with Collapse which is a real personal song to me. It’s about the process of making

a record and how heart wrenching that can be and also an introspective view of how my career has gone. Then it branches out into this political bloodbath, like dealing with the hollowness of going to a big shopping centre and walking out with something or nothing. I think the result is pretty similar in both cases.

Politics plays a big part in your music…

Yes it does. The track Brothaz deals with the lower value placed on people of colour by our governments worldwide and how that affected the situation down in New Orleans and Darfur (over two and a half million people driven from their homes now face death from starvation and disease as their Government and militias attempt to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching them). Then it moves on to tracks like The Fries using wild conspiracies theories about food poisoning and McDonald’s, to the point of population control. Then I flip the whole album on its head with Murs Iz My Manager and changing the whole tone of the record by having two humorous tracks together, as it’s back to back with Washitup. I just thought that really what we’re shooting for is to capture how the times sound and the reality is. There are lots of people dancing and smiling if you look at entertainment, especially in rap videos. A lot people are saying nothing and looking shiny, but under the surface the world is spinning out of control.

You’re not a fan of the Bush Administration…

For us in America we’ve realised we have no control over

the government. They do not work for the people in any way. In fact the people are the last thing that they’re thinking about, outside of getting the money that we owe them for taxes. That’s why the record is abrasive and very angry until the points where it gets happy.

You put a lot of time and effort into your gigs. How important is live performance to you?

To me it’s like the bread and butter of the whole thing.

As an artist it’s your way of maintaining an existence financially, but as an emcee you spend all this time writing tracks, then time in the studio recording them. You get the opportunity at a show to go out there and see how the music affects people. For me this time round it has been interesting because the album is not out yet, so it was interesting to see the crowd’s reaction to songs that were new to them. I feel that the interaction at a show should be a celebration of music. People have got a lot of other things that they could be doing with their money, they don’t have to spend it on watching me hop around the stage. I appreciate that they do and I try to give them my all…

Mr Lif plays Camouflage at the Rescue Rooms with Sway, Braintax and more on Friday 20 October. www.mrlif.com www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

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Spaced Out UrbanSpaceLab are a dubfunk-triphop band who have been swinging their sounds around Nottingham bars for the last three years. Their debut album Bossanova UK is a rare treat which has led to an appearance on a Chillout compilation, as well as a shortlisting for the Channel 4 Digital Music Unsigned Award. They play LeftLion Presents at the Orange Tree in early October, so we caught up with three of the four members for a chinwag…. words: Amanda Young photos: Dom Henry How would you define the music you make?

Michael: Some of our stuff is drum and bass to dance to and some of it is more sit down on a Sunday afternoon in the sunshine and chill to. We occupy that middle ground.

Charlie: What we do is different. People say that’s a bit like dub or reggae.

George: We’ll often write tunes through improvising.

Michael: Often a tune comes out in one hit. Some of the most cohesive tunes are made out like that. Quite often a tune takes five minutes to write and two years to perfect.

Who plays what in the band?

Charlie: I’m the singer, George is bassist, Michael drums and John Paul (JP), who isn’t here, plays keys. He did the studio mixing too.

Tell me how Urbanspacelab came together…

Charlie: I put an advert up in Screaming Carrot looking for a bassist and drummer. Michael got in touch.

Michael: George and I also met through an advert on a wall.

I knew John Paul from a long time back.

Who is your biggest influence?

Charlie: Nina Simone, Portishead and Bjork. All powerful women, who have been through a lot of grief and are having a good shout about it.

George: Herbie Hancock.

Michael: Sly and Robbie are my number one. I’ve been to The Gambia in West Africa and spent a lot of time drumming which has shaped me. I’m just texting JP for his response to that…

JP (via text): Velvet Underground and Can. What’s your favourite track on Bossanova UK? Charlie: Picture Perfect, it’s got a lot of high energy and is really cheerful.

George: I really like Bossanova.

Michael: I’m with George on that. It contains the high energy that people get down and dance to which for me as a drummer is what it is all about, but it also goes right down low to jazz. It has proper highs and lows.

On your website I read that your music ‘creates its own space and you are transported somewhere else.’ Where is this somewhere else to you?

Michael: A reviewer wrote this. The gig he was reviewing was in Bluu, which is sometimes quite towny. He was suggesting that theplace was fundamentally shit, but the music was really good. The music frees you from the chavs around you.

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What is your favourite venue to play in Nottingham?

Michael: Rock City, but it’s not a regular venue for us.

Nottingham struggles for venues. It is loaded with pubs but we’re not a pub band. There are big places but were probably not high profile enough to be playing at the Rescue Rooms.

Charlie: We played at the Golden Fleece a couple of weeks ago and every one seemed to love it… I had a wonderful time!

Where else in the world would you like to play?

Charlie: Somewhere in Spain at some festival.

Michael: Yeah, outdoor stages. There is a lot of dub in our music and you need that enormous bass sound which is clear in an outdoor space. We are a bit trapped in Nottingham but that is just where we are at.

George: Somewhere warmer.

Charlie: Somewhere in Japan if there is a link out there…?!

Michael: We have a link in Hawaii!

If you could get anyone to play with you, who would you choose?

Charlie: Maybe a male rapper.

George: JS Bach.

Michael: I don’t think I have a specific artist in mind.

It is important that there is a lot of space in the music that allows for people to go inside it. I could hear some trumpets.

What makes you different from other bands?

George: We don’t have guitars, a stylist or choreographer.

Michael: What we make is totally live sound in a genre that is normally computer controlled. We use drum and bass rhythms and actually play it.

What can people expect from your live performances?

Michael: It is shaped by the energy of the audience - the nuance is dependent upon how people take it What has been your most memorable musical experience?

Michael: We got to play at Glastonbury Jazz lounge in 2004.

Charlie: Being in this band. I’ve grown a huge amount.

What have you been listening to at home recently?

Charlie: Amy Winehouse’s album Frank. She is right sassy!

Michael: I’ve been listening to The Roots and Photek’s ‘98 Drum n Bass stuff.

George: The Cappo and Rukus CD. What tea do you drink?

Charlie: Earl Grey and Chamomile.

George: I don’t like tea it tastes like leaves.

Michael: I’m not a big tea drinker I like coffee.

What is coming up for you for the rest of the year?

Charlie: We are out playing new tunes on 21 October at the Malt Cross.

Michael: We’ve got a second album pretty much there out next year. Hopefully we’ll be on the telly if we win the Digital Music Award so get online and vote for us.

Vote for UrbanSpaceLab on Channel 4 Unsigned at: www.channel4.com/music/mymusic/D/dmaunsigned.html www.myspace.com/urbanspacelab

Buzz Lightyears Mark Linkous is Sparklehorse, the melancholic, thoughtprovoking and sometimes just plain weird American purveyor of lo-fi spookiness.

He might not be the most recognisable name in the music industry, but he’s been honoured by working with some of the best such as Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, PJ Harvey, The Flaming Lips, Dangermouse and Tom Waits.

He hooked up with LeftLion for an oddly serious conversation about bears, near-death experiences and depression to promote his new album Dreamt for Lightyears in the Belly of a Mountain and tour, which parks at the Rescue Rooms in early October. words: Dannii Levers You’ve been quiet recently. What have you been up to?

For three years I think I just lost interest in recording. I like singing, I like coming up with songs, playing and singing them and having that just be the end of it. I don’t know why but I lost interest in the actual recording of the songs.

What got you back in the swing of things?

I think not being able to pay my rent was the first thing.

I had to get a record out. But really I think people around me were trying to help me by sending me music that they thought I might find inspirational or from people I might want to collaborate with. Someone sent me the Grey Album from Dangermouse. I really liked that I’d been listening to some later period Beatles stuff anyway and I liked some of the slower sparser hip hop stuff so I got in touch and he ended up being a Sparklehorse fan. He came to my studio and we worked for a couple of weeks and I really liked what came from that. I think when you dig yourself in a hole mentally a little confidence can really go a long way. The music that came out of the sessions is what brought me back. Just believing that I could make what I considered interesting music again.

Will you be guesting with Gnarls Barkley, then?

Maybe if I’m asked. I’m definitely going to work more with Dangermouse. We’re going to start in a few months.

More of a collaboration, probably called DangerHorse or something.

Some of your lyrics are strange. Where do you get these ideas from? Are you a mentalist?

It’s easier for me to communicate metaphorically than to have a dialogue. It also leaves it open for people to interpret the lyrics themselves and apply them to themselves.

Through the years, people tell me that my records have helped them through some bad times.

Some of them are influenced by dreams, some by facts that I’ve read. For instance there’s a line in Babies on the Sun which says ‘a ship full of horses was going down at sea.’

That line relates to a part of the ocean where captains of ships had to throw horses overboard to lighten their load.

That’s a true fact. That part of the ocean is called Horse Latitude because of that.

Some ideas come from nature and where I lived. I walked out my front door one day and was trapped because there was a bear in my truck going through the trash. Knowing there’s a seven foot creature outside that could rip my head off is exciting. I killed a rattlesnake the other day. I don’t like rattlesnakes. I was going to get revenge and make a belt out of it….

So what actually happened on the Radiohead tour (reports are that he passed out in a London hotel room for fourteen hours with his legs pinned under his body, nearly crippling himself)?

I don’t remember it. It just ended up being a three-month stay in a London hospital. I was in a wheelchair for about six months after that and I had to wear braces on my legs because they had to operate on them so many times. I’ll always have to wear the braces now because the muscles in my legs have gone… they had to take them out.

You worked with the Flaming Lips on a track called Go. What was that like?

I had toured with them as a duo, with the drummer I used to play with. We shared the same bus and played a little mini set. They came up to where I was putting a record together of Daniel Johnston songs. I was trying to get bands to cover his songs for this album. Go has always been one of my favourite Daniel Johnston songs and that second verse I just imagined Wayne singing, because the lyrics seemed like something he might like.

Kurt Cobain used to wear a T-shirt designed by you…

Yeah. I think it was the cover of Hi How Are You. So what is a Sparklehorse then?

It came from not being able to think of a band name and writing names on scraps of paper, putting them together and trying to find something that you don’t hate.

What was it like working with Thom Yorke to cover Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here?

I thought Thom would just know that song, by heart. I always loved it, it’s my favourite Pink Floyd song. It was a rock-radio staple here in the United States for a while. He’d heard of it but he didn’t know it, or the lyrics. That was kinda strange. I was honoured to have Thom appear on anything that I did.

What about PJ Harvey?

I opened up for her and we became friends. I asked her if she’d appear on my next album and she said yeah. I booked some time in Spain, in Barcelona and we did a recording session there with Polly (PJ) and Adrian from Portishead. I had this fantastic band, me, my drummer, Polly, Adrian and John Parish, …and Tom Waits. He doesn’t usually work with anyone.

How did you manage that?

I have no idea! Apparently he had my first album at his house and his kids stole it. I never knew whether they liked it or hated it but I sent him another copy and wrote him a little note. Then the time came for me to call him on the telephone and I was so nervous…. But thankfully he wanted to do it.

Have you ever been to Nottingham before?

Yeah, I can’t remember a lot about it, but I’ll probably recognise the venue.

Did you get on the drink while you were here?

Erm… no. I’ll make sure I do this time though.

You’d better. Have you heard of Robin Hood?

Sure have. Is Sherwood Forest a real place? Kevin Costner?

I haven’t seen his version but I love Errol Flynn.

Sparklehorse play The Rescue Rooms on Tuesday 3 October.

Dreamt for Lightyears in the Belly of a Mountain is out now. www.sparklehorse.com www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

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Welcome to Nottingham. Or, as we say round here, “What the fuck you looking at? Poncing around as if you think you’re summat!”

words: Al Needham illustrations: Rikki Marr Whatever the reason for choosing to come here: grades not good enough for Oxbridge, your crappy office job relocating, it’s not safe for you to be seen in Mansfield anymore, etc - you’ll find very quickly that Nottingham is just like everywhere else in the country. Some parts are dead nice, while others are rougher than East German toilet paper. Some of our bars will make your wallet feel that you’re in the most exclusive parts of London, while others may lack ambience, but more than make up for it in ambulance...

NOTTINGHAM A BRIEF HISTORY Anglo-Saxon invaders move into caves and then some shops and pubs got built.

NOTTINGHAM A LESS BRIEF HISTORY Anglo-Saxon invaders move into caves. Robin Hood pisses about in Sherwood. Forest win the European Cup. Then some shops and pubs got built.

THE SHOPS Oh, how we love our shops in Nottingham, so much so that our children are only educated to the point where they can operate a till. Shops in Nottingham include; all the chains you get everywhere else, with a handful of interesting independents here and there. Obligatory ‘Paul Smith’ mention here.

THE BARS Whether you like chopping a line on a black marble toilet or having a fight with broken glass over who played Benny in Crossroads, there’s a bar to suit you. From the violence-holes of Upper Parliament Street to the wanker-boxes of the Lace Market, Nottingham is encrusted with pubs. To check which ones are right for you, have a flick through this mag and see who’s advertised with us this month.

THE PEOPLE Don’t panic; we’re all very friendly here, with our cheeky, salt-of-theearth provincial ways and incomprehensible accent. Just remembarr that evreh wod endin’ in ‘y’ is pranaanced ‘eh’, consnunts that end a wod are dragged aht, (az arr vaaals in the middle), while consnunts in middle of a wod are took owt.

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OUT&ABOUT BARS/GYMS/RESTAURANTS/SHOPS

Muse Of all the side streets in Hockley, Broad Street has over time taken on a life of its own and become one of the nicest places to drink in the city centre. The new kid on the strip is Muse, a welcome addition to the proceedings and a massive improvement on its rather lacklustre predecessor Synergy.

The vibe is cool and cosy, with low leather sofas and sharp design adorning the walls (we like the man with speaker head throughout). Muse is the kind of place that puts you at ease when you walk through the door without feeling pretentious, like some of the bars just around the corner may do.

There are always quality sounds drifting through the speakers which suit the space well and if you don’t like the music you can change it yourself during the daytime. By night the venue opens up its funky upstairs space to feature a host of audio delights.

We particularly likes the sound of their free Thursday night hiphop sessions Word of Mouth featuring a selection of local crews such as Dealmaker records, Son records and Cappo.

Friday night opens up the genres with a selection of live acts spanning funk/electro/ rock, whilst Saturday sees DJ Priceless working the decks. The Opus night on the third Wednesday of each month is also a rare treat and a great chance for artists and musicians to combine work.

Throw in a new range of over fifty cocktails (get ‘em cheap with the after work social deal from 5-8pm daily), friendly table service and free internet/ wi-fi and you can definitely see why Muse is becoming a firm favourite on the Notts drinking scene.

Open 3pm-late (closed Sundays) 9 Broad Street, Hockley, Nottingham,NG1.

0115 9241555 www.myspace.com/musenottingham

LeftLion whips out the credit card and wallows in the retail wonderland that is Nottingham.

Our correspondents this time around were Jenny Hill, Davina Daniels and Malcolm Mclaren

Nottingham Trent Students Union Back in the day the Nottingham Trent Student Union was a hive of activity for music. In the late eighties and early nineties the place rocked to bands like Radiohead, The Verve, Suede, PJ Harvey, The Fall, Manic Street Preachers, The Pretenders, The Smiths, Spaceman 3 and many more.

Then it all went quiet for way too long. Over the past year, however, the SU has been putting on gigs at it’s popular night The Tone Club (first and third Friday of each month) featuring The Editors, iForward Russia!, Dogs, Howling Bells, Ladyfuzz and The Research as well as the cream of Nottingham’s local talent.

Building on the success of this and with a new public license under its belt, NTSU are embarking on a series of big gigs over the coming months at it’s venue on Shakespeare Street.

These include Detonate (featuring Pendulum), The Jim Beam Music Tour (with Little Man Tate and The Battle), The NME Rock ‘n’ Roll Riot Tour (with The Fratellis, The Maccabees, The Horrors and The Dykeenies), The Automatic, Seth Lakeman, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Divine Comedy (interviewed on page 7) and singer songwriter Ben Kweller.

The collective capacity is 2000 over three rooms, with the main arena open to 1000. All the live gigs are open to the public as are the Tone Club nights and the fortnightly rock night Assault.

Also look out for the monthly hiphop night Heavyweight, brought to you by 1Xtra DJ MistaJam, which launches in November. If you’re a NUS card holder there’s also a range of events that are only open to students.

So if you fancy supping bargain booze and watching a decent band at a venue that isn’t one of your usual haunts then check it out and see what you’ve been missing.

Nottingham Trent Student Union, Byron House, Shakespeare Street, NG1 www.myspace.com/thetoneclub www.trentstudents.org

The Golden Fleece What do you get when you cross a traditional watering hole with a drum and bass crew?

The answer is the Golden Fleece, a pub taken over by the people that run Detonate and given a tasty makeover in 2005. The result is a place that stands out from the crowd for these exact reasons, as the venue strikes a discreet contrast between the old and new school and gets it absolutely spot on!

The place has earned a good reputation since its reopening, due to its friendly service and laid back clientele. It’s usually busy on the weekends and well worth a visit midweek. Not just because of the LeftLion pub quiz (Wednesdays), but also for their live bands (Thursdays) and open mic nights (Mondays) which are run by local musician Bruce Myers, interviewed on page 16 of this issue.

Detonate are one of the most established club nights on the Notts scene and their experience of booking the cream of hiphop of drum and bass is evident in their ability to secure some top names behind the decks at their pub. Friday is a warm up night for both Detonate and Spectrum whilst Saturday sees the likes of Highness Sounds (roots reggae) and Basement Boogaloo (soul, funk and disco) take over.

If you fancy a bite to eat, the food is excellent, with everything from Thai red curries to a hearty Sunday lunch. The new head chef trained at World Service, which is evident in the traditional, yet experimental menu. The drink selection is also top notch with some great beers on tap and a wide selection of spirits and occasional offers. All in all, the Fleece is a well loved member of the Mansfield road drinking renaissance.

The Golden Fleece, 105 Mansfield Road, NG1 0115 9472843.

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The Corner House The magnificent glass building that is The Corner House has some excellent bars and restaurants, not forgetting the cinema of course. Most of these are chains you see in every city but there are a few distinctive venues amongst the norm too. Saltwater for example is truly luxurious and, as well as having a fine range of food and drinks, houses probably the best roof garden view in the city centre. Sausage is less swish and trendier, providing comfortable hot dog shaped seating booths and a wide range of beverages. It looks like a chain, but it’s actually independent.

On the right hand side of the main entrance to The Corner House is Forman Street, which heaves with temptations for your taste buds. You know what you are getting with Slug and Lettuce and their tasty sandwiches. The décor is elegant but hardly original. Lazy punters should be aware that the toilets are a bit of a trek. The building next-door to Slug and Lettuce now houses Nottingham’s newest Revolution vodka bar, so fruit flavoured spirits are ahoy!

Ride bar, which is not really in the Corner House complex, but is near enough, is a bit more hip with a dress code that discriminates against certain types of Nike Air. Look out for the Corner House card, which offers bargain deals on food and drink for those who hold it. More details can be found inside.

Saltwater, The Corner House, NG1, 0115 9242664 www.saltwater-restaurant.com Sausage, The Corner House, NG1, 0115 9476200 www.sausagebar.com Slug and Lettuce, The Corner House, NG1, 0115 9474260 www.slugandlettuce.co.uk Revolution, The Corner House, NG1, 0115 9598072 www.revolution-bar.co.uk Ride bar, 11 Forman Street, NG1 0115 9504789

illustrations: Rikki Marr

Victoria Centre

Broadmarsh Centre

Victoria Centre is Broadmarsh’s slightly more upmarket counterpart. It offers the usual high street chain stores. The fountain as you enter the Centre is a valuable rendezvous spot while the Market Square is being redeveloped. Unfortunately the in-centre pub that adorned the place over a decade ago (and was a favourite among weary husbands) has gone!

The recently renovated Topshop and Topman still lead the way for both trendy and staple items. The only problem is someone you know will always be sporting the same top as you. Viccy centre also contains the biggest Boots in Nottingham, combining your cosmetic needs with the pharmacy and good old meal deal. For something a bit different try The Natural World. It has unusual gifts for all price ranges.

Topshop, Victoria Centre, NG1, 0115 9483026 www.topshop.co.uk Boots, Victoria Centre, NG1, 0845 1231000 www.boots.co.uk The Natural World, Victoria Centre, NG1, 0115 9417569 www.thenaturalworld.com

Broadmarsh Centre may be devoid of high quality shops but it is a great place to find a bargain. If you can cope with trawling through piles of rubble to find your hidden gem, TK Maxx is good for fashion, accessories, home wear and just about anything else. At the other end of the Centre is Wilkinson, whose pick and mix of toiletries and household stuff is legendary to anyone who grew up in Notts.

Wilkos is also useful for more grown up items and has many a cheap deal on everyday products. To hide those legs for winter cover up with something from the impressive selection at Silkys on the upper mall. There are also a decent variety of cheap bookshops to keep you entertained.

TK Maxx, Broadmarsh Centre NG1, 0115 9412317 www.tkmaxx.com Wilkinson, Broadmarsh Centre NG1, 0115 9502288 www.wilko.co.uk Silky, Broadmarsh Centre NG1, www.silky.co.uk

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Mansfield Road The experience of a drinking session on Mansfield Road can be enlightening for anyone who is usually dubious of straying past the city centre. Most pubs offer an impressive selection of beverages and are frequented by anyone from excitable students to ale-loving old men. The Golden Fleece gets this mix almost perfect. Owned by the Detonate crew, it is the home of the Wednesday Leftlion pub quiz as well as a variety of other music nights. Around the corner from Mansfield Road brings you to another of our favourite haunts.

The Orange Tree is an immensely popular pub, which offers a varied menu of food and drink to a crowd of mainly students and young professionals. The strip is also a haven for real ale drinkers. If you want a night of tasty bitters try The Lincolnshire Poacher which gives you several tasty pint sized options and a beer garden for when the sun’s has got its hat on. Or if you fancy some live music and decent snap with your beer, try The Forest Tavern and it’s sister nightclub The Maze. This recently got taken over by new management and hasn’t looked back since.

Another great choice in this area is Fade: The Hard To Find Cafe. It serves unusual spirits as well as paint stripper style vodka to cater your every mood. A non-smoking sofa lounge and faux jungle foliage create a great interior. The Loft has a similar vibe but serves cocktails too, though we’re not exactly sure if and when it will re-open.

The Golden Fleece, 105 Mansfield Road NG1, 0115 9472843 The Orange Tree, 38 Shakespeare Street NG1, 0115 9473239 www.orangetree.co.uk The Lincolnshire Poacher, 161-163 Mansfield Road, NG1 0115 9411584 Fade, 171 Mansfield Road, NG1 0115 9104025 The Loft Bar, 217 Mansfield Road, NG1 0115 9240213 The Maze and Forest Tavern, 270 North Sherwood Street, NG1 0115 9475650

The Lace Market and Hockley The Lace Market and Hockley are fantastic areas to spend an evening drinking. The labyrinth of roads can make it difficult for sloshed newcomers to find their way but walking in circles a few times is worth it to get to the right bar. Bluu is a valid hunt. Choose from an array of gorgeous cocktails then sip and relax upstairs or groove in the basement. The nearby Pitcher and Piano may seem blasphemous but this heavenly bar’s church setting has class and ambiance. There is plenty of room in there for large groups too.

What Bar de Nada lacks in size it makes up in style. Tapas, around the world beers and modern art all ensure you get some free culture with your tipple. On a parallel street lies the Coco Lounge. The roaring fire makes this the cosiest place to be as the nights get colder. The coolest new bar on the block is Muse. Situated exactly opposite the Broadway cinema, this place is a haven for the late night drinker. Regular events there include Opus, an art-music crossover event that takes place every third Wednesday of the month. Their selection of beers and spirits is more than adequate for most tastes.

On the main road through Hockley are drinking havens for those who refuse to stray from the beaten track.

Listen to rock and indie or succumb to cheesy Guilty Pleasures at The Social. Look out for up and coming bands making an appearance.

Also, love it or hate it, Lloyds is cheap as chips and useful for when the overdraft is straining but your thirst is quenching.

Bluu, 5 Broadway, Lace Market NG1, 0115 9505359 www.bluu.co.uk The Unitarian Church, High Pavement NG1, 0115 9598046 www.pitcherandpiano.com Bar de Nada, 43 Broad Street NG1, 0115 9881199 www.bardenada.co.uk The Coco Lounge, 3 George Street, Hockley NG1, 0115 9418555 www. cocolongue.co.uk The Social, 23 Pelham Street NG1, 0115 9505078, www.thesocial.com Lloyds, 1 Carlton Street, Hockley NG1, 0115 9881660 www.lloydsno1.co.uk

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Off the beaten track The Alley Café is based in the city centre, but is not that easy to find for people who haven’t visited regularly. It’s tucked away up Cannon Court, just off the Market Square and serves a great range of vegetarian food as well as some nice foreign beers. Moog is a funky little bar based near Canning Circus in Radford.

Recently taken over by new management, the music quality has increased, but the range of food and beer on offer is as good as ever. The Loggerheads is a nice little pub and live music venue, which also has a cave attached to it so you can proper medieval with your raving. The atmosphere is good and the service is always friendly.

The Alley Café, 1a Cannon Court, Long Row, NG1 www.alleycafe.co.uk Moog, Newdigate Street, NG7 0115 9784500 Loggerheads, 59 Cliff Road, NG1 www.theloggerheads.co.uk 0115 9500086

Nottingham Gay Scene According to a survey done by the University of Sussex, Nottingham has the seventh highest gay population for cities in England and Wales. So what is there for LGBT people in Nottingham? It’s not all about pubs and clubs, but here are some good ones: @D2 is a mostly male, mostly young bar, with stylish interior and shared loos. It can get loud, hot and sassy, if that’s your thing. Late night DJs and drag nights form part of the entertainment. Round the corner The Central may have signage that looks like its come straight from the London Underground, but the bar has lovely new shiny deco and three rooms with a pool table and music. The Lord Roberts on Broad Street, has a more traditional look to it. It’s gay friendly and you won’t get deafened by the music. The Newmarket Inn on the corner of Broad Street and Lower Parliament Street, is not necessarily a ‘gay pub’, but it is definitely friendly. It has a time-honoured interior and a lovely little beer garden to hide in. The New Foresters is very friendly and very comfy. It used to be mainly ladies, but it now gets the boys in too. With a nice beer garden, regular barbecues and drag entertainment.

The men-only night includes a stripper!

As for clubs, there’s no shortage here and hopefully a little something for everyone. NG1 on Lower Parliament Street is the big established gay club in the city. It has two dance floors of cheesy pop and dancy trance and the tranquil Soba bar attached. It’s open until 5am, with still a mainly boys crowd. Oceana is a massive cheesy club in the city centre that has a regular gay night called Location on the first Thursday of each month. The Maze is a funky live music club, which was known in the scene for the girls, but is now a bit of everyone. Live music, safe venue and good beer… what more could you ask? Pelhams on Pelham Road, has a girls-only night every other Sunday. Boys are only allowed in as guests! The café in the the Broadway Cinema is not strictly speaking a gay location, but you will find an a lot of gay and friendly people taking advantage of their very wide selection of great food, excellent beers and cute bar staff. Nottingham now also has Reflections, a gay-only health spa and sauna on Crocus Street. The Rocky Horror Show is on at the Theatre Royal in January, so don’t forget your feather boa!

If you want extra support, the Lesbian and Gay Helpline has a wealth of info (evenings 0115 9348484) and produces the free Queer Bulletin newsletter. The Gai Project (Broad Street 0115 9476868) provides condoms, lube, sexual health advice, counselling and the all important Gai Guide.

Outburst (07940 761160) is a youth service offering LGBT provision for up to 25year olds, with weekly meetings and one-to-one support.

Students NTU - www.ntupride.org.uk and 0115 8226164.

Nottingham University - www.uonlgbt.org and 0115 8468800.

Bars @D2, 72 Lower Parliament Street, NG1 01159502727 The Central, Huntingdon Street, NG1 0115 9585883 www. central-online.co.uk The Lord Roberts, Broad Street, NG1 0115 9414886 The Newmarket Inn, The New Foresters St Anns Street, NG1 0115 9580432 Broadway cinema, Broad Street, NG1 Clubs NG1 76-80 Lower Parliament Street, NG1 0115 958 8440 The Maze, 270 North Sherwood Street, NG1, Pelhams, 9 Pelham Street, NG1 Oceana, Lower Parliament Street, NG1 07956 357644 www.gaynottingham.com

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Disco: Love It or Hate It? For me it’s the soundtrack to a hedonistic cultural revolution that defined the way we party today. The disco challenge is on. Cast your votes!

FaceTheMusic Disco sucks. It was just house music waiting for the drum machine to be invented.

Supine Disco’s all good for me, baby. It’s probably one form of music in today’s colourful spectrum of genres that I think gets a bad press, mainly due to cheese that got commercial success years ago. Scratch beneath the surface and there’s exciting music out there: I’m still finding stuff in dusty second-hand record shops that blows me away.

Beane I think a lot of people across the UK play a tame, safe retrospective of the tame, safe stuff from yesteryear. Where’s the electro stuff, the sleaze? It’s boring. Leave the smooth shit at home please - get some crunchy stuff coming out the speakers.

Red Rackem

NOW that’s what I call art!

I love disco but for me it isn’t about Studio 54 and the Bee Gees, Its roots were from Motown and funk but house in its outlook and feel, with a mainly gay, black, Hispanic crowd, untouched by the mainstream. The music and parties like the Paradise Garage and the Loft are still inspirational.

Larry the Lamb So what if someone plays I Want Your Love?

It’s a great tune. DJing isn’t about playing the most edgy, obscure records possible, it’s about playing to and for a crowd. Just because a lot of people like a record, it doesn’t make it bad. peej

words: Amanda Young

Nottingham’s Shoe Monster It is me, or has anyone else noticed lots of pairs of trainers dangling from overhead cables around Nottingham? Could it be the Tripods?

Mrs Hood I think it’s the way it’s always been, and is definitely a fitting end for a good pair of trainers. Before telephone wires I think they used dinosaurs...

David It’s what you call ‘smelly trainer syndrome’. In some hostels for example, you often have the aesthetic beauty of seeing trainers hanging out of windows.

Sara The rumour I’ve heard is that it was originally done in the USA to mark territory/drug availability or loss of a gang member. But on Haydn Road Sherwood? It’s just kids pissing about, probably because they’ve seen it in a hip hop video.

Ash D On Sneinton boulevard there used to be a pair but now there is a computer mouse! Maybe the drug dealers have set up an online business.

LadyBee

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Performance, VJing, film and music bless our souls in an array of kooky venues as Nottingham’s celebration of cutting-edge art presents its fine exponents of creativity this autumn. Now and then a little pursuit of hedonism should be indulged and so a mash-up of art seems fine and dandy. So, get ya socks on and hit town for some creative spice and tripe that is NOW festival!

Addictive TV Visual Disk Jockeys are up again this year too. This crew have performed their audio/visual shows internationally, criss-crossing the art and club worlds in London, Paris and Bangkok. The eye of the pilot performance consists of a visual archive of a 1950’s French pilot on his travels around San Francisco, Saigon and beyond. Scratched up with the original soundtrack and audio of a fretless guitar, we are offered a rare glimpse where a personal camera and international travel are constant bedfellows.

In a fast car (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti) cruising around Broxtowe estate artist Simon Poulter shot the documentary This is England, in the height of the World Cup fever.

Interviews range from a Local MP, the head of the Child Poverty Action Group, to academics and residents. Apparently, “this film shows respect, community and aspiration in a supposedly deprived area.” No supposing about it in my humble experience. Go see for yourself at 25b Broad Street Hockley 3pm-7.15pm (half hour slots) and make your own mind up.

Brought up above a Donor Kebab shop ran by his folks, Turkish Cypriot artist Mem Morrison invites you to Leftovers based in a city centre café. As the audience you can mingle with staff and regulars and enjoy a full English breakfast before sitting down to the performance. Drawing on his personal history and environment he brings up the complex issues of cultural differences and culinary mix. In a city rich in diversity this not to be missed show is thought provoking as we naturally find roots in borrowed culture.

On the bill also is J Spaceman performing an acoustic set with a string quartet and gospel choir on 26 October. St Mary’s church hosts this rare gig where the frontman of Spiritualized will present tracks from the forthcoming album, as well as covers and back catalogue favorites from Spaceman 3. The new album, due for release in early 2007, is described by Spaceman as being “the work of the devil with a little guidance from me.”

We should also mention Konk Pack who are Tim Hodgkinson on the lap steel guitar, electronics, clarinet; Thomas Lehn on analogue synthesizer and Roger Turner playing drum sets and percussion. Playing on 18 October you can expect to have a bit of awkward ear exploration of the avant-garde sort in an amazing Improv style. Delivering three albums on the Grob record label and a European and American tour lead on to a live broadcast for BBC Mixing It. This English-German trio treats us to a one-off performance of their ingenious and startling musical inventions at the Canalhouse bar. Described as ‘one of the most exciting Improv groups in the world’ their combination of acoustic and electronic sounds is a must for adventurous music fans.

From the comfort of your homely hole you can experience the digital realm of creativity as NOW have commissioned Sims Sweatshop created by Johnny Norridge. It’s a game built around the ideas and issues surrounding slave labor. Fitting really as the retail outlets lining our streets namely Topshop and Primark have been exposed as supporting such atrocities.

Visit beherenow.org.uk to play that or follow Shop Talk an exploration of shops and people in Nottingham’s colorful and diverse Hyson Green.

www.beherenow.org.uk

listings...

Sunday 1/10 Angel Arts Bistro launch Venue: Angel Arts Bistro Price: Free entry Times: 2pm - late All day launch party. Ten plus local artists exhibiting in six galleries.

All day bar and tapas menu (complimentary canapes), live music from Will Jeffery and guests.

Runs Until: 15/10

Monday 9/10 Nottingham Inspired Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: Free Times: 11am - 5pm A number of City schools have been involved in projects exploring the built environment of Nottingham. They have produced large scale artworks representing buildings in the city.

Runs Until: 5/11

Thursday 12/10 Addictive TV - Now Festival Venue: Cineworld Price: Free Times: 7pm The Eye of the Pilot.

To book phone 0115 9158626

exhibitions / theatre / comedy / weeklies / music Theatre Wednesday 4/10 The Dumb Waiter Venue: Playhouse Price: £5 / £8 Times: 7.30pm The Dumb Waiter is classic Pinter – sparse, claustrophobic, simultaneously menacing and hilarious. With echoes of current world events, the play raises questions about power, politics, class, friendship and betrayal.

Runs Until: 07/10

Saturday 7/10

Virgins Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm Virgins explores the minefield of sexuality, both for teenagers and their co-habitees - their parents!

Dance Express 2006 Venue: Royal Centre Price: £10 Entertainment from the Tracy Quaife Theatre School.

Wednesday 18/10 Konk Pack - Now Festival Venue: Canalhouse bar Price: Free Times: 8pm

Friday 20/10 This is England - Now Festival Venue: Screen Room Price: Free Times: 3pm - 7.15pm Ten people, one very fast car and the Broxtowe estate. A film by Simon Poulter.

Runs Until: 22/10

Monday 9/10 A Murder Is Announced Venue: Notts Arts Theatre Price: £7.50 Times: 7.30pm - 2.30pm Runs Until: 14/10

Tuesday 10/10

Friday 27/10 Seeking Tacit Utopias Venue: Surface Gallery Price: free Times: 11am - 5pm A survey of contemporary painting curated by Thomas M Wright.

Artists exhibiting are Andrew Bracey, Matthew Brown, Ross Chisholm, Katarina Forss, Andy Jackson, Elena Kopenkova, Ryan Mosley, Benet Spencer, Julian Hughes Watts, Ian Whitfield and James Wright.

Runs Until: 24/10

Saturday 28/10 From Victorian To Modern Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Times: Various The last generation of Victorians had to face the emergence of the modern when they were just getting into their stride. The question of modernity is seen as ‘men’s business’, even though some of the women who belonged to that generation are now amongst the best-known female artists.

Lectures: Admission £6 / £4.

Friday 27 October 6.30pm with Pamela Gerrish Nunn. Tuesday 5 December 6.30pm with Neil Walker giving a talk on the work of Laura Knight.

Runs Until: 19/12 Nine Years - Now Festival Venue: Sandfield Theatre Price: £6 / £3 Times: 8pm

By Lone Twins.

Abba Mania Venue: Royal Centre Price: £12 - £22.50 Celebrating Abba’s music and style.

Runs Until: 14/10 Marjorie’s World Unhinged Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm A new dance theatre work by award winning choreographer Maresa von Stockert. A world of rivalry, blood, sweat and tears.

Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads Venue: Playhouse Price: £7.50 plus Times: 7.45pm The King George’s regulars meet to watch the World Cup qualifying game. As the match is played out on the big screen, other rivalries come to the fore. Barry, the pub team’s black star striker, may have a Union Jack tattooed on his bum and chant “Inger-land” along with the rest but we soon realise that he is a barely tolerated outsider.

Runs Until: 14/10

Tuesday 17/10 The Cathy Marston Project Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm A classical and contemporary dance combining music, literature, visual art and fashion.

Inspired by a trip to Cuba, the World Premiere of Marston’s Arcana draws on Afro-Cuban folklore music. An upbeat and sensual play on rhythm and movement.

Wednesday 18/10

There’s No Place Like A Home Venue: Royal Centre Price: £8 - £19.50 They do what any self-respecting company of once-were householdname entertainers do… devise a plan, to kidnap a celebrity and demand a ransom, that’s so theatrical and entertaining that they might just pull it off!

Runs Until: 04/11

Friday 3/11 Deadeye Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm Deema’s got a choice to make.

Take a job and leave home or stick around and save what’s left of her troubled family?

Runs Until: 04/11

Monday 6/11 The Three Musketeers Venue: Royal Centre Price: £12 - £29 An ambitious young swordsman, a corrupt and powerful Cardinal, a beautiful but deadly spy. Kings, Queens, adventure, friendship, romance, intrigue and heroes.

Runs Until: 21/10

Monday 23/10 Me and My Girl Venue: Royal Centre Price: £10 - £26.50 Times: 2.30pm, 7.30pm Runs Until: 28/10

Roadmetal Sweetbread - Now Festival Venue: Notts Arts Theatre Price: £6 / £4 Times: 7.30pm start Occupying an alternative world which bears an uncanny resemblance to reality, a man and a woman compete with their own life-size video images for survival.

Every performance is unique, each space viewed in a new light.

Runs Until: 24/10

Thursday 26/10 The Two Faces of Mitchell and Webb Venue: Royal Centre Price: £19.50 Times: 8pm The Caretaker Venue: Playhouse Price: £7.50 plus Times: 7.45pm Davies is down and on his heels until he’s taken in for the night by the seemingly eccentric Aston. Lost in a world of homelessness, his identity papers in Sidcup, he soon outstays his welcome until Aston’s younger brother Mick shows up...

Runs Until: 11/11

Tuesday 31/10

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Venue: Notts Arts Theatre Price: £7.50 / £9 Family Ticket - £30 Times: 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinee at 2.30pm ‘Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy...’ This adaptation of C.S. Lewis classic story is seen through the eyes of the four siblings who stumble into a magical land of good and evil.

Runs Until: 11/11 Arsenic & Old Lace Venue: Royal Centre Price: £8 - £19.50 Starring Louise Jameson, Wayne Sleep & Sherrie Hewson. In a quaint Brooklyn house two sisters have been perfecting their elderberry wine. Little do their ‘gentlemen callers’ suspect that they will soon be heading off to more exotic climes.

Runs Until: 11/11

Tuesday 7/11 Hard Times Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 7pm At the heart of Dickens’ vision of Victorian England is the polluted and poverty-ridden Coketown.

Here callous businessmen Thomas Gradgrind and Josiah Bounderby have created a logical, heartless world full of ‘facts’ and devoid of ‘fancy’.

Runs Until: 8/11

Thursday 9/11 The Gruffalo Venue: Royal Centre Price: £6.50 - £9 Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the Blue Peter award-winning picture book.

Runs Until: 12/11

Friday 10/11 WWE Raw Venue: Price:

Monday 16/10

Lord of the Dance Venue: Royal Centre Price: £25 - £32.50 Runs Until: 15/01

Tuesday 31/10

Life Of A B’Boy Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm A ground breaking piece of hip hop theatre that features three of the best b’boys in the UK. Mouse, Steady and Chimp Chilla.

Combining narrative, physical theatre and dance alongside a live score by DJ G Kut.

Nottingham Arena £20 / £45

Monday 13/11 Griot Speak Venue: Playhouse Price: £7 / £5 Times: 7.45pm A night of spoken word performance poetry hosted by OneNess of the Best Kept Secret spoken word collective.

Wednesday 15/11 Magdala Opera Gala Venue: Playhouse Price: £12 / £15 Times: 7.30pm An operatic and musical theatre repertoire from Nottingham’s very own Magdala Chorus. Professional guest soloists join the chorus.

Friday 17/11 Dance The Show - Storybook Venue: Notts Arts Theatre Price: £8.50 / £9 Times: 7.30pm, Sun 4pm A showcase of young dancers who attend Summers In Time dance classes.

Runs Until: 19/11 Stan Won’t Dance Venue: Playhouse Price: £12.50 / £16 Times: 7.45pm How far would you go for the one you love? In a secret world of lust, lies and loss, text, dance, visually stunning design and daredevil aerial choreography are combined as performers risk life, limb and soul to demonstrate the consequences of revealing their darkest desires.

Tuesday 21/11 Follies Venue: Royal Centre Price: £7.50 - £15 A large cast, dazzling costumes and full orchestra.

Runs Until: 25/11

Friday 24/11

Cinderella Venue: Playhouse Price: Various Times: Various Doomed to drudgery by her vicious stepsisters, Cinderella can only dream of escape and romance. Jeffrey Longmore and John Elkington are ugly sister act Bella and Donna, in Kenneth Alan Taylor’s 23rd Playhouse pantomime. Prepare for upbeat songs, high energy dancing, outrageous costumes and glitter aplenty. Is it really that time of year already?

Runs Until: 20/01

Monday 27/11 The Pirates of Penzance Venue: Royal Centre Price: £11 - £23 Lock up your daughters, the pirates are coming to town! Off the rocky shores of Cornwall, a band of orphaned pirates spy the Major General’s daughters as they paddle in the sea. Smitten by these bathing beauties, the rebellious but soft-centred shipmates whip up a storm with their brave advances. Love-struck sweethearts and battles with bungling policemen meet with miraculous twists of fate in this tale of love and camaraderie.

Runs Until: 02/12

Tuesday 28/11 St Petersburg Ballet Theatre Swan Lake and The Nutcracker Venue: Royal Centre Price: £12 - £29.50 Runs Until: 02/12

“All we want is a good time…all the rest is propaganda.”

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10PM - 4AM 10PM - 6AM

0115 9812203 www.thebeerbaron.co.uk www.myspace.com/beerbazza

YOU MUST BY OVER 18 TO BUY ALCOHOL, IF YOU LOOK UNDER 21 YOU WILL BE ASKED FOR ID PRICES AND OPENING TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE, DELIVERY FEE MAY VARY

listings...

Monday 02/10 The Caper Club Venue: Bunkers Hill Inn Price: £5 / £7 adv (NUS) Times: 8pm start Pete Firman, Dominic Woodward and MC Anthony J Brown.

Thursday 05/10 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £8 - £15 Mike Milligan, John Fothergill and Paul Zerdin.

Runs Until: 07/10

Friday 06/10 Gina Yashere Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £15 She’s back with a brand new show packed with jokes, wit and razor-sharp observations.

Tuesday 10/10 Should I Stay or Should I Go? Venue: Maze Price: £3 / £4 (NUS) Times: 8pm / 8.30pm start

Thursday 12/10 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £8 - £15 Sean Percival, Susan Murray, Tony Hendriks and Mark Walker.

Runs Until: 14/10

Saturday 14/10 Edinburgh & Beyond Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £15 Times: 7.30pm Chris Addison, Russell Howard, Marek Larwood and Steve Hall.

Sunday 15/10 Jeremy Hardy Venue: Playhouse Price: £13 / £15 Times: 7.30pm

Monday 16/10 Mark Thomas Venue: Playhouse Price: £10 / £14 Times: 7.30pm

Wednesday 18/10 Jeff Green Venue: Price: Times:

Playhouse £10 / £12 8pm

Thursday 19/10 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £8 - £15 Runs Until: 21/10

exhibitions / theatre / comedy / weeklies / music Friday 20/10 Grumpy Old Women Live Venue: Playhouse Price: £21.50 Are you a little bit hot and a little bit hairy?

Runs Until: 21/10

Saturday 21/10 Robin Ince Isn’t Waving Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £15 Times: 8pm Robin Ince previews his brand new show - all about loving music, cluttered minds, modern malaise, fake scicnce, otters, The Daily Mail and not being Hunter S Thompson … oh and poo.

Monday 23/10 Howard Marks Venue: Arriba Club Price: £13.50 Times: 7.30pm

Tuesday 24/10 Puppetry of the Penis Venue: Jongleurs Price: £14 Times: 7pm Runs Until: 27/10

Thursday 26/10 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £8 - £15 Times: 7pm Quincy, Curtis Walker, Smug Roberts and Markus Birdman.

Runs Until: 28/10

Friday 27/10 Joe Pasquale Venue: Royal Centre Price: £14 - £16.50

Thursday 02/11 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £8 - £15 Times: 7pm Miles Crawford, Phil Walker, Steve Gribbin and Mandy Knight.

Runs Until: 04/11

Sunday 05/11 Edutainers of Comedy Venue: Playhouse Price: £10 - £15 Times: 7.30pm After last March’s UK sell out Queens of Comedy, BBC’s Curtis Walker headlines.

Monday 06/11 Roger McGough Venue: Playhouse Poetry Please presenter Roger McGough, ‘a trickster you can trust’.

Tuesday 07/11 Should I Stay or Should I Go? Venue: Maze Price: £4/£3 NUS Times: 8pm start

Sunday 12/11 Aan Carr Venue: Playhouse Price: £15 Times: 7.30pm Co-star of Channel 4’s Friday Night Project.

Saturday 18/11 Marcus Brigstocke Venue: Playhouse Price: £12.50 Times: 8pm Time Out comedy award winner and star of BBC’s The Late Edition and The Now Show.

Thursday 23/11 Jongleurs Venue: Jongleurs Price: £20 - £36 Times: 7pm Runs Until: 25/11

Weeklies Fridays Nuts Style: Venue: Times:

Indie, House Media 10pm - 2am

Love Shack Style: Eighties, Nineties Venue: Rock City Price: £4 / £5 Times: 9.30pm - 2am Fridays Style: Breaks, House Venue: The Market Bar Price: £4 (NUS) Times: 9pm - 3am With Resident DJ Santero Audio Venue: Price: Times:

Snug £5 (NUS) 10pm - 4am

Atomic Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Eighties, Nineties The Cookie Club £4 (NUS) 10.30pm - 3am

Salt Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Hiphop, House, Breaks Dogma Free 7pm - 2am

Pop.Your_Funk Venue: Bluu Price: Free Times: 9pm - late Sabotage Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Eighties, Nineties The Cookie Club £4 (NUS) 10.30pm - 3am

Saturdays Rise and Shine / Funk U Style: Indie, Alternative, Nineties Venue: The Cookie Club Price: £5 (NUS) Times: 10.30pm - 3am Uberism Venue: Price: Times: Stylus Venue: Price: Times:

Media £8 - £10 10pm - 2am Snug £6 (NUS) 10pm - 4am

Stealth V Rescued Style: House, Breaks, Indie Venue: Stealth Price: £5 Times: 5pm - 4am 2 Clubs, 3 Bars, 2 Patios, 1 Cinema - 1 Price! Bonza.

Essence Style: Venue: Price: Times: Distortion Style: Venue: Price: Times:

House, RnB Mode £5 10pm - late Rock, Indie, Alternative Rock City £5 (NUS) 9pm - 2.30am

Sundays Jazz at the Bell Style: Jazz Venue: Bell Inn Price: Free Times: 12.30pm - 3pm The Underground Sessions Venue: Snug Price: Free Times: 9pm - 4am Out To Lunch Style: Jazz Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: Afternoon Moog is Sunday Style: Film Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 12pm - 12am

Mondays Open Mic Night Style: Acoustic Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am Come down at 8pm to secure a 15min slot.

Motherfunker Venue: The Cookie Club Price: £1 before 11pm Times: 10.30pm - 2am Overdrive Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Rock Junktion 7 £2 8pm - 2am

Tuesdays Crash Style: Indie, Alternative Venue: Rock City Price: £3 (NUS) Times: 9.30pm - 2am Crash is Nottingham’s longest running indie night.

Tuesdays Style: Disco, RnB Venue: The Market Bar Price: £4 (NUS) Times: 9pm - 2.30am With Matt Tolfrey and DJ Ellis

Wednesdays WigFlex Style: Hiphop, DnB, Dubstep Venue: Stone Price: Free Times: 9pm - late Spam chop playing beats, breaks, hiphop, tekee house and all sorts else. With live breakdancers, free N64 and visuals by Synoptics.

Electric Banana Venue: The Social Price: £2 Times: 10.30pm - 3am The Big Wednesday Style: Alternative, Rock, Pop Venue: The Cookie Club Price: £2.50 (NUS) Times: 10.30pm - 2am

Thursdays Noodle Venue: Price:

The Spot Free

Music Saves The Day Venue: Bluu Times: 9pm - late Tuned Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Indie, Alternative, Pop Rock City £3.50 - £4 (NUS) 8.30pm - 2am

Mirrorball Venue: Snug Price: £4 (NUS) Times: 10pm - 4am Club NME Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Rock, Indie Stealth £2 - £4 (NUS) 10pm - 2am

Live Thursdays Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am Vice Style: Venue: Times:

Pop, House, RnB Media 10pm - 2am

Singer / Songwriters Night Style: Acoustic Venue: Raffles Art Cafe Times: 8pm - 12am Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Funk, Hiphop The Market Bar £4 9pm - 2am

listings...

Sunday 1/10 Tina Dico Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £8 adv 8pm - 11pm

Melody Market Venue: Angel Arts Bistro Will Jeffery and Curtis Whitefinger.

Primal Scream DJ Set Style: Nineties, Indie Venue: The Ballroom Price: £7 (NUS) Times: 8.30pm - 2am Mani, Goodshoes and Pigeon Detectives.

Live Jazz and Latin Funk Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am

Monday 2/10 Juliette and The Licks Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10adv Swound!

Venue: The Social Price: £8 Times: 8pm - 12am Swound!, The Kull and Trailer.

Pilgrim Fathers and The Hellset Orchestra Venue: Malt Cross Times: 7.30

Tuesday 3/10 Journey South Venue: Royal Centre Price: £20 Sparklehorse Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £13.50 adv Ghostface Killah Venue: Rock City Price: £14 adv Times: 9pm - 1am Ghostface Killah and Theodore Unit, Rodney P and Skitz, The Elementz, Karizma, 45, Ninety, DMC Finalist Furious P and Squigley.

Pull Tiger Tail Venue: The Social Times: 8pm - late Pull Tiger Tail, Blah Blah Blah and Kill Quicks.

Acoustic Tuesdays Present Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8pm - 11pm

exhibitions /theatre / comedy / weeklies / music Thursday 05/10 Highness Sound System Style: Reggae, Roots Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 10pm - late

YandT Venue: Price: Times: With support

Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Times: 8pm - 4am Lowstar Presents: Lee Ramsay, Instinct and Karizma.

The Boy Least Likely To Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £8 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm

Ladyfuzz Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £6 adv 8pm doors

St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra Venue: Royal Centre Price: £8 - £29 Dexter (The Avalanches) Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: 10pm - 2am Fat Lady Singh Venue: Junktion 7 Times: 8.30pm - 12am Air Traffic Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £4 adv 7.30pm

Friday 6/10 Beyond the Barricade Venue: Royal Centre Price: £11 - £16.50 Times: 7.30pm The Arena Tour 2006 Venue: Nottingham Arena Price: £37.50 adv Eternal, Boyz II Men, Tunde (the voice of the Lighthouse Family), Dina Carroll, Mark Morrison, En Vogue... amazing?!

Red Rack’em Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am Urbanspacelab Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 9pm doors A hybrid of dnb, jazz and dub Guilty Pleasures Venue: The Social Price: £3 - £5 Times: 10.30pm - 2am DJ Sean Rowley and Friends.

Disturbed Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £17.25 10pm doors

Kevin Montgomery Trio Venue: Maze Price: £12 adv Times: 7.30pm doors Guest Support Andrea Zonn (James Taylor, Vince Gill) Cerys Matthews Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £9 adv Great Escape Presents Venue: Junktion 7 Times: 8.30pm - 12am Tashi Lhunpo Monastery Monks Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 7.30pm

Rock City £16 6.30pm doors from GPS.

Basement Boogaloo Venue: Maze Price: £5 Times: 10pm Moonboots Kingsize Operator Venue: Old Angel (The) Times: 8pm onwards Pure Filth Style: Techno, DnB Venue: BluePrint Price: £6 Times: 10pm - late Chris Liberator, Filth Residents, DJ Smith, Suspect-One, Mr Fijjitt and Paul Murphy.

Bullets and Venue: Price: Times:

Octain Rock City £6 7.30pm doors

Soul:ution Style: DnB Venue: The Social Price: £5 on the door Times: 11pm - 3.30am Marcus Intalex and MC DRS, Transit Mafia, Ruthless and VTek C/O/R/D Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £5 8pm - 10.30pm

Audio Massage - Acoustic Spectacular Venue: Loggerheads Times: music from 8pm LeftLion Presents...

Venue: The Orange Tree Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Urbanspacelab and DJ. Wildside Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £5 Times: 9pm - 2am Imperial Vipers, Silverjet and Ten Foot Dolls.

Bobo Stenson Trio Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12

Sunday 8/10

Tall Poppies Venue: Maze

Wednesday 4/10

Saturday 7/10

Spectrum Style: Breaks, Electronica Venue: Stealth Price: £12 (NUS) Times: 10pm - 5am Plump DJs, Vandal, Pete Jordan, Hexadecimal, HooknSling, Tayo, DJ Hal and Joe B, Rogue Element, Mike Hogan, DJ Yoda, Kids in Tracksuits, Joe B (Rebel Crew USA), B Boy J, The Ground Hogs and Frakah.

City Of Dog Venue: Loggerheads Times: 8pm - 1.30am Brazilian grooves and more from Juliet and friends.

Demob Venue: Price: Times:

Junktion 7 £6 8.30pm - 12am

Tokyo Deep Venue: The Market Bar Price: £5 before 11 £6 after Times: 10pm - 4am Mr C, James Alexander, Casiogrand and Solbank.

The Rapture Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £11 adv Inauguration Subordination Venue: The Social Price: £6 adv Times: 8pm - 3am Vincent Vincent and The Villains.

NME Freshers Tour Venue: Stealth Price: £7 adv Times: 7.30pm doors Klaxons, Shit disco, Data rock.

With DJs Simian and mobile disco.

Monday 09/10 Sandi Thom Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 adv Goo Goo Dolls Venue: Rock City Price: £17.50 Times: 7.30pm doors IV Thieves Venue: The Social Price: £6.50 Times: 8pm - 12am

Tuesday 10/10 Afi Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £13.50 7.30pm

Acoustic Tuesdays open mic with Nell Bryden Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Melody Market Venue: Angel Arts Bistro Price: Free Times: 8pm - late Andy Whittle, Ed Bannard and Will Jeffery.

The View Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £6 7pm - 10pm

Power Up Venue: Times:

The Social 10.30pm - 3am

BBC Radio Nottingham Venue: Royal Centre Price: £13

Wednesday 11/10 Lacuna Coil Venue: Rock City Price: £15 Times: 7.30pm Style: DnB, Hiphop Venue: NTU Union Price: £7 adv Times: 9pm - 2am DnB: Pendulum, TC, Transit Mafia, DJ Strike, Chow, MC’s Verse, Biggie, P-Fine. Hiphop: DJ Woody, Santero and Detail.

Trick and The Heartstrings Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 7pm - 10pm The Smugglers Inn Venue: Saltwater Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1am Slaid Cleaves Venue: Maze Price: £12 adv Times: 7.30pm doors The Gipsy Kings Venue: Royal Centre Price: £36.50

Thursday 12/10 Susperia Venue: Rock City Price: £8.50 adv Times: 7pm Susperia, Red Harvest and Grimfist.

Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Deal Maker Presents: Full Fat. Spectrum/Dogma present Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: 10pm - 2am DJ MK and Jehst plus support.

The Green Bus Presents...

Venue: Old Angel (The) Price: £3 Times: 8pm Carpet, Llamedos and Monkeys Of The High Seas.

Le Chunk Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Breaks, Electronica Pelhams £2.50 (NUS) 10pm - late

Dan Sartain Venue: The Social Price: £7 Times: 8pm - 11pm

Thursday 12/10 Ambush Launch Night Venue: The Social Price: Free (NUS) Times: 9pm-3am Vinyl [abort] - Live AV, JoolsMF, Stinkin’ Rich, Kid Chameleon, Cut Freqz, Casual Breakin, Chris CF and Mister Benn.

Weeble Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £3 Times: 8.30pm - 12am Weeble, Milk 2 Sugars, A is for Ape and Failure by Design.

Maresienne Consort Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 7.30pm

Friday 13/10 Hot Chip Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 adv With support from the Junior Boys.

The Tone Club Venue: NTU Union Price: £7 Times: 9pm - 2am The Jim Beam Music tour with Little Man Tate.

Ed Harcourt Venue: The Social Price: £12.50 adv The Rubber Room DJ’s Venue: The Social Times: 10.30pm - 3am Audio Massage Venue: Maze Price: 8pm Times: £3 - £4 Beyond This Point Are Monsters, The Wow Scenario!, Marks Brother and Wayne Zenith.

The Go-Go Venue: Loggerheads Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1.30am King Kahlua, Daddy Bones plus special guests.

Heavyweight Rocksteady 3 Style Dubstep Venue: Maze Price: £5 Times: 9pm - 4am Runs Until: 13/9 Horspower Productions (Benny Ill), Geiom, Dj Klassic and Aled Jones.

Drowned in Sound Clubnight Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £5 adv £6 otd Times: 9pm - 2am Sennen, The Telescopes, Televise and Dan Cutts (ex-Lyca Sleep).

Lobotomy Venue: BluePrint Price: £7 Times: 9pm - late Bong RA, Ebola, Floorclearer, Shitmat, B, Dilk, Howl and Partydress.

Halle Venue: Price:

Royal Centre £8 - £29

Keep On Magazine Venue: Golden Fleece Times: 8.30 - 12am

Saturday 14/10 Fightstar Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £12 7pm doors

My Milkman has AIDS Style: Pop, Hiphop, Cheese Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £5 (NUS) Times: 10pm - 3am

listings...

Saturday 14/10 The Broken Venue: Price: Times:

Monday 16/10 Orson Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £15 7.30pm

Howling Bells Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £7 Adv Times: 7pm doors

The Cooper Venue: Price: Times:

Temple Clause The Rescue Rooms £11.50 adv 7.30pm doors

Something Different....

Style: Breaks, Electronica Venue: The Social Price: £5 (NUS) Times: 11pm - 4am Dumb Blonde, Freeman and Andy McAllister.

Dirt Club Venue: The Social Price: £2 Times: 8pm - 12am Spotlight Kid, Black Vinyl Heart, Elff and DJ’s.

The Mighty Style: Venue: Price: Times: Hexford and

Family Band The Social £7 adv 7pm - 10pm

exhibitions /theatre / comedy / weeklies / music

Funk Junction Funk, World Music Junktion 7 Free 9pm - 2am Louie the Leg.

Nick Harper Venue: Maze Price: £10 adv Times: 7.30pm doors Long Blondes Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £7 Times: 7.30pm

Tuesday 17/10 Psycle Venue: The Ballroom Price: £10 Times: 10pm - 6am See www.Psycle.info for details Road Block Venue: Loggerheads Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1.30am DJ’s Daddio and Beane.

Serieux. (Oxjam) Style: Tech House, Techno Venue: Muse Price: £3 Times: 9pm - 3am OrtzRoka (DSR/Turnmills) and Residents: T.Driver and L.Court.

Patty Hurst Venue: Price: Times:

Shifter Maze £8 adv 7pm doors

iLiKETRAiNS Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £6 adv Times: 9pm - 2am iLiKETRAiNS, Swimming, Grain and The Garuda Commute.

KFR 3rd Birthday Bash Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 before 11 £6 after Times: 9pm - 3am Kinda Funky Radio is 3!

Room 1 - DnB: Devize, Garry K, The Force, Paul F, Maestro, Fury and Iziah B2B Nessy, Room 2 - Jungle and Classic DnB: Neil Badboy b2b Astro, Theory b2b Lawson, Lowkey b2b Ben Force, Wings b2b Calmboy b2b Strike, Rotary b2b Redz, Zebedee b2b Lukie, MC’s Devious, Koop and Yons, Room 3 - Wigflex: Spam Chop, Kid Chameleon, Extreme, G Skratch, The Hizatron (Live) and Kuiper Belt. Hosted By Shinobi.

The Cool Off Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am

Sunday 15/10 The Rifles Venue: Price:

The Rescue Rooms £8 adv

Seth Lakeman Venue: NTU Union Price: £10 + bf Times: 8pm - 12am Reverend and The Makers Venue: The Social Price: £6 Times: 8pm - 11pm

LeftLion Unplugged Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Bruce Myers Band.

Saggy-pants Presents: Venue: Maze New Generation Superstars and Deny the Charge.

Guillemots Venue: Rock City Price: £10.50 adv Times: 7.30pm Ruby Turner Venue: Playhouse Price: £15 Times: 8pm

Wednesday 18/10

Detonate - The Next Level 06 Style: DnB, Hiphop Venue: Rock City Price: £16 adv Times: 8.30pm - 3.30am With the Valve System (Loud!)

Drum and Bass: Ed Rush and Optical Live, Jenna G (full live band), DJ Marky and Dynamite MC, Andy C and MC GQ, Dillinja and Lemon D with MC Foxy and Transit Mafia. Hiphop: Foreign Beggars, People Under the Stairs, Edan (live), Giant Panda, Santero and Detail. Breaks: Aquasky, Breakfastaz and Pete Jordan.

The Automatic Venue: NTU Union Times: 8pm - 12am Nottingham Unplugged Venue: Loggerheads With Stege Pinnock and Guests. An evening of acoustic music.

Abominable Iron Sloth (Will Haven) Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £7 adv / £8 otd Times: 8.30pm - 12am With support from The Legion of Doom.

Thursday 19/10 Salmonella Dub Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £12.50 adv VNV Nation Venue: Rock City Price: £12.50 adv Times: 7.30pm

Thursday 19/10 Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Camouflage Large opening party. Dealmaker / Buttercuts Records Presents: Illa man, WyldeyeandOscar and Blumonkey.

Supernight Venue: Loggerheads Price: £3 Plan and Apologies and Simon Haiku.

Futureproof Venue: BluePrint Price: £4 Times: 9m - 2am Dubstep: Geiom, Jon Rust, Bracky Fudge and Thomloo J. Electronica / electro / techno: Line, The Crane, Stone 3 and Aled Jones.

Flipron Venue: Price: Times: With support

Maze £5 8pm from Magic Car

Hyper Venue: Times:

Dogma 10pm - 2am

Censored Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £4 Times: 8.30pm - 12am Censored, The Fakers, The Southern Electrics and The Rise.

Soundz Global Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am

Friday 20/10 The Bronx Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £8 adv 7pm doors

Get Spaced Style: Venue: Price: Times:

with the Idjut Boys Disco, Rock Pelhams £7 10pm - 5am

Well Swung! and Oxjam Festival Venue: Loggerheads TM Juke, Fran Green, Ligre, Mike and Foe. NME Rock ‘n’ Roll Riot Tour feat. The Fratellis Venue: NTU Union Price: £11 + bf Times: 8pm - 2am Product Venue: Price: Times:

Stealth £7 - £10 10pm - 5am

Camera Obscura Venue: The Social Price: £7 Times: None Camera Obscura and El Perro Del Mar. Guilty Pleasures Venue: The Social Price: £3 - £5 Times: 10.30pm - 2am DJ Sean Rowley and friends.

Camouflage Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 (NUS) Times: 9pm - 3am Camouflage Large - 3 days of underground hiphop and beats.

See flyer / web for more details.

Mr Lif, Metro and DJ Big Wiz, Braintax and Mystro, DJ Kam and live drummer, Sway and DJ Turkish, Genesis Elijah, Lost Project and T-Cutt. Host is Blugrass.

Saggy Pants present...

Venue: Old Angel (The) Price: £3 Times: 8.30pm

Friday 20/10 Damn You! Presents Venue: Maze Price: £6 adv £7 otd Times: 8.30pm Carla Bozulich, Hrsta and Felix.

Hot Renault Traffic Club Venue: Junktion 7 Times: 9pm - 2am Cult Propaganda...

Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am DnB classics and old skool special with Mouse, Houghmeister and Timmy Hands.

Kombination Funk Style: DnB, Techno Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 10pm - late Room 1 DnB: Silent Witness, Ben Force, Mugga, Lowkey, MC’s Menace and Anger. Room 2 Techno: Mark Jacobs, John Gilbert, Ed George and Robin Marsden.

Room 3 - Electronica: Missaw, Newtek and Dazzle.

Alex Wilson Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 8pm

Saturday 21/10 Pama International Venue: Maze Price: £9 adv Times: 9pm Moon Buggy and Dub Masters.

Shearwater Venue: The Social Price: £7 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm All Nighter Venue: Rock City Price: £6 adv Times: 8.30pm - 6am Main Hall, Skindred, Basement, The Answer, Roadstar and Airbourne.

Angelic Upstarts Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £10 adv £12 otd Times: 9pm - 2am VinylJacks Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Sixties garage The Rescue Rooms £5 10.30pm - 3am

Sunday 22/10 LeftLion Extravaganza Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £5 Times: 7pm The Hellset Orchestra, Grain, Lo-Ego, Weeble, The Atoms.

Monday 23/10 Jamie T Venue: Price: Times:

The Rescue Rooms £7.50 adv 7.30pm doors

The Raconteurs Venue: Rock City Price: £17.50 adv Times: 7.30pm John Mayall / Chicken Shack Venue: Royal Centre Price: £22.50 - £26.50

Tuesday 24/10 Razorlight Venue: Nottingham Arena Price: £21 Hundred Reasons Venue: Rock City Price: £11 Acoustic Tuesdays open mic with Poppy Seed Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Melody Market Venue: Angel Arts Bistro Price: Free Times: 8pm - late Liars Club Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 9pm - 3am Bonde Do Role

Wednesday 25/10 Off the Wall Venue: Royal Centre Price: £15 / £17 Times: 7.30pm Martha Tilson Band Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £8 adv Brian Jonestown Massacre Venue: NTU Union Price: £11 + bf Times: 8pm - 12am

Camouflage presents Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £8 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm Bonobo (full live band)

Fields Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 7pm - 10pm Fields and Good Books.

Samiam and The Draft Venue: The Boat Club Price: £7 adv £8 otd Times: 7.30pm doors With support from The Wireless Stores and Milloy.

Eric Taylor Venue: Maze Price: £8 adv Times: 7.30pm

The Highness Sound System Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 10pm - 3am Well Swung Venue: Loggerheads Price: £3 (NUS) Times: 10pm - 2am Russ Porter, Capstone, Ligre and Foe. Percussion Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 9pm Napalm Death Venue: The Ballroom Price: £13 (NUS) Times: 730pm - 2am Sideshow Venue: Price: Times:

Running Horse £2 8pm

The Great Escape Venue: Junktion 7 Times: 8.30pm - 12am Epiphany Venue: Price:

Oceana £8

Goodbooks and Fields Venue: The Social Price: £6 adv Times: 7pm

Thursday 26/10 Lordi Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £10 adv 7pm doors

Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Son Records Presents: C-Mone and support.

listings...

Thursday 26/10 Ambush Venue: The Social Price: Free (NUS) Times: 9pm - 3am Poj Masta, Freeman, Ligre, Kid Chameleon, Cut Freqz, Mister Benn, Casual Breakin and Foe. Rob Da Bank Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: 10pm - 2am The Jamm Venue: Price: Times:

Junktion 7 £7 adv £9 otd 8.30pm - 12am

Friday 27/10 Tom Jones Venue: Nottingham Arena Detonate Style: DnB, Hiphop, Dubstep Venue: Stealth Price: £10 adv £12 otd Times: 10pm - 4am Hospitality presents: DnB: London Elektricity (DJ Set), Bailey, Logistics, Transit Mafia, MC’s SP, Ruthless and P-Fine. Hiphop: Kyza, Professor Green, Santero and Detail. Dubstep: Loefah (DMZ), Aled Jones and Jon Rust.

Son Of Dave Venue: The Social Price: £7 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm The Exploited Venue: Rock City Price: £10 Times: 7pm doors Ginger (Wildheart) Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £13 Times: 9pm Assault Rock night Venue: NTU Union Price: £2 b4 11pm £3 after Times: 9.30pm - 2am Dollop Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £3 - £4 11pm - 3am

Audio Massage Venue: Templars Bar Price: £4 - £5 Times: 8pm Gob $au$age plus Botnik, These Monsters and more.

Dredzone and Highness Sound System Venue: The Ballroom Price: £13 (NUS) Times: 7.30pm - 2am Foncheros Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 8pm Foncheros, Kuato, Kody and Crimson Roadmap.

Poppycock Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am

Saturday 28/10 Vampires Rock Venue: Royal Centre Price: £16.50 - £18.50 Bocajito Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am Local Notts label night with some of Nottingham’s busiest DJ’s and producers: Bob Sadler and Ron Basejam (Crazy P), Tom Bailey and Cal Gibson (Neon Heights).

exhibitions /theatre / comedy / weeklies / music Saturday 28/10 The Young Venue: Price: Times:

Knives The Rescue Rooms £8 adv 7pm - 10pm

Sack Sabbath and Led Balloon, Brit Boat Club Venue: The Boat Club Price: £7 otd Times: 8.30pm With support from Led Balloon.

B.E.A.T.S Venue: Price: Times: A Skillz and

The Social £5 11pm - 4am Pete Jordan.

Mufti Halloween Fancy Dress Party Venue: Loggerheads Times: 8pm - 1.30am Audio Massage - Black and White Night Venue: The Orange Tree Price: £5 adv £7 otd Times: 8pm doors Hellset Orchestra, Lupen Crook and The Post War Years.

Liars Club Venue: Stealth Price: £5 Times: 10pm - 4am Man Man and The Chap.

Skinny Sumo Venue: Maze Price: £5 Times: 9pm Skinny Sumo, BluMonkey, Mr Jones and Delerium Funk.

Demo Venue: Price: Times:

BluePrint £5 7.30pm - late

Spectrum Boat Party Venue: Nottingham Princess Price: £15 Times: 7pm - 11.30pm Halloween Fancy Dress Boat Party with A Skillz, Pete Jordan, Freeman and more.

Punksoc All-Dayer: Stars in their Eyes 2 Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £5 Times: 4pm - 2am The King Blues (as Meatloaf), Weeble (as Me First and the Gimme Gimmes), The Atoms (as The Ramones), Skatch (as MXPX), The Crimson Roadmap (as Muse), The Sellout Flaw (as The Misfits) and Countermand (as The Pixies).

Tempest Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Alternative, Rock Sugar £3 (NUS) 9pm - 3am

Amanda Pitt and David Owen Norris Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre Price: £12 Times: 7.30pm My Alamo Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £4 adv 10.30pm

Sunday 29/10 Once in a Lifetime Venue: Nottingham Arena Hockley Hustle Venue: Broadway Price: £5 Times: All day Sinister Sounds Presents Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £6 Times: 4pm - 12am Midnight Configuration, Katscan, Lauf Aus, Quek Junior, Avoidance of Doubt, Artificial Darkness and Forbidden Subject.

Monday 30/10 Wasp Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £17.50 adv 7.30pm

7:21s Venue: Price:

Rock City £6.50

Damn You! Presents Venue: Maze Price: £4 adv £5 otd Times: 8.30pm Talibam! and Exploits of Elane.

The Elvis Collection Venue: Royal Centre Price: £13 - £15 Times: 7.30pm

Tuesday 31/10 Acoustic Tuesdays open mic headlined by Daisy B Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Avenged Sevenfold Venue: Rock City Price: £15 adv Times: 7pm

Wednesday 1/11 Ray Davies Venue: Royal Centre Price: £26.50 Four Day Hombre Venue: The Social Price: £5 adv Times: 8pm - 10pm Rooster Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £10 7pm doors

Drum and Bass Aid Venue: Snug Price: £5 Times: 10pm - 4am Transit Mafia, DJ Nessy, DJ Quakerr and MC Yons.

Neil McAndrew Venue: Maze Price: £8 Times: 7.45pm doors INME Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £10 7pm

Ray Davies Venue: Royal Centre Price: £26.50 Times: 7.30pm

Friday 3/11 Kevin ‘Bloody’ Wilson Venue: Royal Centre Price: £16.50 Red Rack’em Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am The Tone Club Venue: NTU Union Price: £3 adv - £4.50 otd Times: 9pm - 2am Cosmic Rough Riders Venue: The Social Price: £7 Times: 8pm - 11pm City Of Dog Venue: Loggerheads Times: 8pm - 1.30am Spectrum Venue: Stealth Price: £10 adv £12 otd Times: 10pm - 5am Room One - Sound of Spectrum: Stanton Warriors, Freestylers (DJ Set), Dopamine and Pete Jordan.

Room Two – Live Spectrum Electronics: TooB (Live), Delerium Funk (Live) and Missaw? Room Three – Spectrum Live: Crazy P (live) and Dave Boultbee.

Bring me the Horizon Venue: Junktion 7 Price: £7 adv Times: 7.30pm - 12am Bring me the Horizon, Rolo Tomassi and Awoken by Moonlight.

Style: Venue: Times:

Techno, DnB BluePrint 10pm - late

Trans Global Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30 - 12am

Saturday 4/11 The Illegal Eagles Venue: Royal Centre Price: £16 We Are Scientists Venue: Rock City Price: £12.50 Times: 6.30pm doors

Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Weight Bench Presents: Cappo, Midnight and Rukus Regardless.

The Hedrons Venue: The Social Price: £5 adv Times: 8pm doors Daughters Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £6 7.30pm doors

Underground:Live Venue: The Ballroom Price: £7 (NUS) Times: 8.30pm - 2am Exodus Venue: Price: Times:

Junktion 7 £14 adv 7.30pm - 11.30pm

The Divine Venue: Price: Times:

Comedy NTU Union £17.50 adv 8pm doors

Mojave 3 Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £10 8pm - 11pm

Deathstars Venue: Rock City Price: £8 Times: 7.30pm Elaine Paige Venue: Royal Centre Price: £29.50 - £32.50 Times: 7.30pm

Monday 6/11 The Paddingtons Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 adv Dirt Club Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £2 8pm - 12am

Jim and the Belivers Venue: Maze Price: £8 Times: 7.45pm doors

Tuesday 7/11 Opeth Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £15 7.30pm doors

Ugly Duckling Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £8 adv Times: Doors 8.30pm Melody Market Venue: Angel Arts Bistro Price: Free Times: 8pm - late Peter Grant Venue: Royal Centre Price: £14.50 - £16.50 Times: 7.30pm

Wednesday 8/11 Mistys Big Adventure Venue: The Social Price: £7 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm With support from Kate Goes.

Two Gallants Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £8adv Times: 7pm - 10pm

The Smugglers Inn Style: Hiphop, Dubstep Venue: Saltwater Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1am Geiom, Red Rack’em, Beane, Dave Boultbee and Mike Greenwell.

Metalheadz LP Launch Party Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 11pm - 3.30am Commix, Doc Scott and Transit Mafia.

Willie Nile Venue: Maze Price: £8 Times: 7.45pm doors

Thursday 2/11 Highness Sound System Style: Reggae, Roots, Dub Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 10pm - late

Sunday 5/11

Basement Boogaloo Venue: Maze Price: £5 adv £6 otd Times: 10pm - 3.30am LeftLion Presents...

Venue: The Orange Tree Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am Clarky Cat and Electric Mouth.

I Love You Darkness Venue: Price: Times:

But I’ve Chosen Stealth £5 10.15pm

Basement Boogaloo Warmup Party Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am

Thursday 9/11 Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Whity, Dj Kaney King and The Petebox.

Le Chunk Style: Venue: Price: Times:

Breaks, Tech House Pelhams £2.50 (NUS) 10pm - late

The Herb Birds Venue: Southbank Bar Price: Free Times: 10pm Ambush Venue: The Social Price: Free Times: 10.30pm - 3am Kid Chameleon, Cut Freqz, Mister Benn, Casual Breakin and Foe.

listings...

Thursday 09/11 Unabombers Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: 10pm - 2am Audio Massage Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 8pm

Friday 10/11 Assault Rock night Venue: NTU Union Price: £2 b4 11pm £3 after Times: 9.30pm - 2am The Go-Go Venue: Loggerheads Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1.30am King Kahlua and guests playing (proper) garage, go*go beat and surf.

Trickster Venue: Price: Times:

Maze £4 10pm - 2am

Keep On Magazine Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am

Saturday 11/11 Pink Venue: Price:

Nottingham Arena £26.50 + bf

My Milkman has AIDS Style: Pop, Hiphop, Cheese Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £5 (NUS) Times: 10pm - 3am Ron Sexsmith Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £15 adv Times: 7pm - 10pm Something Different Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 11pm - 4am Atomic Hooligan and Freeman.

The Mighty Style: Venue: Price: Times: Hexford and

Funk Junction Funk, World Music Junktion 7 Free 9pm - 2am Louie the Leg.

Road Block Venue: Loggerheads Price: Free Times: 8pm - 1.30am Daddio and Beane.

Detonation Style: DnB Venue: The Ballroom Price: £15 adv Times: 10pm - 6am Grooverider and MC Rage, Mampi Swift and MC IC3, Friction and Eksman, Total Science and MC Wrec, Bassline Smith and Biggie, Break and Ruthless, Transit Mafia and P-Fine.

The Cool Off Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30pm - 12am

Sunday 12/11 Scissor Sisters Venue: Nottingham Arena Price: £23.50 Luke Haines Venue: The Social Price: £8 Times: 8pm - 11pm Rancid Venue: Price: Times:

The Rescue Rooms £14 7.30pm

exhibitions /theatre / comedy / weeklies / music Monday 13/11 Robben Ford Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £15 adv Rumble Strips Venue: The Social Price: £6 adv Times: 8pm doors Acoustic Tuesdays headlined open mic Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Saggy Pants Presents...

Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 8pm Opera North Venue: Royal Centre Price: £12 - £50 Runs Until: 18/11 Katherine Jenkins Venue: Royal Centre Price: £20 - £35 Times: 7.30pm

Wednesday 15/11 Less Than Jake and Dropkick Murphys Venue: Nottingham Arena Price: £17.50 Times: 7pm All Of Me - Cambell Bass Venue: Notts Arts Theatre Price: £12 Times: 7.30pm Damn You! Venue: Maze Price: £6 otd Times: 7.30pm Beverley Knight Venue: Royal Centre Price: £21.50 Times: 7pm

Thursday 16/11 The Wonder Stuff Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £15 adv Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse Price: £2 Dealmaker / Sit Tight Records Presents: LG and Biscuit and Lost Project.

The Feeling Venue: Rock City Price: £13 Times: 7pm doors

Friday 17/11 Jools Holland Venue: Royal Centre Price: £28 Times: 7.30pm

Motorhead Venue: Rock City Price: £22 Times: 7pm doors

The Other Smiths Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 adv With support from The Other Morrissey.

Nearly Dan Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £10 adv

Acid Mothers Temple Venue: The Social Price: £8 adv Times: 8pm - 10pm Fields Of The Nephilim Venue: Rock City Price: £16.50 Times: 7pm doors The Tone Club Venue: NTU Union Price: £3 adv £4.50 otd Times: 9pm - 2am Venue: Price: Times:

Stealth £7 - £10 10pm - 5am

Well Swung Venue: Loggerheads Price: £3 Times: 8pm - 1.30am Well Swung! and Stay Chuffed: Hint (Tru Thoughts / Ninja Tune), Parker and Moneyshot (4 deck set - Solid Steel Radio), Detail (Detonate) and Foe (Well Swung!).

Guilty Pleasures Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 10.30pm - 2am DJ Sean Rowley and friends.

The Green Bus Presents...

Venue: Old Angel (The) Price: £3 Times: 8pm (Hooker), The Stoatz and Monkeys Of The High Seas.

Kombination Funk Style: DnB, Techno Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 10pm - late Heavyweight Rocksteady Style: Dubstep Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 9pm - 3.30am Cult Propaganda Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8.30 - 12am

Saturday 18/11 Razamajazical Venue: Royal Centre Price: £10 / £15

Cult - Night of The Samurai Venue: Maze Price: £4 Vaccine Live, Vinyl [abort], Mouse and Houghmeister b2b Spamchop.

Supernight Venue: Price: Times:

with Yunioshi The Social £3 8pm - late

Drum Attic Lickin) Venue: Price: Times:

Twins (Finger Dogma Free 10pm - 2am

Soundz Global Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am Mozart - 250 Years of Sheer Genius Venue: Royal Centre Price: £15.50 - £21.50

Sunday 19/11

Hayseed Dixie Venue: Rock City Price: £13 Times: 7pm doors Clocks Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £5 7pm - 10pm

The Highness Sound System Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 11pm - 3am Wildside Festival Venue: The Ballroom Price: £20 For more info on the festival visit http://www.wildsidefestival.com Lovers Bloc Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 10pm

Ben Kweller Venue: NTU Union Price: £11.50 plus bf Times: 8pm - 12.am Tim Easton Venue: Maze Price: £8 Times: 7.45pm doors Marcia Jones School of Dance Venue: Royal Centre Price: £7.50 - £10.50 Times: 7.15pm

Monday 20/11 Taste of Chaos Venue: Rock City Price: £20 Times: 6pm doors Taking Back Sunday, Anti Flag, Alexisonfire, Uneroath, Senses Fail and Saosin.

Tuesday 21/11 LeftLion Unplugged Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm Kubichek Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £6 8pm - 11pm

The Resentments Venue: Maze Price: £6 Times: 7.45pm doors Soundz Global Venue: Golden Fleece Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am

Wednesday 22/11 The Bluetones Venue: The Rescue Rooms Price: £13.50 adv Primal Scream Venue: Rock City Price: £20 Times: 7.30pm doors The Aliens Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £8 7pm - 10pm

Chip Taylor Venue: Maze Price: £7 otd Times: 7.45pm doors Magic: A Kind of Queen Venue: Royal Centre Price: £14.50 Times: 7.30pm

Thursday 23/11 Word Of Mouth Venue: Muse CTRL>ALT>ELITE Ambush Venue: The Social Price: Free Times: 10.30pm - 3am Kid Chameleon, Cut Freqz, Mister Benn, Casual Breakin and Foe. Moshkitten Promotions Venue: Old Angel (The) Price: 4.50 Times: 8pm Moshkitten Promotions Proudly Present: 10 O’clock Horses and Satnams Tash.

Friday 24/11 Detonate Style: DnB, Hiphop, Dubstep Venue: Stealth Price: £10 adv Times: 10pm - 4am DnB: LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad (2 hour set) and Transit Mafia.

Hiphop: Klashnekoff, Santero and Detail. Dubstep: Skream.

Assault Rock night Venue: NTU Union Price: £2 b4 11pm £3 after Times: 9.30pm - 2am Dollop Venue: Price: Times:

The Social £3 - £4 11pm - 3am

Saggy Pants Presents...

Venue: Maze Price: £4 Times: 8pm Maximum Rhythm ‘n’ Blues Venue: Royal Centre Price: £17 - £21 Times: 7.30pm The Manfreds and special guests Chris Farlowe and Maggie Bell.

Poppycock Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am

Saturday 25/11 Bocajito Venue: Moog Price: Free Times: 8pm - 12am Local Notts label night with some of Nottingham’s busiest DJ’s and producers: Bob Sadler and Ron Basejam (Crazy P), Tom Bailey and Cal Gibson (Neon Heights).

B.E.A.T.S Venue: The Social Price: £5 Times: 11pm - 4am Missill and Pete Jordan Mufti Fancy Dress Party Venue: Loggerheads Times: 8pm - 1.30am Demo Venue: BluePrint Price: £5 Times: 7.30pm - late ‘Demo is about real music, good beats and people. Creative madness with an ethical vision.

Get involved, free Your feet.’

Monday 27/11 Last Tuesday Jazz Cafe (on a monday) Venue: Maze Price: £3 Times: 8pm

Tuesday 28/11 UFO Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £16.50 7.30pm doors

Acoustic Tuesdays headlined open mic Venue: Malt Cross Cafe Bar Price: Free Times: 8.30pm

Wednesday 29/11 Levellers Venue: Price: Times:

Rock City £17 adv 7.30pm doors

Thursday 30/11 Nextmen featuring MC Wrec Venue: Dogma Price: Free Times: 10pm - 2am

on tour

TRANSATLANTIC OPERATION words: Simon Hodge

Nottingham band Kingsize Operator went to Hollywood on tour in July and August

Kingsize Operator are Simon Hodge (Vocals), Dean Barlow (Guitar), Ben James (Keys), Scott Barnes (Bass) and Colin Ward (Drums).

We had been recommended by our LA Myspace friends that The Rainbow was the place to be. Best described as a dingy, badly lit, two storey wooden barn, laid out like a rabbit warren with rooms everywhere. The place was rammed with LA’s elite rock crowd. To be more precise the outdoor area was full of people due to LA’s smoking ban.

Wide-eyed and very excitable we must have looked like lambs to the slaughter.

The following morning we got up early, had the clichéd American Breakfast at a diner next door and then headed out for a busy day. Our first port of call was a meeting with Carolyn Fox at KHZ Radio LA at 10am. We introduced ourselves to this overly excitable lady, recorded an interview. About an hour later we got back in the jeep and headed off to get the gear. Five guys stuck in a jeep for four hours in 100 degree heat is not recommended.

who could further their career. Kingsize Operator however had a secret weapon The sales pitch began as follows: “Hi, we’re English, we’re in a band called Kingsize Operator and we are playing at… Would you like a free CD?” This was followed closely by “Would you like to buy a ticket?” The resulting response would almost always be enthusiastic, though you wouldn’t believe how many people actually thought Nottingham was in London.

That night Simon went into The Rainbow to use the bathroom. On his way in he spotted Kiefer Sutherland and with beer-fuelled confidence went straight over, barged past his entourage and introduced himself with a handful of CD’s. They proceeded to have a conversation about music and film. Series six of 24 has just gone into pre production. Just as Simon was wrapping up the conversation Dean came bounding over like an enthusiastic child and also shoving everyone out of the way proclaimed: ‘Mr Sutherland, I understand you have an amazing Gibson guitar collection...’

The Gig, also in Hollywood, was on the way back so we popped in. The talent booker was a lady called Marsha.

Things were going well until Simon asked Marsha what equipment we needed to bring with us. To our horror we were introduced to a major difference between gigging in Notts and LA. Anyone who is in or has been in a band will know that generally the headline act brings the drum kit, bass amp and will usually allow the other bands to run through their guitar amps. The logic for this is a quick turnaround. In LA every single band brings every single piece of equipment, plays their show then takes everything down. We therefore had a serious problem. We had no way of making any noise.

The look on Kiefer’s face was an absolute picture. Clearly no-one had ever broken the ice with a statement like that before. They shook hands with Kiefer, came back out to find the rest of us, then proceeded to recount their story over and over again like a couple of star struck excitable kids.

The following journey to the CD duplication company seemed to take an age. Having a thousand professionally printed CD’s with sleeves was an excellent mood improver.

We hit The Rainbow with bags full of CD’s and went on a mission to spread the word of Kingsize Operator’s arrival to an unsuspecting LA public. Everyone in LA is there for a reason. Whether you are an aspiring actor, singer, dancer, band, producer or just want to be famous, no-one dares be rude to anyone in case they inadvertently insult someone

The following night we were at it again for our show at The Gig. The feelings of excitement and adrenalin were intense.

Once again the stage was huge and about four feet from normal floor level. The roar as we started was unbelievable.

The place was full and we just went for it.

Having finally sorted out the equipment crisis by throwing money at it to hire drums and amps we were set for our first gig at The Derby. The Americans pronounce it deeeeerbi. Very annoying! The venue was amazing. The stage was massive. We headlined to a packed house, went down really well and came away from the gig with a lot of confidence. The tour had officially started!

The gig at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go was intense.

The venue started getting really busy at about 7pm. For its reputation the Whisky is not a massive place, about the

size of the Rescue Rooms. It is, however, steeped in history and has an ambience that is almost mystical. The place was heaving and once again we just went for it. For forty minutes we played and performed our songs to a fired up crowd of over 300 on the same stage where the Doors got spotted forty years earlier. What an honour! What a night.

We couldn’t get out of the building with the amount of people coming over after our show ended.

The gig at the Roxy Theatre came round very quickly.

Although it was not a full crowd the atmosphere was superb, a load of guys from the rainbow showed up and we had a lot of fun. As always, we hit The Rainbow after the show. Steve-O from Jackass was on the table next to us. Ben took serious dissuading from challenging him to some crazy stunt. He still regrets that we talked him out of making a fool of himself.

It was our last day and we had one show left. We got to Universal City for our sound check at 5pm. We had sold our quota of tickets for the show so we were looking to go out with a bang. When we got to the venue we were told that the Headline band Katcha Fire were stuck in Australia so the concert was not going to be shown live on US National TV. It was a real shame, because that would have been the icing on the cake. We were a little deflated by the news.

However, as the venue started filling up it became clear that this was going to be a good show. BB’s has a real touch of class. It has three balconies running the entire length of the stage, creating a real intimacy. We were the first band on, starting our performance at about 8pm. We played a half hour set, then two encores.

It was an emotional and drunken goodbye late on Wednesday night. Two weeks of partying, intense gigging, nearly a thousand CD’s handed out and relentless self promotion had taken it out of us. Despite the stress of living in each others’ pockets for two weeks, our desire to pursue music had strengthened to a new level. If you get a chance to play in LA, do it. It will change your life.

www.kingsizeoperator.co.uk

www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

43

words: Shedfixman illustration: Rob White This contributor has recently acquired significant evidence which suggests that alien life may have been living with us side by side for decades or at least since the advent of Cordon Bleu cookery!

It was almost exactly ten years ago, whilst visiting a girlfriend in the Czech Republic that I was introduced to the aromatic subtleties of Olomouc cheese (from the Moravian town of the same name; pronounced Olla-moutz). She knew I’d heard of its reputation for being a bit of a tabflapper, but also that I had yet to try the stuff. With this in mind, she had lovingly afforded a half kilo wedge from the local less than an hour before my arrival and stuck it away on a plate in a kitchen cupboard as a surprise in case I fancied a bit straight away. Fnarhoooaaah!

Now. Some of you will already know that I’m a keen devotee of haute cuisine. I’ll eat absolutely haute; but when all the customary greetings were all done and she announced her surprise and opened the cupboard door and took out the plate, it was a resounding ‘Ooyahferk - fwooo! whaaat the? Errr… No thanks, babe!’

I should here point out that, although it was on a plate, it was also in its crust and wrapped in clingfilm and stuffed in a tightly closed biscuit tin. Yep. It made Gorgo smell like Dairylea. Rapid and successful duckout here.

I didn’t get to try the stuff again until a very recent visit to Prague, this time with the wife. We’d just taken a break from the tourist bustle and adjourned to a tiny backstreet restaurant. Then I saw it. There. On the menyuuo. Deepfried Olomouc cheezo on the go.

‘Yeah! Yer gotta try this, Chuck! It’s esoteric! It’s gitt! It’s not what them Yorkies at the next table’ve bought. Plus, if you get traditional Czech nosh, then they usually offer yer an erperratiff!’ She seemed less than convinced, having heard my previous tale.

Well, we went for it. The deepfried cheeso was promptly served up on two plates of garden debris. Fine… until yer chopped into these small brown breadcrumbed diskettes

with yer knives and the gloop came gushing out like you’d just stomped on a tube of Bostic. The natural response was to attempt get some of the flush on yer knife or fork before it hit the salad or plate and immediately solidified. The pair of us wrestled for at least five minutes to chip the fucker off the plate with our forks and then off our forks with our knives and then off our bloody teeth with both our tongues and forks simultaneously.

During all of this, I made the boldest attempt to smile warmly at the missus, who was throughout chucking me a look which could have pulled up the Grand National from the commentary box. In fact, we’d grappled so hard with the bloody stuff that its humongous ming went almost unnoticed (apart from at the Yorkie’s table, where the odd shuffle of chairlegs went up) and we relaxed with a

couple of post traumatic beers, during which time a very disturbing thought dawned on me. Let’s see. It jumped out and glued itsen to the plate and then it glued itsen to the fork and then it glued itsen to me choppers and then it glued itsen to me tongue and back to the fork. Now. Why then didn’t it glue itsen to the breadcrumbs in the first place? How did it get out? No… how did it leap out? I want to know exactly what them sinister crispy little bastards know that the rest of us don’t!

Well; it’s now three twenty five I the morning. As I speak to you here in my Lion King pyjamas, I have a pair of nightlight binoculars trained on the remaining diskette which I sneaked home and removed from the freezer half an hour ago. No-one has ever thought of having a look at what an unattended one does before. Hah! I’ll be ready for them this time… hah!

The Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

words: Benji

Angkor represents one of mankind’s most enduring and astonishing architectural achievements. Erected between 802 and 1432 AD, it is the sacred skeleton of a powerful empire that stretched from Burma to Vietnam.

Built by a series of God, kings who strove to better their ancestors achievements, the temples are dedicated to different gods depending on the religious leanings of the king at the time.

Of over a hundred temples in the area, the jewel is Angkor Wat: the worlds largest religious building. Walking down its causeway at sunrise is an experience so haunting you are unlikely to make the return journey feeling like the same person.

Many believe Angkors geographical position is based on planet spanning sacred geography from ancient times.

The layout and iconographic nature of its sculpture indicate the celestial phenomenon of the procession of the equinoxes, the slow transition of one astrological age to another.

This is a place that everyone should witness once in their lifetime.

44

www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

This month’s Nottsword answers are all places in Nottingham where you can get a late drink, jiggle your booty and get down to some fine grooves in Nottingham city centre (but not necessarily in that order). We didn’t get a winner last issue, because everyone was too busy on their summer holidays to bother to enter. So this month we have an extra special prize of a set of six chart CD’s and a free mystery prize from LIDL.

Down 1. Cheesy bar that goes up and down (6, 4) 2. Stay at this club until the top of the morning (3, 5) 4. Indie nightclub that goes well with milk (6, 4) 5. Another cheesy club near the sea (6) 8. Minimalist late bar (3, 4) 10. Find freedom in Masonic place (6, 5) 11. Comfortable setting for reptiles (6, 5) 12. Where all the journalists go (5) 16. Popular with sailor types (4, 4) 17. Club that is likely to attack (7) 19. Don’t stand too close to this underground club (3, 4) 22. Methodical venue (4)

Across 1. Where the comedians hang out above Bar Risa (9) 3. Hard to find, yet on eponymous street (7) 6. The town of stone (4, 4) 7. Goddess of fertility, found out near the Showcase (4) 9. Where early 19th century activists keep spheres (6, 6, 8) 13. Cheesy club near the sea (5) 14. Warm and relaxed (4) 15. Traders are allowed in this Goose Gate bar (6, 3) 18. Club on the city centre outskirts, with an action plan (4, 5) 20. This late hangout is a peach (3, 8) 21. Where did Saturday and Sunday go? (4, 7) 22. Don’t get lost in Mansfield road’s late club (4) 23. Union venue where the lights always seem to be on (3, 3)

The LeftLion Pub Quiz has returned to it’s rightful home at the Golden Fleece on Wednesday nights. Blessed be to all of those who take part in this most fiendish and devilish of intellectual contests. Those brave souls compete to win a gallon of beer or a meal for them and their friends in this gladiatorial battle of the minds and beer bellies. Sample some of the weekly delights below...

NOTTINGHAMIA 6. The most expensive ticket ever sold at Rock City was for a gig this summer. Who was playing?

7. Nottingham is playing host to a huge festival in October for what kind of entertainment?

8. Which former Notts County manager was recently implicated in a bungs scandal on Panorama?

9. Which high-profile poncy bar in town is being closed down and sold off due to a 50% dip in profits?

10. ‘Bread and Lard Island’ is a derogatory term for which part of Nottingham?

ANIMAL MAGIC 11. What animal killed Steve Irwin?

12. What animal is alleged to have killed Catherine the Great?

13. What animal killed Cleopatra?

ON 13 SEPTEMBER IN HISTORY

16. Who died ten years ago on the 13 September?

17. Which non-European country declared war on the Nazis on this day in 1939?

18. On the 13 September 1899, Henry Bliss was the first person in history to be killed by what?

19. The Conservative Party elected a new leader on this day five years ago. Who was he?

20. On this day in 1922, a world record temperature of 136.4 °F was set. But on which continent?

BONUS QUESTION! Name the country.

TV CATCHPHRASES Name the programmes these catchphrases are taken from.

21. “Take your time, listen to Tony” 22. “Be nice to each other” 23. “You dirty old man” 24. “YOU! BOY!” 25. “First rule of comedy, Spike” BONUS QUESTION! The last catchphrase belonged to which character?

THE MAVERICK ROUND: GOOSE FAIR 26. What Alan Sillitoe short story was named after a tale from the Bible and a ride at Goosey?

27. Which film has its final scene at Goose Fair?

28. What did Gordon the Gnome used to give you when you went to see him?

29. Scotland’s Tallest Man was a regular feature at Goose Fair, and it was claimed that he was so tall that he could step over which object?

30. Is Goose Fair worth the money?

ANSWERS:

1. Who recently, and controversially, quoted Emperor Manuel II in a speech?

2. Who was the first Premiership manager to lose his job this season?

3. According to pest control officers, rats in the city centre are growing to the size of what other animal?

4. What political party held its annual conference in Brighton?

5. Which country held this year’s Ryder Cup?

14. What animal killed the Greek playwright Aeschylus when it was dropped on his head by an eagle?

15. What animal nearly killed the Queen Mother on several occasions?

CURRENT AFFAIRS: 1. The Pope 2. Bryan Robson (West Brom) 3. Otters 4. The Lib Dems 5. Ireland NOTTINGHAMIA 6. Whitesnake 7. Videogames (Game City) 8.

Sam Allardyce 9. Geisha 10. West Bridgford ANIMAL MAGIC 11. A stingray 12. A horse 13. An asp 14. A tortoise 15. A fish ON THIS DAY: 16. Tupac Shakur 17. Canada 18. A car 19. Iain Duncan Smith 20. Africa BONUS ANSWER! Libya TV CATCHPHRASES: 21. Bullseye 22. Mr & Mrs 23. Steptoe and Son 24. Grange Hill 25. Hi-De-Hi BONUS ANSWER! Ted Bovis MAVERICK ROUND: 26. Noah’s Ark 27. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning 28. Lucky Beans 29. A Mini 30. No.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

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45

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

Libra (September 24 - October 23)

Relinquish control. The dice will decide your future from now on. Write six options on a piece paper of what to do tomorrow. Then shake on it. Put your destiny is in the hands of your six-sided friend.

Happy Birthday! You’re looking muchacha attractiva, so don’t let the passing years worry ya sweet. You’re looking so dandy in fact that I want to get primeval and start mating here and now. Let’s get some fruit and make like Bonobos!

Taurus (April 21 - May 21)

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)

Seven bottles of bourbon in seven nights, you sill wouldn’t figure it out. Something queer is going on around this place… and I’m not talking about that bloke who you know from the yard. Look deeper and you will learn, but don’t stick your neck out.

When you’re at Goose Fair this year have a look around you. Why do the geese not come anymore? In years gone by they used to flock to the place with their families and sell out.

Now they can’t stomach it at all. How things change hey…?

Gemini (May 22 - June 22)

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 22)

Bloodshed is a nasty business. Power tools offer a distinct advantage, but can be messy on carpets and furnishings. When you make the journey to buy the hardware remember black bags and sponges. You must clean before you are clear.

Have a good search around your house for booze. Anything stronger than wine is two points per half pint glass. Drink as many of them as you can and it will bring good luck. If you reach a dozen points then you’ll have nice dreams tonight.

Cancer (June 23 - July 23)

Capricorn (December 23 - January 19)

I’m a monkey’s uncle? That’s weird bro!! I blame the excessive amount of banana’s you fed to the kids when they were younger. I told you to lay off, but you’d always want to poke another ‘nana through the bars of their cage…

Rollerdiscos are go. Normal steppy-legs dance parties are out! If you ain’t got wheels then you’re missing the essential style addition of the last century. Those rolly-rolly badboys are your ticket to becoming a bona fide Hockley fashion icon.

Leo (July 24 - August 23)

Aquarius (January 20 - February 19)

You have a smile that could light up the world... or at least your living room. Particularly if you gargle a pint of paraffin with a lit match between your teeth. Pyrotechnics will play a big part in your future. Lighten up.

Gorillaman wants a word with you. He’s not happy about that bad batch of bananas and he’s been told that you’re the person responsible. Now is the time to have a good think about ways to satiate the hairy fella. Milkshakes perhaps?

Virgo (August 24 - September 23)

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

Ancient wisdom says that calm comes before the storm. But what if it’s raining and you’re already feeling calm? Some would say the only solution is to get angry. It’s fun and gets you out of an awkward situation.

Looking up at the stars can leave you in a state of awe. They’re so big and you’re so small that it can make your head spin like a planet in freefall. However, this is not the time to get dizzy, but a time to assess your cosmos. Hair are your aerials man!

Merry M Robin H en oo Ruckus d

ALAN A’DALE

30%

Hardness rating (%) r Robin)

Kids bagsy order (afte

after Streets in Notts named

them

after them Bling rappers named

46

Appearances on TV shows

4

s Appearances on TV show

www.leftlion.co.uk/issue13

LITTLE JOHN

FRIAR TUCK

3RD 0 0

Appearances on TV shows Hardness rating (%) Kids bagsy order (after Robin)

5 60% LAST

Streets in Notts named after them

1

Bling rappers named after them

0

WILL SCARLET

MAID MARION

6

Hardness rating (%)

90%

Kids bagsy order (after Robin)

1ST

s

Appearances on TV show

6

Appearances on TV show s

35%

Hardness rating (%) r Robin) Kids bagsy order (afte

Streets in Notts named after them

0

Streets in Notts named

Bling rappers named after them

1

after them Bling rappers named

after them

NEVER

3

Hardness rating (%)

65%

Kids bagsy order (afte r Robin)

1

Streets in Notts named after

0

Bling rappers named

them

after them

2ND 0 0

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