NE Online Magazine Issue 11 by Wayne Groves

FEATURING Salvagers Bob Salley Minnie Forrest China Drum Lee Hunter Peter Adams Derek Brettle

LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS WITH ANDY “SINGE VERT” THOMPSON

Hi Chris and welcome to NE Magazine, for the few readers who must be living in a cave somewhere and don’t know who you are how about giving th em a quick l ow- down o n yourself? - Hello! Can’t help but think I’m writing your interview introduction for you here, oh well… I’m a stand-up comedian from South Shields and I’m also a bit of an actor now and then… but mainly a comedian… that might not come across as well as it should in print form, but I am. So there. At the moment it’s hard not seeing you on the TV when we switch it on as you’re everywhere, but what has been the highlight for you so far? - Not everywhere though am I? If you turn on QVC and I’m selling a frying pan, just assume you’ll find me floating face down in a river very soon. The highlight for me so far was probably being in Hebburn. Since starting comedy I always wanted to try my hand at being in a sitcom too so I was over the moon to do one with my mate and so close to my heart, and I got to work with Vic Reeves. I know you had a bit of a crazy time with fans wanting pics and autographs when you were having a few drinks in a South Shields bar recently, how are you finding this, does it put you off going out? - Not at all. Any person in that position who has been on TV or whatever and people want photos (I’m trying my best not to say celebrity here!) who pretends they hate the attention is a liar. You don’t go for a career on TV because you don’t want anyone to notice you. As long as I’m not eating or having a shit when you want a photo then it’s no problem at all… I meant, like on the toilet, not just in the middle of the dancefloor.

Have you had any weird fan requests or incidents? - Not really. The odd person will show up to a gig with my face on a T-Shirt, or bake me a cake, or send me a dead animal in the post but other than that it’s just photos and autographs. A little kid in Hebburn when we were filming asked me to sign his micro scooter… that was a bit weird. As well as being a bit of a regular on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 out of 10 Cats you are now starring in the North East based sitcom Hebburn, how did that come about? - My mate and fellow comedian Jason Cook decided to write a sitcom about the town he was from, Hebburn, and he actually wrote me a little side part which he named after me. But when it came to being made the BBC asked me to read for the main character, and when I got it, Jason took the part that he’d written for me! It came about so gradually that I didn’t really realise the enormity of being lead role in a BBC2 sitcom until I saw the advert on TV. I nearly passed out. How has the response for Hebburn been so far? - Overwhelmingly positive. And we just won Best Drama at the RTS North awards too. And we’ve got a second series! You are now embarking on your biggest tour to date, how do you feel about this? - Yeah incredible! It’s an extension of my last tour, Feeling Lucky. I did 60+ dates in 2012 but the demand for tickets was so high and people enjoyed the show so much that I’m doing another 40 odd dates this year in much bigger venues. I can’t wait to get back out on the road.

Are there any venues on the tour that you are looking forward to playing or any you’re quite nervous about? - The Theatre Royal in Newcastle. I absolutely can’t wait. I used to watch panto there when I was a kid. I’m

We l c o m e N o t e . Thank you to everyone who took the time out to read and share our last i s s u e . Yo u r k i n d w o r d s a n d s u p p o r t i s a l w a y s a p p r e c i a t e d . To d a y w e w e l c o m e a n o t h e r c o n t r i b u t e r, w e n o w h a v e cartoons by Derek Brettle and The Last Laugh, please show him some love v i a h i s Fa c e b o o k p a g e . H e a l s o h e l p e d c r e a t e s o m e a r t fo r a n a d v e r t w e h a v e i n U S C o m i c S a l v a g e r s , a l s o fe a t u r e d i n t h i s i s s u e , m a ke s u r e y o u r e a d t h e interview with Bob Salley and you go buy your copy now! As always, if you have something you want to see in a future issue then d o n â&#x20AC;&#x2122; t fo r g e t t o d r o p u s a n e m a i l t o contact@neonlinemagazine.com Till next time Ta ke c a r e Wa y n e

EDITOR & DESIGNER Wayne Groves wayne@neonlinemagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS Ian Berry Photographer www.ianberry.co.uk info@ianberry.co.uk

SPONSORS Cineworld Boldon www.cineworld.co.uk SCREEN-CON www.screen-con.com The Sage Gateshead www.thesagegateshead.org Ocean Beach Pleasure Park www.oceanbeach.co.uk Quasar Elite South Shields www.quasarsouthshields.co.uk For all queries or if you would like to feature or advertise in NE Magazine email contact@neonlinemagazine.com Unless stated otherwise all competition entries should be sent to win@ neonlinemagazine.com Plus you can catch up with us online for news, events, blogs, competitions and more at www.neonlinemagazine.com Follow us on Facebook - http://www. facebook.com/pages/N-E-OnlineMagazine/248245728604190 join us on twitter @NEOnlineMag

Greame Baty Photographer www.facebook.com/ GJBPerformancePhotography g.j.baty@gmail.com Karl Keogan www.skindeepphotography.com Derek Brettle www.facebook.com/ lastlaughcartoons lastlaughcartoons@gmail.com

P6 Minnie Forrest is back P15 Minnie Forrest takes on China Drum P20 Andy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Singe Vertâ&#x20AC;? Thompson P27 Red Hot Sunglasses Competition P31 Lee Hall Unleashed P36 Bob Salley Space Adventurer P42 Peter Adams

SCREEN-CON has firmly established itself as the fan favourite of all the conventions that take place here in the North East. It is a well ran event ran by fans for fans, something that clearly shows. Despite the pressure and bully boy tactics of some of the bigger conventions, SCREEN-CON is back and it is even bigger! Saturday May the 3rd will see the Park Leisure Centre in North Shields invaded by all manner of creatures, monsters and very recognisable people from the world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy., Film and TV, Comics and Books, even the odd Computer Game Character thrown in for good measure. Expect to see all of your favourites from Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Marvel and DC plus a whole hos of characters you may not be so familiar with. One thing that is guaranteed...every one is going to have an amazing time. Doors open at 10am for those with the early bird tickets, those paying on the door will be let in from 11am onwards, but judging from the previous 2 SCREENCONS I would suggest you

get there early to make sure you don’t have to wait ages. Though the one thing that is guaranteed, unlike other supposed “Big Conventions” who shall remain nameless, If you come to SCREEN-CON then YOU WILL ALL GET IN! Granted, you may have to Q for a little while, you won’t be stuck outside in the cold all day. This convention does actually look after it’s fans and will make sure you are not left waiting for hours.

The line up for SCREEN-CON 2014 is looking fantastic. They have some great guests in attendance, all wowing the crowds with photo’s, autographs and some good banter. You will have to pay extra for autographs but you won’t be charged silly money for them and you won’t have

to pay more for a photo and you will not be herded through like cattle only there to fill someones bank balance. As I said earlier, this is a convention ran by a fan for the fans. So this issue will introduce you to the guests appearing at this May’s SCREEN-CON as well as showcase last years SCREAM-CON which was held at the Park hotel last October. We will have the winner of the Horror Short Story Competition plus we will be showing off the photo’s that you all sent in from SCREAMCON with prizes going to our favourite photos. It is time to wet your appetite and get you all excited for Saturday May the 3rd and the return of SCREEN-CON 2014...I can’t wait!

Minnie Forrest is Back! North East Legend Minnie Forrest is back and this time she is not alone! We caught up with Minnie and the line up of her new band, guitarist Ian Anderson, bassist Gav Gray and drummer Adas Cowan. Photos by G JB Performance Photography Hi Minnie. Its good to have you back in NE. For any of our readers that may have missed you first time around why don’t you tell them a bit about yourself? I’m singer and very occasional alternative model when I can be bothered to put some make up on! So what’s new in your world? Been busy working with a new band line up! It’s been a breath of fresh air and I have really enjoyed writing new songs with them. Also Ian and I recently supported Ed Tudor Pole in May and I briefly meet the man himself! How did the band come together? I formed this band with different musicians a couple of years ago after my covers band moved to doing original music. It was portrayed more as being a solo project but in reality it has always been a full band set up. After a few line up changes I’m feeling very settled with this one! Phew! Ian, the guitarist, had an ad on Big Ginger Git’s Gig Pit. I got in touch as we are into a lot of the same music. He initially brushed me off haha. I let it lie another month or so then made contact again. This time he was up for it! Gav, on bass, is a friend of Ian’s so he got him on board and I knew drummer Adas from his other

band. So here we all are. One big happy and quirky musical family! How have you guys found it working with Minnie? Ian: She’s madder than a box of frogs but it keeps things fresh and interesting. Gav: The great thing about Minnie is her youthful enthusiasm towards music. When you have a busy life and other commitments, its sometimes hard when music isn`t your sole profession. Thats why I agreed to join her band after meeting her just once. She can pull a melody out the air, writes good lyrics and has blue hair... For now! Adas: I think we all work together really well. it is proving to be a very good unit with plenty of good idea bouncing around. Given a bit more time i think the unit will become stronger and this will show in the music and live performance Tell us all a bit about yourselves! Ian: I’m into all kinds of music and have played in bands doing everything from Chicago Blues to Thrash Metal over the years. Got into mandolin a couple of years back, but Mandie won’t let the bluegrass beast in me come out to play. Apart from playing guitar, I also build and repair guitar amps/pedals

and am the man behind HTH AMPLIFICATION. Have done work for lots of name acts, but I don’t kiss and tell. Oh, and I play in a covers band too (to keep the wolves from my door). Gav: Been playing bass for about 6 months until I blagged my way into a band 20+ years ago. Was never one to play with my tool in the house. Started playing bass coz everyone had a guitar ( I wanna be a drummer really) ! Im not very tall, have lots of crap tattoos and can finally grow a full beard, of which is ginger. Adas: I’ve been gigging around the area and more lately around the country for the best part of 25-30 years, playing all types of music originally punk based then moving more into mainstream, all types of venues, I wont list everything as it would just go on and on .... Where did the name come from? Minnie: My dad used to call me it! It’s the name I have always gone by with regards to signing so just kept it for band! Found that easier when the line up changes etc! What can we expect from you guys this year? Minnie: Got a few good support slots this year,

including TV Smith, and hopefully we will get some more! Hope to get some of our songs recorded soon too so the masses can hear! How did your gig come about with China Drum? Minnie: I emailed them and asked if they needed a support band for their Newcastle gig in December. They didn’t but they asked me to play at another event that they were organising! Bit of cheek can go a long way... How can people come and see you both play? Minnie: China Drum are headlining HERMIPALOOZA and we are one of the support bands. This event will take place on from 12pm on Saturday 28th June 2014 in Ovingham, Northumberland. Have any of you played in other bands in the past or do you play in any others now? Minnie: Apart from all the

bands that never made it beyond the practise room I used to be in Minnie and The Victors. Got to play at lots of blues festivals, concerts and biker rallies including being on the same bill as The Stranglers! I also feature on the last Toy Dolls album! Ian: Yep, I play in a covers band called Trilogy based in Newcastle. Its a good laugh most of the time and keeps me out of mischief. Gav: I`ve been playing for the Tygers Of Pan Tang for the last 3 years. I played with Robb and Jess in 1999 and was asked to do 3 gigs as a favour 3 years ago !!!? Still wont let me go haha. Played with The Almighty for 2 years when Floyd got sick and played on their final studio album. Up until then Ive played with Runt, Automatic, The Junkies, Swampfreaks, Liberty, Crisis Children, The Buckets, Blitzkrieg and all-round drunken lad band Powerage.... Adas: Currently playing in Reet Hot Chili Peppers, Star Spangled Chest Wigs and Roots Radicals. Shared the stage with many

including Girlschool, Doctor and the Medics, Funeral for a Friend, Goldie Looking Chain and a few more, but i,ll keep the name dropping to a miinmum :P ha ha! As a group who are your main influences? Minnie: I see us four as being into our own thing and bringing it together in the practise room. We meet in the middle with rock, doom, grunge And punk! I personally am influenced by Queens of The Stone Age, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Hole, Babes in Toyland, Drain, to name but a few. Ian: Now you’re asking, phew - where to start. I’m into everything from Muddy Waters to Cannibal Corpse and everything in-between. I suppose its raw, honest music I like in all its forms - something with heart and emotion. When I write for this band, I tend to think of stuff like Soundgarden, Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, QOTSA and a bit of punk for the aggression.

Gav: When I first seen Motorhead, the rest is history.... Now I listen to all types of music, from Jack Johnson to Combichrist. Big riffs and pop choruses are my thing, I just love hooks. Never been influenced as such by any one musician as I believe that anyone, no matter how talented or naive, that wants to play an instrument or sing, deserves credit for just loving music maaaaan. Everyone finds their way through music, its as important as life itself ! Adas: My influences are pretty wide spread I like all types of music to list would be hard to choose, I seem

ones but to be honest i would love to sing with my grand mother Rhoda Paul. She was a music hall singer, impersonator. comedienne and actress. She died way before I was born and I have always wondered what her voice sounded like. I know it was a big so I must take after her!!!! Ian: I’m not crazy bothered about meeting or jamming with musicians I admire. I’d much rather have jammed with my Grandmother on my Mam’s side - she was a South Shields lass and got a scholarship in London studying as a concert pianist. Pretty rare in those days for a

over the years... They are my heroes! Adas: Dave Gahan is a cool one and would like to have a drum off with Chad Smith.

to keep going back to the likes of Depeche Mode, New Model Army and Red Hot Chilli Peppers they are never that to far away for me ears :)

working class woman to get such a place, so she must have been a pretty phenomenal talent. I’d love to have met and played music with her, she was a real character too by all accounts. Gav: Again, I`m not phased by “stars” as such, I have the most respect for the guys I play with now and all the musicians Ive played with

Minnie: Chips, crisps, chips, peanut butter, chips, gherkins and finally chips!!!! Ian: Sharpes Doom Bar, Mr Porky pork scratchings and a good deep-pan pepperoni pizza. Gav: Dry cider.... I never get it in Europe ! Adas: To be honest not far of Minnie’s list. Can’t help myself around Crisps - ohh

If you could perform on stage with anyone who would it be and why? Minnie: Hmmm now you’re asking a tough one!!! I could name a few super famous

Describe yourselves in one sentence? Minnie: Just me... Ian: Introspective cat-lover with a penchant for death metal. Gav: My ears go deaf alot but when I see palm trees, I smile. Adas: Love cheesy horror movies. I like to think I solid and reliable and a canny chap Bands are well known for their riders, what would your rider be if you could have it?

and Pizza. Where is your favourite place to gig and why? Minnie: There’s been a few great places I have played including Harrogate Blues Bar, Whistle Binkies in Edinburgh and Gypsy Rose Bar in Dublin as well as Stormin’ the Castle! Amazing audiences and a pleasure to sing in! Ian: I played a biker rally a few years back near Carlisle. It was a right adventure played on the back of a flatbed trailer in a marque for a load of biker clubs. Stayed up all night and drank till the sun come up - was a biblical experience and I’ve never quite been the same since. Gav: From sweat boxes to festivals, it doesnt matter at all, as long as the band play well, everybodys happy and nothing serious breaks. The Kazbah in Sunderland (long gone) still holds fond memories. Adas: Different places for

different bands. I really like playing the Tribute Festivals you meet a lot of cool people and make some real good contacts for future gigs etc. What has been the most embarrassing thing to happen to you at a gig? Minnie: I’m saying nowt! Ian: Not sure about embarrassing, but I broke my foot at soundcheck in Leeds around 2001/2 in a band called Velatones that I’d formed a couple of years earlier. Since we drove there specially for the gig, I did it anyway, just stood on one foot - not my finest hour; was in cast for six weeks after that. Gav: Nearly fainting on stage at Camden Underworld and the usual stuff everyones experienced like strings snapping, amps dying, slipping on spilt beer, flicking the wireless switch to the wrong channel etc etc etc. Adas: I’m with Minnie on this one!

Tell us one secret each! Minnie: The boys all think I’m the best singer ever! And ever!!! Ian: If I did, then it wouldn’t be a secret any more. Gav: Sometimes I put beer cans in the regular wheelie bin. Adas: Minnie thinks she a great drummer – Shes NOT! :P Minnie: I sooooo am!!!

Hi Tony and welcome to NE Online Magazine, how about telling our readers a bit about yourself? Well I am 56 years old and married with 3 kids and 3 grandchildren. I live in Ponteland near Newcastle. I have always enjoyed playing sport and entertainment so Variety was an easy choice for me. I like to sing and play the guitar. Also golf has become a new obsession! Variety, the Children’s Charity is a fantastic charity but could you tell us a bit more about it? It has quite a unique history really. On Xmas eve 1928, a baby was abandoned on the steps of the Sheridan Square Theatre with a note pinned to her dress! It read; Please take care of my baby. Her name is Catherine. I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others and my husband is out of work. She was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to god that you will look after her. Signed, a heartbroken mother Catherine’s parents were never found. Catherine was effectively ‘adopted’ by a group of show business folk who named her CATHERINE ‘VARIETY’ SHERIDAN! They provided for her until the age of 5 when she was formally adopted. Catherine went on to live a full life having children and grandchildren of her own. She died in 1994 her legacy however proved to be far greater. From the group of 11, who formed the Variety Club charity in 1928.It led to Variety as we now know it which is truly global. It has now been operating in the UK. Over 60 years. We are most commonly

known for our unique sky blue Sunshine Coaches but we supply lots of support to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the North East. Everything from wheelchairs to sensory equipment. We also help children to have memorable experiences such as trips to sporting events, theme parks, cinemas and theatres. People might not realise that variety is split into regions; can you tell us how that works and why it is done that way? Yes, basically we have a headquarters in London but the rest of the country is divided into 8 regions. What this allows us to do is operate on a national level with big corporate sponsors but very importantly we raise funds locally to spend locally. So how did you come to be involved with them? It was a chance meeting with the then chair Bob Gladwin. I told him that I was recently retired and that I would like to get involved with a children’s charity. The rest as they say is history! And how have things changed since you first started helping? Charities are like running small businesses and the recession has hit everybody. We have therefore had to work really hard to make sure we are efficient. None of the volunteers who work for Variety are paid at all. We also have to make sure that functions that we run as fundraisers are affordable. Having said this we still manage to provide loads of useful equipment to the children and it’s very rewarding. What ways do you use to raise money? We are best known for our tributes to local people who have both achieved in their careers and helped North

East charities such as Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, Sting, Robson Green, Tim Healey and Denise Welch, Mark Knopfler, the Duchess of Northumberland and most recently we had a great evening with Joe McElderry. But that is not all we do. We run golf competitions, dances, musical evenings and most anything that raises funds. It is incredible how little money we need sometimes to change a young person’s life! Also there are many occasions when people have their own events or complete some challenge such as the Great North Run and donate the proceeds to Variety which is incredibly helpful. Of course with the way Variety is set up we can spend every penny of that on the children. What has been the highlight so far for you? Difficult one! The best bit is always when you deliver whatever we have bought to the child and see their reaction. How can our readers get involved with Variety? There are many ways, from joining the committee to helping at events, sponsoring equipment or running their own events. We are always looking to harness people’s skills and creativity. Or simply text VCNR12 to 70070 to make a small donation You recently put on a tribute to Joe McElderry, what went into putting on such a big event? It is like managing any large project really. We have to set up a group of people with the relevant skills and draw up a plan. Everything from the budget to the entertainment to the flowers on the table needs to be planned and delivered. It is a bit like planning a wedding! Then there is the day itself to

minnie forrest takes on

china drum NE online decided to let China Drum fan and singer Minnie interview Adam Lee before her gig supporting them at HERMIPALOOZA! What have you guys been doing all these years away? Think the last time I saw you live was when I saw down in London in 1997! Well, we have been raising family’s, we all have kids now, apart from John and Kate, who, incidentally, are our new guitarist and drummer, making an honest living...........just the usual stuff! What were your musical influences growing up? We all had a massive input from our parents playing music all the time, didn’t think it at the time though, haha! I was into bands like The Police, The Kinks, The Stranglers, Wire, The Clash,

SLF, The Only Ones, but the main influences were Hüsker Dü, Mega City Four, Leatherface, amongst others! What was the first vinyl you bought? The first album I bought was The Kinks Golden Hour, which you can’t get now! First single was The Sparks, second hand from the second hand bric o brac shop in Prudhoe. What sort of music do you listen to now? I listen to Weezer, The Foo Fighters, Bob Mould, I mainly jiggle on the spot in the kitchen while listening to Thelma Houston and The Pressure Cooker.............. that’s Thelma, not Whitney haha. Are there any local bands that you follow apart from mine now? I love watching bands at The

White Swan Ovingham. There is a really good young local band from Ovingham called Lyrical Whisky, destined for great things. Which person was a good influence/support to you in the early days? We had full support from Mega City Four and Leatherface, these two bands gave us the chance to tour for the first time and gave us advice on all aspects of the music industry, we are so grateful for this, without them, we would never have the memories we have now. :) Where did the name china drum come from? We wanted a name that didn’t mean anything apart from the band, (political or radicle) so without making a word up, one of our mates, who, bizarrely, had a trucking magazine on him at the time,

read an article describing a breaking system for HGV called â&#x20AC;&#x153;An English China drum - â&#x20AC;&#x153;Enough power to stop a Scaniaâ&#x20AC;? so we nicked the â&#x20AC;&#x153;China Drumâ&#x20AC;? bit. What was your favourite gig to play and why? We have so many â&#x20AC;&#x153;favourite gigsâ&#x20AC;? we opened on the main stage at Reading â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;95, just after being signed by

achieve as a musician? I would love to release a fourth album, Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a rehearsal like with china drum in the room? Deafening and very entertaining What are your main hopes in putting on an event like HERMIPALOOZA and where did the name come from? eight mint bands on, together with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goosefairâ&#x20AC;? type stalls in the main stage area. We are donating a large portion of ticket money to the MS Society who offer fantastic support to MS sufferers. Our website will have all details on there too, http://www.chinadrum.co.uk Do you have any cool party tricks? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can drive that loaderâ&#x20AC;? haha, I can spin my tongue 360 degrees, make my eyeballs shake, and fall over a lot. :) Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ye favourite thing to have for your tea? Sausages :) Do you like cats? I love cats me liiiiike! Yes, but I can never eat a whole one.............haha.....We have a cat called Millie who is very fluffy and bullies our boarder terrier.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mantra Recordsâ&#x20AC;? believe it or not, that was my first ever festival experience! We took our Hovercraft that we had bought with some of our advance, and raced it around backstage at Reading, we ended up getting stuck on the ground guard mesh and we had to get a push from Greenday. Who was the nicest or not so nicest musician you have ever met? We toured the States with Ash, such a lovely bunch of people, crew and band. What would you still like to

The name came from mixing â&#x20AC;&#x153;lollapaloozaâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hermitageâ&#x20AC;? our main hopes are raising some money for the MS society, being diagnosed four years ago, I wanted to raise awareness of the disease but also have live music and a mint day out for everyone, 28th June, 12pm til 11pm, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an outdoor event held at our camp site, camping for one night is included in the ticket price. We do have tickets If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to camp on the concession part of the ticket site, tickets go on sale 25th May, ticket link is http://www.wegottickets. com/event/274507 We have

Will you put me on the guest list for the Newcastle academy gig pretty please haha? đ&#x;&#x2DC;&#x20AC; Yep, but you will have to remind me nearer the time ;) Will do!!!

Hi Chris and welcome to NE Magazine, for the few readers who must be living in a cave somewhere and don’t know who you are how about giving th em a quick l ow- down on o n yours yourself? elf? - Hello! Can’t help but think I’m writing your interview introduction for you here, oh well… I’m a stand-up comedian from South Shields and I’m also a bit of an actor now and then… but mainly a comedian… that might not come across as well as it should in print form, but I am. So there. At the moment it’s hard not seeing you on the TV when we switch it on as you’re everywhere, but what has been the highlight for you so far? - Not everywhere though am I? If you turn on QVC and I’m selling a frying pan, just assume you’ll find me floating face down in a river very soon. The highlight for me so far was probably being in Hebburn. Since starting comedy I always wanted to try my hand at being in a sitcom too so I was over the moon to do one with my mate and so close to my heart, and I got to work with Vic Reeves. I know you had a bit of a crazy time with fans wanting pics and autographs when you were having a few drinks in a South Shields bar recently, how are you finding this, does it put you off going out? - Not at all. Any person in that position who has been on TV or whatever and people want photos (I’m trying my best not to say celebrity here!) who pretends they hate the attention is a liar. You don’t go for a career on TV because you don’t want anyone to notice you. As long as I’m not eating or having a shit when you want a photo then it’s no problem at all… I meant, like on the toilet, not just in the middle of the dancefloor.

Are there any venues on the Have fan tour you that had youany areweird looking requests forward or to incidents? playing or any -you’re Not really. The oddabout? person quite nervous will show Theatre up to a gigRoyal with my - The in face on a T-Shirt, or bakecan’t me Newcastle. I absolutely a cake, or send me a panto dead wait. I used to watch animal in the post but I’m other there when I was a kid. than that it’s just photos and autographs. A little kid in Hebburn when we were filming asked me to sign his micro scooter… that was a bit weird.

How has the response for Hebburn been so far? - Overwhelmingly positive. And we just won Best Drama at the RTS North awards too. And we’ve got a second series!

You are now embarking on your biggest tour to date, how do you feel about this? - Yeah incredible! It’s an extension of my last tour, Feeling Lucky. I did 60+ dates in 2012 but the demand for tickets was so high and people enjoyed the show so much that I’m doing another 40 odd dates this year in much bigger venues. I can’t wait to get back out on the road.

LOOKING THRO

WITH ANDY “SINGE

As well as being a bit of a regular on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 out of 10 Cats you are now starring in the North East based sitcom Hebburn, how did that come about? - My mate and fellow comedian Jason Cook decided to write a sitcom about the town he was from, Hebburn, and he actually wrote me a little side part which he named after me. But when it came to being made the BBC asked me to read for the main character, and when I got it, Jason took the part that he’d written for me! It came about so gradually that I didn’t really realise the enormity of being lead role in a BBC2 sitcom until I saw the advert on TV. I nearly passed out. How has the response for Hebburn been so far? - Overwhelmingly positive. And we just won Best Drama at the RTS North awards too. And we’ve got a second series! You are now embarking on your biggest tour to date, how do you feel about this? - Yeah incredible! It’s an extension of my last tour, Feeling Lucky. I did 60+ dates in 2012 but the demand for tickets was so high and people enjoyed the show so much that I’m doing another 40 odd dates this year in much bigger venues. I can’t wait to get back out on the road.

who allows me time of work to chase my passion. If any of our readers have attended a sportsman’s dinner then chances are it was you that took their photo, is that the only style of photography you do? No, not at all I’ll point my camera at anything from sports to music photography, food and drink to photo journalism. I’m at my worst for the wife when I’m away on holiday as I spend my week away snapping the locals

Hi Andy, welcome to NE Magazine, So how about you tell us a bit about the man behind the lens? Hi I’m Andy Thompson more universally known as Singe (a long story involving burning my hair one day) I live in Stanley, North Durham and I’m imminently hitting the big Four-0 and so far no sign of a midlife crisis

Tyson. It sort of grew from there where I was snapping everything for him from interviews in the local press to covering live music events. My big breakthrough came when I was asked to provide a meet and greet service at his sportsman’s dinners where you print of the photos on the night so the guest goes home with a little keepsake. It’s immensely hard work for a few manic hours but still a very rewarding job

How did you get into shooting these events? I’d known local event promoter Steve Wraith from Wraith Promotions for a while through Sunday Morning Football and obviously had seen his events advertised on Facebook. I badgered him for a wee while about covering his events and to try and get a toe in the door. Finally he gave in and got me along to a night with world cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst. Talk

And who has been your favourite celebrity so far? It’s certainly been an interesting ride and I’ve found myself in some unusual situations, backstage with bands like The Buzzcocks and The Farm, lunch at Wynyard Hall with Sir John Hall, chauffeuring footballer Rob Lee. On a whole everybody has been spot on to work with. However there have been one or two moments of big ego rage that I’d best not comment on for legal reasons.

about starting at the deep end. He obviously liked my work as I covered a few more things for him over the next few months, sportsman’s dinners with Peter Shilton, Gazza and a big one with Mike

If you could shoot anyone at an event who would it be and why? I’m privileged to say I’ve already photographed a lot of my sporting hero’s and who’s to say what’s around

So how did you get into photography? I’ve always been an arty person and spent years drawing cartoons etc. I always had an enjoyment of taking pictures form a young age this just sort of developed over time pardon the pun. Then I bought a decent camera and got better then I bought an even better camera and guess I got better still. I’ve probably been seriously into photography for the last 7-8 years. Is photography your full time job or is it more of a hobby with you?? It was a hobby but now I guess it’s a full time part time job. I’m actually the contract manager for Oliver’s Tree Services and thankfully have an understanding director

the corner for me. If I could photograph anybody it would have to be somebody from the past, a historical figure somebody like Admiral Lord Nelson or Adolf Hitler. I think Hitler had a distinctive look and immediately recognisable I’d also like to ask him ‘why’

Journalists to help with this. Photography for me is getting images out there for people to see even if it’s just on my Facebook page. What’s the point of capturing a great image and it’s locked away unseen on a laptop!

If people need a photographer why should they come to you rather than a friend with a camera? In all honesty I wouldn’t say they should. If you’re arty and creative pick up a camera and have a go yourself! It’s all about confidence and an eye for a shot. There is way too much snobbery in the photography industry where none photographers are supposedly not allowed to have a go. If you’re good at your job you should never worry about other people taking work from you.

What kind of images do you prefer to shoot? I actually prefer macro work shooting random day to day objects from an obscure angle. Like a pile of screws on a desk something that makes people say ‘oh what’s that?’ What has been your biggest highlight so far as a photographer? That’s a hard one, not one particularly moment springs to mind, I guess the biggest thrill for me is getting good feedback from a customer or seeing work published even if it’s just in the local newspaper, I’ve recently joined the National Union of

There are lots of people who inspire me, mostly other local photographers who I follow on Facebook. It’s always good to check out their work and see how they are progressing or what new things they have been up to

Who/what inspires you with your photography?

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get started in

photography? Stick with it; don’t lose faith in yourself or your ability, but the best equipment you can possibly afford and take as many photographs as you possibly can pushing the boundary each time Do you have a Facebook or a website where people can see your work? I certainly do www.singevert.vpweb.co.uk Or do a search for Singe Vert Photography on Facebook

No I think that sort of wraps me up in a nutshell to be honest Thank you for sharing your work with us Andy and I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of you here in NE My pleasure and thanks for having me

Tell us 3 random facts about yourself? I once stole a strawberry from Mike Tyson’s fruit bowl I’ve sat in a changing room and witnessed a Kevin Keegan pre-match team talk I’ve seen Toyah in her bathrobe (any male over a certain age will appreciate that one) Anything you would like to add?

LEE HALL UNLEASHED

Hi Lee and welcome to NE Online Magazine, convention regulars will know who you are but how about telling our other readers a bit about yourself? My name is actually Lee Hall but most people know me as Lee Hunter because of the connection with Hunter Toys. I live on Teesside and I’m married to Sharon and I have 3 children. I’m 40 something years old! So you’re the man behind Hunter Toys, how did this all come about? I’d always been a huge Star Wars fan and I’d been buying and selling Star Wars toys for years, I found myself

unemployed in 2010 and had to sell some of my collection to make ends meet then decided to try to make my hobby into a full time job, it worked. I opened a store in Stockton in September 2010 and Hunter Toys is still going strong, we closed the physical store in 2013 to concentrate on online sales and to spend more time at events and now we organise them too, through our new company Hall or Nothing Events. With a lot of people shopping online now how has this affected your business?

Between 50-75% of our sales have always been online so even with a High Street store we still sold online. We do prefer events for selling at, it makes the business more personal and it’s great to meet and chat to fans. Sometimes after a fun day at a Comic Con or Star Wars Fun Day it’s hard to believe how lucky I am to have a job like mine. Do you have a holy grail, an item that you’ve been trying to find? My collection has always been transitional so the pieces I value most are the things people have bought for me as presents. I tend to

of like minded people under one roof because of something I organised.

collect through my son now so you can imagine how good a Star Wars collection he has for a 10 year old boy? I have done some valuation work for Vectis Auctions in Thornaby and I’m always amazed at the collectables they turn up. Over the years I’ve seen and handled most of the items seen by collectors as ‘The Holy Grail’ and thoroughly enjoyed seeing them. My favourite Star Wars figure is the 1980 Han Solo Bespin on Empire Strikes Back card. Don’t ask me why because I’m not really sure!

Assemble was made by Disney, is that not the greatest super hero movie ever made? JJ is such an amazing director, he single handedly saved Star Trek! I’m sure the story and script will be flawless too, I love George Lucas and I am a fan of the prequels but I feel a team of script writers working with George could have made the them so much better!

Being a huge Star Wars fan yourself I have to ask…who is your favourite character and why? Darth Vader, the whole saga fom Episode 1 to 6 ws about a good man that fell to the dark side and ultimately redeemed himself. What man wouldn’t destroy the whole galaxy to save those he loved?

I’d always wanted to see a decent Comic Con type event on Teesside and a friend of mine held 2 events on Teesside before handing the reigns over to me. I’d held small events in the shop in Stockton before so felt confident enough to make the step up. I knew that if I could find the right venue then it would be a success, as the saying goes ‘build it and they will come’. Events of this type are all about the people that attend them, the fans, the geeks and the cosplayers. Without these people events like Teesside Unleashed are nothing. It’s a great feeling to see hundreds

What are your thoughts on the up-coming Star Wars movies? I’m excited, very excited. There’s been so much debate about the Disney connection and JJ, I see only good coming from this. Avengers

As well as having stalls at conventions you have also set up your own convention, what made you get involved in that aspect of things?

How stressful is it putting them on yourself? I’ve got some great friends that I can seek advice from, Mark Longman from Geeks Unleashed and Al & Vickie Elliott from Screen-Con have provided invaluable advice and support. My friend Robyn Alderson helped me organise and run Teesside Unleashed 3 and without her I would have been lost. I’ve also got a really good bunch of friends that I can rely on and the costumers and cosplayers that come to my events are just amazing! It can be stressful and I’ve had a few sleepless nights I don’t mind admitting, my family is also very supportive! With each event I organise I do learn that little bit more and it is becoming easier and the events even better! Some conventions have special guests, if you could have any 3 guests alive or dead who would they be and why? I’ve met so many stars over the years and most of them are simply amazing. My favourites are Pam Rose, Jeremy bulloch and Warwick Davies. Off the top of my head I’d have Karl Pilkington, Johnny Depp and George Lucas as my guests. If any of our readers have never been to a convention before why should they attend yours? Teesside Unleashed is a mid size Comic-Con/Geek Fest based in Middlesbrough. We usually have a star signing, 60 or so tables of geeky traders and literally dozens of costumers. This is the 4th time we’ve held it. We pride ourselves on being a family

friendly and accessible event, the entry fee is only £2 for adults and free for children. We are also holding smaller events aimed at children who want to get into the cosplay scene. Teesside Unleashed in on 13th September 2014 at Marton County Club in Middlesbrough and Min-Con on 30th July at the same venue. A certain convention held at the Metro Radio Arena has really left a sour taste in people’s mouth’s, what are your thoughts on the subject? We attended the event as a family and got in without problem, the event itself was excellent but what upset me was that my friends were outside in the queue and couldn’t get in. We couldn’t share our experience with the people we wanted to! I can’t comment on organisiation or ticket sales because I don’t have all the facts. What would you say to people who may have been put off because of it?

If you want to visit an event like this and have been put off then try one of the ‘smaller’ events in the North East like Tesside Unleashed, Screen-Con or Sci-Fair. You have now set up a new venture, Hall or Nothing Events management, tell us all about it? There are so many great events around now the calendar is close to saturation so I thought I’d branch out into events other than comic cons. Hall or Nothing Events specialise in organising conventions and trade fairs and offer a professional service covering all aspects from planning to promotion to design to event management. We also offer advice and support to charities. We have already got 2 events on Teesside under our belt working in partnership with Who-Ray shop in Stockton and we are really looking forward to working on some new projects. What have you got lined up for the rest of 2014? 2014 is very busy, we have

Alliance 3 with Who-Ray in June, Mini-Con in July, Teesside Unleashed in September and Bat-Con in October. If the first Mini-Con is a success we hope to run this out to other towns in the North East. We are also looking at further events with local retailers so watch this space! Where can people follow your different ventures? My preferred medium is Facebook so add me as a friend - Lee Hunter (Hunter Toys) or search Hunter Toys or Hall or Nothing Events. Details of all of our events can be found there. We can be contacted for all enquires at lee.hunter@hunter-toys. co.uk or phone 07904 644087 Is there anything you would like to add? I’m proud to be part of a scene where I have made friends for life and met so many amazing people! It doesn’t matter what you are into, movies, comics, games or cosplay just remember to have fun!

Bob salley space adventurer If you are a fan of comic books and adventures in space then read on as we catch up with the man behind brand new comic series...Salvagers.

Hi Bob, welcome to NE Online Magazine. You are the creative force behind the brand new comic series Salvagers but I think it’s time to introduce you to the world so how about you tell us a bit about yourself? I’m a middle aged geek with a dream of telling stories about spaceman. I live in Boston with my wife

and 1 year old daughter… earning a living as an Office Manager. So, Salvagers, tell our readers all about it? It’s not your typical “hero” story… it’s a crew of coworkers, each with their own issues, trying to make their way through life, love and redemption.

Which of the Salvagers characters would you say is most like you? All of them have a little bit of me in them… I’m the clown, the king, the warrior and damsel in distress all wrapped into one. Have you always been interested in comic books? My entire life… Spiderman,

Star Wars, X-Men… you name it! What is the first comic that you remember really blowing you away and making an impact? X-Men #240… The Inferno Series. I immediately fell in love with the Marauders as a band of villains. Where do you get your inspiration? Probably my full-time job… as Salvagers is pretty much about an eclectic group of beings who work together, I take a lot from the interactions of my own co-workers. What is your favourite comic book/character and why? Iron Man… Alcoholic, Womanizer, Hero… what’s not to love? How difficult was it to make Salvagers a reality? Very… but also a lot of fun and enlightening. I’ve learned so much over the past year, in regards to working with Artists, Colorist and Letterers,

as well as, the technical side of getting a comic book from Script to Print. But the fun’s just started. What has been the hardest part in making it happen?

Capital… it’s an expensive thing to create your own comic. What advice would you give to other people who want to do their own comic? Somerset Maugham said it best…

Don’t worry about the writing. Tell a good story. …and take good care of your artists. By the time this comes out Issue 2 will be hitting the shelves but what have you got planned for Salvagers in the future? I don’t want to give too much away, but things are going to get worse for this crew before they get better. Where can people keep up to date with you and Salvagers? www.facebook.com/ SalvagersSeries How can people get hold of a copy? www.HoundComics.com Is there anything you would like to say to our readers? If you’ve gotten this far, you can shoot us an email at S a l v a g e rs S e r i e s @ g m a i l . c o m (Subject: Issue One) and we’ll send you a free digital copy of Salvagers #1 …and thank you!

Peter James Adams is a 25 year old writer from the North East of England. Writing since the age of 15 it has only been this past year he has started to take his writing more seriously and seek an audience. Peter's influences come from a variety of different writers such as Lord Byron, Alexandre Dumas, Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Gaiman, Mike Mignola and Ed Brubaker. Writing mainly poetry and short fiction, Peter loves trying new forms to keep himself fresh. Over the next few pages you can read some of his work with more appearing in future issues. You can follow Peter on twitter @petehitmanhart 42

THE FIRE RISES by Peter Adams

The fire burns It doesn’t stop in its destruction to tell you why Neither does it halt to turn around and watch people cry Full smog ahead, it needs to scorch more fuel to exist Help is summoned with little hope as all they can do is try The fire burns bright Homes now resemble smouldering ruins as is the very core of society Businesses burnt to black grey charcoal as is the very centre of the economy People spend decades building their lives and now its all gone Gone forever, our beloved humanity The fire burns ablaze Engulfing flames set upon anything and everything so don’t feel discriminated Scalding embers fly, you don’t get a choice in being assaulted The world is quickly turning reminiscent of a desert made of black sand Transforming into grainy ash, even at six feet under your still getting cremated The fire burns hotter than a sun It cares nothing for anything or anyone’s feelings Greedily burning all things to a crisp, it’s hungry for feedings Its own destructive ways will be its undoing Terminating everything till there’s no fuel left, leaving desolation and nothing

Chemical Sea by Peter Adams I walk down a road so bitter so To chase off demons with a few fast blows They call it fun and they call it new But I for one stamp down for done To leap and climb Jump and fall He beckons the great disaster at the call To camp and bend Batter and straight Your about to learn failing has become all the rage As personal pain comes and goes you stand up and weep Wishing to be with someone together forever Perhaps there’s nothing you can’t reinvent or steal to keep But then again maybe you’re just not that clever To stand and stare as others fight You may as well blow out the lights To fist and jab at the curtains door You fail and learn And now it’s you that is hitting that floor You fall and your mind begins to churn There’s no coming back now that you’re in deep Starting to wish that for the whole time you’ve been asleep Look at me! Tell me what I have done? Look at me! What have I become? Personal pain has come and destroyed who you are You know now ‘together forever’ is just a cheap trick idea Rehashing the same old things just leads you straight to the bar You can’t outsmart the scheming ones as their conscious is clear

Spring Arrives by Peter Adams

Wintry snow Melting into Spring showers. Somethingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Flowing in. Out goes Those horrid Cold demons. Spring breeze Flowing in. Blowing away Winters problems. Goodbye ice, Shadows and Rank darkness. Goodbye winter. Spring leaves Peeping out. Spring showers Watering them.

Goodbye ice. Yellows, greens Warming minds. Goodbye winter. Growth, warmth Happy confidence. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cover Yourself any Longer. Less Layers show Peachy skin. Hello you. Fashion disguises Natural bareness, Be naked. Not wolly Sleaves and Nylon legs. Peachy skin. Hello you. 47