Open Magazine Winter 2013 by OPEN Magazine

OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

WINTER 2013 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

WINTER 2013 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Editor: Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk Creative Director: Robert May rob@open-mag.co.uk Director & Sales: Michael Smith mike@open-mag.co.uk Director: Adam Duffy adam@open-mag.co.uk Sales: Michael Tremarco michael@open-mag.co.uk Website development: Stephen White prettyflystudio.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS: David Crighton, Francesca Kearns, Ashley Waugh, Kieran Owens, Victoria Melia, @Scousebirdprobs, Yaw Owusu, Sarah Emanuel, Vaughan Jones, Ant Chandler If you are an aspiring writer with something to say and would like to contribute to OPEN go to openthecity.co.uk/write-foropen/ Photography: Mike Brits Special thanks to: BBC Radio 1Xtra, Dave Monks, Peter Guy, Lost Art, Lifestyles Fitness, Jayne Moore, Becka Corner and Justine Mills of Cricket.

EDITOR’S LETTER Because we are so thankful to everybody who picks up and reads OPEN magazine we thought we would take this opportunity to publish some of our favourite reader’s letters. Unfortunately, we have only received one and this is what it said: Sirs: Please note that the vile f-word (and the “s-word”), is NOT acceptable in a magazine, or at any time. So the next time KOF gives an interview would he wash his filthy 2012 mouth out! Thank you. Yours faithfully P.L Ps. The same goes for ‘Scouse Girl’, who is also insolent and sewermouthed.’ (“your” means “belonging to you”. “You’re” = “you are”.)

Thanks for reading! Issue three of OPEN has the regular fix of style, culture, and stuff going on across the city. We have turned to the brilliant Tea Street Band to offer us their alternative guide to Liverpool, you won’t hear about these people and places on The Yellow Duckmarine city tour (page 10). BBC Radio 1Xtra recently invited OPEN down to their live show at the Echo Arena and offered us access to their star performers. As we were led backstage to the dressing rooms we weren’t sure what craziness to expect but it was relatively quiet, just a few runners and Plan B wandering about. He didn’t want to talk to any press at all. Labrinth did though and he was a nice guy. We proceeded to pick his brains (page 14). Have you ever seen street skaters around town pulling off mad tricks and jumps and thought to yourself, ‘that looks amazing’? We have. So we contacted Lost Art the skateboarding shop on Bold Street and asked one of their main boys, Vaughan Jones, to offer us a beginners guide to skateboarding (page 44). We also continue in this issue with the integration of Layar technology enriching selected pages with digital content – it’s all explained below. Oh, and a belated Happy New Year from OPEN!

Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk

For subscription info go to openthecity.co.uk. Open is published four times a year.

Illustration: Robert May

OPEN MAGAZINE City Point, Unit 14, Great Homer Street, L5 3LE Web: www.openthecity.co.uk Phone: 0151 207 4925 Email: info@openthecity.co.uk Twitter: @open_magazine Facebook: www.facebook.com/ openthecity Printed by Custom Print Ltd, Liverpool.

OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

WINTER 2013 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

WINTER 2013 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Lead singer Timo walks you through the city of his youth, and beyond.

Timo Tierney lead singer of scouse quintet The Tea Street Band is proud of his city, “I know it’s a cliché – but I’ve been fortunate enough to see most of the country touring and I can say there is no where like Liverpool. We all get tarred with the same bollocks but that’s what brings this city together… Too many Tescos for my liking though. That’s the only downfall with here. Too many Tescos.” The Tea Street Band formed around two years ago, Timo, James, Lee, Nick and Dom are a real band of brothers having known each other for over ten years previously. For them getting together to play music is just the same as playing 5-a-side football is for other lads. But some people play football even though they can hardly kick a ball, The Tea Street Band on the other hand are one of the best in the city at what they do. Their music is now used officially on the Liverpool FC channel and also used as the goal of the month theme tune on Everton FC TV. Get in. Now The Tea Street Band invites you to walk through the haunts of their youth, and the people and places that have influenced the band to this day.

The Tea Street Band: (From L to R) Nicholas Otaegui, Timo Tierney, Dominic Allen, Lee Smith, James Albertina OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

KENSINGTON Timo says: I’ll have to say the best area of Liverpool is Kensington. I was born there in 1982 and when I was growing up it had a massive feeling of community – everyone knew one another. It was a boss place to grow up. Going The Royal (Hospital) to do tezzers and down the museum for a game of man hunt armed with stink bombs. It felt like I could get anywhere. Me mum and dad still live there and all my mates from junior school are still all me mates. It’s classic Liverpool. Cobble stoned streets… but like most places they’ve sucked the soul out of the place.

PLEASURE ISLAND Timo says: Pleasure Island was one of the greatest things to ever embrace Liverpool in the 90s. One of the best days I ever had was when my mate had a birthday party in there and they closed off the works for the 17 of us. I was doing the death slide with out the potato sack. We were all hyped on Um Bongo and sweat was just pissing out me. The smell in there

was just like the un-bathed feet of young people. Quasar was sound too, always like some 17-year-old lad in a Kenwood jacket just killing everyone. I hated the roller dome, again there was always older lads in there, tales of ‘they’ll tax your shoes them’ and those lads holding girls hands whilst skating - full of posers and not for me. Go on YouTube and type ‘Pleasure Island Liverpool’ there’s a great video on there of the place. It fills my heart with joy.

THE BEATLES MONUMENT CAVERN WALKS Timo says: The best monument in Liverpool is definitely The Beatles one in Cavern Walks – it looks nothing like

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them! Cavern Walks is mad enough as it seems no one is ever in there but take a minute to go and look at it – it’s garbage! The Ken Dodd one in Limey is funny too. Who on Earth makes them!?

GREATY MARKET Timo says: I used to get dragged to loads of markets by my mum and older sister on the hunt for Marksy’s (M&S) seconds in ‘Greaty’. I always hated the Heritage Market it made me feel dirty and it just seemed to be full of Lacoste jumpers with crocodiles looking awfully

ill. Just loads of jarg stuff in there. It used to be sound for all the pirates on VHS in the mid 90s though! I remember getting Ace Ventura from there. Kenny Market was just insane – just full of shite. I think that’s called a flea market?

EVERTON PARK SPORTS CENTRE Timo says: There used to be loads of ‘baths’ in Liverpool. Everton Park was always a favourite of mine in the summer holidays because they’d get this big inflatable assault course out. Kids would just be going mad in there. I also used to go to Peter Lloyds, they had a slide. I always thought the life guards were moody though. They wouldn’t let you bomb or nothing. Always had the whistle out shouting at some kid. Heatwaves was crazy. Like a day out, well it was, it took about an hour getting there!

cheap, always got good music on too and a nice atmosphere. I went through a dirty phase of eating Nabzy’s. The additives in that red salt got to me. I was like a prisoner to Nabzy’s. Like a modern new age smack. I then realised one day it’s absolute dog shit. You can smell it from anywhere if you smell hard enough.

Expect to see and hear more of The Tea Street Band in 2013, the lads are set to release their new single Dance With Me sometime in February and say as well as plans to record an album they are looking to embark on a big tour around March or April.

PURPLE AKI Timo says: The greatest ever urban myth has got to be about Purple Aki. I know there is definitely some truth to his legend but some of the stories I’ve heard about him could be made into about three blockbusters - Aki 1-3. Stories of him getting people to do press-ups with him on their back in the car park under the O-Five-One! I remember once I was coming out of the Spar on Dale Street and he was coming in. I shit myself! I got out of there and bolted down Stanley Street. I’ve never walked as fast. I reckon I was right too; he may have carved PA on my arse cheeks!

THE STATE Timo says: Me sister used to bring tapes in from The State, I was too young to go but I used to love the music. That’s what I try and write my tunes like, great

melodies but the chords never change. The high notes of euphoria that’s what I’m influenced by. We want to try and bring back that culture of it being like a youth club when we play. Everyone knows everyone in there; they know each other will be there with everybody just there to enjoy the music. No posers, no snarlers, just people there to enjoy their night. Waxxx is like that now. I really enjoy going to their nights

The boys have started making waves in the national media getting listed on The Guardian’s New Bands Up North Top 10 earning the following glowing appraisal from the reviewer, “what I love about this band is the urge I get to feel their music beat in my chest. I also admire their positivity and passion to make people feel good and get lost in their music.”

they had D/R/U/G/S on the other week after we played the Kazimier. Everyone just dancing and having a good time. People are struggling, they want more than to just watch a band. They want more bang for their buck! Boss DJs, boss music and getting home about 10 the next day remembering it for the rest of their lives.

‘Escapism’ is how the band like to describe their music and we wouldn’t bet against a big festival appearance this summer. Worthy Farm anyone?

NABZY’S Timo says: I’m always eating out. I live up Lark Lane so there’s loads of places to eat around here. We are spoilt for choice though. Years ago you’d settle with Wimpy, the cafe in BHS or TJ’s or a sausage roll. You can basically get anything in town now. I like eating in The Brink. It’s nice food and dead

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It took him a little over two years since producing Tinie Tempah’s massive hit Pass Out but Labrinth finally got a number one to call his own when Beneath Your Beautiful featuring Emeli Sande topped the charts last November. OPEN grabbed a chat with the Hackney born singer/songwriter and record producer as he passed through Liverpool recently for the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live show…

I wouldn’t say I’ve seen quite a bit of it – we’ve been to like clubs but nothing like in terms of cultural or anything like that. The clubs were sick – a lot of lady attention! Have you got any friends from Liverpool? I have family from Liverpool. And I remember I used to think Liverpool was like another country when I was

many talented people in every part of the UK and not all of them, like you know people go to London because it’s the capital and they’re like ‘oh this is where the action’s at’ but there’s so much – come on man, like dub step came from like Bristol you know what I mean? So you kind of, that says it all you know what I mean. So yeah hopefully they get more recognition as well. What have been your highlights over the past 12 months? Oh man, there’s been loads. Releasing Earthquake, like the mad love 40 million hits on YouTube from the video, releasing an album, having a number one on my last single - it’s been mad man. X-Factor performance, MOBO performance, there has been so many moments when I’ve been like, ‘wow this year is getting better and better’. Has there been a moment where you have had to pinch yourself?

You have been in Liverpool a lot lately with 1Xtra Live and the MOBOs recently. How do you find the city? Yeah, yeah I think I’m coming back again, like for another gig, but yeah Liverpool’s been good to me man because I don’t know, they keep asking for gigs over here so I’m like ‘cool, thanks man’. Do you get to see much of the city?

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really young so anyone that came over from there I was like, ‘what do we take a plane to there?’ I used to love Liverpudlians, like every time they come to London I used to end up being friends with someone like that. So yea, it’s cool. Are there any urban acts coming out of Liverpool that you have heard of? No I haven’t – but that’s the annoying thing as well, like you know there is so

I think getting the number one was a moment where I was just like, ‘oh wow’. Most artists sort of go out on there last singles kind of, like you know it usually starts on number two, number three, number four and then it’s like number forty! You know what I mean, so it’s great to kind of come back. I’m really happy that this album has had the success that it has had and just the shows, and the fans - it’s been a slow grower but it’s been a great experience for me man.

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You’re a recent breakthrough act, can you see anybody out there at the moment under the radar that you think will make it big? Well I’ve been signing a lot of artists as well. I have a record label called Odd Child and yeah Emergency Room I think are gonna’ kill it and they were on my tour actually recently. There’s loads man there is so many artists coming up I can’t even remember half of the names! What can we expect to see from Labrinth in 2013? More music, I’ve got some hip hop stuff coming out soon, I’ve got some rock stuff coming out soon. I’m just gonna keep making music man like literally go where the wind takes me cause that’s what I sound like and that’s what I do anyway.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? I think my New Year’s resolution is always go for what makes you happy. And I know that sounds very cliché or very simple but I think that is a very, very big thing. For a lot of artists as well that’s the same advice I would give to new artists. Go for what makes you happy instead of what makes you money or what makes you successful. I think happiness is better than all those things. What are you obsessed with right now? Do you know what I’ve been playing backgammon, I’ve been killing that game recently you know and I’ve been killing God of War 3 that’s the game man.

My mum you know, she had nine kids on her own and they’re all musicians, all successful musicians so I’ve got mad respect for her bringing kids up on her own - especially in Hackney! What’s your vice?

What’s your most prized possession that you’ve still got from when you were a kid? I have a bag, you know they used to

have those JD Sports bags, I don’t know if they still have them, the kind of plastic ones. Every one used to wear them at school, I’ve got a bag full of those of just lyrics, loads of crappy terrible lyrics, embarrassing lyrics or like just ones that I’m like, ‘oh that’s not too bad now’. What’s getting played a lot on your iPod right now? I’ve been listening to DMX – Slippin’ that tune’s just been on replay. I’ve been listening to a lot of Tupac at the moment – Brenda’s Got A Baby, killing that. Just loads of old school records and old school jazz records as well. Is there any one particular album that you wish you’d made?

The youth is wasted on the young that’s from a very, very old man (laughs). Who’s your all time hero and why?

Any tips for people looking to get in

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Do you man, don’t follow the trends man. Trends die out quickly, but if you do your own thing it will last as long as you want it to.

I’ve been drinking Mount Gay Rum (laughs) it’s from Barbados and you basically don’t get a hang over, so you can drink a whole bottle and it smashes you! It’s like 48% and you wake up in the morning with no hangover. Me and my cousin had a really crazy night on it and just woke up the next day like, ‘ok what are we doing today man?’ no problem.

I always wish I made Off The Wall by Michael Jackson, that’s sick. Always wish I’d made The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, that’s sick. And I always wish I made OK Computer by Radiohead, they fucking kill it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?

to producing music?

You can watch highlights of BBC Radio 1Xtra Live at bbc.co.uk/1xtra.

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Dubbed ‘the Scouse Mercury Prize’ the GIT Award is back for 2013 –who needs to go to London for recognition? Last year saw the inaugural GIT Awards, which in a nutshell is the brainchild of Peter Guy and is built on the Mercury blueprint, taking its name from the acronym of his definitive music blog, ‘Getintothis’ which has its finger on the pulse of the Merseyside music scene. This means that now there is no need for artists to move down to London to live in a rat infested squat in the pursuit of recognition, only to fail and end up addicted to smack and whoring out their body to feed their cancerous habit. OK, I don’t actually know of that happening to anybody but you get the point, talent can be rewarded and championed right here in Liverpool the same as you can get addicted to smack here too. Now I’m rambling. We spoke to Peter to see what it’s all about (the award, not smack).

Open: What was the driving factor behind forming the GIT Award? Peter Guy: I’d been writing Getintothis for five years, and every year I do my round up of the year and write tongue in cheek jibber jabber about the best of what’s happened musically on record and on stage. But I also write a serious commentary on what’s gone down in Merseyside acknowledging those that have made a special effort to make Liverpool tick. I usually do a write up on a Local Hero who’s gone that extra mile with the likes of artist Gary McGarvey, producer Joe Wills and promoter Andrew Ellis all being given a big shout out in the past.

Liverpool institutions like Bold Street Coffee, Static Gallery and Probe Records to arts institutions like FACT, Elevator and the Bluecoat to internationally recognised players like Liverpool FC, Cream, NME and The Guardian. Then it all went a bit silly and the BBC, MTV and international media were getting in touch. What will the judges be looking for in the candidates and what was the deciding factor in last year’s winners Loved Ones? Simply, great music. I suppose they should also reflect why Liverpool is such a vital breeding ground for superb contemporary music.

However, as I approached five years of blogging, I noticed just how much quality music there was happening in Liverpool and yet there was so few media channels reporting on it, so I came up with the idea of The GIT Award - to hopefully spread the message far and wide and give Liverpool music more recognition. I knew it’d be a risky proposition as awards in art are subjective, open to cynicism, politics etc - but I really believe Liverpool is the best place in the UK for producing new music, and the cornerstones of the arts scene are on such a creative high that it was worth giving it a shot. After pinging out a few emails and making a few calls, the momentum grew and before I knew it we had 88 companies on board - from the likes of integral indie

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Regarding, Loved Ones, I think all the judges were blown away when they heard their tracks. They were one of the 12 who were very early doors in the final shortlist - and many of the judges felt passionate about their inclusion from the get go. Nik Glover, I think, is one of Liverpool’s best song writers and the band he has behind him is phenomenal. They have all contributed to Liverpool over a number of years and I think it was their time to

be recognised. The strange thing about Loved Ones winning was Nik gave me their album about nine months before the awards took shape. It is called the Merry Monarch. Most people won’t know about that record because it was recorded then re-recorded. They are contemporary but rootsy, almost have a Scouse sound to them but at the same time are a world away from the characteristic Liverpool sound. I think they were a very popular win. Although it does sound clichéd all 12 shortlisted were superb. For 12 artists to come out and everyone go ‘Wow! That’s the reflection of one city?’, it shows the strength and power of Liverpool’s music scene. So many of last year’s nominees have gone on to good things since, is it safe to say that just making the final shortlist of 12 is a great achievement? I’d like to think so. I would like to state that the artists themselves who were nominated are all incredible and I believe they would be given recognition by whoever stumbles across them. However, I think when they were all lumped in that big GIT team the wave of momentum took things further. Waking up on the weekend after the Award show and seeing Miss Stylie in the Guardian, and the review of the show all over the Red Button on the BBC was fantastic - I’m made up every time I see those artists getting press - I still buzz off seeing Esco all over the MOBOs, it’s just great for Liverpool music. I hope it continues for a long long time.

New music 2013

Loved Ones perform at 2012 GIT awards

Out of the hundreds of entries received to date do you feel any genre is currently under represented that you would like to see more of?

together too long and we’d released our first single ‘Are You Hiding Out In Hell?’ not long before, so it just seemed like a smart thing to do.

Pop music. I think, with the exception of a handle of very young, upcoming talents, Liverpool needs a vital new pop star or pop band. Good pop music is probably the hardest form of music to nail but when it happens it’s pure magic. Prince is my all-time favourite - he’s the complete pop star. I’d also like to see a few more electronic and metal artists get involved this year.

How did it feel to be named winners on the night?

Musicians, bands and creative types who would like to enter for this year’s prize still have time to do so, the cut off is late February. Just send four tracks to getintothis@gmail.com or alternatively post to Peter Guy, The GIT Award, Liverpool Daily Post & ECHO, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L69 3EB. Note: Sending links via Soundcloud is probably the best way to go

Wirral psych/dub exponents Loved Ones where the worthy winners of last year’s first GIT Award. We caught up with them to see what’s been going down since. Open: What are your thoughts on the GIT Award and why did you enter? Loved Ones: We entered on the spur of the moment. Loved Ones hadn’t been

The night was brilliant. All the performances were fantastic, and the whole thing just had a nice feel to it. We had no concept that we might win. By the time it came around I was a bit drunk to be honest. It was great! What have been the highlights for Loved Ones since winning the award? We’ve been locked in the studio for pretty much 12 months! Our new video was shot by Ian Gamester, which was part of the award, so it paid off. We launched our new single a few weeks ago, at Leaf again because it worked so well for the GIT. What can we expect to see from Loved Ones in 2013? Our first album ‘The Merry Monarch’ will be out in Spring, so we’ll be touring in support of that, and we’ll be working on another installment of our radio version of Olaf Stapledon’s ‘The Last and First Men’. Other than that, writing, recording, the usual.

We asked the cream of Merseyside music who the new local and international talent to listen out for in 2013 are:

Esco Williams – Ah sound. Erm, Jetta and MiC LOWRY, I’m not too up to speed on new international talent at the minute, I’m all about the domestic!

Miss Stylie – Esco Williams and Aystar. Internationally, Sandflower from New York. She’s recently signed and it’s her year next year! We have just done a collaboration together. Producer David Khane Paul McCartney’s producer that’s set to drop early 2013.

Timo of Tea Street Band – Erm… hard one… locally, Bang On. Internationally Chris Maloney.

Bang On - Lee Scott - Originally from Castlefields, Runcorn he’s already pretty much a legend on the UK hip hop scene and will be coming with some new beast noises for the New Year check his ‘Happy Sellout Shit’ on Youtube now. -Grems - Again, he’s pretty much a legend in France check him and his group PMPDJ, their live show in particular, kills it.

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Words By: Yaw Owusu

Just over 5 years ago, rap legend Nas declared “Hip-Hop Is Dead”. Even though many took offence to the statement, the lack of sales, interest and originality within the genre were all held up as prime exhibits that Mr Jones was indeed correct. Today, however, it is clear that his statement couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a plethora of new Hip-Hop artists that have developed their style and following in the online world and subsequently taken their movements from the world wide web to world wide stages – bucking trends and setting them all at the same time. Check out the top 5 hottest rappers from the NeXt Generation that are worthy of carrying the Hip-Hop torch to places it’s never been before.

KENDRICK LAMAR (25 yrs) This Compton native is resurrecting the West Coast Hip-Hop scene and at the same time has thrust himself into the position of the saviour of Hip-Hop. Why? Well everything from his complex lyrics and concepts, to his amazing live show to the allure created by his Dr.Dre cosign. Kendrick Lamar’s debut album ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ will undoubtedly be classed as a Hip-Hop classic.

JOEY BADA$$ (17 yrs) The 18 year old Brooklyn based rapper has only released one mixtape – 1999. Due to his amazing online game and various high profile shows, Joey Bada$$ has become the hottest teen rapper out since Kris Kross. His sound is a throwback to early 90’s Eastcoast Hip-Hop, which has the heads believing that the golden era has returned and lives through his work.

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AZEALIA BANKS (21 yrs) This Harlemite had us on lock with the infectious “212”, which she initially released for free. The record not only became a dancefloor filler and a underground classic but it also charted in various countries, setting in motion both domestic and international tours. Azealia definitely has got a winning formula, fusing the sound of progressive electro house with Hip-Hop attitude and flows.

MAC MILLER (20 yrs) The 20 year old rapper from Pittsburgh is the new great white hope of Hip-Hop and is as close a contender to the hottest in the game than anyone else in this list. A funny and entertaining rapper who is proficient in the lyrics department, Miller has amassed a crazy amount of support, which led to his first album ‘Blue Slide Park’, debuting at Number 1, despite being an independent release.

A$AP ROCKY (24 yrs) A$AP Rocky created a phenomenal buzz way before a label A&R knew what an A$AP Rocky was. His solo mixtape, entitled ‘LiveLoveASAP’, quickly gained critical acclaim and accolades from the likes of BBC, BET and MTV. Alongside his crew, A$AP Mob, he is creating a brand new Hip-Hop movement, which incorporates film, music and fashion.

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You know how it is when you can’t decide which of two dresses you want to buy? Both of them look fabulous and if only you could split yourself in two and wear both! Here’s a selection from the spring 2013 ranges from Cricket and Miss Francesca Couture... Credits Photography: Mike Brits Stylist: Becka Corner Make up by: Sarah Emanuel Hair by: Sasha Smith (Capello) Models: Lauri Paine & Lauri Paine Location: Camp and Furnace

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Blondelle dress gold sequin tutu dress with bow details ÂŁ310 Miss Francesca Couture Selina pink silk organza baby doll dress with oversize bow detail ÂŁ285 Miss Francesca Couture

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Milly dress £960.00 Cricket Milly jacket £515.00 Cricket Leather skirt £240.00 Cricket YSL boots £570.00 Cricket

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Jacquetta dress white sequin tutu dress with statement shoulders ÂŁ295 Miss Francesca Couture Mia dress neon pink and white lace plunge effect mini tutu peplum dress ÂŁ270 Miss Francesca Couture

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Carven top £455.00 Cricket Matthew Williamson pants £495.00 Cricket

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Matthew Williamson jump suite ÂŁ750.00 Cricket

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FASHION IS THE HEALTHIEST MOTIVATION FOR LOSING WEIGHT Francesca Kearns is a fashion designer from Liverpool, and owner of Miss Francesca Couture. Here she delivers her latest thoughts on the world of fashion.

Now is the time of year that you begin to feel a little bit deflated. The decorations that made your home sparkle and shimmer have been taken down, leaving it feeling bare and lifeless. The presents that you wished for and needed so badly have been opened and the novelty has worn off. Not to mention that dress you HAD to have for that Christmas night out, or the shoes that you couldn’t live without - well they have been worn now, the dress is a little bit tighter than it should be and the shoes are that ruined from all the dancing that you couldn’t even bring yourself to put them on your feet again!

Ok, so it may still be a couple of months before you can ditch the duffle but doesn’t it give you the incentive to get back in the gym to shed the mince pies and Christmas pudding, tone those pins and lose the bingo wings!? All in the name of fashion! In the words of Karl Lagerfeld himself, ‘fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight’. So there really is no excuse to give up on those New Year’s resolutions... Here goes! Xxx

In a month where your priorities have shifted from preparing for the biggest celebration in the annual calendar to removing or trying to remove all evidence of it (that New Year’s resolution to lose the excess pounds you gained over Christmas could take you well into February) what is there left to look forward to? Spring of course! I can’t wait to embrace the new trends for spring/summer 2013 which in my opinion is the most exciting and diverse offering of looks and styles that we have seen for many seasons! Everything from frills and flounces to floral prints and top to toe white outfits have graced the catwalks and will now begin to filter their way down from haute couture to high street! Having already created the first part of my spring summer ready to wear collection I definitely took inspiration from the key trends for SS13 and I am loving the return of my old favourite ‘the frill’ which I welcome back with open arms! A big feature in collections by Gucci, Chloe, Mulberry and Christopher Kane to name but a few. Team this with mouth watering shades of delicate lace at Erdem which look almost good enough to eat, fun loving sixties inspired flower power at Prada, Moschino, and Versus, as well as gorgeous geometric prints courtesy of Holly Fulton and Mary Katrantzou and I think you will agree that we have lots to look forward to in terms of spring summer style!

The frill adds femininity and romance to summer dressing whilst also offering volume and detail to otherwise sleek silhouettes.

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OPEN picks: New Balance The ‘New Balance’ brand of footwear is currently enjoying a surge in popularity in both the US and UK, thanks to some sleek designs and hyped up rare releases that get sneakerheads going crazy. From the humble surroundings of a chicken yard in Boston, New Balance has grown to include factories in the US and Cumbria, supporting domestic manufacturing so you don’t need to worry about third world sweat shops. Stylish and ethical. The brand’s current range is a fusion of past and future styles – OPEN selected its favourites from the new collection.

New Balance M577 - Grey/Burg/Navy

New Balance M577 - Grey/Navy

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New Balance M670 - Grey/Navy

New Balance M1500 - Dark Orange

New Balance M1500 - Blue/Navy

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What makes the Beauty Bazaar such a special destination? We like to call the Beauty Bazaar a ‘beacon of beauty one stop destination’. It’s the first time globally anyone has done anything like this in terms of retail, services, hospitality and the spa element. You can come in to Beauty Bazaar and buy the best brands on the market. Some of the brands are exclusive to Liverpool. The first floor with the Wow Champagne lounge is just fabulous and anchoring the other end is Electric Hair, which is the whole hair therapy and in the middle more lifestyle brands; Aveda, Espa, Origins Blink and the Lash Lounge. Then upstairs you have the Spa experience with James Reed Tanning Studio - the first of its kind outside London - Medispa, Dr Karidis and strip wax.

and even the wolf whistle in the ladies toilets – it’s cute, it should make you smile. How long was the Beauty Bazaar in the making? A couple of years with the initial idea, we took control of this building in June (2012) so it was hard work to achieve this opening day. What beauty products do you swear by?

Who in the beauty industry inspires you the most? For effortless glamour it has to be Olivia Palermo who we were lucky enough to have open the store. For me she is a modern day beauty and fashion icon and has the same relevance in today’s world as the likes of Audrey Hepburn did in her day. Her style is just effortless. I have been lucky enough to meet her on a number of occasions and she is absolutely beautiful.

Oh very easy I am a bit of a beauty junkie so I have a collection but my core staples, Shu Uemura cleansing oil, YSL Shocking Mascara. At the moment I have fallen in love with Clinique foundation, I have just repurchased my fifth bottle and you can’t ignore any of the NARS Andy Warhol collection - it’s fabulous!

What are a few of the brands that are exclusive to us here in Liverpool? There are so many… James Reed Tanning Studio, Electric Hair Salon, Nars, Tom Ford, Shu Uemura. Which aspect of the store are you most excited about? I am really, really, really excited about the whole thing together - it gives me goose bumps to walk in here! From the detail of the discs on the escalators, the hand bag hooks under Nails Inc treatment area, the glass and fabric walls within Electric, the light detail OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

Mark Woolley is an award winning Hair Stylist, Creative Director and Entrepreneur behind the exclusive Electric brand encompassing Salons, a Luxury Hair Care Range, Electric Studios and The Electric Education Academy. At the age of 15 Mark was inspired enough by a careers talk at school (so they weren’t pointless after all!) to get a part time Saturday shift at Saks in his home town of Brighton. It was there that he quickly realised that the hairdressing industry wasn’t to be underestimated and he had found a creative environment he felt comfortable in – not to mention being surrounded by beautiful women. 18 years later and Mark is now a wellrespected figure within the industry not to mention a stylist to the stars. He regularly appears in top magazines across the globe and is frequently used on TV as an expert on celebrity hair trends.

Electric were recently selected to be the backstage hair team at the MOBO Awards. Are you eager to get involved in events across the North West? Absolutely, we do plenty of travelling internationally and are pretty involved in the music industry so often get involved in videos etc. I hope that the MOBOs will also highlight the fact that we are experts in all hair types not just the beautiful Liverpool Bardot-style blow-dry.

business was such a proud moment, but I like to balance the serious stuff with loads of fun too. Finally, launching my very own product line Electric - it was funded, formulated, and designed by me (with a lot of help from a magnificent team and my beautiful wife Fran) and I’m just so proud of it. It feels like I have perfected the recipe in every product and I know they do exactly what they say they’re going to do. There’s a whole host of

Open grabbed a chat with Mark as he opened his latest Electric Salon inside the new Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar store at Liverpool ONE. So, why bring Electric to Liverpool? I was lucky enough to be invited by Harvey Nichols to stock our hair product range Electric in London and it quickly became a best seller. This led to a great relationship with people within Harvey Nichols who thought of me and the Electric brand when launching their innovative Beauty Bazaar right here in Liverpool. I’ve been a lifelong LFC fan and regularly travel from my home in Brighton to Liverpool with my boys to see the match. I’m also a great music lover so having my own salon in the hometown of The Beatles - a stone’s throw from The Cavern - is actually a dream come true for me. What do you think Electric can offer the people of Liverpool? I think the Liverpool women (and men) are really style conscious - to be honest I’ve been blown away by the glamour of the Liverpool women... they certainly know how to look good and I think the whole vibe of the Harvey Nichols atmosphere and the Electric Hair Salon will just feel like what they should have had here all along.

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What have been your own career highlights to date? I’ve got three… I suppose working with Antony Mascolo on many of his photo shoots was and continues to be an on-going career highlight. The man is so inspiring and yet makes everything look so easy. He was responsible for much of the success of Toni&Guy and you can see why... I’m told that a lot of his creativity and attitude has rubbed off on me and I’m so thankful for that. Another proud moment was winning British Hairdressing’s ‘Business Director of the Year’ in 2010. I’m known for being smiley positive fun and a little bit naughty so to be recognised for being an expert in

products out there but mine do what they say they’ll do! They’re a backstage must at London Fashion Week, MOBOS and V Festival Who inspires you in the world of fashion? To quote Rod Stewart - ‘wearing it well’ Fashion trends come and go but if you wear it well it’s always going to be a trend leader. When we opened Electric last week I was very impressed by Olivia Palermo’s classic elegance. Paloma Faith always looks knockout and of course travelling around with Gok Wan means I’m pretty up on all the latest trends. What really inspires me - a trend that emerges from its earthy, usually musical, roots.

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By Sarah Emanuel: Illmasqua Liverpool

• To create a real dark smokey eye, first use a pencil as a base all over the lid and through your lash line, don’t forgot your waterline. Make sure you softly blend, remember the trick to a great smokey eye is your blending.

• Next apply black matt eye shadow Obsidian from Illamasqua is the deepest black you can buy. Apply all over the lid and underneath your lash line and softly blend.

• Now apply a medium brown into the socket to take down any harsh lines, you want to keep your blending soft and rounded with light movements.

• To add more drama press Android Pure Pigment over the lid, perfect for the party season as it adds loads more sparkle.

• To complete your perfect party eye you want a beautiful defined eyebrow using Thunder Eyebrow Cake by Illamasqua.

Scarlett Johansson looking Romantic Goth: Wearing a dark berry lip and elongated smokey cat eyes with sparkle flecked eye shadow. To recreate the lip Illamasqua magnetism lipstick £16.00 and intense lip-gloss Boost £14.00

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The simplest and best way to stick to your New Year’s gym resolution Your Personal Trainer – Kieran Owens This column is to help you keep fit. Kieran Owens, a personal trainer from Liverpool, runs a series of beach boot camps in Spain, and is a nutrition specialist. Here, he delivers the latest training tips and cutting edge advice. Well it may or may not come as a surprise that the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight. Sound familiar? Of course it does, most of us go into January with a bit of extra Christmas weight and the good intentions of not only getting shut of it, but also getting that body you’ve always wanted. So with all those admirable intentions, why aren’t we all walking around like the cast of True Blood by the summer? Well there are a few reasons to be honest, but the two I find that most people struggle with is time management and lack of knowledge. It’s true, we live in a busy society these day’s with long work hours, school runs and social lives so the gym can seem like a massive chore. I feel your pain, it can be tough to fit in. But if your preparation is right it can be done and not only that, you can get a natural high from working out through the release of endorphins and other happy hormones so you come out of the gym feeling great even though you’ve just put your body through it’s paces. So how do we find more time? The key is to pre prepare your meals for the week ahead. Take a Sunday night and cook up a load of chicken/fish/turkey and fibrous vegetables like broccoli, spinach, asparagus or even bok choy and just add seasoning of your choice. The core ingredients may be bland but most spices and herbs are relatively low in calories. It should take no longer than an hour and the outcome?

More time! Too many people go into a gym expecting the gym gods to come down and bless them simply because they’ve walked out the changing rooms. So here’s the solution to keeping your resolution, and at the risk of me getting death threats from other Personal Trainer’s across the city, you need to make the most of your trial session or induction that you will get offered when you join. Ask as many questions as possible about how to achieve your goals and stay away from the machine’s, I want you to utter these words. “Please will you show me how to do a BACK SQUAT, DEADLIFT and TURKISH GET UP?” Now if they can’t do that ask for another trainer who can, because those are the three best exercises to shape your body and tone up. I wouldn’t recommend doing all 3 exercises consecutively in the same workout as you run the risk of over training your nervous system. Just make sure that each one plays a part in your weekly regime, and you can be sure that your New Year’s resolution wont be the first promise you break this year! For details on boot camp holidays in Spain visit www.kobeachbootcamp. com or for details on personalised diet and workout programs email contact@ kobeachbootcamps.com. Follow me on twitter @kieranowens87

Here are the moves: Back Squat 10 Reps – 2 Min Rest – 3 Sets This exercise is essential to make sure you have a spotter as you increase the weight. Get under the bar in the centre of the of the squat rack resting it along the top of your shoulder blades making sure it’s even both sides, preferably in front of a mirror to check form. Now take a deep breath and lower your body starting from the hips and bending from the knees in around 2-3 seconds keeping your core tight and spine neutral (not bent). Once down power up to starting position in 1-2 seconds and repeat x 10. Rest for 2 minutes and then go again for 3 sets. Deadlift 10 Reps – 2 Min Rest – 3 Sets Like every exercise when starting out keep the weight really light. For most people the bar alone will be enough to start with, 20kg. Now bend down to grip the bar while keeping your back straight. Keeping your hands at shoulder width just parallel to your feet, raise up to standing keeping the bar as close to your body as possible while keeping your back straight. At the top of the movement retract you shoulder blades so that you fully engage your upper back or trapezius muscles. Use the same lifting tempo as with the squats. Turkish Get Up 5 Reps – 2 Min Rest – 3 Sets This one is going to be the most challenging exercise you can perform out of the 3 and really will work every muscle fibre in your body at some point. It can be done with a dumbell but preferably with a kettlebell, but to start off just do it with your own body weight until you become familiar with each part of the movement. Follow the diagram and then swap onto the left side for a total of 5 times each side.

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OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

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On November 6th, 1993, at a packed Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas, Evander Holyfield defeated Riddick Bowe in a much anticipated re-match for the WBA and IBF Heavyweight Championship of the World. The fight was watched by millions of fight fans across the globe and included one of the more bizarre moments in sport. Boxing fan, James Miller, carried out a ‘ring invasion’ on a motorised parachute during the seventh round. He would go on to hijack a number of other global sporting events including NFL games and Premier League football matches (Bolton vs ArsenalRemember?!). The incident was covered on TV stations all over the world and talked about for weeks. Boxing was a truly global sport back then.

brutal street fighting MMA, and the UFC franchise in particular, is big business. So much so that the UFC franchise enlisted the aid of former Manchester City Chief Executive, Gary Cook, to expand the brand globally. Talks are on-going about the possibility of a UFC base in Singapore with the hope of growing the market in the region as big, if not bigger than the US. The interest in MMA has spawned hit computer games and Hollywood films but none of this is a surprise to journalist, and Box Nation channel presenter, Steve Bunce:

One week later in Denver, Colorado, in the less glamorous setting of the McNichols Sports Arena, an eight man fight tournament took place which aimed to decide who would be the world’s number one fighting champion. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) pitted athletes, from a number of fighting disciplines, in an open weight category event which included (amongst others) a sumo wrestler, cruiserweight boxer, karate specialist and champion kick boxer. The last man standing at the end of the knockout tournament would be crowned the Ultimate Fighting Champion and take home a purse of $50,000. The event attracted 2,800 intrigued spectators and 86,000 tuned in on pay-per-view to watch the spectacle.

Fighting under the UFC banner is such a big draw for MMA fighters that the UFC

Royce Gracie, a specialist in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, won the inaugural title without making a dent on the collective conscience of the avid worldwide boxing community. Twenty years on and there is a noticeable shift in the landscape of combative sport. The UFC franchise has grown and developed since its humble beginnings in Denver. Once portrayed as little more than

“The promotion of the UFC brand is the strongest piece of marketing in sport, bar none. And they do it so well. You know when you’re at a UFC event because it’s so slick.”

fight stable includes all of the top names in each weight category. All the top names under one banner, means the big fighters get matched up regularly. UFC arrived in Vegas in 2001 and has never looked back. This year UFC 148 was headlined by the middleweight title clash between Anderson Silva and Chael and Sonnen in the MGM Grand Las Vegas with gate receipts totalling just shy of seven million dollars, which ranks alongside that taken by world title boxing on the Strip. Liverpool’s Mark Scanlon has fought on big MMA shows in the UK, under the UFC banner, and is also a co-promoter of MMA events through the ‘Amateur Fighting Championship’. Working on both sides of the ring has given him a perspective of what needs to happen if the popularity of MMA is to be taken to the next level:

“It has a strong following but the wider audience needs educating on the sport. The people who attend UFC events know what they’re going to get which is an action packed fight card. In boxing the majority of fans will only be interested in the top of the bill.” UFC events are designed to entertain with live music and an emphasis on high adrenaline. Bonuses offered to fighters for ‘Submission of the Night’, ‘Fight of the Night and ‘Knock Out of the Night’ are all part of the excitement of UFC events. According to Mark: “It provides entertainment! It’s there to encourage fighters to knock each other out and get the fight finished early. If fighters are too slow, too cautious or boring they’ll get slammed in the papers by Dana White (Owner of UFC brand).” Whilst the UFC thrives on its ability to make top fights happen, boxing as a sport, continues to frustrate its fan base. The PacquiaoMayweather fight has been touted for years but with little sign of it actually coming to fruition; with Pacquiao coming off a run of two defeats that particular fruit may well have rotted on the tree! But the trend for big fights to be a long time in the making is not just a problem on the global scale. Closer to home Steve Bunce echoes the frustration of British Fight fans: “Matt Macklin- Darren Barker is a fight that the fans have wanted to see for years. David Price wants to fight Tyson Fury. Tyson Fury wants to fight David Price. But there are little blind spots that sometimes mean fights don’t happen. TV companies, promoters, fighters, there’s a lot of negotiating that has to go on.” The vast range of weight categories and governing bodies, with their own versions of the world title, can also leave boxing fight fans short changed. It’s a situation Bunce is all too familiar with: “Boxing is totally unique. In no other sport

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could you get to the top of your profession without facing the best opponents out there. It’s like Chelsea playing Stoke, Blackpool, Lincoln City, a French third division side and then calling themselves European Champions.”

MMA shows and they’re poorly organized and, quite frankly, shabby affairs. Sometimes they don’t have the correct medical teams in place and the problems stem from not having an official governing body.”

If boxing suffers from some promoters carefully planning their fighters’ way to the top, to protect unbeaten records, then MMA and the UFC take a totally different approach.

As a relatively new promoter of MMA events in the UK, Mark Scanlon is keen to avoid the pitfalls made by other promoters:

“Unbeaten records don’t matter! There are so many different styles and so many ways to win a fight that it’s just about the best fighting the best. It’s difficult to compare records (between fighters) because styles and techniques play such a big part” enthuses Scanlon.

“All the right things are in place for the fighters, from the equipment, to the medical teams and doctors working at the events. Match making is taken seriously, as we’re dealing with novice fighters. I do some of the match making myself, so there’s no way a 12 stone kick boxer

On face value it appears that MMA provides the excitement, the all round entertainment and the high profiled action, which should make it the number one combat sport. However, when you look past the glitz and glamour of the UFC banner, MMA is still trying to find its feet. In the UK more and more MMA gyms are appearing but with no governing body there are problems at the lower levels of the sport. Training at the top level Kaobon gym, Mark Scanlon is well aware of the problems at less reputable gyms: “There are lots of dodgy back alley gyms popping up that are set up and run by fellas who have little background in MMA but, who have had the odd ‘white collar’ type fight.” It’s not only gyms trying to capitalize on the growing popularity of MMA. Small promoters with little understanding of how to run an MMA show have tried to get involved. Steve Bunce has seen the grimier side of poorly run MMA shows: “I’ve been to some of the real small hall

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is getting in with a 17 stone wrestler! We take weight categories and levels of experience seriously” If the organisation of MMA at the lower levels is right then there is no reason why the sport cannot grow as big as boxing. Especially with the presence of passionate and enthusiastic characters such as Scanlon, who sees a bright future for the sport: “It’s been seen as a love-hate sport but more people are starting to love it! I never stop learning from the sport and never get bored of trying new things out in trainingit becomes obsessive. I think other fighters are the same and that means the fans aren’t watching a combat sport where they

pretty much know what the outcome is going to be.” For Steve Bunce it’s the history, tradition and accessibility of boxing that keeps it above MMA in the pecking order of combat sports: “It hasn’t changed in a hundred years! The ring is the same, the gloves are the same and you can walk into a gym off the street and take part. Traditional boxing cities like Liverpool, London and Belfast are special; when you walk into the gyms there you’re stepping back in time. You’re touching and breathing in the history of the sport through esteemed lines of trainers and fighters who’ve gone before.” Traditions and history must have a starting point and although MMA is becoming increasingly popular there’s still a long road ahead if it is to usurp boxing in the popularity stakes. The gulf in quality between UFC events and other MMA events is huge. If UK events are going to develop and gain popularity then people need to see MMA as a legitimate sport and for that you need a respected governing body. The tradition of boxing is established through great fighters such as Mohammed Ali, ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran. All of who had to comeback from defeat, at one stage or another, to regain world titles. Boxing needs to get back to making big fights happen on a regular basis, at whatever the consequences for unbeaten records. Undoubtedly both sports can learn from one another and could even share a worldwide fan base as a result! To say which sport will be in better shape in another twenty years is difficult to say; it may have to go to the judge’s scorecards.

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Written By: Vaughan Jones

Vaughan Jones is part of Liverpool’s Lost Art skateboarding collective and is a renowned street skater. Here he offers OPEN a glimpse into the street skating culture on Merseyside. I have been skateboarding for the best part of ten years, which is half my life, and I have pretty much loved it since day one. Skateboarding is by far the best physical hobby you can do and there are so many reasons as to why this is but I will be here for hours if I were to list everything I love about skateboarding and why it is the best. I think the thing I love most about pushing a bit of wood with four wheels around the streets is that it is an insider sport; anyone who doesn’t skateboard will NEVER understand it until they do it for themselves. This is a brilliant aspect to skateboarding which continues to keep skateboarding unique. This is very important to remember these days especially with every fucker dressing like a skateboarder, rocking Vans shoes when say five years ago skateboarders were abused for wearing the same shoes. Although more and more people are picking up on the skateboard dress sense and trending it into the latest fashion, these people will never be skateboarders. Oh and by the way, buying a skateboard and carrying it round not skating it so you don’t ruin those Vans Era’s which everybody loves doesn’t count either. A skateboard is not a fashion accessory! Unlike other sports skateboarding has very few rules, none of which are official rules just certain aspects you need to stick to. Throughout this article I will be discussing a few topics about skateboarding which make skateboarding great and what is needed to make a skate scene stronger. This article is probably going to be lame, seeing professional skateboarders express their love for the game makes me cringe as it is, so I don’t know if I’ll do skateboarding justice - but fuck it I’ll try my best. 42

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The People One guarantee when you start skateboarding is that you are going to meet a lot of people. I wouldn’t know half the people I know now without skateboarding. Having a group of close friends to go skating with is vital in skateboarding. It gives inspiration to go skating all the time when you have people to go skating with. It is hard to get hyped on going for a session by yourself and skating by yourself isn’t that fun (not that you shouldn’t go skating by yourself), especially if you take a good fall and none of your friends are there to see it and laugh at you. Having friends around whilst you skate also helps progression. Watching someone learn a new trick in front of your eyes really helps give you that drive to learn a new trick yourself. The beautiful thing about skateboarding is that two people with completely different interests can become friends and skate together solely because

they both own a skateboard. For example, a die hard metal head who has been to see Metallica live seven times can be friends with a die hard hip hop head who religiously listens to west coast rap just because they go shredding together. I think this aspect is rare in other sports and is one of the reasons the skateboard community thrives forward.

skate, who only got the job because he can put a board together and own a pair of DC shoes, fuck that!

Local Skate Shops Local skate shops are the staple for any decent skate scene. Having a local skate shop serves many different purposes for a skate scene. First and most obvious reason is to supply skateboard products. Although now you can just get onto the internet and buy skate products off any corporate chain of skate shops. I feel it is very important to shy away from doing this and buy from your local to keep your local skate scene alive! Most local skate shops are skateboarder owned and skateboarder owned skate shops are the best shops. They know which companies they want to support instead of just having products which are going to sell the best. They are also the best at offering advice as they have the experience as opposed to some chain shop hiring a mosher who doesn’t

Local skate shops also serve as a good meeting point and a really good place to lurk on those rainy winter days when you are not skating. Lost Art shop has been my meeting and lurking spot for many years now. There’s nothing better than hanging out with friendly local skateboarders in a welcoming environment and then go out and attack the streets. While I’m on the subject, go shop at Lost Art in Liverpool!

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Best skate shop in the U.K. with the nicest employee’s. Skateboarder or not you’ll find something you will want to buy. Go buy a Lost Art t-shirt and represent! www.lostartshop. co.uk Skate Media Skateboard media is another crucial aspect in skateboarding. Skate videos and magazine’s are what keeps pushing skateboarding forward. It gives professional skateboarders an income without having to enter competitions to win a cash prize. I personally think that making skateboarding a competitive sport is a bad idea. Instead, pros go out and shoot a photo or film a section for the companies they’re sponsored by and get paid for doing so. This is a good way for pros to earn money without having to sell out like in other sports.

Street Skating Street skating is fucking brilliant. Skating skate parks is good as well but street skating opens your eyes to skate different and more interesting obstacles instead of the same stuff every time. The fact that you can make something which is not designed for skateboarding and turn it into a perfect place to go skate is the best. You’ll be surprised how much there is to skate if you go looking in the right places. The downside to this is that a lot of people won’t agree with you skating the streets and the obstacles you will find. You will encounter security guards, police and members of the public who can’t keep their opinions to themselves, telling you to ‘get to the skate park’ and that ‘you’re going to break your neck’. A lot of the reason you’ll encounter these people is because they claim you’re causing damage and/ or you’re making too much noise. In all honesty grinding ledges can cause damage but not a lot and skateboards can be loud but that can be easily dealt with by simply ignoring it. It’s not exactly like we’re playing electric guitars with amps cranked to eleven. Some street spots will be skate stopped which means the council spending money modifying an obstacle rendering a perfectly good skate spot useless. This is a sad truth and shouldn’t really be dealt with in this way as most of the time it makes the obstacle look worse than any amount of damage a skateboard could cause. Instead they should improve the obstacle so it can be skated without causing damage instead of attempting to eliminate anyone skating the obstacle. You will never stop us! D.I.Y.

With the internet now dominating the skate media scene, it’s getting easier for anyone to get their footage seen. Having a friend with a camera to film or take photos provides a productive element to fucking round with your mates. It gives you a motive to work towards, although you may not get your photos/video seen by many people, that shouldn’t stop you from working hard for the final product. Alternatively if you’re camera shy you can be the one behind the camera which is also a lot of fun and could also lead to a career documenting skateboarding. But a word of advice, don’t film an edit every couple of days of you and your mates down the skate park, that shit is tedious and boring. By all means make edits but don’t abuse the advantage of having the internet medium. Once you get into the routine of filming and getting photos taken of you and you get good enough it’s not an unrealistic prospect that you could get sponsored. But don’t take getting sponsored seriously, that takes the fun out of skating. If you’re good enough to get sponsored it will happen naturally.

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As I mentioned in the part about street skating, more and more people want to eliminate street skating completely. Skate parks seems to be their way of trying to keep us from skating round the streets, which is fair enough. But there are only two skate parks in Liverpool and they’re both outside of town in dodgy areas which skateboarders aren’t exactly welcomed to with open arms. One of the parks costs around six pounds for four hours of skating, so it’s no wonder that skaters are hitting the streets. But in the last couple of years skateboarders have been building their own skate parks with however much concrete they can afford. This is a great idea and I recommend anyone to go ahead and do it for themselves. You will get a skate park quicker than waiting for your local council NOT to build a park. It won’t be as well built as a park your council would build (depending on how good a labourer you are) but if done in the right way you can create your own personal heaven which suits you and your friends, which is the only thing that matters at the end of the day. New Bird skate park on Jamaica Street in Liverpool is a prime example of this, go check it out! So go find some derelict land and get building! But be prepared for demolition, even if you build on a plot of land which is only getting used by the local smack head to shoot up, the council will probably still knock it down. Don’t let this dishearten you, skateboarding will always prevail. ALWAYS.

View footage of Vaughn shredding up the streets on page 57

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OPEN went down to the new Tribbiani’s Pizza place next door to Central Perk to make some new Friends.

Most pizza places aren’t inspired by an iconic American sitcom. But Tribbiani’s is no ordinary pizzeria. Taking its name from loveable Italian-American New Yorker Joey Tribbiani from Friends this recent addition to Liverpool’s pizzaiolis also offers fresh pasta dishes, starters and side dishes, desserts, drinks including beer and wine. Open all week and until midnight at weekends Tribbiani’s also offers a delivery service. Located in Hatton Gardens right next door to Central Perk, taking a step inside Tribbiani’s is like taking a step off the streets of Liverpool and straight into New York. Framed iconography from the city that never sleeps adorns the walls, together with classic chequered flooring, and low lighting fill out the décor of this intimate venue. The menu must be one of the most varied pizza line-ups available in the city, consisting of no less than 15 freshly made options to choose from. And if that wasn’t enough the selection includes pizzas you won’t find anywhere else. Where else can you get a Chandler’s Chickcorn, Gunther’s Greek, or Rachel’s Seafood Riviera? Yes that’s right the selection of pizzas includes feasts named after the famous Friends characters. With a preference for hot food Ross’s Red Hot Mexican looked appealing, tomato base, jalepeno pepper, red pepper, spicy beef, onions and mozzarella cheese – mmm. The pizza arrives fresh from the oven

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piping hot. The cheese melts in the mouth as I take my first bite into the soft crusting and chewy dough base. The delicious toppings stretch and cling to the remaining portion of the slice as I place it back on the plate, it’s how every bite of pizza should be! It’s a traditional pizza alright, the big juicy jalapeno toppings sink into the moist mozzarella cheese as the spicy beef and fresh chilly grab hold of my taste buds. The rest of the pizza is just as sublime. Rare is there a place that can offer such an intimate service, unique surroundings and to top it off deliver a pizza to satisfy the most hardened of pizza snobs.

Tribbiani’s Pizza is a truly inspired experience. Recommended Dishes: Joey’s Special: Double pizza on top of each other, with all toppings and mozzarella cheese (without seafood), £12.50 - £22.00 Tribbiani’s is open weekdays 11am – 11pm weekends 11am – 12pm 3C Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2FE Tel: 0151 236 6404 (delivery available) www.tribbianispizza.com

Words By: Victoria Melia

It’s said, in Ancient China, that a snake is a good omen and finding one in your house means your family will not starve…well I’m not sure how literally we can take ancient wisdom but on the 10th February 2013 Liverpool will welcome in the Chinese Year of the Snake and there will most definitely be plenty of fantastic food in and around Chinatown for you to devour.

Tai Pan – Brunswick Street

Europe’s oldest Chinese community will present the New Year Parade from 11am and there will be a selection of street food and souvenirs for you to enjoy at The Taste of China Sunday Street Market on Great George Street. If you’re feeling peckish and want some authentic Chinese fare then look no further than OPEN’s suggestions where you can sit down, pig-out and welcome in the New Year:

The Mayflower – Duke Street

Yuet Ben – Duke Street

Specialising in traditional Sichuan style of cooking (i.e. nice and spicy!), Chilli Chilli is not one to miss. If you’re looking for something to stretch your taste, I’d suggest ordering from the ‘chef’s recommendations’ and you’ll be treated to something hot!

An understated Chinese restaurant, Yuet Ben serves up Northern Chinese cuisine which has customers coming back again and again. Heralded by many as the best Chinese restaurant in Liverpool, favourites such as Crispy Duck and Wonton Soup are available along with unique dishes such as Sweet and Sour ‘cherry’ Chicken and mouthwatering Crispy Lamb Breast.

Set down near Atlantic Tower, Tai Pan is a fast-paced, sprawling 400-seater restaurant offering classic Cantonese food. Famed for its Dim Sum, it’s a popular choice for many in the Chinese community who enjoy the authentic menu and well-cooked food. It’s a bit of a walk from Chinatown but you’re sure to get a seat here!

A bit of a Chinese institution in Liverpool, The Mayflower serves up a variety of Cantonese, Peking and Sichuan dishes, all at a reasonable price. It’s perfectly situated for the New Year celebrations but get there early as it’s sure to be crammed full of hungry people.

Crispy Belly Pork and Sui Mai with a few extras such as Baked Mussels and steaks in various Chinese-style sauces. It’s a bustling eatery but staff are friendly and service is quick. Big Bowl Noodle Bar– Berry Street This place is a little diamond in the midst of Chinatown. It’s unassuming façade gives way to a rustic canteen-like dining room and a menu that spreads noodle joy. With a huge selection of warming noodle-based soups at reasonable prices and glass-top tables covering cute hand-written messages from past customers, Big Bowl Noodle Bar should definitely be on your list.

Chilli Chilli – Nelson Street

Mei Mei – Berry Street This pleasant restaurant serves up a host of traditional Chinese dishes like

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Where to book that table for two this Valentine’s Day Santa’s been and gone, livers around the city are slowly reversing the pickling process endured throughout the festive season and the embarrassing escapades that ensued after you polished off six WKDs and a bottle of gin at the staff Christmas party is now a hazy memory you’ll regale to your grandchildren in years to come. Suddenly you realise it’s nearly February and of course the big question on everyone’s lips is: “Where the bloody hell am I gonna take my beau for scran on Valentine’s Day?” Ok. So maybe you’re not losing sleep over the subject but you’ve probably thought about it. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, starting afresh with the hottie you necked under the mistletoe at New Year or perhaps you’re getting together with a bunch of single friends to party the night away, whatever the mix you’re going to need somewhere unforgettable to eat, right? Our eclectic city is bursting with a variety of independent and innovative restaurants ready to serve you topnotch food in relaxed surroundings without a hint of microwaved veg or instant mashed potato in sight. So why not ditch the petrol station carnations and dubious box of Malteasers and treat your other half to the other half of the city? Here are just a few of our romantic rendezvous recommendations: 48

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The Monro and James Monro (on Duke St and Tithebarn St respectively) are two delightfully ambient gastropubs that mix a splash of tasteful candlelight with local pub atmosphere. Unusual offerings such as Welsh Buffalo and growing their salads out in the beer garden ensure that the menus are fresh and seasonal and they aim to source ingredients locally wherever possible. 60 Hope St is by far one of the best restaurants (or in my opinion, the best) in Liverpool. Although at the higher end of the price scale, their

commitment to finding quality local ingredients is worth splashing out on. The Georgian townhouse interior is classy and spacious without pretention and it’s easy to find a quiet, romantic spot to devour their excellent menu. Game and fish are some of their best dishes, only surpassed by the dessert menu! If you’re trying to impress, 60

Hope Street is the place to do it! Flying the flag for Asian cuisine in the city are Chaba Chaba Thai restaurant on Allerton Road, the Maharaja Indian eatery on London Road and Etsu Japanese restaurant at Beetham Plaza. Chaba Chaba’s fragrant and satisfyingly spicy menu has all the delicious Thai curries and noodles you’d expect along with lesser known delights like Chicken Turmeric Soup and Fisherman’s Hot Pot. Their Grilled Stuffed Sea Bass thrills the eyes and the taste buds; arriving steaming, wrapped in a banana leaf! It’s not a particularly intimate dining

experience but the service and food wins over. London Road’s Maharaja is an Indian restaurant like no other. With a large ornately ostentatious dining room and ever attentive, friendly staff it’s a real treat to eat here. They serve Keralan food which originates from Southern India and I guarantee

you won’t have devoured curries of the like before! They cook most of their dishes in water in place of frying everything to death, use a subtle blend of spices and favour coconut and seafood throughout of the menu. Order the Nadan Fish Curry; great chunks of meaty fish in a delicately spiced coconut sauce, and it’ll be a date to remember! However, if Indian food isn’t your bag then why not try Etsu’s authentic Japanese offering? A quaint, relaxed restaurant dressed with clean lines and understated lighting; Etsu is the perfect location for a quiet Valentine’s meal. Gyoza, Japanese curries and noodle soups are available along with their second menu dedicated solely to sushi and sashimi. If you love Japanese food, this is the best in Liverpool. Traversing the globe to the Mediterranean, we arrive at Liverpool’s Italian-inspired restaurants. The Italian Club Fish on Bold Street is a fresh, distinctive hub owned by the Crolla family who originally hail from Picinisco outside Rome. A beautifully stylish interior with hints of vintage Italy parades sun-kissed pictures of whitewashed villas by the sea, which enriches the senses as you bite into their giant succulent Puglian marinated olives. If you want to woo your partner over an exquisite fish dish and zingy Italian espresso then this is the place. Staying with the Italian theme we find

Pruno in Woolton Village. Recently opened by the former owners of the Side Door Bistro, Pruno serves locally sourced ingredients inspired by Italian, French and African cuisine. A homely, warm atmosphere and eclectic menu offering a range of noodles, pastas and

with bare brick walls and friendly staff. Spire do their utmost to ensure produce is seasonal and local serving juicy Lancashire salt marsh lamb and Cumbrian beef along with Wirral asparagus and watercress.

various meats makes Pruno the perfect place for sharing a relaxed meal for two.

Who knows, you might just fall in love with your local this Valentine’s Day!

Another gem outside the city centre is Owens Restaurant. Serving consistently good food for over 15 years, Owens is a lovely glass-fronted eatery on the Childwall Five-ways. It’s cosy but smart and offers a good-quality menu of contemporary European cuisine. Their desserts are unbelievably good, which alone is enough reason to dine there! Further into Allerton, opposite Penny Lane, sits Spire Restaurant (Church Road), also known as The Good Food Guide North West Restaurant of the Year 2012. It’s the perfect venue for an understated romantic evening, OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

THE SEVEN SINS OF FIRST TIME RENTERS: ABOUT TO FLY THE NEST? EXPERT ADVICE TO HELP YOU AVOID THE COSTLY MISTAKES MANY MAKE WHEN LEAVING HOME. By: Brian Price – Managing Director @ Golding

Taking the first steps of independence when you leave your parent’s home to rent your first place comes with a lot of responsibility. You’ll find yourself with real bills to pay and failing to prepare for the big change could see you out of pocket and eating Pot Noodles for tea in no time. Brian from Golding Estates is here to offer expert property advice and warn of the seven sins of first time renters. 1. UNDERESTIMATING THE COST Moving house can be costly, especially for first time movers. Simple items such as cutlery, soft furnishings and appliances can quite easily be unaccounted for when budgeting for a first time move. When moving in to your new rented property a list of all outgoing costs associated with moving is advisable, the list should include items such as: • Removal company/vehicle • Council tax bill (this will arrive immediately upon moving in!) • Furniture costs (if property is unfurnished) • Agents fees • Any unpaid time off work 2. NOT GETTING YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT It is important to prioritize what is needed when moving for the first time, you will be in a sticky situation if you spend the whole of your budget on a fantastic state of the art sound system and leave no funds for a bed! Prioritise 50

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the basics and then splash out on the desirable items! 3. NOT MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VIEWING When viewing the property it is vital that you use this time as effectively as possible, don’t waste time marveling at the power shower! Pay particular attention to the size of the property, the location, the services i.e. the gas and electricity meters, a percentage of rented properties have pre-paid meters that are often very difficult to get swapped back to quarterly meters, would a pre-paid meter suit your needs?? If you have existing furniture take the measurements prior to viewing and measure up during the viewing. A typical viewing slot will only last 20 minutes, use this time wisely first time renters!! 4. NOT READING THE LEASE The lease is quite often refered to in the industry as the AST (assured shorthold tenancy) The key points in this agreement are the start date, the end date & the rent amount. A draft tenancy agreement should be presented to you at the earliest given opportunity, i.e. when you commit to the property by paying the administration fee, if the agent only presents the AST to you on the day of moving in, you are well within your rights to take the agreement away and in your own time make sure that you are happy with the terms and conditions contained within, it is also important that in the case where you are required to present a guarantor,

that they are also presented with a draft copy of the lease at least seven days before all parties signing, agents that do not follow this procedure could find that they are unable to enforce the terms of the AST. 5. NOT ASKING ABOUT THE UTILITIES The utilities will consist of: • Electricty • Gas • Water • Council tax The energy industry was deregulated some years ago to allow the consumer to choose what supplier they wished to use, this created a massive amount of competition within the industry and today there are many suppliers offering low rates to attract you to their tariffs. When moving for the first time, do your research on what supplier is offering the lowest rate. Electricity and gas have many suppliers but unfortunately there is only one water supplier within Merseyside (United Utilities) and the council tax will be payable to your local council i.e. Liverpool, Knowsley etc. Ensure that you are on the correct tariff, some pre-payment meters may have a debt lodged against the previous occupier, which means that you may end up paying off their debt! The agent dealing with the property should provide you with the following: • Gas, electric and where appropriate water meter readings upon moving in. Check the figures that you are presented with match the figures displayed on the meters

• Contact numbers for the local council and water utilities

when moving in to your new rented home.

Any reputable agent should automatically notify the relevant authorities on your behalf, but if your’e uncertain don’t leave it to chance. The last thing you want to land on your doorstep is a council tax demand. If the authorities are notified immediately upon moving to your new home, you automatically have the option to pay in installments, normally monthly. Fall in to arrears due to whatever reason and this facility may not be offered and the full amount due!

7. FORGETTING THE BASIC ITEMS TO MAKE A HOME

6. NOT TAKING OUT RENTER’S INSURANCE The agent will present you with an agreement/contract, part of that contract will almost definitely contain a clause determining what condition you should surrender the property back at the end of the fixed term. An allowance is made for wear and tear, but anything considered excessive wear and tear or damages will be deducted from your deposit and if the deposit does not cover the amount your guarantor would then become liable. There are many tenant insurance products on the market that would indemnify you and your guarantor against such a claim, other similar products would cover you for non-payment of rent should you not be able to pay the rent i.e. if you loose your job or become ill and unable to work. Ask your agent to advise you prior to signing up, but remember looking after your new home and paying your rent on time are the two most important things you should maintain

Moving in to a new home for the first time will be an exciting proposition! Don’t forget the basics! If your property is furnished it will be unlikely that the beds will have covers, you wouldn’t want to move in this time of year only to discover you have forgotten your favourite Superman quilt! Be prepared and allow for the following items: • Kettle & toaster • Bedroom soft furnishings • Cutlery • Clothes hangers • Storage boxes • Iron & ironing board • Toothpaste! Remember first time renters, the most important thing to do is to enjoy your new home and new found independence! For any type of expert advice when renting your new home contact the lettings experts at Golding who will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.

Survey results: GENERATION RENT Repayment affordability: 18% of 25-34 year olds advised that being unable to afford mortgage repayments was preventing them from buying a property at this time. Living arrangements: More young adults are unhappy where they currently live with only two fifths (40%) of 18-24 year olds and 41% of 25-34 year olds claiming that ‘being happy where I live’ is preventing them from moving – a drop from 45% and 47% respectively when asked a similar question in March 2012 survey. Generation rent: 35% of 18-24 year olds are private renters. Source: Countrywide/YouGov survey - All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. November study: Total sample size was 2152 adults.

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We know it’s hard work being a scouse bird what with your fella getting grips of tramps behind your back and having to stink of biscuits all the time just to achieve the perfect tan – so we have enlisted our very own agony aunt, @ScouseBirdProbs, to offer you some words of wisdom.

CAUTION: SHE WILL TELL YOU STRAIGHT!

I SLEPT WITH MY BOSS FOR PROMOTION Dear Scousebird Problems, I am absolutely fuming! At the work Christmas party my creep of a boss (who had been all over me since I started there a year ago) was coming on strong, as I expected he would be. He isn’t that bad looking, he’s just a horrible arrogant man. The thing is, during the night out he more or less spelt it out to me that if I went back to his with him, a newly vacant position within the company would be mine. I know it was a bad thing to do but I slept with him for a promotion… only to have just found he has now given the job to somebody from another department! What should I do? I feel so used. - Santa’s Sack, aged 27 OH MY GOD. Worra knob eh? I think the key word we’re looking at here is revenge. While I normally advocate that revenge is a dish best served drunk, I think we’re gonna have to be a bit more sober and crafty here. I reckon you practice some boss posh accents and phone up work pretending to be from the GUM and ask to speak to him urgently regarding his ‘test results’ – works best if the office gossip with lips looser than Denise Welch answers. Better still, if he’s got a bird make sure you ring his gaff when she’s home. Let her lay the smackdown on his sorry ass. A bit of casual stalking might be in order for this but hey, he crossed the line first and we all know that two wrongs make a right. Oh and in future don’t be a little slag – I think that’s the main learn you should take from this.

GOT MY BABY NOW I NEED MY BODY BACK! Dear Scousebird Problems, My New Year’s resolution is to get the gym and stick to a diet! I went through my first pregnancy last year and it’s time to get my body back! Do you have any gym advice and diet tips for me? - Stretched and Pulled, aged 26 Oh I feel your pain girl. While I haven’t popped a sprog out of me own I have popped several large double cheese pepperoni pizzas in me gob and me bodycon dresses aren’t speaking to me. If I don’t get a gastric band soon I’m gonna have to start wearing wrap dresses and floaty numbers. No tar. I tried to do

that anorexia diet but I only lasted an hour. Tried and tested scouse bird methods are things like – If you eat foods that don’t weigh much like crisps and marshmellows you deffo won’t put on weight. If you scran a load of chocolate and don’t write it down in your food diary it doesn’t count and you’re perfectly entitled to fume at your Slimming World leader and cry that you’ve been dead good when you put on 3lb for ‘no reason’ at fat class. You don’t have to count vodka, come on, everyone knows it’s got like -2 calories right? Also when you weigh yourself, if you don’t like the result try moving the scales onto carpet and try standing on and off them til you like what they say. If all this fails take up Zumba and cut out carbs – seriously, carbs are the enemy.

I’M DREADING VALENTINE’S DAY Dear Scousebird Problems, I finished with my boyfriend back in November, he left me for a girl out of his gym. I’m absolutely dreading the fact I will be spending this Valentine’s Day on my own for the first time in five years. I know I won’t be able to get the thought of the two of them together out of my head whilst I sit in front of the tele crying in to my box of Milk Tray. What can I do? - The Lady Loveless, aged 24 The answer to this question is best found at the bottom of a bottle of vodka. Oh seriously girl, don’t go eating a box of Milk Tray, you’ll end up on the slippery slope to Hippo-dom. Instead get the fittest dress in your wardrobe, go get your hair and make up did, grab a girl mate (less fitter than you) and get out to town for a dance. Fellas are onto the fact that town is full of birds fumin that they’re single on Valentines Day so they get out in force. Basically the crem de la crem of what the singles market have to offer is probably gonna be out tryin to blag you. I mean they’re deffo all gonna be wronguns like but yano, good for a ego boost. Then join that bird’s gym and sabotage her equipment so she gets caught in them traction wires and injured on the weight machine while she’s defining her pecs. Man head.

FOR ADVICE WRITE TO EDITOR@OPEN-MAG.CO.UK OR FOLLOW @SCOUSEBIRDPROBS

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Just a few videos doing the rounds on the internet that we have liked at OPEN recently. Download the Layar app for your smartphone and when you scan this page the videos will literally jump off the page at you. Trust us, it looks boss. It also means the internet has now sort of spread to paper. Doesn’t it?

Vaughan Jones street skating footage Footage of Lost Art badman and The Wirral native Vaughan Jones street skating around Liverpool crafted into a clip thanks to Tom Tanner.

Family of ducks tries to cross highway A mother duck and her ducklings were spotted crossing highway 407 just outside Toronto, Ontario. Speeding cars and trucks pass the ducks; do they make it over safely?

Extremely scary elevator ghost prank in Brazil One of the scariest pranks we have ever seen, the victims reactions are priceless!

2 Irish boys sing We Found Love! Amazing! 11-year-old singer Rob and 16-year-old rapper/ guitarist Shyand aka ‘HarriBo from Kildare, Ireland perform an amazing acoustic cover of ‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna.

This space will contain a fresh new video each month, because we know you have probably seen the others on this page by now.

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This year Medication won the Smirnoff Battle of the Clubs competition – how did that feel? Winning Smirnoff’s ‘Battle of the Clubs’ was the icing on an already pretty good looking cake! We had already had an amazing year averaging out nearly 2300 students a week coming to Medication and the Smirnoff thing just topped it off! Smirnoff are like the big guns, no messing about and when they do something they do it with great advertising and promotion and with a certain style and panache. Smirnoff threw the kitchen sink at the campaign. When you see a Medication banner on the side of a hotel that’s when you think...you know what that looks amazing! When we won, I think it gave us all a great sense of satisfaction and pride to be recognised as one of the best club nights in the country which is pretty unusual for a student night! In Liverpool Med is a big thing but winning it really put us on the map nationally.

What do you think is the best aspect of Medication? Undoubtedly the atmosphere and I do think that’s where Liverpool is head and shoulders above most other student cities! We have been to hundreds of other student events across the UK and some of them are very good but still not a patch on Med! Many are appalling and it’s no wonder students and student nights are held with little regard...even I, who loves students am thinking w**kers! Sitting there going on about buying bottles of Grey Goose and I’m thinking who cares? I think one of the things I love about Liverpool and the effect it has on students studying here is that you can’t be too up yourself for long! People will rip you to shreds and bring you back to earth faster than Fearless Felix! That is so true of the crowd at Medication, it is trendy without being painfully so

So it’s safe to say that Medication is the best student night in the country? No doubt whatsoever! Of course there are loads of student nights across the country but to me they all seem to be a bit bland, no real identity and no real sense of belonging to them. Medication is like a big happy family and it is unique! It does have an amazing atmosphere which is helped by Nation’s awesome sound system and some pretty tasty lights, stadium shot confetti machines, CO2 ice cannons and multi coloured lasers. We have tried to create a festival type atmosphere inside a club and with three rooms of music there is something for most people and in that regard we have succeeded in putting on something very special and when you see a lot of the other clubs who do nothing at all, it is pleasing to see our hard work rewarded! We have always tried to create something that students can’t get anywhere else in town or indeed the North West and we are so far removed from the anodyne student pub circuit! All the best clubs always have that X Factor, they are dark and magical, full of corners and still the best place to meet someone...you don’t get that in pubs but in Medication you should never ever forget your magic pulling pants! 58

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and so bang up for a laugh and a good time that it just makes for such a cracking night! That’s why we do such fantastic fancy dress at Medication. I love people’s imaginations... Halloween is always phenomenal but their costumes always astound me! One night 33 Chilean Miners turned up and another fave was when a huge lad came painted black with huge horns attached to his head! He had come as the Pamplona Bull and with him about 20 mad runners dressed in white complete with berets and red scarves! Genius!

What makes Medication such a success? I think it is because Medication has become a rite of passage for students studying and socializing in Liverpool. All clubs tend to be moments in time perhaps lasting no more than three, four maybe five years tops but Medication - even though it is 17 years old - remains fresh because it renews itself every three years with a completely new set of students! Companies always say word of mouth is the best form of advertising and Medication is literally handed down year by year from student to student! So every year you get freshers being told by second and third years that Medication is the best and only place to go on a Wednesday! Then that fresher gets into his second year, finally becoming a Med veteran handing that baton of knowledge down to a new fresher and the whole process starts again. It’s almost like some esoteric secret being passed down amongst students over the years

very happy the way it is! What’s more I think over the years a lot of people who work in the music scene in Liverpool have been to Medication, certainly most of my friends have. So whether you are a promoter or in a band, work in a bar or a club and you don’t do the normal 9 to 5 chances are you have been to Med at least once! As long as you’ve got Thursday morning to recover you’ll be fine! Is it worth going to university just to be able to get in to Medication!? Yeah definitely! Just do it…we have seen over the past five years a real boom in the student population in the city. We have just gone through a period where a huge number of 18 year olds have decided to go onto university. It has been very exciting but I am very aware that with the introduction of £9000 tuition fees that we could see a real decline in the

but for helping Medication maintain its popularity it works brilliantly! 2,000 clubbers on a Wednesday night week in week out, do you feel sorry for all the people who don’t get to experience Medication because they didn’t go to university?! Good question! I do think there is a lot of people who would love Medication but never get the chance because it’s on a Wednesday and student only. The funny thing is that we get hundreds of enquiries of people looking at the website and saying ‘are you open at the weekends?! We are coming to Liverpool and we would love to come to Medication...why don’t you do a Friday or Saturday?’ But look, I enjoy being king of the midweek nights and I’d hate anything to change the winning formula so I’m

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near future. However, that is for another day and Liverpool is now in the top five cities in the country to come and study and party at! It’s fantastic after a summer lull in the city, that you have Creamfields at the end of the summer that whets your appetite for the avalanche of students that are about to hit Liverpool mid September. It is genuinely pleasing to see how the whole city’s economy and energy levels explode when this annual invasion takes place! September is definitely my favourite month of the year! What does the future hold for Medication? Interesting question really! On a personal level I have just won the JMU Entrepreneur of the Year award which was really unexpected and a pleasant surprise! It was just so nice to be recognised for the years of hard work and because I went to John Moores to get the acknowledgement off your peers and also from such a great Liverpool institution was very gratifying! For Medication in Liverpool, I have no worries as long as we have students and Nation nightclub we’ll be fine! However, all businesses if they don’t keep growing can stagnate and so I suppose I might have to perhaps look at other cities but I have done lots of them in the past. It’s very hard breaking into

another city because most big places already have their own version of Medication and they’re is quite a lot of animosity from other promoters trying to protect their own livelihoods. I know because I do the same here in Liverpool. Franchise might be the way to go or doing a deal with one of the big nightclub or venue chains but it’s not a rosy picture out there in club land. The recession means a lot of big clubs are struggling and even going into receivership so perhaps now is not the right time to expand too much! Medication is riding on a crest of a wave at the moment, so you know what I’m just going to enjoy it and see where the ride takes us!

Marc Jones runs Medication with his brother Jason. Medication is on every Wednesday at Nation during term time. Student ID or similar is required.

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By: DJ Ant Chandler Launched in 1993 Garlands nightclub has now become the longest established Saturday resident dance night in not just Liverpool, but the whole country and is absolutely huge in Ibiza. It is known for providing an environment where clubbers can be who they want to be, knowing they are in a safe place. Each issue Garlands will be providing Open with all the latest goss’ from inside the five room superclub.

of clubbers will probably be saying the same things. I am here to say it is so much better NOW. I’ve been to every club night in this city since 2000 and I can assure you that I am so envious of the current generation of clubbers, they are reaping the benefits of the trickle down from the EDM explosion in America.

Liverpool is a great city, it is well known for its amazing nightlife and people travel from all over Europe to lose their inhibitions on the dance floors every weekend. Clubs spend a lot of time and money thinking of the best possible ways to entertain the clubbers and the social network on a Sunday describes the night out they’ve just had and this ranges from unbelievable to downright crap.

I DJ every Saturday night in Garlands/ Bedlam, playing to the best crowd that you can be a part of, a crowd ranging from 18 to 35 plus. Each week is better, and it’s not just all about the music. The Garlands experience is something, that if bottled, the dragons on Dragons’ Den would be fighting in front of you to invest. The so- called superstar DJ’s limit themselves to certain clubs that maintain a monopoly on their talents, a monopoly maintained with ruthlessness. Unable to break this ‘jobs

The one thing that is noticeable, certainly from the older clubber, is the negativity towards new music and the younger crowd. “It’s not as good as it used to be”, “the music’s not the same”. I encounter this a lot, often on the way to DJ in Garlands/Bedlam from taxi drivers with their tales of how bad it is now and how much better it was then, or from older, settled-down, parttime clubbers who, when they do go out, can’t understand young clubbers who see clubbing as their reason for existence. Their memories are short. Once they were doing exactly the same thing. In ten years time our current crop

for the boys’ merry-go-round, Garlands has created an environment in which enjoyment is everything, one in which the customer is thoroughly entertained and inclusive, with DJ’s playing to the crowd instead of a DJ relying on his hit

and miss superstar moniker. At Garlands/Bedlam you can be who you want to be with a uniquely diverse crowd who become one big family every Saturday. To be part of the Garlands Family is something truly special and we are all VIP’s who don’t do BOOTHS. You are the Superstar and the entertainers are your Celebrities. The next time someone tries to tell you “it’s not as good as it was“, I’m going to implore – no, insist that you get your arse down to Garlands/Bedlam and once inside I guarantee that you will never again compare yesterday to today, instead you’ll be planning your next trip to the best night of your life. WHY? Because Garlands Made You Do It. Catch Ant every Saturday in Bedlam 2-7 am

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WHAT’S ON / JANUARY - MARCH Here’s Open’s guide to events across Merseyside through January - March . Our What’s On guide covers music, comedy, arts & culture, clubbing, and other events. Visit, openthecity.co.uk for the very latest info on events across the city!

MUSIC

NME AWARDS TOUR 2013 O2 Academy, February 13, £24, 0844 8000 400 The legendary NME Awards Tour returns in February 2013 with one of the most exciting line-ups yet! With Django Django, Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace! www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

JAKE BUGG Echo Arena, February 12, Sold Out, 0844 8000 400 Following a massive sold out tour in Jake Bugg, the fast-rising hitmaker from Nottingham has announced a new set of dates, his first for 2013. These will follow his debut album Jake Bugg, released on 15th October. www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

EXAMPLE Echo Arena, February 13, £25, 0844 477 2000 Following a massive sold out tour in 2012, Example has announced new headline arena dates that will see him kicking off 2013 in style; Example will come to Echo Arena on 13 February 2013. www.echoarena.com

ESCO WILLIAMS O2 Academy, February 21, £9.60 0844 8000 400 Esco Williams, a versatile songwriter who blows up stages with highenergy performances is coming to Liverpool following the release of New Challenger. www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

LIANNE LA HAVAS O2 Academy, March 1, £14 0844 8000 400 With the recent release of Lianne

La Havas’ debut album Is Your Love Big Enough?, the 22 year-old South Londoner will play her biggest UK headline tour to date. www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

JESSIE J Echo Arena, March 5, £25, 0844 8000 400 In 2013 Jessie will be taking her phenomenal live show on the road for her first UK arena tour coming to Echo Arena 5 March 2013. www.echoarena.com

SPOTIFY WEDNESDAY LEAF, Every Wednesday, Free , 0151 707 7747 The inaugural Liverpool Music Every Wednesday, LEAF lets you indulge in some of your favourite tracks, old and new via the most contemporary of all the world’s jukeboxes, Spotify. www.thisisleaf.co.uk

COMEDYCOMEDY A RUSH OF LAUGHTER The Lantern, February 3rd, 0151 703 0000 Headliner Sam Avery is joined by Sam Harland and Peter Brush. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

HARRY HILL: SAUSAGE TIME Liverpool Empire, February 10th, £31, 0844 8713 017 The self-styled floppy-collared loon is back with a live show that promises incontrovertible proof that God exists. Joined by showband ‘The Harry’s’, there’s a section exclusively for Tongans, a chance to catch up on Harry’s Nan’s latest ailments, the legendary Stouffer the Cat and a debut solo stand-up spot by Gary, Harry’s son from his first marriage and recognisable for his role as Alan Sugar in Harry Hill’s TV Burp. www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

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ARTS & CU LTURE

WINTER SPARKS Fact, February 24, Free, 0151 707 4444 Visitors to FACT will be able to trigger a personal light and sound show with electric sparks, interact with the dramatic charges from Tesla coils, and explore the mysteries of the Wilberforce pendulum, with work from four exciting international new media artists being seen in the UK for the first time. www.fact.co.uk

NOISY TABLE Fact, Until February 24th , Free, 0151 707 4444 An augmented ping pong table that makes music and sounds as games are played www.fact.co.uk

LIFE DRAWING Leaf, Sundays in Jan (13th, 27th) Feb – Mar (10th , 24th), £9, 0151 707 7747 A mini holiday for the creative mind – equipping you with a variety of art materials and challenging the typical conceptions of Model Drawing, all levels are welcome. Guidance provided. Follow the cohorts of Liverpool Life Drawing on Tumblr http://lifedrawingliverpool. tumblr.com/

NIGHTLIFE NIGHTLIFE

February 2nd at Nation in Liverpool.

CREAM Nation, March 2nd, £25, 0844 847 2448, www.ticketline.co.uk Cream launches into the year with a line-up that blends the leading names in electronic music right now with the legends that have helped Cream to be the iconic brand it is today, including Paul van Dyk, Nicky Romero, Eddie Halliwell, Aly & Fila, Third Party, Tim Mason plus many more. www.cream.co.uk

OTHER EVENTS

CREAM REUNION

ARENACROSS

Nation, February 2nd, £14 Cream Reunion returns bigger and better than ever for its 6th installment on

Echo Arena, February 10th, £ , 0844 736 0152 Adrenalin-charged, incendiary, insane!

Arenacross and Freestyle Motocross explode into Echo Arena on Sunday 10 February 2013. www.echoarena.com

JELLY LIVERPOOL LEAF, Feb 7th, 21st and March 6th, 21st, Free, 9am – 5pm Don’t labour alone in the solitary salt mines! Jelly Liverpool is a casual all day work-together for anyone with a laptop and some grafting to be done. Surround yourself with fun, creative people and maybe pick up a bit of what they do too. Whether you’re a creative who needs inspiration or a professional who wants to escape from cabin fever or home hum-drum, Jelly welcomes you to get involved with a cup of tea and a delicious sandwich. www.thisisleaf.co.uk

BRANCHING OUT NETWORKING EVENT LEAF, Tues 22nd Jan, 19th Feb, and 19th March, Free Talk about your business without feeling like it’s a sales pitch. Chat with like-minded people in a welcoming atmosphere about business and what’s going on in the world. Hosted in partnership with Your Business eZine and LJMU Start-Up Network. www.thisisleaf.co.uk

FASHION EVENTS FASHION

VINTAGE FAIR The Epstein Theatre, January 26th, 0151 709 4044 Uniting Vintage Fashion, Film and Music for one night only in aid of Alder Hey’s Imagine Appeal. www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

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OPEN CARD OFFERS AUTUMN USE YOUR OPEN CARD AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES TO GET SPECIAL OFFERS.

THOMAS COOK

CITY YOGA

CAPELLO HAIR

£50 per person discount on all Club 18-30 and Escapades holidays for Open Card holders on selected dates;

20% off all memberships, 1st Floor, 21 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9BS, 0151 532 1123 www.cityyogaltd.co.uk

Hair and make up together for just £35, 3a Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2FE, 0151 236 4444 www.capelloliverpool.co.uk

20 May ‘13 - 16 June ‘13 19 Aug ‘13 - 13 Oct ‘13

MAYUR INDIAN RESTAURANT

XPOSURE STUDIOS

20% off, 130 Duke St Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 5AG, 0151 709 9955 www.mayurrestaurant.co.uk

Family Photoshoot RRP £150 – Offer Price £20 Makeover for one person Photoshoot with 50+ images taken Up to 3 outfit changes Free 7×5″ print

or a fantastic deal of: Ibiza 04/09/2013 7 Nights San Antonio Hotel Apollo £199 pp ( Bargain ) www.thomascook.com

MISS FRANCESCA COUTURE

OPEN AD TO FOLLOW

20% off online purchases, 82 Islington, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 8LD, 0151 207 5959 www.missfrnacescacouture.com

OD’S DESIGNER CLOTHING 10% off all stock, 16 Cotham Street St Helens Merseyside WA10 1SA, 01744 730 985 www.odsdesignerclothing.com

DESIGNER BOUTIQUE 10% off all stock, Stopgate Lane, Aintree, L9 6AN, 0151 523 3388 www.designerboutique-online. com

INDOOR SUPER KARTING

£19 instead of £50, Unit 2 Guys Industrial Estate, South Burscough, L40 8TG, 01704 896633 www.indoorsuperkarting.co.uk

TRIBIANNI’S PIZZA

15% off all orders, 3C Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2FE, 0151 236 6404 www.tribbianispizza.com

Unit 211, Tea Factory, 82 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ www.xposurestudios.co.uk

TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE OPEN CARD VISIT OPENTHECITY.CO.UK

CENTRAL PERK Free refills on all tea and coffee with Open Card, 3B Hatton Garden, Liverpool, L3 2AN, 0151 236 6799 www.central-perk.co.uk

LUDUS BAR 20% off total bill with an Open Card, 108 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HY, 0151 709 6607 www.ludasbarco.uk

TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE OPEN CARD VISIT WWW.OPENTHECITY.CO.UK OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

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OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the ethos of your work? I have been creatively minded for as long as I can remember. My grandfather was a glass engraver, and my mother, although a primary school teacher by trade, is an excellent portrait artist, so I think the creative bug had bit me before I was even conceived. Throughout my school career, art and design were the subjects I was most fond of, and time spent on art projects was often at the detriment of other subjects, (particularly mathematics!) but there was no question in my mind that a future in art and design lay ahead of me, so time spent on other subjects seemed, at the time, fruitless. But despite this self-assurance, and despite achieving a degree in Graphic Design at the University of Leeds, I initially struggled to gain work in my chosen field, working instead at a bar in Leeds whilst using my design skills simply to do unpaid favours for friends. The graphic design field was and remains an incredibly competitive field and I had began to lose any hope of fulfilling the career path that had once seemed a certainty. One day I decided to produce a series of alternative posters for Disney films. I am a child at heart, and have a great affection for Disney films and children’s films in general, so it was a natural choice of subject matter. Once finished, I showed the designs to a few friends, one of whom runs a culture blog, and he liked them enough to feature them on it. From then the designs went viral, shared on other blogs, featuring

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in The Observer, Elle magazine, The Huffington Post and many sites online, even garnering a tweet from the Oscar Academy! The continued success of these designs has presented me with a platform to promote my previous design work, has led to more work opportunities, and above all given me back the confidence in my ability that had begun to wane. What were your drawings like as a child? What did you enjoy drawing? My drawings as a toddler were much like any child’s; I mostly drew pictures of people and houses, with the sky

depicted as a thin blue streak across the top of the paper, a common feature of children’s drawings! As I got older, my drawings became more elaborate, depicting dinosaurs, (I was obsessed with the Jurassic Park films) dragons and classic horror movie villains such as Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster. These darker, more mature themes are still evident in the work I produce today. Who or what has been the biggest inspiration on your work? I would say Saul Bass. I’m a bit of a film buff and anyone with a love of

both cinema and graphic design will be familiar with his work. Bass used simplified and symbolic imagery to visually communicate key elements of the plots of the films he designed for, something that I also hope to achieve with much of my own work. Your artistic take on the Disney stories seem a lot darker, what was the reason for that? I’m a big fan of the films of Tim Burton and also of Pedro Almodovar, both of which are, in their own way, darkly comic. I wanted to create images that shared these qualities; dark in theme yet with a witty and light-hearted take on otherwise serious subject matter. Although Disney films are seen as being somewhat frivolous, dig a little deeper and there are tales of poisoning, (Snow White), fratricide, (The Lion King), and even the fur trade, (101 Dalmatians) so actually my darker designs could be seen as befitting of the stories on which the films are based. So your illustrations of classic Disney stories have just gone viral across the internet and you get a phone call from Disney – but rather than wanting to sue you for copyright infringement they want to offer you a job! Tell us a bit about that. A chief animator at Walt Disney studios in California had already bought one of my prints this summer, which was fulfilling enough, but when Disney

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design process, which is fine, but Disney gave me free reign to create the visuals I thought would work. They hired me because they liked my previous designs and wanted the work I did for them to be true to that. Can you tell us what projects you are currently working on for Disney and what else you hope to achieve in the coming years? I am currently designing graphic art for Disney apparel. I’m not sure I can say much more than that, so you will have to wait until 2014 to see the finished products! I have no set plan for the coming years, I want to keep designing and producing good work, whether it be for a major company such as Disney or for a local musician. I would love to design posters for films but at the moment that is just a pipe dream! 5 top things right now • TQS Magazine, a culture blog to whom I owe most if not all of the success I’ve had over the past few months (tqsmagazine.co.uk)

being very anti-social as a result. Do you have a recurring dream? I forget dreams as easily as I forget place names, so it’s difficult to say whether or not I have a recurring dream or not! I do have a common thought process as I lay my head down for the night though, and that is to generate new design ideas. I find that with nothing else to distract me, lying in bed at night is one of the best times for creativity to flourish, and fortunately in the morning I remember ideas well enough to sketch them out ready to be transformed into effective designs! What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is creative block, much as one of the biggest fears for writers is surely writers block. Luckily, I have not encountered one yet, at least not for any sustained period of time, so I’m pretty confident that it’s an affliction I can avoid, though the fear will probably always lurk!

• Marie Curie hospice, Liverpool for their continued support for those with cancer and their loved ones. • Independent musicians, songwriters and producers- current favourites are Chris O’Gorman, Omarose, Aamir Yaqub and Kyle Andre! (Twitter: @ ChrisOGmusic, @omarosebee, @ AamirMusic, @kyleandre) • Controversial for a Liverpool magazine, but The Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester puts on great productions in intimate yet grand surroundings and is a worthy counterpart to Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres. • Mojoes Juice Bar in Crosby, my home from home and a purveyor of the best crepes outside of France! Who is your all time hero and why? It’s a cliché but I’d be trying to save face if I didn’t say my mother. She hasn’t just been an inspiration in terms of her artistic ability and encouragement of my own ability, but in the strength of character she has shown in the face of great adversity and the altruism with which she continues to live her life. What’s your vice? I use my phone far too much and am guilty of being both a great purveyor of social media whilst simultaneously

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What do you think, in general, is great about Liverpool right now? What I love about Liverpool now is what I’ve always loved about it; the people, culture, art and the architecture. Being exposed to such creative hubs like the Tate and the Bluecoat it isn’t a surprise that Liverpool is still the birthplace and home to many world class artists. It’s great that our local artists have helped many youngsters realise that success doesn’t necessarily have to come with academia. What is not so great about Liverpool right now? It goes without saying that gun crime is a problem for most major cities but in recent months it has been a particular cause for concern in Liverpool, largely due to the drug trade. It is important therefore to turn communities against the kind of anti-social behavior that leads to such acts of violence, and I believe that this can in part be

countered by increasing creativity in youth groups and outreach programs with, for example, extra-curricular art and design classes. Art is one subject on school curriculums that can realistically be described as fun for children, and is therefore a great gateway subject into an increased respect for education in general amongst youngsters. You can purchase prints by Rowan at www.etsy.com/shop/rowansm

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OPEN MAGAZINE / WINTER 2013

COMPETITION WIN A YEAR’S GYM MEMBERSHIP FOR LIFESTYLES FITNESS CENTRES NEW YEAR, NEW YOU – GET FIT WITH A ONE YEAR TOTAL MEMBERSHIP, FOR A COUPLE, WORTH £520! There is no better time than to get in to the gym and get in to shape than the start of a New Year. Lifestyles Fitness Centres offers everyone the opportunity to improve their level of fitness in a comfortable, relaxed and friendly environment. Lifestyles currently operates 13 centres across Liverpool and if you are a member of one you are a member of all Their staff put you and your fitness first and are trained to design a programme to suit your needs and goals. At Lifestyles fitness planning is free so there is no need to pay extra for costly trainer consultations. There are a range of memberships available to suit every pocket and they start from £20 per month. No matter what you age or ability Lifestyles will be able to help you achieve your goals. Lifestyles also offer free fitness for under 17’s when they sign up for the Future Lifestyles programme. They can swim, play badminton and squash for free and use the fitness suites free for the first month, and for £1 thereafter.

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WHAT YOU WIN A 12 month Total gym membership, for a couple, to Lifestyles Fitness centres across Liverpool. This will enable you to full access to Lifestyles fitness suites, swimming pools, steam, sauna, squash and badminton courts, most fitness classes and discounted tennis court bookings

HOW TO ENTER For your chance to win a 12 month membership simply send an email to win@open-mag.co.uk with your name, contact number and the answer to the following question. Which of the following would you expect to find in a gym: A. Chocolate fountain B. Cigarette machine C. Treadmill To find out more about Lifestyles, visit: Liverpool. gov.uk/lifestyles

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