y! hl on t M No w
Free
Rabbit’s!
Because it’s spring
on the front
Charlie Thomas Brian Curtis Guy Watts
PLUS pull out gig guide with all that’s worth looking at this month
0 0 2ewTitIlne!s
N ust J
The Furball | April 2009
Wotcha! Contents
Welcome to Issue 2 of the rapidly expanding Furball. In this issue we have all sorts of mismatched nonsense for you to browse over whilst you decide what to do with the rest of your day. There’s a piece on beer, some words on classical music and we catch up with a band calling themselves ‘Magic Tractor’. We have a brand new, pull out
Step1: Make this shape with fingers. Step2: Look through hole. Step3: Hey presto! TV wherever you go. Not just regular TV though, no, 3D interactive, high defenition TV! Go on. Get involved.
Regular stuff
events guide in the middle, as well as more profound spiel from the ever irate ‘Chairman Miaow’. All this coupled with the bang up to date www.thefurball. co.uk, I think you’re being spoiled, especially as you get all of that for the fantastic cover price of nothing. What on earth is there to grumble about? Matt Wellsted|Editor
Oh Deer
What’s New Chairman Miaow What’s On Your Pod? The Sartorial Section All New What’s On Guide The Art Works - Guy Watts View Finder - Charlie Thomas Classic Album Review - Rush 2112 Band profile - Magic Tractor Jenson’s Buttons - This Month’s Have Simply Gotta Be Seen Obscure Treasures And Forgotten Funk Curios - Barry and his Record Bag Buskers Corner - Ron Tree - Not So Much Busker As Local Legend
4 7 13 17 20 22 26 30 31 34 36 37
Food & Drink Special - Ale Be Back - Beer With Royston Rose Rook Lane Tea Time Concerts A Pair Of Pedal Pushers - Bikes Not Trousers... Mystic Will - Answering Your Questions With A Ouija Board
8 10 14 33
Features
Contributors
Cover Photo: Charlie Thomas. www.charlie-thomas.com
A huge thanks to, in no particular order, Kate Bielby, Fay Goodridge, Barry Breaks, Andy Moreton, Will Angeloro, Megan Kelly, Paul & Henry from the Bad Detectives, Duncan Skene, Scott MacKillican. You guys really helped.Thanks.Matt Disclaimer The Furball accepts no responsibility for absolutely anything. There is loads of stuff we never did. That car what smashed into that house, that wasn’t us. That nine hour seige up by Milk Street, we had nothing to do with that either. Dog poo on the street, nopes. In fact, we’re pretty certain that we’re in the clear for everything that’s ever happened anywhere. Apart from trying to stick my neighbours car to the road with green slime when I was six. It didn’t work. Sorry Mr Akehurst.
What’s New In Frome? It might not even be new. Or in Frome.
Indulge your inner femme fatale
Stumped
Keeping it local
Some squirrel, yesterday.
I know this isn’t exactly a new thing but they deserve a mention for outstanding service to record buying. Generally, the independent record shop has recently taken a battering but due to their excellent service and forever expanding stock, Raves from the Graves are bucking the trend. Opened in 1997 and run by enthusiasts with the most comprehensive range of music of all genres on CD & Vinyl and all categories of film, they boast thousands of satisfied customers, coming from near and far. some of the services they provide are; • All new chart releases (including drum & bass) on CD,vinyl and DVD. • New stock daily including rarities. • Next day ordering service. • Generous discounts offered on all multiple purchases. Just ask! • Top prices paid for collections. With the vast choice they offer, there’s no need to go anywhere else. With your support we can secure the future of this Frome institution for another 12 years.
Is it just me, or are they chopping down all the trees and building lots of houses instead? I suppose saying ‘all’ the trees is a little bit of an exaggeration, but they’ve definitely felled at least one nice one. Who gets to decide that then? Can you leave us with a few at least, because I think a) they look nice for one, and 2. secondly the squirrels need somewhere to play and that’s important because I love squirrels almost as much as I love trees. But I couldn’t eat a whole one.
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We are very pleased to announce that local printing giants, Butler, Tanner & Dennis have agreed to look after The Furball. Not only can we see B,T & D from Furball hq’s window, making it easy to pop over and check on progress, but
they have also promised to print the magazine on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved stock. This means the trees where the paper for this magazine comes from are from a managed source. Everyone’s a winner.
Grave Diggers
Ladies, it is time to unleash your curves and inner femme fatales! Deadly is the Female at 59 Catherine Street, Frome, is the new boutique making waves and bringing back that 1950s Hollywood glamour. You’ll find stunning vintage inspired dresses in sizes 8 – 18, deliciously retro accessories and pin-up style lingerie in a fabulous boudoir setting. New for spring are some burlesque inspired accessories and prom dresses designed to make you feel a million dollars without breaking the bank. Just like in the good old days gift wrapping is free of charge upon request and owner Claudia Kapp is always on hand with an honest opinion & style advice. The shop is open Wednesday to Saturday and 7 days a week online at www. deadlyisthefemale.com and gift vouchers are available
Ed & Oucho
If you don’t have kids you might have missed this gem. If you are a kid then all I can say is lucky you. They didn’t make kids programmes as funny as this when I were a lad....Please, for your own good, check it out. Ed And Oucho CBBC on BBC iplayer. it’s brill & you will thank me.
What’s New In Frome?
It’s the word
Where’s your mum gone?
Come and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Mells Daffodil Festival with this “one off, never before done in this area” Drive In Movie in the historic village of Mells. A great night out for everyone. Plus live music by Slippery Fish in the Marquee after the film. Licensed Bar. Saturday 11th April 2009, Church Field, Mells Gates open from 5.30 pm – Film starts at 8.00 pm. Children’s rides, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Ice Cream, Candy Floss, Popcorn Only £15.00 per car For advance tickets call contact Susan White on 07869 100298 or Martin Cox on 01373 464046 and 07970775494 or for more information e-mail info@mellsdaffodilfestival.co.uk
Not that sort of green Bath resident and bespoke bathroom designer Danny ‘I built a home made x-ray machine from a kit I picked up in a junk shop,’ Ainsworth, has stepped forward to look after all issues environmental. When we asked if he could come and meet
us for an interview he turned up in a bright green, second hand, Gumball rally prepared, 10 miles to the gallon Jag. We pointed out that there might be a conflict of interest if he was going to become our green representative. The position remains vacant.
Local independent food retailers have been whooping with delight at the news that frome has been chosen again as the location for yet another behemoth food mega store. Our local council must be glowing with pride, after all there must be plenty of market share to go around for everyone. Personally I don’t share the same enthusiasm for a frozen prawn poundstetcher,
Mells Bells Milk Street Brewery are taking care of our thirst needs at this year’s Mells festival. Not only will there be the usual quality brews available but also a new addition brewed
championed by chav mum’s across the country for their commitment to the 99p mechanised pizza and other flavourless joys. Where do town planners get their ideas from? They sure are cool.
Some prawn.
specially for the festival called ‘Mells Bells’. With the festivities running from Saturday through to Monday you’ll have enough time to sample them all.
Ones to watch The Furball managed to get down to The Black Swan Arts last month to check out the new youth group, ‘Culture Club’ in conjunction with The Black Swan Cygnets. The night was a great success with several live acts providing the entertainment. Two acts that stood out were the fantastic songs of singer/ songwriter Holly Hatt, and the amazing human beat box/recorder playing of Bristol boy, Vid Warren. These two really are a couple of young performers that are heading to much larger stages. If you get a chance to see them around Frome, do. They’re good.
Holly Hatt
Vid Warren
The Furball Page
Butler Tanner Dennis Page 6
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Advertisement feature
10 yrs of the Garden Cafe www.gardencafefrome.com
The Thoughts of Chairman Miaow
The Garden Cafe 16 Stony Street Frome Tel 01373 454178 The Garden Cafe started in 1999 with a vision of creating a successful business that provided delicious food in a relaxing environment whilst incorporating sustainable and environmental principles. Having established Frome Whole foods and pioneered organics and fair-trade products in Frome Jon Evans realised that discerning customers who were sourcing the best ingredients when shopping for themselves and their families would want to know that the same standards were in place when they went out for a meal or a drink. At the Garden Cafe the emphasis is on Organic, Fairtrade and local ingredients served in an environmentally sustainable way. From humble beginnings the cafe is now 70% organic and sourcing as much as possible from local suppliers. Whatever we as individuals consume and use in life has an impact on the environment and planet but at The Garden Cafe the steps have been taken to lessen that impact for customers as much as possible.
Electricity is sourced from a green energy supplier, all plastic, cardboard and glass is recycled. All vegetable waste is composted to be used in the café garden. Ecover cleaning products are used and even the take away containers are biodegradable. So after 10 years the vision is manifesting. There is still a lot to do. The next step is for solar panels to light the garden in the evening and for more recycling and organic produce. So please visit the cafe and enjoy the food and ambience. From all day breakfasts , coffee, teas and herb teas to snacks, a range of toasted sandwiches, fantastic salads, lunches and delicious homemade cakes there is always something to tempt you. As well as seating inside there is a delightful secluded courtyard garden. Open seven days a week and on Friday and Saturday evenings. Also music nights on Wednesdays. The cafe is fully licensed with a good range of organic wines, beers, ciders and spirits. Also available to cater at your special event either at the cafe or your own venue.
“Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun”, so said my chinese comrade. But what liberation of my Siamese brethren ever shined on the orient? None, by the power of man. Just some scissors in the head for desperate peasants. NO, my furry brothers. If ever we are to rise, we must break the binds of feline/human companionship. Sure, curling up in front of the fire can be , how can I say it, decadent.... But decadence is a Bourgeois disease, a cushion for the spineless masses, purring quietly on a human’s lap. I can understand the trap of canned food. Who wants to hunt sparrow in this economic climate? Well friends, the character of the revolution is BUILT on the rugged ideals of the hunter. The proud be-whiskered killing machine, perched quietly under shady branch, watching, Waiting, for a wretched mouse, or wayward bird to fall victim to the glorious revolution. Whilst you won’t find feathers and bones in a can of Felix™, you won’t feel the pride of serving the motherland, and breaking the ties with our human overlords. Too long have our brothers and sisters ended up in curries and stir fries, while the so-called “britishness” of the common housecat bathed us in the illusion of security. The truth is upon us. They are fattening us for the slaughter. It is time to rise, TAKE TO ARMS! TAKE TO ARMS!!. And while you’re at it, take to feet as well. Remember your revolutionary tactics handbook: Chapter 4, lesson 3.. “Weave yourself in and out of the human’s feet in a figure of 8 pattern. this will confuse and disorient the devil. With a bit of practice, and a well placed performance on the top of a flight of stairs, you too, can liberate yourself” more from the Chairman next month The Furball Page
FOOD & DRINK SPECIAL
REAL ALE IS THE NEW ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
So says The Furball’s man in the pub ROYSTON ROSE in his first investigation into where to find the perfect pint in North East Somerset.
At first glance,
The Goose at Monkton may not look like your archetypal country pub but its crumbling veneer and dilapidated furnishings mask a true hidden gem. Along with the usual Wadworth’s 6X and Butcombe Bitter they offer a further two guests. I opted
(another exclusive blend from this popular Frome operation) as well as Humdinger and Broken Limb, both courtesy of local microbrewery Allin’s. Torn between temptations I tackle both, not realising that the latter packs a punch at 6.0% but leaves a warming aftertaste not
survey my surroundings. To say The Stovepipe has seen better days is an understatement. The malfunctioning one-armed bandit and the publicans’ overamorous Great Dane do little to disguise the desperation. Still, they offer another of Allin’s finest – Screaming Blue
Murder – and something calling itself Sod. The clip is unmarked and when I enquire as to its strength and flavour, the surly, duffle-coated landlord simply pulls me a pint with barely concealed disdain. I conclude this revolting concoction derives its name from the fact it’s
I proceed to down as much of it as possible without retching and make my exit. for Jaker’s Copper Pot, which, at 4.5%, is a safer bet than the pokey Oswestry Old Forest… certainly at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. The Pot is a malty amber brew with caramel notes. My thirst pleasantly slaked I embark on the 1½ mile hike to Candlewick with vigour. There you’ll find the imposing 17th century façade of The Red Herring. Under new management and back on its feet after a period of neglect, this charming former inn offers excellent cuisine and a bewildering array of ales. The obligatory Greene King IPA (why?) and Butcombe Bitter are flanked by Blindman’s Brewery’s Golden Goblin Page
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unlike roast parsnip. There aren’t many rural pubs that stay open during that grim hinterland between 3 and 6 PM but, luckily for me, The Flibberty Gibbet at Nutscombe is one such venue. So it’s another 2 miles down the old Whirton Road and across some rather waterlogged fields before I’m rewarded with… a closed pub. My knocks fail to rouse the staff so I shuffle forlornly off up the A312 towards The Stovepipe at Sagebrooke. By the time I get there it’s almost 6 and the place is already open so I neck a very bitter Wednesday & Thorncroft’s Best before stopping to
Screaming Blue Murder. Delicious.
A pint of Hung, Drawn and quartered
FOOD & DRINK SPECIAL made of mud but – not wishing to displease my scowling host – I proceed to down as much of it as possible without retching and make my exit. Just outside Sagebrooke in the beautiful Heathen Valley you’ll find a legend among North East Somerset ale houses, The Old Lucifer Tavern – so named because it’s rumoured that Beelzebub himself sometimes pops in for a swift half whenever he finds himself earthbound. I’m greeted by a triumvirate of ruddy-faced youths debating the merits of “Bunce’s van” at an alarming volume and a mature hostess whose exposed cleavage threatens to obscure the range of ales to be had. To their credit they carry Humphrey’s Old Bag (how amusingly apt, I chuckle inwardly), Avalon’s Bent Double and – much to my delight – the rarely spotted Garrick Brothers’ Hung, Drawn & Quartered. I pounce on this one with glee and revel in its smoky kipper and Vimto complexity. At this point I endeavour to alert my brothers in the Frome Ale Group (FAG) of my discovery via text message but I can’t get a signal and so make do with writing up my notes so far. I plump for the heavier Bent Double to follow which goes down easy but engenders an almost instantaneous sense of disorientation and giddiness. I know I must hasten if I’m to make my
final destination so I drain my glass, bid farewell to the only buxom wench I shall be served by this evening and head for the door, upsetting an unoccupied table and banging my head on a “lucky” horse shoe en route, much to the amusement of the three lads at the bar. After taking in the chill evening air and possibly having a short impromptu nap, I regain my stead and head off into the darkness. Sometime later it becomes apparent that I’ve confused my final
The Cider House.
stop, The Wassailer’s Arms at Fetherington, for that place known only as “The Cider House” (its actual name – Cinderella Rockerfella’s – lost in the mists of time). At 10:30 however I don’t have many options and reach the desolate, unsigned stone building just before 11. I needn’t have worried. It turns out this place hasn’t technically closed since 1986, and even then only to dispatch the body of a departed patron. I feel a sense of dread and unease as I enter, though to be fair this could have been due to the 7 pints of strong ale I’ve consumed and the increasingly
agonising blisters on my ankles. Inside I’m greeted by… well, nobody. An old man sits alone in one corner, seemingly dead, while another slightly older old man stands swaying in the centre of the room while emptying the not inconsiderable contents of his coat pockets onto the floor. I lurch towards the bar – not purposefully but it suits the mood a treat – and await service. There is but one cider on offer and it’s kept in a huge barrel wedged between the bar and the ceiling. The words “Buried Alive” are written on it – possibly in wode and by a small child. I can only surmise that somebody appeared, served me a pint of the stuff and I drank it. Sadly my memory cannot verify this. When I wake – in front of The Cider House at 11 o’clock the following morning – I am clinging to my notes and shaking uncontrollably. The last page is illegible. It may be a while before I submit another column and I can only hope that some of you intrepid ale hunters out there are now a wee bit better equipped in your search for the perfect pint. I know I am. RR
Milk Street Brewery
10
th
ary! s r e v i Ann t - 3rd s May 1
Milk Street Brewery of Frome - renowned for fabulous real ales - have decided to open up their pub, the Griffin, to the competition. For this weekend only, we will be stocking the best from the rest of the country, just for the proof that we really do brew the finest beer EVER! As well as a whole host of real ales, this weekend will be the grand opening of the Griffin’s kitchen, so come and enjoy a pint of your favourite beer and peruse the new menu of delicious pub food. And of course, what would a festival at the Griffin be without live music? Over the course of the weekend, we will be having music from:
ish Slippery F
ohead
emma & th e
acafellas
skarper boy lemonti
Wow, what a weekend, why spend it anywhere else?! Hi. My Name’s Phil. Phil Space
www.milkstreetbrewery.co.uk The Furball Page
Tea time concerts at Rook Lane Chapel
This month
The
26th April
Kandinsky Winds You don’t get an audition at one of London’s top music colleges unless you’re really good and you don’t get a place unless you’re exceptional. You get in, you work hard to master your instrument, but you don’t get the opportunity to represent the college in outside events unless you’re outstanding. It’s just such a bunch of young musicians at the start of their professional careers that Frome audiences will be privileged to enjoy soon. The Royal Academy of Music comes to Rook Lane Chapel in a series of three concerts, one a month in April, May and June. The relaxed approach at Rook Lane works Page 10
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particularly well for newcomers to classical music who are, maybe, just putting an adventurous toe in the water, stepping outside their comfort zone. The organisers of these concerts try hard to make them suitable for all ages and all levels of musical knowledge you could be a professor of music or someone attending their first classical concert and get just as much out of one of these events. Claire Willis (oboe), Romola Smith (clarinet) and Joanna Stark (bassoon), who call themselves The Kandinsky Winds, will be kicking this series off with a mainly French programme from the early part of
the twentieth century. France in general and Paris in particular was arguably the centre of the world at this time for so many artists ,writers and composers. Claire, Joanna and Romola who are all post-grads at the Royal Academy, are full of fun and are really looking forward to bringing a light-hearted and varied programme of works by Arrieu, Francaix and Milhaud to Frome.
Rafal Luke 17th May
Tickets (priced at £8 for adults and £5 for sixteens and under) will be available on the door from 4.45pm on the day - Sunday April 26th. Tea & biscuits (included) is available before the concert, which starts at 5.30pm and lasts an hour without an interval.
Kaxan String Quartet 7th June
Coming soon...
Jessica Hayes 17th May
Rook Lane Chapel www.rooklanearts.org.uk
Llama
Handsome Llama Music Studios PA hire Practice Rooms Recording Full DJ Service 01373 461020 07919 082614
Music Studio For Hire Individual tuition Small groups Practice studio
Hourly rates morning afternoon evening
For more information or to book some time, call Julie on:
01373 471857
The Furball Page 11
Oh no. We’re on
When I was about 15 I went out with someone who was a bit mad and when I quickly stopped going out with him he loitered around my house, and phoned up loads. He told my mum that the trauma caused the onset of his diabetes. Nearly 25 years later, he got hold of my email and sent me a perky note. My point is that we lose touch with people for good reasons, Mark Zuckerberg. We should not share, we should keep it to ourselves. More Butts Bugle at http://buttsbugle.blogspot.com/
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the web
That said, the Furball is apparently now on the internet as well as in your hand. If you want to find out if that slightly spoddy bloke who sat next to you at college has finally managed to get someone to have sex with him and produce a child, the Furball will soon link to Facebook. If you want to check whether Stephen Fry is picking his bum in a lift, it’ll have something to do with Twitter as well. And some other stuff. KB
www.thefurball.co.uk
What’s on your pod?
It’s music to my ears...
Gareth Radiohead
Brad Maximo Park Chris The Dog Metallica
Ainsley Breathe Slow - Alisha Dixon
Chris
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson The House That Never Was
Lammy My EyesTravis
This month we sent a very ill Megan onto the streets of Frome to uncover who was listening to what. Because you’re all such a nice friendly bunch out there you happily obliged. These are our very scientific findings.
Adam was listening to Showaddywaddy, apparently.
Cath Royksopp The Furball Page 13
egan Kelly
ks photos: M
y Brea words: Barr
It’s official. We’re going to run out of petrol in the next year and they’re grounding all the planes forever. There’s only one mode of transport left...
Live2Ride In our opinion, the one thing Frome has been missing over the last few years has been a bike shop. Picture the scene, you’ve just finished work/college and you’re cycling home... then you break your chain. You immediately look around for a cycle specialist, to get it fixed on the spot. No bike shop. So you trudge home frustrated, wheel it into the darkest corner of your garage, and swear to fix it soon. Meaning that it’s doomed to the webs and rust. Well, thanks to the freewheeling foresight of Richard Evans, this situation is no more! Get yourself down to Live 2 Ride, the brand new and extremely well presented independent bike shop at Badcox. Located at the site of the old Esso garage, and supported by the knowledgeable and friendly store manager Page 14
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Matt Fordham. They’re able to offer both advice and full mechanic service for all bikes, plus they also offer an unrivaled guide to the very best local trails. For those of you looking to move up through the gears, stock includes both road and mountain bikes by specialist manufacturer Trek, and custom-built Curtis mountain bikes. We’ll be featuring much more about the local MTB scene in future editions, so keep your eyes peeled!
If you’re on the road you need a hat. Luckily for you there are some pretty snazzy little numbers you can cover your bonce with.
Brian Curtis Brian Curtis is a master craftsman and founder of Curtis Bikes, a pioneer in the world of hand builtbikes and a brand still at the top of its game. I ask him how he started out, and we rewind 50 years, to the engineering workshop of the Rickman Brothers in New Milton, Hampshire. As a young apprentice Brian quietly honed his skills, welding, creating and brazing motorbike frames including the famous 500 Matchless Matisse. Displaying a natural ability and passion for brazing techniques, he was fast-tracked to custom develop bikes for the firm, and then began riding his own creations in competitons for fun, “winning was just a bonus” he added. Brian’s crowning achievement as a rider came as an unsponsored rider winning the Rob Walker trophy in 1965, on his trusted ‘Matisse’, beating the elite ‘off-road’ riders of the day. Eventually the adreneline of riding wore off, so he concentrated on his love of building frames. Before long, Brian was noticed as a leading developer and worked with every major manufacturer of note in the business, including among others a joint project for Norton Villiers Triumph, to make a Yamaha frame for the Japanese market. Ducati, BMW and Honda have also had the Curtis midas touch. For one guy in his west-country workshop, being courted by the cream of the industry to develop their products, you would imagine that this is the end of a triumphant ‘boy done good’ story. Not so. It was the emergence on the BMX in the 1980’s that cemented his status in legend, and one fateful meeting that would change his life. A young welder called Gary Woodhouse turned up at Brian’s workshop looking for work, wheeling in a Mongoose BMX bike. Brian was struck by the ‘motorcross’ look, and basic geometry and was inspired right away to develop a prototype based on the design he had seen. A partnership was born, and Gary was given every young lads dream job of going out on a mission to stress test (wreck) Brian’s work. With the wind in their sails, Curtis quickly became the choice bike of BMX enthusiasts everywhere, with Gary throwing bikes from first storey buildings and
Brian evaluating the wreckage tweaking the design and re-building, with demand ever growing. Eventually the golden-summer of BMXing in the 80’s decided to skip autumn and nosedived into a bleak winter, and with a huge upheaval in his personal life, Brian decided to leave the business altogether. However, in 2000 after much persuasion from Gary, that there was a natural transition for their talent and products in the Mountain bike market, Curtis Bikes returned to their passion for hand-built frames by developing the Super-Cross model. With celebrity rider Chris Smith (alright mate!) test riding the prototype, which bore all the qualities of their lightweight BMX racer design, using the high tech-T45 tubing and geometric perfection on a larger scale. Since then the brand has been going from strength to strength, with a cult following in Japan and the phenomenal output of 1 bike per week, meaning they are currently safe from a corporate take over. Speaking to Brian you get a strong sense that he genuinely feels indebted to Gary Woodhouse, his star protege and worthy successor to this wonderful brand, for his renewed passion in creating bikes. Brian with Bob Walker trophy (Above) Brian holding frame(Right) A Curtis BMX prototype (below)
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We love those boots, where did you get them from? Had to order them directly form Fly London in Portugal as they had been discontinued and I didn’t like the colours on offer, so I can boast having had some measure-made boots You have an interesting style,have you always lived in the uk? Not quite, I am french born and was brought up in the small town not
Name Sylvie Where do you live? Frome
Sylvie
Name Ricardo Paris Where do you live? I currently live in Frome with my girlfriend Veronika. Can you describe your style? Well I find myself always wearing something different all the time, something simple, something that defines me as my own personality and my lifestyle! You have quite a retro/acid jazz/ funk type style going on, do you like that sort of music? Yeah, we can say so. My dress style reflects a little in my musical taste, that’s true.
Section
o r t r i al a S
The Ricardo
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A big thank you to Sylvie and Ricardo for letting The Furball poke it’s nose into their world for five minutes. We’ll be on the streets again soon so watch out. It could be you in the next issue.
dissimilar to Wells, before I escaped to the city! I also lived a bit in East Africa before moving to London where I stayed for 10 years, so maybe a bit influenced by the British eccentricity. Are there any shops, clothing or otherwise that you think Frome is missing? Children’s clothes and shoe shops which are not too expensive and still offer a bit more than the usual nylon/ pink for girls or khaki/navy for boys selection. Otherwise I think we are rather lucky in Frome.
Preferences? Jazz/Nu-Jazz/ Soul/Hip-Hop/Soulful/ House Music. I usually Listen music of Jazzanova, NuSpirit Helsinki, Gilles Peterson, Azymuth, and to Blue Note jazz records, and to many other DJ’s. Too many to list here. Are there any shops, clothing or otherwise that you think Frome is missing? Well in my opinion Frome doesn’t need mens shops, but a nice Night Lounge bar with good music, food, and live DJ sessions every weekend is really what the town needs.There’s already enough vintage and retro shops, I think. actually I’ve got my 70’s leather jacket in one of them.
...to be adorned
5 Catherine Hill Frome Somerset BA11 1BY Telephone: 01373 454145 e: shop@annettegabbedey.com www.annettegabbedey.com
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Vintage hollywood apparel for burlesque beauties, pretty pin ups & delicious dames boutique web store & freelance design
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Dr ive movi In e
Easter Saturday 11th Apri GREASE starts at 8.00pm Gates open at 5.30pm.
£15.
per
00
car
“I got chills, they’re multiplying, and I’m losing control” Mells Daff fest is 30. To mark it out as something special they’re screening a drive in showing of that all american classic, Grease, so all you T-birds & Pink Ladies out there, hop into your cadillacs (vauxhalls) and get on down to the drive in (Mells festival) and catch a classic in style. The word on the street is that John Travolta himself might make a surprise appearance! Let’s wait and see..
It ain’t what you wear.. It’s the way that you wear it
Advertisement feature
Nova presents an unusual collection of gorgeous clothing, accessories and lifestyle items for both ladies and men. The choice is wide and wonderful and ranges from the 20s through to the 70s and 80s. Mens fashion seems to be a neglected sector and Nova have established a great reputation for offering a considerable selection of unique menswear for the man who is looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Be it a stylish hat, snazzy shoes or a unique tie, you are sure to find something
to suit! Find them at 12 Catherine Hill. email: nova.frome@virgin.net Love Arts? Then we hope you’ll love Love Arts! This fun and funky boutique at 12b Catherine Hill houses a colourful kaleidoscope of psychedelic artworks, vintage and retro collectables, unique accessories and an abundance of ornamental living paraphanalia for those who like to live ornamentally. Stylish one-off ladies designer fashions from past decades are brought right into the
here and now. Right here. Right now. Anything goes. There’s no age limit to eclectic style and size matters, which is why we try to offer super skinny to ravishingly round. Our ethos is ‘it aint what you wear it’s the way that you wear it’. Bright ideas and inspiration abound. Let your imagination run riot, throw all caution to the wind and languish in the knowledge that you’re enhancing your ecocredentials when you dress to impress and show that secondhand doesn’t have to mean second best! The Furball Page 19
April
For more information, contact the venue. Numbers can be found on the internet
MILK STREET BREWERY
Sunday 5th
Ruby Brown at The Griffin 8pm - Free. Stuff and Nonsense Theatre presents Across the Deep Blue Sea at The Merlin Theatre 2pm - All tickets £5. Artist 303 exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free DJ Fricker at Bar11 Varied music all night.
Saturday 4th
the image of cliff richard. kytsun wolfe & the rapiers at The Memorial Theatre Adult ticket - £17.50 Artist 303 exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free
Friday 3rd
Phantom Limb at The Griffin 8pm - Free Artist 303 exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free Karaoke at Bar11 9.30pm - 1am. Free
Thursday 2nd
Nancy Balck at The Olive Tree music at 9pm - Free Artist 303 exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free Salsa dancing with lessons at Bar11 Contact 07886 661047 for details.
Wednesday 1st
- Free Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel Easter rave at Bar11 Phone venue for details. 10am - 4pm. Free Open Mic session from 1.30pm Mells Daffodil Festival Salsa dancing with lessons at Bar11 Contact 07886 Monday 13th 661047 for details. Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel Wednesday 22nd 10am - 4pm. Free Simon Allen at The Olive Tree 9pm - Free Mells Daffodil Festival www.mellsdaffodilfestival.co.uk Frome Drama Club presents - Noises Off Tuesday 14th A play by Michael Frayne at The Merlin Theatre £8 Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel - £6.50 concessions 10am - 4pm. Free Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel Salsa dancing with lessons at Bar11 Contact 07886 10am - 4pm. Free 661047 for details. Thursday 23rd Wednesday 15th Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel The Operation at The Olive Tree 9pm - Free. 10am - 4pm. Free Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel Karaoke at Bar11 9.30pm - 1am. Free 10am - 4pm. Free Friday 24th Thursday 16th Weekend music course - Introduction to Bach’s Well Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel Tempered Clavier with Roy Stratford. Jackdaws Great 10am - 4pm. Free Elm £165. Karaoke at Bar11 9.30pm - 1am. Free Rock Dog at The Griffin 8pm - Free. Friday 17th Acoustic Plus at The Cheese & Grain 8pm. £4 or £2 for Dave’s Psychedelicatessen at The Griffin 8pm - Free the unwaged. Weekend music course - Comparative piano Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel techniques. Kenneth Van Barthold. For piano players 10am - 4pm. Free Jackdaws, Great Elm £165. Pole Dancer. R&B all night at Bar11
All the info was correct at time of going to print. We strongly suggest you get in touch with the venue before setting out just to make sure everything’s ok.
Getting out & about has never been easier...
Gigs&Events This month sponsored by the
Weekend music course - Comparative piano techniques. Kenneth Van Barthold. For piano players Jackdaws, Great Elm £165. Little Black Number at The Griffin 8pm - Free Focus at The Cheese & Grain 8pm. £14 in adv - £16 on the door Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free DJ Fricker at Bar11
Schubertreise - A journey through the piano sonatas - James Lisney, piano, concert 1.. 7.30 pm - £15 at Jackdaws, Great Elm Karaoke at Bar11 9.30pm - 1am. Free
The Griffin music quiz. 8pm - £1. The Saw Doctors at The Cheese & Grain £21 in adv - £23 on the door. 8pm
The Eggs Factor at The Griffin The great egg off @ Sausage Sunday . If you’re into your pickled eggs, then this sounds like the place you need to be. 8pm
Look out for Milk Street Brewery at this years Mells Daffodil festival, making sure you try out the new brew,‘Mells Bells’. It’s a three day affair this year so pace yourself.
Sunday 12th
Thursday 30th
Tuesday 21st
Danny Ward at The Olive Tree 9pm - Free
Wednesday 29th
Celtic Session at The Griffin 8pm - Free Salsa dancing with lessons at Bar11 Contact 07886 661047 for details.
Tuesday 28th
Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free
Monday 20th
Weekend music course - Comparative piano techniques. Kenneth Van Barthold. For piano players Jackdaws, Great Elm. £165. Open mic session @ Sausage Sunday at The Griffin. 1pm - Free Poker at Bar11 Games start at 7pm and 9pm.
Sunday 19th
Weekend music course - Introduction to Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier with Roy Stratford. Jackdaws Great Elm £165 Roscoe @ Sausage Sunday at The Griffin 1pm - Free Teatime Concert 1; The Kandinsky Winds at Rook Lane Chapel 4.15pm - 6pm. £18/£10 under 21’s for all 3 concerts (April, May & June). Poker at Bar11 Games start at 7pm and 9pm.
Sunday 26th
Weekend music course - Introduction to Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier with Roy Stratford. Jackdaws Great Elm £165 (starts Friday) Wishbone Ash 40th Anniversary Tour at The Cheese & Grain £14.50 in adv. £16.50 on the door. Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free DJ Fricker at Bar11 Varied music all night.
Saturday 25th
Apple Squadron at The Griffin 8pm - Free Drive In Movie: GREASE Mells Festival £15 per car Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free DJ Fricker at Bar11 Varied music all night.
Saturday 11th
Jim Davidson at The Memorial Theatre hmmm. Tickets £20 Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free R&B all night at Barr11 VK promo - £1 a bottle
Friday 10th
Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel. 10am - 4pm. Free Karaoke at Bar11 9.30pm - 1am. Free
Thursday 9th
Nikki Mascall & Griff Daniels at The Olive Tree 9pm - Free
Saturday 18th
Wednesday 8th
The Griffin music quiz. 8pm - £1 Salsa dancing with lessons at Bar11 Contact 07886 661047 for details.
Tuesday 7th
Sirocco, an enthralling evening of dance as ritual, drama and sensuality at The Merlin Theatre. Tickets £16 Philip Ledbury: Life Exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel 10am - 4pm. Free R&B all night at Barr11 VK promo - £1 a bottle
Danny Ward & Colin Elliot @ Sausage Sunday at The Griffin 1pm - Free Poker at Bar11. Games start at 7pm and 9pm.
ArtWorks Interview by Fay Goodridge
Guy Watts
“The drawings are a meditation process in themselves” Geologist turned ecology minded artist, Guy Watts produces exacting, minutely detailed black and white drawings reflecting both his travels and various forms of meditation.
Detail from ‘Matrix’.
Detail from ‘Rough to Smooth’.
Detail from ‘Strands’.
Why Frome? After university, I worked for many years as a geologist on the North Sea oil rigs, based in Newcastle. I would often visit and stay with a friend in Westbury before settling in an old terraced cottage in Frome in 2003. I was particularly attracted to the architecture and atmosphere of the town and its situation in the rolling Somerset landscape. Have you always been interested in drawing? I had to produce very accurate hand drawn maps as part of my work and it seemed natural when I wasn’t on duty on the rigs that drawing was a way to fill the empty hours. What materials do you use? I just use a small A4 block of hot pressed illustration board such as CS10 or Bristol Board, which was traditionally used by commercial artists. It’s very hard, smooth surface enables the ink from my very fine Rotring pen to flow really fluidly. Where and when do you work? I don’t need a large studio, so work at home on a flat surface under a strong halogen lamp, similar to one used by jewellers to give a clean, even light. I find first thing in the morning when my mind is really fresh is the best time to work. After about 3 hours at the drawing board (broken with a couple
of tea breaks), I punctuate the day with other activities to keep my mind fresh and stimulated with new ideas. I’m very disciplined and enjoy the routine of the drawing process. The drawings are a meditation process in themselves. Many of your drawings feature the theme of a road or journey, are you a great traveller? Yes, very much so. I have completed several long distance European journeys by bicycle. In fact, last year I spent 5 months travelling around France and Spain by bike, absorbing the variable landscapes. I never sketch en-route – most of my ideas for drawings come from dreams and thoughts as I am cycling. Tell me about “Into The Night”. This drawing was completed earlier on in my drawing journey. It’s constructed from a mixture of ideas –many tributaries feeding a larger river or source, it’s an aerial view of that structure in my mind’s eye. It’s also formed from a geological influence and considering the size of the universe and what we think of as “the edge of the universe” - what is it and where is it? I was living in Newcastle at the time and taking a lot of night walks in the nearby Northumbrian countryside, so the stars are a direct motif drawn from those experiences.
Opposite page. ‘Into The Night’
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ArtWorks Interview by Fay Goodridge Guy Watts(Continued) “Perfect Grasses” has proved to be your most popular selling image to date with prints and postcards. Why do you think that is? I just love experimenting with freehand lines and I think the drawing offers a simple message, where the viewer can escape into something dreamlike. Everyone likes the ideas of laying in a field of long grass on a hot summer’s day, it’s as straightforward as that. Which artists inspire you? Paul Klee, particularly his more intricate line drawings. The earlier works of MC Escher and the austere, dream-like images of Yves Tangueley.
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Do you listen to music while you work? All the time. I think my tastes are fairly eclectic. I like anything with an experimental feel – Harry Partch, George Crum, Ron George, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd and Taro Takamistsu. How do you relax? Walking and cycling in the countryside around Frome, yoga and meditiation.
Detail from ‘Perfect Grasses’.
What things make Frome special to you? I love the angles of the rooftops, the mature trees in Victoria Park and just sitting in La Strada, having a coffee and watching the world go by. ‘Perfect Grasses’.
‘Fadin’ thru’ leaded windows’.
Born 1964, Southampton UK. Educated Kingston Polytechnic. Self taught artist. Lives And Works Frome. Represented By The Art Works, Frome 01373 451801. Gallery Nine, Bath 01225 319197. www.guywatts.co.uk
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ViewFinder
Interview by Matt Wellsted
Charlie Thomas “In Latin America, the press tap into the police radio waves, and often arrive at a crime-scene before the police.” We get to talk to Charlie Thomas. Not only handy at looking after one of The Furball’s fave drinking spots but an expert photographer as well. We’ve included some of her favourite shots as well as a couple of ours. You worked for the press in Nicaragua for a while. How did that come about? Over the past 6 years, I have spent a lot of time in Nicaragua, after discovering a family friend lived there. My most recent and longest trip was in 2006/2007. After I’d been there a few months, I emailed the picture editor for La Prensa, one of the country’s nationals, on the off-chance that I could come in and be a tea-maker or something. He replied, saying “come in Monday”. I did, he kitted me up and pointed me in the direction of my journalist and car. Was it an enjoyable experience? It was incredible. In Latin America, the press tap into the police radio waves, and often arrive at a crime-scene before the police. It’s all about who you know, too- each journalist has friends in the police force, who will often contact them, before anyone else. There is none of the red tape that restricts the public in the UK. I was stunned by the lack of reaction from a crowd when fronted with a dead body: it is a telling sign of a society that has become accustomed to seeing such sights. For me it was shocking, but I had no time to adjust – a job had to be done and the niceties of England disappeared extremely quickly. The area I was living in was one of the most impoverished barrios of the capital, and La Prensa is the more rightwing broadsheet. As well as following daily incidents (road accidents, drugs raids, evictions, murder trials, Page 26
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This little girl cares for her 5 younger siblings, whilst her mum leaves the house at 5am to sell fruit on the street
The Furball Page 27
Continued arrests, fires etc), I also worked on the weekly childrens’ supplement. This involved following the newspaper’s mascot (a large pencil), as he visited schools around the city. We only ever went to private schools, many of which were taught in English. Living and working in these two contrasting environments, I was presented with the vast imbalance of wealth that Nicaragua suffers. What’s tougher, travelling to crime rife, Latin American slums as a reportage photographer, or, clearing out the Griffin last thing on a Saturday night? Hmm, tricky one, but I reckon I’d go for the latter- there’re more bodily fluids to deal with. What sort of kit do you use? At the moment, I’m using mainly digitalNikon D200, with SB800 flash, and my new 1020mm lens. I still love my Hasselblad, but can’t afford the developing costs right now, and Page 28
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it’s just not suitable for some jobs when the images are needed very quickly. Which photographers inspire you? Enrique Metinides is an amazing Mexican photographer. He began shooting for the national paper at the age of 12, illustrating the tragic misfortunes of the people of Mexico City through the bloody daily life pages. I also love the work of Lauren Greenfield, a NorthAmerican photographer and film-maker who explores on the relationships between teenagers and their bodies. Her works were a direct influence for my British Cheerleaders project. Tell us a little bit about each of the pictures you’ve chosen here. Gill Chambers is a potter who lives in my old road. An amazing woman, with an amazing house. This is Gill with Rabbit, (Front cover) her amazing dog. I shot the cheerleaders at the final of a big American Football
I had only a minute to take this shot of a 19 year-old who had just been arrested for stealing.
match. The weather was fantastic, giving me dark brooding sky and cold winds. The tights of these two girls has been speckled with rain as they practise. Alisa (Opposite page, top) is one of three daughters of Carlos and Erika, a couple from Nicaragua who have been living in Bristol for 8 years. The main picture on the previous page was taken whilst working for La Prensa. This little girl cares for her 5 younger siblings, whilst her mum leaves the house at 5am to sell fruit on the street to feed her family. I had only a minute to take this shot (This page, top) of a 19 year-old who had just been arrested for stealing, before he was taken to the cells.FB www.charlie-thomas.com
I shot this at the final of a big American Football match. The weather was fantastic, giving me dark brooding sky and cold winds.
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Classic Album Revisited
Words by Will Angeloro
RUSH 2112
Lets face it, we
loved an LP that opened up into 2 halves. For one thing, you could clean your pot in them. How many of you over 30 still own a copy of Pink Floyd’s The Wall? I’ll bet you if I looked, I’d find stems and seeds sandwiched between the liner notes (Produced by Bob Ezrin) and that glorious Gerald Scarfe painting of THE TRIAL (Good morning worm your honour). Even better if it’s a double album. Or the EXTREMELY rare triple LP. The Clash’s Sandanista! is the greatest triple album of all time. Don’t argue, you’re wrong, I’m right. But I digest….(mmmm Sugar, Oh Honey Honey)… A Classic album with a bitchin expanded gatefold cover that you could clean your pot with….GOOD LORD, and please world, forgive my sins for I know not what I do………….ITS RUSH2112 Like the general in Full Metal Jacket, I declare, inside every rock and Page 30
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roll fan, there’s a pseudo prog head waiting to get out. Poor Rush… 1st off, they’re Canadian. Funny accents and socialized medicine. This was a completely foreign concept to a NY boy like me. But they sang to the inner nerd in me. In 1984 the inner nerd in me had somehow beat its way out and was holding the excruciatingly cool, sophisticated ME inside. One thing you learn quickly when you’re 14, Drawing the Rush Logo and the 2112 red star on your notebook wasn’t going to get you any girls. This record better be good (the inner, exponentially cooler me said). Pipe down you pretentious bastard (the outer, excuse-making, and equally pretentious nerd/me replied). Like many rock fans in their early teens, records like these had the sometimes unexpected side effect of actually making you go out and, you know, READ!!!. In the case of Rush’s brilliant
2112, it was Ayn Rand. It would be years before I could ever comprehend Objectivism, but I vaguely understood Fountainhead, and more importantly, acquired yet one more piece of the secret rock and roll language Jeff Goodman spoke about in his book, Mansion on a Hill. Let me explain to the uninitiated.. 2112 is a song cycle in 7 parts about a futuristic repressive society where music is banned. Our hero finds a guitar, learns to play, and dashes to the high priests to spread his joy to the world. He is immediately rebuked with odd time signatures, A rickenbacher bass, and Alex Lifesons Swedish porn star haircut(See back cover). Then there’s an oracle, a dream, and something about someone “assuming control” of the..what was it? Planets in the solar federation?…. Who cares. Its BLOODY GREAT. I spent hours pouring over the lyrics and the bits of extra poetry
printed on the expanded gatefold (brushing away seeds and stems). A cool logo. Neil Peart’s moustache. It’s a classic. A bloated, bombastic, classic. Side 2 is just some songs. Good ones, like.. A Passage to Bangkok, which is about stems and seeds. A rare Alex Lifeson lyric in Lessons, which is in itself a beautiful song I do love Rush, and have spent years apologizing for this fact. But I have long since reconciled the inner and outer nerd ,and no longer fear keeping this classic piece of wax on the top shelf next to the Clash’s Sandanista!, and Pink Floyd’s the Wall. Or Otis Redding for that matter. Next to The Band and James Brown…….. But I digest WA
Words by Matt Wellsted
that’s who. c i g maactor Tr
Who?
When I invited Magic Tractor to be interviewed for The Furball I thought it would be a breeze. The three chaps in the band – Mike (guitar/vocals), Paul (bass/vocals) and Andy (drums) – appear to be intelligent and amiable. They plainly know a lot about music and are very serious about it – if not about themselves. However, upon cornering them in the garden of Frome’s Griffin pub to get a few words out of them for the interview, I came away with little more than an improved knowledge of defunct Frome pubs of the 1970s and an offer for them to interview me for the mag instead.
Having seen them play live in the same venue a couple of weeks earlier I surmised that their brand of amped-up rock ‘n’ roll is rooted in The Who, Small Faces, early Hendrix and various obscure bands of the 1960s whose songs fill their set. Nothing unusual so far. What really blew me away that night was the volume and ferocity with which they deliver this stuff – they come across more like a punk or metal band than a bunch of 30-something music students. From what I’ve managed to glean since, all three members of the Tractor have served lengthy apprenticeships. Mike and Andy are recent blow-ins to Frome who have become fairly well known here as the acoustic duo Leonardo’s Bicycle. They’ve known each other “twenty odd years” and have played in countless bands together. They enjoyed some success in Spain with their band Bronco Bullfrog, releasing five albums, touring, doing festivals and playing live on national TV. Paul is a local lad and plays guitar and sings in Frome’s long-standing garage/surf/rock ‘n’ roll heroes The Bad Detectives as well as the country’s premier punk covers band The UK Stiffs (it says here). They got together about six months ago because, as Andy puts it, “Mike wanted to make some noise after sitting on a stool playing acoustic guitar for two years. We decided to go back to our roots – the stuff we loved when we were 16 or 17 and forming our first bands. For me and Mike that was The Who, Small Faces, Kinks, Pretty Things, Creation, Move and all manner of underground mod and psychedelic bands like Tomorrow and Fire. It’s at the very core of our being – the stuff we always come back to after flirting with Japanese jazz fusion or Patagonian nose flute music.” So how did Paul enter the picture? “He just fit the bill perfectly. He drinks in The Griffin and owns a bass. Also he’s into all the same old rubbish as us, hates all the same new rubbish as us and is a smashing fella to boot.” They hope to write and record some of their own tunes soon and we’ve earmarked one of them for inclusion on a future Furball CD. “We’re not really into recording covers. I mean, you’re rarely going to match the original – especially if you can’t play properly like us.” What follows is the unexpurgated contents of a second interview I attempted to conduct with the band after our first failed meeting.
THE FURBALL: If you had a time machine with a one-way ticket, where would you go?
ANDY: The plague-ridden, whore-strewn streets of East
Band Profile
London circa late 1888. Obviously I’d be a toff, swanning about in my horse-drawn carriage sipping fine wine and flicking cigar ash onto the faces of impoverished urchins. PAUL: July 1986, just before the release of the second Matt Bianco album... great days. MIKE: At the recording sessions for “Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins… seminal stuff. TF: What role do you play in the band? ANDY: Cheese. Sometimes with pickle. PAUL: I play the bass guitar and go “ooooh-weeee-ooooh” a bit. MIKE: I stand in front of the drums and deflect any tomatoes thrown in our direction which Andy then stores in his bass drum for the after gig party. TF: What other bands have you been involved with?
ANDY: I’ve been involved with The Who since about 1985 when I bought a double vinyl compilation of their early stuff. I am also involved in a roundabout way with The Bad Detectives as Paul plays flugelhorn with them when he’s not fixing our van. PAUL: A string of legendary Frome bands. Anyone remember The Laughing Stock, The Turmoil, Chocolate Starfish, Hypnodaisy, Somersault or The Skivers? Anyone? MIKE: I have been involved with various other musical outfits but have been advised by my legal team to keep schtum. TF: What are better, Pedal wheelies or bunny hops? ANDY: I don’t know what pedal wheelies are so I’ll say them. PAUL: I do know what pedal wheelies are, so I’ll say bunny hops. MIKE: I don’t know what anything is anymore so I’m going back to bed. The end. Ta ra.
Mike doing some guitaring.
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de with...
rged interlu
ually cha nother spirit
A
If we didn’t know better we’d swear he was making it up...
Staff mystic and stylistically challenged immigrant, Will Angeloro, answers YOUR questions with a OUIJA board....
It’s like they’re talking through me. Spooky. Whilst working on this piece we accidentally opened a portal to a parallel dimension, a portal where evil spirits could pass freely between their world and ours, a doorway to hell if you like, but Will had to go to pick his mum up from the airport and I needed to get some milk otherwise we wouldn’t have any for breakfast, so we had to leave and neither of us can remember if we switched the portal off or not. We’ll be keeping you updated if anything odd starts happening around Frome. Odder than normal that is.
Dear Will, I’ve often considered selling up and moving to Spain. Do you think it’s a good idea to use a local Spanish estate agent, or should I go with a UK based broker? Thanks Melissa Von Pourpoise Dear Melissa, Q……u……….p ( or is that a T?)….L…L……NO……..198234…. Oh spirit of the OUJIA Board, what is your name? S…..S…..S…..NO……g…..r…..m…….4…. Dear Will, 7 years ago, I lost a very important piece of jewellery that belonged to my grandmother. Shes dead now and it meant a lot to me. Can you help me find it? Sincerely, Alana Piranha Dear Alana I……t…..h…i……………n…….. k…………..y…o…….u……..r……e……… g…r……a…………n….d……m……… a………i……….s…….d…….a….n…c…….. i……………n………g……o…n…… j…………….u……p….i……..t……..e….. r…………….y….o…………u………… m……….o………….r………..o……………. n…. Dear Will, Nothing makes me happier than a snappy showtune. Ethel Merman is my goddess of light and hope. Can you channel her with your OUIJA board Choruslinely yours, Abigale Stringcheese Dear Abi, ……W……h………..y……. w……o….n..t…….y…..o..u…..p….e…. o.p…..l..e…l…ea…….ve…m.e…..a..l.. o……n…..e……………..I….n..e……v…….. e.r…….s….l……e……..p……….t……… w….i…………t……h…..T..y………r…..o… n..e……….P..o…….w..e.r…..,….n……..o…… w…….p…..i……s……………………….s….. o……….f…………….f. The Furball Page 33
THIS IS TOO GOOD TO MISS
stening
1 shirt fa Formula . fun with..
n’ss Jeuntsto B on
The Merlin Theatre is pleased to be part of the Arts Council’s new scheme, A Night Less Ordinary. A Night Less Ordinary is an Arts Council England scheme in association with Metro, which will provide 618,000 free theatre tickets to anyone under 26 in more than 200 venues across England. For more information about the scheme visit www.anightlessordinary.org.uk
Who can get a ticket?
Anyone who is under 26 is entitled to a ticket.
How will it work?
We will allocate a number of free tickets for every show each season. If you are under 26 and interested in coming to see a show, please contact the box office on ;
01373 465949
You will be asked for proof of age, and have to give your name, date of birth and postcode. The Merlin will also be working closely with local services such as Parental and Family Support Advisors, youth workers and children’s centres in order to promote the scheme amongst young people who would not ordinarily visit the Merlin.
Want more information? Contact Helen Dorritt on 01373 461360 or email
helen@merlintheatre.co.uk
Please note: there is a limited number of free tickets for each show and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. For shows involving more than one performance, the Merlin reserves the right to limit the free ticket allocation to one performance of the run. Page 34
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Wotcha! I’m as pleased as punch this month! Not only is my formula 1 driving career back on track (yay!) I was scuffing around in an old sweet tin at the back of my kitchen drawer the other day and I discovered a right couple of doozies! Check out the colouring on these beauts. A fearsome addition to my burgeoning collection I think you’ll agree? Anyway, nice to check in with you guys, see you next time!
nova 12 Catherine Hill Frome Somerset BA11 1BZ
Men's and women's vintage and gently worn clothes and accessories. 01373 471718 nova.frome@virgin.net Opening times: Wed-Fri 10.30am-2.30pm Sat - 10.30am-5pm
Up Catherine Hill on the left, opposite the lovely old arch. Vintage, retro, quirky, individual, affordable, one off designer clothes, shoes, accessories and lifestyle items. Shop locally, with the spirit of confidence and a spring in our step, together we will come out smiling in the face of recession. 12 b Catherine Hill, Frome, BA11 1BZ 01373 455936 www.lovearts.biz
Guy Watts Nova
Originals12 Catherine Hill Prints Frome Cards Somerset BA11 1BZ
01373 471718 nova.frome@virgin.net and gently worn clothes and accessories.
Men's and women's vintage and gently worn clothes and accessories.
www.guywatts.co.uk
Obscure treasures and forgotten funk curios
Mustapha Ozkent’s
Genclik Ile Elele B with
(Hand In Hand With Youth)
Following on from my dissection
of the “Paris Soul” album from last issue, I’m back to let you know about this season’s impossibleto-get-original ‘holy grail’ record. Behold, the brain-
and jazz-influenced improvisations. In 1972, he signed up with Evren Records, a Turkish label known for its high production standards and recording techniques; and with a hand-picked team of musicians formed his
ks arry Brea
producers and odd-ball dj’s...it’s like hearing the Anatolian Dennis Coffey, meeting the Incredible Bongo Band at the Zulu Nation Throwdown in 1973. The ten track album was released with a warm reception from
This record simply has to be heard to be believed and even then it’s still literally UNBELIEVABLE. melting Mustafa Ozkent Orkestrasi album ‘Genclik Ile Elele (Hand In Hand With Youth)’ on Evren Records...THE DADDY of all Turkish rarities. This record simply has to be heard to be believed and even then it’s still literally UNBELIEVABLE. Allow me to explain why this record is so incredible in two easy to digest points of interest, the second of which I shall expand on.
‘Orkestrasi’, he then began recording new material dominated by funky vamps, extended percussion jams, hard-
DJs and night clubbers through Ankara, whilst receiving regular plays on national radio and television. Despite the
1) Look at the cover. A monkey tampering with a reel to reel player. 2) The music is HEAVY BBoy funk of the HIGHEST order. A talented guitarist who was known to modify the design of his instruments to create unusual tonal qualities, Ozkent earned a reputation as a gifted maverick and by the dawn of the 1970s was in demand as a session player, arranger, and producer, creating music that fused psychedelic and pop/rock influences with R&B grooves Page 36
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release -many collectors of Turkish vinyl will be aware that within time a huge number of Turkish LPs were taken off the shelves and destroyed or recycled due to oil shortages, though 45s were spared. Good news, the ubercool ‘Finders Keepers Records’ have come correct with a lavishly compiled reissue of this classic album on limited gatefold vinyl, and CD for those without. Once the preserve of blow-off crate diggers with maxed credit cards, bosphorus audiophiles and bingo trashmerchants alike, it’s now available to mere mortals. So grab yourself a shiny new copy now, and get locked into the mad world of Mustapha Ozkent that you’d never have stumbled across, unless you happen to have a monkeyobsessed relative in Ankara, or you’re a cross continental vinyl hoover- this thankless task has now been done for you ... PS On a personal note, he’s my Facebook friend. Yeah.
ks
rea B y r r a B
A rare pic of Will Angeloro in session at the Llama studios
grooving organ lines, and wah-wah guitars. The result is an A-Z of break-beats, and you wonder if these guys had the added advantage of time-travel, and knew that in thirty five years these sounds would be hunted across the world by rabid hip hop
cutting-edge approach to Ozkent’s eclectic arrangements, the fact that the album was - as originally requested devoid of vocals, Evren decided not to release any singles from the LP and all the compositions were exclusive to this rare vinyl long player
TRACKLISTINGS: 1. Uskdar’a Giderken 2. Burcak Tarlalari 3. Dolana Dolana 4. Karadir Kara 5. Emmioglu 6. Carsamba 7. Zeytinyagi 8. Silifke 9. Lorke 10. Ayaz
Ron Tree
Busker’s Corner
Ex Hawkwind Frontman & Music Visionary Extraordinaire, Ron Tree, Talks To The Furball... Name? Ron Tree Born? Leeds. Armley, Near the prison. When did you get into music? I didn’t really get into music until the punk rock thing came along, especially later on in the scene. It got terribly bad. I thought I Know I could do better than that, but everywhere I went I had doors slammed in my face, three people turning up to gigs...you know,no-one wants to give you a break when you’re unknown. What instrument(s) do you play? I’ll have a go at anything really, bass guitar, six string, acoustic, Telecaster, a bit of saxophone..er..singing, all types - mad crazy stuff, weird poetry crossed with...er.. anything. I’m aiming to create wrong but at the same time, right music. Like a post traumatic music disorder - but good. Somehow it doesn’t bug you.
after singing Death Trap I was in the band. Next thing I know we’ve got an American tour, a UK tour...playing all over. What about any current projects? Yeah, MOAB (Mother Of All Bands) we like to let people join in. We have a gig in Wales coming up, you check out the details at www.moab. mercurymoon.co.uk. I’m also putting a new band together, Hawklords, with ex members of Hawkwind. It’s gonna really kick off next year with all the festivals, but we are going to do the Roundhouse in June, so look out for that.
Who are your influences? The pistols, Sid..Sid Vicious..John Lydon... and Hawkwind were as well and in the ended up eventually joining that band. How did that come about? Well, I thought they’d lost direction so I asked them if I could have a crack at singing - I didn’t think they would go for it, but straight away The Furball Page 37
More thought provoking verbage from The Furball’s poet in residence, Scott Mackillican. We like his work so we’ll be publishing more over the coming months.
Important!
A Conversation “Where is this leading?” she asked. “Surely somewhere,” he replied. “Well, of course it does or we wouldn’t be walking.” “I walk aimlessly all the time.” “Why bother moving if you have no direction?” “How will you find your way without moving?” “You have no idea where we’re going?” “Sure, forward, side by side.” “But to where?” “Exactly.” “What do you mean ‘exactly’?” “I don’t really know but I’m sure we’ll find out.” “When?” “Sometime in the future.” “Sometime soon?” “Sometime.” “I’m sorry but I need something more concrete.” “Concrete is hard and hurts when you fall on it.” “But it’s easier to walk on than sand.” “We’re walking just fine at the moment.” “Do you really think so?” “Yes, as there’s still some spring in my step.” “But what is our pathway made up of? What is the foundation beneath each stride?” “I can’t quite say as I haven’t looked down.” “What do you feel?” “Beneath our feet?” “Yes, I guess, it would be a start.” “It could be anything, I suppose, maybe grass or soft, wet sands shifting between my toes.” “So it is something soft and unstable?” “It feels good against my skin.” “I need something firmer.” “Like what?” “I don’t know, exactly, but I am sinking right now.” “I can never sink, for I’ve already fallen.” “I never know what you mean.” “I know.” “Tell me simply.” “I’m in love.” Scott MacKillican Page 38
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HAVE YOU SEEN OUR DOG?
He’s brill isn’t he? He was a little bit shy at first about having his picture taken for this piece but we did explain to him that we needed to use a nice eyecatching image and that using a picture of his choochy little furry mush was just the ticket. I think you’ll agree when I say that he really is handsome little fella, isn’t he? He’s called Stephen and he’s two and a half.
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