Vision York Student
9th June, 1999 Issues 112
Shortlisted for the Guardian / NUS Student Newspaper of the Year
PHANTOM MENACE CAUGHT AT YORK
Ryan Sabey and Alex Watson investigate widespread piracy of the most anticipated film of the decade
PIRATE COPIES of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace are circulating around campus six weeks ahead of its official UK release date. York students have obtained Episode I, the most anticipated film of the decade, from the internet and are believed to be among the first in Britain to have seen it. Illegal bootlegs are readily available and members of the Vision Team have been offered copies for as little as £3. The quality has been described as “good, apart from the odd blip”, and
that “it was similar to watching the film on VHS”. One student told Vision he downloaded a copy on the 24th May - only five days after its American cin-
When Vision confronted them about this last Friday they declined to comment. But in a press statement Gordon Radley, President of Lucasfilm stated: “Piracy throughout the world is an Illegal bootlegs are readily extremely serious problem.” available and members of the He added: “Billions of dollars of Vision Team have been offered revenue [are] lost as a result.” The producers, Lucasfilm, are copies for as little as £3. now trying to crack down on the piracy ema release. epidemic that threatens to sweep the Last week the film’s distribu- country. tors, 20th Century Fox, claimed in The The students involved claim Times that: “No copies of the film are that the film is a victim of its own hype, available in the UK”. arguing that a universal release date
Inside your new look
York Student Vision Relationships Survey
The Matrix Reviewed
Shed Seven Interview
2 NEWS York Student Vision
News In Brief FAIR RENT FAILS
THE FAIR Rent campaign organised by the Student’s Union in protest at the 61% in rent over five years, has failed owing to lack of support. Challenged by the campus Tories at a poorly attended UGM, Claire Ainsley and Helen Graham admitted they had had less than 50 students pay into the rent strike fund. Helen Graham, Deputy President Welfare, Academic Affairs, said “it was a shame more students didn’t feel that they could participate. We’ll still argue against the increases because that’s policy, but we’ve tried the ultimate and failed. In the long term we need to get more students on board and angry about the issue.”
POST A PORTER
THE POSTCARD campaign in support of retaining 24-hour portering is, according to representative of organisers the campus Labour Party, enjoying a healthy response from York Students. Michael Terwey described himself as very encouraged by the numbers who have stopped at Vanbrugh stalls over the past few weeks to sign the postcards. They will be delivered to the University’s Vice-Chancellor
Vision York Student
Editors
JUKEBOX JURY? PROPOSALS TO implement a student jury system were rejected at the Week 6 UGM. A two-thirds majority was needed at the quorate UGM last week if the motion was to be passed. Instead, the voters were divided, half voting for, the other half against. If the Student Jury had come into effect, people filling in their NUS cards next term would have been asked if they would like to be a member of a Jury pool. Once 400 or more potential jurors had been selected, forty people would be randomly chosen each month before every UGM, and asked to attend as Jury members. That way, even when a UGM was inquorate, policy could still be made by a ‘cross-section’ of the student body. Rather than
replacing the UGM, it was hoped that the Jury would be seen as strengthening it, providing a “fail-safe” method, allowing the Student Union to be more efficient. “Even campaign-
the Jury would only weaken the institution rather than aid it. It was also argued that the system would be very unstable, as there would be a different jury every fortnight, the members inevitably having different ers against the attitudes and opinmotion can see ions.. After the motion the merits of the was defeated, organisers of the campaign jury and the flaws said they would try of the present again. They noted that system” those not in favour only had a few probJon Lee, Deputy lems with the idea, President Services, which could be resaid: “When there’s adjusted. no incentive for peo- Speaking to ple to come, we would V ision , Dan Symons, still have been able to I n t e r n a l Vice pass motions.” President for the SU, Claire Ainsley, SU said: “Campaigners President, said that against this motion with an alternative to are following a docquorate UGM’s avail- trine defending an able, people would institution. However, have less incentive to even they can see turn up to UGM’s in the merits of the Jury the first place. and the flaws of the She added that present system.” Fiona Kendall as a consequence,
GRADUATE DIES AT PEAK OF HER CAREER
Deputy Photo Editor Chief Subs Deputy Editors Vision online THE DEATH of a York Webmaster University graduate, Peta Beckett, has Managing Editor prompted mass recNews Editor Rajini Vaidyanathan ognition of her ability Deputy News Editor Wesley Johnson from both those who Technical Team Chris Thomas knew her and those who knew of her. Features Editor Neville Dean Peta Beckett, 33, Deputy Features Editor Linus Koenig died on 15 May when Politics Editor Helen Limbrick her novice six-year-old horse stumbled as she Deputy Politics Editor Fiona Kendall approached a jump at Arts Editor Post Open the Savernake horse trials in Wiltshire. Deputy Arts Editor Claire Kilner She was crushed Telescope Editor Claire New between the horse’s body and the fence Deputy Telescope Editor Gareth Walker during the fall. Films Editor Andrew Mahon Peta’s husband, Marvyn Beckett, insistDeputy Films Editor Helen Abraham ed that the trials should Music Editor Jeanette Elsworth continue, but the fence Deputy Music Editor Alex Watson was removed and the prize-giving ceremony Sports Editor Post Open was cancelled as a Deputy Sports Editor Ann Smith mark of respect. Miss Beckett was Photo Editor Chris West a student of Physics at the university in 1984Opinions expressed in Vision are not neces1987. Her supervisor, sarily those of the Editor, Senior Editorial Derek Jacobs, spoke to Team, membership or advertisers. V ision about her “obviSpecial Thanks and Apologies ous love of horses”. He said: “She Many thanks to Stuart Lennon and Louisa Mclennan for all their help. Special thanks also to came here with very A-Levels, but it Alex for al his technical help! Thanks to everyone good soon became evident whohas been involved in Vision this academic where her heart was. year. Thankyou to Rajini, Nev, Chris, Louisa and “She was a all those who are leaving for all their help in mak- charming girl with a great smile and a great ing Vision what it is today. outlook on life. Thanks to Derwent JCRC for the tickets
I’m not surprised she turned to modelling
was renowned for her bright, cheerful person-
for a while after graduating, but I knew she would never give up riding.” Whilst at York, Peta had been a member of the Yorkshire Riding Club (YRC) and had spent her summers there teaching and working on yards. After qualifying for the BUSA national championships in 1986, she went on to win as an individual in 1987. A spokesperson for the YRC, said: “She
ality and positive attitude. She was always very friendly.” She added: “She was very charming and cheerful. She always wore funny hats from her modelling days which looked so attractive.” Peta leaves behind her husband, Marvyn Beckett, with their two children, Orlando, six, and Hermione, eight. Wesley Johnson
BUILDER GETS THE BOOT
A BUILDER working on the new James College blocks has been dismissed by Jarvis after allegations of abusive behaviour. The man, who has not been named, was dismissed after an investigation by the Site Management Team following a complaint from a James College resident. Philip Priestley, James’ JCRC Merchandise Rep, complained to the university that shouts of “scabs” had been directed at students from the site. He said: “I was furious when I heard the inconsiderate builders behaving like yobs. Something had to be done.” Glen Dewsbury, Facilities management liason officer, who is dealing with Jarvis on the issue told V ision that the Jarvis team had received enough information to identify the builder involved and had dismissed him on Thursday 13 May. In a reply to the original complaint, he described it as: “An unfortunate incident from start to finish; I hope the example set will help to bring about the desired result across the site.” Helen Graham, Deputy
“The builders were behaving like yobs some thing had to be done”- Philip Priestley, James College President for We l f a r e and Academic Affairs, added: “It’s very good that the university took its commitment to its harassment policy very seriously and the policy no longer seems like an empty threat.” Other measures have
now also been put in place by the site management team. Glen Dewsbury added: “Supervision has been tightened up and all sub-contracted supervisors have had to sign up to an absolute duty to report any such behaviour, even if the workers
AUT TO DISRUPT EXAMS A York lecturer has expressed fears over the forthcoming disruption of the examinations process. Helen Limbrick and Wesley Johnson
YORK UNIVERSITY’S
examinations process will be disrupted this month by measures being used by the Association of University Teachers (AUT). Members of York AUT will, according to an official statement, “take no part whatever in the examinations system – whatever stage or part of the process has been reached” on four days in June. On June 12, 18, 23 and 28 York AUT’s “Action Short of a Strike” will aim to disrupt the examinations to show “that the profession will not accept any further erosion in pay or assault on fundamental values.” But in a document obtained by Vision, York AUT proposed its next step to its members: “We think that the most useful next step will be to take action to disrupt the examination process. “This would cause a great deal of administrative disrup-
Lectures : set to be disrupted bear the brunt of this action supposedly intended to hit the university administration. “Leave the teaching and examinations alone – otherwise we penalise mainly the student and that is indefensible.” Claire Ainsley, SU President, in support of the AUT
exams – they just want to disrupt departmental meetings”. York members of the AUT are protesting over the pay deal offered to them by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. They feel their pay
“Leave the teaching and examinations alone – otherwise we penalise the student and that is indefensible.” A York Lecturer
tion to the university rather than denying degrees to students due to graduate this year.” In reply one York lecturer expressed his fears for students: “An examinations secretary…will
said “We sympathise with the lecturer’s cause and we’ve had meetings with the AUT since then. They are planning disruptive action during the exam period, but they do not want to mess up student’s
increase should be nearer to 10 per cent as compared to staff in higher education and those in comparable professions they have seen their pay decrease by 30-35% in the last 15 years.
involved are not under their control. “We’re hoping this goes a long way to getting the message across to people on the ground.” Phil Priestley added: “We’re all making concessions now (students and Jarvis alike) and the relationship is becoming more amicable and mutually beneficial as time goes on. Things are getting better now.” But builders had already been warned about what would happen if their behaviour did not improve. Speaking in V i s i o n last issue, Glen Dewsbury warned about the builder ’s behaviour. He said: “The issue has been raised in general terms with the Jarvis Project Management Team and if anybody behaves like this, they’ll walk, it’s as simple as that.” James College JCRC Chair, Rebekah Lane, said: “Its good that the concerns and complaints of James students have been taken seriously and listened to – it no longer feels that we’re being pushed to one side.”
New Name, Same Game
A NEW Students’ Union constitution was passed in week 6 which changes the title of the President, and will mean more executive officers and more committees. A heated General Meeting raised issues of freedom of speech and the sovereignty of the UGM as a decision making body. According to President Claire Ainsley, who will now be entitled ‘General Secretary’ the updated constitution, which she has spent the last year revising, is “much needed and long overdue.” She has been praised for ensuring that it is both clear and concise. However, the document was accepted by an extremely narrow majority of students amid criticisms that it had not been circulated in advance of Tuesday’s controversial meeting. Many of the changes
come into effect immediately, including the introduction of a Lesbian Gay and Bisexual (LGB) committee, which, for the first time in SU history will be a body other than a Union General Meeting able to make cross campus policy on issues that concern its members. Opposition to the new constitution was epitomised by Conservative Gareth Knight, who unsuccessfully proposed an alternative system, re-introducing the much debated suggestion of a Student Council. Although the majority of executive officers were in support of the new constitution, there were some complaints. Conference and Training officer, Stuart Lennon said “It’s a shame more students weren’t aware of the constitutional changes, and that copies weren’t distributed in snackbars.”
The Old
The New
President Deputy President Welfare and Academic Affairs Deputy President Services External Vice President Internal Vice President
General Secretary Welfare and Academic Affairs Officer Services Officer External Campaigns Officer Internal Campaigns Officer and Societies Officer
4 NEWS York Student Vision
FOOTBALL STAR IN NEAR-DEATH COLLISION
ONE OF York’s most talented football players was recently lucky to escape with only severe neck injuries when he was left motionless after a near-fatal car collision. James Lockley, a first year from Wentworth was crossing the road at the top of Green Dykes Lane when a car came over the brow of the hill and collided with the student sending him crashing into the windscreen. The accident left the Economics student motionless and bleeding heavily. However, Rob Moore, AU President, stated: “it could have been a lot worse if the car had been going quickly”. Lockley sustained a fractured neck, facial scarring and a serious cut on his arm requiring stitches as a result of the crash. The remnants of
James Lockley (far right), Andrew Stephenson (middle) and drinking First team of which he is an important member. Joyd added: “This is obviously a big loss for the football club as he is one of our best football players.” A doctor in one of
the cars behind helped at the accident. The prompt arrival of ambulances allowed the footballer to be speedily cared for. His arrival brought the total of university foot-
DERWENT DISRUPTION
FINALISTS
Derwith, the scene of the crime
IN the Derwith extension have been angered by persistent late-night disturbances during Quiet Period. Complaints have been made about excessive noise, late-night football games outside accommodation blocks and damage to property. One Derwent student commented, “most nights of the week they’ve been having a party in the quadrangle at 3am. One night there was a guy up a tree singing at the top of his voice. Obviously it makes life very difficult when you’re in the middle of exams.”Another student claimed “I can’t believe they’re showing so little consideration for anyone else you can put up with it for a while, but it’s gone beyond that now.” The problems culminated in the whole of one corridor being chastised
outside on the quad by a member of staff. Ron Clayton, Langwith Provost, said that the problems had involved “noise, mess, drink, irresponsibility, drink, gormlessness and drink.” Misbehaviour had particularly focused on the “witty and festive use of fire extinguishers.” He claimed that the students concerned had shown a “lack of concern for the rights and convenience of others, but that there had been “little actual, and no substantial damage to property.” The main culprits have been “warned” and charged for fire extinguisher refills. At a recent meeting, Mr Clayton “appealed to the reason and decency for which Langwith students were once famous” He added that there had been a “positive, reformed response”, and that he would be “very cross indeed” about any recurrence.
ball players in hospital that day to three. The other two injuries were minor in comparison. Lockley is now embarking on a four week recovery period to overcome the ordeal.
the collision proved testament to the serious nature of the occurrence as noted by Owen Rodd, Boat Club President who drove past the scene of the accident after the ambulances had dispersed. He told V ision “The details of the accident were not clear but there were the remains of the shattered windscreen and a stream of blood running from the road markings to the gutter”. Joyd Mitra, the University Football Club President commented: “He just didn’t use his green cross code and walked out into the road. “The car was badly damaged and James is extremely lucky to have suffered no long-term injuries”. However, Lockley will be unable to play sport for at least six months which is a blow to the Football Club’s
Jessica Iles
CAMPUS BANDS
Defenbaker
CAMPUS BAND Defenbaker have secured their most lucrative support slot to date. On Saturday 26th June, Defenbaker will travel to Keble College, Oxford to support The Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Hip American band, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are playing at the colleges summer ball and Defenbaker have been asked to support them at the event. Defenbaker have already supported Shed Seven at D98. The band played Fibbers on Tuesday of Week 7. Also attending at the College Ball will be a select audience of A+R men looking to give Defenbaker, among several bands playing, a record deal.
Ryan Sabey
The Funloving Criminals
Sevenball
T HIS
WEEK also sees the release of “Bright Boy E.P” by rival band Sevenball, winners of 1998’s Battle of the Bands. Luke Ritchie, guitarist and vocalist of the band said: “We are really pleased and I hope lots of people will buy it. I think it will be successful, we have done a lot of posters and flyers both on campus and in town.” The band, consisting of Ben Reeves, Andrew Dunn and Dominic Greenland, are sending copies to all major radio stations. The E.P. can be bought at most major record stores.
Helen Limbrick
York Student Vision NEWS 5 Since Christmas, V i s i o n , has reported on over a dozen crimes that have occurred on or around Campus. Five more have occurred since our last issue - Helen Limbrick and Chris Thomas ask...
ARE WE SAFE?
EVERYONE SEES campus as a safe environment yet recent events have shown that this may not be the case. A survey conducted by Vision shows that whilst students generally feel safe, over half feel that crime is increasing. The results reflect a general complacency about crime which the university, S.U. and Police are attempting to counter. D.C. Wilson, of North Yorkshire Police, stressed the need for students to heed advice and to be vigilant at all times, stating “anything they feel uncomfortable with report immediately to security and the Police”. He commented that investigations into the crimes were “ongoing” and that there were several lines of enquiry. Helen Graham, DPWAA, repeated advice to use facilities such as the S.U. minibus, security escort service and taxi fund. She commented that she had confidence in the current security as long as it was “in no way weakened”. However she also stressed the need for better lighting on campus. Speaking on behalf of the university, Glen Dewsbury said, “the security centre work very closely with the local Police on these issues, there were a number of thefts last year and as a result security was tightened up significantly”. The incidents have come during an ongoing review of campus security, which is due to be published soon.
Crime Since Christmas Student held at knifepoint April
23rd
Attack on Wentworth bridge March
2nd
Attack on Retreat Lane Retreat Lane:
the scene of many recent attacks Three individuals have been arrested in con- Elsewhere there was an assault on a female student on Heslington Road near Fairfax nection with the theft of the bike-parts. Four students contacted the police House. The girl was unhurt, but badly shaken. after seeing two men acting suspiciously by In the notorious Retreat Lane, a male third the James College bike sheds.. year student was attacked by five youths. DC Craig Wilson of North Last week, a Goodricke student, returned to his room in the early hours of Saturday morn- Yorkshire Police commented that there were “several lines of enquiry” in relation to ing to discover that he had been robbed. The thief had put the stereo into these crimes. Anyone with any information about a sleeping bag and was stopped by porthe recent crimes should contact the ter Kevin Mendham when escaping through University Security Centre on (43)4444. Wentworth college.
March
1st
Language Centre, burgled February
1st
Burglaries of Vending machines January
27th
6 NEWS York Student Vision
Letters To The Editor
York Student
Vision Comment Freedom to say what you want to
AT A recent UGM, SU President Claire Ainsley attacked the student press for choosing to print bigoted comments. What she was referring to was a recent front page story by fellow campus paper, Nouse, who printed the “politically incorrect” and “racist” comments of a certain Gareth Knight. Saying that papers should not print “bigoted” comments is a flawed opinion. The whole point of printing comments by ignorant people with narrow minded views is to expose to the readership just what these people are like. By printing quotes from such people a paper is not endorsing or supporting facism, on the contrary it shows that people can hold such views. Most people know that ignorance is the source of all evil. There’s no point pretending that everyone in the world has balanced and informed opinions when the fact of the matter is they don’t. Unless the campus papers are espousing facist views or glorifying them, which we are certainly not then quoting and exposing is the best way to combat ignorance. (RV)
Worth Waiting for Wars ?
PIRACY OF Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace is the direct result of the ridiculous disparity between the US and UK release dates. The film has been on release in the US for over a month whilst in the UK we have to wait until July to see it at the cinema. 20th Century Fox’s money driven desire to keep Episode I in the international spot light for as long as possible has caused them to stagger release dates around the world. The media hype has effectively forced those with the means and the “know-how” to find ways of accessing illegal bootlegs. Most genuine Star Wars fans have turned down the chance to see the pirate copies for fear of ruining the big screen experience when it finally arrives. After all we’ve waited sixteen years for a new Star Wars film – I think we should be able to wait just one more month. (ND)
Send to Vision Wentworth or e-mail socs18 c/o
What’s bugging YOU
?
DEAR EDITOR,
DEAR EDITOR,
DEAR EDITOR,
I am writing to express my disbelief at the petty bickering between the campus political parties. I feel that this is in part the reason for the failure of the students jury motion. This was an important motion to overcome the UGM system which stands as a bottleneck in current student politics. Surely it would be sensible for inquoracy to be overcome, and it was the student jury which seemed to be the only viable option. The ultimate irony was the inquoracy count which stopped the budget being passed. I appeal to the student population of York to come to their senses and stop duelling over the word democracy, when everyone knows that students suffer from the severe case of apathy.
I am writing to express my concern at a question which was raised at the week 6 UGM. As a black student myself I was shocked when the President was asked about the consequences of an executive officer behaving in a racist manner. Though reassured by the answer the President gave, I am finding it hard to believe that this question was without foundation. It is incredibly worrying to think that an officer would act in such a way, and I would hope that anyone who knows whether this question had any basis in fact would come forward. The implications of such behaviour are incomprehensible...
In reference to Last issues Punch up ‘are arts student lazy’; I would like to defend the case as an arts student. The author took issue with the fact that us arts students fulfilled their ‘maximum professional credibility’ with a ‘few eccentric habits’. She then listed how arts students need to let go to ‘become really odd and interesting’. I resent this. Whilst this may be how Miss Kilner spends her free time away from contact hours – I certainly do not. When I have not got lectures I am busy reading and preparing for my seminars - it is harder for arts students as we have to discipline ourselves into working rather than having a prescribed study plan handed to us on a plate as science students do. Simply studying for an arts degree does not imply creativity – after all that would be to say that science students themselves lack creativity – which is not the case.
2nd Vanbrugh student
Anonymous
James College student
Crime Time
Despite the recent spate of attacks, the problem is on nowhere near the same scale as in other universities in big cities - you rarely feel threatened on campus, even alone at night. We should be grateful that security in York is as good as it is. Burglaries are still relatively rare and the incidents of serious crime are thankfully few and far between. That said, we should not relax our attitude toward the crime that does take place. We should be remain as vigilant as possible in order to make York the safest University in the country. (WJ)
York Student Vision
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision POLITICS 7
The Tories are Back in Town! Hitting the Euro campaign trail with top Tory Peter Lilley, Gareth Walker is swept away by the man’s charisma...
SOME DERIDE the Tory Party’s deputy leader for his weedy appearance, translucent skin tone, and the gaping void where others would have a personality. In person though, he can only be
described as…short; and quite wrinkly as well. In York on the Euro-campaign trail, some have questioned why a party whose leadership are usually perfectly happy to slag-off Europe, are so eager to send people there. Lilley, however, sees no contradiction. Speaking to Vision he emphatically restated the Conservative message that Britain should be “in Europe, not run by Europe” and that he felt such a message “resonates across the spectrum of age, interest and political allegiance.” In particular, when asked what he thought Tory Euro-candidates had to offer students at York, Mr Lilley stated that it was amongst the younger generation he felt there was most support for
Peter Lilley, Deputy Conservative Party leader his party’s message because: “young people want all the freedoms of Europe... but they also value their own identity and the ability of their country to pursue its own policies.” How effective Lilley was in getting this message across to the people of York
during his brief visit, was another matter. Even the Socialist Workers on Parliament St. didn’t bother to start chanting. The aura of Lilley seemed sufficient to stun them into a slack-jawed and awed disinterest.
The Fading of the Greens?
Linus Koenig describes how the Kosovo conflict threatens to turn the German Greens into ‘just another party’. LAST MONTH’S German Green party conference saw their transformation into a governing party completed.
Eight months after they helped form the first left-of-centre government in post-war Germany, the party was faced with one of the most controversial decisions in its relatively short existence. Always keen to stress its pacifist roots, the debate over the party’s position towards NATO intervention in Kosovo almost proved fatal. The political offspring of a variety of groups such as environmentalists, civil rights activists, anti-nuclear protesters and the peace movement: the Greens’ arrival on the national stage in 1983 seemed to offer a new approach to politics. Originally conceived by its founders as ‘neither left nor right, but in front’, it soon became clear the Greens were an appealing alternative to existing parties on the left : especially among younger voters. The party congress in Bielefeld in May proved to be the final battleground of inner party tensions.
The junior partner in a coalition that joined forces with other NATO countries in air strikes against Milosevic’s
German foreign minister Fischer Yugoslavia, the Greens found themselves responsible for the German military being involved in an attacking mission for the first time since WWII. Many of the fundamental pacifist party members (‘never again war’) called for an immediate, unilateral, and
York Student Vision
unconditional ceasefire in Kosovo. They were opposed by the realist fraction (‘never again Auschwitz’), supported by foreign minister Fischer, highlighting the necessity of showing responsibility as a party in government. In a bitter, occasionally violent debate Fischer was hit by a paint-bomb, severly injuring his eardrum. He responded to delegates shouting ‘warmonger’: “Yes, I’m a warmonger, and I suppose Slobodan Milosevic should be awarded the Nobel Prize for peace” and threatened to step down if an anti-NATO resolution was passed by the party conference. A compromise was finally reached, which will most likely leave the pacifists looking for a new political home. Its traditional supporters, already slowly withdrawing support in the aftermath of the coalition with the socialdemocrats under chancellor Schroeder, it was left to the Kosovo debate to finally complete a move towards the political main-stream. In the long run this may either establish the Greens as a major political force or ultimately lead to its disappearance
Mouth Off Sarah Wilton-Smith
BEEN TO many UGMs this term? Statistically speaking the answer is probably no.
I hardly blame you: they’re crap. The brief moment of tension that isn’t the quoracy count, and everyone’s free to go. Nothing decided, nothing achieved:- and nothing wrong with that. Unless, that is, a certain group of crazed individuals have their way and succeed in - God help us - ‘reforming’ the whole thing. They’ve failed twice this year: the terrible danger is that they might be third time lucky. The justification for reform is that, at the moment, UGMs are irrelevant, useless and dominated by political hacks. Well...er...duh: that’s their whole point and that’s exactly why we need them. First of all, short of offering live lapdancers or large amounts of cash, who else is going to want to turn up and discuss which obscure third-world humanitarian, or right-wing ideologue the SU building should be named after? More importantly, if ‘normal’ people turned up at UGMs, how would we even know which were the loons and which weren’t? No longer would we see the quiet girl who sits at the back of the seminar class and never says anything, exposed as a ‘Campus Tory’: poised at the front to shrilly denounce SU “political correctness”. Nor ever realise which individuals, previously to all appearances perfectly sane, are willing to waste Tuesday evenings at the back of Vanbrugh dining hall with the rest of the Socialists: laconically clutching that pint essential to soothe throats coarsened by heckling. And we shouldn’t be so selfish: is it really fair we sweep away what is the most important platform for those who truly enjoy petty, pointless posturing? So, its time to fight back: our slogan should be “Save our UGM; they’re sad and we like them that way”. I might even table a motion to this effect for the next one. I’ll be a very happy woman if not enough people turn up to vote for it....
Politics Web On Vision’s web site: -exclusive contributions to the Kosovo debate - is there no alternative to Europhilia? www.york.ac.uk/~socs18/
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
8 POLITICS York Student Vision
WHAT’S UP JOCK?
With the Scottish elections over, Michael Terwey considers the successes, failures and future of the SNP THE DUST has settled and “fundamentalists” interested in nothing Scotland now has sovereignty else apart from the commitment to independence, were furious and plotted in over her own affairs.
not-so-very-secret fashion against their The elections rarely caught fire. moderate leader Alex Salmond. Ultimately the SNP did well, but not as Salmond himself made two crucial well as they could have done. mistakes. Without real consultation Last summer, neck and neck with Salmond made a political broadcast conLabour and with sensational swings in demning the NATO bombing in Kosovo. council by-elections, the SNP could have This did not go down so well with been forgiven for thinking they were in those who only vote SNP because there with a real chance of forming the first are no good devolved governThe SNP is not an alternative Tories around ment. to Labour: it exists to bring these days. Then it all went horribly wrong: independence to Scotland His biggest they tried a focus mistake, howevgroup. er, was to reverse It told them that their key voters were Gordon Brown’s budget tax cut of a the disillusioned left-wing ‘old’ Labour penny. In the face of a concerted, and ones. Thus, the SNP strategy was to rather effective, Labour campaign to compete with Labour on such topics as highlight the negative affect of Salmond’s health and education, while playing “Penny for Scotland”, the SNP crumdown the awkward Independence thing; bled. They simply did not have the which - of the SNP’s ten election pledges resources to compete with Labour. The - was the one placed last. clothes of a Social Democrat might fit This went spectacularly wrong. SNP Salmond, but they did not really suit the
A Polling Station for the Scottish elections rest of the party. The crux of the SNP’s problem is that to be electable, received political wisdom is that they must play down the emotive issue of independence, and concentrate on the dull, “bread and butter” issues such as Health and Education. But the SNP does not exist to provide
Chris Thomas tells New Labour that we don’t need your moral education.
BIG BROTHER is watching you. As from next year, the nanny state is being extended onto the National Curriculum. Not content with telling us what we can eat and drink, Tony has decided to take another step towards an Orwellian future. He’s introducing thought-control. We already have the cult of personality in the shape of the Great Leader himself, and ministers are leading the way with fine examples of doublespeak. Now, however, the project is set to be taken yet another stage further. The government have recently announced plans to make citizenship lessons a compulsory part of the school curriculum. All pupils up to GCSE level are to be indoctrinated with the values of “New Britain”, in the form of lessons on how to lead a ‘fulfilling adult life’. This will include study of citizenship, moral education, and rules of behaviour, along with government advice on healthy lifestyles and cultivating a “sense of belonging.” Lessons will begin with those who, at the age of five, are least able to defend themselves. Details have already been drawn-up by the Ministry of Truth -
sorry, Department of Education - and appear geared to promoting certain ideas that the government deems to be desirable.
as given when they are anything but. While the government might wish that everyone became an ideal citizen, the essence of a free country is that peo-
UK: Scottish Lib-Dem leader Jim Wallace has reneged on his statement during elections for the Scottish Assembly that “student fees will be dead by Friday”. Describing his words as typical election ‘rhetoric’ Mr Wallace said that, while still committed to abolishing student fees, he doubted whether such a pledge could be fulfilled.
...in a Nutshell
Hey Tony, leave them kids alone!
a left of centre alternative to Labour: it exists to bring independence to Scotland. Salmond has certainly brought the party respectability and a high-profile. Sooner or later though, the SNP must decide whether it is a moderate social democratic party or a national independence movement.
USA: the family of executed writer and activist Ken Sara-Wira have filed a lawsuit in the American courts seeking compensation from the oil company Shell, frequently criticised for the extent of their connections with the Nigerian ruling regime.
The most worrying element must be the attempt to foster a belief in a certain moral code and create a sense of belonging - to what, exactly? To the ‘people’s party’? To New Britain? Clearly we should question the desirability of the government taking it upon itself to present moral and ethical rules
York Student Vision
ple make their own choices and decisions, so long as they are within the law. In any case, who is to say that one view of morality - in the case of relationships for example - is better than another? Certainly not a cabinet whose members have included adulterers and men who find themselves in dodgy situations
INTERNATIONAL: Anti- Third World debt campaigners are set to increase pressure upon the G-8 countries in the run-up to next months Cologne summit after rumours that debt-relief talks have broken down. JAPAN: has failed in its attempt to block a UN resolution calling for tighter procedures for sustaining the level of world whale stocks.
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision FEATURES 9
It’s not an easy life at Poor Clare’s Convent, and Sister Paul explains why she stays despite the arduous spiritual and physical demands. FAITH: Intimately personal, disciplined and difficult to articulate. Sister Paul, a garrulous, intelligent, 44 year old woman chose to live her life as an act of faith at Poor Clare’s Convent when she was just eighteen.
Poor Clare’s is a branch of the San Franciscan Order, established 1200, and
housed in York since 1880. The Nun’s maintain themselves by making and selling altar bread, and produce cultivated on 6 acres of farm land. Solid wooden gates and a small metal peep-hole grill set in the porch, protect the 21 Nuns living in the enclosed community. The day begins at 5.30 am and is divided between chores and prayer until bed at 8pm, rising again for midnight office. There have
York Student Vision
been no recruits to Poor Clare’s since 1993. Sister Paul, an intercine Nun who mediates between the enclosed Nuns and the oustide world, said: “We tend not to take them terribly old, because the lifestyle is physically quite demanding.” “I accept that eighteen is very young to make a final choice in life.When I joined here, my friends were going off to do other things... the option was there to
go to university.” But aged eighteen, Sister Paul wrote two letters; one enquiring about missionary work; the other to Poor Clare’s. “I sound so ridiculous,” she giggled, conscious but confident of her youthful fervour. “The abbotess here wrote back and said if you really feel that God’s calling you, come and see us.... And I kind of took that as God’s helping Continued on page 10
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
10 FEATURES York Student Vision
SISTERS OF FAITH Cut off from the world, Sister Paul tells Features Editor, Claire Kilner, why life at the convent is a test of faith.
me to make a decision. no matter how much you try and get on “We are what we would call an with people, you don’t always. I mean, enclosed community - which means that we’re not living in a utopian situation the sisters inside don’t go out except for here.” medical reasons...If their family and The real intensity of how the comfriends come to visit we have designated munity inter-relate, is exposed when an rooms into which they can go, which we established member chooses to leave. call ‘parlours’. One has still got a grill in “When people do decide to leave a comit, bars between the inside and the out- munity, it’s like taking part of your heart side; the other one still has the partition, out. Because if you’ve lived with somedelineating what is the enclosure, and body, side by side, for years and years the external part.” and then they decide to go, it’s the big Living in seclusion, enables the Nuns gest wrench in anybody’s life. And it to focus their thoughts on God. But how makes it harder for you to carry on. You do their relatives think that these are respond and adjust to Coming to a life like this people with whom segregation? “ The I’ve had dealings is certainly not what parallel I suppose you with, whom I people would choose could use is like admired, that I somebody being in thought were leading prison.. completely cut off. An individu- the way. That makes it hard to carry on.” al will explain to their family and friends And it is faith; strong, resisiliant, that this is how it is done here, in the faith which calls out to Sister Paul to hope that maybe they’ll come to visit as stay. “I believe that what I am doing has well, before the individual enters, to get value and it has purpose and so I keep a little bit used to the place.” on,” she affirms. “It’s not an easy life. Women living together in isolation, There were many, many times when I form strong internal bonds. Sister Paul didn’t want to stay because I was being emphasised that “The primary relation- asked to do things I didn’t want to be ship... is with God, and it is through that, asked to do, to give up things I didn’t you relate with other people. We’re want to give up. It is easy to give up human people, and as such, some people things when you’re full of the fervour of you get on better with than others, and the thing. It’s easy to do whatever you’re
asked to do when you’re absolutely convinced and utterly committed to doing it. There are times when you are physically run down, tired, or people are getting on your nerves, or there is a situation or a place where you specifically want to be and you can’t be there because you’ve got to stay here and... you’ve got commitments here. Coming to a life like this is certainly not what people would choose of them-
selves. It’s not an easy life. It’s not even a successful life according to the understanding that the world would have. There is no glory. There is no honour about it. We’re not in it for that. I mean, most people don’t even know what we’re doing, or why we are doing it. But we know... or God knows. And I don’t think you can get a better audience than that.”
HAVE YOU HAD TWENTY ONE-NIGHT STANDS?
age the lads had had 75% more sexual encounters than the women! Though that’s excluding the female exception who claims to have slept with 101 people. Perhaps some of the most sobering result were that 15% confess to have had unprotected sex on ten or more occasions, whilst 2% say they’ve had over 20 one night stands.
How promiscuous are students of the nineties? Can you trust your friends with your partner? How many pre-university relationships last beyond Freshers week? Looking for a wife at University?
WE’VE HOUNDED friends and terrorized Vanburgh and Derwent lunch goers to reveal the reality of relationships at York. Whilst we may not have the ‘free love’ reputation of the sixties and seventies, many certainly don’t seem too concerned about ‘doing it’ in public. Campus itself appears to be a hive of sexual activity; James bridge, the library toilets, and even ‘Browns’ perhaps being the most bizarre of locations. Not to mention the couple who had sex on an anthill behind Wentworth - how romantic! If you’ve given up on your best
York Student Vision
friends matchmaking, or attempts of eye contact with that sexy lad in your lectures, then the Gallery is the place to be. Proven to be York’s snogging hot spot, it was classed by an extra 10% above it’s closest rival (Toffs) for pullability. For all you Cilla’s out there, hats at the ready as 40 % of people asked are in a relationship now while over half of those, are willing to consider marriage! Can you trust your friends with your lover? Tragically 7% owned up to sleeping with a friends partner! But surprisingly few admit to having been unfaithful. Did you go through the endless serious chats and deliberations with a partner before coming to university? Promising to stay together no matter what - well it seems that long distances and new horizons play a serious part in ruining 69% of relationships established before coming to university. Though York Uni lads were voted as some of the least sexy from British Universities, they aren’t missing out on sex. From the finalists we asked, on averJulia McClean & Claire New
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
PUNCH UP
York Student Vision FEATURES 11 V ision ’ s
A Load of Balls
guide to this year ’ s summer events will you go to ?
-
which
alcuin - mon week 9, Fountains abbey, derwent - fri week 8, derwent college, £16
Goodricke - Fri week 8, the racecourse, £35 james - thurs week 9, vanbrugh college, £5 langwith - yet to be announced
Fencing is not a serious sport
ATTACK
DEFENCE
Rob Long
Matt Barnwell THE IDEA that fencing can be taken seriously as a sport is just preposterous. A sport should involve strenuous physical exertion of some description and fencing clearly doesn’t.
It merely involves a lot of prancing around in silly white protective clothing when in fact there is nothing to be protected from. Fencing was a form of self-defence for nineteenth century French revolutionaries. The swords were razor sharp and
Fencing is only men and women poking each other combat literally a life and death matter. These days the sabres (as they are called) have big, blunt metal balls at the end, which, from what I can decipher, you are meant to poke your opponent with. There seems to be no apparent strategy, no artful manoevures and no obvious spectator appeal. Sports are things like Football, Rugby and Cricket. Sports with high skill levels that demand the participant to be at the peak of physical fitness. They provide the audience with regualar thrills and spills. There is no excitement, nothing entertaining for the crowd. There is only the spectacle of grown men and women trying to poke each other. And lets be honest, you can go to the Gallery on a Wednesday night to see
G
oose
A MARTIAL discipline of graceful movement, skillful timing, subtle power and dashing speed.
vanbrugh - yet to be announced wentworth - yet to be announced
o.s.a. - weds week 8, the racecourse, £20 athletic union - weds week 9, the racecourse, £26 grad ball - fri, july 9th, the yorkshire air museum, £45
A unbroken line of practicioners since the time immerorial. Ability which if mastered would elevate you to the level of folk hero or demi-god. An endeavour with the beauty of an artform, the aggression of sport, where every failed attack could result in a crippling injury or death. Well, okay, I concede not death....not anymore. And yes, an emphasis on safety does mean we have to wear those bizzare white jackets and masks which make us look like the storm troopers of some evil galatic empire. But to suggest fencing is not a sport....in a world where tiddly-winks and ball room dancing are practically oympic events...Oh please. I expect the opposing argument is based on sterotyped observations; Fencers are all freaks (Because of course the rugby club ARE so well adjusted), fencing is a minority pursuit, so not real sport per se (and Shintoism is a minority religion...does that make it any less of a religion?) or people pratting about with antique weaponry can hardly be taken seriously (Unlike 22 people kicking what was orignally a inflated pigs bladder...so much more sophisticated, I’m sure). One final point before I go. The york fencing team has won its Roses event for the last three years running. Can we (and some of the other minority clubs) have some money for new equipment now?
YOU KNOW who they are. They make that funny noise (part diesel engine, part public toilet) when excited. Skulking in the shadow cast by the contemptful curled lip of celebrities, clutching an autograph book and a keep-fresh bag filled with the dandruff which John Stead from The Avengers flicked from the brim of his bowler hat in 1962. They are Anoraks. But we should neither despise, pity nor lock up these dedicated followers of fashion and fan-clubs. We should thank them for preserving popular british cul-
ture. Where would the history of Coronation Street be without the woman who never missed an episode in thirty years to remember which spangly bra Bet Gilroy wore when she seduced Jack Duckworth in the cellars that night Emily and Deirdre shot up heroin together under the tombola at the Friends of Wetherfield Hospital evening gala? Where would we be without that same anorak clad woman to write in to Vision in a pedantic fit of fury, keen to correct my poetic license with theplot? Without a hard-core anorak contin-
gent to glamorise popular old tat on tv, there would be no popular culture for luvvies to sneer at. Industry would lose millions of pounds in profit, as demand for spin-off tapes and look-a-like-masks and cheeky key-rings dropped off. Teachers would no longer be able to pretend to be ‘just one of the lads’ by loosening up into an informed chat about Neighbours, because no-one would care. The anorak is the foundation stone of British culture. Don’t let any spotty geek tell you otherwise.
Why the anorak is the foundation stone of popular British culture.
York Student Vision
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
12 FEATURES York Student Vision
Booze binges cause more than a beer belly, an oppressive hangover and an embarrassing one night stand. Barbara Stainer and Rebecca Sweeney investigate the impact of excessive drinking on longterm health. LIFE IS full of great couples. Bonnie and Clyde, Sonny and Cher, Terry and June...students and alcohol. You hear one, the other echoes somewhere in the background. Call it labeling, call it stereotyping...call it the truth. Over the course of our degree, most of us become more familiar with a pint than a pen. But how conscious are we of the damage we are subjecting ourselves to as a result of our ‘drinking indulgences’?
9:15’s and overdue essays, only 27% of men drink over the 21 units a week, whilst only 13% of women drink more than 14 units. The fact that students treat t h e s e drinking recommen-
check our breaths as we fumble with the doorcode at 3am, drinking habits are quick to form. Yet, despite the initial consequences of downing one to many - the aptly timed 9:15 hangover, the nausea, the
belly’ and impotence, whilst in both sexes regular heavy drinking threatens brain damage, throat cancer, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, ulcers, increased spots on the face and obesity. If this wasn’t disturbing enough, bear in mind that 1/4 of heavy drinking students have casual unprotected sex, whilst just under 1/2 have sex with someone they would normally avoid. A sobering thought if ever there was one! The realities of heavy drinking and intoxication are disturbing, and take the notions of a night on the ‘piss’ beyond a few stolen traffic cones and embarrassing renditions of the Righteous Brothers. Whilst the initial effects of alcohol differs for each of us, depending on the drinker’s size, sex, body build and metabolism and the type and amount of food in the stomach, the eventual adverse effects are the same. The immunity from these effects which we feel as students is a temporary illusion. Maybe all we’re left with are a few little amusing anecdotes to share with the folks, or perhaps worse, some extra insulation round the waist. But as another heavy night at the Gallery
headaches and all round sensitivity, few consider the long term effects of alcohol abuse. Excessive drinking in women, can lead to more facial hair, the shrinking of breasts, period , pregnancy and sexual problems. In men it can lead to the obvious ‘beer
Excessive drinking can cause facial hair, and breast shrinkage.
Most of us are aware of the daily benchmarks for alcohol. For men there is a guideline of 3 units per day (one unit being the equivalent of 1/2 a pint, one measure of spirit, or a small glass of wine), whilst for women it is 2 units. So 2 or 3 drinks a night and our livers remain relatively unpickled. However, a recent study of students conducted by the Avon Alcohol Advisory Group, brought to attention that we are greatly exceeding the recommended weekly limits. 54% of male students drink more than 21 units a week
The realities of heavy drinking go beyond a few stolen traffic cones (16% of whom drink more than 50 units), whilst 42% of female students drink over 14 units a week (9% who drink over 35 units). In light of the rest of the population, those who live outside the realms of
dations with such disregard will surprise relatively few. Alongside the independence and freedom of university comes the all night drinking binges and the weekend pub crawls, it’s part of our bravado, part of the student appeal. Without well wishing parents to
looms, it’s worth considering that there’s more at risk than your reputation.
alcohol abuse BEER BELLIES
Every year, alcohol abuse causes...
28,000 deaths 15% of traffic deaths 26% of drownings 39% of deaths in fires 712,000 assaults 120,000 facial injuries York Student Vision
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision FEATURES 13
PUNCH UP
In the interests of finding out about student drinking habits, Vision pitted all round general big man, ‘Nez’, against an anonymous member of the Vision team, in a three day contest, hosted by Alex Watson Round 1, MONDAY Nez :
“Start at Wenty and have three pints of Worthys. It’s a cricket social and me and my mate are bored stiff so we have to drink at a fast rate. Had about seven bottles of Nellie Dean altogether. In a drunken state I arrive home, I beg my friends Jane and Gareth to join me in a threesome. Positive response from Gareth, Jane not too keen, perhaps another night…”
Vision : Stayed in – but felt the need to go to the garage and get a slush puppy – my first for several years. Watched TV. Eastenders was fairly exciting So Nez got off to a strong start, consuming approximately 13 units, spending over a tenner… However, on the down side he made a bit of twat of himself in front of his house mates. Having said this, he still seems fairly buoyant going into round two…A rather weak start from the Vision team, consuming a grand total of 0 units. Having said this, Vision did succumb to a dangerous addiction to Slush Puppies – 5 years of rehab down the drain…
Round 1 goes to Nez, having swept the board in units consumed, cash spent, and amount of a fool he made of himself. Still, it’s just one battle, the war is far from over…
Round 2, TUESDAY Nez :
“Go to Vic. to watch football again. Have 6 bottles of Nellie Dene. The football ends and I go to bed and dream about being in Toffs, too tired to actually go tonight”
Vision :
“Went to Toffs – it’s just as cheap to drink than not to, so I order a couple of bottles of Volsk (perhaps I’ll live to regret this when I actually drink the stuff!), having already downed a couple of cokes. Nothing can seem to fill the gaping void left by an absence of Slush Puppies.”
Round 3, WEDNESDAY Nez :
“Surprise, I’m at the Vic again tonight, watching yet more football. Consume six more bottles of Nellie Dene. The match ends and it’s Gallery time! Superb music, so did quite a lot of dancing and I think I drunk about six bottles of source. Was a complete wreck by the end and staggered out . Outside was a group of four girls, which I sort of know. I started begging them to come home with me. In the end I had to give up and get some fried chicken.”
Nez’s impressive start certainly seemed to be taking its toll, as he found room for only bottles, and ended up dreaming about Toffs (shouldn’t that be a nightmare?). Racking up about 6 units, bringing his weekly total to 19, only three off the weekly recommended limit! Not going to Toffs saved him some money but the whole night only cost £6. Already the week at Vision is proving too much. Vision consumed over 5 units of alcohol, but given that it was Volsk, they deserve bonus points. Drinks however, were surprisingly cheap, just 50p each – so Vision didn’t even spend a fiver!
Round 2 goes to Vision, as while Nez was tucked up in bed, our dedicated journo was partying the night away…
Vision :
“Went to the Derry for a few drinks, although I only had cokes – didn’t feel up to drinking, don’t know why. Went to Vanbrugh to meet a friend. Still could only manage a coke.”
Nez seems set to retain his crown of booze king, consuming 6 units before going to The Gallery, willing to drink despite the obvious damage done to his health. He complimented the cheap Nellie Dean with 6 bottles of Source, for just £1 each. Nez was a wreck by the end, but managed to consume fried chicken to finish off this top night. A poor finish to the contest from Vision, consuming 0 units. It may have saved money, but it sounds like for Vision that Wednesday was a complete disappointment Nez is declared the winner, drinking over 30 units in just three days, well over the recommended level. However, Nez stuck to the cheap stuff, so ‘only’ spent about £30… Meanwhile, our reporter stayed well within the limits, spending under £10 on alcohol. A thumping victory for Nez, and probably a thumping headache.
York Student Vision
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
14 FEATURES York Student Vision
BIG DAY OUT
In Newcastle
experience several theme villages with speciality shops, as well as the high street names. You will probably need to divide your shopping in two parts, maybe by seeing a film at the 12-screen cinema, or a game of 10-pin bowls, or by increasing your adrena-
Train Ticket: £19.00 Attractions: Shops
Shopping line on one of the mini theme parks, Metroland’s rides. Newcastle city centre provides a greater variety of shops, but is more spread out. For those on a budget, there are more bargains to be found, such as at the cheap designer label shop, TKMax, at the Monument. Although few sandwiches rival those from Brown’s of Heslington, Olivers on Northumberland St. offers very good competition. Their ‘design-your-own’ sandwiches are in freshly baked bread and are ideal for those trying to ‘do’ Newcastle in a day. Bierex by the Haymarket, is the student hang-out offering excellent value and a good variety of foreign
FACT FILE
Best Bar: Legends Best Club: Julie’s
Clubs Eating Out
Bars
beers. The main reason people go to Newcastle is for the night life. The Bigg Market is as famous for it’s pubs as it is for it’s scantily clad women. For a more sophisticated setting head towards the Quayside. Here you’ll find the drinking holes for the yuppies of Newcastle. Suits are by no means compulsory and most Geordies wearing one will probably have just left the new law courts. The ‘Pitcher and Piano’, Waterline and
NEWCASTLE, THE city voted eighth best place to party in the world is a must for all to visit with its high energy and 24 hour culture. Those without stamina - stay away! Check out the Metrocentre, just 10 minutes by bus or train from Newcastle centre, it provides a perfect day’s shopping. The relaxed atmosphere allows the shopper to
Offshore are highly recommended. Newcastle’s clubs are unbeatable and there are many to choose from. Planet Earth is infamous for it’s 70’s nights. Legends bar, which becomes a club after 11pm by ‘raising the walls’ is located centrally by the Monument. Julie’s down by the Quayside, is the popular place to see the Newcastle United footballers after match days. Alternatively, there is the ‘boat’. The Tuxedo Royale, moored on the Tyne, is a novelty with its revolving dance floor, not advised for Richard Miller
A QUICK DRINK AND A BITE TO EAT
Vision’s food critic, Adam Winslow, sneers at the shark prepared by Pierre Victoire and whinges about the waitresses
Greg Paterson takes a step into the unknown, discovers the charm of the unconventional and demands beer vending machines on campus
THE MALTINGS, railway side of Lendal bridge. Those who are interested in the sheer range of drinks available behind one bar should definitely sample the Maltings wares. Highly recommended for its selection it can usually offer over 5 cask ales, 3 or 4 traditional scrumpies (an acquired, if slightly dangerous taste), many, many lagers from around the world, and a hoard of fruit wines. The decor is interesting as is the live music on Mondays and Tuesdays. The staff have been known to take pity on starving students with the occasional gift of free food. Definitely worth a try. The Magnet, Osbaldwick Lane. I get the distinct feeling that students may not make up a substantial percentage of the Magnets customers. We were greeted by a welcome of “Oh look! Two cokes and eight straws for them”. However the Magnet does store some impres-
sively proportioned sandwiches and a large screen, to view football. The Blue Bell Inn, Fossgate. The Blue Bell is very different. Apparently it is the only pub in the area on a select list of “national gem” pubs. It is very small and very old; not really the place you go with four dozen mates for a piss up. However it does some good beer and is perhaps a better pub to take your visiting parents, where you can comment on its preserved style and convince them that maybe you’ve not just been drinking their money away in the Gallery. P.S. Excuse me – has nobody in Heslington Hall been informed that drinks in the Gallery on Monday now cost less than Coke from the vending machines? Perhaps the Gallery could be persuaded to set up their own machines vending Wild Brew as a cheaper alternative.
York Student Vision
PIERRE VICTOIRE on Lendal may sound convincingly French but that is sadly where the similarity ends, for in terms of atmosphere it is closer to ‘Allo ‘Allo and in cuisine to war time rationing. The room is cavernous and lacks intimacy, such that it must be the novelty of French cuisine in York, and the price that attract the customers. Being asked six times by three waitresses whether I was ready to order was hardly an ideal start to the evening. It was made all the more annoying by not being able to find one waitress when the time came to ask for the bill. I had hoped for better food than campus fare but if I had wanted average food and student staff then Derwent would have been my first choice. I don’t mind paying for quality but Pierre Victoire’s version of French food left a lot to be desired. My shark was overcooked, was clearly not fresh and
was smothered by oil, whilst the vegetables were lank and poorly presented. Not what you’d expect for the £9 asking price and not what any one should be expected to pay for clearly sub-standard fare. On the plus side Pierre Victoire’s makes it’s mark with it’s lunch specials and pre-theatre menus where you can have two courses for £4.90. The choice is reasonably good, including the slightly lighter ‘roasted asparagus and cherry tomato salad served with basil oil, parsnip chips and bayonne ham’ whereas ‘roasted mediterranean vegetable gateaux glazed with goats cheese’ is one of the typical, if uninspiring, main courses on offer. In short I found the atmosphere, service and price all wanting. For a better version of french cuisine at similar prices then Café Rouge would be a much better bet.
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision TELESCOPE 15
TELESCOPE “It's better to be quotable than to be honest” - Tom Stoppard
MONKEY MAGIC Sarah Moore saves a kung-fu monkey from the fire...
J.S. Greenwood goes clubbing on-line... BROWSING THE web, I find that, apart from those run by the clubs themselves, there are only two web-sites with reference to clubbing in York. However, even within these two you can see the differences in style between the clubs, the people who frequent them, and the tastes of the people writing the articles. Whilst www.thisisyork.co.uk/york/whatson/york-clubs.html gives one club a rating of 8/10, http://freespace.virgin.net/ david.jones2/home/beer1.htm simply states “It’s just not worth it”. It seems that not even the Internet can solve the eternal question “Is Ziggy’s any good?” Visiting the clubs’ websites themselves might not come up with a definitive answer, but it still managed to take up a good half-an-hour of my time. Firstly I tried Toff’s (www.toffsnightclub.co.uk). The club’s trying to lure people to this site by offering a printable voucher online, entitling you to a free drink on a Tuesday/ Wednesday. What with this, the drinks going two for a pound nowadays, and the copious amount of free T-shirts and CDs they keep doling out, you can’t help but wonder where this will end. Perhaps Toff’s could set themselves up as a free Internet Service Provider. I can see it now; £1.50 gets you there on the bus, free entry, 2 free drinks, 1 months f r e e Internet access, f r e e T- s h i r t , free CD, and a free bus back to campus. A s for the site itself, there are a few amusing pictures of people in Toff’s, and a list of what type of evening it is there each night. Pretty standard stuff, really. If it weren’t for the animation of a half-naked gyrating woman at the top of one of the pages, I wouldn’t have stayed more than a couple of minutes. The web seems to be mimicking the real-world, with both Toff’s and the Gallery’s (www.galleryclub.co.uk) web-sites being as similar as the clubs themselves. The sections are the same, with the same type of mug-shots of people clubbing (except that one of them appears to be snorting coke at the Gallery). You can print off your free drink voucher here as well, although even the beggars outside the clubs can afford a serious drinking session at the current prices. There is a feedback form on this site, though, and for comedy value I believe a campaign should be started to lower their prices even further. Given the hype for Ikon and Diva, the web-site should be something a bit more special. The main site (www.uk-clubnetwork.co.uk) is really good, with a map of the country to help you find their clubs nearest to you; and a messageboard to help you get in touch with people you’ve met at their clubs before. There’s even a coin that you can toss to help you decide whether to go out that evening or not. (They’re kind of shooting themselves in the foot, though, considering each of the 10 times I tried it, it told me not to go out). The real disappointment is that there is nothing to do with York’s Ikon and Diva at all. York’s clubs websites reflect the way they come across in real-life; both Toff’s and The Gallery being strangely similar, with the Gallery marginally outclassing Toff’s; Ikon and Diva seeming smooth and slick, more of an experience, yet somehow impersonal; and Ziggy’s (probably for the best) being forgotten and ignored.
York Student Vision
Monkey Subdues the White Bone Demon
(Adapted by Wang Hsing-pei, drawings by Chao Hungpen and Chien Hsiao-tai) Foreign Languages Press, Peking 1973.
16TH CENTURY Chinese Literature might not be everybody’s cup of Lap-Sang Sui Yong, but when it comes down to the book I’d save in a fire, it’s not The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Bible or my Norton Anthology. No, it’s the story of Monkey. Monkey, the Great Sage Equal To Heaven, Master of the Cloud Trapeze, is a devout and thoughtful disciple, yet is never reluctant to kick a demon’s ass. (Just look at the surreal cult Japanese TV series ‘Monkey Magic’, last gracing our screens in the briefest of revivals for BBC 2’s Kung-Fu Night.) Kung-Fu aside, Monkey and his magic have their roots deep in Chinese folklore, in the documented pilgrimage of the 7th century monk Trippitaka. By the 10th century this pilgrimage was subject of a whole cycle of fantastic legends, mythologised and collected in the 16th century in the epic text ‘The Journey to the West’. ‘Monkey Subdues the White Bone Demon’ is a picture book, charting one episode from ‘The Journey to the West’, a near lethal encounter with the shape shifting White Bone Demon. This femme fatale, with a monstrous appetite for human flesh, and her demonic host, all carnivorous animal headed
and humanoid, are not nearly as frightening as the prospect of the White Bone Demon’s mother, the Golden Toad Fairy. Putting it nicely, this granny turned cannibal doesn’t suffer from her daughter’s good looks. Closer to Japanese print than Manga, and without the colourings of western graphic novels, each full page illustration creates dramatic set pieces, full of movement and reminiscent of stage productions of the past. The classical edge is unmistakable due to the fluid operatic costumes of all characters well utilised in the fast and furious fight scenes. The literary qualities of the text, however, are also retained. Symbolically HsuanTsang is the ordinary man, Monkey the restless instability of genius. Pigsy, another disciple, embodies physical appetites and brute strength, whilst the more mysterious Sandy has been said to represent ‘ch’eng’, ‘sincerity’ or ‘wholeheartedness’. The comedy, absurdity, and philosophy of the original lengthy text stays, the poetry becomes visual. Black and white line drawings, detailed and spacious, are gorgeous and highly decorative. Political satire and social comment might be lacking, but, lucky you! ‘Monkey’ by Wu Che’ngen, is, even now, available in paperback from Penguin Classics.
PHANTOM FUN
Stephen Hardcastle races Anakin Skywalker. And beats the little brat... STAR WARS EPISODE 1 RACER PC CD-ROM / N64
7 out of 10
NOBODY CAN deny that the latest instalment of the Star Wars series has been designed with extensive merchandising specifically in mind, and a central part of this is the games market. One of the several new games is a hover racer based on the film’s centrepiece pod race. The first thing that hits you, even before you start playing, is just how impressively big it all is. Majestic music greets you and you arrange your settings against some magnificent backdrops. There’s a choice of futuristic pods complete with all the bizarre characters who race them in the film, and an equally impressive array of tracks, detailed recreations of the worlds visited in the movies. You even get to buy extra parts from a
character actually in the film, a superb graphic and audio recreation. The tracks themselves are works of art, with superbly crafted graphics whilst the intense speed of the game provides tremendous atmosphere. However, like the movie, the game relies too much on its special effects, neglecting structural completeness and depth. The pods handle too well, and progression up the levels is a procession, not a struggle. Turbo boost seems like an afterthought, added to provide the playability with some much needed variety, and the computer controlled players, far from being AI based equals, are almost akin to preprogrammed androids, never turbo boosting, never crashing and always woefully easy to compete with. This game is good, but like the films, if its programmers hadn’t had the name to rely on, and such an extensive capacity to produce snazzy effects, it could have been so much better.
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
16 TELESCOPE York Student Vision
TELESCOPE
GOVERNMENT SOAP BOX? Alex Watson looks at soaps and the messages they send to their viewers
NO-ONE THINKS much of soap operas – they’re often roundly abused, ridiculed and dismissed – after all, they’re popular rubbish aren’t they? Yet still, millions of people tune in to shows like Eastenders, Brookside, and Neighbours, for a daily fix of ‘real life drama’. Soaps provide us a look into other people’s lives, yet unlike most dramas and films, soaps are set in recognisably
When you see Frank getting a degree in philosophy you'll want to do the same realistic places, and usually deal with unglamorous and supposedly ‘everyday’ situations. However, perhaps it’s not true that no-one thinks much of soap operas – the government certainly do, as they have recently suggested to the script writers of top UK soap operas like Eastenders and Brookside, that their story-lines should
include new government initiatives. The government want soap writers to include characters who, for example, go on one of the much touted ‘life long learning’ schemes.
philosophy you’ll want to do the same. Almost as if a friend is recommending it to you personally. The Cool Britannia phase alerted us all to the fact that ‘Tony and his cronies’ are Through making a govpopular shows ernment which like this, the is pop culture government friendly. Far want to encourfrom stopping age the viewers at having celebto take up their rities at Number various ‘third Ten, new way’ initiatives. Labour seem Their reasoning Big sister is watching you... intent on utilisis that due to ing pop culture the nature of soap operas, when you see to get their message across. Frank getting a degree from the OU in There’s an honourable motive behind
this, but the government is on thin ice here; recently there’s been the furore over the poster that seemed to imply that Labour would be in power for the next hundred years, and now they want to have, however small an amount, some control over television. It does seem to be another example of the Blair government’s ‘control freak’ tendency, and this is certainly a dangerous thing. In a way it is a vicious circle – soap
New Labour seem intent on utilising pop culture to get their message across writers won’t put it in unless it happens, whilst the government maintains putting it in will make it happen. However, perhaps this is all a fairly academic argument – having a character in Albert Square espousing the virtues of the New Deal and the third way is certainly a lot less dramatic than burying a body in the
Book Section sponsored by University Bookshop, University of York, University Road, Heslington, York, Y010 5DU (Tel : 01904 432715)
UNDERGROUND
ENGLAND AWAY
Tobias Hill
BLACKWELL’S
John King
Faber & Faber, £9.99
Vintage, £5.99
YOU’RE NOT supposed to judge a book by its cover – everyone knows that little maxim, yet I can’t help noticing that Underground’s cover is excellent. A claustrophobic photo of a tube train, coloured a sinister red. Throughout reading this book, it is that thought – that it looks good – that is most prevalent. As the title suggests, this book is set in the London Underground, and although there is a thriller story present, what this book essentially boils down to is an excellent, and highly stylised, ‘picture’ of the underground. What Hill excels at in this book is ‘painting’ very believable, and detailed pictures. The description is marvellous, the most effective I’ve read in a long time. Hill presents a very creepy and original view of the Underground, as a city beneath a city, a sinister organic life-form, fully realising an excellent sense of the duality of the darkness – its comfort and its scariness. Yet, in the end, it all seems a little pointless. A setting should have something set to it, and what happens in the underground is a paper thin ‘thriller’ plot, involving some madman (you never find out who, and don’t even think of trying to work it out, because you can’t) pushing people under trains. Underground is a novel that lacks an interesting, or well thought out story. It’s a shame that Hill, obviously a talented writer, cannot find any more use for his subtle and dark backgrounds than a hackneyed and underdeveloped plot about some unknown madman. Still, this is not a bad book – simply a first class example of a novel that fails to tell a story, and that ultimately fails to provide anything other than a few (particularly sinister and striking) pictures.
Alex Watson
ASK A child to write a story and, it’ll reveal its author’s inexperience by overreaching ambition children imagine themselves out of the limitations of their world. King’s scope i s not a great deal narrower in England Away. H e takes on war, politics, prostitution, the English c h a r acter and European culture in a story of football hooliganism. This is transmitted to the reader via the minds of the protagonists - war veterans or Chelsea fans - and it can be quite absorbing. The novel sets up an expectation that it will answer the inevitable central question: why violence? Unfortunately, by the end it adds little to : ‘you need an enemy.’ It’s a challenge to try to render the consciousness of the English soccer hooligan - the media would have us believe that he doesn’t actually have a consciousness. (The deconstruction of this is one of the novel’s better achievements). Throughout, we’re encouraged to dissolve any divides between war and football. The parallels between uniforms and kits, armies and fans are irresistible. King offers characters who are convinced that they are fighting an extension of World War Two. But it doesn’t work. Instead of a narrative which cuts from riots to actual remembered war zones, it would have been more successful to merge the two and leave the reader uneasy as to which is being described. Instead, we have characters who think of themselves as just soldiers. Football seldom warrants a mention for its own sake and King indulges gruesome accounts of riots and war in total isolation of the game. An English concern must be rooted in the English character. The novel talks about English reserve, keeping ‘themselves to themselves’, but doesn’t, however, appear to find anything insidious therein. It does not recognise the territorialism and self importance of keeping oneself to oneself.
York Student Vision
Matthew Barr
JUNE
KOTLER ON MARKETING Philip Kotler
The long awaited, state of the art guide to marketing strategies and tactics from the world’s foremost authority on the subject.
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June 1999, £20.00 hb Simon & Schuster, 0684860384
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9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision ARTS 17
WHATS ON! York Theatre Royal (01904) 658162 Student Standby Only £3 Please telephone for current details of events.
ENJOY THE IRONY ALAN BENNETT’S play Enjoy, first performed in 1981, has the accuracy of observation that is the hallmark of his work.
Thelma Barlow, who made herself a household name with her 25 year long part as Mavis in Coronation Street, plays Connie Craven, a dizzy and delightfully “traditional” Yorkshire woman living in the last backto-back in Leeds. Her home, along with the rest of her street, is to be knocked down and she is to be moved to new flats with all the “modern conveniences”. Her husband Wilfred, played by Bernard Gallagher (Heartbeat and Wycliffe) welcomes the move. Connie is not so sure. Both Thelma and Bernard feel they can relate to the action of Enjoy as they both had very Yorkshire up-bringings and feel that the play, set in Leeds, is even stronger in its intended venue. Bennet captures a way of life in the couple; she is going slightly senile and losing her memory, and he is disabled and bitter about it. Their entire life is summed up in a few items on the mantelpiece. Enter the social workers. Someone from the council is appointed to take note of every move the Cravens make. The thought that a whole way of life could die out is unthinkable. When it is established that Mr and Mrs Craven really are a perfect example of a “traditional” Yorkshire couple, it is revealed that the intention is to dismantle their home brick
TO COMPARE me to an artist would be like, well, comparing the Spice Girls to bona fide musicians writes Helen Abraham.
Put a brush in my hand, however, and I’m quite happy to roll up my sleeves and spend a couple of hours creating something which could be broadly, and very loosely, described as a piece of art, so I was delighted to stumble across the Active Arts society a couple of weeks ago. Hidden in the depths of Wentworth their spoils only surface annually in the Summer Exhibition. Organised by the Tutor in Art, John Gledhill, the exhibition provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in framing and displaying their own work and to receive feedback from members of the public. At the opening evening last Wednesday I was impressed to find not only proud parents and faithful friends supporting the ambitions
Jeanette Elsworth learns the hardships of Yorkshire life
people, and people act the same in every age”. It is about relationships, especially long-standing ones, and how they can effect children. The blind and misplaced pride of the couple in their runaway children is comically touching, as is the way they have the same conversation again and again. The play is very realistic and dark, but is extremely funny at the same time. Thelma said: “Things are funnier when you believe them,” and this is certainly true with Enjoy. From the moment you see the intricately detailed set, you believe every second. For Thelma, this is her first stage appearance for eleven years, and she admitted that the experience of the opening night will be a very nervous one. She has, since leaving Coronation Street, been in Dinnerladies, Murder Most Horrid, and The Holiday Show. For her, theatre has been the most rewarding, because of the added challenge of a live Thelma Barlow by Keith Pattison audience. “Enjoy is by no means nostalgic. Enjoy is an excellently written play, starring experienced actors who have a personal It addresses issues that could affection for the characters and issues addressed. It is wonderfully funny, touching apply to any age” on everyone’s concerns of becoming old and by brick reconstructing it in a museum. slipping into reminiscence. There, living the same lives that they For those of you who think that Leeds is a always have providing invaluable information bit of a distance to go to the theatre, rest to tourists about how life used to be. assured that Enjoy is definitely worth it. But Enjoy is by no means nostalgic. It addresses issues that could apply to any day and age. As Thelma said, “The play is about
A Brush With Fame
“A Light Snack” A lino print by Penny Page
of the next Van Gogh but considerable interest from those unconnected to the artists who found the work to be “unpretentious” and
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York City Art Gallery (01904) 551818 The Artist’s Model From Etty to Spencer Thought provoking exhibition examining the changing role of the artists model in British art from 1840 to 1940 29 May - 11 July York Arts Centre (01904) 627129 York Contemporary Arts Festival A eclectic week of multi-media, experimental theatre and music 13 – 17 June West Yorkshire Playhouse (0113) 213770 Enjoy Alan Bennet’s humourous yet highly cynical look at one family’s farewell to the last back to back in Leeds before the bulldozers move in 28 May - 26 June Who’s Boss An edge-of -the-seat thriller, twisting and turning towards a shuddering climax of drugs and trust 17 June - 17 July Rose The story of a Jewish survivor who has lived through some of the most harrowing events of the century 8 - 12 June with the degree of progress that is evident from the display, from the less ambitious still life work, to tackling more challenging genres like life drawing and portraiture. Each week, classes cater for all, from those who have A-level in art to those who are more artistically challenged, with a chance to have a go at printing, clay work and paint. Members also have use of the facilities every day each term until midnight (ideal for the more self-conscious!). The range of ability is fairly extensive but that’s not what it’s about. The pride of an amateur in having the opportunity to exhibit his work is huge and the opportunities rare. If you didn’t manage to catch the show (just next to Wentworth dining hall) why not pop down to W024, you might find a hidden talent just waiting to be discovered!
demonstrating a “degree of honesty”. Whilst Gledhill admits that his students are not “star artists”, he was clearly pleased
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
18 FILMS York Student Vision
PLANNING AHEAD
FILMS
NOTTING HILL SCALES THE HEIGHTS
But I suppose ever since that over her picture in the tabloids. It embarrassing episode with a prosti- seems somewhat fateful that Notting tute in the back of a Hill has taxi, he’s always b e e n “Hugh Grant’s inept INTRODUCING THE girl- been prepared to released in housemate, Spikey is the friend to the family is a nerve rough it. the UK star of the show” racking experience. Hugh Grant’s within days It’s always a safe bet well-meaning but of Prince that mum will have one socially E d w a r d ’s of her funny spells, and i n e p t fiancé appearing topless in The Sun. dad will pick his feet. National outcry at Yelland’s lack But imagine if you of discretion is perbrought home a movie h a p s star as your date to your responsible little sister’s birthday? for why the The audience audience clapped as the end loved this credits rolled. Need I film. say more? Notting Screenplay Hill is a phenomenal was craftily success. casual, with The cast is someshots forewhat typecast. Hugh grounded by Grant plays a nice, flaky feet and hesitant English framed by rotboy, Julia Roberts a ting food. It film idol, Emma was all so laid Chambers a dappy back that anywoman. No surprises there, then. one, even a But then this is not a film about housemate, movie star, could surprises. In traditional, feel-good Spikey (Rhys Ifans) is the feel at home. Boy mee movie style, star of the show. Hollywood ts girl this is all While William has pulled out all about reassur- “The audience clapped as the Thacker is being the stops on this one. They have ingly predictacredits rolled. Notting Hill his hesitant, well- taken ‘just a girl, standing in front ble true love. is a phenomenal success” mannered self, of a boy, asking him to love her’ and H u g h providing a safe thrown them both into a vibrant Grant’s wellhouse from the world of dirty plates, spilt coffee, groomed floppy locks, earnest looks gutter press, Spike hits on the idea shoplifters and stardom with witty, and polished accent are the only fac- of ‘slipping her one’. colourful flair. tors which make it remotely plausi- And that’s after intruding into ble when he gets off with a 15-mil- juicy Julia’s hot bath to masturbate lion-dollar-a-film-star. Film: Notting Hill, Cert 15 Reveiw by Claire Kilner
MASTERING THE MATRIX Ramses McDonald previews Hollywood’s latest blockbuster The Matrix
Film: The Matrix, Cert 15 Reveiw by Ramses McDonald
IF THERE’S one film this year that will really make you say ‘wow’ it’s The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves.
The constant flow of eye-popping visual effects will hold you in awe, and whether crazy sci-fi action films are your thing or not, you won’t be able to stop yourself thinking “how did they do that?”. The directors clearly wanted this film to stand alone as the visual effects movie of the decade; with “bullet-time” photography and computer manipulation resulting in a surreal sense of time distortion - watch out for the bullet-dodging scenes. There are far too many films around these days about which the only justification is ‘well, you have to admit it had great effects’. This is not one of them.
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Keanu Reeves
The scenario is complex: This world around us is not real, it is a computer generated reality. Neo (Keanu Reeves) is a computer programmer, dissatisfied with the world and seeking the truth, aware that something sinister and immeasurably powerful is controlling his life. Only Morpheus (Fishburne), a man he has heard of only through legend, can give him the truth about the Matrix. Neo is eventually contacted by the beautiful Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), who leads him into another world, where he at last meets Morpheus and finds the truth about the Matrix. Predictably enough, Neo is the only one who can save them all....or is he? The acting is hardly of the highest order, and bits of the screen-play are cringingly cliched, but as a futuristic action thriller, it can’t be topped. The Matrix is released on the 11th June.
Bill and Bridget Film: A Simple Plan, Cert 15 Reveiw by Phillip Cowell
THEY DON’T know they are criminals until they attend the site of a snow-covered plane wreck. And they don’t find out who they really are until they quench their insatiable thirst for money - someone else’s money. So that the ultimate question of this psychological thriller is, “What would you do if over $4 million fell into your lap?” The film starts with the gelid uneasiness it means to go on with as Hank, Jacob and Lou set out one cold New Year’s Eve afternoon from their small, struggling Midwestern town and discover the snowhidden aircraft wreckage. In it, to their trembling mixture of wonder and fear, they find $4 million, a dead pilot, and a ticket out of their mundane lives. Possibly. What seems like a quick fortune for four hum-drum existences unravels itself as a seductive snake of moral should-we’s and crime scene concealments. The certainty of each character’s decision to keep the money becomes paralleled by singular distrust for each other. Hank and Sarah dream of escaping their claustrophobic rural lives and for Jacob prospects of meeting a woman quash any moral queasiness. Such opulence may be wrested away will consequently make what was once bearable intolerable. A grave impasse of thrilling psychology it is; a simple plan it is not.
CINEMA INFORMATION CITY SCREEN Museum Gardens, 01904 612940 ODEON CINEMA Blossom Street, Micklegate Booking Line 01904 623287 WARNER VILLAGE CINEMAS Clifton Moor, York Booking Line 01904 691199
SITES AND SOUNDS
www.empireonline.co.uk/reviews Movie magazine with general information on latest releases etc....riveting read.. www.austinpowers.com Austin Powers web site with loads of information on the forthcoming film... groovy... http://www.empireonline.co.uk/features/bond/tomorrow/index.htm Heaving with Bond movie media memorabilia and information on forthcoming Bond related adventures...
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision MUSIC 19
SHED’S HEAVEN
Ryan Sabey talks to Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter on their past, present and what the future holds SHED SEVEN, during a long career, have seen out the last of the New Romantics, the Kylie and Jason era, Madchester and even Britpop. Their staying power has coincided with a host of songs that have enabled them to release a Best Of album. The York band certainly have come a long way. But not everyone believes it’s the right time to do so. “I really wanted to release a fourth album of new material,” claims Rick Witter, lead singer. “A few hit singles means a greatest hits package.” An album containing the classics Going For Gold, Chasing Rainbows and She Left Me On Friday surely must be worthy of such a release. The resolve of Shed Seven has enabled them to sell more records and allow the fan base to flourish. “‘We never followed the crowd.” adds Rick. Instead of playing local gigs in their native Yorkshire, Shed Seven decided to go to London. “The Industry would never come to York. We had to go to them.” A simple calculation that would soon pay dividends. For a band that has seen so many different genres of music through it’s time, why do Shed Seven turn to disco at the eleventh hour, namely in their new single Disco Down. Rick explains, “we could have stuck to the same formula. What we did was put in a disco style riff and milk it completely. It’ll probably be like a Whigfield anthem.” Shed Seven fans don’t have to worry about recent rumours circulating that the band are about to split. Rick is the first to dismiss this. “Q magazine printed the report based on a rumour. There wasn’t
COMING UP
‘Q magazine printed the report based on a rumour. There wasn’t any truth to it’ Rick Witter on reports that the band had been dropped by Polydor Records
any truth to the rumour.” So much so that Shed Seven have gone back in the studio to start demoing and recording new material. “We’re rehearsing for the live tour and coming up with new ideas all the time so we’re putting them down as and when.” Quash the rumours, stop EVERYTHING - (A Book About The Manic Street Preachers) is the most illustrated book on the band’s career. Author Simon Price takes you through the hum-drum beginnings in the Welsh mining of Blackwood, where the band grew up, to the release of their fifth album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. The most notable incidents are all there. Richey Edwards’ ‘4 Real’ incident and his disappearance are well documented. (Virgin Publishing)
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the press, this is the truth. Shed Seven have outshone, outsold, out-classed so many ‘Next Big Things’. Their songs are instantly recognisable. You can just see the TV advert for the Best Of album now and the response of the general public. ‘Did they really sing
that? And that one? That as well!’ Perhaps now is the time for Shed Seven to finally mark their place in popular music’s Hall of Fame.
The much lauded second album from New York’s Fountains of Wayne, Utopia Parkway is out now. It features the singles Denise and Red Dragon Tattoo.
Boyzone release their greatest hits package, By Request this fortnight. If you want pop music and a ballad here there and everywhere this is your station.
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
20 MUSIC York Student Vision
Super, Smashing Great
Band :Super Furry Animals Title: Guerilla Record Label :Creation
Another Good Feeling ? Band: Travis, Label: Independiente Title: The Man Who. NOTHING OR NOBODY is perfect, we all know that – but when an album comes close to such; it’s follow up is bound to have immensely high expectations to live up to . The Man Who, Travis’ second album, had to perform such a fait accompli. Good Feeling, their 1997 debut album was the soundtrack to my sixth form. Every song on the album fitted every mood; happy, melancholy, excited, rejected. It wasn’t perfect but it came close. As I listened to The Man Who fear that it would not gain the admiration Good Feeling earnt was the primary thought in my mind. My fears are thankfully allayed. This album is much more delicate than Good Feeling and the songs more heart rending - Critics have drawn comparisons between this album and Radiohead’s O.K. Computer. Whilst
BACK TO NATURE Band: Naughty by Nature Title: 1999, Label: Arista
‘I knew they was gonna come back, I just didn’t know they was gonna come back like this!’, announces the introduction to Nineteen Ninety Nine. And I completely agree! Remembering clearly the (now) classic Naughty By Nature tunes Ghettobastard and OPP, I prepared myself for a for a fresh dose of phat hiphop beats and dizzying MC-ing. While the rapping remains as skillful as it ever was, the music itself has lost the hard edge. Continuing a worrying trend in hip-hop as a genre, this album is packed full of gag-inducing swing beat, drippy old skool funk and embarrassing
both albums share Nigel Godrich as their producer but the similarities stop here. Songs such as forthcoming single ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me’,‘Driftwood’, and ‘As You Are’ may have as their subject matter a feeling of dejection; but the melodies show no sign of melancholy a la Radiohead. The lyrics themselves are beautifully poignant and poetic. Animated by lead singer Fran Healy’s smooth vocals. The rocky element to Travis has disappeared , there’s nothing here you could enter the mosh pit to, this is the kind of album you listen to in awe. If The Man Who was a work of art I’d frame it and admire it for years to come. Perfection ? Maybe not - but The Man Who nears such a virtue.
HOT ON the heels of fellow Welsh acts Catatonia and Stereophonics, the Super Furry Animals return with their third studio album Guerilla just in time for the festival season. After their recent successes with the highly acclaimed Ice Hockey Hair EP and the current single Northern Lites this could be their year. The album to finally make Super Furry Animals a household name. However, they don’t appear to have read the script, yet they never intended to be populist anyway. In Guerilla they have moved away from the mainstream and back towards their techno roots.
The dark sound that invaded their previous album Radiator has been replaced with a more joyful and uplifting sound. The tracks are divided between supersonic techno assaults such as Whenever I leave My Phone That’s My Home and Night Vision. However, the album’s strength lies in the slower, more mellower moments like the wonderfully uplifting Turning Tide and the bizarrely titled Chewing Chewing Gum. Gruff and co have returned fresher and funkier than ever before, showing once again their desire to stay contemporary and not to be categorised. This album will certainly delight SFA fans yet for the rest of us a little longer. This album will delight and confuse in equal proportion.
Robert Cotterell
Rajini Vaidyanathan
Not Much Joy!
Super Furry Animals
Band: Gay Dad Title: Leisure Noise, Label: London Gay Dad are currently the darlings of the popular music press and their debut album, Leisure Noise, has been touted as the album to save British pop music from its depressing slump. Unfortunately, good though it may be, it fails to live up to this billing. Leisure Noise is a thoroughly average album. Most of the songs start promisingly Naughty by Nature enough but don’t really go anywhere such as the ineffectual acoustic strums Black Ghost tunes. and Jesus Christ. Occasionally the old Naughty By The album as a whole seems to lack any Nature flavour seeps through and the direction or identity sounding like an amalgamusic ceases to be ghetto elevator music mation of Supergrass and Mansun; an irritatbut not nearly frequently enough. The ing, whining noise that makes you remember rapping alone makes it tolerable but they why you hated the Smashing Pumpkins so much. are capable of so much more. The singles, Joy and To Earth With Love, Danny Mendelle at least contain a tune whilst the upbeat Oh Jim
York Student Vision
even threatens to be m i l d l y anthemic. The standout tracks are undoubtedly My Son Mystic and Different Kind of Blue. They are two genuinely moving, overtly androgynous love songs. Under normal circumstances Leisure Noise would go down as a promising debut, but it’s saddled with bringing us out of the post-Britpop void. Gay Dad sound pretty good, but sadly they’re not good enough to be proclaimed as our saviours just yet.
Neville Dean
9th June, 1999 Issue 112
York Student Vision MUSIC 21
Staying out for the Summer Ryan Sabey looks at two of this year’s festivals and asks...Is D better than V?
Derwent 99 looks set to home in on both local and national talent on Friday 18th June (Week 8). Last year saw Shed Seven headline and Leeds band The Dandys in the support slot.
AS THE last festival season of the Millenium approaches, V99 has another mind-blowing lineup.
The festival has been voted Live! Magazine’s Best European Festival and won Melody Maker’s Event Of The Year in 1998. Confirming its importance on the festival circuit V99 has again pulled in the big names. The Manic Street Preachers, winners of Best British Album and Best British Band at this year’s Brit Awards, headline on Saturday in Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Sunday in Weston Park, Staffordshire. The V-festival is where the audience stays put and the line-up swaps venues overnight. This allows Suede, promoting their fourth album Head Music to be the other headline act. Other acts to be making an appearance include Massive Attack, Happy Mondays, The Beautiful South and Cardigans. The MTV stage looks set to
Placebo and Supergrass, two of the acts featuring at this year’s V99 festival be a highlight this year. The Godfather Of Soul James Brown has just been confirmed as the headline act. The JJB/Reebok stage is more alternative but variety is of the essence this year. Finley Quaye, Orbital and ex Stone Roses’ lead singer Ian Brown makes his first UK appearance this year on the aforementioned stage. Special guests at this year’s V99
include Stereophonics, Super Furry Animals and Mercury Rev. Often described as ‘The Hilton’ of festivals, V99 will live up to its high expectations. One festival, one weekend, two sites. Four stages, 50 acts, 150,000 people and 150 days to go! This will be the soundtrack to the summer.
This year headline band is being kept a closely guarded secret. The main stage will be hosted as ever by the Breakfast Crew from Viking FM, based in Hull. As well as the guitar laced indie music, a Paradise Steel Band, Dr Brown’s Blues Band and a Jazz band will be playing. A selection of campus bands will be playing to the 850 capacity crowd. Friday night won’t be the same without Club Dewent at 2am. Three licensed bars will run until 1am. Tickets available in Derwent Bar lunchtimes 12-2pm daily costing £16. To win one of two tickets answer the following teaser. Who would headline your dream festival and in what location? The most original answer wins. E-mail socs18 by Tues. Wk 8. The Music editor’s decision is final.
Live and Gigging Symposium, Fibbers, York (24/5/99) SYMPOSIUM’S FUN lyrics and
Kosovo Aid Benefit, London Forum, (30/5/99) THOSE OF us who were lucky enough to get tickets for this special one-off concert were treated to a night to remember. It was a privilege to be there.
Organised by Paul Weller’s sister, the line-up she managed to assemble contained some of the greatest personalities over the past three generations. Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller and ex-Kink Ray Davies all made notable appearances. Each act was only granted 20 minutes, but the power of Paul Weller’s voice ensured the crowd were immediately engaged in the emotion of the occasion. Robert Carlyle came on to introduce Ray Davies, it was that sort of occasion: sorry, this was an event. Noel Gallagher calmed the audience down with acoustic renditions of Supersonic and Wonderwall. Stereophonics gave Ray Davies another cameo role on Sunny Afternoon.
catchy tunes were the order of the day and it wasn’t difficult to be taken aback by lead singer Ross Cummins’ energy and enthusiasm. He throws himself about on stage like a man possessed. Stand out tracks from Symposium
Symposium at Fibbers
Chris Tilley
York Student Vision
Perhaps if the band concentrated on a sound that didn’t decay the audience they might be on to a winner.
included the strangely named Xanthien and the crowd-pleasing encore of Fairweather Friend. Sadly, many of the songs rolled into one blur. Perhaps if the band concentrated on a sound that didn’t decay the audience they might be on to a winner. Satisfactory, but room for improvement.
Noel Gallagher
Chris Tilley
AFibbers, York (25/5/99)
TONIGHT “A” brought their upbeat pop-punk to a packed Fibbers- one of the few times the place ever fills up! “A” sound like a punk cross between the Beach Boys and Beastie Boys, with a decidedly comic approach to song writing. Their light hearted outlook was shown tonight by the promise, in celebration of their new single ‘Old Folks’, that grandparents would be allowed in free. To everyone’s surprise one Grandma actually turned up! Not ones to write ballads, “A” blasted through an adrenaline charged set which invoked a rash of manic crowdsurfing throughout - the set had to halted half way to clear up complaints from the stage security who couldn’t cope! The set ended with the “A” promising to play the Minster next time! I’m often asked what “A” actually stand for: Amusing? Anarchic? Ace? -tonight it could have been any of these.
Andrew Dawson
9th June, 1999 Issue 112