Who's Jack 39 by Who's Jack

FOR THE REST OF US

ISS 39/AUG

/ ABOUT In five years Jack has gone from an idea to putting on live events, urban festivals, had a bi-monthly, A5 fanzine that grew into a monthly A4 glossy magazine and launched Who’s Jack online and Jack TV. Today Who’s Jack is going from strength to strength, largely due to the attitude of its creators. Jack began because we wanted something more, something attainable, something relatable and something lacking in arrogance. Something for the rest of us. Jack Loves You More.

/ HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Whether you are a band, a brand, a designer or simply want to tell us about something, get in touch. General enquiries can be sent to: press@whos-jack.co.uk, contributions can be sent to: contributions.jack@googlemail.com, finally, advertising enquiries can be sent to: tom@whos-jack.co.uk.

/ FROM JACK This month we come to you a little battered and hung over after our first Jack Comes Alive event at Proud, Camden. Our June and July pages came to life over the stables and stage, and we had a brilliant turn out and indeed, party. A massive thank you to all that helped, took part and merely turned up! For those that missed it the live embodiment of this issue is on August the 25th, you can see what to expect by keeping an eye out for the red dots over the pages that tell you how each piece will translate to the event. Other than a great night this month we have also been for long walks down on the lock in Little Venice to shoot on river boats, getting very hot and sweaty in Epping Forest for our Calum Best shoot and getting Jack TV all up and bubbling again. Jack TV has been a bit quiet for the past couple of months due to server problems, we know - its been bloody annoying. But now it’s all sorted out so we have a massive back-stock of programing coming your way as even though the world wide web was offering us no help the cameras were still running. We also welcome to the Jack TV team, Mike who has been editing away in front of a computer screen coming up with all the content we have been so desperate to show you. Currently see what happened on the streets when we went down to Footlocker, Oxford Street and behind the scenes at our Calum Best shoot. Lots more to come over the month so keep coming back and put the next Jack Comes Alive in your diary. Lu x

/ TEAM JACK / CONTRIBUTORS

Who’s Jack likes a good collaboration, event or campaign. We can work with you or for you. Get in touch.

/ JACK COMES ALIVE

Have a look on Page 7 and you will see our wicked event Jack Comes Alive. Look out for this red dot on pages that will correspond to our Jack Comes Alive event- they will tell you what will be on offer on the 28th July at the time of print. Of course much more is being confirmed so keep checking the website to get the latest editions. Pre-sale tickets available at Ticketweb. www.whosjack.org

/ ON JACK TV THIS MONTH What happened when Jack Met Jedward, Sky Ferreira and had the first Jack Comes Alive??

Michael Langdon Jack TV

Nessa Wrafter Stylist

Erin McKee Columnist

Mike has come on board with Jack TV to do all things editing, filming and the such. If you like editing and filming, email us as he will shortly be looking for an intern and it could be you!

Nessa is the amazing stylist that has been working with us for the past couple of months. She’s carried clothes to woods, lakes and into dodgy East End tower blocks and she makes everyone look amazing. Thanks Nessa.

Erin is our very own celebrity, and celebrity columnist. He writes with a difference about events, happenings and the famous people that don’t come from Big Brother and aren’t in the pages of the Sun.

# FEATURES / REGULARS

folloown us tter Twi t e r . c o m /

/ ISSUE 39 . AUG / 2010

4. 8. 13. 14. 16. 26. 31. 36. 37. 40. 45. 46. 47. 50. 52. 55. 55. 56. 60. 63. 64. 74. 78. 80. 82.

t . t w i kmag w w w jac whos

Music...............Review One Liners....................................James tells you what to bin, what to burn and what to buy. Music.............Lissie.....................................Famous friends and British boyfriends. Fashion.............Fashion For The Boys..................................It’s been a year of on trend outfits for Jason. Film................This Months New Releases.............................Mark takes you through the films and DVDs out this month. Fashion..........Swim.................................Stunning swimwear. Jack................Pick Of The Month.......................................Bikes, briefs and Steak Club. Jack................Calum Best......................................The new man London..........Get Away to the Country...........................When a man is tired of London, he leaves. Film..........Slash Fiction.........................................................The kinky side of Star Wars. Fashion................Times To Top...................................Equine Lingerie. Art..................Baked Beans and Champagne.............................Ruthie looks at artist Fin DAC. Jack..........Dating Game............................................Georgina dates the Rah. Film...............The Futures Bright, The Future’s Red and Green.........................What will 3D do to our film & TV? Music................Slow Club..............................Hand made machines and names that come from films. Music..........David E Sugar.................................................Someone to keep your eye on. Jack..................My 2-4-1 Pound Life..................Lucy lands in the capital. Fashion..........Leila Loves......................................................T-shirts and shirts. Music..........What Makes a Frontman..........................................Matt speaks to a few people in the know. London.............My London.........................................Will Smith talks us through his most and least favourite things. London..............Cooking Around The World (In London).................................Chinatown. Fashion..........Urban Carnival........................Patterns and brights from Portobello. Art.............Interview With an Illustrator...................................Donna looks at the newly respected artform. Fashion................Georgie and James.............................The Kredit Krunch Katwalk Krew bring you two makeovers. London.................Scenestealer..........................................Jack Comes Alive. Jack.........I Love You, For Loving Me............................................Erin’s three events in one night.

/ STOCKISTS Size? - (in London stores): Beyond the Valley: Number 22: Paper Dress: 55 DSL: Camden Blues Kitchen: The Old Queens Head: Chateau Roux: Tatty Devine: The Hawley Arms: The Lexington: The Keston Lodge: The Lock Tavern: Bullfrog: Vintage Store: The Lazy Ones: The Sun and 13 Cantons: Bar Story:

Carnaby Street, Soho, W1F 7DW 200 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 1LB 37a Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PR www.size.co.uk 2 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RD www.beyondthevalley.com 22 Carnaby Street, W1F 7DB 114-116 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AY www.paperdressboutique.blogspot.com 10A Newburgh St, W1F 7RN www.55dsl.com 111 - 113 Camden High Street, NW1 7JN www.theblueskitchen.com 44 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN www.theoldqueenshead.com 17 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RZ www.chateauroux.co.uk 44 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EP www.tattydevine.com 2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU www.thehawleyarms.co.uk 96-98 Pentonville Road, N1 9JB www.thelexington.co.uk 131 Upper Street, N1 1QP www.kestonlodge.com 35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ www.lock-tavern.co.uk 20 Greenwich Church Street, SE10 9BJ www.bullfrogs.co.uk 182 Brick Lane, E1 6SA 102m Sclater Street, E1 6HR www.thelazyones.blogspot.com 21 Great Pulteney Street, W1F 9NG 213 Blenheim Grove, Peckham, SE15 4QL

Shock and Soul: The Westbury: The Hospital Club: Rough Trade: Fopp: Mint: The Book Club: Behave: Sanctum Hotel: Defectors Weld : Pirate Pop Up Shop: LCB Surf Store: Pure Groove: Beyond Retro: The Rest Is Noise: Banquet Records:

46 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LN www.shockandsoul.co.uk 34 Kilburn High Street, NW6 5UA www.westburybar.com 24 Endell Street, London, WC2H 9HQ www.thehospitalclub.com 130 Talbot Road, W11 1JA www.roughtrade.com 1 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LL www.foppreturns.com 20 Earlham Street, WC2 H9LN www.mintvintage.co.uk 100 Lenard Street, EC2A 4RH www.wearetbc.com 14 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 50 Lexington Street, W1F oLR 20 Warwick Street Soho, W1B 5NF www.sanctumsoho.com 170 Uxbridge Road, W12 8AA www.defectors-weld.com 27 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5RN 121 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 7DG www.lcbsurfstore.co.uk 6-7 West Smithfield, EC1A 9JX www.puregroove.co.uk 110-112 Cheshire Street, E2 6EJ 58-59 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7JY www.beyondretro.com 442 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 8EJ www.therestisnoisebrixton.com 52 Eden Street, Kingston, KT1 1EE www.banquetrecords.com

Also with online orders of Urban Outfitters : www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk See an up to the minute list of stockists online, if you would like to stock Who’s Jack contact: press@whos-jack.co.uk

jack Editor/Creative Director : Lu Orcheston-Findlay : louise@whos-jack.co.uk // Deputy Editor : Laura Hills : laura@whos-jack.co.uk // Advertising : Tom Ayres : tom@whos-jack.co.uk // Fashion Editor : Leila Dante Hartley : leila@whos-jack.co.uk // Arts Editor : Ruthie Holloway : ruthie@whos-jack.co.uk // The Jack-Father : Edward Fitzpatrick // Film : Mark Williams : mark@whos-jack.co.uk // Music : Laura Hills : laura@whos-jack.co.uk // Comment : Adam Roan Henderson : adam@whos-jack.co.uk // Pick Of : Lu Orcheston-Findlay : louise@whos-jack.co.uk // Laura Hills : laura@whos-jack.co.uk // Intern : Zoe Whitfield : intern@whos-jack.co.uk //

Grab the August Issues of Jack on the 25th August.

See the back page or www.whosjack.org for more information

Stylists : Natalie Dale // Nessa Wrafter // Sarah Brannon // Faye Héran // Jo Bevis // Photography : Kristoffer Myhre : www.krismyhre.com // Stuart Leech : www.music-photos.co.uk // Andrea Bono Tempo // Paula Evans // Ted Park // Anna Fayemi // Jamie McGregor Smith // Russ Burton // Contributing writers : Jason Gregory // Lucy Hancock // Erin Daniel Mckee : erin@erindmckee.com // Donna Marie Howard // Georgie and James // Matt Hamm // Georgina Childs // Luke Farrell // Zoe Whitfield // Illustrations/Artwork/Layout : LOF // pandamilk : www.pandamilk.co.uk // Anne-Sophie Rosenvinge-Skov // Katie Allen // Models : Amber Jean @Tess Management // Gabriella : First Model Management // Charbec : W Athletic // Shelby at FM Agency // Dudley at D1 Models // Rachel at Bookings Hair & Make up : Clare Byrant // Siobhan Ashman // Elizabeth Hsieh // Lianne Vidal // Bella Simonsen // Cameron // Soichi Inagaki // Cover Image : Kris Mhyre // Want to see your work in Jack? Contributions : contributions.jack@googlemail.com Thanks to : Taryn @ Tess Management // Ezra and Oliver at The Hospital Club // Andrews Café, Gray’s Inn Road // Christina at the Portobello Lounge and Richard at the Tabernacle // And Assistants : Amy Williams // Zoe Williams Who’s Jack Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part with out the permission of Who’s Jack. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Who’s Jack. Who’s Jack Ltd can not be held responsible for any breach of copyright arising from any material supplied. Who’s Jack, 93 Barker Drive, Camden, London, NW1 0JG

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N O I T K P I R AC C S J B S ’ U S HO S R W A E O T AY

REVIEW MUSIC

Bring your tracks/singles down on the 25th August and get a one line review out of James or possibly have them appear in our next issue

ONE

James Lynch

LINERS

BIN: Katy Perry California Girls (Feat. Snoop Dogg) Right, what the hell is Snoop Dogg doing here?! Along with Dr Dre he was once the creator of some of the most controversial and hard-hitting songs in a generation but he is now reduced to mumbling his way through a lazy couple of bars while wearing a cupcake emblazoned three-piece suit and rolling with a gang of over-sized gummi bears… now that’s some straight up gangsta sh*t! www.katyperry.com BURN: Kanye West Power Having Autotuned himself beyond all recognition for his last release, accused George W. Bush of being racist and not to mention embarrassed himself in front of the world in that infamous Taylor Swift VMA moment, it is pretty easy to forget that West is actually a talented lyricist and producer, he seems to have remembered that just in time to put out this King Crimson-sampling stomper of a track which actually shows a humble side as he admits that ‘no man should have this much power’, or self-belief it would seem. www.kanyeuniversecity.com

LESSER KNOWN

BOOM: Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. Bang Bang Bang Well, out goes the old and in comes the ever so slightly newer from Ronson as he reinvents himself like a male Madonna and replaces his trademark retro horns with a combination of 80s synths and early hip-hop breaks which might have been a risky decision if it wasn’t for the twin cannons of Tribe legend Q-Tip and hipster electro star MNDR behind him and that ridiculously catchy hook…no sign of a conical bra yet though. www.markronson.co.uk

words : Matt Hamm

BIN: Swedish House Mafia One (Your Name) (Feat. Pharrell) This very weird match up leaves me imagining that it could only have come about as Pharrell was desperately wandering across a desolate musical landscape with all his worldly goods in his Louis Vuitton backpack, seeking some scraps of performance or fleeting recognition after he had been on, or made nearly every song since 2004 until a couple of years ago when everything stopped and he was forced out onto the streets of pop obscurity by young upstarts such as Akon, Lil’ Jon and T-Pain. www.myspace.com/swedishhousemafia BURN: Dominique Young Unique Domination I often wonder what it would be like to be cool and I think that I have finally found something that works towards answering my pondering as I at last have a soundtrack to my imagined ‘coolness’ in this dirty booty bass mixtape by the current queen of the underground, Miss Unique, who spits with a fevered intensity over every bleep, bang and drum burst of these twelve mighty tracks with the hunger that only someone who used to live in a car can muster… www.myspace.com/dominqueyoungunique BOOM: Bombay Bicycle Club Flaws After releasing what was arguably my favourite album of last year (it was definitely thoroughly overplayed) BBC have decided not to rest on their musical laurels and have instead recorded this album within a year of I Had The Blues… an acoustic record of beautiful delicacy and subtlety, which is great and all but it leaves me with a lot of worrying issues to deal with, mainly about how I can actually be in love with not only an inanimate object in terms of a CD but also, and what is scarier still, when it is in its digitally compressed format. www.bombaybicycleclubmusic.com

School of Seven Bells: This US three piece, formed by Ben from Secret Machines come armed with their own take on shoe gaze, seamlessly blending dreamy pop music and a sun-baked summer in their 2nd album outing, Disconnect From Desire. www.myspace.com/schoolofsevenbells

Best Coast: A debut album out in July, these L.A indie pop trio file as lo-fi surf rock and recently grabbed acclaim for their excellent single, Boyfriend by Pitchfork, hailed as a ‘Best New Track’. www.myspace.com/bestycoasty

Violens: Despite rather questionably describing their sound as ‘descriptions of nightmares’, they are currently the support act for MGMT on their US tour so expect big things from this Shins/ Talking Heads hybrid. www.myspace.com/violens

Funeral Party: Fresh from the indie-punk disco scene cropping across the pond in Los Angeles, these 5 guys boast influences of LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture and Bloc Party. An American Two Door Cinema Club?! www.myspace.com/funeralparty

R E L E A S I N G

“A slacker’s odyssey”

Time Out

“Moving and Hilarious”

The Times

MUSIC BY

AND

Cert TBC

Written & Directed by

MGMT YEASAYER SANTIGOLD THE CONGOS

Ben Chase and Sam Fleischner

SEAN BONES NORAH JONES CARL BRADSHAW WITH KEVIN BEWERSDORF AND THE CONGOS

Starring

IN CINEMAS 27 AUGUST

www.networkreleasing.com

and IN the Mumblecore Season AT (www.Picturehouses.co.uk/ritzy)

Lissie Lissie It seems at the moment the every other song released is a country-folk inspired record with everyone doing their best songs-around-the-campfire-at-sunset impression in time for the Summer months. However, folk singer Lissie is an exception in a wave of wannabes; growing up in Illinois on the bank of the Mississippi River, and later moving to California, she was surrounded by country singers and experiences that have allowed her the opportunity to write and perform authentic, lazy listening, folk songs. You may have heard a bit of a buzz about Lissie over the past few months and since her appearance on the infamous Jools Holland show earlier this year, it seems that people can’t get enough of her. Who’s Jack went along to meet her just a few hours before she took to the stage at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, and in between distractions from a man being sick next to us (too much alcohol at a guess), Lissie told us about her new best friend Ellie Goulding; being written about by Perez Hilton; and a certain someone who has got her keen to settle down in the UK...

words : Laura Hills | images : Ted Park

If you look down Lissie’s gig list on her MySpace you’ll notice that she is, oddly for a singer from America, playing more gigs in the UK over the coming months than anywhere else in the world. ‘I love the UK. I’ve been coming here a lot recently for the festivals and also because I’ve found myself a new man who is British,’ says Lissie coyly. When pushed further on the man situation Lissie opens up saying that she met him a few months ago and they clicked instantly. ‘I didn’t expect to meet anyone but he’s just a great guy. We go to gigs together and hang out and it’s made me want to be in the UK more. I’ve been pushing my management to find me more gigs here so that it’s easier for me to see him. He travels around with me when I’m in the UK, he’s here with me now actually. It’s so nice to have him around to spend time with while touring’. Until this year 28 year old Lissie was virtually unknown here in the UK; that was until super bitchy celeb blogger Perez Hilton decided to champion her on his extremely well read website perezhilton.com. ‘My sister in law is a massive Perez Hilton fan, she reads it every day. When Perez posted about me she called me up screaming down the phone. It was a weird thing but totally cool,’ she explains. It was a cover Lissie had recorded of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance that Perez posted which went on to see readers jumping at the chance to review her version with comments from “I like it better than the original”, to “This is amazing. This girl rocks it!”. Lissie herself is a huge Lady Gaga

fan, ‘Our music is worlds apart so I’ll never get compared to her but I think she is a true artist. Her fashion, her music, her videos, everything about her is amazing.’ Shortly after her celebrity blog debut, Lissie made an appearance on the infamously hard-to-get-a-spot-on TV show, Later... With Jools Holland where she performed Oh Mississippi from her Bill Reynolds (of Band of Horses fame) produced EP, Why You Runnin’. ‘It was an honour to be asked to appear on Later... With Jools Holland. I didn’t get the chance to speak to him much but he seemed really nice. After I performed, I met Mumford and Sons and Courtney Love who were also appearing on the show which was pretty cool. Since I was on it I’ve had lots of people saying that’s how they first came to hear of me, and that after seeing me they went on to buy my EP,’ says Lissie. ‘I know that the show is a massive institution in the UK and to appear on it was a real dream come true for me, especially as it really helped me to reach out to the British audience.’ Lissie was, perhaps, always destined for a slightly

unconventional lifestyle, starting with the day she was born when her own father delivered her. ‘He’s an obstetrician so it was his job but I guess it’s pretty weird for other people when they find that out about me,’ laughs Lissie. ‘I used to write all these little poems when I was in school and I’d sing all the time. I even got the lead part in an 80-date production of Annie when I was nine. Gradually I taught myself to play the guitar and that’s when I really fell in love with music’. After being expelled from school and completing her education in an alternative outreach centre, she went on to spend two years at Colorado State University where she began opening for the various bands that passed through the area; eventually going on to record a

song that appeared in hit American sit-coms, The O.C. and House. She was then spotted by Lenny Kravitz and went on to support him on his Love Revolution tour in 2008. The rest, as they say, is history and in June (two months before it was released in her native US) Lissie released her debut album, Catching a Tiger, on Columbia Records. ‘It’s a very heartfelt album. I put a lot of time in to it and I’m really proud of it,’ says Lissie.The album has been described as having an indie folk-rock feel and has gone on to cause stirs throughout both the pop and folk music genres managing to unite dedicated folk music lovers as well as festival goers and indie bunnies alike. ‘The more festivals and tours I’m doing the more people I’m reaching out

to and I love that,’ says Lissie. And she’s not wrong. When I popped in to check her out later that evening the queue stretched to the back of the building and round the corner again. Lissie’s music has also gained her some celebrity fans too, and on the same night she was joined on stage by Ellie Goulding, who has grown to be a close friend of Lissie’s. ‘I’ve gotten really close to Ellie and also Marina from Marina and the Diamonds. Ellie’s such a great girl and I love her music so singing with her on stage is going to be loads of fun. I’m really looking forward to it. We play a lot of the same shows as each other so we always meet up and head to the pub and end up gossiping and drinking way, way too much tequila. That’s another reason why I love visiting London.’

J A WH HA cK IT E LL When Jack Met ...... Jack

words : Lucy Hancock images : Kris Mhyre www.pleasance.co.uk location: Andrews Café, Gray’s Inn Road

At 21, Jack Whitehall is one of the newest comedians on the block. Already the winner of last year’s Edinburgh’s best newcomer award, he is fast becoming one of the stock faces on the comedy scene. Still living with his parents, pathetically proud of his designer pants and somehow disarmingly charming. We met up with him in one of London’s most glamorous greasy spoons to talk scooters, sex and sauces… So how did all the comedy stuff start?

Well, when I was at school I was a bit of a show off and I wanted to be in all the school plays. My drama teacher had a son at the school who got into all the plays and got all the lead parts. I realized the only way to get a role was to make my own shows to star in so I made a Jack Whitehall mini-club with plays and sketches and stuff and it went from there.

Do your friends find you funny?

I think they do but now it’s a bit weird because it’s in a professional capacity. They think that when I do something that’s mildly amusing I’m just trying out material. They’ve started quoting my jokes. My friend Danny, if I say something funny he’ll repeat one of my jokes at me like he’s using me as a sounding board which is f*cking annoying.

What kinds of things do you get asked in the street?

You always get ‘give us a joke’ or ‘tellus a joke’. That’s the most horrible thing ever, to have to do a joke out of situ. I don’t really do jokes, I do routines, so it would be weird to launch into something. I nearly always say I won’t do it but sometimes when I’ve had too much to drink I end up blurting one out and it always dies. And there’s another one, where they give me jokes. One thing my mum does is when something happens that she thinks is funny she goes ‘oh that’ll be good for the set’. If I knock something over she says ‘oh you could use that in your set’. It may be mildly amusing at the moment Mum but when I’m on stage with strangers they’re not going to care. Shes only trying to help.

Are the rents supportive then?

What do you think makes a good comedian?

They are quite funny people. Although It’s a bit embarrassing when they corner people. Like when my Dad cornered Russell Howard and wouldn’t leave him alone. I said ‘I think Russell wants to be left alone’ he doesn’t want this old man telling him about his life.

Someone that takes risks. People that go out and talk in an honest way and aren’t afraid to say what they say. That’s the best comedy I’ve seen, people that are quite daring. When you see a routine that you imagine they’ve had to try maybe a hundred times before anyone laughs at it. I love Simon Amstel for that… very subtle.

Do you ever get stick for being a toff?

So you think it’s the balls?

No not really, I guess some people... its not helped by the fact that people want to hate posh people, cos they just do. In Big Brother for example, they’ll always find a public school boy who’s a complete twat. Also every year a the knobhead that talks down the camera in the apprentice si the posh one. Please find one that’s not a dick.

There are actually some very good female comics.

Very funny … There aren’t

No you’re right, there aren’t.

So who’s the best guy …or lady around at the moment?

I adore Louis CK. He is just incredible. (turns around to watch football) Don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate when North Korea are playing that they

have ‘press the red button’ in the right hand corner? I dunno but I would have thought that would be a bit awkward.

Tell us what it’s like being famous?

I still get awestruck. I did this O2 thing with all these amazing people where I had to do a photo shoot with Lee Evans and Michael Mcintyre. I said to Alan Carr I felt a bit like a competition winner.

Any of them you really get along with?

Actually, I met him when I was 15 with my Mum on the back of her scooter when I was going to the dentist. I said ‘I really like you on Have I Got News For You’ and he was like ‘oh thanks (piss off)’. He wasn’t particularly friendly which I wasn’t expecting. And then 5 years later at this O2 thing I said you probably won’t remember, but I met you when I was 15. He said ‘yeah I remember you on the back of your scooter’. I was so impressed. Maybe it’s because I had such shit teeth.

The guy outside the dentist with teeth jutting out of his gums.

Your mum had a scooter? That’s pretty rock and roll

Are you kidding? It’s the least rock n roll thing ever! Any activity undertaken with your Mother where you have to hold tightly onto her is never rock and roll. It always had shopping bags on it so you were scooting around holding Waitrose bags and clutching your Mum. Can you imagine all of Iron Maiden on the back of their Mother’s scooters? No. (swears at a bus bearing Robert Pattinson’s face) I went to school with him.

Is he as much of a knobhead as he looks?

Before we do the slagging off, who reads this?

Don’t worry, your not going to piss off any housewives.

I suppose he’s perfectly nice, a bit dull, he’s probably a nice person. I saw him in a club, went up to him, tried to play it cool and pretend I hadn’t seen him, then I just said ‘OMG IT’S YOU’. I always f*ck up whenever I meet anyone famous.

So you sat between Miley and Usher on a Graham Norton. What’s it like hanging out with such massive stars?

Well Usher turned up with an entourage of 30 people, stylists, dancers, heavies. Miley turned up with about 20 people from Disney to make sure she didn’t say anything naughty. Each had their own floors. I turned up with my little bro, that was my entire entourage. My little bro with a pot of Dax Wax and that was it. Miley had 3 different stylists. I said ‘you can borrow my little brother if you want’, it was weird waiting to go on with them, I felt a little bit like Dean Gaffney would at the Oscars. Usher asked for my number

afterwards. I felt like saying ‘yes Usher, its 07999999999’. I’d love it if usher had texted me saying do I want to go to a party. He never called. Still waiting.

Maybe you could be his nerdy English white friend?

Nerdy? Nerdy? I’m really cool. No you’re right I’m actually pretty nerdy. He has Justin Bieber, he doesn’t need me.

Animal?

I f*cking hate my dog Charlie. He’s so annoying. My dad has a budgerigar with a mullet called Gloucester … he is a pretty cool guy. The budgie, not Dad.

Body Part?

So … best and worst…

Tell the dictaphone what you just did Jack… Jack clicked his fingers and pointed at his penis. Hahaha haha everyone in the café did. I want that written word for word.

Youtube clip?

Qualities in a person?

Oh god, have you seen the one of the chimp f*cking the frog? That is really terrible. Amazing, but terrible. I also love the one of the Dolmio people who have been dubbed with Glaswegian accents it’s hilarious. Worst would definitely be anything with cute animals or babies. I hate that shit. Especially people that love animals too much. There’s this woman that campaigns outside ITV for animal rights, but she only seems bothered about cruelty on ITV shows. I went up to her and said ‘what does this mean?’ She said that tying up that crocodile in I’m a celebrity is just as bad as suspending a toddler from your roof. I said ‘yeah I can tell you from experience that toddlers don’t like that either’. She said ‘do you know what? I’m glad Steve Erwin is dead.’ What a nutter. Still signed her petition though, only cos I felt bad.

Condiment?

Worst is defo mayonnaise Best is English mustard.

Where do you stand on wholegrain?

Wholegrain is good for dressings… should never be used elsewhere. Damn I was trying to sound manly now you’ve got me spinning it into the campest comment of the interview. Cheers.

Worst, people with iphones, they come with the app ‘I don’t know how to have a conversation anymore’. Best, people with a good sense of humour, I don’t mean people that just laugh. Actually, that’s a lie, I love it when people laugh. Not the silent laughers… I hate those people. That does nothing for me… I don’t need that at a gig.

Sexual Experience?

Is that a proposition? (Mimes squeezing my breasts)

No, no it’s not.

Ok then. Well actually I was once engaged in a sexual act at home when my dad shouted up to me a banal question about the football or something. It was so weird. Whenever I have the sexual act now I’ll just hear my Dad’s voice . I was worried if that was the case, when I have the next conversation with my dad if I hear his voice am I going to feel sexually aroused? Now when I talk to him I have to wonder if there is a bit of a stirring down there. It’s just too harrowing. Jack will be performing his solo show Learning Difficulties at the Edinburgh Fringe this August, Pleasance Theatre.

Jason Gregory

FASHION FOR THE BOYS 13

When did time start going so quickly? There was, I‘m sure, a time not too long ago when a year seemed to stretch out like a vast road, where even if you squinted vainly you still couldn’t see the end of it. Now a period of twelve months is nothing - it’s as transient as a blink of the eye. Just consider the fashion world. In the year since I began writing this column, trends - like the seasons - have come and gone, and it’s only those immune to merciless fashion forecasters that have made it from the catwalk to the high street. Take drop-crotch trousers, for example. Last September, I posed rather awkwardly in a pair for this column, and aired concern that the trouser shape could never quite overcome the stigma of it’s most famous wearer: MC Hammer. Yet, less than a year later, the drop-crotch - or carrot, as some trendy stores like to call them - is as ubiquitous as Lady Gaga, and just as conspicuous. Of course, there have been less successful trend revivals as well, and this column - or rather, I - have fallen victim to nearly all of them. So, in the spirit of those annoying ‘Worst Moments Of...’ TV countdowns, it would only be right to recall a few, and wonder just why they didn’t work, before they’re consigned to the dust bin of time forever.

1) High-Waisted Trousers I must be honest, I had high hopes for the high-waisted trouser. The stylish 1960sinspired designs that emerged in January seemed destined to give the trouser a well-deserved renaissance, and, more importantly, remove all memories of Simon Cowell’s Pop Idol wardrobe. Yet, like the music mogul’s most recent tip Joe McElderry, they’ve been shown to have about as much X Factor as bum bags. 2) The Bow Tie ‘You should write a column about bow ties,’ said a friend of mine back in March. And so that’s what I did, and I promptly discovered why less than 5% of men have ever worn one. Despite coming pre-tied, it was awkward and uncomfortable to wear,

and made me look a little too much like Moss from The IT Crowd. I’m now more convinced than ever that it’s a look best left to physics teachers - or those whose post codes begin with ‘E1’. 3) Socks and Sandals The less said about this combination the better. And so that’s it. If these setbacks are any indication of the year ahead, then the next twelve months will reveal another surplus of ‘well, it looked good at the time’ trends that I will somehow have found myself wearing. But there is hope: when it comes to fashion, the ticking hands of time are definitely on everyone’s side, and one day everything will be forgotten.

FILMY FILM FILMS, WE LOVE ‘EM BUT SOMETIMES IN THIS HERE LONDON, THEY CAN JUST BE A BIT DAMNED EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY IF THE CINEMA YOU PLAN ON GOING TO IS ANYWHERE NEAR LEICESTER SQUARE. WANT TO SEE THE LATEST BLOCKBUSTER IN THE LEICESTER SQUARE ODEON? FANCY SPENDING £15 FOR THE PRIVILEGE? US NEITHER.

film:

words: Mark Williams

24 years previously. Benjamín wants to write a book on the unsolved case but discovers that even a quarter of a century later, there are certain parties who wish the murder to remain unsolved. www.sonyclassics.com/thesecrettintheireyes/

The Scar Crow

But there are ways and there are means by which you can avoid having to empty your wallet onto the counter of the ticket booth, before you’ve even had the chance to sell your other kidney for a medium-sized popcorn. Orange Wednesdays are the best known for getting you ‘2 for 1’ cinema tickets but increasingly more, usually independent, cinemas about that have their own methods of enticing you in. The Genesis in Stepney Green is a great cinema, even if the screens aren’t 5 storeys high, and during the week tickets only cost £6.50. It even has a bar, which is a damn sight more inviting than some of the unsavoury looking pubs along the same road. The Prince Charles is just off Leicester Square but without the price tag. Offering tickets at a similar price to the Genesis, but they also do ‘2 for 1’ Tuesdays, so grab a mate and it works out to less than £4 each!

For an incredibly messed up looking, low budget horror, The Scar Crow (20th Aug) appears to be fairly terrifying from the online trailer. Four men working in the city are sent off out to the middle of nowhere on a team building exercise, which none of them want to be on. The film synopsis sets them up as the kind of blokey arsewipe stereotypes that you get in most beer adverts, so I imagine it will be quite fun to watch them try and avoid gruesome death at the hands of three cursed sisters who just happen to be the daughters of a convicted 18th century witch. www.thescarcrowmovie.co.uk When everyone is against you and no one believes your story, who is the one person you can rely on to protest your innocence? Mother (20th Aug) is a Korean film based on one mother’s unswerving assertion of her son just having being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When her timid and introverted son Do-joon is convicted for murder and sent to jail for a crime she is sure he is not capable of, mother Hye-ja sets out to gather all the facts for herself. www.motherfilm.com

Here at Who’s Jack we tend to focus more on the lesser known, independent or world cinema end of the film spectrum, partly because the films with the million dollar marketing budgets don’t really need any more exposure. However, there are some films that are just too ridiculous not to pay attention to, and ridiculous is certainly a good word to describe The Expendables (20th Aug). Sylvester Stallone has decided to make an action film like the good old crunch, bang, boom, shag attractive lady, save the world action films of the eighties and early nineties. Not only that, but he’s got the cast of most of those films together in one uber-action film about a group of mercenaries on a mission to overturn a South American dictator. There’s even a cameo for Arnold Schwarzenegger; his first acting role since he became the Governator (if you don’t count the California tourism adverts on TV…) Needless to say, The Expendables is probably not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, unless you take your tea with mindless violence, highly concentrated levels of testosterone and a bit of casual sexism. Don’t we all? www.expendablesthemovie.com The Illusionist (20th Aug) will be an utter joy to anyone who loved the animated Belleville Rendezvous, as director Sylvain Chomet has finally made another film! With a similarly beautiful style of animation to Belleville Rendezvous we are told the tale of an elderly illusionist

If you keep strange hours, the website See Film First is always offering free tickets to preview screenings of films, often a couple of weeks before general release. The only problem being they always seem to be during the regular 9-5 or very late at night. Still, free is free and you shouldn’t ever look a gift horse in the mouth. Not that that phrase has ever made much sense. www.seefilmfirst.com Anyway, onto this month’s pick and mix of cinematic treats… The winner of this years’ Oscar for Best Foreign Language film is out in UK cinemas this month; the Argentinean crime dramaThe Secret inTheir Eyes (13th Aug). Much of the film is told in flashback as retired federal justice agent, Benjamín Espósito attempts to piece together a brutal murder that happened

The Illusionist

The Expendables

who is increasingly forced to perform his act in obscure, out of the way theatres, as magic shows lose their popularity to rock and roll bands in the 1950s. During one show in coastal Scotland, a young girl is amazed by his acts of magic and they strike up a touching friendship. The story of The Illusionist is based on a script written by the famous French silent film actor Jacques Tati, as a kind of letter to his estranged daughter. This should lend the film an extra poignancy to consider beneath the striking surface of Chomet’s unmistakable animation style. www.lillusionniste-lefilm.com

tense thriller that takes up where the first left off. www.thegirlwhoplayedwithfire-movie. co.uk

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (25th Aug) is essentially a kids film, but having seen the trailer, it does look like a good laugh. Based on the successful comic strip of the same name by Jeff Kinney, the wimpy kid is 11 year old Greg Heffley and we follow his attempts to try and become less of a nerd as he begins middle school. Fans of Kick Ass’s Hit Girl (of which there are many) will also enjoy the appearance of Chloë Moretz, playing Angie, a girl who attempts to give advice to Greg on how to be just a bit cooler. www.diaryofawimpykidmovie.com

DVD Roundup

Following up on the success of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is the second in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy, The Girl Who Played With Fire (27th Aug). We rejoin computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist a year after the end of their first outing together in another

lengths she will go to to maintain the position she has held for so long. www.themaidmovie.com

And finally for this fine month of August we have The Maid (27th Aug) an offbeat Spanish film about Raquel, a family’s maid who doesn’t appreciate having a young assistant hired to help her out. Raquel doesn’t just have a sulk, she decides to wage a war of attrition upon the new helper and drive her out. The Maid is an in-depth examination of Raquel’s changing relationship, due to her failing health, with the family she serves and the

Shutter Island (2nd Aug) Leonardo Di Caprio is sent to investigate a mysterious disappearance from an offshore lunatic asylum. Lebanon (27th Aug) Samuel Maoz’s powerful directorial debut - set in 1982, following a young solider in the first Lebanese war. Dogtooth (23rd Aug) Eccentric and darkly comic Greek tale of a family whose parents have rather strange methods of raising their children. Four Lions (30th Aug) Very funny and very moving film about four friends who are training to commit jihad.

The Maid

SWIM

images : Anna Fayemi Www.Annafayemi.Com / stylist: Natalie Dale / hair and make up: Elizabeth Hsieh / model: Amber Jean @Tess Management / thanks to taryn @ Tess Management / Location : The Hospital Club / Location management : Samuel Nettey / Special thanks to Ezra and Oliver at The Hospital Club

Swimsuit, ÂŁ295, Melissa Odabash Bracelet, ÂŁ14, Topshop

Sunglasses : £15, Topsop / Swimsuit : £19.99 : Urban Outfitters / Shoes : £75 : ASOS,

Zebra visor : £5 : American Apparel / Zebra swimsuit : £41 :American Apparel / Shoes : £25 : Bohoocom

Bracelet, J Dauphin : £150 : Amelie boutique / Visor : £5 : American Apparel / Swimsuit : £47 : Mango / Shoes : £75 : ASOS

Swimsuit : £28 : ASOS / Bracelet : CC Skye : £99 : Oxygen / Shoes : £125 : ASOS Black

Bracelet : CC Skye : £117 : Oxygen Boutique / Swimsuit : Zimmermann : £145 Oxygen

Visor : £10 : Hummel / Swimsuit : £83 : Seafolly

Swimsuit : £22 : ASOS / Shoes : £30 : Boohoo.com

25.08.10 25

TECHNIC GLITTER SHIMMER STICK : GOLD

VITA AUDIO We love listening to a good bit of radio while we work in the Jack office so imagine our delight when we came across these swish looking cube radios from Vita Audio. They come in a range of colours and finishes including one that has a leather surround and handle perfect for taking outside. Starting at £128.00 www.vitaaudio.com

Now that you hopefully have a glowing tan after all this muggy sun make sure you set it off with a bit of gold. This gold, glittery eye liner makes for a lovely glow at just £1.49 each and are available from Bodycare stores nationwide and online from www.lovethymakeup.com.

This Technic Glitter stick will be in our 20 goody bags for Jack Comes Alive August.

HIKER HI TOPS Why not go for slightly different hi top like this one from K-swiss. A different colour and a different material. We love these desert hi top trainers. A perfect nod to that army look we just can’t seem to get away from. K-Swiss Hiker £90.00 www.kswiss.co.uk

Thinking it may be time to have a rummage through stored winter clothes? Get ready for the chill we will no doubt have to balance out our prety-good-forEngland summer? Big Wardrobe is a great place where you can upload and swap any items you no longer want/need. Think E-bay with no prices and a way to create a whole new wardrobe whilst getting rid of your old one. Different horses for different courses and all that. We have a lovely discount code being ‘Jack’ for you, if you put this in you get 25% off the joining fee so you get your new wardrobe even cheaper! www.bigwardrobe.com

JOCKEY HOROSCOPE PANTS According to the stars boys with different star signs like different types of pants. Luckily this is something that Jockey, long time mans pants experts have come up with a horoscope wheel telling you which type of pant your man, or you, will like dependent on your star sign. Give it a whirl and see what pants tickle your fancy and whether it matches up to the stars predictions. www.jockeyuk.com

RETRO GAMING Miss the old space invaders? The coin powered beat-em-up games? Well sulk no more, get yourself to The Future Gallery and re-live those days of Yore. The gallery hosts an interactive showcase of retro games for your enjoyment called the Hand Baked Arcade. For 10 solid hours play, as your eyes turn square, a mix of Mega Drives, Master Systems, Gameboys and Super NES from 2pm till midnight. With pocket money prices of £2 before 6pm and £4 after where is the reason not to go? 7th August The Future Gallery 5 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7HY w w w. h a n d b a k e d a rcade.co.uk

TRAVEL TOOTHPASTE No one can deny the month of holidays and festivals is upon us. So what better thing to have handy when packing a suitcase or rucksack? Travel toothpaste of course. Not only will it not weigh you down, it will make sure you are ready for any potential festival romances. Available from the brilliant site for all things male and grooming, www.carterandbond.com

GEMMA LISTER Gemma Lister fuses chic pearls with modern squares and dark metals. Below are just a couple of examples of the modern classics Gemma makes. Balk Square and pearl Drop £70 Balk Small Square Pendant £55 www.gemmalister.com

JACK’S PICK OF THE MONTH MONTAGE POPULAIRE Who’s Jack first heard word of Montage Populaire when this scribe was asked to review their debut live show; fourth band down on a line up featuring fellow Jack faves Thomas Tantrum and headlined by the Brooklyn based, Vivian Girls. It was for a smaller publication, with an inappropriately teeny word count and three other bands to note, the review read few words but much praise. Said gig was in January and the band have since gone international, impressed Michael Eavis and played neighbour to a Gallagher. If Jack didn’t mention them now, well we’d pretty much suck at our job. Luke Donavon then, lead singer and guitarist, first brought about the idea for Montage Populaire with a few demos and a MySpace page. Joined by George King (bass and backing vocals) for another project set up simultaneously, the latter failed to attract and so Mon Pop took centre stage. ‘We had the initial line up within a week or two,’ tells Luke. ‘Will was in from day one from the band we had both been in before (Glad Rags) and Mark and Daniel had been in other local bands. It was good timing, none of us were doing anything and I guess it felt like something different to the bands we’d all been in before.’ And so Willy Sully took on brass, keys, percussion and backing vocals, Mark Bishop became lead guitarist, and Daniel Tiley took the role of drummer. This was November and by December their demo, Sorrows Well Rehearsed had made it to no.67 in Artrocker’s Top 100 records for 2009-The Raveonettes only made it to no.70 and their later bill toppers, Vivian Girls not much further down the list at no.61. Earlier this year they made it to the final twelve in an ‘Emerging Talent’ competition run by Q magazine, but despite bright smiles from Mr. Eavis missed out on the chance to play Glastonbury. On the subject of their influences Daniel notes, ‘we try to mix our older influences with more contemporary influences to give us a sound that is catchy but substantial at the same time. ’With those stretching from The Smiths to Animal Collective via friends Is Tropical, the outcome is high on layers and the result, a sound that deserves its own shelf in any CD collection. Too interesting for indie, not pretentious enough for pitchfork and too particular for pop, the word unique could well be the outfit’s middle name. March of this year saw the band pop to Paris and for a few days in June they were holed up in the famous RAK recording studios, with Liam Gallagher’s new project just next door. ‘A lot of huge records that we love were recorded in the room we used, so it was a big deal for us,’ says Luke. And rightly so. Since then it’s been back to the Meatlocker, their usual practice space in Southampton, a nod to the festival season with a slot at Blissfields, and a sprinkling of London dates booked up for August and September. You simply have no excuse for missing out. www.myspace.com/montagepopulaire

See Montage Populaire play at Jack Comes Alive, 25th August. Zoe Whitfield

Steak club is the new fight club

Russ Chimes

Russ has chosen a novel way to introduce his new EP, Midnight Club...a short film of course. This glossy, action packed short can be seen this month when the full EP and film is released. We don’t have an exact date yet so until the day comes see the equally as exciting teaser trailer here : www.russchimes.com See Russ play at Jack Comes Alive, 25th August.

With the exception of the big wooden weapons, I like clubs. Rock clubs, dance clubs, members clubs, strip clubs, golf clubs, hell, I even like book clubs. On Monday I joined a new type of club; it’s manly meaty and left me staggering a little on the way home. No, not a gay club (though I’ve been to a couple of those), this was Steak Club. I loosened my belt, did a couple of warm up lunges and strode purposefully up to Sophie’s Steakhouse in Covent Garden. Sophie’s run an offer every Monday where they have a selection of their big steaks (seriously big!) for £25 and various specials on offer as well as a wine deal. The regular cuts included in the Monday offer are the 27oz Porterhouse (I know!) and the 24oz Cote De Boeuf. Although unfortunately, when the waiter arrived he seemed unaware of the offer and he wasn’t totally au fait with what it included. Hold ups aside, I went for the mighty Porterhouse and my date chose the ever so much more ladylike Cote De Boeuf. The Covent Garden branch of Sophie’s is very different in feel to their original Chelsea restaurant. For a start it is huge! The space is filled with some trendy looking furnishing and whilst not packed when I was there, had enough people dining not to feel uncomfortably quiet. They both have the ‘no booking policy’ which makes the Chelsea branch sometimes a bit of a pain as you can be left in the crush at the small bar, waiting for a table. In contrast the Covent Garden restaurant has so many covers I’d be surprised if you’d have that problem even on a Friday night, but perhaps it lacked the atmosphere of Chelsea. When the steaks arrived I was a little lost for words. They were without a doubt the biggest I had ever ordered as a single portion. The Porterhouse is a great cut as it is really two steaks - a sirloin and a fillet all in one. They were cooked to perfection, the fillet side of the Porterhouse was lean and tender while the sirloin section was full and flavoursome. The chips, onion rings and other side dishes were all decent but to be honest I made little impact on mine. There was no way I was leaving a scrap of meat behind! My date made a valiant effort but was defeated by her mammoth Cote De Boeuf. After sampling a little of each we came to the joint conclusion that the Porterhouse was the steak to beat, the Cote de Boeuf was a little tougher, but both were excellent. To wash down this bovine feast we ordered the special Steak Club wine of that week which was a refreshing and crisp Austrian Gruner Veltliner Lossterrassen 2008. It may be impossible to pronounce but it’s delicious just the same. This would normally have cost £26.50 but because of the club we got it for £14.50, the same price as the house white. Wined and dined to breaking point we slowly staggered to a cocktail bar and sat very still for a long time. If you’re looking for a macho test of manliness forget Fight Club, Steak Club is the new proving ground. Sophie’s Steak House, 29-31 Wellington St, The Opera Quarter Covent Garden, WC2E 7DB www.sophiessteakhouse.com/sophies-steak-club.php Adam Roan Henderson

Jack Bags

After our Jack Comes Alive event where we gave out a special 10 goodie bags to the first 10 people through the door we have been spotting our branded bags out and about, on the tube specifically. Get down to our night this month (25th Aug) early to grab yours.

Festival Guest lists

It’s mainly the London ones. I guess no mistakes can be made when people have traveled a good few hours. It seems though that if your only journey challenge has been a sweaty tube, a confused walk and the dodging of dodgy youths hanging with their bikes and one leg of each trouser rolled up no one gives a shit. We are fed up with people giving you guest list but not putting you on it.

The Wanted

Do we really need another cheesy, sickly boyband? Are we not past that? Do the youth of today not have more to offer? Do they just want to get their toned, tanned butts over to X-Factor? Surely with the resurgence of TakeThat and Boyzone we don’t need any new flesh of that sort? www.thewantedmusic.com

blowing

Jack’s suggestions include pricey, to mid range, to bargain depending on your fancy and your pocket and cover as much of London as edibly possible.

glowing

Jack eats:

BY ROGUE

BOY SOLDIERS

For some time now we have been searching for a great knuckle duster ring. As yet, none have matched up to this one from By Rouge that can be found in Kabiri. You won’t get mugged wearing this ring. www.myrougue.tv

BUD 66 The new beer from those lovely people, Budweiser. We’ve not seen a new beer on the mainstream market that isn’t a low calorie option for a while now so we’re excited to give this one a whirl. The name 66 comes from the number of different recipes they tried until they got it right. A lighter beer they tell us, that has less carbonation and is slightly sweeter. Available now at supermarkets, it is sure to fly off the shelves and be in all your favourite bars in no time. www.facebook.com/Budweiser66

MY VELO MyVelo make lovely coloured bikes that you can design yourself from a range of colours. You can change anything from the saddle to the mud guards meaning you can make a bike that is pretty special and pretty you. The finished article will set you back around £375 which is a good for a decent bespoke bike, we know they are decent because we’ve cycled around on them and got a load of envious glances! So much so we held onto them pretty tight. www.myvelo.co.uk

This group show, on at Graffick Gallery with artists chosen by Schoony pulls together some of the best names under the street/urban art banner including Joe Rush, D*Face, Inkie, Dan Baldwin and Nick Reynolds to name only a few. The base to each piece comes from Schoony who takes experience gained from working in special effects in Hollywood, making perfect creations from fiberglass on films such as Clash of the Titans and Saving Private Ryan. This base, Schoony’s fibre glass wall panel, Boy Soldier, depicting a young boy, grenade in hand almost slipping into nothing, has been replicated 30 times and given to Schoony’s choice of artists to customise. This exhibition is the culmination of all the returned wall panels and will no doubt be breathtaking. www.schoony.co.uk www.graffiklondon.co.uk

BUTT LIFT IN A BOX Here in the Jack office we have been overdoing it a bit of late, a few too many Dominos, a few too many drinks. We hope though that this miracle in a box will help at least one part of our newly flabby bodies (ok I’m being kind, read flabby bodies). Butt Lift in a Box promises to lift, tone and improve the skin texture of the derrière. Combining a serum and a cream along with a stretchy piece of blue plastic that helps you excercise the area we will be using this product religiously all month and be reporting back (maybe with pictures if you’re lucky) of what improvements it has brought. Available at www.harveynichols.com and www.feelunique.com with starting prices at £72.00. Win our Pick Of The Month at Jack Comes Alive on August 25th.

www.thisisjack.tv

When you hear the name what images come to mind? I could guess the tabloid headlines frame your thoughts of him. Womaniser, pretty party-boy, Car-crash Lohan ex, another ‘child-of’…, etc etc.

Calum Best.

words : Erin Daniel Mckee | images : Kris Mhyre | styling : Nessa Wrafter | make up : Lianne Vidal

Calum Best : A New Man Calum moved to the UK from a modeling career in L.A as his famous footballer father, George Best grew ill due to excessive drinking. It was at this time that the media grew aware of the attactive, sometimes exxesive son that was Calum Best. Slowly the media frenzy ensued with a string of famous beaus adding to the papers interest alongside numerous drunken club exits and scandlous headlines. Later programes like ITV’s Celebrity Love Island, MTV’s Totally Calum Best, E4’s Life with Calum sprung up documenting and exploiting Calum’s celebrity, putting him into the all too familiar pretty boy turned bad pigeon hole often attached to ‘celebrity spawn’. Rock bottom headlines included ‘Calum’s Hooker and Drug Orgy’ and ‘Lindsay leaves Calum a’Lohan’.

Although these headlines were the general tabliod fodder of the day no one can say that Calum has actually been an angel these past years, but then nor did he set out to be a role model. However if you take your current views on Calum from the headlines you would be wrong, as Calum says of his life of late, he ‘has changed’. A wake up call came in the form of an opportunity to take part in a very candid and painful BBC1 documentary, Brought Up By Booze: A Children In Need Special and after being forced to come to terms with many a deamon Calum has decided it is time to turn a new chapter. Both Calum Milan Best, 29, and his prospects are now looking and sounding better than ever. The fashion world has returned to him with open arms and contracts in hand, Charities are appreciative of his service and television and film are seeing an acting talent. So on a sunny day in Essex at the Kings Oak Hotel, poolside- Who’s Jack meets Mr Best and talks about his past, present, and rebirth… Oh, and prostitutes, Hollywood ex’s and his new path to find happiness.

Erin Daniel Mcgee : Hey Calum, how are you? Calum Best : All good dude. EDM: With everyone talking of your rebirth now, and with that in mind I feel we should start by asking, who was Calum Best? CB: He was a kid who was thrust into a rather heady life. A kid who felt there were a lot of expectations of him. He was sensitive and a bit naïve and went on a downward spiral of self destruction. EDM: So what’s changed? CB: I have changed, my attitude and my choices. I realised about 18 months ago that I was on a road to nowheresville and fast. After my father died I lost the plot. I had, and still do have to some degree, conflicted emotions about him as a man and as a father. It was very hard to assimilate everything so I escaped into my own oblivion. I am not saying I am ‘born again’ or whatever, but I took a breath and said to myself ‘get yourself together mate, you can make it!’.

So I changed my previous management, stopped going out as much, went back to the gym, and took it one day at a time to re-evaluate what I found important. Now I am putting more time into charity – in particular ones that address problems with addiction and children- and using my media attention to attract attention to causes where needed. I now have new management who believe in me and my future and don’t just want to make a quick buck.

Another terrible tabloid moment involved Lizzie Jagger. I had been dating her, a great girl, I said some very nice but perhaps a bit too candid things to someone in passing who I didn’t know was a journalist. The next day it looked as if I had given some exclusive to the paper about our relationship. In the end her dad, Sir Mick, came to the rescue and had his lawyers sort it all out.

EDM: What was the worst headline you remember from the time you are leaving behind?

That was well and truly the lowest point.

CB: Oh, it was probably the one about me and the prostitutes. That was well and truly the lowest point. My dad had recently passed away, I was hitting it hard. I had just started a relationship with Lindsay Lohan and it was all a bit crazy around us. I was due to fly to L.A in a couple of days to do a lucrative magazine shoot with her and it all went very wrong. The ‘girls’ that sold that story were out with my friend and I and were secretly filming, everything. The booze, drugs, and sex. It wasn’t pretty. I was mortified. The paper that ran it told me they had the footage. I took that opportunity to come clean with the public and apologise for everything. I thought it was the right thing to do, to try and explain I guess. At that same time, Linds crashed her car into a tree and got found with drugs on her. Needless to say, we didn’t do the magazine shoot!

EDM: Lindsay Lohan. She was such a talented teenager with a bright future. Now a ‘car crash’ which the public seem to revel in every minuet detail of. Any thoughts? CB: She is a terrific girl. I really enjoyed the time we spent together. We travelled all over the world, it was romantic. I havn’t ever given any great detail about our time together. But I will say that there is NO SEX TAPE. It just doesn’t exist. I remember, I was there! We don’t actually speak now. I think the press really twisted a lot of our relationship and when your someone so involved in the press, like she is, sometimes you can believe your own hype!

EDM: So your father the legend, you the son of the legend. What do you say to people that critise you for seemingly ‘living on his name’. CB: I am the son of George Best. I am very, very proud of my dad. The public adore him and mostly, in the street I get a lot of love from the public as a result. But I grew up in L.A, I started modelling when I was 15. I went all over the world and was very successful and happy with that. I appeared on the covers of Vogue Homme, Arena, Style etc. I moved to the UK because my dad was sick and felt I needed to be near him. The moment I arrived here my life changed. I got a different kind of attention. I became Calum ‘son of..’ and then model and soon it became more about me as a celebrity. I know I didn’t make the best choices sometimes with the new role I had been given, but I was very young and enjoyed the media circus that ensued a bit too much. People think I am loaded, that my dad left me a trust fund. He didn’t, he left me a watch. Yea, really. I have to work and do whatever I can rake in an income, I will also always be the ‘son of…’. I’m just making choices now that are healthier for my future. EDM: So what are included in your healthier choices? CB: In September/October, my fragrance is being relaunched. Its called Best By Calum Best. It was a best selling men’s fragrance for three years.

I was involved in every bit of it and am really proud of the product. I’ll be doing signings etc all over the country and in Ireland to get it back onto people’s shelves. EDM: And I hear you’ve been doing some good works with charity. CB: Yes, I have been working with Action On Addiction and recently Gail Porter rang me up to take part in a charity trek in Vietnam for the Childrens Trust. That was incredible! My work with Action On Addiction came about because of my BBC1 documentary about having an alchoholic parent. That show really helped me, it was theraputic. I blamed myself for my dad’s behavior. He was a great man, just not the best father. His booze hell was mine too a lot of the time. I’ll never forget learning about his liver transplant on the news rather than from him and rushing to his side at the hospital. Two weeks after he invited me on a holiday to Greece to celebrate his new lease of life. So I go, very excited about the chance to spend time with him. He was there with his wife, Alex and her family. They were all boozing around him, which I thought was insensitive. Then I pop into the kitchen and see him dart his head out from the fridge. I looked in the fridge and saw an open bottle of wine that he had been sneakily drinking from. It was then I realised that not me, nor a new liver would stop an alchoholic. It really is all up to the person. The documentary really helped me work through a lot of those guilt and anger issues and I hope it helped other people in similar situations.

‘I’ll never forget learning about his liver transplant on the news rather than from him..’ EDM: Being around your dad with his illness was obviously hard for you. CB: Yes, it was incredibly tough. Because I know what a great and loving guy he was capable of being. But, for instance one day I got a call from him out of the blue. He said he needed to see me and needed my help. I thought ‘Oh great! This is my real chance! He needs my help!’. So we meet up at the pub, of course. We start drinking a lot! I felt the only way I could communicate with my dad was to join in and booze with him. Anyway, after twelve whiskies or so, things were going just fine. We then went to eat something and I accidently broke his reading glasses.

He freaked out and screamed ‘Your not my son!’ and a lot of other things.

EDM: Cher and Madonna, old ladies in drag or ‘you got it flaunt it’.

He stormed out of the restaurant and got nicked for driving under the influence. A month goes by and he is in court blaming the fact he was drunk and driving on me. He said it was all my fault because we had an argument. That was tough to hear.

CB: HAHAHA! Well Cher is my Godmother, so I have to say ‘You got it flaunt it!’ She is a great woman, so cool! EDM: And finally Calum, did you ‘turn’ Linds on to girls?

‘He freaked out and screamed ‘Your not my son!’’ EDM: So will you be pursuing any further television work? CB:Yep, recently I’ve been offered various scripts for films/television roles which is really exciting. I’m enrolled in the Actors Centre where I’m having classes and I’m taking it very seriously. I love acting! I am also working hard on my own ideas which is really helping me concentrate on where I want my career to go. Any shows I do now will be different from the previous, rather frothy shows I did before. At least that is my intention. I want to show the world how I have changed and grown up. EDM: With this new chapter starting in your life, and you cutting down on female distractions, who is the woman you would allow yourself to be distracted by?

CB: Hahaha! I don’t know if I did or not. I was very good to her when we were together though. My mother raised me to be respectful and mannered with women, and she was no exception. But if I turned her gay, so be it! Haha! With that Calum signs his umpteenth autograph and takes another picture with someone telling him how much they loved his father. That has got to be tough I think to myself, having a constant reminder of hurtful times. But he responds to everyone the same charm and grace, qualities he possess that the tabloids mostly omit in their descriptions. To a good man and Who’s Jack says: Best of luck Calum!

‘..if I turned her gay, so be it!’

CB: Rosie Huntington-Whitely, the model. She is stunning. But because I have been painted as some lothario by the media, it’s sometimes difficult for girls to see past that image and be objective about the real me. I am actually a very honest boyfriend and a well mannered guy. Quite transparent and romantic! I really hope to have the chance to find true love, marry and have a family. EDM: And so onto the more light hearted stuff : Jack Tweed: friend or foe? CB: Neither really. We have met a couple of times, but he isn’t a pal like the papers are always suggesting. That drives me crazy, We say hi to each other, but that’s about it. In the industry you see the same people around but I’m not his best mate. I am sure he is a great guy, but I am not his mate by any means. Watch behind the scenes of the Calum Best shoot and interview on Jack TV at www.thisisjack.tv

Luton Hoo

When a man is tired of London, he leaves.

Sometime the fumes, the sweaty tube and the amount of people lacking spacial awareness gets to much to bear. So when the big smoke gets on top of you as the sun gets hotter and the idea of donning an enormous rucksack and tent is anything but appealing, escape a few hours away from the city to a haven, even if only for a weekend.

Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, The Mansion House, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3TQ We arrive at Luton Hoo and are suitably dwarfed by it’s massive frontage and dominating, yet somehow very friendly presence. The house is a cavernous maze of huge dining rooms, huge bedrooms, lounge rooms, gardens and terraces. Luton Hoo is so big in fact that we are told two weddings can go on at once and neither party will meet. Decor is fitting to the 300 year old bricks and mortar but the food and clientèle are anything but aged. A mix of people come here, family, the afore mentioned wedding parties, golfers (Luton Hoo boasts an 18 hole golf course), young couples, groups of ladies who well and truly lunch and day trippers who come for the spa, Capability Brown Gardens and swimming pool. Luton Hoo is perfect for a one night break and massively close to London, being just a 5 minute cab ride from Luton Central Station though you wouldn’t know it what with the 1,000 acres that surround it. reservations@lutonhoo.com www.lutonhoo.co.uk

The George in Rye, 98 High Street Rye, East Sussex TN31 7JT The George in Rye is the hotel you want to live in. Enormously inviting and friendly, the comfortable bar-come-country pub and smart yet un-intimidating restaurant, not to mention the roll top baths and plushly furnished bedrooms make you never want to leave. I found myself taking pictures as a reminder of how I wanted my bedroom at home to look - just like the one I was staying in. The staff are also extra friendly and helpful with a perfect example being when we slept through our alarm and missed breakfast only to be woken up in the last five minutes of serving to be

asked if we would in fact like some food brought to our room. 15 minutes later a veritable banquet arrived, more even than we had ordered with a full English on perfect white plates along with eggs Benedict, tea, coffee, orange juice, toast and croissants. The Village of Rye, that you step into as soon as you leave the last step of The George is beautiful and full of history, just around the corner from Hastings (and we all remember what happened there from school right?). There are huge pub gardens, brilliant fresh fish, beautiful shops and country lanes all around you. The George will take around 2 hours to get to from London by train. Once you are at Rye station you don’t even need a taxi with The George being perfect walking distance, even if you do have a couple of overnight bags. www.thegeorgeinrye.com stay@thegeorgeinrye.com

For those lighter of pocket we bring you our choice of B&Bs. If, at the mention of B&B you envisage an old brown room with strange people inviting you in under a flickering vacant sign, you couldn’t be further from the truth. There are beautiful half board hide aways all over the UK with full 5 star ratings and they are a perfect retreat when the bustling streets get a bit too much. Heathcote House, Milborne St Andrew Dorset DT11 0JG Heathcote House is newly opened in Dorset and will take you about 2 1/2 hours to get to from Londinium. Easy to find and close to Dorchester (a pretty town with shops, cafes and a dinosaur museum ) and Bournemouth (a close by town with more nightlife if that’s what you’re after) you can chose to use this as a beautiful base or a relaxing retreat that is not to be left for anything other than strolls along the coast and to the nearest pub (which is the Royal Oak Opposite).

The Grove

The Grove 59 Bracondale Norwich Norfolk NR1 2AT The Grove gives you 5 star luxury with the affordability of a B&B. Set up a woodland drive with a beautiful garden, frontage and breakfast room this really is the cream of the crop when it comes to bed and breakfast. Bedrooms are light, airy and decorated beautifully with some of the most comfortable beds you are going to find anywhere. The City of Norwich is just a short walk away with historical walks, bars and shops. Breakfast at The Grove is wonderful, full English’s and the best scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on a muffin that I have come across. Norwich is a 2 hour journey from London and the Grove is a very short drive from the station. www..thegrovenorwich.co.uk

enquiries@heathcotehouse.co.uk www.heathcotehouse. co.uk

Heathcote House The George

veryone likes a bit of smut and filth every now and again, don’t they? Some more than others admittedly, but there are a good many films that would be far less watchable if it wasn’t for the sexual tension between two of the characters, be that a small part of the plot, or the driving narrative focus.

Mark Williams

But what if your favourite film or TV programme isn’t providing you with the relationship-based drama that you can so clearly see is there as a steamy, unspoken undercurrent between two supposedly heterosexual men or women? It’s a dilemma I’m sure we’ve all faced at some point, but how many of you have ever turned to slash fiction? Historically, it is generally believed that slash fiction began light-years away on the Starship Enterprise, in stories written by Star Trek fans about Spock and Captain Kirk. Slowly gaining in underground, cult popularity during the seventies, these were stories predominantly written by female fans; fans looking for something else that they were not being offered by the stories of the various episodes of the original Star Trek TV series. Clearly Captain Kirk’s desire to meet and woo previously undiscovered alien females wasn’t enough. And so began K/S fan fiction, meaning Kirk/ Spock, with the slash symbolising their relationship with one another. The original slash coupling, Kirk and Spock have a great many adventures of a somewhat erotic nature in writing that have never made it onto the big screen. Back in the seventies there wasn’t the internet that we know and cherish today, so fan fiction was limited to fanzines that you could only really get hold of at meetings and conventions of fellow sci-fi fans. Even then, you may have run the risk of getting a strange look from a man wearing pretend pointy ears if you told him what you thought Kirk and Spock got up to on shore leave.

“

Slash fiction began light-years away on the Starship Enterprise ...

”

...

“

”

...We can only assume that no-one in East London had thought about being gay until 1987.

Part of its steady growth in popularity can be attributed to inadequate depictions of gay relationships in the mainstream media then and now. Eastenders, for example, didn’t have so much as its first gay peck on the cheek until 1987. This is a programme that is supposed to represent real-life issues, so we can only assume that no-one in East London had thought about being gay until 1987. So, what fans felt was lacking from Star Trek, they could just write for themselves and others.

But Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel has come out in favour of fan fiction, claiming that it allows his creations to live on for the fans, long after the final episode has finished. Whedon was even rumoured to have included several ‘pre-slashed’ scenes in Buffy and Angel; moments of obvious double-meaning or sexual tension that could be denied to producers or investors keen to keep it good, clean fun.

Because it usually goes for same-sex pairings (in fact hetero pairings have their own classification as ‘hetfic’), slash fiction was originally thought of as deviant back in the days when psychologists claimed you could ‘cure’ homosexuality. Nowadays it’s just considered a bit alternative, although some of the things that Captain Kirk has boldly done to Spock could definitely be considered a little deviant. Don’t think they taught that at Starfleet Academy!

Over time, slash fiction has evolved its own language, its own terminology, and slash has been written on a wide variety of subjects, from cartoons like The Simpsons and computer games such as The Final Fantasy series. A quick look on the web and you’ll easily find more than the odd bit of RPS too, which stands for Real Person Slash. Although RPS has been known to cause the invocation of serious-faced lawyers by angry boy-bands and so is often avoided by the larger fan-fiction websites.

Star Trek may have been the beginning but from there the possibilities were endless. Starsky and Hutch was a popular basis for slash, as was British sci-fi series Blake’s Seven. The slash principle could and can be applied to almost any popular mainstream fiction and the internet is awash with an endless array of fan fiction of varying literary prowess. In more recent times The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter have all been slashed. You name a successful TV series or film and chances are someone has been there and slashed that. Bringing it bang up-to-date is Glee slash, which is probably a vast improvement on the real thing. Noticeably, it does tend to be sci-fi that gets slashed more than any other genre, but then sci-fi does have arguably the most dedicated fans of any film or TV genre. Slash fiction has a propensity to be borne out of a very devoted fandom, and sci-fi fans are nothing if not devoted to their chosen canon. Slash has always been written by fans for fans, not for profit and generally just for the sheer enjoyment of it. The fact that it’s not being done for commercial gain is simultaneously a reason for its devoted following and also partly an explanation as to how its many writers have never been sued for copyright infringement by huge studios, keen to protect their characters from what they may consider to be untoward activity. Most of the studios tend to ignore slash fiction completely, which suits the fans just fine.

Despite having given you a brief history and said all of this in a quite calm and re-assuring manner, there is no denying that slash fiction could easily be construed as weird. Because a great deal of it is. Very, very weird. Yeah, you’ve got your homoerotic tales of romance and shagging that are essentially just the equivalent of what we see happening between straight couples on screen all the time. But then there’s the stranger fan fiction, the most bizarre of which is known as ‘crackfic’. The strangest stuff usually comes from pairings of characters from two completely different films or TV shows and finds them meeting in any number of implausible situations and then, inevitably, getting it on. How about Captain Jon Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation, crash landing on Middle Earth only to be discovered and then lovingly nursed back to health, by Elrond, leader of the Elves in Lord of The Rings. To cut a long story short, Elrond’s bedside manner is what you might describe as very attentive and love soon blossoms. So, there you have it, you’ve been introduced to slash fiction. Perhaps this is literally the only time in your life you’ll ever give it so much as a moments thought. Perhaps, you thought too hard about Harry/Ron/Hermione (yep, it can go ménage à trois) and now it won’t go away. Or perhaps you’re about to search the internet for Gandalf/Gimli having often wondered if anyone else thought about that too. You pervert.

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Times to Top

images : Russ Burton / stylist : Sarah Brannon / make-up : Bella Simonsen using Mac Pro / hair : Cameron : Pimps and Pinups / models : Gabriella : First Model Management / Charbec : W Athletic / All Clothes by Mint Siren : www.mintsiren.com or stylists own / Mint Siren by Josefine Wing AW10 collection

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BAKED BEANS & CHAMPAGNE

Ruthie’s monthly column looking at artists and creatives, where they started and where they are now. This month :

Street, graffiti or urban art – call it what you will, has seen an upcoming contender, Fin DAC, make some impressive headway on the scene of late. Come 18th September, the Irish-born, London-based artist will be spraying a huge and impressively executed portrait of Jimmy Hendrix in an as yet un-announced location, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his death. This is by no means a small occurrence. This large scale creation will take shape during London Fashion Week and will no doubt attract a large amount of attention. There are whisperings that the location of the artwork will be unmissable but you will have to keep an eye on the Who’s Jack art blog to find out where to plant your deck chair to see the work take shape nearer the time. Fin DAC, it would seem, is paving the way to becoming one major street artist du jour and definitely one to keep a very close eye on.

words : Ruthie Holloway

immersed in the UK and Ibiza house music scene of the 90’s, so the art/music link was a natural one for several of his works’ subject matters. The forthcoming Jimi Hendrix artwork will also be available in limited edition prints, so if you fancy yourself as a bit of an art collector, one of

However, even currently, Fin is by no means small-time in this increasingly popular strand of the art world. His work has been shown alongside the likes of respected artists, Nick Walker, Goldie, Jef Aerosol, C215 and artist to the Sex Pistols and creator of the famous God Save the Queen, Never Mind the Bollocks and Anarchy in the UK album covers, Jamie Reid. It all began three years ago, when Fin DAC (DAC stands for Dragon Armoury Creative) picked up a spray can and taught himself the art of the trade. His background in graphic design lends to a creative eye for colour, form and line all of which lead effortlessly into an art-form, allowing him free reign over his creative expression. Notably, he was

these would be a valuable investment or first-time buy. Influences for his work are extremely and refreshingly broad. These include dark graphic novels, Francis Bacon and Jackson Pollock and he unequivocally describes his passion for the creation of his work as ‘all-consuming.’ The time and energy that has been

FIN DAC

dedicated to the fine art of the spray can means that Fin DAC has become expertly skilled at what he does. Other than painting a diverse range of both subject matter and styles, he also uses an unusual ‘spitting style’ paint technique in the execution of his work. This creates an airbrush, mottled appearance and a great amount of detail to the work. The vast exhibitions he has been involved in are collectively and individually impressive. These include live art for Armani in London, a few commissions for the Morgans Hotel Group which have proved huge successes as well as a 100ft mural at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall for the Load Exhibition which caused a small but significant frenzy in the national press. He was also announced as one of the countries main ‘emerging artists’ by the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Group in a recent art project. In addition to this, a recent charity auction saw Fin DAC’s work raise £4000 from an original Bobby Moore canvas entitled, ‘The Legend of ’66.’ Fin DAC also has the aid of artist management agency and online gallery, Beautiful Crime, which he is exclusively signed to. The modestly successful company has played a big part in his creative triumphs to date. Liam West of Beautiful Crime voices a big belief in Fin DAC, saying ‘[he] is quite simply a phenomenon. The quality of the work he produces is incredible and yet the next piece always surpasses the last in terms of idea, skill and execution. He never ceases to amaze me.’ Such praise encouragingly points towards an even brighter future for Fin DAC, as he strives to make a bigger and better impression on the street art scene. www.beautifulcrime.com

THE DATING GAME

words : Georgina Childs | illustration : Katie Allen

The Rah Score: 5/10 How long it lasted: 2.5 hours Where we went: Belushis, Covent Garden My opinion on RAHs (that’s rich arse holes to you and me) has always been mixed. On one hand, I despise them and they stand for everything I dislike in society. On the other, there’s something unbelievably attractive about them. The thing about RAHs is, I seem to attract them. Yes, the RAHs just can’t resist the middle-class, little Essex girl. So finding one to go out on this month’s date with me wasn’t too much of a challenge... If I was going to predict what the RAH would wear I would have said a pink Ralph Lauren shirt, most likely to be stripy, some kind of brown suede shoe, cream chinos or chino-like trousers and maybe a jacket or blazer, worn as an accessory slung over his arm. All topped with a hairstyle that says, ‘Darling, I was in such a rush, I barely had time to run my fingers through my hair – and it still looks this good.’ Well, call me Mystic Meg – the RAH turned up in a pink striped Ralph Lauren shirt, cream chinos, and deck shoes. Yes, deck shoes. Never has a stereotype been so well represented. And slung over his arm, a rugby shirt, yes, a rugby shirt (apparently one shirt per ensemble just wasn’t enough). All this said, I’m still strangely attracted to him but this is probably due to his air of arrogance - sadly, it’s my ultimate weakness. The RAH tried to make me go to meet him where he works, but I am a stubborn little madam and column or no column, I told him where to stick that idea. So he came to meet me. He had no idea where he wanted to take me, so just marched me off around Covent Garden while he spoke to me in English that would make the Queen sound common. And I’m not even ashamed to say that I loved it. When we got to the bar, I remembered why I like posh guys, they take charge and they pay for everything. I had barely taken the last sip of my wine before he was up off his chair, getting me another one. I don’t think my hand was without glass for more than 30 seconds. He didn’t even consult me.

Some find that hideous, I found it glorious. Someone who will make my decisions for me – can I employ him to take care of the rest of my life please? In true RAH fashion he talked about himself, a lot. He told me about where he went to public school (of course he did), his chocolate Labrador and the acres of land his parents owned - okay so I assumed there were acres, he didn’t actually say how many acres there were. I’m not sure if I should be a little bit ashamed to say that when he was telling me about his exuberant country home, I found my little mind wondering what it would be like to go there and live in the lap of luxury - just for a weekend of course. (Don’t judge me. It sounded blissful, you would have wanted to go there too.) He did (eventually) get around to asking about me, and I dutifully answered questions about what state school was really like and how it was growing up with a mother who worked full-time. Before I knew it I found myself denying my estuary English roots, pronouncing my ‘t’s and pretending to be interested in cricket. It’s amazing what a posh accent can do to a girl. Sadly, the novelty soon wore off. Even though I was loving the drinks being bought for me (by this point I was a little bit drunk), there was one major thing that the posh guy was lacking. No, not fashion sense, humour. He had none. And he definitely didn’t understand mine. Last month there was too much humour, this month there was none. Zero. Zilch. It was disappointing, to say the least. One thing I did like about the RAH was that, despite his arrogance, his manners were tip-top. Mummy taught him well. He opened doors for me and even pulled out my chair before I sat down. In my book, that counts as old-fashioned romance, which is every girl’s dream, is it not? He even walked me to the tube station (hurrah!), and then very politely asked me back to his flat. I declined, equally politely. (I might be from Essex mate, but I ain’t no first-date hussy). He won extra points when he text me to make sure I got home safely. Although I did slightly doubt how useful he would be if I was in some kind of trouble. What would he have done? Strangle the guy with the sleeves of his rugby shirt? I guess it’s a posh-ibility. So, as I headed back to my acre of land in Essex (well my parents 0.6 of an acre), I had a bit of a breakthrough... The guy who’s a mixture of the best parts of all the dates so far - now he’s my kind of stereotype. I’m not sure such a perfect person actually exists, but here’s hoping...

Try your luck with Georgina by dating her at Jack Comes Alive, 25th August.

3D is marmite. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loved by many, can often divide opinion and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be honest; is at the top of its game. Bursting on our silver screens in a big way, 3D is no longer a buzz word. It just is.

3D’s not going anywhere this time. But don’t be fooled by its shiny blue sheen and space age feel; 3D is no newcomer to the film industry. Cast your minds back to 1922 and you’ll find the first 3 dimensional film shown to a paying audience. The classic and ever classy red and green glasses were born, aiming to add depth and give twenties cinema-goers an experience they’ve never had before. If it wasn’t for the Great Depression, economic issues in the 50s and another depression in the 80s, this brand new and exciting level of filmmaking may have already had its hay-day years before the sunny days of the twenty-first century.

For younger generations, 3D is a brand new experience; but for older generations, they’re nostalgic. So this resurgence in the art of three dimensional film making follows a long line of booms, but with one difference - 3D’s not going anywhere this time. With the recent news that 3D television is soon to wander into our homes and place itself on the ridge of our ears and nose, for the first time 3D will reach beyond the cinema and nestle its way into everyday life. Feels a little like you’re in a science-fiction film doesn’t it? With pubs all over the country switching their screens to 3D, this year’s World Cup was the world’s first 3D tournament, filling bar stools and sticky floors with hundreds of white shirted men all sporting black glasses. For those of you who have already sampled sport in 3D you’ll know that this is neither here nor there, as 3D is brilliant at times and sort of pointless at others. But imagine it with boxing for example. When 3D really works is when the camera is close up, soaking up the live action and thrusting sporting heroes out of the big screen. For boxing it truly would feel like you were in the crowd, grasping the field of depth, ideology of the technology with two hands. ‘It’s best for sports where there’s a lot of perspective to be had’ says Duncan Greene, Wired Magazine’s News Editor. However, the tech expert keeps a speculative eye on the boom, explaining that 3D’s role in the everyday is a long way off. ‘I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t work for a broadcaster or a TV company who is actually excited about 3D. Right now only the top end of the TV market is 3D-capable, so you can expect to be paying a lot. On top of that, you need to find and pay for some content, so you’re looking at quite an expense right now.’ As with everything it comes down to cost. The issue of content is also a major problem. As Duncan explained, ‘although most of the major TV manufacturers are about to launch, or have launched,

televisions that are capable of showing 3D content; of all the major broadcasters only Sky has thrown itself behind the format.’ Apparently, the future, or at least the imminent one, is not looking quite as bright for 3D TV.

“HOLLYWOOD NEEDS

TO FIGURE OUT THAT CONVERTING 2D FILM TO 3D IS LIKE PUTTING TOMATO KETCHUP WITH BAKED BEANS..”

So what about the film industry? Many would say that they are already bored of the novelty, annoyed that Hollywood is switching so many films to 3D when it isn’t always needed. At the recent Comic-con, 3D film announcements were met with boos from the auditorium. But the figures tell another story. James Cameron’s Avatar, the 3D king so to speak, made more than $2.5 billion at the box office…$2.5 billion is mental. It is astronomical. And it is the reason why Hollywood big wigs are literally ploughing tons of moolah into the 3D cash cow hoping to replicate the success of a film that was really quite out of this world. However, this rush for the 3D tag to be attached and proudly displayed around their neck won’t create another Avatar nor will it have the same effect as Cameron’s blue baby. Like a child with a new toy, Hollywood are taking 3D everywhere. It comes with them to church, to school, to Tesco’s with mum, to Granny’s house…everywhere. But they risk overusing this potentially brilliant technology leading it

to be tired and broken, thrown in the toy-box with the bent Pokemon cards and dusty Tamagotchi’s. Where Cameron filmed using Vincent Pace’s 3D technology and cameras, adding depth to all aspects of the shot and so creating something beautifully believable; many films are being converted after filming in 2D. Alexander Murply at Gizmodo agrees with this, explaining the processes differences; ‘The problem is that it will never reflect the same results as if you were filming using two cameras, simultaneously, from slightly different perspectives.

Endless rotoscoping [manipulation or painting on of individual film frames.] provides layers that can be separated to fake a different perspective for the second eye, but that’s what it looks like…layers.’ Look at Alice in Wonderland for example, at times the illusion of 3D impressed but often the images on screen looked pasted on, like an editor had prit-sticked the Cheshire cat to the background. And as audiences become accustomed to 3D, and many are already, this technique will fall flat on its face as an ever tech-savvy society see its flaws. Hollywood needs to figure out that converting 2D film to 3D is like putting tomato ketchup with baked beans, something about it just seems off.’

Eddie Hamilton stresses that you have to remember Hollywood is an industry with only dollar signs in their laser perfect eyes: ‘In LA all anyone talks about on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning is the box office takings. It is bottom dollar. If a film is panned by the critics but sells brilliantly, it’s two fingers to the critics and it’s deemed a success.’ Eddie is a film editor, most recently working on a Who’s Jack favourite, Kick Ass. You don’t have to look to hard for examples of the 3D buzz effect as Eddie explained. Clash of the Titans’ was converted to 3D only 6 weeks before its release; ‘It’s crazy. Six weeks before release they had nearly 1,000 people working 24 hours a day for a month and a half rendering the film. But at the end of the day it made an extra $80 to $100 million more worldwide.’ Easy to see why many a director is already embracing 3D then. Tim Burton, Michael Bay and Nick Park have all come out and expressed both interest and admiration for the technology. Both Harry Potter films are being switched to 3D, as is Seth Rogen’s Green Lantern, Zack Synder’s Sucker Punch and Ridley Scott’s Alien Prequel…to be honest, the list has depth and then some. But what is even more interesting is Scorsese’s take on the boom. The legendary director quoted ‘We see in depth, for the most part. We go to the theatre – it’s in depth. Why couldn’t a film like Precious be in 3D? It should be.’ But should it? Do we want our weepies, dramas and serious flicks walking out the screen at us, crying into our popcorn? Would you watch Schindler’s List in 3D?! Eddie doesn’t see an issue with Scorsese’s view but personally doesn’t feel it could work. ‘I would find the mere act of wearing glasses and having something over my eyes would emotionally distance me from the story being told, as there is something physically in the way between me and the characters.’

It all comes down to the industry’s favourite buzz word – Immersion. An audience want to be immersed, have their attention clasped and not let go until the end credits roll. The thing is; 3D doesn’t do this brilliantly. A theatre experience can be fleeting, with an abundance of distractions available to snap you from your unblinkable awe. The bloke texting three rows down or the child crying behind you, who you have a right mind to smack yourself, all tear you back to reality and the real world. Eddie agreed with the cinema experience being an issue, especially when tackling the brightness of 3D on screen. Most cinemas worldwide have a technical standard for the strength of the brightness of film screenings which is about 60% of what they should be, Eddie explains, ‘when you go to a film it’s rarely bright enough at the best of times. 3D needs to be very bright to work well and quite frankly cinemas are not quite there at the moment. Generally you will not have a good experience watching 3D.’ So the user experience is vital and if it ain’t pleasin’ some, then it ain’t selling none. You heard it here first Jackers! But the clear fact is that like an angry wasp around a tasty picnic, 3D isn’t going to go away. This is no fad; it is the future and the now. With the help of patient directors and our tech savvy younger generation, it will become as common and as usual as the internet. The Film industry will tire of the novelty, levelling out 3D’s use in cinema with only blockbusters and tent-pole movies using the technology. After all, we don’t need three dimensional filming to tell a good story; and as Eddie likes to remember when he’s working – ‘Alfred Hitchcock once said ‘There are three steps to making a great film – A good story, a good story and a good story’.’ Here, here Alfy H. Here here. words : Matt Hamm

SLOW Slow Club aka Rebecca and Charles describe themselves and an ‘uncomplicated band’ and for those that don’t know of this ‘nu-folk’/rock duo their music simplicity is what has gained them such a dedicated following. Everyone from young indie kids to fully grown men can’t get enough of them and as a result they’ve been touring non stop since their album was released early in 2009 with no break in between to record any new material. They sing about everything from their ‘beautiful’ friends and finding ways to tell someone you’re leaving them to pirates and they do it all in a plain, simple fashion just the two of them, a guitar and some stand up drums. We met up with Slow Club ahead of their performance at Ben and Jerry’s festival to find out more about the Sheffield born duo... How did Slow Club come into existence? Charles: We met 6 years ago at my ex girlfriends birthday party. Rebecca: After meeting we bonded over MSN and our joint love of Jeff Buckley which I know is pretty uncool. I was in a band called The Lonely Hearts when we first met, we needed a singer/guitarist so Charles came on board. What we were doing as a band at the time wasn’t really us so we decided to go it alone. We formed Slow Club properly when I decided against university. It wasn’t for me, I didn’t want to go so I decided to concentrate on music. We never thought we’d be able to do this as a job but here we are, doing our thing, able to travel the world, record albums and play gigs, we’re very, very lucky. How did you come to be signed to Moshi Moshi? Charles: We were playing with Hot Club de Paris when they saw us first and hated us, the second time they also hated us but then, finally they came to a third show and for some reason, we still don’t know why, decided they really liked us. We’ve been with them for over 3 years now. Where did the name Slow Club come from? I had just watched Blue Velvet and the bar in it is called Slow Club, I thought that was a cool name. It doesn’t really have any emotional meaning to us.

Charles: I haven’t even watched it properly. I fell asleep. What’s the music scene in Sheffield like and how does it compare to London? Rebecca: I’m a bit out of the loop with Sheffield’s music scene now we are both in London but when we were kids trying to get gigs everyone would give us one. There are so many bars and clubs in Sheffield that there’s never a gig venue shortage. Just like London, there’s lots of different communities where music can really thrive. I really miss it actually. Charles: I love Sheffield, horrible weather, but lots of my friends are still based there. I really love London though. We move around so much, I’m always so grateful to get back here. My favourite place is a cafe called The Wick in Hackney Wick, it’s brilliant, they have roast dinners on sale first thing in the morning and every time I go in there, which is fairly often, there’s always the same guy eating. What’s a typical week like for Slow Club? Rebecca: We do as many gigs as we can and try to write all the time. We’re about to start writing properly again, we’re going to treat it like a proper job and find a space where we can go in everyday and just write. We’re always flying off to different countries doing gigs too, we don’t really ever stop. We’ve finally got a PR and, a lovely lady who organises our lives for us as we were so bad at doing it ourselves. Also a typical

week will always see me watching lots of Eastenders. I haven’t missed an episode since 2005. Charles: We’re off to Japan soon. We’re always on the move. We’d like to start working on the album but the label keep booking us gigs. How do you go about writing your songs? Charles: There isn’t a particular process we follow. We add ideas to each other’s work but there’s no formula. We write about all aspects of our lives which I think is good because it means we’re not writing the same songs over and over again. Rebecca: Whenever I’m having a mind blank I go to the toilet. It’s weird but it’s where I find it easiest to think. I’ll come back like, ‘I’ve got it!’. Every one of our lyrics relate to something in our lives. I’m pretty sure I could tell you exactly what each of our lyrics was about. It’s easier that way, it’s more real. I hate meeting these people who have written amazing songs with great stories and finding out they’re totally made up. What’s the point? You feel better about it if it’s real. It’s going to be harder for the next album, we need to find new things to write about. It’s been nearly two years since your last album, how much longer do we have to wait for the next one? Charles: We’re working on it now and we’re aiming to get it out next spring. I

CLUB really want to make sure that it is a fucking boombastic record. I hate it when bands come back with shit second albums. A producer once told me that he didn’t like doing second albums, only third ones which I thought was quite nice. The first album is never really an album it’s more like a bunch of songs because you’re learning and the second is a testament to how far you’ve come and how much you’ve learnt. I definitely think our second will be very different to our first. Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever written a song? Rebecca: We wrote a song on a roof once. When I lived with my parents I used to wait till they were in bed, then sit with my guitar at like 1am writing songs. I miss that. We used to sit at our parent’s houses and write together, that was a nice time. Charles: We broke down on a motorway once and I got my guitar out and starting jamming and making up some tunes although I was more trying to get away from the smell of piss in the lay by I was in. You’re well known for using random objects as instruments, what’s your favourite? Rebecca: I thought that was really cool when I was younger, I don’t do it as much now. I had a chair I used a few times, that was quite good. I heard about a band that melted animal bones to make an

instrument, I thought that was taking it too far. Your songs have been used in a lot of adverts. Do you think adverts help or hinder songs? Rebecca: I don’t necessarily think it hinders a song unless everyone suddenly knows you for being in a Tampax advert. We just did it to get enough money to carry on working. We never thought of it as our big break and if it had of been I don’t think we’d have been very happy. We might have regretted it then. What one thing will you always agree on and what thing will you always disagree on? Rebecca: We always agree on food. Charles: People like Rhianna and Beyonce, Rebecca loves them, I don’t really get it. I saw you play at the Utilitarian Church in Brighton which is a really small, intimate venue. Is that the type of venue you like to play in? Charles: Absolutely. I love small venues like that. The acoustics are so much better than any of the bigger venues. Rebecca: That was one of my favourite gigs, although some horrible boy twittered me after telling me I looked fat! Recently we’ve done a lot of loud, very active gigs where for some reason there’s been a load of lads all singing along which is a bit weird.

Who was the last person you saw perform 51 live that really blew you away? Rebecca: I hate gigs. I don’t like standing up very much and we play so many of them that I can’t really be bothered to go to them. Although I saw this guy called Perfume Genius recently and he was just fantastic. He’s from New York and he plays the most beautiful music in the world. Everyone should go and see him live. He hardly ever does tours so he was super nervous. Charles: I saw Air Waves in Amsterdam they were absolutely awesome. You’ve been described as a musical revelation. Who or what do you think is the greatest musical revelation? Rebecca: Where we? That’s nice. Hold on, what’s a revelation? Charles: Something new and revolutionary. Rebecca: Ah. Mines definitely Perfume Genius then. Charles: I like Real Estate. Their albums great. Rebecca: We don’t ever use them but those things that you sing in to and it changes your voice, you know like Cher uses? They’re genius they make anyone sound good. For more information on Ben and Jerry’s festival head to www.benjerry.co.uk/sundae words : Laura Hills | images : Caitlin Reeve

DAVID E SUGAR words: Zoe Whitfield images: Ted Park

WHO’S JACK LIKES DAVID E SUGAR. WE LIKE HIS YELLOW SOCKS AND HIS BONA FIDE DETECTIVE TRENCH. WE LIKE THE WAY HE STARTS HIS MYSPACE BLOG POSTS WITH ‘HI DARLINGS’, AND WE LIKE HIS COOL SENSIBILITY. WE WERE HAPPY TO OVERLOOK THEN, THE FACT THAT HE WAS THE LAST TO TURN UP WHEN WE CONDUCTED OUR INTERVIEW, DESPITE LIVING JUST UP THE ROAD (AND OUR PHOTOGRAPHER HAD TRAVELLED IN ALL THE WAY FROM FARNBOROUGH).

But then ones that I like the most generally, is stuff that I never really think about that much. And the stuff I don’t like is the stuff I’ve laboured over; when you listen to it again you feel a bit sort of tired.’ Future remixes then? ‘I think I’d quite like to remix something like Beirut actually. Something more folky.’ Big fans of Zach Condon, this sounds like something Jack wants to hear.

If you’re unfamiliar with David you’re not alone. Despite being a firm fan now, give or take a few weeks the only Sugar I knew of had a first name of Alan. But oh what a difference a day makes, and quite rightly so. Signed to Rob Da Bank’s label Sunday Best, his MySpace page tells us his peers regard him as one of the most creative artists around, and based on the conversation covered during just one pint of beer (him) and a single Coke (us), I had no choice but to agree. Silly it took me so long really. Pre-Sunday Best signing, David’s name was made on his participation in the ‘Chip-tune’ scene, a genre if you will, founded upon 90’s computer game soundtracks via iMac’s and Game Boys. Something similar to what VV Brown might have produced, had she upped her electro beats, downplayed the doo wop thing and never picked up the phone to Stuart Rose. His track ‘Oi New York, This Is London’ helped premier Joe Goddard of Hot Chip’s label, Greco-Roman, while two more of his songs featured on French label Kitsune Maison compilations, five and six (To Yourself and Although You May Laugh, respectively). Not only is he a singer, a songwriter, and a producer, but he’s also a dab hand at the old remix. His efforts include Chew Lips (Solo), Klaxons (Golden Skans) and Wiley (Summertime), not forgetting his-possible-favourite, a remix of The Rumble Strips track, Boys and Girls. ‘I did that really quickly and it did well,’ he says. Though he admits, ‘I have favourites for different reasons, like I have favourites that I like because other people have liked them a lot so I respect them more than I did when I made them.

So does he think remixes are the way to make the stuff of dreams a reality? ‘I think it was quite instrumental for me, but I mean I kind of fell into it by accident really. I wasn’t like, right, I make dance music so I’m going to do loads of remixes by other dance acts and get noticed. I didn’t think about it that much and then I just got asked to do a couple and they became quite popular and I got more and more requests. I think it’s certainly an avenue that a lot of people have managed to get noticed through and I think it really helped me.’ Another avenue David fell into, and a further string to his bow, is that of radio DJ. He did a year on Ministry of Sound’s online radio programme of which he remembers fondly, ‘my remit was just play what you want, which I did. And every other week I had a guest down, another musician or someone who’s music I liked.’ It’s something he’s keen to go back to eventually, though for the time being he’s happy to sit out and focus on his own projects, ‘the thing is you almost rehabilitate yourself when you’re writing on your own. Your head gets full of everybody else’s stuff (when you sit and listen to loads of records).’ As noted previously, David is a talented singer and songwriter, so natural does the former come to him that last year he set about a task for himself, ‘it was a kind of vague bet. After one drunken night with people, I said something along the lines of ‘I can release a single a week, that’s how much I write’ and they were like ‘well go on do it.’’ Never one to turn down an opportunity, releasing a single a week is exactly what he did. Moreover in fact releasing the tracks on his home-grown label, Oblio Recordings, he released a digital track a week for fifty two weeks, a 12” EP designed by a different person each month for 12 months, and produced a CD at the end of it all. The word busy lacks here the magnitude of this fantastic mission. ‘It was just to see what it would be like to try and do that and kind of structure a whole year around getting it out,’ he claims. ‘There’s certain weeks where I’m doing one certain thing and I kind of found myself writing in EP’s anyway. I went through a long period of getting home every night then writing a song a night. But it’s quite exhausting, and you suddenly find yourself with a lot

of other stuff you need to do.’ Like the radio show, remixing other people’s music and performing at festivals perhaps? ‘Yeah, we were down at Oxygen at the weekend. It was great, but it was one of those weird ones, have you seen the film about Anvil? It’s really funny but there’s a scene from that where they turn up in this 50,000 person seat arena and it’s completely empty and they’re all like, ‘no one’s going to be here’ and it was a similar thing for me.’ Playing in an aircraft hanger at four o’ clock in the afternoon, people did turn up and David and his band had a jolly good time. Off course the perks of the job helped, ‘their hospitality was incredible. They just had the most amazing backstage area, they sorted us out completely.’ A former East Dulwich resident, now residing near the House of Jack in Camden Town, David is a well turned out chap, all un-fussy and a bit too cool. And Jack’s not the only one to have noticed, ‘when I was waiting up the street for you guys there was some group that asked to take my photo for some style thing. I said no but then I felt a bit bad about it, ‘cause they were still standing there and I was left, waiting for you, so it was a bit awkward and maybe even looked worse,‘ he says, clearly a bit embarrassed by the whole episode. ‘But you don’t want to end up in one of those things in The Metro. You know when there’s a photo of somebody going ‘Charlotte, 21, student, with a scarf from blah…’ Good point, well made. Not content with declining photo opps- luckily not ours, despite being made to stand next to what was clearly fragrant faeces- upcoming projects are far from low on the diligent man’s agenda. ‘I did the music for a film by Don Letts. It’s a film about him and I wrote the score; it’s kind of dub step, but not like Rusko or anything, more relaxing instead. And I’ve got a whole other project this week, also the album’s down. It’s called Music For Tunnels, or something to that effect.’ With an uncertain release date at time of going to print (think late September early October), the first single to be taken from Music For Tunnels is Party Killer, out August 16th. A bit LCD Soundsystem with an East London edge, a party killer it is far from. The video too is an absolute treat for visuals fans, made by Lewis Arnold and Phil Barber it sees David painted head to toe in white (sunnies included) with projections shone on his tall frame. Before the tape is turned off and the joys of BBC Iplayer deliberated (it’s basically better than owning a telly box), Jack has one final thought. David E Sugar, what remix would you have liked to take credit for? ‘Oh god hundreds, absolutely loads. There’s one of Rufus Wainwright’s by Supermayer. It was actually rejected by the label and a friend of mine got hold of it somehow. But I think they’ve just released it, so that one.’ A little You Tube action tells us the tune is Tiergarten, and we will of course be downloading it at once. Thanks David, it’s been a pleasure. David plays Jack Comes Alive, 25th August.

words : Lucy Hancock | illustration katie Allen

So here I am. I’ve finally crash landed in the big smoke. After very narrowly escaping Desmond Tutu, I have actually officially come to seek my fortune. I’m not sure if my path on the quest to journalistic stardom really rivals Anne Hathaway’s. I don’t remember The Devil Wears Prada featuring her eyes crossing and rolling into the back of her head as she slowly tapped stockists’ details into an excel database. I keep waiting for people to send me out for coffee so I can leap on and off the curb like they do in Gossip Girl carrying my Starbucks tray and trying to hail a taxi. Nobody has yet. Unfortunately I don’t really have the dosh for taxis and spend most of my working day either alone or sat in silence and feeling alone. I was quite boasty at university about the fact that I would be interning, but as the postcards from exotic locations flood in images: Kris Kidd

words : Leila Hartley

Coco De Coeur After a tip off from my friend Christian from South East band Louellen, I checked out LA based brand Coco De Coeur. Coco De Coeur is US style icon, Audrey Kitching’s first foray in to the design world. Along with her partner, Morgan Root, she’s come up with a collection of ultra-sheer, oversized and cropped t-shirts for the misfit in all of us. Inspired by badasses past and present, the t-shirts are meant to express exactly how the wearer

and my flip flop toe scum builds I wonder if I really ought to have been so smug. So I’ve actually been working for approximately two weeks and already I have successfully cultivated the resentment and unbridled fury that comes with being a commuter. The whole waking up at 8am thing is pretty horrendous for starters. I have been late every day this week, rising every morning regretting cracking open the unnecessary wine and doing the unnecessary staying up. I shuffle my stumps to Brixton Station and jump on the clammy tube, where everything I see makes me incandescent with rage. Everywhere I turn in London I find something new to be angry about. First it’s that f*cking Wispa Duo advert. How annoying is that? Splitting a chocolate bar in half has never really been breaking confectionery news and I don’t want to hear about it. Not even if you turn it upside down and ask me inane questions this early in the morning. Tourists make me angry (particularly Americans), warm tube seats make me angry, Big Issue sellers, queues and slow walkers. According to the park warden it now costs £1.50 an hour to sit down in London even if you sock him your most self important vitriol. London is the sort of place that turns you into a Daily Mail reader, the kind of person that writes in, or maybe one of those people on ‘Points of View’ that alarms Terry Wogan with their misplaced and irrational fury. Today on the way to work I sat next to a man with a cocktail stick for a toothpick. Whatever it was he was picking out of his teeth I could smell and actually did a little gag when he picked the best bits out of his back molars brought them out for a quick look, then popped them

back in. I felt like shaking him and saying ‘what the f*ck is wrong with you?’.... but I was far too angry. The crazy man with the megaphone at Brixton tube is wrong. Jesus does not want to me to ‘get along with other men’ he has designed them so that all I want to do is little quick punches into their backs. And anyway I think if Jesus Christ had to choose a PR man, a guy to rake in all the press, as almighty creator of man, I’m not sure if he’d have chosen this toothless, high pitched lunatic for the job. So my new favourite trick (as if to test the theory that London is exclusively populated by c*nts) is to puff out my impressively fat stomach and pretend to be pregnant in order to guarantee a seat on the tube. I tend to stick my stomach in people’s faces and tenderly nurse my bacon sandwich paunch until someone stands up and gives me a seat, where it turns out quite painful to stay puffed out making me even crosser. If noone stands, which is generally the case, I tend to look around for encouragement and roll my eyes a lot. This is the only thing that angry Londoners console each other with. Eye rolling. Yesterday, as a little bead of sweat rolled out of my armpit, I clutched my baby bulge and scanned the train for adverts that would make me more cross, when I suddenly locked eyes with a familiar face. She shot me a strained smile and her eyes darted down at my stomach. Registering her confusion and the fact that the girl is my age and lives three doors down from me I panicked and sucked it all in. Poof! Baby gone, just a weird woman that was pretending to be preggo now. I looked around, hoping to catch an eye that would 55 find my little trick quirky and hilarious and there wasn’t one. If you were wondering, ‘The London look’ is sweaty and red.

feels, without the cheese of your average graphic tee. Audrey and Morgan have recently released ten new styles including tote bags and ultra cute ‘Wasted Youth’ pin badges. I’ve already got my ‘Hell Yeah‘ tee in sexy sheer cotton. Check out their website and try to pretend you don’t want to be as cool as them! www.cocodecoeur.com www.myspace.com/louellenuk

E One Six London Daniel Blake is a name equitable with womenswear although he has always found inspiration in menswear for shape, fabrication and subtle detailing. Daniel’s recent route into menswear, although unexpected, seems a natural path to take. E One Six London, a collection of shirts, draws on Daniel’s love of construction and need to keep his work fresh and new. With four styles to choose from each shirt is beautifully tailored and perfectly constructed with details for the modern man.

images: Olivia Estebanez

The Cutty Sark for example is a fitted shirt with contrast patches on the elbows. Prices start at £135, which is a fair price for quality tailored cotton and excellent styling. www.danielblake.co.uk www.eonesixlondon.com

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Much like the state of the English football or the eventual demise of the British government with the Chuckle Brothers in charge, the best frontman is one of those classic debates that everyone seems to have an opinion on. From Shaun Ryder to Ricky Wilson, there is a chubby abundance of different frontman of every style, type, look, approach and ilk, all who stand on the stage, wearing their musical heart on their sleeve for all to see. So while Q Magazine readers recently voted Oasis’ Liam Gallagher as The Greatest Frontman Ever, we at Jack spoke to a few people in the know to see if they agreed…

So firstly, do you agree with Q Magazine’s naming of Liam Gallagher as the Greatest Frontman of All Time?

I grew up listening to and watching Queen thanks to my parents and so he was probably the first example of a great frontman I knew of. The first but still the best.

Brian: (put quite simply) No.

Grant: Yep me too - Freddie Mercury. He was in such control of the audience. You totally believed him. An entertainer…and also a bit off the wall.

Anthony: No me neither really. He is part of a lineage of frontmen. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not down on Liam at all. He’s great. The whole ‘greatest’ thing is a bit puerile isn’t it? It’s just bollocks really! Q really has gone downhill lately hasn’t it? Grant: I think liam has a great stage presence but I think there has been better front men… LYDON,MORRISON, COBAIN, MERCURY… Louise: Although I can see why the bad attitude thing is appealing, coupled with a lack of intelligence and dubious voice...it doesn’t make a great frontman in my opinion. He doesn’t really engage people, more than just stands there trying to look intimidating. Sunta: I remember being slightly perplexed about that poll when it was published. In fact everyone I know was pretty shocked. Don’t get me wrong Liam obviously has a lot of the traits of a great frontman but the greatest of all time? I don’t think so. Apparently it was voted for by the readers of magazine which maybe says something about them, or at least the ones who can be bothered to enter a poll!

Ok so who in your eyes is the perfect frontman? Sunta: I hope this doesn’t ruin any indie credibility I (may) have, but I’m going with Freddie Mercury.

Louise: Me three. And I’m not really a Queen fan. But he had great presence. I knew that if I had gone to a Queen gig back in the day, whilst not really enjoying all their music, I still would have had an amazing time and been blown away. Anthony: For me it’s circumstantial. In my eyes I’m the perfect frontman for my band, but I would probably be a bit out of my depth leading a thrash metal or power pop band, for example. When you start a band you are creating an environment that requires X, Y, and Z. I’m the best person to fit Z as it is an extension of me, and I’m the best me I know. Brian: Anton Newcombe of the Brian Jonestown Massacre because he is so completely unhinged that you can’t take your eyes off him. Same applies to quite a few frontwomen too, mind…

What are the essential ingredients needed to craft this rock icon then? Sunta: One word - Sex. I see the term frontman as non-gender specific and would include Debbie Harry as one of the best frontmen ever. How could anyone tear their eyes away from the blonde in the man’s shirt and little else singing on the stage. Even the plainest frontman of the smallest band instantly ups his chances of getting laid by standing at the front of the stage. Frontmen are sexy. Truly great frontmen also need something else though that separates them from the normal people. David Bowie was other worldly. Iggy Pop was scary and generally naked. Even Liam Gallagher is the guy you’d cross the street to avoid because he looks like he might want to fight you.

I don’t want my frontmen to be the boy or girl next door, they’ve got to have something else about them. Grant: No inhibition, confidence, sex appeal, vulnerability… Brian: …Musical ability and unpredictability. Louise: It has to be a good mix of someone you can relate to, admire and respect, whilst knowing they are inaccessible. Someone you dream of being. Talented, a good spokesperson, charismatic and enviably cool! Anthony: They say that only cream and bastards rise, so I suppose I’m a bit of both.

With this in mind, who is the best frontman of the last 10 years? Grant: Bono is a great frontman - love him or hate him…..I also love Dave Grohl for his humour and back to basics approach. Louise: As a female I really admire front women like Karen O. Sunta: I’m going to go with probably not an obvious choice - The first time I saw The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster I had less than a minute to glimpse frontman Guy McKnight before he threw himself into the crowd. This act and high energy was repeated for the rest of the gig, alongside amazing charisma, vocal talent and great songs. I’d urge anyone who likes a good show to go see them. Anthony: Me, and I have to think that or I wouldn’t bother getting up on a stage and doing it. You don’t get up in the morning and say to yourself, ‘well I’m probably more in tune than Ian Brown, but probably not as good as James Brown’ do you? Brian: …Erm, Seasick Steve.

How about their stage presence? Do they all need to jump around like loons?! Louise: Well, whilst I prefer them to be quietly modest off-stage and not too full of themselves, when they’re on-stage they need to transform into a bit of a showman and engage the audience. Sunta: Yea it’s got to be jumping around! My favourite band as a teenager were

...Some front men go up their own arses and take themselves too seriously

Blur in the era when Damon Albarn didn’t stop running around and jumping about the stage for the whole of their 90minute set. That much energy is infectious and much more fun than just standing there looking aggressive or worse – bored. Brian: In general quiet modesty, mystique, and involving of the audience. Most definitely not arrogance. Grant: It’s a mix of all 3 I think… Anthony: Charisma is a funny thing. I have seen front men who do very little and you are spellbound, and others who really go for it physically and it’s really exciting. I have also seen a lot of front men faking it. Performances are improvisational by nature. Just like the music can change dramatically if we hit a groove with a song, so do I. I react accordingly and this creates the performance. Anything else is cabaret.

So what’s the best performance you’ve ever seen by a frontman? Sunta: Having just said that about energetic live performances, a frontman who really stands out to me for an amazing performance is Guy Garvey from Elbow. He doesn’t jump around, I grant you but he does possess a unique ability to connect with a crowd on a level that makes every single person think this one is being sung just for them. That’s pretty special to witness too. Brian: Hmm, tied between, again, Anton Newcombe – because you never knew what was going to happen next, and Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) – comedy, personality, appreciative of audience, and surprisingly hard-drinking. Anthony: This one is easy. That would be the Rolling Stones. The band has played like shit for 25 years, and haven’t written a decent tune for 30, so their whole mystique has relied on a pair of lips. Now that’s a great performance. Grant: Again for me it’s Freddie Mercury at Live Aid, the crowd were eating out of his hand…. Louise: For hilarity value I would have to say Iggy Pop at ATP a few years back. He basically took all his clothes off, then stage dived into the crowd completely naked. Won’t forget that moment in a hurry!

Ha! No, we can imagine you wouldn’t! Are live performances just as important as the music? Louise: Absolutely! It could make the difference between members of the crowd enjoying the gig, or leaving

with a bad taste in their mouth...and if a frontman does have a bad rapport with the crowd, you may not be able to count on them for future ticket and/or record sales. At festivals especially, bands are usually playing to a crowd not entirely made up of die-hard fans so surely their aim is to convert them. Anthony: I have had stick in the past for being confrontational with audiences. Music unites as much as it divides, so it is a confrontation! You have to win an audience over, draw them in, include them, and that is why the performance is crucial to the music. The two are symbiotic. Brian: It has perhaps a greater influence on an audiences’ enjoyment of a gig than the sound quality or set. I saw Van Morrison recently who didn’t say a word to the audience and consequently there it was difficult to feel a real connection or involvement in the show. Sunta: Yeah seeing music performed live is SO important and most of the bands I speak to tell me the same too. Listening to the songs alone is like dating but when you go and see a band you love live for the first time, that’s when a relationship begins. Grant: You can win over new fans at a live show. It is the best way of understanding what the band is all about. When a band connects with an audience it’s a great moment.

But with all this love and adoration, is there a risk that the frontman’s ego can be the death of a decent band? (coughRichard Ashcroft-cough) Brian: Cough-Jonny Borrell-cough… Sunta: Isn’t this the classic frontman ego overload? As old as time and music itself? It’s pretty much a certainty that all that adoration stood at the front of the stage is going to have some affect on the way you then treat the people you interact with on a daily basis. Grant: There is a danger but it’s really down to the music and chemistry in the band. Some front men go up their own arses and take themselves too seriously. Anthony: Yeah but Richard Ashcroft is the villain because he is the most high profile member of the band. He was once described to me by a mutual friend as ‘the goose that laid the golden egg’, and after Urban Hymns no one could argue that he was anything less than brilliant. I mean he had just sold seven million albums, who’s gonna argue that he wasn’t great? The frontman, by definition, has to have an ego, and that ego tends to dominate. But it’s up to your band members to temper it. It’s a tricky one! Louise: If the ego expands too much then it can be destructive to the band and their sound. I guess it is important for any frontman to remember that they are only one part of the puzzle in terms of the band, and not to let the attention take them over and lead them to believe they have control over everything!

I had less than a minute to glimpse frontman Guy McKnight before he threw himself into the crowd.

Ignoring this whole chat about frontmen…do you feel that a band can work without a frontman? Brian: Yes it can work with shared responsibilities as long as there is some character and interaction within and between band members and crowd. Duos often work well! Sunta: Looking through my personal record collection the only acts I’m really into without frontmen are dance acts, but they are no less amazing live. Orbital, Justice and The Chemical Brothers still have an ability to connect with and share an experience with a crowd, without one figurehead stood at the front of the stage. Louise: There are some great bands that don’t have frontmen. And the frontman is not always necessarily the band leader or the person you associate with the band. And then there’s the likes of Dave Grohl who can flit between fronting a band and then hiding at the back behind the drums. Grant: It’s good for a band to have a focus point but I think it really depends on the music you are playing. There are no rules but the singer needs to engage the audience in some way. Kurt Cobain was often reserved when playing but he had such a presence and intensity on stage. Any good rock band also needs a good drummer. Anthony: A band like Justice are two blokes, so who’s the frontman there? Scissor Sisters have front people, so again it’s circumstantial. It depends on the kind of music being made and how roles are perceived by others. Most bands develop a gang mentality and all gangs need a ring leader. I don’t feel The Truths would work without a frontman but responsibility is shared in the sense that each person has their own charisma that they bring to the table. In my opinion the best bands are bigger than the sum of their parts.

Matt Hamm

What I love and Hate about London Dislikes:

Likes:

The Traffic The heavy congestion and huge amount of crazy drivers makes cycling in London pretty dodgy but at the same time exciting. What with mad close nearmisses with rowdy taxi drivers, heaps of bendy-buses and loads of pot-holes, the traffic in London really does keep you on your toes!

The Old Queens Head A really awesome pub in Angel where I spent a lot of time in my first year of uni, during that time I was writing the EP Shatter with Mikill Pane. We often head there on a Thursday evening after a studio session to see the live acts they have upstairs and I’ve had some great times there. Now in my 3rd year at uni, 3 of my close mates working there and I find myself hanging out there more often than at home. Great music, and great atmosphere, definitely a place I’d like to play.

The Ice Cream Vans Every morning at around 9.30am when I’m in bed I can hear around 3 ice cream vans blasting out their tunes all completely out of sink, and I’m convinced no one eats ice-cream at that hour and they’re there even if its raining!

Regents Canal My last flat had a balcony beside the canal, and I would sit and watch the boats go by, and keep a close eye on the moorhens that nested all down the banks. It was great in the evenings sat out there watching cyclists weave their way down the tow-path gingerly, and in the winter seeing how far we would dare walk on it when it iced over! It also serves as one of my main routes to uni and to London Fields, Victoria Park etc. The London Grind A website/blog that’s run by a load of really safe guys that have always been hugely enthusiastic about featuring Mikill’s and my music on their site.They’ve organised shoots for us, featured interviews and are now planning to shoot the video for our latest single Party Animal. Big thanks to those guys.

Will DJs at Jack Comes Alive, 25th August.

This month, I find myself unable to extract myself from my present surroundings. When I close my eyes I just can’t direct you as helpfully around Chinatown as I promised, but I’ll give you some pointers and hopefully give you a chance to enjoy my out of body street food reverie. I’m in Bangkok in Chinatown, I’ve been in South East Asia for two months. I’m old enough to leave my fisherman’s pants at home but my street food ‘lingo whether I’m in Singapore, Malaysia or especially Thailand gives me enough phrases and understanding to perpetuate my dream. A traveling chef, existing on local delicacies, offal and the hospitality that comes with illegal rice wine, sleeping when I’m full and rising in a foggy hangover and a big smile. Below are the dishes that I want you to try at home, the fun ones that remind me of feeling the hot sand between my toes and friendly faces squinting in the sun. The solemn pride and a days sweat and tears when a noodle vendor silently puts a bowl of steaming goodness before me on some rickety table in a dark back street. Chinatown is changing, for a time in the 90’s restaurants really went in for the all out buffet, everywhere was doing lunch time specials and all you can eats. Gerrard Street turned into a tourist trap nightmare. Thankfully a handful of restaurants along Wardour Street bucked the trend, and still provide some good eating, they also catered for the more modern diner.

Like the students from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Mainland China was just starting to be represented too. Along Shaftesbury Avenue you can find Hunanese, Sichuan and Shandong restaurants. Think steamed fish heads in chilli sauce, numbing hot pot and braised carp respectively. The diversity has also shown itself in the produce on offer. Loon Fung and New Loon Moon supermarket both Chinatown institutions now have an Indonesian section and a Thai section with fresh produce flown in weekly. The butcher in Loon Fung is superb, ribs, pork liver, tripe and boiling hens are all there, and the way they deftly flick what you’ve bought over the counter and into your basket is a nice touch. You can even get the delicious Ipoh ‘white’ coffee from Malaysia in some of the shops along Gerrard Street. On Lisle Street is See Woo, great for the more familiar Cantonese ingredients and has an awesome section downstairs to pick up a massive Chinese cleaver and a wok. The very grumpy woman who works there gives good advice. I picked up a metal handled cleaver to test the weight. ‘When wet, handle slip and cut off arm’, she warned me. I went for a wooden handled one instead. So now to what I’ll be making when I get back, with what you can get in Chinatown. This should be an adventure, will take a day and you’ll get to speak a bit of Cantonese. It ain’t no egg fried rice.

Cooking Around The World (From London) This month Luke is taking us on a tour of Chinatown sharing some tasty recipes and the best places to find all the obscure ingredients needed to make them. He’s currently in Chinatown in Bangkok, so the recipes are what he’s been enjoying out there and will be cooking when he get’s back.

Steamed Ribs with Lotus Leaf

Pineapple Baked Rice

Fried Prawns

Crispy Banana Rolls

450g pork ribs, chopped into chunks / 1 large piece dried lotus leaf, available in string tied packs in See Woo. Soak in water / 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped / 2 tbsp cooking oil / 5 Chinese mushrooms soaked for 30 minutes in warm water, or until soft / 1 tbsp oyster sauce / 1 tbsp light soy sauce / 2 tbsp Hua Diao rice wine (it comes in a bottle that you’ll recognise from drunken masters in kung fu films) Shao Shing works fine too. / 1tsp sugar / pinch of pepper / 1 tbsp Angelica Root powder (you can find this in a herbalist, it can be omitted but with the addition of the wine in this recipe, is excellent for invigorating the blood and giving you nice rosy cheeks) / 1tsp chicken stock powder (now widely replacing the use of MSG in classier Chinese cooking) / 1 bamboo steaming basket, big enough to hold the ribs /

A recipe that you can find all over South East Asia. This Thailand recipe uses prawn, squid and crab meat but has a Chinese element in the sausage (wind dried sausage, or lap cheong).

A great place to get big tiger prawns is in the freezer section of See Woo. They come in big bricks. The ones still with their heads and shells, stand up better to the blast freezing process and have a better flavour. Soak the defrosted prawns in a little salted water for 10 minutes prior to using to firm up and sweeten the flesh.

These are just delicious, and with the addition of condensed milk and a little grated coconut, sublime.

Heat up the oil and fry the garlic over a low heat until fragrant, turn up the heat and add in the ribs and colour, add the mushrooms at this point. Add the seasonings, rice wine and the angelica root powder if using. Pour in 1 small bowl of water and braise for 5 minutes. Line the steamer with lotus leaves and put the whole ribs mixture inside. Steam it over a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes or longer until soft and juicy. Bring the steamer to the table and serve.

2 to 3 bowls yesterdays steamed rice / 1 pineapple (it is ripe if the leaves pull out easily from the top) / 4 tbsp cooking oil / 3 cloves of garlic chopped / 2 tbsp red chilli chopped / 2 tbsp green chilli chopped / 2 Chinese sausages thinly sliced / 3 squids cut into rings / ½ a small bowl fresh crab meat / 1 tbsp chicken stock powder / pinch of salt and pepper / 100g cashew nuts / coriander and chopped spring onions to garnish / Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Cut a third of the pineapple off lengthways and hollow the flesh out to make a bowl with a lid. Mix the pineapple flesh with the rice and fry in 2 tbsp oil turning all the time to heat through. Heat up 2 tbsp oil and fry the garlic, chilli, Chinese sausage, and squid until fragrant (3 minutes). Add the rice and pineapple mixture, then the chicken stock powder and salt and pepper. Keep cooking, turning all the time until the mixture loses a lot of its moisture. Put in the pineapple and replace the lid. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove the lid. Serve garnished with the cashew nuts coriander and spring onion

200g tiger prawns with shells and heads. / 4 tbsp oil / 1 small shredded onion / 1 long red chilli shredded / handful of small dried prawns. (Jeeny’s is a good brand) / 1 lime, squeezed for juice / 100g red chilli / 50g shallots / 2 small pieces shrimp paste (belacan) / 50g birds eye chilli / 50g garlic / small handful dried shrimps / 2 tsp sugar / ½ tsp MSG / ½ tsp salt / Rinse prawns. Heat up 3 tablespoons of cooking oil over a high heat and stir-fry prawns until golden. Remove and drain. Blend the other ingredients except the lime in a food processor. Cook the blended sauce over a low heat in the wok with 2 tablespoons of oil until thick and fragrant. Add in the prawns. Serve with the lime juice spooned over.

8 mini bananas, or 4 regular bananas cut in half / 8 sheets spring roll sheet, usually in the chiller section next to fresh noodles / a beaten egg / 100ml condensed milk / some shredded coconut / oil for deep frying / Peel the bananas and wrap up in spring roll sheet. Seal with some beaten egg. Deep fry the banana rolls at a low heat until golden brown. Remove and drain. Gently cut the banana rolls into sections. Sprinkle with shredded coconut and dip with condensed milk when serving. Next month I’ll be on Kingsland Road, getting very serious about real Vietnamese food, without mentioning pho (pronounced furh) once.

words and recipes : Luke Farrell

images: Jamie McGregor Smith / creative direction : Faye Héran / styling : Jo Bevis / make up : Clare Byrant using M.A.C Cosmetics, www.maccosmetics.co.uk / hair: Soichi Inagaki using Keihl’s, www.kiehls.com / Face and Body Paint : Siobhan Ashman using Snazaroo, www.snazaroo.com / / Nails : Ciaté : www.loveciate. com / Assistants : Amy Williams : Zoe Williams / Models : Shelby at FM Agency, Dudley at D1 Models, Rachel at Bookings / Thanks to : Christina at the Portobello Lounge and Richard at the Tabernacle

Shelby wears: Print t-shirt and skirt : Urban Outfitters : www.UrbanOutfitters.co.uk / Red wedges : Topshop : www.topshop.com / Vintage sunglasses : Stylist’s own / Neon loudhalliers : Escapade Fancydress : www.escapade.co.uk / Dudley wears: Print t-shirt : Lovelymonstory : www.lovelymonstory.com / Circle scarf : American Apparel : www.americanapparel.co.uk / Trainers : PUMA : www.puma.com / Grey joggers : Franklin Marshall / Headphones : Urbanears : both at Urban Outfitters www. UrbanOutfitters.co.uk / Blue watch : G-Shock : www.gshock.com / Rachel wears: Lace body : River Island : www.riverisland.com / Pink skirt : American Apparel : www. americanapparel.co.uk / Pink bra : Topshop : www.topshop.com / Grey wedges : Urban Outfitters, : www.UrbanOutfitters.co.uk / Rainbow mask : Escapade Fancy Dress : www.escapade.co.uk / Whistle laces : www.riverisland.com / Silver whistle : Stylist’s own / Pom-pom bunting : VV Rouleaux : www.vvrouleaux.com

Rachel wears: Bra top, Louise Gray : www.louisegraylondon.com / Head dress : Carnival Village : www.carnivalvillage.org.uk

Rachel wears: Scarf dress : Mensah Boutique : Portobello Road / Beaded necklace : VV Rouleaux : www.vvrouleaux.com / Grey wedges : Urban Outfitters : www.UrbanOutfitters.co.uk / Tuille skirts (styled as pom-poms) : Beyond Retro : www.beyondretro.com

Dudley wears: Paint splash t-shirt : H&M : www.hm.com / Blue shorts : Monkee Genes : www. monkeegenes.co.uk / Ghetto-blaster necklace : Graffik London : www.graffiklondon.co.uk /

Shelby wears: Fringed t-shirt : Kids On Trip : www.notjustalabel.com/kidsontrip / Neon skirt : H&M : www.hm.com / Red wedges : Topshop : www. topshop.com / Head dress : Carnival Village : www.carnivalvillage.org.uk

Dudley wears: Yellow vest : Topman : www.topman.com / Vintage jeans : Beyond Retro, : www.beyondretro.com / Graffiti pumps : Graffik London : www.graffiklondon.co.uk / Whistle laces : River Island : www.riverisland.com / Shelby wears: Graffiti dress : River Island : www.riverisland.com / Sneaker necklaces : Graffik London : www.graffiklondon.co.uk / Neon loudhalliers : Escapade Fancydress : www.escapade.co.uk / Rachel wears: Print dress : Oasis : www.oasis-stores.com / Whistle necklaces : River Island : www.riverisland.com / Ribbon pole : VV Rouleaux : www.vvrouleaux.com / Police hat : Escapade Fancy Dress : www.escapade. co.uk / Pom-pom and zigzag bunting : VV Rouleaux : www.vvrouleaux.com / Tuille skirts (used as decoration) : Beyond Retro : www.beyondretro.com

Interview With The Illustrator When somebody says the word ‘illustration’ to you, what do you think of? Quentin Blake’s charming scribbles alongside Roald Dahl’s rapid-fire witterings? A quick watercolour of a smart pair of deck shoes alongside a fashion column in a newspaper? Or maybe even that vaguely useful self-assembly handbook that came with your Ikea desk? Think again. Illustration seems to be increasingly fluid, able to lend itself to areas of art foreign to our initial conception of it, in which it is often regarded as a practice tied to the text, rich with the nostalgia of childhood.

The demand for illustrators to work in an increasing array of areas, with an ability to have mastered the traditional pen and pencil, along with the latest technologies, would seem to hint at a burgeoning pressure on these artists to keep up to speed. I wouldn’t worry, though; our contemporary illustrators are more than capable of turning their hand to the task. Anne-Sophie Rosenvinge Skov is one to watch in this respect. Part of a new generation of practicing illustrators, this London-based Dane has already worked with internationally-renowned artists

including Carolina Melis, has stocked a boutique in Spain with her work, and currently stocks one in Paris, all alongside her studies at LCC. Turning her hand to anything from updating her great-grandmother’s embroidery patterns to creating geometric outfits, the value of the hand-made is evident in Anne-Sophie’s work, and she talks to us about the role of illustration in contemporary art, and what drew her to it.

What was it that convinced you that you should become an illustrator? ‘I think illustration found me to be honest... Or at least my visual line and style informed my choice. Before I came to London to do my foundation at Chelsea College I used to only paint and draw, thinking the tools for creativity were brushes or pens. I wasn’t really aware of visual communication as a practice before my tutor decided that I was a ‘story-teller’ and that my work always carried within itself a hidden narrative.

words: Donna Marie Howard images: Anne-Sophie Rosenvinge-Skov www.rosewingwood.blogspot.com/

So I agreed and went ahead with this idea of being good at creating visual universes, trying to bridge fantasy with reality.’ Who do you consider to be your artistic influences? ‘Anyone or anything can influence and inspire me; many creatives would probably agree with that. I follow blogs and always end up looking at lots of fascinating stuff, I wander around London with a sketchbook and a camera, and I collect bits and pieces like there’s no tomorrow. I need piles of imagery to look at and cut up to stimulate my productivity. Also, I find that listening to music has a surprisingly large impact on my work. The biggest turning point, however, was when I started interning at Nexus Productions for Carolina Melis.

It was quite intriguing to look over their shoulders and witness where they drew their sources of inspiration from.’

all. At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what media you use, it’s how they marry with a visual statement.’

What materials do you primarily work in, and why? ‘I tend to work in traditional media as I am very ‘hands-on’ with what I do. I love the pace, and the sensation of touching the texture of a surface. Playing around with images, trying to build on images, constructing and reconstructing them is always my starting point. I like to embrace the element of chance, which I think can make the work become more personal. I find collage making allows for these sort of unexpected things to happen. Interesting and unusual results can come from nowhere, and personally I think the process of getting from A to B to C and back to B is the most exciting part of it

Do you have any favourite pieces of illustration from when you were younger? ‘At my childhood home in Denmark my mother had an old printers type case hanging on the wall stuffed with strange objects collected over many years. I always used to take the bits out, rearrange the whole thing, create patterns and put them back according to colour and size. I didn’t know what I was doing back then, but still to this day I find it to be such a liberating way of playing with composition. I learn something new from it every time.’

In terms of books, particularly children’s books, how important do you feel the illustrations are in either creating or guiding the reader’s sense of narrative? ‘Very important, no doubt about that. Illustrations do the job of translating words into images, for children to quickly and simply make sense of the story being told. No need for long-winded explanations of what a windmill looks like, it wouldn’t keep their attention for very long. I also think illustrations accompanying a story should be suggestive. They should feed a child’s imagination but at the same time remain deliberately ‘incomplete’ for their own imagination to complete the framework. For instance, the children’s book I did last year featured a cat without any facial characteristics apart from eyebrows and a wiggling growing tail that carried its expression entirely. Adults, on the other hand, have the patience to read pages of descriptions, whilst subconsciously building up an envisioned world. I always find it a nice surprise if there are visuals in the books I am reading.’ Do you consider illustration to be undervalued as an art form, or do you think it has very much its own niche? ‘Undervalued? Maybe, but I think it’s beginning to become something more than just visualising art, that’s for sure. I read an article named, The Transitionists, about creatives working as both graphic designers and fine artists pursuing both equally, and letting them inform each other. Personally, I think there is a new attitude to working as a multidisciplinary creative where you need not to be confined by a title on your practice.

Illustration in particular has started to blend in and fuse with other forms and is now viewed by much broader audiences. Maybe this movement takes away the skepticism from art critics by acknowledging that transition between creative platforms is an amazing skill to possess.’

GEORGIE + JAMES\ H UNC R K EDIT EW : R K THE ALK KR t types differen o W tw of u T o and one bring y KA er order, onth we

Did you dress up as a child? Feel like you’ve forgotten that innocence and playful nature? Feel like you want to recycle and contribute to the planet but you are confused by all those green tubs? Well now you can do all of this in one swoop! Just contact GEORGIEandJAMES at georgienjames@googlemail.com Become part of us. Become part of the revolution. The process is simple - we come to your house, we go through your Wardrobe, we create a look using your stuff. We give your character a name, we give your character powers, we add you into the ever growing story of : THE KREDIT KRUNCH KATWALK KREW!

b This m ne of so overs, o of make chaos. drunken PREPPYMAN

We were invited over to a transformee’s house in the baking hot weather of recent. We were looking forward to seeing what we could do despite the hot rays beating down upon us and envisaged a sweaty betty of a transformation. We arrived at a trendy warehouse conversion in trendy Dalston, where (according to wikipedia) everything ‘trendy’ lives. The space was huge - you know the score, one of those trendy old factories that has been converted for filling with trendy furniture. Only when we got there, it seemed to be pretty devoid of furniture. Minimalist chic we were told, is ‘in’ again, which basically means justifying sitting on a cardboard box instead of a chair. Looking around we spotted a very organised and systematic living space, which was orchestrated with a pinch of OCD. We knew that it was important to use this as the basis for the transformation, as rifling through his wardrobe, we saw ‘serious’ clothing to match the ‘serious’ interior. Devoid of patterns or bright colours with no hints of fluoros to be seen anywhere, we started to pull together a look that would not only work with the wardrobe, but also to repraZent his style like.

PreppyMan wears :

Channelling the inner prefect within, we worked with a pastel/ nature palette, contrasted by some snazzy margiela shoes (for a bit of excitement ) all polished off with a nice preppy cardigan slung around the shoulders, you know, for the ‘oxbridge’ look. And from within the warehouse voidspace, Mr.Preppyman was born, to bring order to the world, sharpen all the pencils to the same length, and put everything into nice straight lines.

Shirt : Tsumori Chisato : www. virtualjapan.com/wiki/Chisato_ Tsumori Trousers : Yohji Yamamoto www.yohjiyamamoto.co.uk Shoes : Maison Martin Margiela www.maisonmartinmargiela. com Jumper : John Smedley www.johnsmedley.com Vintage sunglasses : Linda Farrow www.lindafarrow.co.uk Vintage ‘box of delights’ : YSL www.ysl.com

THE STEPFORD DRUNK On the other hand, sometimes a transformation can be rather messy. Usually because of the plonk that’s flowing about. We’d rocked up to another stab at a transformation request, which we were excited about, as it meant leaving London again to facilitate ‘le maquillage’.

we knew that the transformation had to reflect her pissed up nature. Well, that and the fact that she could barely manage to put any of the clothes on properly (with much hilarity).

Sometimes when we are doing this it is more fun to sit back and watch a drunken girl put tights on We arrived at a decidedly old place, her head thinking it is a hat, and it’s even better when it works together which was the complete opposite of our experiences sans with ‘la vision’. warehouse space a few weeks prior. Stuff was everywhere, piled So after much fumbling about we managed to get her upright and up clothing, accessories, books, objects......you name it, it was there. slightly still enough to photograph It was a bit like being involved in a the drunken mess. She swayed lock in at a jumble sale. And it was around, dancing the drunken dance great! There was so much to look to invoke the wine god, which we at we thought our transforming documented for the rest of you. brains would explode at the The Stepford Drunk was born! Like potential. a squealing baby, she will be the Unfortunately we decided that the life and soul of your party, best way to start was with wine. just dont let her near your carpets! And lots of wine. It was at some point that the wine seemed to be a key focus of the event, which is never a problem! As the host / willing victim became more and more drunken,

The Stepford Drunk wears : Lace and ostrich cardigan : Portobello Market Dress : vintage store in NYC, Purple slip : The Drunk Heels : Paul Smith www.paulsmith.co.uk Tights (worn as scarf) and hat : topshop www.topshop.com

Get your old clothes styled by Georgie and James at Jack Comes Alive, 25th August.

www.kreditkrunchkatwalkkrew.blogspot.com www.georgieandjames.blogspot.com

JACK COMES ALIVE

If you missed this one, get to the next Jack Comes Alive in August on the 25th at Proud, Camden.

SCENE STEALER

I Love You For Loving Me

The more you ignore me, the closer I get. Erin Daniel Mckee

The cool chicks at Cherish PR had organised everything. It was a whistle stop, in and out affair though as we had further events to attend. After our hour in Leeds we went directly talented design duo, Rocky and Tatum Mazzilli from Year Zero. They graciously dressed Mica and I for the evenings do’s.

Since the beginning after my move back to London I went on a huge health kick for many reasons but primarily because I wanted to feel and look better in the city. I got my personal trainer to the stars, Mr Nick Mitchell, worked out three times a week, ate a diet he designed for me – fish for brekkie (yuk!) etc, I started taking a multitude of vitamins, went to bed early, refrained from drinking and if a party was involved I was the first to leave. I was very proud of myself. Smug, almost. I pontificated on my quasi-California adopted lifestyle and convinced myself that I had laid my ‘demons’ to rest. I was looking goooooood, and felt a million bucks. In my arrogance I started to lapse. Missing gym appointments, not bothering to have my turkey breasts as prescribed and staying an extra hour or four at a showbiz party. It seems the novelty of my new life choices had begun to wear off. I had not conquered the demons, I had merely ignored them. So back to the drawing board again I suppose. After a few mea culpa’s to people, including my trainer, I have begun again. Discipline and balance being my mantra. And this time with my eyes wide open and the ‘demons’ of complacency always in the corner of my eye – not ignored. For indeed the more I ignored them the closer they got. Party Favours After reading the above, do not start mistaking me for some wall flower! I have had a very busy month in showbiz-land. It started in Italy with the Ferdinando Cioffi photography exhibition in the resort town of Pietrasanta, home of the artist Botero. Duran’s Roger Taylor and his wife Gisella were the guests of honour who flew down to attend.

It was a beautiful three day event and the Italian Duran fans were not disappointing. We even had to call in police protection as they became increasingly over enthusiastic. I flew back to London the day after the event to attend the wireless festival with my friend Calum Best. We went to the event in Hyde Park to hang out and see Jamiraqui and Stevie Wonder. I had a brief chat with Jay Kay who was waering a masterpiece of a headpiece, and bumped into the marvelous Angela Griffin and her husband Jason with whom I always end up talking babies. I also caught up with the rather nutty Sarah Harding in the mens loos. Jay Kay performed incredibly, Stevie Wonder was a legend of course, but a bit boring really. We had decided that we had to watch him because, well, no one can deny that he may not have long left. We wanted to be able to say that we seen him when that sad event occurs. The VIP hospitality laid on by Mark Fuller was brilliant and his right hand girl Emily looked after everyone very well. It was an early night though as I had a Jack cover shoot to attend in the morning. Later last month I was invited to Leeds to attend the launch of newly expanded The Private Clinic from Harley Street with my client Mica Paris.

1st up was the premier of Twilight: Eclipse. Five million screaming girls took over Liecester Square. It was crazzzzy! We did the red carpet, bumping into a very thin Sinitta, and a very dapper Ozwald Boeteng. Everyone was waiting for R-Patz and the girl…whatshername. I started getting texts from people inside that had watched our entrance on the big screen. It was exciting as premiers go. But, alas we couldn’t stay, we had a meet with Royalty. Mica and I went into the cinema, snuck down a back exit, back out to the throng and rushed for a cab which we directed to the Women in Business event at Selfridges and to meet Prince Edward’s wife the Countess of Wessex…or Sophie. The countess was brilliant. Very funny and a very big fan of Mica’s. She talked to us about her tenure as a staff photographer at Capital Radio and gave an enquiring Mica the inside story on how she bagged her Prince. (FYI Mica is dating a prince of her very own currently). But that aside, I really liked Sophie and her ‘down to earth’ way. You could tell she was a born’n’bred PR girl, it’s in her blood. Next it was on to Julie’s in Notting Hill for a bit of dinner. All before midnight I’ll have you know! Thanks Jack and have a sunny August! EDM I Love You For Loving Me!

SH*T OF THE MONTH

Let us kick this month off with weird people. There’s too many of them in the world, in particular, in Camden. There’s the woman who shouts to invisible people, the woman who sits by the lock knitting with a circle of apples around her, the man who stands outside Camden tube with boxes over his hands and head with a nifty peep hole cut out so he can shout at passersby while dancing and finally let us not forget the man who tears up the Camden New Journal and throws it in front of oncoming traffic. Next we move to the not-so-mental but still very weird people who; a) Send ambiguous text messages – we don’t know what you’re talking about please leave us alone. b) The man who told us we have a ‘fuck off’ attitude while shouting and swearing at us. c) The people who add you on facebook when you don’t know them and then keep re-adding when you’ve declined their offer.

Looking underage has also been getting on our nerves this month. The average age in the Who’s Jack office is 25 and yet we still get ID’d and told we look young. On this subject we also hate the stupid rule in supermarkets that if one person in a group doesn’t have ID no one gets served. Use your heads check out people, if the other items in our basket include a birthday card and a bunch of flowers we’re probably not buying the bottle of wine so we can get smashed in the park with our mates. And to finish we’ll do a quick fire round... Our macs freezing – the spinning wheel of death has been frustrating us all month. Tuesdays, it’s a rubbish day. Deceptive sunny mornings that turn into rainy afternoons. BlackBerry Google maps leading us in the wrong direction. And lastly, still not being able to afford any of the dresses in the French Connection sale.

SL EE PY

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