The Hertz Complex – No Control

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Frostie

Following brilliant reviews and international airplay for ‘Maybe I Know’ and ‘Bassy’, from their forthcoming EP ‘A New Habit’, we’re highlighting another track from the EP that shows a very different side to the band.

No Control is stripped back to focus on Neil O’Keeffe’s vocals, a simple yet utterly beautiful song that contrasts perfectly with the lo-fi fuzz guitar and shimmering Post-Punk creations the band are known for.

Neil O’Keeffe (lead vocals, guitar) and Paul Keane (guitar) have a songwriting partnership that transgresses borders. Hailing originally from Cork, Ireland, they have set up camp in the emerging artists’ haven that is Deptford, London.

Here they draw on a mix of influences from their Irish roots to bands such as The Chameleons, Joy Division, Whipping Boy and Howling Wolf, resulting in their own eclectic version of post punk. Joining Neil and Paul are Benjamin Balan (drums) and Chris Keelan (bass). Originally from Canada, they form a solid, driving rhythm section that provides the foundation to The Hertz Complex’s dynamic interlacing guitar work.

The four-piece aim to bring a forgotten passion back into music and this musical salvation has certainly been delivered – an ever-growing army of fans, festival appearances and a headline slot at LA’s legendary Whisky A Go Go are testament to that fact. The Hertz Complex’s highly anticipated debut EP comes on the back of news that one of their songs will be featured in a movie soundtrack, another sure sign that this band are making music that is essential listening.

Really Wild Adventures: Michaela Strachan To Host Live Shows At Howletts

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Frostie

Visitors at Howletts Wild Animal Park, one of Kent’s most popular visitor attractions, are in for a treat on 29^th July as one of TV’s most popular and charismatic presenters,Michaela Strachan, hosts the Really Wild Adventures Show at the park.

Michaela will be hosting her popular children’s show on Tuesday 29^th July at the wild animal park, near Canterbury. Inspired by her book, the Really Wild Adventures Show is an entertaining journey into the world of animals for all the family. The interactive show is packed full of music, humour and fascinating wildlife facts.

The shows will run throughout the day at 11am, 1.30pm and 3pm. Entry to the show is free with a valid day ticket, Howletts Passport or Gold Card. Michaela will also be holding a book signing after each show.

Michaela is best known for presenting wildlife programmes such as ‘The Really Wild Show’, ‘Michaela’s Wild Challenge’, ‘Orangutan Diaries’, ‘Elephant Diaries’ , ‘Michaela’s Zoo Babies’ and ‘The Great Penguin Rescue’ as well as ‘Countryfile’, ‘Autumnwatch’, ‘Springwatch’ and ‘Winterwatch’ for the BBC.

The live shows kick off the start of the summer holidays at Howletts which will see different activities and themes taking place throughout July and August 2014.

For more information please visit
www.aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/forthcoming-events or call 0844 842 4647.

PARK DETAILS

Howletts Wild Animal Park

Bekesbourne

Nr. Canterbury

Kent CT4 5EL

Katherine Jenkins Shines In Ian Stuart Blewcoat Gown

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Frostie

Katherine Jenkins looked like a fairy princess on Saturday at the Commonwealth Games concert at Edinburgh Castle in her stunning blush evening gown by British brand Ian Stuart Blewcoat. The stunning Fortuna gown features a Swarovski embellished waistband, and cascading layers of silk gazar.

Katherine performed a magnificent rendition of Barcelona with English tenor singer Alfie Boe.

Ian Stuart Blewcoat is the new label by celebrated bridal and evening wear designer Ian Stuart. Their stunning central London salon recently opened, selling evening wear, occasion wear, bridal and a full range of accessories.

The Courtesans Genius Video

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Frostie

We have the video for The Courtesans’ latest single, ‘Genius’.

This hard-hitting video considers the never-ending, unattainable portrayal of ‘the perfect woman’. With unavoidable advertising and mounting social pressure from both sexes, we too often witness childhoods ending all too early in favour of cheap lipstick and chicken-fillet bras as young women rise to the bait of their own growing insecurities overtly and subliminally governed by outside sources.

Beyond this, we find the anti-ageing army of surgery toters, trading botox and collagen injections that prey on the insecure and the vulnerable. Slimming pills, eating disorders, false hair, false nails, false person, false life. To conform is never enough for as we are judged and criticised for our differences and shortfalls so too are we judged and criticised for owning a beautiful face or a curvaceous body.

The clip sees the band – our four overtly-individual heroines – being burned at the stake for refusing to sacrifice their own opinions of how beauty should be perceived and how this should remain the property and under the control of the individual. Covering tattoos with skin-coloured paint does not alter the truth of what lies beneath the paint and indeed beneath the skin.

‘Genius’ will be released as The Courtesans debut single on 25th August and available from all your favourite online retailers. It’ll be shortly followed by their long-awaited debut album ‘1917’.

Indie Band Boy+Kite Wants To Marry You

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Frostie

To celebrate the release of their two new singles “Either Way” and “Turned Sideways”, indie quartet Boy+Kite will host pop-up wedding events around the U.S., kicking off in late September.

The on-the-spot weddings are open to all couples that want to tie the knot without all the fuss. The officiant, cake, and champagne are included in your ticket, along with Boy+Kite, who will be there to serenade you and your true love on the big day.

For more information, go to http://www.boypluskite.com

11 People Who Became Successful Later In Life

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

This is part two of my Famous People Who Became Successful Later In Life article. The first one was hugely popular and many people asked for a follow-up. I got so many amazing comments on it and found it very inspiring. So here is it! If I have missed out any people who became successful later in life then let me know, I can always do part three. There is more business people in this one as that was requested. I will be doing a separate one on actors who became successful later in life.

The founder of McDonald’s, Ray Kroc, was selling paper cups and milkshake mixers at 52-years-old.

Andrea Bocelli worked as a piano player in bars until he was 33-years-old

Ang Lee was a househusband until he was 31.

Zara founder Amancio Ortega worked in a shirt shop until he was 30.

Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas Sands founder sold shampoo and windshield defroster into his 30s.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was a single mother on welfare until she was 31.

Suze Orman wasn’t always a financial guru, until she was 30 she was a waitress.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban owned a bar and worked in it until he was 25.

KFC Founder Colonel Sanders was washed up and broke at 65. He got fired from a dozen jobs but fought his way back and started franchising his business and never looked back. There are now 18,875 outlets in 118 countries.

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder and CEO of 5-hour Energy Manoj Bhargava was a taxi driver and a monk until he was 30.

Mary Kay founder, Mary Kay Ash, sold books and home goods door-to-door until she was 45.

What do you think?

This Is An Ex-Parrot!

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Frostie

GIANT DEAD PARROT INSTALLED ON LONDON’S SOUTH BANK AS MONTY PYTHON RETURN FOR FINAL LIVE SHOWS

15-metre long deceased “Norwegian Blue” unveiled to mark the screening of Monty Python live on TV channel Gold this Sunday 20^th July
Dead Parrot Sketch voted the ‘nation’s favourite Monty Python sketch’

The dead parrot at the centre of the eponymous sketch performed by John Cleese and Michael Palin, first screened 45 years ago, has been recreated on a giant scale to celebrate the screening of the very last Monty Python live show on comedy TV channel Gold this Sunday, the 20^th July.

The mammoth model of the ‘Norwegian Blue’ was commissioned by the comedy channel following a survey of 2000 comedy fans which named the surreal pet shop skit as the nation’s favourite Monty Python sketch of all time. The famous sketch was first broadcast on 7 December 1969 and remains a firm favourite with audiences who have been enjoying the live shows at The O2 this month.

The sculpture caused a stir amongst London commuters as it was hung upside down by a crane before being respectfully laid to rest on its back at Potters Fields on London’s South bank near Tower Bridge.

The model, which is made from fibre glass, took a team of three sculptors over two months to design, construct and paint. The giant dead parrot measures 15 metres (almost 50 feet) from the tip of its tail to the top of its head, the equivalent to the height of five elephants standing on top of one another.

Lead sculptor Iain Prendergast says, “We are all Monty Python fans so we were delighted to receive the brief from Gold to recreate the mythical ‘Norwegian Blue’ on a giant scale. We watched both live and televised versions of the sketch and found that there have been a number of different incarnations of the parrot with a variety of different plumages. Our sculpture provides a colourful hybrid of the dead parrots which have featured in the celebrated sketch. The key challenge for us was capturing the comedy value of the dead parrot, keeping the realism of the bird whilst also adding touches like the bloodshot, ‘stunned’ eyes.”

The homage to the iconic Monty Python sketch will be taken to The O2 arena where fans attending the final run of live shows will be able to say their final farewell to the comedy troupe, taking pictures of the giant dead parrot and adding to the Twitter buzz using the hashtag #montypythonlive.

Gold will be screening the live broadcast of the final Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down Five To Go stage show on Sunday 20^th July.

The top ten Monty Python Sketches according to 2000 Brits

Dead Parrot – 45%
The Lumberjack Song – 28%
The Ministry of Silly Walks – 23%
The Spanish Inquisition – 16%
Spam – 15%
Four Yorkshiremen – 12%
Nudge Nudge – 11%
Fish slapping dance – 8%
The Restaurant sketch (dirty fork) – 7%
The killer joke – 6%

Just missing out on the top ten were the Silly Olympics, Hell’s Grannies and Gay Policemen (all with 6%).

Maeve’s Afternoon Delight Book Review

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

Maeve’s Afternoon Delight was included in our excellent summer reads piece, and with good reason. I read this book in the run up to my wedding and when I had no time to read it because of endless wedmin and work I kept thinking about it. Maeve is a wonderful character. A rather loveable heroine. Impossible not to like and even harder to not want her to get the best revenge anyone can have: living well and becoming happy.

After Maeve’s husband leaves her for her best friend it takes her a while to get back on track. She is understandably devastated and finds solace in her allotment and her baking. She has the support of her parents, her neighbours who think, quite rightly, that her ex is a terrible human being and a new friend who has an allotment near her, Larry. Her son, Andy, is still confused about his parents separation and can be mean. Will he grow up and stop listening to his fathers point of view? Read the book and find out. Maeve starts to put her life back together and it is fun to read as she gains confidence and starts to (finally!) rebel.

Maeve attracts the unwanted attention of Archie, who is head of neighbourhood watch and the residents association. This brings in an extra twist to a well-written novel which has wonderful characters and brilliant observations on life, marriage and love.

I could see this book as a film and it would certainly appeal to many women who have had to deal with cheating spouses. It has a First Wives feel about it (and if you haven’t seen that film, get your hands on a copy now!) and the characters would certainly translate well to this medium. There is a love interest of course. The previously mentioned Larry. Younger, handsome, kind. Will they or won’t they make it work?

Margaret Graham is one of Frost’s favourite authors and this book is yet another winner. Less historical than the previous books of hers we have reviewed, this has a modern setting. Perfect summer reading: a brilliant book.

Maeve’s Afternoon Delight is available here.

The authors website.

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