Out and About with Debbie Redd (You can call me Debs though)
Wow, I got a new PC for Christmas and updating my page is going to be so much easier. You may scoff and say “yeah, we’ve heard that before” in fact my Bypass mates scoffed and said “yeah, we’ve heard that before” but I’m serious. I’ve got broadband as well so when I log on I’m not looking at the clock so here we go!
The journey was crazy, I’m trying to close my eyes
We’re bypassing some places as they’re editing the time
Wake up, you’re kneeling, some young man’s just gone down
There’s a flicker and a flutter and the film is running out
VNV Nation!!!!!!!!
Synth pounders VNV Nation managed to draw a rammed audience to the Scala venue opposite Kings Cross last December probably fuelled by a festive season buoyant London population. Brilliant sound but I actually like to have room to move a little bit!
VNV Nation hold an odd niche in the market for Electric Body Music in that the lyrics make sense with a sort of philosophical edge to them and also unlike a lot of bands fighting for your £ they don’t growl and snarl into the mic!
They play London again on November 10th this time at the O2 Academy Islington which despite the name is actually a brisk walk from Kings Cross! Based in Germany but originating from Ireland (Ronan) and Essex (Mark) they have become a firm favourite on my Ipod and despite me not being able to get anywhere near the stage the Christmas gig was a stormer!
Ronan has that ability to look like a darts player and given the type of music they play there was a very odd juxtaposition, similar bands will “dark up” but VNV Nation go for polo shirts! Nice! And if you want to check them out head to Youtube and by way of an introduction have a listen to anything from the Automatic CD particularly the track “Control”!
Alan Moore and Mitch Jenkins: Jimmy’s End
You are seriously lucky. If you missed Alan Moore when he turned up at Bedford Castle with Josie Long and Simon Munnery for a free show, well you missed it! But Mr Moore has produced something quite stunning with his short film Jimmy’s End and a prequel called Act of Faith and its free to watch, how nice is that of Alan and Mitch. Despite his name being associated with V for Vendetta, Watchmen, From Hell he has for the most part not wanted any part in the eventual product to the point of wanting his name removed from the credits for the reason being that Hollywood tends to bugger about with concepts and his storyas he told it, I’ll repeat that…HIS STORY AS HE TOLD IT is that contained within the graphic novels and remains his version of events. Having never seen one of his stories produced as a film that he was happy with, well he’s done it himself. I like V for Vendetta in both book and film but there are differences, in the book the Alan’s anarchism is very clear, in the film he’s a drak suited freedom fighter. the book From Hell is quite simply one of the best things I have held in my hands. No jokes please.
Jimmy’s End
Jimmy’s End I would guess holds its roots in issue two of Dodgem Logic and a seedy menacing photo shoot taken in a working mens club by Mitch Jenkins where burlesque dancers mingle with weathered drinkers and a sinister clown. They appear as similar versions in Jimmy’s End and I’ll say no more other than even though Act of Faith (circa ten mins) is set before Jimmy’s End (circa 30mins) you need to watch it afterwards as it contains a spoiler. A serious spoiler so as anarchists its not an instruction its a suggestion! Here’s the link…enjoy!
The Beth Orton Interview!
Can you believe it, something decent on my Out and About with Debs page in which Debs (that’s me! ) goes Out and About. In fact I go Out and ABout so much that I forget my contractual committment to updating this page!
Anyway we met up with Beth Orton near the bar at The Stables on Monday 3rd December and Bev kindly gave us a few minutes as she sat down looking tired but signing CDs and helping sell tee shirts, here’s the full transcript!
Beth: See they do feel good don’t they! (Beth’s own designed tee shirts)
S: Certainly do! Can I have size large please!
Sales Lady: Sorry, only medium and small left!
Beth: That’ll fit you, hold it up! See perfect.
S: It’s a medium!
Beth: See perfect
S: Er..No I don’t think so, nice though it is!
Beth: Get it for your wife or partner for Christmas!
S: No thanks, I’ll just have to settle for the CD (Sugaring Season) please!
Sales Lady: That’s £10.00 please! Sorry cash only….
Beth: Who to?
S: Debs have you got a tenner…To Steve please Beth and thanks for doing Pass in Time! (Beth did this song as an encore)
Debs: Put a kiss on it for him!
Beth: OK, and a heart as well!
S: Thanks Beth, good concert! Really enjoyed it!
Debs: Can we go now?
S: OK, where’s D
Debs: Gone for a widdle!
With our sincere appreciation to Beth Orton for sparing her time!
My cousin Alex is in Jimmy’s End; far right on that picture you have there holding the violin!