#Occupy Tomorrow

What is #occupy? Who are those nutters in the tents? I want to get involved, how can I? What for the future?

Come join us by steps of St. Pauls to question, to think and to enjoy the company of others.

An afternoon and evening of comedy and music, conversation and a special General Assembly.

Comedy slam featuring:

Chris Coltrane, Josie Long, Nick Doody and Tiernan Douieb

Live music from:

Chris TT, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Itch (The King Blues.) Lowkey, Shoes and Socks Off

4:30-9 – come and see what democracy looks like

Who Shot The Sheriff?

Who Shot the Sheriff? – Guerrilla Screening

Punk rock changed our culture, there is no arguing that. From its impact on graphic design and fashion, to its no holds barred, anyone can do it philosophy, the hall marks of punk rock are evident in everyone from lady gaga to the rage against the machine. Punk also had a great part to play in the political and social changes taking place in this country (and all over the world) in the 1970s/80s. In the breaking down of the racial, sexual and gender barriers, punk rock empowered a generation to be proud of themselves and their community.

Rock against racism played an important part in the breaking down of the stereotypes perpetuated by the National Front, the fascist hypocrisies of Enoch Powel and acted as a peoples army in a time of deep social and economic unrest. Starting with a letter printed in Melody Maker challenging the views of Eric Clapton, via the political insight and challenging design of Temporary Hoarding to its final hurrah with the Specials AKA in Leeds, RAR was at the front line.

Debuting at the East End film festival last Wednesday, the re-edit of Alan Miles sterling documentary “Who shot the Sheriff” is a fast moving, powerful insight into British life in the late 70s/80s and how punk rock politicised a generation. It is also a wake up call to the re-emerging problem of racism and the fascist ideologies of the British National Party and English Defence League.

With the kind permission of the documenter and its inspiring message in hand, we would love you to be able to watch the film and hopefully get inspired too. We will be streaming the film for 24 hours over at getcapewearcapefly.com from Midnight on May 4th, through to 12am on May 5th. Hopefully this film will provide you with some inspiration before your trip to the ballot box and will act as a challenge as to what we can do to prevent a rise of fascism within this beautiful and diverse nation.

Please join the Who Shot The Sheriff facebook group on the link below as we will be touring with the film later on in the year (it looks great on a computer, but you just can’t beat it with the full cinema experience.)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Who-Shot_the-Sheriff/117113108311663

Thanks for your time and hopefully you enjoy the film and find it as inspiring as I did.

Samx

Who Shot The Sheriff – Guerilla Screening
www.getcapewearcapefly.com
Tuesday May 4th 12am – Wednesday May 5th 12am.

Albums of the Decade

My Favourite Albums of the Decade

This took a lot of thought but was also a lot of fun. The only rule I had was only one album per artist (don’t ask me why but it seemed like a good idea at the time.) In no particular order….

There were too many albums I loved over the last 10 years, so have decided to do a shortlist of 50 odd and then pick my top 10 albums of the decade.

The Shortlist (in no order)

Original Pirate Material – The Streets
Once Like A spark – Jetplane Landing
Zero For Conduct – Jetplane Landing
Vehicles and Animals – Athlete
Demon Days – Gorillaz
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots – The Flaming Lips
United By Fate – Rival Schools
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – Wilco
Think Tank – Blur
Stay What You are – Saves the Day
The Artist In The Ambulence – Thrice
Save the World Get the Girl – The King Blues
Kid A – Radiohead
Neon Bible – Arcade Fire
Funeral – Arcade Fire
You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine – Death From Above 1979
A Grand Don’t Come For Free – The Streets
In Reverie – Saves the Day
600 Miles – Hitchejet
Walking Concert – Walking Concert
Pylon – Pylon
Caution – Hot Water Music
Casually Dressed… – Funeral for a Friend
Owen – Owen
All my Friends have to go – Some Water and Sun
Oui – The Sea and Cake
Relationship of Command – At the Drive in
Pilots – The Copperpot Journals
Dear Catastrophe Waitress – Belle and Sebastian
Dear Science – Tv On the Radio
Best Loved Goodnight Tales – Tanaou
Baaba Maal – On The Road
Plans – Death Cab for Cutie
From Here to Infirmary – Alkaline Trio
A Living Room Hush – Jaga Jazzist
La Radiolina – Manu Chao
Ideas above our station – Hundred Reasons
Magpie – Steven Fretwell
Jay Z – The Blueprint
Sound of Silver – Lcd Soundsystem
Leaders of the free world – Elbow
Cast Of Thousands – Elbow
Contact Contact – Tellison
War all the time – Thursday
Kingstons Current – Dave House
We are the Romans – Botch
Worship and Tribute – Glassjaw
…Is a Real Boy – Say Anything
Boy In The Corner – Dizzee Rascal
In Rainbows – Radiohead
Civil Disobedients – Capdown
Songs of Innocence and Experience – Adequate 7
Illinoise – Sufjan Stevens
Rings around the world – Super Furry Animals
For Emma, Forever ago – Bon Iver
The Budos Band – The Budos Band
A song to ruin – Million Dead
Love ire and Song – Frank Turner
Boys and Girls in America – Hold Steady
American Idiot – Greenday

My top 10 favourite albums of the decade in order:

1. Original Pirate Material – The Streets
2. United By Fate – Rival Schools
3. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots – The Flaming Lips
4. Relationship of Command – At The Drive In
5. Neon Bible – Arcade Fire
6. Demon Days – The Gorillaz
7. Stay What You Are – Saves the Day
8. Plans – Death Cab for Cutie
9. Kid A – Radiohead
10. Dear Science – Tv on the Radio

The Demolition Ball

Many thanks to all who came along to the final Astoria show, it was a great night. Was mad trying to book a show within 2 weeks (really makes me appreciate the role of promoters and agents- my head was a total mess by the end!), but thanks to all the bands and special thanks to Larry and Som for helping to pull it together. We’re still trying to work out all the VAT issues but ex vat we raised £8000 for 4 charities, which adds is a nice upside to the sad closing of an old friend. Below are some photos I’ve stolen from various peoples Facebook pages from the night (thanks and apologies!)

 

The Final Astoria Crowd (from the Balcony)

The Final Astoria Crowd (from the Stage)

Our last Astoria show

Our first Astoria show

Can't believe it was 2 years ago...

Astoria RIP

I think Frank summed it up when he said that the building, although a great venue, is just bricks and mortar and its the memories, friendships and ideals we forged in the venue that make it so special, long may they live on.