Who is Johnny Tuxedo?
It's an overcast Tuesday in mid April and we head over to Prime Studios’ Studio2 in Leeds, off to find the elusive Johnny Tuxedo: his mission? 'To redefine black and white'. Walking through the heavy stage curtain into the studio we are treated to a venue looking in equal parts like a catwalk show, nightclub (with a bar) and a trendy art gallery. All deeply swathed in black, with shafts of purple and blue light, a bunch of young professionals, industry representatives, models and students buzzed about inside. There's no doubt that this event was the epitome of cool - and that's without mentioning the vintage bikes, sofa hanging from the roof and the free, fresh stone made pizzas baking under the Studio2 logo of the sliding entrance door.
Johnny Tuxedo is the latest brand and brainwave of a few, high-end bespoke men's tailors and mass clothing makers, who have up until now plied their trade supplying clothes to some of the top high street stores - as well as make some of the most expensive tailored suits in the UK. 18 months ago they took the idea of a £99 tuxedo to these retailers, who turned down the idea of a custom made, fixed-price suit. And in response? They set up shop themselves, focusing on online sales and retail via word of mouth and very strong brand recognition and loyalty.
Back at the launch, with free wine in hand, the music dims and the latest online promo of Johnny comes on the giant projector screen; fast paced electronic music meets daredevil stunts not unlike you'd expect from a tuxedo-clad 007, ending in 3 very well dressed models getting in the back of an Aston Martin and driving off into the sunset- only to then appear in the studio, emerging through the smoke atop the auto to a large round of applause. It's official: Johnny Tuxedo has landed.
As the live band plays inside, we steal a few minutes with the creator and lead of Johnny Tuxedo, Austen Pickles.
How did the idea for Johnny Tuxedo come about?
“Last summer [people in the office] had all been talking about it, and a girl came to us for some work experience over the summer and did some market research and we went from there... We put together our favourite people from the industry to make this happen; we got all these people round the table and we all started working for it, designing it, making it, marketing it.
We offered it to big names on the high street but they didn't want it so we said sod it! We’ll do it ourselves! Then I had cancer last year, and when I knew I would be coming back to work I wanted to focus on the stuff I love and not on the stuff I don't wanna do, and it built out of that.“
Who is the main audience for Johnny?
“We have had thousands of hits on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the product hasn't even been launched yet. We want people of all ages to wear the suit, we want to give people something that they want to wear - not just something that ticks a box for prom, a wedding or a party. We are gonna do some limited editions and designs over time for that one guy who wants a midnight blue suit with pink trim.”
What do you bring to suits that isn't already there?"
“We know exactly how the suit should fit, we also know what etiquette demands from a mens suit and tuxedo. We can design the ultimate suit, and we are not stupid; we have an eye on fashion - we know we can bring a stylish suit and a great price to people that before all they have had is cheap rubbish or hired suits. The suit is 100% machine washable, you can do anything in this suit, wear it with anything and it will look cool. It gives people another option for events. We know people cant touch us, no one is as cool as us and they cant touch us - no high-street brand or company can offer the quality, the fun: all for £99.”
What is your ultimate suit?
“It has to be the classic James Bond suit, it just has to be! Self tie bow tie, white shirt, has to be dinner suit trousers with no turn-up and satin down the side seam. And that is what we have tried to create.”
How do you want to see people wearing the suits?
“With anything: as a tuxedo, with jeans, trainers, a checked shirt, anything! We want people to funk it up! It will look cool whatever. We want to throw out the rule book on suits. It’s not about going to a black tie event looking like a penguin.”
How would you describe the suits in once sentence?
*Dramatic Pause*
“I think the ultimate dinner suit sounds a bit cheesy! It’s for the new generation who will wear it with whatever; there are so many different ways of wearing it. We are all about redefining the suit here. Everyone who puts it on will feel great!”
We did get our hands on a suit (how can you write a article on a suit without touching it?!) and both agree that it felt lovely: soft, light, smooth and most of all well-made; everyone in a Johnny Tux said the same thing: it fit well and was light. It doesn't take 5 minutes to look through Twitter and the wider Internet community to see Johnny has already made a mark on the industry, with people queuing up to get their hands on a fully tailored dinner suit for £99. With limited edition colours and designs in the pipeline as well as the staple 'you can have any suit as long as its black' approach, Johnny Tuxedo will fast become the biggest and best suit provider for students, young professionals and anyone wanting a suit that looks good but doesn't break the bank.
Head over to the newly-launched website, johnnytuxedo.co.uk, to see the suit for yourself.
A living social history of the TV by 3 generations of women
Once, there was a time
when a television was a special thing to watch - having spent a lot
of time talking to my grandmother (now a woman in her late 80s) about
it, she explained to me about TV viewing when she was growing up. I
also talk to my mother, who, born in the 60s, was a child growing up
with a TV in her home.
"It was a very
special thing to have" is how my grandmother starts, before
going on to tell me about the size and shape of the TV: a huge wooden
box with a small rounded screen. It was only ever on for important
things and at specific points of the day; she remembers in her late
teens watching the Olympic games on TV after its many years of
absence due to WWII, then the fuel shortage just after.
Cruising in to the 50s
she has fond memories of the TV becoming more of a focus in the
house, seeing it expand ever further with the creation of ITV in 1955
and the airing of the first non-scripted reality shows, as well as
game shows and the first UK sitcom (The Grove Family). "I
remember our living room being full of people from down the street;
it was so busy with all the children sitting on the floor at the
front that you could barely move in the room". Her words
describing the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II are ones echoed
across the country as people let neighbors into their homes to see
the first ever broadcast coronation.
While America was having
their 'golden age' of TV it was a whole decade before the UK enjoyed
the same thing, with TV sets being cheaper and the wider spread of
the colour variety hitting in the 1960s. My grandmother recalls as a
housewife with two young children in the 60s how the TV was "not
for during the day" - something she still refuses to do even now
- but how it quickly became part of the daily routine to watch the TV
in an evening.
Asking my mother about
her early TV memories, one that springs to mind is of Dr Who: "I
wasn't allowed to stay up and watch it, but I think that made it
scarier when I was allowed to watch it". She also talks of Blue
Peter and Top of the Pops all being staples in a Kids TV watching
list.
Growing up as a child of
the 70s my mother talks more about TV and the arguments it caused
between the family, she remembers not being allowed to watch The
Sweeney as a "great cause of arguments between me and my dad".
This is something equally remembered by my grandmother, who recalls
arguments around which channel to watch. It's also around this time
that the family gets their first colour TV, and incidentally are the
first to do so in the neighborhood. When I asked both women if the
continuing strikes from workers at the ITV studios effected
broadcasting they said they could barely remember it happening, but
could remember in detail the events that where televised during the
period.
By the 1980s TV was a
full-colour friend that had been let into our homes and was here to
stay. With again both women remembering the wedding of Prince
Charles and Princess Diana, it was a talking point for many weeks to
come in conversations with friends and other relatives. It looked
like TV had become the medium breaking down class barriers (all be it
temporarily). When asked about the launch of Children in Need, Comic
Relief and the legendary Live Aid concert - both women again had
memories of watching them and discussing with friends and relatives
after.
The launch of Channel 4
was met disapprovingly by my grandmother, but was welcomed by my
mother, with its clear aims to provide something different and an
alternative style appealing to the 20-30 age range. The BBC’s move
to full daytime broadcasting and ITV’s 24 hour broadcasting was
seen as a step forward by the younger of the two women, while the
elder felt it was unnecessary to have TV on during the day as it
"promoted laziness". When asked about the 1990 addition of
Sky TV as an alternative to the terrestrial four channels, both said
it was something only for the very wealthy and was far too costly for
the average family.
Moving more swiftly in to
the 90s, my mother takes up her title as such as well as remaining a
working woman; my grandmother starts slowing down and taking on
grandmotherly duties. These shifts in life mean a shift in TV habits
as well, with the former having little memory of early 1990s TV. With
prompting they both retrieve memories of the Gulf War coverage and
the controversial BBC 'live show' Ghostwatch.
Something I remember from
the earliest time is TV: the square box in the living room with 4
channels and a temperamental remote control, and the smaller, much
older black and white TV in my parents’ bedroom. As a child I
always woke up early and remember putting on children's TV, and
coming home from school to watch kids TV on ITV; in my later
childhood years it was CBBC, when, come 5pm, kids TV would end and I
would go and play with toys in my room until dinner. There was no TV
in the kitchen and we didn't watch any TV during the day. Saturday
nights were the only nights I remember being allowed to watch TV
whilst eating in the living room, with a whole host of different
shows vying for attention: the strongest memories being of
Catchphrase, You've Been Framed, Gladiators and Blind Date (now
arguably seen as the golden age of British entertainment television).
It's now I will give a
quick note to the VHS player, something my grandmother never had and
my mother didn’t have until I was a child. I remember having a
shelf in my room that I shared with my younger sister; with around 20
VHS tapes in my collection I was a child with choice, having all of
the Sooty videos and a good selection from Disney. I remember one
Fathers’ Day presenting my dad with the complete Star Wars VHS set,
with the 30 minute documentary at the beginning detailing how they
had been re-mastered.
Towards the end of the
decade, as my parents split up I found a great comfort in TV. Both
houses had them, and the programming schedule remained the same - it
was a constant that felt missing in other aspects of my life. Where
my mother would never let me watch shows like Casualty and The
Simpsons my father didn't mind, so at weekends spent at his I would
make use of my free reign of the TV and watch as much as possible -
often falling asleep in front of the box. It's also around now that I
became aware that not watching the latest episode of a soap opera was
considered pre-teen social suicide. Where my mother had never had
much of a "TV schedule" or programs that she watched
regularly, my grandmother took the same comfort I did in TV after she
lost her husband as I had when my parents split up.
It's during this time I
started to develop my preferred TV styles, with animation and science
fiction being my preferred genres. This meant that I spent a lot of
time watching Star Trek, Roswell, Robot Wars and most fondly Buffy
the Vampire Slayer (all on BBC2). Most of all it was sneaking the
chance to watch The Simpsons, something most firmly banned by my
mother. "It's a horrible show with violence and no story"
are words I remember greatly.
Heading into the new
millennium, TVs became even cheaper and as a result I was allowed one
in my bedroom, but with strict rules attached. Nonetheless I would
have the TV on at an almost silent volume and watch it late at night
(about 10pm) with my nose just inches from the screen. Most
memorable were the controversial TV series about a group of prisoners
and guards in a reality TV show on BBC2, and, with the original
series of Big Brother not taking my fancy, I would watch The Sky at
Night.
One of the most
documented incidents of the last decade was the falling of the Twin
Towers on 9/11 in the USA; I asked both women when they remembered
seeing the news and the now infamous footage. My grandmother was in
her flat with the radio on, and listened to the news unfold before
turning on the TV for the 6pm news. “I had been listening to it
all day, but the footage was raw and new compared to the audio; it
changed your emotions towards it - it made it far more real".
My mother, who was at work teaching in a prison, was interrupted
mid-class for the news where she saw the 2nd tower fall live on BBC
News. "It was devastating; people in the office were crying as
the news unfolded". Both made comment to how this was the first
time news had been captured by so many different people and not all
newscasters: the real start of 'amateur news capturing'. I myself
was in school, where the decision had been made not to inform any of
the kids of the news - making my first memory of it being in my room
home alone, when I returned from school and turned on BBC1 expecting
to see kids’ shows but instead being confronted with shocking and
dramatic images of death and falling buildings. Something that
shames me to admit now, I was annoyed that normal viewing had been
suspended on all 4 channels for the news. In retrospect it’s
nothing but the misguidances of youth.
As time moves on TV
becomes more of a talking point with me and my other family members
as well as with friends. By the middle of the millennium’s first
decade I had a PC in my room with internet access as well as a TV,
which meant I could talk and find out more information about shows.
During this time both my grandmother and my mother’s TV habits
didn't change at all. With my mother’s remarriage and relocation
she purchased the unlimited Sky TV package, giving me the opportunity
to watch Music Television and more animation when I was there, around
the normal TV viewing habits of the family. “I see no point in
paying for extra TV channels, as all they do is show repeats of shows
we have already seen” - that was (and still is) my mother’s
opinion of Sky and other TV packages.
By the turn of the decade
I had moved out of the family home and was living independently in
shared housing while at university. Without a personal TV, I moved
to watching shows on catch-up services like BBC iPlayer and 4oD. At
the same time, the Digital TV rollout was happening across the East
of England, meaning my grandmother and mother were looking at new TV
sets and means of watching TV. I went back to visit my grandmother to
help her buy a new Digital TV and set it up. In the few years since,
I ask her how she uses the new TV and DVD player: “I only watch the
normal 4 channels but I don't really like anything on ITV”. She
also says she doesn't ever use the DVD player and doesn't listen to
the radio on anything other than her FM radio. My mother on the other
hand has, since the Digital switchover, moved to an area where
satellite and cable TV isn’t available. Despite this, she sees no
difference in the quality of TV and has had no real change in her TV
viewing habits.
TV has changed a lot over
the last 70 years: it started as a luxury that was shared in times of
jubilations and celebration and has progressed to something that is
always there as a constant source of information and entertainment.
Habits for my grandmother have barely changed over the years, with
her still seeing it as something to do in the evenings and as a form
of entertainment. My mother - who although has no TV shows she
follows - uses the TV as something to relax to and as a source of
information. Neither woman uses any catch-up service, and are not
avid watchers of any show or programing; both say they watch the news
when it’s on and both have admitted to staying up later than
planned to see the end of a show or film being broadcast. This
differs dramatically to how I watch TV: I barely ever watch live TV
and use more catch-up services, I use news channels and other
broadcasting methods to keep me entertained whilst doing other tasks.
I make time to watch shows that I follow, and in some cases base my
timing around a show (if I don't want to be exposed to the plot by
other people).
What can be agreed by all
3 generations is that they wouldn't be without TV in some form or
another, and that it provides conversation points between all
generations. When asked where they saw their TV habits going in the
future, my grandmother feels hers will stay the same - only changing
if another major change comes to the TV medium. My mother on the
other hand feels her habits will change a lot once she has the
ability (such as a permanent internet connection) and that she will
use catch-up services more, using her tablet to watch TV on the go.
As for myself, I see my TV habits changing with my life: as someone
still in my early 20s life is not yet set on any path, and while I
want a career in the TV industry I still see myself subscribing to TV
shows and the traditional TV medium as well as embracing new and
emerging TV formats.
The Bechdel Test - Women talking to Women about... well... anything
So its 2012 and we would all think the world is equal, that women have the same air time in films as their male counterparts. Well I hate to say it but its just not true!
In 1985 The Bechdel Test was created by Alison Bechdel, its nothing fancy- no crazy formulas or anything extreme. In fact the simplicity of the test may even be its key.
The one and only rule of the test is-
“a scene in which two or more named female characters have a conversation (that is, back and forth dialogue) about anything at all besides men. Anything, even if it’s something stereotypically feminine, like shopping or shoes.”
Sounds simple doesn’t it? You would assume that this is something that happens in most films that 2 female characters have a conversation… Well you would be wrong in thinking that! Here are a few examples-
1- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
Harry potter is quite equal gender split with a fair few of the characters being female and getting a rather sizeable amount of screen time. So it may be a shock to learn that not one of the female characters sits and has a convocation with another! There are the key lines like when Prof. McGonagall makes a comment about “always wanting to use that spell” to Mrs. Weasley when she brings the stone statues to life, or when Mrs. Weasley calls Bellatrix a bitch…but no one actually responds. These lines look to be made to the audience rather than to the other characters.
2- Avatar
She’s big and blue but has nothing to say
This film so nearly makes it! Close but no cigar!
A film where a paralysed army brat gets his brothers second hand robot alien and falls in love with a blue tree living alien- in a poorly masked commentary on the western quest for oil in the middle east. There is one point where a convocation is had between two female characters- Neytiri and her mother have a drawn out discussion. The only problem is that the conversation is about Jake, who, you probably noticed, is a man.
3- Run Lola Run
Fire Red hair- but very little conversation
Now this one is upsetting as Lola is widely seen as one of the most well rounded female leads in film. Lola must figure out how to come up with 100,000 Deutsche Marks in twenty minutes or her boyfriend will be killed. The film follows three different possible outcomes for her actions and explores her relationships and interactions with the people and the world around her. But during all this she never has a chat or anything with a fellow female.
4- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Not event the great detective is able to pass the test! Yes there is more than one named female character, but they don’t talk to each other… fail
5- Lord of the Rings Trilogy
He may look like a girl- but in fact is just an elf! A pretty one at that!
Yep all 3 films fail. One of the biggest movie franchise of all times with many female characters doesn’t have a single convocation between them in fact they never even meet.
http://bechdeltest.com/ - site with pretty little notes and stuff! Feel free to add your own films!
Album Review - Shiny Toy Guns III
This is the 3rd studio album from American Rock/Alt band shiny toy guns, this album sees lead singer Carah Faye Charnow rejoin the band after absence, after she left the band in 2007. The band had 2 non studio versions of the album ‘we are pilots’ before getting signed with Universal Records and making the 3rd and final version of We Are Pilots. They got a Grammy Nod and nominated for best dance/electro album(but lost out to the chemical brothers) After this do to differences within the band they changed lead singers to Sisely Treasure for the album Seasons of Poison (but not before appearing as ‘the shinys’ on American kids TV show Yo Gabba Gabba) Seasons of Poison reached 17 in the USA Alt charts with single Ricochet! Although not taken as well with original fans of STG it was a more commercially successful album. Over the last two albums STG have featured in many TV shows, commercials, Films and advertisements as well as compilation albums.
Sit back and read the first Shiny Toy Guns III review. By what the bands describes as- “Shiny Toy Guns are back to their four essential parts, with “III” serving as a document of what friends who’ve been through the wars can achieve.”
Somewhere to Hide- A great uplifting start to the new album with a great stadium ready chorus and strong electro melody with the standard STG guitars and drums still making a very pleasing accompaniment to the vocals and synths.
Waiting Alone- Featured on a video project #loverunner depicted lead singer Carah Faye Charnow running 4000 miles across america from Hollywood to Brooklyn for her ‘true love’ the video was the visual interpretation of the song. This was the fans first real experience of the new album and the re formulation of the original line up. It remains an iconic STG song and has resonating sounds from the original STG albums and the more recent more electronic songs.
Carrie- Very stadium pop style number, with the undercurrent of traditional STG. it hammers right in with a drum heavy intro. This one is very vocal and beat heavy though the verse- until you hit a great sing along chorus. Chad belts out Carrie over the great music track. It does have that resonanting feel of the old STG albums but without the depth and base.
If I Lost You- Synth heavy once again with twisting and entwining vocals from both Chad and Carah. With nice repetitive lyrics ‘I don’t know I would do if I lost you’ you get the feeling this is a song about the band getting back together, reforming and reshaping into this new yet very familiar STG line up. It sa nice song but one of the weaker ones on the album.
Speaking Japanese- A heart racing fast paced electro rock along the vein as Ricochet and Ghost town this song has far more likeness with the Seasons of Poisson era of STG, but with the chemistry from We are Pilots
Mercy- Starting with haunting vocals and a far more organic sounding keyboard that is a nice refreshing change from the so far very synth heavy album. This song reminds you why they are still an Electro/ Rock band with a song that builds the tension as it continues through verse and chorus, until we are dropped in to silences before a far more harmonious ending
Wait 4 Me- This song flows on directly from the last, with hushed vocals over a post apocalyptic sound scape over a bed of synth. Once the song gets going it is almost a ballad with the honey dipped voice of Carah and vocals from lead male vocalist Chad. You can hear the innocents and feeling of exposure in Carahs voice, as she is talked at by Chad. The lyrics themselves read like a poem/ story, with Chad as the Higher-being to Carah. It is a very different track to any we have heard before on any STG album, this doesn’t make it un-enjoyable just maybe uncomfortable midway through an album.
Fading Listening- Nice slow lounge feel to it until the vocals kick in and give it a nice midsummer day feel. You can almost feel the sun on your face as you close your eyes and lean back onto the grass of some nice park, in the summer vacation! This is again something we maybe haven’t seen for STG before but something most enjoyable. This also feels like a very 80’s inspired track, you can almost feel your shoulder pads growing and blazer sleeve rising.
The Sun- Another great studio/ stadium rock song with the nice electro melody running through it.
e v a y- Starting of with a longer intro than most other tracks on the III album, from the get go you can feel the big sing -a-long aspect to this track. Its going to be the one you love singing at the top of your lungs while watching the band.
Take Me Back to Where I Was- the last track on any album is always difficult to pick, do you go for something that leave the listener stunned and amazed the best till last? or do you play it safe and do as tradition dictates and put the slower songs near the back? As it happens we have a rather interesting ballad sung to a single piano and very very slight synths. the first line ‘moving forward, far away from your wing ‘ sums a lot about the band and where they have been and are going.
The album flows well and you do feel as if you have been on the same 3 year journey as the band though the album. It has its ups and downs but ultimately STG are back, and that comes across in the album like the pieces of a jigsaw are being put back together after a long time apart. Just like We Are Pilots none of the tracks are bad, some stand out more than others and are definite ‘single realise’ tracks compared to other more album based tracks. As a whole it feels like the album doesn’t have enough base to it- where We are Pilots on full make your chest rumble and the floor shake, this doesn’t quite go that far. This is the second album fans wanted with Carah back in lead vocals and now part of the creative circle of the band.
Noteworthy Tracks – Waiting Alone, Speaking Japanese, Carrie
Track that may not be so Hot- e v a y, If I lost you, Take me back to where I was
Sum it up in 1 line! – Its good, as individual tracks or as a whole album- its great to hear the original sound of the band back together, it not quite the revolution of We Are Pilots but its damn good!
4.5 / 5
Shiny Toy Guns new studio album III is available from the 23rd October
Album Review - Muse The 2nd Law
So its been long awaited, much rumored and speculated- but the new Muse album is here. Its an odd listen, as a old (but not that old) muse fan it’s nice to hear some of the signature Muse elements to it, and on the whole it does ‘feel’ like a Muse album.
Where most bands who have been going as long as Muse, try and keep the ‘intimacy’ feel they had in early albums before they filled 20,000 people venues; Muse does the opposite and actually works with this aloft and distant feel within their music.
Where most bands who have been going as long as Muse, try and keep the ‘intimacy’ feel they had in early albums before they filled 20,000 people venues; Muse does the opposite and actually works with this aloft and distant feel within their music.
We kick off with a typical Muse iconic rift that I from now on shall call the ‘Bellamy-Factor’ that does feel like Muse, adding his storytelling lyrics and some big band sound we build into the chorus and to the very familiar Muse vocals but with this ‘big band twist’- this track could easily be a theme to a Bond film, and its something you can see being played in some of the biggest arenas in the World.
On to Madness, in my opinion one of the best muse tracks in a good few albums (since Absolution in 2003) and most definitely the iconic track of the disk. I had a good few listens to this in a row and it really gave me hope for the rest of the album. With a really good mix of traditional Muse Bellamy-Factor some new electronic sounding parts to the track and once again that BIG stadium feel that gives you goosebumps.
The 70’s feel combined with the Red Hot Chili Peppers throw back gives the next track an interesting feel and sound. With its passive aggressive vocals and instrument mix. I can’t make up my mind about it, its good but its not quite…. I don’t even know but it just isn’t doing it for me yet, give it a few more listens and Panic Stations might have grown on me.
(Now enjoy 58 seconds of classical music)
Now unless you lived under a rock for the Summer you will have known the Olympics came to the UK and the song ‘Survival’ was one of the tracks used by the Ceremonies, so I am not going to say anything about it. Everyone knows about it, read about it… unless you lived under that rock.
Follow Me has what I find a really annoying intro with Baby Bellamy’s Heartbeat providing the beat (no reason I just don’t like it). This is also the first track that dips its toe into the scary uncharted world known as dubstep. This was something everyone raised an eyebrow at when the band announced their new ‘sound’ before the album launch. I will be the first to admit I was surprised by the track and I rather enjoyed it. Its far more like organic dubstep then the awful sound of two 1990’s modems having sex they we are normally treated to under the umbrella of dubstep.
The next 3 songs pass in a blur with very little making them jump out at me (other than the ending toAnimals which sounds like some sort of riot) With a much more 2003 Muse sound to the tracks these could have been left over from the Absolution album. They are not unenjoyable with the supposed song to his new son being Explorers, and a very U2 inspired track with Big Freeze they maintain the Stadium feel and have the tail tail signs of Muse.
Save Me is the first ever Muse song to be sung by the Bass player Chris (this is the point where I felt reminded that its a Band not a solo artist called Matt) His voice is nice but the song is a little disappointing and lacks the musical and instrumental stuff you expect from Muse- to the point where it sounds nothing like them.
The two part ending connect to each other and are in my opinion no way related to the rest of the album, with part one (Unsustainable) being made of news clips and Dubstep as featured on the album teaser that we have all heard. Apparently the Dubstep was made with non electronic instruments- which in itself is impressive. Part two (Isolated System) is made the same way with fantasy news clips and once again the ‘handmade dubstep’
The Whole album has a very disjointed feel and doesn’t flow well as a single play, with the many different styles of music all in one album its makes for an uncomfortable listen. But this doesn’t stop the great tracks that are in there, that throw back to the original Muse, with the added electronic flare thrown in for extra depth does give the music an extra layer. You can hear the changes the Band (Matt) have been through since the last album and it does make a difference to the music. But you could easily cut the album off at Follow Me and leave it there as a good Muse album that sits somewhere between Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations. The last tracks are what let it down in my eyes.
Noteworthy Tracks – Madness, Supremacy, Follow Me
Track to Avoid- Unsustainable, Isolated System, Explorers, Prelude
Sum it up in 1 line! – Its a Muse album, with the edges of electro stroked and the traditional Muse sound very much at the forefront of the album. The good tracks are great! the others are all a little forgettable.
3.5 / 5
Why it sucks to be a lefty
Now we all know there are some points in history that really didnt take too kindly to people who used the other hand, and infact the world today isnt really that keen on them either! With the permanent smudge of ink on the side of the hand, to damn tin openers that might as well be sent from the devil himself!
But here are 7 bigger reasons why it really does suck to be a leftie.
But here are 7 bigger reasons why it really does suck to be a leftie.
1, No ones does studies on you!
How many times have you read ‘new study on brain shows…’ well a sad fact is that if you are left handed the research and results are most likely completely irrelevant to you. Its a pretty common fact that if you are left-handed your brain is wired differently to the rest of the population and as researchers want their results to be accurate they dont include lefties in the study. But if it makes you feel any better it wasn’t until President Clinton made in mandatory in the USA that women be part of clinical studies like men! As Obama is a Leftie maybe we can hope for the same fate?
How many times have you read ‘new study on brain shows…’ well a sad fact is that if you are left handed the research and results are most likely completely irrelevant to you. Its a pretty common fact that if you are left-handed your brain is wired differently to the rest of the population and as researchers want their results to be accurate they dont include lefties in the study. But if it makes you feel any better it wasn’t until President Clinton made in mandatory in the USA that women be part of clinical studies like men! As Obama is a Leftie maybe we can hope for the same fate?
2, They are more likely to Hit the Bottle
Way back in the days before the internet (1970’s) there was an observational study done in to the link between alcohol and pretty much everything! One thing they ‘observed’ is that lefties are more likely to be drunk skunks than right handed people. There was no scientific evidence that this was true so was pretty much washed off as a hippy project with no real substance. A study was later done on alcohol and this time lefties were noted to drink more often and in larger quantities to righties. So maybe there was something to the original study, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to physical dependence.
Way back in the days before the internet (1970’s) there was an observational study done in to the link between alcohol and pretty much everything! One thing they ‘observed’ is that lefties are more likely to be drunk skunks than right handed people. There was no scientific evidence that this was true so was pretty much washed off as a hippy project with no real substance. A study was later done on alcohol and this time lefties were noted to drink more often and in larger quantities to righties. So maybe there was something to the original study, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to physical dependence.
3, They earn less
Ok so there is no ‘proof’ to this claim as some studies have shown no correlation between the hand you use and how much money you make. Others state as much as a 10% difference in pay between the left and the right, the study at Harvard University said it maybe in part down to the fact that lefties as less likely to finish college than right handed people. Although the left handed people have been repeatedly claimed to have a higher IQ they score lower in Maths and reading skills than the right handed. Men fair better with there being little to no difference in pay while women suffer a lot for being left handed in the workplace.
Ok so there is no ‘proof’ to this claim as some studies have shown no correlation between the hand you use and how much money you make. Others state as much as a 10% difference in pay between the left and the right, the study at Harvard University said it maybe in part down to the fact that lefties as less likely to finish college than right handed people. Although the left handed people have been repeatedly claimed to have a higher IQ they score lower in Maths and reading skills than the right handed. Men fair better with there being little to no difference in pay while women suffer a lot for being left handed in the workplace.
4, Dont take them to a Horror movie
Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh did a study which focused on lefties and righties watching clips from Silences of the Lambs- after everyone was interviewed to talk about the film and some of the scarier scenes. The result? Lefties gave a more disjointed and inaccurate view of the clips with higher amounts of repetition. They already knew that lefties are more on edge than righties to start with so its not much of a jump to them being easier to scare. The reason for this? Well the boffins thinks its because the right side of the brain controls our fear responses and in lefties it’s the more dominant side.
Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh did a study which focused on lefties and righties watching clips from Silences of the Lambs- after everyone was interviewed to talk about the film and some of the scarier scenes. The result? Lefties gave a more disjointed and inaccurate view of the clips with higher amounts of repetition. They already knew that lefties are more on edge than righties to start with so its not much of a jump to them being easier to scare. The reason for this? Well the boffins thinks its because the right side of the brain controls our fear responses and in lefties it’s the more dominant side.
5, They go from Bruce Banner to the Hulk faster than Right Handed People
Now this fact has been known for ages but its only recently that they did any real studies as to why- the Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases theory is that because lefties brains are right side dominant the hemispheres interact more than right handed people. Ok so this sound like a good thing, it means that logic and emotion (left and right side of the brain respectively) get mixed together more often than they do for right handed people. Making things that others could deal with calmly and rationally- lefties are more likely to get all green and angry at.
Now this fact has been known for ages but its only recently that they did any real studies as to why- the Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases theory is that because lefties brains are right side dominant the hemispheres interact more than right handed people. Ok so this sound like a good thing, it means that logic and emotion (left and right side of the brain respectively) get mixed together more often than they do for right handed people. Making things that others could deal with calmly and rationally- lefties are more likely to get all green and angry at.
6, Lefties are more likely to get Schizophrenia
Now this one really sucks! Scientists know that left handedness is all down to the genetics (they think) with you being 26% more likely to be a leftie if both your parents are! Boffins now even think they have narrowed it down to the exact gene that gives someone their left handed persuasion. The bad news? LRRTM1 the left handed gene also plays a big part (they think) in the reason behind Schizophrenia with the disorder affecting 1 in 100 people worldwide. A extra large 20% of these are left handed!
Now this one really sucks! Scientists know that left handedness is all down to the genetics (they think) with you being 26% more likely to be a leftie if both your parents are! Boffins now even think they have narrowed it down to the exact gene that gives someone their left handed persuasion. The bad news? LRRTM1 the left handed gene also plays a big part (they think) in the reason behind Schizophrenia with the disorder affecting 1 in 100 people worldwide. A extra large 20% of these are left handed!
7, The World Hates you!
So not only are you being driven to drink, get paid less, have a clinical disorder and go all Hulk on people easier- but to top it off the world is trying to kill you! Studies show that world wide lefties die anywhere between a few months to a few years before righties- assuming all other things are equal. Reason for this? Well maybe simply that the world isnt designed for lefties to live in… with everything being laid out for the righties out there they really have no hope. Statistically left handed people are 5 times more likely to die in an accident than right handed people!
So not only are you being driven to drink, get paid less, have a clinical disorder and go all Hulk on people easier- but to top it off the world is trying to kill you! Studies show that world wide lefties die anywhere between a few months to a few years before righties- assuming all other things are equal. Reason for this? Well maybe simply that the world isnt designed for lefties to live in… with everything being laid out for the righties out there they really have no hope. Statistically left handed people are 5 times more likely to die in an accident than right handed people!
So there you have it 7 reason why being left just isnt all the great! And sometimes downright sucks!
Weird things to watch on the Internet - Time wasting WebCams
Voyeurism is classed as the sexual gratification or turn on by watching someone in secret. And in the age of smartphones, webcams and home video kits this is easier to do that ever before. And then come the internet- the perfect place for people to not only watch but to be watched. Lifecasting- or lifecasters started with JenniCam who is hailed as one of the most missed things on the internet (CNN 2008). In 1996 while studying at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she installed a black and white webcam in her dorm room. (for more infomation on JenniCam visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Ringley )
Other such early adopters of lifecasting where a group of Hissing Cockroaches in a USA University in 1993- they are still broadcasting today! (though the inhabitants of the tank may have changed since 1993) It must also be noted that animals where lifecast much earlier than people, mainly from laboratories, universities or companies- this is in large to do with the scale and cost of such an operation back in the internet stone age.
Other such early adopters of lifecasting where a group of Hissing Cockroaches in a USA University in 1993- they are still broadcasting today! (though the inhabitants of the tank may have changed since 1993) It must also be noted that animals where lifecast much earlier than people, mainly from laboratories, universities or companies- this is in large to do with the scale and cost of such an operation back in the internet stone age.
So here is a list of a few different/ unusual webcams you can watch to tickle that 21st century urge to watch people/ Places and things! Watched over a 48 hour period. (I will say it right now that none of these cams SHOULD have nudity in- but I cant promise)
InsanityCam
http://www.insanitycam.com/Kitchen.htm
What does this site have? 11 Cameras all set up and running for almost 10 years from birth of the site to now. This gentleman in question notes that his wife doesnt like them and his daughter hates it. None the less it is a very watchable webcam site- even if all you are doing is watching him watch a TV show about the Diamond Jubilee and watch his cat mess around.
Arau laundromat
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/8707Do you remember as a child sitting and watching the washer and dryer go round and round and round? well now you can re live this great past time right from your home- while watching a laundry room in Japan. The machines are unmanned but you can see people coming and doing their washing- I just watched a 30 something man fold his pink towels.
http://www.insanitycam.com/Kitchen.htm
What does this site have? 11 Cameras all set up and running for almost 10 years from birth of the site to now. This gentleman in question notes that his wife doesnt like them and his daughter hates it. None the less it is a very watchable webcam site- even if all you are doing is watching him watch a TV show about the Diamond Jubilee and watch his cat mess around.
Arau laundromat
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/8707Do you remember as a child sitting and watching the washer and dryer go round and round and round? well now you can re live this great past time right from your home- while watching a laundry room in Japan. The machines are unmanned but you can see people coming and doing their washing- I just watched a 30 something man fold his pink towels.
Fish Eye View Cam
http://www.fisheyeview.com/FVCam.html
A rather beautiful tank filled with coral and fish- its rather hypnotic to watch and therapeutic- but the image does time out after so long. Started in 1995 in Florida USA it has a distinct Finding Nemo feel to it (but that might just be me) They also give lots of information on the kit they use as well as the camera equipment, which although is basic gives great images!
http://www.fisheyeview.com/FVCam.html
A rather beautiful tank filled with coral and fish- its rather hypnotic to watch and therapeutic- but the image does time out after so long. Started in 1995 in Florida USA it has a distinct Finding Nemo feel to it (but that might just be me) They also give lots of information on the kit they use as well as the camera equipment, which although is basic gives great images!
Club PlayGround Internet Cafe
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/10243
Playground (seen as logo PG) is as far as I can tell (my russian isnt that great) a Gaming/ Internet cafe in Moscow Russia. The image itself is clear and has a nice viewing angle of 10 ish computer screens- so you can sit and watch people on the internet. It looks pretty busy when its open so its quite energetic to watch.
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/10243
Playground (seen as logo PG) is as far as I can tell (my russian isnt that great) a Gaming/ Internet cafe in Moscow Russia. The image itself is clear and has a nice viewing angle of 10 ish computer screens- so you can sit and watch people on the internet. It looks pretty busy when its open so its quite energetic to watch.
Hammonton, New Jersey USA
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/11019?viewmode=livevideoI am not entirely sure what we are looking at here- some form of pire or sidewalk. Its always busy day or night, with everyone from skateboarders to shoppers there is always someone walking down infront of the webcam. On the left of the screen there is what looks like steps down to a sandy area (beach?) and again what looks like a seating area- I hope this is to watch the Hammonton topless Beach Volleyball team.
The Crossing
Ok I felt it was time to look at one a little closer to home. Abbey Road London UK is famous for having The Beatles walk over the crossing here in what is classed as one of the most iconic album covers in Music History (NME/ Rolling Stones) This one again is busy day and night- with not only traffic but people. And this one really is voyeurism in its highest as the people have no idea you are watching them do the ‘iconic’ walk over the crossing. I had many hours of fun laughing at people on the crossing.
(added bonus- the camera has sound)
(added bonus- the camera has sound)
Bubble Cam
http://www.andieandmike.org/bubblecam/This Cam is legendary across the internet. Not because its view is very thrilling (a back garden) that at different points in the year is dressed according to the seasons/ holidays or because it is in both English and Spanish. But because its rigged up to a Bubble machine- the website states ‘Press the “Bubbles” button to turn on a 30 second blast of bubbles. It may take a few seconds but you should see bubbles soon.’ now this may not sound amazing- but it amused me for ages! The website is so popular you can only watch the camera for 4 minutes at a time to free up bandwidth for someone else to play with the bubbles!
Anzuno Satoichi- Shop in Japan
http://www.opentopia.com/webcam/8489?viewmode=livevideoOK its not exactly Supermarket sweep, but its busy and you can see all the interesting things the internet tells us about Japan (I havent seen any tentical porn as of yet) from the outfit to the interesting carriers for their shopping. I am still trying to work out what they sell- it looks like some kind of fresh fruit/ veg and pre packaged… meat? Any way its fast moving and a bit of fun.
TopTip- Play a drinking game to the people, everyone get assigned a colour and you take a shot when a person is wearing the colour!
What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas (and on the internet)
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/nevada/lasvegas/index.php?cam=weddingSo you have always wanted to know what a Vegas Wedding is like? well here you go- you can sit at home in your PJs and watch total strangers get married! The website boasts that you can watch the venue transform from normal to any variation of themed weddings- complete with lighting, actors and costumes! This is the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel and whilst watching I have seen- 4 wedding dresses, 4 ‘walk ins off the street’ and an elvis wedding (to name a few). you can watch everything from the bride walking down the aisle to the couples 1st dance, with lots of room for guests (though I am yet to see any)
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