PALMA VIOLETS

I came across the Palma Violets around mid 2012 and fell in love with their sound, vibe, name and overall style. I'm a punk lover, inspired by The Clash, haunted by the Sex Pistols (I got told off for wearing a God Save the Queen t-shirt on the Queens Jubilee - true anarchist I know)

and often found in leather. 

Their sound did it for me but founding out they were formed at Reading 2011 (my 2nd ever festival) was the icing on the cake.

I saw them live at the NME Tour (for which I somehow had free tickets) along with Peace, Django Django, and Miles Kane, all great artists, I pity those who missed out. Already winners of two NME awards and playing the Park Stage at Glastonbury (I'll be there), these boys are sure to be big

So, check them out unless you are a loony.

http://www.palmaviolets.co.uk/

maybe they welcome loonies actually.

boys in the band. 

(Sam Fryer -vocals, guitar, Chilli Jesson - vocals, bass, Peter Mayhew - keyboards, William Doyle - drums).

p.s Parma Violets were my favourite childhood sweet, but we'll oversee the spelling difference here.

BE: Beady Eye

On the Friday 7th of June, the day after our exams (I was a little worse for wear - I think I may have invented cider vodka martinis at some point...), myself and Romana were  toddling around Portobello, stopping off at Rough Trade as is standard. Only this time, we got ourselves on the list to see Beady Eye perform at Rough trade East (the one I am more familiar with) on Monday. Having both been big Oasis fans and self-admitted newbies to the world of Beady Eye we bought the unreleased album (Romana was shocked. I was just goin with the flow - unreleased? hahaha - but it actually doesn't come out till the 10th). Having been away in the Cotswolds I will post our take on the album shortly, also with super new other stuff about Liam live. What to expect? I don't know. What I expect? Like most things, anything.

 This is the album which is a book-like thing with a card slot at the end for the album. So far, i really like 'Iz Rite' and 'I'm Just Saying' is promising with the exception of the slightly annoying intro. First song 'Flick of the Finger' is a return to the Britpop sound we all love. 'Don't Brother Me' sounds like a possible peace attempt with Noel, however we are not here to judge so I will say the long instrumental bridge was tense yet mellowing.The reversed lyrics in 'Dreaming of Some Space' reminded me of the Beatles 'Gnik Nus'. 'Off At The Next Exit' will definitely please older fans. Overall great variety between tracks, so far a solid 8/10.

I can imagine 'Face the Crowd' could be ace live. Will have to see tomorrow! Wish us luck, Romana wants an autograph!

http://ooooiiii.com/

Posh - review

Posh 

I've got a new law for you mate, it's called survival of the fittest, it's called f**k you we're the Riot Club.

I saw Posh! on its first or second night at its new home of The Duke of York Theatre and positively loved it. The play looks at an elite Oxford dining club, the 'Riot Club' (Bullingdon?) as they spend a night at a gastro pub, wreaking havoc at every opportunity. A dramatic story line, some humorous musical surprises and excellent writing from female playwright Laura Wade make this a brilliant production. Having proved itself at the Royal Court Theatre and eight of the original cast returning for its success on the West End, I can only hope it continues to grow in success. Posh takes on an ‘in your face approach’ and reveals the secrets of the hidden societies within privileged universities. Some actors I recognised from previous appearances such as Henry Lloyd- Hughes, plays the patronised Greek and previously bully of The Inbetweeners, Steffan Rhodri as the pubs owner and previously of the final Harry Potter films. Some cast make their stage debut in the piece yet act brilliantly. I highly recommend you go see this, a play even more relevant now as our political leaders backgrounds are further explored. With its young cast, I hope it will help launch careers of aspiring young actors in the future.

First Review

My first published review came at the age of 11. It was of the film adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and in my opinion my review was useless. I was taken to the premiere at Leicester Square one night after school and afterwards was asked questions by a lady producing shorthand notes that I interpreted as doodles at the time. She used these to create my review and took my photo, I saw it published in the tabloid and was happy. However I should've said more about the movie, as an 11 year old however I did not realise I was reviewing a film until it was published and my answers reflected my initial reaction to the film, which was gripping. My column appeared on a double page spread opposite another boy who'd seen it with me. Since this naive review I have decided to start this blog, partly to make up for my piece back in 2005.