Series 1 of Smoggie Queens was brilliant: surreal, hilarious and touching. Focusing on a queer family in Middlesbrough, creator Phil Dunning, who also plays main character Dickie, crafted a loveable, silly bunch of misfits with recognisable quirks and – most importantly -a strong working -class sensibility. Series 1 set up the rivalry between Dickie andContinue reading “Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!”
Category Archives: Pop culture
The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs
Steve Coogan’s lesser-known character Tony Ferrino has been on my radar a lot lately, because of the Eurovision (Bulgaria won, incidentally.) Who could resist this stylish, moustachioed lothario; part Julio Iglesias, part Tom Jones, but all love stallion? This swingin’ number about a certain serial killer is possibly even better than Spinal Tap’s spirited paeanContinue reading “The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs”
Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?
P…WE…I! Back in the day, West Midlands scamps Pop Will Eat Itself were a scrappy grebo band. Grebo was a term for scruffy, rough around the edges indie bands and was ubiquitous for about ten minutes in the mid -eighties. It obviously didn’t take off like grunge or Britpop, though. Then, after zero success, butContinue reading “Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?”
Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut
Imagine your favourite film scores, chopped up and put into a blender. That’s basically the ethos of the brilliant second Fantomas album The Director’s Cut from 2001. It’s a millennium mashup like no other. Essentially a bonkers supergroup, comprising Faith No More’s Mike Patton, Buzz Osbourne from The Melvins, Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and Trevor DunnContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut”
Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson
With the recent TV documentary, Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy and the apparent hagiography Michael dividing people, I’ve been thinking a lot about the late singer, dancer and all-round eccentric and somewhat broken man. We’ll never know the truth, will we? And while that’s undoubtedly tainted Michael in many ways forever, he still left behindContinue reading “Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson”
Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood
Lucie Caries’ film about Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli is candid and moving, precisely because her subject isn’t afraid to speak openly and honestly about her tragedies as well as triumphant moments.So there’s battles with drugs and drink; unsuitable romances, Bob Fosse, Studio 54, Andy Warhol , Michael Jackson, AIDS activism, and a Pet Shop BoysContinue reading “Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood”
Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical
And so, the 1980s/ nostalgia bandwagon trundles wheezily onwards into oblivion. We’ve had Heathers, Annie, Hairspray, now it’s the musical that absolutely nobody asked for, The Karate Kid. Bizarrely, Phoenix Nights predicted this would happen years ago, with their own amateur version. Original film posters. Join Daniel and Mr Miyagi as he battles to tackleContinue reading “Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical”
Malcolm Tucker’s Rough Guide to Lyrical Profanity
Ahhh, Peter Capaldi, the dapper, mild -mannered thespian and for a whole generation, forever ‘Dr Who’. But undercover of darkness, he transformed into Malcolm Tucker, godfather of spin, Beelzebub in a suit, and *wink* not at all based on Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair’s right-hand man. ‘The Thick of It ‘, created by the brilliant ArmandoContinue reading “Malcolm Tucker’s Rough Guide to Lyrical Profanity”
Great Style Never Fades
Some looks are timeless. Here are a few icons providing that some ideas are classic-from really simple, to flamboyant. Top: Prince in his ruffled regal pomp. A still from the film ‘Purple Rain’ in 1984. This was the soundtrack and film that made him a global superstar. Below: this picture features the wonderful Debbie HarryContinue reading “Great Style Never Fades”
“It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘
Who, prithee, can we count on in times like these? Who’ll be there in our hour of need, when all seems lost? Russell Brand is struggling to find appropriate pages of comforting verse in his bible; Trump is struggling in general, and the world remains as divided- and divisive – as ever. Let us turnContinue reading ““It’s Alright”… A public announcement from ‘The Day Today ‘”
