Oscar Branning, portrayed by Pierre Counihan-Boullier, in ‘Eastenders’, has to be one of TV’s most problematic characters in decades. Oversexed and manipulative, he represents the bisexual representation problem. In fact, he embodies it. Flitting between two lovers, Jasmine and Josh, who both happen to be twins, he goes to one- or both- of them whenContinue reading “The Oscar Problem”
Category Archives: Profile
Anatomy Of A Classic: Strawberry Switchblade
Everyone adored their hit single, ‘Since Yesterday’, but Strawberry Switchblade’s eponymous album had many more beautiful songs. In their aesthetic and musical DNA lies a plethora of influences. Sixties icons Brigitte Bardot and The Shangri-Las. Their look is the first obvious jumping -off point. There’s a strong goth look in the Siouxsie-esque make-up and corsets,Continue reading “Anatomy Of A Classic: Strawberry Switchblade”
In Praise of Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois, the French – American artist who died in 2010 at the age of 98, was pure punk. She was best known for her casts of clothes, bodies and meat, but also her incredible large-scale sculptures, like the 30 foot tall spider called ‘Maman’. The reason for its title was that she adored herContinue reading “In Praise of Louise Bourgeois”
Skeleton Tree Is A Decade Old
How is it possible? Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ ‘Skeleton Tree’s a decade old. An overwhelming album scrutinising appalling loss, grief and coping through love, it was arguably the most personal album Cave had ever created at that pont. Andrew Dominik’s film, ‘One More Time With Feeling’ that came out to accompany the album,Continue reading “Skeleton Tree Is A Decade Old”
That Mitchell and Webb Look- Series 1(2006)
The first series of ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’ is by far the best. It came along at exactly the right time, 2006, when sketch comedy shows seemed moribund. Melding their contrasting ‘Peep Show’ personas with outright absurdism, it was very silly and often inspired. There was ‘Numberwang’, the quiz show with no discernible rules;Continue reading “That Mitchell and Webb Look- Series 1(2006)”
G-L-O-R-I-A
Gloria Steinem has passed away at 92 and I have nothing but respect for what she achieved in her lifetime. From protesting for our reproductive rights, to working undercover as a Playboy Bunny to report on their unfair working conditions, she was pretty fearless. The tireless feminist activist and journalist made women’s struggles go mainstream.Continue reading “G-L-O-R-I-A”
Lost In Music : Holy Motors – Hellishly Hot
The recent single from the Estonian indie band is a slinky little minx, with shimmering Cure-esque synth, Eliann Tulve’s typically yearning vocals and twangy guitar. It’s atmospheric and sleepy, but there’s a current of unease, like night sweats. “Hellishly Hot”, indeed. A new album, full of sadness and tarnished dreams, is forthcoming, for warmth throughoutContinue reading “Lost In Music : Holy Motors – Hellishly Hot”
Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song
Before Toyah, Hazel O’ Connor, Bjork, Florence Welsh and Amanda Fucking Palmer, there was the beautiful Lene Lovich. Part of Stiff Records’ roster, the Serbian American artist was a contemporary of Kate Bush but arguably a bit kookier. ‘Lucky Numbers’ was of course her top ten hit in the UK, but I prefer this. Jeepers,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song”
Overlooked Classic: Plan 9 From Outer Space
Ah, pity poor misunderstood Ed Wood Jr. He was a man with a dream, a love of pink angora, and a movie camera. No matter that he barely scraped a storyboard together: in his head IT ALL MADE SENSE. Let’s ignore his dreadful nudie cutie film nonsense and zoom in on his masterwork, For thereContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Plan 9 From Outer Space”
Lost In Music: Fini Tribe*
If Pet Shop Boys are perceived as the pop Gilbert and George, then Edinburgh’s Fini Tribe (sometimes written as finitribe) were DADA. Formed in 1982, there were originally six members: Phillip Pinsky, Chris Connelly, Davie Miller ,John Vick, Andy McGregor and Simon McGlynn. Together, they fused post-punk radicalism with strong visual art, samples and beats,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Fini Tribe*”
