Glasgow is a glorious city, full of contrasts: it’s the “Dear Green Place”; yet struggles with violence and gangland beefs. It’s modern, yet can be reactionary as hell. People can be wonderful, and I lived there over two decades. The buzz, bands, dance and theatre on my doorstep and the multiculturalism were glorious. However, theContinue reading “Goodbye Glesga… For a bit.”
Category Archives: Society
Freelancer’s Blues
It isn’t easy being a freelance arts writer. While I’m fully aware there are worse jobs to have (I previously worked in a call centre, a hotel and in retail, uggghhh) there are a few issues with this bizarre occupation. Firstly, some publications insist that they will pay you, only to renege at the lastContinue reading “Freelancer’s Blues”
The Inexorable Rise Of Waitrose Indie
Alternative music with the crusts cut off, Waitrose Indie is really having its moment in 2024. The reasons for this are many and complicated: firstly, the music industry is a tough one to crack, so if you attended a posh school or had musician parents, you already had access to insiders who could provide businessContinue reading “The Inexorable Rise Of Waitrose Indie”
Overlooked Classics: Monkey Dust
Monkey Dust could be the darkest animation ever shown on TV. Forget cats called Fritz, Cartman and co or even Quagmire on the vastly overrated Family Guy, this was brutal. Created by the truly warped minds of Harry Thompson and Shaun Pye, characters such as the Meat Safe Murderer, Pretentious Hipsters and Paedophile Finder GeneralContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Monkey Dust”
This Is My Walking Stick
Smart, isn’t she? Great colours. Her name is Sabrina, The Teenage Stick, and she’s been a constant companion to me for the last couple of years as I wobble through the city. In 2019, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hip, and have been referred for a hip replacement operation. It’s been a long,Continue reading “This Is My Walking Stick”
Podcast Review: Things Fell Apart
In this time of noise, overload and division, it’s easy to get deep into doomscrolling and overwhelm. So it’s wonderful that writers and broadcasters like Jon Ronson exist in the world. As with his brilliant books (he’s tackled everything from social !media cancellation, to the roots of psychopathy) his podcast Things Fell Apart, takes on theContinue reading “Podcast Review: Things Fell Apart”
Lucifer Over Lanarkshire: Diane Morgan Is A Disgrace
I’m not asking for cancellation here, because, as I previously stated, I have a sense of ambivalence about banning artists, but there’s one actor who really winds me up: Diane Morgan. She’s a disgrace. For those of you unfamiliar with her work, Morgan is a comedy actor who is utterly typecast. Essentially, she plays stupid,Continue reading “Lucifer Over Lanarkshire: Diane Morgan Is A Disgrace”
Is Cancel Culture Over?
Jonathan Richman arguably wrote one of the first songs about cancelling artists due to their dodgy tendencies. Titled ‘Pablo Picasso ‘, the chorus went, “Pablo Picasso was never called on asshole”. and was a pointed critique on his philandering. I wonder what he makes of Louis CK, Russell Brand and Lizzo. Nobody is infallible inContinue reading “Is Cancel Culture Over?”
Film Review: Cat Nation
This quirky documentary, created by film maker Tim Delmastro and You Tuber Chris Broad, an Englishman who has lived in Japan for over five years, follows the Japanese fascination with the domestic felines. From a station master’s cat (below, in jaunty hat) to a temple festooned with Neko beckoning lucky cats, to a slightly OTTContinue reading “Film Review: Cat Nation”
Film Review: It’s A Rockabilly World
… Except it’s not,not really. This Brent Huff documentary from 2016 looks great on paper, purporting to look at the rockabilly subculture in all its sassy glory. Instead, it focuses on the Viva Las Vegas convention, with lots of hipster types with sleeve tattoos, blue hair and brothel creepers. It’s colourful enough, and everyone looksContinue reading “Film Review: It’s A Rockabilly World”
Hit The North 