Wednesday 28 October 2009

I f****** hate Gillette

Time for a rant. I promised myself that I wouldn't swear on this blog but when it comes to this manufacturer of overpriced, gimmicky men's grooming products the number of expletives currently fighting to bounce off the tip of my tongue is almost unquantifiable. The main problem I have is their television advertising. Why do they feel the need to use words like 'turbo' and 'refuel' to sell their products? Do they feel the only way to get through to men is to mention words that might have something to do with cars? This kind of advertising may appeal to the average Top gear watching, socially challenged alpha-male or to those horribly 'driven' young businessmen, who 'play to win' and don't 'understand the word failure', but you can count me out! I hate to get all men's lib on you and granted, being a non-driving Smiths fan with little interest in traditional male pursuits (cars, sports, fighting) I'm probably not part of Gillette's target demographic but you can almost see the marketing meeting now. It makes me sick.

Imagine this, an idyllic Xmas morning, somewhere on the outskirts of London........

MUM: What did you get in your stocking Alan?
ALAN (late 20's): I got Jeremy clarkson's new book, a packet of Gillette razors, a guide to beating up Asian people and a bottle of Rohypnol, so I can rape to my hearts content! Thanks Grandma!
MUM: That's nice dear

Friday 23 October 2009

What a let down

Nick Griffin, leader of the BNP, appeared on the BBC's Question Time last night. A predictable furore surrounded the event; protests outside television centre, questions about freedom of speech. I don't want to talk about whether he should or shouldn't have been invited to appear, nor do I want to talk about the legality of the BNP. They are both complicated, contentious issues and to be honest, I'm not sure on which side of the debate I stand.

I would prefer to talk about the complete failure of the host, panelists, studio audience and the BBC to put Mr Grifffin through his political paces. Almost every question was concerned with race or another suitably controversial topic. We already know the BNP are racists! Their position on homosexuality is well known. If the BNP want to be taken seriously as a political party then surely they should be subjected to the same line of questioning mainstream party representatives face week in, week out; the current economic crisis, M.P.'s expenses, anti-social behaviour. I can assure you, had Mr Griffin been pressed on these issues he would have been exposed as the clueless politician he really is. That would have done more to damage to the BNP than the anti-racist witch hunt he correctly predicted would occur last night. We have now played right into his hands.

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Wednesday 7 October 2009

GUANTANAMO GUARD CONVERTS TO ISLAM

Read this article today in the Guardian G2 today. The content isn't particularly shocking or revelatory; Guards at Guantanamo are ignorant, booze addled sadists with a thin grasp of world politics; Guard with a troubled family history finds religion and is ostracized as result, but it is still terrifying to be reminded of the attitudes and skewed world view that exists within the world's most powerful military force.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/07/guantanamo-bay-islam

Friday 2 October 2009

NEW STUFF!


DON'T MOVE! - Coventry has had it's share of ups and downs. The bad:- Having the shit bombed out of it during WW2, The Enemy: to the sublime: - The Specials and two tone. Luckily, Coventry four piece Don't Move! fall nearer the latter.
Having just released their debut album, 'The new pop sound of.....' on Tin Angel Records (home to Mumford and Sons), you can catch their 60's inspired, Love/Coral-esque pop at Cargo on the 21st of November.

www.myspace.com/dontmove

Thursday 1 October 2009

UNICEF DISASTER APPEAL



As i'm sure most of you will know, there's been a catastrophic series of natural disasters in South East Asia and the South Pacific, starting with typhoon Ketsana in the Phillipines, the tsunami in Samoa and the earthquake(s) in Sumatra.
With so much going on, it can be difficult to know who and how to help, which appeal to give money to, where to donate, etc. Thankfully, Unicef have launched a new appeal aimed at helping children in all affected areas. Go to their homepage and follow the links to donate online!

http://www.unicef.org.uk