Brave Little Turkey Launches Heartfelt Christmas Appeal Somewhere in Norfolk a brave little turkey managed to smuggle out a recording detailing exactly what she wants for Christmas. We don’t know if this plucky old bird made it out with her tape… but wherever she is, we salute her courage and decided to use it to try and do some good (we also hope she isn’t too offended by the terrible video we made for it). Any proceeds go to Medicine Sans Frontier UK Buy it on iTunes Buy it on Google Play Hate the song and want to donate to MSF UK directly? Click here... … [Read more...]
Greg Goode’s Political Diaries: My Epic Quest
September 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Outlandish World of Greg Goode Part VIII With inspired fervour I cast out my net And snared a great horde of potentials to vet The journey that followed was completely unplanned And it feels like I’ve travelled every road in this land I met a Brummie in Bracknell who thought he was Jesus A roofer in Rugeley enticed me with cheeses Two sisters in Stafford had planned a new town… But only for white folk, no place for the brown There’s a lady in Leicester who eats lots of glass “It’s political art,” she said with a laugh An old chap in Perth jogs round naked at night It’s nice that he’s happy, but I can’t join his fight Now, it sounds like my process of sifting is flawed But there was no hint of loopy till I knocked on their doors Though their mails were all normal and their claims were serene They were the maddest collection of bonkers I’ve seen But I was not disheartened as I criss-crossed this land With a dream in my heart and mead cup in hand I knew I must … [Read more...]
The Party That’s Never Won: Hang ’em High
August 20, 2014 by 1 Comment
Episode 2 “The problem with our mainstream image,” began Harry Ra’Basche, pacing the floor of the United Liberation Party’s communications room, whilst casting a casually inconspicuous glance into Sam's low-cut blue dress, “is that every time we make any headway with the popular press, some silly councillor I’ve barely heard of shoots his mouth off about hating women, loving Hitler, or wanting to beat up a Muslim, and that’s all they report for the next week.” “We need two things right now. One: an official list of what these local limelight-lovers can and cannot say. I mean seriously, no more bloody Hitler references. I don’t care how good he was at public speaking; and Two: a huge positive talking point – one that will run and run, that instigates the kind of debate other parties wouldn’t dare to, but one that the British public and press will take up like a beacon.” … [Read more...]
Greg Goode’s Political Diaries: Tramping the Halls of Westminster
July 28, 2014 by 1 Comment
The Outlandish World of Greg Goode Part VII “Ed,” sang the high pitched female voice emerging briskly from the second set of security gates which separated the public from the tree-lined interior of Portcullis House. “Anyone for Ed… Miliband?” she continued, her voice starting sing-song, but getting steadily flatter as her request barely raised a glance from the hot, gathered throng. This was Wednesday. I had grudgingly removed my shoes and belt to pass through the airport-style security and enter the open-plan holding pen at the Palace of Westminster’s more modern annexe. Here I had dutifully handed in my name and joined the crowds of waiting guests who, like me, all needed collecting by the aides, secretaries and interns who busily swept in and out, announcing their respective political personages and chaperoning guests into the seat of power. “Ed Miliband,” called the girl, by now sadly, as she pushed her way through the bored yet expectant herd: “Ed Milieeeeeband…” … [Read more...]
The Party That’s Never Won: Episode I – We Need a Manifesto
July 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment
It’s been ten weeks since the first wave of victory flooded through the converted North London town house. It was from here that the triumphant ‘pint swilling gatecrasher at the Westminster toga party!’ speeches were written; and the emails demanding extra cash for the long campaign ahead were sent out again, and again, all bearing Harry Ra’Basche’s friendly grinning face and digital signature. Now, after the initial breaking roll of craziness, things were just beginning to level off and quieten down. The house stands on a slight dip in the eastern corner of Lonsdale Square. It’s a lofty, four storey gothic revival affair, built with grey bricks and overlooking the well-kept communal gardens. Located in the affluent area of Barnsbury, Islington. The building had once been owned by musician Dave Dee – of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich. But now it is the political headquarters of the United Liberation Party (ULP)… the newly crowned plain speaking, but noticeably MP-less, … [Read more...]
Greg Goode’s Political Diaries: Is it all Just a Little Bit of History Repeating?
June 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Outlandish World of Greg Goode Part VI There’s dancing and chanting and donkeys on skates Strange flaming robes and young girls spinning plates An odd little boy with a bright red balloon And a pack of wild dogs howling up at the moon They’re all pointing at me, I just want to run A knot in my stomach says this won’t be fun “Dance!” boomed a voice from on high… A low whirling kicked up from the floor in front of me and a wave of dust edged me further back into my seat. The low grey hum gave way to grinding gears and clanking metal as a huge platform rose up from the ground and towered over us. My palms began to sweat as six ghost-like figures lined up on the edge of the raised plinth and took turns lighting their hand held torches one by one. Gently they began to sway from side to side, getting faster and more erratic, then darting in between each other like a collective of dervishes, careering round the tiny platform at an alarming rate… before leaping from the … [Read more...]
Greg Goode’s Political Diaries: Rev J W Simpson vs Fab Farage
May 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Outlandish World of Greg Goode Part V I’ve been reading manifestos, looking to find a cause Elections are looming, though I don’t have a vote Still I haven’t seemed to find a voice that echoes with my own But I know we need integrity … not awful racist blokes. There is something odd and faintly offensive about the Rev J W Simpson cocktail bar in Fitzrovia. This is the former home of the eponymous ecclesiastical gentleman who, according to the mock blue plaque outside, lived here between 1963 and 1987. Today it blends spanking new sofas with peeling wallpaper and crumbling plaster, whilst the layout retains all its original design. The draw for me, of course, was the mead. Whilst cocktails are on no level my thing, I read that the Rev J W Simpson offered the mead variety. Upon receiving this knowledge my heart started to palpitate, my hands started to sweat … and I knew the ‘Mead Feast’ must be sampled. Now, I don’t want to come across as some crazily-chuntering … [Read more...]
Fab Farage: A UKIP Odyssey (Integrity… with Slightly Racist Notes)
April 28, 2014 by 2 Comments
(Featuring Stella) A comedy song about UKIP - an unbelievable parody of a political party. The fact that this gaggle of racist chuckleheads have so much passionate support in this country makes us all do a little sick in our collective mouths. Vocals by Stella, words by Kathryn and Nick. … [Read more...]
Harvey Andrews Interview: ‘Margarita’ a ‘Streets of London’ for Birmingham?
April 26, 2014 by 5 Comments
It is 11.20am at Euston station. Swarms of people are positioned on their starting blocks in front of the announcement board. The 11.40 to Liverpool has already been called on platform 8, yet the 11.23 to Birmingham has still not been placed. There is a sense of tension in the air - then suddenly it appears on the monitor. Release gives way to mass pandemonium as a stampede of people push and jostle their way to platform 13. We clutch our paper coffee cups with grim determination and lead the throng. This is the start of a four hour journey from London into the deepest Shropshire countryside. Our mission is to interview retired folk singer Harvey Andrews. This man has had a 50 year career touring, but still, few people have heard of him. It seems something is awry with this: he is a talented lyricist, tells genuinely human stories about blind great aunts and underdogs and, as we’re soon to find out, is extremely self-deprecating. In fact he embodies all those admirable qualities … [Read more...]
Swarms of Bugs in Chelsea: Unrivalled Art Critics Since 2014
The room is long and white with a glass panelled ceiling that lets light flood down into the space. Inside there is a bizarre stillness though, because up all four walls in concentrated clusters, are swarms of giant bugs. “It is a bit odd,” says Kathryn uncertainly as we loiter in the doorway of the first room on the ground floor. She is, after all, responsible for this trip to the Saatchi Gallery, in the old barracks off the Kings Road. Sidling over to the left hand wall, Nick peers carefully and then pulls a face. Close up, each insect is made of two knobbly ends with twigs bound on from centre to make up weird spindly legs. Glancing round there appears to be no written information about the artist anywhere… and groups of tourists are merrily taking pictures. At the far end, two Chinese girls are taking turns to snap each other high-fiving the installation. … [Read more...]