World's largest private yacht sails into Tyne

• by Ryan Pilot, The Journal
• Jun 11 2011

Recommend (6)

The World, which is the world s most luxurious cruise ship, arrives at the Port of Tyne

THE world’s largest privately-owned yacht paid its first-ever visit to the North East yesterday.

The World is the permanent home of 130 families from across the globe, who each own one of 165 bespoke apartments.

Residents stepped off the 196-metre-long vessel onto the Port of Tyne after its arrival at 8am yesterday morning to visit Newcastle, The Angel of the North, Durham Cathedral and other North East attractions.

The ship features restaurants, bars, two swimming pools, a full-sized tennis court, spa and casino. Residents visit the ship’s gourmet deli for their groceries and luxury goods, which are replenished regularly at different ports.

The shop even stocks Newcastle Brown Ale, as an alternative to the 12,000 bottles of vintage champagne on board, which is enjoyed by residents from all over the world.

The back of the ship opens out into to the sea for residents to swim in warm waters – and some even take a dip in the Antarctic ocean.

Cruises and ferry passengers injected an estimated £44m into the North East economy last year and heavy investment amounting to around £100m over the last 10 years means the Port of Tyne can attract high-profile cruises as well as traditional port trade.

And the wealthy residents of The World are expected to make a substantial contribution before they set sail at midnight tonight.

The Port of Tyne is one of only five in the UK with a deep enough dock to allow large ships like The World to anchor.

Chief operating officer at the Port of Tyne, Steve Harrison, said: “We’re one of the world’s foremost deep sea ports.

“The likes of Edinburgh have to have large vessels anchor at sea and then have smaller boats that ferry passengers backwards and forwards, whereas we can welcome them directly onto our dock.

“Here we have a purpose-built berth at Northumbrian Quay, so it is more convenient to passengers – or in this case residents.

“We have 20 cruises booked this year, with 37 planned for 2012, which we are hoping to expand to 40, making it our busiest cruise season ever.”

After a tour of The World, Port of Tyne chief executive Andrew Moffat said: “I’m positive that the residents will have a wonderful experience at Newcastle and the region.

“I know they are keen to experience the heritage and hopefully they’ll come back again.

“The fact that The World is paying a visit to the Port of Tyne is testament to our region’s rich heritage and vibrant city culture.”

On Sunday the region will receive a more traditional cruise in the form of Holland America’s Eurodam.

It will bring more than 2,100 passengers who will again visit iconic attractions right across the North East.

Mr Moffat welcomed The World’s Captain, Dag Saevik, by giving him a glass vase by local artist Jane Charles to recognise the region as the world’s first producer of coloured glass.

He also gave Captain Saevik a limited edition print of ‘Mouth of the Tyne’ by John Wilson Carmichael and received a plaque to signify the ship’s maiden voyage to Tyneside from the captain.

Captain Saevik said: “Coming into the port was beautiful, the weather couldn’t have been better. It was like arriving at a Mediterranean port.

“I heard a lot about Newcastle from studying history at school, we used to have a ferry coming to here from Norway where I am from, but this is my first visit to Newcastle.

“When I get free time ashore I always improvise, so I will be going out and seeing what happens.”

Residents aboard The World are typically in their sixties and decide themselves where the ship will go through meetings and votes. Its 2011 itinerary includes 53 countries and after visiting Edinburgh after Tyneside The World will stop at various ports in Norway.

Tyneside was chosen as part of the itinerary for 2011, with a group very excited to see the paintings by the Ashington Miners after the success of the play by Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall.

A return to the region in 2013 is already being discussed after the residents’ maiden trip.

EXTREME IRONING for The Sun

(P46 - 21/04/2011)

JOY AT LAST FOR MUM

ABOVE: Pamela Mude finally has her own bundle of joy, named Aaron

Pamela Mudie suffered five miscarriages, one on Christmas Day and another on her birthday

6th January 2011

By Ryan Pilot

A Miracle mum finally cradles a son after 12 years of baby torment.

Pamela Mudie suffered five miscarriages, one on Christmas Day and another on her birthday.

She was heartbroken when none of her pregnancies lasted longer than 13 weeks, a tragedy that baffled doctors who could not find anything wrong with her.

But now at the age of 44, Pamela finally has her own bundle of joy, named Aaron. She said: “The doctors couldn’t find any reason for the miscarriages. But with Aaron, for some reason, from day one he was totally strong.

“There was nobody more shocked than me the day I found out I was pregnant and my initial reaction was: ‘Oh great, I’m going to lose it again.’

“I even worked out on the calendar when I would lose him and thought it might happen at Christmas, like it did in 2001.

“I was in total denial. I didn’t want to invest emotion in him and I was prepared for the worst. Every time we went for a scan I would get totally euphoric then have to calm myself.”

And Pamela, who lives with husband Stephen in Wideopen, Tyne and Wear, says her workmates at St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Newcastle, were as delighted as she was.

She said: “They were crying with happiness. He is very much a baby of hope. He’s our little miracle baby.”

Fans Stunned by Hughton's Departure

For The Shields Gazette

Also partly used for the Daily Mirror front cover - Tuesday December 7

By Ryan Pilot

NEWCASTLE fans reacted with disbelief after manager Chris Hughton was dismissed today - just weeks after his side walloped arch-rivals Sunderland 5-1.

Baffled and upset fans gathered outside St James's Park after the news broke.

And as sacked Hughton left the stadium, looking thoroughly dejected, he was given a round of applause by Toon supporters.

Hughton took Newcastle back to the Premiership in one season under his 18-month spell as manager, but left St James's Park with his bags packed.

Lifelong Newcastle fans Tom Stephens and Joe Benns thanked Hughton and shook his hand before he was driven away in a black Lexus saloon.

Tom, 19, said: "Thank you Chris, I'll never forget you."

Hughton replied with a simple "Thank you."

As the dejected manager was driven away, the two fans clapped.

Wearing a Newcastle top, Tom, a student from Jesmond, said: "I was nearly in tears. It's horrible isn't it?

"To do this to someone who's stuck by the club and kept with the boys, got the boys back up.

"He should have been given another two years. What's he done wrong? He's lost a few games in a season that's been mental and horrible for everyone.

"It's disgusting of the club – when will we start to learn? We've done this so many times before - we did it with Keegan and we got relegated.

"Are we going to get relegated again? How many chances do you want? It's just ridiculous.

"Ashley has to go – no one likes him – I don't know why he's staying, what's the point? Just sell the club, get out of here, no one likes you.

"People absolutely hate him – there's no reason why he should stay, he thinks he's the big Godfather of the club.

"But the fans are the most important people and they wanted Hughton to stay, it's horrible."

Benns, 20, also a student from Jesmond, said: "We were just coming to Shearer's bar to try and spend our vouchers and we got a text saying Hughton's being sacked, so we came down here.

"I like the fact that we got to see him and got a chance to say goodbye because he's been the best manager that I've seen here."

Alan Curbishley has emerged as a bookies' favourite to take the vacant spot - but fans slammed the idea of appointing the former West Ham United boss.

Stephens added: "What's Curbishley gonna do that Hughton can't? The only reason I can just about see this happening is if a decent manager is coming in, but not Alan Curbishley. What's he ever done?"

John Shearer, 49, a full-time carer from Byker, who claims to be a cousin of Toon legend Alan Shearer, said: "He did the big job, he beat Sunderland didn't he? Any manager who did the big job shouldn't be sacked.

"I would've kept him. But you can't go and beat the big clubs then lose against the little ones like West Brom. These supporters won't put up with it."

Supporter Stephen Denison, 38, from Fenham, Newcastle, said: "I cannot believe it - he brought us back up and we were beating Chelsea and Arsenal, then all of a sudden you play West Brom and get beat and you're out.

"It's not fair - you have to give him a chance. He's done well in the Premier League, it's not his fault, he's on coppers really. He's got no money to spend, he just had to get on with it."

North East Film Gets Edgy

For The Cultural Thing

Ryan Pilot

Explicitly erotic underground film brilliantlove made its North East debut this week.

Produced by Newcastle-based Pinball Films and directed by one third of the organisation, James Horner, it premiered in June at New York's Tribeca Film Festival and also played this year's Edinburgh Film Festival.

But it came home to play at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle last Tuesday and also played Thursday.

Set in a remote Teesside town, the Northern Film and Media funded film follows young lovers, Manchester and Noon as they spend most of the first half of the film naked and blissfully having sex.

But their relationship is put to the test when naïve Manchester gets caught up in a world of art and pornography.

Speaking after the first screening, the film's writer, Sean Conway said: “I discovered the word erotology, which is the study of sexual love and love making and thought 'shit, I wish I'd have done that at A-level!'

“So one of ideas was that and the other idea was a pastiche of the art world, which was called 'Fuck Art' initially until brilliantlove became a fusion, an amalgamation of both.

“But obviously as a writer you should write about what you know and I don't know a great deal about the art world but sex and being in love is my specialist subject.”

New Creative Hub For North East

For The Cultural Thing

Exclusive by Ryan Pilot

A New creative hub is set to open in central Newcastle.

The building will primarily be used by Sustained Theatre North East, a black and ethnic theatre group.

But it will be open to everyone - with the man behind it, Oscar Watson of North East Intercultural Arts keen to include as manny people as possible, not just a creative élite.

He said: “There is a discussion at the moment about a building which will be about development of performance art.

“But I am very keen if that does happen is what we create is a creative community hub.

“The last government talked about creative hubs as spaces like schools for example, so I wanted to build on that – using the resources that came from Sustained Theatre to buy and open a building.

“But to make the resources of that building available to schools, and colleges and wide groups of people.

“There is a particular building that we have in mind and we're very close in the way to possibly getting it.

“But there are problems. It's a significant amount of money that's being brought into the region.

“It's £750,000 but we may not be able to get hold of it for the want of £10,000.”

He's Gok What It Takes

For the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (Oct 13)

BY Ryan Pilot

TV fashionista Gok Wan dropped into Newcastle to recruit Tynesiders for a charity programme.

Vodafone's World of Difference scheme is offering 500 people paid two-month placements with a charity of their choice.

Gok chatted to Newcastle's participants from last year on the Millennium Bridge, where he commented on the "gorgeous" quayside. It is not the fashion guru's first visit to the city - he has brought his travelling catwalk roadshow here twice for TV Gok's Fashion Fix.

Newcastle produced 22 applicants last year, but Gok is hoping for a lot more this time.

Gok Makes The World Of Difference

For the Newcastle Journal (Oct 13)

BY Ryan Pilot

FASHION guru Gok Wan chatted to Tynesiders on the Millennium Bridge yesterday as he promoted a charity project.

Vodafone's World of Difference programme is offering 500 people a paid two-month placement with a charity of their choice.

Urging the region to get involved, Gok said: "Apply, absolutely, go out there, be proactive about it. You can absolutely 100% make a difference - it's really important." It is not the presenter's first visit to the city - he has brought his travelling catwalk roadshow here twice for TV show Gok's Fashion Fix.

"Everyone's really accommodating," he said. "And in fact, when we did the travelling catwalk to search for the country's most stylish person we had lots of really good entries here."

Jen Pharaoh did a two-month placement with local charity Coco last year as part of the World of Difference scheme. She worked with youngsters at Regent Farm First School in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Jen, 23 said: "I can highly recommend anyone apply because there's something for everyone to do."

Anyone who wants to apply should go to www.vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference

The Big Picture

For the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (Oct 14)

By Ryan Pilot

TALENTED youngsters drew on their artistic abilities to make their mark on a giant collage.

Tyneside kids added to a huge image of Mr Grumpy's Motor Car to celebrate the launch of an exhibition about children's writer John Burningham.

The event was held at Ouseburn's Seven Stories in the Creation Station and included children of all ages and abilities.

It was part of The Big Draw 2010 - an international initiative to get the world drawing. It is held over five continents throughout October.

Paul Black, from Seven Stories, said: "Children and families love joining us with these events, it has a big community feel and the finished pieces of artwork are always fantastic."

The finished colourful picture can be viewed at the Artist's Attic at Seven Stories, which is under Byker Bridge.

It can also be seen at the Seven Stories Facebook group, where there are more photos of the little artists at work.

Last year children from across the region came together to create a massive tiger with children's illustrator Catherine Rayner at Seven Stories.

The Big Draw 2010 hits the Bailiffgate Museum in Alnwick, Northumberland, on October 23, where youngsters will be asked to draw the future.

Kids can let their imaginations go wild as they draw the crazy inventions of the next 100 years - with prizes for the best.

The event will last one week and information can be found atwww.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk or by calling 01665 605847.

The Chapman Family: The Sound of the North East

For www.WoodenCauliflower.com

By Ryan Pilot

The Chapman Family intend to knock some sense into the overcrowded, watered down indie web that currently clogs up the ears of the kids today. Having played a successful set at Glastonbury, and landing a place on the current NME Radar Tour with electro-pop overnight success La Roux, the band are already penetrating the musical consciousness of the country with their scratchy, noisy post-punk poetry.

On stage, front man Kingsley's persona is enigmatic; he is at once uncomfortable and confident. He has a powerful presence and yet appears introverted, with an arm covering his eyes when it is not busy combing his guitar strings as he punches out deep, anxious vocals. It is as if he is apologetic for what he has to say, however much he believes in it, as if it will offend his audience.

“[The Chapman Family are] trying to react against the general apathy of people who don't necessarily recognise that the country's going to shit,” says Kingsley. “No one seems to care but everyone sort of seems to enjoy listening to The Hoosiers telling us everything's all right, or The View telling us to go out and have a party ... You're never going to get us singing songs about going down an indie disco and fannying on with a girl and taking her home ... there's always going to be us fighting against something.”

Kingsley started to form The Chapman Family in 2005 when he and guitarist Paul, whose attic he had been living in, started playing music together as a reaction to the derivative touring indie bands that they saw each week in their home town of Stockton.

“Everyone else was ripping off The Libertines and everyone else is singing in cockney accents, even though they're from South Bank [a Middlesbrough council estate], which is just ridiculous,” says Kingsley. “Or you'd get touring bands come in and they were just shit, every single one of them, just shit.”

Stockton is a Teesside town full of people with little ambition, where someone with bigger ideas can get easily frustrated with those around them. With Joy Division-inspired bass lines, jerky guitars and desperate vocals, the music of The Chapman Family conveys the frustration with apathy that Kingsley has.

“I think people in Teesside are really insular and think that we're up against the World,” says Kingsley. “But ... with going to other various towns and cities throughout the country [I've seen that] it's exactly the same as everywhere else.”

Kingsley spent four years away from Teesside at Sheffield Hallam University studying fine art before forming The Chapman Family and he now works at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. However, he makes it clear that this is no pretentious arty-farty band that he is in.

“I started out and I wanted to paint, I wanted to be an abstract expressionist, but soon realised that I was pretty shit at it, so tried my hand at video and performance art and stuff so there's probably an element of that that came through,” Kingsley explains.

“We're not like art-rock like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are art-rock ... I don't think the band is an art project. I think it's a rock band and it's separate,” says Kingsley. “But if you bring elements of what you've learnt from art school ... you get influenced by everything up until that point in your life when you are sitting down and writing a song.”

Perhaps then, the awkwardness in Kingsley's stage persona comes from a fear of appearing pretentious. He sings, with his north-east accent, lines such as 'you are not impressing anyone' on 'You Are Not Me' which come across as an attack on the shallow bands that are trying to be another self-indulgent, fashionable London export. Kingsley is a North-easterner through and through and would not entertain the idea of moving to London for the band's sake.

“I enjoy being from the north east of England,” Kingsley says, but admits it would be easier and quicker to do well in the capital: “The NME reviewer can go and see you on a Wednesday as opposed to like waiting three months for him to go and see you ... Yeah it'd be dead easy if you went down to London but I don't see the point because I think the music that we make, the songs that we do have to have some sort of identity and have to have some sort of northern identity. I think you've got to be honest to where you're from ... If you went to London you'd be polluted by the effects of living in London and crappy city life, whereas here you can sort of do your thing ... you're not gonna wanna try and get into some crappy little scene that celebrates itself.”

Kinsley's frustration about the apathy of people, about the “lack of revolutionary spirit” as he put it, is of course not directed exclusively at those from his home town, but nationwide. We are in a time of great change, America has a black president, we are damaging the planet dramatically, the internet is evolving , expanding communication methods and of course we are in a recession.

“In every recession or every sort of bad time something good comes out of it,” explains Kingsley. “So you had like acid house and grunge and Madchester and all that shit came out of the arse end of the Tory government. Then you had the punk rock movement or new wave or whatever out of the bleakness of the seventies. And then you got Elvis and rock n roll out of the depression. But now that we're in the shit perhaps something should happen. But I dunno, I think the general consensus with the public is that they don't care, they really couldn't care less because they'd prefer to go and watch The Feeling tell them that everything is all right.”

The Chapman Family play Evolution Festival in Newcastle on 24^th May.

www.myspace.com/thechapmanfamily

Gig review: Saint and the Cynics / The Lurchers at the Head of Steam, Newcastle

Written for www.WoodenCauliflower.com

By Ryan Pilot

A clash between the artistic nihilistic noise-lovers The Lurchers and the highly polished, tightly delivered soul-funkers Saint and the Cynics occurred two weeks ago at the Head of Steam. Both fought their corner well and it’s hard to say who came out victorious. Then again, that’s not the point of a gig, is it?

The Lurchers have got a cool sound that comes from a mix of influences; you can get on the dancefloor and have a good thrash around to their songs, or simply appreciate them for their craftsmanship.

Front man Paul looked like a bit of an artrocker; with his black glasses, his bequiffed bonnet and his sharp dressing. His appearance seemed to promise some sort of spectacular, theatrical Nick Cave-style performance but he disappointingly never allowed himself to indulge in one. He contrasted with his band mates, who looked more like rockers than he, and apparently are. One guitarist laid a solid rock foundation and sported a moustache and mullet while the other delicately added a noisier guitar layer to loosen up the sound.

These two guitarists created diversity and built an interesting and creative set of songs, which were compiled of a variety of styles; including angular, awkward-sounding riffs akin to At The Drive In to droning trippy Queens of the Stone Age inspired rock grooves and even the tight rhythmic guitar elements of The Strokes.

Paul’s vocals flowed smoothly and blended with the voices of the instruments behind him. He was Thom Yorke at times, but mostly Josh Homme. In fact as the set went on the whole band become a bit too Queens of The Stone Age. They seemed to give up on their own creativity and lay back on rock conventions and formulaic QOTSA song patterns, which was a shame. Paul’s vocals did sound nicer in the second half though in a higher pitch, and it was a shame that mulleted guitarist Kenny’s microphone was not working so that the audience could hear his harmonising.

The Lurchers are a talented, thoughtful band, with an artistic and potentially highly original sound. But they should focus on the more creative and original writing that they are clearly capable of to become a truly head-turning outfit.

Saint and the Cynics have two of the best dressed front women you’re likely to see. They look like perfect soul divas, with sequined dresses and outrageously thick eyelashes. They’ve got spectacular voices too, which soar and quiver up and down scales harmoniously with confidence and ease.

The band have some very catchy numbers; all soul and funk based, with a little bit of rock edge at times. They know all the conventions and exploit them aptly to produce hooks aplenty pop songs that could probably penetrate the charts given the right vehicle. The confidence and competence of all the musicians shines with professionalism, which sort of makes you wonder why they’re playing this sort of gig.

Saint and the Cynics would be the perfect summer festival band and a great party band, but they’re a bit too good and a bit too polished to be playing gigs at The Head of Steam with grittier alternative bands. They’re almost certainly all music or performing arts students and it’s a bit cringe worthy when their straight-laced looking guitarist tries to pull of some rock moves during the heavier moments of the set.

Saint and the Cynics are great to watch and have a dance to and you may get one or two songs stuck in your head. If they get any outdoor festival dates this summer then make sure you’re there, in the sunshine with a cold pint of cider for a good bop. If you want an edgier, diverse and dirtier band, then get to a Lurchers gig.

End note: Although these ‘edgy’ bands don’t seem to get many gigs booked in comparison to these ‘professional’ ones. Check their Myspace pages:
www.myspace.com/saintandthecynics
www.myspace.com/thelurchers

The Boozy Valley of the East End

Written for http://www.woodencauliflower.com/

By Ryan Pilot

Newcastle's economy was once powered by the manufacture of huge world class warships which fought far off battles in Japanese fleets. It was once powered by the building of the first ever steam trains which were wonders of the World. Now though all of this has gone and Newcastle seems to be fuelled by an industry a little less cutting edge; an industry as old as history itself: boozing.

Newcastle is swamped with pubs and bars and it can take an effort to stay sober. It is packed with tempting tipple houses from The Centurion at Central Station to the terraced bars of Osborne Road and everything in between. And everything in between includes some painfully stylish drinking spots such as Florita's Cocktail Bar and Camp David. You'll find pubs dripping with character like The Dog and Parrot and Bob Trollop's. Unfortunately everything in between is also crowded by soulless bars; populated by empty-headed haircuts and violence-seeking wife beaters. They pour uninspiring drinks down the necks of tasteless racists and numb, sour-faced dullards. These people occasionally permeate the good spots too.

There is, however, a haven. An area where all of the pubs and bars contain a diverse crowd of interesting, open-minded people and the occasional dullard wouldn't dream of starting a fight. Each pub is unique and comfortable, they serve a variety of delicious beers, wines, spirits and ciders. It is hidden in a valley holding a small river and not too far from the city centre. And the biggest surprise of all: It's in Byker.

Tucked away under Byker Bridge, Ouseburn Valley is an isolated, leafy area around the tiny Ouse River, which connects to the Tyne east of the Millennium Bridge. A few very small boats are anchored along the Ouse and the area is comprised of flats, a horse stable, a few artsy businesses and some gems of pubs.

The Cluny is at the heart of Ouseburn and is one of the best live venues in Newcastle. Each month it hosts some of the best touring acts (the great Graham Coxon of Blur is due to play on 18th May no less). The bar stocks a huge selection of real ales and real ciders and tasty spirits. A strawberry beer on the grass outside on a sunny day can be the perfect quick retreat from the claustrophobia of the city.

Just opposite The Cluny is The Ship Inn; a small pub with a terrace patio which holds the occasional barbecue. The Ship has a selection of real ales and a nice collection of Scotches. It's interior is wooden and cosy with a jukebox and, like The Cluny, you can take your drinks onto the grassy area when the sun pays a visit. Last bank holiday there was a real festival atmosphere between these two pubs, the grassy area was heaving and The Ship was blasting out music and serving draft lager from a temporary outdoor bar.

At the top of the Byker side of the valley is The Cumberland Arms. This is an incredibly warm and cosy pub full of folkies and their dogs. You can always catch some bearded fiddlers in the right hand room and now and again exciting, little-publicised gigs are held upstairs. This pub stocks a wealth of real ciders on regular rotation. The large patio out the front has plenty of benches and in cold weather you can hire a hot water bottle and hot cider for some winter comfort.

The Free Trade Inn has to be one of the best pubs in the city. It certainly has the best view of the Tyne with it's high vantage point. It is hidden behind Byker Wall and overlooks the meander of the river, taking in The Baltic, The Sage, The Millennium Bridge and The Tyne Bridge. It is heavy on character and blissfully lacking in sophistication. The jukebox is free and consists of mix CDs created by its rock-loving bar staff and has the creamiest Guinness in Newcastle.

Get a good seat in the window with your pint as the sun sets behind the two bridges and you will forget your worries and remember why you love Newcastle so much.

Feature on The Futureheads

For Manifesto Magazine

By Ryan Pilot

“I like to think that the album was beautifully damned, almost doomed to fail commercially from the beginning.” muses Futureheads guitarist and vocalist Ross Millard about 2006’s News and Tributes; the album that had them dropped from the Warner Brothers label 679.
The band, now cynical of major labels, have responded positively to the setback by setting up their own label Nul Records to release their material on. The new album This Is Not The World is a result of a year’s work and being pushed by new producer Paul Hillier in Spain during recording sessions.

“We went and did this album and we kinda had eight songs when we went out there, and in 16 days we came home with 21 songs,” says front-man Barry Hyde. “If it wasn’t for him [Hillier] I don’t think there would have been a chance of that happening.”

Hillier took a matador’s role once in Spain, making the Futureheads’ bull work hard. He frequently sent Barry and Ross away to write material which they would record instantly. This lead to the conception of current hooks aplenty single Radioheart.

“Radioheart was the most intense of them all … it sounds so fresh, because … literally we just wrote it and then recorded it, and then left,” Barry says enthusiastically.

News and Tributes was notable for not having any real hits, aside from Skip to The End; the only surviving track from their album in their live set. Ross and Barry admit that this perhaps led to its lack of success in comparison to their debut The Futureheads, which of course contained floor fillers Hound of Love and Decent Days and nights.

“We deliberately set out to make a bonafide album, which represents a body of work, which had the dynamics of an album,” Ross says of News and Tributes. “Because of that it’s something we should always be proud of. If that album had of done better, we would still be signed to Warners, which would be awful.”

The band are keen to portray their contentment with their current DIY situation: “I guess we’ve just got more to gain and we can control the other things a lot more, like the way that we do the business, how we tour, videos we make, photo shoots.” says Ross.

Perhaps The Futureheads’ time with Warner was just the first step in their career. Barry looks back at the past few years philosophically: “We wouldn’t have made this next one if wasn’t for the last one…you’ve got to please yourself first and foremost and if it pleases other people that’s just a bonus. We are an artistic group and we have to satisfy our artistic urges.”

Jon Snow and the U.S.A.

Written for www.WoodenCauliflower.com

Link: http://www.woodencauliflowerblog.com/2009/03/jon-snow-and-usa.html

By Ryan Pilot

Jon Snow walks through the doorway. He looks exactly as he does on Channel 4 News, though perhaps a little taller. He is wearing a quintessential Jon Snow tie; colourful and stripy against a white shirt and a suit over his long thin frame. As he takes his seat opposite me, he looks like he is presenting the news to me directly, in real life. It feels quite strange.

Jon, as he introduces himself as, is here at Northumbria University to be interrogated by some of us journalism students. We are all excited to meet him, he one of the best loved figures in the world of journalism and a familiar face to most people.

Jon, now 61 years old, speaks openly about the U.S.A as it starts a new life under Barack Obama. He is critical of George Bush’s response (or lack of response) to Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact on New Orleans in 2005, which left eighteen hundred dead and the city to gang violence, poverty and police brutality.

He describes it as, “extremely incompetent, I mean massively, monumentally incompetent. Largely because the people that were at risk were very poor, very black people.”

Jon reported first hand on Katrina. He arrived in New Orleans twenty four hours after the hurricane hit on a small fan powered boat driven by a, “lunatic.” He found himself rescuing stranded citizens as he reported live for Channel 4 News. “That is reporting versus saving life. It was a very, very strange business,” he says. “There are desperate quantities of people that need rescuing and we don’t want to spend our time rescuing people, we’re there to film. But in fact of course you just can’t as a human being, go past a house with a man bleeding from the neck or whatever and say, “well terribly sorry but I’m not here to rescue you, I’m here to film you”.”

These comments come as Jon is under investigation from media regulators Ofcom for describing Bush’s reign as a, “nightmare.” Which he explains was, “a very naughty thing to have done.” He says this in the most sarcastic of ways and seems in fact proud of the comment.

“Actually I do think the nightmare is over,” Jon explains. “It was a scurrilous and disgraceful breach of professional etiquette code and I deserve to be soundly beaten and I presumably will be.”

Just as he is glad that the nightmare of Bush is over, Jon is excited by the promise of Obama, “Obama is something new, something different,”

The New York Times recently discovered that Obama overstated his drug use and actually criticised him for not indulging as much as he said he did. “When you compare that with what they did to Clinton who had to deny he even ever inhaled. It’s an extraordinary thing and he’s got away with it,” says Jon. “There’s no way anyone looks at Obama and says “you fucking drug freak”.”

Jon follows these comments with another dig at Bush (he can’t resist). “Actually in fact, and this is what’s so crazy,” he continues, “Bush was an alcoholic and a drug addict for twelve years and became the president of the United States.”

Jon’s colourful comments match his colourful tie perfectly and his explanation for his choice of neckwear is perhaps an analogy for his approach to reporting, “It’s a balance between revolution and complete convention,” he explains. “I mean you’ve got to remain balanced, objective. It seems to me, and heaven knows there’s no one else in here wearing a tie; If you’re going to wear a tie, you should wear a tie.”

The Jazz Man of Newcastle

Written for http://www.woodencauliflower.com/

Link: http://www.woodencauliflowerblog.com/2009/02/jazz-man-of-newcastle.html

By Ryan Pilot

A unique venue, ran by a unique character, Keith’s Cromby’s Jazz Cafe on Pink Lane is a jewel amongst the soulless pubs and bars of Newcastle City Centre.

Cromby is known affectionately as The Jazz Man by locals. He can be seen flyering around the universities everyday to attract the “decent people” of Newcastle as he puts it.

“We don’t let the shit in,” explains Keith, sitting behind his empty soup bowl. In front of him is the small, modest main room of the cafe. There is a bar to the left. Tables line the edges of the room, adorned with oil lamps. There is a small stage area towards the rear beside an upright piano. It is intimate and homely. The place is dim because all of the curtains are closed, which is a tactic to deter undesirables.

“The only criteria here is they’ve got to be reasonable people…no trouble causers…there’s the odd one that gets through the net. But not many,” says Keith. And there is a good mix of reasonable people that visit the venue each evening when it opens around eight. They come to enjoy the live Jazz, the intimate atmosphere, conversation and a relaxing drink.

The Jazz Man speaks and moves slowly, he has a long, white beard. He is now 68 years old, “I know you thought I was older,” he says.

Cromby worked in Jazz Cafes in the 1960s when he was in his twenties, including Newcastle’s Downbeat. Downbeat’s then owner Mike Geoffreys opened The Donkey Club in 1963 in Paris, which at the time was a haven for African-Americans who wanted to flee the discrimination and horrors of pre-civil rights America. Black Jazz musicians were in all the Parisian Cafes, including Louis Armstrong and Miles Davies. “What a time ey?” Keith wistfully says, with the most enthusiasm expressed during the interview.

The Jazz cafe is popular among students. The Jazz Man is often at Newcastle University for his lunch, he clearly enjoys their company and custom at his cafe, but, as with all people, he has strong opinions on some of them.

“I would say the students are not as sophisticated as what they were. They’re sophisticated in one way, in regards to bloody cocktails, funny drinks…they’ve got no depth. Scratch the surface and there’s not much underneath,” Keith says. “There are some bright kids that come in here mind…witty, bright clever lads and clever girls.”

The Jazz Man is a strong-minded, independent character. He can appear blunt and even rude, but in conversation he is warm, kind and friendly. Keith has worked as a mechanic, fixing old Jaguars and has been a second hand dealer. “I’ve never made any money, but on the other hand I’ve always enjoyed doing what I was doing,” he reflects.

The Jazz Cafe is very much a product of Cromby. It makes little money and runs up a lot of debt. But it’s what he wants to do and is perhaps the only place of its kind left in Newcastle. It is Cromby’s disregard for profit which keeps it going and which makes it so special.

Keith is now winding down and does not intend to continue to run the cafe for much longer. “I’m getting too old. I’m getting too decrepit. The old bones y’know,” he says.“It’s a funny little place this. Like a drug. There’s nowhere like it in the world, I’ve been assured by people who’ve been further than I have,” says Keith, who then pauses before laughing and adding: “But it doesn’t seem to be what people want.”

Gateshead Thunder is the One to Watch

Written for www.Woodencauliflower.com

By Ryan Pilot

You may not be aware of Gateshead Thunder Rugby League Club. But they could be exactly what you’re looking for. They play an exciting, action-packed sport that doesn’t pause to catch its breath. It is eighty minutes of tough physical battling with few breaks in play. What’s more, compared to football or rugby union, it’s very affordable.

“Everything you want to see at football or a rugby union match you get here. But you’re getting more of it. And that’s a fact,” explains head coach Chris Hood. “And it costs a lot less.”

The affordability factor is a very attractive one, particularly in a time of recession when many are struggling. Match day tickets are £11 or £5 for a child. Compare this with Newcastle United’s £20-£60 tickets and Newcastle Falcons’ £17-£44 match day prices and you can see why the Co-operative recently found rugby league to be the best value major sport in the country.

“With the current climate and the credit crunch, people need sport and something to watch as a release. But then you also need to weigh it up to how much you’re going to pay for it,” says Hood. “I don’t think many sports or many products beat Gateshead Thunder on that.”

If you’re not into rugby, but would like to be, rest assured rugby league is very much an inclusive sport. Union can sometimes be seen as a pastime for the more privileged; popular in universities and private schools with complicated rules. Rugby league is a simpler game, which makes it less alienating and easier to get in to.

“It’s something that covers all sorts of economic and social backgrounds,” says Hood. “There’s no pre-conceived ideas; you don’t have to come from a certain place or be a certain person to play it ... It’s wide-ranging across communities.”

Still not convinced? Well, although the National Rail Cup is already underway, rugby league is really played in the summer when the leagues kick off. So you can ditch that cup of Bovril and pocket full of Fisherman’s Friend that you begrudgingly consume at football matches and concentrate on enjoying the game.

Thunder gained promotion into National League 1 last season, the tier below Super League, and this year marks its tenth anniversary. Local coach Chris Hood, who started coaching with Northumbria University and went on to coach England’s student team, has only recently taken the helm.

“I was immensely proud,” Hood says of taking the position. “Rugby league has been a huge part of my life for over ten years and Gateshead Thunder for that long as well ... It’s huge for me.”
Hood was appointed at the end of January following the controversial sacking of David Woods for professional misconduct. Hood is very grateful to Woods for all he has done for the club and for himself, but is now looking firmly forward.

“What I’ll be able to bring, because I’m from here, is loyalty ... I’ve done nothing but fight to get the club in the situation where it is now ... We’re in the second tier of professional rugby league ... that’s great. But now let’s kick on to the next thing.” Hood says.

There is an underdog feel to Gateshead Thunder. They are not from the traditional rugby league region, the ‘M62 belt,’ and have major clubs like Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle United to compete with for fans. This factor just makes them all the more appealing. And with half the team hailing from the northeast, Gateshead Thunder are a truly Tyneside team that you can be proud to support.

In a Hole: Living With Autism

Written for www.woodencauliflower.com

By Ryan Pilot

Jasper is a ten year old who screams in public, bangs his head against the wall as a way of communicating, rarely does what he is asked and will lie down on the floor without warning in public.

Jasper was diagnosed at four as having autism. His autism is severe and affects him greatly. One of his carers is Chris Costello, a twenty-two year old art student, studying at Newcastle University.

500 000 people have autism in the UK and 60 million worldwide, but you probably would not recognise it in an autistic child. Jasper flaps his hands when he is overly stimulated and hits his head against hard surfaces to feel pain when he’s angry.

“It’s kind of a shock, because if a normal kid start to scream in public everyone stares anyway, but having an autistic kid scream in public; it’s about three times as worse ... he’s older than the acceptable age to do that sort of thing.” explains Chris.

You might think Jasper was just having a tantrum if you saw this sort of behaviour; this attitude can be frustrating for Chris.

“It annoys me because I know he’s autistic and the general reaction is [that] people will actually come up to you and say “oh is he ok?” and things. It’s half concern and half is ... disgust.”
Chris works part time with Jasper, he teaches him the sort of social and communication skills that come naturally to most people, but have to be learned by people with autism.

“It’s mainly about involving him in society, so I teach him life skills and how to communicate ... We’ve [Chris and other carers] had to teach him over time how to ask for the toilet ... At first he was very fidgety and we wouldn’t know what he wanted ... His mam would say “he needs the toilet,” ... so then you would take him up to the toilet ... When he goes to the toilet you would have to say, “Can I have toilet please?” and then after a while he’d start repeating after you.”
Jasper has to learn not only to identify physical objects, but how to read people. He finds it nearly impossible to interpret other people’s emotions and even his own.

“Every time he cries we repeat to him “sad” so that he learns that he’s sad when he’s crying and when he’s screaming, and when he’s happy and he’s smiling we have to say to him “happy, happy”.” explains Chris.

Another skill Chris teaches Jasper is how to draw. But in order to draw something Jasper first has to be taught what it is he is being asked to draw.

“I’ve had to start from the beginning, so I’ve had to teach him what the sky is, what the grass is and what colours they are,” says Chris. “I would have to take him out and actually show him what the grass and the sky were.”

Chris finds his work rewarding and is proud of Jasper’s progress. He feels closest to him when he is not having to teach him at all, and can just sit with him, with no pressure to communicate. Chris takes Jasper to Tynemouth beach; his and Jasper’s favourite place, where he does not express autistic behaviour.

“It’s nice to take him to the beach because he actually comes out of his hole,” says Chris. “You wouldn’t think he’s autistic when he just sits there and he’s staring at the sea for two hours, or he walks along the beach with you ... You start thinking ‘what is he thinking?’ and ‘why is he staring at these things for so long?’ ... I do that, just to get peace of mind.”

Chris describes Jasper as sometimes being “like a robot,” simply following commands, yet when he is sat in his favourite place, staring at the sea, it gives Chris hope and relief that there is “something there in his head.”