Loco Cabaret will be back on Saturday 30th July at The Grand Union, W9

 

   This week performers include Simeon Warburton, Joel Sarakula, The Freak Elite, Roger Pomphrey, Mario Nardi, Roxanne & The Pain Killers, Kosmic Troubadour, Paul Riley, Dan Antrobus, Odrin & poetry from Tristan Hazell!

 To view the event page on facebook, please follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=150100198398416

The Portobello Pop-Up Cinema opens for the summer season tonight!

The Portobello Pop-Up Cinema opens for the summer season tonight with a Save the Portobello Road Market Campaign benefit!To find out more about the Save the Portobello Road Market campaign on facebook, which already has over 38,000 followers, or to add your voice to the campaign, see the following link:

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-Portobello-Road-Market/300902793992?ref=ts

See the link below for an article in http://thesourcemag.net/ on tonight's event:

http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=392:save-the-portobello-rd-market-campaign-opens-the-pop-up-cinema-today&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

Russian Band 'Blast' play The Retro Bar this Friday night

Fresh from supporting Liam Gallagher's new band "Beady Eye" in Moscow, Blast will be performing at The Retro Bar - see link for facebook event page/more details:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237721989584173&ref=ts

Kings, Queens & Rascals - Live Music Every Wednesday & Saturday at The Castle Pub, Portobello Rd

Check out their facebook group at:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/kingsqueensandrascals

Sophie Barker & Josh Bray will be performing at The Elgin on Wednesday 3rd August

Local performer Alexia Coley and her band have won a competition at the Big Chill Bar in Bristol and will now be performing at the Big Chill Festival

Local performer Alexia Coley and her band have won a competition at the Big Chill Bar in Bristol and will now be performing at the Big Chill Festival - see the link below for details:

http://www.bigchill.net/news/2011/07/win-a-slot-at-the-big-chill-2011-winner-announced/

 Alexia is a well-known performer from the Ladbroke Grove area, who has previously sung with an orchestral band, as well as performing with the Rotten Hill Gang, before forming her own band. It seems that, now she has established her own identity, as an artist in her own right, she is becoming quite an unstoppable force!

To read a review of Alexia and her band by James Simmins, please follow the link below:


http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=345%3Aalexia-coley-a-band-reviewed-by-james-simmins&catid=51%3Amusic&Itemid=55
 

The Portobello Blog wishes her the best of luck for the future!

James Simmins reviews Karin Fransson's "Private Behaviour" Album Launch

 Locally based performer Karin Fransson launched her album "Private Behaviour" at the Green Carnation in Soho on Tuesday 5th July with a live gig. Read the article here:

http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=391%3Akarin-fransson-private-behaviour-album-launch-5th-july-the-green-carnatio&catid=55%3Areview-and-preview&Itemid=55

"Bank Job Urban Art" Exhibition at The London West Bank Gallery until 7th August

Check out the review here:

http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=390:reviewing-bank-job&catid=55:review-and-preview&Itemid=55

Portobello Pop-Up Cinema will be back from 28th July

The new summer season at the Portobello Pop-Up Cinema includes the World Premiere of The Golborne Variations on Friday 2nd September:


http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=241428755875779


Read more about what's on in July here:

http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=389:portobello-pop-up-2011-summer-season-is-here&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18

'Portobello' Trailer

This piece scratches the surface of some of the myriad of changes that have occurred to the Portobello Market and surrounding areas, particularly over the last 20 years..

Gong "How To Stay Alive" Video Clip

Celebrating 400,000 YouTube hits for "How To Stay Alive" Video! Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy are both well-known local figures...

From the new Gong album 2032 - A wonderful manga animation of Daevid Allen's drawings by ace Japanese team Mood Magic, who also made System 7's Hinotori

The '27 club', Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain and now Amy Winehouse - or how the pushers controlled and killed some of our favourite musicians

I can't help noticing the press attention surrounding the so called '27 Club' - These so called 'icons' are in fact some of the saddest figures of showbiz, all of who had pretty much completely burned out before they unfortunately died... Jimi Hendrix was way past the glory days of all his famous hits (endlessly overdubbing extra guitar parts that added little), Brian Jones had been kicked out of The Stones, fallen apart and could hardly play any more, Janis Joplin had been regularly hanging out at the infamous needle palace The Landmark Hotel , Kurt Cobain had become completely consumed by depression, Jim Morrison's last recordings were 'drunken gibberish' (Ray Manzarek) and Amy Winehouse had been booed off stage for being virtually incoherent. It is very sad to see these young people die so young, they may have 'burned brighter', but that was followed almost immediately by a complete 'burnout'.

Sad indeed.... The one thing all of these guys had in common is that they were under the wing of drug dealers, who obviously enjoyed making money and kudos out of their celebrity clientelle and certainly were not keen to let human beings who possibly found it hard to handle unexpected fame take control of their own lives... I'm sure they would be the last people who would wish to be idolised for lifestyles that left them all broken and then killed them.... let's not forget the lesson that they all died to teach us and may they all rest in peace

Thoughts on the passing away of Amy Winehouse

We shouldn't idolise Amy Winehouse - as to do so would be to encourage others to embrace the same sad fate - despite being a talented performer, she surrounded herself with extremely negative hangers on and led an nihilistic existence, glamourising a terribly destructive lifestyle... It is extremely sad, but she was a hardcore junkie and we should face that fact and realise that her destiny was almost unavoidable, like that of so many others before her....Smack/Gear/Heroin kills and has already killed many other people that I know... Condolences to my friends who knew her...

'This ain't rock'n'roll, this is genocide' - David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs"

RIP Amy Winehouse

Man etches name in sand, visible from space

Man etches name in sand, visible from space

World Premiere of 'The Golborne Variations

Originally recorded in 2010 by JC Carroll, Nick Cash, Guy Pratt, Nigel Bennett, Jennifer Pearl, David M. Allen and Chester Kamen. The Golborne Variations is an Opera about the Sights Sounds Smells Shopkeepers and foods of Golborne Road. It celebrates the ethnic diversity and the unique character of a special road in North Kensington.This premiere Will hope to bring together most of the original Players plus Special Guest Opera Singers String Section Percusssionists. A Film has been commissioned to be screened in conjunction with this event... Its free.. Its an opening party for the Portobello Film festival.... JC Carroll is a Composer and Songwriter whose career has spanned Punk, Folk, and Electronic Music. he has scored soundtracks for movies had hits all over the world with his band The Members and he has also recorded supermarket commercials....... This piece of music has taken 25 years to complete.. there will be music dancing singing and poetry......Come! Its Free!

If you wish to stay updated with the latest developments about this show, the facebook event page is:

 http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=241428755875779&view=wall

The New Banalists Orchestra presents "The Politics of Envy"

Worth buying 'The Idler' this week just for this free giveaway that is undoubtedly a future collectors item! A hardcore political offering from a group that includes some of the old Crass team! Also Howard Marks and Zodiac Youth! This one doesn't pull any punches as you'd expect from these guys! Produced by Youth.

The Members 'Midlife Crisis' Video

A great new video from Jc Carroll and his seminal punk band 'The Members'- originally formed in Ladbroke Grove, The Members are still touring today, now with Rat Scabies from The Damned on drums!

Loco Cabaret will be back this Saturday at The Grand Union, W9

Very much looking forward to Loco Cabaret at The Grand Union Bar this weekend - with a comprehensive line-up of acts and free entry it's always an interesting show! This weeks show will include performances from Cuthbert 80, Mario Nardi, The Freak Elite, Roxanne and The Pain Killers, Karolina Szymczak, Rob Alder, Kosmic Troubadour and Dan Antrobus, with rock'n'roll poetry from the Tabernacle's poet-in-residence Tristan Hazell! There are still other acts awaiting confirmation and it should be another fun night of 'Musicke & Mayhem'!

Follow the link below to find the event on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/lococabaret?ap=1#!/event.php?eid=213802171989804

Delphi & 7 Glorious Minutes play at The Elgin on Ladbroke Grove this Thursday (14th July)!

Delphi Newman will be performing at The Elgin public house (corner of Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Pk Rd, W11) this Thursday evening at 9.30 pm with her band 7 Glorious Minutes. Definitely worth catching, Delphi will be playing her usual array of finely crafted songs with a great band that includes Delphi smoky smooth vocalising and guitar playing, Archie Bashford on guitar, Jono Willis on bass and Dave Bush on drums - recommended! See link below for event on facebook...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001080821208#!/event.php?eid=187445117980877

Steve Mepsted's birthday bonanza at The Castle, followed by live Karaoke

I arrived late, but in time to catch the Freak Elite (Neil Anderson, Jono Willis, Michael Giri plus their new guitarist) perform to a full pub, many of whom were getting down to the music. Having finished their own set, the band rearranged slightly and Steve himself joined the realigned line-up to perform a few numbers including covers of 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaacs and 'Use Me Up' by Bill Withers, which were all very well received by the now exuberant crowd.... To round the night off in style, a bunch of us ended up at a friends house singing covers until 3 am - these included several Elvis numbers including 'Always on my Mind', 'Don't be Cruel', 'Teddy Bear', 'In The Ghetto' and 'Suspicious Minds' inspired by the 'Suspiciously Elvis' gig the previous night at The Tabernacle, as well as great versions of 'Desperado' and 'Take It Easy' by the Eagles... Other artists covered included Bob Marley, The Beatles, Bill Withers and even Status Quo (amongst too many others to mention here) in what was a great end to a fun evening... thanks to Alex for hosting the afterjam, as well as  Neil, Jono, Michael, Emma Lyndon-Stanford, Wiggzaro, Anette et al. for helping make the evening such fun! We need more nights like that!

'Suspiciously Elvis' rips it up at The Tabernacle

http://thesourcemag.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=380:suspiciously-elvis-rips-it-up-at-the-tabernacle&catid=55:review-and-preview&Itemid=55

Suspiciously Elvis playing one of my favourite ever Elvis tunes "In The Ghetto"

Amateur footage of the amazing 'Suspiciously Elvis' performing 'In The Ghetto' - although not of the quality of the previous trailer, it still exhibits his vocal talents well. He will be performing at The Tabernacle this evening.

Advance tickets are available from www.tabernaclew11.com for £10
Tickets are available for £12 on the door, subject to availability...

KB's Shoe Repairs

KB's shoe repairs are almost opposite Ladbroke Grove tube at 146 Ladbroke Grove, W10 5 NE (inside ACQUA CLEAN). KB very kindly repaired my shoes for free after a £20 resoling at Marios from two weeks ago split after just 4 outings...

According to KB, Marios has recently changed hands and, as an ex-employee there, he felt honor-bound to help me out when the left sole peeled away after a very minimal amount of wear. A very amiable chap, KB, having re-glued the offending sole, also very helpfully fitted steel sole protectors (on request) under the toes of my shoes for a very reasonable price, which should hopefully protect them from further damage.

It was obvious, under the circumstances, that Marios had failed in their duty to properly re-sole my beloved shoes and I will not be frequenting their establishment again, particularly with such a meticulous & friendly repair shop just a short hop away.

As well as repairing shoes (KB is a certified (orthopaedic) shoemaker with 20 years experience), KB also runs a key cutting service. Customer service is very important to me and I will definitely use KB's shop when I next need to get any of my shoes repaired!

For a quote, or to discuss specific repairs, KB can be contacted on 0208 960 7666 or 07951 465 480.

Recommended!

Local Band Roxanne & The Pain Killers perform "Light Machine"

The amazing Suspiciously Elvis will be in the building @ The Tabernacle this Friday (8th July) evening with live band & feather girls -Show starts 8.30 pm

New 'Pavement Art' on St. Marks Rd

These unusual artistic offerings are to be found under the Westway on the end of St. Marks Rd - stencil sprayed onto glass discs inset into the pavement, these animal, bird & plant-themed designs are surely worth checking out while they are still in good condition! Artist as yet unknown... Watch this space!