News Archive 2010
2010
'We are the Mods' have a limited edition DVD available for a donation of $20.00 plus shipping.
To donate:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L2DZUW4A2SUCEThey are still working to get the film distributed in theaters worldwide and you can help with your donation.
Also a limited edition poster for sale $10.00 plus shipping (see below):
To purchase:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=V9UGQVWGUDXDGThe theatrical release of We Are the Mods has been announced in the Los Angeles area. The DVD release coming soon. Please help spread word and if you are in the Los Angeles area, check out the film.To view this event visit Downtown Independant.
The brand new DC Fontana short film 'Six Against Eight' which has been produced to promote the group's debut album of the same name, out August 6, 2010. Follow the link: http://dcfontana.com/home/?p=682
The movie lasts eight & and a half minutes and is produced and directed by Martin Copland-Gray and was shot by Anotherschmuck of London.It stars DC Fontana lead singer Karla Milton & the rest of the group together with actors Tom Rees (Six), Nathan Morris (Eight), Richard Taylor (Benny the barman), Suzy Breda-Hill (the waitress), Seth Bell (the croupier) and members of the Six Of One Prisoner Appreciation Society. Shot on location in Portmeirion, near Penrhyndeudraeth in north Wales & at Bolehall Manor in Tamworth, this mini-movie is a heady mixture of dark & light, probing surrealism while heartily doffing the DC cap to the 60s TV spy genre.
DC Fontana are very grateful for the kindness and assistance of Mr Robin Llewellyn of Portmeirion and Mr Rob Beale and the good people of Six Of One.
QUOTE:
'Six Against Eight' is a beautiful & living evocation of the group's 'art & soul' creed and is an idiosyncratic slice of illusory eye candy to decorate your mind's eye.
The Rev. Delirium
NB: The album 'Six Against Eight' is released on DCTone Records either as a deluxe CD (complete with a 14 page full colour booklet) or as mp3 downloads on Friday, August 6.
The album can now be pre-ordered from the group's website www.dcfontana.com @ £10 (+ a nominal £1 P&P) and both the CD and the downloads will be available from our site (NB: the mp3 downloads will not appear on the website until August 6).
Competition winner - Vespa 125 Primavera Operation and Maintenance booklet!Congratulations go to Brian in Tarbolton for winning the booklet - it will be winging its way up to you this week! Thanks to everyone who entered the competition, let's hope you win something next time!
Stolen this weekend (1st Aug 2010) from the Weston-Super-Mare scooter rally:Dark metallic green Vespa PX200, VRN H688 RSX.
Previous paint job lime green, still partly visible around the petrol tank and under panels, some paint damage due to petrol spill. Black PM exhaust wth silver end can, square sticker on top of tool box, painted over but still visible. Black corsa seat, some patches of rust on front underneath Vespa badge, also on the middle floor mat. Floor runners bolted on not riveted. Little kink in left floorboard where stand bolts are.
Any information please contact Damian Hunt on his Facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1583179688&ref=ts
Special ticket entrance fee '2 for the price of 1' offer for scooterists only - just mention it when you arrive on the day.
The Vespa World Days 2010 will be in Fatima, Portugal July 1st to the 4th.The World-wide Vespa Clubs meeting will bring, this year, thousands of Vespisti into the Portuguese hinterland, to discover one of the most beautiful and evocative regions in Europe.
Four days to enjoy and taste the local goodness, visit the land where the Templar Knights built their fortresses, and where the explorers set off to conquer seas and new worlds.
A great number of small and unstoppable Vespas will arrive, by land from all over Europe, to the largest Club meeting officially sponsored by Vespa World Club, which will also organize the Presidents Congress: an opportunity to get together and talk about the future of Vespismo.
More info on www.vespaworlddays2010.com and www.vespaworldclub.com. Register now!
To mark the 26th April release of a new double album called Mod Mania on the UMTV label, the very nice people at Hudson PR have offered us three copies to give away to our readers. The album contains 50 of some of the most well-known tracks from the original Mod movement and the Revival of the late 70s, from the likes of The Who, The Kinks, Georgie Fame, The Spencer Davis Group, The Small Faces, Secret Affair, The Lambrettas, Purple Hearts and The Jam, not to mention some of the most requested Northern Soul tunes heard on the scene.
We can now announce the lucky winners of the three "Mod Mania" albums in our caption competition. They are:
Mr A Baker of Southsea, Hants with "See no evil...hear no evil...speak no evil...drink no evil"
Mr M Davies of Bootle, Merseyside with "I dont think they've got the hang of an all nighter"
and my personal favourite, Mr R Harrison of Heswall, Wirral with "Note to self: next time administering chloroform to victims, wash hands before rubbing eyes"Congratulations, we'll pass your details on to Hudson PR so they can send your CDs out to you.
We here at vespa.org.uk would like to pass on our commiserations, and heartiest best wishes, to Lambretta riding scooter chick Stacie for narrowly missing out on a place in the final of Masterchef 2010. Hard luck Stace, we were rooting for you.
On behalf of our friends at mudhut and Acid Jazz, we have the pleasure of letting you know that The Moons, featuring Andy Crofts from Paul Weller's band, are currently on tour with Ocean Colour Scene promoting their single 'Nightmare Day'. The Moon's debut album 'Life On Earth' is released 15th March. To celebrate, the band is playing a live in store in HMV in Oxford St at 5pm the day of release. Later that evening the band will play a full live set at their album launch party in The Old Blue Last, 38 Great Eastern Street EC2A 3ES. Doors 8pm. On stage 9.30. £5 on door.6 Mar
Vespa.org.uk would like to congratulate Sunderland's scooter-riding Mod chick Stacie for reaching the semi-final of Masterchef 2010 - good luck Stacie!26 Feb
For the rally-goers in the UK, no doubt you'll be polishing your chrome and looking for those accessories you've been meaning to buy since last summer. Visit our forum to buy, sell and swap - for free!26 Feb
An open letter from Sean Good, Bristol Branch Rep of the GB Ducati Owners' Club:
"It is that time again, and once more I am snowed under in preperation and organisation of the Bristol Italian AutoMoto Festival 2010. For those of you that do not know me, I am responsible for organising and arranging the bike side of the Festival.
This year is set to mark the eighth year of hosting the West’s most prestigious Italian Auto Moto Festival on Saturday 24th April in the vicinity of Corn Street and St Nicholas Street/Market. Hundreds of classic Italian vehicles will be on view and thousands of enthusiasts from across the region are expected to come along and take a closer look at the cars and bikes on display. The annual event will feature stunning cars, motorcycles and scooters - from supercars to classic scooters and will include legendary examples from Ferrari to Fiat & Aprilia to Vespa and many many others in between. As such I am now trying to make contact with as many Marques as possible in order to ensure that all are aware of the event and are therefore able to make their Marques presence felt (and well represented) on the day.
We are currently looking at this year's format, as well as everyone's allocated spaces and locations. Again we are also looking at ways to provide better management of the Ride-In and access to the Festival.
So on that note I am attempting to find a main point of contact for each Marque, someone who will be present and will be able to work as a representative and leader on the day. I know there are many of you who may be taking exotic examples of your illustrious Marques to the show by vans and such, but I will also need a representative and leader for the Ride-In itself. It is important that I have a main point of contact that I can direct each person to when we meet at Gordano Services so that everyone knows who to follow and where to go (especially important that the Rde-In is carried out in bike Marque specific groups). I am hoping this will then be the easiest way to address any issues and control the ride in with each Marque having their own leader, fully aware of the route and their own access to their allocated display area for the show.
I look forward to hearing from you soon, and we can then keep you updated as more details become available.
Regards,
Sean Good (Goody)"
For full details, follow this link to the BIAMF website:
www.biamf.co.uk/
Read our exclusive interview with the new management of The King Lud pub in Ryde, Isle of Wight - gearing themselves up for the next rally in 2010.
Clarks are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the desert boot by creating six unique new designs for men and women. Each come with a souvenir booklet and key ring (made from the same material as the boot). http://www.clarks.co.uk/Originals/Desert-Boot-60thYou can also visit the link below (click the boot in the picture) to enter a competition to win a Vespa.
The wonderful news is that the Half Moon in Putney has been saved! It took a tremendous effort from the owners, staff, bands and fans to persuade the brewery where their best interests are, so enormous thanks to all of you who bombarded Young's Brewey with indignant emails! For once, we've been listened to - if only the government would do the same.... The Moon will make some changes, have a revamp, and will soon be back to its former glory as one of the UK's best live music venues.
Hot Gig News! - Friend of vespa.org.uk Terry Shaughnessy and his band The Universal have been confirmed as the support for Ocean Colour Scene at their intimate tour warm-up gig in their home town of Birmingham on Monday January 25th. Well worth checking them out if you're the type that normally stays in the bar until the main act comes on .
A great historic live music venue faces closure
The Half Moon in Putney, one of London's last independent venues, may have to call time on almost 50 years of hosting live music.
Due to market forces, the current economic climate and other circumstances beyond their control, The Half Moon will not be able to carry on as a music venue after 31st January 2010.
You may already know that The Half Moon is a beautiful welcoming pub and an exciting atmospheric venue, but it possibly holds even greater value to the bands that play there.
The Half Moon has been hosting live music regularly since 1963. Since that time it has seen performances by, among others, The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, and countless more.
As well as still catering for touring bands and artists The Half Moon has, more recently, been an important stepping stone for artists such as Kasabian and The Wombats.
When bands are making the transition from playing in the corner of a pub to much bigger venues, they need that stepping stone. Places like The Half Moon fill that niche.
Current tenant James Harris says "We are at the grass roots of live music and The Half Moon is an engine room for rising bands throughout the UK, who are now running out of quality venues to play."
Band member, sound engineer and host of Half Moon Unplugged - Red Bailey says "It will be a sad day when The Half Moon closes. I can’t think of many venues I've been to who can cater for professional touring bands and rising unsigned bands and are willing to treat the two no differently. Speaking as a band member I'd say I haven't played at any 200 capacity venue that offers as good sound/lighting production, atmosphere and door deal."
Without the right measures being taken The Half Moon could easily join a growing list of music venues that have closed in recent months/years. It would be another blow to music and culture in London if The Half Moon disappears as well.
Even if you’ve never visited the Half Moon but feel strongly about the continuation of live music, please feel free to express your feelings to the
brewery in control of the decision to close the venue at:
feedback@youngs.co.ukYou can help save The Half Moon. Please vote with your feet and come for a drink, or come to one of our nightly live music shows. To see what's on visit the gig guide at http://www.halfmoon.co.uk. If you can't make it down in person then visit our forum and show us some love
for all to see.Warm regards,
James Harris
Halfmoon, Putney
020 8780 9383www.halfmoon.co.uk
DC FONTANA release their debut single December 1st...
A double A-sided single, "THE CONTESSA"/"SNAKE CHARMER" will be available from all the usual sites including iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Play.com, HMV, Tesco etc, or as a 7" limited collectors' edition record available from www.dcfontana.com
The album will follow sometime early in 2010 (dates to be announced) either as downloads or a CD complete with a deluxe booklet."Six Against Eight" features 14 original tunes and includes collaborations with members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra together with classical composer Christian Badzura and the brilliant Indian virtuoso Surinder Sandhu.
Nov 09
Sorry you missed the Sixties
"There was life before The Beatles and Swingin' London and living it was Philip Townsend"
Andrew Loog Oldham, the original manager and genius of The Rolling Stones.
The Philip Townsend Archive, a collection of photographs taken by celebrated 60s photographer Philip Townsend, documenting Sixties London in full swing and capturing some of the most iconic faces of the era, made a rare public appearance at a pop up gallery just off Carnaby Street in June to coincide with Carnaby Streets 60s celebrations.
Townsend's unique collection of shots includes rock stars, society darlings, models and the political movers and shakers of the day. The rescued works, hidden for forty years, are now being sought by institutions like the National Portrait Gallery and serious print collectors alike. The reason is simple: Philip Townsend's pictures are the Sixties.
While other photographers took portraits, often closely cropped, Townsend instinctively widened his frame to include backgrounds, landscapes and the sheer feel of the period. A fine example is his portfolio of the fledgling Rolling Stones, including their first ever photo sessions in March 1963, when they were broke and hungry, without a recording contract: a band not yet on the run. Townsend bought the young band barbecued chicken and set about fostering the semi-delinquent image which they still cultivate today: through his percipient lens, we see the Stones slouching in an underpass, unsmiling and menacingly backlit, or tilted at a surreal angle against a wall, or inhabiting beer benches outside a pub in Earls Court.
As the Sixties swung and Britain subverted the old order, Townsend continued to record all the prime people of the time. He moved effortlessly into this nascent world, photographing the Beatles many times, most memorably their first encounter with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967. He documented the peacock gear they wore, the sleek cars they drove, and the aeroplanes that flew them to fresh horizons.
Philip Townsend Biography
At the age of 20, based in the South of France, Townsend photographed the beautiful people who wintered and watered on the Riviera: Prince Rainier and his Hollywood wife, Princess Grace; a rare photo of Sir Winston Churchill with Aristotle Onassis; Marlon Brando and Joan Fontaine. Years later, when the sixties were losing their swing, he returned to capture a memorable shot of a visibly out-of-love Richard Burton at a party with Elizabeth Taylor. Other celebrities of the era who received the Townsend treatment were Twiggy, then a very young ingenue model in the hands of her manager and boyfriend Justin de Villeneuve; Charlotte Rampling, cool and miniskirted; Princess Alexandra dancing with Marlon Brando; comedian Frankie Howard on a skateboard, and Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.
The exhibition of limited edition silver gelatin prints was also timed to coincide with the release of Townsend's first published book, 'Sorry You Missed the Sixties: A Collection of Limited Edition Photographs from The Philip Townsend Archive 1960 - 1970'. The book chronicles much of Townsend's archive, and is an impressive reflection of not just his work but an observation on the 60's pioneering optimism.
www.silvershutterbooks.co.uk | www.philiptownsend.com
"A treasure trove of rock history" The London Times | "An amazing archive of evocative images that have been hidden for 40 years" Sunday Express | "One of the World's most celebrated showbiz photographers" The Daily Mirror | "Philip Townsend, one of the era's most acclaimed photographers" Yorkshire Post | "Philip Townsend, world class portrait photographer" GQ
Some Good News From VFM*"All UK Armed Service Personnel, e it Royal Navy, Army or Royal Air Force, will no longer be required to pay into any UK Scooter events run by the Scooter Collective known as VFM*. Production of military ID will be necessary as proof of service. This will be the case for at least 2010 but will probably run indefinately. More of a token of our respect than a massive financial saving. But as they say, every penny counts.
Steve Foster"
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