Category: The Dark Side

We are all Radiohead

Good evening, all you old rock ‘n rollers, it’s the resident music editor here with all the gen on the latest in the world of rock. The experimental rock band, Radiohead, have released their ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, to much admiration from the critics. Radiohead’s jagged alternative music with its subliminal lyrics, nasal singing and robotic humming reference points has always left my ears unamused. I’m going to play the irony card: they’re too cheery for me. Yet, the hypnotic quality of the sounds draws me back to them time and time again. There must be something in the grooves.

Now onto serious matters. The name of Radiohead can be added to the list of victims in this age of terror. Those of you that follow the news will have heard of the Radiohead fans that were attacked by Islamists in a record store in Istanbul while they were listening to a stream of the new album. These fundamentalists didn’t like that the fans were drinking alcohol and listening to music during the holy month of Ramadan. There you go, you’re not even safe in the secular state of Turkey.

A much less serious problem concerns the video for their new single, Burn the Witch. The inspiration for this animated film was an old TV programme for children. The creators of the original work are unhappy that their copyright was used without permission. They weren’t chuffed either with the dark tones of the story. It could end in court. The video also pays homage to an old horror classic. I’ll let you watch to find out what it is.

Play it loud and prepare to be hypnotised.

 

 

Moratorium

With the whole world now revolving around the times of 3pm CET, 6pm CET and 9pm CET important duties have to be sandwiched between the Euro 2016 games or discarded altogether. Discarsions, for me, have included no trampolining practice or parkouring. Other pieces of business have to be rushed. Blogging has been put on the Croatian flares backburner.

Then a window of opportunity presented itself. Right now.

Pass the open window
For it bodes ill
The sash could break
Your neck on its sill

Luncheon is on One today (maybe)

mall-1-992x558

One has a lorra mates, in 600 charities. If only one could remember them all. So today One is inviting* a select 10,000 of their luminaries to a bijou little street party in the Mall (oh dear, is it pronounced Morl or Mell?).

*Is it a free lunch this time? If not, what is the price of a plate? And will the charities pay for their high-ups to attend? Better get out with them collection boxes quick. Just askin’.

The oil tanker is heading for the iceberg

It will be interesting to see the share price of Sports Direct in the coming days. Even though it was a low gas, lukewarm “grilling” by the Business Select Committee, Ashley’s performance hit the zeitgeist as he played it like Trump. It’s now over to the city to see how they will react.

Theory ain’t everything

Prof Hawking has views – and not just into space. But his feet are not on the ground, it seems. He ‘doesn’t understand’ the Donald – despite describing him as a demagogue who appeals to the lowest common denominator’. What else is there to understand about Trump? That is exactly his appeal, talking to people with a grudge.

And like a couple of thousand Cambridge dons, he is a Bremainer, talking about scientific cooperation and the movement of people, as if enlightenened self-interest won’t continue to ensure that scientists cooperate, whatever the politics; and haven’t we had enough movement of people already – for the time being anyway?

‘But what do I know?’ says Backside. ‘It’s probably rocket science.’

 

Enough rope

Wanting it and wanting it now was the ‘eighties mantra –  and things obviously haven’t changed at all, especially in the two fields that matter most to many people: politics and football. So let me mention a few prize-winners in the race to hang themselves this year.

First in politics, Dave and Donald.  The Pied Piper should be their emblem. Follow them to oblivion, folks.

Then, inevitably football. Follow the money, guys. And now they’ve got everything they asked for, they must show us what they are worth. I mean the two Mancunian clubs and their new heroes, Pep and Jose.

This is probably going to be the year of pyrrhic victories, methinks.

Incoming

The big challenge with refugees is establishing their credentials as bona fide asylum seekers. Are they genuine ‘friends’ or do they harbour sinister motives?

Unfortunately the guardians of the Big House failed to police the estate, allowing marauders to plunder the residents, some assuming multiple identities to escape capture.

So, cherished charioteers, let us be vigilant and preserve the pax Britannica.

Rich pickings

This is about Airmiles Andy, who at best has generous friends who bankroll his and his daughters’ jetset lifestyles. At worst, he is living on the proceeds of shady deals with very colourful outlaws. Allegedly of course.

His mother, his siblings and his nephews work hard to maintain the unrivalled reputation of the British monarchy, while he and the Duchess seem determined to ruin it by hawking their wares around the back streets of international society.

So, all you monarchists! Time to put up or shut up! Who is going to clean up this mess? The Palace? The gubmint? Your move.

Male members only

peter alliss

 

Peter Alliss may have a point! The wives of Muirfield golfers are extended privileges denied to other women – so that’s the obvious route for wannabe female members to follow! There are of course all-women clubs which men cannot join either and even marriage to a WI person will not get fellas access to its mysteries.

So is the fuss justified? Why do the Open authorities disapprove – I mean really? The said females can’t play in the Open either, can they, even if they beat all the men? (That’s different, I hear somebody say.)

Not being a golfer, Backside doesn’t understand but he’s sure some cherished 19th holers will help.