Interview with The Annoying Lobsters

We at Tuckshop Community Radio Can't get enough of these guys, having already spent a happy afternoon with them last month and having recorded the very excellent session with them, we once again find ourselves back in the company of The Annoying Lobsters, this time in the form of an interview, where they happily talk about beer, girls and music.

Enjoy the Lobsters, listen to their records and most importantly eat Seafood.

Hey Lobsters, how was London?

London was great. We had a good time. We drank a lot of beer, and Hyde Park! Awesome place, when the sun is shining. We were very impressed by the street artists at Brick Lane to.

What would you say the coolest thing about Copenhagen is?

The music scene. We got a lot awesome acts in Denmark, and people are open to new stuff. Everybody should come visit, you can find us at the local bar.

Did you manage to find any hot English chicks?

Yeah we found a lot, but no action since 3/4 of us is already occupied.

How was your Tuckshop Community Experience?

Really great! We had so much fun, and it was a whole new experience to play acoustic. We never really did anything like that before, so yeah, it was awesome! an>


What 3 bands from Denmark do you think we should all check out?

Beside the 3 bands we played at the show, we think you should check out: Lily Electric, Mew and Sleep party People. 3 very different acts, but all very original and cool.

Ok.....so where did the name "the annoying lobsters" come from?

In Denmark we have a story about how the Danish flag was made, it fell down from the sky, and so did The Annoying Lobsters.


if you had to stop playing in a band and had to all become super heroes, fighting against the evils of this world, what would you all be called?

Our group would be called The Amazing Seamen, and our names would be: Lobsterboy, Squidman, The Human Crab and Dr. Salmon

What is your favourite type of seafood?

Shrimp with crab and a side dish of lobster.


Did you enjoy "hair of the dog"!?

Yeah is sure were nice, Very nice detoxication, in Denmark we would call it a "repair beer".


Check out their session with us here at Tuckshop Community Radio, listen to them on myspace at www.myspace.com/theannoyinglobsters and watch their awesome video for their record below

Awaken the Beast

Beastman, aka Brad Eastman is one of the most exciting artists that I have seen in my shortish life. Having come across his work in the first issue of edtn, the two color brain child of art guru Greg Beer , I found myself instantly scouring the online community to locate more examples of his work, and what a feast I found. Having delved deep into his world, I discovered that this primitive animal is pretty nifty when it comes to creating images, armed with only a paintbrush in one hand and a few coloured pots of paint in the other.


































When edtn held their summer exhibition last year, I was, along with many, completely awestruck with his twin piece, sadly the lack of vital funds at the time stopped me from taking the work home to hang on my wall but also show off to all my friends. Despite the bank of England cruelly denying me this pleasure, I have, as time has passed,thought quite a lot about the Talents of Beastman, and am often on his website admiring his latest creations and exhibition pieces.

Beastman it appears, is indeed a very busy animal, being not only content with his incredible artistic creations, he is also known to be pretty handy behind a camera lens. If that wasn't enough, he is also co - founder of the wicked online mag we are the image makers and has even had a go at creating his own fruit bowl, a bowl that would make you want to fully embrace the five a day theory and quite possibly even make the mouldy pieces look appetizing.

Interview with Tom Mansi and The Ice Breakers

If you were lucky enough to have paid Club Ugly a visit a few weeks ago, the likelihood is that you were quite definitely blown away by the bass beating Tom Mansi and his band of ultra cool cats"The Ice Breakers". Playing tight good old Rock and Roll rhymes, these guys are quite deservedly causing a stir and shaking dance halls up and down, all over Europe with their high energy, hi-five, no nonsense sets.

Taking time out from convincing the entire worlds population to move like a madman on the dance floor, they very kindly took five to answer some quick questions.

Ok, so we all presume that Tom Mansi is the double bass spinning, sick haired singing, front man of this set up, but who are the Ice Breakers?

the icebreakers are the baddest backing band in borough of barnet, believe bro.

How was your Club Ugly experience, did you enjoy it?

All i can say is that soviet style concert bunker rock and roll suited us just fine.

Should you ever be find yourself kidnapped by Batman's nemesis Mr Freeze, who cleverly encapsulates you all within a large block of ice, what would be your chosen method of escape?

Peeing myself probably

On your recent tour of Germany, did you eat many Bratwurst?

too many, eat a "shwine saxer", that's a pig knuckle, they rock.

Did you see anything interesting?

extremely extremely life like babies dolls at a Christmas market.

Have you guys got anything lined up for the Summer?

californ1a and writing and recording

If I worked in a record shop and I had to sell your album to a customer, how would you like me to describe it?

good

Where can you be found?

internet and record shops, if you can find one!

and finally, do you have any pearly words of wisdom to share with us?

keep your music as long as you can for as long as you can.


Thank you Guys

Tom Mansi and the Ice Breakers can be found at www.myspace.com/tommansiandtheicebreakers and everyone should watch their video below and go check them out.

April Club Ugly was a blaaaaast

So yet again another months exciting Club Ugly has been and gone, and yet again we had more people bursting through the doors from all different social backgrounds including photographers, people celebrating birthdays and even the odd city slicker. A thoroughly good night was indeed had by all though, and there were still quite a few standing come kicking out time!













The evening started amazingly well, Man and the Vertebrates Steam rolled through their set with punchy horns, rasping riffs and bad ass beats. The Club Ugly crowd watched in awe, with feet tapping and back bones rattling. The Vertebrates perfectly concocted mix of many different influences blending together sweeter than any April Apple Crumble.













Following a short break and powered by the strength of 10,000 men, The New Look Zetland Players, rowed their way to victory with sweet swinging sounds, lead by their Talismanic Captain. The Zetland Players certainly kept moral high amongst all their existing fans and made many more with their tales of Strongmen, sailors, odes to Robert Smith and quintessential English life, leaving the stage, they left the crowd aching for more, a desire that was more than satisfied by another man and his troops, the smooth, the sublime, the might impressive Tom Mansi and his ultra chilled Ice Breakers.



















Tom and his crew of ice cold villains, swept the social aside, the double bass was plucked to precision, led by the drummers tight rhythm, the keys happily mumbled melodies whilst the guitar swung to Tom's get up and go Lyrics. Boys shook, Girls shaked and some people even were spotted wearing shades as the social rocked and rolled it's way through another Tuesday night.


It was a proper beauty of occasion, hopefully we might see you all again in May.

Seafood Special - A session with The Annoying Lobsters

The annoying lobsters reside in Copenhagen, which for you that don't know is in Denmark. Having kept many Tuckshop listeners happy with their infectiously raw, Scandinavian sound. They were a band which I assumed would always be admired from afar, however assumptions are indeed a silly thing, as a few Sundays ago, I found myself at Liverpool st station waiting to meet these four fresh, Danish wonders, who had managed to sneak away from a college trip visiting some London museum, to hangout with Tuckshop Community Radio and record our latest living room session.














Having no idea what any of us look like. I happily receive a call a few minutes past 11 from an unknown number

"hello" I tentivily answer

"Hey is that Jack?" a foreign voice calls out, "we're at the station man"

Looking from the second level of the station, I immediately spy what I presume is The Annoying Lobsters. Their Scandinavian glow is quite noticeable amongst the many tired, hungover East London faces, who at this time in the morning are either on their way home or begrudgingly making their way over to Spitalfields for an untimely arranged rendezvous.

Hopping on a train that is taking us all the way to Tottenham hale (a lack of equipment meant that was where we had to record) I explain that the area isn't perhaps londons most cosmetic.

"London is cool man" Oliver tells me, "The girls are so hot" Casper chips in. I nod my head in approval and question the look of their cheap corner shop baguette that both Nickolai and Jasper had purchased to cure their fresh hangovers.

"What you need is a good old Englsh Fry up" I remark, "Yeah man", they all reply "That would be cool"













Finally, after a short trek along Tottenham High Street ,taking in such sights as White Hart Lane, we reach my mate Tobias who has kindly arranged for us to use his studio, here we swiftly record four tracks, fuelled by Jammy Devils, a dodger alternative fresh from bargain super market chain Aldi. Leaving Tobias behind and With the sun still shining we decide to make our way down to London fields to sip on some beer, check out "hot london chicks" and record the remainder of the show.

The barman at London Fields questions their age, So I get them a couple of beers and rather ironically a soda water for myself
"you guys wouldn't be planning on taking these drinks away from the pub"? the bar man asks
"of course not" I reply, lying convincingly ,I hand him the cash and we all sneak off away from the pub.

After recording the show, I take the Lobsters back to Liverpool St and point them in the way of Brick Lane, to hopefully not only absorb some local culture but also meet some local ladies.



















"Thanks a lot man " they all say, "We've had a lot of fun today" and after a warm shake of hands with each of them, I watch them walk towards to heady lights of Shoreditch, hoping they'll take in more sights.

The Session with The Annoying Lobsters can be listened to by clicking below and they can be found at www.myspace.com/theannoyinglobsters

Getting Cosy with the Cobalt Cranes (some chit and chat)

Straight from the streets of LA, Cobalt Cranes are a foursome, who incorporate their immediate surroundings of sun, sand and silicone and bash it impeccably together with loud, raw, garage psychedelica. They are also an extremely nice bunch of individuals and have taken the time out to talk to us about Pumpkin Pancakes, cool LA bands and everyone's favourite Californian resident Arnold Scharzenegger.

Hello Cobalt Cranes, would you like to introduce yourselves ?
Tim: I play Guitar and sing
Kate: I'm Kate I play bass and sing if my mic is loud enough.
Mateo: My name is Mateo Leonardo. I play lead and rhythm guitar.
Travis: TRAVIS MOORE/ DRUMMS


How would you describe the Cobalt cranes sound? what does Cobalt Cranes stand for?

Kate: I would describe our sound as NU-Rage (the rage pronounced like the rage in garage; my lame marketing attempt). We are heavily influenced by 60's garage punk. So we started out with a very lo-fi garage sound. As we wrote more songs we began going in a different direction. we realized that we also have a very melodic side too. So It's kind of a" melodic garage" sound. Cobalt was the name of this zine my friend Lauren and I tried to start in middle school. There is half an issue somewhere, we never actually created a full one. That word Cobalt always sounded electric to me. It sounded cool. It also has two meanings as an element and a color. Same with cranes, an industrial crane or a bird. Someone should write a fucking poem.

TIM: We like a lot of old rock-and- roll like the Rolling Stones and 60's garage punk. We started writing and recording in an apartment in Korea Town. We had one microphone and very cool neighbors! The first song we learned was "Chinese Rocks" by Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers. We found this VHS tape with live recordings of Heartbreakers and really early Television performances. I think we got it at the Fairfax Fleamarket. We saw Sonic Youth play the Daydream Nation tour, and that influenced our sound a lot. Our name sounds cool, and it sounds like an old 50's gang.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the last week?

TIM: There's this really funny French Bulldog that lives next door. He's afraid of everything. I can hear him from a mile away because of his gobblin like breathing. He always makes me laugh.

Travis: I GOT CALLD' A HOMO WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET.. HAHA.. THAT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY FUNNY..

Travis: Listening to the Cobalt Cranes on your show and hearing you say that we are "wicked". That was funny and awesome at the same time. Thanks for the opportunity. It is an honor. That definitely made the week interesting.

Kate: I can't think of one from from last week. But one of my favorite funny moments or stories is my homemade fake i.d. story. I was 17 and I thought I could get away with anything. I found a forgotten i.d. in the register at the job I had at the time. I got a passport photo taken and went to a copy store. I waited until the youngest looking person was available to help me. I asked him to laminate my photo onto the i.d. he did. That night I went to the Troubadour. I told my on a date that I was 22, confidently walked up to the bouncer, and handed him my sweet i.d. He looked at it, looked at me, and in less then 10 seconds peeled the laminate right off. I took two steps back and bolted.













I have family who have just moved to LA and reside in Santa Monica, when I come and visit them, where would you recommend I go to see some interesting stuff?

Kate: Don't waste anytime! Get a head shot immediately and a waitering job. You never know when a reality TV scout is around. No but really, I would drive down sunset starting from Caesar Chavez in downtown and take it all the way to where it hits the ocean. I always thought that would be a cool if I wasn't from here. Every part of town has it's own thing happening. It's the small things in each Neighborhood that make LA interesting to me.

Mateo: I'll tell you what is cool: the art gallery scene. There are many little art galleries near downtown Los Angeles that have awesome shows. The coolest (or wickedest) bands play at these venues. The cover is always around 5 bucks and you can bring your own beverages.
The view of downtown Los Angeles at night is also very cool.
During the day I would definitely recommend outsiders a walk in Venice Beach.

TIM: There are so many cool things to do in L.A. First I would check out L'keg's calender and see if there is a good show that night. L'keg is a really cool music venue and hang-zone in between Echo Park and Downtown. I would also go to Topanga beach on highway 1. That beach rules.

Travis: I RECCOMENND L'KEG GALLERY, AND CRANE'S TAVERN... THERE PRETTY COOL RIGHT NOW...

I was actually in La briefly last year for a week and became addicted to Pumpkin pancakes, it's my birthday on Saturday and I want some for my breakfast, do you have any suggestions on how to make them?

TIM: I don't know about pumpkin pancakeses but there are a few cool places in L.A to get pancakes. Fred 62 in Loz Feliz has good ones, and Pan's Diner in Inglewood (where they shot the beginning and end of Pulp Fiction).

Kate: Happy Birthday. I don't know how to make Pumpkin Pancakes but as a Birthday present I have googled the recipe for you.

INGREDIENTS
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 tablespoons brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground allspice
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 1 cup pumpkin puree
* 1 egg
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 2 tablespoons vinegar

DIRECTIONS
In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot














What are your influences?

Tim: Bands from the past and new bands that play rock-and-roll. The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Grahm Parsons, Bo Diddly, Motown, Black Sabbath, Link Wray, The Cars, Johnny Thunders and the Heart Breakers, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, the Ramones, The Black Lips, Liars, Elvis. Also Delta and Chicago blues, guys like Blind Lemon Jefferson and Howlin' Wolf.

Kate: Here are some: The Vaseline's, the B-Girls, wipers, the Adverts, Chuck Berry, Johnny Thunders and the Heart breakers, The ventures, The Sonics, Bo Didley, Black Sabbath,The Damned, Red Kross, X, 13TH floor elevators, The Rolling Stones (esp. Keith) Shellac, Nuggets, richard hell and the Voidoids, Sonic youth. Kim Gordon made me want to play the bass. Geezer Butler too. Lady Bo! Pj Harvey and Patti Smith gave me the guts to sing.

Here at Tuckshop we are always looking out for cool stuff, are there any bands/artists/people that you think we should check out?

Tim: There are some really cool new bands in L.A right now. Blue Jungle is a great band that reminds me of David Lynch's movies. They are dark and twisted, with lots of reverb and mean looks. The Tiajuana Panthers are a cool band from Long Beach that sound like a punk version of the Beach Boys, and the Allah Las are a cool new band from L.A that we have played with a couple times at L'keg. They do a great cover of a Bo-Diddley song where they add a noise-chorus .

Kate: Bands you should check out: Blue Jungle,The Grand Elegance, Indian Jewelry, Paint, Aids wolf, Tijuana Panthers, useless keys, The Allah Las, okie dokie, the Gossip tree, Ariel Pink, The B-girls. My Friend Lauren Dukoff's photographs are really incredible. I love her black and white photos the most. She has a book coming out soon called "Family". Also check the L'Keg gallery they're always curating new exhibits and they put together some of the funnest live shows I've been to in a while. It's a really unique all ages multimedia space, with a real DIY pulse. It's cool because artists and musicians can do their own thing. The L' Keg gallery is run by the band Blue Jungle and Walt who is the art curator. Our favorite shows have been at the L'Keg. Actually we played our second show there. Our very first show, we were too drunk to play a full set so we wound up playing "chinese rocks". Horrible.

Having looked at pictures from your L'Keg gig, I noticed these crazy drawings on the wall in the background, any idea who did them?

Kate: That was a really fun show. The L' Keg galley put together an exhibit called "Nostalgia's no good" documenting the la "underground" scene and the artists and bands involved. There were documentary videos, photographs,fliers, and other art. Check the link below to see the show's flier with all of the of the artists involved:
www.lkeggallery.com













In England, Arnold Schwarzenegger is seen as somewhat of a living legend, As weird as it may sound, we often spend hours over a few drinks repeating "Arnie Slogans" to one another. Do you like Arnie and what are your favourite Arnie quotes?

TRAVIS: "GET TO THE CHOPPPAAAA"
"COME WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE"
"ITS NOT AA TUMMMAARR"

Tim: Arnold made some great movies. Terminator 1 and 2 are so awesome. Does anyone remember the Club-Noir? Its in the first one, when Sarah Connor meets the Terminator for the first time, in slow-mo. The first time I came to L.A was to work on T3 as a PA intern (production assistant a.k.a non-paid grunt worker). It didn't last long. I would sleep a lot on the set because the hours were so terrible. I got caught sleeping in one of the trucks and got fired. I never saw Arnold. One funny quote , I forget which movie, was when a girl is about to die and Arnold shows up in the nick of time. The girl asks Arnold why he took so long to get there, and he just says "traffic".

Kate: I have the obvious Arnold quote "I'll be back". But I have an image of him from Terminator that has always stuck
The part when Arnold or the Terminator is "born" and he's naked in fetile position in a dark dirty alley. That was a tender moment. Don't Judge.

Mateo: Arnold is charming and a little scary. I don't have any favorite quotes from him, but I do remember watching somebody throw an egg at him. He didn't say anything, but that was my favorite Arnold moment.

Where can people find Cobalt Cranes?

Come to our shows!

We sell our cd's at our shows. We are recording our 12" Lp now that will be released in the summer.

Myspace.com/COBALTCRANES















Thank you Cobalt Cranes xx

From Poland with Love (short story of the Polish film poster)

Due to what I'm guessing was the influence of Communism. Poland has had quite a different relationship with American films. It has been the case in the past that American movies seldom make it past the Polish borders as the country is far more content in pushing it's own domestic film industry. When films do finally make it onto the local cinema screens they are quite a few years after the original release. Furthermore, the polish authorities don't like to use the original posters for these films and have thus commissioned artists to draw posters that they deem more appropriate for the polish public. Despite the fact that these artists have never seen so much as a trailer for these films the final product can often offer a completely new insight into the films title.



















Discovering Polish film posters has enlightened my life quite considerably over the last few months, I have spent many hours looking at these fine designs, I have even gone as far as purchasing my own piece of social history having invested in a poster designed for the stoner/bowling epic "The big Lebowski". This multi-coloured cultural masterpiece was purchased from the oh so brilliant www.polishposter.com, a company who are based in Warsaw and delivered my picture within 5 days of ordering, putting some of their British counterparts to shame. In addition to this, the poster arrived in a tube covered in these rather excellent, if not quite sinister polish stamps...Anyone interested in starting a Polish stamp collection?