UCLAN student goes on-line with Christmas drink-drive video blog

A UCLAN acting student is playing the part of an on-line video blogger to help Lancashire Police spread their Christmas drink-drive message. 

A Facebook blog detailing the December exploits of fictitious character Robert Lancashire is being used by the Constabulary to illustrate the many consequences of being charged with a drink-driving offence. 

The entries are also featured in four short video blogs, with the role of Robert being played by 21-year-old Acting (BA Hons) student Dominic Hedges.

Dominic, who is in the third year of his course at UCLAN and who lives in Preston, said: “I was really honoured to be asked to help with the project as it was not only a really good opportunity for me but it would also help get an important message out to my friends and fellow students. 

“Robert’s blog deals with the obvious consequences of losing your licence, and the effect this has on things like your job, but it also looks at the everyday aspects of your life that can be affected – such as trying to get to football practice or even nipping down the shops.”

Dominic, who is originally from East London, added: “To me, having a car is all about the freedom it gives you – without my car I’d find it really difficult to get around to see my girlfriend or my mates back home. Drink-driving can cost you so many more things than just your licence and having taken part in filming the blog, I don’t think it’s something I would risk.”

Follow Rob’s blog (and Dominic’s portrayal in the video clips) at www.facebook.com/lovemylancashire .

The video blog can also be found at http://www.lancashire.police.uk/news/campaigns/drink-and-drug-driving.

Updates on the campaign will also go on Twitter @lancspolice.

Klaxons @ Manchester Academy (November 11)

By James Murray

With a couple of years off the radar (discounting a few one off shows) Klaxons have returned with their eagerly awaited second album, Surfing The Void. Following the release of their follow-up album to the acclaimed debut, Myths of the Near Future, Klaxons announced a UK tour that would commence at Manchester Academy.

Surfing The Void is certainly a development on their debut, a change in style that gives the band more of a rock inclination in contrast to their “nu-rave”, dance-esque origins. Klaxons spent much of their early career attempting to rid the attachment between their name and the genre tag “nu rave”, going as far as banning glow sticks in 2007. Although its appearance is now much less frequent in the media, it was apparent that their fan base still flaunts vibrant and eccentric attire that was originally coined with the term.

Fiction, the opening and only support act was a peculiar booking, a London four-piece with one single on a low-key record label. The obscurity of Fiction made them somewhat suited to a Klaxons gig, however, instrumentally the band were extremely minimal; not hugely suitable for lifting the atmosphere.

Klaxons set included most songs from both LP’s, clearly aiming to promote the release of their second full-length. Two months after the release of Surfing The Void, Klaxons left fans plenty of time to familiarise themselves with new songs; however, the crowd’s interest in debut album tracks over the new record was quite obvious.

Atlantis to Interzone, Gravity’s Rainbow and Golden Skans got the best response from the crowd, their captivating choruses echoing around the full length of the venue: “come with me, come with me, we’ll travel to infinity”.

With bands as innovative as Klaxons, it’s easy to assume that their live performances will be sloppy, simply because of the complexity of the elements layered throughout the majority of their songs. It’s quite understandable that Klaxons headlined the NME stage at Reading and Leeds this summer just a few days after the release of their second album – as Klaxons are pretty much impeccable on-stage. The high notes, fast riffs and intricate basslines are in no way damaged in performance, almost justifying the higher-end price of the tour tickets and unarguably low-key support act.

Surfing The Void hasn’t been subject to as much hype as its predecessor, but the record’s mature and innovative style is flawless live. A combination of the live execution of Surfing the Void and the energy in tracks on their debut could lead to a remarkable third.

Duke Nukem Forever

 By Liam Richardson

Way back in 1996, when games were far from the multi-million pound behemoths that they are today, Duke Nukem 3D was king.  A first person shooter wildly ahead of its time due to its interactive level design and adult-orientated themes, Duke was a huge commercial success. A year later, a sequel under the name of Duke Nukem Forever was announced. Set to be released no later than 1998, everything was looking good for the games developers, 3D realms.

Three years into production, Duke Nukem Forever slipped into development hell due to the company’s constant financial difficulties. But it was the games lead designer George Broussard who became Duke’s most publicised setback. Constantly demanding that the game be changed, overhauled to a new engine and often rebuilt entirely from scratch, his spontaneous decisions were so damaging to the project that it became a running joke at 3D realms to prevent Broussard from seeing any footage of new games for fear of him wanting to feature elements of the title within Duke Nukem Forever, pushing the game back further.

This process continued up to as late as 2009, where it was officially announced that the majority of the staff from 3D realms had been laid off due to a law suit filed by 2K Publishing, claiming the company had failed to deliver. Unfortunately, Duke Nukem Forever was confirmed as cancelled.

That was until September of this year, when developer Gearbox (creator of last year’s hugely entertaining Borderlands) announced that they had secretly been working on the project for some time and it was nearing completion. With a 2011 release date set in stone, an audience present at the conference were then treated to a lengthy demonstration of the game in action.

The trailer, available to view online, shows Duke taking arms to fight a huge alien in a football field. Once defeated, Duke takes a running kick, launching the giant’s eye across the length of the stadium. It’s explosive and certainly marks the return of the 90’s action hero revamped for a modern audience. The game was entertaining enough just to watch, never mind play.

It’s fair to say that after 13 years expectations of the title are high. Shooters have certainly changed a lot since 1998, and it’s unclear as to whether Duke will be able to compete with modern day giants such as Call of Duty, but one thing’s certain: he’s going to save the world, shoot the bad guys, and get a few girls along the way. Hail to the king baby, Duke’s back.

Culture Round Up

By Jenna Fordie

ART

In true Christmas spirit, Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is lighting up the Manchester Art Gallery with his new electronic art exhibition entitled ‘Recorders’. His work captures human emotions by using technology to evoke mystery, including his new installation ‘Pulse Room’, a space filled with 100 light bulbs that react to the beating of the visitors’ hearts. Exhibiting until January 30 2011.

COMEDY

 Everyone’s favourite, feisty, fowl mouthed Glaswegian Frankie Boyle continues his hit 2010 tour at the Liverpool Echo Arena on December 14. The ex Mock the Week star is famous for his digs at everyone from George W. Bush to Kerry Katona. With a tour called: ‘I Would Happily Punch Everyone of You in the Face’, you get the feeling that nobody is safe! A definite to fill you with jollity just in time for the Festive Season! Tickets £32, available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

 BOOKS

 “A Tiny Bit Marvellous” is the brand new novel from the bubbly, busty comic Dawn French.  This heartfelt tale reveals the struggles of a family life from the separate narratives of a mother and her two teenage children. Written as humorous diary entries, this would make the perfect easy read (not to mention stocking filler) and a welcome break over the holidays from all our heavy textbooks this semester.

 THEATRE

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’. You all know the story; a grumpy old Ebenezer Scrooge visited on Christmas Eve by three ghosts that demand he changes his ways just in time for the day’s celebrations! If you’re feeling a bit ‘Baaah Humbug’ get yourselves down to Manchester’s The Quay Theatre for the magic and merriment. Performances are showing from December 3 – January 8, tickets available from www.quaytickets.com

Goodgreef 10th Anniversary @ 53 Degrees

By Dan Birch

As the crowd of the packed dance floor started chanting Eddie Halliwell you could tell it felt in some ways that you were at a trance rave 1999, rife at the UK at the turn of the millennium.

Of course Goodgreef is mainly all about hard house. Musical madness ensued though over three floors of 53 Degrees full of hardcore ravers, old and new.

Eddie Halliwell’s set, though repetitive at times, was essentially a back catalogue of the Goodgreef set which dates back a decade. Halliwell conducted the crowd with fierce energy, and this went well with the stunning traditionalistic spectacle of smoke and lasers unleashed onto the dance floor. The majority of the revellers in the crowd, many of them loyal Goodgreefers to the core, knew what was coming up next in the set.

The upstairs rooms included sets from new and old pretenders alike, Kutski and Rob Tissera, both DJs with credibility in the wide varied range of dance they play. Hard house veteran Paul Glazby was on the bill straight out of retirement specifically for the night.

It was interesting and daring to put one of the rooms upstairs as UCLan’s Student Union. It was a fine way of taking live music out of its normal comfort zone and putting it in a place normally reserved for lunch and coffee. Instead, it was filled to the brim with ravers in a sweat drenched room.

Overall, the night was more about celebration, and despite the high £25 entrance fee, this was a night for many of the loyal fans that was not to be missed. Despite the genre of music being a niche in Britain today, it is certainly no niche with the huge amount of fans it will always attract. Here’s to the next ten years?

Review: Kele at Ritz Club, 18/11/10

By Katie Doyle

Best known as Bloc Party’s main man, Kele Okereke has gone solo, touring around the country following the release of his debut album ‘The Boxer.’ And yes, the album is a good’un. After last seeing Kele, he’s definitely had a few sessions at the gym, bulking right up and wearing one of his very fitted merchandise t-shirts.

First listening to the album, I thought it all sounded quite similar and very much like another Bloc Party album, but the intimate gig proved me wrong. Kele had constant energy singing the majority of his album with favourites, ‘Tenderoni’ and ‘Everything you wanted.’ We were also treated to three Bloc Party songs that got the crowd going wild including ‘One More Chance’ and ‘Hunting for witches.’

Kele has an infallible voice, hitting all kind of notes I didn’t think existed and has such a distinct, excitable sound you could never get bored of. With his sexy smile and great personality, Kele has definitely moulded to the solo career.

Whether you’re a Bloc Party super fan like me, or want an album that’s fearless, wild and has some great dance tunes, then ‘The Boxer’ might need to the be put on your Christmas list!