A Scary Trip To The Doctor Who Exhibition - Manchester

Last Saturday we had a great ( if disturbing for some small people) trip to the Doctor Who exhibition at the Museum of Science and industry in Castlefield.~
I've been looking forward to this for months now, and really enjoyed it.
While some might point out that it is really just a load of props in a room, they are so well displayed it makes for a fantastic experience.
It is a very loud show, with video clips and loudspeakers all over the place, blaring sirens and phasers all around the space.
Amusing highlight for me was meeting a fake Tom Baker Doctor wandering through the exhibition. He just walked up to us and acknowledged us with a knowing wink.
I remember meeting the real Tom Baker many years ago, so it was nice to meet his doppelganger so many years later.
When I met the real one I got to sit for a good while in a bar with him. He asked me if I was scared of the monsters. I said no - so he gave me a signed postcard dedicated
' For Ian B ( The brave!)'
Fantastic!!
I still have it to this day in a folder!

New Syd Barrett Book

As some of you may know - there is a new biography of Rog/Syd being written by a chap called Rob Chapman
I met with him this week as he lives near me, to find out his plans for the book.
The book is due to be finished late in 2008 and published early 2009.
Please don't hold your breath for the book as it isn't due to be finished until late in 2008 and published early 2009, but I for one am very excited about reading it when it is finally finished.
Rob is certainly being thorough with his writing and hopes to interview as many of the pivotal figures in Roger's life as possible.

He is writing the book by focusing on the art Roger created and not from the often fanciful ' lunacy' stories so often trotted out.
He will be analysing the lyrics in depth and it seems to me that it will be by far the most intriguing and thorough written analysis yet written.

All fans of Syd Barrett are certainly in for a treat!
Eventually......!

Roger Keith 'Syd' Barrett
6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006

Today is the Anniversary of Roger's death.
I'm not sure quite how I should mark this as I am loathe to write words that may be hacked and manipulated by any good folk of the 'press'.

Be it good or bad, I knew that Roger's death was sadly near before it was common knowledge.
His suffering was mercifully short, and he managed to get home before the end. I know this meant a lot to him, and he was very keen to be released from hospital.
He had very good palliative care, and it was a comfort to get back to the house that he so loved.

When I got the call to tell me that he had died, this was obviously very upsetting, but the weirdest thing was the day it was revealed to the public.
This came in a press release from - I think EMI - and I was at work at the time. I didn't know when this would happen, and had thought it might have been sooner than it was ( I found out on the Saturday, and it wasn't released until the following Wednesday.)
At the office in which I worked everyone checked the BBC news throughout the day to keep track of news and weather etc.
I remember it came as a complete surprise the hour Roger's death flashed up on the site.
I had told my manager in advance, as I would need time off for the funeral etc.
I had never really told many of my workmates about my link to Roger, let alone about his death.
I've always thought this would leave me open to allegations of boasting or name-dropping.
I've also faced allegations of lying about who I am, and that is crazy in itself. I really don't have time to prove to anyone what I've been born into.

When these workmates saw the death on the screen and starting blithely mentioning it to me, it was all a bit much.
At that point I obviously became upset and had to explain the true situation.

More soon....

Max The Rockstar!!

Max The Rockstar!!

As you can see here, Max Barrett certainly has an air of rockstar about him.
He wouldn't look lout of place in the reformed 'healthy' Happy Mondays and certainly has buckets of the cocky swagger needed.
To be honest, we have all be going rather stir crazy of late as we've been unable to get outside much due to this somewhat humidity laden weather of late.
I've just been in the garden in the one of the brief lulls in the rain and found something quite amazing....
It's been so wet in the garden that the bird feeder on the wall has actually started GROWING!
yes really. The seeds inside have stayed so damp for so long that there are leaves and sprouts shooting up from the bottom.
It's like a batch of hippy mung beans in there. I wouldn't think the birds will be too impressed with it now!

A Soggy Trip To The West With 'Monkey'

Beccy and myself had a fantastic night out last Thursday to see the opening show of Damon Albarn's show 'Monkey - Journey To The West'
I guess it may upset many involved with the show to call it his show.
The so called 'Opera' was directed by Chen Shizhang a renowned director ( he has recently directed Dark Matter with Meryl Streep) and Damon was the composer.

There is so much I could say about this show, but the best thing I can suggest is that you watch the BBC1 show on tomorrow night at 10.40pm and see for yourself.
Preview here

It seems a bit of a vagary to call it an opera really as this may discourage many from going.
It really isn't an opera - other than it is a stage drama led by singing.
Yes there is singing all the way through, but never in a tradition operatic style.
It is sung entirely in Mandarin Chinese.

The show was an insane mixture of martial arts, mad Chinese acrobatics and bizarre atonal orchestration.
There was an amazing undersea scene with huge starfish floating across the stage and a funky giant prawn pushing a trolley laden with a girl spinning parasols on her legs!
( doesn't every show have these nowadays?!)

The guy playing The Monkey king had the most amazing charisma and owned the stage with his energy and swagger.
Who would have thought a monkey would wear a tracksuit!

After the show we ended up outside in what is now boringly predictable pouring rain. We traipsed up the road to the swish Midland Hotel and met up with Chrissie Hynde and her band for a few drinks, and some superb conversation.
I met Chrissie first at the Barbican tribute show, and she was most charming there.
She was in town supporting Rod Stewart at the Man City Stadium and said we could look her up when she was in town.
It was a hilarious end to a superb evening!

The Lunatics Have taken over The Asylum

It has amazed me lately to see two singers resuscitated onto a stage that I both adore, and thought would never see play again.
Both Daniel Johnston and Roky Erickson have been playing regularly and even graced these shores with their psychedelic presence.
Tragically - I just missed Daniel Johnston who even played here in Manchester.
Review here
With precious little promotion of his 2 shows here I had no idea he had played in town. (A serious Bummer that!)
I have long loved the fragile heartfelt voice he sings with and the way he perseveres with an incredibly prolific art career as well. If you have seen any of his cartooon art you will know that it is both naive and yet deeply moving. Much like his music really.

And as for Roky Erickson - well the man is a true legend. i have said it to others, and I will say it now - I truly believe he has the greatest rock voice of all time.
You can keep your Robert Plant's and your Roger Daltreys, give me Roky singing 'Two Headed Dog' any day!
I remember emailing someone from his trustees many years ago, just to ask how Roky was. there was very little real news on him in the press, and I wanted to hear something concrete. Obviously the career of Roky has many parallels with Roger/Syd's and I felt a kinship for this reason.
Weirdly I was told by Roky's friend that they actually share the same name. Roky's real name is Roger as well!
How odd is that....
Unfortunately, with going down to London for the Barbican tribute I couldnt travel down again so soon to see Roky. I remain hopeful that he will play again sometime and I will get to see him - and hear that voice!

Please come back Roky and Daniel

UFO vs Futuresonic

You can see a bunch of great photos I've been sent from the UFO show in Manchester in May
Basically - it was an amazing night featuring the psychedelic legends from the original UFO club in the Sixties. John 'Hoppy' Hopkins and Jack Moore were there.
These guys are absolutely pivotal to the development of the London and Global psychedelic scene.
Hoppy and Jack recreated some of their original lightshow tricks and combined these with some more modern dance legends, including a member of Kraftwerk, and the underground and mysterious 'Black Devil Disco Club'
( watch a clip of them at the show)

It was such a trip to meet and talk to them.
You can read an article written by Hoppy Hopkins about the show and the amazing UFO scene


I have plenty of other pictures of the night if anyone wants to see them

Enjoy.......

Some Pictures from Young Max Barrett's 4th Birthday.
yes - he really has reached the big 4.

I suspect the face paints will get a good few outings before the year is done!

Scott Walker - Drift - Released May 2006

If you feel like taking a terrifying journey into the depths of depravity you could do worse than get hold of a copy of the new Scott Walker album - 'Drift'

Being a big fan of his already- having been harangued into listening by years of the idolatry Julain Cope shows him. I wasn't sure what to expect as I have never really been able to engage with 'Tilt' his last album( over 11 years ago)
That just seemed too oblique and distant to really enjoy

When listening to Drift - I have to say I quite enjoyed listening. Maybe enjoy isn't the right word though.
We are certainly not talking about an accessible record in ANY way at all.
With no real musical structure to speak of the album uses instrumentation ranging from atonal clangs and whirring through to the use of mike'd up slabs of meat ( I only know this as a clip of the filming was shown on the recent BBC culture show)

One song Clara has the most amazing mixture of duetting male/female voices lain over a cacophony of slaps and grunts.
This is then followed with a torrent of almost industrial sounding hollers and washes.

If there is one comparison to be made it is with the music of Diamanda Galas. She uses a similar palettte in much of her music but with much more intense and operatic vocals.
The Scott Walker baritone is used to great effect throughout the album. He uses his voice to mysterious and powerful effect as he delivers lyrics that to be quite frank may need a lifetime to fully understand!

A STUNNING and disturbing masterpiece!

The Captain has Left The Sinking Ship

The buyout - or should I say sell-out of the Body Shop to L'Oreal has rather strangely been a surprise to me.
I think I may have had my gullibility gene tweaked into action as I clung on to the idea that Anita Roddick would really not sell her last bottle of tea tree flavoured ethics up her beloved Amazon without a paddle.

How wrong I was!!!

Oh how she will enjoy the £160 million she is set to pocket - as well as staying on in an advisory capacity. I don't think her skills at diluting an ethical stance to please shareholders will really cut the mustard now the company is back in private hands.

It could be that L'Oreal will actually do a better job of guiding the company than she has managed over the last ten years.

We shall have to wait and see...

Let's hope Lush cosmetics don't jump ship and go the same way!

You must read Merricks superb article on the sellout

Just to let you know
I am still alive
my site got locked due to my own absentmindness

It is back and will be fully mended and hopefully I'll find time to actually update it regularly
VERY SOON

watch this space.......................

Howdy all,
Just a short e-mail - we're still alive and kicking in Flagstaff
Arizona, heading for the Grand Canyon tomorrow. Las Vegas very OTT and
out of this world but an experience not to be repeated.Lots of beautiful mountains, canyons, Indian reservations and plenty of blue sky (but frost last night!). Moving north shortly to Page for Bryce Canyon etc.
Hope you are all well.
Love,
Dad & Mum
 

STOP PRESS !!!
MAX BARRETT IS FAMOUS !!
Max and Daddy were on the ITN national news on Friday Night!!

I took him into Chorlton for his MMR, which was stressful enough in itself, only to discover that there was a film crew esconsed in the clinic!!! AAARRRGH
They asked if I minded him being filmed for the news, and also asked to interview me for the item - about a new report stating that MMR was safe to give.
My interview was V Poor as I was super stressed after my first time taking his buggy on the bus and thankfully they used a mummy instead.
They filmed all of Max's rather painful injection - HE DIDNT ENJOY IT AT ALL!!
and then lo and behold we ended up on the 6.30 and the 10.30 national news!!
what fun
I'll try and get it streaming very soon but My Daddy made a rather big file of the piece and it needs techno shrinking......

Mummydaddy lessons are hotting up and are VERY funny..
Every Wednesday we go and are entertained by the bizarre events that occur when 8 or so couples who DONT have kids come to terms with the practicalities of HAVING one !!

This week I bonded very closely with a lovely plastic baby with slightly sinister eyes. It was either possessed of some mild satanic influence or a heavy bout of wind. I just wasn't sure which. We seemed to get on very well, until I started to get a bit restless and began whacking its head on my leg which I guess probably isn't in the baby books.

We also got to watch the mildest and most sanitised birth video I've ever seen in my life. The potential mummy didn't so muchg as break into a sweat and certainly swear or scream like a banshee. She appeared to have a slight blockage, then her husband looked at her lovingly and kissed her brow tenderly , and then POP ! the baby appeared like the shopkeeper in Mr Benn !!
It was most unconvincing but put everyones worrries at rest, especially as labour complications (mainly things involving scissors and blood) had previously horrified the mummys to be into submission but 10 minutes earlier!

Everythings going very well and 2 jun is still the action date.
Wooohooooo
bring it on!!!!!

My play is now fully written and cast and I start directing it after Easter. If anyone in Manchester or beyond can come it will be 12-13 July at an Arts festival in North Manchester. Let me know and I'll give you details.
Moston Active Drama is the company and there are currently about 13 kids in the show.
Bye for now

Hi all
Baby Mummy's getting bigger and the little Barrettius Sproglet is cooking wonderfully !
One thing that dawned on me yesterday was that as long as he/she is born before 12 June I will get my first Fathers Day where I can actually celebrate and not just trundle into Clintons Cards and ponder for something ACTUALLY funny !
I do hope the card will be personally signed by my child and not just PP'ed by its Mother!

3 June is due date so not too long now. We've got a very cool cot mobile with zebra, giraffe, elephant and slightly creepy gorilla hanging down and it plays a funky tune.
I just can't wait to be able to shop for toys with impunity. Normally I buy lots of toys and get told off for letting them clutter the house up. Now I've got a valid reason to wander round toys R us for hours ! Huzzahhh !!

I found a truly awesome toy the other day
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/TechieMon/aquaroid.html
this is an incredible robotic jellyfish that you let go in a big tank and it flips and wibbles itself around !! how cool is that!!?
I've got my diving training behind me now so I am fully qualified to drown myself across the world. I can't wait to test what I learned in Egypt somewhere else and discover some wrecks with vast amounts of gold and diamonds on them. Possibly
Anyway off to the Dentist now to pay for some pain and prodding. Hurrah
see ya

Hi all.
Things are hotting up chez Barrett/Treen and we've only got 3 monhts till 2 becomes 3 !! Hurrah
The bump is pretty big now and kicking furiously. I love just lying next to it and chatting to him/her and letting them know we're here. It certainly takes a lot of planning (and buying !) but we're vaguely prepared for it's arrival. It will certainly be well looked after.
Having brought Maisie the dragon up from near birth it can't be that different can it ???
Surely you just chuck them a few crickets and bits of cabbage and they're happy. Is that not right??!!
Keep em warm and change their water and you'll have a happy baby.Easy!

http://www.flaminglips.com
Just a note to demand anyone who hasn't listened to the Flaming Lips and especially their new album 'Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots' I implore you to seek it out and listen to the shimmering multicolour glory of their sound.
the link at the top gives you no excuse not to as you can listen to the whole album for nothing.
Tragically I was unable to go to their gig in town the other week as I was wearing a tuxedo in Birmingham which is another story entirely but they're playing again in March and I WILL be there !!! to
listen and weep with pleasure.
I have some mad live photos I took of them on their last tour which I'll post when I get my scanner to behave again.

Hi all. Things are going fantastically with the baby Barrett. It really will be unleashed on the world very soon and looking at the size of Beccy's belly now it could be any day now - even though its not due for 4 months !!
We've got another scan next friday and we can see if it's go the expected 2 spines. I'm famous at work for having two spines (not just two but spines that rearrange themselves every 6 months into a different arrangement !)
We only saw 1 spine on the first scan but this one is more detailed so hopefully it will show up.

I've been busy working on the play I'm hoping to direct later in the year. I've been working with the kids I'll be directing as they finish their current show off . It's called 'When Dali came to Moston'
and if anyones interested it's on at the Contact Theatre on 6 February. Let me know if you want tickets.

Been doing a lot of painting lately which I've found a lot of fun. I'm very untrained as I didn't really take much notice of Mr Flack and the strange Mrs Woolston; my Art teachers at school but I enjoy it. If my scanner worked I'd scan some in but it doesn't so you'll have to wait till it's mended. I've moved onto oil paints on canvas now but the paint is a bit crap and takes ages to dry !! bugger...

Anyway I'm off to make a curry...

see y'all soon.

Hi all. in the middle of cooking fishcakes and mash so may pop off any minute but how would you know kiddy winkies.........
anyway, everything is going swimmingly. Been doing lots of paintings lately and finding it a lot of fun. I've been commissioned to do and abstract of Kylie's arse which I'm now planning. Should be fun.
The bump is coming on nicely and we're both hugely excited. I've just been blowing raspberries on it which I'm sure it enjoys - what with it being stuck in the dark all day it could do with a bit of stimulation. 3 June is the big due day. It will be shot into the world with a shimmering sparkle and receive all the love it could possibly need. And more.......................................
HURRAH for my baby.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hurrahhhhhhhh!
I'm working on a new play for a kids theatre group which I will direct hopefully in the Summer - developments allowing. Obviously this will be rather a busy year but it's what I want to do and I will succeed at it. Oh yes. Watch this space.
Anyway I'm off to do some more painting now so see y'all soon

Ive not had time to really update anything recently but there's a very good reason for that. I think most people know by now but my big BIG news is that I'm going to become a father !!!!!!!!!!!!!! wooooooooooooooo
Oh yes... its true......
scary but true.
Things have been rather distracted but very interesting lately and I'm sure they'll get more interesting. As long as the little thing will like visiting stone circles then we'll be fine.
At least there''ll be no shortage for toys around the house, which there aren't now but there'll be even more for me/he/she to play with !!! HURRAH.
Anyway it's my 30th birthday today which is also scary and fun so I'm off to drink tea then drink other stuff later on.
seey'all soon
ps -the expected time of arrival is 3 june 2003