A new brand of outrage

The resignation of Russell Brand and three-month suspension of Jonathan Ross for something that happened thirteen days earlier is verification of the moral panic that print and online media (initially, and most notably, the Daily Mail) can instil on the public. It is a story that has ballooned from two complaints (out of the two million people that actually listened to the show) to reportedly 27000 as I write this. However, the likelihood is that out of his 27000, 26998 have probably not heard what actually happened and have been influenced with what national newspapers have put on their front page.  Read more

Byrne baby Byrne!

Ed Byrne, Different Class, Corn Exchange, 17/10/08.

Ed Byrne’s latest show ‘Different Class’ is an energetic and engaging romp through his unique brand of everyday observational humour, which picks apart class traits, gender relationships and his not unusual obsession with ‘what I should have said’.
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Cox endears but doesn’t impress

Chris Cox, Control Freak, Pavilion Theatre, 17/10/08

If Derren Brown is the magical community’s pretentious twit, then Chris Cox is their lovable geek. Read more

Nell Bryden – Second Time Around (157 Records)

One accusation which could never be levelled at Nell Bryden is that she lacks versatility. The talented New Yorker somehow manages to mix 40s and 50s style jazz, blues and country music into one album. And it almost works. Read more

Does it offend me? Definitely not!

The teaming up of two bands that make dance music using angular guitars, screaming electro sounds and the occasional shouted chorus would lead most to believe this to be a typical nu-rave gig. But it was not. Read more

Edinburgh Fringe comedy champ proves his worth

David O’Doherty, Let’s Comedy, Pavilion Theatre, 18/10/08

One look at David O’Doherty’s website fully conveys the simplistic nature of his comedy.

The site is made in Microsoft Paint, the programmes for his shows are handwritten and on the backdrop for this particular show is a large D O’D spelt out in white gaffer-tape. Read more

Meeting discusses critical state of Studentification in Brighton

On Friday 17 October students, established residents and council officials debated the issue of studentification in Brighton. The initial meeting was an opportunity for those living in Brighton to voice their frustrations about the negative aspects of high-density areas of student HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation.) The meeting also sought to seek solutions to some of the problems which would be shared by residents. Read more

UNITE for the future

Last Friday 17 October saw UNITE’s second day of strike action. UNITE members include university technical, computing and estates staff. The union have been forced out on strike to protect their final salary pension scheme USPAS (University of Sussex Pension and Assurance Scheme). The university management (none of whom will be affected by the attack on USPAS) are still refusing to negotiate to keep USPAS open to new members and current staff are prohibited from joining unless they do so within six months of starting employment. In the future new support staff will only be allowed a Defined Contribution scheme, this means all the risk is placed with the employee and the pension value is uncertain. Read more

Eubank JNR. packs a punch!

Self-proclaimed Chris ‘thimply the bethst’ Eubank is hoping that his 19 year-old son Chris Eubank Jnr. is about to follow in his footsteps and embark on an illustrious boxing career. Earlier this month at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Eubank Jnr. fought in his first British boxing amateur fight and won convincingly on points. He may be more introverted and less brash than his father but those closest to him believe he has more than enough talent to realistically have ambitions of Olympic 2012 glory. Read more

Keane – Perfect Symmetry (Universal)

Say what you will, but ‘Spiralling’ – the first single taken from Keane’s third album – sounds like it should be a classic 80s anthem. I believe this fervently. I don’t care that Keane’s lead singer is an annoying, sweaty little man, too chubby to ever be cool (no matter how many rehab clinics he checks into); or that their previous albums have been about as fresh and exciting as your gran after she’s been at the gin – ‘Spiralling’ is a big, big, tune. Read more