Brownbear – Dead or Alive – SINGLE REVIEW

‘Dead or Alive’ is the storming new single from Brownbear. The Ayrshire foursome have knocked up an acoustic driven groove wagon of a track. Sounding like a more polished Razorlight, Brownbear certainly encapsulate all that is good with the Scottish music scene at present. Matt Hickmans husky vocal combined with funky lead guitar and fast paced percussion provides an alternative indie / pop record that takes bands years to master. However this quartet have took just over a year to perfect a sound that has won them stage slots along side The Libertines, The Bluebells, Babyshambles and Pigeon Detectives. Brownbear are a group on the up, and ‘Dead or Alive’ is a signal of real intent. Remember the name.

QPR v Aston Villa – PREVIEW

QPR will be hoping for some rest bite tomorrow night after a manic week down at Loftus Road.

Last Sunday’s capitulation in the final moments against Liverpool was followed by Harry Redknapp and playmaker Adel Taarabt trading insults via the media. This occurred after the Moroccan was criticised by his manager for apparently being 3 stone overweight. Embarrassingly, owner Tony Fernandes was the man who had to eventually intervene.

However Taarabt, who was on loan at AC Milan last season, could be in line to feature tomorrow after poor form and injuries could force Redknapp to eat a slice of humble pie and call on the under fire forward.

Team News
After being an unused sub against Liverpool Veteran defender Rio Ferdinand is hopeful to shake off a groin strain so he can try and sure up R’s leaky defence. Redknapp’s men are also hopeful Nedum Onuoha, Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch will be fit after recent hamstring problems. But there is some welcome news on the goalkeeping front, as ex England shot stopper Robert Green is likely to return after suffering from tonsilitus. The only long-term absentee is Alenjandro Faurlin whom isn’t likely to play again this season.

Villa, on the other hand, are still without forward Libor Kozak, however talisman Christian Benteke is set to start after recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Lambert’s men are also bolstered by the return of Swiss defender Phillipe Senderos, who was a big miss in last weeks 3-0 humbling by Everton. However Influential midfielder Fabian Delph is still out with the dislocated shoulder he sustained last week during training and Nathan Baker is a doubt after picking up a hamstring problem in last weeks defeat.

Possible Starting XI

QPR  (4-5-1): Green; Isla, Ferdinand, Caulker, Traoré; Hoilett, Sandro, Barton, Mutch, Kranjcar; Austin.

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Guzan; Hutton, Vaar, Senderos, Cissokho; N’Zogbia, Cleverley, Westwood, Weimann; Agbonlahor, Benteke.
Odds:

HOME – 7-5

AWAY – 9-4

DRAW – 11-5

Jozy Altidore – The Enigma

 

What a couple of truly horrendous weeks it’s been for the Black Cats. Firstly, there is the 8-0 humiliation by Southampton, who lets not forget were in League 2 three years ago, and then another embarrassingly inept and clumsy 2-0 home loss to Arsenal on Saturday.

 

Both losses oozed nervousness, a lack of confidence, a lack of belief and an overwhelming lack of quality. This description could also fit the performances of striker Jozy Altidore, the 6.5 million pound signing, who has failed miserably in his tenor at the Stadium of Light.

 

Altidore, who is a New York Born son of Haitian immigrants, has been the definition of the word ‘flop’ since joining last summer. The American has scored only 2 goals in thirty 36 games for Sunderland, and only 3 goals in 64 Premier League games in total; this includes his yearlong loan at Hull City a few seasons back. This kind of record has earned Altidore nickname’s such as ‘Dozy Anti-Score’ and almost cult status at the Stadium of Light, with fans singing ‘If Jozy scores we’re on the pitch’ every time the 6ft 1 inch striker takes to the field.

 

The most frustrating thing about Altidore is the fact that we know he has serious talent; the forward has scored 24 goals in 74 games for the US, and was named their athlete of the year for 2013. He also has an excellent record in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar, scoring 22 goals in his first season, and then 31 in his second. However we know how unreliable the Dutch league can be, as for every Luis Suarez, Wilfred Bony and Robin Van Persie you’ll get a Luuk De Jong, Alfonso Alves and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

 

Altidore also has the physical attributes to compete with the best Premier League strikers; he’s big, strong, quick and has a deadly right foot. If you were to type into a search engine all the key skills and physical demands you need for a top quality striker, Altidore would be near the top of your list (However so would Shola Ameobi, but that’s not the point).

 

Statistics show that Altidore should be a success, but something isn’t clicking, there’s a polish and a clinical edge missing from Altidore’s game. This is something only he can amend. Whether Poyet will give him the run in the team he gave the likes of Conor Wickham, I don’t know, but with Sunderland’s present predicament and their need for goals quick, a Jozy Altidore rejuvenation could be the club’s answer.

 

Fortunately for the big man he isn’t the only striker to come to the Stadium of light and fail miserably. Here’s just a handful:

 

MILTON NUNEZ

 

Who could forget this lad, a cult hero on Wearside. The diminutive so called striker was bought by Peter Reid for £1.6 million back in 1999 from POAK, however it was later revealed that Reid was actually meant to sign his strike partner Adolfo Valencia instead. Nunez went on to make just one league appearance for the Black Cats and then was shipped back to Uruguay. Absolute Madness.

 

LILIAN LASLANDES

 

The Frenchman was bought in the summer of 2001 to replace Niall Quinn, however Lilian never managed to find his feet at Sunderland, and on going squabbles with then manager Peter Ried led to the former French International scoring no league goals in 12 dismal appearances. After Sunderland Laslandes never found the form that got him the 3.6 million pound move, and he later ended his career at Nice, scoring 4 goals in 23 games.

 

MICHAEL CHOPRA

 

Chopra was a strange signing, brought in by Roy Keane for a ridiculous £5 million fee, he was instantly disliked by the Sunderland faithful as he is a born and bred Geordie. However this was soon forgotten about when he scored a late winner against Tottenham in the first game of the season, but it was instantly wiped from the memory after he bottled a huge chance during the Tyne Wear derby. As when one on one with the Newcastle keeper he decided to square the ball to Kenwyne Jones who was 10 yards behind and therefore relinquishing any chances of a late derby win. Chopra went on to score 8 goals in 39 games for the Black Cats, he also went on attain crippling gambling debts and a pot belly. He is now playing for Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League.

 

RADE PRICA

 

The big Swede played six games back in 2009 after securing a £2 move from AaB. There were big expectations for Prica as he was previously top scorer in the Danish League, and a Swedish International, however in true Sunderland style, he failed to meet these expectations. He never started a game for the Black Cats, and mustered one goal in a win against Birmingham City. He then went to Rosenberg, where he topped the Norwegian Scoring charts and went on to score 57 goals in 104 appearances in his time there.

 

TORE ANDRE FLO

 

£6.75 million pounds was spent on the 6ft 4inch Norwegian on transfer deadline day, and it was seen as something of a panic buy, as Peter Reid searched for that elusive replacement for Niall Quinn. Flo had enjoyed relatively successful spells at Chelsea and Rangers, but never managed to light up Wearside, scoring just four league goals in his one season at Sunderland, and completing only 11 ninety-minute games. The Black Cats were relegated that season, and him and a load of other high earners at the club were made to play a pre season at Northern League clubs, including one at Consett A.F.C where I seen Flo net 5, probably his best performance in a Sunderland shirt.

http://sportregister.co.uk/jozy-altidore-the-enigma/

T- Fire Smart Watch Televsion Script- BON TV

VO – From the desktop, to the laptop, to the smart phone to the Ipad, technology over the past two decades has fascinated consumers, and now, a revolutionary wearable device is the newest accessory to take the world by storm.

Smart Watches are the next big thing, and a Chinese company have followed in the footsteps of Apple, Samsung, Pebble and Sony in developing their own device, which allows you to check your emails, texts and answer calls all from your wrist.

Beijing Tomoon Best Tech have released their own brand of watch named T- Fire. CEO Wang Wei explains why this new technology is essential.

I believe that everyone can see the direction and trend of intelligent wearable devices. People in the future will be more and more focussed on their health, the management of their lives, and the need for technology. I think there are problems with mobile phones – you can’t always have them in your hands, which is where wearable devices come in.

 VO – T- Fire works by communicating with your smart phone via bluetooth, so you can control all your correspondence as well as checking the weather, without having to get your phone out your pocket.

Wang Wei told us how he thinks T-Fire will do.

 

I think Apple is likely to represent the product’s direction. It is the industry giant, and, in some sense, it can define smart watch products. So we are very much looking forward to seeing the iwatch as soon as possible, to define the market. Iphones and Xiaomi smart phones all sell well. I think it will be the same for intelligent watches, such as iwatch and T-fire will sell well in the Chinese market, to different people.

VO: Wei believes that the watch will attract the Chinese market. It’s the worlds first flexible ultra thin touch screen E link electronic watch, it has very low power consumption and is very cheap, costing around 115 dollars.

However Mr. Wei does want to expand, and he hopes once the product is fully developed in his homeland it can be sold elsewhere.

When my partner came from America, we made a plan to open the international market as soon as possible, especially in North America and Europe, through Amazon. We think we need to test the products a bit longer and perfect them in China, and then promote them to the international market.

 

So after the Smart Watch, what’s next? Smart hearing aids? Smart earings? Smart Belts?

One thing we know for certain, is that with the fast paced evolution of technology, the possibilities are endless.

Sunderland: The Academy of Light, is there really light at the end of the tunnel?

Sunderland attained their first 3 points of the season last Saturday, with an emphatic 3-1 over Stoke City. This was also the first game Sunderland and Gus Poyet played with 2 actual strikers in their correct positions. This, to a regular football fan may sound like an obvious tactical change to make, but to Sunderland fans we’ve become more than accustomed to players being brought in and played completely out of position.

Gus, who may I say has been a revelation and the best footballing manager I’ve seen on Wearside since, well, since I can remember, decided for some unknown reason to play our shining light, our saviour, our messiah of last season, Connor Wickham on the left wing of a 5 man midfield for the first few opening games of the season. None of which we managed to win, and this included an embarrassing defeat to QPR. However, I have been harsh on Mr.Poyet here, he has done a sterling job since taking over this time last year, and this tactical error was later relinquished and forgotten about as soon Steven Fletcher finished off the Potters 12 minutes from time. However this did trigger some memories of past SAFC games, whereby fans have been completely baffled by this continuing trend that has been transmitted through the more current Sunderland managers, to play players in completely the wrong position.  This is something I have never understood, not just at Sunderland, but also across all of football. The overwhelming majority of players cement down a position, and make it their own, perfecting it and mastering it over their careers. That player is then brought into a club, primarily to emulate the form that they have shown in that position for their previous team. So why on earth play them in a position they aren’t 100% comfortable in.

I personally believe that this is the key problem to Sunderland A.F.C’s lack of academy players breaking into the first team. The absolute master of this art was Martin O’Neill. The now Republic of Ireland boss loved sticking square pegs in round holes. He seemed to thrive on the simultaneous chorus of ‘Ehhh??’s from the crowd when he takes off Phil Bardsley to put on James McClean, and then proceeds to alter four positions in this one change, leaving Craig Gardner and David Vaughan (2 Centre Midfielders by trade) as the full backs. This was a feature of O’Neill’s style of play at Sunderland, which unfortunately came to a pretty dire end. But Marty wasn’t the only Sunderland manager to pick up this annoying habit up whilst in charge. Before him Steve Bruce, whom didn’t too bad whilst at the helm, liked to tinker with a players position and mental state, by throwing the likes of Kieran Richardson, a left back, up front, on his own, for a period of games. Even before Bruce, Roy Keane dabbled in the wrong position game, with then influential captain Dean Whitehead reverted to right back for most of the 2008/09 season.

Once again, when Italian crackpot, Paolo Di Canio took the reigns he not only obliterated the squad, the clubs image, the backroom staff and the mags while he was in charge, but he also picked up the annoying trait. But of course Di Canio being Di Canio took it one step further, and the player he brought into the completely wrong position was the infamous and ever reliable Ji Dong Wong (Who will always be remember for the header that never was against Crystal Palace). Di Canio insisted on sticking Ji out on the left wing, and he also gave our left side no chance by putting central midfielder Jack Colback in the left back birth. In fairness Colback did do a steady enough job there, but once again that wasn’t his position and when put in the heart of midfield he flourished at the end of last season. This trait that Sunderland managers have acquired over the past decade, really has had a detrimental effect on our academy system. Jordan Henderson and Jack Colback are the only players in the last decade to have broken through and had a good run in the first team, before (only in the case of the former) moving on to bigger and brighter things. This I believe is to do with this tactical decision to play players in an unnatural position. I couldn’t think of anything more demoralizing than when there is a few injuries at the back, the right backs out, the reserve right back is suspended, and you’ve got a young right full back who’s came through the system raring to go, and the manager decides to play a central midfielder there instead. How have these young lads got a chance, when we seem to have a culture at Sunderland of playing players completely out of position just to save face, or because they don’t want to take a risk or cause upset?

Or is it because we don’t have faith in our Academy structure?

The Academy of Light is a build that we spent millions of pounds on. The North East is one of the biggest footballing regions in the world, we have some of the most passionate fans, and two of the biggest grounds in the country, however we don’t produce quality northeastern players on a regularly enough basis. I have no doubt that they’re there, we have the facilities and the coaches, and I believe it’s that final foray into the first team that stops the young player in their tracks. There is too much at stake to risk a young player in a Premier League game.

However with the current managerial structure and the quite comfortable state of the club at the present moment, I have faith that Gus Poyet will eventually terminate this awful tactic that has swept through the club over recent years, and let the young lads get their turn.

http://sportregister.co.uk/sunderland-the-academy-of-light-is-there-really-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/

Oh No Not Gavin Webster Again @ Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre

Blaydon-born comedian Gavin Webster played a one off show at Newcastle’s historic Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre on Friday. The Geordie, who in the past has supported the likes of Lee Evans and Jack Dee, provided a masterclass in how to completely mock a whole region but keep still keep them on his side.

“Expect local lampooning, black comedy observations, sardonic songs, quick-fire one liners, glorious set pieces and bad ukulele playing” was the blurb for the show, and this is exactly what we got, with the shaven headed Webster having the large congregation of mostly Geordies howling. Quips about everything from the Liverpudlians love of the Beatles to the amount of Gills fisheries in the region all featuring.

His love of telling the stories of his jaunts to Monte Carlo and Bangkok to see the Ladyboys of Dunston, had the Tyne Theatre in stitches, but half of the time you never knew if his stories were fact or fiction.

Unlike on the football pitch lately, Sunderland played second fiddle to the toon with mackem Matty Reed providing an excellent set to warm up. Reed’s home city was obviously the brunt of a few one liners and fictional stories, the best being the controversial Seaburn Bairn Market, where the people of Sunderland sell their children for a cut price.

Webster finished off proceedings with a few songs and insults towards local Geordie business’ as well as a hilarious announcing of the Chava Northern League Division 1 results, with scores such Leave Is A Bit On That Tab 1-1 I Was In The House Al Neet Man.

All in all a triumph for North East comedy, in one of the regions most iconic and famous venues.

JAWS @ Think Tank? Newcastle – Gig Review

Birmingham indie outfit Jaws graced the Think Tank stage this week. The quartet released their debut album ‘Be slowly’ last Monday, and it has been pretty well received, reaching number 73 in the UK album chart, which isn’t too bad for a group who are still unsigned.

Jaws are the third band to come out the ‘B-Town’ scene, after Peace and Swim Deep. Both now have been signed to major labels and aren’t doing too bad for themselves and the newest Birmingham foursome are very much of that ilk.

After a decent enough warm up from Brighton’s Fickle Friends, Jaws stepped on to stage to rapturous applause and screams from the oversized shirts and no socks wearing congregation that arrived in decent numbers. Lead vocalist Connor Schofield, no relation of Phillip, sported Newcastle United’s horrific 1996 maroon and navy away top in an attempt to win over some of the more dubious onlookers.

This seemed to work, as Jaws’ 90’s carefree indie pop tunes really did create a feel good atmosphere amongst the audience. Crowd surfing and mosh pits soon ensued and the only bouncer present admitted defeat as Jaws’ committed following consistently launched themselves from any available barrier or pair of shoulders.

This kind of passion from the crowd didn’t really suit Jaws, and you really wanted them to show a bit of emotion. In all honesty it seemed like they didn’t want to be there. They were very stale on stage, and as tight and musically sound as their tracks were, they give off an arrogance that wasn’t fitting of the exuberance that was going on below them.

All in all, Jaws’ musical ability is unquestionable, and personally they’re probably better sounding than their Brummy neighbours, but their lethargic and ‘too cool for school’ approach might hamper them in less forgiving venues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnzPFYv3ie4

Blank Canvas – ‘Your Sin’ EP – Review

Edinburgh quintet Blank Canvas released their newest EP last Friday. ‘Your Sin’ has a clear late 80’s influence, with their title track encapsulating their Echo and the Bunnymen sound. Vocalist Callum Bolger provides a dominant narrative to the background of honing guitars and penetrative percussion. The lead singer’s self important vocal is reminiscent of Orange Juice’s Edwin Collins and has a touch of Tony Hadley, and this unique mix is showcased in the EP’s best track ‘Cloudless’. This is the first time I’ve came across Blank Canvas, and if I didn’t know otherwise I would of guessed they’d been on the go for a decade or two at least. Their sound is mature and in the current climate of EDM and soft pop, their music brings a refreshing and much needed change.

http://soundcloud.com/blankcanvas1

Sink Alaska – The Path Of Least Resistance / Among The Wretched AA – REVIEW

Thankfully for Sink Alaska their music isn’t as ambiguous as their name. It’s proper back to basic’s punk. Their new Double A-Side release is ‘The Path of Least Resistance’, and it encapsulates all that is good about this Glaswegian foursome. The band, who have been together since 2012, culminate punchy guitar with mind battering fast-paced percussion to create the perfect backdrop for lead singer Alan Easton to showcase his electrifying vocal ability. They’re a quartet who are majorly influenced by the 90’s skate rock scene which produced bands such as Good Charlotte and Offspring. Maybe Sink Alaska could lead the way in rejuvenating that particular genre into 2014, and this record is a very good foundation to start building on.

You’re Diabetic?!? But You’re Not Fat

This statement has boiled my blood ever since November 27th 2008 when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The obesity – diet – exercise connection is at the heart of all diabetes stigma. The common misconception about the disease is that all sufferers have brought it on them selves due to an unhealthy lifestyle. However this is not the case, and I would like to use this platform to simply dispel some myths that have haunted type 1 sufferers for generations.

What is DIABETES then?

Is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels.

Type 1?

Type 1 results from the body’s failure to produce insulin. This form was previously referred to as “insulin dependent diabetes mellitus”. This type is usually inherited.

…and Type 2?

Type 2 diabetes Occurs when cells fail to respond to insulin properly, and after a while insulin could fail to develop. This type of diabetes is primarily brought on by excessive weight gain and lack of exercise.

Ah right, but you still can’t eat sweets though?

Shut up you ignorant arse, of course I can have sweets, actually if my blood sugar is low I need sweets to survive, so technically I need these sweets more than you!!

Should you be doing that much exercise with that condition?

Exercise regulates blood sugar levels and keeps them at their targeted rate. Olympic Gold Medalist Gary Hall and former Tottenham Hotspur defender Gary Mabbutt are famous type 1 sportsmen… so there!!

Only Kids get type 1 diabetes, you must be type 2 mate

No MATE, anyone can develop diabetes at any age, yes, it is more common in children, but this autoimmune disease can be triggered at any time.

But women can’t get pregnant if they have type 1 diabetes

Of course they can; granted, more care, effort and commitment is required, but the chances of having a perfectly healthy child are high.

But complications are inevitable though?

The occurrence of complications in type 1 diabetics vary from each sufferer. Some individuals are genetically predisposed to develop complications.