Category: The Library

By Ben Myers
Published by Blackheath Books

Already known around these parts as a journalist, label owner (of the recently closed Captains Of Industry) and novelist, Spam: Email Inspired Poems is Ben Myers’ debut poetry collection.

Saving rather than discarding those insane spam e-mails that we’ve all been the recipients of, Myers has ‘remixed‘ the words within the many unwanted mails advertising viagra, sex toys, Russian brides and Nigerian bank accounts to create a new poetic form. Actually, spam poetry has been around online for nearly ten years now, but this is the first known printed collection.

The results are both poignant and poetic, unnerving and evocative. Comparisons of this surreal collection are hard to draw upon, but there are certain similarities to the ‘cut-up‘ technique of William Burroughs’ writing (also later adopted by David Bowie) and the lyrics of Cedric Bixler-Zavala of At The Drive-In / The Mars Volta, whose self-created lexicon of made-up words and twisted imagery captures the imagination in similar ways.

More than anything though it seems like an utterly modern approach to writing, where modern technology collides with traditional literature and where adverts and previous works are reinvented, re-cycled and twisted into new shapes.

Myers tells us that the book did have the working title of Increase The Size Of Your Penis but was worried that “people might think it was a self-help manual, then ask for a re-fund when their penis remained like a button mushroom.”

Reading it, there is no such confusion. All copies of this limited edition book are hand-made by the publisher and signed and number by the author. You can watch a short film about its creation here.

Or you can buy a copy of Spam: Email Inspired Poems for £5 from here.

Henry Cutmore

Gastman, Neelon & Smyrski
Thames & Hudson

Street World sells itself as “a collection of Urban culture from five continents” and with over 1,000 colour illustrations, it is certainly an eye catching publication.

The short introduction is easily skippable, especially since it turns up after some brilliant shots of full body tattoos, night time cityscapes and double page spreads of wall pieces in Seoul. Nevertheless, the introduction is short and the bulk of the book soon takes prescendence. It is split into categories detailing fashion [Looking Good], transport [Getting Around], graf [Getting Up], Inspiration and Coming Together.

Looking Good looks at the different fashions and styles across the globe from the tattooed bodies of crews from Los Angeles and New York to the grills of crunk stars to the Wet Look Nike Dunks [perfect for any sneaker freaks out there!]. Whilst superficial, the colour and diversity serves to prove the book’s title right – a collection of many cultures.

Getting Around is comprised of photos of skaters [complete with shots from the States to Japan], choppers, rickshaws, subways and low riders. All these modes of transports are showcased with verve as they add to the brilliant colours in the pages and bleed nicely into the vertiable rainbow that is featured in the next section of the book.

That next section is Getting Up, and unsurprisingly it takes up a huge number of pages as it looks at many different styles and types of graffiti from YES2, AVES and KEM5’s work on walls to art on rooftops and subways as well as delving into the styles of Brazilian and Chilean graf before moving to Russia and other European artists including one of my favourites – Invader from France.

Inspiration is a loose collection of shots that detail places and events that demand attention even though they are “often hidden from plain sight”. Itso and Adams’ idea of making homes and subsequently workspaces, from abandoned building sets the tone perfectly before moving onto the stunning colours of India’s street markets, the magic of concert posters and artists’ working galleries.

Coming Together wraps the book up with a suitably positive ending with photos documenting the power of music like Baile Funk from Brazil, DJs and festivals around the world, to sport and protests.

There is a passage in the book which reads:

“Explore, enjoy, inspire and be inspired”

The 1,000 photos over 350 pages of the book have given the readers the kick start and fuel the need to get outside and continue to find things out for yourself. A brilliant book!

Abjekt

Captains Of Industry Books
www.captainsof.com
Buy it for £5 direct here.

Have you ever stopped and looked around you, only to discover the world that you live in isn’t what you’ve been led to believe? Brutalism One does exactly that. It grabs the rose tinted glasses, and smashes them to pieces on their alarming honesty. The poets’ raw words strike with a devastating candor that is a bright light in an otherwise murky world.

In their own words, the Brutalism movement is one of ‘total control, total creativity’, this is anarchy for the new world. Open your eyes and see the truth. This is the essence of Brutalism. Wipe away any misconceptions you may have about life – this is where we all come from, and where we all could be. In the same way a slap across the face frees you from hysteria, the book frees you from apathy. Frees you from fear. Afraid to strive for what you want? Then this is all you have. Their words bear warning – this is there. This is coming.

Containing six poems from each Brutalist, (Ben Myers, Adelle Stripe and Tony O’Neill) each recounting their experiences of their Northern hometowns, they put their experiences down on paper, undressed and unadorned. There is no smoke and mirrors with these memories – we are dragged from our 2.4 children existence, into the real heart of Britain. Drugs, sex, alcohol, – the world they grew up in. These towns are the true home of the asbo, laid bare for our inspection.

The unadulterated honesty that each writer puts into their poems fills them with emotions that at first glance you don’t expect to find. The crudeness of the topics – losing your virginity behind the back of a pub – becomes an inspiring tale of heroicness, a modern day knight in shining armour – and one that this modern generation can relate to. As the book progresses, each poem flows from one to the next, the constant theme of home, escaping it, being drawn back, escaping again. These invoke the memories that each and every one of us has with the place we grew up. They call up feelings of fear and desperation. The awful world we have clawed our way out of – knowing that at any moment we could be sucked back in. What if my world is an illusion? What if this is really who I am? These are poems for the modern generation; they thrust the underbelly of Britain that we all try so desperately to ignore straight in our faces. With all the agony that these realisations bring, there is a constant beacon of hope bursting from the pages. You can get out. You can be something more. You can. We did.

For anyone who feels the mundane monotony of life is dull – think again – it’s there, it’s yours, make it beautiful.

Ceinwen Jarvis

Traveling is one of the greatest experiences a person can have because you are discovering the unknown, extending your boundaries and cultivating yourself perpetually. However, when a person picks a destination to visit there is a strong chance that they will prepare their journey by reading a guidebook with a well defined itinerary. Their route will be buffered with small comforts and enough facilities to keep the neediest smiling till they return to the safety of home. Personally, I hate guidebooks. If I visit a foreign land, I want to immerse myself within the culture and see day to day life as the locals live it. Sadly, this experience is a rarity for travelers and the sight of poverty and pain in a developing country is not recommended by the tourist board.

As VICE magazine founder Shane Smith explains in the introduction to the VICE Guide to Travel, they have traveled to the strangest, scariest and most bizarre places so you don’t have to. Just slip this DVD into your player and watch David Choe search for the last dinosaur deep in the Congolese jungle. Experience life in the City of God Favela, Rio, with Trace Crutchfield. Pay a visit to the last two remaining souls of an Aryan utopia in Nueve Germania, Paraguay, with Derrick Beckles. Witness the devastation of Chernobyl with Pella Kagerman and Shane Smith. Browse the illegal arms market with Suroosh Alvi in Pakistan. See what has happened to the youth of Beirut with Shane Smith since the 15 year civil war. And finally, let your jaw drop as Shane Smith and Eddy Moretti meet a criminal turned real estate entrepreneur in Bulgaria who can supply them with a dirty bomb. Shit gets heavy.

VICE magazine never followed the trodden path of regular journalism by focusing on more degenerate aspects of human behavior and culture. The magazine is now taking it’s unique point of view to a global level by reporting on the scenes and people that the mainstream media forgot. In case the DVD doesn’t suffice to open your eyes and ears to the weird world around us, the VICE Guide to Travel comes with a 72 page book of photos and stories. View more cutting edge reports, plus your usual VICE supplied dose of crazy stuff at www.vbs.tv and www.viceland.com .

Ralph Lloyd-Davis

Brett Callwood
Independent Music Press

A pretty easy read at 221 pages, with 75% dedicated to the crash ‘n burn histrionics of the seminal Detroit quartet, and the final quarter follows the members post MC5 work, including two of them passing away and the reformation in 2003 of the other three.

Aficionados of the band will already be keyed up on much of the Five’s short yet highly influential story, but this is still an entertaining read, charting the bands involvement in radical Sixties politics, thanks to the colourful rabble rouser John Sinclair, the signing to Elektra Records along with buddies The Stooges, and their subsequent fight to survive in a music industry that clearly was not ready for these out of control RocknRollers. And then the disputes, disillusionment and heavy drugs kicked in as they hit the skids. Hard times lay ahead, some of them went to jail.

There’s lots of coverage of Wayne Kramer’s post-MC5 work/projects, a lengthy section on Fred Smith’s marriage to Patti Smith, and his own Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, plus some entertaining anecdotes from drummer Dennis Thompson on his New Order days in L.A. with Ron Ashton (from The Stooges). I’d like to have read more first hand history on Mike Davies involvement in Destroy All Monsters, and Dennis and Ron Ashton being reunited in New Race with ¾ of Radio Birdman. Ack, some people are never satisfied eh! Yes, very decent read this.

Pete Craven

M. Uyer
Hauschild H.M. GmbH

Opening a present at Christmas is fun in itself, but when the wrapping paper was removed and thrown onto the ever growing pile and a graf book from Germany sat in my hands, the fun augmented tenfold.

Though my level of German has slipped in the ten years or so since taking Deutsch GCSE, I can pick up some of the commentary on the pieces laid out within the covers, but even with no German, it is a great addition to my collection.

The variety of this book is what makes it such an interesting read, with the pieces often spanning two pages including an intricate piece by Won in which the artist’s jigsaw style piece asking the reader to “Solve the criminal graf puzzle”. There is a good selection of burners throughout the book as well as some fresh styles from the likes of Angel, CES, DARE and RESO.

With Berlin fast becoming the most artist city in mainland Europe, it comes as no surprise that Germany’s graffiti is impressive and this book’s brilliant collection of work is the perfect showcase for this talent.

Abjekt

Ryo Sanda & Suridh Hassan

Laurence King Publishing
Studio Rarekwai

Graffiti is the most honest art form on the planet, fact. It’s a culture that stretches all across the globe, from Europe to the States, South America to Australia and Asia. Most people may think of the early days of New York writing or the burgeoning Scandinavian scene which houses Europe’s most impressive artists, but now, thanks to this amazing book, the reader can get a glimpse into the Japanese scene, which has been growing both in number and originality since the last 1980s.

From the off, this book stands out amongst it’s peers with its hardback cover, beautifully filled out with an Esow piece, an anthropomorphic volcano on the front cover and a worried writer on the back. With a nice foreword from renowned Japanese writer Kress, the book is cut up into 3 parts.

The first part is a short introduction on the tools of the trade, with Zen One explaining how he was able to change the Japanese caps to help them become more usable for pieces. Explaining that Japan didn’t stock the NY style FAT caps, he had to make his own cap to fit on the top of the can, a scotch cap, which is now one of the premier tools in the Asian graffiti world.

Next comes the bulk of the book, the chapter on the writers. What impressed me most about the pieces in this book was how energised the lettering was, whether it was in the western alphabet or the Asian style lettering [as with Sklawl‘s Hiragana and Suiko‘s kanji]. There are so many different styles in the book and this serves to prove just how varied and vibrant the Japanese scene has become.

SCA Crew‘s enormous murals which cover half a building stands out in terms of effort and sheer workload with ESOW’s characters standing out amongst the impressive tags and lettering. It also highlighted Zys and his super groggy tagging as well as his “Spin Tags” which, though a simple idea, are the most original way to bomb I’ve seen in a long time. Wrapping his tag in swift circular strokes, it seems as though the tag itself is moving, a brilliant sight without a doubt.

The final part of the book shows some of the main spots around Japan which is an interesting mix of surroundings, from bridges to deserted hospitals. The most impressive of them all is Sakuragi-Cho, a railway underpass in Yokohama which serves as a veritable hall of fame for Japanese writers and even writers from abroad.

A bonus when buying this book is the DVD which comes with it. A few select interviews are featured with some of the artists from the book as well as many showcases of the spots mentioned all to a brilliant downtempo hip hop soundtrack.

The Japanese scene is truly inspiring and so, like Kress says in his introduction:

“If you’re thinking of inviting Japenese writers to your country for a show or a jam you might already be too late.”

Abjekt.

Author: Ben Elton
Pocket Books

Ben Elton will always will be one of those outspoken, intelligent comedians who will now and then pop up on your TV screen with his dry humour and leave you with a smile on your face. But TV is not his only forte, he can also write a good book to as he has also proved over the years.

Popcorn came out in 1996 and is a fictional, comedy thriller based on America’s selfishness. The story is based on Hollywood film director Bruce Delamitri’s rise to fame from the success of his latest tongue in cheek, killer-flick ‘Ordinary Americans‘. In the build up to Delamitri taking the honours, two serial killers are at loose traveling around various states blowing people away for no reason and are heading for LA.

On the night of the Oscars, the director feels the highs and lows of making such violent movies and whilst accepting his new Hollywood status also feels the pressure from the media and various families that hold him responsible for a new wave of violence that have terrorised their lives. Someone is always to blame and that is where the deviant, white trash Wayne Hudson and girlfriend Scout ride into town.

The story is reminiscent of the famous Manson deaths back in the 1960’s where on one sunny evening; Hollywood was broken into and murdered. It leads with excess mutilation and fronted by vicious characters but is also packed with many quotes and situations that will have you in stitches due to the naivety of the blameless American Dream.

This book had sat on my shelf for years until I realised I should pick it up and spend time with it. I was not disappointed; in fact I could not put this book down until the siege was over. It works as a comedy and also as an action packed thriller, go get your Popcorn today if you like it sweet.

Chuck Bangers
13.09.07

By Paul Stenning

Independent Music Press

Even if you have never listened to rock and roll, Guns N’ Roses are a band that would have entered your ears at least once in your lifetime. For many rockers out there they are seen as one of the most influential rock bands of all time due to their incredible songs, dynamic swagger and charismatic band members. One member in particular will always spring to mind as you just cannot shut your eyes and picture Guns N’Roses without the enigmatic guitar presence of Saul ‘Slash’ Hudson.

Paul Stenning’s story of the afro sporting, Jack Daniels swigging, rock superstar delves into the background of Slash’s family roots and beyond covering the rise to world wide fame through signing to a major record label that came from their residency night at the world famous Trubadour Club, countless tour stories and friction between band members to the dark side of losing a life long band member to drug addiction, alcoholism and hoardes of groupies. It’s all in here and makes a compelling read.

The book references various quotes from magazines and websites and although it is not an exclusive dive into the mind of Slash in person, Stenning reveals facts about the most mysterious caner of rocks history you may not have known before. Did you know that Slash was born in Hampstead, grew up in Stoke-On-Trent and then moved to Los Angeles? Owned over 180 snakes? That the Editor of Crossfire’s best buddy was in line for the Velvet Revolver vocal job? There are plenty more facts in here that you will if you pick up this 200 page thriller.

We all need a pick me up now and then and this book is one of those you will not put down after the first page. Pick one up today.

Chuck Bangers
Sept 4th 2007

www.contemporarypress.com

Say hello to Tony O’Neill. A British kid obsessed with rock and roll that leads to an introduction to the low life of hard drugs in Los Angeles. You see, this journey starts where most common junkies do, innocent to start with and then tumbling into insanity.

Tony’s true story drags you through every thorn filled bush until you scorn the very last lines that are pushed into a spoon and sucked into a needle for good use. Every twist and turn of the tourniquet is brought to you in detailed scenarios, the kind of situations that you read about and are on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next as Tony’s life is nothing short of a hazy and desperate riot on the edge of a hell pit.

His travels took him as a musician into the gutters of LA rock and roll, spilling from house to house, drenched in the sweat of a comedown and the latest fix. Overdoses, cops, guns, theft, violence and drugs is the norm and O’Neill floats through the mess whilst playing alongside bands such as The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Marc Almond and Kenickie. If you are sat reading this right now feeling like you need something to get you going or If you just like fast reads with a thrill, then Digging The Vein should fix you up to feed your habit – we promise you will not want to put it down!

Chuck Bangers
16.07.07