Saturday, July 30, 2011

Retro: Kimmer

Retro: Kimmer

Link to Retro: Kimmer

BLUE SNAGGLETOOTH VINYL LP RELEASE PARTY!

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 11:31 PM PDT


Chris Taylor with the New Blue Snaggletooth LP

Went downtown Ann Arbor tonight to celebrate Blue Snaggletooth's Blue Vinyl LP release party at the very cool comic book store Vault of Midnight... My daughter Lesley brought her friend Eric and we trekked around Ann Arbor on a balmy and very crowded Friday night... It was a big party around A2.


This cool Tshirt was free with an LP Purchase

My good friend Blue Snaggletooth (listen to their music here) guitarist Chris Taylor invited us to the launch party... Three bands and a ton of people in attendance. It was really packed with fans and that made me happy for the Blue Snag guys...



Lesley and Eric did most of the video and some stills. They were up front for the entire gig. I was hanging in the back where it was a bit cooler.



If you would like to purchase a rally cool blue vinyl LP email me retrokimmer@gmail and I get you the information...


Photo: Claire Minneboo


Blue Snaggletooth

Intergalactic psychedelic universal overlords, taking your mind on an audio/visual journey through the deepest reaches of your subconscious. If wizards could cast spells with guitars they would sound like this....



Blue Snaggletooth

Line Up
Chris Taylor - Guitar, Vocals
Jess Willyard - Guitar, Vocals
Ian Sugierski - Drums
Ian Harris - Bass


Claire and Curtis

I met the coolest girl tonight... Claire... she sat by me for most of the gig and it turns out that her brother Curtis is one of the owners of Vault of Midnight. I took that opportunity to show Lesley's art work to him... He thought Lesley's art was awesome.... So we will talk soon to discuss which way to promote her work.

Claire loves photography and has a great eye for design as well... I think she may join me as a blogger! She is a natural for it... We had a fun Friday night got home around 1:30A and really enjoyed the show. Check out the video... it was hard to shoot as the lighting was dim and it was really hot in there...But the band really kicked of the jams.....


Eric and Lesley at Vault of Midnight



[New post] Doctor Who and The Savages

Doctor Who and The Savages

dailypop | July 30, 2011 at 8:45 am | Tags: doctor who hartnell, doctor who reviews | Categories: Doctor Who- 1st Doctor | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2Rm

Doctor Who and The Savages

Story 026
Transmitted 28 May - 18 June 1966
Written by Ian Stuart Black

The Doctor has managed to land the TARDIS in the midst of an advanced civilization. They are so far advanced in technology that they not only know of him but have predicted his arrival. Their society seems to good to be true, prompting suspicion from the Doctor's traveling companions Steven and Dodo. just before he is honored as a respected guest, the Doctor feels compelled to ask how this world has accomplished what appears to be a reality that is too good to be true. The grim reality nearly costs his life.

When Innes Lloyd took over as producer, he inherited a great number of scripts that were already in production including the 13 week-long epic, the Dalek's Master Plan. The Savages is an unusual script and being that so much of it is lost, an accurate judgement is all but impossible to make. What we do have in regards to information is rather intriguing, however.

The story opens with the Doctor not only aware of the location of his arrival, but he is exuberant about it. Promising an advanced and perfect society, he leaves his companions Steven and Dodo to survey the area and confirm his suspicions. How and why the Doctor knows of this place is never explained nor is it ever touched upon in subsequent stories which makes it all the more intriguing in my opinion. What the Doctor is not aware of is that he is being watched from the bushes by frightened savages dressed in tattered clothing. Bearing similarities to prehistoric man, they are in direct conflict with the sleek Utopian citizens that greet the Doctor. Not only is the Doctor expected, he is to be given a great honor from the governing council of the planet's civilization. The Doctor mentions his companions as a passing thought which rankles his welcoming party who counted on him arriving alone.

Just how these people can know of the Doctor and are able to track the path of his TARDIS is a complete mystery to me. It remains part of the plot as the society is technologically advanced to the point that it impresses the Doctor and tickles his fancy (hence his continuous giggling). As he is brought before the council, Steven and Dodo are rounded up. However, the pair of companions have gotten bored in the TARDIS and decided to venture outside, narrowly missing a spear hurled from a craggy cliff side.

Once inside the great city, Dodo is hardly relieved and if anything is far more suspicious of her surroundings. During a guided tour, she scarpers off and finds herself in a forbidden laboratory where a deranged man wanders down a corridor, half-blind and unable to communicate. It is a terrifying moment that must have had quite an impact with the viewers at home.

It is clear that there is more going on than meets the eye. Savages are rounded up like quarry through the use of light guns and drained of their life essence, the secret behind the super advanced society that houses the select few chosen to live there. The Doctor is chosen by the council of Elders, but he is disgusted by their practices. The process needed to maintain their society drains the life of so many, leaving them dried up husks of their former selves, living like animals in fear of another attack.

The Savage Chal is as dried husk after having the life force drained from him

Dodo wanders through the halls of the city

Like many of the mid-late 1960's Doctor Who stories, the companions play a vital role in the Savages, especially Dodo. The Mancunian Dodo takes a lot of flack for being useless, but judged on her behavior in stories such as this she's not half bad. Rebellious and headstrong, she is dwarfed the massive gangly Steven Taylor but is rarely intimidated by him. She not only gets herself into trouble but can even extricate herself from a tight spot as well. The unfortunate thing is that we only have two whole stories to judge her on and a bit of the War Machines where she barely registers. I'll throw my vote in for Dodo Chaplet being a decent companion worth re-evaluation.

I've often thought of Ian Chesterton as the character that I'd like to think I'd be in the universe of Doctor Who. Brave, intelligent and reliable, Chesterton is a noble hero (he was even knighted!). The reality is that I'd probably be more like Steven Taylor. While Steven is an astronaut from the future, he's something of a doofus, often stumbling through problems and causing as little mess as he can. He is frustrated by the Doctor and can't get Dodo to listen to him at all, leaving him with very little positive impact with his traveling companions. I quite enjoy Steven as he is an interesting alternative to the more successful and resourceful  characters on the program, but he is a bit of a waste, isn't he?

At the conclusion of the Savages, Steven remains behind to help rebuild the society from the ground up. We are shown the Doctor as being supportive and more than a little shaken at losing yet another traveling companion, but what is the likelihood that Steven would make a great leader... or even a good one? Actor Peter Purves jokingly stated that he would have loved to have seen the Doctor return only to find it a shambles.


The most interesting part of The Savages is when the Doctor is subjected to the process and drained of nearly all of his energy, all of it transferred to the Elder known as Jano (played by Freddie Jager, later to appear in the Planet of Evil with Tom Baker). It's a startling development as it leaves the Doctor a deranged, barely conscious creature whom Dodo and Steven must lead around by the hand. Even more interesting is that Jano takes on the Doctor's mannerisms and speaking pattern, as well as a disdain for Jano's world.

In 1966, the BBC were aware that they would have to replace leading man William Hartnell if they wanted to keep the program going. Plans of introducing a younger version of the character could be part of the reason why Jano retains the Doctor's persona for so long. It's an interesting theory, but I wager that it is as much a coincidence as the Doctor having his life essence drained in this story while he dies two stories later complaining that 'this old body of mine has worn thin.'

All very interesting but it implies that not just the production team but the BBC were thinking far ahead... and all of the evidence implies that they were in fact flying by the seat of their pants week to week.

In any case, the mind transference is one of the more striking elements of this story along with its message about imperialism and the subjugation of others to advance society. The plot may sound ham-fisted and awkward at times, but the ideas are incredible and the possibilities of a dark secret lying in the middle of a utopia something that would be revisited several times later in stories such as the Macra Terror.

The Doctor is drained of his life force

Weakened, the Doctor wanders about in a daze

Like many other adventures from this time period, The Savages remains complete with only the audio track and a few still images remaining to give any clue as to what it was like back in the day.  From the little information that we have, the Savages sounds like it was a creepy atmospheric story with some nice location work, skillful camera direction and a number of fantastic supporting actors.

Until we actually get to see more of it, there are only a few ways to experience the Savages, through the magnificent Loose Canons reconstructions:

LC29 The Savages (loose canon 29)
watch?v=F76sjGMTai4

There's also this:

watch?v=fsPB-MzF58I

... and the resources below.

Doctor Who: The Savages

Doctor Who the Savages

The First Doctor: The First Doctor

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Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Size? exclusive reissue of 1970s Adidas Forest Hills trainers now available

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 09:43 AM PDT

Forest1

We saw some appalling David Beckham variants of these earlier today, so it's nice to see balance restored with this Size? exclusive reissue of the Adidas Forest Hills trainers, which goes back to year one for inspiration.

First produced in the 1970s and named after New York's Forest Hills tennis centre, this tennis shoe turned terrace classic, with its lightweight NASA technology, has been consistently popular and regularly reissued, most recently in a 'bold' coloured version and a grey and blue combo, both of which got mixed reactions.

The new version goes old school - white leather upper, metallic gold stripes and 'sunshine' outsole - a reissue that's part of the Archive collection and exclusive to the Size? chain. Available now online - but not for long.

Find out more at the Size? website

Forest2

ReCover iPhone4 Case - turn your phone into a retro gadget

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 09:40 AM PDT

Cover

Interesting idea, if you think your mobile phone is looking just a little too 'modern', you can always stick on a ReCover iPhone4 Case and throw it back in time.

It's a practical item, designed to protect our investment from bumps and scratches - just clip it on (it doesn't block your camera) and you are away. But once on, with the aid of those clever graphics, your phone starts to look like a game controller, a calculator or an SLR camera. Depending on which one you buy obviously.

Talking of buying, each one costs £12.99.

Find out more at the Firebox website

For sale: 1960s modernist Parker Residence in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, USA

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 08:45 AM PDT

Ranch1

If modernism with great views appeals, the US looks like the place to be, judging by the Parker Residence in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

An impressive, almost futuristic residence, it's actually nearly 50 years old, the work of architect Foster Rhodes Jackson in 1964. It looks stunning now, it must have quite a site when constructed 'back in the day'.

Ranch2

Just as impressive are the views. See the agent's site for some snaps of those views of the Abalone Cove and across to Catalina Island or take our word for it. Pretty stunning, with an elevated living space to get the most out of them.

Ranch3

Inside, there should be plenty of space for you too. Set over two floors, the accommodation includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a family room, living room, along with a breakfast and dining area. Outside there's plenty of land, room for a pool and a double garage already there.

Not cheap at $1,499,000 (around £910,000), but it was never likely to be.

Find out more at the SoCal Modern website


Via WowHaus

Lilystar Teapot

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 07:45 AM PDT

P_blue-yellow-modern-teapots 
New in at Brighton's Pussy Home Boutique this week are these Lilystar Teapots.

Scant information is available about them, but they are of French origin, are made from bright coloured ceramic and have a sleek retro shape. The teapots are available in either yellow or blue, with a contrasting white handle.

They cost £22.50 each from Pussy Home Boutique.

Beatle Troop Wall Sticker

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 07:36 AM PDT

Beatlestrooper 
It has been a while since we featured a wall sticker (although we've mentioned plenty in the past) and this one combines two iconic images in one.

The Beatle Troop Wall Sticker takes the iconic Abbey Road picture, but instead of the Fab Four, the road is being crossed by Star Wars Stormtroopers. The sticker is in black and white and measures 263cm wide by 110cm wide.

It costs £100 from Blue Sun Tree.

eBay watch: Large 1950s midcentury-style coffee table

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 05:09 AM PDT

Mid_table

Nice design and right now, a nice price for this large 1950s midcentury-style coffee table.

According to the seller, it's 'probably' made of blond oak, with a 'black glas' top and those four angled legs. The whole thing about 100cm wide and 53cm tall.

Condition is said to be 'excellent original', with only light wear, mostly to the legs. The top has 'very light wear' only. If you fancy it in our living room, the current price is £9.

Find out more at the eBay website

1960s Santa and Cole Pie de Salon floor lamp by Jaume Sans

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 05:00 AM PDT

Pie

Cool, classy and indeed classic, that's the Santa and Cole Pie de Salon floor lamp by Jaume Sans.

From the early part of the decade as you might have guessed, this 1963 design offers up an adjustable leather-covered brass stem, which opens out into a base with three points of support. On top of all that is the shade, which is available in three different shapes and in either stitched beige cardboard, natural ribbon or white linen.

Prices vary depending on our finish, but start at £690.

Find out more at the TwentyTwentyOne website

Woven Suitcase Bag from Topshop

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Bag
Although it calls itself a suitcase, there's little chance of you fitting anything but your smalls in this petite Woven Suitcase Bag from Topshop.
 
Based on the ever popular vintage train case, this little beauty has the added extra of a cross-body strap. The combination of the canvas and 'Chartreuse' faux-leather give the bag a real summertime feel and is then finished with an antiqued brass catch for extra vintage feel.

£35 from Topshop. See the website for more details.

Green Floral Dress from Dorothy Perkins

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT

Green
This Green Floral Dress is part of Dorothy Perkins summer Floradita range, inspired by the more floral feminine looks of the 50s.

The gathered detail at the front, finished with a subtle bow, gives a flattering bell-shape to the skirt. The citrus shades of the floral pattern makes this an ideal summer daytime frock with an understated vintage feel. Perfect Betty Draper chic for weddings & picnics in the country.

The dress is £50 from Dorothy Perkins but is selling fast so snap one up while you still can.

The Smiths limited edition Complete Collector's Boxset on Rhino

Posted: 29 Jul 2011 12:47 AM PDT

Smiths3

Morrissey continues to get the headlines (for better or worse) some 30 years or so after the group formed, but very soon, you'll be able to re-discover just why he came to prominence in the first place - by grabbing The Smiths Complete Collector's Boxset on Rhino.

It's impressive. Even if you have all the original albums in your collection, you'll be tempted by this. As long as you are a Smiths fan, that is. The collection has been 'reworked' by Johnny Marr and Rhino UK, with the set including all four of the band's studio albums (The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come) plus live album Rank and compilations Hatful Of Hollow, The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs. Each has been taken back to original tape sources and remastered by Johnny Marr at Metropolis Studios in London.

Not only that, this limited edition (just 3,000) heavyweight trunk boxset has all eight albums on Mini LP replica style CDs in gatefold card wallets, all eight albums on 12-inch vinyl LPs (5 singles, 3 doubles), 25x 7-inch Singles (the entire The Smiths Singles collection) including specially reproduced rarities, a 36" x 24" Poster of all album and single cover artwork, The Complete Picture DVD of the band's music videos, an 8 page 12-inch booklet featuring expanded liner notes, 8x 12-inch art prints of each album cover artwork and an exclusive code to download the whole catalogue as high quality MP3s (320k). Wow.

Smaller CD and binyl boxes are also available, but if you want the 'big one', you'll be looking at paying £249.99. You can pre-order now ahead of October release.

Find out more at the Rhino website

Don't Be So Quick to Overlook the Maserati Grecale Folgore

If the GranTurismo Folgore is a guide, this Grecale Folgore could be surprisingly competitive. The EV GT was one of the year's best surp...