Bob Dylan – ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’: A Short Film

“I made this a while ago but it was taken off youtube and needs to see the light of day again.” – James Price

Around and About – Art in Devon and Cornwall

As a student of Art History, I always feel like I don’t go to enough exhibitions. Actually, I know I don’t. But I did go to see two shows this Easter break, which were both rather enjoyable, not only for the work but in the way they engaged with their local environment (or perhaps failed to, in certain aspects). I want to write this article as a sliver of the fine art exhibition culture in both my home county, Devon, and its more creatively cultured foil, Cornwall.

The Rest Of The Internet: Anonymity

Many of the debates that rage around the internet today have to do with anonymity. Most of the time, on the national news networks, you see people referring to it in relation to oppressive regimes that regulate internet use in an attempt to keep their people stupid, China and north Korea being the classic examples. People living under these regimes need to stay anonymous when they use the internet to express their opinions or they’re going to vanish forever, Stalin style.

The Roaming Football Column: 7-1 to the ‘Champions’???

Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a Man United fan. Some may call me a glory supporter, but that’s just because they support Sheffield United. Who are rubbish. In truth, my Dad supported United since they were in the old Second Division, and his devotion left me with no choice in the mater – I was born a United fan.

So when I sat down on Tuesday night, I was quite worried. It was moments before the second leg of the Champions’ League Quarter Finals, and Man U had lost the away leg 2-1 at Roma, requiring them to get a 1-0 win or better to get through to the next round. At the weekend they had lost to Portsmouth (Oh the shame!) and hence allowed Chelsea to move up to only three points behind them in the Premier League. Worst case scenarios were rushing through my head, and they went something like this:

We lose to or draw with Roma and go out of the Champion’s League. This destroys our confidence and we get knocked out of the FA Cup (God forbid by Watford), and furthermore lose or draw a couple of games in the Premiership and lose that – allowing Chelsea to possibly collect the treble while we skulk home, trophyless, and cry ourselves to sleep to REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’.

A Sunshine Experience: Tropicalia Revisited

Firstly thanks to Duncan for filling in for me last week, reviewing Joanna Newsom’s marvellous album Ys. My chosen album to enlighten you all with today was to be Dreaming with Alice by Mark Fry. Unfortunately though Mr Pascoe stole my CDs, one of which was this most treasured acid folk album. Cited by some as the epitome of the genre, it is a rare album to find, until recently only realistically available as a bootleg, once I am returned this item I will share it with you all. So where do I go now? I think that I must return to the place where I came.

Frank’s Travels: Sidi Ifni to Laayoune

So, there I was, in the back of a van uncomfortably spluttering its way toward Sidi Ifni with six Moroccans and an Australian backpacker called Pete. We sat nervously perched on side benches, the windows were blacked out but shafts of light cut the must from the driver’s cabin. It had the air of a troop truck, busing its uncomfortable passengers to the impending front. We arrived in a town that did little to undo this apocalyptic sensation; it felt like it had been abandoned in the wake of a gas attack.

The Baguette: “Young Stilton and Redcurrent Jelly Sandwich; Bread: Brown, Stone-ground”

The column that seems to be wavering on the edge of Hashmark obscurity, musical meanderings themed around an even more scrumptious topic; great sandwiches.

This holiday I actually got round to acquiring Deerhoof’s Friend Opportunity, and mostly out of hipster greed, also picked up their previous album, The Runners Four.

Confessions of a David Bowie Fan – A Short Story

I was fifteen when I first discovered I was a David Bowie fan. I’d had urges before, of course, but I’d always assumed it was just a normal part of growing up; a phase everyone went through. This was not the case, however, and before I knew it I was having yearnings to listen to the Ziggy Stardust album on an almost constant basis. I’d never actually heard the album before, nor did I really know who David Bowie was, but the craving was still there; ever-present, uncontrollable and shameful. I could never tell my parents. Musically, we were worlds apart. My father listened exclusively to the Beatles and my mother to old LP’s of the soundtrack to Doris Day musicals co-starring Rock Hudson. The fact that no such musical existed only added to my feeling that she would never understand my secret desires; and I swore never to tell her, or indeed, anyone else. I would take my embarrassing, shameful secret to the grave.

The Hashmark Week 12/4/07 With What’s Hot, What’s Not

A short word from the editor concerning the current state of affairs: Sorry about there not being an update last week; I was hungover. Despite a dry spell at the start of the week, we’ve had some great material, including ‘Apple Juice’ (a new short film), The Rest of the Internet, and, finally, a new Arty Bit:

“I took it upon myself to take a well earned break” – Chaz

Chaz, you’re fired. We also had a lot of feedback, some positive, some not so complimentary:

“What is this crap?” – Frank