summer of - Cardiff Student Media

Quench
ISSUE 137 - SEPTEMBER 2013
SUMMER OF
FESTIVALS
29
Features 5 | LGBT+ 8 | Columnist 9 | Fashion & Beauty 11 | Food & Drink 14
Photography 16 | Travel 18 | Culture 20 | Video Games 22 | Film 25 | Music 28
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QUENCH
EDITOR’S NOTE
THE
F
Q
reshers’ Week is horrible. If you don’t like clubbing
- sauntering into a club in vertigo inducing heels
and soul destroying Hollister branding - then
there isn’t all that much for you. As somebody
who buys clothes about once every two years
and likes nothing more than reading books, the Cardiff
University Freshers’ Fortnight flesh fest was probably
one of the most isolating periods of my life. Talybont
South was an open prison, and for a little while, I was
pretty certain that there just wasn’t anything for me at
university.
I mean, picture the scene. Back then, I was a 5’6’’
fighting game enthusiast living in a house full of gap year
students. I was a little bit fat, and while there’s nothing
wrong with that, I’m hardly a Victoria’s Secret model.
I’d spent the last year working for a newspaper, while
the majority of those guys spent their time in Thailand or
Australia and not the arse end of Dorset. Nobody was
that enthusiastic to talk to me; one girl I met in the first
couple of days even said I looked ‘poor.’
It was lonely, you know? I spent each night on Skype
whining to those I lived with back home, steadily turning
more and more misanthropic. Things really changed
when I discovered student media, though; I wrote a gair
rhydd front page a few weeks into the first semester, and
ended up writing two more before the end of the year. I
made some amazing friends in Cardiff Union Television
(shoutouts to Kayleigh Chan, this year’s station controller,
to whom I owe a great deal - sign up and tell her I sent
you!), and went on to host a show on Xpress Radio. I’d
found my people, and before I knew it, I was having
more fun than I ever thought possible.
But what has that got to do with Quench? That story’s
a weird one. I remember sitting in the first student media
meeting of the last academic year and immediately
writing off the magazine and its staff as something fairly
loathsome after they delivered their opening speech.
There were far too many pairs of thick rimmed glasses
for my liking, and everybody was far too fashionable;
I was wearing clothes that were years old, so it was
comfortable for me to stare at last year’s editors and
write them off as a group of “pretentious douchebags.”
Fast forward three months and I’m the magazine’s first
UESTION
video games editor. Fast forward another three months
and I’m interviewing for the position of editor, way more
in love with the publication than I ever thought I’d be.
Now I’m going to be the guy delivering that speech,
and I’m still that 5’6’’ video game enthusiast. I’m a little
bit thinner, but I’m no more likeable. Whether that’s a
reflection of my own overly fickle nature or how well
the magazine’s content ended up justifying itself to me, I
don’t know, but it’s funny how things come around.
I guess what I’m trying to say is this: I hope we’re
the magazine that you guys want, and the magazine
that you guys deserve. Whether you’re just looking for
something to read on the toilet, or if you’re looking to
get in print for the first time, we need to justify ourselves
to you, as the magazine justified itself to me. Sure, the
people who’ll dismiss us out of hand probably won’t end
up reading this, and so I might only be preaching to the
converted, but it’s important for me to make it clear right
now that I’m not committed to boosting my own ego - I’m
committed to the students of Cardiff University.
And hey, if you’re one of those students who’s
concerned that you’re alone? You’re not. I don’t care
who you are or how you choose to identify yourself. I
don’t know why you’re at university or even why you get
up in the morning, but neither of those things matter to
me. If you read this magazine, you’re one of us.
University really is one of the best times in your life.
Stay out of union politics, follow your heart and do what
you like and you’ll end up happier than you will with
the six figure salary and 2.4 children you were taught
to want. I thought there wouldn’t be anything for me at
university, but there are friends I wouldn’t have made
(and an unnamed woman who’s incredibly special to
me), my course, and student media.
Q
uench will probably be a little bit different
this year. Well, there’s no doubt about it.
As you might have noticed, the magazine
looks a lot different. I’m not going to bore
you to death with talk of typefaces (that’s
Charlotte Wace’s burden), but there are some things it’s
probably worth letting you know.
What’s important isn’t change for the sake of change,
Photo: George Fielding
but taking lessons from the past and learning from them.
Themed issues haven’t worked by anybody’s standards,
because making decisions for individual sections makes
it harder for them to make decisions themselves, and so
we won’t be doing any of those this year. We’re going
to remain totally apolitical, too; we’re happy to run long
features on all sorts of things, especially any injustice
you might encounter or have encountered. However, if
you’ve got a cause close to your heart, our older brother,
the venerable gair rhydd, would love to hear from you
(especially the award winning opinion and politics
sections).
We’re not here to tell you what to do or what to think.
We don’t want to take a stance in any debates, because
that’s not what we’re here for. As such, we’ve grouped
our sections into broad lifestyle and entertainment
categories to better clarify our editorial direction. We’re
also planning on running contribution meetings, but,
unlike last year, it won’t just be us giving out CDs and
articles - we’re flipping the structure of contribution
meetings over, and will be holding workshops every
fortnight or so. If you turn up, we won’t be giving ideas
to you guys - you’ll be bringing your ideas for articles to
us. This is your student magazine, after all.
Everything else should explain itself as you read
through the magazine, but you can find my contact
details on the next page over. I’m happy to talk if
you have any questions or comments - like I said, I’m
committed to you guys, and it’d be my pleasure to act
on that committment.
Enjoy the magazine. I know we enjoyed making it.
MOCD
Want to write for Quench?
We’ll be at the Societies Fair on the 26th and
27th of September. Come and find us then
for details of our first contribution meeting.
Alternatively, email your section of choice or
[email protected] with any submissions.
3
Q
Quench
IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY...
EDITORS
@quenchmag · [email protected]
Michael O’Connell-Davidson
Editor
@mikeocd
Charlotte Wace
Deputy editor
@charwace
Sophie Lodge
Administration and marketing
@splodge82
FEATURES
@quenchfeatures · [email protected]
Andy Love
Features editor
@andyluvv
Chloe May
Features editor
@chloejayne_
Hattie Miskin
Features editor
LGBT+ AND COLUMNIST
@quenchlgbt · [email protected]
Andy Love
Interim LGBT+ editor
@anyluvv
Helen Griffiths
Columnist
@_HelenGriffiths
FASHION AND BEAUTY
@quenchfashion ·
quenchstreetstyle · [email protected]
Jess Rayner
Fashion editor
@jessie_rayyy
Jacqueline Kilikita
Fashion editor
@J_Kilikita
Jordan Brewer
Fashion Editor
@JordanAffairs
Sophie Falcon
Fashion editor
@sophiefalcon1
FOOD AND DRINK
@quenchfood · quenchfood · [email protected]
Emilia Ignaciuk
Food editor
Dylan Elidyr Jenkins
Food editor
TRAVEL
@quenchtravel · [email protected]
Emma Giles
Travel editor
@EmmaGiles94
Kathryn Lewis
Travel editor
@KathrynLewis92
CULTURE
@quenchculture · [email protected]
Amy Pay
Culture editor
@YayAmyPay
Sum Sze Tam
Culture editor
@sumtzenbumtzen
VIDEO GAMES
@quenchgames · [email protected]
Matt Grimster
Video games editor
@MattGrimster
FILM AND TELEVISION
@quenchfilm · [email protected]
Oli Richards
Film and television editor
@ORichards93
Daniel Rosser
Film and television editor
Leanne Dixon
Film and Television editor
@LeanneDixon17
MUSIC
@quenchmusic · [email protected]
Tom Connick
Music editor
@ginandconnick
Jimmy Dunne
Music editor
@GrimmyBumm
Hannah Embleton-Smith
Music editor
@HEmbleton
Alex Greig
Music editor
@anecdotebloke
SPECIAL THANKS
Jo Southerd, Laura Evans and Luke Slade for their work editing
the magazine last year, because without them, there would be no
Quench; Jacob Dirnhuber, sub-editor of the gair rhydd and eleventh
hour Quench saviour; Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the
Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to
the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius; to the Cardiff University’s Student
Support Centre, and its staff for the fantastic work that they do; staff
photographers Bethan Phillips and George Fielding for photographs
throughout the magazine, and Ben Aldersley, for being the brother I was
never lucky enough to have.
DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF RYAN DAVIS, 1979-2013
LIFESTYLE
FEATURES
A
PERFECT
STORM
HOW CARDIFF’S STUDENTS KILLED CATHAYS
I
Few areas in Britain have been hit as hard by studentification as Cathays, Cardiff.
Jacob Dirnhuber investigates its journey from thriving community to the student
ghetto that it is today
t’s mid-July, and the people of Cardiff are making the
most of what the Met Office has cautiously described
as barbeque weather. Cautiously, because the last
time barbeque weather was declared, Britain enjoyed
a summer of torrential rain and intermittent sunlight.
However, it seems that this time, the prediction is spot-on.
In Bute Park, the barbeques are out in force despite the
disapproving glances of park officials, and a few miles
away, Queen’s Street is experiencing an unusually high
footfall as the locals indulge in some retail therapy. The
beer gardens are fuller than ever, impromptu games of
football are breaking out on the street, and dozens are
sunbathing on the banks of the River Taff while they still
can. It seems that wherever you go in Cardiff, something
noteworthy is going on. Apart from one place: Cathays.
Many areas suffer from a high concentration of students,
but Cathays is unrivalled, in both Cardiff, and - whisper it - the
UK as well. In term time, it’s a pulsating, overcrowded hive
of takeaways and sub-standard student accommodation.
In the summer, it’s a ghost town. Occasionally, a hoard of
builders will appear and then vanish in the space of a few
hours, treating the few permanent residents to the grisly
show of house after house being gutted and reconfigured,
as landlords scramble to cram in as many lucrative
bedrooms as humanly possible.
Over the past few years, students have unwittingly
destroyed Cathays from the inside, their mere presence
creating an unstable micro-economy which grinds to a
halt in the summer months. One business, Jack’s Barbers
on Woodville Road, limps through the summer while its
revenues are hit by up to 35%, and starved of the lifeblood
that is the student community, others opt to close down until
September, when the circulation is restored once more. A
toxic combination of university expansionism, location,
opportunistic landlords and the sheer lack of political will to
treat the malaise has doomed this once thriving community
for years, and perhaps decades to come.
Cathays was originally the home of Cardiff’s railway
workers and a substantial number of dockers, a small but
close-knit community that like many working class areas
of that era, was noted for its political engagement, a far
cry from now, when the 2010 general election attracted a
mere 16% of eligible voters in Cathays. The waters were
relatively smooth until the late 60s, when Cardiff decided
to upgrade its infrastructure, and the university decided to
adopt an aggressive policy of expansion. Paul Byers, a
community psychologist and local historian, explains.
The council
saw Cathays as
expendable
“I came to Cardiff in 1973 to do psychology, but I did
my masters in transport planning, so I was very aware
of what was going on in the 60s in terms of urban
redevelopment. Whole areas were being transformed in
order to accommodate the motor car. In the 60s and 70s,
Cardiff was buying into that package. There were plans
to build huge six lane motorways right through Roath and
Cathays. Then at the same time you have the University
which is very ambitious to expand, and a council that
is very keen to help them. In the 70s the university was
putting out this idea of a higher education prescient that
was more than Cathays Park. It was demolishing whole
areas of Cathays. So you’ve got this perfect storm of the
new transport system, you’ve got the University looking to
expand further into Cathays, and you’ve got some other
factors and it all ends up causing some serious damage”
Cardiff University never got its precinct, and the city
council was foiled in its attempt to build the motorway
by a series of community associations, one of which was
incidentally chaired by one of Cathays’ most prolific
landlords, John Winter. However, the damage had been
done; it was common knowledge that the council saw
Cathays as expendable, and the final blow was delivered
soon after. Amongst all the uncertainty over the future of the
area, in the background, a different clock was ticking for
the residents of Cathays.
Their houses had originally been leased from the Bute
Estate, and sold on repeatedly until the majority were
in the hands of the BP Pension Trust and a group called
Western Ground Rents. These houses were still operating
on leasehold, specifically on 99-year leases, most of which
were set to expire as the original leases had been taken
out in the 1870s and 1880s. Facing eviction, unwilling
to continue living in a leasehold house and unable to
buy back the leases in any case, the residents of Cathays
flocked out, choosing to move to more desirable areas of
Cardiff, safe in the knowledge that their new homes would
not be bulldozed anytime soon.
This was not a gradual process by any means – many
of the leases still had 10 years to run when the evacuation
started. However, as it gained momentum, groups of
students started moving into the vacated houses, which
attracted the attention of some would-be landlords. Sensing
an opportunity, they started buying the leases en-masse
and hurriedly began converting the spoils into student
accommodation.
“It was like the Wild West towards the end, it was
crazy”, said one landlord, who ended up selling all his
houses in the early 90s. “Once it started, it couldn’t be
stopped. We stopped short of staking out claims, but it
wasn’t far off. I inherited one house and got two others in
the mid-70s, I never saw it as a career choice, I didn’t have
any ambitions about owning entire streets or anything, no.
I got in and out quickly, I didn’t think it was going to last.
I had some money at the time and it seemed like a good
investment, and it was. I ran into some financial difficulty
later on and moved everything on, maybe in hindsight that
was a mistake because some of the guys out there are
making big money”.
Big money indeed. It is estimated that over £300m has
5
Q
been invested by landlords into Cathays alone, and it
generates well over £20m per year. Student housing has
become such a big part of Cathays life that the government
ended up introducing specific HMO (House of Multiple
Occupancy) licenses just for Cathays. In short, an HMO
license certifies that a house is fit to rent out to students,
that it complies with building and safety regulations and
is adequately equipped. The council will have a record of
the house and will be able to check occasionally to ensure
that it remains fit to live in.
However, of the estimated 6,246 residential buildings in
Cathays, there are just over a thousand that hold licenses.
Even taking into account the number of houses that
belong to full-time residents, it is clear that there is a vast
disparity between the number of HMOs and the number
of HMO licenses. The brutal truth is that landlords don’t
bother. The council only employs six inspection officers,
and it is alleged that none of them have the time, money
or desire pursue the thousands of unlicensed properties.
The council will be the first organisation to admit that
there are unlicensed HMOs, but there is no clear way of
identifying them. It seems that no-one wants to open that
can of worms. Perhaps they might intervene if it became
clear that landlords were guilty of human rights violations,
but identifying and dealing with the thousands of HMOs is
a monumental task, the bill of which would surely run into
the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.
Every year, students will hear horror stories of decrepit
houses and landlords reluctant to do anything about them,
and wonder why they can get away with it. The simple
answer is that unlicensed houses will not be subject to
visits from council officials, and thus the landlords have no
repercussions to fear if they remain inactive. Theoretically,
landlords can be fined £20,000 per unlicensed HMO, but
the council doesn’t have either the time or money to pursue
them. The general consensus amongst landlords that there
is no benefit to getting any more than 25% of their houses
Of the estimated 6,246
residential buildings in
Cathays, there are just over a
thousand that hold licenses.
licensed at any time. This has two effects. Firstly, Cathays
is awash with housing that is simply unfit for purpose, and
secondly, no-one has a clear idea of how many people
actually live in Cathays. Even the houses that are licensed
tend to have more bedrooms than they claim to due to
yearly renovations.
However, estimates can be made. In some parts of
Cathays, the population per hectare is thought to be over
nine times the Cardiff average, a number that grows
with each passing year as landlords find ever more
inventive ways of increasing the number of bedrooms
on offer. One significant problem that arises from this is
waste management. Although it can be relatively easy to
increase the capacity of a house, increasing the capacity
of the sewer below is an altogether different matter.
Everything may look normal on the surface, but below,
the pipes of Cathays are “really struggling to cope with
the increased volume” according to one council worker.
Replacing the damaged and undersized pipes is costly
and time-consuming, and although changes are being
made, at times it seems that the council lacks both the
financial clout and political willpower to provide Cathays
with adequate sewage infrastructure. Matters are made
worse by the student population’s apparent eagerness to
use toilets as a way disposing of potentially embarrassing
items; the presence of blockages caused by clusters of used
condoms near Cathays is supposedly a frequent complaint
of Cardiff’s sewage workers.
The reality is that while Cardiff University remains open,
there will be an unnaturally high demand for student housing
near the university. It is this demand that the landlords of
Q
6
”
The reality is that while Cardiff
University remains open, there
will be an unnaturally high
demand for student housing
near the university.
Cathays are so desperate to tap into; to expand their
houses year on year, to add more and more bedrooms
that can be rented for over £200 a month apiece. Some
expansions are as simple as building an extension, others
involve adding an extra floor while leaving the outside
untouched. The more bedrooms that are built, the more
bathrooms that are needed, the more space that needs
to be generated. That space usually comes in the form of
an extension on the rear side of the house, usually put up
in a few weeks without planning permission. As with the
licensing, many landlords don’t bother, they see it as a
mere hindrance. Residents complain, but their calls usually
fall on deaf ears, and if they don’t, then the darker side of
house letting raises its ugly head, as the landlords move
from minor evasions of the law to what has been described
as “outright intimidation”.
Another landlord, who claims to have owned to-let
property in Cathays for two decades and requested that he
not be named in this article, gave his thoughts to Quench
about planning permission rules, and why the landlords
choose to evade them.
“Yeah, I’ll admit that I haven’t always got it when we’ve
built something, but look, there’s a reason for that. We’ve
only got a few months to make the changes, sometimes
the council changes the rules on licencing or whatever
in an instant… So once you’ve planned something
they’ll change some obscure rule or regulation or your
neighbours will complain, something that means you have
to change your plan again, and then you resubmit and
you’re in the summer and still haven’t built anything… and
if you don’t build something by the time the students come
in they’ll [the council] come knocking on your door asking
why you haven’t added the extra bathroom or whatever
you were told to build. It’s because you wouldn’t let me
build the bloody extension to house it! In the end you just
don’t bother, I mean, if all the houses either side of the one
you want to extend are for students, and they’re being
extended anyway, then who’s going to complain about
the construction? Not to mention that you’ll apply and
someone will complain just to be difficult because you’ve
had a run-in with them or something. My commitment is to
my tenants who have paid for a house, not to the council.”
Although it seems all hope is lost for Cathays, there
have been efforts to integrate the locals and the students,
even if it seems that the landlords’ grip on Cathays will
take significant weakening. Some are purely symbolic,
such as The Flora’s policy of equal prices for students and
locals, and some are more proactive, such as those put
forward by Student Liaison Officer Emma Robson. “We do
our best to integrate everyone, really. We [residents and
students] go out in groups and go door-knocking, we try to
educate everyone about what is expected of them, and we
usually get a really positive response. We run the website
[CardiffDigs.co.uk] and we’re trying to promote in all the
papers. It’s not much, but if everyone really works I think
the future will be much brighter for Cathays”.
Just how bright is up for debate. But that can be a start.
The first step on the path to recovery for Cathays will be
awareness of the issues it faces. Debate is louder than the
silence of a ghost town, after all.
LIFESTYLE
FEATURES
FEATURES
K
E
E
W
’
S
R
E
H
S
E
FR
With every club in Cardiff striving to offer the best introduction to the best years of your life, nights out during Freshers’ Week are not going to
prove problematic. However, once the hangover passes, exploring your new hometown is a great way to bond with your flatmates and fend off
the dreaded homesickness. From spending frivolously in the St. Davids Centre to dipping your toes in the Barry Island waves, Features Editors
Chloe May and Hattie Miskin are here to introduce you to your first week as a Cardiff Student.
Monday
If you’ve still got some money left over from the weekend’s antics, the shopping
scene in Cardiff is a great way to begin your first week as a student. Queen’s
Street and the St. David’s Centre is your stop for all your favourite high street
options, whilst Cardiff’s famous arcades offer a plethora of quirky vintage shops
if you fancy exploring. Before you’ve spent every penny, make a stop at Cardiff
Market – chances are, whatever you’re looking for, they’ll have it.
Tuesday
Exploring Cardiff and its surroundings are best done on a bike. For you more experienced cyclists, attempting the epic 55-mile Taff Trail is a good way to explore
the beautiful scenery around Cardiff – although hitting the Cardiff club scene
heavily the night before is not recommended! For the cycling newbies amongst
you, the Cardiff Cycle Tours may be a good start. With a maximum price of £13
for a whole day’s ride (including a bike), Cardiff Cycle Tours offers two routes:
The Bute Tour, stretching from the Bay to the Caste, and The Bay Tour, which
explores the areas around Cardiff Bay. A perfect idea for an adventure with the
flatmates.
Thursday
On Thursday and Friday it is the Societies Fair, an absolute must do for Freshers!
Whether you already have your heart set on playing Rugby or fancy the Harry
Potter Society, there will something there that catches your eye. Don’t wait too
long to check out the stalls as some societies fill up fast! After the Fair, you could
head to either Roath or Bute Park to explore. If the weather’s good, pack a picnic
and bring along someone who can play the guitar.
ENTERTAINMENT
“INFINDING
THE EVENING DURING
FRESHERS’ WEEK IS NEVER
GOING TO BE A PROBLEM
”
Friday
On Friday, you could head down to Cardiff Bay. Alongside the beautiful scenery
and variety of restaurants and bars, visitors can take a tour from Mermaid Quay
around the Bay and pay a visit to the Dr Who Experience nearby. It’s only a quick
train ride from Cathays station or you can catch the Water Taxi that runs between
the City Centre and the Bay all year round.
The St. Davids 2 Fashion Show
Wednesday
By this point in Freshers’ Week, the non-stop partying is likely to have taken its
toll. The Marriott Hotel offers a bargain deal of £6 for students to have full access
to the swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi – perfect if you’re looking
for a little rest and relaxation before hitting the Jaegerbombs again! For those of
you who have still not had enough of the adventures Freshers’ week has to offer,
Canewood Paintball Centre is only a short bus ride from the city centre and offers
the perfect excuse to vent your anger on the flatmate who is already beginning
to get on your nerves.
Saturday
From Cathays train station it is an easy and cheap journey to Barry Island, made
famous by the comedy TV series ‘Gavin and Stacey’. At the weekend the Pleasure
Park is open, full of dodgems, rides, and theme park fun. Bring along your whole
flat and enjoy eating good old fish and chips by the sea and watching unexpected
waves soak your friends.
Sunday
By the end of Freshers’ week it is likely you will be pretty tired and feeling the
effect of a week of parties and non-stop chaos. It is now time to relax and build
up some energy before the term actually begins! Enjoy a long leisurely lie-in, grab
your hungover friends and head to the Taff in the Student’s Union for a Sunday
Lunch before you begin to miss hearty, home-cooked food too much. Head back
to the flat and spend the rest of your day preparing to send Freshers’ Week out
with a bang – just make sure you set your alarm for lectures to begin the next day!
7
Q
LIFESTYLE
LGBT+
Getting to know
your community
As well as the LGBT+ Society, which offers excellent
socialising opportunities, there is also the LGBT+
Association which is designed to represent all
Cardiff University students that identify as lesbian,
gay, bi, trans* or +. The LGBT+ Association
represents these students by acting as a strong
support network, raising political awareness on a
local, regional and national level and by creating
policies that will enhance Cardiff University and
make it a more LGBT+ friendly institution. Please like
the LGBT+ Association on Facebook and visit the
LGBT+ stand at Freshers for more info.
Features editor Andy Love provides a quick guide to the Quench LGBT+ section and the wider Cardiff LGBT+ community, including the
society, spots in town, and events.
H
ello, everybody! Welcome to the first LGBT+ page of the year! We would
like to take this opportunity to clarify what to expect from both this section
and Cardiff University as your chosen place of study in regards to its LGBT+
policies. Quench is one of the few magazines in the country to actually run
an LGBT+ section and, though apoltical like the rest of the magazine, it serves as
an open forum for relevant debates, ideas and news content for its students. It is
important to clarify that an LGBT+ section is not restrictive to the community itself. It
would be very interesting to find out what other communities, genders and sexualities
think of issues such as equal marriage, homophobia and the LGBT+ community: all
issues that are so related to everyday media exposure. With that in mind, if you have
a friend or a story that you think could be interesting, but you do not self identify as
LGBT+, then don’t shy away. Articulate those ideas and help us make this a welcome
space for suggestions, questions and debates.
But without further ado – HELLO FRESHERS.
Welcome to your first year at Cardiff University – are you feeling a bit lost and
not sure of where to go? Well, Cardiff University has an amazing LGBT+ society
and community: one of the few that you can join free of charge and that will help
you to get on down with some interesting and friendly socials for everyone. For
example, did you know that Cardiff hosts the big Iris Prize Festival? A four day event
showcasing the best LGBT+ themed films! It is a brilliant event and a welcome break
from the standard, alcohol-fuelled night out.
There is space for
everyone; geeks,
jocks, preps – we
all get along here!
Before we jump on the societies, let’s get to know Cardiff’s LGBT+ Scene. Most
places in Cardiff are LGBT+ friendly and you can have a great time in most clubs.
However, it is down in Churchill way and Charles Street where you will be able to find
most of its venues. On Churchill Road you can easily spot WOW – a well illuminated
place where you can watch drag shows and take part in friendly competitions and
fun events like karaoke. They also offer food during the daytime and it’s an ideal
place for a light snack. Next to WOW, you can find KINGS - an upbeat pub with a
small dance floor and an entertaining environment. Drinks correlate with the standard
student budget, especially early on in the night. Top tip: Use Kings as a pre-drinks
venue before ‘big nights out’. Finally, we have Pulse – directly opposite WOW and
Kings - and the chosen venue for ‘big nights out’ for most of the LGBT+ community.
Pulse is not expensive (drinks are quite easy on the wallet too) and it has a good
young vibe to it. The music here is always loud, with the usual pop charts playing
throughout the night. Pulse also offers food, operating as a regular pub during the
day (the upstairs area) – so pop in if you’re ever in need of a quick grub-stop with
mates. On Charles Street you can spot Bar Icon with its big blue sign – an alternatively
decorated place with loud music and videos. Drinks and cocktails here are generally
affordable and it’s a good place to go if you want somewhere fairly chilled out
Q
8
(you will know what I mean when you have your first WOW outing). On this same
road you can also spot Eagle – a “private club” for older men (the bears!). Another
interesting spot is The Golden Cross at The Hayes – a classic looking pub with a
pleasant environment. They hold events every now and then too, which always prove
popular. There is also Pride and the Cardiff Mardi Gras around August/September:
an event not to be missed during your time in Cardiff. It has a fantastic atmosphere
and is home to a lot of partying. Another interesting event and one that happens at
the end of every month is “Attract” Cardiff – bolstered with the presence of Cardiff’s
Mr. Gay UK 2011, Samuel Kneen. The event is advertised as a ‘upmarket’ gay night
for people in Cardiff, so there is a dress code of ‘smart casual’. The event usually
happens at Crystal Boutique Nightclub in the centre of town which is a fairly trendy
venue.
If you’re not into pop music and the mainstream scene, then don’t worry - Cardiff
has a place for you, too! Every month stay tuned for Hell’s Bent, Cardiff’s monthly
alternative night. It can sometimes get really busy later in the night and the venue
changes quite often, so do a bit of research in advance if you’re interested. It is
definitely my favourite night in Cardiff and where you can get the opportunity to
meet a lot of different people. Are you into Sports? WOW sponsors a gay friendly
Football team: The Cardiff Dragons FC so make sure to get in touch with them. They
are always on the look out for new people to train with.
Now, back to the Society. It has quite a few diversified members which means there
is space for everyone: geeks, jocks, preps – we all get along here! It is really easy
to start getting to know everyone. Do not shy away after a couple of socials, as it
helps to see each other more frequently to create a bond. Our society Facebook page
currently has 502 members; a combination of present and past Cardiff University
students. This is the place to go if you are looking to share something interesting
you found online, want to gather some people for a social event or find out what’s
happening that week.
Society events are designed to be lighthearted and enjoyable. Above all, they give
you the opportunity to meet society members which will be invaluable on those sunny
days when you have a group of people you can go to the park and chill with, so
make sure to check out our next event details at the bottom of this page. Should you
have any concerns or issues – you can find the Cardiff University LGBT+ Society on
Facebook, or check online on the website: http://www.cardifflgbtplus.co.uk/
LGBT+ EVENTS FOR FRESHERS
AND RETURNING STUDENTS
Saturday Brunch on the 21st of September – 11am at The Vulcan
Freshers’ meet on the last Fresher’s fair
Board Games
Start of the term Party
Last but not least: the infamous Scene Crawl – checking most gay venues
in Cardiff in one night!
LIFESTYLE
COLUMNIST
Column Road
with Helen Griffiths
W
INTER IS COMING. I mean… Freshers’. FRESHERS’ is coming. Although
they probably both entail something pretty similar: widespread chaos,
general destruction, lots of sickly, zombie-like figures walking around
everywhere... I really hope there are some Game of Thrones fans reading this,
otherwise you’ll all be wondering what the hell I’m on about *digs self a hole*.
We all know how Freshers’ week (or is it fortnight these days?) works. On day one,
you move into your accommodation, cry a little bit at the thought of living in such
a small space for the next year, shrug it off and decide your best bet is probably to
get drunk in a strange city with some people you’ve only just met. That can only end
well. You then pretty much sleep through every subsequent day, until it’s late enough
to start drinking and partying again. Or, if you do venture out of the house, you
trudge around in a hungover haze (hence: sickly, zombie-like figures), and probably
don’t make it very far at all. As if that wasn’t exhausting enough, you also have to try
your hardest to remember a whole bunch of names, because within days you’ll have
made some new BFFs – Best Friends for Freshers’. Let’s face it, these people may not
end up being the very best friends that you make whilst at uni, but they’ll always be
the ones who got you through those endless games of Ring of Fire, that first dabble
with Oceana, and those terrible outfits you wore while still getting to grips with what
does/doesn’t look good on a night out (no? Just me who struggled with that one?)
Hi - we’re here to pick up our student cards
For some reason, when I try to think back on my time as a Fresher, one of my most
prominent memories is of a near-death experience with a speeding trolley.
A word of warning: how ever much you might think agreeing to let a very drunk
housemate push you from one pub golf destination to the next sounds like an excellent
idea, it definitely is not. Take it from someone who accepted such an offer and ended
up tumbling head-first over a curb, with both said supermarket-vehicle and a friend
(who was sat behind me in the trolley) toppling on top of me. There may have been a
few seconds in which I seriously questioned whether all of my limbs were still in one
piece – this was alcohol-infused paranoia, ofcourse; I was perfectly fine, as was my
friend. And the trolley (I think).
It’s not all about the nights out, though. During the daytime, when you’re walking
around in your zombie-like stupor, you may find yourself signing up to the mailing
list for every society that even vaguely appeals to you. We’ve all done it - there’s no
shame in admitting that you signed up for the Harry Potter Society and Cheerleading
AND Korfball (whatever that is). It seemed like a good idea at the time, right? To
any actual Freshers out there: just be wary of paying for a club you’re not 100%
sure you want to do. I distinctly remember thinking that I would definitely have time
for trampolining in first year… alas, I didn’t. Never got that sign-up fee back. Oops.
Hi - we’re here to pick up our student cards
Whist those crazy first years are busy partying the night away (wow, that phrase
made me sound about 60 didn’t it?), the second and third years who are around divide
into two main camps: those desperately trying to relive their Freshers’ experience,
and those avoiding the union like the plague. The first group can be found in the
same fancy dress costumes that they wore last year, downing more Zwack bombs
than the Freshers’themselves, and trying to convince everybody that they still live in
Talybont. The latter, meanwhile, will probably be sat at home having a “quiet night
in” with a glass of wine, welcoming the return of Downton Abbey (I can’t wait). Oh,
and there’s also the smaller, third group of fool-hardy student media folk. We’ll be at
all of the Freshers’ events, but we’ll be the irritating ones trying to convince you to
tell us what you think of…well, anything and everything, and constantly telling you to
“get involved. Apologies in advance. Just be prepared for hashtags, lots of hashtags.
We’ll also be trying to convince impressionable little Freshers to join us. Hehehe.
Oh dear, I’ve made Freshers’ sound like absolute carnage haven’t I? It’s all fun and
games really. Carnage comes later in the year, and that’s a whole different kettle of
fish.
9
Q
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LIFESTYLE
FASHION
FastFashion
THIS ISSUE: NAIL LOOKS
AND FASHION BLOGS
This fall sees an exploration through the
darker side of romance - an eclectic collection of maroons, berries, and metallic
to assert feminine dominance as summer
draws to a close. Forget cherry red, this
season’s crimson is far more sinister. Deep
shades of sanguine hue and oxblood tones
have transformed nails this fall into sultry
dark neutrals.
The Neighbourhood Watch is a
London based street style blog run
by Sandra Hagelstam. Sandra
also runs a second blog ‘5 inch
and up’, which focuses on her
own wardrobe choices through
a series of beautiful pictures text
posts. Celebrating street style is
an important part of following
fashion. It showcases personal
style and provides inspiration for
new trends. Plus, who doesn’t like
to have a good nose at what other
people are wearing?
Nail Art is taking the beauty world by
storm, with nails becoming as much as
a statement as some of the latest catwalk
trends. For many manicurists, the decision
is not what could be glued on to nails, but
rather what couldn’t? From subtle sparkle
accents, to studs, jewels, and elaborate
3D designs, embellishments have become
more of an accessory than ever before.
Don’t forget to follow Quench
Fashion’s Instagram, for lots
of lovely Cardiff based street
style!
quenchstreetstyle
The latest trends in men’s fashion...
BLUE HUES
CONTRAST SLEEVES
SHARP TAILORING
11 Q
CARDIFF
AN ALTERNATIVE GUIDE TO SHOPPING IN THE CAPITAL
Street Casuals
Cardiff based menswear store, Street Casuals, discuss their aim to change the dynamics of the mens’ shopping
experience in Cardiff.
To start off with, can you tell
us a bit about the store and
what your philosophy is?
Well basically we opened in
November but before that we use to
be an online business called Street
Casuals, which was just an online
retailer. Then we came to Cardiff
and we joined with a promotion
company called FAO who run events
at Buffalo and Undertone to try and
bring in the ethos of both music and
clothing. So since then we have
sold mainly street wear but we are
moving into more high-end wear
and more work wear stuff. Basically
we’re just trying to provide exclusive
brands you can’t find anywhere else
in Cardiff.
Do you feel your location helps
your business?
Well it is nice to be in the Arcade,
as obviously you get the feel of the
Arcade and it’s different. But at the
same time, you are out of the way
and people don’t seem to pass
through here as much as you would
like, so the footfall is a little bit lower
than we would like. It is good and
bad.
Do you feel like you are filling
a gap in the market in terms of
fashion in Cardiff?
I would like to think so; a lot of
the brands we get you can’t get
anywhere else in Wales, we have
a lot of exclusives you can’t get
anywhere else unless you go over
to Bristol. A lot of people still do go
over to Bristol, even I used to, and
that’s what we’re trying to limit. We
are trying to bring brands you can’t
get anywhere else to try and bring
something different to Cardiff and
get people shopping here more.
We are trying to bring
brands you can’t get
anywhere else, to try
and bring something
different to Cardiff
As a smaller brand, do you feel
like you have loyal customers?
Do you see a lot of the same
people coming into the store?
We do see a lot of the same people
coming in, but we do still see a lot
of new people coming in even now
when we have been open six or
seven months. Come September
when all the new students arrive
we are going to try and do a big
advertising push to try and get it out
to a lot more people. At the moment
we are still a little bit of an unknown
brand in the student market, which is
something we need to change.
Have you got any other future
projects coming up?
From September onwards the store is
going up a level again, as we are
bringing in higher-end brands. We
like what we are at the moment,
but come September we are going
to make changes, the clothes
themselves won’t be more expensive
but the brands we stock should be
more exclusive. Come September,
you’ll see a different store.
Cardiff Fashion Quarter
An insight into the eclectic world of CFQ, and what
running a stall entails.
What was the inspiration
behind you setting up your
stall?
I went to Kenya in September and
was teaching entrepreneurship, there
was so much entrepreneurial spirit
there that inspired me. I have made
jewellery on the side whilst I was at
Uni so it inspired me to come back
and set somewhere up. I tend to do
it at cheaper prices, some of my stuff
you would see in Topshop for like
£25 but I can’t afford Topshop so I
tend to do it cheaper, I make a profit,
but it’s still affordable.
So, do you make
jewellery yourself?
all
the
Yes everything is handmade; my
mum does it as well. She gets all the
pendants and chains and arranges
them together so we both make a
profit from it, I take commission then
send home the rest of the money – so
it is kind of a joint venture!
And what do you think of
being in this location; do you
think it’s a good location to be
in?
In a way it is because people just walk
past and it’s a nice surprise element to
find somewhere like this. But as well
it’s not on the high street so you don’t
get as many people flowing through.
It’s nicer to get customers via word
of mouth than it is just being next to
Topshop on Queen’s Street.
So is word of mouth something
you rely on to get people to
come along to the Fashion
Quarter?
Yeah it varies, some people will see
it on Facebook and other people
will hear about it from friends. Some
people will literally be walking past
and it will be raining so they will
come in!
DroneBoy Laundry
Quench Fashion talks to Abi and Dave of DroneBoy Laundry, an alternative fashion store located in the St Davids
Centre that has found itself competing with the likes of Hollister and Apple for the attention of Cardiff’s shoppers.
You’ve got quite a distinctive logo.
Could you tell us a bit about the
thinking behind it?
Dave: Well, the logo is a traffic cone covering
something, and you can’t see what or who it is;
it’s kind of an anti-fashion in that way. You can
be whoever you want to be, you don’t have to
conform to anything. We see a lot of fashion
houses and brands that are trying to mould
people into this idealised version of themselves,
like our neighbour down the road, Hollister.
They don’t do XLs, and they want all the people
who sell their merchandise to be muscular and
supposedly beautiful. We are kind of anti-that,
whatever you look like you can just wear it so
that’s why the traffic cone is covering our mascot
- because it doesn’t matter what you look like.
The St David’s Centre is obviously a
great location for a shop – what’s it like
for you, working every day in a place
like that?
Dave: We’re still learning, we just take it day
by day! When we first opened the shop both
Abi and I kind of shat ourselves a bit. We were
just noticing streams of people walking past the
shop being like – “who is Drone Boy?” “What’s
Drone Boy?” “Why is there a tennis shop there?”
Because we are such a small shop you can hear
all these conversations going on, which made
us super nervous at first! Currently we’re just
trying to have fun with it; we try to make it a fun
brand, we hold competitions and things – we’ve
had stuff like air guitar competitions in the past,
so if you’re walking past you can see that it’s a
fun place.
Do you find that draws a people in?
Dave: Yeah it gets people talking about it, but
it seems to take about 5 walks by for people to
actually come in; small shops like ours are kind
of intimidating to enter in their own way. So
if people see us having fun and a few people
having fun then they won’t be so nervous.
How popular is the new girl’s range?
Abi: It is flying out at the moment, all the
previous Drone Boy fans that knew about the
shop included a lot of girl fans wearing the boys
range. But now that the girls’ range has come in
they are just grabbing their little t-shirts, and we
have sold quite a few of the tennis skirts now,
which I am really chuffed about, as they are
really cute. So I think it’s going down well. The
next collection I want to be much more varied for
women, as there is not a lot of [womenswear]
at the moment we really want to concentrate on
getting some nice blouses and shirts out, [and]
more of a wider range of tees, maybe some
crop tops and maybe a few nice dresses – with
different women’s shapes available.
How has social media and your online
presence helped the brand in general?
Dave: It’s almost everything, it’s how you
connect with your audience and obviously as
you have seen from the competitions its how you
build a brand nowadays. I think you have to be
legit; people have to see you and know you,
know who you are and know you are doing it
for the right reasons to buy into what you are
doing. So that is people’s first way in, social
media is the gateway to understanding who we
are and our presence on that shows are aren’t
up ourselves, we are just regular people just
trying to do a regular thing.
Abi: It helps as well because we have got
people from all over the world buying clothes
from us, so they must of heard about us from
somewhere, not from just our little dingy arcade
we used to be in.
You have such a good base of fans;
do you find your customer loyalty has
helped you spread the word?
Dave: that’s all we rely on. We put all our
money in the shop, we can’t afford to adverts,
billboards, anything really! So it’s all about
is social media, everything is word of mouth,
and so our product has to be great; we have
to be perceived as doing the right thing all the
time. We can’t afford to do anything so word
of mouth is how we survive, we are like any
other small business, we are like the local pizza
shop we just don’t have the budget. Having
neighbours like Apple and Hollister is amazing.
They’re brands with multi-million dollar budgets,
yet we don’t have that and we’re sat next door
competing with them all the same.
Editor’s note: following this interview, DroneBoy
have closed down their St. David’s branch. This
isn’t the end of DroneBoy, though - stay tuned
for more information.
13
Q
W I N I N G & D I N I N G:
a guide to Cardiff
Moving to university can be a daunting experience, and getting to know your new home can be even harder. Cardiff is
a city bursting with amazing places to eat, drink and be merry. Here is a guide that we at Quench have put together,
that encompasses all the places to satisfy your basic food and drink needs. The only thing you have to do is explore,
discover and enjoy…
Dylan Elidyr & Emilia Ignaciuk
FOR A PINT AND A MEAL: THE NORTH STAR
131 North Road. www.thenorthstarcardiff.com
The North Star is a pub on North Road that offers heart-warming homemade
dishes at affordable prices. They add a little class to pub grub, combining comfort with
quality and character in every classic dish, coinciding perfectly with the quirky, elegant
décor you’ll find inside. Monday is quiz night, Tuesday is 2 for 1 on pizzas and every
Wednesday night they offer their majestic Man Versus Food menu, from their 45oz burger
to their “Ever So Slightly Big” Scotch Club Sandwich. Their also a live music venue with
open mic nights held regularly and a jazz and blues night as well. So if you enjoy great
homemade food in a stylish yet homely atmosphere, the North Star is the pub for you.
FOR A QUICK LUNCH: ITALIGO
8 Church Street. www.italigo.com
Italigo is a reasonably new place to eat in Cardiff which offers quality
Italian food without the wait. Their pasta boxes are delicious, with a wide array of
choices, from meat and fish to vegetarian. Their pizzas are beautifully homemade,
bursting with the fresh flavours of Italy. Their calzones are to die for, and are at
such reasonable prices you’ll never opt for another Pizza Hut or Pizza Express
again. Before 11am they offer a breakfast calzone and coffee deal for only £2!
One bite and you’ll be whisked away to Italy, and you’ll be sure to return for
more.
FOR BREAKFAST: CAFE 37
37 Salisbury Road. www.cafe37cardiff.co.uk
If you haven’t been already, I’m sure it won’t be long until you lose your Café 37 virginity.
Here you’ll find the perfect cure for your post night-out depressions with hangover satisfaction
guaranteed. Personally I always opt for their all day American, a greasy medley of your usual
cooked breakfast combined with two fat pancakes and maple syrup, and an accompanying drink
to wash it down. It’s always packed after busy nights out the previous evening, so if you can
manage it get up early to secure a table. If not, it sure is worth the wait.
Q
14
LIFESTYLE
FOOD AND DRINK
FOR A COFFEE BREAK: WALLY’S
38-46 Royal Arcade, www.wallysdeli.co.uk
When you need a break after a hard day of shopping in town, do yourself a favour: give
a pass to the food court in St Davids and head to Wally’s − a charming deli in the Royal Arcade,
whose first floor houses a cafe that aims to recreate the spirit of Viennese coffee houses. Set up in
a pleasant, airy room which overlooks the movement in the arcades, it truly feels like an oasis of
calm in the centre of Cardiff. The food served is heavily influenced by the Central European roots
of the business, which in comparison to the usual coffee shop fare feels positively exotic – and it’s
quite good value for lunch as well if you fancy trying out some Austrian specialities. Be sure not to
miss out on the cakes - the selection varies a lot, but they never disappoint. The only downside is
that, as is the case with most establishments in the Cardiff arcades, it closes at 6 PM.
FOR A CASUAL DINNER: DAIQUIRI’S
49 Salisbury Road, www.daiquiriscardiff.co.uk
Tucked away in a stretch of nondescript takeaways on Salisbury Road are the
bright violet windows of Daiquiri’s, one of Cathays’ few Mexican eateries. As soon as
you come inside, the colourfully decorated interior helps you settle into the laid-back
atmosphere, which is a perfect backdrop to what the restaurant specialises in: tasty Mexican comfort food. Most meals are both student-priced and student-sized. The menu goes
through all the classics – tacos, burritos and paellas (the latter are in league of their own).
This casual vibe makes Daiquiri’s a good choice for informal celebrations or a casual
dinner with a group of friends, and indeed when you come in for dinner, you’re virtually
guaranteed to come across a party or two. Should your evening progress into a boozier
direction, there’s also a decent selection of cocktails.
FOR A DATE: MILGI
213 City Rd, www.milgilounge.com
If you’re stumped for somewhere to take your date, you can’t really go wrong with
Milgi. This charming café/bar has a laid-back atmosphere and quirky, colourful décor which
make it stand out among other student haunts in Cathays. Once you settle yourself in in the main
room or in the cozy yurt outside there’s a cornucopia of drinks to choose from, ranging from
teas and cordials to boozier offerings − the variety (and quality) of the cocktails is nothing to
scoff at. Milgi also offers a selection of main dishes, snacks and puddings, with some changing
seasonally. However, it does get quite crowded in the evenings, so you might want to book a table
beforehand.
FOR COCKTAILS: BUFFALO BAR
11 Windsor Place. www.buffalocardiff.co.uk
Buffalo is an award winning bar and kitchen in Cardiff city centre. Here you’ll
find quite possibly the best cocktails in Cardiff, with a selected few being 2 for 1 between
7 and 10pm (I always go for the White Russian, it’s a milky fiery treat − trust, me you
won’t be disappointed). They also host some of the best club nights in Cardiff, attracting
huge DJs on a regular basis. It can be expensive, but unlike some venues in Cardiff, you
definitely get what you pay for.
15
Q
Quench
“Faceless series.” Plymouth, UK
taken by staff photographer Bethan Philips
Email photographs to [email protected]
for a chance to display your work here
LIFESTYLE
TRAVEL
?
ARE CLUBBING HOLIDAYS WORTH THE TIME
AND MONEY? OR ARE THEY JUST HOT AIR?
After a year full of exams, high expectations, and not to mention
the standard teenage angsts, many young people find themselves
flocking to partying meccas such as Zante, Malia and Magaluf for
a sense of release. Whether that be through relaxation, having
a laugh or ending up so drunk that you don’t even remember
what your name is. Some may dispute the actual appeal of these
holidays, but as a Malia visitor myself, I can tell you that these
places offer a sense of independence which makes you question
whether you are actually ready for the big wide world of university
and work.
It’s hard to mask the outrageousness and somewhat morally
questionable aspects of such places with flowery words about
independence, yet not everyone who goes on these holidays comes
back with an STI and a regrettable tattoo. These sorts of holidays
are normally the first time many teenagers go away on their own,
which arguably is a stepping stone before a life at university. I have
learnt valuable lessons on girls holidays such as how I actually
need to have a budget (something I found out the hard way, after
blowing most of my money on the first day.)
It’s easy to get carried away in an environment where alcohol is
pretty much on tap but if people take things with a bit of precaution,
why shouldn’t they let their hair down? Being a teenager can be
hard at the best of times and I think such holidays offer people a
sense of escapism which becomes a rarity in life when the pressures
of adulthood really begin to settle in. Some of my funniest memories
have come from girl’s holidays and although copious amounts of
alcohol were involved, the story didn’t end up with one of us in A&E
or with an unwanted disease which shows that those things are not
the outcome of every party-goer, and that these holidays can in
fact offer young people the freedom that is often overshadowed at
home by family or school.
As cynical as it sounds, the adult world can be a depressing
place yet these holidays, although widely regarded as outrageous
and full of immorality, provide the opportunity for people to have
a little freedom, get drunk and exhibit some quite frankly terrible
dancing. Correct me if I’m wrong but young people deserve a
release of pressure, whether this be through a relaxing holiday or
a party filled holiday. It doesn’t have to end up conforming to the
stereotypes that we are constantly faced with through programmes
such as ‘What Happens in Kavos’. These holidays for me mean
a week with my favourite people enjoying the sun and enjoying
ourselves which a year after working hard, I can’t see the problem
with that as I know that me and my friends are crazy enough to
have one too many cocktails and provide some entertaining postholiday anecdotes, but sensible enough not to end up with a STI,
broken leg, or a regrettable tattoo.
I know these holidays aren’t everybody’s cup of tea but I think
it’s easy for people to stereotype the people who go to these places
as we are faced with negative images. All I’m saying is that for
many people, those images aren’t the reality and although alcohol
is undeniably a focus of the holiday, the biggest part is often to
have fun and make the most of sun which is surely a common focus
of any holiday.
Q
18
The holiday reps
treated us like
children; they
possessed no
customer service
skills and lacked
any sense of
politeness
Not everyone
who goes on
these holidays
comes back
an STI and a
regrettable tattoo
AGAINST
FOR
This issue, Travel asks whether clubbing holidays - outings where the main objective is to party - are worth
going on, or if they’re just a wasted experience
Juliet Mullany
Emma Giles
I was always one of those girls who enjoyed going out, getting
drunk and getting attention from boys, so the thought of a week
away in Kos with some of my friends was exciting - if anything,
maybe a bit tame. I mocked people who said it wasn’t “their thing”
and couldn’t wait to get stuck into it. However I can honestly say I
have never been more wrong in my life! Showing up to a rundown
apartment block with my three friends and about twelve boys with
the slogan “virgins on tour” on their t-shirts was not a great start.
We got roped into buying tickets for day trips and nights out by
our holiday rep within ten minutes of being there, which only two
of them I actually went to in the end, wasting about £50 before
we’d even started. On the first night, some of the people who had
been in the resort for a week took us out on the town and showed
us around. I ended up getting far too drunk and throwing up on
a poor random man’s leg before taking myself home and waking
up in the shower the next day – not one of my proudest moments.
On the third day of the trip I was looking forward to the pub crawl
we had booked at the start of the week, however unsurprisingly it
turned into a diabolical mess. The reps wouldn’t let us leave each
venue until everyone had bought at least one drink – even those that
clearly didn’t need it – therefore the already unpleasant and over
heated mini-bus had a constant stench of vomit. Furthermore a lot
of people were just left on the side of the road where they passed
out, no care given to them by the tour reps. I’d had enough by the
time we got to the club, so after another disappointing evening I
went home.
One friend ended up bringing a boy back to our apartments one
night meaning we had an extra guest in our room, resulting in four
of us in two beds, which was uncomfortable to say the least in the
humid climate. He then, in his drunken state broke a mirror costing
us 60 Euros and making us very unpopular with the hotel owner.
The next morning we woke up to a knock on the door from one
of the holiday reps who told us off for having four people in our
room. The holiday reps treated us like children; they possessed no
customer service skills and lacked any politeness. She proceeded
to ask us if we had noticed anything unusual the night before but
wouldn’t specify what (we later found out the “virgins on tour” had
started a fire outside the apartment in bush fire season resulting in
half of them getting kicked out of the apartments for doing so).
My advice to anyone planning to go on a lads/girls holiday
would be to pick your friends wisely if you go at all, and i wouldn’t
again. I would also advise not to buy the excursions because none
of them were particularly good and we never saw the beach as we
were hardly ever in our own resort. Overall I can look back and
laugh at most of the holiday memories I have but I have never been
more glad to come home and felt like it was a of waste of money
spending £500 for a pretty grotty experience.
THE HOLIDAY MEMORIES YOU
MIGHT WANT TO FORGET
Students tend to possess enough embarrasing moments to fill a travel guide at the best of times. Abroad,
however, the amount of red faces tends to dramatically increase - and not just through too much sun.
Check out our favourite crash and burns!
‘Last summer I went interrailing around
Europe: one night I got so drunk in Croatia that when one of my friends said love
was only chemicals in the brain I burst into
tears and couldn’t stop crying for a good
few hours. Throughout the night I kept stopping and starting even in bars and clubs,
much to the other tourists’ confusion. My
new motto - never drink Croatian vodka.’
Lizzy, 2nd Year Psychology
My dad’s friend went with his fiancée on a romantic holiday to
Spain. He woke up one morning whilst his partner was still dozing
away in bed. Being the joker he was, he thought he would fart
in her face. This unfortunately went terribly wrong and it seems
My holiday nightmare was the standard bikini
like the Spanish cuisine affected him at just the wrong time, resulttop
situation at a water park, as a girl going
ing with her receiving the most organic face mask that she had
for style over substance was definitely a big
ever had. In pure horror he locked himself in the bathroom for
mistake.
I was nervous enough already before
fear of his life. This led to the second dilemma of not only did
going on the outrageously high water slide
she have excrement on her face, but she couldn’t enter the
but
to my horror whilst soaring down the slide,
bathroom to wash it off as he was hiding in there. It’s fair to
the guard had something to smile about. Never
say there was never a wedding, and the holiday wasn’t the
wearing
a strapless bikini to a waterpark again!
romantic paradise she had imagined. One risk too many....
Abi, 2nd Year Journalism
Anonymous
I knew my Dad was a liability, but a recent trip to
Turkey confirmed this. One morning, we decided it
would be a nice idea to take a trip into town to grab
some breakfast and have a wander around. After a
rush to get out of the door, we ended up enjoying a
really nice day out. It was only when we got back that
we discovered that we were the topic of gossip around
the pool. It turns out that whilst we were out for the majority
of the day, the maid had been screaming on the balcony
after being locked out by my Dad as we were leaving. She
caused so much commotion that her screams could be heard
from the pool area, catching all the other guests’ attention and
no doubt interrupting their day of relaxation. Our balcony was
not cleaned for the rest of the stay.
Emma, 2nd year English Literature
After a heavy day of drinking with the lads around the pool at
our hotel in Cancun, Mexico I thought it would be a brilliant
idea to make use of the “pussy pouch” thong the boys
had bought me from the market. It’s important to note at
this point that it was a rather posh, 5 star family hotel we
were staying at, therefore when I decided to lap the pool
and cause havoc in the hotel (pussy pouch on show) the
security guards were not best pleased. However I am not
one to turn down a challenge, so thought it would be fun
to try and outrun them. When they finally caught up with
me, I surrendered by saluting each guard before pulling
off my thong and diving into the pool. I was no longer
welcome to stay at that hotel, however fortunately it
was a well-timed prank as it was the last night we’d
booked.
Anonymous
19
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CULTURAL GOODNESS
Whether you’re new around here or a Cardiff veteran, this city has oodles of cultural goodness to offer. Either
as an introduction or just as a refresher, Culture editors Amy Pay and Sum Sze Tam share some of the most
interesting arts and culture venues about town.
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NORWEGIAN CHURCH ARTS CENTRE,
CARDIFF BAY
As its name suggests, this Nordic building was
once a place of worship (fun fact: Roald Dahl
was baptised there). Now it houses drama
productions, music performances, boutique
markets, genuinely interesting talks from guest
speakers and one-off cultural events.
SHERMAN CYMRU, SENGHENNYDD
ROAD
On your doorstep, here’s a 450-seat theatre
and a smaller theatre in the round. Catch
low-scale touring productions, premiers of
local scriptwriters’ work, contemporary dance,
live music and comedy at cheap prices and in
comfy surroundings.
THE GATE ARTS CENTRE, KEPPOCH
STREET, ROATH
Inside a refurbished Church, here you’ll find a
site for art in its many forms, including visual
arts, opera, live music, dance and theatre,
placing priority on high-quality community
productions. Their cafe, Mad Hatters, also
comes highly recommended.
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CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE, MARKET
ROAD, CANTON
Catch a bus or walk from town to this artsy
hub. Its two cinemas screen big movies
alongside lesser-known cinematic gems; its
theatre shows shock, provoke and entertain;
its creative spaces house upcoming artists,
board-gaming and storytelling; it’s a treat.
THE CARDIFF STORY, TRINITY STREET
The site of the Old Library, the Cardiff
Story uses interactive technology to host
both permanent and temporary galleries,
recounting the story of Cardiff and its people.
They also organise some very quirky and
unique cultural events.
NATIONAL MUSEUM, CATHAYS PARK
Besides being a grandiose old building, the
National Museum is a hotspot for Natural
History, Archaelogy and Art enthusiasts. With
free admission and airy spaces filled with
ample collections, the Museum makes for a
leisurely afternoon out.
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ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC
AND DRAMA, NORTH ROAD
As well as being a world famous school of the
arts, RWCMD hosts events almost every
day of the week. Jazz, opera, dance and
traditional drama share the same building as
contemporary dance, new plays, art
exhibitions and musical theatre.
CARDIFF CENTRAL LIBRARY, THE
HAYES
One of the tallest buildings in the city centre,
the glass-walled Central Library is a fantastic
vantage point (people-watching haven) and
home to an expanse of books and audiovisual material. Unexpectedly, they also host
a range of live music every Saturday.
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
BAY
A spectacular edifice next to Mermaid Quays,
the WMC is a high-profile performance venue
in Cardiff, with many famous performers and
productions making their way through here.
The ground floor also frequently features free
performances, exhibits and markets.
ENTERTAINMENT
CULTURE
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Culture is Free
Alright, that heading isn’t completely true, but you still can enjoy art, performance, drama
and other cultural listings in Cardiff without spending a lot. The majority of galleries here
are free, even ones housing prestigious artists’ work. Most of the venues we’ve picked out
offer concessionary student tickets for events. Some of them run special student schemes,
too. Sherman Cymru often slashes tickets to half price for under 25s. The Wales
Millennium Centre’s SHIFFT scheme alerts students on their mailing list about free
and discounted tickets. The free RE ACT membership scheme lets 16-25 year olds see
professional drama at the New Theatre for just £5 a ticket. Check out each venue’s
website for more info about fund-friendly cultural fun.
21
Q
ENTERTAINMENT
VIDEO GAMES
A beginner’s guide
to gaming on RESLAN
Ieuan Thomas-Hillman
S
o you’ve completed your A-levels, got your grades, selected
Cardiff for whatever reason and, for likely the first time in your
life, moving onto an independent life. Trust us when we say
you’ll love it and yet at the same time feel no different. Why?
Because you still do a lot of the things you used to; you still eat, wash
(we hope) and hang out with your mates.
And then of course, since you’re a child born after 1980, you’re
likely to have played a video game at some point in your life. Even
if you don’t describe yourself as a ‘gamer’ you may still want to at
some point sit back and crack some time out on your favoured racing
game or FPS.
Hold it right there; you’re in halls, right? Then we’re afraid to say
you’ll have some restrictions. If you’re a PC gamer then you will still
have full access to all the offline single-player features of any game
(this includes through Steam and Origin), but the majority of online
features, including multiplayer, will be blocked. RESLAN operates a
white-list system in which you are only allowed to connect to certain
servers for approved games – most of which are games with popular
online multiplayer such as Call of Duty, Team Fortress 2, DOTA 2,
League of Legends, World of Warcraft or Star Wars: The Old Republic. On the bright side, internet speeds in halls are regularly between
80 and 90Mbps, so as long as you’re playing on a decent server,
then there will not be any major lag issues. We also recommend
that for any of you who like to use team chat services that you do
this through Skype – TeamSpeak can sometimes work, but all other
services such as Ventrilo are blocked by RESLAN.
At the time of writing, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles that
are registered with RESLAN can be used online in halls. First, you
need to try and connect your console to halls internet and obtain your
console’s MAC address, which you need to bring to
the Cardiff Uni Computer Gaming Society at
one of their events. These are usually
Playstation 3
and Xbox 360
consoles that
are registered
with RESLAN
can be used
online in halls
at the Trevithick Seminar rooms every Thursday at 6pm, though we
recommend that you join the official Facebook group to be kept
informed if there is ever a change of venue or time.
Console online multiplayer gaming is also hit; for those of you
who play mostly Call of Duty or FIFA then you’re probably okay,
but otherwise it can be hit and miss. Issues with Ubisoft games
which use uPlay multiplayer servers are being looked into to be
unblocked, but other than that you will simply have to try and see
if each of your games work.
If there is a specific game that you wish to be unblocked, please
ask so through the Gaming Society. RESLAN unblock games in
their spare time, and so can only deal with one issue at a time that
is brought to them by the Gaming Society – bombarding them with
e-mails personally will not get you anywhere. So what we do recommend is first of all drag yourself down (if you’re not hungover
from celebrating your long awaited independence) to the Freshers’ Fair and sign up to the Gaming Society (which can also be
done through the union website). The society is full of like minded
people, and holds weekly tournaments which will be covered here
in Quench. You can also find the official Cardiff Gaming forums
at cardiffgaming.co.uk, where regular updates regarding RESLAN
are posted.
Finally, it is worth noting that, whilst there are ways to get past
the restrictions of halls internet (especially on PC), beware that
RESLAN can see that you are doing this. Yes, it can be a pain
that your favourite game is blocked, and so you can’t play online against your friends back home or at other universities, but
it is only through abiding by these rules that we have any games
unblocked in the first place. RESLAN can and will block you altogether from halls internet, so enjoy what you can use the super-fast
internet for, and look forward to the painfully slow, unrestricted
internet when you get back home.
WHY I LOVE RETRO CITY RAMPAGE
MATT GRIMSTER
As a kid, I used to love the Grand Theft Auto series. GTA
III, Vice City and San Andreas were staple games of most
people my age – even if you didn’t own them, you at least
knew what they were. After school, everyone would go
to the kid’s house whose parents let him have them, and
we’d spend hours taking it in turns massacring civilians
with the infinite weapons cheats. GTA IV, released several years later, sadly failed to capture that same level
of joyous immaturity, and so the search began for a
different game of the same genre, but with that traditional completely bonkers sense of humour. An obvious answer is the Saints Row series, but I feel that
there is also a much smaller and lesser-known title that
deserves just as much recognition.
Retro City Rampage is the brain-child of Brian Provinciano, who began working on the project over 10
years ago. Originally designed as a complete ‘demake’ of GTA III for the Nintendo Entertainment System,
Grand Theftendo (as it was originally known) gained
publicity for its faithful recreation of the original top-down
GTA games in the 8-bit era. However, as Provinciano began to slip more and more references to other games into
his project, he shifted development onto PC under the new
name Retro City Rampage, a homage to retro games as a
whole simply in the style of a GTA game.
Game-play itself is split between the Story, Challenge and
Free Roam modes, all of which offer hours of fun. The story
is a hilarious, frantic journey that parodies a different movie, game or piece of 80’s/90’s pop culture every minute
whilst throwing you into situation after situation that makes
great use of the game’s imagery and style of play. Even the
classic Smash TV – all of them hilariously parodied.
As many reviews of Retro City Rampage have pointed
out, where the game falls short of a high score is that it ends
very quickly. The game is certainly not worth the £11.99
price tag, the only reason I was happy to pay it was because of all the pre-order bonuses you got with it. It also
puts you through your paces in regards to difficulty, being
faithful to the games it references by being as unforgiving
as possible in some instances. If this is the sort of thing you
embrace, however, then Retro City Rampage is definitely
worth a look, if not simply as a parody of great games and
movies.
Retro City Rampage is available for Windows PC from
Steam, GOG and the official website, Xbox 360 via Xbox
Live Arcade, PS3 / PS Vita via PSN and Nintendo Wii via
WiiWare
CAN
BE SAVED?
Following the disastrous Xbox One E3 press conference, we ask whether Microsoft have already lost the
console war.
N
ew console reveals don’t always go as
planned, as anyone who remembers the
SEGA Saturn fiasco in 1995 will know.
Microsoft’s Xbox One seems to have ignited
a brand new PR disaster, however, as all corners of the
gaming community erupted with rage in the wake of
the official reveal conference on 21st May this year.
With a controversial stance on issues such as DRM and
used games suddenly reversed in response to the sheer
level of criticism it was receiving, can the Xbox One
ever save itself in time for its launch?
The initial reveal conference suggested that the Xbox
One was doomed from the start. Announcing a new
games console by barely mentioning any games at all
was not exactly what people were anticipating, and
the impression gained from the conference was that
Microsoft’s new console seemed more like a glorified
TV and Skype machine. Too much emphasis was
placed on the console’s non-gaming features, that
many Microsoft fans lost faith in the Xbox One as a
suitable new games platform.
When you consider the comparatively
high prices of Internet TVs that offer
the same services, the Xbox One
suddenly seems the perfect option as
a multi-functional device for the living
room.
Nevertheless, Microsoft did successfully address
this issue by promising to have a games-focused
presentation at E3 2013, which would have reversed
the fortunes of the Xbox One had a ton of controversial
features not been revealed in the meantime. Forcing
gamers to log into their account online once every 24
hours, using game discs for installation only, no support
for Xbox 360 games and a needlessly complicated
system regarding using a game on different accounts
were the ‘highlights’ of the severely unpopular policies
introduced by Microsoft, giving the impression that
it had the happiness of publishers as a much bigger
priority than the happiness of its customers. Mass
cancellation of subscriptions to Xbox Live Gold and
trade-ins of Xbox 360 consoles showed worrying signs
for Microsoft’s new console, despite still being many
months away from launch.
It wasn’t too long after E3, however, that Microsoft
came to its senses and chose to reverse its stance on
DRM and used game policies, and adopted a similar
position to the Xbox 360 and its competitors. Most
people could agree that this was the right thing to do,
but all it seems to have done is divide opinions on the
Xbox One. Record breaking levels of pre-orders on
Amazon would suggest the Xbox One has been saved,
but an air of hostility still exists amongst the gaming
community, so the question still remains – will the Xbox
One have saved itself by the time it launches?
You need only look at the comparatively positive
reaction towards Sony’s Playstation 4 to see where
Microsoft has gone wrong. Paying attention to the fact
that companies such as EA were making unpopular
decisions that angered consumers, Sony were able to
simply stand there and not say anything in order to win
people over. Microsoft now has the issue where their
policy change has given the impression that they have
to copy Sony because they fear that Sony will be more
successful – meaning that many will place their faith in
Sony instead.
In order to save the Xbox One, many argue that
Microsoft needs to address its pricing issues. Even
though Sony have announced that they will be charging
for online multiplayer, the monthly cost is still cheaper
than an Xbox Live Gold subscription, and carries the
benefit of the free game giveaways included in the
current version of PS Plus. The Xbox One launches at
$499/£429, whilst the Playstation 4 is cheaper at
$399/£349, which is arguably a significant enough
difference. We already know from the Playstation 3’s
launch, where the 60GB model was priced at $599,
which having a higher price than your competitor’s risks
losing consumers who will usually go for the cheapest
option, except this time Microsoft cannot justify this by
arguing that the Xbox One has superior hardware.
This also leads on to the issue with the Xbox
hardware as a whole. Although not too dissimilar to the
Playstation 4, Sony does have the edge with a slightly
better GPU. When you’re charging $100 less for this,
however, those interested in a console primarily for
gaming reasons will go for the Playstation 4 because
it is seen as having superior specifications for a much
cheaper price. Even the premium model of the Wii U
was only $50 cheaper at launch than the PS4, and so
you could argue that this makes the PS4 seem like a
bargain.
Where it may be possible for the Xbox One to justify
its price is the console’s capabilities for non-gaming
services. Definitely the most impressive part of the
console’s reveal in May was the seamless transition
between and integration of applications such as
Skype, Netflix, Facebook and Twitter – and this
actually may be enough to save it. When you consider
the comparatively high prices of Internet TVs that offer
the same services, the Xbox One suddenly seems the
perfect option as a multi-functional device for the living
room.
The Nintendo Wii showed how possible it is to get
a game console in every living room, and in some
respects it seems that the Xbox One actually stands
the biggest chance of achieving this out of the new
generation of consoles. The Wii U, with its current lack
of first party games, is struggling to make the same
impact as its predecessor, whilst the Playstation 4, as it
stands, seems like a console primarily for the hardcore
gaming audience.
Can the Xbox One be saved then? It’s unlikely that
we will find out in the next year, never mind the next
few months. 2014 will see Microsoft, Nintendo and
Sony push for that all-important majority share in the
console market, all with the potential of gaining it. Not
to mention that all three will be fighting off the everimproving PC gaming platform, so to mark the Xbox
One off as an instant failure is far too soon a move. The
Xbox 360 managed to become the second-best selling
console of its generation, and Microsoft will be taking
every measure to ensure that the Xbox One is just as
successful.
23
Q
XPRESS RADIO
WELCOME TO CARDIFF
get involved with your new city
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BROADCASTING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK ACROSS YOUR UNION AND ONLINE
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ENTERTAINMENT
FILM & TV
QUENCHESSENTIALS:
ONE FLEW OVER THE
CUCKOO’S NEST
These are the Quenchessentials, a series of classic films you must see. Leanne Dixon tells us what Milos Forman’s 1975 masterpiece means to her, and why she is simply cuckoo about it.
‘W
hich one of you nuts has got any guts?’ Gleaming
among every movie must-see list, One Flew Over
the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) is as gutsy as it gets.
Beating with a sharp, electric boldness and pumped
full of Oscar glory, Milos Forman’s masterpiece stands as a landmark
in psychiatric cinema. Forman gives a real insight into institutions in
the 1960’s, yet remains sympathetic. Based on Ken Kesey’s novel
and personal experiences, the plot follows the maniacally free-spirited
McMurphy (Jack Nicholson), upon admittance to
a psychiatric hospital, as his disruptive behaviour
forces change. Interpreting the institute for society
and its patients as outcasts, the narrative stands
to question: ‘what is crazy?’
Moving away from the Hitchcock horror of
mental illness to a realistic, empathetic take,
Forman sought naturalism. So his cast buddied
up with patients at Oregon State Mental Hospital
and truly spent their rehearsal days in character. Living their designated mental disorders
on a psychiatric ward under the guidance of
Dr. Brooks, who played the film’s very own Dr.
Spivey. Vincent Schiavelli, who played Fredrickson, neatly summarised the style as just being ‘who you would be if
you were insane - there was no acting’. Forman would unexpectedly
and sneakily shoot during, what the cast thought to be, rehearsals and
improvisations, to create the most natural and realistic of scenes.
With striking cinematography the cast’s impressive feats
of method acting don’t go unnoticed. Intimate close-up
facial shots in the group therapy scenes individualise
each character in unique detail, focusing on each
patient as a person and not just an illness. Each
character’s idiosyncrasies create a patchwork
of lunacy. So much is done visually with the
same set. Glorious personalised character shots
against the bland white of the hospital, teamed
with intelligent use of lighting create the striking
look of an instant classic.
Shining stars Danny DeVito, Christopher
Lloyd and Sydney Lassick are
among the remarkable support cast who create such
brutal realism. With Brad
Nicholson’s
performance
cemented him
as one of the
true greats
Dourif’s highly emotive delivery of Billy Bibbit stinging the eyes as he
stutters his way to an Oscar nomination. For Nurse Ratched, Forman
realised the power of gradual evil. Unaware of her lurking evil, she
believes she is helping people. The impenetrable nonchalance of
Nurse Ratched earned Louise Fletcher the grand title of Best Actress at
the 1976 Oscars. Here, surprise surprise, Jack Nicholson also picked
himself up a shiny gold man to celebrate his daring performance as
the larger than life R. P. McMurphy. He gave feisty spirit to a role
which, until then, explored a taboo subject. Blasting exuberance
throughout the hospital yet preserving a deep sense of vulnerability,
Nicholson’s performance cemented him as one of the true greats.
With the skillfully crafted screenplay, Bo Goldman and Lawrence
Hauben delicately balance witty wisecracks and comical moments
with the painfully grim side to suffering with a mental illness. A script
so tight, every line serves its purpose well, whether it be comical or
dramatic. Each character is explored in fascinating detail. The delivery
of such masterly authentic dialogue gives the most effective realism.
Making the harrowing scenes and the humour all the more true to life
and revealing the complete unpredictability of psychiatric disorders.
The shocking (literally) electroconvulsive therapy scene explores the
misunderstanding of the treatment during the sixties. Although the
scene speaks true of the little that was known of mental illness back
then, it also give a terrifying depiction of what is now an effective, and
well-used, treatment. Such a script did not leave those Oscars without
some sort of polished recognition - cue third shiny gold man!
All components of this film compliment each other. Each element
boosting another to create a genuine masterpiece. Jack Nitzsche’s
sparse yet effective score gives an eerie sound, expanding on moments of hilarity and agitation. Nitzsche based the theme on the chord
structure of a 60’s tune with the very fitting name of ‘Please Release
Me’, by the fantastically named Engelbert Humperdink.
The film is shocking, tragic, light and sensitive. Winning Best Picture
and Best Director (making that an Oscars clean sweep), One Flew
Over the Cuckoo’s Nest opened the door to a new perception of
mental illness in film, paving the way for the likes of A Beautiful Mind
(2001), The Beaver (2011) and Silver Linings Playbook (2012). Painful, frustrating and at times debilitating, mental illness deserves a fair
portrayal. It’s not glamorous, it’s not always traumatic - just real people
with really difficult, tormenting illnesses. This film honours just that.
Intensely realistic acting, intricate yet simple visuals with a powerhouse
script. You’d be crazy not to watch it.
25
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SQUARE EYED
Here, our television editors recommend four shows that they love in the hopes that you will too. Each week,
we want you to tell us what you’re watching, be it new or old, popular or obscure,
and why it’s worth sitting down in front of. Let our eyes grow square togther...
SEINFELD
Seinfeld was a self proclaimed ‘sitcom-about-nothing,’ created by the stand up
comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, who would later go on to play himself
in the equally fantastic Curb Your Enthusiasm. Seinfel plays himself in the show,
and the episodes are bookended with footage of his stand up gigs. Here’s the thing
about Jerry Seinfeld though: as a comedian, honestly, he stinks, churning out the
kind of lazy observational comedy that inexplicably sells out stadiums for Michael
McIntyre. But his sitcom is one of the greatest of all time, due to the brilliance of its
writing and the strength of its characters.
Ricky Gervais has been quoted as naming Seinfeld’s George Costanza as his
favourite sitcom character of all time, and it is easy to see why. George is Jerry’s
spectacularly inadequate best friend, a man who will happily eat a discarded éclair
from his girlfriend’s trashcan lest it go to waste. (Needless to say, his relationships
are usually shortlived) The rest of the cast is equally terrific, from the cartoonish
Kramer to the Machiavellian Newman (deliciously played by Wayne Knight, aka
the guy who gets eaten by that spitting dinosaur in Jurassic Park)
The unique thing about Seinfeld is that it exists in a kind of pure comedic bubble;
its perfectly pitched social satire never gets bogged down in sentimentality or
romance. Instead you get episode after episode of comedy gold that focuses in
on the minutiae of everyday existence and the sometimes absurd realities of our
attempts to live in a civilised society.
Seinfeld was a massive success in America yet has been resigned to cult status in
the UK due to it being buried in the late night schedules by the BBC when it
originally aired in the 90’s. This is an injustice that needs to be redressed: seek it
out and watch it. Seek it out and love it. Daniel Rosser
ADVENTURE TIME
There are some things cinema simply can’t do that animated television can.
The sheer scope of imagination present in Cartoon Network’s Adventure
Time is astounding. Adventure Time whole heartedly embraces its place in
children’s television whilst offering lucky parents and its growing teen audience real entertainment, following the adventures of Finn The Human and
his best friend Jake The Dog.
As they travel through the land of Ooo they discover magical realms and
banish evil monsters. However questionable Finn’s morals may be (“Is it
evil?” “Then I’ll kill it”) the show itself is consistently both heart-warmingly
enjoyable and sharp in its comedy. Some of Adventure Time’s best moments
are provided by what it openly professes to be its ‘B-list’ characters: look
out for The Earl Of Lemongrab especially. Some children’s television shows
seem incomprehensible to older audiences but occasionally, and Adventure
Time is one such occasion, they can provide a sense of wonder that other
shows simply can’t imagine. Oliver Richards
Q
26
TWIN
PEAKS
By the 1990’s Twin Peaks creator David Lynch had already established himself
as the forerunner in modern surrealist cinema with truly unique films such as
Blue Velvet. His movies were certainly experiences and his work truly artistic.
Whilst some may have seen the combination of his and Mark Frost’s minds,
the unlikely combination created a television series on the small screen that
had a visible and lasting affect on the airwaves.
Not only was Twin Peaks similarly artistic and ambitious from a cinematic
perspective but its multi-strand, multi-arc narrative threads gave the show
its status as a seminal piece of post-modern television. Whilst today such
narrative techniques and scale seem commonplace in television serials this
was not the case before Twin Peaks. Arguably garnering influence from Hill
Street Blues, which Frost worked on, Lynch and Frost pushed the boundaries
of narrative structure on TV, creating some of the most intriguing and timeless
stories to greet our lucky eyes.
Unfortunately, as with a lot of ambitious television the show’s producers
simply did not see a viable market. Twin Peaks was cancelled after only 2
short seasons. As Lynch had already laid the narrative foundations for season
3, set to move into yet more mystical realms of surrealism, the series was left
on a cliff-hanger: never to be resolved. ‘How’s Annie?’ you cry, who knows. . .
Whilst this makes discovering and falling for the show only for it to be
truncated all the more devastating, it would be a shame for a generation of TV
lovers to bypass the sleepy town of Twin Peaks: where nothing is quite normal,
the owls are not as they seem and the woods hold many of television’s best
kept secrets. Oliver Richards
THE PETER
SERAFINOWICZ SHOW
Peter Serafinowicz, in addition to having a nigh on unspellable name, is one of those comedy actors
whose face you might recognise but can’t quite place, with him having turned up in small roles in the
likes of Shaun of the Dead and I’m Alan Partridge. (Weirdly, he also provided the voice of Darth Maul
in Star Wars: Episode I). But his own eponymous sketch show is a genuine treat, and one that proves
Serafinowicz more than deserves to be placed of being front and centre, rather than in the background,
of the British comedy establishment.
Serafinowicz’s sketches cast their eye over the entire pop culture spectrum from Ringo Starr’s attempts
at writing a Bond theme to an android equivalent of Jeremy Kyle. His quietly surrealist style is a perfect
fit for its targets, so we have Micheal Caine explaining why cigars look like sausages on film and
advertisements for downloadable Internet Ham (Ham drive required).
As with all sketch shows, there are hits and misses but is its own unique trove of treasures. All the more
tragic then, that it was cancelled after just one season and a Christmas special, especially given that the
likes of the truly execrable Russell Howard remain at large on. So give Serafinowicz a try (or at the very
least Google the Brian Butterfield Diet Plan), it’ll be worth your while. Daniel Rosser
THE BANDS OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
HOUDINI DAX
They recently packed out Cardiff’s Moon Club with their own headline show, they’ve toured the country with Charlotte Church
and there’s a hell of a buzz around their new album. In the first part of a series on Cardiff University’s musical talent, Quench
Music caught up with Cardiff’s finest Houdini Dax ahead of their gig at The Globe supporting The Strypes.
Are you looking forward to playing with The Strypes?
Yeah, definitely! We’ve had a few comparisons drawn between us in the past so it’ll be
good to finally join them on stage. The gig’s already sold out, so hopefully it’s a sign that
there’s a real desire out there for great new guitar music again.
How did that come about?
We received an email from the band asking if we’d support them. We’re not sure where
they’ve caught us before, but it was great to be asked. We rarely play Cardiff apart from
our own occasional headline shows, so it’ll be good to go out to a different crowd.
When did you guys meet and how did you start playing music together?
We all went to Whitchurch High School in Cardiff together. We’d been in various cover
bands together in school, and things developed from there. By the time we left sixth form,
we’d developed our own set of original songs and Houdini Dax was born! Since then we
were signed to local record label See Monkey Do Monkey Records, released our debut
album and toured across the country. We’ve been lucky with the opportunities we’ve
had so far, but we’ve all worked very hard to focus our sound and live shows. I think this
experience sets us out a bit, as we’ve managed to mature in a short amount of time which
hopefully comes across in our music.
Church join us on stage for a song as well. We’ve been on tour with her quite a lot, but it
was the first time we’ve been on stage at the same time, so it was an honour to have her
sing our song All These Days with us.
She’s not the only guest who’s appeared with you on this tour, is she?
No, we’re hoping to make every date on this tour different! We had our good friend Carl
Bevan (drummer from 60ft Dolls) join us in Newport, with a two man drum solo in one of
our songs. It was a crazy night and a bit different from Charlotte’s appearance!
A still from ‘Our Boy Billy’
Describe your sound without the using the words “indie” or “rock”?
We never know how to describe our own sound! The most important part for us is always
the songwriting. Unless there is a great song at the start, then there’s no point trying to
cover that up with the instrumentation or production. We try to write good songs before
we think about how we want it to sound. Our latest single Our Boy Billy is quite a heavy
bluesy track, a bit like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club with three-piece harmonies. The next
single could be an acoustic ballad, depends on the song!
You recently packed out the Moon Club in Cardiff, how was the gig for you?
That gig was great for us, as it was the beginning of our new direction. We have
developed a new live show based around the Harry Houdini theme. We have comperes
in waistcoats and top hats, a red carpet in the entrance and an incredible magician called
Elliot Cooper. He was trained by Dynamo and just drifts through the crowd amazing
people before the gig. We’ve focused our set now so that it sounds like an album, so it
was great to launch that in front of a sold-out crowd. A highlight was having Charlotte
Q
28
How are you enjoying this headline tour?
It’s been amazing so far. The turnout has been fantastic and the reaction has been great.
We’ve taken our travelling revue to Cardiff, Newport, Bristol and Chester so far. We
didn’t realise how much we missed touring on the road until we started doing these shows
again. It’s given us a new drive!
What else have you been up to this summer?
We’ve been getting ready for our new album! We’ve recorded some songs already,
which are sounding great. We also recorded a video for the first single off the album, Our
Boy Billy. We’re really pleased with the results. It’s set in an old theatre, with our heads
in glass tanks filling with pills. It’s pretty weird but looks awesome! We’re going to be
releasing more singles as they are recorded.
How will the new album be different from your previous release ‘You Belong To Dax Darling’?
It’s already a massive step up. You Belong To Dax Darling was written about four years
ago and recorded in about two weeks in a garage. It has a lot of energy but we think
our new album will be a tighter, more mature album. In terms of both songwriting and
production, we’ve really taken a long time to make sure it’s right. We’ve chosen our best
songs from a pool of about 30 and spent a long time thinking about how we’re going to
record and mix them. The end results are already sounding great and we think it’s going
to be something special by the time it’s finished. Just keep checking our Facebook for the
latest updates!
Look out for Houdini Dax’s new video for Our Boy Billy on YouTube, and keep up with the
boys at facebook.com/houdinidax. Are you a musician who wants to be featured here?
Email [email protected]!
ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC
SUMMER OF FESTIVALS
Quench Music has got the summer circuit covered on an international scale.
From that Stones gig at Glasto to the far reaches of the Rhodope Mountains,
Jimmy Dunne and Hannah Embleton-Smith offer up Europe’s finest.
GLASTONBURY
26th - 30th June, UK
MEADOWS
MEADOWS IN
IN
THE
THE MOUNTAINS
MOUNTAINS
SOUNDWAVE
I wrestled with the decision all weekend, considering the
tranquil intimacy of the Bootleg Beatles at the Acoustic
Tent, the stomp of Public Enemy at West Holts… but in
the end, the draw of one day saying “Yeah, I saw the
Rolling Stones live” was just too strong. So I threaded
through middle aged rockers, ignoring their – ustified
- cries of ‘deserving’ to be there, and fought my way
to within 100 feet of Jagger and co. on the Pyramid
Stage. There I remained, kettled for 3-4 hours, praying
that the girl in front wouldn’t climb on her boyfriend’s
shoulders (she did) and the guy behind wouldn’t fill my
wellies with a warm, poorly aimed trickle (he didn’t).
You put up with these things to watch a legendary
Glastonbury headliner, and the clashes on Friday
night were both a masterclass in booking and a
cruel tease for ticket-holders. Arctic Monkeys careerspanning headline slot is an obvious choice, but for
the melancholically minded there was Portishead, or
the Horrors. Those who wanted to freak out could
enjoy Chic feat. Nile Rodgers, or if electronic assault
is your thing Crystal Castles promised a typically
terrifying experience at the John Peel stage.
The Eavis family also nurtured their ever developing
rap scene, the aforementioned Public Enemy perhaps
playing second fiddle to fellow Def Jam artist Nas,
who indulged the crowd in successive tracks from his
1994 classic Illmatic on the brand new Sonic Stage.
The Thursday showers enlisted scores of new West
Coast devotees, driving Glasto-goers into the shelter
of The Pharcyde’s tent for a lesson in 90’s hip hop.
Away from the big names, the ‘Special Guest’ slots
at the Park Stage were wisely scrapped, eliminating
the inevitable crush that regularly occurred towards
late afternoon, and surrendering the stage to an
upcoming, but certainly not modest lineup. Highlights
included the glittering pop starlet Solange and graveltoned oddity King Krule, both destined for higher
billing in the near future.
Guest appearances, despite the new advantages of
social media, were as hotly debated and uncertain
as ever. During his six secret performances, Fatboy
Slim constantly teased at the possibility of a Daft
Punk appearance that never was by playing snatches
of Get Lucky alongside two masked men. William’s
Green saw Alt-J and Django Django give intimate
preview sets on Thursday night, the small tent bursting
at the seams with happy hipsters in the know. And a
rumoured Gallagher performance attracted hundreds
of excited Oasis fans, only to disappoint them – it was
Liam.
The location made us wax lyrical about the splendour
of the mountains: their undeniable majesty, our
surrender to their supremacy (i.e. being essentially
launched down its ‘undulating curves’ in a red transit.
We’re stronger people for it).
But it was so much more than that. House-heavy
MITM fulfilled its promise as the
ultimate hedonistic getaway.
The music started as the sun
dipped between the faraway
peaks and was heard floating
down to the village well into
the next morning. Add to this
mountain flower concoctions,
horses running wild and a few
hundred escapists, and you’ve
got yourself sheer mountain-top
liberation.
The acts that stood out for
beating the ‘summer showers’ (read: torrential rain)
included San Proper’s experimental house. Sure, he
may well have a screw or two loose, but he’s a big fish
on the international clubbing scene, as well known for
his underground appearances as he is for taking on
the capital city throngs.
Uncannily resembling a saner version of the above
was Mr Margaret Scratcher. He mixed alongside
disco lover Captain Stearne, forming hit-loving duo
QVC. They had us moving on night one with tunes that
should have been too big for a miniature affair. We’re
talking Thriller. Reworked to perfection, however, with
Prince’s Erotic City in tow. You can’t not.
It wasn’t all thumping bass, though. For such a tiny
two-stage festival with a clear electronic focus, it was
nice to see representatives of everything from classic
rock (The Colour Movement),’60s soul (Laura Riganti)
and anything quirky-but-cool in between.
The Venus Bushfires, Nigerian of origin, was a
particular treat. We’d had the pleasure of travelling to
the site with singer Helen Parker-Jayne Isibor. Spiritual
yet grounded, Helen was captivating with smooth
vocals that sang out for friendship and heartbreak,
mixing British and African inspiration.
Meanwhile up-and-comers Mt. Wolf fitted in perfectly
to the hilltop project on the final night. Lead singer
Kate Sproule’s voice proved inimitable. Synthesizers
adeptly overlapped penetrating cries that rang out
through the Rhodope Mountains. Their self-defined
‘dream folk’ genre may sound gratuitously alternative,
but we couldn’t argue with it in that secret hideaway.
2013 has been the year of electro festivals for the
latest addition to the EU. And with harbour town
Tisno’s almost offensively blue shores being dubbed
Croatia’s finest music location, there was a pretty
sizeable buzz around the 5-day party. (Typically, the
site became something of a cordoned-off Brit fest. I’m
only slightly ashamed to admit
that this bothered precisely no
one.)
With 3 stages ranging from
modest to positively minuscule
and a pirate-esque boat
carting hundreds off to party
on the Adriatic, Soundwave
retained a small-scale vibe
in spite of its host of achingly
cool record labels. I’d love to
say that superb electro was
showcased across the whole
site. Unfortunately, the pier and beach stages tended
towards fillers between set changes, pumping out
psychedelia and mainstream mixes respectively. That
said, Com Truise and Memory 9 were two acts that
did cause a stir on the waterfront decks, delaying our
return to the bigger names.
Ghostpoet did not disappoint on the main stage,
bulking up his minimalistic sound with layered synth,
drums and flawless backing vocals to keep the crowd
pulsing after Craig Charles’ funk and soul boat party.
One of the week’s highlights was hip hop-inspired
gospel and blues from Alice Russell, with lungs that
could have carried the performance even without
her impressive accompaniment of producers and
musicians. DJs The Leatherettes proved a worthy
follow-up with thrashing experimental mixes. I like to
think that everyone was showing appreciation but I
was too busy throwing serious shapes to notice.
Sunday was the big one for alternative music. Black
Radio’s Robert Glasper Experiment put on a bizarre
display of free jazz with auto-tuned Nirvana covers.
It soon became clear that they were intentionally
weirding us out, making the whole thing kind of
brilliant. Quantic’s new Colombian music project
Ondatropica were next, embodying summer vibes,
before headliner Bonobo from the Ninja Tune
label brought us back to the here and tomorrow.
His combination of slow-paced jazz/hip hop and
incredible vocals from Andreya Triana (also signed
to the independent label) were the perfect blissed-out
close to a scorching weekend.
7th
7th -- 9th
9th June,
June, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
18-22 July, Croatia
For such a tiny two-stage
festival with a clear electronic
focus, it was nice to see
representatives of everything
from classic rock,’60s soul
and anything quirky-but-cool in
between
29
Q
<< RWD
KANYE WEST - YEEZUS
OUR FAVOURITE ALBUMS
OF THE YEAR...
Kanye West albums are almost exclusively a pleasant surprise; after a few public displays of idiocy and a paparazzi tantrum or two
in the months of build-up, the rapper/producer usually silences critics with glossy, well-sampled singles and albums packed to bursting with guest slots. The surprise with Yeezus was just how rough West made it: a much hyped appearance from Frank Ocean was
substituted for Kanye’s cracked, faltering high notes on New Slaves, itself an uncharacteristically political lead single. Smooth Chicago
production largely gives way to aggressive and choppy Brooklyn-influenced beats, creating a brief ten track thrash of a record.
What truly sets Yeezus apart from the back catalogue, however, is a sense – real or imagined - of racial solidarity. Opening tracks
New Slaves and Black Skinhead wear their hearts on their sleeves lyrically, as Kanye reminds us of the Black Panthers in his family. But
even this seemingly noble ambition is riddled with controversy; is it ok to sample a Nina Simone cover
of Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit (a song about lynchings) alongside the word ‘bitch’? Well, no, it
isn’t, really. But does Kanye care a jot? “There’s leaders, and there’s followers/ But I’d rather be
a dick than a swallower”
That’d be no, then. JD
PRIMAL SCREAM - MORE LIGHT
They may have hit some dud notes with past material (Riot City Blues of 2006, I’m looking at you), but Primal Scream’s tenth
offering is bang on. Together with umpteen collaborators including Led Zep’s Robert Plant, the five-piece thrash out gritty
guitar riffs and turn them inside out with churning synth and dirty sax. More Light is at once an appreciation of rock through
the ages and an innovation, experimental enough to challenge the roughest diamonds of the industry. Needless to say, this
is no old-timers’ revival record.
The sneering performers apply their notoriously rebellious attitude from way back when to the here and now. Bobby
Gillespie’s spat-out lyrics of the opening track (named ‘2013’, topical) give a voice to the “21st century slaves” – that means
you, Nine-Granders of the student world. On the one hand it’s nostalgic, on the other refreshing at a time when music tends
towards safe subject matter. Although classic rock drives the album, influences range from ’50s free jazz to ’70s psychedelia
and modern electro. The sense of journey is thanks to producer and soundtrack composer David Holmes, who had a filmic progression in mind for More Light. The result is diverse, at times frenzied. Its instability is the perfect representative for the extremism
of our era. In short, it’s a lot more enjoyable than that ‘Country Girl’ shit. HES
THE WONDER YEARS - THE GREATEST GENERATION
While much has been written on the concept of the ‘difficult second album’, a lesser-covered risk is the follow-up to a successful
sophomore. If the debut forms a fanbase, and the second effort solidifies the band’s position in the scene, it’s often the responsibility
of the third album to prove that the band has some staying power. With The Greatest Generation, The Wonder Years pulled this
off formidably.
The anxieties of frontman Dan “Soupy” Campbell (like Campbell’s soup – geddit?) are well documented, and with The Greatest
Generation these take the forefront of The Wonder Years’ sound. Far from previous album Suburbia…’s introspective narration,
the personal struggles penned through The Greatest Generation’s lyrical content manage to seem encompassing and unifying – an
album of anthems for a disillusioned youth.
With the notable exception of the overly earnest, unnecessarily twee acoustic number ‘Madelyn’, the album is a heartfelt exercise
in catharsis – epitomised with brutal honesty in closer ‘I Just Want To Sell Out My Funeral’. Bringing the album together with a clever
reworking of standout lyrics from the previous 12 tracks, the seven-minute album closer rings out on a triumphant note of hope – exorcising not only Soupy’s demons, but also any fears or doubts the band and their peers may have held
over The Wonder Years’ longevity. TC
DEAP VALLY - SISTRIONIX
If I was asked to describe Deap Vally’s debut effort Sistrionix in one phrase, it would have to be ‘uber scuzzy’. The album effortlessly combines influences of rock, blues, grunge and punk with the most bad ass rock’n’roll attitude imaginable. As a blues/
rock duo, Deap Vally are bound to draw comparisons to the likes of the White Stripes and The Black Keys, but they are far
heavier, far dirtier and far more unique. You hear the thud of Julie Edwards on drums and the wail of Lindsey Troy and you
can only be listening to one band. The album opens with the chant infused End Of The World before shifting through multiple
genres and ending up with the nine and a half minute Six Feet Under which moves into a delicate bluesy finish, allowing
Troy to show off her vast range and powerhouse voice. Lies is the album highlight, combining a hefty and funky drum flow
with a catchy raw melody, causing your finger to hammer on the ‘repeat’ button. The lyrics are frank and the guitar tones
some of the best heard by modern man. Check it out, pick it up, and have your brains blown out. AG
30
Q
FWD >>
ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC
...AND THE ALBUMS WE’RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2013.
AGREE? DISAGREE? COME DOWN TO
A QUENCH MEETING AND LET’S TALK MUSIC.
POLIÇA - SHULAMITH
The synth-heavy indie/R&B quartet from Minneapolis has been lovingly crafted around lead singer Channy Leaneagh,
since her backing vocals for 25-piece Gayngs stumbled into the limelight. And ‘craft’ is the key word. At a promo gig
for their 2012 debut album Give You The Ghost, the sight of drummers Ben Ivascu and Drew Christopherson killing it in
perfect unison dispelled any suspicion that this was just an indie band with an auto tuner.
The ensemble’s widely-acclaimed first project was recorded in two weeks, with lyrics penned on impulse by Leaneagh
as she dealt with the breakdown of her marriage. The result was a reeling intensity. The vocals are liquid and distorted,
held together only by the determination in their delivery. In the light of the official video for album two’s ‘Tiff’, it seems that
the subject matter hasn’t lightened up much. To summarise, there are two Leaneaghs; one beats the other into a sniggering
bloody pulp. Due for release in October, Shulasmith promises to build on GYTG’s disjointed darkness. I, for one, am enthusiastic to get my freak on. HES
BEYONCE - ALBUM FIVE
Amid all the madness of spring and summer’s Beyoncé fever, it was easy to forget that there was an album on the horizon.
Between Pepsi commercials, a career-defining global tour, on-stage Jay-Z collabs, and the constant bubble of rumours surrounding Baby Number Two, the undoubted entertainment queen of the world’s musical teasers passed many by.
Amongst those with their ears fixed firmly on the music, March’s ‘Bow Down (Bitches) / I Been On’ prompted fiercely
divided opinion. However, there was no denying from either party that it came laced in Beyoncé’s trademark sass, and
was surely an indicator of things to come. Artists the size of Beyoncé have largely free reign – as emphasised through
the creative diversity of 2011’s 4 – and with her career now securely globe-spanning, Beyoncé’s future output is likely
to define the nature of pop and R’n’B for years to come.
At the time of going to press, current rumours suggest a November release date for the follow up to 4, and the pop
world is undeniably due to reach fever-pitch long before then. Love her or hate her (HOW COULD YOU HATE HER?),
Queen B’s reign is here to stay. Bow down. TC
CANTERBURY - TBA
Canterbury are one of the best rock bands around today. Working tirelessly over the last few years, these friends who
met at school have gained a fantastically dedicated underground following – and it’s easy to see why. Their tunes are
heavy, melodic and hook-laden. Gigs see the crowd pogo-ing in perfect synchronicity, huge singalongs and an even
bigger stage presence. It’s no surprise therefore that at the announcement that album number three was underway, fans
got quite excited. A joint collaboration with Hassle records, who are responsible for helping bands such as Fall Out Boy,
City and Colour and We Are The Ocean break through in Britain, has been more than welcomed by fans and the band
quickly achieved their target on pledge music. The second album saw them move seamlessly from five members to four,
somehow expanding their sound despite the downsizing. Recent single release You Are The One showed that Canterbury
continue to grow as a band and show no sign of slowing down. A release date is yet to be set, but a four track EP (free to
Pledgers) will be available later this year. Cue girlish screams. AG
WOLF ALICE - TBA
Try and imagine the xx with a Bluegrass vocal, distorted guitar, and a real rhythm section and you won’t be far from the
Wolf Alice sound. It’s tricky to pin down, as every release from the North London four-piece so far has sounded endearingly different. Their self-titled EP contained the sparse electronic gem Wednesday, and later that same year the band had
moved on to folk rock with triumphant first single Leaving You. Ellie Rowsell’s vocals have a breathless, Americana cool
that washes over increasingly fuzzy guitars on the feisty Fluffy and paean to friendship Bros, surely the most jubilant
song of 2013, invites you to “Shake your hair have some fun”, with a hip-swaying riff to match.
Between their own dates, a support slot on Peace’s album tour and multiple festival appearances, Wolf
Alice have certainly paid their live dues. But if you missed their performance at Buffalo Bar in June, don’t
worry; you can catch them at Swn Festival right here in Cardiff in October. JD
31
Q
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