Archive for May, 2009

Music events coming up in London that you should check out: Rock edition

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Here’s afew of the events that are happening in London that you may want to keep an eye out on.

  • London’s international music show 2009. Going from the London Guitar Show up to upgrading to a full on music expo. Featuring Drummer live, unplugged and the sound recording technology show, this promises to be its biggest year to date. With masterclasses on the drums from Niko McBrain of Iron Maiden and Journey’s Steve Smith, and shredder Steve Vai and Blues legend Albert Lee coming in for the guitarists, this is one show your not going to want to miss. 11th June to the 14th June at the London Excel arena.
  • Nine inch Nails. This has to been seen by all fans of Trent Reznor. The final NIN show before they take a hiatus that only Trent Reznor himself knows when it will end, it could be your last chance to see the band in the UK for a long long time. Supporting NIN will be Jane’s Addiction, the 90’s rock band, on a tour dubbed ‘NINJA’ -very clever guys? So if your not going down to Sonicsphere but want to wave goodbye (for the moment) to Reznor and co. O2 arena on July 15th.
  • Motorhead. The icons of classic rock Motorhead return to the UK in November to tear the place up. Playing the classics ‘Iron fist’, ‘Overkill’, ‘Killed by death’ and others, Motorhead return to destroy whatever you have left of your hearing. Expect the usual great show from the worlds ‘loudest band’ and as Motorhead and Lemmy Killmister -yes, that is his surname show London how it should be down. With touring support from GirlSchool, a band which can rock harder than any male band out there even if they have an off day. November 28th at -you’ve guessed it -Hammersmith.
  • The Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards. Held the day after the Download festival, what better time is there to go down and celebrate all things metal? Not just an award ceremony, but featuring Trivium, Amon Amarth, Devildriver, Anvil and Saxon making the festival weekend last much longer. Taking place June 15th at the Indigo 2 venue.

In need of a venue for your London events?

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How Many Times Will We Rely on the Dr Who Sonic Screwdriver to Save the Universe?

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Every new fan of Dr Who has to have a Dr Who sonic screwdriver!My son can do anything with his, it not only opens doors, it cools his supper, assists him tidy away the toys, anything you can think off, his Dr Who sonic screwdriver can do it (or help him do it)!  Having looked into the history of the sonic screwdriver, I think he may have the right idea…

The Dr Who sonic screwdriver first came onto our vocabulary in 1968.Since then it has been in and out of fashion and changed design a few times.  One of the Doctors assistants, Romana, even made her own sonic screwdriver, while the doctor gave Sarah Jane Smith a sonic lipstick, so there are defiantly variations to the design.

The latest Dr Who sonic screwdriver is rather a good one.  It glows blue at the end and makes a humming noise.  The capabilities of the sonic screwdriver are also enhanced and it is used by the Doctor for all sorts of new things.  The sonic does have its limitations, in an encounter with the Slitheen the Doctor tries to suggest that he will use his sonic screwdriver to convert a bottle of port into a weapon.  The Slitheen realize that this is not within the capabilities of either the Doctor or his trusty sonic screwdriver and the Doctor suggests an alternative route – “Run”.  In the episode ‘The Doctor Dances’, Captain Jack makes fun of the Doctors sonic screwdriver and tries to impress Rose with his sonic blaster.

The Master does seal some of the glory, however, when he arrives with a laser screwdriver.The laser screwdriver has a completely different function to the sonic screwdriver.  The Dr Who sonic screwdriver is not a weapon, the Doctor tells us in Doomsday that the sonic screwdriver will not kill, wound or maim.  It is a tool which the doctor uses to his advantage.  The Master, however, has a different agenda, his laser screwdriver is designed to kill and also to age the Doctor, using the Lazarus technology.

We also discover that a new sonic screwdriver can be replaced by the TARDIS, but for those of us who do not have access to a TARDIS, Character toys make a good substitute.  The Dr Who sonic screwdriver comes in two basic designs, either a pen or torch design.  Which ever you choose you can be sure that any child will reveal the depths of their imagination when they tell you all the things which their sonic screwdriver can do!

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