Monthly Archives: February 2011

My Recent Undead Intake

Posted on by

Regular followers will know that I am attempting to write a book. Those of you who are new here… er… won’t. For the background info check out when I decided to go balls out in my ambition to become a published author, and the update I posted a couple of weeks ago.

Go on. Go look. I’ll wait here.

Ok, all set?

I’m sat at my desk, writing this (obviously) with my son – Cameron – who is watching Zombies Of Mass Destruction in the background, and it got me thinking; just how much zombie-intake do I receive every month?

I got books, comics, and films constantly invading my ears and eyes. I know it’s a common phrase to “read about things you’re not writing about” but I find myself still deluged by our shambling, rotting friends. Looking at my dvd shelf I can see 31 zombie films, and there are at least another 10 stored on my pc’s hard-drive. Look, I’m the first to admit that some of them are utter shite (hands up Return of the Living Dead 3… despite still being a guilty secret) but I still love and cherish them.

And – as of July this year – I’ll also be in one of them! The Zombie Diaries 2: World of the Dead. So I figured I’d share with you what else I’ve been reading/watching since the turn of the year.

Feed by Mira Grant was an interesting book if you were a teenage girl. Being a 34 year old male a lot of the tale was wasted on me. Really, she should have re-edited it and sold it as a Buffy The Vampire Slayer book – there was even a character called Buffy in it. The one-liners bordered on the ridiculously stupid; always quipped in the middle of a battle, and even cracking gags at the Man Who Would Be President. The story is, however, a fresher outtake on a tired genre, but it just wasn’t for me.

It did make me realise how much grittier and realer my own story is. It actually gave me more confidence in my own story-telling ability.

On the PS3-front, Dead Rising 2 proved a worthwhile diversion… for a couple of weeks before becoming stale and tepid. The storyline (yes, there is one) is fairly attentive and draws you in, and the graphics are next-generation great, but there’s only so many times you can dissect a zombie with a lawnmower/canoe-chainsaw-paddle/lawn dart before growing tired.

Still, a little inspiration for new ways to kill zombies is always a good thing.

Right, time for an admission – I’m a massive comics-geek. Have been ever since my folks owned a newsagents in Norwich and I used to read every damn comic that came in back then. I still pick some up these days (from Cheap Thrills in Newport) and there are more undead comics and graphic novels then ever. So far I’ve trawled through FUBAR (a WW2 zombie anthology); American Wasteland (average art, some stoic dialogue); the DC series I, Zombie (now this I liked, once I’d learnt to appreciate the cooky artwork); and I’m about to read Zombies of Mass Destruction… unrelated to the above-mentioned film. I think.

Returning to books I have read World War Z, which I will gladly say is possibly the best zombie book around. It’s as factual and engaging as you can get, and it also made me think about my own zombie tale in a different light. If I can achieve half as much as Brooks’ book I’ll be very fucking happy.

The book I am reading at the moment is Night of The Living Trekkies which gives me a massive points haul on the Geek-o-meter. And I’m proud. I’m halfway through and it’s a good, fun story that knows how to tell a grand tale without taking itself seriously at all.

Back to the film I mentioned at the beginning – Zombies of Mass Destruction – and it’s still happily piping away in the background. Not a massively budgeted film, but the effects are good (ie; shit-loads of blood), and the writing and acting are pretty tight… with some cracking one-liners…

“I suck dick,  mom!” said the young male character.

I’ll leave you on that note.

About these ads

My Top Ten Hip Hop Tracks

Posted on by

Pure indulgence in this weeks blog, as I tell provide you with what I believe the ten best hip hop tracks ever are. While not comprehensive, and for some strange reason I couldn’t fit in any Mos Def (despite his continued brilliance), and I struggled to get in any J Dilla (and it was a real struggle) – I thought I’d allow you all to see/hear what I have usually rumbling away on my tv, in my bus, in my ears. While not to everyones tastes, I will add a geeky ‘net phrase – IMHO (In My Humble Opinion).

In no particular order:

10/ Gotta start with a little Wu Collaboration…

9/ Some German Hip-Hop for you. Give it a couple of listens and feel it grow inside of you:

8/ Chicago Hip-Hop from the criminally underrated Diverse:

7/ Love him or hate him, Kanye’s output in recent times has been phenomenal. He’s hated on by many but when he’s on form he’s immense. This is solid gold, and the Rick Ross part is my current ringtone. I’m no Rick Ross fan, but he makes this track even better:

6/ Underground belter. Don’t even listen to this if you haven’t got the appropriate set-up. And make sure you upset your neighbours if you do:

5/ Gotta have some Tribe Called Quest in here, and Scenario is a classic… but you’ve probably not heard this version before:

4/ A hard choice between this and ‘Funk Freakers’ by Cypress Hill. I’m still torn on which to include… so I’m going with Locotes:

3/ No top ten would be complete without Q-Tip – my favourite rapper/producer ever. This is probably his biggest hit to date, yet it still fucking rocks:

2/ Eric B. Rakim. Ledge. Juice. Nuff said.

1/ The power, strength and feeling in this Crooklyn track make it not just one of my favourite hip hop tracks ever, but my favourite track EVER. I’ll leave you with this:

The Book – February Update

Posted on by

Ok, back in January I announced this years ambition after having achieved most of what i set out to do last year. This year I aim to write a book, or at least get the bulk of it done and start sending it out to publishers and agents.

So far I’ve written 6000 words, or approximately 12 pages. While it doesn’t sound a lot you have to take in account work, kids, vodka, and the massive amount of research I’ve had to do. While hand-writing the first draft I made note-after-note in the margins and on any blank spaces available in my notepad about things I would have to look into when it came to actually writing the story up.

Now that time has come, and the research has been slow, pain-staking, methodical, but necessary. A tale may be made of fiction, but it’s heart lies in reality. Even if it is about zombies and horror it has to have that strong support beam of realness in it or it won’t grab the reader at all.

So, you may remember in another blog that I cried out for help from any lawman in Texas, or indeed, anywhere in America. This proved fruitless as apparently the police in the US won’t contact people outside of the force about police matters. Fair enough, and it would answer why none of the sheriff’s offices I contact replied to me.

Marni Mann

Luckily, a lovely young lady in Florida (and a fellow writer) came to my

Jason Tabrys - viewed actual size

aid in the form of the delectable Marni Mann. She is now officially my ‘American Liaison’, along with my partner-in-crime Jason Tabrys and an honourable mention for Emma Turford and her brother in Texas – all have helped me in my search for details on what police in Texas wear, drive and shoot.

I can tell you that my main character is armed with a Colt .45 M1911 handgun and carries a Remington Model 870 shotgun in his F-150 police wagon. I can tell you the history of these firearms and I have watched videos of them being fired. I have also seen the pictures of the damage they do to people… not particularly pleasing, but necessary nonetheless.

I also know that a sheriff in Texas can wear a Stetson if he wants to, and cowboy boots… as long as they are not covered in diamonds and look pimped. I can even tell you how Stetson’s are made and just how damn good a beaver-hair one looks.

I have studied the drugs and antibiotics needed to treat bite wounds and how infection spreads through a human body.

I have made up a whole town just south-west of Dallas. A little place called Hangshaw that is full of evil and darkness. Three of our main characters start here… although two of them don’t meet during the entire story until the end…

My old college tutor – Phil Truckel – is also currently writing a book, and I might just use his academic skills to give my book a once over when completed.

I’ve managed to cut back on my PS3 time which has allowed me to write a lot more. I still dabble with Black Ops, but now I’m constantly sat at a desk with books and pads littered around me.

I’ve also thrown myself back into the SFF World forums as there are many writers there. In particular is one thread where we all post our progress. It’s very interesting and helps to motivate each other.

The next step towards my English degree has happened as well, as I’ve signed up for the Creative Writing course that started a couple of days ago. So far, it’s very basic, but I knew it would be. Still, anything that will help The Book has got to be good. Plus it’s only the starting course and the main Creative Writing course starts later in the year but this will tide me over til then.

I’ve discovered a guy who’s created the perfect music that I play in the background

Ghosthack

while I write. He’s a German dubstep producer by the name of Ghosthack. I urge you to check him out. I’ve also (playfully) asked him to write the soundtrack to the film of the book if it ever happens!

As you can see, I have been a busy boy of late, so you’ll have to excuse me… as I have even more writing to do… I shall update once a month until it hits the shelves.

I hope…

Brighton Tattoo Convention 2011

Posted on by

This is the second year that Simon Cope and I have attended the Brighton Tattoo Convention, and the second year that I’ve been tattooed by a hungover artist…

Leaving on the 8am boat from Fishbourne, we hit Portsmouth before heading east for an hour towards gay old Brighton. Old – literally. Gay – definitely.

The reason we’re hitting the Brighton Con this year is twofold: 1/because we enjoy going to tattoo conventions, and 2/ because I’m getting inked by one of the best and most famous tattooists in the world – Dan Gold.

@thedangold (his twitter name) rose to fame during his spell on the UK’s take on Miami Ink - London Ink - and his angry outbursts and brilliance with the needles made him an instant favourite all over the country. He’s since appeared in every tattoo magazine going and has been working conventions since 1993. Dan also now runs 13 Ink in Liverpool when he’s not touring the world and tattooing the likes of Britney Spears and Kate Moss. He also showed me the ‘Only Kate Moss Tattoo In The World’ on his wrist. I think she needs a little more practice…

Prepping

I arrived at 11am prompt and we entered early due to our online booking of the tickets, but Dan Gold wasn’t at his booth. I had a stroll round and found him half and hour later, much, much worse for wear.

He’d been on the whiskey the previous night, and a short, innocent ride in an elevator left him rolling in at the early hours of that morning. That’s all I can say on that subject… I can’t tell you guys everything!

So, Mr Gold asked me to get him a cup of tea so he could get his head together. Now, there’s no food or drink allowed in the Grandstand Hall, so I used the line: “But it’s for Dan Gold” and after much um-ing and ah-ing the lady on the door let me through. Then told me she would bollock him in a bit.

Now fuelled with the healing power of Earl Gray (or the cheaper Tescos equivalent), Dan Gold began drawing outlines on my hand. This is a job that was continually interrupted by people wanting to say ‘hi’ to Dan, take his photo, talk business with him, or just chat to him in general.

Once the outline was finally finished he told me to go look in a mirror to see what i thought

Outlined

of it. I did so, but already knew just by looking at it upside down that it was going to be pretty spectacular.

And so, over the next four hours (we’d agreed he could take his time, such was his tender state) I got inked by the One and Only Dan Gold. The man himself tattooed my little boys’ name on my hand and – as we were pretty much the first tattoo booth in the main hall – it seemed like everyone stopped to look, comment, or take photos. During the tattoo Dan and I spoke to event organisers, other tattooists, random guys from the Isle of Wight who I’d also seen at a DJ Format gig two nights previous, strippers, girls in their underwear, lesbians, other tattooists and many more people. I’ve been inked at cons before (most notably by Mr Halbstark and Andy Custom Ink) but never had so many people watch me! Obviously they were there to watch Dan Gold, but it was MY hand, dammit! :)

Once finished and tentatively arranged a follow-up booking at the upcoming Portsmouth Tattoo Extravaganza in April this year. Now I just have to figure out what I want to get done! The new Pompey Con is looking good and it’s £20 for a full weekend ticket. Hannah Aitchison from LA Ink is set to appear, as is Dan Gold, and a host of top talent from all over the UK. Hit their website and look at the ‘artists’ section for a sample of all their work.

My hand bumping another IOWers! Jethro!

There will also be body modifiers, body piercers, traditional tattooists, live bands and much more. It should be a great weekend and I know Copey and I will be bringing a few of the gang with us.

Now, it may seem that I know more of the Portsmouth Con then I do of the Brighton Con, but that’s because after four hours of ink I only had an hour to take a look around at the actual convention I was in!

But, like last year – and every tattoo con I’ve attended – the clientèle are always friendly and willing to have photos taken of their tattoos. At one stage I pointed out to Copey, Jo and Leanne (our other travellers) that they were now the outcasts as they didn’t have one tattoo between them!Dan Gold and I.

We stayed in the beer hall for a short while and ate and drank before I left them to it to take a wander around by myself. It’s always fascinating watching other people (in pain) getting inked, and some of the sights are truly wonderous; the tattoos can be magnificent, the girls look immaculate in their burlesque dresses and make-up, and there are usually some hot chicks strolling around in their underwear.

My walk finished, and with my camera crammed with photos it was time to leave and head back for the boat – thankfully my hand was in no pain (and still isn’t now, two days later!).

All that remained was to show Bam my… handywork.