Issue one - Introduction
ISSUE ONE THE INTRODUCTION ISSUE
T
his magazine contains ideas, stories and reviews by a group of people who have a passion for all things creative. On our maiden voyage we will be introducing you to each contributor with some examples of their work. So lift the anchor and hoist the main sail, grab a bottle of rum and strap a parrot to your face. The good ship OneFiveEight has officially set sail. In our next issues we will feature other artists, writers, photographers and musicians. If you’re interested please email examples of your work to onefiveeight@live.co.uk with a brief description and some information about yourself. For more information about how to contact us visit www.onefiveeight.co.uk Enjoy...
Contents 4 6 10 12 14
OneFiveEight Introduction Luke Breen Design Mike Newton Photography H.S.Willsy The bountiful street harvest James Hayes Illustration
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Heather Fitt Clothing design Becki Miller Photography Dave Healy Illustration Andrew Callaghan Street art Helen Peart Photography Jude Ward Illustration
Special thanks to Becki Miller, Kris Holyhead, H.S.Willsy, Mike Newton, Luke Breen, James Hayes, Heather Fitt, Dave Healy, Andrew Callaghan, Wil Craig, Jonathan Makin, Helen Peart, Tom Richards, Jude Ward, James Bestall, Rachael Talbot, Joe Smith, Mattie Flint, Liann Thomas, Andy Blundell, John Williamson, Gaz Pearson, Carl Brown, Natalie Mills Rob Henthorn, Mike Howarth, Jodi Spencer, Anna Town, Suzie Jackson Ally Sutton, Sarah Ingram, Ian Hartley, Amanda Vaughan, Lucy Menage, Sam Walker, Christopher Rigney, Sam Ellery, Stephen Reynolds, Alister Scott, Gaz Elsdon and anybody who has ever helped us have an idea.
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James Bestall Illustration Rachael Talbot Photography Joe Smith Illustration Album Reviews Burial - Untrue Portishead - Third
We have been together for about six years now, and we have become confident in many different disciplines. From web design to illustration, music production to live events and promotion. OneFiveEight has got it all covered. We met whilst some of us were studying for creative degrees in Blackpool. OneFiveEight was the number of the house in which we gathered. Most of us have lived there at some point, or at least slept on the sofa for a couple of months. Many brain cells have been destroyed within the walls of 158 Palatine Road, Blackpool, but for good reason. Together we inspire each other to push our abilities past what we first expected was possible. Our group has worked together on a number of art and music related projects. Some of these are displayed within this issue. If you like somebody’s style or would like to set us a brief please feel free to contact one of us. You can find our email addresses at the bottom of each introduction. All artists are available for work and personal commissions.
Luke Breen Flora-mares This collection of illustrations takes the beauty of a flower and fills the shape with unnerving imagery. The result is reminiscent of a bad dream. “I like to create illustrations based around emotions often triggered by listening to music. Flora-mares was inspired by Butterfly Caught by Massive Attack.� Luke also designed this months front cover. Check out a different artists take on the words OneFiveEight each issue. You can contact Luke by email: stupidmonkey158@hotmail.com
Flora-mares by Luke Breen
When Mike isn’t organising OneFiveEight’s regular club night, Herbal Sessions, he creates dark and haunting imagery with photographs he has taken in his day-to-day life. In this months issue he has illustrated H.S Wilsy’s article ‘The Bountiful Street Harvest’, a comic breakdown of the various types of undeserving beggars in Manchester city centre. You can contact Mike by email: mike-photo@hotmail.com
Mike Newton
We gave Mike a questionnaire to find out a little bit about his personality. He sent it back with a parking ticket attached and the words “This happend to me today and it reet pissed me off!!�
Kiddy fiddler by Mike Newton
The Bou When passing the homeless of Manchester I generally end up ignoring their pleas for support and keep my money to myself. Not because I don’t have time for these people, or because I think they’re all secretly millionaires posing as vagrants, simply because I’m just a little bit stingy. Every so often though I will prise open my wallet and spread a little ching-ching around, usually in exchange for a big issue. It’s right that I contribute in this way and it’s also right that I feel guilty when I fail to do so. Manchester however is the stalking ground of several prolific breeds of expectant change requestors who deserve neither your change nor your pity. Here is an illustrated outline of three of the most common species you will find around the town centre.
Piccadilly Ruffians (Scroungius Roughulus Smacko) The Nike clothing label has an unprecedented knack for weaving sports footwear that looks expensive enough to make your wallet feel like it’s been Tommy gunned in the johnson. So when a young gentleman walks up to you wearing what appears to be a neon futuristic Sydney Opera house on each foot you know that he needs money like the sun needs a hot water bottle.
Illustrated by Mike Newton
untiful Street Harvest The first time one of these seven foot tall, track suited city-eclipses came up to me at Piccadilly bus station and asked for change though I was new to town and just assumed that I was being robbed. And in a passive aggressive kind of way I suppose I was, the assailant in question being smart enough to realise that merely being the archetypical embodiment of a street robber was enough to get the meek to part with their money. After our exchange was complete he walked away without a word of thanks and stuck his open palm in the face of the next clueless looking long haired youngster, Piccadilly Ruffians being well acquainted with their prey.
Freaks (Scroungius Ohdearydeary What?!?£) If: a) Freaks had a significant monetary value, and b) You could sieve a city like you could a river, then there would be a veritable gold rush going on in Manchester right now. The vast majority just want to be left in peace to blast word nonsense in your face as you enjoy a pleasant trip on a Magic Bus. Some however are after that which you hold most dear, your pocket shrapnel. One such gentleman I came across had the typical balding albino Duke appearance and mumbled at me until I understood that he was asking me for enough money to buy a large hot chocolate from Nero’s coffee shop. Personally, I’d consider buying myself such a drink a bit of a treat, I certainly wasn’t eager for this be-suited and booted dandruff-flaked shake to indulge at my expense. So I told him no.
Another freak I came across made himself heard before he was seen as he shouted “have you got change?” from a distance of about twenty metres away. About twenty metres away! Obviously under the impression that as well as being gagging to unload my pockets I also fancied a little bit of a walk before I did so. When I turned round to face the man I saw that he was wearing an enormous leather cowboy hat, denim shirt, stonewashed denim trousers and enough leather cowboy boots to account for a herd of cows missing since 1993. Also, he had dyed red hair. Despite looking fairly ridiculous he was also quite obviously, and frighteningly, one of the most expensively dressed people in town that afternoon. So no, of course I didn’t give him any. There is of course the chance that these men were seriously mentally ill and I shouldn’t be making fun of them. If they were, and possible still are, then I’m sorry. But, to be fair, I’ve done worse.
Manchester Statues (Scroungius Shittus Reallyshittus) Whilst stumbling through a stag do in Krakow (pronounced Crackoff as is explained in the Krakow in your Pocket tourist guide) I saw a man dressed like a female gollywog with droopy black teets that made a squeaking noise when you squeezed them. In the background stood three living cowboy statues looking at the man with the kind of sustained distain only achievable by men whose job it
is to maintain a singular pose for the best part of the day. It was a funny image but now that I’ve seen what Manchester has to offer in the way of men who stand still for money I dread to think what those rigid Polish cattle men would think of us. Through observation and analysis I’ve come to the conclusion that the home grown living statues of Manchester seem to have forgotten the first two and seemingly most obvious - rules of being a living statue: A living statue must:
a) Look like a statue
b) Act like a statue
Many people in fact believe that the remaining nine thousand and sixty seven rules of being a living statue are basically just superfluous and that these two should be enough for anyone to be getting on with really. The most prominent of these lairy Mancatues is a man who has a little bit of white face paint, wears a white jumper and creamy denim trousers, and controversially tops (bottoms?) it all off with a pair of scruffy brown shoes. He then marches up to anyone who so much as glances at him demanding money for services rendered from a confused and frightened public. Unlike most statues.
Hopefully this brief guide will help you avoid bad encounters of the sterling variety next time you are parading around the city. Lots of love, your old pal Willsy
H.S. Willsy was asked to write an article so that’s what he did, he would have wrote some fiction if he knew he had the option to. A few months ago he completed work on his first novel, he’ll probably try and get it published at some point next year when he can be arsed. For the moment though he’s busy bird watching, learning how to speak French, and trying to get that fork out from the back of the radiator. What are you wearing? What am I wearing? Mmm, yeah, just like that.
James Hayes candidforms James Hayes has a playful illustration style which is beautifully adapted to each brief. He uses combinations of traditional techniques with digital processes to create each piece. “This series of illustrations was originally a personal exercise in expanding my vocabulary and terminology, experimenting with words and an attempt to loosely reflect my personal/social surroundings. I developed these phrases to reflect thoughts that could be simply illustrated. I would like to pair up with a Word Smith of some kind to simply and effectively create some hard hitting but slightly humorous illustrations.� James (known to his friends as Jay) is a working graphic designer, but he is also available for freelance briefs and commissions. If you would like to work on a piece with Jay email: fly2jay158@hotmail.com
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Candidforms by James Hayes
Heather Fitt Face clothing Heather uses the tag Face when producing her one off clothing designs. She uses fabric paint on jumpers, t-shirts and other materials to create a whole new world. Each design is completely different from the last, her ever changing characters have a definite style but continue to be produced in different surroundings and surreal situations. Face is currently setting up an online shop so you can get hold of one of these original master pieces. But if you can’t wait for that contact her via email: h_fitt@yahoo.co.uk
Face clothing by Heather Fitt
Becki Miller When Becki isn’t making a mess she’s making curiosities and fancies for her friends and loved ones. Her creative use of junk and recyclables has produced a spectrum of gifts including toys, clothes and picture frames to name but a few. Trained in art and design Becki generally uses her talents to make others smile rather than for personal gain. If you are lucky enough to recieve an original Miller you will treasure it forever. contact her via email: beckijaynemiller@hotmail.com
David Healy Infected by design Davey H has an illustration style that incorporates the colour and playfulness of his personality with intricate detail and organic form. From painting speakers to creating tattoo designs he has spread his creativity across a wide range of media. You can see more of his work on his web site www.infectedbydesign.co.uk Dave is available for freelance work or personal commissions. If you like his style you can contact him via email: daveyh1503@hotmail.com
ONE FIVE EIGHT PROJECTS
filthy
DUB mixes downloaded from www.spannered.org
INFECT everything around you...
Infect everything by Dave Healy
Andrew Callaghan NYC - Blackpool “Street art project inspired by a trip to New York. I like how everyday objects vary in style from place to place. In hindsight, I should of left some typically British stickers over there too.� Cal is a Graphic Designer specialising in web design & promotional material. Cal is available for freelance design work. You can contact him by email: andrew.callaghan158@yahoo.co.uk
NYC - Blackpool, by Andrew Callaghan
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Helen Peart Police and helicopter This image was captured by Helen at a free party in Lancashire. The image captures one police officer taking photos from on top of the ruins of the replica of Liverpool Castle at Rivington Reservoir. Meanwhile a helicopter arrives to assist with the operation to clear away the party . You can contact Helen by email: helenpeart_photo@hotmail.co.uk
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Unity day dog by Helen Peart
Jude Ward Miss Ward is a One Five Eighter with a multitude of talents. She is a working Graphic Designer with a passion for illustration and all things hand made. When she isn’t designing things she is a resident DJ at OneFiveEight’s regular club night Herbal Sessions. Her slick blend of Soul, Hip hop and Reggae is a sublime treat for anyones ears. This months DJ mix, begin things big, has been crafted by Jude. You can download this from the music pages of our website. You can contact Jude by email: judew99@hotmail.com
Fwoggie by Jude Ward
Good deeds grow by Jude Ward
James Bestall Jim is a designer who often uses digital techniques to illustrate his thoughts and opinions on social, political and personal events. Expect thought provoking imagery and creative rebellion from this Manchester based artist. You can contact Jim by email: enjoytheunderground@hotmail.com
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No future by James Bestall
Does the Pope shit in the woods? by James Bestall
Rachael Talbot Rachael’s stylised photography tells tales of a fictional past. She uses objects and curiosities to build sets with an eerie romanticism. Her subjects often have blank expressions leaving them almost detached from the beautiful world she has created around them. Rachael is available for work and commissions, if you are interested please contact her by email: rachiepoo_3@hotmail.com
Martha by Rachael Talbot
Self Portrait by Rachael Talbot
Joe Smith Joe is a multi talented designer who is especially interested in urban styles through illustrative and photographic mediums. When he isn’t doing this he is also known as Joe Sope, a resident Herbal Sessions Dj and serious tune selecta wizard. Joe is available for freelance work, comissions and photography. joeolismith@hotmail.com
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Hi there, I’ve been kindly asked by my co-conspirators in the One Five Eight collective to contribute a couple of album reviews each issue for your enjoyment, irritation and bemusement. I’ll be keeping up with current stuff and I’ll also be delving into the albums released in that bottomless quagmire that came before right here and now. You know, stuff that you’ll probably have already. I also try to represent the albums I’ll be reviewing with a piece of artwork that will hopefully give an extra dimension to helping you visualise the music and will probably get my point across better than my rantings anyway! Also, I know how kids today need shiny things to look at after all that pesky reading. I’m starting off with a couple of albums that are in various ways important to all of us in One Five Eight First off is ‘Untrue’ by Burial. I can safely say that the elusive Burial has been one of the most talked-about electronic artists of recent years and ‘Untrue’ is why. All of us at One Five Eight appreciate Burial’s evocative, hazy brand of dub-step and hopefully you do too. Second is ‘Third’ by the mighty Portishead. Another massively discussed album but for a vastly different reason than Burial’s. It’s a bit of a Marmite album is ‘Third’. I can proudly say I’ve seen Portishead live a couple of times and the new material is just as effecting and powerful as the old classics, if not more so. Third is considered either a “magnificent evolution to a sound that definied a generation” or a “load of pretentious shite”. I know which camp I’m in. You? Anyway, enough of my “intro” bullshit; I hope you enjoy my ramblings on these records and if maybe listening to them will give you a little more insight into our mindset & what we’re all about at the One Five Eight collective. TR.
Album Reviews
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.... BURIAL - UNTRUE (2007 - HYPERDUB) Burial was definitely not something I thought I would enjoy. Underground dance music is not my thing at all. The rest of the One Five Eight guys are into drum & bass, dubstep, jungle and all that type of stuff but there’s only so much my feeble disposition can handle. However, I caught a few reviews online of Burial’s self titled album and was intrigued. I thought “what the hell!?”, if I don’t like it it’s no big loss is it? Burial’s brand of dubstep evokes visions of dark city streets in the early hours of the morning; distant car headlights seen faintly through thick fog; breath streaming from cold mouths; windy deserted streets lined by boarded up houses. It evokes the underlying sense of despair that permeates working class urban Britain at night. It’s a fantastically deep album. And all this from simple machines and vocal samples. Everything is very analog sounding and drenched in rich reverb. The vocal samples all sound distant yet personal. The beats aren’t quite distorted but they are far from clean. Untrue has a very melancholy vibe to it that is far from aggressive. Even though dubstep is sheltered under that broad umbrella we call ‘dance music’ you really couldn’t dance to Burial. You could sway or nod your head but you wouldn’t get Burial being played very often in the massive underground club scene Britain is nurturing at the moment. I’d say Burial’s closest spiritual partner is Portishead. They’re both very dark, very mysterious, and very British at the same time. The only thing stopping Burial becoming big it it’s very nature. Many people would be put off by it’s darkness. It’s not easy listening at all and it’s not catchy. Portishead was very catchy and won lots of people’s hearts because of the human element in Beth Gibbons’ fragile voice. Burial uses detached, echoing samples and mechanical, repetitive beats. I think possibly the 2 step beats will put off a lot of people, just because it’s reminiscent of how utterly awful garage music is, which is a shame. I’m absolutely loving Burial at the moment and I don’t really know why. It has that special something that will attract people from all types of musical backgrounds. Just don’t expect to hear any on any adverts or British crime dramas in the future. 8/10
PORTISHEAD - THIRD (2008 - GO! DISCS) Forever shrouded in a classy mystique, Portishead helped pioneer the “trip-hop” scene emerging in Bristol in the early 1990s along with Massive Attack & Tricky. Released in 1994; Dummy is an almost flawless album; perfect mixture of drive and melancholy. Their unique blend of hip hop breaks and Beth Gibbon’s classy old-school delivery spawned countless imitators and influenced thousands. It’s successor; whilst the impact was lost - we already knew what to expect - almost topped Dummy for sheer epic power, depth and just awesome songwriting. After a 10 year hiatus, what the hell were Portishead going to do? After the initial giddy excitement of hearing Portishead’s decision to wake from their seeming age-long slumber I was worried; how could they live up to expectations? Could they top Dummy? How would I feel if the new album was shite? I bet it’s the most difficult thing a band can do; live up to hype.
Whilst on the previous two albums the listener wasn’t particularly challenged; the beats drove each track forward; catchy chorus hooks, scratching, hummable basslines. Just a joy to listen to; stick it on, sit back, turn it off when it’s done. Third is more like; headphones on, perch on the edge of a chair, “what the fuck was that!?”, play again. It’s a much more demanding listen. Every track differs vastly from the previous and there is none of the catchy melodies and head-nodding breaks of yester-year. Instead we get broken percussion patterns, distorted synths, post-rock-esque chord progressions and folky acoustic guitar picking. Crazy stuff. They sure want to make it a memorable journey. The trademark Portishead sound is still present; deep bass presence, reverb-rich vocals and the ostensible lo-fi analogue quality which sounds like you’re always listening to an old vinyl.
So, what did Portishead do? Got older, wiser and a hell of a lot more interesting. The aptly titled; Third, is quite a leap from their previous self titled album from 1997. It’s rockier, folkier, in some ways angrier, and definitely cleverer.
Silence, the opener, is one of my favourite tracks. It has an irresistible drum pattern and waves of oscillating synth and guitar. Beth laments “Do you know what I lost,? Do you know what I wanted?...” Yep, that’s the old Portishead we love; yet somehow different. There’s an intricacy to the arrangements and layering in the tracks to prove they’ve come a long way since the self titled. They don’t need big hooks and choruses and big basslines anymore; it’s almost like classical music. Just listen and take it in.
so You can
Sorry to Jones “Biddweiser” from Manchester for stealing the title of this review!
The Rip is most definitely worth mentioning. It’s easily one of the best tracks they’ve ever done. Starts with overdriven synth and folky acoustic guitar picking. Beth sings softly “Wild white horses will take me away...”. Awesome. Drums fade in following quite a traditional rock pattern whilst lamenting guitars echo underneath a fat progressive synth melody. They accompany this song live with a very disquieting lo-fi cartoon traversing woodland with odd things happening which flash by before you completely take it in. Brilliant.
Third is brimming with naked creativity and experimentation. You can hear a lot of influence Portishead have taken from the artists they gathered for their Nightmare Before Christmas ATP Festival. Jeff Barrow doesn’t even touch a set of decks on here. Adrian Utley doesn’t once crack out a jazzy lick or solo. Beth never blasts out an anthemic, cathartic chorus such as “All Mine”. There’s more coiled tension on here than their first two records put together, it’s quite an exciting experience.
The other big anomalies are Deep Water which is simply a folk song; banjo, traditional folk melodies, even a harmonised barbershopstyled echo and reply chorus. Weird stuff for Portishead indeed. Machine Gun is the other.
However, if the opposite what I’ve just mentioned is what you were hoping for with Third, then, as you’ve now guessed, you’ll be bitterly disappointed. It’s not at all catchy or immediate. It takes several spins then several more for anything to come out of listening to Third. If you’re not willing to persevere, Third won’t treat you well and you’ll just come away with thinking it’s a lot of noise or disjointed drivel. I assure you, it’s not.
I really don’t know what to think of this still. One one hand; I really dislike it; it’s almost unlistenable. Harshly processed drum machine beats almost drown out Beth’s voice and they don’t relent until the track finishes. Machine Gun takes on more significance in a live setting because of the power of the beat and it gets more distorted as it progresses. It sounds a bit flat on record and just grates. Yet on the other hand; I can easily sit through it and I just marvel at the sheer audacity and daring experimentation I’m hearing. This is going to be heard by, frankly, millions of people who would immediately recoil from such sounds if it weren’t Portishead. Good going I’d say.
Perseverance will reward you with unlocking one of the most daring, experimental and unique albums you’ll ever hear. However, even if you end up loving it to death there’s always that small itch at the back of your brain asking; “you’d really have preferred the old Portishead we already know and love......wouldn’t you.?”. 8/10
n polish a Third...
OneFiveEightRecords Here at OneFiveEight towers we have a group of people who love to do nothing but twiddle their knobs. By this mild insult I’m simply referring to the people in our group who like to make music. As well as producers we also have a talented group of DJs. Each month we will be giving away a free mix from a different ‘selecta’, bonus!.
The OneFiveEight crew are also responsible for Herbal Sessions, a club night that is currently held on the first Friday of every month at Method in Preston. With a hand built soundsystem playing the finest Reggae, Hip-hop, Drum & bass, Dub step and Jungle cuts, the Herbal Sessions crew is guaranteed to get the vibes jumping.
Our musicians, Djs and soundsystem are all available for hire. For more information contact Mike by email mike-photo@hotmail.com You can stream all of the music produced by our artists on our web site onefiveeight.co.uk/records
Raikes Parade Blunted in the bedroom EP Raikes Parade’s slick combinations of various musical styles creates an ambient adventure that is an essential in any smoke filled bedroom. He plays a range of instruments and produces all of his own music. Visit www.onefiveeight.co.uk
Outpost Galactic Structure Robert Henthorn has created an album of technical genius. His intelligent production layers warmth and depth throughout this experimental galactic journey into the unknown. Visit www.onefiveeight.co.uk
Lost Property Junglist Lost Property has been tearing up the underground scene throughout the north west for the last 4 years. His roots reggae style is methodically combined with jungle to maximum effect. Visit www.onefiveeight.co.uk
In One Ear Land of hidden cities Tom Richards has been creating music for the last 10 years. “Mostly my music comes through as either introspective acoustic folk music or heavy riffdriven stoner rock. So, sit back and enjoy.... In One Ear.� Visit www.onefiveeight.co.uk
Jude Begin things big This soulful mix of Reggae, Hip hop and Funk is an instant vibe setter and is available to download with this months issue. Selected and mixed by Jude and produced by Outpost the deep rhythms will carry you through on a bed of bass driven roses. Give praise!
Johnny Cruel Shoes
50 minutes of funk If Funk is your thing then slap this on and shake your ding-a-ling. Johnny Cruel Shoes will carry you from a smooth lounge vibe through to unadulterated dance floor classics. Available with next months issue.
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