Issue 2 - October 2007

THEMAGDALEN

DUNDEE UNIVERSITY STUDENT MAGAZINE

OCTOBER EDITION FREE

ENVYCORPSINTERVIEW THE MAGDALEN MEETS UPWITHTHE GUYS

INCOMMING > LETTERS > SRC > FILM REVIEWS > MUSIC REVIEWS > SPORT

Fresh*

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1 2 MAGDALEN FRESHERS

OCTOBER ISSUE 01 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stephanie Harvey Anna Anderson Lauren Bennie Gavin McNee Davie MacLeod Nathan Sparling

GRAPHIC DESIGN Tom Metcalfe Dave MacLeod CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Tom Metcalfe Stuart Campbell Alexis Woods

CONTENTS News

4 Incoming 13

Letters

6 Envy Corps 14

The Lowdown

Whats on at the Union

Tell it like it is, your place to say what you think

The Envy Corps are on the road to the Bigtime, the dropped in on Dundee...

Societies 7 Film News and whats happening

PUBLISHED BY

16

Two of the moments biggest films reviewed

Dave MacLeod MAGDALENmedia PRINTED BY David Winter & Son

SRC

8 Music

Your Student Representative Council 2007-08

Album and Single reviews pus a peek at whats hot on Myspace Music

Nightrider 11 Sport MAGDALENmedia* THEMAGDALEN MAGDALENradio* MAGDALENgigs* MAGDALENtv*

There more to the Nightbus than you might think...

17

18

Whats happening in the land of the sports union

NEWS INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN STUDENTS TO HOLD SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

First year Interactive Media Designers are holding a film festival to present there first short films. The film festival will be held in the1st and 2nd Year Interactive Media Design studios on Tuesday 16th October at 5pm. It should last approximately one hour. There will be some light snacks and refreshments available, and it is open to all students and tutors. In order to confirm numbers, can you please email n.l.sparling@dundee.ac.uk if you plan on attending. We hope to see you there!

DUNDEE STUDENTS UNION MAKES FINAL OF CLUB MIRROR AWARDS The Union has made it through to the Final of the Club Mirror Awards. Now in its 15th year, the trade magazine, Club Mirror, hold the awards annually to recognise excellence and good practice. The awards are open to clubs, regardless of size, in the entertainment, social, sports and fitness sectors.

RECTORS INSTALLATION 26th September saw the new Rector Mr Craig Murray Installed. As is tradition Mr Murray was ‘dragged’ from Caird Hall to the University campus in a carriage. After the ‘drag’ which saw the procession enter a few pubs along the way, the Rector gave his address. (Find some student opinion on what he had to say on page 6)

NEW STUDENT AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP New Student Gemma VonGyer, 19, from Cleghorn Street, Dundee has been awarded a grant to help with her studies. The Chancellors Scholarships are for any UK domiciled students who have accepted a degree of study at the University.

Applicants must be UK domiciled and regisered as ‘home’ for tuition fees.

Gemma recieved one of 30 scholarships which the University offers and will recieve £1000 per annum. Delighted Gemma said on recieving the award, “I take great pride in being awarded this scholarship and it has encouraged me to continue in my studies towards my dream of being a doctor.”

Vice Principal Prefessor James Calderhead commented on the boost such scholarships give to students, “The costs of studying at University can be quite a burden on students and scholarships are a way of easing that burden.”

FRESHERS WEEK FRESHERS WEEK 2007

Another fresher’s week is over and by all accounts it was a corker. The hype and excitement of the first week of Uni life certainly brought a buzz to the campus and the City. However the buzz still remains for some students who have still not come to grips with academic life – not just social life. Although some, who have come down with the dreaded “Fresher’s Flu”, will be glad it’s over - the music, people and alcohol all at your fingertips was all too great an experience for even the most sensible fourth year medical student. Fresher’s week was defiantly what it was hyped up to be this year, and hopefully Re -Fresher’s week will be just as fun filled as this one.

THEMAGDALEN is Recruiting!

THE MAGDALEN IS NOT ONLY LOOKING FOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, FULL TIME JOURNALISTS OR THE MOST CLUED UP DESK-TOP PUBLISHER. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ORDINARY STUDENTS TO SEND IN THEIR OWN WRITTEN ARTICLES, LETTERS, NEWS, PICTURES OR EVEN BOOK/FILM REVIEWS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE MAGDALEN.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE 3% INCREASE ANGERS UNIONS

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE INPUT – SO DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US AT: themagdalen@dusa.co.uk MAGDALNENmedia

As of the 1st of October, the National Minimum Wage will increase by an average of 3% over each of the age brackets employed by the government. The 3% increase is only in line with inflation this year, and many Unions said that the Government should have been more assertive and increased the National Minimum Wage by more than inflation for the 8th time in a row.

COMPUTING PRIZE GIVING

Over 30 students from the applied computing department received awards at a ceremony on the 3rd October from Mark Grossi, Chief Technology Officer of NCR and Dave Murie, BCS. Many of the awards were sponsored by NCR. Professor Peter Gregor, Dean of the School of Computing, said, “We have enjoyed another excellent year, and we are delighted to receive continued support from NCR for our students.”

W

ednesday the 26th September was a proud day for all those that worked and voted in order that Mr. Craig Murray be elected Rector of this university, as it saw his official installation in this position, though technically he has held office since the end of the last scholastic year.

The Installation ceremony is a tradition in which students drag their elected representative around the local area. Another requirement of the ceremony is that the new Rector make a speech as an introduction to his time in office.

Mr.Murray certainly managed to make a speech that will no doubt be remembered for some time due to the controversy that it caused. It is not so much that the content of the speech itself was overly contentious, though there are a few points to which I am liable to disagree with.

More it was the fashion in which certain points were expressed that may concern those hoping to find a Rector that will not only stand up for the students needs, but that will express these needs in such a way as to draw from dealings in the courts as many votes as possible by means of persuasion.

Mr.Murray made some valid points on issues that were of massive distress to students last year; he spoke of our concerns about the availability of important information, or lack thereof, to the university courts during the course of major decisions regarding our educational facilities. For this I am grateful.

Clearly Craig has not forgotten the issues that led, most likely, to his successful election.

However I must add that certain sections of his speech worried me significantly, and should be of worry to anyone else who voted for Mr.Murray with the hopes that he bring to his position of Rector the tact that would have been essential to his political career. During his speech Mr.Murray made a few remarks that frankly would have been more suited to a Sun newspaper headline.

The comment about Lorraine Kelly’s luck at being elected Rector, for otherwise ‘she might have gone her entire life without ever seeing the inside of an institute of higher education’ was quite honestly unnecessary and cruel. It may have been intended to be humorous at the cost of another, but ultimately such comments serve only to undermine the value given to other opinions expressed by the joker. That is not to

say that Mr.Murray must be devoid of humour during his time as Rector, however he must accept that such comments are not going to do him or his aims to gain support for the student causes any good.

It worries me also that Mr.Murray made adverse comments about the university’s teaching ability in a public speech. On this I do not feel that he is expressing the general feeling of the student body, nor the actuality. Mr.Murray pointed out some statistics published by the Times newspaper in which Dundee is shown to have ‘the 23rd highest qualified people coming in the doors’, whilst also suffering falling in at 105th place for those actually completing their studies. Somehow Craig equates this to the university putting ‘too little emphasis on the quality of undergraduate teaching.’ These statics do not quantify such a conclusion. In fact if Mr.Murray would like to refer back to the Time’s university grading table once again he would see that Dundee actually rated higher than St.Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in terms of teaching excellence. There are concerns within the university’s direction in certain areas, such as the cuts problem of last year. However the reason that these issues are of such huge concern is not because this is a bad university, but rather because it is a very good university who’s student populace wish to keep it advancing towards greater and greater things. Mr.Murray is our representative to the university board, but he is also representative of the university according to the students to the outside world, and such damning comments are not going to aid the reputation of our university, and therefore the reputation of our degrees.

I am not asking that Mr.Murray always err on the side of caution when expressing views concerning the university’s progress. However I do ask that he consider more carefully the implication that such comments will have. Please Mr.Murray, fight our corner. Use your power of speech and your vote, but use it with the tact and intelligence that we thought implicit in the fact that you had served as an international diplomat in your previous career.

Stephanie Harvey

letters

OPINION ON THE RECTORS SPEECH

MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND!!

THE RECTOR’S ADDRESS IS AVAILABLE ONLINE. VISIT THE RECTORS PAGE ON THE DUSA WEBSITE.

“Quit yer moaning”

I

t is a well known fact that students like to moan.

Whether the rant be about money (or lack of it), politics or the price of alcohol, moaning is a fundamental part of student communication. For one thing, a good old grumble can get some of our wearies off of our chest.

The best thing that can happen after this is for the individual “receiving” or listening to your gripe to activate it accordingly. By this I mean to get off their ass and help you do something about your whining so that, most importantly, they don’t have to listen to the same protest again and again.

Therefore, it is safe to say that in order to “Quit yer moaning,” first action needs to be taken.

Do you know who can “receive” your moans and

criticism if you are in fact unhappy, for example, with the price of alcohol in the union? Or perhaps you’re fed up of your society meeting in a mate’s house and you’d like to hire one of The Union’s conference rooms? Better still, maybe you would like to see more emphasis put on the needs of the student body instead of the hunt for profit in commercial activities within D.U.S.A? All too often we sit around the table and debate the issues relevant to students. But how many of you actually do anything after that? Use your Student Executive for this! Believe it or not (and I know D.U.S.A’s management won’t) but your Exec (i.e. your President and co.) are ultimately in charge of the running of The Union. Thus, now is the time

to push your team and give them some important objectives for their year ahead in office.

Get on the blower to them or, while you’re in The Union, visit your Exec team in the offices beside the pool tables on Level 4. Ask them for answers, moan at them until something gets done.

Otherwise there really is no point in sitting around that table swapping your gripes amongst friends.

Let’s face it; the conversation will just get boring after a while.

If you want to publicly moan (perhaps we should call this constructive criticism) then write into the Magdalen.

Lauren Bennie

Societies

SOCIETIES

@ Dundee University

NEWS

David MacLeod

Society life kicked off this year with the first Societies Council meeting. The meeting began as always with the passing of previous minutes and he election of the Funding Council for 2007-08. The elected member were Phillip Engelholm, Altaf Hussein, Emily and Jennifer Graham.

The Funding Council will meet twice this year to allocate the £18 000 of grants for societies.

The first Council meeting also saw the election of Philip Engelholm as the Societies Rep for SRC. This will give societies a voice on SRC and I am sure Philip will represent societies well.

Societies council was fallowed by a Treasurers Induction.

At the well attended session Chris Sloan (General Manager DUSA), and Willie Anderson (Finance and Business Support Manager DUSA), gave their expert advice on a range of issues from the implication of OSCR regulations for societies to effective financial record keeping.

“If you have a brilliant idea for a new society that Dundee uni simply cannot do without then contact Dave MacLeod at The Union and he can help you set up your very own. Just email him at vpc@dusa.co.uk or pop by his office on level 4 in The Union!!”

YOUR EVENTS HERE USE THIS SPACE TO ADVERTISE YOU UPCOMMING SOCIETIES EVENT. The Magdalen aims to cater for as many of Dundee University’s students as possible after all ts your magazine!

Please send info on your event to themagdalen@ dusa.co.uk a month in advance and we will include it in a Society Event Listing. What better way to spread the word about your event!!

Accountancy Society • Amnesty International Society •Bands Society • Big Band • Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Society • Catholic Society • Chamber Choir • Chinese Society • Chocolate Eaters Society • Comedy Society • Conservative Students Society • Debating Union • Development and Research Expeditions (DARE) Society • Engineering and Physics Society • English Film and Literature Society • Finnish Society • Forensic Society • Geography Society • Hellenic Society • Hispanic Society • International Students Society • Islamic Student Society •Labour Students Society • LGBT Society • Life in Performance Theatre Society • Med-Sin Society • Mooting Society • Music Society • Opsoc Musical Society • People and Planet • Planners Society • Platonic Society • Poker Society • Politics Society • Psychology Society • Role Playing Society • Scottish Country Dancing Society • Self Defence Society • Socialist Students Society • Sri Lankan Society • Young Entrepreneurs Society • Zoological Society •

YOUR STUDENT COUNCIL

SRC STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL NAME

POSITION

CONTACT

First Year Representative of Communications

Laurie Cameron

lccameron@dundee.ac.uk

First Year Representative of Representation

Faysal Samimy

f.smamimy@dundee.ac.uk

First Year Representative of Welfare

Nathan Sparling

n.l.sparling@dundee.ac.uk

First Year Representative of Services

Marion Lean

mlean@dundee.ac.uk

Student Interest Representative

Joe Peacock

j.j.peacock@dundee.ac.uk

Student Interest Representative

Alex Richards

a.m.z.richards@dundee.ac.uk

Student Interest Representative

Rachel Irwin

n.r.irwin@dundee.ac.uk

Student Staff Representative

John Thow

j.a.thow@dundee.ac.uk

Student Welfare Representative

Martin Nimmo

m.nimmo@dundee.ac.uk

Student Services Representative

Kirsty Brown

k.w.browan@dundee.ac.uk

Media Representative

Laura Bennie

l.bennie@dundee.ac.uk

Media Representative

Gavin McNee

g.a.j.mcnee@dundee.ac.uk

International Student Representative

Maria von Gagern

m.vongagern@dundee.ac.uk

International Student Representative

Anna Rozewska

a.m.r.rozewska@dundee.ac.uk

Ethics & Environmental Representative

Waseem Maghal

w.a.maghal@dundee.ac.uk

Post Graduate Representative Research

Chris Edgar

c.w.edgar@dundee.ac.uk

Societies Representative

Philip Engelholm

p.engelholm@dundee.ac.uk

School President Duncan of Jordanstone

Ryan Bothamly

r.bothamley@dundee.ac.uk

School President Nursing

Ruth Parkinson

r.m.parkinson@dundee.ac.uk

School President Psychology

Nathalie Lam

n.lam@dundee.ac.uk

School President Computing

Suzanne Prior

sprior@computing.dundee.ac.uk

School President Medicine

Euan Douglas

E.Douglas@dundee.ac.uk

School President Architecture

Mark Levenston

m.s.levenston@dundee.ac.u

School President Humanities

Inga Thiemann

i.k.thiemann@dundee.ac.uk

School President Accountancy

Beth McWhirter

b.m.mcwerter@dundee.ac.uk

School President Dentistry

David Suherland

d.s.sutherland@dundee.ac.uk

School President Law

Rory Lamrock

r.lamrock@dundee.ac.uk

School President Education,Social Work, Com

Lisa Maciver

L.J.Maciver@dundee.ac.uk

School President Life Sciences L&T

Francis Ferrari

f.d.ferrari@dundee.ac.uk

There is still the position of “Post Graduate Representative Taught.� If you would like to stand in this position, please contact the Vice President of Representation - Jordan Smith by emailing him at vpr@dusa.co.uk or phoning him on (01382 386005) For information on what the roles of your representatives are, visit the DUSA website, www.dusa.co.uk

A SELECTION OF AUTHENTIC CURRYS, PAKORA, SAMOSA WITH NAN, POPODUMS, RICE & CONDIMENTS ONLY £4.50

ALTERNATE MONDAYS FROM 1ST OCTOBER 5PM-9PM 20% OFF COCKTAILS BUY TWO LARGE GLASSES OF WINE AND GET THE REST OF THE BOTTLE FREE

Liar Darts Leag ue EVERY MONDAY, STARTS AT 7PM FREE ADMISSION, THE LIAR

Teams of four and singles matches Darts are provided.

Win prizes and entry into the live darts extravaganza hosted by Sid Waddell in November 2007

THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE ALTERNATE MONDAYS 24TH SEPTEMBER, 8TH OCTOBER, 22ND OCTOBER 5TH NOVEMBER, 19TH NOVEMBER

DOORS OPEN 8PM TICKET £3 ADV./ £4 DOOR DISCOUNTS ON PITCHERS AND ‘BUCKETS’ OF BEER

Mondays at

Well freshers week has come and gone, and I’m glad to see that the herds of wildebeest have once more returned to roam the west end of Fundee. The freshers among you may have been immediately aware of the Nightbus. But if not speak to a senior student, who will regale you with tale of a legendary and mysterious coach sweeping through misty cobbled streets towards West Park and Wimberley which you did not catch but had to trap to be able to board. Today it’s much easier; this year there is a timetable, which you can pick up at the Students Union.

Fun happens on the Nightbus, however there are some do’s and don’ts of which you should be aware. The bus will collect you at Ninewells and Westpark or at other points between there and its destination, the union. It does not deposit you at Tesco stores, Fat Boabs nightclub, Soapy Soutars Sauna and Disco, or collects Marmaduke’s Turkish takawas (Dundunese; you must learn to speak it). Riotous behaviour is frowned upon as you might expect, as is the regurgitation of food. The penalties for these misdemeanours are so harsh as to be unmentionable here, think about Siberia. As a general rule think along these lines: Nothing is permitted on the Nightbus unless there is a notice allowing it, the first student of English Literature to tell me the novel or novelist from which this was lifted will be awarded the Fyffer prize for literature 2008.

Nightbus drivers are a special breed, as they need to be. There are Gandalf like characters master chefs, odd students, by that I mean from time to time, we even had a hells angel but he couldn’t handle the noise. They will be able to assist you with parent like advice you might not want, but then again you might. Things like where are the best, nicest most expensive/cheapest flats. What are the safest places or areas to avoid. Recipes for mince and tatties, or how to make cheese on toast at Westpark without inviting the Fire Brigade ad three appliances! Some are grumpy from time to time, particularly at 4.00 in the morning, but you’ve got to expect that sometimes. Yes, the drivers are a bit like Customer Safety without the menace.

Finally the most important part, to advise you as to how to actually catch the bus; remember the driver does not know every student, he may have a stereotypical image but it may not be you. Wave, make eye contact, if he waves and continues it means the bus is full and he will come back for you or phone another bus. If it’s after three in the morning you have missed that last bus, take a taxi, do not walk home alone. Catching the bus at the Union is easy; stand in the queue outside, the last bus is 15 minutes after the last bar in the Union closes. So look out I might see you tonight.

NIGHTBUSRIDER

NIGHTBUSRIDER

0 8 MAGDALENFRESHERS

THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER TH

10.30PM - 2.30AM/TICKETS £3 TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: LEVEL 2 RECEPTION – THE UNION

STUDENTS FROM ALL UNIVERSITIES WELCOME EACH STUDENT MAY SIGN-IN UPTO 2 GUESTS

GLOW STICKS!!DUST MASKS!!WHITE GLOVES!!WAISTCOATS!!

PAINT SUITS!!NEON!!CRASHER KIDS!!GAS MASKS!!SHADES!!

TRACKSUITS!!WHISTLES!!TIE-DYE!!FURRY BOOTS!!HORNS!!

MORE GLOW STICKS!!DUMMIES!!HI-VIS EVERYTHING!!

only

design//andystewart-design.com

R THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN TY FANCY DRESS PAR

ce dress

Prizes For best fan

University of Dundee

BANDS NIGHT FLOOR 5 7PM 16TH OCTOBER

FRESHERS WEEK 07 MAGDALEN photographers were out in force during freshers week and caught some of you lot at it! There are loads of photos up on the Union website too!!

INCOMING!! october Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6

“Mutant Disco Pogo for Punks in Pumps,’ Freakscene is a successfull night which has made the union its new home. The mix of Electro Dance and Alternative was well received in Week 2.

Something for all those sick of the mid-week predictable pop churned out in all the cities other clubs, the Re:Production team will be putting together some of the finest bootlegs and mashups ever to grace your lugs.

Pioneering the lastest visual and dvd techology to creat an unforgettable mulimedia experience in conjunction with the ultimate student and party anthems. All your favourites past and present.

After several sold-out guest slots, Radio 1’s Vic Galloway takes up a fortnighty residency in ono this year, playing the latest and greatest Rock, indie, Electro and dance. Vic has a strict ‘No Crap’ policy - sure to be great music.

DUNDEE’S BIGGEST AND BEST STUDENT NIGHT! Wide range of great music, constantly rammed dancefloor, drinks from 99p and free entry...

Say no more.

Continuing the Unions tradition of great theme nights, Spice Up Your Life resurrects all that was great in our rose tinted memories of the 90’s. The Music, the style, the movies and TV shows. Relive the 90’s every week.

Fridays Floor 5 Week 6

Thursdays Mono Week 3 and 5

Fridays Mono Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6

Saturdays Mono Week 3 and 5

Wednesdays Mono Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6

Saturdays Floor 5 Weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6

‘Quality , sexy, electronic sounds with a funky and accessible groove.’

Two Dj’s, veterans of he Dundee Club Scene, their enthusiasm for the music is clearly visible. The launch night will feature Radio 1’s Trophy Twins- bound to be a sell out!

New Night* Brings together mix of latest and classic indie and rock tunes. No eges, no attitudes leave your perceptions at the door.

Open Mic night for all you songsters.

Always a good atmosphere and an enjoyable eavening.

Urban Hip Hop, Drum n Bass & Funk, with break dancers and live street art.

No guns, gangstas and gold, this night is different.

More Beastie Boys that Fiddy. Urban without the bling - a whole new clubbing experience.

Another brand new night for 2007, The Beats is an African Hip-Hop night bringing an international flavour to the union.

Describing the night as “Mixing the funkyness of Africa with the wildness of Scotland”, expect a crossover over afroamerican hip hop .

From the guys who brought Pendulum, Mylo and others to the Union comes Chris Coco.

Former Radio 1 DJ Chris Coco has an impressive club CV which includes sets at Pacha, Mannumission, Glastonbury and the Big Chill.

Fridays Floor 5 Week 5

Wednesdays Floor 5 Week3 and 5

Air

Wenesdays Floor 5 Weeks 4 nd 6

Friday Floor 5 Week 7

Saturday Mono 13th October

s p r o C y v n E The

ENVY CORPS CAME TO DUNDEE BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLABBALBDH

Guys you are a new name to us here can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you got together?

We all met at auditions for a stoner rock band called the Bagiant, no I’m kidding. The town that I’m from has a University, I wasn’t attending but David was and he was who I met first in the band, we started jamming together under the band name Envy Corps with some other guys from the school. There were a couple years of not taking it seriously, just fooling around. And then we got David’s brother Scott in the band on drums and kind of stole Brandon from another band that was around at the time.

The name The Envy Corps, where did it some from?

One of my best mates used to be the base player in the band and we used to sit in church together – very much sinners and weren’t paying attention to the sermon.

We used to sit there and write these horribly kind of sacrilegious death metal lyrics and stuff like that. We used to come up with band names like ‘Wizard of Gauze’ and ‘Rock Paper Scissors Death’; one of those band names was ‘The Envy Corps’.

So how is it going for you guys in the States, obviously you are bigger out there than you are here.

Well we’ve gotten bigger since we left, although we haven’t been back to play a show for a while. We get a lot of support in our hometown; they play us on the radio a lot and we can have, relatively speaking, a huge amount of success but it doesn’t lend itself to live music, in general people don’t go to gigs or to a show because it’s a really dead scene there, there’s not a lot of musicians. Generally

speaking if you do well there usually you are just huge.

We didn’t really have much of a opportunity to tour enough to really see that much success nationwide, we were building and building then kind of got plucked because we got signed over here.

How are you finding the UK since u got here?

Its cool, its so different in the very subtlest of ways, from things not being able to get a burrito here and instead getting a kebab, the way everyone talks slightly different each place you go. Our sound guy was like yeah guys that’s diamond, we just like it’s what?!

For the record what is better Burrito or kebab?

Errrrm, right now I have to say burrito because I haven’t had one in about 3 months…although someone mentioned a Gut buster?.. I have to try one of those.

Supporting the Killers, what was that like?

We’ve know then for a long time, I’ve known Dave for a couple of year and it was in October last year we played with them for the first time. That was cool we did five shows with them. Then we did a couple more just recently. Those guys are really nice to tour with, the really accommodate you and don’t make you feel like an opening band at all. They give you plenty time for your sound checks and stuff The first show we played with the killers was in Salt Lake City to 3000 people, anything before that was up to 500 it was interesting for us, it was fun but nerve-racking experiences that first.

It was the first time since our first show ever that we were nervous. It’s always good to look into the crowd and see a few hundred people really enjoying themselves.

It was great for us too because their fan base is really receptive to our music Yea we picked up a few myspace stalkers after that

So guys your in Dundee, have you had much time to explore?

We got here, we ate. We pretty much lazed about in our hotel, and then camE up to the union.

You’re just off stage how was playing at Dundee?

We really felt we got a great response here tonight, Scotland in general is a great place to play, everyone is more into their music. We played Edinburgh last night and everyone there was so trashed. They just wanted to get drunk and get a girl but tonight everyone was much more receptive, they got into it a lot more.

The View home grown in Dundee, what do you guys make of them?

“

We had a tour bus right after them and it smelled of piss. (Enough said) Seriously though I have heard that this place has seen a lot of good acts come up, I met the base guy from Snow patrol the other day, he told me

The first show we played with the killers

was in Salt Lake City to 3000 people,

anything before that was up to 500

”

about his time here. We were speaking to the guy running the magazine, he was telling us about how he’s trying to kick-start the student music scene here and he’s got an event coming up. College is always a good place to join a band and explore your music, I think it’s important that that sort of stuff happens.

How was playing Glastonbury?

We were in a tent which was empty when we started, but we started playing and it filled up. It’s awesome when the crowd, who at somewhere like Glastonbury can go God knows anywhere, come walk in as were playing to check us out. You don’t really expect anyone to be in there, when they could be watching anyone else, and there is our little stage and the tent filling up. Its like who cares why they are here we’ll take it.

You guys do festivals really well over here, not like America because theres so few. But that was a good show, Brandon got a little crazy and threw his guitar into the crowd. We didn’t expect to get Glastombury so soon, with not having an album out and just starting to build things up, it was a great bonus to get it and we were really encouraged.

So where are you with the album?

The albums been done for a couple of months now, were just waiting to release it in January.

We have our next single out on October the 8th.

What has been your favourite moment as a band so far?

I think every time the band hits a milestone we kind of acknowledge it, were not the kind of

band that party’s or accepts our successes very well. We try to get better at recognising that things are going great because we’re really focused on things going well that when things are great we don’t necessarily stop and go “That was awesome” We probably should try and enjoy it more.

For me the day we got signed, none of us were even together that day though If I was going to say one moment, even though we didn’t stop to celebrate it, the night we signed the record contract was the first night we played with the killers. We were backstage in Salt Lake City and we signed the contract right before we went on and played our biggest show ever, it felt like everything was clicking at that point.

Listening to just now?

I’ve been listning to a lot of new stuff just now, stuff that’s new to me at least. Most of the bands happened to be Irish, a guy called Declan O’Rourke I like folky type stuff, Another favourite right now is Rosie Thomas who is an acoustic folk singer from the states.

When we’re really busy the stuff I listen to tends to be really different from what we’re doing. I really like the Biffy Clyro album, I listen to that a lot. I also dig the band Gallows right now and also worth mentioning is that I ‘ve been listening to the Police a lot.

Em yeah I’ve been listening to the original soundtrack from

chronocross.

I’m really into the band New Order, we also listen to the Doves and a lot of classic type beatles stuff.

I think where we all meet as a band is around Radiohead and The Flaming Lips, with a lot of influences from each of us.

That’s a thing I think you find in a lot of today’s great band, they all have individual tastes and obviously come together on a few key things.

Its all our individual influences that make our sound.

FILM 50 Cent Curtis

(Interscope) 4/5 50 Cent’s new album Curtis (his real name) is what fans have come to expect of him, the tried and tested formula of both tales of the hood and living the high life served over an urban beat. Fiddy has also once again rounded up some impressive talent to work with including Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Akon, Mary J. Blige and his buddy Eminem.

The highlight of the album has to be recent single Ayo Technology, whilst Robin Thicke collaboration Follow My Lead also has hit potential. Hip Hop fans will not be disappointed.

Hard-Fi - Once

Upon a Time in The West

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY (12) 1/5 A story line about two straight firemen pretending to be a couple in order to pull off a large scam against their insurance policy seems to be one of those films which just isn’t that funny. Adam Sandler once again appears in a film that will send his credibility plummeting. The film is just a cliché after cliché, and a series of cameo roles for sub-par celebrities lead the movie down the plug hole. The plot, from start to finish, never really seems to get going, and for a film that last for well over two hours, this can get boring for the most avid fan. Hopefully the producers will see sense and not make a sequel out of another film which is quite honestly crap.

(Atlantic) 2/5 We all love a bit of Hard-Fi on the good old Singstar but how about a whole album? I’m not convinced about this second album. Yes Suburban Knights is a ‘hit’ but I’m of the opinion that Radio One air play has a lot to do with this.

The track is catchy, commercially repetitive but for me the only thing it confirms is that the band know how to pronounce their vowels…..

EEEhhhh, OOohhh, AAaahh. Can’t Get Along (Without You) was recently Scott Mills’s record of the week so no doubt Hard-Fi are onto a winning album.

The guitar piece on I Shall Overcome is rather like that of Justin Timberlake’s first album. A random comment, I know, but the riff slyly works.

Unfortunately on Watch Me Fall Apart the rest of the band are still chanting their vowels any chance they get. I do like Television, the record is definitely a bit more Hard-Fi. The record label are hailing this as a “12-tracktour-de-force of genre-hopping beats, stomping Motown undercurrents, indie purr and rapid fire delivery” and having sold over 1 million copies of their first album, someone clearly likes them.

Tiny Dancers Lions and Tigers and Lions

(Parlophone) 4/5

RATATOUILLE (U) 5/5 The rat who wanted to be a chef, not the most hygienic of proposals, but certainly the funniest. Pixar do it again, and produce another hilarious comedy animation which takes what most people would think to be quite an average plot and turn it in to an epic family film. In this film, Remy, the rat, rescues a business – in an industry were rats are normally exterminated. The animation world is growing strength by strength every year, and this could well be the best movie of the year

The Tiny Dancers are taking their time with the two step. Sharing the mainstage this year at Rockness, with the likes of The Feeling and The Manic Street Preachers, has put them firmly on the map. They might be taking their time but they’ve really got their act together since I caught them supporting Richard Ashcroft in November 2005 and then Paolo Nutini back in late 2006.

While 20 to 9 still sounds a little too much like a demo made in your mate’s garage, Hemsworth Halloway makes up for it with its quickening pace and ability to get your shoulder twitching.

When the chorus comes back around, you’ve got the head bopping along too. The track ends with soothing bird song and sounds of running water. It’s natural. The Tiny Dancers have created something real and fresh, managing to cut out all the crap.

At first, it is hard to know where The Tiny Dancers are taking you. They stop and start. You’re thrown back to a 1960’s school disco with Russian Snow while Sun Goes Down lets the mind drift off.

Thankfully, Going Away got me back into the mood. I can’t quick put my finger on it. Is it the acoustic hand clapping or systematic drum beat? What is their style? American Diner? Retro?

Neo-folk? Whatever it is, after listening to various artists for this piece, The Tiny Dancers tracks were still in my head first thing this morning.

MUSIC

E HT SIC UM ESS RP Babyshambles Delivery (Parlophone) 4/5 These days it is not for his music that Pete Doherty is best known. With this latest release taken from their forthcoming album Shotter’s Nation, Doherty and his band set out to change this. Their first single since Janie Jones which hit the UK Top 20 a year ago, this short but sweet Indie anthem is set to be one of the most memorable songs of the year.

Little Red Waiting (Regal) 3/5 From the very first listen it is easy to know that Little Red is aiming for that retro vibe, a strategy that has served Amy Winehouse well for two albums so far.

Sounding like a modern day Beatles, the future is possibly bright for the Australian newcomers.

However, with so many similar sounding bands around today it is hard to be sure. If like their 1960s predecessors however they decide to experiment more with their sound, they can look forward to a long stay in the pop mainstream.

Willy Mason Gotta Keep Walkin (Virgin) 4/5 Gotta Keep Walking is the latest single from New Yorker Mason’s second solo album If The Ocean Gets Rough. He possesses a blues tinged voice equal to, if not greater than Paolo Nutini’s and delivers the song with complete sincerity. An accessible song to all different musical tastes.

MYSPACE music DECLAN O’ROURKE

Will.I.Am Songs About Girls (Interscope) 3/5

Songs About Girls is the latest solo offering from Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am and whilst it will not alienate any of his current fanbase, it has the potential to open the door to a whole new audience. The album opens with the irresistibly catchy Over, which surprisingly has not yet been released as a single. Whilst the rest of the album is still enjoyable, not every song has the standout qualities that both Over and lead single I Got It from My Mama possess. However, still a worthy purchase for anyone who likes a good party album.

Jakobinarina His lyrics are disastrous (EMI/Regal) 3/5 From the moment you press play, this record hits you straight between the eyes. Drums kick in and make you feel more alive and ready for the day.

Despite the heaviness, and a voice which sounds like he could do with some cough syrup, there’s also a light melodic feeling to this track. You could jump from side to side in Air Bar while it played and no one would think you’re strange.

Jackobinarina are a young six piece band, with a pop punk style. Check out their website- they look like a Nordic McFly. They sure don’t sound like our lads McFly. Either way, are you ready for them?

Mark Ronson Valerie

(Columbia) 4/5 With all the bad press Miss Winehouse has had, what with the cancellation of her U.S. tour supported by Paolo Nutini, some might say Ronson is taking a bit of a risk with this release.

Perhaps the genius lies in the fact that so many other fantastic vocalists and artists are involved in the nine different remixes Mark Ronson offers on this promo disk. The Baby J Remix is funky and fresh with the deep accent accompanying the piano, violin and possibly a trumpet if the ear picks it up correctly. The Count of Monte Cristal & Sinden Remix must be mentioned as THE track I want to hear in Mono this term. This is real music, a little bit reggae, a little bit soul, a little bit hip, a little bit club and a lot of all right!

http://www.myspace.com/declanorourke Dublin born O’Rourke combines a radio friendly soft rock sound with a folky twist. A winning forumla it seems as he currently has well over 5000 fans on MySpace alone. New single Big Bad Beautiful World is worth checking out!

THE BLACK SHEEP MUSIC SOCIETY http://www.myspace.com/ blacksheepmusicsociety

Even from the very first listen it is very surprising that this St. Andrews based duo are currently unsigned. The folk-pop sound that they employ has proved successful for a lot of artists in recent years, including fellow Scot KT Tunstall. There is no reason why this band should not move on to mainstream success.

CALL TO MIND http://www.myspace.com/calltomind Experimental Scottish band Call To Mind have a sound that is fairly unique and pretty much unlike anything else you will hear on the radio these days. Their impressive number of fans and positive reviews that can be found on their page tell you all you need to know.

SPORT REVIEW Another Fresher’s week has been and gone, the remains of which can still be seen drapped around various areas of campus.

On a sporting front we took the captains on a day they won’t forget (perhaps with exception of the one that suffered concussion). The day started with a mystery bus tour, with the end destination being the Skate Park.

You can imagine that on arrival the captains were a wee bit apprehensive however after they were kitted out with helmets and such like they were ready to roll or so to speak! Skateboards, roller blades and bmx bikes were all moving (just) around the park, there were a few folk who picked it up so quickly they were even attempting jumps and ramps.

The captains received the info they require to get them up and running for the year, through powerpoints and handouts. The info + the activity + the awesome lunch made for a good day, not to mention the Union putting on an amazing drinks deal for us when we returned!

SPORTS FAYRE Friday of Fresher’s week saw the return of the annual Sports Fayre in Mono, this event basically included all 44 clubs and some external companies having a stall and bartering with all walks of life to join their club. Its hard to say how the fresher’s received the event with the usual stealing of sweets from other tables, outrageous outfits (re- freefall wearing full multi coloured jump gear) and the occasional club strutting around with pints and doing boat races. All in all the day was busy and had a lively vibe about it! Hopefully the fresher’s found the club they were looking for…

PLAY BEFORE YOU PAY You may or may not know but Wednesday afternoon is traditionally sports day, where many of the Uni clubs put on their red and black kits and head out to play other Uni’s from around Scotland and Britain. We kicked

off the year with an organised sports day named Play before you Pay (which becomes harder and harder to say the more beers you’ve had). This involved over 40 sports taking place on campus in one way, shape, size or another.

The slightly unusual sports who commonly don’t find that the University has facilities suitable for them (i.e ski, surf, freefall and so on) found themselves playing the Nintendo Wii and propping the bar up in Liar. The day was a huge success with over 950 people putting on their sports kit and taking part in as many sports as they could handle. The Union provided drinks promo’s in Liar from 5-7pm and then the day was finished off with a pavement BBQ outside mono. Over 400 sports people entered the Union for food, drink and banter. Many thanks goes out to the ISE, the Union and to the Sports Union Executive.

LOYALTY CARDS The Union in assotiation with the Sports Union has launched the much anticipated Loyalty CArds. This allows all those who participate in club sport to raise money for their club while enjoying themselves!

At the recent Sports union matriculation all club members were issued with a card which they swipe any time they make a purchase at a bar or at 4 Food.

At them end of the year each club will be awarded a sum by the Union according to how many points they have gained over the year. The move has been welcomed by all and is set to prove very beneficial for Dundee Universitysports clubs.

New Kit

SPORT

For the first time ever we have a University of Dundee Sports Union Kit, if you want to get involved and strut around in the Dundee colours then get into the Sports Union office on level 4 of the Union and purchase your kit, alternatively see the SU website www. sportsunion.dundee. ac.uk, ‘about us’ page for more details.

SPORTS UNION DINNER APEX HOTEL THURSDAY 8TH NOVEMBER tickets on sale from sports union office 1st november

With this dinner being held in week 8 it gives everyone a chance to settle into the sporting calendar and a final big night out before you start thinking about your Christmas exams. It will be a night for every member of the Sports’ Union and is a chance for everybody to dress up smart, eat good food and dance the night away! For further details speak to your club Captains or come and see us in the Sports Union.

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