5 days agoMember-onlyHighly rated: XXX chat with adult film director Amory PeartWhen does an X-rated movie become XXX? Award-winning adult film director Amory Peart — the man behind Hard Brexxxit, Butt Buddies and The Iron Lady Garden — explains the confusing movie ratings system. Before we meet filmmaker Amory Peart, let me give you a bit of background: The film certification…Film6 min readFilm6 min read
Nov 26Dancing through the Winter of Discontent (1978–79)“Now is the winter of our discontent.” Richard, Duke of Gloucester, opens Shakespeare’s Richard III At the end of 1978, the UK’s Labour government had just one year left in power before it was obliged to call a General Election. …Politics9 min readPolitics9 min read
Nov 15V (1983) — How Space Lizards Taught Us To Fight FascismIn spring 1983 a series of posters appeared in US subway stations showing a smiling man in sunglasses above the phrase: “The Visitors are our friends.” Days later, every one of these posters had been defaced with a giant red “V”. They announced the arrival of V, a rollicking sci-fi…80s9 min read80s9 min read
Feb 18How Ultravox invented the 80sThe influence of pop pioneers Ultravox spreads way beyond their epic 1981 hit Vienna. But do they embody the 80s? Wasn’t that Depeche Mode, Madonna, Eurythmics or U2? Let me explain. Here are 6 ways in which Ultravox — yes, Ultravox — invented the 80s: Synth pioneers Ultravox began in…Art9 min readArt9 min read
Jun 26, 2022Member-onlyGay guys are always thirsty for sex — and other mythsWe all know that gay guys are thirsty for sex. Just look at the endless parade of shirtless men we’re forced to scroll through on Instagram, guys in pants panting for Likes. Meanwhile dating app Grindr racks up 10.8 million users a month. That’s a whole lot of thirst. And…Gay9 min readGay9 min read
Oct 18, 2021Words & the Beez: How Scritti Politti Re-Wrote PopScritti Politti blend pop, funk and hip hop with some of the sweetest vocals and most intriguing lyrics you’ll ever hear. Led by Green Gartside, they are rediscovered frequently by music lovers and music makers, despite reaching their chart peak in 1985. Here’s why: DIY revolution Scritti Politti began as a post-punk…Pop6 min readPop6 min read
Jul 10, 2021Retablos — the art of saying thank you in MexicoA young woman in a yellow nightdress sits bolt upright in bed. A gun is being pointed at her by a stern looking gentleman in a sombrero. Poking out from beneath the bed, we see the torso of a young man. Is he trying to hide? In the far corner…Art5 min readArt5 min read
May 15, 2021The truth about my Dad and rock god Suzi Quatro“She’s great that Suzi Quatro.” It’s Friday evening at the end of the 70s and my dad’s watching Happy Days with me and my brother. I say “watching” not “enjoying” because Happy Days was always lame as — one dopey situation after another glued together with canned laughter. But I’m…Family3 min readFamily3 min read
Apr 16, 2021Member-onlyDoes pink pacify prisoners? The criminal allure of Baker-Miller PinkIf you get yourself thrown into prison in the US or Switzerland, you may find that your cell walls have been painted pink. This is because a particular shade of pink has been reported to calm us down and reduce aggression. But does it work? And if so, how? Baker-Miller…Colour7 min readColour7 min read
Feb 27, 2021Orpheus loved & lost — what’s the point of that?In Greek mythology, Orpheus braved the depths of Hell itself to win back his one true love. But despite all his efforts and all his charms, it still ended in tragedy. For centuries the heartbreaking tale of Orpheus and Eurydice has inspired songs, art, films, operas and ballet, plus the…Myths10 min readMyths10 min read
