Lancashire post-rock lovelies Last Lungs agreed to sit around a table for a little chat about their tour, plans for the future, and an unexpected favourite track for the journey home [clue, it's at the bottom of this entry ;)]
The interview can be found right here
A little slice of their stuff is right here :
Oh, and for a treat, as played on their van home...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjLcQMO5SS4
((This interview took place at the New Continental, Preston))
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
UndeReview - Next Stop Atlanta "Next Stop Atlanta EP"
Next Stop Atlanta
Truth be told, the pop-punk scene didn’t half trip itself down the steepest of hills just as things appeared to be breaking out into very interesting times. Maybe the need for mainstream foot-tapping melodies over-balanced the logistics necessary in ‘keeping it real’, the fashion equivalent of bringing two north-facing magnets together?
Next Stop Atlanta take to the stage with this history – albeit not personal – putting its hand on their shoulders. For the best part of their EP is reimagining the past, remembering how everything was and could have been. This is the photo album flick-through which doesn’t involve awkwardly skimming past elderly relatives in bikinis or parental units in states of undress. Smiles and relief all round, not least in the familiar surroundings of breakfree choruses lifted above melodic free-for-alls and snappy surf guitars.
To British ears this could seem positively garish, so thankfully the lyrical content has melancholy and regret whisked into the generally over-familiar streetsmart attitude. Unlike the kind of throwaway “songs with no meaning” referenced in the brilliantly catchy “I’ll Catch Fire”, there are substantial, heartfelt moments throughout, strides away from the playground lowlights from recent years.
Opener and typesetting nightmare “fourteennineeightseven” has more bounce than Freejumpers let loose in a multi-storey, all layers of vocal and runaway drums and the much maligned stop/start ending. In short, these are top songs more “Deathcar” than “Ticket Out of Loserville”.
Lesser publications would make issues aplenty with NSA’s female singer, who speaks assuredly from the heart without vocal trickery or (and here’s the thing) an accent from the Emo Stageschool. When asked to soothe worried souls (“When Perfection is Key”) or put the record straight (“You, Me and the Dance Flaw”), her authenticity far outshines any audacity.
That could well be the best summary for the EP; polished production, and tasty little guitar breaks which are superb and conventional in almost equal measure. There is no threat of history sticking out its leg anytime soon, there’s clearly a lot of Next Stop Atlanta to go round only hinted at here. A fine EP and much promised, even if the ambition of the band name may be a while off yet...
Next Stop Atlanta on MySpace, Twitter and Facebook
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Interview with Make Me King
Lancashire’s Make Me King are taking their merry brand of melodic alternative rock on the road to promote “The Whisper is a Hint” (RiotPop Records). As their eponymous song says, “every boy needs a score”, and these guys seem to have done that very highly with a polished and professional debut EP.
“Since we started all this, for like three years, all I’ve wanted to do is live in a van touring,” sighs bassist Lewis Clark, his youthful expectation hidden behind thick facial hair which didn’t need anyone shaking Movember sponsorship forms to get going.
Guitarist Jack Mason, having helped Deep Elm Records’ Last Lungs on their national tour earlier this year, nods his head sagely; “There’s nothing better. You’re partying, you’re drinking, you may or may not be doing drugs, and you’re playing gigs. It does me.”
Formed three years ago at a college in Preston, the path which leads the twenty-somethings to publicising their debut appears to have been not merely direct but lined with travelators. The tangible result is an album brimming with attitude, confidence and youthful zeal, one with a coherence which hides the truth of its disjointed origins.
Guitarist Sean Marshall explains, “The thing is, it didn’t all get recorded in one section. It’s more luck, to be honest, if it all sounds like it works together. We kinda put “Every Truth or Dare” in the middle of our set and worked things out from there.”
“We started out pretty pop punk,” Jack chips in, “and now we’ve preferred to write now we’ve grown up over the years.”
“Growing up” strikes as a bold claim for the lads as they snigger, chuckle and wisecrack through the interview, relishing with broad grins the chances afforded them and their highly strung set of songs. In the pop-punk tradition, though notably broadened out and matured, their take on the ubiquitous genre is particularly sharp.
Particularly dangerous territory is this sort of thing, littered with Lost Prophets and Fightstar comparisons. Credit to them for knowing how often to hat-tip influences whilst making a path of their own, even if enquiring about influences sets off minor squabbles and layers of interrupted over-talking.
“Right, Jack, just choose two albums, like when you started out or something, and I’ll think about mine,” suggests Sean in full diplomacy mode.
“I kinda loved the old Panic! At The Disco sound on the first....”
“Bastard! Bastard, you stole my one...”
Lewis goes for the rare trait of answering the question.
“Yeah, there’s kinda different things, I dunno, Brand New, like, were a massive influence. Me especially, that guy [Jesse Lacey] is a fucking genius”.
The MMK sound – “swingy choruses, like dun-de-dun-de...sorry” tries Sean by way of explanation – eschews the over familiar hand-clap-and-power-chords combo for variety and production quirks. Having suggested that the upbeat songs could make it possible to jive to their songs, a short debate lands on the certainty of waltzing if nothing else;
“You could waltz to us, I want to see that in our first video, fact, Tower Ballroom, it has to be done,” table-thumps Jack, to agreeable nods from Sean.
“Would be sick, make it happen someone”. Lewis demands, feigning a call to the producers of Strictly Come Dancing.
The topic of “growing up these past few years” comes back to mind, but too many tangents have been fired off to suggest returning to topic. Whatever that had been...
Having joined together as friends and grabbed attention the modern way – “MySpace, back in the day, was at its height for bands”- Make Me King have spent most of the formative years recording. This may point to the eagerness to get out beyond the clubs of the north-west, having ventured to London for two weeks to essentially live in the recording studio.
“The eight-minute ballad I’m going to write for the next album will be about my getting lost on the walk across London listening to Ellie Goulding,” Jack confidently asserts.
Irreverent they may be, committed they most certainly are. All digital voice recordings of this interview suggests no actual conclusion was determined, the lads talking and gabbling on musicianship – “We worked in time signatures switches, like, to advance what ideas we had. Well, a bloke told us that’s what we had done, to be honest.” – to the ongoing NUS protests - “I want to get a job full time, like,” nods Sean. “I fancy a riot,” offers Lewis.
It is probably the best way to conclude the little chat, for even the formality of start-middle-end during conversations seems a bit much. They are good lads with focus, albeit without total command on concentration, and the promise to turn whispers into shouts if the EP is any reasonable guide.
With or without the ballroom dancing...
You can find RiotPop records right here
“Since we started all this, for like three years, all I’ve wanted to do is live in a van touring,” sighs bassist Lewis Clark, his youthful expectation hidden behind thick facial hair which didn’t need anyone shaking Movember sponsorship forms to get going.
Guitarist Jack Mason, having helped Deep Elm Records’ Last Lungs on their national tour earlier this year, nods his head sagely; “There’s nothing better. You’re partying, you’re drinking, you may or may not be doing drugs, and you’re playing gigs. It does me.”
Formed three years ago at a college in Preston, the path which leads the twenty-somethings to publicising their debut appears to have been not merely direct but lined with travelators. The tangible result is an album brimming with attitude, confidence and youthful zeal, one with a coherence which hides the truth of its disjointed origins.
Guitarist Sean Marshall explains, “The thing is, it didn’t all get recorded in one section. It’s more luck, to be honest, if it all sounds like it works together. We kinda put “Every Truth or Dare” in the middle of our set and worked things out from there.”
“We started out pretty pop punk,” Jack chips in, “and now we’ve preferred to write now we’ve grown up over the years.”
“Growing up” strikes as a bold claim for the lads as they snigger, chuckle and wisecrack through the interview, relishing with broad grins the chances afforded them and their highly strung set of songs. In the pop-punk tradition, though notably broadened out and matured, their take on the ubiquitous genre is particularly sharp.
Particularly dangerous territory is this sort of thing, littered with Lost Prophets and Fightstar comparisons. Credit to them for knowing how often to hat-tip influences whilst making a path of their own, even if enquiring about influences sets off minor squabbles and layers of interrupted over-talking.
“Right, Jack, just choose two albums, like when you started out or something, and I’ll think about mine,” suggests Sean in full diplomacy mode.
“I kinda loved the old Panic! At The Disco sound on the first....”
“Bastard! Bastard, you stole my one...”
Lewis goes for the rare trait of answering the question.
“Yeah, there’s kinda different things, I dunno, Brand New, like, were a massive influence. Me especially, that guy [Jesse Lacey] is a fucking genius”.
The MMK sound – “swingy choruses, like dun-de-dun-de...sorry” tries Sean by way of explanation – eschews the over familiar hand-clap-and-power-chords combo for variety and production quirks. Having suggested that the upbeat songs could make it possible to jive to their songs, a short debate lands on the certainty of waltzing if nothing else;
“You could waltz to us, I want to see that in our first video, fact, Tower Ballroom, it has to be done,” table-thumps Jack, to agreeable nods from Sean.
“Would be sick, make it happen someone”. Lewis demands, feigning a call to the producers of Strictly Come Dancing.
The topic of “growing up these past few years” comes back to mind, but too many tangents have been fired off to suggest returning to topic. Whatever that had been...
Having joined together as friends and grabbed attention the modern way – “MySpace, back in the day, was at its height for bands”- Make Me King have spent most of the formative years recording. This may point to the eagerness to get out beyond the clubs of the north-west, having ventured to London for two weeks to essentially live in the recording studio.
“The eight-minute ballad I’m going to write for the next album will be about my getting lost on the walk across London listening to Ellie Goulding,” Jack confidently asserts.
Irreverent they may be, committed they most certainly are. All digital voice recordings of this interview suggests no actual conclusion was determined, the lads talking and gabbling on musicianship – “We worked in time signatures switches, like, to advance what ideas we had. Well, a bloke told us that’s what we had done, to be honest.” – to the ongoing NUS protests - “I want to get a job full time, like,” nods Sean. “I fancy a riot,” offers Lewis.
It is probably the best way to conclude the little chat, for even the formality of start-middle-end during conversations seems a bit much. They are good lads with focus, albeit without total command on concentration, and the promise to turn whispers into shouts if the EP is any reasonable guide.
With or without the ballroom dancing...
You can find RiotPop records right here
Monday, 15 November 2010
Jealous of Girls : Strawberry Kisses
Manchester songwriter Matthew Lewis is the antidote to that city’s angrier side, albeit for all the songs other than the opener to his debut album which lampoons the modern gig attendee as ‘bastards’ for talking over acoustic guitarists. Whomever they might be...
It would be untrue to describe the rest of the album as free from such resentment though the mood is noticeably lighter once that particular spleen is vented. “Strawberry Kisses” is robust, direct, a stripped down collection that hints at his indie and alt.rock roots whilst merrily wandering down paths largely of his own furrowing.
The very best moments here are Lewis at his most fragile, “Batter Up” and “She” being clear examples, “Sunny Side Up” deliciously implicit in its barbed romance as it attentive upon pop melodies.
Although largely free-flowing, when the brakes are applied it’s straight into the wall; the attempts at solemnity struggle to convince, consequence of an almost complete absence of other instruments. Given these limitations, the standard is exceptionally high; there’s no flippant diary-writing angst and influences remain bedded down rather than fully grown.
There is an engrossing quality here, one which should quieten the target for abuse in the first song; if it all goes well, he may not have to play it anymore.
Matthew Lewis ("Jealous of Girls") can be found at MySpace and Twitter
"Strawberry Kisses" is out now at jealousofgirls.co.uk
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Make Me King - "The Whisper is the Hint"
Make Me King are a five-piece pop-punk types from Lancashire, whose take on the ubiquitous genre is particularly sharp. Long since a style given up for dead – oh lovely, another hand-clapped chorus – this fresh take should pique the most cynical of interests. It’s the theory of sour milk – everyone loves milk, tea drinkers or not, it’s the threat of the contents being sour which leads us all to give the bottle its surreptitious sniff, however involuntary. These lads are not the bad stuff, they’re fresh from the fridge refreshing.
And so before
I hijack any more Rafa Benitez quotes on milk....
....I’ll start with “If You Can’t Be Good, Don’t Get Caught”, zipping and tip-toeing through an interchange between pointed ska and pop-punk, and throughout a variety much more surprising and mature than you’d first expect. The interplay and production quirks sprinkle through “Every Truth or Dare” (with its hint of blues in the vocal melody) and the stripped “Wake The World”.
There is particularly dangerous territory in these parts, because all groups have to do is time-signature-switch once too often and they’re trapped in Lost Prophets Hell; but follow the melody fairies down the lane with too many skips in the step and there’s the Fightstar comparisons hanging off every branch like torn sheep’s wool. Fair play to Make Me King for knowing how much of each influence to hat-tip whilst strutting along with their own confidence. It’s unfortunate that the title track is the weakest here, though with so many reasons to be cheerful it’s likely whispers will become shouts before long.
Make Me King's "The Whisper is the Hint" is available on Riot Pop Records
http://www.myspace.com/makemekinguk
http://www.twitter.com/mmkbaby
And so before
I hijack any more Rafa Benitez quotes on milk........I’ll start with “If You Can’t Be Good, Don’t Get Caught”, zipping and tip-toeing through an interchange between pointed ska and pop-punk, and throughout a variety much more surprising and mature than you’d first expect. The interplay and production quirks sprinkle through “Every Truth or Dare” (with its hint of blues in the vocal melody) and the stripped “Wake The World”.
There is particularly dangerous territory in these parts, because all groups have to do is time-signature-switch once too often and they’re trapped in Lost Prophets Hell; but follow the melody fairies down the lane with too many skips in the step and there’s the Fightstar comparisons hanging off every branch like torn sheep’s wool. Fair play to Make Me King for knowing how much of each influence to hat-tip whilst strutting along with their own confidence. It’s unfortunate that the title track is the weakest here, though with so many reasons to be cheerful it’s likely whispers will become shouts before long.
Make Me King's "The Whisper is the Hint" is available on Riot Pop Records
http://www.myspace.com/makemekinguk
http://www.twitter.com/mmkbaby
Monday, 25 October 2010
Foreign Office - "On Repeat"
Readers of a certain vintage may know Chikinki, bright young things with the sharpest indie-melody ears for some time. From deepest Hackney come the first band of a similar bias who could give the Bristol outfit a run for their money.
Foreign Office is the least search engine friendly band name since The Music but at least the end product is worth the hassle of going beyond the first page of results; “On Repeat” is as much Razorlight as it is 60s soul and MOR classics and for the dangerous proximity towards trendiness it rises above the merely fashionable.
If post-rock ambitions are travelling anywhere, it is slowed down, influenced by funk and disco, an obvious sidestep away from the corner into which the neon kids painted themselves. It’s as sharp and short as a comprehensive spending review, two curiously abrupt verses bookending the most effective repetition since Hall and Oates.
With more smarts than the smack of a wielded passport, Foreign Office could well be guaranteed an income stream far less uncertain than that of their governmental namesakes.
Released 8 November (Quiet Life)
http://www.myspace.com/foreignofficemusic
Foreign Office is the least search engine friendly band name since The Music but at least the end product is worth the hassle of going beyond the first page of results; “On Repeat” is as much Razorlight as it is 60s soul and MOR classics and for the dangerous proximity towards trendiness it rises above the merely fashionable.
If post-rock ambitions are travelling anywhere, it is slowed down, influenced by funk and disco, an obvious sidestep away from the corner into which the neon kids painted themselves. It’s as sharp and short as a comprehensive spending review, two curiously abrupt verses bookending the most effective repetition since Hall and Oates.
With more smarts than the smack of a wielded passport, Foreign Office could well be guaranteed an income stream far less uncertain than that of their governmental namesakes.
Released 8 November (Quiet Life)
http://www.myspace.com/foreignofficemusic
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Karkwa
The Polaris Music Prize is the Canadian version of our Mercury Award, celebrating an album for its merit rather than sales (or, you know, that's how the blurb will always have it).
This year, the Quebecois Karkwa beat, amongst others, Caribou and Broken Social Scene for the top prize. Coming across as a folksy French-tongued Radiohead, Karkwa have a solid back-catalogue in subtlety in the manner of both British Sea Power and newcomers Hares.
They can be found at their MySpace page - http://www.myspace.com/karkwa.
This year, the Quebecois Karkwa beat, amongst others, Caribou and Broken Social Scene for the top prize. Coming across as a folksy French-tongued Radiohead, Karkwa have a solid back-catalogue in subtlety in the manner of both British Sea Power and newcomers Hares.
They can be found at their MySpace page - http://www.myspace.com/karkwa.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Bikini Black Special : The Bikini Method
Taken from their forthcoming album, "Physioterrorists", this slice of electro goodness from Bikini Black Special is them at their most hypnotic and caustic, how self-help audiobooks might sound in a world in which false advertising is outlawed...
Seek out more of the sharp BBS sound at http://bikiniblackspecial.bandcamp.com
Seek out more of the sharp BBS sound at http://bikiniblackspecial.bandcamp.com
Friday, 30 July 2010
Stephen James Buckley and the Feverdreamers
Look at that band name. Just look at it; six words. SIX. That's the maximum permitted limit for Registered Political Parties in the UK, and by the Heavens you can imagine these Lancashire miserablists coming around at election time to direct undecided voters to the nearest pub to scape all the silliness.
Well, okay, "miserablists" is not entirely accurate, for SJB&TF have a sly wit undercutting their accented blues. With "Cover of the Rolling Stone", the lightest of the tracks on new EP "...have left the building", nevertheless runs along with a style which presumably must be accompanied by video footage of the band nodding their heads to the barman to order extra drinks during the set. The sleazy "Fabulous Club" has a storyteller's charm, albeit the kind with a parental advisory sticker and its own sleek black carrier bag. "Behind The Moon" is something altogether different - it's not 'haunting' in the sense All Saints' "Pure Shores" was 'haunting', it genuinely does unsettle, a lament that is so honest it hurts. Real foot-on-a-plug-socket hurts.
To be absolutely honest - would you want things any other way? - the EP is one of the strongest little (even 'ickle' for those who prefer such linguistic throwaways) collections you are likely to hear, accompanied or not by swigging red wine straight from the bottle.
Stephen James Buckley and The Feverdreamers' "...have left the building" can be found, listened to, and downloaded here
Well, okay, "miserablists" is not entirely accurate, for SJB&TF have a sly wit undercutting their accented blues. With "Cover of the Rolling Stone", the lightest of the tracks on new EP "...have left the building", nevertheless runs along with a style which presumably must be accompanied by video footage of the band nodding their heads to the barman to order extra drinks during the set. The sleazy "Fabulous Club" has a storyteller's charm, albeit the kind with a parental advisory sticker and its own sleek black carrier bag. "Behind The Moon" is something altogether different - it's not 'haunting' in the sense All Saints' "Pure Shores" was 'haunting', it genuinely does unsettle, a lament that is so honest it hurts. Real foot-on-a-plug-socket hurts.
To be absolutely honest - would you want things any other way? - the EP is one of the strongest little (even 'ickle' for those who prefer such linguistic throwaways) collections you are likely to hear, accompanied or not by swigging red wine straight from the bottle.
Stephen James Buckley and The Feverdreamers' "...have left the building" can be found, listened to, and downloaded here
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Liam Rhodes
Liam Rhodes is a conservative blogger and social media communicator...During a recent spate of discussions and arguments on Twitter about his personal politics and definition of conservatism in the age of the Coalition.
I offered to ask Liam some questions following on from these discussions. This is what came from the questions...
You can find me on Twitter @doktorb, or Liam at @LiamRhodes.
So, Liam, thanks for this, for those who may not have seen you on Twitter before now, it may be best if we just find out a little about you.....
Well, I'm 21. I've been a member of the Conservative Party since 2005. I sought election in a difficult ward as a borough councillor in 2010. I'm also the blogger behind www.onenationtory.com.
...Good, right, on Twitter you have been taking part in a continuing discussion about whether you are a "capital C" Conservative. How would you describe yourself ?
That is, I am a small 'c' Conservative. I believe in Government providing both a ladder and a safety net whilst the State is smaller than it was in the Labour years to make room for private sector, sustainable growth. I also believe that the State should leave people alone and let them get on with their lives. I am an advocate of equal rights - but also free speech.
One recent tweet from you said you had become more progressive over the years, how would you describe this process?
A very painful personal journey for me resulted in the anti-progressivism to begin with. It's a difficult question for me to answer.
Did the Coalition agreement change your opinion specifically? Or was this a process already in motion before the election?
I support the coalition because it is first and foremost in the national interest, and I believe it is where the Conservative Party has an opportunity to further change.
Would defecting away from the Conservative Party ever be an option for you? What are your opinions of people who do defect parties?
Not unless the Conservative Party took a big turn to the right. My opinions of people who defect are not negative; I understand that in some circumstances, people's hearts change.
In terms of specific policies, the Coalition are accused of slashing spending on public services at the least appropriate time. Are you concerned by the cuts to public services?
To what degree is the current Council Tax scheme "fair" ?
I believe Council Tax system is fair because it is progressive in the sense that older people pay less and people who live alone get a discount.
At what level should, for example, Child Tax Credits or Child Benefits be cut? Are you afraid the Labour Government spent too much on such benefits, or is "too much" not a problem when dealing with child and family welfare?
I believe Child Tax Credits and benefits should be means-tested further, and I am disheartened by the fact that we didn't act on this when we had the opportunity. I am very concerned that Labour created a means of Statism whereby people felt they were dependent on the State. They favour State dependence because it results in more votes for them - and they believe in a large State.
Should there be an English Parliament?
No. I simply don't believe we need one. It would cost a heck of a lot and there is no added value to balance that cost.
What is a "living wage" in your opinion?
I would support an increase in the minimum wage to £6 with inflation, but not during the current economic climate. I would never support a 'living wage' because it would result in economic failure. No business will employ some unskilled workers for £7 or more per hour. It's simply unsustainable.
Which former British Prime Minister do you most admire?
Margaret Thatcher. Not because of her social Conservatism - far from it. Because she fought for what she believed in and she saved the British economy from turmoil.
And finally.....What is it about Twitter you like so much?
I like the fact that you can be in contact people who share common interests. I certainly don't like it when things get personal. For example, I've just been called 'arrogant'. Oh well!
((This interview was carried out by email. Questions and responses have been re-ordered and edited for space))
I offered to ask Liam some questions following on from these discussions. This is what came from the questions...
You can find me on Twitter @doktorb, or Liam at @LiamRhodes.
So, Liam, thanks for this, for those who may not have seen you on Twitter before now, it may be best if we just find out a little about you.....
Well, I'm 21. I've been a member of the Conservative Party since 2005. I sought election in a difficult ward as a borough councillor in 2010. I'm also the blogger behind www.onenationtory.com.
...Good, right, on Twitter you have been taking part in a continuing discussion about whether you are a "capital C" Conservative. How would you describe yourself ?
I'm a liberal one nation Conservative. I have always been a liberal, one nation Conservative.
That is, I am a small 'c' Conservative. I believe in Government providing both a ladder and a safety net whilst the State is smaller than it was in the Labour years to make room for private sector, sustainable growth. I also believe that the State should leave people alone and let them get on with their lives. I am an advocate of equal rights - but also free speech.
One recent tweet from you said you had become more progressive over the years, how would you describe this process?
A very painful personal journey for me resulted in the anti-progressivism to begin with. It's a difficult question for me to answer.
Did the Coalition agreement change your opinion specifically? Or was this a process already in motion before the election?
I support the coalition because it is first and foremost in the national interest, and I believe it is where the Conservative Party has an opportunity to further change.
Would defecting away from the Conservative Party ever be an option for you? What are your opinions of people who do defect parties?
Not unless the Conservative Party took a big turn to the right. My opinions of people who defect are not negative; I understand that in some circumstances, people's hearts change.
In terms of specific policies, the Coalition are accused of slashing spending on public services at the least appropriate time. Are you concerned by the cuts to public services?
I put my faith in the Coalition to protect the front-line services and the most vulnerable.
To what degree is the current Council Tax scheme "fair" ?
I believe Council Tax system is fair because it is progressive in the sense that older people pay less and people who live alone get a discount.
At what level should, for example, Child Tax Credits or Child Benefits be cut? Are you afraid the Labour Government spent too much on such benefits, or is "too much" not a problem when dealing with child and family welfare?
I believe Child Tax Credits and benefits should be means-tested further, and I am disheartened by the fact that we didn't act on this when we had the opportunity. I am very concerned that Labour created a means of Statism whereby people felt they were dependent on the State. They favour State dependence because it results in more votes for them - and they believe in a large State.
Instead of handing out these forms of benefits, it makes much more sense to me to cut tax.
Should there be an English Parliament?
No. I simply don't believe we need one. It would cost a heck of a lot and there is no added value to balance that cost.
What is a "living wage" in your opinion?
I would support an increase in the minimum wage to £6 with inflation, but not during the current economic climate. I would never support a 'living wage' because it would result in economic failure. No business will employ some unskilled workers for £7 or more per hour. It's simply unsustainable.
Which former British Prime Minister do you most admire?
Margaret Thatcher. Not because of her social Conservatism - far from it. Because she fought for what she believed in and she saved the British economy from turmoil.
And finally.....What is it about Twitter you like so much?
I like the fact that you can be in contact people who share common interests. I certainly don't like it when things get personal. For example, I've just been called 'arrogant'. Oh well!
((This interview was carried out by email. Questions and responses have been re-ordered and edited for space))
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