In 2001 Dreamscape placed 324th out of over 2,600 music websites, in 2002 we did even better by coming 244th from 3000 sites. The following year we placed at number 129 from thousands of music based websites, and in 2004 Dreamscape came 195th from over 6000 entrants. Last year we were number 165 from approximately 10,000 music websites.

• Toyah is pictured, wearing that famous bright pink hat from last year, in this week's 'TV Quick' magazine, dated 2nd - 8th September. It's a small article also featuring Cluadia Schiffer, Zandra Rhodes and others:

"Its A Mystery why singer Toyah Willcox doesn't Want To Be Free from that odd looking hat-but al least it matches the carpet" [ Thanks to sheepfarminginbarnet @ Dreamscape's forum ]

• BBC Worldwide are featuring the recently released Peter Pan 2 disc CD as one of their "products of August" in their BBC Radio Collection.

When Peter Pan flies into the night nursery of Wendy, John and Michael Darling, he takes them on the journey - and the adventure - of a lifetime. Mermaids, wolves and Indians weave their spell in the magical Never Never Land - where also lurks the wicked Captain Hook. Toyah Willcox stars as Peter Pan with Ron Moody as Captain Hook, Roy Hudd as Smee and June Whitfield as Mrs Darling in this spectacular BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, recorded in Dolby Surround Sound with stunning sound effects and specially composed music.

[ Source: www.bbcworldwide.com - August 2006 ]

• The recently re-issued Special Edition Quadrophenia DVD was one of the DVD's of the week in the "Culture" section of the 'Sunday Times' (dated 20th August 2006):

Quadrophenia special edition 
Film Four stars
Extras Four stars

The zeitgeist-capturing, cult-classic story of sharply suited, pill-popping, party-going and - who could forget? - Lambretta-riding teens is rereleased on a new DVD featuring that rare commodity: interesting and well-produced extras. The story of Jimmy (Phil Daniels) and his merry band of mods, as they dance, shag and fight their way from Shepherd’s Bush to Brighton beach, to a soundtrack provided by the Who, is revisited by the director, Franc Roddam, and many of the lead actors, including Daniels and Toyah Willcox, who reflect on the film’s themes of coming of age and forging an identity. Neatly titled sections of the documentary cover everything a die-hard fan could want to know, from the music to the suits to the fact that Sting can’t really dance. HG: Universal, 18, 115 mins; £17.99.

[ News Source: The Sunday Times - 20th August 2006 ]

Toyah talked about working with the legendary Katharine Hepburn... and her first forays into theatre and music:

"I enjoyed theatre but I didn’t want to do musicals, the music did not appeal to me at all, I was a rock chick. I started going around asking punk bands 'Does anyone need a singer?' There was no path to being a punk singer- it was all about chance. Eventually I got into a band from Golders Green and we used to rehearse at the cemetery."

She also talked about, the recently rereleased, Quadrophenia: "I first auditioned for the Leslie Ash role and John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) was going for the Phil Daniels part but the film company would not insure him, they thought he was a liability. Then I had to fight for the role of Monkey, I went round to the directors house and Phil Daniels happened to be there so I had to snog him but that was fine as I knew him anyway… and then I got the role"

Toyah went on to talk about the hits: "People always think of 'It’s A Mystery' as my first hit but to me, the one in my heart is 'Victims Of The Riddle' because it number one for 12 months in the Independent Chart. I was proud of that. To me the Indie chart is where all the important stuff is. 'Blue Meaning' was no 2 in the Album chart, but singles were much bigger back then, that’s what counted"

On favourite songs from her own back catalogue: "All the songs are infused with so many memories, what was happening at the time…so I can’t really name any favourites. For instance I don’t like 'Mystery' because the band had just split, they thought I concentrated too much on acting so it was just me and Joel left. It was heartbreaking.

And when I was writing 'Thunder' I was pacing around my flat, Diana & Charles getting married on the telly, two stalkers had my phone number so they were outside the house phoning every five minutes…and they were stopping me from doing the one thing that would make them feel better - writing new songs.

If I really had to choose one favourite song it would be 'Martian Cowboy'.  I was doing a play called Trafford Tanzi during the evening and recording the 'Love Is The Law' album all through the night. I used to take sleeping pills to chill out so when I did the vocals to 'Martian' I sounded so relaxed! I used to slip the pills into Joel’s coffee as well!"

Toyah on sexuality: "It never ever occurred to me that I could use sexuality to sell records until later, Madonna opened my eyes to that. I hated my 30’s, I put on weight…in my 40’s I Iost two stone, I was at my most sexually potent, I have made a point of being sexual, hence the short skirts. I’ve never bothered with children so I’ve taken the last embers of my biological clock on stage."

And on learning: "I wish I’d learned more! I wish I’d paid attention at school…I just pissed my school days away, I was very lazy. I wish I’d learned an instrument, not doing that has always held me back. I wish I‘d read more. I was dyslexic but I could plough my way through a book."

And, finally, on the future: "I have a lot of projects coming up. I’m a director and a co-presenter on a gameshow that is probably going to go on Channel 5. I’ve started a company called Eccentric Games with a friend of mine. There’s a TV series called China Detective, lead role in Medusa, film with Phil Daniels…I’m not at home watching the telly! I’m busier than ever. People ask me 'what are you doing at the moment?' and I say you really don’t want to know! People don’t realise there’s so many projects that just boil over and never happen…"

[ A HUGE THANKS to Minna Kelland ]

Thunder In The Mountains
Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard)
It's A Mystery
Martian Cowboy
Obsolete
I Want To Be Free
Echo Beach
The Vow
Angels & Demons
It's A Mystery (Weybridge Mix)

[ THANKS to Minna Kelland ]

Collectormania G-Mex - Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November 2006
Central Hall, The G-Mex Centre, Windmill Street, Manchester, Lancs, M2 3GX

[ News Source: www.collectormaniagmex.co.uk - August 2006 ]

• Toyah will be a contestant on BBC1's Celebrity Masterchef (At Large) this Autumn. [ NB: Update: This is scheduled to begin airing sometime in September ]

• 'Take The Leap!' and 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' are being released/reissued on CD in September/October 2006.

• Toyah plays Butlins in October (6th, Skegness), and November (26th, Bognor).

• She tours England and Wales in October/November/early December with AbC and Howard Jones on 'The Hitmakers Tour'.

• Faith & Music, the ITV documentary series, includes a Toyah special (filmed earlier this year) in their new run. This may air on the channel before the end of 2006.[ NB: Update: The new 12-part series of Faith & Music begins on ITV tomorrow night, so Toyah should be in there somewhere ]

• As reported above, it looks likely that Toyah will be a guest at the 'Collectormania 2006' G-Mex convention in November.

• Rounding off the year is Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Brighton.

[ News Source: www.remembertheeighties.com - 24th August 2006 ]

The 'It's A Mystery' (Weybridge Mix) will close the programme at Midday.

TOYAH WILLCOX - NO LONGER A MYSTERY
Monday August 28th : 10.00am. - 12.00 Midday (GMT + 1)
net Talk Radio : www.nettalkradio.co.uk

[ Thanks to Craig @ www.toyahwillcox.com ]

• Toyah is mentioned in an interview with photographer Jon Sturdy, at the 'Sudbury Today' website:

Soon he was capturing images of iconic bands like The Stranglers, Tears for Fears, Status Quo, Madness and Duran Duran for publicity shots and album covers.

His candid shot of Toyah Willcox was used huge on the front of Melody Maker.

"I think I got there by being in the right place at the right time," he said.

[ Source: www.sudburytoday.co.uk - 24th August 2006 ]

• Toyah @ 'Remember The Eighties': TOYAH's CD reissues series continues in September with the release of her 1993 album 'Take The Leap!' (which includes writing collaborations with KAJAGOOGOO's NICK BEGGS among others) which combined new material with new versions of Toyah classics, and 1980's live album 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!'. 'Take The Leap!' will be released on CD for the first time outside Japan on September 25th and will feature a number of previously unreleased bonus tracks. 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!', recorded in Wolverhampton for a TV documentary, has been expanded to include bonus tracks which include b-sides and four previously unreleased live tracks from Toyah's 1982 'The Changeling' tour plus tracks from her 1980 show at London's ICA. 

[ Source: www.remembertheeighties.com - 17th August 2006 ]

Never Mind The Buzzcocks : UKTV G2 - Thursday 7th September : 11.00pm 
Never Mind The Buzzcocks : UKTV G2 Plus 1 - Friday 8th September: 00.00am
Comedy pop quiz hosted by Mark Lamarr, with team captains Phill Jupitus and Bill Bailey. Guests include Steps survivor Lisa Scott Lee, 80's survivor Toyah Willcox and rockers Larry Hibbitt from 100 Reasons and Nick Atkinson from Rooster.

[ Thanks to Craig @ www.toyahwillcox.com ]

TOYAH WILLCOX - NO LONGER A MYSTERY

Toyah Willcox was one of the biggest pop stars of the 80's and is still touring to sell-out audiences today.....

On Bank Holiday Monday at 10 a.m. tune into Toyah talking about her life in music, the theatre, TV and film. This one hour special documentary recorded at Toyah's home recently, is a MUST NOT MISS show.

She talks openly and frankly about her life, time spent with Sir Laurence Olivier and a possible encounter with the ghost of his ex wife!

This is an exclusive to Net Talk Radio.

Monday August 28th 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. (GMT + 1)

NB: This interview will be repeated later in the week after its first broadcast. Actual day/time of the repeat will be added to the 'Net Talk' website at some point over the next week.

Thanks to Ross Hemsworth

[ Source: www.nettalkradio.co.uk - 23rd August 2006 ]

Another interesting new extra is 'On Location With Franc' - Franc Roddam revisits several locations used in the film  There is also use of a split-screen to compare old locations with how they look now.

[ Source: Quadrophenia - Two Disc Special Edition DVD ]

It's incredibly difficult to review Quadrophenia as a movie in 2006. Many of us have been brought up with it, been inspired by it and ultimately distanced ourselves from its movie simplistic view of what 'Mod' is. But try to take away any pre-conceptions you may have and watch it again - you'll realise that Quadrophenia is still a very powerful British youth movie which maintains an edge over 25 years after its initial release.

And if you're serious about buying the movie, buy this version. Quadrophenia: Special Edition is the version of the movie that's been waiting to come out for years. The original DVD was a straight copy over of the video, the US version by Rhino (which I did some of the extras for) was an improvement, but still lacked in terms of picture and sound. This version seems to get it just right.

To read the full review please click on the screenshot or link below.

[ News Source: www.modculture.co.uk - 7th August 2006 ]

Toyah commented on a number of topics, including: Punk:, MTV, and Sheena Easton.

Toyah was attending a performance of the hit musical Guys & Dolls. 

This was the official first night with Patrick Swayze in the role of Nathan Detroit.

To view a few larger captures, complete with screen graphics, and a description of Toyah's appearance (courtesy of Minna Kelland) please click here.

Take The Leap! + [ DIAB 8081 ]
On 25 September, the Edsel label release Toyah's 1993 album Take the Leap! in a specially expanded reissue. Technically, this is the first domestic UK release of the album which has only been issued on CD in Japan until now. Take the Leap! features writing collaborations with Simon Darlow (Dollar, Grace Jones), Phil Nicholas (Mombassa), Cris Bonacci (Girlschool) and Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo), and also contains eight back catalogue songs (including Neon Womb and It's A Mystery), re-recorded in a fresh, heavy rock style. 

This 2006 reissue (catalogue number DIAB 8081) presents the full album alongside a selection of previously unheard bonus tracks. This includes material recorded with Phil Nicholas and the demo Requite Me (performed in an earlier incarnation with Toyah and husband Robert Fripp's band, Sunday All Over the World) recorded with Simon Darlow. The long sought-after Tribal Version of It's A Mystery (Weybridge Mix), originally planned for release on Take the Leap! and then on a stand alone EP, is also included and finally released on CD. 

Take The Leap! + TRACKLIST
1. Now I’m Running 
2. Lust For Love 
3. Invisible Love 
4. Name Of Love 
5. Winter In Wonderland 
6. God Ceases To Dream 
7. IEYA 
8. Waiting 
9. Neon Womb 
10. Elusive Stranger 
11. Our Movie 
12. Thunder In The Mountains 
13. I Wanna Be Free 
14. It’s A Mystery
Bonus Tracks
15. Requite Me (Demo)
16. Tears For Elie (Demo)
17. Waiting (Alternate Mix)
18. It’s A Mystery (Weybridge Mix)

Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! (Special Edition)
CDMRED 299

Originally released in 1980, Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!  was the first live Toyah album and followed up two studio albums and a string of singles (Ieya, Victims of the Riddle, Bird in Flight - all included here) which charted well in the independent charts. 

ITV (then ATV) commisioned a documentary on Toyah in 1980 in which cameras followed her acting, presenting, recording and rehearsing. A concert in Wolverhampton was also filmed for inclusion and is where this live album hails from. The full concert was recorded but a pair of tracks were excluded and used as b-sides to the a single release of "Danced (live)". 

This special edition of the album - with expanded artwork - brings together all of these live tracks for the first time. In addition further live bonus tracks make their CD debut including songs recorded at the ICA, London recorded just before this line-up of the Toyah band disbanded forever. Four previously unreleased tracks from 1982's The Changeling Tour close the CD. Recorded in Glasgow, these include the uncut unexpurgated Dawn Chorus/War Boys suite. 

Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! (Special Edition) TRACK LIST
1. Victims of the Riddle
2. Indecision 
3. Love Me 
4. Vision 
5. Tribal Look 
6. Bird in Flight 
7. Danced
8. Insects 
9. Race Through Space 
10. Ieya 
Bonus Tracks
11. Ghosts
12. Neon Womb 
13. Love Me 
14. Waiting 
15. Street Creature 
16. Neon Womb 
17. Dawn Chorus
18. War Boys

11-12 Danced Live B-Sides / 13-14 ICA London,1980 / 15-18 The Changeling Tour, Glasgow Apollo 1982

[ News Source: www.toyahwillcox.com - 15th August 2006 ]

The ceremony gets underway on Saturday evening with a spectacular Opening Ceremony starting at 6.30pm. 

The event will culminate with a dramatic firework display at 9.15pm.

"Get me those fucking locations now, or you’re all fucking fired!"

A motivational moment, there, from first-time director Franc Roddam, recounting his bottle-waving bollocking of a gaggle of surly scouts. (They did indeed get him the fucking locations.)

Roddam’s a fascinating case: a plummy TV doc-jockey who somehow marshalled a generation of upstart Brits (Phil Daniels, Ray Winstone, Leslie Ash, Toyah Willcox) and cajoled and improv-ed and corner-cutted an instant classic that still stands up as a blueprint for modern restless-yoof pics.

Daniels’ showpiece take on troubled Mod-squadder Jimmy is a joyous mesh of hormonal torment and snarling bluster. He’s the howling, scowling embodiment of – in old Philip Larkin’s phrase – “the strength and pain of being young”. The backdrop (Mods, Rockers, 1965 and all that) might have fallen away, but Jimmy’s plight will always ping with kids today, kids anyday: love/hate relationship with his family-home cocoon; living for the weekend; too young to strike out, too old to sit still... The irony stings sharpest in his confrontation with freshly matured old Rocker Winstone (“I don’t wanna be the same as everybody else. That’s why I’m a Mod, see?”).

This fresh edition, with exhaustive docs and chummy commentary, throws thrilling new light on Roddam’s make-do methods. It’s the way he mixes evocative locations with cheapskate artistry that lifts the film beyond regulation kitchen-sink docu-drama: the opening shimmer of a sun-fried Beachy Head; churning Brighton breakers slapping against Jimmy’s parka... In the On Location With Franc featurette, he admits to repeating the trick of “wetting the streets” to gloss a little cinematic sass over the Shepherd’s Bush dank.

This emphasis on sheen occasionally contradicts the thrilling sense of seething, street-level humanity, but Roddam also has a piercing, documentarian’s eye for the poignancy behind the solidarity: trembling and degraded drug-hoovers; futile inter-gang cruelty; inarticulate tribal tubthumping (“We are the Mods! We are the Mods! We are the, we are the, we are the Mods!”).

Not that he doesn’t acknowledge the guts and glamour of the clan, particularly in the sequence where the acne-speckled Mod warriors take formation and thunder down to Brighton on their multi-mirrored Lambretta battle-horses.

[ News Source: 'Total Film' (Issue 119) September 2006 ]

For your chance to win a signed copy of Toyah's book, signed by the author herself, simply answer our quick five question survey and we will enter your details into our free prize draw for a chance to win. Hurry competition ends August 31st!

[ Source: www.consultingroom.co.uk - August 2006 ]

[ Thanks to Craig and Alan @ www.toyahwillcox.com ]

• This is, in fact, not a reissue as 'Take The Leap!' was only ever available in Japan. It was only available to the UK/Everywhere else on import.

• The new CD cover features a revised image of the original, with Toyah alone, rather than with her band of the time.

• The CD will be released on the Edsel label. They have already released 'Warrior Rock', 'Love Is The Law' and Minx' on CD in the past year or so.

• Included are previously unreleased songs; 'Requite Me' and 'Tears for Ellie'.

• The tracklist is comprised of 18 tracks.

• Also included is the, much sough-after, Webridge Mix of 'It's A Mystery', aka the "Tribal Mix".

• 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' (Special Edition) will be available to buy from early October. An actual release date will be announced soon.

• The new CD cover features the full-length Triptych painting of Toyah by Dexter Brown.

• The CD will be released on the Cherry Red Records label. They have already released 'Mayhem and the two volume 'Safari Singles Collection'.

• As well as the full original album, also included are 'Ghosts' and 'Neon Womb' from the same Wolverhampton concert, two songs recorded at the ICA in 1980, and four songs recorded on 'The Changeling Tour' in 1982 at the Glasgow Apollo. (I was at that gig -Yipee!! ;o))

• The tracklist is comprised of 18 tracks.

• With the release of 'Toyah! Toyah! Toyah!' all of Toyah's Safari album releases are now in-print and available to buy.

• With the release of 'Take The Leap!' in the UK all of Toyah's back catalogue of albums (bar 1984's K-TEL Toyah Toyah Toyah) has now been realeased on CD.

[ Thanks to Craig and Alan @ www.toyahwillcox.com ]

To celebrate 150 years of the National Portrait Gallery, well-known people select a portrait from the gallery to comment on.

Toyah chooses Dora Carrington's intimate study of the writer Lytton Strachey - the man Dora adored and with whom she shared a menage a trois. Willcox reveals how she is drawn to Carrington as a free spirit, despite Dora's reputation for promiscuity and enjoying a lesser talent than the others in the Bloomsbury Group.

To listen to this programme again click here or the link below.

[ News Source: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/portrait - 15th August 2006 ]

An Official e-news bulletin was also emailed to subscribers, with exciting details about forthcoming Toyah CD's to make your music collection far sexier and more interesting.

Read up on Toyah's latest gossip, news, etc by clicking on the screenshot or the link below.

[ Source: www.toyahwillcox.com - Tuesday 15th August 2006 ]

Completists and collectors should also be aware that the 2nd pressing/all future copies of the DVD Wild Essence - Live in the 21st Century has very subtle altered artwork. The back sleeve lists the four promo video titles whilst the disc artwork is also different to the original press.

[ Source: www.toyahwillcox.com: enews :  Tuesday 15th August 2006 ]

[ Thanks to Nick Gillingham ]

[ Thanks to Minna Kelland ]

Portrait : BBC Radio 4 - Tuesday 15th August : 3.45-4.00pm
Five programmes celebrating 150 years of the National Portrait Gallery. 2: Toyah Willcox chooses Dora Carrington's intimate study of the writer Lytton Strachey, the man she adored and with whom she shared a menage a trois.

Richard and Judy : Channel 4 
Wednesday 9th August : 5.00pm
The daily live entertainment show hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. 

Today's guests include Sue Jenkins and Richard Fleeshman. Toyah Willcox and Ian Kelly review The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.

Join us in the wonderful world of panto with the best show of all. Magic lamps, evil wizards, mystical genies, flying carpets, fantastic sets, glittering costumes, superb singing, dazzling dancing, comedy, slapstick and bags and bags of fun for all of the family! This lavish panto has it all and presented to you by an amazingly talented cast.

80s pop sensation Toyah Willcox joins an all-star cast, shortly to be announced, on this magical carpet ride to the Far East. Don't miss out - book now. 

BOX OFFICE 08700 606 650 (booking fee)

[ Source: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyal - August 2006 ]

Win Special Edition Quadrophenia DVDs

Mod cult classic Quadrophenia is being re-released on special edition DVD, and to celebrate we are giving you the chance to win copies of this rock music milestone, courtesy of Universal. 

If you were a Mod or Rocker back in the 1960s, you’d probably be spending the summer months heading to the seaside resorts for a good punch-up or two. This year the old Mods vs Rockers scenario is being revived on 7 August, as The Who’s classic Quadrophenia is re-released on special edition DVD. 
It’s 1964 and pill-popping, sharp-suited, scooter-riding Jimmy heads off to Brighton with his Mod mates to take on the rival Rockers group. Resulting in headline-making violent clashes and explosive consequences for the main character, it has become one of the most famous episodes of 1960s youth culture. 

Special Edition Quadrophenia DVDs come digitally remastered, with audio commentaries and documentaries tracking the making of the film. If you are one of our five lucky winners, you'll get to revel in one of British film-making's true landmarks. 

Please click on the screenshot to visit 'Channel 4/Film' and enter the competition. Closing date is 17th August 2006.

[ News Source: www.channel4/.com/film - August 2006 ]

Director Franc Roddam's debut feature is as much a reflection of punky, pre-Thatcherite Britain as it is a nostalgia-fest for Parka boys and girls.

A wiry, scowling Daniels is Jimmy, an angry young mod who escapes a dead-end job as a mail-room boy for some bank holiday rucking with rockers on Brighton beach. Leslie Ash provides the love interest as dream girl Steph. Strong support comes from a cast that includes Phil Davis, Toyah, Michael Elphick and Sting (appearing just after The Police had a hit with 'Roxanne'). 

Raw energy makes up for the frankly hideous idea of adapting the Who's rock album to screen. Quadrophenia captures perfectly the amphetamine-fuelled narcissism of 1960s youth culture. 

Verdict: An underrated classic.

Starring  Phil Daniels, Mark Wingett, Philip Davis, Leslie Ash, Garry Cooper, Toyah Willcox, Sting, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick Directed by Franc Roddam.

[ Source: www.channel4/.com/film - August 2006 ]

An all-round family friendly performance showcasing the talents of some of the county's rising stars.

The Hundred And One Dalmatians is well known as a much loved children's classic. Indeed, it has earned its place in the Hollywood halls of fame through a dumbed down Disney movie. Thankfully, this Glyn Robbins's adaptation performed by The Royal Company contained much more appeal for the whole family.

Complete with a 1960s soundtrack and fashion, the play is both upbeat and interactive with swift scene changes to keep the kids at bay!

However, whilst appealing to children, the audience involvement could warm even the coldest of hearts.

The play
The play itself stays very close to the original story, and even throws in a few double entendres which make for secretive adult amusement.

The children in the audience were much too captivated to notice anyway, swept away into this fairytale where dogs stand and talk just like people – except for when their human pets enter the room of course!

Cruella
Toyah Willcox was the much-touted star of the production, and made for a very impressive Cruella.

Again, her caricatured performance was fuelled by audience interaction; with children booing upon her entrance and exit, and her shouting things back at their innocent heckles.

Toyah's dancing skills were put to good use in sections of the play also, and it was blatantly obvious that she was thoroughly enjoying every camped up moment!

Mr Pongo
As well as Toyah's undoubted star talent, it became apparent that there are indeed a fair few rising stars waiting in the wings at the Royal Company. Amongst these was Matt Grainger, playing Mr Pongo.

The young stars of the Royal Company also made enchanting puppies, which children in the audience then imitated not only throughout the performance and interval, but also on the tram home with their little souvenir tails on!

For both children and children-at-heart alike, The 101 Dalmatians remains an enchanting piece of theatre which broadcasts the talent of our fine county for all to see.

I give The 101 Dalmatians a Blast reporter 4 out of 5. (Review by Enola Radford)

[ News Source: www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham - 1st August 2006 ]

I left school a long, long time ago when the days were cold and dark and electricity hadn't been invented...

What many of you might not know was that back in the last century, records, yes pop records which you now buy on shiny silver discs, used to be sold on pieces of old black plastic, which if you dropped them would break. Well I've sold millions of those, not as a shop assistant but as a recording artist. Ask your mum, or more accurately ask your grandfather, he may own one.

To read the full text click on the picture to zoom.

[ Source: Official Dalmations programme - Thanks to Alec Kelly ]

• Check out 'Remember The Eighties' interview with Martin Fry of ABC. He mentions Toyah a number of times.

• 'Remember The Eighties' have also interviewed Toyah. This should be available to read at the 'RTE' website in the coming weeks.

• There's a possibility that Toyah, Martin Fry and Howard Jones will perform David Bowie's 'Suffragette City' at some point during the tour.

The Who's Quadrophenia is one of the Mod rockers' classic albums, some top quality Who and a documentary of the early 60s movement. 

Rather than follow in the rock opera template of Tommy, a film was made, telling a story of gangs, pill popping, violence, acceptance, alienation and the fights between the Mods and the Rockers. 

Filmed shortly after Keith Moon's death in 1978, the film was left by Townshend in the hands of the producer and he did a damn fine job, and one of the keys was in the choice of actors. 

Many of those used were largely unknown or perhaps only just emerging, with the lead taken by Phil Daniels (now in East Enders), there's also Toyah, Sting, Leslie Ash, Ray Winstone and Mark Wingett (The Bill, and an actor I think a great deal of). 

And alongside the music of the Who, there's much more music from the era to add to the mood; spot plenty of posters for The Yardbirds. 

The second disc is full of extras, commentary and the like, including copious interviews with the actors and producers. Stories aplenty about the recording and filming, from the fights in Brighton to the rehearsals in north London where the crew hung out with real Mods to learn the lifestyle, the dance moves, and even time at Hendon's police college to learn to ride scooters. 

All the dirt too, Wingett turning up for filming with inappropriate love bites, Sting's atrocious attempts at dancing etc. 

Basically, these bonus interviews give amazing insights into the actors, film making and of the life of the kids at the time, while leaving the original remastered film on disc 1 which is all that many may want. 

And it's fun to see so many household names as teenagers. (Review by Joe Geesin)

[ Source: www.getreadytorock.com - August 2006 ]

Quadrophenia – the classic story of mods vs rockers and seaside punch-ups, is re-released as a digitally re-mastered, special edition DVD this August via Universal Pictures. 

Available on DVD from 7 August 2006 this Special Edition two-disc DVD also includes ‘A Way Of Life : Making Quadrophenia’ (a restrospective documentary looking back 25 years to the making of the movie), ‘On Location With Franc’ (Franc Roddam revisits several locations used in the film) and an audio commentary with director Franc Roddam and actors Phil Daniels and Leslie Ash.

Uncut.co.uk has five copies of the special edition DVD to give away. Simply answer the question below to enter. This competition closes on August 16.

Please click on the screenshot to visit 'Uncut Online' and enter the competition. Closing date is 16th August 2006.

[ News Source: www.uncut.co.uk - August 2006 ]

[ Sources: Q: Issue 242, September 2006 & Uncut: Issue 112, September 2006 ]

A host of celebrities including BBC presenter Alex Lovell, actress and singer Toyah Willcox, celebrity astrologer Debbie Frank, ITV Good Morning presenter and Big Brother star Alice Hammond, celebrity chef Ross Burden, Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies will be among the guests at the spectacular Official Opening Ceremony of the 2006 World Rowing Championships at Dorney Lake on Saturday, August 19. 

Entry to the event, which is due to get underway at 6.30pm, is free and everyone is welcome. 

A variety of circus acts, jugglers and stilts walkers will entertain the crowd before the official ceremony begins, hosted by actor and presenter Ted Robbins, a familiar face in a number of popular television series including Emmerdale, Brookside, Holby City and Heartbeat and the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine.

[ News Source: www.wrc2006.com - Monday 31st July 2006 ]