RA How the papers filled their pages this fortnight
UNHAPPY CHRISTMAS Journalists lose jobs as Scottish newspapers suffer
I Hark. the Herald angels are not singing. With circulation revenues across the land drifting southwards despite a m0untain of promotional giveaways. it has all ended in tears for the highly-regarded Hera/d editor Mark Douglas Home. His resignation means that every one of Scotland's quality papers has now had a change at the helm in the last 18 months. First to offer its condolences was The Scotsman. which noted that he left ‘with no official explanation and without an immediate successor'. It quoted “an insider‘ who suggested ‘he has refused to accept a substantial cut in budgets for next year.’ But the bad news wasn't limited to the Glasgow paper. as The Sunday Herald reported that ‘Seven journalists at Scotsman Publications were losing their jobs‘ through compulsory redundancy. This ‘set the seal on an already gloomy autumn in the publishing industry.’ Further evidence came in the pages of The Times. which forecast job losses at the Daily Record and the Sunday Mail. A week later, The Scotsman confirmed that the axe had fallen on 43 Trinity Mirror staff. and then the Scottish office of the Mirror was all but closed. Sadly. for many it‘s going to be a bleak midwinter.
SHED TURNS HEADS Metamorphic hut is a triumph for Scottish artist
I Simon Starling's ‘Shedboatshed’ sailed off with the Turner Prize this week, landing the Glasgow-based artist a cheque for £25,000 and a shedload of acclaim. The artwork charts the transformation of a shed into a boat, and back again, via a brief sojourn down the Rhine. It’s a great story, and as The Guardian’s
8 THE LIST ‘f: l)t:', 'xu’i'u“, :'> .Ja". first;
DRUMMING MAGAZINES
Music zines that won’t be beat
I If you thought that the choice of music titles was limited to the breathless celebrity chat in NME. Kerrang! and 0. think again. T is a hybrid — more ‘bookazine' than magazine - and the second edition of this Tennent‘s— sponsored publication. dubbed ‘The Beat Goes On'. focuses on drumming. It’s full of articles by drummers such as Charlie Watts on the history of ‘the beat', and such truisms as the fact that ‘our lives are played out to the rhythm of our heartbeat‘. Perhaps the nicest moment in the mag. and the real reason for buying it, is its 10 inch picture disc featuring BlocParty and the Futureheads. Admittedly it’s previously released material. but it sounds
so much better on vinyl.
I Modern Drummer is less about impressive graphics and more about the hard grind of drumming, urging musicians to ‘enjoy every step’ from practice to performance. The focus is on mastering ‘the anatomy of a groove’ through lengthy exercises in styles from funk to jazz via Indian konokol rhythms. Big names from the drumming circuit offer advice, loaded with jargon, and aimed at the wannabe connoisseur.
I In contrast. Rhythm claims to be mainstream. making the specious claim that ‘every drummer needs it'. or at least every drummer aching to play like Blink 182. Amateur musicians interested in ‘checkin’ out the killer grooves’ might enjoy its glossy articles and action drumming shots. And here’s the telltale giveaway of its target readership: a basic tuition CD for those who want to make music. rather than just wax lyrical about it.
art critic wrny observed, ‘hearing about what Starling does is almost as good as seeing it’. Starling stated that his work represents an assault on the breakneck pace of consumerism, as it is ‘about trying to retard this incredible speed at which we live’. The news of his win was hailed with enthusiasm by the press, with The Herald explaining that ‘Shedboatshed’ is ‘an exploration of what objects mean in the world’, and a work of ‘brains and beauty’. The Telegraph also
saluted the scope of Starling’s vision, claiming ‘it's a parable about ecology . . . about saving materials and energy’. Only the Daily Mail failed to be captivated by Starling’s handiwork, commenting that ‘to the casual observer it’s just a shack’. However, as culture minister Patricia Ferguson observed (Herald, Scotsman), Starling’s win will secure Scotland’s place ‘at the forefront of arts innovation in the UK’. Move over Damien Hirst, Starling has landed.
‘I can’t buy her diamonds and my dick is too small. I never know where I stand with her. It’s either a black eye or a love-bite.’
Pete Doherty on the end of a blissful relationship with Kate Moss.
‘I admit when a couple of people have put autograph books under my nose I’ve signed them: “Much love, Elijah Wood”.’
Daniel Radcliffe demonstrates that adolescence can be a confusing time.
‘I hate shopping, especially with my wife. If anything was to drive me back to drink and drugs it would be going to Harrods with Sharon for the day.’
O/xy Osborne talks about his nightmares before Christmas.
‘I adore the male species. I’ve studied them carefully, like a hunter watches its prey.’
Uma Thurman gets a bit scary
‘If you couldn’t get groupies, we had whores. Whatever was going.’
John Lennon gets confessional from beyond the grave.
‘I realised that I had a kind of bloodlust and was manically shooting as many birds as possible.’ E.\'-vegetaiiair M.’id()iiii;i (l/SCUSETOS why she took up yoga.
‘Peter Kay talking about pies is definitely a help. It’s not surprising he’s a fan. He’s a good northern lad and northerners eat a lot of pies.’
Peter Charii/eic secretary of the Pork Pie Appreciation Society. explains the seasonal surge in his beloved product.