Your Free Union Magazine October 2008 Freshers’ Issue 2 SPAGHETTI junction EDITOR’S NOTE Hi everyone and welcome to the first Spaghetti Junction this academic year! If you are a returning student, welcome back. I hope you had a great summer and that your results for this year were good. If you are someone who is just joining us, welcome to Birmingham City University! I hope you are settling in and that you have a great time while you are here. Welcomes over and done with, this is an extra special issue! Not only do we have a brand new look, this is also the Freshers edition! This month, we have coverage of Freshers week, some great articles for all the new students, as well as some old favourites like Cookery Corner and, of course, all the latest film, album and DVD reviews. We also have some new features this issue, check out ‘Student of the Month’ where a student who has made remarkable achievements is celebrated. As ever, I hope you enjoy this issue (which I’m sure you will) and remember, the magazine is now completely student run so if you want to get involved, get in touch! See you next month! Roxanne Carmen Hawker Editor-in-Chief: Roxanne Carmen Hawker [email protected] Deputy Editor:Natalie Marchant [email protected] News, Current Affairs, Features & Student Groups Editor: Georgie Campbell [email protected] Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Jak Flash [email protected] Design & Graphics Co-Editor: Poppy French [email protected] Communications Officer: Jennifer James [email protected] With thanks to all those who contributed to this issue, UP FRONT and to Paul Muller for the Freshers’ events access. Meet the Team 4 Safety Tips 6 Union News 8 Recycling 10 Mature Students 12 LGBT 13 Gay Out Much? 14 Gosta Green 16 FEATURES What’s on in the City? 18 Freshers’ Week 21 STUDENT CULTURE Health & Fitness 27 Natalie’s Cookery Corner 28 Fashion on Campus 30 Student of the Month 32 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Bridging the Gap 34 Bands in University 35 Reviews 36 Horoscopes 42

SPAGHETTI junction 3

Illustration: Jak Flash UP front meet the team Spaghetti Building Blocks The roads that cross to bring you the Junction Hi everyone! I hope that you have had a great Moved out when I was 16, left the Shire to summer and welcome back or, a big hearty come to the city. Came to university on a whim welcome if you’re a Fresher and are just joining (probably the best whim of my life), decided us at Birmingham City University. I am now to change my name, met some pretty decent starting my second year at Birmingham City on people, and moved in with my mates, leaving the Visual Communications course, specialising me in my current position. in Photography. Although I’ve slacked towards the end of In this edition of Spaghetti Junction - the very the year I love to go out, get wasted, have a first of the year, you can find plenty about what dance, find myself in unknown places, general to do in Birmingham, as well as university responsible behaviour. You can’t go wrong focused events and issues – we hope you with a gig at the Barfly followed by some find them useful and interesting! I urge you to homosexual based fun at DV8 fuelled by free especially check out the Cookery Corner where alcohol. I’ve thought up some quick, cheap and tasty recipes for you! When I’m at university you can probably find me milling about BIAD, as I too am studying Like I did last year, you too can get involved Viscom. I’m specialising in Graphic but I have with Spaghetti Junction. Just contact us via no real idea what I want to do with myself (do email if you want to write gig reviews, get your any of us really? Live fast, die young and all writing published and even if you’re an aspiring that jazz). Me and Pops have re-designed the photographer. We are always on the lookout for magazine giving it (what we hope is) a fresh fresh talent, especially as the magazine is now new look. completely student run! I’ll see you about sometime. I wish you a happy and successful year ahead! Jak Flash Natalie Marchant Design and Graphics Co-Editor Deputy Editor

4 SPAGHETTI junction Picture:Poppy French & Jak Flash UP front meet the team

Welcome students! Woo! We are finally back. This year already Old or new it’s good to see you! Please do looks hot to trot with our fortnight of Freshers, come round for tea, Jak is always baking. new students and our ever expanding I too am doing Vis Comm and we are certainly University - so what else are you waiting for? a hard working bunch. If you are a hard worker To find out about all the mischievous events of too, why not join us? We are always looking for the forthcoming year, make sure you watch this people to join the design team. space. But you all still need to keep in touch to So a little about me? I have big dreams and make sure this magazine is exactly what YOU I’m hoping that university will help me to fulfil guys want. them, but then I guess success and happiness is everyone’s dream right?! Moving into the second year is a somewhat scary step – as now the real work begins. But, 2008/2009 will be the year of change. You no, that doesn’t mean I’ll forget about all our should be aware the student magazine has readers – far from it. I hope this issue proves had a total refit, not just a new lick of paint but helpful to our newcomers with handy safety a wonderful redesign which we are all really and fitness tips. Oh, and make sure you all proud of! check out the cookery corner when you’re scratching your head for an idea for dinner. So I want you, yes you to tell me what you think about Spaghetti Junction. Like it? I want to I can’t emphasise enough how much we all know about your student life, where you like to want your involvement in the magazine. After go out, what makes you happy and angry. 2008 taking control last semester, it really has given shall be the year of your opinions because us students a platform to discuss pressing what’s a student magazine for if it’s not all issues and get things done. Working with the about us? Students’ Union, we can really make some changes around here. We’ll keep you updated Poppy French with all the dirt behind the scenes but, we need Design and Graphics Co-editor. your help... It’s our University – so pipe up and have your say!

Georgie Campbell News, Current Affairs, Features and Student Groups Editor

SPAGHETTI junction 5 UP front safety tips

It’s a scary world out there! So Georgie Campbell has very kindly taken the time to give you a few handy hints on how to keep Safety 101your for stuff safe andFreshers those thieves at bay. Some of them may seem a bit ridiculous, some may be stating the obvious, but believe me when I say you will thank her one day.

So Freshers, you’ve made it... your parents Getting right down to business... numero uno from have finally stopped fussing and left you alone my list of advice. This may be the most obvious to get on with it! But do you really know what but, amazingly it does happen. Do not, I repeat, you should be looking out for? Who’s lurking DO NOT leave your purse, wallet, keys or MP3 round the corner, in the bathroom or even the player unattended. In the past, students have kitchen? shown genuine surprise when they come back to the canteen to discover their treasured possessions are no longer there. The security guards will not be impressed when you tell them you “just popped to the toilet!” The one killer characteristic of the young gun Fresher is, of course, going to be naivety. Being at university is probably the first time you’ve lived away from home, probably the first time in a few years you have had to make new friends and the first time you’ve entered an unknown city on your own. All this means you have to take extra care. So get wiser.

Now to the tricky stuff... as your bank account swells with your first loan instalment, the one thing Freshers must NOT do: flash their cash. It may very well be the most money that your account has seen in a long time after partying through the summer, but it is not something to boast about. Buying the first round may very well entice your new friends, but you can’t buy friendship and your so-called mates will remember that first night with Mr Moneybucks. Tactic – be conservative, that money does have to see you through until Christmas.

6 SPAGHETTI junction UP front safety tips

Living in halls throughout your first year will seem like Your first year should be full of fun fun, but you still need to remember you don’t actually memories, drunken nights out and, of know these people as well as you think you do. When course, a wee bit of studying – so make the first slice of bread goes missing from your fridge, sure it is. Just remember that whatever you alarm bells should start ringing. As term continues, you are fearful of, it’s almost guaranteed that will become more comfortable, but don’t leave your food someone you know is thinking the same. open to others. Buying only what you need ensures Everyone has had to go through the same that your food doesn’t go astray and that it doesn’t go process, we’re all in the same boat – so look mouldy before you’ve had a chance to eat it. out for each other.

Of course you’re going to hit the town with your new crew in tow, but ensure that you stay with someone. Walking aimlessly through Birmingham, whilst under the influence of alcohol in the early hours of the morning is not clever. Being unfamiliar with the area or even the route home almost spells trouble before it hits, so avoid it at all costs.

If these few words of wisdom do not enlighten you and lead you down the safe path to second year – what will? But just in case, make sure you check out your security office in both your academic and residential campuses. Knowing where to go if you do end up in trouble will take the pinch out of an awful situation, so get exploring. Now you’re fully loaded with advice – go out and enjoy yourself. SPAGHETTI junction 7 UP front union news

“Hello and welcome to both the new bods and the returnees! What is Student Council? I hope that you have all had a If you want to have a say into how your Union is being run, good Summer (which has lasted and be part of one of the highest decision making bodies in a lot longer than I thought it your Union, then all you need to do is become a member of would), both through work and the Student Council. raising money for local and Council is of the utmost importance for the university as it is national charities. However, the the official forum to get results, have your voice heard and Exec team have been pressing most importantly, be there while decisions are being made. on in preparation for your arrival and we await with eager grins as you return, hopefully refreshed. There is so much to offer and so much that is little Who is on council? known about the Students’ Council Faculty Representatives (CFR) get elected by the Union and this year we hope to student body before the first council takes place. There are change that! In order to find out 37 positions all up for grabs. a little more about our work and how we represent and cater for your needs, check out How to get involved www.birminghamcitysu.com. Simply visit our website and fill out the from provided I know that I can’t wait to meet or email Communications Officer Jen James at union. you all and I’m sure the other [email protected]. Execs feel the same so make sure you say hello if you see any of us!

This is my second and final year Ethical and Environmental Officer Last academic year, a motion was passed at AGM calling as President and I wish you all for the introduction of a 7th part time Officer ‘Ethical and the best of luck with your studies Environmental Officer’ and we need you! and promise to listen and act on your voices.”

Oz Hetherington To find out what the post is all about visit our website Union President www.birminghamcitysu.com or email the Comms officer.

With each New Year comes a new and improved Students’ Union! We have a brand new website, giving you all the information you are likely to need for the year ahead like up to date news, events, sports & society info and much more. With its Facebook like features (Profiling and picture tagging), the website is better than ever!

Also, we have extended our Exec team from five to eleven, giving you more representation and support throughout the year. The five usual suspects are still on hand but they have now been teamed up with six part-time Executive Officers; a Black & Minority Ethnic Student Officer, a Mature Student Officer, an Edgbaston Campus Officer, a Gosta Green Campus Officer, a Millennium Point Campus Officer and a Conservatoire Campus Officer. For more information on the Exec team, visit the website where full profiles are available.

8 SPAGHETTI junction There are a range of different shops located across Birmingham City Find us: www.birminghamcitysu. University. Some of these are Union com/eshop owned while others are just there for your Purchase Union products from the convenience. comfort of your home to make sure you don’t miss out on our events and great offers. To pre-order a whole Find us: Seacole Building, Edgbaston host of products including Freshers Campus, Westbourne Road. Wristbands, Sports Memberships, NUS Located on the ground floor of Seacole Extra discount cards and personalised building is our very own Union Shop. hoodies, visit the Union website now. This shop sells everything from nursing supplies and University merchandise to In order to purchase products online confectionery and NUS Extra cards; you you will first need to register, but with name it, we’ve got it. our brand new website this year the process is a lot simpler making it faster and easier for you. Find us: Gosta Green Campus. The Students’ Union also has its very own Art Shop located at Gosta Green campus, selling everything you could possibly need for your course. And being a Union shop, prices are as low as they You can find a Union Reception at 6 can go, making sure it is affordable for of our campuses where you can buy you. Make sure you pop into the shop on Union merchandise. Receptions also arrival and get your 10% off coupon to be exist to assist you with any student redeemed on your first purchase. related enquiries, booking appointments with our advisors, joining sports and societies and providing you with a great Find us: Level 2, Union Building, City range of student related information. North Campus (Perry Barr). Visit www.birminghamcitysu.com/ At City North Campus, the Union Building campuses for more details. is home to a number of outlets including a Waterstone’s Bookshop, RIA’s Unisex The Activities & Resource Centre (ARC) Hair Studio, Select & Save convenience at City North Campus provides you with store and the University’s recruitment Sports & Societies info, memberships, shop, Choices. as well as volunteering opportunities. Furthermore, if you’re looking to set up a new club, this is the place to send an application and ask for advice.

SPAGHETTI junction 9

UNON GUIDE 2008.indd 32 22/9/08 2:56:24 pm UP front recycling Recycling was a BIG issue for the Union this year, with a HUGE campaign launched earlier in the year. However, a few months down the line, has anything really changed? Is Birmingham City University any closer to helping save the planet? Or was all the ‘action’ from the Union just a load of old rubbish? Georgie Campbell investigates.

10 SPAGHETTI junction UP front recycling

Your Union’s new environmental campaign involves discontinuing carrier bags in all Union outlets. Instead, we provide cool, environmentally friendly bags for life; costing just £1.25.

After the enthusiastic launch of Birmingham City Plastic bottles – they’re everywhere. Look around, Students’ Union recycling campaign earlier in they’re on the shelves, in the bins, on the streets, in the year, should we expect to see an increase the bushes and why? Because we need to drink of of facilities on campus? Unfortunately – not just course... but did you know they are tricky to recycle? yet. But progress is being made. Newly elected Believe it or not – most city councils ask for the bottles Representations and Campaigns Officer, Hannah and lids to be separated before entering the recycling Newland has shown her strong commitment to the process. As the two parts are made from different issue and promises some changes in the near future. plastics, they need treating differently, so prove more We already know that there is strong support from the challenging than other items. So, whilst we’re waiting University’s students from last year’s online petition for more machinery to be invented to deal with this set up by the Students’ Union, but now is the time to problem what can we do? Well, it’s obvious... no see something being done about it. R & C Officer, brain wave here. Re-use bottles as often as you can. Hannah said: “The University is currently recycling Carrying around a bottle of water not only saves your around 4% of their waste, so in two years time we pennies but keeps your mind active and can even are aiming for an increase to 25% - if not more!” So avoid tiredness. That bottle will seem like your best kids, it looks like plans are on track for a greener Uni. friend as you sit through your midmorning lectures So – do we now sit back and give a “thumbs up” to after a heavy night out on the pop. our Student Union? After all, they’ve shone through But that’s not all we can do. While we sit and wait and proved once again that they really are listening to for our greener Uni to emerge, what can we recycle student concerns. But... NO! That doesn’t mean our on campus? THINK! It’s simple. Why did you need to involvement in this campaign is done and dusted, far print that six page essay to proof read it? Printing only from it... Although we are powerless to enforce more when you ABSOLUTELY need to will not only save facilities around our campuses, there are still things your printer credits but will also reduce the amount that we can do in the mean time. of waste paper we’re using. With your recycling tips Carrying on our carbon footprint battle, here’s in check you can carry on the battle against global a re-cap of handy tips to help you on your way: warming, whilst reeping in the benefits from saving Remember rule number one – avoid the “evil villain”... those extra pennies. But why are we all so passionate the PLASTIC BAG! Supermarkets are phasing out about recycling? the treacherous carriers, but we can still cut down the There are the obvious reasons of saving the world, number we use. Most bags are 100% degradable – blah blah blah, but that’s not all. It will affect each and but why use them in the first place? Take your own everyone one of us individually. Ridding the streets bags to Asda, saving the environment whilst avoiding of rubbish will not only help to improve the image of the embarrassment as your bag splits when getting our Uni and city, but will ensure a safer environment on the bus... it will happen! Now I’m sure you won’t for our community. Proving a passionate issue that all be eating takeaway pizza and Chinese with all the is increasingly becoming a topic of debate in many cookery tips in this mag... but if you do surrender (to households, it really does proving a passionate issue the detriment of your waist line remember!) make sure that is increasingly becoming a topic of debate in you do your bit. Recycling that cardboard pizza box many households, it really does emphasise its own and chow mein plastic container is easily done. The importance within our student lives. R&C Officer, plastic tub can be washed out and reused as a lunch Hannah said: “I’m really going to push recycling this box for your money saving lunch time needs, whilst year as it’s a global problem already and it’s what most residential areas provide small black boxes for students want.” So with the full support of our SU – cardboard collections... so use them! make sure you keep recycling those pizza boxes!!

SPAGHETTI junction 11 UP front mature students

It’s not all chalk and cheese

interested in a particular subject. It will be hard work and there will We should also be valued for what be lots of it! If you set up a weekly A mature student: someone we can bring to a course. Things study timetable and don’t leave who is at least 21 years old at like our enthusiasm, the fact that things to the last minute, you the start of their course and has we add diversity to the course should be able to cope with this. usually been out of the education and also for our life experience If you feel that you aren’t coping, system for at least two years. and previously gained skills. don’t be afraid to ask for help! Can also include students who Remember, we are not ‘old’, we have been out of the education are simply experienced! We have 4) DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE system for decades, or students bravely decided that it is not too SKILLS YOU ALREADY HAVE! with no secondary education. late to improve our prospects; this Since leaving school and joining source: wikipedia being hurdle one. We have been university, there has been a gap accepted onto a university course. and whether you have been Mature students are the forgotten That is hurdle two. Now we begin a full time parent or been in a breed who are now increasingly to panic! Although all students working environment, you have entering education at university have to deal with the stress of gained life skills. Remember that level. During 07/08, 46% of degree university life, mature students these skills will be advantageous level students at Birmingham experience a whole different to you whilst on your course. City University were classified as range of pressures and stress. mature students. Our university is That is why I have put together my 5) DON’T FORGET YOUR FRIENDS following the nationwide consensus top five tips for mature students: AND FAMILY! of having mature students form For some, the decision to return the vast majority of part-time 1) THROW OFF THE IMPOSTER to the education system will be an students, and an ever increasing SYNDROME! entirely selfish one. For others, the proportion of the full-time student Many mature students feel they are decision will be based around an population. UCAS (2008) states: at university under false pretences entirely selfless act of improving the and that someone will eventually prospects of your family. Whichever “[that] one of discover them and throw them out. it is, remember that you will be the encouraging Remember that you have earned required to adapt to a new way of your place through hard work, life. Any student that spends their developments in recent determination and commitment. university life living at home has years has been the This should give you a boost; a completely different university others have already seen the experience than those who live in growth of lifelong potential in you and have the university accommodation. As your learning. Increasingly, confidence that you can cope with year progresses, you will adapt to the work level. Make the most of the university way of life. It is highly students are taking up this experience and ENJOY IT! likely that your social timetable courses at every stage will be affected and, although of life. What was once 2) NON-MATURE STUDENTS ARE dedication and sacrifice is required, OK! ALL WORK AND NO PLAY seen as the preserve University is a great opportunity to MAKES ANY MATURE STUDENT of the young is now mix with a wide range of people. A VERY DEPRESSED PERSON! Try to make friends with all age rightfully an area for groups and other nationalities. My final words of wisdom come from all.” Remember, first impressions are my own personal experience. You not always right. People cannot may not always find your course As a mature student myself (I am be categorised using stereotypes easy and life as a mature student about to embark on the second so ensure that you take everyone will have its challenges but just year of my course), I believe that for what they are: individuals. remember that you are not alone! us mature students should be Hundreds of students are in the greatly valued; whether we have 3) GET READY… same boat and are encountering joined the ranks to improve our To have the feeling that you the same problems, HONEST! job prospects, to make a fresh aren’t doing enough and start in life or purely down to being of never being finished! Written by Suzanne Rule

12 SPAGHETTI junction UP front LGBT LG

w hat does LGBT mean? Well, for those of you not familiar with the term, it’s quite simply an abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andB transgender/transsexual people.T It is used as a replacement for the phrase gay community, as many people felt this was not an accurate representation of all those to which the term referred. Here at Birmingham City University, we have a healthy and active LGBT community who get together at the beginning of every month. We offer students support and advice on a variety of issues from sexual health and coming out, to places to party and campaigning for any issues that students may have. We talk about Birmingham as a city and offer an insight to its attractions that may interest people, or we may discuss recent LGBT issues such as the gay blood ban and think of any ideas that can help raise awareness about these issues. The topics vary from meeting to meeting depending on what members want to discuss. As well as monthly meetings, we have regular events throughout the year. Recently, we had our popular ‘Hurst Street Hussle’ bar crawl that trails its way through the heart of the gay scene. A record number of people attended and we enjoyed great exclusive drink promotions! Other outing highlights include bowling at Star City, the Thursday night of fun which sees us attending Dv8 and Nightingales for cheap drinks and great music, and we will soon be attending the High School Musical 3 premiere! The group is not exclusively for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans, it is for everyone and people who are heterosexual are encouraged to join. In the past, LGBT groups have faced criticisms, with some people believing that grouping together people with non-heterosexual orientations perpetuates the myth that being gay/ lesbian/bisexual makes a person deficiently different from everyone else. Here at Birmingham City University, the LGBT society celebrates its sexuality but most importantly we celebrate pride, diversity and individuality. These are the reasons we encourage people from all walks of life to join our group, in recognition of their support for the political rights and social dignity of the LGBT community. Some groups differ on what LGBT stands for; some groups argue that the transgender and transsexual causes are not the same as those of LGB people and therefore shouldn’t be included. This argument centres on the idea that transgender and transsexuality have to do with gender identity, while LGB issues may be seen as a matter of sexual orientation. Others see the LGBT as people that are supposed to fight on issues that the LGBT community face, examples being same-sex marriages and the gay blood ban. Here at Birmingham City’s LGBT, we believe in a mixture of discussion and tackling the issues facing LGBT members. Most importantly though, we exist as another form of social networking within the university, to give people the chance to meet other people, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Written by Lee Lawrence SPAGHETTI junction 13 Picture: Jak Flash

UP front gay out much

GAY OUT MUCH? Here at Spaghetti Junction, we want to make sure that we have something for everyone, especially as we are welcoming loads of new students! With that in mind, Lee Lawrence has taken a look at the Birmingham gay scene.

14 SPAGHETTI junction UP front gay out much

As with any large town or city, the pool room tucked away behind include the annual Pride Ball an exciting and active night-life the bar. which is a fundraising event, plays an important role in the usually held two months before commerce and culture of a city. Now on to events; described Birmingham’s Pride festival. Luckily for us, Birmingham boasts by its organisers as ‘the largest The fundraising event boasts Broad Street and The Mailbox gay and lesbian event in the UK’, ‘over 750 diners, [and] has to (both in the City Centre) among its Birmingham Pride is a weekend be undoubtedly the biggest gay key attractions for people seeking long gay and lesbian festival held ball in the UK’. It is also said a great night out. However, annually in the Gay Village. This that it is ‘one of the best and Birmingham also has a very year’s flamboyant Birmingham most prestigious gay events in healthy and active gay community. Pride took place over the May the UK’. Next year’s ball has a The area around Hurst Street is Bank Holiday weekend and, theme of Gold and Silver and affectionately known as “the gay whatever you’re looking for at a features a three course meal, village” and whilst it might not be gay and lesbian festival, you’re as well as entertainment that as big or as busy as the scene likely to find it at Birmingham includes performances from in Manchester or London, it’s Pride, which is definitely an event X-Factor finalist Niki Evans and certainly on the cusp of greatness, with a great heart and a friendly a disco. The event raises money boasting an impressive twelve atmosphere. There are dance for charity whilst doubling up as a bars to its name. Here is a brief and musical events, funfair rides, presentation night for the Midland round up of what key bars the gay street stalls and entertainments to Zone Magazine Readers’ Awards. scene in Birmingham has to offer. name a few of the occurrences at The Oscar-style Awards ceremony this three day extravaganza! is presented by David Nash and Glamorous is the first bar Birmingham Pride usually features the ball supports lesbian and gay people are most likely to see; a carnival parade through the City charities. Everyone that wants to it’s a cabaret bar that is famous Centre on the Sunday but the ‘08 have fun and indulge in an elegant for its nightly themes that range parade was cancelled this year evening is more than welcome to from vocalists to strippers, and causing controversy within the gay buy a ticket. its specialty of drag queens community. An alternate march and you will regularly find drag was held by campaigners, led Some people claim the gay shows being performed. Then, by the University of Birmingham scene in Birmingham does not on to Nightingales which is LGBTQ association who followed equal the importance of Old Birmingham’s biggest club with the same route as the original Compton Street or Canal Street. three floors and a restaurant. The parade but with a protest march. However, the number of gay bars entertainment here tends to be the The protest attracted between and clubs on the scene is both best of anywhere in the Midlands! 350 and 400 people and aimed significant and impressive. It is Saturday nights feature famous to combat political apathy within true to say Birmingham’s Gay acts with appearances in the past the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual scene, on and mainly around including Kelly Rowland and Booty and trans) community. The Hurst Street (with Subway Luv. DV8 isn’t too far away and placards carried a variety of being a notable exception) is is definitely the best for drinks messages, targeting many issues considerably smaller than London offers. Every Thursday, they hold including the commercialization and Manchester but what it their ‘Skint’ night where entry is of LGBT spaces, homo, bi and lacks in size, it makes up for in £7 and all drinks are free! It has trans phobias and the gay blood character! With Birmingham City become the busiest student night ban. The campaign was seen Council recently announcing in Birmingham, easily establishing as a success, and generated plans to put £1 million towards itself as a firm favourite with all nationwide press interest and environmental improvements that students. Finally, there’s The Fox, made the front page of a number are much needed to the city’s Gay located on Lower Essex Street of local publications as well being Village, (which should hopefully which is Birmingham’s only lesbian featured on BBC news. be implemented by Pride 2009), bar. The staff there are some of it seems that Birmingham’s Gay the friendliest about and there are While plans for Pride 2009 Village is going from strength to lots of nooks and crannies, with are on the go, upcoming events strength, and can only get better!

SPAGHETTI junction 15 Picture: Jak Flash

UP front gosta green

The grass is always Greener at Gosta Gosta Green is one of five campuses that make ones. Don’t spend all your pennies in the canteen up one of the biggest faculties of Art and Design though, because there is a Union art shop where all in the UK. It can be found in the midst of the Aston the things you want to aid your creative desires are University Campus, as they’re located right next to available for a worthy price. The Union office can each other. This is a campus budding with creativity, also be found in its lovely circular cubical, keeping bursting with energy and thriving with students you up to date on all that is student. On the way out who have great potential. Here, you can study a of Gosta Green, there’s a display on the right (one wide variety of courses from Animation to Visual of four to be found on campus) that, in the past has Communication (which I study, it’s amazing!). There featured some great work including a vinyl display is so much available for the students to use as well, from Lunartik A.K.A. Matt Jones (Lunartik.com). In we really are well kitted out. There’s a dark room for the Visual Communication reception, you can often developing all your negatives and a studio with a find great works around the walls. A notable exhibition white cornerless cove for all your photography needs. from last year was Rob Gibb’s (Photography It doesn’t stop there though… oh no! There are suites Lecturer) photography pieces. He displayed various full of Macs, there’s a chroma key room (painted like black and white works from his personal collection, something Slimmer from Ghostbusters got hold of) demonstrating an interesting form and approach to and even a stop frame animation studio, complete photography. The most recent exhibition to be put with light boxes (which were crafted by one of Gosta on was the MA show where works were displayed Green’s own members of staff). When the students thoughout the campus. It was great to see such talent want a break (after all the strenuous work they have on show, and the ambition of the current students been subjected to), they can relax and grab a coffee keeps on growing so come down and look at the and some food (including chippez!) from the canteen. future exhibitions. All the Freshers’ are in for a treat as all the chairs Jak Flash have just been replaced with some super sexy green 16 SPAGHETTI junction :=G/:BG1/@2 4`SSS\b`gb]aSZSQbSRSdS\ba bV`]cUV]cbbVSgSO` >@7D7:3531/@2 >c`QVOaSbWQYSba¿`abO\RUOW\ D7>S\b`gObaSZSQbSRSdS\ba 27A1=C@7H3A 3dS`gbS`[`S^Og]\ZW\S]`P`W\U QOaV OZ]\UeWbVg]c`C\WdS`aWbg72QO`R O^Oaa^]`b^V]b]b] O\gC\W]\@SQS^bW]\

eeePW`[W\UVO[QWbgacQ][\caSfb`O

SPAGHETTI junction 17

NUS_A5_FLYER.indd 1 22/9/08 3:22:58 pm Picture: Poppy French Features what’s on in the city What’s on in the city? As many of you are new to hilarious live music acts; St, you’ll find the Broadway Plaza Birmingham, we know you will remember East 17? They played which, in my opinion holds the be wanting to find out about here last Christmas!), Reflex; best cinema in Birmingham, we’re all things you can do in our where every night is 80s night talking huge screens and refillable city. Poppy French has created and Flares (which is the same as popcorn. Woohoo! Fancy a spot her guide on the best of Brum. Reflex only it’s stuck in the 70s…). of bowling? There is a bowling Enjoy! If after all that decade jumping you complex in the Plaza too and you’ll feel like a laugh, why not check find offers for both the cinema and As a student you will be out the comedy club Jongleurs? bowling on the Student Beans bombarded with leaflets. They It has a special student night and website (www.studentbeans.com). are absolutely everywhere! As when the comedy is over, the club From Broad Street, there’s a canal a student in Birmingham, many turns into the 90s music room network that leads to the Sealife of the leaflets thrown at you will for the club Risa (more decade Centre (two for one available on be advertising Broad Street. jumping…). If you love alcohol student beans) and the Mailbox For those of you new to the city and variety (who doesn’t?), check shopping centre. The Mailbox (and for those who just didn’t out vodka bar Revolution, which has many of Birmingham’s more know), Broad Street holds many boasts many different vodka expensive shops like Harvey of Birmingham’s clubs and bars. flavours (including chilli for those Nichols and it’s also possible to These include Lloyds bar (part of of you who like hot stuff…). One get a canal boat down to it if that’s the Wetherspoons chain so it’s of the latest additions to the Broad your sort of thing! cheap), the Walkabout Inn (good Street family is the world famous for the following: watching Gatecrasher club which aims Now for a bit of culture; if you sport on big screens, to be ‘the UK’s most glamorous find yourself in a blues orientated good deals on destination and luxury nightclub.’ mood, check out the Yard Bird drinks and We’ll see. Just a word of warning Jazz club. From there, it’s just some about Broad Street though; is best a short walk through Paradise to avoid it at the weekends as it Forum to the Birmingham Museum tends to be filled with sleazy office and Art Gallery, which has the types and entrance and UK’s biggest public collection of drink prices are usually Renaissance art. Then, opposite raised. Birmingham City University’s Beyond Margaret St campus are the open Broad gallery spaces. Recent exhibitions include the Stitch exhibition (Birmingham was the only city in the country to have the show). When you’re done with all the art, why not go

18 SPAGHETTI junction Features what’s on in the city shopping and put a dent in find the Birmingham Academy DJs including Erol Alkon, LCD that student loan? Birmingham (situated at Dale End). This is a Soundsystem, Annie Mac, MYLO, City Centre was recently name great place for live events and the Simian Mobile Disco, DJ Yoda and dropped by Channel 4’s Gok acts range from the super famous Hot Chip DJs to name but a few! Wan as one of the best high to the undiscovered! The Academy These nights can be pricey but street shopping destinations. also hosts two club nights, with are definitely worth saving those There is a brilliant selection of Ramshackle on Friday (generic loans for. shops, ranging from high street indie pop tunes with a fabulous to small boutiques, as well as a electro room) and Subculture on Another brilliant Birmingham great selection of vintage shops Saturday (Birmingham’s biggest venue is The Rainbow, which has and charity shops. For a more rock and metal night). Both nights its own warehouse. Coincidentally, interesting range, it’s worth are well priced but do expect to it is the very same warehouse travelling out of the city centre get filthy shoes! that plays host to the Birmingham to areas such as Moseley and City Students’ Union Warehouse Harborne which are all on the Heading down from the centre of Party. The Rainbow also often Birmingham bus routes. Slightly Birmingham you come to Digbeth. hosts the famous Drop Beats Not out of town (but still within walking The first clubs you come to are Bombs, which involves the street distance), you will find the glorious The Sanctuary and Barfly. The being closed so the party can Jewellery Quarter which has Sanctuary hosts the Panic! club continue under the railway arches. many lovely restaurants (perfect night every other Saturday. This Definitely one of the coolest for dates and when your parents massive stately ex-mental asylum venues in Brum! visit), sleek bars and of course is a brilliant back drop for any night our university’s famous Jewellery out. There are loads of rooms, Heading back towards town, school. The Jewellery Quarter is from Drum N Bass to Nineties there is the Arcadian (situated in also home to the club Concrete cheese and a brilliant Electro Birmingham’s Chinatown). This (just below the Big Peg building). room! Barfly plays host to many up area is also theatre land and The club follows the stylish feel of and coming acts. It also has club the outskirts of Birmingham’s the Jewellery Quarter and hosts nights on many nights of the week gay Quarter. There are many fabulous eclectic live nights, with so it’s worth checking their website restaurants and cool bars, as a £50k KV2 sound system it is or their free magazine The Fly for well as Oceana, Barracuda the first of its kind in the Midlands, more information about what’s on. and another Reflex bar. Some with the opening night featuring bars in the Arcadian are more a DJ set from none other than Also in Digbeth, you will find the reasonable than others, so it’s Bloc Party. Also check out St. Custard Factory, which is truly worth moving around to get the Paul’s Square, where you will find awesome. During the day, it has best drinks prices. This area is the Jam House which is Jools many interesting stores, vintage also home to the Hippodrome Holland’s famous pub. Again there clothes shops, an urban vinyl theatre and The Glee club which are live nights as well as excellent shop and a folk instrument shop. hosts folk, acoustic music and beer but make sure you arrive On Sundays it has a flea market comedy events. Just opposite early to avoid disappointment. with many stalls, including a the Glee Club is a fabulous old Nearby, you will find Subway City. regular spot from BIAD students fashioned sweet shop which sells This club hosts many excellent so pop down and show your all the favourites. Great for reliving club nights with Hardcore, Funk support. At night, the Custard childhood! and Electro at the weekends. factory is transformed. One of Tuesday is a popular student night the most popular events at the So that’s my guide on some with a 90s feel and every alternate Custard Factory is the Eclectricity of the best of Brum! Go out Tuesday is all you can drink. night. Last year, Pendulum made and enjoy yourselves, and let their Birmingham debut at this Spaghetti Junction know what Heading back into town, you will event and it also hosts other top you get up to!

SPAGHETTI junction 19 Feature

20 SPAGHETTI junction Features freshers’ week

Warehouse Party 23.09.08 Speculation was rife, Facebook was buzzing with rumours: “I’ve heard EVERYONE’S going. Will we get in?” This is always a good sign for a Warehouse party. So we strolled up at around half-past ten, press passes in hand. The queue was hu-uge with everyone dressed up to the nines in their best rave attire. The Rainbow was its usual beautiful self with the graffiti adorned walls setting the scene for the fabulous party. The DJ’s were blaring out their best mixes, the dance floor was filling up and things were certainly hotting up. Before long, the stages were filled with our most talented ravers. The more chilled out Freshers had headed to the beach, not Skegness, oh no! The Rainbow was kitted out with its own beach! With a thick taste of glow sticks in the back of their throats and sleepy dancing feet, the revellers headed home, to be tucked up in bed by new friends ready to dream of the next Warehouse Party.

SPAGHETTI junction 21 Features freshers’ week

After the Warehouse Party there was a lot to live up too. And let me tell you that Saturday night’s silent disco at Bar 42 was certainly a fabulous experience. When Spaghetti Junction arrived dressed up in our favourite mime outfits the place was looking a bit empty with only a couple of bravest fresher’s throwing shapes around on the dance floor. Soon with the finest disco tunes blaring out on the two channel head phones everyone was out singing at the top of their voices and care freely waving their limbs about. Eventually some one realised that the wireless headphones worked outside and everyone spilled out into the night air. With everyone dancing to different tunes it was absolutely hilarious to watch. As the night drew to a close and without to many injuries we all wandered home still dancing and prancing. My verdict? If you’ve never been to a silent disco, go, NOW!

22 SPAGHETTI junction Features freshers’ week

S D i i l s e c n o t

SPAGHETTI junction 23 Features freshers’ week

Main Event

So this is what we had all been wait- ing for and everybody was certainly ready. This event was truly classy, with everyone looking especially beautiful in preparation for the evening’s events. In the main room, anticipation for Lil’ Chris, Booty Luv and Platnum was building and you Freshers simply burst when they came on stage! When the bands had finished, everyone settled down to what you lot seem to do best, dancing your asses off! The evening certainly was brillant, definitely a main event to be remembered.

24 SPAGHETTI junction Features freshers’ week

SPAGHETTI junction 25 26 SPAGHETTI junction Student Culture health & fitness Health & Fitness

It’s a well known rumour that students pile on the weight within their first year of Uni. So, to save you going home at Christmas looking like a stuffed turkey, here’s a few handy fitness tips from Georgie Campbell.

Cooking for yourself for the first Regular exercise is important to keep time may seem daunting – but trim and on the ball. I know you’re that does not mean you should thinking the gym sounds like such hard always go for the easy option. A work – but there are other ways. Walking year’s worth of Pot Noodle and is a wonderful form of exercise which will toast will get boring, and what not only keep those love handles at bay, about your health? A healthy diet but will keep that purse bulging. Saving creates a healthy mind, so we £3 a day on the bus will add up so it’s really do need to avoid worth it. Walking to Uni with friends not all those E numbered only keeps you active but gives you the foods. Attempting to eat chance to have a good old gossip before your five a day fruit and sitting through those three hour lectures. veg will make you feel The fresh air will keep you awake healthier, but it’s not all for longer too so you will be able to about food. concentrate while even the most boring lecturer is talking!

Next tip – take the stairs. Elevators are the easy option, but you’ll benefit from climbing those two flights of stairs. It really isn’t that hard and will get easier as term goes on. When you have mastered walking up the stairs, try taking them two at There are, of course, more hard core a time which is even better exercise! types of exercise. A kick around after Uni will keep those young bodies buff, or even a light jog around the field will With our new Sports Centre under do wonders. The sports societies are development in the City North Campus, normally thriving at Birmingham City the opportunities for exercise are University, so why not tryout for them? increasing, just extremely slowly. But As well as getting regular exercise, in the mean time, Alexander Stadium you will also meet a lot of great people, has a cheap(ish) gym for students in and you may even the Perry Barr area. Students based get to compete in in the centre of Birmingham may find tournaments so alternative gyms, clubs or facilities but it’s worth thinking we need to make sure that the ever about. increasing obesity levels of England are not contributed to by Birmingham City University’s students.

If you can’t face the gym, why not invest in an exercise DVD? There are some great ones out there, for all fitness levels and that way, you can work out in the privacy of your own home, which is great for those who don’t like the constant staring from personal trainer types at the gym! Whatever you decide to do, have fun and enjoy the benefits of a healthier you.

Freshers, in fact all students - dump the junk and get active.

SPAGHETTI junction 27 Student Culture Natalie’s cookery corner Natalies Cookery Corner

Here is our first Cookery Corner of the year and I hope that you enjoy the recipes that we have created especially for you! We decided that in keeping with our name, from here onwards each edition of the Cookery Corner will have a spaghetti themed recipe.

Cheesy Vegetable Bake (25 minutes) This is a really delicious way to get a whole variety of vegetables in your diet and makes a change to a pizza or pot noodle! It can also change depending on what seasonal veggies are available. If you want some meat in it, it is also very good with chicken in there too. All you need to make it is: 1 A medium sized sweet potato 2 A red/white onion 3 A bunch of broccoli 4 A small courgette 5 Cheese 6 Garlic salt or other herbs or chilli sauce for seasoning 7 Breadcrumbs 8 Tomato sauce Here’s how you do it: Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees or 180 degrees for a fan assisted oven. Peel and cut up the potato and boil it for 5-10 minutes until it is soft when you stick a fork in it. You can also cook the broccoli in the same pot for less washing up. At the same time as they’re cooking, cut up the onion and courgette and lightly fry them. Once they’re done, place ½ the amount in the bottom of an oven proof dish. Then add ½ the tomato sauce on top. Then combine the other half with the potato and broccoli and put that in the dish too. Here’s your chance to add some garlic and herbs if you want to. Place the breadcrumbs over the top and finally grate some cheese over the top. Pop it in the oven and bake until the cheese has melted which should be about 10 minutes!

28 SPAGHETTI junction

Picture: Jak Flash Student Culture Natalie’s cookery corner

Spaghetti and Sausage Special (15-20 minutes) This is a really simple yet hearty dish that is also really cheap to make as it uses very few ingredients. All you need is: 1 A packet of sausages (meat or veggie) 2 An onion 3 Any tomato based pasta sauce or drained chopped tomatoes 4 Cooking oil 5 Spaghetti 6 Herbs to taste/ Chilli sauce for a bit of a kick!

Here’s how you do it: Cut up the onion into small pieces and fry in a frying pan. Once slightly browned, add the sausages and cook them according to the instructions on the packet. Once they have cooked, just cut up into small discs. Add the sauce to this and let it simmer. At the same time, in another saucepan cook the spaghetti. Add chilli sauce or herbs to the sauce for a bit of extra taste. Once the spaghetti has cooked, drain it and mix the sauce in. Serve and enjoy!

Apple Crumble (25-30 minutes including cooking time) A real favourite of mine that is straightforward and simply uses cupboard ingredients! Anyone can put this one together for an impressive home-style dessert. Here’s all you need: 1 One red apple 2 One green apple 3 A tin of chopped apples 4 A tablespoon of water 5 Ground cinnamon 6 White sugar 7 Flaked almonds – adds a bit of a twist to it! 8 McDougalls crumble topping Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees or 180 for a fan assisted oven. Peel and chop up the two apples into chunks. Place them and the tinned apple into an oven-proof dish. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over and then We'll see you add the water, as this will stop it drying out in the oven. Sprinkle over a few almonds if desired. Cover in a generous layer of crumble topping and sprinkle some sugar over that. Just pop it into the oven and bake next time for for 15-20 mins until the crumble just begins to go golden. Serve with a nice big dollop of moreCookery Corner hot or cold custard!

SPAGHETTI junction 29 Student Culture fashion on campus

Well you’ve all come from far and wide; you’ve scoured the country for somewhere to be educated and have arrived dressed for such an occasion, ready to show all your friends what’s hot (that’s you) and what’s happening (that’s you too). So us lot at Spaghetti Junction couldn’t let you run off without snapping you with our cameras! Here are 10 lucky candidates we found trundling round the Freshers’ Fayre in search of some freebies. So, lucky readers, cast your eyes upon these beauties.

Claudette James Kaz

Fashion Design Fashion Design Hat- Primark Jacket- Topshop Dress- Primark Top- Primark Belt- Vintage Bag- Cyprus Cardigan- Topshop Bangles- Oasis Bag- Primark Kaz likes to chow Claudette’s supple down on Oreos limbs allow her still and Peanut butter to do the splits! in her spare time!

Natalie Chan Sophie Benson

Fashion Design Coat- Ebay Jacket- Bench Shirt- Ebay Cardigan- All Saints Skirt- Ebay T-shirt- Topshop Bag- Charity Shop Leggings- Hong Kong Belt- H&M Bag- Primark Necklace- Vintage Cardigan - Primark Natalie loves to whistle a tune... Sophie won’t accept through her throat! your last Rolo, she only eats things in pairs!

30 SPAGHETTI junction Student Culture fashion on campus

Sam Adam Moffatt Forbes-Walker Visual History Communication Jacket- H&M Jacket- Ebay T-Shirt- Blue Rinse T-shirt- Flip

Need your fish Just like Poppy gutting? Well, French Adam Sam is a qualified loves a bit of the fishmonger no less! good ol’ Arrested Development!

Jakaria Antoine Turner

Law Multimedia Jacket- H&M Technology T-shirt- Selfridges Jacket- Fred Perry Belt- Levis T-shirt- JD Sport Jeans- Topman Antoine is hoping for Ladies we’ve found a white Christmas you a shopping this year, because partner because he sure does love to Jakaria will shop till snowboard! he drops!

Natasha Wallace Evdokia Papadopoulou Accounting and Marketing- Finance Advertising and PR Jacket- Babyfat Jacket- Primark T-shirt- New Look Jumper- H&M Jeans- G-star Necklace- Bag- New York Accessorise Bag- Primark Milk with your cereal? No? Don’t judge this Natasha likes book by its cover, salad cream with the dumb blonde everything! routine is just an act!

SPAGHETTI junction 31 Student Culture student of the month STUDENT OF THE MONTH Welcome Wonchop, one hell of a cheeky monkey!

Having completed his first year at BIAD studying Visual Communication Ben Smallman has continued to achieve great things in the world of animation including his first television debut on theKevin Bishop Show. Spaghetti Junction brings you a little insight into the workings that are the mind behind Wonchop, Hypocrite and Demise of a Match.

So what made you want to come to Birmingham City University? Basically, I wanted to go to some animation course, and like most of the schools I’ve been to up to this point, this one was the closest to wear I live XD How did you find the first year? A bit mixed. Some parts were better than others. I was mostly unprepared about how little actual teaching there was in universities. But stuff like animating traditionally and using stop motion were pretty fun. So did you find it difficult, i mean you’ve done a lot of animation before haven’t you? Well my only real experience in animation involved Flash, and a small bit of 3D. Prior experiments to that were the general Flicker Book experimentation and making animated GIFs over webcam footage. Ah, the good old days when I’d take my eyes out and eat them. Good times.

Ah, the good old days when I’d take my eyes out and eat them What’s your favorite piece of animation that you’ve created? Hard to say really. If we’re going on the basis of animation skill, I’d probably say one of the commissions I’ve done that I can’t really talk about. For plain lulz, a short cartoon I did a while back called Demise of a Match provides a few giggles. So you’re already getting work, have you got plans for future productions or work? I’m not really one of those people who plans too far into the future. After all you can never tell when something’s gonna happen midway that screws it all up. I do have some ideas of what I want to do, but I need to have a bit more courage in my drawing and animation skills before I can make a start on them, so in the meantime I’m just doing whatever gets shoved under my nose or whatever pops into my head. Well getting your animation on Channel 4 is a good start, how did that feel? It’s pretty neat. Sitting there watching it show on air with a grin beaming on my face and oohs coming from my parents. Working for Weebl has really helped in getting my foot into the industry, something I probably wouldn’t have been able to do easily prior to that in fear of getting my tootsies crushed. You can find Ben’s work at www.wonchop.net http://wonchop.newgrounds.com http://weebls-stuff.com 32 SPAGHETTI junction http://www.youtube.com/user/wonchopmonkeyman SPAGHETTI junction 33 Arts & Entertainment bridging the gap

Bridging the Gap (Chapter II)… Is Hip-Hop dead? Have MC’s become clichés? Has grime become grimy? Roxanne Hawker gives you her opinion on the decline of UK urban talent and those who can help us to rise again. For the past two years, in the first Spaghetti Junction of the academic year I have written articles promoting urban talent from the UK as I felt that our home grown talent was just as good as, if not better than that from across the Atlantic. This year though, although I still think that the UK is home to some very talented individuals, in the past year I have noticed that urban music is losing its roots. No more are lyrics the product of a gritty urban survivor who fought back against the system and made something of themselves! The UK seems to have been taken over by those who have no respect for music and what it represents. Basically the ‘reppers’ are out in force! For those who don’t know, ‘reppers’ are those who think that the only thing that matters is their postcode and they walk around acting like no one can touch them, while blasting weak tunes from their phones that they have made themselves as they think all you have to do to be a gifted rapper is simply to spit… Trust me, the only things that these people can and should be spitting is salvia! It was a sad day for Hip-Hop/Grime/ whatever you want to call it the day all these pretenders started trying to claim the keys to the kingdom! Luckily for all the true urban music lovers out there, the best of the best had the sense to change the locks! So, rant over, and back to doing what I love-supporting those who have talent! Could the latter part of 2008 be the UK’s year? Instead of the US cracking us like some mouldy nut, will someone urban UK break the US? Admittedly, the UK has had some recent success in America, most notably from Leona Lewis and Amy Winehouse. If the pop/soul divas can do it, then there’s no reason another UK talent can’t do the same! I think we have some serious contenders for the Hip-Hop heavyweight title, the UK has some gifted spitters. Look at UK rapper Akala, who is, (in his words but I completely agree) the reincarnation of Shakespeare. We have the bard himself producing bars and beats! Let’s show the world what we’ve got! We can show the US that Hip-Hop ain’t dead, it has just relocated!

34 SPAGHETTI junction Words & Picture: :Jak Flash

Arts & Entertainment bands in university

ACRES OF OCEAN TO THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN subtle and it’s something else. These guys really They come on stage each are trying hard and they are dedicated to all aspects their own person, and of the band. They’re studying music business, music production, music technology and visual they are who they are communication; all with focus on a different aspect until they start playing. of the band. Adam’s also in promotion (he works for That is when they become Obscure Tour Promotions). With the thrill of performing still circulating around Acres of Ocean. their systems, the guys start to pack up all their equipment. “Mum, you getting a taxi home tonight?” Adam asks his mother. Although they perform heavy he transformation of Sam Berrington from T progressive rock, these guys all still have homes to Birmingham City University to Sam Berrington go to at the end of the night. “If your mum’s not gonna as the front man of Acres of Ocean is incredible. turn up then who the f**k is?” jokes Ad. The transition from student to performer is almost The name Acres of Ocean reflects how their music mesmerising. The music takes hold and he is lost in a is much like that of the big blue; whether it be calm sea of performance. It’s not just Sam though. There’s and breezy or the ferocious destroyer of cities, as Sean on Bass, Ad on Guitar and Adam on Drums and, the tsunami of sounds engulfs the unsuspecting together they form a tempest of progressive rock. audience. They’re setting sail too, with the release Their music contains such an intense build up, as the of their EP on its way, this group of guys have hopes band seems to lose any sense of being human. For for getting out of Birmingham, getting on a tour, the moment they’re on stage, they really are living reaching out, travelling Europe and seeing where this the music. This isn’t just some violent clamour of adventure takes them. instruments though; it’s a beautiful combination that creates something powerful. The moment you hear the haunting melody that is the start of Oceanic, you www.myspace.com/acresofocean know you’re in for something special. It’s soft, strong, SPAGHETTI junction 35 Arts & Entertainment live review

60 SECOND INTERVIEW This issue, we caught up with local singer, Crystal Melody. Chinese or Indian? Chinese TV or Radio? Radio Sweet or Savoury? Sweet If you found a tenner on the street what would you do with it? Same thing I did on my 17th bday (Claim it as my own) Clubbing or staying in? Staying in Facebook or Myspace? Myspace Hot or cold? Hot Countryside or city? City (I don’t like it when it’s too quiet) Book or film? Film Christina or Britney? Both Beer or cider? Neither Tattoos or piercings? Piercings Rock or rave? Rave Call or SMS? Call, I can’t stand texting Comedy or horror? Comedy, my memory is too graphic for me to watch a horror If you want to find out more about Crystal Melody, check out her Myspace page at www.myspace.com/ The Main Event: crystalmelodyonline Live Review The line up promised to provide three bands who provide some of uni’s most loved and played dance floor fillers. The night’s musical entertainment began with Lil’ Chris. You may remember him as the pre pubescent boy who stormed the charts and stole our hearts back in 2006. Not normally my kind of thing but he (and more importantly the band) were excellent and not purely for their comedy value. He rolled his way through all the “classics” and finshed with the student favourite Checkin’ it out. By this time the Freshers were going insane, there was quite a lot of inappropriate touching of Lil’ Chris from female members of the audience! We’ve checked though, despite appearances he is over 18! With a whistle and a wave he left the stage for us to wait in anticipation for Booty Luv. Now to be honest, I was quite excited about the lovely ladies from the original line-up of the successful hip-hop/ pop group Big Brovaz. I think we can all remember a time when (maybe slightly drunkenly) we’ve strutted our stuff to Boogie 2nite, and tonight was certainly no exception; with the ladies (and I must add the gents) singing along to all the well known tunes such as Shine, Don’t Mess With My Man, and Some Kinda Rush. Directly after all that Booty Luv, Platnum came on. Before tonight I was unaware of who they were, but it quickly became clear they were the singers from that fabulous song of the summer What’s it Gonna Be. I was certainly pleasantly surprised, by this stage the crowd was really hyped and everyone was raving like maniacs. With only two songs played, their set was a little short but everyone seemed pleased to get back to the matter in hand which was some serious dancing. From the lovely atmosphere left by these three bands, I think the Birmingham City Students’ Union Fresher organisers made wonderful choices in their picking of fun cheesy bands for the main event 2008. 36 SPAGHETTI junction Arts & Entertainment live review GYM CLASS HEROES LIVE @ THE CARLING ACADEMY

Do you remember being at acquired taste. Someone who, to he is better known, the heroes school and having to work really paraphrase sings: ‘Britney Spears are just that. They started with hard in gym class? I’m talking would say hit me one more time/ the smash Clothes Off and, at like a proper workout, at the Then I would say no because this point the room was so hot I end of which you were dripping domestic violence is a crime’ is was wishing I could take some of with sweat and had pulled a definitely an acquired taste. Also, mine off! Some people went that few muscles. Well, going to his performance was hindered little bit further though as half way see Gym Class Heroes is a lot by the fourteen year old girl in through the song Travi had two like that, except that there is no front of me who kept screaming bras thrown at him…Anyway, the crazy teacher yelling at you to do that the guitarist accompanying hits just kept coming, including another star jump. The venue for him was fit. Luckily for me, (and The Queen and I, On My Own my second GCH experience was everyone else in the building), my Time, Viva La White Girl and the the Carling Academy 2, which is friend told her to shut up. Cosmic song that launched them in the part of the Birmingham Academy. Jarvis was followed by a man who UK, Cupid’s Chokehold. They I arrived, only to be greeted with a introduced himself as Professor also performed tracks from their queue, the majority of which was Green. He then introduced fellow latest album The Quilt, including made up of fourteen year olds. I MC Cores and their DJ. Now, the current single Cookie Jar. We didn’t let this get to me. Well, not back to the Professor…one of the were also treated to a cover of once I had got over the shock of most talented MC’s that I have the Prince track When Doves Cry, feeling like an OAP at 20 years of ever seen. The crowd was going which was amazing! Although their age. Anyway, one glass of warm crazy for this guy. There is nothing set was legendary, I was slightly water and a bit of background like a good bit of Hip-Hop to get disappointed that it only lasted music later, the first support act you feeling hyper, a feeling which about an hour…still, I guess the sauntered onto the stage. Like I increased when the Professor fact I wanted more says it all. If said, this was the second time I brought his guest Haydon onto the you are yet to have a Gym Class had been to a GCH gig and the stage. I’ll sum this talented singer Heroes experience, then what first time, the support was some up in one word (aside from those are you doing still reading this? rock/metal type people which, I just used to describe him): HOT! Buy their albums, have a rave in I’ll be honest scared the s**t out I was actually disappointed when your bedroom and go to see them of me. No joke. Luckily for me, the Professor and his people left when they come back to the UK the first support act was a man the stage, they are gifted guys. next year. Even if it’s just to hear called Cosmic Jarvis. I’m not quite From one set of Travi start singing the Usher track sure how to describe him and his talented guys to the next… Love in this Club, stop and say music…think sort of indie but not. of course I mean GCH! This f**k this s**t! He sang/shouted his way through alternative Hip-Hop group just a few of his songs, I didn’t like gets better. Lead by the genius Roxanne Hawker any of them but I think he is an that is Travis McCoy, or Travi as SPAGHETTI junction 37 Arts & Entertainment album review ALBUM REVIEW Shakespeare said that music was the food of love…here at Spaghetti Junction, we say that music is the reason why Shakespeare said that. Clever, I know. Anyway, this issue ( as ever), we have reviews of some of the latest album releases. Enjoy, and if you fancy having a go at writing an album review, get in touch! NE-YOyear of the gentleman So, one of the brightest stars of the R&B world is back with his third album… but is Ne-Yo still shining? Thankfully, the answer to that is yes…Ne-Yo has once again proved that he is a talented man. Lead single Closer showed us that he wasn’t afraid of doing something different, and the rest of the album follows suit. Ne-Yo combines flawless vocals with soulful lyrics and beautiful beats, a combination that is increasingly rare in the world of R&B these days…Watch out for slow jam Part of the List, where Ne-Yo shows us his vulnerable side as well as second single Miss Independent which, trust me, you will be humming for a while! Another highlight is Single, the other version of which is doing big things in the US, as a collaboration with New Kids on the Block. All in all, this album is one of the best things someone in the R&B world has produced for a while, Ne-Yo definitely won’t Fade Into the Background anytime soon… 4/5 Roxanne Hawker BLOC PARTYintimacy Intimacy doesn’t just take over from where A Weekend In the City left off as some fans may expect. Intimacy is a logical musical progression for a band who pushed the boundaries of music from their conception. Those familiar with Bloc Party’s soundscape will instantly notice the jittery guitar tracks such as Halo and One Month Off, which are reminiscent of early Bloc Party mate- rial Little Thoughts and Banquet, and putting those tracks into perspective are ethereal ballads Signs and Zephyrus. Putting it retrospectively, if Bloc Party had released Intimacy as their debut album, nobody would have ‘got it’. But that’s good, nobody ‘got’ Pink Floyd, nobody ‘got’ Bjork and people still don’t ‘get’ Radiohead! Does that make them bad artists? No…it makes them world class! Bloc Party have once again pulled 10 indie anthems out of the bag and only 18 months after their not so difficult second album Intimacy is a success. 4/5 Kneale Brown PUSSYCAT DOLLSdoll domination After a failed attempt at becoming a solo artist, Nicole decided to rejoin her four backup dancers and become a Pussycat Doll once again. There’s no denying that the Dolls have hit upon a winning formula - their debut album shifted an astonishing seven million copies! Although, I wonder how much of that success was due to the fact that they are basically singing strippers… Anyway, have they recreated that success on their second album? No. Although lead single When I Grow Up is definitely a scorcher, there is nothing that comes within sniffing distance of first ever single Don’t Cha. Still, the Dolls’ formula occasionally works, with highlights including I Hate this Part, a break-up number on which Nicole is allowed to emote fully, and future single Whatcha Think About That. For the most part though, the Dolls offer nothing definitive. It’s definitely not the time for Doll Domination… 2/5 Lee Lawrence 38 SPAGHETTI junction Arts & Entertainment DVD review DVD REVIEW A veritable smorgasbord of DVD reviews here by Joel Harley, who, in his own words ‘deserves a medal for watching the Sex and the City movie all the way through - without having to resort to Clockwork Orange style torture methods.’ SEX AND THE CITY At last comes the movie that boyfriends everywhere were dreading (nearly as much as the ABBA thing). Set four years after the end of the TV series, we find Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker, murdering my word count with her stupid triple barrelled name) getting married to Mr. Big (so called because of his burgeoning belly) whilst her friends suffer various crises and dramas. None of this matters however, since it’s all an excuse to show lots of shoes and dresses and earn Prada a few thousand dollars in advertising. Yes, it’s Shoes: The Motion Picture! Is it any good? Let’s be honest, that’s a moot point. Its target audience will watch nevertheless. But it’s a shame, because this is a shallow, cynical and lazy exercise. The TV show’s fans deserved better. 1/5 WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS If there’s one actor today that continues to astound and amaze by his ability to continually get work, it’s Rob Schneider. And then there’s Martin Lawrence. The poor man’s Eddie Murphy, he hasn’t made a decent movie since Bad Boys, but keeps bringing them out anyway. The plot of this execrable film stars Lawrence as the title character – a big shot talk show guru who returns home after years of absence. Despite initially arguing with his old friends and family, Roscoe realises the values of life (money does not equal happiness etc) and things end in a boringly predictable manner. Cedric the Entertainer (an ironic moniker, given his choice of movie roles) and Michael Clarke Duncan offer little support, whilst Lawrence is his usual gurning, annoying self. Avoid, unless you hate your own eyes. There are no extras. Which isn’t really a bad thing – because 114 minutes of Martin Lawrence is already too much. 0/5 TIMBER FALLS Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: beautiful Americans venture into Southern backwoods and get hacked up by (usually inbred) locals. Its derivative nature aside, Timber Falls is a mostly entertaining shlock-em up with a nutty religious twist. A horror movie for atheists, this follows a bickering couple as they are kidnapped by crazy Christians and forced to make babies (yes, really). The usual torture and bondage guff is present and accounted for, as is a bucketload of gore, and one of the aunts from Sabrina the Teenage Witch! There’s a decent amount of extras on the disc, including commentaries, some trailers and a documentary. Check it out if you’re a fan of backwoods horror. Not recommended for the faint-hearted or easily offended Christian types. 3/5

SPAGHETTI junction 39 Arts & Entertainment film review FILM REVIEW THE WOMEN Mary (Meg Ryan) has it all – a beautiful country home, a rich husband, an adorable daughter and a part-time career designing clothes for her father’s company. Her best friend Sylvie (Annette Bening) is the happily single Editor of a fashion magazine. Other friends include mega mummy Edie (Debra Messing) and author Alex (Jada Pinkett-Smith) However, all hell breaks loose when Mary discovers that her husband is having an affair with Crystal (Eva Mendes), a sultry ‘spritzer girl’ from the Saks Fifth Avenue perfume counter. Naturally, chaos ensues, as everyone tries no men appear anywhere in it at all; it’s all about the to help Mary in their own way, which leads to further women. This might sound empowering and feminist, problems. Then, as if Mary wasn’t having a tough except that the women are all quite shallow and their enough time, she is betrayed by Sylvie. Bad times. primary topic of conversation is, (you guessed it) Ultimately, Mary uses all of these events as the men. This aside, the film shows that the 1939 version means to reinvent herself and everything that she was the original Sex and the City. With a supporting stands for (to sum up she bonds with her daughter, cast including Candice Bergen and Bette Midler, The straightens her hair and becomes a better fashion Women is a sharply-scripted comic treat. If you aren’t designer). The rest of the women also make some normally a fan of ‘girly’ films, then this could be the changes in their own lives, and everyone learns one that converts you. It’s definitely this year’s must something about themselves that they didn’t know see. 4/5 Lee Lawrence before. Good times. The gimmick of the film is that EDEN LAKE If the tabloids were to review this, the debut piece by James Watkins, they’d probably wheel out the hyperbole. They’d talk about holding mirrors up to things and mention Broken Britain a lot (note the capitals! Normally, it’d be like listening to a slightly racist grandparent whinge about “the youth of today” and make with the populist ill-informed garbage. But in the case of Eden Lake, they’d be mostly right. The plot (cribbed from a similarly themed French chiller) follows a pretty young couple as they holiday to the rural, titular lake. A heartstrings- worst of all, you can half expect to see him loitering tugging marriage proposal is in the air, and they’re outside your local chippy. so gosh-darn lovely that the forthcoming nastiness That’s not to say it’s perfect. Too much is practically signposted. Their romantic weekend is of the tension relies on horror clichés, and the final rudely interrupted by a gaggle of noisy, recognisably twist – whilst deliciously vicious – is perhaps a bit horrible yobs. Soon enough, petty arguments too predictable. The movie’s particular brand of escalate into brutal violence, and it’s adult VS youth – terror won’t be for everyone, that’s for sure. Its to the death! deliberate humourlessness and cruelty will put off the The past few paragraphs fail to convey squeamish, whilst it’s probably a little too dismal to just how horrible Eden Lake is. This isn’t a film you make for a good date movie. watch – this is something you experience. It’s all All in all however, Eden Lake is an humourlessly done, with a sadistic streak so wide assured debut from a director who has already proven you could park a landrover on it. Forget the creepy himself as a face to watch in the future of Brit-horror. blonde kids of Village of the Damned – these pre- This is a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride from start pubescent psychopaths are achingly plausible and to finish - provocative, relevant, scary and gruesome terrifyingly realised by the script and the child actors in equal measures. Eden Lake will make you fear themselves. Kudos must go out to Jack O’ Connell, children… Hug these hoodies, Cameron. 4/5 Joel who plays Brett, the gang leader. He’s far scarier Harley than any Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees. And 40 SPAGHETTI junction Arts & Entertainment theatre & book review HAMLET ‘Which dreams indeed are ambition, for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.’ Act II, Scene II

King Hamlet, Prince Hamlet’s (David Tennant) father is dead by the time the play starts and this has clearly affected him. That’s not all though. To add to his problems, his mother Queen Gertrude (Penny Downie) has married Prince Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius (King Hamlet’s brother), played by Patrick Stewart. Prince Hamlet is not very impressed and believes this to be an incestuous relationship. Then, as if things couldn’t get any worse; Prince Hamlet is visited by King Hamlet’s ghost (also Patrick Stewart) who reveals that he was murdered by Claudius. And you thought Shakespeare was dull! So when you take a classic text, add a talented group of actors, a great director and some brilliant designers, what do you get? An absolutely fabulous play! It was evident that a lot of hard work had gone into this adaptation. The modern costumes and set designs work well and do not take away from the undeniable beauty of Shakespeare’s language. Risks were clearly taken making this production. I mean, if I was staging Hamlet, I probably wouldn’t have the majority of the stage consist of mirrors. However, that is because I am not as brave as the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company). The mirror stage was amazing and stripping the set like that really made you think about the language the characters are using and the figure types they are reflecting. Quoting from the programme, Jan Kott said: ‘Hamlet cannot be performed in its entirety. One has to select, curtail and cut. One can only perform one of several Hamlets potentially existing in this arch-play. It will always be poorer than Shakespeare’s is; but it may also be enriched by being a Hamlet of our time.’ The actors and backstage staff had clearly taken this quote to heart. The performance was fluent and relevant and although a few changes in text and order had occurred, that only served to enhance the RSC’s interpretation of the piece, rather than taking anything away. Patrick Stewart and David Tennant both put in faultless performances and are supported excellently by the RSC ensemble. If there are still tickets available in London, GO! Louise Wood DEVIL MAY CARE sebastian faulks Taking the reins from the spectacular Ian Fleming, Sebastian Faulks has revived the action-packed life of British legend James Bond. Bringing Bond back from the dead in the Devil May Care split the nation, with critics claiming Faulks would never be able to recreate Fleming’s style. However, Faulks’ tale of a heartbroken 007 did not try to mirror the film character, but instead presented a mature, wiser Bond who no longer seeks a “shaken not stirred” lifestyle. Faulks not only captured the life-threatening atmosphere, beautiful accomplices and loathed villain criteria of previous Bond tales, but added the occasional tug on the heart strings to make his novel stand out. The tale places Bond in Persia, with a mission to obtain secret information from Soviet-supported drug-lord Dr Julius Gorner and evil henchman, Chagrin. With help from a beautiful brunette and several British allies, Bond saves the day yet again. Drinking Bourbon and complaining of back pains, the new 007 seems somehow more desirable. Georgie Campbell SPAGHETTI junction 41 Arts & Entertainment horoscopes

HOROSCOPESby joel hardy LIBRA ARIES September 24 - October 23rd March 21st - April 20th Eating three bags of Haribo in one sitting lends Yikes. For some reason, I’m drawing itself to some really strange dreams this month, a blank on your destiny this month. so I’d only advise it if you’re after a Voodoo- Literally, I don’t see anything in your esque epiphany trip. In other news, did you immediate future! So it’s time to get out see what Virgo has taken to wearing?? What an idiot! of bed and go and do something constructive!!!

SCORPIO TAURUS October 24th - November 22nd April 21st - May 21st Single? Hanging round on a street I foresee a difficult month ahead for you as corner, wearing a signpost that says as Big Brother withdrawal syndrome begins to much could change that. By scratching set in. But worry not, X Factor is back on my crystal balls, I can see a tall, dark, now and you’ll soon find yourself hypnotised handsome stranger in your immediate future. Oh by the brilliant white teeth of Simon Cowell… wait… sorry, that’s just my reflection in the glass… GEMINI SAGITTARIUS May 22nd - June 21st November 23rd –December 21 So, I was having tea with Derren Brown Okay, you may be free and single but, earlier and I got in a bad mood after he trust me – dating a Cancer isn’t the way to tricked me into electrocuting a kitten. This go. I’m not one to point fingers – but their bears no relevance to your horoscope star sign is a crab for a reason. Capish? readings, but I wanted to do some namedropping. How come that showoff gets his own TV show while CAPRICORN I’m stuck writing for a student magazine? Humph. December 22nd - January 20th Ridiculing others is a bad habit to fall into, CANCER and it’s very unbecoming of you Capricorn! June 22nd - July 23rd A difficult month as you feel people are Besides, those in glass houses shouldn’t being deliberately obscure with you. I’d throw stones - what is a Sea Goat anyway? recommend fustigating the gaberlunzies before they can hornswoggle you AQUARIUS any further. That should stop their ishkabibble. January 21st - February 19th Boy, are the stars shining on you this month! LEO The moon is in the seventh house and July 24th - August 23rd Jupiter aligns with Mars. This is the dawning Your Galaxy is alive with movement this month. of the Age of Aquarius! Yes, I steal my Whilst that would normally be a good thing, horoscope predictions from old ‘5th Dimension’ albums. I’m sure the Sun’s not meant to be that colour. Knock Knock. Who’s there? Armageddon. Armageddon-who? Armageddon out of here! And PISCES so should you, if you know what’s good for you. February 20th - March 20th Not reposting that chain e-mail will VIRGO have dire consequences. I don’t know August 24th - September 23rd what you’re being so sceptical about. You tend to be very suspicious of others, and You’re reading Horoscopes! Is that really easier if you’re not careful, it’ll prove detrimental to to believe than the notion of a little ghost child future relationships. Really, people aren’t with no eyeballs? Repost or be single forever. talking about you behind your back…

Birmingham City Students’ Union Oz Hetherington Although we try our hardest, not all Full Time Officers: Union President the pictures in this magazine are originally sourced from us. If we Nicky Hedley Jen James haven’t directly referenced them Activities & Sports Officer Communications Officer in the magazine you’ll be sure to find out where they come from on Hannah Newland Stray Dave the Spaghetti Junction Student Representation & Campaign Officer Commercial & Finance officer Magazine Facebook fan site. Please visit the website for details

42 SPAGHETTI junction SPAGHETTI junction 43 44 SPAGHETTI junction