FELIX THE NEWSPAPER OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION Friday 2nd May 1980 Issue No. 551 Colin Palmer Iranian Embassy siege IC Iranian students offer themselves to replace hostages At least one IC student arrested Police Marksmen on Weeks roof Rag Fete still on Venue - Queen's Colin Palmer Students sing 'God save the tower lawn Queen' in demonstration The siege of the Iranian Embassy which began on Wednesday against the Ayatollah lunchtime has affected IC students by restricting access to the halls of Khomeini residence in Northside and has meant that tomorrow's Rag Fete will be held Exhibition road is closed and there is traffic chaos. on the Queen's tower lawn instead of A Persian student was arrested after a chase past the Royal College Princes Gardens. of Art yesterday afternoon. Terrorists holding at least twenty Iranian Students were prepared to exchange themselves for the hostages in London's Iranian hostages and their offer received much press coverage. The whole Embassy, Princes Gate threatened to evnt has caught the attention of the World's Media and many blow up the building if their demands students have been pictured in the National Press. were not met by noon yesterday. Yesterday afternoon many students from IC demonstrated near Weeks and Garden Halls were the Albert Memorial. The RCS piano was brought to the park and evacuated before the dealine was students sang songs and chanted slogans. A contingent from Guilds reached. Fortunately there was no carried Anti-Ayatollah banners and they also shouted chants. explosion and the siege has reached a stalemate condition. The siege was still on last night and Photos: Police expect it to continue for some Top: Students mass in the park time. Police Marksmen were placed Middle: Mock prayers on the roof of Weeks Hall. Left: A police gunmen behind the Embassy ALBUM REVIEWS BABY'S GOT A GUN - The Only SHAKIN' STREET -Shakin' Street Ones Shakin' Street's second album and I'd like PAUL COLLINS' BEAT - Paul The Only Ones are destined to be one of to start off with a moan. Yet another Collins' Beat those really great bands that never attain band appear to depend on a female singer to sell their records; Fabienne Shine The group used to be called The Beat, success on a large scale. They have but they have changed their name to Paul already reached cult status with a small appears all clad in leather, inviting all Collins' Beat to avoid confusion with The minority of rock worshippers, as their sorts of S and M fantasies. Groups Beat (of Tears Of A Clown fame). ability to pack out the Lyceum with should sell records on the contents of the music not the contents of their singer's Of the twelve songs on the record, devout and enthusiastic followers has none really stands out above any of the shown. bra. Who would give Blondie house others, although none of them provoke With Baby's Got A Gun, their third room, were it not for Ms Harry's pretty thoughts such as "What a load of album to date, they remain as inaccessible face? rubbish". The music itself is fairly good to the huge audience of pop radio The record, however, is not what I had from the point of view of musicianship stations as they did at the beginning of feared, in fact it is reasonably good. and melodicism, but at the same time is their career. Their music is such that it Produced by Sandy Pearlman of Clash predictable, boring and flat. When I say it needs to be heard several times before it and Blue Oyster Cult fame, the record is predictable, boring and flat, I mean it is hooks, and their is no single that can be owes some of its punky sound to just like all of the other Elvis Costello/Joe taken from the album which would Pearlman's experience with the Clash. Jackson rip-offs that the whole world and receive enough airplay to really catch-on; Ross the Boss (Dictator's guitarist) plays his dog seem to be doing recently. In fact, the best hope would be "Why Don't You on the album as lead guitarist. tnat is the best description of the band — Kill Yourself?", which just might ignite On the first side No Compromise, Solid tney are in the Costello/Jackson mould, some spark of curiosity in a slumbering As A Rock and No Time To Loose stand with the same sort of songs (about girls, DJ who needs to fill an awkward two and out, by nature of thier speed and attack work, Rock'n'Roll (Maan), girls, etc). The a half minute gap in his programme. although the stupid applause and cheering trouble, however, is that they have none Perret's voice is as hypnotic as ever, a mixed in ont he beginning and various of the originality or visual impact of their strange but seductive quality from a stages of Solid As A Rock are irritating. peers. larynx that does its best to imitate the On the other side Generation X and So An objective critique of the album; the quality of sound emitted from a concrete Fine are quite good. The songs themselves songs are well written and well played and mixer, but backed by a band with as deal with the ever popular themes of the band perform well within the limitations much experience behind them as musical revolution, authority, wild youth, etc; of 'Rock and Roll'. Subjective critique: the muscle, the voice blends in with the another album to drive your parent crazy songs are written about the same old overall sound and becomes as much a_ (sic). Fabienne Shine's voice isn't ouite in subjects, ie, girls, rock 'mythology', etc. The part of the Only Ones as the distinctive the Siouxsie Sue class, but compares band play well, but threaten nothing and structure of the songs. The album does favourably with the Nolans. appear to lack a certain 'something'. Paul not have quite the same exicitement as The group still have much to do before Collins' Beat are probably lauded as 'New their last long player, Even Serpents they become memorable. In Zigzag of Wave' in the USA, which they are — with Shine, but this is made up for by the Sept 1977, Tony Parsons said, in his respect to the Eagles. extra polish that has gone into the latest review of the Mont de Marsan punk To sum up: this is a mildly pleasant, easy disc, but as Serpents must have been one festival: and the crew with the iistening album which is a little like aural of the best albums to be released last moneythighed singer, Shakin' Street, wallpaper. None of the songs are mentioned year it would be difficult to better. churn out a kind of Punk Hit Parade by name, due to their anonymity. There is something quite irresistible Pastiche that bores me shitless." Well, about the pull that the highly original style they've improved on that, of music can exert on the listener, the best, acting as an introduction to the rest melodies are so seductive that it would be of the songs, advising you to "Settle easy to forget the power behind the down, cancel all engagements" to listen to HYPNOTISED - The Undertones songs, laid down by Alan Mair, on bass, "Teenage Dreams that are worth a The return of the Undertones with their and Mike Kelly (ex-Spooky Tooth) on mention" and "Dumb entertainment". second eagerly awaited (by me and John drums so strongly and efficiently that the Great. How is it, though, that the Peel, at least) second album. It's good to rhythm and lead guitar work are just icing Undertones, with all their songs about report that this album is as good as their 6n the cake. teenage'kicks, etc, succeed where many bebut last year. Since the release of the Two tracks are outstanding, both other bands fail? For me, the answer is classic Teenage Kicks EP in autumn 1978, appear on the first side. Why Don't You their almost painful normality; they look the Undertones have hardly put a foot Kill Yourself? is particularly noteworthy, like people that you see out in the real wrong. both for its immediate, effective and very world, and they come out and say what There are fifteen songs on the album, strong melody, and the vicious, but witty they mean directly, rather than coming all of which deserve the bored teenager lyrics that help draw attention to a very over all mystic and serious (and boring) seal of approval. Particularly outstanding strong song, if there is another single on — they're a fun band. are Hard Luck, Hypnotised, Whizz Kids, the album it is this one. The other track Along with the Ramones, the Specials, Under The Broadwalk, Tearproof, worthy of particular mention is Deadly the Jame, Burning Spear, Selectors and What's With Terry and last, but almost Nightshade, which manages to produce a Linton Kwesi Johnson, the Undertones first, Wednesday Week, the single My great feeling of melancholy and depression are one of the few groups /individuals I Perfect Cousin is also included. The whilst gently rocking the listener. Both these trust. This record is great. Search and songs all deal with the joys and pain of songs, like the whole album can stand the enjoy. teenage life: girls, insecurity, friends, etc. test of repeated playing, without saturating, Feargal Sharkey's vocals are a well nigh and when the volume is turned up the Derfect foil to the rest of the band, the band really show their muscle.