SHAYMEN DELIVER A DAGGER TO DAGENHAM

FC Halifax Town wanted to get back on track after a 2-1 away defeat to newly promoted side Salford City earlier this week.

Midweek 2-1 defeat to Salford away.

The Shaymen suffering their first loss of the season and hoped to bounce back against slow starters Dagenham & Redbridge at the MBi Shay Stadium and did so, collecting another three points with a 2-1 win against the London outfit.

The Daggers languished in the relegation zone in 23^rdposition, with one point in their opening four games, whereas Town sat surprisingly in 4^thplace with nine points out of a possible twelve.

After dominating the opening minutes of play, Town looked to have shaken off any pressures of having to get back to winning ways as Dayle Southwell nearly opened the scoring within the opening minutes of the game.

Dagenham keeper Justham forced Southwells volley behind for a corner which resulted in Niall Maher finding himself in acres of space charging into the box with a rocketed header to only be denied again by Justham with a fantastic save to his lower left hand corner.

After a nervy opening quarter Dagenham finally got into their stride and nearly took the lead after Alex McQueen’s free kick from 20 yards out produced a world class save from Halifax keeper Sam Johnson, tipping the ball away from his top right hand corner.

After a brief spell of pressure the Shaymen began to regain control and created chances that built up to the pinnacle moment when Matty Kosylo found himself breaking the deadlock after a hoofed clearance by Ben Tomlinson fell into the path of Kosylo who cut inside from the left, onto his favoured right foot and with options in the box he decided to go alone and just beat Elliot Justham at his near post.

The goal sparked a fight within the visiting side who didn’t curl over once Town had taken the lead, finding themselves levelling the tie only five minutes later thanks to Tomi Adeloye.

Adeloye managed to beat two Halifax defenders to poke the ball into the net after they struggled to clear the ball from a Lamar Reynolds cross.

In the closing minutes of the first half the Daggers found themselves on the front foot nearly taking the lead with Ben Goodliffe’s audacious attempt of a scorpion kick that troubled Sam Johnson in the Shaymen goal.

The second half began unchanged to the first and both teams coming out and unable to asset their dominance within the opening 15 minutes.

Just after the hour mark, Halifax looked to have taken the lead with Matty Kosylo shot heading into the bottom corner but he was denied thanks to an unbelievable reflex save from the Daggers keeper yet again.

From the resulting corner Halifax’s lead was finally restored as Ben Tomlinson’s wiped cross-found Nathan Clarke fire the ball towards the goal where striker Jonathan Edwards managed to nick the last touch as the ball dropped into the corner of the net giving FC Halifax Town a 2-1 lead.

Jonathan Edwards with the winner.

The London side applied the pressure as the game came into the closing ten minutes as they searched for the equaliser to ensure they didn’t have to suffer a long journey back down south empty handed.

Their best chance came from a dangerous free kick 25 yards out from goal, which seemed to be blocked by Town winger Tomlinson, and there was a huge shout for handball from the visitors but the referee waved on, no penalty.

FC Halifax Town managed to hang on to all three points, which takes them into 2^ndposition only one point behind league leaders Wrexham, while Dagenham stay sat in 23^rdposition only goal difference keeping them off the foot of the table.

After the game Dagenham & Redbridge manager Peter Taylor expressed his opinions on todays game and his sides performance.

Shaymen winger Ben Tomlinson also expressed his thoughts on todays game.

Both teams find themselves playing in the capital next week as FC Halifax Town face Boreham Wood away next Saturday while Dagenham & Redbridge come up against Hartlepool United at home.

FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 3 Ryan Sellers, 4 Nathan Clarke, 5 Matty Brown (c), 7 Matty Kosylo (Odelusi 89^th), 9 Dayle Southwell (King 90^th), 10 Jonathan Edwards (Preston 84^th), 14 Ben Tomlinson, 16 Simon Lenighan, 31 Niall Maher, 40 Jacob Hanson

Subs: 21 Shaun Rowley, 8 Cameron King, 11 Sanmi Odelusi, 19 Jordan Preston, 22 Mekhi McLeod

Dagenham & Redbridge: 1 Elliott Justham, 3 Liam Gordon, 4 Matt Robinson (c), 5 Alex Davey, 6 Luke Pennell (Hoyte 75′), 7 Alex McQueen, 9 Chike Kandi (Romain 64′), 11 Lamar Reynolds (Leighton 84′), 15 Ben Goodliffe, 19 Tomi Adeloye, 20 Will Wright

Subs: 10 Elliott Romain, 12 Lewis Moore, 21 Noel Leighton, 25 Gavin Hoyte, Elliott Bonds

Goals: Kosylo (30^th), Edwards (61^st), Adeloye (34^th)

Yellow Cards: Maher

Red Cards: None

Attendance: 1,364 (50 from Dagenham & Redbridge)

FC Halifax Town 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 1

Catch Assistant Manager Phil Hughes: Back to Winning Ways!

Happy 50th Birthday Big Mac! An inside look into the worlds favourite Burger…

“Good afternoon and welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order?”

“That’ll be £2.99 please.”

“Here you go, 1 Big Mac, enjoy your meal.”

50 years of ‘The Big Mac’. The three-layered bun with a sesame-seeded crown, which stands tall, neatly assembled with overflowing green shredded lettuce, and the melted cheese that drapes over all corners.

The hamburger is McDonalds best loved and best-selling sandwich, and in 2017 the UK sold an impressive 95 million Big Macs! Enough if stacked side by side to stretch across the Atlantic to New York from London. Its incredible how many sandwiches get made by McDonalds employees a day. The Liverpool Street store holds the record as they sold 1,712 Big Mac’s in a single day. That’s one Big Mac sold every minute in the day.

Jim Delligatti, a name not known by many but the brainchild of a sandwich known around the world by billions. The creator of the Big Mac Jim was one of Ray Kroc’s earliest franchisees and operated a dozen stores across the American state Pennsylvania. He introduced the burger into the Pittsburgh market in 1967. After local success the burger went nationwide a year later and it’s never looked back.

50 years usually takes a toll on a person or an object, a bit of ware and tear and normally a lot of things can change, but not with the Big Mac. It’s still all its ever been and now more, as McDonalds have introduced a new improved version called the Grand Mac, all the same ingredients but more of what we all love. As we all know bigger is better. So when can we get a hold of this new sandwich? It hits our restaurants on February 6th for a limited time only as this new Big Mac may be a one off. Marie Shillito, Business Manager of Leeds’ biggest McDonalds Restaurant, said “Its very unlikely to become a permanent member of the McDonalds menu, it’s a promotional item which co-insides along with the Big Tasty, so you never know it may resurface again but I highly doubt it ever returning on an permanent basis.”

It’s an iconic burger and landmark as it reminds so many of their first McDonalds burger or first Big Mac. A lot of customers will remember the 1974 UK launch of the sandwich and have continued their love for it and passed that love on to future generations, but only 6% of Big Mac’s that are bought, are by younger customers aged between 16 and 25. Why is this? Is it that the Big Mac love is dying? Well what a perfect occasion for McDonalds to remind us all to what makes the Big Mac so brilliant.

The 50th anniversary has also along with the Grand Big Mac brought us another new creation of the timeless classic. The Mac Jnr is a burger orientated around introducing younger generations into the Big Mac Family, getting them familiar with that signature taste.

The Mac Jnr

The Big Mac

The Grand Big Mac

Many people asked how are they going to reignite people’s love for an already perfect burger, well truth is you cant improve on an icon, so instead of changing up the cheese or switching the special sauce, they have released two limited-edition new sized Mac’s, one for each member of the family.

For those of you who are yet to try the “Big Mac” let me entice you and get your taste buds going. Using the 1974 commercial which is well known for advertising the Big Mac in an eccentric way… traditional 70’s fashion, with a jingle.

“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun.”

Doesn’t sound the same when you don’t know the jingle and rhyme so here’s my own way of attracting you into trying a Big Mac today. In true M&S 2005/2006 advert fashion…

This Sandwich stands strong on a three-tier platform holding well together under its warmth and neatly finished build, overflowing with goodness. The taste is iconic that combines a distinctive balanced blend of freshly caramelized bread taste with sesame seeds, seared, seasonal mild beef, creamy Big Mac sauce with a balance of sour, pungent mustard, sweet pickle relish, onion and savoury tastes, lettuce, creamy cheddar cheese, with isolated acidic bite from the dill pickle and mild onion which adds the occasional crispness to the soft juicy tender burger.

The Big Mac although within itself has not changed over its 50-year life, Paul Lonsdale, 36 of Broadlea Terrace, Bramley explains how the sandwich has changed in his 36-year life and 20 years service within the company that continues to serve the iconic burger to millions of fans worldwide.

Paul’s journey started when he was just a young lad coming straight out of school and into the heated McDonalds kitchen as a crewmember back in 1997 at the Bradford Lane Ends store. Most teenagers coming out of school getting a job at McDonalds is like a dream, like lets be honest can you name anything better than free McDonalds? Free Big Mac’s… erm yes please. Not only do you get to eat McDonalds every shift you get to learn about what makes this globalized company tick on a day to day basis.

Paul’s first ‘run’ in McDonalds terminology or batch of burgers to the unknowns, was 4 Big Mac’s to which he remembers well, he explained his first experience to be not his best Mac’s. Paul said: “My first day in work didn’t start great as I forgot to bring my little piece of paper which had my clock in number on, so I couldn’t clock in, it wasn’t the best first impression but I was told its not the first time.”
“Already a nervous wreck I was thrown into the Kitchen, which is split into two- chicken side and grill side.”

“I got threw on grill side with my Trainer Olly, a nice a lad to be fair, got on with him well, got me involved with the banter and looked after me to say the least but what he did not help me with was the treacherous Mac Toaster, a mechanical death trap.”

“So my first McDonalds burger was a Big Mac, the signature burger something that had to be built with precision and accuracy as well as quick to then be passed to the kitchen manager Sean for quality checking.”

“My heart was racing, the intensity was crazy the atmosphere was serious but humorous, a weird animosity spiraled through as this tight space seemed to be closing in as more and more members of the team clocked in, ready for the Saturday tea time rush.”

“I’m back at the toasters ready for my next run when Sean approached me and told me that they were ‘class’ Mac’s and that I should be proud, and I was but I still hated that toaster, the amount of burns it gave me, and the noise it made, the screeching haunts me to this day.”

20 years on Paul is a 1st Assistant manager at Leeds busiest store and has ambitions to climb higher and higher, his next goal is to become a Business Manager. He says sales of the new Big Mac family have seen an increase against last year and projections have been beaten, the biggest seller being the Grand Mac, which has caught the customer’s attention and needs it seems. He has been around long enough to witnessed 5 out of the 6 Big Mac boxes ever produced from the very early days of the old ‘clamshell’ Styrofoam containers before the new collapsible cardboard boxes were introduced.

Although Paul stating he’s a ‘chicken boy ‘and always has been he remembers his first Big Mac well. Back in 1993 at his friends birthday party in the Bradford City Centre store. Paul’s favourite item to appear on the McDonalds menu in his 20-year tenure is the McRib, on its first and premier visit to the UK and said “the latest McRib in 2014 has nothing on the original.” His worst burger was a promotional burger launched in 2002 based on an Indian cuisine and he stated it was “possibly the worst concoction of tastes and flavours on a burger ever.”

Its no secret that The Big Mac has become the worlds favourite burger, and an overnight phenomenon all because a small time franchisee, Jim Delligatti changed the hamburger industry with one great idea. Its not just one burger, its a lot more than what meets the eye, its more than just “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun”… its became a never ending world wide craze. 

Here’s some pub quiz trivia that once you know you’ll never forget:

1. One man took loving the sandwich to another level, Mr Gorske has ate over 29,000 Big Mac’s in his lifetime. He’s only 64. That’s over 1.2 Big Mac’s a day since the day he was born. Donald Gorske is a Wisconsin-native, US citizen and became an author in 2005 with ‘Mac Daddy’ and he later released ‘22,477 Big Macs’ ten years ago.

2. In a 2005 advertisement campaign McDonalds wanted Rappers and Hip-Hop artists to promote the fast food chain. In exchange for giving the chain a shout-out the artists would receive five dollars every time a ‘Maccie D’s’ shout was played on the radio.

3. Every city has a museum, but not every city has its very own Big Mac museum. Opened in 2007, by Mike Delligattii (the son of Mac inventor Jim Delligatti) it’s been every Mac lover’s dream to pay a visit to the Big Mac museum in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. It houses a 14ft by 12ft Big Mac, the worlds biggest Mac and also serves as a McDonalds restaurant too, it’s definitely something to add to your bucket list.

4. The Big Mac is “arguably the world’s most accurate financial indicator to be based on a fast food item” according to The Economist magazine. They formulated a tool in 1986 that easily translates international currency exchange by comparing the average price of a Big Mac in each country. Welcome to Burgernomics.

5. 50 years ago in 1968 it become a permanent item on every McDonalds in America and was responsible for 19% of sales.

6. How many versions of the Big Mac do you think there are in the world? You would think one. There is over 9 variations of the sandwich, here’s a taste of what’s out there:

• The McKinley Mac: The Alaskan only version of our very own is two-quarter pounder patties instead of our 1.6oz patties, now that’s what I call a ‘Big’ Mac.
• Maharaja Mac: A substitution of chicken for our beef patties, available in India.
• Kosher Big Mac: Just a small change of taking way the cheese in Israel.
• The Mega Mac: Not two but four 1.6oz patties and some extra cheese to compensate. Available in Australia, Canada, China, Thailand and more Asian countries.
• The Monster Mac: This is no joke but no fewer than eight patties and some much needed extra cheese to help tame the monster that this Big Mac is, once available throughout Germany this monster has been discontinued.

7. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was temporarily renamed ‘Big Mac’ in honour of its 25th anniversary.

8. In 1974 the Big Mac Jingle was created in the US and ten years later the melody hit the UK airwaves.

9. The ‘Special Sauce’ is delivered to every McDonalds restaurant in a ready-made sauce tube but how does the condiment get on our burgers? With exactly two shots from McDonalds’ very own custom ‘Sauce guns’, that precisely shoots 20ml of big mac sauce onto each burger. Two measured shots of 10ml give the sandwich its unique taste.

10. Mayo, sweet relish, yellow mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Doesn’t sound appealing does it, this concoction of ingredients is what makes the ‘Special Sauce” so special! Unlike no other sauce at the time, it took the fast food giants nearly 45 years to unveil the secret ingredients. So there it is, in 7 simple ingredients you could make your own ‘Special Sauce’, all you need now is to get your hands on one of those Sauce Guns.

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Film Review: 500 Days Of Summer

By Christopher Dow

‘This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know upfront this is not a love story.’ We never remember in chronological order, we remember the good, the bad, the best, the worst and that’s why we can never tell a story from the beginning. It always starts at a penultimate stage. In this case we start on day 488 of the 500 days hopeless romantic Tom, (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) falls for cynical romantic Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel).

Tom, a failed architect, now a greetings card writer, immediately falls for the sickly sweetness of Summer when she becomes his boss’ new assistant. He believes he can never be truly happy until he meets ‘the one’, this stems from spending his childhood days listening to sad Britpop. Fortunately for him, on day 4 of knowing Summer, he learns she shares the same passion and the two of them bond over a love for The Smiths. She ironically sings to him, ‘To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die’ in this iconic elevator scene where the two have their first interaction.

We learn the relationship is doomed from the outset, as Tom creates a chaotic narrative in order to illustrate his pain. He believes in love, unlike Summer who only ever loved two things ‘her long dark hair and how easily she could cut if off and feel nothing’. On day 290 we learn that Tom is in fact her long hair, when the relationship abruptly comes to an end. She likens them both to rock n roll couple Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, Summer possesses the character of Sid, stabbing Nancy (Tom) by cutting him from her life, just like she could with her hair. Yet again we see Summer left feeling nothing, while Tom is left heart-broken smashing plates and shotting vodka.

This tragicomedy is clever cinematography, as it leads you to believe that it is going to be a happy ending for Tom and Summer. The believable split screen scene of Tom’s ‘expectations’ versus his miserable ‘reality’ is something that we can all relate to. Similarly to the title of the film ‘500 days of summer’ we all have this expectation of another sickening magical romance. However, it’s refreshing to know the reality is relatable and love doesn’t always go to plan.

Rating: ****

 

 

 

Little Less Known: Top Three Indie Bars

By Christopher Dow

Briton’s seem to be like magpies, as soon as the sun drags itself out of the clouds, we all seem to flock to the beer gardens and gather as many pints as our belly’s can handle.

Leeds happens to have some of the best beer gardens in the country. Although these hidden treasures seem to not gather as much attention as you may think – we are ready to blow off the dust and uncover these little diamonds in the rough.

Someone has to take on this not-so-terrible task, so we took it upon ourselves to accept the challenge and hit three Leeds pubs: sunglasses and purses in hand.

Forget eating and drinking in a dingy, dark pub – it’s that time of the year when the beer gardens are the place to be. The city may feel built up, but venture to a pub with a well lit outdoor space and you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to the country and hanging out in someone’s garden.

Open up our app ‘Welcome City’ and follow our guide to the very best of getting sloshed indie style in Leeds.

First up was Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen: it ticked all the boxes. Hidden away, unsurprisingly, on Cross Belgrave Street this is a unique three floor venue fit for live gigs, comedy, film and art including a roof terrace. However, it is currently under renovation, sprucing up the already too-cool venue, just in time for summer. This 1930’s dive is true to its time, though times have moved on slightly from the nursery, now people nurse their drinks instead. The walls are plastered with band memorabilia to take in while you wait for a cocktail or a piece from the Slice Bar. This is the place where the understated crowd gather for their Instagram-worthy shots. A trip to this hidden dime will set you back roughly £2.75 for a pint and just over a fiver for a cocktail. Sold out live music events in the concert hall brings the people closer to the music, with bands such as: Waves and Fall.

A small stumble round the corner and just a little down the street you’ll find Mojo was next on the agenda. Just three minutes down the road but a whole different take on the world of independent bars. This place had names on the back of stools, photos of rockstars on the walls, bottles everywhere and heavy rocker waiting staff. Even at midday this place had an atmosphere; a certain feel of danger and rock. This wasn’t somewhere you bought a date but maybe somewhere you went to get over a failed one. Let’s call this Leeds very own heart-break hotel. The bar has been here since 1996 and shows no signs of moving, the heartbeat of rock n’ roll for Leeds, next year is the big twenty-first for this place – so watch this space and join in the party. Every couple of weeks a taster session graces the venue and provides shots for all those who participate, visit the website for more details…….

Just a stone’s throw away from our last destination is The headrow house, an old textile mill that has been brought into the 21^st century with three bar, one resteraunt, a beer hall and three outdoor areas, teamed with a cocktail bar and a purpose built music space. Brought to Leeds by the clever clogs behind the Belgrave Music Hall, The Headrow provides a wide range of artisan brews from around the world, allowing the everyman to travel the globe in a glass. Level Two of the house opens up into a relaxed terrace with access to flowing cocktails and space to listen to the resident DJ’s on a Saturday night. To keep your finger on the pulse of upcoming acts, make sure to check the events section of the website for more information.

Our drinks and journey came to and end with the last bar on our list, each bar different and unique. All hidden in the industrial revolution in which Leeds has took place in showing how there still is some hidden beauty within. A bar to match every taste, style and genre.

Miracle on Greek Street

By Christopher Dow

Greek Street, one of Leeds hotspots for night life and fine dining, is set to become the largest Al Fresco dining area throughout the city. Greek Street is one of Leeds’s busiest and best known streets and it will go vehicle free as of April 29th.

The six month trial will see the road close for 7 hours in the evening to road traffic. The closing hours are 5pm until midnight on Thursdays and Fridays, whilst on Saturdays and Sunday’s the road will be pedestrianised from 1pm to midnight.

The street is being pedestrianised and is ready to undergo a £20 million pound rejuvenation, this means Greek Street will remain closed to traffic as a six month trial as they try to create a hub of activity and to bring it back to life this summer. Throughout the summer the road will remain closed to try create atmospheres as street parties will be organised thought the sunny period.

The idea came around after the success in 2014 of closing Merrion Street and making it a pedestrian only area helped the road become a key nightspot to the city.

Naomi, business development manager at the Alchemist situated in the heart of Greek Street said: “The pedestrianisation will add another dimension to the restaurant and bar and will allow customers to enjoy al fresco dining and drinking in the sun! The atmosphere that it will bring to the street will be great. Having it pedestrianised also allows us the options to have street parties in the summer, which our cliental will enjoy.”

Pedestrianisation has been authorised by Leeds City Council and will last for 6 months, throughout the summer season, as part of a trial to see if it could become an annual feature for the lively street. The trial period will end on Sunday 30th October 2016.

Naomi gained the council’s approval for the pedestrianisation and she goes on to say that: “this will be a great addition to Leeds and the regeneration of Greek Street. As this is a 6 month trial, it will be a great to understand the trade and understand if this will work in the next few years.”

The launch took place just in time for bank holiday weekend beginning on Friday 29th April.

The street came to life as an array of live music, food and drink samples and multiple promotions were available from all restaurants and bars for residents to enjoy.

All Bar One opened up their cocktail stations allowing the public to make their own creations and also get the chance to enter a free raffle and win a meal for two. 

At the Liquorist locals could delight in a ‘mint mojito masterclass’ whilst sampling happy hour cocktails and food samples.Calum Heffron, bartender at The Liquorist said: “the launch was pretty well received by the public and we all had fun with it as well. Hopefully it’ll be something we can all enjoy for many years to come.”

Gig Review: Noel Gallagher’s First ever gig in Leeds

By Christopher Dow

Escaping from that furnace that was Oasis, Noels solo transformation has brought 2 more UK number one albums, numerous festival headline appearances, worldwide tours and yes, sold out arena across all continents. This captivating gig has taken us through all those twists and turns, the records we all grew up with and still growing up on. It’s round two of UK arenas since that album was released – a master of his craft, Gallagher could probably keep going round like this forever.

As the famous lyrics from Noel’s third solo single ‘Dream on’-‘shoot a hole into the sun’ echoes around the arena, 28,000 arms rise in unison to the entrance of Noel Gallagher and his band, High Flying Birds. This is destination number 4 on Noel Gallagher’s latest UK tour and the first time he has played in Leeds even when accompanied with his younger brother in Oasis. Before the completion of the First Direct Arena, Leeds had little to offer for such popular artists and Oasis quickly outgrew what Leeds had. The closest the Leeds population had to travel was a few miles south to Sheffield, leaving this city to hope one day the band would come and put on a show! According to rumours a long time ago back before Oasis’ debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’ the band played the Irish Centre in Leeds in front of barely 10 people plus the bar staff, well before sending themselves around the world and becoming rich and famous. Definitely leaving the city as a forgettable memory and a small footnote to a half-remembered gig as they sell out virtually wherever they choose.

But no matter, Noel’s misgivings soon subsided as he tore through a 21 song solo set-list we all knew he had locked away even back in his Oasis days when he had to share his spotlight with his equally charismatic brother.

It seems only right to start with ‘Champagne Supernova’ regardless to when it was played, as he placed it number 8 on the set list and it was greatly appreciated by the audience as Noel stated he is quiet happy to give the people what they want in terms of more Oasis songs and that’s 10 to be precise, so to kick off which is always an astonishing encore, he plays the overplayed well known single ‘Wonderwall’ with a slightly edgy twist but surely this is song in general is one we could all do without, especially as the likes of Ryan Adams tries to rework the song which if you didn’t guess is best left in the hands of Ryan Adams and him only!

Fans started to sing the fan favourite ‘Live Forever’ which has not been heard since his former Band split up and he has always refused to without his 5 year younger brother Liam. As the crowd sing the chorus, Noel grins and laughs and politely tells the audience to “F**k Off”.

This led onto him dedicating the next song to “This one’s for all you Oasis fans” and starting the opening to ‘You know we can’t go back’ which brought a bittersweet taste to all in the arena, and also a few laughs as everyone appreciates Noels Whitty comedic sense.

Gallagher acknowledges the mass amount of time before the eventual closer ‘Don’t look Back in Anger’. “It’s been years Leeds. You’ve been great. I’ll see you back again when I’ve written my next masterpiece. And this one is dedicated to Wayne Rooney’s hair”.

Even though I’m highly biased, seeing NGHFB has got to be on everyone’s bucket list!

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“Ye twisting my lemons man”

By Christopher Dow

Lemons rose from the opposite side of the Pennines on Tuesday morning,and it’s got Leeds caught up in a buzz on the speculation of a new Stone Roses single. Now we can confirm the rumours were true and there has been a resurrection. Yesterday evening saw the 21 year wait come to an end with the new single ‘All For One’.

The tantalising iconic images featuring nothing but Ian Brown and co’s famous ‘lemon’ logo appeared all around Manchester on Tuesday morning and the hype begun to build at the prospect of new material. As us Yorkshire folk arose on Wednesday morning from our dreams hoping for more information on what these tormenting posters meant, we are left with instead our own dilemma as to why ‘lemons’ are appearing around Leeds city centre.

The printed poster advert – so simple but so effective showing nothing but a ‘lemon’ against a plain white background with no text whatsoever – has now squeezed itself into Victoria Gardens in Leeds City Centre.

Fans of one of Britain’s most influential and famous bands have begun to react to the ads as a sign that the band is preparing to release a new single.

Fans took to social media site Twitter to express and to showcase what they had found around Manchester on Tuesday, creating an exciting atmosphere at what is next.

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Catching up with some fans and their opinions on the speculations  and how excited they are about the latest news.

It was reported Roses front-man Ian Brown confirmed to music magazine ‘NME’ that he and his band mates were in the studio. Also earlier last month the magazine interviewed Noel Gallagher who stated ‘the new Stone Roses album has put the band in the same mindset as when they recorded their classic debut.’

Noel, who first dropped hints about the band “blooming” last year, recently bumped into Roses’ front-man Ian Brown at a supermarket where he learned about their new music and Ian Browns favourite, chocolate Shampoo.

News that the band are down in London and working on their third studio album was confirmed by NME last month leaving us awaiting what surely must be a releasing 0f a new single.

The iconic logo (sliced lemons) featured on the cover of the indie band’s era-defining debut LP, The Stone Roses, which was released in 1989, 27 years ago.

The Stone Roses first album released in 1989

Rumours about The Stone Roses returning with new music have circulated for years, with the band first reforming for a series of gigs in 2012. Four years later and the group will play a series of gigs and festival dates this summer, only this time there is new material to factor into the setlist. Recently tabloids have reported claims that the group’s third album would arrive this summer to coincide with their upcoming gigs, which include four headline shows at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium.

The Dates:

Manchester, Etihad Stadium (June 15, 17, 18, 19)
New York, Madison Square Garden (June 30)
T In The Park (July 8)
Dublin, Marlay Park (July 9)

Earlier this week a series of mysterious lemon adverts were displayed on billboards and various street furniture around the band’s hometown of Manchester. The iconic logo appeared and we believe it is echoing a tactic first employed last year when the band announced a run of live gigs.

The iconic image plastered onto street furniture in All Saints Park in Manchester.

Yesterday seen the dreams of thousands of fans come true, as it was announced that The Stone Roses were about to release there first single in over 21 years. The song was premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show at 8pm GMT last night. The song entitled ‘All For One’ is the first of hopefully more new material from the band.Listening to the new single, it has plenty of Roses criteria: psychedelic vocals, a brilliant Squire solo that doesn’t overstay its welcome and a lyrical theme of solidarity – “All for one, one for all/If we all join hands we’ll make a wall” – it simple and somewhat so effective. It’s surprisingly rocking – Reni’s drums hurling it along at a wild, smashing speed – and the chorus will be yelled loudly in fields and bedrooms by many middle-aged men this summer.

The new single signified the resurrection of the band and fans couldn’t be more happy and impressed by the song. The fans reaction was what you would expect after a 21 year wait for new material. It hallowed the bands work.

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The latest single may have been a long (long) time coming but it certainly doesn’t sound like it, you would think after forming 33 years ago there would be some change but ‘All for One’ recaptures the elements first brought together by Brown, Mani, Reni and Squire.

I caught up with some fans and got there first impressions of the latest single.

Dom Cox, 21 from Shrewsbury, told us: “I heard the song last night and I was pretty impressed. Considering its two decades since their last release, I wasn’t expecting it to sound as good as it did. The guitar riffs were class, and stuck to the Stone Roses sound.”

He continued to say how he thought “Ian Brown and the lyrics were a bit rusty, but I think the band are trying to just ‘test the water’ with this song, rather than trying to top the charts. I’m seeing the band live in June at the Etihad, on June 19th and I think performing on the big stage on their home turf will be the biggest indication of whether they still have it!”

Tom Rowlinson,19 from Warrington, tells me how he’s heard mixed reviews but personally thinks “its a great teaser track”.

He went on to say how: “I think you have to remember that it’s their first tune in 20 odd years and it’s good, I wasn’t expecting a new waterfall from it but it’s good music. If it feeds into an album then I don’t see any issues. They’ve not ruined themselves with a bad song and that’s just what we wanted. I reckon it’ll be mega live” Tom told us that he also will be seeing the band live at the Eithad Stadium on June 17th.

The new album cant come quick enough for the fans and as they already know The Stone Roses are not quick workers. There was five years between their only previous two albums, and there has been 21 years between singles. The last time they put out a new single (Begging You) was the same day Oasis released Wonderwall, October 30th, 1995. That’s 7,500 days ago!

All I can say is The Stone Roses have resurrected and they are finally back in business!

The 90’s are back!

I’m not lovin’ it!

By Christopher Dow

It’s the morning, and after a night out; it’s not a time anyone likes, it’s a time for recovery and a time to forget- (everything you did the night before). You don’t dare look at your phone, the group chats bleeping away and you’re lay there thinking ‘oh god what happened.’ There’s only one solution that will help get your life back on track and that’s a McDonald’s Breakfast!

Upto now it’s never let us down, it’s been there everytime we’ve needed a boost. However there is one problem with a maccies breakfast… And that is why it finishes so damn early! Like who’s awake before half 10 on a weekend? There needs to be a change… And there is…

No, no don’t get too excited now, I’m not going to tell you that maccies have extended their breakfast hours, what I’m going to tell you might hurt especially if it’s a favourite of yours.

The Golden Arches have removed an item from its breakfast menu, Yepp they’ve only gone and took OFF the big breakfast.

A simple yet so effective choice, it was a perfect cure for a hangover, it had everything, it was big, it was a breakfast and it even came on a little plate for you! All of which could be tossed into the bin with no cleaning to do once finished!

It was beautiful, it was like a best friend to me, always there for me, knew how to cheer me up and helped me at what seemed the darkest of times!

It’s consistency was its key… The circular pork sausage burger, what we crave when we think of a maccies breakfast, the legendary hash brown, a hot buttery McMuffin and not forgetting the unbelievable scrambled egg! It was a masterpiece, so simple but tops the charts.

So now you must be thinking they must be replacing it with something, they cannot just leave a BIG hole in the menu boards, well listen to this, currently on trail in the US could be the answer…

The McDonalds till for breakfast with a ‘Big’ hole where the removed item use to be.

I don’t know who comes up with these ideas, probably someone from a far away planet, because when you hear this you’ll die, the new breakfast item could be a Chicken McGriddle, I’m sorry but wtf, who thinks it’s acceptable to eat chicken before 10.30AM!! AM!!

The new Chicken McGriddle.

Apparently the meal has a “chicken and waffle taste” according to its creator Brian Mortellaro, he also continued to explain that “I just think that’s something that’s not out there right now.” And to be fair, you’re not wrong there Brian lad! Because no one wants anything like that!

Customers all over the Uk have taken to social media to express their opinions and distress over the tragic news.

  
  
Currently on trial over in America but I’m sure it won’t be long before it crosses the Atlantic and makes itself a uk citizen!

This 410 calorie supposedly breakfast item is made up of a piece of chicken Inbetween 2 pancakes, I have no words, I’m done!

The big breakfast gone but never forgotten… Rip

Creed Review: Will Rocky still make it up the Philly Steps?…

By Christopher Dow

Round 7 in the Rocky saga, the seventh and only film not directed by Mr Stallone himself but by Ryan Coogler who puts you in the ring for an emotional and thrilling fight.

Creed, Rocky’s old rival turned best-friend alongside Pauly no doubt, is visited by that familiar surname it’s self, in his hometown Philadelphia in his very own restaurant, Adrian’s.

No, no don’t you worry this ain’t no unrealistic Apollo Creed Ghost telling Rocky to get back in the ring it’s Creed’s son who goes by the name Adonis Johnson; played by Michael B Jordan, who tries moving Balboa into the corner of the ring as his trainer. At first Rocky refuses, and gives ‘the kid’ some advice but Johnson won’t take no as an answer and is determined to follow in the footsteps of his father who was killed in the sport.

What comes after this maybe deja-vu as old training methods and settings creep into the modern day version of the classic Rocky, which leads you to an epic toe to toe boxing match with the ranked no.1 pound for pound light heavy champion of the world Ricky ‘Pretty’ Conlan, played by Professional boxer Tony ‘Bomber’ Bellew, which for me humbles some pride within as he represents my hometown; Liverpool, which features throughout.

Bellew plays the English opponent who’s just been sentenced to go to Prison in 6 months time when he got in trouble with the law and is forced to retire. Ricky hears about Apollo Creeds illegitimate son Adonis after his first professional fight and news breaks out that he’s the son of the heavyweight legend and wants to schedule a fight.

The scene is set at Goodison park, home of Everton Football Club, surely seeing its record attendance as a 100,000 strong crowd packed into the stadium, with the Gwlady’s street end in full voice. Why Goodison Park?… This is because its Tony’s and Ricky’s team they support, also Sylvester Stallone’s football club.

Not only does Goodison feature, some historic landmarks like the Liver-buildings and St. George’s Hall get some free advertisement, but they don’t need any special effects to look good.

Creed and Rocky head over to Liverpool for the fight, will it last the 12 rounds? One thing I can tell you is it will have you on the edge of your seat. Does Creed give Conlan (Bellew) a bluenose? Sorry pun intended.

Only problem I can see from this film is if you’re an Everton fan you maybe routing for the wrong guy the film intends, as Bellew has no Mersey!

Sure to be a few tears as this film packs a punch! Now that’s all the boxing metaphors and puns done with, be sure to give it watch if you love sports films and the Rocky films. This is a fitting 40 year anniversary film.

Rating: ****

Click here to watch -> Creed Trailer

Peace out!