Girls Girls Girls w/ The Racket, Peter Parker and Betty and The Werewolves @ The Old Blue Last 06/03/10

A drummer playing bass, a bassist playing drums, a former church guitarist and a singer who didn’t believe me when I said she had a beautiful voice. Who’d have thought it would work out in the end?

The Racket are a brand spanking new band from London combining members of The Duloks, Official Secrets Act, The Sexual Hot Bitches and Dance Magic Dance to make the kind of music the Ramones would have made, if they were mainly female – and wrote songs about boys. They played their first ever gig at the Old Blue Last and I got their first ever interview.

Less Common More Sense: Who are you and what do you do in The Racket?

Helen MacBain: I’m Helen and I sing in The Racket.

Mar Sellars: Hey I’m Mar; I play bass and attempt to shout back-up vocals.

Lawrence Diamond: I’m Lawrence Diamond and I play drums.

Laura Hernando: Hi I’m Laura and I play the guitar and do backing vocals.

LCMS: Who inspired you four to get together?

MS: Lawrence, me and Laura were at my house watching Ramones documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, eating takeaway pizza and just making jokes about starting a band and Lawrence was like “Yeah!” and he didn’t really think that me and Laura were serious.

LH: I thought you weren’t serious too!

MS: OK, I was the only serious one.

LH: I used to play guitar 10 years ago, in church, and I hadn’t played ever since.

LD: God loves this band Johny.

LH: We’re on a mission from God!

HM: Please don’t quote that, we’re not on a mission from God!

LH: But that’s from The Blues Brothers! Oh yeah, (back to the story) I was like “I wanna play guitar again.”

MS: So we formed the band so Laura could play guitar, I hadn’t played bass in a band for eight years and was like “I wanna play bass, I haven’t played bass for so long and I hate playing drums!”

LD: Ignoring the fact that I play bass for a living.

MS: And I was like “Lawrence, I’m playing bass – you can’t play bass!” so he got ostracised to the drums but he’s never played drums so it’s basically a band for everyone to learn to play their instruments and then…

HM: I was at a gig and I kind of knew Mar from round and about and we were in the toilet together – not in that way  we were just queuing for the toilet – and she was like “Yeah, I’m gonna form this new band and we’re looking for a singer.” And I was like “Oh, I can sing a bit! I could try-out or something.”

MS: I basically offered the singing spot to Helen without checking with Laura or Lawrence and they’d never met her, I was like “Wicked you’re in my band!” then two days later I kinda sobered up and realised what I had done!

LD: Helen kinda cheated because she can actually sing and none of us can actually play our instruments.

MS: Helen’s old band and my band played a few shows together and that’s how we know each other.

LD: Helen and Laura like the same boys.

LH: It was only one!

MS: Oh yeah they shared one boy.

HM: No we’ve only kissed the same boy! (lots of giggles)

LCMS: Err, who has main song-writing duty?

Girls: Lawrence!

LH: Dictator!

HM: Lawrence ‘The Dictator’ Diamond! But can I just say that Lawrence is a genius.

LH: Mar and I tried to write a song once…

MS: We’ve written half a song, it’s about teenage boys and was inspired by you Johny.

LCMS: Why thank you, what’s it like being in a band?

HM: It’s really fun to be in this band at the moment. When we rehearse we just gossip.

MS: It’s really hard for Lawrence, I don’t think he’s been in a girl band before so he’s not used to the amount of talking that happens during practice.

HM: Yeah we do talk a lot about boys at rehearsal. We get half an hour to talk boys then half an hour to do rehearsals.

LH: I’d say it’s more like 90% talking about boys! (frantic giggling ensues)

LCMS: Give me a brief outline of the music song writing process.

LD: Lawrence sits in a room crying over a pen. Then he comes in, listens to Laura, Helen and Mar talk about boys for three hours, asks them if they wouldn’t mind learning some chords and then we write a song. Does that sound about right?

Girls: Yes! (more frantic giggling ensues)

LD: And then they complain about how the songs are shit.

MS: I only did that once! Things got better after that.

LCMS: Any future plans?

All: We’re gonna conquer the world!

HM: And meet lots of hot boys.

LH: Groupies! Groupies! Boy groupies!

LD: The only reason this band exists is so these girls can meet boys.

HM: That is not true! It’s all about the music!

LH: Nah, I’m only about the boys!

LD: If you want a Racket quote it’s got to be “Music is good but boys are better!”

Girls: Yeah!

HM: We’re probably gonna have more sleepovers and watch some DVDs.

LD: The Breakfast Club!

HM: The Devil Wears Prada, St. Elmo’s Fire…Definitely, Maybe’s a brilliant film.

LD: But it’s not as good as St. Elmo’s Fire!

HM: Have you seen Definitely, Maybe?!

LD: Have you seen St. Elmo’s Fire?!?

LH: Can we watch Working Girl?

LCMS: What about Sixteen Candles? That’s a pretty cool film.

LD: Sixteen Candles! Now we’re talkin’!

LH: I dyed my hair red because of Molly Ringwald and also because of Claire Danes in My So-Called Life.

LCMS: That is dedication. Final question, have you got a message for the youth of today?

LD: Don’t do drugs. Do boys!

LH: Don’t date boys in bands, but date girls in bands!

HM: Go out, have fun, do lots of dancing and drink some alcohol!

LD: Go straight-edge if you want to!

MS: Don’t worry about the future and enjoy the present.

LH: Carpe diem…Get a black eye/guy.

HM: And remember, it’s easier to go out in trainers than it is in heels.

MS: Don’t wear heels, they’re ridiculous!

LD: Wear heels they’re ace! (Lawrence was wearing heels)

MS: Boys wear heels, girls wear proper shoes!

HM: That was quite a few messages.

MS: Oh, and move across the world because it’s ace and then you’ll meet new friends. Like I have!

LH: Yeah, we’re really international!

LD: And if you’ve got spare time don’t start a band with three people who’ve never played their instruments before!

After their first ever interview, The Racket played their first ever gig and instantly became everyone’s new favourite band.

Laura in riff-tastic action...more photos to follow (hopefully)

Their set was short but pretty sweet as a majority of the crowd would agree. It was even uploaded onto YouTube a few hours later! Check it out here.

After a The Racket’s shining debut it was time for Scottish glitter punk outfit Peter Parker who were only playing their second gig. Sadly, I missed most of it. But here are a few pictures courtesy of The Racket/Dance Magic Dance’s Laura (She was very busy that night. She played, DJ’d and took photos!).

Rough Trade compilationees (it’s a new word, it means someone who’s been featured on a compilation) Betty and The Werewolves were up next and showed the crowd why they were on it. They played some of the catchiest pop I’ve ever heard (trust me, I’ve listened to ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’) and got the crowd all dancing.

One song that will forever be etched into my memory is ‘David Cassidy‘ which is out now. Be sure to catch them at the Buffalo Bar on the 12th of March.

All in all, a brilliant night had by everyone in attendance.

Interview: Johny Chhetri

Photos: Freya and Laura

What I love the most about New York Fashion Week is the wearability of some of the collections. I love fantastical, breathtaking and awe inspiring fashion and the stories and inspirations that fashion tells. But, I do like a collection that is primarily what women want to wear and are well made with something extra. Pieces that will transform your everyday life, that will make lunch at Pret and dinner at Pizza Express not so ordinary. This is exactly what Behnaz Sarafpour offered in her presentation. A camel and black trouser suit was so soft and feminine. My favourite piece was the camel coat with the huge fur collar. Ok, I’m vegetarian but oh my that fur… The ladylike and minimal feel ran throughout with cute skirts and polka dot tights, and belted jackets. The ruffled dress was sexy when worn with the fishnets to avoid the frillyfancy look. I loved the white trousers, blouse and nude belt with the lovely hat, I’m thinking french riviera avec a beret wearing Parisian man. Embellishments were also seen on a black shift. I want it all <3

Lubov and Maz Azria elevated their collection this season. The pieces had sporty hints, with lighter fabrics and stitching. I liked that the stitching looked slightly undone, like it was unravelling. Kind of like on that ball they use in American sports. You know the one I mean. It was also quite graphic and sculptural in places and really changed the line’s dynamic. The collection also combined light and dark in terms of colour and mixed sporty with sexy. Of course, the collection was very body-conscious but also different. The bandage dresses were multi tonal and blended effortlessly into each other. I particularly liked the glimpses of flesh underneath sheer panels and ruffles swaying on the side of the dresses.

The opening look with the juxtaposition of florals and suits, was a very promising start to the collection. This contrast appeared throughout the show, but it was very subtle and delicate. Cropped trousers, oversized knitwear and metallics appeared amongst ruffled skirts, blouses, painterly patterns and earthy prints. The cocktail dresses were undeniably pretty as were some of the other pieces. Whilst there were pretty pieces, they were never too pretty and the dark tones gave an edgier and dirty feel to the collection.

I still pinch myself whenever I see one of Victoria Beckham’s collections. Due to the fact that I am a little bit in love with her. Actually, this is no time to be coy… I love her a lot. You would be able to tell from my many posts that include her anyway. I have loved her since her Spice Girls days, I am so proud of her that she has followed her dreams to be a designer. Her collection has done phenomenally well, and
are a red carpet fave with the gliterrati. Her designs have continued to evolve and mature and I love the workmanship and detailing of the pieces. For Autumn/Winter her success continued, she narrated the show and greeted the editors (so nice). The collection was structured and body-con as her past collections have been. This season she also featured some draped pieces and contrasted fluidity and structure. This worked very well and the dresses were stunning. The colours were rich and bold especially the red and teal. The nudes and metallics complemented the boldness of the other tones. My favourite look was the nude skirt suit with the elasticated waist belt and body-con skirt. This was a perfect example of how well the fluidity and structure worked together. The look was very minimal, elegant and ladylike just like the designer herself. <3.

I come to this collection with much trepidation, I was not a fan of Tam’s Spring love obsession with butterflies. So, when I heard that the theme for this collection were the animals for Chinese New Year, I was slightly worried. But, I am very pleased to say that it was not literally models in animal suits on the catwalk (ok, that was harsh but I really didn’t like butterflies). I actually really liked it, it was youthful and fun. The details really stood out, in ruffles, draping and volume. The embellishments and delicate prints really worked well. I even spotted feathers, and you know how much I like feathers. The only animals on the catwalk were in the form of adorable, origami motifs. I really liked the subtlety of the theme here and the details of the pieces told the story. Lovely <3

The use of colour in this show was fantastic. The two-tone pieces were great,  especially in the tailored grey-at-the-front and black-at-the-back suits. I especially liked the camel and white, sporty skirtsuit. Monochrome graphics were seen here as well, similar to Helmut Lang. TREND ALERT me thinks so. The movement of the ruffles and draping balanced the graphics well. The sparkling tweed was stunning as were the metallics. The stars were the dresses, which were literally to die for. The ruffled cocktail dresses, the asymmetry, the colours…wow. My favourite was the black, floor length dress with the white peeking out from the ruffle.

After the amazing show for Spring, I was expecting a lot from this collection. While I didn’t love it as much as last season, this collection did indeed make me happy. It was like a story unfolding, it started with slouchy and oversized neutrals. Blazers, trousers and knitwear all oversized in camel. Then the bright, blocks of colour bounced onto the catwalk. It was so cheerful and optimistic, many of the looks came in raspberry, red and dark pink. The clashes mixed mint, black, raspberry and canary yellow. There was a distinct 80′s sportswear feel to it. I loved the shorts, ribbed jumpers and jumper dresses. I really don’t understand why I like Lacoste as I don’t do sporty at all but Christophe Lemaire makes me smile. I wish I didn’t cut my hair as I would have definitely been sporting those side ponytails.

Structure and graphics were the key themes in this collection. The monochrome, clean and structured lines worked very well together. Draping and fur collars softened the structure, as did the earthy and natural prints. The collection was full of wearable separates, but they certainly had something special. I loved the tailoring and the overall cleanliness of the first looks. The earthy print made the collection dirtier, in a good way as it gave it another dimension. This was in contrast to the graphics of the first looks, the jumper dresses and fur made it that little bit warmer and more cosy. 

Joseph Altuzarra introduced the dominatrix for Autumn/Winter. The collection was sexy, structured and strong. Leather and fur coats started the show, and gave a glimpse of what was to come next. The tailoring was very strong and the details on the pieces really showed. The leather dress and jumpsuit were skintight and elevated with corset and stitching, which was used as an undertone and didn’t overpower the piece. There was also a hint of disintegration running throughout, with fraying edges and stitching. The S&M theme was also very apparent with the buckles and such. The ravishing red evening dresses were very sexy and showed ample amounts of flesh… gorgeous.