Scared of clowns?

Perhaps you ought to be, kids.

They Don’t Write Them Like They Used To…

The über stylish German act, Goombay Dance Band, featuring the incomparable Oliver Bendt, performing their only UK hit, Seven Tears. This spent three weeks at Number One in 1981. Wouldn’t happen nowadays.

Cartoon Cobblers

I’ve often wondered what sort of person, in 2009, goes into Dublin city centre to buy a pair of shoes based on a drawing they’ve seen on the back page of The Irish Times. You all know the shop, I’m sure. It’s an impossibly quaint method of advertising, from a time way before such mod cons as […]

Designate the Fate of your Pate

I love adverts for “miracle” baldness cures. They’ve fascinated me since I was a child, chiefly because my dad was convinced I’d be a slap-head by the time I was 19. In fact, everyone was convinced of this, mainly because my dad was very convincing – and talkative. As a teenager, I “articulated” these deep fears in […]

New Doctor, New Set Of Moaning Geeks…

Well, the excitement in Doctor Who-land didn’t last long, did it? The first pictures of the 11th Doctor Matt Smith and his new assistant Amy Pond (played by ‘wee’ Scots actress Karen Gillan) were published all over the British press this week as filming of the next series began in Cardiff. But there’s already a […]

Star “Style” – Reg’s ‘Lion King’ Bassist

Hipper-than-thou Elton John groupies who attended his Thomond Park knees-up over the weekend were treated to the rare sight of a bass-slappin’ Gerry Ryan, proudly announcing his role in a new stage version of The Lion King.

About Face

Back in 2008, I had a thoroughly enjoyable stint as male columnist for U Magazine. After this article was originally published, in April 2008, I was charmed to receive a large box of male grooming products from Nivea For Men. I have just rediscovered the ‘Thank You’ mail I intended to send them but failed […]