British director Alan Parker will be presiding over the international jury during the 42nd edition of Film Fest Gent (13 - 24 October). Joining him on the jury will be Marjane Satrapi, Caroline Strubbe, Boyd van Hoeij and Franco Lolli. Besides announcing the jury, Film Fest Gent also unveils the festival’s official poster featuring British style icon Twiggy in honour of this year’s British focus. 

With regard to the choice of Alan Parker to chair the jury, Artistic Director Patrick Duynslaegher comments: “Just as many of his contemporaries, Alan Parker interspersed his purely British films with bigger American productions, although these were never intended as superficial Hollywood entertainment. “If you haven’t got something to say, I don’t think you should be a film-maker” is his motto, which is reflected by his sociocritical films examining the flip side of the “American Dream”, such as ‘Mississippi Burning’ (1988) and ‘Come See the Paradise’ (1990). His last film, ‘The Life of David Gale (2003), in which he takes a stand against the death penalty, can also be included in this list. Besides being a director who does not shirk from controversy, Parker is the only film director I know who also writes his own copy for his films’ press file. This stems from a desire to describe the film-making process as honestly and candidly as possible. A key aspect of his films is the prominent role played by music. Films such as ‘Fame’ (1980), ‘Pink Floyd the Wall’ (1982), ‘The Commitments’ (1991) and ‘Evita’ (1996) are genuine musical films, after all. Although many of his films also have a darker side and seldom an up-beat end, Parker also has an incisive sense of humour, as illustrated by his often ironic cartoons on the film industry. All of this makes Alan Parker the ideal person to chair this year’s jury."

Besides Sir Parker, the jury will be composed of author and director Marjane Satrapi, director Caroline Strubbe, director Franco Lolli and film critic Boyd van Hoeij (see the enclosed biographies at downloads).

For the poster image of the 42nd edition, Film Fest Gent chose an iconic visual that nicely links to the programme. And what better choice could there be for an edition focusing on British cinema than Twiggy? Twiggy wasn’t just the first model to have superstar status; she was also the incarnation of the spirit of the Swinging Sixties when London was the bustling centre of everything young, hip, bold and colourful. As a tribute to our poster girl, there will also be a rare screening of Twiggy’s only feature film in which she plays the lead: 'The Boy Friend' (1971): a nostalgic, loving tribute by Ken Russell to the heyday of the British and Hollywood musicals.

The 42nd edition of Film Fest Gent will run from 13 to 24 October at Kinepolis Gent, Studio Skoop, Sphinx, Vooruit, KASKcinema, Bijloke and ‘t Kuipke. Information and tickets at www.filmfestival.be.

Director: Joel Edgerton

Stars: Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall, Joel Edgerton

A husband and wife try to reinvigorate their relationship but their lives are threatened by a "friend" from the husband's past who holds a horrifying secret about him, sending their world into a tailspin.

Back in the mid to late eighties The Train Set emerged from the Crewe/Winsford indie music scene to make an impact on the Manchester and Liverpool gig circuit as well as the national music press. The band released two 12" singles which both broke the Indie Chart and performed at venues across the country including gigs at Dingwalls, the Astoria in London and Manchester's Hacienda.

The nucleus of the band, Clive Jones (vocals), Andy Boote (guitars) and Mark Shaw (Bass) met at school. They recruited Adam Halford (drums) from Winsford and Dave Hassall from Chester (keyboards) and soon became the tight unit that was eventually signed by renowned Manchester DJ Dave Haslam to his Playhard label.

Briefly managed by Nathan McGough, also manager of The Happy Mondays, the band embarked on a national tour with the Happy Mondays and supported the likes of James at the London Astoria. They were featured in both the NME and Melody Maker through interviews and features by Stuart Maconie and Robin Denslow.

Compilation album 'Never California', released on Firestation Records, features The Train Set’s highly sought after singles including 'She's Gone' which was the band's first record, recognised as a stunning debut by the press and selected as NME's single of the week when it was originally released in 1988. Writing in NME, James Brown said "The Train Set have done their growing up in private and will now have no trouble copping off with the entire teenage nation of orphaned Smiths fans". Stuart Maconie described ‘She’s Gone’ as "sleek and shiny, fizzy and witty", predicting "The Train Set will be huge when the world sees sense". Well, whilst we wait for the world to take heed, immerse yourself in these finely crafted songs and enjoy a band that made a significant impact on the music scene amongst the abundant indie/jangle bands of that era.

This compliation contains previously unreleased tracks from a band that had promised so much but disappeared far too soon. The original members have come together to oversee the release of this retrospective album, providing a vital listening experience and an opportunity to discover The Train Set’s material again, or perhaps for the first time.

Space are back with a new single 'Strange World'. The band will also embark on an extensive UK tour of the same name throughout October and November 2015.

'Strange World' combines Space's signature sound with a Mariachi vibe, creating a record that could serve as the soundtrack to a David Lynch film. This is Space at their finest, a record set to delight their army of fans as well as winning many more.

A Brief History of Space...

Space formed in May 1993 when Liverpudlian musicians Tommy Scott and Andy Parle recruited teenager Jamie Murphy and Kraftwerk fanatic Franny Griffiths to help translate the sounds in Scott's head.

The band's first single 'If It's Real' was released on manager Mark Cowley's own label Hug Records, with The Farm's bass player Carl Hunter designing the artwork. This release led to Gut Records discovering the band. 

A low key single 'Money/Kill Me' was released in November 1995 - it left the shops as quickly as it had entered. The band cut their teeth on the live scene around this time too, but it was the release of 'Neighbourhood' that really kicked things off for Space. It told the tale of Tommy's childhood street in Liverpool, but with serial killers and transvestites in the starring roles. This was pop music with a dark and sharp edge, a taste of things to come.

Second single 'Female of the Species' was a bolt from the blue. Scott wrote this song for his late father, who had always hated his music. He wanted it to sound like a Burt Bacharach tune sung by Frank Sinatra. The results were wonderful. 'Female of the Species' was an instant classic, staying in the UK top 40 for an astonishing three months. The song that catapulted Space to a whole new audience and their debut album 'Spiders' was a resounding critical success.

Three sold out tours, three further Top 20 singles ('Dark Clouds', a re-released 'Neighbourhood' and the Top 10 hit 'Me and You Versus The World') along with triumphant festival appearances followed.

Old acquaintance Dave Palmer, better known as Yorkie, joined the band in late 1997. After helping out with the album, Yorkie was asked to become the bands' full time bassist, allowing Tommy to concentrate on vocals.

Internationally, things began to happen for the band, already a massive hit in the UK 'Female of the Species' also gained airplay on college radio and MTV in America. With success comes touring, with touring comes stress... A tour of the US followed in mid-1997. Jamie, the youngest member of the band at only 21, found it all too much. He took a break, missing some live shows and TV appearances. The death of Palmer's mother, legendary Liverpool singer Gladys Palmer, also devastated the band.

Jamie returned for the recording of Space's second album 'Tin Planet'. This darker, more song-focused album put Scott's voice to the fore. The band mixed the classicism of his songs with Griffiths' keyboard backdrops, Murphy's energy and Parles' solid rhythms.

Tommy describes 'Tin Planet' as, "More darkness, but the songs are pure love songs. Our first songs used to be trying to be like Speedy Gonzales or Peter Lorre. Now its more Marlene Dietrich."

In early 1998 after finishing Space's second album Tin Planet, drummer Andy Parle left. He was immediately replaced by Leon Caffrey.

The first single from 'Tin Planet' was 'Avenging Angels' which was released in December 1997 and went straight into the charts at No. 6. Next came 'The Ballad of Tom Jones', a duet with Cerys Matthews from Catatonia, which was released in February 1998 and entering the charts at Number 4. The album itself was released in March 1998 and entered the album charts at Number 3! 

During 1999 Space took a well earned break from the rigours of touring and concentrated on writing material for their third album. 'Love You More Than Football' was due to be released in the UK in mid 2000 but was delayed indefinitely by Gut records. 

Between record companies Space took time rewriting material for their new album and at the end of 2001 announced a free intimate gig for the fans, scheduled for the 26th January 2002 at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool. However with just a week to go before the performance news broke that Jamie Murphy had left the band again. The show went ahead regardless and was enjoyed by all, with Space giving a superb performance.

Fast-forward through 2003 with a series of Music For Aliens releases to keep the loyal fans happy and we arrive in November 2003, when Space signed to Randm records.

The first single release under Randm came in February 2004, with the title track from the new album, "Suburban Rock 'n' Roll'. It reached 16 in the UK Indie charts. This was closely followed by 'Suburban Rock 'n' Roll' the album in March, the first Space album to hit the shops in five long years, described as "eleven brilliant trips into the crazed mind of Tommy Scott", this was the new Space sound at its best. The last release under randm, and the last to date, was the single '20 Million Miles from Earth', released in May 2004. It reached 35 in the UK Indie chart.

Following months of speculation by fans, Space were finally declared to have parted ways in an email from Yorkie to a fan. An unfortunately low-key and quiet ending for a band that was still beloved by many.

Following their split the group went separate ways musically. Tommy formed a new band called The Drellas, to be later joined by Leon. Franny produced under the name Subway Showdown, then reunited with Jamie as band members in Dust. Yorkie continued to produce music and work on his solo project Moongoose.

In August 2009, Space's former drummer Andy Parle sadly passed away. The remaining original members met at his funeral and this broke the ice between them. This encounter sowed the seeds for what was to follow.

In November 2011 the big news hit that Space were back. The new line-up reunited original members Tommy, Jamie and Franny back together for the first time in ten years. They were joined by Phil Hartley (Bass / Double Bass), Ryan Clarke (Vintage Keys) and Allan Jones (Drums). Space's return was cemented with a reunion gig at the O2 Academy Liverpool in December 2011. The show was a quick sell-out, and gave fans an early taste of the band's new material and sound.

Throughout 2012 Space worked on their latest album 'Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab', as well as performing at various venues and festivals. Although Jamie has now left the band, Space continue to work on their new material, they're preparing to release new matieral and will embark on their 'Strange World' tour this Autumn.

spacetheband.co.uk

Los Angeles, California - Alternative Metal band Gemini Syndrome has returned with the single "Eternity", their first new music since the 2013 critically acclaimed Lux. The track, which debuted with SiriusXM Octane, will be available for purchase on August 21st but is available for pre-order now. The band is preparing for their upcoming tour alongside Avatar, Huntress, & First Decree kicking off on August 21st in Midland, Texas and working its way throughout the the U.S. wrapping up on September 22nd in Fredricksburg, Virginia.
 

"Aaron, AP, & myself have poured our hearts into the new music & we wanted to give a taste before we head into the studio. We're streamlined and stronger than ever. We're not going anywhere — We're here for all Eternity." - Brian Steele Medina

Pre-order "Eternity" though iTunes Download Store.Listen on Spotify.

To complete the whole, the halves must interlock, but not necessarily reflect.

Life’s full of these contradictory partners. Light and dark comprise a day, while sadness and bliss remain codependent. Gemini Syndrome exist in that space between polar opposites, equally representing heavy and hypnotic whims.

It’s a sound that fueled their 2013 full-length debut Lux, which landed at #3 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart and yielded the singles “Pleasure & Pain” and “Stardust.” The record’s release saw the Los Angeles heavy alternative band tour alongside everybody from Five Finger Death Punch to Device and perform at festivals such as Rock on the Range, Welcome to Rockville, and more. However, Lux merely served as dawn.

After coming off the road in 2014, Gemini Syndrome underwent member changes, while confronting and exorcising internal and external demons—ranging from personal struggles to splitting with their label. However, its creative core Aaron Nordstrom, Brian Steele Medina, and Alessandro “AP” Paveri return with the new single “Eternity.” Produced by Kane Churko [Papa Roach], it expands their story with an ethereal hum, robust guitars, and a striking refrain. Following its premiere on SiriusXM, “Eternity” opens up the floodgates as the musicians continue readying music for their 2016 second- full-length.

Finishing the year on tour with Avatar, they’re welcoming the Synners back into their embrace once more forever. The whole is yet again complete. — Rick Florino, August 2015

www.geminisyndrome.com