I was talking to some Bods from Oxford University at last nights Bang. They were there to check us out because they had heard that Bang Said The Gun could be the DEATH OF POETRY. I didn’t tell them about our master plan to gas all new born babies or gang rape the Pope when he visits later in the year. Nice work chaps. Keep it up.
If you have ever wondered what a typical night at Bang is like, this is what poet and writer, Inua Ellams, from the National Theatre ,had to say about it all.
“Last nights show was BRILLIANT, I mean stupendously so, I have never had so much fun…
Incredible job, to have been able to create not just a vibe, but a look, a sound, a style, an aesthetic, so simply-entirely it’s own amongst all the live shows is just stunning…”
He also went on to say that Dan was a genius, but I’m definitely not putting that bit in.. Thanks Inua, see you again soon.
The gnome tries to shoot CLAIR WHITEFIELD in the head as she wins the RAW MEAT STEW GOLDEN GUN AWARD. Nice job Clair!
Win your very own GOLDEN GUN at next weeks BANG SAID THE GUN!
This is how NIALL O’SULLIVAN’s week has panned out. Firstly, the Wimbledon Tennis Championship get their wires crossed and forget that NIALL O’SULLIVAN, ROGER ROBINSON and NII PARKES were the poets in residence last year, making MATT HARVEY at least the forth Wimbledon poet and not the first. But hey, we all make mistakes, especially me! So to top it all off, NIALL came along to BANG last night to see the wonderful TIM TURNBULL spin a few yarns. Because we were short of a regular gunslinger or two, NIALL kindly stepped up to the mic to fill the void with a bit of quality. At the end of the night, yours truly is thanking everyone who helped make it another corker, and whose name do I forget to add to the list – yes, you’ve guessed it – please step forward NIALL O’SULLIVAN – WIMBLEDON POET + TOP GUNSLINGER – WE SALUTE YOU!
Why not buy NIALL’s book to make up for it!
Typical.We announce Matt Harvey’s up and coming gig and Wimbledon jump on the band wagon. Yes, Radio 4’s Matt Harvey is coming to Bang Said The Gun and at the same time , Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships have appointed him poet in residence. Still, all they can offer is strawberries and cream, we can offer a raucous crowd and lager. Anyway, here is a sample of Matt on tennis.
GRANDEST OF SLAMS by Matt Harvey
Excuse me, I’m sorry. I speak as an Englishman
Forthe game of lawn tennis there’s no better symbol than
Wimbledon
The place where the game’s flame was sparked and then
kindled in
where so many spines have sat straight and then tingled in
Wimbledon
Where strawberries and cream have traditionally been
sampled in
Kid’s eyes have lit up and their cheeks have been dimpled in
Wimbledon
Where tough tennis cookies have cracked and then
crumpled in
top seeds have stumbled, tumbled, been humbled in
Wimbledon
Where home-grown heros’ hopes have swelled up and
then dwindled in
Wimbledon
The Grand Slams’ best of breed, it’s the whizz it’s the biz
The temple where physics expresses it’s fizz
There’s one word for tennis and that word is
Wimbledon.
Splendid stuff.
BANG SAID THE GUN had great fun at the Rickmansworth Canal Festival last weekend. If you haven’t been then it is well worth the trip. The poetry tent was organised by the very lovely RRRants Team. Here are some photos of me and Rob enjoying our day out.
On arriving, Rob found a place to preserve his jokes as he knew he was going to die on stage!
We didn’t know where we were going, but we followed the signs that led into Rob’s mouth.
Here is Rob showing the International Guild of Knot Tyers how it should be done! (see sign in background)
I wonder who is on next? Oh, it’s BANG SAID THE GUN!
Here are a few pictures of me entertaining the masses. Photos by a man called Criag.
Rob thinks about changing his job!
After a brilliant day, we tried to leave the festival but we couldn’t find the door!
Last night BANG SAID THE GUN witnessed another tantalising top show. INUA ELLAMS thrilled every Gunslinger with his beautiful and densely rich verse.
INUA said that “…the show was BRILLIANT, I mean stupendously so, I have never had so much fun!” Thanks INUA, we appreciate your kind and generous words.
ANTI-POET made the audience glow with delight, creating swirls of laughter and soothing the crowd with their deliciously scrumptious word and bass style.
Nice one ANTI-POET, top top men!
RAW MEAT STEW WORLD CHAMP, WILL AVERILL, rocked Gunslingers with an audacious performance full of guts and dance. We are certain Mr AVERILL will be back at BANG sometime soon.
WILL, don’t you know it’s rude to point!
The GOLDEN GUN AWARD was won by the very lovely BRYAN BAKER.
Catch BRYAN at next weeks BANG along side TIM TURNBULL + SEAN TALYOR.
Nice one Gunslingers!
Photos by KNOX OVERSTREET
BANG SAID THE GUN hit Milton keynes last night to rock TONGUE IN CHIC. Here are a few pics from our visit.
We arrived in Milton Keynes at 7pm and didn’t leave until at least 10.30pm. ROB was worried that he’d out stayed his welcome!
Martin was upset that he couldn’t return to Milton Keynes for at least another hour. I explained to him that it was Sunday so it didn’t count! Then he explained that was why he was so upset, he thought he had a good excuse to leave!
Here is me sitting outside the Wolverton /MK Library Carpark. Some little toe-rag has stolen the “E” from the sign!
Luckily the night was a brilliant success and we all had a fantastic time. Thanks Milton Keynes + TONGUE IN CHIC. BANG SAID THE GUN salute you!!!
Here is the brilliant WILL AVERILL winning the prestigious RAW MEAT STEW GOLDEN GUN award. See WILL perform an extended set along with INUA ELLAMS + ANTI-POET this Thursday. You can also win your very own GOLDEN GUN by taking part in the fabulous RAW MEAT STEW OPEN MIC – read a poem, tell a joke, whistle a tune, juggle a rabbit or do something completely original… the choice is yours!!!
here’s an old poem I wrote for all you unemployed folk. Or if you are like me – Unemployable!
Click here to listen to Job Club