MOST bands have a back story littered with early gigs in downmarket venues and performing for tiny crowds, but the juice aisle of a supermarket must take some beating.
Aisle 23 in Asda at The Jewel is the unlikely setting for a video by Edinburgh musicians Jamie and Shoony who hope their impromptu efforts for song Anyway will be enough to win them an opening slot for Wet Wet Wet at Glasgow Green in front of 15,000 people next month.
They have reached the final in a song contest set up with Wet Wet Wet to celebrate the Clydebank band’s own big break – opening as an unsigned act for Lionel Richie at Glasgow Green 25 years ago.
Singer Jamie Keir, 22, guitarist Sean “Shoony” Kowalski, 20, and drummer Jeanne Laidlaw, 24, entered their song and video for the competition after hearing about it on the radio.
The group had only popped into Asda to pick up a memory card for their video camera when they decided to shoot the promo video there and then.Former Portobello High pupil Jamie said: “We were about to go and shoot the video in a nearby park when Shoony turned and said ‘let’s do it here’.
“It worked really well and I could see loads of folk popping their head around the corner to check out what the fuss was about. Asda have since been in touch to say they love it and it has received 3500 views on YouTube.”
Jamie and Shoony were chosen as the first finalists for Real Radio’s Open for Wet Wet Wet competition on Monday.
The remaining four finalists will be revealed each day this week before going before a public vote on the station’s website which runs from 10am on Friday until Sunday evening.
Speaking of their chance to win the competition, Jamie said: “It would mean the world to us. We’ve been buzzing ever since being announced on Monday and we’re urging all our fans, family and friends to get online and vote for us.
“The biggest gig we’ve done so far was for around 200 people so to open for Wet Wet Wet in front of 15,000 would be amazing.”
Jamie and Shoony have been close friends since their days at Portobello High and were joined by Jeanne last year. Most of their songs are built up from freestyle jam sessions.
To date the group’s biggest highlight was having their single Anyway played at Tynecastle during last season’s clash between Hearts and Rangers.
Jamie, who works in a building suppliers, said: “That really was amazing. I’d class us as high-energy indie pop. I’ve been writing songs since I was eight years old and so take care of the songwriting and vocals while Shoony supplies the catchy riffs.”
Analysis
By Gary Flockhart
Evening News music writer’s verdict on Jamie and Shoony
HATS off to the boys for pouring every ounce of energy into their performance – and in Asda, of all places. Okay, it’s not going to set the charts on fire, but it’s charmingly ramshackle and unpretentious.
I always like it when bands use their local accents, and maybe that’s why they reminded me a little of The View – before producer Owen Morris made them a lot more slick.
I’ve watched more of Jamie and Shoony’s videos on YouTube and they really seem to have fun performing, and that’s contagious for an audience.
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Little Mix star’s brother spared jail after judge heard he dealt cocaine to pay off drug dealers threatening to kidnap the X Factor star - Daily Mail
By Damien Gayle
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Spared jail: Jonathan Nelson, brother of Little Mix star Jesy Nelson, arriving at Southend Crown Court today
Little Mix starlet Jesy Nelson was today named at the centre of a kidnap plot as her brother was spared jail for peddling cocaine for dealers who had threatened her.
Jesy's older brother Jonathan Nelson was in December caught red-handed selling the Class A drug to an undercover reporter for a national newspaper at a carpark in Hornchurch, Essex.
As he appeared at Southend Crown Court for sentencing today he sensationally claimed he had only agreed to sell cocaine after threats were made to his sister.
The court heard the 23-year-old was feeding a 100-a-day cocaine habit which had left him 3,000 in debt to an underworld character he knew only as 'Mr Turner'.
Nelson, whose mother Janis, 51, is a Police Community Support Officer in Canvey Island, Essex, had pleaded guilty to a single charge of supplying cocaine at an earlier hearing.
But James Lachkovic, defending Nelson, said he was 'simply a delivery boy'.
Dressed in a smart light grey suit, with white shirt and open collar, Nelson today was asked to take to the stand to give evidence in his mitigation.
After swearing on the bible, Nelson, who has dark brown slicked back hair, said that as a result of his cocaine habit he had found himself owing 500 to Mr Turner who, angered by a delay in repayment, had summarily increased the debt to 3,000.
Nelson told the court that he was warned in a sinister phoned call from Mr Turner in December that his sister would be kidnapped unless he came up with the cash.
He said: 'I asked him for more time. He was angry. He was making threats and he threatened to kidnap my sister because she had just become famous.
'I said if there is anything I can do to pay the money I would do it.'
Nelson added: 'He called me again and said "you will have to do me a few favours".'
It was not the first intimidation Nelson had suffered. Earlier that month he had been at his girlfriend's house when three men burst in and attacked him with a baseball bat.
He said: 'They pushed their way in, saying ‘you owe Mr Turner money’, I was whacked on the back of the head and one of them grabbed and spun me round and the other one hit me with a wooden baseball bat.
'They were shouting abuse at me but I told them I did not have it.
'They said: "you have to pay the money you owe him, if we have not got it, we will be back within a week for the money".'
That attack left Nelson with a broken arm which had to be patched up with surgery to install two metal plates.
Threats: Nelson told the court that he owed money to drugs dealers who had made threats to kidnap his sister Jesy, who was then appearing on X Factor
Nelson, who would often buy five grammes of the drug for his own use, claimed it was as a result of those threats to his family and himself that he had started dealing.
He admitted selling two wraps of cocaine for 80 to an undercover reporter from his Smart car on December 14 last year.
Nelson’s family were in the courtroom to hear evidence of his drug addiction although sister Jesy stayed away.
Matt Morgan, prosecuting, said Nelson had been captured on hidden camera selling two wraps of cocaine for 80 from his car.
'A black Smart car pulled up and out of the came the defendant Mr Nelson,' said Mr Morgan. 'He was recognised by the reporter as someone he has seen previously.
'[The reporter] approached the window of the Smart car. A conversation ensued in which he was presented with two wraps of paper, each about two inches by half an inch in size.
'The price was agreed as 80 and he handed it over. The incident was photographed.
'The reporter took the drug to be forensically examined and they were found to contain 0.7g in one wrap and 0.61g in the other of a white powder which was found to contain cocaine.'
No evidence was heard by the court about the purity of the cocaine which Nelson had dealt.
Southend Crown Court: Judge Jonathan Black heard Nelson only dealt cocaine after he was attacked and his sister threatened by dealers he owed money to
Mr Lachkovic, mitigating, told the court that Nelson was 'simply a delivery boy and one cannot envisage a lesser role than that.' The court heard that Nelson was no longer using drugs.
Judge Jonathan Black, sentencing, branded Nelson 'stupid' for agreeing to become involved with the drug dealing.
'This will no doubt cause embarrassment to your sister who has taken a strong anti-drugs stance,' Judge Black said.
Although the offence could have led to custody, the judge said the threats received by Nelson, and his previous good character, meant he would not be jailing him.
Nelson, who is unemployed and lives in Hornchurch, was sentenced to a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work in the community.
He was also ordered to pay costs of 600.
Clean cut: X-Factor winners Little Mix - (left-right) Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Perrie Edwards - have said they neither drink nor do drugs
As well as the drugs conviction, Nelson was also sentenced to three months prison, suspended, to run concurrently after admitting driving whilst disqualified.
For another charge of driving with no insurance the judge ordered there would be no separate penalty.
The case will come as an embarrassment to Nelson’s sister and her fellow Little Mix bandmates Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall.
They have made much of their squeaky clean lifestyles in their bid for pop chart success, with all four saying they never use drugs or drink.
There is absolutely no suggestion that teetotal Jesy, of nearby Romford, Essex, or any of her family were aware of her brother’s drug dealing, or were in any way involved.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Residents back new Ascot Road supermarket plan - Watford Observer
Residents back new Ascot Road supermarket plan
9:19am Thursday 28th June 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter
There is strong support among residents for a new Morrisons supermarket in West Watford, according to a survey carried out by the company.
The supermarket tested local opinion about its plans to regenerate the Royal Mail depot site on Ascot Road earlier this month with a consultation event giving residents a chance to check and comment on the proposals. These include new houses, a hotel and a new school.
Morrisons said the results from the forms showed 96 per cent of those who completed the feedback form supported there being a new supermarket at this site with 84 per cent in favour of a new school.
Richard Haynes, development executive at Morrisons, said: "We are obviously delighted at the overwhelming support that has been given to our proposals and at the level of feedback we have received.
"Residents want to see a new Morrisons foodstore on this site to improve shopping choice in the town and have recognised that this is an important opportunity to transform the unsightly and derelict Royal Mail site into a store which will benefit the whole community."
More than 220 residents visited the exhibition to see the details first-hand on June 15 and 16.
Morrisons secured a long lease from Watford Borough Council earlier this year and announced its plans for the new development last month.
The supermarket says that, if approved, the new store will create around 300 new jobs in the area.
The company is now working with Watford Borough Council on a planning application which is expected to be submitted in the summer.
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
TOWIE sisters show off their jumbo assets at airport - The Sun
The girls, who looked almost identical as they arrived at Las Vegas' McCarron International Airport for their flight home, showed off their jumbo assets in matching low-cut white tops.
The blondes had swapped the huge collection of bikinis they had worn over the past week for casual tracksuits and flip-flops for the trip home.
But they kept the holiday spirit alive by keeping their shades on — despite being inside the airport.
The stars of the ITV2 reality show were on their way back to the UK after enjoying a sunshine break with a group of girl pals.
Sam, 21, tweeted yesterday: "Home time from Vegas :-( had the most amazing time with all my best friends ... To top it off we met Cher !! Haha x x."
And today she added: "We're back in Essex !! Feels like bed time for me ! Time difference is gonna be a killer x."
Sam also seemed to be looking forward to seeing boyfriend Joey Essex again, revealing: "@JoeyEssex_ can't wait to see u x x x."
Billie, 22, said today: "Back home in essex ... Had the most amazing time in vegas !!! Now im going to bed as im sooooo tired ;-) xxx."
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Sussex edge Essex in thriller - Sporting Life
South Group leaders Sussex maintained their unbeaten record in this season's Friends Life t20 with a dramatic four-wicket victory over nearest rivals Essex.
Luke Wright: Helped his side claim victory
Faced with a daunting run-chase after James Foster's 65 not out led the Eagles to 177 for four, Sussex got home in a thrilling finish with just one delivery to spare.
When Ryan ten Doeschate began the final over, they still required 10 for victory, but Will Beer rose to the occasion by scoring nine from the first four balls, after which Ben Brown found a boundary to seal the win.
The foundations for their success had been laid by openers Chris Nash and Luke Wright, who raised the 50 in the sixth over and took the total to 77 before the former, on 31, hit Reece Topley to James Franklin at long-on.
Wright, with the help of three sixes and four fours, went on to make 46 from just 26 deliveries before Greg Smith held on at the boundary following another big hit.
Matt Prior kept the momentum going with a 19-ball 35 that included two sixes among his five boundaries.
Sussex required just 36 from the final five overs and, despite losing a couple of cheap wickets, managed to hold their nerve to get home.
Essex were indebted to an outstanding captain's innings from Foster, who struck five fours and four sixes during his 31-ball stay.
The wicketkeeper-batsman's dominance was best underlined by the fact big-hitting Adam Wheater contributed only five to their 65-run stand.
Foster's fireworks
arrived after Graham Napier and ten Doeschate had threatened to tear the Sussex attack apart;
both hit three fours and two sixes before falling without delivering substantial innings.
Napier was first to go, caught by wicketkeeper Brown, who atoned for dropping a chance off the same batsman two overs earlier, for 32.
Ten Doeschate was caught low down on the midwicket boundary for 39 and the Eagles were left rueing his and Napier's failure to capitalise on fine starts.
Source: www.sportinglife.com
Anger grows over Morrisons' Weybridge plans - This is london Calling
Anger grows over Morrisons' Weybridge plans
11:10am Thursday 28th June 2012 in News By Louise Robertson
A new superstore in Weybridge would have catastrophic effects on businesses and the environment according to opposition groups.
Several, including Weybridge Town Business Group and the Weybridge Society, have spoken out against proposal to build a Morrisons on the former Focus DIY site.
The business group was concerned high street traders would suffer because Morrisons aimed to be a one-stop shop, complete with dry cleaners and coffee shop.
They also believe the store is too far from Weybridge town centre to benefit the town by boosting footfall.
A spokesman said: “The area has so many supermarkets already, with Waitrose in the town together with a Tesco Metro and a Sainsbury’s Local.
“There is a large Marks and Spencer, a Tesco superstore in Brooklands and a Sainsbury’s in Walton. With six supermarkets in the area why do you need any more?”
Additional traffic was also a huge concern for the group, and campaign group Save Our Village, which said a “truly enormous” Morrisons would turn an already congested Weybridge in to a polluted traffic jam.
Their campaign website weybridgemorrisons.com stated: “Our home town is a rare pocket of historical beauty in the area, with the Monument Green and the range of old buildings.
“If the Morrisons store was to be built then it would completely change the image of the place. Do you want Weybridge to turn into a shopping centre?
“You have seen the transformation in Walton, just ask yourself, is this what you want here, in your town?”
They said the store would dominate the high street, make Weybridge lose its homely feel and drive house prices down as the town would lose its village charm.
Richard Haynes, development executive for Morrisons, said: “A new Morrisons on the derelict Focus DIY site in Weybridge has many advantages. It will create 300 new jobs, increase local investment in the town and bring an underperforming site back into use.
“Our plans received strong support during our public consultation on the proposals in May and many people encouraged us to get on and deliver them.
“Unlike other supermarkets Morrisons focuses on the weekly shop and 80 per cent of our Weybridge store will be dedicated to selling fresh, affordable food, increasing local shopping choice in the town. The store will act as a fresh anchor for Weybridge high street, increasing spending in the town and boosting the local economy.
“We have deliberately designed the store to orientate towards Weybridge high street, encouraging visits on foot, and the 1.5 hours of free parking we propose will also give car drivers sufficient time to visit existing town centre traders if they wish.
“We appreciate that traffic is an important issue locally and we have undertaken rigorous transport assessments as part of our planning application. Many visitors to the store already pass by the Focus site and we are confident that there is sufficient capacity on the road network for the additional traffic the foodstore will bring.
“In short, we are keen to invest in the future prosperity of Weybridge, create jobs and improve the food shopping choice for local people.”
A spokesman for the Weybridge Society warned: “Don’t let’s sleepwalk into something we might all live to regret.”
Petitions have already attracted more than 1,000 signatures and residents have until Thursday, June 28, to respond to the plans.
Visit elmbridge.gov.uk and search planning reference 012/1933 to give your views.
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Source: www.thisislocallondon.co.uk
Woman beaten to death days before giving birth - Daily Telegraph
“We can't begin to explain how we feel. Eystna was a wonderful and loving daughter who was looking forward to the birth of her first child. Sadly this will no longer be.
“We hope that everyone will understand the sadness in our hearts and let us mourn our sadness of the passing of our loved ones. We would also like to thank everyone for their support to our family at this very sad time.”
Friends gathered to lay flowers at the scene of the attack in Howard Way, and told how excited Miss Blunnie had been about having a baby.
Chloe Hickman, 20, said: “It’s a terrible and wicked thing to happen to such a lovely, bubbly girl.
“Eystna was such a popular and positive person and was due to be induced at the weekend.
“She was really looking forward to becoming a mum.”
Sally Bugg, 57, from Harlow, added: “She was a bundle of joy and was so looking forward to being a mum.
“We saw her during the Jubilee and she was cuddling her baby bump and smiling from ear to ear.
“It is absolutely heart-breaking what has happened.”
A 23 year-old man, believed to be Miss Blunnie’s ex-boyfriend, Tony McLernon, has been arrested over the deaths and is being questioned by detectives.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Eystna was heavily pregnant at the time of her death. She was due to give birth to a baby girl in the next few days.
"As a result, the man is also being questioned in relation to the death of Eystna's unborn daughter."
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Pregnant woman, 20, and her unborn baby dies after being left in the street following brutal attack - Daily Mail
- Victim Eystna Blunnie, from Harlow in Essex, was discovered next to a busy road with severe head injuries
- Her unborn child also died after the vicious attack
- Distraught parents Kevin and Susan Blunnie pay tribute to their 'wonderful and loving daughter'
- Police arrested a 23-year-old man and are treating the college student's murder as 'domestic related'
By Tom Gardner
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A heavily pregnant woman and her unborn baby have been brutally killed following a savage street attack.
Victim Eystna Blunnie, 20, from Harlow, Essex, was just days from giving birth, when she was discovered near to a busy main road in the town suffering from severe head injuries.
The college student was rushed to the town’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.
Brutal: The body of pregnant Eystna Blunnie, pictured, was found dying on the side of a road in Harlow
Essex Police arrested a 23-year-old man, yesterday afternoon, and were questioning him in connection with the murder and the death of the unborn child.
In a statement, her devastated parents Kevin and Susan Blunnie, said: ‘We hope that you will understand that we have suffered a tragic loss to our family.
Tragic: Estyna Blunnie, who has spoken of her excitement about becoming a mum, posted an ultrasound scan of her unborn child
‘Our daughter and granddaughter have been taken from us in such a tragic and horrific way.
'We can't begin to explain how we feel.
‘Eystna was a wonderful and loving daughter who was looking forward to the birth of her first child.
‘Sadly this will no longer be. We hope that everyone will understand the sadness in our hearts and let us mourn our sadness of the passing of our loved ones.
‘We would also like to thank everyone for their support to our family at this very sad time.’
Today friends told how the young mum-to-be was excited about the birth of her first child, due later this week, before she was discovered with fatal injuries near to Howard Way in Harlow, Essex.
Detectives initially said the death was being treated as unexplained but following the results of a post mortem, it is now being treated as murder.
The horrific nature of the attack at around 3am on Wednesday morning has shocked and upset residents in the area who have laid floral tributes at a bench near to where her body was found.
One of her best friends Chloe Hickman, 20, said: ‘It’s a terrible and wicked thing to happen to such a lovely, bubbly girl.
Suspicion: Police guard the house of a man who has been arrested in connection with Eystna's murder
‘Eystna was such a popular and positive person and was due to be induced at the weekend.
‘She was really looking forward to becoming a mum.’
The young mum-to-be had studied catering at nearby Harlow College and had been excited about life as a full-time mother.
One of Eystna’s close friends Charlotte Bird wrote on Facebook: ‘Hates that I’m gonna go bed tonight and not sleep a wink but all I will be thinking bout are my 2 Beautiful darling Angels tonight who are at peace and now out of trouble sleep tight princesses.’
When Eystna was five months pregnant she told friends online she was hoping to give birth to a boy, but the brave expectant mother was preparing for life as a single mother.
As she excitedly counted down the days she spoke of the father of her baby, who is believed to be the suspect, not wanting the child and having a new partner.
Describing herself on her profile page Eystna said: ‘I’m 20yrs old 21yrs old this year and going to be a mummy soon can’t wait.
‘So if you have any problems with me or my ex then im not interested as im an adult unlike some of you.’
Her current profile picture features a recent ultrasound scan.
She told friends she 'could not wait' to be a mother and added: 'Only 17 days and counting.'
Distraught: People lay flowers on the side of a main road Howard Way, Harlow near to where Estyna Blunnie and her unborn baby were brutally beaten to death
Grief: Two friends console each other beside tributes to college student Estyna Blunnie who was found fatally wounded in the street having been savagely beaten
Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating the case and have appealed for more information.
An Essex Police spokesman said: ‘A murder investigation was launched following the conclusion of a post mortem examination on Wednesday.
‘Police were contacted just before 3am with reports of a woman found with injuries in Howard Way.
‘The woman, aged in her 20s, was taken by ambulance to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow where she was sadly later pronounced dead.
‘Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the woman’s death and ask anyone with information to contact officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate at Harlow on 101.’
Tragic: Friends of Estyna Blunnie, who was found dying on the side of a road in Harlow, lay floral tributes to the pregnant college student and her unborn child
Shocking: Flowers have been laid in tribute to a heavily pregnant woman, named locally as Estyna Blunnie, and her baby, near the scene where she was found brutally murdered in Harlow, Essex
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
TOWIE star Lauren Pope reveals her secret to looking sexy (pictures) - WalesOnline
Source: www.walesonline.co.uk
TOWIE's Joey: No desk job for me (From Times Series) - Times Series
TOWIE's Joey: No desk job for me
1:37pm Thursday 28th June 2012 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2011
The Only Way Is Essex's Joey Essex has revealed he would never want to work in an office again.
The reality TV star and nightclub promoter admitted he can't see himself doing a nine-to-five job when his stint on the ITV2 series is over.
"I've done it before and I didn't like it before, so I don't think I'll go back to it," he said.
The 21-year-old added: ""I think most of us will carry on with life the way we want it to go. Some people don't really want to carry on with reality TV, and some people do."
Joey also revealed he plans to be more street-wise after being robbed of his Rolex watch at knifepoint in west London.
"The watch doesn't mean anything to me, it's the principle," he said.
"I got jumped from behind. I'm always aware... I've nearly been mugged three times in my life but never let it happen. But now, I'd probably be more aware of people going behind me than what I can see."
Joey posed in "ridiculously tight" swim trunks with TOWIE co-star Lucy Mecklenburgh to launch his new Surf Summer D'reem liquid detergent, available from ASDA stores from August 5.
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
They just go by the name Jamie & Shoony
Do they have a band name?
Saw these guys play at the Banshee last night...brilliant!
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