Quench
Hunter S. Thompson - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Liked drugs, hates ether binges
By Tom Brookes
Few, if any, have personified ‘cult classic’ quite as well as Hunter S. Thompson. He was everything you could want in a great writer, humorous, intelligent and not afraid to take risks. Take a look at Hells Angels or the now seminal Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas.
His writing became a touchstone in gonzo journalism. Writing in a highly personal style, Thompson became more interesting than the stories he was covering whether it was sex, sport, drugs, politics or rock and roll.
A man who never changed, his writing style, his lifestyle and his outlook on life always remained anarchic, right until the day he decided to take his own life. But even in death he never changed, his last wish? To have his ashes placed in a cannon ball and blasted into the air. Much respected, often imitated and sadly missed.
This Week
Latest Edition
Get full on a fiver
Whether it’s a dish for your mates, your partner or somebody you'd like to be your partner, it doesn't have to cost more than a fiver. Daniel Smith shows us how to cook like a chef on a student budget.
Klaxons - Gravity’s Rainbow
Bursting out of the traps like a sprightly ‘Nu Rave’ greyhound is Gravity’s Rainbow. While the band might have since started a cult, popularised glow-sticks and revived indie-dance music, this re-released track is perhaps their finest moment, with thumping drums and a bass line to die for.
Mixtape 2
The alternative evening to the volume next door begins with The Spencer McGarry Season, a three man band from Cardiff, who boast a delightfully upbeat, eclectic sound, with jangly guitars and effortless vocals. Both charming and infectious, they’ll make you tap your feet, smile and bob your head like a dickhead. Maybe it’s the braces.
Billy Whizz
Lizzie Pook celebrates the cult legend behind some of the best movies of the last 25 years. All hail Bill Murray...
Arcade Fire - Intervention
As a fan of Arcade Fire, I really want to plug this single. But Intervention is not very good, sounding more like a hymn than their angry selves. There are better tracks on the album Neon Bible, so buy that instead. Or see them live.
Blades of Glory
The Will Ferrell formula is one that can be broken down into three distinct ingredients. The first of these is that his characters must always be highly successful braggarts with delusions of grandeur.
Noisettes - Scratch Your Name
Scratch Your Name is a thrilling wall of sound which is laced with the soulful, sexual yet gentle tones of front woman Shingai Shoniwa. A satisfying chunk of pop-rock.
Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder
Upbeat and commercial, so unlikely to be popular with students. But thedistinctive sound of Levine’s voice makes a welcome comeback; he is, after all, the best thing since sliced bread.