Agent Orange are a four piece; vocal, guitar/vocal, bass/vocal and drums. Their music is fast moving and brilliantly played. They describe their stuff as ‘covers with attitude’. It certainly was. Stereophonics, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Feeder and Foo Fighters to name just a few.   They changed the original songs by edging up each song with a rock feel over and above. The musicianship was superb and the band was very tight.   I saw beautiful, dextrous and appropriately committed guitar playing as well as tight artistic, deep pan drumming. Good bass and fine vocals, including a highly talented guest female singer, completed the picture.   So what more could you want? The answer to that is an audience! Don’t get me wrong, the pub was packed on one of the first occasions I saw them and the music matched perfectly with what the pub normally feeds on but the crowd showed no respect for this. I’m very quick to spot where a band is going wrong but this time the blame lies elsewhere. A band can vote with its feet, can stop playing and can refuse to return. Try to spot a good band when you see it, be warned!

Half Cream are a five piece and do mainly covers but they did at least one of their own, always a nice change. Their style is fast modern rock; Jimmy Eat World, Feeder, Muse etc. The two guitars were used well, taking advantage of the differences between Fender and Gibson. Both took the lead at different times with good results. A band that uses two guitars properly creates a thick sound. They were tight and the sound had the floor dancing but not always. The gig list must be carefully chosen. It’s interesting that ‘Day-Tripper’ by The Beatles done in their own way, had the floor heaving more than anything. Some of the modern stuff was exciting but was left alone. I think this band are very good. Take a look at their web site. www.halfcream.co.uk

Teen+ Scene YOUR Column YOUR interests. Take the initial letters from the capitals of these countries to make another capital. Which country has this capital? Swaziland, Turkey, Isle of Man, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh

The Royal British Legion
Myths vs Reality

The Myth
The RBL is run solely for the benefit of ex-Servicemen who meet, irregularly, to relive old battles, bemoan the current fall in social standards and especially the behaviour of teenagers today. Once a year they parade through Cromer, Sheringham and Holt in order to remind everyone how much we owe to those who fell in the 2 World Wars – then they go home and polish their medals! And of course, as a rule, they are all at least 70 years old – I mean, how could they be any younger; they fought in a World War, didn’t they?

The Reality
Well, that’s the myth, but what about the reality? Well, of course, this is rather different. The RBL is a national charity with a very public face and an instantly recognised symbol – the red poppy of Flanders. So far so good. But did you know that you don’t in fact have to be an ex-Serviceman to join the Legion? – we look after their dependents as well. And, while we are on this point, you don’t have to be retired or over any particular age to join – I’m 48 years old and still in full time employment. So, why would you join the RBL – perhaps you fancy marching through Sheringham once a year? Probably not. The reality is rather more practical and rooted in the business of living and working in a busy and demanding world. There are now 11 million people within the UK eligible for help from the RBL. The RBL delivers employment and careers advice; it allocates welfare grants and provides a wide range of advice from employment law to pension schemes. It organises home support and help for its older members and provides a network of folk whose primary interest is helping its membership overcome the challenges of everyday life through a variety of mediums. Each year, this support totals some £54million. Membership brings access to a national organisation rooted within the local community; delivering a wide and varied programme of events. In Sheringham this is based around monthly meetings in The Tyneside Club, which also provides a welcoming and entertaining forum to meet old friends and make new ones. At the moment the RBL is determined to attract a younger membership – no small challenge given the popularly held and, as we now know quite wrong, mythical image I outlined above. But we are determined to succeed, hence my letter.

I hope, in this very short piece, to have wetted your appetite enough that you feel you would like to know more – this is a very simple step and one I strongly recommend. You can find out more on the Internet (www.britishlegion.org.uk) or through our local Branch (www.sheringhamrbl.co.uk). Alternatively, you are invited to ring Mr Tom Pyne on Sheringham (01263) 824445 to find out more. I guarantee you’ll be surprised at what’s on offer – come on, it’s just one local phone call away!