I didn’t want to take my SLR to the gig. Firstly, it’s too big and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the gig properly. Secondly, I didn’t have access to the press pit so I would get far superior photos using a real photographers images.
To get the images I contacted the photographer, Frank Gane, through facebook and asked if it was okay.
Here are the emails:

Cancer Bats photos
Between Frank Gane and You

Ben Sullivan
Hi Frank, I’m just writing an article about Cancer Bats (I’m a Journalism student) and was wondering if I could have permission to use a few of your photos from the pavilions for it. You’d be fully acredited to the images.
Regards,
Ben

Frank Gane
Hello mate
I don’t see why not…it’d be nice to see them in the article and glad I can help…is it coursework or being published somewhere? don’t mind just interested!
If you let me know which ones you’d like by commenting on them in the album ( or liking them ) and send me your email I’ll send them to you!

Cheers
Frank

Photos courtesy of Frank Gane

As Liam Cormier waltzed onto the stage in front of a hungry crowd, I felt a tingle dance up my spine. It was caused by ground-shaking vibrations from the opening riff to Hail Destroyer, the first song to the band’s sophomore album with the same name. When screams, drums and bass kicked in I knew that this would be another unforgettable night where Cancer Bats would not dissapoint.

The Canadian hardcore giants returned to Cornwall only a few months after playing in Newquay with Fucked Up, and the crowd definately displayed their appreciation. Cancer Bats’ amazing blend of hardcore punk and southern metal makes their chugging, juggernaut riffs and Liam’s unmistakable throaty growl a must hear.

Photos courtesy of Frank Gane

The Pavilions exploded into a mosh fest, as Cormier declared: “It’s time to party!”
The Toronto based boys powered through their hour long set with an unfathomable amount of energy and passion. Scott Middleton’s groovy, harmonic-laden guitar work with a powerhorse of a rhythm section drove the band, leaving not one dull track in the set. Some new songs were even thrown in there from the band’s third album, which is currently still being written. This provoked the crowd into an excited frenzy.

Cancer Bats have worked hard to be where they are, and they make it clear they’re grateful to the fans, even if we were only a few hundred in a small town compared to the thousands at international festivals and grand stadiums. Many of the songs were dedicated to the crowd, and although being high up behind a barrier, the gig was comfortably intimate. Liam’s relentless headbanging and showmanship made us feel as if we were up there with them. Forgetting about our worries, drinking up, and just having a damn good time.

Photos courtesy of Frank Gane

After having finished their set, the buzzing crowd were not just going to stand there and accept that that was the end of the night. Hundreds of stomps to the shout of ‘CANCER BATS’ shuddered the wooden flooring. One by one Liam, Scott, Mike and Jaye returned to the stage. “Has anyone ever heard of a band called the Beastie Boys!?” said Liam in his trademark Canadian drool. The crowd roared with delight, and the infamous Beastie Boys song ‘Sabotage’ was destroyed and improved with the encore.

But it was not just Cancer Bats that night which made the gig one of my Falmouth’s favourites. The three support bands were perfectly selected to give the punters their moneys-worth in hardcore, loud, punk. The first two bands on were Falmouth’s own offspring. Bangers warmed up the crowd with catchy sing-along punk prowess, proving why they’ve been such a hit nationwide. Crocus followed, leaving the crowd in awe at loud, emotional thrashy punk. Crocus are one of my favourite live acts, with raw energy and feeling streaming from all four members.

Exeter’s finest The Computers were main support, and proved why they are rising throughout the country to such popularity. Screaming punk presented in a rock and roll fashion makes this act stand out from the rest. An ecletic set culminating in lead singer/guitarist Alex bringing his mic and guitar down to the crowd to play their final song of the set.

Photos courtesy of Frank Gane

At the end of the night, the audience was left electric with what was an amazing night for hardcore punk, and a legendary gig at the Princess Pavilions. Let’s hope it’s not too long before the terminally-ill bloodsuckers are back in town riding their hurricane of thunder and lightning.

Today I went to meet the Labour candidate for Truro and Falmouth, Charlotte MacKenzie, to talk and question her about Labour’s relations and thoughts about students in Falmouth, and her campaign video including students mid-week.
It was my first real interview type situation, and I did find it pretty hard going. I was very much unprepared. I did have some set questions to ask Charlotte, but it all went front-side up when she actually started talking.
A few things I learnt:
1. Prepare a lot more and don’t expect the interviewee to do all the talking for you,
2. Go to the interview with a set idea of what you want to leave with.

However, I did get most of the stuff I wanted out of her, and will be writing the feature in due course, probably over my next pint in Wetherspoons, seeing as I have no access to the internet at home.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be interviewing Truro and Falmouth Labour candidate Charlotte Mackenzie on Labour’s relations with students in Falmouth. Earlier this week a campaign video was shot in Falmouth including students, and I want to find out about this as well. I think a little bit of politics will be good for Navigator.

Not too sure though what to write this story as, a feature or a news story. I will probably go for the feature as I can then cover a few topics instead of being limited.

So last Sunday I got to see my favourite band in the whole entire world! Alexisonfire. The Canadian post-hardcore rockers provided me with the best gig of my life, and an experience I will never forget.

No Transitory

After the main support band Anti-Flag had finished their set, there was a long, anxious wait as the impressive venue filled to its capacity. The lights went dark, and to a background chorus of feedback and harmonics, George, Dallas, Wade, Chris and Jordan slowly appeared on stage to open up with a well-chosen song from their new album Old Crows Young Cardinals. George dashed into the crowd along everyone’s head. I was awestruck, not the best thing to be in the middle of a growing pit. This was the best thing I had ever seen or heard. This had been a long time coming.

Alexisonfire continued to smash out their hits from this year’s album and 2006’s Crisis. Dallas Green’s jaw-dropping vocals perfectly supported George’s unmistakable growls as the crowd went berserk for every song.
Then George announced that they were going to play a song that they wrote when they were teenagers, back on their debut self-titled album in 2002. It meant a lot to them, it got them to where they are now. And it also meant a lot to the crowd. Alexisonfire have come a long way since their tinny recordings back then, but it’s still the early, emotional, heartfelt, raw sounds of the songs on their debut album and their sophomore follow up Watch Out! that evoke such a strong feeling from the crowd. They were going to play Pulmonary Archery, I couldn’t believe it.

Pulmonary Archery

Powering through the rest of their set with popular anthems and slow ballads, Alexisonfire returned for their encore and brought the crowd to a climax with a hit from their new album, Accept Crime.

They left us wanting more.
We all wanted more.
Alexisonfire have worked so hard to be where they are, and despite being a fairly alternative emo/hardcore band, they are one of the most successful Canadian bands ever. To me, the only band ever.

“Becuase this shit is not about pants
And this shit’s not about shirts
And this shit is definitly not about hair
This shit is having a good fucking time”

Young Cardinals

Local Labour MP Charlotte MacKenzie will be filming in Falmouth next week for a new campaign video, including students from Falmouth. She contacted me wanting me to be in the video too, but I don’t think I’m really up for that. Instead I will be interviewing Charlotte and writing a story on the day’s events. I want to ask what Labour and politics in general can offer students and what students can offer to politics and Labour itself. I plan on getting out some audio recording equipment so I can record Charlotte as well.
Charlotte is also a big climate campaigner, and I hope to ask her about this too. I am looking forward to it.