Whether sat on a sun-kissed beach as the crystal waves break on the beach, or lounged in a dimly lit cocktail bar absorbing the ambience, Sailor Jerry rum has a classic vibe that’s both bold and smooth. The bottles are unmistakable: adorned by the traditional tattoo work of Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins – and the taste of the rum is pretty unforgettable too.
I was first aware of Sailor Jerry rum when it was a regular prize for the star letter in Bizarre magazine. The brand cultivated something of a counter culture feel, assisted by that classic artwork. When I first tasted the drink, I was instantly smitten by the taste.
There are dozens of ways to enjoy your Sailor Jerry rum, but this is my favourite: mixing with cola. For me, it has to be full fat Coca Cola, other brands or diet versions just don’t cut it.
To prepare, simply add 2 measures of rum (1 if you prefer) to a highball glass and add ice. Then top up with the coke, and enjoy.
I was lucky enough to pick up some limited edition Sailor Jerry plastic tumblers to drink my rum from. Plus a while back, the bottles were packed with promotional posters. I even acquired a promotional CD a while back in my local, featuring some great Rockabilly and Punk bands. These items are ideal additions to any home tiki bar and have helped build my loyalty!
You can check out plenty more Sailor Jerry rum recipes at their website here.
Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub urges you to drink responsibly.
Ah yes, the seven inch single. These small discs of joy were the cornerstone of the pop charts for years, weekly sales adding up to thousands and thousands in their heyday. Nowadays it’s streaming that appears to power music sales. But many of us still have mucho love for the 45rpm record.
Many such as myself – I’ve got a huge pile of them, and it’s only slowly going down. What I do, you see, is spend a night playing 7″ vinyl – A side and B side – and going on a musical journey that can take me all over the place.
Sometimes that journey is a bit weird, or even disappointing – but it’s never dull. Pour yourself a drink and let’s have a look at the latest Singles night playlist…
The D4 – “Come On!” / “Santa Claus”
The D4 – “Get Loose” / “John Rock”
Roberto Mann Orchestra & Chorus – “Love Theme From Witchfinder General” / “Both Sides Now”
Adam & The Ants – “Kings of the Wild Frontier” / “Press Darlings”
Jo Boxers – “Boxerbeat” / “Let’s Talk About Love”
Brian Spence – “Back Door” / Chris Sutton – “Know It All” / Velvet Underground “Stephanie Says” / Smiley Culture – “Here Comes the Style”
Bow Wow Wow – “Louis Quatorze” / “Blue Soldier”
Sam Brown – “Stop!” / “Blue Soldier”
Big Country – “King of Emotion” / “The Travellers”
The B-52s – “Good Stuff” / “Bad Influence”
The Beatles – “Long Tall Sally” / “I Call Your Name” / “Slow Down” / “Matchbox”
The Barron Knights – “Merry Gentle Pops Part 1” / “Merry Gentle Pops Part 2”
L7 – “Pretend We’re Dead” / “Shitlist”
Rainmakers – “Let My People Go-Go” / “Nobody Knows”
Wax – “Building a Bridge to Your Heart” / “Heaven in Her Bed”
AC/DC – “Highway to Hell” / “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”
AC/DC – “You Shook Me All Night Long” / “Have a Drink On Me”
The Stylistics – “Can’t Give You Anything (but My Love)” / “I’d Rather Be Hurt By You (Than Loved By Somebody Else)”
Kipp Lennon – “Song From ‘Buck Rogers’ (Suspension)” / “Something Kinda Funky”
Girlschool – “Hit & Run” / “Tonight”
See what I mean? That was a great night of music – well, for the most part! The only dud amongst the bunch was the horrendous Barron Knights single. I remember that group in the late 70s and early 80s, and thought they were funny. These two songs, both from earlier in the career, haven’t stood the test of time.
Other than that, an awesome mix of rock, punk, alternative, pop, disco and even a couple of wild soundtrack items. In contrast to the Barron Knights, I was pleasantly surprised by Rainmakers and I’d forgotten how great that Wax song is.
That’s all for this time, groove hunters – more soon.
Notes:
The D4 were a great rock band from New Zealand, fast and punky in a similar vein to The Hives. I saw them around 2001 supporting Fu Manchu, they were rad. Picked these singles up a while ago as I can’t find their excellent album anywhere.
There are two soundtrack songs in this latest playlist. I was very lucky to find the song from Witchfinder General for mere pence in a charity shop – as a big Horror and Vincent Price fan, it’s a cool curio to own. Also, yes – that is the classic theme tune from the Buck Rogers TV show of the early 80s. Even better, the B side is from when Buck is trying to teach the 25th century squares how to be groovy.
Always loved that Jo Boxers song since I heard it on Tiswas. Finally got the single.
Disc 6 is a Sounds magazine/Polydor sampler that I picked up super cheap, purely for the Velvet Underground song. The first two tracks ar eprety bland.
The L7 single is a numbered, limited edition single on red vinyl.
The two AC/DC songs need no introduction. My favourite Bon Scott song and my favourite Brian Johnson song on consecutive records in my list.
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, RAD magazine – or Read and Destroy to give it its full title – was the absolute bible of UK skateboarding.
Covering all the news and events across the British skate scene, from competitions, info on pros and amateurs, trick tips, locations and more, RAD was an essential publication.
Don’t forget, there was no Internet or social media to immediately grasp the latest developments, nationally or internationally. All we had were occasional video productions and dedicated monthly magazines.
So RAD was a big deal. A trusted source for everything in skateboarding within its hallowed pages.
And in one issue, there was a photo of me in it.
Well, sort of. Issue number 79, from September 1989, had a feature about the Hot Tuna sponsored Skate Masters at Morfa Stadium, Swansea – and I had been there on the day. We were on a family holiday in mid Wales and I begged my parents to take me the rest of the distance to attend the competition.
So, on the first page of the published feature, I can be spotted in the audience, watching the vert competition. That’s me, sat down wearing my yellow Thrasher Puszone t-shirt. Not exactly a mind blowing photo of me landing one of my many incredible tricks (ahem…), but technically I was in a photo in RAD magazine.
When the mag was out, I don’t think my vague, tiny appearance impressed anybody. I thought it was kind of fun, though.
As I remember it, all these years later, the competition was a great event. Top professionals from across the UK were there, plus some from further afield. There were street and freestyle events as well as vert, so I was able to see some great skateboarding.
So there you go. I appeared (sort of) in a legendary skate mag. Well I didn’t, but this old publication brings back some happy memories.
I have plenty more old magazines in my skateboard museum, I’ll feature some more if there’s any demand (and it’s not illegal to do so…).
Platinum Al's Virtual Hot Tub 