01. Just to get things rolling, let’s do some quick introductions?

My name is Eddie Webber creator and writer, chief cook and bottle washer of the new internet comedy series Power to the People – I was born and bred in Bermondsey, South East london I trained at Morely College and the London Bubble Theatre.

02. Tell us about how you got started in the Acting Profession?

That’s a really long story. I started at the London Bubble in Elephant Lane – I walked into the space one night and spoke to a man called Adrian Jackson, told him I wanted to be an actor and bosh! – here I am. There is a much longer version but I feel it would take up the whole page!

03. You have managed to stay very busy and build a nice Career?

God knows how – I guess that I’ve been very lucky getting involved in it when I did. Twenty years ago there wasn’t all this reality TV stuff going on so real entertainment was being made and there was always a little Cockney fella turning up in all of them – the hardest thing those days was getting an ‘equity card’ as one could not work without it.

04. What have been the highs and lows of your Acting roles?

There have never been any lows with regards to acting in projects – the only lows I can think of is when I’m not working, that’s a real low.

05. Who do you really admire from your profession?

I admire anyone that brings their projects over the finish line – so many people talk about what they are going to do but if words were calories we’d all be very fat. At the moment there is a Producer friend of mine called Jonathan Sothcott, he is really the only one I know making sellable films and employing and giving a platform to new young working class actors and bringing his films over the finish line – so he’s someone that has my respect. I also admire my friend Danny Dyer, every time he gets knocked down he gets back up again, that’s a rare quality. Sothcott is a name to watch out for in the independent British Film Industry.

06. You have also developed as a dedicated writer too?

I have always loved to write. I used to write the songs for a band that I was in as a teenager, but I am quite dyslexic, well either that or very lazy! I suppose, coming from the 1970s Comprehensive System, I’ll never know but I feel strongly drawn towards developing my writing in the future. I have three great feature movies all ready to go and I hope to get them made when the Industry gains a bit more trust in me as a Writer.

07. Tell us about the Power to the People project – aka P.A.P?

Power to the People is a fresh approach to political satire from a working class perspective. It is about a group of local lads who are fed up with the way local politics are handled and they decide to do something about it. The series follows their struggles and capers as they strive to set up a serious local political party – The People’s Advocate Party is born. It consists of six mini episodes. Episodes 1 to 6 are viewable here.

08. So you wrote preformed and produced and gave birth to the concept?

Phew, if I thought about that question before we started I think I would have talked myself out of it. I was so lucky to have the support of great actors and crew. The crew was made up of second and third year film students from Ravensbourne University who, we hope, gained valuable experience for their future by working alongside professional actors. It is the ethos of this project to encourage and support new actors, writers and film-makers as well as also sending out a calling card for our future potential projects and building our film company which is called agoodeyedeer.

09. How easy was it to work with the Internet in mind as a platform?

I think the levels of social networking are phenomenal – I love the fact that you can share with people about what your pet eats – I also love that people can find lost friends and family but mostly I love that you can share your business ideas and like minded people synchronize . Our motto in Power to the People is ‘the universe is with us’. I think it helped to have been involved with some great movies like ‘The Business’, ‘The Firm’ and ‘Big Fat Gypsy Gangster’ which all have a big fan base so my name, Geoff Bell, Danny Dyer, Ricky Grover and Laila Morse are familiar to a lot of people also Darren Russell who is our stills photographer has been an amazing help. That has definitely been an advantage when using social networking to publicise the ‘Power to the People’ series. The internet and the universe are both linked in the ether anyway, I reckon!!!

10. You managed to include some great actors and talent into P.A.P?

I was so lucky with the cast and crew, Geoff Bell (Terry), Danny Dyer (Cannon), Roland Manookian (Arthur) all worked with me on Nick Love’s ‘The Business’, Andy Linden, Ricky Grover and Laila Morse on ‘Big fat Gypsy Gangster and Johnny Palmerio (Benny the Shirt) on Ken Loach’s ‘It’s a Free World’. They all gave their valuable time for free and all they also believed in the project, I was so blessed in that respect.

11. You managed to capture a subtle and everyday feel with much warmth and humour?

My intention was to write something from a working class perspective that was real for the people that have to deal and live with some of the inexplicable decisions that Local Councils make. The humour comes naturally from where I grew up, it’s all about sub text, if that makes sense! The difficulty was to try and keep an arc to the story in 6 minute episodes. There’s so much more to delve into if we get it commissioned to TV. I personally think that there are too many writers these days employed to write in idioms that they don’t really know about i.e Eastenders etc. I mean how can someone from a comfortable middle class background write really well for characters that come from working class areas like Bermondsey, South East London and visa versa.

12. How did you fund the project and how will it grow in the future?

The first two episodes were self-funded then we had a bit of luck by meeting John Devlin who owns the Cross Keys pub in Endle St, Covent Garden who funded the rest.

13. What can people do to help support you and the P.A.P thing?

We have a merchandise website  designed by a young genius called Gary O’ Neall If people could find it in their hearts to buy a T-shirt that would help greatly to fund future Power to the People episodes. We are hoping to shoot a Christmas Special in December if we can get the funding. It would also be a great help if people could like our Facebook page here  and follow us on twitter @agoodeyedeer.

14. Do you think the Media is a little nervous that they cannot control every facet of modern technology?

I personally don’t think the media really give a monkeys about anything. They are a total law unto themselves, protected by corrupt business men and Politicians from posh schools.

15. What other projects have you got planned for the future?

Aside from the Power to the People Christmas Special, we are pitching the series to TV Channels and will be looking to move forward with two of my feature film scripts called GONE HOPPING and TOUGH TRACKS.

16. What about Local Politics? Most people are switched off these days?

I think that most people are sick to death of hearing empty words from Politicians and have become complacent and don’t expect any kind of people Democracy, for example, the last two prime ministers were not elected by the people – where is the democracy in that?

17. Can you tell us a joke?

Tarzan walks into the local job centre, walks up to the desk and says to the lady sitting there, ‘I need some money’. The woman looks at him, puzzled and says, ‘but you’re Tarzan, why would you need money?’ Tarzan says, ‘Look I am so skint, I had to eat Cheeta last week. On the Monday I ate Cheeta’s arm, on the Tuesday I ate his other arm, on the Wednesday I ate his leg, on the Thursday I ate his other leg, on the Friday I ate his torso – how the f**k can anyone live on a monkey a week in this country’. Ha Ha!

Weblinks

Power To The people – The PAP Merchandise website 

Power To The people/PAP Facebook

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Billy Hasset (The Chords MP3 London Calling Intro)

The LONDON CALLING Radio Show presented by Sir Eon Ballinger is Fortnightly on Mondays & you can hear worldwide now! He took time out of a hectic schedule to shed some light on his latest musical journey!

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1. What were your early musical influences?

All The usual suspects: Beatles, Who, Small Faces, The Creation, Kinks, Bowie, Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Jam, The Chords, The Psychedelic Furs, and, of course, The Worzels! Oo Aah!

2. What sort of Music do your gravitate towards generally?

I’m kind of stuck in a time tunnel 1965-1983/4 I’m afraid…But it’s a nice place to be, a kind of Comfort zone: like clean Jim jams, hot water bottles, Chocolate & Milk, Crisps & Coke…oh, & not forgetting, several pints of Kilkenny & a Crack pipe…Blow the cobwebs away. Funny, even chooons I hated from back in the day sound like old friends now (that same feeling you get about people you work with & hate all year round, then, all of a sudden, they seem ok for that magical week around xmas), can never work that one out, strange but true that one, isn’t it.. Beauty of music I suppose? It’s still the highest art form bar none!

3. What have been the bands or sounds that have always been in your play-list or record box?

Talk Talk Talk-Furs/Quadrophenia-The horrible oooo/Revolver-The Fabs/Kinks 66-68 & anything by The Creation (though there’s not much, is there) The Small Faces, Neil Young, Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks & Ian Mcnabb/Icicle Works… depending on my muse!

4. What about the Formats available, your thoughts on Vinyl, CD and MP3?

Well, gotta be Vinyl for sound & sense of occasion (Art again), but cd for simplicity…Not an MP3 fan..They sound pants, don’t they!

5. Any Current Bands that you feel seem to be producing the goods?

I like Glamweazle, Pope (ex Chords, but like Ian Mcnabb, I think Chris Pope is criminally underatted & ignored… outrageous isn’t it..The Chords were just Chris tuning up). But currently Miles Kane..He’s kicking up a storm over here, you can see his confidence bloom , that’s nice to see, & he wears fabPantoloons too! And last, but certainly not least, ‘Is this England?’ by The Universal hits the spot!

6. What can we expect to hear on your show or during your Sets?

Good Taste… lol… Dunno: The A-Z from the Musical Bible & any bands new or old, who merit a bit of airplay… Send me ya stuff if ya reading this!.. But if people enjoy the show (& they seem to be), Job’s a goodun!

7. Anything that you Really Hate and Why?

Aaahhh… tough buster this… If you had asked me this question but a year ago, we could’ve made a boxset of what I don’t like… But nah… bit toxic that hate stuff, init!!… They say life begins at 40, don’t they (Who are they, while we’re on the subject?),  I just think you’re just becoming depressingly conscientious of your own mortality, so hate is way too time & energy consuming! …Put it this way, I try to smile at least 7 times throughout the day! Chant “Hari Krishna you c**t” at anyone who cuts me up (which is often over here… Who needs theme parks? Just have a day driving in Paris, folks!…), yoga ‘n’ prozak help to keep me in a happyboystoytown frame of mind too. …Oh! hang on though… Bullies…there ya go… They come in all shapes & sizes, dont they… Starts in the playground…The Bullies & The Bullied! Meet the new Bully: same as the old Bully!

8. What about Requests?

What about them… lol …As long as I dig it… yeah of course…

9. Tell us what you are up to at the Moment, where can we catch you playing etc?

Well, busy recording an album (just for myself) as well as film & music for adverts! My hope is to make the Radio show bigger & better, we’re getting just over 8,000 listeners currently, which ain’t too shabby, is it… To be honest, it’s been very touching, the reaction to the show (Helps keep hate at bay – see question 7): emails from France & Blighty of course, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany (Who won the war?), USA, Brazil, Mexico & even (singular) a listener in Poland… Bless her Heart!

10. Your thoughts on the future and things that excite you Beyond Music?

Well, that’s the easiest question, BUT, not very Rock & roll & even a bit soft maybe… But being with my Family & watching my two Chidren grow into the Beautiful people they are… My two hits! I won’t say my No 1 & Number two… Flippin Eck Tucka, I just did!

11. Have you met or Worked with anyone Interesting on your Musical journey?

Oh, by jingo, unfortunately, Yes. Oh, my giddy aunt, how do I answer this one, the most dangerous of all the questions… as I think you should never meet (and certainly not work with) ya heroes; the fantasy always outways the reality… right!But since you asked,well, ok….

I was put forward to write With Pete Townshend’s Daughter, so I got to meet him, who was & is an incredible person & very funny! But I also crossed swords with Mr Daltrey, who asked me to get my “f’n cigarette” out of his face (maybe this kicked off the idea for his cancer charity… only joshing Rodge..lol) I thought he was gonna throw a knuckle sarny on me snotta… Kinda dissapointed he didn’t, to be honest: I could’ve dinned out on that one for years!

I did alot of work with the guitarist from The Psychedelic Furs, John Ashton, in london & in New York, back in the day, who’s great fun…”Hi John! How are ya? Happy?”… ‘What’s Happy?’… lol

REM.…3 of them were nice, guess what one wasn’t… lol… Peter Buck offered to play on a few of my songs, folks! But most of them dissapoint our (outrageously high) expectations, don’t they!

I worked with Buzzcocks for a year, which was a real eye opener to say the least, from Boy to man cliché, not the happiest of experiences, but good never or less! We all have to face the dark side at some point in our lives – “Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.” as Yoda, Jedi Master said. Use the Force, folks…

Then I went on to manage Steve Diggle for a year which was a hoot (literally), I love that Geeza… Most up & funny guy I’ve ever met!!! He’s the Keef Richards of Punk, isn’t he! If anyone was having a bad moment on tour, he’d simply say: ‘Don’t worry lads, we’ll all be dead soon!’… Diggle world! I won’t mention the other little fella in the act with his feet at quarter to two!!!…You wouldn’t be able to print it anyway…lol

The Chords are all top blokes. Brett and Chris are the most forgiving… I’ll leave that one like that… Not my finest hour…

But The King of Kings was Kenny Pickett of The Creation, who become friend, mentor & almost like a second father to me… Very sharp guy, with stories to make ya hair curl, especially the Led Zepplin days, & he was also cut from noble cloth… I can’t tell you how much I loved him in a few whimsical sentences… He recorded a song of mine… always motivated moi & was sure, certain in fact, I would find success one day, in some shape or form… Incredible man… Also (& this is heartbreaking), as you probably know, he was… err… responsible for writing GRANDAD (that is heartbreaking…lol) with Herbie ‘Walk on the wild side’ Flowers… which was the first song I ever walked on stage too, in a school play (Second was with Ronnie Corbett at London Palladium if ya interested???) & I had a picture I gave to him to proove my story. So when he died, he left all the Creation lyrics, invoices, memorablia etc. to me! So when I went to his house in Barnes for my inheritence (don’t know if that’s the right way of putting it, readers), there was that picture of me beside his gold disc for Grandad… Killer eh… People said he thought of me as his second son… Last thing he said to me was: ‘I love you’, which at least is some sort of saving Grace. Christ, listen to me… “Nurse! He’s out of bed again!”

And of course Eddie Phillips, who’s a Gent, played on some my own songs (violin bow et tout) & composed a jingle for the Show! Tons of others too… but the most interesting peoploids have never really been the so called stars, to be frank! or to be Eon… lol

12. Top Fave Tunes Right Now?

Inhaler – Miles Kane
New Life – Ian Mcnabb
Grow your own – Small Faces
Scrapeaway – The Jam
How Does it feel to feel? – The Creation
I wanna destroy you – Soft Boys
I lie in Bed – Steve Diggle
Love my Way – The Psychedelic Furs
Thursday night 1972 – Glamweazle
Slider – T-Rex
The Last Balloon – XTC
Crazy horse – The Osmonds (My first single poppickers, 1972… You do the maths…) oh & the Boxset of Quadrophenia – Whotastic.. Happy as a pig in Chardonay as Stephen Fry would say!

Love & Stuff
Sir Eon Ballinger

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Originally posted 2011-11-09 16:30:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Originally posted 2011-02-25 17:13:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter