Hangover Cures - From Proper Magazine

If you're like me & you don't just resemble Ollie Reed but you often find yourself feeling like him, then I'm sure you'd welcome all advice (however pathetic/dangerous/morally wrong it is) on how to get rid of them, so here's my advice.

More Alcohol

Of course this is an obvious choice for old hands at the drinking game like myself, but many people shy away from the bar the next day or get as far as the first drink & then bottle out or throw up. The trick is to persevere past the first drink & you're home and dry. Of course your liver will have more ulcers than a Raver’s gums but at least your eyes will stop hurting & you're less likely to get run over (I can't make any promises though).

Greasy Food

Perhaps before you go running to the boozer you may like to partake of some traditional English Breakfast fare. Now I'm all for eating healthily but this bastion of English cuisine is a perfect cure for the Sunday Morning ding dongs. Your food doesn't have to be dripping in grease but the consumption of something fatty (bacon, sausage,) along with some carbs (Beans), a dash of protein (egg) & vitamin C (tomatoes, ketchup) is medically proven to lessen the after effects of equilaiosis, the fat actually stops the weird bacteria (or something) developing in your stomach that makes you feel sick. Smart eh?

Tablets

I'm pretty much against drugs (well legal ones) but Anadin Extra are pretty good for keeping the nightmares away as are Solpadeine and so much cheaper than cocaine.

Exercise

Now the last thing anyone wants to do after drinking Aftershock all night is pop down the gym, so the best thing to do is something recreational like a kick-about in the park or a good swim (for those monumental holiday hangovers). All the sweating should flush the toxins out of your body- either that or induce a heart attack. Remember to drink plenty of H20 as well & the odd isotonic (which cares for the environment) drink such as Gatorade, Lucozade or Guinness.

Water

You drink enough of it & I swear most of your hangover problems will be over. Oh you'll piss like a Shire Horse & feel a bit bloated but once you've done a good 3-4 litres in you'll be as right as rain (you'll sound like it too). You may wish to accompany your drinking with a salt snack to both combat dehydration & encourage thirst.

Nurishment

This stuff is made in Jamaica. It contains loads of vitamins & Iron etc. They drink Rum in Jamaica- very nasty unrefined Rum and this is like an antidote. Believe it bredrin, available in most garages or cornershops in rough neighbourhoods.

Sex

What is it about hangovers that makes you feel like you've been mugged by a bull, had your mouth washed in ammonia but also give you the horn (maybe it's the bull connection, no? I'll move on)? It does though doesn't it? I think it's something to do with blood circulation or maybe we're just still pissed & gaggin for it. Without a doubt the combination of a good sweaty horizontal workout with an endorphin (i.e. natural painkiller) enriched orgasm is guaranteed to stop those monkeys clog dancing in your head.

The Two Ronnies - Fork Handles

After youtubing a bit of Reginald Perrin yesterday we came across yet more classic 1970s comedy, in the shape of The Two Ronnies.

Classic sketch below!

Clarks Desert Trek and Clarks Desert Boots now in stock!

Founded in the Somerset village of Street in 1825, Clarks shoes are a genuine British institution. They're just drenched in history.

We've just got two of their most iconic styles into the shop and suggest you get yourself involved before they're gone.

We have perhaps the standout shoe from Clarks in the shape of the Desert boot. Worn by people ranging from Jay-Z and Liam Gallagher to style conscious Grandads across the nation it is based on a design brought back to he UK by Nathan Clark after serving in the Middle East just after the World War 2. We have this shoe available in the shop or online in two colours - Brown and Cola.

We don't stop there either.

We've also got the Clark Desert Trek shoe in two colours, Chestnut and Black. Another shoe with a rich heritage dating back to the 1970s it's a sign of the times that people are demanding not just something that looks good but also something with history and proven fitness for purpose.

You can't go far wrong with either of these shoes, they're great with jeans or with more formal wear. Look just buy them ok?

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

It's not all about new Lyle and Scott polo shirts or Nicholas Deakins cord shoes here on SchindlerBlog. Oh no. We don't spend every waking hour thinking about clothes. Just most of them.

We fill in the rest of our time relaxing and watching classic comedy like The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. We've stuck a 'best of' clip below. Quite topical too with the recent updated version, BBC's 'Reggie Perrin' starring Martin Clunes. In fact you get two for the price of one today (on clips, not products!)...have a look below for more.

Hummel Track Tops are back

The 80s. When football was football. Tight shorts, 'taches, perms, mullets, that ace Denmark kit. You remember it don't you?

Well now the famed Danish sportswear brand is back and available to buy in our shop or online.

Have a look at it here. Perfect for summer nights when the sun has gone to bed but you're not ready to.

New Lyle and Scott Delivery now available in store - Polos, Shirts, Jumpers, the lot

We've just taken delivery of yet more new styles of Lyle & Scott. It speaks for itself really, doesn't it? Have a look at our Lyle & Scott Polo Shirts dept or pop in and see us.

Cord Blimey! Nicholas Deakins Cord Shoes

For many years now middle aged casual dressers, especially of the Northern persuation, have lamented the lack of suitable shoes of a corduroy nature. While adidas have reissued numerous 70s and 80s classics via their originals range, the revered 'cord shoe' popular in the North West in the 80s never seems to have materialised.

Many have tried but not quite got it right. The sole never worked, the upper was never fully cord, the lace holes were too few or too numerous.

But now from the surprising but long established shoe brand Nicholas Deakins, is the first time a modern day shoe brand has got is pretty much right. Crepe sole, full cord upper, the lot. They're ace, they really are. But they're not just for ageing fans of the luxury scruff, dressed down to dress up look. They're cool, full stop. I mean, just look at them.

The good news is we have them here in stock, in two colours. Click here to see them in more detail.

Watch it! - Check out our Timex watches.

Now that the weather demands you wear a short sleeved garment (you know like tees and polos) what better than to punctuate your soon to be bronzed forearms than a cool retro style watch from Timex.

We've got something for everyone's tastes when it comes to affordable time telling accessories (watches to me and you!). Plenty of colours on the Timex 80 watch plus retro-tastic gold and silver.

Priced reasonably between £45 and £50 these watches (or kettles if you're a rhyming slang fan...look it up!) are perfect for your summer holiday or simply for knocking about day to day. And you know with a brand like Timex you're getting quality.

Check them out here.

A slice of Stockport life - Early Doors

In our quest to show you a bit more than jackets, trainers and other clobber related stuff we thought it'd be apt to draw your attention to one of our favourite comedies- Early Doors. Written by Stockport residents Phil Mealey and Craig Cash there are numerous references to the town in the dialogue and while it has a distinctly northern feel to it, locals can spot the Stockport influence a mile off. References to Birdhall Lane (Cheadle Heath), the Bamboo Club (Hazel Grove), McVities (Heaton Chapel) are just a few of the real life places mentioned in the fictional pub where Early Doors is set.

If you're not already aware of it, here's a taster. If you are, then enjoy it again. We like it and we reckon you will too.

Lyle and Scott - Huge delivery now available in store and online

We've just taken delivery of a huge amount of Spring/Summer Lyle & Scott gear, from polos to knitwear and shirt and jackets and everything. Pumps even. Yep, Lyle & Scott pumps. Have a look at our entire range by clicking here.

20% discount on Victorinox Jackets and Polo Shirts

The Beat Club with Mani

No doubt your plans for the forthcoming Easter weekend are already formulated and probably involve beer, chocolate and making out with your significant other. But forget Easter. Next weekend is where it's at.

Because next weekend, or to be precise next Sunday (19th) sees the latest installment of The Beat Club, a night hosted by the genial Gary Mounfield who you will probably know better as former Roses and current Primal Scream member Mani.

The venue is Cord Bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter (Dorsey Street) and the event takes place every 3rd Sunday from 4pm until 10.30pm. Best of all it's free. As you'd expect for a night called The Beat Club and with Mani involved the music is a special, eclectic mix of mod, northern soul, garage, freak beat and psyche. Or so the flyer says. Rest assured it'll be a cracking night. What else are you going to do on a Sunday night anyway? Iron your slacks ready for work, you geek?

But seriously, get yourself down and support the night.

http://www.cordbar.com/

ADIDAS GAZELLE & ADIDAS AMERICANA ARRIVE

Two of the latest styles of Adidas Originals Footwear have arrived. The Adidas Gazelles in Navy/White at £55 and the Americana Low's in White at £55.

View our Adidas Originals Footwear page to have a butchers at them.

Foot-tapper of the day :: Doves - Kingdom of Rust

Prepare to feel a heady mix of both mild annoyance and a sense of wellbeing as Doves return with the title track of their new album Kingdom of Rust. That melody will have your internal jukebox sending messages to your feet (which will no doubt be adorned with a pair of adidas from our latest delivery!) telling them to tap along. And your feet won't have the will power to disagree.

It's the fourth album from the band formed in Wilmslow, a pretty posh town that sits just outside the Manchester boundary but is home to many of the city's footballers and other assorted rich buggers. It's been four years since their last offering and a lot has happened to the lads since then, which is reflected in Kingdom of Rust. It's like they've stuck to their familiar sound but moved on sufficiently to keep things fresh. And like their previous four albums it really works. So if you've got any sense you'll bag a new pair of those adidas we were talking about and stick Kingdom of Rust on your ipod as you laze about over Easter. Your foot will be tapping, we guarantee.

Bus or Train or Car - Stockport County Fanzine Clear Blue Skies

The following was taken from irregular Stockport County fanzine clearblueskies.

"We go to all away matches by bus or train or car. And we get so pissed before the game that we don’t know where we are." The above lyrics (and an article in another clubs fanzine) made me wonder which is my favourite mode of County away transport. Is it bus (well, coach)? Is it the rattler? Or is it a motor car? All undoubtedly have their merits and which one you prefer depends entirely on your circumstances and what kind of matchday routine you favour.
We’ll do them in order.......



Coach
Perhaps my least favourite mode of transport. Don’t get me wrong, on some occasions if you’ve got the right company it can be the best choice. Certain coaches allow the consumption of the odd medicinal liquid refreshment which always helps to pass the time. All things being equal though, I’d choose to travel on a coach last.



It’s the "there and back" routine I’m not really into. The fact the coaches tend to arrive shortly before kick off and leave straight after isn’t really my scene. I’m sure it suits some people perfectly and good luck to them but for long away trips I can’t think of anything worse than sitting on a cramped coach, going at 50 mph, listening to a cacophony of excitable, badly behaved kids, opinionated men and the sound of someone eating yet another tube of sour cream and chives pringles which fucking stink by the way.



That brings me onto another point. The smell. In fact it’s not even a smell. It’s not an aroma at all. It’s a stench. That’s what it is. A stench. It’s a mixture of stale beer, sweat, pie farts and depending on your proximity to the little box masquerading as a toilet...pure shit.



As I write this I can’t help a wry smile appearing on my face. Maybe it’s a love/hate relationship I actually have with coaches? Maybe there’s something strangely appealing about the whole thing? Some coaches are undoubtedly more enjoyable an experience than others and perhaps if the return journey wasn’t so smelly/arduous we’d view coach trips with a lot more fondness.



Train
I won’t beat about the bush. I love trains, me. I love the whole process. The pursuit of cheap tickets weeks in advance is the start of it. These days you can check on the internet but even then there are sometimes hidden money savers that won’t be apparent via the web. Stuff like 4 for the price of 2 for Hereford away. It’s deals like this that often make train trips a genuine bargain.



Even when there are cheaper options on offer the train is usually good value. I recently paid the full £62 fare to get to London for our game at Dagenham. In fact with the tube
fare it totalled over £70 and meant I spent roughly 8 hours of my day on a train. I was also asked whether I could read by the most patronising woman who has ever walked the earth when I dared to have a relaxed chat with a friend in the comfort of the quiet zone. Fair enough, if she’d been nice about it we’d have apologised and either shut up or moved but no. "Can you read?". My "Of course I can read, there’s no need to be patronising" comeback was somewhat undermined by the response of my traveling companion who drunkenly retorted "Stop moaning you toffee nosed bitch".



Stuck up women apart though, the journey home passed quickly and the journey there flew by even quicker. I think it’s the comfort and the chance to use passable toilets and actually have a walk around. A train journey is also more adventurous. Compared with the car or the coach, most train journeys involve having to get from the station to the ground. London aways in particular have huge scope for a bit of exploration which is why for most London trips there are often several County fans on the 6am train.



So yes, I like trains. It’s a mixture of comfort, speed and an element of adventure that does it I think. If you can get you ticket cheaply then even better.



Car
I’m a non driver. I’ll get that out of the way straight away. I had over 20 lessons when I was 17 but for various reasons I didn’t pursue learning to drive. It didn’t interest me really. I tried two instructors, the first of which always absolutely stank of garlic and it often made me feel sick as he fired instructions at me from close proximity. He wasn’t even French- he lived in Hazel Grove. The second chap started to actually teach me more than how to hold my nose while doing a three point turn but I went on holiday and when I came back he’d retired. I gave up after that.
Despite the fact I’m always a passenger on away trips in the car and therefore don’t have the hassle of having to concentrate on the road, I still can’t be arsed with them in the main. Most recently I shared a nice big comfortable car with some friends on an away trip to Shrewsbury. Maybe it was their terrible excuse for a football ground, coupled with the poor result that makes me look back on the day through shite tinted glasses. Maybe it was the fact I’d spent 4 hours solidly playing the boxing game on my new Nintendo Wii the night before that left me feeling like I’d been run over as I got out of the car on arriving home. Or maybe it was the fact I’d just spent several hours traveling in a car with several other people all squashed in like it was some kind of endurance experiment.



I was immensely grateful to actually get to the game but the comfort aspect of the journey was non existent. Generally speaking the car can sometimes be the best option. Night games for example often require a quick ‘get in, get out’ approach (See Morecambe away this season).





Convenience is sometimes a factor.



Maybe if one day they invent a car that people who can’t drive can use, and that car has special roomy seats and a telly you can watch while driving, and maybe a stewardess to brew up, massage you while driving..maybe then I’ll hail the car as the ultimate away day traveling experience. Until then though, it will be relegated to the ‘oh go on then if that’s the only way’ option.

Monday's Movie - Raining Stones

We kick off the week by continuing to offer you an insight into what we're about. Monday's Movie this week is cult classic 'Raining Stones'. Another film by acclaimed director Ken Loach it was released back in 1993 and starred the then unknown Bruce Jones who of course went on to play Les Battersby in Coronation Street. Also featuring was Ricky 'my arse' Tomlinson.

The story follows Jones' character 'Bob' whose struggle to find the cash for his daughters first communion is the sad theme on which the story is built. Despite this there are untold funny moments and the film is typical of Loach's 'Slice of Life' approach. We think it's a top film anyway, and highly recommend you ignore all the Hollywood big budget stuff and look closer to home. Get it watched!

Wednesday's Waffle

Each week we're aiming to bring you a bit of something either taken directly from or inspired by local fanzine propermag.

To start this we've dug into their archives and are happy to bring you an interview with top UK designer Kenneth MacKenzie who is behind the brand 6876.

The following is taken from Issue 3 of Proper Magazine, originally released in early 2007. This magazine is available both from us here at Schindler or online from propermag.com.

We hear you're on the verge of expansion, with a new distributor and your gear available in more outlets? Is that true?

Yes basically after the break with the brand i gave myself 2-3 years to get everything back to a certain level and in fact its taken almost four but now there isn't really anyway i keep working in the same manner. The brand needs to develop and the best way is for me to allocate more of my time to working on product & creative areas rather dealing with everything.
The agency is ran by an old friend as i didn't really want to hand over to just any operation so although we haven't really started yet i am so far really content with how the relationship is going to unfold. In terms of distribution there will not be a massive change its just that certain cities that we don't have stockists in will now be taken care of and developed.

Also with a brand like 6876 the most difficult part of our work is getting the clothing produced as factories want to have larger numbers than we currently don't sell so its like a war trying to make sure the quality & delivery times are good, so the only way to get better service is to have more production power i.e larger orders.

Finally i have been approached with regard to various collaborations & consultancies so if the correct one came along the distribution deal gives me the time to able to work on something else.
Those who have seen your new collection for A/W 07 say it's one of your best yet. Why do you think that is?

Autumn winter collections always offer more scope in terms of styles and fabrics that you can use plus we have re-introduced accessories which worked out quite well. Also there was a definite move to a more specialist aspect to each and every fabric for the outerwear as i think customers want to know they are getting something reasonably exclusive.

Final point bear with us because this collection has been a real struggle to produce due to fabric deliveries / availability so i hope its worth the struggle & wait!

What are the highlights of A/W07?

The fabrics are really interesting: technical wools, cotton with climate control paraffin print backing, C Change technology & waxed cotton.

Styles are a mixture between a more clothing feel and sportswear which i think works well & gives the collection a quite grown up feel.

Is it true your sizing will be a little more generous than before?

Yes we are making certain styles that are more sportswear orientated larger although knitwear & shirting is still quite exact.

We are trying but its difficult to please everyone.

Most of our readership would fit loosely under the heading of 'casuals'. Are you aware of the ever increasing appreciation of your stuff in those circles and what do you think of those types wearing it?

For me i think its a good thing as i like the close-knit and loyal aspect of the "casuals" community.

Also i think after the huge exposure of men's fashion over the last 10-15 years i think in terms of the mainstream media that the situation has regressed and many magazines do not really relate to what many men really like to wear & tend to portray the kind of fashion that they (the magazines) think is directional.

Personally i think we appeal to quite a diversity of men but the "casuals" scene is a good arena to be appreciated in as the individuals themselves are passionate about fabrics & detailing etc.

Also its good to have customers who like football in an old school way.

Do you think the politics and the punk aspects of the brand name are reflected in your designs at all? We recently saw some t-shirts with obvious influences but I'm thinking in more general terms?

The influences are more of an attitude and spirit rather than clothing. (although originally with punk people wore second hand clothes )

Basically that we are an independent company as opposed to corporate & that i try and bring into the brand image all my interests (whether people get it or not) plus that we present our clothing through collaborations with photographers/film makers & musicians which i think is quite a DIY perspective.

The T-shirts were a re-issue from when we first started & although many people requested that we produced them again i still had doubts as appropriated "political" imagery in fashion has been kind of trashed by those that don't even know what they are talking about or have those views.

So we have now moved to a collaboration with Scott King for T-shirts which are his designs and i think the way we work does always have "our" spirit that larger brands can't really replicate even if they wanted to. We may work on a very political but practical project for next summer outwith the collection but its under wraps at the moment.

How did the collaborations with Maharishi come about?

When i was leaving my old job pre-6876 Hardy came in with his first range and i ordered it for the store & we've known each other since then with quite a few mutual friends. He always wanted to work on collaborations especially as it might not be that obvious to some people & i think that was part of the reason. It’s easy to do the expected. (i think some people didn't like it!)

Is it true you turned down the chance to work with the people behind the likes of CP Company and Stone Island, SPA Sportswear in Italy? If so why?

Not really we met through the Four Marketing guys and had a good meeting but my ex-business partner went down with everyone like a lead weight!

i could elaborate but suffice to say anything that could have developed was kind of stopped then and there...also it was a very exploratory meeting note that specific. Anyway its fate i am content the way things turned out...plus its not as if they don't know where i am.

While 6876 dates back to 1995 you split from your financial partner in around 2002 (?). What is your take on these events? Was it a positive thing and do you think you'd be in a different position today if things had continued as normal?

From the outside everything looked very promising but there were many conflicts and the main one was distribution in Japan as my ex-partner wanted me to work with his man which really spoilt that market for me.

Basically since the split i have spent allot of time over there business and pleasure. Basically when everyone is not pulling in the same direction its very frustrating and it never felt that solid. Although the brand might have been further down the line and its been really hard the last few years at least i am in total control.

You started 6876 from humble beginnings. What inspired you back then? Were there any designers in particular who you looked up to?

I had just had enough of working for other people & with product i wasn't that passionate about.
When i first started there was a basic premise: understated quality clothing that actually worked & that didn't reply on inflated hype or branding. Influences: Military & vintage clothing. Designers / Brands: Massimo Osti, Patagonia, Ralph Lauren & in their early days Comme Des Garcons. Sometimes its brands/designers that aren't that similar to 6876 for instance in Japan there's Porter bags that i have always bought & recently a workwear/denim brand called Kapital.

Is it possible to define what 6876 is about in 4 words?

Impossible! ..........Design,product,distinctive & stubborn!

Tuesday's Tunes

Another regular feature on the Schindler Blog sees us share some of our favourite music with you. We've started with a youtube vid of cult pirate radio station Soul Nation 104.6FM, based in Manchester in the 90s.