Virgin give away free CDs and other news

 Just a quick one.

Free Music For Suckers

A couple of weeks ago we undertook our most daring prank to date, a fake Virgin Megastore guerilla marketing campaign. 1000's of shoppers, the press and even Steve, the Glasgow Virgin Megastore manager, were lead to believe that hundreds of the stores CDs would be free.

Find out what happened here - http://www.thevacuumcleaner.co.uk/freemusicforsuckers/

Other stuff.

Over the last 6 months we've undertaken a few small pieces including some graffiti, letter writing, a radio disadvert and a brief appearance on Channel 4.

Find out more here - http://www.thevacuumcleaner.co.uk/others.html 

have a good winter rest

the vacuum cleaner xx

http://www.thevacuumcleaner.co.uk

With or without the M74

"With or without the M74"

Strathclyde architecture students present initial analysis and
thoughts from the first part of their one-year project looking at the
route of the Urban M74 with or without the motorway. The M74 is the
largest urban intervention in the city for 30 years and appears to
have been ignored by the architectural world.

Tuesday 19 December, 7.30pm

Govanhill Neighbourhood Centre, 6 Daisy Street, Glasgow, G42 8JL

ALL WELCOME

REMINDER - radical book fair event this saturday in Glasgow.

REMEMBER THIS SATURDAY

...the Radical Independent Book fair project
NEXT event - Sat 16th December, 11am - 9pm, CCA Glasgow, 350
Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD. FREE entry.

A ten hour long mini book fair event bringing together independent
publications and producers of interesting reading matter, exciting
visuals, vivid films and stimulating political discourse. There will
be information and materials in varying formats ranging from Audio
CDs, Badges, Books, Cards, CD roms, DVDs, Journals, Leaflets,
Magazines, Newspapers, Pamphlets, Prints, Stickers, T-shirts and Tapes.

...supporting small press publishers and independent
producers...circulating radical reading materials and information...

---------

Participants / titles include...

AK Distribution
AK Press
Anarchist Critic
Angry Artworks
Argyll Publishing
Autonomi
Camcorder Guerillas
Class War
Community Action
Community Infosource
Counter Information
Critique
Document - International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
Feral Trade
Free Association
GAP
the Glasgow Keelie
Glasgow User Manual
Here and Now
Iran Bulletin
INC
IWW
Metaphrog
Mute
New Social Art School
Object Permanence
Product
Radical Philosopy
Socialist Register
Source
Stuart Murray
Variant
Voline Press

amongst others....

ACE bank-hoax video online now

Masterminds behind unethical bank revealed.

October 2006. A mysterious bank suddenly appears on the Belgian market.
The bank is proud to invest in the arms industry, oil- and gas,
nuclear power, agrochemicals and companies violating their workers'
rights. ACE* bank immediately provokes reactions.

After weeks of outrage, enthousiasm and speculations, the belgian ngo
Netwerk Vlaanderen reveals to be the mastermind behind this fake
bank. The action turns out to be part of the campaign My Money. Clear
Conscience?, which protests against controversial investments by
commercial banks.

This is the amazing ACE* bank story. You can enjoy the video at
www.ace-bank.eu (english)

The Launch

In october 2006, a mysterious bank introduces itself on the Belgian
market. The bank claims to be the initiative of a major financial
group which doesn't want to reveal its identity yet. ACE* bank is a
bank with a clear policy: maximum profit, no scruples. Sick of the
growing pressure for 'politically correct' investments and
sustainability, this young shark fully goes for controversial
investments. ACE* bank specialises in investments in the arms
industry, oil- and gas, nuclear power, agrochemicals and companies
violating their workers' rights. ACE* bank believes firmly in this
policy but wants to test the waters: is the customer ready for this
straightforward no-nonsense approach? Brussels is chosen as a
starting point for a European market research. The first promotion
office opens on the 11th of october. A motivated team of salesmen
and -women call in passers-by for an interview about their opinion on
the ACE* investment portfolios. Some people are shocked by the
details they receive about the investments by ACE*, others like its
honesty. The mediastrategy

Everyone is curious about ACE* bank. The major Belgian newspapers
report about the launch of this remarkable newcomer on the market.
ACE* bank goes for an agressive media approach. Two days after the
opening of the Brussels office, the bank sends out a new press
release, boasting 'ACE* bank is the Ryan Air of the Financial World'.
The bank promises higher interest rates then any other bank, thanks
to its low salaries and its choice for interesting projects like
Sakhalin, the Russian oil- and gas exploration by Shell. ACE* bank
criticises any bank that gives in to pressure from political groups
and promises the clients not to miss great investment opportunities
like this. Again, the press reacts amased and with curiosity. This is
a daring approach, a new wind in the financial world.

The outrage

In the meantime, speculations about who is behind this controversial
new bank are rising. Journalists start guessing and start pushing the
ACE* bank spokesperson for details. He refuses to name the financial
backers, but announces to publish their names shortly. At that point,
the rumour about the new bank has reached the Commission of Banks and
Insurances (CBFA), the commission that controls all the activities by
financial institutions on the belgian market. A CBFA deputy director
has been alarmed about ACE* bank, which seems to operate without the
necessary licences. He rushes to the trendy ACE* promotion office and
bumps into the spokesperson of the bank, who tells him to come back
during office hours. After a brief and heated discussion, the CBFA
deputy director storms down to the nearest police office to file a
complaint. That same evening, CBFA decides to send out press releases
about the illegal activities of ACE* bank, warning the world against
this obscure new company.

The suspense

ACE* bank decides it's time to react. The bank anounces a press
conference a couple of days later, promising to reveal its
marketstrategy and financial backers. The press goes mad. Journalists
don't know what to think about this. Is ACE* real? Is it a commercial
stunt by another bank? Is this bank trying to convince people about
the opposite of what it promotes? Is there an ngo behind it? The ACE*
bank spokespersons telephone starts ringing of the hook. But ACE*
bank doesn't put its cards on the table yet. The press has to wait
until the press conference. Some journalists decide not to wait. They
start to investigate all possible options. Maybe ACE* bank doesn't
really exist. What if it's a campaign? The main suspects, Oxfam,
Greenpeace, Netwerk Vlaanderen, etc are questioned about their
involvement. Nobody knows anything. Newspapers phone the major
communications- and PR bureaus, other banks, advertising specialists
etc. Nobody knows anything. But the holes in the net are tightening.
One journalist discovers that the ACE* bank office is rented by the
City of Brussels. He even manages to get hold of the contracts. He
discovers that Netwerk Vlaanderen and the City plan an exhibition
about 'sustainable investments', later that month. The same
journalist phones Netwerk Vlaanderen undercover, claiming he wants to
volunteer for this event. Netwerk tells him the project has been
cancelled due to lack of resources. This doesn't stop the newspapers
from publishing articles which hesitatingly point at Netwerk
Vlaanderen as the main suspect. Not surprisingly, as Netwerk
Vlaanderen is known for its direct and confrontational actions about
banks. But nobody is absolutely sure, so the pressconference is packed.

The repression

The Commission of Banks and Insurances finds out about the press
conference and decides to take action. Whoever is behind this bank,
they have to be stopped! 20 minutes before the press conference
starts, a group of plain clothed police officers arrives at the bank,
with a clear order to arrest all ACE* bank employees. Some of them
have a nose for this kind of danger and manage to escape. They call
for reinforcements. A diplomat is sent in to negotiate. After his
decisive briefing, the officers start laughing and decide to go and
have a beer in the nearest pub.The press conference can go ahead as
planned. ACE* bank grabs the opportunity to explain to the
journalists that it does not differ fundamentally from other banks.
The companies in its investment funds also occur in those of
financial groups like AXA, ING, Fortis, KBC and Dexia. Why wouldn't
ACE bank be allowed to do the same?

The reveal

The spokespersons assistant starts reading out all the messages of
support the bank has received by its potential customers, ending with
some more obscure messages from people who feel the urge to throw in
the windows and come and puke on the ACE* bank carpet (sic). Do the
ladies and gentlemen of the press have any more questions? Silence,
discomfort and confusion. "In that case, we only want to add one
element to your dossier and introduce you to the mastermind behind
ACE bank." Finally, the moment of truth! As if from nowhere, two
representatives of Netwerk Vlaanderen enter the building.

* ACE bank is not a bank. This is not a hoax. Any resemblance with an
existing financial group is purely coincidential. And any other
possible dislaimer which keeps banks and their lawyers of our backs.
Thank you.

Christmas Demo!!

Hi folks

and seasonal greetings to you all. The As used on the famous Nelson Mandela tour is almost finished and I wanted to say thanks to those of you who made it along. There is one more Mass Lone Demo in 2006. Demo date the 20th of December 5.30-7.00pm.

This one promises to be quite a good one as Santa and his elves are coming along. In fact Santa and his tiny little helpers will be paying a visit to Charing Cross police station to hand in their forms lunchtime Monday the 11th. So for those who wish to join Santa's merry band of elfin chums then come along and hand your forms 12.30-2.00pm on Monday 11th...and remember Santa's helper always dress up. There will be the normal evening hand in of forms on the 13th for those who can't make the 11th or have no inclination to wear green pointy hats. For those who can not hand their forms in for whatever reason but want to make the demo remember you can send them recorded delivery to Charing Cross police station.

See you out there. Ho ho ho.

Mark Thomas

Feral Trade Coffee from El Salvador will be available @ Glasgow - Radical Independent Book Fair project

Feral Trade Coffee from El Salvador will be available @ Glasgow -
Radical Independent Book Fair project

Sat 16th December, 11am - 9pm, CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street,
G2 3JD

http://www.feraltrade.org/

Feral Trade is trading goods over social networks.

The coffee is now traded on through the UK and Europe over social,
cultural, familial and occupational networks. Feral Trade diverts the
business of grocery running, using the surplus freight capacity of
commuter, vacation, migration, cultural and other social movements
for the underground distribution of goods.



Glasgow - Radical Independent Book fair project

...self-organised bi-monthly events, bringing regular access to
independent & radical publishers / producers back to Glasgow...

the Radical Independent Book Fair project...

Within Britain, Scotland and specifically Glasgow there are fewer and
fewer outlets for independent and radical materials. Corporate
bookshops rule the roost and offer little in the way of counter
culture, radical voices or local independent materials. The Radical
Independent Book fair project (RIB) has come about to help redress
this imbalance... RIB is a collection of individuals and groups who
produce publications, information and materials for sale, view and
free distribution. The project is self-financed by the participants,
no public or corporate monies are involved, no one takes a wage, it
is not party politically aligned and is autonomous from other
organisations. The project is not just an occasional bookshop and
travelling bookstall... it is also a temporary library, a
videotheque, a meeting point for distribution, discussion and ideas,
as well as a place to come and have a blether.

...the Radical Independent Book fair project
NEXT event - Sat 16th December, 11am - 9pm, CCA Glasgow, 350
Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD. FREE entry.

A ten hour long mini book fair event bringing together independent
publications and producers of interesting reading matter, exciting
visuals, vivid films and stimulating political discourse. There will
be information and materials in varying formats ranging from Audio
CDs, Badges, Books, Cards, CD roms, DVDs, Journals, Leaflets,
Magazines, Newspapers, Pamphlets, Prints, Stickers, T-shirts and Tapes.

...supporting small press publishers and independent
producers...circulating radical reading materials and information...

rib@angryartworks.com
http://www.agitcollage.org/angry/events/rib.htm

BUY NOTHING XMAS!!

Dear Jammers and Creatives,

Now that the dust has settled, we can finally say with confidence that
-- thanks to the fantastic efforts of organizers and activists from all
over the world -- Buy Nothing Day 2006 was one of the most successful
yet. We've caught wind of street parties, community events, and direct
actions in at least 101 cities in 26 countries, as well as over 200
media hits from across 6 continents (though we're still waiting to hear
from Antarctica!). Here are some of the highlights:

* MANCHESTER, UK: A radical samba band storms a mall with their
irresistible rhythms.

* MONTREAL, CANADA: Shocked downtown shoppers witness the terrifying
"shopping spree of the dead."

* TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Frolicking "buy no evil" monkeys entertain crowds in
the shadow of the world's tallest building.

* MADRID, SPAIN: Despondent "shoppers" wail and grieve to passersby in a
crowded commercial district.

* NAGANO, JAPAN: Corporate brands compete to wallop the Earth in a game
of Global Cup Soccer.

* MUMBAI, INDIA: Young activists celebrate what is quite possibly the
first ever BND in India!

* PHILADELPHIA, USA: The USAntiheroes use their considerable superpowers
to throw a massive downtown block party.

* NEW YORK, USA: Reverend Billy and his faithful followers exorcize the
consumerism devil from a Victoria's Secret cash register.

* PIRACICABA, BRAZIL: University students hold a conference on
overconsumption and its consequences.

* COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: Experimental theatre group Terra Nova brings a
frenetic display of gluttony to a city square.

* VIENNA, AUSTRIA: Santa Claus sets out lawn chairs and free soup and
coffee to help shoppers take a break from consumption.

For more details, pics and posters, visit:
<http://www.adbusters.org/bnd/>

Once you've had a chance to take a look at all of the events and media
hits, you may notice a certain trend: a lot of people are making the
connection between the day-to-day overconsumption that Buy Nothing Day
seeks to expose, and the stressed-out, hyped-up, dumbed-down orgy of
shopping that we still quaintly call "the holidays."

So why not keep up the non-shopping momentum with a Buy Nothing
Christmas? With the simplest of plans you can create a new rhythm,
purpose and spirit for one of the West's chief cultural rituals, now
warped beyond recognition. Consider it a cultural project for the those
seeking a little consumer sanity, a way to rescue our shared traditions
from corporate interests and those who confuse big sales with real
cultural meaning.

And if a Buy Nothing Christmas is too extreme for grandma and the kids,
maybe try a Buy Less Christmas. Or a Buy Fairer Christmas. Or a
Slow-Down Christmas. Invent the new and rediscover the old. Whatever you
decide, 'tis the season to reclaim our celebration from the grip of
commercial forces.

We'll be launching our new online headquarters for Buy Nothing Christmas
next week; in the meantime, visit our existing site at
<http://www.adbusters.org/bnd/> to find out how like-minded people
worldwide are preparing for a less materialist, more meaningful holiday
season.

Cheers,
The Buy Nothing Team.

-----------------------------------
NOW ON NEWSSTANDS
-----------------------------------

Pop by Adbusters.org or your local magazine rack for a copy of our
latest special issue: The Big Ideas of 2007.

* THE REVOLUTION WILL BEGIN WITH A TEXTBOOK Ecological economist Tom
Green on why two new textbooks have the power to change the world.

* BELIEVERS & DECEIVERS Cognitive dissonance and the psychology of US
power at play on the global political stage, by Deborah Campbell.

* THE GREAT URBAN OUTDOORS David Nicholson-Lord's take on how affluence
and self-indulgence are steering us away from the natural world.

* MY FIRST RIOT A tale of race, rebellion, and amateur theatrics in a
California prison, by Saint James Harris Wood.

Plus opinion, analysis & fiction by Tariq Ali, Peter Herman, Eric
Rumble, Mark Lynas, Eric Johnston, Jorge Barrera, David Kootnikoff,
Janet Biehl, Gregory Benchwick . . . Illustrations & images by Gregory
Crewdson, Rene Burri, Lorna Simpson, Larry Sultan, Randall Cosco, Hugo
Tillman, Sebastian Diaz Morales, Anne Wallace, Ed Kashi, Tomas Sanchez,
Wayne Coe . . .

SUBSCRIBE TODAY at <http://www.adbusters.org>. Get a two-year
subscription, or re-subscribe for two years, and you'll get a 2007
Adbusters calendar free of charge!

-----------------------------------------------------
READ IT NOW AT ADBUSTERS.ORG
-----------------------------------------------------

FIRST WORLD FASCISMO
By Adbusters Staff
After seventy years of being bandied about willy-nilly, fascism
- the epithet - doesn't seem to have quite the punch that it used to.
Yet fascism may still have a surprise or two in store for us...
READ MORE: <http://www.adbusters.org/the_magazine/>

BRAZIL'S LANDLESS PIONEERS
By Wilson McCourtney
In a country like Brazil, which has both the land and the natural
resources to feed the needs of all of Latin America, it's hard to
believe that people are forced to live hand-to-mouth in overcrowded
urban ghettos, but this is indeed the case. Today, Brazil has become a
breeding ground for organizations that are willing to adopt radical
means to forcibly re-distribute farmland to the urban and rural poor...
READ MORE: <http://www.adbusters.org/the_magazine/>

--------------------------------------------------
Get this from a friend? Want to join the Culture Jammers Network? Visit:
<http://www.adbusters.org/network/>

To unsubscribe from the list, simply send a blank message to:
jammers-unsubscribe@lists.adbusters.org

Nuts and Seeds Holiday Party!

This Sunday is the Nuts and Seeds holiday party, it's
a benefit for friends of the earth scotland and all
are welcome.

Sunday 3rd December
9:30 until 2am

At Oran Mor

Dananananaykroyd
This is the last chance to see this duel-drummered
sextet before an earth-shattering line up change and
meteoric ascent into super stardom. This is the last
show I'm playing with the band so thanks for all kind
words and support. Expect the soundtrack to a euphoric
non-gender-exclusive party mosh a bit like Andrew WK
and Life Without Buildings.
www.dananananaykroyd.com

We Are The Physics
Suave attire and awesome songs that are all angles and
howling brilliance. Time to get locked into a dance
and the future.
www.wearethephysics.com

Park Attack
A humbling local rock monster made of thundering chug,
pummeling drums, blistering noise and infant squeals.
Maybe have a think about Flipper and the Make up.
www.parkattack.co.uk

Lucky Luke
Awesome home-cooked folk sounds. They have indie
sensibilities, stunning melodies, Velvet
Underground-esque noise and additional excellent
qualities.
www.luckyluke.co.uk

...then it’s the Disco Party

When the bands have played there will be a holiday
disco with records being played by Rock Action and
Nuts and Seeds Djs. We’ll play songs by Andrew WK,
Architecture in Helsinki, Le Tigre, Kelis, The Yummy
Fur, Maximum Joy, Carly Simon, Paul Simon, Life
Without Buildings, Prince, King, The Futureheads, Roxy
Music, The Cure, Devo, Hella, The Knack, Rush, R
Kelly, Hot Club De Paris, Minutemen, Bruce
Springsteen, Madonna, Rage Against the Machine,
Blondie, the Jackson 5, Funkadelic, Buddy Holly,
Pavement, The Who, Delta 5, Errors, ACDC and The
Clash.

It's four pounds (all profit goes to Friends of the
Earth Scotland)

for more information and to listen to the bands go to

www.myspace.com/nutsseeds

CLIMATE CHANGE "OPERA" OPENS IN SQUARE MILE

NEW OPERA CREATES 'SOUNDTRACK FOR THE ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE'

Today sees the launch of And While London Burns - a compelling collision of thriller, opera and guided walk that dramatically explores London's Square Mile and its role in climate change.

 An 'opera for one', it takes the audience equipped with an mp3-player on a walking audio adventure through the skyscrapers, streets and alleyways of the City.

 This unusual work catapults the climate crisis from the cold realms of science and economics into the emotional world of culture.

And While London Burns leads the headphone-wearing participants on a mystery tour, experiencing the City through the eyes of a tormented financial worker, who encounters Roman ruins, real life City characters, bank trading rooms, buried rivers, and relics from the Great Fire. The audio tour explores the role of companies including BP, Royal Bank of Scotland and Swiss Re in fueling climate change.

Starring recent Olivier Award nominee Douglas Hodge[1], and produced by award -winning arts company PLATFORM,[2] the track is downloadable for free from http://www.andwhilelondonburns.com and can be experienced at any time of the week.

Pre-viewing theatre critic Robert Butler writes [3]: "The journey becomes a magical mystery tour, a London walk, a political essay, a short story and a requiem"

 James Marriott [4], co-writer, says: "The theme of this opera is not fiction, and this is emphasised by it being staged in real space, among real characters. This is a soundtrack for the era of climate change".

 John Jordan [5], fellow librettist, continued: "We know the numbers, graphs, models and terrifying predictions of the climate catastrophe that faces us, but until we are truly moved to feel the scale of the crisis, then there is little hope that our society will go beyond the cataclysmic scenario of business as usual."

 Composer Isa Suarez's [6] stirring score evokes London's fiery past, oil drenched present and a dark unknowable future and is performed by some of the UK's best contemporary musicians including BBC Jazz award winning clarinettist Alan Barnes and acclaimed cellist Robin Michael. She describes And While London Burns as a  "requiem for the warming world."

THE MURKY WORLD OF LATENT HEAT (CLOUD PIECE)

THE MURKY WORLD OF LATENT HEAT (CLOUD PIECE)

Nic Green

I love clouds. I will be trying to surround myself with as many as possible.
To help me I will need:
A Trangia (for heating),
A brown fan (for blowing)
My own bodily fluids (for moisture)
Rain water (also for moisture)
All purpose sealant (for beauty)
A lighter (for emotional songs)
Thank you

Tues 5 December 2006 -  Thurs 7 December 2006
8pm £5.00 (Concs £3.00) Scratch

at BAC, Lavender Hill, London, SW11 5TN

call our Box Office on 020 7223 2223. or book online: http://www.bac.org.uk/whatsonresult.php?id=2806