Motionless in White review – gothically glam US metalcore will put a grin on your face
Motionless in White have the commendable quality of a stadium-headlining band playing a 2,000-capacity theatre. Formed almost 20 years ago in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the metalcore five-piece lay it on thick from the off, with dancing girls, pyrotechnics and a wall of Blade Runner visuals to match the colossal riffs of recent single Meltdown. Lead vocalist Chris 'Motionless' Cerulli is darkly handsome in a sleek black coat, incongruously low-key compared to his corpse paint-wearing bandmates. But his goth smarts against the cartoonish metal surroundings are a neat analogue for the band's sound: classic metalcore with a glam, gothic edge.
He may be relatively unshowy, but Cerulli's impressively malleable voice carries the show's emotional and musical surges. Another Life allows him to embrace post-hardcore melodrama, and ballad Masterpiece is arguably his best showcase, as he switches from a soaring emo chorus to a snarling breakdown. Hardcore ripper Slaughterhouse ignites pure carnage in the pit, even if the guest vocals from Fit for a King's Ryan Kirby aren't as gnarly as those on the recording, by Bryan Garris of hardcore heroes Knocked Loose.
The band have a charming Misfits-meets-Creeper tendency towards Halloween theatrics. The synth-pop jam Werewolf is appropriately introduced with Vincent Price's Thriller monologue, and the dancers are dressed in a series of classic costumes (skeletons, cheerleaders, chainsaw-wielders), at one point stopping to throw sweets from buckets into the audience. When they don Mean Girls-esque outfits of rodent ears and rubber miniskirts during Rats, it's knowing and silly, especially when Cerulli briefly joins in their routine. The song is a riotous glam stomper, cliched but none worse for it (sample lyric: 'Roses are red / and my heart is black').
Motionless in White have long been likened to Marilyn Manson, an unfortunate comparison in 2025. Their music leans heavier than Manson, but their embrace of glam rock swagger and gothic drama is certainly comparable, albeit presented with an attitude that is more earnest than menacing. After seeing this aesthetic used for nefarious purposes, it's fun to spend time with a band who appreciate its inherent playfulness.
Motionless in White play Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 21 February and Brixton Academy, London, 22 February.
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Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
90s Glasgow band back with new album of 'covers and collaborations'
'Being asked to tour Hungary as part of a Scottish contingent for the British Arts Council in 1996,' she says, 'and performing as part of a Creeping Bent Organisation label night at John Peel's Meltdown in 1998.' 'At the first, the audiences were pretty hard core, which The Seret Goldfish definitely is not. The trip is immortalised in the song 4 Excited People." She adds: 'The second was a spectacular night, which included performances by Adventures in Stereo, The Leopards and a brief appearance by Vic Godard, and it was brilliantly compered by the much missed poet, Jock Scot.' The Secret Goldfish will be launching their fourth album, Empty Holster, at a special showcase on June 21 in Glasgow's Glad Café. Ex-Orange Juice guitarist James Kirk will be performing with the band and The Cords will be appearing as special guests. The Secret Goldfish BBC presenter Nicola Meighan will be interviewing Katy about 30 years of The Secret Goldfish, her early music career with the Fizzbombs, and her memoir of music and family, Matilda in the Middle. Nicola will also be interviewing Katy's husband, the musician and songwriter Douglas MacIntyre, about three decades of running The Creeping Bent Organisation record label, which is closing down at the end of the year. Katy Lironi and her husband Douglas MacIntyre (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Empty Holster has been many years in the gestation, explains Katy, who has been collating songs by her favourite songwriters since 1996. The album tracks have been recorded sporadically over recent decades and were finally completed at Green Door studio in Glasgow and mastered by Samuel Joseph Smith. 'Why now? Well, this is the final year of operation for CBO and I am someone who needs a deadline,' she laughs. 'I guess the planets have just aligned and this is its moment.' It is a record of covers – Holiday Hymn by Subway Sect's Vic Godard, Get on Board by James Kirk and tracks by The Shop Assistants and The Beach Boys – and collaborations, including Adventures in Stereo's Jim Beattie and Davy Henderson of Fire Engines and The Sexual Objects fame. It includes an impressive array of musical guest appearances, including Mick Slaven of The Bluebells, Campbell Owens of Aztec Camera, Francis Macdonald of Teenage Fanclub and Katy and Douglas's daughter Amelia Lironi, of up-and-coming funk-popsters QUAD90. QUAD90 (Image: Chris Hogge) There is also a new song on the album, says Katy. 'Louche Life is a song we wrote with James Kirk and it seemed to fit with the overall spirit of collaboration of the album,' she explains. 'I love working with James because you never quite know what direction he'll take or what lyrics he'll sing. 'We appeared on Marc Riley's 6 Music show a few years ago and James rewrote a whole load of lyrics in the car on the way down to Manchester for the session.' Katy adds: 'Collaboration is the root of all the very best creativity and it also brings out the best in us. 'To have my absolutely favourite songwriters and artists on this album is magical - perfectly topped off by singing in tandem with my daughter Amelia, who was still space-dust when the earliest songs on the album were initially recorded. 'It's fairly surreal.' Katy's book, Matilda in the Middle, is a memoir of music and family. Choir 21 (Image: Ginger Horticulture) 'It's largely about how important music is the lives of many in the Downs syndrome community, my own daughter Matilda included,' she says. 'Bringing out the book has been a highlight of the last year for me and being able to take it to so many festivals has been an amazing experience. 'I've really enjoyed introducing the audiences to Choir 21, the Makaton choir of teens and adults with Ds that I run in my role with Downs syndrome Scotland. 'We took a small contingent from Choir 21 down to the DSS garden at the Chelsea flower show last month. 'We performed an original song, Our Chelsea Anthem, co-written with Douglas and Ken McCluskey of The Bluebells, who are our patrons.' She adds, smiling: 'It was an amazing experience for our young people and Chelsea didn't know what had hit it.' The release of the Empty Holster does not mark the end of The Secret Goldfish – far from it, says Katy. 'There's always another album in the making,' she says. 'And we are always open to touring. When CBO finally comes to a close, we expect to have loads of time between work and family, to fill with more musical adventures.' The Secret Goldfish are at the Glad Café on June 21.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Daily Mail
'Crazy plane lady' Tiffany Gomas announces new career move two years after viral plane rant
The 'crazy plane lady' who went viral for her meltdown on an American Airlines flight has launched a new career move nearly two years after her infamous plane rant. Tiffany Gomas, 40, went viral for screaming 'that motherf***er back there is not real' before being escorted off the flight from Fort Worth to Orlando, Florida, in July 2023. She previously explained the background to the incident and said she became embroiled in a 'little bit of an altercation' with another passenger and 'it spiraled out of control.' On Tuesday, Gomas announced on X that she is relaunching her Passes account - a platform where creators can build a community and directly connect with their fans, offering them things like live streams, one-on-one messaging, and exclusive podcasts. 'I told y'all that mf wasn't real… but this is…,' she said. 'Come chat with me here and I'll answer all your questions!!' She offers three tiers of memberships and customers can purchase the 'Passport to Tiff' for $9.99 per month, the 'Private Flight' for $20 and 'First Class' for $69.99. Her profile description states, '[Behind the scenes] of my chaos: work, workouts, pups, sports, shoes, & fits. Thanks for flying with me.' In her viral moment, Gomas was flying to join her family on a vacation when she lost it on the flight due to an 'altercation,' which she described as 'the worst moment' of her entire life. Gomas was filmed pointing to the back of the cabin and shouting: 'I'm getting the f*** off and there's a reason why I'm getting the f*** off and everyone can either believe it or they can not believe it. 'I don't give two f***s, but I am telling you right now – that motherf***er back there is not real,' she continued. 'You can sit on this plane and you can die with them or not. I'm not going to.' But in a later interview with Inside Edition, she revealed that when she said the other passenger was 'not real' - she meant it as a figure of speech, meaning 'he's not being real'. 'It was not my best moment … it was actually a horrible moment. Absolutely mortifying. How horribly mortifying,' she told the Pardon My Take podcast. Explaining her unwillingness to talk about the issue previously she said: 'The reason I probably haven't come out yet is that it's so cringe.' When asked why she uttered the now-infamous words, which viewers took to suggest she had seen a ghost or an alien, she said, simply: 'I literally did not see anything … It was an expression of speech.' Instead the comment was aimed at the man with whom she was arguing with. In December, she posted wearing the same outfit from the the plane meltdown and joked about an impending alien invasion. Gomas posted on X, 'Sooo, who's ready for the alien invasion that's supposed to go down today?' She then changed back into the same ripped jeans and black tank top that she wore aboard the infamous United Airlines flight and posed for a mirror selfie. 'Officially ready for the invasion. Bring it on mf'ers,' she captioned the image.
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
I read 500 children's books with my kids – these are 10 we keep going back to
One dad explains how he's read more than 500 children's books with his son and daughter over the years - and these are the 10 that they've enjoyed the most Reading with young children has a multitude of benefits. Experts concur that it can be instrumental in language, cognitive and emotional development, whilst also fostering imagination and creativity. Books can enhance social skills and cultural awareness, as well as honing concentration and focus. But, just as crucially, reading with kids is enjoyable. I've always made a point of reading with my eight year old son and five year old daughter at bedtime, as part of our nightly routine. Over the years, I reckon I've read at least 500 children's books. Some have lodged themselves more firmly in my memory – probably because I've had to read them over and over again. These days, my little lad is content reading chapter books by himself and his sister requires my assistance less and less. Occasionally, though, they still relish revisiting an old favourite. Via The Mirror US, here are the 10 books, suitable for children under seven, that we've enjoyed the most... 1. Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson (2000). Known as Where's My Mom? in the US The undisputed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of authors for younger children, Julia Donaldson has gifted us classics such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Superworm. Penned in Donaldson's signature rhyming prose, the tale follows a young monkey who gets lost in the jungle. A well-meaning butterfly attempts to assist but ends up leading her to various other creatures - an elephant, snake, spider, frog and bat - due to constant misinterpretations of her descriptions. It's a joy to read, educational, concludes on a happy note and is vividly brought to life by Axel Scheffler's distinctive illustrations. I've recited it so often that I can now do so from memory. Buy Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson on Amazon. 2. Meltdown! by Jill Murphy (2016) Without exaggeration, navigating a supermarket with a toddler can feel akin to stepping into the Seventh Circle of Hell. The late, esteemed Jill Murphy, likely drawing from personal experiences, encapsulates this ordeal flawlessly in Meltdown! In the story, Ruby the rabbit joins her mum for a shopping trip. Initially, she's keen to be helpful, but in typical toddler fashion, she soon becomes overzealous, throws a monumental tantrum over a 'piggy cake', embarrasses her mum at the till, and wails all the way home before eventually saying sorry and returning to her adorable self. My children adore it because they see themselves in Ruby. I cherish it because I've been in Ruby's mum's shoes on more than one dreadful occasion. Buy Meltdown! by Jill Murphy on Amazon. 3. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith (2009) Children's literature is often a treasure trove of life lessons, but ' The Wonky Donkey ' bucks the trend with its delightful dose of pure silliness that has captured hearts everywhere. Originally penned as a ditty by Kiwi author Craig Smith, inspired by the gag "What do you call a donkey with three legs? A wonky donkey!", this book became an overnight sensation in 2018 when a video of a Scottish granny chuckling her way through it with her grandson went viral, sending sales through the roof. A hilarious rhyming challenge, 'The Wonky Donkey' is a joy to read out loud and has found a special place on bookshelves and in the hearts of readers. Buy T he Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith from Amazon. 4. You're Called What? by Kes Gray (2018) Kes Gray, a celebrated children's author, certainly knows how to tickle the funny bones of both youngsters and grown-ups who've kept their childlike humour intact. While his famed Oi Frog! and the Oi! series are staples in my children's collection, it's another one of his works, You're Called What?, that truly takes the cake for comedy gold. Set against the backdrop of the Ministry of Silly Animal Names (a nod to Monty Python's iconic sketch), this book introduces kids to hilariously named creatures like the monkeyface prickleback and the pink fairy armadillo, while teaching them about these lesser-known species. And let's be honest, 'blue-footed booby' will always be a hoot. Buy You're Called What? by Kes Gray from Amazon. 5. The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole (1983) The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole, the vintage gem of this list, was passed down by a cousin. But it absolutely stands the test of time. The story is told by a little girl whose mum is always turning people into toads, wearing funny hats and doing other embarrassing things. The girl's friends think her mum's great, but their parents aren't quite as enamoured – until she saves the day, rushing to put out a fire at the school. Our version of the book is a 'four for the price of one' deal, with Dad, Gran and Grandad all given the same treatment. The late Babette Cole's illustrations are every bit as good as her words. Buy The Trouble With Mum by Babette Cole at Amazon. 6. There's A Pig Up My Nose by John Dougherty (2017) There was a period of around a month – which felt more like a year – when my daughter asked to read There's A Pig Up My Nose every night, often more than once. To make matters even more tedious, every read came with a slew of questions, mainly about the feasibility of animals becoming stuck up children's noses. Thankfully, though, there's plenty to like about the book, which follows Natalie, who enlists the help of her schoolmates to remove the little animal. Very loud, dramatic animal noises are a mandatory requirement. 7. Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman (2015) If there's one thing guaranteed to make kids laugh, it's poop. And in Steve Smallman's book, there's lots of it – including a variety that glows green. Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman tells the story of zookeeper Bob McGrew, who adores his job except for the task of cleaning out the animals' enclosures. When an iguana produces a radioactive-looking deposit, it attracts crowds, including a poo museum owner who forever changes Bob's life. The book even includes a pictorial glossary of various animals' droppings, which I can now confidently identify unaided. Buy Poo In The Zoo by Steve Smallman on Amazon. 8. The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards (2013) While plot twists aren't common in children's literature, this book has one. It may not be on par with The Sixth Sense or The Usual Suspects, but it's still an unexpected ending. Even after the initial read, when children know exactly what will happen, they seem to enjoy it just as much. The narrative follows a hungry badger eyeing a sandwich dropped by a little boy in the park. The sandwich gets squashed, ridden over, and slithered on before the badger finally reaches it. Buy The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards on Amazon. 9. Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvis (2016) Jarvis skilfully narrates the tale of an alligator who loses his intimidation factor when the other animals discover he has dentures. But it's not just the author's sharp wit and understated, matter-of-fact tone that impresses – his illustrations are equally captivating. Both hilarious and heartwarming, like many other children's books, it carries a message about the significance of friendship, honesty and kindness. Buy Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis on Amazon. 10. There's A Snake in My School by David Walliams SPOILER ALERT: In this book by David Walliams, the nasty headmistress Miss Bloat is devoured by a pupil's pet snake, leading to jubilation among the schoolchildren. Given the slightly dark nature of the ending, I've unsurprisingly had to answer several questions about snakes consuming people and teachers being killed. Despite all that, though, the book is a big hit with my kids. Walliams has a talent for creating stories and using language that makes children chuckle.
