Kidz Rage !

Photography courtesy of Boris Austin @ BoxedLab – http://www.boxedlab.com

Nine in 10 young people aged 16-30 experience signs of hearing damage after a night out, research suggests.

The charity RNID found 90% of pub, club and gig-goers experienced dullness of hearing or ringing in the ears after a night on the town.

More than half of the 1,381 surveyed visited a bar where they had to shout to be heard at least once a week.

A quarter said the music in these venues was too loud and a third thought hearing loss would affect their lives.

New noise regulations come into force to protect employees in the music and entertainment sectors in April 2008.

But the RNID is calling on the government to establish a recommended noise exposure level for audiences attending music venues and events, and educate young people about noise as a public health risk.

Dr John Low, Chief Executive of RNID, said: “Our research shows most young people have experienced the first signs of permanent hearing damage after a night out, yet have no idea how to prevent it.

“With regular exposure to music at high volumes in clubs, gigs and bars, it’s only too easy to clock up noise doses that could damage their hearing forever.”

He said music lovers, musicians and DJs could take simple steps to protect themselves from damaging decibels on a night out or while performing:

* Taking a five minute rest period for every hour of listening to allow ears to recover
* Standing away from loud speakers in pubs, clubs, gigs and concerts
* Taking regular breaks from the dance floor and using chill out areas to give ears a rest from loud music
* Wearing earplugs designed for use in clubs and gigs, which reduce the volume not the quality of the sound – available for the price of a CD

Carl Hill, 31 and from London, said a decade of running club nights had taken a toll on his hearing.

“I now have tinnitus, which means I have a constant ringing in my ears. It can be quite annoying, especially at night. Sometimes I have to go to sleep with the radio on for distraction.

“With hindsight, I should have worn earplugs.”

Neil Williams of the British Beer and Pub Association said: “Steps are being taken to raise awareness.

“A new noise regulation is due in 2008 and will cover a range of measures including how to limit the sound exposure of staff and how speakers should be positioned.

“We are working on guidance for our members.”

In other workplaces, updated regulations are already in force and the level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is now 85 rather than 90 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure).

The level at which employers must assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training is now 80 decibels.

via BBC News

After shifting shifts around in the office I was on the Virgin bullet train to central London (Euston station).

I arrive at the Leonard Street Gallery around 7 and after a quick biff n beer with Georgie we meet Eddie Lock who is the gallery owner and Goldie’s art dealer. He kindly welcomes us and shows us around the venue.

The gallery looked absolutely amazing! After stepping through the airport style security check I immediately see the large 150 cm x 100 cm original canvases with Goldies work on them. I must say that I was quite impressed with the artistic style and use of colours and layering which were used in the 5,000£ art masterpieces.

Apparently Kevin Spacey bought an original for 17,500 £!! Throughout the night I noticed some older gentleman purchasing the odd canvas, which was really inspiring to see that people really do support art!

Upstairs was the art gallery, and downstairs was a mini nightclub / lounge serving upmarket drinks at a high price, but well worth it as the decor inside the bottom floor was stellar! I would love to get my hands on this venue and do a multimedia experience there!!

Some estranged yardie comes through the gallery door and starts saying:

“I believe im in the wrong place my friend. I’m looking for sex? Do they women do sex? I have much much money and would like sex!!”

My only reply was “naw naw mang”…pushing the money back into his wallet with this look of disgust on my face…

I wasn’t quite sure what to do about this situation, as it was quite borderline…but I figured as long as he didn’t touch any of the females I was with he wouldn’t get checked…

Turns out the guys was just having a laugh and teasing us…which I was quite shocked that I had just been done!!! I totally believed him and his story…sucker!

Goldie arrives around 9 pm and Eddie eventually introduces us and brings him into the “installation” of his bedroom, where we will be doing the interview…which we decide to now call “In bed with Goldie”….as we were actually sitting on his bed asking his various questions about his life, childhood, graffiti, b-boyisms, music and acting careers, but most interesting of all he focused the interview on “sex life”. The entire exhibition seemed like a seedy Amsterdam influenced show, even with a dancer in the front red lighted window. He is a very intellectual and thoughtful person based off the way the interview went and the passion he showed in his answers to our questions. A full review and photo slideshow will be available in the new Boarderline magazine.

After the interview and being slightly drunk I step outside to mingle a bit with the other guests and get some experimental pics with my trusty LOMO (thank you bozza!), and then a mad rush to Euston as I needed to make the last train back up to Milton Keynes as work was calling only a few hours away!

Keep your eyes peeled for the full interview and photo review!

Big shouts to all that helped make this possible!

Thank you Celina, Georgina, Eddie Lock, Rhyan Paul and Goldie himself!

This last weekend Christian (cj photography / BoxedLab) and myself did a shoot with DEFine / Infiltrata & BTK Photoshoot. The shoot ws alot of fun!! Pics up NOW.

BTK pic up soon, along with a few more

enjoy

This year the BoxedLab crew attended the BBC 2007 Xtra Bass Awards in full effect.

I went to collect the “Best Breakthrough MC” award for MC DRE, from the United, TEKDBZ & DRKFLX crews residing in sunny Los Angeles, California. Rightfully so, I didn’t have much to say as it was his award.

Massive congratulations to MC DRE !

For those of you who went, you will most likely remember the mad (very drunk) photographer running around the spot with an array of wireless flash devices used to capture some of the below shots…enjoy:

Dillinja

Andy C & Krust

Evolution Live – TC, Jakes & Band

Eric Foster, BeatKingz Agency

Flex Records Crew (L Double, Wrekka, Supadark & Mr Boxed)

Grooverider

If you are interested in checking out the full set of pics from the night please contact me.

Photos by Boris Austin (BoxedLab)