Latest news with #Macarena
SoraNews24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Japanese guitar maker Fernandes declares bankruptcy due to plummeting sales
The patch cable has been pulled. There comes a point in many young people's lives where they decide to pick up a guitar, whether it's to impress girls, let out some teenage angst, or because their high school refused to let them take just two classes in a semester even though they already had the necessary credits to graduate, because that meant the school would get less funding from the government, and then their guidance counsellor told them, 'I'm sorry, Steve, but my hands are tied. Why don't you take something fun like Guitar Class?' And for young people in Japan, a lot of first guitars were made by Fernandes, a Saitama-based company that started in 1969 and grew to receive worldwide recognition. Their guitars were especially popular in the '90s, having been used by members of Metallica and Green Day, while in Japan, they were often held by guitarists in the visual kei genre of rock, including those from bands like X Japan and Buck-Tick. ▼ Here's Hide of X Japan playing his Fernandes (often labeled as Burny) Yellow Heart model. By 1999, their sales were flying high at about four billion yen (US$26 million), but have been on a steady decline since and fell to 166 million yen ($1 million) in 2022, landing them about 24 million in the red. Despite some efforts to pull out of the slump, Fernandes finally had to file for bankruptcy in June of this year. It's fair to say that times are tough for a lot of businesses these days, but the spectacular fall of Fernandes left many wondering what happened to cause it in online comments. 'There are just too many secondhand guitars on the market now. Plus, people don't even need instruments to make music anymore.' 'My first guitar was a Fernandes.' 'Sad… It's the end of an era.' 'Does anyone even buy instruments anymore?' 'Once visual kei went down in popularity, times got hard for them.' 'I bought a Fernandes bass and guitar because I loved Hide.' 'They're still great guitars. It's just the times have changed.' 'The policies of the LDP are making all kinds of great companies crash. They need to go.' 'Most people don't buy instruments anymore, and those that do can only afford one.' 'Notice how everyone is saying 'My first guitar was a Fernandes,' but not their second, third, or fourth…' 'People don't have the endurance to learn an instrument with all the instant gratification content out there.' 'The music industry is going down all over the world. It's all EDM now.' Saying everything is EDM is kind of a cop out. Having grown up in the '90s, there was a hell of a lot of EDM back then too, and don't make me pull out the Macarena to prove it. Even as I write this, rock band Mrs. Green Apple currently holds about a quarter of the spots on the Billboard Hot 100 Japan chart. The world's top musician, Taylor Swift, is also a prominent guitarist, and a lot of younger idol groups are increasingly instrument-oriented. So, even though the musical landscape has changed, guitars still seem to be a big part of it. What happened to Fernandes was most likely the result of how the company was run or, as one comment pointed out, the general economic conditions of Japan as a whole. It was also reported that the brand name was sold to another company, but it remains to be seen if that means future generations around the world will continue to pick up a Fernandes as their first guitar. Source: Tokyo Shoko Research, My Game News Flash Featured image: Pakutaso ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Enda McEvoy on calling the All Ireland final: 'I can't believe you didn't tip us...'
THE story begins in the summer of 1996. It was warm and sunny, everyone appeared to be doing the Macarena and Limerick and Wexford were making their way by circuitous routes – the former after a punishing campaign in Munster which would tell on them in the end, the latter by winning their first Leinster title in 19 years – to Croke Park. Your correspondent, newly installed as hurling correspondent of the Sunday Tribune, had opposed Wexford in the provincial final ('you'd have been mad to go for us,' Liam Griffin did have the decency to say afterwards) and again in the All Ireland semi-final. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dundee boss Steven Pressley says he EXPECTED to be booed after competitive debut loss to Championship Airdrie
FALSE START Dundee boss Steven Pressley says he EXPECTED to be booed after competitive debut loss to Championship Airdrie STEVEN PRESSLEY insists he understands fans booing after his debut defeat to Airdrie. The new Dundee head coach saw his Dens Park reign get off to the worst possible start as ex-Dundee United kid Chris Mochrie struck for the Diamonds just seven minutes in. Advertisement 2 Steven Pressley made his competitive debut as Dundee manager against Airdrieonians Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 The Championship side won 1-0 and and the Dee fans booed Credit: SNS Pressley's slow-starting side couldn't find the equaliser they pushed for late on, with Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe clearing twice off the line from Billy Koumetio while keeper Cade Melrose made a series of stops. Honest Elvis admits his team didn't do enough to merit anything - and admitted afterwards everyone at Dens has had a major reality check. Asked about the fans' jeers, he said: 'I didn't expect anything else. 'When Dundee lose to Airdrie you have to accept you're going to get criticised for it. Advertisement 'There's no excuse for the result, we have to be better and improve in so many different areas. 'Sometimes when you come in, there's a freshness and there's that honeymoon period that I've talked about. You can think you are ahead of where you are. 'Today was reality, the real ball came out and all of a sudden we realise 'wow, we have a lot of work to do'. 'It's work on everything - the whole package from all aspects of our performance, bringing in the right types of players, to the physical performance of the team. Advertisement 'All of those aspects, we have to improve on. Over the piece we didn't do enough. 'There was a rustiness in some of the players' performances, that's natural at this time of the year. But we wanted to avoid the result we got today. Watch hilarious moment Scottish football fan dances the Macarena on the pitch behind the back of his jubilant manager 'The games are going to come thick and fast now, so the challenge is for us to get there and I have confidence in the group to do that. With the right additions we can make that progress. 'It's hard to say when we'll get them, we are trying and pushing to find the right solutions but it's not easy.' Advertisement Pressley's side had plenty of the ball early on but couldn't break down Airdrie's defence before getting a warning on 20 mins when the Diamonds worked a slick corner to Alex King for him to shoot. They got a let-off when that one hit the bar, but Mochrie wasn't as forgiving a minute later latching on to a ball over the top, spinning Ryan Astley then flicking past the badly-exposed Trevor Carson. Fin Robertson almost equalised with a low drive before half-time but was denied by inspired keeper Cade Melrose, who beat it away at his near post. Dundee chucked everything at Airdrie during the second half, but couldn't find a way past keeper Melrose or boss Rhys McCabe. Advertisement The stopper denied Cesar Garza with a great block when faced with the Mexican one-on-one, before the player-gaffer popped up twice to clear Koumetio's headers from Robertson corner kicks off the line. Simon Murray then looked like he was going to level with a quarter-hour left, but Melrose got down to tip his shot wide. Dundee thought they'd equalised in injury time with a Robertson drive from 16 yards but Craig Ross bravely got his head on it to secure the win. McCabe said: 'I thought we were comfortable in the game. Dundee had a lot of possession but didn't really look threatening. Advertisement 'We scored a well-taken goal, it's something we've worked on so it was good to see it executed.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
CEO says she ‘figured out jet lag' — her 2-step trick banished ‘severe' side effects
Traveling between time zones can wreak havoc on your sleep and potentially throw a real wrench into your perfect vacation. Luckily, Wendy Kopp — the CEO and co-founder of nonprofit Teach for All — has a super-easy hack that she swears by. 'I've figured out jet lag,' the former CEO of Teach for America, 58, recently told CNBC. Wendy Kopp — the CEO and co-founder of nonprofit Teach for All — has a super-easy hack that she personally swears by. CNBC 'I used to have such severe jet lag,' she said, especially when traveling from east to west, which is unusual since the opposite is typically considered more common because it's easier to delay sleep than it is to wake up earlier. Regardless, someone finally taught her the secret. 'The trick is: You don't eat on the plane, and when you land, you go on a run before you eat anything,' Kopp said. 'For many, many years, I didn't do it, and I finally just resorted to it, and I've not had jet lag since.' Kopp admitted that even though this two-step trick works, it 'seems impossible' — probably because who wants to do any of that? Most of us struggle to go on a run at home, let alone abroad. But her advice makes sense. 'The trick is: You don't eat on the plane and, when you land, you go on a run before you eat anything,' Kopp said. Dragana Gordic – Experts do recommend exercising — especially outdoors — to help banish jet lag, and studies have shown that syncing your meals with the local time can help your body adjust to the new time zone. Skipping in-flight meals can also help reset your circadian rhythm — the body's internal clock — and reduce bloating, gas and other gastrointestinal discomforts. But if any of this sounds unfeasible, we've got a few more tricks up our sleeve. Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, recommends adjusting your sleep schedule 15 minutes every day into the direction of your destination's time zone in the weeks leading up to your trip. 'Then, once you board the plane, change your phone or wristwatch to your destination time zone and start to live, eat and sleep on this new time,' she previously told The Post. When you arrive, try to get as much natural sunlight and fresh air as you can, as this will help your circadian rhythm adapt to your new sleep/wake schedule. Experts also recommend avoiding alcohol because it dehydrates you, disrupts your sleep quality and interferes with your body's ability to adjust to a new time zone. Other, weirder advice includes doing the Macarena in-flight and standing barefoot in dirt as soon as you land — a technique known as 'earthing' or 'grounding.'
Toronto Sun
04-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Drunk teacher called students ‘little s***s', made them ‘dance the Macarena'
Alice Ashton, former teacher in Wales who was found to have been drunk in classroom where she called students "little s***s" and made the "dance the Macarena." Facebook A teacher who turned her Wales classroom into a 'mini-rave' has been removed from the job. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Alice Ashton, 31, was accused of calling her students 'little s***s' and asked them to 'dance the Macarena' during a class at Ysgol Bro Caereinion school in Welshpool, Wales, in January 2024. During a disciplinary hearing, the Education Workforce Council were told that the 'out-of-control' lesson devolved into a 'mini-rave, with loud music, shouting and dancing,' the Telegraph reported. Students, particularly those near the front of the classroom, said they could smell alcohol from a water bottle from which Ashton was drinking, according to the outlet. The usually 'reserved and quiet' teacher's classes on alcohol and drug awareness were normally 'boring,' one 16-year-old student told the panel. But before the class, she was spotted guzzling from a water bottle that reeked of booze, the unidentified pupil recalled. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'She was very, very close to us. There was a slight alcoholic smell. She was very, very lively and quite animated and speaking with her hands. In other lessons, she was more reserved and quiet,' the student explained. Ashton 'asked the class to make the Macarena' and 'played music,' the student detailed, adding, 'we were not doing work.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Another student added: 'She got us to dance the Macarena and she did not care about the lesson any more. She got some students dancing to the laptop and speakers and it spiralled out of control.' Ashton kept 'jumping up from her desk' but soon became 'irritated' as the lesson went on, the student said, as the teacher repeatedly swore and called the whole class 'little s***s.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The students noticed that the 'water' bottle Ashton had been taking swigs from was almost empty by the end of the class. The wild lesson took place about four months after the teacher had been convicted of drunk driving, the fitness-to-practice hearing heard. Read More Ashton denied the allegations during an internal school review, LBC reported, but according to the panel, CCTV footage from the classroom corroborated the students' stories. The panel found that she appeared under the influence and/or smelled of alcohol in the classroom, according to the Telegraph . Ashton, who was not at the hearing, has not responded to the allegations, nor did she show any remorse or issue an apology. She was struck off the teaching register indefinitely, but may reapply in two years. Ontario Toronto Blue Jays News Celebrity World
