As I type this, Gary Loveridge is on his way to 198 Railton Road to deliver and hang some of his Punk Rock Posters for a show opening THIS THURSDAY - Jan 26th at 6pm.
And YOU are invited.
You might already have indicated you are coming -- see list: http://www.facebook.com/events/293631670673821/. Mmmm. Some pretty interesting people going.
The gallery is inbetween Brixton tube station and Herne Hill overground station on Railton Road.
This gallery is a wonderful friendly place.
198 gallery director, Lucy Davies, along with her very capable staff, throw a wide net into the community and while they don't show off and brag about it enough if you ask me, they really have pulled in some fascinating shows over the years with the aim of being inclusive, culturally diverse and educational - hence their name 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning.
Some people know that 198 archives the neighbourhood, but not a lot of people know that on Wednesday afternoons, they have a drop-in for people who'd like to learn to sew over a cup of tea and a chat (also known as the Stitch and Bitch ha ha). There is also lot of youth involvement going on and the gallery has a second venue in Brixton Market where local kids are encouraged to make and manage merchandise.
So, kind of with the young people in mind, Lucy Davies (Director) and Barby Asante, thought it would be a great idea to show GARY LOVERIDGE's punk rock poster collection and have a real live punk come down and play.
There's going to be other events going on til March - a film, a book reading, a Q&A ---but definitely not to be missed at the opening will be the ever entertaining SPIZZ ENERGI. He'll sing a few numbers.
So we think it's definitely NOT just a show for the punters who were there Back in The Day Only.
It's definitely open for The Kids too.
So incase you're reading this and you're 17, or in a band and have questions - come on down!
Punk Rockers have always been great company if you ask me.
I'm sure some will be bringing their kids too.
Who might even bring their kids.
Yikes.
That's possible!
Don't let your fear of pins keep you away.
26 January to 3rd March.
STARTS AT 6PM.
198 Railton Road Brixton London SE24 oJT
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, December 16, 2011
Letter From London (4) to Stupefaction
No trip to the UK is complete without a trip to the Seaside. Most people go in the summer of course, but with no sign of Winter, we went for a weekend to Weston Super Mare.
During the height of BritPop Oasis/Blur rivalry (a battle of the bands that had not been seen since The Beatles vs The Stones, so they say), and in order to see who could hit the number one spot first, O & B released singles on the same day. Our Damon (good Essex lad) put out Blur’s record “Country House” and our lads from Manchester, Oasis, released “Roll With It.” Oasis decided on their way to their headline slot at Glastonbury, that they would stop off in Weston Super Mare to shoot that cover and get a little beach time.
That’s the old pier.
Shortly afterwards, it burned down. The Gallagher brothers had fled the scene.
Here’s the new pier:
Amazingly, it was re-built and opened last year. Cost 30 million pounds. There’s a nice covered walk way along the middle so you can even come and stroll on a wet and windy day. We had no complaints with the weather. Bit confusing for the time of year, tho. So mild. Also confusing was reading the announcement that Guy Fawkes night was going to be celebrated AGAIN.
A little background: In the UK, every 5th November, there are many community firework festivals and back garden bonfire nights to celebrate Guy Fawkes’ attempt to burn down the Houses of Parliament. A good time is had by all. Except, apparently, this year in Weston Super Mare. Apparently the firework display was “so rubbish”. It didn’t go down very well with the townies at all, and they booed and went home complaining and disappointed. Seems we were in town the night the Man In Charge was doing a re-do.
There was applause.
We went to visit John and his family, who showed us his back garden Beehive. He has two hives his wife bought him for Christmas and we had some of the delicious honey. Bee keeping is becoming very popular in the UK since the worry about a strange virus that hit the bee community some time ago causing them to leave their hives and not come back. John’s swarm is very healthy and apparently will even survive the winter. He is a member of the local chapter of Bee Keepers and here he is showing his grand-children how it’s done:
Meanwhile...
(Photo by Steve Worrall)
I am probably not surprising you to tell you that some punk rockers from the class of 1976 and 1977 are still making art or have returned to making art, or in the case of Paul Simenon from The Clash have turned to art. The other night we went to Signal Gallery in Hoxton, Gaye Black had curated Punk and Beyond and included: Jamie Reid’s iconic graphic design, Paul Simenon (The Clash) paintings, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) collage, Billy Childish amongst others. Here are better pictures than I could take and a nice review by our friend Steve Worrall
Now the nights have drawn in, it’s nice to have someone read you a book, don’t you think? We thought we’d go and see what the new Editor At Large from Faber and Faber’s new book was like. Faber and Faber are a rather respectable publishing company, established in 1929 by one Mr. Faber (who pretended there were two Mr. Fabers to sound posh). Faber is known for publishing the likes of W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliott as well as Ted Hughes,Vita Sackville West, P D James to name a few. Ted Hughes was commemorated just recently in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.
Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Pulp, for it is he who is that new Editor at Large
http://www.faber.co.uk/article/2011/10/jarvis-cocker-announcement/|was reading.
250 wristbands were sold for entry to said event. W/band included a copy of Mother Brother Lover -his new book of lyrics, and himself signing your book.
In the queue outside we met the delightful Ms. Sinem Erkas
who studied at St. Martin’s College. She had designed some rather clever place mats.
You can see more of Sinem's work here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83886592/10-novelty-beer-mat-postcards-turn-me
Even tho Jarvis had a cold, and told us he’d never read like this before, he did a very good job. He was soulfully entertaining and was generous with his time at the signing.
And then it was time to get sorted for Heathrow Airport and back to NYC.
During the height of BritPop Oasis/Blur rivalry (a battle of the bands that had not been seen since The Beatles vs The Stones, so they say), and in order to see who could hit the number one spot first, O & B released singles on the same day. Our Damon (good Essex lad) put out Blur’s record “Country House” and our lads from Manchester, Oasis, released “Roll With It.” Oasis decided on their way to their headline slot at Glastonbury, that they would stop off in Weston Super Mare to shoot that cover and get a little beach time.
That’s the old pier.
Shortly afterwards, it burned down. The Gallagher brothers had fled the scene.
Here’s the new pier:
Amazingly, it was re-built and opened last year. Cost 30 million pounds. There’s a nice covered walk way along the middle so you can even come and stroll on a wet and windy day. We had no complaints with the weather. Bit confusing for the time of year, tho. So mild. Also confusing was reading the announcement that Guy Fawkes night was going to be celebrated AGAIN.
A little background: In the UK, every 5th November, there are many community firework festivals and back garden bonfire nights to celebrate Guy Fawkes’ attempt to burn down the Houses of Parliament. A good time is had by all. Except, apparently, this year in Weston Super Mare. Apparently the firework display was “so rubbish”. It didn’t go down very well with the townies at all, and they booed and went home complaining and disappointed. Seems we were in town the night the Man In Charge was doing a re-do.
There was applause.
We went to visit John and his family, who showed us his back garden Beehive. He has two hives his wife bought him for Christmas and we had some of the delicious honey. Bee keeping is becoming very popular in the UK since the worry about a strange virus that hit the bee community some time ago causing them to leave their hives and not come back. John’s swarm is very healthy and apparently will even survive the winter. He is a member of the local chapter of Bee Keepers and here he is showing his grand-children how it’s done:
Meanwhile...
(Photo by Steve Worrall)
I am probably not surprising you to tell you that some punk rockers from the class of 1976 and 1977 are still making art or have returned to making art, or in the case of Paul Simenon from The Clash have turned to art. The other night we went to Signal Gallery in Hoxton, Gaye Black had curated Punk and Beyond and included: Jamie Reid’s iconic graphic design, Paul Simenon (The Clash) paintings, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) collage, Billy Childish amongst others. Here are better pictures than I could take and a nice review by our friend Steve Worrall
Now the nights have drawn in, it’s nice to have someone read you a book, don’t you think? We thought we’d go and see what the new Editor At Large from Faber and Faber’s new book was like. Faber and Faber are a rather respectable publishing company, established in 1929 by one Mr. Faber (who pretended there were two Mr. Fabers to sound posh). Faber is known for publishing the likes of W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliott as well as Ted Hughes,Vita Sackville West, P D James to name a few. Ted Hughes was commemorated just recently in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.
Jarvis Cocker, lead singer of Pulp, for it is he who is that new Editor at Large
http://www.faber.co.uk/article/2011/10/jarvis-cocker-announcement/|was reading.
250 wristbands were sold for entry to said event. W/band included a copy of Mother Brother Lover -his new book of lyrics, and himself signing your book.
In the queue outside we met the delightful Ms. Sinem Erkas
who studied at St. Martin’s College. She had designed some rather clever place mats.
You can see more of Sinem's work here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83886592/10-novelty-beer-mat-postcards-turn-me
Even tho Jarvis had a cold, and told us he’d never read like this before, he did a very good job. He was soulfully entertaining and was generous with his time at the signing.
And then it was time to get sorted for Heathrow Airport and back to NYC.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Letter from London (3) to Stupefaction
Dear Mr. Boogaloo
As we look out of the window across the rooftops of London this morning we see – er – not very much.
It is, in fact, a very foggy day. Yesterday was so foggy the day didn’t even get light. It gave North London a lion witchy wardrobe air after such a run of beautiful colourful autumn days. Large leaves seem to have dropped all at once from the London plane trees to carpet the pavement. Mist in the lamplight. You hear your boots going up the hill and the overground train behind huffing off to Alexandra Palace. It's like I've got off the train in a different era and Stevie Smith or C. S. Lewis are in those low wattage sitting rooms I'm passing.
The Turkish man in the corner shop says, “the nights are drawing in now.”
“Ice cream, eggs, bread.”
Key in the lock.
I didn't tell you what we did at the weekend -
We got to see The Mekons on SUNDAY at NOON at Rough Trade East.
It was a beautiful autumn day.
Here's me with the wonderful Sally Timms (having some curry).
We used to live opposite each other in Williamsburg, Brooklyn before she left for Chicago. Sally was kind enough to contribute to the very first issue of my zine.
That was 1994. Just look at what The Mekons have all been doing since then.
Amazing really.
Susie Honeyman played with Rip Rig and Panic, Vivien Stanshall, as well as a lad down the hill from here called Alan Boyd who plays with Decline and Fall
Lu Edmonds played with PiL last year at that transcendant Terminal 5 gig I told you about.
The Mekons were finishing up a European tour.
We were lucky to have this last little round up for an early Christmas present.
They were wonderful.
There was this lovely after Church atmosphere.
They played all new songs from their new album ANCIENT AND MODERN 1911 - 2011.
They were soul lifting. The Mekons seem to have vacuumed experience from village pubs to speakeasys from Leeds to Prague. You have these very accomplished people up there. This is like there 30th album or so.
I love that the CD has the lyrics in otherwise I would have missed:
“I look out of my window across the rooftops of London... I remember the taste of salt water the thousand times I drowned before”. from I Fall Asleep.
"It is my intention to forget. While there's still time..Gonna drag my cart piled high while there's still time. Gonna build another bomb and hope the doctor comes while there's still time..." - from Geeshi
Sally Timms is ever soulful, witty. She said, "We should do more shows at noon. Then we can all be in bed by 3."
Tom, in his lovely red trousers, sang "I fall asleep" which has the chorus "I fall asleep when I should pray". He brought up some special guests.
Here's my wonky video:
I understand Noel Gallagher was at The Beacon in New York this week. Do you know anyone who went? I have trouble distinguishing between the brothers and was glad we popped in to a gallery to see photos by a photographer who has contributed many fine photos to the New Musical Express.
Lawrence Watson had exclusive access to join Gallagher Snr in Los Angeles where he was recording High Flying Birds, the first solo album with his new band. Mr. Watson has taken photos of loads of bands. Smiths. Run DMC. He left school at 16. Did the photographer’s assistant thing in Old Street (down the road from here) and worked in TV at some point before the NME.
Gary wore his rather good leather jacket. He told me, “I had to get up early to buy it.” Apparently, a charity shop he knows puts certain items in the window for a week but only sells them on Fridays. He had waited outside with a lady on her way to work who was going to get some Jimmy Choo shoes (or kill the person who beat her to them). Gary got lucky – the jacket was a good fit.
We walked into the Gallery. They were setting up for the private view later. Gary bought a signed poster before the rush:
but none of the young lads behind the counter had change.
Young lad: “I’ll just go and get some change from Lawrence. He’s just round the corner," (which we thought was funny because – well – getting change off the artist instead of the artist being starving – you know..). Anyway – round the corner comes this lovely hairy bloke wearing a jacket just like Gary's. Look!
Watson got his jacket in Venice Beach, California. Swapped on of his prints for it.
I think the print receiver got a deal there. I liked the photos. And Angelo had done a really great job of hanging them. Larger than album size in the front. Just bigger than CD covers in colourful groups around the main room. Moody black and whites with space around. Some manipulated b/w images from when you pull open a film test thing and there’s the negative on one side and the print on the other. There was Noel looking back at you brooding alone in a daytime diner; hanging out at the LA Amtrack railway station. And I particularly liked this one with the bloke in the Panama hat behind our Man Gallagher. Ola!
I remember being in that Amtrack station in LA. It's catty corner to Phillippe's Home of the French Dipped Sandwich where the waitresses wear uniforms. The floor is covered in sawdust. And there's a HUGE YANKEE SIGNED BASEBALL COLLECTION. And the coffee is still like, 50 cents.
Shoreditch High Street Overground station is like an airport station. The whole East London line feels so Euro. So aluminium. So easy to clean!
About that Manchester Poster Show.
I had to do some homework for college but our man went along and took a few photos for you. Apparently it's a Framing shop which the owners turn into a gallery from time to time. There were some interesting posters of bands from Manchester including this fine wall of Smiths posters:
this truly rare Stone Roses poster:
These bands you know -
and this poster that was rescued from the foyer at The Hacienda:
Gary chatted to some bloke who bought original Joy Division & Factory Posters telling Gary as he paid for them that he'd read somewhere that this was going to be a "good investment."
Alrighty then.
When our Man came home we had some tomato soup and a ham sandwich and watched TV. We like Never Mind the Buzzcocks - a BBC TV game show with Noel Fielding from Mighty Boosh leading a panel. They have special guest hosts from time to time and this week was ALICE COOPER. He was great. Here he is talking about the day he gave Iggy Pop a switchblade:
And while we're on the subject of unusual TV sightings:
Look! Sex pistols on TV at Christies
Talking of Posters as Investments:
Yesterday we went to an Christies in South Kensington.
They were having an auction of Rock and Pop Memorabilia.
Few Bob Dylan posters. Jimi Hendrix' autograph (1500 pounds). Marc Bolan's tambourine (and authentication letter) as seen on Christies trolley (right) after sale.
Some people would think I'm kidding when I say there were Sex Pistols posters on the block (some genuine and some reproductions) as well as an unexpected (eerie) "costume".
On close inspection this was a Kammgamm Trevira suit - navy blue with lar-may thread - and shirt, that Sid Vicious wore to court (photographs included)in 1978.
Looks like it could fit Gary
Typical girl. I'm like "There's a button missing" (no explanation).
It belonged to his mother's (Anne Beverly) estate and there was a letter telling us she saw Sid in it, included in the lot. A telephone bidder took it home for eight thousand pounds. Bit sad.
Wandering around we saw letter in a glass cabinet, signed by Paul McCartney, requesting someone to come to an interview to be a drummer for their upcoming gig in Hamburg, offering a fee of eighteen pounds. (That would make a great Christmas present for any drummer I know and love).
Remember that poster we showed you last week? One of these Clash posters sold for 380 (didn't make estimate)
On the way out, I thought I saw Scarlet the Heavenly Healer who I used to see at the Roxy Club, back in the day, and said hello. It wasn't her but the daughter of a lady who dated a member of Zep. We had a mutual rue the day we cleaned up session in the lobby "oh why hadn't I kept those punk rock flyers" or, in her case, "those signed Beatles tickets by all four Beatles", and crossed the street to Cafe Nero for a free coffee (I have a loyalty card).
Why aren't I making more art these days, I wondered.
See that marvelous BED PEACE piece? Eighty Thousand Pounds.
That's sort of a sign of the times, isn't it.
Went to a phone bidder.
Bed Peace at Christies
And so to Bed.
Peace
xxxx daisy
May you keep as warm and cozy as a taxi:
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Lou Reed - thought for the day
Not sure if I am supposed to raise my fist in a bull's horn or just stand here with my mouth open.
Wow.
Y'know, a long time ago now, I went to see Lou Reed play in a small club in New York. It was a benefit for Victoria Williams (who I am happy to report is doing well. Living in Joshua Tree. Has a Facebook account. Sang in New York for the Radio Free Song Club recently. Breathtaking. I'll find it and post it for you.)
Anyway - Lou Reed came on stage - in the dark. I hadn't seen him for years. I didn't know he wore glasses at this point, and my first thought was, "guitar tech." HOWEVER. He plugged in his guitar and strummed.
From just that one strum - you just KNEW it was Lou Reed.
And I remember thinking, "if this guy wants too, he could play something like the opening chords of Smoke On The Water - and he would flatten us all against the back wall".
Instead, he strums and tells us a story.
This summer - we were at Hop Farm. The line up on ONE stage was Magazine. Patti Smith. Lou Reed. Iggy Popp. Morrissey.
We noticed that Gang Of Four were playing at the same time as Lou Reed and I was told that Gang of Four were fantastic. And believe me. I LOVE the Gang of Four.
But I do have a deep respect for Lou Reed. And I found myself rooted to the spot.
I was sad he was older.
was surprised I was outside in a field.
I was sort of surprised I was in England.
I was glad it wasn't raining.
I thought he was pretty good. I know he was reading the words from an autocue. I know. I've got a memory like swiss cheese myself as it is.
His set list went:
Who Loves The Sun
Senselessly Cruel
Temporary Thing
Exctasy
Smalltown
Mother
Sunday Morning
Femme Fatale
Waves of Fear
Sweet Jane
Yes. Noone was more surprised than everyone aged 20 after December 1980 that he sang Mother.
I think John Lennon would have LOVED it.
I love Temporary Thing. So Much.
Okay I probably need a nap. I've got a bit emotional.
Wow.
Y'know, a long time ago now, I went to see Lou Reed play in a small club in New York. It was a benefit for Victoria Williams (who I am happy to report is doing well. Living in Joshua Tree. Has a Facebook account. Sang in New York for the Radio Free Song Club recently. Breathtaking. I'll find it and post it for you.)
Anyway - Lou Reed came on stage - in the dark. I hadn't seen him for years. I didn't know he wore glasses at this point, and my first thought was, "guitar tech." HOWEVER. He plugged in his guitar and strummed.
From just that one strum - you just KNEW it was Lou Reed.
And I remember thinking, "if this guy wants too, he could play something like the opening chords of Smoke On The Water - and he would flatten us all against the back wall".
Instead, he strums and tells us a story.
This summer - we were at Hop Farm. The line up on ONE stage was Magazine. Patti Smith. Lou Reed. Iggy Popp. Morrissey.
We noticed that Gang Of Four were playing at the same time as Lou Reed and I was told that Gang of Four were fantastic. And believe me. I LOVE the Gang of Four.
But I do have a deep respect for Lou Reed. And I found myself rooted to the spot.
I was sad he was older.
was surprised I was outside in a field.
I was sort of surprised I was in England.
I was glad it wasn't raining.
I thought he was pretty good. I know he was reading the words from an autocue. I know. I've got a memory like swiss cheese myself as it is.
His set list went:
Who Loves The Sun
Senselessly Cruel
Temporary Thing
Exctasy
Smalltown
Mother
Sunday Morning
Femme Fatale
Waves of Fear
Sweet Jane
Yes. Noone was more surprised than everyone aged 20 after December 1980 that he sang Mother.
I think John Lennon would have LOVED it.
I love Temporary Thing. So Much.
Okay I probably need a nap. I've got a bit emotional.
Letter from London to Stupefaction (1)
Dear Mr Boogaloo
Have you managed to get all your make up off from last week?
No. Me neither.
Here's the story from my pumpkin patch - wonders The Great Pumpkin delivered to us here in the UK.
And Hey! I mentioned Rough Trade in my last letter and guess what - last night we watched The Story Of Rough Trade - a documentary on the BBC.co.uk/programmes/b00j4dx5.
I love Geoff Travis. Hair and No Hair. He has had a bit of a scary time in the record business.
Did you know that the idea behind Halloween is that Departed Spirits come out of their tombs on the 31st October and walk around looking for people to take back to the Underworld with them. If you dress up and disguise yourself, they won't work out it's you and you will remain on earth. And they especially won't grab you if you look like you are a Departed Spirit yourself.
We went to Nambucca www.nambuccallondon.com on the Holloway Road.
They put on a show to celebrate our Dear Departed JOHN PEEL ( the 25th October was JOHN PEEL DAY).
The Line up:
14 ICED BEARS (etherial. very late night radio friendly)
TELEVISION PERSONALITIES
VIV ALBERTINE (The Slits)
VIC GODARD AND THE SUBWAY SECT
followed by Blindness.
Blindness is a local up and coming talented girl band who
But that's funny, right.
It was an exciting blood pumping night. I swear. I swear if I had turned round, I would have being saying hello to John Peel.
Wait! Look!
No.
No.
Not John Peel.
Is this Lee McFadden from Television Personalities? (had that single "Where's Bill Grundy Now"?) .
I understand Dan Treacy was off sick.
Please God let him get well. (Rumour has it he might have something to do with Arctic Monkeys - ?)
Enjoy a song from their set here: wwww.youtube.com/watch?v=e9T8wfHx4wc
(Lee played with my hero, Mark Perry in Alternative Television. I think he should visit the states and play with Tom Verlaine. I bet they would get a kick out of each other.)
So here's the poster:
JOHN PEEL DAY 7 years since his death. We loved him. We still love him.
This is Spizz who was signed to Rough Trade.
Tonight he was Our Hero in this fabulous homemade hero outfit.
Upload tiny video of spizz winking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6MNbE9lBd0
Do not be confused. This is not a halloween outfit.
He wears this to all the gigs he goes too. It's very practical. He is a biker.
I saw him tie his bike up to a lamppost outside earlier. Nice bike. First damsel in distress was Viv Albertine.
Here is Viv Albertine on stage being assisted by Spizz as he (a) noticed she wasn't plugged in (b) and needed tuning up.
The clip that follows gives you an example of the shimmering Viv Albertine. The lads in front of me liked the way she looked but found her lyrics "difficult to listen too". I found it quite the opposite. Her anger was an energy. I told them if they want peace and joy, they're in the wrong club. "You are listening to Sassitude" She's singing about her Real Life. Chanelling pain. Being real. Expressing her inner life not putting on a mask and humming sweet fuck alls. From her "Home Sweet Home", "Needles" or the incredibly cleverly slam poetry of "I WANT MORE" - everything she sang had me grinning or grinding me teeth, clenching or wanting to pump my fists, shaking my head but wait - not in a hippy way. Viv is Grrrrreat.
4:32 of Viv. Not sure how to shorten this video Tim. The song is FairyTale but during the lead in she is talking about Keith Levine who gave her some guitar tips. She says "I don't mind my voice being out of tune but I do care about my guitar. Not punk I know..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxfHKRWzxAw Viv talking about tuning guitar and Keith Levine's "tips"
I staged dived for the guitarist's Mark Broby's set list (nobody got hurt and Gary confirmed nobody saw up my dress). Meanwhile, Gary's like, Oh there's the drum roadie. He says, are you going to throw away that set list with Paul Cook's name on it?
Drum tech: Do you wannit?
Gary: Cheers mate.
PHOTO OF SET LIST signed by Vic
Outside afterwards he gives mine to two lads who motored down from Leeds (Wayne looked a bit like a young Paul Cook) and gets his signed by Vic Godard who was wearing his Royal Mail work shirt.
upload photo
We grinned our faces off all night. I know. Not very punk.
Have you managed to get all your make up off from last week?
No. Me neither.
Here's the story from my pumpkin patch - wonders The Great Pumpkin delivered to us here in the UK.
And Hey! I mentioned Rough Trade in my last letter and guess what - last night we watched The Story Of Rough Trade - a documentary on the BBC.co.uk/programmes/b00j4dx5.
I love Geoff Travis. Hair and No Hair. He has had a bit of a scary time in the record business.
Did you know that the idea behind Halloween is that Departed Spirits come out of their tombs on the 31st October and walk around looking for people to take back to the Underworld with them. If you dress up and disguise yourself, they won't work out it's you and you will remain on earth. And they especially won't grab you if you look like you are a Departed Spirit yourself.
We went to Nambucca www.nambuccallondon.com on the Holloway Road.
They put on a show to celebrate our Dear Departed JOHN PEEL ( the 25th October was JOHN PEEL DAY).
The Line up:
14 ICED BEARS (etherial. very late night radio friendly)
TELEVISION PERSONALITIES
VIV ALBERTINE (The Slits)
VIC GODARD AND THE SUBWAY SECT
followed by Blindness.
Blindness is a local up and coming talented girl band who
But that's funny, right.
It was an exciting blood pumping night. I swear. I swear if I had turned round, I would have being saying hello to John Peel.
Wait! Look!
No.
No.
Not John Peel.
Is this Lee McFadden from Television Personalities? (had that single "Where's Bill Grundy Now"?) .
I understand Dan Treacy was off sick.
Please God let him get well. (Rumour has it he might have something to do with Arctic Monkeys - ?)
Enjoy a song from their set here: wwww.youtube.com/watch?v=e9T8wfHx4wc
(Lee played with my hero, Mark Perry in Alternative Television. I think he should visit the states and play with Tom Verlaine. I bet they would get a kick out of each other.)
So here's the poster:
JOHN PEEL DAY 7 years since his death. We loved him. We still love him.
This is Spizz who was signed to Rough Trade.
Tonight he was Our Hero in this fabulous homemade hero outfit.
Upload tiny video of spizz winking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6MNbE9lBd0
Do not be confused. This is not a halloween outfit.
He wears this to all the gigs he goes too. It's very practical. He is a biker.
I saw him tie his bike up to a lamppost outside earlier. Nice bike. First damsel in distress was Viv Albertine.
Here is Viv Albertine on stage being assisted by Spizz as he (a) noticed she wasn't plugged in (b) and needed tuning up.
The clip that follows gives you an example of the shimmering Viv Albertine. The lads in front of me liked the way she looked but found her lyrics "difficult to listen too". I found it quite the opposite. Her anger was an energy. I told them if they want peace and joy, they're in the wrong club. "You are listening to Sassitude" She's singing about her Real Life. Chanelling pain. Being real. Expressing her inner life not putting on a mask and humming sweet fuck alls. From her "Home Sweet Home", "Needles" or the incredibly cleverly slam poetry of "I WANT MORE" - everything she sang had me grinning or grinding me teeth, clenching or wanting to pump my fists, shaking my head but wait - not in a hippy way. Viv is Grrrrreat.
4:32 of Viv. Not sure how to shorten this video Tim. The song is FairyTale but during the lead in she is talking about Keith Levine who gave her some guitar tips. She says "I don't mind my voice being out of tune but I do care about my guitar. Not punk I know..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxfHKRWzxAw Viv talking about tuning guitar and Keith Levine's "tips"
I staged dived for the guitarist's Mark Broby's set list (nobody got hurt and Gary confirmed nobody saw up my dress). Meanwhile, Gary's like, Oh there's the drum roadie. He says, are you going to throw away that set list with Paul Cook's name on it?
Drum tech: Do you wannit?
Gary: Cheers mate.
PHOTO OF SET LIST signed by Vic
Outside afterwards he gives mine to two lads who motored down from Leeds (Wayne looked a bit like a young Paul Cook) and gets his signed by Vic Godard who was wearing his Royal Mail work shirt.
upload photo
We grinned our faces off all night. I know. Not very punk.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Pop Group and Public Enemy at ATP October 1st/2nd 2011
There are a few reasons to jump in the car and jet to the Jersey Shore next week:
number one is The Pop Group are going to play their first US gig this century.
I guarantee you will never see a band like them.
They were hot and funky in Punk Rock London last century and haven't lost any of their edge or groove.
I saw them this time last year at a tiny club called The Garage in Highbury Islington, London and don't regret the plane fare one bit. I went to both shows and both were magic.
I understand they have been in the studio together since 9/12/2010. My hope was for a Pop Group Christmas present but it hasn't happened - i believe that's a YET.
Mark Stewart has been working on a collaboration record and has some mind opening sounds in a recording facility near me. Hopefully that will be in the merch tent. Fingers crossed.
Their drummer is Bruce Smith fresh from Public Image Limited's recent outings to spots around the world including a recent visit to Japan. He'll give your skeleton a dance lesson.
The second reason to get a ticket for OCTOBER 2 is that PUBLIC ENEMY are going to play the whole of their BRILLIANT album Fear of A Black Planet.
There's a brilliant download available on this link - and it's also where you can get your All Tomorrows parties tickets
See you in the front row.
xxxdaisy
number one is The Pop Group are going to play their first US gig this century.
I guarantee you will never see a band like them.
They were hot and funky in Punk Rock London last century and haven't lost any of their edge or groove.
I saw them this time last year at a tiny club called The Garage in Highbury Islington, London and don't regret the plane fare one bit. I went to both shows and both were magic.
I understand they have been in the studio together since 9/12/2010. My hope was for a Pop Group Christmas present but it hasn't happened - i believe that's a YET.
Mark Stewart has been working on a collaboration record and has some mind opening sounds in a recording facility near me. Hopefully that will be in the merch tent. Fingers crossed.
Their drummer is Bruce Smith fresh from Public Image Limited's recent outings to spots around the world including a recent visit to Japan. He'll give your skeleton a dance lesson.
The second reason to get a ticket for OCTOBER 2 is that PUBLIC ENEMY are going to play the whole of their BRILLIANT album Fear of A Black Planet.
There's a brilliant download available on this link - and it's also where you can get your All Tomorrows parties tickets
See you in the front row.
xxxdaisy
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tonight (& tomorrow) in Air Conditioned New York City
Alessi is over from the London UK and playing at The Living Room on Ludlow Street
Tonight at 11pm
and
Tomorrow at 6pm
The joint has air conditioning, relaxed atmosphere and beverages.
Hear Alessi sing KITE FLYING here
Find out where Alessi is playing next and hear some of her other delightfilled songs here: Alessi's My Space page AND tour dates
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