Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song

Before Toyah, Hazel O’ Connor, Bjork, Florence Welsh and Amanda Fucking Palmer, there was the beautiful Lene Lovich. Part of Stiff Records’ roster, the Serbian American artist was a contemporary of Kate Bush but arguably a bit kookier. ‘Lucky Numbers’ was of course her top ten hit in the UK, but I prefer this. Jeepers,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Lene Lovich- Bird Song”

The Royal Mile During the Fringe

Was there ever a better analogy for social stratification than the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe? A teeming mass, a melee of desperation and showing off, it displays the disparity between the classes in all of its garish, wanton glory. Almost Ballardian in scale,the crowd even works as a guide to life itself. FirstlyContinue reading “The Royal Mile During the Fringe”

Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End

As Trainspotting turned 30 this year, I choose Pulp. This is Jarvis at his bleakest and most acerbic, This Is Hardcore aside. This deceptively rinky dinky sounding song appeared at the end of the soundtrack, taking in lyrics about poverty, terrible housing, paedophiles and casual violence. “I guess you have to go right down/ BeforeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Pulp- Mile End”

Roll Up! Roll Up! It’s Fringe Time

Roll up! Roll Up! It’s Edinburgh Fringe time. Quick, hide the addicts and the homeless. Slap on your rouge and your lipstick and get in that doorway, bitch. Entice them in. Shake yer moneymaker. Show them yer wares. A tartan tart in tat, that’s what you are. By god, it’s pure radge but we willContinue reading “Roll Up! Roll Up! It’s Fringe Time”

Some Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Predictions

****! A title will have a swear word and the accompanying poster will have a suitably provocative image, which will be catnip/rage bait to Quentin Letts. Gilded Balloon,7.30 pm 68 Guns Despite featuring music by The Alarm, this gory new musical, written by David Ireland, focuses on The Troubles. Traverse Theatre almost wet themselves withContinue reading “Some Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Predictions”

Do Give Up The Day Job?

When it comes to being a triple threat, many people excel. They’re all-rounders, who can turn their hands to everything. Then.. there are some of the greatest actors in the world, who fancied having a go at becoming singers. Take these three. Admittedly, Bette Davis knew she couldn’t sing, but the others, hmmm. Nonetheless, theseContinue reading “Do Give Up The Day Job?”

A Short Rumination On Not I

It’s a mouth, yes a mouth… Animalistic, cannibalistic… Ready to swallow you whole. In the dark, was it… Yes! All enveloped in darkness. And Billie is her name, name of said isolated mouth… Billie always was the favourite, Beckett said one word only : “miraculous”. One.. one word only. What? YES. One word in recognition,Continue reading “A Short Rumination On Not I”

Darlene’s Poem

‘Roseanne’ was such a radical sitcom for the time. It focused on a sardonic, overweight working-class couple, Roseanne and Dan Conner, and their equally wayward kids DJ, Becky and Darlene. Even by series three, the seeds of Goth Darlene were being sown. Impeccably portrayed by Sara Gilbert, she was a wisecracking tomboy (as was theContinue reading “Darlene’s Poem”