Lorna Irvine – Hit The North

Goodbye Keir

Overlooked Classic: Wonder Boys (2000)

Curtis Hanson ‘s adaptation of the Michael Chabon’s novel is just glorious. It’s wise, charming and bittersweet, and Marilyn Monroe ‘s small black coat becomes a metaphor for nostalgia, the souring of the American Dream, and a multitude of missed chances. Michael Douglas is Grady Tripp, a stoner professor of creative writing at a university,Continue reading “Overlooked Classic: Wonder Boys (2000)”

They’re Back! Sniffany and the Nits Return

Rejoice, fans of snotty punky eccentricity, for the mighty Sniffany & The Nits are back. Forget Charli XCX, it’s gonna be a punky brat summer. I love the galloping tempo and snarky vocals. It’s a bit old school, a bit forward-facing, and altogether wonderful. It’s always exciting to see what they do. https://sniffanyandthenits.bandcamp.com

New Old Release: The Cramps- TV Set

Henry Rollins and Ian Mackaye have, as lifelong fans of The Cramps, managed to unearth some lost gems from the band’s back catalogue and are releasing them through the band’s Vengeance Records. It’s a dream come true, and a real passion project for the pair. All hail the mighty Cramps, gone, but now resurrected. Huzzah!Continue reading “New Old Release: The Cramps- TV Set”

Social Media Is The Latest Scapegoat

Sir Keir Starmer has followed Australia and today implemented a blanket ban on social media for anyone under the age of sixteen. A group of parents who had lost their children spearheaded the campaign. Whilst I obviously feel for the families who lost their children, social media is not the issue- there are many problemsContinue reading “Social Media Is The Latest Scapegoat”

Album Review : Horse Lords- Demand To Be Taken To Heaven Alive!

Originally from Baltimore and now based in Germany, Horse Lords cut an experimental swathe through the indie music scene. This new album sees them expand their sound even further. The title track is as though Battles got together with Steve Reich, and created alien funk. Blips and beeps build into looping percussion and vocals. It’sContinue reading “Album Review : Horse Lords- Demand To Be Taken To Heaven Alive!”

The Ultimate Puppet Show: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit

Nassim Soleimanpour’s peerless, hugely acclaimed 2010 show White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, could be the ultimate puppet show, in spite of no marionettes on the stage. Instead, one single performer- either a well-regarded actor or comedian- stands alone on a bare stage with a table and script, penned by Soleimanpour.There are no distractions like complex scenographyContinue reading “The Ultimate Puppet Show: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit”

David Hockney Was Art, David Hockney Is Art

David Hockney , who died yesterday at the age of 88, was proof positive that you didn’t have to come from Paris or London to be an Innovator in the art world. Born in Bradford , he made art with a photographer’s eye for detail, but a painter’s delicate, experimental touch. His famous approach toContinue reading “David Hockney Was Art, David Hockney Is Art”

Overlooked Classic : Bauhaus – The Sky’s Gone Out

There isn’t much in the way of the concept album in the goth genre- perhaps only The Cure’s ‘Pornography’ comes close- but Bauhaus ‘ brilliant, multi-faceted The Sky’s Gone Out is perhaps our equivalent of a post-punk Pink Floyd or something, just with better songs. Forgive me, PF fans, but I don’t like post-Syd FloydContinue reading “Overlooked Classic : Bauhaus – The Sky’s Gone Out”

Mark E Smith : His Part In My Downfall

The audition had been bloody. Smith had various band members by the lapels, shaking them like human piñatas, waiting for ideas to just fall out. Smith kept screaming, for reasons best known to himself, “Peters and Lee!” A new musical detour for us to consider, no doubt. There had been dark mutterings in the ranksContinue reading “Mark E Smith : His Part In My Downfall”