Category Archives: Music

Big Bogan Energy!

There’s something really heartening about the term bogan being used as a positive, finally. For too long, Australian and Kiwi working-class people, as with “chavs” in England and “neds” in Scotland, have been characterised as uncouth, stupid and a menace to society at large. Stereotypes persisted, of drinking, vandalism, prison tattoos and mullets, and notContinue reading “Big Bogan Energy!”

Overlooked Classic: Von Sudenfed- Tromatic Reflexxions

Or rather, MES and Mouse On Mars’ gnarly side project. Mark E Smith never liked to be second -guessed, and he had of course worked with Coldcut, so his collab with electronic pioneers Jan St Werner and Andi Toma was another delightful surprise. Smith added his addled poetry to their thick, distorted beats and itContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Von Sudenfed- Tromatic Reflexxions”

Lost In Music: Maceo and The Macks- Cross The Tracks

Maceo is the real deal, funkier than the funkiest cat. A sax player with James Brown, this is his signature tune in his own right. If you don’t wiggle to this, what’s feckin’ wrong with you? Parker is still going strong at eighty three years old, bless him. It’s the weekend so treat yourself toContinue reading “Lost In Music: Maceo and The Macks- Cross The Tracks”

Lost In Music: These New Puritans- Inside The Rose

I was wrong about this album at the time- I only gave it four stars when I reviewed it in The Wee Review. It’s a five star album. It’s a masterpiece, start to finish.George and Jack, I was wrong. From the Reichian percussion of opening track ‘Infinity Vibraphones’ to the languid eroticism of the titleContinue reading “Lost In Music: These New Puritans- Inside The Rose”

Overlooked Classic: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

There had been much speculation around the titular character of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Who was she based on? Jayne County was mooted, and indeed she herself , having seen the premise, thought the story was hers. Indeed, other lesser known artists also saw themselves in Hedwig. But according to the film’s creator andContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Hedwig and the Angry Inch”

The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs

Steve Coogan’s lesser-known character Tony Ferrino has been on my radar a lot lately, because of the Eurovision (Bulgaria won, incidentally.) Who could resist this stylish, moustachioed lothario; part Julio Iglesias, part Tom Jones, but all love stallion? This swingin’ number about a certain serial killer is possibly even better than Spinal Tap’s spirited paeanContinue reading “The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs”

Archive Review: Grimalkin 555, Buzzcut 2017

thetempohouse April 18, 2017 • Spoilt Victorian Child Grimalkin 555: ‘No Demoniacs!’ Govan Parish Church  We are gathered here tonight to bear witness to horror screen misogyny: to torture; mutilation, stabbing, strangulation, asphyxiation, hurtling bodies off buildings.All in glorious monochrome and Technicolor: women in the final death throes, hysterical and helpless, dying, endlessly dying,and all so beautifully.Continue reading “Archive Review: Grimalkin 555, Buzzcut 2017”

Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?

P…WE…I! Back in the day, West Midlands scamps Pop Will Eat Itself were a scrappy grebo band. Grebo was a term for scruffy, rough around the edges indie bands and was ubiquitous for about ten minutes in the mid -eighties. It obviously didn’t take off like grunge or Britpop, though. Then, after zero success, butContinue reading “Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?”

Dear Eurovision Organisers, I Miss This…

Katie Boyle, UK Eurovision presenter, in her “regional drag queen” pomp Controversy aside (five countries, somewhat inevitably, refused to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest because of war and corruption- furious that Israel participated) this year’s contest was relatively controversy-free… Erm… Apart from the Romanian entry which asked her lover to choke her. Hmmm. NotContinue reading “Dear Eurovision Organisers, I Miss This…”