Another sad day. Yet again, we lose another musical visionary. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys has passed away at the age of eighty two. His story is legendary, full of battles with an overbearing,abusive father and manager Murry, mental health issues and the family association with one Charlie Manson. In spite of this- indeedContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Beach Boys- Good Vibrations”
Tag Archives: In memoriam
So Long, Marianne
Marianne Faithfull has passed away, aged 78. She had long battled various health conditions, and was a battler right up until the end. They broke the mould when they made Marianne, a member of the Austrian aristocracy whose career was as complex as she was. Few singers can boast both a career in their teensContinue reading “So Long, Marianne”
In Heaven, Everything Is Fine…
I’m not the biggest fan of the late David Lynch, because of his more problematic elements (depictions of gendered violence, exploitation etc) but he was unquestionably a smart, bold auteur who took risks in every project he took on. His admirers are aware of the complexities within his work. I adore the peerless 1977 classicContinue reading “In Heaven, Everything Is Fine…”
The Queen Is Dead, Long Live The Queen
James Lee Williams, who has sadly passed away aged just thirty two, was a brilliant all-rounder. The Vivienne, his drag queen alter ego named after legendary designer Vivienne Westwood, was the epitome of Scouse fierceness: witty, no-nonsense and extremely smart. I saw them perform in Drag Race UK Live in 2019 (they were the firstContinue reading “The Queen Is Dead, Long Live The Queen”
“A Teenage Dream’s So Hard To Beat”
I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that it’s just over twenty years since we lost the great John Peel. For anyone at all interested in music beyond the mainstream- from glam to punk to drum ‘n’ bass, Peel championed all of it. It’s hard to imagine the musical landscape without his legacyContinue reading ““A Teenage Dream’s So Hard To Beat””
The Last Piece I Will Write About You
The last time I saw you, you brushed past me on the subway like we were strangers. It was your eyes that struck me. It was your eyes but they weren’t your eyes anymore. They were dulled, glassy, like dirty window panes where no light gets in. I wondered where you had been, but IContinue reading “The Last Piece I Will Write About You”
A Contorted Tribute
James Chance passed away on June 18th ,and I wanted to pay tribute here with his trademark song. Part of the teenage No Wave scene in the late 70s in New York, alongside the likes of Lydia Lunch, DNA and Mars, he and The Contortions were a forward thinking squall of punk, funk and noise.Continue reading “A Contorted Tribute”
Steve Albini Was A Contrarian
Goodbye Steve Albini, you sonic wizard. The obituaries have rightly praised the music legend as a brilliant producer and musician. What I found most fascinating though, were his many contradictions. He wrote offensive lyrics and named his band Rapeman after the manga comic, but championed many female feminist artists. His music was pure punk; butContinue reading “Steve Albini Was A Contrarian”
Anatomy Of A Fall Song: I Am Damo Suzuki
We’ve lost some wonderful people lately, and far too young: Benjamin Zephaniah, Olly Emanuel and Sinead O’Connor, to name but a few. Damo Suzuki ,while not as young, nevertheless leaves a sad space in our lives. The indefatigable solo artist and former Can frontman toured and recorded well into his senior years. He passed awayContinue reading “Anatomy Of A Fall Song: I Am Damo Suzuki”
Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me
What a fully-formed debut Red Roses For Me, released in 1984, was. Somehow producer Pete Brennan managed to distil the chaotic energy of The Pogues’ live gigs.It’s stunning. This, coupled with irrepressible lead singer Shane MacGowan ‘s gimlet eyed poetry (Transmetropolitan, Dark Streets of London) meant they were forever torn between raucous piss- up andContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me”
Hit The North 