And just like that, I’m catapulted back in time, back into the mid-nineties. Social media means phoning your friends to talk about films, clubbing is still the preferred choice of our weekends, and we can handle drinking culture and the occasional pill or spliff. Pulp, Bjork and Husker Du ring out on the dancefloor. It’sContinue reading “Young”
Tag Archives: Nostalgia
Legacy Acts
At the end of last year , I was unfortunate enough to hear the most recent single from David Byrne, ‘T Shirt’. It’s made of thin material indeed, and I say that as someone who likes some Talking Heads work and his projects with Eno and St Vincent. Likewise Kylie and her insipid Christmas single,Continue reading “Legacy Acts”
The Rise- But Not Quite Fall- Of The People’s Pervert
A still from the film Pulp: A Film About Life,Death And Supermarkets Once again, Pulp find themselves positioned as the indie outsiders. While their recent reunion and album garnered much enthusiasm (despite being a little disappointing) it’s Oasis who yet again get the headlines, playing to thousands. I wonder how Jarvis, Candida, Nick and MarkContinue reading “The Rise- But Not Quite Fall- Of The People’s Pervert”
TV Review: Video Nasty
This dark comedy drama series arrives at an interesting time, in the wake of eighties nostalgia franchises like ‘Stranger Things’ and more recently Tim Burton’s underwhelming sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’. Written by Hugh Travers and directed by Christopher Smith and Megan K Fox, it’s steeped in the pop culture of that decade, right down to MaryContinue reading “TV Review: Video Nasty”
Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…
Whisper it, but it appears that the feuding Gallagher bros Lennon and Brains are actually getting the band back together. Yes, Ahr Kid and Songwriter Kid are apparently reforming Oasis. The overrated monobrows will be touring next year. I’m with the ever-quotable Bjork who described Oasis as “bad boy scout music”. Their laddish, Beatles -worshippingContinue reading “Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…”
Overlooked Classics: Ultra Vivid Scene’s eponymous debut
Le swoon! This album is still incredible, all these years later. The debut album, Ultra Vivid Scene, by the band with the same name, is often forgotten about in the usual indie legends slots. Not here,though. Forgive my little foray into self- indulgence, it’s my birthday tomorrow. It was 1988, and I was experiencing myContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Ultra Vivid Scene’s eponymous debut”
Bye, Bye B52s
With their wild wigs, wicked wig-outs and smarter than they seemed lyrics, the Athens, Georgia legends The B52s are doing their farewell tour (at least, for now). Rock lobsters are (possibly not) provided. But before we say “Ciao”, here are a few examples of what made them so great: those killer harmonies, sci-fi sirens, surfContinue reading “Bye, Bye B52s”
Overlooked Classics:Summer Camp- Welcome To Condale
Ninety nine red balloons burst in the air. Polaroids are taken, curfews rejected and the Veronicas have taken over the prom, armed with little more than Harmony hairspray and sarcasm . If you recognise these references, chances are you’re in your forties and fifties. Married pop duo Summer Camp and their 2011 album Welcome toContinue reading “Overlooked Classics:Summer Camp- Welcome To Condale”
Quentin Smirhes v the Fisher Price Box
He is a rum one, that Quentin Smirhes. Mustard of knitwear, mercurial of mood, you never quite know what to expect from him. He is a little tetchy, sans tea and custard creams, of an afternoon. So we thought a toy jack in the box would be tickety-boo to lift his mood. We were wrong,Continue reading “Quentin Smirhes v the Fisher Price Box”
The Joy Of Kenneth
Drink up your strawberry Nesquik/Creamola Foam, finish the last crumbs of Findus Crispy Pancakes, peas and oven chips, and make a spirited dash to the wood-panelled TV set. It’s Kenneth time! Not a Kenny, most certainly not a Ken, Kenneth is a benign, smiling presence in a world of doubt. He’s crimplene- lean, a clean,Continue reading “The Joy Of Kenneth”
Hit The North 