With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

“did you see the suits and the platform boots?” March 1, 2009


I’m back again and it’s a brand new month, time Marches on doesn’t it? Anyway there have been some excellent comments in response to the current banking farce and also about the Chris Allen naked story, we still don’t know who he/ she is although Tom has owned up to searching for naked pictures of the elusive Chris. No one has found us yet via the Lily Allen naked route though, I’m beginning to think that’s a good thing.

I have also received a couple of e mails relating to my comments about that splendid airline company Ryanair who as you know offer some very cheap headline fares and then charge for everything else on top. The UK press today says they are floating an idea to put coin op slots on the aircraft toilets. You’ll need to spend a pound to ‘spend a penny’. On a similar note I reckon you’ll love the link sent to us by Nick H, just click on Ryanair. Maybe it’s actually true!

The new cheaper Ryanair fleet had just been delivered

The new cheaper Ryanair fleet had just been delivered

Larry sent this one to the Dead Zone Yahoo Group, which is where I borrowed it from. It’s an excellent link to a site showing Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” video but doctored so that it has him singing about what is actually in the video. Trust me this one is very funny!

Billy held out his arms ready to fly, he figured it would be so much cheaper than Ryanair

Billy held out his arms ready to fly, he figured it would be so much cheaper than Ryanair

Feel free to send me things that you think the other readers may enjoy, mostly music related but hey there’ll always be the occasional rant about things like Banking and Ryanair 🙂

So onto todays ton of trivia, well maybe not a ton, but quite a lot! Starting with a couple of birthdays. Firstly 1st March 2009 is Roger Daltrey’s 65th birthday. Does that mean he’ll be getting a “Magic Bus” pass? Roger is one of the two surviving members of the Who along with Pete Townshend. In 1972 Roger took the starring role in a fully orchestrated version of the Who’s “Tommy” at the Rainbow Theatre in London. According to Pete Townshend, who was in the audience, this was the moment when he realised just how good Daltrey was. He spent the next few years worried that Daltrey would leave the band, thankfully for us that didn’t happen. In 1973 Daltrey released his first solo album called, very imaginatively, ‘Daltrey’. Most (or maybe all) the songs for it were written by none other than Leo Sayer with his co writer Dave Courtney. Leo went on to record some of the songs for his own albums in the future, notably “One Man Band”. My favourite track from that album and yes it’s also one of the 50 songs in my top 10, was “Giving It All Away” This clip is from a 1973 edition of the Beebs excellent “Old Grey Whistle Test” it also features Russ Ballard from Argent on guitar.

The front row at this gig soon became aware just how many baked beans Roger had eaten before the show

The front row at this gig soon became aware just how many baked beans Roger had eaten before the show

Today is also the 36th birthday of Ryan Peake guitarist with the band Nickleback. For some strange reason my mate Dave always calls them Stickleback, but then his better half calls him Nobby, so perhaps we shouldn’t go there eh? Nickleback got their name from something Mike Kroeger, also a band member, used to say every day when he worked at Starbucks. After a sale if a customer paid cash he often asked “would you like your Nickel back?” I presume that if Gareth Gates formed a band now it might be called ‘Doyouwantfrieswiththat’ what do you think? Anyway here are the Nickleback boys with “How You Remind Me

The band much preferred fans to wave their phones and not their flame throwers during the slow songs

The band much preferred fans to wave their phones and not their flame throwers during the slow songs

On this day in 1970 Mott the Hoople appeared at the Northcote Arms in Middlesex (I think I’ve had a pint or two in there in my much younger days) They were supported by none other than Genesis in the days before they had a singing drummer! Mott have reformed for a London gig later this year are any of you guys going? If you ever read Rock books you must read Ian Hunter’s ‘Diary Of A Rock n Roll Star’ Ian was Mott’s front man and the book is about the bands early 70s days touring in the US. It is truly an excellent book. In 1972 after a show in Zurich the band decided to split up. After hearing this news one of their biggest fans, none other than David Bowie (another Bowie reference at last!) offered them one of his new songs to persuade them to carry on. The band rejected “Suffragette City” but went on to record “All The Young Dudes”. The rest as they say is history. Here’s one for you fact fans, Mick Jones of the Clash was also a big fan of Mott too. My favourite Mott the Hoople song is “Saturday Gigs” which is about the band’s history and also features the late great (another l & g comeback) Mick Ronson who was a member of the band for just a short while in the mid 70s

It was clear that Ian Hunter had the Austin Powers look even before Austin existed

It was clear that Ian Hunter had the Austin Powers look even before Austin existed

On this day in 1977 Iggy Pop appeared at Friars in Aylesbury and his keyboard player was none other than David Bowie. (Whaddya know, no Bowie references for a while and then two arrive at once, a bit like Mr Daltrey’s Magic Bus perhaps?) Iggy with Ziggy now that’s cool! The support band that night was the Vibrators. I wonder if they’ve changed their name and now tour as the ‘Rampant Rabbits’? 😉 Well if the Stones Roses (see yesterdays post) considered ‘Angry Young Teddy Bears’ as a name it’s not beyond the realms of possibility is it? Anyway let’s get back to the Igster, if you haven’t heard his original version of “China Girl” click the title to check it out, it really does blow Bowie’s version away!

Iggy had to sell his shirts to pay for his RyanAir extras

Iggy had to sell his shirts to pay for his RyanAir extras

And finally I’ve included this as I used the word motley the other day and didn’t mention the crue at all. On this day in 1997 a Motley Crue fan who claimed his hearing had been irreparably damaged after a show in New Jersey had his lawsuit thrown out of court. The judge told Clifford Goldberg (aka Chris Allen? Well you never know!) ,who was sat near the front of the stage that he knew what risk he was taking. Presumably Clifford said “Wot?” In the meantime here are the boys with “Smoking In The Boys Room” Is that headmaster scary or what? “Wot?” oh shut up Clifford I’m not talking to you!

The boys had looked forward to Halloween all year long. "Wot?" said Clifford

The boys had looked forward to Halloween all year long. "Wot?" said Clifford

 

“Everything you think do or say, is in the pill you took today” February 15, 2009


Good morning/ afternoon/ evening/ night everyone. Incidentally it’s morning for me, I so wanted to sleep but I couldn’t so I’m up before 7am on a Sunday morning. Is that an age thing perhaps? Do I need less sleep now I’m older? OK so before I start I recently borrowed the DVD of ‘Wall-E’ and finally watched it last night, now that is a superb movie. If you haven’t seen it yet shame on you! Here is the Peter Gabriel song “Down To Earth” from the film.

-)

I love this little dude 🙂

OK so now let’s get back to business as nearly normal, starting with a few birthdays. Brian Holland of the classic Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland is 68 today, 15th February. He is one of the Hollands in the team (obviously…doh!) along with his brother Eddie and Lamont Dozier. The guys wrote at least 25 US number one singles in a phenomenal career. Check out the Four Tops with “Reach Out I’ll Be There” probably my favourite HDH song. When they left Motown, somewhat acrimoniously in the 60s they went on to set up Invictus Records and wrote another string of hits. It has been alleged that the songs they wrote for the ‘Chairmen Of The Board’, one of Invictus’ most successful groups, would have been recorded by the Four Tops had HDH stayed with Motown. Listen to “Give Me Just A Little More Time” and tell me if you think it would have worked as a Four Tops song. I’m sure it would! And here for the hell of it is the Kylie Minogue version…. and why not?

2 x Hollands + 1 Dozier = Classic Motown

2 x Hollands + 1 Dozier = Classic Motown

The second and final of the birthdays today is that of Denny Zager (off of Zager and Evans) who is 65 today (according to my books, but Wiki says 18th February), will he live until the year 2525 we wonder though! Yep the Zager and Evans duo could almost define the “One Hit Wonder” phrase (it’s such a shame that Robbie W didn’t stop at one hit!) with their classic 1969 hit “In The Year 2525” The song was at number one in the US charts when Apollo 11 reached the moon in July 1969.

Zager and Evans - "In The Year 2525"

Zager and Evans - "In The Year 2525"

On this day in 1968 the Lennons and Harrisons arrived in India to study meditation with the Maharishi. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr arrived 4 days later. Ringo left shortly afterwards claiming that it was like a stay in a Butlins Holiday Camp. John Lennon went on to write about their experiences with the Maharishi in the song “Sexy Sadie” from the White Album. He apparently changed the title from it’s original “Maharishi” to “Sexy Sadie” at the request of George Harrison. It was also the last song that Lennon wrote on that trip to India

The Fabs in Rishikesh, India with the Maharishi (aka Sexy Sadie)

The Fabs in Rishikesh, India with the Maharishi (aka Sexy Sadie)

On this day in 1961 the Marcels recorded the classic (yes I know yet another classic!) “Blue Moon” Click on the song title to hear the song and watch a most bizarre film accompanying it, it even features Spongebob Squarepants! But back to the Marcels, the group were named after a popular early 60s hair style the Marcell Wave and the lead singer was the wonderfully named Cornelius Harp. That has to be one of the best names in the history of rock!

The Marcels

The Marcels

And finally for today a couple of bands for you to check out and I would love to know what you think of them. Firstly a band I went to see on Tuesday night this week at Fibbers in York. It’s the second time I’ve seen them and they are rather excellent, they are called “Lights In The Sky” check them out on MySpace www.myspace.com/litsband

Also check out Steal The Smile too, they are my son Luke’s band, they’ve written some excellent songs and are looking for gigs, so if any promoters are reading this get in touch with them! Check them out on MySpace www.myspace.com/stealthesmile


 

“another day older and deeper in debt….” February 13, 2009


1, 2, 3, 4 dun dur dun, dun dur dun etc. What the bloody hell was that I can hear you say? well I just fancied beginning todays blog just like the Ramones started all their songs mainly because I wanted to add “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker” to todays post and there is no “on this day” Ramones news for today as far as I’m aware. Play it, pogo around the office, kitchen, bus, train, coffee bar, internet cafe, toilet or shed and enjoy! If I could have been in any band in the world ever I think I would have picked the Ramones, Billy Ramone sounds kind of ok too 🙂

Here are da brudders with one of my heroes.....Homer Simpson

Here are da brudders with one of my heroes.....Homer Simpson

Also I hope that all you triskaidekophobics have been ok today and nothing bad has befallen you.

OK back to the usual stuff you’ve come to know and love dear friends and readers. Starting with those birthdays. Firstly it’s my Mum’s birthday today, she is 73, Happy Birthday Mum 🙂

Tennessee Ernie Ford would have been 90 today, but sadly he died nearly 20 years ago. He was responsible for giving Capitol Records their first number one of the rock era in the US with the song “Sixteen Tons” It was number one in the US in 1955 and in the UK in 1956, now that was even before I was born, so that is REALLY old!

Tennessee or Mr Ford to you, but to me.......Ernie

Tennessee or Mr Ford to you, but to me.......Ernie

second up on the aging fast stakes, well he’s older than me anyway, is Mr Peter Gabriel who is 59 today. I suppose he’ll be going out for a Lamb Bhuna and a skinful in New York and then lying down on Broadway. (such an appaling reference, is anyone reading this warped enough to get it I wonder?) my favourite Peter Gabriel song is “Solsbury Hill” I also preferred Genesis with Gabriel at the helm as opposed to the bloody singing drummer!. The song is actually all about Gabriels departure from the band. The video for Gabriel’s song Sledgehammer was co produced by Aardman Animations who later went on to massive worldwide success with Wallace and Gromit. Peter also won a grammy for his soundtrack to the Scorcese movie “The Last Temptation Of Christ” which bizarrely starred David Bowie as Pontius Pilate. I’m am one of Bowie’s biggest fans, but he’s certainly no actor, well not in my opinion anyway, apart from perhaps “The Man Who Fell To Earth” in which he pretty much played himself!

Flower Power - Peter Gabriel in the costume he used to wear for "Supper's Ready" from Foxtrot, taken from a show in 72/73

Flower Power - Peter Gabriel in the costume he used to wear for "Supper's Ready" from Foxtrot, taken from a show in 72/73

Today, February 13th, is also the 53rd birthday of Peter Hook, most well known as a member of Joy Division and New Order (also Revenge and Monaco). He was also married to actress/ comedienne Caroline Aherne. I reckon he’s a damned good bass player too. Supposedly he is currently working on a new band project called Freebass with bass players Mani (The Stone Roses/ Primal Scream and Andy Rourke (The Smiths). Recently he has also performed as a DJ; though numerous videos recorded of him live show him doing nothing more than allegedly playing a free CD included in Mixmag, a DJ magazine.For me and especially as it is Valentines Day tomorrow and this song was number two in the NME’s list of alternative love songs this week, here is “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by the wonderful and late great Joy Division.

Hooky effecting the classic low slung bass player pose!

Hooky effecting the classic low slung bass player pose!

And finally, for the birthdays at least it is the birthday of one of my least favourite artists, ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr Robbie Williams who is 35 today. In my opinion Robbie is a highly overrated and untalented George Michael wannabe (words crossed out on advice from my legal team) This part of the blog does not necessarily reflect my opinion ok, I really do not like Mr Williams. But I know that many of you do, so here he is with what in my opinion is an awful song, why do people love bloody “Angels” so much? Anyway just click on the song title to hear the “fat dancer from Take That” (copyright Noel Gallagher) sing the song live at Knebworth. When Robbie released the “Rudebox” single in 2006, the British tabloid paper The Sun called it “The Worst Song Ever” and as much as it pains me to say it about such a vile publication I agree with them. To finish Robbie off (now there’s a thought) did you know that when Take That broke up after Robbie left them they announced the split on Robbie’s 24th birthday?

Robbie in his Bill Oddie disguise

Robbie in his Bill Oddie disguise

On this day 1974 David Bowie (yes that’s two Bowie references in one day……yippeee!) turned down an offer from the Gay Liberation group to compose “the worlds first Gay National Anthem” Whatever it was it would have been more exciting than the current British national anthem, that is soooooo dull. Actually I bet a lot of you didn’t know this but Scotland, Ireland and Wales all have their own National anthem but England does it. Maybe we should have a vote on what it should be, my vote goes to “God save The Queen” by the Sex Pistols, what do you think?

The excellent Jamie Reid cover art for the Pistols "God Save The Queen"

The excellent Jamie Reid cover art for the Pistols "God Save The Queen"

So to finish we go to yet another Bowie reference, but this time it’s the superb Flight Of The Concords with the hilarious “Bowie” click n laugh!