TRAPPED on a desert island with only one album? Let’s hope a nice bottle of rum washes up. Strangely enough I did once find a letter in a bottle that came from America all the way to Scotland, but we’ll save that story for another time. Like many people I have a vast collection of…
Read articleNEW this week: Five and Tens – The Godzilla Attacks Tokyo Kamikaze Blues Band – Fire up the Sun & Lewca – The Roundlakes – Losslines and As Particles Collide. STAYING with us for at least one more week: Pepe & The Bandits – Szczeciński Zespół Dupa – Livingmore – The Baines and Dads Under…
Read articleOUT now from Colwyn Bay’s LA LA LETTES (the brainchild of Chris Triggs) the truly wonderfully diverse, personal, yet original album, ‘Obsession.’ “I wrote the album during late summer, early autumn 2021,” said Triggs. “I couldn’t stop writing last year, eager to build up the discography. ‘Obsession’ is the fifth album and I approached it…
Read article‘LOVE IN VAIN: The Story Of The Ruts and Ruts D.C.’ is a story that is as real and brutal as it is joyous and righteous. Widely and quite rightly regarded by those that know as one of the greatest punk bands of all time, The Ruts enjoyed three whirlwind years of success and a…
Read articleDAN WHITEHOUSE launces his new album, ‘The Glass Age’ on Friday (22nd) at London’s ‘The Harrison.’ The sixth album from Whitehouse sees the English singer-songwriter guided by his deeply observant and vulnerable-making lyrics and exceptional storytelling, towards an infinitely hopeful conclusion. Whilst written by Whitehouse as he normally would on his guitar, the songs are…
Read articleWELL, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Shipwrecked alone on a deserted island with only a solitary album to keep me company. Not sure if I packed a record player, but I’m sure I could fashion one using palm branches and clam shells without too much trouble. Anyhow, it’s certainly no more daunting…
Read articleAFTER leaving Buzzcocks in 1977, Manchester’s Howard DeVoto formed Magazine later the same year. The band were at their peak between 1977 and 1981. The less said about the 2009 reunion, the better. ‘My Tulpa’ was included on the 1978 album, ‘Real Life.’ Lyrics I suspect you ain’t so sweetAs the lust I’m concealingMy skin…
Read articleWITHOUT doubt one of the most prolific musicians around, Mike Bouchér has released almost 30 songs within the past month, all under the guise of ‘3Mind Blight.’ 3Mind Blight’s ‘Can’t You See’ was one of the indie successes of 2021, the powerful rock epic receiving plaudits from far and wide. But is there a danger,…
Read articleTHIS is a memoir as wry, funny, moving and vivid as its inimitable subject himself. This book will be a joy for both lifelong fans and for a whole new generation. John Cooper Clarke is a phenomenon: Poet Laureate of Punk, rock star, fashion icon, TV and radio presenter, social and cultural commentator. At 5…
Read articleI HAVE to face it—by human standards I’m getting to be a bit long in the tooth. But as a Space Shark I’m just getting started. I still feel like I did when I was 20—creative and inspired by the wonders of the world. When I was sent to Earth as a pup, my mission…
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