The Afterword

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Patrick Kielty nails Johnson over Northern Ireland

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I’ve often struggled to fully understand the Brexit / border / Northern Ireland situation. Then this popped up on Twitter today from 2018. Apologies if you have already seen it but for someone like me it cuts to the core of the problem and exposes Johnson quite dramatically. I hope you are able to follow the Twitter link as I feel its worth sharing…

https://twitter.com/PatricKielty/status/1045782711816708096?s=20

Let’s play rock and pop dress up….

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While dipping into Bowie as I have been recently and yesterday choosing “Prince Charming” as one of my top 5 albums of 1981 I’ve been considering which act had the best dressing up box. I think Adam Ant’s various incarnations are my favourites. Over the top yet like a 5 year olds fancy dress party. If we’re honest the New Romantics were probably more inspired by the dandy highwayman than Ziggy Stardust. It’s a shame uploading images is such a pain but we’ve seen them all before. So share your favourite pop / rock dress ups and how far did you go to match your hero’s image?

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

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Dave Amitri on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Month three into 12 Bowie albums in 12 months as someone who had never heard a Bowie album before and I’ve arrived at “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”. It will be plain old “Ziggy Stardust….“ from now on. I definitely approached this with trepidation as it’s clearly very important to an awful lot of people. I hope my attempts to view it from a different angle are appreciated. As usual I limited my reading to a scan of Wikipedia and it immediately strikes me how ground breaking the image must have been in 1972. The Top Of the Pops “Starman” performance was obviously a turning point in Bowie’s career. I remember how people reacted to Boy George 10 years later so in 1972 the concept of a bisexual alien on the telly on a Thursday night must have  caused quite a stir. Much Blue Nun spat out into the fondue across 70’s suburbia. My mission is to see if the music lived up to the image or was it all flares and no knickers?

On the first » Continue Reading.

Ouch!

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I’m currently sat in a hospital bed full of painkillers because of a kidney stone. The pain came from nowhere driving to work yesterday like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I had to dump my car and get a taxi to hospital as it rendered me incapable of driving. I then threw up from the pain in A and E. They’ll decide tomorrow whether to operate to get it out. 7mm across apparently. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. So, tales of the worst pain you’ve ever suffered or songs of pain. Over to you to ease my boredom…

Terra Nova anyone?

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Go West the “We Close Our Eyes” hitmakers appeared on my radar this week. So I thought I’d do a bit of digging and see what I could find about the pre Go West career of Cox and Drummie. Luckily for everyone there’s not much apart from Terra Nova a band created by Cox and former Manfred Mann’s Earth Band members Chris Slade and Colin Pattenden; they released an album in 1980. The album is on YouTube. Couldn’t find it on Spotify or much else about them. So I thought I’d ask you lot if you’d come across them before and what you think. Enjoy….

12 Bowie albums in 12 months: Hunky Dory

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Dave Amitri on Hunky Dory by David Bowie

My second dive into 12 Bowie albums in 2021 as someone who had never heard a Bowie album before now brings me to Hunky Dory

February introduced me to 1971’s Hunky Dory. It’s an album that I’ve seen referenced many times and recommended as one of the great Bowie albums so it was with real relish and anticipation that I dived in. Another brilliantly androgynous cover by the way. I’m looking at you Boy George… A quick look at the track listing and suddenly I had flashes of recognition. 3 tunes leapt out as “hits”. The ones that Radio listening Bowie  fans  would instantly recognise. I did a little bit of reading but I didn’t want to influence my view too much. A first listen and it is a hugely different album to The Man Who Sold The World with a huge reliance on piano and less of a rock album. It felt quite messy, eclectic with no definitive sound but in amongst the mess I was able to see that this was a seismic shift towards the Bowie sound. Whatever that is. And it has hits, massive, wonderful hits…

Changes is » Continue Reading.

The Murky World of Covid Twitter

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Skimming Twitter tonight I came across a post from Peston about the potential of “Vaccine Passports” and “Rapid Flow Testing” for restaurants, theatres and pubs. I made the mistake of responding with the Tweet attached. It has brought the very worst of Twitter out from under their stones in a way I’ve not experienced before. “Nazi”, “Fascist” “Imbecile” Twat” are just some of the things I’ve been called for suggesting should I own a restaurant I would only cater for those who had a vaccine or agreed to a test. I haven’t responded. I should know better, play with fire etc. I’ve a thick skin which is protected further by my online pseudonym. Justin would be so proud. Anyway I thought some of you might find it interesting, some might think I’m stupid and some might just ignore it as is the way of these things. It does however remind me that on the whole this place is very forgiving…. Twitter on the other hand…

Edit: I should add there was also plenty of support and not all responses were vile. P

https://twitter.com/DaveAmitri/status/1361374647942598656?s=20

The Associates – Perhaps

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I was reminded that this album was released 35 years ago this week. It cost Warner £250000 to make in 1985, had 3 perfect mid 80’s singles, half of Heaven 17 producing it and Billy Mackenzie singing. What could possibly go wrong? Well everything it seems. It reached the heady position of 23 in the album charts. Almost bankrupt everyone involved and finished Billy as a commercial artist. I loved it of course and still do. The article I’ve linked to says everything and more that I could. Reasons why “Waiting For The Loveboat” wasnt number 1 for weeks welcome…

https://thequietus.com/articles/27807-associates-perhaps-review-reissue

So Morten Harket Was Viking On The Masked Singer…

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I recognised his voice straight away, it was obvious to me. I loved Aha back in the 80’s and had a bit of a boy crush on Morten in his rugged double denim and granite cheekbones. It turned out in the end I wanted to be him rather than be with him…. Anyway no surprise to know that I lost them post 80s and I’m sure I’ve seen nice things written about them here before. So any grown up Aha recommendations would be welcome.

The Man Who Sold The World

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Dave Amitri on The Man Who Sold The World

For those who aren’t aware I am a pop loving 55 year old music civilian who before this project had never listened to a David Bowie album despite knowing all the radio playlist Bowie tunes by heart. I’ve decided to listen to a Bowie album a month during 2021 from “The Man Who Sold The World” to “Scary Monsters “ after being told they are the best run of 12 albums ever. My angle is to try and find where I have heard his influence in the music of my heroes and report it as so many of them have cited Bowie as an inspiration. Maybe some will become favourites of mine…

 Starting my Bowie odyssey with “The Man Who Sold The World” an album made 50 years ago I wasn’t  sure what to expect. Bowie the great originator at the beginning of a run of 12 great albums. My expectations were high. So I pressed play. “The Width of a Circle” began and straight away I heard that guitar swoosh intro straight from “Foxy Lady”…. Now this is no bad thing I love The Jimi Hendrix Experience but it set » Continue Reading.

My 2021 Bowie project

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Twitter was full of Bowie tweets over the weekend including this one. It got me thinking that in my little musical bubble I have never listened to a whole David Bowie album. I know all the radio Bowie playlist songs by heart but I’d never looked further. Yes, I am odd, especially as so many of my musical favourites cite Bowie as a major influence. So I’m going to put that right.

My era Bowie should have been “Let’s Dance” but I hated “China Girl” so I didn’t bother. Thankfully the Tweet that piqued my interest states that the 12 albums from “The Man Who Sold The World” to “Scary Monsters” are the greatest run of consecutive albums ever. So I’m doing one a month in 2021. I might do some “Nights In” if that doesnt bore everyone too much and if I dont run out of steam…. I’m really enjoying “TMWSTW” at the moment…..

https://twitter.com/memorialdevice/status/1347678232406056963?s=20

Thompson Twins: Out of the Squat and Into The Gap

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Dave Amitri on Thompson Twins

Most of us remember the Thompson Twins from their mid 80s pomp. Big hair, cartoon image, percussive excess, out of context whoops, wails and whizzes, drum machines, synths and generally everything you either love or hate about the music of that period. In the recent podcast I subconsciously picked Thompson Twins as the band I would choose as an example of just how far I would go to defend the honour of 80’s music. In that moment had I  suggested that they were indefensible such was their total eightiesness? I thought long and hard about that comment and decided to revisit, reassess and reappraise Thompson Twins (not THE Thompson Twins as I learned) this is that story….

I need to go back first, back to April 1983 when I was on a train from Staines to Ashford clutching my WH Smith’s bag and inside was the 12 inch version of “We Are Detective”. I’d chosen what I thought was an empty carriage but no, there behind a seat I heard voices of two post punk lads who I’d known but  avoided at school. They spotted me. “What’s in the bag?” they snarled. I shyly answered » Continue Reading.

Have we done George Michael?

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I watched “Last Christmas” the movie yesterday. A light rom com with a twist and a Wham / George Michael soundtrack. One song leapt out at me and got me thinking how in an 80’s podcast and subsequent front men gone solo thread George barely got a mention except in Tiggers Andrew Ridgely eulogy. I’ve never hidden my love of Wham. They ticked all my quick pop hit fix needs time and again. When George went solo he was omnipresent on the radio but for some reason I lost contact with his music. I stuck a Spotofy playlist on of solo George yesterday and there is so much more to his solo work than perhaps he might get credit for. There have been many stories since his death about what a generous man he was. There was some snark aimed at him and his music when he died, Andy Kershaw was particularly cruel I think . His music meant a huge amount to a huge amount of people and I thought we could share any stories or favourites you have even though he’s not necessarily immediately Afterword friendly This has been in my head since yesterday. I think it’s quite » Continue Reading.

When 80’s front men or women went solo….

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During the recent podcast I mentioned that I am enjoying some great music from artists who had successful careers as part of a band back in the 80’s who then went on to have less commercial solo careers. Their star may have waned as the decade ended but their talent blossomed into the 90’s and beyond. I’m currently really enjoying “Realms Of Gold” by Dr Robert of The Blow Monkeys. Made in 1994 it’s beautiful thing. He’s also made more albums as The Blow Monkeys. All of which deserve a listen. I can think of plenty of others but as this is now a forum I’ll put it out for discussion. 80s pop princes and princesses who put the glitter away and got serious when the 80’s ended…

The Darkness

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Venue:

The Roundhouse, Camden

Date: 20/12/2019

Starting a night like tonight with “Rock n Roll Deserves To Die” from their new album “Easter Is Cancelled” could have been seen as a self full filling prophecy by some. Not it seems by Justin Hawkins and his band. They flew into this raucous blast at the hand that feeds them with tongue as always firmly in cheek. Justin, brother Dan, Frankie and Roger Taylor’s (Queen) son kicked off a two hour rampage of lights, fireworks, sweary backdrops and heavy metal drama and didn’t take a breath. Doing “Easter Is Cancelled” in full was another brave step but they know their craft, know their audience and just fucking know. It’s a collection of new but familiar songs straight from the heavy metal handbook. Just brilliant fun with Justin’s truly astonishing operatic voice leading the way. The crowd loved it but the anticipation for the second half of hits was everywhere. It duly kicked off with “One Way Ticket To Hell and Back” and the metal levels went up to twelve. Thirteen songs in before they dipped into “Permission To Land” with a storming “You’re Really Growing On Me”. A cover of Radiohead’s » Continue Reading.

Sitcoms do Brexit…

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Someone on Twitter yesterday asked for controversial sitcom opinions . I went with-

Terry and June – Remain

George and Mildred – Leave

To which I had this wonderful reply-

Mildred would have told George to vote remain. He would have voted leave. She would have found out. With hilarious consequences.

Terry would have voted remain by accident. With hilarious etc.

This prompted me to wonder how other sitcoms might have handled Brexit-

What about the Goodes and the Leadbetters?

Tom and Barbara wouldn’t have cared which would have infuriated leaver Margot (friend by association via Miss Mountshaft of Mrs May) Jerry would have voted remain because of CJ. Hilarious Brexit based dinner party ensues….

Any more?

Reconnecting with a tune via an unexpected source

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The Argos Christmas ad features Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me” a song I’d completely tired of to the point I would skip it should it appear on the radio or a playlist. The ad focuses on the drumming and it’s brilliant ( the ad and the drumming). It’s completely reinvigorated the song for me and suddenly I can’t get enough of it. Has this happened to you and what was it that reconnected you to a previously tired old song?

Tears For Fears

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Venue:

Hampton Court Palace

Date: 19/06/2019

Hampton Court Palace is a stunning setting for a concert. The courtyard was big enough yet somehow intimate too with no one to far from the action. Lorde’s cover of “Everbody Wants To Rule The World” was a haunting intro to the drama that followed. With the muggy atmosphere and dark looming clouds the scene was set for something epic and Tears For Fears did not disappoint. Starting with the crowd pleasing “ Everybody Wants to Rule The World” I was thrilled by the sound quality along with Curt’s voice which had seemed to find some strength and power since the recent Radio 2 set.. Everyone was on their feet and then we had a run of songs that for the Tears For Fears fans showcased why they remain the gold standard for 80’s synth pop duo’s. These boys know how to put a song together and perhaps more surprisingly know how to transfer that onto the stage. Roland’s turn next and we were treated to “Secret World” a lesser known song but perfect for the occasion reminding us that Roland was always more than the one doing the strange dance in the » Continue Reading.

There’s something uniquely beautiful about the 1970’s.

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This isn’t a music post but I guess that feeds into it. I’m an 80’s boy really but just watching Lauda vs Hunt on BBC2 there really is something uniquely beautiful about the 1970’s. I don’t know if it’s the way it’s filmed, the side burns, the dolly birds (apologies), the cigarette advertising or something else but I never tire of watching anything 70’s based. I know posting photos is not easy so I’ll just leave a virtual picture of James Hunt in his red and white after a night on the sauce with a young thing on his arm to your imagination and throw the conversation out there. ….

Your favourite’s worst

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Following on from the Thread Of SHITE I thought we should dig deeper and find those tracks from your favourite artiste that make your toes curl. You wonder how they produced some of your favourite music but also managed “that”. An off day, change of direction, bad advice or just a shite song that proves we’re all human.

Mine is Billy Mackenzie’s ( as The Associates) cover of “Heart Of Glass”. Desperate for a hit, no producers knowing what on earth to do with him or that voice. Some bright spark decided to take Blondie’s finest added the worst excesses of 80’s production and asked Billy to tone the singing down a bit. Then there’s the video. ….. Did Steely Dan do a stinker? Is there such a thing as bad Beatles? Did Kate Bush do any clunkers? Over to you. ..