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Sniffin’ Glue: And Other Rock ‘n’ Roll Habits

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Author:Mark Perry

In July 1976, Glam Rock fan and Bank Clerk Mark Perry was wandering his favourite record stores when he asked at the Rock On Stall in Soho Market if they had any magazines about this new “Punk thing” he’d been reading about in the NME – his interest piqued by the first Ramones album, The Flamin’ Groovies at the Roundhouse, and the spying of familiar faces at Gigs. The Rock On Stall had nothing to offer other than an American publication, but nothing about what was clearly happening in London. The man on the stall – half-jokingly – suggested that he start one himself if he can’t find what he was looking for. So that’s just what he did – he returned to his bedroom in Deptford, armed himself with a ream of paper, a cheap typewriter, and some felt tip pins and produced Issue 1 of Sniffin’ Glue. He went back to Rock On with the 50 copies he’d photocopied, and to his surprise they sold and Rock On gave him some money to produce more.

Issue 1 was pieced together on enthusiasm and adrenaline, rather than a journalistic ideal. And it was this DIY style that » Continue Reading.

Stan Bowles

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Obituary

One of the great maverick footballers of the 70s, most notably with QPR from 1972 to 1979. Was at Bury early in his career, and manger Ernie Tagg said of him: “If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a football, he’d be a rich man.” Fell out with Tommy Docherty – Doc said “You can trust me Stan”, Bowles replied “I’d rather trust my chickens with Colonel Sanders – and signed for Nottingham Forest and missed the chance of a European Cup Final when he fell out with Brian Clough. At the fag end of his career playing for Brentford, he was often seen running round the ground, supposedly training, with Terry Bullivant and Terry Hurlock, but stopping off for a pint at each corner pub around Griffin Park.

Pub Quiz Trivia: he shared a flat with Robin Askwith

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68394453

Paul Weller – Soul Wandering

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First release from upcoming album 66 due in May. Why 66? Cos that’s how old he’ll be the day after release. If it’s good enough for Adele …

What does it sound like? Well, it’s Weller-ish innit. First listen: a bit like Sonik Kicks era with a bit of a psychedelic makeover

YouTube Autoplay

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Is it only me? Have I mucked up a setting somewhere? What are you on about you complete fool?

Well … browsing through these here pages, I’m getting all embedded videos auto-playing. Open a new page from the Updates, again all vids on the page start playing. Quite the cacophony, and quite the annoyance scrolling through and pausing them all.

Anyone else, or am I just “special”?

Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me

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Green Day have released 11 albums (13 if you count ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, ¡Tré! as individual releases), and now album number 12 (or 14) has snuck out to little fanfare (or I just missed the fanfare, but it’s here now). All those albums were pretty good in their own way – some very good, others a bit “must try harder”. But only one of them was American Idiot – a piece of work that looms large in their history, and deservedly so. It’s 20 years old this year, and still sounds great. Their last album – Father of All Motherf**kers – was a strong effort (unfortunately, not very “sticky” and I can’t recall the last time I played it. Not heard the new one yet, but the first release single – The American Dream Is Killing Me – is not sounding too bad. (note: it does sound like Green Day, so don’t go searching for any new soundscapes or experimentation) Only a full listen to the album when it arrives will prove if it has more staying power than a re-listen when assembling the End Of Year lists.

John Squire & Liam Gallagher – Just Another Rainbow

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Since mid-December reports have been coming out of a collaboration between Jon Squire and Liam Gallagher. And today the first fruits of the partnership have seen the light of day. As expected, it does almost sound like a meeting of Stone Rose and Oasis. The lyrics may not be the most insigthful (at one point Liam resorts to reciting the colours of the rainbow), but John Squire’s extended guitar histrionics make up for that. And there is believed to be a full album on the way (not sure when though – I think it might be March), and also a tour together (whether in support of the album or as a co-headliner/special guest thing when Liam tours Definitely Maybe later this year – further fuelling the “Oasis are getting back together – maybe Glastonbury” rumours (very much doubt that will happen – Noel and Liam need to speak to each other first. Unless they are using John Squire as a mediator perhaps?)

Wings – Band On The Run Super Deluxe Edition

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… or the sound of a barrel being scraped?

This SDE release is sub-titled “Underdubbed” and consists of the US version of the original album (the vinyl version is a half-speed master), paired with a second disc which is the initial tough mix prepared by Geoff Emerick before Tony Visconti added the orchestral overdubs.

At least they are honest in their advertising “These so-called ‘Underdubbed Mixes’ are not newly created in the studio in 2023, rather they were prepared by engineer Geoff Emerick on 14 October 1973, less than two months before the release of the album.”

The 50th Anniversary of this album I think deserves a bit more … especially if it’s going to cost £50+ (although it does read like a Giles Martin Dolby Atmos job might be coming later)

https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/unheard-early-mixes-of-paul-mccartney-wings-band-on-the-run-to-feature-on-new-reissue/

Mr. Joe Jackson presents: Max Champion in ‘What A Racket!’

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What does it sound like?:

Music Hall developed from the streets and pubs of London in the mid-19th Century. By the start of the 20th Century, Music Hall had taken up residence in a number of venues across the capital. Attracting large audiences seeking a night out and entertainment, music hall delivered a mix of popular songs, comedy, speciality acts, and variety entertainment. The songs, depicting everyday life in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, were often humorous or satirical, though some were sentimental or patriotic, and others dealt with darker themes such as jealousy and murder. Many were also blatantly sexual, though always expressed in clever euphemisms and double entendres. Max Champion was one such performer treading the boards in the late 19th Century. Little is known about him, except that he was born in 1882 in London’s East End, and is thought to have been related to the great Victorian entertainer Harry Champion. As an up-and-coming performer he shared the stage with big stars such as Gus Ellen and Vesta Tilley, but his career (much like the Music Hall era itself) was cut short by the First World War, and his songs faded into obscurity. That is, until » Continue Reading.

Youtube Ads

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Youtube would obviously like everyone to go down the premium route, but they will allow free viewing as long as you turn off your AdBlocker. Which I have done, but am still getting the “Service Violation – Allow Ads on Youtube” message. All seems to work OK in Edge, only when I restart Chrome does the issue come about. And strangely, embedded videos don’t seem to be an issue.

I even removed all AdBlock extension, cleared the browser history and cache, and restarted Chrome – still the same message. My limited experience in IT suggests turn it off and on again, so a full restart pending.

Anyone else experiencing this (or know how to solve it?)

The Who – Who’s Next | Life House (Super Deluxe Edition – 10 CD + 1 Blu-Ray)

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What does it sound like?:

Is this the greatest Rock Album of All Time? Well, it’s definitely up there. Starting with “Baba O’Riley”, ending on “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. And the stuff in between is not too shabby either. But it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Following incessant touring of Tommy, The Who returned to the studio. The time in the studio produced “The Seeker” single, but it was Live At Leeds album that gave them new energy and moved them further away from Tommy (even though the bulk of the set was Tommy). Back in the studio, 4 more tracks were recorded for an EP, but never released, and the band started work on a new Pete Townshend concept idea. The basic plot came from an interview Townshend gave to Disc and Music Echo in late 1970: Lifehouse is set in the near future in a society in which music is banned and most of the population live indoors in government-controlled “experience suits”. A rebel, Bobby, broadcasts rock music into the suits, allowing people to remove them and become more enlightened. Townshend worked alone constructing demos of the songs to present to the band. However, as the » Continue Reading.

Trevor Francis

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Obituary

The first £1million footballer, and the first to be transferred twice for £1million when Cloughie lost patience with him and his injuries and flogged him to Manchester City in 1981. 5 years in Italy and then signed for Rangers – he might have been slower than his peak, but was still the most gifted player on the pitch most of the time. Never did complete my 1980 Panini Book as my friend refused to swap the Trevor Francis sticker for Mick Mills, Phil Neal, and the Everton badge Also, the only footballer to get a mention in a sitcom theme tune (some mush in Shepherds Bush was flogging Trevor Francis tracksuits)

Gordon McQueen

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Obituary

Leeds, Manchester United and Scotland defender. Was briefly the most expensive transfer between British clubs – February 1978, Leeds to Manchester United for £500,000. Scored in the 86th minute of the 1979 FA Cup Final, setting up “the 5 minute final” (a particularly dull game but for those last 5 minutes)

Algy Ward

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Obituary

Late of The Saints, The Damned, and Tank. Joined The Saints in time for second single “This Perfect Day”. Stayed for a year and 2 albums before they disbanded. Joined the reformed Damned and mad a huge contribution to Machine Gun Etiquette, and then was fired after a massive falling out with Rat Scabies. Formed Tank (who wanted to be Motorhead, but weren’t). Little success and more “personal differences” led to Tank splitting. (the biggest they got was a track on the Castle Communications album Metal Killers Kollection) What is Algy’s legacy? the massive rumbling bass on Machine Gun Etiquette (particularly Love Song), and this cover version:

New: Blur – The Narcissist

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New album – The Ballad Of Darren – to be released late July.

A rubbish review based on one listen: chugs along nicely, and sounds like Blur (is it any wonder I failed to get a writers job for Mojo…)

I Already Have That Album- so I think I will buy another

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Like most people her (I’m sure) I have multiple copies of many albums, usually as a result of upgrading vinyl to CD (and in some cases back to vinyl again). On the recent Record Store Day thread, after seeing the Carter USM 30 Something picture disc, I mused to myself whether 4 copies of the album was enough (Vinyl, Picture Disc, Cassette, and CD). I convinced myself not to buy the RSD issue, but have now gone out and just bought the new Box Set (including a 2023 remaster of the album, a second disc of B-Sides and Live tracks, a BBC In Concert recording from Kilburn in 1991, and the In Bed With Carter DVD). It’s a nice thing to have, but do I need it? Yes! But Carter USM are not the only multiple-multiple ownership – I have 13 copies of Never Mind The Bollocks. And when the next round of RSD issues and/or the next anniversary comes about, that number will doubtless rise to 14. No-one needs duplicate copies of the same album, but I’m sure I’m not the only one hoarding this stuff … or am I?

Genesis – BBC Broadcasts

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What does it sound like?:

Which is better – Gabriel-era or Collins-era?

Well here’s your chance to compare (granted the Gabriel fronted version only accounts for about 20% of this set). Drawn from BBC Broadcasts between 1970 and 1998, this 5 CD set spans their career covering all incarnations (including Ray Wilson era represented by 2 tracks). It may not settle the argument of PG, PC or RW, but shows a band growing in confidence in a live setting, moving from Radio Studios and theatres to headlining outdoor festivals and stadiums.

The set is curated by Tony Banks and available in 2 formats – the 5 CD set offers 53 tracks whilst the 3 LP set contains only 24. The first CD covers the Peter Gabriel era (maybe not with all the obvious track choices, but from sessions for John Peel/Nightride, and a couple more from In Concert broadcasts. This may be a purely personal note, but sadly, no recording of Supper’s Ready is available (and I can see no record of it being recorded for John Peel, or any other BBC session or broadcast). CD2 catches highlights from Knebworth 78 (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – other bands on » Continue Reading.

Thin Lizzy – Live and Dangerous (8 CD Super Deluxe Edition)

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What does it sound like?:

In 1976 Thin Lizzy’s quest to break America stalled as they flew home exhausted (and in Phil Lynott’s case laid low with hepatitis). From his sick bed he mapped out the songs that would form the second album of 1976 – Johnny The Fox (released in October, just 7 months after Jailbreak). When the supporting tour hit Hammersmith Odeon in November, the Maison Rouge Mobile Studio was parked out front to capture the 2 shows for posterity, archive, and potential use to push Lizzy in America. The US Tour in December was cancelled when, on the night before, Brian Robertson injured his hand in a brawl at the Speakeasy Club. Robertson was replaced for the revised US Tour in January by Gary Moore, but part way through the recording of the next album – Bad Reputation – he was re-instated. Bad Reputation was produced by Tony Visconti, and when considering their next album Thin Lizzy sought his services again. Visconti’s time was limited as he was due to start work with David Bowie. As time was limited, it was suggested a Live album would be the solution, and the tapes from Hammersmith 1976, and » Continue Reading.

Pele

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Obituary

Even if you know nothing about Football, chances are you’ll know Pele. A fine player and a true gentleman

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42751517

Joe Strummer

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On the morning of 21st December 2002, Joe Strummer took his dog for a walk and then returned home for a Saturday snooze. At some point during his sleep – as a result of an un-diagnosed congenital heart defect, he suffered a fatal heart attack . Joe Strummer was 50.

You lit a flame in my heart And it is burning still And every time I hear you shout It still gives me a thrill I can see you up there With your right leg pumping Goodbye inspiration Voice of a generation Goodbye Inspiration I won’t be playing Strummerville again You wore your heart on your sleeve With honesty and pride You gave me hope, made me believe That what I did was right You brought out a passion That had long been missing Yeah you brought out a passion That you never stopped giving

from Strummerville by Stiff Little Fingers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3E3AwdN1LU&ab_channel=JoeStrummerOfficial

It Was 45 Years Ago Today

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Never Mind The Bollocks was released, went to Number 1 for a couple of weeks (even though many shops refused to stock an album with a rude word in it). It may have been re-configured, remastered, re-issued more times than a collector can keep up with (I have 13 copies in various formats), but it remains one of the greatest Rock albums of all time.