I played my lads a variety of Frank Sinatra Capitol albums when they were going through their (not his) metal phase, and they never objected.

This is what we want. I’m a big fan of MOR square-core. I see it as a British suburban form of country and western. Full of drunkenness and infidelity in the new-build semi-detached houses, guilty drives in V […]

What’s your take on the recent gigs? I have only heard the concerts described in terms also used to capture the majesty of the “Your Party” conference.

And me. Took me 35 years to come around to TMR.

It amused me, but appalls me, too.

The shite n tat being pushed to fans takes the piss sometimes. Dare I ask what idiot would buy this? Makes me think the artist is not involved in the decision. At least, I hope not. Is this what happens when you […]

Ummm, is there anything else to be said about the Fabs? A pal was saying the value of rare Elvis items is now reducing. I think we’ll see the same for the Beatles very soon. Expensive Zappa boxed sets also mystify […]

There’s going to be a lot of strategic voting at the next election. You’d better hope the Tories don’t decide to hold their nose and run with Reform.

I think punk was just fast rock n roll with short hair, and all the sociological myth making was just that. The UK music press believed it, as did some of their readers. Mick Farren’s polemic “the Titanic sails at […]

Well played, sir!

I reckon it’s fatal to make out how rad you are as a public disclosure, as there’s always a real life choice based on what you think is fair, a compromise, or a person radder than you. be rad if you like, but […]

There was definitely a sophistication to the music of our generic mid-70s 6th form. Until some berk put on Robin Trower.

A Frank Zappa Monopoly could be amusing. Lots of Zapparian iconography and memes to play with, though I am sure the market for Zappa is now literally dying off.

Speaking as a feminist, I can see the appeal, and they do seem to have the right visual accent for the more broad-mind male rock fan.

I was feeling guilty about trad rock at the time. Too much NME and wanting to be with the cool kids who didn’t want my sort. I soon got over that, i can tell you.

The Stones WERE distinctly dodgy at the time, what with the blizzard of cocaine, Keef’s “cool” for being “elegantly wasted” (heroin is much less “cool” if you are poor and banging up in Easterhouse), Mick moving […]

Saw ‘Ver Snake at Reading in 1979. I can’t decide if it was excruciating or the dog’s gonads. A shameless exercise in oldschool rawk just as the vibe shift had really set in, but 20,000 jellyheads were giving it […]

It’s the way to go, IMHO. Walk on to the boat – no queue when we were foot passengers as everyone else was going by car. Same getting off. and jump into a cab at Bilbao harbour to midtown (the train station is […]

Awesome place. The mem and I took the ferry from Portsmouth, and it was the easiest trip to Europe ever – and dignified, too. Lovely cruise for 30 hours over the bay of Biscay, 2 nights in a fair enough cabin, […]