WHATEVER!

I've run out of time to post a song today. So here is a bit of useless information. Did you know (although, if not, you won't be surprised) that 'Whatever' was named the most annoying word in 2012 for the 4th year running - by Americans? The conversation stopper is just as annoying to everyone the world over... they even take the piss in countries where English isn't an official language.

The Dream Academy - "Life in A Northern Town"

London band The Dream Academy's first single "Life in a Northern Town" was their biggest hit by far. Released in 1985 it was a Top 10 hit in the USA and Top 20 in the UK. "Life in A Northern Town" was a tribute to English folk hero Nick Drake, although his name isn't mentioned in the lyrics. The African chant-like chorus was something quite different at the time, but it's impact was powerful... and still is. They should've been huge but sometimes things don't go to script.

Datarock - Catcher in the Rye

Norwegian Dance-punk duo Datarock decided to do something a little different with the release of their "Catcher in the Rye" single in 2011. They packaged it as a 4GB USB stick, in the shape of a diamond toy, which included the following... A five-song EP Catcher In The Rye, A new album Music For Synchronization, Datarock Datarock LP/ Red LP (with bonus tracks), B-sides and rarities compilation, 15 new instrumentals and a 40 track remix album.... oh, I just about forgot the 20 videos, 1500 photos (I think that is a bit much, even for the nuttiest fan), and a 60 minute concert film. I think the CD store here in Taupo may have overlooked this one. Anyway, let's get back to the song (which I downloaded) "Catcher in the Rye." I have only got two words to describe this song. So here are the two words... Talking Heads.

Anya Marina - "Spirit School"

Anya Marina's 2010 EP 'Spirit School' is possibly no more than a prelude to her album to follow or a clean-out before she started recording her album 'Felony Flats' released in 2012. Either way, it certainly wasn't a throw-away. The Dandy Warhols' Courtney Taylor-Taylor was a guest on the track "Whatsit", which could be the best thing he has been part of in recent times. The title track "Spirit School" has a bit of the noise-pop charm of the 'Dum Dum Girls' thrown in for good measure. It sticks like rubber and glue.



Spirit School Lyrics
uh, uh-huh, uh-huh . . .
Semester is out
The teacher is in
There ain't no exams but oh you better betchya gonna learn something
So get in the van
And pay all your dues
And stay awhile
Yeah stay here in the spirit school
Gimme your tired
Gimme your weak
Gimme the gangly boys
Gimme the girls with the funny feet
We'll call you Sticks
And you'll play guitar
I promise you
I promise you're gonna go far
We're rubber and you're glue
And no matter what you say we're gonna stick it right to you
(repeat)
You won't get expelled
and we'll never tell
I got a pocket full of secrets and a magic pill
We keep it movin' where everything's cool
So stay awhile yeah stay here in the spirit school
We're rubber and you're glue
And no matter what you say we're gonna stick it right to you
(repeat)
Lone road, do you think I sold my soul?
won't see my love for weeks
we've miles and miles to go before we--
Sleepy Jean, we're living out our dreams
Don't fret your pretty head
Just cos we're looking like the walking dead
Uh uh-huh uh-huh
Oh we're rubber and you're glue
And no matter what you say we're gonna stick it right to you
(repeat)
uh uh-huh uh-huh

Pulp - "This Is Hardcore"

Pulp's ode to porn had Jarvis Cocker at his sleaziest. The title track to the 1998 album was a continuation of their big hit "Common people" but this time it's not the class differences, it's straight to the sex. In fact, my mate Charlie Sheen from Turangi loves this song. Although, not as much as my friend Dominique Strauss-Kahn from West Auckland. I also remember running into my mate Bill Clinton from Mt Eden, while on a train in Auckland, who had a vinyl copy with him. Who wouldn't love this. Sit back, grab a cigar and enjoy this Pulp classic.

Great Moments In Rock n' Roll History - Part 1

Maybe it is time to add some historical moments in rock n' roll to this blog. The start of a new year is a good excuse for anything, so here we go with the first installment of our random posts celebrating some great historical moments in the short history of rock music.
In 1976 bland was still in and even disco, which was a refreshing enough fad, didn't quite kill the crap that was filling the airwaves. From "Seasons In the Sun" to "Silly Love Songs" and with "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" in-between, generally, music was as mainstream as it was in the 50's when Perry Como ruled and rock n' roll didn't even exist. Music needed a shakeup and someone had to deliver it. That person turned out to be Malcolm McLaren. He put a band together called 'The Sex Pistols' and inadvertently invented punk rock. I say inadvertently because I'm sure what followed what he had started could not have been part of a long term plan... more of an ever developing movement that he started. That development was, of course, punk rock. The savior of music... the much needed outlet for the frustrated and disillusioned. Don't get me wrong, it didn't completely change the world - the Westies still loved Led Zep, the AM radio listeners still loved their MOR hits and disco wasn't over at all. But there was something DIY about punk that was exciting for all the others... outcasts? maybe at first, but accepted over time - not that they gave a fuck about being accepted, but accepted all the same. This takes us to the mainstream media. They weren't so accommodating when it came to this new style of music. When the Sex Pistols were invited on the Bill Grundy show in December 1976 it was obvious he (and maybe the producers) had no respect and was provoking them to behave, well, as they did. Even they would would look back with a cringe, but you can't get past the fact that the Bill Grundy Show was going out of their way to provoke hatred and basically a set up to their conservative audience. Johnny Lydon has been quoted recently that had Bill Grundy been a nice guy, or at least, more respectful, there may have been a different outcome. Anyway, what they managed to do was widen the gap between the old and the rebellious young. Punk got new recruits in the thousands. The moral of this story is that we didn't have to put up with MOR rubbish anymore... and we got The Stranglers, Boomtown Rats, The Clash, XTC, and the Damned on the radio. So this great moment in rock n' roll history wasn't so much about saying Fucker on national television but more about changing the musical landscape. If it wasn't for punk, I don't know if I would be the music nerd I am.

Tom Waits - "New Year's Eve"

Tom Waits' "New Year's Eve" is about that New Year's Eve party that turns into a disaster. I know from experience that most of them don't live up to the expectations, but sometimes they just sink. But no matter how bad it gets, we all sing along to 'Auld Lang Syne' come midnight. So no matter how bad your celebrations turn out to be, don't worry, they won't have as much drama as this one. Enjoy your night.



Lyrics
The door was open I was seething
Your mother burst in it was freezing
She said it looks like it’s trying to rain
I was lost I felt sea sick
You convinced me that he’d left
You said keep talking but don’t use any names
I scolded your driver and your brother
We are old enough to know how long you’ve been hooked
And we’ve all been through the war
And each time you score
Someone gets hauled and handcuffed and booked

It felt like four in the morning
What sounded like fire works
Turned out to be just what it was
The stars looked like diamonds
Then came the sirens
And everyone started to cuss

All the noise was disturbing
And I couldn’t find Irving
It was like two stations on at the same time
And then I hid your car keys
And I made black coffee
And I dumped out the rest of the rum

Nick and Socorro broke up
And Candice wouldn’t shut up
Fin he recorded the whole thing
Ray he said damn you
And someone broke my camera
And it was New Years
And we all started to sing

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot for the sake of auld lang syne

I was leaving in the morning with Charles for Las Vegas
And I didn’t plan to come back
I had only a few things
Two hundred dollars
And my records in a brown paper sack

I ran out on Sheila
Everything’s in storage
Calvin’s right I should go back to driving truck

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot for the sake of auld lang syne