Thursday, 29 May 2014

That's Entertainment : Gary Numan



This Saturday, I have the chance of a life time to go and see Gary Numan perform at the Metro.  After the week that was, it will be nice to take Lee out and enjoy it.

Wait a second.  Gary Numan?  Who?

Well let's put it this way: Gary Numan pioneered commercial electronic music and planted the seedlings that would become industrial rock.

Beginning as a punk in The Tubeway Army, he fused his science-fiction fascinations to the new-wave aesthetic and the sound of synthesisers in the late 1970's and never looked back.  Taking cold, austere, synthetic sounds and matching it to his nasally, expressionless almost robotic vocal, Numan's world was all dystopias, androids, processors and future-dreaming.  Seminally influential and milestone albums in Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and Telekon were released, giving him three consecutive #1 albums in the UK and gifting future generations the templates for electro-pop, re-visited by bands such as Fischerspooner during the 2001/2002 Electroclash period.

With early success, Gary Numan switched personas and sound styles to 'sell' his music. Equally lauded and derided for his unfeeling - perhaps wooden - presentation, Numan says that his stage presence was a mix of nerves, lack of showmanship and created only within the hour of first appearing on Top of the Pops.  However, he quickly engendered a rabid fan base that supported him even through the leaner years, and dubbed themselves 'Numanoids'.

With an album a year appearing throughout the 1980's, Numan changed images and soundscapes on each subsequent album, irritating music critics and often confusing punters who thought he was, at first, mad/eccentric and later, naff and silly.  Yet Gary Numan was the ultimate individualistic 'pop star' in the vein of David Bowie, morphing from one creation to the next, never sitting on his laurels or becoming stagnant.  And yes, some of his choices did not always work, but there was never time to worry as another album was just around the corner.

By the mid-nineties, his star had dimmed.  Shifting record labels and changes in musical tastes saw Gary plod from one critical disaster to the next, though personally, I'm interested in this work as he had nothing to lose at the time so was producing some interesting, if not 'different' works.  With the song Closer, Nine Inch Nails were a key alternative band riding high and Numan was inspired (and encouraged by his new wife) to strip away the pop elements and explore a darker, more textured industrial sound.  By the turn of the century, Numan had restored his critical reputation but independently releasing material, there were lulls between releases that, but all the while, Numan was doing things 'his way'.

Bands such as NIN, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson and Basement Jaxx all paid tribute to Numan in the early 2000s, and Numan beginning to hit a rich vein of form.  With a swag of albums that took gothic themes, Numan had found new purpose and rediscovered his mojo, resulting in a number of tours playing his 'classic' LPs in full and 2013's Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind) becoming his first UK Top 20 album in nearly 30 years.

Cars would have to be the song most are familiar with.  I sometimes forget Gary Numan isn't as 'big' as I think he is because I listen to him all the time.  However, if you like dark industrial rock or electro pop, Gary Numan definitely needs to be re-evaluated in your soundscape collections.  I find him equally entertaining and awe inspiring.  His early work - the stuff of sci-fi future dreaming - fuels my creativity.  There is something wonderful searching pictures of 'future cityscapes' on Google and listening to Numan's music; it would fit in perfectly on the soundtrack of Blade Runner.  

When all is said and done, I adore Gary Numan.  I look very much forward to seeing him perform tomorrow night.

Rock on!




















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Thursday, 22 May 2014

That's Entertainment : Pet Shop Boys


I can barely recall a time when the Pet Shop Boys weren't in my life.

From the first time as an eleven year old, I listened to a cassette copy of Disco, fortuitously forgotten by a houseguest that never returned to claim it, up to 2013's latest release, the backward looking Electric, I have been nothing short of a devoted Pet Shop Boys fan.

And throughout their career they have defied description, an endless line of criticisms and become living, breathing pop star contradictions.

Arty; disposable.
Retro; contemporary.
Tender; callous.
Popular; independent 
Uplifting; morose.
Playful; political.
Gay; straight.

Yet the Pet Shop Boys transcend these labels, delivering hit after hit hit.  Meshing synth pop, flashes of rock and glam, disco, techno and dance with witty observations and critiques of life, they are pop music's ultimate pioneers and survivors.  

Recording continuously for thirty years, the Pet Shop Boys have never wavered, never hit a sour note nor ever been ignored.   A sum of their disparate parts, their commonality lies in a chance meeting in an electronics shop and love of synthesisers and dance/pop music.  One of the industry's greatest and most enduring duos, Neil Tennant (vocals) and Chris Lowe (music) have provided me with so many memorable songs that interweave with my life as I know it.  From the break-out peak of 1987/88 with Actually and #1 hits, to the sombre 1990 Behaviour period and resultant absolutely fabulous HINRG explosion of Very and Go West in 1993/94.  There was the Latin infused period (before Ricky Martin) and the return to dance and a period of plugging in the guitars.  There was camp pop and political fall out before the full circle return with an album that was fresh and contemporary as it was retro and respectful of their legacy.  There have been the stage play musicals and soundtrack performance work.  There's been full blown tours, countless iconic video clips, the ups and downs of a life in pop.

And all the while, there's been the songs.

Quintessentially British, with their avant-garde leanings, minimalist stylings, sly album titles and penchant for defying expectations, they are known for being wilfully contrary.  Much of their material can be interpreted by the listener and whilst the pair are both gay, they have been at pains to note their audience is diverse and their music taken to heart by anyone with in the gender rainbow.  As a straight man, I have taken to all their songs without ever really thinking 'oh this isn't a 'straight' point of view/experience'.  Infused with wit and warmth, the Pet Shop Boys endear themselves to their fans and incense their detractors.  

It's hard to pinpoint the Pet Shop Boys as I have always been a fan.  I suppose they are the great chameleons, ever changing, ever growing.  Looking back upon their works, you can see a history of music.  There are the timeless classics and the songs that have dated due to the changes in dance floor tastes (a bit like Madonna).  

But if I put on Please I'm rap-dancing at school to West End Girls, with Actually, I'm that 12 year old boy sitting in a Polski Fiat in the depths of a Eastern European winter; Introspective is me aching to buy an album, begging my mum to drive me to the tape shop; Behaviour is teenage me wondering why they got so serious, yet now I love it almost the most; throw on Where The Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Off You), I'm back in the wet, cold winter of 1991, shivering as I watch late night Rage in the common room.  Spin Very, and it's that nineties techno age and freedom; Se a Vida é reminds of cooking hot chips; giving Nightlife a whirl and it's the dawn of a new millennium; play Home & Dry and I'm with Lee in London.  Watch I'm With Stupid, it's me working in Burwood for CBA at the peak of Little Britain; allowing Elysium and Electric a chance, and I'm home with two boys playing dad.

And in June, I see them live.  In a room with maybe 100 or so others.  I might get to stand right in front of them and stare, mouth agape wondering where all those years went.  I'd try to play cool, but the pop nerd in me will probably not allow it.  I'll be clutching my Actually LP and praying to get an autograph.  I'll probably be disappointed and elated all at the same time.  Even now, the contradictions persist.


In The Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVOwhNg25GQ

West End Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_MciWnfaZQ / Tonight Is Forever https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDkylA__lYg

What Have I Done To Deserve This? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiskK0g82XA  / I Want To Wake Up  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKgwf25loYE

Domino Dancing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cubvPhiK3Rc  / Always On My Mind  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oKz5YB4028

How Can You Expect To Be Taken Seriously? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N58Jum9ztAU / Nervously  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0lvOPr8rU

Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1su6FEqQs6c

Yesterday, When I Was Mad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZu3G_KPdZ0  / A Different Point of View  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bgz5TPIkdI

Absolutely Fabulous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YjDMmjgKec

Se a Vida é (That's The Way Life Is) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLV52d7J8rA / A Red Letter Day  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-I2SThRSTo

I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIuhIRVBlYM / For Your Own Good  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwdKiERnrs0

Home & Dry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9o8Z_lBXPM / I Get Along https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6s7WnXCR7c

I'm With Stupid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dfdlG_5wuc  / The Sodom and Gomorrah Show  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2eJ0ddNYg

Love etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBiaRBUjUs  / Vulnerable  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rTtavq5hNc

Friendly Fire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn2ghFbks_E

Winner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7dBVXiydR8  / Ego Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqmDl5c6xQs

Axis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDCU17wXktY    / Thursday   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tg_zvDg3Xo



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Thursday, 15 May 2014

That's Entertainment : Nik Kershaw


In the heady days of 'new-wave' and MTV, there were plenty of male bands and artists out there with the chiseled good looks, the manicured hair-do's and linen jackets & pastel shirts.  They had the girls, the cocaine, the champagne and the jet set lifestyle envied by many who lived their little lives oh so wishing they had the pop star trappings.  They offered something, which was the dream, but when the dream comes true, it's not always exactly how you figured it would be.  Yep…wouldn't it be good to be on your side, grass is always greener over there indeed!

One who seems to be easily characterised - and criticised - by all this, and lumped in to the 'oh, just another synth-pop, new wave, new romantic ponce artist' basket is Nik Kershaw.  I think he he is unfairly maligned by some sections for being simply there during a time and a place where British pop music was bright, bubbly and poppy, and those kind of people just poke fun no matter what. 

Now for mine, Nik Kershaw is one of those pop stars who was a real artisan, a craftsman able to sing and write sumptuous pop hooks and deliver them with aplomb.  And scratch away the veneer, wipe off the sheen and your left with some fairly astute, bittersweet observations of the pop music industry, the trappings of fame, the media and the fans.  And like Rick Astley, both men were smart enough to write their own gear, knew when to get off the ride and are exceptionally good in interviews and grounded individuals as well.

Yet for mine, and it will always be, and I feel sorry for Nik for doing this, but Wouldn't It Be Good? will go down in history as one of the most epic pop songs ever released with a classic film clip to boot.  I mean, just check out the chromakey style suit and tie in the clip!  Just genius!  It's one of those AMAZING tracks that brings together all these wondrous parts - the vocals/lyrics, the synth, the beat and guitars - and produces an all time classic for the ages.  Even today, I still hear it on the car radio and turn it up to 11.  Hell, it's never that far away from my writing playlists and is something I proudly belt out, even if he changes his lyrics from time to time.

And whilst his star burnt brightly - he released TWO hit LPs in 1984 and performed at Live Aid in 1985 - by the time he released his third album in 1986, pop music had changed flavours.  Furthermore, Nik had become skeptical of the media, wanted his privacy and didn't fancy mass-produced pop music, eschewing the dross to craft more of his own material.  Of course, when a pop star is seen to bite the hand that feeds them to 'keep it real' it's like a red rag to a bull for the press and almost fatal for the fan base.  However, Nik continued to release a few more records before quietly disengaging himself from the music biz spotlight to write material for other artists, such as Chesney Hawkes' The One And Only and collaborate with singers such as Elton John, Gary Barlow and Bonnie Tyler.  

After a ten year break, Nik Kershaw greeted the new millennium with new material and continues to release new albums every few years or so, without the fanfare.  He tours regularly, knows he has to sprinkle in the 'hits' to keep people interested and doesn't appear to have been too bothered by side stepping the 'fame game' for the quieter life.  

To me, Nik Kershaw will be forever young…that fresh faced pop star who won my ears with Wouldn't It Be Good?  Of course, there are a plethora of other gems and hits for you to go and explore, and listed here are some of his other singles with the period video clips - many of which were great stories themselves.  Deep down, Wouldn't It Be Good? will always be high in my list of fave songs to throw on and sing, repeat again and again…even in the one setting.  And for those in the know, with things I do, Mr Kershaw will certainly be an inspiration.





I Won't Let The Son Go Down On Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqqXMXpyAkE











Wouldn't It Be Good (Extended Mix) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JNBPO35MXA



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Thursday, 8 May 2014

That's Entertainment : The Psychedelic Furs


The Psychedelic Furs are one of the greatest, most under-rated bands to ever grace this Earth and along with Echo and the Bunnymen, it is criminal that both bands are as under-played and less well known as other contemporary acts that arrived in post-punk Britain in the late 1970's such as The Cure or Joy Division.  The Furs arrived during punk, though sprang from the artier edge of the punk spectrum before becoming - briefly - bona fide trans-Atlantic superstars, given due respect, by of all people, John Hughes.  Darlings of the US collegiate radio station networks, the Furs chipped away at the popular charts, garnering a number of 'hit' songs as well as decently selling, critically approved albums without ever really smashing in to the top echelon.  

Early on, they were spiky, raucous.  Over the next few years, their sound became soaring, majestic pop that saw them climb the charts with Love My Way, a quintessential early-MTV standard that found it's way on to The Wedding Singer soundtrack gaining them exposure and relevance once more.  These days, the Psychedelic Furs are critically acclaimed, often cited by bands as major influences and remembered for providing the title to a cherished Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer film.

However, the Psychedelic Furs are much more than that.

One of those bands that took the DIY snot-nose aesthetic of punk and meshed it with the arty leanings of David Bowie, the Furs crafted amazing tunes that could make you pogo or bang your head whilst also making you dance.  Vocalist Richard Butler sneers better than John Lydon, but has more palette and music savvy.  In the era of the 12 inch dance club remix, the Furs utilised this format to add width and breadth to their singles, extended the tracks and turning them in to discotheque favourites.  Thankfully, late in the 1990's when the Psychedelic Furs were being remastered, a collection of 12 inch B Sides became available and it's worth every cent.  Funnily enough, they did end up with the mullets and poxy video clips and trench coats and over production that befell bands in the Eighties when record companies swore blind it was in the best interests of the band and it would 'sell'.  Still…I love it all.  The other thing was they were 'cool'…oh so 'cool'.  Singer Richard Butler just exudes cool swagger like a Johnny Depp and he has an amazing world weary voice that occasionally rasps its way in to you psyche.  And what's cooler than cool?  They also had a sax player!  

By the early 1990's, their brand of sumptuous pop was out of favour (ironic considering shoe gaze was prevalent) and the band parted ways.  Vocalist and frontman Richard Butler formed Love Spit Love (now a seminally influential mid-1990's band that are criminally under-played, almost unknown and oft cited by new bands as an influence) and they recorded two smashing albums, providing a cover of The Smiths' How Soon Is Now? for The Craft soundtrack, which was later reused as the introduction music to a little TV show called Charmed.  Lately, Richard Butler has released artworks and a couple of solo albums.  

So it was with much excitement in 2001 that the Psychedelic Furs reconvened for a string of tours and eventually released a new single in Alive, one of my all time favourite songs.  Please check it out!  They continue to tour - Lee and I saw them at the Enmore Theatre in 2006 [with Ratcat of all people, in support!] - and promise to release new material, none of which has materialised.  These days, they're playing live their classic album Talk, Talk, Talk in full.

For mine though, it was always the pop side that I favoured most that many of the hard core devotees probably sneer upon - Love My Way [gifting a TV show it's name], The Ghost In You, Heartbreak Beat, Here Come Cowboys, Heaven.  The bass line and production of Heartbreak Beat is stunning and Love My Way would easily sit in my Top 10 BEST songs of the 1980's, and nudge in to my Top 10 FAVE songs of all time.

And seeing them perform live in 2006 was a dream come true.  I was far too young to really remember them at their peak but they had lost absolutely nothing delivering a scorching and at times tender set list, full of angular fuzz and sweet gems.  Fans in their 50's were reliving their youth and I just sat there as they played all my favourite songs right to me (plus I got to see Ratcat in support :-) ).

The Psychedelic Furs will always hold a very special spot in my heart and on my I-pod playlists.  I doubt we'll ever get that new album, but why worry?  There's so much to pick through, to check out across their seven studio albums, and if you want a half decent collection of 'hits', check out If God Should Forget (2 CD best of).

















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Thursday, 1 May 2014

That's Entertainment : Placebo


When I first met Lee in 2000, I used to make a lot of mix tapes to play in my car - a brand new Hyundai Excel with reclining seats.  And everywhere we went, I played tapes.  Not long in to our courtship, Lee declared that  I listened to a lot of 'whiney bitches'.  As I spluttered on my lemon Smint, I clarified what she meant by the comment and she proceeded to say: "Well, that singer of the Smashing Pumpkins, the Pet Shop Boys and Placebo…they're all whiney bitches."  Furthermore, she finalised that I really should start think about some other sort of music if she was to continue riding in my car.

I swallowed hard.  Black Market Music had just been released and I was listening to it repeatedly every chance I had, and I'd known Placebo for a few years and was an ardent fan.  It must have been real love because 14 years later we're still together.  We've seen Placebo a few times in the ensuing years and when Placebo released their new album late in 2013, not only did she really quite like it, Lee put it on her I-pod.

And what's not to love.  Coming out at the height of Britpop (Placebo is a bit of a snark at singular word named bands like Blur, Oasis, Suede [of the Britpop era]), Placebo laced their music with teenage angst and grimy, gritty druggy references whilst kicking you in the teeth, slashing your wrists and breaking aching hearts.  With a camp, glam fuzz whack, Placebo delivered something for those from the left of centre, a bit alternative-Britpop (or real Britpop without the stolen Kinks and Beatles sounds though maybe pinching some Bowie and Bolan).  And much like Garbage, their fan base is varied, freaky and completely and utterly devoted.

With charismatic, androgynous and outspoken vocalist and guitarist Brian Molko out front and tall, soft spoken bassist Stefan Olsdal holding the reigns, their peak came when drummer Steven Hewitt beat the lids and they wowed the British press.  Their self-titled debut and the sophomore effort Without You I'm Nothing made them darlings of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking with an appearance with David Bowie at the 1999 Brit Awards.  Also bobbing up in the glam rock movie Velvet Goldmine, Placebo were making a name for themselves.  There's nothing more that the English music press like than an eccentric & queer band that deliver them plenty of copy.  But there's nothing more that the English music press quickly grow tired of is an eccentric & queer band that come to resent all that copy.

But it's the music that I love.  And the poetic lyrical leanings of Brian Molko.  There's a simplicity to some of it, almost like they've raided some teen school kids'  diaries, but it never comes across contrived.  Another nice touch is the hidden instrumental tracks at the end of their first three albums.  Plus they do delicious covers of many songs I loved from my youth as well as gloriously odd ball B-sides and remixes aplenty by DJs from all spectrums.  They work with interesting directors for arty film clips and live, Placebo are second to none.  Placebo rock with ferocity, ache with the best balladeers and use such a large canvas that when you're not banging your head, your dancing your night away.  Oh…and apparently, the singer is a nasally, whiney bitch.

Over the years, despite the music media criticisms, Placebo have continued to deliver high quality audio and visual delights.  With each successive album, there is a clutch of songs that worm their way in to my music memory and feature on end of year highlights.  Plus they're really good with their fans, taking up the connection with their website and free downloads way before a lot of bands made it fait accompli.  They tour the world, taking their back catalogue to those around the globe, most of which wouldn't know a music media person if they tripped over them, nor could they care less.

So if you're looking for a band that still does it their way without compromising their sound, Placebo is worth investing in.  And sure, the singer might be a whiney bitch, but don't let that distract you.  After a while Lee came around and got on board, you will too ;-)





















Covers






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