Featuring Nick Lowe, Big Mama Thornton, Pentangle and many others too. Cheq out this spellbinding performance of "...And The Rain" by John Maus, live in the KEXP studios in January 2018. The L.A. based former philosophy teacher's band consists of a cool looking, dancing keyboard player (which is a contradiction in terms!), a dork drummer and his brother Joe playing bass (who sadly checked out at the age of 30 from a heart disorder). The combination of instrumentation, topped of with John's echo soaked vocals has a unique and distinctive sound.
Black 2 Comm 2nd February 2020
Featuring Yellowman, Shonen Knife, Big Star and more. Cheq out this fine footage of The Edgar Winter Group performing "Frankenstein" live in The Old Grey Whistle Test studio inna 1973. It's notoriously hard to look good playing a keyboard but Winter's doing a pretty good job here. The albino multi-instrumentalist also blows a fine alto saxophone and rocks the timbales as well. He may be lacking in pigment but he's certainly not lacking in talent . . . makes you sick doesn't it?!
Black 2 Comm 26th January 2020
Featuring Snoop Dogg, Pale Saints, Theatre of Hate and more. Cheq out this footage of The Chameleons performing "Second Skin" at The Camden Palace inna 1984. The band had a unique atmospheric sound and style with singer / bassist Mark Burgess flanked by guitarists, Dave Fielding and (Ribina thief) Reg Smithies. The later, seen here rockin' a self customised Gibson SG also produced the groups distinctive artwork. Another thing worth noting is drummer, John Lever's unconventional set up. The right handed sticksman has his kick drum to the left, and his hi hat to the right of the snare, playing them with the opposite feet to the vast majority of other drummers.
It's strange to think that U2 would go on to fill stadiums, while this band would languish in relative obscurity until eventually breaking up . . . there's obviously no justice in the world!
It's strange to think that U2 would go on to fill stadiums, while this band would languish in relative obscurity until eventually breaking up . . . there's obviously no justice in the world!
Black 2 Comm 19th January 2020
Featuring Dr John Cooper Clarke, John Lennon, Baby Washington and much more. Cheq out this live footage of The Adverts taken from German director Wolfgang Blud's 1979 film "Brennende Langeweile" (Bored Teenagers) featuring reluctant punk pin up Gaye Advert. The most interesting part of the footage is at the beginning where the bass player is asked by a German reporter if there are any problems with her being a sex object. The not so shy Gaye had already posed for pornographic magazines by this point. The live footage is pretty unforgettable, though all you punk rock trainspotters will be excited to see ex Clash / Pistols roadie "Rodent" loitering in the wings. He played a part in the films plot line and would eventually bag more minor film roles and settle in Germany. The Passions 1981 hit, "I'm In Love With A German Film Star" was rumoured to have been written about him.
Black 2 Comm 12th January 2020
Featuring The Runaways, Huey "Piano" Smith, Dinosaur Jr. and more. Cheq out this footage of Blitz performing their rabble rousing single "New Age" on The Tube inna 1982. First off they play through the song but the clip really starts to get interesting in the second half when the band are taken to task during the interview. The inarticulate Oi stalwarts had recently changed their image and sound to appeal to a wider audience. They believed they were providing an alternative to the synth pop that was prevalent at the time. Half of the group are sporting bleach blonde crops and shirts with tucked in skinny ties, while the other two are still rocking the 'tache / leather jacket combo (but not in a Freddy Mercury way you understand). The interviewer looks equally ridiculous, with his bow tie, outsized glasses and woman's haircut!
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