John Peel
10 posts
"It's that energy that fits the mythology of rock 'n' roll. It's rebellion, it's danger!" Marco Butcher
In no particular order some of my favourite music moments. No37 O Superman by Laurie Anderson. Eight minutes long and performed by a then little known American street artist, Laurie Anderson‘s O Superman is perhaps one of the unlikeliest UK chart hits of all time. Written in response to Operation Eagle Claw, a disastrous 1980 attempt by the American military to rescue hostages […]
Frontman Neil Arthur is disarmingly modest about their achievements, but Blancmange were one of the most successful bands to emerge from the experimental electronic music scene of the early ’80s. Blending pop melodies with dark lyrics and avant-garde programming and recording techniques, they went on to rack up seven Top 40 hits. Don’t Tell Me and Living On The Ceiling both reached the […]
By rights The House of Love should have been as much of a household name as U2 or fellow Creation alumni Oasis. Riding high on the back of a string of sparkling indie singles and rapid sales of their self-titled debut album, they were officially the late ‘80s next big thing.
In the annals of Indie rock, David Gedge is one of the last great survivors. While other great hopes and next big things crash and burn under the weight of major label pressure, or drug-fuelled excess, Gedge ploughs on, steering a singular, uncompromising course through the minefield of music biz pomposity.
There are plenty of artists who’ve had long gaps between releases – Kate Bush, David Bowie and ABC to name but a few. But indie groovers Khartomb are in a class of their own, after reemerging with their first new release since – wait for it – 1983.
The minute I put on this EP I was transported back to the halcyon days of the mid-Eighties when digital watches were cool, mobile phones were the size of breeze blocks and jangly indie pop dominated John Peel’s Festive 50. Salient Braves‘ shambling sound is shot through with nostalgia, reviving the spirit of the ’80s for the […]
