Pop Shop (Episode 4)

Is that the date already? Wow, sorry guys! I know I should have posted last week, but things have been a little hectic on the work front. None-the-less, I am here and ready to rock out with my... Oh, you know what I mean!

Our first song of the day might be 20 years old, but it’s more relevant in this day and age than ever before. It comes from a little band called The The. Most people outside of the UK and the US don’t really know them, but that’s a pity cause’ they are one hellava band! So without further ado, it’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Matt Johnson and the boys with “The Beat(en) Generation”.



The The has been around in one form or another since 1977. There album releases have been sporadic at best, but admittedly have always been highly anticipated by their rabid fan base (and yea that includes me). A new album was announced in 2007, but to date this new album remains unreleased.

I actually don’t even know where to start with our next band! Their first album “Piper at the Gates of Dawn” became an instant classic in 1967 with its psychedelic themes and spaced rock sound. They have recorded some of the most influential rock albums of our time and they are known to the world as Pink Floyd. Now sit down, relax and enjoy “Wish You Were Here”.



Originally called “The Tea Set”, Pink Floyd took their name from two Piedmont blues (also known as Piedmont Finger Style or East Coast Blues) musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Pink Floyd have released 14 studio albums:
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), A Saucerful of Secrets (1968), Soundtrack from the Film More (1969), Ummagumma (1969), Atom Heart Mother (1970), Meddle (1971), Obscured by Clouds (1972), The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), The Wall (1979), The Final Cut (1983), A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994).

The next tune we have for you takes me back to my school days in the 80’s (yup I’m that old). They are a band that reminds me of my ex wife (and not in a bad way) and they are called OMD or Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark...



OMD was made up of Andy McClusky and Paul Humphreys and their debut performance was at Eric’s Club (a legendary music joint) in Liverpool. Their first single, called Electricity, was released by the now famous (or is that infamous) Indi record label Factory Records. The same label that gave the world Joy Division and a host of other top bands. If you ever fancy a good night in (and want to know more about Factory records and the Liverpool party scene) then watch the movie 24 Hour Party People. It’s available at Take2 at an excellent price.

Normally I’d be playing out with a last song right about now, but due to the fact I never posted last week I thought I should give you all a little treat as a thank you. You’ve been patient with me, so it’s only fair that I first spoil you with a little Led Zeppelin. So from me to you, here’s the “Immigrant Song”...



Man those guys were one of a kind!

Ok then, I could have waxed lyrical about Led Zepp for hours, but time is a ticking and I NEED to show you guys something before I go. It’s a band called Apocalyptica and they are the world’s fist heavy metal band that has no guitars, no drums and no vocals... They do however have 4 cellists! Don’t believe it could be good? Then prepare to be amazed!



That’s all for this week my people! Have a good one and catch you next episode. Adios!

Pop Shop (episode 3)

Ok, so here’s the score. My baby brother just got married a few days ago and this has made me somewhat mushy (it’s just the way I roll ha, ha, ha). So I decided I’d show a softer side of my music taste for this episode...

The first song up is one of the best cover versions of a Lionel Richie song (with the Commodores) a person will ever hear. Hell, it’s even better than the original! And it’s sung by one of yours and my favourite bands Faith No More. So boys and girls, without further ado... Here’s Easy (Like Sunday Mornings):



Like that did ya? Well, Faith No More is (was?) an alternative metal band that released some of the world’s best kickass music between the years 1984 and 1998. They were renowned for their infighting and creative differences, but yet still managed to blend heavy metal, rock, hip hop, punk, thrash and jazz into an eclectic symphonic mix. On February 24, 2009 they announced that they will reform for a European tour that will include the Download Festival at Donington Park in the UK (what no South Africa?).

Next up my fellow music lovers we’ve got an absolute treat for you from the gods of Metal. This song, Nothing Else Matters, was recorded by Metallica live with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. It is still one of the best versions of what has always been a very amazing song.



Metallica are one of the world’s most successful bands (in any genre). They have released nine studio albums, two live albums, two EP’s, twenty-two music videos and forty-three singles and have won nine Grammy Awards with five consecutive albums debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. Impressive? Oh hell yes!

So who’s next up I hear you cry! Kurt Cobain loved them, they have had an acknowledged influence on almost all alternative music and they are called the Pixies. They are one of my “old school” favourites and a band who recently reformed. Here they are playing Here Comes Your man:



Mmmmm, that song rocks! Who would have thought that a band that has written songs about UFO’s, Surrealism and violent Biblical imagery could make such a loving song? He, he, he!

So... Not mushy enough for you? Then take a listen to the song we will be playing out with today, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. This one's for you Vaughn and Jo! Happy honeymoon and thanks for a great wedding!

Till next episode, cheers.

Pop Shop (episode 2)

Well then, it seems like I’ve (if you excuse the pun) struck a chord with some of you guys out there! Thanks for the emails with advice, requests and a comment or two (although not on the actual blog *sigh*). I’m pleased my first “episode” was appreciated by you all.

Ok, let’s get right into the swing of things with one of the most talented lyricists that ever strutted (and I mean strutted) the stage... Mr Nick Cave! The man is a legend and the words of this next song get me every time.



Since 1994 the band has offered the world 14 studio albums and a glimpse into an eclectic mix of hybrid blues, gospel, rock and a dash of post-punk. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds latest album is called Dig Lazarus, Dig and you can find it in most good music stores (read as not in Musica). “Into My Arms” is one of my all time favourite Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds tracks and was played at the Funeral of Michael Hutchence (he of INXS fame).

Ok then, lets up the tempo a little with another blast from the past. How about a song from a great little band called Talking Heads. I dedicate this one two my two beautiful little girls... And She Was!



The Talking Heads are one of those bands I mentioned in the previous “episode” that manages to transport you off to memories long gone. They also used to play as an opening act to the next band I’m going to play for you. A band that helped to kick-start the punk scene and in fact arguably started it. The Ramones!



Formed in Queens, New York in 1974 the Ramones never achieved great commercial success, but the undeniable influence they had on the punk music scene in both the US and Great Briton can still be seen today.

I’m playing out with another slower track by one of the bands that influenced my music and literary taste. A band that I had the privilege to see in a small intimate concert right here in Cape Town, South Africa. A band called The Mission, and a band that gave us this beautiful song – Butterfly on a Wheel...



Catch you all later on in the week. Cheers!

Pop Shop (episode 1)

It’s funny how certain songs will stay with you forever. You just need to hear the first few cords and... And you’re 20 years younger, sitting in The Playground (this great club that used to be in Cape Town) with this gorgeous Goth girl (trust me, go to suicidegirls.com to see what I mean) listening to Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart...



Joy Division will always be one of my favourites; it’s just a pity that Ian Curtis never got to see just how much of an influence he and the band had... R.I.P. dude, R.I.P. If you guys want to watch a really good movie about Joy Division then watch Closer. It’s available at Take 2 and is well worth the few bob it costs.

While I’m going old school on your arse I can’t do a post mentioning The Playground without sticking some Bauhaus into the equation. Bela Lugosi’s Dead is most probably one of Bauhaus’s most well known songs and was a firm favourite on the dance floor.



So we’ve done a few old school songs, but what about something new, something like... Something like this...



This song performed by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss is an absolutely wonderful song penned by Plant with the aid of his old Led Zeppelin cohort Jimmy Page. Even though this is a post Zeppelin collaboration you can still hear the echoes of the band that started it all.

That’s about all the time I have for today’s episode my people, so after two old school tracks and an instant classic from Plant and Krauss I’ll leave you with one of my favourites... Nouvelle Vague and an excellent cover version of a Billy Idol classic - Dancing with Myself...