Music
When You’re Young – The Passing of Rick Buckler
For a certain generation, the passing of Rick Buckler feels like more than just the loss of The Jam’s drummer—it feels like a piece of youth slipping away forever. He was the backbeat to a band that defined an era, a time when music wasn’t just entertainment but an identity. I never got to see The Jam live—I was a few years too young. Instead, I had to rely on my older brother’s stories about their gigs and even the time he met ...
Reading Calling – A Night Watching a Clash Tribute Act!
I headed off to watch a Clash tribute band last night. Sub 89 was the venue, meaning a train from Whitchurch to Basingstoke and on to Reading. I met some fellow Clash fans at Whitchurch who were a good bunch. Saved by the Hobbling Punks We shared a drink on the train and parted ways as I was off to another pub to meet friends, some I hadn’t seen for decades. I arrived early, so I sat outside and had a drink with some young, musclebound ...
Farewell Terry Hall
I remember a few years back when George Michael died, I found it a bit odd how morose some people were. The main demographic was women of a certain age who felt connected to him. It was not until later I appreciated what a decent, yet vulnerable bloke he was. It was a sad demise for someone who was generous, funny and always prepared to send himself up (see Ricky Gervais’s Extras). Yet, I still didn’t understand the connected sadness. ...
Billy Bragg – Looking for another New England
About 20 years ago, I was having a debate with an elder friend of mine and I ended up quoting Clash frontman, Joe Strummer. He replied by saying, “That’s all and well Bob, but life isn’t the gospel according to Joe Strummer”. I can’t remember what the argument was about, but I did feel a bit of a twat. He was right of course and from that day onwards, I have refused to live a life with rules set by Joe Strummer, Paul Weller, or ...
Stepping into a Pool of Adele Ecstasy
I was listening to the Adrian Chiles show on Radio 5 yesterday. His guests were comedian, Mark Steele, and Tory adviser/commentator, Salma Shah. As political opposites they found themselves somewhat confused that they were agreeing on most things (such a Boris Johnson being a bumbling clown). So, it was kind of odd that the one thing they did disagree on was the ability that singer, Adele, had to make people weep in ecstasy at the sound of ...