As you might know, Courtney Love is a controversial figure. She fronted trailblazing alt rockers Hole, racked up Modern Rock Radio hallmarks like “Violet”, “Miss World” and “Celebrity Skin”. However most know her for her famous husband and or her contentious public persona. And because of that she’s accrued an […]
When they started, R.E.M. were no one’s idea of a sure thing. Every decision they made flew in the face of common sense. After a nightmare supporting the Police in 1983, they vowed no more high profile support slots. No to American Bandstand because frontman Michael Stipe was uncomfortable lip-syncing. […]
Ocean Colour Scene went through a lot. In their first sprint they morphed from press darlings to labelless failures, only to reemerge in the late stages of Britpop to become commercial heavyweights. They were a band that luxuriated in Britain’s rock past, the warm fuzz and ragged pop harmonies of […]
By the mid-90s Sweden had a reputation on the international pop stage. Groups like Roxette, Ace of Base and Rednex were lightweight cheese, catchy but inoffensive. However there were bands with a bit more heft that felt under-represented. Known for the screaming yet sultry, boisterous yet coy “Hobo Humpin’ Slobo […]
Weezer were a revelation for 90s alternative rock. Heavy metal and comic books were how Rivers Cuomo was raised. Kiss and the X-Men were the Gods that he praised. And while Kurt Cobain also loved 70s Arena Rock and Marvel Comics, he never admitted to it in song. Devo and […]
So I’ve watched Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World more than pretty much any other film. I’ve now quoted it so much it has become part of my day to day vocabulary. So yeah…Its something of a masterpiece in my eyes. Watching it recently with commentary there is the following conversation […]
For the briefest moment in the 1990s, Britpop ruled the airwaves. Suede sighed out a romantically ambiguous soundtrack for elegant wastrels. Blur and Oasis were vying for number one. And everybody wanted to live like Common People. It was music that delighted in Britain’s pop history, taking the best bits […]
Tricky hated being called Trip-Hop. Formerly of Bristol Sound progenitors Massive Attack, he with his medicated rasp and the cool indifference of partner Martina Topley-Bird shifted what British hip-hop could sound like. Dark, claustrophobic, paranoid and set upon a foundation of soul, downtempo hip hop and dub reggae. These experiments […]
Britain in the 90s had some great number one singles. Songs that summed up a moment, stretched the boundaries of what pop could be, yet have stood the test of time. “Nothing Compares 2U”. “Don’t Look Back In Anger”. “Wannabe”. “Firestarter”. “…Baby One More Time”. From this list you would […]
For the briefest moment in the early 2010s, Stomp Clap ruled the airwaves. The Lumineers were vying for chart places with Rihanna and Bruno Mars. Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters and Men and Vance Joy too were getting rich off hoedowns, hootenannys and rave ups. And everyone was dressing like […]
