Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Cee

Revisiting Department C

Cee/C (full name withheld - available on request) is a very talented illustrator and blogs under the moniker Sun Dried Sparrows. She was was born in the 60s and grew up in the 70s; that's pretty much all you need to know. That and the fact that she's my go to person when it comes to crinkle crinkle walls. C has attended all three previous BlogCons and I'm really looking forward to seeing her again in Bristol. Ahead of BC she's also agreed to a spot of mild interrogation.

* What was the first record you bought with your own money? 

My first single was Abba's 'Dancing Queen' in the long hot Summer of blue eyeshadow and double denim. But everything had changed by the time I was ready for the thrill of proper, grown-up record ownership some months later and my first album purchase was the Clash debut . I'll never forget my excitement at hearing 'Janie Jones' through the headphones in the record shop just before I handed over my long-saved pocket money. It's retained a special place in my heart ever since. 

* What got you into blogging? 

I was feeling a bit isolated freelancing from home, and also working in children's books it felt like a large portion of my life revolved around cute and gentle fluffiness. Too much. I needed an outlet which was more adult! I wanted to talk about sweaty gigs, first kisses, art school characters, life and death, weird people on trains and spiders, alongside more niche tastes in music, art, etc... so I thought, why not start a blog and see what happens? I could never have anticipated that it would connect me to such warm and interesting people.  

* Do you find writing cathartic? As cathartic as painting? 

Oh this is hard as; until quite recently, I absolutely adored writing and yes, it was cathartic, but I'm finding it really difficult to do at the moment. Painting therefore wins right now, and I'm sorry to have been such a crap blogger of late. Maybe that will change.

Do you have a favourite record store and or bookshop?

 No - but I have worked in both.  

* Do you sing in the shower? 

I don't, but I often write blog posts in my head there. And then promptly lose the thoughts by the time I'm out. 

* Indian or Chinese? 

Indian. 

* You're known over at Sun Dried Sparrows as being something of an expert walking guide. Do countryside rambles 'do it for you' more than navigating urban landscapes or can you find equal pleasure in both? 

Well thank you. I'm a country girl really; aged 12/13 my friends and I used to go on long walks along bridleways, across fields and through woodland, for hours. We mapped everything out mentally: turn left at this tree, turn right at that gate, etc. I still have frequent dreams where I'm finding my way through rural landscapes with those kind of landmarks, it's embedded. The last time I navigated a completely new urban landscape was during a solo trip to Bristol ten years ago, and I got lost! 

* Pistols or the Clash? 

 The Clash. See Q1. 

* Travelling on buses - top deck or bottom?

Definitely top deck, front. The things you get to see - a rusty old coach in someone's back garden, a pair of shoes stranded on a rooftop, the intimate details of a gargoyle's nostrils. 

* You've just taken delivery of a time machine. Where and when are you going to?

London, 1967, to hang out at the UFO Club and attend the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream event at Alexandra Palace. I'd also like to pop into the early 1920s on the way and have a coffee at La Rotonde in Paris. 

* There's a Triumph Herald blocking access to your house. It's a rather tasty specimen but it's blocking the access all the same. Do you, a: harrumph and go marching over to it and leave a strongly worded note under the windscreen wipers. Or, b: - photograph it, paint it and write a blog about it?

Definitely b. And I'd wait around to meet the owner to enthuse about turning circles and wooden dashboards.


 

Thank you, C. Splendid answers! C tells me she's currently getting her kicks via Department S reruns on Rewind TV (a brilliant SMcSF above). And when I told her the esteemed company she was now in, having filed a JM Q&A (previous subjects have included The Swede, David Hepworth, Alan Hudson, Helen Zaltzmann, Mark Ellen and Phil Wilding, to mention but a few), she responded: "An incredible honour, thank you! This is the most I've written in six months, C. x" See you in Bristol, C!

Sunday, 9 February 2025

The Swede

TS: currently shaking his groove thang to Tsunami

As I mentioned yesterday, as part of our upcoming #BlogCon25 meet up in Bristol (following previous successes in Edinburgh, York & Newcastle), I thought it'd be nice to quickly profile this year's runners and riders.

Many of our attendees are very private people, often flying so far under the radar/living off grid it's a wonder I ever stumbled upon them in the first place. I shall, therefore, keep any intros to a bare minimum and hope that in the quick fire Q&As I did with them I haven't betrayed any confidences. And, for the record, yes I have signed NDAs with all of them.  

First up, my good friend The Swede. TS has had a presence in the blogosphere since 2008 and is seen by many as the Father of the House. As well as being at the inaugural BC back in 2022, he's also come up the country (or is that across?) to meet-up in my manor - the fair city of Nottingham. So without further ado...

* What was the first record you bought with your own money? 

'The Slider' by T.Rex, which was also the subject of the very first Swedey McSwedeface if I'm not at all mistaken. 

 * What got you into blogging? 

Our mutual blogging chum C introduced me to it. We worked together in a record shop two thirds of a lifetime ago and stayed in contact by letter and Christmas card thereafter. BlogCon22 was the first time we'd actually met up in around 35 years. It was emotional I can tell you. 

 * Do you find writing cathartic?

I've been struggling, really struggling, for a number of years now, but when it flows, yes. 

 * Do you have a favourite record store and or bookshop? 

The marvellous Newham Bookshop on the Barking Road in East Ham. My advice is not to go there with the intention of just killing time, it simply won't work - you'll come out carrying an armful, I guarantee. When you do leave the shop and want somewhere to sit and crack the spine of a new purchase, The Boleyn is just a few steps away. It's a magnificent London boozer with good food, comfy chairs and a free jukebox full of corking tunes. And if they happen to be serving Five Points Best when you drop in, your day couldn't possibly get any better. Sounds of the Universe in Soho is another place to actively avoid if you want to hang on to your readies. It's an impossibly great record shop that I defy any music lover to depart from empty handed. 

 * Do you sing in the shower?

I sing (and/or whistle) all the time, much to the irritation of housemates/girlfriends/work colleagues down the years. 

 * Indian or Chinese? 

 Indian. 

 * I know you're a coffee connoisseur but world production of coffee beans has been halted permanently (something to do with Trump/Musk). What do you reach for in its place? 

The very thought is too horrific to contemplate, but since we're mercifully talking hypothetically, it would be Earl Grey Tea. 

 * Beatles or the Stones? 

 God knows I love you Keef, but it's The Fabs all day long. 

 *  Bus travel - top deck or bottom?

For the first few years of my life I gave my parents very little choice in the matter, darting up the stairs and heading to the front, pretending I was the bus driver. These days, what with my gammy knees and all, I'm more than happy to plop into the nearest available seat downstairs. 

 * You've just taken delivery of a time machine. Where and when are you going to?

Good grief! I could lose a great many hours overthinking this one, so I won't think at all and leave you with an answer I've given to a similar question before - 1975/76, following Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Tour around America. 

 * Which of the following statements is true? 

 - Your local village hall is hosting a gig next week but can't decide whether to put on Robyn Hitchcock or Bruce Springsteen. The Ents. Committee is split down the middle and has given you the casting vote. 

- Your blogging handle harks back to when you were selling fruit and veg on Walthamstow Market in the early 70s which coincided with a massive uptick in Londoner's swede and turnip consumption.

Sadly both statements are fake news, though this conundrum would be a no brainer - Hitchcock every time. If, however, the choices were Robyn or Bob (Dylan), I'd obviously choose the latter, safe in the knowledge that Mr Hitchcock would be standing next to me in the audience.

From the age of nine or 10, I was indeed dispatched (with my even younger cousin in tow) to Walthamstow Market every Saturday to pick up shopping including fresh bread and veg, although, try as they might, my folks couldn't get me to eat any actual vegetables at all, save for the humble potato. They even tried the old chestnut of hiding mashed swede beneath my mashed potatoes, but I was having none of it. Interestingly, other items on my regular weekly shopping list in 1969/70 included Esso Blue paraffin for our stove heaters and Guards cigarettes for my Dad. Different times.

 

Thank you, TS. Really looking forward to buying you a pint in Bristol.

Saturday, 8 February 2025

Jachtschepen

A couple of things to mention today: doing the rounds on the blogs in the last few days and I see there's been a lot of talk of (and love coming in for) Boz Scaggs. Something of a cornerstone on this blog in particular, Scaggs is a name that appears on one of my precious few bucket lists: artists I need/want to see live before it's too late. 

Two of Scaggs' biggest hits (on both sides of the Atlantic) Lido Shuffle and Lowdown are both from his 1976 yacht* rock classic long player Silk Degrees. Obviously back in the mid 70s no-one was aware that forty years later the YR tag would be affixed to an album that went 5x platinum in the States and silver in the UK. And both aforementioned bangers Scaggs co-wrote with his then keyboard player, David Paich. Paich would soon jump ship (yacht?) and form Toto (a quintessential YR outfit): he went on to pen Hold the Line, Africa and Rosanna - three bigger YR tunes you'd struggle to find.

But enough of Toto. Take a look at this beautifully deft version of Lowdown - unfortunately the YouTube algorithms are not allowing me to embed it.

   

Today is the Number One Son's birthday. James is 35. Fuck me, where does the time go? (Answers on a postcard); which means it must be nine years since I wrote this - my memories of the momentous event that took place on 8th February 1990 - and Boz Scaggs' cameo appearance. James and his girlfriend are currently in Madrid, so I won't see him till next week. Happy Birthday, James! x 

 

As my recovery continues apace the BlogCon committee are tentatively planning our latest sortie. It's looking like #BlogCon25 will convene in Bristol in early June. I'm in the throws of writing some mini profiles of BC25 attendees. This will take the form of a none too strenuous Q&A c/w a Swedey McSwedeface (a.k.a. a mug shot). If you fancy joining our merry little band please feel free to get in touch via the comments section below. 

 ★

*Susie Dent Corner - as you know I love the derivation of words. Did you know that the word yacht comes from the Dutch word jacht meaning hunt? And jachtschepen was the name for narrow, light and very fast sailing boats that the Dutchmen deployed to itercept larger and slower fleet. Everyday's a school day. Just don't google Urban Dictionary for their take on the word. You're going to aren't you? 

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Don't mention the war

I've said it before but it bears repeating, without the support and encouragement of Dave Collins (a.k.a. Mondo)  there would be no 'Are We There Yet?' (formerly 'Even Monkeys Fall Out of Trees'). Back in 2010 his passion for all things rock and roll  - and of course the blogging 'scene' - pushed me into getting a lot of the ephemeral nonsense that had been cluttering my head onto the printed (you know what I mean) page. In particular his love of both glam rock and comic books was enough to persuade me to write about some of my own passions and obsessions. And back then blogging seemed like the perfect outlet.*

Mondo has become a good friend over the intervening years - both in the digital world and in the real world too having met up numerous times. And so when he points me in the direction of a 'good read' I always pay attention. When I said above about Mondo's love of both glam and comics then the one band that sits firmly astride both these categories, in true Venn diagram style, is KISS. Only a few weeks before I went in to hospital our Power Trio WhatApp group (Brother Mondo, Brother Steve and myself) were debating all things KISS. Yes they're silly, yes they're totally overblown and no you can't take them seriously, but... they do get under your skin. For what it's worth I think they've written six (seven at a push) good songs, but that's not the point. For instance, I was still the happiest man in the world when a couple of years ago in the States I was playing pinball on a KISS machine in a bar in Albuquerque! Life doesn't get much better than that. 

Anyway, the tome Mondo had pointed me in the direction of was (Kiss frontman) Paul Stanley's A Life Exposed. And what a terrific read it is. I was gripped from the start. Some fascinating insights into what it was like to growing up in New York in the 50s and 60s and being constantly picked on and bullied by his peers (Stanley was born without a right ear and therefore 50% deaf); then forming his first musical friendships with other like minded coves not just in his Queens neighbourhood but from other boroughs of the city too - not least a cocky bass player by the name of Chaim Witz (soon to be Gene Simmons). I'm  nearly half way thru and am now reading something which back in 2014 when it was written would have been noteworthy for sure, but fast forward ten years, and with the far right literally on the march, it's a subject that couldn't be more on point: in the book we learn that the KISS logo (as jointly designed by Stanley and guitarist Ace Freeley) is outlawed in Germany by Section 86a of the German Strafgesetzbuch (their Criminal Code); the font being alarmingly similar to the insignia of the Nazi SS. 

Stanley has always denied such symbolism (he and Simmons are both Jewish) but as with all logos (not least those that resemble Swastikas), you've got to tread very carefully. That said, take a look at the 'S' in Stanley on the book jacket. Anyway, bottom line, the band have always had a different logo for their German released albums and their touring backdrops - see below how the S's have been flattened out. A wise move. 

Another wise move, on my part anyway, was reaching the end of today's Nazi themed (loosely) blog post without once mentioning Elon Musk. D'oh! Oh, alright then, he's a cunt. And a prize cunt at that.

Until next time. 

We're not Nazis


* Still does; fifteen years later and I still love writing this blog. I may not be the most prolific blogger (I average two posts a week) but every time I sit down at my Mac to start writing I feel energised; It's a feeling that's never gone away. 

Thursday, 30 January 2025

From Romford to Nashville

What I know about Spencer Cullum and tuppence wouldn't get yer hair cut. However, what I can tell you is that he was born and raised in Romford, Essex and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. I can also tell you that his 2021 album - Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection - is something of a gem. When I first lowered the needle onto the opening groove I thought I'd got him pegged: singer songwriter (with some fantastic tunes and enchanting imagery) playing in a modern idiom trying to sound relevant whilst at the same time not afraid to tip his hat in the direction of Nick Drake. A bit like this... 

Spencer Cullum - Iminent Shadow (From BBC 6 Music session with Marc Riley)

 

However, just when I thought I'd rumbled him, about two thirds of the way in, Cullum parks up his, not unpleasant, folk noodlings and changes gear quite spectacularly. I was not ready for this: here's a live version of the track that when I first heard it was convinced I was listening to a factory mispressing.

Spencer Cullum - Dieterich Buxtehude (Live in London)

 

★ 

Any artist who tries to throw their listeners off the scent are, in my book, automatically elevated to the top of the class. Keep your audience on their toes would always have been my mantra if I'd ever been in a band.

As always I'd love to know what you think. Anyway, must dash - I've got an appointment with his next album (imaginatively titled) Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection 2.

Monday, 27 January 2025

Rest

The remit from the Cardiology Dept. when they sent me home was very simple. Rest. No driving. No lifting. No reaching. No stretching. To the point that when making a cup of tea boil only enough water for one cup. My body is healing they said. The wound, the chest cavity, the nerve endings are all slowly knitting back together and any exertions are to be kept to a bare minimum. And so, since my release papers from hospital were signed I've basically done nothing of a physical nature. Fuck all; a brisk daily walk just to get me out of the house for half an hour (my sanity is at stake here!) has been the sum total of my exercise regime.

My post-operative nurse is coming to assess me tomorrow to set up a rehabilitation programme which will hopefully see me dipping my toe back in the waters of normality. I think I'm ready. 

 

It being a Monday I thought, after a long hiatus, I'd reconnect with the Monday Long Song thread. I've been playing a lot of Ashra recently. Hailing from Germany they carved out quite a successful career from 1976 to the late 90s straddling in equal measure krautrock, electronic & ambient - basically making the sort of racket I like. See what you think...

Ashra - Sunrain (1976)

Saturday, 18 January 2025

Rhymes with magnum

I've mentioned Scott Lavene around these parts before; to the best of my knowledge the Essex punk poet flies mostly under the radar, occasionally popping up with standout albums like last year's Disneyland in Dagenham. The title track is (I think) a lyrical masterpiece and although it depicts a world I'm not overly familiar with (scoring drugs in sub-optimal high rise flats whilst dealing with equally sub-optimal lowlife) I can see in my mind's eye the views of east London and Essex - and the infamous A13 - afforded by these squalid flats in dodgy tenement blocks in Rainham.

Lavene is embarking on something of a low key 'tour' at the end of this month/early next and that he's coming to a pub in Northampton (The Black Prince, since you ask, and the nearest venue on his jaunt to me.) Under normal circs I'd have bombed down the M1 to see him and say hello, but I feel my post op recovery, whilst I'm getting stronger each day, may not allow such a sortie just yet. Next time, Scotty.

Scott Lavene - Disneyland in Dagenham (2024)

Sunday, 12 January 2025

Dressin' fine, makin' time

I'm still not 100% sure why, but I listened to a lot of Roxy Music and, indeed, Bryan Ferry whilst laid up in hospital; morphine painkillers make you do strange things, that's all I can say. One song I kept coming back to time and again was a solo single Ferry brought out in 1974 on the Island label. I remember buying it as an ex-jukebox 45 (with the middle missing) from Grantham Market fifty years ago, can you believe. If memory serves it cost me the princely sum of 25p; money well spent if you ask me. At the time I couldn't get over the sheer ferocity of the riff that runs all the way through it - guitar, keyboard and horns joining forces to make up a relentless wall of sound.

Imagine my delight when I discovered (still in hospital) Ferry and his band recreating the track note for note at one of the BBC live sessions they used to put on regularly at St. Luke's in Shoreditch, central London. And what a band it is. Look left and you'll see ex-Womble & Sex Pistol Chris Spedding and look right, just behind the fabulous backing singers, you'll spot a young and ridiculously talented guitarist bunking off from school, seemingly. His name is Ollie Johnson and he helps bring The In Crowd to a new audience whilst the ever urbane front man just stands there leaning on his mic stand looking amazing in his made to measure sparkly black jacket*.

Bryan Ferry - The In Crowd (Live from 2007)


* He's come a long way since his retro pilot chic days. Here he is playing the very same number at a Roxy gig in 1976 c/w Phil Manzanera on guitar.

Monday, 6 January 2025

From the heart


A belated Happy New Year to you all. I knew, prior to going to hospital that I'd be out of commission for a wee while. Quite how long was/is something I'll have to judge on a day by day basis. Anyhoo, despite a couple of setbacks I'm now finally back ensonsed at Medd Towers. In between receiving visitors bearing hard boiled eggs and nuts I've also been penning a thank you letter to the hospital. In the last 30 days or so a number of very special NHS workers (they know who they are) who between them, it's no exagerration to say, saved my life. And for that I know I shall never be able to thank them. Not fully.  

Anyway, enough about me. How are you all doing? How was your Christmas and New Year? Good, bad or indifferent I'm sure it was well doucumented. Mine normally would have been but as I spent Christmas day, my birthday and New Year on an isolation ward, I can honestly say that my camera never saw as much as a bit of tinsel. However, my phone did come out to record one very special event: during one of my many explorations of my new heart (I lost count of the number of chest X-rays, ECGs & echo cardiograms I had while I was in there) I was asked to look at how magnificently my new aortic heart valve is performing...


That's quite enough exertion for now. I'm not sure if I'll be able to write anything meaningful at this time; I will, however, endeavour to visit other blogs and even leave the odd comment. In the meantime, it's good to be back. J x.