Suede - Dog Man Star, 1994

1994 was a significant year for me. I had finished high school the previous year, moved out of home, enrolled in the University of Canberra in an Environmental Science degree (never finished), met a bunch of new friends - forged some better relationships with old friends and generally started on the journey of adulthood. But that year also saw me form some of the foundations of the things that interest me and made me... well me.

Science Fiction: through watching marathon sessions of Star Trek the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and meeting some other fans and devotees (I wasn't the only one and I wasn't strange or weird)

Education: Sure I never finished my first degree but I learnt that this was a world I wanted to return to at some point... and I did and still do now and then...

Music: Collecting (buying) new CD's, Mix Tapes from a very good mate, hanging out with bands as a very cheap roadie and mostly listening to it for "hours and hours"

One album that really defines 1994 to me is Suede's Dog Man Star

I had heard some of the tracks from there initial self titled album Suede and enjoyed them. However, for me Dog Man Star will be my first Suede album and the songs are embedded in my mind as quintessential Suede. Which is quite strange as this album is probably not as raw as Suede and saw the departure of Bernard Bulter - who I still associate with that Suede sound (even though they have produced a hell of a lot more songs since Bernard left then before it still IS the sound of the first two albums) that captures (to me) the original spark that mark them as one of my top bands.

I suppose I haven't really thought too much about Suede and the music and sound and feeling of 1994 for a long time. Then a friend posted a link to an article by Brett Anderson (singer/songwriter and main man of Suede) all about Dog Man Star and his thoughts on each of the tracks. 

Reading Brett's thoughts on the album and each track both brought back the memories of that time and place for me and the realisation of what a completely brilliant album this was and is. 

I remember the rough concrete ceiling of my room in ressies, the cell like den where I could put on Dog Man Star plug in my head phones and drift off into Brett's world of speeding cars, the streets of London and observations of life mixed in with the piano and guitar riffs that add gentle touches of beauty. I remember walking through the Uni grounds as one of the New Generation searching for my place in the world.

I would lay on my bed starring up at the beer bottle lids I had pressed into the roof in the shape of my favourite things Star Trek, The Cure, The Wall and Suede. Drifting off to a world where all my wishes and dreams came true. The room where I discovered more about sex then anywhere else, where I drank, ate and experimented with drugs. The place where I became a young man and left my boyhood behind.

Some of my best memories around this time are through music and friendship (both near and far) girl friends and mates, lovers and drinkers and getting letters and parcels from Zles...

Zles - a friend from early high school days, a musical partner (both playing and sharing), joined (in a state of what can only be described as insanity) the Navy and moved to Melbourne for training. We started letter writing to help each other stay sane in our journey into the world, swapping stories, dreams and music (through mixtapes) and many practical jokes and tom foolery.

I remember walking to class, via the mail room, with a very Christian classmate. I collected a fat envelope from Zles, imagining the usual 20-30 page letter and eager to see what would await me later in the day when I could grab a cold beer, quiet space and plug myself in for the read I opened the letter. Peering in I noticed something strange between the pages, not quiet knowing what it was I pulled it out. A soiled condom! 

My classmate gasped and I shoved the offending item back into the envelope and muttered something about a crazy mate and shoved the letter into my backpack hurrying to class saying no more on the matter.

When I did finally get to read the letter (and on the last page I might add) Zles told me the condom was filled with shaving cream and put in as a joke... well at least that's what I will believe to this day!

Music was important to me before 1994 and it remains long after, but this was the year I went to bars with  bands, I hung out at rehearsals and real band members asked me what I thought of this or that song. This was the year I had to go on stage - mid song - and hold the lead singer/guitarists mic stand together (after he broke it) so he could play the lead break and pound out the last few notes of the final song. The year I watched the Far Gone Beauties with Bronwyn Bishop (yes that one) at the Uni Bar. The year I wrote most of my lyrics in a dark room with a multitude of new and old music pounding in my ears, a sweet drop of liquor on my lips and dodgy ball point in my hand.

1994 was a good year, thanks for the memories Brett and co...

Dog Man Star has played constantly in my ears while I wrote this dredging up the memories and visions from some many years ago - 18 to 36, twice a life-time and so much more and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am what I am because of years like 1994.

This still life is all I ever do
There by the window quietly killed for you
In the glass house my insect life
Crawling the walls under electric lights
I'll go into the night into the night
She and I into the night

Is this still life all I'm good for too?
There by the window quietly killed for you
And they drive by like insects do
They think they don't know me
They hired a car for you

To go into the night, into the night
She and I into the night

And this still life is all I ever do
There by the window quietly killed for you
And this still life is all I ever do
But it's still, still life
But it's still, still life
But it's still, still life

Guitar Playing and more

So this year I had a goal... to learn to play one song all the way through on the guitar.

I have owned a guitar for many years starting with a 3/4 I got sometime in high school... but I never really learned to play - sure I could muck about and run maybe a few chords together or follow a mate (slowly) with basic chords but not really play a tune someone would recognise. So this year I decided to go the whole shebang and get lessons.

I found out about a local guy who teaches from his home studio - he had taught another mate of mine and I knew his step son and wife (I live in a small world - I laugh about there being only 1 degree of separation between me and anyone else and in most cases this is true). So I emailed him to see if he had a vacancy and yes he did and on a night I could do...

That was around April this year... I spent a term (10 weeks) with him and time took over so I had a break and went back for the last term... I did learn to play a whole song, in fact I have several under my belt and can even work out new ones from TAB found on the net...

However, what really make me happy is that the other night Tinman came over and we where talking music and Alex Day's new song and his goal to be Number 1 on the UK Charts etc. As we where discussing music I got out the guitar to play a few songs - Tinman sings very well!!! We went through my repertoire and Tinman not only could sing along... (that is I played stuff he recognised) but he even mentioned that I had learnt a heap of songs... (over a dozen in my music book and more on the computer in TAB form)

My goal was one song... I have not only reached that but am now able - with a bit of extra work - able to play most songs I want to... I have really only just started to play around with Barr chords and hammers and adding little flourishes etc but I can play basic songs...

All that before the end of the year... perfect - Achievement Unlocked... what will I do next year to beat that... maybe build that guitar I have been working on... maybe...

The Cure - Reflecting on Reflections

OK so I wrote this really long post about the concert... then the Internet ate it...

So instead I'm not going to review the show - I'm going to tell you how this whole experience has made me feel... if you want to read a review might I suggest here which is my mate...

So The Cure... I first heard them when I was a teenager... I must have heard them on the radio but the moment when I really took notice was in a car parked in my mates driveway (a farm in Terara NSW). He had a tape (probably a copy) of this band he liked. It was Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me and we listened to the whole album 4 of us jammed into the car... lucky we didn't drain the battery... That for me was the moment I remember that I realised that this band, this group meant more to me then a single, or an album. The songs touched me and reach out to me... Even more when I started to get the back catalogue (again mostly through tapes coping mates CD's then returning the favour when I got a few albums on CD - don't judge me it was the 90's and we were all doing it!!!)

It was all we could do to get all the albums all the live material and Video's (yes VHS type videos) of the band... Many nights I spent recording RAGE on ABC to edit out the rare Cure film clip to a battered VHS, we shared and traded these rare clips like gold... not realising in years to come you would be able You Tube them... or buy a DVD full of them all!

Then Wish came out and a tour was announced.

This was 1992 and I was 16 years old...

My mate's Mum took us, three of the original 4 (and Tim's little sister - Tim was in Brazil, he got girls we got the Cure - I think we won, girls blah they are everywhere)

I would see them 5 more times after that first concert... and all of the shows were different. I even have a list of the tracks played - it is quite impressive with many songs that are rarely (if ever) played live. I was happy to have been able to see them so often and with such great company and with a great crowd of Cure fans...

Then Reflections was announced. A twin to the previous Trilogy (Pornography, Disintegration, Bloodflowers) but for the first three albums. This would take us on a journey from the post punk Cure to the beginnings of the Goth era. Albums that gave us such seminal hits as Three Imaginary Boys, A Forest, Primary - the lead in to the dark Pornography - which in turns leads into the pop - top 20 hits of the mid - late 80's and 90's. This was the beginning, the start, the raw unformed Cure... This would be a once in a lifetime event and I had to be part of this. We all had to be.

The trio got back in touch and between us we hatched a plan on how to get tickets. We would all go online, pre-registered and ready for the opening of the ticket sales... We would be 3 against many thousands wanting to get the 4,000 tickets (spread over two nights). We had little chance, almost none, but still we would try - we had to.

It was Tuesday when I got the email, two whole days before the launch, "You're going to the Cure" read the subject line... that was all nothing more. I rang almost immediately to find out what that meant, was it true? If so how?

Apparently the demand from out of State and indeed overseas was so high the ticket seller released some tickets early to allow time for travel arrangement and such.  One of the subscribers who got that early notice posted the information on a Cure web forum. Col was at home that day, checking Twitter when he got notice of the advance sale. He lives out of NSW (therefore out of State) - without hesitation he bought 4 tickets for the first night and forwarded an email to us all. We really were going...

It strange - I really didn't think I would get to see them. We stood an almost zero chance and yet fate played the cards we needed and we went.

What was it like?

It was magical... from the friends I went with who like me grew up with the Cure, knew all the words (and even how to play); to the two lovely French guys we met who had traveled out to see the show. The fans around us were dedicated fans, ones who lived and breathed the Cure (sometimes more heavily then others) but they all were there to be part of something special. This would NEVER happen again.

I am glad that they filmed this event so that not only can I have my memories but I can re-live them again when I play the DVD... hear the crowd roar at the opening of A Forest feel the vibe of good vibrations as Lol Tolhurst entered the stage for the first time with the band since 1989... It was more then a show, more then a concert, it was a home coming, an affirmation from all the dedicated fans but mostly it was a gift from my favourite band to me (and 3,999+ other people)

You know what is so special about living in the future? I can share part of that with you... You Tube it and see for yourself - but for me this song sums up so many memories... I'm sure I have a scratched, flickering VHS somewhere with this film clip - why not a video phone short grab instead...

Suede

It seems that my past is revisiting… Suede are playing in London on the weekend. A reunion get together of sorts… still no Bernard but then again he was only in the band for the first 2 big albums – and still has so much effect on there sounds even though.

To celebrate both the band and the getting back together here is one of my favourites…

And to show all the non-believers Bernard Butler…

This is a friend of mine…

Musical ride...

Here Come the Birds

This was the songle of the week from iTunes... a fantastic little song fromthis Newcastle (Australia) band. Check out their My Space and the song Bravery and Defeat.

Bennie James and the Hesitant Few

One half of the act I saw in Sydney the other week, here is a link to the great little song Bubbleboy great pop tune. If you get a chance check them out live as they are a really great little band! Bennie has some of the live recordings from the gig I attended on his MySpace so check that out as well...

Well that about does it for the newest music that I have found in the last few days... I should do this more often - spread the word...

Smiles

Queen - NEW ALBUM

Well I just heard that Queen are doing a new album - the first studio album in 13 years - since the Freddie Mercury Sessions that brought us Made In Heaven (one of my favourite Queen albums). And a new European Tour and maybe South America... of course no word on an Australian tour so :(

Good news on the album me thinks - still concerned though about Paul Rogers... He sounds ok on the Live Double CD I have but... well he is no Freddy...

In related Music news - this one is a little old. NIN have released an instrumental album on the web - you can get the first few tracks for free or the whole album in digital format for $5 (US) from their website. here. Album is called Ghost I have the first 6 tracks and am really liking them so I will get the album soon.

Other Music news Stover has MP3's available on CD Baby go here to buy. We are looking into getting into the studio again and putting down a few of our newer tracks - maybe in the next few months or so so keep an eye on the Stover page for news.

Sex Pistols

I do not know how i feel about this news sex pistols reforming??

Punk legends the Sex Pistols announced that they will stage a one-off gig in November to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their controversial album Never Mind the Bollocks.

Can they still be the Sex Pistols and be as old as they are - mind you they have more Punk in there old bones then any of the newer semi-punk bands we have today...

Would be good to see though - now where is my passport? Or cheaper where is my copy of this album... crank it up loud!!!

Ghostwood

Oh boy I have found a cool new band! and they are Australian - from out of Sydney.



So check out the clip and see what you think... Very Cureish so I am hooked - easy really! great little guitar riff at the beginning really caught me!

Yes something new and all through a single of the week at iTunes! would've thought it!

Monday Photo Shoot - Crowds

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Get a picture of a crowd or crowded event. Conventions, weddings, parties in cramped spaces -- you know, anywhere there's lots of folks doing something.

I had to really go searching for this one - didn't think that I had any, when I stumbled upon this little gem. It was taken a few years ago at a Radiohead concert in Sydney. I got pre order tickets - that ended up being at the back wall - literally... so much for pre-order !! So I took my digital camera along to see what I could get didn't think much would turn out but the lights make for a good contrast etc... Then they did a huge Blue explosion of colour and I managed to capture it and the crowd!

I am kinda excited about finding this because I am off to see the Cure on the 10th August, they are my all time favourite band... and this probably will be the last time they come out here... It will be on at the same venue as this concert but I tickets in Section 9 (My favourite section!!) Does having a favourite section at a music venue mean that you go to too many concerts... or just a more discerning music goer??

More Music

OK I have been very musically focus this last week or so and if you are not into that... well sorry this is my Blog and I write what I want...

Ian Astbury (from The Cult) is doing some vocals on the new UNKLE album due for release later this year. The first single from that forth coming CD - War Stories - is "Burn My Shadow". I think this is the best song I have heard this year (aside of course from the new stuff from Stover - but as they are only performing them live atm I guess this will have to do as far as recorded songs go!) There is something about Ian voice that brings back memories of the 80's and good Goth Rock bands. His sound is so unique and fits in well with the UNKLE track. I have seen from the track listings that Ian sings on another song on the album so it might be worth getting the album and taking a chance on the rest of the tracks.

I recently bought the new Air album Pocket Symphony just because it had a few tracks with Jarvis Cocker (formerly with Pulp, now solo) and that album has some great non Jarvis songs on it. Of course I did like Air before I bought the album it was just the addition of Jarvis that tip me over.

So if the past is anything to go by I should grab this new UNKLE album just because it has Ian on at least a few tracks. I'll let you know if I do get it...

Blame Jeff

I found this... it is all Jeff's fault...

Wanken die Winkey

I'll never be the same... Go watch it and enjoy!!!

Crazy site it all comes from is right here - for you madness pleasure...

I have to stop linking to Jeff... Ok no more Jeff links tonight!!

Good night!!

Stover

Ok here goes from some shameless self promotion.
My Band - Stover - have a new website kindly created by our Bassist Dirk. I have the link over at the side if you wish to come see us anytime. We have all our lyrics on the site (you have to move the mouse over the image of the CD cover to click on the song) you can also listen to the songs on the lyrics page if you wish. I think Dirk has done a wonderful job on the site and it all looks and feels really good.
We also have links to various other stover-ish pages as well as places to by/listen to our music. For the citizens of the USA please goto CDBaby and you can either buy our CD from them or purchase MP3's through there site.
Ok there we go - I didn't even force anyone to buy anything! But if you want to that'll be great!
Stover is a lot of fun to play with and be a part of, we are looking to get a few more songs out there at the moment and I will (you can be sure) let you know!
Oh I am also involved with a side project Bennie James Effect (ok I added the effect but the Bennie James bit is real!). Check him out!

The Love Cats

Why that title - well The Cure are playing on the radio at the moment. What a great song, klinky keyboard and the odd little Rawwwl every now and then. This song was from the Japanese Whispers album when a large percentage of the band left (or where pushed out) leaving mainly Robert Smith and Lol Tolhurst to keep it all going. A strange little album, it was VERY pop from the kings of Moprock - most famous for the brilliance and depression of albums like "Pornography" and "Faith" (some of my Fav all time albums - I even have "Faith" on vinyl).
Lovecats was also around the time that Robert joined "Siouxsie and the Banshees" and also joined up with Steven Sevenrin from Banshees to form "The Glove" and they released the album "Blue Sunshine".

Once again what turned out to start off as a chat about a song I heard on the radio I turned on - explanation mode - and tell you all about one of (OK THE) my favourite bands. Very pleased to know that I got it all right from my memory, checked all my facts as I link to the Wiki pages for your convince (smiley grin right now!)

Topic for my readers...

So what is your favourite Music and what makes it so good. I think that we should make some ground rules for this. I want One (1) response and a good explanation - link to your blog in the comments section or leave answer as a comment. Your response can be a song, a band, a style/genre of music the choice is yours BUT it can only be one - I know you have many - I do - but I only want to hear from one.

Go

So why do I like The Cure, what makes them great - to me.
Firstly the music is simple and yet still has complexity to it. I like the Vocals - they are not great, not earth shattering - I can sing along !! The lyrics tell me a story, sometimes I can relate to the topic other times not but still the story makes me feel like I am part of the song. The Cure has evolved for many years from the late 70's punk/rock, to the goth, pop, styles until now they are a style and genre into themselves. I used the term above Moprock which I think is what The Cure sound is to me. No it is not in Wikipedia but maybe it should be. I dunno. Alternative Rock, Goth Rock, even Brit Pop can all describe The Cure at various points in there career.
I love the sounds that the musicians have made, from Robert early days with is 10 pound guitar and Tolhurst simple easy drum beats, to the heyday of Disintegration - raw Porl Thompson guitar, keys/sythn sounds and The WONDERFUL Boris Williams on drums (GOD). Clearly this is MY standout album and the DVD The Cure - Trilogy which is a live recording of the three similar themed albums, Pornography, Disintegration and Bloodflowers is such an awe inspiring concert - wish I was there!
I first 'found' The Cure through my friend Zles as a teenager and many of the songs bring me back to that place in my early-mid teens, when everything else was too much to handle this music gave me life and a place.
From Pop to Rock there is always a song that can take me to that moment in The Cures arsenal.
So to sum it all up The Cure means many things to me, teenage life, making music, inspiration as well as a meaningful and realistic sense of place via the music that I listen to. I know that for what ever mood I am in I can listen to a Cure song which highlights and impacts that mood more. The songs and music make me feel whole and alive - and sometimes makes me feel better because I know it is there.