Classic

DAVID BOWIE – ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars’ Released 45 Years Ago…

Posted on by JL

Great albums from the past…

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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars by DAVID BOWIE

Forty-five years ago – on 6 June 1972 – DAVID BOWIE released his fifth album THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS. One of his best and most notorious albums and his Ziggy Stardust persona was probably his most intriguing, brilliant and charismatic creation ever. When I listened to the classic LP again yesterday
(in full for the first time in years) I was honestly stunned by its imperishable beauty, its indefectible power and timeless passion. This is what a genial artist and his work is all about: immortal impact!…

Rolling Stone Magazine journalist Richard Cromelin wrote in July 1972: “David Bowie
has pulled off his complex task with consummate style, with some great rock & roll, with all
the wit and passion required to give it sufficient dimension and with a deep sense of humanity
that regularly emerges from behind the Star facade. The important thing is that despite the formidable nature of the undertaking, he hasn’t sacrificed a bit of entertainment value for
the sake of message. I’d give it at least a 99.”

You can read the great original review in
full here, while I’ll have another listen…

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DAVID BOWIE: Website – Facebook – Discography

MANIC STREET PREACHERS Released Timeless Anthem ‘MOTORCYCLE EMPTINESS’ 25 Years Ago…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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‘Motorcycle Emptiness’ by MANIC STREET PREACHERS

MOTORCYCLE EMPTINESS is unquestionably one of the most memorable and timeless anthems (next to ‘Design For Life‘, of course) MANIC STREET PREACHERS ever wrote and the song gave their early career a tremendous boost at the time. The epic classic was released 25 years ago – 1 June 1992. The lyrics were inspired by S.E. Hinton‘s book Rumble Fish, about biker gang culture. The band said they wanted to express their critical view on the hollowness of the consumer lifestyle offered by capitalism, describing how society expects young people to conform. Originally, the very early version was titled ‘Go, Buzz Baby, Go‘. The first line of the chorus – ‘Under Neon Loneliness’ – was taken from a poem
by Welsh poet Patrick Jones, the brother of Manics’ bass guitarist and lyricist Nicky Wire.
Here’s the electrifying, magnetizing and melancholic pearl…

Culture sucks down words
Itemise loathing and feed yourself smiles
Organise your safe tribal war
Hurt maim kill and enslave the ghetto

Each day living out a lie
Life sold cheaply forever, ever, ever

Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness

Life lies a slow suicide
Orthodox dreams and symbolic myths
From feudal serf to spender
This wonderful world of purchase power

Just like lungs sucking on air
Survivals natural as sorrow, sorrow, sorrow

Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness

All we want from you are the kicks you’ve given us
All we want from you are the kicks you’ve given us
All we want from you are the kicks you’ve given us
All we want from you are the kicks you’ve given us

Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness

Drive away and it’s the same
Everywhere death row, everyone’s a victim
Your joys are counterfeit
This happiness corrupt political shit

Living life like a comatose
Ego loaded and swallow, swallow, swallow

Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness motorcycle emptiness
Under neon loneliness everlasting nothingness


The single – also on their debut album ‘Generation Terrorists’ – peaked at
number 17 on the UK singles chart and the video clip was shot in Japan…

MANIC STREET PREACHERS: Website – Facebook – Twitter

SEX PISTOLS Shocked The United Kingdom 40 Years Ago – But Nothing Has Changed Today…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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‘God Save The Queen’ by SEX PISTOLS

Forty years ago today – 27 May 1977 – the SEX PISTOLS released controversial single
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. A timeless punk banger that shocked the conservative United Kingdom. I just loved their rage, their controversial attitude, their middle finger for the capitalistic establishment and Johnny Rotten‘s new generation charisma. These outcasts
were just sensational, highly inspiring and made the best punk rock album ever!…

So what’s the status today, 40 years later? Well, after several reunion tours the legendary
four-piece filled their pockets with tons of money. Face & voice John ‘Rotten’ Lydon recently became an American citizen (obviously inspired by Obama he claimed) after living for many years now in a huge mansion in Los Angeles and he stated on several talk-shows (selling another book, again) a couple of months ago that idiot Trump is a ‘possible friend and in
a way a political Sex Pistol ‘ and Brexit (read: old Brittania going back to intolerance, racism and egoism) is a great thing for the UK as that is what the working class wanted and ‘ I’m one of them and I’m with them’‘ waffled the nowadays irrelevant punk has-been. And, oh yeah, the Queen is still in charge. Wow, what a revolution! We’re back at point zero. Over the years punk became a million dollars business and their early figureheads, like the Pistols, became silly comedians and greedy chameleons. Sad, really sad…

SUEDE – Debut Single ‘THE DROWNERS’ Released 25 Years Ago…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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‘The Drowners’ by SUEDE

After a bad start with Justine Frischmann on guitar – who came up with the band’s name and left frontman Brett Anderson and the group very soon for Blur‘s leader Damon Albarn, amazing guitarist Bernard Butler joined SUEDE and teamed up with Anderson to write the songs. And how! They appeared on the front cover of the former English magazine Melody Maker labeled as ‘The Best New Band In Britain‘ (1992) before they even released one note. record. The sudden press euphoria was based on their fresh and buzzing approach of pop music as well as their flashing charisma and sonic magnetism at gigs…

No more Madchester ecstasy, no more American macho grunge. Here was an incredibly ambitious, shiny and creative band with a different sound and a vibrant presence: sensual, adventurous, sexually ambiguous, romantic and gloomy at the same time. Oh yes, indeed, they were definitely inspired by their hero David Bowie and his provocative glam persona. Twenty-five years ago – 11 May 1992 – they released their debut single THE DROWNERS. The beginning of a new era, called Britpop, the rest is history…

Won’t someone give me a gun?
oh well it’s for my brother
well he writes the line wrote down my spine
It says “Oh do you believe in love there?”

So slow down, slow down, you’re taking me over
And so we drown, sir we drown, stop taking me over

Won’t someone give me some fun?
(and as the skin flies all around us)
We kiss in his room to a popular tune
Oh, real drowners

slow down, slow down, you’re taking me over
And so we drown, sir we drown,
stop takin’ me over!

SUEDE: Website – Facebook – Discography

PRIMAL SCREAM – Speed Means Freedom Of The Soul – ‘KOWALSKI’ Single Released 20 Years Ago…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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‘Kowalski’ by PRIMAL SCREAM

Probably the nastiest groove PRIMAL SCREAM, featuring killer bassist Mani in the
line-up back then after The Stone Roses split, ever produced. A menacing steamroller
in honour of speed freak KOWALSKI, the madly driving hero of the 1971 cult movie Vanishing Point. It was the first single of The Scream‘s fifth album, named after that movie. One of their most striking LP’s ever to my ears. The single was released twenty
years ago today on 5 May 1997. Tighten your seatbelt, you never had a trip like this before. Start the mind-blowing engine of insanity here…

THE SINGLE

THE LYRICS

This radio station was named Kowalski
In honor of the last American hero to whom
Speed means freedom of the soul
The question is not when he’s gonna stop
But who is gonna stop him…

There goes the challenger
Being chased by the blue blue meanies on wheels
The vicious traffic squad cars
Are after our lone driver

The last American hero
The electric centaur, the demi-god
The super driver of the golden west
Two nasty Nazi cars are close behind
The beautiful lone driver
The police number are getting closer, closer
Closer to our soul hero, in his soul mobile
Yeah baby, they’re about to strike
They’re gonna get him, smash him
Rape the last beautiful free soul on this planet

Vanishing point (4x)
Soul on ice (7x)
Hello Kowalski (3x)

THE ALBUM

THE MOVIE

OASIS – Their First No 1 Single In UK Released 22 Years Ago Today…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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24 April 1995

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Twenty-two years ago Manchester legends OASIS released SOME MIGHT SAY. Their
first Number One single hit the top spot of the UK charts two weeks after its release.
There were three more excellent tracks on the cd single. Intimate ballad Talk Tonight,
storming anthem ‘Acquiesce’ and punk outburst ‘Headshrinker’. Here’s the cool black
and white clip for‘ Some Might Say’…

Some might say that sunshine follows thunder
Go and tell it to the man who cannot shine
Some might say that we should never ponder
On our thoughts today cos they hold sway over time

Some might say we will find a brighter day
Some might say we will find a brighter day

Cos I’ve been standing at the station
In need of education in the rain
You made no preparation for my reputation once again
The sink is full of fishes
She’s got dirty dishes on the brain
It was overflowing gently but it’s all elementary my friend

Some might say they don’t believe in heaven
Go and tell it to the man who lives in hell
Some might say you get what you’ve been given
If you don’t get yours I won’t get mine as well

Some might say we will find a brighter day
Some might say we will find a brighter day

Cos I’ve been standing at the station
In need of education in the rain
You made no preparation for my reputation once again
The sink is full of fishes
Cos she’s got dirty dishes on the brain
And my dog’s been itchin’
Itchin’ in the kitchen once again

Some might say Some might say
Some might say Some might say
You know what some might say
You know what some might say
You know what some might say

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THE JAM – Legendary British Mods Released Their Raging Debut Single ‘IN THE CITY’ 40 Years Ago…

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Forty years ago – on 22 April 1977 – boiling three-piece THE JAM released their smashing debut single IN THE CITY. It was the British mods’ fiercest punk moment and the start of
a brilliant journey which saw the band evolving spectacularly, resulting in several top LP’s. The successful UK trio broke up in 1982 when angry young man, frontman and fabulous singer/songwriter Paul Weller, looking for other challenges, called it a day and started, after his The Style Council project, a tremendous solo career. And the iconic Modfather
still makes amazing records today (his last three albums are top!). The Jam were and still are one of my favorite bands from that glorious era of inventive teenage musicians using classic rock and roll, soul and blues to create something fresh, brisk and exciting out of it for their generation. Here’s that first cracker, still sounding razor-sharp and furious…

THE JAM: Biography – Discography


This is how NME introduced the band back then…

23 Years Ago Today OASIS Released Their Smashing Debut Single ‘SUPERSONIC’…

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When timeless in sound and vision…

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‘Supersonic’ by OASIS
Released 11 April 1994

I still remember that moment, back in 1994, when I heard OASIS’ stunning debut single SUPERSONIC for the first time on Studio Brussels, a Belgian alternative radio station. Its
in your face rock swagger, Liam‘s powerful ‘I’m mad for it’ voice and the euphoric lyrics knocked me out on the spot. They truly sounded like nobody else at the time. Sharp,
loud, untouchable and bloody cool. Electrifying Guitar Rock was back! I instantly felt
that something really special was going on. Four months later I traveled to London
to experience one of the best gigs ever in my life…

‘I need to be myself / I can’t be no-one else /
I’m feeling supersonic / Give me gin and tonic”

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First and most memorable of my 27 Oasis concerts…


That first logo…

U2 – Masterwork Album ‘THE JOSHUA TREE’ Released 30 Years Ago…

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‘The Joshua Tree’ by U2

On 9 March 1987 – 30 years ago – U2 released their worldwide masterpiece album
THE JOSHUA TREE. The Irish rockers fifth album, produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian
Eno, made them 24 Karat superstars all over the planet. Influenced by their American
tour experiences, relating literature and Uncle Sam’s politics and probably because of
their commercial and competitive desire to confirm their already huge status in the U.S.
of A., the band chose America as a central theme for the record. Legendary American rock magazine Rolling Stone was undoubtedly impressed with the new LP and journalist Steve Pond wrote this classic review back then in 1987. You can read it here .

Top tracks…

I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR

WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU

Album in full…

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U2: The Joshua Tree Tour 2017 – Website – Facebook


See you in Brussels next August…

THE DAMNED – Scored One Of The Best Punk Classics… NEW ROSE

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When timeless in sound and vision it’s a.…

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‘New Rose’ by THE DAMNED

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As already reported a few days ago on these pages British punks THE DAMNED
released their smashing debut LP DAMNED DAMNED DAMNED 40 years ago
today – on 18 February 1977. A top-notch powerhouse that stood the test of time splendidly and… loudly. To celebrate here’s NEW ROSE. The smashing first single
(released in October of the previous year) of the album. Without a shadow of
a doubt one of the true punk classics. Hell yeah!…

Is she really going out with him?
Ah!
I gotta a feelin’ inside of me
It’s kinda strange like a stormy sea
I don’t know why, I don’t know why
I guess these things have gotta be
I gotta new rose, I got her good
Guess I knew that I always would
I can’t stop to mess around
Like a brand new rose in town
See the sun, see the sun it shines
Don’t get too close or it’ll burn your eyes
Don’t you run away that way
You can come back another day

I never thought this could happen to me
I feel so strange, so why should it be
I don’t deserve somebody this great
I’d better go or it’ll be too late, yeah
Ah!

damned
On the legendary ‘Stiff Records’ label…

damned
The album – 40 years ago – 18 February 1977…