Haters

"I told you Depeche Mode was gay" WTF?

In response to news that Depeche Mode are coming to Madison Square Garden this August, I decided to look into what they've been up to. I randomly came across the link above.

Loved them live when I caught the Ultra tour back in 1997. The highlight for me was Martin Gore wearing what looked to be a silver lame suit with tiny mirrors attached allover - they refracted light in disco ball fashion as he sang Somebody. Lyrics that long for love and understanding will always transcend warped ideas like the ones contained in aforementioned page. A good laugh though...


Depeche Mode's new album Sounds Of The Universe (Mute) out April 21st.

DIY - Rough Trade

Do It Yourself: The Story of Rough Trade - BBC Four Documentary

"The Rough Trade story begins more than thirty years ago on 20th February 1976. Britain was in the grip of an IRA bombing campaign; a future prime minister was beginning to make her mark on middle England, where punk was yet to run amok; and a young Cambridge graduate called Geoff Travis opened a new shop at 202 Kensington Park Road, just off Ladbroke Grove in West London. The Rough Trade shop sold obscure and challenging records by bands like American art-rockers Pere Ubu, offering an alternative to the middle-of-the-road rock music that dominated the music business.

In January 1977, when a record by Manchester punk band Buzzcocks appeared in the shop, Rough Trade found itself in the right place at the right time to make an impact far beyond that of a neighbourhood music store. When Spiral Scratch was released in 1977, the idea of putting out a single without the support of an established record company was incredible. But Rough Trade was to become the headquarters of a revolt against this corporate monopoly - it was stocking records by bands inspired by the idea that they could do it themselves.

But selling a few independent records over the counter was not going to change the world. Early independent labels had to hand over their distribution to the likes of EMI or CBS. But one man at Rough Trade challenged that monopoly. Richard Scott joined Rough Trade in 1977 and became the architect of a grand scheme that was nothing short of revolutionary: independent nationwide distribution." [BBC Four]

Eagerly awaiting for this to be posted on YouTube!

Primal Scream

Primal Scream And L.A. Finally Come Together By Lyndsey Parker

"Let's hope another nine years doesn't pass before a Scream show this awesome comes to L.A. again." [NME]

NME's Parker recounts Primal Scream's historic gig from 2000 (which featured guest appearances by none other than My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields and Sex Pistols' Steve Jones), and reviews their recent show in L.A. (below). Primal Scream play New York City's Webster Hall on March 28th.



New album Beautiful Future (Atlantic, 2008) out now.

Pet Shop Boys - podcast interview

Music Weekly: Pet Shop Boys

"Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk to The Guardian's Paul MacInnes about their 25 years in the music industry, life in the Xenomania house and having Tony Blair as a muse." [Guardian UK]

New single "Love etc." released today...new album Yes (Parlophone/EMI, 2009) to be released on March 23rd.

Wolfgang Tillmans

Photographer Wolfgang Tillmans has the singular ability to capture a fragile beauty in the ordinary. His vision is further empowered by the democratizing vehicle of free PDF downloads of several books and catalogues on his website. Take advantage!

Bernard Sumner and Peter Saville Talk Style, 1984

Went browsing for new music today and came away wondering why so many bands seem to have a lack of discerning aesthetics (as manifested by the lackluster album covers I witnessed). I craved Peter Saville. Designed (Princeton Architectural Press, 2003) by Peter Saville showcases some of the best album covers of all time...brainchildren of the man talking to Mr. Sumner above. Another publication on the visionary, Peter Saville: Estate 1-127 (JRP|Ringier, 2007).

Michel Gaubert - A/W 2009

Superstar runway DJ Gaubert's finale tracks for the season...

Gareth Pugh - A/W 2009

Gareth Pugh as Video-Maker, Dream Tester By Colleen Nika

Interview magazine reviews Pugh's Fall collection...

"Last week, British designer Gareth Pugh presented one of the most directional collections of the Fall 2009 season. But this time, it wasn't just his cyberpunk couture that turned heads. Equally unorthodox was Pugh's choice of presentation: audiences experienced Pugh's collection via video display. Lucky for us, Gareth Pugh gives Interview exclusive insight into the concepts and inspirations behind the execution of his Fall 2009 fashion film." [Interview]

Factory Records - BBC Four Documentary

FACTORY: Manchester From Joy Division to Happy Mondays

A worthy tribute to the late Tony Wilson (1950-2007)...journalist, impresario, pioneer.
Every man has his destiny...the world is a better place that the men profiled here realized theirs.
Long live Factory.

Advice from i-D

Photography: Collier Schorr, Styling: David Vandewal

Flipping through i-D mags from last year, I came across advice on an effective method for stress release. "Make like Julien, relax, listen to Morrissey and dream yourself beautiful."

Raf Simons - A/W 2009

Simons talks to Suzy Menkes about Jil Sander...



I Feel by Raf Simons, All Shadows & Deliverance, A/W 2005

Freddie Mercury Punk Rock?

Alan McGee on music: Why Freddie Mercury is a punk-rock icon...
Queen have always been considered the antithesis of punk. But if punk rock was about never being boring, then Mercury's camp, Bollywood theatrics were almost a political weapon.

"I spent yesterday arguing with a friend that Freddie Mercury was punk rock. He hates Queen. I love Queen. That's the kind of band they are. And when I tell people that I consider Freddie Mercury a great songwriter and punk-rock idol, some get it and others don't. John Lydon paid tribute to Queen in 1977 when he was recording Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols in the same studios as them. Lydon crawled in stealth-like fashion to say hello to Freddie Mercury (before crawling out again). He wasn't the only icon who admired the Queen frontman. Kurt Cobain, in his suicide note, wrote of how he both admired and envied Freddie Mercury for basking in the love from his audience." [Guardian UK]

Kevin Shields Speaks

The interviewer is a TWAT, but you get to hear Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine speak (on future projects among other things). I bet he also thought the guy was a total goon.

March's Soundtrack

The Notwist, "One With the Freaks"
The Rolling Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash"
Jarvis Cocker, "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"
The Culture Club, "Miss Me Blind"
Lou Reed, "Walk on the Wild Side"
My Bloody Valentine, "Sometimes"
Glasvegas, "Geraldine"
Weezer, "Island in the Sun"
The Cure, "A Letter to Elise"
Radiohead, "High and Dry"

NYC Man

On my way to work this morning...posters of the man I was coincidently listening to ("Candy Says"). Is Lou Reed really Supreme's spokesperson? I hope they are worthy of the association.