Yes, you can see them every night at The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Kent's premier entertainment venue...
The first record I bought was "Never Mind the Presents" - a Barron Knights Xmas single, the reference in the title going right over my 8 year old head. I still maintain that their parody of Pink Floyd's (Another Brick in) the Wall - ("Christmas turkey - you can stuff it") has the edge over the original.
>The first record I bought was "Never Mind the Presents" - a Barron Knights Xmas single, the reference in the title going right over my 8 year old head. I still maintain that their parody of Pink Floyd's (Another Brick in) the Wall - ("Christmas turkey - you can stuff it") has the edge over the original.
It wasn't my *first* single purchase, although perhaps that makes it more embarrassing, come to think of it, especially as I was otherwise buying Madness, Blondie and Police. Still, if I can't admit it here, where can I go?
Into hiding?
I remember Lee & Herring doing a fab rant about them in their final radio series. They played the 1997 release of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' which is one of the funniest things I've heard. All of them singing "hello" like bank managers would.
Also, there's that XTc Peel session where Andy Partridge pretends to be John Peel introducing the show - "and now XTC, who are said to be Swindon's answer to The Barron Knights - well, see what you think..."
Are you sure the BK did Teen Spirit? It was a different rubbish novelty act, The Flying Pickets, who did a 90s album featuring Teen Spirit as well as Under the Bridge. Or did BK do it as well?
Oh dear, I've made an arse of myself. I hadn't slept for twenty odd hours if that is any form of apology, Jon. Your mind plays tricks.
The cover version *was* shit, I maintain.
Don't worry about it, Bent!
TFP had their 15 minutes of fame at the Edinburgh Fringe in 83 or 84, doing acappella versions of pop songs. They had a hit with a cover of 'Only You' by Yazoo. They became a great cautionary tale about Edinburgh because they went back a year after their sell-out success and barely got an audience.
The 90s comeback was shortly before the lead singer got a part in Coronation St.
All covers of Teen Spirit are appalling. The Tori Amos was used as intro music by Nirvana themselves (I think) - anyway, Cobain thought it was a joke.
Me, I never thought much of the original. It's been said (in The Face, but not anywhere else I've seen) that everyone in their 20s can remember what they were doing when they first heard it. I was thinking what a bloody awful record it was. They were never a patch on The Pixies, although 'in Utero' has its moments.
Albini saved them, I would concede. But only a bit. I really try to avoid hearing them whenever possible although I wacked 'In Utero' on the other week and quite liked it. I take issue with the sight of 14 year olds wearing stretched Nirvana t-shirts even if they were five at the time - all maudlin and desperately self conscious.
Nirvana bred a plaid-fronted obsession with a 'new punk' scene that never actually existed. As a result rock music (rather than 'pop') kind of shot itself up the arse for several years. 70s punk was a year zero, grunge was the full stop. And even then it wasn't well rounded.
Nirvana swore a bit. That might have helped. 15 year olds were hugely impressed by the line "electrolytes that smell like semen". Actually that one holds up, come to think of it...
No, it dribbles away...
"A blanket acne'd with cigarette burns..." was as good as he got. But, as Albini said, the PJ Harvey album was better anyhow.
Speaking of Albini, how do you rate the new Shellac album, Bent?
Do you realise that a few postings back it says "Re:The Barron Knights : Albini saved them..." Only in SOTCAA (as was)...
You should be asking me about 'Rich Man's 8-Track', 'Songs About Fucking' or 'Rapeman' surely?
Saw Shellac in April at All Tomorrow's Parties. They were pulverisingly loud and I have a recording to prove it. The new album is a return to form, if such a remark makes sense to you.
"Lick my lips/I'm on fire/Lick my lips/Of desire..."
Er, I'm sure Steve himself prefers to talk about recent stuff, not go over old glories.
I saw them at Camden Underworld a few years back. Graham Coxon was also in the audience. I was surprised at how much Albini got into it, not in a 'guitar hero' kinda way, but being completely lost in the music, if you catch my drift. He always seems quite detached in interviews, maybe that's a pose.
True, but in interviews he has asubterranean wit. I have a vid of an 'AT Action Park' period live show/interview feature on MTV. They all sit huddled on doorsteps naming their favourite records. Particularly enjoyed the way Albini said 'Abba'.
Heard his new tracks with Cinerama? Do you like Steve Fisk or Beat Happening? If so, you're my man and we should simultaneously listen to "Crashing Through" right now!
Do you know anywhere on the web to find his article "The trouble with music", slagging off the US industry? I was telling Justin about a while ago, but couldn't find a copy.
See the "Action Park" website for details of the gig Shellac did with Dave Yow, paying tribute to the Sex Pistols.
Sorry to butt in, but In Utero is definatly the best Nirvana album, i 've decided. I've been listening to it quite a bit recently, and the whole feel of it is much better than the more simplistic Nevermind. Have Bush, or any other grunge band that appeared in the wake of Cobains death, ever heard this album?
And Albini's poroduction is good. But not as good, IMO, as what he did on the Auteurs After Murder Park. Shit, i mentioned them again haven't I?
'Light Aircraft On Fire' - that was great, as is most Haines stuff.
Albini couldn't work with The Barron Knights anyway, he was busy with the new Richard Stilgoe album.
Shame he appeard to have split up the auteurs now (as opposed to before, when people have just assumed that they must have broken up) - just have to make do with his other bands.
"Oh, John Major's not very good,
He's not very good,
He's not very good,
He's no f---ing good, man!" [Loads of piano feedback]
Some Mojo spin-off out this month has an article with Albini in, saying which of his albums he can actually listen to now. Can;t rememdber what it was - i hadn't heard of it.