When Joe passed six years ago my life changed almost as much as when my brother took a then impressionable 12 year old little brother to see The Clash back in 1979. I don’t think I’ve ever missed anyone as much in my life – the saddest part for me was after ten years frozen out of the music industry by a naive contract signed by The Clash, Strummer was writing and touring again and gradually receiving the accolades he was always due.
Nothing has been the same since; it was the loss of something you can’t quantify but also reminds you of the power and perhaps importance of popular culture/art. Joe Strummer was not a genius or a scientist but he was an idealist and for 23 years of my life I always felt I was lucky enough to be a fan (a gang member?) of the only band that matters – to me the ideal band. My passion for music was nurtured by The Clash, and my idealistic hopes for a somewhat better society was fueled by 4 angry punks.
Thanks as always Joe – you never left.
Tim
When you blame yourself, you learn from it. If you blame someone else, you don`t learn nothing, cause hey, it`s not your fault, it`s his fault, over there. (J Strummer)
Within an hour of kickoff I’ve a feeling that today’s game might just set the tone for the rest of Arsenal’s season. Based on the injuries, suspensions and ‘maybes’ Man Utd are surely licking their lips at facing us in such a weakened state. That said I didn’t see much in the match at Celtic that should make Arsene be in panic mode. Although it’s our defense we are talking about.
I’m especially pissed off with the red card/subsequent suspension of Van Persie in the match at Stoke. He surely knew a red was likely with that challenge, frustration is one thing but I thought RVP had put those days behind him where he thinks only of the moment and not the team. Van Persie has quietly become one of the longest serving players in the squad – knowing Man U were on the horizon it was a doubly horrible decision by the Dutchman. He needs to act like a senior pro.
So what is Wenger to do today? Man U games have brought out the best and worst in our lads over the years including some vital wins and one sided defeats. Does Wenger set out for the draw today, it would not be a terrible result and would be a bigger mental stumble for the Mancs than us. I’m somewhat glad we are playing Man U today and not a Fulham, I somehow feel we are more likely to raise our game against a big team. Much has been said about us starting poorly despite not playing a top six side, I feel the converse is true in that no top six team has picked up any points at our expense. Today is vital in more ways than one in that case.
So what to do….
GK – I feel Fabianski needs a chance but is this too big a match? Was Almunia hurt midweek? I’m saying he was and expect the Spaniard/England prospect (hah) to get the nod
Defense – We’ve had issues – and it needs to be addressed but for now it’s deal with the hand we have. Player of the season (so far) Clichy will line up with I assume the dancing Sylverstre and Djourou (I hope) with Sagna hobbling in at right back(or Toure). I think now is the time for the big Swiss defender who looked comfortable midweek; at this point I’d love to see him earn his place. I’m fed up with Gallas….just completely had enough. He can’t jump, he can’t lead, and is slower than in the past. Yes he scores goals, but don’t we have 6 or 7 other lads on the pitch for that? With our proud history of fighting central defenders – Gallas is neither a captain nor an heir to that history. Personally I would never had let Senderos get away, when coupled with Toure (for Toure’s pace) the aggressive nature of Senderos attacking the ball and yes heading the ball made for a good pairing.
MF – I think Wenger will play 5 in the middle and look for Vela/Nasri to play behind a lone striker. I think Vela should play alone up front, but he won’t. That gives us a middle five of
Nasri Vela Fabregas Denilson Walcott (if fit)
I’d sooner Ramsey gets the nod over Denilson….this could have been his big break through moment.
Attack – It leaves Bendtner on his own up top, which does not match his ability at all. Perhaps he can nod balls down for the foraging midfielders?
Lot’s of variables today, but I think we have to attack to have a chance – we will concede a goal. I’d expect a 2-2 draw, but stranger things have happened. Man U have the horses to score 3 or 4 today, if it starts with a few early goals then I could see a 4-3,3-4,2-5 type of match. Red Card alert…one – perhaps two.
Just a quick goodbye and thank you to Levi Stubbs. The incomparable voice belonging to the lead singer of the Four Tops passed away Oct 17 and was put to rest Monday.
My earliest memories seem to often relate to music – and apart from the ashes of the Beatles (who split when I was 3) and my mum playing the Carpenters – my fondest recollections musically as a toddler relate to Motown and most specifically the Four Tops. Though the authors of many motown hits were shared it was Levi’s voice that elevated the Four Tops to perfect pop. As timeless and vital as anything from that era – although I grew up over 4,000 miles from Detroit I’ve kept the spirit of Motown music with me ever since – and the barriers broken down by Berry Gordy’s stable of talent remain the turning point for American “pop” such as it was. As the last living Four Top said at the service Monday ‘Levi and these men left us, and are leaving us, an inheritance. It’s up to us to decide what we are going to do with it”
Saying thanks seems insufficient – but it’s what I need to say. As ever the Four Tops said it better :
Precious memories keep a lingering on
Everytime I hear our favorite song
Now you’re gone
Left this emptiness
I only reminisce
The happiness we spent
We used to dance on the music
Make romance through the music
Is it just me or are the media more dumbed down than ever before? The campaign has been frankly spin and dodge for the last six weeks, the G7 are in a tailspin and we are obsessed with redistribution of wealth all of a sudden?
The free market system is underpinned on redistribution of wealth. You pay for schools you may never use, roads you might not drive on and certainly on wars you may not support. It’s all complicit with being part of a modern Western ‘democracy’. Based on the nonsensical views being vented by the GOP at present you’d imagine that before this election we voted where every dollar was spent and that a flat tax rate existed.
Socialism – hardly – but government supported Airlines, Railroads, Schools and Prisons already exist. Yet for some reason socialized medicine is still taboo. (too much profit for the middle man?)
Socialism is so much more than a throwaway sentence – I wish the media would stop pretending this election is the far left against the far right – as the debates proved beyond doubt, you still couldn’t park a hybrid sub-compact between the two parties. We have moderate and mildly right wing.
Socialism is still a generation away – I hope when it is for sale it will be identified correctly.
Please vote next week – for congress and the senate – that’s where change will happen.
A belated acknowledgment to 22 December, the five year anniversary of a tremendous loss. The poet, artist, statesman, deity; Joe Strummer, gone entirely too soon.
His ideals are still omnipresent, providing never-ending lessons and still-relevant allegories:
‘ In the end all bands influence each other and there are only 12 notes, so there’s is only so much that can be done. But I think that there is definitely still a place for the whole punk, thrash thing. Largely because of two main elements – it’s fun and it’s noisy and let’s face it even vicars must have times when they want to turn the music up.’
(thanks T)
If we can learn anything, it should be that many genres and artists can be connected, broadcasting the same message, albeit in different applications. Me personally, I’ve gone back to such pre-Clash staples as The Who, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. The message is all the same: isolation, fear, celebration, change, acceptance/refusal of change, social consciousness…the gamut.
Essentially, do not fall victim to voluntary pigeonholing. Embrace those artists and themes you feel you may have outgrown or disassociated from for sake of social acceptance. As long as the music isn’t shit, and has a cogent message, reacquaint yourself away!
Billy is back….well he never really went away. He wrote a novel after all and also has worked on fund-raising for the Jail Guitar Doors project and toured as always.
I’m thrilled to learn Billy Bragg is going to be releasing a new album in 2008. It’s been far too long and I can’t wait to hear it. A couple of tracks are available online so I will scribble a review this week.
Billy launches his new album, Mr Love & Justice (released on 3 March 2008), with a gig at the Roundhouse in Camden Town, London, on 4 March 2008 He is also heading dan sarf (down South if you are not Cockney) to Australia and N.Z. in Jan/Feb so hopefully he will be over here in the Spring/Summer. In fact I would guarantee it – it’s an election year and he should be ready to help kick over the statues following the 8 year farce we’ve all endured.
Hear me out – I’m going to ramble a bit – but I really love baseball -
so I have a few thoughts/questions
1. I consider myself a minor historian of the game – and the past has taught us that as a rule most (85%+) players will perform at their peak levels ages 27,28,29 – a slight drop off will occur ages 30-33 – more significant drop ages 34,35 – and very few players perform even at acceptable levels after age 36. Strength/Conditioning over the years has probably moved that bar to the right – but most of the ‘named’ players totally buck 100+ years of evidence
2. At any given time in baseball history there have been a handful of players performing at star or all star levels ages 36-41. Perhaps 2-5 at any time. A few freaks of nature are still amazing into late 30’s and most of these end up in HOF – or at least close to it. We will always see a Greg Maddux, Mark Grace, Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan – but if you look at history – dominating seasons at those ages are really few and far between. I’ve wondered for years how come so many players are turning in better than career years at such advanced ages – Clemens, McGwire, Sheffield, Palmeiro – and those are just the obvious ones….truth is I bet the report is the tip of the iceberg.
3. It really makes you look deeper at just how the great that ’super’ Yankee season was? Half the bloody roster are named – and if 50% of the team are getting injections you just know the coaches and ultimately the manager are aware. But…they were great and winning…so it was cool?
4. How do you punish it? Guilty til proven innocent? Of course Clemen’s lawyer says it all fabrications- but I think the fans would support a lifetime ban for all those named. F*** it – clean up the game – and ban anyone else caught in the future. If the Olympic committee can make it happen…why not MLB? I think every except the players union would love to see the players barred – and what could send a better message to the kids coming through the minors now?
5. I think this puts Rose / Black Sox and players who jumped to the Mexican League or Federal League and got banned into perspective. This is beyond cheating – it’s completely messed up. If the same data affected soccer I’d want the same.
Anyway…I hope it changes the game – as it makes it very hard to celebrate any stats at all over the last 10 years. Everyone says the pitchers are getting worse – which is wrong as the talent pool to pick from (global now) just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
The live concert ’scene’ in Phoenix is a strange affair. We have a host of smaller intimate venues, and pubs masquerading as live clubs. At the other end of the spectrum there are a good number of large arenas for the rare dates when a U2 or a Britney comes to town. What Phoenix lacks is the clubs which can accommodate 700-1200 people and be centrally located in the valley.
There is only one contender ‘The Marquee Theater’ in Tempe on N Mill avenue at Washington. The Marquee is now 14 years old but has only served as a rock venue for about 5 years, it formerly operated as the ‘Red River Music Hall’ catering almost exclusively to Jazz and Country music.
So here is the perplexing issue: you have a venue with such a large number of attributes how could it all go wrong?
Exclusivity – with a capacity of 1,050 it is the only game in town for audiences of 700-1500
Location – Only 1/2 mile from downtown Tempe and 8 miles East of downtown Phoenix, the venue sits on the corner of where Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale meet on the map
Access – Excellent freeway access, very close to the 202/101/51/10 – just yards away from light rail when it opens next year
Space – Ample parking throughout the surrounding area
So faced with all these positives – how could the owners get it all so wrong? Let me count the ways….
1. Identity: I agree that Phoenix is a hard town to gauge, I’ve been to shows expecting a sell out to find less than 20% of tickets sold and also events which are not on the radar that are packed. For a large city concert attendance is spotty and seemingly can be effected by weather, the Phoenix Suns, the latest episode of “The Biggest Loser” – you name it. But, that’s no excuse – The Marquee doesn’t (even after 5 years) have an identity of any sort. I never hear anyone excited when an act announces they are playing there, coupled with the chameleon status of the venues promoters. Heavy Metal, Indie, Alternative, Funk, Emo, you name it, Nothing wrong with diversity – but I see it as chaotic booking strategies. The venue seems content to try and appeal to everyone and offend them all simultaneously.
2. Staff: I’ve seen concerts at venues and cities around the world – never before have I seen a venue as overstaffed as this one. On nights where the audience barely reaches 200 it’s easy to hand count 40-50 employees just milling around trying to look busy. To add to the illusion they also select staff who seem to have zero interest in music or customer service. The security lines make the airport seem efficient and the ‘bar’ makes you wonder if they are just trying to keep the streets safe for others. Slow disinterested service is the order of the day
3. Apathy – In five years not one discernible positive change has been made to the venue. Access, lighting, sound, cleanliness, marketing, staffing all remain as they were. I would estimate I’ve been to about 30-35 concerts at the venue over that span and the feeling that the venue just ‘doesn’t care’ could not be more pronounced. I’m not looking for Wi-Fi access in the lobby or the best bottles of Belgian Ale in the bar – just a feeling that the club will occasionally get out a paintbrush, or better enable the audiences access to the ticket booth, security checks etc.
4. Greed – I am fully conversant with the fact that tickets to shows have risen by 40-100% since the decade began. This being due to higher travel costs, downloaded music and general inflation. I’ve no issue with that – I will always support live music. The venue – which should be feel like ‘our’ venue further alienate their customers by seemingly squeezing every last dollar out of the wallets of it’s clientele. Parking – there must be 1200 spaces within 300 yards of the venue that are not in use. When the Marquee opened it cost nothing to park – now it costs $5 – the only other thing in the lots are empty beer bottles and Jack Rabbits. Ticket fees – again, when the venue opened fees would make up a 7-15% surcharge – now its 20-30%. Here comes the masterstroke: I saw Art Brut at the Marquee last Friday night – at the T-Shirt stand the band had written a sign that said the following “Art Brut regret we are not selling any T-Shirts or other concert merchandise due to the 28% (!!!) addition being collected by the venue on every item, Art Brut do not want to abuse our audience in this fashion.” 28% ? for what ?? Writing the songs? Organizing the tour? Conceiving the artwork? No…for allowing a dirty table in the lobby to be used to sell these items. I was offended but won’t punish the band as the same items are available online for more normal rates.
As for the future of the Marquee….I want it to succeed….I like the size of it, I like the location of it and I sincerely feel Phoenix needs it. Based on the evidence of ever dwindling audiences, terrible promotion/booking and advertising coupled with the desire to rip off the paying customers I see tough days ahead. I hope I’m wrong, I hope the public can show more than the same apathy that the venue displays, I hope live music in Phoenix can have a medium sized venue it can be proud of. I don’t need the Hammersmith Palais, just a place to see a band.
Ferguson call to bring in cap on foreign players
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson reckons there should be a limit on foreign players at Premier League teams.
Apparently he is also looking to ban:
Managers not born in the U.K.
Teams wearing white shorts
Sponsored stadiums
Any team that does not include City, United, County, or similar moniker in team name
Referees who do not realise that all decisions must be in favour of Man Utd (* unless a lead of four or more goals is held)
Anyone spending more than 50% annually of the total Man Utd transfer budget
Any Club that does not field at least 8 intensely ugly players (see Man Utd)
Any member of the media who suggests any teams plays more attractive football than his own
European Cup victories before 1998 are not valid and do not count – making Man Utd the joint most succesful club in this tournament
I think his expectations are 100% reasonable and in no way suggest an alcoholic Scotsman as bitter as the rain in Manchester.
Sometimes when a band splits up it seems that the members disappear into the debris of society never to be heard from again. When The Beautiful South came to a conclusion earlier this year after 18+ years of fantastic output I hoped it didn’t signal the end of Paul Heaton’s recording career.
I’ve been a huge fan of Paul since the earliest singles by The Housemartins back in 1983. Never a band to overstay their welcome the Housemartins disbanded after just 2 albums, a clutch of memorable singles and some brilliant live shows. When they ended in 1988 Paul, Dave Hemingway and former roadie Sean Welch formed The Beautiful South.
TBS were superb for such a long time, as I look back now to the debut album - it was wonderful to see the evolution of the band over a nearly two decade span that featured 11 albums plus 3 greatest hits collections. In fact ‘Carry On Up The Charts’ was one of the best selling albums of the 90’s in the U.K.
Sadly The Beautiful South never experienced great success in the U.S. – of all major British acts of the last 30 years, TBS plus the Jam and Madness have never made it big in the States – and I think the common reason being that they were simply too English.
As for Paul, he actually released a solo album as ‘Biscuit Boy’ in 2001 – backed by members of Joe Strummer’s Mescaleros.
Well, it’s taken less than 9 months for Paul to be back on the road and recording. He is currently on a U.K. tour and might be heading to the States next year. If you take time to visit his site there are audio and video links to some of the new material. The new recordings sound wonderfully stripped down and as always lyrically without equal.
It’s great to see Paul back in the picture – not a shock at all…and destined not to vanish for long. If you’ve not got his back catalogue – I’d suggest ‘Painting it Red’ by the Beautiful South, and the recently released ‘BBC Sessions’ for The Housemartins. For getting to know Paul – I highly recommend ‘Paul’s Gang’ on you tube. A brilliant BBC documentary about the making of ‘Painting it Red’ filmed in 1999 and 2000.
“Too many Florence Nightingales, not enough Robin Hoods” Flag Day – 1986
