Just 59.

This looks like it might be good.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1280611212/all-things-must-pass-the-...

Has anyone been watching the Queen docs on BBC2? Isn't it as clear as day that they have been quietly let off a giant hook whenever punk - and the need for punk in 77 - is discussed.

ALWAYS the "blame" for music being bloated and distant is laid at the feet of prog - YES ELP etc. But by 76 they were hardly current. It was QUEEN with their sipping champagne onstage, screechy operatic tat and bombastic stadium theatrics that were the enemy. Awful awful plastic rock that was neither Led Zep nor Bowie nor Alice Cooper nor ELO. (None of whom are acknowledged in the TV hagiography...and certainly not Chic for "Another One Bites The Dust"). QUEEN were the visible indulgent and unacceptable face of rock music. Not prog.

However they have been given an Abba like pass all these years. Dear God, We Are The Champions and Flash and Bohemian Rhapsody. And they played Argentina during the Junta AND South Africa during apartheid. AND they spoke of "giving ballet to the masses" FUCK Queen. Go get 'em Johnny boy...

I have followed the exploding clown's car that is the fortunes of ageing "punks" Sham 69 for some time now. There really is no more Spinal Tap a band. It is a very rewarding soap opera. Now the ultimate has happened. They have parted company with the one remaining original member. THIS recently from their Facebook page, written by the drummer about the guitarist. Read it all and feel all the poisons hatch out...

"Well what would YOU do?

Here's the deal: You 're in a headline band that’s been booked to appear at a Rock festival in July. Unfortunately, due to a mix up with dates, you've just discovered that your planned holiday to Cornwall starts two days before the gig. The rest of the band have assured you that if you can play the gig and postpone your holiday for two days then a flight can be arranged to get you to your beach the next day. Will you play the gig, have a good time and play to the fans that have now paid to see you, or say to hell with it, the holiday is more important? Now also imagine that recently you had a ten-day holiday in Cuba, and a couple of long weekend visits to your cottage in Wales. The rest of your band are all itching to play because that's what they want to do, besides they can't really afford to take time off, this is their chosen career and they have committed themselves to this band and the people who want to see them play. They live for the energy and the crowd, it makes them feel alive.

So how would it look if you turned around and said to your band members in no uncertain terms 'I'm not doing this gig, my holiday is booked, and as a result neither are you, this band will never ever play a show without me, and if you get a stand in to cover me I'm gonna threaten the promoter with legal action for misrepresentation because I'm the only original member left in the band' The fact that the drummer has been a loyal member for better or worse for 26 years counts for nothing it seems. Just for the record here is what was posted on Dave Parson’s Facebook page: ‘Sham 69 has been disbanded by Dave Parsons. The band have been rehearsing in a replacement Guitarist, without Dave’s knowledge, removing his name from list of band members on Sham 69 Facebook site, and will therefore presumably be continuing as a TRIBUTE BAND. Dave has not ruled out the possibility of playing the odd gig as SHAM 69 with any of the old members of Sham 69 previous to this last line up’.

Well first of all due to our joint contractual agreement Dave Parsons does not, by law, have the right to disband Sham 69, nor have we, at this point, been rehearsing with a replacement guitarist. We shall never continue as a tribute band as we collectively, by democratic process, majority rule and signed documents, own the rights to use the name. Should Dave decide is necessary to re embark on a relationship with either Jimmy Pursey, or Mat Sargent then it would obviously be hypocrisy of the highest level, as he has spent the past four years demonising them for their actions regarding this band, and has always shown the utmost contempt for their behaviour. To back track now would indeed be the actions of a desperate man looking for any port in a storm.

To conclude, this band I've called home for over a quarter of a century doesn't need much time off. It lives and breathes for the next gig, the next album, the next fix. This is the very essence of Sham 69; interacting with its audience and being at one with its energy. Hey sure, let’s have a fucking holiday, take the kids out, hang out in the sun and have a rest, but make sure you recharge your batteries boys cos it's gonna get busy in a minute! Three of our number have this attitude and, not wishing to recount numerous examples of reluctance, arrogance, conceit and greed, one of us does not. As a result Sham 69 shall now continue with a new guitarist and if you don't like it then go somewhere else because we will not compromise. This band has always been greater than the sum of its parts and no one is indispensable. To those critics who have taken pot shot’s at us without knowing the truth, they will again label us as a Tribute as we were with Dave Parsons ‘in’ the band ..so what’s new? Sham 69 over the last 5 years has become more of an ideology and belongs to the people and the fans, and not to any one of its members who’s only concern is a life of ease, comfort and a bottle of Brandy and a lifestyle contrary its ideaology.

Ian Whitewood Drums Sham 69 (26 years)"

Following his, admittedly, bellicose appearance on The One Show recently all the usual Ringo observations came out. An average sap who lucked out into the Beatles. This, of course, ignores the fact that he was actually head-hunted by the other HJH's when their own drummer proved lacking. They wanted the best around. . On Youtube - that snarling inexhaustible supply of puffed up crazy people- all the smug trite truisms about his craft are written even larger. But Ringo is a great GREAT drummer. There's one dynamite kid online who plays his stuff beat for beat just to show how driving and complex it is. It's a great series. Peace and Love, peace and love...

I always had a lot of time for the first Cockney Rebel albums. These days I know plenty of others did too. And you Morrissey. Lyrically, SM must have been ALL OVER them. For instance "My Only Vice Is The Fantastic Prices I Charge For Being Eaten Alive". That's a good title. Good lookin' fella SH in his day too...

Not a great day today is it?

Watch this. The eternal suburban spare room rehearsal of non-starter band. Something touchingly universal about it....oh and plainly it's the rotten singers parents house.

And watch this. Not a dry eye come Leon's little speech and heart-breaking version of "Song For You". Makes you think that crass, brash old rock and roll has a decent heart after all...

ANd while we're about it...stick around for:

I note that on 3rd October 1969 The Kentish Times carried a piece revealing, "David Bowie, Bromley's own pop singer, admits he smoked pot one time..."

Now then. Leaving aside the drug outrage, "Bromley's own pop singer"? BOPS? Yes!

Move over HJH...

Human Musicians Are Over Rated

Do pubs still have juke boxes? And where were the GREAT ones? The Rose Of Kent in Deptford had a fairly good one known mostly for it's mis-typed Procol Harum B-Side: "A Salty DoNg".

Never got old that.

Sadly, as hinted at during yesterday's post (One Cheese, One Fruit, One Soft Drink), the government has decided to widen it's strictures on the Massive's larder even further.

As of Monday 18th April, breakfast is to be severely curtailed. You will be allowed only One Cereal, One Spread & One Juice for the rest of your life. Choices will be collected door-to-door next Wednesday at around 5pm.

Here is mine:

Alpen (regular)

Ginger Jam

Pineapple Juice

I shall miss Marmite. Butter is not to be counted as a spread although is expected to be rationed to just 3lbs per adult per week.

Please have your choices ready.

So, a sort of law is passed saying from now on you, yes you, can only have one sort of cheese, fruit and soft drink (no fruit juice). Everything else in your diet remains as it was, it's just these three items that are being rationed. The man will be round in an hour to take your order which will last till you die.

What do you choose? Me? I say,

Cheddar (no apologies)

Apple

Cream soda.

That'll do me, that.

Wow. Look at this:

It's the original sign that Bowie poses under on the cover of Ziggy Stardust. It's just in someones attic now. Here's the story:

http://www.5years.com/kwestsign.htm

I'd roll up to see that in a glass case. What other sidelined objects could fill that gallery? No guitars or clothing please. Just inanimate objects hijacked into rock mythology...