"Tonight, Matthew, I will be..."
Posted by David Hepworth on 8 January 2008 - 10:36am.
The new issue features an encounter with two members of Supergrass who are taking advantage of the incapacitation of one of their number to style themselves temporarily as the Diamond Hoo Ha Men. This involves the adoption of fictional noms de band such as "Randy" and "Duke", a colourful "back story" and then wondering if they can keep it up for the entire interview.
It's a path upon which the likes of the Traveling Wilburys, the Dukes of Strosphear, Garth ("Chris Gaines") Brooks and many others have trod over the years. Who are the "many others" and which have been the least and most memorable attempts to hide behind an assumed name?
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Coward Bros.
I was always rather fond of Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett's mid-80s outings as the two dysfunctional country soaks Henry and Howard Coward ('our Dad was called Noel'). They made one single, 'The People's Limousine', which was cracking, and a brilliant cover of Leon Payne's 'They'll Never Take Her Love From Me' on the flip-side. All very King of America....
Marvin
John Lurie of The Lounge Lizards released an album under the guise of Marvin Pontiac, inventing an entire history for him: "At fifteen Marvin moved by himself to Chicago where he became versed in playing blues harmonica. At the age of seventeen, Marvin was accused by the great Little Walter of copying his harmonica style. This accusation led to a fistfight outside of a small club on Maxwell Street. Losing a fight to the much smaller Little Walter was so humiliating to the young Marvin that he left Chicago and moved to Lubbock, Texas where he became a plumber's assistant."
This same biog also includes 'quotes' from the likes of David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Beck, Michael Stipe etc, all proclaiming Marvin to be a huge influence on their own careers.
And the album is terrific.
Relaxed Muscle
Jarvis Cocker and mate Richard Hawley formed a spoof band showcasing the "sound of young Doncaster" it was mildly amusing.
Skeleton make-up, implausible alter egos (Darren Spooner and JP Buckle), two EPs featuring the pair talking filthy over cheap synthetic beats. Darren only gave interviews over the phone and through voice boxes.
I even went to see them live, but it all just went a bit too far when they released an album.
It's coming back to me now...
..didn't Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds perform as the Beverly Brothers in 1979?
Yes, they did...
...a radio session covering Everly Brothers songs (Take A Message to Mary, Poor Jenny, When Will I Be Loved and Crying In The Rain) which was issued as a bonus EP with Rockpile's Seconds Of Pleasure album.
Nurk Twins
anyone?
Sex Pistols on tour and The Damned in disguise
To beat the Anarchy tour ban the Sex Pistols did a few secret gigs as The S.p.o.t.s (Sex Pistols On Tour)and Acne Rabble
And The Damned recorded the 80'S psych' revival album 'Give Daddy the Knife Cindy' as Naz Nomad and the Nightmares
hindu love gods
Warren Zevon + most of REM = Hindu Love Gods...
Shakey Deal and The Bluenotes anyone?
"Play Sugar Mountain!"
"No."
(see also The Shocking Pinks)
Klark Kent?
On lurid green vinyl?
Stuart Copeland and maybe one or two other Policemen.
"If you don't like my haircut you can suck my socks!"
Julian Cope
as Brain Donor