So
it appears that The Stone Roses have split again. Or maybe they
haven't. Who knows? Or who cares? Well a horde of middle-aged “lads”
do, I suppose. Anyway my point is as reformations go it was pretty
lame. OK so they sold out Wembley etc. etc. But in terms of coming up
with the musical goods it was a non-starter. Two (not all that good)
tracks in five years was not exactly reclaiming the crown of
Britain's best band.
I
mention the Stone Roses because they have roots and connections in
Warrington, a stone's throw away from St. Helens, where another band
of less reknown but higher output resides. The Bordellos are a band
that will probably never sell out The Dog And Duck in Wembley let
alone its auspicious stadium, but they do at least make music and put
it out for consumption. They don't beg to “be adored” either. In
fact I get the impression they'd rather get up the noses of
middle-aged “lads” than have them fawn over them.
Their
latest release,
Underground Tapes Vol. 7
is picked from a mass of unreleased home recordings. Funny,
confrontational, self-aware, and always with a point to make. It's a
beautiful thing! It won't make any charts or get featured in Clash or
NME but I don't suppose they'll be bothered. I think they'd like it
if you took a listen though, and I recommend that you do. Among its
homespun alt-folk and lo-fi charms is 'Tesco Chainsaw Massacre' and
my personal personal favourite 'Jolly Old England',a song that
namechecks Cannon and Ball, Irene Handl, free Weetabix and the death
of football. All this and not a John Squire guitar solo in sight! Get
in!
Click here for The Bordellos on Twitter.
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