There I was, just returned home from a shift (shrift) and hoping for a musical pick-me-up. We Are Scientists on Later. Bands like this do nothing for me. Can you just say 'crap' and leave it at that? Bit like saying 'fuck off' in the playground or at work (often little difference) as some kind of vacuous default mode. You haven't said in any meaningful way why you don't like. A plain and simple 'fuck off' is fine from someone who you otherwise admire for their elan or as a defensive mode but otherwise.. So We Are Scientists are crap but it is precisely because they are soul-less, lyrically mediocre, posturing wank.

I have just finished Julian Cope's autobiography 'Head On'. 25 pence from the Geranium charity shop in Hampton Hill. Even though Ray the ageing hippy's gone and the shop's now run by a frowning matriarch ('the shop was so disgusting before-surely that was the whole point!), it is true that you find a better class of bargain in ostensibly middle-class areas; the downside is of course dodging the school run. Actually the only reason I live in Hampton for the time being is economic necessity and because I adore wild flowers. Hemlock and forget-me-nots, these are all I know.

Julian it seemed enjoyed/endured a love/hate relationship with his audience. In the Teardrop Explodes he loathed teenyboppers bur realised they were his meat and drink. So he used to escape to America on wild drug binges precisely so as not to alienate the Smash Hits market who bought his singles. Otherwise he'd stand on stage mouthing obscenites. Never once did he play a gig 'straight'. Oh and another rock cliche, the leather tousers worn continuosly until urine had rotted a hole in the crotch! There's a real sense of humour, camaradie and likeable erudition. At one point when Julie (never 'Jules') was going gagga he regressed into collecting boyhood Matchbox cars. Strange, but childhood is an umbilical cord. Anyway, at the dissolution of the Teardrop Explodes he owed £120,000 to his record company which rather than accepting co-liability with David Balfe as co-founder member, took the debt full on the chin to spite Balfe's narrow material goals. Self-destructive yeah but you've got to like him.

I would like to see Mark publish his autobiography for insights and great entertainment, sure, but also for catharticism and a creative enterprise. I'd like to hear the low down on supporting Nirvana, TOPTP appearances and life in Japan. I would especially value insider talk on the business and industry characters. Why for instance among the plethora of Libertines/ Doherty books is no mention made of Mark's important role, what for example does it say about industry politics and pretty damned useless non-investigative NME journalists. I really want a hugely enjoyable and fun artefact like 'Head on' that's a pure thrill cover to cover!!

A good idea.

Mark Lindsay

PS David Balfe went on to form Food records and aggrieve Blur, but amidst the gunsmoke you have to that he was an achiever.
Watched and enyoed Rabbi Matisyahu before switching off Later so wrists are intact, plus Marmite on toast is the classic pick-me-up..

WITM8

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http://www.myspace.com/bag0shite WITM8™
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Heh heh... I'm sure nobody saw that one coming.