“Lucy is really quite shy until she gets behind a microphone.” Says On guitarist, Steve Fall in a preamble before the record button was pressed. Listening to the album On by the band with the same name, you’d never guess that the pure-rock ’n’ roll voice of the trio could ever be considered reserved. Toronto native, Lucy Di Santo certainly overcomes any bashfulness she may usually have during our conversation. She doesn’t hesitate to speak up and share her opinion on almost every question. Yet Lucy is admittedly self-conscious when we heap praise on singing abilities. “I’m a bass-player first!” She insists. The story of how On came to be is a simple one, Steve Fall and Lucy Di Santo joined forces with drummer, Dan Cornelius, they had written songs and then needed a singer. The spotlight fell upon Lucy to “have a go”. She did, the result a perfect combination of intense guitar, bass, drums and a powerful, gritty 100% rock voice. The blend of Steve and Dan’s much-loved metal coupled with Lucy’s fondness for funk is a winning combination. The trio are hardly naive, although all three members of On display a charming enthusiasm for making potent rock ’n’ roll. 

Our friend, bass-player supreme, John Wardle AKA Jah Wobble posted this message on social media, “Can’t help but notice that most of my generation are not making it to 3 score and 10”. This was in reference to the passing of not one but two important figures in music. The man with the distinctive thunderous guitar sound behind my much-loved Killing Joke, Geordie Walker passed on November 26. Then, just as we are wrapping this edition of LEM, news came in that the one and only Shane McGowan had died on November 30. Kevin “Geordie” Walker’s deliberately uncompromising guitar style was an integral part of Killing Joke’s legendary and influential sound. His intense playing was admired by his peers and often imitated. To achieve his impressive sound Geordie favored a Gibson ES-295 hollow body electric guitar for it’s monstrous resonance and is quoted as saying, “When you find something that you express yourself through the best – something that is completely your sound – why would you use anything else?” Killing Joke were incredibly important to me as I was the first DJ in America to play their iconic debut 10 inch EP, Turn To Red. Brian Taylor, the band’s original manager and founder of Malicious Damage records and I were friends, he would send me white labels of the band’s first singles, Wardance etc, and of course, their debut LP. The influence of the band, especially Geordie’s guitar sound cannot be questioned. In my archives somewhere I have recordings of my early shows in Seattle where Kim Thayall of Soundgarden fame and the late Kurt Cobain would call in and ask about Killing Joke and request I play Change again, and again. To remember Geordie Walker, a live recording of Killing Joke’s Are You Receiving and a taste of the first cut I ever played on the radio from Killing Joke, Turn To Red. Rest In Peace, Geordie.

A lot has been written about Shane MacGowan over the years, not least of all his issues with addictions and the resulting bad behavior, but his legacy as great songwriter is far more important. Numerous fellow musicians have paid tribute to his ability as a wordsmith long before his passing. Since November 30, when Shane MacGowan finally succumbed to his long-suffering from ill-health, the outpouring of tributes from so many quarters has been incredible. From Bruce Springsteen to almost every indie musician you can think of. I never did get to interview Shane, but I was fortunate to see him perform on a number of occasions and I did spend an evening in his company at a pub in Hammersmith, in the early 90s, the details of which have long been erased from my noggin. I do recall as Johnny Depp once said when asked about drinking with Shane MacGowan how “The next day his head felt like it had been spilt in two”. As a tribute, a favorite cut of mine from the 1988 Pogues’ album, If I Should Fall From Grace With God, Lullaby Of London, safe travels, Shane MacGowan.

 

The photos of Geordie Walker are courtesy of Frank Jenkinson from Killing Joke Picture Book 1979