They were born on the same date, the same month, twelve years apart. It could be just a coincidence that two of the most important cultural figures of the last hundred years share the same birthday, but we like to think it has to be a deliberate plan of the gods to make January 8th the birthday of Elvis Presley and
Read moreIn 1975 Pete Shelley (real name Peter Campbell McNeish) and Howard Devoto (real name Howard Trafford) decide to start a band and chance upon a headline: “It’s The Buzz, Cock!” And, Buzzcocks were born. In 1977 Buzzcocks released their first EP, Spiral Scratch, on their independent label, New Hormones. When Devoto left the band in February 1977, Shelley took over as the lead vocalist
Read moreOn Matt Simon’s website, there is a photo of him sitting next to someone dressed as a horse. The caption says, “I’m the one on the left. As great as it might seem to be a horse, I am in fact a human, one who is a science writer and scriptwriter at Wired Magazine”. Thank goodness Mr. Simon has a deliciously crafty
Read moreThe Heartbreakers, Johnnie Thunders, Jerry Nolan, Richard Hell, Ramones, New York Dolls, Drugs, Mink De Ville, Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren, The Clash, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, Heroin, New York in the early 70’s, London in the late 70’s, Drugs, Touring, Keith Richards, Drugs, Sex, Drugs. Name-dropping and overt references to sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll* would be an
Read moreA favourite guest at Life elsewhere is the always engaging Amy Rigby. The highly-acclaimed singer-songwriter and astute writer kindly sent us a sound file of her new single, Tom Petty Karaoke. “I don’t usually put out singles.” Amy sighs, almost apologetically. She is talking with Norman B about her new recording, “Tom died on October 2nd, a year ago and
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