Andy Lewis

As one of those old guys, we were just making do with what we had! More luck than magic, I can assure you.

Britain leads the world in offshore wind generation, in part because of experience developing offshore oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. If this isn't energy resilience- and a great British success story for the flag enthusiasts- then what is?

Yeah, like getting the occasional free pastry because you're nice to your local barista rather than being the normal "joyless bastard"* they have to deal with
(*their words, not mine)

If I had my way, nothing would work unless you did.

Slinging loops together. Hi-de-hi-de ho.
Slinging loops together. Off to work I go.
Slinging loops together. Even though I'm old,
'cos nobody does "literal" like yer average BlueSky scold

A Universal Basic Income is, absolutely, the way ahead. Or making all public services and utilities completely free at the point of delivery.

Clumsy choice of words I admit, especially from someone who literally slings loops* together for a living.

(* Dolby Atmos a speciality. Modern music technology is absolutely brilliant. Far better than trying to keep an Atari 520ST in sync with a cassette four track and an Akai S1000)

He's an absolute throbber.

Unless it's for *everyone* it's not a Universal Basic Income. It's income support for musicians.

Ha!! He's my slightly older brother, age wise.

For me, it's been fascinating, and scary, and inspiring, to see how the social medium of choice has changed over the last 20 years. Being an old fart surrounded by younger people discovering things and doing things their way is a privilege.

- Rehearsal space is expensive. Finding the leisure time necessary to rehearse is difficult now. Co-ordinating and co-operating with other people to form a band seems a good deal harder than it was. Much easier, then, to be a solo artist.

Good quality musical instruments and associated equipment (amps etc) are cheaper now in real terms than they have ever been. But you still need leisure time to learn how to play them, and a space where they can be played to the fullest extents of their tonal range (ie loudly). -

Also, pop music was the predominant social medium in a way it isn't now, so there was a social and cultural imperative to both listen to it and to try and create it.

- It's not "the government" or "political correctness" that's "killing"* Rock as a genre. It's probably not even fashion.

It's economics.

(* Rock isn't dead anyway, it's constantly evolving into new forms that take no notice of old farts like him, or me. Which is as it should be) -

Here's a thing that never gets adequately talked about. Being in a rock band is expensive and requires an investment in time to learn an instrument and money to find a place to rehearse that slinging together some loops on a laptop and singing quietly in the corner of your bedroom does not.-

Until they capture, say, sixteen of them. Then they do.

The Jameson Raid ought to be studied by more people. Especially American presidents.

His deliberately contrarian use of Leon Rosselson's The Ugly Ones and Ant And The Grasshopper in his film about Northern Soul was a sign of where his musical (and possibly his political) sympathies lay.

Manfred Mann Chapter Three on Vertigo.

It's a fab tune indeed. And nothing says "delivering the post" more than a song about the isolation and paranoia that are the flip side of being a success in show business.

Weather too, if you're a fan of the Changes trilogy.

YouTube video by Manfred Manns Earth Band (MMEB) Manfred Mann's Earth Band - One Way Glass (Sydney 1972)

The world may be in danger of turning to dust and ashes, but while we can we should remember humanity’s greatest achievements including this belting tune by Manfred Mann. Here’s a video of it I’ve not seen before youtu.be/-exoVJp5CoY

- I know "cool" is relative and in the eye of the beholder and all that, but there is nothing, absolutely nothing, cool about leisurewear. I don't care how "comfortable" it is, and that it's "only a rehearsal".
No names, no pack drill, but I hope a bit more of a bloody effort is made for the gig.

I've just seen a video clip of a mid 90s British pop band limbering up for a reunion gig, and my goodness. I'm no oil painting myself but blimey they've disimproved.
It reminds me that when I went to see a reunited The Creation in 1993 they were a) younger than I am now and b) still looking cool.-

It’s bloody ridiculous

YouTube video by Cult Cinema Classics A Prize of Arms (1962) Breaking into the army: The heist that burned the rulebook

Anyone else know this film? Cracking Stanley Baker performance, and a wonderful Britxotica 1962 soundtrack youtu.be/sAh5le4xeAE?...

A decade-long zone so flooded that some of the highlights had been forgotten.

Oh yeah. Them too!

Including at the next election places where they already have MPs. Something they’ll doubtless blame on immigrants or Muslims.

Emily Hahn (left) presumably

They'll keep remaking it until Katharine Birbalsingh no longer gets it mixed up with Lord Of The Rings.