open letter to Mark Burgess
Last week, I travelled to Hamburg, near Germany, on business. As Mark Burgess (lead singer of The Chameleons) now lives there, I took the opportunity to send an email to one of my all-time heroes (even though he is a City fan).
Unfortunately, I guess Mark must be busy with his musical commitments as I haven't had the courtesy of a reply (yet).
Hi Mark
Excuse the intrusion but I am coming to Hamburg tomorrow on business. I'm staying at the SIDE hotel and need to know:
- Location of Sports Bar that serves Boddies or strong German lager and will be showing MUFC versus QPR (Carling Cup).
- Music venue with decent indie live music. My favourite bands are The Smiths, The Fall, The Chameleons, Pixies, Nirvana, Joy Division, Interpol, Editors, R.E.M though not necessarily in that order. Bands doing cover versions of any of the above are automatically excluded.
- Decent bar where I can get a pint without being ripped off or beaten up.
PS. Enjoyed your book (which you kindly signed) a lot apart from the last chapter that left me a bit cold.
Peace, love, empathy - Andy
Noel goes stage diving
I have a penchant for some of Oasis' tunes and, although he's a City fan, I also like Noel Gallagher.
I like his sense of humour, I like his professional Mancunian accent and his occasional digs at United. I also agree with him that Morrissey's lyrics are hilarious rather than morose. I also love some of his quotes. Just one recent, brilliant example:'Amy Winehouse is like a destitute horse.'
Having said all that and although I abhor physical violence and drunken behaviour, this recent clip of Noel doing some impromptu stage diving at a Toronto concert raised a smile.
If you want to skip the 'Morning Glory' intro, the incident happens at 1:30. It was just a good job for the culprit that Liam didn't manage to get hold of him !
R.E.M setlist Twickenham - 30 August 2008
- Orange Crush
- Wake Up Bomb
- Drive
- What's the frequency Kenneth ?
- I've been high
- Horse to water
- Supernatrual Superserious
- Living well is the best revenge
- Man on the moon
- Electrolite
- Walk unafraid
- Ignoreland
- Exhuming Mccarthy
- Let me in
- Fall on me
- Man sized wreath
- I'm gonna DJ
- Country Feedback
- Losing my religion
- Imitation of life
- So fast, so numb
- Bad day
- The one I love
- Disturbance At The Heron House
- Perfect circle
- The great beyond
- End of the the world
These songs were played although not necessarily in this order.
I was there. Way back by the corner flag. Sound wasn't briliant but hearing 'Country Feedback' fulfilled a lifelong ambition. My life is now complete.
Dubious photos.Token #remlondon link for R.E.M tour site.
R.E.M/Editors
The time has finally come to shave my head and don blue facepaint.
The Chameleons - Splitting in Two
The Chameleons used to cover ATV's 'Splitting in Two' for an encore. Reg (guitar) played the drums and John (drums) played bass. Mark Burgess threw himself into the crowd and chaos ensued.
Burgess also used to improvise snippets of The Fall's 'Rowche Rumble' and occaisionally Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart and some Beatles tune.
8 minutes of pure, manic, unsurpassed joy.
I once asked Mark Perry of ATV (via email) what he thought of the cover. He replied that he loved it and had even guested with The Chameleons for an encore at a gig at The Lesser Free Trade Hall.