Author Archive
December 7, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 109: Anthrax– “Among The Living”
You know this thing of The Big 4 – the thrash kings, Anthrax and Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer…well, if you’re gonna pick one, the correct answer is: “Slayer”. You’re allowed to pick any of the others, sure, it’s The Big 4. But Slayer is the correct answer for top pick. Second pick, for me anyway, […]
December 7, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 352
Phil Judd, The Swinger (1983) I just recently found this mini-LP, or EP – a 12”er that collects half of the Private Lives album and one extra track; a US release, as I understand it. It’s worth it for the cover alone really. And because it’s Phil Judd. I already have the Rendezvous single (which […]
December 7, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 208 Pete Shelley
Late 2009. The Spines at that time were Les Knight on bass, Riki Gooch on drums and me. We had just recorded the Bloodmonster album and I was about 50 and drinking a lot at Bodega – a period of renaissance for the band. I’d always been a fan of the Buzzcocks in the early […]
December 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast # 145: Freeman White
Welcome to episode 145 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Now – as well as the usual platforms (this site, soundcloud, iTunes/Apple) you can now get to Sweetman Podcast on Spotify – follow it there and have it saved in your Spotify library to access each new episode; or via Anchor/FM you can get […]
December 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Orchestra Wellington NEW WORLD (December 1, Wgtn)
Orchestra Wellington NEW WORLD MFC Saturday, December 1 The closing event in Orchestra Wellington’s 2018 program was a suitably epic closer to the “Great and Noble” season, featuring a guest conductor for one piece, a guest soloist in regular concert master Amalia Hall, a world premiere and some stately performances of the classical music world’s […]
December 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: I Wish This Interminability Would End
I wish this interminability would end. And yes, I know that’s very much peak-wishful thinking. This ship is sinking. And it’s stinking. Smell you later, no doubt.
December 5, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 108: Bad Brains– “I Against I”
Of all the albums in this challenge I just feel nothing really about I Against I. I didn’t hate it and I’m not sure I rate it – I’m glad I heard it I spose, so there’s that. And I’ve played it through a few times now to try to hook into something more – […]
December 5, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Breaker Upperers: DVD
The Breaker Upperers Directors: Madeleine Sami/Jackie van Beek Madman The much-hyped The Breaker Upperers is a giant dud; a turkey. You get the feeling it was made in real-time almost, plotted out scene by scene as it’s happening. Shoot something. Wait. Print. Write a new scene. That’s the diminishing-returns aspect. The trailer-worthy highlights appear thick, […]
December 4, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Mark Knopfler Called My House One Time
Mark Knopfler called my house one time. (Okay, okay, it was a planned interview – but still. Knopfler handles them himself, schedules it. Then he calls you). He said, “It’s Mark here, is this Simon?” I said, sitting at my kitchen table on a Friday night, waiting for the call, nervous, and then off to […]
December 4, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 353
Pet Shop Boys, Please (1986) I’ve been on a big Pet Shop Boys kick of late – I’ve liked them since I first heard them, which was back when this album was released. Though I’ve never owned a copy of this until just recently. I’ve had most of the other albums and a couple of […]
December 4, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Movies of My Life # 16: The Compleat Beatles
Maybe it’s because it’s hard to find and best remembered for what it represented (also: time/place) but I reckon The Compleat Beatles is the very best Beatles doco there’s ever been. It shits on The Anthology which is not terrible, but is, probably, far too much of a good thing. When The Anthology was released […]
December 4, 2018 by Simon Sweetman