Sinister: Like many, I am filled with angst. Like some, I am in London. Like the witty, I will rely on HEADINGS, LIKE AEOLUS It's been ages since my last de-lurk. Apologies for disappointing those of you who opened this message expecting it to be from Ken Chu, and then also apologies to Mr Chu himself for stealing his time-honored subject style. I have an alliterative name though, does that get me something? Perhaps if I were blessed with my own personal Editor I would know such things as deadlines, and even editing, and would rally my wit in this forum more than once per annum. I would ask Peter Miller to oblige, but I bet he's already booked solid, and I couldn't take it if he left again. SHOVE IT I'm behind the times, but I only just got ahold of Jonathan David. The clock song is my favorite, by far, and I know I'm echoing other people in the archives when I say I'm disappointed in the version of "Loneliness" that was included. I prefer my scratchy taped Tube copy, cause there they sound like they're having some fun. What's that feeling you get when you hear something and you realize you just have to hear it several times every day for at least the next month or you won't be able to breathe? I was hoping it would happen with JD and renew flagging faith, but maybe next time. WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED BY SOME "THE NEW STROKES" I missed it the first time around, and heard the live recording of the White Stripes just the other night. (During one of my weeknight dates with John Peel.) I never thought anything could remind me of both the Cramps and Bobby Conn. (The latter being a unique entertainer local to Chicago.) It managed to make me get up and move around my room like the rock 'n' roll dork that I am. (Those of you attending the LondonIndieUSA thing tomorrow also risk seeing such movement. If I drink. Enough.) Though I couldn't help but notice the formula of blues guitar licks + catchy drum beat + quirky vocals + pithy lyrics = time-tested rock recipe. Not to diss it--maybe it's about time I appreciate a good tune just because and not question things so damn much. "KANSAS CITY" So, just a guess here that no one else was engrossed by the A&E "biography" of Lieber & Stoller, with all its mention of the Brill building and such? Admittedly, that was broadcast in America back in August, when I was "away." I was surprised to find out how much of pop music's "standards" they'd written, and how they didn't really want to write for Elvis anymore after a certain point, because he was too popular and they'd rather write "dirtier" songs. Is it the song's writer that influences, or the musicians that play it? I LOVE THE CITY And these questions of latest big indie things and who's writing the popular songs now got me thinking about Hefner. I still think Darren writes good songs, even if now the band plays them with more things plugged in than before. His songs hold up pretty well as such, nevermind instrumentation. Perhaps in the sixties he would have been one of those guys hired by a studio just to write, the payola men having perhaps peremptorily dismissed his voice as unfit for radio of the day. I don't have the album yet, just the Alan Bean single, but I love the last part of "A Better Man," and the combination of everything there. Those minutes are like a really good milkshake. Hmm, that image was much more wholesome than I thought myself capable of, and certainly more wholesome than Hefner deserve. FROM THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN METROPOLIS And having now arrived in a postcode near some of you, I'll make my way to Farringdon on Friday. I was planning to go by foot, but my Luddite--or is it Amish--ambitions will probably be quashed by my predominant laziness. If anyone wants to meet up for pre-event libations, give a shout. It's a shame for a lady to drink alone you know, and I've spent too many nights, chin in hand, wondering where one must go to dance to Ladytron and their ilk in this town. 1 2 3 4 baby see you later, xo Sarah (and sorry too for the following list abuse) PS 1: If Velocity Girl is around, could you send me your address? I want to finally say hello and thank you properly before I swoon from guilt. PS 2: David Strange, I've lost your e-mail as well. Darn transatlantic moves. Let me know if you're out there. I'm losing everything, even my train of _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +---+ Brought to you by the Sinister mailing list +---+ To send to the list mail sinister@missprint.org. To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe sinister" or "unsubscribe sinister-digest" to majordomo@missprint.org. WWW: http://www.missprint.org/sinister +-+ "sinsietr is a bit freaky" - stuart david, looper +-+ +-+ "legion of bedroom saddo devotees" "peculiarly deranged fanbase" +-+ +-+ "pasty-faced vegan geeks... and we LOST!" - NME April 2000 +-+ +-+ "frighteningly named Sinister List organisation" - NME May 2000 +-+ +-+ "sick posse of f**ked in the head psycho-fans" - NME June 2001 +-+ +-+ Nee, nee mun pish, chan pai dee kwa +-+ +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+