Sinister: Everything

[Rodney Crowley]

New to the list and just exploding with pleasure that so many people love B&S
and POP! so bloody much. And such pleasant conversation. Reminiscent of
early indiepop-l days (if anyone remembers). And even a few old faces,
Alistair, Andy... So, my first post and so many things to say...

Myself: Frighteningly 30 already and still feeling 16. A punk-rock librarian
stranded in a once POP-friendly Bristol. There in the early days of C86 and still
sort of here despite occasional digressions (I once gave up on 'indiepop' for a
couple of years solely because of the relentless mediocrity of the likes of
Bouquet). Married now with a baby - Sean Matthew (named after Matt Haynes
but don't tell my wife*) 3 weeks old today. Responsibility at last mixed in with
occasion irresponsibility when I can get away with it. No Tigermilk I'm afraid
(maybe someone might help me out with a tape sometime. I'd be SO SO
grateful (not "so-so" - you know what I mean)).

Sarah: Clearly they went off the boil a wee bit post Saropoly (certainly with
their albums, less so with the singles) but there are still treasurable moments -
Aberdeen for one (Beth, I think the Duke was being naughty - I don't think he
meant it). But I bought them all anyway (apart from either 12" single - I still have
some principles). The thing about Sarah which was always just as important as
the music was the politics, and they never really let anyone down. And I'm
certain that all non-cynical B&S fans worth their salt would find many, many
things to love in the Sarah tapestry if they'd only dip their toe in the water...
Ignore these disbelievers!!

Football: What is it with B&S and internet football fans? This surely rides
wholly against what one might expect the B&S fan stereotype to be. Anyway I'm
a Chelsea fan of 22 years standing (so no gloryhunting jibes) and am a
member of the mailing list. So there. Oh, and I read somewhere that supporting
a lower-league club was the football equivalent of being an indie-fan. Any
comments you Grecians or Hornets? 

Bedford 1986: Nigel, I'm guessing that the Razorcuts gig you mentioned was
the legendary one also starring Talulah Gosh and the Pastels (*imagine* that
line-up!). I WAS THERE! I travelled up from Darkest Essex, didn't have
anywhere to stay and went home finally getting back at 8.30 the next morning.
Wonderful gig, evoking such nostalgia for *the* summer of POP anarchy. I'd
give anything to get a copy of the video and perhaps catch a glimpse of my 19
year-old self swathed in youthful cool and an uber-smart flowery anorak...
And I wanted to nick one of your cool posters too but I was too scared. Nigel,
please let me know if you can help.

Claims to Fame: Promoting the first McCarthy gig in the North-East of
England and talking to Roy Hudd once when I was about 6. One of these is the
highlight of my life.

Naivete: And finally for some kind of proper B&S content. I love them, they
move me. They make me feel like someone discovering POP for the first time
and it's a long time since I've felt like that. Clearly most of you feel exactly the
same. The lyrics are *so* unusual and sensitive and insightful. Quite
marvellous. But does anyone else think that just occasionally words will come
out that sound a little like a college music project. Awkward and clumsy, slightly
naive. Examples you say...well...most of 'Fox in the Snow' for a start. And 'Dylan
in the Movies'. Now I've gone and said it I'm racking my brain for other
examples but I just can't think. Basically, just now and again I'll be listening and
the words will jar slightly...My point is, if I have one, simply that the band seem
to have this wonderful gift and are mostly using it to the full but now and again
they'll fill in the gaps with something less artistically divine. Ah well. I still love
'em.

RodneyXX

*I suggested Stuart and Ruud for names too but wasn't given the time of day.
So Matt it was.

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