The Ruts Feature In The January 2014 Issue Of Mojo Magazine

The current issue (January 2014) of the UK monthly music magazine Mojo, features an in depth article on The Ruts. Entitled 'A Punk Tragedy' and based around a lengthy interview with Segs and Ruffy, it is an affectionate but sometimes harrowing account of the formation, heyday and calamitous demise of the West London band. Anecdotally interesting, I didn't know for instance that Malcolm laid out one Sid Vicious at The Music Machine after a row with the delightful Nancy, this is an attempt to publicly set the record straight about the events that unfolded on 14th July 1980 and the ensuing problems in the months (and years) that followed.

It's a great read, and hopefully a taster for the forthcoming book. I would just say however, that the the journos description of Ruffy as a 'Buddhaesque jobbing sticksman' is a bit harsh!!

And so the Ruts story continues as tonight I will get my first taste in Leamington Spa of a pairing that I never expected to see in my wildest dreams. Couldn't be there in '79, but this will do nicely.

Dot Dash Again Open for Hugh on 5th December

I had an email in the week from the band Dot Dash, previously the subject of a post on this site (here). They are again supporting Hugh at the Black Cat in Washington DC.

Dot Dash is a Washington D.C.-based post-punk pop band comprised of ex-members of Julie Ocean, The Saturday People, and Youth Brigade, among others. To date: three albums released by Canadian indie label The Beautiful Music:www.thebeautifulmusic.com
More info about Dot Dash can be found on their site:

https://www.facebook.com/dotdashdc

So, if you are in the area next week go along and support them and HAC.

The Stranglers Versus The World in 1977

Here's a collection of three radio interviews recorded with Hugh, Jet and JJ back in 1977. These interviews reveal how the band saw themselves at the time. This is interesting listening for me as by the time I got into the band (late 1981) 'Golden Brown' had just come out and with it the perception of The Stranglers as musical pariahs evaporated.

What does come across at least in the Capital Radio interview phone in is an evident connection with the genuine teenage fan base.

Many thanks to MeAnIe again for both the compilation and the associated artwork.

MP3

01. Tony Myers Late Show Capital Radio London Autumn 1977 (Hugh & Jet)
02. Picadilly Radio Manchester 1977 (JJ)
03. Mark Lewis Interview Los Angeles Late 1977 (Hugh)

Ruts DC The Georgian Theatre Stockton-On-Tees 16th March 2013

In eager anticipation of the forthcoming, and nearly upon us, winter tour by The Damned and Ruts DC, here's a gig by the latter recorded earlier this year.

This is the audio taken from the excellent footage of the gig that is available on youtube (thanks to the original filmer/uploader!)

So for those that will be seeing Ruts DC for the first time this month, or indeed for those that haven't seen Segs and Ruffy on stage since way back when, this is where Ruts DC are in 2013. Still relevant, still vital and again a perfect combination with The Damned.

FLAC

John Cooper Clarke 2013/2014

The Bard of Salford rides again. A couple of years ago we had the pleasure of seeing John Cooper Clarke in Cambridge, on that occasion he played a very intimate gig at the Junction 2. This time around he is playing the larger Junction 1 next door. Looking at the dates above, it would seem that his popularity is rising again as there's some big venues in there for a poet!

Here's a recording I found in a box of tapes from 1994. It features one of my favourite JJC poems, his own Haiku.

FLAC

Robert Elms Show
BBC GLR (Greater London Radio)
July 1994

01. Interview
02. Hire Car
03. Interview
04. I Wrote The Songs
05. Haiku
06. Outro

Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones

Those that know me will also know that I have for a number of years suffered with lower back pain, which at its worst has rendered me completely immobile. In the last few years I have received numerous opinions as to what the cause of this recurring problem is. Diagnosis has ranged from slipped disc to ruptured disc to scoliosis to non-neurological spina bifida.

After an acute episode a couple of weeks ago, enough was enough and I needed an absolute diagnosis and prognosis after so many years of uncertainty. An MRI scan was arranged and I found myself on a Friday afternoon high up above Tottenham Court Road in a tube for my first MRI experience and it is an experience indeed. Luckily for me I would not consider myself to be overly claustrophobic, but initially I had that uncomfortable situation. Then, the noise kicked in. In terms of sound, I would equate the MRI experience to listening to Kraftwerk... a really early one, pre-Autobahn, where all the elements were in place bar the tune!

Out of gown and properly dressed once again, I claimed by DVD of medical pornography and waited for my next meeting with the consultant. He was not alone as he had invited the physio of Saracens into the room...... clearly looking for opportunities to increase Saturday's packweight!

So the problem turns out to be something of a double whammy. On the one hand, I have extremely short leg muscles, especially the psoas major, which causes a forward tilt and ensures that the muscles in my back are continuously under tension.

The second problem, and here's the rub (on the nerve). From the report:

The L5-S1 disc is degenerate with a prominent annulus fibrosis tear and a central disc protrusion in contact with both SI nerve roots.

A weakness from birth or wear and tear on the spine.... too many punk gigs?

Personally I blame The Stranglers!

Hugh Cornwell 53 Degrees Club Preston 5th July 2013

Here's a recording of Hugh doing his Totem And Taboo thing in Preston back in the summer. This recording was made by wegga66 and he has agreed to this upload. Many thanks!!

MP3: http://we.tl/QpX2qCs9SW

01. Totem And Taboo
02. Nice 'N' Sleazy
03. The Face
04. Nuclear Device
05. I Want One Of Those
06. Duchess
07. Stuck In Daily Mail Land
08. Hanging Around
09. Bad Vibrations
10. Skin Deep
11. God Is A Woman
12. Golden Brown
13. Love Me Slender
14. Grip
15. God, Guns And Gays
16. Always The Sun
17. A Street Called Carroll
18. In The Dead Of Night
19. Walk On By
20. No More Heroes

Many thanks as ever to MeAnIe for some excellent artwork for this one!