AIRSOFT FIEND CLUB

I’ve known Mr. T for years, he’s an ex-music-biz scallywag, occasional curmudgeon and persistent first-class wit who has a disdain for, as he so eloquently says, “Ignorant miserable sods!” We’d been chatting via Skype, separated by 3,000 miles or more but the connection was so good I could hear the incessant thumping and banging coming from his kitchen where a contractor of apparently dubious skills was attempting to install new bamboo flooring. Earlier I’d sent for Mr. T’s approval, a rough version of the latest LE Mix (#126).

We’re not quite sure what to make of this…our previous LE Mix #124 has received a record number of downloads and plays. Why this Mix more than any others? Was it the image we used? Mr. H in Seattle writes: “I just read Life Elsewhere for the pictures” A smart take on the old quote used by “respectable” men when caught with a copy of Playboy, “I read it for the writing!” Our memorial to Amy Winehouse

The keen observer will notice that all the tracks in our latest LE Mix are by females. Not by chance of course. Recently I’d engaged in an ongoing discussion with Mr. T a long-time friend on the subject of “Female Music” or if there really was such a thing. Mr. T sternly maintains that there is no such thing. He argues that music is music and as regards to lyrics, either sex can have a go

Ever so modestly he said. “Oh I suppose it could be called Difficult…yeah, that’s it…Difficult Music.” I’d asked him about “Low” one of my favorite albums. Mr. Bowie, a lovely man and certainly one of my all-time favorite interview subjects was unpredictably self-effacing about his celebrated work. Since it’s release in 1977 the album is often cited as one of Bowie’s more influential efforts. Before adopting the name Joy Division they were known as Warsaw, reportedly after Bowie’s track Warszawa,

It took me by surprise when he announced, “That’s Goth!” I was reviewing music for today’s LE Mix, my son was leaning against me, determined to get my attention and engage me in a game of Ninja Saga on his iPod Touch. His impetus was because I’m such an easy mark and rubbish at any of the games he excels at and he knows he can thrash me. I didn’t realize he was paying attention to the music blasting from my computer speakers. He was so nonchalant, yet there was also an air of “Mr. Clever-Socks” about his attitude, prompting me to ask, “How do you know that?”

I was thinking about all the genres and sub-genres in music and how many if not most are never recognized by the majority of the listening masses. Grime being one recent moniker that even fervent proponents will argue about it’s true meaning. But one thing is for sure Grime evolved from similar roots as Punk (all those years ago). It’s not so odd then to reflect on how confused things were back when Mr. McLaren and his charges hit the headlines, got bounced from record labels, made an album, toured America and broke up while the rest of the world was scurrying about trying to figure out what Punk meant and ending up getting it wrong.

Seminal late 80′s UK rock band The Stone Roses confirmed all the rumors swirling around the last few weeks and confirmed that not only yhey were back, but with the full original line-up, new material and a couple of Stadium shows to round it all out.

Best remembered for songs like ‘Fools Gold’ and ‘Love Spreads’, their first album from 1989 won the award for ‘Best British Album of all Time 15 years later in 2004 proving they had something that Brits really liked. After the band split in the late 90s Ian Brown went on to record 6 more albums with 14 UK hit singles.

Amongst the most popular blogs on LP33 last year were our Top 20 countdowns of the Sexiest Out Gay Male Musicians and Sexiest Out Lesbian Musicians. The 2011 winners were Kele and Beth Ditto who won on looks, lots of talent and the sexual charisma you get when you spend your life on stage being loved.

Amongst the most popular blogs on LP33 last year were our Top 20 countdowns of the Sexiest Out Gay Male Musicians and Sexiest Out Lesbian Musicians. The 2011 winners were Kele and Beth Ditto who won on looks, lots of talent and the sexual charisma you get when you spend your life on stage being loved.