Robots in disguise!

After spending the best part of three and a half hours last night recording mix tapes for our holiday, I was informed that we only have a stereo-radio-cassette player to keep us company, I have been on a music high. Next week we embark on a week long trip through the Norfolk Broads (so expect zilch on the posting front) upon a floating, slug-speeding, caravan, and I need music. Last nights taping session, which was so retro it began to make me bleed, was full of the topping hits that you would expect at a wedding circa 1986. Where at least one persons is wearing: a suit with trainers, one single silver glove, too much hair lacquer, a leather jacket, a track suit (usually a child).

Talking Heads, from Rhode Island, started off as a three piece guitar/lead singer, bass/backing and drums type of affair. Consisting of David Byrne, Tina Weymouth (who recently recorded with Gorillaz) and Chris Frantz, they moved from Rhode Island to New York and actually support The Ramones at CBGB's (imagine that). It was here in NYC that Talking heads became dubbed as 'New Wave' although the first at the time, it was later to become bandied around everywhere! In 1979 the band went through their major transition to become the Talking Heads we all love, with the inclusion of more band members (five!), and the mastery of Brian Eno they released Fear of Music, and its still amazing today!

Talking Heads - Same as it Ever Was

The Housemartins, now theres a band you don't hear mentioned very much, if at all, these days. Hailing from Hull (it stinks of fish..) the original line up was a bit moribund (apart from Paul Heaton), but then with the inclusion of Norman (Fat Boy) Cook (Slim), and the drummer Hugh Whitaker (story to follow) they became huge! (well sorta). Obviously Paul Heaton went on to form the Beautiful South, which the name itself is against The Housemartins principles (being pro-north!), and Norman Cook went off to Fat-Boy up! Hugh Whitaker, the drummer of the Housemartins, returned to Hull after splitting with the band and went into partnership with a friend of his, James Hewitt. Hugh carried on playing drums until he found that his business partner James Hewitt had ran with the ten thousand pound loan that Hugh had paid him. Enraged Hugh went on a rampage through Hull placing pipe-bombs in James's house and tracking him all over the Hull and Leeds area until finally on a fateful day in 1993 James Hewitt got his come-upance. Ding-Dong' "James dear can you get the door", "Yes ok" James saw a figure through the peep hole, it was the postman. "Good morning Mr Postman" said James opening the front door, "Good morning James, you don't remember me do you? How could you forget, forget me!". Just then the postman pulled out an axe and 'whallop!' James lay on the floor, with an axe in his head.

Hugh spent just five years in prison, no one knows if James lived or died.

Housemartins - Happy Hour

p.s That shits actually true!!