Author Archives: Olivia

Record Store Day: The Greatest Day Of The Year.

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Tomorrow is my favourite day of the year. Most would regard Christmas or their Birthday as their favourite day of the year, I don’t. I class Record Store Day as THE best day of the year and the most important. I love music more than I can express. It is an obsession, and it is one I will never apologise for having. Record Store Day means the world to me because it gives me hope.

You see, we live in a world where we must have things NOW. We no longer take our time. Nobody has patience. Nobody seeks pleasure in waiting. I do. I feel that there is nothing better than waiting for something, then finally having it in your hands. I do not see the appeal of downloading music. Legally or illegally. Illegally downloading fucking pisses me off no end. But that’s another topic entirely, I could rant about that until my mouth dried up and my tongue fell off. It really gets to me. Another reason as to why Record Store Day is so vital.

The thing is if you download you are missing out. You are depriving yourself of having beautiful artwork in your hands as you lay on your bed listening to the songs. With a record you get that wonderful background noise- you do not get that from downloading. A record is so personal. You really hear every layer of the song so clearly. You feel part of it; you truly connect with the song and band.

Last week, whilst at my mum’s I went through some of my records. I played a record by The Fall on my record player. Every word coming out of Mark E Smith’s mouth was falling into my ears so crystal clear. I felt like I was part of the song. Every instrument was coming through the speakers so clearly, with a crisp sound that you cannot get from a download.

My heart would truly break if they ever stopped making records. Some of the records I own just sound so pure that way, I an’t ever imagine downloading them. It just seems ridiculous. I’d say I’m on my own with this idea- but those who feel the same are probably over the age of 50, again- I am okay with that. I was brought up with that familiar crackling sound. To get me to sleep at night my mum would play this wonderful psychedelic 60s record she had. I was in awe of what I was hearing, I used to pretend I couldn’t sleep just so I could hear the songs. My mum used to play Jefferson Airplane a lot, and when she played White Rabbit she would sing along with Grace Slick and move like Kate Bush. Thing is, she caught on that I just wanted to hear the songs- so she’d play the record over and over until I drifted off.

I’m a sucker for buying 7″ singles. A few months ago I was in a market that had a tiny record stall. I went through a section that called out my name, “Punk and others.” I flicked through. There was about 5 by The Jesus And Mary Chain. I picked them all up and bought them. Hearing their distorted sound through a record player made me appreciate the band even more. That fuzzy sound with lyrics of utter darkness caused me to go back to the first time I heard them, and to feel something more intense. I seek that feeling in everything I listen to. If I don’t feel that way, I won’t enjoy it. I guess it’s because I’m someone who firmly believes- if you heart isn’t in it, then it isn’t right/don’t do it. There’s too much passion in my bones and I have no idea what I am supposed to do.

My life revolves around Music. I find it to be an amazing force that brings people together. There is nothing better than turning to a complete stranger at a gig and knowing they are feeling the same way as you. Such heightened feelings just make you so glad to be alive. I feel, with Record Store Day, it does the same thing. People will go for miles to go to a specific store to get a certain record that is coming out especially. The bond you get is just priceless and something that deserves to have its own day. When a band you love put something special out for this one day, it is a truly magical thing. The band that you obsess over and dream about..when you buy that special release they put out- you feel as if you’re part of something irreplaceable and, you wait another 365 days to get that feeling back.

I have a few records that I have never played. I own one of my favourite songs on 7″. A rare copy of The Model by Kraftwerk. If you ever meet my mum, she’ll probably tell you about my obsession with that song when I was a baby. I used to dance in my nappy to this song and dance with my dog. It was the first song I remember hearing. When I saw it for sale, I just had to have it. I’ve never played it though.

I used to DJ when I was 14/15, and I think that is truly where my love for records really kicked in. I used to be in awe of my Uncle’s record collection, and he’s responsible for my love of Punk and The Jesus And Mary Chain. I used to spend Christmas being in awe of his collection just wishing I had them all. I’ll never have that many records, but still. I’m 25- I’ve got many years to carry on collecting.

Wherever you are in the world tomorrow please make sure you support the nearest record store. Buy something, and treasure it for life. Go home, and play it over and over. Lose yourself in the music and allow your ears to hear something so vital. Allow your body to tremble from the sounds. Most importantly, fall in love with your favourite band all over again, and in a different way.

Everything you need to know about tomorrow can be found here :

http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/

Keep music alive- buy a record.

Anja McCloskey-Italian Song.

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Music can reduce you to tears from its sheer beauty to its utter pain. You simply cannot avoid it. You have that song that makes you cry from pain immediately, and you have one that makes you weep with joy the moment you hear it. Certain parts of the song just fill you with such heightened emotion. This is one of the many many reasons as to why music pretty much rules my life, and always leaves me in awe.

Music can also give you a sense of nostalgia. A feeling that is hard to put into music, but when an artist does it the right way; it is a truly beautiful thing. This is why I have a lot of love and admiration for Anja McCloskey. Her voice just fills you with nostalgia and takes you positively back to the past. I firmly believe that the past should never be touched upon again, but there are certain parts that you just cannot ignore. Anja McCloskey makes you feel okay with visiting it all over again. You have no bad feelings towards it, it just causes a smile to emerge. That’s all you can ask for.

You get this feeling straight away from her new single, Italian Song. As an Italian, I loved the song before I heard it. That’s just my biased opinion coming through again. Every now and then it happens. I use it for the good, never the bad. You should always do things for the good reasons. Maybe this is why not many things go my way but hey- got a pure heart.

The video to Italian Song perfectly compliments the song. It is delicate, hopeful and just makes you feel good. You cannot ask for more from a piece of music.

 

The Whines.

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When nothing goes your way, you find something to put you on the right path. You’ll learn who your true buddies are when you are at your lowest. You’ll also realise you’re tougher than you know. There’s a song for every occasion.  I don’t mean bursting out into song every 5 seconds like that horrific programme that ruins other people’s songs, you know the one. There’s probably more than one. Frustration is part of everyday life for us all. You try to ignore it, it creeps up. This is why a sub-genre of music has not let me down. I spoke with my Grandma earlier, and she said..”I’ll confess to you now- I’ve never needed anybody.” I needed to hear that. Especially from her. She’s stubborn and tough. She’s strong but careful. Everything I want to be, she is. Much like mother, Patti Smith and Shirley Manson. But I’m just a delicate soul trying to be tough. That (fake) leather jacket of mine is fooling no one. But it protects me. This is why anything with a lo-fi sound hits me in the heart. There’s another band that have hit me in the heart, and have claimed a spot.

The Whines were brought to my attention by another amazing musician, Stevie from Youthbitch (check ’em out. I wrote about them a couple of days ago.)

If Warpaint turned lo-fi, this is how they’d be. Quick comparison here. Right, you know exactly how Warpaint make me feel. Like I am in a constant state of euphoric bliss. My eyes closed and I’m floating on water. I’m untouchable and nothing is getting in. I’m off-limits to the world when I listen to Warpaint. I’m getting that vibe right now from The Whines. Their slow lo-fi sound is, like Stevie told me-sincere. If a band are honest and open; not to mention true to their art (and heart) I will fall hard for them. The qualities I look for in music is probably what I look for in a girlfriend. But I’ve never ever had any luck with girls. However with music, I’ve gotten pretty lucky with it. Is it a bad thing? If you ask someone who is needy and clingy they will see it as a bad thing. Which is why I see it as a good thing. Your wants and needs are opposites.

The Whines are from Portland (I think there is something in the water there that causes amazing music to be churned out) and are just flawless. Perfect in every dimension possible. I want to be their chum and watch them at band practice. Then they take the stage on some muggy Friday night at a bar that is dark and cramped. We’ve all got our best jacket on and our favourite beaten band shirt underneath. I turn to the person next to me, and give them that look that can only be described as, “I dig them for the same reasons as you.” This is personal. This is honest. This is giving me a bit of hope. You can be 25 and hopeless. I don’t recommend it, but hey- it happens. The world owes you nothing, so go on and take on the world.

I feel like I can when I have this lo-fi sound pulsating through my eager ears.

If you’re looking for a band that are going to make you feel RIGHT and that it is okay to feel a bit unsure; check them out. The honesty comes across so strongly because vocalist, Karianne sings in a believable way. By this I mean, you can really feel the frustrations in her voice. Also check out the compilations from Gnar Tapes, a Portland label involved with the band and Youthbitch too I think. Super cool bands on it. Worth investing in for sure.

If you’re not going to be honest and give it your all- then don’t bother. That’s what I’ve taken from this. Go with it man, go with it.

I Am In Love.

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Mondays are shit. Sometimes the rest of the week is too. You know when you wake up and think, “Can I just sleep away this week because its going to be pointless?” That happened this morning. So far, it has proven to be a waste of time being awake. Anyone who doesn’t enjoy being asleep is a LIAR. It’s wonderful. No one can annoy you and no one can ask things of you. But the thing is, when you’re awake you can expose yourself to some brilliant things such as a nice film, a book that just grips you or in my case (currently) a band that make you glad you got up this morning.

I Am In Love (I’m not, it’s the band’s name) formed in Leicester about two years ago, and are now based in London. They make music that is dark, intense with an electro vibe. So it is really no surprise that I love them is it. I love anything that is dark and intense. I’m not too keen on intense people though. I like calm things. I like quiet. But I like music to be the opposite of this. I guess it’s because I want the opposite of what  I am. Yet, I’m still trying to figure that shit out. Summertime in the UK is about as trusting as a Pimp’s smile (I have no idea, go with it) but with bands like I Am In Love, you constantly have that Summer feel going right around you as you listen to them. I Want You is probably for now, my favourite track by them. It makes you want to watch the Sunset and think about the one you cannot have. Then you probably drink a litre of whiskey to think about something else. AMEN! I probably shouldn’t type things like that, but I’m just being realistic. I could drink whiskey listening to this band. I could also sit on a beach listening to them (I will never stop pleading with anyone to take me to L.A.)

Music always gives you a sense of escapism. Whether it is to be reassured that everything is okay, or to feel like you are not alone with wanting to transport yourself far away. Music is a solid thing. It’s there at 4am when the lights are out and the phones are off.

I Am In Love are a band I could be content with listening to whilst on the piss-ridden night bus at 3am, falling in and out of sleep on the bus with glare of the street lights bouncing off the glass. And the mental drunk person yelling “WHERE ARE THE SEATS” or something equally entertaining. You’d slip out a smirk because in a way, you are in a state of bliss. Music just touches you in a way a friend/relative/lover can’t. Music reaches that apparent untouchable place. I Am In Love do exactly that.

Everything about them is what makes me fall in love with new music. Most of the time I’d probably be okay with listening to old bands. but every now and then your ears are blessed with something new that moves you. Palm (their new single) is out 25th May, for the love of all things right in the world- get your hands on it. It will make you want to dance and probably cry. The vocals resemble a plea for everything to stop. The music makes you glad everything is still going. It’ll toy with your emotions.

I Am In Love are a euphoric band that leave in you a trance. Keep swaying, keep listening. Sing your heart out to their songs. It’ll feel like a huge healing process, something which lets face it- we are all seeking. The past is a ghost, don’t let it haunt or rule you.

I Am In Love deserve to be huge this year. Here’s hoping it happens. It needs to bloody happen.

Soul Circus.

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So maybe a place cannot define a sound. Or maybe a sound can define a place. I’ll always stand by the North of England giving us the best music. I think this comes from my massive love for The Smiths/Morrissey. There will always be that North/Soul divide won’t there. It’ll never go away. I guess it’s a form of healthy competition. Take Yorkshire for example. Some really cool bands have come from there (my mum’s side of the family come from Yorkshire so I will be biased, not even sorry) such as Pulp, The Long Blondes, Arctic Monkeys, ¡Forward, Russia!, Bring Me The Horizon and now…..Soul Circus.

As long as a band are honest and create something I can relate to, there’s a huge chance I’ll love them. I’ve never understood the appeal of that whole “lad rock” scene. You know the kind. Bands like Oasis and the lead singer wears a football shirt, and drinks beer on stage. That’s not for me at all. Maybe because I’m a girl? But hey, gender should never be important when it comes to music.

Soul Circus are from Leeds. Burn The Map is out 14th May, and it is produced by Whiskas (he used to be in Forward Russia.) The video is awesome, as are their jackets. If you have a good jacket and good shoes-I’ll like you. And if you make really good music, I’ll like you. So I clearly do like Soul Circus. Even if they weren’t from Leeds I’d still have love for them.

They’ve shared the stage with the likes of The Subways and The Enemy, and they’ve also supported the charming Miles Kane. So it’s fair to say that Soul Circus are a big deal. If you don’t know, get to know. Their live shows are what has given them a name. Playing the likes of Isle Of Wight, Reading, Leeds. Whilst most decided to check out the “big names” those with a bit more wit about them opted for the bands that not many may have heard of, and probably witnessed how great Soul Circus are. They’re just a solid Rock band that deserve to be heard. They’re music is an aid to letting go and getting on with life. Sure it is hard at times, but what good does living in the past do? None. Because you aren’t living. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER (Bridesmaids reference, I had to.) And listen to Soul Circus. Also..check them out at Live At Leeds on 5th May. There’s always something magical about seeing a band in their hometown.

Also, the single comes as a two CD double package thing with a free sweet. Even if you’re diabetic, you shouldn’t miss out on this (but maybe give the sweets to someone else..)

An ode to Riot Grrrl:”She’s a rocker dressed like a killer, she’s got lips like wine not sugar.”

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As much as Punk and Shoegaze mean to me, there’s always been another movement in music that has meant the world to me. A movement that I feel, was just as vital as Punk. A movement that has the same values as Punk, and is as equally as influential.

Punk basically started in New York. That’s the heart and soul of it. Fast forward a couple of decades in Olympia, Washington. Female fronted bands developed a DIY ethic (much like Punk) and were making their own sound. Creating their own movement that moved like a hurricane. So powerful and as I said, so important. Without this movement, where would we be? Thing is though, I feel most have forgotten about this movement. That now all women must do now to sell records is strip off and sing songs that mean nothing.

I don’t want to write this as a THIS IS WHAT RIOT GRRRL WAS. If you know, then you know. If you don’t, then get to know. Go listen to Heavens To Betsy, Sleater-Kinney etc. Go listen to them. They will show you what music truly is. Play with angst. Play with passion. For gods sake play with HEART. Have something to believe in, and carry it with you. Make some noise.

For me, Riot Grrrl was something entirely sacred. I explored the world of Riot Grrrl because I was a HUGE fan of Le Tigre. I went back and explored the past projects of Kathleen Hanna, which of course, led me to Bikini Kill. That was it. I was hooked. Transfixed. I was old enough (12 years old) to understand why people were mad at society. I was angry too. As a kid, I was constantly bullied all through secondary school. So music was my outlet. Music was the thing I turned to in order to gain some kind of sanity in my life. I needed something I could use that no one could take from me. All my hell and fury was coming out of the songs by Sleater-Kinney, Bratmobile and The Butchies. I felt part of something. I had no voice to unleash all of this, so music did it for me. Punk did it and Riot Grrrl did it. As did Garbage but you already know that.

I favoured Sleater-Kinney above all. I have no idea why, I just did. I connected immediately to their songs. I fell in love Carrie Brownstein. I wanted to be as tough as her so much. Instead, I was just a lost sensitive cause who had no idea what to do. Sleater-Kinney were more than just a Riot Grrrl band. And yes, I was beyond pissed off when they broke up in 2006. I’m not mentioning it. I live in false hope that one day..one day. I know it won’t, but still. You’ve got to cling onto something. I loved Sleater-Kinney because every word of despair that was falling out of the speakers and into my ears was providing me with hope, of sorts.

The whole Riot Grrrl movement helped me come out. For years and years I struggled with it- internally. Hating yourself because of who you are is not living. Thing is, my mum isn’t even homophobic so what was I scared of? So much. In time, as I listened to more and more Riot Grrrl songs with older ears- I found the courage to do it. Mainly because I found so much comfort and security in a band that stemmed from the Riot Grrrl movement-Gossip. Their debut record, That’s Not What I Heard had songs on it that I felt “Oh holy shit…” towards. Fast forward a few years and Standing In The Way Of Control dropped. I followed the band up and down the UK. I skipped lectures at Uni to see them anywhere and everywhere I could. I met them and I felt like..I don’t know. I can’t put it into words. So in 2008, I had the guts to come out. Sure I did it by text message to my mum, but I was in a different country. She likes to mock me for how I did it. Sometimes, the most daunting thing in life is really the easiest thing to confront.

Without being exposed to Riot Grrrl I don’t know what I would’ve done. I probably would’ve remained being an empty shell that never knew what she wanted to do with her life. In my last year of Uni, I did a module called Women In Journalism and I did a presentation on Riot Grrrl and fanzines. I’ll admit I fucked it up a bit. Mainly because I decided at last-minute I hated everything I wrote so I just did my presentation off the top of my head. Besides, it was an excuse to listen to some of the bands all over again and pass it off as “research.” Maybe I’ll go back to appreciating Riot Grrrl everyday when Beyond Pink but their new record out this year. Here’s hoping.

All too often the press will deem a woman as being a “bitch” if she is as honest as the likes of Shirley Manson to Brody Dalle to Courtney Love to Kathleen Hanna to Joan Jett. They fail to acknowledge that they are STRONG musicians and have influenced so many. Their words have tended to souls and saved lives. How does that make someone a bitch?! Sure a lot of angst was flying around, but it wasn’t angst that was like “MY JEANS DON’T FIT ME.” It was angst towards society and how they were (and still are) putting women down, ignoring topics such as rape and domestic violence. The whole Riot Grrrl movement was a platform for women from Washington and beyond to stand up and say “THIS ISN’T RIGHT, AND WE WON’T STAND FOR IT NO MORE.” It may be over in a music sense, but the struggle is still there. You’re shot down if you call yourself a Feminist and you are looked at as if you have 6 heads when you speak freely on taboo subjects such as rape. FUCK.THAT. You can try to shut them up all you want, but it won’t work. Music is more powerful than you can wrap your head around. I wish the Riot Grrrl movement would occur once more. We bloody need it.

Maybe we’ll never have a movement like this again, who knows. But I’ll be forever in debt to the bands involved. Not just for the music but for their words and courage. The zines they created and the music made showed that the whole DIY ethic is something you can never and should never compromise.

Never compromise your art and all you believe in. Ever.

Joey Ramone. 11 Years.

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I’ve idolised the Ramones ever since I can remember. I remember my Uncle playing them to me when I was 5 years old or something crazy. I was instantly drawn in towards Joey. I loved the way he was on stage. I loved the way he sometimes thrashed the mic stand about. He stood on the stage with purpose and cause. He was such a charismatic force that just left you in awe. When he died 11 years ago today, I was in bits. The feeling of losing one of your heroes is awful you know. It will happen to us all eventually. The Ramones own a piece of my heart that I can’t imagine giving a person. They were much-needed, and always will be. We’ll never have another band like them. We’ll never have a front-man like Joey Ramone. His long, messy hair. His ripped jeans. His beaten leather jacket. Someone once said to me, “You look like a lost member of the Ramones.” I enjoyed that a lot.

The Ramones were more than just a Punk band. Irreplaceable and forever loved. Each member that has passed, is forever missed.

So here’s to you Joey. Thank you. For everything.

Jesse Ruins.

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Until now, my favourite thing to have ever come from Japan (musically) was a band called BORIS. I’ve still got a hell of a lot of love for BORIS. I love how noisy and thrashy they are. So bold and so incredibly loud. On the flip side of loving music that is like this, I love music that is still dark (I love music that most would label as “songs to top yourself to.” Not because I’m morbid, far from it- I just think we need to go to the darkside more often.) I love music that is dark but is disguised heavily by synths and the like. I don’t enjoy music that is just synths alone. That’s just a cop-out. Have some guitars and drums layered on top of it, make it good.

This is why I’m probably fast falling in love with Jesse Ruins.

Jesse Ruins started up back in 2010 and they are Nobuyuki Sakuma and Nah.  Originally it was just Nobuyuki’s solo project but in 2011, Nah joined. I hate writing the background to bands- I just want to talk about the music. So…

The music is incredible. It is so good, I’m not entirely sure I want to listen to anything else right now. So they have that dark synth sound like my favourite, Cold Cave but they have delicate vocals that are so haunting. It will give your body goose-bumps. It will make you want to flail around for a bit. If you experience a comedown from this, just keep playing their music over and over to avoid such a draining feeling. I fully sympathise with you if you experience this. I’m going to avoid it by, for once, taking my own advice and just playing Jesse Ruins non stop for a while.

Jesse Ruins send you off into some kind of trance. A trance that can only be triggered by hearing something beautiful. You stick to your artificial means of finding euphoria, I’ll listen to music like this. It just sends you to some kind of place where all you see are flashing lights and angels dressed in battered leather jackets guiding you towards something you have never experienced before. I know this is all in my head, and has been conjured up by hearing something truly wonderful.

You can add Japan next to New York and L.A. for creating music that is just utterly mind-blowing. Not to mention inspiring. Jesse Ruins just give you this feeling, and give you this state of mind that you’ve never felt before. I’m so in awe of them. If you hear anything by them in a club- dance. But don’t dance how you are expected. Throw your limbs about as if you are possessed. Dance as if you are trying to get yourself from out of your body. I like it when people dance like that, but don’t be too drunk. Just take yourself to that place where only a band can take you. Because let’s face it, a person probably can’t. Not when there is music like this.

I really really love A Bookshelf Sinks Into The Sand. I’d say that for now, that’s probably my favourite track. I’m going to keep playing Jesse Ruins and imagine I am anywhere but where I am.

You can listen to their sounds at: http://jesseruins.bandcamp.com/

They are currently signed to the amazing Captured Tracks, and a full length record will be out real SOON.

Ghost Pal.

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Dear New York, Please stop toying with my emotions. You have been producing some of the best music ever since..god knows how long. I know you do not intend of stopping (please don’t ever) but please slow it down a bit because I really cannot keep up. I’m getting sluggish in my old age. I’m assuming 25 is old age, right? The media informs me I should be having surgery around my eyes right now. Piss off. I’ll grow old gracefully, like Patti Smith. New York, this right now is an ode to you. Just look at what you’ve done, and keep doing it. My ears would be bored without you. Without Ghost Pal.

Here we go.

I hate the word “sexy.” I’ve only used it to describe a couple of songs/bands. I’m 100% sure I’ve used it to describe my main love, Alison Mosshart. I’m not apologising for that. I’m going to throw that word about again. Ghost Pal’s cover of Don’t Stop’ til You Get Enough is SEXY. In the 90s most probably used R.Kelly (bet you wished you didn’t now huh?!) now? NOW? Now you’ve got to use Ghost Pal. I’m listening to their music, and I have to say that the collection of songs on Ghost Pal Two are incredibly sexy. It is like a huge party in your ears. It is so bloody soulful. So soulful. It makes you want to unleash those moves that you save for best.

There are so many members of Ghost Pal. Past and present. It doesn’t matter who has been or is currently in the band, all that matters is that music like this is being created. With a lot of bands you can tell that it is all an act. They just make music because they want the material things. I don’t listen to music that is like that. I listen to music with heart and soul. Music that makes you feel good. Music that you can tell is created from a loving place, even if the lyrics can be heartbreaking. At least the heartbreak is genuine. I love Ghost Pal because you can tell from the first listen that this is REAL. That every element of the songs comes from a loving and honest place. They just make you feel so good. You feel brave, even when you know you are the biggest coward in life.

Ghost Pal sound, as clichéd as it may seem- sound like a dream you really do not want to wake up from. You know what it’s like, you get to the good part and you wake up. They have this huge sound, a family sound. A massive choir of joy and entirely spiritual. There is something about Ghost Pal that just makes you feel so alive.

A full length LP is coming this Summer, titled Nathan Jones is Dead. I know, amazing title. I like it. The LP is basically a rock opera (don’t knock it, it’ll be awesome.) and to quote Oliver, “about existence on both sides of the veil of death.”  As someone who pays more attention to the dead than to the living, it pretty much sounds like my ideal record. After having many musicians involved in the band, they have now stuck to being a SOLID 7 piece. For some this may seem overwhelming, for Ghost Pal it truly works. Could anyone else pull off this sound with that many members? Ah..hell no.

There is so much going on in their songs but trust me, they constantly have your attention. It pains me that music like this is always being overlooked. I guess it’s why I’m no longer interested in writing about current huge bands. They are already being heard. It’s about time someone changed all that. I’ll never change it. I’m just some Music obsessive who wants to try help a band get heard in her own little way. Hopefully you’ll go check the band out. The Summer heat will, when it comes, leave you tired and drained. So listen to Ghost Pal and collapse into the best dream you have ever had. I don’t want to wake up.

Check out their sounds right here : http://ghostpal.bandcamp.com/

They take you on a weird and lucid psychedelic trip with folk undertones. Enjoy the ride.

The Electric Prunes.

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Aside from having a really strange name, The Electric Prunes can EASILY be regarded as one of the best Psychedelic bands of all time. I mean sure it depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who knows not much about this genre, then they’ll give you a generic answer. Who wants that? Nobody. Yet we all seem to seek out what is similar in order to fit in. Those four walls are looking more appealing.

What I love about The Electric Prunes was how bloody odd they were. I’m not strange by choice, it just happened. My mum’s pretty normal, so I have no idea what went wrong. Maybe its all the music I listen to, it’s pretty much like this. But why should I try to justify it? I’m not. I constantly get called odd or strange, like it’s a bad thing. Isn’t it a bad thing to be like everyone else? Someone once said that I work so hard to be different. I honestly don’t. Trust me, if I could stop being this way I probably would. I’m stuck with it. A monkey on my back. But it’s totally fine because maybe one day I’ll befriend someone who feels the same way. I doubt I’ll befriend anyone my age that digs The Electric Prunes though. It’s cool. Maybe we can bond over Lou Reed or Chris Corner instead.

I listen to The Electric Prunes and I feel like all my crazy dreams are coming to life. Most drop acid in order to see weird shit. I just close my eyes and fall asleep and it’s like, “OH SHIT…HERE WE GO.” I have more fun in my dreams than I do in life. Apart from the past 2 weeks where I have nothing but nightmares. I think they’re starting to go now. It happens. I’ve learnt to just carry on as normal, whatever that may be. You can truly find a different world when you listen to music like this. You truly bug out listening to this. Have you ever listened to OM? Do it. They’re pretty much instrumental, but it is so cryptic and eerie. It’s utterly mesmirising. Some music you just have to lay still and close your eyes as you listen to it, just to get that true effect.

I cannot pick a favourite record by The Electric Prunes. Some days I really rate Release Of An Oath as my favourite (like today I’d say its this one.) But tomorrow I may choose their self titled debut or Underground. They had this sound that made you want to start your own band. You wanted to start your own kind of movement, that’s when you know a band is one of the greats. If they can cause this fire inside of you and a desire to make music- you’ve found a good one. Release of An Oath feels quite mystical and a bit religious. Maybe spiritual. It feels so different to releases before and after.

I love the mellow feel to some of the tracks on Underground. I Happen To Love You is probably my favourite off this record, no doubt. But to pick a favourite track of all time? No chance.

Their legacy is incredible, those that know of them know just how powerful it is. Not to mention inspiring. If music like this was still being made, maybe the Universe would be more loving and kind. I have this horrific hippie way of looking at life and everyday it seems to bite my in several places. I know I should stop, but I can’t. Music like this fills you with wonder and kindness; and still deserves to be heard.