SATURDAY POP SLOT #38 – JILTED JOHN by JILTED JOHN
Last year saw the sad departure of music and comedy legend Chris Sievey. Chris was the main driving force behind the 70s/80s post-punk band The Freshies, but made his big mark on showbiz with his papier-mache-headed alter-ego Frank Sidebottom. From the same era as Chis, and following a similar career-morphing trajectory, is comedy genius Graham Fellows, who, I’m very happy to say, is alive and well and still making people cry with laughter in the guise of his alter ego John Shuttleworth.
Chris and John crossed paths in their careers on the “Going Red?” single Some Boys. But there’s no video evidence of that anywhere on the internet, and not much worthwhile footage of The Freshies either. I wanted to show you something from the early days by these guys, as their humour has been a big influence on more subtle parts (if there are any) of Tank Girl’s own sense of the absurd. So here’s Graham, from way back in 1978, in his third Top Of The Pops appearance as the lovelorn Jilted John…
Have a happy saturday
Alan X
Outback
Currently writing a short Tank Girl story, and after having written the word “outback” several times in quick succession, I was suddenly reminded of these guys -
We used to listen to their album way back when we were doing the original run of comics, as a way of evoking some er, outbackyness. If Tank Girl were ever to have a real party I’m sure they would be providing the entertainment.
Better get back to work
Alan X
Dear Friends…
Hello, my name is Alan, I co-created the original Tank Girl comic in 1988 with my friend Jamie Hewlett.
For regular visitors of tank-girl.com, I’d like to say a big SORRY for my long absence. Due to my carelessness, the site was beginning to resemble a teenager’s bedroom; messy, unkempt, shambolic, scattered with dirty shorts, and smelling like something had crawled under the bed, eaten a dubious-looking damp sock, and died.
Well, as you can see, I’ve had the fumigators in and I’ve redecorated the whole place in snazzy black. From now on this will be my own personal blog, which, while bringing you all the latest news from the ever-expanding world of Tank Girl, will also (hopefully) tantalise you with peeks at other projects I’m working on.
I already have some very exciting (well, I’m excited, anyway) news that I’m waiting for the green-light to unveil.
And as you may already know, my next Tank Girl series “Carioca” with the brilliant Brit artist Mick “Mike” McMahon is scheduled for release as a three-part mini-series starting in September of this year.
Mick McMahon's Tank Girl cover from Deadline Magazine
This year is shaping up into something quite different.
While you’re here, take a quick look in the shop section, as a lot of Tank Girl comics are now available in digital formats. Hopefully before the year is out, the whole TG catalogue will become available for most handheld devices and computers.
Many thanks to Ash at Portable Interactive for his help and support with this site.
PWOR
Alan X
ALAN’S SATURDAY POP SLOT #36 – A WALK IN THE PARK by THE NICK STRAKER BAND
Vocalist/keyboard player Straker’s first band was formed in 1969, brilliantly called Stonehenge. Later he formed The Nick Straker Band with singer and songwriter Tony Mansfield, who went on, with other member’s of the Straker band, to form New Musik (Living By Numbers, World Of Water, Sanctuary).
A Walk In The Park was a huge continental hit in 1979 and was rerecorded for the uk in 1980, when it became a top 20 hit.
Watch the guitarist Dave McShearer – his silver legs just don’t stop moving.
“Life can be fun, depending on your situation” – stirring stuff
Peace
Alan x
April 6th 2012
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #35 – MIDGET SUBMARINES by SWELL MAPS
The band that inspired me to do everything I’ve ever done. The very wonderful Swell Maps. If you haven’t got them already, get Trip To Marineville and Jane From Occupied Europe (vinyl is best).
We’re small enough to care
Alan X
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #33 – SLEEPING GAS by JULIAN COPE
The Arch Drude in 2008 giving us a busker’s rendition the old Teardrop Explodes’ classic Sleeping Gas on Mathew Street in Liverpool, a stone’s throw from the infamous Eric’s club, where it was first performed. I’ve just re-read Cope’s Head On book, which I first read in the mid-ninties, I’d forgotten what an absolute luntatic he is, and how much I love him.
So I’m also belatedly digging last year’s double cd Black Sheep
“Destroy Religion”
Alan X
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #32 – I'M ALWAYS TOUCHED BY YOUR PRESENCE DEAR
Exactly how brilliant is Debbie Harry? I touched her bum once, by the way…
Alan X
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #31 – PAINTER MAN by THE CREATION
went to college, studied art, to be an artist, make a start…
Love The Creation, Love Life
Alan x
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #30 – CHING A LING by DAVID BOWIE with HERMIONE & HUTCH
From the long unavailable Love You Til Tuesday movie and LP. Far out, man…
Alan X
ALAN'S SATURDAY POP SLOT #29 – REALLY FREE by JOHN OTWAY & WILD WILLY BARRATT
From TOTP in 1977, Otway and Barratt befuddle the studio audience. Check out Barratt’s mashed up electric guitar. also worth checking out is the Whistle Test performance where Otway falls off his amp and fucks up his ankle. Really free.
Alan X