Monday 25 February 2008

Monday 21 January 2008

Dr Feelgood - She Does It Right



I was lucky enough to see the first incarnation of Dr Feelgood a couple of times in the mid-seventies. They were strong contenders for the most exciting live band ever, and this video of their best song does them justice.

Back in those pre-punk days, no-one had seen anything quite like Wilko Johnson's dead-eyed glare, or his jerky, semi-robotic forays back and forth across the stage. The late Lee Brilleaux, resembling Gene Hunt's sharper-dressed southern cousin, was a compelling frontman, and drummer The Big Figure looked 'connected' (if you know what I mean and I think you do).

This band, with their short songs aimed at maximum R'n'B excitement and no guitar solos (to speak of) were the real godfathers of punk, as different as could be imagined from the stodgy pub-rock which their contemporaries played.

No disrespect to 'Gypie' Mayo or any of the other musicians who have served in subsequent incarnations (Dr Feelgood is still a gigging band, I believe) but it was never the same after Wilko left.

The way the audience dressed and danced, and the camp Geordie presenter, tell you pretty much all you need to need to know about what life was like in England in the seventies.

Saturday 17 November 2007

Monty Python - Ministry of Silly Walks



"There's defence, social security, health, housing, education, silly walks"

Thursday 25 October 2007

George Dawes - Hip Hop is the Best



Matt Lucas' finest hour, from Shooting Stars. He was much funnier as George Dawes than anything he did on Little Britain.

Tuesday 23 October 2007

Steve Ballmer - Developers remix



Music video created by James Carusone from footage of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer cutting loose at various Microsoft conferences, backed by the "Monkey Developers" music track done by Digital Droo.

Some personal development gurus tell you that you can't laugh and be scared at the same yime. Watch this video and realise they are wrong.

Monday 22 October 2007

Family Guy - Stewie dances with Gene Kelly



I love Family Guy - this animation, splicing in a bit from the movie "Anchors Aweigh", must have introduced a whole new generation to the awesome Gene Kelly.

Friday 19 October 2007

Outkast - Hey Ya (full length version)

The most life-affirming track so far this century. This is the full-length version of the video, featuring the reason why Dookie's wearing a crown, and a truly heinous attempt at an English accent by (I think) Ryan Philippe's announcer. Still a thing of wonder after all this time.