Right.. if you’re interested in music and records, read on.. if not (mentalist), jog on…
I’ve been asked by Wavey Dave Howarth to participate in a 20 day music challenge about LPs that influenced my musical tastes enduringly.
One album per day for 20 flippin’ days (I’ll try not to miss any) – plus I’ll nominate someone to share their own gems – Mike Higgs – if you can be bothered, go for it. If not – you’ve failed me for the very last time AGAIN, can’t wait for the next one.
Day 1 – Zodiac Mindwarp & the Love Reaction – Tattooed Beat Messiah
I remember the day I bought this record. It was early 1988, I had gone into the city on my lunch break and probably got it from Twilight Records, or maybe 78s. I got on the bus to head back to work and a few colleagues were like, ‘what did you get?’ They couldn’t even understand what it was – from the title, the band name, the song names, it was all too much for them, bless their cotton socks.
I had seen a video clip of High Priest of Love on TV not long before, and probably seen the video for Prime Mover – still an unmitigated classic, directed by Adrian Edmondson of Young Ones fame. Fun Fact, I referenced Prime Mover in my wedding vows. (Sadly I didn’t quote all the lyrics though – “Well I’m Christ in shades I’m a napalm god – Your lipstick flickers round my lightning rod – You fever pitch bitch you love to tease – Well I’m a hot dog daddy open your knees – Sex fuhrer baby I’m a love dictator – Blitzkrieg romance, I’m a living detonator”)
It’s a pivotal album for me because it’s so unhinged, and of its time. I listen to it regularly. I love Zodiac’s lyrics, the scatalogical lysergic poetry of the gutter – they opened my mind to new possibilities. Backstreet Education (“this is a special car, baby – twin accelerators, no brakes!”), Skull Spark Joker, Let’s Break The Law, Holy Gasoline and so on. Great stuff. I also love, if truth be told, that it is a cult album, not beloved of everbody. I like art that’s a bit cult – music, movies. Far more interesting to me than bland, populist twaddle. Especially if I can turn it up loud and annoy people of a more delicate disposition hahaha (no, seriously).
