Blur Oasis on the cover of Melody Maker, 9th December 1995

Blur / Oasis on the cover of Melody Maker, 9th December 1995. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

So last night I saw the Blur doc, No Distance Left To Run which left me feeling a little disjointed. It’s hard to put my finger on why. I suppose, as the cliché goes, I’ve grown up with Blur. But it’s more than simple nostalgia. They’ve somehow bisected with my life in a way that no other band has and while I watched Blur’s youthful exuberance become slowly grubbied by alcohol, cynicism and (whisper it) heroin, I was repeatedly reminded of my various triumphs and failures. Mostly failures. Fuck it, it is just nostalgia isn’t it?

I was at art college in London in 1990, not Goldsmiths, but one very close by. One group of friends had come from Colchester art college and were good friends with Damon’s sister. One even ended up marrying her. It all came back last night and more.

I remember how I heard Leisure at a BBQ weeks before it was released. I remember Damon running off to get the tube after coming to our graduation show; and how shortly afterwards, Modern Life is Rubbish, ended up sound tracking my hateful commuter walk during the misery of my first full time job. I remember the lonely walks from Hackney to The Barbican on Sunday afternoons. I remember the Subterranea and how you could often find Damon puking his guts up in the toilets. I remember Britpop, the Loaded parties and the hangover that kicked in around 98 when we all suddenly realised we weren’t young anymore and had stopped talking to each other. I remember the scurrilous rumours, the friends boyfriend who’d shagged Justine and how I’ve had to leave that life behind me. I remember thinking how much they’d done and how little I’d done. I guess I felt sorry for myself.

But most of all…most of all, I remember thinking…make another fucking record.

Here’s a great recording of the pre-Blur Seymour, clips of which were shown in the doc.

Steve Sutherland interviews Dinosaur Jr. and Robert Smith, 6th May 1989

Steve Sutherland interviews Dinosaur Jr. and Robert Smith, 6th May 1989. Photos by Tom Sheehan.

Robert Smith and J Mascis on the cover of Melody Maker, 6th May 1989

Robert Smith and J Mascis on the cover of Melody Maker, 6th May 1989. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

These days J seems to be morphing into a bizarre cross between Jonathan King, Daniel Johnston and Gandalf the White. Google for it if you don’t believe me.

And here’s Just Like Heaven on Spotify although the intro guitar part isn’t how I remember it – are there other versions out there?

The Stud Brothers interview The Happy Mondays, 31 March 1990

The Stud Brothers interview The Happy Mondays, 31 March 1990. Photos by Tom Sheehan.

Did this pre-date baggy? Memory hazy. Found the small black and white images on page 44 a touch odd/disturbing. Has Ryder got some sort of shank to his throat?

Happy Mondays on the cover of Melody Maker, 31 March 1990

Happy Mondays on the cover of Melody Maker, 31 March 1990. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

Someone asked for more Madchester stuff so brace yerself for Shaun & Bez at their peak. Besides I never need much of an excuse to scan in Ride interviews. How young does Andy Bell look in this pic?

Steve Sutherland interviews Swans, 22nd April 1989

Steve Sutherland interviews Swans, 22nd April 1989. Photos by Tom Sheehan

Swans on the cover of Melody Maker, 22nd April 1989

Swans on the cover of Melody Maker, 22nd April 1989. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

This issue in response to a reader request. In case you didn’t know Michael Gira has recently announced their reformation. Read more here

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=124862190&blogId=526344640

David Stubbs interviews Loop, 27th January 1990

David Stubbs interviews Loop, 27th January 1990. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

The Beloved on the cover of Melody Maker, 27th January 1990

The Beloved on the cover of Melody Maker, 27th January 1990. Photo by Tom Sheehan.

So the big news today came from this link where IPC announced plans to revive the Melody Maker name with a comprehensive online archive of the magazine.

I’ve joined the good folks over at the WSC forum in expressing my cynicism that it’s anything more than just hot air. I’d love to see it happen but won’t be holding my breath.

And relax…

Everett True interviews Echobelly, 30th September 1995

Everett True interviews Echobelly, 30th September 1995. Photos by Tom Sheehan.

I wanna do great things, I don’t wanna compromise…so can someone read this for me?

I want to watch this amazing video again