Bloody hell! Porridge Radio are calling it a day.

Last weekend I was discovering the joy of listening to Leeds-based band English Teacher, whose singer Lily Fontaine hails from Colne, near Pendle, in Lancashire.

This weekend I’ve been rediscovering the joy of listening to Leeds-based band Chumbawamba, whose singer Alice Nutter hails from Burnley, near Pendle, in Lancashire.

One of English Teacher’s songs “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab” references the Pendle Witch Trials.

Alice Nutter, of course, was the name of one of the Pendle witches, and Chumbawamba’s Alice Nutter went on to write a play about the Witch Trials.

Life lessons

On Sunday I was listening to Lianne La Havas’ COLORS rendition of “Bittersweet” on YouTube.

We’re picking that fight everyday
This shit’s going nowhere

The Algorithm did its job well and showed me the latest KEXP concert by a new to me band called English Teacher. I was blown away.

Even though I’ve seen more COLORS Shows than KEXPs

A bit prog at times, and a lot music studenty, but they can really play so that’s all forgiven, especially if you listen to the interview with the band at the end of the full concert.

“Albert Road” is possibly my favourite, although I think the recorded version is even better and more poignant with the video (especially in light of the drama of the last couple of days):

(Steve’s mate’s son used to play in The Fall…)

So don’t take our prejudice to heart
We hate everyone
The world around us never showed
How loving can be fun

More than The Fall, they somehow remind me of The Sugarcubes, who I loved back in the late 80s, but who I haven’t listened to properly for a long time. I listened to the album “Life’s Too Good” this afternoon while working, and it was better than I remember it. “Deus”:

He put me in a bath tub
Made me squeaky clean

Apparently Bjork’s producer produced English Teacher’s album.

More reminiscent of The Fall (and Frank Sidebottom), perhaps, is their song (and video) about the singer’s smalltown hometown of Colne in Lancashire and its inflated egos, “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab”.

I am the world’s biggest paving slab
So watch your fucking feet

Can’t say I like the original, but this cover of The Stooges’ “Johanna” is electric.

I’ve really been feeling the cold of winter in my bones this week.

So it’s no suprise that I should find myself listening to Sleepy Sun.

Feel it in your bones…

With or without sun, we’ll grow
Rise above winter’s deep hole

We all need a reason
Why we take the time to wonder

Stumbled upon this great live recording of The Kills playing “Baby Says” last night.

One of my favourite live performances, and in particular this song “The Swamps” by Widowspeak.

Check out the guitar break around three minutes in!

As far as I know, the full concert is no longer available anywhere else online (free to view), so I uploaded it here to share.

I posted on my blog about Jimmy Carter. Hoping to post more in 2025 but don't hold me to that - danlynch.org/blog/2025/01/rip-

#music #creativecommons

This compilation project of Bob Dylan footage is fantastic.

Video overdubbed with audio from “The 1966 Live Recordings.”

This year I managed to put up bookshelves and bunk beds, fixed a cupboard door back on in the kitchen with new hinges, replaced the silicone seal around the kitchen sink, and unblocked the kitchen sink and the toilet (several times).

But I’m not your handyman.

…these ideas I’ll turn to gold dust later