Mark’s Comments (group member since Jul 07, 2013)

Mark’s comments from the The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society group.

Very pleased to hear that the Spud content hit the spot – he’s my absolute favourite Irvine Welsh character, and one that I never tire of. Even his very brief cameos in other Welsh books is enough to bring a smile to my face.

Really looking forward to reading this one, but with tampered expectations. Will quite probably leave it until the paperback publication.

Apart from one Felt album and the Denim album that you steered me towards, not well at all. But that often works in a book’s favour, really.

I’ve only heard great things about that one. Must scoop up a copy.

It pains me to say, but it’s very, very good. You’ll love it, I’m certain.

I like Nick Kent’s writings, a lot, but a lot of the UK journos that you mentioned came after the high point of Creem’s reign. The articles in Creem were lightyears ahead of the articles in Rolling Stone.

That being said, Stuart MacConie’s Cider With Roadies remains right up there with my favourite rock books.

If you’ve not read Hellfire by Nick Tosches, you need to. Personal issues aside, it might be the finest music bio ever.

Nigeyb wrote: "I just finished....."

It may be one of those rare instances where I have what might come across as an American bias, but for my money, “rock journalism” didn’t hit its stride until the 1970s, via Creem Magazine, courtesy of writers like Lester Bangs, Nick Tosches, Richard Meltzer and a few others. Their writings truly hold up to this day, and there are anthologies available from each.

Next time you’re up in the smoke, you must pop in. For us, no trip to London is complete without an hour or two there.

They're SUCH lovely people, though! Always incredibly hospitable when we're in Pellicci's.

Thanks, David!

Thanks... I had a lot of fun working on it, and was more than happy to do it for such a good guy.

I haven’t read it yet... need to get it photographed for my portfolio before battering it... but I’m very much looking forward to it. Should be a very fun read!

Lee’s new novel, Pleasantly Disturbed, is out now.
Cover designed by yours truly!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I'd pick those exact two as the closest contenders but, as you said, not at all in league with Rainbow.

Nigeyb wrote: "The Rolling Stones - She’s a Rainbow"

Strictly out of curiosity, do you rate anything else on that album?

It's the earliest Stones album that I struggle with -- apart from that track, nothing else ever did the job of clicking with me.

Thanks for the reminder that I'm due for yet another reread!

There's not a single band or artist with a long career who hasn't lost me at a certain point. Or at certain points. There's just no connecting with Kevin's latest iteration, but I'm hoping that will change with the next phase.

And yes, that Latin-tinged Geno was an enormous misstep, in my book.

It certainly seems like a bad night to me... nothing about it appeals.

Not so sure about your Old Soul Rebels explanation. I've seen LOADS of artists much older, and nothing was lost in their presentation or performance. Ian Hunter, John Cale, Clifton Chenier, Jerry Lee Lewis... the list goes on and on. I sometimes think that Kevin has forgotten what made those songs so great in the first place.

It sometimes seems like Kevin will sling his entire back catalogue against the wall to see what sticks. This one didn’t.

I agree with you -- the song holds up to a slowed arrangement, but fails to work in this instance.

I get the whole “restless creative spirit” thing, as well as the urge to try new approaches, but... man, this is truly shit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTqPe...

Yeah, Max had sent me that link -- really enjoyed the chat!

I’m very pleased -- as is Max -- to see the book get the visibility and recognition that it has. The publisher has truly got behind it, and the reviews and publicity have far exceeded anything that had come before with his previous books.

In a world overly-cluttered with books about punk rock, it’s bewildering how the definitive book about Teds remained unwritten for so long.