Month: March 2018

And so we come to the end of March and what will be the final ties of Round 2.  There’s been a fair bit tension the past seven weeks albeit most of the ties have been settled by reasonably comfortable margins.  The last eight teams are the usual mix of big names and cult heroes and perhaps offering the opportunity to allow some lesser lights a chance to progress.  But before all that, here’s what you made of last week’s tasty offerings….and in case you missed it, the amazing match report from Jonny the Friendly Lawyer on The Stranglers v The Police in which he works in at least sixteen song titles….

Down in Guilford the Stranglers/Police match has a brief stoppage while Sting gets a manicure on the pitch.

The old codgers bring on the nubiles from the stands which distracts Andy Summers, the leading side’s demolition man.

Jet Black smuggles an ice pick to make your ears burn into his sock, thinking it might be necessary to straighten out the scoreline.

Cornwell observes that when the clock is running down you make the best of what’s still around and urges the band to (get a) grip (on themselves) before the canary falls down the coal mine. The ref shouts for both sides to rehumanize themselves and get on with it.

5 Minutes of added time when Stewart Copeland realizes he’s American and doesn’t know what he’s doing on the pitch. King of pain JJ Burnel abandons protocol and turns to karate, intimidating the 3 blondes until they’re so lonely, not standing so close to each other at the far edges of the touchline.

Sting, refreshed from his attentions can’t standing losing and hears the voices in his head shouting that Greenfield has just been hanging around the entire game. At the death it all boils down to who wants the world? most…

Stranglers stage massive comeback and win on penalties because they’ve got an extra band member.

Sadly for Jonny, his prediction of that particular result didn’t come through…..

The Stranglers 10 v The Police 26
Daft Punk 22 v Emiliana Torrini 14
The Clash 28 v R.E.M.(2) 12
The Skids 17 v The The 22

Matches 29-32 of Round 2

The Lemonheads v Prefab Sprout

The Lemonheads have been waiting ages to play their second match having been involved in Game 1 of Week 1 of Round 1 when they took care of business against Spoon.  Not that the wait truly troubled uber-stoner Evan Dando who just quietly sat in a corner waiting on his side being called to the pitch to strut their stuff.  I think Evan would have been initally pleased to be up against someone of a kindred spirit in Paddy McAloon whose Prefab Sprout may have the potential to go all the way, as demonstrated in an easy win against The Blue Aeroplanes last time out. But Evan’s winning and wholesome smile would surely have been masking some pain when he learned what Paddy is throwing at him in this tie.

Ride With Me (from Lovey, 1990) v When Love Breaks Down (from Steve McQueen, 1985)

Julian Cope (2) v The Housemartins

I feel I should quote from strictly rockers opening remarks when he penned the first of what turned out to be towo ICAs for Julian Cope : “He is the only artist I feel remotely qualified to compile an Imaginary Album for; he is the artist I’ve seen live most and own more albums than any other. Following the Archdrude through thick and thin sometimes feels more ordeal than pleasure and his prolific output occasionally appears to shoot wide but, in his words, he is always ‘true to my metaphor’ and never fails to deliver on attitude, enthusiasm and sheer energy. ”

My own words for The Housemartins were : “The self-styled ‘fourth best band in Hull’ only released two studio albums and nine singles in their all too brief time and some might argue this isn’t enough to merit an ICA, It’s also true that two of them (Paul and Norman) went onto enjoy more fame and fortune in later bands or as solo artists, one of them (Stan) did all sorts of things before becoming a very succesful writer of children’s book and TV scripts for a young audience and the other (Hugh) was part of other indie-pop outfits before he ended up in jail.”

It’s clearly a game of contrasts and having, respectively, seen off Joe Strummer and Gene last time out, once again it’s a battle of English Roses.

The Pixies v Billy Bragg

I won’t waste time insulting your intelligence by saying much about these two teams.  But it does match up one of the finest ever from New England against the bloke who wrote A New England.  And it also offers the contrast of something live that is raw and energetic against one of the most unapologetically tear-jerkers of all time.

Vamos (live from Brixton Academy, 2004) v Tank Park Salute (from Don’t Try This At Home, 1991)

Ride v Asian Dub Foundation

Outside of the ICAs, these two haven’t featured too often on the blog.  The Ride effort came from SWC while ADF was courtesy of his sidekick Tim Badger;  makes sense just to cut’n’paste from their pieces.

Ride are probably one of the most unsung bands of the last couple of generations, they were pioneers of the much missed Shoegaze scene and with their debut album ‘Nowhere’ they created one of the best records of the nineties (those who remember my 40 albums to hear before I am 40, would have read all about this if I had time to finish it – that album folks is the 6th best ever.  Also as a sub note – it was really hard to not simply just pick the tracks from ‘Nowhere’ here in the ICA.

Asian Dub Foundation in the late 90s and early 00s released two wonderful records, these being Rafis Revenge and the seminal Community Music;  the latter is described by some as the most important record ever released. It isn’t quite that, but it is certainly utterly wonderful. Both are angry, overflowing with polemic lyrics and a strong sense of trying to right the wrongs of society. These two records are their best – and obviously make up the bulk of this compilation.  It was these two records that took them from being whispered about underground urbanistas to overground in your face forces to be reckoned with.

Vapour Trail (from Nowhere, 1990) v Real Great Britain (from Community Music, 2000)

JC adds…..You got your wishes, boys…..maybe you should let KT vote on this one!  The closing date for votes this week is Friday 6 April at 10am.

The numbers for the draw for Round 3 are as follows:-

1. The Fall
2. Talking Heads
3. Edwyn Collins
4. The Velvet Underground
5. New Order
6. The Charlatans
7. Lightning Seeds
8. St Etienne
9. The Jam
10. Half Man Half Biscuit
11. Pete Wylie
12. The Wedding Present
13. Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
14. Orange Juice
15. Pulp
16. Pavement
17. The Jesus and Mary Chain
18. XTC
19. The Smiths
20. The Durutti Column
21. OMD
22. Wire
23. Echo & The Bunnymen
24. Butcher Boy
25. The Police
26. Daft Punk
27. The Clash
28. The The
29. Lemonheads or Prefab Sprout
30. Julian Cope or The Housemartins
31. The Pixies or Billy Bragg
32. Ride or Asian Dub Foundation

Not a huge range of diversity it has to be admitted, but so much to look forward to…first four ties of the round will be revealed next Saturday with the remainder to follow throughout April.

JC

 

It’s been a fascinating first half across all four games.  The Clash are destroying R.E.M. and thus laying down a marker for the remainder of the tournament while many others have, seemingly, unwillingly cast their votes for The Police on the basis that the song representing The Stranglers isn’t regarded as one of their best or most accessible. Both ties already look formalities.

The other two match-ups are much closer affairs.

Daft Punk and Emiliana Torrini have both enjoyed small leads before being pegged back, although the French are now on a bit of a roll and the current gap is at its widest.  The The began their match at a blistering pace racing into an eight goal lead at one point, but the killer combination of Jobson and Adamson have steadied the ship and The Skids could yet make history by being the first to mount a comeback win of seismic proportions.

The Stranglers 6 v The Police 22
Daft Punk 16 v Emiliana Torrini 12
The Clash 22 v R.E.M.(2) 9
The Skids 14 v The The 17

This week’s half-time, as per the newly adopted practice, comes from the ICA of a singer or band knocked out in the last round by one of the above eight sides:-

mp3 : Radiohead – National Anthem

Remember….if you haven’t vote yet, you have until midnight this coming Friday.

JC

 

jimdoes has come up with a superb way on introducing this week’s four ties, but beforehand we need to dispense with the business of who got through in Week 6 although those of you who saw the half time scores will know three of the match-ups turned out not to be competitive:-

Stone Roses 9 v OMD 31
Wire(2) 36 v Farmer’s Boys/Higsons 4
Everything But The Girl(2) 9 v Echo & The Bunnymen 30
Martin Stephenson 19 v Butcher Boy 21

I think the best summary for this week was provided by Matt when he said “A couple of occasions where the better song beat the better band here”;  I’d also like to give a special thanks to Micky who, as ever, voted late on by e-mail, especially in the knowledge that the MS v BB game was very close – Micky is experiencing some lousy and painful stuff in his personal life just now and it meant a lot to me that he took the time to make sure he could take part in the competition this week.

And now, it’s over to jimdoes….but before your read his words, I’d suggest you play the short video at the top of the page….it might help explain things, particularly to to non-UK readers!!

Matches 25-28 of Round 2

Here’s the next round of matches – we keep saying that ‘this match would have made a great final’ and ‘some are too tough to call’ but Match 27 has got to be the best match yet – fans of other teams will be relieved to avoid these two big guns and to see one of the favourites have to go home early.

The Stranglers v The Police

This is a veterans match if ever there was one. The Stranglers (who last round saw off Roddy Frame but, by playing one of their best songs might have peaked too early) will be shuffling around the pitch with a combined age of 281. Whereas The Police are a man down on their opponents but still clock up an impressive combined age of 206. Sting got all Tantric on Captain Beefheart in the previous round and looks to have brought his A-game to this tie with a song that needs no introductions (he says as he introduces it) – but can The Stranglers’ effort – described in the original ICA as “half-baked unintelligible sci-fi conspiracy nonsense about some whack-ass alien visitation” – cause an upset?

Just Like Nothing On Earth (from The Gospel According to The Meninblack, 1981) v Message In A Bottle (from Regatta de Blanc, 1979)

BOOKIES VERDICT

The bookies are using the incredibly scientific method of counting up the comments on their respective ICAs to work out odds on this round of matches and this tie is VERY close. There were 14 comments each, but more words were written about The Police so they are marginal favourites.

ODDS: The Police 5/4(FAV); The Stranglers 2/1.

As Ray Winstone would say in that “charming” cockney way of his – “CAAAAAM ON… AV A BANG ON THAT.”

Daft Punk v Emiliana Torrini

France v Iceland. Technology v Nature. Robot v Woman.
Daft Punk certainly got lucky in the last round – in the ‘Luck’ derby or ‘Le Derby de luque’ as they say, they comfortably saw saw off The Lucksmiths. Torrini ‘foiled’ Foil (I’ll get my coat) – in one of just two matches to have gone to penalties so far.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (from Discovery, 2001) v Wednesday’s Child (from Love In the Time of Science, 1999)

BOOKIES VERDICT

Daft Punk – 6 comments, Torrini – 21 comments;

ODDS: Daft Punk 4/1; Torrini Evens(fav). Torrini proved more of a hit with readers making her the surprise favourite in this tie – but bookies have been known to get it wrong.

Ray Winston says, “OI MAAAAAATE! GIT ORN IT!”

The Clash v R.E.M (2)

Tie of the round. Tie of the tournament so far. The TV companies didn’t have to think twice. I can’t even begin to decide who will win – or to even write a proper preview. Good luck to both of them. At least this tie shows that the draw is completely random and their are no warm balls in the bag at Vinyl Villain Towers. (JC adds….worth recalling that R.E.M. saw off Radiohead last time out and so will be gutted to pull out such a plum once again)

London Calling (from London Calling, 1979) v Disturbance At The Heron House (from Doucument, 1987)

BOOKIES VERDICT

The Clash – 30 comments, R.E.M. – 16 comments;

ODDS: The Clash (with home advantage) 1/2 (FAV); R.E.M. Evens.

Ray Winston says, “FAAAA*******CK”

The Skids v The The

Will Stuart Adamson run rings around Matt Johnson? Are The The over-confident and looking for who they might draw in the next round? Do the Scottish team have the wrong studs on and will they be slipping all over the pitch? With two players having the same name, will The The be difficult to mark?

The Skids had too much for Elbow in the previous round and The The beat another Scottish team, Simple Minds in what could be a good omen for them going in to this fixture.

Circus Games (from The Absolute Game, 1980) v I’ve Been Waitin’ For Tomorrow (All Of My Life) (Special Mix) (b-side, 1983)

BOOKIES VERDICT

The Skids – 12 comments, The The – 9 comments;

ODDS: The Skids 4/1; The The 3/1 (FAV) Another tight one for the bookies to call.

Ray Winstone says, “EYE EYE IT’S THAT TYME AGAIN! OOOOOOOOH NICE! LAAARVE IT!”

Remember, vote responsibly and if voting ever becomes an addiction, seek help. Votes close on Friday 30 March at 10pm.

jimdoes

 

Thus far, most comments and votes have followed a pattern….almost all have gone OMD, Wire and E&TB.  Matches 21-23 are, to all intent and purposes, done and dusted….

Stone Roses 6 v OMD 22
Wire(2) 26 v Farmer’s Boys/Higsons 2
Everything But The Girl(2) 6 v Echo & The Bunnymen 23

The final tie could be a cliffhanger….neither side has ever established a substantial lead and both have enjoyed spells of being in front. It’s the first genuine contest in weeks

Martin Stephenson 13 v Butcher Boy 14

This week’s half-time, as per the newly adopted practice, comes from the ICA of a singer or band knocked out in the last round by one of the above eight sides:-

mp3 : Mike Garry and Joe Dudell ‘St Anthony- An Ode To Anthony H Wilson’ (Andrew Weatherall Remix)

If you don’t know this half-time song, then ypu’re in for a real treat. If you do it, then you’ll no doubt want to listen again.

I’ll re-post what Swiss Adam said when he pulled together the Weatherall ICA:-

“Mike Garry’s wonderful poem for Tony Wilson, a celebration of the Factory boss and ‘Manchester music, marijuana, majesty and Karl Marx’, was set to music by Joe Dudell, a string quartet version of New Order’s Your Silent Face. Weatherall took it back to the electronic roots of Power, Corruption and Lies. Released to raise funds for cancer charities and The Christie hospital – go buy it.”

I’ll endorse his request that you go buy it.  I have.  Click here.

Oh and finally, if you haven’t voted yet this week, you have until midnight this coming Friday.

JC

 

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Thanks for getting so many votes in by the earlier than usual deadline. As this post appears, I’ll be 70-odd miles away from home, making the most of a brilliantly nostalgic night with ex-players from Raith Rovers FC at a commemorative dinner/piss-up recalling the six games we played in the UEFA Cup in 1995, including the night when we dared to dream of knocking out Bayern Munich as we led 1-0 at half-time in the Olympiastadion.

Alas, there was no giant-killing, but it was fun while it lasted.  So which of our four teams from last week could call on the international class and experience of Klinsmann, Papin, Babbel and Kahn and which had to rely on brave warriors such as Sinclair, Lennon, Coyle and Dair ?

Rod Stewart 6 The Jesus and Mary Chain 30
XTC (2) 24 Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 15
The Smiths 28 Husker Du 12
The Durutti Column 22 Paul Quinn 15

To all Paul Quinn fans, I’d like to offer a heartfelt apology.  My behaviour, as manager, in fielding the 12” version of Change of Attitude in the original ICA was totally out of character and a momentary lapse in my normally high standards of behaviour.  The 7” might have gotten through but in all honesty, it was a tad arrogant on my part to field such a self indulgent b-side in the first place…on reflection and with hindsight, it was an error for which there is no feasible excuse.  Good luck to Vini and his crew in the next round and the remainder of the competition.

Moving on now to this week’s match ups and I’m hoping after eight successive near walkovers that some minor excitement at least can be generated.

It does open with a tasty match-up with the bonus of it being a Liverpool/Manchester rivalry while the remaining three games will hopefully get you thinking a bit…..all teams may well need the luck of the Irish to get through.  Happy St Patrick’s Day.

Matches 21-24 of Round 2

The Stone Roses v OMD

The Stone Roses have been suggested in some quarters as having the ability to go all the way in the competition although there are some correspondents who think they lack the neccesary depth.  They weren’t pushed too hard in Round 1 against Yellow Magic Orchestra but even so, will need an improved performance to see off OMD whose professional and polished performance last time out saw them deal a mortal blow to trhe much fancied Super Furry Animals.  This tie has a similar sort if feel to it and much will depend on the toss of the coin and the roll of the dice…which might just favour the Liverpudlians in that their song is better-known amomg the masses.

All Across The Sands (b-side, 1987) v Messages (from Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, 1980)

Wire (2) v The Farmer’s Boys/The Higsons

The art-school veterans who go by the name of Wire got through Round 1 by a the odd-goal in 45 in a titanic battle againt Supergrass with the reward being a home match against one of the acts representing the ‘Sounds of Young Norwich’ ICA.  Last time round the reliance was on The Higsons who came through a close one against The Jayhawks.  Will the manager be allowed to stick with the same starting line or will the coin and dice enforce a complete set of new players?  Turns out that The Farmer’s Boys will be on the bench yet again, and given the might of the opposition song, the fates may have conspired to prevent them ever setting  foot on the playing surface.

Outdoor Miner (single, 1979) v Conspiracy by The Higsons (single, 1982)

Everything But The Girl (2) v Echo & The Bunnymen

I know I’m overusing the word intriguing in describing so many of these 2nd round ties but I make no apologies for doing so again.  The Bunnymen took care of Leonard Cohen last time out, although it needed the use of The Cutter to ensure progress.  They could end up with a similar type of tie again depending on whch EBTG comes out via the coin and dice.  In Round 1, Tracey and Ben went with Draining The Bar, a piano-led ballad, which was more than enough to hammer The Libertines.  Both sides will likely need to be at, or close to, their best to progress. Either way, Echorich will be sad that one of them will have to leave.

Cross My Heart (from Baby The Stars Shine Bright, 1986) v Zimbo (live) (b-side, 1983)

Martin Stephenson v Butcher Boy

This is just such a brilliant tie on paper.  Two of my all time favourites, neither of whom at the start of the World Cup I’d have given too much chance of reaching this stage; but now one of them is going to reach the last 32 and possibly take on a really big gun.  The romance of the cup etc.

Martin Stephenson, to the chagrin of many, removed Andrew Weatherall from the tournament, albeit he needed the might of The Daintees backing him on Crocodile Cryer to deliver.  Butcher Boy were up in a real Indietracks type battle against The Magnetic Fields last time out and came through despite being the lesser known of the combos.  Which tunes are going head-to-head this time?

Rain (from Boat to Bolivia, 1986) v Helping Hands (from album of same name, 2011)

Yup.  Two ballads make for a fine match-up.

Closing date and time for entries is Friday 23 March, at 10pm UK time.

Next week will see jimdoes take to the stage to introduce matches 24-27.  I know which games are coming up. I don’t envy him.

JC

 

The first three of this week’s matches are already looking foregone conclusions and it’s only 8.30pm on Monday night.  The final tie, however, has been fairly nip and tuck for the most part with both sides having held the lead at one point in time or other.

Rod Stewart 5 v The Jesus and Mary Chain 19
XTC (2) 19 v Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds 8
The Smiths (2) 19 v Husker Du 8
Durutti Column 12 v Paul Quinn 12

This week’s half-time tune, as per the newly adopted practice, comes from the ICA of a singer or band knocked out in the last round by one of the above eight sides:-

mp3 : Teenage Fanclub – Don’t Look Back

Remember….if you haven’t voted yet, you have until 10pm this coming Thursday (votes close 24 hours earlier than normal!!).

JC