Category: Miscellaneous

Good morning. Good Afternoon, Good Evening, wherever you are around the globe and whatever time of day it happens to be.

Welcome to TVV’s first ‘proper’ posting of 2026, in that the Festive Period series has come to an end, and the two regular series for Saturdays and Sundays have been covered.  A year that will hopefully see the blog celebrate its 20th birthday, and my wee brain is already going into overdrive thinking of ways to mark the occasion, albeit it’s still over nine months away.   Indeed, my wee brain never stops thinking about how best to continue to make this little corner of t’internet a place that folk will want to come and visit on a regular basis, especially given that time is increasingly precious for all of us and there are many other music blogs out there that have better writers with far more nous and knowledge than I’ll ever have……and more worryingly, seem to have way more ideas than me to keep things fresh and inviting; but in saying that, seeing so many other great blogs very much on the go provides inspiration to maintain high standards here (grammar and accurate spelling mistakes aren’t part of those standards!!)

I thought I’d begin the new year by offering up a sort of sneak preview of what lies ahead.

Firstly….a few givens.

Saturdays will continue to be set aside for songs by different Scottish singers and bands, It’s just hit #486, but I reckon I have at least another fifty who haven’t yet featured that will take us through this calendar year.

Sundays will, for the next few months, continue to look at the Edwyn Collins singles, and when that comes to its natural end, I’ll hand the day over to some other long-running act…I’ve already got one in mind, but I’m just as liable to change my mind as the time approaches.

Fridays, every second week, should see postings all the way from Santa Monica.  Fictive Fridays are genuinely special for me as I have no idea, until the email drops in, which direction Jonny is going to take the blog.

The mention of Fictive Fridays does allow me to reiterate that guest postings are key to TVV.  Jonny will have his regular gig, as too will Fraser who has already fired over more offerings for his EPs series. Steve‘s ‘stealing’ series was a real highlight of 2025, every one of his masterpieces managing to educate/inform and entertain in equal measures; he’s quietly promised something fresh for this year, advising that it has so much info it will be likely need to be published in three parts (it’s almost a book he’s proposing!!), and knowing which band he’s looking into, I know it will go down well.

I’m also hopeful that Dirk, having regaled us so fantastically with his 111 singles series over the past three years, will get on board again….he’s certainly thinking about it.  As I’ve repeatedly said, I never turn down any guest postings, so if anyone reading this wants to do the 21st century equivalent of putting pen to paper, then please be my guest.

But what am I going to bring to the party this year? By and large, more of the same.

There are five types of post that will continue to be the workhorse of TVV.  The ‘lucky dips’ across my music collection enable me to share some thoughts on a particular 7″, 12″ or CD single, while I’ll also continue to shine a light on songs that are under two minutes in length, and songs that proved to be a debut release.

The monthly book review is here to stay, although I need to get my act together and start reading a bit more intensely. The older I get, the increasingly difficult I am finding it to get through books the way I used to.  Again, if anyone wishes to offer up guest reviews, I’d be more than happy to take them….and if I get inundated with reviews, then I’ll make sure the series appears more frequently.

The monthly mixtape will continue.   January’s has been delayed, but it’ll be with you before tomorrow.  The ICAs will continue with #400 coming up later this week, which will be followed by a couple of very interesting guest offerings.

Work is well underway on three new series for 2026, all of which will likely last the entire calendar year – one will involve 13 posts, one will have somewhere in the region of 30 posts and the other will be one that may only last a short time, depending on the reaction of the TVV cognoscenti.  The 30 posts series will be launched later this week.  As they say, watch this space.

As ever, thanks for reading.  I think it’s time for a song.

mp3: Frightened Rabbit – Music Now

I still miss Scott Hutchison.  He really was such a talent.

 

 

JC

A GUEST POSTING by flimflamfan

In recent times, some artists have taken to social media to decry the ripping off of artists and fans by: record companies, venues streaming platforms and ticket agencies. It could be argued that this ‘outpouring’ is genuine in nature and it might well be (for some), but I can’t help but get the sense that it is little more that political (small p) posturing for the majority.

This stream of consciousness may get a little messy. I apologise in advance if it fizzles out, is contradictory, or makes little sense.

Artists who are, or define themselves as independent or DIY, can often seem like arch hypocrites, particularly if they have had a loyal following for some time before making it ‘big’ and then begin to milk fans.

I don’t begrudge any artist the hope and/or possibility of making money from their art. I’d actually say (of myself) that I encourage it as I want to hear more new music, or in days gone past – hear/see artists live.

That’s said, I’m becoming increasingly irked, at those that claim they are victims of the music industry while creating ‘victims’ of fans.

Of course, any fan can choose not to engage with a particular artist and its wares. A fan can decide to buy just the CD rather than the signed CD with postcard, or the LP, or the LP with signed postcard or limited-edition vinyl in every colour of the rainbow – each colour limited to just 500 copies, challenging the very notion of ‘limited’.

The thing is, in my experience (based on my listening and buying preferences) it’s not just the majors that are involved in this rather shady practice but so-called independent bands, labels and record shops.

In recent years, much has been made of the impact of vinyl on the environment. The latest wheeze – eco and bio vinyl editions to meet ‘demand’. These, of course, can carry a premium. Bundles too have become absurd. Bands I name here I do so for illustrative purposes only, mostly to use up-to-date info. And so it is that Franz Ferdinand is releasing 11 versions off its new LP, The Human Fear. From Direct Download (£7.99) to Deluxe Bundle (£85) and all that lies between. I fail to see the need for these overblown bundles? Franz Ferdinand fans may disagree and may buy all 11.

Vinyl, is of course, an easy target given its prominence in all things independent but the ‘limited edition’ releases of CDs, books etc., can be disingenuous at best. A recent book release re: independent scene was trailed with ‘limited’ and ‘signed’. It sold out. Miraculously, it re-emerged just as limited and signed days later. Copies were plentiful.

Confession… I’m not sure I’ve ever streamed a song. I’m not even sure of the terminology? Does Bandcamp stream? I’ve bought stuff from it, but I don’t listen to music on it. Bands have been extremely vocal about certain sites, most notably Spotify, and its hold over the market and their income. Some time ago, some artists removed some or all of their music from Spotify – most have since added their ‘content’ again. It seems to me to be a most unhealthy relationship and one in which if the artist was living in the same house as Spotify, I’d urge the artist to leave, as the harm one day could prove fatal. There are many reasons why someone may collude with their abuser (may need to collude), however, I’m not clear on the rationale of moaning inaction. What purpose does it serve?

And so, we move to venues. Pay to play has long strangled creativity in Glasgow. I assume it could be a similar story elsewhere? It’s not new, but it is largely accepted. Again, I appreciate a venue has overheads and needs to make a profit, but as a business it is risk by definition. Venues are closing in increasing number (so the news informs me) and on some occasions I say, “good!”. That may be too candid, but it is how I’ve felt when certain announcements have been made; the press release reading as if the business offered it services free of charge to the ‘community’ and that the business itself was akin to a charity. No doubt there are supportive venues out there. Venues that seek profit, but not at any cost. Venues that understand the basic principle of making money at the bar rather than from a band making its live debut.

Next. Tickets companies. As most of us will know from the recent reunion of a certain band, it’s apparent that the band/artist when selling tickets via a specific platform can have clauses that not only set the ticket price but protect that ticket price. Despite this fact, many well-known artists with influence took to social media to claim they had “no control” – e.g., step forward the Manchester singer. This is/was clearly bollocks. Not wanting responsibility is rather different to having no control. No artist is a victim in this charade. As with release bundles, tickets can now be sold as bundles and independent bands are very much into this sordid practice. They go by many names but seem to largely coalesce under the banner of VIP. Recent VIP tickets of seemingly ‘independent’ bands that may, or may not, have included: access to soundchecks, photos with the band, signed merch, meet and greet the band, access to after-show and disco. I find it a tad much for these ’independent’ bands to attempt to take the moral high ground against Ticketmaster when they’re fleecing fans with Bundle tickets to cover the cost of their after-show party!?

I’ve no idea why I awoke with all of the jumbled in my head this morning. I hope it’s a less jumbled read? My motto: a morality sold cannot be moaned (clearly, I just made that up right now).

Now. To clean that cupboard. A moany gits life is full to the brim with such workaday pleasures.

flimflamfan

JC adds………

As you all hopefully are aware, I encourage the submission of guest articles, reviews and postings on any subject under the sun, as long as there is a musical connection of some sort.  FFF’s piece arrived last week, but it’s taken a few days for me to find the space to have it appear….and indeed, there’s a couple more guest offerings that have been submitted in recent times that have taken a while longer than is ideal to be readied for publication, but they will be here in due course.

FFF didn’t make any suggestion as to what song(s) should and will appear to accompany his piece.   I have just the one song on the hard drive with the word ‘greedy’ in its title.  Its title kind of feels appropriate today.

mp3: The Westfield Mining Disaster – Greedy Bastards, Save Your Souls!

Released in 2010 on the album Big Ideas From Small Places.

A guest contribution from Tim Badger

An Imaginary Compilation (Of Sorts) for the wife

This was supposed to be the B side to S-WC’s recent Imaginary Compilation on Carter USM. The journey home from Rochdale by the way was uneventful – nothing happened, there was no traffic jams, no arguments, no awful drinks stops at criminally unhygienic service stations. Nothing. It is kind of hard to write about how strangely normal it was.

The iPod on the way home gave us some fine tunes. The 11th track was ‘Kilamangiro’ by Babyshambles. This was an excellent choice, I am a massive Libertines/Doherty/Babyshambles fan – although to be honest I can take or leave his solo album. It was a close run thing as well as the 10th track was Elvis Costello.

mp3 : Babyshambles – Kilamangiro

So the next day when I got home I started to compile the Babyshambles album, I got to the end of the first side and then left it for a couple of days for the S-WC to add the tunes he wanted to it. He had until the weekend to decide whether he want ‘French Dog Blues’ or ‘Unbilotitled’ at the end. He will choose the latter and we both knew it but I humoured him.

It is now Saturday November 14th – the morning after Paris had woken up to the night before. Saturdays are usually a bit hectic in the Badger household. This morning is a but subdued as the shock settles in – normally I would go and do a run (Hi ‘Park Run Exeter’ if you are reading) and the wife does her thing. My wife is really into cycling – she runs an online cycle shop, maintains a cycle website and organises rides for keen enthusiasts. Today as it happens is the day of the Annual Dartmoor Bike Challenge. A bunch of them up on Dartmoor cycling between the western point to the easterly point, or something. It’s a long way.

mp3 : Mansun – Wide Open Space

I decide to meet S-WC in our favourite watering hole for a lunch time pint which would turn into three, after that my plan would be to fall asleep whilst watching repeats of The Big Bang Theory.

I’ll let you into a secret, S-WC and I are thinking of relaunching our blog, and we spend some time discussing this over a pint in the pub. We’ve had an idea called ‘One Song A Day’ – we are thinking of posting one song a day for a year (starting January 1st). There would be very few words on the blog, just a song chosen at random. Its work in progress I suppose and by progress I mean I’ve written down the words ‘One Song A Day’.

We are halfway into our second pint of Otter and are putting the finishing touches to the Babyshambles compilation at the end of side two – and I Told You!!!!!

mp3 : Babyshambles – Unbilotitled

We look at the compilation and then look at the television as news reports continue to show the disruption and chaos over in France and what we’ve done seems a little mundane and a little average and however hard we try it seems impossible to write about music right now.

Then my phone rings. It is George. George is a lady who helps my wife with the cycling stuff. She is crying. Shit. In fact double shit.

Man I hate hospitals. On reflection, that’s a silly thing to say. No one likes hospitals; they are full of sick people and illness. I’ve narrowly avoided three trolleys, two blokes walking round dragging a drip to their arms and a child carrying a huge ‘Get Well Soon’ balloon as I rushed from the car park to the ward (thanks S-WC for the high speed dash across town…).

mp3 : The Prodigy – Take Me to the Hospital

I see George and she rushes up to me and immediately starts crying and hugging me at the same time. On the phone earlier, George told me the story of what had happened. I’ll quote her directly here.

“It was the pony, I mean she saw the pony. She didn’t see the Landrover who was also avoiding the stupid fucking pony. It hit her full on and sent her and her bike flying over the hedge. Then the fucker drove off”. I kind of fell in love with George a bit at that point, she is 50 something church going spinster who I have never heard swear before. It dulled the shock. Guys, we got the blokes number plate, its alright. I’ll have him killed by the end of the month (for the benefit of the tapes and the Government – I won’t really).

mp3 : Swearin’ – Parts of Speech

Now, this being Dartmoor, the hedge was part wild thorny bush and part stone cob wall. She landed the other side of it, on her right leg and the bike came crashing down on top of her.

I braced myself as the doctor came over. He shakes my hand, never a good sign I find. He says some words which kind of go over my head. I hear ‘Unconscious’, I hear ‘Blood’ and I hear the word ‘Pelvis’. The rest sound like white noise. Ultimately she had a broken right leg and a fractured pelvis. Folks, I don’t know if any of you cycle, and I also don’t if any of you are stupid enough not to use one, but her cycle helmet almost certainly saved her from more serious injuries. I walked in the room.

The first thing that struck me was the blood.

mp3 : The Dears – Blood

I’m not squeamish at all but when it’s your nearest and dearest it’s horrific. I probably don’t need to tell you that. She is awake and obviously in a lot of pain. She has a bruise the size of Brighton on her right hand side and she can’t really move at the moment. But she is smiling. I realise that she is going to be ok when she asks me if “I’d taken the wood to the recycling centre”. No is the answer, but folks, I said yes.

mp3 : Passion Pit – I’ll Be Alright

The doctors, nurses, specialists, X Ray teams, the whole lot of them were fantastic, every single one of them is a credit to the our wonderful NHS, and whilst I shouldn’t get political on your asses, that is why, in England at least, you should all support the Junior Doctor Strikes. It’s also why we should lobby the government to remove that cretin Hunt from his position. Sorry. I’ve put the soap box away now.

The last week and a half have been pretty hard work, the wife needs constant looking after and help to get around, she didn’t want to sit in hospital – she wanted to come home. It was I think the Wednesday when I was sitting in the bedroom as she slept trying to write something about Babyshambles that I stumbled across this idea. I obviously need to make it ten songs, so the next three are for the wife. She does read this blog and I imagine that I should probably just tell her to her face, but she is everything to me, I adore her and am just so happy that she is ok.

The first two are songs that I know she loves by bands that she loves, the last one is from me to her. Thanks for reading this – if you have got this far – I apologise if I have gushed, or been soppy.

mp3 : The Horrors – Sea within A Sea
mp3 : Perfume Genius – Queen
mp3 : Caribou – Can’t Do Without You

Oh and this one is from S-WC……

mp3 : Hop Along – Waitress

Thanks for reading

TIM BADGER

JC adds…….

I’ve been in touch with Tim and I’m pleased to pass on the news that Mrs B is doing well and getting over what must have been an horrific experience.  Some of the songs within his own selection are personal faves of Mrs B and she seemingly does read this blog on occasion.

So here’ s to your continued speedy recovery….with some music to hopefully make you smile.

mp3 : Elvis Costello & The Attractions – Battered Old Bird

PS : I’m off on a 12-day holiday from tomorrow morning with Mrs Villain (Barbados since you ask…) but have cobbled together a few what I hope are reasonably entertaining postings in advance to keep things ticking over till I get back (including the ICA originally scheduled for today but shunted back to the middle of next week).  However, I’ll be unable to respond to any e-mails probably won’t drop in to respond to any comments you might leave in the interim.