Dragon!

[zotz]

This has been my favourite Sugarcubes song since it was on the old Potterrow jukebox (second best jukebox in Scotland - almost official) on the B-side of Coldsweat. My friend Alan used to put it on because nobody else knew what it was - I used to put on This Mortal Coil's version of Sixteen Days for the same reason. One of the endearing idiosyncracies of this particular jukebox was that it didn't show what track it was playing, which made it an entertaining game finding out what some of the more obscure songs were just from hearing them. Both the above tracks have the advantage (from this point of view) of sounding nothing like their A-sides. You'd hear everything on the machine eventually if you hung around long enough (and we used to hang around there a lot) because it would play a random track when it was bored. Hence the figuring-out. I worked out Sixteen Days when I accidentally played it once instead of the B-side of the next single over.

Anyway, having decided to see whether anyone's transcribed and translated the lyrics from Icelandic - a fool's errand, surely, if ever there was one - I find that, wonderfully, someone has. Triffic! And it's not actually about a dragon, either. It's about having a helicopter-gunship. Isn't it great when life turns out even cooler than you'd thought?

If you haven't heard this song, incidentally, I heartily recommend it. It doesn't sound like the famous 'Cubes songs - it's more like Art Phag or a more deliberate NoMeansNo (not that either of those are particularly close). Lead bass and Einar screaming. What else could anyone want?

I've also got (via Emusic) an album by The Hope Blister, Ivo's post-TMC covers project with a fixed lineup. The first track has only just started, but I'll keep you posted.

Also, for the benefit of anyone who doesn't read mickmercer's LJ, there's this book online by the Pistol's original producer and soundman, Dave Goodman. Fascinating stuff, with loads of interesting inside dope and anecdotes about their performances, recordings and life generally. And about the Blue Post's unsuspected (by me, anyway) crucial role in punk history.

I was also quite pleased to read that some bright spark has managed to persuade stem cells to become spinal (alpha-?)motor neurons. Only in vitro, but it's a good start. This whole stem-cell thing might yet get somewhere.

Comments

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

The Hope Blister sparked my interest about five years ago as a not-as-good-as-the-original This Mortal Coil. Never thought I'd ever find someone doing a Cranes cover song.

Very interested to know what you think.

[zotz]

I've only listened to it once, but it didn't grab me as much as TMC. Not at all bad, though, and being able to make out the words of a Cranes song easily was a bit odd, particularly as in this case they're really very . . . grown-up. It might make the original a distinctly odder listen - I should find out soon.

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

Heheh. Absolutely.

:)

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

What was the best jukebox in Scotland then?

I know Sixteen Days, or at least I think I do. I know I have it on tape.

[zotz]

We always used to claim that it was the one in Sneaky Pete's, down on the Cowgate. Certainly it was the best one any of us knew of, including those who'd lived elsewhere in Scotland (not that that's conclusive, of course).

Incidentally, someone's just claimed over on imomus' LJ that there are rumours Devoto will have a version of Magazine performing at a future All Tomorrow's Parties. Of course, a rumour you see online is even less reliable than a rumour you hear down the pub.

[zoo-music-girl.livejournal.com]

The one in the Biko Bar, before they got a CD jukebox, was brilliant.

Re: ATP. Interesting. Can I bear to stay in a holiday camp for Magazine if it's true? I see Lydia is playing the upcoming one, but I'm not particularly tempted.

[zotz]

It was certainly extremely good according to my memores of the only time I was there, but I'm sure some of the people we talked to about Sneaky's had been there moderately regularly. The Potterrow one was more just boasting than well-researched, although it would probably be true to say that only SAneaky's had a better one in Edinburgh.

Can I bear to stay in a holiday camp for Magazine if it's true?

Or would you rather pay for part of a chalet and then find a nearby B&B?

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Or would you rather pay for part of a chalet and then find a nearby B&B?

That sounds like the more sensible solution, but I rarely have that kind of money.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

The songs that most remind me of that jukebox are Big and Why Can't I Touch It?

[zotz]

I wonder how complete a list we could make. Probably not very, after all this time.

I knew I had it somewhere

[rhubarbfool.livejournal.com]

Dragon is also on the US CD version of Life's Too Good (along with another song in icelandic Cat).