Im letzten Jahr konnte die britische Pop-Band Saint Etienne ihr 30. Bandjubiläum feiern – und das gerade erschienene 11. Studioalbum hat in Großbritannien mit #14 die höchste Chartplatzierung seit ihrer Platte “Tiger Bay” 1994 eingefahren.

Saint Etienne bewegen sich seit Beginn zwischen den Polen Indie-Pop und Dancefloor, schauten dazwischen aber auch immer wieder in der Easy Listening Lounge für einen kleinen Cocktail vorbei. Die Times beschrieb diese eigentümliche Mischung treffend mit “Saint Etienne fused the grooviness of Swinging Sixties London with a post-acid house backbeat”.

Mein großer Liebling aus der Bandgeschichte ist immer noch “Heart Failed (In The Back Of A Taxi)” von 2000, das einen ähnlichen Vibe versprühte wie Miss Kittins Electroclash-Pop-Songs aus den folgenden Jahren:

Die Favourite Records sind diesmal besonders interessant, da Bob Stanley in seinem Nebenjob als Musikjournalist und Buchautor “Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop” veröffentlichte, einen dicken Wälzer zur Geschichte der Popkultur. Maximales Expertentum diese Woche am Start!

* Your three favourite Punk singles/songs?

Bob:

ANARCHY IN THE UK – SEX PISTOLS

HOW MUCH LONGER – ALTERNATIVE TV

BOREDOM – BUZZCOCKS

Pete:

Identity – xray spex

Zerox – adam & the ants

New Rose – the Damned

* A record that will make you dance?

Bob:
MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE – ISLEY BROTHERS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9buqnprk3KY

Pete:
Gimme me your love – sisters love

* Your favourite song lyrics?

Bob:
“Sometimes I don’t know what I said till I did,
I want to be the father of your kid.” HOUSE OF JANSCH – DONOVAN

Pete:
“Of a runaway American dream
At night, we ride through mansions of glory
In suicide machines”
(plus the rest)
Born to run – bruce springsteen

* The best “new” artist / band right now?

Bob:

GURGLES:
PROG BEACH BOYS

Pete:

Falle nioke – has a great voice and works with top producers like ghost culture who combine traditional sounds with modern electronics

* Your opinion on Morrissey?

Bob:
TALENTED RACIST ARSEHOLE

Pete:
Loved him up to viva hate, then lost interest, seems to have become a nigel farage like caricature

* Pet Shop Boys, New Order or Depeche Mode – which one do you prefer and why?

Bob:
PET SHOP BOYS, BECAUSE THEY PUT CHE GUEVARA AND DEBUSSY TO A DISCO BEAT

Pete:
Maybe new order for soundtracking my teenage years

* Your favourite song about rebellion/revolution?

Bob:
THORNEYMOOR WOODS – ANNE BRIGGS

Pete:
The revolution will not be televised – gil scott-heron

* Your favourite song this year so far?

Bob:
THE PRINCESS AND THE CLOCK – KERO KERO BONITO

Pete:
Little simz – I love you I hate you

* Your favourite movie about music – and why?

Bob:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE FABULOUS STAINS

Pete:
Current fave is Summer of Soul, was in really good frame of mind when I watched it, amazing performances, glad the footage has been given an airing

* The most overrated band/artist?

Bob:
QUEEN

Pete:
I really like them but don’t get why the Ramones are so revered

* The best song you’ve ever written / recorded?

Bob:
AVENUE

Pete:
Like a motorway

* Your favourite german song/record?

Bob:
A MORNING EXCUSE – AMON DUUL II

Pete:
Can – Future Days

* Your favourite record of all time?

Bob:
WICHITA LINEMAN – GLEN CAMPBELL

Das neue Saint Etienne Album “I’ve Been Trying To Tell You” ist gerade erschienen.