Rock
Metal
Industrial
Jazz
Funk
Folk
Classical
Absolutely loads of stuff
WTF are all these cross genres nowadays?!
I realise this list is a little lacking... so for want of regurgitating every band in the universe, I have decided to share some of the music that shaped my life:
I grew up with Toyah, Kate Bush, Michael Jackson, The Bangles and Madonna. I'm running up that hill and I'm gonna turn this world inside out -- time, it goes so fast when you're having fun. I hear you call my name and it feels like... My cat is called Ben.
In 1990, when I was 10, I discovered Queen and Freddie Mercury. I was 11 when Freddie died; I carried a screw around in my pencil-tin at school for over a year. I swore it was his reincarnation and no body argued with me. I sing "I Want to Break Free" when I do the hoovering.
In 1992 or 93 my brother got the first Prodigy album... We all know that EVERYTHING older brothers do is cool but I had never heard anything like it in my life... I'll take your brain to another dimension but Charly says always tell your mummy before you go off somewhere.
The same year I was given The Levellers and The Lemonheads on tape for my birthday. They were on continuous play for a very, very long time... I've got it on, your favourite Tee, it never looked as good on you as it looks on me -- so rain on me come pouring down, clean the dirt off this old town... Tell the sun to come around and show his face on Hope street.
1994 saw my exploration of Rave. Dizstruxshon was my new black and I bought tapes that no one had ever heard of from the back, left corner of an independent record shop. I went to Howden; I knew every word the MCs blurted. Billy Bunter, Natz, M-zone and Robbie E -- I salute you.
1995 had me swimming in to the world of Nirvana and Weezer. I think I may have even had a little indie phase... If you want to destroy my sweater, pull this thread as I walk away 'cos I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks.
In 1996 I discovered The Red Hot Chili Peppers -- and we love the oldskool 80's Chilis, I hasten to add. I swore blind that ONE DAY I would own a black Stingray and learn to slap it like a mofo... I bought my first guitar and learned 'Under the Bridge'. The day I passed Topshop and heard All Saints version spewing forth was very nearly the day the music died.
In 1997 I was sent a NIN song by a friend on my computer. It took bloody ages because I had a 28.8k modem. That song was 'Hurt' and worth every minute of the wait... That same friend went on to post me several NIN tapes and upon hearing 'Something I Can Never Have,' I knew my world had changed forever. I still can't get over Trent's lyrics.
Also included in the tapes were Marilyn Manson and Metallica... I bought my first electric guitar and learned to play 'Nothing Else Matters'. Manson's cover of 'Sweet Dreams' saw me wearing tights on my head with tennis balls in the feet -- and swinging them around wildly whilst eating tinned tomatoes from someone's chest -- for a performance piece in college.
In 2001 or so I heard a song at a local alternative club night. That song was 'Killing in the Name' by Rage Against the Machine... and I remember that moment like a slow motion video. I danced like that idiot who doesn't know the song and loved every second of it. RATM swiftly became staple diet.
Ahh but wait! I'm forgetting the HUGE selection of music my granddad played to me (his beloved records which I am very pleased to say, I inherited). Lots of classical; Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 will always be a favourite. What about that Mantovani eh? Glenn Miller, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Tony Bennett and Ol' Blue eyes... That man had great taste. Yes he did.
There are many other bands that have touched my life and I'm sure many more to come -- but no matter how great the music, it's never quite the same as when you're young, is it?
Oh, and the best bass line in the world? 'Standy by Me' by Ben E. King. Don't argue! You KNOW it's right =P
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