Mojo Magazine and CD: I Love NY Punk

The November Mojo includes interviews with Eric Clapton ("his most revealing interview ever"), Robert Wyatt ("beatnik, agitator, king of the rock underground"; he's also "rock's reluctant Mr. Nice Guy"), and Depeche Mode.

Dave Gahan quotes Ben Hillier, who produced Playing the Angel as saying, "We're by far the weirdest band he's ever worked with." The band members asked to be interviewed separately, and they are not all sunshine and lollipops when discussing each-other. Gahan's new role contributing lyrics on Playing the Angel is one bone of contention. Martin Gore says, "I didn't think it was right that after 25 years he should step in and write 50 per cent of the songs." Gore also didn't take kindly to some of the statements Gahan made while promoting his solo album... something about feeling like a "puppet" and comparing Gore to a dictator. Meanwhile, Gahan does an impersonation of Gore speaking in a "pinched, E.L. Wisty-type voice," saying, "I think it's very hard for Depeche Mode fans to take this." Gahan says, "I was like, 'Bull-shit!'"

The interviews cover the history of the band, with particular focus paid to Gahan's drug addiction. The group has had more than its share of trials and tribulations, and obviously still has some conflicts. Gore's conclusion is that they've been together this long, so they must be doing something right. "Perhaps we're just a really good band..."

The Ramones are on the cover of Mojo. Inside, a history of the band. I love the Ramones, but oh God, it's raining, and it's massive thunderstorms yet again... hoping to get this post through before a possible loss of power. Moving along... The punk theme continues with a piece on the 50 Greatest US Punk Tracks... which I'll devote a separate post to, with some of the songs, today or tomorrow...

Mojo's CD this month is called I Love NY Punk.

From the liner notes:

In effect, the word "punk" fits New York perfectly. Away from the glitz, the neon, and the yuppification of Manhattan, the city itself has always possessed an underbelly populated by those too warped to be accepted but too creative to be ignored. Outsiders that refuse to conform but whose voices need to be heard.

This collection of music is full of those kind of voices. It has not been compiled to reflect a particular time-frame but to reflect a certain street-wise attitude that radiates from those touched by New York's unique energy. Granted, not all of the acts here hail directly from New York (yeah, yeah, we know Bad Brains are from 'DC... etc etc), but all of them have been stained by the Bowery's sweat and spirit.

The compilation is dedicated to Hilly Kristal and CBGB's and they ask us to visit savecbgb.org.

Mojo: I Love New York Punk Track Listing:

1. MP3:The New York Dolls - Trash (from New York Dolls)
2. Wayne County and the Electric Chairs - Fuck Off
3. MP3:Blondie - Rip Her to Shreds (live) (from Live By Request)
4. MP3:Mink Deville - She's So Tough (from Cadillac Walk - The... Collection)
5. Richard Hell - Going Going Gone
6. MP3:The Real Kids - All Kindsa Girls (from The Real Kids)
7. Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers - Chinese Rocks
8. Bush Tetras - Cowboys in Africa
9. Destroy All Monsters - Bored
10. Suicide - Keep Your Dreams (live)
11. The Dictators - The Next Big Thing
12. MP3:Television - See No Evil (from The Blow-Up)
13. Bad Brains - Sailin' On
14. The Stimulators - Loud and Fast Rules
15. James Chance and the Contortions - King Heroin