Not really a gig, but YOU WEREN'T THERE, MAN
Back in the 1980s, The Tube was the purveyor of all things cool and hip when it came to music. So when Jules Holland promised a major event in next week's show, us yoof were all agog. All through that week, on the trailers for the show he built it up: this band were the latest thing, the very apotheosis of cool. We would, apparently, be telling our grandchildren where we were when this band first appeared on the mighty Tube. So on the Friday night, we gathered around the screen like families watching the coronation in 1953. Finally, the moment arrived: cool was about to be redefined. The name of this mighty musical behemoth? Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

Christ they were shit. Vacuous corporate muzak, a marketing executive's idea of hip. Haircuts that were stupid even by the standards of the 1980s, which was going some. Lyrics that would have embarassed Aqua. Costumes like a fight in Anne Summers.

When the song finally finished, we cut back to Jules, who looked somewhat rattled. As far as I remember, in contrast to the week's build-up, he never mentioned the band ever again. They disappeared back into obscurity, to everyone's relief.

Still, we should not forget their one important achievement: as the timescale of fame shortened steadily over the years, they were the first band who managed to be fashionable for less time than it took to actually play their record.
(moon monkey is busy making memories worth repressing, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 16:42, 18 replies)

I
bought the album. I think it had adverts inbetween tracks.
(kitescreech still here, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:03, closed)

Love Missile F1-11 is on the Ferris Bueller soundtrack
which is nice if you like that sort of thing.
(magictorch, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:06, closed)

I prefer PWEI's version
but have a soft spot for 21st Century Boy. This is not a Savileism.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 31 Jul 2013, 20:06, closed)

Yup, the wankers thought they were in fucking Blade Runner

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:15, closed)

If you watch Siouxsie and the Banshees' Nocturne DVD
you can see their vocalist, the raving chutney Martin Degville, at the beginning, walking in. How about, fact fans????

Their bassist was London SS/Generation X/Carbon Silicon's Tony James. He is a tosser but has an otherwise credible CV.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:14, closed)

wow Monty that's really interesting

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:31, closed)

Wasn't he also shagging yoof tv producer & perma-shaded skag-hag Magenta de Vine at the time?
Just sayin'.
(sarcastic fringehead feet of clay, buns of steel, head of lettuce, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 18:51, closed)

I believe so

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 19:00, closed)

Then he has more than earned any number of moments in the spotlight.
If only for the lacerations her hip bones must have inflicted. Think he briefly played bass behind the Dark Midgesty Eldritch too.
(sarcastic fringehead feet of clay, buns of steel, head of lettuce, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 19:34, closed)

I quite liked her if I'm honest

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 19:37, closed)

One of them took one for the team by brushing Janet St Porter's teeth with his F1-11. He got a mention in dispatches in the NME, I imagine.
(Bum Bag Fashion Boy Burned a home made pizza on, Thu 1 Aug 2013, 6:14, closed)

He was also the bassist for the Sisters of Mercy around the 'Vision Thing' period.

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 31 Jul 2013, 20:04, closed)

My mate's mum hit Martin Degville over the head with a Bible at school

( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 17:37, closed)

I never picture you having "mates". Well done you.
(Bum Bag Fashion Boy Burned a home made pizza on, Thu 1 Aug 2013, 6:16, closed)

I'd rather you didn't picture me at all
But if you have to, picture me fucking your mum
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Thu 1 Aug 2013, 10:12, closed)

Oh for God's sake SHUT UP

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Thu 1 Aug 2013, 14:47, closed)

Or, if you're one of those sad, deadbeat fucks who's completely obsessed with me
why not respond to my every post, despite the fact that I'm ignoring you?
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Thu 1 Aug 2013, 16:05, closed)

I saw this band play a couple of times - their first outing was a kind of practice gig at The Riverside Club down in Fetcham at the fag end of the suburban commuter line - I went along because it was advertised as Tony James' new band with Mick Jones on the mixing desk. To their credit, they we're a refreshing shock. Not brilliant, but they were something different from The Housemartins and other twee dullards choking up the music industry at the time. The second time I saw them was at one of the Screen on the Greens. It struck me then that they were far more about PR & crafty marketing than grooves. I vividly remember the look of bemusement on the majority of punters faces. That was the point I'd had enough myself.
(J H Christ began in Afrika ka ka ka ka, Wed 31 Jul 2013, 23:44, closed)