Author Archives: John S

Unknown's avatar

About John S

I'm blogging about the things I love: music, sport, culture, London, with some photos to illustrate aspects of our wonderful city. I’ve written a novel called “The Decision”, a futuristic political thriller, and first of a trilogy. I’m also the author of a book on music since the 1970s called “ I Was There - A Musical Journey” and a volume of poetry about youth, “Growin’ Up - Snapshots/ Fragments”. All available on Amazon and Kindle.

Mark.E.Smith of the Fall

Posted on January 24, 2018 by John S

It was announced tonight that Mark.E.Smith, the leader of the Fall, had died, age 60. The person who told me was Marc Riley on BBC 6 Music, who had actually been in the Fall in their early days. He got … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries

Posted on January 19, 2018 by John S

I was sad to hear of the death, at such an early age, of Dolores O’Riordan this week. The reports in the Guardian suggested that she had had quite a troubled life. But, in their heyday, the Cranberries, for whom … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Sportsthoughts (161). Premier League 2017-18 predictions – half time report

Posted on January 6, 2018 by John S

So, the mad Christmas/ New Year fixture pile up is over, managers have had their moan about the strains it puts on the players (they have a point) and attention turns, briefly, to the FA Cup, where most Premier League … Continue reading →

Posted in Sportsthoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Have You Heard? – (86) “Alternative Facts” by Mush

Posted on January 6, 2018 by John S

Mush are a slacker indie band from Leeds. I don’t know a lot about them, except that when I first heard “Alternative Facts” on Marc Riley a few months ago, I was immediately captivated, both by the ridiculously catchy riff … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

lovelondonscenes 140 – An Urban Sunset

Posted on January 4, 2018 by John S

I took these photos  on a Sunday in late November in Northfields, where I live. It had been one of those sunny, cold, crisp days, and a decent sunset was nailed on, looking west. This is what I saw.  

Posted in London, Photos - lovelondonscenes | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Have you Heard? – (85) “Honey” by Pumarosa

Posted on January 2, 2018 by John S

As we move into the new year, this is the tune I’m loving most. Pumarosa are quite a new band. They are great live. I saw them at Village Underground in Shoreditch in 2016 and Latitude before that. Singer Isabel … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A soundtrack for the New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2018 by John S

A happy New Year to you all. Hope 2018 is a good one for you. And let’s hope some sanity returns to politics. I rustled this playlist up on Spotify for a bit of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

2017 – A Year in Music

Posted on December 24, 2017 by John S

I say the same about every year – it’s been brilliant. Because every year is briiliant. You read all this stuff about indie, for example, going through a rubbish time. But if you actually listen to it, listen to BBC … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Honeyblood at the Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 19 December 2017

Posted on December 20, 2017 by John S

If you’ve read my top ten albums of the year, and any number of other blogs, you’ll know that Honeyblood are my favourite new band. Actually they’ve been going for a while, but their second album, “Babes Never Die” has … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - concerts, lists, reflections | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My Top Ten Albums of 2017

Posted on December 11, 2017 by John S

Another great year of music, but actually quite an easy one in which to pick my top ten. They are just the ones I’ve played most. Just recently I’ve been trying to catch up with albums I’ve missed, either through … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Top Tens | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments