Charmaduke Duke
Supergroups...always a tricky proposition. On the one hand, it's nice to see musicians cross-fertilise ideas and try and break out of the limitations of their day job, on the other, just because Artist A is practically a genius in Band A, that doesn't mean his challenging work with the members of Bands B, C and F will be anywhere near as enjoyable for anyone outside of their immediate circle of friends. Too much algebra, you see.
Marmaduke Duke have no such problems, thankfully, as they exist merely to provide Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and JP Reid of Sucioperro the chance to get their pop jollies and have some fun. And seeing as fun is even more contagious than swine flu (contemporary satire! Whoo!), you'd have to be a hard-hearted killjoy to find fault with this particular collaboration.
So, given that they've just scored a sneaky Top 20 hit with 'Rubber Lover', here's what happened when JP (sorry, The Dragon) had a chat with Fearne & Reggie for this week's Chart Show.
Selected Quotes Include:
"I like to think me and [Beyonce] have a lot in common"
"I used to do a little dance for my girlfriend to Sisqo's 'The Thong Song'"
"It's a combination of Adam and the Ants with the two drummers, and Iron Maiden."
Plus there's a couple of excerpts from the band's recent barnstorming performance in the Live Lounge. And something about camels and meat snacks that has to be heard to be believed.
Here's the Top 40 in full
Download the Radio 1 Chart Show Podcast - With Fearne & Reggie
Or listen again to the entire show!
Comment number 1.
At 27th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:I have been playing this song for weeks .. I love it.... currently NUMBER 12 in the charts... a great pop song... it beat ALL Biffy chart placings apart from the number five hit "mountains "
Fraser.. I was looking forward to your review of the song.... hope it's not too late for you to do one....
Spirit.
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Comment number 2.
At 27th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:It's kind of late now, in that the song was out just after Easter, and - believe it or not - I do try and get the songs reviewed before they're in the shops.
What I will say is that the first couple of times I heard this on the radio, I became a little upset, because I assumed it was by Snow Patrol. It does sound a little Gary Lightbody in the vocal department, don't you agree?
The upset came from realising I would have to openly admit to liking a Snow Patrol song. Something I nearly did once (Set The Fire To The Third Bar), and I swore I would never do again.
...unless it's a really good song, obv. I'm not an idiot!
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Comment number 3.
At 27th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:But Simon sings in a faint Scottish accent....... and Gary is Irish ! And ok we have had a Snow Patrol song called "chocolate " , ( a little naughty ) but would they call a song "RUBBER LOVER " ?
ps Eyes Open is a superb album.. quality song writing !
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Comment number 4.
At 27th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Now you have settled back down in your red burgundy housecoat relaxing for the evening in Chartblog Towers.... an event happened today.....
The Enemy released "Music for the people" ... and without wishing to spread fear , espionage or swine flu in your Radio 1 domain... my tip for next weeks NUMBER ONE ALBUM is................oh hold on it could still be Lady Gaga......no I am going with your favourite band THE ENEMY !!!
Spirit.
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Comment number 5.
At 27th Apr 2009, CurtainJerker wrote:I'm from the same town as Simon Neil. I think I can see perhaps how you might think their singing voices could sound similarish. The accents become more distinct in their speaking voices I think - and even then, some Northern Irish and west coast Scottish accents have similarities.
Incidentally, I'm absolutely in favour of artists singing in their own accents (especially in rock music, or music where the singer is actually trying to be authentic in some way - as opposed to manufactured pop, where it probably matters less to me). I do think it's funny how some accents manifest themselves in music - I know Gary Lightbody's Northern Irish, and his singing voice is distinctive, but it doesn't sound that Irish to me.
Or Maximo Park and Futureheads - I know they're from Newcastle and Sunderland, and the singers' voices have something in common which is distinct from other voices, yet I never think they sound particularly northeastern. I'd say the same for the Zutons and Coral from Liverpool.
(I think this post qualifies as a stream of consciousness. Sorry everyone.)
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Comment number 6.
At 27th Apr 2009, Fraser McAlpine - wrote:I also think the beginning of Calvin Harris's latest - before it goes ravey - has The Sound Of Lightbody to it. And he's not Irish either.
Not that Biffy Clyro sound like Snow Patrol, it's partly to do with the whispered delivery, partly the folky melody in this song particularly, and yes, partly the broad similarities in the sung accent.
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Comment number 7.
At 27th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:You made brilliant points Curtains !
Our Velocity by Maximo Park and A certain Trigger are superb...... Hounds of Love byFutureheads ... one of the best covers ever ! love it !
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Comment number 8.
At 28th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Well we need a place for a stream of consciousness because I have something to share !
RADIO 1 just played EMPIRE of the sun - we are the people... have loved this song for 6 months.... PLEASE RADIO 1 get it on your playlist...it is superb !!!!
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Comment number 9.
At 30th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Surely it's only hours or days before the Empire Of The Sun review... I am so , so excited !!!!!
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Comment number 10.
At 30th Apr 2009, spirit wrote:Two interesting facts :
Marmaduke Duke - Rubber Lover is only 1 minute and 58 seconds long... still awesome though !!!
Empire of the sun - we are the people :
The video was shot in a Mexican desert.......... do not worry, Luke and Nick are fine . Its a great , great video.... well worth checking out........
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Comment number 11.
At 1st May 2009, spirit wrote:It must be close to Empire of the Sun time.......
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Comment number 12.
At 3rd May 2009, spirit wrote:Oh DARN IT ! The Enemy are number 2.... come on everyone... who saw the great Bob Dylan having the number one album a couple of weeks ago ?
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Comment number 13.
At 3rd May 2009, spirit wrote:Fraser ! How many copies of the Bob Dylan album did you buy to keep The Enemy off of NUMBER 1 ???????? lol
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Comment number 14.
At 3rd May 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:I wanna know who's still buying La Roux. Her voice does my head in..
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Comment number 15.
At 4th May 2009, spirit wrote:I am wondering that myself... I actually like her voice and the effects on it.. it gives it an other worldly vibe...but in some places it is far too high in the mix and sounds like it could start a riot in a dog's home or act as a referee's whistle in a raucous football match where the whistle needed to be heard.
My problem with the song is the backing music. It sounds so lazy and home made and something made on a Casio keyboard from the 80's. ( I know this is also appealing to some .)
There is no denying it is a catchy song with loads of melodic hooks and there is an excellent remix out there that I like because the backing music has been changed. Great, and this has stimulated sales..
She looks fantastic.. and the new single "Bulletproof " will also be a hit...
Why has it stayed around so long ?................ Catchy song... loads of melodic and lyrical hooks... striking lead singer... on the tip of the 80's wave..... and it probably appeals to most ages... anyone from 5 to whatever could like it.....
It's gonna be around for a while....
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Comment number 16.
At 22nd Jun 2009, bonrod wrote:Friends i'm alex from Puerto Rico. Excuse me if im in the wrong blog but I will like to know why does the rock chart has so many old songs from the 80's and the ninetees. Isnt it supposed to be about actual music? or is it the first time that this music comes to uk? i'm a chart freak looking for new music across the world and i found this in Uk how could it be? can anyone explain?
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