Helen - as someone who wasn't lucky enough to get to Urbis, I wanted to say your account's much appreciated. Thanks a bunch. A mate of mine went and has sent me some great close-up piccies of Devoto, taken during the signing sesh. I've been reading the excellent 'Punk Diary', by George Gimarc (new edition on Amazon now), which contains, among much outstanding stuff, a segment of an October 1977 Devoto interview with Paul Morley prior to Magazine's 'first full-length gig', a benefit for the Manchester Review at Rafters in Manchester. 'I'm not stupid and I refuse to pretend to be,' Devoto told the NME man. 'Somebody said I'm smart, well-read and well-groomed. What e.e. cummings called an intelligentleman ... I deal in ideals and the effects of ideas. That's a real distinction. I'm not going to tell you what the ideas are right now, but I'll give you a clue. The last place to look for them is in the songs.'

I'd fly from the States for a Helen and S-G night at Urbis, though, as I continue on with 'Punk Diary', the undercard should be John Lydon and Malcolm McClaren.

TIS REICH NOT RACH HELEN AS IN STEVE REICH

maybe Howard is a Catterick fan (Vic Reeves' tv programme with music by Jeff Beck) - but then again... maybe he puts on Hi Ho Silver Lining to get in the party mood

i have it on extremely good authority that 'Birdy Song' is Howard's favorite. It inspired Under the Floorboards, and Back to Nature (i'm not sure why)

i have it on extremely good authority that 'Birdy Song' is Howard's favorite. It inspired Under the Floorboards, and Back to Nature (i'm not sure why)

BECK TO NATURE?

'I'm not stupid and I refuse to pretend to be,' Devoto told the NME man. 'Somebody said I'm smart, well-read and well-groomed. What e.e. cummings called an intelligentleman ... I deal in ideals and the effects of ideas. That's a real distinction. I'm not going to tell you what the ideas are right now, but I'll give you a clue. The last place to look for them is in the songs.' What arrogance! I suppose we had to look into Samuel Beckett's sandwich box......but it proved to be as empty as Howard's words which masqueraded as art as did his receding hairline!!! Check out Jacques Derrida for an example of the true 'intelligentleman' and beware ye of ye false prophets......

To Dave Candler - it was a pleasure to write and you are very welcome! To Nameless - no comment....

Oh maybe one comment -Rachmaninov......