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Matthew Seligman, 1955-2020

Very sad news indeed today to read of the death of Matthew Seligman. Bass player par excellence, so many great records in my collection that he plays on – Thomas Dolby, Peter Murphy, Snail and many more – and of course, The Soft Boys. Sadly, a victim of COVID-19, the disease that the current sham of a UK government seem incapable of managing without putting so many in harms way.

If you are not familiar with Matthew there is fine obituary on Slicing Up Eyeballs.

The photo below is one I took back in 2005 on a hot August night in a cramped rehearsal studio for his then band Snail (Matthew, Jon Klein, Chris Bell), during a video shoot.

Such a sad loss, RIP Matthew.

Matthew Seligman and Snail, Shepherds Bush Rehearsal Studio, August 2005
^ Matthew Seligman and Snail, Shepherds Bush Rehearsal Studio, August 2005.
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Side by side: Wire – ‘Silk Skin Paws’ UK 7″, 12″ and CD singles (Mute, MUTE 84, 12 MUTE 84, CD MUTE 84, 1988)

Lifted as the second single to promote the band’s 1988 ‘A Bell Is A Cup (Until It Is Struck)’ album, the opening track ‘Silk Skin Paws’ was remixed for 12″ and 7″, with a ‘Filofax’ format 3″ CD single along for the ride for added ’80s gimmickry.*

Wire - Silk Skin Paws - UK CD, 7" and 12" singles front covers
Wire – Silk Skin Paws – UK CD, 7″ and 12″ singles front covers

Continue reading “Side by side: Wire – ‘Silk Skin Paws’ UK 7″, 12″ and CD singles (Mute, MUTE 84, 12 MUTE 84, CD MUTE 84, 1988)”

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The Graphic Language of Neville Brody book (with a Cabaret Voltaire focus…)

As charity shop finds go, this was my best one in a while. The edges a little discoloured, fair enough… but for the price, no complaints. Neville Brody’s work has spoken for itself for many decades now and this book, dating from 1988 (there are later editions too) is an excellent display of his craft and thoughts, some of which are recounted below. Inevitably, I’ve focussed on the Cabaret Voltaire element for this post, but the book obviously covers in fine detail the broad scope of the man’s work up till the 1988 publication period in this case.

The Graphic Language of Neville Brody book
^ The Graphic Language of Neville Brody book

Continue reading “The Graphic Language of Neville Brody book (with a Cabaret Voltaire focus…)”

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Gary Numan ’80/81′ Box Set – Discs 1 and 2: ‘Telekon’ (Vinyl 180, VIN180LP038, 2011)

We return once more to the intriguing story of the variations to Gary Numan’s ‘Telekon’ album in this post, by way of the lavish and unique ‘80/81’ box set from November 2011. I found this a quite tempting release at the time for reasons I can’t quite recall now, other than it was a pre-Christmas treat to myself – well, why wouldn’t you?!

The Box

Packaged in a sturdy, matt-silk finish black box with the familiar double red ‘Telekon’ bars, the 80/81 title is picked out in high-gloss spot varnish. May all be either tasteful high-tech minimalism or just a bit too plain for some, depending on your taste.

Gary Numan '80/81' Box Set - front
^ Gary Numan ’80/81′ Box Set – front

Continue reading “Gary Numan ’80/81′ Box Set – Discs 1 and 2: ‘Telekon’ (Vinyl 180, VIN180LP038, 2011)”