#6

FOX TAVERN. Hi. Fox Tavern here. Today's edition is coming, more or less, live, from the 2001 bar The Bee and Seagull. To mark the occasion we'll be featuring videos and performances of the stuff I listened to and enjoyed in 2001. If you were hoping for Gomez or something, then you'd better leave the bar now.




FOX. Did ya like that? Mirwais was famous for a little while in 2000/2001 due to his production work on 'Music' by Madonna. OK, thanks for your messages regarding last episode's Patrick Bateman special. I'm sure we'll do similar literary themes in the future. Or not. We're still an exclusive show at the mo. Because, new visitors, you're actually supposed to watch the videos and not just read this stuff. It's been upgraded/updated for mobile devices too.  And the great thing about Autobahn 1 is that the archives are here, no need to set the VHS/VCR. OK, over to Jools Holland to introduce the next song.



FOX. I'm sure some of you pedants will say 'hang on Fox or Mr. Tavern...that wasn't from 2001...' well it don't matter! The songs and bands existed in 2001, and I, along with The Bee and Seagull are honouring a selection.  Now The Avalanches have been promising an album for around ten years. The latest news is that 2012 will see the release of their next album. Apparently they are getting samples cleared or something.  Erm...so yeah. This one is a classic, that I don't think I've heard since 2001.

FOX. This next track and video isn't from 2001, but the band came into prominence that year, round about then.  But I've selected this because I like the video. But I love most of their videos, you know, for Poor Leno and Eple. It's Royksopp. And this one. Really, this video is the seagull's beak. It's just ace.



FOX. Right in an age of sterility, here's a song and video about sterility. Ironic? Non!



FOX. Yet again, an amazing video. As you can tell from this, from Mirwais and from the next act, I listened to a lot of French disco/house music in those days. It had more panache and bite than much of the bland based rock of the early millennium. After all the future was then, wasn't it? Wasn't...it? Remember the millennium and all the bollocks and shit talking that took place around it? Ah, those were the days. Shit-talking continues to this day, 'fraid.



FOX. This was from the Discovery album. Certain editions contained a Daft Club card, which was kind of like a credit card but without any credit limit or indeed any shop (even the Daft Shop) that would take it. The album isn't bad and along with the animated film is kind of a curio. Still an amazing track however.

OK. I'm out of here. Well, I'm going to have a 2001 snack of Archers and pasta salad.

#5 'Patrick Bateman'

SMIRNOV. Hola. Welcome to this special edition of Autobahn 1. I'm in a thematic mood this week. I know what you're thinking. Is 'thematic' an actual mood? I don't have the answer for that. The theme I've chosen is Patrick Bateman. If you don't know who the hell Patrick Bateman is you'll be under the illusion that I've thrown together a few random yuppie-ish 80s/influenced videos for the hell of it. Even if you have, and you get the reference you'll still think I've cobbled together a few tunes that would go down well at The Dagmar in 1987 with loveable yuppie rapist, James Willmot-Brown. And you'd be wrong. In a way. First up, it's this iron lady.



SMIRNOV. Here's what Bateman has to say about the next act.

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.  Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. 






SMIRNOV. That one was featured in Miami Vice during a moody, driving at night scene for Don Johnson. Miami Vice was basically a 1980s pop video really. I like Michael Mann's style. Shame I can't afford it. Here's something fairly indulgent/pretentious/whatever.



Patrick Bateman: Do you like Huey Lewis and The News?
Paul Allen: They're OK.
Patrick Bateman: Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far much more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
Paul Allen: Hey Halberstram.
Patrick Bateman: Yes, Allen?
Paul Allen: Why are their copies of the style section all over the place, d-do you have a dog? A little chow or something?
Patrick Bateman: No, Allen.
Paul Allen: Is that a rain coat?
Patrick Bateman: Yes it is! In '87, Huey released this, Fore, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip to be Square", a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
[raises axe above head]
Patrick Bateman: Hey Paul!
[he bashes Allen in the head with the axe, and blood splatters over him]
Patrick Bateman: TRY GETTING A RESERVATION AT DORSIA NOW YOU FUCKING STUPID BASTARD! YOU, FUCKING BASTARD!
(Source. Brett Easton-Ellis)



SMIRNOV. Here's something pretentious. HURTS basically ripped the heart out of it and made it more vacant.



SMIRNOV. I prefer the tracks 'Buffalo Gals' and 'Waltz Darling.' OK more Bateman-esque vacancies...



I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip. (Brett Easton-Ellis, American Psycho)


Patrick Bateman: Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston had 4 number one singles on it? Did you know that, Christie?
Elizabeth: [laughing] You actually listen to Whitney Houston? You own a Whitney Houston CD? More than one?
Patrick Bateman: It's hard to choose a favorite among so many great tracks, but "The Greatest Love of All" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, Elizabeth, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message, crucial really. And it's beautifully stated on the album. (Source: American Psycho by Brett Easton-Ellis)



SMIRNOV. I always liked How Will I Know? myself. I think there's a version of the above song by Cannon and Ball. Oakey doke. That's all for now. Night, night.

#4

KEEKY. Hello friends...busy week. It's Manchester International Festival. Amazing. Saw Bjork's new show. Made my eyebrows rise. Our Icelandic diva has a new album out in September, called 'Biophillia'. It's supposed to feature all kinds of bells and whistles.  Her new video will be out in a couple of weeks/days. We'll probably put that up. For now here's a classic.



KEEKY. Now I've seen and met the next act a few times. Nice, intelligent lads, with much more to give. Actually many of the acts in this edition have kind of influenced them one way or the other. Watch this. Listen too. I have an email to answer from Smirnov Kool.



KEEKY. Before you ask Keeley Delshannon and Fox Tavern aren't with us today. They are working on the final preparations for Guilt Fest 3. We won't be broadcasting it but there'll be a report somewhere on the web no doubt.  In other news, Smirnov Kool is still tweaking the format of Autobahn 1. In its place a 'more balanced and level-headed approach'.  Right, an exclusive from Radiohead. Sort of.



KEEKY. Yeah! Kind of. Can't quite get into King Of Limbs but this track along with those tunes for Record Store day were more like it. Now another exclusive. Well not really. A rarity rather. And fast becoming a classic in its own field. It's Boards of Canada and if there is just one new album I can't wait for, out of every possible new album ever, it's got to be by these guys. No news from Warp or Hexagon Sun since 2006's 'Trans-Canada Highway' EP.



KKEKY. Beautiful. Monumental actually. Ass kissing over now. Don't want to sound like Zane Lowe, Jo Smiley-Whiley and that Kenickie Geordie doll. Right. Over to Bloc Party.



KEEKY. The next track I was going to select was 'Angel' but I couldn't resist this one. The band, Massive Attack.



KEEKY. That's all we have time for this week. Next time it'll be the Patrick Bateman Playlist Special or something like that. I'm going to leave you with Kraftwerrrkkk!