the UK home for americana music
So for the past couple of weeks we have been considering notions of ‘democracy’ and in this latest instalment of ‘PPP’ we are going to further postulate on the idea of ‘rule’ (cracy) by the ‘people’ (demos). This time we are struck by vagaries of the US presidential election system and just exactly how that thing works. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians “The President””
This week – once again – we are riffing on the broad theme of ‘democracy’ and how it manifests itself. We thought that this time around we’d look at how it’s done in America since we have a passing interest in things American (the clue is in the title). Now, we thought we knew a bit about their process here in the UK (the clue is in the title) but it really does bear closer examination if only to marvel at the intricacies of the thing. The “Youknaghted Staytes of Uhmerica” (said in our best/worst drawl) is a republic. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Drive By Truckers “Surrender Under Protest””
Well that, in a sense, is that. As you read this piece you will either be preparing for the party of your lives or hiding in your metaphorical beds hoping it will all just be a bad dream and you will be free of the torment when you wake up. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Ralph McTell “England””
So we’ve all pretty much had our fill of elections and the debates surrounding them I guess. Our own election for the position of Editor went flawlessly as usual whilst the UK General Election just went (at least from one side of the barricades). So we’re supposing that unless you have a stake in it the Reds leadership election is probably passing you by. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Richmond Fontaine “Post To Wire””
So after hibernating over the ‘festive’ period we here at Americana-UK Towers are back up and running and ready for anything. Eagle-eyed viewers will note that most of my colleagues have already returned to the fray but I offered to take out the empties from down here in The Bunker and there were an awful lot of them. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Ned Miller “From A Jack To A King””
“Come you masters of war you that build the big guns, You that build the death planes, You that build all the bombs, You that hide behind walls, You that hide behind desks. I just want you to know I can see through your masks.” As the drumbeats grow louder again. FFS.
Friends, readers, colleagues! Rejoice! AUK have held our election for the position of The Editor and we are supremely proud to announce that – for the nth year running – The Editor has pulled off a triumphant victory and we are beside ourselves with delight. As we have said before his was the only name on the ballot paper but that matters not a jot. He won. Get over it. Don’t even think about taking to the streets in protest. It’s the natural order of things. What the fuck are you thinking??? Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Robert Wyatt “At Last I Am Free””
This is for anyone who’s suffered over the last nine years, can barely contain the pain and grief of last night and is in fear of what the next five have in store. In all seriousness, if you’re at the end of your tether and you need someone to talk to, remember you can call Samaritans on 116 123. Remember too that nothing changes – we are still here for one another, and one day we’ll beat the fuckers. As Tony Benn said: “There’s no final victory. And there’s no final defeat.”
Our Americana-UK election – a sort of microcosm of the country at large’s descent into folly – is going swimmingly and as the big day approaches we become more half-arsed about it by the minute…er…sorry that should read ‘we become more engaged with it by the second’. I suppose we should be grateful that existing in our own little bubble as we do we aren’t subjected to the daily torrent of lies, obfuscation and cant from the majority of those up for election and that the smears, character assassinations and foaming-mouth scare stories from the (billionaire right wing-owned) press have little effect on us. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Jack Greene “Statue of a Fool””
Mirroring the country at large our own election process is in full swing as you know and the position of Editorship is up for grabs. We have had the ballot papers printed – featuring just the one name obviously – and we have been having a fulsome and detailed hustings. Unfortunately The Editor was unable to attend citing reasons of utter apathy but we like to think that we carried the torch in his absence and that our democratic process is going swimmingly. So swimmingly that we have decided to let you, our dear reader, have a vote or votes of your own. You can’t vote for The Editorship but you can let your feelings be known about other stuff that has happened this year by heading over to our Official Best Of Year page. Continue reading “Pick of the Political Pops: Big Star “Don’t Lie To Me””