The Human League
Features
Schoolgirls out dancing are not advised to respond to advances from strange men sporting lopsided haircuts and full makeup. However, when Philip Oakey recruited 17-year-olds Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall in Sheffield's Crazy Daisy nightclub in 1980, the resulting Human League lineup produced one of the most influential albums ever, 1981's Dare. "One day, all music will be made like this," the music press said of the League's synthesiser-only sound; here, Oakey explains they wanted to do something "that wasn't based in rock". With that sound still reverberating through acts from Ladytron to Calvin Harris, the band are replicating their masterpiece.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: December 05, 2007
Jeff Beck
Features
It is dinner time in Soho, but Ronnie's seems set for a fusion version of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Stage right, lips pursed over his keyboards, is the Dormouse-like Jason Rebello.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: December 05, 2007
How a boy who loves his mum became the coolest man in rock
Features
'I don't feel that different. I've no swagger in my walk." Frank Carter is on the phone from Holland. "I think it's Holland," he adds, worriedly. On Tuesday he was at Battersea power station recording a television show. The day before he was in Japan. Yesterday he was crowned the coolest man in rock'n'roll in the NME's annual Cool List (previous incumbents: Beth Ditto, Pete Doherty and Alex Turner). Every-thing is a bit of a blur. Carter sighs. "The coolest man in rock is not that cool when he's not had any sleep."
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: November 09, 2007
Lady luck
Features
Ask Sally Hawkins anything about her life, and she'll tell you how lucky she is.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: April 18, 2008
The three stages of Kristin
Features
For someone who wouldn't drop her guard if her life depended on it, Kristin Scott Thomas is fun to be around.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: August 02, 2007
Wild child
Features
It's difficult to spend a long time with Asia Argento without getting onto the subject of families.
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Date Published: July 27, 2007
