Musical Yoof to a not so Old Grey Whistler!

Funny isn't it, but whatever my mood, be it happy or sad, up or down or even just plain grumpy and fecked off.  Apart from writing there's only one thing that I can ever turn to, that without fail, is guaranteed to lift my mood. The relief and buzz of it may only be temporary, but just for that moment and in that precise moment it works for me. Some may use drugs, alcohol or cigarettes as their crutch and to lighten their mood or raise their spirits but for me it's so much more simple.. it's music!!

I love music, always have and probably always will. It is without doubt the single most wonderful thing I know. Lyrics that tickle your mind or stir your thoughts, words that give inspiration or invoke deep feelings of love or hate, happiness or frustration. Tunes and rhythm’s that pump your veins, stir your soul and make you want to dance, move or simply just smile. When I think about it, I love all types of music, from Indie, to Pop, from Drum and Bass to Jazz! The fact that my 'taste' dictates that I don't always listen to them all, doesn't actually detract from the fact that music is truly wonderful in any form and can inspire your mind and lift your spirits.

From an early age it's been like this, growing up in the seventies and with the advent of Punk, the Mod revival, the emegerence of New Wave! My first single was 'Into the Valley' by The Skids (well if you don't count, ‘Give a little whistle' by Jiminy Cricket), my first album 'Tonic for the Troops' by Boomtown Rats. Sundays spent clued to the Top 40, fingers poised over the casette player, ready to hit record and trying hard to avoid the DJ's intro. As a child I was educated to the sounds of Bowie during 'Art' lessons and saw The Jam and The Smiths live on countless occasions. I remember well, rushing home from the music shop (remember them, those real places where you actually bought vinyl?) to play Ian Dury's 'New Boots and Panties' and the look on my mum’s face when the stereo exploded with the words... 'arseholes, barstards, fuckin, cunts and pricks' ... so by fourteen, music was so etched upon and ingrained in my very being, that for me there can never be anything else quite like it. 

This love has never faded, although the recipients of my affections may have changed over the years, with many new beaus and suitors having shared their souls, cast a smile in my direction and a note in my ear. For most, as soon as they arrive, they are as quickly gone and only a few remain as long term friends. I know I've been blessed to listen, read and appreciate many modern day lyrical poets, albeit it there work is presented through music rather than book or scripture. But their potency and poignancy is as inspirational, emotive or controversial. Their words capture my mood; they reflect my thoughts and almost transcribe my life. In a single twist of words, or the painting of clever verbal imagery or even the twanging and jangling of chords do I feel at peace, removed to a nicer place and at one with my inner self! 

It's funny, but over the past couple of months I've been to a number of gigs, varying from those in huge vacuous clinical arena's, to old fashioned theatres and to the spit and sawdust and almost claustrophobic feel of small academies. I've been asked by people whether I think I'm a bit old for all this and whether I feel I should stop going, I mean, feck me, the cheek of it, after all I'm still only reasonably young and I even have my own teeth and hair? So occasionally I question myself momentarily, but then as soon as I do, I get in and any self doubt is erased and my conscience is again clear. For as the lights dim and the surge of the crowd begins, the crackle of the amps ignite and 'piss and beer' filled glasses are thrown upwards, crowd swaying, singing and bowing to the musical gods, I realise that there is indeed no other feeling quite like this.

So as I sit here today, or in fact any day and whether I feel happy or sad, lost or found, I know it doesn't matter really too much. I can turn on my music, find the right song and for a moment, that sweet moment, I'll be lost from the reality of daily life!

You know, I think it was Shakespeare that once said 'If music be the food of love.. play on' Well I guess he may have a point, but for me it's more than just that, no for me it's not just 'love' that music is the food of. No for me, instead it is my 'life' and my very soul that it feeds!


So ... Let the band play on!!