That's right. Pulp have recently announced that their Different Class and This is Hardcore-era line-up will reform for shows at the Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park and Primavera Sound in Barcelona. Excitingly (and I am trying not to squeal), they have hinted at more dates! What wonderful news to receive, and so apt for a band whose 1995 anthem 'Common People' spoke to my feelings and opinions on class as cogently then as it does now - perhaps even more so, as my views are freshly tested under the ConDem government and these austere times clearly demarcate the 'haves' from the 'haven'ts' ('I Spy', natch). 'If you called your Dad he could stop it all': the student slumming is over - now papa is helping with mortgages and self preservation whilst millions face job cuts and repossessions in the enormous moral vacuum otherwise known as Cameron's big society. This line could have foretold the future of some of my contemporaries.
What a raconteur Jarvis is. Pulp and the Manics were my idols; but unlike the Manics Jarvis told tales with an inbuilt humour and self-awareness, tongue in cheek and seedily sexy whilst creating an instantly recognisable world. But most importantly, 'Mis-Shapes' reassured me it was ok to be different in a world where all the girls my age dressed like members of the All Saints (remember them?) and fancied Damon Albarn.
I'm not the same angry 13 year old with dyed hair and a chip on my shoulder, I'm an angry 28 year old with what I hope is a considerably better haircut and what I know is a considerably bigger chip on my shoulder. And I still adore this band with all my heart. Please enjoy one of the finest pop videos of all time - my introduction to Pulp and to Jarvis, a man who spoke a language I was striving to articulate as a working class kid surrounded by privilege. Social commentary, sex and music, adorned in corduroy and polyester. Marvellous.
Appetite whetted? Visit the intriguing Pulp people for more.
Where's a 'like' button when you need it!
Posted by: Lou | November 14, 2010 at 07:52 PM