Sex, Food, Death ... and Robyn Hitchcock
English singer/songwriter Robyn Hitchcock is not stuck in the 80s, though his work with his band The Egyptians during those heady years is worthy of praise decades later.
Rather, Hitchcock's career now spans more than 30 years, from the early days of 1976 with The Soft Boys to his current projects involving long-time friends Nick Lowe, John Paul Jones, Peter Buck and others.
Finally, there's a DVD out there that shines a brighter spotlight on the dark but mischievous Hitchcock and his music. "Sex, Food, Death ... and Insects" debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and has now found its way to home disc.
The documentary follows Hitchcock recording a new album at his London home, followed by performances in New Jersey and Seattle. Click here to see a trailer. And click here to see an interview with Hitchcock from the Sundance Channel.
[Photo from www.robynhitchcock.com]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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LOVE "Madonna of the Wasps" -- and it's been way too long since I listened to any of these tunes. Great reminder.
Posted by: jane | May 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Played a lot of Perspex Island back in the day. Good stuff. And Balloon Man.
First a Tom Waits sighting, and now this...are you going all alt-rock on us Spearsy?? I vote...More!!
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | May 17, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I second Douglas' suggestion... more alt rock/college radio-type music is always a good thing.
Posted by: jane | May 17, 2008 at 11:39 PM
For the record, I'm totally alt-rock. Daly's the mainstream guy!
My favorite 80s bands were all a little on the obscure side.
Posted by: Spears | May 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I'm totally watching the documentary at this moment. Sometimes Comcast On Demand is my friend.
Truly amazing how the songs come together. The various musicians just ride the wave and create this phenomenal sound.
Posted by: Marissa | May 18, 2008 at 04:33 PM
So You Think You're In Love was from 1991.
Posted by: Bassnote | May 18, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Seeing Robyn Hitchcock live is still a highlight of my "leaving the house" days.
He was more like a traveling bard than a musician, with amusing stories and witty jokes. Great, great performance.
Posted by: Dave | May 19, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I Often Dream of Trains is a great album from beginning to end, and I particularly love The Bones in the Ground.
More than once I've kicked myself for hearing that Robyn had just played here in town and I'd missed him. I've got to keep an eye open for his November tour.
Posted by: Seattle Doug | May 20, 2008 at 02:41 PM
If you enjoy RH, you owe to your yourself to check out the concert film "Storefront Hitchcock" (i want to say it's from '99). Also worth seeking out is "Elixirs and Remedies" another concert film co-starring Grant Lee Phillips from '05. His last 3 or 4 albums have been really good as well.
Posted by: call-sign viper | May 21, 2008 at 05:25 PM