[ai] punk out!
While Johnny Rotten and his former bandmates were feuding in the press, [ai] was busy planning a punk revival! Now, with the release of a new lyric video for the punk-flavored song “You’re So Lame,” that revival is in full swing! Tune in to “TV [ai]” to see (and hear) what all the fuss is about!
[ai] proclaim “Anarchy in the ROC and the ROK”!
During the intro of the video, you probably noticed the cryptic message MADE IN TAIWAN BY WAY OF KOREA. This refers to the fact that the current version of “You’re So Lame” was recorded and produced in Taiwan (= Republic of China = ROC), but it was originally composed when [ai]’s songwriter/director Mark Will was based in Korea (= Republic of Korea = ROK). As you may recall, “You’re So Lame” is track #7 on No Cure for the Princess Disease, which is “the Korea album” of Taiwan-based [ai]’s Far East Trilogy. So think of “You’re So Lame” as [ai]’s attempt to reawaken the spirit of the Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the UK” in the ROC and the ROK . . . and in the rest of the world as well!
[ai] have seen the future!
ROC and ROK both signify ROCK, do they not? (Well, sort of, if you don’t look too closely.) How appropriate therefore that the outro of the video for “You’re So Lame” says THE FUTURE OF MUSIC = #EXPATROCK (which, incidentally, is a far more hopeful message than that of the Sex Pistols, who in their song “God Save the Queen” bleakly prophesied NO FUTURE). The term “expat rock” is [ai]’s attempt to describe—and, yes, hype—a new genre of popular music. Mark Will has characterized “expat rock” as “music created by ‘global souls’ and intended for an international audience.” (If you like, you can consider it a subgenre of “world music.”) So watch out, Bieber! [ai] have seen the future and its name is “expat rock”!
Over to you, dear subscriber!
Now that you’ve got all the inside information and seen/heard the new video/song for yourself, tell us what you think! Is “You’re So Lame” a clever Sex Pistols parody, a heartfelt tribute, both, or neither? Is the tempo too fast, too slow, or just right? Is the guitar raunchy enough? Do the vocals snarl enough? Do you hear echoes of the Ramones, the Damned, the Clash, and/or the Stooges, as well as the Pistols? Do you suspect that the real inspiration for “You’re So Lame” was not punk at all but rather Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain”? (That last question is not necessarily meant in jest.) Let us know your opinion in the comments section below! (Seriously, subscribing to this newsletter is more fun when you comment!)
Coming soon to “TV [ai]” . . .
As intimated above, the [ai] YouTube channel is informally referred to as “TV [ai].” (Get it? Fans of Iggy Pop will definitely know what’s up.) Be sure to subscribe to “TV [ai]” so that you can receive a notification when the new video for “Ji-Woo Says” drops next month. Track #6 on No Cure for the Princess Disease, “Ji-Woo Says” is an example of what [ai] call “Seoul Music”—and as such it features lyrics in both English and Korean! [ai] will elaborate on the concept of “Seoul Music” in the next issue of the newsletter, but in the meantime check out “Ji-Woo Says” on Spotify, iTunes, and Amazon!
80’s flashback . . .
Every now and again it’s fun to revisit the music of that horrible decade which saw the rise of those twin miscreants Reagan and Thatcher. Recently [ai] have been listening to the back catalog of Eurythmics and have developed a new appreciation for the songwriting skills of that dynamic duo. Together Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart composed some undeniably fantastic tunes. Here’s one of their lesser known hits, but in our opinion it’s one of their best:
What’s your favorite Eurythmics track? Let us know in the comments! (Of course, you knew [ai] would say that, right?)
Until next time . . .
Keep listening, keep dreaming, and remember: [ai] love you all!