Does October mean never?

Oh dear, hardly surprising though!

Not ready for Spring so shelved til the next designated "indie" period...it's We Love Life all over again!

Hoorah!Though too late for my summer holidays sadly.

Not long now. Press Release:

i've never owned an audiobook....but if there was one with Russell reading it. I'd be in.

Finally!! I've been saving a Waterstones voucher I was given last birthday especially for this...

Yes, love that Sheff accent!

Yay! It really is happening! Must pre-order my copy now. Thanks a million, Eamonn, and Acrylic Afternoons. This looks ace!

Ah I just ordered my copy there now. Going to take until 8th - 10th to get to me apparently. Cannot wait!

Hardback looks great. Get tweeting those Russell pics, folks - I need more for my folder

 

So, I managed to very briefly speak to Jarvis about this yesterday at the British Library where he was doing his radio show before the Brian Eno lecture as part of the John Peel Annual speech.

He said he had got an advance copy through his work at Faber and was pretty anxious about what our outspoken Mr Senior may have written "cos Russell can be a bit... (*wrinkle-up face* emoji)". I asked him whether there was anything potentially libellous that he, Jarvis, may have found issue with(!). ''There were a few things that made me wince'' but apart from that it wasn't as bad as he'd feared. He also added that it was through Russell's review of Pulp on his The Bath Banker fanzine that they'd originally met so there's always been a writer in him. With that he had to ''zip off'' to the other part of the library for the talk.

Eamonn wrote:

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So, I managed to very briefly speak to Jarvis about this yesterday at the British Library where he was doing his radio show before the Brian Eno lecture as part of the John Peel Annual speech.

He said he had got an advance copy through his work at Faber and was pretty anxious about what our outspoken Mr Senior may have written "cos Russell can be a bit... (*wrinkle-up face* emoji)". I asked him whether there was anything potentially libellous that he, Jarvis, may have found issue with(!). ''There were a few things that made me wince'' but apart from that it wasn't as bad as he'd feared. He also added that it was through Russell's review of Pulp on his The Bath Banker fanzine that they'd originally met so there's always been a writer in him. With that he had to ''zip off'' to the other part of the library for the talk.

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 I did wonder about this too. I remember the interview they did with the NME in June 2014 about the whole reuinion made it sound a bit dodgy, though not entirely. It isn't on Acrylic Afternoons and I can't find a scan of it on my computer and can't remember if it has been uploaded before, but I have a paper copy I could scan if people want. The relevant bit was this:

"Some old tensions surface too. Russell Senior, the band's vampire-like guitarist/violinist, who quit the band in 1997, joined the reunion for the first year's touring, but not the second. Neither party has revealed why.

"Honestly, it's best if we don't say anything, because ..." says Jarvis, trailing off. "Russell doesn't fly, and the whole second year of that tour we were travelling far and wide, so that situation took care of itself", says Mackey, picking up the baton. "In its simplest terms, sometimes he likes playing with us, sometimes he doesn't." "

As Eamonn says, I can't imagine Russell coming over all diplomatic all of a sudden. He did say he liked playing the festivals to people who didn't necessarily have a clue who they were, and having to win them over. The second year they did a lot more of their own shows, so you could easily imagine him seeing that as cashing in on heritage and that being unworthy of an artist. It was that corporate Barcelona jolly that tipped him over the edge the first time as I remember. 

Cheers, Chasing Newspapers! I'm listening a second time here cos I can't get enough of that voice! He really should do the audio book Cannot wait for this book. Sounds like a great one. Some v interesting stories.

Couldn't wait, just been and bought the only copy out in Waterstones. Nice pics. Do we need a separate reading thread for this book? I think so.

Jean, that was great. I loved that Russell interview - thanks for posting. He doesn't disappoint, does he? I wish he were around a bit more - such a funny, interesting guy. And it's a pity we don't get to see Russell and Jarvis together any more - great company.

looks like December 1st over here in the states...........decisions decisions

Quite amusing how on both interviews the presenter played Something Changed. I've not read the book yet but I'm sure Russell will comment on how this song signified the style that he didn't want to do, heralding his departure, as he's on record before saying similar.

Also, I know the interviewers have to ask questions aimed at non-Pulpheads but, the BBC Sheffield one especially, was frustratingly non-researched. (the guy on 5Live was pretty decent actually).

Jumping from "the wiggle", a Peel Session that he had nowt to do with to asking about Glastonbury '95...chuffin'eck, talk about a potted history. Chucking in a reference to an academic text on Pulp, Hatherley's book, was also out of keeping with the more obvious other questions. The one saving grace on her part was the anecdote about working in the market at the same time as Jarvis... Anyway, does Stephen visit these parts anymore? I reckon he'd get a great interview out of Russell. I guess being a Daddy, like Sturdy, has left him pulped when it comes to, er, Pulp.

Russell should really be doing an interview with Radcliffe&Maconie/Laverne or Lamacq on 6 Music. They'd ''get him'' a lot more.

However the only other promo on the horizon appears to be this: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/louder-than-words-festival-2015-saturday-14th-nov-event-by-event-tickets-tickets-18459960238

Might be the only chance to get a signing/chat with him.

Well, it's not half hard to find this book when you're not in the UK! I'm delighted you got it in the US, Twiggy. I also ordered from Amazon UK and still haven't got it. It went from Scotland to England and I don't know where it is at the moment. It's been pushed back another week for me so I've taken to ringing various 'local' (20-30 miles away) shops and they don't have it either. I'm dying to read it! Someone put up an interesting review on Amazon UK website about all the things they claim are not in the book...

 

No idea who wrote it but I have noticed that every time I look at it they've edited it! There's new details being added all the time (or else I'm going mad). I'd swear every day that particular review changes, always adding new little details.

 

Jean wrote:

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No idea who wrote it but I have noticed that every time I look at it they've edited it! There's new details being added all the time (or else I'm going mad). I'd swear every day that particular review changes, always adding new little details.

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It wasn't me. But it could have been. Actually I take that back, whoever it was knows far more than me!

Russell was interviewed on Look North tonight, should be on iplayer. Don't get too excited though as it was a pretty poor interview all round. Still, it was nice to see him on the telly and hear him speak. The poor interview wasn't Russell's fault but all the fault of the interviewer Phil Bodmer.

Another Russell newspaper interview published today:

http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/pulp-s-russell-senior-sets-the-records-straight-on-life-in-a-sheffield-pop-phenomenon-1-7540680

 

To echo Twiggy I wouldn't mind seeing a screen shot even of the Look North programme if anyone can get it please? No worries if not. It's unavailable outside of the UK. Can't wait to read Stephen's interview. Always best to see an interview by a fan

Sorry but it dropped off iplayer before I had a chance to grab a screenshot (only available for 1 day). Looked like the interview was in his kitchen, lots of glass jars and art glass everywhere. He's let his hair grow quite long as well, his swoopy fringe is down below his ears and looking quite grey.

Did anyone save the text from this Amazon review? It seems to have been removed...

I'm scared to read this book. I don't want to face the shame if turns out how much of a lousy judge of character I am.

New stuff? Words or musicky things...?

Ooh...I'll have a listen tomorrow. Thanks, Jean! You've certainly ly been getting your fill of Russell lately!

Ha! Saw that review, Eamonn, but thought I'd leave it to the author to mention here Being unemployed, I am a very sad woman who Googles Russell's name and puts it into Twitter Search every other day since the book came out to see what's new. I saved the interview he did with that Phil Williams but I couldn't save the others for some reason.

Maybe I should post my comment over on the actual Louder than War website but just want to say you're a bloody good writer as is Russell. I also wondered about his potential to write lyrics but then I guess a book is very different. It's like Moz was a decent lyricist in his day but he just doesn't seem to do books well. I remember Bowie writing some terrible diary entries too before. He didn't seem to suit that form. Russell kind of alludes to this a bit when he's talking about how Jarvis polished up his version of 'Maureen' and, as you say, it would always have been hard to match Jarvis. In terms of writing a book though Russell did a brilliant job and deserves a lot more credit and attention for it being so well written and really funny at points - the part about getting dragged along the stage in what might have appeared a choreographed routine had me in stitches.

I absolutely agree about feeling inferior to Russell's energy, effort and thoughtfulness. From what I'd read over the years I always thought he was a stern and serious person because that's how the others (and writers) painted him but actually he just seems organised and driven. And he is funny and thoughtful too.I too am curious about the seeming disconnect with him and the others on the 2011 reunion. It's a pity none of the others joined him on the Russ bus for the odd date on that tour.

Finally, I now know why he appeared on stage at Electric Picnic in that clobber! I remember at the time being distraught and saying to my brother "Russell's not there!" and he said "No, he is - he's wearing a coat and hat". I had thought 'no way could that be Russell in the hat and coat. He's too stylish to wear that get up!'. He had a cold. And he even cracked a smile after 'Bar Italia'

-- Edited by Jean on Wednesday 2nd of December 2015 12:23:35 PM

Rony is quite adept at asking questions that most wouldn't get away with. He asked Nick a similar question a few years ago on his show. ''I've done alright, but I still don't have a Lear jet'' was the Pottery guru's response, or similar.

I did like the way Russell put it though ''For about two or three years I earned money similar to a dentist'' but that was as good as it got!

Dammit, Eamonn! Having just read yr Louder Than War review, I'm going to seriously have to up my standard with my article. That's some good, clever writing in yours. Nice one.

Btw yes I assumed it was Steve M and Alex J's other half. I think I've heard the story before and it made me dislike Alex even more as, by his own admittance, hr was regularly screwing other people night after night anyway.

weej wrote:

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That review is simply jaw-dropping. Wonder who wrote it - surely there aren't more than 20 or 30 people around with that much insider info - maybe it could be narrowed down to less than ten.

Can't wait for someone to send the book over to China. (probably a parent)

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 Sorry to bump...

Just read it now. Fucking hell.

It got edited a few times after it was first written. Never did work out who wrote it. Russell genuinely seemed to have no idea when I interviewed him (which is what I imagine has led you to it!)

 

Although I dont believe anyone has really pounced on that review for reasons of it being particularly untrue.

I realised that I hadn't that 'that review' since preparing for the interview back in 2015. What an odd review it is. A lot does hold true. Curious as to what the definite inaccuracy is.

As to what Russell thought of it, my memory of his response from 8 years ago was absolutely bemusement and curiosity. I genuinely think he didn't know who the review was.

He also had significant issues with their criticism of the book.

And I'm *extremely* happy to say that you'll all be able to read that full detail 'soon'.

Yes that was the one. Hang in there Jarvis, love Adrienne x

(Steven Havenhand's girlfriend, incidentally)

Ok, I'm going to throw my 2 pennyworth in here. I might get in trouble for this but if they are going to hang me for a lamb, I'll steal the flock.

To fill you in on a bit of background, Heroin abuse is kind of personal to me, as I had a close relation, whose life was seriously affected, and tragically died, as a direct result of heroin use. 

A lot of people know me as Mark's No.1 superfan, and I will go out of my way to stick up for him, but reading about this heroin issue, both in that review, and the Select magazine article that came out around the time of This is Hardcore has always been concerning.  Even I wouldn't go so far as to beatify him,  but neither am I going to say that the only near exposure he had to Class A substances was through his record collection.

In the accompanying photographs (and the artwork for Help the Aged) he is noticeably thinner and more haggard looking than he was at the Mercury Music awards in 1996 - though could be due to stress over his "year in hell". That said, when I met him for the first time at the ICA in March 1998, he seemed pretty healthy.

I used to have to take the night bus home from Little Stabs at Happiness, and in doing so made an acquaintance of another person who partially traveled the same route as me, It turns out that this person, who was a music agent, was quite close to Mark's ex, (the one whose breakup had caused him so much grief in 1997). As the months passed we got friendly, and I plucked up the courage to ask him about the heroin question. 

He told me he'd seen Mark do a bit of weed now and again but really nothing more than that.

Timeline wise, it doesn't seem logical that Mark would have been into heavy narcotics. He was trying to buy a house, he had plans to marry his girlfriend (which ended heartbreakingly for him) and also when not touring, or songwriting, he was getting his side hustle as a film curator up and running, and planning for and organizing such events - not just at the ICA, but at the Barbican as well, would eat into his off-stage time. 

It does not speak to me of the actions of a man in the thralls of an opioid addiction.   

-- Edited by SarahAWilson on Monday 5th of June 2023 01:04:43 AM

Funny how Separations, not just an album about breakups and stuff, also has a very clear musical divide.

One side has Russell's dominant influence, the other has Steve's.