All The Young Dudes

As I’ve grown older I’ve become more and more curmudgeonly when it comes to music. I seem to discover less new stuff that excites me with every year that passes. It’s really depressing.

But do you know what’s even more depressing? Realising how old you are compared to all the new bands that are appearing. Take Operator Please, for example. I quite like them. I have no idea if that makes me a complete loser, but I don’t really give a shit either way. Just A Song About Ping Pong is amazing. I might even buy their album. Yeah, you heard me!

The only downside? They’re about ten!

 Look at their tiny fresh faces! They shouldn’t be making records and making me feel old; they should be at school making me feel wise and learned. Godammit.

When I first got into Kenickie they were doing their A-levels. I thought they were well grown up and that. Now there are pop toddlers being rock stars and I’m some elderly failed hack scowling at their youth with bitter eyes. Curse the young! CURSE THEM!

Meanwhile, it would seem that Alphabeat are finally trying to make a name for themselves outside of Scandinavia. I saw them on Richard & Judy the other day, looking all pale and confused while Madeley battered them with nonsensical questions for what seemed like hours.

I love their single. Fascination has stuck with me for about a year and a half now, cheering me up with its wa-ohs and more wa-ohs. It’s the aural equivalent of jumping up and down on a bouncy castle while just a little bit tiddly on Babycham.

It’s definitely not cool, though. During the aforementioned interview, Richard said the band had been described as sounding like ‘the Scandinavian Scissor Sisters’. This is complete bollocks, of course; what they actually sound like is the indie S Club 7, as their new video shows.

I don’t really get the new video. Personally, I’m more of a fan of the orginal. There’s less ironic formation dancing and more limbs a-flinging we-really-mean-this dancing. You’re just going to have to trust me on this though, since the dastardly Danes have removed every version from YouTube and replaced it with this horrible new one.

Laura and I saw them play in Copenhagen last year. Aside from all the accompanying dads, we were the oldest people there by at least ten years.

Indie S Club 7, I tell ya.