Like A Long Lost Rock And Roll

So here is the gushing post about Arctic Monkeys as promised. I know all of you are just dying to know how I got into them and what makes them so ~*~special~*~. Well, the Beatles led me to The Last Shadow Puppets (expect a post about them as well), and I discovered that Puppet Alex was first Monkey Alex. I listened to Fake Tales of San Francisco and I Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor, wasn't really that impressed but made a mental note to check them out more thoroughly later (I was in the midst of a passionate love affair with the Beatles you see, and I had no time for other bands). Time passed, I vaguely remember the hubbub about Humbug, I listened to Crying Lighting, was impressed with how Alex Turner played with words, went back to listen to Fluorescent Adolescent ( fun fact: that's the song where I got my blog title from) and Teddy Picker, made another mental note to really get into their music as soon as I was finished with my passionate love affair with the rest of  "classic rock".  Fast forward to Summer 2011 and the release of Suck It and See. And see I did, my jaw dropped when I saw Alex debut his post-break up, teddy-boy look during the summer music festivals.  And I listened  too because well, I'm not all about looks people, and I was so severely overwhelmed with the perfection that is Suck It and See. This time I really went back and listened to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Favourite Worst Nightmare, and Humbug, plus all the amazing b-sides and covers. The only other band I think that has amazing b-sides and covers are the Beatles. And that is what impressed me about Arctic Monkeys; they sound old and new at the same time, Alex is a lyrical genius, the perfect combination of rock and roll and poetry, Matt, Jamie, and Nick provide the perfect musical backdrop to Alex's words, plus, the boys are funny, charming, and all around wonderful.


Early NME shots of the band, with first bassist Andy (who reminds me of Pete Best).

By Favourite Worst Nightmare, Nick joined the band (yay!).

After a brief hiatus that resulted in The Age of the Understatement, Arctic Monkeys returned with a darker, sexier sound in the form of Humbug. As you can see, different sound, different look, and a giant step in the right direction.

Suck It and See, they just keep getting better and better.

The Other Boyd Girl

The youngest out of the 3 beautiful, blonde Boyd sisters, Paula's story is probably the most tragic. But before the failed relationships and addiccations, Paula was a model. She also accompanied Pattie on her jet-set life with the Beatles. And like Pattie and Jenny, Paula caught the eye of a few musicians including Bobby Whitlock and Eric Clapton (who only went out with her in the first place because she looked like Pattie). Sadly, such a rock and roll lifestyle didn't suit this wild child with an addictive personality.


Modeling.

Modeling with Pattie and Jenny for Vogue.

With the Beatles and their ladies in Greece.





With John Perry of the Apple band Grapefruit.

With Bobby Whitlock, he wrote "Song for Paula" on his album for her.

Paula can be seen behind George after his wedding with Pattie.



Tell Me About Yourself Award

So I've finally gotten around to doing this award given to me by the lovely Kaitlyn. After being a somewhat mysterious but I hope funny/sarcastic/informative/all around great blogger, you get to learn (according to official award guidelines) 7 things about me and I'll also tell you a few of my fave blogs (who will have to do the award as well if they haven't already done so).

1.Music is my life. I would be an entirely different person if it weren't for my music. I wouldn't have this blog, I wouldn't know what to do when I "grew up", I just wouldn't know what to do with myself. And that is why I know my future somehow involves me being in the music world, be it as a photographer, journalist, manager, etc..

The band that changed my life.

2. I love taking photos; of people, of places, of things, of life, but especially of musicians!

Just a few of my favorite photographs that I have taken.

3. Reading and writing are two of my favorite things to do, and I hope to get a degree in English soon.

4. History is my absolute favorite subject.

When I was younger, so much younger than today, I read everything I could get my hands on about the Romanovs, Marie Antoinette, the Tudors, Cleopatra, etc. Royalty - like rock stars now- fascinate me.

5. One of my dreams is to travel to Paris (all over Europe really, but Paris would for sure be my first stop).

6. One of my goals is to teach myself how to play an instrument and maybe start a band.

My dream guitar, a seafoam green fender stratocaster like the one used by John Lennon, George Harrison, and Jimi Hendrix.

7. My style icons tend to be men. Not just any men, music men. Most of my clothes and accessories (besides my dresses and skirts of course) were bought because they reminded of something the Beatles - among other rockers - would wear.

Some of my favorite stylish men.

And last but not least some of my fave blogs:

http://dietcokeandsympathy.blogspot.com/
http://hollyhocksandroses.blogspot.com/
http://iamthechildofthemoon.blogspot.com/
http://dollyrockergirl.blogspot.com/
http://lost60s.blogspot.com/
http://lovelyboheme.blogspot.com/
http://meetthebeatlesforreal.blogspot.com/

The Wirral Riddler

Musically speaking, 2011 has been a great year for me. I discovered (or finally got around to further exploring their discography) a bunch of new musicians that prove good music can still be found today if you really look (or hear) hard enough. And the best part is that these musicians are inspired by the same kind of music that we, dear blog readers, also love. Take Miles Kane for example; a lovely lad from the Merseyside who not only  is best mates with Alex Turner (expect a gushing post on Al and the rest of the Arctic Monkeys later), but says that the Beatles are his favorite band of all time and mentions Lennon in practically every other interview he does. Well, you can can clearly hear his fine musical taste and talent in his first solo album Colour of the Trap. The songs have a wonderful modern retro sound which I love and I'm sure you will too. Plus, not only does Miles have excellent guitar skills and a killer wardrobe (leopard print suits and chelsea boots, oh my!), but he reminds me of Paul McCartney, especially in these series of photos taken by Andrew Whitton for NME.