THE STAND-UP COMEDIAN AND CO-PRESENTER OF RADIO 4’S THE INFINITE MONKEY CAGE REFLECTS ON HIS POP FAVOURITES...
STEVE O’BRIEN
Did you have any music posters on your bedroom wall as a kid?
I had the poster that came with the More Specials album and one that came with the Shoplifters Of The World Unite record, but I also used to have loads of soundtrack posters – John Carpenter’s Prince Of Darkness came with a free poster, too.
What’s the first pop song you remember loving?
Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs by Brian And Michael. I remember really hoping that Kate Bush wouldn’t get to No.1 with Wuthering Heights, because I really wanted Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs to stay there. Then about a year later, I became obsessed with 2 Tone, that was my first real love in music.
Do you have an all-time favourite album?
An album I’ve just been relistening to and is a favourite today is She’s So Unusual. I’ve always adored Cyndi Lauper. That would have had a lot of plays back in the day, and so did all of The Specials’ albums, especially More Specials. Also The Queen Is Dead, that’d be quite high up there.
Were you out and proud about your love of Cyndi Lauper at the time?
I think I was, even when I was getting into the inky papers. Tuesday night, you could normally pick up the NME in London, and then Wednesday, I’d probably get the Melody Maker. On a Friday, if I had any money left, I’d go and get Sounds as well. I got into the miserable overcoat bands around that time, but I don’t think I was ever that embarrassed about Cyndi Lauper.
Do you have any pop guilty pleasures?
I was probably guilty of loving Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell at one point. I also used to buy anything that was in any way connected to comedy, so for instance I did have the Meatloaf album that has Blind Before I Stop on it, the reason being was that he sang that one when he was on Channel Four’s Saturday Live and where he appeared in a sketch with Stephen Fry. I’m a very obsessive person so if somebody’s got a connection, I’ll be like, “Okay, now I’ve got to buy a few by them.” But I’ve got to say I’ve not listened to Blind Before I Stop for a good 35 years.
Are there any artists you’re completist about?
I still buy everything Nick Cave and PJ Harvey release, and Public Service Broadcasting and British Sea Power [now Sea Power] as well. Also The Four Tops, there are few greater sounds than the ‘huhhhrrr!’ that comes in at the beginning of Reach Out I’ll Be There. And, of course, there’s their connection to Little Shop Of Horrors
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