Eddie Argos sings in the mildly popular punk-beat combo Art
Brut. Ed does other stuff too, like writing and painting, which is fortunate as
the last Brut album, Brilliant! Tragic!,
came out in 2011.
Late last year, Eddie started to accept commissions to
paint peoples’ favourite album sleeves. Anything they wanted – even the Stone
Roses or REM - he’d do and listen to the album whilst working on it. Once completed,
Ed would write his thoughts on the record.
I requested The Who’s 1965 debut My Generation. Not only is it one of my favourite albums but also one
of my favourite sleeves. That was in November. Today it arrived and I’m chuffed
to bits.
Not only am I delighted with the art, which means there's now an Argos hanging in four rooms of Monkey Mansions, but
with Eddie’s response to the album as it – and The Who in general – was something
he’d never previously taken an interest in. Here’s what he had to say.
“Wow! What a great album. I’ve never really thought about
the lyrics to My Generation before they are punk as fuck, ditto for The Kids
Are Alright. I’d just sort of filed The Who away as ‘classic rock’ and not
investigated it properly. This is much harder and sexier than I imagined. I’d
always seen Daltrey as a pretty boy with no charisma, the only band where the
lead singer is the least interesting member, but here he sounds awesome and
like someone I’d like to get drunk and hang about with. I never realised that
The Who were an awesome punk rock Nuggets style garage band. I feel like an
idiot. THIS IS GREAT.
I played it over and over even after I’d finished the
painting, I’ve tried really hard but still can’t imagine Roger Daltrey being
that cool. So I imagine a totally different person being the front man. Makes
it easier.
I can totally see this becoming one of my favourite
albums too. Thanks for introducing me to it.
Eddie Argos x”
Find out more at The Eddie Argos Resource. or @EddieArgos on Twitter. And if you've not listened to Art Brut start with their debut Bang Bang Rock & Roll and work through.
That is so cool on every level ! Imagine not really listening to The Who and then 'getting them ' id give anything to be given that buzz again ! [well anything within reason ! ] Bet you are chuffed to pieces all round Monk !
ReplyDeleteI've filled Eddie in on Daltrey's swashbuckling youth and am reminded of Townshend's first impressions.
ReplyDelete“When I first met Roger he was one of the most powerful, charismatic, and literally powerful men I’d ever come across. He was like Elvis Presley. He was extraordinary, this was at the age of 17 or 18, he was the king of the neighbourhood.” Then goes on say “I used to think he was a bit of yob, a bit of thug”.
Very cool indeed.
ReplyDelete