Archived News - Posted On Tuesday 23rd February 2021
FROM THE METRO-LIB-ELITE DESK OF Stewart Lee – March 21
1) KING ROCKER ON NOW TV
2) PERISH THE LIVESTREAM
3) LIVE DATES NEWS
4) MEDIA GARAGE SALE
5) PODCASTS AND THAT
6) COMIN’ OVER HERE 12”
7) MINIATURES 2
8) SLAPSTICK FEST 21
9) STEVE BERESFORD BOOK
10) WEIRD WALK
11) I Arrogantly Recommend
12) In Our Covid Lamentations
King Rocker Now TV
Thanks for watching our documentary KING ROCKER last Saturday on Sky Arts, and spreading the word, and crowd-funding it, if you did.
Our labour of love really landed. I arrogantly think it knocks most rockumentaries into a cocked hat and will cheer you up no end in the awful times.
“I loved every minute” – Ben Dowell, The Times
★★★★ Financial Times
★★★★ Chortle
“One of the best music documentaries of all time” – The Quietus
All Press is collecting here.
Anyway, it appears you can now watch it, ad-free, on NOW TV if you have that;
NOW TV LINK – STREAMING UNTIL 8th MARCH 2021
2) PERISH THE THOUGHT LIVESTREAM
The Nightingales with support from Stewart Lee premieres Thursday 11th March + New ‘Ten Bob Each Way’ / ‘Use Your Loaf’ 7” out 15th May
Nostalgic for a time when people gathered in crowded rooms to listen to music and comedy?
You can relive those heady pre-pandemic nights with an 80-minute rare concert from Birmingham’s post-punk legends, The Nightingales at Hackney’s Moth Club in 2018. Directed by Michael Cumming (Brass Eye, King Rocker, Toast Of London), this special concert includes comedian Stewart Lee performing his 20 minute ‘80s club set.
This special live recording premieres on NoonChorus, as part of our ‘Baptism Of Fire’ series, on March 11th 2021 (8pm GMT / 12pm PT /3pm EST).
‘Ten Bob Each Way’ / ‘Use Your Loaf’ is a limited 7” single, featuring a brand-new Nightingales recording, their first since recording their ‘Four Against Fate’ album.
B-sided with Stewart Lee and Nick Pynn covering the band’s second single, ‘Use Your Loaf’, a track that was for a mooted Nightingales tribute album. ‘Ten Bob Each Way’ / ‘Use Your Loaf’ will be released 15th May on Fire Records/King Rocker Records.
Fire Films and NoonChorus present:
The Nightingales with support from Stewart Lee
Thursday, March 11th, 2021
(8pm GMT / 12pm PT / 3pm EST)
To clarify – I do 20 mins stand-up at the start of the livestream. It is the 1989 Jesus At The Door routine fucked about with, and then the JAZZ FOLK SEX routine from the Content Provider tour that was cut from the finished film of that show. Michael Cumming filmed the bit in a very live fashion in a very live atmosphere at Hackney’s very live Moth Club. It is a nice bit of film, but if you are a comedy fan and you pay for that stay for The Nightingales 60 mins straight through no-breaks-between-the-songs steamroller of a set, and a lively reminder of what live entertainment and cool venues look like.
Check out new film trailer: https://youtu.be/eDQwajBSsA0
Ticket link: https://noonchorus.com/the-nightingales/
Pre-order 7”: https://fire-records.lnk.to/TenBobUseYourLoaf
3) LIVE DATES NEWS
It looks like all the SNOWFLAKE/TORNADO tour dates outstanding from 2020 will be shifted into 2022, starting in Jan, and below are the ones we know about so far. Thanks for bearing through all this with patience.
Local venues will contact you if they haven’t already. All the club dates you may have bought tickets for I will try and slot in in Dec 2021 and Jan 2022, covid willing. Please do not hassle venues about all this. They will contact you. We will get there!
I am planning on re-writing the SNOWFLAKE half of SNOWFLAKE/TORNADO to reflect our drastically altered world and will make as good a recording as possible of the abandoned original SNOWFLAKE available at some point.
Currently, the following dates have been re-arranged;
Nottingham Playhouse – now 23rd – 26th March 2022
Chester Storyhouse – now 2nd April 2022
Bristol Hippodrome – now 23rd May 2022
London Royal Festival Hall – now 29th June – 3rd July 2022
All Covid rescheduled dates will be added to the Live Dates page of the website, here, as they are confirmed.
4) MEDIA GARAGE SALE
My trusted sales partner Media Garage has compacted all my available stand-up dvds into one convenient on-line marketplace, with most available to d/load too.
Remember, if you buy here we will pay tax on these purchases, and help with British schools and hospitals, whereas many major physical media suppliers and streaming services have found ways to avoid declaring their profits, as have NETFLIX, the utter bastards.
AMERICANS – stop moaning about not being able to see me and visit MEDIA GARAGE!
MEDIA GARAGE | MORE INFO ON THE MERCH PAGE
5) Podcasts
To try and promote King Rocker I have been pimping myself about on every Podcast going, alone or with dir M Cumming (Brass Eye, Toast), saying the same things in the same room in the same clothes to all different people, all of whom were very kind.
I don’t know what a podcast is really but I think you go on the internet and click on something.
As my grandfather once said, in 1983, “Do you know, in America, there are shops that only sell Kentucky Fried Chicken?” I enjoyed being on the internet with all these people enormously, but will put some blue water between me and the next wedge.
David Baddiel told me it was good to be on the internet, though. These are available…
KERMODE ON FILM
Dir Michael Cumming and I discuss King Rocker with Britain’s top film guru and skiffle enthusiast, who has been very supportive of the no-budget project.
BACKLISTED
Andy Miller and John Michinson’s long running and much loved books podcast. I discuss the waspish poet and novelist Rosemary Tonks with them, Nicky Birch and Jennifer Hodgson.
This is a marvellous ongoing Podcast which is unashamedly civilised in an unenlightened era, and this episode is full of great writing, batshit radiophonic music and clever women.
OWEN JONES
North London echo chamber fun sure to irk people of all political persuasions with the forensically-minded folk devil for the far right and snowflake do-gooder Owen Jones, and me, talking about King Rocker and more general stuff. His current run of ‘casts has some great guests.
GINGERBEARDMARK
Informed Wolverhampton-based comedy and music enthusiast of uncommon warmth and knowledge talks to me about KING ROCKER and what the Gray Pays ‘n’ Bacon are like at the Great Western pub.
ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
I asked Adam if I could go on this massively popular podcast and he said yes which was very kind of him. It was fun hearing his Mark E Smith story from the horse’s mouth and he asked me hard questions of the type I usually avoid.
A DRINK WITH THE IDLER
I answer questions from various utterly delightful members of the Idler’s thoughtful middle class readership from their wine and book filled homes.
They are the real stars here! You will emerge from watching this in love with at least one of them.
THE LAST LINE
In this episode of The Last Line, James talks to comedian Stewart Lee about his new film King Rocker, a documentary about Robert Lloyd, lead singer of 70’s post-punk band The Nightingales.
During their conversation they discuss the new film, its central protagonist Robert Lloyd, stand up comedy, Stewart’s propensity to defend stand up comedians against the views of the general public and his reluctance to participate in podcast interviews.
There’s an interview with Michael Cumming on this podcast too, link below.
OUT TO LUNCH WITH JAY RAYNER
Sometime in March you will be able to hear me eat a really lovely Sri Lankan mutton curry from the Kolama restaurant, Soho, with bon viveur jazz pianist Jay Rayner. (I see how this works now!)
This is the most showbiz thing I have ever done, and I am glad it was with jazzy Jay Rayner.
HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD
with post-mod post-man, old school Labour face, and former near pop-soul star, Alan Johnson.
THE C86 SHOW
KING ROCKER viewed through an astringent ‘80s rock filter, w me and dir Michael Cumming
ROBIN INCE’S COSMIC SHAMBLES
This is a new series of docu-chats on different esoteric subjects.
You have to pay for them because they are finished pieces of work not just some fuckers talking or wandering about.
I have appeared on three of them – on Hawkwind, Penda’s Fen and John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy.
THE MRS BARBARA NICE AND FRIENDS PODCAST
I am winsomely x-examined by the Midland comedy legend and former Everready singer
ADRIAN GOLDBERG ON BRUM RADIO
Dir Michael Cumming and I discuss King Rocker with the Nightingales’ contemporary Adrian Goldberg.
6) COMIN’ OVER HERE 12”
An actual physical 12” EP of Asian Dub Foundation(feat. Stewart Lee)‘s Brexit day number 1 Comin’ Over Here will be out on March 26th and can be pre-ordered here…
Brilliantly, higher shipping costs on ADF’s Anti-Brexit anthem are due to…Brexit, but they will try and circumvent this.
The remixes are of other bits of the Paul Nuttalls routine and work great.
I can’t believe how well the ADF’s made this work. I was their mere tool.
7) MINIATURES 40th
I appear on a 40th anniversary celebration of Morgan Fisher’s various artists album Miniatures (ask your dad, kids), available soon.
https://www.barrylamb.com/miniatures-2020.html
8) SLAPSTICK FEST
This year’s Bristol Festival of Slapstick Comedy has gone on line and I will be doing an Ince-chaired event on 6th March at 8pm choosing my favourite moments of Slapstick comedy.
I am all about the slapstick, as you will know from when my trousers fell down at The Bristol Hall Of Slavers in 2016. £6.
https://slapstick2021.eventive.org/welcome
The ‘Stuart Lee’ referred to on the site is me, yes.
9) STEVE BERESFORD BOOK
I wrote the intro to Andy Hamilton’s hefty new study of the musician Steve Beresford, Pianos, Toys, Music & Noise.
Maybe ask your local library to stock it or your dad to buy it!
Here’s the info.
Steve is a major player in the second wave of British Free Improvisation, a lynchpin of the current scene, and a punk era collaborator with The Flying Lizards, Prince Far-I and The Slits.
He, I and Tania Chen toured Britain over the last decade performing John Cage’s Indeterminacy, and Steve appears playing toys and objects with me and Tania in King Rocker.
Comedy fans will know him as ‘man playing organ’ in a The Day Today sketch about executions, and as the director of music on Vic Reeves’ unnecessarily good album.
10) Weird Walk
I have written up a weird walk around the landscape of Lamorna, in Cornwall, for the latest issue of the weird walking magazine, Weird Walk. www.weirdwalk.co.uk
11) I Arrogantly Recommend
NEW FILMS
Ronnie’s, Ronnie Scott & His World Famous Jazz Club (Oliver Murray)
The Dig (Simon Stone) ★★★★★
Little Joe (Jessica Hausner) ★★★★
OLD FILMS
Box Of Moonlight (Tom DeCillo, 1996) ★★★★★
Local Hero (Bill Forsyth, 1983) ★★★★★
Where Eagles Dare (Brian G Hutton, 1968) ★★★★★
The Big Gundown (Sergio Sollima, 1967) ★★★★★
The Sting (George Roy Hill, 1973) ★★★★★
Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977) ★★★★★
The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982)★★★★★
Good Vibrations (Lisa Barros D’sa/Glen Leyburn, 2013)★★★★★
Caliber 9 (Fernado di Leon, 1972) ★★★★★
‘71 (Yann Demange, 2014) ★★★★★
Big Night (Campbell Scott/Stanley Tucci, 1996) ★★★★★
Jason & The Argonauts (Don Chaffey, 1963) ★★★★★
OLD BOOKS
Rosemary Tonks – Emir (1963)★★★★★
Rosemary Tonks – The Bloater (1968) ★★★★★
John Berger/Jean Mohr – A Fortunate Man (1967) ★★★★★
NEW TV
Ghosts S2 (BBC, 2020)
Ghosts – Xmas Special 2020 (BBC, 2020)
The Mandalorian S2 (Disney, 2020) ★★★★★
Call My Agent S3 (France 2, 2018)★★★★★
Call My Agent S4 (France 2, 2021) ★★★★★
The Trump Show (BBC, 2020-1)★★★★★
Lupin S1 (Netflix, 2021)★★★★★
Wandavision (Marvel, 2021)★★★★★
Stonehenge The Lost Circle Revealed (BBC, 2021) ★★★★★
Adam Curtis’ Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (BBC, 2021)★★★★★
NEW RECORDS
Lady Leshurr – Quaranqueen
The Primevals – New Trip
Cult Figures – Deritend
Vapour Trails – Celestial Scuzz ★★★★★
Robert Pollard – Before Computers (demos)
Kevin March – Last Night
Doug Gillard – Douglas Scott Gillard II
Guided by Voices – Earth Man Blues
Gwenifer Raymond – Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain
NEW OLD RECORDS
V/A – Rough Guide To Avant-Garde Japan
Guided by Voices – Live At Irving Plaza (1996)
Damo Suzuki & Echo Ensemble – Live @ Green Door (2013)
Heavenly – A Bout De Heavenly (1989-1996)
Martin Stone – Down But Not Out In Paris and London (1992-2013)
John Russell & Terry Day – Russell & Day (1979?)
Derek Bailey, Trevor Watts & Terry Day – At LTC (1972?)
Sonny Rollins – Rollins In Holland (1967) ★★★★★
Robert Pollard – I Sell The Circus (demos) (2015)
The Fall – St Helen’s Technical College (1981) ★★★★★
OLD RECORDS
Cocteau Twins – Treasure (1984) ★★★★
Billy Bragg – Life’s A Riot (1983) ★★★★★
Billy Bragg – Brewing Up with (1984) ★★★★★
The Triffids – Born Sandy Devotional (1986) ★★★★
Siouxsie & The Banshees – A Kiss In The Dreamhouse (1982) ★★★★
Bunny Striker Lee – The Bunny Striker Lee Story (1967-80) ★★★★
V/A – Dub, A Journey Into Bass Culture (1970s) ★★★★
V/A – Dub, Original Bass Culture (1970s) ★★★★
V/A – Dub, More Bass Culture (1970s) ★★★★
Tomorrow’s Gift – Goodbye Future (1973) ★★★★
Jackson C Frank – s/t (1965) ★★★★
V/A – Down Home Blues, Chicago Fine Boogie (1947-1958)★★★★
Maggie Bjorklund – Shaken (2014)★★★★
June Tabor – Airs & Graces (1976) ★★★★★
John Martyn – The Very Best Of (1967-1996) ★★★★★
The Owl Service – The Garland Sessions (2007) ★★★★★
John Lee Hooker – Tantalising With The Blues (1965-70)★★★★★
Furry Lewis, Memphis Willie B, Memphis Slim – Bluesville 3 (1963?) ★★★★
Lightnin’ Hopkins – Prestige Profiles (1960-4) ★★★★★
Magic Slim – Live @ Ma Bea’s (1976) ★★★★
Jimmy Dawkins – Come Back Baby (1977) ★★★★
Allman Brothers – At Filmore East (1971) ★★★★
John Fahey – The Yellow Princess (1968) ★★★★★
FOOD
Kolamba Sri Lankan restaurant, Soho, London
12) IN OUR COVID ERA LAMENTATIONS
Adam Schlesinger (Fountain of Wayne) (1967)
John Prine (outlaw country singer) (1946)
Henry Grimes (jazz bassist) (1935)
Dave Mountfield (Ornate Johnson) (1970)
Hal Wilner (arranger) (1957)
Tim Brooke-Taylor (Goodie) (1940)
Lee Konitz (jazz saxophonist) (1927)
Matthew Seligman (Soft Boy) (1955)
Millie Small (ska singer) (1946)
Florian Schneider (Kraftwerk robot) (1947)
Bill Rieflin (drummer for hire) (1960)
Hugh McKenna (Tear Gas pianist) (1949)
Steve Weber (Holy Modal Rounder) (1942)
Astrid Kirchherr (photographer) (1938)
Danny Ray Thompson (Sun Ra saxophonist) (1947)
Aubrey Burl (archaeologist) (1926)
Phil May (Pretty Thing) (1944)
The Clacton Fin Whale (circa 2000)
Christo Vladimirov Javacheff (artist) (1930)
Doll Tor stone circle (3300 BC)
Kay Carroll (The Fall) (1948)
Bob the Cat (73 bus) (2006)
Alex Taylor (Shop Assistant, in 2005, and no-one knew)
Simon H Fell (jazz bassist) (1959)
Carl Reiner (director) (1922)
Ennio Morricone (architect of sonic dreams) (1928)
Keith Tippett (jazz pianist) (1947)
Jimmy Cobb (jazz drummer) (1929)
Barbara Smoker (Humanist) (1923)
The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
Tony Elliot (Time Out) (1942)
Judy Dyble (folk singer) (1949)
Peter Green (blues guitarist) (1946)
Emitt Rhodes (power pop auteur) (1950)
Annie Ross (jazz bohemian) (1930)
Joe Ruby (Scooby-Doo) (1933)
Craig Weatherhill (folklorist) (1950)
Don Weller (jazz saxophonist) (1940)
Simeon Coxe (Silver Apple) (1938)
Diana Rigg (Avenger) (1938)
Toots Hibbert (reggae got soul) (1942)
Dele Fadele (carry bag man) (1962)
George Jeffrie (man’s-laughter maker) (1964)
Dave Kusworth (Brum punk Stone) (1960)
Gary Peacock (jazz bassist) (1935)
Doorkins (Southwark Cathedral Cat) (2005?)
Spencer Davis (Brumbeat pioneer) (1939)
Bunny Lee (dubmaster) (1940)
The Cubbington Pear Tree (1770)
Fungie The Dingle Dolphin (1979)
Jill Paton Walsh (humanist novelist) (1937)
Val Warner (poet) (1946)
Guy N Smith (Lord of The Crabs) (1939)
Richard Corben (decadent cartoonist) (1940)
David Johnson (Duke of Soho) (1960)
Leslie West (Mountain man) (1945)
– 2021 –
Katharine Whitehorn (bedsitter cook) (1928)
Katharine Whitehorn (bedsitter cook) (1928)
Celia Drummond Ford (voice of Trees) (1950)
The Happy Man Tree (Stoke Newington Tree) (1870)
John Russell (guitar guru) (1954)
Marcel Uderzo (Asterisk artist) (1933)
Tom Stevens (Long Ryder and Magus) (1956)
Dougie Anderson (Coda’s Edinburgh record dealer (1952)
Captain Tom (Covid Walkman) (1920)
Rynagh O’Grady (Ted’s Mary) (1954)
Mary Wilson (Supreme) (1944)
Chick Corea (Miles’ tinkler) (1941)
Iain Pattinson (You wanted to see me Prime Minister?) (1951)
