Without V Power th
llllllf‘ lilllll’f
Move over Chloe Sevigny, Cat Power has taken over the mantle of boho geek meets catwalk chic with a Chanel contract.
Power’s former beau and musical sparring partner was both an influence on and influenced by.
None so kooky could have come before the queen of quirk. Cat Power’s guitar soliloquies predate Jo’s harp action.
’ L r 0" ‘.JV ‘ ’5’ '1‘ u » ‘ . I. ._ O t. .‘ . fi N ‘ l
‘ ~;,u°. \’,"
. d'. ..
I a.
r j 4-; rtmg§tjr ,q‘ ' ~' d .“ . i "1th, x (\l -“ ‘. AH... ‘ ‘ .. '1 ,. "’ 3 l g - I, . i . ~ » 5! 4.”.
"rill-ill. vlllllt‘v
ili'lllltill7
Albarn and Coxon embraced Childish’s understanding of Englishness on Modern Life is Rubbish and Parklife.
Childish’s eccentric recordings inspired Jack White to record Elephant at London’s legendary Toe Rag studios.
Britart’s femme fatale was Childish's lover and muse for some time. He featured on her infamous embroidered tent.
TRIPTYCH
Girl power
From Syd Barrett to Brian Wilson there's no denying that artists on the brink draw on a fantastically weird well of inspiration. Charlyn ‘Chan‘ Marshall (aka Cat Power) is further evidence of that. For over a decade. she's produced some of the most breathtaking music of her generation — despite being mad as a fish.
Originally from the state of Georgia. her career was born of the New York experimental scene (a common early routine involved playing a two string guitar and reciting the word ‘no' for 15 minutes). Discovered by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley. she was eventually added to the cult indie roster at Matador records. her output ranging from intimate. gorgeous country and folk. to catharthic. rattling punk. Live. she was famously unpredictable — her fondness for the bottle. and chronic stage fright frequently resulting in improvised and short-lived performances.
However. 2006‘s album. The Greatest. surprisingly saw Marshall cross over into commercial territory. A collaboration with Al Green's guitarist Teenie Hodges. it paid homage to her southern roots. with slinky Memphis soul and big band arrangements. It‘s a brilliant record. but one that seemed to take her closer to the edge than ever. Her alcoholism spiralled. resulting in a cancelled tour. and short stay in a mental hospital (the third of her life).
Now sober. her confidence is sky high. resulting in celebrated live performances. She's also become the new face of Chanel jewellery. and — most importantly — started work on two new albums, said to be her best to date. So you don't have to be crazy to make great music then. But it helps. (Malcolm Jack)
I Penfrew Ferry, Glasgow. Wed 25 Apr SOLD OUT; Thu 26 Apr.
As national institutions go. Billy Childish deserves a medal. Over 30 years' service in garage beat combos from Thee Milkshakes to The Buff Medways and his current guise with The Musicians Of The British Empire. Childish has become quietly iconic.
More than 100 albums, 40 books of poetry and several novels. including the semi-autobiographical My Fault. set to be filmed by Kids director Larry Clark. bear Childish's name. As a painter, he co- founded the anti-conceptualist Stuckists. inspired by a cross remark from former girlfriend Tracy Emin.
Childish fans include the late Kurt Cobain and Jack White of The White Stripes. Kylie Minogue took the name of her Impossible Princess album from a volume of Childish's poetry gifted her by Nick Cave. Last year Childish was invited to take part in Celebrity Big Brother. But. as his latest album. Punk Rock At The British Legion Hall. makes clear, fame's trappings hold no appeal.
‘I don‘t want to be a pop star or a celebrity.‘ Childish maintains. ‘Ever since the New Romantics people have said I'm bitter. but that‘s them judging us on their terms. which don‘t apply.‘
Punk Rock is a whip-smart critique of mainstream contemporary culture. Its title and accompanying World War One image bookends two defining epochs of Albion. through which Childish recognises a parallel between his generation and real-life battlefield veterans.
Accused of being a reactionary retro luddite. Childish‘s singular vision in fact reveals an unswerving faith in the simple life.
‘Being on the wrong end of a see-saw is fun.‘ he says. ‘but we don't do it to be contrary. It‘s the majority who are reactionary. That's not bitter. That's the truth.‘ (Neil Cooper)
I Classic Grand. Glasgow, Fri 27 Apr; Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Sat 28 Apr.
12—26 Apr 2007 THE LIST 1 1