Urban Turban cut out
Author: Tjinder
Tim Kaine’s Musical Obsessions in Rolling Stone: Cornershop
A couple of days ago we got a surprise in Rolling Stone Magazine.
If someone had said at the start of our duty in Rough Trade Shop in Portobello where we would be in 1996 as a band we would not believe it. Then again, if someone had said that come 2016 we would still be labelled as they UK’s most underrated band, as charming as the label can be, it does much to keep us in our place and sidelined. It is a very sad tale, a very long Mowgli walk, were it not for those that have supported us continually, and those that had seen fit to promote us, that put a Cornershop cassette album in hands of Soko claiming it would be of comfort in years to come, that named their goldfish Ben & Tjinder, or Tjinder & Ben I forget which, that with family and friends at a Paris gig, were so elated that years later used our music in their one of their film releases, that even when passed away asked for Jullandar Shere to be part of such passing.
The points are that they did such acts of their own volition. And so now to the Tim Kaine piece which spans the groups whole ground. It mentions not the B word, the word that also serves to keep us in our place, that takes into account that we work only on our own account mainly through our website, that reminds us that America got us in album form before the UK ever could. Most importantly, that other people can always express us better than we can:
“I was reading a Rolling Stone in 1997 and they had a review of their album When I Was Born For the 7th Time [by Neva Chonin]. I bought it and then have just proceeded to buy virtually everything they produce. They’re kind of odd. They’ll go years without producing anything. They don’t really tour very much. I’ve never seen them. I’d love to see them, but the number of live shows they do is very small. I don’t know what you’d call their music. It’s a mixture of Indian music and hip-hop and kind of funk music. They’re a very unique band and I really like Tjinder [Singh], the main guy.
I will go on their website on occasion just to see if they are coming over here to perform, but they do so few live shows. They’re kind of perfectionists. They’re really focused. They do what they want when they want it, but they’re working on their own plan and their own time schedule.
The first time I heard that song “Wog” off Woman’s Gotta Have It, I just thought, “These guys are just doing something I have not heard anybody else do.” They do some interesting covers. They’ve done a great cover of a wonderful Kinks song “Waterloo Sunset.” They did a cover of “Norwegian Wood” that’s spectacular – very true to [the original] except that it’s sung in Punjabi. They’ve done some great covers, but their original is always something surprising, always something you haven’t heard before.” Senator Tim Kaine, Democratic candidate for Vice President.
Sleeveface Collection
Just a few sleevefaces from my vinyl collection
The whole family takes part, including the wire fox terrier.
The new Daft Punk Helmet
The Action Records Story
Just been sent this link to a short film about Action Records, Preston Lancashire. Me and Ben studied in Preston, and met in the doorway of a Preston Polytechnic house we were about to share for our first year. That was 227 Garstang Road. As we ventured in to Preston, it was quite easy to spot many pubs, (and everyone of them a winner), and one independent record shop – Action Records, and our world for a few years was cemented. Action was where you went for the latest releases and where you could fill in the gaps of years in between, especially in the 70’s reggae arena as I remember. The shop was owned and run by Gordon chiefly assisted by Alan, both were formidable characters that took no shit, but once you knew them they were like music professors that the Polytechnic were not brave enough to keep on their staff.
This short film touches on the shop’s history and how it came to be, and still is part of Preston’s backbone. We are very happy about it because it also includes other friends and luminaries such as:
Marcus Parnell our first manager, singer songwriter of the legendary Dandelion Adventure, and no holds barred superstar.
Nick Brown of the Membranes, Clawfist Records Label, and Intoxica Records Shop owner, who was about the only person in London to reply to our demos, not only to encourage us as a group starting out, but setting out the blueprint to develop.
David Chambers, a Local Preston fanzine writer who took it upon himself to play drums in the early years of Cornershop because he was more into us than we were – I also DJ’d with David for a few years, and that brings us to the Star of the Show, Action Records. Time is tight, please pass it on.
The Action Records Story: Chased by Nuns from Levy Park Productions on Vimeo.
Easy Playsure Playlist
Sarah Vaughan ‘Gingerbread Man’
Cornershop ‘Born Disco; Died Heavy Metal (Version)’
Johnny Harris ‘Stepping Stones’
Henry Mancini & His Orchestra ‘Champagne & Quail’
Trevor Brown & The Maytones ‘Have You Time’
Johnny Harris ‘Paint It Black’
Cornershop ‘The New York Minute’
Sudden Death of Stars ‘Bright Sunday’
The Mike Flowers Pop ‘Light My Fire’
Cornershop ‘Good To Be Back On The Road Home Again’
Michel Magne ‘Une DS Dans Le Ciel’
Os Mutantes ‘Hey Boy’
Las Trilizas De Oro ‘Pochoclo’
Enoch Light & The Light Brigade ‘In The Mood’
They said it couldn’t be done.
We are pleased to release something a little different, for all ages – a Read Along 7″ Vinyl Book, based on the Cornershop song answering the important question:
“They said it couldn’t be done, that the book industry was as difficult as the music industry, that the children’s section of the book industry was actually the most aggressive of the book genres – to do an illustrated book with a vinyl record was folly, that we would fall off the edge of the world.
Well, we nearly did…until we decided to do it on the principles of E.F. Schumacher’s ‘Small Is Beautiful’ utilizing our trusted art designer Nick Edwards, local east end printing, our brilliant vinyl manufacturing team, and ample play headquarter staff, bypassing book distribution and doing as much by ourselves – the outcome, a limited edition of 1000 hand crafted unique books, chiseled by our record company staff and lovingly presented to you in 7” glory, and classic 45rpm.”
Tjinder Singh
Renowned sleeve artist and illustrator Nick Edwards (4AD, XL) went partying with Tjinder’s quirky lyrics & together they have created a wonderful world of mountains, spacecraft, dragons, Kurt Vonnegut…needless to say this is not your everyday journey.
Give it to children, give to adults, keep one for yourself – everyone needs the happiness of the hippie in their life. Original, Colourful, Educational, Singh-alongable, Memorable, Funkyful, and of course Collectible.
“Such a great idea & a lovely record” Peter Paphedis
Order your copy via our Ample Play Records shop
Each book costs £10, £8 when you order 3 or more.
The Brimful of Asha Cocktail recipe
4 Parts Gin
1 Part Pomegranate Juice
1 Part Vanilla Syrup
1 Part Ginger Beer
5 Pieces Mint Leaf
1 Piece Passionfruit
1 Piece Lime
How to mix this cocktail : Muddle passionfruit, pomegranate juice, vanilla syrup, mint leaf and lime in a chilled highball glass. Fill with crushed ice. Add gin. Stir. Top up with ginger beer.
Illustration by Helen Rawlinson
Download your PDF poster recipe here: Cornershop – Brimful of Asha Cocktail – designed by Helen Rawlinson
A Springtime PLAYlist
Selected for you by Tjinder & Ben, the audio equivalent of green shoots, rays of sunshine & pink blossoms. Some punjabi folk, 60’s garage, contemporary psych with The Smoking Trees & Sudden Death of Stars, some Ween, Alabama Shakes, Gap Dream, Jonathan Richman and more.