Monday, April 13, 2009

An appropriate [aesthetic] reaction...

... to eleven years of the Thatcher administration:


It's Grim Up North (Live), The JAMs, 1991.


It's Grim Up North, The JAMs, 1991.

Stand by the JAMs.
Turn up the strobe.
Justified and ancient.

From the single's liner notes: "Through the downpour and diesel roar, Rockman and Kingboy D can feel a regular dull thud. Whether this is the eternal echo of a Victorian steam driven revolution or the turbo kick of a distant Northern rave is irrelevant. Thus inspired, The JAMs climb into the back of their truck and work.
"

Following the single's release, the house of commons feared "regional imbalance" in the north of England. Labour MP Joe Ashton also proposed "
It's Gruesome In The Midlands" or "There's Nowt But Folk Living In Cardboard Boxes In London" as feasible alternative to "It's Grim Up North."

See also:
http://www.klf-communications.net/
NME - 11/09/91: 'The JAMs Center of Political Interest'
Wikipedia - It's Grim Up North