The History of John Peel

The late John Peel introduced countless bands to the masses during his 37 years as deejay at the BBC's Radio 1. Via "The Peel Sessions" show, Peel embraced what he loved the various genres of alternative rock, pop, British hip-hope, dance, and even death metal. Some of my favorite acts such as Joy Division, The Smiths, The Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees appeared on his show.

Fans can fondly remember or discover for the very first time the brilliance behind the man with the smashing collection, Kats Karavan: The History of John Peel on the Radio. The four-disc box set, out October 26th, spans his entire career, while including one-hit wonders, major chart toppers and other rarities. The Jam, The Slits, Mercury Rev, and Bloc Party are just a few of the many artists who appear of this fantastic retrospective.

John Peel passed away October 25, 2004.

[Thanks to The Line of Best Fit]

Birthday Wishes for the Banana Split Lady

Happy Birthday to Miss Siouxsie Sioux. She turns a fabulous 52 years today. The former Banshees frontwoman recently issued Finale: The Last Mantaray and More Show. The DVD set captures Siouxsie's gig at London's KOKO (September 29, 2008), which was also the last show of the Mantaray and More Tour.

In true Siouxsie fashion, she offers a healthy batch of Banshees classics with Creatures tunes and new songs from her latest solo LP, Mantaray. Miss Sioux also delivers cover versions of the Doors' "Hello, I Love You" and Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'") as well as Basement Jaxx's "Cish Cash," a smashing dance track which Siouxsie co-composed and sang on in 2003.

Finale: The Last Mantaray and More Show

1. They Follow You
2. About to Happen
3. Hong Kong Garden
4. Dear Prudence
5. Right Now
6. Sea of Tranquility
7. Christine
8. Happy House
9. One Mile Below
10. Into a Swan
11. Israel
12. Arabian Knights
13. Here Comes That Day
14. Hello, I Love You
15. If It Doesn't Kill You
16. Night Shift
17. Loveless
18. These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
19. Spellbound
20. Nicotine Stain
21. Cish Cash
22. Swansway/Reprise

Click here to view my 2007 interview with Siouxsie via SPIN.com.

I must include the video for "Dazzle." I still absolutely adore this song and Siouxsie looks fantastic! I wish Budgie was in it a bit more, but you have to love Steve Severin striking a pose near the end of the clip.

She's a Carnival

Happy 51st Birthday to the ultimate punk priestess, Siouxsie Sioux. The former Banshees frontman is prepping to hit the European festival circuit this summer in support of her latest solo offering, Siouxsie. I had the chance to catch her tour opener in February and the lady looked fantastic. She still makes it all look easy. Looking 51 years young, m'dear.



Additional birthday wishes go out to Crowded House's Neil Finn, who also turns 51 today.

[Siouxsie image by Eric Nowels]