Roky Erickson, Jeffrey Lewis and Jerusalum..

Three things I’ve done this week – gone to see Roky Erickson supported by Jeffrey Lewis at the HMV Forum (that’s TWO things – cos they’re two different bands) and went to see Jerusalem at the Jerwood Theatre in Sloane Square. Firstly in order of appearance – Jeffrey Lewis are an awesomely quirky band that looked completely out of place on the large empty stage in front of die hard Roky Erickson fans that probably couldn’t give a shit who they were but clapped them anyway…oh.. it was funny. The whole- not quite so filled yet – room went quiet as Jeffrey – the singer – sang along to his slide show animation. His confidence impressed me. I felt like I was sitting in my bedroom at 17 again watching my stoner friend freestyle lyrical style. Like a scene out of Dogma or Dazed and Confused. Or something. Yet this time my mate had seemingly gotten onto the stage and was playing. In other words I found it surreal..and I liked it.

It was an older crowd that night. And this is where I struggle at being all politically right and that.. (I have been to see Eric Clapton and Leonard Cohen so I feel like I can comment on these matters) With an older crowd you do tend to get the adamant… ‘I’ve been waiting forty years for this gig so shut it kiddo..’ syndrome…I received this welcoming twice.. once when I asked the two men next to me to quieten it down as Jeffrey Lewis was singing over his animation (they bloody didnt shut up either! Nothing worse than men gossiping in a quiet room.. worse than women…) and when I went to go and take a mere photo of Roky singing… the man in front of me was like an iron giant.. and me a mere mouse irritatingly tapping upon his shoulder squeaking.. *excuse me sir.. excuse me*.. I nearly went so far as to just crawl between his legs. It would of been easier..

The reason why I liked Jeffrey Lewis so much is their requirement to question everything. As a penniless creative that has spent every dollar..or pound.. on her outlet I relate to their lyrics – “Is it worth being an artist or an indie rockstar or are you better off without it? Cos maybe the world would be better if we were all dumb creative drones.. – No childhood dreams to haunt us, a decent job a decent home.. ’’ sometimes it’s just nice isn’t it to know that you’re not alone in your thought processes or the only one struggling out there to still believe….

Check out their music video to this here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSdZ_yZP8bk

So what did I think of Roky I hear you crying from the otherside of the internet realm.. (really you shouldn’t cry *arf arf*). Roky Erickson really has a very interesting and unfortunate tale to tell.. from Texas he is known for his band the 13th Floor Elevators, the orginators of psychedelic music. After being caught for having a joint on him he pleaded insanity in court and was subjected to three years of involuntary electric shocks in a mental institute and taking the drug Thorazine. I mean. Jeez. It’s stuff nightmares are made of. It’s a real life story of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Mind you though according to the Guardian he did get out and go on to father 3 kids and have 2 wives so at least all his assets weren’t damaged *wink wink nudge nudge*… although I should note he did return to the institute for stealing mail and trying to rescue the townfolk from badness. I think he had a point to be fair.. in a world of bills bills bills.. What was nice to see was the proven fanbase Roky has. It’s a necessity to support, if not appreciate those musicians that have influenced our genres today. Roky Erickson is obviously one of those.. whose story deserves to be unforgotten. And it’s nice to see that he isn’t. One book recommended to me by Maurice (or Moz as his friends call him) – one of Roky’s biggest fans at the gig was Eyemind – which he informed me was an amazing story and one which I’m going to go off and purchase.. if you’ve already read it let me know..

One of the highlights of the week, however was Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth – now showing at The Jerwood Theatre in Sloane Square, London. Oh my god – this play totally blew me away. The lead part ‘Rooster’ is played by Mark Rylance – and his acting as a gypsy drug dealer was just phenomenal. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of living in a small town then you will find this play both hysterical and yet sad as the depiction of the reality of small town living is so perceptive you are not even aware that it is a play any more. When I sat down I was afraid of it’s 3 hour long time frame – however this zooms by. I would be surprised if you didn’t enjoy this show. The best play I’ve ever seen..

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