Relaxed Muscle - Is Cocker back and stranger than ever...!?

[BadCoverVersion]

Relaxed Muscle have been hailed as "The Sound of Young Doncaster"...:)

Jarvis Cocker is allegedly posing under the guise of one Darren Spooner, an ex-club singer-cum-truck driver-cum-petty criminal...:confused:.

Confused...I am meself.

Darren Spooner conducts interviews via telephone using a weird voice-box thingummyjig...he reminisces about meeting his partner in crime, Wayne Marsden (possibly one Richard Hawley of Pulp fame) during a stint of community service re-bedding some flowers in the local park.

The duo have played to rowdy crowds in both the Sheffield and Doncaster area...Darren likes to get the audience going with a spot of impromptu "karate chopping" before a gig.

Onlookers have said "this has to be seen to be believed"...;)

Reviews have been mixed to say the least...and Relaxed Muscle say of their musak...

"Wayne and meself just like to have a lark about...see what takes our fancy like. I just belt out a bit of a tune and he whirls it through 'is computer and tinkers with it. It's amazing what these young 'un's can do nowadays...

To listen to Rod Of Iron CLICK HERE... (http://nme.com/features/104860.htm)

I shall be reviewing myself this afternoon...:)

[Reigh Kaufman]

"lark about" and "tinkers" and "young uns".

If this isn't Cocker I'll eat my crushed velvet trousers. Did he mention anything about trees? He did? Well, then, games a bogey!!!! It's him.

[Psychocandy]

I'm amused...and intrigued. I'll give this track a listen meself and report back in two shakes of a tinkers tackle.

[Psychocandy]

'kin 'ell.

This is pretty fucking strong stuff. Dark and kinda nasty. Sounds a bit like the sort of track Meat Beat Manifesto would lay down if they chose to collaborate with Jarvo. I particularly like the layering of the the "All mine" chorus (I use the word chorus for want of a better word...this track is pretty much chorusless). If I had to use one word to describe this track that word would likely be "meaty". If I were allowed two words i'd go for "fucking meaty". So Jarvis is back. Slightly more insane than before but back nonetheless.

BCV...can't see something like this getting much radioplay so I guess a chart hit is out of the question. I don't think having a hit is Jarvis' intention here though so that's ok.

[BadCoverVersion]

Yowzers...He is BACK folks...!!!

The inimitable sound of Jarvis reigns supreme...;)

I tell you one thing and I aint lyin'...I rule my woman with a rod of iron...

Gaaaaaad, he doesn't just lie down and admit defeat does he now!? Christ, this is good stuff...abso-bloomin-lutely hardcore and then some...I bloody love it.

You're right on the money Psycho...FUCKING MEATY!!! I'm completely with ya'...I doubt it's going to be topping the ol' charts any time soon, but its just too dark and heavy and fresh...and when it hits 2:42 it just RAWKS so badly.

I'm on my 4th listen at the mo' and I think I may just weep...

I am blessed.

[Psychocandy]

BCV...

Any word on when the EP will be hitting the stores? It doesn't say on the NME site.

[Romero&Juliet]

ooookay....That's just fucking wierd..

and the link wont work for me~! errrrhh...!

[BadCoverVersion]

Well Psycho...I've just done a wee bit of t'internet research, and according to a couple of sources...

Relaxed Muscle (The Heavy EP) will now get a proper release via Rough Trade this 21/04/03 on CD (RTRADESCD073) and 7" (RTRADES073)...

This baby is already on release for the love of JC...:o.

The world has gone mad I tell thee.


PS: Yep Romero, it's strange alright...The midlife crisis has hit.

[Psychocandy]

It's out?!?!? FUCK!!! To Amazon I go.

[Psychocandy]

Phew...they have it. There's also mention of another single due for release on 23rd June. The two tracks mentioned are Billy Jack and Sexualize. Intrigued I am.

[Lady Summerisle]

I am so there.
Altar egos kick ass (a la Bowie).

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
Phew...they have it. There's also mention of another single due for release on 23rd June. The two tracks mentioned are Billy Jack and Sexualize. Intrigued I am.

Whoop-deeee-dooo...I've ordered meself 3 copies...:), Yay...I am THAT sad.

This track is just too infectious...I've been streaming it for near an hour now.

I'm BEAMING!!!

[BadCoverVersion]

Jesus it must be great...to be straight! (http://www.nme.com/features/105386.htm)

FUCK ME!

How much do I adore this man!?

Wowweeeeeeeeeee!!!

Thanks for the link Psychocandy, I have this one on order and stuff but Jehesus!

[John Dark]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
one Darren Spooner, an ex-club singer-cum-truck driver-cum-petty criminal...:confused:.

Confused...I am meself.

Don't be.
TRUCK MEANS "LORRY"

[Corpse Candle]

Well BCV you gone and made a cokney wake up and take note I reamber witnessing a gothy COCKER in the gutter press a while back.

A darker sound you say well maybe the dark side of the COCKER has something to offer.
PULP wasn't a favourite band of mine but I did notice that COCKER did have more talent than some of the "never should have beens" of the past Brit-pop phase.

Good to see an artist coming back after the label has dropped them TERRORVISION did this but for one album.

Maybe 'ol Tony will make a come back............???

Yeah just like just like Gary Barlow.....(Switch's on small casio keyboard)"So i'll keep on walking down that open road" .:D :confused:

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by John Dark
Don't be.
TRUCK MEANS "LORRY"

Hmmmmm, that wasn't actually the bit confusing me dude...;)


PS: Corpse. Pulp WEREN'T dropped fella' me lad. Jarvis decided to concentrate on his "fatherly" duties.

[Corpse Candle]

PS: Corpse. Pulp WEREN'T dropped fella' me lad. Jarvis decided to concentrate on his "fatherly" duties. [/B][/QUOTE]

Oh I see....do you think COCKER taught his little nipper how to dance like he does and to pout.
Also I wounderd what the logic would have been behind dropping PULP 'cause at the time of thier last album I was trying to be cool when working at an indpendant record shop.
I didn't think the album was all that bad however anything was a break from some of the shite our manager used to force us to play.

[Psychocandy]

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000DG7B3.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Something that may be of interest to certain schmoes (or schmoe). Relaxed Muscle have an album coming out. NME awarded it a grand 7/10 this week so I assume it's out this coming Monday. What i've heard so far from these guys has been tunes that skip up to the borderline between sanity and rabid insanity then set up camp in the land of mad tunes. This is the sort of music that pulverises mediocrity. Sheer lunacy set to some crazy beats fused with some sort of glam rock mentality. Brilliant stuff. I'll be buying the album. Oh yes!!!

Track listing as follows...

1. The Heavy
2. Let it Ride
3. Beastmaster
4. Billy Jack
5. Rod Of Iron
6. Tuff It Out
7. Sexualized
8. Muscle Music
9. B-Real
10. Previous
11. Battered
12. Mary

[BadCoverVersion]

Woo-hoo...I've had this baby on order for well over a month now...apparantly it glows in the muthafuckin' dark!!!

Billy Jack and The Heavy are my fave tracks thus far...I'm pissing me pants in anticipation!!!

[The Postmaster General]

Man, BCV has totally made me a fan of this guy. From citing cool lyrics from songs whose name I can't remember, to informing me of this new alter ego thing -- And let me tell you. Like was said earlier, "Alter egos rock!!"

Hell, I even gained respect for Garth Brooks when he became Gaines -- he even did a stint on SNL where Garth was the hose and Gaines was the music guest.


It's just grand for people to be involved in such performance art.

The way you are describing this album makes me sound like I would like it an awful lot. I love the man's lyrics, but I am sometimes into the stranger sound. (Although I must cry out raves about "The Fear" which was engifted to me through the great music tag thread)





Originally posted by Psychocandy
Sounds a bit like the sort of track Meat Beat Manifesto would lay down if they chose to collaborate with Jarvo.



Wow! I think this is the first time I've heard anyone other than myself mention this great band. A comparison to these guys puts anything on my hit list. Hell, man.

[BadCoverVersion]

Bubba...you MUST track down this funky-as-fuck album dude...it's tongue in cheek, hardcore, nasty, brain-ache inducing, veeeeery sexy, glam-rawk-cum-electronica with a sprinkling of cheese on top.

It reeks of syrup, dry-humping and strobe-lighting if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Oh, I've been dancing to Beastmaster most of the day...a raunchy Gary Glitteresque SMASHER complete with filthy Halloween noises and a "Yeah...Yeah...Yeah...a-ha-ha..." chorus....niiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!

The Heavy, Billy Jack and Tuff It Out are also PHENOMENAL tunes...but the icing on this big sickly cake is definitely the last geetar led track 'Mary'...which had me splurting diet coke from my nostrils...

Mary, I just called to tell ya'...that both our children are on drugs!
And the way that things are going they'll be dead before either one of us!
Last night I saw Darren, he didn't recognise me...he offered me out.
Didn't recognise his own father...tell me Mary, what's that all about?

Mary I'm sorry...
Mary I'm scared...
Mary I still love ya'
Mary are you there?

Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary.

Now I...I like a bit of fun of now and then...and sometimes I have too much!
And I know things are different now...

But drugs Mary...FUCKING DRUGS!!!

You've GOT to hear it to appreciate it...fucking GOLD it is.

Anyway...there is a small feature on Relaxed Muscle in this month's ATTITUDE if any bugger is interested. I shall be updating my post when I've absorbed this gorge little album a wee bit more.

[Psychocandy]

BCV...

Those lyrics are absolutely fucking priceless. If I had more than the two thruppenny bits i'm currently juggling then i'd be off to a record store tomorrow where I would purchase this album forthwith. Unfortunately...i'm skint so it's gonna have to wait.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Psychocandy
BCV...

Those lyrics are absolutely fucking priceless. If I had more than the two thruppenny bits i'm currently juggling then i'd be off to a record store tomorrow where I would purchase this album forthwith. Unfortunately...i'm skint so it's gonna have to wait.

It's certainly worth the wait mate (just wait till you hear him wail "But drugs Mary...FUCKING DRUGS!!!"), and it's ENHANCED I tell ya'...the vids to both Sexualised and Billy Jack are on there...the sight of skinny ol' Jarv' doing all manner of kung-fu dancey moves in his skeleton/cowboy cossie is well worth the tenner (or so) alone.

Lovely stuff.

[BadCoverVersion]

Quick little review from the BBC...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/collective/dnaimages/031024/relaxedmuscle.jpg

From BBC.CO.UK (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A1910864)

Electro business from somebody you might recognise…

Humour isn’t a trait commonly associated with electronic albums. But Relaxed Muscle aren’t your average beat combo. The official story is they’re skint rock’n’roll musician Darren Spooner and keyboardist Jason Buckle from Doncaster. But the gossips claim Darren is a lanky lyricist who once dropped his trousers near Michael Jackson at the Brits. Whatever, A Heavy Night With... hilariously marries the sleaze of Prince with the heartbreak of Dolly Parton, and the raunchiness of JD Wetherspoons on a 2-for-1 night.

(8/10)

Anna Chapman 24 October 03.

If you CLICK on the link...you can listen to The Heavy, Billy Jack and the rather funny Mary.

Oh, and I couldn't leave without posting this beaut'...

http://members.lycos.co.uk/pulp/images/billyjackvideo.jpg

[The Postmaster General]

I've only been able to get "Beastmaster" for sampling so far. Great tune! It's sort of like Bauhaus with balls. I'm on the search for more.

I don't know who this Jarvis Cocker person is, but I think he's one to keep an eye on.











:D

[Psychocandy]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
I don't know who this Jarvis Cocker person is, but I think he's one to keep an eye on.

Jarvis Cocker? What's he got to do with Relaxed Muscle? The guy in Relaxed Muscle is called Darren Spooner.

[BadCoverVersion]

Jarvis (a.ka. Darren Spooner) in Self Service Magazine this month (SO BUY IT), but I LOVED this review, so I'm gonna BUMP...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Guardian.Co.UK (http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,106
7901,00.html)

Relaxed Muscle - ****/*****

Victory Services Club, London

David Peschek
Wednesday October 22, 2003
The Guardian

It seems unlikely that Jarvis Cocker would be playing at a party for art magazine Frieze if he was really hoping that no one would see through his alias. Despite the heavy make-up, vocal distortion, enormous sunglasses and interviews conducted in character, dispossessed Doncaster reprobate Darren Spooner is rumbled the minute the Burundi pulse of Muscle Music kicks in: the man doing the kinetic rag-doll dance may, indeed, be one of the common people, but he is unmistakable.

As a way of letting off steam during Pulp's extended sabbatical, Relaxed Muscle works brilliantly. The nearest thing to pop music Cocker has made since Pulp's Britpop heyday, the songs are a riot of filthy electro and slyly subversive terrace-chant melodies. It's just a shame they are unlikely to take him back to Top of the Pops, the obvious home for this kind of well-turned sedition.

Here, in front of a somewhat self-conscious crowd, there is an unescapable feeling of preaching to the converted. When some of these people dance, it seems less for pleasure than as performance art. "You like lookin' at art. You like lookin' at paintings, at sculpture, at video," Spooner/Cocker announces accusingly before Tough It Out. "Well, in my opinion this next song is a masterpiece, so listen to it." There is no denying the ZZ Top boogie of Sexualised, however ("student teachers are sexualised!"), or the frenetic Rod of Iron.

The band are a supergroup of sorts: Jason Buckle of Fat Truckers, Steve Claydon from Add (N) To X (resplendent in matelot outfit), photographer to the stars Joe Dilworth on drums and Richard Hawley on guitar. But Cocker, with or without disguise, is the star. His unique position in British music is underlined by the opening lines of gently rolling encore Mary: "I just called to tell you that both our children are on drugs." Cocker's absence from the top 40 may leave a gap no one else can fill, but just outside the spotlight he is making utterly vital pop music.

[Jewbo]

hate tyo be the odd one out but i really didnt like the track on nme.com. sounded abit crap to me really.