John Power / Cast
tremors
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I know I've been banging on about this for a while now - but I have a massive regard for John Power who is currently reforming his major 'band' outing - Cast, for a reunion tour of the UK primarily.
John Power has a great legacy - he was bass player and a founder member of Liverpool's 'The La's' at the end of the 1980s, along with Lee Mavers. Obviously, Pearl Jam famously covered 'Timeless Melody' during the 2000 tour; I believe the La's were a favourite of Matt Cameron's. The principal songwriter for the La's, Mavers is a notorious eccentric and perfectionist, and was never happy with their single album, and so the band stalled.
John Power however refused to stay standing, and formed 'Cast' who made an almighty impact with their debut album 'All Change' in 1995 / 1996. The album came in the middle of the 'britpop' scene, and Noel Gallagher was a huge fan, although personally I have always found Power and Cast were the most constructive, imaginative, and inspiring band from that scene - and probably the most underrated considering their output. All Change came out during probably the single most difficult period I've faced in my own life - and it really really helped me to keep my head above water. There is a kind of simplicity, almost 'naivety', innocence in John Power's songs which really helped me to stay positive and keep some hope in the middle of devastating times. I have returned to all four of the Cast albums at challenging times in my life, and always found the simplicity and message of hope a proper antidote to depression and trauma. In terms of bands who are intrinsically good for your mental health - I would put Cast near the very top.
What is most interesting about John Power though, apart from this big commercial success, fading of popularity, and now this sold-out reunion tour in 2010 / 2011 - is probably his solo work, and the way he has evolved to almost become a kind of 'Buddhist protest singer', and local hero - he is a very enlightened chap if his songs and how he conducts himself are anything to go by - very forgiving, incredibly optimistic, very wise and aware that you can rise above difficulties with music and hope. Power sings in a very raw 'scouse' (Liverpool) accent - which is very unaffected - so there is (naturally I think), an echo of John Lennon's voice throughout all his work.
This song 'Happening for Love' is a modest work of genius in my view - a scathing attack on the 'powers that be', the warmongers, the politicians, the exploiters - in the spirit of Bob Dylan's masters of war. (Do you think it's happening for LOVE?' I find a certain similarity between Eddie Vedder's solo output and John Power's - a certain informality, and feeling part of a tradition of protest, where music is beyond commercial concerns. I'm really looking forward to the reunion tour!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMmE8cwsvw
John Power has a great legacy - he was bass player and a founder member of Liverpool's 'The La's' at the end of the 1980s, along with Lee Mavers. Obviously, Pearl Jam famously covered 'Timeless Melody' during the 2000 tour; I believe the La's were a favourite of Matt Cameron's. The principal songwriter for the La's, Mavers is a notorious eccentric and perfectionist, and was never happy with their single album, and so the band stalled.
John Power however refused to stay standing, and formed 'Cast' who made an almighty impact with their debut album 'All Change' in 1995 / 1996. The album came in the middle of the 'britpop' scene, and Noel Gallagher was a huge fan, although personally I have always found Power and Cast were the most constructive, imaginative, and inspiring band from that scene - and probably the most underrated considering their output. All Change came out during probably the single most difficult period I've faced in my own life - and it really really helped me to keep my head above water. There is a kind of simplicity, almost 'naivety', innocence in John Power's songs which really helped me to stay positive and keep some hope in the middle of devastating times. I have returned to all four of the Cast albums at challenging times in my life, and always found the simplicity and message of hope a proper antidote to depression and trauma. In terms of bands who are intrinsically good for your mental health - I would put Cast near the very top.
What is most interesting about John Power though, apart from this big commercial success, fading of popularity, and now this sold-out reunion tour in 2010 / 2011 - is probably his solo work, and the way he has evolved to almost become a kind of 'Buddhist protest singer', and local hero - he is a very enlightened chap if his songs and how he conducts himself are anything to go by - very forgiving, incredibly optimistic, very wise and aware that you can rise above difficulties with music and hope. Power sings in a very raw 'scouse' (Liverpool) accent - which is very unaffected - so there is (naturally I think), an echo of John Lennon's voice throughout all his work.
This song 'Happening for Love' is a modest work of genius in my view - a scathing attack on the 'powers that be', the warmongers, the politicians, the exploiters - in the spirit of Bob Dylan's masters of war. (Do you think it's happening for LOVE?' I find a certain similarity between Eddie Vedder's solo output and John Power's - a certain informality, and feeling part of a tradition of protest, where music is beyond commercial concerns. I'm really looking forward to the reunion tour!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iMmE8cwsvw
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I saw them in Brighton in about 1990 I think. I remember the support act too, but their name escapes me.. they did a song or album called Apple Green which saw a bit of airplay.... good old days
True story.
Never really got into Cast but I love The LA's
That's cool! Well, when you next see your friend could you ask him to give cousin John a huge 'Thanks!' from me!
I have found many of his songs and albums both 'lifesaving', and 'life-affirming', in the same way that I have found Pearl Jam albums both as well. It's a completely different emotion - Vedder tends to walk the dark path, whereas I've always found John Power's songs and words really walk in the light.
All Change and Magic Hour in particular have helped me through some of the tightest spots, darkest moments imaginable. Magic Hour is probably THE most underrated album I know - I don't even know anyone else that knows it, let alone anybody else who rates it like I do. In fact I would safely say that to my mind Cast are one of the most underrated bands of the last 20 years.....!
They are deceptive, because of the lightness, the optimism and the simplicity in a way - but when you find yourself on rock bottom, then the light is really what you need!!
The La's I love, but more in a conventional way! hehehe
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Really? As far as I know the Cast reunion was formally announced just back in June. I guess there may have been rumours before.
Here's the announcement from nme.com - on June 22nd 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/cast/51594
I hope it's happening - cos I have tickets and they recently announced a 3rd Liverpool date after the first two sold out quickly!
Hold on - 1990? Are you talking about the La's? - They had a few reunion gigs a couple of years ago now - including a set at Glastonbury, but not much after that. I think with the Cast reunion you could safely say the La's reunion tour is on the back-burner now. Someone asked the producer of the La's album 'so is there going to be second album?', and he said
'You're joking aren't you? Lee Mavers still thinks we haven't finished the first album yet!!'
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There's a story on the BBC news site from May 2009 about the reunion......
I doubt you could have seen Cast in 1991, since John Power was still in the La's! -'he left the band on the 13th December 1991'
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Sorry mate, I got all caught up in a moment of reminiscence....
No that's cool - the original post could give that impression if you were skimming it. A lot of people would love to see a La's reunion tour - they did a great set at Glastonbury a few years ago, with J Power back on bass, but didn't take it much further. I wouldn't hold your breath on that one now though!
Anyway, fair play to you - you saw the La's in their original incarnation! That's quite something
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I seem to remember them being touted as the next big thing.. I had a look and they are still going!
http://www.myspace.com/milltownbrothers
I have a ten inch single by them - probably bought around the time you saw them. WIsh it was a La's single really!! At the time I only knew 'There She Goes' - which is probably as perfect a song as they come. It's interesting how the La's have grown and grown in their standing and influence as the years have passed.
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Enjoy the Cast shows dude...
The tour probably means Robert Plant and Lee Mavers have shelved any tour plans for a little while
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Did you go to the 02?
For Zep? I didn't make it- have not made it to the 02 at all yet
Last PJ I saw was Shepherd's Bush Empire. Have been to a few gigs since - most notably Yusuf, who was brilliant - a 'pin drop' audience!
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I've seen PJ and Roger Waters at the O2. I think it's a pretty good venue....
Brixton academy is my favourite... Must have been there 50 times over the years...
I'll look Yusuf up... Heard the name, not the music
off-of http://www.ilikemusic.co.uk/music_news/ ... 2010-10906
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