If Billy could have been bothered to play the game or had 10% of Bono's ambition the word would be a different place..Billy moved to his own drum and all he needed was the love of his whippets,his mother and Dundee.He left behind the most original template of what the eightiess could promise..few got close to the masterpiece of Sulk,and the fact it could never be imitated speaks volumes for how far ahead the associates actually were.The early death of his mother killed Billy.A year later he died of a broken heart.
Why do you mention that arse of a man bono or boner beside a man who had real genuine talent bono is for the easily led and easily had morons of this world gullible celtic fans are this odious mans fanbase A truly awful band and the messianic boner!!!!!!!!¿
People can only be what they are. For all the attention-seeking slagdonnas, Kylies, Pariah Careys, Michael Jacksons, Aguileras, Oasis shit etc. all out there, there are the modest Sparks brothers', Kim Wildes, Sandras, Alphavilles, China Crises, Big Countrys, Kirsty MacColls of this world who do things their way and people ignore the sensible that's their problem. Billy McKenzie was like this and good on him. Ambition goes too far, especially when people can only accept the narrow always.
I am a musician Bla Bla Bla I wish i could describe how complicated this is. Especially the chord sequences and vocals in the last 30 seconds Uniquely talented band . Way ahead (generally) of the record buying public at that time.
There's some Rankin videos, apparently even more ahead of their time, at least two of their hits were written late 80's and it was decided to keep them in the locker for when they had a chance.
I remember a review, I think in Record Mirror, at the time, saying the Associates pissed all over everything else in the charts from a great height. It was the first time I'd ever seen the phrase and I and my friends found it very funny.
Never ever tired of listening to The Associates in any form or lineup. Every time I walk past someone walking with a whippet I tell of Billy's love of the breed ❤
Problem is, when you say you like 80s music, like I do, people seem to think you mean all the cack that was in the charts e.g. Stock, Aitken and Waterman, the throwaway pop etc, rather than the incredible stuff from people like The Associates, Magazine, The Teardrop Explodes and a load of other great acts who basically came out of the punk scene in the late 70s.
Michael Dempsey was definitely the ideal bassist for Associates, and even though the footage does not accurately allow it, the drums and cymbals seem to be very well taken care of, by the late John Murphy, (at least in studio, he still played on this 1982 album). I know that Murphy, by the time Sulk was made, was thinner and obviously much younger looking. In a nutshell, he also deserves our credit.
Karl Lux Lusitania This is not John Murphy here, as he already left the group just with the release of Sulk, but Steve Goulding, who took over for the 18 Carat Love Affair single and all the tours and TV shows in 1982/83.
The genius and madness of Alan Rankine and Billy Mackenzie. Without a doubt the most interesting pop band of the early eighties. The first 3 albums are truly amazing. Fourth Drawer Down my favourite.
My favourite Associates track - just incredible. Loved it the first time I heard it in 1982 and it still sounds utterly mesmerising today. Thank you so much for posting this - the whole band were just brilliant and it's a joy to see this footage.
I've always loved how Billy's vocals start so subdued at the beginning of this song but he builds up to that burst of his trademark operatic style towards the end.
The Associates, looking like Billy, Martha and their backing band at this point. Utter remarkable, completely unforgettable. And the absence of Alan Rankine is noteworthy.
@@wattage2007 Oh no...his brothers as well, how awful. I remember hearing that Billy was struggling to come to terms with his mother's death, and was depressed. His voice is so amazing, it reminds me of my life in London in the eighties... Just looked it all up and his sister died in an accident in 2013 as well...omg. Very tragic family 😢
@@biegebythesea6775 No, Jimmy had developed a drug problem and died of an overdose in the early 2000s. John died in 2010 from a fire in his house. Such a shame, they were both real lively and likeable characters.
@@wattage2007 Sounds like Jimmy also had depression then. Addiction is slow suicide. John situation was bad luck. That's a real shame. Thanks for the insight.
I can’t get over how phenomenally outstanding this song is. It grows on you until you realize it’s beautiful brilliance-and then you’re just stunned and addicted and in AWE. Also this is 1982! Wha!?! I’m not sure if it’s McKenzie’s artful presence and masterful voice or the quality of the music composed and preformed by the rest of the band. Everything is just fantastically perfect. Unassumingly humble yet superiorly outstanding.
Some of the most inventive music ever to come out of the UK was between 1977-1982. Seems like bands were allowed to explore and experiment rather than have to adhere to some pre defined corporate template. The music sounds even better now
@jgmccabe, It’s probably just me…. I have a weird way of falling in love but not realizing it until it punches me in the head a bit later. First time I heard this song my censors were definitely on it. Real art is nourishment!
Good question. They finally got their big break with a 1.5 million dollar advance from a record company with the successful release of "Sulk" - but, Billy McKenzie did not want to go on their first American Tour. So, that is why they did not make it big ! All according to an Alan Rankine interview.
bought the album when I was revising for my "o" levels in 1982, was mesmerised by it, such a brilliant album couldnt stop listening to it....needless to say i failed most of my "o" levels that year!!😂🥰😍
I remember Billy MacKenzie saying that he once had an orgasm listening to the contrast between his voice and Alan Rankine's music. Listening to this it's easy to see why.
I used to listen to them back in the 80’s, some friend had taped their records for me. I had no idea he was so handsome, it’s incredibly painful to watch, thinking he took his life off.
I had this album Sulk' in 82 thrashed the grooves out of it on wet gloomy Wellington Sundays. The trippy flick' bass and drums with a fantasy world electronics reminds something from lost in space' OH Billy Boy you were amaverick!!
Yes very unique sound. He was also in The Lotus Eaters ruclips.net/video/waTkfGhGkUUa/видео.htmlnd in this Roxy Music video although he didnt play on the recordingruclips.net/video/bpA_5a0miWk/видео.html
IMHO, Hayden Thorpe from wild Beasts was clearly inspired by Billy's incredible sound. There was no other band like them though. Capable of deep madness and beautiful, sublime euphoria in sound and imagery. Utterly brilliant and everything that music today lacks.
Heel veel dank om dit hier neer te zetten, Richard. Prachtig nummer, dit is 1982. De VPRO was zeer goed om dit op te pikken en ze naar de studio te halen.
Thanks for your Inventiveness Style Originality Uniqueness Combining Music with Art. Hope you're Happy wherever you are Billy and reunited with Mammy and other members gone since your passing.
Billy was the missing link between Bowie and Tim Buckley. Saw The Associates in 1980. There were more people in the band than in the crowd. They were fantastic. At the very height of his power, BM was magnificent. Gone, never to be forgotten.
Ski-PENG!!!!!!!!.. I can't get enough of the last 1/3 of this tune - the Assoc' best IMHO.. PF2 & Love Hangover got me into them back in the day but this is just fucking divine..
I discovered the wonderful Associates when I was 25 in 2006 , I always loved 80s music! I had a Greatest electric 80s double cd album and “part fears two “ came on and it absolutely blew me away! So curiously I did some reading on them and went to hmv and bought sulk and an Associates greatest hits album and again blown away, white car in Germany , Message oblique speech , kites , club country, A matter of gender, Tell me Easter’s on Friday I could go on for ever! Billy’s out of this world’s voice ! Alan and marthas’s wonderful musical arrangement ! I wish I had been born earlier ! Associates I feel is quite an underestimated band ! There was no one like them absolutely amazing! Rest in peace billy you were so talented music really lost something priceless !❤❤
![Associates - 18 Carat Love Affair [totp2]](/img/1.gif)
"Sulk" is one of THE albums of the 1980s. Absolutely superb.
If Billy could have been bothered to play the game or had 10% of Bono's ambition the word would be a different place..Billy moved to his own drum and all he needed was the love of his whippets,his mother and Dundee.He left behind the most original template of what the eightiess could promise..few got close to the masterpiece of Sulk,and the fact it could never be imitated speaks volumes for how far ahead the associates actually were.The early death of his mother killed Billy.A year later he died of a broken heart.
Why would Billy be like that globalist toad known as Bono Nay Sir, Billy McKenzie was unbridled genius
Rip ynwa
Why do you mention that arse of a man bono or boner beside a man who had real genuine talent bono is for the easily led and easily had morons of this world gullible celtic fans are this odious mans fanbase
A truly awful band and the messianic boner!!!!!!!!¿
Sh1te..
People can only be what they are. For all the attention-seeking slagdonnas, Kylies, Pariah Careys, Michael Jacksons, Aguileras, Oasis shit etc. all out there, there are the modest Sparks brothers', Kim Wildes, Sandras, Alphavilles, China Crises, Big Countrys, Kirsty MacColls of this world who do things their way and people ignore the sensible that's their problem. Billy McKenzie was like this and good on him. Ambition goes too far, especially when people can only accept the narrow always.
Insanely brilliant. And Martha looks fantastic in that uniform.
RIP Alan and Billy - Legendary in other peoples deficiencies.
I am a musician Bla Bla Bla
I wish i could describe how complicated this is.
Especially the chord sequences and vocals in the last 30 seconds
Uniquely talented band . Way ahead (generally) of the record buying public at that time.
There's some Rankin videos, apparently even more ahead of their time, at least two of their hits were written late 80's and it was decided to keep them in the locker for when they had a chance.
I remember a review, I think in Record Mirror, at the time, saying the Associates pissed all over everything else in the charts from a great height. It was the first time I'd ever seen the phrase and I and my friends found it very funny.
@@Festoolification Late 70s.
@@pflynn581 Oops, yes, thanks for the correction, those decades fly by.
@@JohnMoseley😂 👍
Billy's vocal range is nothing short of impossible - what an outstanding talent!
Love seeing Martha Ladly on the keyboards
Wearing that uniform too. Down boy, down!
me too
@@beerlover7460 oh yes
"Dish ish my partner, who ish alsho my lover!"
Never ever tired of listening to The Associates in any form or lineup. Every time I walk past someone walking with a whippet I tell of Billy's love of the breed ❤
There is something hypnotic about this song
Maybe that bass?
As the fellow above so aptly described…..” insanely brilliant”!
There is a complex texture of synth harmonies - the bass is flying and the singing is just gorgeous - this is the most opulent side of post punk.
The 80s were a fantastic era to give us music like this. Billy Mackenzie had an ethereal stage presence. RIP Billy.
Problem is, when you say you like 80s music, like I do, people seem to think you mean all the cack that was in the charts e.g. Stock, Aitken and Waterman, the throwaway pop etc, rather than the incredible stuff from people like The Associates, Magazine, The Teardrop Explodes and a load of other great acts who basically came out of the punk scene in the late 70s.
Michael Dempsey was definitely the ideal bassist for Associates, and even though the footage does not accurately allow it, the drums and cymbals seem to be very well taken care of, by the late John Murphy, (at least in studio, he still played on this 1982 album). I know that Murphy, by the time Sulk was made, was thinner and obviously much younger looking. In a nutshell, he also deserves our credit.
Karl Lux Lusitania This is not John Murphy here, as he already left the group just with the release of Sulk, but Steve Goulding, who took over for the 18 Carat Love Affair single and all the tours and TV shows in 1982/83.
The genius and madness of Alan Rankine and Billy Mackenzie. Without a doubt the most interesting pop band of the early eighties. The first 3 albums are truly amazing. Fourth Drawer Down my favourite.
Aah . . . Alan Rankine, rest in peace. Associates again🕯 🌠🎶🌟🎶🌠🕯
@@skooshy621 yeah sad news, there music played such a meaningful part in my growing up. RIP guys!
Sulk. :0)
My favourite Associates track - just incredible. Loved it the first time I heard it in 1982 and it still sounds utterly mesmerising today. Thank you so much for posting this - the whole band were just brilliant and it's a joy to see this footage.
Pure genuis. Love everysong from the Associates and Billy, . Thanks for posting this!
Breakfast Remembered.
This guy had one of the most amazing, unique vocal styles I’ve ever heard. Just great.
BEST SONG EVER and believe me I have heard alot
That bass player wow
Dempsey was incredible
My favourite Associates song, hypnotic, very talented duo❤
Stunning, amazing, incredible. Thanks for such a clear upload of this essential, priceless footage.
I've always loved how Billy's vocals start so subdued at the beginning of this song but he builds up to that burst of his trademark operatic style towards the end.
Billy McKenzie's brother John (RIP) introduced me to this tune 15 years ago. Blew my mind.
The Associates had a fantastic bass player as well as Billy and the gorgeous Martha.....
Ever heard of Alan Rankine?!
@@MisAnnThorpe Who?
@@robnl90 No, not The Who.
Unless I’m more mistaken... that’s not Mr Rankine on bass in this clip
Michael Dempsey. He was brilliant. Had no idea he was also original bassist for The Cure and was also in Lotus Eaters!
women in uniform oh my Martha Ladly
What a voice.!!!!the best singer in that era .he had everything.many many groups they wanted a singer like this!!!incredible drums!!!
Yes indeed he was.
billy m = genius
sk m he really was...
sk m They did produce some shit so not totally genius but they were very good.
The Associates, looking like Billy, Martha and their backing band at this point. Utter remarkable, completely unforgettable. And the absence of Alan Rankine is noteworthy.
AMAZING BAND !!!
They were well ahead of their time.
I had completely forgotten about this song - its haunting.
Everything about this is absolutely wonderful... Oh how I still miss Billy 😞.... Thank you for posting x
Goosebumps from head to toe....I loved him. So sad.
Tragic family. Two of Billy's brothers, Jimmy and John, also singers, died way too young a few years ago.
@@wattage2007
Oh no...his brothers as well, how awful. I remember hearing that Billy was struggling to come to terms with his mother's death, and was depressed.
His voice is so amazing, it reminds me of my life in London in the eighties...
Just looked it all up and his sister died in an accident in 2013 as well...omg.
Very tragic family 😢
@@wattage2007 was it suicide with the other two as well?
@@biegebythesea6775 No, Jimmy had developed a drug problem and died of an overdose in the early 2000s. John died in 2010 from a fire in his house. Such a shame, they were both real lively and likeable characters.
@@wattage2007 Sounds like Jimmy also had depression then. Addiction is slow suicide. John situation was bad luck. That's a real shame. Thanks for the insight.
PERFECT
Like no other band at this point.Brilliantly chaotic.
One of the most original bands...ever.
Amazing!
another great 80's band
wow! Billy is just an incredible singer and front man. You can really hear their influence on bands like Wild Beasts
Really?! Will have to give them a listen in that case.
I can’t get over how phenomenally outstanding this song is. It grows on you until you realize it’s beautiful brilliance-and then you’re just stunned and addicted and in AWE.
Also this is 1982! Wha!?!
I’m not sure if it’s McKenzie’s artful presence and masterful voice or the quality of the music composed and preformed by the rest of the band. Everything is just fantastically perfect. Unassumingly humble yet superiorly outstanding.
I'm not sure I'd agree with the "grows on you" bit; I loved it from the first moment I heard it!
Some of the most inventive music ever to come out of the UK was between 1977-1982. Seems like bands were allowed to explore and experiment rather than have to adhere to some pre defined corporate template. The music sounds even better now
@andyj639, YES! I’m happy to have grown up listening to it all. The music was pure audio art. Rich and high creativity. I miss it!
@jgmccabe, It’s probably just me…. I have a weird way of falling in love but not realizing it until it punches me in the head a bit later. First time I heard this song my censors were definitely on it.
Real art is nourishment!
Awesome Sulk A MASTERPIECE that when briefly released in 🇺🇸 was butchered by sire
The very best.haunting.What a voice and serious background military style drum beat.SOOOOO COOOOOOOOL
An astonishing track from an astonishing album sung by an astonishing singer.
Bless you Billy x
Absolutely exceptional! Just love this music. Go the Associates
God, the Associates were good, why were they never talked about much!!!!
@Path You trippin' '?
Good question. They finally got their big break with a 1.5 million dollar advance from a record company with the successful release of "Sulk" - but, Billy McKenzie did not want to go on their first American Tour. So, that is why they did not make it big ! All according to an Alan Rankine interview.
@Path opinions vary.
@@stevegreg8181 thanks for that Steve, I do enjoy their stuff.
Surely one of the best songs ever!
bought the album when I was revising for my "o" levels in 1982, was mesmerised by it, such a brilliant album couldnt stop listening to it....needless to say i failed most of my "o" levels that year!!😂🥰😍
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant and what a voices
One of the best groups of all time. Brilliant musicians 😊
Dempsey from The Cure on bass. No Rankine in this performance because he left after the recording of Sulk.
One of my all time favourites....jumpin aboot to this noo!
That bassline!
Michael Dempsey would never ever have developed into such a great player if he'd stayed with The Cure!
Can’t stop playing this video love it 😍
Absolutely brilliant - thanks for this!
unforgettable voice...
Another " Visual Reminder " As Too Why The Associates Were The " Antithesis Of Mediocrity " !!! From Adrian Browne 1965
Thankyou That's good of you!!
Scotland's finest
RIGHT UP THERE
I would say all of UK. ART NOT MUSIC
At a time when there was some exceptional music coming out of Scotland.
Definitely getting a 'Clockwork Orange' vibe from this performance!
Can Martha Ladly be any cooler?
I remember Billy MacKenzie saying that he once had an orgasm listening to the contrast between his voice and Alan Rankine's music. Listening to this it's easy to see why.
I used to listen to them back in the 80’s, some friend had taped their records for me. I had no idea he was so handsome, it’s incredibly painful to watch, thinking he took his life off.
You can't listen to it just once, you just can't.
You really can't ... not even after nearly 40 years ;)
The peak of post punk drowning in melodies
Thanx. Very nice
The voice!!!
R,I.P Alan Rankine.
Killer bassline
Andy2018 Wat Michael Dempsey, excellent, I didn’t get this at all the 1st time around, I do now.
I had this album Sulk' in 82 thrashed the grooves out of it on wet gloomy Wellington Sundays. The trippy flick' bass and drums with a fantasy world electronics reminds something from lost in space' OH Billy Boy you were amaverick!!
Absolutely love this , thank you!
SKIPPING TO THE NEXT SONG
Associates wrote some strange songs. That bass player's bizarre left hand movements makes it yet more strange.
strangeness was what made the Associates' songs special
Where's Alan Rankine? (he was the founding member of the group along with lead vocalist Billy Mackenzie)
The bass player totally made this band for me. Awesome.
I think this bass player's style was integral to their sound around this time.
littlenige He is Michael Dempsey, one of the founding members of The Cure
Yes very unique sound. He was also in The Lotus Eaters
ruclips.net/video/waTkfGhGkUUa/видео.htmlnd in this Roxy Music video although he didnt play on the recordingruclips.net/video/bpA_5a0miWk/видео.html
I like the soaring voice with can't-be-bothered lip-syncing
IMHO, Hayden Thorpe from wild Beasts was clearly inspired by Billy's incredible sound.
There was no other band like them though. Capable of deep madness and beautiful, sublime euphoria in sound and imagery.
Utterly brilliant and everything that music today lacks.
Where the fuck's Alan Rankine? Whitewashed out of history?
He had already left The Associates at this point, so did not accompany them on the promotional stuff around this time.
The Associates were unique! Sorely missed.
Heel veel dank om dit hier neer te zetten, Richard. Prachtig nummer, dit is 1982. De VPRO was zeer goed om dit op te pikken en ze naar de studio te halen.
Idd. Unieke band met geweldige zanger
In love with Billy xxx
Sulk , Is The Best Album You Don't Own !
An utterly weird song, and I cant stop listening to it.
Billy in uniform... ^_^
Look out for the Sean Connery bit about half way through. I bought this album when it came out. This was my favourite track.
Thanks for your
Inventiveness
Style
Originality
Uniqueness
Combining Music with Art.
Hope you're Happy wherever you are Billy and reunited with Mammy and other members gone since your passing.
Art for the chosen few.
These beautiful melodies booaahh
Fantastic!
0:54 Martha with that uniform on is giving me the fucking horn.
Gorgeous
The girl playing the synth is Martha out of Martha And The MuffIns
Yes, but not the main Martha, a 2nd martha in the band
Alan Rankine has gone !! May he Rest In Peace
Sulk, best album ever!
William, It Was Really A Nice Sing
Billy was the missing link between Bowie and Tim Buckley.
Saw The Associates in 1980.
There were more people in the band than in the crowd.
They were fantastic. At the very height of his power, BM was magnificent.
Gone, never to be forgotten.
Simply the best rip billy and now Allan some music going on up there thanks for the memories
RIP Alan, but where is he in this?????
Ski-PENG!!!!!!!!.. I can't get enough of the last 1/3 of this tune - the Assoc' best IMHO.. PF2 & Love Hangover got me into them back in the day but this is just fucking divine..
Martha on keyboards is a babe
Brilliant of course, as is par for the course with these guys. but an obvious lip synch from the album.
2:25 watch your sticks, drummer man!
Class song! Is the great riff in the background @ 1:17 mins a guitar or synth?Looks like Martha Ladly is playing it.
what a tune, thing is, it sticks in my head for weeks and I find myself skip skip skip skipping in my head 24/7 !!
I discovered the wonderful Associates when I was 25 in 2006 , I always loved 80s music! I had a Greatest electric 80s double cd album and “part fears two “ came on and it absolutely blew me away! So curiously I did some reading on them and went to hmv and bought sulk and an Associates greatest hits album and again blown away, white car in Germany , Message oblique speech , kites , club country, A matter of gender, Tell me Easter’s on Friday I could go on for ever! Billy’s out of this world’s voice ! Alan and marthas’s wonderful musical arrangement ! I wish I had been born earlier ! Associates I feel is quite an underestimated band ! There was no one like them absolutely amazing! Rest in peace billy you were so talented music really lost something priceless !❤❤