Flag Day is my favourite song of all time... I'm in Canada, grew up on the 'Martins thanks to my father, and I've never ever heard them mentioned anywhere. So it's really nice to see a video like this up from the west!
I think it's fantastic that an American loves such a brilliant English band like The Housemartins from nearly 40 years ago, you have impeccable taste young squire. They were my first ever concert in the Summer of '86 (and still one of the best concerts I've ever been to) and one of your earlier comments is correct, the then unknown Proclaimers were indeed the support act that night, such wonderful memories.
The sound of my early teenage years. Flag day is amazing. At that time, in the uk, kids were asked to save aluminum milk bottle tops and chocolate wrappers. These would then be converted into pennies for worthy causes. I can remember asking "why"? Children being asked for pennies inorder to solve global problems 🤔.
I am a big Housemartins fan since I saw them with Happy Hour on the telly back in the 80s. I am from Germany and really lucky that English Bands were not only accessible but also in the charts. I still treasure their songs to this day. Thanks for this video! I really enjoyed it. Stan never got back into the music business as far as I know. But he has a RUclips channel called Stan's Happy Hour where he and his mate are going out for walks alongside the canals or driving on it in a narrowboat. It is one of the most relaxing thing to watch. Stan chatting away about live and stuff and narrowboating. Get yourself a cuppa and a biscuit before watching. 😁
Hey Patrick, so glad you enjoyed the video! I had no idea about Stan's channel. That does sound super relaxing. Maybe I'll do a bun-run in Stan's honor before I have my tea. Thanks for the comment, and welcome to the channel!
@@PopCultureGraveyard Bun-run 😁 Really lovely documentary, that is. And you're right. If you compare that old footage with the Stan of today - you will find that only the colour of his hair and the topic changed. From Bun to Boat. 'Epic trip round the Avon Ring' is a good place to start. Btw.
hmmm...was hoping you played the music, rather than just talking points. Yes, Housemartins are my all time top 10 bands. I heard them working at Orange Julius in the USA way back in 1988. A co-worker kid cranked them while doing the dishes at closing time....We rocked it every night! Great memories!!
HOLLIS! As soon as I saw the thumbnail, I became practically giddy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Housemartins. And like you, I discovered them through name checks from the Smiths. And like you, I heard of and became fans of other bands such as The Primitives, Easterhouse and The Woodentops thanks to Moz and company. Watching this video was so much fun. I think I first heard Happy Hour on 120 Minutes way back when (like when Kevin Seal was the host), and the lyrics you quote are some of my faves too. It's such a wonderful and sadly underrated and relatively unknown (in the general alternative universe) album. I remember my CD had 4 extra tracks at the end of it - including the magnificent "I'll Be Your Shelter". And I also agree that as amazing as the debut was, I liked TPWGTTD even more. The sheer vitriol in some of these songs is incredible and certainly well deserved for their intended targets. And I'm glad you pointed out Paul's high note in The World Is On Fire - I used to think it could shatter glass! Build is such a brilliant way to end a near perfect album - it's still one of my favorites on the record. But there are so many, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. They also had the compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good, but I know you know that already. Once again, thank you so much for this video - the fact that you picked out the Housemartins for this week put a huge smile on my face. Keep it up my friend!!
MORT! You're the best! So glad you had my back on this one--but then you always do. And I really want to thank you for becoming a Patron! I'm very grateful, and I was so happy to see your name there today. Bringing bands like The Housemartins to folks, is kind of why I started the channel. I realize that means I'll never have millions of viewers, but the ones I have are choice! I was more of a Dave Kendall 120 Minutes guy (I could never see Keven Seal as anything but the "Sporting Fool"), but that show in general was an oasis in the video desert that was MTV. So many unique bands that we couldn't see anywhere else. Nice to know that being a Smiths fan was the gift that kept giving for all of us. Thanks again for the kind words, and take care!
I'm new to your channel. I grew up in Britain and the Housemartins were one of the early bands that I got into. I wore out the cassette I played it so much. Really enjoyed your presentation here. Liked and subscribed!
Thank you, and welcome aboard! I really appreciate the kind words, especially from someone who grew up on this music. The Housemartins were a breath of fresh air when they arrived--such a positive vibe. It was a real pleasure revisiting their work.
How I have not found this video earlier is beyond me. You, Sir, are putting everything into words that I deeply felt as a young teenager during the Housemartins days, and I absolutely love your in-depth-approach to their work, combined with but not limited to a well-dosed portion of appreciation and appraisal. Thank you so much for this, even three years after the fact.
Great video. However - totally disagree about your comment that The Beautiful South to The Housemartins were liken to the Style Council to The Jam. The Style Council were hated in Jam circles as its fans felt that Weller had totally turned his back on them. Whereas the Beautiful South were followed on from Housemartins fans and were much loved. Paul Heaton is a lyrical genius :) Weller did come back to his fans when the rise of Brit-Pop happened in the 90s and the popular bands at the time pointed to Weller as their inspiration - that re-ignited Weller's fire I think.
One of the best bands ever. Saw them live in 1986 in Aberdeen, Scotland and been following every member of the band since...Quentin Cook (aka Norman Cook) went on to be the legend that is Fatboy Slim, PD Heaton has always created some amazing songs and still does to this day from The Beautiful South to Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot..Stan Cullimore is now a children's book writer...Some of the harmonies are outstanding. Thanks for the video...oh and just to give you a kicker..the support band was an unknown duo called...The Proclaimers!
Nailed it as usual. Yeah I always thought that was on odd picture on the cover of the first album, you’re right it’s very Morrissey-esque. Build, the last song on their last album, is one of my favorites of theirs. Love that nugget about how they used to open for themselves as a fictional a cabella band. Never knew that.
Thanks a lot, Jim! Build is such a good song, and Paul really kills it on that. They did that Fish City Five a few times; John Peel even talked them into doing a Peel Session under that name. I put the link in the description.
Far superior to Morrisey and the smiths as an artist (Paul Heaton) and a band (the housemartins). This was the start of something great and British music got an absolute legend and a gentleman.
I discovered the Housemartins from a fellow Smiths fan back in 85. Fun band! BTW~ you were in high school in the 80’s? I thought you were about 35 and couldn’t figure out how you knew so much about 80’s music. Good for you!
Yo' Hollis. Been awhile. I love this!!! One of my favorite bands!!! I was so pleasantly surprised to see you were behind it!!!! What's new? How are you doing? - Kyle
Hey Andrew, those Beautiful South concerts must have been excellent. I've heard from friends who saw them that they put on a fantastic show. Very curious about what Everything But The Girl were like live (was this before Ben was diagnosed with his disease? '92ish?}. I love that Ben and Tracey are still together after all these years.
@@PopCultureGraveyard yeah they were great and the venues got bigger. I was there when they premiered Old Red Eyes way before it was recorded. I was also there when they recorded their live version of You Should Be Dancing. EBTG was in the early 90s. They were very good and always played an interesting and varied set. I wasn't so keen on the later stuff tbh.
@@andrewhamer2512 That sounds amazing! You're very lucky to have those memories. And I'm with you on EBTG's later stuff--but that early material I love. The first thing I bought by them was a 12-inch single of When All's Well, that is still my favorite song by them.
The Smiths weren't particularly popular in the mainstream and I should imagine the cover was a piss take by Paul Heaton. Knowing his humour and politics he was likely digging at Morrisey's need to pose and put on an act. Get up off our knees is one of the greatest songs ever written. As for over there, it's actually about class division in Britain and social division imposed between communities by the ruling elite, or that's how I take it. Regardless, great overview of the album
A couple of things come to mind: The Smiths were definitely popular in the mainstream, gracing the covers of NME, Sounds, and many other UK music mags. Also, Heaton didn't really dislike or have a problem with Morrissey until Mozzer made his first public racist comments about 15 years ago. That said, I totally agree that GUOOK is one of the greatest songs ever written, and I'm glad you enjoyed the episode!
Flag Day is my favourite song of all time... I'm in Canada, grew up on the 'Martins thanks to my father, and I've never ever heard them mentioned anywhere. So it's really nice to see a video like this up from the west!
I think it's fantastic that an American loves such a brilliant English band like The Housemartins from nearly 40 years ago, you have impeccable taste young squire.
They were my first ever concert in the Summer of '86 (and still one of the best concerts I've ever been to) and one of your earlier comments is correct, the then unknown Proclaimers were indeed the support act that night, such wonderful memories.
The sound of my early teenage years. Flag day is amazing. At that time, in the uk, kids were asked to save aluminum milk bottle tops and chocolate wrappers. These would then be converted into pennies for worthy causes. I can remember asking "why"? Children being asked for pennies inorder to solve global problems 🤔.
Thanks for this. Already knew they were brilliant.
I am a big Housemartins fan since I saw them with Happy Hour on the telly back in the 80s. I am from Germany and really lucky that English Bands were not only accessible but also in the charts.
I still treasure their songs to this day.
Thanks for this video! I really enjoyed it.
Stan never got back into the music business as far as I know. But he has a RUclips channel called Stan's Happy Hour where he and his mate are going out for walks alongside the canals or driving on it in a narrowboat. It is one of the most relaxing thing to watch. Stan chatting away about live and stuff and narrowboating. Get yourself a cuppa and a biscuit before watching. 😁
Hey Patrick, so glad you enjoyed the video! I had no idea about Stan's channel. That does sound super relaxing. Maybe I'll do a bun-run in Stan's honor before I have my tea. Thanks for the comment, and welcome to the channel!
@@PopCultureGraveyard Bun-run 😁 Really lovely documentary, that is. And you're right. If you compare that old footage with the Stan of today - you will find that only the colour of his hair and the topic changed. From Bun to Boat.
'Epic trip round the Avon Ring' is a good place to start. Btw.
hmmm...was hoping you played the music, rather than just talking points. Yes, Housemartins are my all time top 10 bands. I heard them working at Orange Julius in the USA way back in 1988. A co-worker kid cranked them while doing the dishes at closing time....We rocked it every night! Great memories!!
Sorry, I wish I could play music, but it's just not worth getting copyright strikes. RUclips doesn't mess around when it comes to that unfortunately
HOLLIS! As soon as I saw the thumbnail, I became practically giddy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Housemartins. And like you, I discovered them through name checks from the Smiths. And like you, I heard of and became fans of other bands such as The Primitives, Easterhouse and The Woodentops thanks to Moz and company. Watching this video was so much fun. I think I first heard Happy Hour on 120 Minutes way back when (like when Kevin Seal was the host), and the lyrics you quote are some of my faves too. It's such a wonderful and sadly underrated and relatively unknown (in the general alternative universe) album. I remember my CD had 4 extra tracks at the end of it - including the magnificent "I'll Be Your Shelter". And I also agree that as amazing as the debut was, I liked TPWGTTD even more. The sheer vitriol in some of these songs is incredible and certainly well deserved for their intended targets. And I'm glad you pointed out Paul's high note in The World Is On Fire - I used to think it could shatter glass! Build is such a brilliant way to end a near perfect album - it's still one of my favorites on the record. But there are so many, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. They also had the compilation Now That's What I Call Quite Good, but I know you know that already. Once again, thank you so much for this video - the fact that you picked out the Housemartins for this week put a huge smile on my face. Keep it up my friend!!
MORT! You're the best! So glad you had my back on this one--but then you always do. And I really want to thank you for becoming a Patron! I'm very grateful, and I was so happy to see your name there today. Bringing bands like The Housemartins to folks, is kind of why I started the channel. I realize that means I'll never have millions of viewers, but the ones I have are choice! I was more of a Dave Kendall 120 Minutes guy (I could never see Keven Seal as anything but the "Sporting Fool"), but that show in general was an oasis in the video desert that was MTV. So many unique bands that we couldn't see anywhere else. Nice to know that being a Smiths fan was the gift that kept giving for all of us. Thanks again for the kind words, and take care!
Fun, Fun, Fun!
I'm new to your channel. I grew up in Britain and the Housemartins were one of the early bands that I got into. I wore out the cassette I played it so much. Really enjoyed your presentation here. Liked and subscribed!
Thank you, and welcome aboard! I really appreciate the kind words, especially from someone who grew up on this music. The Housemartins were a breath of fresh air when they arrived--such a positive vibe. It was a real pleasure revisiting their work.
How I have not found this video earlier is beyond me. You, Sir, are putting everything into words that I deeply felt as a young teenager during the Housemartins days, and I absolutely love your in-depth-approach to their work, combined with but not limited to a well-dosed portion of appreciation and appraisal. Thank you so much for this, even three years after the fact.
You have a good ear i rate Paul Heaton as one of the greatest songwriters Britain ever produced.
Great video. However - totally disagree about your comment that The Beautiful South to The Housemartins were liken to the Style Council to The Jam. The Style Council were hated in Jam circles as its fans felt that Weller had totally turned his back on them. Whereas the Beautiful South were followed on from Housemartins fans and were much loved. Paul Heaton is a lyrical genius :)
Weller did come back to his fans when the rise of Brit-Pop happened in the 90s and the popular bands at the time pointed to Weller as their inspiration - that re-ignited Weller's fire I think.
Very interesting, thanks!
One of the best bands ever. Saw them live in 1986 in Aberdeen, Scotland and been following every member of the band since...Quentin Cook (aka Norman Cook) went on to be the legend that is Fatboy Slim, PD Heaton has always created some amazing songs and still does to this day from The Beautiful South to Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot..Stan Cullimore is now a children's book writer...Some of the harmonies are outstanding. Thanks for the video...oh and just to give you a kicker..the support band was an unknown duo called...The Proclaimers!
Thanks for the comment! What a great time to see them
Really enjoyed this one- you've got a new subscriber. Thanks!
Nailed it as usual. Yeah I always thought that was on odd picture on the cover of the first album, you’re right it’s very Morrissey-esque. Build, the last song on their last album, is one of my favorites of theirs. Love that nugget about how they used to open for themselves as a fictional a cabella band. Never knew that.
Thanks a lot, Jim! Build is such a good song, and Paul really kills it on that. They did that Fish City Five a few times; John Peel even talked them into doing a Peel Session under that name. I put the link in the description.
The Peel Sessions Five is an absolute joy. The Heaven Help Us All cover is phenomenal.
Far superior to Morrisey and the smiths as an artist (Paul Heaton) and a band (the housemartins). This was the start of something great and British music got an absolute legend and a gentleman.
I discovered the Housemartins from a fellow Smiths fan back in 85. Fun band!
BTW~ you were in high school in the 80’s? I thought you were about 35 and couldn’t figure out how you knew so much about 80’s music. Good for you!
Haha! Thanks! Luckily I've always looked younger than my years; I really hope that continues. We were so lucky to have the music we had back then!
Yo' Hollis. Been awhile.
I love this!!!
One of my favorite bands!!! I was so pleasantly surprised to see you were behind it!!!!
What's new? How are you doing?
- Kyle
I missed seeing The Housemartins live but I saw The Beautiful South a few times. I also EBTG a couple of times.
Hey Andrew, those Beautiful South concerts must have been excellent. I've heard from friends who saw them that they put on a fantastic show. Very curious about what Everything But The Girl were like live (was this before Ben was diagnosed with his disease? '92ish?}. I love that Ben and Tracey are still together after all these years.
@@PopCultureGraveyard yeah they were great and the venues got bigger. I was there when they premiered Old Red Eyes way before it was recorded. I was also there when they recorded their live version of You Should Be Dancing.
EBTG was in the early 90s. They were very good and always played an interesting and varied set. I wasn't so keen on the later stuff tbh.
@@andrewhamer2512 That sounds amazing! You're very lucky to have those memories. And I'm with you on EBTG's later stuff--but that early material I love. The first thing I bought by them was a 12-inch single of When All's Well, that is still my favorite song by them.
Brilliant really enjoyed listening to that. Brilliant group paul Heaton is a legend
Thank you, my friend! They're SO underrated--individually and collectively
Immediately clicked!
The Smiths weren't particularly popular in the mainstream and I should imagine the cover was a piss take by Paul Heaton. Knowing his humour and politics he was likely digging at Morrisey's need to pose and put on an act. Get up off our knees is one of the greatest songs ever written. As for over there, it's actually about class division in Britain and social division imposed between communities by the ruling elite, or that's how I take it. Regardless, great overview of the album
A couple of things come to mind: The Smiths were definitely popular in the mainstream, gracing the covers of NME, Sounds, and many other UK music mags. Also, Heaton didn't really dislike or have a problem with Morrissey until Mozzer made his first public racist comments about 15 years ago. That said, I totally agree that GUOOK is one of the greatest songs ever written, and I'm glad you enjoyed the episode!
Hull: 2 London: 0