John Robb (Goldblade)
John Robb (born in Blackpool, England) is a vocalist in the punk rock band Goldblade. Based in Manchester, he frequently appears as a journalist/commentator on documentary/light entertainment music shows. Robb was inspired by the DIY ethic of punk to form the critically acclaimed Membranes who released several albums in the 1980s. He then went on to write for the music paper Sounds and was the first person in the world to interview Nirvana as well as being the first to write about the new Madchester scene of the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays in Sounds music paper in the late eighties. He also coined the term 'Britpop' whilst writing for Sounds in 1989. He is currently working on a history of Manchester Music book and a book about the eighties underground scene as well as developing ideas for TV. He was also the spokesperson for the Tony Wilson day in Manchester- the Tony Wilson Experience. Robb launched the music site louderthanwar.com in 2010 which reguarly features Ace releases on its pages.
Selected releases
-
THE VENTURES
I've loved twangy guitar instrumentals forever. Once this was the sound of modern, now it just sounds genius - check out 'Ventures in Space'.
-
HOWLING WOLF
A voice that sound like a freshly gravelled road. For me he was the king of the blues. Without the Wolfman there would be no Beefheart, no Tom Waits and even a lot less T.Rex and Rolling Stones and that would ruin my life!
-
THE CRAMPS
Their first album was terrifing but even when they went bubblegum they were still gods.
-
LINK WRAY
The sheer griminess and the sheer raw power of these recordings make it hard to believe that they were actually massive hits. This comp is the one to have.
-
THE FUGS
The ultimate proto-punk band.
-
BO DIDDLEY
Just for the way his music swings and just for his humour and his mad-looking guitar and his awesome riffs.
-
-
COUNT FIVE
Aptly named album, who can't love a record called Psychotic Reaction. The music matches the title.
-
THE CHOCOLATE WATCH BAND
At any point in history when the music gets weird then I get the music!
-
BERT JANSCH
For proving that folk isn't all open-toed sandals and real ale!
