Sparks Of Inspiration: Ron, Russell And Their Fans
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Written by Sam Jones
Later this year, Sparks will fly. Not in a literal sense of course, but more in a...forget it, this would never have happened to Ron Mael. One half of Sparks, alongside his brother Russell, the lyrical genius will hit the road in November and December for a run of UK dates in support of the band's first live record.
'Two Hands, One Mouth: Live In Europe' hit shelves in March and will now be accompanied by a trio of shows at London's Union Chapel, as well as stops in Glasgow and Bristol. The brothers Mael released their first album back in 1971 (initially as Halfnelson) and set foot on a musical path that would see them become pioneers in glam, electronica and dance music, with Ron's complex, bitingly funny words coursing through their work.
During their career, Sparks' influence has filtered down to bands at every corner of the muscial roadmap, from metallers, to art-popsters and electro-worshippers. Here we take a look as just a few of the bands – we've already taken our shoes and socks off, and there are too many to count – who owe a debt to them.
Morrissey
Morrissey loves him some Sparks, and as a teenager found himself drawn to Ron Mael's idiosyncratic, intelligent lyrics. He included one of their rarities, Arts & Crafts Spectacular, on his 'Under The Influence' compilation in 2003 and wrote in the liner notes: “Who on earth would write a pop song in such a way? A song about an arts and crafts competition where 'lovely Claudine Jones/has to come to push her quilt', but where Tracy Wise gets a prize. There is no category for this madness - except the category of madness, and Sparks are only let down by their name. At 14, I want to live with these people, to be - at last! - in the company of creatures of my own species.” The band later dedicated a rare live performance of the track to the former Smiths frontman, and named the song Lighten Up, Morrissey after him.
Yo La Tengo
These alt-rock heroes make no secret of their love for Sparks. They regularly cover Angst In My Pants, the title track from Sparks' 1982 full-length, and even appeared alongside Ron and Russell in an episode of the Gilmore Girls. Neat, huh? “The songs they write are unbelievable,” Yo La Tengo's bassist James McNew told the Star-Ledger in 2011. “They stick in your head forever and they haunt your dreams and they follow you around wherever you go. They're so densely packed and funny.”
Neko Case
Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth was the lead-off single from Sparks' fourth record, 'Propaganda', and a top 20 hit in the UK. The elegant pop song had an impression on Neko Case, who recorded a great version of it for her 'Middle Cyclone' record in 2009. Electro-pop giants Depeche Mode are also partial to the song, and an interpretation of it popped up on guitarist Martin Gore's 1989 covers EP 'Counterfeit'.
Ginger Wildheart
The erstwhile leader of the Wildhearts and one of British rock music's songwriting jewels, Ginger took a great deal of influence from Sparks' lyrical style. During his wildly successful series of Pledge campaigns, he released the 'Hey! Hello!' record, a collaboration with New York-based vocalist Victoria Liedtke. Ron Mael's words were an explicit influence on Ginger during the writing process for the record, which battled the darkness of his 'Mutation' project with a series of catchy rock tunes. “Hey! Hello! allowed me to enter the world of lyrical fiction – much in the vein of Sparks, who are a massive influence on Victoria and I,” he said.
Faith No More
This one fits rather well, doesn't it? Mike Patton and the gang helped revolutionise alternative music in the late '80s and early '90s, pairing influences from funk and electronic music with angular rock and their frontman's monstrous voice. Faith No More and Sparks collided in 1997 when they joined together for covers of This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and Something For The Girl With Everything on the 'Plagiarism' album.
Sun November 24th 2013 - LONDON Union Chapel
Mon November 25th 2013 - GLASGOW Arches
Wed November 27th 2013 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Sun December 1st 2013 - LONDON Union Chapel
Mon December 2nd 2013 - LONDON Union Chapel
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