All That & More

Sparks at the Bristol Beacon on Thursday 18th June 2026. Every bit as wonderful, joyous and life-affirming as the photo suggests.

Mrs. K was due to be there with me, but unfortunately family stuff (and there's a lot of that lately) prevented her from coming along. Consolation came in the form of Mike and Paul, who already had tickets and as we were all 'standing/stalls'. we got to experience the show together, close to the front.

Support was provided by Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, who used to be in Brit rap group Collapsed Lung but has since branched out into "chap hop", describing his music as "Noel Coward and Afrika Bambaataa enjoying a sweet sherry together". 

Mr. B deserves a post in his own right. Suffice to say that, although we missed the first couple of songs (bloody traffic!), he was hugely entertaining, was a perfect choice for Sparks and got the audience suitably warmed up. Finishing with a cover of Sparks' own Suburban Homeboy was a nice touch.

We weren't kept waiting too long before Sparks took to the stage. When I saw them for the first time in 2012, it was just Ron and Russell onstage. This time, it was the full band experience, currently Evan Weiss on guitar, Max Whipple on bass and Stevie Nistor on drums.

"So may we start?" Russell asked, before launching into the introductory song from their 2021 film Annette.

This is followed by Do Things My Own Way from last year's MAD! and there are three further songs from the album scattered throughout the 20-song set, plus Porcupine from companion EP MADDER! 

Russell reminds us several times that there are currently 28 Sparks albums and, far from being daunted by this prospect, the band clealry relish some deep dives into the archives, as well as the hits, albeit generally just one pick per album.

An early example is 1974's second album Propaganda, opting not for the singles Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth or Something For The Girl With Everything but Reinforcements ("I could use a strong rear guard"). A real treat.

Considering that not a single Sparks album between 1980 and 2005 managed to crack the UK Top 100 albums, it's perhaps surprising that both Angst In My Pants (1982) and Music You Can Dance To (1986) both air two songs in this show. The latter has a rousing version of the title track as well as Let's Get Funky, Russell's vocals on the original replaced by a deadpan spoken word from Ron.
 

Angst In My Pants was represented by Sherlock Holmes and Mickey Mouse, both enjoyable if clearly less well known by the audience, judging by the slightly more muted response. When they played A Walk Down Memory Lane from 1988's Interior Design later, I'll admit that even I was bemused as it's one of a few Sparks albums that I don't own!

The 1990s were encapsulated by just one song, but when that song is When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way', a UK Top 40 hit - twice! - then that's okay. It was a fantastic version, upped the ante from the previous Music You Can Dance To, and propelled the audience into The Number One Song In Heaven and (inevitably) This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us.

Russell's energy was breathtaking. it was easy to forget that this is a man in his late 70s, not just in his vocal power and range, but in his energy, bounding around the stage and making sure that everyone got his attention. 

Resplendent in polka dot suit, pink jumper and trainers and alternating black and white fingernails, I did wonder how Russell kept it going in the increasingly hot venue. I don't think I spotted him take a single water break!

Another obscurity from the vintage vaults next, with Whippings And Apologies from 1972's second album A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing ("different times", acknowledged Russell), I was struck by how fashions and music had changed dramatically over the decades, but the songs were all unmistakably The Mael Brothers.

Yet suddenly, here we were, coming to the end of the set with My Devotion, the fourth and final pick from MAD!

The band left the stage to rapturous applause. Ron was emotional. Russell was emotional. We were all emotional, more so as the brothers left the stage, our cheering and clapping ringing in their ears.

Thankfully, after a few minutes, they were all back for an encore.

I've read that previous shows have dusted off and updated Please Don't Fuck Up My World, the finale of 2020 album A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip. They went further back this time, to 2006 and Hello Young Lovers. 

It's often overlooked that Sparks can deliver political commentary as deftly as social commentary and there was huge cheer when they played (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country. 

Two more songs to go, both from the 21st century, both #7 albums in the UK (2017's Hippopotamus making three in a row), and both opening songs on their respective records.

First, the title song of 2023's The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte. Sadly, no surprise appearance from Cate Blanchett, but frankly she wasn't needed, we were more than entertained.

And, last but not least, and originally opening the aforementioned A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip was All That which, in this context, was the perfect, anthem to bring the show to an end.

Imagine if you can that room full of people, all in a heightened emotional state. The last 90 minutes or so had been a rollercoaster of joy and nostalgia, optimism and energy, and a commitment from all of us, on stage, in the stalls and the balconies, to keep this oh so special relationship going for as long as Ron and Russell have the energy, the passion, and the drive to keep going.

And, on the strength of this unforgettable show in Bristol, there's no sign of slowing down any time soon.

An inspiration.

In time honoured tradition (well, since I started this blog in 2020 at least), I've recreated the Sparks setlist from the Bristol Beacon as an 89 minute Dubhed selection. I've woven in a handful of 70s, 80s and 90s 12" mixes and, for the closing song, swapped the studio recording of All That for a version that Sparks performed online in isolation during the COVID lockdown.

Some of the time travelling sequencing sounds a little more jarring than it did on the night,  due to the different producers, techniques and times, but captures the wild eclecticism of the show.

1) So May We Start (Video Introduction ft. Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard & Simon Helberg) (2021)

2) Do Things My Own Way (Album Version) (2025)

3) Reinforcements (Album Version) (1974)

4) Sherlock Holmes (Album Version) (1982)

5) Beat The Clock (Long Version) (1979)

6) Mickey Mouse (Album Version) (1982)

7) Running Up A Tab At The Hotel For The Fab (2025)

8) Let's Get Funky (Album Version) (1986)

9) Porcupine (2025)

10) A Walk Down Memory Lane (Album Version) (1988)

11) JanSport Backpack (Album Version) (2025)

12) Music That You Can Dance To (U.K. Extended Club Version) (1986)

13) When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' (The Rapino Brothers Extended Sola Mix) (1994)

14) The Number One Song In Heaven (Short Version) (7") (1979)

15) This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (Album Version) (1974)

16) Whippings And Apologies (Album Version) (1972)

17) My Devotion (Album Version) (2025)

18) (Baby, Baby) Can I Invade Your Country (Album Version) (2006)

19) The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte (Album Version) (2023)

20) All That (Live In Isolation, 11 June 2020)

1972: A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing: 16

1974: Kimono My House: 15

1974: Propaganda: 3

1979: Beat The Clock EP: 5

1979: The Number One Song In Heaven EP: 14

1982: Angst In My Pants: 4, 6

1986: Music That You Can Dance To: 8

1986: Music That You Can Dance To EP: 12

1988: Interior Design: 10

1994: When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' EP: 13

2006: Hello Young Lovers: 18

2020: Live In Isolation (bootleg MP3): 20

2021: Annette OST: 1

2023: The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte: 19

2025: MAD!: 2, 7, 11, 17

2025: MADDER! EP: 9

All That & More (1:28:53) (GD) (M)

I didn't take any photos on the night so once again I am greatly appreciative of those that did, as follows:

1) Band photo from Sparks' own FB page.

2) & 3) courtesy of Mike, standing next to me in the stalls!

4) Laurie via BlueSky

5) Philip Bowsher on FB

6) Alison Eales, Nerves Of Steel via BlueSky

7) Fred Flintstones on FB

8) John Lyons via BlueSky

Sadly, Mike and Paul had to leave before the Sparks band photo at the top of this post was taken. I'm in there, roughly in the vicinity of Russell's left hand.

Fred Flintstones helpfully took a sweeping shot of the audience around the same time. In the spirit of "Where's Wally?", see if you can spot this wally. I was wearing a Sparks' T-shirt, which is unfortunately completely obscured by the crowd in this photo.

No prizes for guessing correctly, other than a crushing sense of underwhelm. The complete opposite of how I felt on the night in other words! 

Queueing At The Checkout

Before I launch into the inevitable final round up of 2025, I thought I'd drop by Amoeba Music's What's In My Bag? series and see what others have been shopping for this year.

My three specific shoppers are Russell Mael, David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnell from Spinal Tap (in tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner) and finally David Byrne.

Some great picks from all three. I'm particularly happy that the latter picked Bristol-based IDLES. Maybe David will be tempted to come to Bristol to play a gig or just hang around Longwell Records when it relocates from Keynsham to Clifton Arcade in February.

 

 

Ron Number

A very happy birthday to Ron Mael, born 12th August 1945 and 80 today.

Ron's generally the words and music guy, Sparks sibling Russell Mael predominantly handling lead vocal duties.

However, occasionally Ron will step up to the mike and it's always a treat.

 

 

It's something of an understatement to say that Ron's also co-written some mind-bogglingly brilliant pop songs for more than half a century and shows no sign of slowing down.

As a birthday bonus, a couple of Dubhed selections from the archives featuring the Mael brothers, dusted off for your listening pleasure.

A Shower Of Sparks (12th September 2021)

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way? (15th November 2022)

Hope you've at least taken the day off today, Ron, have fun!

Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is

Sparks' 25th album, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte, is finally with us at the end of next week. Following the title song in March, a second single and video dropped on Friday.

Nothing Is As Good As They Say It Is, track three on the album, is a glorious 4-minute romp that recalls their classic run of albums on Island in the mid-1970s. Which is fitting, as Sparks have returned to the label after four and a half decades for this release.

The video is comprised mainly of crying babies and on-screen lyrics which articulate a desire to return to the womb, mere hours after clocking the world that they've been born into. 

I'm biased of course, but this song is brilliant. Links to purchase the album are here.

 

 

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand
I was born just 22 hours ago
But I want to go back to my former quarters

Mama mama, can you accommodate
Mama mama, tell me I'm not too late
Mama mama, can you co-operate
This will not work, I'm sure

Nothing is as good as they say it is
And I'd be remiss if I weren't honest with you
This is not a place that I can exist
Not ungratefulness, I just don't want this, want this

Mama mama, is there a remedy
Can I just go back to where I used to be
I was happy where I was previously
Just floating there, stood tall

Mama mama, please sympathise
This has been such a bad surprise
I won't ask any more from you
I can live with a lousy viеw

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforеhand
I was born just 22 hours ago
But I've seen enough to make a wise decision

All your standards must be so very low
This is not a place that I'd want to go
How can you exist in a place like this
I surely can't, oh no!

Take a look around and you'd understand
This is not a place I could ever stand
Ugliness, anxiety, phony tans
It ain't for me, that's all

Thank you both for this special chance
Were I born in the south of France
I would feel less resistant to
Somewhere that just deserves adieu

Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand
Nothing is as good as they say it is
That's the way it is, I wish I'd known beforehand

All your standards must be so very low
This is not a place that I'd want to go
How can you exist in a place like this
I surely can't, oh no!

Nothing is as good as they say it is
Nothing is as good as they say it is

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way?

One thousand, eight hundred and twenty seven seconds of Sparks to illuminate your Tuesday. The Mael brothers are much loved here and, having 30 minutes to kill the other evening when Mrs. K took a phone call part way through our evening TV, I found myself trawling YouTube for Sparks videos.

I love Sparks so much, in fact, that in my opinion I could take a random 30-minute selection from any of their 24 studio albums and it would be a great listen. Here's the test.

I haven't duplicated any songs that I've used in last year's Sparks post or as part of any other previous Dubhed selections. I also avoided the classic early 1970s trio of Kimono My House, Propaganda and Indiscreet, as well my other personal favourite, No. 1 In Heaven.

It's half-and-half 20th and 21st century, spanning the (currently) six decades of Sparks' recording career. Is it a keeper? You'll be the judge of that.

 

1) Big Boy (1976)

2) Giddy Giddy (2017)

3) Occupation (1977)

4) The Ghost Of Liberace (1994)

5) Your Call's Very Important To Us. Please Hold. (2002)

6) Eaten By The Monster Of Love (1982)

7) (She Got Me) Pregnant (2008)

8) The Existential Threat (Album Version) (2020)

 

1976: Big Beat: 1

1977: Introducing Sparks: 3

1982: Angst In My Pants: 6

1994: Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins: 4

2002: Lil' Beethoven: 5

2008: Exotic Creatures Of The Deep: 7

2017: Hippopotamus: 2

2020: A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip: 8

 

Can't You See The Existential Threat Is On It's Way? (30:27) (GD) (M)

A Shower Of Sparks

I love Sparks with a passion, so here's a little selection for your Sunday listening pleasure, dedicated to my friend Claire.

 

Side One (16:00)

1) Good Morning (from Exotic Creatures Of The Deep) (2008)

2) I Predict (Album Version) (from Angst In My Pants) (1982)

3) This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us (Live @ The Simon Mayo Show, BBC Radio One) (from When I Kiss You (I Hear Charlie Parker Playing) EP) (1994)

4) Here In Heaven (from Kimono My House) (1974)

5) Suburban Homeboy (from Lil' Beethoven) (2002)

 

Side Two (17:32)

1) Over The Summer (from Introducing Sparks) (1977)

2) Everybody's Stupid (from Big Beat) (1976)

3) When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' (Sparks Radio Edit) (from When Do I Get To Sing 'My Way' EP) (1994)

4) Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) (Live @ Front Row, BBC2 TV) (2017)

5) Please Don't Fuck Up My World (from A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip) (2020)
 

Side One (16:00) (GD) (M)

Side Two (17:32) (GD) (M)

 

And this is the Radio 4 documentary, presented by Stuart Maconie, which inspired today's post title:

 

A Shower Of Sparks (first broadcoast on 11 March 2014) (BBC iPlayer)