How many times have we heard a guitarist claim to be influenced by a particularly seminal writer/album, most often renowned for pushing boundaries and creating new forms, and then been amazed at how badly they missed the point by recreating verbatim said iconic figure’s style?

Surely if one were truly influenced by say, The Beatles (because every two-bit fuckwit says it at some point), then they wouldn’t be churning out tired 60’s parodies with all the spontaneity and innovation sucked right out; instead, would it not be a greater tribute to embrace that fabled spirit of experimentation of theirs, and try to fashion something the world’s never heard before from the usual 12 notes? Otherwise, you’re just emulating your heroes, and there’s a special place for people like you - Tribute Band Circuit Hell - you’ll feel right at home, but please don’t send us a postcard; chances are that we’ve seen it all before.

So far I’ve just outlined what’s wrong with the contemporary musical mindset - which is no-fuckin-use-whatso-fuckin-ever unless I offer my £0.02 in the shape of a list of do’s and dont’s is it?
Continue reading ‘Being Jimi Hendrix’