Phileas Fopp Vol III...

I'm due a fuck, and here it is - Germany, 80's Germany to be precise. They have the largest population in Europe, the largest economy and rather worryingly a larger standing army than Britain. Not sure if that's all that wise - but anyway. I'm a huge fan of Germany, and the Germans...they can be a bit stuffy generally but you wouldn't believe it from these tunes. Before the wall came down... Here we have "Dance the Mussolini" by Deutsch-Amerikanische Freundschaft from 1981 - dunno who did this vid, but MC Hammer content makes it way past 81 lol A beat doesn't get more teutonic than that! My own personal favorite of the Neue Deutsche Welle (German New Wave for you genre munchers) was the guy who made it at just 16 with Fred vom Jupiter, Andreas Dorau. He's hilarious, and yes - he means to be! I've posted lots of his videos but i've saved the best one...

This very blog was even named after a tune from the ol' NDW, Computerstaat by Abwärts. Download it, turn it up and scream - thats what i used to do!

I'm not embarrased that I first heard a Kraftwerk song on a Bergerac repeat when i was 13, the point is I heard it and spent the next six months trying to find out what it was. It was The Model, and it's in english! And finally a song that can't fail to make you smile, even if you go back to utter misery again after, Die Ärzte's - Sommer Palmen Sonnenschein.

That's your lot outta me.

Colin McRae...

I'm not really the type to go for tributes, but alas I couldn't sleep and switch the telly on to find out Colin McRae died in a helicopter crash.
I've a crap memory generally, but I remember supporting this guy when I was still in primary school. A bit of a hero frankly. A real shame :(