72-“..10,000 years Mr Cook..”

Well…what an episode this was with Andrew Van Blerk! 🎶 At the end of our conversation, Andrew and I found ourselves at opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to whether musicians should use their platform to promote political views and raise awareness of what’s happening in society today. And do you know what? It was brilliant. A proper adult conversation, two completely different opinions, but absolutely no bitterness or nastiness. Just listening to another point of view and understanding why someone feels differently. And that, for me, is what these conversations are all about. ❤️ But there was SO much more! Andrew and I were at the same boarding school for many years, and it was fascinating how similar so many of our musical memories from that time were. Although Andrew had an older brother who introduced him to what was, at the time, some pretty ‘alternative’ music…The Smiths, The Cure, The Pixies, The Housemartins and more. I mean…WHO at the age of 10 thinks The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths is brilliant?! 😂 We also talked about Andrew’s journey into becoming a DJ — from the days of vinyl through to USB — and just how much the whole process has changed. Music was very much part of Andrew’s family life too, with Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and plenty more being played at home. His dad played guitar, Andrew followed suit for a while, and he even learned to play the trumpet at boarding school! 🎺 Then came the live music debate… BLUR are better live than OASIS. 😳😂 We discussed the first two Pet Shop Boys albums and why they are absolute classics. And why songs by Dexys Midnight Runners, ABBA, Grease and The Communards will probably still be getting people onto dance floors long after you and I have left this planet! 😂 And honestly…that’s only scratching the surface. This was a conversation with someone I hadn’t spoken to for nearly 40 YEARS. So many memories. So many musical connections. So many differences. An absolute education. Fascinating, funny, nostalgic, occasionally controversial…and exactly the reason I love doing The Grumpy Cyclist Talks Music.