Goldie's Fab Four #22

My recommendations and highlights

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

I’m VERY late to this party, but one of the joys of being a small screen slowcoach is that when you discover a great programme after everyone else, you’ve got LOADS of enjoyable viewing to look forward to. ‘Sunny’ (in case you don’t know) is a pitch black comedy based in a scuzzy South Philadelphia Irish bar. It’s had 16 series, the most recent of which has just aired in the States, but I’m still working my way through the first run, where we’ve already dealt with racial politics, abortion rights, under age drinking and child abuse. The most recognisable faces to UK viewers are Rob McElhenney, one of the Hollywood duo who rescued Wrexham FC and Danny Devito, no stranger to bar-themed comedies. Devito arrives as “the adult” who can rescue the four self absorbed sickos who run the bar from their own childish impulses, only to prove even more depraved than they are. Cringeworthy and bingeworthy at the same time.

Sweet Pool

Nic Beales has been knocking around the Birmingham music scene for about four decades now, most famously as guitarist for The Nightingales on their almost commercial (and rather brilliant) ‘Son Of God’s Mate’ EP. His latest project ‘Sweet Pool’ is rather darker than that. It claims to be ‘authentic death country’, and while I’m not quite sure what that means, it certainly has a brooding post punk intensity reminiscent in a certain light of Pere Ubu. The band is a tight, classic three piece, albeit that there’s a drum machine as well as a drummer, and Beale’s extensive use of pedals fills out the sound. It’s powerful stuff, and when I caught them recently at Birmingham’s cosy Tower of Song, it struck me that that this is Nic’s best work for years.

Too Much Fighting On The Dancefloor

Like going to football, attending a gig in the late 70s and throughout most of the 80s could be a dangerous affair - especially if you were into punk, indie or Two Tone. A poisonous cocktail of economic despair, youth tribalism and far-right activism turned concert venues into warzones. I made a documentary about it a few years ago for the BBC with a wonderful radio producer called Jim Frank. We lined up an all-star cast list including Peter Hook, Pauline Black, Peter Hooton, Claire Grogan, Paul Morley and Neville Staple from The Specials, whose ‘Ghost Town’ inspired the title of the programme. After an initial outing in 2015, it has just re-emerged on Radio 4 Extra and BBC Sounds. At the risk of appearing immodest, I have to say it’s an excellent listen - painful nostalgia if you were there at the time, and a bit of an eye opener if you weren’t.

West Bromwich Albion Season Ticket

West Brom have a dodgy owner who has taken loans out of the club, which haven’t been repaid, to prop up his businesses in China. On the basis that I don’t really want to spend my hard earned bailing out someone else’s failing companies - especially those of a supposed billionaire - I seriously considered not renewing my season ticket this time around. But I knew I couldn’t keep away, so I’ve swallowed my pride, signed up for another nine months of frustration, disappointment and occasional joy. Apparently, I’m not the only one. Albion are reporting that season ticket sales are UP year on year despite seasons of continued failure. The caveats are real - and remain - but here’s the truth; football is my religion and The Hawthorns is my church. Going to the game is about time spent with my kids and my mates. It’s my passion and my recreation. So here I am again, a mug punter, standing on the threshold of a new season. Come On You Baggies.