The Affectionate Punch

July 26, 2007 4:36 AM

It is just over 10 years since Billy Mackenzie committed suicide. As frontman of The Associates, Mackenzie was, even by rock star standards, an eccentric individual. There is a great fansite with many articles on Mackenzie and his music which gives further info for those who want to know more. A Scottish TV documentary on Mackenzie and the Associates is here: Part 1;Part 2; Part 3; Part 4. For those who want to get straight to the songs and that wonderful voice, many Top of the Pops performances are on youtube: Party Fears Two; Club Country; 18 Carat Love Affair (featuring Alan Rankine playing a chocolate guitar).
posted by ClanvidHorse (9 comments total)

Holy crap, does that guy have an amazing voice.
posted by squidfartz at 4:50 AM on July 26, 2007

The Associates were early label-mates of The Cure. Billy and Robert Smith were good friends. Robert mourns Billy's suicide in The Cure's song Cut Here.

R.I.P Billy
posted by digiFramph at 5:23 AM on July 26, 2007

Utterly talented and ahead of his time - why's he not alive in some palm treed mansion directing the buffed young assistant dusting the platinum discs on his wall ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 5:30 AM on July 26, 2007

Brill post.

Despite the fact that every single person in Scotloand (well, nearly) worships the man as a god and isn't shy of proselytizing, I've never properly investigated him. Thanks for the prompting me to rectify that, ClanvidHorse.

Any fans care to recommend which albums I should buy first?
posted by jack_mo at 5:50 AM on July 26, 2007

Glad you liked it JackMo,

The Affectionate Punch and Fourth Drawer Down are both great. Sulk is good (featuring Club Country and Party Fears Two) but I would advise you to make sure it is the remastered version you pick up. The earlier mix sounds over-produced (no doubt due to Billy's tinkering with the mix).

Some of the stuff captures you instantly, other times it takes a bit work, but you are rewarded with a great pay-off in the end.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 6:02 AM on July 26, 2007

This post reminded me of my favourite Billy MacKenzie story (text lifted from another fansite):

on the day he was dropped from Warner Records over lunch in Kensington, he asked if it would be all right if he booked a taxi on account one last time; he then told the driver to take him to Dundee.

Nice post, thanks, Clanvid.
posted by Jakey at 7:53 AM on July 26, 2007

His version of the The Secret Life of Arabia is totally amazing and I'm kicking myself for ever having gotten rid of my copy of B.E.F's Music of Quality and Distinction where it appeared. Along with Gary Glitter doing Suspicious Minds. Man, I miss those Heaven 17 days.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 11:05 AM on July 26, 2007

I was surprised to find a cover of "Party Fears Two" on the latest Divine Comedy album. The Associates are one of my all time favorite bands.
posted by ktrey at 12:43 PM on July 26, 2007

What a great talent that man was; I still miss him and his unique voice. Thanks for this post.
posted by El Brendano at 4:35 AM on July 27, 2007