rip levon helm, a truly truly awesome and influential sound. you’ll never be forgotten.

List 10 musical artists you like, in no specific order. Do this before reading the questions below.

1. Neil Young
2. Bruce Springsteen
3. Frank Turner
4. Thin Lizzy
5. Villagers
6. Meat Loaf
7. U2
8. Bob Dylan
9. The Riptide Movement
10. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

What was the first song you heard by number 6?

Either Bat Out of Hell or For Crying Out Loud

What is your favourite lyrics from number 5?

“Now I know you’ve come from a darkened place
But I’ll never know how it feels to face
Your own epitaph, on a summers day
As the sun shines, with ceaseless grace.” 

What is your favourite song by number 8?

Positively Fourth Street

What kind of impact has number 1 had on your life?

He made me think, and fear, and feel. He skewed every belief I’d ever formed and gave me insight into music and culture that I’d never experienced before. And that’s only scratching the surface. Even though it sounds really pathetic, Neil Young changed me…

When did you first get into 2?

When I was born. Basically. First memories though, listening to the “Live 1975-85,” disc two mainly. The songs that really resonate in my mind are Racing in the Street, Cadillac Ranch, Johnny 99 and Because the Night.

How did you get into 3?

I heard him on the NME music channel playing “I Still Believe,” last July I think, and have been hooked ever since…

What is your favorite song by 4?

Erm, possibly Parisienne Walkways, Dancing in the Moonlight or Shades of a Blue Orphanage…

How many times have you seen 9 live?

Well God knows how many times busking, but at, er “proper” shows, about twelve times?

Favourite album by 7?

Okay, this is tough. Either… The Joshua Tree, October or Achtung Baby.

What is your favourite song of 1?

IF I HAD TO PICK ONE WHICH IS AWFUL BECAUSE I CAN’T IT WOULD HAVE TO BE… Like a Hurricane or I Believe in You or Falling of the Face of the Earth or Cortez the Killer or Powderfinger etc etc etc.

How did you become a fan of number 10?

Finn, aka Bloggingisdifficult, played them to me about two years ago..

What songs of 4’s do you listen to the least?

Anything off Chinatown, don’t think I’ve actually given that album a proper listen…

Top 2 favourite songs by 5?

OKAY, erm. On a Sunlit Stage AND… Home.

Have you seen 10 live?

No, but have my ticket for July this year!

Have you met 4?

No… mostly dead…

What’s your favourite album by 1?

After the Goldrush, I think. Or Zuma…

What is one of 2’s best songs?

Racing In the Street.

Which one have you known the longest?

Neil Young & Bruce Springsteen equally.

What’s your favourite song by number 9?

Alive Inside.

How long have you known 9?

Since 2009; seriously sound chaps. They let me buy their first album with a muffin and a Strepsil. Unreal!