Why?

Pulp
Sheffield Sex City

Pulp. Well, they've been around for ages, since 1982 in fact. I first heard them during Radio One's Sheffield Sound City in 1993. I've still got a tape of it somewhere; I remember they played a short but cracking set including such gems as Babies and Acrylic Afternoons.

But Sheffield Sex City will always be the one for me. Can't really tell you why, its just Pulp at their best. A long rambling comment, witty observation of ordinary life, bristling with inherent sex appeal and humour.

"Dogs doing it in central reservations and causing multiple pile-ups in the centre of town."

Lyrics just don't get much better.

I love the early 90s period of Pulp, culminating in their famous majestic Glastonbury performance, which I was lucky enough to partake in. Its not many bands that can hold the attention of a 30,000 audience with the between songs banter.

During these years, lead singer Jarvis Cocker came out with some of his funniest and most moving moments, the best of which seemed almost always to be the 7 or 8 minute b-sides to the better known singles. Jarvis' soft spoken, and often bitter commentaries never fail to grab my attention.

Sheffield Sex City was a b-side to the original release of Babies and can be found on a complilation on Island Records called Intro.