Thursday, October 23, 2008

"On the Road" with the Band


So it’s all about band jackets now, as evidenced by this sweet little Balmain number to the right.

I rocked my band jacket in the 1980s, one found in a vintage shop: black, cropped, fitted with two rows of snazzy silvertone buttons, tender buttons, thankyouverymuch, Ms. Stein. I wore it with my Guess jeans, Marilyn length, zipper at the ankle, while dancing to whatever New Order was putting out.

Later on I saw New Order in concert, which was a sad affair, in a hotel ballroom in Ottawa. The group looked pretty bummed to be there, because a hotel ballroom in Ottawa—really!—and they scorned their audience, playing a hostile version of “Bizarre Love Triangle” before stomping off the tiny stage early.

But now Chris Martin, Mr. Coldplay Leadsinger, is bringing back the New Order sound, though in a jauntier manner, and he’s wearing his military/band jacket too.


Happier than Adam Ant,



definitely sunnier than New Order, Martin played the MTV something Awards a few months back, and as soon as the opening chords of the synthesizer started pumping, I knew I was home. His song “Viva la Vida” takes me right back to the eighties, its New Order-esque groove thumping out an irresistible call to the dance floor, Martin’s foot, encased in a skinny boot, beat, beat, beating out the rhythm à la any eighties bootleg import star worth his black jeans.

And so it was yesterday, driving to pick up my children from school: I found a “Viva la Vida” CD in my car, popped it in my machine, and zoomed down the empty highway. As the synthesizer took over, giving way to a swell of strings, I was returned to a smoky, dark club, where the music played till 3 a.m. I was in black leggings, some sort of tunic-y shift dress, and hit the zone while Martin and his boys “ruled the world,” a flurry of red petals descending upon him, one perching on his forehead while he, oblivious, kept pumping the lyrics and thumping his foot and I, I too pumped on the gas pedal while in a dancing daze of red and black and—what’s this?—a persistent blue, blue, blue invading my scene. So I pulled over and Chris Martin’s still wailing and I’m caught up in his sound and my left foot’s pumping now and I can scarcely unwind the window to greet the copper, who, standing there with his shiny badge and shiny sunglasses doesn’t look in the mood for a dance, but what can he do? He catches the groove and if I squint really hard, I could swear that his shiny badge multiplies into rows of tender buttons.

7 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Aaaaaahhhhhhhh. What a perfect trip down memory lane. I feel better already.

What a brilliant post, miss cav.

La Belette Rouge said...

Love New Order. My musical taste is stuck in the 80's so I always love music that takes me back there.

Chris really does look like a thoroughly modern Adam the Ant. Doesn't he?

Anonymous said...

I believe 75% of speeding tickets are given to drivers rocking out to favorite tunes. I hadn't seen the Chris/Adam connection, but you are too right.

WendyB said...

I met Chris Martin once....

Songy said...

I do love their latest album. That song still gives me a shiver. Good thing then that I don't listen to it while driving. :)

There are songs that do take me back to my school years. I have go online and buy some Korean pop CDs!

K.Line said...

Gorgeous writing, Miss C. So evocative. And the scene of New Order at the ballroom - well I can just see that. Really, Ottawa is not where you go to revive your career :-)

Anonymous said...

And they allegedly sew their jackets on their own. Yes! Crafters unite !