TEN SONGS: OPPENHEIMER MKII
To coincide with the release of their new Limited Edition 7” single on TONN Recordings, Andy and Mahk of Oppenheimer MkII share a selection of some of the music that has inspired them over the years.
1
HEROES
David Bowie
ANDY: My all-time favourite single, by the man who has inspired much of my life, let alone music. As well as the Greek notion of Heroes, which occupies much of my current sci-fi novel writing, I have known many Heroes in my main work. Above all, it’s Brian Eno’s fantastic wall of sound that really transports me to another world when I hear this. The production, his vocals, everything – just wipes me out. Arguably the best produced song of all time.
2
THROBBING GRISTLE
Hot on The Heels of Love
MAHK: Discovering Throbbing Gristle when I was 17 or 18 was a life changing experience. It opened up the doors of possibility for what a non-musician like me could do in terms of music and gave me the same 'I can do this' inspiration that people who started punk bands after seeing the Sex Pistols felt. Without Throbbing Gristle, I would definitely not be writing this right now.
3
SPACE ODDITY
David Bowie
ANDY: Like ‘Heroes’, this will be played when I depart this planet. When I heard this 1979 version, I was struck by Bowie’s much more powerful vocal than the more dreamy original, and the minimal, beautiful arrangement in this is just marvellous. Like everyone, I first heard ‘Space Oddity’ when it was a hit record and I actually wasn’t keen, despite being a space fan. Only later did I appreciate it, especially during the Apollo 13 mission. It also has influenced my novels; Bowie is a leitmotif throughout the story. The 1979 version also reminds me of John Lennon, my other and first music hero.
4
THE HUMAN LEAGUE
The Word Before Last
MAHK: I love every track on the first two Human League albums, and over the years almost every track has been my favourite at one time or another. But right now, if I had to pick just one Human League song (which I have to), this would be it. Cold electronics with warmth, not an easy thing to do.
5
THE HUMAN LEAGUE
The Sound Of The Crowd (Trisco’s Popclash Remix)
ANDY: My favourite band from the time we hit the London nightclub scene, when electro was turning from obscure bands (like Oppenheimer Analysis) to hit material, especially dance tracks. Everything about it epitomises those great nights down Studio 21 in Oxford Street. They actually sent me their first demo record and demo tape of ‘Being Boiled’ when I worked for Omni Magazine, back in 1978.
I could have chosen anything by them – I have and love all their music. I have always wanted to sound like them. I love Oakey’s rich voice, the delay vocals and the relentless pace and epic sound of this remix. People forget that synth pop bands didn’t just break new ground with a new electro sound, they had great vocalists (not me!!) like big Phil, Alison Moyet, Andy Bell, and so on.
6
EURYTHMICS
Monkey Monkey
MAHK: Eurythmics were the champions of weird B-sides. As I kid I gravitated to tracks like this, as well as other obscure B-side gems from the time, such as 'Introducing' or 'Tom Baker' by the Human League, or 'Out To Lunch' by Tom Robinson. This is one track I will never get bored of hearing.
7
SIMPLE MINDS
Alive and Kicking
ANDY: My second favourite single and also my second favourite band - another fantastic, original sound we first heard down Studio 21. We saw one of their first gigs at The Marquee. This song I have played endlessly while writing my sci-fi novels ‘Fields of Orion’… as the story sees the injured army hero fight for his life… This song has everything: their hallmark big beat, their characteristic note jumps, bags of emotion, and a stunning climax… it is so uplifting.
8
FELA KUTI
Original Sufferhead
MAHK: This isn't my favourite Fela track, but it's significant in that it is the first African record I bought after watching the 'Ginger Baker in Africa' documentary. Another life changing record, in much the same way as hearing Throbbing Gristle 20 years earlier, this opened the door to a universe of music from Africa that I've been obsessed with ever since.
9
JOHN LENNON
Imagine
ANDY: John Lennon was my first music hero and I still love him. He died on my Dad’s birthday, the first Dad wasn’t around. So I can’t hear this without crying. Like I am now… I could have chosen anything by The Beatles – as they were the soundtrack to my entire childhood and beyond – but it has to be John. And as for Yoko - John said “a lot of the lyric and the concept came from Yoko”- my ex, Jane, has met her several times in her shop and she says she’s a lovely woman! As for the music: it’s that echoey piano intro that floors me every time. I feel I must stand, as it’s an anthem. And the classic Lennon reverb on his voice, which Mark Warner tried to get on mine, when I did a cover of ‘Soldier of Love’. I know the words are corny, but I’ll always love it. I heard the ‘Imagine’ album constantly in my first weeks at university, which I’m lucky to have survived!
10
CARDIACS
Tarred and Feathered
MAHK: You either get Cardiacs or you don't. It took me a while, but once they sunk in, there was no turning back. A mix of punk, prog and who knows what else, ‘Tarred and Feathered’ contains more hooks, melodies and changes in 3 minutes than most bands achieve in a lifetime.
‘Out In The Field’, the brand new Double A Side single, from Oppenheimer MkII is available now on Limited Edition 7” vinyl on TONN Recordings.
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