Back in the 80s I received my political education via the work of the great
Billy Bragg. Who are 2009's political pop chroniclers?
Emily
You and me both, Emily. These days, however, there are very few singer-songwriters who perform a similar rule. In fact, assuming you have the stomach for elemental, frothing-at-the-mouth punk, your best bet is Gallows, whose second album Grey Britain rages at the BNP, bankers and clergymen. Yes, it lacks the biting wit of Billy Bragg – gags aren't really part of their repertoire, unless you count lines such as "There is nothing left for me: I want to kill myself for relief" amusing – but, boy, is frontman Frank Carter hopping mad.
Otherwise, seek out two of Bragg's contemporaries, soul-punk trio the Redskins – two of whom were members of the Socialist Workers party – and Glasgow's equally committed Easterhouse. The latter's 1969, in particular, recalls the class struggles particular to the age: "You have to draw the line sometime, and I draw mine at Labour's house-trained socialists, the lowest form of hypocrite/ Who talk when the chips are down but stay loyal to the King and crown."
I'm a big fan of Empire of the Sun. I've heard that one of the group, Luke Steele, used to be in another band. That aside, I know nothing about them. Who were they and would I be a fan?
David, Lancaster
Luke Steele's other band is the Sleepy Jackson, who apparently still exist, although they've been quiet since the release of their second album – Personality: One Was a Spider, One Was a Bird – in 2006. The one to purchase, though, is its predecessor, Lovers, which came out three years earlier. All snarling, harmony-laden, psychedelic pop, it was more conventional than Empire of the Sun's work, though, happily, no less magical or adventurous.
