Many of us can link a certain album to pivotal moments in our lives. Whether it’s the first record you bought with your own money, the chord you first learnt to play on guitar, the song that soundtracked your first kiss, the album that got you those awkward and painful pubescent years or the one that set off light bulbs in your brain and inspired you to take a big leap of faith into the unknown – music is often the catalyst for change in our lives and can even help shape who we become.
In this series, Music Feeds asks artists to reflect on their relationship with music and share with us stories about the effect music has had on their lives.
Gere Fuss, Paradise Club – It’s A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads (1992)
Dear It’s A Shame About Ray,
I was about 10 when my dad first introduced us. I can remember driving in the car when he asked me if I liked you. I replied, “this is shit – sounds like country music”. Well two things have changed since then: 1. I love country music and 2. I love you.
When I was growing up, I would always go to dad’s CD rack and pick up the coolest looking covers. Even now I remember thinking your cover was the best ’cause it had a car on it. I also thought the name ‘Lemonheads’ was too cool. I didn’t know any better ’cause I was like 10 years old, but I still thought it was cool. It’s A Shame (About Ray) that I didn’t listen to you more when I was younger.
If only I could write like you were written. If only I could give back what you’ve given me. I can hear the years of pain in every song. I can also hear the peaks and troughs of the come ups and comedowns. I feel like you gave more than you took and you weren’t made with any special purpose. It’s just that you came to be, the timing was right and that the songs were just really good.
One day, if I ever have kids, I’ll show them this album too and I’ll tell them about how my dad showed it to me. Damn, some intergenerational shit going on here. You’re in the family forever now.
Gere,
Paradise Club
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Listen to Paradise Club’s latest single, ‘Above Me’, here. The band are currently taking single on the road for a string of tour dates this month, continuing this Friday in Melbourne. Head here for remaining dates and details.
