Bedsit Disco Queen: How I grew up and tried to be a pop star
Having been introduced to Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts' solo albums in the early 80s I played the C90 cassette with them both on to destruction at times when I wanted release from punk and psychedelic space rock. A couple of the most soulful collection of tunes ever put on vinyl they are a couple of the few older albums I've bought on CD. Still sound as great as they did when first heard. However the jazzy meanderings of Everything But The Girl didn't grab me quite as firmly despite Tracey's wonderful vocals and although appreciating her more recent dance forays I wouldn't say I've followed her career too closely. So on the promise of what made her first solo album I bought Bedsit Disco Queen. Firstly I find out that she's my age and her early life struck a real chord from the conservatism of suburban curtain twitchers to the early steps into music. Tracey brilliantly reflects the excitement of punk even if not in at the very beginning and could have been describing my early gig outings from wearing clothes my parents hated through to dabbling in drink and the energy absorbed at your first few gigs which is like nothing else you've experienced before. The darker side is broached from alienation at school, real or imagined, and having to find your place as a teenager intertwined with the tribal violence that was always just beneath the surface and often rising up in a flurry of fists and DMs. Experimenting with fags and dodos cemented my view that Tracey's story was both mine and thousands, if not millions?, of other spotty teens across the country.
I guess that's where our shared story splits as I never joined a band but if only I'd read this book at the time I may have persevered with my poor guitar and bass playing. Tracey's writing is extremely engaging and has a real ring of honesty. I wondered how I'd missed the Marine Girls having vaguely heard of them but don't think I linked them to Tracey at the time. The book also made me regret not following EBTG and seeing their varying styles develop rather than just dipping in to see the odd live show during the 80s just to hear that voice. Whilst at times when Tracey is bemoaning the trappings of fame I often think do you want to swap places but she realises this and writes it from the view of someone without that fame. Her descriptions of life with Ben are believable and honest without being too cute. Her ups and downs are documented well and becoming the darling of the dance scene shows that she is appreciative of the career boost and the options it gives her. Tracey's motherhood rings true with both the nitty gritty and the mindset change to become less glam and more homebound and the resulting lifestyle change implied. Then her coming back into the world of music and it's trappings. I can just imagine the George Michael at the school gates incident.
Overall a gripping read written passionately and surprising that it was buried for a few years. Shows Tracey's brilliant lyrics and has got me feverishly scouring a certain music streaming site for Marine Girls, EBTG and the various dance tunes. Adoring Paul Weller is also shows Tracey's great taste - lucky girl collaborating with him. I like the ending but won't give it away as the start of the book is a teaser for it...
http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9781844088669
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