Billy Childish - Archive From 1959: The Billy Childish Story

A Stuckist selection

Notorious renaissance man Billy Childish has spent the last 30 or so years devoting himself to a release schedule that even the devoted would have trouble keeping up with. Alongside considerable success in art and literature, he has managed to churn out approximately 100 albums, though estimates seem to vary.

The sheer volume of his output means that it’s difficult to know where anyone interested in the man might begin to start. This compilation attempts to provide an entry point, and succeeds in collecting some of his most high profile and interesting material. It covers work with The Buff Medways, Thee Headcoats and Thee Milkshakes, as well as umpteen other purveyors of raw garage rock and occasional jangley loveliness. Disc Two, in particular, is full of songs that could – and perhaps should – have been crossover hits, though Childish would almost certainly have balked at the idea of emulating the success of some of his contemporaries.

There’s a distinct lack of musical evolution here, but to bemoan that is surely missing the point somewhat. Childish is dedicated to distilling R&B or rock’n’roll, or whatever you want to call, it to its thrilling base core. Long may he continue.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD 335 CD (2-CD)

Reviewed by Jamie Atkins
<< Back to Issue 365

You might also like:

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk