the videodrome mk. XXIX

Have your grandparents introduced you to The Shadows? They’re only, like, the greatest band to come out of Britain in like, um, ever. They were the Beatles before the Beatles.

This is all thanks to lead guitarist Hank Marvin. He was the first ever Briton to pick up a Fender Stratocaster, in Fiesta Red, and by using a Vox amplifier and echo machine he created lush, dreamy landscapes that sound like elegant surf-rock riffs (dude).

‘Riders in the Sky’ is a cover by The Shadows that reached no.12 in the UK singles charts in 1980. It was taken from ‘(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend’, written by Stan Jones in 1948.

It’s been covered by Johnny Cash and was the inspiration behind The Doors’ ‘Riders on the Storm’. It was even written into mainstream comic book discourse with Marvel’s skull-headed Ghost Rider.

Although it’s nearly three decades old, if this played in a club today it’d get some serious dancefloor action for it's nimble beat and euphoric atmospherics. What a classic.

The Shadows are currently touring the universe, including Australian shows billed for early 2010. Keep an eye on that one. Might be a good time to convince granny to get that hip replacement.