My Life As a Dog in a Pigsty

Simon Rivers is a genius. There, I have said it. I can still remember the first time I heard one of his songs. It was ‘Mr Hurst’ by Rivers’ group Last Party. It struck me dumb and had me poised over the rewind button.

The recorded output of Last Party is thankfully easily available again these days thanks to what some might call the digital revolution, though you may have to search under the name of The Bitter Springs, the group Last Party evolved into. 

I don’t really understand why The Bitter Springs are not universally recognised as even one of the great unknowns. Perhaps it is because they have never really gone away - a slow but relatively steady stream of output over the past two decades keeping them just out of mind. Or at least generating feelings of comforting reliance rather than stirring proclamations of triumphant returns. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been as guilty as anyone in this, but let me at least attempt to make amends. 

Simon Rivers is a genius: of social observation; of combining that observation into songwriting that is as marvellously musically cacophonous and captivating as it is lyrically wry and darkly humorous. In these increasingly difficult days we need poets of his ilk more than ever.

The Bitter Springs ‘My Life As a Dog in a Pigsty’

Buy the My Life As a Dog in a Pigsty  single on Amazon.

Comments

[Christian Jones]

I lost touch with them around 'Benny Hill's Wardrobe' but this is wonderful,perhaps even the best thing they've done. Thanks for posting.

[Kim Ashford]

You lost touch at the wrong time, their masterpiece 'Suburban Crimes of Every Happiness' came out after 'Benny Hill's Wardrobe' and featured two thirds of the Kitchens of Distinction too. It is not to be missed at any cost !

[Christian Jones]

Thanks - will have a listen. 'My life..' has taken me back on a Last Party kick and have been busy buying up lots of things I still have on vinyl somewhere such as 'Die in a spy ring'. Do you recall playing the Bristol Tropic club twice in about a month in perhaps 1988/89? The first concert in particluar was brilliant.