Everything But The Gruel

Nicky Wire from the Manic Street Preachers was on the TV this morning, blethering his way through 'Something For The Weekend'. Out of nowhere, he came up with a silly but challenging notion about how food can influence your rock and roll.

Wire supposed that the likes of Keane and Coldplay had been brought up in charming households and fed with the finest of silver spoons. Hence that satisfied tone of their music. Punk rock, on the other hand, had been made by street urchins, fed on gristle, tinned meat products and butcher's offal. The nutritional value was poor, but the music had a signature roar.

So I've been thinking about Bob Marley's ghetto testament, 'Them Belly Full But We Hungry'. How can this ever be bested by 10cc and their pun-stuffed 'Life Is A Minestrone'? And would Desmond Dekker have sounded so authentic if he didn't have to get up in the morning, slaving for bread?

There's a great story about The Clash in the early days, walking the streets of London, putting up posters. They returned to their rehearsal room and were so hungry that they poured the last of their paste on a hot plate, fried it and ate those brutal pancakes. There was enough energy in this cuisine to get them rocking, and that was enough.