FLASHBACK: Pulp

These days, if anyone asks you to choose between Blur and Oasis you are perfectly within your rights to roll your eyes, say “what is this, 1993?” and walk off.  However, there is another correct answer to that question: “PULP! A MILLION TIMES PULP”.

Jarvis Cocker grew up working class in Sheffield, and while Albarn and the Gallaghers were playing their “everyman” and “voice of the people” parts, he was planning on superstardom.

Pulp hit it big in 1995 with “Common People”, but they’d been around for over a decade before that and were already releasing smart, sexy pop songs like “Babies” and “Do You Remember The First Time?”

With “Common People”, Cocker found his place as a real celebrity and household name in England (and every thinking woman’s sex symbol), but the superstar lifestyle didn’t quite live up to his teenage dreams. He became increasingly paranoid and disillusioned, and this inspired him to create what is probably Pulp’s defining work, This Is Hardcore, in 1998.

Using porn as a metaphor for England’s celebrity culture, Cocker turned his talent for sharp observations away from everyday life and towards the strange and glamorous world he was now living in and created an album of passionate, raw songs that were critical as well as being extremely danceable.

After the release of We Love Life in 2001, Pulp went on a nine year hiatus, but reformed last year for a run of amazing reunion shows including Splendour In The Grass. As someone who couldn’t afford a ticket (damn you Kanye!) here’s hoping they come back soon.

Oh, and did I mention last year Jarvis also got up on stage at Reading Festival with The Strokes and covered The Cars? BECAUSE IT WAS AWESOME.

Words by Madeleine Laing

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