The Astronauts – BBC Radio 6

The Astronauts – Typically English Day – BBC Radio 6 broadcast

Steve Lamacq played ‘Typically English Day’ by The Astronauts on his radio show earlier this evening. Understandably I’m chuffed; not so much chuffed that my band got played on 6 Music but more that The Astronauts got played on 6 Music. I consider myself a fan of the band first and foremost, joining them years after many unforgettable nights seeing them as a teenager, throwing awkward shapes and singing every word back at the band. I’m often in disbelief that someone so revered by myself is so overlooked, not just by the mainstream but across the counterculture. Mark Astronaut has been going strong for over thirty five years and is showing no signs of stopping, and that’s something to be applauded. He’s a truly remarkable songwriter and he is so deserving of all the airtime and coverage he can get. Maybe in some parallel universe Mark is bigger than The Beatles, like Rodriguez was / is in ‘Searching For Sugar Man’. I hope so, anyway.

Joe Davin – The Astronauts

4 comments
  1. bloater999
    bloater999
    April 25, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Excellent, a band I only discovered a few years ago at Rebellion and I am always amazed that they don’t draw a bigger audience; lucky old parallel universe

  2. Rob
    Rob
    April 28, 2013 at 11:37 pm

    At the time everyone who heard the album ‘Its All Done By Mirrors’ loved it. Some of the songs including Typically English Day would not have been out of place in the mainstream music charts. Problem is not enough people got to hear it – radio stations would not play it (not even John Peel). The Astronauts were always outsiders never quite fitting in to any musical category but lyrically always anti-establishment. They don’t peddle nostalgia and the new songs are great. The current re-energised line-up featuring Joe is one of the best ever (especially live) and youtube etc means more people have the chance to hear Mark Astronauts often brilliant songs….

  3. Ju
    Ju
    May 18, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    I first saw The Astronauts when I was 15 in 1983; they had a huge effect on me and I still rate them as an amazing band.

  4. Nick
    Nick
    November 14, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    They can drop all the bombs they like on me! Great band+one of their best….

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