"Lloyd, Cole and the Commotion"

Lawrence Donegan was feeling old recently after what sounds like a typical major championship press room conversation.

Kids today, they just don't know their mildly successful 1980s indie bands. More worryingly for the folks over at the Sun, 31-year-olds don't either. Which brings me to the headline above yesterday's story about Cheryl Cole's controversial – some might say "tone deaf" – decision to send Cher Lloyd into X Factor finals. Lloyd, Cole and the Commotion, it read. Geddit? You know: big(ish) in the 1980s, singer looked like a young Elvis, bass player looked like Paul Simonon, only uglier.

I have a colleague. She is 31. "Never heard of him,'' she says.

"I was the bass player,'' I say.

She is mortified. "I was eight at the time."

I try to console her. "Don't worry."

She's distraught. Almost. "Sorry."

I'm sorry, too – but only for the poor sub-editor whose creative genius went unappreciated by 99% of those who read it.

Speaking of Lloyd, he has a splendid new album out that has deservedly received rave reviews.

Comments

[Old Tom of the Golfing Gods]

Lloyd Cole and the Commotions were brilliant. Cole is English (won't hold that against him) but the band was founded at Glasgow University, my alma mater.

I moved from Glasgow to the States in the early 80's but whenever I flew back to Scotland I'd play Lloyd as we approached Glasgow. Great music.

Heard he's a decent golfer too.

Thanks for reviving a good memory, Geoff!

[Tommy Naccarato]

With every new Lloyd Cole album comes a new Lloyd Cole tour!

Bring it on!

[Seitz]

I'm 37 and the only reason I got into Lloyd Cole was because my older brother listened to him. I doubt many of my friends have heard of him, although they'd probably recognize a few tunes. So it's not surprising that a 31 year old hasn't heard of him, even over there.

I saw Echo and the Bunnymen earlier this year, who's current run since reuniting has lasted longer than their original run. I started chatting with a girl who had never seen them in concert before. She knew all the classic stuff, but none of the new stuff. When she asked about one of the songs they were playing, I told her it was off of the album they released in 1997. She responded "I was five years old". I was a Teenage Fanclub show last night and it was a relief to finally go to a concert where I wasn't the oldest person there.

[kieran]

I remember reading an article (ostensibly a travel journal I think) by Lloyd Cole about a recent-ish trip to Australia, where he played a number of the Sand Belt course in between gigs. It was really well written and absolutely made me want to head to Australia and play these courses. Vaguely recall him playing to about 6-8ish. They also had some great songs, but honestly haven't heard any of the recent stuff. Seitz, nice taste in music, Teenage Fanclub have made some of the great pop songs of the last twenty years. Sparky's dream is a phenomenal song.

[Seitz]

Kieran,

They were great both nights. It was the first time I'd seen them. They played Star Sign last night, which they skipped the first night. They played I Need Direction both nights, though, which is my favorite Teenage Fanclub song. The great thing about Chicago is how many good shows we get and how easy they are to get to.