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Baker's Dozen

Cinematic Quality: Blanck Mass' Favourite Albums
James Benge , May 12th, 2015 13:12

He's just released his second solo album, Dumb Flesh, and is set to play tQ's stage at The Great Escape on Friday. Before that, the Fuck Buttons man gives James Benge the rundown of his top 13 records

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Suicide - Suicide
I think it signifies a crossover in my tastes, or at least a different direction. I was listening to a lot of punk music when I was younger and Suicide was something that when I heard it, it bridged two worlds for me. That record, which I love, has a very tangible meaning for me: not just something that I just think is a beautiful piece of music, it had a real effect on how I approached songwriting. I always saw, and still see, Fuck Buttons as a punk band, at least to a certain degree. Suicide certainly helped us on our way.

When Alan Vega was out supporting The Clash, he had rooms full of people spitting on him. “How can this possibly be punk music? You’re using synthesisers. Leave that to the boys in Germany!” They just didn’t give a fuck and now it’s one of the most influential records of our time.