4. Captain Beefheart & His Magic BandDoc At The Radar Station

These were my idols growing up. Captain Beefheart is the central figure, the presiding genius of it all. Then there’s all these incredible musicians who surround him, kids from the desert in California who were massively important in shaping the music: Bill Harkleroad, John French, they’re still the figures that I hold on the highest of pedestals. People might think of their music as quite difficult or atonal, but I just think it’s really, really beautiful. Very melodic, full of tunes and incredible rhythms. The other thing I love about them is their level of commitment, the whole thing of rehearsing for six months, 12 hours a day before you record an album. For whatever reason, I though that’s what a band should be.

This is one of their later records. It’s from this run of three – Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller), Doc At The Radar Station, and Ice Cream For Crow – that are a little world unto themselves. I could have really chosen any of them. This must be the record I’ve listened to the most in my life, though. I mean, ‘Making Love to A Vampire With A Monkey On My Knee’ – what’s not to like about that song title? I’m sure we can all relate to that. He speaks for the common man.