A lot of people thought this guy was a twat – and they were right
When perusing Wikipedia, I was amazed to find that the ill-fated Mark Shaw and his gang of performing morons, Then Jerico, enjoyed no less then 4 top 40 hits in the UK. This was their “big hit” and what a horrid song it is.
If you distilled the spirit of the 1980s into a denim clad bottle, this is the sound you would hear when you opened it.
Incomprehensible lyrics (“In this big area (possibly a big garden or outside space) of mine / Sometimes you break me up inside”)? Check.
Sub-U2 – in fact (though I didn’t think this was possible) sub-Simple Minds “epic” guitar and synths? Check.
Meaningless video while Mr Jerico (when not posturing around a stage – note there is no crowd – no-one ever wanted to go to a Then Jerico gig) is walking around London/Paris or perhaps Sodom arguing with his equally stupid girlfriend, who is wearing one of those 80s floppy hats that Stevie Nicks used to sport. Check,
Sadly “Big Area” was the beginning of the end for Then Jerico, chartwise – later efforts like the oddly named “Orgasmaphobia” failed to find success and as Wikipedia tells us, “Shaw was the special guest DJ for “The Eighties Nostalgia: Resurrection” at The Lexington in London”. That’s the way it goes on the pop merrygoround, my friend.
Worst Moment: At the end of the video where he adopts a Christ like pose – “Look at me! I’ve just sung a really bad song!”
