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Paul Prescott

@paulrprescott.bsky.social
462 followers 415 following 538 posts

Co-editor of the oral history book about Canadian punk rock band NoMeansNo: From Obscurity To Oblivion published by PM Press. Editor of Ready To Die For Xiu Xiu. PhD in Engineering. pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_det…

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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I grew up in the part of New England where the torpedo shaped sandwich is called a "grinder" rather than a sub. One of its defining elements is that it has oil/vinegar and NEVER mayonnaise. I admit that I might be predisposed in this subject, but mayonnaise is foul and has no redeeming qualities.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The absence of Derry Girls from the NY Times Best TV list completely renders it null and void. There should also be trials and public floggings.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The eponymous Asia album is what the kids today would call a "no skip album." Perfect from start to finish. Subsequent Asia albums were major disappointments. At least we have this epic video to cherish: youtu.be/lCALGlGuVUA
youtu.be
Asia - Heat Of The Moment
YouTube video by AsiaVEVO
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
If AI companies faced a $1 billion fine every time their models broke containment, then I bet they would suddenly get much better at keeping their models under control.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Bandcamp Friday haul! ~New Godflesh album! ~Two from Kevin Martin’s new Ladybug project! ~And high time I got on the Perennial bandwagon!
Latest Bandcamp Friday purchases including:
Godflesh- Decay
Ladybug- 1 & 2
Perennial- Modernism & A Is For Abstract
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
As far as live performers go, the Police are definitely in the upper echelon.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This version seems appropriate right now for multiple reasons. xiuxiu69.bandcamp.com/track/jolene-2
xiuxiu69.bandcamp.com
Jolene, by XIU XIU
from the album Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1 (Deluxe Edition)
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Godflesh has the best remixes. A lot of bands have excellent remixes, but there is always one or two that are just clunkers. ALL of Godflesh's remixes are excellent and bring a fresh perspective to the song.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Clouds in the sky, cool breeze, Soursop IPA, and a Prince & the Revolution live show from 1985. Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon.
Tour poster from the Prince & the Revolution 1985 Purple Rain tour. Listening to a compilation of soundboard recordings from the Uniondale, Santa Monica, San Francisco, and Worcester shows.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Ignoring the Odyssey film to focus on what's really important- the incredible depth of the Bronski Beat remix album Hundreds and Thousands. "Heatwave" starts with an aerobics class recording which forms the initial beat of the song. Genius. I've heard this a million times and it never gets old.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
On my list for criminally under-appreciated bands, Kitchens of Distinction would be near the top of that list. They still sound timeless.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The definition of "unrestrained joy" is Simple Minds playing Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" at a soundcheck in Birmingham in 2009.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Thank you! So glad that you enjoyed it.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
That Sinéad O'Connor's "Black Boys on Mopeds" is still every bit as applicable, and devastating, now as it was when it came out in 1990, is a serious indictment of Western Society.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Taylor Swift is my 10th cousin, twice removed. So did I get an invite to her wedding? NOPE.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Patiently waiting for the moment when my background in geodesy, powder metallurgy, and obscure live recordings of the Cure allow me such a glorious moment of synergetic expertise.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
If I was Canadian, I would start a petition to have Skinny Puppy put on the $2 coin. Or have a grade of maple syrup named after them. Bottom line is that Skinny Puppy deserves more appreciation.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan Volume 3 paired with a Soursop Hazy IPA and a nice breeze. Recipe for a very enjoyable early evening.
Picture of a Sonos Move speaker, a can of Two-5 Soursop IPA beer and an iPad showing the cover of J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan Volume 3 with trees and hills in the background.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Listening to The Figgs 2019 album Shady Grove and once again wondering how they are not the biggest band in the USA. The songwriting is top notch: intelligent and catchy as hell. That they also throw in an exquisite cover of Kate Bush’s “Suspended in Gaffa” is just them showing off.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The Fleetwood Mac album Rumours should only be listened to with the inclusion of the Stevie Nicks song “Silver Springs,” which was only originally released as a single B-side. The correct position for “Silver Springs” on Rumours is after “Songbird” and before “The Chain.”
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
"This next tune is for all you Heavy Metal fans in the audience. All those who like Bon Jovi on their pizza and think that the hippest thing to wear is the codpiece." -Mick Jones introducing the Big Audio Dynamite song "Sudden Impact" at the 1018 Club in New York City on 1986-12-13.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Bandcamp Friday: Two volumes of J Jazz: Deep & Modern Jazz From Japan (thanks to the recommendation from @burningambulance.bsky.social. I'm sure I will eventually get all 5 volumes) Dead Bob- Nothing Changes Everything Big | Brave- In Grief Or In Hope Octo Octa- Sigils For Survival
Picture of a Bandcamp page showing the albums mentioned above.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Just learned that the CD version of the epic Neil Young & Crazy Horse live album Weld contains a different mix (without overdubs) and some different performances than video version, although the video misses two songs found on the CDs. Sometimes ignorance truly is bliss.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
"Did you just listen to the Genesis song 'Abacab' on repeat for the last hour and a half?" "Absolutely not. I was listening to ten different live versions of 'Abacab' recorded between 1981 and 1986, noting the subtle differences in tempo, solos, and phrasing."
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Listening to a newly surfaced audience recording of Peter Gabriel’s 1982-12-19 San Jose performance and once again, I am utterly amazed at how good these 1982-1983 shows were.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Laurie Anderson is a national treasure. I’ve seen her perform over a dozen times and they have all been exemplary. Just saw her perform “What War Is This? What Time Is It?” and it was absolutely genius. Still have 3 more Laurie Anderson shows to go at this year’s Big Ears Festival!
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Although Gary Numan is rightly praised for his contributions to early synth pop, the I, Assassin album is a milestone in mumbling. Every bit as unintelligible as Michael Stipe in the early R.E.M. albums.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Bandcamp Friday: Brian Marcella & Sae Hashimoto Desert Sand Feels Warm at Night The Sheila Divine Nonbinary Girlfriend Suss Laurie Anderson & Sexmob Patrick Cowley A thread!🧵
Bandcamp account showing the following new albums:

Brian Marcella & Sae Hashimoto- Tunnel Vision
Desert Sand Feels Warm at Night- Foresti Traxxedenti
The Sheila Divine- The Middle Ages
Nonbinary Girlfriend- I’m Not Pretty
Suss- Counting Sunsets
Laurie Anderson & Sexmob- Let X=X Live
Patrick Cowley- Afternooners
Patrick Cowley- School Daze
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
According to the professional birders, we saw 24 different types of birds today at the Agua Caliente Luha Wild Life Sanctuary in southern Belize. The small black dots in the water are Whistling Ducks.
Bright green grassland in the foreground, a lagoon beyond that, followed by the Maya Mountains in southern Belize. Whistling ducks are visible as small black dots on the lagoon. Picture taken at the Agua Caliente Luha Wild Life Sanctuary.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
This pro-AI coding puff piece in the New York Times says it all: quality doesn't matter as long as you meet the deadline.
"Is the software I'm making for myself on my phone as good as handcrafted, bespoke code? No. But it's immediate and cheap. And the quantities, measured in lines of text, are large. It might fail a company's quality test, but it would meet every deadline. That is what makes A.I. coding such a shock to the system."
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Today's Bandcamp Friday: The Dandy Warhols- Pin Ups The Third Mind- Right Now! Kevin Martin- Sub Zero Sun Ra- Solo Piano, Minnesota 1978 Lull- Tide Mick Harris- Culvert Dubs Session 8 There is always room for more Sun Ra solo piano and ambient dub.
A screenshot of a Bandcamp collection page showing the album art for the above 6 albums.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Here's our vicious guard dog Al fashioning his nylabone into a shiv.
Picture of a beagle mix mutt sitting with a red nylabone between his front paws that he has chewed into a point.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
For what is becoming an annual event, while my wife was away in the Guatemalan highlands on a weaving trip, I spent a week listening to an exorbitant amount of the Legendary Pink Dots. The breadth of their canon is stunning, from their early 80s experiments, to their most recent albums. Exceptional.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
When it comes to music, I used to be a completist. Then I ran into the Legendary Pink Dots. Their early years are a giant mishmash of different versions, compilation tracks, retrospectives, and same songs with different titles. I learned to accept the chaos. Only Muslimgauze is worse.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Currently on day 11 of testing out this season's flu offering. Features include fever, concrete-like congestion, incessant coughing, body aches, fatigue, and a preference for only listening to mid-80's Swans live concert recordings. Zero stars. Do not recommend.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
In remembrance of Rob Reiner, I am putting on: sock-shoe-sock-shoe. www.youtube.com/watch?v=keX9...
youtube.com
All in the Family - A Sock and a Sock
YouTube video by 704 Hauser Street
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Minor Bandcamp Friday as I was overwhelmed with indecision & just went with what I know. Latest Merzbow & Muslimgauze plus the Joyful Noise Players Live at Big Ears. Not only are all the performers top notch but my friend @flakesky.bsky.social wrote the liner notes.
Bandcamp Friday purchases:
Merzbow- Bariken Returns
Joyful Noise Players- Live at Big Ears
Muslimgauze- Muslimgauze-Muslimlahore
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
PM Press is having a 50% off sale. Perfect time to pick up some left wing books for your MAGA relatives, or some excellent punk rock books, including one about NoMeansNo. @pmpress.bsky.social
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Sitting outside and listening to the intro of "Welcome to the Pleasure Dome" and not being able to tell if the sound effects are coming from the recording or the local parrots, toucans, and aracaris. Well done Mr. Horn.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
A rainbow, a beer, and the new Hüsker Dü live album 1985: The Miracle Year playing in my headphones.
An iPad showing the new Hüsker Dü album 1985: The Miracle Year, next to a can of Two-5 Brewing Valencia IPA beer. In the background is a rainbow.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
On this day of Dick Cheney's passing, I am reminded of this photo. These children had asked me to take their picture when I was traveling in Chibayish, Iraq in April, 1989. Between the US wars, sanctions, and repression by Saddam Hussein, I wonder how many of these kids made it to adulthood.
Photo from Chibayish, Iraq taken in April, 1989 showing a group of children in front of the marshes.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Today I finally got Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska. On paper it's something I always should've loved. But for whatever reason, it never clicked. I just listened to the outtakes from the new expanded edition and now it all makes sense. "Losin' Kind" and "Child Bride" are wonderfully devastating.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
Thinking back over all the live music I've experienced, the most transcendental was probably the Cincinnati Symphony performing Mahler's 9th.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Having a cat that is completely chill about having his nails trimmed is a huge game changer.
Cat leaning back exposing his paws while sitting on a lap. Completely chill and purring after having his nails trimmed.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Listening to the Santana live album Lotus, and towards the end of "Samba Pa Ti" he quotes "Never Can Say Goodbye." Although Santana was referencing the Jackson 5 version, I can easily imagine Jimmy Somerville (Communards) adding his falsetto to Santana's shredding.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Despite two years of French in junior high school, the entirety of my French vocabulary are the lyrics to the Police song "J'aurais Toujours Faim de Toi." I have since learned that this is not very useful when trying to order at a Tim Hortons in rural Quebec.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Today’s Bandcamp Friday haul: A Guide to the Birdsong of Migration- 4th volume in series of music created from birdsongs. Silberland Vol 3: The Ambient Side of Kosmische Musik- Bureau B series on experimental German music. Mick Harris: Culvert Dubs Session Six- Latest heavy dub from Mr. Harris.
Bandcamp screenshot showing the album cover artwork of the three albums described above.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
My essay on the variations of the Talking Heads album Stop Making Sense has been published by the wonderful I Have That On Vinyl website.
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Nothing like messaging a nearby farmer to get a resupply of locally grown.... Coffee!
Text messages:

"Good morning Mr. Paul I am pretty sure we still have enough to supply you. How many pounds would you like?"

"10 lbs please"
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Paul Prescott @paulrprescott.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Some days are meant for The Rolling Stones album Exile on Main St. And then there are those days that are meant for the Pussy Galore version of Exile on Main St. Today is the latter.
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