My older brother used to have a Marquee Moon t-shirt he’d wear in high school. It was simple, just the cover of the album slapped on a tee.
As a lame little middle schooler it used to catch my eye every time I’d see it. Who were these people? And who was that guy in the middle? The face, clothes, pose, hair; it was terrifying and intoxicating. I was locked into this gaunt figure staring blankly back at me. Could I ever look this cool?
Well it’s been about 20 years and the answer is a definitive “no”.
As the years progressed past middle school and beyond I dove further into the music from the mysterious t-shirt and it struck even more chords.
It was sharp but noisy, smart but angsty, gawky but harmonious, strange but melodic. It felt ahead of its time yet also definitive of the time. I’ve heard that Television and the Ramones used to essentially take turns playing music to each other in an empty CBGB in the early days. I don’t know if that’s true but I suppose it speaks to the genius/insanity of both groups and the confidence to just do your thing, no matter who’s watching.
I don’t know what makes someone cool. If it’s the look, the hair, the clothes, the music, the voice, the attitude, or just some intangible magic. But whatever it is, Tom Verlaine had it.
Okay, I’m going to go listen to Adventure now. Rest easy Tom Verlaine.
Thanks for listening,
Will