June 1991, Les Inrockuptibles made the unexpected choice of putting Bill Pritchard on the cover. Fair enough. But inside, there was plenty to feed the curiosity of Shoegaze and Postpunk devotees—like me, then and now. And what heroes we had…
Vaughan Oliver – The visionary graphic artist behind nearly all the iconic 4AD record sleeves: Lush, Throwing Muses, Pale Saints, Clan of Xymox, Cocteau Twins, Pixies, This Mortal Coil… you name it. Vaughan passed away in 2019, but his visual language still lives on each time we pull one of these records from the shelf.
Martin Hannett – The sonic alchemist who shaped the haunting atmosphere of Joy Division, and also left his mark on New Order and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. He died young in 1991, only 42, but his influence echoes through generations. Some geniuses speak once—and for good.
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Featured in a long and heartfelt interview around the release of their explosive debut “God Fodder”. They talked about how they got there (hard work), how success changed their lives and relationships—with friends, fans, even their parents. Jonn Penney, their singer, foresaw a bright future for the band. Success faded, but he found balance: music became a passion again, not a paycheck. Sometimes, heroes settle down—for the best.
And then came the reviews. Chapterhouse’s “Whirlpool”—critically dismissed at the time, but an instant classic for many of us. Les Thugs’ “I.A.B.F.”—an absolute stormer (have you heard this fierce French band? You should). And a wave of unforgettable EPs:
- The Boo Radleys, “Every Heaven”
- Moose, with the legendary “Jack” EP
- Pixies, firing back with “Planet of Sound”
- Th’ Faith Healers, preparing their “In Love” EP and the monumental first album Lido (still awaiting a proper vinyl reissue!)
- Curve, unleashing “Frozen” and getting serious buzz in NME again
- The Popguns, quietly brilliant with “Still a World Away”, anyone else remember? I do.
