Forget 2005 - Why 1995 Was One of the Best Years Ever for British Music

I just can't see there being another big scene in music like there was in the 90s. Don't get me wrong, there's still some great music around nowadays as there was in the noughties but there is nothing like the excitement of the 90s.

So 2005? Pah, I was way too old then (what does that make me now?). No, 1995 was where it was at, and to some extent, it still is if you listen to some new bands breaking through (Peace, Swim Deep etc etc).

It's not just about 1995 for me either to be honest. We actually only released one single that year Where Have You Been Tonight and the rest of the year was spent writing what would become one of our most popular albums A Maximum High which we gave birth to in '96. No, for me the whole decade was just a great, great time to be in a band and also to be a fan of music. Plain and simple fact.

The decade started with the dregs of Madchester, of which I was a big fan, and after a slight lull and a bit of shoegazing - again I was a big fan of Ride - there was suddenly a big rush of bands who wanted to be noticed, stand out and be different - which was ironic as somehow everyone got lumped into the same scene fondly remembered as Britpop.

This gave way to a lot of landmark events. Not least in '95 when the news at 10 were reporting the chart battle between Oasis and Blur!

Sadly, I think, that will never happen again as this generation of kids can just click a button and instantly have a song. I explain to my kids that I had to cycle into town, go to my local record store, browse the racks and agonise over desicions.

Do I get The Smiths Sheila Take a Bow 12 inch or the new release by the Soup Dragons with my milk round money? Oh the anguish! The kids look at me like I'm a nutter...

The point is, the excitement has been lost somewhere down the line. You don't generally get bands writing albums where every track's a winner anymore, whereas in the 90s, there were hundreds.

And I just can't see there being another big scene in music like there was in the 90s. Don't get me wrong, there's still some great music around nowadays as there was in the noughties but as I say, there is nothing like the excitement of the 90s.

Granted there are hardly any bands left from that era who are still active. However, The Sheds will be out on the road in December. If you want to relive the times I suggest you get yourself down to your nearest venue.

2005? It was okay but quite boring compared to the majesty of 1995.

I rest my case.

Oh and I'm 40, by the way.

For more details of Shed Seven's December tour, click here.

Meanwhile, Rick will be arguing the case for British music in 1995 on Channel 4's That Music Show which is hosted by Nick Grimshaw and is on Friday 2 August at 10pm.

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