For your Friday distraction, here’s a fascinating oral history on possibly the greatest Sopranos episode ever, which aired 20 years ago today.
Two mobsters chase a seemingly invincible man through the South Jersey forest. Then he vanishes, leaving only a trail of blood. As day turns into night and cold turns into much colder, the gangsters give up their search and go into survival mode. They bond, bicker, and threaten each other, until they’re finally rescued in the light of the next morning.
This is the closest we’ll ever get to Left 4 Dead 3. Game developer Turtle Rock is no longer part of Valve and they’ve decided to make a semi-sequel on their own. I’m excited, but I know my shitty 13-year-old PC won’t run this. PS4 maybe? Anyway, June 22!
Although never the greatest Madness fan, I’m quite enjoying this first episode of their documentary series. See what you think. Or don’t.
It’s legitimately free on YouTube.
Watch ‘Before We Was We’ episode 1 for free here on BT’s YouTube Channel, subscribe to BT TV to watch all three episodes. Don’t miss this three-part original docuseries chronicling the rise of one of the biggest and most loved bands in British culture, Madness.
Each 60-minute episode is an enthralling slice of music history, featuring original footage and interviews with band members past and present including Chris Foreman, Mike “Barso” Barson, Lee “Thommo” Thompson, Graham “Suggs” McPherson, Daniel “Woody” Woodgate, Mark “Bedders” Bedford, Carl “Chas Smash” Smyth, regaling stories from their 40-year career together as Madness.
Episode One: Oh What Fun We Had!
Opening on the very foreign world of North London in the late ‘60s, we discover each member’s uniquely chaotic upbringing at home and school, from their early teen years existing on the fringes of society to meeting each other and forming a band (of sorts). Suggs comes on board after observing a back-garden gig with a ropey singer, thinking he can do a lot better.
