Neil Kulkarni

 

Neil Kulkarni

By Pete Clemons

Like many, the loss of Neil Kulkarni came as a complete shock. And, as happens at times like these, there have been moments of reflection.

The obvious being around the many music articles Neil wrote. They were some of the best I ever read. One that immediately comes to mind came after Prince had passed away. It contained thousands of words and seemingly released within hours after news of Prince's demise had been announced. It was a staggering piece of work.

Numerous times, over the last year or so, I have heard others mention that Neil's written tribute to Terry Hall and the Specials as being 'the greatest piece of critical music writing I have ever read'.

And while on The Specials I remember seeing a painting of Neil by Horace Panter. Given his social media reaction, Neil was really chuffed by it. As such I am fairly certain it was framed and hung up in pride of place. There was something of a message in the painting as well.

Neil's writing was compelling and, even if you were not interested in the subject matter, the quality of the writing was worth the effort of reading. Whether you enjoyed what he had to say or not, there was no denying his brilliance as a scribe. On music, Neil would go deeper than a records content. He delved down and dissected the creator at DNA level. And it could hurt.

In addition to his writing Neil was an extremely competent musician. And, because of that talent in this field, maybe partly explained his, sometimes, critical standpoints when it came to music. Neil was also a member of the Coventry band the Moonbears who I saw play live, and enjoyed, many times.

The band began as a 6 piece called Rochenko. They then became The Moonbears when they when went down to a five-piece. Then around 2006 they reduced in number again. This time to a 3 piece. Moonbear#1 is Mick and he plays drums and sings. Neil was Moonbear#2 and he plays guitar and keyboards and sings. And Moonbear#5 is Jon who plays bass and won't sing.

More recently they were completed by saxophonist, Sarah Laughton, Moonbear#0 who, I remember reading in one Moonbear message, as having 'completed the circle'.

I must stress that I never knew Neil as such. Apart from gigs, my personal contacts with Neil were few. We seemed very different. I am very much into music nostalgia whereas Neil mainly seemed to strive for the new. But, having read a lot of his work I did hold a quiet esteem for Neil.

My own articles are what they are. The ramblings of an enthusiast amateur. The first time Neil 'liked' an article it left me numb. Daft I know but I couldn't help my giddiness.

Neil did contact me several times, and, they were memorable - for me at least. The first approach being completely out of the blue during May 2013.........

Hiya Pete, Neil from the Moonbears here - just wanted to send you a song from our new album, out now on i-tunes and wondering if there's any chance the launch gig could get a mention in the Telegraph? It's at Inspires this Saturday from 8 onwards and we're on stage about 10. Our album's called 'The Wow! Signal' and will be available to buy on the night as well. Let us know if there's anyone else I should be bothering about this and once again thanks for all the support - I just think you deserve a sneaky preview of the album cos of all the brilliant support you've given us! Cheers, Neil Kulkarni (Moonbear#2).

At that time I was writing nostalgic music articles for said newspaper. So I did what I could for them. That said I was pleasantly surprised that the band had thought to get in touch with me. Not that it happens regularly but it is an honour when an artist trusts you with their work.

A few years on and, during November 2016, I was blind sided once more........

Hiya Pete - promo copy of 'Let's Get Nice' for you - would be great to get a write-up in the Telegraph if possible no worries if not! Thanks as ever for the support x

Naturally I think, I was quite taken aback by this request. Here was a major league music critic and former journalist for the Melody Maker asking me, an enthusiastic amateur, to review a Moonbears album.

Being honest I bottled it. I just couldn't get started. Imagine, if you like, the person writing at a desk, lots of scribbling, lots of scrubbing out, and every piece of paper is ending in the bin. That was me.

I had never felt that way before so called in the help of the then brilliant Telegraph music reporter, Alan Poole. As always he did a fine job.

Long before the pandemic I had an inclination that The Moonbears had been writing another album. If memory serves it began during 2017. The final track, 'Red's Theme', was completed on the night before the first lock down of 2020. It was a massive achievement and a huge labour of love. But I hadn't, yet, realised it's significance.

May 2020 Hiya Pete - Just wanted to get the new Moonbears album to you as your support over the years has been really appreciated. It’s a double album, it’s called ‘Four Sides For Red’ and we are doing a full digital and vinyl release once lock down eases. Hope you enjoy it and have a nice Sunday mate, hope this finds you well x

This time, and without the safety net of the Coventry Telegraph, I had to go for it. I did have a brief chat with Neil about writing and critiquing. The reply was quite uplifting but centred around – regardless of ability, as a writer, just be honest to yourself. Which, of course, is easier said than done.

I was never entirely happy with my article, I never am, but there you have it I simply wrote what I thought.

'Four Side For Red' was fan-fared in defiantly with a wonderful statement of resistance that accompanied news of the album: 'The pandemic was never going to beat the Moonbears but we are all excited that from three of the toughest years of our lives we had Moonbears, and we had this miraculous thing we made. Thanks for reading x'

As already mentioned Neil's writings were immense. His mastery of the written word was simply breathtaking. Deep down I realise that the best writers are controversial, frank and to the point. For me Neil was, without doubt, up there with the very best of them.

At a time like this I feel that the final words must come from those closest. After sending on my condolences I had this reply from Jon Moonbear:

Yes the Neil "headlines" tended to be comical battering's he could dish out but the real Neil was in the way he could lavish praise in a way that the rest of could only think "yeah I also love that artist, know all those words and can write in sentences but I can't understand how he can do it like that"
Jon.x

Rest in Power Neil Kulkarni

The Moonbears by Pete Clemons

https://coventrygigs.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-moonbears.html