TOM VERLAINE : JAZZMASTER OF STYLE

“Marquee Moon is a 24-carat inspired work of pure genius, a record finely in tune and sublimely arranged with a whole new slant on dynamics.” – Nick Kent, NME

1974. New York. East Village. CBGB. A young band by the name of Television surface on a dead Sunday night. They hint at what is to come. Three years later, their debut LP “Marquee Moon” is released. With it, punk music transcends into new territory – and it will never look back.

The band consists of Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca and Richard Hell. Under duel guitar interplay, fresh punk sounds come from Tom Verlaine’s guitar lines, enacted on a Fender Jazzmaster. Clean cut, sharply angular and refreshingly cool – his sound was distinctive and timeless. Much like his style.

Six cues to take from the punk jazzmaster:

For the upper underlayer: when warm, a short-sleeved, crew-neck t-shirt. When cold, a long-sleeved, crew-neck jumper. Essential minimalism.

For the upper overlayer: 1960s Italian-American knitwear. Button up cardigan form. Favoured design: a black base topped with white panelled stripes on top. The ultimate symbol of a jazzmaster.

For the jacket: in the afternoon, a slightly oversized overcoat. Colour: black. Material: wool. Structure: single breasted. Styling: buttoned all the way up. Hands tucked into pockets. In the evening: a leather jacket, featuring battered notch lapels and a checked motif on top. Insouciant pizazz.

For the trouser: a singular design: mid-rise, straight leg kecks. Two colours: black and grey. Two textures: denim and twill. Regular rotation from one to the other and consistently classic in any environment.

For the accessory: around the neck, a simple wool scarf – tied in an overhand knot. Across the eyes, jet black acetate shades. On top of the head (occasionally), a black beret.

For the footwear:one design above all: black lace up plimsolls. Three textures for variety: leather, suede, canvas. Eternally casual, eternally comfortable, eternally cool.

1-album-Marquee-Moon-de-Television-1977

TELEVISION. Marquee Moon album. 1977. 

2-Television-par-David-Godlis-St-Marks-Place-a-New-York-1977

GODLIS, David, phot. TELEVISION. St. Mark’s Place, New York City, United States. 1977. 

3-Tom-Verlaine-et-Richard-Lloyd

LLOYD, Richard. VERLAINE, Tom. undated. 

4-Tom-Verlaine-et-Richard-Lloyd-New-York-1977

LLOYD, Richard. VERLAINE, Tom. 1977. 

5-Tom-Verlaine-par-Ebet-Roberts-1978

ROBERTS, Ebet. VERLAINE, Tom. 1978. 

6-cover-Flash-Light-par-Susan-Hiller-1987

HILLER, Susan, art. Tom Verlaine’s Flash Light album cover. 1987. 

tom verlaine by james hamilton 1981 face

HAMILTON, James, phot. VERLAINE, Tom. 1981. 

  • LAPELS
    « Trends in lapel size often mirror the economic climate: during World War II, lapels initially became smaller due to fabric shortages »
  • COOPER X 12
    « Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper/Tryin’ hard to look like Gary Cooper/Super Duper – Puttin’ on the Ritz »
  • OUTER POCKETS
    « It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that sewn-on pockets, and pockets hidden within the lining, became standard in clothing… »
  • INNER POCKETS
    « They are designed to meet the needs and habits of the wearer, evolving over time to accommodate changing lifestyles. »
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