WHICH MILIBAND IS A-PUNK? HOW MANY IN ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT + GOLDIE IN THE RING

HOW much do we really care about a politician’s record-sifting skills? 

If you're a Labour party member, maybe more than you think.

Before the election David Miliband told me his chosen campaign music would be Things Can Only Get Better – Blair’s atrocious D:Ream New Labour anthem.

Hmmm, I thought, can’t Mr M think of a single new track in the last 13 years? Even a classical piece would have been more forgivable.
Last week young Ed Miliband marched to victory over his sibling for the Labour leadership - his chosen anthem? Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw – a neighbour of David – pointed out helpfully it was Vampire Weekend’s A-Punk. Say no more.

Course I prefer Cousins...

• I never really worked out how many people were in the laid-back extended family that made up Arrested Development. Count for yourself when they play the Barbican supported by M3SNA, October 13.
• He’s wearing gaudy gold shirts and competing with Anne Widdecombe on the dancefloor, Soundclash, he’s put on a penguin suit and conducted full-scale orchestras but happily Goldie is returning to what he does best at Roundhouse Culture Clash (Oct 14). Four contending soundsystems, five rounds, one champ – it’s like fight club with Metalheadz, Scream & Benga, Channel One Soundsystem and Soul Jazz Records with Don Letts as referee.

JON MCCLURE'S PARTY ALBUM

I MET Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure at Islington’s Union Chapel on Monday. Usually preoccupied with bigger world issues, he told me he’s branching out into lighter things: “I’m working on Reverend Soundsystem. I’m making my electronic music with five of my old songs and five new songs with Kano and Roots Manuva and others. It’s pure party music. I’ve done kitchen sink drama, hip-hop, now I’m doing party. It’s coming out this summer. I deserve to make a party record. I’m very proud of it.”

I know it's old now but here's a reminder of why Reverend and the Makers first caught my attention.

• UK fusion band Dreadzone celebrated the launch of ninth album Eye on the Horizon with a party at Cargo on Wednesday. Legendary punk filmmaker Don Letts made a special DJ appearance. Single Gangster is out on May 23.

•The JD Set’s remake of Human League’s album Dare is at Dingwalls (May 5). Shy Child, Infadels, Zoot Woman, The Shortwave Set and Kids on Bridges spent a week rehashing the tunes.

• Rizz Promotions is running a special night of Camden acts including Mark Perrin ft Crony and Blues Tattoo at Camden Rock, Kentish Town Road on May 5. There’s an open mic invite to all political candidates.