I remember - must have been in the 9ties(?) - I came home from work, was a scaffolder then and the TV was on. At this time me and my wife were heavy into country (Gram Parsons, Butch Hancock, Hank Williams). But mind - my wife gave into my wooing because I owned all records by Velvet Underground. (We're now together for 42 years).
The TV was on and there was a spindly guy languishing between so big loudspeakers. And this guy poured some water from a bottle over this head.
Yes this was my first 'contact' with Jarvis. We own all the records by Pulp, we've read the book by Jarvis, the other one by Russel Senior and Mark Sturdy's 'Truth and beauty'.
While reading this books my 'faith' in Pulp got stronger, but sadly my wife lost her faith. And now, when I'm listening to Pulp I get these glances... how, why, for whatever reasons on can stand this music. Her favorite expression is Eurodisco.
But for me the intelligence of Jarvis is just second to David Byrne. And like David Jarvis can dance. (at least sort of)