Only Rock 'n' Roll

July 1, 2019

It’s A Mystery…

…as Toyah once so movingly sang.

Detour Records boss Dizzy has sent me a picture of a Slaughter And The Dogs poster containing pro-Trash graffiti (see above)

Was anyone here involved ?

June 28, 2019

Across The Airwaves Volume 3: Crossing The Atlantic – The Rolling Stones Live 1964-5

Let The Airwaves Flow 3: Crossing The The Atlantic 1964-65

The Rolling Stones

Side One

I Wanna Be Your Man (Lennon, McCartney)
The Last Time (Jagger, Richards)
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Russell, Burke, Wexler)
Pain In My Heart (Neville)
I’m Alright (McDaniel)
Oh! Baby (We Got A Good Thing Going) (Ozen)
That’s How Strong My Love Is (Jamison)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (Jagger, Richard)

Side Two

Little Red Rooster (Dixon)
Play With Fire (Jagger, Richards)
Down The Road Apiece (Raye)
Not Fade Away (Hardin, Petty)
I Just Want To Make Love To You (Dixon)
Cry To Me (Berns)
She Said Yeah (Jackson / Christy)
Get Off My Cloud (Jagger, Richards)

Side One

Track 1 “The Arthur Haynes Show” Elstree Studios, Borehamwood 8.2.64

Tracks 2 – 5 “Ready Steady Goes Live!” Studio One, Wembley 9.4.65

Tracks 6 – 8 “Ready Steady Go The Rolling Stones Special Show Live!” Studio One, Wembley 2.9.65

Side Two

Track 1-3 “Shindig” Los Angeles 6.11.65

Tracks 4 – 5 “Hollywood Palace Show” Los Angeles 3.6.64

Tracks 6 -8 “Ready Steady Goes Live!” Studio One, Wembley 2.9.65

Mick Jagger – lead vocals

Brian Jones – guitar

Keith Richard – guitar, vocals

Bill Wyman – bass

Charlie Watts – drums

Sleeve Notes

Fans of the Rolling Stones have long complained about the lack of interest shown by the band in their considerable back-catalogue. Apart from the long out-of-print 25 x 5 there has never been any official attempt to document the many TV appearances the Stones made during their frantic mid-sixties. This record brings together some of the liveliest Stones recordings from 1964 and 1965.

The earliest performance here sees the Stones revving up their hit I Wanna Be Your Man with a spicy Brian Jones solo. Then to Ready Steady Go, which would became the Stones televisual home from home. Fronted by uber-mod Cathy McGowan this is where the Stones learnt to play to the cameras. Initial programmes were mimed, but by April 1965 bands were live in the studio. The programme’s iconic slogan “The Weekend Starts Here!” adds excitement to The Last Time, followed by a highly effective medley of Everybody Needs Somebody To Love and Pain In My Heart and a truncated version of Crawdaddy crowdpleaser, I’m Alright. By September 1965 the Stones’ increased popularity had earned them their very own edition of RSG which showcased a more soul orientated approach through covers of Barbara Lynn’s Oh Baby! and Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is, before closing with a pounding Satisfaction. There is a rare appearance from sixth Stone Ian Stewart on Oh! Baby and his distinctive piano can be heard in the second half of the song.

The success of RSG spawned similar shows in America such as Shindig, for whom the Stones recorded three tracks in November 1965. Little Red Rooster benefitted from some additional howling and Brian Jones’s peerless slide, whilst a brief Down The Road Apiece squeezed in a Berryesque solo from Keith Richard. What the natives made of references to Hackney and Knightsbridge in the brooding Play With Fire is not known. The backing tracks for these songs were specially recorded at RCA Studios in Los Angeles two days previously and feature an early collaboration with Billy Preston on keyboards. Ignoring the snide comments of Hollywood Palace host Dean Martin, the Stones recorded fine up-tempo versions of Not Fade Away and I Just Want To Make Love To You. Finally it’s back to RSG for an October 1965 session contrasting the impassioned ballad Cry To Me with the all-out ravers of Get Off My Cloud and She Said Yeah, the latter co-written by Sonny Bono under an alias.

From February 1964 through to November 1965, the Stones were frequently on mainstream television. It was like having them in your living room: they would never offer this easy access again. From 1966 onwards the increasing fragility of Brian Jones would result in the Stones gradually cutting back on their live performances, both in person and on TV. Once 1967’s “Summer Of Love” was safely out of the way the Stones would resurface in the darkly menacing video for Jumping Jack Flash, all tribal make up and bug-eye shades.

The weekend would no longer start here, because the weekend would never stop.

Sleeve notes: Edith Grove

Available from 1960s Records

May 30, 2019

Peter Perrett, The Scala

May 30th 2019

Starting his set with Baby Don’t Talk gave notice that Peter and his band would be playing songs from throughout his career with the bulk of the set sourced from his two recent solo albums. Peter’s sons Jamie (guitar) and Peter Junior (world’s largest Fender bass) were joined by Jake Woodward on drums, Jenny Maxwell on viola and Lauren Moon on keyboards and theatrical tambourine for a very Velvet Underground & Nico vibe. The Epic Story was an early highlight whilst War Plan Red bought the set to a snarling conclusion and 48 Crash proved to be a Perrett original rather than a Suzi Quatro cover. Former Only Ones John Perry and Alan Mair were in the audience to witness versions of The Whole Of The Law, From Here To Eternity, The Beast and (of course) Another Girl, Another Planet. After all his travails it is remarkable that Peter is still functioning, let alone delivering gigs of this quality. Support was Strange Fruit – their accoustic version of Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was well done – and Cardiff’s Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, who wanted to be Suede but ended up Suedette.

Standout collectables: Tour T shirts £15, tote bags £10

This review was written for Record Collector magazine

May 24, 2019

Simon Does The Double (Again)!

For the second time in my life I have managed to get two of my reviews published in the same edition of Record Collector magazine, these being for Todd Rundgren at Hammersmith and Mott The Hoople at Shepherds Bush. Can I ever make it to a triple ?

May 21, 2019

Primal Scream @ The Scala

May 21st 2019

A stripped down Primal Scream played their smallest London gig in many years to promote their new singles collection Maximum Rock’n’Roll, pretty much the bands raison d’etre . Absurdly svelte singer Bobby Gillespie plus fellow founding members Andrew Innes on guitars and Martin Duffy on keyboards were joined by long serving drummer Darrin Mooney and more recent bass guitarist Simone Butler. They went all the way back to 1986 for a delightful Velocity Girl (Innes jangling away on a Rickenbacker) and delivered an audience-assisted Movin’ On Up and a sensitive (I’m Gonna) Cry Myself Blind. The big hitters of Loaded, Country Girl and Rocks turned the intimate Scala into a sweaty mosh pit, the enthusiastic crowd response clearly delighting Gillespie and Innes. With minimal staging – only a smoke machine and some strobes for Swastika Eyes – tonight needed high quality songs and a committed performance and the Scream delivered on both counts.

This review was written for Record Collector magazine

May 20, 2019

Members Only

Dublin Castle, Camden May 19^th 2019

Standout collectibles: none

Tonight was a benefit to finance an operation for poorly ex-New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain. The musical highlight was a short but sweet set from two punk-rock veterans, JC Carroll from the Members and John Perry from The Only Ones (Members Only, geddit ?). Opener The Sound Of The Suburbs highlighted the interplay between JC’s erratic accoustic and Perry’s dependable Les Paul Junior, as well as the delicate balance of JC’s lead vocals and JP’s surprisingly strong backing vocals. In the Beginning features on JC’s latest LP and allowed space for a thoughtful Perry solo that paid its respects to vintage Peter Green. Ever wondered what the Shadows playing Delilah would sound like? Wonder no more – it sounded great with the crowd singing along. Working Girl featured strong harmonies, the guitar solo in Another Girl Another Planet made up for JC’s mangling of the words and a cracking version of The Mersey’s Sorrow made for a fine set closer.

Review written for Record Collector magazine

May 16, 2019

Trash Get Boxed!

News

1977 | Our new CD Box Set Explores the year that Punk Broke!

Posted by Jack Clough / 2637

Calling all you punks out there!

1977 – THE YEAR PUNK BROKE kickstarts what we hope will be a new year-based series of compilations, celebrating the explosion of a new British phenomenon in 1977. You can pre-order your very own copy now!

PRE ORDER 1977 – THE YEAR PUNK BROKE HERE

This triple-CD box set follows the success of the 4-CD compilation Action Time Vision (2016), documenting Punk on indie labels, and 2017’s Power Pop/New Wave set Harmony In My Head.

Punk’s Year Zero was 1976. But very few Punk records were actually released that year. The most significant musical developments happened in 1977, with a burgeoning, self-supporting network of clubs, performers, fanzines, indie labels and distributors creating an unstoppable groundswell that would revolutionise UK music and have an enduring impact on pop culture.

1977: THE YEAR PUNK BROKE reflects how a thrilling, controversial scene developed over those tumultuous twelve months. Joined by sympathetic but more experienced acts (Deaf School, Graham Parker, Motorhead, etc.), a welter of new, young bands created a sonic explosion, with sub-three minute adrenalin rushes of raw excitement.

Many of the year’s major breakthrough acts and cult favourites are included, including The Jam, The Damned, The Boomtown Rats, Buzzcocks, The Stranglers, Generation X, Sham 69, The Only Ones, The Rezillos, Ultravox!, 999, X-Ray Spex, ATV, The Boys and The Vibrators.

The older guard – variously labelled Pub Rock, New Wave or Art Rock – are represented by Doctors Of Madness, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Deaf School, The Tyla Gang, Graham Parker & The Rumour, The Gorillas, The Count Bishops, Radio Stars, Spider and Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias.

Other key names include Motorhead (Lemmy’s new venture after splitting with Hawkwind, a metal band loved by punks) and The Heartbreakers, Johnny Thunders’ band who recorded in London. Also present are a host of obscure indie Punk 45s and other rarities.

The deluxe clamshell package includes a weighty booklet full of illustrations, with a 15,000-word sleeve-note and band-by-band biographies by compiler David Wells.

TRACKLIST

DISC ONE
1. BOREDOM – Buzzcocks
2. LONDON LADY – The Stranglers
3. GATECRASHER – The Gorillas
4. NEAT NEAT NEAT –
The Damned
5. CAPALDI’S CAFÉ – Deaf School
6. BAD TIME – The Vibrators
7. I DON’T CARE – The Boys
8. AWAY FROM THE NUMBERS – The Jam
9. BORN TO LOSE –
The Heartbreakers
10. THINKIN’ OF THE U.S.A. – Eater
11. ON THE EDGE – The Outsiders
12. SICK OF YOU – The Users
13. YOU REALLY GOT ME – Chartreuse
14. I WANNA BE FREE – The Rings
15. MAN OF THE YEAR – Models
16. PETER AND THE PETS –
The Only Ones
17. MOTORHEAD – Motorhead
18. MONY MONY –
Celia And The Mutations
19. RUNNIN’ RIOT – Cock Sparrer
20. I NEED YOU –
The Count Bishops
21. LET’S GO – Blitzkrieg Bop
22. NAIVE – The Killjoys
23. INCENDIARY DEVICE –
Johnny Moped
24. I WANNA BE YOUR MAN –
The Rezillos
25. NO RUSSIANS IN RUSSIA –
Radio Stars
26. FASCIST PIGS – The Nosebleeds
27. JUBILEE ’77 – The Exile

DISC TWO
1. LOOKIN’ AFTER NO. 1-
The Boomtown Rats
2. WHOLE WIDE WORLD – Wreckless Eric
3. I CAN’T COME – The Snivelling Shits
4. WHERE HAVE ALL THE BOOT BOYS GONE – Slaughter & The Dogs
5. FOR ADOLFS ONLY – The Valves
6. BULLETIN – Doctors Of Madness
7. DAY BY DAY – Generation X
8. TELEVISION VIEWER – The Vacants
9. KILL – Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias
10. YOU CAN’T ROCK AND ROLL (IN A COUNCIL FLAT) – Puncture
11. ENEMIES – Radiators From Space
12. JUST WANT TO BE MYSELF (7” Version) – The Drones
13. RED LONDON – Sham 69
14. DERANGED DEMENTED AND FREE – P.V.C.2
15. OH BONDAGE UP YOURS! –
X-Ray Spex
16. 2-4-6-8 MOTORWAY –
Tom Robinson Band
17. NASTY, NASTY – 999
18. ROCKWROK – Ultravox!
19. FAMILY PLANNING – The Depressions
20. RADIO FUN – Zeros
21. POOL HALL PUNKS – Tyla Gang
22. KLEAN LIVING KIDS – The Stukas
23. FREAK SHOW – The Lurkers
24. HOLD MY HAND – Jerks
25. BLEAK OUTLOOK – The Unwanted
26. BLOOD ON THE WALL – Some Chicken
27. INSANE SOCIETY – Menace
28. DRAB CITY – The Features
29. BACK TO THE WALL – Spider
30. JUST ANOTHER TEENAGE ANTHEM – New Hearts
31. (YOU KEEP ON TELLIN’ ME) LIES –
The Pleasers

DISC THREE
1. INNOCENTS – John Cooper Clarke
2. HOW MUCH LONGER –
Alternative TV
3. SHE MADE MAGIC – The Wasps
4. REGULATIONS – Neon Hearts
5. NEW YORK SHUFFLE –
Graham Parker & The Rumour
6. TRASH – The Doll
7. AIN’T NO LEGEND – Maniacs
8. IN MY LOVE FOR YOU –
Satan’s Rats
9. POLICE CAR – Larry Wallis
10. QUIT THIS TOWN –
Eddie & The Hot Rods
11. DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS – The Now
12. HIGH RISE LIVING – Chelsea
13. ARABS IN ‘ARRODS – Art Attacks
14. PRIORITIES – Trash
15. DYNAMO – The Method
16. NAIVE – Public Zone
17. JAILBAIT – Left Hand Drive
18. RIPPED AND TORN – Swell Maps
19. I CAN SEE YOU –
Acme Sewage Co.
20. FIRST MISTAKE – The Rats
21. NATTY PUNKO – Brainiac Five
22. DEFIANT POSE – The Cortinas
23. HELP I’M TRAPPED –
The Carpettes
24. TELL ME THE TRUTH (Live At The Vortex) – NEO
25. RAPED – Raped
26. FLIES – Fruit Eating Bears
27. RU12 – Hobbies Of Today
28. LEFT RIGHT AND CENTRE –
Drug Squad
29. I’M A PUNK –
Norman And The Hooligans

PRE ORDER 1977 – THE YEAR PUNK BROKE HERE

May 3, 2019

Great review of PP Arnold EP!

Ian McCann at Record Collector really, really likes our latest release….

April 28, 2019

Mott The Hoople, Shepherds Bush Empire

Friday 26^th April

Ian Hunter marked his amazing 80^th year by touring under the Mott The Hoople 1974 banner, his usual Rant band augmented by Mott’s flamboyant lead guitarist Ariel Bender and champagne-quaffing keyboard player Morgan Fisher. These gigs had a very different vibe to the Hammersmith Apollo reunion 2009 gigs when Buffin was still alive – his replacement on the drum stool Steve Holley did a great job, as do James Mastro (guitar, saxophone, mandolin), Mark Bosch (guitar), Paul Page (bass) and Dennis Dibrizzi (keyboards, backing vocals). The setlist featured only tracks recorded in 1974. A taped David Bowie introduced the set, where a snippet of American Pie lead into The Golden Age of Rock’n’Roll. The singles Roll Away The Stone and Honaloochie Boogie were obvious highlights, whilst the ’50’s jive of Pearl and Roy was an unexpected treat. The lengthy live medley from Mott Live was faithfully recreated with original violinist Graham Preskett appearing for Violence. Guest Brian May added additional guitar to All The Way From Memphis and after a moving Saturday Gigs the final encore could only be All The Young Dudes where the choruses included Stan Tippins (original Mott singer), Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) and a cast of thousands. Ian Hunter personally selected openers Tax The Heat and their Zeppelinesque stomp was well received by a mature crowd. A triumphant celebration of not going gently into that good night.

Review written for Record Collector magazine

DJ Playlist

I had the great privilege of playing 7” vinyl singles before the bands on both nights and here is a list of everything I played, albeit not in the correct order. If you were there, I hope you heard something you enjoyed – all were released as singles in 1974.

My thanks to Mick Brown for making this happen and to Josh, Mark and the stage crew for their assistance.

Johnnie Allan – Promised Land

David Bowie – Rebel Rebel and Diamond Dogs

Brinsley Schwarz – (What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love And Understanding

John Cale – The Man Who Couldn’t Afford To Orgy

Dr Feelgood – Roxette

Ducks Deluxe – Love’s Melody and Fireball

Eno – Seven Deadly Finns

Faces – You Can Make Me Dance… and As Long As You Tell Him

Bryan Ferry – The In Crowd

J Geils Band – Musta Got Lost and Funky Judge

Grin – You’re The Weight

Ronnie Lane – The Poacher

Lulu – Watch That Man and The Man Who Stole The World

Andy McKay – Wild Weekend

Man – Hard Way To Live

New Your Dolls – Who Are The Mystery Girls? and Stranded In The Jungle

Raspberries – Overnite Sensation

Lou Reed – How Do You Think It Feels?

Rolling Stones – Through The Lonely Nights, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg and It’s Only Rock’n’Roll

Mick Ronson – Slaughter On Tenth Avenue

Roxy Music – All I Want Is You and The Thrill Of It All

Todd Rundgren – A Dream Goes On Forever

Bob Seeger – Get Out Of Denver

Sharks – Kung Fu

Slade – How Does It Feel and Far Far Away

Steely Dan- Rikki Don’t Lose That Number

Robert Wyatt – I’m A Believer

Ronnie Wood – I Can Feel The Fire

Neil Young – Walk On

PS This morning I got this lovely note from Mott’s production manager

The DJ set each night really helped set the mood, just as you did at The Replacements and to see Bobby Gillespie and Mick Jones, both get up and dance on separate sides of the hall at the same time, when you played the Dolls, is a memory that will stay with me a long time.

April 16, 2019

Sunday Sessions @ The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, April 13th 2019

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. After waiting 43 years to see Todd Rundgren, I approached the Sunday Sessions knowing nothing and expecting less. It was delightful to be so richly rewarded.

The Marine Theatre is the epicentre of the thriving arts scene in Lyme Regis, hosting everything from All About Eve live from the National Theatre through to forthcoming gigs from the Alabama 3 and Robyn Hitchcock. It is a lovely building, originally built for indoor sea bathing. The Sunday Sessions take place “post-lunch” on an irregular basis in the packed upstairs bar.

This session featured Jack Harrison, Aidan Simpson, Don Dickinson and Matt Benjamin. Jack, Aidan and Dan all played acoustic guitars and sang; Matt played cello. For some reason Dan is also known as Son Of Richard. Despite a somewhat disorganized approach to who was playing what and with whom the original songs played were first rate and tightly arranged. I particularly liked Jack’s Do What You Like and Dan’s Memento Mori and The State We’re In. The covers played will give you an idea of the sound – Please Mrs Henry, Corrina Corrina, Keep The Customer Satisfied and Hesitation Blues. I reckon they could do a great version of You Ain’t Going Nowhere.

All the vocals blended really well together with confident harmonies and occasional added light and shade from distant harmonica. Matt’s cello was key, combining with the acoustics to echo the quieter parts of Big Star Third (think Blue Moon and For You) and there is no higher praise.

There is more info on these guys below. If the Basement Tapes or Rolling Thunder is your thing you will have a great time.

https://www.facebook.com/JackHarrisonMusic/

https://www.facebook.com/aidansimpsonmusic/

https://sonofrichard.bandcamp.com