News July 2001. BBC sessions review, Gigs (yes really) and other Chords News, plus Mod Radio station, events of interest and other band stuff

Introduction >>> Cannot believe that it has taken this long to get another newsletter together. Excuses are: Nicola and me are buying our first house (this is very worrying and time consuming) been on holiday and helped our local scooter club run our first inland rally. Needless to say all have been great fun, but have got in the way of getting this done. Anyway, on with the news. BBC Sessions review >>>

The BBC Sessions. To start a slight history lesson. It was a month on from the spilt with Jimmy Pursey and they had just only recently finished playing with the The Undertones on tour, how is it one of England’s finest upcoming bands didn't have a recording contract? When out of the blue came a request for them to do a Peel session, and as it says in the inner sleeve to get a Peel session meant you were on your way. Recorded on the 3rd July 1979, the four tracks were, Something’s Missing, Maybe Tomorrow, It's No Use and Now It's Gone.

What’s so important about these first four is it is the first time the band got the sound they wanted in the studio. The playing is tight and Buddy is given it his all on the drums. The doesn't sound like there is many overdubs other than backing vocals, I would imagine the sound being representative of their live sound from the time. Something’s Missing is no different in arrangement, and as the single version the lyric omits the 'F**k' word and is replaced with 'Hell'. Maybe Tomorrow arrangements is as the demo from the 'Anthology', i.e. no half chorus, the middle 8 is longer and the all important no 'Maybe Tomorrows' on the last chorus. Billys Rickenbacker has classic 'Townsend' buzzes on the intro and middle 8. It's a brilliant version and the first highlight of the CD.

'It's No Use' again doesn't differ in arrangement with only a slightly longer ending. The song is played with more abandument than the lp version, with Martin and Buddy sound like they are getting carried away. Buddy drops the odd beat but, then at the speed the band are going I'm surprised that he doesn't get more wrong a testament to his ability’s as a drummer. Now It's Gone really packs a punch again the band sound like they are playing for their lives. Again this version along with the ‘Pursey’ version is much better than the single version. Alone the first four tracks are worthy of this cd release alone.

The band really sound like they are having fun, and are playing with all their might. Being able to hear this session and put it into context along with the 'Anthology' means the band must have been blistering live in early 79. As a debut session for 'Peel' this beats most and the only others I can think that come close in quality are 'Billy Bragg' and 'The Redskins'

8 months on the band are in for their second session. These tracks are much more considered, the band have learnt to slow down abit and put more emphasis on the songs. The songs in this second session from 24th March are 'Tumbling Down’, 'Happy Families' and 'So Far Away’.

This session coincided with the LP release and hence the tracks featured. The arrangements are like the LP versions and all that is really different is sonically, Buddy’s snare has more of a click and the guitars not so wall of sounding. Last on the CD is a version of ‘Circles’, from the ‘Who’s’ ‘Ready steady go’ ep a good spirited version. The only bad thing about it is the audio quality but as it points out in the sleeve notes, it came from Martin Mason’s private cassette collection. Similar to the Beatles anthology you want to hear anything by the band regardless of quality, but repeated plays are properly not on the cards.

It has been mentioned what about the rest of the Kid Jensen session, well there are cassette copies about, but there are extremely rare. I have yet to hear one, but the version of I'm Not Sure is meant to be the best yet.

So the all-important question is it worth having, of course it is, the first four tracks are super charged mod anthems. I’ve played it loads, but then I would, but really it is good.

Some people have wrote to the site concerning the price that HMV and the likes are charging four the cd, £14 is steep for 8 tracks, My advice is to get the CD or Vinyl from www.detourrecords.co.uk dizzy does mail order and can take credit cards over the phone.

Gigs >>> The band have recently been talking about doing some gigs, there is talk of a couple in Japan and perhaps some in America. There are no UK gigs on the horizon, the reasons are mainly to do with Billy and they are, time off work basically, the Japan gigs can co-inside with visiting the in laws. Merchandise >>> As you may know I have been trying to some t-shirts and stuff to sell, the reasons for this not happening are that I can not fund the startup costs. Also most people want different designs on the t-shirts so the price for each t-shirt would be very expensive. Badges on the other hand are considerably cheaper; expect to hear about these soon. I am hoping to do a small range, say about 8 different designs and sell them as a package. Keep checking the site for details.

Odds and Sods >>> Someone has asked for a Chords ringtone, I am currently investigating this. If I can do it expect ‘So Far Away’ to be the tone.

Mod Radio Station >>> There is a new mod radio station on line. It has about 6 hours worth of music as we speak and I believe is being updated weekly with tunes or different playlists. You will need a reasonable connection to the net, it is aimed at people who have a cable or better link, ie. users in america at the moment. Find It @ http://www.live365.com/stations/261024

Other Bands, News and Events >>>
Have been in contact with James Micheal Cooper recently, they have been getting excellent reviews in scootering and I have good things through the grapevine as well. The new single ‘White Lies’ is very good. The song is part of a three song cd on their own label (I think) and should be available through detour soon. They are playing support @ the camber sands weekend on July 6/7 to the reformed The Truth. More details can found @ www.jamesmichaelcooper.co.uk and/or emailing JamesMikeCooper@aol.com

Other big news is The Vapors gig confirmed for Sat Feb 9, 2002. LA2 - London. Support should be from The Moment. The gig is being arranged by Magz and Paul Robinson, (Paul was responsible for the Mods Mayday 99) Jimmy who does the Purple Hearts site is putting together one on ‘Back to Zero’ He has been in contact with Brian Betteridge and The Guitarist, there are talks of a few gigs but as with most things I will let you know when I know more.

Although I can't guarantee that it's going to happen, there seems a very big chance that all of the original members of 'SECRET AFFAIR' will be together under one roof on JULY 13TH at London's Dirty Water Club at the Boston Arms, Tufnell Park, for 'The Affair' with Ian Page and 'Small World gig'.. Whether they will all play together is another matter all together, but who knows.

Saturday 29th September The Affair, The Solarflares, The Circles, The Threads, The Goldenhour, Small World, The Breeze, Blue Orbit alldayer Civic Centre, Motherwell (0794 1697465) Rumour has it that The Circles have broken up, but they are booked to play so ??? New website http://www.modrevival.co.uk is online and is pretty good; there’ s a guest book and lots info. I especially like the ‘How many times have you seen quadrophenia page’

MODERN LIFE - MUSIC MADE TO MEASURE Fridays Monthly at Northumbria University starting Friday October 12th 2001 Arrive for 9:30pm, Toll £5 (£3 conc.) Saturdays Monthly at ARC Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 Arrive for 9:30pm, Toll £4 (£3 conc.) Mailing list available modern.life@musicmadetomeasure.com

OLD NEWS