News Contents : Gig review, Red away tops CD, Mods book at last, odds and sods.

Gig review >>>
What can I say the best yet, that's a shame as only a few could go. My apologies to those I couldn't get in. The gig was very over subscribed. The Rhythm Factory was packed to the gills, with industry types (from the book company) and faces. But enough about the surroundings, The Chords took to the stage and launched into 'Something's Missing'.

The band are at full pelt from the off. There's hardly time to notice that Martin Mason isn't playing and that he has a junior in position. Ed Ball (yes him of The Times and Maverick record producer) fitted

Set List from Rhythm Factory

perfectly into Martin's shoes and this after only one rehearsal. I talked with him before they started playing and he was nervous, believe me, it didn't show though as there was not time between the first number finishing and in to the second. I have never been a fan of The Chords version of Keep on Keepin on, but tonight this was the perfect place for this tune, it went down very well.

Now it's Gone sounded brilliant but then I was only 1 foot away from the band. I like to think that another gig will be put together where the band can play in a small intimate place. I have never been a fan of big gigs, they are so inpersonal. It would be good to get a small place for the band to play, but get loads of fans in.

Obviously the band were enjoying themselves and by now Ed had settled and was getting into the groove. Chris sang 'One more minute' the next number. He actually started to smile at this point and the whole band was now really enjoying the gig.

My favourite was next 'So far away' then into 'British way of life'. Both were played with added excitement. Billy actually relaxed and got in to playing. I know why he worries so much about playing but he really shouldn't, as he relaxed so did everybody else. The playing for the last few numbers was brilliant and thought that my head might explode if it got any better.

And before you know it the last number is being played. 'Maybe Tomorrow' crashed and twanged with every second. I do not know if they could have carried on much longer. The band leaves the stage to a chorus of 'more'.

The encore introduced Damian O'Neill to the stage (guitarist with The Undertones and That Petrol Emotion), he played Billy's guitar and treated us to a good version (I have heard plenty of bad versions) of 'Teenage Kicks' and then finishing with 'Sha la la lee'.

Then they left and we went back to the disco. Steve Diggle's 3 piece band played after and were good. Their only crime was a very out of tune guitar. The audience had subsided by now and I'm not sure if everyone knew that there were to be several bands. The last band of the evening I didn't get the name of but played a good set of authentic sixties RnB. I recognised the drummer from The Advarks. If someone could get in touch with the band's name I would be grateful.

I did talk to the Chords after and they had really enjoyed themselves as they were able to relax for a change. It will be interesting to see if they do any other gigs. I know they have had several offers, but as yet nothing is confirmed. I'm glad that Guy and James enjoyed the gig and as I have already mentioned I'm sorry that I couldn't get any more people in.

Whilst talking about the Rhythm Factory, they have several gigs of interest coming up, most notably The Affair on the 21st December, with support from Small World and Smashing Time. The venue is very nice and the bar area is decked out with massive mod prints on the wall. They also do a nice meal at dinner times.

Red Away Tops CD >>>Satellite T.V.

The Red Away Tops were (are ?) Billy on guitar and Buddy on drums, with Iestyn Evans on bass and Denis Guest on vocals. The CD is the only release and came out after the band broke up in 1998.

I didn't know what the 'Red Away Tops' were going to be like. I was expecting the worst after someone described it as 'Very rock'. I think that you would expect it to be guitar orientated and you would be right, it is. The CD has six good songs and four okay numbers.

I will add a track by track review to the site in the future.

Should you get hold of a copy? I would but then being a Chords fan I would if only to see how Billy and Buddy have developed as players, and as players they have improved. Billy writes all the songs apart from one. The style, as you would expect, is contemporary and the closest comparison is REM being played by the Chords.

Additions to website New parts to the web site this month are:
Karl has sent a lot of pictures, which I haven't seen before. Thanks Karl for all of the pics. You can find the pics in the pictures section >>> Karl's scrapbook. Karl has also sent some text articles/interviews for me to key in.

Thanks for the pictures of the badges Phil.

I now have all the Fanclub newsletters from the time, thanks to Adam. I will be adding these to the site at some point, I have also had bit and pieces from other people, to which I extend my thanks and everything will get put up when I get chance.

Mods Book >>>

I have seen a copy of the book and it is everything I hoped for. It is massive for a start and contains many pictures. I only saw it for a couple of minutes but my favourite picture so far is a pic of Paul Weller at a Chords gig, he looks so miserable whilst all around him are (are pissed ?) enjoying themselves.

It is slightly bigger than A4 and is on heavy paper making a quality buy. I don't know the ISBN number, but it will cost about L20 pounds in the UK. If any of you are from abroad and want a copy, I may get some copies, so let me know.

Odds and Sods >>>
In America, 'In My Street' was / is being used to advertise a guitar shop on the telly. If any one could let me know more I would appreciate it.

I am still after any video on The Chords. I have 'Maybe tomorrow' on 'top of the pops' but I know there is other stuff available?

The CD 'This Is What They Want' will be available 20th November. Unbelievably it is on Polydor Subsidiary Universal catalogue No. 549 393-2 and will be available in good record shops (so that won't be smiths then).

Thanks goes out to Adam, James, Phil and Guy for their continued support and pictures.

Thanks for your time and hope you have enjoyed this very long newspage.

Next Newspage early December

Andy (the author) & Nicola (the long suffering girlfriend and ED Ball fancier)

OLD NEWS