Cheating a bit with this one. I'm going to put up an old interview I did with some grease jockey named Nick Culmer. Dunno why he's famous but he is. I did the Q & A years ago for the late, great, Sleazegrinder webpage which has been defunct for many years now. Keep your mince pies ready....

• • 
    
  • LOUD AND CLEAR WITH  SUBCULTURE
    
    "Stick stick stick together, let's have a laugh we're not young forever....". Do you know how many times I bounced around to that line in front of my stereo, clutching a mug of tea or bottle of ale? Er, well, I don't either, but it was a lot! That great little tune was my favorite track off the seminal "Oi Oi that's yer lot!" compilation and even though I was listening to it several years after it's release, and an ocean away, it meant a great deal to me. 
    
    Some bands hang in there and overstay their welcome. Not so with Cambridge's Subculture. Due to any number of issues--best outlined in the sleeve notes to the essential "From Herbert St. to the 100 Club" CD that was released last year, the band only left a tantalizing promise of things to come with their lone "Loud and Clear" EP and of course THAT song on numerous comps. There was a cheapo split CD published by Captain Oi about ten years ago that collected a few more tracks but left the band still a mystery to yours truly and others. 
    
    The much needed release of "Herbert St." was manna to punk fans worldwide. It's UK street rock and it's finest. Tough but never dumb, melodic but not watered down and possessing a timeless quality that some of their better known peers failed to capture. 
    
    I have to say this is probably one of my favorite interviews I've done. Peter Subculture (the second vocalist in the band) has been a real gent in our internet dealings and answered the questions with a refreshing candor and humor. It's impassioned and it's REAL. Like Subculture. Pop open a beverage of your choice and read on!
    

    
    
    
    

    

    
    
    
    
    1) Why reform Subculture when the band packed it in over 25 years ago? 

    
    
    

    It was strange how we got back together. We had people asking us to finish it really! We knew we had loads of stuff we could put out but we were in different bands and this and that, but we started putting together the "Herbert Street" CD. Then we thought "well lets redo some of the songs". Only Dean knew about the Captain Oi CD so we thought lets do what they tried to do. It's a much better CD with full sleeve notes, etc. so that was the start of the reform!
    2) Who is in the band currently from the old lineup? And what has everyone been doing since the 80's?

    We are THE original classic line up from the "Loud And Clear" EP. There's a lot of unfinished business with us, I promise!

    3) The band was closely linked to the Cockney Rejects via your sound and Micky Geggus producing your best known track...was there ever a temptation to follow their route and go more hard rock?

     Micky and Dean got on well, but never would we change what is Subculture! Luckily we have a cult following and we can't change! Too much of what we do is original, we are what we were! I do sometimes wonder what people expect from us? We do what we do... if you had lived in 1980 or 1979 you would know what we are about. But most of the people who want to hear us are from outside the UK?
    
    
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

    4) Was it hard to replace the first vocalist, since lead singers are often seen as the most identifiable member of a group? Any Pete Best moments?

    No, to be honest Tom came from very posh stock. I'm a hard working hard living boy who actually fitted in what we do and as for best moment I'm a bit of a cunt for stirring up chaos!
    Me, Phil and Dean all went to school through....I don't know what you Yanks call it....but primary, upper primary and secondary school. We were all mates. I got asked in after going to tech where I  was learning to be an electrical tech. It went from there and that's a story all on it's own!
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

    5) Coming from Cambridge, did you guys get a lot of stick from London crowds?
     London we played without any problems. We played our shit and people listened. We played with all the bands of the day...I had personal favorites...it was easy enough.

    6) How did you feel about the "Oi" tag? And did you ever grow to resent your hit "Stick Together"? As a more traditional sounding band--whatever that means--what did you think of the likes of Crass, Conflict, etc.?

    We never set out to be an "Oi" band! That's a tag others have placed. And I love "Stick Together". It's just a great track. Ask The Templars what they think of it! It's lovely to start or be part of a genre. As  for Crass I love them! I love Steve Ignorant and all that follows.  And as for the rest well, they were copy cats. 

    7) You gigged often at Skunx, which also seemed to be one of the early stomping grounds for some of the dodgier elements of the skinhead scene. Any run ins with this lot? Did the right wing thing affect Subculture? 

    There were some very scary gigs where you met some seriously heavy people. The one that springs to mind is Skully (you will have to look him up along side Carlton Leach!) We played with Combat 84 and all sorts but I have to say one of my favorite people I met was Deptford John). We gigged with The Business, Peter and the Test Tubes, and on and on it goes. One geezer who was great came along later and that was Wattie from The Exploited...how many tales do yer want? (As for the right wing element) We have one line that says it all "NEVER FOLLOW LEADERS CAUSE THEY'RE ALL THE SAME FULL STOP".
    
    
    

    

    
    
    
    

    8)How did you feel about the Captain Oi reissue from a few years back? You were paired with ABH, who ended up with a bad reputation (not totally deserved in my eyes, but still....). 

    I knew nothing about  the Captain Oi release 'til I turned up at a Stiff Little Fingers gig in Cambridge. As for ABH, well, fuck 'em! Simple as that. If they don't like it send 'em around to see me, ha ha ha ha!

    9) Favorite Subculture tracks?

    I have lots of favorite tracks and more to come!

    10) What bands did you rate now? Any non punk music you like? 

    At the moment my favorite punk band are Overload from Cambidge. Check out "One by One by them on Youtube. Mind you check out the B-movie bits in it.

     They are mad we did a gig with them last month, pure class. And when are Green Day gonna pay us for ripping off one of our tracks? ("Rogue Trooper").
    
    
    
    

    

                                                                    

    
    

     I  love all sorts of music, you can't help it can you? I do  wish "X Factor" bullshit would disappear. I can't really do without The Who, The Stones and The Beatles etc. because without them there would be no Subculture. I also love stuff like System of a Down, and when grunge happened, it was refreshing...The Pumpkins, Nirvana and Pearl Jam...you know, Billy Corgan, I do like him, I must admit. I wish some fucker would do it again, please? 

    
    

    Anyways, what is punk? I always regard lots of bands to be punk. One of my favorite examples is The Talking Heads.

    
    

    11) What exactly were you doing in Gambia? (You learn the damndest things on Facebook).

    Gambia I was doing my bit with my wife. I don't think you can understand things unless you travel. It was a million miles away from OUR world, and we ain't got a clue what living is!

    12) How do you feel about the current state of punk? Rotting nostalgia trip? Still vibrant voice? Somewhere in between?

    Fucking  'ell have you listened to the Irish band Paranoid Visions?!  Fucking first class, wow! But  American punk sometimes seems plastic, very plastic...sorry to say that. (Nah, don't be). Like Rancid. What the fuck? They seem to want to pull themselves back into a scene they were never a part of! I love the Murphys for their thing, but  I do find it hard when you have Lars whats his face trying to justify himself when they are millionaires. Fuck 'em. I  don't understand the whole point. But I am up for discussion! Either that or a fight. Even at the age of 49. Anyway, punks fucked as it always will be, great stuff.

    13) Future plans for Subculture?

    Let's see where Subculture goes in 2013. I was talking with our guitar chap Dean tonight and we agreed to ride it for 1 or 2 more years and if we get bored, jack it in.
    
    
    
    

    

    
    

    14) Do you still rock a net top at gigs?

    What the fuck does that mean? (Those funny shirts made of netting or mesh that European and English bands wore by the boatload in the 80's which mercifully never caught on in the US).

    15) Famous last words and, how do you want to be remembered

     Well tonight I  was in my local and a  chap of 23 came up to me and said "Fucking hell Pete, I really had a great night at your gig last Friday and I have never been to a punk gig!" If that is  what yer on about we really are better live that on record! As for last words...WELL FUCK ME GENTLY AND LETS COME TAKE ON THE SEPTICS! (I think he means us Yanks!).
    
    BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE BAND AT www.subcultureuk82.com  for gigs, pics and goodies....
• 
  

Just in time for 2013...an interview with the criminally underrated Cambridge street band SUBCULTURE...look for it next week. I don't know what you fuckers have done to deserve me!

A short but of course compelling interview with the man behind the kit, Decca Wade of Angelic Upstarts, Crashed Out, Waysted and general nutter fame. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

1)What was the first record you owned and was becoming a musician a conscious choice or something that just happened?
 The 1st album i bought was Led Zepplin II American import and as for becoming a musician it was a choice.
2)Did you become a drummer because you felt an affinity for it, or did you just like smashing things?  I think it was something I was born to do something that was inside me as from an early age I used to pick up things like my mothers knitting needles and bang on pots and pans, tins anything that would make a noise.
3) What was your introduction to punk?
I went to see The Clash with Mensi
4) How did you and Mensi meet?
We have known each other since we were 3 or 4 years old...our parents knew each other and we used to play together in the street.
5) You were in and out of the Upstarts several times, by my reckoning. Was it because of musical changes, lifestyles,he usual interband conflicts,  personalities or all of the above?
A bit of everything you mentioned.
6) What was the early punk scene in the Northeast like?
Pretty much like everywhere else at the time I think...kids wanted something for themselves and punk answered that need.
7) Can you talk a bit about the recording and story behind the "Liddle Towers" single?
It's a true story and probably I would need to sit down face to face for us to cover it properly...as for the recording we had been playing that song for awhile and we all put in 25 pounds and went into the studio to record it for our first single.
8) Did you see punk as a lifestyle, a fashion statement, a musical statement or all three?

Punk was a movement, never a fasion. It was about taking the disillusionment of a generation who were being ignored and overlooked and giving them an identity, hence the clothes were to set us aside as individuals and the music to voice our opinions!
9) What's the script behind your solo single "If if wasn't for Rita" and are we ever going to get a follow up?
No real script behind it! Although, it was considered for the film "Educating Rita" which I talk about in my book. As for a follow up, I guess thirty years down the line "Dance with the Devil" by my new band Moscow Mules would have to be my next offering, lol!

10) You also drummed with Waysted-what was that like?
Great fun while it lasted!
11) What is the Decca Wade daily routine? Beauty tips for middle aged punks like us?
Hahahaha! A few years ago it would have been to get dressed and in the pub as soon as possible, spend the entire day there and stagger home to be repeated the following day. But now I'm a good little Wade, have met my missus Carolyn and lead a more settled life. So it's up in the morning, out for a bike ride, breakfast, followed by whatever work needs to be done, i.e. rehearsals, writing and of course networking. This pretty much goes on all day, then I spend the evening either in front of the tv or we have the odd night out.(So for beauty tips I'll just say that Decca probably endorses Celtics FC Tops and smoking as many cigarettes as humanly possible-Sascha).
12) If you were trapped on a desert island with Max Splodge and Mensi, who would you eat first and why?
Would have to be Mensi because there is MORE of him. Besides, Max would keep my spirits up with his wacky humor.
13) Fave bands and drummers?
The Who - Keith Moon, Led Zepplin - John Bonham, Cream - Ginger Baker, Rainbow - Cozy Powell (Hence my tribute Dance with the Devil), and last but not least Deep Purple - Ian Paice.
14) Sam Fox or Linda Lusardi?
Neither of them. But I like Christina Aguilera and Lindsey Lohan. The latter has canny drugs I'm told!

Sorry it took so long mate, thanks for your patience best wishes to all in the USA cheers mate Decca x

 

A BIG THANK YOU TO DECCA AND ALL THE EVER PATIENT PUNKS ON POSTCARDS VIEWERS...SHIT, THERE'S GOTTA BE SOMEONE OUT THERE

 

Martin Dean took the photo of the Upstarts (circa 1981) the other two were taken from Decca's FB account.

 

COMING THIS WEEK: DECCA WADE FROM THE ANGELIC UPSTARTS COMES CLEAN ABOUT MULES, UPSTARTS AND LINDSEY LOHAN

V/A NO RULES LP (1986)

A bit odd this one mixing Punk, Batcave/Gothic, Post Punk (or whatever the label is) ....
Bought this record because of Cult Maniax at the time.... "Poison Pen Letter" and the incendiary "No Rules" have always been my favourites on this LP....

Side A: Cult Maniax - Time Bomb City; Sex Gang Children - Shout & Scream; The Destructors -Duty Unto Death; Blitzkrieg - No Compromise; The Destructors - Khmer Rouge; Cult Maniax - Cold love; Leather Nun - No Rules

Side B: Cult Maniax - City Brave; Blitzkrieg - Conscience Prayer; The Destructors - Religion; Sex Gang Children - Time Of Our Lives; The Destructors - Electronic Church; Cult Maniax - Poison Pen Letter; Leather Nun - Slow Death

NO RULES LP

The Milk Monitors - Revenge 12" (1989)

The coming gig of the Wigs (see below) decided me to post this one. I had planned to post some Milk Monitors a while back before (as you may have noticed) loosing interest in this whole blogging thing. Anyway... the Milk Monitors shared the bill with both Punk and Garage/Rock bands in the mid/late 80's. And that's what they were all about... melodic Punk infused with Garage/Rock'n'Roll. Like Perfect Daze their first record was produced by Alan Scott (Hanoï Rocks) and released on Vinyl Solution in 1988. "Revenge" was released one year later on a different label... excellent stuff... the B-side being outstanding.
Enjoy and attend Wigs' gig if you can!

Side A: Missing You, Five Days Gone, Love Is

Side B: Revenge, This Town, Kick Start


MILK MONITORS 12"

THE WIGS

The Wigs will reform for a one-off gig at the Bull & Gate in Kentish Town Sunday 17th July from 8pm. It was previously announced for Wednesday 13th July. It is going to be a charity gig to send money to the family of Darren, the ex-Milk Monitors roadie who died recently.

COMING SOON!!!!

It's taken awhile. I had to get a bit "Donnie Logan" on guitarist Leigh Heggarty. But Britain's best kept pop punk secret are finally gonna blow the whistle on their bad selves. I don't know what you people done to deserve me......

The Godfathers - This Damn Nation 12" (1986)

I told you that I might just pop in every now and then.....
To put genuine Rock'n'Roll back on the map was Coyne brothers' main intention... with the Sid Presley Experience first with the Godfathers afterwards they did indeed release some damn fine gutsy records... Godfathers' second 12" is a shining example of their untamed brand of R'n'R.... offering 3 blistering tracks with the anthemic Damn Nation as main title. Their first LP "Hit By Hit" has been reissued in 2008 on CD with plenty of bonus tracks... and it is a must-have...so order it now ! Their later stuff tends to get progessively more commercial... "Birth, School, Work, Death" and "More Songs About Love And Hate" are both highly recommandable though.... next ones... a question of taste... of mood... I suppose...
The Godfathers are touring again and are planning a new album....



THIS DAMN NATION 12"

THE PUNK MEETS THE GODMOTHER

THE PUNK MEETS THE GODMOTHER: AN INTERVIEW WITH SYAMA MANJARI (LORA LOGIC).

The following is an interview I did with Lora Logic almost four years ago, in July of 2006. I had met her husband, Yaduraj Das, at Rathayatra (also known as the "Festival of India" ) in New York City a few months prior. I had been introduced to Yaduraj by none other than John Joseph of The Cro-Mags, a man who I can personally say walks the walk and doesn't just talk the talk.

Since putting down drugs and alcohol in 1997, I had developed a keen interest in various forms of Spirituality. Given my vegetarianism, interest in yoga and general fascination with non-Western forms of thought, Krsna Consciousness and I have always been a good fit, although I am hesitant to call myself an actual devotee of it. I had watched the tail end of the "Krsna Core" movement (Shelter, 108 and of course The Cro-Mags) through slightly bemused eyes. I was a bit too old by then to latch onto a new scene, and frankly skeptical of the "Guru" system many devotees of Krsna adhere to. Nonetheless, many of the beliefs and practices resonated with me and do to this day.

It's way beyond the scope of this interview to go into either the Krsna HC scene or the internecine struggles within the religion. But, for a little clarification, Syama and her husband are part of the "Iskcon Revival Movement" (IRM), a group dedicated to bringing back the basics, and doing away with an often corrupt system that puts an earthly Guru ahead of the philosophy of the original spiritual texts. I highly recommend the magazine "Back To Prahbupada" and the book "Monkey On a Stick" for those who would like to know more....although take the latter with a grain of salt, since although it's basic contents have been corroborated by many devotees I know, it's served up with a great deal of sensationalism.

The interview was part of a larger project which just never happened, due to work, family, and life commitments. (Not too mention a good bit of laziness on my part...the revolution will NEVER begin on time if it's up to me). However, I came across this in my files the other day and figured "What the hell, there's at least one or two people on the web who might like this". I would have liked more details about the halcyon days of X-Ray Spex and Essential Logic, but given the crackling nature of an intercontinental phone call (USA to India) and the fact that Syama has moved on, it wasn't to be. Looking at it four years later--through the lens of endless big money reunions, cloying nostalgia and the like--I have a new found appreciation of Syama's stance.

"I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO. AND I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK....."

Enjoy.

I: Hi, my name is Sascha Gottschalk. I’m working on a book about Krishna Consciousness and the music scene. So I spoke briefly with you husband and he recommended I talk to you. I met him at the Rathayatra a few months back.

F: Yeah, he mentioned it.

I: Could I have your Krishna name again?

F: My Krishna name is Syama Manjari.

I: Okay, I got it. Great. Well do you have a few minutes?

F: Sure, yeah, yeah. I’ve been expecting your call. My husband’s told me about you and I’ve set aside the time.

I: Well first of all, musically have you been recording anything lately?

F: I don’t know if it’s possible for you to speak up. Your voice is quite faint.

I: Okay. Is this better? Can you hear me now?

F: I think so, yes.

I: Okay. I was just asking, my first question was if you’ve been doing anything musically oriented lately?

F: Not since I’ve been in India. But I don’t think you’re aware I had my last record put out about four years ago.

I: Yeah, the . . .

F: Maybe it was three years ago.

I: It was the retrospective?

F: Yeah, pretty much everything under the sun really. It was just on a small independent label. But I had quite, I’ve had good feedback from that. You know, people ring me up here and there. But I’m not, I haven’t been working on anything new at the moment.

I: To go to the beginning, how did you discover punk?

F: How did I discover punk? Well I guess I’ve sort of been a punk in spirit and I was looking for anything alternative or different. And I played the saxophone and I saw an advert in melody maker for a punk musician. And nobody used the word punk in those days. I went to the interview and Polly opened the door, Polly and I sort of hit it off straight away. She was into jumble sales, and so was I. You know, clothes that Grandma would wear with pointy shoes.

I: Right.

F: We had a chat and then the manager decided to give me the job. They didn’t actually want another girl, but because Poly and I hit it off , that was it. I got the job and I was in the band. The band happened very quickly. It was all about the right time and the right place and the right color, the right song.

I: Okay.

F: So that was that band.

I: And you gigged with all the big names of the day?

F: Yes. It was an exciting time.

I: And then you ended up leaving X-ray Spex?

F: Yeah, yeah. After about a year.

I: That’s when you formed Essential Logic?

F: Not straight away, no. I was pretty fed up with the music business because it wasn’t very nice the way I, I just was disillusioned by everything. It had been my dream come true. And then I had to, I was kicked out and replaced by another saxophone player. I think Poly started having some mental problems. She had--she has--schizophrenia and she developed this whole thing about me and I had to go and . And then they replaced me without even telling me, with another saxophone player. I was really hurt. So I felt horrible and I went to art school at that point. And then about after about six months, this man kept asking me if I’d like to record a record label, a sales record, if I’d like to put my own band together. And I wasn’t interested. But he kept catching me at lunch break. And then I thought "Okay, why not?" And I just knew a couple of chaps who lived near me and it just happened from there.

I: Okay, that was the first single "Aerosol Burns"?

F: Yeah.

I: Okay. Now in terms Krishna Consciousness, when did that, was that part of Essential Logic or did that come later?

F: No, that was after. Actually my best friend at school, she moved in to the country. She was a big fan of Essential Logic and we remained close friends for many years. And then-- unbeknownst to me--she moved into the temple and became a Krishna devotee. One day I just saw her on the street with the markings. She had tilak markings on her forehead. She was walking right down the street. I nearly died. When I saw her dressed in a sari singing and dancing with a big smile on her face. I went to the temple with her and tried fish her out. And I ended up really liking what I saw. I liked the food. I really liked the books. The books especially. And gradually I just became more and more involved over the next two, three years, to the point where I decided to take a break from Essential Logic, move into the temple and become a full-time Hare Krishna.

I: Was there any interest in turning Essential Logic into a band that would have a Krishna Conscious message?

F: Yeah, yeah there was. I mean in the beginning I was very interested by different related philosophies. And you know, I used it, that was reflected in the lyrics quite a lot. In the latter part of Essential Logic, the whole lifestyle really started to get me down. No one around me, I didn’t know anyone that wasn’t in a completely different world than the one I was getting into. And nobody could relate to what I was doing or what I wanted to share with them. And they thought I was crazy. Also my health wasn’t very good. I sort of drank too much, smoked too much. The whole lifestyle that I’d been living since I was about 15 was starting to affect me. So I decided I had to make a complete break. And I wanted to make a complete break. Although I never thought I’d give up music. I always thought I’d carry on. But at that point, for my own sort of health and sanity, I wanted to make, I needed to make a complete break. from everybody even though my record company was really disappointed and, people thought I’d gone crazy. But I did what I had to do. And I have never looked back.

I: Now Poly became a devotee as well. Was this around the same time or was it later?

F: Um, around about, around about the same time. She also had devotee friends over the years and she was quite aware of the problems of, so yeah, it was around about the same time. Although at the time we weren’t talking to each other. And I never wanted to see her face again because of the way she had treated me.

I: Right.

F: But we made up. Unfortunately, we don’t really speak now. She really has the best of intentions. But she’s schizophrenic so it’s very hard for anybody to have a consistent relationship with her.

I: Right.

F: But I respect her very much as an artist, you know? And I wish her well.

I: Do you see parallels between people who get into the punk rock, and then do you think there’s a natural attraction for seeking out like a greater spiritual existence with say Krishna Consciousness?

F: Yeah, with some people. But really, I’d say probably more actually with the Hippy Movement. There’s so many people from the 60’s who became devotees. But there’s also the, the mentality is probably more spiritual than the times. Generally.

I: Right.

F: And the drugs they took were more you know, they were looking for higher consciousness. The drugs during the punk era tended to be more destructive more sort of the, not really spiritual, more sensual probably, more destructive. Speed, that kind of thing.

I: Now in the early 1990’s, there was a huge influx of them of Krishna Consciousness into American hardcore punk bands. Were you aware of that at the time?

F: Yeah, I guess I was superficially aware. Superficially aware. I mean I read here and there about in the bands. I met a couple of the devotees in different bands, but I didn't know all that much about it.

I: What about the IRM and the whole Guru Controversy? Your husband Yaduraj is very involved with that?

F: So many people, so many people have fallen by the wayside because of the so called Gurus. And this is a hard spiritual practice to start with…

I: Yes.

F: It’s a daily struggle isn’t it?

I: Yes it is. It really is.

F: I find it a daily struggle. Maya is always there and the mind is very fickle and easily distracted. Like so many others I smoked too many drugs as a teenager.

I: Yeah. It’s certainly difficult.

F: So if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

I: I’m 35 now.

F: Thirty five, great. Oh, you’re still a spring chicken. [Laughter] I think it gets easier as you get older. The hard realities of life hit home.

I: Do you feel there’s a way of balancing the lifestyle of playing in a band and being in the material world, but carrying a spiritual message? I know I’ve talked to other musicians who are devotees and that’s sort of always sort of an ongoing struggle with the balancing of the two. It seems like a bit of a tightrope act.

F: Yeah I think it is. I mean I haven’t done anything for a while, basically because I have young children. But it’s hard. It is very hard. You’re doing it with the most passion basically. And it’s hard. I think you have to be solid in your spiritual practices you know, to keep everything balanced. Definitely. Yes, it’s a delicate balance. Does that answer your question?

I: Absolutely. Were you aware of how influential both Essential Logic and X-ray Spex had been on the Riot Grrl scene in the US?

F: No.

I: Really? [Incredulous]

F: No, quite honestly. I’ve spent the last 13 years being a Mom and I haven’t really had much time to keep in touch with the music scene around the world. It’s not really a priority. People send me interviews, or they ring me up for an interview and then they send me their magazine or they send me their book after publication. And then I read about it. But I haven’t really heard anything. I haven’t heard any Riot Grrl music. I don’t even know what it sounds like!

I: Right.

F: I can only imagine from reading the articles I've been sent.

I: What, this is slightly off the topic, but how do you, what’s it like being a former punk and a mother as well now?

F: Uh, living in India. Everything’s very different. I don’t really relate so much to my punk rock days. I think being a Mom is something that most women do. And it of course takes over your life, the reality of things. I mean that punk thing was a little bit of rebellion I had when I was 15 years old. You know, from 15 to 22 or whatever, I was sort of wild. It was my teenage dream. And so you know, it really doesn’t bare too much on reality, life as we know it. It was good though. I mean I think I got it out of my system at that time. And it made me very ready for Krishna Consciousness when I met a devotee. You know, I did a lot of things in a short amount of time.

I: Now in terms of . . .

F: But I guess I got it out of my system.

I: Right. In terms of the ISKCON Revival Movement, now did you, you and Yaduraj have been married for some time and did you get into it at the same time?

F: When my husband realized the importance of it, he started working with Krishnakant who originally explained the whole issue clearly for the first time. So really I think it sort of rubbed upon me from hearing about it all the time. And at first I was a little unsure you know, for the first 18 years of my life or whatever, it is hard just being raised on the whole Guru Conscious thing. It made an awful lot of sense having had an unauthorised Guru myself who had seriously let me and so many other people down. I’d given my life to him and I’d given my savings, so many things, so I was already somewhat disillusioned with the Gurus. It actually made perfect sense to me. What the painful thing was, I just realized that the people that I’d grown up with in Krishna Consciousness, my so-called friends, didn’t’ see things the same way on the Guru issue. I just realized I couldn’t be close to them anymore because I just saw them in a different light. They were happy to carry on the guru bandwagon just for the sake of society, friendship, and community. But actually it just made me realize that it was thoughtless behavior. So that sort of being the toughest thing for me to contend with not being part of all that anymore. The IRM is bit of a punk thing, in a way. We're the punks of the movement.

I: That actually was sort of going to be my next comment. It seems like the IRM--not iconoclastic because obviously you know, there’s still the love of Krishna and Prabhupada--but you’re really trying to affect a positive change you know an established system. Would you say that’s reasonable?

F: Yeah. Yeah. We got a lot of flack. We’re not very popular. You know, we don’t relate to people that we grew up with on this kind of thing, where they are still worshipping the false gurus. You’ve got to do things in life. But it’s really my husband. It’s not me so much. As I say, I followed him on that one. But I do accept it, 100 percent.

I: Right.

F: And if you’re going to go for something as radical as Krishna Consciousness, well you know, you might as well stick with the real thing.

I: Right.

F: And yeah, might as well do it properly.

I: Do you have any sort of closing comments you’d like to make about Krishna Consciousness? Or anything we've touched on?

F: What can I say that hasn’t been said before? What’s the title of your book?

I: Oh God, I'm not even there yet! But I was thinking of calling it "Beyond Zero Gravity", at least as a working title.

F: Uh huh. Sounds good.

I: If you have any suggestions I’d be happy to take them. This whole project is still in it's embryonic stages.

F: Great. I can’t really think of any final comments here. I’ll leave it up to you. I’m sure you’ll come up with something. Just keep in mind that all this is a process, whether it's the book or life. Hare Krishna…and good luck.

COMING SOON!!!

A Lora Logic interview that I conducted a few years back for a project that failed to materialize. In this short, informative Q&A Lora waxes about X-Ray Spex, Essential Logic and how to mesh spiritual consciousness with punk rock, as well as some insight on the internal struggles of the Hare Krsna movement.

I know what your thinking, that the last time I said "coming soon" it was for a Rivals/HMO/Resort interview that NEVER took place. Well, I won't shoot myself in the foot this time. The interview is in the can and just needs my usual bombastic introduction and a bit of editing. So stay tuned!

Heavy Metal Kids - Ain't Nothing But A House Party 7" (1975)

After some Disco-Boogie here's some Heavy Metal-Glitter Funk for you...
Stomp your hands and clap your feet to the Heavy Metal Kids' beat !
It's party time and as far as I'm concerned it's parting time... expect probably one more post in the next few days and then I just might pop in every now and then... who knows...



AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HOUSE PARTY 7"

Tyla Gang - Suicide Jockey 7" (1977)

As it happens Sean Tyla produced Little Bob Story's second single just posted... so why not give a listen to some of his own stuff... "Suicide Jockey" was Skydog's first ever release... scratchy but groovy and catchy Disco-Boogie....



SUICIDE JOCKEY 7"

Little Bob Story - Let Me In 7" (1975)

Second single by Little Bob Story and a great one too... as you may know the band had a strong connection with the english scene (played a lot in England at the time) and eventually toured France with Dr Feelgood and the Heavy Metal Kids... and somehow this actually sounds like a kind of heavy metal version of Dr Feelgood (especially Side B)... let's say Feelgood with the guy from Rose Tattoo or the one from Accept (remember Accept... I'm A Rebel ???) on vocals (yes I know the 3 of them are rather litlle)... somehow... well somehow only....


Now to the Little Sob Story.... I'm gonna take a break from blogging and most probably quit for good.... I really hope John will reappear sometimes.... I'm gonna post one or two last goodies (well it 's obviously a question of taste...) and then...
Let Me Out!

LET ME IN 7"

Little Bob Story - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 7" (1975)

Pub Rock from Le Havre (call it Pub Dock then) back in 1975... very good version of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"...
This time I'm sparing you all the attributes of vintage vinyl because it really was more like guessing what you were actually listening to behind all the scratches, clicks, crackles etc... than anything else.... so it's taken from a CD and yes CD's do have their charms too.

Side A: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Side B : I Don't Know

DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD 7"

Cyanide - I'm A Boy 7" (1978)

First single by Cyanide... already posted their two other ones a while back.... if you're not into vintage scratchy vinyl and think that the charms of clicks, pops, surface noise are well...limited... but most of all if you dig the stuff... get yourself a copy of Cyanide's "Punk Rock Collection" CD from Captain Oi!... DO IT!



I'M A BOY 7"

The Guttersnipes - Addicted To Love 7" (1988)

Great stuff... from Shug O'Neil ex Sparrer... yes this 7" and their first LP sound really close to Cock Sparrer's Running Riot In '84 album but their second LP really was unique.... they released a third album I've never heard described as more Pop oriented... should have been successful... really...

Side A: Addicted To Love
Side B: Loves Young Dream

ADDICTED TO LOVE 7"

The Chainsaws - Part-Time Heroes 12" (1989)

Why did I overlook this record over the years... I have no clue... excellent Pop/Mod/Punk stuff from Brussels...

Side One:
Everyday
Part-Time Heroes
Turn It Down

Side Two:
Gimme Whisky
Do It Now
J'Ai Perdu Mon Phallus

PART-TIME HEROES 12"

PS I've enabled comment moderation just to get rid of spammers...

The Batmen - Do The Swamp Rock (1985)

Already posted a single by this french band and here's their first effort....

DO THE SWAMP ROCK 7"

The Psyclone Rangers - Christie Indecision 4 Track CD (1994)

Bought this one when it came out if I remember well... knew nothing about the band back then.. don't know much more nowadays to be honest... the CD starts with a rather Grunge type of ballad but then the stuff is clearly Garage/Punk Rock oriented... "Bad Seed" is a cover of Beat Happening a band I had never heard talking about before scanning the cover and googling a bit!

01. Christie Indecision
02. I Wanna Be Jack Kennedy
03. Bad Seeds
04. C.I.A. (Demo Version)

CHRISTIE INDECISION 4 TRACK CD

The Mad Daddys - Music For Men 12" (1985)

If you like the Cramps there is no reason you shoudln't like the brilliant Mad Daddys! Great stuff released on New Rose records back in 1985 and produced by... Lux Interior and Ivy Rorschach... perfect for the time of year .... play it loud, drink heavy, fall over a lot! Basically... enjoy!

Side One: So Macho, Cool Spoon, Out West

Side Two: Come With Me, Ain't Hit Me Yet, Acid Raindance

MUSIC FOR MEN 12"

SOME RE-UPS!

THE CANNIBALS:
HOT STUFF LP
THE PURPLE THINGS:
DEEP IN THE MIND OF 12"
OUT OF THE DEEP 12"
BAD KARMA BECKONS:
MUTATE & SURVIVE 12"

RE-UPS

I WILL RE-UP SOME OF THE STUFF (CANNIBALS, PURPLE THINGS, BAD KARMA BECKONS...) REALLY SOON!

J.

The Cannibals - Trash Flash! 7"(1982)

Another scratchy piece of Trash for you!
"This is a very limited pressing given out August 24th 1982 at Dingwalls. It was recorded in one take August 8th 1982 on the Master Mobile in our garage where we rehearse and drive our neighbours batty..."

01. Don't Make Me Angry
02. Hey, Mister Clap Trap

TRASH FLASH! 7"

V/A Garage Goodies LP (1986)

Great compilation focusing mainly on the London Garage scene of the early-mid 80's. The sound varies from 77 Punk/Pub Rock to more strictly garage oriented stuff... a bit scratchy (it even jumps at some point) but that's vintage Trash for you!
This album has been re-issued on CD a while back.

Side One:
01. Don't Know What I'm Gonna Do - THE SURFADELICS
02. Don't Look Back - THE X-MEN
03. Snakeskin Suit - THE JAILBIRDS
04. Bubble Car - THE COMMUTERS
05. Shelter From The Rain - THE CHANGE LINGS
06. Gloria - THE LEGENDARY VEGETARIANS
07. Tilt- A-Whirl - THE CREEPSHOW
08. Big Boy Blues - THE BAD KARMA BECKONS
Side Two:
09. Going All The Way - THE CANNIBALS
10. Vietnam - KILLED IN ACTION
11. How Much More - THE STING RAYS
12. It's Cold Outside - THE VERTEX
13. Pretty Baby - THEE MILKSHAKES
14. All The Time In The World - THE NIPS
15. Legalize Cannabis Campaign - THE SPOTS
16. Hoodoo Man - THE CODIENE COWBOYS

GARAGE GOODIES LP

The Nips 'n' Nipple Erectors - BOPS BABES BOOZE & BOVVER 12" (1987)

I was glad to get this piece of vinyl issued on Big Beat at the time. 
Now you can find all the material ever recorded by the band on CD.

Side A (The Nipple Erectors): King Of The Bop, Nervous Wreck, So Pissed Off, Stavordale RD, N5
Side B (The Nips): All The Time In The Worls, Private Eye, Gabrielle, Vengeance

BOPS BABES BOOZE & BOVVER 12"

Lew Lewis & His Band - Boogie On The Street 7"(1976)

First Lew Lewis single on Stiff records... I prefer B side on this one... great track.



BOOGIE ON THE STREET 7"

Eddie & The Hot Rods - Writing On The Wall 7" (1976)

Hot Rods' first single with Lew Lewis. For some more of their singles check out (yeah you've guessed it..) PUNK FRICTION

Side A: Writing On The Wall
Side B: Cruisin' (In The Lincoln)

WRITING ON THE WALL 7"

The Count Bishops - Speedball EP (1975)

First Chiswick's release back in 1975... "They have the raw energy and excitement which has been missing from so much of todays music" Ted Carroll.
A CD "Speedball + 11" is available with all the stuff Mike Spenser recorded with the Bishops.

Side 1: Route 66 + I Ain't Got You
Side 2: Beautiful Delilah + Teenage Letter

SPEEDBALL EP