Month: October 2019

The Unsolved Case of the Most Mysterious Song On The Internet – could it be a local Hastings group? Can you Help?

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Brandon Sub-Burger… Hello everyone, I’m here on behalf of a group of people searching for “The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet,” and I’ve come across a record called “Shadow” by The Dicemen on Discogs. I’ve seen some posts by some members of this group recollecting their memories of them. Do you know if this song is by them? And if not, do you know who?

Illustration by Kyle Rice © RollingStone

Rolling Stone article…

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/most-mysterious-song-on-the-internet-885106/

Alan Esdaile… Anyone help with this? Is it The Dicemen??? Any ideas

Lesley Bowles… I think someone I worked with was in a band called the Dicemen?? It would have been the early 1980s and they did record a single, I had a copy but don’t recall the title….

Brandon Sub-Burger… does this job your memory? These are 4 tracks that have been mentioned on the internet, they’re off their EP “Shadows.” I’m guessing they have more songs than this, but they haven’t been mentioned anywhere. How common was it for bands back then to record and publish their music, even on a small scale?

Mike Mitchell… The only person I’m still in contact with from The Dicemen from the early ’80s is Allen Blackford. I was in a band also called the Dicemen in the early 2000’s but I don’t think either band is anything to do with the song in question

Andy Knight… I have studio versions of Tombstone, Clause and On the Edge and a 30 min live set which if I remember rightly was at the Falaise Hall in 1982, I always wrote on the tape boxes Harry and the Dicemen if that is a clue

Brandon Sub-Burgers… Did The Dicemen write the mystery song?  If not, do they sound similar to the mystery song?

Andy Knight… The mystery song is very similar to Tombstone by the Dicemen, around the right time, early 80’s, but not the same. The mystery song sounds like the Dicemen after a bit more experience and a better studio then I had then. Really enjoyed listening to the tracks again. Alan can you find out where Harry is now, and the rest of the Dicemen.

Alan Esdaile… Anyone help with the whereabouts of The Dicemen? Who were Richard Burley, Harry Rogers and Nick Barnard. I have written to Nick at the last email address I have for him. If I hear anything I will let you know.

Factory – Mallet Hall Bexhill (early rehearsals) 1970

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supplied by Lol Cooksey

‘Jaffa’ (Geoff Peckham) Bass, Lol Cooksey Drums, Andy Qunta Lead Vocals 12 String Guitar, Tony Qunta Lead Guitar.

Yvonne Cleland… Lovely x Bexhill’s produced its fair share of musicians!

Phil Gill… Nice to see a pic of Tony Qunta playing the WEM Sapphire. You sold that guitar to me about a year later Tone, remember?

Geoff Peckham… Can anyone identity the bass I’m playing? I don’t remember it.

Phil Gill… Is it a Vox of some sort Geoff? I’m more concerned that you’re apparently possessed by demons in the first pic.

Geoff Peckham… That’s right – I think it is a Vox. Yes that’s a strange picture isn’t it. I sent it to Andy as a Halloween card! I blame it on Lol. He still has the power…..

Andy Qunta… Yes, Lol has always had the power!  I don’t remember that bass at all, Jaffa! I thought you always had a Fender Mustang! Don’t remember Tone’s WEM Sapphire either! I remember what I had for breakfast today though, so no need to worry yet!

Geoff Peckham… Yes, Andy. And I still have the Fender Mustang – always a pleasure to play but the pick-ups are shot so hardly any volume. Does anyone out there know of any way I can replace or repair them without spoiling the guitar? I think I had an Antoria bass at some stage, before buying the Mustang

Tony Qunta…. Phil, thanks for reminding me re selling the WEM guitar to you – I had completely forgotten about that! I’m pretty sure that was Andy’s originally. (photo no 4) My Miles Davis pose! 🙂

Phil Gill… It was a great guitar. I liked it a lot, but eventually traded it for this:

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Steve Kinch… great to see these old shots

Mick Mepham… You can get the pickups rewound I believe, as long as they aren’t hermetically sealed …..Also, the bass looks a bit like a Danelectro (maybe)

Phil Gill… Try my pal James Collins at http://www.jamescollinsguitars.com/ I think he’s in Mayfield. Or if you fancy a pick up expert and are prepared to post to USA, I highly recommend Curtis Novak. He made me a great set of Strat pickups: http://curtisnovak.com/pickups_bass.shtml

Mick Mepham… Jaffa, are you actually the devil in disguise? Those eyes …..

 

Trying to trace Roger Saunders 1066 Car Club, can you help?

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John Warner asks… I was the second manager at the Witch Doctor way back in the 60’s. A well known character in those times was local man Roger Saunders, who founded the 1066 car club. I wonder if you heard of him or if he is still around.

Nadia Compagnone… Alive and kicking, living in St Leonards.

James Turner… If you want to get in touch with Roger go down Courthouse street and speak to Deeday, he still sees him.

 

SMART SOUNDS by Colin Bell reviewing Roy Wood: Mustard, Remastered and Expanded CD Edition

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MUSTARD  (Remastered & Expanded)    Roy Wood
Straightaway I have to say I have a deep soft spot for Roy, he was the first bona fide ‘pop star’ I met when I started backstage on Hastings Pier in 1967, indeed elsewhere on the SMART site is the autographs of Roy and the rest of The Move obtained at the time. I’ve always ranked him in the top ten British songwriters. From The Move to ELO (briefly), Wizzard and solo his work has always trod its own very quirky path verging from pastiche to genius but always so original. ‘Mustard’ was originally released in December 1975 and was Roy’s second solo album following on from the successful ‘Boulders’ that had spawned quirky melodic songs such as the single hit ‘Dear Elaine’. ‘Mustard’ was commercially unsuccessful but arguably his ‘magnum opus’ showcasing his immense talent and creativity at its peak. All eight songs (+ 7 bonus on this release) were all written, sung, engineered and produced by Roy who also played EVERY instrument and even provided the artwork for the cover! His influences, in his own words, ranged from the 1940’s swing/doo wop of the Andrews sisters thru The Beach Boys, the Ronettes/Phil Spector to Led Zeppelin! Now that sounds like a complete mess of a recipe for an album, and in other hands it would be but Roy pulls it off.
The opening title track is a clever concoction that sounds just like a 40’s radio jingle by the aforementioned Andrew’s sisters but the ‘sisters’ is in fact Roy’s sped up vocal over sound effects, following on is classic Wood pop with ‘Any Old Time Will Do’. It’s on the next track ‘The Rain Came Down On Everything’ that shows what Roy’s vision of ELO might have been given the chance with its opening vocal (by Annie Haslam of Renaissance) a sweeping ballad that turns operatic before dissolving at the end into a thunderstorm (sound familiar Jeff Lynne!) Next up is a slice of boogie-woo blues/swing in ‘You Sure Got It Now’. For me the highlight of the album comes with the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys heavily inspired ‘Why Does Such A Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs’ (some say written for Lynsey De Paul, Roy’s girlfriend at the time) whatever its almost a pastiche of God Only Knows meets Sloop John B/Good Vibrations its just wackily brilliant. And speaking of wackily brilliant track 8 and originally the closing track is Roy’s homage to Led Zeppelin in the shape of the rocker ‘Get On Down Home’ complete with a 2 minute drum solo in the mould of John Bonham, again as aforementioned with all the instruments being played by the man himself, in fact drums were the first and only instrument that Roy had any formal lessons in, remarkable, who teaches themselves bagpipes! With this new Esoteric release the album doesn’t end there but adds an extra 7 tracks (some released as singles like ‘Oh What A Shame’) with a couple attributed to ‘Wizzard’.
As I said ‘Mustard’ did not sell well on release mainly due to the record company (Jet Records) run by the infamous Don Arden concentrating on ELO which was an injustice but happily here in 2019 after years of being unavailable we can catch a musical prodigy at his best. Enjoy.
For more information go to https://www.cherryred.co.uk
Til next time…………………………… Colin

Derek Clemans… A friend of mine who I havn’t seen for many years and can’t remember his name I think played base for the Move then played Sax with Wizzard and I get to see him every Christmas on old Top of the Pops Christmas specials. He lived on the Tilekiln estate and when he got married he had his reception at the Tile Kiln community club and Roy Wood turned up to jam with him.

Neil Partrick… Great review Colin. Made me want to check it out

Colin Bell… Cheers Neil, I do my best! Do check it out you won’t be disappointed.

Will Powell R.I.P. – Willfest, an event to celebrate a life well drummed. The Duke 26th October 2019.

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Supplied by Paul Huggett

Mike Waghorne… Drummer of Footloose!

John Williams… I am shocked I worked with this man he also played in our band for some time RIP will

Andy Qunta… RIP Will.

Mick O’Dowd… RIP Will. One of life’s good guys!

Martin Curcher… RIP Will, Remember the Jam sessions, when I was about 15/16 years old, rehearsing “Sultans of Swing”.

Paul Huggett… Hope as many SMART people as possible will come along and support the event, run on behalf of Will’s family and two wonderful organisations

Iain Cobby… Great memories of Will and the gigs we did in Footloose all those years ago. Such a lovely guy who was always smiling, shine on you crazy diamond.RIP

Kevin White… Can’t believe he’s passed.He was a lovely guy, always smiling as IC says. I worked with him for a while on Anglian Windows in the 80’s, he was always willing to share his carpentry skills with me. He was a great drummer too. RIP Will

John Lydon – I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right – White Rock Theatre Hastings Thur 24th September 2020

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Lydon will talk about how he sees life, along with his unique and extraordinary career, and take audience questions during a pyrotechnic, one-off tour. More information and tickets…

https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-john-lydon-hastings-2020

 

Who remembers Telefusion 14 Castle Street Hastings?

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Alan Esdaile… This was the shop that became Stylus. Bob McKenzie ran this as well. I remember they had lots of E.P’s upstairs.

Merv Kennard…  I remember it very well, I must have spent a few thousand pounds in there even though I got a dj discount. Bob also used to book for the ef student discos in various hotels and the pier ballroom

Die Laughing – first photograph – Mallet Hall Bexhill – May 1977

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Supplied by Lol Cooksey

First photo of Die Laughing, Mallet Hall Bexhill in May 1977. Terry Corder bass, Kevin Williams vocals, Lol Cooksey drums and Phil Thornton Guitar.

Trisha Ann…. That’s Mick Mepham on the drums isn’t it not Lol?

Roy Penfold… Certainly looks like Mick!

Alan Esdaile… Doesn’t look like him but definitely Lol.

Jim Breeds… I bought a Die Laughing 7 inch in Courthouse Street yesterday! You Got The Power/Hard Living Man on Ocean Records OC 003. Bit of a punt – I haven’t had a chance to try playing it yet to see if’s OK.

Phil Thornton… haha ! It was high energy back in the day and fun to be on guitar for a change !

Richard J Porter… Now known as the 6Ts with Harry Randall replacing Philip Thornton. Saw Harry earlier today.

Phil Thornton… As far as I know the 6Ts are harry, terry and lol. Different material than DL – my replacement was Mick mepham ! The early DL material also featured 60’s covers but it was very stylised and delivered with a punkish attitude – an interesting mix with kev’s angelic soulful vocals ( I wonder what happened to him ?) when Mick took over, original material became the main focus with a classic/melodic rock approach ! I remember they put on an outstanding performance for the melody maker rock contest (1978 ?)

Andy Ives… And what a great band they were too

Kevin Williams… Moved to London…….formed ‘Rye & The Quarterboys’ (8 piece soul band) then ‘The Hunger’ – ‘The Stand’ , now got a 5 piece called The Cry. So still above ground and still doing it.

Ernest Ballard… Phil Thornton on guitar i never knew that

David Miller… PGT manifests music via a bewilderingly wide variety of instruments and is also particularly exceptional on the guitar – he has been for as long as I’ve know him. I nominate him for the Todd Rundgren Multi-Instrumental Born To Synthesize award.

 

 

SMART SOUNDS by Colin Bell reviewing Across the Great Divide – Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74, Various Artists, 3CD Boxset

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ACROSS THE GREAT DIVIDE – Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74  (3CD)    Various Artists
Following on from the other compilations, I’m A Freak, Lets Go Down and Blow our Minds etc (all reviewed on SMART) this is the latest offering from Grapefruit Records headed by the excellent David Wells who never ceases to come up with interesting and forgotten treasures.
As you might surmise from the (somewhat) cumbersome title, sorry David! this takes us back to the heady times of the late 60’s early 70’s when it was ‘fashionable’ to ‘get it together in the country’. Led by Stevie Winwood and Traffic I remember this movement being written about by the likes of NME and MM at the time. Encouraged by their lead a thousand and one bands, some well known and some doomed to obscurity decamped to deepest Berkshire (Traffic), Oxfordshire, Cornwall, Wales etc, well you get the picture. Away from the city and factory style recording studio’s bands attempted to live together commune style in the hope this combined with the rural pastoral pleasures of the countryside would ignite creative outpouring. Well for many it certainly did as they blended, rock, pop, folk and country to create a more laid back vibe. As mentioned Traffic paved the way with tracks like ‘Forty Thousand Headmen’ their entry here. There is a good smattering of the well known and ‘name bands’ spread across this 3CD boxset, Fairport Convention, Mott The Hoople, Rare Bird, Matthews Southern Comfort, Rod Stewart and Marmalade to name a few. But I hasten to add not with the familiar over compiled tracks. Indeed I have never heard ‘Louisiana Man’ by The Hollies (from 1969) a song apparently covered 800 times (some royalties there!) and very good it is too. I mentioned Mott The Hoople which instantly brings to mind ‘All The Young Dudes’ but their entry here from 1971 ‘ Home Is Where I Want To Be’ taken from the album ‘Wildlife’ owes more to Matthews Southern Comfort than Bowie and is just one example of the evolvement of some bands, fascinating. The second rank of bands, for want of a better term, is represented by Mighty Baby, Heron, Cochise, Brinsley Schwarz and Orange Bicycle, (a personal favourite), again to name but a few. Orange Bicycle (a localish band) track ‘Take Me To The PIlot’ (an Elton John cover) has long been a favoured cut with me having seen them perform it live a good few times. But away from the well and lesser known names is a plethora of gems to discover and savour, just some of my picks would be Shape of The Rain ‘Willowing Trees’, Tony Hazzard ‘Abbot Of The Vale’, High Broom ‘A Way To Pass The Time’, Northwind ‘Home For Frozen Roses’, Granny’s Intention’s ‘We Both Need To Know’ and Mason ‘Fading’, this last pick is a trio that includes Ian Amey (Tich) and John Dymond (Beaky) late of DD.D.B.M. & T. I’ve always felt that Ian in particular is a much overlooked and underrated guitarist with a very distinctive style. With 64 tracks and a wonderfully informative 44 page amply illustrated booklet this latest compilation may be the best yet in the series, you can almost smell the patchouli oli and grass, those were the days. I’ll leave you with a clip of one of the few well known tracks to be included by Marmalade as a tribute to lead vocalist Dean Ford who sadly left us at the turn of the year. RIP and thanks for the music. Enjoy.
For more information go to https://www.cherryred.co.uk

Til next time…………………Colin

 

Steve ‘Muscles’ Maxted and Chris Gentry 1976

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Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

A great disc jockey and showman and much loved in the Hastings area. Here’s an interesting link to his record collection:

www.djwildonevinyl.co.uk

A rare picture of Steve from 1976  with Chris Gentry at the Pye Records ‘Black Umbrella’ launch party.

Tony Davies….Steve Maxted used to have a weekly show at the Aquarius nightclub in George St ( later to become Saturdays) he’d dance around the stage balancing a chair on his chin and competitions to see who could eat the most boiled eggs or pickled onions in a certain amount of time, winner getting a bottle of wine. He’d shout out ” first girl on stage with red knickers “and there would be a stampede of girls rushing up on stage, again ,winner getting a bottle of wine. Needless to say, the place was always packed. !!! 🙂

Joe Knight….steve maxted he was at catfords witch doctor a friend for many years . I USE TO GET ON THE STAGE SOMETIMES AN HELP HIM ALWAYS A FRANKENSTEIN FILM GOING ON AS WELL WAT EVER BECAME OF HIM ????

Tony Court-holmes…  i used to work for mr gentry when he had the roadshow god i could tell some stories

David Wilkinson… god I could write a book but if you see him ask about the vinegar substitute in Helson Cornwall. I knew him when he worked at Lewes. I now live in Dorset, so communicate only by email. My alter ego is motown=mickey

Andre Martin… Fancy you remembering that, I used Orange Fizzy Drink for my chips, when the F&C shop had no vinegar – did not really improve the situation – but Hey Ho that would have been 1976 ? when we were working the Naval Bases in that South West

Steve Maxted… Yes, I remember all those dj’s well. Great times. Thanks

Joe Knight… Where’s the fur waist coat? My grans coat cut off the sleeves 1968 to look like you. What I remember; frankinstien movies raw egg eating balancing table on your chin Desmond Dekker and great nights

Steve Maxted… haha, glad I started a trend. That’s good, all I ever wanted was for people to go away happy and entertained, with good music buzzing in there ears. nice to know everyone has those good memories, thanks

Janice Price… Hi Steve Maxted. Where are you now??? I used to dance on the stage at Victoria Hall Southborough near Tunbridge Wells in 1969. Great times i remember dancing behind a screen as a silhouette! Jan

Steve Maxted… Hi Janice, happy memories for sure. So glad you remember them so well x