Retrosonic Podcast with Inge Johansson on Gatuplan, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, CSS, Imperial State Electric & Much More...

For the latest episode of our special Lockdown Lowdown series we welcome former bassist with The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Inge Johansson into the virtual Retrosonic studio to discuss the excellent debut album "Kampen Går Vidare!" by his new solo project Gatuplan. In this thoroughly entertaining chat, Inge takes on a musical journey from the isolation of growing up in a small town in the north of Sweden to finding hope and creative inspiration in the music of Heavy Metal and Punk Rock. There are tales of his first forays into becoming a musician and the early influences on his bass playing. This leads onto touring and recording with acts as diverse as Totalt Jävla Mörker, CSS, Nicke Andersson's Imperial State Electric, Cryssis and The Most and Inge cheerfully recounts his time spent with each of these bands and the characters he met and worked with along the way. Of course we cover his time with The (International) Noise Conspiracy and of running Ny Våg, a record label and club night with frontman Dennis Lyxzén. The episode is sound-tracked by superb songs from each of the featured bands along with a selection of some of Inge's most inspirational musical moments from Kiss, Black Sabbath, The Exploited, Chumbawamba and The Specials. Of course, we also concentrate on Gatuplan and Inge explains the story behind the project, introduces his new bandmates and confesses the somewhat surprising influence behind the choice of band name. So, crank up the volume, sit back and enjoy!

Retrosonic Podcast · Inge Johansson of Gatuplan & The (International) Noise Conspiracy

Tracklisting (please click highlighted links for more information)

Gatuplan "Skandinistas"

Gatuplan "Millennial Blues"

Kiss "Heaven's On Fire"

The Exploited "The Massacre"

The (International) Noise Conspiracy "Up For Sale"

Black Sabbath "War Pigs"

Totalt Jävla Mörker "Under Sions Kalla Stjärna"

The (International) Noise Conspiracy "Hiroshima Mon Amour"

 The (International) Noise Conspiracy "Black Mask"

The (International) Noise Conspiracy "Capitalism Stole My Virginity"

CSS "City Grrl"

Imperial State Electric "Deride & Conquer"

The Most "Really Good"

Cryssis "Time of Our Lives"

Gatuplan "Min Revolution"

The Specials "Nite Klub"

Gatuplan "Dee Dee Ramone"

Chumbawamba "Give The Anarchist a Cigarette"

Gatuplan "Cashen Dom Tas"

With many thanks to Inge. Retrosonic theme tune by Adam Donovan. Podcover photo by Diego Aldabaldetrecu. You can order the Gatuplan album "Kampen Går Vidare!" and 7" singles from Sound Pollution Records here and check out more info on the band at their official Facebook page here. Subscribe to Retrosonic Podcast at Soundcloud, Spotify or Apple Podcasts/iTunes.

TV Smith at The Railway Hotel Southend-on-Sea Nov 23rd a Retro Man Blog/Podrophenia/Southend Punk night

TV Smith - Photo by Paul Slattery

TV Smith's return to The Railway in Southend-on-Sea turned out to be another wonderful experience at what is fast becoming one of my all time favourite venues. As TV Smith said after our last gig there together back in June, "The Railway is a music venue run by music lovers for music lovers and that's a rare thing in the U.K.". He enjoyed it so much that the very next day he asked to do it all again. And so, here we were back again, and thanks to my joint promoters Dave Collins and Ian Pile from Podrophenia and Steve Pegrum from the Southend Punk web-site, we were greeted by another capacity crowd packed out with what must be the friendliest bunch of locals a venue could wish for. Fi and Dave Dulake have done wonders at The Railway and are transforming the upstairs venue, installing a new P.A. system and extending the stage since I was last there.

The Tuppenny Bunters - Photo by Steve Worrall

As well as doing a fantastic job running the place, and serving some amazing vegetarian food too, they also have time to perform in their own drum and organ duo, The Tuppenny Bunters, who opened tonight's show. Swapping instruments and vocals as they went along, they played a mind spinning set of crashing jazz punk featuring unusual cover versions and cheesy theme tunes ramped up to 100 miles per hour.
 

Dick York - Photo by Paul Slattery

Next up was Cryssis front man and singer-songwriter Dick York, who played an acoustic run through of some catchy numbers from his repertoire. Dick used to play in local Mod Revival band Sta-Prest so the set was interspersed by local references and heavy on the audience participation. He has written a true classic in "Could It Be", and I'm sure I could hear people humming the tune the next day all over Southend. Dick's wife Christine joined him on stage at the end to run through some poems including the amusing "Punk Rock Gran".

TV Smith - Photo by TheDimLocator

Then TV Smith took to the stage to rapturous applause, the Railway crowd seem to have really embraced him and the reaction was really heart-warming. TV ran through a perfectly balanced set of songs from throughout his career such as "It's Expensive Being Poor", "Lord's Prayer", the song he wrote for The Lords of The New Church and my personal favourite, "You Saved My Life Then Ruined It". There are calls for "Tomahawk Cruise" the classic single he released with his first post-Adverts band TV Smith's Explorers, and he duly obliges to everyone's delight. "The Lion and The Lamb", "The Day I Caught The Big Fish", are also played with utter conviction. He then kindly complied to my shout for "Complaints Department" from his latest album "Coming Into Land", although ironically not until after a little complaint. "I'm not a Punk Rock Jukebox you know...", he tells me... "but TV, it wasn't as if I requested "Bored Teenagers", just a track from your new record...!". You can hear a hilarious version of "Complaints Department" in our exclusive Retrosonic Podcast live session. Throughout the show he talks about his views on the corporate world and mass consumer obsessions that are blighting our society, he's inspiring and honest, but also humorous with it.

 

TV Smith - Photo by Paul Slattery

He even throws in his amusing but cynical take on the ubiquitous seasonal Christmas song, "Xmas Bloody Xmas". What is evident every time you see TV Smith perform is that he cares, he wants to do right, to play his music on his terms to anyone that will listen. And if that means lugging his guitar, suitcase and emergency sandwich to sub-zero temperatures in Norway or Finland, or playing a festival in the middle of a forest in Eastern Europe with no guarantee of a place to sleep, then he will do it. It's inspirational, and his between song monologues get a great reaction. We are treated to the moving "Generation Y" and "In The Arms Of My Enemy" and then the raucous sing-along of "Only One Flavour".

TV Smith - Photo by Paul Slattery

Of course the set builds towards some of the classics from The Adverts days, but the good thing is you don't get a feeling of nostalgia, his solo material is as well received as the old numbers, but there's no doubting the place does go wild to "One Chord Wonders" and "Gary Gilmore's Eyes". As the set draws to a close the atmosphere builds and as he plays "Good Times Are Back", there is a stage invasion. TV is swamped by people all trying to shake his hand, slap his back and join in on backing vocals, it's chaotic but good natured. Unfortunately due to things over-running, the set had to finish there and we did not get to enjoy Piley and Mondo's superb DJ'ing, but the crowd were thoroughly exhausted and seemed very satisfied, so it was probably a fitting time to call it a night. Well, that was Retro Man Blog's third joint promotion gig at The Railway and I sincerely hope there will be more to come!

Here are some more photographs from the night, and you can also see a full set of superb photos by the extremely talented photographer Paul Hughes on his Flickr site.

Fi from The Tuppenny Bunters - Photo by Jim McManus

Fi from The Tuppenny Bunters - by Paul Hughes

Dave from The Tuppenny Bunters by TheDimLocator

TV Smith by Paul Slattery

TV Smith by TheDimLocator

TV Smith by Jim McManus

TV Smith by Paul Hughes

"Coppo" by Paul Slattery

Stage Invasion! by Jim McManus

Dick York, Dave Collins and TV Smith by Paul Hughes

TV Smith by Paul Slattery

There is another review of the gig up on the excellent Planet Mondo Blog and you can see more photos and a great selection of videos at the Southend Punk web-site Gallery too. Then you can still listen or download for free, our fantastic Retrosonic Podcast TV Smith Special Edition, in which TV talks us through his fascinating and inspiring history and plays an exclusive acoustic live session.

I'd like to thank TV Smith, Fi and Dave at The Railway, Dave Collins and Ian Pile from Podrophenia, Steve Pegrum from Southend Punk, Dick York & Christine York. Many thanks also to photographers Paul Slattery, Paul Hughes, Jim McManus and TheDimLocator for contributing the excellent pics, not forgetting the great Railway crowd that turned up to make this another memorable night!

Retro Man Blog Night with TV Smith at The Railway Southend-on-Sea June 22nd

TV Smith by Paul Hughes

The second Retro Man Blog night in conjunction with Podrophenia and new joint-promoter Southend Punk web-site, at The Railway in Southend-on-Sea was, I'm pleased to report, another wildly successful, rowdy and fun-packed evening. It only ground to a halt well after 1am when the last orders bell was tolled and unwilling punters were politely asked to get down off the stage, remove pint glasses from tops of heads and stop dancing. Yes, it must have been a good one as joint promoter and Radio Podrophenia DJ, Dave Collins, was up to his usual party trick of balancing various alcoholic beverages on the top of his head! Following the great night with The Len Price 3  back in March, it was a real pleasure to be back at The Railway again and thanks to my local joint-promoters Dave Collins and Ian Pile, both from Radio Podrophenia and Southend Punk web-site's Steve Pegrum, there was a superb turn-out of what has proved to be the coolest and friendliest bunch of locals any pub and venue could wish for. Steve Pegrum had organized a great merchandise stall, not only displaying CD's and T-Shirts of the acts playing on the night, but also various local fanzines and CD's from his own band The Machines and record label Angels In Exile. We also had posters and postcards from Retro Man Blog's favourite designer, Sophie Lo, and subject of the latest Retrosonic Podcast, David Apps, with his excellent "East London Photography" book. Also in attendance was Gaye Black  (Advert), with her amazing jewellry, bottle top brooches and keyrings, which were eagerly snapped up very early into the procedings.

Photo by Paul Hughes

The Railway's owners, Fi Jacobs and Dave Dulake, have created a wonderful place, and they should be applauded for supporting a wide range of eclectic, mainly local, musical talent. They are constantly putting on a wide selection of gigs and events, film screenings and comedy show-cases, often free of charge. The excellent staff at The Railway serve some lovely, well-priced beers with a smile and I was suddenly reminded of those great beer adverts "Carlsberg don't do the perfect pub and music venue"...but if they did, The Railway would be it! Even local Southend legend, Wilko Johnson, has taken to turning up for impromptu jam sessions on the occasional lunch time. Much to the surprise of Dave Collins, who unexpectedly got roped in to accompany Wilko on bass while he was trying to finish up his lunch recently. You can read all about how this came about and see some photos of the jam session on Dave's excellent Planet Mondo Blog.


Andy J Gallagher by Paul Hughes

Andy J Gallagher kicked off the evening's entertainment with a three piece line-up featuring bassist Paul Hill and drummer Lee Andrews, who also plays for Bif Bam Pow! who supported The Len Price 3 at our previous Railway gig. Andy played a blistering set of his barbed and bittersweet songs with their catchy choruses and spiky guitar riffs. There's a touch of the Buzzcocks and Wedding Present in the slightly cynical, world weary despite-it-all romantic subject matter of Andy's lyrics and that is channelled perfectly into the music. The songs rattle along at breakneck speed, sometimes threatening to burst out of control. Songs such as "The Heretic" and "Something Else" are crammed full of melodic touches so it's a shame that The Railway's PA is not exactly the best, as some of the vocals were a bit muffled, but there is no doubting that Andy J Gallagher is a live act to watch out for. He plays a cover of Ramones "Judy Is A Punk" and a selection of great tracks from his Roman Jugg produced album "Helicopter Dolphin Submarine", one of the strongest debuts I have heard in a very long time.

The somewhat precarious PA actually fell over at the end of the set, unfortunately right on the back of someones head. Luckily, after a sit down, the guy was OK and, what's more, as if to cement the coolness of The Railway's clientele, he did manage to avoid spilling one drop of his pint, which was quite remarkable, all things considered!

Dick York by Paul Hughes

Next up is Dick York, another local musician now probably much better known on the Continent due to his German-based band Cryssis in which he is joined by another Southender, Vom Ritchie. Vom is probably better known to us in the UK as the drummer from Dr & The Medics, but he is now living in Germany and playing for hugely popular stadium Punks, Die Toten Hosen. Cryssis were formed by Dick and Vom to rekindle some songs they wrote together over twenty years ago and tonight, Dick treats us to an acoustic run through of some excellent tracks from their album "Simple Men". He also plays a couple of songs, "Fair Fight" and their debut single, "School Days", from his original Mod Revival band Sta-Prest which go down very well with the crowd. Dick's an engaging performer and gamely gets the audience to join in some call-and-response singing on his faultless, should be a classic, "Could It Be". It was good to see Dick playing these songs and hopefully he will come over to the UK with Cryssis in the near future. You can listen to Dick chatting to me in our latest special edition Retrosonic Podcast, where he talks about his career from Sta-Prest to the present day, including how he got back together with Vom to form Cryssis.

TV Smith by Eric Waring

Then it's the turn of TV Smith, the legendary voice of The Adverts, The Explorers and Cheap but now performing as a solo acoustic artist with a string of excellent albums to his name. The Adverts were one of the very first bands caught up in that early London Punk Rock explosion, playing the Roxy Club and releasing one of the greatest debut albums of all time, not just of the Punk period, in "Crossing The Red Sea with The Adverts". The band also appeared on Top Of The Pops with the anthemic single "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" but unfortunately split up following the shambolic situation surrounding their second, much maligned, album "Cast Of Thousands". After The Adverts, TV has forged a successful solo career inspired by the advice of his friend, the poet Attila The Stockbroker who suggested - following attempts to work in a band format with The Explorers and Cheap - to just head out on his own, alone with an acoustic guitar. So, that's how we see TV tonight at The Railway, armed with his trusty acoustic he launches into a great set peppered with songs from all areas of his career. He is now not afraid to embrace his Adverts material, despite once refusing to play any of the songs for over 10 years, so we get some hidden gems like "We Who Wait" to the rousing singalong classics such as "No Time To Be 21" which see the wildy appreciative crowd going crazy!

TV Smith by Paul Hughes

The depth of his solo material is apparent as he treats us to some delights such as my personal favourite "You Saved My Life Then Ruined It", a version of which can be heard on our very special edition Retrosonic Podcast interview and live session. Considering TV himself was already questioning the validity of the Punk Rock "movement" he saw around him as early as his debut album with songs like "Safety In Numbers", he has certainly taken Punk's more positive attributes to heart. The creative D.I.Y ideals and desire to communicate is apparent, as is his burning mistrust of the corporate and capitalist ways of the world of today. Songs such as "Clone Town" and "It's Expensive Being Poor" rail against the lack of social progress and injustices around him. However, the thing is with TV Smith is, it's not a po-faced diatribe - the songs are often joyous with witty and biting lyrics such as "Complaints Department" from latest album "Coming Into Land". He sings the songs with real power and emotion, eyes shut and sinews straining - but after each songs he breaks into a huge grin as the chords fade and the audience respond warmly to his positive and life-affirming message.  We get "Tomahawk Cruise" from The Explorers thanks to a hopeful request shouted out from the audience, and "Lord's Prayer" from his days in Cheap, but actually written for Lords Of The New Church. Then it's "One Chord Wonders" and of course "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" and it's over, leaving a very happy and enthusiastic audience. He even had someone stage-diving, apparently a first for him at a UK acoustic show! Hopefully, the recent Punk Britannia programmes on BBC4 along with Jamie Palmer's excellent documentary "We Who Wait" will inspire people to check out all of TV Smith's albums further, including a re-evaluation of that "difficult" second album "Cast of Thousands" maybe...

Radio Podrophenia's Piley & Mondo by Paul Hughes

Things don't stop there however, as Radio Podrophenia DJ's Mondo and Piley, crank up the gramophone and spin some wonderful tunes to get everyone dancing. They have a knack of incorporating some classic Soul stompers with Punk and Psychedelia to brilliant effect. An eclectic and totally original mix, especially with their little trademark of dropping in some long lost TV theme tune for good measure. It works, people dance, people laugh and The Railway rocks to their fine selection of  feel-good sounds.

I would sincerely like to thank Fi and Dave and staff at The Railway and my joint promoter pals Dave & Ian and Steve Pegrum. TV Smith, Dick York, Andy J Gallagher with Lee Andrews and Paul Hill for the superb music. Gaye, Sophie Lo, David Apps for helping to stock the merchandise stall with your quality works of Art. All the people who helped me out with promotions and support and all The Railway clientele and those that travelled to be there. Thanks to photographers Sophie Lo, Paul Hughes and Eric Waring and to Uli and Klaus from the TV Smith web-site.
 

Gaye Advert, "Iggy" and Steve Pegrum of Southend Punk web-site by Steve Worrall

A happy crowd by Paul Hughes

TV Smith tuning up by Sophie Lo

TV Smith meeting his public at the Merch Stall by Paul Hughes

Check out our special TV Smith Edition Retrosonic Podcast below. An hour long Episode where TV takes us through his career, from his pre-Adverts days in Sleaze to The Roxy and bang up to date with his new album "Coming Into Land". This also includes a four song exclusive live session.

 

You can see more of Paul Hughes' excellent photographs of the night at his Flickr site. Eric Waring's great photography can be found at his elspics web-site and check Sophie Lo's web-site for her superb designs, including a wonderful Adverts poster.

Retrosonic Podcast Episode 3 Bonus Track: Dick York of Cryssis with Photographer and Artist David Apps

I met up with Dick York, from Cryssis and Photographer and Artist David Apps, recently for a special edition of the Retrosonic Podcast. Dick will be appearing at the Retro Man Blog Gig with TV Smith at The Railway in Southend-on-Sea on June 22nd, along with Andy J Gallagher and Radio Podrophenia DJ's Piley & Mondo. We talk about his early days in the Mod Revival band Sta-Prest and then how he resurrected his next band as Cryssis with Vom Ritchie (Dr. & The Medics, Die Toten Hosen), after over 20 years. Cryssis have a superb album out on Drumming Monkey Records called ”Simple Men”, which is packed full of tight and powerfully melodic rockers. Dick will be kicking things off at 8pm on Friday 22nd so make sure you arrive early so not to miss anything. Dick will be appearing solo and will treat us to acoustic renditions of some of his extremely tuneful and catchy songs from the album such as "Words", "London" and hopefully, my favourite "Could It Be". Cryssis are currently recording a new album.

Check out more information on Dick York and his band at the Cryssis web-site and you can also order merchandise including the latest album ”Simple Men” from Drumming Monkey Records.

Dick York (top) and Vom Ritchie in Cryssis - Photos by David Apps

Then next up on the Podcast, David Apps chats about his excellent "East London Photography" book, which charts the huge changes to the surrounding neighbourhoods around the development area of the new Olympics site. His images capture an East End and Cockney culture that is slowly being overshadowed, first by the Docklands developments and now the Olympic village. David also talks about his artwork and photography and how he ended up playing in a band with a founder member of the Sex Pistols..! Hopefully David will be bringing some copies of the book along on Friday for sale, so please be sure to check out the merchandise stand.

David Apps' East London Photography Book (top) and "Cowgirls" artwork

David Apps' Artwork and Photography can be found at his Artificial Designs site, where you can also order copies of the superb "East London Photography" book, which is well worth getting hold of.

Here's the Podcast, I hope you enjoy it. Sorry about the background noise, but trying to find a quiet place on a Saturday afternoon in Camden proved quite a tough task, I hope it doesn't spoil the enjoyment too much!

 

Many thanks to David Apps and Dick York for taking the time to chat to me, it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and I really appreciate their patience and good humour.

Andy J. Gallagher - Countdown to June 22nd at The Railway Southend-on-Sea with TV Smith

If you're a regular face at some of the Capital's livelier, more intimate, (ok, smaller and more down 'n'  dirty), music venues, chances are you've already come across Andy J. Gallagher and enjoyed his unique talent. If not, it really is time you did. Since first hitting the scene with punky avant Britpopsters 'The Shopkeeper Appeared', Andy has carved his own niche in the London circuit, while broadening his musical horizons with sorties into Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia – plus a spell on New York's alternative rock scene. With a new world of riffs, experiences and ideas in his head, he returned to England armed with his most inspired, creative and personal writing to date. Writing that spurred Roman Jugg, legendary guitarist with punk big noises The Damned, to call Andy a 'lyrical genius' and insist on producing his first solo album, 'Helicopter, Dolphin, Submarine'. 

The album's already creating waves in the music press, with 'Vive Le Rock' describing it as 'sophisticated and rewarding, drawing on the finest in pop punk and mod rock from across the decades'. In fact, they loved Andy so much, they put stand out track 'Something Else' on one of their showcase CDs. 'Vive Le Rock' were pretty accurate in their assessment as it goes, with influences as diverse as The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, The Kinks, David Bowie, Elvis (both Presley and Costello) and Buzzcocks all playing a part in Andy's musical mix but never overwhelming his own personal sound. 

You may have heard Andy on Radio One, you may have even seen him gigging with global megastar bands like Radiohead - but if you haven't been to one of his own gigs or given 'Helicopter, Dolphin, Submarine' a listen, you really are missing out. So go on, treat yourself, meet Andy J. Gallagher soon.

I'm extremely pleased to announce that Andy will be appearing as support to TV Smith at The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea on June 22nd. This is Retro Man Blog promotions' return to The Railway, promoted in conjunction with Radio Podrophenia and Southend Punk Web-site. As an added bonus, Roman Jugg (The Damned, Phantom Chords & Naz Nomad) who produced Andy's debut album, will be joining him on stage to run through a few numbers. You can listen to Mondo & Piley's interview with Roman on Radio Podrophenia, check the Planet Mondo Blog for more details.

Here's a superb video from Andy entitled "Something Else", it's one of the best videos I've seen for ages so I hope you enjoy it! Be sure to come along early on June 22nd so you don't miss anything!

TV Smith & The Adverts "We Who Wait" Documentary BBC4 June 01st

BBC4 will be showing a one hour documentary about the life and career of singer-songwriter and Adverts frontman, TV Smith on June 1st at 11pm.

"We Who Wait" tells the story of punk band The Adverts and the continuing music career of their former frontman TV Smith; one of the most talented, literate and passionate - yet curiously overlooked - songwriters to emerge from London's vibrant '77 new wave scene. TV Smith formed The Adverts in late '76 with his girlfriend Gaye and press criticism of the band's alleged musical ineptitude was answered by a defiant and iconic debut single "One Chord Wonders". A couple of months later, they secured their first chart hit with the macabre punk classic, "Gary Gilmores Eyes". Gaye's status as reluctant punk icon ensured the band received a lot of press attention, and a promising future beckoned. However, after a well-received but underperforming debut LP and a critically-reviled follow-up, The Adverts suffered an acrimonious collapse.

Pushed to the margins of the music industry by shifting musical trends and a stubborn refusal to compromise, Smith nonetheless continued a dogged struggle to make a living as a singer and songwriter in the face of critical hostility and industry indifference. After years of bad luck, personal loss and failed bands, Smith's persistence is finally paying dividends. He has carved out a career as a solo artist and troubadour and painstakingly built a new audience through constant touring. To this day, he remains a fiercely inventive songwriter and an electrifying live performer - an enduring embodiment of punk's DIY ethos, passion and power. A thrilling testament to one of UK music's great outsiders, "We Who Wait" features a wealth of stills and archive footage and contributions from former band members, collaborators, critics and friends including Smith and Gaye Advert, Brian James, Richard Strange, John Robb, Greil Marcus, Miles, Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye and many others.

Gaye Advert & TV Smith November 2011 - Photo by Steve Worrall

Also, this ties in nicely with my TV Smith gig, in conjunction with Southend Punk web-site and Radio Podrophenia, at The Railway Hotel in Southend-on-Sea on Friday June 22nd, which promises to be a very special night indeed. Also on the bill will be Dick York performing a solo acoustic set. Dick used to be in locally based Mod Revival band, Sta-Prest, but is now playing in Cryssis alongside Vom Ritchie, drummer in German super-star Punk band Die Toten Hosen. Joining the party will be Andy J Gallagher playing his barbed, bitter-sweet yet tuneful songs, with a guest appearance by Roman Jugg of The Damned and Naz Nomad. If that is not enough, then the evening will be rounded off with a stomping selection of weird and wonderful covers, rare soul and psychedelic grooves from DJ's Mondo & Piley of Radio Podrophenia. Be there early as there is a lot to cram in and I wouldn't want you to miss any of the fun!

You can hear Rock Photographer, Paul Slattery, talking about his adventures in Punk Rock, which include The Adverts, in the Bonus Track of Episode 2 of the Retrosonic Podcast.

Click HERE to listen/download.

U.K. Subs "Time & Matter" Archive Web-site + Paul Slack Tour Blog

Great news...the U.K. Subs immense historical archive web-site "Time & Matter", run with admirable dedication by Mark Chadderton & Rob Cook, is now back up on line following it's re-launch today! It has beaten the unbelievable act of mindless hacking from some extremely sad Internet nerd, and is now back and running at full steam! Any fan of any band would crave a site like this, it really is a huge and impressive labour of love, so it's more reason to be thankful that Mark & Paul could recover their work. "Time & Matter" features a wealth of excellent archive material and memorabilia, ranging from photos, press releases and old fanzine features to a full discography and up to date news on the band and it's various ex-members and off-shoots. Anyway, best of luck to Mark and Rob. 

U.K. Subs - Photo by Steve Worrall

Whilst the site was down, original Subs' bassist Paul Slack, now with Monica & The Explosion, moved his fantastic Tour Blog/Travelogue to a different site. You can catch up with Paul and Monica's adventures on the new "Access All Areas" Blog. Paul said when he was on tour back in the day, he went to some amazing places but it was just venue/backstage/tour bus/venue...but now he really wants to savour and experience the various places he plays (and eats...!) at. He writes and photographs very well, and I recommend his Blog whether you like Food, Travel, or Music...or all three for that matter...it is a thoroughly entertaining read!  

Monica & The Explosion - Photo by Steve Worrall

You can see Paul Slack in action with Monica & The Explosion at The Half Moon, Putney on June 30th as Part 2 of Retro Man Blog's "Punk Legends" nights. Also on the bill will be the original "Sound of The Suburbs" - The Members - with Rat Scabies from The Damned on drums. Part 1 will be at The Railway in Southend-on-Sea on June 22nd with TV Smith from The Adverts, Andy J Gallagher with Roman Jugg (The Damned, Naz Nomad) and Dick York (Cryssis).

TV Smith live at The Railway, Southend on June 22nd

Following the success of our recent Len Price 3 gig, I'm pleased to announce Retro Man Blog will again link up with Radio Podrophenia at Southend's superb music Pub and Venue, The Railway Hotel. This time we are being helped out with promotions by Steve Pegrum's amazing archive web-site, Southend Punk. The gig will take place on Friday June 22nd and we are extremely proud to announce that the headliner will be TV Smith, the legendary voice of The Adverts. Expect to hear a selection of songs from his impressive back catalogue including the excellent new album "Coming In To Land" and hopefully a few Adverts goodies thrown in too. 

Special guests include Andy J Gallagher who will be playing tracks from his latest release "Helicopter Dolphin Submarine". The album was produced by Roman Jugg of The Damned and Naz Nomad fame, and we are very pleased to say that Roman will be joining Andy on a couple of numbers. Kicking off the night will be Dick York from Cryssis and Sta Prest performing a solo acoustic set. Then to round things off we will be treated to another storming DJ set from Radio Podrophenia's Mondo & Piley.

If that wasn't enough, The Railway have generously declared this a FREE gig! The only thing we ask of you is that you arrive early to support all the acts - and more importantly to ensure you do get in - oh yeah, and buy lots of beers, it's the least you can do...!!

For Part 2 of our "Punk Rock Legends" gigs we move to The Half Moon in Putney, London, the following week on Saturday June 30th. Headliners will be The Members, the original "Sound of The Suburbs", now including Rat Scabies from The Damned, on drums. Support comes from the excellent Monica and The Explosion, featuring original U.K. Subs bassist, Paul Slack and they are joined by The Jetsonics. For tickets and info check the Half Moon web-site HERE.

In the run up to the gig I'll be doing separate features on all the Artists appearing and hopefully a special edition of the Retrosonic Podcast too, so keep a look out here on the Blog or Facebook page for news.