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.