Retrosonic Podcast Episode 9: "I'm Going Crazy, Need a Shot of You"

Our brand new bumper edition Retrosonic Podcast Episode 9 is out now and available to listen to or download for free at our Soundcloud site. In this Episode, Steve from Retro Man Blog, Adam from The Jetsonics and Rock Photographer Paul Slattery play an eclectic mix of obscurities and hidden gems, brand new tracks and overlooked classics from the worlds of Punk Rock, Psych, Soul, Power Pop, New Wave and Garage Rock. There's also the usual cocktail of waffle, news and reports on our various music related exploits old and new...

In Episode 9 we kick off with a thundering Garage Rock number from The WitchDoktors and follow this with a track from The Travellers - the Britanny based Swedish and Italian duo - with a suitably retro track from their latest single. Paul and Adam pick two obscure Scottish Punk tracks from The Valves and PVC2, who feature a certain Midge Ure in his post-Slik, pre-Rich Kids and Ultravox Punk phase. There's a brand new track from Californian star-gazers Vela Eyes and an unreleased demo of raw and primal R'n'B from The Killer B's featuring ex-Screaming Blue Messiahs Chris Thompson.

Adam trawls his Soul collection for a foot stomping track from The Performers and there's a track from the latest album by Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds. Two Power Pop classics from ex-Boys bassist Duncan Reid and Plummet Airlines are followed by a rare Psych number from Rupert's People. Adam gives us the latest run down on The Jetsonics and we hear an unreleased track from their forthcoming E.P.  Paul talks about his time spent with The Flamin' Groovies at their recent London shows and what is what like meeting up with the band after over 30 years. Then we discuss the Retro Man Blog gig for Thee Spivs new album launch party at The Half Moon and the various luminaries who were in the crowd that night. Finally there's news about our next Retro Man Blog night at The Half Moon on October 25th with The Len Price 3. We hope you enjoy the Podcast...!

Thee Spivs Album Launch Party at The Half Moon Putney June 29th with The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense

Thee Spivs with Ian from Damaged Goods Records by Steve Worrall

Well, despite having to compete with Glastonbury, Hard Rock Calling, Weirdsville and The Tall Boys gigs - not to mention the sun finally making an appearance and the fact that the District Line branch to Putney was closed due to someone under a train...we were all really pleased with the turn-out at The Half Moon. So, a big "Thank You" to all who came along to help celebrate the launch of Thee Spivs brand new, and thoroughly splendid, album "The Crowd and The Sounds". The evening started off with another fine performance from The Past Tense, who debuted a couple of great new songs including "What's Coming Next?" and the forthcoming single "Remember The Days", which in particular promises to be a classic amongst The Past Tense's already impressive collection of prime Garage Rock/Mod nuggets alongside their crowd-pleasers such as "Wolfman" and "My Baby".

The Past Tense (L/R) Andy, Warren and Ken - Photo by Paul Slattery

Tonight, The Fallen Leaves played probably the best gig I have seen from the band and they attacked their songs with a real energy and commitment. The band really seem to have taken to the Half Moon, where the larger stage and excellent sound bring out the best in both their performance and their songs. And what songs they have! Rob Symmons hammering his guitar to wring every last ounce of noise from the instrument, his erratic and staccato style is not only a joy to hear but mesmerising to watch. Rob Green relishes the Half Moon stage too and the front-man puts on a consummate show - foot on the monitor, he leans into the crowd and espouses The Fallen Leaves philosophy, "we play simple songs for complex people", he tells us and the band launch into another one of their perfectly formed tracks. Rob, resplendent in tweed and cravat looks every inch the English gent and his tea ceremony, sipping tea poured from a thermos flask as the band thunder along around him, is one of the best pieces of Rock theatrics I have ever seen. The rhythm section just get better every time too, Bill on drums concentrating away at the back as he powers round his kit and bassist Matthew, in his velvet smoking jacket and that enigmatic smile, not only plays some impressive spidery bass lines but also plays a mean harmonica. The crowd responded to the superb performance and demanded an encore and we were then treated to a scorching version of "Trouble" and that was it, all over unfortunately, but the Leaves left the stage to a resounding ovation.

The Fallen Leaves - Photo by Paul Slattery

We had run a couple of competitions in the build up to the show and I could present the "Spot Thee Spivs Flyer" winner Janine and the "Button Badge Luck Dip" winner - who was from Brazil but I didn't catch her name, sorry - with their prizes of a signed copy of the vinyl version of "The Crowd and The Sounds" and signed CDs from each of The Past Tense and The Fallen Leaves, which seemed to go down very well with the lucky pair. Thee Spivs had just returned from a recent tour of Germany, Holland and Belgium so they were tight and full of energy, well they needed to be to take on the challenge laid down by The Fallen Leaves. They put on a great show - playing a mix of songs from their excellent new album "The Crowd and The Sounds", which has already received some rave reviews in Q and Shindig! magazines and some old favourites from their previous two albums "Black and White Memories" and "Taped Up". One of the set's highlights was when they played "Mickey Pearce Waved Goodbye" from the new album, the moving farewell to previous bassist Dan May. It was even more special as Dan was actually in the crowd too, and he seemed quite touched by the sentiment. Then, Ben instigated another competition asking me to to judge the best dancer. The field was very quickly narrowed down to Ian, the Damaged Goods Records boss, who competed with Rock Photographer Paul Slattery for the coveted title. I had to give it to Paul, as he juggled his camera, taking photos at the same time as throwing some impressive shapes on the dance floor. At one point, Bassist Daniel jumped off the stage and continued playing as he weaved through the crowd, it was a great moment - and those that were nearly flattened by his bass could get their own back, gesticulating along to "Flicking V's"! It was a thoroughly enjoyable set from Thee Spivs, and it was impressive just how great the new songs from "The Crowd and The Sounds" fitted in.

Thee Spivs (L/R) Ben, Steve and Daniel - Photo by Paul Slattery

DJ Jeff Munday and David Ayling kept the mood going as the party moved into the main bar, and it became apparent that the crowd on the night included a pretty cool selection of musicians in their own right. In fact, the crowd at The Half Moon was liberally sprinkled with Alternative stardust as there were members from some great bands present, such as Adam from The Jetsonics, Paul from The SuperMinx '70, Dale from The Electric Eyes, Mauro and Jonny from Jonny Cola and The A-Grades, Chris Thompson from The Screaming Blue Messiahs and the drummer in his current band The Killer B's, David Morgan Mathias, Mark from The Onlookers, who's now in The Transients, and there were also some visitors from Sweden, Hans and Liselott and Wayne Lundqvist-Ford from the Gothenburg based Ice Cream Man Blog. Here are some more of Paul Slattery's excellent Photos...

Andy from The Past Tense - Photo by Paul Slattery

The Fallen Leaves - Photo by Paul Slattery

Rob Green of The Fallen Leaves - by Paul Slattery

Thee Spivs - Photo by Paul Slattery

Thee Spivs - Photo by Paul Slattery

So once again I'd like to thank everyone for coming out and for the great support and feedback on the night and the music, it makes it all worthwhile! Of course I'd also like to thank all the bands, Jeff and David for the DJing, Carrie, Abbie and James at The Half Moon, Adam for the gig flyer and Paul for the photos. For more pics of all the bands and the After Show party, head on over to the Retro Man Blog Facebook page and hit "Like" to access the exclusive Photo Album.

The next Retro Man Blog night at The Half Moon will be on Friday October 25th with headliners The Len Price 3 joined by The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense. The last one we did with this line-up at the Half Moon back in December was very close to a sell-out, so book early to avoid disappointment, as they say! Links to the event page and ticket details will follow very soon...

Thee Spivs Competiton - New Album Launch Party at The Half Moon Putney tomorrow Saturday June 29th

Andrew Perry's Q Magazine review

Following on from our "Spot Thee Spivs flyer" competition, won by Retro Man Blog reader Janine, we are running another little bit of fun and games tomorrow at The Half Moon. The first 50 people through the venue doors will get the chance for an exclusive Thee Spivs button badge "lucky dip". The person pulling out the lucky badge will win a signed copy of the brand new album from Thee Spivs, "The Crowd and The Sounds", which has just been released on Damaged Goods Records and has received a great review by Retro Man Blog's favourite journalist, Andrew Perry, in the latest issue of Q Magazine. Copies of the album will be available to buy on the merchandise stand on the night, unless you're the lucky winner of course, then you won't have to buy one...The prize also includes CDs from the evening's special guests, The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense.

Janine with her winning flyer!

Thanks to Ian at Damaged Goods, Thee Spivs, The Fallen Leaves, The Past Tense, Jeff Munday, Carrie and all that have helped with promoting the gig and sharing the word...much appreciated!

The Half Moon's address is 93 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1EU, the closest Tube station is Putney Bridge on the District Line (Wimbledon Branch) and the closest mainline Rail station is Putney, which has direct links to London Waterloo, Richmond, Twickenham and Windsor etc. For full details on the gig including advance ticket purchase information, please check out The Half Moon Putney's Event page here. Tickets £8.00 Doors at 7:30 pm, Past Tense 8pm, Fallen Leaves 9pm and Thee Spivs 10pm. Live Music curfew 11pm. Aftershow DJ Jeff Munday 11pm until late...

Thee Spivs - Exclusive Track-by-Track Guide to "The Crowd and The Sounds" by Singer and Guitarist Ben Edge

Today sees the release of Thee Spivs brand new album "The Crowd and The Sounds" on Damaged Goods Records, and to mark the day we are extremely pleased to have an exclusive track-by-track guide to the new songs, by the band's Singer/Guitarist and Song-writer, Ben Edge. We will be hosting the official album launch party at The Half Moon Putney on June 29th, along with Damaged Goods, and we look forward to seeing you there. Now over to Ben...

"The album begins with a piano intro, which is taken from the track "Back To The Start" from our last album. The idea behind this was to begin where we had left off. Me and Ed Deegan (who recorded and produced "Black and White Memories" as well as "The Crowds and the Sounds") discussed the idea and Ed ended up taking the idea much further and in my opinion made it become an integral part of the album. As you will find out in this track-by-track guide there are the recurring themes of weather, work, art and escapism which are all evident in the cover design and as Ed said “To me, if there was a theme tune for the cover Art the intro would be it."

1) "Social Network"
Once the intro plays out the album immediately kicks in with "Social Network". The song’s pretty self-explanatory really. It’s commenting on facebook and other popular social media sights and the void it fills in people’s lives. There are sides of people you would never of known about but now on facebook all of sudden you see what they eat, where they go out, their political views and much more. Despite all this it’s a very selective view of someone. Their showing you how they want to be seen although this still can be very revealing I cant help but feel that it’s a false projection of a person. It can get pretty annoying but where all guilty of it to some degree so as a song it’s as much self critical as it criticizing other people.

2) "Forget It"
This song is about the reality of everyday existence for most people. You get up you go to work and you battle to get there amongst all the other people who are on the way to work. People become like obstacles. The song starts with just my voice and guitar and builds up in to a frenzy that we hoped would have the same feel as when you head out into the madness amongst the commuters. The song also is about the importance of day dreams/escapism and not letting other people get you down. A feel good number, or at least it’s meant to be!

3) "Outside Myself"
This follows on from "Forget It" which covers getting to and from work whereas outside myself is about when your actually there. It celebrates the fact that no matter how dull things can get you yourself have the power to change it.

4) "The Crowds and the Sounds"
As you know this song is the title track and is actually my personal favourite song on the album. The idea behind the song came from walking along the Southbank (an area that inspired many themes of the album), which is one of my favourite walks in London. So I just went about trying to write a song about strolling along the Thames and feeling alone even though you’re in the middle of a huge crowd. This idea became the main theme of the album and inspired the artwork too. We also had Spencer Evoy of MFC Chicken add some saxophone to the track, which really added to the song.

5) "Straight out of Art School"
"Straight out of Art School" is an autobiographical song about my experiences after finishing art school and having to rejoin the real world whilst still wishing to be in art school. The idea of referencing another artists is common amongst artists and this was what first inspired the idea of referencing a Magritte painting for the cover art. 

Thee Spivs (L/R): Steve, Ben and Daniel

6) "Weathered Men"
This is about the older generation and how much the world has changed during their life times. The song is also a story about all the old people I see wandering up and down Camden Road (where I live) on a daily basis and imagining the different lives they have lived and the things they have seen just by looking at there faces. This song we struggled with initially in the studio and ended up stripping it back and approaching it like a Syd Barrett song, which worked much better.

 7) "Mickey Pearce Waved Goodbye"
This song is about when our old bass player Dan left the band. It’s a bit of a tribute song really. The idea came about when people started asking us at gigs what happened to Mickey Pearce? Dan was a real presence on stage and really looks like the Only Fools and Horses character Mickey Pearce. It also fitted nicely with the English themes on the album.  It was pretty sad and shocking to us when he quit so we decided to write a song about it would be a fitting tribute to his services with Thee Spivs.

 8) "Heroin Pin-ups"
"Heroin Pin-ups" is about how there always seems to be a poster boy heroin user in Rock 'n' Roll and how it seems to give people credibility in the music press. I also feel record labels exploit their artists and encourage them to become living clichés to help record sales. I also wanted to write a song that was like an instruction manual telling you how to become a heroin pin up. I think the media generally has a really distorted view of rock n roll and encourage people to not be them selves and the knock on effect of this is people start trying to recreate the rock n roll cliché and this is why there are so many fakes in the music world and I’m bloody bored of them.

 9) "Let’s Talk About the Weather"
This was almost the title track and also inspired the artwork. The verses in the song are about the madness and terrible things that happen daily in London and the hypocritical nature of human beings but then its contrasted by the chorus which comments on how people talk about the weather as a way of escaping what’s really going on around them and also more light heartedly to avoid awkward silences.
     
10) "Jigsaw Man"

"Jigsaw Man" comments on how we as people are made up of all our experiences and by the people we know. In many ways individual characters are made out of many different pieces much like a jigsaw puzzle. But it also is about trying to find your self, which is represented by the idea of the missing piece.

11) "Mozart’s Locked Away"
I actually wrote this song a while back but it never really fitted with any of our other albums but it just seemed perfect for this one. The song was inspired by Outsider Art and is about all the great music and art that is made behind closed doors that is never seen or heard. I felt it fitted in with the reoccurring theme of escapism and I like the idea that there are people who are creating art for themselves and not for personal gain and public recognition.

"So that is the end of my track-by-track guide. I also thought I would mention the recording process itself. Ed Deegan as well as producing the album also played various instruments on the album and became like a fourth member of the band. Before the recording Ed worked hard to get the right guitar sound to complement the songs and also created a formula so we could maximize the time in the studio and he has supplied some notes on how he did it."

"Regarding the band sound. I wanted to make the main guitar do the whole job. This was achieved with a Piezo transducer stuck with blue tack between the bridge and tailpiece of a fender Jazz master. This was mixed with the amp tone (A 60’s Vox ac30) Then an ADT (artificial double track) of the amp sound. The Backing tracks were recorded live. Steve played to a click track for most of the songs.  The guitar and bass amp speakers were isolated. The drums were record with MS stereo and a few spot mics. Another interesting technique was the mix of drum machine and acoustic drums. We used this on "Heroin Pin-ups", it’s a mix of an 808 Drum Machine and acoustic drums played over it."

So, many thanks indeed to Ben for taking the time to contribute the great track-by-track guide to "The Crowd and The Sounds", it is an excellent album and will be available at our very special launch party at The Half Moon on June 29th. The Half Moon's address is 93 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1EU, the closest Tube station is Putney Bridge on the District Line (Wimbledon Branch) and the closest mainline Rail station is Putney, which has direct links to London Waterloo, Richmond, Twickenham and Windsor etc. For full details on the gig including advance ticket purchase information, please check out The Half Moon's Event page here. Doors at 7:30 pm, Past Tense 8pm, Fallen Leaves 9pm and Thee Spivs 10pm. Live Music curfew 11pm. Aftershow DJ Jeff Munday 11pm until late...

THEE SPIVS - New Album Launch Party Half Moon Putney June 29th - Update and Competition Winner Announced

I'm very pleased to announce that we have a winner in our "Spot Thee Spivs flyer" competition. Janine submitted her photo after spotting a flyer at The 12 Bar Club on Denmark Street and she wins complimentary entrance to the Launch Party on June 29th at The Half Moon along with a signed copy of Thee Spivs brand new album "The Crowd and The Sounds". Janine also wins CDs from the evening's special guests The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense. Well done Janine, thanks for sending the photo and we hope you will enjoy the night!

The Launch Party at The Half Moon is shaping up to be be something special, with Thee Spivs playing tracks from the excellent brand new album, "The Crowd and The Sounds", due to be released tomorrow June 24th on Damaged Goods Records. The album has just received a great review by Retro Man Blog's favourite journalist, Andrew Perry, in the latest issue of Q Magazine. Copies of the album will be available to buy on the merchandise stand on the night. The band have just returned from a successful tour of Holland, Belgium and Germany and as they haven't played in London for a while, will be nicely warmed up and ready to go!

We are also delighted to welcome our Special Guests on the night, The Fallen Leaves, The Past Tense and DJ Jeff Munday. Damaged Goods Records boss Ian will also be there selling copies of the new album. So make sure you get there early to avoid missing out on any of the fun. As an incentive, we are running another competition, this time a "Bonus Badge Lucky Dip"...the first 50 people through the doors can help themselves to an exclusive Spivs badge, well 49 can, as the person who picks out the bonus badge will win a signed copy of "The Crowd and The Sounds" and a CD each from The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense.

Janine with her winning flyer!

Damaged Goods have released "Straight Out of Art School" as the first single from Thee Spivs new album "The Crowd and The Sounds", here's a promo video for the album.

Thanks to Ian at Damaged Goods, Thee Spivs, The Fallen Leaves, The Past Tense, Jeff Munday, Carrie and all that have helped with promoting the gig and sharing the word...much appreciated!

The Half Moon's address is 93 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1EU, the closest Tube station is Putney Bridge on the District Line (Wimbledon Branch) and the closest mainline Rail station is Putney, which has direct links to London Waterloo, Richmond, Twickenham and Windsor etc. For full details on the gig including advance ticket purchase information, please check out The Half Moon Putney's Event page here. Doors at 7:30 pm, Past Tense 8pm, Fallen Leaves 9pm and Thee Spivs 10pm. Live Music curfew 11pm. Aftershow DJ Jeff Munday 11pm until late...

Competition: Spot Thee Spivs Flyer and Win a Signed Copy of "The Crowd and The Sounds" and complimentary Guest List entrance to the Album Launch Party

We've been busy plastering London and the Home Counties with flyers and postcards advertising our joint promotion with Damaged Goods Records for the upcoming album Launch Party for Thee Spivs at the Half Moon Putney on June 29th. In the run up to the gig I thought we'd arrange a little competition. The first prize is a place on the Guest List for the June 29th album launch party, a signed copy of the "The Crowd and The Sounds" and a CD by each of the evening's special guests, The Past Tense and The Fallen Leaves. The runner up will win a signed copy of the "The Crowd and The Sounds". So, if you find a flyer, get a photo of yourself taken with it in the place you found it and email it, along with your contact details, to Retro Man Blog. Facebook users can "Like" the Retro Man Blog Facebook page and contact us via message there. The first two entries received will win the prizes...Here are some photo clues of where you may well find the flyers. Of course they come and go quickly and there are more in other venues, clubs and pubs, so you never know when and where they will pop up...! Closing date for entries is Friday June 21st...

THEE SPIVS + The Fallen Leaves + The Past Tense

Saturday June 29th - Doors from 7:30pm - Live music curfew 11pm - Tickets £8.00 advance or door.

The Half Moon Putney, 93 Lower Richmond Road, Putney SW15 1EU Tel: 0208 780 9383. 

Closest Tube: Putney Bridge (District Line Wimbledon Branch) - Mainline Station: Putney (direct access to/from London Waterloo, Richmond, Twickenham, Windsor etc.)

For more details on the gig itself, please check out the Half Moon event page here.

The Damaged Goods Records Story Part 2: A Retrosonic Podcast Special

In this second special episode of our Retrosonic Podcast, Steve from Retro Man Blog talks to Ian Ballard, boss of the legendary Punk and Garage Rock record label Damaged Goods. Ian talks us through some more of the label's pivotal releases including songs from French chanteuse and ex-Bristols vocalist, Fabienne Delsol, and he explains his pride on finally getting to work with one of his all-time favourite bands, the Buzzcocks. Damaged Goods Records strong Medway connections are highlighted with a trio of the Delta's most successful artists in Billy Childish & The Singing Loins, singer-songwriter Pete Molinari, and ex-Prisoners legend Graham Day & The Gaolers. There's also a track from the debut album from The Wolfmen, featuring ex-Adam & The Ants guitarist Marco Pirroni. We then play some of the latest Damaged Goods releases, including the promising Cowbell  and some stomping Italian Glam Rock from Giuda. We are pleased to have some exclusive new songs too including one from Thee Spivs excellent forthcoming album "The Crowd and The Sounds" and The pUKES ukulele take on a Punk Rock classic! For more info on Damaged Goods releases and merchandise please visit the Damaged Goods web-site.

Part 1 of The Damaged Goods Records Story is available to listen to or download for free on the Retrosonic site. In this Episode we are joined by Rock Photographer Paul Slattery who talks about his involvement with Damaged Goods acts including the Manic Street Preachers and Billy Childish and The Headcoats. There are also great tracks from Thee Headcoatees, Helen Love, Holly Golightly, Slaughter & The Dogs and an exclusive from Thee Spivs forthcoming album "The Crowd & The Sounds".



Retro Man Blog along with Damaged Goods will be hosting the official Launch Party for the brand new album from Thee Spivs entitled "The Crowd and The Sounds". This will take place at The Half Moon Putney on Saturday June 29th, with very special guests The Fallen Leaves and The Past Tense. This looks set to be a great night, so book your tickets here to guarantee entry!

For updates and further info on the Launch Party, Facebook users can register at the Facebook Event page here. Otherwise please keep a check on the Blog for all the latest news.

The Damaged Goods Records Story Part 1: A Retrosonic Podcast Special

Steve from Retro Man Blog and Rock Photographer Paul Slattery talk to Ian Ballard, boss of the legendary Punk and Garage Rock label Damaged Goods Records. In this first episode we play and discuss some of the label's pivotal early releases and discover how Ian started off in the big bad world of the music business. Along the way Ian and Paul chat about their early experiences with the Manic Street Preachers and Billy Childish, and we hear the stories and background behind a choice selection of other Damaged Goods releases and some of the characters involved. These include Graham Day, Helen Love meeting Joey Ramone, The Snivelling Shits, Thee Headcoats versus the NME, Thee Headcoatees in Japan and Holly Golightly and The White Stripes. You can also hear an exclusive track from the brand new album by Thee Spivs, "The Crowds and The Sounds", due to be released on Damaged Goods on June 24th.

Part 2 of The Damaged Goods Story is coming soon so please keep a check on our Soundcloud page, or here on the Blog, for more news on the release date. The next Episode will bring the story up to date and features some great music from the likes of Buzzcocks, Pete Molinari, Billy Childish and The Singing Loins, Fabienne Delsol, The Wolfmen, The Briefs, Cyanide Pills, The pUKES and another fantastic exclusive track from Thee Spivs brand new album...!



Ian from Damaged Goods and Billy Childish - Photo by Paul Slattery

With many thanks to Ian and Paul. For more info on Damaged Goods Records and their superb roster of artists please check out their official web-site. To keep up to date with Thee Spivs news, they have their own web-site and Blog here.

Please visit the Retrosonic Podcast Soundcloud site to listen or download the Damaged Goods Special Podcast and check out all our other Episodes.

Retro Man Blog is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with Damaged Goods, we will be hosting Thee Spivs new album Launch Party at The Half Moon Putney on June 29th. Copies of the new album will be available for sale on the night. Tickets are just £8.00 in advance from The Half Moon, click here to buy - be sure to book early to guarantee entrance as this is shaping up to be a great night. Support comes from The Fallen Leaves, who feature original Subway Sect guitarist Rob Symmons, and the line-up is completed by local garage rock heroes, The Past Tense.

Thanks to Adam Donovan of The Jetsonics for the gig poster.

Black Xmas Exhibition Curated by Gaye Black (Advert) at Signal Gallery Nov 29th-Dec 21st: featuring Sophie Lo, Ben Edge from Thee Spivs, Jowe Head and many more...

Don’t expect jingling bells, carol singers or a Santa’s Grotto this year at Signal Gallery for Christmas. After a year of jubilees and twinkling medals, the Gallery really felt the need to redress the balance with something not festive at all. So they asked their resident Punk legend Gaye Black (aka Gaye Advert), who’s always in favour of a good dollop of the dark side, to curate this one with malice. All the artists in the show have been given strict instructions not to have a good time and have been chosen for their penchant for the quirky, anyway...Expect the worst!

Features Artwork from Gaye Advert and Retro Man Blog's favourite Rock 'n' Roll poster designer, Sophie Lo, who has also designed our new Retro Man gig poster for TV Smith and The Len Price 3.

Ben Edge – Front man from the neo-punk band Thee Spivs and damn talented artist

Brian P – Extraordinary artist from Australia.

Carrie Reichardt - Renegade potter and mosaic artist.

Dale Grimshaw – Dark & moody gallery/street artist with a punk past.

Ella Guru - A founding member of Stuckist movement.

Espira – Purveyor of edgy/controversial images.

Gaye Black – The legend herself! Many shows this year, including USA, London and Berlin.

Jason Atomic – Cartoon artist from London and much more.

Jowe Head – Punk legend from the influential 70s punk band the Swell Maps.

KEELERTORNERO - Collaborative artists producing surreal collage and paintings.

MyDogSighs – Known for painting on crushed tin cans and more.

Rufus Dayglo - Comic book artist of Tank Girl fame.

Sophie Lo - Parisian artist/designer – iconic poster & album design.

Tom Spencer - Tattoo stained glass artist and bass player in a number of bands including the Loyalties

Wreckage International – From Mutoid Waste.

Black Xmas: November 29th-December 21st at  Signal Gallery, 32 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LB