The below interview was done by Ian Shirley for the magazine Record Collector
What was the first record you bought that was a punk rock record?
First album I heard was the Ramones ‘Rocket to Russia’ I think. My brother Mike borrowed it from his English teacher at Worthing College of Further Ed. I wouldn’t give it back. First one I bought was the Damned’s first album, I saw in a shop window in LLandeilo, Wales
Did you go to gigs? If so, who did you see?
Hundreds –I was in Father Hudson’s home for boys from age of 8 to 14, (I had a mum and dad but they were getting a divorce and couldn’t afford to keep me). When I was 13 I climbed down a drainpipe to get out and got two buses from Coleshill to Birmingham Town Hall. I saw the Who and Free there on 2 different occasions. Mott the Hoople were supporting one of these bands. I waited in the balcony while everyone left then when it was quiet I walked down under the stage. I started talking to some bloke who turned out to be Mott the Hoople’s manager. He took my name and address which I wrote on a packet of Park Drive which I had in my pocket. He sent me loads of stickers of crocodiles and a letter saying they were on the new BBC 2 channel on a programme called ‘Lift off’ I think.
Other bands were Thin Lizzy, Ramones in Brighton and Montpelier, Stiff Little fingers who were supporting Ramones in Brighton and Ici Paris, who had a girl singer, who supported them in Montpelier. I saw Siouxie and the Banchees at the Hammersmith Apollo supported by John Cooper Clark. John Otway and Steve Harley in Exeter University. Stray Cats at the Fridge in Camden
What inspired the band to form?
Mike reminded me later that one night when we were all together someone said we’re bored. I said I can play guitar and Rick said I can play drums, which got my reply ‘ You …. Liar!!’ – but he was really good. Chloe got me a £35 guitar from Mark, Approximate Music, East Worthing which I played on the record. Dot spent money she had put aside for being buried to buy Rick a set of drums.
Where was your first rehearsal - what was it like?
The house in Station Road Worthing – probably annoying neighbours. Proper first practice was at Field Place, Durrington. It was rubbish.
Why did you decide to be a three-piece rather than have 4 members?
It was difficult to find a good bass player. We didn’t want a lead guitarist, but Manager insisted that we have a lead break on the record. Rick and I ended up going to see local bands then ‘borrowing’ people to take to the studio. Clive and others hung out with the band and played at times.
Did you play gigs - if so where was your first gig - what was it like? Who turned up.
First gig was in Frog Pond bar on Worthing seafront. I broke 2 strings it sounded awful. There were the regulars in there and a few others who had turned up. When we played the next gig in Brighton I remembered not to hit the guitar so hard and it went down really well.
Did you play regularly - if so where. Did you support any larger bands. Any stories?
We played a few places such as Resource Centre in Brighton with 4 or 5 other bands. (inc. the Bats from Worthing). We went to see 999 and Rick and I asked to support them as they were going on tour. Their Manager said that it would cost £2000 - at the time we didn’t have 2 pence. Wasn’t long after the record was released that we were involved in court case for possession and given suspended sentence, and probation. A condition was made that Rick and I weren’t to speak to each other let alone practice or play.
Years later played with Screaming Lord Such at a Raving Loony Party do. This was when Cynthia Payne was Party’s chief whip
How did you come to record your EP.
Pat Allen put an advert in local paper for best songwriters from south coast. I sent him a cassette and he offered us a contract. He asked me to write a song about football, which was ‘South’s gonna Rise again’. We only had a weekend to record the EP and in the studio on the Saturday he said we are a verse short. The 2nd verse starting ‘We are all warriors for the cause…’ was written on top of the speaker.
Where was it recorded.
It was recorded at Chestnut Studios, Frensham Ponds.
Who did the production.
The sound engineer was really helpful, we worked together and he even played some of the bass
How long did it take.
One weekend day and night
How much did it cost
Manager paid not sure
Was it funded by the band or your manager - how did you come to get a manager.
Manager paid for all of that. He said you have got the studio for the weekend if you haven’t finished you’ve got no record.
Why did you do the oversized sleeve - was it home made?
That was Manager’s idea so that it would stick out in a collection
Why call it the Souths Gonna Rise Again? when OBE was the lead track?
Manager had asked me to write a song about football, so it was his decision. He chose to have a picture of American Civil War on cover.
I know 2000 were pressed - where did it sell - what was the reaction like - was it review anywhere?
I think the Manager sold to Rough Trade and Virgin Records. I don’t know of any reviews. When we fell out he split the records giving us half of what was left.
Did you write the tracks or was it a band effort. Where did you get the sound effects for OBE? (And the beginning of The Souths Gonna...)
I wrote the tracks and the music. Sound effects came from BBC Sound Effects Vinyl album which Manager got from the library I think. He had an idea for some of the sound effects but I wanted the National Anthem at the beginning of OBE. I heard when the tape was re winding what sounded like ‘they’re’ off’ that was off the sound effects record too. It was the Cardiff Male Voice choir
OBE is classic - any stories about writing/recording it.
I hummed tune onto cassette recorder having woken in middle of night and not wanting to get my guitar. The words came very easily and I don’t know if there is any connection but my French grandad died in the trenches at Verdun. I only found that out later.
Where did inspiration for Slag come from - who added the effect at the beginning?
Just a song about me. In 70’s that was an expression for a bloke who was a waste of time. The idea for the effect at the beginning may have come from the Manager
Your manager sent out a great press release with a picture - did it help the band?
In all time we were with Pat Allen I only met him about 4 times so I don’t really know if it helped. I think the photo for the flyer came from the picture taken by the local paper when we did an interview for them at the Road Show in Steyne Gardens. When Mike and I got parts as extras in Quadraphenia, the producer said ‘Don’t look at the camera’, I told Mike to look, hoping to get publicity for the record, but we were cut out of all shots apart from in the café scene where we had our backs to camera.
One was sent to John Peel - did that help when he played it?
Not sure
Did you get any offers of a contract or anything after it came out.
No
Why did the band split up.
Mainly due to the court case as Rick and I weren’t meant to be seeing each other.
What do you think of it now?
All we wanted at the time was to make a record and have it played on the radio. If we hadn’t met Pat Allen there wouldn’t have been an EP. Now I think Dizzy has done a great job and I am really grateful to him and the Record Collector magazine for their continued interest. Sorry that others who were involved with the band at the time are not around to see it.
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