I consider Philly one of the top cities to visit in the United States. I was first acquainted with The City of Brotherly Love years back when my parents moved for work into a small flat near Rittenhouse Square. On a couple of occasions I got to extensively explore the city but my wife had never been. So a quick road trip was in order.
Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were signed.
Aside from the incredible architecture, abundant historical significant sites, rich musical heritage, museums and tasty Philly cheese steaks, there's plenty of Mod shopping to be done. This guide should help you spend that vacation money in no time. Make sure to keep a few bills aside for some records! I'll tell you where to find some in the next post.
Philadelphia City Hall
You may want to start your spending spree on South Street.
South Street has a young, hip, urban, trendy, artsy vibe to it with its many shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Most shops aren't worth a second glance, unless you're looking for some bling or a pair of neon trainers. Hopefully these addresses will narrow your browsing time.
Ants in your pants?
I wasn't in town to have my hair cut neat but if I were, I would probably start with the Modish Hair Salon.
Consignment shops seem to have picked up in popularity lately. I may not be aware of any in my own town but the concept seems to have taken root in many major North American cities. It makes sense. It's socially responsible and promotes green living. Whether you adhere to those principles or not, chances are you'll find a few nice pieces in the place. My wife sure did! You can find a cool retro dress for the price of a couple of Latte Ventis at the Starbucks down the road.
Your next destination should be Retrospect. As they advertise on their website, it's "vintage through and through"and "is the cure for the chain-store shopping blues". Couldn't agree more. If you're looking for a vintage couch or a simple silk scarf, then search no more.
It certainly chased the blues away as soon as I put my hands on a stunning green glen check 60s jacket. My mood quickly changed from blues free to utter excitement when I saw the price tag of 18$.
At that silly price, I managed to score a few extra slim ties. Hard to say no at 5$ a pop.
Looking for a hard to find short brimmed trilby or a classic driver's cap? Then you should head over to the Hat Shop, 524 South St. I think the name of the place is pretty self-explanatory.
A good fifteen minute walk from South Street is Metro Mens Clothing in the rapidly developing neighbourhood along Passyunk Avenue. If you don't like taking the vintage route, this place will meet all your Mod clothing needs.
You'll find all the Mod friendly brands like Fred Perry, Ben Sherman, Original Penguin all under one roof. According to the very friendly owner, his shop has the exclusivity for all the Fred Perry products in Philly. True or not, the impeccable customer service is worth the detour. Just a couple days before, I had received an email announcing the new Fred Perry Northern Soul - Twisted Wheel collection and he already had it in stock.
Of course, I kept the best for last. A street away from our hotel, in the Old City, is the exquisite Briar Vintage. A bit more expensive then your average second hand shop, the selection is carefully hand picked. You'll only find the finest examples of vintage clothing from the 20s to the 60s.
The only reason why I didn't leave with half of the inventory is because I didn't find anything that fit well. But it wasn't from a lack of trying!
So I had to settle for a couple of pocket squares and a few ties. Don't hesitate to strike a conversation with the manager David, a very swell gentleman. He knows a thing or two about clothes and if you're as passionate about the subject as I am, the next thing you'll know half an hour will have passed.
What would I give to have a vintage tie clip display case like this.
While in the neighbourhood, might as well visit Sazz Vintage next door. You might just end up finding something you like.
All that shopping will certainly make you hungry. The perfect way to end an intense day of shop hopping is to walk a few blocks South to the National Mechanics Pub & Restaurant. The place, set in an old bank, offers a selection of 33 different beers and a menu of savoury pub grub. Believe me, you won't be disappointed.
Last month I went to see two live acts
that were my point of entry into the Mod world as a teenager. The
Specials were one of the bands that made a big impact on my young
psyche. I liked everything about them. Aside from their mix of
infectious ska, pop and punk, I was attracted to their fashion sense.
Damn they looked sharp!
The Specials in Montreal - July 2013 - photo by Tracey Lindeman
Most importantly, it was the messages
conveyed through their songs that totally resonated with me. They
advocated non-violence, unity amongst subcultures and most
importantly spoke against racism. Plus, you could dance your heart
out to that music! That was me.
If
you have a racist friend
Now
is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end
Racist
Friend - The Specials AKA, 1984
That led me to dig a little deeper
into the origins of ska and rocksteady. I remember finding this LP in
a little record shop on Queen Street in Toronto. In my uninitiated
and uneducated little teenage brain of mine, I didn't even know
that 80s ska had it's own roots firmly planted in Jamaican music. You
have to understand that I was the only Mod in my French speaking high
school, so I was basically self-thought in all matters of Mod music.
Intensified! Original Ska 1962 - 66
On that compilation album was a group
called The Skatalites and a musician called Roland Alphonso. I really liked their sound and thought they
were a notch above all the others. Last month I got to see The Skatalites live
for the first time.
The Skatalites - July 2013, Montreal - photo by Tracey Lindeman
Original Skatalites member Lester Sterling - photo by Tracey Lindeman
When I was a teenager, in the middle of
forging my own identity and style, I often asked myself if I was more
of a Rude Boy than a Mod. What are the differences between the two?
On a dance floor, can you tell the two nocturnal birds apart? Am I
too hung up on labels or should I be more like some of my friends
“I’m not a Mod or a Rude Boy. I’m just me”? Does anybody care
really about the semantics?
Me in the 80s. Many of us wish to forget the dreaded white socks era.
For a young lad, these seemed like crucial questions.
Historically, both movements have their
roots in two completely different places. The Mod youth culture is a
British phenomenon from the sixties. The mainly working class kids
got their inspiration from many sources and touched a vast array of
spheres: fashion, art, Soul music, design and scooters. The Rude Boys
emerged from the same era but came from Jamaica. The sharply dressed
young black men ruled the dance halls of Kingston and laid down the
law. Their main interest: ska and rocksteady.
The two movements eventually mingled
and intersected once the Jamaican Rude Boys and British Mods started
sharing the same dance floor in England. This is where the line gets
blurred. Mods and Rude Boys both share a very similar dress code.
Nicely tailored suits, slim ties and well kept shoes or boots are
part of their uniform. On the other hand, they each have their
signature piece of clothing: the pork pie hat or tribly for the Rude
Boy and the US army parka for the Mod.Yes, this might be over simplifying things and doesn't make light of many nuances but I'm sure you get the picture.
The inspiration seems to have come from
the same role models. The African American jazz musicians from the
fifties and the notorious American gangsters in their Italian suits,
portrayed in the films, were often emulated. But back in the day, the
distinction between the two groups was easily made. The Rude Boys
were Jamaican immigrants and the Mods were young British men.
Then in 1979, there was Two-Tone. The
British music label brought to the forefront a mixture of pop, punk
and ska with attitude. Bands like The Specials, Madness, The Beat and
The Selector popularized the myth of the Rude Boy. The image of Walt
Jabsco with his black suit, slim tie, pork pie hat and shades adorned
many Harrington jackets, bombers, suit lapels and parkas.
The Specials' Horace Panter & Terry Hall - July 2013, Montreal - photo by Tracey Lindeman
All
you punks and all you teds National
Front and Natti dreds Mods,
rockers, hippies and skinheads Keep
on fighting 'till you're dead
Who
am I to say? Who
am I to say? Am
I just a hypocrite? Another
piece of your bullshit Am
I the dog the bit, the hand of the man that feeds it?
Do
The Dog - The Specials, 1979
The black and white checkerboard
pattern, symbol and trademark of 2-Tone, was introduced. It
represented the unity between black and white cultures. It was a
strong anti-racist statement. That philosophy really appealed to me.
It started making its appearance on everything related to the Rude
Boy: pins, shirts, patches, scarves and album covers.
The Specials' Horace Panter & Lynval Golding - July 2013, Montreal - photo by Tracey Lindeman
The James Jacket, a hooded light coat
with a checkered pattern across the chest, was very popular in the
80s. I remember having the Carnaby Cavern version in red. When the
ska compilation album Dance Craze came out in 1981, the tasseled
loafer and houndstooth pant leg on the cover instantly became part of
the official Rude Boy wear. I remember buying a pair of Dr. Marten
loafers for my high school graduation in 1988. I wore them regularly
until I gave them to a homeless fellow while on a trip to China in
2003. They still looked sharp.
The Mods of that period also liked ska.
It was not uncommon to see a contingent of parkas at an English Beat
concert amongst the Rude Boys, the Punks and the Skinheads. I guess
the major difference between the scenes during that time is that the
Mods were also into bands like The Jam, The Lambrettas, Secret
Affair, The Chords and The Purple Hearts. I would also venture to say
that the scooter was also more of a Mod thing. Am I splitting hairs?
Maybe I am. The thing is, I never came across anybody who actually
made the distinction.
So where do I fit into all that? Do I
have an identity crisis? Not at all. I embrace all the good and
positive parts of the different scenes. I’m reminded of what Ringo
Starr said in the movie a Hard Day’s Night when a journalist asks
him if he’s a Mod or a Rocker and
he answers: “I’m a Mocker”. So, after all that consideration, I
guess you could say I’m a Mod Boy or a Rude Mod.
* A special thank you to my talented friend and journalist Tracey Lindeman for providing all the concert photos. You can reach her through her website here.
We often look to the 60s' Mods as the guardians of true Mod history. We sometimes elevate them to cult status. I, myself, seek insight from the originators of the movement whenever I can. One thing we tend to forget is that without the Mod Revivalists, the movement would never have survived. We should give credit to the people that were instrumental in reviving the scene and keeping it alive when it lost its mainstream appeal. We should be grateful to guys like Russell C. Brennan for being one of those movers and shakers that were at the forefront of the 80s and 90s Mod scene.
To say that this cat has had a hand in almost every part of the movement is an understatement. Be it through producing music, writing lyrics, photography, managing bands, running a couple of modzines and record labels, he has seen it all. You will also learn through this exclusive interview a few revelations that were never known to the public to this day.
Here is Russell C. Brennan, in his own words.
Tell us
how you were introduced to the Mod scene?
I
always loved The Kinks, Motown, Ska music and the Mod clothes I
saw when I was a nipper and felt I had missed out. As a young
teenager I was a fan of the Jam and then Quadrophenia came out, sparking a Mod Revival. I thought, at last, an opportunity to live
the lifestyle I really wanted to. So I was quick to adopt the look
and was already enhancing my record collection.
I
had been a DJ at 15 in a pub even though I was not old enough to be
in there technically. I had a girlfriend and her father owned a pub. The DJ hadn’t turned up one night and because I already had a
good record collection (Motown, oldies, The Kinks) and a few new tunes, it went down well and I got the gig full time during weekends. Within a
few years I was also managing a record shop. Even though I was really
young, I met the record shop owner of Music Master in London who said
his shop was losing money. I convinced him that if he hired me as a manager, I could turn it around
despite my age. He took a chance and was
happy he did because it became one of the most successful record
shops in London within 6 months. Apart from identifying lots of bad
ways the shop was run previously, I introduced a specialist section by stocking hard to get Motown and 60s records.
I
re-launched the shop with 60s pop stars signing autographs
including Chris (Out of Time) Farlowe who I happened to know and he
brought other artists along like Sandie Shaw. I did a deal with EMI
to get lots of old 60s records re-issued and sold them at 60s prices in the shop. I did a Mod / 60s
window display for one week only. There was a queue around the block
to get in the shop and it got mass publicity in the media because of
it. At the front of the queue were lots of local Mods and they spread
the word that this was the place to go because of the ambiance, the hard to get records and that a Mod was running it. The shop became the first stop for many London Mods before they went off to Carnaby street
on Saturdays. I even got Mods from all over the country and abroad to visit the shop when they came to London.
A
year or so later, bands would come in the shop asking me to manage
their group. I thought this would be a great opportunity to produce a few
tracks. Strangely, I had been rearranging songs in my head since I was about 7 years old while walking along the street. Obviously, I didn’t know what a record
producer was. Although production is a lot more than knowing how
to arrange songs, it is a useful thing to be able to do.
It was during one of these sessions that I went out to get KFC to eat and
met Eleanor Rigby. I chatted her up and persuaded her to do backing
vocals at the session. We hit it off and found that we loved the same
bands, music and lifestyle and became an item. After hearing her sing, I persuaded her that she could do well as a solo artist. We got a
backing band together that mostly did a lot of Kinks covers and a few
other tracks live.
The
Jam had just split up like most of the revival bands like The
Lambrettas, Secret Affair, Purple Heats, etc. The Mod scene was waning
slightly and needed a new music figurehead to get into and Eleanor
was the one that packed out the live venues and picked up a big Mod
following.
We
were offered record deals by EMI and Virgin and by this time the
single I Want to Sleep With You and my track 1995 had
been written. The record labels didn’t want controversial records
like this released. They also wanted Eleanor to ditch her Mod
following and change her clothes to a more trendy high street look like
other bands. Eleanor designed her own 60s influenced dresses. She dressed Mod most of the time. She refused to change her
look or ditch her Mod following and do crap covers. So the deals were
turned down. However, with Mod music disappearing from the charts, it
was important that a Mod band got some decent releases out there to
keep the Mod scene alive. The Gents were on the scene but there was
suspicion that they were not strictly a Mod band and they had split
opinions. A few other smaller bands were proving popular with small
pockets of the Mod scene but they had little chance of getting a major
release because there was a backlash against Mods at the time. Plus
they had a tendency to just copy the Jam rather than be a bit more
original. Eleanor was seen as the only act that appealed to Mods but
would also appeal beyond the Mod scene like The Jam. All The Jam's records all went straight in at number one and sold a
million. There were not enough Mods to make that happen so their
appeal was obviously wider.
A
few people, including our main supporter at EMI, had said that we could get
our own label. EMI, although having a lot of say if we signed
directly with them, would offer a less restricted deal as a distributor. Pressing up lots of records, paying for advertising and
promotion wasn’t going to be cheap.
As
we pondered over the problem of how to fund this and get a record out, the solution was handed to me via DJing. I was offered a big deal to
DJ in Scandinavia on a nightly basis. For nearly a year that would
earn me big money, which in turn could fund the release. The end result was that Waterloo Sunset records was launched in 1985 and
Eleanor’s notorious I want to sleep with you single, complete
with free condom, came out. It went to number one in Ireland,
strangely not because of the condom, but because of a photo of Eleanor on a scooter. The Irish Mod scene was more healthy than the rest of the UK for some reason. Back in the UK, Eleanor’s record went straight
into the chart but was then thrown out because of the free gift. Then the record itself was banned from the airwaves because of the song
title. A very Mod video was also made and this too was banned. A
famous show called The Tube wanted to play it but because of
the record being banned, the authorities wanted to find a way to ban the video too. They were expecting sex scenes but found none. So some bright
spark then noticed that there were lots of Mods riding around on scooters
not wearing crash helmets. It pointed out that this was against the law
and the video was banned for that reason. The video is no longer
banned and on YouTube. The song itself is very
catchy and has a Kinks feel, as did most of the stuff I
produced back them.
You’ve
been involved in the Mod scene mainly via your modzine and your record labels. What achievements are you
particularly proud of?
As
well as being a songwriter, I used to write scripts and sold one early
on, in America. I also wrote books on the side, so writing was
always in my blood. Writing a fanzine seemed like a natural thing
for me to do. The Dedicated Follower zine was originally started as
an Eleanor fan mag but by the 3rd issue, it became a fully
fledged modzine. We used to go to review other Mod gigs and other bands releases anyway so we just expanded on this with
interesting articles and interviews. It lasted 13 issues, which
became very collectible (I’ve seen the set of these go for over
£100 on eBay). I also did a weekly Mod paper called The Britannia (100
issues, which I saw go for £200 on eBay).
The Britannia came about because another person on the Mod
scene was doing the only weekly Mod paper and was using it for dodgy
purposes and for his own gain. The power and perversion of this person
upset a lot of people. Everyone was looking for an alternative
weekly. The Cavern Mod shop decided to bankroll on an alternative. Because Dedicated Follower was the best selling and most
popular zine at that time, I was approached to do it. I was reluctant
to do it at first because I had a lot on my plate. So I said I would
do it if the top 12 fanzine editors did it with me. I managed to
persuade them to do it and it proved very popular for a few years.
Both Dedicated Follower and The Britannia was then featured in a
Mod exhibition at the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in
London and they are still housed there today. Eleanor and me were
also featured in the exhibition along with Ace Faces like Paulo
Hewitt.
These
zines also got good coverage in the mainstream press getting a
positive vibe for the Mod scene for a change. Around this time, Jackie Meacham of the In the Crowd modzine thought up the
Mod Aid idea and to do a single like Band Aid. He approached Eleanor to
be first on the record. Once she agreed, many others would follow. Even Steve Marriott of the Small Faces was on the Mod Aid record with his song All or Nothing, singing lead with Eleanor, PP Arnold
and my old mate Chris Farlowe on the 12” version. The song charted for
a few weeks.
So
you could say that Eleanor and I had a big impact on the Mod scene. Our
record label also signed up another popular Mod band The Reaction and we put out the classic Make Up Your Mind single. That track and many others can be found on the The Waterloo Sunset Story CD on the Future Legend Records website.
As
for what achievements I'm proud of, there are many apart from the above-mentioned
zines and label. There was a UK Mod chart and Eleanor was at no 1 and 2 with I want to Sleep with You and Take Another Shot of my Heart respectively. For two years non-stop no other Mod act
could knock her off the top, not even reissues of Jam singles.
The
proudest achievement though probably has to be writing and producing
Eleanor Rigby’s Censorship album. This is considered an all
time classic indie album, even outside the Mod realm. People like
Shirley Manson (Garbage), Graham Coxon of Blur, Sarah Cracknell (Saint
Etienne), Buster Blood Vessel (Bad Manner) and even Jello Biafra (Dead
Kennedys) have all said it's one of the best albums ever made and
influenced the Britpop revival in the 90s. I’m also an
established photographer these days and will be featured in an
exhibition of the most iconic rock photography of the last 6 decades. I
got into photography via doing Eleanor’s photos as a favour but
then I got lots of people asking me to do them as well over the years. Again it was the Censorship album cover that was noticed by people like David Bailey. The single Over and Over was Eleanor's most
popular single and the cover was listed as record cover of the year
by one mag. So I’m proud of that as well.
Click on image to enlarge
The
Censorship vinyl album was deleted long ago and has changed hands on
the collector's market for a minimum of £50 and the Over and Over vinyl
at £20. A documentary about the making of the album just came out. It is the bonus disc to The Eleanor Rigby Story
documentary. A fan version of both discs together is available at Future Legend Records and a short version of Eleanor’s very
interesting story will hit TV screens early next year.
Other things I’m proud of and humbled by are that I was listed on one website
in The Top 20 Most Innovative Record Producers of All Time.
Apart from my Mod stuff, I produced Ska and cutting edge music. I started the cult themes trend in the UK doing new versions of Cult TV
and film themes to help break new acts.
Amongst
these were many Bond themes. I met John Barry and he said some
were even better than the originals. Another proud moment was when You Only Live Twice sang by Eleanor hit no 1 in the Italian charts. After Eleanor disappeared, I formed a new band, Ministry of Ska, and our one album Rarin To Go is also
considered a classic album. It's on iTunes and a "Best Of" will soon be available.
You
were also known as a well-established DJ. How would you have
described your style?
Original
is the best way to describe my style. I tended to mix things up a
bit. I mostly played Motown, 60s, Mod, some new exciting acts that
people were not familiar with and the odd quality chart release. I
also tended to be very informative giving out snippets of info people
were not familiar with. I’m proud to have become one of the top
DJs in Europe and number 1 in Scandinavia back in the day. I’m
long since retired although strangely I have recently been offered
the chance to do my own radio show, which I’m considering.
You
wrote many songs, and ultimately married,
cult Mod artist Eleanor Rigby. Care to share with us that part of
your life? When I went to Denmark to
DJ to raise the money for Waterloo Sunset, Eleanor came with me and
I proposed to her. The plan was to get married when we returned to
England but after a month she got arrested for trying to work
illegally. She was about to be deported. So I asked the policeman if
we were married, would it make a difference. He said yes so I asked him if he would like to be the best man at the wedding. Once he got over the
shock and saw that I was serious, we got married a few days later with him
as the best man. Eleanor disappeared a few times later in her career at
the height of her popularity. After the first disappearance, she came back and we decided to divorce. I have not seen her since as
she up and disappeared again. I have written a number of songs about
this period for other bands. I was in Box Office Poison and my
current band Psykick Holiday are worth checking out. We have an
equally stunning lead singer.
Although
I have written many innovative songs over the years and always have
something to say like Paul Weller or Ray Davies, I’m still fond of
all the tracks I wrote for Eleanor. One journalist said Over and
Over was the best Kinks song Ray Davies never wrote. Think For Yourself is a great song and 1995 is still very popular. I also
wrote two Mod anthems, Mod Girls and Mad Xmas (originally
called Mod Xmas). So my legacy to the Mod scene lives on today through
the songs and releases.
Songs like Getting Thru the Day, More than the Truth and Censorship
could also have been written yesterday as the lyrics are as relevant as
they always were.
Has
Mod fashion and style always been an integral part of your life or
did it come second to the music?
I
think to some degree the two went hand in hand originally. However we
felt the Mod scene became a bit restrictive at one point. People
thought it was all about dressing up like a two week period in
Quadrophenia and you were not allowed to have your own style thus
making everyone like sheep. The original idea of Mod was to be
stylish yet individual at the same time which meant experimenting.
Although I still wear Levis, Ben Sherman's and 3 button sharp suits, I
do wear other stylish clothes that some may say are not strictly Mod
but neither are they high street or part of any other culture because
I follow the original Mod ideal.
A
good example is that I designed my own parka. It’s black with a distinctive inside quilting. It also has one off distinctive patches
on it. I get asked by a lot people where I got such a great
coat and where they can get one. It’s a one off I say. I have even
been offered £500 to £1,000 for it but I’m not interested. It’s
my design, my style and it has its roots in Mod. It's stylish and
individual and that sums me up. I have many one offs and what I find
extra funny is many bands I produce always want to buy what I’m
wearing.
The
irony is you would think a band would look artistic but many are
bland. Many times I come into
the recording studio and people think I must be the band's front person but
I’m just the producer.
Of
course, I am in a band as well but that day I had my producer's hat on. I don’t always get it right and have experimented a bit
too much sometimes. Looking back there are a few looks I cringe at
but it's all part of being in a band. I once had a double samurai hair
style (two pony tails at the back). Again the ironic thing was that I met
two other Mod Ace Faces not long after that. Jez Bird, lead singer of
the Lambrettas and Eddie Piller, head of Acid Jazz and both had one long ponytail. At least mine was more distinctive.
Then record label A&R people started copying my hairstyle so I
cut it off and went a bit Jim Morrison. I’m now back with more of a Mod hairstyle.
What
people have to realise is that artists need to grow both style-wise and
musically. David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Rod Stewart were all Mods and
all made great music but their look changed many times. Even more
relevant to Mod is The Who and The Small Faces. Look at them in the
70s and they were pretty much hippies dress-wise. Steve
Marriott turned up to do the Mod Aid single wearing dungarees
(not a good look). But how can you knock a Mod legend who wrote
great songs and had a great voice just because he felt restricted
clothes wise? Would you refuse to play a Small Faces record because
of this? I have also met Paul Weller a few times and he doesn’t
always dress Mod.
So
artists I think should get some leeway. The same applies to music. I
started off writing and playing hardcore Mod music. It was Kinks,
Motown and a bit Blondie influenced but clearly Mod music. But where
do you go from there without repeating yourself and sounding boring? Although I had written most of the 2nd album for Eleanor and most would have a Mod flavour, we were also exploring
the idea of experimenting musically with a few of the tracks. Sadly
Eleanor never got to record another album so the songs turned up in a more experimental band I did called Box Office Poison. Most of the songs on the album Beyond the Twilight Zone would
have been on Eleanor’s 2nd album. The Mod roots were
showing through in many songs. Some had a Motown flavour and a new
version of 1995, although very different, did go down very well
with Mods. The best tracks were Mysteries, which I think is
one of the best songs I have ever put out and Magic for which I won
best international poem of the year in America. Neither sound Mod
but do sound extra special. So if you have an open mind check them
out. I did however continue to do Mod music in parallel with this new
innovative music I termed Pop Noir. I produced Wallpaper
Man for Modette Misty Woods and formed and fronted a new band Ministry of Ska. As we all know Mods like Ska and so did I. I produced over 80 cult TV and film themes with new artists and most
tracks are loved by Mods. I was even approached by Dr. Martens to do a special Mod album tribute to Quadrophenia in 97 which is excellent
and very collectible. This threw me full-time back into Mod in some
ways. My own band B.O.P did a version of Louie Louie. It's very Mod and was voted by one influential radio station, the best
version of this much covered classic. I also ended up producing a new
version of Dance for The Lambrettas. I then became an honorary
Lambretta producer and played on a cracking soulful version of the Starsky and Hutch theme. Even Huggy Bear approached me to
produce an album for him. Sadly I don’t like rap so I turned this
down. You have to draw the line somewhere.
Mod
culture seems to go through another resurgence. What do you think of
its current state? Is it still relevant to you?
You
are right, Mod is always having a resurgence. I was lucky enough to be
involved with the Mod Revival and I was extra lucky to be in the
thick of the next one commonly known as Britpop. In fact, I can give
an insight to something special. My newest label Future Legend Records
was launched in 1993 (It's celebrating its 20th anniversary this year) and
I released the first cult themes album Themes from the 60’s
Vol.1. It featured two of Eleanor’s last recordings , Up the
Junction and You only Live Twice. The radio stations all
picked up on You only Live Twice and we released a single even
though she was no longer around. To our surprise it went to number
one in Italy and sold out in the UK.
Because
Censorship was long sold out and collectible, we decided to keep it
that way. Because Eleanor also used to release singles not on
albums, we put out a Best of album in '94. A Mod DJ at the Blow
Up club was playing it. I happened to be speaking with him and he
said it was a shame that Mod music still had a stigma about it and that we needed to
coin a new phrase for it. He said something like British Pop or
Britpop or something. He started using that phase that night. Blur
were in the club as were Menswear, a new Mod band. Before you knew
it this was the new phase covering Mod music.
I
also went in a record shop a few weeks later to deliver some stock. The manager told me there had been a big surge of
Eleanor sales. He also mentioned that a band called Blur had
bought all Eleanor stuff. Graham Coxon had said he grew up with
Eleanor’s poster on his wall and playing her singles in the 80s. Two years later I went to the Mods Mayday 20th
Anniversary gig and there was a very healthy turnout and the buzz
still seemed to be there.
The
next Mod Revival came as a result of the Internet and MySpace.
Eleanor got 100 000 hits and fans on her page. Many were hard-core
old school Mods rediscovering her and just as many were new Mods
coming on the scene. I did a Facebook page last year and it got the
maximum 5 000 friends within two weeks. So current social media is
keeping Mod alive and spreading the word.
There is a big Mod Revival due this year. Bradley Wiggins who won the cycling gold medal is a hard core
Mod and he's been advocating
the Mod lifestyle. All the
newspapers said a Mod Revival is imminent in 2013. Paul Weller
released his most Jam like album with Sonic that went straight
to number one and Miles Kane, another Mod related act, is a best
seller. My American management who used to manage John Lennon, Paul
Weller, Ray Davies and the Red Hot Chili Peppers tells me there is a
Britpop revival starting in the US. I even heard a rumour that Bradley Wiggins joined up with Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton to do a one off Jam single.
So
Mod is alive and well. I think what is healthy is what I was
advocating all those years ago about being individual and stylish. There will always be hardcore Mods who will
not deviate from a certain look and will never listen to anything non Mod. But that’s OK with me. If that's what makes you happy and therein lies
the answer to life itself, do what makes you happy.
Mod
is still relevant to me as I still dress Mod, listen to Mod music and
occasionally sneak into a Mod club to dance the night away. I go to
the odd gig but I do like other things as well.
I
contributed a lot to the Mod scene in the 80s via music, fanzines and gigs. I was very much at the heart of things, helped get exposure
for the artists and positive exposure for the Mod scene in general.
I’m obviously embedded in Mod culture via exhibitions, books,
magazines and music. It was an intense period and nearly 24/7 a lot
of the time. At some point you have to pass the baton on to the
younger generation to keep things going. I took more of a back seat
in the 90s, although I still contributed hugely with music releases that were of particular interest to Mods. The new millennium saw the
music continue via my record label, including albums like Mod
Tunes: Three Button Legacy and The Themes Bond... James Bond.
Tell
us about some of the projects you are working on at the moment and
that would interest the Parka Avenue readers.
I
already mentioned the photography exhibition I will feature in. This
will feature quite a few of Eleanor’s photos and few other Mod
shots. I will have a book of my photography and lyrics out to
coincide with this.
Years
ago I also wrote a book called Music Business Bastards (how to do
well in the music business without getting ripped off) which proved
very popular with bands and anyone into the music business. A new
updated 2013 paperback and Kindle edition came out two months ago and
even someone like ex Stones Bill Wyman said it was a must read for
bands. I
have a few novels also coming out.
As
stated, The Eleanor Rigby Storydocumentary, with a bonus DVD about The Making of Censorship will soon be out. A shorter
version will appear on TV next year. It’s a real eye
opener.
The biggest news of all is that I’m branching out into film and I should
have my debut feature film out next year called Over and Over. It's a music business revenge thriller film noir. I have written it and will direct it. What will be of special interest to Mods is
that the soundtrack will be done in a Mod Britpop style and will add to
the Mod music revival and credibility. So in effect I’m returning
to my roots for this one.
There
is an outside chance of a new Ministry of Ska album coming out next year and I’m
currently promoting Psykick Holidays' new album Forever Pop Noir.
I want to thank Russell for his unique insight into an era that is too often overlooked. For more info, check out these websites.
With summer
now in full swing, the Vespa hitting the pavement on a regular basis and the BBQ season taking off, do I have something in store for you! Planning a Tiki Luau or a backyard Beat and Go-Go party
to celebrate the return of the warm weather?
Any reason is good to whip out the ol' shaker. That’s why
I think the timing is perfect for the second installment of Parka Avenue’s Cocktail
Corner. A while back, I shared with you a few of my favorite Martini recipes
and how you can rival your neighborhood 007 in a shaking contest. Have a look
here.
This post
will be all about some great summer cocktails. Yes, I like beer as much as the next scooterist, as long as it comes from a micro-brewery. I'll leave the mass produced watered down poor excuse for a beer American type lager to the Rockers thank you very much! Beer is what your bring along at a scooter rally in the woods or when you meet mates at the pub.
We are Mods. We have class and we want the finer things in life. Am I right or am I right? You're wearing a nice Ivy League light seersucker jacket and linen trousers for the first time this season? You're looking forward to showing off your new vintage summer Madras jacket? Then what you need is a chilled cocktail in one hand.
You might think that a backyard BBQ might not be classy enough for some cocktails? Wrong! Do as I do and bring your own portable bar with you!
Try this one for a start.
Ike and Tina Liquor
1 oz Vodka
1/2 Apricot Brandy
1/2 Dry Vermouth
A dash of Angostura bitters
Stir all ingredients well with ice in a pitcher and then strain in a chilled cocktail glass.
Back from a long ride on your Italian chariot and need to relax? This drink will do the trick.
2-Stroke Blue Smoke
2
oz Blue
Curacao
1
oz Vodka
1/2
oz Gin
1/2
oz White Rum
A dash of Sprite
Shake
the first 5 ingredient in a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a
cocktail class. Add a dash of sprite. Garnish with cherry and lemon wheel.
The We Are The Mods radio show with thought provoking and captivating host DJ Warren Peace has swept the Mod world with a vengeance. He makes no qualms about drinking scotch on the job. The rattling of ice cubes and belching on air is proof enough. So why not join him? Tune in to Wake The Nation radio or simply download an episode on iTunes and mix yourself this stiff one concocted in his honour.
You've Been Served With a Warren
2
oz Scotch 1/2
oz Tawny
port 1/2
oz Dry
Vermouth A dash of Angostura bitters
In
a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the
ingredients. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Want to toast the parka going back in the cedar chest for the next few months? Then this one has your name on it.
The M-51 proof Parka
2
oz Midori
melon liqueur
1
oz Bacardi
Limon
Sprite
Add
a few cubes of ice to an Old-fashioned glass and then add the Midori and Bacardi. Fill the
rest of the way with the soda and give a little stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
If you haven't listened to the Modcast with Eddie Piller & friends yet, than this is the perfect occasion to do so. This entertaining monthly podcast has Eddie rubbing elbows with guests that have some connection to the UK Mod scene. You only need to listen to a few episodes to figure out that Mister Piller's favourite catch phrase is "Mod is a very broad church". He has even mentioned that some listeners have set up betting pools trying to cash in on the time he lets his famous expression out. Now, I propose the Modcast drinking game! Invite your friends over to the pad and have a Modcast listening marathon. The rules are simple. Every time you hear the words, have a sip of my own Sangria recipe dedicated to the show.
The Pillers of a Broad Church Sangria
1 bottle of red wine
2 oz of Brandy
1 oz of Triple Sec
1/2 can of frozen orange juice
1 orange
1 lime
1 lemon
A cup of cherries
1 cinnamon stick
2 cans of Canada Dry ginger ale soda
Poor the brandy in a Mason jar full of cherries and let them marinate over night in the fridge. Slice the fruits into a pitcher and poor the wine over them. Add the cinnamon stick and let sit 12 to 24 hours in the fridge. Mix in the Triple Sec, cherries, brandy, orange juice and ginger ale to the wine just before serving. Serve in a wine glass full of ice.
There you have it folks, a little something for everyone. And remember, Mods don't scoot drunk!
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