Here are some shots of six carefree young things taken at Hawkesbury Junction in the 1970's. I have also been playing with a Christmas Present-a machine which converts cassette tapes to CD format. Now, the only copies previously we have of the Black Parrot Seaside pictured above, playing as an Electric Six piece, (which played support to bands like East of Eden and the Darts) existed only in tape format. Up until now.
We never did get into a studio as a Blues/Prog band, which is a shame, as many of the fond memories people have of us go back that far. Epic performances at The University of Warwick for example, where Audience participation of a new and faintly disturbing kind led to armchairs being tipped over the balconies of the Elephant's Nest Bar. Or us being barred from Pubs in Birmingham and Coventry. ( Notably The Smithfield Hotel and The Ryton Bridge Hotel. Long since demolished. Serves 'em right!)
Some of the material in those days was, um, "experimental",to say the least! Generally, audiences loved it, but a few Club Organisers sometimes got a little uptight about it. On this CD, which was recorded at a rehearsal, are versions of remarkable Set songs such as " Small, Maladjusted and Mean," " Welcome to Sleep Town," " Brutus," "Audience," "Ordinary," " Chieftain Tank Boogie" and loads of others. "Small Maladjusted and Mean " featured a mock fight halfway through the number between me and drummer Vance Ectomy. On one occasion(one of the many gigs we played at The Golden Cross), we had forgotten to warn the Guvnor there. As the Drumkit went over, he leapt the bar counter armed with a baseball bat, and let his Dobermann out. All good theatrical stuff, and Gig resumed to thunderous applause, after a brief peacemaking session! Folk Club Organisers of 2009 PLEASE NOTE-we are now a sedate quartet of kindly, grey-haired old sweeties. Nothing of this sort happens at BPS gigs nowadays. Oh dear me, no.
On Friday I sent copies of our CD to that other Rochdale legend Mike Harding. Does he really have a sense of humour? We shall see! I have also been busy bagging up copies of our 6-track Sampler. Professionally produced by Spindrift Creativity, they are available free to Bona Fide Folk Club Festival or Club Organisers, along with suitable "Blurb"
On Sunday we featured again on BBC Local radio-this time a "Wedge's Warwickshire" which focussed on Wolvey.
