Monkey recently wrote a piece about a gig - then a period - in the 80’s, that he has coined the “revival revival” (a fine read:
http://monkey-picks.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-rage-mod-supergroup-of-1985-aka-my.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+MonkeyPicks+(Monkey+Picks) ).
This sparked a bit of conversation as bells rang on the “gigs” thread – and I thought this period deserves its own thread. I put this in "Banter" as although this was kicked off by music - it would also be interesting to look at the style and attitudes of the time.
I suppose it‘s almost a “son of mod” thing. I was well aware – and loved – what was going on in ’79, but I was ten and not in a position to get involved, other than being excited by the stories and music that came from cousins and mates’ older brothers and sisters. I caught a few decent “original” bands and club nights but by the time I was 14, it felt like it had all been left for the taking (there didn't actually seem that much left to take). Carnaby St every weekend was seen as cheesy to those that had moved on – but there was a whole new layer of young mods who were circling, ready to land (I don’t know if it was a “movement”?).
Myself and about six mates were the only ones in a school year of about 180 who hadn’t jumped from the 2 tone thing to become “casuals”. So, it was always great to see other mod kids of our age. I remember really feeling this at an alldayer in Ilford in 1984, where it seemed full of older (probably late teens
) downstairs – but plenty of whelps like us were upstairs. Don’t get me wrong – it wasn’t that the older ones were unfriendly; it’s just that most weren’t that interested in us “kids”. This was the case at most of the events we attended.
I remember wondering if this was a “London” thing, until reading in fanzines about bands who were a similar age, like The Threads etc from all over the UK (and wider with The Blades, XL, Untouchables etc). As others said, I really rated Makin’ Time – they seemed quite sophisticated and very different to the other bands I loved, like The Scene, The Rage and later, The Moment. We’d go to see anyone (The Chance, anyone?) but records wise; I’d played the “Mods Mayday ‘79” lp to within an inch of its’ life and the “Countdown” and “Beat Generation & the Angry Young Men” comps got the same treatment. Then, Squire, The Jetset, The Times - it felt like plenty going on (good and bad). Guilty pleasure confession: Jump Back by Dee Walker.
Had some great times – gigs, clubs and a few tolerant pubs and it’s odd (in a good way) to hear that loads of us trod the same paths - some almost crossing. This is where my biggest regret comes in – not actually talking to more people. I think this was a combination of the survival instinct to be suspicious of all – (felt to be needed in often violent 80’s London), and the oldest fella in our little group being a surly git – discouraging social interaction.
By '85 I was 16, working in a bank and would occasionally come across someone wearing "Gibsons" or some other easily recognisable relic - and the rapport was instant. Ah, well, before I sob – how was it for you?
Bill.
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