The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

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Tom A Smith

by 7 Comments

Venue:

The Deaf Institute, Manchester

Date: 02/04/2026

I was brought along to the Deaf Institute by may mate, Damian who said, dont look up who you are going to see, just go into it blind.

After the support slot from the feisty indie poppers, Hunny Buzz, whos sparky songs warmed the sell out crowd up nicely, I heard the name Tom A Smith mentioned. Its a name that conjours up images of a bearded troubadour singing melancholic songs of the mid west. Wrong.

Up pops Tom A Smith, a cross between Mika ,Bob Geldof and Tim from the Polecats. He appears to have had the blood drained from his veins and replaced with a fixture of adrenaline and charisma. The songs are what the youth of today would call “Bangers” . They are infuriatingly catchy and have a sound somewhere between the first Killers album and classic `80s synth pop thanks to keyboard player Hannah. The songs, well (checks CD`s bought from merch desk) SFX is obviously an audience favourite and Tom got the crowd (including me) singing along to ” I Don`t Blame You”. “Fashion” with the hookline ” Lets get some bass in this room” features teethrattling » Continue Reading.

Andrew Bodnar

by 8 Comments

Obituary

Just read about the passing of Rumour bass player Andrew Bodnar on Graham Parkers X feed. I had the pleasure of seeing him play on GP & The Rumours Three Chords Good comeback tour. Unflashy and cool,and quite a gentleman apparently. I loved that he stepped back into the limelight from his current job as a librarian. Elvis Costellos Watching The Detectives?, thats him. Condolences to his family, friends and musical compadres.

Leisure Process – The Complete Epic Recordings

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What does it sound like?:

Four singles, thats all they had. Four singles. Complete Epic Recordings, Pah!

Leisure Process were a duo, Ross Middleton formerly of Positive Noise and Saxophonist about town Gary Barnacle and our pocket emptying friends at Cherry Red have compiled all their stuff. So what do you get?. The four singles….and B Sides… and Extended Mixes…. and rough mixes of their unreleased debut album.

They probably did`nt make it big due to the schizophrenic nature of their singles. Love Cascade comes on like Blancmange v Erasure. A Way You`ll Never Be has DNA from Level 42`s Hot Water (Mark King does play bass on it!) and Cashflow has the jauntyness of Interferons Steamhammer Sam but with suitably downbeat lyrics.

So, is it any good?. Well yes, its …. epic. Produced mainly by Martin Rushent the extended mixes are a special delight. Non of this, drop the vocals out and extend the outro. The mixes of Anxiety and Company B are things of great beauty, where the songs are mixed up and rebuilt on an,,, er ,, epic level.

The rough mixes of the unreleased debut album show great songs waiting to be polished as » Continue Reading.

The Mood The Singles 1981 – 1984

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One of the also- rans of the Synth pop era, The Mood have reissued their, er , greatest hits collection to an indifferent public. The Mood, for those who dont know, fell between two gaudily upholstered stools.

Not having the indie label cred of Some Bizarres B Movie or the bald head and vocal gymnastics of Classix Nouveaux their singles never troubled the charts and the single sleeves which portrayed them with deeply sunken cheeks and lashings of slap probably put off the casual browser.

However, taken as a whole, this CD/Vinly is a lovely little pop gem. Their first single “Is There a Reason” bounces along like a battle between early Depeche Mode v Early Talk Talk. “Dont Stop” was actually big on the UK dance charts with its Chic/Duran Duran bass line and “Paris is One Day Away” boasts a wonderful Oh la la la chorus.

The final single “I Dont Need Your Love Now”, written by former Bilbo Baggins member Brian Spence is a tune that would comfortably sit on either of the first two A-ha albums and is therefore as “the youth” would say is a banger.

The whole thing has come about following the purchase » Continue Reading.

Red Box Anthology 1980-1990

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Red Box, they were an odd outfit. No real image unlike the spanners and vest motif of Go West but with poppy earworms that were a cross between nursery rhymes and world music. Why would anyone buy a box set. I came into this from that place. I affectionately remember For America and Lean On Me (Everybody else say I) along with the TOTP Friday night Twitter Massive. Simon Toulson Clarke and …. er the other fella “checks liner notes” Julian Clarke. So what do you get?

From our wallet emptying friends at Cherry Red, the box contains 4 CD`s. First up is the debut, The Circle and the Square. More hooks than Paul Whitehouses tackle box, along with the aforementioned singles, you may also recognise Chenko and Saskatchewan which seemed to have lots of airplay back in the day. Little pop gems abound and feet will be tapped.

Next is the follow up, Motive. A different beast altogether though the opening track, Train is another ” should have been a hit” . The rest of the album is a more melancholic, reflective listen not unlike mid period A-ha . In fact Toulson Clarkes voice is not dissimilar to » Continue Reading.

Powerpop fans, too much money in your pockets?

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I recently got a link on Facebook via The Yachtles to a chap on You Tube called Steve Schnee. He has a channel called Schnee Tee Vee, which basically rounds up a bunch of mainly powerpop videos from around the world with links to their websites/Bandcamps so you can buy their stuff if you enjoy it. My pockets have already taken a bit of a beating and I dug out my Rinaldi Sings cd from the depths of my collection and I`ve only watched the first episode. Enjoy folks!

Desensitised

by 8 Comments

Venue:

Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre

Date: 30/03/2024

With a name like Desensitised, you might expect hairy muthas… with tattoos… and guitars and you would be partially correct. Desensitised are a three piece all girl band straight outta Nottingham, Charlotte. Clare and Libby bringing rock and poppunk to the northern masses, Actually The Barnoldswick is a titchy venue located in a pub cellar with cinema and pew seating, so it was quite an up close and personal experience for audience and band. Most of the songs were from their 2019 debut album Sister Psychosis, opener Emily and my personal fav All Eyes On Her are incredibly catchy earworms, where Wasted rattles along like prime Girlschool. My companion on the pew to my left greatly enjoyed the pagan stylings of Burn The Witch. We were also given a sneak preview of a few newer songs which are being fashioned under the watchful eye of Richard Tuckey and Suzi Quatro ( Yes, her ) so hopefully a bright future awaits.

The audience:

The audience gives great support to this fabulous little venue and probably attend gigs they wouldnt usually go to. There was much nodding of the greying heads throughout the » Continue Reading.

Mud on Road

by 17 Comments

Venue:

Clitheroe Grand

Date: 16/12/2023

Mud playing on my doorstep!, so near to Christmas!, it would be silly not to. Original members Ray Stiles, Hollies bassist and coolest man in pop and Rob Davies, writer of Cant Get You Out of My Head and earring wearer are joined by Hollies Keyboard player Ian Parker and Glam drummer royalty, The Glitter Bands Pete Phipps. What did we get? Well the hits! Starting from 1973`s tangotastic Crazy to 1978`s Cut Across Shorty and all points inbetween. Losing co singer Keith Reid to illness we lost Show Me Youre a Woman and Lean On Me from the set but the triumvirate of number ones, Oh Boy, Tiger Feet and of course Lonely This Christmas set the crowd out into the night with a festive glow in their bellys.

The audience:

The older end of the spectrum. As Mud only play a few gigs each year, it looked like there were some well travelled members of the audience.

It made me think..

There is but a fag paper between Tiger Feets buzzsaw guitar and the Ramones, Rockaway Beach. Godfathers of punk anyone?. Also the Beeb banned Lonely this Christmas during the Covid pandemic!

Darts

by 14 Comments

Venue:

The Hairy Dog, Derby

Date: 26/02/2022

Expect the unexpected, thats the way to go. Not being familiar with Derby, the Hairy Dog is the sort of 300 capacity dark venue seen in most cities featuring posters of angry metal acts and aging punk outfits, but `70`s Doowop legends Darts?, surely not! But oh yes, heres Griff Fender still looking sharp and trying to maintain order, resplendent in peacock green is Rita Ray for whom time has appeared to have stopped still and then, the looming figure of the mighty Den Hegarty here to cause chaos just for you. After the instrumental opening its straight in to Come Back My Love to get the room shaking before diving into deep cuts Mainliner and Destination Love. Back to the hits with Its Raining and Duke of Earl and from the first album, Young Blood and Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart before Den disappears into the audience for I`m Mad/Framed/Cell Block No 9. To round off the evening we get The Boy From New York City and Daddy Cool before being the apt encore of Gotta Go Home.

The audience:

Younger than I expected. We ended down the front » Continue Reading.

Out of the corner of my eye…

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In August 1997, punky popsters Symposium attended Top of the Pops to perform their current single Fairweather Friend. With considerable gusto the lead singer launches himself into the audience for a spot of televisual crowd surfing….. impressive! However when I watched this originally and now thanks to You Tube at 2:45 you can see the singers trainer being thrown at the drummer from the crowd! I can`t unsee this. Any more?

Dr Who sings Coldplay

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Following Wednesday nights Children in Need programme showing actor types making a covers album for the charity, I realised why I dont like Coldplay,…. Its Chris Martins voice. Here is Jodie Whittaker with a Yorkshire inflected cover, which I find quite engaging. And hats off to being such a fangirl, just watch her reaction at 2:55 as Jonny Buckland and Will Champion wade in.

In Praise of the Fleece

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About ten years ago I decided I was too old to wear a hooded top. Its association with David Camerons hugging activities and with it being the go to outfit for petty criminals and casual drug users in our area persuaded my to offload all my “hoodies” to the charity shop. I needed a replacement and not being fond of a round neck, sweatshirts were out and jumpers seemed a little too formal. It was a little old lady down the street who persuded me to try a fleece.” Oooh there as warm as toast, love ” was her recommendation. I bought my first, bottle green XTC English Settlement fleece shortly afterwards and havn`t really looked back. They are warm , need minimal ironing and the half zipped items I prefer usually have a high collar keeping the cold breezes off my neck. A few years ago I discovered Craghoppers teddy bear fleeces. Although a dull grey or green colour they were light and soft to the touch and then they brought out the Bear Grylls teddy bear fleece… in electric blue!. Well I just had to have it as I hate the dull shades of mens clothes. Last Year » Continue Reading.

Cruisin,…..

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Summers here and its time to enjoy all that thumpthumpthump bass-heavy gubbins eminating from the local youths tricked up Astras. I frequently despair about the lack of originality in the music choice of these dudes. I would hope the Afterword massive, cruising the local McDonalds drivethru would be accompanied by some Nick Drake, The Residents, Eskimo or a little early Van Morrison. I remember on a road trip to the States, coming out of a screening of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and exiting the mall to the sounds of Carter USM doing The Impossible Dream or the 50th anniversary of the Mini, driving along Blackpool sea front with The Self Preservation Society blasting from our Minis cd player while we sang along with gusto. I will actually purchase and then doff a cap to anyone who has this playing on their car stereo…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-2IIJ2YKGw

Mall Music

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Walking round a town or city centre shopping mall can be a dull and soulless affair soundtracked by the distant hum of musak or Merry Christmas Everbody, if seasonally appropriate. Therefore I was delighted recently to be perambulating through Accrington Arndale Centre to be stopped in my tracks on hearing this relatively obsure Godley and Creme track. Have you heard any unusual background choices recently? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=426n6tnk1nw

What band did you want to be in?

by 50 Comments

When i was twelve, dancing round my bedroom with my t-square in my hands, there was one band I wanted to be in…… Mud. Why this bunch of Chinnichap chancers?, well Mud always seemed to be having a bloody good laugh. Gurning around on Top of the Pops, employing their roadies as backing dancers, winking at the cameras and generally just arsing around….and getting paid for it…..and having number one hits! That a job for me I thought, and Ray Stiles was just the coolest dude on the planet with his drape suit and brothel creepers. I so wanted to be Ray Stiles. Then… they were in a film, the pretty incomprehensible (to a 12 year old) “Never To Young To Rock”. But they got to piss about…with pop guns and sing their biggest hit…in a transport cafe…during a custard pie fight! Bliss. My illusions were shattered when I read an interview with singer Les Gray who was denouncing the up and coming punk rock. Maybe the impending years of playing Batley Variety Club were weighing on his mind or he could feel his now 14 year old fan base disappearing, (I didnt btw). I found this remarkable because with » Continue Reading.

When did you stop knowing what was Number One…..

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Back in the early eighties, my mate ran a record shop. Every week on the counter was placed the Music Week/Gallup charts, the top 75….. I knew what was in the top ten, twenty and thirty, We had Top of the Pops and the Radio One chart rundown. This document showed the minor movements at the arse end of the charts. It showed producers and songwriters, more useless knowledge to cram into my brain. You could watch unknown acts scrabble for a foothold on the fun 40, major acts under achieving to the fury of their record companies. I followed the chart misfortunes of Radio Stars and Fad Gadget as their singles crept towards the holy grail of the number 39 spot, only to plummet into oblivion the following week. Ever since I was interested in music I knew what was number one, you just know…its like knowing the alphabet.

Recently talking to the now non record store owing mate, we both admitted to not knowing what was number one, but when did I STOP knowing. I went onto the Official Chart site and started trawling. Alright I wasn`t born until 1962 so I can be forgiven for not knowing » Continue Reading.

The Ragamuffins – Cause of Causes

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What does it sound like?:

Band Leader David Jaggs recently got married, so anyone expecting an album full of love songs will be sorely disappointed. He`s angry, and shouting and the guitars are turned up to 11. However this is not Motorhead. The Ragamuffins deal in spritely pop/soul of a joyous kind with earworm choruses and this album seems aimed at a live audience. Rattling off with the frentic “I Won`t Weep” ( For England) the pace rarely lets up. Former live ballad “Oxygen” has been reshaped as a powerpop anthem and the title track comes over all Bruce Springsteen. The quietest track, “Line Up The Stars” is the song Robbie Williams has been searching in vain for years for. From then on its back to the guitars with added motorik beats especially on “Put On A Brave Face” and” Kosmische Stadt” with choruses aplenty. Quite marvellous!

What does it all *mean*?

Its always enjoyable to find a young, enthusiastic band with a back catalogue to collect and to share with your friends. The Ragamuffins dont claim to reinvent the wheel, only to upgrade with nicer alloys.

Goes well with…

Saturday nights, sharp suits, a bit of dancefloor action, » Continue Reading.

Yachts Klaxon

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A three cd box set of everything by Liverpool newwavers Yachts is due at the end of March. Comprising the Yachts and Yachts Without Radar albums plus assorted b sides and singles . Eagerly awaited by us powerpop fans it will contain everything from The Chuddie Nuddies, Do The Chud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvgHXyse-JI to the final Yachts single (that I know of) A Fool Like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-P3uBTlwcw

A-ha reappraisal?

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I`ve just been playing my Mojo 2000 Light Years From Home covermount cd and this gem popped up from Sadies Expression. To my ears it sounds not unlike some late period A-ha track or something from one of Mortens solo efforts. Have we done a disservice to the Norwegian popstrels filing them under cheekbones and plinky plonky synths, when there was always a bit of early psych to their ouvre?

Enjoying your work….

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Wouldn`t it be great to have a job where you can really get job satisfaction. Where the pride in your work can be seen in your body language. Josh Kilnghoffer, Sparks touring guitarist and Red Hot Chilli Pepper 5:30 onwards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA6e-jgIZok&t=2776s