Forging Ahead at the Anvil
Preview by Peter Ashton
THE ANVIL in Basingstoke will be taking its’ usual summer break during
August, but the team are already forging ahead with preparations for the autumn
season. There is comedy, drama and ballet in the new programme, and, as usual, a
wealth of good music. Soul giants The Christians are the first aural treat on
September 20.
There is also an early chance to follow the yellow brick road in September
with “Sing Along Wizard of Oz,” soak up the sounds of 70s hits with “Hold
Tight It’s 70s Night” and enjoy some traditional folk music with all-female band
The Poozies. A treat for opera lovers comes when The Ukranian National Opera
company present Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”
Classical music is prominent during October with concerts featuring the
Philharmonia Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Early Opera
Company. Former boy wonder Aled Jones appears as do “British Legends of Rhythm &
Blues,” Long John Baldry and Mungo Jerry singer Ray Dorset. Folk stars Bert
Jansch and Tom Paxton are also on the bill as is reformed 1980s band Dexy’s
Midnight Runners of “Come On Eileen” fame.
The songs of Abba get an airing with Bjorn Again later in the season and
there’s a chance to swing with the music of the Back To Basie Orchestra, plus
the Moscow Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Quality rock and pop comes
from David Essex, Status Quo, The Stylistics and Bill Wyman & His Rhythm Kings,
plus more R&B with The Manfreds, Colin Blunstone, Alan Price and PP Arnold.
The Human League return in December after their sell-out show last year, while
the London Mozart Players also visit. The traditional pantomime “Cinderella”
starring Chris Jarvis and Sophie Thierens closes the season.
Full details of the autumn programme are available via 01256 844244 or see the
website www.theanvil.org.uk. (©Peter Ashton 2003)
Bandstand Show
Interview by Peter Ashton
Fans of
rock revival band Showaddywaddy can hear “Under The Moon of Love” and all their
hits when the colourful outfit play the last show of the season at Southsea
Bandstand on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25. The show, which also features The
Sweet is free and starts at 7.30pm.
I rang Showaddywaddy lead singer Dave Bartram at his Northamptonshire home. He
was keen to talk, and proud that the band is celebrating its 30th anniversary
year having clocked up 22 hits between 1974 and 1982 and maintained a continuous
music career ever since. “We’ve never stopped,” said Dave, “and we’re the real
thing. Five of the six members of Showaddywaddy are original members and we’re
still very much in demand. It’s a great way of making a living and it’s just
incredible how we’ve kept going. This year has been busier than ever with a
national tour to celebrate our 30th anniversary and visits to Germany and
Denmark.”
“We originally picked the name Showaddywaddy as it summed up our basic style,”
said Dave. “It’s a sort of phrase that the old 1950s “doo-wop” backing vocalists
used to sing, like “bop-shoowaddy-waddy,” and it just stuck. When I was a kid I
loved artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but it was an Eddie
Cochran album belonging to my brother which turned me on to rock and roll - I
played it to death.”
Showaddywaddy was formed from two Leicester bands, The Choice and The Golden
Hammers, to create a fun rock and roll outfit with an energetic live act. Suede
shoes and colourful 50s style drape jackets gave the band its’ “crepes and
drapes” image. The band hit No 2 in the charts with their first single “Hey Rock
and Roll” in 1974 and for the next five years they were virtually never out of
the Top 20, and almost resident on BBC TV’s “Top of The Pops.”
“Actually, appearing on “Top of the Pops” was quite boring,” admitted Dave, “ it
took virtually the whole day setting up and rehearsing, and when it was
transmitted it was just me doing live vocals and the rest of the band miming.
You had to keep doing the show, though, as the singles market was a big thing in
those days.”
Those days were also marked by constant fan hysteria, and Showaddywaddy were
frequently mobbed on constant tours of the UK. “Oh, we went through all that
screaming bit alright,” recalls Dave, “it was certainly a boost to the ego to
have all those female fans idolising you, but it did get a bit out of hand
sometimes. We always took our music seriously though, and I believe that the
general image of the band was more important than the individual members. We
worked hard at generating a fun atmosphere, getting people involved and singing
along. With the audience behind us they became almost like an extra member of
the band.”
As far as Dave is concerned, being a member of Showaddywaddy has always been a
positive experience. “The only negative part has been the constant travelling,
getting stuck in traffic jams and so on, but every job has its’ downside. The
good thing is that we all get on as well together as we always did and it’s
still fun. There have been so many high spots in our history and I still love
singing all our hits. “I Wonder Why” is my favourite and naturally I have a soft
spot for our only No 1 “Under The Moon of Love.” One of the biggest thrills came
at Christmas in 1978 when we were playing a concert in our home town, Leicester.
Just before we ran on stage we were told that our “Greatest Hits” album had gone
to No 1 in the album charts; that was a fantastic feeling - every band wants a
Christmas No 1.”
The hits kept on coming for Showaddywaddy for the next five years
including “When,” “You Got What It Takes” and “Pretty Little Angel Eyes.” By the
time the hits dried up Showaddywaddy were firmly established as kings of rock
revival and have outlived most of their contemporaries. “Rock and roll will
always be around,” says Dave, “and as long as people want us to play it, we
won’t go away - we’ll be playing for years yet!”
Fans heading for Southsea Bandstand will find it at West Battery, just
behind the D-Day Museum car park. For more details ring 02392 828112. (©Peter Ashton 2003)
Kyps Mick
Preview by Peter Ashton
SUCCEEDING
Eric Clapton and Mick Green in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Brian Jones in
The Rolling Stones are amongst the impressive entries on guitarist Mick Taylor’s
CV. A man whose rocking riffs have been resounding for over
thirty years now has his own band which visits Mr Kyps in Poole on Saturday
August 23 following a successful tour of Canada.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Mick started playing guitar in his
early teens and was still only 17 when John Mayall asked him to step into
Clapton’s shoes as lead guitarist with the Bluesbreakers. Three years later he
made his debut for The Rolling Stones in front of thousands of fans at the
legendary Hyde Park Festival in 1969 after the death of Brian Jones. For the
next six years Mick’s individual guitar sound embellished classic Stones albums
like “Let It Bleed”, “Sticky Fingers”, and “Exile on Main Street.”
After leaving The Rolling Stones in December 1974, Mick worked on a number of
musical projects including the soundtrack of the David Bowie film “The Man Who
Fell To Earth” in 1976 and his eponymous solo album “Mick Taylor” released in
1979. Another career highlight came in 1983 when Bob Dylan invited him to record
on his “Infidels” album, a studio relationship which worked so well that Mick
was invited to tour Europe with Dylan.
In 1986 Mick moved to the States and began touring, playing small venues with an
ever-changing line-up. His second album "Stranger In This Town" recorded live,
was released in 1989, and in the same year he toured with rock-blues singer
Carla Olson who pushed him to produce some of his most inspired work. Throughout
the 1980s and 1990s Mick continued to tour Europe with a variety of musicians
including Isle of Wight -born guitarist Snowy White.
In 1997 Mick put together the band that plays on his latest CD “A Stone’s Throw”
and who will play at Mr Kyps. The line-up includes Max Middleton on keyboards,
Michael Bailey on bass, and Jeff Allen on drums. Tickets are £12 via 01202
748945. (©Peter Ashton 2003)
Monkey men
Preview by Peter Ashton
LOOK out for the Hedge Monkeys! They are a high-energy folk-rock band
who seem to be getting bookings all over Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
The Hedge Monkeys have been playing their eclectic and energetic brand of music
for over a decade now. Formed by Pete London and Steve Adams after their
previous band The Wreckers fragmented, they recruited three like-minded
musicians, Dave Ferris, Matt Thompson and Warren Marks. Naming themselves The
Hedge Monkeys after a scornful West Country term for travelling people, the
frenetic five hit the road with their power-folk act which has been likened to
bands like The Pogues and The Levellers. The key to their music is merging
traditional English, Irish and American music with their own songs and
influences from further afield like Transylvania and Russia.
Driven by bass and drums, the result is varied, melodic and often manic.
The line-up is Pete London on vocals, bouzouki and guitar, Steve Adams on
vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo, Matt Thompson on fiddle and vocals, Dave
“Spud” Ferris on bass and Warren Marks on drums. Although playing the bulk of
their gigs locally they admit to disturbing people as far away as France,
Belgium and Germany as well.
The Hedge Monkeys have also become fixtures on the festival scene, with
appearances at the Larmer Tree Festival, Wimborne Festival, Swanage Folk
Festival and many more. They have also played in some unusual venues including a
fire station, several barns, some rich people’s back gardens and a brewery in
Cornwall. Basically they are happy to play anywhere and can be contacted at
www.hedgemonkeys.com for bookings.
Upcoming local gigs include The Square & Compass at Worth Matravers on Friday
August 1, Boldre Working Mens Club on Saturday August 2, a series of Thursday
gigs at the Purbeck Room at the BIC, Bournemouth, and Dorset Steam Fair on
August 28. See their website on www.hedgemonkeys.com for full details. (©Peter Ashton 2003)
Doo Extras
Preview by Peter Ashton
SEVEN saviours of “doo-wop” steam into the Quay Arts Centre at Newport
on the Isle of Wight on Sunday August 24 to show off their vocal harmonies and
their dynamic dancing technique. The Extraordinaires from London are dedicated
to preserving the “doo-wop” style of the 1950s which led to chart success for
stars like Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers and The Platters. 
WITH her beauty queen
looks and tuneful voice it was no surprise when singer Susan Maughan became one
of the biggest female pop stars of the 1960s. Perhaps the only curiosity is that
Susan has continued a successful career for over forty years despite never
following up her No 3 chart hit “Bobby’s Girl.”
