An early mention of Clarkey as part of a Manchester round up in the Melody Maker.
Sadly not the last time the ‘poetry corner’ strap line was used. The Melody Maker was always the first in uninspired.
Sad Cafe are described as ‘one of Manchester’s most exciting new bands since 10CC’, whereas Clarkey is quite rightly ‘don’t miss’.
One of the hardest riddim teams of their day, Sly and Robbie.
The Jam cut their own swathe through punk with a mod style and some biting, and well crafted songs.
One of the Jam’s biggest fans and a smart lad about the town was one Chip Grim, now a well known poet in the ranting manner.
In their wake came a slew of mod revival bands. East London in particular was home to the new mods, there were many gigs at the Bridge House in Canning Town. In east London the mods crossed over with the smarter end of skinhead with the likes of Hoxton Tom and Grant Fleming.
As the 70s moved into the 80s and Oi got more and more bonehead things were less fraternal.
Mod gigs from Sounds, November 1979
Other decent mod bands were the Chords, whose Maybe Tomorrow is an absolute belter, Kidz Next Door and Long Tall Shorty.
A little later on came the Redskins and the mighty Makin’ Time.
From New Youth, 5, 1984
From one of Attila’s 1983 touring notebooks.
From Titchfield ‘zine Oscillate Wildly, 2, edited by Simon Dine, 1986
In 1982 at a charity five-a-side match held at West Bromwich Albion’s grounds The Hawthornes , that featured popular bands from the Birmingham and Coventry area along with a few professional players. In the picture Dave Wakeling of The Beat and former Special, Terry Hall of Fun Boy Three tussle for a loose ball, while The Beat’s guitarist Andy Cox looks on. Wakeling said, “I just managed to pop the ball over Terry’s desperate moccasin for one of my three stunning goals. The Beat are wearing West Brom away strip which includes a yellow and green striped shirt with green shorts.”
Hall is a well-known Manchester United fanatic (listen to the Fun Boy Three’s “Were Having All The Fun” where he sings “I live in a flat, I like Manchester United…”) while Wakeling is a noted Aston Villa supporter and Cox (who went on to form the Fine Young Cannibals) is a long-time West Bromwich Albion fan.
Leeds had a large fascist presence, anti-fascists challenged them at football, on the streets and at gigs relentlessly. Fascists there put out a ‘Punk Front’ ‘zine that had the NF logo with a safety pin. Leeds was also home to anti-fascist bands such as the Gang Of Four and The Mekons.
The Dentists were one of the main Nazi punk bands and played at the first ‘Rock Against Communism’ gig at the Conway Hall in London along with The Ventz.
A flyer that features National Front punk band The Ventz.
From the Rock Against Racism ‘zine, Temporary Hoarding, No. 8, 1979
The Dentists, at the Rock Against Communism gig, Conway Hall, 1979
I have a vivid memory of Nick Toczek doing an intense reading of this poem at a gig we did together in Hammersmith in the 80s.
The gig was reviewed by Swells in the NME. Not turned it up yet, but still digging.
From Tirane Thrash, 1, 1983
Smash Hits, January 8th 1981 
