Saturday 31 January 2015

The Who - ticket details for the rescheduled O2 London dates and the Hyde Park Alldayer



Le Beat Bespoke 10 - 'Market' from 1-5pm on Saturday 4th April


The Heavy Sol Band, Solihull, on Saturday 21st February


The South London Soul Train - Sat Feb 07


It was 10 years ago this weekend since we recorded the Mod Aid 20 single!


 
YouTube links courtesy of Paul ‘Simpa’ Simpson 

Mod Aid 20 Video 


Mod Aid 20 – Meet the Mods 


Mod Aid 20 – ‘Live’ in the car park 


 

 

The Threads - 'International Times' (previously unreleased studio recording) on YouTube

The Threads at the Small Faces Convention circa 2002


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkITRaQmEqE

The Atlantic Players at The Dark Horse, Moseley, Saturday 31st January. Free Admission!


Friday 30 January 2015

Steve Marriott - never forgotten





'In the Crowd' with Rick Buckler on 25th June at 19:00.


An evening in the company of The Jam's legendary drummer Rick Buckler as he talks about all things The Jam and his life outside of it. The event will also include a 25 minute short film, an on-stage section with Rick and a Q&A session, then Rick will be chatting with members of the audience and signing copies of his autobiography that is being released on 11th May. 

This event is intimate and limited to only 120 tickets.

Tickets are £15 and only available from orders@strangetown.net 

A special mention and thanks to for our promotional events sponsors SME Insurance, Gibson London and Delicious Junction. 

This event will be the only London event that Rick will be doing to promote his autobiography after it has been published on 11th May. There are other events planned taking Rick on tour to such places at Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Brighton, Bristol and Birmingham-more info to follow soon.

From The Jam, The Selecter, Secret Affair & The Lambrettas at the Riverside Live Festival at Chester-le-Street on Sunday 24th May


Thursday 29 January 2015

The Moment - pledge your support to their new album project



https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Moment/113598662075219

‘Rick Buckler: Autobiography’ available to pre-order from Amazon


Release date: 11 May 2015

Price: £14.86 

by Rick Buckler & Ian Snowball 

Rick Bucklers autobiography is the first from a member of The Jam, who some considered were the ultimate Mod band.

Rick tells The Jam story from growing up in Woking and meeting fellow members Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton at school, through their formation in 1972 and tells of the band's early years before signing to Polydor records.  

He provides a year by year account of The Jam's progress whilst describing what it was like being a part of the music industry during the 70's and 80's and some of the characters who he met along the way including the Ramones, John Enwhistle, Sid Vicious, Blondie, Boy George and Paul McCartney.

Rick shares his own experiences and thoughts about what it was like to be in one of the UK's most successful bands who spent a great deal of time recording, performing and touring.  

Following The Jam's split in 1982, Rick gives a candid account of how he coped and his subsequent relationship with Paul and Bruce. All three members of The Jam stayed within the music industry and Rick takes the reader through his years in Time UK and various other bands up until forming From the Jam.  

A must read for any Jam fan.

Paul Weller announces April Concerts in France, Belgium, the Netherlands & Germany


 
Paul Weller will perform in Europe this April, taking in France, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Paul will make stops in classic venues including The Bataclan in Paris, The Paradiso in Amsterdam as well as The Docks in Hamburg.  

Tickets went on sale today (29 Jan, 11am) for most shows. 

April 2015 

Wed 8 April – PARIS, France, Bataclan 

Thu – 9 April - AMSTERDAM, Paradiso 

Sat – 11 April – UTRECHT, Tivoli 

Sun 12 April – BRUGES, Belgium, Magdalena zaal  

Mon 13 April – COLOGNE, Germany, Gloria 

Wed 15 April – BERLIN, Germany, Admiralpalast 

Thu 16 April – HAMBURG, Germany, Docks 

Fri 17 April – MUENSTER, Germany, Jovel 

Sat 18 April – BRUSSELS, Belgium, Ancienne Belgique

Wednesday 28 January 2015

The Who's Oculus Rift VR App Now Available


The Who have released a beta version of their Oculus Rift virtual reality app, called "The Who Immersive." Already available for iOS and Android, the app does not require a controller and is described as more of a ride, one you can take to explore and enjoy the band's music. 

"This experience is a ride, so you don’t need a controller, keyboard...just look around," reads a description of the app (via VR Focus). "Starting at the gates of The Who world, you'll travel past sights from their 50 years, before steering into the Marquee Club, past a Soho Doorway, isolate parts of 'Who Are You' and burst into the stadium with the bone chilling screams of Daltrey’s 'Won't Get Fooled Again.'" 

The app is available for the second iteration of the Oculus Rift development kit, and you'll need a PC meeting the specs below to run it.

•16GB RAM

•3.4GHZ Intel Core i7 8 cores

•4GB Graphics - GForce GTX650 

Further optimizations will be done to The Who Immersive over the coming year so that it can run on less beefy PC rigs. 

When the app was announced in November 2014, The Who's Roger Daltrey said he hoped it could "entertain and educate" a new audience. 

"I'm not a fan of smartphones but have to admit they do open up huge possibilities to entertain and educate," he said at the time. "The music business needs to use every avenue possible to keep the fans and the music in close contact. This app will hopefully teach our newer, younger fans everything they might want to know of our history, and hopefully unearth some odds and sods for our older ones."

You can view the experience on You Tube at the following URL: -


From The Jam & Nine Below Zero - photos from the Victoria Hall show in Stoke on 25th January














"1960s fashion still delights" - 91 Photos at the Houston Chronicle




Nine Below Zero - Dennis and Mark to release new DUO album


 
More info to follow but some ‘live’ dates have been confirmed: - 

Saturday 21st February Blackheath Concert Halls, London Part of Arthur Smith's Fun House  

Saturday 14th March Kingskerswell Parish Church, Newton Abbot  

Wednesday 18th March Chichester Inn, Chichester  

Friday 20th March The Crown, 56, Long Lane, Aston End, Stevenage SG2 7HD  

Monday 23rd March The Crooked Billet, Henley On Thames 

Wednesday 25th March The Prince Albert, Rodborough 

Thursday 26th March Venue 2, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham  

Saturday 28th March Selby Town Hall, Selby 

Sunday 29th March Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury

The Who to release seven-inch singles boxset and all studio albums on vinyl


The Who are to release a seven-inch boxset of their first seven singles, the first in a proposed series of four sets. 

The boxset, entitled The Brunswick Singles 1965-66, covers from "I Can't Explain" to "La-La-La Lies", with a bonus disc featuring their only release as The High Numbers, "Zoot Suit"/"I'm The Face". 

As well as the boxset, which comes out on April 6, the group will release all of their studio albums on 180g vinyl, plus a double-LP edition of their recent Who Hits 50 compilation, on March 23. 

The remastered editions include their original artwork, and some even feature replica promotional memorabilia, such as The Who Sell Out, which includes the original 20" x 30" poster as an insert. 

As part of Record Store Day on April 18, 2014, the group are also releasing a limited-edition blue vinyl seven-inch of their "Be Lucky" track from Who Hits 50, backed with their debut single "I Can't Explain".

California State University, Los Angeles, declares “The Mod Revival - 60s fashion returns and here is your one-way ticket to sartorial fabulosity.”


PHK: It would seem that the US have their own brand of Comedy Mods..."
 
"In fashion, when a collection hits the runway a trickling down effect begins. One or two designers showcase a fabulous collection of cohesive elements, and soon enough the rest of the fashion capitals adapt the same elements within their collection. Weeks pass and popular brands take on these trends and completely market them widely… and at this point what you’ve just read reminded you of Miranda Priestley’s monologue in The Devil Wears Prada, “You think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of ‘stuff.’ 

You shouldn’t take the movie too seriously because the fashion industry is not exactly how it is portrayed, but among all the glam and glitter in the movie, a hidden truth hits the screen every now and then. One of those truths is of course the trickle down effect of a trend. Just like the color cerulean from The Devil Wears Prada, the mod revival is on its current trickle down. Half way through the line, now is the time to go and get your 60s pieces if you haven’t already done so. 

First things first. The biggest 60s trend you should keep in your closet at any cost is the long-sleeve dress. If you want to look effortlessly cute anywhere you go, wear a simple A-line long-sleeved dress preferably in pastels for a more daytime look. This versatile piece can be paired up with practically any shoe--retro tennis shoes, sandals, clean-cut heels, boots, oxfords, and ballet flats. Remember that a plain and simple dress can be a total showstopper. Invest in it. 

A list of 60s tendencies is never complete until the mini-skirt is mentioned. This is the easiest piece to find and slip on—and no I don’t mean those skintight miniskirts that rise up every 5 steps. The A-Line miniskirt has done some serious transformation as it used to be seen as scandalous; later it became the it-piece to wear making it extremely popular, and now the A-line miniskirt has become preppy and sporty. With so much evolution, this skirt has escalated the ladder and is back for business. Although colder breezes are drumming in, the miniskirts are still an up for grabs item on the menu of fashion. Too cold? Pair them up with some great boots or some sleek tights to bring some warmth to your miniskirt game. 

If there is no way you can deal with the low temperatures in Southern California, let me suggest shopping for a real treat: funky colorful prints. With the weather so gloomy every now and then, our moods can sometimes drop as well. What better way to feel upbeat and bubbly than by wearing really great 60s bold prints? These prints will really give you a sartorial centerpiece to the simple 60s clothes mentioned previously. Word of advice: be sure your prints are geometric, bold, and with kaleidoscope motifs because they will be your best friend for winter fashion. 

Long Sleeve dresses, A-lines, go-go boots, miniskirts, simple designs, and funky colorful prints are the essence of the 60s, but are they in any way pertaining to the essence of this modern age? Yes and no. Wearing 60s trends can make you look outdated and--let’s face it--weird. To avoid this we like to use the key words “60s inspired wear.” The trends do not have to be exactly identical to those the 60s brought, rather taking elements from those trends and using them with a modern twist is what designers really aim for. So if you have a really mod dress, don’t wear voluminous hair and bold jewelry; instead opt for metallic accessories and particular 21st century embellishments to make it look more modern. 

Just as trends trickle down the fashion ladder and deplete, another trend revival is introduced and a the cycle of fashion takes its course once again. The key is to pay attention to detail and find a balance between returning trends and modern trends. It is important to use inspiration rather than literal depictions. Most importantly, 60s fashion was so exciting and so much fun that it would be inevitable to enjoying the process of streamlining your wardrobe this winter." 
 

1960s Fashion: The Icons And Styles That Defined A Decade


"From Brigitte Bardot's beehive to Mary Quant's geometric prints, chart the most defining fashion moments of the 1960s through its iconic style...

From Brigitte Bardot's beehive to Mary Quant's geometric prints, the 1960s was a decade full of iconic imagery and style influencers. It was the era of the girl group, the gamine supermodel and the It-girls and still provides an endless source of inspiration. 

It’s an era which continually inspires designers, A-listers and our very own wardrobes. So let’s take a look at who shaped the decade and the fashion moments that defined the 1960s…"
 
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/547967/the-fashion-moments-that-defined-the-1960s.html

'Jump & Dance' at The Cabin Club, Liverpool, on Saturday 7th February from 9.30pm to 3.00am


‘Weekly Roundup of eBay Vintage Clothing Finds’ by Mary Kincaid, Founder and Chief Vintage Crusader of Zuburbia.com


“No time to page through thousands of eBay listings? Then just sneak a peek at my Weekly eBay Roundup of top vintage clothing finds. 

This eclectic mix of designer and non-designer vintage clothing and accessories caught my discerning eye because of its uniqueness, contemporary feel and highly collectible nature. 

As always, buyer beware! Be sure to read the listings closely and contact the sellers with any questions. 

This week's Roundup includes lots of great items, but don't miss the 1890s French corset, the 1950s Lederer accordian handbag, the 1960s Oleg Cassini swimsuit, the OMO Norma Kamali leather dress, the Emilio Pucci Formfit Rogers jumpsuit and the 1800s Tiffany portrait stick pin.” 

Skamouth 2015 on 27/28/29/30 March

Garage Rock Music by Ken Foote of CBSDFW.COM


If you grew up in the 1960’s you most likely heard a type of rock music on the radio that is now known as “garage rock” or “underground garage rock”. 

Garage rock got its name sort of unfairly because people assumed that all groups rehearsed in garages. But it actually refers to a style of music, both artistically in terms of lyrics, mood, and theme, and technically in terms of instruments selected and how those instruments sound at the end of day (especially those that were electronic). To me, it is a gritty sound that was more aggressive than pop music and a little more unsophisticated, an early form of what we call today “alternative rock” that you hear locally on 102.1 The Edge (KDGE-FM, owned by iHeart Media). 

Many music historians trace the beginnings of garage rock to as early as the late 1950’s to the 1970’s, but most credit the period from 1963-1968 as the most predominant time that this music came out as an alternative to pop music. 

If you lived in the DFW area in the 60’s during the time of the Vietnam War and when illegal drug use was on the rise among young people, you heard some of this music on 1190 KLIF — but if you had an FM radio (which was not automatically installed in cars back then), you tuned more to 98.7 KNUS (both KLIF and KNUS were owned by legendary broadcaster Gordon McLendon at 2120 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas). 

I had a high school friend from St. Mark’s, Tim Spencer, who was on the air on KNUS who had that deep sounding voice that was sexy, and perhaps you thought he might have been smoking something before going on the air! (NOTE: 1190 is now KFXR owned by iHeart Media and 98.7 is KLUV-FM owned by CBS Radio). 

Here is a short list of my favourite garage rock bands: - 

1. The Standells (Dirty Water)
2. The Woolies (Who Do You Love)
3. The Castaways (Liar Liar)
4. Paul Revere & The Raiders (Steppin Out)
5. The Kingsmen (Louie Louie)
6. Sir Douglas Quintet (She’s About A Mover)
7. Tommy James & The Shondells (Hanky Panky)
8. The Animals (It’s My Life)
9. The Yardbirds (I’m A Man)
10. The Knickerbockers (Lies) 

All of these songs can be seen on You Tube. If you have Sirius XM in your car, home, office, or your smartphone, Sirius XM 21 is your 24/7 garage rock band channel. 

You can also hear some of these songs weekdays from 12nn-4pm CT on Sirius XM 60’s on 6 with Pat St. John (you can also hear Pat on weekends on 101.1 CBS-FM in New York City online and on your mobile app). 

See you next time.
 

BREAKING NEWS: The Mark Three to play the IPO Festival at The Cavern, Liverpool, on Sunday 2nd June

  The Mark Three's stage times for Sunday 2nd June are: - 5.15pm The Cavern Pub 7.00pm The Cavern Club