THE ACTION - 'In My Lonely Room' 10" vinyl & CD EP on the Top Sounds label

Vinyl 10 inch EP with 4 page booklet - (TSEP 001) £9.99  

Compact Disc EP with 12 page booklet - (TSCDEP 001) £6.99  

Your chance to catch unbelievably.........THE ACTION! 

"We all tried our hand at getting that Motown sound you know...all the bands in the mid '60s. The best ones at it were the Action... They were an amazing band." (Steve Marriott, 1987) 

Four previously unreleased tracks by the ultimate ACTION recorded during 1964 and 1965, on both vinyl and CD EP. 

Alongside the Small Faces and the Who, London's ACTION were undoubtedly Britain's premier mod band during the mid 1960s, and their chain of five singles for Parlophone from October 1965 to June 1967 are venerated as one of the finest runs of 45s of the period (or indeed of any period really). Subsequent releases of the group's material such as The Ultimate Action, Rolled Gold, Uptight And Outasight and CD repackages of the band's EMI output, plus the Action's period of reformation, have endeared the group to a huge swell of post 60s fans and the band command a level of respect and adulation rarely bestowed on many other groups of their era. Sadly with the aforementioned slew of records and CDs the well of archive Action material appeared to have run dry...until now that is! 

The excellent book on the Action In The Lap Of The Mods, published in 2012, shed light on a previously rarely documented aspect of the Action's recording career, specifically their audition for the Decca record company in May 1965. Indeed some copies of the book included a limited edition vinyl 45 extracted from an acetate recently discovered from that audition, which was a supreme version of the Temptations 'Why You Wanna Make Me Blue'. That recording, taped six months before their EMI debut, makes a welcome re-appearance here and also emerges on CD for the first time. Unbelievably since the book came out another acetate from that Decca session has surfaced, one side of which features a wonderful interpretation of one of many people's favourite Action tracks 'In My Lonely Room', which incredibly surpasses the later recording for Parlophone and has a real 'live' feel to it. Coupled with 'In My Lonely Room' was a fine rendition of the Impressions' 'You'll Want Me back', which finds the Action in a more mellow blue eyed soul groove and showcases perhaps the most Reggie King's leap in vocal prowess in the comparative short space of time since the band's recordings for Pye as the Boys barely six months previous. 

Not that the Boys' single for Pye was a slouch - far from it - and Top Sounds round off the EP with another previously undocumented recording. Committed to acetate during their time as the Boys was one of Reggie King's earliest compositions, and 'Fine Looking Girl' exposes further the pre-emptive Action in rather good form indeed. 

Restored to the best possible standard from the original acetates, the four selections on In My Lonely Room are a fascinating, important and invaluable document of the emergent Action during late 1964 and 1965, and Top Sounds are justifiably elated to place these portentous recordings together for the first time. With the blessing of Action drummer Roger Powell, help from In the Lap Of The Mods authoress Jane Shepherd and delivered in full vintage 60s style packaging courtesy of Bruce Brand, In My Lonely Room is sure to excite Action fans everywhere and in all probability - unfortunately - may well be the final release of 'new' vintage Action recordings. Your last chance to catch some new unbelievable ACTION!

‘Night of Northern Soul and Motown to take place in Newcastle’ reports the Stoke Sentinel

Guest DJ Jez Jones will be in attendance for a night of Northern Soul and Motown at the end of the month. 

The DJ, from The Box, in Pedley Street, Crewe, will join resident mixers Sharpy and Jess for the evening on January 31. 

The New Trinity Soul Club event - which takes place every month on a Saturday - runs from 7.30pm until midnight. 

It is set to take place at the Holy Trinity Community Centre, on London Road in Newcastle. 

The postcode, for sat nav users, is ST5 1LQ. 

Tickets for the night are priced at £5 on the door. 

It is open to people over the age of 25 only. 

For more details, please contact 01782 283083 or 07473 677000.

The London International Ska Festival 2015 - Easter Weekend (2nd to 5th April)

‘Gettin’ To The Point’ in Leeds on Saturday 7th March with King Mojo ‘live’ at the afternoon session

Leeds premier modernist event returns, playing the best in R&B, Soul, Ska, Jazz, British Beat, Latin & Mod Club Classics. 

Guest DJs:

Dave Edwards (Sidewinder)

Paul Molloy (Tailor Made)

Andrea Mattioni (Dreamsville) 

Resident DJs:

Lee Miller

Neil Lee 

Saturday 7th March 2015

1pm – 7pm (Afternoon Session) with King Mojo playing live

9pm – 3am (Evening Session) 

The Faversham (both sessions),

1 - 5 Springfield Mount,

Leeds.

LS2 9NG 

During the afternoon there will be stalls, an open deck session and a live performance from King Mojo 

£7 otd (evening only) 

Smart Mod/ 60’s /Skin /Suede dress for the evening event. 

Local Hotels:

http://www.expressleeds.co.uk/

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotels/leeds

http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-3652-ibis-leeds-centre/index.shtml

 

 Please contact us for stall details or afternoon open deck session 

 Neil – 07753283048

 Email - gettintothepoint@gmail.com

Squire to headline March of the Mods at The Astor Theatre in Kent on 6th March

Paul Weller - UK Tour & New Album getting closer

 

After months of hard work in Black Barn Studio, Paul Weller announced that his 11th studio album is to be titled 'Saturn's Pattern' and will have the following track listing: - 

White Sky

Saturn’s Pattern

Going My Way

Long Time

Pick It Up

Phoenix

I’m Where I Should Be

In The Car

These City Streets 

 

Meanwhile, his March UK Tour is almost completely sold out (I hope to see many of you at the Coventry gig on 10^th March) with the dates being: - 

 

Thu 05 Mar PLYMOUTH Pavilions

Fri 06 Mar SWINDON Oasis

Sat 07 Mar PORTSMOUTH Guildhall

Mon 09 Mar WATFORD Colosseum

Tue 10 Mar COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre

Thu 12 Mar STOKE-ON-TRENT Victoria Hall

Fri 13 Mar CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange

Sat 14 Mar SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion

Mon 16 Mar BLACKBURN King George's Hall

Tue 17 Mar SCUNTHORPE Baths

Wed 18 Mar HALIFAX Victoria Theatre

Fri 20 Mar YORK Barbican Centre

Sat 21 Mar CARLISLE The Sands Centre

Sun 22 Mar EDINBURGH Playhouse Theatre

Kinks classic created through naiveté says Ray Davies

Ray Davies believes he wouldn’t have been able to create classic Kinks track You Really Got Me if he’d been a more experienced songwriter. 

The 1964 piece was the band’s third single and first hit, making them one of the main players in the British Invasion of the US. It’s often referenced as a major inspiration for the fledgling heavy rock and heavy metal genres.  

Frontman Davies tells Rock Cellar: “It was probably the third of fourth song I’d ever written. I think if I’d been an accomplished songwriter I wouldn’t have written it – there’s something naive and basic about it.  

“If I’d been accomplished I wouldn’t have written it in the key I did, and I probably wouldn’t have made that key shift, which was quite revolutionary but became common after we did it.”  

But the Kinks’ first number one single came with a downside. “People actually thought I knew what I was doing,” Davies recalls. “That was quite scary – I wanted to be an artist so I had to learn how to write songs.”  

He believes the track has the ability to be arranged in a variety of different styles and genres. “I’d like to do it as a jazz song, or a Gregorian chant. It’s simple music, and that lends itself quite well to different interpretations.” 

The chances of a Kinks reunion remains in the air after positive talk last year wound up in another war of words. Davies reports: “We have recorded a few songs already without Dave, but we might try a few different things. I want to write simple songs that move people – that’s what I’m trying to do at the moment.”

Len Goodman tells Rachael Bletchly of The Mirror, “I was a mod in the 1960s but avoided the fights”

After spending half an hour having a lovely chin-wag with chief judge Len Goodman, I can’t help thinking the Strictly contestants have all missed a trick. 

Their chances of getting a 10 from Len might increase dramatically if they danced to a number from the soundtrack of cult movie Quadrophenia. 

Because, it turns out, our Len has a bit of a soft spot for Vespas, fish-tailed parkas and mohair suits. 

And as a teenager you’d have found him down on Brighton sea-front trying hard not to get his head kicked in by a big hairy biker. 

“Oh yes, I was a mod back then,” reveals 70-year-old Len, coming over all misty-eyed and nostalgic. 

“As a teenager in the sixties you were either a mod or a rocker and I loved the smartness of the mods – the dapper clothes, the Motown music. 

“And my mum would never have let me have a big quiff and a leather jacket anyway – so a Mod I became. 

“I had a Vespa scooter and we’d go down to Brighton every weekend. 

“We’d all go in a pub called the Skylark and 50 yards along was the one all the rockers went in, called the Man o’ War. If you were foolish enough to go in the rival pub, well, there was hell to pay. 

“But I was crafty enough not to get involved in any of the punch ups... well, with a nose like this you don’t want it broken. I grew out of it after a couple of years but I still love Quadrophenia – terrific film.” 

After Motown got young Len up on the dance floor he realised he had a talent for fancy footwork. It led to a dazzling career as a competitive dancer, teacher and examiner and then to his place beneath the glitter ball as a Strictly Come Dancing judge. 

He says: “I got into dancing properly at 21. A mate of mine started going ballroom dancing and I took the mickey out of him – until he said there were loads of girls there and not many boys. The girls hated dancing with other girls, so it didn’t matter what you looked like. We were the kings of the ballroom! 

“Let’s face it, dance halls were places to pull. Most blokes would be standing at the bar plucking up courage to ask a girl if she wanted a drink. But I loved the dancing. I was pretty good at jiving, so I’d get them nice and hot and then asked if they fancied a shandy!” 

“I started dancing with a girl whose dad owned the school and he spotted something and gave me lessons. That was the start of it all. Just a bit of luck... like getting Strictly. And because of Strictly I’ve been lucky enough to get lots of other lovely projects and pres­ent­ing jobs. I’m a very lucky fella!”

‘Midnight of my Life’ – a short film about Steve Marriott

The organisers of this film say, “Just a little update about a previous post regarding the planned Steve Marriott short film ‘Midnight of My Life’. We are delighted to say that the film got the full amount needed to be funded” and they have just announced that Martin Freeman has agreed to be a part of the project subject to other commitments.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest front men in Rock and Roll history, Marriott, who died at the age of 44 in a house fire, is someone whose story needs to be told. While this project, ‘Midnight of My Life – A Short Film About Steve Marriott’, may not go into every detail of his life it is definitely a project that fans of Marriott should be supporting. 

The recent, sad passing of Ian McLagan brought the Small Faces back into the public eye and reminded us all of just how special this band was. 

The film will be directed by none other than Phil Davis who we all remember in his iconic role as Chalky in Quadrophenia or maybe even his directing of the 1995 film I.D . which explored the world of football violence. Davis is just one of the team that are dedicated to getting this project off the ground and you can find out more about the others on their site, you can find the URL at the bottom of the page. 

The film used the crowdfunding platform, CrowdShed, to raise the money meaning that if you had pledged a certain amount and the final target wasn’t reached then no money would have been taken. In order to entice people to put money to the project there were certain rewards depending on how much you pledged such as film downloads, posters and T Shirts as well as the opportunity to be in the film among others. 

The aforementioned URL (with Steve Marriott’s name incorrectly spelt, just as happened on the tickets for the 2^nd Mod Aid Alldayer) is: - 

http://thebritishsubcultures.com/a-film-about-steve-marriot/

Watch Liam Gallagher Sing The Who’s ‘My Generation’ at Britpopnews.com

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of one of the legends of British rock, the Who. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend were honoured this past November with an all-star concert tribute at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire for the Teenage Cancer Trust. 

The set-list, below, was pretty impressive. The night featured a range of popular British musicians doing some of the best songs by The Who, as well as an extended set from Eddie Vedder. Hopefully, there were a lot of wind-milling attempts. 

Andy Burrows – I Can’t Explain

Wilko Johnson and The Strypes – The Kids Are Alright

Tom Odell – Getting In Tune

Amy Macdonald – Behind Blue Eyes

Rizzle Kicks – Who Are You?

Rich Hall – You Better You Bet

Ricky Wilson – 5.15

Ricky Wilson and Phil Daniels – Bell Boy

Joe Elliott – Love Reign O’er Me

Sheila Ferguson – Acid Queen

Geddy Lee – The Seeker

Leslie Mendelson – Baba O’Riley

Liam Gallagher – My Generation

Eddie Vedder – Naked Eye

Eddie Vedder – Won’t Get Fooled Again

Eddie Vedder – Listening To You

Roger Daltrey – Substitute

Roger Daltrey – Young Man Blues 

Very impressive over all, but Our Kid’s version of ‘My Generation’ is a must-see. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnDtTrc1-UI  

Of course, since Liam and Noel can’t do anything without fuelling desperate rumours of an Oasis reunion, Roger Daltrey decided to stoke the fire some more. ‘I’ve got no doubt Oasis will reform. I’ve never had any doubts. I just know groups, in the end they’ll start to think, ‘why not?’ It’s what they do! What else is [Liam Gallagher] going to do, become a painter decorator?’ 

Daltrey’s been railing about Oasis for quite a while. Two years ago, he said, ‘You know damn well that they’ll be together — I predict within four years — and it will be magic. They’ll be bigger than ever and they’ll be drinking twice as much.’ 

It’s been Noel’s job to quelch the onslaught of reunion rumours as best he can. He told Jonathan Ross, ‘If I close my eyes, I don’t see [a reunion] happening,’ before clarifying, ‘that’s not to say that it never will. I’ve got a lot of things going on…[Liam and I] don’t speak to each other so there’s no problem.’ 

Since Liam Gallagher’s band Beady Eye called it quits, there’s been much speculation as to why. The band’s rhythm guitarist, Andy Bell explained, ‘[Beady Eye] just sort of ran its course, really. Liam had been pretty quiet for a while, and them he just let us know that his heart wasn’t really in it any more…It’s been a long fade, really.’ 

If anyone can coax a reunion out of the Gallagher brothers, it might be Michael Eavis. He told The Mirror: ‘I do talk to Noel and Liam a lot. Wouldn’t it be marvellous for them to re-launch at Glastonbury now Liam has split from Beady Eye?’

 

While we’re waiting for line-up confirmations, there is a strong rumour that Noel Gallagher will be playing Glastonbury in some form, following the March release of his album.

'Another Splash of Colour' 3-CD Box-set follow up to 'Millions Like Us'

Cherry Red Records are looking to follow up on the success of the 'Millions Like Us' box-set with a 3-CD collection of the early 80s psychedelic revival.

The release is set to include a number of bands of interest such as Mood Six, The Times, The Prisoners and the Television Personalities.

This will be an interesting collection and we'll post further news as it comes in.