Post by mickey on Aug 5, 2012 18:29:59 GMT 1
I bet we have met somewhere along the line Strat!
While I'm on a roll here's another tale from the late lamented Clive.
Unlike the very readable Roger Leonard of Llanelli and his humorous stream of conciousness, my literary efforts are often more akin to a stream of humus and unconciousness, however I shall press on regardless.
After a couple of Jack Daniels inspired evenings jotting down headings for guidelines, I realise I have zillions of stories and anecdotes in what I laughingly refer to as my memory, so, I’11 just start with The Bystanders and see where the trail leads.
Before we leave Jack Daniels I can tell you that, when asked by an American “where are you guys from” and we say “Wales”, the next question usually is “What part of England is that in?” to which we reply, “It’s not in f**kin England, it’s the place where J.D. was born, we sent him over to-teach you guys to make Bourbon a while back”.
The Bystanders first recording was at I.T.C. studios in London, resulting in the Pylot records single, “That’s The End/This Time”.
WRONG.
That line up, Jeff Jones, Micky Jones, Gerry Braden (Owen Money), Ray Williams and myself recorded an E.P. in George Sharland’s studio in Cardiff well before the Pylot effort, I have the only copy I know of and gave myself a earful before writing this.
Side 1. Track 1.
This is a Country guitar instrumental that shows off young Jones. I worked in Gamlins Music Store, City Road, Cardiff, at the time and would order imports from the Reps catalogue when he called. One album was called “Country Guitar Jamboree”, this is Jones version of a Thumbs Carlyle tune. Even then, Micky’s skills were exceptional.
Track 2.
I had forgotten that we ever did this, “Baby Its You” (Beatles) a taste of the harmonies to come later on.
Side 2. Track 1.
Another instrumental, this time a tune from Swedish Band “The Spotnicks” first album. No idea of the title, but, again it features Jonesy with a great Hank Marvin sound with full tremolo arm.
Track 2.
Zip A Dee Doo Dah. (Bob B.Soxx and The Blue Jeans) Jerry Braden on lead vocals and us harmonising.
The whole thing is wonderfully quaint and dated, well, it should be, it’s around 44 years old.
GAMLINS PIANOS City Rd, Cardiff.
My first job after leaving school in Merthyr was here as an apprentice piano tuner and sales assist.6 days a week for £6.Micky was an apprentice hairdresser in Merthyr for £3-4.Jeff Jones was the rich b*****d, earning £9 a week as a GPO trainee engineer. Gamlins was part of an increasingly busy and exciting music scene, it was the only shop in S Wales at that time that actually stocked Fender, Gretsch, Gibson and Guild guitars, Fender, Ampeg and Vox amps and Bechstein Grand pianos.
All the musos from the Valleys/Cardiff area would call by regularly, Saturday was packed to the rafters, incredible for me, if asked I would have worked for free: Through the week Micky Gee, Dave Edmunds (and his brother Geoff) Tich Beck, Tommy Scott (Jones),Andy Ferretweather and pals would call to sit around, try instruments and yak. Micky Gee, Dave and Geoff Edmunds were forever trying to out-do each other finger picking Chet Atkins tunes, for my money Geoff was about the best of the three, he emigrated to Canada later to work in Real Estate. Dave’s band before the Raiders was The Quid Sticks, a reference to buying thin strips of black, “gold label” for a quid.
I used to stay on in Cardiff some nights to watch The Raiders playing in the Kennard Rooms across the road from the shop and catch the late train home. Fender Strats were 99 Guineas at this time, I had the priceless job of opening all the newly arriving guitars and amps, setting the guitars up and testing them. Dave Edmunds came in one day and ordered a blonde Gibson 335, I had the pleasure of opening it and setting it up when it arrived, all this was before the arrival of light gauge strings, the alternative was to use banjo strings for your top three, something Joe Brown led the way in over here.
I once loaned Edmunds some Cajun albums and a brilliant and extremely rare L.P. by Bill Black’s Combo, “B.B. Plays Chuck Berry”, I could never get the bugger to give them back, but, out of :interest, the “B” side of “I Hear You Knockin” is titled “Black Bill” written by (you guessed) D.Edmunds, needless to say its a complete pinch but, a favourite of mine and beautifully done --- a true tribute to Bill Black.
Tommy Scott (Jones) was a regular weekday visitor, he was already a legend in the valleys. Much has been made of him working on building sites, he did, but only when he was skint, he much preferred singing, drinking and chasing birds.
Many times the shop staff would put in a couple of bob extra at lunchtime so he could have pie and chips or a “chinky” with us. Many years later the Bystanders supported him in a Top Rank gig somewhere in Hertfordshire, he hadn’t changed much (except for being hugely famous and rich) and offered us a lift back to London in his Roller. Micky, Jeff and myself took the offer and were chauffeured back in style. We asked him what it was like when he went home to visit folks, “Murder” he said, “I go down the Club, and, if I buy a round 1m a flash b*****d, if I don’t buy a round Im a tight b*****d”. The price of fame I suppose.
It was about this time (Gamlins) that the Bystanders started doing
gigs for a Cardiff agent called Don Collier-Roberts. Don put us on
the bill supporting some “name” acts, one of the first was at Sophia Gardens supporting Johnny Kidd and The Pirates, Mick Green on guitar, a brilliant night. We played with The Swinging Blue Jeans in Abercynon they were crap, “Hippy Hippy nutse” we won that night according to the local press. We did Pontypridd with Brian Poole and The Tremoloes, they were good live and nice blokes.
Most musicians idea of the perfect band at the time were “Sounds Incorporated”, we were chuffed to get to support them at the Rainbow Ballroom, Ebbw Vale, they didnt disappoint we watched and listened with open mouthed amazement - fantastic. By complete contrast we did one gig with Bert (1,000 notes a minute) Weedon. His attitude towards us was poor, so, Micky pissed him off by playing “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” faster and better than Bert could. We worked quite a lot with Unit 4 Plus 2 (‘Concrete and Clay’), the two bands got along well, a bit of a mutual appreciation society.
I still see the Units bass player Chris Maidment regularly and over a few pints yesterday afternoon he tells me that Dave Collins, the vocalist, has dissapeared but the rest of the “Units” still meet up and are in good spirits. I should explain that the Welsh Connection with the “Units” is that they are from the Gwent area.
I hope some of the above drivel is of interest to you. Long may the Sacred Knee in the sky shine over you.
Clint.
While I'm on a roll here's another tale from the late lamented Clive.
Unlike the very readable Roger Leonard of Llanelli and his humorous stream of conciousness, my literary efforts are often more akin to a stream of humus and unconciousness, however I shall press on regardless.
After a couple of Jack Daniels inspired evenings jotting down headings for guidelines, I realise I have zillions of stories and anecdotes in what I laughingly refer to as my memory, so, I’11 just start with The Bystanders and see where the trail leads.
Before we leave Jack Daniels I can tell you that, when asked by an American “where are you guys from” and we say “Wales”, the next question usually is “What part of England is that in?” to which we reply, “It’s not in f**kin England, it’s the place where J.D. was born, we sent him over to-teach you guys to make Bourbon a while back”.
The Bystanders first recording was at I.T.C. studios in London, resulting in the Pylot records single, “That’s The End/This Time”.
WRONG.
That line up, Jeff Jones, Micky Jones, Gerry Braden (Owen Money), Ray Williams and myself recorded an E.P. in George Sharland’s studio in Cardiff well before the Pylot effort, I have the only copy I know of and gave myself a earful before writing this.
Side 1. Track 1.
This is a Country guitar instrumental that shows off young Jones. I worked in Gamlins Music Store, City Road, Cardiff, at the time and would order imports from the Reps catalogue when he called. One album was called “Country Guitar Jamboree”, this is Jones version of a Thumbs Carlyle tune. Even then, Micky’s skills were exceptional.
Track 2.
I had forgotten that we ever did this, “Baby Its You” (Beatles) a taste of the harmonies to come later on.
Side 2. Track 1.
Another instrumental, this time a tune from Swedish Band “The Spotnicks” first album. No idea of the title, but, again it features Jonesy with a great Hank Marvin sound with full tremolo arm.
Track 2.
Zip A Dee Doo Dah. (Bob B.Soxx and The Blue Jeans) Jerry Braden on lead vocals and us harmonising.
The whole thing is wonderfully quaint and dated, well, it should be, it’s around 44 years old.
GAMLINS PIANOS City Rd, Cardiff.
My first job after leaving school in Merthyr was here as an apprentice piano tuner and sales assist.6 days a week for £6.Micky was an apprentice hairdresser in Merthyr for £3-4.Jeff Jones was the rich b*****d, earning £9 a week as a GPO trainee engineer. Gamlins was part of an increasingly busy and exciting music scene, it was the only shop in S Wales at that time that actually stocked Fender, Gretsch, Gibson and Guild guitars, Fender, Ampeg and Vox amps and Bechstein Grand pianos.
All the musos from the Valleys/Cardiff area would call by regularly, Saturday was packed to the rafters, incredible for me, if asked I would have worked for free: Through the week Micky Gee, Dave Edmunds (and his brother Geoff) Tich Beck, Tommy Scott (Jones),Andy Ferretweather and pals would call to sit around, try instruments and yak. Micky Gee, Dave and Geoff Edmunds were forever trying to out-do each other finger picking Chet Atkins tunes, for my money Geoff was about the best of the three, he emigrated to Canada later to work in Real Estate. Dave’s band before the Raiders was The Quid Sticks, a reference to buying thin strips of black, “gold label” for a quid.
I used to stay on in Cardiff some nights to watch The Raiders playing in the Kennard Rooms across the road from the shop and catch the late train home. Fender Strats were 99 Guineas at this time, I had the priceless job of opening all the newly arriving guitars and amps, setting the guitars up and testing them. Dave Edmunds came in one day and ordered a blonde Gibson 335, I had the pleasure of opening it and setting it up when it arrived, all this was before the arrival of light gauge strings, the alternative was to use banjo strings for your top three, something Joe Brown led the way in over here.
I once loaned Edmunds some Cajun albums and a brilliant and extremely rare L.P. by Bill Black’s Combo, “B.B. Plays Chuck Berry”, I could never get the bugger to give them back, but, out of :interest, the “B” side of “I Hear You Knockin” is titled “Black Bill” written by (you guessed) D.Edmunds, needless to say its a complete pinch but, a favourite of mine and beautifully done --- a true tribute to Bill Black.
Tommy Scott (Jones) was a regular weekday visitor, he was already a legend in the valleys. Much has been made of him working on building sites, he did, but only when he was skint, he much preferred singing, drinking and chasing birds.
Many times the shop staff would put in a couple of bob extra at lunchtime so he could have pie and chips or a “chinky” with us. Many years later the Bystanders supported him in a Top Rank gig somewhere in Hertfordshire, he hadn’t changed much (except for being hugely famous and rich) and offered us a lift back to London in his Roller. Micky, Jeff and myself took the offer and were chauffeured back in style. We asked him what it was like when he went home to visit folks, “Murder” he said, “I go down the Club, and, if I buy a round 1m a flash b*****d, if I don’t buy a round Im a tight b*****d”. The price of fame I suppose.
It was about this time (Gamlins) that the Bystanders started doing
gigs for a Cardiff agent called Don Collier-Roberts. Don put us on
the bill supporting some “name” acts, one of the first was at Sophia Gardens supporting Johnny Kidd and The Pirates, Mick Green on guitar, a brilliant night. We played with The Swinging Blue Jeans in Abercynon they were crap, “Hippy Hippy nutse” we won that night according to the local press. We did Pontypridd with Brian Poole and The Tremoloes, they were good live and nice blokes.
Most musicians idea of the perfect band at the time were “Sounds Incorporated”, we were chuffed to get to support them at the Rainbow Ballroom, Ebbw Vale, they didnt disappoint we watched and listened with open mouthed amazement - fantastic. By complete contrast we did one gig with Bert (1,000 notes a minute) Weedon. His attitude towards us was poor, so, Micky pissed him off by playing “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” faster and better than Bert could. We worked quite a lot with Unit 4 Plus 2 (‘Concrete and Clay’), the two bands got along well, a bit of a mutual appreciation society.
I still see the Units bass player Chris Maidment regularly and over a few pints yesterday afternoon he tells me that Dave Collins, the vocalist, has dissapeared but the rest of the “Units” still meet up and are in good spirits. I should explain that the Welsh Connection with the “Units” is that they are from the Gwent area.
I hope some of the above drivel is of interest to you. Long may the Sacred Knee in the sky shine over you.
Clint.