The Wedding Present / Miki Berenyi Trio - O2 Ritz, Manchester - May 20th 2023

The Wedding Present / Miki Berenyi Trio

O2 Ritz, Manchester

May 20th 2023

OK so bear with me. Thom, Jon and possibly even Harry are at this so why can’t I?

19th May 2023, letter to 17 year old me, delivered by a time travelling carrier pigeon whilst stood on Piccadilly Station, Manchester en route to Birmingham.

“Dear Iain, 

I’m writing to you from 2023. I just wanted to let you know that the cassette you’re about to listen to, the one with that song that mentions ‘Manchester town’ is about to change your life. The guy that wrote it, David Gedge, is gonna be a constant in your life until you’re an old fart in your 50’s. The line up may change, there will be ups and downs, but The Wedding Present are about to become you favourite band. 

You’ll be obsessed, they’re gonna record tracks in Ukrainian, Welsh, French and German; you’ll buy them all; hell you’ll buy things over and over, even on formats that haven’t even yet been invented. At some point in the future you’ll interview him and even contribute to a book about the band. Your favourite tracks won’t appear for a while, but they really are something special. You’ll see them more than any other band, you’ll lose track of the number of gigs you go to though, you’ll even forget who you went to gigs with… although some life long friendships will be born from your love of The Wedding Present. 

You should probably be careful in 1989 when you see them at Manchester International 2 as your mates car will get stolen from outside the venue and you’ll lose the 12” by A Guy Called Gerald which you bought earlier that day. The day I’m writing this is the day you’re taking your 16 year old son to see the band for his second time. He’s doing his GCSE’s at the moment, just like you did your O’ Level’s last year. Time flies eh? He'll have your passion for music and you’ll bond especially over The Wedding Present. He'll occasionally ask you to put together a 'best of' playlist (like a tape but on your phone, it'll make sense to you one day) but that'll be impossible. 

Enjoy the ride”

20th May 2023. I fucking love The Wedding Present, I have since I was 17. They’ve been a constant throughout my adult life. I’ve seen them more times than I can remember. Does it make me a bad fan that I can’t remember the exact number? I guess I should have started counting at some point in the 80’s or made a list. My mate Danny has always made lists, and latterly spreadsheets and websites of gigs he’s attended. The band have never disappointed, even when there was that weird period in the mid 90’s when I saw them play at the Roadhouse in Manchester (a great venue). A lot smaller than where they’d usually play but it was packed and a great night. Their popularity seemed to be on the wane, but the true believers kept faith. We embraced Cinerama (and still do) but I guess were all secretly delighted when the Wedding Present name was used again on 2005’s Take Fountain.

I am blessed that my son, now 16 has my passion for music. He saw his first gig aged 10 and experienced Mr Gedge and co for the first time, pre pandemic, aged 13 in December 2019 at Manchester Academy. We spent most of that night at the barrier, me shielding him from the mosh pit until the band were about to play Take Me. I could already feel the bruises appearing after shielding him from flaying limbs and the odd elbow to the back. Tonight's his second time of seeing the band and I don’t know who is more excited. Thankfully in the 3 and a bit years since the last experience has seen him sprout more than a foot and can now more then more hold his own.

I’ve seen the band at the Ritz on a few occasions over the years, the first being 4th February 1990 for a benefit gig. It’s one of my favourite venues for seeing bands. Upon arrival, before visiting the overpriced bar we head over to the merchandise desk. The boy wants to say hello the bands frontman and to check out what’s for sale. He settles on a grey 24 Songs t-shirt and he also gets a quick snap with Mr Gedge.

The evening beings with The Miki Berenyi Trio, with Miki ‘supported’ by KJ McKillop; formerly of Moose and her partner in Piroshka and Oliver Cherer, a member of numerous bands over the years. They play a strong 11 song set, with tracks picked from the back catalogue of Lush and the aforementioned later project. They’re well received and, as Miki says, even on tracks people have never heard we stay and listen rather than piss off to the bar or toilet. While not that familiar with Piroshka I did note that that the Lush tracks were all from the more ethereal, pre ‘Lovelife’ years; including tracks from Split as well as the Scar mini album and Mad Love EP. I’ve been meaning to seek out more of Miki’s recent recording following the release of her autobiography Fingers Crossed, so tonight is a timely reminder to do so.

The Wedding Present’s arrival is heralded with the opening pieces from Take Fountain, the slow, building moody On Ramp followed by its partner in crime Interstate 5. I can’t remember ever seeing it performed at a gig previously and it’s an epic way to get things going. The last time I saw the band was on the Seamonsters tour in late 2021 boiler-suits were de rigueur; these may have gone but but the band are almost all resplendent in black, as is Jessica as she swaps out David’s guitars between songs. They perform against a minimal backdrop; which is only right as we’re here for the music. Well, the music and the anecdotes and quips from the frontman.

Go Go Go! is introduced with bassist Melanie Howard duetting with Mr Gedge; the track then segues into A Million Miles and then You Should Always Keep in Touch With Your Friends. Following the latter he, maybe jokingly, suggests we’re all family. Looking around I recognise a few people, and imagine many of the crowd of ‘a certain age’ there aren’t many of us who haven’t been to a few Wedding Present gigs over the years. Wedding Present gigs are indeed a place to keep in touch with your friends.

This tour is to celebrate the release of the 24 Song album which had come out the previous day; compiling the tracks released during 2022, albeit many in ‘extended’ form plus a couple of extra tracks. The set tonight turns out to be s good mix of old and new. Introducing Astronomic we’re told there is a sci-fi link on at least 4 of the songs this evening. Following the mid tempo piece and a spirited No from Bizarro all hell breaks loose as the band kick into Brassneck. The Ritz’s sprung dance floor comes into full effect as the mosh pit threatens to spread back to the mixing desk.

There’s plenty of onstage banter between Jon, David and Mel with the occasional bit of crowd interaction. Of all the ‘incarnations’ of the band I’ve seen this is perhaps the most personable with a real feeling of camaraderie. We Interrupt Our Programme; We All Came From the Sea and Monochrome follow. The middle piece being a rare time that the band have used a pre-programmed track. I’ll be honest, the original single wasn’t one of my favourites however the Utah Saints remix elevated it. Seeing the band perform it tonight with various items of percussion (including drummer on Nick Wellauer on bongos) has perhaps given me cause to revisit it.

Before the next of the ‘new’ tracks we get a couple of late 80’s / early 90’s favourites in Crushed and Corduroy. The latter seems a little more visceral this evening. The pairing of Science Fiction and ‘the fan favourite of the 24 Songs written by David’, I’m Not Going To Fall In Love With You follow. Even though many of these tracks are only around 12-18 months old they fit seamlessly into the set. Credit should be given to Melanie as she’s the one that puts these things together; or as David says, to blame; carefully mixing the newer tracks with themany classics and fan favourites to choose from in a catalogue spreading over nearly 40 years. I guess that's part of the beauty of the band, after so many years, with a repertoire is so vast, even if they don’t play ‘your favourite’ then you’ll still pretty much love every song anyway.

A spirited Give My Love To Kevin leads into My Favourite Dress, which (obviously) sees the audience erupt in a mass singalong. We then get a blistering take on Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me). It’s another track I can’t remember ever seeing being performed live myself but it’s worth the wait. The Wedding Present version in my mind having an edge on Steve Harley’s original.

I know from being in touch with a number of fellow fans on Facebook and Twitter that it’s a fairly regular thing for parents to indoctrinate their offspring to the music and lyrics of David Lewis Gedge. It’s a rite of passage which I’m only too happy to buy into. The penultimate track is ‘the apple pie song’ as my son used to call it. I watch with pride as he sings along to Kennedy with all his heart, smiling has he does so.

Ahead of the the closing track the regular pantomime begins, the house lights come up a little, and the question is asked, ‘is there anyone whose never seen us before’… before we’re reminded that the band never do encores; complete with a couple of comedy heckles. Although I had seen the set list online I still get a shiver down my spine as the first chords of Flying Sauce ring out. It’s been my favourite for more than 30 years and it’s always great to see / hear it performed and a great end to the evening. Each performance I’ve seen over recent years has been a ten out of ten and tonight is no different. Whilst I don’t have the stamina for mosh pits nowadays I envy those that were down the front for the exhilarating final 3 tracks.

As we file out into the Manchester evening I think back to something the frontman had said towards the end of the show, ‘think of this as less of a concert and more of a journey’… Prophetic words. As l look around many of us apparently on that journey. Long may it continue, we’re all enjoying the ride. 

Be seeing you.

Thank you to Naomi for letting me share all her pictures. Find her work on Instagram

All words by Iain Key. Copyright 2023

 

Goodbye to red@Retro (2009)

This piece was originally posted on Facebook on 12th April 2009 and I'd forgotten all about it until it popped up in a random search the other day.

A short piece but one written out of love for a 18 month period where I 'moonlighted' as a doorman at club night in Manchester.

It was an incredible night which lasted for a relatively short period of time but so many lasting friendships and memories come from it...

All photos by Justin Johnson

Goodbye to red@Retro 

What started on 10th November 2007 wasn't about money. It was about someone who genuinely loves music putting on her favourite bands for herself and others to enjoy, a community of like minded souls coming together to enjoy themselves and having a bloody good night out.

Retro Bar isn't in a fashionable part of Manchester, Retro Bar probably has never been fashionable. The downstairs venue dark, tired, carpets sticky, door sticking (thanks Chris) but it was home for the last 18 months Maybe in the future when legends are written red@Retro will become as an important people in some bands history as the Russell Club was to those who played the original Factory Club. So many bands and artists, from ska and punk to indie and acoustic in the mix... The Score, Broadcast, Satellite Towns, Orphan Boy, Danny Mahon, Sun and Moon, Music for Aborigines, Cosmic Daisy, Kni9hts (The Number), The Drainpipes, DILE, Sicknurse, Elgazelle, Seaside Riot, The Kirkz, John Herring, The 66, Syd Bosco, The Naughtys and of course Twisted Wheel (who headlined the first red@Retro way back on that November night and had people queueing around the block release their debut album next Monday)... and so many more And the tunes... reggae, Northern Soul, 'Madchester'... Aretha & Donna, Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, James, Buzzcocks, Clash, Paris Angels, Stereolab, Gorillaz... but of everything, the classic, all powerful 'Swamp Thing' by the Chameleons stands head and shoulders above the rest... "I can already hear your tune..." But the music was only part of it, it was a community too, a community of the bands that played and supported each other, and all those involved that regularly attended, am including myself in that, along with Little Red (without who nothing would have happened); Mooch, DJ Justin, Sean, Thumper, Emma, Nat and Shell, Twink, Fi and Willy, Johnny J Last night was the last one. It didn't get boring, it didn't get old, it just stopped. Because the time was right. Thank you Reet

Eilis Frawley – ‘Stats’ – Single Review for Louder Than War (2020)

 Eilis Frawley – ‘Stats’ 

Single Review for Louder Than War - 5th September 2020 

https://louderthanwar.com/eilis-frawley-stats-single-review/

Eilis Frawley

’Stats’

Reckless Yes

Download and Streaming Now

8/10

‘Stats’ is the first track from solo drummer and conservatoire-trained percussionist Eilis Frawley’s second EP due this Autumn. It’s a blistering feminist social commentary which demands to be listened to.

I appreciate hearing a track for the first time that grabs your attention and makes you stop what you’re doing, for me this is one of those tracks.

With ‘Stats’ I was hooked from the opening, electronic militaristic drum beat (ironic?) mixing into early electronica (avant-garde but familiar and fresh at the same time).

It was when Australian Eilis’s spoken-word delivery came in that I really started to pay attention, taking me back around 40 years to the first time I heard ‘The Boiler’ by Rhoda Dakar, not that this is quite as harrowing, but from the off it is an uncomfortable listen which never lets up.

The former ‘Party Fears’ member runs through the everyday hardships that women encounter. Lyrically like a more explicit, angrier sibling to Saffiyah Khan’s ’10 Commandments’ on the recent Specials album covering sexual harassment, abuse, rape, domestic violence, panic attacks and mutilation (amongst other things) until suddenly stopping dead.

As a 50 year old male I wasn’t sure if I was the target audience for Eilis’s unapologetically graphic piece of work and discussed this with a close friend. She pointed out that actually every male probably should be, not so we’d feel guilty, but to be mindful of the points made, to understand them and champion them.

In an ideal world there would still be ‘Top Of The Pops’ where Eilis could perform between Little Mix and Ed Sheeran to highlight how challenging and educational music can be, as there isn’t then I hope that an invitation to Jools Holland or a play on daytime ‘6 Music’ may not be far away.

I would definately recommend to anyone who wants to likes their music to land with a message.

More details and social media links for Eilis Frawley:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

 

Iain Key 2020

Fightmilk - ‘If You Had A Sister…’ - Single Review for Louder Than War (2020)

Fightmilk - ‘If You Had A Sister…’ 

Single Review for Louder Than War - 31st August 2020

https://louderthanwar.com/fightmilk-if-you-had-a-sister-single-review/

 FIGHTMILK

‘IF YOU HAD A SISTER…’

Reckless Yes

DL and Streaming from 4th September

 

The second single to be lifted from the slightly delayed and as yet unnamed follow up album to 2018’s ‘Not With That Attitude’ (thanks coronavirus!) and follow up to the magnificently titled ‘I’m Starting To Think You Don’t Even Want To Go To Space’

‘If You Had A Sister…’ is a slight, but definitely not unwelcome, departure from the punchy, polished upbeat, pop-tones that you may expect if you’re already familiar with their work and can be traced back to a slight change in line-up with Healey joining on bass.

As the band explain… “we put ‘If You Had a Sister…’ together during our first practice with Healey, which seemed like an incredibly good sign. I don’t think any of us expected it to come out sounding all that different from a regular Fightmilk song, but the more we worked on it, the less it seemed to need to”.

Personally, the first thing that struck was that the opening doesn’t sound too dissimilar from ‘Disintegration’ era Cure, which set the tone, but as soon as Lily Rae’s vocals kick in it’s definitely Fightmilk. The song builds steadily with slightly restrained verses and yearning vocals before breaking into a satisfying tumble of drums and melodic guitars. 

The band expanding, “it’s a bit slower and quieter than the fast guitar pop of the last album, and it’s about all kinds of dark things – but if there was ever a time for songs you can do ominous slow dancing to, it’s 2020.”

I’m not sure if ‘maturing’ is a dirty word and hopefully it’s not one that the band won’t turn their noses up at or running for the sick bucket.

Their debut album seemed to come out of nowhere, confident and fully formed. With the release of ‘If You Had A Sister…”, although a little more subdued, I think it signals the band getting ready to take things to the next level.

 

Follow Fightmilk on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

~

Iain Key 2020

Crimson Bloom – Finer Times – Album Review - for Louder Than War (2020)

Crimson Bloom – Finer Times 

Album Review for 'Louder Than War' - 15th August 2020 

https://louderthanwar.com/crimson-bloom-finer-times/

 

Crimson Bloom

Finer Times

Streaming/Out Now

Crimson Bloom release the long-awaited follow up to their eponymous debut. Iain Key reviews the album for Louder Than War.

Crimson Bloom released their self-titled debut album in 2018, and in their own words, ‘drew heavily on the late 80s/early 90s independent guitar scene with a knowing nod to the psychedelia of the 1960s and a few clubby, dubby flavours thrown in here and there’. To all intents and purposes, it was an unashamed love letter to those heady days of the late ’80s and specifically The Stone Roses, especially on the track ‘Fall For You’ which is like a cousin to ‘Elephant Stone’ with its baggy groove and wah guitar.

Thankfully the second album hasn’t taken 5 years to see the light of day and it builds on the debut picking up more influences rather than just repeating the same formula. If you’re already a fan of the debut you won’t be disappointed. For those new to the band it will draw you in with its melodic hooks, jangling guitars and gentle grooves which give a warm glow and takes you back to summers gone by.

Compared to the debut album, Finer Times is more psychedelic in places and more heartfelt. It deals with a whole range of subjects; Death, Love, Corruption and The Seven Deadly Sins. Having had the album for a few weeks I guarantee anyone coming to it will be rewarded through repeated listens. Andy and the band don’t shy away from their influences, such as The La’s, The Smiths, The Coral and even Can and nor should they, but I feel that their talents as a songwriter and musicians may initially be overlooked.

I won’t break the album down track by track as I think this does the band a disservice and takes away some of the enjoyment of seeking out and hearing an album or new artist. What is pleasing is there is a definite flow to the album with each track complimenting the next. There is nothing that jars or takes you away from the pleasure of listening. This is an art that’s been often forgotten with bands or record companies catering for streaming, loaded with ‘the hits’ before petering out, possibly not expecting the audience, or crediting them with the ability or staying power to last 40 mins before switching to something new.

That’s definitely not the case here as ‘Finer Times’ starts strongly and keeps the listener engaged throughout to its blissful climax.

~

Crimson Bloom are on Facebook & Twitter

Iain Key 2020

Blue Rose Code - ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ (2020)

‘Blue Rose Code’ is Ross Wilson… born in Edinburgh, spent a long time living in London and I believe recently moved to Liverpool. 

‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ his latest album, is his fifth and was released in July.  

This was recommended by a friend, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. We’ve all been to those gigs, or forced to listen to records or artists which/who friends claim to be amazing’ but ultimately you find it not to you personal taste and then wonder why these people are even your friends!

I should have more faith in some of my friends… 

‘Blue Rose Code’ or Ross, as hopefully he won’t mind me referring to him, thankfully doesn’t fall into that category. Within the first 3 tracks I was hooked and already searching Bandcamp and Apple Music (other music streaming services are available) to see what else I would be able listen to after working through the 9 tracks on this release

Ross is billed as ‘at the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson's music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn’. There is no doubting his influences however my first thoughts listening reminded me of Deacon Blue, with the warm emotive tones of Ricky Ross backed by Lorraine McIntosh, of Orkney based folk artist Kris Drever and also English 

Troubadour Frank Turner in some of his more heartfelt moments

To be honest I feel a little late to the party, Ross’s music has already has received rave reviews over the years, as has ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ and quite rightly so. He’s appeared on Scotlands perennial music show ‘The Quay Sessions’ on a number of occasions (available to us South of the border on iPlayer) and has recorded sessions for BBC Radio 2

Since releasing his first single, ‘Love / Whitechapel’ in 2009, Ross has built a loyal fanbase, and in a similar way to fellow Scot, Gerry Cinnamon is fiercely independent, proudly not disguising his accent or heritage, choosing to release the album himself without the backing of a ‘label’

 

To be fair, if you’ve read this far then do yourself a favour and watch the short film released to accompany the album ‘This Time Around’ before you listen to ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind.’ 

Ross’s journey hasn’t been smooth over the last decade, anything but… and it's refreshing that in the film he talks openly about this. 

I guarantee after watching the film the collection of songs will have more resonance, especially when you realise each comes straight from the heart, every track has meaning and there isn’t a single lyric wasted… 

Musically, the production is exquisite throughout, whether on the slightly bluegrass, Ryan Adam’s feel of ‘Love A Little’ the uptempo, driving, 'LDN City Lights.’ There are some touches in songs that spring to mind as well, the subtle organ which begins the building ‘Bloom'; and

the rolling cymbals evoking images of the sea at the start of the reflective ‘Wide Atlantic Way’

My personal favourite track on the album is ‘Starlit’ in which Ross is accompanied by piano and strings and vocals which really take you on a journey as you feel the emotion pouring out of him… (to be fair that could be many of the tracks, but for me this was the one)

I can imagine ‘Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ as the perfect album for both lazy summer mornings and the cold, reflective winter evenings 

Ronnie The Revel (1989)

This was something that I originally wrote for my friend Sue in 1989 but reworked slightly for my nephews and niece

I only got a copy of it again recently when my sister found it at the back of a cupboard 

Essentially it’s a children story, but hopefully with a few nods to things, that would have then been contemporary for the adults as well... 

Tony Davidson (TJM Records / TJ Davidson’s Rehearsals) - Interview (2020)

The history of the Manchester Music Scene from the night the Sex Pistols played the Lesser Free Trade Hall on 6th June 1976 is generally well documented for  those who are interested.

Over the last couple of years a two books have been published by Empire Publishing, Martin Ryan's 'Friends Of Mine' and Gareth Ashton's 'Manchester, It Never Rains' which added new perspectives to the music scene in the city leading up to and including the early days of punk and new wave.

This October sees the release of 'The TJM Story' by Tony Davidson, a man who isn't perhaps as well known as the likes of Tony Wilson, Rob Gretton or Martin Hannett however is equally important, if not more so, in some areas and whose involvement facilitated the development and growth of a number of individuals and bands which has led to artists such as New Order and Simply Red being heard around the world.

Tony regularly posts fascinating anecdotes on Facebook which add additional context to what's been written about previously and I, like many are really looking forward to reading the book

Hi Tony, How are you?

Very good, working hard on the book, getting to the end of it now. It's been a good experience, really enjoying it, the people I've been meeting and the really great stories/memories I'm hearing

When did you start pulling it together?

I started off over 2 years ago, a slow process, and then things started getting momentum with a few 'big names' coming along. now I've got a bit of media interest to now they know there is a book coming out

 

A lot of significance is put on the first Pistols gig and Factory for making Manchester what it is, but I think you’re often overlooked and don’t get the credit or recognition you deserve in making things happen

No, I don't. Tony Wilson came a long later, and was a great talented guy in the media but it all had to start somewhere, and part of that was the bands coming together and a lot of them have said if it wasn't for the TJM set up with the Warehouse in the centre of Manchester the music scene could have happened but it would have been very fragmented... because of the rehearsal rooms it gave bands a chance to come together to share their ideas, Peter Hook said that, it was a place all the bands came together, it was just a unique moment in time

Did you feel it was something special at the time?

Not really, when you're in the process of it all from 1977-79 you're just doing your best but now it's become part of the worldwide music history

How did you come to buy the warehouse that was to become TJ Davidson’s?

My family were in the jewellery business, and I was very lucky. I had left jewellery college and worked in the family shop for a year and then went out on my own. At the same time the price of gold went up, and because of the contacts I had in about 6 months I earnt quite a bit of money. I was going to buy a house in Wilmslow and about to get married to my first wife, but I was managing The Drones and had some success getting them a record deal...

Like a lot of people went to the second Sex Pistols concert. I was just fired up and have a eureka moment. I'd done my best with The Drones taking them as far as I could and saw this property in town, you're talking about Manchester in 1977, it was a very depressed area, near Deansgate, around the corner from where the Hacienda would be, less than 50 yards away on Little Peter Street. This 'mill' took up two thirds of the street, I looked round it and thought 'right'... 

I always knew there was a demand for a place for rehearsals and just had a feeling. I could see the bands in there. I just got the inspiration...

Can I ask how much it cost?

The building cost me £21500, they had it up at £28000 but I got it down to £21500 and bought the property... that was a lot of money back in 1977. I wish I'd kept it! I'd be a millionaire by now!

 

How did you attract the bands?

I had a plan straight away and started fly posting, advertising, there was no media, no internet... I got Tosh Ryan from Rabid Records involved, did my office in the building up and then the bands just started coming... the first were Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds

and then it was just an avalanche... people saw the number about town and started coming down, Joy Division, The Fall, Buzzcocks... and big bands at the time like Sad Cafe. Sometimes there would be 20 bands in there at the same time and out of that then started the record company...

 

I was going to ask about that, did it feel like a natural progression?

Yes, it was a natural progression as there were so many bands...

I remember when Mick Hucknall come in, he was very push though and we were full, he said 'but we've come all the way from Hyde'... I said I've got one room... right in the depth of the building, in the cellar, it had lighting but no natural light... they loved it... After 2 weeks I went to get my rent money but they didn't have it... and Hucknell said 'we'll do a record for you'... at the time I'd signed The Distractions and Slaughter and The Dogs, they weren't even on my radar... but he was that persuasive, I said 'look, I'll give you 4 weeks free time'... cos I felt sorry for them... told them to improve the act as they were all over the place musically, hone your craft, and fair play to them they used to treat it like a job and come in 9am-5pm and work.They still weren't perfect, but I saw something...

Slaughter and The Dogs come in, they'd left Decca, and thought they were gonna sell records so gave them a big money deal... £2000 advance... put them in the studio, they sold 15000 records, which today would get you in the charts...

 

What was it like with Joy Division?

I saw them develop from Warsaw into Joy Division, they didn't really know what they were doing at first, people say now that they had some magical touch... but it was the press and production that made them.

At the time they come to me and asked me to manage them. but I had so much on my plate with the rehearsal rooms and record company... I knew I couldn't do them justice, I think they were trying to impress me, I remember it clearly, they took me to the one kebab house in Manchester open on a Sunday, under Piccadilly Hotel... but I said to them, give me 2 weeks... and in that time Rob Gretton became the manager... we had a good laugh about that

But you still helped them with 12" repressing of 'Ideal for Living'

Yeah, I leant the money, it was all good natured, I didn't charge them any interest... they owed me £100 in back rent too which I put in the letter that has been in books and things

 

There must be some fantastic stories going into the book...

There are, Billy Duffy who is in America now was in Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds, he's a superstar now in The Cult. Toby Tomanov was in Primal Scream.... the stories they tell me are fantastic.

There are so many stories within stories

 

You had a feature in 'Record Collector' earlier in the year. Has there been any interest in putting together a compilation of the bands?

Yes, we're bringing out a compilation to cover the label

 

TJM Records finished in 1979, what did you do afterwards?

After TJM closed down I went back to the jewellery business until a few years later when Mick Hucknall, Simply Red released 'Holding Back The Years' and I had those early recordings of him so I brought out a 12" EP of the 6 recordings he did for TJM.

There was a big legal case with Virgin which I won... and after that I started up a '60's' label...

 

That must have been interesting...

It was, I did a lot of work signing about 80 bands from the 60's. People like Pete Best, Tony Preston, Little Eva, Bobby Vee, The Searchers... load and loads...  and licensed them to part of the 'Trojan' Music Group. That took me all over the world... in the 90's I did a compilation Manchester bands...

 

With Pete Mitchell who is sadly no longer with us ?

Yes, that's very sad. It wasn't long since I'd spoken to him as he was going to set up meetings with Bernard Stephen and Hooky, separately of course but unfortunately, he passed away.

Since then I've met up with Hooky who said he wanted to get involved. He's always been very complimentary in his books about TJM and myself, he has agreed to speak on the 'launch night' for the book 

Sorry, I interrupted, so the 60's label?

Well I was a Soul Boy, loved the Twisted Wheel, but that lead me to punk. I just love music of all kinds. It's taken me all around the world... In the course of doing what I've done I've met people like George Martin, I'm not saying I'm a great friend of his but you'd get talking about what you were doing, he was really nice and interested with a real passion for music like me.

I've had a great life and here to tell the tale!

 

Just aside from music for a moment... football?

I used to be a United fan but for some reason lost interest When my son was young, I got interested in Bury FC, and I become a really passionate supporter.

Their demise has really impacted on the people of the town, they've lost their identity. It's a great shame but I will be supporting the phoenix club... I live just down the road in Prestwich

 

Is it just bands covered in the book?

I have as many as I could, not all the big bands. There are some of the 'smaller' ones. I couldn't interview everyone though as there were nearly 80, maybe 90 that passed through the rehearsal rooms, but there are people like  Dave Gleave from 'The Naughty Boys'... they didn't release anything but I've got to know Dave.

I've done a piece on the photographers that passed through in the book. There was Anton Corbijn and of course Kevin Cummins, but Dave has, by shear hard work and persistence,  come forward and for me is the No 1 Manchester photographer.

He's better than he thinks, he's a very talented photographer. He's got an edge on a lot of others so he merits a place in the book, he’s got the rare knack of bringing out the character in the individual. 

 

You mentioned The Fall, did you get to speak to Mark before we lost him?

Yes I did, I knew him from TJM and we got on, but in his later life I bumped into him in Prestwich Precinct. People always say he was very abrupt and offhand but he said, 'you'll have to come for a drink'.

I ended up drinking with him 3 or 4 times. He'd talk about things in life that were so in-depth and he encouraged me to get the book done... he wasn't one that followed Factory, he thought they were very pretentious.... but my point is I've been very honoured to have some of these kinds of meetings and do these off the wall interviews... I'm not going to say we were best of friends, but he did take time to do a great interview...

 

What can people expect from the book?

The book will not be a glib, sanitised thing, I've had a great life, but I have lived in the fast lane, 3 wives... I like wedding cake! I'm going to tell it like it is from my rebellious boarding school days it's all added up into a good story...

Finally, just back to Lou Macari, how did the contact with him come about, was it down to the 1979 Squad coming to rehearse their Cup Final Single at the rehearsal rooms?

That's another story! 

Football wasn't like it is now with all the millions but Man United were still the biggest. They'd got to the Cup Final against Arsenal. The club didn't sponsor the record, so the players had done a deal with RCA Records to get some money in their pockets.

TJM Studios were very prominent at the time, and my posters were plastered all around Manchester, you couldn't miss it... so I get a call from Man United asking how much it would be to book a rehearsal room just for 2 hours to rehearse the song...

I said £70. The cheque came the same day they came down. I'm there thinking 'they're not going to like it'... the rooms were great for the punks, they had atmosphere, but the players couldn't relate to that.

So they all come up the stairs, I greeted Lou Macari at the top, he's looking round, shaking his head, laughing and joking. Hucknall was there hanging over the bannister trying to get autographs, Hooky was there too but most of Joy Division were City... you could hear United and City chants echoing around the building...

Anyway, I opened up the room, which was Sad Cafe's room, they were away on a world tour... so they all look in and there was a deathly silence... and Sammy McIlroy says 'there's no chairs to sit down'... and I said, 'you’re not here for a Team Photo, you're here to rehearse'... so they all started laughing, and had a con-flab... Lou said... 'keep the cheque, we'll go back to Old Trafford to use the Conference Room there’.

Now, years later I'm doing the book and was thinking I wouldn't mind getting Man United in it, I managed to get through to Lou Macari and I introduced myself and asked if he could remember coming down... he burst out laughing and said 'I couldn't forget it... and you kept the cheque as well!'

From there we've struck up a rapport. I knew about his charity and was invited to go down. I tell you I was humbled. He's there at the homeless shelter 5 or 6 times a week, he's a modern-day Saint. I mean that genuinely. He devotes his time to help people that are really lost causes, and I have nothing but respect for him. He uses his celebrity status to help people, he's great guy.

I don't want to come across all 'Smashie and Nicey' about it but I've raised £2000 for his  Charity, 'The Macari Centre' though those I’ve spoken to about the book and people they’ve brought to it also, like yourself, with the reprints of some of the old posters and the TJM Badge..

 

Last 3 questions...

What's your favourite album?

That's a hard one... so many... I love a lot of different music, but I'd have to go back to a soul album really, it's quite rare now... 'The Artistry of Brenda Holloway'. I just do love soul music... I do lve punk and I do love rock, but I'll always go back to soul

Favourite single or song?

For that Brenda Holloway it's the whole album, but there is a track 'Every Little Bit Hurts' which is a kind of dance record that takes me back to when I used to go to the Twisted Wheel, just evokes happy memories.

All Time Favourite Band or Artist?

Dylan, I'd say Bob Dylan, for what he did to change pop music.

 

Thanks for your time Tony. Look forward to meeting up for the book launch if not before

 

 

Iain Key 2020