WELCOME
A HISTORY OF THE COVENTRY MUSIC SCENE IN THE 1970'S BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY RESTRICTED TO THE 70'S. A RESOURCE FOR RESEARCHERS, FILM MAKERS, WRITERS AND MUSICIANS AS WELL AS FOR THOSE CURIOUS ABOUT THE COVENTRY MUSIC SCENE IN THE YEARS BEFORE TWO TONE BROKE AND THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED OR AROUND AT THE TIME.
HOBO WAS A 1970'S COVENTRY MUSIC MAGAZINE AND THE HOBO WORKSHOP AT THE HOLYHEAD YOUTH
CENTRE WAS OUR MUSIC VENUE. It was run by Trev Teasdel - along with various co-editors at various times including Bo (John Bargent - orginal c0-founder), Barbara Wainwright, Arthur Brown.
Pete Waterman contributed a Soul Hole article and advertised his Soul Hole Record Store prior to fame.
WE WELCOME FEEDBACK.
Check out Charley Anderson's latest - Ghetto Child
later with the People Band and Skalatones.
November sees the launch of the research and development of a COVENTRY MUSIC EXHIBITION at the Herbert Musem that will open to the public in October 2009. Neol Davies is organising a Two Tone jam session to both launch the exhibition and celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Two Tone.
1ST TWO TONE RECORD - GANGSTERS / THE SELECTER
TT1 AND TT2 1979 - Paper Label - Plain White Sleeve (No date Stamp)
Colin Richardson has one for sale at half the Catalogue Value £7.50
If interested e mail on [email protected]
COVMUSIC TIMELINE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO GUIDE RESEARCHERS FOR THE COVENTRY MUSIC EXHIBITION - VIEW AND COMMENT AND WATCH IT GROW - WILL BE A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR A WHILE.
The COVENTRY ARTS UMBRELLA - Opened by Harry Secombe and the The Goons in 1955 has seeded both
the music and the poetry scene in Coventry. The first folk club in Coventry was held there in the 60's. In the 70's Two Toners - Neol Davies and John Bradbury frequented the Umbrella. It has a long history and in 2005 the Umbrella celebrated it's half century anniversary with a poetry broadcast on BBC Radio Coventry and the launch of a poetry anthology - UNDER THE UMBRELLA.
The Anthology is available from the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery shop. There will be a new post on this about it soon and they have a website www.umbrellaclub.org.uk
Loving New Cov Band Rider at the moment (check them out on Vox) BOOKS
Pete Chambers launches his well produced new book on Cov Music
replete with fantastic photos of Cov's rich musical heritage. At £5.99 it's a must buy for anyone passionate about Cov Music.
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Read about Horace's New Book HERE
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Read about Horace's New Book HERE
NOW IN PAPERBACK FOR £7.99
THE GNOME LABEL
THE NEW CO-OPERATIVE RECORD LABEL!
The former Coventry Magazine - Broadgate Gnome launched their new Co-operative Record Label! The idea began in Coventry in 1970 as an alternative to the music business - an early form of the music collectives that formed in the 80's, along with gig-swopping networks to enable bands to play further afield. TwoToner Neol Davies and Selecter Producer Roger Lomus were among those who performed at the initial gigs years before Two Tone.
"We work on the principle of Mutual Aid and devote our time to actively promoting an alternative to the big business of the Music Industry. We have no paid employees but rely on a collective of experienced people who believe in the ethic of cooperation. This is a project that has been 40 years in the making, which is now made possible by new technology.."
The Gnome are aiming for four releases each quarter and to develop from there (keep an eye on their site for details and developments) - Gnome Label and Gnome Fest
More details on these can be found on the Gnome Label site Here
The Gnome wrote -
"Songs from the Coventry Underground Is a collection of the earlier songs from poet and performer Trev Teasdel.
It is very apt that he should feature at the very beginning of our Retro-Cov platform.
This is the guy that played an important role in the development of Coventry musical conciousness. He kept an alternative voice alive with the production of Hobo magazine that continued the trail from where the fading footprints of the Gnome could still be identified. Taking over the booking of live bands at the Arts Umbrella, he continued the policy that allowed many of the new local bands an airing as well as bringing in some excellent but not often seen names from outside of the City.
He also created one of the cornerstones of the Coventry Music scene, with the inception of the open jam sessions at the Holyhead Road Arts centre.
He left Coventry to study and has since been as active as ever, with an impressive workload of teaching new writers, running poetry magazines and venues from his Teesside home while still writing and performing his own material.
But that's not the only reason for choosing his work for this release. He is a master craftsman of his artform. His lyrics are carefully honed with the
occasional surprise. The working of the words " under the Speenhamland scheme" into the lyric of Captain Swing, written some 20 years before the arrival of Billy Bragg, is phenomenal and deserves a place in the record books.
Aside from that, his work reverberates with the angst and expectations that many living in Coventry at the that time will have felt. Often written on long walks home up the London Road after the last bus, or in teabreaks while working at the GEC. The collective lyrics paint a picture of youthful exhilaration and myradiacl inspirations with echoes of revolt. Some might suggest that they could have been written in and about any city in those times. No they could only come from one place....Our Coventry.
Trev has posted many of his lyrics and the thought and activities behind their writing on his Vox space HERE
This is the guy that played an important role in the development of Coventry musical conciousness. He kept an alternative voice alive with the production of Hobo magazine that continued the trail from where the fading footprints of the Gnome could still be identified. Taking over the booking of live bands at the Arts Umbrella, he continued the policy that allowed many of the new local bands an airing as well as bringing in some excellent but not often seen names from outside of the City.
He also created one of the cornerstones of the Coventry Music scene, with the inception of the open jam sessions at the Holyhead Road Arts centre.
He left Coventry to study and has since been as active as ever, with an impressive workload of teaching new writers, running poetry magazines and venues from his Teesside home while still writing and performing his own material.
But that's not the only reason for choosing his work for this release. He is a master craftsman of his artform. His lyrics are carefully honed with the
Aside from that, his work reverberates with the angst and expectations that many living in Coventry at the that time will have felt. Often written on long walks home up the London Road after the last bus, or in teabreaks while working at the GEC. The collective lyrics paint a picture of youthful exhilaration and myradiacl inspirations with echoes of revolt. Some might suggest that they could have been written in and about any city in those times. No they could only come from one place....Our Coventry.
The brilliant 1980 Coventry Album SENT FOR COVENTRY produced by Martin Bowes of Alternative Sounds
Magazine in Coventry and now in the band Attrition (who will be featured in the Retro Cov album is now available for download HERE
You can listen to excerpts from the tracks which include - The Wild Boys, Clique, The End, The Urge, Hot Snacks (Machine), Solid Action, The Mix, Vietnamese Babies, Squad, Riot Act, Protege, Homicide.
This is from the illustrious Two Tone Period in Coventry when Coventry was buzzing with musical life and bands. See the Alternative Sounds supplement with more info on the bands shortly - watch this space.
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You can listen to excerpts from the tracks which include - The Wild Boys, Clique, The End, The Urge, Hot Snacks (Machine), Solid Action, The Mix, Vietnamese Babies, Squad, Riot Act, Protege, Homicide.
This is from the illustrious Two Tone Period in Coventry when Coventry was buzzing with musical life and bands. See the Alternative Sounds supplement with more info on the bands shortly - watch this space.
...................................................
This much I know: I was still at school and did not stay on to do A-levels. Put even more honestly, I would not have been allowed to stay on to do A-levels. It must have been about 1967-68 and a very particular period during which bands who had previously been doing soul-covers that got audiences dancing were crossing over into more experimental territory. One week you’d be there with 10 inch single vent, red socks, hush-puppies, Ben Sherman shirt from Kavanaugh Boutique and the next week you’d turn up with a bell round your neck. Well, you would if you were really brave… or stupid.
My most vivid memories are of Cream and Lee Dorsey. Much has been written about both acts since then, and according to a fairly recent book on Cream, gigs like the Leofric were being honoured more than anything else because they had already made significant waves elsewhere. Standing directly in front of the stage, I was transfixed by Ginger Baker. He was pale, gaunt and totally driven. I couldn’t comprehend how someone who looked as ill he did could play like he did. Clapton stood almost motionless, his gaze fixed on some distant horizon, his lips puckered and turned down slightly at the sides. I cannot remember what one of them wore, but they were not dressed like mods – schoolboy or real – and I could not quite comprehend how the other Leofric regulars were not similarly mesmerised.
It must have been the same year when Lee Dorsey played. Knowing what we do in hindsight, it seems that Dorsey was using a ‘pick-up’ band made up of British musicians, the Musicians Union at that time only allowing a one-for one exchange (i.e. You let an American tour the UK and we’ll let a Brit tour the USA). From where I stood – again right at the front – the band played perfectly, Dorsey had by then already had a hit with ‘Workin’ and he did this routine in which he sort of shadow-boxed. Being so close, he looked so tiny and skinny and more than anything I remember his skin being really, really pock-marked. He’d worked up a sweat within a couple of numbers and his suit, a two-tone silver/ grey affair was steaming.
I’m sure there will be others with sharper memories than myself who will remember others, but I also saw The Steam Packet, a soul/ r’n’b -type revue that included Rod Stewart, Long John Baldrey and maybe even Julie Driscoll. It is also said that Reg Dwight, the Steampacket’s keyboard player, took his future stage name from alto-sax player Elton Dean. Work it out!
Posted by: mick | 02/18/2007 at 06:09 PM
Ian (The Writers Cafe Reviewer on Teesside sent me some electronic stuff he he did - some with Dave Sherriff of Coventry's Stett Audio (their My Space is on this intro). Ian (or Rolf) as he is sometimes known sent this info via My Space on Stett Audio.
Hi Trevor,
Thx for the message. Stett Audio is actually 1 person, Dave
Sherriff. I have mentioned him coming from Coventry but probably as
half of Relevant POS with John McGregor. John is also on My Space
friends but this isnt a music my space. They were known for a short
while as Telemetry and the forces of confusion which I think is a GREAT
name. They played a few gigs round coventry but didnt make much of a
splash. Then Dave went to City Uni in London where I met him. In the
era of Synth Pop Duos they became one (a proper pop band), in between
whiles dave and I did stuff together some of which you have heard.
More details on the Relevant POS web site http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Birdland/3547/index.htm
I am known as Rolf there (a nickname I got at Uni following my gap year 6 months of which I spent in Oz)
Relevant POS still do the odd track together and Dave has always
done Solo work. His Stett audio stuff is a bit of a departure tho one
of the new tracks on his page remind me of a track we did together (he
did and I tried not to wreck lol).
Although they never got a deal I always felt that if they had been
unhindered by lack of ambition they could have done very well in the
pop biz. It was the first time I was in the presence of people I
believed had the talent to make it big.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 02:43 PM
And this came from Stett Audio via My Space complimenting Ian's message below.
Trev,
I came across your Myspace page via Rolf (I mean Ian Laing) - mutual Myspace friend.
For some reason I hadn't noticed before you are a fellow Coventry
Kid (albeit ex-pat now). I didn't really get into music until the late
70s/early 80s. This was about the time of 2 Tone (my tenuous connection
was Jerry Dammers went to our school - but was much older than me so I
never knew him! My old Wasp synth was rumoured to have once belonged to
the Specials though!).
I was in an experimental music band back then with my mate John
McGregor - "in the style of" Cabaret Voltaire I suppose (but we hadn't
heard of them then - we were into early Pink Floyd etc). Our
contempories were the Human Cabbages, Pete Every's Idol Eyes and
Attrition (still going) - though we never seemed to manage to fit into
any sort of "scene".
Anyway, I really like your Myspace page - looks like you are doing some excellent stuff Up North with the Writer's Cafe.
Dave Sherriff.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 02:45 PM
Cov Drummer Ted Duggan sent a message to me via My Space -
Hi Trev
WOW
Drops of Brandy ...theres a name from the past ... Not had very
good memories of that band ...
I looked at your pictures and saw Bob Jackson from Indian Summer .... I was in Bad Finger with Bob in the 80's
I also saw the Reluctant Stereo Types Picture ?
I rent my house off Sam McNulty ? and Steve Edgson Lives around the corner from me in Earlsdon
Keep in touch
Ted
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 02:49 PM
A Band Called George also messaged via My Space - Bob Young writes -
hobo site
love the site. somebody has been working hard.
Hope you had a happy christmas and we all wish you a prosperous new
year. A new 'A Band Called George Two' Album is almost finished and
will be unleashed on to the public probably in march. Keep up the good
work Trev........Best wishes Bob
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 03:18 PM
Had various communications via e mail from Modi Albrighton formerly of Pepperming Kreem and New City Sounds etc. He now lives in Germany but here are some of his thoughts on the Covnetry music Scene -
HI Trevor many thanks for your mail.my site has been dead for some time as i have
a recording studio in germany
BUT i was thinking of starting my site up again .but i only want the old
days. Any info you can give me would be welcome
My site is working its on line but i have done nothing to it for a long
time
i realy need help and if i can help you i will i have also pics that have
never been seen of the peppermint kreem and many others
i realy hope you will contact me again thanks modie albrighton
...
i am now in september 65 years old and they were people older than me at
this time what it needs is a real book
not one thats just stays on one band
a book for all bands with storys of what happend at this time as you say
when its gone its gone
i have been in germay since 1973 its my home now but i miss the old time
very much i am famous over here
but nothing can compare what happend in the 60
talk to you later give me your phone number...
hey you do no i have a large recording studio modiw falcon-studios.de
would you like me to send you some new songs of the peppermint kreem
they are nothing like the old ones let me Know ok MODIE
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 03:36 PM
Early on in the site I got some e mails from Roger Albion -
Hi Trev
doubtless you wont remember me but nevertheless
here I am. I used to knock around Mick Quinn, Steve Quinn, Pete Donegan, Liz
Royal Jackie Finch and a friend Sandra? etc. I seem to remember visiting people
in Avon Street I think, who I believe you knew. I may have walked in your
direction a couple of times when you were in Brinklow or Shilton as I lived in
Stoke. might even have given you a lift on motorbike & sidecar! Any way
thanks for sight; brings back memories I never new I had, Keep it up; I have a
huge chunk to recover! Now I am sounding like an old Git! of the "I remember
when" variety.
Cheers Roger
Hi Trev
Not suprising really that you don't remember, I
think, and now know, that you were more involved into "The scene".behind the
scenes. I was one of the drunken sots that would turn up at events!
The Kids Show is a mobile Children's Play
organisation based in Hackney. rudimentary Web Site here www.albionkidsshow.org.uk. I worked
as a Playworker and now , for want of a better description, coordinater. Its interesting that you went to study in 1980 as I
did much the same thing. In Cov I did an apprenticeship at Morris, Courthouse
Green then moved to Southampton in 1974 I think and worked as Technician at the
University.Whilst imbibing the "scene" in
Southampton It was suggested that I could escape the scourge of engineering by
going to University as mature student, without the need for A levels, so I
ended up going to Leeds 1981 to 1984; Politics & Philosophy and a fair
amount of Tetleys!
Sandra I remember lived next to Courtaulds off
Lockhurst Lane. Are you in touch with any of the people? Mutual aquantances
would be John Gravenor, He lived around the corner from me; Jackie; Steve
Quinn; Jon Bradbury, and of course Byron and his Cohen Collection. I remember
Scon but never managed a conversation with him I do remember seeing him at The
Earlsdon Cottage tipping a pint of either beer or paint over the conga player, I
presume the group was Khayyam?
Cheers Roger Albion
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 03/10/2007 at 03:43 PM
The Cov Vox Vibe continues... check out
http://depotstudios.vox.com/
The old Depot Studios, now located in the Herbert Art Gallery are on the lookin to hear from old members recording and tales
Posted by: covcitymusic | 05/10/2007 at 09:09 PM
[this is good] Trev, I remember Modi in his band, although I don't remember meeting him but Peppermint Kreem were well known in Coventry. I saw him play at the Memorial park. Have you got an e mail address for him?
Posted by: Jim Pryal | 05/11/2007 at 09:41 AM
I love this site - there are so many great video clips and interesting bits and pieces on here.
Posted by: Ann | 05/24/2007 at 11:15 PM
I recently received this sad news from about Paul Brook - it was circulated by Gighouse Studios...
I hadn't seen Paul for years and had no idea he was ill, but knew him quite well in the early 70s when he and I both worked in the Expediting Department of GEC in Copsewood. He was developing his talents then as a great drummer (used to practice with his fingers on his desk all day!!!) and an inventive practical joker.
A few years later he worked with former Dando Shaft guitarist Kevin Dempsey and later-to-be Fairport fiddle-player Chris Leslie. Paul produced (and played percussion on) their superb 'Always With You' album.
Great guy. Great loss.
Posted by: Pete Willow | 05/28/2007 at 02:32 PM
Thanks Pete - I did read it on Ted Duggan's My Space (will ring Ted soon) and do a tribute on this site. Paul Brooks was also drummer with Analog who were one of the regular bands on at the HOBO Workshop in 1974 (some of whose members were later in Reluctant Stereotypes. Any info on Paul's career would therefore be useful. Trev.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 05/28/2007 at 03:35 PM
DANDO SHAFT MEMBER DIES - TED KAY
To all friends and fans; sad to say after a prolonged
illness at 3.48p.m. on Sunday 5th August, Ted Kay died peacefully at
home. I will pass on any messages to his wife Angie.
Coopz
This message was on their MY SPACE bulletin. You can leave messages on their site HERE
I've asked Dave Cooper if he wants to write a tribute to put on this site.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 08/09/2007 at 03:36 PM
Sad news Dave. I heard from Rob Armstrong and have placed a few words in the Coventry Telegraph folk column for this Friday. I don't think I knew his wife but please pass on my condolences to her and to all Dando members.
Pete W
Posted by: Pete Willow | 08/09/2007 at 05:17 PM
he died on Saturday 4th August not Sunday 5th August
Posted by: Ms.K | 08/26/2007 at 03:02 PM
Thanks for the correction Ms. K. Appreciated.
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 08/26/2007 at 03:15 PM
Thanks for the kind words on TRAILER, nice to see the Coventry connections doing well and keep up the good work keeping Coventry on the musical map.
Thanks
Stewart
Emsar Management
Posted by: TRAILER | 10/21/2007 at 11:01 AM
this is a very good looking site!!
Posted by: Ann | 10/25/2007 at 01:43 PM
If I can just make a correction here, as this has caused confusion before and is starting to do so again.
The Retro Cov project is a series of podcasts;; we are NOT using the material in an album.
Material submirred will only be used in the podcast
Posted by: A and R | 10/25/2007 at 06:12 PM
[this is good]
I was lead singer with Peppermint Kreem 1968 and the revived Peppermint Kreem of 1973. We played the Memorial Park with " just before dawn " another local band. It was at this gig that peppermint Kreem first performed the rock opera that I wrote " Revelation 2001 ". We did make a recording of this opera with Monty Bird at Bird Sounds studio but it was never released. However, in 1987
Posted by: paul kennelly | 05/07/2008 at 12:09 AM
i recently seen a comment u left on indieboys page about my song irish party, i just want to express my thanks for having a listen and the constructive comment. many thanks
peace and respect
shakey
Posted by: Shakey: Irelands answer to Rap music | 07/30/2008 at 10:05 AM
Does anyone have material on "a CND concert in Coventry under the flyover near The Swanswell around 1981-84 many local bands played many thanks Chris" Had a request for it but I'd left Cov by then. If you have any info / material - please get in contact. Trev
Posted by: HOBO - Coventry Music Magazine | 11/15/2008 at 02:44 PM
[this is good]
Hello I was the original drummer with 70's Coventry Band "Joker" who had formerly been named "Dave and the Sun" when I first joined them.
Anybody have memories of the band(s)?
Posted by: Jim Ferris | 08/10/2009 at 01:32 PM
[this is good]
Hi Roger, It was brown paint at that Kayyam gig at Earlsdon Cottage and I remember the guy said `your so cool`. Bo.
Posted by: John Bargent (Bo) | 03/16/2010 at 12:51 PM
[das ist gut]
Posted by: modieblues | 07/30/2010 at 02:10 PM