The Mod Scene Today

[Richard]

Or even Wigans Ovation were a great soul band or that the Casino Classics label is very collectable

[Guest Ste Brazil]

what have mods got do with anything soulfull,soul music was never a big part of the orig mod scene,we are talking the WHO etc who were a big part of the mod scene,nothing wrong with that,but why have all these revivalist mods hooked onto the northern scene,i am a soul boy, been nowt else all my life,apart from an occasional football hooligan,which has got nothing to do with my taste in music anyway.

so why dont all latter day mods bog off,listen to the who and hammond organ music,and leave the soul scene well alone.

Thats so innacurate its hilarious - Gave me a laugh anyway !!!

Ste.

[Guest Ste Brazil]

(although it's a myth that mods liked the Who by the way),

[Bigsoulman]

I think mods would have been listening to soul before anyone else in this country, depends on where you date the birth of 'soul' I suppose.

To me, the mod ethic is not about liking what 60s mods liked anyway (although it's a myth that mods liked the Who by the way), it's about liking quality music, which (arguably ) justifies them liking northern soul.

Don't agree with you that its a myth that mods did'nt like The Who, they were gods for the first two years of them forming until they moved on to longhair shit , I saw them here in Edinburgh in 65 and believe me mate they were awesome, however as soon as the change of direction came they were quickly dropped as were The Kinks and The Small Faces, but having said that I think these groups image was more important than their music in hindsight

Lenny

[Guest Andy Kempster]

depends on the type of scooterists..

I'm a scooterist but I only listern to Northern yet I have scooterist mates that hate Northern. They like Ska Phsyco billy etc... and when they are all peed up nelly the elephant. so they can be annoying on the dance floor..

i have been asked to play at a scooterist oriented do in june, what would you say the favourite scooterist soul sounds are, as i am sure they dont always go hand in hand soulies choice

[Guest ShaneH]

I remember reading an article by Peter Blake the artist (Sgt Pepper etc) claiming he was part of the first mod movement in the UK.

He seems to think the movement began in the 40's when he would attend all night Jazz parties where imported black american records were played whilst cocaine was the drug of choice.

with regards to the Who - they were mods who formed a band to replicate the sounds they were into imo.

They never played the Who at the flamingo club. it was all black US imports of soul & jazz

Shane

[Harrogatesoul]

I remember reading an article by Peter Blake the artist (Sgt Pepper etc) claiming he was part of the first mod movement in the UK.

He seems to think the movement began in the 40's when he would attend all night Jazz parties where imported black american records were played whilst cocaine was the drug of choice.

with regards to the Who - they were mods who formed a band to replicate the sounds they were into imo.

They never played the Who at the flamingo club. it was all black US imports of soul & jazz

Shane

True Shane - The term mod / modernist I always assumed was from listening to and the scene modern jazz - The book ' Absolute Beginners - later a film with Bowie / Ray Davies - described this scene.

The seminal ( in my view - it was my bible in my teens ) - book - MODS - Cant remember the author would also support your points.

I always thought northern soul was born out of the fact that the north carried on the real /underground black music scene after mod died off in the late 60s.. But as ever I maystand to be corrected!

ATB

Rich

[Mace]

what have mods got do with anything soulfull,soul music was never a big part of the orig mod scene,we are talking the WHO etc who were a big part of the mod scene,nothing wrong with that,but why have all these revivalist mods hooked onto the northern scene,i am a soul boy, been nowt else all my life,apart from an occasional football hooligan,which has got nothing to do with my taste in music anyway.

so why dont all latter day mods bog off,listen to the who and hammond organ music,and leave the soul scene well alone.

Ted, thought by your reply in the Suedehead thread that besides being a soul boy all your life, that you had also been a suedehead at some point (quote post 11 from Suedehead thread below)

..........'well i am sorry,but us lot in the north east,did not have girl haircuts like those shown,suedhead by definition was a cut slightly longer than a skinhead,hence suedhead,felt like suede to the touch etc etc,clothing not the way i dressed,(dog tooth check jacket,levi staepress,ben sherman shirt,oxford shoes,red pocket hankey with tie pin) do you get the picture ? no girly haircuts.'............

The Suedehead and Mod scenes ain't a million miles apart, stylewise, and musically I think you well know that the Mod scene is far more diverse than the limited appeal of the Who.

Also the soul scene benefits from more young blood joining this scene than from anywhere else - a high percentage of the 30 - 40 year olds on the present Northern Scene have originated from the Mod scene.

Plus, like it or hate it, the Northern Scene evolved from the original 60s Mod scene....fact.

By the way - do you know of Stu Wilkinson and Dave Snowdon???

2 great guys from the North East who were on the Mod Scene many moons ago..I know they were into Northern as well.....not seen either for many years now.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Mace

[Guest Rowly]

Great sounds on your and Mik's playlists, although I didn't have the Forris Woods in my mind as particularly modish! Rodge Martin needs more spins.

Great revelation came for me in about 1984 when Paul Hallam knocked out a couple of cassettes of what he was playing, fantastic stuff across the board like Thelma Harper Unchain My Heart, Mr Dynamite, Maximillian, Soul Sisters Good Times Tonight, Leavin' Here (think it was the Birds version), Bo Street Runners, King of Kings, all sorts of wonderful stuff that was representative of what was being played at the time.

I first heard the Forris Woods when Tony Smith spun it when he guested at (the gone and very sadly missed club) "Shotgun" a couple of years back or so..... had me scuttling straight over to the decks to find out what it was... then Mulf played it at Shake last year and reminded me of it.

The Rodge Martin is indeed in need of more spins... GREAT record (IMO!)

Paul Hallam's still playing the same records these days....

[Guest Rowly]

QUOTE(RnB Rookie @ Apr 5 2006, 12:58 AM)

great set Rowly

Zu Zu Blues Band - Zu Zu Man (A&M)

watch this one go!!

I wish it would bloody well go. A long long way away. The sooner the better!

BB me old mucker!

Guess what I'll be playing just for you tomorrow night.......

[Guest Rowly]

what have mods got do with anything soulfull,soul music was never a big part of the orig mod scene,we are talking the WHO etc who were a big part of the mod scene,nothing wrong with that,but why have all these revivalist mods hooked onto the northern scene,i am a soul boy, been nowt else all my life,apart from an occasional football hooligan,which has got nothing to do with my taste in music anyway.

so why dont all latter day mods bog off,listen to the who and hammond organ music,and leave the soul scene well alone.

To quote a line from THAT film.......

"Why don't you just turn over and do a few underwater farts.......?"

[Bigsoulman]

Can anyone recommend any half decent cd's on mod stuff other than the obvious

cheers,

Lenny

[Guest Andy BB]

Can anyone recommend any half decent cd's on mod stuff other than the obvious

cheers,

Lenny

That's really difficult Lenny as I think we should have established that there's no such thing as 'Mod stuff'?

Although, and I really hate to pass any business his way, Rowly does a series of compilation CDs that cross over the whole spectrum of what Mods are currently listening to very nicely.

Better to get them from the horses mouth so to speak (and he really does resemble a horse) than via some compiler who hasn't been out to a Mod club for a decade.

[Bigsoulman]

That's really difficult Lenny as I think we should have established that there's no such thing as 'Mod stuff'?

Although, and I really hate to pass any business his way, Rowly does a series of compilation CDs that cross over the whole spectrum of what Mods are currently listening to very nicely.

Better to get them from the horses mouth so to speak (and he really does resemble a horse) than via some compiler who hasn't been out to a Mod club for a decade.

Thanks Andy, sorted

Lenny

[Guest Richard Bergman]

Ted,

Randy's and Ady's original 6ts nites in London essentially catered for Mods and related factions.

Latter day mods tend to be more interested in the freakbeat/psych end of things but a strong contingent of mods still attend the 100 club and similar venues on a regular basis.

Mod and soul music will undeniably be linked to the end of time in my opinion.

[Guest Stuart T]

I first heard the Forris Woods when Tony Smith spun it when he guested at (the gone and very sadly missed club) "Shotgun" a couple of years back or so..... had me scuttling straight over to the decks to find out what it was... then Mulf played it at Shake last year and reminded me of it.

The Rodge Martin is indeed in need of more spins... GREAT record (IMO!)

Paul Hallam's still playing the same records these days....

Shotgun is sadly missed, great club, is the venue still open? At least unlike someone called Dean, Hallam isn't still wearing the same jacket.

I love the Forris Woods myself, played it in Gothenberg and it got a bit of interest. Must remember to put it back in the DJ box.

[Guest Andy BB]

Ted,

Latter day mods tend to be more interested in the freakbeat/psych end of things...

On what planet is this the case Richard?

I have never ever heard a single one of those fair flamboyant folk refer to themselves as Mods - They HATE Mods, They are Psyches, or Freaks (not derogatory) or Swirlies. Mods pick on them mercilessly and drive them away into hitherto dimly-lit corners in order to contain the fire-hazard caused by their abundance of man made fibres and to keep the moths which they harbour in their 'vintage' outfits away from our nice shiny new kecks. They in turn look down on us as uptight miserable monotone bank-managers with too much aggression. I love em!

But never call them Mods.

[Kev Connellan]

Zu Zu Blues Band - Zu Zu Man (A&M)

BB me old mucker!

Guess what I'll be playing just for you tomorrow night.......

TWICE (jusy for Andy ) !!!

Edited April 6, 2006 by RnB Rookie

[Guest Andy BB]

TWICE (jusy for Andy ) !!!

Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it...

There'll come a day when you boys will learn to love songs that are properly produced, not made in a garden shed by old men whose idea of voice training is 50 JPS a day.

Tunes crafted skilfully with strings rather than chucked together with twingy twangy homemade guitars and screeching harmonicas.

Songs made for adults, about love and loss, rather than rehashed nick-nack nursery rhymes.

And on that day, when you're all huddled into a little Mod mass before me, beseeching me, "BB, BB, we're ready, please play something" I won't turn you away. I'll smile warmly and say "I forgive you for making me listen to Zu Zu Man, come children, walk with me a while, together we'll help you put aside your boyhood RnB follies and set you on your way to manhood... For this boys and girls.... Is Northern Soul!

[Guest Richard Bergman]

On what planet is this the case Richard?

I have never ever heard a single one of those fair flamboyant folk refer to themselves as Mods - They HATE Mods, They are Psyches, or Freaks (not derogatory) or Swirlies. Mods pick on them mercilessly and drive them away into hitherto dimly-lit corners in order to contain the fire-hazard caused by their abundance of man made fibres and to keep the moths which they harbour in their 'vintage' outfits away from our nice shiny new kecks. They in turn look down on us as uptight miserable monotone bank-managers with too much aggression. I love em!

But never call them Mods.

I did it for a reaction knowing the anger it would genrate from your fraternity...I forgot my indicating playful banter.

Anyway why am I entering a discussion on mod ...I like FOLK

[Guest Andy BB]

I did it for a reaction knowing the anger it would genrate from your fraternity...I forgot my indicating playful banter.

Anyway why am I entering a discussion on mod ...I like FOLK

I thought about that after you'd posted, But then I thought hang on, he's European, surely he can't have a sense of humour.

[Kev Connellan]

Songs made for adults, about love and loss, rather than rehashed nick-nack nursery rhymes.

And on that day, when you're all huddled into a little Mod mass before me, beseeching me, "BB, BB, we're ready, please play something" I won't turn you away. I'll smile warmly and say "I forgive you for making me listen to Zu Zu Man, come children, walk with me a while, together we'll help you put aside your boyhood RnB follies and set you on your way to manhood... For this boys and girls.... Is Northern Soul!

PMSL

the road to redemption steers a long and winding course, with many twists and turns. Who knows how long it will take us to reach the end. How long are you prepared to wait for us?

[Guest Andy BB]

PMSL

the road to redemption steers a long and winding course, with many twists and turns. Who knows how long it will take us to reach the end. How long are you prepared to wait for us?

I'm a fair man.

I'll give you until 2am on May 14th

[Rbman]

Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it...

There'll come a day when you boys will learn to love songs that are properly produced, not made in a garden shed by old men whose idea of voice training is 50 JPS a day.

Tunes crafted skilfully with strings rather than chucked together with twingy twangy homemade guitars and screeching harmonicas.

Songs made for adults, about love and loss, rather than rehashed nick-nack nursery rhymes.

And on that day, when you're all huddled into a little Mod mass before me, beseeching me, "BB, BB, we're ready, please play something" I won't turn you away. I'll smile warmly and say "I forgive you for making me listen to Zu Zu Man, come children, walk with me a while, together we'll help you put aside your boyhood RnB follies and set you on your way to manhood... For this boys and girls.... Is Northern Soul!

bloody hell...I find myself agreeing with you regarding that Zu Zu thing Andy.....

[Simsy]

with regards to the Who - they were mods who formed a band to replicate the sounds they were into imo.

I think in fairness Pete Meaden was the mod in their midst. In the early days anyway as for the others, Townsend a little perhaps, but not really the others. Small Faces on the other hand, now they were mods who wanted to be in a band etc.

[Guest Rowly]

bloody hell...I find myself agreeing with you regarding that Zu Zu thing Andy.....

Christ! Agreeing with BB? You wanna pack that in for a start! Or at least never tell him you agree with him. He's bad enough as it is....

[Guest Rowly]

Shotgun is sadly missed, great club, is the venue still open? At least unlike someone called Dean, Hallam isn't still wearing the same jacket.

I love the Forris Woods myself, played it in Gothenberg and it got a bit of interest. Must remember to put it back in the DJ box.

Not sure about the venue Stuart. I know it had a change of management who wanted to do things by the book.... and were not interested in carrying on the "agreement" that Gav & Vic had sorted out with the previous guy.... hence it petering out the way it did. Shame - it was a lovely place I thought.

[pow wow mik]

Infamy! Infamy! They've all got it...

There'll come a day when you boys will learn to love songs that are properly produced, not made in a garden shed by old men whose idea of voice training is 50 JPS a day.

Tunes crafted skilfully with strings rather than chucked together with twingy twangy homemade guitars and screeching harmonicas.

Songs made for adults, about love and loss, rather than rehashed nick-nack nursery rhymes.

And on that day, when you're all huddled into a little Mod mass before me, beseeching me, "BB, BB, we're ready, please play something" I won't turn you away. I'll smile warmly and say "I forgive you for making me listen to Zu Zu Man, come children, walk with me a while, together we'll help you put aside your boyhood RnB follies and set you on your way to manhood... For this boys and girls.... Is Northern Soul!

and plays Sax version of 'call me'

If music got better the more complicated and 'adult' it became, Prog rock and jazz fusion would be the pinnacles of musical achievement. Keep it simple so you can feel the groove and so the singer can express themselves. Over produced soul is the noodly jazz of gay song writers!

[Guest Stuart T]

Not sure about the venue Stuart. I know it had a change of management who wanted to do things by the book.... and were not interested in carrying on the "agreement" that Gav & Vic had sorted out with the previous guy.... hence it petering out the way it did. Shame - it was a lovely place I thought.

I agree, especially after they expanded it a bit. May drop in to check out what is happening there one day, who is up for jumping up and down to the Who in a parka one evening this Summer? We can kidnap BB and tie him to a chair. He may like that. We can call it the New Original New Untouchables. Or is that someone already?

[Guest vinylvixen]

I think mods would have been listening to soul before anyone else in this country, depends on where you date the birth of 'soul' I suppose.

To me, the mod ethic is not about liking what 60s mods liked anyway (although it's a myth that mods liked the Who by the way), it's about liking quality music, which (arguably ) justifies them liking northern soul.

and to support what Mik says, refer to the Mod Top 100 by the Mod Daddy of Them All, Randy Cozens, as published by NME in the early 8Ts....this was the 'bible' for many revival 7Ts mods and was an accurate record of what was being played in the major mod clubs in London in the early 6Ts. Randy left behind a legacy called "This Thing of Ours - Soulgate". It would be brilliant if any of you can attend. It's on the first Saturday in June - and the Mousetrap is in the evening.......it's a charity do, free to get in and donations in the bucket to a cancer charity. I'll be doing my usual West Hampstead set.......Cobra Kings, Hank Jacobs, Googie Rene, Martha Starr, Maxine Brown, Dynamics, Mongo Santamaria, Earl Jean...and many more artists that white groups like the Who went on to copy...Be there or be oblong. Jo

[Rbman]

Can anyone recommend any half decent cd's on mod stuff other than the obvious

cheers,

Lenny

Chess Club Rhythm & Soul...Kent CDKEND 134

[Guest Stuart T]

Chess Club Rhythm & Soul...Kent CDKEND 134

Kent's New Breed RnB and the Mo' Mod Jazz series. Trojans two Mod Reggae box sets for the jamaican stuff (especially volume 1). The Sue records Cds on Ace are full of classic mod stuff. On vinyl the Kent Cool and Smart compilations as well.

[Dave]

great set Rowly

watch this one go!!

You wouldn't happen to know where theres one for sale by any chance, Kev??

[Guest WeeLass Vonny]

You wouldn't happen to know where theres one for sale by any chance, Kev??

Hey Dave I hope you are behaving! I've heard about your sort ..Check your Email pal, will look into Samanthas! Vonny x

[Dave]

Hey Dave I hope you are behaving! I've heard about your sort ..Check your Email pal, will look into Samanthas! Vonny x

Vonny, I'm always on my best behaviour on here

Will do!

[Guest rachel]

Vonny, I'm always on my best behaviour on here

Don't believe a word of it

Hello Mrs, nice to see you on here

[Guest WeeLass Vonny]

Don't believe a word of it

Hello Mrs, nice to see you on here

Hi Chick, about time I took the plunge!! Good to see you at Prestatyn!! Are you venturing to Piercebridge,guaranteed a good laugh & top sounds eh!! Promise I won't talk your ears off !

As For Dave.. say no more! Like I say Dave " I'm onto you" Ha Ha, Btw Thanx Inspector!!!

[Little-stevie]

Hi Vonny

Get a life and stay off here...Some real creepy blokes around who will get you in the family way ..See you all on Sat for plenty fun...Sorry off topic..Back to the mod debate....

[Guest kid mohair]

The mod scene today as follows,

[Guest rachel]

Hi Chick, about time I took the plunge!! Good to see you at Prestatyn!! Are you venturing to Piercebridge,guaranteed a good laugh & top sounds eh!! Promise I won't talk your ears off !

As For Dave.. say no more! Like I say Dave " I'm onto you" Ha Ha, Btw Thanx Inspector!!!

Not this time, having a quiet one.. see you somewhere soon no doubt

[Guest WeeLass Vonny]

Hi Vonny

Get a life and stay off here...Some real creepy blokes around who will get you in the family way ..See you all on Sat for plenty fun...Sorry off topic..Back to the mod debate....

NOT A CHANCE!!! Back to the debate, reminding me of the many scootering dos i attended in & around Glasgow many moons ago!! Got my first taster of SOUL & Nelli

[Guest naisygriff]

what have mods got do with anything soulfull,soul music was never a big part of the orig mod scene,we are talking the WHO etc who were a big part of the mod scene,nothing wrong with that,but why have all these revivalist mods hooked onto the northern scene,i am a soul boy, been nowt else all my life,apart from an occasional football hooligan,which has got nothing to do with my taste in music anyway.

so why dont all latter day mods bog off,listen to the who and hammond organ music,and leave the soul scene well alone.

[Guest naisygriff]

what have mods got do with anything soulfull,soul music was never a big part of the orig mod scene,we are talking the WHO etc who were a big part of the mod scene,nothing wrong with that,but why have all these revivalist mods hooked onto the northern scene,i am a soul boy, been nowt else all my life,apart from an occasional football hooligan,which has got nothing to do with my taste in music anyway.

so why dont all latter day mods bog off,listen to the who and hammond organ music,and leave the soul scene well alone.

60's Mods were into Motown and who says people cant be into any music they like, you don't own it.I like lots of different types of music and I prefer it like that, it makes for a more rounded and interesting idividual!

[Geoff]

I was a Mod in the early / mid 60s in my dim and distant youth. I went to the Scene, it was the best club I ever went to, shaped my love for music into what it is now.

I did a description of what it was like on KTF a few years ago, nearest I've been to it since was These Old Shoes although it was quite different. Also I did a list of tracks i recall being played. There was no alcohol served, only a horrible cola drink, produced from powder if I recall. Don't want to go into it too deeply as it would probably be boring for most on here.

Musically Mods were into soul, or rhythm and blues as it was more generally called then. I think the very first Mods liked modern jazz, hence the name Mods, as opposed to people who liked trad jazz, the European revival of American traditional jazz.

When I first went to the Scene most of the stuff played was genuine R&B, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Chuck Berry (his stuff was being revived by the Mersey and Beat boom of the time), early Motown records like Money, Please Mr Postman, etc. And some Phil Spector hits of the time. Plus organ tracks by the likes of Jimmy McGriff. Also some jazz, but can't remember who it was by, but sort of punchy brassy stuff. And some ska, or Bluebeat, Prince Buster, Derrick & Patsy.

It gradually changed into what we now call soul as the music changed. Stuff like the Impressions, Major Lance, Four Tops, Temptations, classic Motown and Atlantic and Stax. As in most of the clubs of the time some pop records were played, but it was mainly R&B/soul. Pop records I recall included GTO by Ronnie & The Daytonas (a sort of surf record, although I don't think it originated in California), You're The One by the Vogues and Hung On You by the Righteous Brothers. I think it was down to the DJ of the time, if I recall correctly, a rather attractive blonde lady.

I went to most of the other clubs of the day in central London, La Discotheque, Last Chance, Flamingo, Whisky A Go Go, Marquee, etc.

Les used to go to see the Rolling Stones at Eel Pie Island, I never went there.

Obviously I can only go by my own memories and experiences. But I do remember at the Tottenham Royal, which was over 50 per cent Mod, male and female, that when the Beatles' 2nd LP came out, tracks like All My Loving were greeted by cheers, and the same with the first Rolling Stones LP. I used to go and see the Who at the Marquee, and they seemed very exciting at the time, as did the Yardbirds when Eric Clapton was a member. I seem to remember reading that the Who took on the Mod image at the suggestion of their manager, can't remember his name, when they became the High Numbers for a short time with I'm The Face. Personally I never really rated the Small Faces, a bit manufactured imo.

By the time the psychedelic stuff that swirlies appear to like (or have I got their musical tastes wrong?) Mod was dead.

I could go on and on (probably seems like I have done, lol), but it really affected most things about my life, interest or obsession with music of a soulful style, liking for clothes, and many other things. Does make me smile when I see things about that time and they have got it wrong, or at least my memory tells me they are wrong.

Les always used to say they had the Mod girls' clothes wrong, and there were several changes of styles for men. But of course as I can hardly remember what I did before lunch I may be totally wrong about everything.

Sorry this is such a long post.

[Guest]

That Geoff, was a really good read

Thankyou

[Guest ShaneH]

good post Geoff

thanks

Shane

[Rbman]

Ripping yarn Geoff me old mate .......how about a book?

[Geoff]

"Ripping yarn Geoff me old mate .......how about a book?"

Don't know about a book Martin, but you had the playlist last Saturday at Bar 12, lol.

[Daved]

Yep, enjoyed that Geoff.

Anyone got an ra of this Mr Dynamite tune then please?

[Dave]

"I could go on and on (probably seems like I have done, lol), but it really affected most things about my life, interest or obsession with music of a soulful style, liking for clothes, and many other things."

Geoff that was a fascinating read!

As far as I'm concerned you can "go on and on" as much as you like mate... I for one will be looking forward it.