Coming to this post gradually (as I upload them) are the complete (or almost complete) collection of The Coventry Folk
Magazine - Folks - created in August 1978 and run until Jan 1980 (to the best of my knowledge!).
I will add each issue as a collection here so you can have a read. They contain a great insight into the workings of the Coventry folk scene not only during the period covered but through some great history of Coventry Folk scene articles written and researched by the magazine's editor - Pete Willow. the articles take us right back to the birth of the Coventry folk scene in the 60's. Other highlights are the hilarious activities of Joe Folkie that lampoon the folk scene, but lovingly!! There are original contemporary folk songs that were doing the rounds and submitted by their authors, reviews of folk clubs. A great resource for anyone studying the history of the Coventry music scene. You may find reference to a singer called Pauline Vickers.
Pauline Vickers became better known after 1979 as Pauline Black - the lead singer with Two Tone band Selecter. Those not familar with the
Coventry folk clubs of that era may be surprised to learn that Pauline started out playing in Coventry folk clubs in the late 70's. Dave Bennett in particular was encouraging to Pauline in the early days. I remember seeing her play at the Old Dyers Arms around 1978 - she did a floor spot playing songs by the Stones and Joan Armatrading. She was good and the material stood out from the usual range of songs. I next saw her a year later at the Lanch talking to Neol Davies before one of Selecter's early (pre-fame) gigs. I thought Pauline was about to do a warm up for Neol's New band but got a pleasant surprise to see her in the role of lead singer with the band. The rest is history!
HERE
NEW ARTICLE ON RIOT ACT HERE
CLICK HERE FOR THE
NEW HYPERLINKED INDEX
This Post stays on top like homepage.
You can scroll down for posts but...
I recommend you use the above index as there are a lot of posts on here and they are all organised in categories in the index but not if you scroll down!
This post updated 27th April 2008
STU KNAPPER OF THE COV PUNK BAND RIOT ACT IS
Cov Singer songwriter with some cool songs from his 70's repertoire. His CD soon to be issued on the Gnome Label.
Kevin Harrison's Realife Obsessive album on Amazon USA
- Early Dando Shaft and New Modern Idiot Grunt Band tracks available HERE
- Kevin Harrison's Realife Obsessive Album and band history
NEW VIDEOS FROM GNOME LABEL FOR TREV TEASDEL'S The Phoenix (inspired by oral history of the bombing of Coventry - from Songs From the Coventry Underground on the Gnome Label
All the venues are getting closed down"
visit their My Space sites Golden Cross Acoustic - My Space
Golden Cross - My Space bands
PIECE IN COVENTRY TELEGRAPH ABOUT IT HERE
COVENTRY MUSIC EXHIBITION MEETING
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Read about Horace's New Book HERE
ABOUT THIS SITE
These archives are the story of a post war generation from a bombed-out city struggling to make some kind of better world based on love, peace, creativity and cooperation through songs and music and art and other unfunded grassroots community structures. It's a story of their struggles against the odds to make things happen - something Underground maybe - but still 'Phoenix' like. This is only part of the story - others have their contributions too.
Coventry's famed for Two Tone, Pete Waterman, Hazel O'Connor, Beverley Martyn (Kutner), Frank Ifield, Vince Hill, Dando Shaft, Indian Summer, Reluctant Stereotypes, King, The Primitives, Punjabi MC, Stereo Nation etc.but there was so much more! Musicians who never made the main stream, or who never aimed for it but worked for an alternative, more collective scene for musicians and artists in the city. This site is busy reconstructing what happened in Coventry in 60's and 70's that forms part of the background to the development of it's internationally known artists and alternative structures.
"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
Songs From the Coventry Underground - Trev Teasdel - On Gnome Fest
The Gnome wrote -
"Songs from the Coventry Underground Is a collection of the earlier songs from poet and performer Trev Teasdel.
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
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The brilliant 1980 Coventry Album SENT FOR COVENTRY produced by Martin Bowes of Alternative Sounds
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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Listen to some of the tracks HERE or visit his Vox site ISOTOPE OR his album on Cherry Red INSCRUTABLEY OBVIOUS HERE
A CLASH WITH SCON AND ROADENT WITH THE SEX PISTOLS
This cool song I'm in Love with a German Film Star by the Passions was written about Scon or Roadent as he was known with the Clash and Sex Pistols.
NEW UPDATE ON JOHN SHANAHAN ADDED MAY 10th - at bottom of page.
John Shanahan was an outstanding guitar player songwriter / stylist in the John Martyn
style in the years while I was running Hobo Magazine in the early / mid 70's. I used to look forward to his floor spots at the Hand in Heart (Rod Felton and Dave Coburn's folk club) and many other venues. Later in the 70's Pete Willow and his co-editors interviewed John (who was then living in Berlin) for Folks magazine and which is featured below.
JOHN SHANAHAN
Spotlight on Shanners
John Shanahan, much respected guitarist and songwriter by anyone who's seen him
perform, paid a visit to his home town for a couple of weeks over Christmas.
Before returning to his new found life in Berlin, he called round to the Folk's HQ
to tellus a little of what he's up to these days.
I sometimes feel
That the Berlin Wheel
Swings between the angels
and the Devil's heel..
Thus runs the chorus of the only song that John has completed since first moving
to Berlin over a year ago. Entitled BERLIN WHEEL, it records his impressions of
the city, setting the lyrics to typical Shanahan chord sequences, catchy, unusual
and seemingly impossible for most other guitarist to play.
Although John still plays a lot of his own material, he confesses to being fed up
with some of the earlier numbers. He demonstrated what was for him a departure in
guitar style by using a flat pick and drop-D tuning and running off a medley of
jigs and reels and Lennon / McCartney compositions, mainly by picking out the
melody and harmony simultaneously on adjacent strings and throwing in the
occasional standard (and instantly identifiable!) B Minor or G chord. The guitar
work on some of his own material may have been more complex but he showed his
expertise as a guitarist with these realtively simpler pieces by making them sound
neat and professional: each string fully stopped or pulled where required, no
hestitation and no hint of a duff note.
John is undoubtedly one of the finest guitarists to emerge from the Coventry folk
scene and puts many professional folk guitarists in this country to shame. How
come then, he has to go abroad to find regular work.
Actually, it was partly chance that John visited Berlin in the first place. The
opportunity arose when Alan McBride, fiddle player for that well travelled fok
band Tara, and Dyers Arms drinking colleague, was going and there was some room in
the van. This was September 1977. Alan only stayed in Berlin for a week, but John
met up with some people who introduced him to the local music clubs, so he stayed
on.
Up until this time, although much aclaimed as a folk artist in Coventry (and
Manchester where he lived for a while), John was getting few bookings elsewhere.
His first club appearence had been at the Three Tuns in Coventry, over six years
ago, and his only real break ocurred in 1976 when he was given theopportunity to
record an album. Perhaps 'given' isn't the right word, but anyway the chance arose
from a meeting with Stead, driving force behind the Sweet Folk All Organisation,
and guest one Friday evening at the Magic Lamp folk club where John had turned up
to do one of his frequent floor spots.
The Album, Dance of Flies, was recorded in November that year and consisted of 10
Shanahan classics, including Every man Jack, Full Circle Round, All on a Windy
Night,. He was accompanied by classical guitarist Steve Gordon, whom he'd met in
Manchester.
Many copies of the album were sold though it came under critism from people who
had seen John perform live. Some said the mix was poor in that John's
characteristic guitar style did not really come over at all; others said said that
rich quality of his voice was lost in the recording. However it contained a good
selection of songs (even if it didn't include My Garden Swing) and a worthwhile
record to have particularly as John is rarely seen around these days.
Copies of the record were sent to local radio stations, newspapers and music
magazines, mostly at John's own expense, but apart from a good review in the
Evening Jellymould by their enlightened reporter John Palmer, a dedicated
Shananahan fan, the record did little to further John's career as a full time
musician.
The format of English folk clubs is such that it is virtually impossible for an
artist to get regular work int he area unless he resorts to Pub Singing which at
best can be a thankless task. Venues in Berlin are different; folk clubs as we
know them don't exist and singers like John, usually play in bars or music clubs
who generally pay about five to eight pounds for a resonable half hour set.
English and Irish folk music is very popular at these places.
John averages abut four gigs a week. He obtains them by simply doing the rounds of
the Berlin club circuit and asking for them. Once established he's virtually
assured of regular work in this way. The proprietor or organiser pays him as soon
as he's finished the set and walked offstage. Usually John works as a soloist but
he occasionally accompanies others such as Northumbrian singer Ken Davidson with
whom he worked for a short while.
One disadvantage of working in Berlin is the high cost of living compared with
here, but as long as John continues to make his Mark (perpertrators of any more
puns like that will be severly pun-ished - Ed) he finds one consolatory factor;
the bars don't close till the last customer goes home.
H.L. / B.U / Pete Willow.
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I Googled John Shanahan after uploading this page, to see if there was any info on things he's done since. I found this
site - In 2004 he was playing in Euro Camp with the Max McColgan Trio (pictured here with John on guitar) The third member was Jimmy Dee from Glasgow.
The page (in German) says - John Shanahan is of Irish-English descent born in Coventry/England .
Since he was 18, was a singer/songwriter with
an unusual style of guitar playing. He played in the clubs, on the stages
and festivals of the British islands at home. When it visited the western part of Berlin in 1977, he decided to remain in the city. Meeting and joining in sessions with friendly Irish and English
musicians he discovered his love for Irish-English folklore, to which he finally
dedicated himself from now on. From his original style
of the Fingerpicking he turned to the interpretation of the fast dance melodies
to the Flatpicking, in which he is a master of its subject.
News Release: Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla - new CD
News release: From PETE WILLOW
Photographs - Chele Willow
© Chele Willow Photography
New album and new band line-up for electric fiddle wizard Joe
A new album and an updated line-up are about to go public when Coventry musician, Joe O’Donnell makes four Midlands appearances with his band Shkayla.
Regarded as one of the finest electric fiddle-players playing Celtic music, Joe has been busy for the last year on recording Celtic Cargo. Critics are already describing it as his best recording yet, with eleven tracks of tunes and songs from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany, performed with powerful rock and funk rhythms and arrangements.
The album will be launched at a gig in Coventry’s popular music pub, the Hope & Anchor, Whitefriars Street on Saturday, May 3rd. The music starts at 8.30pm.
Admission is a mere £5 and audience members will be able to pick up copies of the CD at half price - also £5.
The band also has appearances lined up at the Newbold Comyn Arms, Leamington Spa (Saturday 31st May) and the Crown Inn, Bond Street, Nuneaton (Saturday 7th June).
The afternoon of Sunday 6th July sees them onstage at the Godiva Festival in Coventry’s War Memorial Park.
Limerick-born Joe was a key figure in the 1970s rock scene on both sides of the Irish Sea, performing with Rory Gallagher, Phil Lynott and East Of Eden. He moved to Coventry in 1998 and has been a key figure in the city’s folk scene often promoting live music sessions while working with local musicians to establish Shkayla.
He says: ‘Celtic Cargo is the realisation of a long-term dream and I’m really pleased with the end result.’
The album features Martin Barter (keyboards), Mark Fulton (bass), Dave Perry (guitar) and Paul Johnston (drums), although the forthcoming live shows feature new band members, Si Hayden and Brendan J.Rayner on guitar and drums.
(Ends)
For background information on Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla, including details of their line-up, click here
For press photos, audio and video clips of Joe O'Donnell's Shkayla, click here
For Joe O'Donnell's MySpace page including tracks from Celtic Cargo, go to www.myspace.com/joeodonnellsshkayla
HOBO got the following e mail from a new Coventry outfit - take a listen to their material and if you run a venue maybe
give the guys a gig. Here's what they have to say -
HI
I have just come accross the HOBO website and been amazed at the history there. My name is Jonathan and I front a Cov Based band called BARRICADES RISE. We are in the middle of an exciting time at the moment with our debut EP - Blue Prints about to be released and our qualification to Coventry's GODIVA and Winning Leicesters 'BATTLE OF THE ACOUSTICS' to gain entry to GLASTONBUDGET. We would really love to be featured on the website if at all possible. Any help would be fantastic. Below is some info and attached some pictures. You can listen to some of the tracks from the fourthcoming EP on
www.myspace.com/barricadesrise
Basic Biog from Myspace
BARRICADES RISE was born out of the songwriting partnership behind the rock band ‘Idle Hollow’. As a subdivision of ‘Idle Hollow’ JonathanCoates and Michael McEntee started playing acoustic gigs in and around the midlands playing stripped down full band songs and a few extra tracks that never really fitted into the ‘Idle Hollow’ set. As more and more new songs were being written strictly for the acoustic gigs the act started to shape its own identity and received great
praise from both peers and music lovers.In early 2008 Jonathan and Michael started working on an album consisting of their acoustic material. This truly cemented a divide between ‘Idle Hollow’ and what was then simply known as ‘Idle HollowAcoustic’ thus, BARRICADES RISE was conceived.
Currently still in the studio recording the before mentioned album, it has allowed them to truly shape the acoustic bases of thesongs into the visions they had all along. The album is set for a Summer release with a FREE to download single preceding it very soon. Constantly gigging the acoustic set, which is a stripped down two guitars and vocals the boys disregard the setetiquette of the normal acoustic acts around the scene. The live act is a must see for any self respecting music fan.
EXTRA POINTS
- The EP 'Blue Prints' is set for a early Summer release via download and hard copy
- Won 'Battle of acoustics' in leicester Played endless heats to compete against 11 finalists. We won (20/04/08) really got the crowd on our side from start to finish. Gaining entry to Leicester's GLASTONBUDGET 2008 festival
- Went through the G-FACTOR heats at the Hope and Anchor to be picked to play Coventry's GODIVA festival 2008
- Hosting a new live acoustic night in Nuneaton on 6th May at The Crown Pub. Featured artists and Open Mic session. Will be a monthly occasion. BARRICADES RISE are playing the first one
UPCOMING GIGS
|
Whitefriers Beer festival | Coventry | ||
|
The Crown | Nuneaton | ||
|
Moo Bar | Leamington | ||
|
The Anker | Nuneaton | ||
|
Godiva Festival | Coventry | ||
|
7 Stars | Rugby |
* Now GLASTONBUDGET 2008 also
CONTACT DETAILS
email - barricadesrise@hotmail.comweb - www.myspace.com/barricadesrise
Sounds of Venus adverstisd in Hobo small ads.
Silk Disco and promotions were central to the Coventry Music Scene from the early 70's to beyond the seventies in so many ways, through so many discos / venues and promotions. From the Plough club in the early 70's Jim Silk (Twynham) had a distinctive red car with Silk as part of the registration. more on Silk elsewhere on this site.
John Bow (Bo) Bargent was one of the original co founders
/ co editors of Hobo. In 1973 he ran Roguestar promotions and Disco promoting bands and so forth. See below for more on Roguestar. After leaving Hobo in 1973, John became raod manager for Khyaam on their European tour. In 1975 he returned and helped with the Hobo Workshop, promoting bands our way and doing the Disoc. By then Bow's disco was called Moonraker and he did Sunday night's at the Golden Cross and Monday nights there for Hobo Workshop. Sometime he used to let me loose on the turntables which was fun. John had reels of old films going while the music played, Charlie Chaplin / Keystone Kops, Abbot and Costello. Not sure what John Bow did after Hobo - maybe someone out there knows!
Mark Brown was one of the early Cov DJ's along with Pete Waterman starting in the late 60's. Mark was regular at the Red House on Stony Stanton Rd. (a pic of him can be found in the DJ collection on this site (borrowed from the Broadgate Gnome music directory site!). I worked with Mark when I was 16 at DF Gibbs on the Foleshill Rd. Mark was in the TV department along with Al Docker and I was nextdoor as an apprentice electrician. I don't know who Johnny Lomas was - might have been a brother of the legandary Roger Lomas (of the Sorrows and producer of early Selecter). I expect the Gnomes will be able to expound on that and give info on Mark Brown (Birtles).
Marvel disco had a full page ad in Hobo for their gig at the Dive Bar (Lady Godiva) in Jorden Well (opp.The Herbert Museum). I think Paul Hooper (formerly of Indian Summer and Dogers) was involved with it.
I was always being handed band cards or disco cards while doing Hobo Magazine (hence the collection) but I can't remember from whom this one came from - presumably from G. Mann. I have a feeling it was a development out of one of the other discos on here or an off shoot of Clouds or so forth. I can't recall anything specific about this disco.
Gentle were a Derby heavy rock band. I had put them on at the Umbrella Club in 1970 and after they played the Plough Club with Silk Disco and a few other Cov gigs of the time.