'Punk was a time for defining oneself by slogans and manifestos. In terms of the latter, Subway Sect's Vic Godard boldly declared, 'We oppose all rock'n'roll' - a line copped from an earlier song of that name.. With Ambition - their second single - Subway Sect opened with yet more impressive sloganeering, Godard issuing a fabulously dismissive opening couplet 'You can take it or leave it as far as we're concerned / Because we're not concerned with you!' Musically, this was thrilling, original, modern rock'n'roll, full of existential enquiry, with biting rhythm guitars and an odd dog leg of chord changes into the chorus. But it's the irresistible hookline played on a cheap organ, reminiscent of ? & the Mysterians, that ensures Ambition still burns brightly.'
One of the original reasons for starting this was the inspiration I got from a weekly social event I discovered and started attending called The Record Player which is held at Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. I've been going there for getting on to three years. The concept itself is simple. The genial host welcomes guests, cracks gags, makes a brief intro and then the gathered ensemble sit and listen to the given weeks chosen record on vinyl from start to finish uninterrupted but accompanied by a set of slides related to what we're listening to. It's a genius concept, not entirely original, as the host Mr. Drayton would probably readily admit but quite beautiful in itself. I've had some unforgettable evenings through it. I hope for many more!
One of the early evenings was a singles night. Not a chance to pull, at least no more than normally, but focussed on the joy of the 7 inch vinyl and giving a selection of assorted punters the chance to choose and talk about a single that meant something to them. I chose this one.
I'm the cat in the hat. Wonderful evening!
I didn't win but I'd maintain that the song I chose was amongst the best of the night. At least in the top three. The paragraph above from Mojo describes it very well, I'd also nominate it as a true punk rock record in a way that quite few are in that it's truly original which was surely the point of the whole thing in the first place. Vic is still touring, having taken time off to flip burgers on the Sheen Road and then become a postman and experience married life in Mortlake. I've seen him twice live in Newcastle in the autumn of the past two years. He's been just great both times. 'The Greatest Living Englishman' as Mark Riley dubs him. The last time I got to shake the hand of the Sex Pistols drummer as he leaned at the bar before playing his set with Vic's band. All power to Vic's elbow. He's surely not done yet!
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