Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Grudge –When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In


Grudge –When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In –Black Label BL 002 (1973 UK)

Please click onthe link above for When Christine Comes Around

Hard to know where to start with this one, but a special commendation is due to the B side. Sounding like a 1910 Fruitgum Company or Ohio Express backing track with a camp lead vocal, a very catchy sing-along chorus, assorted screams and an Elvis impersonation coming on more like Mae West in the middle eight - this is one incredible release! I’ve had this single for over 25 years and on the rare occasions I take it out to play it never fails to get a reaction….


I’m Going To Smash Your Face in (Marshall –Jumbo Music p 1973)

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll

When I see you look at me, I know that I can tell
You think that I’m a fool and treat you much too well
Things are going to change round here you’ve met your Waterloo
I’ll throw you in a great big trunk, this is what I will do.

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll
I’m gonna kick your teeth in
I’m gonna kick your teeth in baby
I’m gonna kick your teeth in, oh yeah my paper doll

You’ll scream and shout, but I won't heed your call
I’ll keep you locked up all your life behind this dudgeon wall
I’ll tie you to a great big chair, you’ll live your life in fear
It’s time for you to pay the price for saying I’m a queer

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll

(Elvis impersonation break)…I’m gonna smash your face in, I’m gonna smash your face in, I’m gonna smash your face in, ‘cos I feel so lonesome tonight.

It’s just no good it’s plain to see, it’s time to end your fun
You’ll end up begging me for more, bread and water too
The scar is deep inside my heart, it’s written on your face
Your evil ways will soon be gone, ‘cos acid leaves no trace

I’m gonna smash your face in
I’m gonna smash your face in baby
I’m gonna smash your face in, oh yeah, my paper doll
I’m gonna kick your teeth in
I’m gonna kick your teeth in baby
I’m gonna kick your teeth in, oh yeah my paper doll


When Christine Comes Around follows the same theme….It’s got a cheesy teeny-bopper Status Quo feel, A mad Wipe Out type intro…and the lyrics? …well you guessed it!

Christine, Christine, Christine
When Christine comes around I’m gonna smash her face in, I’m going to have her high up on the ceiling where no one can hear her urgent screaming
etc…ad nauseum!


This single had been a real mystery, but Steve from Low Down Kids
http://lowdownkids.blogspot.com has filled in some background information: It seems that “Grudge”/ Laurie Marshall is none other but Paul St John who released The Flying Saucers Have Landed - Pye 7N 45190 1972 (also available on the Glitter From The Litter CD) he was also involved with The Weeny Boppers singleDavid, Donny & Michael…Any more info is most welcome and if anyone wants to upload this somewhere, I’ll send a CDR .


Inept? –Yes, intriguing? –Yes, Wonderful?…Perhaps, of questionable taste? –MOST CERTAINLY!



4 comments:

adam said...

I'm fairly certain I heard that "I’m Going To Smash Your Face in" last saturday between sets at a local concert. I've been looking for that song or mp3. do you know if it has been covered by any other bands?

Robin Wills said...

Hi Adam
It's probably overdue for a cover...I sent my spare copy to Milwaukee a few months ago -I hear it's been travelling and making appearances at shows. I had about 5 copies of that single - picked up in the late 70s/early 80s in the basement of the Record and Tape exchange...down to one now!

Anonymous said...

Hi, There:
I just stumbled upon your page. I am Laurie Marshall - aka Paul St. John aka Laurice. Making "When Christine Comes Around" was a blast. I now live in Canada after spending many years in the USA. You can go to my web site for info:
www.lauricenow.com.
Many thanks,
Laurice

simon said...

Laurie Marshall and I co-wrote "When Christine Comes Around" (I used the pen-name Godd just for fun - in fact the song took ten mins to compose). Laurie often came to my flat in Beckenham, Kent in the early 70s and there was a girl upstairs called Christine who always used to come downstairs and sit with us when she heard us come in. I thought she was keen on me, but I wasn't so keen on her. One night, Laurie and I heard her coming and leaped out of the kitchen window. We went up to central London and, on Westminster Bridge (where Wordsworth wrote his famous sonnet) I said, "When Christine comes around I'd like to smash her one!" Before long, we were in hysterics and had the song complete. Laurie knew Cyril Black (of Black Label) and he found a woman who backed obscure pop groups to put up the money to record it. (I think we used TPA studios in London, and the guitarist on it was Peter Frampton before he got famous). The single was initially banned by the BBc, but played a fair amount on Luxembourg. In those days I was training to teach and used to play drums on Laurie's tracks. He did a lot of demos. He now lives in Canada and we're still close friends. I write these days (but not pop music lyrics!)

Simon Potter (aka Godd)