Shakane –Jenny

Shakane –Jenny/ Gang Man –UA UP 36087 (1976 UK)
Unless proved otherwise, this is probably the last single as released by the prolific Shakane. Written for the band by Smith & D’abo, Jenny is the sound of a band going all out for a hit, but with a spectorian Rockfield production by Kingsley Ward from the famed converted barn where Edmunds and The Flamin’ Groovies created their classic sounds. The song itself is a fine Rubettes-like number that should have garnered at the very least heavy Radio 1 play, but it wasn’t to be... The B side is the sublime Gang Man that was recorded two years previously –hear it here: http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2009/08/shakane-gang-man.html

I believe there was an EP released in Sweden under an assumed name where Shakane covered a Gary Glitter song. Any more information on that release ...Bob?

Hear A Full Version of Jenny

Streak -Unreleased Acetate!

Streak -Cadillac Jack/ Blind Truth -Trident Studios Acetate (1972)
Thanks to Collin's intermediary services I have secured a copy of this acetate with fine pair of unreleased Streak tracks from their A&M period. I am hoping to get more information and details of their provenance soon.
Both tracks are prime Proto-Heartbreakers/Glam Boogie workouts, with (Whole) Blind Truth possibly being the more realised performance of the two with some killer guitar.
So adding these two tracks to the four Deram era demos and the 1971 NYC sessions (with Alan Merrill and John Siomos), begs the question -just how much more is out there?
Thanks to Patrick for making the deal!
More info soon...

Hear an edit of Cadillac Jack and Blind Truth

Fresh Air –It Takes Too Long

Fresh Air –It Takes Too Long/Here Comes Summer –Philips 6006187 (1972 UK)
I originally picked up this single when I was 12 or 13 and although it somehow got snapped in half along the way, I never had the heart to throw it out. As I recently found a mint copy, I am now able present this fine slab of early 70s POP which out Harrisons G. Harrison on all levels. It also strikes a resemblance to what Nimbo or The Rockits were going for on their sub Badfinger excursions. Nothing too original then, but I challenge anyone to get this track out of their head after hearing it. Oh and if anyone has something to trade for an old copy snapped in half – let me know...

Hear a full version of It Takes Too Long

Antilope – Down On Your Feet

Antilope – Down On Your Feet/Goodbye –BASF 05154577 (1974 NL)
Purepop welcomes you back into the world of NederGlam with this outing by The Hague’s Antilope who were formed by EX-Shocking Blue bassist Klaasje van der Wal after he was supposedly kicked out from the aforementioned band for his ”excessive lifestyle”. The other members were singer Steve Allet, guitarist Dick Jongman and drummer Gerard Korff. Down On Your Feet is a bright and snappy stomper with vocals recalling at times Alex Harvey or Bon Scott over a Brother Susan like backing. Although not the most raucous Glammy Dutch outing, it’s still a fine catchy specimen of the genre. The B side is in a similar vein and is certainly worth a spin or two. Antilope released at least two other singles on BASF which I haven’t yet heard: Come On Suzy( 1973) and Get Ready (1975).

Hear a full version of Down On Your Feet

Fragile Rock Valley –Be My Baby

Fragile Rock Valley –Be My Baby/If You Want Me –Earth E-102 (1969 US)

As follow up to The Clingers review, here’s another Female fronted US single from 1969. Fragile Rock Valley’s version of Be My Baby hits the spot the way a good cover version should –it’s reassuringly familiar yet refreshingly different. No the famous intro isn’t there, but the upfront guitar and driving beat send the song into new territory. The chorus is more standard and expected , but it’s great to hear such an upbeat and updated version of the tune. No info on the band insofar as it being a studio creation or an actual band. The B side is also ace and a great tune; not sure which side I prefer. Enjoy both!

Hear a full version of Be My Baby

Hear a full version of If You Want Me

The Clingers –Gonna Have A Good Time

The Clingers –Gonna Have A Good Time/And Now You Know Me –CBS 4047 (1969 French issue)

Q: What do you get when you mix 4 Mormon sisters, Kim Fowley and an Easybeats tune...?
A: A one off foray into 60s Girl Punk Dancerama with a bit of added proto Runaways...
Produced by The Prince of Sleaze with Michael Lloyd (Stories, Smoke etc...) Gonna Have A Good Time is a groovy uptempo organ fueled dancer. Not as wild as the original, The Clingers’ version still kicks a mean butt plus they were damn cute too boot –Check out their TV appearance on YouTube. The Clingers Sisters were a well established MoR /Gospell outfit appearing on many TV shows and this was an atypical release for the sisters. Debra Clinger later became one third of The Rock Flowers.

Hear a full version of Gonna Have A Good Time

Shakane –Gang Man

Shakane –Gang Man/Chicago to L.A. –Young Blood International YB 4505 (1974 Italian issue)
Gang Man is probably the rarest Shakane single out there, possibly only released in Italy. Both tracks aren’t featured on their Sonet or Young Blood LPs, but Gang Man does re-appear as the B side of their Rubettes-like 1976 UA/Rockfield single Jenny. Gang Man is a killer thudding piece of Boogie Glam with some ace power chords and cutting guitar. It has a slight Rockpile feel to it as well (remember they covered Trevor Burton’s Down Down Down in pure Edmunds mode). Gang Man certainly sounds louder here than on the UA release, but both versions appear identical save for a slightly longer fade, so you can probably put the sonic differences down to the mastering. Kingsley Ward (Rockfield owner with Charles Ward) takes production ownership on the 1976 release, but here is the production is credited to Mikki Dallon. Chicago To L.A. somehow reminds me of Belgo Glamsters The Garnets. Again full kudos are due to the guitar moves.

Hear a full version of Gang Man

Hear a full version of Chicago to L.A.

Singles on ebay

I've just listed 26 singles on ebay including Tub-Thumper, Stud leather, Zoot Alors, Boneshaker, Valentine Guinness, UGE etc...
All singles have sound clips -so discover what you don't know or renew aquaintances with lost favourites.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/purepop1uk/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg

As a reminder here is a sound clip of Tub-Thumper

All the best and good luck!

Streak -Hard Times (In New York City)

Streak -Gonna Have A Good Time/Be Your Rider/ Hard Times (In New York City) A&M AME 602 (1972 UK) Demo only

Streak was formed in NYC by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker. Jake Hooker (AKA Jake Falsworth) then moved to the UK where a new line-up of Streak came under the production auspices of Roger Bain( Black Sabbath) .On this single the bass duties are handled by Ben Brierly and David Wesley played drums. Hard Times (In New York City) is featured as the 2nd song on the B side of the demo copy of Gonna Have A Good Time. The track does not appear on the general release. The B side plays at 33rpm to lengthen the playing time to fit two songs on the same side. Anyhow Hard Times is another prime example of New York sleaze and is probably the heaviest of the tracks released by Streak; kind of like The Heartbreakers with cement platform boots! Following a switch to Deram with the addition of Paul Varley (little Free Rock) on drums and Ricky Steele (guitar) Streak released the wonderful Bang Bang Bullet. Jake and Alan Merrill later reconvened with Paul and the band then became near teen sensations The Arrows (on RAK).

Hear a full version of Hard Times (In New York City)

Hear a full version of Gonna Have A Good Time

Records that Sound like The Flamin’ Groovies part 4: Mark Ashton –Get Up and Groove

Mark Ashton –Get Up and Groove/ Barking Doges –United Artists UP 353390 (1972 UK)OK, a bit of a cheat here, as this track in fact features Cyril Jordan himself on slide guitar! Released a week before Slow Death, Get Up and Groove is a Stonesian tour-de-force with Cyril's cutting trademark Groovies slide supported by pumping brass with a singer snarling his way somewhere between Jagger, Roky Erickson with a bit of Joey Levine thrown in....well kind of...It also reminds me of Teenage Heaven period Daddy Cool. (Hi Honey Ho)
It appears that Cyril did some session work for a few UA acts at the time, but it’s possible that this was the only appearance that actually got a release; the others not getting any further than the acetate stage. It was recorded at Olympic studios and Cyril played on the B side as well, but the trademark Groovies sound is much less apparent there. Cyril used a blue fender mustang tuned to open G and a brass slide and set the pickup switches to sound like Ry Cooder.... It appears that they just wanted some slide guitar and "there weren't that many guys out there that played slide" so he got the job.
Not quite sure how this remained undocumented for so long, but here it is in all its 1972 crushed velvet and studded leather glory.

Thanks to Don and Cyril for the info.

Hear a full version of Get Up and Groove

BRAIN LAPSE!

A couple of years ago a glossy mag came out under the name Rock Mania. Perusing that mag and then jumping in head on to explore its every nook and cranny brought about a behaviour unknown since devouring those mid 70s issues of Bomp or the early issues of Kicks. Well guess what –there was never was a 2nd issue, but lo and behold, here is the next instalment and it’s called Brain Lapse!

OK, there’s nothing else around like it in print at the moment (although Shindig and Ugly Things hit the spot in their own individual ways). But this is the real McCoy –fun, entertaining and full of facts, anecdotes all in a glossy full colour easy to read format (great layout) .

There’s a wonderfully in depth interview with Eddy Grant on the Equals (the reason behind the plethora of lesser known 70s singles now makes sense) plus an interview with The Marbles (the US ones), Titan records, quirky French singles (never thought the Yanks would catch on to Au Bonheur Des Dames), a double spread on The Teens for chrissake!

You’ll also find great reviews of obscure Powerpop releases, 70s fanzines and so much more in its 82 pages without any adverts. There are only 499 copies printed, so don’t miss out, give your full support and hopefully more issues will follow.

http://www.brainlapsefanzine.com/

Ohio Express –That’s The Way a Woman Is

Ohio Express –That’s The Way a Woman Is/Talking ‘Bout You –Hansa 10043 AT (1970 German issue)
Late entry in the Ohio Express franchise. Not sure who was involved in this one, it seems to post date any Graham Gouldman/Strawberry Studios involvement, but came out 3 years before the great Wham Bam (as by Ohio Ltd.).Both tracks are Ritchie Cordell compositions, although The Messengers released the better known version the following year with different song writing credits (Michael Morgan, John Hoier), so it appears that there was some “confusion” over the actual publishing and authorship. That’s The Way a Woman Is truly rocks as a tune and clocking in at just under two minutes, it’s a lean clean Bubblegum machine. Perhaps the Messengers version is more finely realised and amply deserved its hit record status (# 62 in the US and hit in Japan!). Go check that version and GREAT review here: http://awesomejams.blogspot.com/2009/04/thats-way-woman-is-in-jungle-rare-earth.html for your own instalment of My version is Better Than Yours...The B side shares more than a similarity with Crimson and Clover and I have included Talking ‘Bout You for your full enjoyment of this double whammy. Nice sleeve too...

Hear a full version of That’s The Way a Woman Is

And Talking ‘Bout You

The Tricks - Wham! Bam! Ala Cazam

The Tricks - Wham! Bam! Ala Cazam/Lucy Brown –CBS 4867 (1970 UK issue)
Originally released on Date in the US; The Tricks’ Wham! Bam! Ala Cazam is a joyful and incredibly catchy Bubblegum ditty with slight Soul overtones. The Tricks were probably one off studio creation from US songwriters/producers Billy Carl & Reid Whitelaw (1910 Fruitgum Company’s Goody Goody Gumdrops, Golden Gate etc...). While the production is bright, full and commercial –They certainly went all out for a hit, the track still retains a single-minded powered driving beat. I don’t believe that anyone will remain unmoved by this one and it should have been a huge hit at the time.

Hear a full version of Wham! Bam! Ala Cazam

Fran O’Toole –Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet

Fran O' Toole 8th February 1947 -31st July 1975

Fran O’Toole –Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet/Drift Away –Emerald –MD.1179 (1974 IRL)
As part of the ongoing saga of chronicling the countless versions of CYHASYF that appeared around the world, here is the Irish version that was actually a top hit in Ireland in 1974. It’s a really good version with a different restrained stomping arrangement on the chorus and a key change at the end. This version has the added poignancy of what happened to Fran O’Toole who also sang and played keyboards for The Miami Showband. That name is still synonymous with one of the more horrifying outrages that occurred during “The Troubles”.

Fran was murdered on the 31st of July 1975 during an ambush by the UVF along with Miami Showband members Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty -Read the story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Showband_killings

There is a later Miami Showband single (under the name Miami) Reelin’ N Rockin With Susie (Mint), which features a similar, but inferior re-working/re-mix of CYHASYF on the B side.
Hear a full version of Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet

Leather Head –Gimme Your Money Please

Leather Head –Gimme Your Money Please/ Epitaph –Philips 6006371 (1974 UK)

On first hearing you could believe that this is a recording of an embryonic Stranglers. The approach is pretty punked out with the keyboard a dead ringer for Dave Greenfield on this BTO cover. This single appears to have been the sole release by this local band from Leatherhead, which is just up the road from Guildford where The Stranglers plied their trade. Not sure of the whole line up but Geoff Boswell was on bass and Marcus Bird played keyboards...was there a link between Dave Greenfield and Marcus? The B side is quite a proggy epic, running at over 6 minutes, again featuring that same organ sound - Junkshop Prog anyone?
Thanks to PK for the turn on

Hear a full version of Gimme Your Money Please

Shiva –The Legend of Tutankhamun

Shiva –the Legend of Tutankhamun/ Valley of The Kings –D’art –ART 2017 (1972 UK)
Released as a tie- in to the 1972 Tutankhamun exhibition, The Legend of Tutankhamun is a memorable and fun novelty cash in by the mysterious Shiva. The vocals have a great drone effect going for them and come across like some earthy pagan hurdy gurdy. This is on a par with and a great companion piece to The Dynasty release on Phoenix from the same year: http://purepop1uk.blogspot.com/2009/01/dynasty-tutankhamun.html

Go Boy King Go!

Hear a full version of The Legend of Tutankhamun

Story –Teenage Fighter

Story –Teenage Fighter/I Want You –RCA PB 4541 (1980 NL)

This is Belgo –Glamsters Lennart & Dagleth (Hush) landing in the 80s armed with two great tunes but at the mercy of some 80s studio technology trappings, especially the LinnDrum. However it’s easy to rise above any sonic imperfections as both tracks are sublime Powerpop/Glam/Bubblegum workouts with a heavy dose of FUN. You can’t usually go wrong when you have the word Teenage in a song title and Lennart and Dagleth hit the jackpot here. The arrangement on Teenage Fighter presents quite a few twists and turns without hindering its hooky simplicity. The B side is heavier and in some ways sillier, a bit like Cheap Trick covering The Troggs with syndrums straight off the soundtrack of Cannibal Holocaust...

Enjoy Teenage Fighter

Hear a full version of I Want You

Left Side - Can't You See Me

Left Side -Morning Sunrise/Can't You See Me - Philips 6012610 (1976 NL)

Can’t You See Me is the B side of the last ever Left Side single. The mawkish A side is not worth talking about, but the Peter Koelewijn produced B side is stomping crunching action of the highest order. The track is pure riffarama perfection and the lead vocal is on a par with Earl Vince And The Valiants with its Neo -Rockabilly stance and delivery. The track was probably recorded at an earlier session than the A side and is also available on the hard to find Best Of LP.

Hear a full version of Can't You See Me

NEDERGLAM!!!!!

It may have been an obvious choice of words to merge, but the coining of the term NederGlam has really taken on its own momentum since the breaking of the jar...
Now the time has come to welcome into the world the NEDERGLAM website !!!!
Created by Jos as a companion to the Clap Your Hands And Stamp Your Feet comp, it will feature interviews, facts and pics and much much more...
It's still early days but interviews with Mark Boon (Smyle) and Cor De Boo (Dump) are already up with much more to come including Frank Klunhaar (Pantherman!!!!).

Enjoy!
www.nederglam.nl

Norman Kenway –Black Lady

Norman Kenway –Black Lady/Blackwater Hill –J.J. Records J.J. SP 002 (1974 UK)

Although not sporting the wildest first name in rock, this is the sound of our Norman rattling the cage of his chicken-in-a-basket cabaret world in attempt to join the boot stomping sexually rampant drug induced rock scene of 1974. OK, it’s not that wild, but Black Lady is a nice obscure rockin’ number at the periphery of Junkshop Glam. The B side is interesting too as the guitar also gets a bit fuzzy during an otherwise understated performance.
The single came with an autographed photo signed by “The Kenways”. I assume that Norman is the blond bloke, but who is the peroxide lady and her older male strummer?

Hear a full version of Black Lady

Fancy –Star Lord

Fancy –Star Lord/ Brother John –Sticky STY 3 (1973 UK)

This is NOT the Fancy of Wild Thing near fame, but Nigel Benjamin with this Southend combo 2 years before joining Mott (post The Hoople). The line up also included Bob Banasiak on guitar, Phil Mitchell on bass, and Chris Holibon on drums. Bob Banasiak would join Angel (Good Time Fanny) soon after recording this single. He plays on both sides of Angel’s Little Boy Blue single.
Star Lord is a prime example of anthemic early 70s British rock full of pretty loud guitar heroics courtesy of Bob Banasiak. It’s nothing terribly original, but quite a neat ride all the same throughout its 5 minute+ running time. Brother John is rockier, but never really cuts loose. It’s a tough single to track down as only a few were ever pressed up. Thanks to Just A Buzz for the background information: http://www.justabuzz.com/

Hear a full version of Star Lord

The Equals –Diversion

The Equals –Diversion/Here Today Gone Tomorrow –President PT 414 (1973 UK)

Great 70s single by The Black-Skinned-Bue-Eyed Equals. This catchy 1973 release finds them mixing in their usual Rock/Soul edged Bubblegum with more than a hint of Crunching Glam. The incessant I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back and tight handclaps all add to the illusion of the perfect crossover. The B side is good as well and provides further proof that there are plenty of lesser known Equals tracks due for a proper reappraisal. The fast rockin’ She Lives For Today (B side of Hang Up My Rock N Roll Shoes) with its cutting lead guitar is another cool one to look out for.

Hear a full version of Diversion

Unknown Acetate –Midnight Woman

I just bought this acetate on ebay, but the only information I have is that the tune was published by Carlin Music. It starts out in pretty snarly and gritty fashion, but then goes off in a commercial tangent with a chorus that recalls Three Dog Night covering The Sweet’s Alexander Graham Bell. It then loses its definition a bit before returning to the second verse in a meatier mode. Perhaps this actually got a release? Who knows...

Hear a full version of Midnight Woman

Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’

Biggles –Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’/Can’t Buy You –Philips 6006 160 (1971 UK)

This is Mike Berry (U.K. Jones, Ning, Small Wonder etc...) with the simple but effective premise of sticking two great tunes together (Crazy Elephant’s Gimme Gimme Good Lovin’ and Spencer Davis’s Gimme Some Lovin’) to maximise the results. Add to that some “live” audience participation worthy of The Premiers’ Farmer John with a clangy Dear Prudence guitar riff and Bob’s your uncle...

Mike Berry: “It was a simple idea, would it work if we stuck these two songs together? And it did...”

Top idea, top performance and top result!

Hear a full version of Gimme Gimme Some Lovin’

Jinx –I Saw Your Face

Jinx –I Saw Your Face/I Love You –Pink Elephant PE 22.809Y (1974 BE)

BelgoGlam combo featuring singer Marc Morlock (bass/ vocals), Dan Tritonian (guitar/vocals), Paul Mendez (keyboards) and “Pedro” on drums.
Both sides of this second Jinx single are fantastic Play It Loud era Slade concoctions with I Saw Your Face featuring melodic raspy lead vocals over a Beatles meets “The Stomp” bedrock. I Love You is more incessant and showcases some fine HEYs...
In a world where Robert Mutt Lange is better known as Mr. Shania Twain, this single was produced by Mr .Vangelder –Smith (AKA Jacques Zwart). He also co-wrote the B side. Mark Morlock (HG Wells !) released a slew of singles under his own name during the 80s. Belgium as the new Holland? Discuss at your leisure...

Hear a full version of I Saw Your Face

Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody

Day ‘n Night –I Just Need Somebody/Such A Lot To Talk About –DJM DJS.220 (1970 UK)
The word sumptuous was invented for times like these... Opening with thunderous flanged drums, I Just Need Somebody turns into a wondrous near Aphrodite’s Child-like over-production full of pathos supported by some great mellotron. OK, it’s real dramatic Psych Pop; but its simple premise and hook keeps it at bay from any pretentiousness. Not sure how this single came about but Jacques Moralli –the mastermind behind Village People, co-wrote the A side with Jack Fishman who seems to have been mainly involved in soundtrack work.

Hear a full version of I Just Need Somebody

Teddy Lane –Heart Break

Teddy Lane –Bye Bye Love/Heart Break-Negram NG 357 (1973 NL)
Teddy Lane was formed by Shoes singer Theo Van Es while he spent a couple years on vacation before rejoining The Shoes in 1974. Future Catapult bassist Aart Mol was also in the band.
Funny, it sounds more like they’re singing Heartbeat and not Heartbreak on this top B side, but whatever the correct title, it’s a fine rousing performance recalling as much Slade as Artful Dodger. Over a crunching Glitter Beat; The vocals sound just like Billy Paliselli while the chord progression during the middle eight is pure Gary Herrewig...The A side is less significant while their other single Do The Rock ‘N’ Roll is pretty nifty, but Heart Break still has in the edge in my book.

Hear a full version of Heart Break

Weeny Boppers, Flying Saucers, Spivs and a Grudge: The Laurice (Laurie Marshall) Story

Many of you will recall the buzz that the Grudge single (When Christine Comes Around/ I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In) created on this blog 3 years ago. You have no doubt been searching out Oh You Beautiful Child by Spiv; one of the top 5 Crunching Glam tracks of all time. You may have been aware that there was a link between those singles and Paul St. John (The Flying Saucers Have Landed) by the same token you may have also overlooked the Weeny Bopper single (David, Donny And Michael). Well it’s time to set the record straight as I had the real pleasure of interviewing Laurice AKA Laurie Marshall AKA Paul St. John. Laurie Marshall has been known as Laurice for the last 30 years and here is the background story to those great records...
Laurice was doing session work at Abbey Road in the late 60s/early 70s. Laurice had been making demos for a guy called Peter Bowen who was first engineer at Abbey Road who had a little demo studio out in the Home Counties. “That’s where I learned my recording techniques...”Around the same time Laurie also worked with Alan Parsons, who was also engineering at Abbey Road. Through this he got the first gigs as a songwriter for Marble Arch Music and PYE Records.

Paul St.John –Flying Saucers Have Landed/Spaceship Lover –PYE 7N. 45190 (1972 UK)

In 1972 Laurice, under the pseudonym of Paul St. John, recorded and released Flying Saucers Have Landed/ Spaceship Lover. In my opinion those are two wonderfully produced slabs of late Psych mixed in with some Bolan and Donovan. A good description would be Erik Von Daniken in velvet Loons.
“That’s exactly what it was! I thought the books were wonderful and they inspired me to write those songs. Both Flying Saucers Have Landed and Spaceship Lover were based on Erik Von Daniken. I later met Erik Von Daniken. He came to speak at Toronto University when I was in Toronto - and I was in the front row. I, of course, gave him a copy of Flying Saucers, and he was quite thrilled about it.”
Although amply deserved, success was elusive as the single barely got a release...
“I was really upset because I worked really hard on that record and it wasn’t taken seriously by the record company. They didn’t want to promote British singers...When Flying Saucers Have Landed was released, I was so pissed off with the BBC that I went demonstrating one day with a sandwich board outside the BBC. I walked up and down all day with a sign that said “BBC unfair to British recording artists”.

Hear an edit of Flying Saucers Have Landed and Spaceship Lover

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

I found 4-5 copies of this single in the basement of the Record & Tape Exchange in ‘79/’80 and just had to have them based on the title alone. And god, talk about NOT being disappointed...
Both sides are simply amazing, but I have a slight preference for 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’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!

Hear an edit of I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In/ When Christine Comes Around



So how did this incredible single come about?
“My college chum Simon Potter (Simon Godd on the label) was the co-writer of When Christine Comes Around. He became the head of the English Department at the famous Wimbledon College, the Jesuit school for boys. When he started, he lived in a ground floor flat in Wimbledon. Well there was this girl just upstairs from him who had an apartment above him and every time he had a visitor there would be a knock at the door and there she would be...She was a very homely girl and it wasn’t like she was a great conversationalist. She could suck the oxygen out of a room in 2 minutes. It was really difficult. And guess what her name was? CHRISTINE! We were driving around London one day after an awful evening visit by this dreaded lady and Simon was talking about what he wanted to do to her. I said why don’t we write a song? It took us about 20 minutes and it was done.”

The story behind the Black Label is also worth hearing:
“I had hooked up with this guy Cyril Black. Cyril was a real character-.talk about Tin Pan Alley...In the 50s and 60s there was a very famous band leader called Stanley Black. He was very well regarded and very prestigious …and then there was his brother Cyril - who was a walking embarrassment to Stanley, apparently!
Cyril was really hungry for success. He had this tiny little room in Denmark Street. He was such a stereotype, this little Jewish guy in Tin Pan Alley with glasses. You could trust him as far as you could throw him – which wouldn’t be very far. We went to see him and sung When Christine Comes Around to him and he thought that it was wonderful. He knew this rich heiress called Prudence. We went to see her, sang the song to her, she thought it was wonderful and we were in the studio before we knew it with my band and it just took off...She loved I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In as well. We were doing Punk before we knew what Punk was. I didn’t know what we were doing, I just enjoyed it. Oh and Christine finally put 2 and 2 together and she was not amused...and she stopped coming around. Finally – she got the hint!

The Black Label reference is 002; did you have anything to do with 001?
"No, but Cyril wanted the first to be 002, so people wouldn’t think it was the first release. I found out a little bit later that Cyril was in the soup for tax evasion and fled to Canada! "
Did you think it was going to be a hit?
"Of course, I thought that everything I did was going to be a hit. The band I worked with really got into the song"

Weeny Bopper –David, Donny And Michael /Won’t You Smile For Me –PYE 7N. 45203 (UK 1972)

“2 weeks later we were in the studio with Weeny Bopper singing David, Donny and Michael ; it was such a switch. When my dad heard Christine and I’m Gonna Smash Your Face In, he was furious with me and wouldn’t talk to me for 2 weeks, but then he heard the Weeny Bopper single and that kind of redeemed me. It was quite funny really, and I chuckle to this day when I think about it.”
The Weeny Bopper single does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a yearning paean to the teeny Bopper idols of the time, namely, David Cassidy, Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson. It’s definitely one of the better tribute records from the era and puts the C into cute. Quite a change from Grudge!
“You know, Robin, Weeny Bopper was the most professional singer I ever worked with. She was 10 years old, she walked into the studio cool as a cucumber. She was very accommodating and so sweet. It really was a dream session.”
The song is co-written by Cyril Black.
“I had to give Cyril a writing credit; he was just too much...”
Hear an edit of David, Donny And Michael

Spiv –Oh You Beautiful Child/ Little Girl – PYE 7N 45293 (1973 UK)

Oh You Beautiful Child is a great example of the perfect Glam Cruncher with its slap-back compressed handclaps, cutting lead, catchy hook and exuberant vocals, it’s definitely up there with the best hard Glam singles of the 70s.

“I was an A&R man for PYE Records for a while and that’s when I recorded Spiv. The demo was incredible and I asked the guy at PYE –why don’t we just release that? No No No, we must do it all again...They really had no idea...
Spiv was an actual band and a real nice bunch of guys...But how do you tell those guys after the record was made that you are not getting played because the promotion guy from PYE has left your record on the BBC’s doorstep? Promotion guys were just dumping releases in and around the offices there. It was a real scandal"

Hear an edit of Oh You Beautiful Child and Little Girl

"I then left PYE in 1974 and was concentrated on moving to Canada. I realised that I wasn’t get anywhere in the UK. I was told that I should go to America, but it was easier to get to Canada first. I started recording and then all the Disco stuff came up.”

Laurice continued to record and released disco records with some success, but the eventful quirkiness didn’t end there:
“Boy, could I tell you some stories about the nut who ran my record company. This guy who ran Casino Records in Canada was such a loony. He actually went down to see Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker in Nashville and told him that if he didn’t sign me that he would send some of the boys round to “take care of him”. I ended up having my contract suspended!”
Laurice has continued to record until recently in a more Jazzy approach, but will he ever revisit his Grudge days?
“Records like Grudge were a breeze, I could do them now with my eyes closed...but there isn’t a market for them – or is there?”
“I’m coming out with a new CD entitled Rockin Retro. It is a retrospective of some of my rock songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Christine is on it, of course, and some real rock rousers from that era. You’ll see some details about it soon on my website http://www.lauricenow.com/ and if that is what people want, then I’ll follow it up with more from any or all of those eras. I’ll let you know, when it is released. It shouldn’t be long now. And by the way, many thanks for the interview and hello to everyone out there who support good music that should never, never die!”