The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society discussion

Glam Rock came up on the Photos You Like thread so, on the basis that two or three of us, possibly more, share a passion for all things Glam, then here's a thread dedicated to it. Why now? Read on. But first a quick reminder of what got us here….

Flame by John Pidgeon

Mark wrote: "The novel, Flame, by a gentleman named John Pidgeon, is equally enjoyable and well worth searching out. Doubtful it'll ever be trotted back into print, tarted up for a new generation of shiny young discriminating literati, so a battered old paperback would probably be your best bet."

What a coincidence - I was only looking at a few second hand copies on line yesterday. Based on your recommendation I will pick one up.

Mark wrote: "Along similar lines, last year saw the dvd premier of a brilliant little film titled 'Never Too Young To Rock [1975],' which featured not only Slade, but also Mud, the Glitter Band, The Rubettes, etcet. If you dig 'In Flame,' you'll dig this. Simple as."

Never heard of that one. I'm quite a fan of Glam Rock, having been 10-12 when it dominated the British charts and spending every spare penny on glamtastic singles. I wonder how this one passed me by. I will most definitely check that out, Thanks Mark.

Mark wrote: "On a related note, I'll leave you with the following passage, taken from the mind-shatteringly brilliant book 'Cider With Roadies,' by Stuart Maconie -- very much in a league of its own when it comes to rock books: "Noddy's co-writer in Slade was Jimmy Lea, with the line-up completed by the brooding, taciturn drummer Don Powell. Not much to say here, other than, at the height of their fame, Powell was injured in a car crash and afterward suffered bouts of short-term memory loss. I don't intend to make light of this but even then I used to wonder what it must have felt like to 'come to' in the middle of a set and realise, 'Well, I'm obviously a drummer of some sort. Wait a minute, isn't that Noddy Hol-- bloody hell, I'm in Slade!" "

Classic quote Mark. I really enjoyed reading Cider With Roadies.



Talking of Glam, I have this on my shelf: Children of the Revolution: The Glam Rock Story 1970-1975. It looks great. I'll let you know when I get round to reading it.

Mark wrote: "'Children of the Revolution' is quite a fun read. I read it cover to cover, although it's very much the type of book that you can pick up and start reading on any page. In short, you've got a whole lot of fun to look forward to.

I can also recommend another of Dave Thompson's books, this one a novel titled 'Letters to Major Tom,' which is a novel and a Bowie biography at the same time, told entirely through twenty-odd years of fan letters written by one fan to Bowie as he grows from a glam-obsessed kid into a young man raising his own family.

And you'll have to forgive me, but any discussion of books that deal with the Glam years would be incomplete without at least a mention of Nina Antonia's 'The Prettiest Star,' and Jake Arnott's 'Johnny Come Home.' Both, I thought, were brilliant books and each merits recommending."

Imminently about to be released….



Oh Yes We Can Love: The History Of Glam Rock will be released by Universal on October 28 – but it contains much more than the usual suspects.

The label explains: “It isn’t just Bowie, Bolan and Gary Glitter – it explores a complete myriad of mutations from early origins in Chuck Berry and Little Richard to the contemporary evolution in The Darkness and Foxy Shazam, and everything in between.

“When Marc Bolan appeared on Top of the Pops in 1971, daubed in glitter, it permitted a generation of teenyboppers to begin playing with the idea of androgyny. It marked the dawning of a new era, a rejection of what had gone before.

“Arguably reaching its zenith in 1973 when the likes of Slade, Sweet and Suzi Quatro all had a run of chart-topping singles, the death-knell was eventually sounded by the rise of punk. Yet throughout the 80s and 90s and into the new millennium, bands have often drawn liberally from the lexicon of glam.”

The box includes a 100-page booklet containing rare single sleeves and trivia with an essay by rock journalist Barney Hoskyns, who wrote Glam! the definitive history of the era.

Oh Yes We Can Love tracklist

Disc One

1. Noel Coward: Mad Dogs And Englishmen
2. Chuck Berry: Around and Around
3. Little Richard: Ooh My Soul
4. Vince Taylor & the Playboys: Brand New Cadillac
5. Max Harris: Gurney Slade
6. Anthony Newley: Bee Bom
7. Billy Fury: Jealousy
8. Howlin’ Wolf: You’ll Be Mine
9. Jacques Brel: Amsterdam
10. The Velvet Underground: I’m Waiting For My Man
11. David Bowie: London Bye Ta-Ta
12. The Stooges: 1969
13. The Kinks: Lola
14. Hot Legs: Neanderthal Man
15. Burundi Steiphenson Black : Burundi Black
16. Curved Air: Back Street Luv
17. Fanny: Charity Ball
18. The Murgatroyd Band: Theme From Magpie
19. Chicory Tip: Son Of My Father
20. T Rex: Hot Love
21. Slade: Coz I Luv You

Disc Two

22. Mott The Hoople: All The Young Dudes
23. Lou Reed: Walk On the Wild Side
24. Roxy Music: Virginia Plain
25. T Rex: Metal Guru
26. The Osmonds: Crazy Horses
27. Dana Gillespie: Andy Warhol
28. Suzi Quatro: Can The Can
29. New York Dolls: Looking For A Kiss
30. Nazareth: This Flight Tonight
31. Sweet: Ballroom Blitz
32. Cozy Powell: Dance With The Devil
33. David Essex: Rock On
34. Wizzard: Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad)
35. Elton John: Bennie and the Jets
36. Barry Blue: Dancing On A Saturday Night
37. Alvin Stardust: Ma Coo Ca Choo
38. Lulu: The Man Who Sold The World
39. Mick Ronson: Growing Up And I’m Fine
40. Cockney Rebel: Judy Teen

Disc Three

1. Sparks: This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us
2. Hello: Tell Him
3. Mud: Tiger Feet
4. Jook: Bish Bash Bosh
5. Bryan Ferry: The ‘In’ Crowd
6. Patti Smith Group: Piss Factory
7. Cockney Rebel: Tumbling Down
8. The Glitter Band: Angel Face
9. Kenny: The Bump
10. The Rubettes: Sugar Baby Love
11. Fox: Only You Can
12. KISS: Rock And Roll All Nite
13. Sailor: A Glass Of Champagne
14. Ian Hunter : Once Bitten Twice Shy
15. Arrows: I Love Rock and Roll
16. Bay City Rollers: Saturday Night

Disc Four

17. Blondie: Rip Her To Shreds
18. Be Bop Deluxe: Ships In the Night
19. The Runaways: Cherry Bomb
20. ELO: Rockaria!
21. The Ramones: Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
22. The RAH Band: The Crunch
23. Rock Follies: OK?
24. Ultravox!: RockWrok
25. Ace Frehley: New York Groove
26. Judas Priest: Take On The World
27. Boney M: Rasputin
28. Generation X: Valley Of the Dolls
29. Human League: Rock and Roll Part Two / Nightclubbing
30. Magazine: The Light Pours Out Of Me
31. Adam and the Ants: “Antmusic”
32. Department S : Solid Gold Easy Action
33. Bauhaus: Ziggy Stardust
34. Dead Or Alive: That’s The Way (I Like It)

Disc Five

35. Sigue Sigue Sputnik: Love Missile F1-11
36. Hanoi Rocks: Up Around The Bend
37. Sisters Of Mercy: Emma
38. Morrissey: Glamorous Glue
39. Suede: Metal Mickey
40. The Fall: Glam Racket
41. Carter USM: Glam Rock Cops
42. Glam Metal Detectives: Everybody Up
43. Saint Etienne: Star
44. Earl Brutus: The SAS and the Glam That Goes With It
45. Gay Dad: To Earth With Love
46. Marilyn Manson: The Dope Show
47. Pulp: We Are The Boys
48. The Darkness: Growing On Me
49. Goldfrapp: Strict Machine
50. The Ark: Clamour For Glamour
51. Foxy Shazam: Unstoppable

Pretty imaginative and comprehensive in my view.

I reckon I've got pretty much every track, certainly those that I'd want, but it's interesting to see the compiler's take on pre-Glam and post-Glam.

What do you think?

Pretty impressive undertaking on the part of the compiler, but maybe a bit of a missed opportunity. In music, as with pretty much everything else, I'm always interested in joining the dots and seeing where they lead. But a five-disc Glam box in which only two discs are dedicated to "Glam Proper" while the remaining three are dedicated to putting the other two in perspective -- both historically and musically -- strikes me as an over-reach. As in any other genre, some of the best tracks were recorded by those who were has-beens before they ever were. I'd be more impressed if they'd dedicated a disc to the one-offs who tried to cash in on the craze, leaving behind a lone stellar 45 before shuffling off back into complete and total obscurity.

What was meant to be a quick visit to Amazon UK, followed by an equally quick exit without denting my credit card, turned up the recent publication of 'Look Wot I Done,' the autobiography by Don Powell out of Slade. This should go a long way towards filling the embarrassing gap on my bookshelf where most people file their autobiographies written by people with memory loss.

Mark wrote: "Pretty impressive undertaking on the part of the compiler, but maybe a bit of a missed opportunity. In music, as with pretty much everything else, I'm always interested in joining the dots and seeing where they lead. But a five-disc Glam box in which only two discs are dedicated to "Glam Proper" while the remaining three are dedicated to putting the other two in perspective -- both historically and musically -- strikes me as an over-reach. As in any other genre, some of the best tracks were recorded by those who were has-beens before they ever were. I'd be more impressed if they'd dedicated a disc to the one-offs who tried to cash in on the craze, leaving behind a lone stellar 45 before shuffling off back into complete and total obscurity."

That is a very good point Mark. If I know you like I think I might, you'll have (or at least considered buying) the RPM comps (e.g. Velvet Tinmine, Glitterbest, Boobs etc.) and/or stuff (for example) by Hollywood Brats, Stavely Makepeace etc. AS you say, there's some great stuff that was never got near the charts.

There's a few tracks I'd take serious issue with. Patti Smith "Piss Factory"?! I like it a lot but it's not even slightly glam. "Burundi Black"? Perhaps, in relation to Adam and the Ants but can't really see it, and some of Disc Five seems to be stretching the point, whilst Kinky Machine, The Auteurs, and David Devant don't get a look in.

Mark wrote: "What was meant to be a quick visit to Amazon UK, followed by an equally quick exit without denting my credit card, turned up the recent publication of 'Look Wot I Done,' the autobiography by Don Powell out of Slade. "

Look Wot I Dun - surely?! Cum On, get yer Slade misspellings rite Mark.

Anyway that's going straight on my Wish List. Hopefully a kindly relative will buy it for me this very Xmas.

Mark wrote: "This should go a long way towards filling the embarrassing gap on my bookshelf where most people file their autobiographies written by people with memory loss. "

Fantastic! Finally you can invite people back to your place without fear of ridicule.

I'm absolutely familiar -- and enthralled -- with the RPM comps that you'd mentioned, and that's precisely the calibre of "obscure' tracks that I would've liked to have been included in the boxed set. Cuts like 'Turtle Dove' by The Rats or 'Baby [I Gotta Go']' by Simon Turner are absolutely cracking, and deserve to be dressed up for a new generation to discover.

Glam, at its best, truly makes me wonder why punk rock "had" to happen.

And, yes, I stand corrected: "Dun" not "Done."

Mark wrote: "Glam, at its best, truly makes me wonder why punk rock "had" to happen."

An interesting point Mark. Actually I believe that punk *had* to happen entirely because of Glam Rock. I'll expand on this point when I have some more time. In essence though...

...the Glam woodwork squeaks, out come the freaks (albeit not necessarily with Marc, Bryan or David's innate talent), and what the hell else were they going to do...?

That CD box set above looks very impressive. I am glad that it includes people like Noel Coward for instance. Someone needs to put together a glam reading list! Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Nic Cohn, ...... hmmm

Nigeyb wrote: "Mark wrote: "Glam, at its best, truly makes me wonder why punk rock "had" to happen."

An interesting point Mark. Actually I believe that punk *had* to happen entirely because of Glam Rock. I'll ..."

Howlin' Wolf on a history of Glam compilation???!!!! That's got to be drawing a longbow. Then again, Glam was all about preposterous exaggeration.

And, talking of Glam, everyone should WATCH THIS at least once in their life. Listen to the production. Listen to the great vocals. Try doing the high kicks. Look at the delight on their faces. They know that this is a game changer.

Perfect Glam Rock from a parallel universe where the boots are still all platforms and all the young dudes still have spots from ripping off their stars.

It turns out that Catapult are not opportunistic London blues pub rockers trying their hand at a glam cash-in like many of those “glitter from the litter bin” bands. No Sir, they’re very much of the Dutch persuasion and also the undisputed KINGS of NEDER-STOMP.

Nigeyb wrote: "And, talking of Glam, everyone should WATCH THIS at least once in their life. Listen to the production. Listen to the great vocals. Try doing the high kicks. Look at the delight on their faces. The..."

Thanks Nigeyb, that is good. Well done.

I like them!

Right then fellow Glam lovers, let's have your top Glam tunes.

A few months back, and inspired by this list by Jon Savage, I knocked up a list of my own top 20. Here it is. I mainly included those 7" singles that I bought as awe struck 10-12 year old in the early to mid-seventies.

My pal Andy's (mainly) JunkShop Glam Top 20...

1. JET - START HERE
Ex members of Johns Children (future members of The Radio Stars) and Sparks. Their one and only album is a must. A touch of class.

2. BLACKFOOT SUE - STANDING IN THE ROAD
Stomping summer hit of 1972, best one bass note song ever! Despite numerous follow ups, this was their only major hit.

3. HECTOR - WIRED UP
Hector only did two singles and then vanished, this was the best one.
Members of the band came along to the Wired Up book launch in London last summer and were astonished to find a new generation into their band,

4. ANGEL - LITTLE BOY BLUE
Rockin head banging tune written and produced (along with Mick Tucker) by Andy Scott of The Sweet. Angel recorded one more single with him (Goodtime Fanny) but sadly that was it.

5. HEAVY METAL KIDS - SHE'S NO ANGEL
Fronted by the ultimate showman, Artful Dodger, Gary Holton, this was the nearest they came to a hit single. Also well worth checking out is their 1977 Punk song "Delirious"

6. GIORGIO MORODER - SON OF MY FATHER
Yup, the original version from 1971 of the song Chicory Tip scored the monster hit with a year later.

7. THE WALKERS - LET'S LET'S GO LET'S ROCK'N'ROLL
From Denmark, this band were big in Scandinavia and Europe, but did nowt here.
This is a great thumper in a Mud meets Glitter, big shout of 'Hey!' stylee.

8. LEMMING - QUEEN JACKULA
From Holland, Lemming sorta dabbled with witchcraft and the occult in a totally bonkersGlam/Heavy Rock Bacofoil Bellbottoms way, but this song is a classic.

9. TRACEY DEAN - MOONSHINER
He only made the one record, now highly sought after in Euro picture sleeve. This man sings like Feargal Sharkey's long lost Glam Uncle …no, really! This guy can really Warble!

10. CATAPULT - LET YOUR HAIR HANG DOWN
More bonkers bubblegum Dutch Glam, complete with stomping Gltterbeat and a singer sporting a daft Mullet meets Feather cut in a bucket of peroxide.

11. NING - MACHINE
Slow, tribal, really raw Proto-Glam from 1971. Bit of a John Kongos edge to this amazing song.
They only did this one single on Decca and then vanished. This pre-dated the tribal Mike Leander Glitter sound by a year.

12. ABACUS - INDIAN DANCER
Another touch of class, this time from 1974. Glam for the post teens, but retaining those all important big drums and hand claps.

13. AMERICAN JAM BAND - JAM JAM
Lovely subtle melody in a minor key, to this light, mellow but still definitely Glam song. To confuse matters i think there was another band called American Jam, at the time.

14. IRON VIRGIN - REBEL RULE
Heavily influence by The Sweet, this has now become one of the best known Junk ShopGlam classics. Iron Virgin also recorded a cover version of Paul McCartneys song 'Jet' not realising he was going to release it also as a single. From that moment on they were doomed to obscurity… till now!

15. THE JOOK - AGGROVATION PLACE
The Jook often get called 'Bovver Rock', Glam's more football Hoolie orientated younger brother. But this song, that sounds more than a little bit like The Who in their prime is a classic stand out song with superb lyrics that should have been a hit. They claim The Bay City Rollers styled themselves on their look… they probably did.

16. CHICORY TIP - GOOD GRIEF CHRISTINA
Gotta have 'The Tip' in here somewhere, so this top 20 hit is as good as any M'thinks. This song brings back fond memories of a School trip to France when i was a nipper.

17. BONNIE ST. CLAIRE - THAT'S MY MUSIC
Extremely Rocking B-Side from Bonnie, who has a career stretching back to the sixties, but in 1974 was sounding a like a Euro challenger to Suzi Quatro.

18. KIPPER - DO THE CLAPHAM
From the film "Confessions of a Pop Performer" featuring Robin Askwith as the drummer. This is a very silly, but bloody catchy song.

19. THE QUICK - PURGATORY YEARS
Very classy album track from 1976 by these Proto New Wave Glamsters. Another band appreciated more now than they were at the time. Signed to a major label (probably as a Tax write off) for one album, but their guitarist Steve Hufsteter co wrote a lot of early songs for The Dickies and their vocalist, Danny Wilde is better known for fronting The Rembrants and the theme to Friends, ...oh dear!

20. SPIV - YOU BEAUTIFUL CHILD
Gloriously camp, high energy rocker. The vocalist sounds uncannily like Steve Priest from the Sweet, who were the most immitated band in the world of Junk Shop Glam

In absolutely no particular order...

'Gud'by To Jane' by Slade

'Turn It Down' by The Sweet

'Shang-A-Lang' by The Bay City Rollers

'Tiger Feet' by Mud

'Father John' by Lemming

'Baby [I Gotta Go]' by Simon Turner

'Turtle Dove' by The Rats

'Virginia Plain' by Roxy Music

'Little Boy Blue' by Angel

'Ballpark Incident' by Wizzard

'Clap Your Hands, Stamp Your Feet' by Bonnie St Claire

It truly goes on and on... a seemingly bottomless well.

Re: the 'Oh Yes We Can Love: The History Of Glam Rock' boxed set... I've been wondering for years now when someone would have the sense and good taste to compile a boxed set of Chinn & Chap recordings. I'd gladly make the scene with the long green for that!

If, like me, you've spent countless nights wondering what it would have been like had Freddie Mercury recorded a version of 'Mouldy Old Dough,' then look no further...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZlU...

Mark wrote: "Re: the 'Oh Yes We Can Love: The History Of Glam Rock' boxed set... I've been wondering for years now when someone would have the sense and good taste to compile a boxed set of Chinn & Chap recordings. I'd gladly make the scene with the long green for that! "

Very good point. Just the Mud, Sweet, Arrows and Suzi Quatro stuff alone would be blimmin brilliant.

Mike Chapman went on to sparkle some of his magic in Blondie's direction too.

Mark wrote: "If, like me, you've spent countless nights wondering what it would have been like had Freddie Mercury recorded a version of 'Mouldy Old Dough,' then look no further..."

Wonderful stuff. I have a massive soft spot for Mouldy Old Dough - I bought it as a kid (on the Derram label pop kids). The Mrs Mills woman on piano was a great touch. They were Stavely Makepiece under a different guise - but you knew that I'm sure.

Always loved the pigeon in the original...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO5GW...

I'm pretty sure that I have the complete recorded works of both Lieutenant Pigeon and Stavely Makepeace. If there was any justice at all in this world, 'Mouldy Old Dough' would've been a global smash.

Unless I'm mistaken, the piano player was actually the drummer's mother, which accelerates the appeal to warp factor.

Mark wrote: "...the piano player was actually the drummer's mother, which accelerates the appeal to warp factor. "

Definitely one of the band's Mum. Her name was (is?) Hilda.

EDIT: Just googled it - she was Robert Woodward's Mum. He's the bloke who variously played keyboards, guitar, & tin whistle

Mark wrote: "If there was any justice at all in this world, 'Mouldy Old Dough' would've been a global smash."

I assumed it was ;-)

Completely unheard --and unheard-of-- on these shores. I only heard it for the first time about seven years ago, when Steve Jones [Sex Pistols] played it on his radio show. It immediately knocked me sideways, and I've yet to get back up again.

Thanks for your list of Glamtastic tunes Mark. Some great stuff in there, and your final track, Clap Your Hands, Stamp Your Feet' by Bonnie St Claire, inspired a purchase of a Neder-Glam compilation called, perhaps predictably, "Clap Your Hands, Stamp Your Feet". Now then, here's an interesting article that I stumbled across...

Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet: Junkshop, Power and BubbleGlam by Robin Wills (ex-The Barracudas) (2012)....



It has been said that the 70s were crap until Punk arrived and to a certain extent, if you only rely on overindulgent albums full of serious musicianship and singer-songwriter belly button fluff examinations, the case can be quite strong. However if you crave for the simple urgency and high energy of the mid 60s where the hook was king and 45s ruled the earth, there is plenty of fun to be had digging and discovering these juicy under-3-minute 70s wonders. You read it hear first: 1974 is the new 1965!

Record Collector’s original article in issue 269 (January 2002) provided a sneak preview to the joys of Junkshop Glam collecting, the great essential comps Velvet Tinmine (RPM 251 (2003), Glitter From The Litter Bin (Sanctuary CMQCD675 2003), Glitterbest RPM 265 (2004), Boobs –The junkshop discotheque RPM 298 ( 2005) and The Jook – Different Class CD RPM 295 (2005) consolidated the trend at which point some “serious” collectors and dealers looking for the next big thing entered the picture…As far as values go, a lot of these singles fell between the cracks and you may still find cheap copies in the bargain boxes at record fairs, however the same single that you may have bought for 50 pence, could well sell on ebay for £30 -£40 as the international demand has soared with the Japanese and Americans leading the way.

The 60s have been pretty much collected and compiled to death, with very few new Freakbeat/Psychobscurities being uncovered these days. That particular collecting scene is the probably the most closely related as there is also sometimes a good deal of overlap with many of the Freakbeat/Psych main players (The Sorrows,Mandrake Paddle Steamer, Rupert’s Peopleto name a few) being involved with some of these releases. Sometimes it’s pretty much a case of what they did next… Material by Hector, Daddy Maxfield, Mustard, Iron Virgin or Shamblesdefinitely hold their own and sit very comfortably next to The Craig, Wimplewinch etc… Also a lot of these singles were also precursors to Punk as singles by Barry Rolfe, Stud Leather or Spunky Spider are killer Proto-Punk numbers that could have been released 4 years later and fitted perfectly in 1977. Another similarity is shared with 60s fabricated Bubblegum. Many of these acts probably didn’t even exist, but were one-off attempts by producers to break into the charts, also a simple catchy melody is a often prerequisite and some Bubbleglam titles are simply an update of Kasenetz/ Katz simple and the point songsmith and production philosophy

As a general rule these songs never outstay their welcome, the harder edge ones are fuzzed-up and catchy morsels of unbridled energy, the poppier ones have hooks that will engrave themselves into your brain forever. And when the twain meet? Well you’re in Purepop heaven!
For every Sweet, Hello or Slade there were 100s of other acts who never even got close to denting the charts, and this is what we are talking about here. So put away any sense of shame, wipe away any lingering prejudices and start digging!

For more click here - it's a wonderful track-by-track selection of some of Robin's faves.

Although, as he concludes, I’ve only scratched the surface here. To keep the hunger at bay, here are another 100 or so names to get you truly started on your way…

A Raincoat, Alvin's Heart-Beats, American Jam Band, Angel (Cube), Angels Of Islington, April, Arzenboys, Bearded Lady, Big Boy Blue, Bilbo Baggins, Barry Blood, Bo' Flyers, Boneshaker, Bumpers, Buster, Buzz, Canyon, Paul Cass, Chaos, Chunky, Clutch, Cold Fly, Cordells, Crunch, Crush, Dancer, Dazzle, Tracey Dean, Del, Doc & Prohibition, Downhill Racers, Gisela Dressler, Dump, Edwina Biglet And The Miglets, Elmer Goodbody Jnr, Farm, Fifth Form, Firebird, Flight, Fogg, Foxtrot, Stanley Frank, Frenzy, The Gang, The Garnets, Gidians League, Hamlett, Heavy Dwarves, Helter Skelter, Hobnail, Horizontal, Hot Rocks, Ice Cream, Iron Cross, Jack Stack –A-Track, Jet, Jook, Jungle Jim, Left End, Lemming, Light Fantastic, Earle Mankey, Matayo, Merlin, Mighty 'Em, Milk 'N' Cookies, Moonquake, Muff, Nimbus, One Hit Wonders, Onkinsmog, Parkinson's Law, Patches, Peepers, Plastic Feet, Propeller, Prowler, Puzzle, Rats, Redhead, Remember This, Revolver, Ritz, Rock Rebellion, Rockmore Williams, Rococo, Paul Ryder And Time Machine, Screemer, Sensation, Shabby Tiger, Shakane, Shelby, Sisters, Slowbone, Smiffy, Smiley, Brett Smiley, Son Of A Gun, Squeek, Stephen, Streak, Streakers, Stumpy, Sweet Reason, Thieves, True Adventure, Tubthumper, Villain, Vulcan, Warwick, Washington Flyers, Wellington, Willy Zango And The Mechanics, Zappo, Zingara, Zipper

My copy of Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum European Picture Sleeves, 1970-1976 by Jeremy Thompson and Mary Blount has arrived. Joy is unconfined. It's a thing of wonder and beauty.

The website's summary....

Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum European Picture Sleeves, 1970-1976 " is the first book to fully document the underground European glam rock scene of the early 1970s, cataloging hundreds of the best and most sought after junkshop glam, proto-punk and bubblegum 45 sleeves from the 1970-76 period. The history of this highly influential but seldom discussed moment in rock 'n' roll is told through reproductions of the colorful, outrageously designed record sleeves as well as first-hand accounts from some of the musicians who were there, such as Alan Gordon of Hector, Jesse Hector of the Hammersmith Gorillas and Gordon Nicol of Iron Virgin. "Wired Up!" is truly a labor of love, requiring several years of research--digging through record bins and scouring online auctions--as well as the assistance of several prominent collectors, including Phil King, bass player with The Jesus & Mary Chain and driving force behind the groundbreaking "Glitterbest" compilation of UK glam, and Robin Wills, guitarist with The Barracudas and author of the Purepop blog. While a handful of better-known names are present--Bay City Rollers, Gary Glitter, The Osmonds, Suzi Quatro, Slade, Sparks, The Sweet--the bulk of "Wired Up!" is given over to a proudly revisionist history of a parallel pop universe, one populated by the now-forgotten likes of Carol and the Boston Garden, Floating Opera, Galahad, Lemming, The Panics, Punchin' Judy and Union Joke.

It's a beautiful thing - mainly European Glam 45 rpm 7 inch sleeves, which are curiously compelling, with a few interviews too. I'll post a proper review once I've digested it.

Robin Wills, whose article I posted above, wrote the introduction.

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks for your list of Glamtastic tunes Mark. Some great stuff in there, and your final track, Clap Your Hands, Stamp Your Feet' by Bonnie St Claire, inspired a purchase of a Neder-Glam compilati..."

There's one for me to track down, thanks! Worth the cost of admission for Pantherman alone, trust me!

Mark wrote: "Worth the cost of admission for Pantherman alone, trust me! "



Absolutely. I have already discovered the delights of "Pantherman".

What a tune!

Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum European Picture Sleeves, 1970-1976 by Jeremy Thompson is a delight. More on that soon. Meanwhile, a quick news update...



Having completed "The Prettiest Star: Whatever Happened to Brett Smiley?" by Nina Antonia - Review here. - I am now continuing my home study PhD in Glamology with...



Glam!: Bowie, Bolan And The Glitter Rock Revolution by the usually reliable Barney Hoskyns

Watch this space.

In other news I have added to my Junkshop Glam collection by acquiring the RPM Jook compilation of their bovver pop called "Different Class", and a Neder-Glam compilation "Clap Your Hands and Stamp Your Feet". Both are inspiring much stomping of my platforms accompanied by a huge grin. YouTube also provides a font of fantastic tunes and footage.

Here's a Glamtastic Top Five of less well known tunes for your listening pleasure...

HELLO - Star Studded Sham
Zappo - Right On!
Starbuck - Do You Like Boys
Mustard - Good Time Coming
and some playful, and vaguely topical, modern glam to finish up...
Glam Chops - Countdown To Christmas

Hello to Eddie Argos.

Please add your own glam updates to this, our rolling newsfeed.

Nigeyb wrote: "I am now continuing my home study PhD in Glamology with Glam!: Bowie, Bolan And The Glitter Rock Revolution by Barney Hoskyns"

This book is a great introduction to the Glam Rock genre, and also makes a satisfying read for the more informed reader who simply wants to enjoy a short, well written account of Glam's glory years. Click here for my review.

Today's glamtastic album of the day...




Hello - Glam Singles Collection

This arrived earlier today. Surprising how few hits Hello notched up in the UK. They were more popular elsewhere in Europe. This album is basically the singles - both A and B sides. And, not surprisingly, it's blimmin' marvellous.

I noticed a few singles by The Equals in the Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum European Picture Sleeves, 1970-1976 book. I'd never thought of them as particularly Glam, though with a definite soul-bubblegum sensibility.

"Diversion" is one of their most Glam-centric singles, and a goodie in my opinion. The incessant I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back I’m Back chant; the tight handclaps; the distinctive glam crunch, it all makes for another good stomper....

The Equals - Diversion

What's the all important TPHAS verdict?

Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum European Picture Sleeves, 1970-1976 is a gorgeous artefact. 384 pages that lovingly chronicle European glam rock seven inch single sleeves of the 1970s.

Whilst boring old Britain used to sell seven inch singles in plain paper sleeves, until the advent of punk rock changed this practice for the majority of single releases, in the rest of Europe the picture sleeve was standard throughout the whole of the 1970s.

So, along with covers for Sweet, Slade, and T.Rex singles, and other familiar names like Rubettes, Hello, Mud, Suzi Quatro, there are covers for a host of other acts that frequently sound too perfect to be true. Many of these acts are now highly collectable and celebrated on so-called JunkShop Glam compilations.

Be honest, if, to pluck a few favourite examples, Sandwich, Toggle, Shag, Zipper, Crunch, Hobnail, Pantherman, Clutch, Streak, Tiger, Stud Leather, and so on, had never existed we'd have to make them up.

Many of these singles have fabulous designs, with garish colours, great glam outfits and 70s typography. They are very beautiful, and this book is a wonderful thing if you are attracted to such things.

Not only do we get the single covers, there are also short interviews with members of Iron Virgin, Hector, The Jook, The Hammersmith Gorillas, Milk N'Cookies, and Brett Smiley. Most of these detailing thwarted ambition, mismanagement, and some great memories.

This book is the perfect way to celebrate Glam Rock - one of the great musical scenes. 4/5

A glam-tastic five for Friday. Click on each one to take you straight through to the appropriate page on YouTube.

Get your platforms on, and start stomping...

Hello - Star Studded Sham

Ice Cream - Shout It Out

1990s - You're Supposed To Be My Friend

Mud - Hypnosis

Jimmy Jukebox - Motorboat

Here's to a wonderful weekend.

By way of belatedly following up on the aforementioned 'Oh Yes We Can Love: The History Of Glam Rock' boxed set, I recently turned up this article which might be a bit divisive, but certainly not without its point...

http://thequietus.com/articles/13749-...

^ Thanks Mark. That's a very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it.



Daryl Easlea, who compiled the track listing for Universal for the Oh Yes We Can Love: The History Of Glam Rock compilation, argued: "If we'd included Gary Glitter, it would have overshadowed everybody's contributions and music". Rubbish

I agree. I would have included Gary Glitter's "Rock n Roll Part 2" which was a seminal Glam record in terms of defining the Glam sound. Mike Leander and Glitter creating the sound through hours of painstaking manipulation of tape loops and drum patterns. It is interesting to note that the compiler does include The Human League's version of "Rock n Roll Part 2" (that neatly segues into Iggy's Nightclubbing) which is a virtual copy of the original, and this suggests that the compiler recognises the track's significance but understandably didn't want to get embroiled in Gary Glitter controversy. The set does include "Angel Face" by The Glitter Band which is a good example of the Glitter/Leander sound - and a great track too.

The Gary Glitter omission suggests that we should judge music's validity according to some sort of 'fit and proper person' test on the individuals who made it. And it seems to validate the notion that we should actively avoid listening to the music of anyone whose off-stage behaviour we disapprove of.

Indeed so.

I'm never comfortable mixing an artist's life-choice with their art. The fact is Glitter made some remarkable recordings. Also it is a fact that he went to prison for his personal actions. It is a matter of choice of the listener to choose to boycott that artist for his actions. Personally i don't. I accept both sides of the identity. The same goes for Joe Meek. A genius in my opinion but also a very sick individual who killed his landlady. And Phil Spector as well. A genius in music making but a very messy and horrible life which lead to a death of another person.

I'm in agreement... I sure wouldn't want to be locked in a room for five minutes with Phil Spector, Ike Turner and Jerry Lee Lewis, but I'd gladly be locked in a room for five years with stacks of their combined recorded output.

Despite having never heard them, though, I strongly suspect I'd have a double-standard when it comes to Lostprophets.

I agree with everything both of you have said.


The Lostprophets example is, so far as I can make out, the ultimate test. I had the misfortune to follow a link to the judge's summing up. I lasted about two paragraphs.

Everybody probably has a point at which an artist's conduct completely overshadows any artistic merit within their work. I don't know the band's music so cannot discuss it (though I know they sold millions of albums). Like Mark, Lostprophets would probably be the exception that proves that rule that I can separate an artist's work and their conduct.

I made the mistake, earlier today, of thinking that I could read the judge's sentencing transcripts in their entirety. My line of thinking was something along the lines of... it's very nearly 2014, I'm very nearly forty nine years old, I've lived most of my life in New York City, what could possibly shock or offend me?

I was wrong.

I can't remember ever having felt so sickened and saddened and angered and disgusted. The actions of all involved left me unspeakably mortified and shaken.

Just when you think you know the depths of depravity that humans are capable of sinking into... I'm not half as jaded as I thought I was yesterday.

Had I read that before posting the Gary Glitter article, in all likelihood, I probably would not have posted the link. Many sincere apologies if anyone viewed my posting as being insensitive, timing-wise.

Mark, I feel confident that no one reading your post would view you as insensitive - though it speaks volumes abut you that would feel the need to clarify the situation just to be certain. It was just an unhappy coincidence that the Watkins case was in the headlines on the same day.

Indeed, Mark. No need for apologies.

Separating art from artist is difficult and having met some of my football and music heroes, some of whom have the reputation as arseholes, these are just people with the same motivators and hang-ups as the rest of us. They are happiest when not discussing that which they are famed for, in my opinion.

In the cases of Saville, Glitter and even the Lost Prophets' singer, I have no prurient desire to investigate further than the headline facts that these are/were utter bastards in real life but would opine that even such utter bastards are capable of producing memorable art. Diego Rivera was vile to Frida Kahlo but his works are outstanding. George Best, to some extent, was a semi-pro human being in his personal life but is as gifted a footballer as these islands have ever produced.

I know nothing of the Lost Prophets, will probably never get around to listening to any of their output, but even the most vile crimes of which the singer has been convicted do not mean that he and his band are incapable of artistic achievement.

Duh. PS. My quest to view some of Rivera's wonderful paintings online threw up the fact that he, Frida Kahlo and Leon Trotsky are principal characters in Barbara Kingsolver's 'The Lacuna'.

That's another volume on the reading pile then.

Wise words David. As ever. Thanks.


I've not read any Barbara Kingsolver. If I hadn't already resolved to read, in the first few months of 2014, various tomes by Derek Raymond, Hans Fallada, Gerald Kersh, Selina Hastings, Nancy Mitford, Anthony Burgess, Cathi Unsworth, and - of course - Patrick Hamilton, and a few more besides, I'd probably state my intention to follow your lead.

So many books etc etc

I am currently reading....




Glam Rock by Dave Thompson


It's a mere 168 page chronological look at the main Glam players. I've only read 20 odd pages but can confirm it's a marvellous, marvellous read. Although I am learning little new, Dave Thompson has a wonderful turn of phrase employed in an engaging style. This is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of Glam, or a great reminder of some amazing music and bands.

How about these quotes on Slade...

Slade, in contrast to Bolan's fey cerebral other-worldliness, were totally common, out-of-town yobbos intent on raising hell everywhere they went.

Slade's songs weren't music, they were aural graffiti, slabs of working class consciousness spray painted across the wall of the Establishment, each new song more misspelled than the last.

Well played Dave. I doff my mirror-stewn top hat in your direction Sir.

Since your mirrored topper is in the 'doffed' position, Nigey, could you perhaps post a pic of your Roy Wood multi-hued Catweazle barnet or your corkscrew hair?

^ I'll see what I can do David :-))


You might have to settle for a pic of my hubcap diamond star halo though....

Then I will call you Jaguar, if I may be so bold....

:-))) You may indeed David. Be so bold, that is.


Now then, and on a related topic, here's a very obvious question....

What is one is in response to a girl who slides so good with bones so fair she's got the universe reclining in her hair?

Answers on a postcard.

A Jeepster for said glam chick's love, of course!

I love this site. :D