I’ve gone jazz on yo ass’s for this one. Don’t panic! It’s mostly Blue Note cos that’s the only form I can get into without wanting to chew my own arm off due to imense boredom at some ‘cats’ over-indulgence. If you ask me (which admittedly you haven’t but I’m gonna tell you anyway), it’s all modernism folks - just different flavours…..hope it hits the spot. There will also be a new download going up over at the mothership The Right Side OF Funky tomorrow to mark the 20,000 visits milestone. Smoke one for me, groovers!

Love n’ spacedust, TBC

Love In - The Charles Lloyd Quartet

Fat mama - Herbie Hancock

Bus Ride - Reuben Wilson

Woman Of The World - Jimmy Smith

The Final Comedown - Grant Green

Sho’Nuff Melon - Reuben Wilson

For What It’s Worth - Lou Rawls

It’s Your Thing - Lou Donaldson

Tres Lobos - Mark III Trio

I’ve Had A Little Talk - Horace Silver

Soul Cha - Joe Torres

Cantaloupe Island - Herbie Hancock

Goose Bumps - Jeremy Steig

Helpless Dancer mp3

Baby Charles are in the chair (see pic below…do you like what I did there?) doing the Q&A thang over on The Right Side Of Funky right now and a guest mix + Q&A courtesy of Vincent the Soul Chef from Fufu Stew will be coming in to land tomorrow, so be sure to pop by and see what the chef’s cooked up - you won’t be disappointed.

Meanwhile over here Penelope singer Felps has done the honours for us. The fantastic Penelope French Band also boast our good friend and favourite vinyl selector Number 9 on bass (which is good enough for me) and have some crackingly groovy tunes. Penelope are definately one to keep an eye on! They currently have a new track ’Eden Rose’ available on a spanish compilation for Bon Vivante Records. Check them out over at myspace and see for yourselves people, it’s just a click away after all! Thank you to Felps for his time and some choice answers!

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?

best way to describe penelope ? It sounds like a question for french people !! I guess we’ll agree to say we play pop with 60’s and 70’s sounds…

2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?
mhmhmhm… must we talk about career ??
even if we have played in different bands (pop jerk for Alain and soul funk for others !) for more than 10 years…

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?
I think “Robot crime” is a key song for us… It’s the most representative of the sound of Penelope, and it’s one of our 1st songs and maybe our favourites : we have energic surf guitar, 70’s keyboard and dance drums !! Perhaps Penelope is an old surfer bitch who enjoys dancefloors !!! :-)))

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?
WOW !!! I’m afraid it’s a kind of big mix between Serge Gainsbourg, The Beatles, The sonics, The ventures, Air, Phœnix, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jean jacques Perray, Daft Punk, Eden Rose, The mummies and I’m really sorry, but I’m afraid to forget more than a thousand !!!!

5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?
mhmhmm Britney Spears !!!! but I’m not sharing this influence with others !!!!

6. What are you most proud of?
My new nike vintage … mhmhmh no.. the famous Korg MS 10 with my fender Bullet !!
kidding…

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?
SURE !!! in some cafe concert we had to play… guns’ n roses “knocking on heaven’s door” AWFULL!!!

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?
they asked me to stop playing tambourine !!!!!! LOL

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?
to listen to each other ! especially when you play loud !!!!

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?
well, there are so much songs we’d like to play for different reasons, but most of all, I think I’d so like to sing the B side of Abbey Road : “you never give me your money / golden slumbers”…
They are the most beautifull melodies I’ve ever heard (and my voice can afford it !)…

11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?
mhmhmm difficult… music first of all !!! Easy to say it coz my job authorizes me this thing !

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?
Well… that’s a great psychologic problem, you don’t hear an album when you download it and when you pay a big part of your student money !
The Internet is a great tool for discovering, but buying music is a way to possess a part of the soul of the band… to become a part of the band ! So, fans needs a record to BE a part of their favourite bands !

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?
LOL I don’t think we have success… YET !!! LOL
Anyway, YES, we are motivated to play, but no gameplan, we play … and we’ll see !!

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?
Well, some bands don’t deserve to be famous, some yes … Some Dj’s have talent of their choices, some Dj’s create tracks…
I think that creation is the best way to deserve to be famous.

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?
Our best gig (we played) was in Toulon Zenith-Omega, the public was great and we played with good energy !
But I dreamed my dream seeing Serge Gainsbourg in Marseille in 1989 ! Music was real shit, but HE was THE BEST !

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?
We have secret dance but … Shhhhhhh, it’s a secret !

17. When did you last write something?
well, the last track has been made 2 weeks ago and I’m now, writing the lyrics !

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?
Well, not yet ! We’re not famous enough for it !!!

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?
We’re not against using today’s tools !! we just need to use it as a tool, an instrument …
Anyway, we dream about old school recording session, but we’re not so integrists !

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?
Well, if there are people on this earth who’d like to know more about us, we’d be glad to tell him (them ?) LOL
You make the transition between the public and us, it’s a difficult but good job !!
Thank YOU for asking us !
Penelopement vôtre !

A quick update for you folks! Everyones favourite french mod vinyl selector Number 9 has his June selection now up on the player over at myspace so be sure to check in (click on his name), plus over at The Right Side Of Funky we are lucky enough to have Andy Lewis (all round top bloke, solo artist, DJ and current Paul Weller bass player) giving his answers.

So on we go with more gold dust! For those of you who don’t know Chris Sheehan   he is a fantastically talented singer/songwriter who thankfully came to my attention with The Bench Connection and has kept it ever since. A band that includes none other than ex-Mother Earth frontman and personal hero  Matt Deighton. Aside from checking out  The Bench Connection on myspace and buying their tremendous album ‘Around The House In 80 Days’ I urge you to listen to Chris Sheehans other tracks (click on his name). A particular highlight on his player at the moment for me is ’Not Just You’. An album ‘Goodbye Cruel Circus’ is on the way!

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?

Here comes the cliche… I try to write songs that resonate with people, frustratingly for me, often people who are a bit down in the mouth - but that for all their apparent melancholy, have a positive undertone of hope. I’ve spent last 10 years trying to work out if I’m the world’s most pessimistic optimist, or optimistic pessimist…

2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?

I feel like I’m in the middle of the sea with a penknife, trying to cut my arm and drip some blood into the sea so the sharks will smell it and come and savage me - all the time wondering why I want to swim all the way out here just to get eaten! I’m trying to get the finished record out…

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?

Hmm… Hard to say … either The Pickpockets because I’m overly cynical; Small Words (in big clothes) because I often wake up and wonder what good I’m doing the world by sitting about writing songs on a guitar; or Not Just You because I think I feel l as much like the lyrics now as I did when I wrote it - 8 years ago age 21. Man, it’s taking some time to get this out!

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?

I think my biggest inspiration is fear of conforming to a life setup I swore I’d never go for when I was 15. Fear of a suit and desk; but also fear of never being financially secure enough to have a real family and stuff, which is the whole point of being in this world. Looks like I’m just scared in general!

5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?

Del Amitri. I don’t know why they have this uncool image. Nothing Ever Happens sums up everything I remember about the world around me when I was growing up in the 80’s. The lyrics are brilliant.
And when you’re 17 years old and you hear The First Rule of Love (off Change Everything) you’re like - how does he know all that when he hasn’t met me!

6. What are you most proud of?

Recording the Bench Connection album in my studio - and people saying it sounded like a lost 70’s record. That was the first album I ever engineered/produced. (Matt and I co-produced it but I recorded it) Maybe it was a fluke, I don’t think so.

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?

Not really, I’ve always been overly cautious about that. I got offered a cloak and dagger bye into the fame academy house about 5 years ago and my then manager turned it down flat. A couple of people were like - ‘but you’d make a fortune’ and I just said I didn’t want a 5 minute career doing 90 second cover versions, being taught to sing like a robotic virgin and being judged by people who’ve never listened to All Things Must Pass. And now I’m skint!

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?

Nothing major yet - doing a showcase in a rehearsal room with session guys for the entire Island Records A&R department having had 2 rehearsals and no gigs together springs to mind. The guys were fantastic, but you can’t just magic up chemistry from nowhere, with no f***ing audience! They signed Keane instead - sorry about that Planet Earth.

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?

Shared sense of humour, and tons of empathy.

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?

Roll On Babe by Ronnie Lane - I can’t stop listening to it since Matt lent me the DVD. Just makes me so happy. Either that, or ‘Love Is All Around’ by Wet Wet Wet - ah to have royalties coming in!

11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?

I convince myself the see-saw is even when it’s blatantly at 45 degrees. I do it badly and make my life constantly intolerable. I have no idea how so many musicians still have so much hair at 35. I’ll need a wig at this rate.

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?

Utterly, totally, completely. Not only are you missing out on the top feeling of going out for the day to buy something affordable (but that gives you infinitely more pleasure than anything else you’ll buy that week) but you end up downloading 3 or 4 albums and never really falling in love with any of them. My favourite songs are always the ones I skip initially, but when I couldn’t be arsed fast forwarding the tape, skipping the CD or moving the needle, you get made to listen to it and think, woa, thats a great line. All my favourites were found like that. Instead of going on itunes, listening to 10 seconds, then hopping onto Limewire or whatever.

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?

Part of it yeah. We’re putting together a really great group of people to work the record on a profit share basis, and looking at how to make the gigs work rather than doing lots of one offs you don’t get paid for and spend a fortune rehearsing for, and getting to. Depends how you define success - making a record every 2 years and having enough to live comfortably on sounds like success to me.

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?

I don’t mind really. I don’t want fame myself - just to make a good living out of doing what I love. If DJ’s are playing your stuff… it means more people are gonna get into it. Spin it man!

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?

My second gig in London at the now defunct Kashmir Klub. I absolutely nailed everyone to the wall. That was a few years ago now…

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?

Generally I don’t. I fluff the first line and then get a grip.

17. When did you last write something?

Yesterday - a little grumpy acoustic song called Mannicures for Mannequins

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?

Generally once a month for the last 8 years. I don’t because somewhere inside there’s an incredibly confident numbskull who knows it’ll happen, one way or another. Just keep writing honest stuff, and nicking new chords.

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?

They’ll never completely replace live instruments. It’s all horses for courses. You might have an acoustic guitar but with electronic drums and synths. Or real drums with sampled guitar loops. And a lot of live instruments like drums get chopped up and edited - so could be a sample anyway. Depends what kind of record you want to make. On the Bench Connection record we didn’t use a single click track and used proper instruments on everything, playing live - then used mellotron samples for strings on some, real strings on others. On mine there’s a few synths or sampled shakers - but always for effect rather than like some of these lazy arse (and more successful than me!) producers. I think it’s another great tool to have, as long as you can do it the ‘proper’ way if you need to.

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?

Vanity! And a desire to talk to someone today other than my basil plant. (I exaggerate of course)

Mirror In The Bathroom - The Beat

Why? - The Specials

Draw Your Brakes - Scotty

Rudeboy Shuffle - The Rude Boys

Believe Me - Madness

Rudi’s In Love - Locomotive

Missing Words - The Selector

Ranking Full Stop - The Beat

Tell Me When My Light Turns Green - Dexys Midnight Runners

Its Been A Long Time….Helen - The Deltones

Too Much Pressure - The Selector

Blank Expression - The Specials

Lets Do Rock Steady - Bodysnatchers

Bed & Breakfast Man - Madness

The Gift - The Jam

Kick Over The Statues - The Redskins

Bad Guy - Arthur Kay & The Originals

Special Brew - Bad Manners

My Generation mp3

And now for something completely different. Marie Julie from Steroscope Jerk Explosion has very kindly allowed us into their groovy world with the Q&A. The debut album is nearing completion and the singer/writer, moog and hammond player has put her tools to one side for a moment to give us her answers. Many thanks to Marie Julie for her time (and in particular, her patience with the English language). You can check out some of their fantastic grooves here on myspace but be sure to click on their name above too, the website is stunning.

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?
 
Stereoscope Jerk Explosion is a french instrumental band that makes groovy songs in  a 60’s style, influenced as well by garage, psychedelic or pop music. What perhaps differentiates us from other current instrumental bands of this style, is that we create songs as if they were sung, with verses and refrains and just little chorus’s like in pop songs, but not with long (and sometimes boring) improvisations as is usually done in this kind of music.
 
2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?
 
I don’t know, nobody knows what will happen tomorrow but one thing is sure, all the members of the band have played music for a long time

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?
 
Dancing Drums, Ananda Shankar. This great track contains all the ingredients we use (and sometimes abuse) in our music : sitar and percussions for an indian touch, organ, moog, female vocals and of course, a groovy rythmic section

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?
 
We all have different influences in the band, some are more Beatles, some are more Stones, some are more Funk, or Soul but our common point is all 60’s music

5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?

Ravel. His Bolero is following me for a long time

6. What are you most proud of?
 
Our concept album which is just finished now and will be available soon. We’ve made it like a soundtrack of a spy movie called La Panthère Pop, including a complete scenario based on the names of the tracks and a storyboard in cosmic strip. It was a great and long project to realise.

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?
 
No, we only do music for pleasure, we aren’t looking to get our music ‘out there’ at any price

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?

Once we were asked to do a gig but we should pay to play ! Of course, we refused.

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?
 
Friendship and communication

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?
 
As an organist, I can’t choose a song made by a great organ player because if I had played on it, it wouldn’t have been the same! So I don’t know, the choice is difficult, perhaps on Sunny, Bobby Hebb, because it’s one of my favorite songs.
 
11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?
 
I try to do the best I can for the two things, even if sometimes it’s tiring

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?
 
The records are objects too, that you can contemplate, even put on your wall if you like. Having a list of mp3’s in your computer or ipod don’t have the same effect. With Stereoscope we try to make good music but beautiful records too, perhaps to give more desire to people to buy them ! Anyway, I think that people who frequently download music, buy the cd or the vinyl album too when they really like it.

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?

No, success is not our motivation, only fun, and if people like what we do, it’s even more pleasure

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?
Some DJ’s are great, they have a good sense of music and make the people dance which is something really cool. But what annoys me is the confusion that is sometimes made beetween musicians and DJ’s. Musicians have to train for years to arrive at a good result, but DJ’s just put records on a turntable (if they do!), so it’s quite different..

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?
 
With Stereoscope Jerk Explosion, our most memorable gig was our first one, before the James Taylor Quartet. In reality, the band was created to do that. With the guitarist Spagh, we were playing in a garage band called the Cryptones and we had done some demos of instrumental songs together just for fun. When Bruno of Cosmic Groove, our current label, listened to them, he proposed to us that we should open the gig before JTQ a month later. We accepted so we had to find a name and some musicians for the occasion. We asked good friends who were playing in others bands like the Strawberry Smell, to be part of this project. We only had two rehearsals together before doing the gig and the people really liked it. That’s how Stereoscope was born and also that’s the reason why we don’t do lots of gigs now : all the members live in differents towns and play in others bands, so that’s not really pratical..

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?
 
I don’t get pre-gigs nerves often now, not anymore, but if it happens, the only way for me to overcome them is to drink some gin and tonic, or some champagne in the better case!

17. When did you last write something?

I find melodies everytime, sometimes it becomes a song and sometimes not. I was working on our album for a while so I haven’t tried to record a new song, but I have a lot of new themes in mind.

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?
 
Yes, everytime I can’t arrive at the result I’m looking for, but this feeling disappears as fast as it came.

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?

It’s important to live with our time, electronic tools are really great for musicians now, for example in Stereoscope, the songs are first recorded with electronic instruments and after we replace them with real vintage instruments.

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?

Because you asked me politely, and to practise my English too!

Baby You’re A Rich Man - The Beatles

I’ll Follow The Sun - The Beatles

I’m Looking Through You - The Beatles

I Me Mine - The Beatles

Eight Days A Week - The Beatles

Ticket To Ride - The Beatles

I’m A Loser - The Beatles

Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles

You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away - The Beatles

For No One - The Beatles

Blackbird - The Beatles

Doctor Robert - The Beatles

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

I’ve Just Seen A Face - The Beatles

Baby It’s You - The Beatles

If I Fell - The Beatles

Every Little Thing - The Beatles

It’s Only Love - The Beatles

I Should Have Known Better - The Beatles

No Reply - The Beatles

Golden Slumbers - The Beatles

Love Reign O’er Me mp3

The sun is out people and just to make things even better, Groovy Uncle is on board with the 20 Questions. Larry from Funky16Corners is currently doing the honours over at The Right Side Of Funky so be sure to check that out when you are done here. Groovy Uncle writes songs at an insane rate. I regularly check up on him in stealth mode on the off chance of finding a half baked idea but have found nothing but gems. A nicer and wiser man you couldn’t hope to engage in ‘cyber’ conversation, as well as an accomplished musician with credits that include the mighty Kravin A’s (amongst others but that’s more than enough for me, if you’re intrigued about the others then step into his world -he’ll be happy to tell you all about it, he’s that kind of guy)!. To quote the man himself he ‘used to be in bands but got better’! This was in danger of being the longest introduction to a Q&A in history as he’s truely incomparable! If you didn’t know Groovy Uncle before this then thank your lucky stars you do now. A sincerely heartfelt thanks to Glenn for his time.

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?

 I write 3-minute pop songs and instrumentals mostly. I don’t have a band or play live so I just record and play all the instruments myself.

2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?

I’d say it’s more of a full time hobby than a career. I don’t think i would enjoy it as much if it ever became a job.

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?

“There’s A Place” by The Beatles. “There’s a place where I can go…….and it’s my mind” I have always identified with that song even as a kid.

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?

Musically it was always the Beatles. The Kinks and The Small Faces after that and anyone who can write a good tune really. People seem to be a little embarrassed about simply writing a good melody and straightforward lyrics these days. Everything has to be “cool” (yawn!).  The man who taught me to play guitar, Steve Cooper, was a big influence too. Sadly, no longer with us, he was brilliant. He wasn’t       famous but you don’t have to be famous to be a star.

.
5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?

YES! I love a lot of old time singers and songwriters. Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael etc. Now THEY weren’t afraid to write a good tune! I love Sammy Davis Jr. I was in a band called The Kravin’ A’s and I wrote a song called “You Know It Is”. I haven’t told anyone this before but the middle section of the verse is a nick from a Sammy Davis song called “Be-Bom”. It’s not obvious maybe but I can hear it in there. I love Al Jolson too. What a performer he was. My Dad was a Jolson impersonator in the 50’s. Don’t look at me like that- I’m serious!

6. What are you most proud of?

Just being able to do what I do.

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?

Yes. Lots of embarrassing and/or inappropriate gigs. I’ll say no more.

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?

 ”Play something we know!”

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?

The same as marriage-marry someone you like rather than someone you just fancy. Have I said too much?

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?

Any Beatles Track obviously. But then it wouldn’t have been as good with me on it and that just wouldn’t do! And I wish I’d written “Windmills Of Your Mind” by Michel Legrend

11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?

It’s been a part of my life for so long I don’t notice any difficulty. I have been married for a long time but don’t have any kids so that helps I suppose.

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?

There are god and bad things about it I suppose. Things change but I don’t like the “throwaway” aspect of it all these days. Once your fed up with a track you just “delete”. Everything is so disposable now.
       In the olden days you stashed away your vinyl and rediscovered it when you got older.

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?

 I am successful every time I finish a recording and am happy with it. I’ll keep on keeping on until I write a decent song.

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?

As Morrissey sang, “Hang The DJ”. Only joking! They do their thing, I do mine. There is room.

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?

Most gigs on the Continent have been memorable for all the right reasons. Most gigs in the U.K have been memorable for all the wrong ones.

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?

I don’t get “scared” nervous really. Not a problem.

17. When did you last write something?

Last night.

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?

Every day. But then I get a little melody in my head and……..

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?

Not really my cup of tea but each to their own.

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?

It has been a pleasure. I am more than happy to talk to anyone about music-be it mine or anyone else’s. Drop me a line and I always answer y’know.

Glenn Prangnell

Happiness Stan - The Small Faces

Sitting In Limbo - Jimmy Cliff

Running In The Water - Kyte

Baby You’ve Gotta Stay - Angel Pavement

Jesamine - The Casuals

The Village Green Preservation Society - The Kinks

Work, Work, Work - The Artwoods

Strange Brew - Cream

Shirley - Cliff Wade

Eight Miles High - The Byrds

Mrs Gillespies Refrigerator - Sands

Magic Bus - The Who

Hold On Girl (Alternate Version) - The Monkees

Green Circles - The Small Faces

I Lied To Auntie May - Neat Change

Season Of The Witch - Donovan

Look At Me Ive Fallen Into A Teapot - Cliff Wade

The Acid Queen mp3

Next up with the answers it’s Richard from  The Five Aces.  To hear some highly accomplished gold dust check them out on myspace. ‘If You Reap’ keeps dragging me back so be warned! Another difficult one to decide where to post. The rnb and Stax influence in some of their tunes will I’m sure be of interest here and on The Right Side Of Funky but there’s so much more to them than that, as you will discover (if you haven’t already). Thanks Richard!

I’m Richard, usually to be found centre-stage in The Five Aces with a microphone pointed at my head. Aside from that I write the bulk of the songs, do the recording and some other stuff. We also have a side project called The Bottleneckers where I sing and play harmonica.

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?

I suppose it depends how uninitiated they are. We play rhythm and blues music, aimed at the dancefloor. Trying to describe it is only detrimental, most people usually like it when they hear it.

2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?

Music isn’t my career, I don’t think it’s likely that we could make a living from music in this day and age, unless we wanted to play business orientated music.

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?

Not sure if you mean the sentiment of a song’s lyrics, or the style of music? If the former, then perhaps Kick the Bucket, from our current album and 45, which is a rhythm and blues dance song, with a twist… Musically, I don’t know. People often come up and say the band or the singer sounds like this or that particular thing, but it’s usually something that’s been of very marginal influence and reflects their own musical pallette more than it does ours. We’ve a fairly healthy range of influences for what we’re doing.

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?

Nobody in particular. Swinging bands with good singers and good songs, recorded well, many many years ago.

5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?

It’s fairly subjective what someone’s going to find surprising. A mod DJ might be surprised by a different influence than a casual music fan who reads Mojo or whatnot. I don’t even know myself which of the things I’ve listened to over the years have influenced our music.

6. What are you most proud of?

I guess the fact that I think if I wasn’t in our band, and I came to see us, I would like it.

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?

Personally no, although some of the other band members seem to think we should have made more money from the first Boogaloo Investigators (our former name) 45 being featured in an advert.

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?

For me personally, it would be when someone who manages a small venue and has no clue about music thinks we should fully utilise their expensive PA system (they always call it a .. ‘K RIG’) and arrange about 20 microphones about the stage when the size of the room is perfectly suited to just the vocals going through our own PA. On the other hand, on Tuesday when we were doing a local gig as The Bottleneckers a woman asked me how much we charge, and if we would do karaoke (i.e. get the band to back singers). Oh, and one time a guy said he didn’t like the band, but thought I could go places if I worked with him. Ignoramus.

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?

No idea! We have our ups and downs.

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?

I’m probably misunderstanding the gist of your question, but there’s a song I like called Quiet as It’s Kept by Chip Nelson that I would have liked to have recorded, as I think the production doesn’t quite do justice to what it sounds like the musicians were doing in the room. Always had a soft spot for Paul Butterfield’s Lovin’ Cup as well, except I think the guitar ‘fills’ are awful and overplayed.

11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?

The band does take a degree of dedication. I try to miss as little work as possible due to the band, but outside of work the band comes first most of the time.

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?

Downloading hasn’t affected my own record buying at all. Most of the other people I know who are interested enough in music to spend their money on it are DJ’s, so downloading isn’t much use to them either if they’re DJing 45’s, other than letting them hear more stuff to seek out, and that’s all second hand records anyway so doesn’t help ‘the industry’. I think the people who would benefit most from the new technology would be people who have a voracious apetite for hearing new things. As to formats, I’m only in it for the music, I have no allegiance to any particular medium other than the fact that my car has a CD player, and that’s where I get most time to listen to music. I don’t like to hear MP3 encoding artefacts any more than I like to hear ’scratchy’ vinyl. I wouldn’t care if all the major record labels (apart from reissue labels) collapsed today and gave things a fresh start.

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?

Commercial success? That’s a dead duck. Our plan is to make ourselves happy, make something we like, and then if other people like it too, it’s a bonus.

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?

I have no interest in modern DJ culture, other than the kinds of DJ’s who play old fifties and sixties rhythm and blues records that I might want to dance to. I have no interest in modern bands either. Equally bad. Hey, I’m not even that sure if I think amplification of music was a good idea!

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?

We did a Bottleneckers gig a few weeks ago where I could hear myself, that was quite good.

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?

More likely to be falling asleep, as we often play in clubs where we don’t start playing until midnight, and you get kicked out of hotels at 11am or whatnot after only getting there at 5am half of the time. Adrenaline saves the day. But at what cost!

17. When did you last write something?

Probably last month. Haven’t had a proper rehearsal since then to get the new song into the live set. I’m not that prolific a writer, only started writing because we needed songs, but it’s kinda funny when you hear what you had in your head getting totally massacred by the band.

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?

Somebody put hair gel all over my towel once, I left them a note.

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?

I think it depends on who’s controlling it, if they have any artistic depth or not. I mean, it’s of no consequence to me personally because I don’t listen to modern music. It’s just a tool though, a good musician with a crap tool will do a better job than a crap musician with a good tool, and most musicians these days haven’t got what I like to hear in a musician, which is swing, phrasing, taste, and the ability to play with other musicians to make a sum larger than the parts. I don’t think that’s a new development, nothing’s moved on in the last thirty odd years, but the things that matter to me have gradually eroded more and more. It’s such a deep subject, I probably just sound hopelessly jaded, but I imagine if I explained everything I thought about it, I’d sound even more jaded.

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?

Cheers. I have no idea.

R.

Our first guest mix, and it’s a fantastic take on all things ‘groovy’ from the very cool Number 9. He has also started the ’20 Questions’ series over at The Right Side Of Funky with a refreshingly honest set of answers so be sure to change channels and check it out, as well as his band Penelope! This is an education for me and I’d like to say a huge thank you to Number 9 for sharing these gems with us! Strap in and come on the ride of your lives friends…its Number 9’s ‘Quel Organ’ mix!

Autoroute Du Sud - Christian Gaubert

Ambush - Toubabou

Crazy Organ - Bernard Lubat

Obsession - Eden Rose

Sister Charlotte Abbaye - Bernard Estardy

La Honte De La Famille - Francis Lopez

Audition - Francois De Roubaix

Pour Celui Qui Viendra - Andre Popp

Hoodlum’s Parade - Gerard Leveque

Mururoa - Les Musicians

Garden On My Mind - Mickey Finn

Boof - Roger Pierre Et Jean Marc Thibaut

Fratelli E Consi’ Sia - Nino Ferrer

Eden Rose - Penelope

Bass Section - Guy Pederson

Nothing To Do - Luc Harvet Et Ses Requiens

Black Sweat - Chute Libre

Hey Bulldog - Les Shattels

Mais Oubli La - Les Pollux

Number 9’s ‘Quel Organ’ mix mp3

Guest mixes and posts are now being arranged for Here Comes The Nice as well as this new series. Starting here and shortly to begin over at The Right Side Of Funky. A nod to Dave over at Planet Mondo for a much needed kick up the jacksey. Plenty of names are lined up for the future and fittingly a true Mod God is the man to ‘kick start the 2 stroke’ and fire off his answers. I couldn’t be happier that he agreed to do it as I find this mans outlook and humour a constant inspiration (as well as his music obviously). A true gentleman, its only the man of The Moment himself, be sure to click on his name and check out some of his fantastic solo material. All hail….Mr. Adrian Holder!!!

1. How would you best describe what you do to the uninitiated?

I write and record songs. I make music. I tell stories. I comment on life. I strum the guitar. I create. I paint with sound. I make secrets public. I let it out.

2. Where would you say you are with regard to your career right now?

I don’t think I have a career. A career sounds like a planned thing. Life happens to me and I to it. I can’t remember if I am at the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. I am still waiting to find out if it has ended or just starting… I am returning from a long break as a solo artist so I must be at the start, right?

3. Which song (not neccesarilly yours) best sums you/the band up and why?

This is a hard one - it changes each time I record something. At the moment the song which sums me up would be ‘Penelope Wood’. It’s my latest work and is therefore the freshest thing I have done. It is of the moment! It’s a love song.

4. Who would you say has been your biggest inspiration (musically or otherwise)?

I no longer am inspired by people I do not know. The biggest inspiration, the people that make me write and record more than anything would be my family. They are more important than any hero past or present.

5. Is there anyone amongst your influences that you think would surprise people and why?

Sure, I bet most of the people I think are great would cause a few raised eyebrows back in Mod town. Johnny Cash, springs to mind. I don’t think I have heard one of his tunes played at any of the mod clubs I’ve been to! It’s very rock and roll but with country boots on. As a rule, I am not a country fan but this guy is super special.

6. What are you most proud of?

My children.

7. In the quest to get the music ‘out there’ have you ever done or agreed to anything you’ve later regretted?

Yes. There are many things I would have done differently given a second chance. When The Moment were together, we were in such a hurry to get the work done I often forgot to take a step back and enjoy what was happening. I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. I also spent much too much time listening to others. I had too much respect for the wrong people. I’ve have since put this right.

8. What’s the most ridiculous request that’s been asked of you/the band?

We were asked not to play on Good Friday in Switzerland back in ..87. Something to do with God, apparently… I wasn’t worried though, I knew he was a fan.

9. What do you think is the secret to a good working relationship amongst musicians?

Easy, don’t talk to them.

10. If you could have played on one song (that you don’t), what would it be and why?

Any Beatles record would have done me. Imagine being able to say you played on a Beatles track. Priceless.

11. How do you make the balance between music and personal responsibilities?

I work as little as possible. I come home early. I put the kids to bed and then make the music. It’s a perfect balance.

12. In light of the internet and downloading do you feel that fans are missing out on the record buying discovery/experience?

Who cares? Things change. I like change, it keeps people on their toes. All things come to an end and record shops are one of those things. Music is music it doesn’t really matter how or where you come into contact with it.

13. Do you think that success is your motivation and do you have a preset gameplan for your music/the band?

I’ll let you know the plan when I think of one. Truth is, I am not clever enough to have a plan. I am just an ordinary Joe stumbling through life. Plans are for politicians and business men, neither of which float my boat all that much. As Gary Malby, once said to me when he managed The Moment; ‘the secret of success is to never plan ahead’. Wise words, perhaps.

14. DJ’s are now as famous as a lot of the bands they play, what are your views on this and do you think it’s deserved?

No. I never have got this one. It’s a little like making a shop worker famous for selling you a nice suit. Can I add, some of my best friends are DJ’s. DJ’s rule.

15. To date, what has been your most memorable gig (either as a performer or as a fan)?

There have been too many to remember and anyway, most of them were negotiated through a drunken haze. I can still remember the very first, perhaps it’s a little like sex, you always remember the first time.

16. How do you overcome pre-gig nerves (if you get them)?

Not a problem for me. I am usually so drunk I don’t know where I am.

17. When did you last write something?

I am constantly writing. I will start writing something new this evening! Writing is good. I like good.

18. Have you ever reached a point where you’ve thought about throwing the towel in and walking away (and if so, what persuaded you otherwise)?

I threw in the towel a long time ago. I haven’t stopped playing and writing though. Why? It’s what I do.

19. What are your views on electronics muscling in and replacing live instuments during recording?

No problem. It’s just a different way of making sounds. There’s a place for all of it. A little like sex and porn, different but still connected to pleasure… (for some).

20. Lastly, thank you for your time. What made you agree to answer these questions?

Technical / Overall Layout

You.

Picture Book - The Kinks

Angry Voices - The Circles

S.F.Sorrow Is Born - The Pretty Things

I Don’t Need No Doctor - Fast Eddie

Postcard - The Who

Nightmares - The Creation

Honey - Makin’ Time

Eddie’s Dreaming - The Small Faces

Monkey Time - Golden Apple Of The Sun

I Read A Book - Stupidity

Heart Full Of Soul - The Yardbirds

Real Life Permanent Dream - The Orange Machine

In This Town - The Moment

Under My Thumb - The Rolling Stones

Brixton Cat - Rico & The Rudies

Dear Mr Fantasy - Traffic

Gloria - The 13th Floor Elevators

Kuschty Rye - Ronnie Lane

The Real Me mp3

Gonna Fix You Good (Every Time You’re Bad) - The Alan Brown Set

I Dont Need That Kind Of Lovin’ - Sandie Shaw

Billy’s Bag - Billy Preston

Give Me Just A Little More Time - Chairmen Of The Board

Two Can Have A Party - Wilma Redding

Girls Are Out To Get You - The Fascinations

Nothing But Soul - Junior Walker & The All Stars

The Letter - The Box Tops

Sliced Tomatoes - Just Brothers

I’m On My Way - Dean Parrish

Crackin’ Up Over You - Roy Hamilton

Green Onions - Booker T & The MGs

Everything’s Gonna Be Alright - PP Arnold

I Shall Not Be Moved - Freda Payne

Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) -Casino Soul Orchestra

Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd

Baby Do The Philly Dog - The Olympics

The Drifter - Ray Pollard

Faith In Something Bigger mp3

Spiritual Mambo - Lord Briscoe

Soul Food - Lynn Tait & The Jets

You Are The One To Blame - Alton Ellis

Train To Skaville -The Ethiopians

Moon Hop - Derrick Morgan

People Get Ready - The Minstrels

Small Axe - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Skinhead Moonstomp - Symarip

Mama Look Deh - The Reggae Boys

Monkey Spanner - Dave & Ansil Collins

(Get Ready) Rock Steady - Alton Ellis

Long Shot Kick De Bucket - The Pioneers

Liquidator - Harry J All Stars

Country Girl - The Upsetters

Let Your Yeah Be Yeah - The Pioneers

Contemplating Mind - Barrington Spence

Johnny Too Bad - The Slickers

Police And Thieves - Junior Murvin

Out In The Street mp3

Biff! Bang! Pow! - The Times

One, Two They Fly - The Moment

See Saw - The Jolt

Love Is Dead - Small World

Hold On - Montana’s

Strength Of The Nation - The Teenbeat

Armchair Politician - Kick

Get Yourself Together - The Jam

99th Floor - Moving Sidewalks

Keep On Running - The Spencer Davis Group

My World - Secret Affair

Set Me Free - The Kinks

Keep Hold Of What You’ve got - Shots

Sometimes - Kravin’ A’s

Tin Soldier - The Small Faces

Another Day Another Girl (Page 3) - Lambrettas

Got My Mojo Workin’ - Jimmy Smith

Inside Out (For Your Love) - Scene

Zoot Suit mp3

 Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield

What You Gonna Do With Me Baby? - The Four Tops

Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley

Michael (The Lover) - Geno Washington

Night Train - James Brown

(I Know) I’m Losing You - The Temptations

Going To A Go Go - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

I’ll Keep Holding On - The Marvelettes

Stoned Love - The Supremes

I’m On My Way - Dean Parrish

In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett

Shout - The Isley Brothers

Band Of Gold - Freda payne

Louie Louie - The Kingsmen

This Old Heart Of mine (Is Week For You) - The Isley Brothers

Needle In A Haystack - The Velvettes

Jimmy Mack - Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd

Pure And Easy mp3

La-La-La Lies - The Who

Where The Rhythm Takes You - Makin’ Time

Your Side Of Heaven - Back To Zero

Leaving Here - The Bird

Slow Fizz - The Sapphires

I Can’t Dance With You - The Small Faces

Poison Ivy - The Paramounts

The Real Thing - Kim D

Care Of Cell 44 - The Zombies

Time For Action - Secret Affair

Go Steady - The Lambrettas

Sittin’ On My Sofa - The Kinks

101 Damnations - Scarlet Party

In The Crowd - The Jam

With A Girl Like You - The Troggs

Goin’ Mobile mp3

Here Comes The Nice - The Small Faces

Get Ready - Donnie Elbert

SX 225 - The Killermeters

Out In The Street - The Who

Stuck On The Edge Of A Blade - Kick

Cool Jerk - The Creation

Sticks & Stones - The Moment

I Keep Forgettin’ - The Artwoods

Strange Town - The Jam

Berts Apple Crumble - The Quik

Collibosher - The Small Faces

Look Back & Laugh - The Kravin A’s

Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy - The Kinks

Maybe Tomorrow - The Chords

I’m A Man - The Spencer Davies Group

Hangin’ Around - Mood Six

Cut My Hair mp3