I have recently spent some time rejigging photos to put this book into a Hardback format. I love the quality of the hardback editions. There are a lot of photos in the book of myself at various times and as well as my photos of a number of bands.
I called the book ‘In Search of Captain Beefheart’ because I felt like my adventures in the world of rock music were like a quest for the most perfect, exciting music in the world – and for me that was Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band circa 1967-73.
I documented my adventures from the early days as a young boy listening to Buddy Holly in an older friend’s room to experiencing The White Stripes in Bridlington Spa. Quite a journey through the London Underground and beyond.
Here’s a taste of what to expect from later in the book:
I also caught Stiff Little Fingers at a Festival in Lincolnshire that Nick Harper was performing at. They were superb and so were the Popes. The Pogues had split up and Shane McGowan had formed a new irreverently titled band. Unfortunately Shane was ill so I never got to see him but the Popes performed without him and were awesome.
It started with the Fall. They’ve been going for yonks now with loads of personnel changes. Perhaps they should change their name to Fall Out! Mark E Smith seems to fall out with his band members regularly and sack them. But as Mark is quoted as saying – ‘even if it’s me with my mother-in-law on bongos it is still the Fall’. And he’s right. Mark E Smith makes the band.
They rolled into the Costa del Humber on a wet and freezing night in January and took the Welly Club by storm. The band were tight, the riffs tight and raw and Mark sang and recited his lyrics over the top to perfection.
Friends told me that this was fifty times better than his last appearance where he had appeared so drunk he could hardly speak and belligerently rolled off back to the dressing room.
The next year they were back and did an equally good gig though Mark chose to hide behind the amps and had his back to the audience half the time.
Stiff Little Fingers are a particular favourite. I love Jake’s fiery brand of Irish political/Social comment. I caught them over in Leeds with Carl. We got right to the front and they had Bruce Foxton (of the Jam) on bass right in front of me. I think Jake might have spat on me a few times as he blazed the lyrics but that’s one of the perils of being at the front!
I also caught Stiff Little Fingers at a Festival in Lincolnshire that Nick Harper was performing at. They were superb and so were the Popes. The Pogues had split up and Shane McGowan had formed a new irreverently titled band. Unfortunately Shane was ill so I never got to see him but the Popes performed without him and were awesome.