Archive for the ‘The Pogues’ Category

Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

Listen: Brother, Can You Spare A Dime / Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance
Brother,

Remember the day when a major label would release a record like ‘Brother, Can You Spare A Dime’? Issuing such an off the wall track in England was one thing, but in the US, quite another.

With hindsight, many will agree the true spirit behind The Faces was indeed Ronnie Lane. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rod Stewart were to admit that thought.

Not sure exactly what those in the know would call Ronnie Lane’s loose-knit signature sound. The music press came up with a few suitables: rag-tag, rural plynth. Whatever, it certainly permeated all of his post Small Faces work, particularly those solo albums with Pete Townshend and Ronnie Wood.

Needless to say, this single got zero airplay, bar a few college stations, but is certainly nice to have, particularly in it’s promo only mono form.

For the UK though, airplay was not the intention initially. As the press release above wishfully indicates, the film, in which the record is heard during the closing credits, also spotlights the song as it’s theme. In somewhat sloppy fashion, said press release neglects to mention the actual name of the film. Revert to the label copy on the stock copy for that detail. In case you couldn’t guess, it’s called BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME.

Listen: Don’t Try To Change My Mind / Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance
RonnieLaneChangeMind.mp3

There were handful of followups from a handful of followup albums. ‘Don’t Try To Change My Mind’ was a double sided marvel. This A side being lifted from the album ONE FOR THE ROAD, I wouldn’t be surprised if it had been chosen wearing a blindfold and ear plugs. It’s that unobvious as a single, making the record all the more desirable.

Both the band and album were framed nicely by a genuine gypsy lifestyle from that period, whereby he and his family played out a downmarket version of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, complete with authentic costume and living accommodations.

Listen: Well Well Hello (The Party) / Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance
Well

Quite possibly the real gem here is the single’s non-LP B side, ‘Well Well Hello (The Party). In itself a future template for many a Pogues single, I’m shocked this isn’t more widely sought after as an ultimate Ronnie Lane essential, or maybe it is. It’s sure to touch anyone’s weak spot with a bit of sadness.

The Nipple Erectors

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

NipsUKPS, The Nips, Shane MacGowen

Listen: King Of The Bop / The Nipple Erectors NipsBop.mp3

Somewhere I have a photo of Shane MacGowen pogo-ing at The Roxy in London, March ’77. Corinne snapped it, and I’ve asked her seemingly a million times since to pull out the negative. It’s not looking good.

The Jam and The Rejects were sharing the bill. The place was packed and on such a cold, damp night seemed like the only place in London that had any heat. At one point, Shane jumped onstage and sang a cappella. Damn if I can remember what song it was. The best part was his Union Jack shirt, between that and his aura, he literally commanded more attention than Paul Weller.

A year or so later, Howard sent me the debut 7″ by The Nipple Erectors. Hold on, there’s that guy from The Roxy. Yes, it was Shane’s band, and we finally figured out who he was.

‘King Of The Bop’ was a one play single – so simple and swinging, you never wanted it to end. Who’d have thought it would stand the test of time, but it has.

The Pogues

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah / The Pogues UK

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah / The Pogues UK

Listen: Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah / The Pogues PoguesYeahmp3.mp3

Somehow I ended up working with The Pogues at Island. It all happened so quickly, I honestly can’t remember much about the deal. I was going through one of those blurry stages – spending a bunch of time in London during the acid house days so…..
But definitely a fun, fun bunch. Their managers at the time, Frank Murray and Joey Cashman (who’s still with them), were as big a riot as the band. Never hassled the label to get them airplay, or do anything really, just make sure the records were in the stores and the press was covering it. Piece of cake. The reputation of the band did the rest. Their live business was always through the roof – still is. Seeing them in a few weeks and as always, it’ll be a great night out.

When this single was delivered, I thought it might get some play. We scheduled it straight off – not a usual response when a track isn’t part of an existing or upcoming album. Conveniently, US alternative radio was going mainstream then (’89) – and indeed it got some attention. The video deserved more looks but MTV was changing, and not really representing the street. Never mind, they did fine without it.

That’s Frank Murray introducing them: