While bringing you this blog I haven’t entirely forgotten about the main part of my site, to which this is – of course – just a back end. And over there you get pictures too, whereas this part is all text. Aside from tidying up bits and pieces on the main part of the site, I’ve also been adding new pages. But if you wanna comment on these new pieces you’ll have to do so below, since the main site consists of static pages.
On MySpace (I also put this out as an “ediffusion” pamphlet a week or so ago):
«a href=“http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/myspace.htm" target="_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/myspace.htm>
On why late-seventies power pop was superior to punk slop:
«a href=“http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/powerpop.htm" target="_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/powerpop.htm>
On the death of my mother Julia Callan-Thompson and the botched investigation into it by the old bill:
«a href=“http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/dead.htm" target="_blank” rel=“noopener noreferrer”>http://www.stewarthomesociety.org/praxis/dead.htm>
And while you’re at it don’t forget to check – www.stewarthomesociety.org – you know it makes (no) sense!
Comments
Comment by Michael K on 2009-03-14 13:38:02 +0000
When do you find time to write all this stuff? Coz I heard you up all night doing it with Tessie, and it ain’t easy to satisfy a small plastic ventriloquist’s doll!
Comment by howling wizard, shrieking toad on 2009-03-14 14:15:56 +0000
Ah yes, Mr Home — I can remember, in the 70’s when I used to venture out of my cave for a good dance about with my toad, we used to attend rather frenzied affairs, in which young men, attired in large trousers of the loon pant variety, with mutton chop sideburns that reminded me of the fashion favoured by cut purses, would entertain a surly collection of garullous and callow youths.
These villanous fellows with grim scowls that would scare my mare, were it not tethered suitably outside in the Holloway vicinity — produced a fearsome sound from their electic guitars, that did find favour with my faithful toad, and indeed even I, world weary as I alas am, was tempted to shake my foot about in show of approval.
I remember one surly fellow with the haunted stare of a loon that did attract my attention so — Ah yes, Wilko Johnson — and here he is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HahJdPL32a4
Another frightfully odd man by the name of Johnny Moped was also one that produced much enjoyment amongst the distracted set of fellows that followed him about, one of them being that Billy Childish.
And indeed, howling wizard agrees that the band that went by that embarrasing name, The Vibrators, were also very good.
“Into the Future” was a track that I,as one who unashamedly enjoys time travel and is an adept at the skill of leaping into the void from time to time, enjoyed immensely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x5IDU59XeY&feature=related
Comment by Link Wray on 2009-03-14 15:37:55 +0000
Wow, doesn’t look like people like commenting on links does it! But don’t grumble, “Rumble”!
Comment by Kenny Everett on 2009-03-14 16:18:37 +0000
At this rate you’ll never make it onto the blog I’m working towards of the worst web links in the world, ever! Hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, you’l never, never, never, never, make it on my show!
Comment by The Fake Phil Coulter on 2009-03-14 16:24:09 +0000
Forget “The Bump” a song I originally wrote as a Bay City Rollers B-side but subsequently an A-side hit for Kenny, what grooves the kids now is “The Crunch” – and I’m not talking about something they had for breakfast!
Comment by shrieking toad on 2009-03-15 06:35:13 +0000
Oi, Howling Wizard, stop that Wardour Street English!
Comment by howling wizard on 2009-03-15 06:36:40 +0000
By the shades of Mitra, by Crom, stop that chiding you ungrateful toad, or there shall be no gruel for you in the even time!
Back to the cave shadows with you!
Begone!
Comment by howling wizard on 2009-03-15 07:00:24 +0000
Yes, Mr Home, your critique of pub rock chimes with my own feelings — lost places, lost environments — see the great Hot Rods clip :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrMpPt10XE&feature=related
However, the mistake that some of the pub rock bands made — was to soften their sounds when faced with the firestorm of punk rather than to toughe up. Perhaps it was a move to fit in with the ghastly new wave side of things . For examples, look at the hot rods terrible TOTP performances, when they look like a cheap 2nd rate pop glam act instead of the gritty dangerous raw power band they started out as.
Trivia note — the Hot Rods bassist went on to play with the Damned and…..errr….urrrmmmmm, UFO, when Larry Wallis was in the line up …. UFO’s first incarnation was rooted in garagey Pink Fairies rather than the later ghastly Yes/Zep spandex and 80’s keyboard sludge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ0trh8nZ3E
Comment by Beatiful on 2009-03-15 10:58:45 +0000
Wasn’t Julia beautiful! I don’t mean that any voyeuristic, lurid or leery way. She must have been some mum to have and in many ways iconic of the sixties.
I can’t think of anything profound to say except it makes me feel ike spinning up Venus in Furs by Nico and The VU so I am going to do just that. Thanks for posting those Stewart even if they are (for me) an indulgence in nostalgia… TP
Comment by Dr Paraphilia on 2009-03-15 11:00:34 +0000
Sorry got distracted by a beautiful face and confused by a simple interface. My post as Beautiful isn’t me its the subject. Sorry… TP
Comment by mistertrippy on 2009-03-15 11:36:07 +0000
Hey Tony, I love my mom’s 60s look, the false lashes, hair, wigs, all perfect, and she was really sharp and clever and a total hipster on top of being very beautiful… If she was still around, the two of us together would be unstoppable!
And yes Howling Wiz, the Hot Rods really lost it later on… but that first album and all those early releases! I loved “Into The Future” (originally “Sex Kick”, changed coz recorded company didn’t like original title) too… Wilko was great both in Feelgoods and as frontman for Solid Senders… It was great to see him duck walk on stage…. and of course the way he hacked the guitar… I saw UFO once in the late-seventies I think, coz a friend wanted someone to go see them with, don’t remember much about it. The only metal act I ever saw who made much impression was Motorhead (definitely in the 70s), and that was mainly because they were so loud I left before the end. I remember seeing Larry Wallis on that first stiffs tour, never saw the Pink Fairies. I was talking to Lol Coxhill about The Damned the other night and he said what I thought was possibly a false memory of him playing with them when they briefly had John Moss on drums and second guitarist Lu (with original guitarist Brian James) was in fact correct, I really had seen him play with the Damned. I knew he was on the records….
Comment by Dr Paraphilia on 2009-03-15 14:08:23 +0000
Ah well Stalwart- it doesn’t seem as being half unstoppable is holding you back.
I saw Wilko Johnson at Alcuin College circa 1980 (my old alumnus) it was such an energetic gig but it wasn’t with Feelgood – could have been the Solid Senders – not sure my chronology ain’t that good. I have got some great pics of the duck walk but I will have to go back into my B&W stock and scan the negs. When I say stock that makes it sound in some way organised, which it isn’t!
Saw a lot of great bands in York actually, including Dire Straits who although Sultans of Swing had just hit the charts, still honoured their contract with us when they could have easily walked away from it with impunity (ca$h-wise even if we could have aforded to sue them). Really nice blokes and deserved all their later and continued fame..,
Ah well back to preparing lectures for next week for the knowledge hungry 🙂 TP
Comment by Don Simpson on 2009-03-15 14:33:38 +0000
There’s more than one high concept movie in all this!
Comment by Metal Homer on 2009-03-15 16:00:23 +0000
Can’t you even see a touch of poetry in heavy metal music?
Comment by Díre McCain on 2009-03-15 19:36:50 +0000
Hmmmm, wondering how I missed these before? And Mark hasn’t missed a beat – he’s as brilliant as ever. I’m actually laughing out loud as I type this, prompted by his comment on Nosnibor’s most recent blog. Ahahahahahaha…
Comment by K Mail on 2009-03-16 13:56:08 +0000
Blogging is getting so passe. It’s time for a return to blagging. Can I have your wife?
Comment by mistertrippy on 2009-03-16 19:42:32 +0000
I’d have to get married first! I’m still young(ish), free and single… never been married, so I guess I need to rush into that to get my first divorce….
Comment by Dr Paraphilia on 2009-03-16 20:19:48 +0000
Ah, glasshopper, never rush into anything other than GOLD. I lived in sin for 11 years before getting married and 15 years before getting divorced. Be measured in all things – particularly your inside leg, hat and shoes…
Comment by Christopher Nosnibor on 2009-03-16 20:35:43 +0000
‘the MySpace blog culture extremely competitive and bitchy at its top end’ – aye, and it’s pretty cunty at the bottom, too.
Or is that a case of it being a front bottom? Oh, I get confused. But the whole ‘My blog got more kudos than yours’ thing is irritating to put it mildly. I’d say it was all a bit school-yard, but that simply seems to be our culture these days: spoiled kids turning into the spoiled adults who rule all.
Comment by howling wizard on 2009-03-17 08:13:47 +0000
Yes, I think I saw Coxhill play with the Damned too Mr Home — Was he on “Music for Pleasure”?
Although I never liked their later Gothic incarnation ( such a pantomime cliche ) , I enjoyed them in the late 70’s. Their first album made a big impression on me in the late 70’s, though now when I listen back to it — I am not entirely sure why !
At the time it sounded so fast, and chaotic — but now….
Algy Ward defected from the Saints to play with them, and I liked his bass style. I liked some of those early Saints tunes a lot. Funnily enough, they were on Harvest, a prog rock label.
I agree with your writings on Pub Rock — I think for too long, people have let the Pistols write history of that period, and gone along with their views — so if the Pistols said the Rods, and Knox , and Chiswick stuff et al were crap — then people sheepishly go along with it as accepted recieved hagiographic truth.
Which of course, is bollocks…..I think Konx et al, were very good. “SLF” is a good tune by them, as is “You Broke My Heart”…..
I also enjoyed Kiliburn and the High Roads “Rough Kids” and NIck Lowe’s later “I love the Sound of breaking Glass” — very funky, very raw bluesy, very good tune….
But I never liked Costello, and I never, ever liked any “new wave” or many of those Roxy type punk bands– As you say so truthfully, pub rock and thug mod outfits, the natural inheritors of The Creation, “I Can’t Explian” era Who — were where it’s at, even though they have been laughed at and scorned for years.
Basically, men like Lydon have written the history about who and who isn’t cool , and who and who isn’t “authentic” — that’s false history.
Comment by howling wizard on 2009-03-17 08:19:59 +0000
I think another thing which is interesting about those thug mod pub rock music hall bands is that they represent a London that has simply vanished, disappeared — and I say that without the slightest hint of bleary eyed idealism or “those were the days” silly nostalgia, it’s just a fact.
Looking at pictures of Pub Rock bands in Dagenham, or Bethnal Green you may as well be looking at woodcuts, ethcings and charcoal drawings of Londoners from Dickensian times, they are so far removed from 2009 London.
Comment by howling wizard on 2009-03-17 12:11:24 +0000
Canvey Island Rockers —
The Canvey group of islands in the 16th century as shown in the map of south east Essex by the topographer John Norden in 1594.Mentioned on John Norden’s 1594 insert above, is what is now the Eastern/Point mud flats of Canvey Island. Two Tree Island is in pretty much the same shape now as then. The third un-named Island could well be Counus or (Council Island). Certainly the Trinovantes, Cantiaci and the Catuvellauni would have counseled with the Iceni here, shortly before the rebellion against the Romans. Counus remains as the Canvey Point Sand Bank and Maplin Sands, and stretched the whole length of Southend Sea Front area. It is the main reason for Southend’s Tidal flats being so shallow. Cana’s People were descendant of both Cantiaci and the Catuvellauni. Counus would then be placed at the southern border of the Trinovantes on the Eastern Extent of The Tames (Thames).[citation needed]
[edit] Roman
Fragments of early marked pottery uncovered from Canvey Point.Excavations on Canvey have unearthed a collection of early man-made objects comprising axes from the Neolithic era,[7] a bracelet dating from the Bronze Age,[8], and early Celtic gritted ware pottery.[7] However, the remains of Roman structures and objects suggests the first settlement of Canvey occurred between 50–250 AD.[7][6] The remains point to a community existing with a farmstead, a garrison, a burial ground, and the operation of a large salt-making industry (revealed by the existence of several Red hills).[7][9] The discovery of a Roman road found to terminate 100 metres across the creek in neighbouring Benfleet suggests a means may have existed to facilitate the salt’s distribution to Chelmsford and Colchester,[7] and the recovery of rich items of pottery and glassware of a variety only matched elsewhere by excavations of port facilities suggests the Romans may also have exploited Canvey’s location in the Thames for shipping.[7][10]
[edit] Saxon and Mediaeval
The settlement and agricultural development of Essex by the Saxons from the 5th century saw the introduction of sheep-farming which would dominate the island’s industry until the 20th century. The Norman conquest saw the area of Canvey recorded in the domesday book as a sheep farming pasture under the control of nine villages and parishes situated in a belt across south inland and coastal Essex.[11] Apart from the meat and wool produced from the sheep, the milk from the ewes was used for cheese-making.[8] The abundance in later centuries would see the cheeses become a commodity taken for sale at the London markets, and at one stage exported via Calais to the continent.[7] The existence of several place names on modern Canvey using the wick suffix (denoting the sheds in which the cheese was made) shows the influence of the early Saxon culture. The island itself has its name derived from the Anglo-Saxon Caningaege; meaning The Island of Cana’s People.[7] The developments of the English language would lead to the more familiar name of Caneveye written in manorial records of 1254.[12] The period of development often produced a confused use of letters[13] such that comparative spellings would also include Canefe, Kaneweye, Kaneveye, and Koneveye. By the 12th century, Essex and subsequently Canvey were in the possession of Henry de Essex who inherited the land from his Grandfather – a man called Suene and a descendant of King Sweyn II of Denmark.[14] During the reign of Henry II (1154–1189) the land was confiscated from de Essex and redistributed among the King’s favoured nobles.[14]
[edit] 14th century – 17th century
One of two octagonal Dutch cottages from the 17th century which are preserved on the island. The above cottage now functions as a museum.During Edward II’s reign (1307-1327) the land was under the possession of John de Apeton[8] and the first attempts were made at managing the effects of the sea with rudimentary defences,[8][7] but periodical flooding continued to blight the small population of mostly shepherds and their fat-tailed variety of sheep for a further 300 years. William Camden wrote of the island in 1607 that it was so low that it was often quite flooded, except the hills, upon which the sheep have a place of safe refuge.[4] The uniform flatness of Canvey suggests that these hills are likely to be the red hills of the Roman salt making industry, or the early makeshift sea defences constructed by some of the landowners around their farms.
A timber channel, and chalk and ragstone remains of the sea wall built c.1622.[15]In 1622, Sir Henry Appleton (a descendant of John de Apeton), and Canvey’s other landowners[16] instigated a project to reclaim the land and wall the island from the Thames. The scheme was managed by an acquaintance of Appleton’s – Joas Croppenburg, a Dutch Haberdasher of Cheapside in London. An agreement was reached in 1623 which stipulated that in return for inning and recovering the island, the landowners would grant a third of the land as payment for the work.[8] A relation of Croppenburg’s; the Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden present in England at the time of the project on a commission to drain the Fens and involved in repairing the seawall at Dagenham has led to speculation that Vermuyden oversaw the project, but proof appears to be vague,[7] nevertheless the work was completed by around 300 Hollanders skilled in the construction of dykes and other sea defences. The engineers successfully reclaimed 3,600 acres (15 km2)[7] by walling the island with local chalk, limestone and the heavy clay of the marshes, with the main length along the Thames faced with kentish ragstone.[6][7] A broad drainage ditch was dug inland off the area facing the river while smaller inlets were filled in. Excess water would have collected in the broad ditch and then been discharged into the river by the means of seven sluices (later known as Commissioners Dykes).[6] The completion of the work saw a considerable number of the Dutch engineers take land as payment for their work, and consequently settle on the island.[14]
[edit] Modern era
[edit] The Chapman Lighthouse
The coast of Canvey Island was host to the Chapman Lighthouse as briefly described in Joseph Conrad’s novel ‘Heart of Darkness’.[17] It is believed that the peril of the mudflats below such shallow waters off the Canvey Island coast prompted the Romans to devise some form of beacon as a warning in the area. In 1851 a hexagonal lighthouse was constructed by the engineer James Walker, a consultant lighthouse engineer at Trinity House at the time. This all-iron lighthouse replaced a lightship which had been moored in the area for the preceding four years. The lighthouse was demolished in 1957 due to its poor condition.
[edit] Canvey-on-sea
During the Victorian era Canvey was a very fashionable place to visit and many thought its air to have healing properties. Canvey Island benefited from this and thousands of people flocked to it especially from places like London. This was the case until the late 1970s when tourism to the Island declined.
Comment by mistertrippy on 2009-03-17 14:02:47 +0000
Yeah, Cohill is on the 2nd Damned album “Music For Pleasure” – also produced by Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason! Rotten’s taste is awful, and all the things he considers uncool are actually where it’s at. Coxhill told me he played on that tour with The Dead Boys supporting. He didn’t seem sure if he did the whole tour, but if you saw them at the end of 1977 in London or anywhere close to London then you definitely saw Lol with them! So it seems like we both saw Lol with the Damned, which is probably the first time I saw him live – 32 years ago!
Comment by MySpace Friend Adder on 2009-06-21 02:29:05 +0000
I found your blog whlie Googling for ways to promote my own blog with Social Networks. Great work here – hope that I can get mine going soon – any tips or advice for a relative newb?
Comment by mistertrippy on 2009-06-21 10:30:33 +0000
Yes, the best thing you can do is go to Amazon, but multiple copies of books by me such as 69 Things To Do With A Dead Princes, Tainted Love and Memphis Underground, then blog about how wonderful they are and also hold some competitions for readers to win some of those books of mine you sourced on the web! Good luck!
Comment by myspace friend adder bot on 2009-10-21 14:30:31 +0000
I really liked your thread about this, and I’ve seen a few more like it recently – the best part about yours is, it’s very informative and useful and full of good information without a bunch of usless rants and BS!
I’ll be sure to give this URL to some friends
Thanks Again