Since January the good ol' doctor gave me the all clear and said I was basically free to live as I would have without my illness. I had been doing that anyway.
Well, my main aim if I was well enough was to make it over to the Big Apple to once again follow The La's around the world.
Lee and Gary had been busy recording and to quote them...
"sounding boss"
They were to headline New York Sound City at Webster Hall, a truly amazing and famous venue, which I had first come across when Nine Inch Nails played the last of their shows there.
NY Sound City were nice enough to stick me and my cousin on the guestlist. Many thanks to Dave Pichilingi at Sound City for that.
Lee and Gary had been busy recording and to quote them...
"sounding boss"
They were to headline New York Sound City at Webster Hall, a truly amazing and famous venue, which I had first come across when Nine Inch Nails played the last of their shows there.
NY Sound City were nice enough to stick me and my cousin on the guestlist. Many thanks to Dave Pichilingi at Sound City for that.
Before I was given the all clear I went to visit the good old watering hole that is The Old Roan. It was Yozzer's birthday so I went along. Digsy and The Real People were going to be playing too. I got there late after watching my good friends band, The Albany play at The Zanzibar (home of The Bandwagon nights), earlier that night.
The Albany have supported John Power for two nights in London some years ago, you can hear their newer tracks, under their new name, The Crystal Horses, set to debut at the Noel Gallagher afterparty. Great sounds. http://soundcloud.com/thecrystalhorses
And an in-studio video I made for them...
And an in-studio video I made for them...
So I head The Oldy. Digsy was onstage, nearing the end of my favourite Sums song, 'Scared Of Missing Out'.
Digsy finishes up and heads outside, as he comes back in I grab him, at first he doesn't recognize me, I jog his memory and his eyes light up in realisation.
He takes me by the arm as if he was going to throw me into the gutter and grabs his bass player, Chris Mullin, and signals for him to come outside.
He takes me by the arm as if he was going to throw me into the gutter and grabs his bass player, Chris Mullin, and signals for him to come outside.
He tells me he heard I was ill and had figured out I was ill when I interviewed him but never told him. I didn't want to worry him. We chat for a while and catch up. They mention they have a rehearsal in the next few days and I was welcome to sit in and watch. I grabbed the chance with both hands.
As the night progresses, Digsy's cousins, Chris and Tony of The Real People, join us. I tell Chris I love 'Car Outside'.
He tells me its about Record Labels leaving you hanging around and waiting. From the horse's mouth. Brilliant. He gives me his number and says any time I need an interview to give him a call.
He tells me its about Record Labels leaving you hanging around and waiting. From the horse's mouth. Brilliant. He gives me his number and says any time I need an interview to give him a call.
Few days later, I give Digsy a call. We meet up for a few jars (pints) first and head to Chris' house and head to the rehearsal rooms. I'm introuduced to his guitarist Lee Mason (who turns out to be one of my Uncle's old friends) and drummer Chris Campbell. Top chaps.
They run through two new songs intended for the 2nd album. They sound great. "Hose Me Down" and "I'm Not Very Good". Great tunes, the latter being very 'Digsy', if you get me.
Was truly a pleasure to sit and watch how the songs came alive. Ironing out the creases, which used to be my favourite thing in a band, when a song is raw and needs that bit of tinkering, an extra line or something to put the icing on the track.
Was truly a pleasure to sit and watch how the songs came alive. Ironing out the creases, which used to be my favourite thing in a band, when a song is raw and needs that bit of tinkering, an extra line or something to put the icing on the track.
Halfway through, Digsy produces a bag and throws it in my direction.
"That's for you that, kid"
Before I can ask what it is, Digsy elaborates...
"Barry Sutton gave me that in 1997, it's an original, it's for you"
I open the bag. It's an original La's There She Goes 1988 Autumn Tour Date T-shirt, with Sharrock and Boo on the front with Mavers and Power. It was once red, but now more salmon.
I'm speechless.
I tell him I can't thank him enough. He loves The La's as much as I do. We crack open a few more cans and head back to Digsy's for me to call a cab. He tells me to have a drink before I go. We sit at his kitchen table with dozens of CD's surrounding us. He pokes through a few and digs out the La's compilation I did for him. We sit through it, dissecting the songs and he asks me about my time with Mavers.
We chat on and drink on. So much to the point at one time we are sitting watching his holiday videos. How we got to that, I don't know. We go back to the CD player after his missus comes downstairs to find us watching the holiday videos and gives us a telling off for the noise we're making.
We're grown men retreating from a woman at gone 2am, it was like something out of a comedy. You couldn't write it. Never a dull moment with that man.
We're grown men retreating from a woman at gone 2am, it was like something out of a comedy. You couldn't write it. Never a dull moment with that man.
He digs out another CD, The Ink Spots collection. I'd never heard of them, but the voices, harmonies, are amazing. He sticks the CD in a sleeve and gives it to me. He asks if I like Bob Dylan. At this point I was only familiar with his stuff, not a massive fan. Digsy passes me a well worn Bob Dylan Chronicles Book for me to read. Safe to say, I took it to New York and read it. Great book.
I never really understood Dylan until reading the book and seeing The Big Apple. Dylan and Howard Eliott Payne, formerly of The Stands, would be my soundtrack. More on that later. Back to the morning after Digsy's...
I never really understood Dylan until reading the book and seeing The Big Apple. Dylan and Howard Eliott Payne, formerly of The Stands, would be my soundtrack. More on that later. Back to the morning after Digsy's...
So, I wake the next day, a little worse for wear, rough as sandpaper, so to speak. I search the room for the T-shirt. No sign of it anywhere. I check downstairs, not there either. I panic a little. A t-shirt that Barry had for 10 years and given to Digsy who had kept it for almost 15 years, and I had lost it within hours of having it!
I email Delta Taxi's explaining what had happened. Nothing back. I wonder if I had left it in Digsy's house, which would seem to be an insult to him if I had. I look out the front room window, contemplating what to do next, trying to jog my memory.
A salmon colour catches me eye by the front door. The t-shirt was sitting in the plant pot by the front door. I must have put it down as I grabbed my keys to let myself in the house and left it out there overnight. Panic over, but some panic it was.
A salmon colour catches me eye by the front door. The t-shirt was sitting in the plant pot by the front door. I must have put it down as I grabbed my keys to let myself in the house and left it out there overnight. Panic over, but some panic it was.
Another place of interest in Liverpool once again which has newly re-opened, The Lomax. Oasis had played there before they hit their mesmerising heights in the early 90's.
Frank Hedges, another character from my previous Diaries, was running some nights there. He had dubbed me Christofari. It had a cool ring to it. Another of Frank's pals is Karl from The Crescent, who I've seen more frequently of late. His guitar playing is brilliant. I had taken my Uncle to see his old school friend, Joe Symes, at the Lomax and Karl was also on the bill, so it was a pleasure to see him again at Frank's birthday.
Frank Hedges, another character from my previous Diaries, was running some nights there. He had dubbed me Christofari. It had a cool ring to it. Another of Frank's pals is Karl from The Crescent, who I've seen more frequently of late. His guitar playing is brilliant. I had taken my Uncle to see his old school friend, Joe Symes, at the Lomax and Karl was also on the bill, so it was a pleasure to see him again at Frank's birthday.
A few weeks later, another character from my tales, Johnny Stock was back in town for a gig, playing alongside Karl at the Lomax for the Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene's afterparty.
Also playing that night on the other side of the city was one of my favourite bands, The Loose Moose String Band at my new favourite pub, The Caledonia. They are similar say to, Mumford and Sons, but more enjoyable, plus they have two members of Tramp Attack and Mike Badger's backing band.
Also playing that night on the other side of the city was one of my favourite bands, The Loose Moose String Band at my new favourite pub, The Caledonia. They are similar say to, Mumford and Sons, but more enjoyable, plus they have two members of Tramp Attack and Mike Badger's backing band.
That same night, I bump into Gary Bandit's younger brother. Sound guy. A few others stumble in, Candie Payne and Paul Molloy of The Big House (more of them later), and Mike Badger himself.
For once, I didn't say hello. Say what to Candie other than "I love your brother Howie's stuff, what's he up to? is Sean still in the Zutons?". I wasn't too clued up on Candie's music, sadly.
And what to Mike Badger? "thanks for leaving The La's so Lee could do what he did"?
And what to Mike Badger? "thanks for leaving The La's so Lee could do what he did"?
Have a night off. Though I love Candie's stuff, as well as Eva Petersen, formerly of The Little Flames. See below...
Back to the story...we shot over to the Lomax, everyone's in sight, buzzing.
I catch up with Karl and Johnny, like no time had passed. Cradock comes in with his crew and disappears upstairs. My friends have to leave as it's a Sunday and they have Monday engagements. I stick around with Karl and Johnny, really great guys.
Come to think of it, I should asked if there was any truth in a one off Crescent reunion gig.
The band upstairs finish so we move on upstairs to catch Cradock's DJ set. This is a guy who's into his 60's stuff, Mod styled clothes, and part of The Modfather, Paul Weller's band. The three of us are buzzing, expecting vinyl relics and a feast of rarities to be played, so we were most excited.
The band clear off stage. A table is brought to the centre stage. Cradock is introduced. Anticipation is high.
"Wait....what's that under his arm?"
It was no vinyl. Not even a record player.
But a laptop.
A laptop.
The three of us nearly fell over backwards.
He plugs it in and clicks a few tracks. We feel a little bit cheated to say the least.
I remember Karl being relentless in his joking about that later that night. And it'll end up as a recurring joke between us.
I also spotted Marc from the Hoboes, who is a magician, as he was there and then he disappeared. Check out his new band, The Springtime Anchorage. Great sounds. See Below.
Also with Cradock was Andy Crofts of The Moons, a 60's sounding band and also a member of Weller's band. I tell him I like his stuff, he's like a 60's gentleman. Nice guy.
Luckily, the disappointment of Cradock's 'DJ' set was smashed by Karl and his band mate Barry's acoustic set.
Luckily, the disappointment of Cradock's 'DJ' set was smashed by Karl and his band mate Barry's acoustic set.
Frank joins me for a chat, he's read my old blog and said it was nice to put a face to the name. Thanked me for my words and introduced me to his wife and laughed remembering what I had written about him.
More frequently, I've been hanging around with musicians. Band members, signed, unsigned, managers, promoters, reviewers. My kind of folk. The conversation is always riveting. Discussing song's, albums, songwriters, recommending music, conversation at 100mph. The chat that'll last forever.
Mid-February, a few messages come in. The La's are looking to pull out of the New York gig. At this point a number of La's fans, myself included, had booked to make the pricey trip over. First it was rumours, then it became a reality, they had pulled out due to Lee pulling a tendon in his finger.
I've been asked about this an awful lot. As early as October last year, Lee had a bad tendon in his finger when I was with them.
Luckily I caught his complaining on my video when he plays me 'Son of a Gun' and 'Voodoo Child'. The relentless rehearsing with the new band had taken it's toll.
Luckily I caught his complaining on my video when he plays me 'Son of a Gun' and 'Voodoo Child'. The relentless rehearsing with the new band had taken it's toll.
Yes, Lee will be blamed, but Sound City also, as it's not like The La's are the most reliable band in the world at the best of times, even though this time it was a genuine problem that was unavoidable, and the fact Sound City didn't have a Plan B.
Personally, I'd have called John Power and asked him to name his price to play with Cast to soften the blow.
Me and my cousin still made the trip as we were on the VIP list for the conference and the gig later that day and even more so, it was still New York.
And it was amazing. Sadly my presence at the gig had gotten a few tongues wagging. Some believed The La's pulling out was a big publicity stunt in keeping with the mystery surrounding them and they were playing under a pseudonym again. Sadly that wasn't the case.
And it was amazing. Sadly my presence at the gig had gotten a few tongues wagging. Some believed The La's pulling out was a big publicity stunt in keeping with the mystery surrounding them and they were playing under a pseudonym again. Sadly that wasn't the case.
The first person I speak to is someone I've spoken to before on The La's board. Wayne from Boston. It was good to meet him in person and chat for a while, discussing Liverpool and it's music, I hand him an Albany CD I had brought with me for the trip.
Another person grabs me asking if I'm performing. I tell him no. He says I look like "Lennon mixed with Bob Dylan in a turtle neck, suit jacket and Lennon hat, stepping back in time as a Scouse Folk embodiment" Crazy comment. But I'll live with it.
Another asks me about the 'Mavers connection'. Considering I've met him a few times, speak to him now and again and interviewed him, they think I know it all and are dying for a story or some dirt.
It's mad, but I remember I was the same in asking people for bits of obscure info before I met him, to try and piece it all together. To understand those songs a little more.
I do get asked online about it, people asking to pass on details for them to audition, or pass on a tape or find out where they are and what they're doing.
It's mad, but I remember I was the same in asking people for bits of obscure info before I met him, to try and piece it all together. To understand those songs a little more.
I do get asked online about it, people asking to pass on details for them to audition, or pass on a tape or find out where they are and what they're doing.
I don't mind it to be honest. It comes with it. It can come from anywhere. Can't force it most of the time. Love, life, art - anything like.
We even caught up with Jennifer Ellison on Broadway...
I wrote 'Irish Wayfarer', 'The Art Of A Woman' and 'Mamie' in the space of two days or so after coming home from New York. I was jet lagged, hardly slept, tired, sick and was a little lost in my own head at the time trying to make sense of things.
You can hear the demo's here: http://soundcloud.com/christopherdavidparkes
We also made the train trip towards Central Park, of which, The Dakota Building overlooks. The place where John Lennon, Liverpool's most famous son was shot.
We emerged from the hot underground, the circulation down there isn't all too great.
The sunlight creaking through the subway, we made our way up the stairs and the first sight is that of the Dakota building, that entrance, I've read about it, seen pictures, documentaries and all thing's else possible.
It's strange.
Why should a place someone was murdered, someone's Dad, someone's Husband, be a place of recommendation to visit?
I think we all lost something when Lennon died. Where would he have been today? John's 'Imagine' played out at the London 2012 Olympics with Liverpool choir children singing along. Nice touch.
Quite emotional too.
When I was waiting in the Doctor's waiting room, almost a year ago now, 'Here Comes The Sun' came on the radio and there was a moment of, something. So every time I hear it, there's always that sense of not knowing. So hearing it at the Olympics, that acoustic intro, just takes me back and for me, the song became a hell of a lot more personal. Such beauty.
Even in writing this now, even more coincidence, The Simpsons episode I was half watching was dedicated to the memory of George Harrison. What a man he was.
Lennon's memorial garden, just across the road from the Dakota, is another one of those eerie places, people lining up with flowers and camera's. Everyone is quiet as they line up for pictures, or to simply take in the sight.
People are whispering too. There's not just American's there, but people form all over the world, all united at one spot, for a tribute to one man.
I think sometimes, with being from Liverpool, we forget the influence and how far The Beatles have spread and how they are universally loved around the world.
I was speechless to be honest.
We had been hanging around Washington Square Park. It's amazing. Buskers were playing The Beatles on acoustic guitars. Circus acts. Piano on wheels. Old fella's "brown bagging it" and a young Asian girl, no older than 20, handing out free cookies with a sign saying "spreading happiness"
On the other side of the world pretty much, I should have been lost but felt as if I was at home. My love was on the other side of the Atlantic.
Visit the park if you can, in the space of a few moments we had been offered weed, wine, watching squirrells and a game of chess.
It was a special place. It had a vibe, a sense of it being like the centre of the Earth or something like that. True in a way in being able to see the river looking down one road, Chinatown down another and Little Italy down another road. The world seemed a hell of a lot smaller
I was even made up when I heard Howie Payne first started busking in the same place at the age of 15. His solo album had been a huge part of my writing and his songs and voice clicked with me.
'Irish Wayfarer' isn't a boat by the way. It's about an Irish brown haired, brown eyed, brunette...
We had gone to Washington Square Park to meet up with a family member, who lived on MacDougal Street in New York. And in reading the Bob Dylan book Digsy had given me, I knew this was also the same street as the same place Dylan had once dossed, scrounging for his next meal and played in the folk centre of the world, Greenwich Village, and the Cafe Wha?
I headed round to Gary Bandit's house again, the home of the new La's recording place, Lee's guitar, a drum kit and Vox amps.
I was helping Gary record some solo stuff on the side with a close few people, something for himself, before the possibility of a single and gearing up for a tour before the end of the year, with me on the bass. A dream come true for me. We'll see how that progresses...
The house is still a dream place, vinyl, guitars, Vox amps, Bandits' posters and tables still adorned with new song titles, a number of which memorised.
The Babyshambles acoustic duo, Mik and Drew were also heading to Liverpool, the day before the Liverpool-Everton semi final in that London, at Wembley.
My good pals The Albany were opening for them, who played a solid set. The Babyshambles played an enjoyable set, despite Doherty's absence. We still loved those songs.
Luckily I was ushered backstage to meet them and grabbed a snap with Drew and Mik.
While backstage, Mik came back out and began singing some acoustic numbers, of which we duly joined in singing along. Until the 'fun Police' at Eric's decided that other people who were doing drugs can stay, but as we were being 'too rowdy' we'd have to leave and we were ushered out the front door.
I've not been back since. The name has big shoes to fill, hopefully it'll live up to it.
Barry Sutton was also back on the scene with a new night at the newly opened, and now closed, bar - The Sink. Which had quickly became one of my new favourite places. Was sad to see it go.
Either way, one night Barry has a special guest playing, formerly of The Stairs, guitarist Ged Lynn. Barry introduces us, old friends to new.
Ged's a sound guy. I was nervy in meeting him as I knew very little about him, usually before interviewing someone or meeting them, I like to know their music inside out, and what questions they'd be comfortable with, and so I can easily make conversation and know what they are on about.
I was hoping to chat with Ged more but was unable. Luckily, I got another chance. Barry also plays and dedicates a number of La's songs to me, loose, slowed down versions of 'Son of a Gun', 'Way Out' and the mysterious, 'Raindance'
On a number of my visits to The Lomax, Frank grabs me again.
"Karlos has some news for you.."
Karl let's me in on a secret, he's got another band going on the side, with Joey Harrison (formerly of The Crescent), The In By One's bassist Mark Degnum and on lead guitar, Peter Camell. Cammy. And they were going to call themselves The Isrights, "no matter what Edgar says about that.."
Sadly, the band never came to fruition. I'm a Cammy man when it comes to La's guitarists too.
In becoming a Bob Dylan fan now, and understanding the music and such, be sure to catch the film, I'm Not There. I watched it every night for a week and it was still fresh and interesting.
Anyway, in 1966, on his world tour, Dylan took a walk (I assume) with his photographer and they headed towards the docks, towards Dublin Street in Liverpool.
There's a cracking article on it here: http://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/dylan-with-liverpool-kids-1966/
If you catch the Bob Dylan documentary, Don't Look Back, there's a great shot of three young girls shouting up to Bob's window of the Adelphi hotel, where he was staying.
And with the help of Google Maps and the 'net, we find the spot where Dylan had sat in the doorway with a bunch of young kids around him, who had been playing there and over 40 years later, luckily it was still there and the building hadn't been demolished or changed in anyway.
Me and The Albany lads, Nicky and Matty decided we'd make a day of it and go re-create the snap. If you're a "Bobcat" be sure to go and do it. With there being three of us, we all wanted in on a snap together, no one's around anywhere. That end of town is, all but almost all abandoned.
Luckily, someone is checking the building is still locked and we ask if he'll take the snap, and to cap the day off, he knows it's "The Dylan Doorway" instant grins all around.
We're lucky he knew too, we may have looked a bit mad standing in a door way getting pictures...
Around this time, Edgar Jones, back under his Summertyme name, had been doing the rounds around town again.
I managed to catch a performance at the Zanzibar in late April as he debuted some new songs as a warm up for his support slot with his old band St Etienne, his set including his new favourite "What's A Boy To Do?" and fan favourite, "More Than You've Ever Had". Accompanied on stage with a Gibson semi-acoustic and a vox amp.
We even caught up with Jennifer Ellison on Broadway...
I wrote 'Irish Wayfarer', 'The Art Of A Woman' and 'Mamie' in the space of two days or so after coming home from New York. I was jet lagged, hardly slept, tired, sick and was a little lost in my own head at the time trying to make sense of things.
You can hear the demo's here: http://soundcloud.com/christopherdavidparkes
We also made the train trip towards Central Park, of which, The Dakota Building overlooks. The place where John Lennon, Liverpool's most famous son was shot.
We emerged from the hot underground, the circulation down there isn't all too great.
The sunlight creaking through the subway, we made our way up the stairs and the first sight is that of the Dakota building, that entrance, I've read about it, seen pictures, documentaries and all thing's else possible.
It's strange.
Why should a place someone was murdered, someone's Dad, someone's Husband, be a place of recommendation to visit?
I think we all lost something when Lennon died. Where would he have been today? John's 'Imagine' played out at the London 2012 Olympics with Liverpool choir children singing along. Nice touch.
Quite emotional too.
When I was waiting in the Doctor's waiting room, almost a year ago now, 'Here Comes The Sun' came on the radio and there was a moment of, something. So every time I hear it, there's always that sense of not knowing. So hearing it at the Olympics, that acoustic intro, just takes me back and for me, the song became a hell of a lot more personal. Such beauty.
Even in writing this now, even more coincidence, The Simpsons episode I was half watching was dedicated to the memory of George Harrison. What a man he was.
Lennon's memorial garden, just across the road from the Dakota, is another one of those eerie places, people lining up with flowers and camera's. Everyone is quiet as they line up for pictures, or to simply take in the sight.
People are whispering too. There's not just American's there, but people form all over the world, all united at one spot, for a tribute to one man.
I think sometimes, with being from Liverpool, we forget the influence and how far The Beatles have spread and how they are universally loved around the world.
I was speechless to be honest.
We had been hanging around Washington Square Park. It's amazing. Buskers were playing The Beatles on acoustic guitars. Circus acts. Piano on wheels. Old fella's "brown bagging it" and a young Asian girl, no older than 20, handing out free cookies with a sign saying "spreading happiness"
On the other side of the world pretty much, I should have been lost but felt as if I was at home. My love was on the other side of the Atlantic.
Visit the park if you can, in the space of a few moments we had been offered weed, wine, watching squirrells and a game of chess.
It was a special place. It had a vibe, a sense of it being like the centre of the Earth or something like that. True in a way in being able to see the river looking down one road, Chinatown down another and Little Italy down another road. The world seemed a hell of a lot smaller
I was even made up when I heard Howie Payne first started busking in the same place at the age of 15. His solo album had been a huge part of my writing and his songs and voice clicked with me.
'Irish Wayfarer' isn't a boat by the way. It's about an Irish brown haired, brown eyed, brunette...
We had gone to Washington Square Park to meet up with a family member, who lived on MacDougal Street in New York. And in reading the Bob Dylan book Digsy had given me, I knew this was also the same street as the same place Dylan had once dossed, scrounging for his next meal and played in the folk centre of the world, Greenwich Village, and the Cafe Wha?
Even in simply wandering around New York, I'm sure every street has something to offer. In simply taking which ever road we saw and liked the look of, we took. And, the street we took, had a lot to offer.
The house Mark Twain, the writer of the book, Tom Sawyer, once lived and the fact a plaque on the wall caught our eye was all it took for us to get a buzz.
There was so much else to see as well, so here's a few pictures I took...
What a trip eh? if you've never been before, go. Go. It's a special place. It was better than Amsterdam, better than Paris. Though, I need to revisit those places, hopefully I'll get the chance.
When I got back on Scouse soil, I had been in contact with Gary Murphy, of The Bandits and La's again. And something was brewing.
The house Mark Twain, the writer of the book, Tom Sawyer, once lived and the fact a plaque on the wall caught our eye was all it took for us to get a buzz.
There was so much else to see as well, so here's a few pictures I took...
What a trip eh? if you've never been before, go. Go. It's a special place. It was better than Amsterdam, better than Paris. Though, I need to revisit those places, hopefully I'll get the chance.
I headed round to Gary Bandit's house again, the home of the new La's recording place, Lee's guitar, a drum kit and Vox amps.
I was helping Gary record some solo stuff on the side with a close few people, something for himself, before the possibility of a single and gearing up for a tour before the end of the year, with me on the bass. A dream come true for me. We'll see how that progresses...
The house is still a dream place, vinyl, guitars, Vox amps, Bandits' posters and tables still adorned with new song titles, a number of which memorised.
The Babyshambles acoustic duo, Mik and Drew were also heading to Liverpool, the day before the Liverpool-Everton semi final in that London, at Wembley.
My good pals The Albany were opening for them, who played a solid set. The Babyshambles played an enjoyable set, despite Doherty's absence. We still loved those songs.
Luckily I was ushered backstage to meet them and grabbed a snap with Drew and Mik.
While backstage, Mik came back out and began singing some acoustic numbers, of which we duly joined in singing along. Until the 'fun Police' at Eric's decided that other people who were doing drugs can stay, but as we were being 'too rowdy' we'd have to leave and we were ushered out the front door.
I've not been back since. The name has big shoes to fill, hopefully it'll live up to it.
Barry Sutton was also back on the scene with a new night at the newly opened, and now closed, bar - The Sink. Which had quickly became one of my new favourite places. Was sad to see it go.
Either way, one night Barry has a special guest playing, formerly of The Stairs, guitarist Ged Lynn. Barry introduces us, old friends to new.
Ged's a sound guy. I was nervy in meeting him as I knew very little about him, usually before interviewing someone or meeting them, I like to know their music inside out, and what questions they'd be comfortable with, and so I can easily make conversation and know what they are on about.
I was hoping to chat with Ged more but was unable. Luckily, I got another chance. Barry also plays and dedicates a number of La's songs to me, loose, slowed down versions of 'Son of a Gun', 'Way Out' and the mysterious, 'Raindance'
On a number of my visits to The Lomax, Frank grabs me again.
"Karlos has some news for you.."
Karl let's me in on a secret, he's got another band going on the side, with Joey Harrison (formerly of The Crescent), The In By One's bassist Mark Degnum and on lead guitar, Peter Camell. Cammy. And they were going to call themselves The Isrights, "no matter what Edgar says about that.."
Sadly, the band never came to fruition. I'm a Cammy man when it comes to La's guitarists too.
In becoming a Bob Dylan fan now, and understanding the music and such, be sure to catch the film, I'm Not There. I watched it every night for a week and it was still fresh and interesting.
Anyway, in 1966, on his world tour, Dylan took a walk (I assume) with his photographer and they headed towards the docks, towards Dublin Street in Liverpool.
There's a cracking article on it here: http://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/dylan-with-liverpool-kids-1966/
If you catch the Bob Dylan documentary, Don't Look Back, there's a great shot of three young girls shouting up to Bob's window of the Adelphi hotel, where he was staying.
And with the help of Google Maps and the 'net, we find the spot where Dylan had sat in the doorway with a bunch of young kids around him, who had been playing there and over 40 years later, luckily it was still there and the building hadn't been demolished or changed in anyway.
Me and The Albany lads, Nicky and Matty decided we'd make a day of it and go re-create the snap. If you're a "Bobcat" be sure to go and do it. With there being three of us, we all wanted in on a snap together, no one's around anywhere. That end of town is, all but almost all abandoned.
Luckily, someone is checking the building is still locked and we ask if he'll take the snap, and to cap the day off, he knows it's "The Dylan Doorway" instant grins all around.
We're lucky he knew too, we may have looked a bit mad standing in a door way getting pictures...
Around this time, Edgar Jones, back under his Summertyme name, had been doing the rounds around town again.
I managed to catch a performance at the Zanzibar in late April as he debuted some new songs as a warm up for his support slot with his old band St Etienne, his set including his new favourite "What's A Boy To Do?" and fan favourite, "More Than You've Ever Had". Accompanied on stage with a Gibson semi-acoustic and a vox amp.
I attended the St. Etienne gig, and it was a sweat box, even the cool Red Stripe can's couldn't cool anyone off. A solid gig, but I was more interested in seeing Edgar at my favourite venue.
Edgar played a number of other songs from his new album, now named, 'Sense Of Harmony' including this, for his missus.
Once again, I found myself walking down Cumberland Street to the Lomax, where I spy Karl, who says "I'm just the man he wants to see..." I was intrigued. As we settle down with a pint inside, over our shoulders, that recognizable massive voice booms over our conversation...
"I've just had a flashback to the Bier Keller! what a night!"
It was Frank, in his haven, The Lomax. I'm glad it's back, spending a drunken daze spying old gig posters, doing a much better than job than some recently pat venues re-opening. Not to mention any names.
Karl's asking me to take over as his band's promo office, the solid four piece, The In By One's. I still have their set list from over a year ago when we first all met on that night in the Bier Keller. How time flies.
My life is one big coincidence I think.
An interesting gig came up, The Big House's single launch, Canyon Home In The Sun/Caught Up. The latter written by Howie, Candie's brother.
The Big House, as mentioned before features Candie Payne and guitarist Paul Molloy, formerly of The Skylarks, The Stands and The Zutons. A couple, on and off the stage, effortlessly blend together. As in this track below, recorded live on Dave Monks' show.
I headed off to Hairy Records, now The Musical Consortium, to pick up tickets for the gig from the vinyl shop on Liverpool's busy Bold Street, and a favourite hang out for the 60's muso's.
I managed to bag the first two tickets. Which came with a free CD for the first 250 customers. The songs are brilliant, and very addictive. I've wore that CD to the bone.
The band were brilliantly put together, a lot of hard work paying off, with Paul leading the eight members on stage, featuring Abi of The Zutons on the saxophone.
I totally enjoyed the Californian breezey type folk rock. Most impressed. You can watch a fantastic video here:
http://vimeo.com/48355425
I'd learn more about them later...
Karl and The In By One's confirm they are going into the studio to record, and to come down and take some snaps. There's a great vibe around them, the place. Smiles all around.
The two tracks being recorded are 'Ello, 'Ello' and 'Back Of My Hand', the latter of which below in a live video from The Lomax.
In the downtime, Karl shows us all the proper lead intro to 'There She Goes' that Lee had taught him years earlier, and the guitar it just...sings.
Karl's bass player, Mark Degnum, strikes up a conversation with me. Turns out he's played with Lee, Ged, Edgar and was once a member of Liverpool cult band, Rhombus of Doom in the 90s.
I learn an awful lot about the break up of The Stairs and the back story of The La's, putting doubts into the book, of which Lee has supposedly taken a dislike to. And that Neil Mavers was waiting for the call to play drums back in 2005, but Jasper had the right feel...
Mark tells me there's also the proper 2nd Stairs record in circulation, but only a handful of people have heard it. The Coral being responsible for getting hold of it, with most of the songs penned by Ged, and not Edgar.
He asks if I'm heading to The Living Brain one off gig in the upcoming weeks, which features Ged on the guitar. I had heard some stuff on their website which had been updated for the upcoming performance.
You can download 18 tracks for whatever price you want here: http://thelivingbrain.bandcamp.com/
What a band! proper cult Liverpool underground sounds.
Also on the bill would be 'special guests', which many assumed to be Edgar. Leading to a possible Stairs reunion, whether lines were crossed or it was a stunt to sell more tickets, who knows.
Edgar has a residency DJ job on the same day anyway...
I get down early, the rain not keeping many at bay. It seemed to be a haven for Liverpool music faces. Old friend Dave McCabe of The Zutons was there, another pal Spud - formerly of the much loved band The Maybes, old pal Mike Murphy of The Wicked Whispers and Paul Molloy.
Barry Sutton opened for the band, as Edgar quiped a week or so later "wouldn't be a gig without Barry now would it?!"
Paul recognizes me and we have a word outside, and the future of The Big House, which is in doubt. I gave him a short review of their tracks, and the anthemic 'Canyon Home In The Sun' and enquire about The Skylarks, his former band.
The gig goes on and Ged is playing like he's 21 again, and tells me later they had only played through the songs 3 times in years, despite this, the audience are clearly loving every moment, Barry especially, who's in the front row, despite being well over 6 foot.
The band are rounded out by Lars Gabel and Lee Webster.
Ged grabs me for a chat afterwards, and congratulations and grins all around. Ged says there's an afterparty at La'go's, round the corner where Edgar is DJing, but another party for friends on Duke Street, at the old Kif rehearsal room, a stone's throw away from the venue on Duke Street and tells me to come.
First, a few drinks with the like up at the Attic before seeking out the room, members of The Farm in tow. Luckily we bumped into Ged again and he led the way, to Barry Sutton who was jamming with a friend on a mini-drum kit.
Barry takes a seat beside us and talks about life, friends and chances. We're all mellowed out and enjoying the night.
"Who'd have thought we'd get the chance for something like this, old friends and new friends a like?"
In reference to Lars, who has been Barry's friend for 20 odd years, but Lars has been living on the other side of the world, in New Zealand. Funny enough, the same place as my Uncle.
It was a little bit too late (or early?) in the night for Barry to teach me some chromatic chords and noted that "it's okay as long as you mean it... (meaning in writing and in playing) and that it could be anything, it doesn't matter as long as it has feeling - which it should anyway, because you wrote it.." which helped me over a few hurdles in my own writing.
Everyone says there goodbye's and part in the morning sun. Ged's happy to see the kids out in force, digging his music. The way he likes The Coral, and they like The Living Brain.
It's with thanks to Jay Skelly, a lot of Living Brain material surfaced as he got it 'from the vaults'
A week passes....
"Well...I've grown up since then though!"
Or so I'm told as we chuckle away, enjoying the rare City sunshine, now that the rain had passed and had broke through the clouds and making the most of whatever the world and the day has to offer us.
I'm standing at the bar with the coolest man in town, a man of many talents and just as many bands, and a good friend; Edgar Jones - aka Edgar Summertyme. Back under his old stage name.
We're discussing his semi acoustic Gibson guitar.
"I *inherited* it in '92...mine (the bass guitar) got smashed so I got this..."
the guitar once belonged to former Stairs man, Ged Lynn, who had recently played a one off gig with his old band, cult Liverpool favourites The Living Brain.
It was announced that Edgar would be playing a warm-up show ahead of his recently announced slot at FestEvol all day event on August 4th, alongside a handful of my favourite Merseyside acts, psychedelic pop band The Wicked Whispers and 60's styled femme fatale Eva Petersen.
I headed down to the city's hotspot, Heebie Jeebies, despite the rain, being hungover, tired and feeling as rough as sandpaper - but it was Edgar and as Digsy said to me before I met him, "catching him is like catching water...". I headed into one of Bold Street's hotspots, a few streets over from Heebies to pick up a copy of Bido Lito, which featured Edgar on the cover and a great page interview.
I arrived before Edgar, but there was no denying when he came in, cool as ever, with what looked like a guitar hard case that had been through a number of wars, with a tie for a handle and a small Vox amp in a Bag For Life!
He drops his gear off stage side and looks lost until I give him a welcome nod. He grins and makes his way over. Luckily, I don't have to jog his memory.
We chat health, music and plans, and the future and such. His new upcoming album"Sense Of Harmony", to be released back under the pyseudonm of Edgar Summertyme, months earlier he had handed me 8 demo's intended for the album, it was great to see the progression of the tracks.
The album is released on August 16th, via The Viper Label, ran by ex-La's members Mike Badger and Paul Hemmings, who have handled a number of Edgar's previous releases with The Joneses and demos' and unreleased tracks from Edgar's first band, cult garage band, The Stairs.
We discuss some new sounds and influences and discuss the Bido Lito interview, in which he notes "punk was more a case of letting the morons have a go..." and says he's one of the few with the unfavourable dislike for The Ramones - but is a fan of 13th Floor Elevators.
It's great to see him again and in such good health. He tells me he's on a new Organic diet, giving the body what it wants and that after my health troubles last year he said to let him know any time if I want to get in on it. Great fella. His eyes light up and he darts to his guitar case and produces his new album, artwork and all, ready to go and hands me it. Speechless.
The man strives on other people enjoying his music. We talk playing bass and how "hearing some albums make you realise you're not that good.." to which I noted I felt the same when I first heard 'Flying Machine' ...and the fact he was singing at the same time as well.
He also notes this is his first time back in Heebie Jeebies in around four years, as he was the resident basement DJ for a time, where he claims he was free to play what he pleased.
He's looking to stick together a backing band together before touring, sticking to support slots around the city for the time being, Edgar has already performed solo on a few occasions this year at both The Zanzibar and The Kazimier, supporting St. Etienne.
Edgar's slot comes around, just as the sun begins to crack through the clouds into the beer garden. A half drunken man smashes his pint glass to the floor to cheers and laughs
"sounds like someone's having a...smashing time already"
Edgar quickly quips in a Roger Moore-esque Bond like delivery.
Edgar runs through a four song set, including new songs not on his new record, but intended for his next release. Edgar rounded the set with favourite 'More Than You've Ever Had' from the Mercury award nominated 'Soothing Music For Stray Cats', which was championed by Noel Gallagher.
The garden is full of punters, usual gig goers, some there for the music, others the drink, BBQ and sun - who give Edgar a warm reception, but don't take too much notice - until Edgar's signature and ever brilliant voice breaks through the silence and in doing so, silencing all conversation and averting eyes to the stage.
Edgar leaves the stage to massive applause, and handshakes and a flurry of compliments. We chat some more before calling it a day and decide to meet up at his performance at Evol the following weekend.
Great to see him again too, true gent. Then it was off home to listen to the album...
The album is book ended by title tracks "Sense Of Harmony Part One" and "Sense Of Harmony Part Two", with "On and On" a groove vibe rocker, with opening lyrics such as "as we sit and contemplate the charred remains..." gives you the sense of what's to come.
Edgar's favourite track, "What's A Boy To Do?" which arguably features his most heartfelt vocal and lyrics, questioning an unknown female figurehead of the song. Luckily it hasn't changed much since the demo he had handed me almost a year earlier.
You can hear and feel this song pour out of him. Listen here > Edgar Summertyme "What's a Boy to do"
"What Are We Gonna Do?" builds up into a brilliant and beautiful groove and the repeated track title softly and then strongly sang over the top.
Edgar recently performed the song in session for Bido Lito, available here > What Are We Gonna Do / Edgar Summertyme / The Bido Lito! Podcast
"Sense of Harmony Part 2" brings the album to a close, in the same way it started, after another lyrical message, before hidden track "My Kinda Woman" kicks in thirty seconds later, in a more surprising manner in comparison to the rest of this album, but more typical of past releases and wouldn't be out of place on mid-noughties Joneses albums.
Before we parted, Edgar notes that the album was written and recorded through his stomach complaint which led him to losing two stone and spending time in the hospital, and considering Edgar's first release was called "Weed Bus" when he was barely in his twenties, this album is definitely his 'maturing record' which has a lot of sorrow, pain and very sincere which features more heartfelt vocals and lyrics compared to some of Edgar's previous releases, which is welcoming and surprising, yet still retains that voice, groove and beat reminiscent of Edgar's usual output. Perhaps he has grown up.
As with Edgar - a musical chameleon - the album sounds different to his previous releases, but still retains that recognisable voice, we all love, and as Edgar told me with a laugh "I've grown up - I've had to!" and that next year will be the one as we both look forward to the future, with an even newer album already in it's working stages as there was a number of tracks left over from 'Sense Of Harmony'.
The album clocks in at 42:17, which seems to race by (depending on your mood), leaving you to simply press repeat and take it all in again...
Album highlights for me are "What Are We Gonna Do?" & "What's A Boy To Do?"
All tracks feature Edgar on all instruments, which is interesting - except where noted - the album features former Stands and current Paul Weller drummer Steve Pilgrim guesting on "Look No Words", Colin Lamont on drums on "What's A Boy To Do?" and the brilliant Spanish guitar solo on "Beep Beep" performed by Jose Ybara, which is totally brilliant.
Edgar tells me there will be extra tracks available for download and available on the Japanese release of the album, including "Oh No! I Did It Again!" which I discussed with a past Edgar collaborater, Big House singer/guitarist Paul Molloy (who along with Candie Payne are featured in the 'thank you' section) on top of a double decker bus, but that's another story.
Other notable thanks go to Badger, Hemmings, Pilgrim and The Royal Liverpool Hospital.
Edgar's Bido Lito interview is available online at:
http://www.bidolito.co.uk/issues/issue-25
Album for sale here:
http://www.the-viper-label.co.uk/releases/087/087-T.html
A number of tracks from the album can be heard here:
http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=edgar+summertyme
The week passes and I'm headed to FestEvol, held at The Kazimier, I was sadly at a funeral the day before and was unable to get a ticket, but Edgar (who was playing) pulled through for me and got me on his guest list. What a diamond.
I was eager in seeing The Sundowners again, The Coral's cousins, who usually watch them. We had bumped into Jay Skelly and Paul Duffy at The Zanzibar weeks before. I've not been able to get this song out of my head, effortlessly brilliant...
I caught up again with Mike Murphy of The Wicked Whispers, a pal on my list to interview soon, who was headlining the garden stage at gone 12. The BBQ and bar full, the garden packed and herbal scents in the gardens.
At the bar was the man, back out of hiding (his words), another for the interview book soon, Ged Lynn. He let's on and I tell him I might have something of interest to him on the go, and he says to catch him outside later on. Sadly, I catch word Eva Petersen had pulled out due to the flu.
I'm sure everyone was there that night. The Big House members Paul Molloy and Candie Payne, her brother Sean and Abi Harding of The Zutons. I ask Paul about the omleette. Sound fella.
I was also lucky in bumping into talented drummer, a new pal I know through Gary Bandit, Jack Prince, catch him if you can, his band, The Hot Melts were raw and punk-y as hell back in the day. He's now the stickman with The Lightning Seeds, taking over from Sean Payne.
My favourite sight of the evening was catching Edgar and Ged having a laugh together and Ged later tells me they are to meet up for a coffee the following week. Never too late for some eh?
In exchanging numbers with Ged, with the plan to have a jam, he says to text him "fuck off!" so he knew it was me. Instead I text him the more polite "feck off!" in reference to Father Ted, and laughter ensues and a sing along to Half Man Half Biscuit song 'Paintball's Coming Home'. Top stuff.
Edgar comes on and runs through his newest songs, songs not even on his new record, but intended for his next, next one. Still, was great to just see him playing and enjoying it, and playing songs off 'Sense Of Harmony' which I'd luckily heard.
Edgar was unusually nervous and thanks everyone for being supportive of him, he's universally loved I think by Liverpool.
He's in great voice, as usual, everyone smiling and buzzing off him, as he's clearly enjoying himself, luckily my favourites, 'More Than You've Ever Had', 'What's A Boy To Do?' and 'What Are We Gonna Do?' which are all sounding great live also.
Next up, Mike's band, The Wicked Whispers, 60s vibe psychedelic rockers. Of which later, while all together, Edgar was to be invited to open for the Whispers on a few of their upcoming UK dates at The Soup Kitchen in Manchester and at the 02 Academy Liverpool.
They play a solid set as 1am draws closer, and they impress Ged and the surrounding crowd all buzzing off their cosmic sound. Playing their recently released single, available on 7' vinyl, 'Dandelion Eyes' and the video by renown Liverpool photographer Mark McNulty, who has taken snaps of pretty much every Liverpool musician from The Stairs in '91/'92, The La's, Blueseed, The Pedantics and The Stands. Be sure to check out Mark's site, some golden snaps on there. http://markmcnulty.co.uk/
Mark's video is available below.
During the set, Ged asks if I know any of the band, I tell him I know Mike and I'll introduce him if he wants, in which we do. By this point our group has grown and including The Big House members.
Ged tells Mike he loved the set, and that he'd love to play in the venue, The Kazimier, but with Lars living on the other side of the world, it made it virtually impossible for The Living Brain to play again, with the expense and such.
But Ged has another idea, to play again with one of his other past bands, cult Liverpool underground Rhombus Of Doom, of which he had played in with Mark, The In By One's bassist as well as Barry Sutton guesting from time to time.
Checkout Rhombus of Doom here: http://www.myspace.com/rhombusofdoom
It seems Ged is putting together his old bands for a small reunion get together, and he's talking again with Edgar. Who knows eh, The Stairs could play again, I doubt it, but it'd be one gig not to miss.
With the bands finish, The Beatles number 1's are pounding over the PA, inciting a massive sing a long. Apparently, groups of people singing can bring them all closer, evidently, true.
Ged asks if I'll give him a help in hand by bridging the gap between "the kids" and his music. And with the help of Candie, Paul and Mike, hopefully we can throw something on.
I'm not sure who, but as we're forced out of the Kazimier, someone pipes up...
"it doesn't feel as if the night is over yet"
Ged and his missus are up for it too. And we head off to the basement of anywhere we can, but queue's and closing times intrude.
Luckily, The Sundowners are welcoming us to their flat. We grab a crate and make the short trip up Duke Street.
The Sundowners singer, Niamh, is playing Joan Baez. The most I've seen of Joan singing is in Bob Dylan documentaries. You can tell they are true musicians.
It's not long before Paul is playing 'Baby, Its You' with contributing backing vocals from all in side.
This is what it's all about.
I catch a word with Candie, who is writing her new record with her brother Howie and it turns out the garage at the end of my road was once owned by her Dad.
I remember Gary Bandit telling me he once worked there, in how he met Lee. And when Edgar split up The Joneses', Gary took Candie to London with The Bandits and helped in her career.
It's mad really, coincidental.
With more booze and sing songs and tiring eyes, one by one we leave the flat, with the promise of not being too long before we all catch up.
Me, Candie and Paul head up towards St. Luke's church, The Bombed Out Church, the rather large seagulls picking at the left overs.
The sun shining, and we grab a few snaps...the 12 hours seemed to fly by.
then I had a hospital appointment, precautions - and decided to pick up Edgar's recent re-issue of 'Soothing Cats For Stray Music' from Bold Street. Help the record shops and such.
And the power of Karma came to, and I bumped into The Clash's Mick Jones!
Sadly, didn't get to talk to him nor interview him, but all the same eh?! and for you eagle eyes, it was ironically outside of 'Kasbah' restaurant...Rock The Casbah!
The Magic Band were back in town
...all leading up to now. Tune in for more later.
