[Music] 1970/80's Music Question

[zefarelly]

I could never understand how he got the title Modfather, as he is a second generation mod. If anyone deserves the title it’s probably someone like Pete Townsend

I've often wondered . . . . to my mind a mod(ernist) moves and evolves, yes we still like certain staples, like a desert/chukka boot, or a Harrington Jacket, but there is always a curiosity and interesting in finding the next cool thing, or dreaming up a new style, bei it fashion, music, art, customising scooters, whatever.

David Bowie was a mod. Not an obvious one, but he was. so was Marc BOlan, Jaff Beck too, quick to get bored, and reinvent.

your average pensioner on a vespa PX with a target on a C&A parka is not a mod.

 

[Mr Bridger]

Always found the second time around Mod movement a bit sad. Why couldn't they have thought of something new?

Have to admit at the time I did admire the Rocker style and wore an open face crash helmet and goggles when riding my Norton...

Ok Boon,
Quadrophenia was released around that time and appeal to the youth plus you could pick up a scooter for about £50.

 

[Mr Bridger]

I could never understand how he got the title Modfather, as he is a second generation mod. If anyone deserves the title it’s probably someone like Pete Townsend

He’s the Modgrandfather.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Get your point boys but didn't they come out at the same time as punk in 76/77 when there was no Mod movement at that time?

Did they effectively restart it then?

They looked a bit like mods but at the start they didn't actively identify as mods because when they started there were no mods to speak of. When I saw them at the Embassy cinema on Western Road in around 77/78, the audience was 99% punk. Wearing your old school tie with one of your dad's shirts and you old school jacket (ripped and pinned) was one of the early punk looks (not one I favoured, I hasten to add). You can see from this pic they were surfing between a mod and a punk look.



But by 79-81 there were new genuine mod revival bands. The Lambrettas formed in 79.

Edit and as noted above, they were completely forgettable. I had nothing against modernism (even though it was a 60s thing and I don't like revivals) and I loved the Jam (and Style Council) but that was all Weller. The other mod revival bands were as relevant to contemporary music as showaddywaddy was to the 'rock and roll revival' and its part in time's arrow of contemporary music.

With bands like Echo and the Bunnymen, the Cure, Danse Society, Birthday Party, Au Pairs and the Fall emerged or emerging, who wanted to watch some spotty boys pretending to be, er, a slightly younger version of Weller?

 

[Is it PotG?]

Rumour was they didn't get on too well.

 

[Comrade Sam]

Weller decided he was a Mod before the Jam were successful, after hearing the Who's album My Generation. He's the Modfather because he almost single handedly started the Mod revival and has never let go. Pete Townshend was never a Mod but was inspired by it and chose the image for the Who. The Small Faces were Mods before they formed the band and were the real deal.

 

[Comrade Sam]

Pete Townshend went from Communist to fan of George Bush. Not a trajectory Weller wanted to follow.

 

[Lenny Rider]

They looked a bit like mods but at the start they didn't actively identify as mods because when they started there were no mods to speak of. When I saw them at the Embassy cinema on Western Road in around 77/78, the audience was 99% punk. Wearing your old school tie with one of your dad's shirts and you old school jacket (ripped and pinned) was one of the early punk looks (not one I favoured, I hasten to add). You can see from this pic they were surfing between a mod and a punk look.

View attachment 130625

But by 79-81 there were new genuine mod revival bands. The Lambrettas formed in 79.

Which was my original point with Harty Junior, I saw them play "All Around the World" on Marc (Bolan's music show) on ITV in the summer of 77 and I'm pretty sure he introduced them as part of the Punk movement.

Incidentally the last show Bolan did it that series saw Bowie as the principal guest, and they duetted at the end. 43 years ago, but really edgy for kids TV back then?

 

[zefarelly]

The Small Faces were Mods before they formed the band and were the real deal.

There's a clue in the name ;-)

 

[KZNSeagull]

I saw The Jam in 1980 at the Brighton Centre and a few punks turned up. They were pretty much instantly beaten up and kicked out which I thought was a bit harsh.

 

[studio150]

Forget labels just enjoy the music

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I saw The Jam in 1980 at the Brighton Centre and a few punks turned up. They were pretty much instantly beaten up and kicked out which I thought was a bit harsh.

They wouldn't have been punks.

They would have been punk revival fans (and very much at the wrong gig).

You wouldn't have caught me anywhere near a ripped T shirt or a safety pin in 1980.

Or a Jam gig.

 

[jakarta]

Ok Boon,
Quadrophenia was released around that time and appeal to the youth plus you could pick up a scooter for about £50.

Boon!!!

I had a 1963 Norton Dominator Cafe Racer so it was completely in period to have an open face helmet & goggles.

Went on to have a 1973 Norton Commando Cafe Racer so suppose I should have tried to access some flared jeans...

Never thought I was living in either the 1960's or 70's, just liked the bikes.

I was a Krautrocker on the whole by then, suppose I should have been riding a BMW but they were not sexy and well beyond my income!

As I said, just found people riding Lambrettas and wearing Parkas in 1980 rather strange.

 

[AK74]

Rumour was they didn't get on too well.

View attachment 130626

Later in life they played together, with Weller joining Townshend for one of their benefit concerts at the RAH.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Weller decided he was a Mod before the Jam were successful, after hearing the Who's album My Generation. He's the Modfather because he almost single handedly started the Mod revival and has never let go. Pete Townshend was never a Mod but was inspired by it and chose the image for the Who. The Small Faces were Mods before they formed the band and were the real deal.

When I moved to Faversham in 89, Marriott's missus was living nearby. She had at least one son (I think there were two) who looked very much like his dad. But he was clearly not quite right. I just looked up Marriott on wikipedia and there isn't much mention of this. But it clearly shows that Marriott develped mental health problems.

There is also a quote from Jim Leverton. Jim has lived at Oare (round the back of Farversham) for at least 30 years and was in bands with Marriott for a long time. Jim became bass player for Caravan (local band) and I saw him and them play many times. I had a good chat with Jim when I was taken to Diss for a surprise 40th birthday gig (it was Caravan) 22 years ago. He said he remembers next to nothing of the early days owing to the extreme amount of drink and drugs that were had. He still does occasional duet gig with Geoff Richardson, erstwhile viola and guitar player with Caravan. This is the song I always think of when I think of Jim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pymcKtZP9IY

Apologies for massive thread derailment

 

[WATFORD zero]

Whenever I hear the term Mod, my immediate thought is always

 

[dejavuatbtn]

I've often wondered . . . . to my mind a mod(ernist) moves and evolves, yes we still like certain staples, like a desert/chukka boot, or a Harrington Jacket, but there is always a curiosity and interesting in finding the next cool thing, or dreaming up a new style, bei it fashion, music, art, customising scooters, whatever.

David Bowie was a mod. Not an obvious one, but he was. so was Marc BOlan, Jaff Beck too, quick to get bored, and reinvent.

your average pensioner on a vespa PX with a target on a C&A parka is not a mod.

No, but you might find that they were an original when they were young and still associate themselves with the “Mod” movement from that time. Always a difficult one to get your head around. Original 60s Mod or modern day Mod?

 

[Baldseagull]

Pete Townshend went from Communist to fan of George Bush. Not a trajectory Weller wanted to follow.

Still waiting for that book Townshend was researching for to come out.

 

[The Large One]

Still waiting for that book Townshend was researching for to come out.

The book came out in 2012, which how little you paid attention to the story, and how much you wanted to pretend to be a bit edgy.

 

[Baldseagull]

The book came out in 2012, which how little you paid attention to the story, and how much you wanted to pretend to be a bit edgy.

No it didn't, unless you are saying he was accessing Child Porn to research his own life?