Brix Smith Opera House Blackpool 6th August 2023

 

Here's another offering from Rebellion 2023, this time from Peter. Cheers! I must admit I am largely ignorant of Brix Smith and her band. I know from whence she got her surname and I did once see her play with The Fall at the Reading Festival in 1987, which to my continued shame I walked out of! I do know also that this set from the Opera House features '2 By 4' and 'Mr Pharmacist' both by The Fall.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-2AHhFbDZLcuobe4C

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-LsimGeYNQgA1zrAL

Zounds Opera House Blackpool 5th August 2023

 

Zounds were one of the many bands that I discovered during many hours of snooker playing in the bedroom of my late mate Matt Sands. Matches played over tens of frames were always soundtracked by the latest in his punk record collection. 'The Curse of Zounds' was one such album. Typically for me Zounds were one of a number of bands that called it a day at the point where I was discovering them. Crass were another example of this frustrating trend!

The aforementioned 'The Curse of Zounds' album included their first single, a three track EP in fact comprising 'War', 'Subvert' and 'Can't Cheat Karma' which went to number one in the Independent Chart. This may or may not have been at least in part due to the fact that the EP was released on Crass Records. Whatever the reason for its indie success, its a great record. 

Before getting involved with Crass, Zounds were something of a feature on the free festival scene with the likes of The Mob and Here and Now. As the '70s gave way to the '80s things generally became bleaker and bassist/late guitarist, Steve Lake's writing took a more political turn.

Originally, disbanding in 1983, Steve Lake returned in 1998 with a new version of the band.  

Thanks to Chatts for this one.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-74hWFGOMVnjAd501

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-3OBEfkccyACaXuDL

The Jam (Brighton Centre 11th December 1982) and The Kinks (Hordern Pavilion Sydney 19th February 1982) Got It Covered #7

 

'How can I be a revivalist when I'm only fucking 17!' retorted a youthful Paul Weller when his band were accused of living off past musical glories. Little did he know it back in 1976, but he, along with The Jam would indeed catalyse a mod revival inspiring a new generation to generate a new music that unapologetically drew on the Mod/R&B scenes of a decade or more ago. Secret Affair, The Chords, The Lambrettas and more preened on Top of the Pops and played their gigs in front of a new audience of young mods resplendent in their parkas, Ben Sherman shirts and sta-prest trousers. I remember and this time (around 1980) I used to go ten-pin bowling with mates occasionally at the King Alfred Centre on the front in Hove. There were plenty of these young mods (who in fairness would have maybe been a couple of years older than me) and it was quite a thing for them to turn up in scabby footwear which they would hand in in exchange for a pair of proper bowling shoes. After their bowling they would do a runner leaving the bowling alley with a rank pair of trainers and a few more quid down on the day's takings.

For these new bands, Paul Weller was the King Pin mod. However, the huge success that The Jam enjoyed at this time in the UK was very much to the benefit of the 'old' mods as well. Certainly The Who did okay out of this renewed interest in mod culture... in a different musical environment I don't suppose 'Quadrophenia' would have been made, or if it had it would not be the revered cult film that it has become since 1979. 

The Jam were great at cover versions of mod and soul classics, 'So Sad About Us' (The Who), 'Get Yourself Together' (The Small Faces), 'Big Bird' (Eddie Floyd), 'Move On Up' (Curtis Mayfield) and the subject of this post 'David Watts' (The Kinks). Some of these songs went on to be highlights of The Jam's live sets.

Ray Davies recognises something in Paul Weller

The writing influence passed dawn from Ray Davies of The Kinks is of particular note. Nobody, out of that huge pool of musical talent that existed in the '60s, could tell a tale as well as Ray. Weller too was a master when it came to nailing down the British Working Class experience in a handful of brilliantly crafted verses. I did mention in the recent chart post that The Jam's 'Town Called Malice' was 'Dead End Street' updated for the 1980's.

'There's a crack up in the ceiling

And the kitchen sink is leaking

Out of work and got no money

A Sunday joint of bread and honey'

('Dead End Street')

'A whole street's belief

In Sunday's roast beef

Gets dashed

Against the Co-op

To either cut down on beer

Or the kids' new gear

It's a big decision

In a town called Malice'

('Town Called Malice')

'David Watts' by The Kinks is kind of echoed in 'The Eton Rifles' - if you imagine perhaps of how David turned out. But right now we have a straight cover. As a cover, it does not particularly meet my 'worthy' covers criteria whereby the cover is somehow altered to make it the new band's own. The Jam's version is very similar to The Kinks's version, in much the same way that The Stranglers' version of 'All Day...' simply mirrors the original. Nevertheless, criteria notwithstanding, it's just a great song that was a perfect fit at that point in time for what The Jam were writing themselves. The fact that original and cover were separated by 11 years (1967 Kinks versus 1978 Jam) was of no consequence. The school kid of the 1960's and the 1970's could relate with ease, simply because at any age, every school age child has their own David Watts to content with. The scenario is timeless and unchanging.

'He is the head boy at the school

He is the captain of the team

He is so gay and fancy-free

And I wish I could have all he has got

Wish I could be like David Watts.'

So then, here you have them and here although eleven years separates the studio versions, these live versions are contemporaneous, both being captured in 1982.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-amLW5Mn3Xgk85Gng

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-o2s0m6BowExZna00

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-LGLgK40sjoJBjR8v

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-fOUs1Z8rXz5XZCze

Donation Update - 31st July 2026

 

Pete says 'Thanks for the cash!'

Just wanted to say another heartfelt thanks to those that have donated so far towards to cost of the annual subscription to WeTransfer, the platform that stores all of the music files that appear on Aural Sculptors. As of today (31st July) £135 has been raised which represents 68% of the subscription cost. If you still feel inclined to make a contribution you can do so at anytime via the PayPal button located on the right hand bar of the site.

Whilst I am offering thanks allow me once again to appreciate those who regularly send files through to me to share with the small but avid Aural Sculptors community and also those who engage with the site through the comments facility (yes I know the comment procedure is not intuitive!). 

Hugh Cornwell Echoplex Los Angeles 17th March 2012

 

St Patrick's night in Los Angeles back in 2012. This is a great pro-shot recording of the LA date on his US tour packaged as Hugh Cornwell versus Glen Matlock in a night of 'Heavyweight Rock And Roll'. Old punk rockers aside I would contend that there was someone equally desirable to see on this night. Clem Burke was occupying the drum stool behind Hugh on this tour (bass duties were performed by Steve Fishman).

Here we have the tried and tested HAC setlist format in which Stranglers and solo material alternates give or take... to keep the audience engaged in Hugh's words. The set closes with a guest appearance on stage of said Matlock for a version on the Mose Allison number, 'Seventh Son'.

DVD Image: https://we.tl/t-VwZdTn25Fa5DmKvs

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-XfU3J0jJWnxrYbO3

Dead Pioneers Don't Panic Essen 19th July 2026

 

(photo: David Devant)

Somebody left a comment on one of the posts on the site, 'Please keep on posting new bands'. Now by my own admission, this is something that I have not really done over the years. My thoughts on the matter for a long time have been along the lines that discovering bands is something that you do in your teens. This is of course an absolute nonsense, music should be ageless and be there to be discovered throughout life. I do however stand by the fact that seeking out new music takes time and effort, which can be a barrier to new discovery. However, I have taken that posted comment to heart at least to some extent. Luckily for me I have a friend in Germany who can facilitate this. Peter is an avid gig goer and is in the habit of sending anything that he considers may be a good fit for these pages over to me. This is how I came by Dead Pioneers.

This band that hails from Denver, Colorado are very current, but they take me right back to the 80's when I had a small collection of cassette recordings of 'Rodney On The ROQ' compilations. These featured the likes of Black Flag, Channel 3, Social Distortion, Dead Kennedys and the Circle Jerks. The brand of hardcore punk that those bands played sounded great to me and still does. So, when I listened to the first few tracks of Dead Pioneers, recorded this month on tour in Essen, I immediately heard that particular US style hardcore again. Specifically, I heard Circle Jerks and perhaps early Dead Kennedys. Lead singer, Gregg Deal, sounds a lot like Keith Morris... especially when they play the Circle Jerks anthem 'World Up My Ass'!

Gregg Deal is an interesting character. A registered member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute tribe, he is an artist, musician and activist who promotes first nation rights and culture. When he is not doing that he fronts Dead Pioneers who were recently in Europe promoting their new album, 'Wagon Burner', released just last month. The band take an uncompromising stance when it comes to White Power groups in the States. Now, having spent time last weekend in Nuremburg's Court Room 600 and at the Nazi Rally ground complex, anyone with an issue with Nazis is okay in my book!

In addition to the music I had a listen to a TED talk delivered by Gregg Deal which gives some idea of where he's at. Here. Interesting stuff at this time when the Trump administration has just reignited its dispute with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History accusing them of misrepresenting American history.

So thank you Peter... keep on educating me!

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-vuwNxtTQceWtcztw

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-MCJaTszSpCpXzUVZ

O2 Academy Sheffield 25th March 2011

 

Now this is a good one. Sourced from Tarquinlive. DomP has mastered this recording and made a big positive difference from the original. Sounds great to me, with the quality doing justice to the set that gave us such gems as 'Tramp', 'Two Sunspots', 'Dead Loss Angeles' and 'Sweden'. Dom reminds me that this was the last tour that Jet undertook in it's entirety.

Thanks Dom! Appreciate it.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-bDBZBBeuaPWTOy4J

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-mdAaLqUxhokFpDP4