Book Update

Good evening all! I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those who have purchased a copy of my book 'A Pithead Polar Bear' to date. I am really pleased with the way that the sales are going. So far, 108 books of the 150 print run are accounted for. It is quite something for me to think that this humble family history is to be found on the bookshelves of friends and colleagues in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, America, Canada and Australia. Thank you one and all!

Adrian x

http://apitheadpolarbear.blogspot.co.uk/

The Soundtrack According to The Meninblack

By request. And thanks again Eric!

WAV: https://we.tl/lkEH3OFrM3

The Skids The Junction Cambridge 15th June 2017

I was never their biggest fan, I just have half a dozen singles and a greatest hits, but I was very impressed with the way they played and RJ managed the proceedings with passion and humour. Dedications to the emergency services in London and to Stuart Adamson were heart felt and moving. Oh, and fair play to them for finishing off with a brand new song!

Many thanks to the original Dime uploader!

FLAC: https://we.tl/iHVErlJcdH

Artwork: https://we.tl/04wel98O0N

01. Animation
02. Of One Skin
03. Melancholy Soldiers
04. Thanatos
05. Dulce Et Decorum Est
06. Working For The Yankee Dollar
07. The Saints Are Coming
08. Scared To Dance
09. Charles
10. Olympian
11. Out Of Town
12. Hurry On Boys
13. A Woman In Winter
14. Circus Games
15. Masquerade
16. Into The Valley

01. Crowd
02. Charade
03. TV Stars
04. A World On Fire

20 From '84 (8) Dead Kennedys Pine Street Theatre Portland Oregon 16th October 16 1984

One now from the most important punk bands of all, the formidable Dead Kennedys. Here's a great sounding set from the band that features much material from their controversial, and ultimately career ending, album 'Frankenchrist'.

The trouble started in the States. Alternative Tentacles included with initial copies of the album a poster bearing the album's name against a backdrop of a piece of artwork by renowned artist H.R. Geiger. It is a piece that was always likely to court controversy, both in the US and indeed wherever the album was sold.

Many people literally saw their arse and this landed the DKs in the dock . I have some reports from the times of the trial that I will post at the weekend.

As an aside, when the album came out I was participating in a 24 hour darts marathon with mates, raising some money for charity. I asked my parents to go into town and by me the album. Luckily for me the distributors of the album in the UK made the decision to remove the poster from the sleeve prior to sale. Those wanting the complete package had to write to the label 'Alternative Tentacles' to claim their poster. This I duly did..... is it worth much!?

FLAC: https://we.tl/bvXqbvFWsn

01. Intro
02. Soup Is Good Food
03. Hellnation
04. This Could Be Anywhere (This Could Be Everywhere)
05. Chat
06. When You Get Drafted
07. Terminal Preppie
08. MTV Get Off The Air
09. A Child And His Lawnmower
10. Chat
11. Jock-O-Rama
12. Moral Majority
13. Chat
14. Kill The Poor
15. Chat
16. Macho Insecurity
17. Chat
18. Police Truck
19. Chat
20. Goons Of Hazard
21. Chat W\ Truckin’ Tease
22. Government Flu
23. Bleed For Me
24. Chat
25. Short Songs
26. Nazi Punks Fuck Off

Darts marathon, many moons (over Marin) ago.... the shorts indicate the age! (I'm on the right in the 'The Day The Country Died' shirt.... minus sleeves of course!

Remembering Corporal P. W. Pimlott 7th South Staffordshire Regiment Killed in Action 7th August 1944

As ‘A Pithead Polar Bear’ was in its final stages of preparation, I received an email requesting some assistance in providing information about the South Staffordshire Regiments in Normandy. The email came from Paul Simpson MBE, a retired warrant officer, who is researching the service of his great uncle, Corporal Peter W. Pimlott of the 7th South Staffords. As this enquiry neatly coincided with a planned return to Normandy I said that if at all possible I would visit Corporal Pimlott’s plot in the Banneville-la-Campagne cemetery and lay a Royal British Legion cross.


Corporal Pimlott was killed in action with the 7th South Staffordshire Regiment on 7th August 1944 in the Grimbosq bridgehead established in order to allow the 59th (Staffordshire) Division to cross the River Orne. He survived just 41 days in Normandy.


Yesterday I received an email from Paul with a photograph of his great uncle’s mounted medals.

20 From '84 (7) Aural Sculpture Rough Mix Studio I.C.P. Brussels February 1984

 Thanks as ever to Eric!

WAV: https://we.tl/fnAuCAn8ts

20 From '84 (6) Newtown Neurotics Salle Dupres Blois 2nd November 1984

One for these fighting times from Harlow's finest, The Neurotics.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/IMoZxsh7A0

01. The Mess
02. Does Anyone Know Where The March Is?
03. My Death
04. No Respect
05. The Mind of Valerie
06. Suzi
07. Newtown People
08. Fighting Times
09. Agony
10. This Fragile Life
11. Creatures From Another World

JJ Burnel Festival La Printemps De Bourges 6th April 1989

In 1989, JJ released 'Un Jour Partfait'. This coincided with Gunta and I coming together, so in many ways this became our album. As an album it has some wonderful songs, rather of its time but it gave a clear indication that a rather mellowed Jean Jacques was still capable of penning some great material.

This being an album predominantly in the French language, it was to France that our Gallic hero headed for a handful of dates with stallwarts, Dave Greenfield, Alex Gifford and John Ellis in tow. I had my passport in hand for one of these but to my eternal regret I did not go in the end.

As I said in an earlier post here's one for the Remainers then as we prepare the divorce papers. Many thanks to Eric for the great work!

WAV: https://we.tl/8kVYaaYR2k

Top Secret Volume 17 May 1989

As Brexit looms here is another issue of the wonderful Top Secret with a distinctly Continental flavour. Here.

A Pithead Polar Bear Now Available

Today I have taken delivery of 150 copies of ‘A Pithead Polar Bear – From Brighton to Belsen 1940 to 1946’.

If you would like a copy please message me and I will send on the necessary information. Alternatively, you can visit http://apitheadpolarbear.blogspot.co.uk/. All proceeds are to be donated to the 59th (Staffordshire) Division Association and the 49th (West Riding) Division Association. Both of these organisations provide invaluable support to our veterans and their dependents as well as ensuring that the sacrifices that these Divisions made continue to be remembered.

Cheers,

Adrian.

20 From '84(5) The Anti-Nowhere League The Savoy London 1st March 1984

By 1984 punk was struggling, the anarcho scene lost its 'leaders'..... I know , I know, anarchists right, when Crass fulfilled their plan to disband in 1984. Street punks last roar, in the form of UK '82 had become rather out of date and in general the punk scene looked rather wan.

However, the bands were still gigging but another direction was called for. I remember being as jealous as hell when my mate Adam went to see The League in 1984. However, with the 'Out On The Wasteland' single of the time they were clearly looking to appeal to a more rock and power pop kind of audience.

Here they are live in London in March 1984.

WAV: https://we.tl/GTsiIUstz4

01. For You
02. Snowman
03. We Will Survive
04. Branded
05. The Last Dance
06. Queen And Country
07. Going Down
08. West Side Of Town
09. Streets Of London (Cut)
10. The Russians Are Coming
11. On The Waterfront
12. Let’s Break The Law
13. Can’t Stand Rock ‘N’ Roll
14. Let The Country Feed You
15. So What
16. Woman
17. We Are The League

Top Secret Volume 16 March 1989

 And the next one..... here.

The Damned Warsaw, Brooklyn New York 23rd May 2017

The Crown Prince surveys the Damned riff-raff from his throne.

USA May 2017.

Last moth The Damned played possibly their last major tour of the States and what a tour it was in many respects. It was huge and it was rather ill-fated. But being the punk rock troupers that they are the show.... or shows went on. Thanks to the original uploader!

Here is one of the few recordings to emerge from the tour.

FLAC: https://we.tl/fPfVQHkfGY

01. Melody Lee
02. Generals
03. Disco Man
04. I Just Can't Be Happy Today
05. Alone Agian Or (Love)
06. Love Song
07. Machine Gun Etiquette
08. Street Of Dreams
09. Eloise
10. Stage Banter
11. Ignite
12. Stranger On The Town
13. Plan 9 Channel 7
14. Wait For The Blackout
15. History Of The World Part 1
16. New Rose
17. Neat Neat Neat
18. Encore Break
19. Stage Banter
20. Jet Boy Jet Girl
21. Nasty
22. Nights In White Satin (Excerpt)
23. Smash It Up Parts 1 & 2
24. Encore Break
25. Born To Kill
26. Stretcher Case Baby
27. Fan Club
28. Anti-Pope