In 1975 I got my first and last 'Northern Soul - Keep the faith' woven soul patch and quickly had it sewn onto my new Fred Perry polo shirt. At school, I thought I was some boy, but alas, upon going to the local Soul Night, where there was 'bigger boys' it did not go down well, and was the butt of a few jokes. Lesson Learned.

The trend for advertising your love of this scene at that point must have reversed 180 degrees and it was no longer cool to do that although obviously, the clothes were still a give away.

Fast forward 32 years, and has it now turned again, as I see more and more 'labelling' on clothes worn at soul nights.

Should Nothern Soul be 'worn with pride' or quickly buried as before???

===========

Everybody knows you like England if you go to Wembley, but people still wear the replica shirts as most do when supporting their local team and I don't personally see anything wrong in that, so it would be hypocritical of me to think people wearing soul badges are any different.

Some people give money to charity and wear badges/t-shirts/caps proclaiming their support, is their a difference??

Winnie:-)

oh dear

My sentiments exactly Win....Why people feel the need to make the Northern soul scene superior than most walks of life is beyond me...in everyday society....people who have very strong interest in activities...music...collecting etc....will always show their allegience in certain ways...and yes to most of the ultra mature out there...this may seem a tad strange....but to me...why should one hide what one really enjoys???....who the hell are ya trying to impress?...if people want to show their allegience in a mor obivious way...why are others so intent in ridiculing?? Live And Let Live...is my motto....Delxx

Cuckoo!!!

Went to a venue last weekend and saw a guy wearing a bowling shirt with half a dozen patches sewn on the front.

I'm not knocking anyone's right to wear what they want but it just made him look like a darts player.

Kev

Stay outta the black and in the red..if you wear soul patches your clinicaly dead!! ha ha

oh dear

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Obviously a person of few words............ thankfully

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Obviously a person of few words............ thankfully

oooohhhh me dolly!!!!

It's not what you wear it's how you wear it, one person could look fantastic wearing clobber with badges on & the person next to them could look a right t*t, same as the music people play an oldie can sound jaded in one person's set but the dj after him could make it sound fresh, wear what you like i say but make sure you get it right otherwise you'll be talked about on here!

Simon

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I don't particularly agree with what you're saying Mark, but do agree that they're all badges of a sort. Now, what about scooters, aren't they also making a statement? I'll just reiterate I personally have no problem with any of the above, just trying to find out why some things are acceptable, whilst others are considered 'naff'. If you asked an outsider what they thought of as 'naff', probably all the things you mention would be on their list, plus they might also place celebrating 40 year old music into the pot

We are kind of arguing the same corner.

Maybe not so much with scooters cos the people who ride them (i dont) get somthing more out of it than only image. Much the same as us with music.

While i agree that each to there own and vive le difference, i just think that grown ups wearing a youth culture uniform of any description is very very odd.

Im not also saying that we should fade to grey, but image is a very loud statement. One that the teenagers HAVE to use because their voices arent heard elsewhere. I view adults dressing as such, as people who still feel the need to have a visual identity cos they dont have a real one.

Yet they do, wives, children, morgages, work, tax,etc.

We have much bigger fish to fry. Let the teenagers keep one of the few voices they have, and maybe they will find their own Wigan Casino/Woodstock/Knebworth.

Punks not dead.

We are kind of arguing the same corner.

Maybe not so much with scooters cos the people who ride them (i dont) get somthing more out of it than only image. Much the same as us with music.

While i agree that each to there own and vive le difference, i just think that grown ups wearing a youth culture uniform of any description is very very odd.

Im not also saying that we should fade to grey, but image is a very loud statement. One that the teenagers HAVE to use because their voices arent heard elsewhere. I view adults dressing as such, as people who still feel the need to have a visual identity cos they dont have a real one.

Yet they do, wives, children, morgages, work, tax,etc.

We have much bigger fish to fry. Let the teenagers keep one of the few voices they have, and maybe they will find their own Wigan Casino/Woodstock/Knebworth.

Punks not dead.

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Don't think we're arguing either, we both agree that the things mentioned are types of badges. To be honest I never notice what people are wearing when I go out, cos I'm too busy dancing and enjoying myself. It certainly doesn't embarrass me to think of people dressing retro, as you say its free choice, I just see it as another way of people supporting the soul scene in the way they want to. I would guess most people are fully aware of their responsibilities re: family, job etc, just presume they want to escape those everyday pressures anyway they can, albeit only for a short time?

Winnie:-)

It's not what you wear it's how you wear it, one person could look fantastic wearing clobber with badges on & the person next to them could look a right t*t, same as the music people play an oldie can sound jaded in one person's set but the dj after him could make it sound fresh, wear what you like i say but make sure you get it right otherwise you'll be talked about on here!

Simon

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Disected more like.......

oooohhhh me dolly!!!!

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Has it fallen out of the pram again?

Stan likes his patches.

I'm no fan myself.

Patches or badges?

Cos I wear the metal pin badges on my dress jacket and I also have a KTF keyring!

Im not ashamed!!!

Mand :O)

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Don't think we're arguing either, we both agree that the things mentioned are types of badges. To be honest I never notice what people are wearing when I go out, cos I'm too busy dancing and enjoying myself. It certainly doesn't embarrass me to think of people dressing retro, as you say its free choice, I just see it as another way of people supporting the soul scene in the way they want to. I would guess most people are fully aware of their responsibilities re: family, job etc, just presume they want to escape those everyday pressures anyway they can, albeit only for a short time?

Winnie:-)

I have a funny memory of you up at Stoke at a prenew year's eve allnighter. (Dec 30th in the one just outside of town, the big country house)

One of my very best friends in London was dancing, and you asked Michelle Katzler what style of clothes she was wearing.

Michelle said "its OK Win, she's an artist"

I have a funny memory of you up at Stoke at a prenew year's eve allnighter. (Dec 30th in the one just outside of town, the big country house)

One of my very best friends in London was dancing, and you asked Michelle Katzler what style of clothes she was wearing.

Michelle said "its OK Win, she's an artist"

============

Think it was at Trentham Mikey. The girl in question was wearing a dress that was very eye catching. Because of my ignorance of the mod culture, I asked Michelle if she was a mod or representating that era? Think you're right Michelle said she was an artist and (this might not be right) that she'd designed and made the dress herself? I was curious because I liked the fact that she was such an individual, but that makes no difference to my overall view that people should wear what they like and feel comfortable in.

Naff. Go to a soul nite/niter, everybody there knows you like soul, or why else would you be there? So why bother?

As for people in the street, work, etc, "Look at me! I like soul! See, I wear a badge that says so!" who cares?

Myself and my husband wear patches on our clothes and most of our soulmates, to me it distinguishes the TRUE SOULIES!! From the loads of handbaggers you get at most venues now!!

Helen K.T.F

Personally I don't like them, just not my thing and I'm too young to have gone anywhere in the 70s/80s when they were given out but I couldn't care less if some people like to wear them. Personal choice, wear what you want, look how you want.....I couldn't care as I'm just interested in the music

Adam.

Spot on - i have one Cleethorpes patch on a t-shirt i wear occasionally, other than that i dont bother. I dont see why people have to conform to the 'look at me, i'm Normal Norman' look or the trad soul boy look, each to their own, at the end of the day it should be all about the music.

I have noticed that it is ONLY the Norman's who insist everything other than how they dress is somehow naff...? I still get the odd bit of stick for being a bit Moddy, i think lots of people look naff but it doesnt bother me and in fact never enters my head at a soul do - variety is the spice of life, live and let live!! etc etc etc etc......

Ste.

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Think it was at Trentham Mikey. The girl in question was wearing a dress that was very eye catching. Because of my ignorance of the mod culture, I asked Michelle if she was a mod or representating that era? Think you're right Michelle said she was an artist and (this might not be right) that she'd designed and made the dress herself? I was curious because I liked the fact that she was such an individual, but that makes no difference to my overall view that people should wear what they like and feel comfortable in.

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I see what you mean now, cos I said I never notice what people are wearing Was talking in general, as in people's dress sense is not the first thing I look out for when I go into a venue Think I was sitting at your table or very close, and as it was in the small room at Trentham couldn't fail to notice her.

Soz, should have re-read your post before I replied

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I see what you mean now, cos I said I never notice what people are wearing Was talking in general, as in people's dress sense is not the first thing I look out for when I go into a venue Think I was sitting at your table or very close, and as it was in the small room at Trentham couldn't fail to notice her.

Soz, should have re-read your post before I replied

I have for sale a limited edition " I Took Part in the Soul Source Patch Debate" patch, at £5 each. They come with either a needle and thread, or a black non transparent plastic cover that will keep it clean in your attic, depending on your view point. No offers.

A mixed reaction as expected.

At least with a patch/badge/pin it can be removed, but what about the guys and girls that went one step further and had the 'Northern Soul - Keep the faith' type message in a tattoo?

Being elitist was a big part of the attraction when you were a kid getting into this scene, and deep down its probably still important to most.

Ed

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I see what you mean now, cos I said I never notice what people are wearing Was talking in general, as in people's dress sense is not the first thing I look out for when I go into a venue Think I was sitting at your table or very close, and as it was in the small room at Trentham couldn't fail to notice her.

Soz, should have re-read your post before I replied

I wasnt pulling your chain Win. Just a funny memory.

Kav is a special girl, and its funny now years later I see lots of girls wearing stuff she was wearing about that time.

Same with a few of the girls on the London scene. There are more than a fair share of forward thinking fashionettas, but none seem to have the hand wringing us fells do about similar subjects.

Ah Winnie as usual we are as one on this debate. That said how sad is it having a debate on things like this rather than celebrating the music we all adore. For me, and this is only my opinion, its debates like this that are killing the scene, pointless and divisive. Who rally gives a f*** what people wear, I never did in the 'old days' (and god knows there were some very doddgy fashions around late 70/80s) so what does it matter now? Me I love patches and have no problem with them. If you dont then ignore them, its not important in the scheme of things! The internet is a great thing, sadly it also allows pointless drivel like this debate to be aired to a wider audience. Enjoy the music, that a the end of the day is what we are all into - isn't it??

The way I remember it, the badges were more about saying which venues you been to, or which part of the country you came from. That said, does it really matter that much. There are always people wearing things that we may think look daft. but it's there choice, bless em!

A mixed reaction as expected.

At least with a patch/badge/pin it can be removed, but what about the guys and girls that went one step further and had the 'Northern Soul - Keep the faith' type message in a tattoo?

Being elitist was a big part of the attraction when you were a kid getting into this scene, and deep down its probably still important to most.

Ed

I have a northern soul tattoo,but did,nt get it done when i was a kid!! Infact it was only last year and very proud of it!!

Helen

I am rather proud of the badges we had made for the greatstone and they are very in demand we had 300 made so they are a limited edition as for patches i dont think i could ever wear them in the 70's i had a lancashire rose badge on my blazer breast pocket but that was it. dont think i had any on my all nighter bag i tended to stick the patches on my record box.

i also had 3 other colours made of the greatstone badge but only 5 of each, now they are rare issues as opposed to the white demos

but everyone has their own choice to wear what they want, whatever they look like

the white badge can be seen as my avavtar

mark

Edited July 26, 200717 yr by mark.b

Mark,I have demo copies of the Plinston flyers - how much are they worth do you think???

..the white badge can be seen as my avavtar

mark

I have for sale a limited edition " I Took Part in the Soul Source Patch Debate" patch, at £5 each. They come with either a needle and thread, or a black non transparent plastic cover that will keep it clean in your attic, depending on your view point. No offers.

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Didn't you have an SSCDT t-shirt as well that you won on e-bay

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Didn't you have an SSCDT t-shirt as well that you won on e-bay

Jesus Win. Please don't mention that. Nothing but bad luck that brought me. I once broke a mirror, which fell off the wall, killing a black cat that had an albatross in its mouth, and that didn't cause me as much pain.

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Has it fallen out of the pram again?

No the stitchings come off

Myself and my husband wear patches on our clothes and most of our soulmates, to me it distinguishes the TRUE SOULIES!! From the loads of handbaggers you get at most venues now!!

Helen K.T.F

Isn't it strange, to some people you're a 'true soulie' if you wear patches etc, and to others you're a 'true soulie' if you don't.....?!

Isn't it strange, to some people you're a 'true soulie' if you wear patches etc, and to others you're a 'true soulie' if you don't.....?!

Yeah I think the "garb" had a certain charm back in the 70s and helped identify us from the "divvies" at school and in the youthclub. And yes BigO you certainly have worn some avante garde gear in your time looking at some of your photos..... (I know you'll get me back for that on Saturday so will be watching out for you "spiking" my beer with one of your "wine gums"

Nowadays I think "full traditional northern soul regalia" looks a bit sad really, more like "fancy dress" than anything else and somewhat absurd on a fifty something, which we all apparantly are (see Levine LP thread ). I am also of that mindset that scoffs at the "Teds"whenever I see them dressed up in pink drainpipes, quiffs, bootlace ties etc. and similarly ageing City Gents in "Ace of Clubs" Biker gear on a Saturday.....but we are all different.

Then again there's the Mod on my station with his Parka bedecked in badges of Wigan Casino, Stax Records, Torch etc. I got talking to him about music and it was clear he didn't know the first thing about it, hadn't even heard of Ray Pollard!

Fine if people want to dress up, but it's not for me.

A discreet "patch" worn under a Feragamo jacket is probably just about acceptable tho' if you must

Edited July 26, 200717 yr by Steve G

Steve, 'avant garde!!!', yes I may have had a few lapses in the fashion department over the years (although I still stand by my rubber shorts and silver sequin hotpants!) however I shall be found sobbing into my J2O at Soulgate bcause of your harsh comments - you BITCH! lol, see you Saturday

I rather think patches etc. are simply part of the memrobilia aspect of the scene as are old flyers, magazines etc. i still have one or two in a montage type picture frame affair which sits on the wall alongside framed autographs of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Bettye Lavette etc. etc. good to look at and part of our history, look a little silly now on a shirt but each to their own and all that.

Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I'm amazed at how many people in this thread seem to have a proper bee in their bonnet about somebody sewing a patch on their jacket, to the point of condescending...bless.

I don't think scooter lads look silly with their patches on, I think soul tattoos look fookin' great, I think young lads at soul do's dressing in pegs and the like look cool as and I think fella's who can still carry it off look fookin' great iwith their patches - all my opinion yes...but at least it was a positive one.

Come on you stuffy bunch a' baskets.

Edited July 26, 200717 yr by Barry

I'm amazed at how many people in this thread seem to have a proper bee in their bonnet about somebody sewing a patch on their jacket, to the point of condescending...bless.

I don't think scooter lads look silly with their patches on, I think soul tattoos look fookin' great, I think young lads at soul do's dressing in pegs and the like look cool as and I think fella's who can still carry it off look fookin' great iwith their patches - all my opinion yes...but at least it was a positive one.

Come on you stuffy bunch a' baskets.

I have to admit, its a bit more interesting than looking at a room full of the 'Sports / casual crowd - Alan Partridge anyone - lol!

Polyester trousers and a 'nice' jumper - we dont need to prove we love soul!

Ste.

Edited July 26, 200717 yr by Ste Brazil

Myself and my husband wear patches on our clothes and most of our soulmates, to me it distinguishes the TRUE SOULIES!! From the loads of handbaggers you get at most venues now!!

Helen K.T.F

Patches .....

..... I'm depending on you (son) .....

............to pull the family through ...

or summat

Myself and my husband wear patches on our clothes and most of our soulmates, to me it distinguishes the TRUE SOULIES!! From the loads of handbaggers you get at most venues now!!

Helen K.T.F

Got to disagree with you there you dont need soul badges or handbaggars to recognise whos who, when a underplayed quality oldie comes on you can tell whos who when most of the dance floor clears.Theres alot more tunes out there than motown & disco demand stuff!.

Got to disagree with you there you dont need soul badges or handbaggars to recognise whos who, when a underplayed quality oldie comes on you can tell whos who when most of the dance floor clears.Theres alot more tunes out there than motown & disco demand stuff!.

Steve, 'avant garde!!!', yes I may have had a few lapses in the fashion department over the years (although I still stand by my rubber shorts and silver sequin hotpants!) however I shall be found sobbing into my J2O at Soulgate bcause of your harsh comments - you BITCH! lol, see you Saturday

Be careful with that J20 m8 - it's full of sugar! Drink 4 bottles and I reckon you'd be half way to becoming a diabetic.

See you on Saturday Neil.

Got to disagree with you there you dont need soul badges or handbaggars to recognise whos who, when a underplayed quality oldie comes on you can tell whos who when most of the dance floor clears.Theres alot more tunes out there than motown & disco demand stuff!.

Yeah agree with ya!! But everyone to the own ay!!

back in 1970 when l was a boy l used to go the NAGS HEAD at WOLLASTON northants where they used to play soul and motown but it was not really a soul club just the place to go at that time. One night some lads from Manchester came down with their Barathea blazers with the Twisted Wheel embroidered on the pocket and baggy skinner jeans ,they were on thier way to BLETSOE allnighter how cool did they look to a 14 yr old ME. When l first walked into the TORCH the same year and saw these lads again in SKINNERS with T- SHIRTS with thier TORCH badges on it really just blew me away.... the music the whole shebang. However, almost 40 years on it just seems to me faintly ridiculous to see 50 year+ people still dressing as if they were teenagers .... l have been on this scene 38 yrs without a break... there is no one more passionate about it than me. But whenever l talk to anyone who has heard of the NORTHERN scene but is not on it, they always say to me what do you wear, can you do the northern dance. there is a general view of the soul scene being a bit of a joke because the wearing of these badges , baggy trousers ect makes it so. When l talk of serious soul venues its because they seem to be frequented by people who left this stuff behind in the 70,s but truly still love SOUL music , this is not an elitist view just what l see as sense.... you don't need a uniform to love the music

com'on the hammers

back in 1970 when l was a boy l used to go the NAGS HEAD at WOLLASTON northants where they used to play soul and motown but it was not really a soul club just the place to go at that time. One night some lads from Manchester came down with their Barathea blazers with the Twisted Wheel embroidered on the pocket and baggy skinner jeans ,they were on thier way to BLETSOE allnighter how cool did they look to a 14 yr old ME. When l first walked into the TORCH the same year and saw these lads again in SKINNERS with T- SHIRTS with thier TORCH badges on it really just blew me away.... the music the whole shebang. However, almost 40 years on it just seems to me faintly ridiculous to see 50 year+ people still dressing as if they were teenagers .... l have been on this scene 38 yrs without a break... there is no one more passionate about it than me. But whenever l talk to anyone who has heard of the NORTHERN scene but is not on it, they always say to me what do you wear, can you do the northern dance. there is a general view of the soul scene being a bit of a joke because the wearing of these badges , baggy trousers ect makes it so. When l talk of serious soul venues its because they seem to be frequented by people who left this stuff behind in the 70,s but truly still love SOUL music , this is not an elitist view just what l see as sense.... you don't need a uniform to love the musiccom'on the hammers

Fair dos....and to a certain extent ,...i do understand where you are coming from....Soul music is percieved by ordinary folk...as not being a serious music style anyway...they will never ever be able to feel that raw emotion in the way that folk like us do.....they will never ever be able to understand what makes one turn their noses up at ...say the local Time and Envy..Chicago circuit...in order to travel just a little bit further to hear music that lifts ya and be with folk ya really wanna be with rather then just endure because it is Saturday night out...let the general public have their warped view of soul music lovers...let us who enjoy rare soul...do it in which ever way we want too...whether it is stark b####ck naked ....dolled up in Pierre Cardin or sporting 50" baggies....so long as the Soul is inside ya.....shag the rest eh ....who cares what the great unwashed out there care...they usually get it bleeding wrong anyway... ...Delxxx

I do the scootering scene too and a few mates of mine collect patches badges etc but dont wear them on clothing but we know many that do, i personally dont buy any memorabilia from any scene but thats just me, personally i dont do it but i know others do and they do it for their own reasons, we all get out of it what we want and some like to show their alligence through this probably for them its something that means as much as the music friends etc, good luck to them and long may it continue as thats what makes this scene the diverse underground scene it is, modern, 60s, r&b, crossover etc etc, we all have our tastes but on the whole we all love the music first and formost.

Bearsy

Think back in the day patches on vests looked really cool remember my cousin and his mates who were a bit older than me having berets etc. with patches on...i still have my levi jacket from the seventies with a few on but cant bring myself to wear it any more , dont think it would fit anyway

avin said all that ...found a wigan first night badge in a draw the other day .....sold it on E-BAY for £295.00 so hey ho right on NORTHERN ......not soul though

Think back in the day patches on vests looked really cool remember my cousin and his mates who were a bit older than me having berets etc. with patches on...i still have my levi jacket from the seventies with a few on but cant bring myself to wear it any more , dont think it would fit anyway

why not just about up your street

my bird has a jean jacket with some badges on it ...but l burnt it

should'nt have really they were only brownie badges... sam e as jemcos

back in 1970 when l was a boy l used to go the NAGS HEAD at WOLLASTON northants where they used to play soul and motown but it was not really a soul club just the place to go at that time. One night some lads from Manchester came down with their Barathea blazers with the Twisted Wheel embroidered on the pocket and baggy skinner jeans ,they were on thier way to BLETSOE allnighter how cool did they look to a 14 yr old ME. When l first walked into the TORCH the same year and saw these lads again in SKINNERS with T- SHIRTS with thier TORCH badges on it really just blew me away.... the music the whole shebang. However, almost 40 years on it just seems to me faintly ridiculous to see 50 year+ people still dressing as if they were teenagers .... l have been on this scene 38 yrs without a break... there is no one more passionate about it than me. But whenever l talk to anyone who has heard of the NORTHERN scene but is not on it, they always say to me what do you wear, can you do the northern dance. there is a general view of the soul scene being a bit of a joke because the wearing of these badges , baggy trousers ect makes it so. When l talk of serious soul venues its because they seem to be frequented by people who left this stuff behind in the 70,s but truly still love SOUL music , this is not an elitist view just what l see as sense.... you don't need a uniform to love the music

com'on the hammers

Can see what you are saying too, & i would no more wear the gear than fly to the moon. But what you are in effect doing is letting the general public turn you against these badge & baggie wearers when you still have a lot more in common (i.e the love of the music) with them than the general public you are trying to appear normal to.

We are wasting our time trying to appear normal to the general public anyhow ! God, even if i happen to mention the words "the scene" to my "normal" friends they p**s themselves laughing !

why not just about up your street

nice to see you back to your old self terry

should'nt have really they were only brownie badges... sam e as jemcos

come on now mate please...girls brigade get it right