Radio 4: The Archive Hour: Mods

[Geoff]

For those like me who are housebound at the moment on Saturday (9 Feb) at 8 pm on Radio 4's Archive Hour series is a programme entitled Mods!

To quote the Radio Times (a publication I once worked on): "The history of the mods from the modern jazz-loving Soho underground of the late 50s to the seafront clashes with rockers in the early 60s, mods meant stylish tailoring Italian, motor scooters and American R&B. By 1966, bands such as the Who and designers such as Mary Quant had brought mod chic to the world. But disgusted by its commercialisation, the original movement drifted away."

In his music page of the RT, Stuart Maconie discusses Mods. However whoever picked the Best Mod Moments got it wrong imo:

The Who - My Generation

The Small Faces - All Or Nothing

Harry J's All Stars - Liquidator

Secret Affair - Time For Action

Squire - Walking Down King's Road

I can't comment on the last 2, don't know them, presumably from the Mod revival of the late 70s / early 80s; but the Liquidator is a skinhead favourite, after Mod had basically been replaced.

Nothing wrong with the My Generation or All Or Nothing, but they are pop records, pure and simple, despite any attempt to hang a Mod label. The Who were going on about pop art before My Generation was issued, and the Small Faces were an even more manufactured group than the Who.

Not having a go at them, saw the Who loads of times at the Marquee, but wouldn't pick those records when discussing the Mod phenomenon.

For records for Mod's Best Moments personally look at Randy Cozens' top 100, discussed here some time ago.

However, judgement must be suspended until the programme is aired. I've heard some of the Archive Hour programmes and they've been good, if biased on occasion. I did my nut when I heard Andrew Neill discussing the Wapping print dispute with no one to disagree with his almost slanderous comments. But I suppose any contentious issue will raise the blood pressure of anyone remotely involved.

Maybe I will write my book after all, lol.

[Guest]

For those like me who are housebound at the moment on Saturday (9 Feb) at 8 pm on Radio 4's Archive Hour series is a programme entitled Mods!

To quote the Radio Times (a publication I once worked on): "The history of the mods from the modern jazz-loving Soho underground of the late 50s to the seafront clashes with rockers in the early 60s, mods meant stylish tailoring Italian, motor scooters and American R&B. By 1966, bands such as the Who and designers such as Mary Quant had brought mod chic to the world. But disgusted by its commercialisation, the original movement drifted away."

In his music page of the RT, Stuart Maconie discusses Mods. However whoever picked the Best Mod Moments got it wrong imo:

The Who - My Generation

The Small Faces - All Or Nothing

Harry J's All Stars - Liquidator

Secret Affair - Time For Action

Squire - Walking Down King's Road

I can't comment on the last 2, don't know them, presumably from the Mod revival of the late 70s / early 80s; but the Liquidator is a skinhead favourite, after Mod had basically been replaced.

Nothing wrong with the My Generation or All Or Nothing, but they are pop records, pure and simple, despite any attempt to hang a Mod label. The Who were going on about pop art before My Generation was issued, and the Small Faces were an even more manufactured group than the Who.

Not having a go at them, saw the Who loads of times at the Marquee, but wouldn't pick those records when discussing the Mod phenomenon.

For records for Mod's Best Moments personally look at Randy Cozens' top 100, discussed here some time ago.

However, judgement must be suspended until the programme is aired. I've heard some of the Archive Hour programmes and they've been good, if biased on occasion. I did my nut when I heard Andrew Neill discussing the Wapping print dispute with no one to disagree with his almost slanderous comments. But I suppose any contentious issue will raise the blood pressure of anyone remotely involved.

Maybe I will write my book after all, lol.

I wouldn't worry about it. Mods have always been mis - represented by the press, and of course themselves

The sussed ones will always know the score, and yes you should write a bit if you were involved in the early 60s scene.

Mod is so hard to pin down, 60s Club stuff through to the 90s and the Jazz Scene and beyond.................60s Beat...60s Soul ..60s Ska...... 60s Clothes.... 60s Scooters

I would not even try or start to try to define the MOD scene!

I just love my interpretation of it

Edited February 8, 2008 by mossy

[Guest Brian Ellis]

In his music page of the RT, Stuart Maconie discusses Mods. However whoever picked the Best Mod Moments got it wrong imo:

Stuart Maconie, the font of all knowledge on all things 'northern soul'..... and now all things 'mod'.

My God, this guy has certainly been around!

Brian

Edited February 8, 2008 by Brian Ellis

[Stubbsy]

I did my nut when I heard Andrew Neill discussing the Wapping print dispute with no one to disagree with his almost slanderous comments.

Makes a change for you then

[Guest]

Stuart Maconie, the font of all knowledge on all things 'northern soul'..... and now all things 'mod'.

My God, this guy has certainly been around!

Brian

There is always a silver lining .......

The frontman for the programme could have been that figurehead of all knowledge , Dutch Elms ........

Malc Burton

Edited February 8, 2008 by Malc Burton

[Guest Brian Ellis]

There is always a silver lining .......

The frontman for the programme could have been that figurehead of all knowledge , Dutch Elms ........

Malc Burton

[martynthejazz]

Hi, dont bother with doing a book mate, as , THE SHARPER WORD ( MOD ANTHOLOGY) _ PAOLO HEWITT , Is already a book floating around, uk. £9.99 on HELTER SKELTER BOOKS. Got mine in one of these works type shops, for half that, cheers