ImberBoy

The Scooter Runs are not every ones cup of tea, I did see Ady Crowsnest last year at Mersea Island having a good time, I wonder just how many of us cross over from scene to scene? Here is a revue I did a few years ago on one of the very best scooter runs...... Holiday In Holland Scooter Rally RALLY 2002 Holiday in Holland By Simon Cuerden One of the factors that made this run stand out amongst the many others was the innovative use of the Internet giving information to most Scooterists. Granted you had to have Internet access, but most people have, or at least they know some one who has. What the website did was to provide a cross roads were all Scooterist could get all the information required from the run organisers. The site was simple to find, appearing on most search engines and linked from most of the larger club sites. Easy to navigate, the site gave a chronological history of the run with just the right amount of pictures and text to stop you wandering off. In fact the site was worth a visit whether you intended to do the run or no! The messageboard/guestbook became a compulsory read were clubs and individuals had an opportunity to inform and be informed about who would be travelling and when, best routes, ferry timings and the like. Pepper potted through out the guestbook was some "Spoof" postings that had you in stitches and made you return to read time and time again. The origins of this run are well documented, and once again The Speed Demons and The Hidden Power Scooter Clubs excelled themselves in providing all the usual Scootering activates. On Friday morning most Scooterist no doubt looked up towards the heavens as the grey cloud clusters promised a wet and gloomy weekend. Little did any one know that the ensuing weekend would see a spectacular heat wave that would make Holiday in Holland a winner right from the start. So it was on a brilliantly hot sunny Friday afternoon in Borculo that I stood and watched as the scooters arrived. I'm not too sure on the exact numbers but Borgo of the Hidden Power SC estimated 800 British Scooterist! To compliment this, Scooterist from France, Belgium, Holland and Germany were all arriving in droves. There were the usual people who came by car but these were ushered into their separate camping area as planned. Friday evening was hot and this just added to the "Holiday" attitude, there were no muscles being flexed and no club stand off's just a load of people soaking up the atmosphere the way Scooterist do. Entertainment for the evening was just right with three music rooms inside with three massive bars that served quickly an excellent cold beer at affordable prices. I think here is one of the many things we will take for granted but seriously there were no massive queues and the beer was ice cold strong lager! The main room was were the Fashion and Soul police had well and truly taken the night off! Leaving hot and sweaty Scooterist to party hard to some brilliant music with absolutely no boundaries! Yes it was a "Kylie" free zone, but apart from that any thing else went with the dance floor determining what was to be played. The disc jockey must have had his ego removed as he belted out tune after tune to an eager dance floor. A smaller downstairs room played some well serious dance sets and booming reggae blasts that on it's own would have seen many UK dance freaks travelling a long way for! Just when you think it can't get any better you discover the "6T's" room! Here was Eberhart of The Harlekin Scooter Club of Guttersloh giving it large with his rather expensive record collection. I had a flick through his record box and I know there were some black plastic discs that have silly price tags, all would make any UK Soul collector drool! But it wasn't just the same old same old! Don't ask me how? But this room managed to fuse Northernsoul, RnB and Hammond Organ Sounds. I recon the London Scene boys should swing their hipsters over here and see how it's done! Outside, a warm hot summers night saw the party continue as two large bars and the food stall catered for those who just wanted to chill, smoke and enjoy each other's company. I stood back for a moment and had to blink my eyes, it looked like a scene from "The Warriors" meets "The World Cup". Trying to do justice to the atmosphere of camaraderie and sheer celebration is impossible. It was only Friday night and the night was going to last. Trying to sleep late on Saturday morning was difficult to say the least; the sun by 8 O'clock was blazing and turned every tent into a greenhouse. Getting a shower was an experience to say the least but every one was well and truly warned of the cold and small facility thanks to the web site, so no teddies were thrown in the corner. After a shower, and due to the heat a cold one was a blessing in disguise, we opted to bin breakfast and ride into Borculo. Borculo saw hundreds of Scooterist invade their quiet market town and reacted with a known response. They just went about their normal daily life, there were no staring, finger pointing or policemen to be seen, which was well cool. Food was good hot cheep and simple, consisting of the usual continental fare but you could also get "toasties" and bacon and egg! Most of Saturday was spent between the Beer n Banana race, the custom show, dyno testing, mini parts fair, beer drinking, ride out, swimming, smoking, and chilling. Harry Barlow of Pro Porting fame was to be seen tweaking many of the Scooterist bikes to squeeze that little bit more on the Scooter Attack rolling road if you couldn't find some thing that flicked your switch on Saturday you had most likely come by car. The weather was hot the pace was slow and relaxed. At about 7 O'clock a few of us decided to head into Borculo for a Chinese meal. Back on the site one of the Salford Knights SC lads was celebrating his 40th birthday and I heard that a lady had come onto the site and took all her cloths of whilst dancing, and I bet she didn't even have a scooter! Saturday night saw a "Who" tribute band, I missed the band I'm afraid I was very very drunk at the time, the band played to a small, but appreciative audience. This small audience only re affirms the quality of the weekend, with so many excellent activities and the weather being so hot most opted to just chill out side. Later that evening the three rooms cranked it up again poring out some rare groove cuts, soul, disco, funk, dance, washing machine and tumble dryer, the sheer diversity and top sounds left you standing like a spoilt kid in a sweet shop. I spent the night wandering from room to room trying to soak up as much of the classy vibe as humanly possible. But as all good things must come to an end, it was soon Sunday morning. Instead of sadness there was a feeling of contentment as we said our good byes. The Edinburgh and Glasgow boys were left scratching their heads as to the whereabouts of one of their club members who mysteriously disappeared that night? One lad had his front rack stolen and some prick had to be ejected for hassling one of the bar staff, but he had come on a motorcycle so no one really minded. I did hear of one Scooterist loosing a sock, but I'm sure that will be found. All in all a brilliant run, well organised, well attended and certainly one to look forward to next year. There are many many fantastic Scooter Runs, but there is only one "Holiday in Holland" See you all next year, Simon Cuerden President The Armed Forces Scooter Club

My first ever taste of Northernsoul by Simon Cuerden AKA Imberboy aged 45 and one half. The year was 1978 and I was a 15 year old school boy very much into looking at girls, especially Angela Truscott who didn't even fookin know I existed but I loved her with a ache in my heart so bad I thought that I would die each time she walked towards my down the corridors of Beverley Longcroft, I later dated her when we where in our mid twenties but that's another story as this one is supposed to be about Northernsoul......... 1978 was a strange confusing year for me, hormones going tits up and the music charts wrestling with uneasiness. Fashion was even stranger and no one seamed to be "cool", I remember watching some thing or other on TOTPs and my dad remarking "What the fookin ells that shite?" and I actually agreed with him! There where two apex groups of young men in Beverley. One group where the denim wearing "greasers" who's musical taste began and ended at Status fookin Quo then there where the ultra cool and hard as fook Beverley Mods Scooter Club. I would love to see them meet on a Sunday morning with all of their swagger and confidence and ride off on their Lambrettas (there where only two Vespa, s in Beverley at that time) they had every thing, the girls, the money and I desperately wanted in!!! Too young to ride scooters, three of us would catch the train to Bridlington where we would rub shoulders with The Beverley Mods and pretend that we where part of "The In Crowd" There where no suits, every one wore parkas some wore doc martins some wore Loafers, they all wore flared bags as per the fashion of the day. Quadrophenia was being talked about and people where considering going South to be part of the filming. Not me, that was big boys stuff, I had school to worry about and a mum and dad who needed lying to. Saturday night during Bridlington's scooter Run was spent at Churchill's Night Club where I heard my first ever Northernsoul and more importantly (argue that with the train spotters on list) I saw them dance!! I won't lie and say I was hooked, I was impressed, 1978 was just at both the height of disco and the death of disco.... If that makes sense? Never the less all of the local Disco Ducks had a master class in dancing. My next flurry, also on the train in 1978 was Scarborough, 1978 Scarborough was the last ever "Northern Mod" gathering as in 1979 the Mod Revival hit every one like a train and the fashions and attitudes would never be the same. I could wax on for ever about the change that happened from the summer of 78 to the summer of 79, I was there riding the wave and enjoying every brilliant second and as sad as this may sound.... It defined who I am today. But back to northernsoul...... Scarborough 1978 Ruddies Allnighter, not the biggest place in the world, up stairs above a shop? My memories are a little sketchy but I do remember the Mighty Bubb spinning the discs and the record of the moment was I think Judy Street what? I am now sat here behind my key board trying to remember that crazy weekend. My love affair with Scooters and Northernsoul has lasted longer than any other and I am proud to be The president of the Armed Forces Scooter Club. I am having as much fun now as I ever did when I was young. Love Is A Serious Business

Always see the Scottish lads on the runs; a lot of The Armed Forces Scooter club guys enjoy duel club membership with their local scooter clubs and ours. I am going to Kelso this year, fantastic run and yes there is a deep vein of soul running through the Scottish Scooterists.

Yup, I stand corrected

No, not quite correct. The term Scooter Boy was never purposefully used to show distance from Mods until after the Mod revival died. Seventies Scooter Clubs where never aware of the divide because there wasn't a divide, there where never hoards of suit wearing Mods in any great numbers north or south of the Watford Gap and established clubs like The Beverley Mods Scooter Club, The Stockport Mod Squad, The Modropheniacs and The Chorley Mods all called them selves Mods because the term "Mod" had not become a dirty word as it did in the mid and late eighties. The Seventies era was pre mobile phone and pre internet so you had little to no idea what was happening over the county borders, and Scarborough was the meeting place for Seventies Mods and it was only here that you would get the odd fanzine like Martin Dickson's "Scooter Scene" later to evolve into Scootering International after its time in the wilderness. Seventies Northern Mods did not wear drain pipe trousers and Fred Perry's they wore the cloths of the day and did not look too far away from those who those who frequented Wigan.

'If I Could Only Be Sure' Nolan Porter

Willie Hutch & The Phonetics Just A Boys Dream this floats my boat, I love the plonking key board adding to the bass and the sheer complexity of this little track it twists and turns like a musical salmon leaping for joy! Love it.

MODS "V" SCOOTERISTS SOUL Saviours The British "Mod Scene" isn't as huge as it once was but it is certainly as deeply complex and multi-tiered as any youth sub culture with music as diverse as the Who, Ska, Britpop, to name but a few. When the dust from the 1979 Mod revival settled there was a cringe of embarrassment as thousands of lambretta and Vespa riding youths saw their association with "Mod" as shallow and contrived. This spawned the monster offspring we now know as "Scooter Boys" that later became "Scooterists". Now this phenomenon is well documented but what may not be as well known is how much the "Mods" and "Scooterists" supported the northernsoul Scene during the lean years adding their own flavour and stamp of approval to some of the sounds we have on the Northernsoul Scene now. I am convinced that the "Mod" influence at the 100 Club saved the Northernsoul Scene, strong words but I truly believe that their patronage and passion for the music carried a wounded dove abandoned by most on this list for many a year nursing life until the born again Soulies saw their youngest off to uni. At the same time, and running parallel there where the National Scooter Runs, where large numbers of mid to late twenty some things where meeting to party and enjoy their passion for all things Scootering (former mods). The Run DJ's where not bound by any pre conceived boundaries and played good and not so good music to an audience eager to revel in their own scene. High on the menu but not necessarily "Dish of the day" was, and still is, "Northernsoul". Now we are not talking about the latest Northernsoul floor clearers found hidden behind a toilet in a burger bar in Detroit, you will find the Snake, and you will find Frank Wilson being played. I don't think there where any discoveries? I do know there where sounds played that helped prop up the northernsoul Scene, can you name any? Here are a few. Mel Britt - She'll Come Running Back Vibrations - Cause You're Mine Drifters - You Got to Pay Your Dues Marie Knight - That's No Way to Treat a Girl Dean Parrish - Determination Doris Troy - I'll Do Anything Nolan Porter - Keep On Keeping On Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

i wish i'd said that, brilliantttttttttttttttt

Rich spot on about Quadrophenia, I think it's about time I watched it again deffo my fave film of all time. I think Quadrophenia is the yard stick in which to measure all other films that are genre based. The production was superb, the music score outstanding and we where lucky to see a group of extremely talented young actors and actresses breaking into film, the best of British springs to mind. And before Jocko ruins my Rhododendron's again, the three minutes presented for the Young Birds trailer doesn't bode particularly well? I may be wrong but the acting hasn't fired any of my rockets, I'll make a deal with you. If any Oscars are won for this film I will personally take you to Oscar night.

Rich thanks for the smile, I was beginning to give up Your mate Jocko was quick to jump to your aid, not sure you needed it but an honorable thing to do any way. Don't ever take anything I write on here as red coz I am a bit of a "divvy" me sen and make most stuff up, a bit like the record collectors and dealers on here. As far as criticizing the film from a three minute clip, well what can I say? Shouldn't do it, but I do and that's how it works rightly or wrongly. Jocko I know you are in my garden watching me, I have seen the Rhododendron's moving and two bottles of milk have disappeared. And as far as one of my family members thinking I was funny well it was your mum who I used to make giggle.

Just found this old picture of me on set at "American Mod" Thought I'd add this to authenticate my previous post.

Rich I have had the film for three months now, it is shat! How do I know this you may ask? I lived in Pasadena for seven years and spent a lot of time in LA working as a film critic winning the, modest, but acclaimed platinum vase, a trophy presented to the most promising film critic of the year. Not an international accolade but massive in Pasadena and LA. During my time in the states I was approached by Kolton Lee who wanted me to show a young group of actors how to ride scooters for a film called American Mod released in 2002. I spent 18 months in New York on the film set doing the same job I did for Franc Roddam in 1979 for Quadrophenia where I gave technical advise and embaressingly did a bit part as a Rocker (see photo below) your last comment about getting of your butt and making a film, well did you ever see "Blue water white death"? I shot most of this on hand held 8mm with Rod and Val Taylor.

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Typical shat that the ice berg tippers see when they take a small peek at one the British youth cultures making a complete bollox of it all and not really seeing or understanding the complexities of some thing near and dear to a lot of people! I hate the fact that some fookin sophistoe can stumble down the stairs of the 100 club then either cash in or become a spokesman expert missing the point and making genuine people look like pantomime figures. Imberboy gives this a "D" for fookin Divvy!! The real Mods on here must cringe when this happens and the plastics should hang their heads in shame!

LOL Luv it!!!

Just do what your conscience tells you then the next morning while shaving ask your self this question, "Am I a knob or would me old mum be proud of me?" I took the easy route and grew a fookin beard.

Dave Rimmer, I'm trying to get hold of you mate reference the "Flanny" interview. My Mobile number is 07877333236 and my land line 0114 2838923 or e-mail afsc50@hotmail.com Ring me or I'm sending the Lady Boys round! SOUL CONTENT...... Titles connected to the weather........ I'll start.... "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

Dave give me a bell please, ref Flanny's interview My Mobile number is 07877333236 I need your e-mail addy to send you it

I think its great to see young people at Nighters but they are very thin on the ground and not in the numbers needed to carry the scene on when we old crusties go. So is there a future for the Northernsoul Scene? No. The music will stay and we may have the odd revival like the Mods did. The trick is to enjoy it as much as you can for as long as you can.

I was at the Casino with Steven Hawkin when he dived over the balcony.

Going through my mind at this moment, the look on her face as she enters the room. The look on her face when I tell here where through. Curtis

New Year Soul Honours 2008 My first New Year Honours 2008 nomination goes to Middleton Civic Hall Allnighter Fifteen months ago I arrived back in England after spending the last eleven years serving in Germany with The British Army. The year I left Maxine Brown played at Cleethorpes 6Ts Northernsoul Weekender, the year after the TV cameras visited, and just as the British northernsoul scene went "Twang!" The Sound of Prestwich, the Manchester Ritz, Brighouse, Keele, The Canclow Club, Ponds Forge, Doncaster Dome, the 100 club and a fantastic summer of Northernsoul with a genuine surge happening that was both exciting and gave a real shot in the arm to our beloved scene. It was with a tinge of sadness that I left my friends but I was greeted with open arms in Germany and The German northernsoul Scene was a "cozy" little scene with a small but dedicated bunch of Soulies who due to geography were always destined to play "catch up" in the music stakes. I immersed my self into the German Scooter Scene and enjoyed the rough and ready of their vibrant passion. The only down side being that the music was always a little shallow. Before I could say "Bratwurst", I was at the end of my 22 year contract with the Army and it was time to hand in my uniform and say good bye to my adopted home. Imberboy returns to England. I was so pleased and eager to get back to some quality Northern, I had tried my utmost to keep abreast of things via the tinternet but to be perfectly honest I was a little skeptical due to the increase in "CD Cover experts" and "MP3 DJ's", but I was returning to South Yorkshire where I knew there was a good Soul Scene. My first venture out was to our local soul nights at Drax and Eggborough, friendly bunch of drinkers listening and dancing to the classics, I had a great time and caught up with many old friends but to be brutally honest I felt a little empty. I did the usual bit of doing Blackpool, Stoke, and keele and for the next eighteen months I found my self searching for the vibe only to be disappointed at nearly every venue I attended. Now before you all start lighting torches and head off towards Castle Imber, I would like to say for the record that I am not intending to slate any ones efforts at promoting a venue neither am I slating the punters. I am just sick to my back teeth of hearing the same play box and absolutely fookin threaders with up themselves DJ's playing to empty dance floors just because they have a record no one has ever heard of, we can all do that young fellow me lad but the trick is to find unheards that are quality! Good trick if you can do it but it doesn't happen very often. Just as I was about to give up on the northernsoul scene I bumped into Robbo who told me of a place he was DJing at and that it was a superb "progressive" venue. So it was off to the Middleton All Nighter. As soon as I walked into the place the first thing that hits you is the friendliness, the foyer is chocker block with people just mingling and saying hello, hands shaking and a real sense of belonging I stood back for a moment then realized that here was a collection of the apex nighter goers of the UK. This was the real deal. Memories of my past flooded my distorted brain cells, this was the northernsoul scene. Not some pastiche or clich ideal concentrated from fat bolding ex Wigan DJ's with dodgey hair cuts writing for the latest CD cover, this was the honest to goodness, warts and all secret night time people who propped up the scene back in the lean years. Now what had bought all these soul predators together to this particular venue? I was mesmerized and impresses and I hadn't got further than the foyer! Finding my seat and hastily changing into my "Dancing Shorts" complete with sandals, (all the rage in Imber), I watched and listened to an old friend of mine debut at the Middleton All Nighter, Sean Chapman nervously played to an eager and very appreciative crowd. From that point on I was on the dance floor dancing and listening to the very best danceable Northernsoul I have heard in many years. To be perfectly honest with you I was so impressed with this venue, the dances and the DJ's that I nearly didn't write this as I want it to remain a hidden gem and Divvy free! My next New Year Honours 2008 nomination goes to BIDDS Rare Soul Allnighter and again this venue for me was like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy over filled British rail waiting room. As with Middleton All Nighter Bidds had coaxed the "faces" of the scene out into the night. But the place was not about posing or pretending, the place was about music and music is what you got. Not the same old tried and tested Vesta curry of Northernsoul nor was it the flip side of "Northernsoul Floor clearers volume 18". What I got from BIDDS Rare Soul Allnighter was a celebration of rare soul that re charged my flagging soul batteries. Rodger Banks and Dave Rimmer did themselves proud and deserve a real thumbs up from the northernsoul scene for just being stalwarts and defenders of good music. For my special pat on the back and "thanks mate" I want to big up Flanny who completely dazzled me and gave the dance floor a real surge. I think the DJ's did fantastic and the promoter and organizer can feel justifiably proud for what you have created. I absolutely loved the "Latin" set and I was blown away with the two "Disco" trax played, was one by Magenta? I didn't quite catch the name but the tune has got into my DNA, thank you to every one who took risks and please keep up the good work. BIDDS Rare Soul Allnighter and Middleton Civic Hall Allnighter are my two nominations for New Year Honours 2008.... What's yours and why? See ya all on Saturday at Middleton, yours Imberboy AKA Simon Cuerden

Ignore all that stuff about Tina? Bollox, the man was a knob sack and any one thinks its ok to systematically beat a woman is a dog turd! Fook his music and fook him.