“I Feel Good” A summer appearance at the Reading Festival, had gone down a blast, turning the most sceptical of journalists and awarding them the honour of 'the years best new band'. Welsh drummer Travis joined the band for the festival, having played with Shane McGowen in the Nips and the Smart. A tour supporting Big Country coincided with the release of their third single Django’s Coming. It had been produced by Steve Churchyard, with the b side credited to Steve Alu (Pinky). Billy Jenkins played guest guitar, and Mel Collins (of Dark Side of the Moon fame) played saxophone. A celebrity following was amassing, with Billy Conolly seen demanding a t-shirt at the Hammersmith Odeon concert supporting Big Country, and when they gave him a Big Country garment, he made a scene, saying ‘no, the support band!’ One of the crew gave up their own t-shirt to accommodate the fiery Scottish comedian. Noddy Holder was seen at the Marquee Club in London, and I myself saw the wonderful Mr Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze at the Saxon Tavern in South London. Ian Button of Thrashing Doves and Death In Vegas turned up to a Woolwich gig, and said that once Rokko came into their (Thrashing Doves) dressing room and wowed them. I chatted with Mensi from the Angelic Upstarts at one Marquee gig, plus I'm sure I saw Lemmy at the Marquee! Yes I did, Travis just confirmed that! The band were trying new ideas for the live shows. Rokko had a Dobro guitar which he would swing, to the flashing of a strobe light. They encouraged his much loved spaniel Joby to run across the stage simulating a circus atmosphere. Tracee McVeigh Rokko’s girlfriend dressed up in full ‘nun’ regalia, and joined the boys with backing vocals. 1984 saw the release of the debut album, Nearly a Sin, and the single Are You the One? Bob Nanook (Craig Plummer), joined as drummer for a bit, going over to Oslo supporting Marc Almond with them, which is coincidentally where Lin met his now ex-wife. An English tour followed by a French tour (where Mick Rossi of Slaughter & The Dogs joined them for a bit), and then at the end of 1984 another single not appearing on either album, It Hurts, produced by John Porter, featuring backing vocals by Tracee McVeigh, piano Johnny Mason, saxophone, Ian Trimmer and Mel Collins. More line-up changes came with Steve Bray otherwise known as Tootsie (for his girly looks apparently!) on drums, then we had Momo Sex on guitar, and Nigel 'Charlie' Mead on bass, and of course the legendary Mick Ronson joined the camp.
1985 brought
the release of the second album Some Strange Fashion, produced
by Mick Ronson. Mick took over most of the playing himself,
but Lin did play guitar on two tracks, Everyday and Mr Muscle,
as did Craig Plummer play drums also on the said tracks. Some
touring ensued, but unfortunately after the November tour,
they were to be no more. There was rumoured to be some trouble
with RCA over the release of the second album and no promotion,
and then not a peek. The end of an era … |
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“Beat
a Retreat ”