Ian Lowery ex of The Wall and Ski Patrol. First single by the Folk Devils released on Ganges Records named after Ray Gange (Clash hanger-on in the film Rude Boy, and who sold me a rather sweet sweatshirt once!). Ian Lowery was a tormented artist that lived life on the edge and then unfortunately fell off it in the mid 1990’s. I had the pleasure of working with Ian at Southern in the early 1990’s and he was very sweet.
The first side of this record is an unflattering tale of overdosing on brown, no doubt Ian is / was Hank in the song…a great shame to have lost him, but the records are still here .
Nic
January 11, 2008 at 12:52 pmAh, great, great, GREAT!!!
Fantastic chorus on ‘Hank Turns Blue’…
I only managed to see them live once (at a free concert at Warwick University in Coventry – where they piledrived it!), and have fond memories of their Peel session (which featured the song ‘Big Car’)…
Reminds me of the resurgence in all things Rockabilly/Rock ‘n’ Roll in the early to mid 1980’s that seemed to happen all over the country (and particularly London with the Psychobilly and Garage explosion)…
Steve
January 11, 2008 at 10:09 pm“Ian Lowery was a tormented artist that lived life on the edge and then unfortunately fell off it in the mid 1990’s”.
I dont wish to sound morbid but I don’t suppose you could flesh this out a bit? I totally lost track of Ian Lowery after the Folk Devils.
Penguin • Post Author •
January 12, 2008 at 3:01 pmHe passed on Steve…
David Lowery
February 26, 2008 at 12:38 pmYou can view videos on Ian(After Folk Devils) on Yahoo!Music-“Uptight” by King Blank and “Need” by The Ian Lowery Group.More info. on http://www.ianlowery.com
Neil Thompson
June 12, 2008 at 12:46 amWe used to gig with Ian’s first band – The Prefabs, and his third band – Ski Patrol. He died in 2001. He got better as he got older. The Folk Devils gigs were great (Pindar of Wakefield, George Robey etc.) Saw The Ian Lowery Group at the Town and Country supporting the Godfathers and to watch him on a big stage was quite a revelation – he was a brilliant mover and performer. Sadly missed.
Shandy Ryan
June 27, 2008 at 5:39 pmI followed the Folk Devils,watched them maybe a dozen times.They were always a powerful act, their music both intelligent and intoxicating in its malevolence. Lowery was a compelling frontman, always wired, edgy and full of rage. I more or less lost contact with Lowery after the Devils, however, a couple of years ago, I was strolling through Kensel Green cemetery in Kilburn and came across his grave. He died at the relatively young age of 45. Can anybody give me, the cause of his death.
pete keeley
April 6, 2009 at 2:22 amwhat a song.. have fond memories of Ian.. knew him from my days at Rough Trade hanging with Nick and Saul
pete keeley
April 6, 2009 at 2:24 amgoodbye Hank deadwood
Penguin • Post Author •
April 6, 2009 at 5:57 pmHi Pete, hope you are well. You are mentioned on this thread here: https://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=682
You lost anymore phones at all? Give me a call on the 4807 number if you get a minute this week. It would be nice to see you. Ta ta,
Jax says Hi and gives you a digital hug.
The Chris With a C........
May 6, 2009 at 6:29 pmNic : The Warwick University gig was way back , 6th October 1984 to be precise.Support was by the Harrisons.
Does that make you feel old now ?? !!
Neil : The Town and Country gig was about November 1989, don’t have the exact date to hand.
Nic
May 7, 2009 at 9:01 amHaha – yes, it does make me feel old Chris!
I was 16 then: I’d picked up a copy of ‘New Way’ by The Wall back when I was 11 and loved the Ski Patrol records, so the Folk Devils were very welcome…
Alan cole
November 19, 2009 at 6:56 pmI was drums ski patrol & folk devils so sorry to hear ian gone just found out i sad wish id stayed in touch
No Class
February 15, 2010 at 9:29 pmOur Ski Patrol interview is on the attached link
http://www.noclass.co.uk/skinterview.html