Still buzzing (vibe-wise not chemicals) from the weekend’s Subway Sect performance round the back of The Plough pub in Walthamstow, London E17. I was inspired, by Vic Goddard’s incredibly pleasant demeanour on the night, to chuck these gems up from 1978, the only two singles released in the lifetime of this band from 1976 to 1978.
Subway Sect were early Sex Pistol’s followers and performed with that band, and The Clash, on many occasions, the gig at The Roundhouse (above), and the 100 Club Punk Weekend Festival, would have had Penguin giving over several shiny pennies to attend those two gigs, alas I was too young, but I will soak up any memories via the comments if you were at those gigs. Tony Puppy? Michelle Brigandage?
The first single was released on Bernie Rhodes record label, Braik. Strangely the sleeve has the word Tottenham on it, which is a place close to my heart (and close to my abode as it goes). Not quite sure of the relevance of that, anyway…
The second single on the Rough Trade imprint is the pick of the bunch, unfortunately Bernie Rhodes, the manager sacked the whole band while the sessions for the LP (and these tracks for the single) were being recorded. Bad move…LP never saw the light of day in the lifetime of the band, but this classic single remains. Vic Goddard got a second Subway Sect together in the 1980’s but the band had slightly lost their punch by that time.
The other night though, in May 2008, Vic Goddard gave 100% to a very appreciative audience including several KYPP’ers…If they appear in your town, then go and support him and the band.
crow
May 20, 2008 at 11:09 pmNobody’s scared /dont split it absolutely perfect record, I bought it when it came out… love the guitar sound..still have the first peel session that i recorded off the radio on my mom’s reel to reel tape recorder…they can even get away with a harmonica solo (and hammond organ) at the end of dont split it , a harmonica on a punk record in 1978?
Penguin • Post Author •
May 20, 2008 at 11:12 pmCrow, If you are London based, a few old peeps will be seeing them again on June 13 in Highbury, Lugworm included, and loads other KYPP’ers you will know…
crow
May 20, 2008 at 11:27 pmthanks, mr mick lugworm already mentioned it…might be an apt moment to give you some things for the site…like thee un-kommuniti at the Bingo hall..
spool…SPOOL!!
Tony Puppy
May 21, 2008 at 1:29 amNote the pictures in the gallery.
Three old time kyppers in line, and Vic with Tony Puppy in the back passage.
In the sub-album Nowadays.
johng
May 21, 2008 at 9:46 amanyone know where else theyre playing?i looked on the subway sect website but no mention of gigs further afield…………..
luggy
May 21, 2008 at 10:04 amDidn’t realise you got together with Vic in the back passage!!
Great gig, check ’em out on the 13th if you can. Listening to their 20 Odd Years compilation as I post.
Penguin • Post Author •
May 21, 2008 at 5:44 pmJohng – here you go.
http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bandprofile.listAllShows&friendid=60007806&n=Vic+Godard+%26+Subway+Sect
If this works then this is a list of gigs
johng
May 21, 2008 at 6:09 pmcheers it worked,leeds is nearest for me,better get my biometric passport ready………
Steve
May 22, 2008 at 4:27 pmRob Simmons, the other lynchpin of the original Subway Sect line-up, has a GREAT band nowadays called The Fallen Leaves who regularly host their own club night in Notting Hill:
http://www.myspace.com/theefallenleaves
Check out High and Dry on the above link – awesome stuff.
michelle brigandage
July 1, 2008 at 4:50 pmjeez- how much did i love this band! saw then supporting at the 100 club festival or was it before – blew my mind – have to agree – that single is one of my all time favourites – a perfect single and the lyrics – superb!!!!!!!!!!!!
they really need to be recognized more – was listening to mark lamaar and 2 of them are both posties at the same office and when they play gigs they have to book time off together!
mx