Yes The Name were heard in Ireland too. Picked up your single "Fuck Art Let's Dance"in a Dublin recordshop but was blown away by the b-side Misfits. We thought who the hell is this band ? Nice to see we've found out about them at last.
Roman_way@hotmail.com (Dublin Ireland)
Wow, this brings back memories. I saw The Name at the UEA in Norwich way, way back in April 1980. It was my first gig at the tender age of 15 and I was blown away! Despite much frantic searching I never did manage to track down the "Forget Art" single. The live "Fuck Art..." was fantastic. Looking forward to the CD. Rob, Norwich.
Ah ha ! The site is back up at last ! Hurry up with those rehearsals and reunion gigs ! I've got my parka ready !
Hi, I was never at any of your gigs, and I only know of you from "Fuck Art, Let's Dance," but I wanted to say how excited I am to hear about your forthcoming release on Detour Records. I'm excited because Fuck Art is one of the most energetic and rocking songs I've come across. I think it's on par with a song like I Fought the Law, and other songs that get one's blood pumping no matter how many times one hears it. Tim Benge Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Came across the site via thechords.co.uk! I remember seeing the Name at the Electric Ballroom, supporting the Chords and the Photos - at 17, thought it was the best gig I'd ever been to! I also have a dim memory of seeing the band at the Marquee, along with The Chords and The UpSet - or is this just time playing tricks with my memory.... Bought Forget Art, Let's Dance, but as with a lot of my vinyl stuff, has disappeared over the years. Great site!
I just about remember the Name playing with Squire at a pub in acton back in 79? What was the pub called - White Lion?
Like your song 'Fuck art lets dance'
you really do need to get your website back and let us all know when you'll be playing again, plus much more info on the mod scene in 79/80. I hope you'll return back the the mod basics rather than the fringe modernist stuff you also played , although it was pretty wild -I don't think we were ready for that
Remember that gig, must have been some recognition as to how big you were to get such a support in front of such a large crowd . As I remember the sound was poor-but you really thrilled us mods who specially went there to see you and Q Tips-then promptly left before suffering those american ageing rockers Comments
'
were gagging for The Name again-the modettes !
saw you marquee gig when you did your Style Council stuff , adding keyboard/electric piano, with lots of 'Style' before Weller went the same direction. I think Long Tall Shorty were supporting you, I lked them a lot but they seemed to be in a bit of a rut, perhaps explaning why the mod movement backlash from the music press happened . All the best for the future Mad Mod Mal
what will be on the Detour release '-hopefully 'tracks of my tears' and my girl'-you could really do that soul stuff -- note from dave an early live version of 'My Girl' is on the CD, only one recording survives from 1980.
Great to see the band about again, was too young to see you in '79 but two good friends of mine, vic vespa and evil roman often talk about you. Looking forward to the new release on detour and possibly some live dates. all the best Paul Robinson Detour promotions www.detour-records.co.uk
like Paul, every one I talk from the 79 mod scene raves about The Name being one of the best mod live acts and never being able to understand why the scene died in the early 80'S. Apparently you had a really cool black guy up front . Can't wait to see you live and the cd. Luv Maxi
Having seen so many 'mod' impersonators recently , it will be nice to see the ultimate mod band back again !
seem to remember you playing in Plymouth in 1980 with a band called The Purple Hearts ? You really blew our minds, one of my all time favourite gigs . Roz
Glad to have the mod's mod band back again. (we were) the Swansea crew
didn't think much of you at the time , you were just a bunch of clever sods and posers. However just played your single again and now think the b side -'misfits' was the best mod song ever .All the best Baz from Romford
Great site.Of all the bands I saw around 1980 you guys kept the scene alive with your unique northern/mod/soul sound. Hopefully you and other greats such as The Chords and Killermeters will tour again soon. Salford Noddy
Great Site, I am sure many of the members of our club will remember your band and the gigs. Lets see if we can get you to play at one of our forthcoming events? All the best. John B Peterborough Lambretta & Vespa Scooter Club email: info@lambrett-vespa.com website: www.lambretta-vespa.com
please take those scooter boys up with their offer and play your comeback gig in your hometown. Johnny C.(Fletton)
I REMEMBER MY OLDER BROTHER RETURNING FROM THE CHORDS GIG IN NEWPORT S.WALES 1980. REALLY IMPRESSED WITH SUPPORT BAND THE NAME.LOOK FORWARD TO NEW ALBUM. MAC.JNR CARDIFF
Greetings from Soho Strut web site the home of Secret Affair.You have a neat site here,remember seeing you a few times but it's all very blurred now,something to do with Old age I guess. Look 4ward to seeing you drop a hello on Soho Strut, we'll link you in at sometimes us Old Geezers should stick together hey !!l ol Kind Regards Soho Strut Team May 2002
saw you many times and could never really understand why you didn't get the commercial sucess you deserved, perhaps like so many of the mod bands at the time signed to the major labels, you also suffered from indifference and them looking to make a quick buck ? In the case of The Name this was a criminal shame, as although you played some mean versions of motown and soul classics you always were prepared to push the music forward ,much the way XTC and Wire did for the punk generation . Hopefully your 20 odd year overdue cd release will finally show to everbody what they missed first time arround -can't wat for the reviews ! Dave F.
Hi Tommy here, is this Ian Graham sight for the band. Be good to hear from you, actually seeing Ben tonight so i'll say Hi. He never said you were all in touch, just that he'd seen the sight. Some of your history is wrong aboout Ben's later bands though. Lovelife developed from an eighties Indie Dance band called "Heads on Sticks" which I formed in '86 and got Ben in as vocalist in 1990. I left and Faz got involved, hope to hear from you soon. You really thinking of reforming? See ya, say Hi to Dave any any one else still in 'Borough. Tommy- note from dave - history updated sorry mate i forgot you formed the band that went on to be Lovelife!
Wot a cool band!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to get the cd! i treasure my original copy of "forget art lets dance" Sophie B
This is my first time checking the comments,and I`ve got to say, it almost brought a tear to my eye!It seems we did something right after all,so thanks for that, and Baz from Romford,you`ll be pleased to know,we`re still clever sods,and i for one am still a bloody poser! One love, Joe Drummer.
Hi guys , great site ...however....are t shirts and badges available ? When and where are you playing ? A bit more 'current' info/gossip on your website would be helpful . Are you able to tell us what is going to be on your cd ?, What about some interviews with the band ? from Mad Dog.
Hey Dave F - thanks for the comments regarding Wire and XTC - fine flattery indeed. It was very difficult reconciling all of our musical interests and ambitions; in fact on later, separate projects, I think we all attempted a number of radical and not so radical musical things. Funny how a lot of my favourite things came out of 1979. cheers Ben (still dancing)
'Fuck Art lets Dance ' is one hell of a song and statement . What inspired it . Has it ever been covered by others ? Luv to see you perform it live as although I was much too young in 79 my Dad says your performances were awesome . Luv SoulfulSal .
your 'History' mentions your drummer Pedro Odiz who later joined David Bowie ! Was this the same Pedro who also played with the greatest punk band of all time 'Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers'? cheers Rancid
SoulfulSal - I came across the term fuck art let's dance on a school trip to an art show (where else)in London. There was something by some guy who had done an installation in Paris called fuck art let's dance - it still says it all - ben
How come you orginally signed for Virgin's Din Disc label and were you the only mod band ever signed to them ? Des(Huddersfield )
Hi ,Just seen your ad in this months Scootering mag and was interested to look you up.I remember very clearly the gig at the top of your TABLE OF GIGS PLAYED as I was a big TEENBEATS fan ,coming from HASTINGS it would be rude not to be really !!! It was a great night and I rememer clearly seeing THE NAME and was very impressed but got lost on the TEENBEATS band wagon and never saw you again.I can't remember seeing SQUIRE and am surprised to see their name there having seen them a few times . But you have missed off the first band on that night,they were called SPEEDBALL and came from SOUTHEND .They were very good but didn't last on the scene long.The Charing Cross venue eventually became HEAVEN a nightclub famed in the early 80s for NEW ROMANTICS and later became a gay club. Hope this information is of interest to you ,Glad to see you are still up and running.THE TEENBEATS recently reformed and supported LONG TALL SHORTY at the WATER RATS Theatre in London last week .They were brilliant and you should try and catch them if you gat a chance .All the best JOHN GALE 1979 MOD HASTINGS (41 y)
We took our demo tape around the a&r people that would see us. Dindisc came to a 'showcase' gig in Peterborough and signed us shortly after. Head of publishing at the time was Carol Wilson who's claim to fame was signing Sting! After we signed she left, and we were never really pushed. (we were complete wasters also!) but no regrets. Ian
Hey, nice site! I'm putting a link to this site on the Mod Revival site: http://www.geocities.com/modrevival Good stuff! Mystery Mod
Replying to Des (Huddersfield) 18th July and adding to Ian's reply - Din Disc at the time seemed the ideal label - usual stuff they wined and dined us , promised the world, we in fact sign a 2 single, 5 album deal! At the time the label, was part of the main 'Virgin' record label. Dave Fudger (ex News Editor'Sounds') was very much our mentor, all the other Din Disc employees were women! We fell out big time about their choice of material for the first single and even more so when the version was watered down to 'Forget Art.. ' in order to get radio airplay . Dave Fudger then left and the label's interest declined and our contract terminated. The label then folded shortly after. Our label mates also appeared to have suffered . Extremely popular at the time, 'Martha and the Muffins' blamed the label boss for their split, OMD became commercial and moved across to Virgin, the Rezillos split up and The Monochrome Set appear to have disappeared? Ironically The Name's single, despite the band's views, is now extremely collectable and we are trying to get copies . The pic sleeve design by Peter Saville was highly acclaimed,so much so that many a designer loft has one framed on the wall .... Andy (Manager ).
Yes Rancid, (message re Pedro ) you're correct . Quite a few Johnny Thunders recordings feature 'our 2nd drummer' who also played with Bowie at Live Aid and in his Tin Machine band. I'm pleased to say the original 'THE NAME' band (featuring Joe MacColl on drums ) are now back in touch and getting offers from promoters wanting them to play again . Andy (Manager ) PS the material on the forthcoming 'What's in a Name 'Detour CD and LP features the original band
How do I get a copy of your original single 'forget art lets dance' -all my mates tell me it was one of the best mod singles ever released but I can't find a copy anywhere.Any help or advice would be appreciated . Don L.(Camden )
at last....''Whats in a Name? LP £8(Brilliant new retrospective release on the 'Detour' Label(DRLP027)...this LP gives you 15 great tracks .9 studio cuts and 6 powerful live tracks.This is great and pure late 70's/early 80's mod/power-pop at its very best! The first 100 paid orders will recieve their copies on coloured vinyl'' -to order contact Detour www.detour-records.co.uk
Don L.Even I have difficulty in locating copies of the single (-I have a list of people wanting them) and any that I acquired I had hoped to make available via the bands website. I have placed adverts in Scootering mag. to no avail and constantly check the record fairs and specialist 2nd hand record shops . However in Detour Records Autumn Cat. they are adverising copies in ex cond with pic sleeve for £18. Suggest you contact Detour on 01730 815422. Regards Andy (Manager )
Finally got the official CD on Monday 7th October. Now we wait for the gigs ! Me parka is back from the dry cleaners but I can't fit into my sta-prest ! Oh well nevermind ! Clive
Clive -so whats the cd like then ?
Hi Boys Nice to see you are back with a vengeance! Thanks for the link to www.sohostrut.co.uk I am sure TC will be adding you to our links page soon. Keep the faith trACEy
just bought the cd.classic, worth the 22 year wait. fave track the classic missfit live. p.s the newport gig with the chords i mentioned prev notes 1980 was at the stowaway club. cheers mac jnr. cardiff
just got the cd-wow .its an amazing 'mod story' and a rather brave release putting together a history of the band from your earliest rough demos to some incrediable live tracks -'all dried up'-'take me to the river'.'My Girl' is so atmospheric and I almost feel if I'm in the scrap at the end !! Perhaps you'll now get round to releasing that single that never was F'...art/your gonna lose that girl ? hope to see you live soon - from froddo -Barking (mad )
bought the cd-its 1979 again -I've just been propelled backwards -far better than any of the other 'mod' bands of that era -such a shame we have had to wait so long .I hope you now recieve the recognition as the pioneers of the more progressive and unique mod nfluenced /powerpop/brit pop sound which ironically appears to have influenced much that has transpired since. JustinC. Blackburn .
Great band! Dizzy sent the CD to us, you should buy it right now! Greetings from Pop Thing, the spanish Sixties Pop Culture website!
Great band! Thanks for the CD. www.popthing.com
correct me if i'm wrong but did you guys have rehearsals in a house in the white cross area on the ravensthorpe estate in peterborough towards the end of the seventies? Malfunction
this was probably ben's first band called White Heat
Regarding the new pic. of me ,with the mighty McLagan,through my friendship with Billy Bragg,i`ve had the pleasure of meeting one of my all-time hero`s,Ian `mac`McLagan,late of `The Small Faces`,`The Faces`,ect.ect.,...of all the people i`ve met,who`ve had a career in this rock `n` roll malarkey, Mac is the most genuine,straight-up geezer,if you ever go to see Bragg, or Mac touring with his Bump band,hang around, and he`ll be happy to talk to anyone who wants to talk,and believe me, he`s got plenty of great stories,when he talks of Steve,or Ronnie(**** & Wood),its with pure heartfelt love,about Rod, its a little bit differant,but at the same time,he never diss`s the guy. Although i personally, never stopped playing after my time with The Name,our experiences taught me that i did`nt want a career in the music business,i just stuck to what i loved about it,doing gigs,conecting with people,by making them dance,its one of the greatest things that can happen to any musician.When the business side of things get involved,this pure,little thing,tends to get overlooked,thank the great god of rock `n` roll, that there are still people like Billy,and, bless him, Mac,who still remember that. One love,Joe Drummer.
Where do I get other recorded stuff by The Name -are any of your tracks on compilation albums/cds ? Di (Lincoln )
Hi Ben, this is Jacky from Munich. The XTC/Wire comparison has already been made, can´t think of a better compliment myself. By the way, just played The Name single for the first time in years. Remember visiting an art gallery with me and others to see the Dali exhibition? And in the evening we went to see Wire I think. And after playing the single I then played Development Corporation from The Now and Communique from Gobblinz. But best of all, I found I´ve got really awful quality mono-tapes of live gigs that I recorded of The Name in the Key Theatre Bar (6/7/80) and The Gladstone Arms (5/8/80)! Not to mention a Beek (?) Studios demo tape of the Name, The Now (Spaceward, Cambs), People in Films from August 1978 and Square One in practice (who were they?) from December 1979. And tapes of Lloyd Watson and RiffRaff at the Gladstone Arms. Oh my god, enough nostalgia. Let me know when you´re gigging and I´ll try and get there.
Happy new year from Ian and the Band, many thanks to all those who have bought the CD.
cd (Whats in a Name ? ) has got 'mod album of the month' in the Jan edition of Scootering . Also tremendous review in Jan/feb 'Record Collector'
Ted Loakes, I was the DJ(Lifeline Disco) at your Red Lion gig in '79 - happy memories... Shame about the chicken ted.loakes@niab.com
Hey Ian, very nice site. Just an old american friend checking in to see how things are going. Caroline gave me the site. I hope you guys get together again. I remember getting a tape of your music one evening, and listened to it everyday for a couple of weeks. Fantastic. I since lost the tape, (no reflection on you) during one of my many moves. Keep trucking!! Jim Logue
just got the CD, very impressed as are my friends in halls of residence (age 18 up!) who thought they had try to copy the jam, little did they know that the name were before the jam! So appealing to young uns as well now! BIG fan of fuck art lets dance!
Jacky, who posted 12 December - that's some tape collection you've go there! Odd world I think on occasions. I dug out a mint condition Gobblinz poster the other day - sent me blind. faz e_faz@yahoo.com
Faz,judging by your dress sense in photo`s from those days,i would say you went blind a long time ago. Looking out for the upcoming l.p. from The Now,on last years youth records,i bet the photo`s of you on that are crap too! J.D.
'The Now 'were then -yesterdays news .'The Name 'are clearly now-todays .When are you guys going to gig and release some more material as from listening to the album you have so much to offer in the currently staid and depressed music scene. Shame the album hasn't been promoted and plugged more extensively -NME , Mojo , The Face should be lapping it up .... Hopefully this bit of encouragement will reap just deserts . Charliexx
Charlie, check the batteries in yer watch, then as Flavour Flav sez,you can ``check what time it is,boyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee`` As for The Name gigging,??? ask Ian. J.D.
JD -your a bit too cute for me in your reply . The point I was trying to make is that The Name's sound is fresh, vibrant and current today , unlike most of the so called bands of the moment much vaunted in the music press and other 'mod'/power punk bands circa 78/81 .Charlie x
Charlie ,apologies for sounding too cute,but hey!,cant help the way i am can i? I`m just glad there are people out there who care enough about all this stuff enough,to take the time to reply ,more power to yer. J.D.
Hi, I was at the Lyceum gig in 1980. Sadly, I do not remember much more than the green carpet on the stage, and Wolfs gold boots. I sat at one of the tables (with the funky lamps) upstairs. I seem to remember having seen one of the support bands earlier at The Nashville. I was living in Earls Court at the time and was at the Nashville about 5 nights a week. I saw the Records there, the Pirhanas, Tour de Force, the Troggs!, and countless others. I saw Any Trouble 6 times and loved them. My one year in London was spectacular for the music alone. I actually have Secret Affair on vinyl. Am I really that old? Cheers from Terry in Ottawa, Canada
Terry suspect 'one of the support bands' was also The Name, as they had played at the Nashville , supporting fellow label mates , canadian 'Martha and the Muffins' Andy
Wup, all, Joe ``too-cute``Drummer butting in again, its just occured to me,reading Terrys comments,has anybody got any photo`s of The Name onstage at the Lyceum,?if so,or if you have any photo`s of The Name back in the day,get in touch with this site,as we`re always looking for something to do,when we`re not arguing about whether or not we should reform for a gig in HUDDERSFIELD WITH THE KILLERMETERS END OF THIS/BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR???? oops.....should i have said that?.....tell us,kind reader,what should we do? My feelings are we should do three things, 1/Agree to reform, 2/set a date, 3/campagn to have Blair/Bush declaired war criminals. Give us your yeah or nays,if you can be arsed, J.D.
yeah yeah yeah (sounds like a good name for a band)
Having seen so many of the '79-80 'mod bands trying again , unless you can really turn back the clock , I fear like Ian Page's band , and all the rest who give it a go and fail, to the 1st time around and the excellent vinyl and cds-and of all of them 'Whats in a Name'ranks with the best of them. Caz from Burnley.
I agree with Joe, except for points 1, 2 and 3. Ian
Dad says: "Man, you look old!" Steph says: "Hey Joe! We miss you, you old bugger!" Mom says: "We love you, Joe!" -- from Texas
when ever I go to mod gigs the chat around the bar often brings up the subject of The Name playing live again -is this just wishful thinking or is there something in the pipeline ? Dion-Camden.
looking forward to seeing you next year!!we'll have a wee bevy a la the Hog in the Pound love Buddy A
Hi Buddy,good to hear from you. Looking forward to Morcambe,and looking forward to the beer,because as i recall,.....ITS YOUR ROUND! Cheers,Joe Drummer.
The name are so good remember you at the UEA in '80 Rob Peterborough
Great to hear about next years gig. Used to watch the band in Peterborough when I was 13/14. Can't wait to see you again! Kaz.
GREETINGS FROM LONG TALL SHORTY www.long-tall-shorty.co.uk
Remember me "Evil Roman" I had some really good times with you boys . get in touch if you remember me and the jolly boys etc. romanevilroman@aol.com Remember??! how could we forget a legend! - we remember well your fantastic tour menu of a loaf of bread stuffed with liver sausage and a pint of lager shandy 'to fill you up'. The jolly boys were the best bunch of fans a band could wish for. We are looking forward to the gig and the Killermeters finally getting a round in at the bar. Mind you remembering a certain gig in Scarborough (Penthouse?) on a bank holiday, it probably best they didn't - we would like to see them play!
Just thought you may like to know that The Chords have a new live CD due out later this summer. This will be a CD only release. If you would like to be kept informed of the release please email us and we will contact you nearer the time with the details.
Bugger. Wire are one of my top 5 bands ever. Thats spoilt it. Punk Rock
A huge fan, discovering you years later, from a small town in florida. music is truly a neverending melody. thanks, and stay well. --matthewjafarian
thanks to all those who mailed re the spam on this message board which I hope has now been wiped Dave Colton 3.11.05
Think your website is absolutely delightful. What a pleasure to see those lovely pictures of you all having such fun. I remember The Name like it was yesterday and attended many of your gigs. I quite fancied you all but I kept it a secret and didn't tell anyone, not even my girlfriend! I have a few photographs of the band which I took using a Pentax K1000 fitted with a 50-200mm zoom lens.I think I used an Ilford 400asa film but can't be certain. I don't have the camera anymore. I wish I did because they've become quite collectable. Some of the photographs feature Tommy on drums. He was very good. I personally think he was much better than Joey McColl whose style was rather boring. Bum - cha - bum - cha. That is not to take away Joey's important contribution to the line-up. He certainly looked the part in a Scottish sort of way and what he lacked in ability he made up for with enthusiasm and a quaint accent. Someone recently told me that Joey was now the Managing Director of a successful chain of restaurants. Is this true? Dave Colton was a wizard on bass. Nine fingers on each hand and a voice like Caruso. I always admired his harmonising ability. I remember Dave when he was quite small, around the time Gobblinz split. He was always fond of electonics and gadgetry. A few years later I met him in a little bar in Peterborough called Bogarts and, although I was suprised to see how little he had grown, he still made a big impression on me when he patiently described for 3 hours the benefits of Broadband and how it worked. I regret to this day not asking for his autograph. The best guitarist in Peterborough at this time was definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, Mick Davidson. You had Ian Graham. Ian was good but I seem to remember he came from Thorney which was a shame because it is always difficult to shake something like that off. I remember driving through Thorney once. You don't have to anymore because after 230 years of protests and campaigning the local shop keeper has finally seen his dream come true in the form of a by-pass. He is a clever and determined chap like so many others who hail from this soon to be forgotten village which incidentally has a Historic Abbey and an Ex Working Men's Club which is probably where the shop keeper is right now. You'll almost certainly be interested to know that the by-pass is 600 miles long, weighs 5 tons and was built entirely from reclaimed milk cartons. It is a sad fact that the three men who built it, using only their bear hands and an old garden fork, all died of something horrible. There could never be a more perfect frontman than Benjie McKnight. Oh how I worshipped him. Charisma, good looks, and more energy than Eveready. Are Eveready batteries still made? I haven't seen them in the stores for weeks. I would hazard a guess that Duracell were too much competition, especially with their relentless TV advertising. I have used Duracell and to be honest they never seem to last any longer than the cheaper Panasonic brand which I use in my torch. I saw Benny on TV. He looked as good as ever. I seem to recall he was being interviewed about his work as a pilot for the Red Cross. He had been on a mission to drop cooked chickens on children in poor regions like Biafra, New Orleans, Newcastle etc. Benno was a true star. Thank you all for the joy you brought to my youth and for the wonderful memories that keep me warm during the long, cold, winter nights. I will cherish them 'til the day I die, which could be any time now considering the amount I drink and smoke. I dare say you are intrigued to know who I am. Well, if you would like to visit me any Tuesday evening, individually or as a group, I will be pleased to reveal myself. Now the pub is open so I'm off for a few jars and a fight. WE ARE THE MODS, WE ARE THE MODS, WE ARE, WE ARE, WE ARE THE MODS????? Goodbye Daphne Blight-Spillage Formally known as Terrible. PS Are You likely to re-release a blue vinyl 7" of California Dreaming?
helo there im modettes from singapore...Like your song 'Fuck art lets dance'. hail uk!!! shidah_idah@hotmail.com
The Penthouse Gig Scarborough with the Killermeters was actually Easter Bank Holiday. There were approx 10,000 Scooterists in Scarborough. I was there and remember it nearly kicked off. I was from Huddersfield and had seen the Killermeters many times and the Name maybe 3 to 4 times! Best wishes Chris