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My Life in Punk Rock - The Middle |
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As things went on, we did a couple of TV shows. The first was with Michael Aspel, doing a 70s show, which featured loads of old TV luvvies, music from Mud and The Real Thing, and the loathsome Jonathan King. The other was a late night ITV show with Bob Mills, and we played live in the studio. Ratty and I went on a live debate show with James Whale and Nicky Campbell and a load of other tossers, arguing about drugs and the media, We did some radio sessions, two in a day in fact, GLR live in the morning, and Mark Radcliffe's Radio One show in the evening, in Manchester. We went to Japan and made fat wads of cash. We went to the States and were in a film. We also nearly burned down the 'legendary' New York shit-hole CBGB's, on camera. I don't know if the film ever saw the light of day, but the American record company who wanted to sign us got a big bill for all the damage, and were never seen again. Rat had done a deal in Japan anyway, so fuck 'em. After a gruelling month in France, which saw us do only three or four shows there, the rest of the 'French' Tour taking part mainly in Germany and Austria, we were ready to do the album. We'd not had a day off for five weeks, had played every night, hadn't been home, and Rat had been arrested by French Customs Officers because they are world renowned bastards. We shacked up in the studio of the late Connie Plank, in rural Germany, and bashed out a record. It was surreal. I kept wondering when we'd do it properly, some tracks were decidedly "that'll do" at this stage. Alan's guitar paying was consistently poor in a studio environment, leaving Rat with a decision to make and Dolli fuming over the poor quality of the recorded work to date. That was the end of the road for Alan Lee Shorn. We ditched him from the live work, as he prayed at the Sonic Temple far too often, which for a white-haired pensioner is embarrassing. Returning to England, Rat gave Alan the good news, breaking it gently with the classic "Does Elton John take Bernie Taupin on tour? Does he fuck!" Alien Tea Pot was out. We went to the Stoneroom in West London to do backing vocals and extra guitars, Dolli replaced most of Alan's guitar and then soloed for Britain. Rat decided to get a Hammond player in. James Taylor was that man. Not the tossy, septic, cheesy-listening twat, but the English James Taylor of the wanky jazz combo The James Taylor Quartet. When he's not arsing about with jazz, he plays really well. He went from playing on just the one track, as was the original idea, to having a big, balls out session on the whole album. Nice bloke, likes a beer and the odd bag of skunk, and was really cheap. Sorted. |
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