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Home , Andy Fairweather Low, Jonny Owen, Lee Mavers, Our Favourite Shop, Steve Cradock, Steve Pilgrim (musician)

ALL IN GOOD TIME® STYLE/MuSiC/CuLTuRE iSSuE 3

featuring: The Last of the Troubadours Steve Cradock, & Jonny Owen

iN ASSOCiATiON WiTh fREE MAGAZiNE SPRiNG/SuMMER 2014 ALL IN GOOD TIME® STYLE/MuSiC/CuLTuRE iN ASSOCiATiON WiTh SPRiNG/SuMMER 2014

CONTACT [email protected] / www.deliciousjunction.co.uk

EDiTORiAL SPECiAL ThANKS Del Junction & Mark Baxter Mark Baxter for his unwavering guidance and keen eye on proceedings PhOTOGRAPhY Annie Ward, Phil Dias & Chris Bulezuik, Phil Dias for his design and passion Lee Cogswell, Karen Allen, LawrenceWatson Terry Rawlings for writing a blinding article DESiGN Phil Dias & Chrish Othendee @ Karma Creative Lee Osborne for design elements… www.karma-creative.co.uk

WELCOME Welcome aboard the 3rd issue of “All In this issue we have a lavish array of The Stone Foundation provide a track in Good Time” magazine… and yes we interviews with Steve Cradock, Jonny by track review of their new long- are still having a blast, doing what we Owen, Steve White and George Dyer. player and we are delighted to be love with shoes, and creating all things associated with the release of “Find the Delicious. Guest writer Terry Rawlings takes a spirit” in 2014. witty look at a few famous faces in his In 2013 we all lost a very dear and excellent article “Dead Cool”. We have to mention our many valued friend, Dean Powell. Well customers, brand collaborators and known for his enthusiasm and relentless We get up close and personal with retailers who have inspired us over endeavours on the scene – he will be Frankie Johns and Paul Lam, a couple the past year with their fantastic sadly missed but never forgotten and of retail warriors in , who and sometimes fanatical support – a we dedicate this issue to his memory. have both made their mark in the massive “thank you” goes out to you all. country’s second city. The working title to this issue is Keep on Keepin’ on at what you do “shoegazing” but far from standing Cover stars and all round top gents best, and we hope you enjoy the ride. A still, staring at our loafers we’ve got Darron Connett & Joel Rogers spill splendid read is guaranteed for all… round a number of familiar faces on the the beans on our collaboration project vibrant scene today… “THE TROUBADOUR” and give us Big love an insight into the intriguing world of their band.

2 DEDICATED TO DEAN POWELL 21/4/66 - 10/9/2013

CONTENTS

4. STEVE CRADOCK genius and one of the most hardworking musicians 10. The Rawlings around, we talk to him about his guide to the cool solo – “Travel Wild-Travel of the 1960s 18. THE Last Of The Free”. Guest Writer Terry Rawlings Troubadours gives us his witty take on what Cover stars, the guys spill 6. JONNY OWEN makes some well known faces of the beans on their design Writer, actor and one of the nicest the 1960’s dead cool. collaboration with Delicious fella’s in the business, tells us Junction and bring us up to date about his film Svengali and what 14. STEVE WHITE on their band. means to him. AKA “WHITEY” A popular choice among the 22. STONE FOUNDATION 8. GEORGE DYER Modern world, he played at Live A track by track guide to the The Name is DYER – George Aid in 1985 and left his mark on new album To find the Spirit. The Dyer THE Tailor! A fine tailor many special recordings…we soulful band are in their pomp. with a true passion for the cloth catch up with Steve and find him and making suits from the in fine fettle… 25. SPOTLIGHT ON unusual… BIRMINGHAM Two different retailers in the City with two different stories to tell; an insight into independent (All Prices are correct at time of going to print.) retailing today.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 3

AfteRglOW – navy corded £55 bullitt – tan £90

WAttS – black/White £65 the tROubADOuR – brown £78

the CROWley – Stone £65 OtiS – black £60

meRtOn – bordo £75 the univeRSAl – navy corded £85 STEVE CRADOCK

As I approached the front doors of The Electric Ballroom in Camden, I could hear the distinctive guitar solos coming from a soundcheck before a gig that evening. A few minutes later, I sat down with the player of those instantly recognisable riffs

6 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 DJ: So, Mr Cradock, did you grow up in a DJ: You are the new ‘hardest working man SC: Ten of course! A lot of my shoes are ‘musical’ house? in showbiz’, what with OCS, working with battered and bruised, but there again, so and the solo stuff - ever get am I! I love shoes, they are very important!!! SC: Well, my grand dad was a banjo tired of life on the road? player, who came first in the equivalent DJ: Who is your ultimate guitar hero and of Opportunity Knocks, but the day after SC: I’ve always seen myself as copping out what about them inspired you? winning, his best mate, and the other of hard work. That is what being a musician banjo player committed suicide, so he allows you. Music isn’t work to me. It’s a SC: Guitar heroes are difficult, but Steve didn’t play again from that day onwards. pleasure. But also keeping busy is good for Marriott on the Decca stuff, Hendrix on My mom was an hairdresser and dad was the heart and mind. his first two . Jack White, John a policeman. Squire on the first ‘Roses’ album. Pete DJ: Tell us about the new ‘solo’ album Townsend from 1966-69. Paul Weller, DJ: What age were you when you first Richard Hawley, Lee Mavers, Mani, Peter picked up the guitar? SC: My new album is called ‘Travel Wild Green on ‘Man Of The World’. John, Paul, - Travel Free’. It’s the best thing I’ve done George on Abbey Road, it goes on and on... SC: I started playing the bass guitar at musically, and spans a lot of sounds and eleven and then changed to the six string grooves. It’s also quite 60s sounding DJ: You mentioned you would be up for when I was sixteen. haha. However much I try to make it not a collaboration with Delicious Junction – sound old world, it always does. My wife what style of footwear do you have in mind DJ: The world of ‘mod’ seems to have Sally sings more on this album, which is and why? claimed you at a young age, why? cool as I don’t like my voice that much. I have co-written songs with Andy Crofts/ SC: Two -hole jumbo cord boots. I have SC: All my mates were either mods or Steve Pilgrim/Chris Difford and Sally. a pair of shoes that Brian and Mick are rude boys and I remember a mate having It has a lovely front cover of me and Sally wearing on ‘High Tide and Green Grass’ a parka when we were eight or nine, with walking by the canal near Paul’s (Weller) all the targets and patches and have loved studio in . The horses name was DJ: Finally, what does 2014 hold for you? that look of a parka ever since. I’ve got a Melody, which again is a sign. great M-1951 and a M-1965 with real My favourite song at the moment on it is SC: No idea. Music, mod and shoes fur hood from the company Art Gallery ‘The Magic Hour’, which sounds like it’s hopefully! which are the best parka’s around. Also a written for Andy Fairweather Low lot of the older lads had amazing scooters - I wished! DJ: Thank you kind sir, we can’t argue in Birmingham and also great shoes! It was with that. a style that was all around me from an early DJ: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important age and I fucking loved it! are the right shoes to finish off a look?

ALLALL ININ GOODGOOD TIMETIME 32 •• SPRING/SUMMERSPRING/SUMMER 20142014 75 Cardiff fan, writer, actor and jONNY one of the nicest fellas around Jonny Owen devised a series of short films called ‘Svengali’ which played on Youtube a couple of years ago, popping up every few months or so and which gained a huge on- OWEN line following.

Starring in them, were the likes of Boy I loved about the way things were then. often used to say...’We lived on our wits’. George, and one time How stuff was passed around. It was a real Singing, cards, betting on the dogs. He Oasis manager Alan McGee. sharing thing. The terraces were alive with once walked to London as a young man. culture. People always passing around tapes They slept in hedgerows on the way. But The whole idea was picked up by a film and books. I had Trainspotting given to soon as they got there they loved it. He was company and ‘Svengali’ the movie should me at the football and Catcher in the Rye. a big one for his suits too. So that rubbed be out in cinemas by the time you have this It was strange because there were plenty off on me. And, the Football? Where do I magazine in your hands. of nutters in South but I was never start with him and that? He took me to my arsed about them. It was the other lads. first game, which was Wales England in the Never short of a word or two, we caught up The ones writing fanzines. Putting on gigs, Home Internationals. A full Ninian Park. I with Jon in the naughty square mile of old the ones who’d go off into Europe picking can remember leaving and I’d almost fainted Soho. up clothes, they were the lads I wanted to with the excitement of it all. The crowds, DJ: How important were the ‘holy trinity’ copy. It was a brilliant education really. I the singing, the smells, the atmosphere...He of clothes, music and football to you started writing on this fanzine called ‘Dial looked down at me and said...’Enjoy that?’ growing up in Wales? M for Merthyr’. The lad who started it, Enjoy it? My life was never the same again. Mark Evans, was the first person ever to JO: They were everything. Still are. say to me after I shyly passed something DJ: How did the musical career come Strangely enough an old mate of mine over to him...’You’re good at this Jon, this about? from when I was a young kid popped up is funny’. When you’re 16 someone you JO: Well I played a bit of guitar and I met on Facebook the other day and he talked respect and admire saying something like with another lad called Glenn Hyde who about long hot summer days of sitting on that to you is like rocket fuel to a kid from was a brilliant guitarist. In those days (this top of this big tip (a man made Tip made . It made me think...I can do would have been the early 90’s) people into of industrial waste) that overlooked my something other than work in a factory. I the same music tended to flock together. home town of Merthyr Tydfil and just also have to say my Paternal Grandfather He was into the thing but also a talking for hours and hours about Football was hugely important. He was into music. 60’s freak like me. We were fanatical at that and Music. He remembered me giving him Sinatra. He was a bit naughty really as he point. So we used to spend hours together ‘Quad’ on a battered VHS. He gave me all was more encouraging about me learning writing and playing in my Grandfather the early Beatle albums. Imagine that? He the guitar than my homework! Ha. He used house funnily enough as he loved it all. He’d had them all passed down to him. That’s to say...’you’ll always have a friend and a job sang for years himself. Sang on the BBC, what happened in those days. That’s what if you can.’ I suppose people like him and with Big Bands in the late 40’s. Anyway, his 9 brothers grew up in the recession. He

8 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 we got to be good. Him on guitar, me on that after the band!!). We were flirted with reckon they’d be decent to watch and they bass. So we got two other lads in, both into by a load of broadcasters and production can all play a bit. the same stuff and it took off very quickly. companies but it was when Martin Root Within six months we were suporting INXS who ran a creative agency came in and DJ: What does the term “mod” mean to you and had a load of record companies after asked if I wanted to do a film that I and how far reaching is it in your life? us. We were good but we started to argue. really thought...now this could be going : Well to use an Eddie Piller quote, ‘Mod And one thing I’ve learned is a band can be somewhere. He was as good as his word too. JO is a broad church’. I think it’s just a great brilliant but if you don’t get on, forget it. Full funding and the film is now done. way to have a certain philosophy to live We did sign to Sanctuary. Put a single out your life I suppose. You know, you always and it sold well but by the time we went to DJ: How fun was it putting the soundtrack keep yourself smart and the best you can. the States to play for Sony over there it was for the film together? It’s really quite aspirational but in a very pretty obvious we didn’t have the staying : One of my favourite bits. It’s a cracker working class way. That whole thing of power a band needs. That’s what I’ve JO isnt it? Everyone says that! Ha! Took ages dressing up and going out on the weekend. learned in this game. Ambition, talent, and as sometimes things just didn’t work but It’s been going on long before Mod. The luck...they’re all important but its staying myself and the director John Hardwick music is important but that can be what power that overrides everything. We didn’t worked really hard on that together. It’s you want. You know, if you’re into early have that. one of the greatest ever film soundtracks. Soul and R&B then great. If you like the DJ: We love Svengali - Did you see it as a Not me that said that but Ian Neil who’s the revival bands or Oasis then that’s cool too. feature film when you first started the short main guy at Sony. Listen, any soundtrack It’s also a great look for a (ahem!) older films on Youtube? with The Small Faces, Dexy’s and Georgie man. The irony of all those 16-year-old Fame on it is gonna be good. Chuck in The Mods dressing in a way that suits 40 to JO: Not really. I wasn’t sure to be honest. I Who, Big Star, The La’s and onto 50 year old men! haha...you know the Ivy was just making it up as I went along. I liked that and your in business. league look or a nice suit. Perfect. I’m a the fact I had total control over the virals. great believer in being inclusive. No one It was very liberating. Very empowering DJ: If you could assemble the ultimate band is born cool. We’ve all been that nervous actually. No one always chipping in with an – alive or dead – who would be in your line 13 year old kid with his first Fred Perry or opinion. You can at least stand and fall by up and why? wondering where to start with Northern what you do. I liked that. It was dangerous Soul. Help the next generation along. Beats : Moonie on drums. Hendrix on guitar. and sometimes you’d wobble but the secret JO them watching X Factor doesn’t it? McCartney on bass and Jagger out front. I was to just keep going. (See above. I learned

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 9 ThE NAME iS DYER GEORGE

DJ: What gives you the most satisfaction these days – being in front or behind of the camera?

JO: Both really. Although I’m enjoying it behind the lens at the minute. I’ve DYER been asked to direct next. A Scottish ThE TAiLOR! fi lm, I’ve written with a guy called Dave McClean. I may do that next year. I’m In the process of writing this magazine, I chain, Persol sunglasses and hankie in breast very lucky with offers at the moment. have met up with well known ‘faces’ from pocket. B- Cary Grant circa the mid 1940s Svengali has certainly made the the worlds of music and fi lm, but by far the in a sharp double-breasted two-piece. And industry prick up their ears as they say. hardest person to pin down was Mr. George C – Rudolph Valentino from the ‘Roaring Dyer the bespoke tailor, who numbers the 20s.’ Cuff links, dickie bow, big lapels, and DJ: Has creating Svengali inspired you likes of Paul Weller, David Haye and Martin great hair! to write and record any new tunes? Freeman among the visitors to his shop, JO: Funny thing I helped with the among hundreds of Ladies Gents from all DJ: Whom are you making for at the soundtrack! On a bit of the score walks of life. If there is a busier person in moment? anyway. I did some stuff with Tristan South London, I have yet to meet them. Norwell who looked after all that. gD: Literally hundreds of ‘faces’ both Good fun too. I also did all the bass I fi nally managed to grab an hour with him in male and female, from the worlds of Mod/ bits for the band in the fi lm and wrote his café of choice, ‘Amore’, in the Walworth Skinhead/50s rock and rollers, the city gent a song called ‘Letter Bomb’ which we Road and even then, we had a succession of and bridegrooms. Got a couple of fi lming never used because you never hear the punters coming up and asking to see him projects at present, one of which is making band but they needed something to when he had a minute, whilst he drank his a zoot suit for a well know local who will play. It was based on ‘I wanna be your cup of Earl Grey tea. appear in a video for the band The Maccabees. dog’ by the Stooges. In my head that’s Celebrities wise, I have been fortunate how I heard them. As a cross between DJ: How important were clothes to you, recently to have actor Martin Freeman and the Stooges and . Just what growing up? singer Paul Weller pop in. Both very stylish. music need in my opinion. gD: Clothes are and always will be DJ: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important are DJ: Whats next for Jonny Owen? important to me for obvious reasons. I the right shoes to fi nish off a look? have always loved the look of them. Not JO: Well, I’m writing two scripts. Both just the style of the garments, but also the gD: Unquestionably a 10 for me. You have of which I’ve been paid for and should construction, which is also intriguing. to have the right shoes to compliment the be doing now! Ha! One I may direct. I’m right attire. Sadly, due to the amount of time doing a lot of stuff with Baby Cow who DJ: How did the interest in tailoring come I spend on my feet, my ‘plates’ are fi nished, have been big supporters and superb to you? so my ‘rhythms’ at the minute are built for to work with. So, I’ve got a lot to be comfort rather than speed. getting on with. I’ve also been offered a gD: My father, Oscar, was a trouser maker brilliant part in something which fi lm’s and always dressed immaculately. I was the DJ: What’s been the most unusual garment next year. I’m going to take it too. But only 10-12 year old at school with bespoke or challenging request from a punter? I cant say what it is yet. But it’s decent. trousers at school. Haha! gD: A gentlemen also called George popped DJ: Name three of your best-dressed ‘Men’ in the shop once with a pair of colourful DJ: On a scale of 1 to 10, how of all time curtains, with curtain rings still attached I important are the right shoes to fi nish might add, and asked me to make him a suit off a look? gD: Off the top of my head. A- Steve from them. I did and he was delighted, thank the Lord. He was forever known then as JO: Well for me (to use a line from McQueen, especially the ‘Thomas Crown ‘Curtain George’ Spinal Tap) it’s 11! Affair’ period of three piece suit, watch and

10 DJ: Can you give me an every day ThE NAME iS DYER tailoring tip we can all take away with us?

gD: First, get to know the art and craft of a proper suit. Second, know what cut and style you want to achieve. Then, thirdly, simply call me to bring it to GEORGE fruition! DJ: Who inspires you and where do you draw your infl uences?

gD: Personally a tailor called Andrew Ramroop is top of that list. He is the MD DYER of the company Maurice Sedwell at 19 Savile Row. I know him as the professor. ThE TAiLOR! A great inspiration to me and I feel a great infl uence in the tailoring world. He has created his own academy to keep the art and craft of bespoke alive.

DJ: There’s an increased emphasis towards ‘Made In Britain’ theses days – Have you seen a move towards this and what advice can you give to inspire others to take the plunge?

gD: In my opinion, the British bespoke tailoring is and will always be the pinnacle in suits. The French, Italian and German’s all embrace our concepts and then adapt them for their customer base. But the root is always a British structure.

DJ: Thank you George, enjoyed that.

gD: My pleasure. No sugar in mine…

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 11 GUIDE TERRY TO... RAWLINGS

TEN THINGS THAT PROVE DAVY JONES IS COOL!

1. Davy Jones was always the best dressed Monkee and was British.

2. Davy had the best Monkee hair.

3. Chekhov from the original ‘STAR TREK’ TV series was based on Davy Jones.

4. He was in an episode of ‘SCOOBY DOO’.

5. Davy Jones’ popularity was the reason the other David Jones had to change his name to DAVID BOWIE (thus giving the world ZIGGY STARDUST).

6. He appeared in ‘THE BRADY BUNCH’ and the coolest Brady, Marcha (oooooh) ran his fan club.

7. Davy Jones was the very first Manchester (MANC) mega-star.

8. He was on the bill of the same Ed Sullivan show that introduced ‘’ to America.

9. He wrote a genuinely funny book THE NOT SO COOL DAVY! with the greatest title of ‘They Made a Monkee Out of Me’. - He was in Coronation Street. - At the height of five foot nothing and in his mid 60s he very unwisely took up 10. He had the first high profile pop-star on weight-lifting and body-building and had a heart attack. pop-star relationship (with LULU) when - He’s dead now! LULU was a proper little raver.

12 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 GUIDE TERRY TO... RAWLINGS

TEN THINGS THAT PROVE PETER LAWFORD IS COOL

1. Peter Lawford dated Ava Gardner, Lana 7. He once got married (third wife) and Turner and Rita Hayworth, amongst had completely forgotten about it the countless others - all before Frank following day. THE NOT SO Sinatra did. 8. He starred in the original casino 2. He was JFK’s brother-in-law. Sinatra caper ‘Oceans 11’ and appeared in the COOL PETER! nicknamed him ‘Brother-in-Lawford’. coolest ‘60s and ‘70s TV shows ever; - People close to him begin to be such as ‘The Virginian’, ‘The Wild, either assassinated or found dead 3. He introduced JFK to Marilyn Monroe; Wild West’, ‘Bewitched’, ‘Rowan and from an overdose. she was also his houseguest. Martin’s Laugh-In’ and the classic ‘Hawaii Five-O’. - He cheated on his wife Pat 4. He had the coolest beach-front house (Kennedy) Lawford and was in Santa Monica which was known as 9. He got drunk with John Lennon. subsequently ostracised by the ‘The West-Coast White House’. Kennedy family. 10. His ashes were exhumed from his - Sinatra excludes him from his inner 5. Bobby and Jack Kennedy often stayed Westwood Memorial Park plot by his circle and he ends up in a rented at his house for weekend parties. fourth wife and scattered at sea. His apartment washed up and broke. He spot was then taken by Jack Lemon. 6. Frank Sinatra wanted to be his mate; so then drinks himself into oblivion. much so that he invited him to become - He’s dead now! one of his Rat-Pack along-side Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 13 TEN REASONS THAT PROVE THE NOT SO BRIAN JONES IS COOL! COOL BRIAN!

1. Brian Jones formed ‘The Rolling in the house at ‘Pooh Corner’. - He got the sack from his own band Stones’. and spiralled out of control into a 6. He was the first ever musician to self-loathing drug-addled sad-sack 2. He had the best hair of any rock-star, record what is now referred to now as of a mess. which pissed Mick Jagger off. ‘World Music’ – the Moroccan Tribal - He was the very first member of album ‘Pipes of Pan’, which pissed Mick the ’27 Club’ which includes Jimi 3. The American band ‘’ all Jagger off. Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, based their look on Brian, which pissed Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse Mick Jagger off. 7. Pete Townshend and both - He’s dead now! wrote songs about him: ‘The Man Who 4. He was mates with , Died Every Day’ and ‘Ballad of a Thin John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Andy Man’ respectively. Warhol and Bob Dylan; he dated Nico from ‘’, 8. He played on two Beatles records Francoise Hardy and Anita Pallenburg ‘You Know My Name (Look Up The when Mick and Keith weren’t getting Number)’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’. 10. He was the first English rock star anything near the same action - which to have a personalised guitar model pissed Mick Jagger off. 9. As well as being the founder of he had an extra- named after him, the white VOX 5. He bought Winnie The Pooh creator curricular job as a sought-after model, teardrop 12 and 6 string, which pissed AA Milne’s house and therefore lived which pissed Mick Jagger off. Mick Jagger off.

14 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 TEN REASONS THAT PROVE GEORGE HARRISON IS COOL!

1. George was the coolest looking and best-dressed Beatle.

2. He had the best looking Beatle wife.

3. George was best friends with the Monty Pythons and paid for the film ‘The Life of Brian’ to be made just because he wanted to see it.

4. He lived in a pink fantasy castle that all the Beatles should have aspired to.

5. He squirreled away all his songs that were rejected from Beatle albums and then had the biggest selling solo Beatle album of all time. THE NOT SO 6. He wrote songs for Ringo that out-sold any singles by Lennon and McCartney - Ha Ha! COOL GEORGE! 7. He formed ‘Hand-Made Films’ that gave us ‘The Long Good Friday’, ‘Whithnail and I’, ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘Time Bandits’. - He kept his Beatle moustache well after it was cool, and had a perm at the same time. 8. He thought it was ok to have sex with Ringo’s wife because they were both - He wrote songs called ‘Here comes the Beatles. Moon’ and ‘This Guitar Can’t Keep From Crying’ which almost cancelled out the 9. He swapped wives with Ronnie Wood and they would cheerily ask each other genius of their original predecessors. when they met “How’s the wife?” and give the reply “Fine, how’s mine?” - He’s dead now! 10. He was only aged 27 by the time The Beatles were over and he was selling out Madison Square Garden sporting a really, really long beard.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 15 STEVE WHITE London 2013. Late summer night and we catch up with Mr White after a Trio Valore gig in North London

Steve came to prominence when he became lyrical and joyful and Our Favourite shop DJ: Where does playing at Live Aid in 1985 Paul Wellers choice of sticks man for The probably one of the most important and rate in your all time gig list & did you feel at Style Council, then aged just seventeen, and under rated albums of the 80s and then the time it was such a special event? remained pretty much with the PW man Wildwood, we just had some extremely until the last few years. special going on at this point. SW: As the day went on I think we all felt that this was a special day and history has He has also been in The Players and Trio DJ: Your top three drummers of all time proved that, it was a day when everything Valore and of course, the M.E.F.F.! are...? went global and to be honest I don’t think He also runs drum clinics around the UK. anyone knew just how big it was going to be, SW: Another hard one as it changes all the it was all very innocent too. DJ: How important were the ‘holy trinity of time but I’d have to say today its Buddy Rich, clothes, music and football’ to you growing Art Blakey and Tony Williams. DJ: Checkemlads.com the testicular cancer up in South East London? charity you helped to establish – do you still DJ: What are you up to at the moment? have involvement and how is it progressing? SW: Seeing as there wasn’t much else to get your teeth into back in those footy, fashion SW: Producing and artist development with SW: Yep still very much involved. I’m still I and Music ranked pretty highly. I was never the likes of Kristyna Myles and Sam Gray. It’s guess the chief shouter when we need to get a great player but went to my first game at a real challenge these days to break an artist to numbers of people, but Philly and Mick the valley (Charlton FC) around 72 and I just to make a living so its tricky, but if I see and Nick do an amazing job, on behalf of hated it! It was cold and wet and we lost and an artist with something I like I try to help . everyone with TC. 40 years later I’m still going, thankfully Sam has been making huge in-roads working still with my dad. Fashion was a much more in South Korea. I guess that is a little spirit DJ: Drummers must be really tough on aspirational pursuit, you would have to seek of mod, new frontiers, new opportunities their footwear when playing – what’s your out a special piece like a Lacoste or a Fila and directions, also touring with Trio Valore preferred style of choice for gigs? and you had to bloody well save for it to, it www.whiteydrums.com/TV/ all just meant more. SW: Well, as music got louder a Buddy Rich We have gigs stretching to spring 2014 and inspired Chelsea boot might have been a DJ: Why the drums? How did that all start? we’ve just done some great shows in Italy little restricting. I’ve always been an Adidas and then there is the teaching and drum man though in the summer, Sperry deckers SW: The drums came like a bolt out of the clinics. go well with shorts. blue when I saw a Boys Brigade band. I was just knocked side ways by the noise and that DJ: On a scale of 1 to 10, how important are DJ: Through your drum clinics you must was it really been an obsession that’s never the right shoes to finish off a look? meet many wannabe Whiteys – any words of left me. wisdom to pass on? SW: Well pretty much a 10. A man can DJ: Name your favourite three tracks you have the most unassuming Black Tee and SW: I have but I take that as a tribute, I was have played on? Jeans(Italian of course if your over 40) and a Buddy wannabee. I guess with music its a good pair of Rhythms (Rhythm and Blues only like fashion you really have to be true to SW: Ooh! That’s hard. I have favourite = Shoes - London Ed.) can lift even that yourself, the truth will out. albums. I think Cafe Bleu was brave and humble ensemble to new heights!

16 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 17 the CROWley – Stone £65 WAttS – Stone/Purple £65 bullitt – tan £90

muSWell – bordo £85 the univeRSAl – navy Corded £85 meRtOn – bordo £75

OtiS – black £60 WAttS – black/White £65 AfteRglOW – Stone/brown £55

the uPSetteR ROyAle – blue £80 ACe PunCh – bordo £82 bullitt – Stone £90

THE LAST OF THE TROUBADOURS One of the longest standing associations we have with anybody is the one we have with singer/ songwriter Darron J Connett. And that continues to today with the last of the troubadours, where he drives things along with joel rogers in the company of luke, dan and tony. We like the band so much, we have created a shoe inspired by them!

I caught up with them recently over a cold JR: To be honest, everything has happened JR: The Isle of Wight Festival was a great drink or three, to see how things are going at in such a short space of time, I mean its only weekend. It was obviously amazing to be the moment. 2 years ago we even thought about sitting part of such a line up but I must admit, for down and writing a few tunes, so to have me, the best show for a breath-taking crowd, DJ: So, The Troubadour shoe - how pleased done everything we have done has been a it has to be the Carnaby Sound festival. are you with the results? real blessing. Saying that, when the idea of a Walking on to the stage and the street being TLOTT shoe was first being discussed with packed as far as you could see was such a JR: Yeah they look great. I’m pleased with your good selves, it was a cool thing to be buzz. There must have been a couple of the understated subtleness of them working on. How many bands around right thousand there, and everyone was really in DJC: Yeah, I think they look great, it’s nice now can say they have their own shoes I to the set, which was cool. to see them go from an idea to fruition, I’d guess? DJC: Yes I’d agree with Joel there, the Isle wear them so thats important. DJC: I expect the unexpected to be honest, of Wight fest was a top weekend being on DJ: What inspired the design? we’ve had some great things happen in the the same bill as, Weller, The Stone Roses last two years and still have things in the amongst others can’t be bad. Plus the JR: Well, we had a couple of ideas between canon for 2014 so working closely as we Carnaby Street Sounds Festival was massive us and the design we went for had simplicity do with Delicious Junction I guess it was a and when the crowd sing your songs back to to it that we were all happy with. The design natural process. you, you know your doing some thing right. kept to the Delicious Junction ethos and drew on inspiration from the sharp dressed DJ: Who wears the best shoes in the music DJ: What’s the story behind the bands name? Motown/Stax artists of the 60’s. The likes world, apart from you two of course? JR: I was on a train, reading a review of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Smoky JR: Apart from us two? Tony Marshall (Our of some one or another and there was a Robinson were immaculate at all times. guitarist) description of him being a Troubadour. DJC: We worked around an idea that was This stuck in my mind, as I really liked the DJC: I look at film stars from the 40s,50s based on a 60s shoe with our contemporary ideology of the medieval songwriters/ and 60s and of course the rock stars of that spin on it. Its a bit like a Beatles chelsea boot entertainers. It then turned out there is a time. Miles Kane and Paul Weller always got but obviously a shoe version. novel called The Last of the Troubadours nice foot attire on I’d say. which follows the journey of a 13th Century DJ: Did you ever see the day coming when Troubadour in Sweden that got himself in DJ: We know it’s been a rock solid year for you would have your own TLOTT shoe? all kinds of bother playing for rich families, the band - Your highlights please… with all the women falling for him which

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 215 eventually resulted in him being chased out JR: That’s right, we are supporting The of town. He simply moved on to the next Rifles on their UK Tour. We are doing the town, just writing and playing he tunes. It Northern shows, which are going to be also sounds really cool, which helps… great. Rob our ex bass player previously with The Rifles, went back to record the new DJC: Well, apart from the fact we are real album with them and by the sounds of it, the life troubadours, Joel really wanted to original line up really clicked so they have incorporate the word in our bands name, decided to do a tour. We are really grateful and as he said there are a few books with for Rob for inviting us along and cant wait to that title, one being by Nendrik Willem van get out on the road. Loon haha, straight up. Troubadours were the first rock stars as they travelled the lands DJC: Oh, thats a great tour for us, all sold singing, playing music and getting drunk out, plus we get to hang with Rob and the while bothering the women folk so nothings Rifles boys. There all top fellas and it’s the changed there then! next natural step I think, and we are more than ready. DJ: We often hear about conflicts within bands – what’s the glue that keeps you DJ: Your profile is well established in the UK guys together? music scene, what is next for you chaps?

JR: We just get on and have a laugh, simple JR: Well, we have shows up to the end of as that really. I think the fact that we are not 2013, including The Rifles tour. We have in a position to be full time, by the time we various new tracks bubbling over so I think get together; it’s a nice break from the rest of the next thing will be to put an album out, the chaos. And lets be honest, what’s not to then see where that takes us. like about being in a room with your mates, having a few beers and playing music? DJC: The new album hopefully. Me and Joel have got new song ideas, so early 2014 we’ll DJC: Yeah, we just have a giggle. We can sit down and go to work on them. With any even make Dan (bassist) laugh. We all get on, luck they resonate with people. but take the art of music very seriously. But its safe to say there is never a dull moment. DJ: ...and your ultimate ambition is?

DJ: Who inspires you creatively in your JR: I am genuinely grateful for all we have lives, either in the music or fashion business? done so far. Massive thanks to Delicious Junction for their support since day one. If JR: I get inspired by so many things really. someone had asked me the same question Living in London, I think it is pretty much when we started out, I think hoping the impossible to not be inspired. I try to absorb band would release 2 EP’s, play all the great as much as I can from the City around London Venues we have played, play The Isle me. There is so much going on, if you can of Wight Festival, design our own shoe and be arsed to open your eyes and see it. But tour with The Rifles, all within 2 years may inspiration comes from all over, for example, have out done any realistic ambition for the the title track of our latest EP came from band. I guess all I would want to do is keep walking with my daughter. It was a sunny creating, keep writing and playing music that day, and we were playing silly games, eye spy I enjoy and if anyone else likes it too, then that kind of thing. I said, ‘what are we gonna that’s a huge bonus. play now?’ and Lyla said, ‘Ok Daddy, Don’t stand on Shadows.’ It just thought it sounded DJC: We’re very ambitious like all bands so great. should be, we’ve achieved all this off our own backs, no manager, no label, no famous DJC: Everything around us I guess, boredom friends giving us a leg up. We still get played takes my mind to a more creative part of my on XFM, 6Music and RTE, plus a load of brain.An artist of any kind should be inspired internet shows. The press like us too, so by whatever moves them. with the ongoing support of Delicious Junction, we hope to move on to the next DJ: A little bird (nice girl) tells me you are levels and with the songs that are coming, supporting a very well known band soon, can anything is possible. you tell us more? DJ: We’ll drink to that. Cheers lads.

22 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 23 STONE FOUNDATION “TO FIND THE SPIRIT”

When it came to thinking about making a new record and how we wanted to approach matters this time around, it soon became clear of what we didn’t want to do which I think is as equally important as considering what you do want from it.

24 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 For a start we didn’t want to tread water and I suppose you could say we approached it make the same record again, we certainly in a similar vein to that of a recording wanted to push ourselves and explore areas in the sense that some of the rehearsals beyond our comfort zone, there was a and recordings for the album were quite conscious decision to leave more space in spontaneous, there was definitely an intuitive the arrangements of the songs and not to vibe between us, we were certainly tuned into over clutter things simply for the sake of it, the same wavelength. the voicing of the horns also altered slightly by bringing in a Sax to augment the section, The ten songs that make up the album were giving us more versatility and freedom to try conceived, rehearsed, arranged and recorded different ideas. over a period of 12 months and we were also fortunate enough to have some special guests feature on certain songs, artists that we have long admired and respected such as Carleen Anderson, Pete Williams, Andy Fairweather Low, Nolan Porter and Dennis Bovell, which is particularly humbling and of course very exciting.

Once again we recorded the majority of the album with Andy Codling at our own studio in Warwickshire.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 23 • SPRING/SUMMER 20132014 2517 Here’s an exclusive Track by Track guide to the album

1) TO FIND THE SPIRIT 3) CHILD OF WONDER 5) DON’T LET THE RAIN This was the first song that we worked on This features the aforementioned written This was another one that just kind of revealed and recorded for inclusion on the album. piece by Paolo Hewitt, we had spoken about itself as we were playing about in rehearsals, I Neil (Jones) came with the tune pretty much a collaboration for some time but it was just had the bass line to begin with but I certainly complete but it had a more conventional finding the right combination, we talked Paolo didn’t envisage that it would circle round for time signature, it was a bit straight so after a into coming up and recording the spoken word the best part of 10 Minutes and create a song. couple of run through’s we hit upon the idea of vocal himself which turned out to be exactly making it swing and loosening up the groove right for the track, we received the words long Everyone just found their own space and somewhat and instantly that worked out so before the sessions started and for a while we it came together really quickly, Phil our much better, the title (which has become the were really scratching our heads as to how to drummer was very forthcoming with ideas name of the album too) and lyrical content was make them work correctly, it took a couple of and arrangements during the whole of these inspired by a written piece that Author Paolo false starts and abandoned sessions before we recordings, he’s really stepped up this time Hewitt had sent to us. hit upon the right vibe. It came about during around and taken on more responsibility one of those rare and magical occasions where leading & conducting the band on occasions Our good friend Lee Cogswell also made we just started playing and the music just fell such as these. The horn section lads really hit a video for this track which features rising together, thankfully Andy (Codling) was on upon a good vibe with their parts too. Neil British actor Calum Macnab. hand to capture and record what we were doing, initially just started singing some words that I think it was the very first take that we ended were scribbled on a piece of paper in front of 2) BRING BACK THE HAPPINESS up using and then Phil went off and layered up them that had been discarded from a previous Another one of the more conventional songs some inspired percussion parts over it. session and amongst them was the line “Don’t that Neil bought into the studio, this one didn’t let the rain get you down”, we started up the take much tinkering with, it’s fundamentally 4) STRONGER THAN US call & response thing and before we knew it we the same arrangement that Neil first played Probably one of the most direct, in your face had a song, a sprawling 10 minute epic at that me, it kind of reminds me of that old Booker type of songs amongst the collection, a horn too ! Legendary Dub producer Dennis Bovell T & the MG’s vibe but obviously with a vocal, driven stomp which features Pete Williams has also done a mix of it which will feature as a I also really like the optimistic nature of the of Dexys fame singing backing vocals on the bonus track. lyric, which is a theme we consciously wanted chorus, I really like Ian’s parts on this, both to keep upbeat between us from the off. It is the Hammond and the piano parts are a real 6) CRAZY LOVE quite a positive record. Nolan Porter features feature, the intro has that sort of ABBA / Recorded with Nolan Porter whilst he was on backing vocals on this one in his unique Oliver’s army lift going on and the interaction over here with us in the summer of 2012, I falsetto styling, it also has the added bonus of of the bridge sections between Neil’s Guitar have to be honest we were debating about the wonderful Q – Strings section, whom we and Ian’s Keys I really like too, it has a 50’s feel whether to include this on the album or not met whilst touring with . to it, kind of Del Shannon-esque simply because it’s a cover and it’s actually a song that has been covered many times but

26 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 this version is just so soulful, Nolan’s vocal is 8) HOLD ON suggestions / proposition we had in mind, right on the money and absolutely heartfelt This was the last song to be both written and a week later we found ourselves sitting in that we just couldn’t bin it, it was far too good recorded for the album, we felt that we were Paul Weller’s Black Barn studio listening to to leave off. in need of another upper, we were patient and Carleen sing our song like an angel, it was both didn’t force the issue then myself and Neil humbling & thrilling in equal measures and not Our instincts were certainly confirmed when collaborated to come up with “Hold on”, once just a highlight of the whole recording but also we started showing some screenings of the again it has a very positive, upbeat vibe about of our musical journey thus far. Keep on Keepin’ on documentary in which it, Lynn was quick to pick up on it and came up the recording of this song features, audiences with the brass hook in the verses which I really 10) WONDROUS PLACE just started clapping at the end of the tune, it like. Andy Fairweather Low sings backing Like most good songs should, this one also was humbling but also vilified our belief that it vocals on this, we travelled across to Cardiff to came together very quickly, I’m particularly should be included on the album. The finished work with him and he was a pleasure to hang pleased with the lyrics, I think it’s a nice version was recorded live in the studio and is with, a real gent and full of great tales from his sentiment and certainly one I was feeling the second take. days touring up and down the Country in the at the time and adds to the optimistic, 60’s with Amen Corner, he’s a massive soul fan spirited and defiant nature of the albums 7) TELEPATHIC BLESSING (and apparently an excellent tennis player too) upbeat feel. Gaz’s sax solo is a belter too. Originally written as a more conventional Pete Williams from Dexys features on this song, both myself and Neil had melody lines 9) WHEN YOU’RE IN MY WORLD adding the call and response to Neil’s vocal. and lyrics for it but in the end we decided to To be honest this was a song that we had It’s a fairly long piece to close the album let it breathe and create more space on it, we knocking about for a while and one stage it weighing in at around 7 minutes but it wasn’t ended up just keeping one line and repeated was really a toss up between putting this on the even a consideration to edit it, there was no that over, we then hit upon the idea of using album or “Warning Signs” (which subsequently compromise with this album. a choir but we were particularly mindful of ended up as the B-side to the “Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum” avoiding the cliché of a gospel type thing, 7” single), we left it alone for a while before re- 11) THATS THE WAY I WANT that also wouldn’t have been the right fit so visiting the demo we had done of it with fresh TO LIVE MY LIFE somewhat bizarrely we found ourselves in ears and mainly due to the lyric we thought it A last minute addition to the album, it’s a a Church in Tamworth early one evening might be a good idea to try it as a duet type of song we had started including and closing recording a Ladies choir with Neil conducting thing. We proceeded to draw up a list of names our recent live sets with and the response and them whilst monitoring the track on that would be our dream collaboration, top of reaction to it has been overwhelming so we headphones, we took our field recording back which was Carleen Anderson and certainly deemed it only correct that it should feature as to base camp and soon made sense of it, I think more by luck than judgement a good friend part of this record. The upbeat optimism of the the results are stunning. of ours was presently in contact with her and lyric certainly fitted the rest of the albums vibe therefore forwarded both the track and the so our decision was made simple, it could even end up being a single.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 27 SPOTLIGHT ON BIRMINGHAM

DJ: How has online sales changed footwear retailing in recent year’s and how have you responded?

Pl: We try to offer something a little different and try to differentiate from the multiples, this seems to get increasingly diffi cult every season, you sometimes feel that maybe everything’s been done and its just a case of combining different features together in different ways. Heel heights on ladies footwear are fi nally getting lower, a shoe doesn’t have to be on a 7 inch heel to look good! Brogues for men and women in PAUL LAMB all guises are still pretty strong, that classic DJ: Give us some background to your life retailer had it for a short while. It was heritage look is important at the moment. before Sims - Have you always been in the then planned to be redeveloped into a I guess the continued popularity of vintage footwear industry? restaurant when it was suddenly put back and heritage also points to an emphasis on the market, I jumped in, and turned regarding old standards of quality, comfort Pl: I started with a sports retailer working it back to a shoe shop. So it’s effectively and durability and that is a very good thing in the shop and ended up with the duties of been a shoe shop for over 130 years! but it doesn’t mean to say that the styling can sports clothing buyer. Buying Pringle, Lyle be bland or boring. & Scott, Sergio Tacchini etc was great fun Pl: The arcade is built over the railway for a 22 year old! tunnel which links Snowhill Station to As a lot of major footwear brands are New Street Station, it is named after now global concerns I think some of the DJ: How did you start Sims Footwear, and the Victorian Great Western Railway excitement of new ranges for the change of how long have you been trading? Company, hence the name Great season has disappeared. They are diffi cult Western Arcade. It is grade 2 listed and is times and maybe the accounts side is taking Pl: I wanted to start my own business and a fabulous looking environment with bags precedent over the design. New trends tend as I had a very good friend whose family of character. On a quiet Sunday you can to be picked up by the smaller brands much business was wholesale footwear, it seemed feel the trains rumbling under the arcade. more effectively. like an obvious way to start. That was about 25 years ago. DJ: In terms of your customers coming I can go on for hours on the subject regarding into store what are the key looks/styles the traditional shopping area in Birmingham, DJ: The GWA is a stunning arcade and they buy into - mens and womens? to the extent of even boring myself to pieces! provides a refreshing change to the mant I think it is pretty indicative of what has generic centres we are used to to these Pl: Its an eclectic customer mix! Based in happened around the country. Although days - Can you provide the background to what is now the edge of the offi ce quarter Birmingham has a lot to offer we have a large your store and the arcade? in Birmingham city centre. Local offi ce number of long term empty retail units. Some workers make the largest proportion of of these units have been vacant for up to 10 Pl: Well our unit has always been a shoe our customers, this area is the largest years, and that is just unacceptable. shop. We’ve had the unit for around 15 offi ce conurbation outside of London years. The Moon and Ashmore family in the . We also see a Over the last 20 years the ever increasing had a shoe shop at our shop for four mixture of shoppers, visitors, tourists and development of large cheaper out of town generations. Cassons another shoe students. shopping centres with free car parking, huge In this issue of All in Good Time we focus our attention on the vibrant city of Birmingham, our love of the city is immense, with its diverse and youthful outlook that embraces a heady mix of subcultures. SPOTLIGHT ON We turn the spotlight on a couple of entrepreneurs who are well versed in the difficult game of modern retail.

Both with different stories to tell and over numerous cappuccino’s we BIRMINGHAM find out what makes these two fine gentlemen tick…

supermarkets selling virtually anything evolve. The result is a depressing sight, many This intimates that the prospective customer you could wish for, combined with an ever boarded up long term empty shop units, many could do better and make it for less, which increasing and developing online market has struggling established retailers, and very few of course inevitably they could not. It’s sad resulted in devastation for some traditional new start up businesses which is very sad as because it shows a huge lack of respect for shopping centres. this is killing the entrepreneurial spirit of the the actual makers and if you can’t truly value country. The only new shop openings we see a relatively simple thing like a pair of shoes High streets around the country are really are betting offices and pay day loan pawn how can you value the even more important important. They encapsulate where we live, shops, a pretty appalling indication where our things in life!! our village, our town, or our city is usually society is heading. Sorry for the downer ....but based around a main high street which is every day customers ask ‘Why are there so DJ: What are your thoughts on working inevitably the centre of the conurbation. many empty shops?’ with DJ and what we are bringing to the market place? There are lots of comments regarding the DJ: What is your ultimate shoe? death of the high st. Mary Portas has been PL: DJ has a traditional ethos that so many heralded as a prospective saviour and now PL: My ultimate shoe changes from time to bigger brands have lost as they to try to her efforts seem to have failed she appears to time but I’m always a sucker for a Chelsea globalize even further, stagnation in some have been succeeded by Bill Grimsy, but I do boot, the Universal fits the bill really well. parts of the industry is slowly making feel most of this is just rhetoric. It has got a great toe shape and in thebrown everything just a little too predictable. suede with the contrasting colour elastic This isn’t the case with DJ. Its great to see It really is a simple problem to solve, if you panel looks great with a sharp suit or a little some bold colours, with special finish upper look to the principles of supply and demand, more relaxed with jeans, really nice! treatments, combine this with some inspired the high street is just too expensive. sixties styling and it all translates very well DJ: Who inspires you in your life, either in to today’s wardrobe. The appeal is noticed There are two bodies who are mainly to business or creatively? from customers reactions of all ages as they blame for this, one is the government and the see the range in store. second are corporate landlords. PL: No real heroes or idols, my family and friends are my biggest inspiration! I DJ: Can you name your personal favourite The government is charging business rates guess I admire anyone who acts and speaks from our collection? that can be up to 80% overvalued, a small passionately about a subject they believe in. I shop in Birmingham city centre can cost recently saw Russell Brand being interviewed PL: I’ve already mentioned my liking for the anything up to around £40,000 per annum by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight, this would Universal Chelsea boot. From the new styles in business rates alone. It is a system that just be a good example. If you haven’t seen it, coming through I think Kerouac would be a doesn’t work anymore, it is not fit for purpose check it out online, even if you don’t agree, favourite. Classic brogue styling with some and , as rates are at an all time high within you’ll either love it or hate it and you’ll have lovely detail on a lightweight sole unit. Looks town centres, these are the places that suffer. some sort of opinion that’s for sure! great, very comfortable and really easy to Corporate landlords won’t truly reduce wear formal or casual. rents, they are waiting for a rental recovery If there was a subject that I’m passionate that is not going to happen and they are not about and that I wish we could re instate to DJ: Can you share any new plans for 2014? happy to write off billions of pounds on their everyone it would be values. As so few of us town centre property portfolios as this would make anything anymore I do feel we have all PL: Just keep going! We hope to give the effectively massively devalue their businesses. lost the real value of lots of products that we shop a minor refit and develop our small use every day, obviously footwear included. online business further. Lets hope 2014 will So we end up with the responsible parties The attitude that it’s just a commodity with get just a little easier for everyone out there. effectively in denial and until they start to a price tag followed by the comment ‘Well Where’s my music question? Ha Ha!! face up to this high streets cannot and will not that’s expensive!’ I find pretty annoying.

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 29 30 ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 FRANKIE jOHNS

DJ: Give us some background to your life DJ: The Urban Village team seems a happy Delicious Junction works on both a vintage before Urban Village; I understand you crowd and very much living the lifestyle – and Mod audience. were in the music industry? is that part of the success of Urban Village? DJ: Can you name YOUR personal fJ: I owned couple of gyms that I set up fJ: Simple! We love it. We wear the clothes, favourite from our collection? with a good friend of mine, then after eight drive the cars and the scooters and mix with years I left to move into the music industry like minded people. Urban Village is just the fJ: Without a shadow of doubt it has to be which I worked in for about ten years as a meat between the bread. the Vandella. manager an consultant. There were several companies I worked with, AM, Sony, WEA DJ: Would consider opening another Urban DJ: Who inspires you in your life, either in and EMI. Village store – or do value its originality business or creatively? and independence? DJ: What gave you the idea to create Urban fJ: My wife and mother in my personal life Village, when did you start it and why fJ: No. Just the one thank you, we don’t and from a business point of view my two Birmingham? want to take over the world just enjoy it. best mates Glen & Kam.

fJ: Urban Village started due to me DJ: What does the term “mod” mean to you DJ: I know you have many projects wanting to move away from the music and how far reaching is it in your life? underway – can you share any new plans industry, I was shooting a video for WEA you have for 2014? Records in L.A. and was staying at a hotel fJ: From a young boy Mod seems to have called The Standard and that’s where the infl uenced me. Mod to me was always fJ: Yes, Urban Village has opened a record idea came from, I was always into collecting about being smart, taking pride in ones department in the basement which will be old stuff such as records, scooters and self, lisning to Soulful music and not caring in full swing over the next few months.. I vintage clothing. about what any one else thought of you. I will be putting a book together about 60s was fi rst attracted to it by the clothing and fashion and music which will be released in There was only one place to set it up and it has always been part of my life. My Mom March 2015. Finally I am now involved in that was my home city of Birmingham. was a great Mod back in the 1960s and I a new based in Birmingham, so remmember the music being on all the time. lts all going on. DJ: You are well known on the Birmingham So from as far back as I can remember it scene – why do you think the city has such was there. DJ: How important is the Peacock to your a strong, vibrant scene going? life!? DJ: What are your thoughts on working fJ: I am not sure why but Birmingham with Delicious Junction and what we are fJ: The Record label is called Peacock High has always had a vibrant Mod scene. I got bringing to the market place? Records, so very important! involved in 1979 and it has always been the same ever since and I am sure it will fJ: Delicious Junction fi ts right into continue that way. Urban Village. We are a vintage shop but

ALL IN GOOD TIME 3 • SPRING/SUMMER 2014 31