Wednesday 26th
May was the designated recording day for charity supergroup, The Spammed. First
through the door of Hackney’s famed The Premises studio is Rat Scabies, a
drummer truly like no other. Picking up the sticks, says he hasn’t played since
the Damned reunion… but he’s in there instantly, all set up with a minimum of
fuss. Next is special guest, Mickey Gallagher, from the Blockheads - what a
player! His style has grown over the decades and at the tender age of 78,
reached perfection. Our previous keyboardist was the late, great Neil Innes, we
miss him bad, but he’ll be with us in spirit on this auspicious day. New boy
Paul Cuddeford (Holy Holy/Boomtown Rats), guitar supremo with snazzy Gretsch
and big smile shows up. Then Terry Edwards (PJ Harvey/Everybody) with
miscellaneous brass under each arm, making light work of what most find
difficult to carry. Horace Panter is soon on the scene too, bass player of The
Specials, ex special needs teacher and nicked named ‘Horace Gentleman’ for very
good reason. The second special guest is Chaz Jankel (Blockheads) taking the
production chair for the day; the last three occasions we have had the good
grace of Tony Visconti, Nick Lowe and Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones). Chaz has a
zillion credits to his name, co-writing major hits with Ian Dury and
collaborators such as Quincy Jones to Sly & Robbie, He’s had trouble
getting parked but is very happy to be here. Last through the door the
‘sainted’ Kevin Eldon, the band’s singer, traditionally known for acting and
comedy.
The featured
track to be recorded is ’Louie Louie’ and it will join some 40 other artists on
a themed CD for Specilaized (Teenage Cancer Trusthttps://specializedproject.com). On this occasion the theme is ’The Roots of
Punk Rock’.
When I first
heard the Kingsmen version as a kid, I thought it’s what adults listened to
when they were drunk! But it’s the coffee that gets us fired up to move through
to the live room and start run throughs. The band is loose, which is code for
finding our way into the track. We work it a few times through before Chaz
reaches for ‘record’. He’s very keen on feel - together but with swing - that’s
how he thinks the track will work. ‘Tight’, of course, is good but ‘tidy’, is
not where it’s at.
We work up three
versions, then have a break and go through to the control room to listen.
Expectations are high as a couple of the takes appear to work, the track
however is legendary so we are keen to pay it good service. After some
contemplation, Chaz wants an alternative without a ‘click’ to see how it plays
in comparison. Take 4 sails and it’s a tough call. But the feel of the song
resists a strict metronome and it’s this take where we have all fallen into our
own rhythm that Chaz opts for..
In the
meantime, co-organiser, who was there from the very formation, artist Harry Pye
has brought a bag of props, it’s photo time. There’s a lot of sailor hats but
not quite enough, Kevin nobly dons a lovely blonde curly wig found in the bag
and Paul flat cap. We all manage to stand within close proximity with room for
elbows for a take on the back cover of ‘Do it yourself’ (1979).
Rat scoots off
before rush hour but now it’s time for backing vocals, reluctant lead singers
form a queue. BV’s are always fun as it’s a team sport where everybody wins.
The later
stages of the session polishes up the track with a bold attempt to get the mix
to bed on the very day, Louie Louie style. There’s plenty of group discussion
about various solos and vocal levels but Chaz has the know-how to make all the
experience in the room shine.
I cheekily
blag a lift with him back to North London, I do have tons of gear. We have a
fascinating chat on the way where he tells me about his latest project, a
collab with Simon Heath who plays an instrument called the Duduk and talks
about his classical music influences which include Mozart and Max Bruch.
There’s an adagio melody at the heart of the Symphony in G minor that’s the
most beautiful melody he’s ever heard. We part on the front step with a bear hug.
What a great day! Joyous memories flood to centre brain.
https://specializedproject.com
‘The Roots of Punk Rock’ out Autumn 2023
