Paul & Suzy's chat on the disgrace that is 'Mod Revival music' certainly made me feel way over the hill. It's a shame seeing them dismiss the whole thing as 'shit', especially reading about Paul's love of Ska earlier in the year. I think the best way to defend what was going on between 79 & 82 is to say that really you had to be there to appreciate it. I didn't get into the music until 80/81 and was mainly into The Jam & the whole Two Tone thing, but at 14 going on 15 it all seemed really exciting. Those of us who got involved in the scene at that time had a massive appetite for new sounds and we quickly took in the music of The Chords, Purple Hearts and the rest. Although by the time of The Jam splitting up many people were moving off in a strictly 60s direction and the bands got left behind. What was more unfortunate for me by the time I was collecting Revival 45s most of the bands had either disappeared or were beginning to fade. One or two exceptions like The Prisoners, Small World, Makin Time and The Truth - but it wasn't quite the same as there wasn't such a vibrant live music scene. Anyone getting into Mod today could be considered lucky as everything (clothes, music, clubs & scooter restoration) seems to be there in place waiting for punters to spend their cash. The New Untouchables do a good job in organising rallies - musical differences aside - and these rallies give people the chance to mix in half decent numbers with like minded people. The bit I don't understand is why more youngsters aren't getting into it anymore given the dross that only seems available to the mainstream. Anyway, enjoy it all while it lasts. Regards, Mark. PS Dominic - tell us about Secret Affair.........
