Welcome To My Blog

Thanks for checking the blog out... Hope it offers something a bit different every now & again. Though I come from a pseudo - Mod background (Soul & Ska in particular), I have a diverse taste in music & hope my varied posts will reflect this. Cheers Skamanc .... I'm not after your undying gratitude, but please leave your thoughts, comments & opinions on the posts & content. I regularly up- & download material, plus buy and trade items. As such, if I have inadvertently "trodden on anyone's toes" in posting anything then please let me know & accept my apologies. Also please support the artists involved & remember that the blog is merely a pointer toward these various downloads, which are stored elsewhere. Legally, any downloads should not be retained for more than a week. Feel free to give me a shout : skamanc_auto_spark@hotmail.co.uk Skamanc, City 'til I die, rainy Manchester M23, Jan 2010 For my kids, Dylan & Tommy. Bollocks to the Mrs! Special thanks to Steve White (software), Gordon Waring (music), Shaun Robinson (artwork), Paul Buddery (DVD's / software) & Sonchey Barrett (essential technical advice!). "Thank you" also to regular contributors Herr Pauli (Germany), Phil (Shetland), Deco Mc Dermott & Mark Pengelly of Dublin, Martin Smith (Barnet), Paul Baily (London) and Rodd (Australia). Acknowledgements to Manchester City Football Club, Ford Motor Co, Hollands Pies, Snap On Tools, Levis Jeans, Stella Breweries and Benson & Hedges. Also to all branches of our fantastic Armed Forces. Finally, sincere thanks to all the visitors who have made donations. The blog only continues thanks to your generosity.

Better than the Jukebox in your local...Guaranteed !!

Monday, 2 January 2012

Blog Top 10 Posts for 2011...



The 2nd Anniversary of the blog is almost upon us... as we enter the third year, I've looked back through the stats for the past twelve months to see which posts attracted most hits.....

 1) Les Fleur de Lys, Birds, Eyes, Attack, Creation

 2) The Damned / Doomed - London Gigs 1977-81

 3) Damned : Peel / BBC Sessions

 4) David Bowie - Pin Up's

 5) Dusty Springfield - Complete BBC Sessions

 6) Rolling Stones : Bastard's Banquet

 7) The Fall : Hex Induction Hour

 8) The Jam : Royal Court Liverpool 1982

 9) Paul Weller : Bootlegs & rarirties Vols 1-5

10) Polystyrene : Generation Indigo

So there you have it - some great soiunds enjoyed by some very discerning visitors!

Thanks to everyone for the fantastic support over the past two years & keep coming back for more great music.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Fender 1951 Telecaster / "P" Bass





Firstly, can Itake this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year for 2012, and also say "thanks" foor all the comments, messaegs and e-mails. Another year older... if not wiser !!

I had a great run - up to Xmas, selling various data and technical manuals for cars. Some of the proceeds were invested in this Bass, which I've been after for ages.

A bit of a hybrid really, as its based on a 1951 Telecaster / "P" Bass (early Precision), though has a 1957 Precision pick up. The body is a slab (no contours), and the scratchplate again from a '51, like the control panel. The neck / head is Telecaster, and the bridge cover / ashtray is again from a '51. The finishing touch is a period "Fender Telecaster Bass" decal to the headstock...

Although its only about 12 months old, the Tele has been carefully reliced to look as though it has years on the clock... acid etched hardware, missing paintwork and a few dinks in the paintjob. The guy who reliced the bass does them to order, so you can specify how worn or not it looks when completed...

He was also working on a very nice 1970 Precision replica (with the neck humbucker) which I was briefly tempted by before re-deciding on the tele...

Fender's Custom Shop will do this kind of thing to order, though they charge several thousand US $ for the privilege.... This loks the part, plays like a dream and has a real punchy tone. Plus it cost a fraction of what I might have paid...

If there's enough guitar / bass minded people out there, then I'd welcome some posts on the topic... pics & descriptions can be sent via the usual e-mail address & I'll post them up periodically.

Thursday, 29 December 2011

THE SPECIALS : Brixton Academy, 31/10/11


From Brixton to Manchester via North Carolina...

The usual huge thanks & respect to the lovely Cheryl for sharing this...

Be sure to leave her a comment or two please.

PS I've noticed that no one has thanked Geoff for Deaf School despite the volume of downloads.... freeloading wankers.

A New Year can be a new start- why should people like Cheryl, Geoff & even myself bother...??

No comments = NO MORE POSTS. (This invenctive does not include or accuse the usual all round good guys).

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This will be a joint Birthday / New Year's Eve / Day post & is highly likely to be the last one of 2011.....

!st post for 2012 will be some pics & blurb of / about my new Bass... If enough of you out there are into guitars, basses etc then lets have some pics (e-mail to the usual address) & I'll post them up...

Saturday, 24 December 2011

DEAF SCHOOL : Jazz Cafe, Camden, 21/12/11




MASSIVE thanks to the Bootleg Meister, Geoff, for this gem, recorded at the Jazz Cafe a couple of nights ago. The ususal quality show & sound quailty, with  gig piccies & some memorabilia thrown in.

Please be sure to leave a few comments for Geoff ...

May I also take this opportunity to thank every visitor over the past 12 months & wish everyone a very happy Christmas & a great New Year.

Special thanks to all the regulars & contributors (you know who you are) & especially Herr Pauli, Ian, Jonny, Martin & Phil.


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PS Thanks to Dave for the gig photos :




Thursday, 22 December 2011

SOFT MACHINE : Amsterdam Paradiso 29/3/69.

Well known Soft Machine boot from early 1969, featuring the 3 piece Hopper, Wyatt & Ratledge line up.

 
For Softs fans SK & Herr Pauli.

Monday, 19 December 2011

THE PRISONERS : Rotherham Assembly Rooms, 30/8/85.



MASSIVE thanks to Josechu Modforever for sending me this gem. He says its an mp3 rip from a cassette, so the sound ain't brilliant, but is certainly listenable.

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For all out there in Blogland & all Prisoners fans, especially Jonny, Rodd & Nicola...

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

JEFF BECK GROUP : Miami 16/11/68






Sorry for the lack of activity - had some sarcy e-mails enquiring whether I'm still alive lol !!

Just about to start sorting out the Xmas raffle & prizes - all winners will be named on the blog. Any last minute entries can be sent via Paypal to the usual e-mail address.

Remember all funds are going to Help For Heroes & Wythenshawe Town FC Juniors (new kits & training gear). Current total stands @ £110!! Thanks for all your fantastic support.

In reply to several comments asking for re-posts, I lost a fair amount of material with a virus on the hard drive some months ago.... I'll do my best over the next few weeks...

Thursday, 1 December 2011

THE JAM : Royal Court, Liverpool, 25/9/82.

Welcome to December and what a way to start the festive month...!!

Massive thanks to Gary (S Manchester) for very kindly sending me a cd of his original Double LP of this gig from late in the career of The Jam. This was a "fan club" released bootleg from late 1982 / early '83 and goes these day for upwards of £90! I've added the (correct) track listings, so all you need to do is download the file & get listening. 



This is one file with separated, annotated tracks, though for the completist / anorak, the original playing order is as follows :


Side 1 : Ghosts, A Town Called Malice, The Modern World, Away From The Numbers, So Sad About Us, Move On Up.


Side 2 : Pity Poor Alfie, Fever, Thick As Thieves , It’s Too Bad, Carnation, Start, Smithers-Jones.


Side 3 :  Precious, Pretty Green , Circus, When You’re Young, Down In The Tubestation At Midnight, David Watts.


Side 4 :  Mr. Clean,  All Mod Cons, To Be Someone, The Gift, Boy About Town, Funeral Pyre.

The Jam played the Friday & Saturday nights, September 24th &25th 1982. This was recorded on the Saturday...

For all Jam fans, everywhere, & my blog regulars, especially Herr Pauli, Martin, Jonny & Ian.

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

MAGAZINE : No Thyself (3 track sample) 2011

Recent (Oct 2011) release from Devoto & co. This is a three track sample I've pulled from the album - if you like what you hear then you'll have to go out & buy it !


Saturday, 26 November 2011

THE ROUTE TO QUADROPHENIA



Sorry for the shite pics... Pretty decent Quadrophenia related compliation here. Nothing too obscure but a great listen all the same. CD is available free with the December Mojo magazine...


Sunday, 20 November 2011

THE SPECIALS : Hamburg, 25/9/11.

Thanks to Phil (Shetland) for this gem... For Herr Pauli.



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Monday, 14 November 2011

THE PRISONERS : More Live Clips (1983 ??)

As regular visitors are aware, I fuckin' love The Prisoners. As such, it was with great surprise that I came across this gem (not literally, though almost... fnarr fnarr !) whilst conducting some youtube research earlier this evening.

Exact date & venue unknown... previous youtubers reckon it's from Water Rats and may be '83 due to the material played. In between tracks Day mentions a "new single" ... "Hurricane", so there you go... 1983.



I treasure the fact thay I saw these lads, both originally AND after they reformed... please remember that "new" Prisoners & related bootlegs are always welcome on the blog... e-mail address in blurb @ the top of the blog.

Fuck me... just found another...

Monday, 7 November 2011

THE WILDE FLOWERS 1965 - 69 (Early Soft Machine / Canterbury)



Great compilation of all the surviving tracks cut by The Wilde Flowers between 1965 & '69, though most apparently date from 65 - 6. Chiefly remembered these days for including various members of Soft Machine & Caravan as well as other players from the Canterbury prog scene.

A mixture of period R&B with burgeoning psychadelia... freakbeat really.


For Herr Pauli - thanks for the unique & very thoughtful gift mate ! Already on the wall ready for New Year!

Friday, 4 November 2011

THE SPECIALS : Glasgow, 18/10/11.


With "thanks" to Phil...

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1. Gangsters
2. Do The Dog
3. Dawning Of A New Era
4. It's Up To You
5. Monkey Man
6. Blank Expression
7. Too Hot
8. Doesn't Make It Alright
9. Rat Race
10. Hey Little Rich Girl
11. Stupid Marriage
12. Concrete Jungle
13. International Jet Set
14. Friday Night Saturday Morning
15. Do Nothing
16. Stereotype
17. Man At C&A
18. A Message To You
19. Nite Klub
20. Too Much Too Young
21. Enjoy Yourself
22. Ghost Town
23. Little Bitch
24. You're Wondering Now

THE SPECIALS : Brighton Centre, 25/10/11


With massive"thanks" to Bud for the original links... Check out his excellent "Living On Dreams & Custard Creams" blog, accessible from the "Check These Out" links below...

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1. Gangsters
2. Do The Dog
3. Dawning Of A New Era
4. It's Up To You
5. Monkey Man
6. Blank Expression
7. Too Hot
8. Doesn't Make It Alright
9. Rat Race
10. Hey Little Rich Girl
11. Stupid Marriage
12. Concrete Jungle
13. International Jet Set
14. Friday Night Saturday Morning
15. Do Nothing
16. Stereotype
17. Man At C&A
18. A Message To You
19. Nite Klub
20. Too Much Too Young
21. Enjoy Yourself
22. Ghost Town
23. Little Bitch
24. You're Wondering Now