The British Mod Scene
A blast from the past
A couple of months ago I was driving back to my parents house when I saw a great convoy of lambretta and vespa scooters heading the other way, all of the riders were dressed in classic mod regalia; fishtail parka’s, harrington jackets, Fred Perry shirts and loafers. It reminded me of old friends of mine who were members of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Stateside Scooter Club back in the early eighties and how they all used to meet up on the sea front just like their father’s generation did as the original mod’s in the early sixties.
It was back in the sixties when youth culture was split into two very seperate camps, the mods and the rockers. You were one or the other and every weekend you would fight the other in pub car parks, town centres or, most famous of all the pitch battles on Brighton beach. Being a mod was all about being fashion conscious, it was a lifestyle inspired by Italian designer clothes, Carnaby Street, SKA music and the Godfathers of Mod music, The Who.
Fast forward to 1979 and as punk music and it’s fashion was begining to ebb away a new generation of music and fashion lovers largely inspired by the film Quadrophenia burst onto the scene. Bands like The Jam, The Specials, The Selector and The Beat led the way with often highly politicised lyrics rebelling against the Thatcher government and its legacy of high unemployment and the infamous miners strikes. Scooters once again became the transport of choice, scooter clubs were formed across the country and music weekends became stuff of legend. It was a great time back then because the youth scene of the early eighties had a real identity, everyone was into something and everyone had a fashion style to support it.
Quadrophenia became the film to watch and The Who enjoyed a new generation of fans whilst the album cover became legendary and the country became awash with US army fishtail parkas covered with beer towels on the back and badges of The Who on the front….
Anyway, after seeing all of those scooters I did some research and was delighted to find that the mod scene was still alive and well with scooter clubs and music weekends still going strong. I shall make a determined effort to go to a scooter rally in the new year because they make for brilliant photo opportunities. In the meantime here’s some classic Who to get you in the mood…..
MIles
a great post. Strangely spooky as well.
I expect to be seeing a meeting today at Cleethorpes.
They usually meet up on the sea front opposite the train station and not far from the pier.
It’s a great sight to see, especially when they are there on mass in the summer.
All ages represented and a wide range of scooters - one thing they have in common is that they all seem very friendly !
It’s great to see and adds to local colour
Cheers
Rod
November 16, 2008 @ 8:35 am
Rod,
You’re right, they do look friendly. Must have mellowed with age
Miles
November 16, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Must have mellowed with age
I think we all do - apart from chefs that is
Rod
November 16, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Rod,
Don’t know what you’re on about
Miles
November 16, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
I had never heard of a “Mod” or thought about people other than Italians riding scooters until I saw Quadrophenia. I love the Who, and I had no idea that some other bands I like were inspired by them or scooter culture. Weird. I play the Jam all the time, the Specials get a play now and then - who was the inspiration for the Buzzcocks? ( love that band)
November 17, 2008 @ 3:52 am
Did the Cars ever make it big over there?
November 17, 2008 @ 5:38 am
Dave,
It’s strange about The Who because I felt that by the late 60’s they’d moved away from Mod culture and went over to the side. They did inspire a generation over here, as for The Buzzcocks I don’t know, bit like bands such as The Dammned and early Motorhead who were well respected by both the punk and rock movement. Maybe it was divine inspiration?
Sadly I don’t think The Cars ever really managed to get away from ‘that song’ over here which is a shame because they did some good stuff.
Miles
November 17, 2008 @ 8:09 am
Brothers’ Collins - a question. Did Nirvana have an impact on the music scene in the UK, and if so, what did you think of them?
November 19, 2008 @ 5:11 am
Brother Dave!!
Nirvana had a massive following in the UK and they were definately an inspiration for a new wave of garage style bands over here. Personally I liked them more than their counterparts, I thought they were a breath of fresh air during a pretty dull time and he was a blast from the iconic singer/songwriter/rock star past.
Not my number one choice but you have to tip your hat to them.
Miles
November 19, 2008 @ 6:17 am
Dave
I thought Nirvana were good, whilst appreciating them I never bought the CDs as it wasn’t really for me.
I do admire any band that brings something new to the table and they certainly did.
They were widely deemed as responsible for supposedly ‘killing off’ traditional heavy rock but I never subscribed to that - they were a natural evolution and the stepping stone for much of the guitar based rock that comes out today IMHO
Regards
Rod
November 19, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
Miles, and Rod.
Thank you for that. I had been wondering for a while how they were viewed. I am an unabashed fan - but - it was because they saved me from the awfulness that was Hair Metal et al. I grew up in the NYC punk scene - many, many UK bands involved - but when it died I was left with the “new wave” crowd. I did enjoy the music - and still listen to New Order and The Cure - but it lacked the raw emotion and pure power of all that preceded it. Rod, I know you love (pre Hagar) Van Halen - tremendous stuff. The day they broke up I lost all hope for rock. Motley Crue; Poison; Warrant - if there was ever an insidious presence in music it was this crap.
For a 5 or 6 year period it was grunge vs hair metal, and although grunge won, (mercifully), it seemed a triumph of angst vs bravado. I keep waiting for someone to just blow me away - been waiting a long time. I mentioned before that Firewater ( and their earlier incarnation Cop Shoot Cop) have been a revelation - really great stuff - but they are are not the answer to the future of rock music. Do Kids even wish for a real guitar anymore when they can play Guitar Hero?
I am a failed guitarist. Long story, but come Winter the arthritis in my hands makes them near immovable. No Excuse - I didn’t practice as a kid - (actually ever) but now I wish I had the chance to try.
What is the future of Rock? Is there one? It’s been a mighty long time since the last innovator. Hendrix sounds as new and original today as anyone playing. I went to see Eric Johnson and he seemed to play 2 or 3 of his own songs and the rest tributes to Jimi and Stevie Ray. Van Halen’s reunion tour was the best live show I’ve seen in 5 years - and as much as I like them that’s pathetic. Arrrrggghhhh - it all just makes me feel old and sad. Has the future arrived and I dismissed it out of arrogance or a sense of undeserved pride? Good Lord music today sucks.
did I just become my dad?
November 20, 2008 @ 6:49 am
Dave
Do Kids even wish for a real guitar anymore when they can play Guitar Hero?
That’s a good point !
All the kids in my street have got the game and devote hours to it.
What beats me is if they showed the same level of determination with a real guitar they’d all be able to ply for real by now.
Strange you should mention it as yesterday afternoon I had my first go on something called Rock Band !
Guitar Hero complete with drum kit and vocals !
It is incredibly clever but feels ultimately pointless !
A to the future of Rock Music - I think it will be like Classical Music is today !
That being the old stuff reigning supreme, covers and copies !
Cheers
Rod
November 20, 2008 @ 7:40 am
Dave,
I hear that Barack Obama wants to ‘improve America’s standing in the world’. Well he could start with an apology for Motley Crue!! I’m not one for bashing other countries considering where I come from but the hair metal of the eighties wasn’t one of America’s finer moments.
I have to say that I am utterly bored with the current music scene from either side of the pond, it’s no wonder bands like AC/DC sell out their world tour so quickly-there’s no competition!
Off to blow dry my hair!!!!!!
Miles
November 20, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Well he could start with an apology for Motley Crue!!
This may be a time to point out just how important and influential the album
Dr Feelgood was !
It defined the production and sound for the next generation of metal like Metallica et al.
Best
Rod
November 20, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Rod,
There’s me thinking Motorhead were Metallica’s biggest influence. I know you’re a fan but they’re hardly Black Sabbath!!
Anyway, this was supposed to be about Mods!!!!!!!!!
Miles
November 20, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Miles
I would draw your attention to this part of my comment
It defined the production and sound
Best
Rod
PS: it was ever Mods v Rockers !
November 20, 2008 @ 6:23 pm