Playlist 24.04.09
The Men They Couldn't Hang didn't change the face of rock and roll, but they gave excellent value for a few years. They were one of the acts that featured in the Cowpunk Festival of 1984 at the Electric Ballrooom, Camden. They were mates with The Pogues, and indeed their name was one of those that was rejected by the aforementioned. And while they didn't have quite the ferocity of Shane MacGowan's firm, they released quality tunes like 'Ironmasters', 'The Colours' and their cover of Eric Bogle's 'Green Fields Of France', which topped the UK indie chart for months.
I met them in 1985, around the time of their 'Greenback Dollar' single. This was just after some yahoo had taken a swing at Phl "Swill" Odgers and had broken his jaw. So I interviewed a man with his jaw wired together. He wasn't massively articulate, but he did manage to pour an impressive amount of stout through a little gap in his teeth. I'm glad for the memory, and the band's return to the recording studio for the first time in six years is something to celebrate.
Some other day I'll tell you about my trip to Iceland with TMTCH, an event that was promoted by the hairdresser who had brought the feathercut to Reykjavic. And I may also decribe some infernal nights at the Bushranger in Shepherd's Bush, where I pulled foaming pints for Chelsea fans and the space-time continuuum was regularly lost.
Playlist 24.04.09
BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM
Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster
Fridays, ten - midnight
Bo Diddley - Let Me In (See For Miles)
The Whispertown 2000 - Old Times (Acony)
Eels - My Timing Is Off (Polydor)
Malcolm Middleton - Travellin' Socks (Full Time Hobby)
Thomas Truax - In Dreams (SL)
Tony Christie - Born To Cry (Universal)
Jarvis Cocker - Angela (Rough Trade)
Rick Nelson - Mystery Train (MCA)
Steve Earle - Loretta (New West)
Woodpigeon - Cities Of Weather (End Of The Road)
The Byrds - The Ballad Of Easy Rider (CBS)
Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (XL)
The Men They Couldn't Hang - Aquamarine (Irregular)
Imelda May - Johnny Got A Boom Boom (Universal)
Panama Kings- Golden Recruit (Broken Sound)
Jimmy Scott - People Get Ready (WSM)
Teenage Fan Club - I Don't Want Control Of You (Creation)
New York Dolls - Cause I Sez So (ATCO)
Eef Barzelay - Could Be Worse (Freeworld)
Diana Jones - Something Crossed Over (Proper)
Dwight Yoakam - Home Of The Blues (Reprise)
James Grant - This Could Be The Day (Vertical)
Thomas Truax - I Put A Spell On You (SL)
David Holmes- Theme IMC (Mercury)
The Flatlanders - No Way I'll Ever Need You (New West)
Louis Ramirez - The New Breed (Harmless)
The Handsome Family - The Loneliness Of Magnets (Loose)
Nina Simone - Mood Indigo (Crimson)
Basement Jaxx - Raindrops (XL)
Comment number 1.
At 00:54 27th Apr 2009, norriemaclean wrote:Stuart - I am reasonabyl sure some dates in the UK are planned by TMTCNH around Sept.
That was a superb show on Friday.
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Comment number 2.
At 10:54 27th Apr 2009, hyperDawg wrote:Stuart please tell us more! I leapt out of my seat when I heard The Men They Couldn't Hang being played on Friday. I'd almost dare to say that Aquamarine sounds like a summer hit! Unlikely though with these boys, as every record they released before seems dogged by controversy.
Are you going to play more from the album? I haven't been able to find it listed anywhere yet, what was the release date?
So what's this about you and TMTCH and the feathercut pioneering promoter?
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Comment number 3.
At 13:03 27th Apr 2009, dustintaylor3985 wrote:Wow! I can't wait to hear more of their songs. They sound cool to me. Please tell me more about them Stuart... Bill Shor
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Comment number 4.
At 09:39 28th Apr 2009, djZardoz wrote:Yes, they sounded wicked, please play some more.
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Comment number 5.
At 14:11 28th Apr 2009, Barada_Nikto wrote:The Men They Couldn't Hang are one of my favourite bands of all time. Glad to hear they're back, great to hear them on your show and that song sounds the business.
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Comment number 6.
At 16:11 28th Apr 2009, ianmctear wrote:A new single from James Grant that is not in the downbeat mode of his solo albums - what could be finer?
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Comment number 7.
At 11:46 29th Apr 2009, norriemaclean wrote:Iammctear - the album is excellent ~ highly recommended!
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