HEAVY SOUL

Iwas really excited to be invited by Adam Cooper to the Heavy Soul label all-dayer event. It was to be a veritable feast of live acts, including a pop poet and sounds from the likes of The Deep Six, The See No Evils and The Mourning After – what more could one ask for? The venue was The Flapper in Birmingham, a canalside establishment with doom and gloom closure histories of late. It’s underground and catacomb-like, the sort of place where you have no idea exactly which time period you are in once you’re inside. The low vaulted roof and dark interior were reminiscent of all the alternative clubs and dive-bars of the early 80s. I was home. Adam goes to a lot of trouble to organise events such as this – and, not surprisingly, was bobbing about, fuelled by a fine cocktail of nerves and adrenaline. He was extremely conscious of the people who’d come to the event and went out of his way to make sure he spoke to each and every one, regardless of whether they were a ‘star’ or a punter.

The night was kicked off by Jason Disley, beat poet of the Jack Kerouac, John Cooper Clarke persuasion. Jason is well known for his work and also produces novels that have 1960s and mod angles to them. It didn’t seem more than five minutes after Jason had been on stage that the first band of the night was on. The See No Evils from Yorkshire showcased their sound and they weren’t afraid to show their roots either. A hard hitting, full-on performance, swinging about the stage and chucking in a few ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds!’ chants between songs. How do they sound? Joy Division, Wedding Present, Iggy Pop, Chameleons… but these are mere markers as they do have their own sonic footprint. This band will appeal to a much wider audience than to the mod-based faithful gathered that evening. It’s a band to ‘see’ as well as hear.

With the bar doing brisk business and the chaps from Raw TV dashing about grabbing people for vox pops, it was a hectic night. The second band on was the well-established The Mourning After. Making no apologies for their psychedelic influences, the graphics of their merchandise left little to the imagination of their leanings. The front man was a larger framed version of Bolan, though this chap had more of a snarl about him on stage, while the bass thundered and the 60s’ keyboards washed and whirled behind and around him.

The crowd had really warmed up by the time the highlight of the night took to the floorboards.

The Deep Six should need little introduction to members of this parish. Simply put, if you like (as I do) pure jangly Sixties-based pop with meaning – these are your men. Each of their songs has the earworm effect. They write and play their songs, which you swear blind you know, even when you hear them for the first time.

The only trick I think Adam missed on the night was not to play tunes from his own label between the acts. Surely this would have been a prime place to showcase other stuff available from Mr C’s stable? Adam’s events are really friendly and have that camaraderie that a secret club holds. Trust me, become part of the hush-hush club and grab yourself a stack of credibility.

All the artists above (and a shedload more) can be got to via Adam Cooper’s website www.heavysoul45s.co.uk

Words and photographs: Rik