Shaun Knapp

Mods Two City Connection DB publishing

Mods Two City Connection was originally intended as a companion to author, Shaun Knapp’s first book, High Flying Around, Memories of the 1960s’ Leicester Music Scene, specifically concentrating on the Leicester 60s mod scene, which was Shaun’s initial aim as subject matter for his second book. However, very early on during the research stages, it became apparent that both Leicester and Nottingham mod scenes during the 60s were inextricably interwoven, crosspollinating with clubs, bars and hangouts being frequented in both cities by more or less the same people. The Dungeon nightclub in Nottingham along with places such as IlRondo, Burlesque, Casino and Night Owl all feature in many of the recollections revealed and relayed in Mods Two City Connection. Also featured are trips, albeit less prevalent, to Peter Stringfellow’s Mojo (Sheffield), the legendary Twisted Wheel (Manchester), alongside forays into London, as well as long weekends at coastal resorts, Skegness being a particularly popular destination for Nottingham and Leicester mods during the 60s. With over 40 interviews with movers, shakers and faces who share their experiences, memories of Leicester, Nottingham, as well as further afield from their local 60s mod scenes, a comprehensive overview of East Midlands areas is on offer, with regional takes on national fashions, the best clothes shops, clubs, hangouts, scooters and music, both live and played from records. There’s a few interesting contributions included from the, at the time notorious, even infamous, mini boys, a close-knit group of 12 Nottingham mods who travelled around in a minivan, often flanked by scooter outriders. The Foreword, along with contributions, from author Alan Fletcher, of Quadrophenia fame, and writer of the fiction mod crop trilogy, (Brumell’s Last Riff, Learning Curve and Blue Millionaire, a series of fictional novels linked across decades by a Vespa GS and stories drawn from the author’s own mod background in Nottingham), add to the appeal. This is a snapshot of the 60s in two of the East Midlands biggest cities, provided by those who were there at the time. If the 60s, especially the mod scene from a regional perspective is of interest, Shaun Knapp’s latest book is essential.