dexys midnight runners

Index

2007-12-31T23:49:00.000-08:00

Dexys Midnight Runners were formed in Birmingham, England, July 1978 by ex-Killjoys members, Kevin Rowland and Al Archer, taking the name from pep pill dexedrine. With a cast of players including Pete Saunders, Pete Williams, Bobby Junior (soon replaced with Andy "Stoker" Growcott) and the brass section of Jimmy Paterson, J.B. Blyte and Steve "Babyface" Spooner, the band set out to emulate their heroes of the mid-60's soul scene. After a minor debut hit with "Dance Stance" (and the replacement of Saunders with ex-Merton Parkas / future Style Council man, Mick Talbot), a brilliant tribute to one such hero, "Geno" (Washington), saw Dexys topping the UK charts in Spring 1980. A third single, "There, There My Dear", was issued later that summer, with a debut album, "Searching for the Young Soul Rebels" following into the Top 10. Sporting an image inspired by Martin Scorcese's classic "Mean Streets" and coupling it with their idiosyncratic 80's take on classic soul, Dexys were initially the toast of the UK music press. There was dissension in the ranks, however, which cullminated in Rowland's insistance on releasing a single of "Keep It Part Two". The commercial failure of the single sent the bulk of the band away in early 1981 to form The Bureau with Rowland and Paterson the only remaining members of Dexys.

They bolstered the line-up with new recruits, Billy Adams, Mickey Billingham, Paul Speare, Brian Maurice, Seb Shelton and Steve Wynne. The resulting single "Show Me" hit the Top 20 later that summer, although a follow up "Liars A to E" failed to chart and the group retired to reconsider their approach. Augmenting the group with The Emerald Express (that is, fiddlers Helen O'Hara, Steve Brennen and Roger MacDuff) Dexys re-emerged in Spring '82 with a revamped Irish folk/soul hybrid (aledgedly inspired by songs recorded by ex-Dexys member Al Archer and his new band The Blue Ox Babes) and a suitably dishevelled gypsy/romantic vagabond image. "The Celtic Soul Brothers" introduced this new approach and although the track just missed the Top 40, a classic follow-up, "Come On Eileen" was a massive transatlantic No.1 smash. Not only were Dexys big news again in Britain, they'd cracked America and the subsequent album, "Too-Rye-Ay" (1982) was the most successful of their career. Yet again, however, the line-up splintered and the momentum faltered, the brass section of Patterson, Maurice and Speare departing in summer 1982.

It would be a further three years before the release of "Don't Stand Me Down" a considerably lower-key effort which enjoyed only a brief sojourn in the charts. A solitary hit single "Because of You" (used as a theme for TV sitcom, "Brush Strokes") followed in 1986, before Dexys were consigned to history and Rowland faded into musical folklore.

Despite his revered talent, Kevin Rowland has released few recordings during the past 15 years. A solo set, "The Wanderer" featured well written songs, but failed to become a commercial hit due most likely to its uninspired production. In 1999, Rowland finally came up with some new material for his comeback, a covers album "My Beauty" which also failed to chart.

SINGLES

LPS

CDS

It Was Like This

VIDEOS

KILLJOYS

Studio Demos 18/10/1977

THE BUREAU

THE BLUE OX BABES

KEVIN ROWLAND

Tonight

Geno

2006-08-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

EMI, March 1983
LP (EMS 1007)

Side A:
Geno
Plan B
Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache
Dance Stance
The Horse

Side B:
There, There My Dear
Keep It
One Way Love
I'm Just Looking
Soul Finger

Back in 68 in a sweaty club
Before Jimmy's machine and the rocksteady rub
On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
The lowest head in the crowd that night
Just practisin' steps and keepin' outa fights

Academic inspiration you gave me none
Ah but you were Michael the lover the fighter that won
And look at me now looking down on you
No I'm not being flash its just what I'm built to do

That man took the stage with his towel swingin' high
This man was my bombers my dexys my high
The crowd they all hailed you and chanted your name
Ah but they never knew like we knew
Me and you were the same
And now you're all over your song is so tame
You fed me you bred me
I'll remember your name

This Is What She's Like

2006-08-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Mercury, November 1985
10 inch single (DEXYS 1310)

Side A:
This is What She's Like (Full Version)

Side B:
Marguerita Time

Only For Sheep

2006-08-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

WEA Records 1981
7 inch (K18478)

Side A:
Only For Sheep

Side B:
The First One

Let Him Have It 02

2006-08-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

WEA Records 1981
7 inch (K18753)

Side A:
Let Him Have It (Sweet Revenge)

Side B:
The Noose

Archie Brown - Vocals
Pete Williams - Bass
J.B. - Tenor Sax
Steve Spooner - Alto Sax
Paul Taylor - Trombone
Robert Jones - Guitar, Trumpet
Mick Talbot - Organ
Stoker - Drums

There was an audible murmur in the court. It seemed, for the first time, that the prosecution had made a mistake.

Let Him Have It 01

2006-08-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

WEA Records 1981
7 inch (MX19913)

Side A:
Let Him Have It (Sweet Revenge)

Side B:
Carpetbaggers

Studio Demos 18/10/1977

2006-08-25T02:45:00.000-07:00

Last Years Youth Records
7 inch (LAST 014)

Side A:
Recognition
Back to Front

Side B:
At Night
Naive

Kevin Rowland - Vocals
Ghislaine Weston - Bass
Mark Phillips - Guitar
Lee Burton - Drums
Heather - Backing Vocals

Too-Rye-Ay

2006-08-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Mercury, July 1982
LP (SRM-1-4069)

Side A:
The Celtic Soul Brothers
"Believe me, if all those endearing young charms which I gaze on so fondly today, were to change by tomorrow and flee from mine arms, like fairy gifts fading away, thou would still be adored as this moment thou art. Let thy loveliness fade as it will and around the dear ruin each wish of my heart would entwine itself verdantly still."
-Irish Traditional
Let's Make This Precious
The pledge is taken all else forsaken, trust all to instinct, put on those blue dungarees hit that bell, that's what makes it beautiful, put on those blue dungarees.
All in All (This One Last Wild Waltz)
So what happened to tenderness
Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
Old
Words Heaven sent and truly meant to show.

Side B:
Come On Eileen
And though spiritual seduction might seem more my aim, right now I just want to take off all your clothes and do something dirty to you.
Plan B/I'll Show You
May your soul and spirit fly melancholy friend. Too bad to know better, too much to fit in, full of Redding's kind words, they could have changed anything.
Liars A to E
Until I Believe in My Soul
I remember as a child looking up to older brothers and longing to experience all their great adventures. Years later I found most of those things to be a great disappointment. What had looked so good as a child seemed dull when I came to experience it.

It Was Like This

2006-08-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

Buy Now

EMI, 1996
CD (7234 838122 2 6)

Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache
Tell me When My Light Turns Green
The Teams That Meet in Caffs
Dance Stance
Geno
I'm Just Looking
Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire it Doesn't Apply
Seven Days Too Long
I Couldn't Help It If I Tried
Respect
The Horse
Keep It
Love Part 1
There, There My Dear
Keep It Part 2 (Inferiority Part 1)
One Way Love
Plan B
Soul Finger

Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache B-side of Geno. It's good to hear this one again, it has nice groove, it really swings.

Tell Me When My Light Turns Green It sounds good. Kevin Archer and I sang this together. It was one of the first things I wrote after getting involved with music. I had the first half of the song for ages before finishing it.

The Teams That Meet in Caffs Written and arranged by Kevin Archer, it summed up the group's feeling. He may have titled after a few of us sat around in a caff talking about the group. We liked the idea of us as a team, as in a gang. I recalled a well known gang from my teenage years called Y.K.T. - Young Kingsbury Team. When Kevin showed it to us I felt excited about the future. It gave another facet to our music.

Dance Stance This remix sounds like the original version should have. We always hated the original mix of this, it was done without our knowledge and we were railroaded into releasing it.
I wrote this after Pete Williams our bassist made a derogatory remark about Irish people. His comment was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I'd long since felt hurt at hearing Irish jokes. Bad jokes aside, Pete Williams was a powerful and under acknowledged member of the group and a natural comedian. We knocked this mix off at the "Geno" sessions.

Geno It grooves much better than I remember apart from the vocal. Kevin Archer wrote the music, I wrote the words. On first hearing the music I felt jealous of Kevin's, by this time stunning songwriting talent, and was relieved when he asked me to write the lyrics. I dug out the words which I'd written about a year earlier.
At the mix down of the record there were two versions taped, the one we favoured featuring loud brass and quieter vocals, plus another more traditional version favoured by Pete Wingfield our producer. When the session was over we made it clear to our A&R man at the record company that our mix was the one that should be used. He remained non-committal but we had the feeling we weren't being taken seriously. He suggested he himself, Pete Wingfield and the group should all be present at the cut (where the tape is transferred to the disc) and we would then all decide on the best mix. To cut a long story short, the cut was done without the group's knowledge. We were assured the best version had been chosen but we were angry because we knew what was meant by this. About ten days later we received a call from the label manager who knew nothing of the conflict. The test pressing was jumping and was therefore unusable, and as Pete Wingfield was uncontactable and the A&R man was on holiday would we mind attending the re-cut? We certainly would not, but this time we made sure the proper version was used.
A few weeks later the A&R man phoned us up, having returned from holiday and hearing "Geno" on the radio, he said it sounded awful. He made clear his anger that we'd switched mixes. Soon afterward "Geno" went to number one and he never mentioned the subject again.

I'm Just Looking B-side of Dance Stance. I find it hard to listen to this version with all the echo on my voice. I don't like the mix. The feel is pretty good though. Pete Saunders had the music, Geoff Blythe added to it and I put the words on top. The intro was originally shouted but at the recording session the producer Bernard Rhodes suggested I whisper.

Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire it Doesn't Apply When we wrote this it was a really positive time in the group. Pete Saunders walked into the rehearsal room with the riff, the words came really easily. I liked getting stuck with the chorus live.

Seven Days Too Long This sounds great. We got the feel down. Pete Wingfield helped us a lot. That's him whooping just before the music comes in, down on the studio floor grooving away with us. It's a beautiful feel.
I was introduced to the original Chuck Wood version of this song in 1968 by a kid named Robinson who I often traveled to school with in Harrow. Sometimes, instead of going to school, Robinson, my good self and one or two other scholars would instead repair to London's West End for the day. Once there, most of us would be content with the delights of Soho, except Robinson who insisted we went into every record shop we passed and pester the staff into playing "Seven Days Too Long." The unusual thing about Robinson was that he hated all current music, he liked only 1950's music like Chuck Berry and Elvis, except for this song. When we came to record "Searching for the Young Soul Rebels" we decided we wanted one cover version and I remembered this song, the power it had and Robinson's face. That's quite a common factor for me, experiencing things through other people, not directly.

I Couldn't Help It If I Tried I like this. It sounds fucking good. I like my singing on it. Jim used to talk about the ballad that he'd written but none of us had heard it. One day he walked in and very calmly showed it to us. I put words to it. We called it Jim's Song for ages and properly titled it just before the recording.

Respect Recorded for David Jensen's Radio 1 Show. The group sounds really powerful, particularly Kevin Archer's backing vocals. We did a good version of this in the live shows, after a while it took on a different meaning, peculiar to the Famous Dixons as we affectionately referred to ourselves.

The Horse We used to open our live set with this. Some nights it sounded really confident like it does here. This is an outtake from the first LP.

Keep It Kevin Archer wrote the music just before we recorded S.F.T.Y.S.R. It sounded instantly great. I couldn't write any appropriate words so Geoff Blythe did the honors. I don't like the vocal now but the music gave us a new depth at the time.

Love Part 1 My ideas about love at the time.

There, There My Dear Another one Kevin Archer wrote the music for just before the LP. I liked the sweet direct dignity of it. It reminded me of "Judy in Disguise." I'd had the idea for an open letter to our fellow musicians for a while and once I'd heard Kevin's music it was easy to finish it. It sounds pretty powerful now and I'm proud of it. At the end of the LP I sang "everything I do will be funky from now on," though I'd never heard the song that the line was from, I'd just heard a kid up Piccadilly sing it to himself in the street when I was about sixteen and I remembered it during the recording of the LP and put it on. Also we'd planned to re-record the songs on the LP later in the year, all bunked up and call it "Funking for the Young Soul Rebels." We never got around to it.
It didn't mean a lot to me when this record reached number 7 in the charts in 1980, Top of the Pops was off the television during the life of the record and we felt the song didn't register into the national consciousness but mainly we had hoped it would be another number 1 to cement the groups success. Also we were exhausted from drudging around Britain in a minibus on the Intense Emotion Revue. Personally I found it very hard to deal with the new found acclaim. I didn't feel happy. I didn't feel confident, it was all too much. It didn't feel like a group, I had lost control. The audiences seemed more powerful than the group. There were endless chants for "Geno." Geno had given us a quick mainstream audience with many people only aware of that aspect of the group. Sad really.
It was like we were on a conveyor belt of groups playing dance halls. I tried desperately to control everything and everybody. It was during this tour that I decided to try and play theatres from then on.

Keep It Part 2 (Inferiority Part 1) I like this now. Kevin Archer wrote the music, I wrote the words. At the time of the writing the words and recording this track I was going through what felt like some kind of breakdown. The stress of it all was too much, and though it was sad and debilitating, it had it's beauty. This record became my obsession. I sang exactly what was going on with me onto the vocal track. The record was hated by most of the group. I didn't care, I needed it, it was all I had. I was so disappointed when the record company and radio people didn't like it because that meant it wouldn't be a hit. Although the signs of doom were everywhere, I kept a hope going that people would relate to the truth of emotion and buy it, that somehow without radio it would find its way through. I was very disappointed when it didn't sell and lost a lot of confidence in myself through it. This was the first time in Dexys I found myself to be widely and unknowingly out of sync with commercialism. The mighty Kevin Archer supported me through the end, though I knew he found it hard. Everyone left shortly afterward except Kevin A, Big Jim and I.

One Way Love Sung by Kevin Archer, this song is in the B-side of "Keep it Part 2." It makes me feel sad to think about how I was in those days.

Plan B This sounds good. It was the first song with the new group and the new songwriting partnership of Jim and I and its beautiful. I honestly don't know how we did this. So warm, and I had so mush love.

Soul Finger This sounds a lot better than I remember it.

Its been quite hard for me to listen to some of these, and it's not possible for me to separate this musical journey through the past, from my life in those days. Hence the tone of these sleeve notes.

Best Wishes,
Kevin Rowland

Tonight

2006-08-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

Phonogram, 1988
7 inch single (ROW 1)

Side A:
Tonight

Side B:
Kevin Rowland's Band
From the "Don't Stand Me Down" sessions (Recorded September 1984)

Well I've been burning
at the bottom of Birmingham,
I was burning
at the structures in Nottingham,
In all this time I learned some things,
I've been burning baby,
You don't know where I've been...

Apples and Oranges

2006-08-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Go Discs, 1988
7 inch single (GOBOB 2)

Side A:
Apples and Oranges (The International Hope Campaign)

Side B:
Pray Lucky

There's No Deceiving You

2006-08-24T03:49:00.000-07:00

Go Discs, 1988
7 inch single (GOBOB 1)

Side A:
There's No Deceiving You

Side B:
The Last Detail

Ian Petitt
Steve Shaw
Nick Smith
Steve Wynne
Yasmin Saleh
Pete Wain
Kevin Archer

From the heart I wholly applaud you
And that's just the start
Even sit on my head stand before you
Maybe you could take part
When you walk out the door
I'll see you know more
There's no deceiving you
CHORUS
Run, run away
Run away, run away to the country
Run, run away
Run away, run away to the coast
I'd have given to you what I'd promised
And that is a fact
Fallen trees in my path in a forest
It's as simple as that
But you've grown up too strong
And nothing you do is wrong
There's no deceiving you
You must think I wholly applaud you
Caught you with my telephone dialing

Searching for the Young Soul Rebels

2006-08-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

EMI, July 1980
LP (SW-17042)

Side A:
Burn It Down (formerly Dance Stance)
Not Savior from on High deliver No trust have we in prince or peer But in our strong arm to deliver.
-Brendan Behan, Borstal Boy
Tell Me When My Light Turns Green
"Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison that I may give thanks to thy name. Commit your way to the Lord and he will act."
-Psalm 142 6-7 Old Testament, Bible
They came from all around these boys. Some boys wore flames in their hair, these boys...
The Teams That Meet in Caffs I'm Just Looking
How can a small town big shot boy get enough to eat.
Geno

Side B:
Seven Days Too Long
I Couldn't Help If I Tried
After a massacre the Apache braves turned their backs and walked away from the bloodshed, victorious. On the way back Little Wolf was ambushed outside the launderette just around the corner from the cutlery warehouse where the strike should have taken place.
(Memoirs of a Disillusioned Socialist.)
Thankfully Not Living in Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply
Reality - I don't think so, not yet.
Keep It
It's just for amusement now, you're filling in time.
Love Part One
These words could be incorrect. I hope you are less confused.
There, There, My Dear
P.S. Old clothes do not make a tortured artist.

Come On Eileen 02

2006-08-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Mercury, June 1991
7 inch single (MER 347)

Side A:
Come On Eileen

Side B:
Because of You

Released in association with "The Very Best of Dexys Midnight Runners" Come On Eileen credited to Dexys Midnight Runners and the Emerald Express Because of You credited to Kevin Rowland featuring Dexys Midnight Runners

Because of You

2006-08-23T23:28:00.000-07:00

Mercury, October 1986
7 inch single (BRUSH 1)

Side A:
Because of You

Side B:
Kathleen Mavoureen

Because of You is the theme from the BBC TV series "Brush Strokes"

The Celtic Soul Brothers 02

2006-08-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

Mercury, March 1983
7 inch single (DEXYS 12)

Side A:
The Celtic Soul Brothers

Side B:
Reminisce Part One

Kevin Rowland
A failed priest at the age of eleven, a tramp at nineteen, a wandering minstrel by twenty one, Kevin Rowland now seems to be happiest as song and dance man with Dexys Midnight Runners.

Seb Shelton
Where do we begin, "Polish Sid," "Sid the Polak," "The Sergeant" are but three of the many titles applied to this drummer's many faceted persona. Seb, a resident of this country for many years, has adapted well to British ways, but even now occasionally finds himself queuing outside the local bread shop at five in the morning. Says hard-working Seb: "Leisure is only sweet after work well done."

Steven Brennan
Steven Brennan describes himself as the "quiet, stop at home type." The young fiddler's idea of relaxation is to be tucked up by the fire reading a good play. It has been said he has much in common with his great uncle, Bernard Shaw.

Billy Adams
"Cakeman" is no longer an appropriate term to use when in the company of young Billy Adams, for volatile Billy has for six long months been single-minded in his determination to beat his passion for sweet pastries. He has by all accounts succeeded, although some say at the expense of gaining a reputation as something of a magpie. It has to be stressed that allegations of this nature are totally unfounded. The fact that some members of the group have taken to calling him "light-fingers" after a series of unfortunate coincidences concerning their personal valuables is quite rightly dismissed by adamant Billy in the jovial nature it was surely intended.

Helen O'Hara
The eldest of seven children, not surprisingly the young Helen O'Hara had her hands full. When she wasn't helping Mum with the cooking and cleaning, the Ballymena Belle practiced hard and long on the violin. Her efforts have of course paid off for tender Helen has now found success playing the fiddle in Dexys Midnight Runners. Mum and the kids are extremely proud and like nothing better than to gather round the telly and watch Helen performing on T.V.

Let's Get This Straight From the Start

2006-08-23T16:40:00.000-07:00

Mercury, November 1982
7 inch single (DEXYS 11)

Side A:
Let's Get This Straight From the Start

Side B:
Old

Seb Shelton: Wooden Block
John Edwards: Bass Guitar
Billy Adams: Acoustic Guitar
Micky and Spike: Acoustic Piano
Steve Brennan: Accordian and Violin
Roger MacDuff: Violin
Helen O'Hara: Violin
Kevin Rowland: Singing
Extra singing by The Brothers Just:
George Chandler
Jimmy Thomas
Simon Solace

Let's Get This Straight From the Start
What's that on the start?
Oh, C'mon let's get this straight from the start
Who's that? Who's that? What's his part?
Tell him to come back tomorrow
And we'll start
(You keep saying) What did I say?
(You keep saying) Tell me what did I say?
(Pardon me) Please (Pardon me) Oh
I'll tell you come round here
Singing let's get this straight from the start
I'll tell you this is something
I don't even understand
These people round here
Have their own way of thinking
Some of them get angry
With things out of hand
Oh, just watch what you're saying
That's not what I'm thinking
(You keep saying) What did I say?
(You keep saying) So what did I say?
Well listen it's "Come round here and go"
Yes let's get this straight from the start
Oh, I don't believe
(You'd better look at what you think)
Because these people round here
Have ideas of their own
What's that? What's that?
Repeating part
Who's that playing? What's his part?
Tell him - Come back tomorrow
And start
(Pardon me) Oh (Pardon me) Please
I'll tell you, come round here
'Cos I want to get this straight from the start

Old
Old, long memories
Must keep all the cold away
Is that what you say?
No sense to dwell
Old, are you ridiculed
And turned away?
No attention paid?
I thought as much
Yes and the dumb patriots
Have their say
Only see their way
Nothing to sell
And worse from us
So obvious, preposterous
When you think of the time
That each has spent
Words heaven sent
And truly meant to show
Old, if I sit down
Will I learn this day?
I'll hear all you say
I won't go away
Old, long memories
To keep the cold away
One long winter day
Because you're old

Jackie Wilson Said

2006-08-23T00:29:00.000-07:00

Mercury, September 1982
7 inch single (DEXYS 10)

Side A:
Jackie Wilson Said

Side B:
Let's Make This Precious

Featuring the fiddles of The Emerald Express

Jackie Wilson Said
It was reet petite
I kind of love you
Yes it knocks me off my feet
Let it all come down
Oh let it all come down
And you know I'm so wired up
I don't need any more tea in my cup
Let it all come down
Oh let it all come down
Now we catch this
Toodle langa langa Toodle langa lang
Toodle langa langa Toodle langa lang
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven when you smile
And when you walk across the street
It makes my heart go boom boom boom
Let is all come down
And every time I stop to think about it
Well little child you simply make my day
Let it all come down
Oh let it all come down
Toodle langa langa Toodle langa lang
Toodle langa langa Toodle langa lang
I'm in heaven, I'm in heaven
I'm in heaven when you smile

Let's Make This Precious
Pure, this must be, it has to be,
Pure let's make this pure,
(Do you mean it?) Yes I do,
(Then let's sing it) Certainly, but
First bare your hearts and cleanse your souls
(And then?) Let's try and make this precious, like this,
Let's make this precious.
We're striving over here
(Ever nearer?) I think so
(Visions clearer) of course, of course,
But still we must forsake all to win
(All temptations?) everything
(for salvation?) now you're talking
Then let this apply to all we do
(And then?) Our striving will guide us
And somehow I think we'll win.
Let's make this precious,
First let's hear somebody sing me a record
That cries pure and true.
Not those guitars, they're too noisy and crude,
The kind that convinces refuses to leave,
There's no need to turn it up,
If it's pure I'll feel it from here.
Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will)
Let's make this precious, (I think we probably will)

Come On Eileen

2006-08-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

Mercury, June 1982
7 inch single (DEXYS 9)

Side A:
Come On Eileen

Side B:
Dubious

"These people round here wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces
They're so resigned to what their fate is
But not us, not us
We are far too young and clever.
Remember toora-loora toora-loo-rye-ay
Eileen I'll hum this tune forever"

The Celtic Soul Brothers 01

2006-08-22T18:26:00.000-07:00

Mercury, March 1982
7 inch single (DEXYS 8)

Side A:
The Celtic Soul Brothers

Side B:
Love Part Two

As the fifties turned into the sixties Giorgio Kilkenny was born on a boat from New York bound for Liverpool. His Italian mother and Irish father grew up, met and married in the Bronx. In 1963 the family settled in the West Midlands where they have been ever since. Mrs. Maria Kilkenny intended her son to be a priest, Giorgio's father wanted him to be a boxer. Giorgio Kilkenny and his bass guitar joined the Midnight Runners in October 1981.

"Good morning my name is Paul Speare. I am also quite often referred to as Snaker or Spearsey. I am 6ft 2ins tall and my hobbies include running and drinking (strong tea.) I managed to sneak a bit of flute onto this record which I am proud of."

Mickey Billingham (who plays Piano and Accordion on this title) was, to say the least, a slightly affected panto MC, when he decided to leave the world of theatrical and stage folk to get down to some serious show business. In November 1981, Mickey with the Midnight Runners realised his life long ambition by gracing the stage of London's Old Vic Theatre, says Mickey "It was the most wonderful experience of my life." He has a message for his public, "I Love You All."

Billy Adams - "I struck and plucked the Banjo on this title. I joined the group a year ago, and from then til now I have trained and sweated and perfected my craft. The training is over and now I am strong. I won't lie easy until the Midnight Runners are where they want to be, which is a long way from where they are now."

Seb Shelton - the hardest working man in Show Business. Seb plays the drum and enjoys arguing and shouting at Billy.

I am Brian Maurice, I often play the alto sax but I didn't play on this record, my ambition is to overcome my fear of women and to perform on the Group's future records.

Big Jimmy Paterson's undeniably Scottish roots served as a reference point in the quest for the Heart of the Celtic Soul.

Kevin Rowland, a well known song and dance man. Also claims to be of Celtic origin.

The fiddles on this title were played by "The Emerald Express" Helen O'Hara, Steven Brennan & Roger MacDuff.

Liars A to E

2006-08-22T00:58:00.000-07:00

Mercury, November 1981
7 inch single (DEXYS 7)

Side A:
Liars A to E

Side B:
And Yes We Remain the Wildhearted Outsiders

Nobody tells you, you end up knowing.
Bad habits - you should sleep alone,
open to suggestions, is that the way you feel?
Because you're the voice of experience,
every word you choose is,
sweet stolen info you must never lose,
until you're so secure in your habitat familiar.
But you won't want from me,
there's nothing else to see,
there should be soon though,
try smoking your own and don't look at me.
(quick, nip next door to the vendor of Charisma.)
Because the time the place and the mood is right,
and good old Kevin'll be alright,
here comes "his soul,"
get your pen and notebooks ready.
Because you don't look like me,
try smoking your own and don't follow me.
No need to explain it; just order dresses,
bad habits - try and sleep alone,
open to suggestions is not the way you feel.

Now that the lunatics have taken over the asylum, and worse is now worser, music fades further and how, and rightly. In comparison to all that goes on, music is worth nothing, especially when all on sale is shallow, conceited, foul tasting, non lasting, bubblegum. Music doesn't have to be this way; it just is. Of course it could never be really important or bring about any change, but it needn't necessarily be so proudly disposable. Then again, what can one expect from golden hearted Cockneys, Brummies, Scousers, Jocks etc.

"But let me tell you this......"
I know that records give strength. I have heard records that inspire people (not scrambling musicians or groups) to BE who or whatever they choose. I own records that have the power to make me cry. Records to BE by or with - truly precious possessions.

It is the ambition of the Midnight Runners to make records of this value.

Show Me

2006-08-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mercury, June 1981
7 inch single (DEXYS 6)

Side A:
Show Me

Side B:
Soon

Seb Shelton: Drums
Steve Wynne: Bass Guitar
Big Jimmy Paterson: Trombone
Mickey Billingham: Organ and Piano
Paul Speare: Tenor Saxophone
Billy Adams: Guitar
Brian Maurice: Alto Sax
Kevin Rowland: Singing
Paul Burton: Manager
Pete Barrett: Crafts and Des.
Suzanne Kenna: Secretary

Show Me
Show me them now those wild little boys,
the ones that spelled trouble and stole all their toys,
young boys with contempt and schemes in their eyes,
strong, rich in spirit with milk stains on their ties.
A little while later the first ones to smoke,
oh, I just stood there in awe laughing loud at their jokes.
Tinny transistors (Honk Kong made) and this weeks "Parade"
Ah, if they'd accept me I'd have given anything.
Stolen watches and big studded rings,
tall talk of girls and all that kind of thing.
Ah, they just had something precious you know what I mean,
such wisdom and style like I'd never seen.
They helped me get older,
pulled me through each bad phase,
show me them now those boys from "those days".
Show me them now
let me look and see how they've grown up now.

Soon
I won't need to think of nice things to say,
won't have to want to want this way anymore,
shhh! Now here comes the solace,
from this comes strength I promise,
this is it now, soon I won't care,
no need for pain, nothing physical, no violence,
just intense thought, some space, some silence,
just something pure and precious worth having,
soon I won't care,
take this ridiculous mood away,
give me something new I can say,
give me, no more time to look like this,
I'll never ask again I promise.

Pure. We like to think our music is pure and hopefully honest.

Soul. It has a soul, soul's not a form, it's not a particular sound, we're not going to try and explain it here, but soul's always pure and can only be honest. We're not talking specifically about 60's, 70's or 80's black American music, we're talking about soul as an emotional force. When you hear the record, does it convince you that everybody involved in the making of that record truly believes what they're saying? For us soul goes much further than just records. We believe there are soul books (Seb lists John Steinbeck's "Of Mice And Men") soul films (Kevin swears by "Mean Streets" and "Midnight Cowboy") and soul life, we take strength from our soul. Oh and to clear up another point of confusion, we choose the word soul only because we can't think of another description. It may not be the right one, we don't know. We obviously realise people like Donna Summer have already claimed the term for themselves and if soul means the revival of the form then we're not a soul group. But maybe we can redefine the term.

The Shows. We intend our live performances to be an extreme opposite to the usual rock concert pat on the back celebration. We are entertainers but that doesn't mean that we want to bullshit to get applause. We are obsessed with projection, we want to reach everybody in the room. We want to take the audience up, then down, then up, we'd love to move you to tears. If that sounds corny, too bad.

Alcohol. We've been accused of a puritanical stance towards alcohol, again more confusion. We've got absolutely nothing against alcohol, it just happens that we no longer think it necessary to spend half our lives drunk, and anyway most of us prefer tea. Instead we see drinking only as a means of relaxation. We never drink before a rehearsal or going on stage, as we've said we want our performance to be pure, and besides the show is far too important. The same goes for our attitude towards discipline. We all believe in self discipline, as a group we practice hard. We also physically train hard together. Self improvement and self preservation, that's what's important today (Candi Staton knows all about this).

The Group. We are a group, we are spiritually in tune. We're separated from the rest of the music business. We move in our own circle. It is crucial for us to take risks and to be constantly swimming against the tide. For us everything is important, every record / sleeve / advert / photo, everything can be used to project emotion. Anyway that's about it, we're sorry if we've rambled on a bit, we didn't intend to.

GOODNIGHT
- THE MIDNIGHT RUNNERS

Plan B

2006-08-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

EMI, March 1981
7 inch single (R6046)

Side A:
Plan B

Side B:
Soul Finger

Kevin Roland: Singing
Big Jimmy Patterson: Trombone
Seb Shelton: Drums
Micky Billingham: Organ and Piano
Steve Wynne: Bass
Paul Speare: Tenor Saxophone
Brian Maurice: Alto Saxophone
Billy Adams: Guitar

You've always been searching for something
But everything seems so so-so
Tightly close your eyes
Hold out your hand We'll make a stand
Forget their plans and their demands
PLAN B They're testing you - but don't worry
PLAN B This week I'm strong enough for two
I'm coming, I'm running, I'm burning
I wouldn't sell you anything
It starts off just joking
and then they stop talking to you
and that's the worst thing of all
The worst thing of all
Whispers more than loud enough
Try to make you feel not good enough
Try this
Don't believe your eyes
Hold out your hand
We'll make a stand
Forget their plans
and their demands
PLAN B Bill Withers was good to me
PLAN B Pretend I'm Bill and lean on me
I'm coming, I'm running, I'm burning
I wouldn't sell you anything
PLAN B Hold on to me
PLAN B I'll be your friend if you'll let me
I'm coming, I'm running, I'm burning
I wouldn't sell you anything

Keep It Part Two

2006-08-21T00:02:00.000-07:00

EMI, November 1980
7 inch single (R6042)

Side A:
Keep It Part Two (Inferiority Part One)

Side B:
One Way Love

From now on I'll only read books
That shows the worst of my looks
No time to find the time to rewrite mine
I could show it to you
If nothing better to do
But there's no point it doesn't look like you
If you can teach your dog tricks
I think I'll sing or think
Words refuse to come
Mental breakdown and worst is yet to come
My legs feel all numb
But my body is shaking
Sometimes I feel strong
But my soul is all breaking
I've even listened to us
For inspiration / comfort
But competition with myself is not enough
These words aren't lyrics
They're just words from the heart that redefine nervous
If mental pain's not the aim
Why does it claim me, stain me
Words refuse to come
Mental breakdown and worst is yet to come
My legs feel all numb
But my body is shaking
And just like John Voight meant in '69
Sometimes I feel strong
Then I'm God's for the taking
And I know it's not only me
That's scared to look around
But now I've had enough
Show me which way is down
For 3 minutes now I've confused confusion
There's no solution
Al, what the hell, not you as well?
Ah, hold back Kevin
You can wait for heaven
There's more in for you
This is only part two
But if Jesus Christ was alive today
He'd tell me don't heed what you say
Inferiority part one is on
I'm done, it's too late

There There My Dear

2006-08-20T23:41:00.000-07:00

EMI, June 1980
7 inch single (R6038)

Side A:
There, There My Dear

Side B:
The Horse

Dear Robin,
Hope you don't mind me writing, it's just that there's more than one question I need to ask you. If you're so ant-fashion why not wear flares, instead of dressing down all the same. It's just that looking like that I can express my dissatisfaction.

Dear Robin, let me explain, though you'd never see in a million years. Keep quoting cabaret, Berlin, Burroughs, J. G. Ballard, Duchampe, Beauvoir, Kerouac, Kirkegaard, Michael Rennie. I don't believe you really like Frank Sinatra.

Dear Robin, you're always so happy, how the hell do you get your inspiration? You're like a dumb patriot. If you're supposed to be so angry, why don't you fight and let me benefit from your right? Don't you know the only way to change things is to shoot the men who arrange things.

Dear Robin, I would explain, but you'd never see in a million years. Well you've made your rules but we don't know that game, perhaps I'd listen to your records but your logic's far too lame and I'd only waste three valuable minutes of my life with your insincerity.

You see Robin I'm just searching for the young soul rebels and I can't find them anywhere. Where have you hidden them? Maybe we should welcome the new soul vision.

Geno

2006-08-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

EMI, March 1980
7 inch single (R6033)

Side A:
Geno

Side B:
Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache

Academic inspiration you gave me none
Ah but you were Michael the lover the fighter that won
And look at me now looking down on you
No I'm not being flash its just what I'm built to do

Dance Stance

2006-08-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

Oddball Productions, November 1979
7 inch single (R6028)

Side A:
Dance Stance

Side B:
I'm Just Looking

Carlo Rolan: Vocals
Al Archer: Rythym Guitar/Vocals
Pete Williams: Bass/Vocals
JB: Tenor Sax
Big Jim Paterson: Trombone
Steve Spooner: Alto Sax
Pete Saunders: Piano/Organ
Bobby Junior: Drums