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Post by Lord Emsworth on Jun 16, 2022 6:03:34 GMT
i wasn't sent a review copy... i am just a fan and the review i wrote was for a fanzine, which i didn't know i was going to be invited to do, until after i had read the book  I think it has been split into two volumes as 'Two' is more specifically about certain gigs, with the Pulp Fiction elements of volume one being toned down (or removed completely) Decided I'm gonna have to buy vol two There was a couple of gigs I attended which were carnage so curious to see if JJ was there and how he remembers them Will order today |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 10, 2022 9:06:20 GMT
 I've read about half of Part Two Again no page numbers More of the same really - so quite repetitive but interesting to read about gigs I attended. Really it's a fan-written gig diary with many of the same Ant crew turning up in different towns and cities, and often having to deal with Skinhead aggression. There's one gig in Birmingham, policed by Hell's Angels and attacked by Birimingham City FC's skinhead following, which is as extreme as these things ever got, which is pretty flipping extreme. No idea why it's to separate books, apart from as a cynical way to maximise profit. Totally pages are probably 400 so could easily be one cheaper volume |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 11, 2022 12:12:19 GMT
I've read about half of Part Two Again no page numbers More of the same really - so quite repetitive but interesting to read about gigs I attended. Really it's a fan-written gig diary with many of the same Ant crew turning up in different towns and cities, and often having to deal with Skinhead aggression. There's one gig in Birmingham, policed by Hell's Angels and attacked by Birimingham City FC's skinhead following, which is as extreme as these things ever got, which is pretty flipping extreme. No idea why it's to separate books, apart from as a cynical way to maximise profit. Totally pages are probably 400 so could easily be one cheaper volume More of the same, but still good The second part is a straight continuation. Johna Johnson, a Bradford punk, was a keen Ants fan who went to as many of their gigs as time and money would allow and was in with all the most hardcore fans. It's again described as a novel but reads more like a memoir and is clearly almost wholly based on first hand experience. We're still in the era before Adam and The Ants hit pay dirt in 1980 with Dog Eat Dog when, with a new sound, Adam the pop star was born, but that's a whole other story to the one told here. This book covers January 1979 through to June 1980. This period saw the gigs getting far more violent. Often local gangs of skinheads and/or football hooligans turned up to start trouble with the Ants' hardcore following who had a reputation for being able to handle themselves. There were a couple of London gigs I attended which are covered in this book and it's pretty much as I remember it, complete with fights breaking out. As with part one, it's a little repetitive and could do with a good edit but, if you have an interest in the era and this scene, it's solid gold. It's a wonderful time capsule of the era and the incredible loyalty some groups inspired in their fans. This is often a roll call of who attended, who said and did what, the set list, and impressions of the performances. I'm still confused about why this book was split into two parts. The annoying lack of page numbers means I don't know how long each part is but I'd estimate about 200 pages per part. 4/5 |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 16, 2022 7:37:44 GMT
Johna got in touch to thank me for my reviews Been having a lovely chat with him via eBay messages What a lovely man he is He's shared lots of fascinating insights into the book, his life etc Always good to meet a kindred spirit Hoping to be in Leeds early next year for LUFC v BHAFC & aim to meet up |
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Post by andyloneshark on Aug 16, 2022 17:13:57 GMT
Johna is a 'proper gent' - he appreciates any constructive criticism as much as praise for the two books.
Say 'Hi' to him from me when you meet him
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 16, 2022 17:23:57 GMT
Johna is a 'proper gent' - he appreciates any constructive criticism as much as praise for the two books. Say 'Hi' to him from me when you meet him Will do |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Aug 17, 2022 8:10:12 GMT
Johna is a 'proper gent' - he appreciates any constructive criticism as much as praise for the two books. Say 'Hi' to him from me when you meet him Will do Still corresponding Great guy Anyone else gonna be reading his Ant books? |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Nov 3, 2022 12:26:09 GMT
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Post by andyloneshark on Nov 5, 2023 17:38:44 GMT
DAVE BARBAROSSA INTERVIEW (PART ONE)
Good interview with brilliant Drummer, Dave Barbarossa talking about his current musical projects, his book, his childhood and his days in the original Adam & The Antz and BowWowWow...
RETROPOPIC 940 -TELEKINETIC DOG IN 23 TO LEAVING THE ANTS IN 1980: Drummer Dave Barbarossa talks
The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO finds out what project Dave Barbarosa is currently involved in and talks about his earliest days in music.
What is Dave up to at the moment? Which EPL football team does he support? How can listeners get hold of his book Mud Sharks? What was Dave's upbringing like? How did he get into drumming? Which female drummer inspired Dave? What were the circumstances that lead him to replace Paul Flanaghan in Adam & The Ants? How does he remember his first gig with The Ants? To what extent did Jordan manage the band? Why was recording that first Peel session in January 1978 so exciting? How did Malcolm McLaren get involved with Adam Ant? Where did the title 'Dirk Wears White Sox' come from? How upset was Adam Ant about Dave leaving the band?
RETROPOPIC RADIO is the home of the great drummer and there's more to come from my conversation with Dave....
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Nov 6, 2023 7:20:48 GMT
Brilliant - thanks Andy
I met Dave earlier this year - an absolute gent. Very friendly and grounded.
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Post by andyloneshark on Nov 6, 2023 13:35:02 GMT
There will be a Part Two, which will go into detail about BowWowWow  |
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Nov 6, 2023 13:43:23 GMT
There will be a Part Two, which will go into detail about BowWowWow Justs gets better and better Thanks Andy |
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Post by andyloneshark on Jan 3, 2024 18:44:39 GMT
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Jan 22, 2024 9:41:45 GMT
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Post by personunknown on Apr 25, 2024 12:17:33 GMT
Adam has just created a new diet:
" Don't chew ever, don't chew ever."
I'll get me coat....
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