|
By Daniel Dee
One of the most recognisable late night voices in London, with quite a past, is renowned TV theme composer Big George. Every night from 10pm til 2am he entertains the capital (and the world via the internet) on BBC London 94.9 with his sideways take on life. But recently his trademark confidence was rocked, in a BIG way, when an aspect of his past, that was long forgotten, caught up with him. Once upon a time, way back in early 1977, whilst struggling to free himself from the chicken in a basket circuit around the, now all but extinct, Legion of Workingman's drinking clubs, Big George saw the light... Punk Rock!
The safety pins, the Pistols, Clash and multitude of no hopers, it all seemed easy pickings. Back then, certain history revisionists hadn’t rewritten the cold hard fact that, Punk Rock was a tinderbox sparking right across the country as the last reminisce of socialism was dying. It was NOT being planned in an over priced boutique along the Kings Road.
So with three fellow fame seekers from oop north, The Blitz were born. Their first gig was a blinder; audition night at the Roxy in Covent Garden (the holy growl of punk). The clubs management were so impressed, they signed the band up there and then. Huge success seemed just around the corner. Sadly, this wasn’t a good move, as their destiny was now controlled by a man who had no media savvie organisation able to guide a bunch of talented teenagers to number one on Top Of The Pops. He was part of another kind of “Organisation”... Instead, they were thwarted by wrong decisions, late night poker tournaments (which saw a band of wannabe pop stars serving drinks and clearing tables until the milkman called) and driving people and suspect packages around the West End. The industry interest they did receive (including a session paid for by CBS) was passed over, and they eventually were signed to a Eurodisco label with no experience in Punk. Why? It was business, although not necessarily music business!
The Blitz recorded just one single, Strange Boy c/w Sod You at Borough Studios, which less than five years later would become Stock Aitken and Watermans Hit Factory. The single was never released, maybe because the heat in the Roxy kitchen got too hot. Things got so dicy the band did a runner in Spring of 1978, never to contact each other again. Until.... earlier this year, Big George received a call from Detour Records informing him they had acquired the rights to the single and were planning to release it as part of a punk compilation entitled: Bored Teenagers Vol.5. Big George was taken back and asked “Why?”. Well, it seems there’s a small but significant market out there for authentic old punk rock tracks.
The album is available on heavy duty vinyl and CD (the latter which includes probably the fastest punk song of all time Rabid Dog, two verses, two chorus and a solo in less than 25 seconds). The lurid cover is a pocketed polaroid from their one and only photo session back in 1977 that has been lost in the ether.
Totally unconnected (or so he maintains) at the same time Big George is releasing seven albums on iTunes, containing his session and theme tune past. Amongst his ubiquitous soundtracks are the three hidden treasure.
A sublime seven minute classical version of Have I Got News For You as well as another seven minute epic featuring Brad from the Specials on drums entitled The Sound Effectians Dub, which is simply out of this world and a punked up Grandad (you’ll never think of Clive Dunns version again once you’ve heard this). Since the release of the record Big George has been re-acquainted with Jez, the Blitz’s guitarist (although no sign of Ruth the singer or drummer Ed) and formed The G Spot.
Boasting (sic) that they’re more Barron Knights/Chas and Dave and the antithesis of the tragic crop of pensioner punk pillocks doing the tax demand circuit. With their debut single “Baldies of the World Unite” out later this month and a hilarious take on John Cages “Four minutes and 33 seconds of Silence” Big George and the G Spot look likely to end up on a TV show, comedy club, or scrap heap near you soon. photo credit: Big George at G Spot
|
