In the tradition of The Kinks and the Small Faces and around the same time as Ian Dury and Squeeze, Chas & Dave wrote and recorded exceptionally witty songs about life in London, performed with a strong affection for all things English reminiscent of many of the great Music Hall artists many years previously. In their case , however, the musical accompaniment to their sharply observant material was neither rock nor punk but solid, no-nonsense Rock’N’Roll style which had been their background and inspiration.
Pianist Chas Hodges and guitarist Dave Peacock were widely experienced around the British rock scene of the 1960s and early 70s before teaming up with drummer Mick Burt (another much-travelled musician who had gone back to his original trade as a plumber) to form the group. Chas had worked with the legendary producer Joe Meek, backed Jerry Lee Lewis, played with Mike Berry and the Outlaws, along with Ritchie Blackmore, and also the highly respected Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, which had Burt on drums. He then joined Albert Lee’s cult band Heads Hands and Feet before playing with Dave and Albert in Black Claw. Dave had been equally active, Starting out in The Rolling Stones (no, not them!) in 1960. Spells with The Tumbleweeds, Mick Greenwood, Jerry Donaghue, and the above mentioned Black Claw followed prior to the pair coming together to go out on their own as Chas & Dave.
Their debut album ‘One Fing ‘n’ Anuvver’ was released on the Retreat label in 1975 earning critical acclaim from the likes of John Peel among others. This self-produced offering was perhaps the first (definitely the strongest) example of cockney Rock ‘n’ Roll, with song titles such as ‘Ponders End Allotments Club’ giving a strong North London angle to the genre. Their proudly cockney vocals and exuberant good humour, blended with their love for genuine Rock’n’Roll, led them to title their 1978 EMI album ‘Rockney’ (later to become their label name) which featured some top quality songwriting and was championed, before their commercial success, by the influential DJ Charlie Gillett. Two years later they were spotted by an advertising exec at a pub gig playing their composition ‘Gertcha’; he signed them up to make ads for Courage beer and lucrative popularity naturally resulted as well as awards for the ads themselves. ‘Gertcha’ became their first Top Twenty chart entry. They followed up with ‘The Sideboard Song (Got my Beer in The Sideboard Here)’ from their third album ‘Don't Give A Monkey's’ , and their two most successful singles, 1980’s ‘Rabbit’ (from the same album) and the fine, more reflective ballad ‘Ain’t No Pleasing You’ two years later. In between they recorded their first live album - 'Live At Abbey Road' - for EMI. The famous Studio One being converted into an East end pub for the occasion with friends and industry invited.
More popular recordings came along with ‘Margate’ and ‘London Girls’ and a move into the sporting world, collaborating with the Matchroom Mob on ‘Snooker Loopy’ in 1986, and Tottenham Hotspur FC on their FA cup final songs. The 80s also saw Christmas releases with collections of their favourite old time songs brought back for a new audience. The boys still found time to contribute theme tunes for TV shows such as ‘Crackerjack’ and ‘In Sickness & In Health’. Regular appearances on our screens as well as their own TV specials boosted their profile to household name status. Perhaps the high point of the decade though was being presented with the ‘Red Book’ by Eamonn Andrews on the TV show ‘This Is Your Life’ during the show’s heyday in 1985.
Throughout the 90s they switched their attention to new projects such as writing the musical ‘Two For The Price Of One’ with the late Johnny Speight, legendary creator of Alf Garnett, and a collection of songs to commemorate the 50th anniversary of V.E day in 1995. This proved to be their most successful album to date hitting number two in the charts (kept off of the top spot only by Take That’s farewell album!). The accompanying video was equally successful. In 1998 they had an unexpected breakthrough in America when radio stations started playing their track ‘Flying’ in heavy rotation, resulting in overwhelming public response. This lead to them being snapped up by US label Cleveland International and ‘The World Of Chas & Dave’ album was released to cash in on the buzz, which it duly did, winning them scores of fans in the states including Jack Clement, legendary engineer at Sun Studios (who is credited as having discovered Elvis no less!). So 25 years on, the boys found themselves touring the US for the first time.
In this new century, Chas & Dave’s appeal has never been greater or more varied. The audiences are getting younger without the boys deliberately trying to appeal to the youth, and new bands are citing them as a major influence. None more so than The Libertines, who when asked who they wanted on the bill with them on their London shows in 2003/2004, didn’t hesitate... Chas & Dave. The shows at The Brixton Academy & The Kentish Town Forum were a huge success with Pete & Carl from the band joining Chas & Dave on stage for a couple of numbers. This glowing endorsement from the band of the moment opened a lot of people’s eyes and ears to Chas & Dave.
In a musical climate so obsessed with the cool, Chas & Dave never quite fitted in. They merely write and play the music they love and have done so for over a quarter of a century.
DAS AND CHAVE I've been in india at a charity called the russ/good foundation. It's amazing. Help out donate and feel good http://www.justgiving.com/goodfoundation ace laters Xxxxxxxxx
Just to let you know, our (The XCorvettes) debut single 'Shine' is out today. It's taken from our forthcoming album ' An Alcoholic State of Mind'
Available on itunes. Click on the banner.
There's a link on our page too.
To celebrate our Album release on 2nd March we're having an Album Launch Party Gig at Cafe de Paris, London on Fri 27th Feb.
Advance tickets are £8 and include after show party (with DJ Digital Dust), and entrance to Cafe de Paris Club night - open til 3am. As well as entrance to the gig (4 bands).
Hi yer Chas & Dave " Thanks for hooking up on this myspace thing Dig every thing you do and would love ta have a jam with Chas & Dave in some pub somewhere for sure, its great stuff & its an honer to be in contact with yer. Drop us a comment and stay in touch. Love & peace to you from Devon’s most fiery raucous and hairy rocking folk band The Dambuskers. A legend in their own lunch time And rebels without a clue. Keep Music Live and keep it real!!!. -
Tres en Retard, les gars, un gd merci pour l 'Add sur liste amie et clap-clap-clap-Hourrah!..pour votre zique qui tient super bien la route du Rock-and-Roll. Extra-Délicieux-Encore!..:)
"Struggles & Lulls", the brand new album from Joan Coffey, is available now on ITunes
'a voice that can enchant. Coffey's vocal chords deliver liquid gold with a divine Irish lilt.' FATEA Records 'charming and honest'. Time Out 'Joan's music exudes a warmth, humility and truth that is rare to find in singer-songwriters these days'. Thea Gilmore
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
