Northern Soul, Punk Rock, Allen Ginsberg, Kurt Vonnegut,
Libertarians everywhere!, Trotsky (for his debonair attitude - shame he got an ice pick), Gemma (my wife - the only real influence), Musicians who I learn from (almost anyone because I'm still a beginner, but in recent years - Kenny Hossick and Chaz Stewart!), Adam (still means a lot to me after all these years), McGee (because he's honest), anyone who has got caught up in the big wheel for a while, fallen off and survived (Martin Stephenson, Andy Blade etc.), the kids (you know who you are...), people who I have never met, people who I have met and never want to again (thank you very much)
the 4 tracks (poppy white, distraction, dead and gone, rain) I've just uploaded are by Jasmine Minks (my 'home' band) - recorded in April 1992 and which never saw the light of day until now. I aim to release them soon...
My new Oatcake Records will be up and running soon with original releases by my self singing in collaboration with a wonderful set of artists who so far include: Sleepyard with Mike Garson and apb (more to come hopefully)
Who am I? Sometimes a Jasmine Mink - my current solo releases include a tune written specially for the Yorkhill Hospital charity 'You Know My Name Is Love' available from www.diftk08.org.uk/ (there is a myspace page too) and a track on the Patrik Fitzgerald tribute album (available on Crispin Glover Records). Most Minks stuff can be found elsewhere including a compilation out on Rev-ola records of our 1980's stuff.
My musical background - well I was a Bowie freak until punk came along and then I was still a Bowie freak - but also a pink pvc'd trousered punk! Played in a couple of Aberdeen punk groups - Bondage (original eh?) and Absit Omen - (I know - gothy and dark) During all this time Tom has always been around (we went to primary school together and played impromptu gigs in our local primary school to unsuspecting kids one, Wattie, later became a great asset in the group). Jasmine Minks came from the post-punk - Postcard/ Blue Orchids/ Echo & the Bunnymen type of stuff. We changed our sound as we developed our own. Cut Me Deep was probably our best known song of the time.
We were lucky to get to play so many gigs in so many places and sell a few records to boot! Who did we play gigs with? :-
Mo Tucker (A one-off. I still can't believe it - even now)
Primal Scream (loads of gigs over a few years - excellent group then and still are now)
Hurrah! (one of my all time favourites)
Happy Mondays (I thought we'd have to give up when they supported us - they made us sound so old...)
The Pogues
Jazz Butcher (Pat Fish - great guy)
The Palookas (including the legendary Jowe Head)
The Legend (one of the few truly honest people I have ever met)
Jesus & Mary Chain (many gigs including the notorious riot at North London Poly)
James (supposed to be a 'joint' headline but they were far bigger and more impressive even if a bit snobby...)
Television Personalities
The Mekons
The Nightingales
The Three Johns
Paul Groovy
House Of Love
The Loft
Del Amitri (God were they awful...)
Violent Femmes
The Claim (only really appreciating their genius now)
Manic Street Preachers (well me and Adam did acoustic solos - does that count?)
June Brides
Hellfire Sermons (great band)
Biff Bang Pow (McGee's underrated group)
plus many, many that I can't remember right now (as I remember them I'll add them or if you were in a group we played with, drop me a line)
We made a brief comeback in 2001, did a single with the great socialist Tommy Sheridan and made an album for Poptones. I'm sure we'll do something again one day...
hi jim, happy new year. just checking this morning and i see you are on. we are empty nesters now so myspace fills a gap and lets us stalk the kids! what do think of glasvegas, a mcgee tip for the top. peace jez
Heya, our album was just released on Bondarev records and through Itunes. Check it out if you get the chance to have a looksee. Bondarev will release the CD version soon with a new EP due in the new year.
Hiya, I have released a CD of Oh! Custer and it is limited to 200 copies and contains 11 songs. I wanted to let you know since you had a left a nice comment about their music before on the Series Two Myspace. If you are interested in obtaining their record, the release details are on the page. Chris
Hi, Jim....thanks for your support when we were putting this together. We're sure you'll be as touched by Future Pilot's "Dusty in Here"--with BMX Bandit Duglas Steward on vocals-- as we have been since we first received it.
My two sites are having loading error on both the musicplayer. Too bad as i had just presented a new pice with Mike Garson. However you can listen to it here. It is under the name from Lydia L. Ashton, who playes the viola on the track. Hope you can lend an ear:) Love, Oliver
