The Inmates were formed in North London in 1977 and soon established themselves as one of the capital’s most popular live groups. Their influences included The Animals, The Pretty Things and The Rolling Stones. They arrived at the tail end of the pub-rock movement, but still managed to find success with their mix of originals and covers of classic R&B and Rock & Roll tunes.
Of the latter, a version of the Standells' "Dirty Water," included on the band's 1979 debut First Offence, became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Capitalising on chart success throughout Europe & North America, the early Eighties saw the band confirm their international status.
Bill Hurley left The Inmates in 1983 through illness and was replaced by long-time friend Barrie Masters from Eddie And The Hot Rods. In 1985 Barrie departed to reform the Hot Rods and Bill Hurley, fresh from the success of his solo album " Double Agent ", returned to his old position, centre stage. In 1987, the leading French newspaper Liberation decided to organise a special concert in Paris as part of the Sgt Pepper 20th anniversary and set their choice on The Inmates as the band who would perform an entire concert of Beatles songs. The resulting live album rapidly acquired a cult status throughout Europe.
"Fast Forward" followed in 1989 and was the last album to be produced by top English producer Vic Maile (Motorhead, Dr Feelgood, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Hawkwind, Girlschool, The Dogs, The Vibrators…) who played a significant part to the distinctive sound of The Inmates through the years. The album also features Dr Feelgood’s guitarist Gypie Mayo on Robert Cray’s "Bad Influence".
"Fast Forward" contains such stage classics as "Caroline", "Move On" and "Dangerous Love", with most tracks written by lead guitarist Peter Gunn and a few well-chosen covers for good measure. Despite their capability to write excellent original material, The Inmates have never been afraid to experiment with cover versions and make them sound as their own songs. "Sweet Nuthin’s" and "Goodbye So Long" are shining examples of the band’s ability to pick songs and make them into energy-fuelled R&B while still paying respect to the original. The remastered version features three previously unreleased live tracks, including a marathon version of their classic "(I Thought I Heard A) Heartbeat", a reminder of the band ‘s infectious garage rock and soul energy on stage.
Thanks to Bill Hurley's fine vocals ("The best British singer" – Robert Plant) and Peter Staines blistering guitar work, The Inmates often excel other bands who play "traditional" Rock & Roll, simply because the band is able to give their songs and live act that extra something. The rhythm section of Ben Donnelly and Eddie (also from The Vibrators) together with Tony Oliver’s killer rhythm guitar provide an unmistakable punky R&B drive.
The BellRays headline a night of maximum rock'n'soul on Thursday next
week at The Borderline with Los Chicos and King Salami & The
Cumberland 3 playing live and Corn Rocket Club DJs on the wheels of
steel.
Click on flyer for tickets.....
Other forthcoming NTSOBC action:
July
Thrs 9 BellRays + Los Chicos + King Salami & The Cumberland 3 @ Borderline, London, W1
Thrs 16 Micheal Sheehy & The Hired Mourners + Gemma Ray @ The Lexington, London, N1
Thrs 23 O’Death @ The 100 Club, London, W1
September
Friday 11 T-Model Ford @ The Luminaire, London, NW6
Saturday 12 T-Model Ford @ The Luminaire, London, NW6
Tues 15 Bob Log III @ The Luminaire, Kilburn, London, NW6
After selling out The 100 Club last week The Jim Jones Revue headline The Rock’n’Roll Circus at Inn On The Green in Ladbroke Grove this Friday (19 June). This will be our last London show until we tour the UK in October......
Tickets on the door only so make sure you turn up early in your best rockin' shoes!!!
..Hey Brothers & Sisters! We are proud to announce the biggest GYPSY HOTEL event ever at The HACKNEY EMPIRE, FRIDAY 3rd JULY.
THE URBAN VOODOO MACHINE will be launching their long awaited debut album ‘Bourbon Soaked Gypsy Blues Bop ‘N’ Stroll’ (in the shops July 6th!)…Joining them on this momentous occasion will be …
…The Fire Tusk Pain Proof Circus | Gawkagogo | The Cesarians | Empress Stah | Lady Ane Angel | The Texas Chainsaw Orchestra | Frank Sanazi | Lalla Morte | Missy Macabre | dj Scratchy | and maybe the odd surprise guest or two…
Hello Versus friends :) Comment vas tu? Désolé pour ce gros coup de PUB mais on a besoin de toi !!! Comme tu peux le voir nous sommes en concert le 22 MAI au NOUVEAU CASINO !!!!!! Et ce va etre énorme. Un show à la ricaine,fort en suprise et en émotion. On compte sur toi si tu es sur PARIS ou dans la région. N'hésites à venir nous faire un ti coucou sur notre page ainsi tu pourras voir que pas mal de chose ont changé ( en bien je te rassure lol) A tres bientot The Versus
Ps:si tu peux faire tourner à tes amis ca serait génial, on t'embete pas plus :p
It’s been almost a year since we’ve had the speed kings play for us at *Kreepers* and with their album almost printed, they’ve decided to come play for us again. Saturday 6th June. Doors open at 9:30pm and we’ll have dj’s on till 2am. It’s pay on the door and £5 to get in. ( Members £4 )
4th july – The Grit + Hollywood Suicide + A Sailors Grave - £10 in adv
1st August – *Kreepers* 2nd Birthday Bash All dayer – The Long Tall Texans, Graveyard Johnnys, Las Pistolas, Killer B-Movie, Aces & Eights, The Sons of El’ Roacho - £15 in adv
