Junkshop Glam

[Lord Emsworth]

Anyone else embraced the world of Junkshop Glam?

For example, some of you may know Catapult "Let Your Hair Hang Down" from the fabulous RPM "Boobs" comp but, until recently, I'd never seen the band.

Turns out that Catapult's Bovver Boogie was not by opportunistic London blues pub rockers trying their hand at a glam cash-in like most of those "glitter from the litter bin" bands. No they're very much of the Dutch persuasion and also the undisputed KINGS of NEDER-STOMP.

Too much information? Maybe, but come on, admit it, this is the business...



You want more? Course you do. Taking it to the next level, I give you Catapult "Teeny Bopper Band".... Be warned, your life will never be quite the same. This is perfect Glam from a parallel universe where the boots are still all platforms and all the young dudes still have spots form ripping off their stars...

[Lord Emsworth]

And on the same topic....

Various Artists - All The Young Droogs (2019)

Various Artists - All The Young Droogs is a new three CD junkshop glam comp from Cherry Red offshoot RPM which is great, really great. Lots of high quality songs, most of which I’d never come across before, and many of them could easily have made the charts. Each CD is themed: (1) Rock OFF! (proto punk glam) (2) Tubthumpers and Hellraisers (glam bangers) (3) Elegance and Decadence (the artier, elegant and more sexually ambiguous end of the genre). The three CDs come in a well designed cardboard box and it comes with a detailed and informative 45 page colour booklet. If you like this stuff (and why wouldn’t you?) this is essential.

[Arthur Pringle]

Those lads on the 'All The Young Droogs' cd remind me of Stupid Hawes, a young tearaway from the first Sweeney episode 'Ringer'. I was thinking I remembered the 'Boobs' cd but I'm confusing it with this RPM compilation which has 'junkshop' in the title-

www.discogs.com/Various-Magpie-20-Junkshop-Pop-Ads-And-Themes/release/3921361

Never heard of Catapult until now, a Sweet look with Bay City Rollers moves, I quite like 'Teeny Bopper Band' ( I think ), has quite a dark edge to it. I love Sweet so I'll have to investigate these obscure outfits further.

[Lord Emsworth]

There's plenty to enjoy Arthur

The key compilations are....

Boobs and Velvet Tinmine are chock full of songs that could and should have been hits. They're like an alternate history of the glamtastic 70s.

Blitzing The Ballroom is a little bit more hit and miss but still pretty good

Glitterbest is the promo-punk end of the genre 

And of course...



Children of the Revolution - Dave Thompson is the UK Glam Rock bible. An extensive document of all the major and minor players. Basically a chronological trawl through the era week by week - key bands, news, releases etc.

I've got plenty of other Glam tomes (after punk it would be my specialist subject on Mastermind)

[Gene Hunt]

Interesting stuff LordE. I'm sure our resident Glam specialist "Stan" will be chipping in on this one 

Gene.

[Sam Tyler]

It is the "Children of the Revolution" UK Glam Rock bible that interests me.

I remember Glam Rock from late '73 onwards and recall being given some of the earlier copies of "Disco 45" from around mid-71 which contained the lyrics of many of the songs of the time.

I'm glad to see that there's a book documenting it all, time to have a browse....

Thanks for the headsup Clarence 

Sam.

[Lord Emsworth]

The book is out of print now but I am sure you could track down a copy without too much expense or difficultly. It must have taken Dave Thompson ages to put it together. 

I'm a voracious reader and for the last 6-7 years have been writing reviews of all the books I read. Here's my review of COTR which I read in 2015...

Dave Thompson's gift is to make the old and familiar appear new and exciting again. 'Children of the Revolution: The Glam Rock Story 1970-1975' is a chronological trawl through the golden age of rock n roll and is the ultimate encyclopaedia of Glam. I am a reasonably knowledgeable fan of the genre and I discovered lots of new information and insights. Dave Thompson focuses on all the main players but also devotes significant space to the lesser lights of the scene many of whom have been rediscovered through the so-called Junkshop Glam compilation albums.

I savoured every page of this excellent book, making copious notes and following up on old favourites and new discoveries. Dave Thompson is very opinionated, which I like, despite a few curious blindspots. He trashes Bowie's plastic soul phase and odd songs which I rate highly come in for a bit of a bashing, on the other hand he is no music snob, praising the finest moments of the Bay City Rollers, Sweet, Rubettes and Mud just as highly as Slade, Bowie and Bolan.

'Children of the Revolution: The Glam Rock Story 1970-1975' is also well illustrated with some great period clippings and photos. It's the last word on Glam and a book I'm delighted to have read. I have no doubt that I will be dipping back into it on a regular basis. Thank you Mr Thompson, it's a keeper.

5/5

[Lord Emsworth]

Feb 25, 2019 22:46:29 GMT Sam Tyler said:

It is the "Children of the Revolution" UK Glam Rock bible that interests me.

I remember Glam Rock from late '73 onwards and recall being given some of the earlier copies of "Disco 45" from around mid-71 which contained the lyrics of many of the songs of the time.

I'm glad to see that there's a book documenting it all, time to have a browse....

Thanks for the headsup Clarence 

Sam.

Did you ever track down a copy Sam?

I was leafing through mine only the other day.

I was wondering about a Chicory Tip song and knew the answer would lie within. It did.

[Sam Tyler]

I did have a look around at the time but must admit it has slipped my mind since. 

There are two listings for them on eBay right now.... 

Sam.

[Lord Emsworth]

Satisfaction guaranteed Sam