leaders of men

Compilation of coolness vol 2

2012-02-18T16:14:00.000-08:00

A random cornucopia of images from the mid 60s to mid 80s.

style tips for the discerning garage punk rocker? Or just an excuse to be vague? Leaders of Men looks for an answer...

The Answer in 65 . The singers madras check blazer combined with a wooly hat exudes punk rock charm.

Dutch mod feedback masterpiece

The Purple Earthquake

Crisis

Bloke from the Nips looking very mod , check out the vents on his sta press...well smart

Skins and punks unite

Bloke from GBH . Can't help but think this guy had his own style away from the studs and leather UK82 stereotypes

Jandek

Something beginning with O Kevin Pearce

2012-02-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

One of the few highlights of the dreary 90's { here at Leaders of Men believe pop culture died around 87} this
fabulously slim book appeared then vanished in a purple flash a bit like the first Sea Urchins single on Sarah records { it still bugs me that i never bothered picking that up when it was in every indie store in london
for about 2 quid ! shit } Anyhow, the first couple of chapters focussing on the original Mods are truly inspiring . Someone should reprint this...

Stephen Pastel/ Pastels scrapbook 83- 87 Leaders of Men part 18

2012-02-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a real mish mash of stuff from the golden era of The Pastels.
Stay tuned for updates galore . Feel free to contribute any pics, cuttings from this timespan.
Leaders of Men will handsomely reward .

Scientists Zine of clippings 1985

2012-01-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

I picked this up from the guy who printed it at the time { called Derek } from his his shop underneath rough trade in Notting Hill . He was a friend and a fan of the band who had recently upped sticks to London and put it together for other like minded folk with interests in all things Scientists!
Oddly enough, Derek these days is the man behind the resurrection of the ultimate UK leather jacket label " Lewis Leathers "

60s Punk rock style icons vol 2

2012-01-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

Richard and the Young Lions

Aiglons

Inn Sect

Ha Pennys

A Cads

Gents

August

Ju Ju's

We the people

Index

DOCKO

Rising Storm

Love the Yardbirds , shame the guy on 2nd from right didn't give up music after quitting this lot in 65

Orton. Dig those fresh Clarkes

Downliners Sect

80s indie / garage / punk stylists 84 - 88

2012-01-25T16:36:00.000-08:00

The gospel according to Leaders of Men continues.

Ok this is getting creepy, but round here at Leaders of men HQ we believe Stephen Pastel was a man of serious sartorial swagger in mid 80s britain. Known to many back then simply as The Governor

Shop Assistant

Jandek

Prisoners

Leaders of Men 84

Southend goth legends Anorexic Dread

Rattus { Finland's finest } Looking well sharp in Notting Hill circa 84

Larm { godlike Dutch racket}

Vatican Commandos

Crystalised Movements feedback!

HHH intellectual punx

Neon Christ 84 faaaaast punk

Scotlands best ever garage band " The Green Telescope "

On tape

MG15

Gravedigger V

Calvin

Scientists

This is hardcore

Doom

Skull illustrations from record sleeves circa 70s & 80s Vol 1

2012-01-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

I can't get enough of this kinda stuff. Glue sniffing inspired genius. Up the inept art Punx

Post Punk styles 78 to 83

2011-12-11T01:25:00.000-08:00

Swell Maps

O Level

Wickford boring ?

T.G

Prats

Crisis

Attendants

Youth

Crude SS

Check out Clean t on far right ... beyond words!?

Subhumans. Always thought the singer looked kinda neat , maybe it's the specs?

Henge

Dutch subversive racket . Agent Orange

Diy bleach jeans, studs and Discharge ts

Cool crampsy looking couple circa 83

Pioneer of Tramp Core , Mower of Chaos UK

Neos

Anti Pasti

Solger

Tracie

Ausgang

somehow all roads seem to lead to Stephen Pastel

60s Punk Rock style icons vol 1

2011-11-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

Fear not kids . No hippies allowed on this blog. 100% pure 60s punk rock stylists

Johnny Kidd

Birds

Pyramids

Mike from the Tempos

A Missing Link

Bass player from Bluesbreakers sporting a very tasty LEVI suede jkt . Jeans turned up on the inside look kinda cool also. This guy later became a hippy. Feel free to throw up.

London layabout circa 64 . Surely a early influence on Stephen Pastel?

a Fug 1965

Eddie Phillips . Mark Four

Unknown Ivy instrumentalists

Centurys. Note cool anorak on far right , probably an early influence on Stephen Pastel.

The Kids

Puerto Rico's the Final Solution. Note guy in tree wearing double diy bleached denim ensemble, pretty punk for 66. This look became very popular amongst the early 80s glue sniffing Oi masses here in the uk.

Swedens LSD . Punk racket supreme

Lemon Drops

Paul Butterfield. East West

The Index's leather glove wearing guitarist. Cryptic genius

Best guitarist ever? Leaders of men say yes. Mystic Tide rule!!!

Dimensions

Suburban teen punx circa 65

The Plague

Nickels and Dimes

Undertakers

Religion kills

Ugly Ducklings

Young Monkey Men

Enfields

Out from The Briardoons

Mushroom Cloud artwork

2011-11-17T15:15:00.000-08:00

Mushroom cloud artwork on record sleeves. Normally found on records of the 80s anarcho / punk rock variety . Quite often a sign of quality racket found within as well being strangely visually enduring . Here's a few of my faves , expect more updates now and then.

NYC , Coney Island 1989 Leaders of Men goes stateside.

2011-11-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

Old holiday snaps recently unearthed .
In 1989 Leaders of Men founder took a well earned rest from his demanding schedule to visit New York. To purchase a pair of Carolina engineer boots , obtain tons of records , wander about aimlessly and generally trip out.

In The Gutter . Val Hennessy 1978

2011-11-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Rock n Roll knitwear pt 2 The Roll/ Turtle Neck

2011-11-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

Take a tip from these Leaders of Men and go Turtle neck this winter.

Look fab under a Oxford shirt and a blazer in particular.

Master of the Hammond. Graham Bond

Dave from the kinks goes for the roll neck unrolled approach.

Phil May

All of Thus

One of the Bermudas finest The Savages , famous for 'The World ain't round it's square" youth anthem goes for the slick roll neck under a shirt angle.

New England Teen Scene legend Paul Messis

No6

Hasil Adkins

Punk Julie Davis 1977

2011-10-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

Beat Beat Beat William F Brown 1959 { excerpts from }

2011-10-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Men part 18 The Other Half 1966

2011-10-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

A couple of these guys had played in the seminal Half Tribe the previous year .
The Other Half lp is of monumental proportions if generic 60s garage dirge is your bag.
Top repro label Resurrection re released this gem back in 84 and is well worth tracking down not only for the sloppy cover versions but the picture of the group on the sleeve. Pure mid 60s suburban punk rock style .
Penny loafers, cut off jeans , popover shirts , McGuinn shades . The Other Half revolt into style.
Leaders of prep punk. Leaders of Men.

Leaders of Men Compilation of Coolness vol 1

2011-10-01T16:15:00.001-07:00

Gallery of random Leaders of Men

Turkey Bones and the wild dogs . Well underrated uk outfit .

French futurists Metal Urbain

Jandek . Corwood records man of mystery sporting a tab collar shirt

Discharge .1980. War is a black hole to avoid.

The Index .

Prats . Teen post punk

TVP's

Plasmid . Rawest uk peace punk .

Plasmid banner

Dirty wurds

Revenge

The Clean

Gun Club

Maniax {punkest of punk }

Upside Down The Jesus and Mary Chain 1984 first 4 pressings

2011-09-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Times . Pop goes art .Official lyric book 1982

2011-09-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

As promised here's more of the Whaam Records fave raves,
The Times.

Leaders of Men part 17 The Cramps 76 to 83

2011-09-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

The gravest band of all time . Leaders of all leaders of men . Lords of Death and Horror punk . Discovering the Cramps as a teen in the early 80s was a mynd and life altering experience . Far away from the grim reality of the 2nd wave of uk punk { Discharge. Crass etc} the Cramps were a gateway to a exciting new world consisting of Pebbles compilations , chelsea boots and fuzz boxes . Salute The Legion of the Cramped.

Leaders of Men style perennials Brothel Creepers

2011-09-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

Seems like creepers are back big time amongst the capitals hipster youth with no signs of retreat as far as i can see. Maybe more popular with girls over guys this time round, who knows?
George Cox creepers are the original and the best but although still made in Northhampton they're hard to track down outside of Japan apart from the Britboot shop in Camden. Japan has had a serious George Cox fixation since the 80s .Originally worn by Teds then adopted by Punk rockers in the late 70s early 80s the creepers charm appears to be everlasting. Rock on.

Marine girl

Bristols noisiest. Disorder

CCM

Japanese shop catalogue from a few years ago. The Popboy selection is particularly splendid and enough to drive normally sane men round the bend.

Early 80s teen punk adorns a fresh looking pair of Popboys . A very underrated shoe in my opinion and normally only acknowledged by Ivy/ Steve McQueen bores .

Rock n Roll Knitwear Fashion tips for the chilly season. The Crewneck

2011-09-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Seems like autumn is surely upon us and time to start layering up and reaching for those knitwear pieces that make the season all the more intriguing . The crew neck has definitely taken the number one spot over the cardigan the last year or so in the mens knitwear stakes with the roll/ turtle neck creeping up in second position. Endless possibilities and updates ahead.

Part one. The Crew neck

Kirk from Theatre of Hate dabbles with a early sixties rocker look in 81 by combining George Cox shoes , drainpipe jeans , fantastic guitar jumper probably a repro from Johnsons and a biker cap. Very Bill Fury.

A Television Personality from The Painted Word lineup proudly supports the chunky waffle crew neck

Bubba Dupree overlord guitarist from Void.

An original rocker circa 64 wild in the streets in Margate . Knitwear's for squares ? think again.

Lou from Dinosaur discovers knitwear can be psychedelic

Stephen Pastel . Crew neck , V neck , cardie you name it Stephen Pastel nails it.

Surrey pop art mods Johns Children

Gaffa tape plus white crew neck = Who , Johns children fixation

Subhuman

Joop Q65

Leaders of Men part 16 Joe Orton

2011-09-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Known to most for his brilliant playwriting little has been said for Joe Ortons personal style.
In particular his use of the turnup. Seen in these shots taken outside his pad on Noel Road Islington N1 in 66 he adopts an almost 50's greaser image with a crisp white t , baseball boots and giant turnups on a pre shrunk pair of 501 xx showing off the selvedge in all it's glory. Quite unusual for the time i reckon.

Joe Orton leader of the turnup . Leader of Men.

Leaders of Men part 15.5 Stephen Pastel { return of }

2011-09-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Due to popular demand Stephen Pastel deserves an encore to the ever growing gallery of gods known as The Leaders of Men.

On a trip to the smoke Stephen ditches the trademark anorak for a classic duffle coat.

Early shots of Stephen and the Pastels from 83

Fashion Tips for guys Pleated Trousers

2011-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

It seems like this whole Heritage trend has been dragging on forever but i'm expecting this season will be it's last . The classic chino has been the main choice of trouser for this boom far superceding any denim trends across the mens retail map .
One move on i've noticed in this field as we enter autumn is a looser more romantic,bohemian cut with pleats. Still with turn ups but also with a higher waist. Still lool cool with penny loafers, creepers , deck shoes . Best worn with a slim belt with equally flouncy shirt tucked in for total effect. The overall look i feel is a cross between Brideshead Revisited, David bowie and Orange Juice possibly? Expect to see a variety of fabrics and patterns also including linen , canvas , houndtooths, checks etc

Pil

Early 80s rockabillys in Ken market.

Don Craine . English R&B legend and true style icon.

The Bunnymen exude boho/ heritage crossover style with panache . Particularly like frontman Ians tonic pleated slacks worn sockless with moccasins .

Paul and Joe

Kleenex and The Raincoats

2011-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Girl new waver post punk double special. They toured together and both put records out on Rough Trade so kinda makes sense. Plus keep finding myself in W11 recently in search of the golden era via old clothes and records. Maybe it's in the air?

The Times I helped Patrick McGoohan Escape official lyric book

2011-08-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

Picked this up recently from one of the two Bill's {beardy slim one } from Minus Zero originally known as Plastic Passion for our maturer readers. Bill's an all round knowledge on New Wave records and introduced kugelberg to a lot of the obscurities found on the first four Killed by Death comps which are now household names { at least at L.O.M anyway } as well being a real swell guy.
At the time The Times left a few of these with Bill to sell/give out in the store. I don't think it's been reprinted since so should be of interest of all fans of The Times , Whaam records , TVP's etc.
Also includes a review by one one of the plebs out of duran duran .

Biff Bang Pow! stay tuned for more Times

Fashion tips for guys. Animal prints

2011-08-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

Here at Leaders of Men towers we predict that animal prints will be making a large comeback in the ever changing scenery of mens fashion for spring/ summer next year. What with all the floral prints currently in circulation evolving into a more tropical feel thereafter . It seems logical that animal prints will become more apparent . Possibly also in jersey where surely the whole Breton stripe phenomena has to be comming to an end?
Leaders of Men in animal print. A neverending story.

This chap from the Fugs { New York beatnik poets proto punk outfit }cira 65 does the leopard shirt thing rather well without really trying it seems. Complete with flip flops , smart shorts and greasy looking beard he could give any of todays hipsters a run for their money.

Falling somewhere between The Birthday Party And The Cramps. Turkey Bones's lead man pulls off the caveman chic with total success .

This Chesterfield King complements a traditional black roll neck, seersucker pants combo with a very happening animal print waistcoat to achieve 66 garage mania.

By far the most originally stylish Pistol . Sid reveals a flash of animal print under a grotty old mac and over a Vive le rock t plus a Robin padlock necklace to complete punk rock completion. Top marks Sid.

Anti Cimex . Swedish Punx who's legacy reaches biblical proportions these days it seems adorn leopard print trousers alongside cobweb knits , studs and leather . The verdict? shit hot

Uk rock n roller Billy Fury

Duffy Power

Late 70s new waver

strangeloves

Leaders of Men part 14 The Outsiders

2011-08-23T18:00:00.000-07:00

One of the finest Dutch beat groups of the 60s. The Outsiders encapsulate everything that is synonymous with Nederbiet and the pioneering years of 65/66 .
The groups image of this early period is of definite interest to anyone interested in the mergings of styles ie bohemian, art school fashions with a more exaggerated slant of the long haired beat group , r & b look of the day ala Pretty things .

Hard to believe this photo was taken in 65 . This guys a visionary for sure with greasy lank hair, real tatty unfinished chunky crew neck with a turtle neck underneath. Grimy jeans and pair of Diemme esque looking mountaineering boots to top off the bohemian/ heritage feel in a natural poetic flare.

The Outsiders. Dutch gods . Boho stylists extraordinaire . Leaders of mystery . Leaders of Men.

Punk Rock Richard Allen

2011-08-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Men part 13 Tom Guido

2011-08-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

I always thought Tom was a really sweet guy and a lot of fun. His apartment on Columbus in San Francisco's North Beach just over the road from City Lights books and soon to be his Purple Onion Club was full of stuff to ogle over especially if you enjoy looking at 60s garage 45s as well as a great place to hang out. Tom was a real knowledge on local beat history and showed me round whatever remnants were left in the neighborhood whenever we hooked up. Following the success of his Fuzz Club held at various locations throughout the city for a few years showcasing local garage/ indie acts such as David Nudelmans Wild Breed, Mummies , Driving Wheels , Dwarves , Icky Boyfriends, Marzipan, Vanilla Whores , Birminghams, Headless Horsemen and so on he took a gamble on the legendary 60s club the Purple Onion which was currently vacant and the rest is history.

Tom Guido { centre }

Tom on the left plus two guys from first lineup of Marzipan outside 101 records in North Beach where they worked / hung out at the time.

David Nudelman brains behind the Wild Breed and 3 Stoned Men

P.s Punk rock historians note the guy who owned 101 records a Hungarian called Tom put out the first Crucifix ep . A genius piece of teen racket often overlooked by the later output where they went more Anarcho peace punk { still brilliant }. Religion Kills is faultless and mandatory listening for anyone with a passing interest in the genre as is the whole ep.

Tom Guido. Last of the North Beach beatniks . Leader of the Purple Onion. Leader of Men.

Leaders of Men part 12 The wallflower Complextion

2011-08-18T15:03:00.001-07:00

The Wallflower Complextion were US Army kids based in Columbia during the mid sixties who somehow ended up putting out two incredible lps in 66/ 67. Brilliant garage , mostly covers but who cares ? plus their version of Open up your door is better than the Young Lions by far .Well worth picking up the reissue double lp of both for a fraction of the originals which go for bananas money. Oh well. For fans of the Rising Storm , Foul Dogs etc

Love this guys beaten up black jeans with old medals hung diagonally on a vintage for then looking pea coat. Plus NHS specs for intellectual teen punk charm. He's happening. Clearly the beatnik of the group.

This kids got total teen garage style . Brushed check shirt over a t with a cool side parting and a Vox guitar .

The other two are the more generic 60s youths with clean looking oxford shirts and jeans .

The Wallflower Complextion . Leaders of US garage in Columbia. Leaders of of teen punk style . Leaders of youth and Men alike.

Printed vinyl covered recordcase circa late 50s early 60s

2011-08-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

I received this fab looking object as a gift recently . I just love the free and easy style of the drawings displaying couples dancing interspersed with musical instruments . Originally designed to house about twenty 45s in a simple bookcase form to be transported easily by hand. Sort of reminds me a bit of some of the early Beat Happening artwork.

Style Tips. eighties indie boy/ garage rock n roller haircuts.

2011-08-13T16:01:00.000-07:00

Way back when . The ideal hairdo for any aspiring indie boy jingle jangler or a serious 60s garage nut was the Bowlcut . A bit like a grown out Brian Jones or Roger McGuinn blacking out the eyes, covering the nose to be almost the same length all the way round . The bowl was the perfect solution to blocking out day to day mundane reality as well as the football casual yobs you'd have to tolerate on a regular basis with their absurd wet perms, wedges and level 42 fixations.
Stay tuned for a never ending gallery on the subject.

Pooh sticks {think this guy was a fan not a bandmember?}

A Morlock.

Emerge

The Scientists. Fuck yes. What a powerhouse. They relocated to London in 83 and set about altering minds with a unique fuzzed out swamp repetitive Suicide like dirge unheard of at that time. Met them round then once at a dingwalls gig. They seemed like real nice fellas and even signed my flyer. Neat looking band too with matching shaggy bowlcuts, chelsea boots , psychedelic shirts etc

The Deaf Aids

Eugene of The Vaselines. Brill group .Stylish chap. Dig the leopard waistcoat over the polka dot shirt plus vintage redline 501s culminating in a authentic pair of engineer boots { Carolina's ? } . On the downside Mollys Lips was unfortunately covered by a god awful american stoner metal stadium trio who were sooo rubbish i've completely forgotten what they called themselves. Indie purists were disgusted and rightly so. As Dutch masters Larm once said 'Metal attitude sucks ' Amen.

The Mistreaters . well cool London 80s Garage/ r & b slop

The Mistreaters 1987

Robert from Loop. First couple of singles are pretty ace. They got written off at the time for being Spacemen 3 rip offs which is true to some degree . Robert sat on a stool { a bit like Spacemen 3 }with an impressive mop { see really clear pics from Spinning ep }covering his entire face whilst playing the same chord for most of the set whilst neat looking girl drummer played standing up ala Bobby Gillespie bashing out a primitive beat to accompany the minimal waves of fuzz.

Bobby Gillespie. Clearly a direct offspring of the Stephen Pastel syndrome. This young scot had a big influence of the Anorak movement as well the bowl / mop renaissance of mid eighties indie pop youth .

a Gruesome. This guy nails it in my opinion. He's on the outside looking in. Or to quote the Anti nowhere league ' I hate people , and they hate me '

The Clean

Crimson Shadows

Leaders of Men part 11 The Subway Sect, Vic Goddard + Slits

2011-08-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

' We oppose all rock n roll ' declared Vic Godard of the Subway Sect on the cover of august 77 issue of Zig Zag. The Subway Sect seemed cooly detached from everything else at the time and fitted awkwardly into the early London Punk scene. Trebly , angular pop songs paired with Godards quavering vocals the Subway Sect were clearly visionaries who were either too early or too late for the trend. Looking more like a scruffy group of 60s schoolboy beat poets the Subway Sects slant { as well as the TVP's } of the new wave had more of a influence visually and musically on the following generation of indie rock n rollers in the likes of The Pastels , Orange Juice , Jesus and Mary Chain and so on.

Vic

The Subway Sect . Last of the kitchen sink beat groups . First of what was to become known as indie kids. Modernist poets .Leaders of Men.

P.s thought i'd include these smashing pics of The Slits from the issue of Zig Zag featured as i haven't seen them reprinted anywhere since. Plus Palmolive looks possessed whilst kicking out the jams which is worthy of inclusion alone.

Beat Girl 1960

2011-08-06T15:56:00.000-07:00

Really brilliant English beat exploitation flick. Sartorial tips abound and top Barry soundtrack. Also includes a very young Ollie Reed , talk about Leaders of Men.

Flip vintage clothing London

2011-08-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

Whatever happened to Flip? Probably the greatest all American vintage store London's ever seen. Rail after rail of fab 40s to 60s gear . All laundered and fairly cheap with it. London misses you so.

Leaders of men {and women } part 10 Pussy Galore the Shove years.

2011-08-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Pussy Galore formed in 1985 in washington Dc . Releasing records on there own Shove label their sound was a pretty antisocial garage punk racket . Clearly drawing strong influences from 60s punk rock especially the kind found on the Chosen Few and Back from the Grave comps. Plus the Fall , Cramps , future Leaders of Men the Scientists , Birthday Party and proto punk genius Cleveland group The Electric Eels featuring future Cramp Nick Knox on drums. Not really fitting in to the local indie scene which Dischord records had a strong influence over with their holier than thou straight edge outlook{ Pussy Galore cynically credit Ian and Jeff Dischord owners who they hated on their first ep } Pussy Galore left DC shortly after their first couple of records and split to a more amiable less uptight New York. The first 3 eps are milestones in mid eighties garage noise. Invest in them today the bills can wait.

The Electric Eels 1975 Nick Knox on far right

Hey, they looked pretty ace too in a grotty, garagey beatnik kinda way. Dig it!

Pussy Galore . Leaders of total racket and migraine inducing noise . Leaders of Men and Women alike.

Generation X Charles Hamblett and Jane Deverson 1964

2011-08-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Men part 9 Lou Reed

2011-08-06T05:26:00.001-07:00

You've gotta love Lou Reed . Especially in this early pre Primitives, Velvets pic taken in 63 while he was a student at Syracuse University looking super preppie in a classic cable knit jumper. No doubt ripping out a mind melting ostrich guitar solo at the same time the guy has real style. Just listen to 'I heard her call my name ' to confirm any doubts of the man's magnitude. A mere Leader of Men could be a understatement? a leader of all civilisation is probably more accurate.

Dig this guy. Head to toe beat punkness . Especially love the penny loafers { i have a thing about penny loafers }

Treble jeans

2011-08-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

I kept this tag off of a deadstock pair of these Treble hipster jeans i picked up a few years back and wore to death. Dating from the early/mid 60s and basically a Levi Sta press knock off for the less minted uk modernist youth market they still looked pretty neat aka David Hemmings in Blow Up or Johns Children Marc period. Nothing is known of the brand although the guy i bought them from at the time thought Treble was a John Stephen creation. Either way Treble is still a suitably mod name for a clothing brand lost in 60s UK fashion history .

It's Happening 1966

2011-08-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Men part 8 Dave from My Bloody Valentine

2011-08-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Dave Conway was the original singer for My Bloody Valentine appearing on their first four records before calling it quits in 87 to pursue a fab prolific career in science fiction writing. The first record ' This is Your Bloody Valentine' was a blatantly Birthday Party / Cramps/ Scientists inspired affair which sadly suffered from a clinical 80s production leaving the overall sound thin and lacking any real power. Shame
as most of the tracks are pretty cool.

However. Upon relocating to London in 85 they produced three brilliant eps Geek, New Record by and Sunny Sundae Smile which are undoubtedly absolute gems of damaging noise sixties inspired indie pop. Dave's sometimes gothy yet fay { an unlikely mix of Lux Interior \ pete shelley\ Nick Cave and Colin Blunstone perhaps ?} vocals rule the attack on the senses transcending all contemporaries feeble efforts.
Leaving the crimpers in berlin the new dishevelled beat group image with matching black moptop/ page boy barnets , chelsea boots etc completed the overall revamp and was perfect timing for indie style circa 85 which seemed to be veering in a very mid 60s direction creating a brief odd overlap within the militant garage, mod scene and the less fashion savvy student indie kid types who until then lived in two very different worlds. And were soon separated again in 88 with [ yawn }the arrival of acid house and indie dance crossover.

I was lucky enough to have seem them then in a small pub in Southend in front of about thirty or so people most of them there to local teen c86 contenders The Bright young Things{ criminally obscure and underated twee noise featuring a kick ass drummer called Pete i think } The tinny fuzzed out racket was truly life affirming stuff. Fast forward about five years to a giant venue in downtown San Francisco where my flatmate who worked at the Rough Trade on Haight street at the time picks up free tickets for the show. We wander in amongst the hordes of floppy haired shoegazers and stand as close as we can to the front . The set starts with a barely recognizable Lovelee sweet darlene sounding more like mammoth 70s stadium Space Rock than the glorious scuzz of the Dave era track . Things get drearier and drearier with the group moping about the stage drifting into long sections sounding at times like a wale dying with the guitarist complacently choosing from his vast array of effects pedals 'mmm maybe i'll give this one a go now 'much to the delight of the gormless crowd who happily lap the sludge up.The 90s had arrived. Clearly the band have lost all personality and style since Daves departure . Is this Prog? Maybe i'm a philistine? We soon split about halfway through the set yelling ' What happened to you ? You're not the same' from Minor Threat's anthemic Filler to a bar round the corner { no shoegazers/ hippies allowed! the sign clearly states on the door} to catch a shit hot effect free set by ' The Loved Ones' Berkeley mod/ r & b movers with serious Yardbird / Paul Butterfield circa 65 leanings . Singer Bart Davenport looking like a youthful deadringer for the latter. Lineup also contained a youthful Nick Rossi. The mod militia safe at last.

Where was i ?
Dave Conway. Indie icon . Undisputed leader of My Bloody Valentine. Leader of Men.

Leaders of Men part seven The Foul Dogs

2011-07-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Foul Dogs lp was originally released in 1966 on the Rhythm Sound label.
A big deal to fans of New england teen prep/ garage rock with a downbeat flavor so typical of that region of the time. Although lacking originals apart from one ' blue and green' and consisting of mainly stones covers and the mandatory Gloria , No1 is still a fascinating lp.
The photo on the front sleeve is perfect and captures everything you'd ever want from a local sixties garage album. These guys aren't your average teen dropouts but serious young men of noble breed looking forward to a life of privilege ahead of them. Brooks Brothers over levis or sears these Leaders of men treat their brief excursion into rock n roll like homework for the summer holidays. And after appalling record sales soon return to the more conventional conservative direction expected of them.
For us mere mortals the Resurrection reissue lp from around 85 is worth picking up and seems to be the most common release on the label.
The Foul Dogs . Leaders of men . Leaders of academia, democracy and Ivy League punk rock

Leaders of Men part six the Milkshakes

2011-07-29T16:38:00.000-07:00

From around 81 to about 84 The Milkshakes were probably the best beat group in the uk. And probably the only beat group in the uk actually playing authentic early / mid 60s type original material without sounding forced or cliched or not even remotely 60s like all of those rubbish 79 era mod revival bands . Emerging from the ashes of the Poprivets { more of a diy punk/new wave outfit}The Milkshakes were the genuine article using all original 60s equipment , recording and releasing there own records {often using laminated card sleeves just like original 60s uk pressings} and wearing all original clobber. Like all great things the Milkshakes went unnoticed by most people and had very few other decent bands to play with at the time apart from The Prisoners { another Kent phenomena } and ended up on dodgy psychobilly billings playing to giant quiffed , chicken dancing aggressive morons{ Meteors , Stingrays etc} But carried on regardless and continued to put out a vast number of records in a short amount of time existing in their own Star club circa 62 bubble. I'll put up more pics of the band soon once i dig out more of their records/ clippings etc but in the meantime here's a taster.

The Milkshakes . beat group exis , bastion of pure rhythm and beat, Leaders of men part 6

p.s Billy used to date this bird at the time . Any guesses who she was?

The Prisoners circa 83

Leaders of Men part 5 Don Brewer 'The Plastic Cloud

2011-07-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Much ink has been spilt over the 1968 Canadian garage, psychedelic album by the Plastic Cloud over the years and rightly so. Especially for fans of nonsensical , rambling fuzz guitar leads which dominate most of the tracks and seem at first self indulgent but soon after become crucial once your mind has been turned into jelly. A bit late in the day and/or lightweight for teen garage purists the Plastic Cloud still have punk appeal. There's also a glue sniffing reference in the track ' you don't care ' which must be the earliest of it's kind beating the Ramones ' now i wanna sniff some glue' by eight years. Radical shit .

Ok enough of the pioneering solvent abuse lyrics

Check out the groups schmutter. Chunky knits, chelsea boots, button downs, penny loafers { are we seeing a pattern here? } cool suede box jacket. But the chap on the right who i'm assuming is the main songwriter fuzz master Don Brewer has a style of his own.
Crisp Levi sta press , shirt tucked in, fab wraparound shades , regency style blazer complete with large badge saying what i don't know { please inform } and mysteriously holding a bizarre object in one hand to add to the psychedelic velocity and a fag in the other to keep things in the garage. Plus a cool side parting which is more 65 than 68 , hippy bores they ain't.

Don Brewer . Style icon , pioneer , Leader of Men.

Vintage badges Leaders of Men Accessories section

2011-07-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

A little while back i came upon a vast job lot of badges dating from the mid seventies through to the early eighties. The charming chap selling them it turned out used to have a shop off of Carnaby Street at the time selling clothing and accessories cashing in on most youth crazes of the day. Namely Punk rock, 79 Mod revival, 2 Tone , New Wave as well as heavy metal { yuk . Readers be assured that this is a metal free blog } and Ted. The clothing had all sadly long gone which still troubles me to this day. Just imagine all those tonic trousers , Brutas parkas , Lord Anthony shirts , Jam shoes,waffle cardies etc Once a plastic always a plastic i say. But the badges kept in black bin liners in his shed {some surviving better than others} were a intriguing find. Mmm.

Not sure who this future leader of men, mail order mod was but the carefully aligned badges speak volumes. Rumour has it he reeked havoc around 79 on his paper round in the southend area chanting ' if the kids were united ' and ' Too much too young '. But that's probably just a rumour.

Leaders of Men part 4 The Half Tribe

2011-07-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

Originally locally released in 1965 in a miniscule press run. Original copies of the Half Tribe lp Only Startin' are something countless people the world over ponder about on a regular basis. Myself included . Not just for the music which to be honest is fairly hum drum although highly enjoyable {Grab the Resurrection reissue if you see it } Includes mainly standard covers of the day ie ' Empty heart , Money, Baja etc but the highlight of the platter is the brilliant band shot on the front cover

The fellas pose proud from a suburban hilltop wielding Fender Jaguars and sporting typical teen punk clobber of the time. White sta press , Oxford shirts, Stripey t's etc . The dude in the centre which turns out to be the drummer nails the look that Ivy, Modernists endorse still to this day.

From head to toe this guy's got real class .. Side parting, slick shades, Oxford shirt under a neat looking crew neck sweater. white sta press and a pair of penny loafers worn without socks to complete the boho effortlessness required to be a Leader of men.

Hats off to Cran . Half Tribe drummer and a Leader of Men. Especially those with Ivy leanings .

leaders of men part 3 Stephen Pastel

2011-07-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

Stephen Pastel was the original founding member of the highly influential scottish indie pop group the Pastels. Formed in 1982 they released some brilliant records on various labels such as Dan Treacy's of Television Personalities, O level fame whaam
records, rough trade, Glass and creation.

Sounding somewhere between the Swell Maps, TV'Ps, Red Crayola, Television and the V.U the Pastels were a genuine tour de force . Stephen also set up his own label 53rd & 3rd { named after the fab super tuff Ramones song } releasing records by fellow scots the Vaselines , Boy Hairdressers and Beat Happening from Olympia Washington.

As well as being a post punk pop genius Stephen was also a style icon of the day as being the originator of the indie boy anorak look. Back in the mid eighties it was de rigueur for any true indie pop boy to wear an anorak . Preferably an original 60s quilted one which were pretty common at charity shops all over the country at the time. Skinny black jeans , chelsea boots, possibly a stripey t shirt ala Lou Reed circa 66, bowl haircut and a hunched morose demeanor completed the look.

All hail Stephen pastel. A another honorable inclusion to The Leaders of Men. A essential style guide for
chaps the world over who are tired of the mundane and yearn for bohemian utopia.

2011-07-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

Leaders of Men . style icons and valuable sartorial tips sourced from old record sleeves part 1.

Rasputin and the Monks {resurrection records reissue circa early eighties }

This one sided lp ( the original copy featured a choir octet on the flip ) by this New Hampshire high school

combo from 1966 features seven cover versions all played with keen youthful abandon . Pretty crude stuff but highly recommended to all fans of genuine punk rock. Original goes for nuts money so better to splosh your dosh on this reissue which still pops up from time to time.

But anyhow enough about the music just check these guys out! Take Ivy take a hike as here is the ultimate mid 60s preppy style resource and surely one of the best dressed bands ever?

And to top it all they're hanging tough in a graveyard to prove there're not squares . Except in one pic where the whole band are seen hitching a ride to obscurity in true beat fashion. Penny loafers with white socks, roll necks, skinny cut off jeans, Jesus sandles , McGuinn style shades and one guy, the most punk looking of the lot with similar style leanings as Sterling Morrison the same year appears to be wearing engineer boots. Add moody/ blank expressions and this lot have pretty much got it licked. A template of style and a fine to introduction to ' The Leaders of Men '

Leaders of Men . Style icons and valuable sartorial tips sourced
from old record sleeves part 2 .

Meat Whiplash . Dont slip up Creation records 020 (1985)

One of the best Creation releases by a band who came and went in what seemed like an instant.

Who sounded more like the Jesus and Mary Chain than the Jesus and Mary Chain and were also from East Kilbride. A chicken and the egg situation arises. Which came first? We'll probably never know. But they left this great slab of fuzzed out/reverb drenched moody indie pop for generations to ponder about. Anyhow pick it up , it goes for less than a pint most of the time and you will enjoy it far longer.

We here at the Leaders of Men appreciate fine cable knitwear and if you look to the back of the sleeve you will notice a prime example leaning against a fence on a gaunt youth. The boys look pretty zonked like they've been sniffing glue all afternoon or everyday for the last five years in the case of the fella on the far right who looks fucked. The second press of this single used a different picture of the band this time in a field with all knitwear sadly obscured.

2011-07-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

Dear all.
Welcome to the Leaders of Men.
Stayed tuned for regular updates on what's what and who's who in the mod mod world of the Leaders of Men. Covering many topics from fashion to old records and little else and back again.
Back in 1986 myself and a couple of pals from Southend {namely patsie and paul } decided to make a
psychological horror film. Influenced by the Servant, Repulsion and countless Hammer studio epics we embarked on making the best English 60s horror film since the 60s. Bear in mind we believed the 80s were shit so
living life in a permanent daydream and avoiding all reality was the answer. Equipped with a super 8 camera found in a local charity shop and a budget of about 50 quid we set to work. Patsie's gloomy basement flat became the main set. She didn't seem to mind us redecorating with a tin of black gloss paint for total expressionist effect. The sequence's outside were shot at Tilbury riverside and a disused pier in Southend East .
We were pretty chuffed with the results at the time but for one reason or another never completed the project. Paul ended up looking after the other two three minute reels we shot and then disappeared to Bristol never to return. And Patsie after spending too much time in her basement became a goth and was last seen walking into an Ausgang gig. So. Sadly this is only about half of what was made. Back From The Grave vols 3 and 4 are forever to be lost in time. As it was a silent flick we figured it should have a moody instrumental soundtrack ala Linkwray or Psychedelic Journey pts one and two by the fabulous Mystic Tide to add to the intensity .
Anyhow. Hope you enjoy what you see . and remember to Blow your mynd!