Late last year, Purple Hearts announced that they would be reforming in 2009. The band were at the forefront of the Mod revival here in the UK in 1979. So much so, that the most famous fanzine of the scene “Extraordinary Sensations” took it’s name from a track on the Bands debut album “Beat That”. As a schoolboy, I listened to the music of David Bowie, flirted with Motown and Northern Soul. By the time I left school, punk was in it’s dying embers (though I was always into the more lyrically astute bands like The Jam and The Clash).
Purple Hearts (Melody Maker August 25th, 1979)
Spring 1979 saw a movement emerge that embodied both the dance tunes of Northern Soul and the raw energy of R & B…I became a Mod. When I ventured into town, I was ridiculed by my less well informed friends plus chased and spat on by Punks and Bikers. People didn’t tend to catch onto things all that quickly in the rural backwater I called home at the time. By October, half the same friends were wearing the Mod Parka coats and following the bands (though for them it was just the trendy thing to do). For me, it ran deeper. The best way I can explain it is to let you read a blog I did for Jeff the bass player from the Purple Hearts when he set up his Myspace page. Thirty years on and nothing has ever come close to recreating those days and I still love the music………..
Anyway, I caught up with Bob Manton (lead Singer) and Gary Sparks (Drums) recently to pose a few questions.
Can you give us the band’s background?
Bob: The group formed in 1978 as a Mod band out of the ashes of The Sockets, a punk band we started when we were at school. As we used to rehearse in Jeff`s parents garage we were a “real” garage band.
This question has always been one I have wanted to ask you. As someone who has seen you live probably 30 times or more, what is your favourite gig thus far?
Bob: I haven’t a particular favourite as my memory isn’t always that good. The Gigs we did at the Electric Ballroom in Camden in ‘79 stand out in my mind because we had a dry ice machine. Also, the gigs at the Top Alex in Southend in ‘78 were good too.
Gary: On our second tour, we played Sheffield Uni. They wouldn’t let any of the fans outside in. It was students only! That really got our goat up, but produced a great gig.
The whole of the Mod revival thing of 79-80 has been well documented. What was it like for you guy’s being only 18 yourselves and suddenly thrust into the spotlight?
Gary: Scary, but great fun. Not many people get to do the things we could when you’re 18.
Bob: Having a huge ego at the time, I just thought it was our due. We were in the right place at the right time, I guess.
The lyrics and music you wrote is timeless…it seems as apt in today’s society as it was then. Do you consider your music to be a little more edgy than say some of your peers of the time?
Bob: Thanks for saying our music is timeless, that’s a great compliment. I can’t comment on whether it was more edgy than our contemporaries or not…probably nastier and more hung-up?
Can you give me any indication of how the plans are going for a reunion tour in 2009?
Gary: Good! We all met up for the first time in ten years the other day and did an interview and pics for Scootering Magazine. Rehearsals will be in February and then the world! :: laughs ::
Are there any plans to re-release any of the old material in the near future?
Gary: Extremely doubtful, but if things goes well who knows?!
How does it feel to play songs that were obviously personal to your lives some 30 years on?
Bob: I`d imagine it will feel good. I`ve been rehearsing with my band in Norwich for most of 2008 and we did a gig in June.We are called The Alley Jaggers. Any way, I really enjoy that and I`ve got my Bob Manton head on (thinking of myself as a performer again).
Gary: Mostly great, but some of the lyrics are a bit hypercritical now.
Do you ever wake up regretting that you left me to freeze in your mini bus outside the hotel in Scarborough (the band left me covered in coats on a December night on tour)?
Gary: Nooooooooooo!!! :: laughs ::
Bob: I`ve no memory of doing that, but hopefully you will accept my belated and humble apologies.
If you were making a mix for our readers, what three songs would you choose?
Bob: “Making Time” - The Creation, “To Cry You A Song” - Jethro Tull, “Questioningly” - The Ramones
Gary: “Maybe Tomorrow” - Chords, “Away From The Numbers” - Jam, “And Your Bird Can Sing” - Beatles
I hope that you have enjoyed this article…without this band, I’m sure my passion and fire for music would have long died!!!!
MP3: Purple Hearts - “Millions Like Us”
