Leeds Duchess of York: late 80s or early 90s; I can't remember, I really was rather drunk.
Oh Charlie boy, wherefore art thy slags now?
Don't ask me what first turned me onto this ragged bunch of nee'r do wells, I really can't remember. Perhaps it's because I was really rather drunk. I can't remember what made me go to see 'em or what made me buy their first 12" single. Whatever it was, I'm bloody glad I did.
These shots are from the first time I caught 'em at the Duchess in Leeds. I think I saw them another 3 or 4 times after this (I was really rather drunk) in both Leeds & Sheffield.
In a time of ropey metal & dodgy looking hair bands, it was bands like the Manson Slags & the Dead Vaynes of Leeds who were really cutting the mustard for your genial host.Two finer frontmen you'd have had to go a long, long way to better.
With names like 'Stig Elevator,' 'Aqua Marina', 'Shark Finn', 'Des Demona' & 'Psyko Motor', they conjured up images of things that go bump in the night. Then there was 'Jnr'!....
He tore round the stage like an escapee from broadmoor on speed, climbing the pa, climbing the drum kit & then throttling the poor 'Aqua Marina' (though she didn't seem to complain) with his mic lead. But oh, what an unholy din they made.
It was all thick, dense, crashing rifferama with a bass that sounded like thunder & with bigger, meatier hooks than 'Fred Elliots' dismembering room.
I still have the three 12" eps' & they rock like fuck. Not for the faint hearted, these boys & girls; 'Bend my limbs', 'Silver train', 'Splatterpussy', (Yowzer) & the touchingly beautiful ballad, 'Human skin suit'. An ode to Ed Gein, the Plainfield butcher.
I haven't a clue what happened to them after the slags folded, perhaps it's because I was really rather drunk. Though I do recall Aqua Marina released a single under the Monicker of, Purple Under Melted Pink' which was an absolute pile of dancified shash. Perhaps someone would be kind enough to enlighten me.
I lost the negs to these shots many moons ago, in one of many house moves, so it's a big thank you to my brother for scanning these old pics.
Check out the above video from snub tv. It's a must see for those of us who there at the time but can't remember too well due to the fact that we were really rather drunk.
Boys & girls; I give you, the sorely missed JUNIOR MANSON SLAGS.
Chin chin, my dears.
Great shots Flash, as with all your photos they capture the energy. You mentioned The Dead Vaynes, indeed a great band that should have been greater, have you got any snaps of them, you fancy posting? Met Stevie and Mick a few times, and from what I remember they were really top fellas. All the best Flash.
ReplyDeleteHello Nuzz, nice to hear from you. Alas, I don't have any shots of the dead Vaynes. I saw them over 20 times & never once did I bother to take a camera. (What a Damn fool). It's a shame because I could probably fill 10 full posts with tales of their drunken (& otherwise) debauchery. They were great blokes to get drunk with.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed you're 2 posts on the Junior manson slags. I don't know if this is of any interest to you, but I have mp3s of their last single Human skin suit. Let me know if you want 'em.
Take care mate. Chin chin.
Hi Flash!
ReplyDeleteYou can hear audio of this gig here:
http://darkcircleroom2.blogspot.com/2012/01/junior-manson-slags-duchess-of-york.html
I've also given their 2nd Duchess gig (also in 1989) to DCR and he'll no doubt be posting it soon.
And great pics! Nice to have, as I don't remember much of the gig.
ReplyDeleteHello Egg, thanks ever so much for that link. It's the first time I've heard a full live recording of the Slags. Just noticed the Vaynes shows too. I'm in 7th heaven.
ReplyDeleteAll the best mate.
Flash.
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteReally nice to meet you last night , and thanks for all the great shots !i've put a few on my Facebook page , under your name , This is my current venture ...
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150869624698275.526197.790908274&type=1#!/pages/Riot-In-Paradise/343577695658628
Hi Michelle, it was lovely to meet you too. I was knocked out by the fact that you haven't aged a bit. Glad you like the pictures & thank you for the link. I'll try to get down from Yorkshire to the hope & anchor gig & hopefully do a post.
ReplyDeletewow great,i saw them play at the george robey and the marquee in london. looking forward to listening to the shows. i have a tape somewhere from the robey which i will hopefully find one day and post up. thankyou.
ReplyDeleteHi there. thanks for your comment. I look forward to hearing the Robey recording sometime!
ReplyDeleteHi there. thanks for your comment. I look forward to hearing the Robey recording sometime!
ReplyDeleteMichelle went on to the band Suck Henry (which included Finn on guitar for a while), and she is now in Riot In Paradise with Terry (Sex Gang), Finn is now in Menace, Karl lives in Norway.
ReplyDelete