They were the cornerstone of the class of 1979. A band who caught the collective imagination, as soon as their sound first blasted from a generation of transistor radios, courtesy of the sadly now departed John Peel. They were originally The Sockets, a young punk band who legend has it formed to play a slot supporting The Buzzcocks. Then, with the advent of Mod Revival, they changed to The Purple Hearts after a certain illicit substance favoured by sixties Mods.
The debut single from the band - collectively Bob Manton on vocals, Simon Stebbing on guitar, Jeff Shadbolt on bass and Gary Sparks on drums (previously Nicky Lake) - was “Millions Like Us”. It was an anthem. A call to arms, complete with an infectious hook and power chords. And an inspirational lyrical content (see below).
Then there was “Frustration“, with its b-side of “Extraordinary Sensations“. A powerful combination, inspiring a young Mod by the name of Eddie Piller to take the latter as the title for his fanzine. Next was “Jimmy”, a tale of youth alienation. The album “Beat That” followed in 1980. It fulfilled all the promise.
These tunes dealt with universal truths, feelings and emotions. As such, they sound as relevant today as they ever did. The adolescent anger of “Frustration”, the suburban entrapment of the title track, the idealism of “Perfect World”.
We thought it was an opportune moment to speak to them. So Rob Massey put some questions to Bob Manton and Gary Sparks, about their beginnings as The Sockets, the heady days of the Mod Revival back in 79 and their reformation thirty years on. And a whole lot more besides.
To begin with, lets go right back. You were originally called The Sockets. A punk band, right? How did you get together?
Bob Manton: The Sockets were formed at North Romford Comprehensive School by myself, Jeff, Simon and Nicky Lake. My Sociology teachers were friends with Howard Devoto of The Buzzcocks so their band was playing with them at The North East London Polytechnic in Barking and we did our first gig at that.
Gary Sparks: My first involvement with The Sockets was we put on a gig at my school with various band playing. I was in a band with some of the lads that went on to be Dept S. The Sockets played that night. After the gig I met the rest of the Hearts for the first time. They came up to me and said lots of good things about the band and particularly my drumming. Within weeks I was playing with them.
Do any tapes/videos exist of The Sockets?
Bob Manton: There was a tape or two of The Sockets but I don't know what happened to them, would love to hear them!
Gary Sparks: No. There is a band who are big PH fans that play in a current band called the Sockets.
You had a mini rock opera? Tell me about “Reg”.
Bob Manton: `Reg` was an idea stolen from a Lone Groover cartoon in the NME where a three piece punk band say they`ve got this Rock Opera called Reg about some kid with 16 personality problems I think it was a playful dig at The Jam. The Songs were REG....DOWN THE ROXY....SULPHATE SALLY....BLOWIN UP and I forget, there was one other I think.
Did you keep The Sockets material when you became The Purple Hearts or write new songs?
Bob Manton: No we didn't keep The Sockets material as such but the Chorus of `Frustration` was taken from the verse of a Sockets song called `Take It Or Leave It“. ``What Am I Gonna Do` was the first PH song.
Had you always been influenced by sixties mod, or was that something that something you got into in the mod revival?
Bob Manton: Well we were all aware of the sixties stuff in general via Bowie's `Pinups` LP. I personally got into it through three radio programs in 76/77.
John Peel did a series of special programs on groups like The Yardbirds, Stones, Who and Jimi Hendrix. Then on Capital Radio on a Friday night Nicky Horne would play all sixties stuff, finally Roger Scott also on Capital had a program on Friday evening called` cruising` which was a different sort of 50`s Rock n Roll themed show every week, anyway when The Sex Pistols went national with the Bill Grundy thing he said "right tonight i`m gonna play you the real punk rock from the sixties” and it was all The Seeds/Question Mark/Electric Prunes and i just totally freaked!
"Millions Like Us” is perhaps your best known tune. What is the inspiration behind it?
Bob Manton: `Millions` was my attempt to re-write `Making Time`. The title is from a world war two propaganda/documentary type film, It also quotes heavily from Pete Meaden.
There’s the line “Saturday Night And Sunday Morning”. Did you see sixties British film as an important cultural reference point?
Bob Manton: “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning` was indeed a reference to the film which was an influence. I used the same idea for `Smashing Time`
You had a raft of important tunes like “Extraordinary Sensations” and “Jimmy”. Songs that came together on the first album, “Beat That”, an album that, from where I’m sitting stands the test of time. Were you pleased with the record?
Bob Manton: I didn't like `Beat That` for a long time but i love it now as i`ve got enough distance from it to really appreciate it. It`s a great Garage/almost Folk Rock (lol) album lol.
Gary Sparks: Yes I think our stuff has worn well and doesn't sound out of place today and I am really enjoying playing the songs again.
Tell me about you live album, “Head On Collision Time Again”.
Bob Manton: The live LP was a bit of a mess. One review said it sounded a bit like The Amboy Dukes so that's cool I guess.
Gary Sparks: We played 2 nights at the 100 Club. The first one was brilliant. The second one wasn't. Guess what one they recorded lol.
For our come back we aim to make every gig brilliant. We have been rehearsing hard and everyone has been waiting a long time for this.
And then there was the second album “Popish Frenzy“?
Bob Manton: `Popish Frenzy` is something I`m very proud of. It totally bombed of course. I love the big empty sound. I think the record company would have preferred another `Beat That` though.
Gary Sparks: Popish Frenzy was recorded at a time in the mid eighties when we got back together for a brief while, It was good to get some songs we had worked on but not had a chance to put out. In general it was a good album and I think we were pleased with it. There is a story out there that it influenced the Stone Roses. Don't know how true that is !!!!!!
Now you’ve reformed. What influenced you to get the band back together?
Bob Manton: Don't really know, Perhaps fate?
Gary Sparks: Two thing really. We finally all get on together again and it is a 30 year (OMG) anniversary and I suppose the fact that people have been asking for this for a long time. That's three isn't it lol
Is this the original line up?
Bob Manton: Yes its the original line up.
Gary Sparks: Yes we wouldn't do it any other way. Simon and me play in a band called RT3 and people keep saying call you self the PH. But Its never been a option.
Have you played any gigs yet? How have they gone down?
Bob Manton: We haven't done any gigs yet.
Gary Sparks: No. The first gig is in two weeks time @ Stanford-Le- Hope. It was meant to be a low profile warm up gig but it sold out in no time.
Are you going to be touring?
Bob Manton: Not touring as such but hopefully a lot of gigs.
Gary Sparks: We are gonna take it as it comes but not a tour as such just 6 or 7 gigs. Depends what comes up really. We are definitely playing the 100 club on 21st June and Camber on 5th July.
If you had to pick one quintessential Purple Hearts tune, which would it be?
Bob Manton: `Frustration`
Gary Sparks: Has to be Millions but I do know that a lot of peoples fave is Beat That maybe cos of how their lives have turned out lol.
What do you think of the scene right now? Any bands that stand out?
Bob Manton: Depends what scene you mean. I only listen to old stuff mostly.
Gary Sparks: I think the scene is good. Its not like the heady days of 79 has carried on going. I try to get out and see band as often as I can. Some stand out bands are Pope, Bresslaws, The Upper Fifth, Connet.
Can we expect new material from the Purple Hearts?
Bob Manton: We have talked about new material but that's something that's got to go on the back burner for a while. We need to see how things go first.
Gary Sparks: Probably not but you never know. Both Simon and Bob are still writing but they probably wont surface as PH songs.
Èñòî÷íèê - áëîã Sohostrut
Îáñóäèòü èíòåðâüþ ìîæíî íà ôîðóìå.