As you may have noticed I have been reading this biography of writer, bar-fly and pub-bore J Maclaren-Ross. The dazzle of ‘Fitzrovia‘ in the title I suppose was the draw. I knew nothing about J M-R (or Edward Hyde as he sometimes styled himself) but I do like a bit of mid-century (20th that is) writerly derring-do.
It is rather a personal biography than a literary one, the kind that whets the appetite but leaves one suspecting that the life will always outshine the writing. At times the blur of rent dodging, advance squandering, dun avoidin’ and brandy quaffing caused the eyes to glaze somewhat, but nonetheless a readable and necessary book inking in the outline of a literary life that overlapped and maybe influenced so many others.
And I think that Mr Willetts has been sharp to invoke comparisons with the good Dr Hunter S Thompson; both half (or holy) mad with paranoia from booze and amphetamines, both capable of outright hackery, both less dangerous than advertised and both seldom seen without mirror shades or a cigarette holder.
Look out for original editions of his work because they are RARE!
For all you patient people waiting to see the full set of super rare and distressingly vintage Midnight and the Lemon Boys photos here’s the slide show. If you feel the urge share the link and/or leave me a message.
Here’s another great shot of the Lemon Boys this time in their wonderful rehearsal bunker.
I realise I omitted a credit for these images from my last post. The photographer is one Richard D Jones who I believe was living in Bloomsbury Place with the ‘Boys at the time. I’d shared some accomodation with ‘boyo when living in West Wales and he’d played drums very occassionally in early incarnations of the AirTight Garage there. But then we’d all played drums in the ‘garage at one time or another. Enthusiastic and almost completely without finesse he did however make sure we got our daily doses of Devo, The Residents, Pere Ubu and the like. He gave me the negs in ’81 for what reason I cannot recall. I’m out of touch with him at the mo’ and seeing as I’ve looked after them for 28 years I guess its ok for me to post them here.
Alternatively given my terrible memory the above may in fact be bollocks!
A strange post this; film negative originally processed in June 1981. I’ve seen contacts but never prints so I fired up my Epson 2400 and scanned 3 frames. This is the best ‘out of the box’. I believe the session is in or around Bloomsbury Place, Kemptown and the line-up includes a future Transvision Vamp, and a future Test Tube Baby.
Marcus Myers – vocals, rhythm guitar
Chris Anderson – bass
Mrs Hoggins – drums
Nick Sayer – guitar
For more info on the band try Punk Brighton
