On this day, November 26th, in 1976 the Sex Pistols released the single “Anarchy In The UK”. Originally issued in a plain black sleeve, the single was the only Sex Pistols material released by EMI, and reached No.38 on the UK Singles Chart before EMI dropped the group on 6 January 1977.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog.You can also follow us onInstagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin.
Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch via EMail.
It has been quite a while since our last weird facts post, so here comes number 9. CAT scans only exist because of The Beatles. The initial funding for the research into the tech came because record label EMI was so flush with Beatles money. CAT scan is a medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. In the early 1960s Allan Cormack developed the mathematical theory for CT scanning and performed the first experimental demonstration. Then in 1967 Godfrey Hounsfield began working on the CT project at EMI Central Research Laboratories in London. Both of them later won a Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog.You can also follow us onInstagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin.
Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch via EMail.
On January 12th 1981, it was reported that the White House had expanded its record library. The library added albums by Bob Dylan, Kiss, and the Sex Pistols. I think I would bet money that the incoming president a.k.a. the orange moron will not be listening to any of those. Although “Liar” from the Sex Pistols ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ album would be appropriate! Trump’s a “YMCA” fan, right?
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog.You can also follow us onInstagram, Bluesky, and Linkedin
Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch via EMail
The Pistols on the day they signed with EMI (6th October 1976)
On 6th January 1977 EMI Records decided that they couldn’t handle the Sex Pistols. The company dropped them from the label and gave them a parting gift of £40,000 to cancel the contract. They were later dropped by A&M before eventually signing with Virgin. The incident did lead to the fabulous punk track “EMI” included on the Pistols first and only album ‘Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols’
On 12th November 1977 the Sex Pistols went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut LP ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’. The album was met with a hail of controversy upon its release. The first problem involved the allegedly ‘obscene’ name of the album, resulting in the prosecution of Chris Searle, the manager of the Nottingham Virgin record shop for having displayed it in a window. The album was banned by Boots (who sold records at the time), WH Smith, and Woolworths (which still existed at the time). Searle, the manager had been warned to cover up the word “bollocks” by the police but had gone back to displaying the records once they had left the shop. So, Searle was charged with contravening the Indecent Advertisement Act 1889 and found himself in front of three local magistrates on the 24th of November at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Richard Branson, owner of Virgin brought in John Mortimer QC to defend. Mortimer is now probably best known for writing the Rumpole of the Bailey books. He had also defended Oz magazine in their famous 1971 obscenity trial, which was the longest obscenity trial in British history at the time. His trump card was Professor James Kinsley, head of English at the University of Nottingham. His evidence showed that “bollocks” was in fact an Old English term for “priest” and in the context of the album meant “nonsense”. Mortimer also pointed out that both The Guardian and Evening Standard had both referred to the album’s title and neither had been charged. The trial concluded with a statement from the magistrates “Much as my colleagues and I wholeheartedly deplore the vulgar exploitation of the worst instincts of human nature for the purchases of commercial profits by both you and your company, we must reluctantly find you not guilty of each of the four charges“. God save the Bollocks!
.If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linkedin, and EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
I must confess that National Album Day, which has been running for 7 years, has kind of passed me by. I am much more keen on Record Store Day. It feels like just a chance for the major labels to reissue loads of back catalogue under the guise of a special day. Yes, I know there is an element of that on Record Store Day. But RSD is targetted at independent record stores, not the likes of HMV. On top of that releases are generally quite limited which makes the whole day more interesting in my opinion. It seems that not too many independent labels are involved in National Album Day compared to RSD. The theme of the day today, 19th October is British Groups.
Back in 2019, I celebrated the tenth anniversary of With Just A Hint Of Mayhem, and part of that celebration was a list of my top ten favourite albums. I have extended that to a top 25 and ignored the British Groups theme (although my list does include 8 British Groups). These are simply my favourite albums of all time! What are yours?
1 Live At The Lyceum 1975 – Bob Marley and the Wailers – If I had a time machine I would go back to 1975 and be there for this gig. Probably the finest live album ever. 2 Diamond Dogs – David Bowie – My favourite Bowie album changes depending on my mood, but more often than not it is the dystopian tale of Halloween Jack and Hunger City 3 Dog Man Star – Suede – I loved Suede’s first album but this took them to a whole new level. Were they Britpop? If so then they were one of the best Britpop acts by far. 4 The Kick Inside – Kate Bush – Choosing the best Catherine Bush album is very difficult, but I go back to this one regularly. 5 OK Computer – Radiohead – There are still some people out there who don’t like, or maybe don’t get, Radiohead. Why the fuck not? This LP is a work of genius. 6 What’s Going On? – Marvin Gaye – Probably the best protest and message album in history and one which is sadly still very pertinent today 7 Delilah Bon – Delilah Bon – possibly the finest debut album of the century so far 8 The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill – is a great modern R&B record which makes Beyonce look like an amateur 9 The White Room – KLF – dance, trance, chill, weirdness. This has everything. But they should have paid PP Arnold! 10 24 Carat Diamond Trephine – Avalanche Party – Without a doubt, the greatest living UK band right now 11 Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy – Elton John – In my opinion this autobiographical masterpiece is easily the greatest album Reg Dwight ever made 12 Skeleton Tree – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – How can anyone put so much emotion, empathy and sadness in a small collection of songs? I have no idea but Nick Cave certainly achieved it with this album. 13 Abbey Road – Beatles – I love many albums from the Fab Four, but this is the one I always come back to. 14 Never Mind The Bollocks – Sex Pistols – An incendiary début from one of the best punk bands ever. What might have happened if they had stayed together? Who knows but an album like this as your legacy is a great thing! 15 Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too – New Radicals – There is not a track I would skip on this album. The band is effectively the genius that is Gregg Alexander who wrote and produced all the songs. 16 Back To Black – Amy Winehouse – stunning voice, sensational performance, what a sad loss to the world 17 Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morrisette – A wonderful album with not a duff track in sight. She never surpassed this, but how can you beat perfect? 18 Ramones – Ramones – The high point and possibly the birth of punk, certainly in the USA 19 Songs In The Key Of Life – Stevie Wonder – So good I can forgive him for that bloody awful “I Just Called To Say I Love You” 20 Quadrohphenia – The Who – An absolute opus which I believe knocks the pants off Tommy 21 London Calling – The Clash – The album that showed they were not just a punk band 22 Sign O’ The Times – Prince – Forget Purple Rain. This was Prince’s Mona Lisa 23 The Lexicon Of Love – ABC – I often feel that music was really overproduced in the 80s. But this is sublime 24 Grace – Jeff Buckley – another great talent we lost too young. This is a monumental magnum opus 25 My Merry Go Round – Johnny Nash – This man, for me, has the most beautiful voice that I have ever heard in my life. This album from 1973 has remained among my favourite albums since its release.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
On August 19th, 1977, the Sex Pistols started a six-date undercover UK tour as “The S.P.O.T.S.” (Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly). Their reputation meant they would be unlikely to be booked into venues that would be shut down by the police, so, they assumed a different name in each venue (including “Tax Exiles” and “A Mystery Band of International Repute”)
In 2005 also on August 19th, a life-size bronze statue of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was erected in his home city of Dublin, Ireland. Lynott, who died in 1986 at 36, was celebrated during an unveiling ceremony, that was attended by his former Thin Lizzy bandmates, including Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, and Scott Gorham.
19 Aug 2014 On 19th August 2014 Kate Bush requested that fans did not take any photographs or record footage using mobile devices at her upcoming 22-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. The then 56-year-old star said on her website: “I very much want to have contact with you as an audience, not with iPhones, iPads or cameras. It would mean “a great deal to me, although I know it is a lot to ask”.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
Jimmy Page released his first solo single, “She Just Satisfies,” on February 26th 1965 in the UK. He played everything but drums on it and sang lead vocal, Page also produced the tune. This was just before he joined the Yardbirds
On 26th February 1979 in the midst of the long running court case between the Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm McLaren, (a.k.a Talcy Malcy) it was revealed that only £30,000 was left of the £800,000 the band had earned. That was the real great rock ‘n’ roll swindle.
Sandie Shaw, iconic British songstress who had more than fifteen UK top 40 singles was born on February 26th 1947. Those included three number ones; “(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me”(1964), “Long Live Love” (1965) and Eurovision Song Contest winner “Puppet On A String” (1967). She was the first UK act to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Happy Birthday Sandie!
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
On February 15th, 1977 bass player Glen Matlock was fired by the Sex Pistols to be replaced by John Beverly a.k.a. Sid Vicious.
On the same day in 2013, music legend and still going strong at 82 years old Chubby Checker took out a huge, $500,000 lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard for including an app on its phones and tablets that was not only named after the then 71-year-old musician but measured a man’s manhood based on his shoe size. Incidentally, I am a UK size 11 and probably proof that there is no link between shoe size and manhood measurement! Checker (a.k.a. Ernest Evans) settled the case the following year. HP denied liability in agreeing to settle with the singer but did agree not to make future use of his stage name, likeness, or related trademarks.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
Here comes the fifth monthly Mayhem Top 20 Song Chart, this time for July 2022 and it is still as eclectic as most of the previous charts. July’s number one is “B-Side” from a very young York band, the Corsairs who I was lucky enough to see play their first gig a few weeks ago at the Fulford Arms. Another local band, Vaquelin has now remained in the chart for three months in a row with “Roads Leading Nowhere” which was number one in May, dropped to number 20 in June, and is now at number 17. Last months number one by Randy Newman falls to number 8. Stevie Wonder’s “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” goes from number 3 last month to number 2 in July. The reggae flag is flown by Dave Barker’s “Smooths And Sorts” (no. 4) (for the fact fans Dave was the Dave from Dave and Ansell Collins) and “Your Honour” by Pluto Shervigton (No. 10). The Last Of The Fallen Angels featuring Hannah Robinson are at number 3 with the wonderful “Red Dress”. Hannah’s rather excellent single “Confusion” reaches number 7. Meanwhile another Last Of The Fallen Angels collaborator, MARQ Electronica is at number 5. Soul is represented by the aforementioned Stevie Wonder, Chris Clark, Michael Jackson, and a lost gem from Wilson Pickett’s time at RCA, “Mr. Magic Man”. This month’s number one in the artist charts was the late, great Sylvester, he is number 9 in the song chart with a classic b-side, “Was It Something That I Said”. As always there are some timeless classic artists there, notably the Sex Pistols and Steely Dan. Some more recent classic artists are her, Panic! At The Disco, and Biffy Clyro. Biffy arrive here courtesy of their cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love” which is good news as this is the first time that the Dame has not appeared in the song chart himself! Toad The Wet Sprocket make their first appearance in the Mayhem charts while Hootie and the Blowfish take “Only Wanna Be With You” to number 6. The Hootie tune is there as I have been reading a review copy of Hootie drummer Jim Sonefeld’s rather spiffing new autobiography. That review will be on these pages soon! Finally, how did Slik (featuring a very young Midge Ure) make it to number 20 with “Forever And Ever”? Well, it is only me to blame, that is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. We would love to hear your thoughts on the Mayhem Song Top 20 Chart. Check out the complete list below and click here to access a Spotify playlist of the whole top 20!
1 B-Side – The Corsairs 2 You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder 3 Red Dress – The Last Of The Fallen Angels 4 Smooths And Sorts – Dave Barker 5 You Do What You Want – MARQ Electronica 6 Only Wanna Be With You – Hootie and the Blowfish 7 Confusion – Hannah Robinson 8 You’ve Got A Friend In Me – Randy Newman 9 Was It Something That I Said? – Sylvester 10 Your Honour – Pluto Shervington 11 Modern Love – Biffy Clyro 12 P.S. – New Version – Toad The Wet Sprocket 13 No One Is Innocent – Sex Pistols 14 I Want To Go Back There Again – Chris Clark 15 Got To Be There – Michael Jackson 16 Viva Las Vengeance – Panic! At The Disco 17 Roads Leading Nowhere – Vaquelin 18 Dirty Work – Steely Dan 19 Mr. Magic Man – Wilson Pickett 20 Forever And Ever – Slik
If you have enjoyed this article feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on;
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 