T&M co-webmaster Mark recently spoke to all four band members about their individual preparations for the forthcoming recording of the eagerly anticipated next album – to be entitled ‘XXX’.
Jamie enthused that he already has “almost four complete songs, music wise anyway. I only have a working title for one of them though, and the idea is for it to be about people who say they'll stick by you but then bail out on you when it really comes to the crunch. That one I think will be called 'Suicide Pact (You First)'. As for the others I will leave it down to Charlie to name."
Jet also has four songs in the melting pot, and he is “currently re-arranging these at the moment”, but added that “one song is done.” Jet also stated that he “never uses working titles. I just use ‘track 1’, ‘track 2’ etc, so there are no song titles yet...”
Alvin was just as animated by the prospect of following up the critically acclaimed last album ‘Work In Progress’ and has completed two songs, both music and lyrics, in preparation already. The first song is entitled ‘Thunder’ which Alvin thinks he “would like to do the vocals on”, as the subject matter is Alvin’s “personal perspective on the life of Johnny Thunders”, of the New York Dolls. Alvin’s second track promises to be of immense interest as well, with its striking title and fascinating subject matter.
“Black Power Salute” concerns the African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos giving their famous salute after they won the 200 metre gold and bronze medals respectively at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. The event was one of the most overtly political statements in the history of the modern Olympic Games. Smith later stated in his autobiography that the salute was not a Black Power salute, but in fact a human rights salute. On the medals podium, Smith and Carlos both wore ‘Olympic Project for Human Rights’ badges, receiving their medals shoeless, but wearing black socks, to represent black poverty. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent black pride and Carlos had his tracksuit top unzipped to show solidarity with all blue collar workers in the U.S. also wearing a necklace of beads which he described "were for those individuals that were lynched, or killed and that no-one said a prayer for, that were hung and tarred. It was for those thrown off the side of the boats in the middle passage…”
Charlie was also very excited about the next album, telling T&M that "the Subs are in a 'born again' frame of mind after 'Work In Progress'! It was a powerful record with a great variety of sound and song composition. I see the 'Work In Progress' album as our first album and X as the 'Brand New Age' of today, with it being even more exciting, with better arranged songs and a step forward in every way." Charlie is currently busy formulating lyrics and music for the album, although he didn't reveal any working song titles, but further added that he had "...heard Alvin's songs and they are very good. The bar is set, and it's very high." Of the additional discs planned for the 'triple X' album Charlie also divulged that "...I must add that the acoustic CD will be very surprising!"
These are obviously very exciting days for the Subs and their fans alike, and as previously reported in our first 'XXX' news story, the band are scheduled to go into Pat Collier’s studio in London in July, for what is already sounding like it has the potential to be an even bigger classic U.K. Subs album than the last!
T&M has already published FIVE instalments of this exciting series of memoirs from Alvin Gibbs about his life and U.K. Subs-experiences...
Today sees the SIXTH instalment of Alvin's life story published, entitled: ALL CHANGE (part 1)
In Alvin's own words, his articles for T&M will be "a literary excursion through the fetid underbelly of infamy, glory, frustration, elation, chaos, indifference, contentment and pride which feature in equal measure in relation to my personal involvement with the United Kingdom Subversives."
Alvin is also searching through his own personal Subs collection of ephemera and memorabilia to provide some suitable scans and photographs to accompany this fabulous project.
Check out the new section in T & Misc! to the right called "Alvin Gibbs' memoirs" KEEP WATCHING THIS WEBSITE!
The above Alvin Gibbs photograph courtesy of Jez Keefe (Jez Keefe Photography). No copying of Jez's work without permission.
CHARLIE & ALVIN APPEAR ON NEW CHARITY ALBUM
The beginning of 2012 saw the release on iTunes of a superb new charity compilation double album called 'SEX DRUGS & HIV". The brainchild of Mat Sargent, bassist with Sham 69 from 2001 to 2006, it features over 200 musicians, boasts 40 Tracks and has been an incredible 15 years in the making, with Mat having started in 1996. The album is in support of four charities: The Terrence Higgins Trust, Release, Rape Crisis and Cancer Research UK.
Charlie (pictured left) sings vocals on the song 'Getting Better', which also features fellow Urban Dog Knox, as well as providing backing vocals on 'No Fun Here' to Micky Fitz of The Business' lead vocals. Charlie also plays harmonica on another track, entitled 'Gone So Long', which has Mat Sargent (pictured below right) on vocals as well as ex-Sub Daryl Bath on guitar. Alvin Gibbs plays bass on a track called 'Private Agenda', and another ex-Sub, drummer Pete Davies appears on 'Heroin', which has Pauline Black (The Selecter) on vocals, Tony Barber (The Buzzcocks) on bass, as well as guitar work from Paul Fox (The Ruts), Dave Parsons (Sham 69) and Boz Boorer (Morrissey).
Charlie and Pete Davies recorded their tracks in 1996 with Alvin coming to a later session in 1998. Other ex-Subs on the album include Karl Morris and Tezz Roberts.
You can see each tracks' musician list on the website www.sexdrugsandhiv.com as well as reading all about how the project has progressed - there are also some trailers and video montages which features footage of everyone, along with lots more information. There is also merchandise to buy to support this fabulous project.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A 'ROCKUMENTARY' RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR. PLEASE WATCH THE PROMO VIDEO BELOW...
DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM NOW!
Although each individual track is available to download on its own for £0-79p, Time & Matter urges you to get the whole album for a bargain £15-99. When funding is in place, the project will consider releasing a proper CD version... but for now...
Ex-Subs drummer Pete Davies is set to rejoin The Straps, a band that supported the Subs in 1978. Pete, who is also working with Charlie on his side-band Charlie Harper's Harbour Rats (see news story here) will be in the drum stool for The Straps' appearance at the 'Punk By The Sea' 4-day punk Festival (14th - 17th June 2012), held at the South Parade Pier in Southsea, Portsmouth. The U.K. Subs and the Urban Dogs will also be playing at the same festival, with the Subs and The Straps both scheduled for Saturday 16th, with The Damned headlining.
Charlie's grandson Marley is also appearing with his band A.M.I. as are Jamie Oliver's side band Sci-Fi Mafia. Pete played drums on The Straps' eponymous debut album in 1982, and you can catch up with The Straps' history by clicking here. Further Straps history HERE
Mainstage HQ are absolutely delighted to be able to add this stunning U.K. SUBS black Polo Shirt to our ever expanding range of top designs. We have been always asked by people "why don’t we do a Polo shirt for the band." So we needed to get it right and after consulting Charlie, we have come up with what we think is an absolute classic. This simply has to be one of the best punky polos to ever grace the planet! ONLY £24.99 including free postage in the UK, please click on the pictures to get a closer look at this quality garment! And remember that a percentage of each sale will go directly to the band!
UPDATE: 2 January 2012: NEW BADGES AVAILABLE
There are now 7 badges available at a bargain 75p each, including free postage in the UK for orders over £5. See a few of the designs below, including the fun 'Charlie for PM' and the popular 'allstars' design.
U.K. Subs Time & Matter website charity money received in Japan
Third recipient receives £1,000
T&M is delighted to announce that we have donated £1,000 to our third charitable cause. Consisting of part of the profits from the sale of T&M Recordings’ 7” single 'Product Supply' and ALL the profits from the recent 'Official U.K. Subs 2012 Calendar' - the money was recently sent to a ‘local’ charity ‘on the ground’, helping out the people around Fukushima in Japan, through their ethical operation. The organisation is called 'NBC Operation' and the money has been sent to Ko Slang, who arranges to send help and provisions to the little villages in and around the areas where help is needed most. Ko also helps people with disability from Fukushima and also provides them with some form of employment to make them independent. For further and detailed information on this vital charity work being carried out: CLICK HERE Beside this magnanimous work, the NBC Operation headquarters deals with charity t-shirts, animal protection goods, 'stop abusing children' goods and merchandise from disabled peoples institutions. Each sale helps the various causes and the charity is constantly looking to encourage and initiate more activities with many more ideas and devices to approach the multitude of problems currently ongoing within the beleaguered Japanese society. Readers will also be interested to know that Ko is part of the DIY punk scene in Japan, being the singer with the band SLANG - click here to view their website You can also make a donation anytime via the information contained on the Slang MySpace site HERE
CHECK OUT KO'S MESSAGE TO THE U.K. SUBS ON HIS BLOG HERE (Dated 21/12/11)
Charlie plans solo album this year
Charlie has confirmed to T&M that he plans to record a second solo album this year. Plans are currently for the project to be an acoustic album, with the Subs mainman revealing that he is "writing loads of songs at present", although this album will most probably consist of a mix of original compositions and some covers. All this is, of course, in addition to the Subs recording their next studio album in 2012, the release of the Urban Dogs acoustic album as well as the 'Charlie Harper's Harbour Rats' project with ex-Sub Pete Davies. Looks like 2012 is going to be ANOTHER VINTAGE YEAR for Subs fans folks!
Punkerama Records Donation to Charlie's Charitable Cause
Northern Irish record label, Punkerama, have kindly offered to contribute £5 from each sale of their remaining copies of the vinyl release of 'A Blast In Belfast' to Charlie's Charitable Cause.
Recorded at the Warzone in Belfast in 1998, and released on CD by Rejected Records and Punkerama. The vinyl issue is available on three different colours (see below)
We'd like to thank Gary at Punkerama Records for this very generous offer and hope that you'll support them and the cause by getting a copy for yourself or the Subs nut in your life.
UPDATE: Only 70 copies left so please don't miss out - order NOW folks!
The Time & Matter website editors are proud to be the host for Paul Slack's fabulous Blog. Paul continues to fascinate and delight with his extremely popular Blog on T&M - which has been running since March 2010. Long may our partnership continue...
This year, Paul's Blog will be concentrating on his involvement with MONICA AND THE EXPLOSION, as they intend to entertain and thrill audiences all around the world.
Exclusive Monica and The Explosion Time & Matter webpage HERE UPCOMING MONICA AND THE EXPLOSION GIGS:click here
30/10/2011: Monica & Paul interviewed in Soundcheck Magazine: CLICK HERE
Homepage Picture Choice Number Twenty-Six
OLD HAND PAINTED URBAN DOGS T-SHIRT
Pictured here is an old Urban Dogs T-shirt design, handpainted by Knox, he believes around a dozen were made by himself, circa early 1990s.
Below: New video for Sci-Fi Mafia's 'Second Chance' - shot at the album launch by Tpak Productions...
"People, people, people, get involved. Play your guitar, do your fanzines, take photos BE INVOLVED. One day it could all be worth something because it's not only history but the future too. So live it, don't just be part of the audience, participate."
Charlie Harper, 17 December 1998 - quoted from an interview in Scanner Fanzine Issue 3
Coming Soon (Plan Of Action!):
U.K. Subs songs covered by other bands U.K. Subs A-to-Z of song titles...
PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBSITE EDITORS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ON THE ABOVE TWO RESEARCH AND WRITING TASKS!
"If you want to know more about the line-up changes, or spot any holes in the discography, please make an urgent appointment with a counsellor. The UK Subs are an institution, of sorts. The fact that I like them, despite being as fashionable as asbestos, doubtless disqualifies me from polite society."
"Thanks to 'Time & Matter', I was finally re-united with the UK Subs after thirty years! I went to see them on Saturday in Aberdeen. What a great experience, really enjoyed it ....... can't stop grinning !" Martin Prophet e-mails T&M - 12th May 2011
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New instalment published!
The beginning of 2012 saw the release on 
Northern Irish record label, Punkerama, have kindly offered to contribute £5 from each sale of their remaining copies of the vinyl release of 'A Blast In Belfast' to Charlie's Charitable Cause. 
...which is our favourite quote from 'No More Heroes', by ALEX OGG. 
