We were mod,not just for Christmas, respect and love to our Eastern brothers and sisters, cheers,Jez❤

Great idea to post this on KZread. Many thanks as always.

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. We hope it captures the international phenomenon!

Born in 65 I was just old enough to be there for the film Quadrophenia, too young to see it but, well, you know, I saw it anyway. Your video has filled in a lot of missing pieces for me, so many thanks. I was too young for Punk, too scruffy for me anyway. Then the Jam and the Specials turned up. This was it, this was "My Generation." There wasn't a Skin Head, Mod rivalry at the start. It was just our generations music. I think the arrival of the Nation Front and their recruitment of Skin Heads, drove huge wedges into the scene. It's lovely to see all that has gone from the scene now. To me, I just loved the music and the clothes, I didn't realise at the time that I was in the middle of something so special, an era that is still spoken about today. How lucky we were.

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

Great comments - thank you!

Japanese mods and their scooters are IMHO, the best out there.

@greghonda5475

4 ай бұрын

They really are immaculate aren't they?

Back in 1984, I'd got myself in trouble at school, and to avoid a bollocking for a day, I put my sta prest and Harrington in my schoolbag, got the train to Portsmouth as normal but stayed at the station and got the next train to Waterloo, just flashed my train pass at the ticket inspector. After wandering around I made it to Carnaby Street, where I was in the basement record shop. I had just bought the Get Smart! LP, when you walked through the door, we had a a chat and a cuppa with the shop owner and you autographed it for me. I'll be in Pompey next month, over from Ireland for my mates 55th birthday, I've known him for 49 years. We're going to Guildford for the Squire & Secret Affair gig, it would be so cool to meet you again, almost 40 years after that memorable first time. Once a Mod, always a Mod.😂

@claymor8241

9 ай бұрын

Sta press and Harrington? Suedehead gear.

Something a lot of people don't know is that there was a curious sub-culture during the second mod revival in the late 70s early 80s in Northern Ireland. Because of the ongoing conflict here at the time one couldn't be seen (if you were from an Irish Nationalist/Catholic/Republican background) wearing anything that resembled a Union Jack, so to get around this, specially made RAF Roundel/Target/Bullseye's patches and badges were produced in the colours of the Irish Tricolour - Green, White & Gold (as opposed to the Red, White & Blue of the Union Jack) and mod style 'Badger' shoes also came in Green, White & Gold as well as jumpers with the RAF roundel in, again, Green, White & Gold.. To get around the many back patches for Parka's that used a full Union Jack flag (a Tricolour Irish flag just wouldn't have "looked" right/cool) a special amnesty of sorts was granted to mods who drew black lines along the white diagonals of the Union Flag (this was seen as a mark of respect for the blanket/dirty protests/hunger strikes by Irish political prisoners that were going on at the time). Now, I don't know if this was the case all over Ireland (I can only speak for East Donegal and Derry City as I witnessed it myself and indeed wore some of the variations myself, though I was actually more into the SKA revival that was also in full swing at that time). Anybody else remember this little era of "Modness" in Ireland?

@squirenet

3 ай бұрын

Thats fascinating and not documented. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing old mods never die✊

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

KTF!

Although I was born in '63 and "missed the original MOD scene, my parents always stated "I was born a Mod!"as a primary schoolboy in South East Scotland I always gravitated towards Sta-Press, Ox-Blood Loafers, Ben Sherman, Small Faces, Fred Perry, Harrington and Crombie, Motown, Stax, Reggae, Blue Beat, Two-Tone 'Bretta's and Vespa's........my older sister and her pals love of the growing Northern Soul Scene definitely had a major influence on my love of dancing and looking smart and clean! MOD="Clean Living under Difficult Circumstances!" KtF and Koko Brother.........

i was in the quadrophenia film then became a mod Tony Class was the dj who put on all the early clubs in shepherds bush

This is the kind of music that gets made when the races get together. Two Swords by The Beat is a case in point. Sums it up. I was there in '78-'82 ... and will never forget it.

There was a MOD revival scene in NYC from 83-87 led by a radio show on WNYU called Mod Monday with Captain Weems and bands like Mod Fun, The New Breed, the Scene and Secret Service playing clubs like CBGBs the Dive Kenny’s Castaways the Bitter End and RT Firefly…would love to see that scene get some credit in the history of the MOD lifestyle…

@squirenet

3 ай бұрын

They were great bands! And we played with many of them!

Interesting. As a 12yo in 79, it was all Parkas, Pin badges and revival bands, but luckily we had dads and uncles around who'd been there the first time around to influence us. Smart blokes still all of them and you could see that they still had the influences. The older lads were more authentic also, obviously. And importantly, everybody very cool and encouraging. By late 80s through to mid 90s the London seen was all about being as authentic 60s mod as possible - either early 60s mod all R&B, modern jazz, Latin & tailored suits or the later 60s Suedehead look with more ska. For me personally the preferences were modern jazz and 60S soul and a more classic Ivy League look. I know some of the current younger Singapore mods and have been to some dos in Indonesia. They do have a different take on it - many are into more later 60s Suedehead look and love their ska. I think this more "harder" look is maybe "easier" - more immediately noticeable, more street cred and "tougher" more "rebel" perception to the general public compared to a "purer" mod look. All proves what a broad church Modernism is I guess. The one thing that gets me nowadays is all the mid 50yo-60yo ex revival types, playing dress up at the weekends with all the stereotypes - boating blazers, parkas, loads of lights and mirrors etc. It's laughable frankly. It's perfectly ok to still have the influences - most of us still do I think. In the clothes we choose as second nature, the music we listen to etc, it's basically become an integral part of our personal taste now, just like it had become for the dads and uncles that advised us back in 79. But the cliched stereotyped dress up stuff that will be seen next weekend in places like Brighton just gets my goat. Worryingly, just based on what I've seen here in Asia compared to social media from the UK - I'm only seeing new youngsters in the scene here in Asia and places like Australia and not in the UK.

@squirenet

11 ай бұрын

I love the way it has evolved in Asia as a hybrid. It is a shame the UK promotes it as a nostalgia sub culture

@nickbatt4579

11 ай бұрын

@@squirenet wasn't it always a hybrid - adopting, adapting and amalgamating styles and sounds- both the originals and the revival?

Very cool. On travels for work globally, there's a great satisfaction in recognising life long Mods old and new through those superb and subtle details of dress sense, attitude, and music. We're a family, whatever and wherever your origin and status, linked by an acute sense of what is cool, what is not, what matters and what does not.

@squirenet

11 ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

Summed up perfectly AM x

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

Cheers!

Intersting but one small point. From 67 onwards the north of England kept the Mod ethos alive via the underground Soul scene, searching out obscure sixties USA 45s, maintaining the clothing ethos and the love of scooters.

So enjoyed this presentation.. Thank you

Very thorough Antony. Great work

We are the mods,,,,

Mod is almost indefinable. To me it is an energy, that certain je ne sais quoi that tingles the spine and the pit of the stomach. I latched onto the Jam in 1980 aged 10. Too young to run with the crowd in full, I still befriended the 14 year old 'faces' of my estate, begging to borrow (to tape) whatever they were willing to loan me. Soon I was listening to everything from Beat Boys in the Jet Age, by The Lambrettas to Searching for the Young Soul Rebbles By the legendary Dexies Midnight Runners. There was The Merton Parkas to source (if you were Lucky) and of course how could I not mention Secret Affair!!! Two Tone was a perfectly acceptable stable mate, introducing me to all the scene had to offer via "Dance Craze" the must have Ska compilation that was to Two Tone what Mods Mayday was (and still is) to Mod. I totally acknowledge the original 60s scene and take from it the choice cuts, the pieces that I like, I don't feel obliged to dig the whole scene and as such I don't feel the need to fake it either.......I could go on into the next incarnation, mid 80s with Makin Time and The Blades, The Countdown compilations and The Cutting Edge, but I'm sure that you get the idea. This presentation has completely nailed what Mod is was and always will be to me. PS, Sometime in 1982 I heard word through the grapevine that one of the big lads, nicknamed 'Soggy' had a copy of Squires Official Fan Club album! Somehow I managed to persuade him to tape it for me!!!!! ......I really should pick up a legit copy soon. 😉

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

Great comment - cheers!

I remember Big Youth (Jamican Reggae star) Telling me he was protected by mods when he came to London in the 70's.

People shit on the new generation of Mods. I think it’s cool that kids of this day take on this subculture even though the idea of being mod in 2024 is absurd.But bringing the style and music and culture of what it was in the 60s, I love it and they keep it alive.And that’s a good thing. It’s better than being into hip hop or rap.let’s face it,,, The old days were better.

Just want to say how fantastic this video is thanks to you sir! also want to say Up the Mods!!!!! and as myself, a History major and expert in youth subcultures of the 40's 50's 60's 70's and 80's I just had to chime in as most even many of my own mates who were of the original early 60's Mods from the London area and Liverpool areas where I grew up (Born in 64, left England in 83 to live in Canada) MOD was conceived in Hamburg in the months after the War ended. Beatniks and so called Post War Modernists (German Youth Movement) started calling themselves Modernists in 1945-1957 actually. They had direct access to US and Canadian Military Personnel who were part of Occupying Forces Europe bringing their records and themselves a lot of now famous Musicians, they played in Jazz and newly coined Rock Bars on the Reeperbahn even taking clothing and hair style ideals from the Hamburg Youth such as Astrid who gave the Beatles their hair cuts which are. totally Mod style, (the British Bands such as Rory Storm The Steam packet, eventually the Beatles brought the newly created Rock and Roll and British Rhythm and Blues Movement recreating American Porch and Field Blues with electric Musical Instruments. The British mod doesn't even begin calling themselves Mod for some years as History shows. The Modernist Movement started in multiple places at the same time and shortly after one another in reality. The Mod Movement as "we" know it starts in 77-79 Most if not all "mods" in the 60's didn't;t even call themselves Mods. The Revival created the actual Movements The Mod, the Rude the Skin and the Punk Movements. Mods' earlier namesakes were actually the Beatniks, Post War Modernists & the Tickets who as History proved, were the first youth to grow up in Europe having jobs from a young age where they actually got paid and were allowed to own their own vehicles, apartments, clothing etc it just so happens that the English kids of the late 50's and early 60's were in a much better position Geographically and historically to pick up and take off ahead of the rest of the world with the newly found freedom of personal life style and wealth and rights. Toronto Canada and Montreal Canada are known to have gas many many London Mods in those Cities as far back as the 1970's long before the US movement. There are places infamous for these British Fashion followers with their Scooters and 60's Suits hanging out at Legendary Toronto clubs like the Bamboo club, the Elmocambo, Larry's Hide a way, Lee's Palace and of course Kensington. The rest is history.

@ianmcilwraith4479

10 ай бұрын

Haven't seen any images of early mods in Hamburg as in those influenced by Italian clothes and 50s jazz and R&B. Always thought Hamburg in the very early 60s was just full of beatnik/bohemian types who still had long hair and wore leather. The evidence has Always pointed to it originating in London in the late 50s with youngsters getting into modern jazz giving them the term modernists

Mod is for life not just for Christmas 😂 Kid's 🎉❤

Rarely mentioned are the mods of the late 1940’s and through the 50s , what we call 60s mod was also a hybrid too

Actually started in East London but still interesting.

@squirenet

Жыл бұрын

and now all over the world!

I wouldn't of said Pete Meaden had given them early success, I think he tried to be smart in trying to make The Who a Mod band so they appealed more to the Mods of which back fired when he changed their name tooThe High numbers and released their first Single Zoot Suit/ I'm the Face of which Meaden wrote himself but used the music from other artist. The Single failed to even chart which cost Meaden his job as we'll as EMI dropping them from their record label, I think more credit has to go to Lambert &n Stamp in my humble Opinion. It's quite Scary though as this year we enter the 60th Anniversary of Zoot Suit/I'm the Face.

@squirenet

3 ай бұрын

Shel Talmy made them sound fantastic as well.

I'm impressed ! if i was to take a degree it would be on music, I'm not sure but i think this guy is lead singer in cool revival power pop mod band squire, one of my top 5 revival bands.

Mod for it

Rudeboys outta jail! Bring back Ska 🛵

They've all seemed to have missed the point 'mods' is short for modernists. They're the antithesis of mods.

It was also a very much an East End thing before it went overground and mainstream. There were many Mods around the Stepney and Mile End area's in the 60's as well as the "revival" period.

@squirenet

11 ай бұрын

There is a rich tapestry to the way it emerged before it became comodified..

Bullshit, the clash triple album hit number 11,and covered many genres with ska having a big impetus at the time the group was moving onto world recognition so was not hammered down to Britain but to dismiss them from England is wide of the mark

Wow, not a mention of northern soul….!

@squirenet

11 ай бұрын

Not intentionally! 20 minutes doesn't provide enough time for a decent appraisal. There are some great books such as Stephen Rileys "The Truth About Northern Soul: Unpacking the Myths" that explains the cultural context