We did this years ago. Norbert, Parsley and I decided (democratically, as we were the core of The Satanic Nurses) to venture forth into a recording studio somewhere in Norf London (Tottenham way, I think). The idea was to record and mix three songs over a period of two days. The songs were that simple in their compositional make up, that even a toddler would be able to recite them. The name of the studio was DeBretts. If that's a name you recognise, then it's probably because of DeBrett's Peerage. The owner, engineer and proprietor of the studio was John DeBrett. He proved to be a very knowledgable and tolerant chap (tolerant, what with all the racket we were making...) and his patience was second to none.
After all these years later, I don't really remember too much about the session (I wasn't driving), but I do recall the studio telephone ringing loudly once. As John was momentarily indisposed in the middle of setting up some equipment, Parsley took it on himself to answer the phone. A brief pause came and quickly went, followed by Parsley handing the receiver over to John whilst at the same time informing him that "it's your famous mum...". None other than Tona de Brett.
The VT footage below comes from that weekend but it's also mixed with some concert tape taken at Birkbeck college (anti-poll tax gig) where some of the more eagle eyed amongst you might notice the presence of talented cartoonist Tony Reeve standing in on bass duties whilst Parsley tinkled the pearlies (you didn't expect me to say "ivories" now did you?). Apologies for the poor quality of the picture, we only had VHS (no SMPTE to help us on our way either) for our consumer cams in those days and we had to rent them from Rumbelows.
Nice mullet, you homo...
Enjoy your weekend folks.
THE SATANIC NURSES "Trans Romanian Railway"
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29 comments:
That was GREAT. I've always really liked that song. There were a few hair don'ts and high waister stone-washed trousers kicking around weren't there?
Bravo. Lots of clapping and whooping. More. More. x
I had no idea that Charlie Nicholas was in the Satanic Nurses?!
delish! very cool song, darlin
just so you know, that hair-do is still popular herein the south, sugar *smirking*
A spirited performance. I have in fact crossed Roumania by train and am quite prepared to answer logistical questions if it helps.
RoMo - Those were hair don'ts and I didn't even know they were "don'ts" at the time. What was I on?
Don't answer that.
Howesy - But did you know that Charlie George played the flugelhorn on an abandoned Camodes single?
Savvy - Cheers to you! I'm relieved to read that I'd fit in quite well with uncles Remus, Cletus and all their family that live in the mountains.
DH - Where were you at that song's birth? I could've done with someone's expert research/experience on the Romanian railway. We never had Google in them days.
Why do some people spell it Roumania and others Romania? I've been gilty on both counts. Please shed some more light on this and any other former eastern bloc train journeys you've had - you could blog about them.
Which year was the song born? My Roumanian trip was quite recent...about 5 years ago. I was staying in France when I suddenly got the urge to see some places in Eastern Europe where I had never been. Thus I flew to Prague, thence to Bratislava and a boat down the Danube to Budapest which was all very interesting but I found the people in Budapest a little too eager to embrace capitalism. Not quite what I was looking for so I took a train to the Roumanian border, a place called Oredea which was like going back in time a bit. Just what I wanted. After that I got on and off a lot of trains...stopped in Sighisoara, Brasov and Sinaia, beautiful misty mountains and never a dull moment. The Roumanian Railway Service is excellent if you aren't in a hurry and don't mind being shunted around occasionally. Bucharest was a bit overwhelming but fascinating especially Ceaucescu's erection. The Roumanians were delightful people and everybody was very friendly. After Bucharest I rented a car and drove to Constanta which is a resort. The villages in between were much nicer than they are depicted in Borat but somewhat lacking in modern amenities. After that I went through Bulgaria to Turkey and flew back to Paris from Istanbul. Nice little trip. I'm glad I did it.
I would add that Germans and Brits were buying up property left and right especially around Constanta and Varna so it will probably look like the Costa del Sol in a few years.
Oh...doesn't the young Istvanski look cute! all fluffy haired and smooth faced. As for the song, one of your finer moments I think...melodic Istvanski!!
sugar...dont make me come slap you! we have no mountains here...so, answer my question...i left one for you on my blog
Wow - Dick's trip sounds amazing. I went to Romania (I like to spell it that way) about 5 years ago and loved the people but was struck at how reticent they still were to talk about the old regime under Ceaucescu. Most I met said that they preferred it how it was before. Train is a good way to see places - unless you are on the Hounslow Rounder and the doors don't open on the last four carriages between Isleworth and Whitton!
The older people in Roumania preferred the socialist system I found. The young ones all want to work for Microsoft. Lots of people told me the place is run by the mafia. Did you see that place Ceaucescu built in Bucharest rm?....bloody amazing thing. I'll put a picture of it on my blog.
Yes - I could see it from hotel room - gianourmous big lumpen grey thing. I've got some photo's on flickr - will put on my blog. Ister - hope you don't mind us chatting away here at the Croydon Dep Centre. Custard cream anyone? Poligrip?
It looked quite spectacular in the sunlight I thought (see blog). Yes I found Roumanians to be very friendly people. Especially the gypsies. I was always greeted by small crowds of them as I emerged from the stations.
wait, wit, wait..there ar e more poictures? on dh's blog..i did post some from the concert tonight onmine..i think..jaysis..i reall shouldnt drink and blog..istvanski, sugar..you never answered my question...wow...i think i need to go to bed
DH - That sounds like a fantastic journey you had. (The song was written in the mid-eighties, by the way).
Last time I went to Hungary (1990), commercialism was just starting to be embraced. Quality and service was noticably better in, say, private run eateries than state run places.
Budapest in the summer used to have a habit of wearing you down. It was humid and smoggy, thanks to the pollution from those two-stroke Trabant cars. At least there were all those spa centres that you could relax in.
The countryside's more cleaner although I'd imagine it's not as scenic as Transylvania (which used to be part of Hungary before the maps got re-drawn years ago). We took a boat trip from Budapest along the Danube to Estergom, a small cathedral town facing the former Czechoslovakia across the river.
Brits and Germans are also buying a lot in Bulgaria, according to these "Place in the Sun" programs that we have in the UK. Not surprising really, they seem to be good value for wonga.
I'd really like to go back to Eastern Europe. Does anyone fancy a trip to Albania?
I'm glad you found Ceaucescu's erection fascinating, DH. Whatever floats your boat, as they say...
Jif - I used to use Dove soap on my smooth skin, but now it's Wright's coal tar soap. Prison has a funny way of changing your habits.
Savvy - Do you mean the Amy Whorehouse related question? It has been answered! :-)
RoMo - Perhaps there was more stability in the old Romanian regime compared to the mafia run local governments. I could understand why that would cause resentment amongst some of the older people there.
You tend to see squat-jack on a Hounslow rounder (apart from two brief glimpses of the Thames that is). I thought the doors to all eight coaches opened fully at Hounslow?
Blimey, I knew I was out of touch.
Stop hogging all those custard creams.
Squat-jack? Who/what's that? I don't know about the doors at Aaaahnslaaah - try not to go there much - full of ugly chav teenage scum that have got babies with pierced ears in pushchairs being force-fed Mcdonalds and screaming at them to shut up. Too depressing and brings out the over-caring babysnatcher in me.
Ah yes....I forgot about the Trabants. I could have picked up (literally) several sporty little models....no doors, square wheels and more toxic emmissions that a Chinese pet food factory.
PS: I was reading a book about some bloke's dangerous 'Travels in Albania' which was fascinating when I was ill in hospital with pregnancy complications (yes - all fine - it was the awkward little Squidget getting his head stuck under my ribs!) and I remember the consultant looking at my book with utter disdain and bemusement as to why I would be reading such a thing. Silly cock. Yes - let's all go for a blogmeet in Albania - that would be fun. Savannah, Dickley - it's almost half way....
"Travels in Albania"? I might have that book. I know I've somewhere got an Albanian related travel guide of sorts, it had a green paperback cover
with the double-headed eagle emblem on it.
There was a kind of east European theme in our repertoire in "Ver Nurses". Other songs included such titles as "Fun In Albania" & "Hungarian Folk Song". I kid you not. Rough demos were made but they were ultimately shit-canned in favour of more, erm, 'stronger songs'...
Oh, and "squat-jack" is otherwise known as "diddley-shit".
I'm up for an Albanian blogmeet. We better make sure we bring enough dosh to pay off the mafia run local authorities.
Lamb kebab anyone?
Ohhh and there was I thinking that 'squat-jack' was some sort of short vagrant that camped out on a platform somewhere. That's weird - I usually say diddley squat. I wonder what all the variations are actually derived from then? Maybe jack-shit?
PS: here you go - this is the book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Accursed-Mountains-Journeys-Albania/dp/0006551742/
ref=pd_bowtega_3/026-3820206-0046852?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180818580&sr=1-3
Oh bum. If you go to Amazon and type in:
The Accursed Mountains: Journeys In Albania by Robert Carver you'll find it. x
This is all very well, but what about a song praising the train journey to Chessington South?
I might be up for the Albania trip. We could rent a Trabant.
A horse and trabant or just a trabant with aer conditionat ie: windows?
RoMo - I've not got that Robert Carver book, is it worth a read? Mine's more of a straight travel guide. I'll have to dig it out. x
Howesy - "What about a song praising the train journey to Chessington South?"
What?!? You mean instead of doing Midnight Oil covers?!!?
DH - That trip's all sorted then is it? We'll all meet up in Tirane, you organize the air-conditionat equipped Trabant rental and RoMo can get the ice-creams in.
£140 return on BA so god knows what it will be on Adria Airways..mind you - Dick will have to sail there - might take him a bit longer.
Hopefully we can find a Trabant with a satellite dish and a good high speed internet connection.
where are we meeting? jaysus..albania?
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