I first came across this band as a 14 year old back in the mists of time (1978 to be precise) not however i may add from listening to john peel or the music papers i was now buying, no it was Mainstream TV the TV we only had 3 channels of, and it was primetime Saturday /Sunday viewing loved by our Parents but hated by the entire youth of the day, Yes it was the Talent show called New Faces kind of like a Britain's got Talent of the day, same kind of format really, singing and dancing dogs, crap singers, even worse comedians, family groups pretty much the same format as BGT but without the contestants having nervous breakdowns or the usual sob story about all their life has been leading up to this moment. So anyway this bunch of clean cut sharp suit wearing new wavers came bouncing on to the TV screen with bags of energy and loads of sneering to play a short sharp 3 minute tune, various cuts to the panel, which was the usual mixture of tabloid critics and music agents way way past their (if they ever had one) best, the end of the song and we cut to good old Derek Hobson all resplendent in his massive collars and Lionel Blairs (FLARES) sat with a completely shellshocked look on his face, he's not a clue as to what he's just watched, All the panel sat on the fence when questioned especially Michael Aspel who was quite insulting towards the bands haircuts, I'm not quite sure who the other two panelists are but the legendary Mickie Most record producer behind scores of hit singles for acts such as the Animals, Herman's Hermits, the Nashville Teens, Donovan, Lulu, and the Jeff Beck Group, and yes he F**king loved them! they harked back to the 60s loads of attitude, loud and of the time, yes give the youth of the day a chance!
