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Red Beat
Discography/Autobiography |
The Band Red Beat started life in the Boilerhouse Studios beneath Electric Wood, High Wycombe around 1978/79. Recording demos for the major record companies on an Akai 4 track machine owned by Derek Timms. Original band members were Roy Jones, Martin Jones, Paul Baker Jones and Majid Ahmed. Red Beat played gigs at Oranges and Lemons, Oxford, The Nags Head and Wycombe Town Hall with Joy Division and The Extroverts. These were energised times, and Red Beat were very much involved at the cutting edge of the post punk movement.
Having heard some of Mark Lusardi's sound recordings with the Sex Pistols (hello Jeanette and Paul Cook) and Killing Joke, the band decided to book some recording time at Gooseberry Studios in London's Gerrard Street with Mark Lusardi as sound engineer. Roy was a good friend of Killing Joke drummer Paul Ferguson, sharing the same year as school friends attending the Royal Grammar School. I remember seeing Killing Joke at the Moonlight Club, Hampstead it was a memorable and magical gig (in step Youth looking like Sid Vicious or was that Jim Morrison). The Malicious Damage Executive seemed happy to release the Red Beat songs and the first vinyl 12" was created as MD 4.40 complete with artwork from Mike Coles. The London music press responded positively to the Red Beat first single with a notable review in Melody Maker.
At this time Paul had a job working as a printing engineer in Bourne End, Roy could be found working in the Warehouse at Argos, Martin had a health food market stall with his first child about to be born and Majid was working for Ultra Electronics, High Wycombe.
Roy and Paul started to feel that London was the place to live, with bands like P.I.L., Sex Pistols, XTC and Killing Joke beginning to make some rather interesting, revolutionary and innovative sounds. The decision was made to make the move up to London. Paul got a job as a draftsman working for Boult, Wade and Tennant, Patent Agents in EC4. Roy got a job as a Credit Controller on Oxford Street. Majid was having second thoughts about the London scene and moved away to Nottingham. Martin decided to stay in High Wycombe with his wife and begin a new family.
A new bass player and guitarist were needed if Red Beat was to continue gigging and recording. An advert was placed in Melody Maker and the response was spectacular. Kevin Mann was chosen from around 50 guitarists and Chris Thompson was chosen from around 30 bass players. The new Red Beat was formed. Ear Studios, Frestonia became Red Beat's West London rehearsal studio and the band set about writing a new collection of songs. Red Beat played their first concert at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, on The Mall, London, SW1.
In the winter of 1980 Danny, Brian and Adam at Malicious Damage notified the band that John Peel was eager to record a session. On December the 2nd 1980 Red Beat went into Portland Place Studios to record their first and only John Peel Session. The Session was first broadcast on the 15th of December, 1980.
Gigs with Killing Joke, U2, The Angelic Upstarts, The Cramps, Captain Sensible and the Thompson Twins followed (respect to Carl and Jimmy my drum roadies) and the second single See/Survival was recorded at Matrix and ready for release. The Rock n Roll world was opening up.
Red Beat realised it was time to form their own record company. Manic Machine Products was created with distribition through Geoff Travis at Rough Trade Records and Artwork from Andy Wadsworth. See/Survival RB 002 was released................. More gigs in London and The Stonehenge Festival to witness the sunrise on the solstice. Chris Thompson rebuilt his motorcycle and biked it around Europe with his girlfriend Marnie. Chris is now a lecturer at the London School of Economics. Paul's girlfriend Suzie Rogers was working for Arista Records and shaperoned Dionne Warwick whilst she was visiting London. Thanks for the Cat People West End Film Premier Suzie and the visit to meet Dave Davies of The Kinks at his home in Maida Vale! I recall Suzie (Hit and Run Music) telling me that Phil Collins was recording in the Virgin Townhouse Studios, Goldhawk Road.
I remember Belinda, Tracey, Liz, Joy and Guy Pratt with his new single "Solidarity" before he went off to Australia to play with Icehouse. Thanks for the jam Guy. Memories of Ladbroke Grove and the front line. Kris Charisma, Kris Needs and Dave Williams are well remembered too.
Dream/Dream Dub RB 003 was recorded with Mark Luscardi at M.A.R.S., Britton Street. Released on Manic Machine Products with distro through Rough Trade. Jan Brown became the new Manageress of Red Beat. Brother Howard plays a support gig for Red Beat! The video for Dream was made on location at the Tabernacle Powis Square, Notting Hill and various locations around Ladbroke Grove thanks to Mayfair Studios, Andy Wadsworth, Roy's girlfriend Helen the dancer and my drum tutor Nick Hull-Malham.
Martin Jones returned on Wal Bass and more studio time with Mark Lusardi was booked at M.A.R.S. Shadow Boxing, Moonlight (unreleased) and The Eternal Party (unreleased) were recorded. The Red Beat demo tape entered the letter box of the International Record Syndicate (I.R.S.), Kensington Park Road. Miles Copeland responded with a phone call and the band was summoned to his office. Miles agreed to put the band into his studio and more songs were recorded. Did you keep the tapes safe Miles?
Parties, Gigs and Night Clubs were happening all the time. I remember seeing the film premier of The Great Rock n Roll Swindle, Malcolm McLaren at the Bow Wow Wow Roller Disco in Hammersmith. Thanks to Lemmy for the jam at Nomis, U2 at The Lyceum, Richard Branson at the Venue Victoria, Simple Minds New Gold Dream Party with Tillie, Pink Floyd at Mayfair Studios, Check Point Charlie Berlin (before the wall came down) with Andreus Vick and Sabrina, Ray McVeigh with The Professionals, Robin Banks (The Clash lyricist), Wilko Johnson at Ear Studios, Freston Road, Hugh Padgham and Barbara Charone (MBC) for the Madonna Who's that girl world tour guest list Wembley Stadium 87 private box and for being on the phone.
I could elaborate more. Too many names to mention. The Red Beat Story will continue ............................ Stay tuned to this frequency.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the re-release of the Red Beat song material.
Peace and respect.
PBJ.
web update - 02/01/2012
12" E.P. Machines in Motion, Red Beat, More or Less Cut.
Catalogue No. MD 4.40
Engineered by Mark Lusardi at Gooseberry Studios, Gerrard Street, Soho, London.
Produced and Written by Red Beat (Jones, Jones, Jones, Ahmed)
Artwork: Mike Coles
Mastered at The Virgin Townhouse Studios, Goldhawk Road, London.
Released 1979 on Malicious Damage Records, Portland Road, Holland Park, London, W.11.
Distributed by Rough Trade Records, London.
Line-up: Lead Vocal/Piano: Roy Jones
Electric Guitar: Martin Jones (Rickenbacker)
Electric Bass: Majid Ahmed, Roy Jones (Fender Precision)
Drumset/Sound Effects: Paul "Drumologist" Jones (Ludwig, Premier, Paiste, Zildjian)
Special thanks to Jaz, Youth, Geordie, Paul Ferguson, Alex Paterson, Ray McVeigh, Guy Pratt, Jeff, The Wizard, Mike,
The Red Cross Knight, Shelley, Brian, Danny, Adam,
all at MD Records and everyone involved with this recording. The Studer Analogue Multitrack.
An all time gem of the post punk dub genre!
Red Beat
7" Single Survival/See Cat No. RB 002
Engineered by Reno at Matrix Studios, London.
Written and Produced by Red Beat.
Artwork by Wadsworth, Keates, Westmore.
Mastered at The Virgin Townhouse Studios, London.
Released 1981 on Manic Machine Products
Distributed by Rough Trade Records, London.
Line-up: Vocal: Roy Jones
Electric Guitar: Kevin Mann
Electric Bass: Chris Thompson
Drumset: Paul "Drumologist" Jones
Special thanks to Susie, Tracey, Liz, Joy, Helen, Jeanette, Marnie, Jan Brown, Carl, Jimmy,
Kris, Geoff Travis, and Nicholas Hull-Malham.
Red Beat
12" Single Dream/Dream Dub Cat No. RB 003
Engineered by Mark Lusardi at Mark Angelo Recording Studios, London.
Written and Produced by Red Beat.
Artwork by Andy Wadsworth
Mastered at the Virgin Townhouse Cutting Rooms, London.
Released 1982 on Manic Machine Products, Ladbroke Grove, London, W 11.
Distributed by Rough Trade Records, London.
Video edited at Mayfair Studios, Chalk Farm, London.
Line-up: Lead Vocal: Roy Jones
Lead Electric Guitar: Kevin Mann (Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster)
Electric Bass Guitar: Chris Thompson (Fender Precision)
Drumset: Paul "Drumologist" Jones (Ludwig, Paiste, Zildjian, Promark)
Red White and Phoenix
7" and 12" Single Power Reflex (666 or 69) / Strangers at Midnight
Engineered by Terry Barnham (UB40) at Jacobs Studios, Farnham, Surrey, England
Thanks to Jim Aichroth, Raymond, Ruth, and the team at Jupiter Records.
Mixed at Olympia Studios, Munich, Bavaria, with Fairlight CMI.
Written and Produced by Red White and Phoenix
Released 1984 on the Meridian Ralph Siegel Jupiter Records Zip Label, Munchen 8000.
Video recorded for the formel eins TV show at the Bavaria Film Studios,
and televised to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Northern Italy in November 1984.
Photo session conducted at Playboy Studios, Munich for Bravo magazine.
Distributed and Mastered by Teldec in Europe.
Line-up: Lead Vocal: Roy Jones "Red White" (Roland Juno 60, Yamaha DX7, Fairlight CMI)
Backing Vocals: Paul "Phoenix" Jones, Martin Jones, Cheese Benson.
Electric Bass Guitar: Martin Jones (Wal Bass)
Electric Guitar: Cheese Benson, John Turner (Fender Stratocaster)
Drums/Synth Drums: The Drumologist (Ludwig, Sonor, Simmons, Linn, Paiste, Zildjian, Promark)
In rememberance of our manager the late Jim Aichroth.
Red Beat "the missing album"
Buy Red Beat Now
EAN: 5036098005295
Cat No. MMP CDA 001
Engineered by Mark Lusardi, Mike Robinson, Jonathan Turner and Reno
Recorded at Gooseberry, Matrix, B.B.C. Portland Place, and M.A.R.S. London.
Produced by Red Beat and John Sparrow
Executive Producer, Artwork Creator and Manufacturing Co-ordinator - Paul Baker Jones
Computer Graphic Software Assistant - Graham Craigmyle
Computer Software - Harold Grey
Originally Mastered at The Virgin Townhouse Studios, Goldhawk Road, London
and digitally remastered at The Back Bedroom Studios, Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales.
The December 1980 Red Beat John Peel Session digitally remastered thanks to B.B.C. Music Worldwide.
Released 17.12.2004 on Manic Machine Products.
Line-up: Lead Vocal/Piano/Synth: Roy Jones (Steinway, Roland)
Backing Vocal: Paul "Phoenix" Jones
Drums: The Drumologist (Premier, Ludwig, Sonor, Paiste, Zildjian, Promark)
Electric bass Guitar: Martin Jones, Roy Jones, Majid Ahmed, Chris Thompson (Wal, Fender)
Electric Lead Guitar: Kevin Mann, Martin Jones (Rickenbacker, Fender)
I would like to give a big thank you to my drum teachers; Nicholas Hull-Malham, James Blades (LSO), and Francis Seriau (Drumtech).
Peace and Respect,
Paul Baker Jones.
Track Listing: Red Beat: The Missing Album: MMP CDA 001 11 Songs with 16 page full colour booklet and cellophane wrap. 1. Machines in Motion ...................................................... 2. Red Beat .............................................................................. 3. More or Less Cut ............................................................. 4. Cut Dub ................................................................................ 5. *See ........................................................................................ 6. Survival ................................................................................ 7.* The Wheel........................................................................ 8. *Tribe .................................................................................... 9. *Child .................................................................................... 10. Dream ................................................................................ 11.Shadow Boxing ............................................................ |
(4:58) (3:44) (6:02) (5:23) (2:41) (4:29) (5:05) (2:45) (2:59) (5:37) (4:31) |
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Buy Red Beat 11 Track CD - UK - £8.99, Europe - £9.49, Worldwide - £10.49. Prices are fully inclusive of Postage and Packing. Shipping via Royal Mail Airmail and 1st Class Mail in the UK. |
Web Design - Paul Baker Jones, Adobe Software and Apple Computers.
Thanks for visiting the manic machine website.
Paul, Nick and Roy in Saint Davids, Pembs, Summer 2011.
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Red Beat have a track on the Post-Punk compilation album "Wild Dub".
Killing Joke, The Clash, Generation X, The Slits, Public Image Limited, and Grace Jones
also feature on the "Wild Dub" album with sleeve notes written by Vivien Goldman.
"Planetary consciousness is the knowing as well as the feeling of the vital interdependence and essential oneness of humankind, and the conscious adoption of the ethics and the ethos that this entails. It's evolution is the basic imperative of human survival on this planet." Club of Budapest Mission, Ervin Laszlo. |
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