*The Week That Was – 23rd April 1984

Records of the week: The Damned – Curtain Call, Minutemen – Politics of Time LP, Self Abuse – EP

23rd April 1984
Woke up. Got bored. Roo came round. Played records. Took dog (for a walk). Went to Houldey’s. Went to track. Met everyone. Came off bike, did the steering in. Came back. Rang Zoe – she wasn’t home. Roo went home. I went out. Went down BMX track again. Bought some fags for them lot. Went back to Houldey’s and played pool. Mini – Beki’s boyfriend came round. Came back – watched Hill Street Blues. Read book. Had a wank. Fell asleep.

24th April 1984
Can’t remember a lot of what happened today. Had to take their dinner in. Took dog. Went down BMX track, pissed around, came back. Zoe rang – chatted for a while. Went down club. Burd beat me at snooker. Watched this and that. Fell asleep.

25th April 1984
Got up. Rang Burd. He came over. Took both bikes down the BMX track, had a laugh on them. Went to Houldey’s. Came back. Went to Burd’s. Got bottle of milk and petrol. Went to club. Got fags and crisps. Went to Gussage. Went to sexy Sue’s. (Ron’s them Goobers??). Went to Hinton Martell. Saw James. Went to a barn. Wimborne Football Club. Couldn’t sleep anywhere.

26th April 1984
Went to Rec. Went to barn near Rupert’s. Built walls of hay. At about 3 am we started building a roof. Went to sleep at 4 am. Woke up at 5 am. Went out for a fag. Went back in, plugged all the holes up and sat in the dark. Heard noises so scarpered. Went to Rupe’s – broke a gate. Went to Witchampton bus shelter. Burd went home. So did I. Went to sleep at 10 am. Woke up at 6 pm. Burd rang. Zoe rang.

27th April 1984
Woke up. Pissed around. Went down track. Burt and Jasp came down. Then Scott. Then Jamie. Four of us went to Stanbridge. Met Carly and Priscilla. Got some fags for Priscilla. Came back. Went back to BMX track. Came back. Rung Burd. He came over and decided to stay. Went to Houldey’s, had a game of pool. They went for a walk so we chased them. Went down to the BMX track in dark. Came back. Rang Zoe earlier. Had a chat. Pissed around in my room. Got to sleep about 2 am.

28th April 1984
Woke up at 9. Burd wouldn’t let me sleep. He went at 10. Took dog. Went to BMX track. Watched Holt lose 5-0 or something. Came back. Zoe rang – talked for an hour. She’s finished with Andy. Watched telly all night whilst pissed around with Art. Been pretty depressed today. Must be missing Zoe.

29th April 1984
Not cheered up much. Went down to track. Started a new bit of track round the back. Came back. When I went to ring Zoe, kept getting a number in Coventry. Managed to get through by the operator. Had a chat with Zoe. Can’t remember owt else. Did more on the wall.

*The Week That Was – 16th April 1984

Record of the week: Ian Dury – Sweet Gene Vincent, The Mob – Let The Tribe Increase LP, Self Abuse – Soldier, Sex Gang Children – Mauritia Mayer

16th April 1984
Couldn’t get to sleep. Only about 3 hours. Mum had a laugh at us sleeping together, stayed in bed with Zoe most of the day. We went to Wimborne and both spent her money. Met Jim who was looking for Bernice. Came back on bus. Zoe didn’t feel too well. Got back into bed. Jim came round. Took some photos. Sat and talked. Me and Zoe got up to things while Jim was singing the Jam. Still couldn’t get to sleep. Eventually did.

17th April 1984
Got 7 hours sleep. Mum came up to wake us up. Huh. Got up. Burd came round. Did some songs with drums. Rupe came along. Took some photos. Jim went. Came back in. Did this and that. Jim came back. Muz came round. Me and Zoe went into other bedroom. Them lot came in doing moonies. Zoe weren’t feeling too well again. Went down the rubbish dump – ‘ad a laugh. All sorts happened – some too rude to mention. Put on DOA.

18th April 1984
Got 4 hours sleep. Woke up Rupe. Watched breakfast TV. Woke Jim and Burd up who slept in the other room. Went out, took some photos. Took Zoe down to Bournemouth. She got on bus. Went back to Wimborne. Met Jim, Burd and Rupe. Jim went on. We went to Dan’s. Bernice ill. Met Jim again. Went to Dan’s. Went round Wimborne. Met this girl who fancied Roo. Hung a tampon on a tree. Pissed around (?) Rupert to this girl. Came back on bus. Really missing Zoe. Still got a buzz from the last couple of days. Had a chat to Zoe on the phone – both unhappy.

19th April 1984
Woke up 11. Played Zoe’s favourite records. Had an apple. Can’t stop thinking about Zoe. Took dog (for a walk). Did some art for my exam. Drew Zoe. Wrote a decent poem. Waiting for Zoe to ring at 6. 6.30 – she hadn’t rung so I rang her. She wasn’t there. Went out to play drums. Zoe rang. We talked for about 50 minutes. I was glad to hear her voice. Went to Burd’s. Roo was there. Went down bus shelter. Talked about the party. Rung Roo’s girl up – had a laugh. Came home. Played Mauritia Mayer and Christian Death.

20th April 1984
Woke up. Gave my mum card and presents. Read book. Ate food. Went to Houldey’s. They gave me some wine. Came back. Dandy and Becky came in. Then went. Zoe rang – thank god. I’m really missing her. Talked for a while. Went to Houldey’s later again. It was Mr H’s birthday today as well. Came back, put on Christian Death with strobe and Mauritia Mayer.

21st April 1984
Got up. Fucked around. Decided to go to Poole. So went to see Pam who’s doing alright. Saw Dusty. Went down Poole. Saw Justin. Saw Lisa and her mate – went to park to drink cider. Came back. Zoe rang. Had a chat. Can’t stop thinking about her. Went to Houldey’s I think, I dunno. Came back. Watched Woody Allen – fucking good film. Can’t remember anything else.

22nd April 1984
Got up – practised drums. Ate food. Rang Zoe – had a nice chat. Had a bath – I was smelling a bit, and went to Houldey’s – took Mauritia Mayer. Went down BMX track. Met Jamie and Burty. Went back to Houldey’s. Came home. Went back – cleaned Beki’s window. Took record back. Went down BMX – had a laugh. Bought some fags. Went to Houldey’s. Came back. Watched film. Made semolina. Went to bed.

*The Week That Was – 9th April 1984

Record of the week: Self Abuse – Soldier EP, DOA – Bloodied But Unbowed LP (again)

9th April 1984
Physics – Hayward was in a good mood. Had a laugh. Maths – total fuckin’ shit. Took some photos with Bernice’s camera. Did some moonies. Social Studies – had a good debate about ‘class barriers’. H.E. – ok, did fuck all. Went to Burd’s. Went to Rupes with Burd on the back. Coming back, came off bike for first time. Came home, watched Hill Street Blues and something on Channel 4.

10th April 1984
R.E. – did some more work. PSCE – did nothing. Maths – shit. Biz – Julie hit me and wrote songs. Lunch – had a shit game of football. English – good laugh. Took photo of Mr King and some of our class. Took a photo of about 30 of us sneaking around by the pool. Even sexy Sue came over. P.E. – good game of football. Played some drums. Went to Jim’s. Went to Simon’s – didn’t get back til 12.

11th April 1984
H.E. – boring. Physics – nicked a stroboscope and seem to have gotten away with it. Half day cos of strike. Burd came back on our bus. Pissed around on mopeds but got told to stop it. Rupert came round. Did some drums. Got some fags. Burd went to catch bus – didn’t come but Jim came round earlier and took him back. Rupert went on later. Finished my project – did about 3 hours work to finish it off. Did a cassette for it as well. Fucking knackered now. Cat’s worried cos he’s not allowed out cos he’s having his nuts off tomorrow.

12th April 1984
Art – got on with some work. P.E. – won football – wasn’t a bad game. Lunch – Newman saw us smoking but didn’t do anything. Social – didn’t do much. Biz – did a crossword. Went home on Clarkes (?) – talked to Julie. Had a bath. Went down Gaunts – saw Dandy changing – nearly had a heart attack. Went to club. Bought tons of booze. Rupe’s dad brought it and Jez and Roo. Went to find party – couldn’t so went to Muz’s. Gave us a bottle of wine and I nicked another one. Drunk one – went up to Houldey’s. Dandy wasn’t wearing much. I got pissed. Came back. Put on DOA and nodded off.

13th April 1984
Woke up 11ish. Felt fucking awful. Did this and that. Went to find Muz. Wasn’t there. Came back. Did some drums. Went down shop. Bought some cream soda and crisps and fags. Went to find Muz again. Found him. Scott came along and his chain came off his bike. Got money off Muz. Came back. Saw Beki. Frost came along. Saw Paddy. Came back. Rang Zoe – she wasn’t there. Had a bath. Danced to strobe and DOA.

14th April 1984
Got up late. Went to Poole. Self Abuse single finally released so bought it. Me and Roggo came to the conclusion Poole’s boring. Bought booze. Came back. Practice drums. Got money off Muz. Went to collect Zoe from Bournemouth. Came back. Borrowed money to get some fags. Got her smoking. Rang Burd. Said we’d be going down. Started walking. Met Burd. Walked more to club. Zoe rang everyone under the sun. Cremated a rabbit. Started walking over to Roo’s. Met him halfway. Walked back to club. Had a chat in bus shelter. Wandered on back and here we are.

15th April 1984
Got up 10.30. Put on Self Abuse. Stayed in bed with Zoe in the morning. Took the dog for a walk. Had some food. Back into bed. More food. Zoe’s got lurgy on her face for some reason. Dunno how. Anyway – all sorts happened too disgusting for you to read.

*The Week That Was – 26th March 1984

Record of the week: Conflict – Cruise
Record of the month: Anti-Sect LP, Sex Gang Children – Children’s Prayer, Mauritia Mayer, Abyss, Confessions of Sin – Loose (Live)

26th March 1984
Woke up at 9 minutes to 8. Physics – had a go at Hayward. Maths – shit. Lunch – didn’t go for a fag. Social – messed around with Mandy and wrote a song. H.E. – had a go at Pritchard. Pissed off really. Watched some telly. Went down club – got some baccy. Bike’s not working properly. Watched Hill Street Blues.

27th March 1984
Got up at right time. Had Physics practical most of the morning. Went for a fag after it. Lunch – pissed around with Burd. Went to typing exam all afternoon. Did ok in that I think. Bus home was quite funny – it was very quiet. Look at bike to see if anything was visibly wrong. Went for a runaround – seems ok. Doing some more art – it’s coming on quite well. Enjoying The Dickies. Just about to watch 5-a-side football. Night, night.

28th March 1984
H.E – (?) with 4 years – had a chat with Sarah. Physics – organising the PCH party. Lunch – me, Jim and Burd went for a fag down in the woods. R.E – ok. English – did this play. Biz – had a chat with Julie. Maths – shit. Waiting to watch Milk Cup replay and soccer six later. Not a lot else really. Can’t wait for PCH. Liverpool 1-0 Everton. Went to sleep.

29th March 1984
Art – burnt a picture and nothing else. P.E. – played football, pissed around. Lunch – nicked some clackers (?). Should be able to get drums from Sponge. Played football. Social – did projects. Biz – did (?). English – read play. Went out to Just’s – gave cassette to his mum – he wasn’t in. Came back to Gaunts. Me, Muz, Burt and Graeme went up to Houldeys. Chased them home. Came back – typed up PCH, organising songs. Went to sleep.

30th March 1984
Assembly – snore. English – did fuck all. H.E. – wrote some songs. Maths – shit. Lunch – played football. Art – ok, new ideas for pictures. Biz – typed up PCH cos Bell wasn’t here again. Physics – pissed around – wrote a song ‘Apeshit Hayward’. Went to see Dandy. Went on over to Burd’s. Went to club with him and Ben. Went over to Roo’s – nicked his bike as he’s gone to Devon. Ben rode it, Burd on the back of me. Met Rich down at Gussage. Played cards in the Drovers. Did a smart wheelie on the way back. Burd came off the back. Came back to the club – me and Ben got chucked out. Came home. Watching horror film Dr Phibes Rises again – looks pretty silly.

31st Match 1984
Football’s not on so went to Poole. Burd and Ben were on bus – wrote song. Found out Mike doesn’t like me. Gilly was fucking following me everywhere. Met Paul and friends, still he followed. Met Simon, still he followed. Met Paul again. Finally Gilly pissed off. Got the bus back. Burd got on at Wimborne. He got off at my place. Ate some frogspawn, wrote some songs. Went to Houldey’s – tried to shit up Jamie. Put road sign in someone’s drive. Came back, recorded some stuff. Took Burd home. Came back, watched Comic Strip and some of the film. Also found out that can get some drums now. Get them on Monday.

1st April 1984
Got up. Did some typing. Chris came round. He went to get me some roly papers – told my mum he was getting some chocolates. Had some jam roly-poly. Pissed around doing fuck all. Watched TV. Went to Simon’s – didn’t stay long. He went and practised with Ian Bryant’s group. Came back, watched Spitting Image, film and Sky At Night.

*The Week That Was – 19th March 1984

Record of the week: Flux of Pink Indians – The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks

19th March 1984
Decided I didn’t fancy going to school. So stayed home. Had kip. Poked around with moped. Wrote letter to Zoe – to send tomorrow with Bloodstains etc. Now I’m waiting for something decent to happen. Saw Julie on the bus. Mum wouldn’t let me out. So started writing a sort of book called ‘Collected Notes of an Imbecile’ including anything and everything.

20th March 1984
Might as well go to school. R.E. – did nothing. Boring YTS film. Maths – shit. Biz – ok. Lunch – can’t remember. P.E. – played football – good laugh. Went over to Rupert’s – gave Burd a lift. Did some taping. Went down club. Had a game of pool. Saw Amanda. Came back. Watched a decent film – Red Sun – Charles Bronson. Went to sleep.

21st March 1984
H.E. – wrote four songs for PCH. Physics – more PCH and peeing about. Lunch – played football. R.E. – nothing. English – ok. Biz – ok. Maths – shit. Bus – had a laugh with Beki. Came home. Got bored. Went out on ‘ped. Saw Jasp, Burt, Scott. Came back. Found out Zoe had rung. She’s coming down to Bournemouth April 7th. Rung her. She was out so she’ll have to ring me back. Typed up PCH. Packed letter to Zoe. Minder is pretty good. Got to prepare H.E. now. Did so.

22nd March 1984
Got seen smoking by Houldey. Art – Hough wasn’t here so did fuck all. P.E. – had an ace game of football. Jane still wants to go out with me. Is that good or bad? Social Studies – ok, didn’t do much. Nick and Chesh got caught smoking – which was quite funny. Went to H.E. to do preparation for exam. Finished early and went for a fag with Nick and Stece. Got Annabel to go out with Burt for a laugh. Went down to Gaunts, ran into a tree while setting (illegible). Saw two people doing strange things in their car. Came back. Watched something. Went to sleep.

23rd March 1984
Bought in rest of H.E. Assembly – boring. Did H.E. exam, everything went ok. Nick’s didn’t go too well. Went for a fag beginning of lesson 4. Langridge could smell it when I went into Maths and I think he might check-up. Lunch – checked exam dates. H.E. – went to tidy things up. Went for another fag lesson 6. Went on to Art. Did nothing as Hough wasn’t here again. Biz – ok. Physics – Hayward was in a good mood and was taking the piss out of us for a change. Liz is going to France for two weeks. Went to chippie. Went up to Houldey’s with Muz and Burt. Had a laugh. Dandy gives me the horn. Got back and had a wank. Watched Cheers. Went to sleep.

24th March 1984
Went to Houlday’s, thought I’d see Dandy but didn’t. Went to match with Mr Playing Howdy (?) – was a good match. We won 4-1. I scored with a head. Fell straight into mud, started pissing it down. Freezing. Came back home. Went to Poole. Bought Flux LP. Put deposit on DK live LP. Met Simon etc. Baldie’s lost his wallet but found it again. Went home on bus. Rich and (?) were on. Flux LP is pretty weird though I’ll probably get used to it. Watched telly rest of the time. Couldn’t stay awake for film though mum watched ice skating til 4.30am.

25th March 1984
Woke up 1 o’clock. Took dog for walk. Watching Milk Cup final Liverpool – Everton 0-0. Zoe rang – she’s not coming on the 7th but for the first week in Easter instead. Not a lot happening. Not feeling very tired so put on 4-Skins LP and did art til 12.20.

*The Week That Was – 13th February 1984

Record of the week: Crass – Don’t Get Caught

13th February 1984
Last week of term. Physics – fuckin’ laugh as usual. Maths – fuckin’ really shitty – did a test. Lunchtime played football. Detention’s come through Wed and Fri. Social Studies – boring. H.E. – not too bad. Made a quiche. Falling in love with Ange (huh!). Got letter from Zoe – quite interesting. Hill Street Blues was ace.

14th February 1984
R.E – ok. P.S.C.E. – boring. Maths – shit. Business Studies – boring. Lunchtime – played football again – had a laugh. English – quite good – bit of a piss around. P.E. – fucked around playing basketball. Got a crash helmet so went out on ‘ped for a while. Watching ice skating at the mo’. Torville and Dean win.

15th February 1984
H.E. – made apple turnovers – again. Physics – fuckin’ ace laugh. Me, Burd, Rupe and Jim are organising a pissup on Monday at my house. Jim’s backed out ‘cos he doesn’t want to come.’ – god knows why. Bernice probably. Detention – wrote up smoking leaflet. R.E. – ok. English – reading. Business Studies – ok. Maths – shitface wouldn’t let us out til after the bell – wanker. Andy called – seemed quite happy. Minder was good. Football tonight – Liverpool vs Walsall 2nd leg. Was played yesterday 2-0 to Liverpool.

16th February 1984
Art – Mr Hough wasn’t here. P.E. – slaughtered Chesh at badminton. Played football at lunch. Jane Seabright was making enquiries ie she wants to go out with me. Social Studies – flew by. Business Studies – pissed off with Bell – the cow. English – didn’t do much. Got Kathryn’s (that girl on the bus to Bournemouth) telephone number – so rang her up and had a strange conversation. Rang Jane and she was giving me some bull.

17th February 1984
Took in MDC cover – shut everyone up. English – talking about fashion. H.E. – shit. Maths – shit. Detention at lunch. Art – Mr Hough was pissed so I sobered him up with MDC cover. Business Studies – boring. Physics – nothing special. Went down Gaunts on moped – had a fucking ace laugh. Got some of Murray’s wine for Monday. Went to St James school with Muz and Burt.- had a laugh in the tube thingy. Did a flame thrower thing with a bike pump and some petrol out of my bike – nearly ran out of petrol so used some of Muz’s mower petrol.

18th February 1984
Supposed to see Rupe on the bus but he didn’t show – rung up, said was ill. Bought the new Crass single and plenty of booze for Monday – let’s hope everything goes to plan. Fish was pissing me off a bit cos he was a bit drunk and acting a bigger prat than usual. He’s off to Cirencester on a job tomorrow. Got chucked out of Arts Centre for allegedly smoking dope – it was only a fag stinker(?). Just looked under my bed – fucking cat’s piss. Good film – The Reincarnation of Peter Proud.

18th February 1984
Got up. Ate. Rode into Wimborne to meet Chesh – he said he couldn’t afford to come over on Monday – so he isn’t. Annabel and co may be coming over as well. Went to Simon’s for a while. Came home. Chris came round on his moped. Went down to the club. Met Burdett and Rupert, who should be coming. Brought Rupert’s drinks back. Saw Chris in Hinton Martell so left my bike there and he brought me back on his moped.

*The Week That Was – 6th February 1984

Record of the week: DOA – Bloodied But Unbowed

6th February 1984
Knackered. Physics was alright. Maths was totally shit. Lunchtime was boring. I was depressed by now. Social Studies made it worse. As did H.E. Bus home was alright. Hill Street Blues was good – cheer me up. Chucked Andy out of the group.

7th February 1984
R.E. – no teacher. P.S.C.E. – Jim’s shit. Maths – shit. B. Studies – shit. English – good, right piss around. P.E. – basketball – quite a laugh. Told Simon about Andy – no practice Sunday. Grange Hill was good. Went out on bike, down the road and round about. Looks like a good film on later ‘Visions of Death’. Football on instead.

8th February 1984
H.E. – made some bread. Physics – did a mock practical – quite good. Spent 80p on sweets. R.E. was ok. English was ok. B. Studies was boring. Maths was shit. Went out on my ped again. Didn’t do much else really at all at all at all at all at all….

9th February 1984
Art – Ok. P.E. – slaughtered Chesh at badminton. Social Studies – not bad. Business Studies – cut my thumb on a typewriter. English – ok. Fuck all to do at home at the moment. Reading Paul’s fanzine at the mo’. Ped just ran out of petrol or something.

10th February 1984
Did my English exam today – don’t think I did too well. English was a laugh. About 30 of us got caught smoking today. Burdet was lippy to Brooke and has got to see Crud. H.E. – boring. Maths – shit. Played football at lunch – good laugh. Art was ok. Business Studies was ok. Physics was alright. Jim’s decided to go vegetarian. Quite an eventful day so far. Watching telly now – well, there’s not much else to do.

11th February 1984
Got up at 8.15. Went to Poole. Saw Burd. Saw Lisa, Justin etc. Got some vivisection posters. Bought DOA LP. Met Paul around 3.20 and didn’t do much. Went to Arts Centre with Fish, Gilly and Paul. Quite a laugh. Came back home – played records, watched telly. Watched the horror movie – was fuckin’ shit. Talked til about 2.30.

12th February 1984
Woke up 10.30. Played records. Played darts and cards with Paul. Didn’t do a lot. Took dog for a walk. Took Paul back to Wareham. Not a lot on telly tonight. Read book most of the night. Couldn’t stay up for Sgt Bilko.

*The Week That Was – 16th January 1984

Record of the week: Confessions of Sin – Loose (Live)

16th January 1984
Pissing down today – difficult to have a fag in school. Made an omelette in H.E. Then made about 15 pancakes cos there was nothing else to do. Chatted to Paul. Final episode of The Prisoner is on tonight – bloody silly it was.

17th January 1984
Elfie got football off the roof. Just had some fun singing along to Social Distortion. Not a lot happened tonight. Not a lot happened today really. Got some ice cream. My mum made an appointment to get my hair cut on Thursday. Did get a letter from Zoe.

18th January 1984
Misfits have got a new LP out £7.50 called Earth AD. Faith have got a new LP as well called Subject To Change. Don’t know whether to stay and watch Butcher or go back to Paul’s on Saturday. Andy reckons it’s being filmed. Nothing else much.

19th January 1984
Got caught being with smokers today. Walked down to Wimborne and got me haircut after school. Mum picked me up after talking to Gibby at parents’ evening – usual shit. Good art lesson today – didn’t do much.

20th January 1984
Another good art lesson today – painted T-shirt. Good H.E. lesson as well. Just rung Andy but he’s not in so I’ll ring tomorrow. Looking forward to gig tomorrow.

21st January 1984
Went down with Jez, Rupert and Kristian to Bournemouth. Found Andy. Did this and that. Went to Dave’s (Self Abuse) – help shift gear in. Me and Dave Parsons and Rut were dancing to Idiom Tribe. Then came Confessions Of Sin who were absolutely fucking amazing. Then came Self Abuse who were ace. Then Butcher (who no one danced to). Was going to go to the Mad Are Sane party but stayed at this kid’s but 3 to a room. Went to sleep at 5.

22nd January 1984
Got up at 9. Had breakfast in Fortes (?). I went up to Triangle. Had to wait one hour for a bus. Got back, met Hayley, Ajax etc. Told them about a good video so they got it and we went to Sharon’s (Fear No Evil) it was fuckin’ ace. Went up to Simon’s. Baldy was there. Smoked some pot and came back smelling bad.

Vince – 15th September 1983

Vince is a brain
An anarchist punk
So in the election he stood SDP
They won’t let him have an anarchist party
It’s too much brains for him you see
Vince the prince of the SDP
You won

4th May 2023 – Vince was the class clown and sure enough after finishing high school, he became a children’s entertainer ie. a clown! The school decided that they would perform elections for fun, though I’m not sure if there was actually any duty to carry out once elected. Vince applied, with all our support but was denied having an anarchist party so chose SDP instead. They were a third party to attempt to balance Labour and Conservative in British politics. They never faired much in government but Vince won our school election by a landslide. The cult of personality.
Vince was also a drummer and he would be a member of my first real attempted band with Rupert and Jeremy along with a younger kid who wanted to be part of it and said we could practice at his house one afternoon. He lived way out in the countryside and my mum dropped us all off with drums and guitars only to find out the kid wasn’t even home. As my mum had already left we were thankfully invited in by the kid’s parents and banged around making a dreadful noise for a few hours before the kid turned up about 10 minutes before my mum was due to pick us up. Our one and only practice was good fun but showed us we completely lacked any kind of musical ability.

Oh Yeah – 20th June 1983

Oh Yeah

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no

11th Apr 2023 – Hardly a work of art but this was the chant of myself, Rupert, Jeremy and Jim and I can still hear our teenage voices clearly. We hated being at school but we had each other.

Jimmy

I knew a kid called Jimmy
He was pretty skinny
Until he got so thin
He did himself in
Skinny Jimmy, oh!

11th Apr 2023 – To the tune of Jimmy Jimmy by the Undertones. Jim was the boy in town in our little school clique. Rupert, Jeremy and I were out in the sticks.

Before we had motorbikes we did a lot of push biking to visit each other though rarely would we go into town. Wimborne was hardly attractive for 15 and 16-year-olds and although we wanted to be where things were going on we found much more entertainment in the countryside than in town.

This changed later when we got motorbikes but still, we knew we could get away with so much more in our quiet little villages with fewer people around.

And Jim was skinny though no skinnier than the rest of us. When I went back to the UK and met Jeremy and Rupert again (around 2015 I think) we were all still thin though I had the biggest beer belly which they did comment on. Jez and Rupes have kept themselves quite trim in comparison.

Atom

A little atom spinning round
I can touch the ceiling and the ground
But if you try and find me, I can’t be found
Cos I will confuse and I will confound

11th Apr 2023 – My ambition at this age was to be a punk rock star. I had given up playing the clarinet after a year or so of learning and never took on any other instrument.

Sometimes I think it was out of arrogant pride that I never took on anything. I didn’t want to be seen as not good at something. I wanted people to think that I was the best at the things that I did. I thought people would laugh at me if I tried to do something and I wasn’t very good at it. Where did I get that thought process from?

I was pretty good at most sports until my smoking, drinking and laziness to improve got the better of me.

Anyway, as I had no musical ability to speak of I would have to be the singer and of course, being the centre of attention seemed attractive too. I lost this bravado badly during my late teens and early 20s though and can’t really explain why.

As the singer I thought that I would have to be the lyricist too so I started writing lyrics as much as possible. Of course, they were very rudimentary at this time but I felt totally inspired by all the music I was consuming and the attitude that anyone could do it.