Part three in a short series of articles covering the Scarborough Film Festival event, Dead Mint: The Grandads Don’t Indicate Story and accompanying live gig. Here Charles Kirby, a long-time fan of the band, who also interviewed band member Denis Copeland for Yorkshire Coast Gigs prior to the event, narrates the anything-but-conventional set from Grandads Don’t Indicate.
The Gig Prelude – Copeland’s Cabaret
Rather than go straight into Grandads Don’t Indicate’s performance I’d like to talk about what I’ve called “Copeland’s Cabaret”. As the band were setting up, original band member Denis Copeland had a live mic and began entertaining the crowd. Let me take you through it.
First off, there’s the supply of Milky Way chocolate bars, more than enough for everyone. Then, a program was handed out. This program featured a “Sooty Machine” on the front as a call back to the film which was screened earlier in the evening at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, except this time, we all got a prize – coupled with dedicated attendants! This image alone sparked discussion as to where Scarborough’s machine is now located (at that time, it was believed to be at the Bowls club.)* Someone asked “does it move then?” To which I said, “well, it must do, they’re a touring band after all!”
Wimoweh, A MilkyWay
To warm things up, Denis began with a series of short parodies, the first being a song about the chocolate being handed out, but in the style of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh); those who know the tune by The Tokens can imagine how it sounded! The lyrics were changed to:
“Milky Way a Milky Way we bought a Milky Way… / In the high street, the busy high street, I bought a Milky Way…”
This was sung a few times, to great joy and laughter as the audience participated.
Beachboys – Barbara Ann
Before we could recover, Denis continued by saying, “this next song is about a hairdresser I know called Ann”. Barbara became Barber Ann, set to The Beach Boys’ classic. A great play on words and a call back to classic comedy music acts. This was an awesome burst of fun, but the next parody was a stand out favorite of mine.
I Get My Thrills (Down Scalby Mills)
Denis went on, after sound applause: “Here’s a song about Scalby Mills, we did a few of them” – this was a parody of standard “Blueberry Hill” given a localisation. Lyrics included:
Denis: “I get my thrills!” / Audience: “da do da do”
Denis: “Down Scalby Mills, an arcade and AstroGlide, a multi-coloured plastic slide”
In terms of style I’d say it was reminiscent of Fats Domino or Little Richard. There was also a line about Scarborough Sea Life Centre which sparked conversation and giggles amongst a few people. It was awesome to hear such creativity, true to the influence from TV and Radio adverts that inspired the band early on.
The Gig Proper
Fireball XL5 – Theme Song
The full band was now plugged in, turned up and ready to go. The first tune played was the theme from Fireball XL5 (I Wish I Was A SpaceMan). This was in tribute to Paul Toole, long-time associate of the band, who was a massive fan of Sci-fi. Fireball XL5 was a British TV show from 1962 in a similar vein to Thunderbirds. The Grandads did a great job of maintaining the original show tune structure while adding their own fullness and pacing. Perfect show of respect and show starter.
Ayrton Senna
An obvious follow on is Ayrton Senna, a GDI original about what it would be like if Senna had come all the way from Brazil to join the boy-racers of Marine Drive. I say obvious because it’s one of the Grandads’ own tracks, written as if it was for a TV or radio program. The opening guitar lick is instantly recognisable, the chorus is a real earworm and on this occasion there was a verse where instead of words there were kazoos! Making it all the more enjoyable, I borrowed a kazoo after the gig to do my cover of Corner Cafe; I believe I had it upside down! But I was happy…
Valley Bridge
Here’s another track where I recommend reading the GDI interview for more context. It was really cool to hear the track with said context but also because it was one I hadn’t heard before. The hook is again very catchy albeit I hoped to not be singing it. This is because the song is about jumping off the bridge; it in no way glorifies this action or its consequences, but stood as an example that artists should be afforded the freedom to write and explore things that aren’t pleasant. Lyrics along the lines of “My girlfriend up and left me, Malton Bacon Factory sacked me” reminded me of tracks like Up The Junction by Squeeze. The musicality in places also brought this to mind alongside Making Plans For Nigel by XTC, possibly found in the lyric form, backbeat and baseline. All this with that GDI localisation to their hometown.
Corner Cafe
One of my favorites, it was a pleasure as the crowd seemingly formed a choir in harmony with the lyric “And another Donkey passes by” – I often find myself humming or whistling this. Some verse lyrics were changed for this gig, and the wordsmith in me appreciated a line from John: “If I was with the Chuckle Brothers, I’d get their autographs for us mother’s” felt like lovely wordplay.
Reservoir Dog
Denis introduced this by recalling the time John played a demo of it to him down the phone, saying “Quentin Tarantino has lots of good music for his films” and that this was John’s attempt at a theme track for Reservoir Dogs. Hearing it live after seeing Dead Mint, I felt as though the mood became quite sombre. Whether this is because of the more folk style I’m not sure – in a way I think it could be because the song is featured during the dedication to Steve at the end of the documentary. Either way, it’s a warm song emotionally and the verses are just as memorable as the chorus. Please go check it out on Bandcamp!
What’s Your Favorite Smell?
Shifting gears more towards the likes of Grifter, to bring back the Grandads’ classic brand of Punk. The rhythm guitar and bass definitely punctuated this change up, getting things up to speed!
Crap 70s Gadgets
The idea of changing up was probably to open the gates and set the pace for what is arguably the GDI anthem! I remember this track starting and the crowd going nuts, like a wave of new energy came over them. Especially within the chorus when everyone shouted “Where are they now? They’re in my house!” At least I don’t think it was just me…
As if that new energy wasn’t enough, there’s a door to side of the stage that’s like a cupboard with an open top; as the instrumental solo drew near, up popped Denis with a compact Theremin (video of this performance can be found on YouTube). I was instantly reminded of “The Sooty & Sweep Show” in the way the characters would “pop up” on set! Initially I hoped this was going to be the case but I think seeing Denis is much funnier! Also the poet in me can’t help but link the set up to the words “stage” and “door” for reasons that connect the history of Scarborough venues and the aforementioned Paul Toole with fondness for anyone who recalls those days.
Silver Lady Cover
At this point of the show Mike Milton (Mike Jelly) was made an official Grandad and invited to play with the band on the next set of tracks, first of which was a cover of David Soul’s track Silver Lady. I particularly liked Andy’s drumming on this version, as it helped maintain the driving force of previous tracks. The bands’ cover offered more of a surf rock sound in contrast to the Disco/Soul tone of the original. The Grandads made it their own!
Goldfish Memory Jukebox
I remember noticing a really nice, almost “walking” bass from Pam. I’ve been a fan of the vocal delivery and harmony in the song for a good while. I think it’s what helps the story of a hotel falling into the sea sound “warm-hearted”.
Grifter
It’s said in the film that Denis got tired of this tune for a time, but I’m glad it was performed for this gig. In being tasked with this review I’ve thought about the tracks I’d pick if I had to musically demonstrate the essence of GDI. After much thought it would be a combination of Grifter and Crap 70s Gadgets with a little bit of Ayrton Senna thrown in!
Grifter has all the DNA of a DIY punk song, especially if you take into account the drum machine and bicycle bell on the studio recording. Rough and simple chord structure, thrown through as many pedals as possible with the subject matter being hyper-focused and the main driving force. I also really like the “call and response” at the end of verses by way of starting with something like having an Atari Spectrum computer and seeming slowing/shutting down the song on the line “I always wanted a commodore 64”. Grifter is also great for localisms, for instance at the end you can hear “did I chuff?, did I chuff?” as the song winds down like a stopped turntable.
In reflection Grifter is now ultimately a celebration of youth, particularly that of Denis and Steve. Musically it’s a nostalgia trip to when they had a name and gig before owning guitars, a time when they made what they could because they wanted to make something. That’s my perspective at least. We can all relate to getting our first “proper” bike or being allowed to pick our own shoes for the first time. That initial taste of independence that leads to a spark in creating something we can call our own. Something we “did ourselves”. The spirit of DIY?
Spider-Man TV Theme
Bringing us back to the world of jingles again, the Grandads donned some pretty good Spider-Man masks welcomed by laughter and levity from the audience. Once Pam played the Bass melody line to open, I knew it was from the 1960s version, and much like “Silver Lady”, took a track of a different style and brought it into their playground. This time it was from Funk to Punk. The band incorporated some of the “Go Go” stylistic rhythms and “Surf Rock” riffs synonymous with the original theme. Played at ramped up tempo, at this point the Grandads had been playing for almost half an hour straight, and were now wearing Spider-Man masks and showing no signs of slowing down!
Surfin USA Cover
The set did have to come to an end eventually though. To quote Denis, “We started with The Beach Boys, so we’ll end with the Beach Boys, because we’re at the seaside.”
We were treated to another localisation in the form of “surfing Cayton Bay”. Those aware will know that Cayton isn’t too far out of Scarborough. This cover was a final example (if one was needed) of GDI and their ability to bring genuine wholesome fun from the ordinary and make it funny too. One lyric was “we take the road outta Filey…cos there’s only the one”. In terms of band craft I noted that in the last verse John supported Denis and sang “inside, outside Cayton Bay”; this could be easily missed but sounded to me like another Beach Boys track “I Get Around”. I can imagine a music video similar to Ayrton Senna but instead of cars, it’s surfboards!
I would like to show appreciation to the following people:
Denis Copeland (Lead Vocals/Guitar) for making us laugh and taking the time to talk to me and provide that vital insight.
John Hall (Backing/Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar in parts) for contribution to the call and response nature of classic GDI
Eric Jackson (Rhythm Guitar) For getting Denis and Steve their first gig!
Pam Brewster (Bass) for providing an exciting and enthusiastic musical foundation. Also some pretty killer walking baselines!
Andy Phillips (Drummer) for precision fills and maintaining energy throughout. Also I hope you enjoyed your first viewing of Dead Mint!
Special Guest (Support/Solo Guitar) on Goldfish Memory Jukebox and Grifter: Thank you for showing that whether on stage or not, a band is best when unified.
Click for part one (review of the film screening) and part two (opening set by Orchard)
Part four – closing set by Graham Watson
To read Charles Kirby’s interview with Denis Copeland, click here
The Dead Mint soundtrack is available on bandcamp and the film itself is on YouTube
Video of Crap 70s Gadgets live at the Railway Club
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