{"id":76940,"date":"2022-07-29T10:35:57","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T08:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=76940"},"modified":"2022-09-18T14:00:42","modified_gmt":"2022-09-18T12:00:42","slug":"review-of-1-2-cut-your-hair-the-johnny-moped-story-by-simon-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2022\/07\/review-of-1-2-cut-your-hair-the-johnny-moped-story-by-simon-williams\/","title":{"rendered":"LEG-ENDS IN THEIR OWN LIFETIMES – New Book Chronicles The Music & Misadventures of Punk Misfits & Latter Day Netflix Stars Johnny Moped"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s a testament to Johnny Moped\u2019s sheer oddness that they stood out in a late \u201870s punk scene overly populated by strange and unusual individuals.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Boasting a ranting frontman whose mother-in-law banned him from gigs, a pair of Berks for a rhythm section and a Slimy Toad on guitar, they were the unlikeliest of rock stars.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

But now, more than 40 years later, they’re on the road to becoming national treasures, with a new record deal and Fred Burns<\/strong>‘ Basically Johnny Moped<\/em><\/strong> documentary – currently showing on that there Netflix<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if that wasn’t enough, Fierce Panda<\/strong> label boss Simon Williams<\/strong> has only gone and turned their story into a brand spanking new book called 1-2 Cut Your Hair<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cover
Metafollicly speaking – ‘1-2 Cut Your Hair’ cover. L-R Slimy Toad, Johnny Moped, Dave Berk, Fred Berk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hailing from unfashionable Croydon and with a roster of songs, such as Groovy Baby<\/em><\/strong>. VD Boiler<\/strong>, and, controversial B-side Incendiary Device<\/em><\/strong> – from which the book\u2019s title is drawn – The Mopeds would enjoy an all too brief moment in the sun around the release of their debut album Cycledelic <\/em><\/strong>in 1978.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But theirs would be a quintessentially English story of heroic failure, the author striking an appropriately irreverent tone for this romp through the Moped’s shambolic, but enduring career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An effective companion piece to the doc, Williams’ writing puts flesh on the bones of events and anecdotes portrayed in the film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s all here; gigs in back gardens and on a Croydon roundabout, Roxy shows soaked in flob and ‘grollys’ and a drunken bassist thrown off stage by an irate drummer at the climax of a disastrous showcase for major label scouts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention, a singer so reluctant to lay down vocals for their debut album, that the rest of the band are compelled to kidnap him, relieving him of his trousers to prevent his escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then there’s their numerous encounters with scenesters who’d go on to make the big time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m talking the likes of Shane MacGowan<\/strong>, Sid Vicious<\/strong>, Billy Bragg<\/strong> and notably Chrissie Hynde<\/strong>, who the Mopeds effectively sacked twice before she shot to fame with The Pretenders<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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