THE MODS
THE MODS INTERVIEW
FACE TO FACE MODZINE 1979
The Mods Are:
Mark Casson Lead Vocals
Alan Robson Guitar And Vocals
Dave Rose Bass And Vocals
Ian Guthrie Drums
We spoke to The Mods after a gig at the Bridgehouse with Beggar
Why did you cal yourselves The Mods?
Dave: Because we thought we were the only Mod band around at the time.
Mark: It was new at the time. I was a Mod about a year and a half ago and was the only one in my area with a scooter and a parka.
When did you start gigging?
Dave: Christmas at the Roundhouse
Mark: Before we were The Mods we were called The Streeters . We were still a mod band we played all 60’s numbers.
Has this always been the line-up?
Ian: No, originally it was me , Mark and Alan and we had a different bass player. We got Dave from an advert in Melody Maker.
Did you start gigging locally?
Dave: We tried, We got banned from every pub in Harrow.
Ian: W had a rough following . One gang from one area and another from somewhere else would come and they’d just fight.
Dave: We got banned from the Roundhouse. The place got smashed to bits, tables were thrown through the window.
Does that mean you went down well?
Mark: Oh yes.
Any contacts in the near future?
Ian: Not really.
Who writes the songs?
Ian: Mark and Alan write most of the songs.
Mark: Did you hear Guff singing tonight “All or Muffing” f***ing amazing.
The Mods came to be on the Bridgehouse album after they came to support Secret Affair and found out they were to be on the album. They did about 20 minutes and were pleased with the result?
Dave: Of all the bands we’ve seen we like Secret Affair and The Chords , we’ve gigged with them a lot and they’re really good.
Are you still working?
Ian : I’m not I was working in a shop
Mark: Guff worked for Macmarkets for four years and he was going to become a director.
Ian: F**k off.
Mark: I work for the London Borough of Barnet Council
Dave: I’m a sparky
Alan: I fit light bulbs in hospitals.
Mark: Dave really works in a morgue
Are you thinking of giving up your jobs?
Dave: Never
Mark: You what Never!! You must be joking?
Dave: I couldn’t do any overtime last week
Mark: Have you heard the story about Wales.
Dave: The van broke down on the way
Mark: We played with The Undertones 2,000 people were there we went down well.
What happened in Wales?
Ian: Everything there are too many hills
Mark: We played a few numbers and they turned us off. I lost my voice.
Dave: I missed me breakfast in the Hotel and I missed two days pay.
Ian: And I missed me mum.
The same night as we saw and interviewed the Mods , Mark had just left the band Neil is the new vocalist.
How did you land in this position?
Neil: Well Alan’s bent and I’m bent and we just hit it off.
You like the shape of his guitar?
Neil; Well I wouldn’t put it that far.
How old are you?
Ian: 19
Mark: 18
Dave: 19
Neil: 18
Mark: Some c**t has got me parka
Dave: In Wales.
Mark; He’s not in Wales anymore (Huh?) He’s been spotted in Edgewear.
Have you had any write ups in the press?
Mark: A very good one in Melody Maker a bunch of c**ts
Dave: We burnt it on stage.
Who were your audiences before the big interest in The Mods?
Dave: People from our area. (Please stop talkin’ about EMZO)
Dave: Our manager used to work for the Beatles. We’ve got a good publishing deal.
Ian: We’re recording the demos this week.
Mark: Babee you are tops (Guffs emortal line inspired by girls with 40 inch tits).
Finally any bands you’d like to slag off?
Dave: Yeah……………The Mods! What a shitty name. No we like having the name slagged off because the more people who do it the funnier it becomes.
Since this interview Mark has started with another band called Catch 22. Built along the same lines as The Mods but it incorporates saxaphone and keyboards.
INTERVIEW FROM FACE TO FACE ZINE 1979
Many thanks to Julian Leusby for help with this interview.
Anyone with more info or the whereabouts of any member of The Mods please contact me at.
Stevethemod@hotmail.com
Page added May 30th
