THE NAME GAME

by Andy Bellwood.

THE NAME GAME

After 15 gigs, The Name are regarded by many as the most divine (?) melodic and danceable bands within the concept of mod. Based in Peterborough mid way between London and “Northern Mods” the band have a “mod” attitude but have always refused to be commercially Mod and call themselves more obvious names like The Mods, Lambrettas etc in the hope that this would make them acceptable, instead, Mods found them and adopted them.

The Killermeters  (the band are as far as the Name are concerned) are typical in that they rate The Name second only to Secret Affair musically and far above them in personalities. Proof of their potential is that they only support other mod bands once if lucky they yet they all flock to see the band (get the meaning)

Speeding dominating early gigs but a wrecked Rickenbacker costs £425, and a headline gig at the Moonlight falling apart has hopefully led to moderation until after gigs.

Three major record companies have monitored the bands development and by the time you read this, a long-term deal will have been signed that even Secret Affair would be impressed by. Despite all this wealth they are quick to point out that all this will do is enable the to tour, make records and become accessible, and significantly help other bands.

Dave Colton bass (when he’s not destroying them), not only compliments the band by his playing but his stage antics add humour. Drummer Joe Maccoll is the powerhouse in the band and in Ben (Otis Redding is my dad) Macknight on lead vocals The Name have an outstanding frontman, he’s got real soul! What can we say about Ian Graham on lead guitar and inspiration? Aided by Ben, Ian provides the bands musical identity and the individuality of The Names sound.

The first single should be out in January 1980, contenders being “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl, “Misfit”, “Chasing You” or even “Fuck Art Let’s Dance” (which says everything about The Name) even though it won’t get any air play.

There’s talk of them doing a March Of The Mods style tour with The Killermeters because they both enjoy playing and people enjoy them as their respective fans, the Misfits and the Jolly-Boys will tell you (when they are not leg-less)

Remember The Names The Name

Editors note the above was written by Andy Bellwood , the manager of the Name in case you didn’t realise.

stevethemod@hotmail.com

Cheers to Joe for this and of coarse to Andy who wrote the original.