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rory@secretsaucesrecords.com

Instagram: @secretsaucesrecords

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SECRET SAUCES RADIO #009 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES RADIO #009 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST).

See you next Tuesday!

This ORWOTW is a pseudonymous release by Dave Grohl and was only ever released on cassette, in 1992.

Written and recorded in 1990 and 1991 while Grohl was in Nirvana (but before they achieved mass popularity after Nevermind’s release), this 10-track album was performed entirely by Dave Grohl, much like the first Foo Fighters album.

Produced by Barrett Jones (who was also Grohl’s roommate), the cassette was released by Arlington, VA label Simple Machines as part of their mail-order Tool Cassette Series (there were 6 other releases in total). It was credited to ‘Late!’ (supposedly to set up a joke in which the ‘band’ could say ‘sorry, we’re Late!’ in live performances, that never happened) - though it may be due to the fact that it was released at the peak of Nirvana’s popularity and a low-key underground cassette release of these recordings was preferable to a wide release and inevitable ‘Nirvana drummer goes solo!’ reportage.

Widely bootlegged (and often credited to Foo Fighters), this cassette has never been reissued or released on any other format - it’ll set you back over £200 for a legit copy on the second-hand market. However, a couple of its songs were released on various compilations around the same period, and many of its songs were later re-recorded. Most notable, perhaps, is ‘Color Pictures of a Marigold’ which was later recorded by Nirvana and released as the b-side to ‘Heart Shaped Box’ - the only Grohl-penned and sung Nirvana tune. Foo Fighters later re-recorded ‘Winnebago’ and ‘Friend Of A Friend’. A few of the tracks that didn’t see a wider release or a re-recording are worth checking out, particularly ‘Milk’.

This ORWOTW is a pseudonymous release by Dave Grohl and was only ever released on cassette, in 1992.

Written and recorded in 1990 and 1991 while Grohl was in Nirvana (but before they achieved mass popularity after Nevermind’s release), this 10-track album was performed entirely by Dave Grohl, much like the first Foo Fighters album.

Produced by Barrett Jones (who was also Grohl’s roommate), the cassette was released by Arlington, VA label Simple Machines as part of their mail-order Tool Cassette Series (there were 6 other releases in total). It was credited to ‘Late!’ (supposedly to set up a joke in which the ‘band’ could say ‘sorry, we’re Late!’ in live performances, that never happened) - though it may be due to the fact that it was released at the peak of Nirvana’s popularity and a low-key underground cassette release of these recordings was preferable to a wide release and inevitable ‘Nirvana drummer goes solo!’ reportage.

Widely bootlegged (and often credited to Foo Fighters), this cassette has never been reissued or released on any other format - it’ll set you back over £200 for a legit copy on the second-hand market. However, a couple of its songs were released on various compilations around the same period, and many of its songs were later re-recorded. Most notable, perhaps, is ‘Color Pictures of a Marigold’ which was later recorded by Nirvana and released as the b-side to ‘Heart Shaped Box’ - the only Grohl-penned and sung Nirvana tune. Foo Fighters later re-recorded ‘Winnebago’ and ‘Friend Of A Friend’. A few of the tracks that didn’t see a wider release or a re-recording are worth checking out, particularly ‘Milk’.

SECRET SAUCES RADIO #008 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES RADIO #008 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST).

See you next Tuesday!

Hüsker Dü’s own DIY label Reflex Records was started as a ‘reflex’ against the rejection of their demo by local label Twin/Tone, to put out their first 7” single in 1981. For the next few years, Reflex released records from many local Twin Cities bands such as Man Sized Action, Rifle Sport, Ground Zero and Otto’s Chemical Lounge - as well as non-Twin Cities bands like Minutemen and Articles Of Faith.

Reflex ceased releasing new records by 1985 apart from the occasional revival of the name for new Hüsker Dü releases in recent years.

Most of the catalogue is long out-of-print but you can explore its releases with the Reflex discography on the Secret Sauces website and Substack - lots of great records worth tracking down!

Hüsker Dü’s own DIY label Reflex Records was started as a ‘reflex’ against the rejection of their demo by local label Twin/Tone, to put out their first 7” single in 1981. For the next few years, Reflex released records from many local Twin Cities bands such as Man Sized Action, Rifle Sport, Ground Zero and Otto’s Chemical Lounge - as well as non-Twin Cities bands like Minutemen and Articles Of Faith.

Reflex ceased releasing new records by 1985 apart from the occasional revival of the name for new Hüsker Dü releases in recent years.

Most of the catalogue is long out-of-print but you can explore its releases with the Reflex discography on the Secret Sauces website and Substack - lots of great records worth tracking down!

SECRET SAUCES RADIO #007 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen!

‘Show’ notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST)

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES RADIO #007 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen!

‘Show’ notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (BST)

See you next Tuesday!

This 7” single from Chicago, IL band ‘Problem Dogs’ was their only release, on Disturbing Records in 1983. A-Side ‘You Are The Knife’ and b-side ‘City Hall’ are the only two songs that were released, though the A-side was re-recorded with a new lineup a couple of years later…

The lineup that recorded this single features Rik Radtke on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, John Connors on lead guitar, Larry Park on bass and Demetra Plakas on drums, though there were previous bassists before the recording of this single: Al Kizys (later of Swans and Of Cabbages And Kings) and Pat Kenny. The single was produced by ‘Men’ guitarist Reggie Mars McFadden and engineered by Scott Steinman, and recorded at Studiomedia in Evanston, IL, a studio where the first recordings of many Chicago bands such as Verböten and Urge Overkill took place and is still an active studio 42 years later!

In 1985, Problem Dogs moved to Los Angeles and with new bassist Mike Fierstein, played the LA club scene for a couple of years under the name ‘Pirate Radio’ - it is this line up that recorded a new version of ‘You Are The Knife’ for Thirsty Ear’s ‘SCREAM’ (Sampler Containing Really Exciting American Music) #03 LP in 1985 - executive produced by Ira Robbins and Peter Gordon.

Rik Radtke and John Connors went on to play with various bands after the dissolution of Pirate Radio, and drummer Demetra Plakas, better known as Dee Plakas, would join the band L7 in 1989 and has remained with them in every lineup since then.

Neither this single or the re-recorded a-side have ever been reissued or have had a release on CD. The Punk Database website (the best source for info about Problem Dogs I could find) lists 27 other songs by the band - I wonder if there are any tapes of these recordings knocking about, I’d love to hear them!

This 7” single from Chicago, IL band ‘Problem Dogs’ was their only release, on Disturbing Records in 1983. A-Side ‘You Are The Knife’ and b-side ‘City Hall’ are the only two songs that were released, though the A-side was re-recorded with a new lineup a couple of years later…

The lineup that recorded this single features Rik Radtke on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, John Connors on lead guitar, Larry Park on bass and Demetra Plakas on drums, though there were previous bassists before the recording of this single: Al Kizys (later of Swans and Of Cabbages And Kings) and Pat Kenny. The single was produced by ‘Men’ guitarist Reggie Mars McFadden and engineered by Scott Steinman, and recorded at Studiomedia in Evanston, IL, a studio where the first recordings of many Chicago bands such as Verböten and Urge Overkill took place and is still an active studio 42 years later!

In 1985, Problem Dogs moved to Los Angeles and with new bassist Mike Fierstein, played the LA club scene for a couple of years under the name ‘Pirate Radio’ - it is this line up that recorded a new version of ‘You Are The Knife’ for Thirsty Ear’s ‘SCREAM’ (Sampler Containing Really Exciting American Music) #03 LP in 1985 - executive produced by Ira Robbins and Peter Gordon.

Rik Radtke and John Connors went on to play with various bands after the dissolution of Pirate Radio, and drummer Demetra Plakas, better known as Dee Plakas, would join the band L7 in 1989 and has remained with them in every lineup since then.

Neither this single or the re-recorded a-side have ever been reissued or have had a release on CD. The Punk Database website (the best source for info about Problem Dogs I could find) lists 27 other songs by the band - I wonder if there are any tapes of these recordings knocking about, I’d love to hear them!

SECRET SAUCES #006 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #006 is available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

Looking forward to seeing The Flaming Lips tonight at Brixton!

To celebrate, here’s some legendary Lips #olds

#blobinthebath

Looking forward to seeing The Flaming Lips tonight at Brixton!

To celebrate, here’s some legendary Lips #olds

#blobinthebath

This ORWOTW is a unique collaboration between two bands, Minutemen & Black Flag = Minuteflag.

A one-time studio jam between the two bands took place at regular SST haunt Total Access Recording Studios at Redondo Beach, CA on 3rd March 1985. Black Flag were recording the ‘Loose Nut’ LP at Total Access at the time, and Minutemen had just finished recording the ‘Project: Mersh’ EP there the month before. Both bands had played hundreds of shows together, and were closely linked - Minutemen’s ‘Paranoid Time’ 7” was the second ever release on SST Records in 1980, which was initially set up to put out Black Flag’s ‘Nervous Breakdown’ EP in January 1979.

The session saw each member of the two bands take their usual instruments, other than Minutemen’s drummer George Hurley, who played bongo drums and a ‘bean can’ while Black Flag (and Descendents) drummer Bill Stevenson stuck to drums. Only the first track ‘Fetch The Water’ features vocals (lead from D. Boon, backing from Henry Rollins and Kira Roessler) while the rest of the EP is instrumental. While Black Flag had a history of instrumental releases, with half of 1984’s ‘Family Man’ LP and later release in September 1985 ‘The Process Of Weeding Out’ being fully instrumental (and countless Greg Ginn has instrumental releases since), the Minuteflag record leans much more toward Minutemen’s sound (perhaps another reason why it was called Minuteflag rather than Blackmen!), especially with Mike Watt’s bass dominating many of the tracks. You don’t hear too much of Greg Ginn’s signature guitar playing on the tracks.

After the recording, the members agreed that the material would not be released until at least one of the bands had disbanded. Tragically, on the 22nd December 1985 Minutemen’s D. Boon was killed in a van accident and Minutemen would disband, with Watt and Hurley later forming fIREHOSE with Ed Crawford. Black Flag disbanded in August 1986, and the Minuteflag EP was released on 12” and cassette.

It’s never been reissued but worth checking out if you’re a fan of both bands - it’s an interesting listen for sure.

This ORWOTW is a unique collaboration between two bands, Minutemen & Black Flag = Minuteflag.

A one-time studio jam between the two bands took place at regular SST haunt Total Access Recording Studios at Redondo Beach, CA on 3rd March 1985. Black Flag were recording the ‘Loose Nut’ LP at Total Access at the time, and Minutemen had just finished recording the ‘Project: Mersh’ EP there the month before. Both bands had played hundreds of shows together, and were closely linked - Minutemen’s ‘Paranoid Time’ 7” was the second ever release on SST Records in 1980, which was initially set up to put out Black Flag’s ‘Nervous Breakdown’ EP in January 1979.

The session saw each member of the two bands take their usual instruments, other than Minutemen’s drummer George Hurley, who played bongo drums and a ‘bean can’ while Black Flag (and Descendents) drummer Bill Stevenson stuck to drums. Only the first track ‘Fetch The Water’ features vocals (lead from D. Boon, backing from Henry Rollins and Kira Roessler) while the rest of the EP is instrumental. While Black Flag had a history of instrumental releases, with half of 1984’s ‘Family Man’ LP and later release in September 1985 ‘The Process Of Weeding Out’ being fully instrumental (and countless Greg Ginn has instrumental releases since), the Minuteflag record leans much more toward Minutemen’s sound (perhaps another reason why it was called Minuteflag rather than Blackmen!), especially with Mike Watt’s bass dominating many of the tracks. You don’t hear too much of Greg Ginn’s signature guitar playing on the tracks.

After the recording, the members agreed that the material would not be released until at least one of the bands had disbanded. Tragically, on the 22nd December 1985 Minutemen’s D. Boon was killed in a van accident and Minutemen would disband, with Watt and Hurley later forming fIREHOSE with Ed Crawford. Black Flag disbanded in August 1986, and the Minuteflag EP was released on 12” and cassette.

It’s never been reissued but worth checking out if you’re a fan of both bands - it’s an interesting listen for sure.

SECRET SAUCES #005 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #005 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

“Late news breaking, this just in…”

Catch up on the Olds with SECRET SAUCES…

Issue One available now

“Late news breaking, this just in…”

Catch up on the Olds with SECRET SAUCES…

Issue One available now

“Starting a website to accompany the SECRET SAUCES fanzine, I thought about other music websites and what sort of stuff they publish. I don’t particularly care for writing reviews, and I certainly don’t care for giving anything a rating out of 10. I noticed that most sites love to publish ranked lists of an artists’ discography - it’s an epidemic in music journalism alongside the creeping use of Chat GPT-written slop, and clickbait shite (see Alternative Nation).

Ranked lists get engagement on social media. It’s likely why these rankings have such ‘hot takes’ or blatantly shit opinions - outraged readers take to the comments to tell ‘Ultimate Dad Rock’ or whoever that their list is terrible, sparking further arguments in the comments. Before you know it, the post has hundreds of comments and is boosted on everyone’s feeds, generating more clicks to a hideously designed website with more adverts than writing.

I want a piece of that action, but I don’t want to rank my favourite Bowie albums because I simply can’t do it. I couldn’t say what my number one is, because it could be at least 10 of them. I want my ranking millions, though, so I will be a ranker and rank other rankings. Here we go...”

“Starting a website to accompany the SECRET SAUCES fanzine, I thought about other music websites and what sort of stuff they publish. I don’t particularly care for writing reviews, and I certainly don’t care for giving anything a rating out of 10. I noticed that most sites love to publish ranked lists of an artists’ discography - it’s an epidemic in music journalism alongside the creeping use of Chat GPT-written slop, and clickbait shite (see Alternative Nation).

Ranked lists get engagement on social media. It’s likely why these rankings have such ‘hot takes’ or blatantly shit opinions - outraged readers take to the comments to tell ‘Ultimate Dad Rock’ or whoever that their list is terrible, sparking further arguments in the comments. Before you know it, the post has hundreds of comments and is boosted on everyone’s feeds, generating more clicks to a hideously designed website with more adverts than writing.

I want a piece of that action, but I don’t want to rank my favourite Bowie albums because I simply can’t do it. I couldn’t say what my number one is, because it could be at least 10 of them. I want my ranking millions, though, so I will be a ranker and rank other rankings. Here we go...”

SECRET SAUCES #004 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #004 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

The next ORWOTW is by The Colonel. The 7” single ‘Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen’ b/w ‘I Need Protection’, released by Virgin Records on 24th October 1980, was The Colonel’s only release.

‘The Colonel’ was XTC bassist and songwriter Colin Moulding, XTC drummer Terry Chambers, keyboardist Steve King (Fingerprintz) guitarist Rob Hendry* (The Motors, Renaissance), and second guitarist... Colin Moulding’s dentist Bent Larson (erroneously credited as ‘Bert’ on the sleeve). XTC pal and key figure in the band’s history Steve Warren provided backing vocals.

Recorded at Vigin’s Townhouse studios in London and produced by Mick Glossop, the record was described by XTC bandmate Andy Partridge as “a mix between a joke and an actual poke at getting on the charts”.

It didn’t get on the charts. While ‘Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen’ is a bit of a novelty throwaway, the b-side ‘I Need Protection’ is recommended, and reminiscent of XTC’s ‘Black Sea’ album track ‘Travels In Nihilon’: a monotone Moulding vocal and Terry Chambers’ ominous drums consistently backing occasional bursts of guitar freakouts and discordant piano. Check it out!

The artwork was drawn by prolific comic book artist Hunt Emerson, also known for his sleeve art for The Beat, The Jazz Butcher and MC Paul Barman’s Y*O*U*N*G*M*A*N* LP. Curiously, this obscure 7” saw a Japanese reissue in 1989 on the short-lived 3” mini-CD format, as did ‘Thanks For Christmas’, a 1983 XTC single released under the name ‘The Three Wise Men’. Both sides of The Colonel single became widely available on the 1990 XTC b-sides and rarities compilation ‘Rag & Bone Buffet’, released on CD and cassette (long out of print).

*Bonus trivia: Rob Hendry played guitar on several solo tracks by former XTC (and later Shriekback) keyboardist Barry Andrews between 1978 and 1980. In 2018, Barry released the ‘Lost Pop Songs 78-80’ CD compilation including six of these tracks.

The next ORWOTW is by The Colonel. The 7” single ‘Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen’ b/w ‘I Need Protection’, released by Virgin Records on 24th October 1980, was The Colonel’s only release.

‘The Colonel’ was XTC bassist and songwriter Colin Moulding, XTC drummer Terry Chambers, keyboardist Steve King (Fingerprintz) guitarist Rob Hendry* (The Motors, Renaissance), and second guitarist... Colin Moulding’s dentist Bent Larson (erroneously credited as ‘Bert’ on the sleeve). XTC pal and key figure in the band’s history Steve Warren provided backing vocals.

Recorded at Vigin’s Townhouse studios in London and produced by Mick Glossop, the record was described by XTC bandmate Andy Partridge as “a mix between a joke and an actual poke at getting on the charts”.

It didn’t get on the charts. While ‘Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen’ is a bit of a novelty throwaway, the b-side ‘I Need Protection’ is recommended, and reminiscent of XTC’s ‘Black Sea’ album track ‘Travels In Nihilon’: a monotone Moulding vocal and Terry Chambers’ ominous drums consistently backing occasional bursts of guitar freakouts and discordant piano. Check it out!

The artwork was drawn by prolific comic book artist Hunt Emerson, also known for his sleeve art for The Beat, The Jazz Butcher and MC Paul Barman’s Y*O*U*N*G*M*A*N* LP. Curiously, this obscure 7” saw a Japanese reissue in 1989 on the short-lived 3” mini-CD format, as did ‘Thanks For Christmas’, a 1983 XTC single released under the name ‘The Three Wise Men’. Both sides of The Colonel single became widely available on the 1990 XTC b-sides and rarities compilation ‘Rag & Bone Buffet’, released on CD and cassette (long out of print).

*Bonus trivia: Rob Hendry played guitar on several solo tracks by former XTC (and later Shriekback) keyboardist Barry Andrews between 1978 and 1980. In 2018, Barry released the ‘Lost Pop Songs 78-80’ CD compilation including six of these tracks.

SECRET SAUCES #003 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #003 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/ radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM
(GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES ISSUE ONE is available to buy now!

Go to secretsaucesrecords.com to get a copy: either printed or P.I.Y. digital (print-it-yourself!) for a special lower price... or follow the link in bio/stories. Check it out!

Print fanzine £3.67 + £1.32 UK postage / P.I.Y. digital edition for £3.66

#fanzine #zine #musicfanzine #music

SECRET SAUCES ISSUE ONE is available to buy now!

Go to secretsaucesrecords.com to get a copy: either printed or P.I.Y. digital (print-it-yourself!) for a special lower price... or follow the link in bio/stories. Check it out!

Print fanzine £3.67 + £1.32 UK postage / P.I.Y. digital edition for £3.66

#fanzine #zine #musicfanzine #music

Next up is The Lillies, who released 1 song on a 7” flexi-disc in 1991, “And David Seaman Will Be Very Disappointed About That…”

The Lillies were a one-off ‘supergroup’ of Tottenham Hotspur-supporting indie musicians: Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins, Miki Berenyi & Chris Acland of Lush, Russel Yates & Kevin ‘Moose’ McKillip from Moose. They formed to release this one song as a free flexi with the mail order fanzine ‘The Spur’ (Issue 24). The name The Lillies comes from the Spurs nickname ‘the Lilywhites’. It is the only release on ‘Cockadoodle’ records, referencing the cockerel on the Spurs emblem, and of course allowing for the amusing catalogue no. of ‘COCK 01’.

The song was recorded to celebrate Spurs’ victory over Arsenal in the ‘91 FA Cup semi-final (Spurs would eventually win the final against Nottingham Forest). The only lyrics are ‘3-1’, (the final score) sung by Miki, and the title comes from the sampled phrase spoken by commentator Barry Davies after a Spurs goal. It’s an original composition (with songwriting credited to Raymonde on the flexi itself), instead of covering a well-known Spurs song such as the Cockerel Chorus’ ‘Nice One Cyril’ from 1973 - thank god for that.

An ethereal tune reminiscent of the Cocteaus and Lush, and a definite contrast to the stereotypical laddish and loutish footie songs, particularly those that followed in the 90s in the wake of ‘Britpop’, or the preceding World In Motion by New Order which isn’t bad… but features Keith Allen. For someone who isn’t a fan of Spurs, or gives a toss about football, it is still an enjoyable listen and tracking down the flexi for around £15 (good luck getting the zine as well!). It has not been reissued, nor does it appear on any compilations… but the curious can find it on YouTube.

You can read more about The Lillies in Simon Raymonde’s memoir ‘In One Ear’ (just announced on paperback!) on Nine Eight Books (RIP), where Miki Berenyi’s memoir was also published - both highly recommended. Furthermore, the Miki Berenyi Trio (featuring Moose) have just released their fantastic debut album Tripla on Bella Union, Simon Raymonde’s label. The closest thing to a Lillies reunion… check it out!

Next up is The Lillies, who released 1 song on a 7” flexi-disc in 1991, “And David Seaman Will Be Very Disappointed About That…”

The Lillies were a one-off ‘supergroup’ of Tottenham Hotspur-supporting indie musicians: Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins, Miki Berenyi & Chris Acland of Lush, Russel Yates & Kevin ‘Moose’ McKillip from Moose. They formed to release this one song as a free flexi with the mail order fanzine ‘The Spur’ (Issue 24). The name The Lillies comes from the Spurs nickname ‘the Lilywhites’. It is the only release on ‘Cockadoodle’ records, referencing the cockerel on the Spurs emblem, and of course allowing for the amusing catalogue no. of ‘COCK 01’.

The song was recorded to celebrate Spurs’ victory over Arsenal in the ‘91 FA Cup semi-final (Spurs would eventually win the final against Nottingham Forest). The only lyrics are ‘3-1’, (the final score) sung by Miki, and the title comes from the sampled phrase spoken by commentator Barry Davies after a Spurs goal. It’s an original composition (with songwriting credited to Raymonde on the flexi itself), instead of covering a well-known Spurs song such as the Cockerel Chorus’ ‘Nice One Cyril’ from 1973 - thank god for that.

An ethereal tune reminiscent of the Cocteaus and Lush, and a definite contrast to the stereotypical laddish and loutish footie songs, particularly those that followed in the 90s in the wake of ‘Britpop’, or the preceding World In Motion by New Order which isn’t bad… but features Keith Allen. For someone who isn’t a fan of Spurs, or gives a toss about football, it is still an enjoyable listen and tracking down the flexi for around £15 (good luck getting the zine as well!). It has not been reissued, nor does it appear on any compilations… but the curious can find it on YouTube.

You can read more about The Lillies in Simon Raymonde’s memoir ‘In One Ear’ (just announced on paperback!) on Nine Eight Books (RIP), where Miki Berenyi’s memoir was also published - both highly recommended. Furthermore, the Miki Berenyi Trio (featuring Moose) have just released their fantastic debut album Tripla on Bella Union, Simon Raymonde’s label. The closest thing to a Lillies reunion… check it out!

SECRET SAUCES #002 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #002 available to listen to now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (GMT).

See you next Tuesday!

Looking at the devolution of gig tickets - from full colour picture printed tickets, to uniform O2 Academy rubbish, to QR code hell!

Looking at the devolution of gig tickets - from full colour picture printed tickets, to uniform O2 Academy rubbish, to QR code hell!

The first in a series of ONE RECORD WONDERS OF THE WORLD we will look at is the only release by Metabolics, their 1998 LP ‘The M-Virus’.

Released on Skiz Fernando’s WordSound records in 1998, The M-Virus was the only release by duo Metabolics before Big Pat & Mr Dead parted ways, with Mr Dead going on to release two further solo LPs (Big Pat features on Dead’s 2000 LP ‘Metabolics Volume II: Dawn Of The Dead’). With the two great emcees’ individual lyrical talents and flows perfectly complementing each other and the wild humour sprinkled throughout, the album is supported by a crew of incredible producers: Mr Dead produces two cuts, Scotty Hard another, and long-time friend and regular collaborator Prince Paul produces the classic ‘Lyrical Chemical’. Producer of one track and executive producer of the LP is The Ill Saint (aka Skiz Fernando) This album is a real showcase for the production talents of Bimos, another name you will see pop up in the credits of many Prince Paul projects. Bimos has a couple of solo instrumental tracks on two WordSound comps in the early 2000s, and produced seven further tracks on the two following Mr Dead albums. I can only imagine what great beats he has in the vaults - I don’t know if he is still making music but I’d love to see a Bimos album released, new or old material.

The M-Virus was released on CD and vinyl by WordSound, with the vinyl version cutting several tracks due to space restrictions of the format. The cut tracks are the more comedic ones found on the CD, so the album listening experience differs significantly on each format. It would be nice to see a 2xLP vinyl reissue of the complete album one day.
Aside from his further solo records and several collaborations with Prince Paul, Mr Dead is known as a special make-up effects artist for countless movies, TV and music videos, though in an Instagram Livestream in January 2024 to celebrate 25 years of The M-Virus he teased a return to music and played a selection of unreleased Mr Dead and Metabolics tracks, so hopefully we can look forward to hearing more from Mr Dead in the future. Sadly, Big Pat passed away in 2023 - rest in peace.

The first in a series of ONE RECORD WONDERS OF THE WORLD we will look at is the only release by Metabolics, their 1998 LP ‘The M-Virus’.

Released on Skiz Fernando’s WordSound records in 1998, The M-Virus was the only release by duo Metabolics before Big Pat & Mr Dead parted ways, with Mr Dead going on to release two further solo LPs (Big Pat features on Dead’s 2000 LP ‘Metabolics Volume II: Dawn Of The Dead’). With the two great emcees’ individual lyrical talents and flows perfectly complementing each other and the wild humour sprinkled throughout, the album is supported by a crew of incredible producers: Mr Dead produces two cuts, Scotty Hard another, and long-time friend and regular collaborator Prince Paul produces the classic ‘Lyrical Chemical’. Producer of one track and executive producer of the LP is The Ill Saint (aka Skiz Fernando) This album is a real showcase for the production talents of Bimos, another name you will see pop up in the credits of many Prince Paul projects. Bimos has a couple of solo instrumental tracks on two WordSound comps in the early 2000s, and produced seven further tracks on the two following Mr Dead albums. I can only imagine what great beats he has in the vaults - I don’t know if he is still making music but I’d love to see a Bimos album released, new or old material.

The M-Virus was released on CD and vinyl by WordSound, with the vinyl version cutting several tracks due to space restrictions of the format. The cut tracks are the more comedic ones found on the CD, so the album listening experience differs significantly on each format. It would be nice to see a 2xLP vinyl reissue of the complete album one day.
Aside from his further solo records and several collaborations with Prince Paul, Mr Dead is known as a special make-up effects artist for countless movies, TV and music videos, though in an Instagram Livestream in January 2024 to celebrate 25 years of The M-Virus he teased a return to music and played a selection of unreleased Mr Dead and Metabolics tracks, so hopefully we can look forward to hearing more from Mr Dead in the future. Sadly, Big Pat passed away in 2023 - rest in peace.

SECRET SAUCES #001 available to listen now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (GMT)

See you next Tuesday!

SECRET SAUCES #001 available to listen now on Mixcloud. Follow link in stories or bio to listen.

Show notes available on secretsaucesrecords.com/radio

New 60 minute mix of music every Tuesday at 7PM (GMT)

See you next Tuesday!

Hope everyone managed to get down to the RRPL this month if they were able to. Re-live it or find out about it here!

“It’s probably the only library in the world with multiple TVs simultaneously showing music videos and boxing matches, while ‘This Is The Day’ by The The plays (…) It can only be the Rock ‘N’ Roll Public Library, with its entire contents being a cleverly curated sampling from the archive of Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon), which not only includes invaluable artefacts from his own storied career in music, but an incredible collection of music and pop culture ephemera from Jones’ childhood to the present.”

Read at the website or Substack from the link in bio, or the ‘articles’ story highlight.

#rrpl #mickjones #theclash #bigaudiodynamite #carbonsilicon #farsight

Hope everyone managed to get down to the RRPL this month if they were able to. Re-live it or find out about it here!

“It’s probably the only library in the world with multiple TVs simultaneously showing music videos and boxing matches, while ‘This Is The Day’ by The The plays (…) It can only be the Rock ‘N’ Roll Public Library, with its entire contents being a cleverly curated sampling from the archive of Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon), which not only includes invaluable artefacts from his own storied career in music, but an incredible collection of music and pop culture ephemera from Jones’ childhood to the present.”

Read at the website or Substack from the link in bio, or the ‘articles’ story highlight.

#rrpl #mickjones #theclash #bigaudiodynamite #carbonsilicon #farsight

SECRET SAUCES is a print music fanzine. Inside its sloppily cut-and-glued-and-photocopied pages you will find articles (and interviews) about music that is often unreleased, overlooked or obscure, as well as a lot of other nonsense.

Issue 1 is available to purchase on the website now!
Also available: digital PDF and P.I.Y. (print it yourself) versions. Check it out at the link in bio or story highlights

SECRET SAUCES is a print music fanzine. Inside its sloppily cut-and-glued-and-photocopied pages you will find articles (and interviews) about music that is often unreleased, overlooked or obscure, as well as a lot of other nonsense.

Issue 1 is available to purchase on the website now!
Also available: digital PDF and P.I.Y. (print it yourself) versions. Check it out at the link in bio or story highlights

SECRET SAUCES is online! Visit www.secretsaucesrecords.com to purchase the zine, read select articles for free and browse a giant list of links for other great music fan-sites.

Also available to subscribe to on Substack (for free!) to get the same articles on the website straight to your email inbox.

SECRET SAUCES is online! Visit www.secretsaucesrecords.com to purchase the zine, read select articles for free and browse a giant list of links for other great music fan-sites.

Also available to subscribe to on Substack (for free!) to get the same articles on the website straight to your email inbox.

Tune into SECRET SAUCES RADIO on Mixcloud for a new 60 minute mix of other people’s music, film and TV clips every Tuesday at 7pm (GMT).

Individual show notes available to read on secretsauces.com/radio

See you next Tuesday!

Tune into SECRET SAUCES RADIO on Mixcloud for a new 60 minute mix of other people’s music, film and TV clips every Tuesday at 7pm (GMT).

Individual show notes available to read on secretsauces.com/radio

See you next Tuesday!

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