HOBO PROPOSED BENEFIT

HOBO PROPOSED BENEFIT

A letter sent

To Lynn Greenwood - Coventry Evening Telegraph August 1973

updating her on our ideas for a venue and Hobo benefit...

Dear Lynn,

We told you of our proposals to put on a benefit to raise funds for Hobo. Well we've had some ideas of putting on a succession of events as a kind of arts week with all events leading up to the benefit. Some of the ideas included Jazz / poetry sessions, folk and rock concerts, art exhibitions and various other musical get togethers and any other ideas anyone comes up with. We were hoping to hold this sometime in August but again we've been let down on venues...

Trev and Bo on the Music Scene 1973

TREV AND BO - ON THE SCENE!

This post is from the original Hobo site on Vox blogs c 2007

After publishing the first edition of Hobo in June 1973, we dropped off a copy of Hobo for the editor of Coventry Evening Telegraph's supplement ON THE SCENE -  and our articled appeared in this issu Saturday June 30th 1973 - after an interview by  CET Reporter Lynn Greenwood. I've written out as the print quality might not be so clear after all these years! The CET editor wrote to me after sending a petition of 500+ signatures in response to the article they published RU18 and in sending the first edition of HOBO.

TREV AND BO ON THE MUSIC SCENE

TREV and Bo didn't think much to the arts scene in Coventry - so they decided to try and liven things up.

And their efforts - an eight page music mag called HOBO - is out this week.

In their own words "It's an attempt at supplying the musicians and such likery of Coventry with a form of music paper intending to cover not only musicians but discos, poets and artists, etc."

At the moment it's free and is strictly a "non-bread-head, non-profit mag"

"We want to get people interested in helping us" said 22 year old Trev Teasdel. "the music scene in Coventry has never been brilliant although three or four years ago it wasn't too bad. But now there are lots groups wanting to do concerts and artists willing to do exhibitions, but there's nowhere to hold them."

Trev, of 16, Laneside, Willenhall Wood, Coventry, says the only place to go for music are pubs.

"And that just gives the drugs and pubs squads plenty of work," he said.

One of Bo's ideas (his real name is John Bargant) is to start an information service which offers help to anyone with a problem.

"I've called it Central Spot and at the moment people can only contact me at home," said 26 year old Bo, of 21, Lorenzo Close, Willenhall. "but we're trying to get premises and have been offered a room in Bardsley House so many nights a week"

"We want to be available to help young people who may have owhere to live or stay; they may have a drugs problem or they may just want to drop in for a chat and coffee."
At the moment the big problem is finance.

"We'd like to put on some sort of benefit to raise money for the mag." said Trev "but first we've got to find somewhere to hold it."
So if anyone has any ideas, please contact the two and try to help.

Lynn Greenwood.

Letter from Lynn Greenwood of Coventry Evening Telegraph

Notes

Bo left Hobo during the production of the second issue and became the Road manager of Khayyam - the

Jazz Rock group with Chris Jones on guitar and Steve Tayton on Sax. They were embarking on a European Tour.

He ran Rouguestar Promotions and Disco and was managing me as a singer songwriter at the time of starting HOBO. The magazine took over from the music for a while although I still played and wrote. The emphasis was on building an infra-structure for musicians through the work on Hobo. Bo had worked for Release as an adviser, hence his idea for Central Spot. However Central Spot hardly got off the ground before Bo went on his European tour with Khayyam. However through going to an executive meting of the Coventry Arts Umbrella, I met Henry West, who was both on the Umbrella Executive and the head of the Coventry Voluntary Service Council. He had just employed a Detached Youth Worker for the city centre area - Bob Rhodes (who later managed Midnight Circus / The Flys for a while). Bob needed contact with local youth to help in a similar way that Bo had intended and we needed facilities - a venue and place to organise alternative street theatre / films and music nights and printing facilities etc. It seemed a good trade-off. Bob got us the use of the Holyhead Youth Centre in 1974/5 and started an informal youth advisory service at the gigs. I was doing a Social Study course at Henley

College and it became my Social Work placement - which was good because it wouldn't conflict with what I considered to be my Real work - HOBO! So Bo's idea for an advisory centre came to fruition albeit without him, but stimulated by him talking about it to the press. Following on from the informal detached work at the Hobo Workshop, a drop in House for young people S.H.A.C.K. was established in 1975. I went to Canley College for some training to be an advisor. But more of the Hobo Workshop (the music and the advice work) in separate posts in a while. For now the magazine was the first base to establish.

On the Scene - Wot Scene - article from Hobo Issue 1

This article appeared in Hobo, issue 1 in 1973.

HELL! Warta Mess!!

As I walked through he ruins of the Coventry music scene, uncovering odd flowers here and there, gasping for breath, methinks um watering can is needed, and um-builders to let these flowers blossom.

This is the watering can, come ye builders, let’s be ‘avin ya. Right! Let’s have a look now, in every mess, in every ruins there are still things that can be developed, foundations that can still be used, just as in every bad person there’s a certain amount of good and in every good person there’s a certain amount of bad. So let’s look for the good and get it goin’.

The music scene in Coventry has never been brilliant from wot I can gather, but about three or four years ago it wasn’t too bad. At least there was more activity and vitality on the scene with the Broadgate Gnome and a lot of local groups and musicians and places to go and play. Even though these were inadequate. At least there was more energy being exerted. Time has taught that the only way things are going to improve, is if the people concerned get things together themselves. No the ’Gods’ of the authorities are not going to help. That has been proven (with exceptions). They generally seem out to destroy any attempts to get things together. I’ll explain; Take the RU18 pub squad busting young people for under age drinking. The pubs are their only meeting place and kicking them out of the pubs is no solution. Where can they go? What can they do? Playing guitars in the street, not obstructing anyone seems to be against the law. From experience pubs are the only places to set up discos. Under 18’s are therefore excluded. They also complain of noise. The hassles in trying to get premises for discos, concerts, group practices, arts labs are tremendous. Nobody’s interested in young people and their puny efforts at helping themselves.

Ask any disco unit, any group, ask the Coventry Arts Umbrella, ask me, ask promoters, ask the people in local bars. The latest place this disease has destroyed is the Royal Navel Club. The last gig there is the Budgie / Fissiongig because the magistrate’s court has decreed that it is ‘a members only club’, so I’m told.

Coventry is the 8th largest city on this island and one that spent least on the arts and recreation. Even a small place like Bedworth has its own concert hall.

I’ve only outlined a few points here, that we can expand on in further issues. But the important thing is that we are trying to do something about it. We are not just trying to cause a revolution and say two fingers to the establishment, ‘cos by doing so we become another establishment. What we need and what we want is some co-operation and communication with the people in power. The only time people are able to get things together is if the they've got the bread. Not everyone has a bank balance. We want to get things going without being ripped off around every corner, for every penny that they can get.

We want to hear your views; hassles you've had; ideas you've had; solutions from all people.

Although we don’t want this to get into a political magazine (it is essentially a music mag.) but certain politics come into it and need to be tackled.

From HOBO No 1 June 1973 by Trev Teasdel

..................................

Hobo began with me taking a petition around the Dive and Golden Cross and Lanch etc after reading the RU 18 article that appeared in the Coventry Evening Telegraph's colour Saturday magazine supplement ON THE SCENE (hence the title of the article). We thought that it should cover more of the local scene rather than just the fashions up from London. The RU 18 article on underage drinkers brought up issues on the about the lack of places for young people to go, for band's to play etc. The petition with over 500 signatures and a very quirky and long letter from me was submitted to the Coventry Evening Telegraph in May 1973. This will be uploaded soon. However while going around getting signatures for the protest - various people and especially Bo (John Bargant) who I started Hobo with, suggested we start our own magazine instead of relying on the established press to represent the music, arts and alternative scene in Coventry. I'd been selling some of the Birmingham alternative magazines and they had encouraged me to start a Cov mag and Bo was a DJ, music promoter who had worked as an adviser for Release in London and knew how to do layouts and could finance the printing initially. I was a writers and knowledgeable about the music scene of that time - so by June - Hobo was on the streets. I dropped a copy off the Coventry Evening Telegraph. The protest letter and the new magazine caused the editor to contact me and we were both interviewed for On the Scene (the cutting will be on soon.) That's roughly how Hobo started.

The Minister Art Gallery 1973

The Minster Art Gallery - Hobo Issue One

This article, called The Pulse of Art, was first published in Hobo Issue 1 June 1973 - it's in the pdf of the magazine on here but reproduced as an article here.

‘Minster’, ‘Minster who?’ ‘ Minster gallery’ ‘ who’s he?’ ‘It’s not a he, it’s a thing’ ‘oh a thing, I know, like a pogo stick?’ ‘well not so much a thing but a way of life, a happening, something that’s taking place amidst the debris of smoggy Coventry’ ‘Oh I see, Minster Gallery, is that where they hang people den?’ ‘ no stupid crud, that’s the gallows where they hang people, the only thing they hang at the Minster gallery are paintings and socks on washing days.‘ ‘Oh I dig!’

The Minster gallery is not just another art gallery, another plastic rose in another airless shop window, but a wild rose, wild and exciting, the real thing, like coca cola. It is where art is created and exposed, where its inmates till a common plot which flourishes from the variety of the individual talents that work it.

In an old Victorian watchmaker’s workshop, converted, a group of artists / sculptors / potters (some of whom live on the premises) work and exhibit art, their own local work. Where artists can meet and contribute to the common bond which has become a way of life to those involved. Unlike the common art

gallery, where peak capped attendants cast a dark shadow and tense, silent atmosphere over the exhibits, the Minster gallery has warmth, like your favourite club.

The Minster is happening, is growing, is blooming. The artists have strived, fought and struggled to build what they now have ( and we all know how hard it is to start something like this, in anything, especially in Coventry - at least without financial backing).

But the struggling isn't over and there are ambitions still to be reached. More support is needed, from artists,

people in art and from people interested in purchasing works of art. Real, non- manufactured, non-mass produced articles of art that has come from the heart and is part of the artist that created it.

If you want to know what art is all about, go and have a look. The Minster invites you to peek a boo, suss them out or just plain walk right in and wander around. You never know, it may just be your cup of PJ tips. You may dig the scene or you may even just like what’s going on.

Art is not just a thing that bores the draws off you, art is something that happens under certain conditions. That happening can be exciting. Art is the child of human temperaments in conflict with the forces of life. The Minster is the nursery of these children.

Trev Teasdel - Hobo Magazine 1973

Minster Gallery was 8, Hearsall Lane, Coventry 1973

Derek Brimstone Review - Hobo 1973

This brief review was in the unpublished version of Hobo Issue 2. Haven't found much on line by Derek but here's live song - Sweet Mystery. Although from Hemel Hempstead, Derek's son used to stay in our shared house both in Birmingham and Shilton, Nr Coventry periodically. A fine guitar player himself.





DEREK BRIMSTONE REVIEW


This review was written for the original HOBO Issue two which wasn't published unfortunately – see editorial section.

A Very Good Time – by Derek Brimstone

Review by Trev Teasdel 1973

Link to Derek Brimstone's site http://homepage.ntlworld.com/d.brimstone1/biog.htm

Followers of  Derek Brimstone who recently played at the Pilot (Coventry pub) with Colin Scott, will be,

might be, or might not be, delighted to hear that he’s has a new LP out. Mostly recorded Live in Sunderland Polytechnic and Pirton Herts, thus capturing not only his incredible playing but his hilarious stage patter, into which his songs are woven.

Songs included are:- We Had a Very Good Time (Brimstone) and Piss Off (Copyright Control – Mike

Heron. / When the Music Starts to Play / Mrs Fisher (A Melancholy yet funny half-poem / half song by Derek and a John Martyn song.

By the time this is printed Derek should be on the way to being a Grand dad - so good luck to Steve and Lyndie Brimstone (friends of mine).

Also – for folk guitarists may not know that Derek has a Clawpicking Guitar tutor out, in easy to follow tablature. I have a copy myself and recommend it! This is published by Southern Music and cost 40p (in 1973 that is!!, you will have to order it but it’s a good book. Well we’ll be saying “Keep on smiling cos ‘that do make it good’.

Derek's Auto biography  Till I Was Twenty

"A tale of a harsh childhood and a rebellious youth, told by a master storyteller with wit and style. Anyone who has seen Derek's stage performance will recognise the humour that lights up his journey through those turbulent years."

Tony Capstick.

.......................................

My copy of Derek's Learn Clawpicking Guitar - Made Easy (From the early 70's)

A review from Melody Maker at the time

HOBO REVIEWS - by CRAIG WARD of SUNSHINE Music agency

HOBO REVIEWS - by CRAIG WARD of SUNSHINE Music agency

Craig Ward as he is today

Published in Issue 4 of  Hobo Magazine 1974. Craig was co-director of the Sunshine music Agency, Gulson Road, Coventry in 1974. Sunshine was a Coventry Music Agency specialising in Management, agency, publicity, promotions in 1974, based at 123, Gulson Rd. Coventry, CV1 2JF. Directors were Craig Ward and Graham Wood (of Silk Disco). Bands they managed / promoted included Smack; Walrus Gumboot; A Band Called George and many more.

MOTT THE HOOPLE - Golden Age of Rock n Roll (CBS2177)
Mott really don't seem to be able to put a foot wrong these days and this Ian Hunter composition should see them back into the nifty fifty. (REMEMBER THAT AMAZING YES, MOTT, ATOMIC ROOSTER, FREE, night at the Lanch Polytechnic) Mott were bottom of the bill. They've worked hard and come along way since then. But it makes you wonder what'd happened if David Bowie hadn't interfered when he did!

HOT CHOCOLATE : EMMA (RAK.168)
This is probably about the best pop single to come out this year. Another masterful production from a band who've still to make a bad record. Like the Bob Jackson (Indian Summer) style scream at the end. If this record doesn't reach the top 5 - I'll nail my head to the floor. (Eds note - According to the NME it peaked at No 3 6th April 1974!).

LITTLE JIMMY OSMOND : I'M GONNA KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR (M6H 2006389)
- Heaven forbid. Rubbish!!

SIMON TURNER ; She Was Just a young Girl (No Way) (UK 60)
Jeeeezus! This guy sounds so much like Jonathon King that it could be the King of England himself singing. The song's got all the typical Jonathan King snatches in it, incredibly catchy chorus, and deserves to be a monster hit. (PS Simon Turner's version of Prettiest Star (Bowie) was pretty good too).

QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS F.C. - Give 'em the 'ol One-Two.
Believed to be the first release from this world acclaimed supergroup. Nice break from the centre forward from well inside his own half, a long through ball to his wingman who beat tow defenders to score easily from close range. This 11 piece band could really be a force to be reckoned with if they could just tighten up a bit. Watch out for Willie Flasher and the Raincoats new single - "Everybody wants to be a streaker...." (Ed notes - Streaking was hitting the headlines and the charts at this time!).

Hobo Review - MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – MESSIN

HOBO REVIEW 3 Published in Hobo No 2 August 1973

MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – MESSIN

Album review by Mike O'Hare of Coventry Virgin Records 1973

Having always been a fan of my Manfred Mann, the contents of this album came as a little surprise and although it doesn't quite match with the band’s last album Glorified Magnified, it is still a better album than most of your recognised rock n rollers are putting out.

Each and every track swinging with the possible exception of Sad Joy and that one’s a feeler with the title explaining what sort of feel it is.

There are three stand outs on this one; Messin; Ball and Chain; and Buddha.

Messin, the title track is a sort of jerky sort of rhythm which typifies most of the other tracks on the album.

A note must be made of the extremely effective synthesizer on this track and on Ball and Chain which is a 12 bar which jerks along in much the same way as Messin. Buddha is perhaps the fastest track on the album and certainly the rockiest although it does start off slowly The band on this track sound not unlike an early Led Zep. So there you are if you like rocky music that swings a bit and kicks like a donkey on heat, then this is the one you should no trouble getting off on.

Buy a copy at Amazon

.............................................................................