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Issue 4
PLUS...
Steve White Mr Cool’s Dream Pretty Green Jacqui Carroll A pint with... Michael Smiley The Cavern Club and more!
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Issue 4 In this Autumnal edition of Up&Atom, indeed the last of 2014, we celebrate 10 years of Atom Retro, a mini milestone in our history! But we don’t bleat on about ourselves too much... ‘I saw old Autumn in the misty morn stand shadowless like silence...’ ...But then I heard a rhythmic beat approach, that of the sound of drums! King Mod himself, Gibson London’s Simon Parr catches up with Style Council and Paul Weller drum legend, Steve White. Carrying on The Style Council connection as Mark Baxter interviews author Iain Munn about his book, Mr Cool’s Dream, described by Paul Weller as ‘Painstakingly accurate. The last word on The Style Council.’ Mr Cool’s Dream charts the complete history of this iconic band. We also catch up with Pretty Green’s Dean West, who kindly takes the time out of his busy schedule to regale us with tales of fashion, the story of Pretty Green, and how his dad made jackets for The Beatles! Kevin Stone somehow finds the time to have another drink, this time with Michael Smiley, he of Spaced and Svengali fame. Thanks to his comic turn as Tyres in Spaced, every time a traffic light bleeps you wanna throw down some dance moves! The Cavern Club’s Nick Robinson also checks in for a chat about life as a Cave Dweller and his move from fashion to the forefront of Liverpool’s live music scene as merchandise manager for the legendary Cavern Club. Up&Atom also talks to mod DJ and actress Jacqui Carroll, about music, life as a radio presenter and her career to date. Finally, we get the latest from rock band Lois who discuss their latest album, their influences and their fashion style. We first came across Lois through the Atom Retro band network many years ago and have keenly followed them ever since! There’s all the regular features too including a close up look at some more top brands... Oh! And did we mention we’ve opened our first bricks and mortar store - Atom Retro in Malton, North Yorkshire! See you all there soon!
In this issue... One Step Beyond .................... Pg. 3 10 Years of Atom Retro ........... Pg. 4 Ready, Steady Go! .................. Pg. 8
Up&Atom is edited by a team of dedicated Mod Kitties
A Pocket Full of Pretty Green.. Pg. 12 Pretty Green: The Essentials . Pg. 14 Spiewak ................................ Pg. 17 Whitey On Drums! .................. Pg. 18 Donk Watches ........................ Pg. 21 Down at The Cavern Club ...... Pg. 22 Mr Cool’s Dream .................... Pg. 24 New Brands this season......... Pg. 27 A Pint With Michael Smiley .... Pg. 29 Lois ....................................... Pg. 30
Credits... Special thanks to...
Steve White, Simon Parr, Lois, Nick Robinson & The Cave Dwellers, Michael Smiley, Kevin Stone, Dean West, Jacqui Carroll, Shaun Walker, Iain Munn, Mark Baxter and all our lovely loyal customers for keeping us in business for the last 10 years! Written by Alister Poulton & Lindsey Hagston. Additional words by Simon Parr, Kevin Stone & Mark Baxter. All images and text © Atom Retro, Indie Apparel Ltd, 2014 unless otherwise stated. Prices given correct at time of publication. May be subject to change.
... It’s my birthday too, yeah!
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ONE STEP BEYOND..! Madcap England have teamed up with the artist Teflon, aka John Sims, to make a limited edition Keyring and Badge set.
A donation will be made t o t h e Te e n a g e Cancer Trust for every purchase. Teflon created the original ‘Nutty Dancer’, pictured here and used as the design for the enameled badge and keyring. Made in collaboration with Madcap England and featuring a unique presentation backing card, also designed by Teflon! A must-have for all Ska fans, Mods and Rude boys and girls - this fab limited edition set also makes a great gift idea and stocking filler - all while you help support Teenage Cancer Trust. The Keyring & Pin Badge set is £8.00 including a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust. Buy yours here: www.atomretro.com/14310
The Nutty D a n c e r illustration is copyright and under license to Indie Apparel Ltd For more a b o u t T e fl o n ’ s designs, visit www.2toneposters.co.uk
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10 Years of Atom Retro Well, here we are folks. Atom Retro is 10 years old this year. We’ve come a long way since we started out in 2004, when we sold a mixture of vintage and new clothing, all with a retro outlook and heritage. These days we sell a variety of brands for both men and women, plus the odd piece of homeware, gifts and even vintage style toys.
As we knew our 10th anniversary was coming up, we wanted to do something a little bit special, a little bit different - so we’re proud to announce the arrival of the very first bricks and mortar Atom Retro shop! As I write the, the shop is currently being re-fitted and spruced up for our launch, but it should be open in a matter of weeks - I’m sure there will be more about this in the next issue of Up&Atom! The new shop will be in Malton, North Yorkshire (just down the road from our warehouse) and all your fave Atom Retro brands will be in store - including our house brand, Madcap England of course, and a few surprises in the ways of shop exclusive brands (and some will be web exclusive too). Enough shop talk. Also to celebrate our 10th, here’s a few pages dedicated to your favourite online shop (that’s us!) - a potted history timeline, an exclusive interview with Atom Retro’s founder and director (you won’t see that very often!) Plus look out for your limited edition ‘Atom is 10’ birthday pin badge sent out with all orders (while stocks last!) too - wear with pride!!
Follow the Atom Retro shop news at: www.facebook.com /atomretroshop
Fancy seeing you here.. ?! Visit the new Atom Retro shop next time you’re in our neck of the woods... Where’s that? Here... 7 Market Place, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7LP and as always, our full range is online at www.atomretro.com
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2006
2004 Atom Retro opens it’s d o o r s , o r r a t h e r i t ’s website. It is very briefly called ‘Atomic Retro’.
Collaborating with artist Colin Duffield and Bullet in Sheffield, Atom Retro produce a line of limited edition ‘King Mojo’ club poster T-Shirts
2006
2007
Mod clothing brand, Madcap England is launched with 2 racing jumpers and a Marriott polo.
Baracuta, the original Harrington Jacket arrives at Atom Retro - our first premium clothing brand.
2008 Atom moves to a larger warehouse. The address is Willymath close, so the warehouse is of course named, Willy.
2009 Atom Retro provides some of the clothing for the theatrical version of Quadrophenia including Madcap Boating Blazers, knits and dresses.
2010 Needing an even bigger warehouse Atom moved to i t ’s c u r r e n t l o c a t i o n , affectionately nicknamed ‘Big Willy’.
2009 Madcap England racing jumper featured in ‘I’m One: 21st Century Mods’
2010 Atom Retro takes o n i t ’ s fi r s t apprentices.
2013 Atom Retro supplies some of the Baracuta jackets used in Guy R i c h i e ’s n e w fi l m , ‘Man From U.N.C.L.E’
2014 Pretty Green arrives at Atom Retro
2014 10 Years of Atom Retro! Wheels are put in motion to open the fi r s t e v e r A t o m R e t ro b r i c k s ‘ n ’ mortar shop in Malton, N. Yorks
2012 Madcap Tailored range launched.
2013 Atom Retro collaborates with John Sims for Skanking Crimbo Jumpers - look out for more in 2014!
2014 Madcap England launches i t ’s o w n s t a n d - a l o n e transactional website, www.madcapengland.com.
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The Atom Retro Story We don’t really like to blow our own trumpet, but 10 years in business is something to celebrate, so here’s an exclusive interview with someone you don’t hear from very often - Atom Retro’s founder and director, Alister Poulton, and the story behind Atom Retro. U&A: How did Atom Retro start? What was memory serves me right, choosing the name the initial inspiration? for Madcap was the hardest part. We named it after Pink Floyd’s enigmatic Syd Barrett, a Alister Poulton: Atom Retro started in 2004, person we’ve always found interesting, selling a mixture of vintage and new men’s and underrated and different. Madcap England has women’s clothing, with an emphasis on retro come a long way in a short time. We now do a style. We did pretty well out of reworking and nice range in knitwear, trousers, tees and reselling military garb, accessorising garments tailored garments, all staying true to the retro with prints and pin badges, etc. The idea really ethos. comes from a love of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s style. The ever changing world of fashion is U&A: Atom is 10 this year. Are you doing fascinating, but we’ve always had a thing for anything special to celebrate? heritage which is why we were keen to add AP: We’re opening a brands to our portfolio new bricks and mortar quite early on. We love store in Malton, North brands with a history, Yorkshire, which is part thats the kind of route of the 10th anniversary we’ve taken, but you celebrations. It’s more can’t pin us down. We hard work, be we hope are Atom Retro, after it’s going to be worth it. all. We’ve got some really U&A: What’s the story nice brands lined up, behind the Atom some existing brands Retro name? and some new ones specially chosen to sit AP: I can hardly in store. remember! I don’t think it’s all that memorable Other celebrations it’s not like an 80s maybe in the pipeline, movie where we all but that’s top secret (or danced round chairs in until we get round to celebration and listened thinking of them!) to Oh Yeah by Yello. U&A: What will the (You know, that Umm new shop be like? Bow Bow Chick Chick Chickah song that’s in Alister doesn’t ‘do’ pictures, so here’s a pic of AP: The new shop will all them US comedies?!) still carry the Atom Retro Atom’s cat, Harry on a scooter instead! It was running through branding. It’s going to be the dictionary or something, and we didn’t clean looking with an emphasis on heritage have to read that far! I recall we did want a brands. We hope to incorporate the brands name which started with the letter A though! individual histories as a way of demonstrating U&A: How did Madcap England come the importance and legacy of heritage and style in contemporary fashion. We will be about? stocking men’s and women’s clothing, AP: Madcap England started in 2006 when we footwear and accessories... oh, and there will realised that there were gaps in our range for be an interactive element in store too. We do 1960s and mod inspired garments. The first have our foundations in internet retail after all! piece of Madcap England clothing is still in the range today - it’s the Attack Racing Jumper. I U&A: What are your favourite brands love that thing. We quickly followed it with the stocked by Atom Retro? Marriott button through knitted polo shirt which AP: Every single one of ‘em! is still in the range, albeit in different guises, although we do get asked for the original to I’ll name a few though that mean a lot to me. make a comeback, so you never know. If The one I see as pivotal to Atom Retro’s growth and the first brand that we brought on
... It’s my birthday too, yeah! board, Baracuta. We really need to thank Mr Kevin Stone for that one - he gave us a chance when we really didn’t have that much going in the way of brands at that point in Atom’s fledgling life. It was a brand we’d come across in countless books and we were overjoyed when the first Baracuta Harrington jackets arrived at Atom HQ. We also met King Mod Simon Parr through Baracuta. John Smedley is another brand that means a lot to us. Once again they gave us a break early on. There is nothing better than a John Smedley knit. It’s the Worlds Finest Knitwear, you know! ...And then there’s FLY53. Mark Sheridan [from FLY53] has always been great to work with. He really gets where we’re coming from. Perhaps we’re not the typical FLY53 account, but we find an angle that works. Some of the stuff just fits brilliantly with our ethos, particularly the updates on classic military outerwear and their cool printed t-shirts.
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back from what he’d witnessed first hand as a young man living through the epidemic. My fave film is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly ...or as everyone always believes, Planes, Trains And Automobiles. Well, it is f*ckin’ brilliant though, admit it! Here’s a snippit to remind you all how good it is... DEL: No. I’m simply stating a fact. That’s all. You fidget with your nuts a lot. NEAL: You know what would make me happy? DEL: Another couple of balls and an extra set of fingers? My favourite song is just too hard to pick. What divs always ask people this question? Oh yeah, we do it to everyone! I’m going to go for one which has just popped into my head and it might just change in 5 minutes time, so best be quick... Just for the Madcap England nostalgic element, I’ll go for Syd Barrett, Octopus.
Is that it now? Phew. I got blisters on ma I see Luke 1977 along the same lines. I love the fingers. contemporary feel, but there’s definitely a love of fashion heritage and history there. Luke 1977 have a real eye for detail, something which STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS ST shouldn’t be overlooked. One of our newest additional is Pretty Green. My eyes go wide when I walk into their showroom, because there’s just so much amazing product. It’s like a sweet shop! The seasonal theme collections are perfectly awesome. In fact, right through from core to fashion, to footwear, the brand has just got everything. Dean West [Pretty Green’s brand manager] is a really cool guy as well. He’s got fab stories and an extensive knowledge of the industry. Gabicci Vintage, Farah Vintage, Original Penguin and Gibson London all mean a lot too. I can’t list everyone though, we’d be here all day! To be honest, I love all the brands we stock. There’s nothing more exciting than new stock arriving from all the brands we stock!
Keep the Faith. Free, now & forever. Dedicated Northern Soul fans will be glad to hear that a recent trademark application to register the iconic KTF Fist logo has been rejected, meaning the motif is free to use for everyone.
A keen aficionado of music and fashion, Brian P o u l t o n o f A t o m R e t ro o p p o s e d t h e application for the mark on the grounds that it consisted of ‘signs or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade’ - which means in plain English, everyone should be able to use this iconic U&A: Lastly, what’s your favourite book, symbol without one person or company song and film? (Contractually obligational claiming ownership and monopolising it. question). At this time, as we just put the finishing AP: I love all the classics in terms of literature. touches to issue 4 of Up&Atom, we’ve just got I’m a bit of a knob in that respect! I love news the application has been rejected. Dostoyevsky, Gogol and loads of Russian literature. The turmoil and backstories behind Brian Poulton would like to put on record his the writers struggles make the stories all the thanks for the many fans of the Northern Soul more special. My fave book though is Daniel scene who took the time to provide Dafoe’s A Journal Of The Plague Year. It paints testimonies to support the case against the a real vivid picture and is brilliantly researched. trademark being registered. Dafoe was only 5 when the Great Plague Keep The Faith! ravished the city of London, but you wouldn’t know it! You’d think he was writing looking
28 www.AtomRetro.com We’d do the loop-de-loop in tailored suits!
Jacqui wears The Carnaby Set and Freak Out! dresses by Madcap England. Find them online at www.atomretro.com/ madcap_england_womens
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On Your Marks...
Ready, Steady, Jacqui Carroll is a Dublin and Birmingham based radio presenter, DJ, actress and model. You might have caught her regular radio programme, Ready Steady GO! or seen her spinning the vinyl at music events recently. Up&Atom caught up with her to ask her about her DJ-ing, acting and love of all things sixties.
GO!
Up&Atom: How did you first get into the JC: Ready Steady GO! had always been in the DJ-ing scene? back of my mind, ever since I was 7 years old, presenting my pretend radio show (Radio Jacqui Carroll: In 2011 I joined RTE [Raidio Groovy!) in my bedroom with my hairbrush Teilifis Eireann - Ireland’s national public sellotaped to the ghettoblaster. I incorporated service media organisation] to produce and that and my love for love music into my web present my radio show, Ready Steady GO! music channel, interviewing bands, acoustic then about a month later I was approached by sessions, etc. One of RTE’s press agents has various promoters in Dublin to do Ready seen a few episodes and suggested that I put Steady GO! live in clubs, and it just built from a similar treatment together for a radio show there. I bought my first set of decks 12 years on RTE’s 2XM. They gave me free rein to do it ago and taught myself how to mix. I had my way and play the music that I wanted to always collected vinyl ever since I was a child. play so that’s exactly what I did - an hour of I took a break for years to focus on presenting 60s pop, soul, beat with a nod to the modern, my web music channel, Your Music Live, but I with interviews and acoustic sessions. always knew that I would come back to it... I’ve interviewed some gems and it’s always a U&A: What has been the highlight of your treat to chat to people that I’ve admired and DJ-ing career? who take up most of my vinyl collection. Rick JC: I get the greatest pleasure from all of my Buckler from The Jam was on the show a few gigs when I see the dance floor full with months back, telling me about the break up of people enjoying themselves, but one gig that The Jam, what he’s done since then and about really stands out is The Great British the new bands that he’s working with. A top Alternative Festival that I played recently in bloke and very easy to talk to. Minehead. The sun was shining, it had a really Another stand out guest would have to be relaxed festival vibe about it without the mud, Steve White. A pure gentleman and he’s which always gets my vote! I played to a really creating some quality music right now with diverse crowd which gave me the opportunity Trio Valore. We also chatted about Live Aid to dust off some tunes that I don’t get to play and his early days with The Style Council. that often; everything from punk and new wave to ska and reggae, and now they all I got a bit giddy about interviewing Steve Ellis have equal billing in my set alongside the 60s from Love Affair as did my mother! He was and soul. I also got the opportunity to hilarious, very cheeky and he still sounds like a interview Faye Fife from The Rezillos and 20 year old. Toyah Wilcox, but overall it was just great to see punks, skinheads and mods all coming I recently interviewed Ian McLagan from The together on the dance floor and having a great Small Faces. Mac joined me a couple of weeks ago and told me all about his Irish time. heritage, early days with The Small Faces and U&A: Tell us about your Ready Steady Go! moving forward with The Faces. He also gave radio show. Have you had any memorable a shout out to The Strypes, saying that they interviews? reminded him of himself, Steve, Kenney and
10 www.AtomRetro.com They say it’s your birthday! ... Ronnie when they started out with The Small Faces. How cool is that? I’m sure the lads were chuffed to hear it! You can listen to the shows again on mixcloud.com/jacquicarrollofficial.
girls in my local coffee shop. One of them eventually plucked up the courage to approach me and said, ‘You killed a man. You not in jail?’ I told her it wasn’t real. She didn’t believe me, so needless to say I’ve avoided that place ever since! It’s good in some ways as it keeps the U&A: What inspires your fashion style? What creeps at bay. are your favourite looks? U&A: If you had to choose, what would be JC: I always find it hard to describe my style your favourite song and film and why? because I’m not uniformed about it. The other JC: The Sophie’s Choice question! Favourite half always calls me a ‘Mippie’, in his opinion song definitely depends on the mood. Small I’m a mod-ish hippie. I love tailoring and sharp Faces - Afterglow has always cuts but I could just as easily been top of the list. It has put in some flares and a everything. That signature prairie top. I’m drawn to the Mac organ and Steve Marriott sights and sounds of the 60s serenading, what more could and the make-up especially. you want? If I want to dance I’ve spent years perfecting then it’s Holly St. James my technique and building up That’s Not Love. I love a dirty my kit. It’s a real fun hobby. I bass line and a growling have always drooled over the voice too so anything Otis style and looks of women like Redding related gets my Jean Shrimpton and Dusty vote. Springfield. Jean’s sheer beauty and effortless style is My favourite movie of all time unparalleled, and my Dusty... is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. such glamour! That hair, Marilyn Monroe and Jane those threads, that voice! Russell singing, dancing and flirting their way across Women took pride in their Europe in sequins - this visual appearance back then and I delivery has had me in it’s definitely take the time to put grip since 1980! Breakfast At myself together. As they say, Tiffany’s nips at it’s heels taking the number two it’s better to arrive late than ugly! spot. I think every young girl has fantasised U&A: Besides DJ-ing you can also add acting about being Holly Golightly. Audrey Hepburn to your impressive CV. What roles have you dazzles in this movie, a stylistic masterpiece accompanied by Mancini’s soundtrack, pure played and what have you appeared in? 60s heaven and set in New York too - my JC: I get dragged in to do the odd part from favourite place on the planet! time to time! I’ve never taken it too seriously or sought out work, maybe next year, but I’ve been U&A: What have you got in store for the rest lucky I suppose to work on some pretty exciting of the year? projects over the years from TV commercials, JC: Lots of exciting stuff coming up on the music videos, TV shoes and movies. I’ve done a show! There will be a Who special later in the lot of featured stuff and small speaking roles. I year with some top guests, more Small Faces feel so comfortable on set and have such vast stuff, a legendary Motown artist and whatever experience on all kinds of sets that casting else I can fit in! My manager, Shaun Walker agents usually just refer me on because they really gets stuck in, finding guests for the show. know I’ll get the job done without fuss. He’s so tenacious and hard working. I’ll I’ve worked on Primeval, season 4 and 5 as randomly mention one of my favourite bands Cerise, the lab technician. That was an eight and within days he will have a contact and month shoot. Long hours but great fun. From interview set up, I’m blessed to have him. that I filmed a BBC pilot with Ben Miller. On the DJ side of things, we’re bringing Ready I’ve done some comedy work on RTE’s How Steady GO! Live to the classic TT and Deep Low Reality Check, playing a cameo, spoof South Festival on the Isle of Man at the end of version of myself which was great craic. A right August and again in December. We’re back at The Great British Alternative Festival in October nasty piece of work! but in Skegness this time and we’re currently I’ve done a lot of crime stuff on 24 Hours To Kill, talking to promoters and venues all over the UK playing a murderous femme fatale. A few days about taking Ready Steady GO! on the road... after it aired I started to get funny looks from the
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Ready Steady GO! is aired on Friday night at 8pm, repeated Sunday at 11am on RTE 2XM, online, digital and on UPC Channel 944. Visit the website at www.rte.ie/ digitalradio/2xm Follow Jacqui on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rtereadysteadygo And find out all her latest news, gigs, pics and videos at www.artistecard.com/jacquicarroll
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A Pocket Full Of
There are a lot of people out there who would give anything to be the head of wholesale at Pretty Green. The affiliation between music and fashion, and working with one of the UK’s biggest rock icons, make it one of the most desirable vocations going... but there can only be one man for the job - Dean West... and he knows his stuff...! Up&Atom: I’m sure everyone knows, but can you humour us and tell us the Pretty Green story? How did it come about? Dean West: It had been a dream if Liam’s for sometime, to create a clothing brand that reflected his personal style. He always knew what it would be called (the name, taken from the track on The Jam’s Sound Affects, means money), designed the logo, taking his inspiration from The Beatles Rubber Soul album and set about gathering a team of like m i n d e d p e o p l e together to help make it happen. We s t a r t e d with a small collection based on the outfits worn by the kids in E t h a n R u s s e l l ’s photo book from The W h o ’ s Quadrophenia album; a parka, a striped boating blazer, a Harrington, the target tshirt. So with a core of traditional British street clothes, still at the heart of every collection, we’ve developed and grown those same looks into the broader brand offer you see today. U&A: There’s several elements to the Pretty Green range, including limited edition collections. What’s the inspiration behind these ranges? Can you give us some inside info on future ranges?! DW: We’re an extremely music obsessed bunch at Pretty Green and music is always at the heart of every collection. Pretty much every piece you
see can be tracked back to an authentic link with the world of rock and roll. Our eponymous Lennon Jacket is based on the ones worn by The Beatles at their Shea Stadium gig in America, ’65. A print based on the embroidery on George Harrison’s kaftan in ’68, that jacket Keith Richards was wearing in the photo of him in a scuffle outside the Speakeasy in ’70, the graphic from the t-shirt Keith Moon was wearing in his incredible solo at Hammersmith Odeon in ’72. There’s so much we draw from. The embroidery on next seasons desert boots for instance is John Lennon’s guitar strap from The Beatles last live performance on the roof of Apple in Savile Row in ’69. U&A: Pretty Green is a c o m p l e t e menswear brand with c l o t h i n g , footwear and accessories in it’s range. What exciting pieces can we expect to see added to the range going forward? DW: Well, we’ve really expanded the footwear offer, from 9 styles to about 50, so that’s very exciting. The tailoring collection is coming along very nicely thank you. The Theme collection next season is all about Abbey Road and the album cover artwork of Storm Thorgerson. We’ve taken the giant pig seen floating above the Battersea Power Station on the cover of Pink Floyd’s Animals album and used it as the collection motif, but we’ve embellished it with black and white stripes representing the famous zebra crossing outside Abbey Road studios.
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U&A: You’ve been with Pretty Green from it’s inception, but what did you do before tackling this project? DW: I’ve been working in fashion since I was very young. My Nan was a seamstress in Soho and my Dad, who trained at Simpsons of Piccadilly, made leather jackets and was proud to include Apple, the Beatles’ clothes store in Baker Street amongst his customers. I’ve had many roles over a long and happy career, from an international buying director for a key independent to creating and opening stores for brands in Tokyo, taking in retailer of the year, export manager at Ted Baker and working in a tannery in Mumbai along the way. Pretty Green feels like the role I was working towards the whole time though, to be honest. I love every minute! U&A: What’s your favourite Pretty Green piece? Is there anything you’d like to add to the range?
denim and only ever wear dark jeans, with a tshirt and leather jacket ideally, but even to weddings, funerals and events with a tailored jacket. Now I’m an older gentleman, I would love to have a Savile Row made to measure suit and a Crombie overcoat, one day!
DW: My personal favourite is the Fool On The Hill Overcoat from the second collection. It was a beautiful re-imagining of a British military coat from the mid 1800’s. We made it in the original fabric, a 900 gram cavalry twill, so dense it could apparently stop a musket ball at 100 yards and had a domed Pretty Green logo brass button specially cast for it. The half belt at the back and inverted vent gave it a striking flaredout silhouette. Really cool and very 70s rock star!
U&A: Finally, we’ve got to sneak this one in before we let you go... What’s it like working with Liam Gallagher?
U&A: What’s next for Pretty Green? DW: We have a few stores opening over the next few months and a really exciting collaboration launching later this year. (If I tell you, I’d have to kill you though!) Personally I’ll be concentrating on taking the brand a little further afield and into the global market place as my next step. Onwards and upwards! U&A: Now for a question we always like to ask. Do you have an all-time favourite album and/or film? DW: Soooo hard! Probably Quadrophenia and Clockwork Orange. Or Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On and Goodfellas. Or...
DW: As Liam once described the original Pretty Green 12 colour paisley... ‘It’s fuckin’ Biblical, man!’
I’d quite like to do a version of the traditional Perfecto leather jacket. The double breasted, zip front, cinched biker jacket as sported by Brando, Iggy, Sid, etc but as it’s the jacket most associated with the Rockers of the 60s I’m not sure how well it would be embraced by our loyal mod followers! U & A : W h a t ’s y o u r personal style? DW: I dress to fit my mood really, but I have a real passion for Japanese raw selvedge
Big thanks to Dean, pictured on the left here!
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Pretty Green... Pretty Essential... Here’s a quick run down of Pretty Green styles you need in your wardrobe, now! Find these, and loads more at: www.atomretro.com/pretty_green
The Granddad Shirt Already a Pretty Green staple, we can’t keep this indie t-shirt in stock! If you see it on the site, grab it before it sells out again! A fantastic Henley collar shirt - look out for more colours for spring too.
The T-Shirt There’s a huge range of Pretty Green t-shirts available - and each new collection includes at least one ‘Apple’ tee and a few special logo tees, like this crowd pic t-shirt, the picture was taken at the Beady Eye 2011 Reading Festival gig.
The Paisley Shirt Something Pretty Green is famous for - some of these shirts are already collectors items. Autumn and Winter 2014 sees the return of the colourful Vintage Paisley and the more subtle Linear Paisley in this classic grey and black colour way. Get yours before they all sell out!
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The Festival Jacket A great lightweight jacket designed with gigs or football terraces in mind. Cotton nylon paper touch fabric means this jacket is light to carry or stuff in your bag, but still keeps you dry when your standing in the English rain.
The Polo No menswear range would be complete without the classic mod polo. Tons of colours, short or long sleeve and with the obligatory tipping. You’ll need at least four or five colours!
The Lennon Jacket No prizes for guessing the inspiration behind this military meets Shea Stadium number. In 14 wale cord, this fab lightweight tunic channels John Lennon’s army shirt style. Smart and a great fit.
The Desert Boot Another mod staple. The Pretty Green desert boot in soft mossback suede and crepe sole, with a carefully reworked r o u n d e d t o e m a d e t o L i a m ’s specifications. Handmade in Portugal, using traditional shoemaking techniques.
... It’s my birthday too, yeah!
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Spiewak and Sons, Inc - known as Spiewak, are an American outerwear brand, new to Atom Retro this winter. Spiewak is famous for their military style clothing and specialising in outerwear. Founder, Isaac Spiewak was born in Warsaw, Poland and moved to the United States in 1903, settling in Brooklyn, New York. There he started a small family business, making sheepskin vests by hand and selling them on the docks of Williamsburg in 1940 - the first Spiewak garments. Only two years l a t e r, S p i e w a k ’s v e s t s were in high demand, and Spiewak found a small factory in Brooklyn, calling it ‘House of the Golden Fleece’, after the greek legend of the Golden Fleece. The moniker ‘Golden Fleece’ was first branded in 1919. Joined by his brothers, the Spiewak company expanded in to other outerwear garments, also making clothing under different names and brands. During the first World War Spiewak made wool coats and trousers for the US Army and Navy, including their famous Peacoats which continue to be made by Spiewak today. When the second World War broke out, Spiewak made more and more clothing and uniforms for the US military, including flight jackets, parkas, deck jackets and tanker jackets. Spiewak continue to make uniforms for the American forces including the police and the fire brigade. At the end of the second World War, Spiewak began to make clothing for civilians too. Spiewak is a company which values its history and heritage, making high quality jackets and coats to their tried and tested specifications in premium fabrics. The Golden Fleece name and the winged ram logo is recognised as a symbol of quality - “The Gold Standard of our Outerwear since 1904” the label proudly claims. Look out for Spiewak arriving at Atom Retro this Autumn. Their parkas and jackets are not to be missed! www.atomretro.com/ spiewak Pictured - Spiewak Snorkel Parkas in Sage & Navy, MA-1 Jacket and Quilted CPO Jacket
18 www.AtomRetro.com They say it’s your birthday! ...
Whitey On Drums! Drum Roll please! ... Up&Atom try to keep to the beat of legendary drummer, Steve White who popped in for a chat with Gibson London’s resident Super Mod, Simon Parr; about life in The Style Council, Paul Weller, The Who and his current project with Premier Drums... and that’s just a brief surmise! He’s a very busy man, is Mr White! So, hold on to your hi-hats and let the fun begin! Up&Atom: You’ve played with so many experimental stuff and because we had such a famous people - Paul Weller, The Style great time playing and making that music. Council, The Who... Have you got any fond U&A: The Style Council - where did the style memories you can share with us? come from? Did you have a stylist? Did you Steve White: I was just very, very blessed. One choose your own clothes? of my favourite people to work with was Ian Dury, because Ian always had a little anecdote SW: Absolutely not! We did it ourselves, and I or story of a gig or a musician and it was just was kind of influenced by the casual scene fabulous sitting and listening to him. The Who from South London, which had come via the thing was a real surreal experience, which up North, Liverpool. I was into labels like Gabicci, until reading Pete’s book a few months ago, I Fila and Lacoste and also we were quite into wasn’t even sure what he thought about it, but I knitwear, the likes of Lyle and Scott and think he was happy. Just with Paul [Weller] Pringle. Right by where we recorded there was we’ve got something like five or six hundred a massive Pringle store and I remember going songs that we made together and just some down and paying £38 for a Pringle V-neck amazing memories. Even now, working with jumper and my mum couldn’t believe I was some of the younger artists that I work with like spending that kind of money on a jumper! That Sam Gray, Kristyna Myles. I played a couple of style got kind of taken in by the band and as tracks on La Roux’s album. I really loved we travelled to Italy and places like that, we were able to check out the labels that were working with Elly, so yeah, I’m very lucky. being sold for young people at the time. We U&A: How old were you when you joined The just kind of amassed our own style. The white Style Council and how did you get the gig? Levi’s thing was very much inspired by Keith Moon, the whole kind of mod thing when he SW: I was 17 when I joined and I played my was doing The Who. There was a ready supply first gig on the 25th May 1983 with Paul, which in Japan, when all you could get in this country was his 25th birthday, then I became 18 on the were like dodgy 501s. 31st, so I was 17 when I played my first gig. I got it through Dennis Mundy, who was the A&R U&A: Tell us about Live Aid - weren’t you the guy, an old mod soul boy from South London second band on? who knew my uncle, so there was the attacking point. I got asked to come and audition for the SW: We were the second band on. Originally band and I didn’t actually know who it was and we were the first, but when Status Quo opted then when I got in there and saw the organ with to do Rocking All Over The World we got ‘The Style Council’ on it, I kind of worked it out! pushed to second. It was an amazing experience. There was an absolutely electric U&A: What was your favourite Style Council atmosphere in the stadium, which I think we song and why? caught on to very, very quickly. We had a brilliant day, the weather was absolutely SW: I’ve got two favourite albums and it’s really scorching! I think it remains one of my fondest hard because I’ve got something like 400 memories because it was the charity concert songs with The Style Council (according to that sort of started the global charity concert. Spotify!) I love Cafe Bleu and I love Our The adrenalin was going and I think we played Favourite Shop. That body of work, those two every single song three times faster than they songs are some of the proudest moments of should have been, but it was an absolutely my career. I love it for it’s originality, the fact amazing day. there was so many instrumentals and
We’d do the loop-de-loop in tailored suits! www.AtomRetro.com 17
20 www.AtomRetro.com They say it’s your birthday! ... U&A: When did The Style Council break up?
SW: Oh, that’s really a hard one! A lot of people know I’m a massive Kate Bush fan, which is SW: It was a little bit of a long, lingering death very strange, but I’m also a huge fan of Al I’m afraid. We officially split in 1989, but I’d Green and I love the sort of texture of those gone off and done loads of other stuff and records. I wanted to there was tours play on The Who’s during the career of Won’t Get Fooled the band that I Again, but then I actually missed actually got to do because I needed to that at Live 8 which keep working. There was pretty amazing. wasn’t any great But I think if there is political statement any one record that that I was making, I really would have it’s just that Paul loved to have said I and Mick both had played drums on, young children and it’s probably Lets work became a bit Stay Together, Al thin on the ground Green, because it’s after about 1987 an absolutely and I wanted to amazing piece of work. I was still pop. very, very young and so the last year U&A: Yo u ’ r e working with of the band, there wasn’t much going Premier Drums on. There was a now. What does final Japanese tour this entail? and a few dates at SW: My new role The Albert Hall with Premier Drums, which I simply another classic couldn’t do because British company I had work I’m going to be commitments and I heading up their was a bit gutted at e d u c a t i o n the time. programme, also U&A: What’s the co-designing some ‘remote recording’ of my own drums service you offer? called Modern Classics, which are SW: Well, basically obviously named it’s very easy these after the greatest days for musicians hits compilation that to make music in I worked on with Paul [Weller] back in 1996, their own homes and I’ve got a converted and then there’s the new one which I do play a garage in which I’ve got some very, very good small part in. They’re classic British made microphones and some outboard gear. It’s just drums that are designed with a jazz feel, very a little service I offer to people around the thin shells, very beautifully made with a world whereby they send me their tracks, I play designer called Keith Keogh, a designer and on them and if they like it, I get paid, and if they engineer up in Manchester. I’m really excited to don’t, nothing ventured, nothing gained, but be doing something that I still think is creative, they can’t use it if they don’t like it. A few but gives my interest another avenue to go up people have taken it up. It’s just another really. a v e n u e re a l l y, t h e s p i r i t o f b e i n g a n entrepreneur and moving on and trying to get Find out more about Steve White at your music out there. It’s very easy to record at http://www.whiteydrums.com home and very cheap, so I just thought I’d take or follow him on Twitter @drummerwhitey advantage of that really. U&A: If you could have played drums on any record, which one would it have been?
Interview by Simon Parr for Up&Atom
... It’s my birthday too, yeah!
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DONK Watches Here’s an exciting new addition to Atom Retro for Autumn 2014. Introducing Donk Watches - unique, retro inspired and skillfully crafted watches, made entirely from wood! Unlike heavy and bulky wrist watches made from metal, Donk Watches are strong but lightweight, offering the comfort and feel of organic design. The current range of retro designed watches are made from maple wood (light coloured watch), red sandlewood (dark coloured wood watch, pictured below in the box) or you can go for a hybrid of the two (pictured right) which makes up a cool, attractive dark and light design in both wood types. As each watch is crafted from wood, there are slight variations on each design, ensuring your Donk Watch is truly unique and one of a kind. The watches are splash proof, but not water proof. As the watch is made from natural wood, it is not designed to be submerged in water, but should be okay for normal domestic tasks like washing hands - so don’t forget to take it off before you jump in the shower! Each watch also comes in a stylish wooden box and with it’s own Donk branded storage sack - although we can’t imaging a time when you’ll want to take your Donk Watch off! As Christmas will soon be upon us, Donk Watches make a great, unusual gift idea too. View the Donk Watches range at: www.atomretro.com/donk_watches
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Down At The The Cavern Club’s Nick Robinson has many strings to his bow or bass, as he may prefer but then he’s limiting himself to just four strings, which isn’t that impressive! Nick knows his music... but he also knows a thing or two about clothing as well! Up&Atom caught up with Nick in between his taking to the stage as a Cave Dweller, one of The Cavern’s resident bands (along with Tim Shaw on guitar and Neil ‘Lucky’ Carter on drums), and his not so ordinary job as brand manager for Liverpool’s most famous club - isn’t life fun?!
Up&Atom: We know you from your work within the fashion industry, through the like of Gabicci Vintage and Peter Werth. How does that compare to life at The Cavern Club? Nick Robinson: Having worked and enjoyed over ten years working for the likes of Gabicci, Peter Werth, Full Circle, etc, I made the decision to join The Cavern. Being a musician and a big Beatle fan, it was an easy decision to make! I miss the relationships I had built up with my customers and the buying appointments with you guys (of course!) U&A: What’s it like working for the world famous Cavern Club, Liverpool? NR: My role in The Cavern is to develop and source the merchandise. Our own store/website is huge as you can imagine, but it’s also crucial we are wholesaling to suitable and credible retailers. I have access to fantastic original logos and merchandise from the archives so I know what we produce can have a real individual and c re d i b l e l o o k . T h e C a v e r n w a s s e l l i n g merchandise back in the 1960s. U&A: What’s in store at The Cavern later this year? NR: We have some exciting collaborations coming up later in the year following on from the last one we did with Bloomingdales in New York, as part of the 50th anniversary of the British Invasion. This has been a massive success for us so we hope to follow up on this also.
Visit The Cavern Club at: http://www.cavernclub.org See The Cave Dwellers (and perhaps join them on stage!) at The Cavern every Saturday night.
U&A: The Cavern Club played a major role in 60s music and Mersey Beat - from The Beatles lunchtime sessions to Cilla Black being the cloakroom girl - and it’s still an important and prestigious music venue today. What’s The Cavern’s role in todays live music scene? NR: We have live music from resident bands and solo artists seven days a week (eight if you like!) All day and every day, which is really unique. This along with the resident Cavern Club Beatles, who perform a sell out show every week in the live room.
Cavern Club The live room is where Paul McCartney performed to a privileged 300 people back in 1999 and is now host to new and established artists. In the past we’ve had Adele, Jessie J, Travis, Arctic Monkeys, Bruce Foxton and this year we hosted Jake Bugg. For the local new music scene we have Radio M e r s e y s i d e ’s D a v e M o n k s Presents every month, showcasing some great new artists. U&A: You’re also a regular on The Cavern Club stage. What do you do? NR: I also work as a solo artist and for the past four years I’ve played bass for the Saturday night resident band, The Cave Dwellers, which is an opportunity for people from all over the world to get on stage and perform on the world famous Cavern stage! We’ve had some fantastic musicians perform with us (some not so good, but I won’t point them out........ JOKE!) It is also such great fun! U&A: We know you’re well into your music, but who are your major musical heroes and influences? NR: My own personal musical heroes are The Beatles (of course), Edwyn Collins, and Crosby, Stills and Nash to name a few! A s a b a s s p l a y e r, P a u l McCartney is up there with the best of them, along with the Motown bass player, James Jamerson. Both great melodic bass players. U&A: Finally, everyone has a favourite Beatle. Who’s yours and why? NR: Has to be John Lennon, as I toured nationwide and in Europe with Instant Karma for years playing all of John’s solo material!
Having a laugh with The Cave Dwellers
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22 www.AtomRetro.com We’d do the loop-de-loop in tailored suits!
Mr Cool’s Dream... Mr Cool’s Dream: The Complete History Of The Style Council by Iain Munn is something of a legend in it’s own right. The only book to offer a detailed insight into Paul Weller’s ‘forgotten’ years, the book has been updated and re-released for 2014 in paperback and ebook format. The last print edition sold out completely in 2010 so there has always been the demand for a reprint, but this edition is not just a reprint - it’s a total revisit and redesign. We caught up with the author, Iain Munn to ask him about the book Paul Weller called, ‘The last word on The Style Council’...
Up&Atom: When did you first become aware had returned too, I remember booking a hotel in of The Style Council? Talbot Square for that one reason alone. What a dump! Metal bunk bed, no toilet. Cheap though! Iain Munn: I didn’t have the baggage of The Jam around my neck, so I was just discovering U&A: How many times did you see them live? music as a new teenager in 1983. The school was obsessed with George Michael or Depeche IM: Erm, ’84, ’85, ’87, but NOT ’89 - no ticket for the Albert Hall. I Mode, then The Pet was told by the box Shop Boys. For some office there would be reason I chose the ‘gay m o re d a t e s w h i c h band’ (not my words!) never materialised. I Billy Bragg, Working always wonder if I had Week, Everything But seen that final gig, The Girl and Blue Note. would I have written I ventured into the out the book... that was 25 of bounds Virgin record years ago this month. store’s Jazz room BUT respect was only U&A: What exactly is gained by sticking with your fascination with it. I championed it. I the band? didn’t leave school until IM: Ha ha, now, I must 1987 and by then I word this correctly! I guess I was Mr Style am fascinated by The Council. I then had Style Council’s music, visions for a magazine the band - I’m not a in 1987... Paul Weller obsessive. U&A: When did you I see them, but I do first see The Style not see me in them. Council? What was It’s a band of four key your favourite gig? players, all with a great story to tell. In 30 IM: October ’84 in years I’ve only met Edinburgh. 500 miles Paul the once. We do from London and zero communicate by post money meant I was as required. He is very limited to the Scottish helpful and answers all gigs until 1987, when a my questions. I just student grant funded got the book signed my overnight bus. Both this week. I’m happy S c o t t i s h g i g s w e re with that. You won’t cancelled due to poor find me at the stage ticket sales and I door before or after impressed everyone by gigs. Just once and heading to Hammersmith Odeon alone in November 1987 with my white trousers. Top that was to thank Ben for the guest ticket for night with Porky and some new tunes. Whitey one of my party. Paul passed in a flash, the mob
23 chased him to the bus with Jam posters and Stanley Road CDs. No one had Heliocentric or Cafe Bleu. Shame that. U&A: Tell us about the story behind the book? When was it first published? IM: Fanzine, college, photo copier and pritt stick glue, using a ZX Spectrum thermal printer then updating to a dot matrix. You can’t imagine doing that now! We have come a long way in 28 years. A book isn’t a book until it has an ISBN. So 1998 - paperbacks sold out. 2008 - hardback sold out. 2010 Ebook and now the new 2014 paperback. I am proud it has remained 100% independent and self funded. I got asked to contact a publisher who’d take it and ‘sell way more copies’. I politely declined. U&A: Are you still discovering new info about The Style Council? IM: Yes! Even after this new paperback, I got a lovely email to tell me the church in JerUSAlem, though portrayed in Aldburne, isn’t. So need to check that out. I also got some spelling corrections for venues in Japan, that sort of thing. U&A: What’s your Style Council collection like? Bet you’ve got a lot! IM: Yes I have, but I don’t have everything. I was invited to a house in Europe and I was amazed. This guy had everything! Thousands! He has items you wonder how he actually managed to get. But to answer your question, yes, I have some good stuff like a fully finished unreleased sleeve of A Paris. You will find it in the new paperback. Only two in the world. Maximum. U&A: I know you’ve met all the band. What has been the verdict on it all? IM: Yes, I’ve met them and I’m gonna say they love it. Steve White is a very good friend, for sure the most helpful ‘Councillor’ and Trio Valore are doing some great things. Dee is kind too. I sent her a video collection for her 50th and got a wonderful thank you in return. There have been little things since, which was nice. Mick doesn’t talk about them much which is a shame. He is still a very busy musician and lets hope as he gets older he has a little more time on his hands to reflect and open up his scrap books. Can I mention some friendly ‘Honorary Councillors’ like Hilary, Ant Harty, Sidelynk, Camelle Hinds and Dennis Munday. But, back to the book! It is not band official, and this is probably a surprise to you - I have never asked for an official interview, just a few questions. I hope they get the backing to
A few famous Faces pose with the new book and the author, Iain Munn.
24 www.AtomRetro.com We’d do the loop-de-loop in tailored suits! do one, it has amazing potential. I’ll help for sure! Don’t leave it to the record company and don’t steal bits out of my book without asking! U&A: Do you like The Jam and Paul Weller’s solo stuff too? IM: My current info gathering project that might end up as a book covers 1990 - 1999. Paul Weller solo is in the main, fantastic. I’ve not missed any releases. It’s noticeable the live setlist is pretty static though, so [in my] last letter I said The Style Council deserve two songs in the UK setlist, so lets see! USA always get three or four! The Jam? Ain’t listened to them in many years! I know all the tunes of course, but they are not for me. Sorry! U&A: Would you like to see The Style Council reform, even if only for one gig? IM: I’d like to see a secret gig, ‘The Party Chambers group’, with the setlist chosen by the fans. I ran a poll last year with 3000 and have the 22 tracks if required. If I could afford to fund it or get a charity night and they were keen, then for sure. It wouldn’t need any advertising budget as I’m sure I could find 200 people willing to pay for a ticket direct from my mailing list! For now we have The Style Councillors tribute group with great ambitions and full gig replication. Go and see them, build the hype, oh, and please review the book on Amazon! U&A: Is this the last and final edition? IM: It always is... But after just three days Amazon’s own projected stock sold out and after eight days, they’d bought all my remaining stock and have three more orders in, so excellent sales - it went to number one in music books, ahead of all the major book publishers Morrissey, Rod Stewart and fifth in biography charts, ahead of Amanda Holden, Del Boy etc. Little old Wholepoint Publications out sold the big guns with a 30 year old band no one liked [Laughs]. This stock was meant to last a year! It will have to be reprinted, I’ll amend the colour on the cover slightly so you know it’s a different run but it won’t be drastically different as the new format has been well received.
Fancy winning a signed copy of Mr Cool’s Dream? Keep your eye on www.atomretro.com for a competition coming very soon! Or if you just can’t wait, you can get your copy of Mr Cool’s Dream (before they all sell out!) from www.wholepoint.co.uk and all good book shops! And don’t forget to check out Iain Munn’s Style Council website at www.thestylecouncil.info Interview by Mark Baxter for Up&Atom.
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We love that Vintage Fur Coat look - Greta Garbo in the 1930s, Lana Turner in the 40s, Marilyn Monroe in the 50s and Marianne Faithful in the 60s - its a truly timeless, classic beautiful look... but we don't like to wear real fur and we don't like the killing of animals just to make a fur coat. Step in Designer Duchess, the finest in Vintage style faux fur coats. Premium quality faux fur coats from Designer Duchess - real statement coats and jackets and available from Atom Retro this season. The four styles available are gilet in black, bomber jacket in silver, three quarter sleeve coat in grey and of course, the full length coat in black (pictured to the left). Find them all at: www.atomretro.com/designer_duchess
They’re back, but they won’t last long so grab one quick! Limited edition Brutus Trimfit for Dr Martens shirts, utilising colours that are synonymous with Dr Martens mod culture - checks in yellow and oxblood. Each shirt comes with a special branded pouch and pocket square and features a button down, roll collar and the trademark darted fit. For the first time the shirts are also now available in women’s sizes too. Find them here: Mens: www.atomretro.com/brutus_trimfit Womens: www.atomretro.com/brutus_trimfit_womens
17 www.AtomRetro.com We’d do the loop-de-loop in tailored suits!
Pendleton Woolen Mills was founded over 100 years ago in Portland, Oregon. So vast is their history and heritage we simply cannot fit it all here - so here’s the facts you need to know... - Pendleton Blankets are among the finest in the world. The first item woven at Pendleton, they were originally made for Native Americans. - The Beach Boys were Pendleton fans - they were originally called ‘The Pendletones’ and wore Pendleton Board Shirts on 2 of their album covers. Pendleton wool shirts were part of the 1950s Ivy League look, in checks and plaids they gave a more casual side to sharp Ivy league fashions Find out more & buy Pendleton at: www.atomretro.com/pendleton
Launched in 2008, Darling is the vision of London based designer, Nadia Moraes. Ultra feminine, vintage inspiration and quintessentially ‘English’, Darling offers affordable luxury clothing with an emphasis on quality and attention to detail. The new Autumn and Winter collection incorporates a heritage look with a contemporary twist. Featuring delicate prints, beautiful cut away lace and cosy knits, this is one of the best collections for women this season. For you sixties fans, look out for sixties style dresses in retro prints and sharply cut mod styles. Shop the latest Darling collection here: www.atomretro.com/darling
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A Pint With... Michael Smiley Actor Michael Smiley is best known for his roles in The Worlds End, Spaced (as Tyres) and more recently Irish Pierre in Svengali. You might have also spotted him in the new series of Dr Who. Kevin Stone recently caught up with him for a quick half. Kevin Stone: Thanks for agreeing to catch up. What can I get you to drink? Michael Smiley: Sparkling water with ice and freshly squeezed lime... God’s cocktail! KS: So, Michael, busy man as usual. What projects are you currently working on? MS: I’m filming at the moment in Northern Ireland. We’re into the second week of the second series of my cycling series, Something To Ride Home About, for BBC NI. The next eight months could play out to be my busiest ever with five films penciled in. Last week was a milestone with an appearance on Dr Who, fighting the Darleks! A childhood wish realised! KS: Always the sharp dresser, how would you describe your style? MS: I would describe my style as: Rude boy meets Belfast costermonger! KS: Who are your style icons? Which era do you best relate to? MS: Weller rarely puts a foot wrong. His hit rate from the seventies until now is very high. Cathal Smyth from Madness has beautifully considered Michael Smiley having a jig, wearing his Baracuta style. Michael Caine in the sixties and Steve McQueen in his collegiate gear. Two Tone came collection, but again nobody can touch out when I was 16, a real epiphany for me Peckham Rye for their quality silk scarves and musically and style wise. ties. They’re the first stop when I want to KS: What are your brands of choice, top to accessorise, darling..! tail? I love a hat. I got a fantastic stingy brim fold up MS: At my age, the Harrington is the only in chocolate brown from the pork pie hat casual jacket that still cuts it. Ageless, timeless company in NYC last winter. and really versatile. Baracuta every time. I’ve a vintage pocket watch and chain with a Knitwear; John Smedley Merino wool crew neck beautiful old four Provinces of Ireland fob. My or a nice dark coloured cardigan in the same wife bought me a 1960s Omega Seamaster that wool. Polo or shirt - Smedley polo in Sea Island I cherish. cotton. Shirt, button down or long collar from Peckham Rye. Trousers; flat fronted, narrow KS: Last question from me and it’s a music bottom, hem having an argument with my ankle. related question. What tune guarantees to Socks; Peckham Rye or New and Lingwood. get your toe tapping? Shoes; Loakes were my first proper shoes. MS: It Ain’t Necessary, Marmie Galore. I’m Loafers with the golf tassel in burgundy when I Gonna Run Away From You, Tami Lynn. Guava was a 16 year old Rude Boy in ’79. I love all the Jelly, Owen Gary. Ranking Full Stop, The Beat. classic British shoemakers, but Loakes are I’m sorry but I can’t just give one, as there are usually my starting point. I hunt down vintage too too too many! Tootal scarves and cravats. I have a big Michael Smiley was chatting to Kevin Stone
19 www.AtomRetro.com We’d do the loop-de-loop tailored Lee: inAll of thesuits! above, plus I’d throw in The Who, The Kinks, and I love bands like The Stone Roses and The Charlatans. The sixties was a golden age of bands and songwriting, so there’s no need to look any further for inspiration, in my opinion. U&A: If you could claim to have written any song, what would it be? Lee: There’s tons, but Strawberry Fields Forever is just magical. U&A: We first found Lois back in 2009 through the Atom Retro Band Network and we always loved you for your music and partly for your appreciation of a fine pair of bellbottom flares!
Lois are John, Lee, Rich and Ade; a sixties influenced, flares wearing, Rock ‘n’ Roll Indie band who hail from Nottingham, UK. Lois recently released their first studio album, The Polperro Horse Bus Company, so we caught up with John and Lee for a quick chat. Up&Atom: To kick things off, tell us a bit about yourselves and Lois. How did it all first come together? What was the first song you wrote?
John: That was pretty much the start of Lois, once we’d found who we were, and that came at about the same time my original flares wore out and I discovered Atom Retro! How cool that you can buy brand new sixties clothes! I’ve been loyal to Atom Retro ever since! U&A: What’s your favourite item or style of clothing? (We’ve got to get a fashion question in somewhere!) John: I love Atom Retro flares! Also Cuban heel winklepicker Chelsea boots! I also love the leather jackets and shirts. In fact, if I had the money, I’d buy everything you sell! Lee: I love Atom Retro because I know I’m unlikely to bump into anyone else wearing the same thing, unlike the high street, G-Star crew! I also love Clarks Originals and proper Baracuta Harringtons!
John: The name came from a dream I had U&A: What are your favourite memories or where we were playing Glastonbury and the career highlights? backdrop said ‘Lois’, and I woke up with a vision to set up a brand new band with my Lee: We’ve supported some decent bands in best friend, Rich who I’ve known since we were five. I got into music [because of] a love and obsession with sixties music and also a love of sixties films, cars and clothes. We got together with Lee, someone I knew from college, and then there were three. Then fate and the universe brought us Ade and then there were four. We all love the sixties; the bands, the fashions and films and [we] just wanted to create the music we loved. The first song I wrote still hasn’t been recorded and possibly never will be! A very early song I wrote, Pleased To Please You is on the album along with one of my most recent ones, Your Own Little World. U&A: Who are your musical influences? John: The Doors, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, Tom Jones, Matt Monro.
recent years including TheWe’d Rifles, Theloop-de-loop Tribes John: Monkeysuits! Girl will always be special to me. do the in tailored www.AtomRetro.com 20 and more recently, The Moons a few weeks I had been for a drink and when I got home I ago. The highlight for me was making the started to write a song. It was the first out and album and out sixties when I see it style Rock ‘n’ on vinyl that Roll song that will be the had come to ultimate buzz me and it’s ‘coz I’ve set the loved playing benchmark records since for every song I was a kid! I’ve written It’s only taken since. I’ve l o n g e r never got b e c a u s e bored of it! we’ve funded W e ’ v e it and recorded it released it lots of times, ourselves, but trying to get we’re really t h a t p ro p e r proud of it. trashy sixties sound. Every U & A : Yo u r song on this new album, album is The Polperro special in it’s Horse Bus o w n w a y, Company is out now. Love the title - how did there’s nothing we’d consider filler as anything that come about? What’s the story behind that doesn’t make the grade tends to be burnt! the album? U&A: What’s next in John: The title came store for Lois? from the vision for the album, and it’s also John: Working on UK Authentically retro the title track. It’s a gigs as well as while fictional story based starting recording our simultaneously on a girl who used to second studio album. being absolutely work for the very real Lee: Promoting the contemporary . Horse Bus Company album, and as John Nice one, lads. down in Polperro in said, playing as much Cornwall which existed until a couple - Mark Radcliffe’s review of The Polperro Horse Bus a s w e c a n a n d working on songs for of years ago or so. It Company, BBC 6 Music the next album. used to take people f ro m t h e c a r p a r k down to the beach. The album and the title track sort of took on a life of it’s own. The album is very sixties with some modern twists. There are out and out sixties Rock ‘n’ Roll tracks like Monkey Girl, Click Click Isabella, King Of Opinion and also Don’t Leave Me Ruined, but also more modern sounding stuff like On The 10:02 and Your Own Little World, then there’s late sixties influenced grooves like Please To Please You and I’m Out For The Summer. Then there’s anthemic ones like Be True To Yourself and Jeanie (Ooh La La), then the jangly Don’t Waste Your Love Away and out and out rockers Who Can Help You Now and Star Is Falling. U&A: Your song Monkey Girl is one of our faves. We’ve read the poetic story about it on your website. It’s pretty deep! Which of your songs mean the most to you?
Find out more about Lois at their website www.loistheband.com The new album is out now and can be purchased via iTunes for £5.99!
21 ...And in the end...
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