Anyway, the liner notes on Dr. Crow gave an unusual level of detail about “You’re Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond”: “New words and music by Mick Farren and Andy Colquhoun to the original by Blind Willie Johnson”. Andy Colquhoun is a past UARA and long-time member of the Deviants.
(August 2013)
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From my first exposure to his remarkable body of work back in the late 1970’s, Mick Farren became one of my very favorite rock musicians. He has released solo albums, and he has been in a number of amazing rock bands also: the Social Deviants, the Deviants, the Pink Fairies, and others. Early on, Farren wrote lyrics for another of my long-time favorite bands, Hawkwind. One of Farren’s long-time collaborators, Andy Colquhoun is a past UARA. Mick Farren was also a prolific writer on a host of subjects and published numerous science-fiction novels. The Allmusic entry on him by Chris True begins: “To say that Mick Farren was a ‘jack of all trades’ is putting it mildly.”
Also in 1978, MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer was released from prison after a drug conviction, and he was invited by Mick Farren to celebrate by performing at a gig at Dingwalls Dancehall that was run by former Pink Fairies roadie David “Boss” Goodman. To my knowledge, this is the first time (chronologically) that past UARA Andy Colquhoun (guitar) performed with Mick Farren. Others present include Larry Wallis (guitar) and George Butler (drums). This concert helped revive Wayne Kramer’s musical career; he has released several more albums over the years and has also appeared in concert with Mick Farren on other occasions.
As described on the funtopia.com website: “On his return to England in 2009, he [Mick Farren] reconvened his band the Deviants along with his long time friend and musical collaborator Andy Colquhoun and original 1960s era Deviants and later Pink Fairies, Russell Hunter and Duncan ‘Sandy’ Sanderson. They played a number of well received gigs since reforming, including The Spirit of ’71 stage at Glastonbury [Festival] in 2011, as well as the Sonic Rock Solstice Festival in Wales, June 2013. The Deviants also released a new single on Shagrat Records in July 2013 called ‘The Fury of the Mob’. Mick collapsed on stage whilst the Deviants were performing at the Atomic Sunshine Festival at the Borderline Club on Saturday 27th July 2013. He never regained consciousness.”
My proudest achievement is my tribute to legendary underground rock musician Mick Farren, which appeared in March 2014. I garnered a lot of praise that my friend Suzy Shaw of Bomp! Records forwarded to me – from past UARA and fellow bandmember in the Deviants, Andy Colquhoun (who posted a link on the band’s Facebook page), from Mike Stax of Ugly Things Magazine (who published my article on Milan year before last), and from Suzy Shaw herself.
(Year 5 Review)
