Steve Took's Horns

Last updated

Steve Took's Horns
Origin London, England
Genres Rock
Years active1977–1978, 2002
Labels Cherry Red Records
Past members Steve Peregrin Took
Trev Thoms
Ermanno Ghisio Erba
Jamie Roberts
Steve Scarsbrook
John (a German biker)
Ron Tree

Steve Took's Horns was an English rock band with blues rock and punk influences formed in 1977 by former Tyrannosaurus Rex percussionist (and Pink Fairies founder) turned solo artist Steve Peregrin Took together with Trev Thoms, later of Nik Turner's Inner City Unit (although Took had been using the bandname since 1976). The band was the first in which Thoms worked with his future Inner City Unit bandmate Ermanno Ghisio Erba aka Dino Ferari, in what would be a long string of collaborations until Thoms' death in 2010. A 2004 posthumous album of the band was reviewed in Classic Rock magazine, [1] a 1978 live performance was reviewed in Melody Maker, [2] the band's 1977 recording session was described at length in a Forced Exposure interview with eyewitness Larry Wallis [3] and the band was euologised in a Record Collector article about Took written by Luke Haines. [4]

Contents

History

Formation

Since leaving Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1969, Took had formed his own band Shagrat with guitarist Larry Wallis. The group had recorded electric and acoustic demos and played at the Phun City festival before dwindling down into a solo acoustic act by Took. In this capacity Took had become a staple of the underground benefit concerts circuit, been the subject of various articles and interviews for the UK music press and performed a set on the BBC Radio London show Breakthrough (hosted by Steve Bradshaw). A 1972 management deal with Tony Secunda and 'seed money' grant from Warner Brothers failed to result in any record releases, although home demos recorded in the basement flat of Secunda's office were released in 1995 by Cleopatra Records. [5]

By 1976, Took had returned to London from a lengthy sojourn in the Kent towns of Canterbury and Margate and was loosely rehearsing as Steve Took's Horns with a succession of musicians. The name came from a horned pendant which Took frequently wore. The Horns became a more serious band in mid/late 1977 when Took recruited Thoms and Ghisio-Erba to the band and signed a management contract with Tony Landau, a friend of Turner's since adolescence and stepfather to Took's young son Luke. [6]

Career

Through extensive rehearsals (later described by Thoms as "the most outrageous misuse of drugs I've ever done while playing music") [6] the band compiled a set of songs heavily influenced by The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Sex Pistols. On 29 November at Pathway Studios in London, the band recorded three of these songs, "It's Over", "Average Man" and "Woman I Need." By chance, Took's old collaborator Wallis, a frequent producer at the studio, was on hand for the session. However, disheartened by Took's consumption of considerable alcohol in order to prepare himself to sing, Wallis left before Took completed his vocal. [7] [3] Years later, he expressed surprise and pleasure to learn that in fact Took performed a good vocal for the tracks. [6]

Landau approached several record companies with the tape, but was met with wariness due to Took's reputation for drug consumption and unreliability. Eventually a concert was booked as a showcase for the band at Nik Turner's Bohemian Love-In at The Roundhouse on 18 June 1978. [8] [9] The resulting gig, although technically sound, was deemed a disappointment by the band and Took consequently broke up the group. [6] Reviewing the event for Melody Maker, writer Chris Brazier described the band as "flagrantly retrogressive hard rock from the sewer of '71." [2] Mike Scott, future singer for The Waterboys, who was in attendance, many years later recalled feeling surprise that the group "played boogie-ish rock" rather than a more folky mystical act, given Took's past in Tyrannosaurus Rex. He also recalled that Took seemed subdued and that Thoms largely carried the show. [10]

Aftermath

Despite the breakup, the Horns had made a considerable impression on Took's circle of acquaintances. Consequently, Turner first recruited Ferari to his Sphynx project, before adding Thoms to form his new band Inner City Unit (known for short as ICU) in 1979. Took was quick to notice that Turner had effectively resurrected his old band - ICU keyboardist Steve Pond recalls Took in 1979 trying to blag his way into the group. [6] [11]

This approach proved partly successful as Took frequently guested with Inner City Unit in 1979-1980 with Took, Thoms and Ghisio-Erba performing together in what were effectively Horns reunions. [6] [11] Two bootleg recordings exist of Took performing a cover of "Slow Down", (previously rehearsed by the Horns) with Inner City Unit - by now featuring Mick Stupp on drums - on 6 May 1980 at Meanwhile Gardens in Notting Hill Gate [12] and 16 June 1980 at Camden's Music Machine. [6] [11]

In 1988, Thoms' new band Atomgods's debut album WOW! included a track Mountain Range written by Thoms in memory of his time with the Horns. Thoms would later re-record the song in 1997 for Inner City Unit's new album Now You Know The Score. [6]

In 2004, 24 years after Took's death, Cherry Red released the Pathway Studios session as the core of an album, Blow It - The All New Adventures Of Steve Took's Horns. [4] In addition to the three 1977 tracks plus an out-take version of "Average Man" with Took comically improvising after forgetting his lyrics, the CD also featured remixes of the tracks and the 1997 version of Thoms' aforementioned "Mountain Range" tribute song, plus new recordings of two other Took songs, "Ooh My Heart" and "Too Bad" which the Horns had been rehearsing in 1977-1978. These new recordings featured Thoms and Ghisio-Erba together with former Hawkwind frontman Ron Tree on lead vocals and bass. [13] Classic Rock magazine reviewer Hugh Fielder commented on the three original 1977 Horns tracks, "They sound a bit like The Faces if Rod Stewart had been replaced by Johnny Thunders. Which has possibilities." [1]

On the strength of their collaboration on the Steve Took's Horns CD, Thoms and Tree formed a new band, briefly also featuring Ghisio-Erba. The band was initially known as Inner City Horns - (acronym ICH) then later Inner City Hawks (also ICH) before settling on the name MOAB (Mother Of All Bands). An alternative mix of the Horns song "Ooh My Heart", as recorded for the Horns CD, was included as a secret bonus track on the 2005 Amphetibeast Records edition of MOAB's album Insect Brain. [14]

Writing about Took's solo/frontman career for Record Collector, former The Auteurs frontman Luke Haines summarised the Horns as "a tough pub rock bovver boy group that managed to record a few great songs and typically, again managed to not get them released" until "[the] Horns material [became] available on the Cherry Red comp Blow It!!! – The All New Adventures Of ..." [4]

Line ups

Studio session at Pathway Studios 29 November 1977

Live performance at Nik Turner's Bohemian Love-In, The Roundhouse 18 June 1978

New recordings made late 2002 for CD release

Timeline

Steve Took's Horns

Discography

Album

Guest appearance

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Wallis</span> British rock musician (1949–2019)

Larry Wallis was a British rock guitarist, songwriter and producer. He was best known as a member of the Pink Fairies and an early member of Motörhead.

Shagrat was a British supergroup formed by Steve Peregrin Took and Mick Farren in February 1970 after they split with Twink, their partner in the prototype Pink Fairies supergroup of late 1969. They recruited Larry Wallis and Tim Taylor (bass), both formerly of The Entire Sioux Nation. Farren left the band shortly after its establishment and never recorded or performed with them. Shagrat then became Took's band outright with Wallis, Taylor, Phil Lenoir (drums), and later Dave Bidwell (percussion).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Peregrin Took</span> English musician and songwriter (1949–1980)

Steve Peregrin Took was an English musician and songwriter, best known for his membership of the duo Tyrannosaurus Rex with Marc Bolan. After breaking with Bolan, he concentrated on his own singer-songwriting activities, either as a solo artist or as a frontman for several bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nik Turner</span> English musician (1940–2022)

Nicholas Robert Turner was an English musician, best known as a member of space rock pioneers Hawkwind. Turner played saxophone and flute, as well as being a vocalist and composer. While with Hawkwind, Turner was known for his experimental free jazz stylisations and outrageous stage presence, often donning full makeup and Ancient Egypt-inspired costumes.

Inner City Unit were a London based popular music group active from 1979 through to 1985, their music style encompassing psychedelia and punk rock. They recorded four studio albums, one studio EP and one compilation album of previously unreleased material.

Trevor Thoms, known as Judge Trev Thoms and Judge Trev, was a British guitarist, best known for being a member of Inner City Unit, Atomgods, and The Steve Gibbons Band.

Dino Ferari is an Italian drummer who has worked with a number of British bands. He played with former Tyrannosaurus Rex percussionist Steve Peregrin Took's band Steve Took's Horns alongside Trev Thoms on guitar. After The Horns both Thoms and Ferari joined former Hawkwind saxophonist Nik Turner in Inner City Unit.

Ronald Tree is an English musician and songwriter, best known as frontman and bassist for the English space rock band Hawkwind from 1995 to 2002. He also played both these roles in the reunited Steve Took's Horns in 2002, taking the place of Steve Peregrin Took. He later became the vocalist/songwriter in the Hawklords, alongside Jerry Richards, Harvey Bainbridge, Dave Pearce and Tom Ashurst.

John Charles Edward Alder, also known as Twink, is an English drummer, actor, singer, and songwriter who was a central figure in the English psychedelic movement.

<i>Hall of the Mountain Grill</i> 1974 studio album by Hawkwind

Hall of the Mountain Grill is the fourth studio album by space rock band Hawkwind, released in 1974. It is regarded by many critics as a career highlight.

<i>A Beard of Stars</i> 1970 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

A Beard of Stars is the fourth studio album by English psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex, and their last before changing their name to T. Rex. It was released in March 1970 by record label Regal Zonophone.

<i>Unicorn</i> (Tyrannosaurus Rex album) 1969 studio album by Tyrannosaurus Rex

Unicorn is the third studio album by English psychedelic folk band Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on 16 May 1969 by record labels Regal Zonophone and Blue Thumb, and was the last Tyrannosaurus Rex album to feature Steve Peregrin Took.

<i>Live Seventy Nine</i> 1980 live album by Hawkwind

Live Seventy Nine is a 1980 live album by Hawkwind recorded on their Winter 1979 UK tour. It reached #15 on the UK album chart.

<i>This Is Hawkwind, Do Not Panic</i> 1984 live album by Hawkwind

This is Hawkwind, Do Not Panic is a 1984 live album by the English space rock group Hawkwind. The album consisted of two discs: an LP which was recorded during the group's 1980 Levitation tour; and a 12" EP recorded at their June 1984 appearance at the Stonehenge Free Festival.

Atomgods were a UK heavy rock band from late 1980s. The band were formed by former Inner City Unit guitarist Judge Trev Thoms, the first recording lineup consisting of Hiro Sasaki and Kofi Baker. They were signed to GWR Records producing the 1988 album WOW! and the 1991 album History Re-Written.

<i>Think Pink</i> 0000 studio album by Twink

Think Pink is the 1970 debut album by English psychedelic musician Twink. It was produced by Mick Farren and featured members of The Pretty Things, The Deviants, plus Steve Peregrin Took of Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on Sire Records in the US in 1970 and Polydor Records in the UK in early 1971 The final two tracks were the only commercial release of any songs written by Took until 1990, ten years after his death.

<i>Kings of Oblivion</i> 1973 studio album by Pink Fairies

Kings of Oblivion is the third album by the UK underground group Pink Fairies, released in 1973.

<i>Xitintoday</i> 1978 studio album by Nik Turners Sphynx

Xitintoday is a studio album released by Nik Turner's Sphynx in 1978. It was produced by Steve Hillage.

<i>Hype</i> (album) 1981 studio album by Robert Calvert

Hype is a 1981 album by singer Robert Calvert, the former frontman of British space-rock band Hawkwind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. Rex (band)</span> English rock band

T. Rex were an English rock band, formed in 1967 by singer-songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan, who was their leader, frontman and only consistent member. Though initially associated with the psychedelic folk genre, Bolan began to change the band's style towards electric rock in 1969, and shortened their name to T. Rex the following year. This development culminated in 1970 with their first hit single "Ride a White Swan", and the group soon became pioneers of the glam rock movement.

References

  1. 1 2 "Classic Rock » The Archive » November 2004 » Page 74 » Steve Took's Horns". Archive.classicrockmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. 1 2 "Bohemian Love-In review by Chris Brazier, Melody Maker 24 June 1978 p67". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Slicing up Bacon for Baby Snakes - Larry Wallis interview, Forced Exposure issue 11, Winter 1987". Funtopia.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. 1 2 3 "Auteur to Author - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com.
  5. ↑ "The story of Steve Took's singer-songwriting career". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Liner notes to Blow It - The All New Adventures Of Steve Took's Horns, Cherry Red CDM RED 255, 2004
  7. ↑ "CAREER HISTORY - CHAPTER 6 - 'HE SENT ME SOME TAPES AND THEY WERE INTERESTING'- (Steve's brief 1977-8 career revival, and the story of Steve Took's Horns)". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Abrahams, Ian (30 July 2004). Hawkwind: Sonic Assassins. SAF Publishing Ltd. p. 112. ISBN   9780946719693 – via Google Books.
  9. ↑ Clerk, Carol (4 November 2009). The Saga of Hawkwind. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857120175 – via Google Books.
  10. ↑ "BOHEMIAN LOVE-IN REVIEW By Mike Scott of the Waterboys". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 "CAREER HISTORY - CHAPTER 7 - 'CAN I EVER HOPE TO DIE NATURALLY' - (Steve's last days, 1978-1980)". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. 27 October 1980. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Inner City Unit - 1980-06-21 - Maclen's Live Archive - audio archive list". Hawkwind.altervista.org. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "STEVE TOOK'S HORNS - History of the band and gig adverts". Stevetook.mercurymoon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  14. ↑ Music from the Hawkwind family tree - Part 18 - Starfarer's Hawkwind Page
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.