{"title":"Thee Headcoats","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"heavens-to-murgatroyd-even-its-thee-headcoats-already","title":"Heavens to Murgatroyd, Even! Its Thee Headcoats (Already)","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhat’s the story behind the album title? “Heavens to Murgatroyd, even!” is a term of surprise by Snagglepuss, a bright pink lion, who starred in his very own Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The term was famously employed by The Downliners Sect on the intro to their top tune ‘Leader of The Sect’. This album originally came out on Sub Pop Records in 1990. The label was known for US grunge at the time, how come they ended up working with a Medway garage ‘n’ racket group? We prefer the term “Maximum Drums and Racket”. It all came about because a young Steve Turner, of Mudhoney fame, when a young lad visiting England with his father, happened across Thee Mighty Caesars playing at The Cricketers Public House at the Oval. Fast forward five years and he is telling the Seattle Grunge mob all about how great we are. We were then invited to play with Mudhoney on their first Sub Pop jaunt in the UK. Bruce Pavitt, the Sub Pop visionary, saw our mass appeal and asked if we'd knock out an LP for Sub Pop. He also asked me to sign a contract. I replied - “what’s a contract, can you eat it?” By this good chance we still owned the LP. You recorded the album at Red Studios in Wouldham, near Rochester in Kent. What are your memories of recording there? It was all fine and dandy, I won’t go into details as I don’t want to embarrass Red Rodders, the engineer. Let’s just say there was a lot of marsh gas down Wouldham way. Some of the tracks were recorded with Ollie Dolot (The Squares) on bass and backing vocals. How long was he in the band and why did he end up leaving? Ollie was in for a good few months. Ron (Bruce) roped him in. Then whilst helping out The Cramps with their show at the Town and Country Club (formerly the home of British Fascism) we ran into Tub and knowing him from when he was guitarist with Mike Spenser and The Cannibals we asked if he'd like to twang the onion twine. Ron then told Ollie he was out the band sunshine and that it was me who had thrown him out. Which was not the case, it was Ron. I also think Ollie may have been absent due to being nicked for house breaking, or something. Strange but true. This new edition is expanded with two non-album tracks and has brand new artwork. What made you want to release it with a different cover? Sub Pop did the cover without asking - a bit of a shocker! This cover is near to what we would have done ourselves. The two extra tracks would have been on the original LP, but they got swiped as 45s by small labels desperate to get a bit of gold. Are there any songs on the album that you’re particularly proud of? They are all pretty top notch but ‘We're Gone’ and ‘Rusty Hook’ sit nicely with ‘Troubled Mind’ and ‘Girl From ‘62’. Along with the 13 Childish-penned tracks is a cover of ‘Stewball’, a song made famous by Leadbelly and later covered by several artists in the 1960s. What made you want to record your own version? I just love Leadbelly. I believe we even brought him to the mind of that young fellow-me-lad Kurt Cobain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50395201372491,"sku":"2143726","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50395201470795,"sku":"2143730","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/DG602-10cm_063b2ecb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726457388"},{"product_id":"i-am-the-object-of-your-desire","title":"I Am The Object Of Your Desire","description":"\u003cp\u003eReissue of Thee Headcoats’ final album in their original incarnation! Originally released by Friends Of The Buff Medway Fanciers Association Records in 2000! The final studio release by Thee Headcoats (until last year’s Irregularis: The Great Hiatus) gets a long-awaited vinyl reissue! Includes eleven Billy Childish originals plus a cover of Bo Diddley’s ‘Great Grandfather’! Recorded at May Road and Red Studios. Engineered by Graham Semark. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50409762914635,"sku":"2190525","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/thee_headcoats_i_am_the_object_of_your_desire_DG610_4cba211f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726626278"},{"product_id":"leader-of-the-sect-bona-paralysed-by-the-moun","title":"Leader of the Sect 'bona!' \/ Paralysed by the Mountains","description":"\u003cp\u003eThee Headcoats are arguably the most famous and influential of the many group incarnations that Billy Childish has formed or performed in since 1977. Cited in the New York Times - back in the day - as 'the undisputed kings of garage rock', Thee Headcoats rule (1989 - 2000) saw them as Childish's most prolific group - up until that time - releasing upwards of eighteen albums and over 45 singles. Thee Headcoats performed their last gig in 2000. With a 'break' of twenty-two years, Thee Headcoats got together over a weekend earlier this year and recorded a brand new LP, a 45 and an EP. These being released through Damaged Goods Records Here, Spinout Nuggets comes into the picture. Having the ear of mister Childish, our executives convinced the Dearstalking Man to allow us access to the original tapes and can now proudly present a 45 from that same great session, allowing the listener an earhole of a 'Bona' alternative version of 'Leader Of The Sect', - complete with 'Round The Horns Sandy and Julian' on the intro (also listen out for Thee Headcoatees on backing vocals). This is coupled with an unreleased rendition of '\u003ci\u003eParalysed By The Mountains\u003c\/i\u003e'. Our advice: don't hang about if you want this classic piece of wax spinning on your turntable, as Thee Headcoats' 45s don't go stale on the shelf. The Kids might be all Square, but this is HIP!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Spinout Nuggets","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50431895568715,"sku":"2024940","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1086469727_10_a23d8981_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726860653"},{"product_id":"irregularis-the-great-hiatus","title":"Irregularis (The Great Hiatus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe undisputed kings of garage rock are back! It’s been 22 years since the last Headcoats album, but now Billy, Bruce, and Johnny return with a brand-new studio album! Recorded last year at Ranscombe Studios in Rochester.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50448434561355,"sku":"2013147","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50448435151179,"sku":"2013148","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b30c94b9-b5e2-46a5-b9ba-75af2c9fbd46_02c0ca10_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727091785"},{"product_id":"full-time-plagiarist","title":"Full Time Plagiarist","description":"\u003cp\u003eThee Headcoats and CTMF go head-to-head! Two Billy Childish bands battle it out with versions of the same song! Thee Headcoats version is taken from their forthcoming new studio album \u003ci\u003eIrregularis: The Great Hiatus.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe CTMF version is exclusive to this release. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo versions of the same song by different bands. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Has each band heard the other version? If so, did they pass judgement? No, neither group heard the other version. I had forgotten how the CTMF version went - even though it was only a few weeks past. As with all the LPs there’s no rehearsal. I play the track - we do a run through and then press record. I don’t remember how either version goes now. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere’s a famous saying – “Talent borrows; genius steals”. Are you a borrower? A stealer? Or something else entirely? As I’ve said before, I follow strict music industry guidelines and only plagiarise 50 percent of my material. Kurt Cobain put it better - he said people thought he was original because he didn’t let on what he was ripping off. Though we know he got the riff to his most famous song from The Daggermen, a local group Wolf (our drummer) played in. What was it like recording with Bruce and Johnny after such a long time? We met up in the studio in the morning, had a cuppa, a chat, plugged in and recorded the LP (in two days.) It was the first time we'd all been together in about 30 years, and it felt like yesterday - just laughing and joking about how rubbish we were and generally having fun. It was like no time had passed at all. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLove the sleeve picture for this 7”! A lot of people miss the humour in your work, does that frustrate you? I’m not frustrated but surprised that the British seem to have lost their sense of humour somewhat - they’ve been pretty po-faced since 1978, I think. I was brought up on Pete and Dud when I was a kid. Interestingly a lot of comedians seem to like what we do. Stewart Lee has always been a fan and he said there are others of his ilk. If something can’t be mocked or laughed at, I’m not that interested in it.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50481861853515,"sku":"2007473","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/DG591-10cm_4689a1fa_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727545801"},{"product_id":"head-box","title":"Head Box","description":"\u003cp\u003eFour albums by Thee Headcoats in a clamshell box set complete with booklet. With exclusive new artwork by Bruce Brand at Arthole! The four albums in the set are - \u003ci\u003eHeadcoats Down! The Kids are all Square, This Is Hip!, Headcoatitude and W.O.A.H! Bo in Thee Garage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50504242364747,"sku":"1168754","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/af655088-344e-4208-8d21-88645ddb0bec_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727802494"},{"product_id":"a-tribute-to-don-craine-ep","title":"A Tribute To Don Craine EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eFour song Extended Play 7” by Thee Headcoats Sect! “Absolutely fantastic, cracking rhythm 'n' blues, best thing I've heard for years!” - Rob Symmons (The Fallen Leaves) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter 23 years off Thee Headcoats (Billy, Bruce and Tub) have again teamed up with Keith Evans of Downliners Sect, to record a top notch Extended Play as Thee Headcoat Sect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'The Backer Street Irregulars' features Keith on lead vocals, still equipped with all the power, fun and attitude that put him at the top of the tree of British R'n'B vocalists back in the heyday of rhythm and beat. The EP was recorded in honour of their dear friend Don Craine (the leader of the Sect), who passed over in February 2022.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTRACKLISTING A1 – The Baker Street Irregulars A2 – Oh Leader, We Do Dig Thee B1 – One Ugly Child B2 – The Ballad of Malcolm Laphroaig (Alt Version)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50520933007691,"sku":"1169823","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/07d69be1-8842-493a-9744-3b642e6f1648_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727987221"},{"product_id":"in-tweed-we-trust","title":"In Tweed We Trust","description":"\u003cp\u003eClassic Thee Headcoats action from Billy, Bruce and Johnny. Originally released in 1996 this is one of the most essential from the self-proclaimed 'purveyors of the finest english punk rock'. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - Limited Edition Duck Egg Blue Vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50524020277579,"sku":"1041489","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50524022505803,"sku":"260807","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/72f03e70-0df4-4c47-b6db-f7cd3306cf4b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728026247"},{"product_id":"ready-sect-go","title":"Ready Sect Go","description":"\u003cp\u003ethee headcoats sect is the inevitable intersection of two generations of mad-hatted punk r 'n' b misfits with musical and philosophical lineage that can be traced back over more than 30 years. the donwliners sect were among the country's foremost rhythm and blues groups, their most prolific period being the years from 1964 to 1966. as is often the case, they were denied the sort of success they deserved - they were outcasts, too young, too uncouth, and just a tad too eccentric to be accepted by their peers. as the melody maker said of their debut album in 1964: 'forget this one if you want a happy christmas, and don't want to drive all the guests away from your party'....today, however, to fans of raw, vital punk r 'n' b, the donwliners sect are revered above and beyond any of their tamers, more famous uk beat contemporaries. now, fast forward 30 years or so. a group of punk r'n'b upstarts (including one mr billy childish), wearing ludicrous headgear, with a milkshakes and mighty caesars pedigree are wowing the seething mass of young, uncouth, eccentric garage-heads at venues all over the country, and in the usa, and in japan. today chatham, tomorrow the world! thee headcoats had kicked at the same locked doors as the downliners sect had before them, but now had found the key to success. now, fast forward again. what if the now greying original sectarians were to team up with the upstart headcoats? pit these seasoned r\u0026amp;b icons against the punk energy of their bastard children, let 'em sink their still healthy choppers into some of childish's brash, biting material and capture the whole mess on tape with as little technological interference as possible. it couldn't be anything less brilliant!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50524977955147,"sku":"284686","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0f199d63-2ce0-46f6-86b9-51ce9685dff4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728029602"},{"product_id":"conundrum","title":"Conundrum","description":"\u003cp\u003eA reissue of a classic Thee Headcoats LP, 'Conundrum', this time on white vinyl. Thee Headcoats were mainly Billy Childish (Git \/ Vox) Bruce Brand (Drums) and Johnny Johnson (bass), they formed in 1989 after Billy's previous band Thee Mighty Caesars gave up the ghost. By 1992 they had already released something like 6 albums and 15 singles. 'Conundrum' was originally released in 1994 by Super Electro Sounds in the USA and Hangman Records everywhere else. It's considered by many to be one of the best Headcoats albums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50525187113291,"sku":"397417","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b650aa82-d201-4af0-b97d-7a07fbdbe03b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728031040"},{"product_id":"elementary-headcoats-the-singles-1990-1999","title":"Elementary Headcoats - The Singles 1990 -1999","description":"\u003cp\u003eA retrospective compilation of singles released on a multitude of different labels throughout the 90′s. Featured tracks are '(We Hate The Fuckin') NME' 'My Dear Watson' and 'Every Bit Of Me'. A fitting tribute to one of the greatest bands ever. Thee Headcoats were mainly Billy Childish (Guitar \/ Vox) Bruce Brand (Drums) and Johnny Johnson (bass), they formed in 1989 after Billy's previous band Thee Mighty Caesers gave up the ghost. By 1992 they had already released something like 6 albums and 15 singles one of which was catalogue number Damgood1, a split single with Thee Headcoatees.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP | x3","offer_id":50525284499787,"sku":"394066","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/33a0d848-5a39-46b0-b3d8-1c2b246aa968_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728032225"},{"product_id":"deerstalking-men","title":"Deerstalking Men","description":"\u003cp\u003edamaged goods is proud to present re-issues of one of thee great collaborations of our times...legendary 60's garage pioneers the downliners sect and thee headcoats...ladies and gentlemen i give you thee headcoats sect. thee headcoats sect is the inevitable intersection of two generations of mad-hatted punk r \u0026amp; b misfits with musical and philosophical lineage that can be traced back over more than 30 years. the downliners sect were among the country's foremost rhythm and blues groups, their most prolific period being the years from 1964 to 1966. as is often the case, they were denied the sort of success they deserved - they were outcasts, too young, too uncouth, and just a tad too eccentric to be accepted by their peers. as the melody maker said of their debut album in 1964: 'forget this one if you want a happy christmas, and don't want to drive all the guests away from your party'. today, however, to fans of raw, vital punk r \u0026amp; b, the downliners sect are revered above and beyond any of their tamers, more famous uk beat contemporaries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50527766249803,"sku":"272425","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Deerstalking_Men_11f5572a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728057678"},{"product_id":"the-sherlock-holmes-rhythm-n-beat-vernacular","title":"The Sherlock Holmes Rhythm ‘n’ Beat Vernacular","description":"\u003cp\u003e“The undisputed kings of garage rock” are back once again! Two years on from their 2023 album Irregularis (\u003cem\u003eThe Great Hiatus\u003c\/em\u003e), Thee Headcoats are back with a new record that ranks alongside the very best of their 1990s albums. We proudly present to you \u003cem\u003eThe Sherlock Holmes Rhythm ’n’ Beat Vernacular\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing 12 fab cuts (or ditties, if you prefer) recorded last year at Ranscombe Studios in Rochester. \u003cem\u003eThe Sherlock Holmes Rhythm ’n’ Beat Vernacular\u003c\/em\u003e will be released on the same day as \u003cem\u003eMan-Trap\u003c\/em\u003e, a brand-new album by Thee Headcoatees, which features the chaps on rhythm section duties.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Damaged Goods","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53313774092619,"sku":"R5760-4013","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":53313774125387,"sku":"R5760-0717","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a7c9dfca-f078-4ee4-76a0-6d5dad659fe2.jpg?v=1756986950"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/thee-headcoats.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}