... ([info]ceramichobs) wrote,
@ 2009-09-10 11:04:00
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My name is Simon. I am the founder of the Ceramic Hobs, a band and headfuck which has existed in various distinct phases since 1985 and which will continue until 2035. We are perhaps most infamous for having had at least nine band members who have spent time in psychiatric hospitals.


PHASE EIGHT, 2009-?: RooH, Ging, Kate, Laurence, Nigel Joseph and I plus new recruits Ben and Ric are working on a series of eleven albums all entitled OZ OZ ALICE to be released in small editions between spring 2009 and autumn 2014. The aim of all eleven is to provide listeners with a guide to practical time travel using secret techniques gleaned from little-known intelligence sources. We performed mostly under pseudonyms for the first year of this phase, using names such as Bug Chasers, Haddock Eyes, Mr Daniel's Mopslut, Ding Fortuna and the Big Wow, The Ceramic Fes's, Sir Rammy Cobs, Oz Oz Alice, Zandvoort Acid and Bobby Crush & The Love Children.



PHASE SEVEN, 2003-2008: pStan Batcow and myself recruited new musicians including RooH, Ging Shi-ite, Kate Fear and Buzz The Jerk (who was eventually replaced by Larry Language) and the band became a primarily live gigging unit for the first time in its history, as well as releasing two more albums on Pumf: Shergar Is Home Safe And Well and Al Al Who. Countless gigs around the UK as well as in Germany and Belgium, and for the first time we were also able to regularly play in our home town Blackpool, often alongside much younger punk/metal bands. This phase ended during 2008 due to irreconcilable differences between pStan and me, after fifteen years of continual, often psychologically unsettling work together. Members: me, pStan, RooH, Ging, Dave F, Laurence, Kate, Mr Concrete Himself, Caz B, Nigel Joseph.

PHASE SIX, 2000-2002: A version of the band continued with new recruit Butty and a drum machine to play a handful of live shows. Just one single for Harbinger Sound was recorded during this era before this incarnation collapsed due to internal tension. Members: me, Stan, Butty, Roger.


PHASE FIVE, 1993-2000: The two founder members began jamming with President Massey from phase 2/3 during his brief releases from hospital, and we were soon joined by accomplished musician and owner of Pumf Records pStan Batcow. A great deal of material was recorded for tape labels of the booming DIY scene of the era, and gigs recommenced in 1996. Part-time members Jane, Mr Concrete Himself and Nigel Joseph made their first appearances during this phase, and founder member Steve finally bowed out after sterling 15 years' service. During this period other names used by the band for one-off releases included Greasy Walter and the Razors, Iron Lion Zion, Salty Grouse Castration Squad and Blood Klat (in spume bummer). We began to receive favourable national press and played regularly for the burgeoning Mad Pride movement in London. Singles were released via Pumf, BWCD, Stinky Horse Fuck, Mental Guru and Small Orange, and our first two albums Psychiatric Underground and Straight Outta Rampton appeared on Pumf, for the latter of which we were joined by the genial Uberpope Raptor Ramjet.
Just before the release of that album - perhaps our best-received work to date - the President was re-sectioned and remains to this day detained without trial in the mental health system. Members: me, Steve, Stevie, Stan, Roger, Mr Concrete Himself, Nigel Joseph.


PHASE FOUR,1990-1992: At a low ebb and loose end, Syd and myself rework old Hobs riffs at home and release a vinyl single under the name Orange Sunshine. No gigs were undertaken during this rather obscure and low-key era which ended when we both left our home town. Members: me, Syd.

PHASE THREE, 1989: An ever-changing line-up of Hobs plus notable new recruits Jeff and Manchester-based artist Brian Benson on drums played a series of chaotic, noisy and drug-damaged shows around the north of England at squats and festivals, most often billed as Satan The Jesus Infekt'd Needles And Blood. I was re-sectioned in September 1989. Members: me, Steve, Stevie, Bri, Jeff, many one-off guests.

PHASE TWO, 1986-88: More able musicians from other local teenage bands joined us,including Syd, Phil, P, Stevie, Stratty and Alan. The sound became more psychedelic and rock-based. Many songs which were recorded by later incarnations of the band had their origins during this busy era, during which we also branched out into video productions and released a flexidisc before I was sectioned in July 1988.


PHASE ONE, 1985-6: Stephen Lambert and myself started the band at the age of sixteen without owning or playing any instruments. We made a kind of musique concrete, releasing our own tapes, printing our own zines...DIY bedroom aesthetic.

BASIC DISCOGRAPHY: 7" singles: Bedrooms And Knobsticks (Pumf 1988) - split with Howl In The Typewriter/ Wife Swapping Party (Stuffed Cat UK 1991) - as 'Orange Sunshine'/ This Sore And Broken Blackpool Legacy (BWCD 1996) - split with To Live & Shave In LA/ Beat I Woman Fe Respeck (Smith Research 1996) - as 'Iron Lion Zion'/ 72 Hour Drink Binge - Alcopop Madness (Pumf 1997)/ Klarion Kall To 50 Potential (Mental Guru 1999) - as 'Greasy Walter And The Razors'/ Shaolin Master (Harbinger 2002)/// 8" single: Paedophilia And Hard Drugs (Stinky Horse Fuck 1998) - split with Smell & Quim/// CDs: Psychiatric Underground (Pumf 1998)/ Straight Outta Rampton (Pumf 2001)/ Shergar Is Home Safe And Well (Pumf 2004)/ Al Al Who - twenty-one extraordinary renditions (Pumf 2007)/// CD-Rs: Astonishing Wheat Productions 1986-1989 (Fiend 2000)/ Free Tim Telsa (Small Orange 2000)/ Ultramont! (Pumf 2002)/ Of The Tin City - Live At Mad Pride (Pumf 2002)/ *MAY BE TRIGGERING* (Smith Research 2005)/ Celebrating 20 Years Of Mental Illness (aka) 20 Golden Deathtrips (aka) Golden Hour Of The Ceramic Hobs (Pumf 2005)/ (no title listed)(no artist listed) (no label 2009)///cassettes: Summer Hobdays (Smith Research 1985, split with The Turnip Brigade)/ Merry Xmas Folks! (Smith Research 1986)/ Swans Have Long Necks (Smith Research 1986)/ Fishbread Miracle (Smith Research 1986)/ Celery Bomb (ABCD 1987)/ Disturbing 'Boxing-Ring' Fantasies (Pumf 1988)/ You'll Wanna Blow Your Brains Out For A Fix Of Hobs Trash - SMFS 7(rec 86-88, rel BWCD 1995)/ Hi NRG Rock'n'Roll With Added PCP Power (no label 1989 - as 'Satan The Jesus Infekt'd Needles And Blood')/ The Unholy Elbib - SMFS 12 (rec 89, rel BWCD 1996 - as 'Satan The Jesus Infekt'd Needles And Blood')/ Bring On The Coincidancing Horses (rec 90-91, rel Pumf 1996 - as 'Orange Sunshine')/ Nihilistik Subkultures Shall Thrive Upon These Deathly Visions (Pumf 1993 - as 'Salty Grouse Castration Squad')/ You Don't Need A Pickaxe To Collect Ghoul Soil (Pumf 1995 - as 'Blood Klat (In Spume Bummer)'/ split tape with Amputease (EF 1995)/ Top Buzz (Pumf 1995)/ Egg of The Day (Scum 1995 - as 'Bertie Egg's Ceramick Hobs')/ Onepercenters - The Worst Winter Ever (Cakehole 1996)/ Shingle (Kylie 1996)/ split tape with Five O'Clock Blood Shadow (Matching Head 1997)/ Fuck Da Police (Face Like A Smacked Arse 1998)/ Live 85-98 (Umbaybaybee 1999)/ noisy tape (Spite 2000)/ Recycled Music (RRR 2000)/ untitled (ordnance Tape only, 2001)/ Part 3 of Trilogy (Matching Head 2003)/ Oz Oz Alice (Total Vermin 2009, as 'MPO/LERM') - plus many many compilation appearances, reissues, mp3s...

GIG LIST:1985:September - Lytham, Library Buildings/November - Blackpool, disused underpass/1986:December - Blackpool, school/1987:July - Blackpool, disused underpass/November - Liverpool, 85 Ullett Road/December - Manchester, Fulford Street/1988:February - Manchester, 28 Stockton Road/February - Manchester, Grove House/March - Leeds, James Baillie House/March - Manchester, Dalton Hall/1989:February - Liverpool, Planet X/February - Manchester, 28 Stockton Road/March - Manchester, ?/April - Manchester, Hop & Grape/April - Liverpool, Jacaranda/May - Liverpool, Otterspool Park/June - Manchester, Hulme Punx Picnic/August - Manchester, Red Admiral/November - Hulme, Kitchen/1992:Spring - Manchester, Swinging Sporran/1996:January - Leeds, 120 Rats/January - Leeds, 120 Rats/May - Leeds, Fenton/June - Bradford, 1 in 12/September - Leeds, Packhorse/November - Preston, Adelphi/1997:November - Middlesbrough, St Mary's/November - Blackpool, Tower Lounge/1998:April - Stoke-on-Trent, Windermere Street/1999:September - London, Union Chapel/2000:May - London, Chat's Palace/June - Blackpool, Tache/July - London, Clissold Park/2001:June - Blackpool, West Coast/July - Manchester, Retro Bar/October - London, Garage/2002:July - Blackpool, Raikes/September - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club/October - Newcastle, Chillingham/November - Lytham, Hansom Cab/December - Poulton, St John's/2003:June - Blackpool, Station/June - London, Garage/July - Cleckheaton, Mead Hall/August - Blackpool, Station/September - Blackpool, Station/September - Blackpool, Blue Room/September - Blackpool, West Coast/November - Soho, Gossips/November - Brighton, Hobgoblins/December - Stoke-on-Trent, Talbot/December - Blackpool, West Coast/2004:March - Newcastle, Cluny/July - Leeds, Joseph's Well/July - Blackpool, West Coast/August - Stoke-on-Trent - Talbot/August - Lancaster - York House/October - Manchester - Thompson's Arms/October - Liverpool, Hev'n & Hell/December - Blackpool, Beat/2005:January - Thornton, Ashley/March - Liverpool, Hev'n & Hell/April - Lancaster, York House/July - London, Ryan's Bar/July - Brighton, Cowley Club/July - Blackpool, West Coast/December - Blackpool, LiquidLounge/December - Blackpool, 146 Palatine Road/2006:January - Blackpool, LiquidLounge/January - Blackpool, West Coast/February - Leeds, Fenton/March - Bacup, Football Social Club/April - Blackpool, West Coast/April - Blackpool, LiquidLounge/June - Blackpool, West Coast/June - Manchester, Phoenix/June - Blackpool, West Coast/June - Pilling, organic farm/August - Berlin, Buchbinderei Adolf666/August - Berlin, Galerie Scherer8/October - Preston, Adelphi/October - Bacup, Football Social Club/November - Blackpool, West Coast/2007:February - Leeds, Library/February - Blackpool, Riffs/June - Blackpool, Riffs/June - Blackpool, West Coast/June - Blackpool, Number One Club/July - Bacup, Wyrd Of Stake Moss/July - Bacup, Wyrd Of Stake Moss/July - Blackpool, Riffs/August - Blackpool, West Coast/October - Blackpool, Riffs/October - Bacup, Football Social Club/December - Blackpool, West Coast/December - Blackpool, Riffs/2008:February - Lytham, Cricket Club/March - Brussels, Brigitinnes/March - Preston, Mad Ferret/March - Lancaster, Yorkshire House/March - Blackpool, Raikes/March - Leeds, Common Place/March - Bacup, Football Social Club/March - Levenshulme, Klondyke/March - Blackpool, Riffs/July - Ribble Valley, Beatherder/August - Blackpool, Stanley Park/September - Blackpool, West Coast/October - Blackpool, West Coast/October - Blackpool, Connolly's Bar/2009:March - Blackpool, West Coast/April - Blackpool, Mojos/June - Preston, New Continental/June - Blackpool, West Coast/July - Salford, Islington Mill/October - Newcastle, Ouseburn Regeneration Centre/October - Blackpool, West Coast/October - Manchester, Rippingham Road party

CONTACT: knightsmove7(AT)hotmail.com or snailmail 124 C0nd0r Gr0ve, Blackp00l FY1 5qy, UK.

STATEMENT: I can't imagine what more there is to say. I can't say the words. I can't imagine the territory. If I walked I could think of the words, you would be walking alongside me, the third person. If I imagined the words I could speak them. And maybe we'd find out where you end and I begin. If I had a thought I only imagined this territory, we were walking with another alongside us. This was where I ended and others began. In the third person he had a thought and imagined the words. And he's there, waiting for me to do this badly. A forest with leaves tossed in autumn wind as I imagine the right words. If we walked together in the third person alongside us would be the space where you end and I begin. Over the city we sat and watched the lights, above this city, we watched the twinkly yellow night lights of the city as we walked with a third person between us. The lights in the sky where I end and others begin, walking to imagine more words. As we imagine the territory to be the map, there is now a seamless join where "I" end and "you" begin, as the leaves twirl in wind and the twinkly yellow night lights of the city blend, and this map was always the territory. And now the map is the territory, and the one who walks alongside us has slipped away to other dreamers, and above this city we thought we could stop time itself, as we watched the twinkly yellow night lights of the city...

LINKS OF INTEREST:
Interviews:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=59525685&blogID=293614022
http://www.blastitude.com/17/CERAMICHOBS.htm
http://www.giag.lv/simmons/int-CERAMIC_HOBS-But_Shergar_Is_Fuckin_Dead_Ya_Cunts.htm

Gallery of rare photos, covers and memorabilia:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=213840950&albumId=1460851

Buy Ceramic Hobs releases from Pumf:
http://www.batcow.co.uk/pumf/hobs.htm

http://www.myspace.com/theceramichobs
http://www.myspace.com/ceramickhobs
http://hobspress.blogspot.com
http://smithresearch.blogspot.com
http://psychiatricunderground.blogspot.com
http://www.last.fm/music/Ceramic+Hobs
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ceramic+hobs
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ceramic+Hobs
http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/the_ceramic_hobs
http://lj.rossia.org/users/glebo/81671.html
http://lj.rossia.org/users/glebo/81415.html



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