Hello again...
We're really pleased to announce this new book by music journalist Simon Williams.
1-2 Cut You Hair! The Story of Johnny Moped is set for release on August 11th.
**CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER FROM THE DG SHOP**
There will be two special launch events for the book -
11th August 7pm @ Rough Trade East, London - featuring an acoustic performance by Johnny Moped + Q&A/signing with the band and author Simon Williams
(Click on the pic above to buy tickets for the book and event or click HERE)
12th August 7pm @ Hope & Anchor, Islington, London - featuring a fully electric Johnny Moped set + special guest support
(Click on the pic above to buy tickets for the book and event or click HERE)
1-2 CUT YOUR HAIR! THE STORY OF JOHNNY MOPED
By Simon Williams
Johnny Moped – The man, the band, the punk myth, the none-hit-wonder, the absent singer, the comeback (and back, and back again) king. Five decades of heroic eccentricity, elusive musicality and accidentally saving The Electric Light Orchestra.
This story has it all and so much more.
Featuring brand new interviews with Dave Berk, Slimy Toad, Xerxes and Johnny himself, plus exclusive insights from Captain Sensible, Marco Pirroni and a litany of old school expert fans and perturbed modern Moped riders, this is the only book you will ever need to read about one of the all-time great misunderstood and frequently mislaid rock ‘n’ roll troopers.
Formed in Croydon in May 1974, the band were a proto-punk band, initially calling themselves Johnny Moped and the 5 Arrogant Superstars before reverting to just Johnny Moped by January 1975. They became one of the pioneering punk bands that played at London's legendary Roxy Club.
Their track ‘Hard Lovin’ Man’ appeared on the hit various artists album Live at the Roxy WC2 (1977). The band went on to sign with Chiswick Records and released three singles and one album, Cycledelic, before splitting up. A low-key reunion album (The Search For Xerxes) came out in 1991. Sixteen years after its release Cycledelic was listed as one of the best fifty punk albums of all-time by The Guinness Encyclopaedia of Popular Music.
A documentary about the band, Basically, Johnny Moped, produced by Fred Burns, premiered in September 2013. The film further cemented the band’s legendary status. It’s currently available to watch in the UK via Netflix.
In 2016 the revitalised band released a new album It’s A Real Cool Baby on Damaged Goods Records, with a fourth studio album Lurrigate Your Mind following in 2019. With interest in the band at an all-time high, the time is now right for their story to be told.
It's a Real Cool Book Baby!
and if that's not enough, don't forget the book launch in June...the 28th in fact for Vol 2 of Paul Talling's 'LONDON's LOST MUSIC VENUES' at Rough trade East too.
You can pre-order the book from us here...or if you want to come to the RT event, click the picture and admission includes a book and the whole fun evening.
