Purple Hearts – Live!

Purple Hearts – Live!
8/10

One of the handful of UK bands that can be described as a real cult band, the Purple Hearts have released a stonking live album. There are not many bands that 30 years on can boast their original lineup. Cited by none other than Ian Brown as a massive influence on the Stone Roses, their place in Mod history is more than assured.

This album has been kicking around my stereo for the last couple of months. To place the Hearts in the Mod revival bracket would be to do them a disservice. Although it’s strictly true that they rode on the wave of hysteria created by the release of Quadrophenia on film in 1979, they had much more depth and substance than their peers.

‘Millions Like Us’ may of been the band’s biggest chart success, but for thousands of kids in 1979 it was our anthem. As someone who had been heavily influenced to become a Mod by the music of The Small Faces, they seemed closest to the new wave sound of The Jam. Of course, bands like Secret Affair received more commercial acclaim, though the music of the Purple Hearts has stood the test of time far better. Thirty years on it still sounds fresh and relevant.

What started out as a few reunion gigs last year has steamrollered into a full-on comeback, culminating in the release of this live album. Recorded at Camber Sands last summer, it features all the old favourites plus new song ‘Urban Soul’. It’s a brave move to release a live record with no overdubs, and it really works for me.

As someone who saw the band over 50 times from 79-81, I can tell you that this record should be a part of any Mod’s collection. They sound even better now live than in 79. To quote a whole heap of song titles: “They may of Been Away, but now they are giving Millions Like Us Extrodinary Sensations all over again so Beat That!!”

I’m not sure if I have ever shared the full story of my involvement with the band in the early days on Battery In Your Leg before now, so this seems as good a time as any…

‘Millions Like Us’. Imagine you are 17, your summer has been spent working your arse off to earn enough to see your favourite bands. The year is 1979 and you are a mod. The fishtail parka, the Sta-press originals, the Fred Perry button down collar shirt, the works. Four times you travel to see this band the Purple Hearts. There’s something different about them. You relate to them. They don’t follow the crowd. They are edgy and raw. When they sing ‘Millions Like Us’ you believe it. You are part of something. Suddenly you matter.

So you’re getting the picture? It’s now three months later and every dickhead has a parka. Suddenly it’s trendy. I’m thinking I’m Jimmy from Quadrophenia and then you see this band are playing a gig 30 miles from you so you hitch a lift there, and you don’t care how you’re getting back. It’s cramped and the place is packed. You shove your way past people. This is my band, not yours, fuck off with your parka from Millet’s and your two-tone badges. The band come on and you are in a daze. 45 minutes of mad jumping around singing along as they finish the encore. The crowd rush the stage and you find yourself singing, screaming down the microphone with the singer. It’s pandemonium. Bouncers are everywhere, chucking people off but somehow you get pushed backstage with the band and end up in the dressing room.

‘Alright mate, how you doing?’ says a friendly voice. You look up, and it’s Jeff the bass player. You get talking and you find out the band are staying in your hometown. Someone asks you how you are getting home and then to your amazement they give you a lift. You think you have died and gone to heaven all the way back, thinking ‘Fuck, fuck wait till I tell my mates I’m with the Purple Hearts!’.

You finally get back and as you get out of the minibus having thanked them a million times, then Jeff says ‘By the way mate, we are going to Leeds tomorrow if you fancy coming.’ You go home, no one is expecting you home and you don’t have a key and it’s 2.30 in the morning. So you sleep in your mums car, wake up and go to the cafe at 8am for some breakfast, and by 10.30 you are their waiting for them. ‘Leeds here I come!’. That’s how I lost my dead end job and ended up on tour with the Purple Hearts.

The album is out now and available from the links below:

http://www.thepurplehearts.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/thepurpleheartsofficial

I believe there are a limited amount of signed copies available via a link on the bands Facebook page !!!!

Purple Hearts – Extraordinary Sensation

Tags: purple hearts