h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just for you folks over in the US, there is another smaller revival in Ska in the UK. It's happening in the Northwest with relatively unheard bands such as Zen Baseballbat and The Honeyshop Screamers. These two bands live up to the tradition, but rather than mix with punk the ska mixes it with folk. They sing about their locality and their childhood. So lyrically mixed anyway, not so much in terms of the music.

Zen Baseball bat did get a documentary made about them abnd shown on national TV here at some ungodly hour in the morning, and they recently got signed.

Hey Fletch

I'd like to know more about Zen Baseballbat, The Honeyshop Screamers etc. Which part of the North-West ? Manchester, Liverpool, Preston ot even further North ? What instruments do they play ? How can I find out more and if possible get to hear them.

By the way, the Colonel is in California which some people don't consider to be part of the US. As for me, I'm just about half a world a way in Malaysia but I was born and bred in Blighty.

Nice moniker. Any relation to Norman Stanley Fletcher ?

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From Distant Shores

I've got a lot to say about these, I'll make them Guide entries. (next day or so.)

Changed my mind about making guide entries.

Right, here goes.
Zen Baseballbat are based in a part of Widnes known as West Bank. It developed in the last 50 years seperate to most of the rest of Widnes and has a slightly different accent, this is noticable through the vocal talents of the lead singer and guitarist, Gary Gleavey. He writes the songs with his twin, Carl Gleavey who plays the bass. I know less about the other band members. Theres a keyboard player, a trumpet player and a trombone player whose called Darrol. Oh, and a new drummer, the old one got sacked.

There all over 20, probably all over 25, and have been doing this together, with few changes, for years. The mother of the Slums EP was done in 1994 anyway.

They had a documentary made about them by Granada Television as part of a late night popular culture series. Which detailed their perspective on life and details many of the features of their childhood, including the people they grew up with, which is what their songs are based upon. For instance; "The Brown Cows of Elocution" is about their accents and they mention a local abatoire, which if you've ever been over the Runcorn-Widnes bridge, is what you can smell. To quote the film "Well, Elvis had an accent, didn' he?"

They are signed to moonska europe records and are about to, or just have released their first album. They are touring the Uk this summer. I will post the details when known.

The Honeyshop Screamers, are I admit, friends of mine. But weren't really until I saw them play. I knew who they were, but only got to know them because I kept appearing at their gigs and we went from being on nodding terms to being good mates.

They started off as a three piece, quite punk, but since then have gained tree more. The first lineup was;
Paul R - Guitarist/lead vocals.
Paul S (The Kid) - Bass/backing vocals.
John - The Drummer.

Since that they have found a saxophonist, a trombonist, and a keyboardist. They often play Telfords Warehouse in Chester and are backing Zen Baseballbats' uk tour this summer.

Their all about 18 years old. As a three peice they were very fast. The initial effect of te new line up is a slow down, but I have been told they are speeding up again as thy felt they had lost something. they have made several recordings in Frog Studios in Warrington but three months after its made they decide they dont like it anymore. The rehearse a lot and it shows, especially since Jofn got his practice kit he really has improved a hell of a lot. Just before Easter the 'bat as i call them, toured with the Toasters and had just sacked their drummer and asked Johnto fill in. He practiced with them twice and they said he was good enough. He performed really well at Sheffield where I saw him, and made one mistake throughout.

I will try to get some tour dates for you.


Email me at [email protected] and I will pass on email addresses for both bands. I dont think I should start posting other people's emails on the web.

And finally..... although my surname is Fletcher I am not related to Mr Norman Stanley "I'm only in prison because of my beliefs, I believed the night watchman was asleep" Fletcher.

I know someone who lives in Malaysia... but she's in Sheffield waiting for her graduation. Rose - do you know her?

Fletch.

( The honeyshops can often be found at the messageboard at www.outmeasured.co.uk )

Fletch

Thanks for the detailed info. I've been busy with work so haven't had time to take it all in yet.

I'll try to include a short summary in the next release of the article.

I haven't come across Rose. I think that quite a few Malaysians study at Sheffield. They tend to find it very cold !!!!!

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From Distant Shores

Zen Baseball bats album is out now and called "I am the champion concrete mixer." I know its available at [Unsuitable link removed by Moderator]and at [Unsuitable link removed by Moderator]

Fletch

With your build up and a great title, how could I resist. I've just faxed my order to Moon Ska Europe. Only 28 days to wait !!!!

From Distant Shores

I hope you enjoy it. There's my friends band coming along quite nicely now, The HoneyShop Screamers. They've sorted out a brass section finally and I am going to see them play the final of a battle of the bands on Wednesday. They were recording last Saturday and hope to get something together they are willing to send to record companies. They've tried this three times already thoug, and are never entirely happy with the results, so they dont send it to anyone for fear of being blacklisted. Still, heres hoping that they get it right this time and someone snaps them up.

Regarding the Bat's album I heard that it was selling well, they did a uk tour with my friend playing the second guitar for them, and they sold more albums that the other three bands, certainly individually although I got the impression that they sold more than all of them put together.

I hope you enjoy the album

Fletch

The Bat's album arrived yesterday. On first listening, it sounds good. It's definitely got a real ska feel. The sound quality is excellent, the playing professional. Perhaps the bass could be a bit looser, it seems a little stiff at times (I'm a fine one to criticise as I can't play a note on any instrument or even whistle in tune).

The vocals are great, it's good to hear a true English accent rather than the trans-atlantic codswallop so many singers adopt.

The horns seem to have more than a tinge of a brass band which adds to the uniqueness of the album.

The lyrics are somewhat educational for someone like me living in such a different situation.

Thanks for the recommendation. I hope things work out for your friend and The HoneyShop Screamers.

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From Distant Shores

Im really happy you like the album, I feel like I've spread happiness throughout the world now. I was going to tell you I'd spoke to the bands keyboard player and he said that moonska were very good at their internet orders, but obviously you know that now. My friends just won a battle of the bands and I'm over the moon. (The friends being the honeyshop screamers.) I will let you know if they get signed. Why not post a review at Amazon.co.uk since there are at least 2 there already?

Fletch

I think with your help we can do a bit better than a review on Amazon.co.uk. I contacted the editor of fRoots magazine whose motto is "Local Music From Out There". It's not all African, Irish or Folk music. The likes of Talvin Singh, TJ Rhemi, Afro Celt Sound System and Trans-Global Underground get regular coverage.

I gave Concrete Mixer a big push. If we can get the record company, management or the band to send a review copy to him, he's promised to listen to it. It doesn't guarantee a review but it's a good offer.

Can you put me in touch with the band, their manager or record company or even pass on the message ?

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From Distant Shores