Pub rock band gone punk? Don’t know but these guys knew how to craft two raw, snotty and great original tracks with keyboard/piano. The keyboard solo in Punker gives me chills at the same times as I laugh my ass off. So stupid yet genious.
Don’t think these tracks have been comped yet but they sure deserves to be. So if there’s anyone out there who can fill me in on Le Ritz please do so.
Country: UK
Year: 1977
Label: Breaker
Format: 7″
Songs:
Punker.mp3
What A Sucker.mp3
Le Ritz were from Birmingham, I think they were only together for a few months, the sleeve would suggest they probably didn’t have a name when they recorded this. It has been comped, on “Short Sharp Shock” and elsewhere I think.
Great record! apparently it was also released in Holland on Lightning, never seen one though.
From Leominster, Herefordshire. Formed in summer 1977 by Steve Midnight aka Brian ‘Tex’ Watkins (v), Chuck Key aka Trevor Davies (gtr), Buss White aka Derek Griffiths (gtr), Bernie Bolt aka Bernie Radnor (k), Lofty Brooks aka Graham Brookes (d) and Dick Tater aka Roger Philpotts (b) specifically to play at street parties celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee! The Dutch pressing is on the Scramble Records label.
starts off good but gets annoying in no time.
perfecto
Gracias.
Not Birmingham and not Lightning …better go update my notes! :)
As always, thanks for the info Steve. And thanks for the counter info James ;).
Never trust 10 year old sleeve notes! At least I got something right, it is a great record!
Thanks!
the punker song is great. i love the silly keyboard solo haha
Super record. Did anyone notice they start off with the Pippin Fort song from Camberwick Green? While many of you may be thinking what’s he on about I am proud to say I have a 1966 BBC “Welcome To Camberwick Green” LP.
this really makes me feel like a total outsider.
“Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grubb” KBD types are missing out on that action – check HMHB’s ‘Trumpton Riots’. Actually, check U.Hype’s ‘Trip To Trumpton’, you’ll like that one more (honest guv)!
Pippin Fort. Well I’ll go to the foot of our stairs, forgotten all about that. I think I’ll start a band based on re-using old ideas from The Herbs and Pogle’s Wood… anyone play bass?
Steve, don’t forget The Magic Roundabout, Noddy, and Hector’s House.
its not punker its punk
it’s not punker it’s punk?? what do ya mean kyg? the track is called Punker.
Its my old man on the drums. and you guys have made his day!! punka was also released in japan dont know what lable though. and its on the play list of an anmerican punk station.can give you more info if you want to much to list now.
Hiya did the band record any more demos at the time. I have heard a few stories over the years about the tapes being recorded over etc but never been able to find out the truth. I would love to know. Great record
Paul Birmingham
Please email me
Mellsquaremusick@hotmail.com
facking all musik industrial
Great stuff.
I don’t know for sure what instrument that solo is in Punker (it sure isn’t a piano… is it a Concertina? a Melodica?), but it’s still a good song.
What A Sucker sounds almost like it could have been in the Rocky Horror soundtrack. Totally rad.
It was a Vox Continental portable organ played by Bernie Bolt aka Bernie Radnor. (This reply is from Chuck Key)