"Jerkin" was the debut single release by local act, The Drive, which came out on Dundee's NRG record label in 1977.
Although the single sold well in Bruce's record shop, the only place I can remember hearing it played back then was on the jukebox in the Oriental pub.
The same single was also chosen for a compilation album that came out on Beggars Banquet record label in '77, the front and back cover of which is shown above.
This is the 2nd NRG track on Retro Dundee, and if you want a reminder, you can listen to a track by The Visitors in my July 2009 Archives.
Meanwhile, here's a blast of The Drive single below.
Although the single sold well in Bruce's record shop, the only place I can remember hearing it played back then was on the jukebox in the Oriental pub.
The same single was also chosen for a compilation album that came out on Beggars Banquet record label in '77, the front and back cover of which is shown above.
This is the 2nd NRG track on Retro Dundee, and if you want a reminder, you can listen to a track by The Visitors in my July 2009 Archives.
Meanwhile, here's a blast of The Drive single below.
This was reviewed in The People's Journal (you may be able to find the review?) by someone who obviously hadn't listened to the record...their final words were something like, "why anyone would want to sing about a jacket, I don't know".
ReplyDeleteFrom:-
ReplyDeletehttp://www.answers.com/topic/the-drive-rock-band-70s
"One of the first Scottish punk bands to have an impact outside of its immediate neighborhood, Dundee's the Drive lined up as Gus McKenzie (vocals), Ron Neish (guitar), Bob Phillips (guitar), Roger Patterson (bass), and Ron Jack (drums). Their debut single, "Jerkin'," appeared on the NRG label in August 1977, distributed by the Edinburgh-based Zoom label, but despite good reviews and reasonable sales, the band released nothing else, and broke up before the end of the year. "Jerkin'" subsequently reappeared on Beggars Banquet's acclaimed Streets compilation of key independent rarities. ~ Dave Thompson, All Music Guide"
From:-
http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/drive.htm
"Formed in Dundee in the early days of 1977 The Drive were one of the first Scottish punk bands and the first to release a single. Debatable whether punk is the right word with lead & slide guitar featured and not exactly punky tunes. The single Jerkin' / Push & Shove (NRG Records 1977) joins the list of bawdy sexual punk tunes, though not as gross or rough as The Pork Dukes, and set to more glammy, Dollsey, stonesy kinda riffs. No picture sleeve. Jerkin' also featured on the Streets compilation. Interestingly their next proposed single - Blow Job / Gonorrhoea Go-Go - continued the sexual theme but was never released.
Gus McKenzie - Vocals. Ron Neish - Lead Guitar. Bob Phillips - Slide Guitar. Roger Patterson - Bass and Ron Jack - Drums."
Ronny Jack is still active on the local music scene (Blueshouse and The Four Candles); don't know about the others.
I played bass on this, not Roger Patterson. Still playing now with Tivvy. Bruce Money.
DeleteThe song was written by A.McFarlane, who doesn't crop up in the band line-up!
ReplyDeleteI always thought that the singer was called Gus McFarlane. Mike might know - he knows Bob Phillips....
ReplyDeleteIt Was Gus Mcfarlane , gus being short for Angus , hence , A Mcfarlane,
ReplyDeleteonly saw them once supporting penetration at the Maryatt Hall ,never thought of them as a Punk band and alough bob was a friend never really liked the band!
Bob now uses the name Rob MacKillop and plays Lute amongst other instruments
check out
http://www.rmguitar.info
I believe Gus also wrote the official Dundee United song, 'It's United'.
ReplyDeleteHilarious. Reminds me of Chris Spedding somehow.
ReplyDeletethis is ronnie jack here, the drummer with drive at that time. i was asked to go through to edinburgh along with fellow musicians ron neish, bruce money, and bob, and gus mcfarlane. gus had written this song to get in on the then punk scene. i had not idea of the lyrics and thought it sounded a bit stonesish, but was amazed when i found out that i had drummed a track with reference to lyrics of a sexual nature. we got publicity in the press, i think it was the journal, the headling read like. " banned punks cut own sex single". it was selling like hotcakes at bruces dundee reform street, and we hadnt even gigged. so, it was suggested we do a gig in marryat hall to promote it. the penetrations were the support band. we went down a storm, with ron neish biting his guitar lead in two, me wearing a too small jacket with torn vest. etc. and the audience spraying the stage with lager cans that had been just shaken. my interest in it waned and so did the others when we saw the headling about losing our jobs. to tell you the truth iwas still heavily into earth wind and fire and george benson. i resigned and so did the others, then we split up completely and that was the end of the drive. i still have the single to this day. and yes i am still gigging bank bar , bond etc, with blueshouse , 4 candles etc. ronnie jack., or ronny jack as im named here.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm Bob Phillips, aka Rob MacKillop (it's a long story). I haven't heard that track since 1977, so it was great to hear it here. Forgot I was playing slide - not bad. Certainly not punk. Gus wrote the song, and he was a Stones nut. We've all moved in different directions from those days. Don't remember much about it, just lots of alcohol. Don't miss it at all! Great to hear the song again, though.
ReplyDeleteRoger Paterson here this really does take me back like Bob I haven’t heard this track since 1977, its quite strange listening again after all this time, and to be honest it still sounds as fresh and raw as it did back then. Glad to hear Bob & Ronnie seem to be doing all right, wonder who’ll be next to drop a line maybe even Gus himself?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm Derek High...played bass with The Drive (Gus, Bob and a drummer from Cupar, I think) towards the end of their existence, our last gig possibly being in St. Andrews University. No idea when that was...as Bob said, alcohol was being consumed. Loved Bob's guitar playing!
ReplyDeleteI played bass on the record. It was reviewed in the Sunday Mail under "Banned Punks Cut Own Sex Single". I still have the article. Ronnie Jack 'phoned me the same day concerned that his aunty might read it, since we were named. We were neither banned nor punks. Bruce Money, Exhibition, The Hot Club, Poker Alice, Crawler, Exhibition again reformed. New CD "ATE" available for download from iTunes, Amazon, Zune. Videos on You Tube.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to reissue the Drive single on my punk rock reissue label
ReplyDeletewww.lastlaughrecords.us
Please get in touch:
lastlaughrecords@live.com
Harry
The singer was Gus McFarlane who was married at the time to Fran,Bobby's sister, a truly delectable lady as was his other sister Carol.Absolutely delightful folk the Phillips. I believe Gus became a school teacher thereafter. Great gig with Penetration at Maryatt.Bobby an exquisite guitar player indeed.I haven't been back to Dundee for over 30 years . Great memories and I hope all are well
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteTrying to get in touch with Ronnie Jack and Ron Neish on behalf of my cousin, Angus Rollo. Notice they are both mentioned on this blog. If anyone can help, could you email me - kimberley.gibson1@btinternet.com
Many thanks.
Gus McFarlane here ....... Could never understand what all the fuss was/is about. Jerkin' has been released in so many formats and at the last count, by 5 record labels. The latest, Soul Jazz Records (London), are releasing it as a single and on a compilation vinyl album.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I still write and record, but call myself Zak - it's a one syllable name, easy to remember and sounds fairly neutral. This is where I am now, musically speaking ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mn0HHkbU1c