Episode 175 : Chris Pope from The Chords
On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by Chris Pope - Songwriter, Musician and one of the founding members of The Chords.
We take a journey through the bands formation at the tail end of 1978, after original singer/guitarist Billy Hassett and his bass playing cousin, Martin Mason, advertised for musicians in NME.
Chris got the job and the band were soon into live gigs and studio recordings.
Their style was a combination of punk and the 1960s influenced sound of the time.
At the end of March 1979, the band played the Wellington in Waterloo to packed crowds with Paul Weller in the audience. This helps the band secure more gigs and an important support slot to The Jam.
With the Mod Revival in full swing, what follows are two John Peel sessions, a few singles, Top of the Pops, and an album (So Far Away)....
The band also played Loch Lomond Festival in June 1980 with Bad Manners, Stiff Little Fingers, The Tourists and The Jam…
Paul Weller was a big supporter of the band and Chris in the press - once calling him “the best songwriter of his generation”...
The Chords UK
Chris Pope formed The Chords UK in 2013 to continue playing ‘classic’ Chords tunes such as Maybe Tomorrow, The British Way Of Life and So Far Away - whilst also pushing forward with new music too...
The band is made up of Chris, Kenny Cooper, Sandy Michie, and Dave Murrell, with a live setlist featuring all of the original hits along with tracks from the three LP’s that they have released so far.
They have been cited live as “an incendiary rock n roll outfit” by Louder Than War.
You can buy the music on Bandcamp, watch videos on YouTube , listen on Spotify and follow for news and live show info on Facebook
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EP121 - Lawrence Watson, Music Photographer - Paul Weller Solo, The Style Council
EP120 - Jezar - The Style Council - Engineer & Mixer
EP119 - Will of the People - Album Release Day Special with John Wilson
EP118 - Bruce Foxton - The Jam
EP117 - David Cracknell - Paul Weller Fan, Political Journalist... ”The summer’s kiss of love and adventure...”
EP116 - Paul Barry - The Questions, Songwriter, Musician... ”Answers all your questions...”
EP115 - Nigel ”Spanner” Sweeney - Legendary Plugger... ”Into the stars and always up...”
EP114 - Billy Bragg - Singer, Songwriter, Activist, Red Wedge... ”You better listen now you’ve said your bit...”
EP113 - Little Jo Ruocco - Honorary Councillor, Drummer & Percussionist... ”I wonder how she feels today...”
EP112 - Gered Mankowitz - Legendary Photographer... ”Look around this world, there’s millions to be seen...”
EP111 - David Pottinger - Modernist Writer, Move On Up Blog... ”Take nothing less, not even second best...”
EP110 - Rick Buckler - Part 2 - Drummer, The Jam, Recorded at This Is The Modern World Exhibition...
EP109 - Steve Pilgrim - Drummer, Singer, Songwriter, Weller Bandmate... ”To reappear so beautifully, a technicolour effigy...”
EP108 - Eliza Carthy - Trad / Prog Singer, Songwriter, Musician... ”Climbing forever trying...”
EP107 - Olly Ball - Photographer, Our Favourite Shop, The Style Council... ”It shops in store where only the best buy...”
EP106 - Yolanda Charles MBE - Musician, Bassist, Bandleader & Songwriter... ”You know I feel it, I know you feel it too...”
EP105 - Annajoy David - Co-founder of Red Wedge... ”You see things can change...”
EP104 - Guy Barker - Honorary Councillor + Bandleader, Composer, Arranger and Trumpet Player... ”If we can make time stop - and keep this feeling...”
EP103 - P.P. Arnold -The First Lady of London Soul... ”Remember when our love could fly, we gave it wings and it took to the sky”
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