Exclusive RSG interview with 60s Mod Legends The Action!Here are the highlights from an interview we did back in 2000 with original bassist Mike Evans. Click here to read the whole interview.
The Action were one of the best Mod bands from the sixties.
In an article from Paulo Hewitt's 'A Sharper Word' (an excellent collection of writings on the cult of Mod), original Portsmouth Mod Ian Hebditch describes a typical Action live show consisted of two lengthy sets.
Kicking off the first set with a cover of 'Heatwave' and whipping the packed crowd up into a frenzy that never fades away. The band return for a final set with 'In My Lonely Room'…
"The beat, the heat and the sweat carry on for about an hour, then the Action leave the stage to thunderous applause having done two encores, they look completely fagged out and they're wet with perspiration, so am I and my throat feels hoarse with shouting"
They released a legacy of five fine timeless singles between 1965 and 1967 produced by Beatles producer, George Martin and featuring the gruff but silky, emotive and truly soulful vocals of Reggie King. Listen to their unique interpretations of soul classics like 'I'll keep On Holding On' and 'Land of a 1000 Dances'. These classic black sounds are effortlessly transformed into something completely different whilst retaining the utmost respect for the original sound.
The Action were one of the best Mod bands from the sixties.
In an article from Paulo Hewitt's 'A Sharper Word' (an excellent collection of writings on the cult of Mod), original Portsmouth Mod Ian Hebditch describes a typical Action live show consisted of two lengthy sets.
Kicking off the first set with a cover of 'Heatwave' and whipping the packed crowd up into a frenzy that never fades away. The band return for a final set with 'In My Lonely Room'…
"The beat, the heat and the sweat carry on for about an hour, then the Action leave the stage to thunderous applause having done two encores, they look completely fagged out and they're wet with perspiration, so am I and my throat feels hoarse with shouting"
They released a legacy of five fine timeless singles between 1965 and 1967 produced by Beatles producer, George Martin and featuring the gruff but silky, emotive and truly soulful vocals of Reggie King. Listen to their unique interpretations of soul classics like 'I'll keep On Holding On' and 'Land of a 1000 Dances'. These classic black sounds are effortlessly transformed into something completely different whilst retaining the utmost respect for the original sound.
It's a crying shame that the Action never went on to release more records but Edsels' 'Ultimate Action' compilation tells you all you need to know about this fascinating band. The subtle, teasing and playful arrangements highlight a band on top form, at the peak of their powers. Heavenly harmonies and the tight pounding back beat combine with Reggie King's effortlessly soulful crooning create a magical brew of classy Motown flavoured pop soul.
Evocative ballads like 'Since I lost my baby' and 'Just once in your life' smothered in vintage echo with Reggie pouring out his wounded soul sit neatly beside the uptempo swagger of 'Hey sha-lo-ney' and 'The place'. Their legacy doesn't disappoint.
RSG: How do you rate Reg King's voice amongst his better known contemporaries?
Mike: "I always thought that Reg was as good as anyone if not better. I remember the first time I heard him sing, in a pub in Kentish Town I went there with Keith Moon. Reg was singing "Stand by me" and I thought, Yeah. Later Keith sat in on drums and proceeded to smash them up much to the resident drummer's horror".
RSG: How influential was George Martin? What are you memories from those sessions? How much input/influence did the band members have in the studio? Were you allowed to run riot in the studio or were you kept in check and told what to do and when to do it?
Mike "He was a massive influence on us musically and from a recording perspective. However it was all our input George embellished and got it right for the recording process. There was never enough time to run riot and anyway we were far too polite".
RSG: The Beatles must have been close by when you were recording with George Martin. Did your paths ever cross? Have you any memories/anecdotes you could share with us?
Mike: "Yes it did happen and it was always amazing, but we were always in awe of them like most people. Once they turned up when we were rehearsing at the Marquee and sat and watched us running through applauding every song we thought we were dreaming".
RSG: What do you hear when you listen back to those Action records?
Mike: "Sometimes only half the story because the Action were a live club band, and recording was a different process, which was always intense and frustrating. It has a very sixties sound".
RSG: Tell us about your live shows/gigs - do you feel the Action were a better live band than on record? What cover versions did you used to do?
Mike "I thought we were a much better live band for the above reasons. Some of the songs by Don Covay were my favourites, 'Have Mercy', 'See Saw' I still do not who the bass player was on those records if anyone knows please let me know. I believe Jimi Hendrix actually plays guitar on 'Have Mercy'".
RSG: What music were you into in your teens? I guess rock'n'roll hit you first and then soul/r&b inspired you to make music? Who were your heroes?
Mike: "I had run through early rock n roll and started modern jazz before I left school after that I met Geoff Bradford, one of the greatest English Blues players, he introduced me to blues music and then I progressed to R&B and deeper into modern jazz and soul music. Practically every singer musician from Motown, Stax and Chess plus Mingus and Coltrane".
RSG: Your sound evolved from Black American records, yet the big thing at the time was Merseybeat. Was there a reaction to that scene in London by hardcore Mods and bands like the Action.
Mike: "You have to remember that Merseybeat was influenced by black American music too. We were in the unusual position of being produced by the same man who made the Beatles records who epitomised Merseybeat, I think that shows how it all comes together".
RSG: The Action never had a hit record, yet today you still mean a lot to many young people who were not even born in the 60s. Your sound is a fresh and timeless as ever and puts many modern bands to shame. What do you make of it all?
Mike: "It is a real knock out to see and we often wonder if we have entered a parallel universe. I have noticed it is not just a look but the same enthusiasm, and the knowledge of the music is incredible, we have tried to say as much in the video we have produced about the band. "In the Lap of the Mods" because we felt it had to be said".
You can contact the Action at their web site: http://www.actionmightybaby.co.uk/ where you can also purchase the video "In the Lap of the Mods".
Purchase The ultimate Action CD here.
The above interview was conducted in the year 2000 exclusively for RSG! Read the full interview here.
Evocative ballads like 'Since I lost my baby' and 'Just once in your life' smothered in vintage echo with Reggie pouring out his wounded soul sit neatly beside the uptempo swagger of 'Hey sha-lo-ney' and 'The place'. Their legacy doesn't disappoint.
RSG: How do you rate Reg King's voice amongst his better known contemporaries?
Mike: "I always thought that Reg was as good as anyone if not better. I remember the first time I heard him sing, in a pub in Kentish Town I went there with Keith Moon. Reg was singing "Stand by me" and I thought, Yeah. Later Keith sat in on drums and proceeded to smash them up much to the resident drummer's horror".
RSG: How influential was George Martin? What are you memories from those sessions? How much input/influence did the band members have in the studio? Were you allowed to run riot in the studio or were you kept in check and told what to do and when to do it?
Mike "He was a massive influence on us musically and from a recording perspective. However it was all our input George embellished and got it right for the recording process. There was never enough time to run riot and anyway we were far too polite".
RSG: The Beatles must have been close by when you were recording with George Martin. Did your paths ever cross? Have you any memories/anecdotes you could share with us?
Mike: "Yes it did happen and it was always amazing, but we were always in awe of them like most people. Once they turned up when we were rehearsing at the Marquee and sat and watched us running through applauding every song we thought we were dreaming".
RSG: What do you hear when you listen back to those Action records?
Mike: "Sometimes only half the story because the Action were a live club band, and recording was a different process, which was always intense and frustrating. It has a very sixties sound".
RSG: Tell us about your live shows/gigs - do you feel the Action were a better live band than on record? What cover versions did you used to do?
Mike "I thought we were a much better live band for the above reasons. Some of the songs by Don Covay were my favourites, 'Have Mercy', 'See Saw' I still do not who the bass player was on those records if anyone knows please let me know. I believe Jimi Hendrix actually plays guitar on 'Have Mercy'".
RSG: What music were you into in your teens? I guess rock'n'roll hit you first and then soul/r&b inspired you to make music? Who were your heroes?
Mike: "I had run through early rock n roll and started modern jazz before I left school after that I met Geoff Bradford, one of the greatest English Blues players, he introduced me to blues music and then I progressed to R&B and deeper into modern jazz and soul music. Practically every singer musician from Motown, Stax and Chess plus Mingus and Coltrane".
RSG: Your sound evolved from Black American records, yet the big thing at the time was Merseybeat. Was there a reaction to that scene in London by hardcore Mods and bands like the Action.
Mike: "You have to remember that Merseybeat was influenced by black American music too. We were in the unusual position of being produced by the same man who made the Beatles records who epitomised Merseybeat, I think that shows how it all comes together".
RSG: The Action never had a hit record, yet today you still mean a lot to many young people who were not even born in the 60s. Your sound is a fresh and timeless as ever and puts many modern bands to shame. What do you make of it all?
Mike: "It is a real knock out to see and we often wonder if we have entered a parallel universe. I have noticed it is not just a look but the same enthusiasm, and the knowledge of the music is incredible, we have tried to say as much in the video we have produced about the band. "In the Lap of the Mods" because we felt it had to be said".
You can contact the Action at their web site: http://www.actionmightybaby.co.uk/ where you can also purchase the video "In the Lap of the Mods".
Purchase The ultimate Action CD here.
The above interview was conducted in the year 2000 exclusively for RSG! Read the full interview here.
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