I’ve been quieter than normal in updating the site over the last few months so apologies. But I do have some mitigating reasons.
I’ve recently completed an hour long documentary called Made In Birmingham: Reggae Punk Bhangra
As the title suggests, the film concentrates on those 3 genres of music and uses rare and unseen archive material interlaced with contemporary interviews with musicians such as UB40, Steel Pulse, Beshara, Swami, The Nightingales, Au Pairs, Amlak, The Prefects, Fuzzbox, The Ever Readies, The Accused, Apna Sangeeta and others.

We’ve taken a look at how these groups started, the venues they played in and how they music they made reflected their communities social, political and cultural issues. Directed by Deborah Aston and produced by swish for the Birmingham Popular Music Archive the film takes a fond look at Birmingham and some of its music heritage.

The film can currently be seen at the Midland Art Centre in the ‘plug in’ exhibition space (free entry) and we are hoping to have some public screenings later in the year after we hopefully get some festival screenings.

I’ll also be putting a 5 minute trailer on the site in the next few weeks to whet your appetite!

I’m indebted to Ken Jones formly of Bright Eyes who sent me a list of gigs he either went to or had record, form the Town Hall, an oft overlooked important music venue in the country. The period spans 1964-1974 and reads like a who’s who of rock royalty. I have to say editing it for the site I couldn’t believe the unbelievable gigs at the venue. I’ve taken out a load of gigs in other Brum venues as I’ll add them to the site under the appropriate venue.
I’ve waited this long to get them on the site so I could tie it into a small research project I’m doing called Virtual Music Trails. I’ll post more news on this as it comes to fruition.

In the meantime, a huge thank you to Ken and I hope you enjoy the gig listing!

One of the great reggae bands to come from Birmingham, recognised by reggae lovers across the world. Marcel Watts, son of the late founder member Ray Watts, has provided a great biography and photo of the band. To read more head over to the archive section. Thanks to Marcel for sending us the info.

http://eight8all.blogspot.com/ has sent me some amazing photos of Plone back when they where called Rehab before they got threatend by a london band called rehab, who disapeared without a trace.

These photo’s are exclusive and unseen so a huge thanks to http://eight8all.blogspot.com/ for sending them to the archive. See them on the Plone page

There is a great new entry from 021 mainstay Tony Simpson about the punk/power pop band. Have a look at their band page and as always please add your own memories, recollections. Thanks to Tony for the material.

I had a fantastic chat with Keith Laws, some time ago now it has to be said, about his life in music and about his time growing up in Birmingham and his recollections. We talked for over an hour but I’ve edited this down to about 10 minutes. Keith is exactly the type of person I’m really keen to make sure are included in the archive, an active musician in the city and beyond and is keen to share his memories.

I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I did talking to Keith.

Keith Laws Interview BMA 1a
Keith Laws Interview BMA 1a

Keith Laws Interview BMA2
Keith Laws Interview BMA2

Another new entry today and contemporaries of the Great Outdoors. As ever please do add your own memories, stories or memorabilia to page!

We’ve added a page for one of the great forgotten groups of Birmingham from the 80’s. Please add some content about them!

I’ve added some great photos provided by Keith Jones of Bright Eyes, just go the Bright Eyes page to view them.
And don’t forget to send more artifacts into us here at the archive!

Today would have marked the 60th birthday of Phil Lynott, lead singer of the seminal Irish rock band Thin Lizzy. What has this got to do with Birmingham and the Archive I hear you ask?

Well Phil was actually born in Birmingham and lived here for the first few years of his life with his mother Philomena. Amazingly, we also think he made his last ever appearance on record with a Birmingham musician, Colbert Hamilton a.k.a Black Elvis about 3 weeks before his death. This record has lay hidden and unheard for some 25 years.

In association with Sam Coley and Ellie Gibbons from the Birmingham School of Media at BCU and Paul Murphy of The Destroyers, BMA have made a 26 minute documentary and two audio/visual slideshows celebrating Phil Lynott, from his early days in Birmingham to his eventual death. We uncover and listen to the ‘lost’ track and talk to Colbert about the experience.

I’m really pleased to announce that BBC WM will be playing the documentary in fill on Saturday 22nd August at 13.05 pm. Also on the BBC is a tribute page which can be accessed here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2009/08/19/thinlizzy_feature.shtml

You can also see and view the audio/visual slide shows that accompany the documentary here: http://www.vimeo.com/5834434
Enjoy!