Former guitarist of ‘90s Newcastle band Greedsville releases a new solo album. The 12 track CD Distortion includes new single Too Far (link to music video below).
My new single was recorded in July and August 2022 at Sound X Studios The song is based around a guitar riff I kept coming back to. The lyrics reflected feelings I had to get out there. Like the heavy tone of the music, it’s about the rollercoaster journey into the uncertain aspects of future life both personal and global.
A quick spin of the song immediately turns my ears on to Black Sabbath’s track Symptom of the Universe.
Glad you like the song, genuinely, didn’t make the Sabbath connection at the time, but you’re dead right with the riff!
A couple of people have compared it to Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Young and Bowie’s Rebel Rebel as well, I can see that too.
Did the songs come easy or did you have to work on them over a period of time?
I had a burst of regular songwriting that started in the lockdown period and continued long after. I got to about 36 songs and thought I have to do something with them!
I came back from a holiday in Los Angeles in July 2022 and was totally energised by it, California has that effect on me. Too Far was one of the songs I wrote and recorded when I got back.
As on previous albums Jackson played all instruments and recorded on a Mac Book Pro coupled with Apple’s high end Logic Pro X Software.
Yes, and I cherry picked what I thought was the best out of everything I’d written. Sadly, I had to delay anything to do with the album in the first few months of 2023 due to serious family issues. I finally finished recording in October 2023.
It was mastered by Jon Astley in November 2023 at Close to the Edge Studios in London. Jon was a producer on albums by The Who and Eric Clapton in the 1970’s and has remastered albums by tons of artists including Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.
Have you any plans to play live?
I’m playing a gig in Newcastle at the singer/songwriter night at the Globe on the 18th May 2024. I hope it’s one of many to promote the album. I’ve applied to play for a lot of festivals, showcase nights and Music Industry events.
What are your hopes for the album?
I hope the album reaches as big an audience as possible via streaming and download through professional online promotion, this includes the music video for Too Far.
I’d also love to somehow release the album on vinyl which is experiencing a deserved resurgence, it’s maybe seen as old technology but it still sounds bloody great!
After 500 posts and over 370,000 views, WordPress (who run this blog) have sent their congratulations to the North East culture site after completing its seventh year, aye seven years, can’t believe how quickly time has gone.
From the first post in February 2017, the free site – without any ads, pop ups or clickbait – has gone from strength to strength picking up views not only here in the UK but worldwide, including USA, Japan, Brazil, Sweden, Ireland, Australia and European countries Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
First up were metal bands Fist, Mythra, Raven, Satan, Venom and Tygers of Pan Tang followed by music memories from bands including Beckett, Angelic Upstarts, White Heat, Lindisfarne, Lorraine Crosby, Wildhearts, Dance Class, Kane Gang and Southbound.
Searching the site, you’ll find interviews with authors and photographers, there’s also stories from recording studios Guardian and Impulse.
As well as theatre producer Leah Bell and TV actress Lesley Saint-John, by far the most popular post at 15,000, there are stories from roadies, radio presenters and TV production teams.
During the 2020 covid lockdowns people looked for something new to read so their views added to the regular readers, resulting in monthly numbers of 7,000 with a high of 9,700.
Now the site gets a steady monthly count of 4-5,000, I must say a big thanks to everyone who reads the posts – much appreciated.
How long will it last? Well, the phone’s still ringing and stories keep dropping in my inbox, so I’ll keep gaan until the juice runs out.
Hard working Bill spent 34 years as a railway driver and 20 years on Newcastle City Council. Being a keen cyclist, he is one of the few people to have completed an around the world bike ride.
“The highlight had to be the scenery in the Rocky Mountains, USA, the geysers, hot pools and volcanic activity in Yellowstone Park. I followed the Rockies for over 1,000 miles through Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Oregon with much of this being wilderness area”.
When the pandemic hit in 2020 Bill took solace in the music he loved. He attended songwriting workshops with artists he had been a fan of such as Beth Nielsen Chapman, Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters and Dan Whitehouse. When folk clubs opened back up after lockdown Bill stepped out to perform.
“I really enjoy playing local folk clubs where audiences are always attentive and often sing along. My favourite folk club is The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle which is the longest running folk club in England on the same premises. They’re a great crowd”.
Encouraged by this warm welcome, he spent 2023 honing his work with producer Dan Whitehouse and then recorded his debut album. ‘Closer’ is a delicate collection of heartwarming folk songs that tell political and historical stories as well as tales of love and loss.
“We recorded all the foundation tracks of vocals and guitars live in my living room in Gosforth”.
As well as producing Bill’s debut album, Dan also played lead guitar and added backing vocals plus several of Bill’s friends and family contributed to this intimate collection of songs.
French speaking Christine Durand reads poetry, Kathy Wesolowsk lends operatic vocals, Bill’s grand-daughter Chloe Weston is the lead voice on a song written by Bill on a songwriting retreat lead by Gretchen Peters and Mary Gauthier.
The recordings were shared with Gustaf Lljunggren (John Grant/Eddi Reader) who added Pedal Steel, Accordion and Rhodes Electric Piano from his Copenhagen studio.
“Dan Whitehouse had worked with Gustaf before. He introduced me to Gustaf’s music and once I heard him, I knew that he was the musician I wanted to have playing on a number of my songs”.
“Gustaf is experienced in working remotely – adding delicate overdubs, without overcrowding the musical landscape of my record”.
Cover art by Ruth Bond.
Next stop on the album’s journey was London…
“I’d a longing to add strings to ‘Fools and Princes’ – with it being based on Romeo and Juliet, I had a vision of a romantic string arrangement being effective, Dan suggested Alison D’Souza (The Little Unsaid) in London as he’d worked with her previously and what she played really brought my dream into reality”.
“Harriet Harkcom’s voice I knew from Dan’s own releases as she has sung on most of his albums, I was pleased when she accepted my invitation to sing on ‘Goodnight Vin’. I’d like to think if Vin was around he would love her voice on this song too”.
With recording completed, final mixing and mastering of the album was by John Elliott.
“My hopes for the album are that it will allow me to reach a wider audience, commercial success has never been my main aim. Like any other singer-songwriter I just love sharing my songs with people”.
For the near future Bill has no plans to tour the album…
“I sing in local folk clubs twice a week and I’m happy being involved in this local musical community. I prefer small intimate venues packed with friends and other singers”.
The album is available to order now on CD and digital via bandcamp >
Marden High school in North Shields will host an evening of stories told by three Geordie voices. Founding member of Lindisfarne, Ray Laidlaw, BBC local news reader Carol Malia and international playwright Ed Waugh. Each have a connection to Monkhouse Primary, North Shields, so it’s fitting that all proceeds from the event go to the school.
As well as finding international fame with Lindisfarne, North Shields lad Ray Laidlaw is producer of Geordie institutions Sunday for Sammy and Christmas in the Cathedral. Ray was recently part of the creative team that won a Royal Television Society Award for the brilliant BBC 4 documentary, The Alan Hull Story.
Born in Tynemouth, Carol was a former Marden High school pupil. A regular on our TV screens since 1997, Carol has lots of funny stories to tell, a real Geordie institution.
Ed Waugh has produced 21 professional plays including Dirty Dusting (co-written with Trevor Wood). In January it’ll be performed at Whitley Bay Playhouse and his self-penned play Wor Bella will grace London and Newcastle Theatre Royal in April. Ed also writes comedy sketches for Sunday for Sammy and Christmas at the Cathedral.
Ed Waugh said“In April 2022 my lovely daughter in law Rachelle died aged 34. The school has been brilliantly supportive of my two grandchildren who have attended Monkhouse Primary. It’s an excellent school which thrives on developing the children and giving them new experiences either via extra-curricular activities like football, gardening and archery to name just a few examples, or encouraging them in school time to be active in the arts. I just wanted to do something as a thank you. Both Ray and Carol immediately said yes, which was brilliant of them. It’ll be a great night.”
The event will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 @ 7.30pm at Marden High School, Hartington Road, North Shields, NE30 3RZ.
Does a day go by without listening to music? It runs through yer veins. Addiction to music is a feeling everyone reading this site knows, and the person who this new post is about has it bad.
‘I’ve finally come clean and admitted to myself that I’m totally addicted to going to rock concerts. I’ve also realised that all attempts at treatment are futile, and anyway I don’t want to be cured!’ said Peter.
‘This blog is part of my treatment, creating a permanent record of gigs that I’ve been to. I try to remember as much as I can about them which is difficult as my memory is not good these days’.
‘It takes me back to the late 60s early 70s and includes concerts by Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, T Rex, Kate Bush and events such as Reading Festivals, Donnington Monsters of Rock and Live Aid. I’ve attended around 2000 gigs since 1969’explained Peter.
The music blog started in 2011 (link below), and includes great reviews and stories as well as being illustrated with a collection of Peter’s ticket stubs.
First, a bit of background to Sunderland born Peter Smith. Peter graduated in Computing and Mathematics from Sunderland University in 1978, by 1981 he completed a PhD.
He went on to hold a number of positions at the University spending 11 years as a lecturer before being made professor in 1992. Not stopping there he became Dean of Computing and Technology from 1999 until 2007.
Peter has written hundreds of academic papers and books as well as speaking at conferences worldwide. In 2012 he retired from the University and was made Emeritus Professor.
Despite a severe spinal injury in 2016, Peter continued his life’s work and being a massive music fan,alsofound time to publish numerous papers and books on music venues, classic rock and punk bands.
In July 2022 Sunderland University commemorated his contribution to academia, awarding him with an Honorary Doctorate of Technology. Is that enough for ya’?
I started listening to music in the ‘70s and going to gigs in the ‘80s – they were great times and I know how lucky we were to see fantastic bands. Who do you consider your most memorable gigs?
‘Best gigs were Live Aid in Wembley Stadium 1985, I have so many great memories of that day. Queen’s performance is often rated as the greatest live performance by any band. Freddie certainly commanded the crowd that day’.
‘U2 weren’t far behind them with Bono showing how great a front man he was. For me, however, the highlights were The Who and David Bowie, as I was, and remain, a big fan of both acts’.
‘There was Led Zeppelin at Sunderland Locarno in 1971. I remember Zeppelin came on stage quite late, and the crowd immediately rose to their feet and surged to the front, forming a terrible crush’.
‘I remember a guy trying to take a photo of Robert Plant and the bouncers waded into the crowd to get his camera. Robert intervened, and told the bouncers to leaveoff the guy to a great cheer from the crowd’.
‘I was right down the front close to the band. I could almost touch them, the atmosphere was electric’.
‘I also remember great gigs from the Sex Pistols at Whitby in 1975, David Bowie at Newcastle City Hall in ‘72, Rolling Stones at Newcastle in ‘71, The Who played Charlton football ground in 1974 and Abba at Stafford in 1979’.
On your blog you talk about seeing North East bands Geordie, Angelic Upstarts, Brass Alley, Lucas Tyson, Penetration and Tygers of Pan Tang.
There’s a review of a gig by Punishment of Luxury at the Dunelm House, Durham, what can you remember of that night?
‘This gig at Dunelm House came quite early in their career before they had released any recorded material, and was probably one of the first times I saw them.’
‘I do recall seeing Punishment of Luxury several times in 1978 including a packed gig at Newcastle University canteen, and supporting local punk heroes Penetration at the City Hall’.
‘Punilux as they were often called, were quite quirky and unique in their approach. Although their music undoubtedly grew out of punk, their spiky staccato art-rock had much more depth to it, and their performances were very theatrical, strange and in some ways scary, with use of masks and dance’.
What other North East bands have you seen?
‘Last Exit, Sting’s first band, were excellent, Penetration the best North East punk band, I found Prefab Sprout quirky and great, Lindisfarne always magnificent and now we have Sam Fender who is exciting, plus many others’.
What changes have you seen in the live music scene since attending your first gigs and now ?
‘The growth of custom-built arenas. Sadly fewer concerts are held in small venues. However, my hometown Sunderland now has its own great venue The Fire Station’.
For live reviews including Slade, Queen, Genesis, The Clash, Van Halen, Sex Pistols, The Who and zillions more check out Peter’s excellent music blog at:https://myvintagerock.com/
It’s 1996 and Greedsville were splitting up after the five years that I’d been in the band. I was exhausted cos I had a day job as well plus I was getting interested in just song writing rather than being in a full-on band all the time.
Me and Pete the singer lived in the same flat and we had discussions about it not working anymore. We felt we had taken it as far as we could and our manager Sue Wilkinson had exhausted herself.
So, I wasn’t going off behind anyone’s back when I went to the studio and recorded a few songs looking at trying to get a publishing deal.
Fred Purser ex Penetration & Tygers of Pan Tang (1982)
The studio was Trinity Heights in Newcastle run by Fred Purser (ex guitar Penetration/Tygers of Pan Tang) who I love, he’s great. I was in three days playing all the parts with keyboards by ex-Greedsville man Mark Burton.
(Check the interview ‘Square One’ with Fred Purser 30 December 2018).
Sue agreed that she would be point of contact for the demo that I’d sent to a number of record companies. After only a few days Sue called me and said that Chrysalis A&R were interested.
They liked the songs but they wanted a band not just singer-songwriter. So, after a few phone calls I got in Ed Box who was guitarist and Gary Foalle who played bass in XLR8R, keyboardist Mark Burton was already in.
I also got Graham Hattam in on drums – he was second Greedsville drummer – when I formed the first version of the band. We called it Arch Stanton, a name featured in the great Clint Eastwood film The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
Arch Stanton publicity photo (1998)
To put two songs together we went into Sams Studio in Newcastle because Trinity Heights was booked. Sue sent the tape to the A&R guy but we never heard anything back! The Chrysalis receptionist told us it’s on his desk. Still nothing. This was all annoying after the money and time spent.
This was all in the summer of ’96, we wrote a few more songs and done some gigs. Nothing was happening really apart from our manager Sue Wilkinson applying for a National Lottery grant. (Check the interview ‘Making Plans’ with Sue Wilkinson 25 March 2023 link below).
Well things were fizzling out and the other guys went back to XLR8R until I got a call from Sue ‘get the band back together’! The Lottery grant had been successful and we gathered a four piece band with me, Ed Box, Gary Foalle and Mick Robson on drums and wrote some new material.
Then we went into Trinity Heights and recorded four songs and it was the best feeling, it all just clicked. The lovely Sue got us loads of publicity in the media, TV slots on BBC Look North, cable, radio and newspapers.
The timing was great for the band, we all felt good about it. With the Lottery grant we didn’t need to worry about how much the studio would cost – we could relax into it you know.
Greedsville & Arch Stanton manager Sue Wilkinson
Then the BBC contacted Sue and said they were coming up to Newcastle to film us for a National Lottery show and it was going to be a Spice Girls special! A camera guy came up and filmed us miming in Fred’s studio (Trinity Heights).
Along with Sue I was going to be in the TV studio on the night, live TV, millions of people watching. Night before leaving for the Lottery show Sue called and said the BBC have been in touch and they want a girl singer on because it’s all about girl power with The Spice Girls on. There was a female vocalist in a band from Sunderland who also got a grant so she got the gig instead!
On the night it was broadcast I had a ticket to see the comedian Bill Bailey so my mam video-taped the live show. To be honest when I watched it back it didn’t look good with a video montage of Newcastle, Tyne bridge, Ant & Dec that sort of thing you know.
The 10 second shot with us in Trinity Heights studio didn’t have our name on, or music, or any other bands who were awarded grants. But it was memorable for the night that Geri left The Spice Girls.
For the record, I found the BBC Lottery clip on YouTube, the girl who ended up on the show, instead of me, was called Lara – least that’s what I think they said! Her band was called K9. I heard the backstage gossip was you could cut the tension with a knife (laughs).
The whole point was that the grants were awarded to help bands, but none of us were mentioned. Audience was around 12 million – one of them could have made a difference to any of the bands, but it wasn’t to be.
We, Arch Stanton, carried on for another few year playing gigs at venues like The Riverside, and we recorded a seven track album in Fred’s Trinity Heights studio which was eventually released in 2015.
Also a further five songs were recorded in Sam’s Studios and Octopus Studios. This made up the twelve tracks that were released as an album The Stanton Files in 2015, this was also the year I released my first solo album Life Off Line.
Fred Purser (2021).
I was employed at Trinity Heights, by Fred Purser as a video editor/production assistant, with some assistant sound engineering as a second role. The first music videos I worked on were for what become the album Square One by Fred Purser and Jon Deverill – both ex Tygers of Pan Tang.
When the band The Cockney Rejects were recording their album in Trinity Heights, Out of the Gutter, they asked Fred if they knew someone who played harmonica, he said yes, there’s one sitting upstairs doing some video editing!
I had met them when they came in, great bunch of lads, and ended up playing harmonica on the track Collar Felt Blues. The video for this song was shot in the studio with me in it, it was broadcast on MTV Europe at the time.
Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, UK, 1994. (Photo by Denis O’Regan/Getty Images)
Arch Stanton had split by 2000, and that’s when me, Ed Box and Gary Foalle ended up in New York. We were on holiday and our friend Elizabeth from Newcastle lived there as she was engaged to Evan Dando from The Lemonheads. She was a model in London, Paris then New York where she met Evan. She started off by winning a competition in the Newcastle Chronicle.
We were invited to their wedding in New York and we met a few celeb’s, one of them was Anthony Langdon from the band Spacehog. I first met Anthony – originally from Leeds – in March 2000, when I first went to New York City.
We were hustling around passing our demo to people but nothing really come of it. Evan came over to the UK and played the Wylam Brewery in Newcastle in 2017 where I supported, it was a great gig.
Evan Dando & Clive Jackson at the Wylam Brewery (2017)
With the experience working on video at Fred’s studio in 2004 I set up my own company, Automatic Films, where I went to New York to film Evan in a Day in the Life documentary called One Day in New York.
Chanel Four were looking at it but never took it up but this led me to working on other film projects like short films, music video, comedy and entering them into film festivals.
What am I doing now in music ? I ‘m just completing a new album called Distortion and hopefully release it by September 2023.
For more information/albums/photo’s check out Clive’s official website :
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