4 Points in Punk - Part 4 - John Keenan

Hi folks. The final part of my punk series aired at the weekend on Pattern Radio (Lisbon). It is now on listen again on the link below. You don't need a Mixcloud account to listen. It will open in any browser.

It features legendary Leeds promoter John Keenan, who promoted all the early punk / post punk bands, but later pretty much everything else, including Curtis Mayfield, PJ Harvey, Oasis, Nirvana, Radiohead, the list is endless TBH.

The music is more moving into the post punk era as the show goes on. I know a few posters on here know John, so I hope anyone interested enjoys the show.



Track list:

The Ruts – Staring At The Rude Boys
The Only Ones – Another Girl, Another Planet
Wire – I Am The Fly
The Skids – Into The Valley
Delta 5 – Mind Your Own Business
Kleenex – Beri-Beri
Suicide – Frankie Teardrop
OMD – Electricity (Martin Hannett / Cargo Studios Version)
New Order – Ceremony
Public Image Ltd – Public Image
Cabaret Voltaire – Yashar (John Robie Mix 1)
Killing Joke – Requiem
Love – My Flash On You
The Stooges – Real Cool Time
Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros – Johnny Appleseed

 

Will have a listen to this later. I asked John a bit ago when it would be on. He'd not even done the interview then! Thanks.

 

Cheers. For one or too reasons there were some sound issues. I spent ages trying to clean it up. John is a fascinating bloke. He gave my old band some really great gigs & allowed us to promote a lot of our own too. We had a great chat. Seemed like meeting up with an old friend, even though I don't think I'd spoken to him since 95 & my band's last gig.

 

What a track list and what an era that was!

Many thanks JP

 

Never heard My Flash On You before. Its lyrical sentiment doesn't exactly chime with the name of the band does it? Interesting though to hear them so punk like.

 

Yes, interesting selection from John. It's a million miles from the stuff off Forever Changes, hard R&B track. He did put on Arthur Lee a few times later, one gig I caught myself.

People think promoters are largely all about the bottom line, but John is & always was a music nerd, like myself, but I'd never have had the balls to do what he's done over the years. I only really knew him in the past from putting my band on & going to what must be close to a 100 of his gigs over the years. I could have chatted on mic about a lot of other stuff, some of which might make another show at some stage. We drift off a little at the end, but wanted to focus on the UK & particularly the northern end of the punk scene on these shows.

We were both at the Virgin Megastore for one of the Joe Strummer & Mesceleros final gigs in Leeds, with Tymon Dogg playing fiddle mostly, but guitar & a few other instruments too.. Seemed appropriate to wind up the story with that. This particular journey had to end somewhere.

 

I've enjoyed all 4 episodes, both for the interviews and the occasional tune I've not heard before, or forgotten about. Many thanks.

 

Top stuff sir ..
Arthur Lee’s inclusion was un expected but admirable.
Thankyou

 

Yes, the two selections at the end of the interview by John squared the circle from the post punk music, back to show one & the roots of punk. I picked the other stuff, but other than the Mescaleros they were all bands John promoted at some point. He's putting the Ruts DC on at the Brudenell on 13th December. They are still excellent.

 

Really enjoyed that, some cracking old tunes. John has so many stories. Well done!!!

 

Thanks. "John Peel, but better" made my head swell a little. Not true of course, but kind sentiments from JFK.