Put me away, but I'll be back someday.
The new wave is a sell-out. I mean, compared to the old wave it’s all so tame, what they actually do… You think of what other people have tried out. (Mark E Smith, NME 1978)
By the time the band entered Maida Vale 4 for their second session on 27 November 1978, their reputation as Peel’s favourites had been well established. This time, they were joined by Marc Riley on bass, he of the Creepers and BBC 6 Music shows that broadcast…well, old Peel sessions, amongst other things. This session was produced by John Sargeant, who went on to handle production duties for the Fall’s first LP Live At The Witch Trials.
As ever, you won’t find any singles here, but instead the acid-tongued No Xmas For John Quays, putting down junkies with Smith’s usual mercilessness in a supreme sonic workout. And then there’s ‘Mess Of My’ with Yvonne’s almost fairground-like organ underlining the desperation of ‘the same old cabbage’, and typically challenging our apathy by ending ‘fill the rest in yourself”. The rough-hewn jaggedness of the first session is more streamlined and focused, and it was probably this improved sophistication that prompted MES to approve this session for the Fall’s first release on Strange Fruit, some nine years after it was recorded.
Fall, Peel Session 1978-11-28
Put Me Away/No Xmas For John Quays/Mess Of My/Like To Blow
Best band ever. I’ve just finished reading ‘Renegade’ which contains a fabulous review of a Fall single from Smash Hits written by Samantha Fox.
an excellent pun from a young MES : )