Stormtrooper
Stormtrooper formed at the bar in the Marquee Club by British frontman Nigel Hutchings and American bassist Jeff Piccinini (better known by his stage name Geoff Myles), who recruited John Pilka on guitar and Mike Lee on drums. They recorded a 4 song demo in August 1975, then signed with Corruption Management on the Portobello Road for a couple of pints and some distant promises. The band’s career was short and very sweet, as the PR sheet with the single explains.
Stormtrooper as we appeared in our short but volatile lifespan during the summer and autumn of 1975: Nigel Hutchings, vocals; Jeffery Piccinini, bass guitar; John Pilka, guitars; Mike Lee, drums. After cutting a demo tape in September 1975 and being rejected by one record company after another and also being “Financially Destitute”, desertion set in. Our heroic assault as top-billing act at Bath Pavilion on October 1st, 1975 was our last live appearance. By Christmas 1975 Stormtrooper ceased to exist.
I’m A Mess PR Sheet
However deciding that their music had something in common with the new punk style they cut a single from their demo of 1975 I’m A Mess / Its Not Me (1977 Solent Records).
John Waterman (Solent Records) Jeff Piccinini, who was an American living in Havenstreet, came to me with a tape. He said: ‘I’m a bit worried about the quality of the tape’. The tape was a bit raunchy, but it was an archetypical punk, or post-punk song. The record sold 3,000 copies, a lot of which were sold in London.
Interesting historically. The single sounds like the Who circa Live at Leeds but with sort of weak punky lyrics/themes (actually looking at them again pretty close to the lyrical subject of The Who’s Who Are You song!). You’ll either think it was ahead of its time and good, or just bad heavy rock. Take your pick. Described by the British music press as
“The sound of a commuter being shoved under a tube train in the rush hour, one for howling at the moon and a tale of drunkenness in the wild of Soho.”
I’m A Mess
I always go out drinking on a Friday night
After a week of coming down I’m bustin’ for a fight
My brother gives me pills and me mother gives me ice
‘Cause every Saturday morning my head don’t feel so nice
Chorus
I’m a mess
But don’t tell me
I’ll beat you
Don’t need no friends see
My doctor says I’m down and I need a two week rest
So I take it down in Soho ‘Cause I fight down there best
And the man from down the “dilly” sells me bombers and hash
And I’m always found in Wardour Street, where the junkies all crash
Three o’clock on Friday night a copper comes along
And after kicking me around I started to run
But the law was all around me So I just hit out
Now they’ve thrown me in the nick where I can scream and loon about
You’re a dirty mess
I’m a dirty mess
The press release said:
Two years later a record has been cut from our demo tape and has come out of our own pocket. The track I’m A Mess was conceived over two years ago and although it was well ahead of its time we feel it is still as relevant today as it was two years ago. We hope you enjoy this record and don’t forget to Play It Very Loud.
I’m A Mess PR Sheet
You might be thinking, where have I seen that title before? The single was sold with a badge
John Waterman (Solent Records) The badge declaring ‘I’m A Mess’ sold with it became well known. Sid Vicious wore his badge on the Sex Pistols American tour and on a Wreckless Eric sleeve, Wreckless Eric is pictured wearing his on his guitar strap.
In 1977, the band, with Maurice Bacon – formerly of Love Affair – on drums, went back into the studio to record Coming My Way and I’m on Fire. These were never released; however, Chelsea covered I’m on Fire, as after these recordings Geoff joined the band when it reformed in late 1977.
TalkPunk
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