In 1834 six farm workers from Tolpuddle, Dorset were found
guilty on trumped-up charges related to their membership in
a clandestine trade union. The judge sentenced them to seven
years transportation to Australia, a harsh punishment
usually reserved for only the worst, hardened criminals. The
case was symbolic of the new struggle of the British working
classes for better wages and conditions, and it soon
inspired a groundswell of public sympathy.
The six men became popular heroes, dubbed "The Tolpuddle
Martyrs."
One hundred and thirty-two years later, some Australian
teenagers decided, "Hey, what a cool name for a band!" And
so a new (and hyphenated) Tol-Puddle Martyrs came into
being.
Previously known as Peter & the Silhouettes they'd already
released two songs on a local Victoria compilation LP, The
Scene. With its urgent fuzz guitar riff and stompin'
stop-start arrangement, Claudette Jones is an instant
grabber while the slower, moodier Natural Man is also
worth a spin.
Both are on this CD, along with the four great tracks they
went on to release in 1967 and 68 under their new, improved
and historically conscious name.
Their first single, Time Will Come, is a foreboding slab of
chug swathed in eerie organ lines and dramatic fuzz guitar
flourishes, while its flipside, Social Cell, has a similar
hardboiled throbbing quality that also connects
well.
By the time the second Tol-Puddle single rolled around
they'd obviously been feasting on the Kinks, especially Face
to Face and Something Else, and their mood had brightened
considerably. Love Your Life is a pleasant Kinky pop tune,
but its completely surpassed by its partner. Nellie Bligh is
perhaps the best song Ray Davies never wrote - and maybe the
best Ray Davies vocal he never sang to boot; only the
Leopards ever came this close to the raw, swaggering
delivery of the originals.
The Tol-Puddle Martyrs, the second incarnation of Peter &
the Silhouettes (Claudette Jones), produced some of the
rarest and most sought after recordings from the killer 60s
punk period. Peter & the Silhouettes: Peter Rechter
organ/vox Kevin Clancy lead guitar/vox Keiran Keogh bass
guitar Manuel Pappos rhythm guitar Tony Truscott drums
The Martyrs developed a huge cult following in Central &
Northern Victoria in the 60s with their wild and raucous
fuzz guitar/organ drenched material.
Ian McFarlane, renowned Australian rock historian writes:
The moody, magnificent Time Will Come is certainly one of
the great Aussie psychedelic recordings; an enigmatic, organ
drenched trip that still sounds amazing today.
Formed: 1966, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Members: Peter Rechter (organ, vocals, 1966-69), Kevin
Clancy (guitar, vocals, 1966-69), Russell Hogan (rhythm
guitar, 1966-69), Keiran Keogh (bass, 1966-69), Len Gaskell
(drums, vocals, 1966-69)
1. Claudette Jones
2. The Natural Man
3. Time Will Come
4. Social Cell
5. Love Your Life
6. Nellie Bligh
7. Claudette Jones
8. Time Will Come