Social Cell

Tol-Puddle Martyrs.

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. The Martyrs developed a huge cult following in Central & Northern Victoria 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. And this new version sounds damm fine too".

This interactive CD features 8 tracks, 6 original recordings and two reworkings of the classics, 'Claudette Jones' and 'Time Will Come', featured on the recent album release 'Time Will Come' as recorded by 'The Secrets', Rechter's current brainchild. A web site comprising rare photos, artwork and history of this influential 60s garage band is included in this package, as well as the original 1968 film clip to the Tol Puddle Martyrs, 'Time Will Come'.

A letter from Mike Stax.. Ugly Things Magazine.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your email and my apologies for the delay in responding.
I am very familiar with the Tol Puddle Martyrs and Peter & the
Silhouettes -- "Claudette Jones" is a killer track! It's good to know
you're still active musically too.
I checked out your site -- nice job on all the content you have up there!
Anyway, if you can send a promo copy of the Tol Puddle Martyrs CD, I'd love
to review it in an upcoming issue of Ugly Things!

Look forward to hearing from you.
All the best,
Mike Stax

Ugly Things Magazine
3707 Fifth Ave #145
San Diego, CA 92103
USA

Tol-Puddle Martyrs Review/Mike Stax.
Ugly Things Mag/ October 2002.
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 (recently reissued on CD, it was reviewed in Ugly Things #19). With its urgent fuzz guitar riff and stompin' stop-start arrangement, Claudette Jones is an instant grabber (it was comped on It's A Kave In LP and CD), 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.

Eight songs may seem short for a CD, but there's lots more on this enhanced disc, including a deadly cool vintage promo of Time Will Come and a selection of photos from Peter's 60's scrapbook.

Mike Stax / Editor.
http://www.secretdeals.com.au/Tol-PuddleCDSite/Puddle.htm