Reader Comments

Thank you for visiting the "From Somewhere Out of Here" home page. If you have read the book, we would love it if you would add your comments here.

i realy luv mod
sMartMods <bionicbrain@madmail.com>
- Tuesday, May 16, 2000 at 12:10:59 (EDT)
Great fucking book. I know cos me and the rest of the Leighton Buzzard lived the life. Great memories of nights in midlands and London. What ever happened to Tony Reynolds and that great dj from London that used to come up Paul Hallam. It would be interesting to see a book like this from a London perspective. I might just go and get another suit made.....
steve t <sterling@sterling-online.com>
London, england - Thursday, March 23, 2000 at 13:45:57 (EST)
Haven't read the book yet. Sorry. I dropped out of the scene in 1988 during the Synatra's era - family comittments. What ever happened to Tony Reynolds? Does any one remember Mac and his girlfriend who worked behind the bar at the 'rigger? Where are they now? Did Penny ever sell that Union Jack covered PX? Did Kyra ever escape from the cloakroom? Tony reynolds used to play a track called "Green Light" which he kept covered. Was it by The Quik as he often claimed? Is Howard still running the Scooter business he started when he left Onslows? Does anyone remember the Upper grounds and the Turks head? And the time the London came up in a coach to see Makin Time...and the resulting fight with the Olympics SC? And Garry being chased by a gang of rude boys under the bullring to the Rigger!! Aaahhh the memories....and we all (pretended) we hated the Jam and got ripped off at Pressbergers!!!! Still got my scoot somewhere in the garage, but the tax ran out in 1989!!! Time to dust it off I feel!! I still play "Berts apple crumble" and "I feel much better" and wait for the memories to flood back!!!!! WANTED BRIAN AUGER AND THE TRINITY - IN & OUT b/w BLACK CAT - DERAM USA
Neil <neil@orchard-croft.fsnet.co.uk>
Wolverhampton, UK - Sunday, March 05, 2000 at 07:42:17 (EST)
Must be a comment from a ticket,couldn't even spell northern.
Gary Taylor <gaztay@virginnet.co.uk>
Birmingham, England - Tuesday, December 28, 1999 at 14:06:39 (EST)
Obviously a comment from a ticket,couldn't even spell Northern.
Gary Taylor <gaztay@virginnet.co.uk>
Birmingham, England - Tuesday, December 28, 1999 at 13:56:19 (EST)
You are all provincial London-wannabes.Mod began in North London and lost all it's kudos when Norhern monkeys got on the Band wagon.
John Webster <jwebster@mortimerspinks.co.uk>
London, UK - Tuesday, December 21, 1999 at 04:31:58 (EST)
S.G.Grey and M.D Sandon had 'from somwhere out of here' published in February 1997 and since then have appeared on B.B.C. radio on four occasions.There have been three newspaper articles featuring the book. in Express and Star 24.2.97 The Walsall Observer the same week and in the Birmingham Evening mail 13.3.97. The Walsall Observer printed an interview it conducted with S.G.Grey on 4.3.97. Reviews of the book appeared in four magazines in the spring and summer of 1997. On page 68 of number 136 of 'scootering' from April. On page 115 of number 82 of select from May. On page 171 of number 216 of 'Record Collector' from August. Reviews of the book also appeared in a number of fanzines during 1998. In issue 5 of springs edition of 'The Modernist Review' available for the price of a s.a.e. from 14,Hawthorn Close,Addingham,Ilkley,West Yorkshire,LS29 0TW in number 27 of springs issue 'Beat Generation@ £2.50 inc. p.p from Briata Marco, Piazza Bernini 3/3 a 17100 savona, Italy. in number 12 of septembers issue of 'Bewitched', available for £1.20 plus A5 sized s.a.e. from 'innocenti', 17 New Park Estate,Thorne Road, Stainforth,Doncaster, South Yorkshire,DN7 5BN and in number 4 of the winter issue of 'Brian Cants Pants', available for £1.50 plus A4 sized s.a.e. from 24,Association way, Norwich,Norfolk NR7 0TQ. An interview conducted with S.G.Grey and M.D.Sandon by editor Paul Welsby in February 1998 appeared in number 6 of the summer 1998 issue of 'The Modernist Review' A serial by S.G.Grey entitled 'rarest u.k. Motown club 45's began in issue 13 of 'Bewitched'in December 1998. Part 2 should be out in the autumn of 1999. S.G.Grey has recently completed the manuscript to his second book, The crime fiction novel 'A cold snap on Snow Hill'. He is currently trying to find a publisher for the book, and has begun work on his third novel,which he hopes to be finished by Autumn 2000.
S.G.Grey <sgrey@virginnet.co.uk>
Birmingham, England - Monday, October 11, 1999 at 16:35:22 (EDT)
There have been some interesting readers comments regarding 'From Somewhere Out Of Here'over recent months, both positive and negative-many of the negative views seemingly from ex-scooter boys making out that they were once mods, why does'nt that surprise me? On a more positive note there have been a reasonable amount of reviews and comments about the book,from a number of sources-magazines,radio,newspapers and fanzines, and for those of you visiting this site with a positive interest in 'From Somwhere Out Of Here' and an interest in how others, either other mods or individuals in the media view or peceive the book.I've listed the publications and programmes that have featured 'From Somwhere'.
S.G.Grey <sgrey@virginnet.co.uk>
Birmingham, England - Monday, October 11, 1999 at 16:02:18 (EDT)
I'ts great this site, because here in my country, there is not so much information about our music and style of life. this is a concept of freedom and respect, UP THE MODS!!!
ivan silva merino <novita@unete.com>
santiago, santiago chile - Thursday, September 02, 1999 at 21:07:10 (EDT)
I enjoyed the book. It was about time that someone wrote about what was hapening in the eighties. It was arrogant, yes. It was hip, yes. It showed that there was a tangible lifeoutside the mainstream and was necessarily detached. I travelled all around the country to mod and Phoenix, CCI etc rallies and do's including Birmingham (Sinatras, Outrigger, Turks Head, Polish Club, Collibosher etc), Coventry (Polish Club) Leamington and Kenilworth and the Midland Scene was envied: but it was not the be all and end all of hip mod and I think the writers kind of lost sight of this. As a subjective analysis of a local scene it it a commendable book and gives me goosebumps as it reminds me of an excellent time in my life that no one one who was involved can even come close to understanding. As an objective look at the eighties scene it leaves something to be desired. Nevertheless in the absence of anything more approporiate toa national scene and in recognition of the mass amount of work that must have gone into ot - good work lads.
Tetley
Middlesbrough, - Friday, August 06, 1999 at 18:52:52 (EDT)
Anyone that was a mod throughout this era will know how accurate this book is.'Magga'(no i've never heard of him either) obviously was'nt.This book had to be written.Yes we were clicky,we were elitist,thats what made the movement so good,it was a continual process of improvement thats what set real mods apart from scooter boys,while we were out improving our wardrobes and record collections 'Magga' was probably out buying an exhaust or a new pair of 'Doccas'.The best mods set the standard that the others had to try to achieve if they were ever to be accepted.It was 'peer pressure' on an enormous scale.Just take a look at the photos on page 113-121,it took time,patience,intelligence,understanding and a great deal of expense to perfect that look.I think we had every right to be arrogant.I think the bitterness and resentment behind 'Magga's and to some extent A.Rooneys comments probably stem from the fact that they never made the grade. What some people fail to understand is that it was all about clothes and music not scooters.We were peacocks not grease monkeys,but you could'nt just don the clothes and become a mod.It was a state of mind.A state of mind that is summed up superbly in this breath-takingly accurate book.I know because i was there.
Neil Edmunds <edmundsn69@freeserve.co.uk>
Oldbury, West Midlands England - Saturday, June 26, 1999 at 18:52:52 (EDT)
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¤pµJ <b1220162@ms33.hinet.net>
Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China - Tuesday, June 15, 1999 at 14:19:47 (EDT)
Sorry about the spelling mistakes,I was in a bit of a hurry - and also missed out one comment in relation to Magga`s little spat which is ... Magga repeatedly mentions two mods in relation to involvement in the book? - where in reality the book is in three parts and centres around the experiences of three main individuals. That`s two authors and three protagonists. But then of course Magga knows best because he`s so obviously read the book!
Ian Smith
Walsall, England - Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 12:12:58 (EDT)
19/5/1999 after noticing "magga`s" comments about "from somewhere" on the home page, i began asking a good number of former mods from Birmingham AND the black country, who were around circa 1978 - 1988, if they`d ever heard of any mod called magga from that period - as i`d certainly never heard the name before. (that`s from Birmingham AND the black country Magga, part of the subtitle of the book - not Birmingham in ? the black country as you mistakenly claim. - incidentaly Magga old son, have you actually read the book?- have you even seen a copy ???) Of all the people i have spoken to over the past few days, not one has ever heard of any mod by the name of Magga.......Although a few former mods do vaguely remember a scooter boy from around the general West Bromwich area using that tag. - "a Bloody scooter boy!!!!!!!!!- well now there`s a surprise i don`t think- which explains why "Magga " "conveniently" failed to list any of the clubs / venues he used to visit back in the days he "claims" he was a mod. - and why he hasn`t included the names of any of his modernist contemparies from that period. - So while friend "Magga" is of course entitled to his oppinions concerning "from somewhere" , modernists accessing this home page might like to bear in mind the fact that an outsider- an individual with no association or regard for the movement is the one making comment about memories of a youth cult he has no real interest in or first hand knowledge of. ......Another former combat man claiming to have been a mod - Adrian Rooney - who again no-one remembers as anything but a scooter boy, makes some really strange comments about "from Somewhere" a book he states he owns, and has read.- Rooney claims the authors haven`t mentioned how thrilling and exiting the scene was - wrong Adrian..... he also indicates that the authors failed to mention how far from the mainstream the movement became? - wrong again Adrian - try looking at the rear sleeve notes of the book - and for example page one - the preface..... Rooney - amazingly - then states that the authors have failed to describe early gigs from many of the contempory bands of the period - wrong again Adrian - try looking at pages 6,12,13,16,17,21,23,25,42,67,etc. - he also states that the "Barrel Organ" and "Grapes" were venues where he enjoyed "brilliant times". - in that case Adrian should perhaps have read pages 69 to 71 and pages 81 right through to 123. - and looked at the photographs on pages 108 to 112. - Got the book have you Adrian? - read it thoroughly have you Adrian? - I don`t think so somehow Mr Rooney!!!!!!!!!
Ian Smith
Walsall, England - Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at 09:48:08 (EDT)
It is with great sadness that I feel that I need to respond and offer my comments on this book. gigs/events that are mentioned in the book,I can only assume that these pair of jumped up tossers must have been trippin' and their memories and reasoning capabiliites have been shot. Did these two ever have any fun !! If my memory serves me right, these two were typical of the clique that in some way were responsible for splitting some of the mod scene up into fragmented groups. I am sure that the authors must have come up with some of these stories whilst brushing and lacquering their hair in their respective bedrooms. Did you really live through the mod movement during this period ?? Did you get the point ?? I don't think so !! PILE THIS JUNK OF SHIT IN THE FICTION SEGMENT, OR WIPE YOUR ARSE ON IT. Rest assured that this was not modernism in the Black Country, anyway since when has Birmingham been in the Black Country. Better luck next time lads, PS If you need any help writing your next book ask the real people who were there enjoying it and not posing in some far away corner. MAGGA..
MAGGA <hcl@btinternet.com>
West Bromwich, ENGLAND - Tuesday, May 11, 1999 at 19:06:44 (EDT)
Too much of the 'we were better than the London' shit. Because you weren't really! Still good to see a book from the 79-82 era cos that was the best time! Don't be put off by my or anyone elses negative comments though - buy a copy.
Glenn Ludlow <glenn@gmludlow.freeserve.co.uk>
Cheltenham, UK - Friday, November 27, 1998 at 18:16:31 (EST)
I wish i could order the bleedin thing.Get it on sale in Gran Sport scooter shop or Classically Italian in Brum so all us scooter ridin mods can get a look!!!!!!!!!!
JIMI <smokinvibe@aol.com>
Birmingham, U.K. - Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 18:39:24 (EDT)
I have read the book and found the details very interesting. It must have been hard keeping track of everything, especially the length of time people were into the scene. The discographies were brilliant and very detailed and a very good guide at that. Cheers!
Sean Cavanaugh <BifBangPow@aol.com>
Oakland, CA USA - Saturday, May 30, 1998 at 00:46:08 (EDT)
This book is really stupid. it reads like a friggin' undergrads' sociology paper. Too bad, it would have been nice to read something good on the mod revival years for a change. Highly Boring!
david <davidblunt@aol.com>
san francisco, ca usa - Thursday, May 14, 1998 at 19:30:04 (EDT)
I'm a Brummie now living in the US and have had this book awhile bought over by friends from home. I've been into mod since '79 at the age of 15. I can't believe you have taken the trouble to write a book about mod and felt the need to be so petty instead of talking about how thrilling and exiting it was at the time. We fucked off mainstream within months we were on our own, people who knew the score, best music, best clothes, best attitude. Young proud and mod. Instead of discussing the positive all you discuss childishly is how we dressed better then cockneys. So what. I don't care about London but come on give it up, most bands came from that scene. I personally love mod revival, it's probably nostalga but at the time it was graet hearing new "mod" music. The only stuff you rate is if it's worth 50 quid. I wish you had really told us what it was like to see some of the early bands, you were there you say, why so neg? I was at the Barrell, Grapes ect. brilliant times, and the into scooters which apparently you weren't. You're snobby mod became obscure, clicky and full of cravates. Disappointed you couldn't be more generous to what it was all about.
Adrian Rooney <arooney@officemax.com>
Santa Monica, CA USA - Friday, May 01, 1998 at 00:21:06 (EDT)
Mods of any background will appreciate this book. Some great pictures show how dedicated the Midlanders were, and the text and playlists testify to a great club scene. Shame they supported a crap footie team!
Daiman Sargeant <dsargean@coventry.ac.uk>
Coventry, UK - Monday, May 12, 1997 at 08:09:32 (EDT)
Briliant!
TAKAYUKI TAKIMOTO
Osaka-city, Osaka JAPAN - Wednesday, May 07, 1997 at 10:06:12 (EDT)
Hi, Thanx for visiting this page, and I hope you enjoy the book as much as Steve & I enjoyed working on the project. Special thanks to lisa Gerson for organising theis page, it is greatly appreciated.
M.Sandon
Birmingham, UK - Thursday, April 24, 1997 at 05:43:46 (EDT)
Hi everyone. Welcome to my page about "From Somewhere Out of Here." Please add your comments about the book to this page. Thanks,
Lisa Gerson <webmaster@modernist.com>
Deerfield, IL USA - Tuesday, April 08, 1997 at 12:32:09 (EDT)