Auntie Pus - Half Way To Venezuela (1980)

b/w - Marmalade Freak

The London-based Band On this 45 were

Auntie Pus AKA Julian Isaacs (Voc Rhythm Guitar) 
Robin Bibi (Lead Guitar)
Jim Payne (Bass)  (The Stukas*)
Chris Millar AKA Rat Scabies (Drums) 

Julian Isaacs, was an enthusiastic solo Musician/Performer known as "The Public School Punk Rock Balladeer" - although he was kicked out of Kings College, Wimbledon 

Sounds Reviewer "...any man that sings like this must have something going for him, deafness for example"

How did this one-man old style rock ‘n’ roll guitar act score a support slot with the Damned?

Julian

He was Originally From Wimbledon South-West London & was best friends with 2 brothers who were in Chris Millar's (Rat Scabies of the Damned) 1st band. Julian was invited to support The Damned (due to his manager at the time David Scott promoting the gig) at the Hastings Pier in July '77, where he appeared on stage wearing his old public school blazer and cap

The 45 Recorded was in 1978 (at Pathway Studios) with production by Dick Taylor [Pretty Things] Yet it was released a year and a half later, in October 1980 by Septic [Spartan] Records, being specially created for this purpose by the Ruts Manager Andy Dayman (with whom he was touring extensively with at the time). 

Apparently a second 45 was recorded for Spartan but never released

As well as being a solo Live Performer He also gigged as Auntie Pus & The Men From Uncle
with at various times
Dick Taylor (Guitar)  Pretty Things
Mark Sullivan (Guitar)
Robin Bibi (Guitar ) also in John Dummer & Helen April's True Life Confessions 
Artyro Bassick (Bass) ex-Lurkers also in John Dummer & Helen April's True Life Confessions
Ed Case (Drums) Ex Hazel O'Conner, 999
Danny Heatley (Drums) Ex The Satellites 
Pete 'Esso' Haynes (Drums) ex-Lurkers also in John Dummer & Helen April's True Life Confessions 

Useless Info 1 - Early in 1977 he entered a Melody Maker talent contest being put into the folk music heat He played 4 songs in 10 mins [a Jerry Lee Lewis cover, a song about an abattoir + the 2 that eventually became this 45] - he didn't win!
Useless Info 2 - The sleeve was designed by Rachel Howard, who's father Oliver Howard designed the Ruts "Grin 'n' Bear" it sleeve 
Useless Info 3 - Stories are told that he was a tad "light fingered" relieving large department stores of their electrical goods & redistributing them to fund himself
Useless Info 4 - Marmalade Freak appears on Messthetics #102 [D.I.Y. 77-81 London 2] &  Messthetics #5 [UK D.I.Y. Post-Punk A 1978-81]

*Although Jim Payne was a member of The Stukas, he never recorded with them: this single turned out to be his sole credit: he died in a hang gliding accident aged 25. 

More info Here  & Here

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