B RIGHTON is the spiritu-al home for a lot of Modculture – it was a cul-

tural mecca for us.“Whenever things got difficult we

would jump in [guitarist] David Cairns’scar and take a pilgrimage to Brighton,watch the ocean and contemplate whatwe were doing.”

For Ian Page, frontman of Modrevival band Secret Affair, Brighton’srole in The Who’s 1975 double albumhymn to the movement, Quadrophenia,had a big resonance.

And Bruce Foxton, original bassist ofThe Jam, felt a similar draw to Brighton– albeit one tinged with sad-ness as the last place TheJam played togetherin 1982.

“I loveBrighton – it’sa very vibeytown,” hesays as hisbandFrom TheJam pre-pares toheadlinea bill ofModrevivalfavouritestomorrowat the samevenue, theBrightonCentre.

From The Jamwas a collaborationbetween Foxton and origi-nal drummer Rick Bucklerplaying the hits of The Jam, as well asdelving deep into the Mod favourites’back catalogue.

Since the departure of Buckler in 2009Foxton now leads the band with gui-tarist and singer Russell Hastings andSmiley, drummer with The Alarm.

The Brighton Centre show marks the50th anniversary year of the seafrontbattles between the Mods and theRockers which took both teen tribesoverground.

Also on the bill are Page’s SecretAffair, The Chords and the original line-up of The Truth.

And there’s ataste of oldschoolModernismon Fridaynight atConcorde2, withtributebandsWho’sWho andTheSmallFakers.Both bandswill play themusic whichestablished notonly the Mod sceneof the 1960s, butinspired the 1970 Mod revival and the

backward-looking Britpop explosion inthe 1990s.

Foxton got into the Mod look andsounds through his brother Derek.

“He was one of the originalMods,” says Foxton. “I

would watch him andwhat he was into –

he used to playa lot of

Motown andNorthernSoul. InThe Jamwe likedthe Modimage –Paul[Weller]wasreally

into it.“It’s

such astrong peri-

od with thequality of the

music and style.Most fashions come

around again sooner orlater.”

For Page the Mod look tallied withthe fashions he was experimentingwith both as Secret Affair and in itspredecessors New Hearts.

“We were always very 1960s influ-enced both musically and in ourfashion,” he says. “I would saythe fundamental bedrock is themusic – it has affected every-body’s music ever since. It was agolden era.”

Like Foxton and The Jam,Secret Affair’s roots were in thepunk era. But Page felt the musical

revolution didn’t deliver the ideas hehad himself.

“I didn’t buy into that ‘NoFuture’ negativity,” he

says. “I felt more positiveabout what people could

do – that part of theMod culture influencedmy music.”

Following the col-lapse of his previ-ous teenage powerpop outfit NewHearts – who

played severalsupport slots for

The Jam in 1977– Secret Affair

drew on the influ-ence of Motown,

particularly in itsuse of brass, for its new

sound.

The band’s calling card was thealbum Glory Boys, which is being per-formed from beginning to end by theband later on in this tour to mark its35th anniversary.

Around the same time The Jam wasfurther embracing the Mod sound withtheir third album, and first true classic,All Mod Cons – home to ‘A’ Bomb InWardour Street, Down In The TubeStation At Midnight and Foxton’s vocaltake on The Kinks’ David Watts.

Having recreated the album in fullwhile touring last year, From The Jamis now focusing on its follow-up SettingSons, as one of three alternating showsacross the country. This comes toBrighton’s Concorde 2 on December 30.

“We are trying to keep the showsfresh for everybody,” says Foxton,adding From The Jam will be playing aclassics set – also known as The PublicWants What The Public Gets – for theBrighton celebration.

The band’s biggest departure in thelast year has been a tour entitled That’sEntertainment. Foxton and Hastingsstrip Jam classics down to their acousticbasics, and mix them with tracks fromBack In The Room, Foxton’s first soloalbum in 25 years.

“Russell had been playing those Jamsongs on his own for a

while,” admitsFoxton, who

had felt a little out ofplace when joining hislongtime frontmanon acoustic bass.

“It’s a testa-ment to thequality of thesongs thatthey soundgood on anacoustic gui-tar. The vibewe get fromthe audienceis amazing –you couldhear a pindrop.”

Foxton fundedBack In The Roomthrough an onlinePledgeMusic appeal.The finished article fea-tures contributions from hisFrom The Jam bandmates, as well asSteve Cropper from Booker T And TheMGs, saxophonist Steve Norman ofSpandau Ballet, and old comradePaul Weller.

In the years since their2009 reunion SecretAffair saved theirpennies to recordtheir long-over-due

fourth album Soho Dreams– 30 years after their

initial swansongBusiness As Usual.

Both The Jamand SecretAffair bowedout in 1982.

“We’ve justheard that abox set iscoming outin Octoberwith all fourSecret Affair

albums inthere,” says

Page.“Because we

are all self-financedthe fifth album will

take a lot of time. Youdon’t need £50,000 to make

an album any more if you knowwhat you’re doing – you have to do a lot

of pre-pro-

duction to get all the parts down.“We will start writing at the end of

this tour, but I think it will be anotheryear before we see it come out.”

l As well as the Celebrating 50 Years OfMod Culture events, The NewUntouchables Mod Weekender is return-ing to Brighton for the bank holidayweekend.

From Friday, August 22, to Sunday,August 24, there will be free daytimeand ticketed evening events at The VolksBar And Club, in Madeira Drive,Brighton, and ticketed parties atKomedia, in Gardner Street, from 11pm.Visit www.newuntouchables.com orwww.komedia.co.uk/brighton

32 The Argus, Friday, August 22, 2014 The Argus, Friday, August 22, 2014 33

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Duncan Hall speaks to Secret Affair frontman, Ian Page, and The Jam bassist, Bruce Foxton about Mod culture, and shows us what else is on offer this weekend

“ CELEBRATING 50 YEARSOF MOD CULTUREConcorde 2, Madeira Drive,Brighton, Friday, August 22Brighton Centre, King's Road,Saturday, August 23

ll The 1914 HousePreston Manor, Preston Drove,Brighton, Friday, August 22 and Friday,August 29COINCIDING with the centenary of The GreatWar, Preston Manor hosts a new tour of thehouse focusing on the 12 people living therein 1914 and how the outbreak of war rockedtheir lives.

The tour combines real-life stories andpractical demonstrations covering everythingfrom communication to washing.11am to 12.45pm and 2pm to 3.45pm, £15/£12.Call 03000 290902.

ll Dig WhitehawkWhitehawk Hill, Brighton, Saturday,August 23FIND out about Brighton’s earliest inhabi-tants as archaeologists investigate the5,500-year-old Stone Age site WhitehawkCamp alongside a team of 90 volunteersfrom the city.

This open day will mix demonstrations anddisplays about items found on the site in the1920s and 1930s, as well as the current com-munity excavation.

Plus there will be walks and tours of thesite, Stone Age art workshops and a chanceto find out about food and diet in man’s earlydays.Open 11am to 5pm, free. Visit www.ucl.ac.uk/caa/whitehawk-hlf.

ll The Royal Pavilion Estate and theFirst World WarRoyal Pavilion, Pavilion Gardens,Saturday, August 23A NEW tour exploring how the RoyalPavilion, Dome and Corn Exchange wereconverted into military hospitals during theFirst World War, with archive photographs,letters and documents.10.30am to 1.30pm, £20/£15. Call 03000290902.

ll England’s Medieval Festival 2014Herstmonceux Castle, Saturday, August23, to Monday, August 25THE 15th century castle suffers twice-dailysieges and battles over the bank holidayweekend as part of the 22nd annualmedieval festival.

Also on offer during the weekend arejousting displays, an archery competition,craft stalls and a living history encampment– plus the chance to take part in a medievalbanquet tomorrow night.10am to 6pm, day tickets from £16. Visitwww.englandsmedievalfestival.com.

ll Summer FairHolbrook Animal Rescue, Old Holbrook,Horsham, Sunday, August 24FOR the first year Holbrook Animal Rescue’ssummer fair is hosting a fun dog show, withclasses ranging from agility parkour to wag-giest tail.

The fair will also feature a range of stallsselling jewellery, food and drink and animalaccessories, plus bouncy castles,face-painting and an arm-wresting chal-lenge.Noon to 4.30pm, free. Visit holbrook-summer-fair.info.

ll Journeys Dance FestivalRye, Bexhill and Hastings, Saturday,August 23, to Monday, August 25THE launch of a new three-day participatorydance festival across three locations.

Journeys launches tomorrow with ThePicnic by Etta Ermini Dane Theatre at RyeStation Car Park – an outdoor 35-minute per-formance about a young couple trying toenjoy an intimate al fresco dining experi-ence. Look out for a taster event at Bexhillstation at noon.

Britain’s Got Talent stars The Jive Aces areaccompanied by the Cinque Ports LindyHoppers and Wheelchair Dance SportAssociation at Stade Open Space in Hastingson Sunday.

And Ragroof Players lead a tango master-class, soundtracked by the Corina Piatti Trio,at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill Marinaon Monday.From 1pm, free. Visit 18hours.org.uk/journeys-18-hours-of-dance-2014.

ll Teddy Bears PicnicBorde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath,Monday, August 25TAKE teddy for a day out and raise cash forChestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice onBank Holiday Monday.

As well as games and activities there willbe a fancy dress teddy bear competition.10am to 6pm, £8/£5. Visit www.bordehill.co.uk.

ll Classic Car ShowPlumpton College, Ditchling Road,Plumpton, Sunday, August 24CARS from the 1950s to the 1980s will bedescending on Plumpton for the secondclassic car show.

Expect a mix of period restorations, hotrods and modified classics, ranging fromFords and Volkswagens to MGs and Austins.From 8am, £5 per car.Visit www.facebook.com/plumptoncollegeclassiccarshow.

ll Extreme Stunt Show LiveThe Green, Brighton Road, Lancing,Friday, August 22Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road,Saturday, August 23STUNT professionals show off their skills onmotorbikes, monster trucks and more in thetouring European show.6.30pm, £12/£6. Visit extremeeventseurope.com

ll RiverfestAcross Shoreham, Friday, August 22, toMonday, August 25A LONG weekend of live music, arts, foodand drink markets, and a classic car showon Adur Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Highlights include a dragon boat race onSunday and three nights of drive-in movies –Jaws, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Life OfPi – at the Adur Recreation Ground fromtonight.Various times. Visit shorehamriverfest.co.uk.

ll Worthing Rotary CarnivalGrand Avenue and Steyne Gardens,Worthing, Monday, August 25CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow will lead sambapirates in the Worthing Rotary Carnivalparade opening this year’s celebration.

The free events in Steyne Gardens, organ-ised by Worthing’s three rotary clubs, willfeature a live stage show and dog show.Noon to 5pm, free. Call 01903 246335.

Concorde 2: Doors 7pm, tickets £16.Call 01273 673311. Brighton Centre:Doors 7pm, tickets £25.50. Call08448 471515.

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Six reasons to go out:1... PRINCE FATTY’S CARNIVAL WARM UPRUB A DUB CLUBAudio, Marine Parade, Brighton, Friday, August22ANYONE planning to head over to NottingHill this weekend can get in the mood withproducer and vintage reggae lover PrinceFatty and special guest Horseman.

Doors 11pm, £4 before midnight, £5/£7after. Call 01273 606906.

2... GILLES PETERSONConcorde 2, Madeira Drive, Brighton,Saturday, August 23DJ, producer and founder of BrownswoodRecordings Gilles Peterson plays a mix ofsoul, jazz, house and hip-hop.Support from Russ Dewbury and SoulCasserole.

11pm to 4am, £15. Call 01273 673311.

3. OXJAM SPEAKEASY FUNDRAISEREnvy, Marine Parade, Brighton, Friday, August22A 1920s-THEMED taster of October’scharity takeover, which sees more than 40bands and musicians play gigs in ten cityvenues in aid of Oxfam. On the bill tonightare Nicky Mitchell, Mike The Mic, SouthCoast Swing, Dollie Dore, The Sweet Teaseand Curious Sounds, with DJ Basschimpfrom Dapper Sounds behind the decks.

10pm to 3am, £10. Visit www.facebook.com/events/327075324124580.

4... TWIN PEAKS PARTYThe Haunt, Pool Valley, Brighton, Sunday,August 24NOW arguably even more famous 25 yearson thanks to the rise of the DVD box set,David Lynch’s quirky smalltown murdermystery is the theme for this surreal bankholiday event.Expect coffee and cherry pie, dopple-gangers, doughnuts and prizes for the bestcostume all set to an eerie soundtrackfrom the team behind May’s Wes Andersonparty.

11pm, £7. Visit www.thehauntbrighton.co.uk.

5... MALIBU INTERNATIONAL PARTYThe Coalition, King’s Road Arches,Brighton, Sunday, August 24PROMISING fast and furious beats througha cutting edge soundsystem for its Sundaynight Malibu International Party, Coalition isalso celebrating the fourth anniversary ofSaturday favourite O>Y>B tomorrow nightbetween 11pm and 3am, tickets £5.

11pm to 6am, free. Visitwww.coalitionbrighton.com.

6... BANK HOLIDAY PAYBACK: PART TWOAudio, Marine Parade, Brighton, Sunday,August 24THE PROTOTYPES and MC Fearlessheadline a bill including Culture Shock, SubZero and Koncept.

11pm, £5/£8. Call 01273 606906.

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Secret Affair

Bruce Foxton