Alphabet Beats #020: The Letter C is for...The Chords

C is for...

The Debut Album

Between 1978-81 one of the hottest live bands in London were the South East London lads, The Chords. They were one of the really great bands to come out of the whole Mod Revival. they only released one album and eight singles, but each release was quality product. The original line-up got back together in 2010 for a tour. Nowadays the legacy of The Chords is continued by Chris Pope under the banner of The Chords UK.

Click On The Links To Enjoy The Music Of The Chords.

Chris Pope, Brett "Buddy" Ascott, Billy Hassett and Martin Mason

In September 1979 they released their debut single, Now It's Gone, it barely snuck into the charts stalling at #63. Personally I think the B-Side, Don't Go Back, was a far better song (The Chords Fansite said of the song, "The B side is okay" - oh the enthusiasm!).

The Chords sounded like a mixture of The Who, The Small Faces and The Action.

Check out the rest of The Chords' story under the Biography Section of the fan site.

Compilation

Listen to 'The Chords Anthology' Here.

Live Albums

 Happy Families.
 So Far Away.
I'll Keep Holding On.
Tumbling Down.
Breaks My Heart.

 Listen To 'It Was Twenty Years Ago Today' Here.

The Singles

• Now It's Gone / Don't Go Back (1979) – UK No. 63.
• Maybe Tomorrow / I Don't Wanna Know / Hey Girl (1980) – UK No. 40.
• Something's Missing / This Is What They Want (1980) – UK No. 55.
• The British Way of Life / The Way It's Gotta Be (1980) – UK No. 54.
• In My Street / I'll Keep On Holding On (1980) – UK No. 50.
• One More Minute / Who's Killing Who (1981) - UK No. 87.
• Turn Away Again / Turn Away Again, Again (1981)* - UK No. 139!
• Another Thing Coming (Live version as can't find studio version) (2010). 
• *Features Kip Herring on vocals
  
   
  The John Peel Sessions 
  3rd July 1979.
  1. Now It's Gone.
  2. It's No Use.
  3. Something's Missing.
  
  4. Maybe Tomorrow.
  11th March 1980.
  1. Tumbling Down.
  2. Happy Families.
  3. So Far Away.
  
  
  The Chords Live 2010
  
  
  
  The Garage, London - 21st August.
  
  
  Rescue Rooms, Nottingham - 24th August.
  Something's Missing.
  Another Thing Coming.
  Maybe Tomorrow. 
  
  
  This Post is dedicated to all who spent a night rocking out at The Wellington in Waterloo and to The Forest Hill and Sydenham Mods