The band played various venues around England, then in August were spotted by Elton John’s Rocket Records label. A Rocket album -- named "499-2139" -- featured a dozen new and unknown bands and included the Lambrettas' first recording, Go Steady.
In November of 1979, Rocket released the Lambrettas track as a single. By the early part of 1980, Go Steady had sold modestly, but with enough interest to persuade Rocket to sign the band.
The next release was a cover of the 1950s Lieber/Stoller song, Poison Ivy, previously recorded most notably by The Coasters and The Rolling Stones. The Lambrettas version, with brass arrangements, had a decidedly upbeat "ska" feel to it. The record was a huge success, reaching #7 in the British charts, and earning the band a silver disc for sales in excess of 250,000.
The next single, Da-a-ance, was more typical of the band’s pop/rock sound, reaching #12 in the charts. Controversy occurred when they were about to release another cut from their debut album, Beat Boys In The Jet Age. At the last moment, the song Page 3, had to be re-titled for single release as Another Day (Another Girl), after a court injunction by the Sun newspaper. The record was moderately successful, reaching #49 in the charts.
Towards the end of 1980, with Beat Boys doing well (#28 in the British album charts), the band embarked on a European tour, opening for the highly acclaimed band, Madness. 1981 brought a lineup change to the Lambrettas. To record their second album, Ambience, former drummer for Toyah Wilcox, Steve Bray, replaced Paul Wincer. Also, two tracks featured the saxophone playing of Wesley Magoogan of The Beat. Despite the album’s fine production values, and a more solid sound, it was not a success. The Lambrettas had tried to move on from their Mod image to reach a larger audience, but failed to do so.
Throughout 1981, singles taken from the new album continued to be released, but the band were unable to capture the ear of the British public. Another lineup change occurred, this time Pat Freyne replacing Steve Bray on drums.
In early 1982, the Lambrettas decided to record another cover version, the Jefferson Airplane song from the 1960s, Somebody To Love. Despite much radio exposure, the song did not chart.
The band's last concert (their 123rd) was at The Venue, London, on April 14, 1982 . Shortly after this, they parted ways with Rocket Records, and also with each other.
The Lambrettas released two albums (Beat Boys and Ambience), and eight singles, from late 1979 to the middle of 1982. A compilation of the singles, called Kick Start, was released in 1985.
The complete recordings of the band are available on CD.
Singer Jez Bird passed away, age 50, in August of 2008, leaving a wife and 2 children.
Bassist Mark Ellis lives in Los Angeles.
As of August 2009, Guitarist Doug Sanders and drummer Paul Wincer are performing as "The Lambrettas", Sanders taking over as lead vocalist.
The Lambrettas website has photographs, discography, message board, memorabilia, sound file samples of songs, scans of album covers, scans of all the singles' picture sleeves (including various European versions), lyrics to most of the songs, 2 promotional Lambs videos from 1980, one Top of the Pops video peformance, and 3 live performance videos:
UPDATED WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://beatboysinthejetage.multiply.com/
Face To Face
The Lambrettas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can turn my days into nights
Let the time slip away, anyway
Choose the news or the right to fight
Alright I'm alright
Just a taste of time to waste
Spent my money like it was spare time
I din't think I was missing any company
I wanna be close to you - Face to face
I wanna be close to you - So we can talk
You had me thinking that I was sinking
So all my time went on the town
But when the night is gone there's no place to go
I'm sinking further and I think I might drown
Take a look over your shoulder
Yeah it's true I'm right behind you
A bit wiser but any older
Let me tell you what I plan to do
I wanna be close to you - Face to face
I wanna be close to you - So we can talk
Face to face - So I can talk to
Face to face - Just you just me
Face to face - Touch ti touch
I need what I want and I wanna be
I wanna be close to you - Face to face
I wanna be close to you - So we can talk
You!
The Lambrettas's song "Face to Face" is about someone who wakes up to alarms ringing early in the morning and chooses to let time slip away rather than face the news or fight for what's right. The song talks about how the singer spends his money like it's spare time and how he doesn't think he needs company, but in reality, he's just convincing himself that he's feeling fine. He then expresses a desire to be close to someone - face to face - so they can talk, and draws attention to the fact that he had been spending all his time on the town, but now he's sinking and feels like he might drown.
The song is expressing a common feeling of loneliness and the desire for human connection that many people feel. The singer is using alcohol and partying as a way to avoid this feeling, but realizes that it's not a sustainable solution. He wants to connect with someone on a deeper level and have a meaningful conversation.
Line by Line Meaning
Alarms are ringing early in the morning
My day is starting with a disturbance.
But I can turn my days into nights
I can make the most of my time by staying up late.
Let the time slip away, anyway
I am not concerned with wasting time.
Choose the news or the right to fight
I have the choice to focus on negative news or to stand up for what is right.
Alright I'm alright
I am doing okay.
Just a taste of time to waste
I am only using a small amount of time for leisure activities.
Spent my money like it was spare time
I have been careless with my finances.
I din't think I was missing any company
I was not aware that I needed someone to spend time with.
I just thought that I was feeling fine
At first, I felt content with being alone.
I wanna be close to you - Face to face
I desire to be with you in person.
So we can talk
I want to have a conversation with you.
You had me thinking that I was sinking
You made me believe I was in trouble.
So all my time went on the town
I spent my time socializing and entertaining myself.
But when the night is gone there's no place to go
Once the night ends, I am left with no one to be with.
I'm sinking further and I think I might drown
I am getting worse and I am afraid I cannot handle it.
Take a look over your shoulder
I am following you.
Yeah it's true I'm right behind you
I am in close proximity to you.
A bit wiser but any older
Although I have gained some knowledge, I am still getting older.
Let me tell you what I plan to do
I want to share my intentions with you.
Face to face - So I can talk to
I prefer to communicate in person.
Face to face - Just you just me
I want to have a conversation with only you and me.
Face to face - Touch ti touch
I desire physical contact with you.
I need what I want and I wanna be
I have requirements and desires that I want fulfilled.
I wanna be close to you - Face to face
I want to be near you in person.
I wanna be close to you - So we can talk
I desire to talk to you while in your presence.
Contributed by Julian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DonLusher
Brilliant. Much underrated.
james pasifull
Could be The High Numbers, by that full, rich sound!!
Herve Mahieux
So English. And that is why I love the Lambrettas. J adore ce groupe.