The original group consisted of Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds (Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Keyboards), Phil "Swill" Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass, Flute).
Their first single, "The Green Fields of France", was released in 1984. Written by Eric Bogle (of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' fame), the song's protagonist imagined having a conversation with one of the fallen soldiers of World War I whilst sitting by his graveside. The song received considerable airplay on the John Peel show on BBC Radio 1 and finished at No.3 in Peel's Festive 50 for that year.
The following year came TMTCH's debut album, 'The Night of a Thousand Candles' and its accompanying single "Ironmasters" - this time a self-penned number by main songwriter Simmonds, linking the Industrial Revolution to the present-day treatment of the working class. The original final line of the song - "and oh, that iron bastard, she still gets her way" (a reference to the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) had to be removed for the single version to ensure radio airplay.
In 1985 the band signed for MCA records and released "How Green Is The Valley". The record included "Ghosts Of Cable Street" a political number concerning The Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and "Shirt Of Blue" which regarded the miners' strike of 1984-5 . At the end of promotion for the album Shanne Bradley was replaced on bass by Ricky McGuire (ex UK Subs ).
In 1987 the band switched to Magnet Records and the new record released was, what may fans consider their best "Waiting For Bonaparte". Once again the strongest songs were stories of historical origin. "The Colours" told of an English mutineer sailor during the Napoleonic War and "The Crest" a stretcher bearer during World War II. Sadly whilst "The Colours" was at no.61 in the British top 75 it was blacklisted by Radio 1 due to the line "You've Come Here To Watch Me Hang", which echoed the events happening in South African townships at the time.
In 1988 the band were on the move again and signed for new label Silvertone (who later put out The Stone Roses debut release). Highlights of "Silvertown" included "Rain, Steam and Speed", "A Place In The Sun" and "A Map Of Morocco". They followed this up in 1990 with "The Domino Club" , which had a more conventional rock sound dispensing with much of the folk element in their sound.
Surprisingly the band split in 1991 after releasing a live set "Alive, Alive-0". Paul Simmonds and "Swill" Odgers then formed Liberty Cage who released an album "Sleep Of The Just" in 1994 and an EP "I'll Keep It With Mine" in 1995.
To the delight of their fans the band reformed (minus drummer Jon Odgers who had become Therapy? drum technician). Their new cd was "Never Born To Follow", released on the Demon label in 1996. The following year the band released the mini-album "Six Pack". Two "Best Of" collections followed "Majestic Grill" and "The Mud, The Blood And The Beer" both 1998.
The band again withdrew into semi retirement during which Odgers and Simmonds again relased new material together, "Baby Fishlips" in 1999 and "Folk At The Fortress" in 2002.
The band released a brand new cd in 2003 "The Cherry Red Jukebox", which most fans agreed was a real return to form. In 2005 the band released a DVD to celebrate 21 years together "21 Years Of Love And Hate". This was later released as a live double CD "Smugglers and Bounty Hunters". The band continue to play occasional live concerts. Their next planned release is an acoustic folk orientated cd, including reworking of several popular old songs from their back catalogue.
During breaks from the band "Swill" Odgers has released two Cd's with his band "The Swaggerband" which includes Ricky McGuire and Jon Odgers plus lyrical contribution from Paul Simmonds. They are "The Day After" in 2004 and "Elvis Lives Here" on Irregular Records in 2006.
Official Website http://www.tmtch.net/
Industrial Town
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lay the town over and hear the winds blow
Lay the town over and dig it all in
For what we once had will not come again
The people are crying, the people are down
They look to the crevice where once laid a town
And it's not for the money, it's not for the blame
Take six politicians to dig me a grave
Six intellectuals, my soul try to save
And six union workers, a red flag to wave
And one stupid singer to rant and to rave
Old King Cole was a merry old soul
A merry old soul was he
He fed my dad, he fed my mum
He kept us children three
And I remember Old Coach Road
And the pine trees by its side
And I remember the playground there
And every swing and slide
It's goodbye to you my old grey friend
Soon your days are at an end
They'll dig you up, tear you down
Goodbye to you - Industrial Town
In the morning when the sun came up
On commission housing there
You could see the ash from the mine some time
Floating through the air
But times were good and we didn't mind
The chimneys and their mess
Three meals a day, a sleep at night
We couldn't have cared less
It's goodbye to you my old grey friend
Soon your days are at an end
They'll dig you up, tear you down
Goodbye to you - Industrial Town
Well, time moves on, we moved way
How a young child soon forgets
But twelve years later I returned
And I see with regret
Empty houses, empty streets
Not a single soul to meet
Sold right out, damned on whim
Sing this chorus, sing this hymn
Goodbye to you my old grey friend
Soon your days are at an end
They'll dig you up, tear you down
Goodbye to you - Industrial Town
Industrial Town
Industrial Town
Industrial Town.
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song "Industrial Town" is a tribute to a town that was once thriving with industrial activity, but now lies abandoned and forgotten. The opening lines "Down in the valley, the valley so low, Lay the town over and hear the winds blow" paints a haunting picture of the desolate wasteland that the town has become. The people who once lived there have moved on, but their memories still linger. The singer speaks of the town with a sense of nostalgia and sorrow, lamenting the loss of what it once was.
The second verse shifts focus to the political and societal causes of the town's downfall. The people are crying, not for the money, but for the loss of their way of life. The six politicians digging the grave represent the government's role in the town's demise, while the six intellectuals symbolize the role of big business and corporations. The six union workers waving the red flag represent the working-class people who were the backbone of the town, and the "stupid singer" is perhaps a self-deprecating reference to the powerlessness of artists to effect change.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in the valley, the valley so low
In the low-lying area lies a sad sight to behold.
Lay the town over and hear the winds blow
The town has been buried and forgotten, and now only the wind laments its past.
Lay the town over and dig it all in
The town has been buried and forgotten, and now only the earth remembers what once was.
For what we once had will not come again
The loss is irrevocable, nothing can be done to bring back the town to its former glory.
The people are crying, the people are down
The residents of the town are devastated by its loss, and are feeling hopeless and helpless.
They look to the crevice where once laid a town
The only thing left of the town is a gaping hole in the ground, which the people gaze upon with sorrow.
And it's not for the money, it's not for the blame
The mourning is not about assigning fault or seeking compensation, but rather a genuine feeling of loss and sadness.
They just cry for a ghost town, that's such a great shame
The people's sorrow is for a lost community, a shell of a town that once thrived, and it's a tragedy to see it reduced to ruins.
Take six politicians to dig me a grave
Politicians are useless except insofar as burying the hopes and dreams of a community.
Six intellectuals, my soul try to save
Intellectuals may try to offer solutions, but it's too late to save the town's soul.
And six union workers, a red flag to wave
The red flag of revolution symbolises a lost cause; the union workers have lost their power and their ability to resist the forces that destroyed their town.
And one stupid singer to rant and to rave
The singer is the one voice lamenting the town's loss, seen as foolish by those who cannot or will not understand the feeling of those who loved the town.
Old King Cole was a merry old soul
The past was once bright and glorious, a joyful time represented by a cheerful nursery rhyme character.
A merry old soul was he
King Cole was a symbol of happy times, a figure who represented the joy and prosperity of the past.
He fed my dad, he fed my mum
The prosperity of the past allowed for working-class families to thrive and provide for their children.
He kept us children three
The town was a nurturing environment where children could grow and be happy.
And I remember Old Coach Road
The singer has fond memories of different parts of the town.
And the pine trees by its side
Nature was an important part of the town's landscape, which cannot be replicated by artificial buildings and concrete roads.
And I remember the playground there
The playground represents the innocence and playfulness of childhood.
And every swing and slide
The playground was a place of joy and fun, where children could be imaginative and carefree.
In the morning when the sun came up
The sun used to bring hope and anticipation of good things to come.
On commission housing there
The housing was inexpensive, but still provided for the basic needs of the town's residents.
You could see the ash from the mine some time
The town was reliant on the mines for industry, but this came at a cost to the environment and the health of the people.
Floating through the air
The pollution from the mines was a constant reminder of industry's negative impact on people's lives.
But times were good and we didn't mind
The past might have been flawed, but it was still a good time to live in the town.
The chimneys and their mess
The pollution from the mines, while not appreciated, acted as a symbol of the town's vibrant economy.
Three meals a day, a sleep at night
The town provided people with the necessities of life they needed to live day-to-day.
We couldn't have cared less
The past was a time of contentment, with no worries or concerns about the future.
Well, time moves on, we moved way
The world has continued to spin, and people have moved on with their lives.
How a young child soon forgets
The past is a fading memory to those who have grown up and moved on to different experiences.
But twelve years later I returned
The singer has come back to the town, hoping to rekindle memories of the past.
And I see with regret
The town is no longer the place the singer remembers, and is now a source of sadness rather than happiness.
Empty houses, empty streets
The town has become a ghost town, with no signs of life or vitality.
Not a single soul to meet
The town is bereft of people, who have moved on to different places or to a different life.
Sold right out, damned on whim
The town was destroyed by outside forces, without consideration for the people who called it home.
Sing this chorus, sing this hymn
The only thing the singer can do is to lament the town's loss, and hope that others will hear their song and understand its meaning.
Industrial Town
The town was once known for its industry, but now its name is a bitter reminder of what was lost.
Industrial Town
The town's name is repeated, as if in mourning or remembrance of what was lost.
Industrial Town.
The name of the town is the only thing that remains of its past, a ghostly echo of its former self.
Contributed by Micah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters