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/
On The Razzle
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heading for the 'Grape and Grain'
Cut across Shorty, gone bald, grown portly
Just off the London train
We raised our hands in all the old pubs
Staggered down the road to The Domino Club
Whiskey chasers, downhill racers
Drainpipe trousers, two rabble rousers
Speeding round for seven days
Sights held high
We're on the razzle, guy!
'Isn't that Daisy? Didn't you?...' 'maybe...'
'The night of the Jubilee bash
Take another chance, ask her to dance
I'll get them to play the Clash'
The DJ played 'Complete Control'
The kids started dancing, the place went out of control
Whiskey chasers, downhill racers
Talking about the good old days
Drainpipe trousers, two rabble rousers
Speeding round for seven days
Sights held high
We're on the razzle, guy!
Bouncers come over, started getting sober
Shorty recognized an old face
'That guy jumped me at some squat party
Years ago in Bedford Place...'
Soon the pints were spilled
Then the faces were filled
Two Casanovas, early hangovers
Telephone call to the boss
Facing the morning, last written warning
Tongue feels like candy floss
Shorty went back at the end of the day
I never liked him that much anyway
Whiskey chasers, downhill racers
Talking about the good old days
Drainpipe trousers, two rabble rousers
Speeding round for seven days
Sights held high
We're on the razzle, guy!
The Men They Couldn't Hang's "On The Razzle" is a song that reminisces about youth and the fast-paced living of days long gone. The opening verse sets the scene for the rest of the song. We have a middle-aged man who is nostalgic for his younger years. He heads to the 'Grape and Grain' after leaving work early, cutting across Shorty the balding, portly man who had just arrived in London. They then proceed to visit their old pubs and end up at the Domino Club. The lyrics indicate that these men are in search of their youthful and adventurous selves.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the urgency of living life to the fullest. It conveys the idea of reckless abandon and excitement that comes with a night out with friends. "Sights held high, we're on the razzle, guy!" is an invitation to revel in a life unrestrained by responsibility.
However, the song takes a turn. Shorty recognizes someone who jumped him years ago at a car park party. This leads to a physical altercation resulting in spilled drinks and filled faces. The chorus is a reminder that experiences like these ride the highs and lows of life together.
Overall, "On The Razzle" is a song about the good old days, youthful energy and exuberance of life. It symbolizes an era where people were ready to take chances and had less responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Just turned thirty, left work early
I recently turned thirty and left work before my shift was over.
Heading for the 'Grape and Grain'
I am going to the pub called 'Grape and Grain.'
Cut across Shorty, gone bald, grown portly
I took the shorter route to get to the pub and have lost my hair and gained weight over the years.
Just off the London train
I just arrived in town on the train.
We raised our hands in all the old pubs
My friends and I used to drink in all the classic pubs in town.
Staggered down the road to The Domino Club
We walked unsteadily down the street to get to The Domino Club.
Whiskey chasers, downhill racers
We drank whiskey after whiskey and talked about our wild adventures.
Talking about the good old days
We reminisced about how things used to be in the past.
Drainpipe trousers, two rabble rousers
I wore drainpipe trousers and hung out with my friend, who was a troublemaker just like me.
Speeding round for seven days
We had a wild week, moving fast and getting into trouble.
Sights held high
We were determined to have fun and make the most of it.
We're on the razzle, guy!
We were out painting the town red!
'Isn't that Daisy? Didn't you?...' 'maybe...'
'Isn't that Daisy? Don't you remember her?' 'I might if I saw her'
The night of the Jubilee bash
We were there on the night of the big celebration.
Take another chance, ask her to dance
You should ask Daisy to dance.
I'll get them to play the Clash
I'll ask the DJ to play The Clash's music.
The DJ played 'Complete Control'
The DJ played the song 'Complete Control' by The Clash.
The kids started dancing, the place went out of control
Everyone started dancing wildly and it was a complete chaos.
Bouncers come over, started getting sober
The bouncers came and started to calm people down, and we began to sober up.
Shorty recognized an old face
My friend 'Shorty' recognized someone from his past.
'That guy jumped me at some squat party
He said, 'That guy attacked me at a party in a squat a few years ago.'
Years ago in Bedford Place...'
The party took place several years ago in Bedford Place.
Soon the pints were spilled
Soon, we started spilling our beer on each other.
Then the faces were filled
Then the pub started getting more crowded with people.
Two Casanovas, early hangovers
My friend and I were trying to hit on women while we had early hangovers.
Telephone call to the boss
I phoned my boss to explain why I was late for work.
Facing the morning, last written warning
The next morning, I knew I would receive a formal warning from my boss.
Tongue feels like candy floss
My mouth feels dry and fuzzy like candy floss.
Shorty went back at the end of the day
At the end of the day, my friend Shorty went home.
I never liked him that much anyway
I didn't really like Shorty that much anyways.
Contributed by Camden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters