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/
The Family Way
The Men They Couldn't Hang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was twenty years ago
Fought a man with my bare hands,
Killed him with a blow
I'd searched the bars and
Betting shops in every part of time
Swore that night he'd wear a suit
Of pinewood six feet down
A changing world keeps moving fast
My yesterday's tomorrow's in the past
When it's one against the rest
It always puts you to the test
But I swear I'd do it all again today
Because it's the family way
In hospital my brother lay
Just looking at his wounds
They caught him down by
London Bridge one Friday afternoon
It was the strangeness of his accent,
The bareness of his purse
Because there was but one of him
And three to do their worst
(Chorus)
My brother died and left behind
A girl bearing a child
She broke down at the funeral
To see his face defiled
She wears the silver ring
Of a fiancee
Both were taken to our home,
Shown the family way
(Chorus)
When I get out a week today
I'll the London train
There's two men there who've
Bought a share in twenty years of pain
In this old world of kith & kin
Are all that's on your side
Twenty years won't matter when
The matter's put to rights
(Chorus X 2)
The Men They Couldn't Hang's song "The Family Way" tells a story of a family loyalty and the lengths that one would go for his kin. The song tells the story of a man who has been in prison for twenty years for killing someone who fought him with bare hands. He likely fought for his family and in the end, was pinned for murder. The lyrics reveal his search for the victim, whom he swore to bury six feet down, putting the vengeful crime in perspective. The singer recounts how the world changes relentlessly, and every yesterday becomes a bygone today. The family bonds and principles, however, remain immovable.
The chorus of "The Family Way" serves as a reminder of the unwavering loyalty that marks such families. The man's brother, who had fallen into trouble, was saved by this loyalty, but he left behind a girl, pregnant and alone. The woman was taken in by the family, showing the importance of family support in times of need. The song's message is that even though the world is evolving, family values still matter, and the family always stands with its own.
Line by Line Meaning
Been in jail for twenty years,
I was sent to prison twenty years ago and have remained there for the entirety of my sentence.
It was twenty years ago
The incident that landed me in prison occurred exactly two decades ago.
Fought a man with my bare hands,
I engaged in physical combat with another individual using only my own fists.
Killed him with a blow
I struck him with such force that it resulted in his untimely death.
I'd searched the bars and Betting shops in every part of time
I scoured every corner of town, including drinking establishments and gambling venues, in search of the man I fought and ultimately killed.
Swore that night he'd wear a suit Of pinewood six feet down
I vowed that the man I killed would be buried six feet under, wearing nothing but a simple suit made of pinewood.
A changing world keeps moving fast
The world is constantly evolving and progressing at a rapid pace.
My yesterday's tomorrow's in the past
The future that I once anticipated has already become the past, leaving me with only memories of what could have been.
When it's one against the rest It always puts you to the test
Being the lone individual facing off against a group of opponents is an incredibly challenging experience.
But I swear I'd do it all again today Because it's the family way
Despite the difficulties that come with being a lone fighter, I am committed to doing it all over again if necessary because it is what my family expects of me.
In hospital my brother lay Just looking at his wounds
After being apprehended near London Bridge, my brother was taken to the hospital where he lay helpless, surrounded by his injuries.
They caught him down by London Bridge one Friday afternoon
My brother was captured by authorities on a Friday afternoon near London Bridge.
It was the strangeness of his accent, The bareness of his purse
My brother's unique accent and lack of funds made him standout and an easy target for those looking to do harm.
Because there was but one of him And three to do their worst
My brother was outnumbered three to one by his attackers, leaving him with little chance of defending himself.
My brother died and left behind A girl bearing a child
After my brother passed away, he left behind a grieving girlfriend who was pregnant with his child.
She broke down at the funeral To see his face defiled
At my brother's funeral, my late brother's girlfriend was inconsolable after seeing his disfigured face in the casket.
She wears the silver ring Of a fiancee
My brother's girlfriend wears a silver ring that symbolizes her engagement to him.
Both were taken to our home, Shown the family way
My brother's girlfriend and their unborn child were welcomed into our home and made part of our family, living according to our traditions and beliefs.
When I get out a week today I'll the London train
Upon my release, in just a matter of days, I will board the train to London.
There's two men there who've Bought a share in twenty years of pain
Waiting for me in London are two men who have also suffered greatly over the course of the last two decades.
In this old world of kith & kin Are all that's on your side
In this world, all we truly have are our bonds to friends and family who stand by us and support us when things are tough.
Twenty years won't matter when The matter's put to rights
No matter how long it takes, justice must be served and the wrongs must be righted, no matter how many years have gone by.
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paul Smeenis
on Ironmasters
Dunno what track 6 is but it sure isn't Ironmasters