1977cc

23/07/2023

LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS (formerly ‘It Ain’t Peters & Lee’) is…
AVAILABLE NOW via Ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115868450496
£14.99 including postage.
Richard Rouska’s savvy book on the Leeds music scene is back!
NO! ‘It Ain’t Peters & Lee!’ … was the now discarded title of what was one of the most revered and comprehensively fact packed books about the Leeds pop, rock, alt, post punk, indie, goth et al music scene 1977 to 1987.
‘It Ain’t Peters & Lee!’ has been renamed…. ‘LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS’ and is NOW available on a very limited basis to compliment the release of Cherry Red’s 3xCD package ‘Where Were You’ which crossfires the same musical period. Richard was brought in to assist in the compilation of ‘Where Were You’ on the strength of his intimate knowledge of this period and the bands, the promoters, agents, labels, fanzines etc who made this purple patch in Leeds musical history so vibrant and important…largely forgotten by the outside world until Richard’s book and Cherry Red’s box set hit the stands. Recognition has been a long time coming. Talk of Leeds being a safe haven for Goths doesn’t even come close to telling the story. This book and this CD boxset do!
Deleted, a few years ago, after hitting the 1,000 sales mark ‘LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS’ has been revised (minus listings, a few pictures and sentence trimming) and condensed into 168 A4 pages with text (250,000+ words) and pictures (many exclusive ones by Steve Drury).
Find herein a multiverse of bands, scenes within scenes within dreams within a scene. It’s an encyclopaedic month by month by year by blow-by-blow account of the lives of every backstreet card carrying Leeds socio-muso-political activist who ever dared to strike a chord in anger.
The Sisters Of Mercy, Gang Of Four, Mekons, Soft Cell, March Violets, Delta 5, Age Of Chance, Utah Saints, The Three Johns, The Wedding Present and perhaps The Cassandra Complex you will have heard of....but The Jazz Hipsters, Jeremy 'League Of Gentlemen's Flowers For Agatha, The Sinister Cleaners, Third Circle, The Buttercookies and so so so many more? The great and the small are found herein.
It's an unwholesome cacophony of snapshots randomly lifted from the echoes of the past (infernal personal experience, selected interviews and exhaustive research) like the lottery of the lives of the relived within – all the big guns and the small fry vie for an equal share of the space and glory.
Richard Rouska has done this before – he is a serial offender – and what he does pulls few punches (he has been known to beat himself up on numerous occasions). Prisoners of fortune are allowed to run free for he will be taking none!
It’s the story of a scene that was a law unto itself.
In the early eighties someone said that Leeds had more bands per head of population than New Orleans...and that's a lot… about 300 and then some. Jez 'Utah Saints' Willis said it was John Peel (only cos he'd heard me say so) ... but it was me...spinning the myth that Leeds was a 'happening' scene' ...which it was. However, it was no exaggeration to say that during 1977-87 or parts thereof Leeds had one of the most proactive scenes in the UK? I'd say that was pretty accurate (but I would) and I'd add that the quality n'number of bands creating a cacophony of chaos nowhere in the UK has seen the like of then or...since...even in Leeds!
Read here and only here the insights, rare interviews, anecdotes, tales of the unexpected and a "where are they now" perspective. Cultural history perspectives were never this much fun or indeed so solacious.
They said about ‘It Ain’t Peters & Lee’:
“Leeds was the gritty, witty, centre of the UK rock 'n' roll universe. In these pages, the author's words tumble out at you in a storm of still burning rage and local pride.” Sounds Book of the Week.“Richard Rouska's super detailed account of the Leeds music scene from 1977 to 1987. A superb addition to any music lover's library” Retro Republic.
“I’m so glad someone managed to assemble this glorious inky biopsy of the Leeds music scene in the 80s, with all its bile, guile and sweet successes!” Choque Hosein
“I’ve gotta say that I don’t think there will ever be a more thoroughly researched retrospective about the Leeds music scene between 1977-87. Buy, steal or borrow it before it’s too late.” Mark Johnson, Whippings & Apologies
“I don’t know how he did it but Richard Rouska’s labour of love has produced a fascinating and engrossing journey through the Leeds music scene … between 1977-87. Facts by the million; quotes, stories and reminisces from those involved. It’s a great read and a slice of Leeds history.” Howard Corry
“Richard himself has always been one of the true champions of the sounds of Leeds - one that commands instant respect for his vision and contributions to the scene.” Steve Hulme aka Stevie Vayne.
RICHARD ROUSKA was recently the subject of Neil Saints’ Retropopic Radio Community retrospective series.
He is co-compiler of Cherry Red’s ‘Where Were You’: Independent Music From Leeds (1978-1989). A Various Artists 3CD, 68 track box set out now.
Richard is the noise, fractious utterings & deranged vibes behind the post-punk electro alt goth WMTID outfit who recently released the albums ‘F**k Fear’ & ‘Generation F’. WMTID are currently working on a new album - ‘I Know You Are But What Am I?’
Finally, in addition to presenting this revised book Richard is working on a compendium of his Rouska/Black and other fanzines.
Watch this space!

17/06/2023

FLIPPING THE LID ON THE ALTERNATIVE WEST YORKSHIRE MUSIC SCENE 1976-1991
The re-imagining, the resurrection of…
THE BLACK BOOK
(The Life & Crimes of RICHARD ROUSKA)
By Captain Swing
£13.99 (incl. p/p) via https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115831952031
And so to celebrate, consecrate, defecate on 9 years (it’s a demonic numerology thing, 3x3 = 9, 9x9 = 81) since the Black Book first disappeared off the book shelves and onto your coffee table (don’t picture a suburban middle class affair with a posey of flowers, twee hand crafted artisan matted mats and well-thumbed copies of the Spectator….think more of the scene in a crack den when the fuzz burst in and bear witness to s***k stained copies of Loaded and Razzle lying on top of spliff, roach inflicted and badly cut crack detritus, Ace lager cans stuffed tight with tab ends, broken biscuits, dog hair and cat p***s).
Yes, it’s back, it was initially limited to 250 but my accountant says it sold thrice that but then again how many copies of JAMC Upside Down white labels did Alan McGee sell for £25…? Anyhow I’ve found another 100 which I’m going to offer on ebay for a mere £13.99 which includes packaging, postage by Royal Mail and a copy of the book cryptically autographed should you so wish.
If you’re bought one already have no fear it always pays to have two and anyhow you probably still can’t believe the stuff you read first time round so need another copy to confirm and hey in those 9 years there’s been several books purporting to give an insight on the life and times of a West Yorkshire punk poet zine pop kid whatever but if I was arrogant (and I have my moments) I’d say a lot of them were too safe by half and the things I had to say in my book about those people made them sound more interesting than their own tomes. I’m amazed at the stuff left out which was surely not for fear of litigation but probably, as we get older some of us wish to be seen in a better light, respectable almost, reborn – boring.
The Black Book is anything but! It is an autobiographical account of the life and crimes of that mythical beast Richard Rouska and at one and the same a rabid seditious insight into the musical and socio-cultural life and times of us all who lived through the heavy period from 1976 to late 80’s. It is interspersed with interviews/features on New Model Army, The Mekons, The Redskins, Sisters Of Mercy, The Three Johns, The Red Guitars, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Skeletal Family, The Membranes etc…

RICHARD ROUSKA is currently the subject of Neil Saints’ Retropopic Radio Community retrospective series.
RR was one of the mischievous hands behind Cherry Red’s ‘Where Were You’: Independent Music From Leeds (1978-1989). A Various Artists 3CD, 68 track box set celebrating Leeds’ independent scene of the 1980s due out in July.
RR was the author of the recent book ‘It Ain’t Peters & Lee’ which covers in great detail the Leeds rock, pop, new wave indie music scene 1977-1987.
Get your requests in now for a revised abridged version that will satisfy both need and budget.
RR was the noise, fractious utterings and deranged vibes behind the recent WMTID studio album ‘F**k Fear’ and compilation ‘Generation F’. WMTID are currently working on a new album which even has a working title: ‘I Know You Are But What Am I?’ which is expected within the fullness of time.
There was talk of a Rouska/Black fanzine compilation special edition but that’s all it is at this stage – just talk.

Title: The Black Book. The Life & Crimes of Richard...
Publisher: I977cc
Covers period 1961-1991
206pp; illustrated. Binding: Paperback. Size: A4.

“The Black Book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the music, socio-political and fanzine scenes of Leeds and Yorkshire in the 80s.
Richard Rouska delivers a quite brilliant … one of a kind walk through British music from Rouska’s early mod-roots in the 70s through to punk, indie, alt rock, new wave, synth and every sound, scene and movement that mattered and which made up the musical terrain from the 70s and 80s through to the dawn of the 90s.
…The semi-legendary Rouska comes across as a real force of nature whose drive, blind stubbornness and genuine love and understanding of Britain’s music and respective scenes results in a read like no other.
Rouska’s unique perspective as fanzine and record label co-founder, all under the Rouska moniker, makes it an essential read for all fans of that golden era, during the 70s and 80s, of fanzines and fierce independence.

02/04/2023

https://www.mixcloud.com/FrenchSpurs1/retropopic-828-the-rouska-chronicles-early-days-to-defining-punk-featuring-richard-rouska/
Listened now... So, I’m seriously flattered to have been interviewed by Mr Saint for his Radio Show. This is the first (OMG) of a series of Rouska Chronicles – it’s kinda like, in my case, Desert Island Dick… with very little of spoken me (Dick) but lots of savoury Discs from the Damned to the Pistols via Boston (don’t ask). There are more of these podcasts to follow I’m kindly informed by Neil Saint. This one covers up to 1977. At some point in the not to distant the Saint will take me right up to the present. This could be a long night of podcasts…but for anyone who really really wanted to know what I really really think and think I haven’t already let those thoughts and feelings be known…hang onto your deckchairs as no holds are barred and the bar is well stocked!

Alongside a plethora of great music The Saint of RETROPOPIC RADIO talks to fanzine writer, author and music maker Richard Rouska about his early days up to the time punk broke. What was Richard's life like growing up in West Yorkshire? Which band was Richard hearing 'all day long' on the radio? Why....

01/09/2022

We have been conditioned to be controlled by fear!
So I say F**K FEAR!
FEAR of FAILURE!
FEAR OF POVERTY & HUNGER!
FEAR OF IRRATIONAL FEAR!
FEAR OF THE IRRATIONAL!
FEAR OF LIFE ITSELF & ITS MANY CHALLENGES!
FEAR OF WORK!
FEAR OF SCHOOL!
FEAR OF BEING ALONE!
FEAR OF SMALL SPACES!
FEAR OF THE FUTURE!
FEAR OF BEING DIFFERENT!
FEAR OF BEING NORMAL!
FEAR OF TOMORROW!
FEAR OF DEATH!

31/08/2022

THE NEW ALBUM ‘F**K FEAR’ BY WMTID LAUNCHED TOMORROW!
Yes Mr. Mercury a sad song deftly executed but the sad truth is I don’t want to live for ever…well not as me anyhow…I’m not some kinda nihilist narcissist sociopath! I wake up most mornings and hear myself (no one else does) scream “here we go again; same old body, same old, same old…” Can’t tomorrow – just for once – be a different me?
In a perverse kinda way for the best part I’m happy enough being me…I just don’t want to be me for every day for the rest of eternity…Yes, it’s true you can have too much of a good thing (lol). It would be a revelation to know what it is like to be rich, famous, infamous or even liked. I’ve done all the rest. So in the absence of a timely death (or untimely demise), whichever helps sales the most; my life has led me to this musical cul-de-sac. Some (even me) may say a perverse indulgence, an inglorious finale or the start of the end of something positive for me at least albeit shared by a disparate, finite and Muttley band of followers…I love you all (said in best luvvy plummy voice) but there’s a lotta lotta (best Cilla Black voice) great music out there – no there really is – so why waste your time with mine? You really need to stay in more.
Anyway, tomorrow sees the unleashing of WMTID’s third album F**K FEAR. It’s only been a 33 year wait – which means the second album was THAT bad – no it really was! Safe little title eh? September 1st, put that in your diary, tomorrow 9am F**K FEAR becomes live (like Skynet, I wish) and is ONLY available on BANDCAMP to download from that moment on. If you are quick you should also be able to take it off my hands for FREE! Sure, if you wish to make a cursory donation I’ll take it but you really don’t have to and no one (but me) will be checking up on you.
Richard Rouska (WMTID)