Mean Street Dealers were a rock band comprising of James Langston (vocals), Mark Bristow (guitar), Bob Boucher (bass), Jimmy Simpson (drums), Nigel “Snitch” Darvill (keyboards) and John Wilson (guitar). They formed in the 1970’s having previously been known as School Sports and earlier than that, Hooker. They played very catchy, anthemic songs which had no small measure of intelligence to their lyrics.
They released a live album in 1979 (Bent Needles) which was recorded at the Railway Hotel, Curzon Street, Birmingham and mixed at the Haven pub on 29 September 1979. They also released a single in 1979, Japanese Motabikes/Tight Skirts. They folded soon after. Some members formed, amongst other projects, The Dealers (releasing “Don’t Touch That Dial” in 1981) and the Ska City Rockers; possibly attempting to tap into the Ska revival at the time Time is Tight.
Mean Street Dealers played a reunion gig on Friday 8th July 2011 at the Asylum in Hockley – they were absolutely ace. I put some videos up on Youtube soon after but unfortunately the quality of them don’t do justice. I also put up a video for the Japanese Motabikes single.
Japanese Motabikes – from the single released by the Mean Street Dealers in 1979. Recorded live, I believe, at the same time as their recording of the live album “Bent Needles” at the Railway, Curzon Street, Birmingham. A venue sadly no longer with us but good to know that the band members are still around, at least. Good times. Cheers guys.
As an aside, in the late 1960’s James Langston and Jimmy Simpson were earlier members of Tea & Symphony which sounded to me not unlike Marc Bolan’s Tyrannosaurus Rex. Check out their album “An Asylum for the Musically Insane”, if that whets your appetite.
Thanks to Dave Nutting aka meanstreetdealer
There Are Currently 46 Comments for this Post
Wow what great Friday and Saturday nights were had at The Railway in Curzon Street Birmingham watching the band,happy days.
Saw these guys many times at the Barrel Organ – what great music and entertainment. I also saw them in their incarnations as Hooker and School Sports – attended BRMB’s Lark in the Park too. Happy memories. I have their Bent Needles LP and Japanese Motabikes single which I cut recently to CD to remind me of the great songs. After all these years though, I didn’t know that singer James Langston was also in a band called Tea and Symphony (thanks Record Collector!). Sadly, the internet is lacking in details of what became of the members and where they all are now.Hope they’re all doing just fine in whatever.
I agree with Steve P, great nights at the railway ! pitty it`s just an open space now. Anyway, at least I can say I`m on the ” Bent Needles ” L.P, you can just about hear me shouting out in one of the bands quieter moments.
I hope the boys are well and doing their own thing. They gave us brummies some realy Bostin` times.
Fantastic nights at he railway, didn’t know it had gone. The lab assistant at my school played bass, that’s how we got into them. Mark Bristow was an excellent guitarist, surprised he never found a bit of fame.
Gavin. Remeber me? I think I have your Bent Needles album and you have my ‘I want my money back’ single.I think it was you who shouted ‘Wally’ in one of the quiet momnts at the recording of BN at the RAILWAY.
Happy days, great band in all carnations.
Great nights at the Railway and from memory jam packed and sweaty (Pity bands I was in didn’t get quite as many?). I have recently got hold of a copy of Bent Needles and it brought back happy memories. Ne good to hear whar Mark, James etc are up to?
how do I get a C.D. of the dealers.I used to work with James Langston
Mean Street Dealers were a fabulous band, spent many a night in their company, at the Railway, the Barrel Organ in Digbeth (I think probably as Hooker) and latterly as School Sports at the Golden Lion in Solihull.
James Langston had a fabulous voice, sort of a tortured tremulous Roy Harper if I remember rightly, particularly evident on a track called Scream, I think this was a School Sports number, actually. Langston was formerly in very esteemed company in a highly collectable ’60’s prog/folk band called Tea and Symphony who’s vinyl (Asylum For the Musically Insane in particular, and Jo Sago, both now on CD but rare) was highly prized and very expensive, with Gus Dudgeon, Bob Lamb and Clem Clempson (Humble Pie, Colliseum, Dylan, Jack Bruce, see wiki). MSD also had the great Mark Bristow on guitar, Bob Lamb (who was everywhere in Brum in the 70’s) on bass, Snitch, Dave Wilson (on drums I think). A (live) album and a single is all that exists, so far as I know but I have a fabulous tape of the Sports at the Lion from around ’76 (I’d just learned to whistle loudly and I practiced at their gigs, ha!). No idea where or what became of them but I loved ’em.
2 other bands from Brum to check out are Slender Loris (who’s 12 inch and 7 inch singles are wonderfully obscure now, sadly and much prizedby me), and another band who played the Barrel Organ regularly, whose name I forget but had as their drummer one Mickey Barker who went on to drum with Magnum.
Mickey, and your uncle Tony Naylor, all of MSD/Hooker/School Sports and Slender Loris, wherever you are, hats off to you all, I wish you well. Julian
Bob Lamb (still in Brum partly, also resident in Thailand) is a drummer. Bob Wilson, (also still there and playing) a lead guitarist with a gorgeous sound; I never came across a Dave Wilson. Dave Carroll played guitar often with one or both Bobs, still does with Bob W.
Correction, Bob Boucher on bass, not Bob Lamb, silly me, getting too excited with my reminiscences, who can blame me? Cheers.
Yep, ‘The Railway’ was an awesome place to play. Age is catching up on me now but some of these names are familiar, particularly Gary Crisp (Hi Mate!)… We were Assassin and we played Friday nights at ‘The Railway’ over a couple of years or more in the 1980s. I have just uploaded some songs (poor quality recording) to YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/Assassin if anyone wants a listen to remind yourself of us.
Hope everyone who came to our gigs and all the bands who played there (many of who I saw and loved) are all doing well 🙂
Hi Brett
I,m Peter the guy who put lights up for Assassin at the railway UK Lighting. Used to work with Surface as well. Remember Perky and Sleazy?
Great times with over the top light rigs and pyrotechnics never get away with it now in small pubs with health and safety etc
Sad its all gone but great memories of the music and atmosphere
Peter
I remember Kevin doing the lights for the dealers too. Such good.times at the railway. Jimmy simpson was lovely and was so sad when he left. Where are they all now?
Jo
Whoops, sorry, the link to YouTube is http://www/youtube.com/1986Assassin, see told ya, its my age 😉
3rd time… oh how bad is this 🙁 http://www.youtube.com/1986Assassin
HI Brett
Remember me I put lights up for a lot of your gigs at the railway I,m peter and went by the name of UK lighting sleazy and perky used to help me. Great times with over the top lighting and pyrotechnics. Great times and nice to remember.
Peter
The band Mickey Barker drummed with was I think, Zoo Q. Gary Crisp, is that you, brother of Steve?
Used to see Surface and Orphan a lot down at the Railway too, happy days.
Hi all I wonder if anyone can help me. I am looking for any member of the 80’s band Assassin, its is very important i get in touch with Keith, phil, john, anyone that was in the band with Brett Dainter. Anyone else that knows Brett please get in touch through my e-mail would like to hear from you.. thank you for all your help Tracey and Kerry Dainter
Hello, I know Phil Cartin and have still got a way of contacting him if that helps
Hi, my dad is John Rose – he used to hang out with Assassin, mostly at The Railway. He drove the van for them occasionally and helped out as a roadie. Any chance you could get us in contact with Phil? I’d love to meet him myself!
Sean,
I’ve just seen your note to Tracey (shes my auntie, Brett was my dad) if you see this could you please email me? My address is [email protected].
Wow, its great to see all of these memories of the Railway and Barrel Organ still alive and well! ha ha.
I was only a wee lad at the time, but loved every minute, from the ‘humping of the gear’ (Removal of the P.A. from A to B) as James would phrase it, to helping myself to the odd beer whilst no one was looking.
Great childhood believe me, i feel a lucky dude to have been brought up in this atmosphere.
Anyway, James along with my mother and sisters took up residence in Newquay (Cornwall) 22 years ago, and he is still bangin out the vocals around here and there with a variety of muso’s.
Im not sure about the rest of the band. I met Marc a few years ago down in Newquay whilst he was visiting James, but Bob Boucher, Jimmy Simpson, and Snitch i dont know, as i moved myself out of Brum at the same time as James and my mom went to Newquay
Once again thanks for reminding me some great memories.
(P.S Just checked my vinyl collection and Bent Needles is safe n sound)
I was at school (Camp Hill) in the 60s with Mark Bristow, who for many years remained a close mate. Sadly I’ve lost touch with him and would love to hear how he is. I was later (as the drummer) in a band called No Spring Chicken with Bob Boucher on bass, and a great player he was too. Don’t know what happened to him either. Slender Loris have I think re-formed; at one time I knew their bass player and songwriter Martin Berry really well. Don’t know if this is documented elsewhere on the site, but Jim Simpson was the Dealers’ drummer; he later played with Magnum (following in Mickey Barker’s footsteps) and another name band whose name escapes me at the moment. I was Jim about 3 years ago; just as bloody youthful as ever somehow! Snitch (Nigel Darvill?) later toured with Fine Young Cannibals. I think it was John Wilson as well in the Dealers’ lineup, brother of Bob Wilson from the Steve Gibbons Band.
We’re all doing OK – great to hear you all remember Saturday nights at the Railway.
MSD’s singer James is now in Cornwall still singing, Bob Boucher and John Wilson play together regularly in the ’44’s’, Nigel playing with bands and composing and producing, Mark and Jimmy also still gigging.
All the best
John W
Hi – I’m late to this, but keen to be in touch with James Langston or any other member of Tea and Symphony in connection with my research into the Birmingham music scene in the late Sixties/early Seventies. Specifically, I’d like to confirm information informally received that Tea & Symphony played Digbeth Civic Hall on New Year’s Eve 1969, and what bands played in support. Rumour has it that one of these was a short-lived group of schoolboys going by the name of Dark Tower. Any help much appreciated.
Thanks, Heather
Really glad I found this site! All the memories that become more important as i rapidly age!
Loads of gigs at loads of venues, highlights;
Magnum…..Railway, and nationwide
Mean St Dealers…Railway
Sticky….Railway
Orphan…..Railway / Mercat Cross
Flying Doctors..Selly Park Tavern
I still have a number of tapes recorded on a hand held plonked down on the shelf at the back of the pub, plus my prized copy of Bent Needles ( I waz there!!)
hessage to meanstreetdealer nigel !snitch! darvill amongst other projects nigel plays with the dave tickle band and you can catch them at the red lion shirley 30th oct
Bumped into Mark Bristow earlier this year at The Pavillion Pub, Kings Heath. He plays (still brilliantly) with a Band called “Sound Advice”.
Ive no idea how i got to this website but im glad i did and im suprised Nigel came up haa hes currently my teacher at college and i must say he is absolutly amazing. his piano skills are brilliant 😀 Might go watch him perform next time hes got a gig coming up 🙂 would love to see how well he plays on the stage
Look out they are coming back get in touch with them if you would be interested in a reunion gig . Rehearsals are taking place Bob , James, Jimmy,John, Mark and Nigel are up for it. Are You??
Look out its the return of the MEAN STREET DEALERS
I was the sound man and one of the crew they were the first band I ever worked for. 35 years later I am still working in “the business”.
Its all their fault Mom!
Enjoyed many happy Saturday nights at the Railway, would be great to see all the old faces again.
Please keep us updated with any news!
Great memories of MSD/Hooker/ School Sports, Gigs at the Railway, upstairs at the Elizabethan Days in Stirchly and of course at the Barrel Organ.
A great big Hi to blast from the past Pete Russell, remember Me and Dave Peters? [ REDS road crew ] oh and that Gig with Slaughter and the Dogs in London ? [my head still hurts] polling back to Carol Mitchells after a Gig?
Oh Happy days.
Wow so many names I remember. Phill here the front man of Orphan back then (Railway, Mercat Cross, Barrel Organ etc). So cool to see the names and especially those still playing. I just recorded an album in Singapore. In mixing at moment. Will release probably towards end of year under band name Roxy Rejects. Look out for it. A BIG HIYA TO NIGEL DARVILLE:) Keep rockin’ Phill
Hi Phil I used to come and see you at the Barrel organ, your brother was on Bass playing a Kramer bass one of my favorite songs of yours was Trevor Howard.
I remember you had a Austin Allegro Estate car at the time! Do you remember Tracy Simmons?
I still play and write and sing. You came to see my band a few times
Regards
Sean
Hiya Phill
I fondly remember coming to many of your gigs at the Railway, Barrel Organ, Mercat Cross and especially The Sheldon (cos it was close to home) I played a lot of football with your drummer Alan Sheldon (no relation to the pub !) and wondered if you were still in touch with him
Well, after a very long wait they would choose a weekend when I am going to be out of the country!! Hopefully it might lead to more shows please???
Well y’all it is happening. The Mean Street Dealers reunion gig is booked and rehearsals underway. For more details see the Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106968572722160
Gonna be a goodie!!
Can anyone let me know how to get a copy of Bent needles. Great memories !!
Hi Gavin Pringle. Remember me? I think I have your copy of Bent Needles and you have my copy of ‘Don’t touch that dial’ by the Dealers. I’ll swap ya.
Great band in every carnation, great songs and musicianship, should have made it big!
Happy days
PS
John Wilson played bass in the final lineup
hi gig at the asylum last year was amazing ,fantastic memoiries anyone know
if any more gigs linrd up ??
I have the Bent Needles vinyl – I’ve treasured it all these years. I bought it immediately after seeing them perform at the Lark in Park in Brum.
Bent Needles a most treasured LP. The Railway Inn, Curzon Street. So many memories of Mean Street Dealers, Magnum, Orphan , Speed Limit and more. They were great days.
Was thinking just now of James Langston and Thunderlake. Don’t know if they did many shows but seeing them once at a rammed Bartons Arms convinced me that I wanted to be in the music business. Any one else there? Any recordings?
I have just realised ( while cooking the xmas turkey) that I missed the re-Union gig!,,
So pi55ed off! Anyway fantastic memories. Will they release anything from said gig?
I never saw MSD or Hooker but I was a regular, with my mate Alan Strickley at The Railway to see The Dealers. I also saw them at Dingwalls in London supporting Carol Grimes and Delivery and at Warwick University supporting The Pretty Things.I have a copy of 2 singles released by the Dealers. Share The World being produced by Bob Lamb. I believe Maggie Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and the Pope were sent copies of it.
In addition I also saw The Naturals with James Langston and Dave Carroll at The Haven, School Road, Yardley Wood a few times.
Watching Hooker at the Barrel Organ, Lark in the Park and even in the Rep. Crazy days. Loved it.