What do you get when you mix Jazz with Punk and Rockabilly? You get the Cravats. Formed in 1977 in Redditch. The Cravats eventually came to a steady line up of The Shend on bass and vocals, Robin Dallaway on guitar and vocals, Dave Bennett on drums and Svoor Naan on saxophone. By the time they got Dave on drums, the Cravats had already released a single in 1978 called Gordon/Situations Vacant with another drummer named Ethos who left soon after it.
Watching The Cravats at a gigs was an interesting sight. One person who saw the band said that they would use coffee percolators, theremins and tape loops held on to microphones. There was also a man named "Mr. H" that would sit on a chair facing the audience watching a huge television while reading the paper. At the end of their set, they would play "I Hate the Universe" while Mr.H destroys his couch, and the band would go crazy.
With the help of John Peel, the band released several singles during the late seventies, until finally releasing their debut album "The Cravats in Toy Town" during October of 1980. This band was definitely ahead of it's time.
After releasing several more singles, The Cravats recorded and released the "Rub me Out" single on Crass Records. Soon after, The Cravats "split" and turned into The Very Things(several other bands came out of this band). It wasn't until around 1985 that they returned with the "Land of The Giants" twelve inch single before disappearing again but claiming never to split.
The Shend became an actor soon after, and The Cravats once again reformed to release "Seance" in 2006. Recently, the band has reformed again, but the only original members left are The Shend and Svoor Naan(who's name is Richard London). They are now active once again playing gigs.
"Live for now"
WE'RE STILL LIVING IN THE MIDDLE AGES
WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW WILL FILL THE PAGES
OF THE HISTORY BOOKS OF THE SEVENTIES
BUT WE'RE NOT TIME ENCAPSULATED ENTITIES
A SPLIT SECOND OF TIME
CAPTURED IN RHYME
JUST GIVE ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT
AND WE'LL LIVE FOR NOW
TURN OUT FROM THE PAGES OF THE HISTORY'S TEXT
I DONT EVEN KNOW WHATS COMING NEXT
I'M JUST LIVING FROM DAY TO DAY
BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER AS THE SECONDS TICK AWAY
YOU SPEED AROUND THE CITIES AND YOU MAKE YOUR MARK
YOU'RE BURNING SUICIDAL FLARES IN THE DARK
CONFORMISTS ARE THE KILLERS AND THEY'RE WAITING FOR YOU
SO DON'T BE DIFFERENT WHATEVER YOU DO
"Off the Beach"
NAILING BATONS TO THE CLIFFS
ROPE WITH CHILDREN DOWN BEHIND
FACING CRUMBLING ROCKS CALLED MORTGAGES
TELL THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE OFF THE BEACH
COULD JUST LEDGE HERE COMFORTABLY
JUST WATCHING THE SEA AND SAND
CAN'T SEE UP TO THE TOP OFF THE CLIFF
BUT I KEEP ON KEEP ON CLIMBING UP
TELL THE CHILDREN THAT WE'RE OFF THE BEACH
"Precinct"
WATCHING BAGGY BOYS IN THEIR STARCHED WHITE SHIRTS
MARCHING UP AND DOWN LOOKING AT THE SKIRTS
PEOPLE BEING RUN DOWN LOOKING AT THEIR SHOES
BUYING LOADS OF RUBBISH THAT THEY KNOW THEY'LL NEVER USE
MARCHING UP AND DOWN LOOKING AT THE SKIRTS
PEOPLE BEING RUN DOWN LOOKING AT THEIR SHOES
BUYING LOADS OF RUBBISH THAT THEY KNOW THEY'LL NEVER USE
DOWN THE PRECINCT
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOURMONEY ON
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOUR
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
LUMPS OF PLASTIC ART NOUVEAU HANGING FROM A WALL
PEOPLE TURN A BLIND EYE AS THE MISSING CHILD BAWLS
THE MAN WHO IS SECURITY REMOVES HIS HAT TO PONDER
WITH HIS SHADES HE WONDERS IF HE LOOKS LIKE PETER FONDA
PEOPLE TURN A BLIND EYE AS THE MISSING CHILD BAWLS
THE MAN WHO IS SECURITY REMOVES HIS HAT TO PONDER
WITH HIS SHADES HE WONDERS IF HE LOOKS LIKE PETER FONDA
DOWN THE PRECINCT
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOUR
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
POSTERS IN THE WINDOW TO CLAIM THE MODERN AGE
BUT I THINK ITS HYPOCRISY TO KEEP US IN A CAGE
A SOCIETY THAT DOESN'T CARE SHOULD JUMP INTO THE FIRE
AND NOT BUILD CONCRETE EPITAPHS TO SOME RICH MANS DESIRE
BUT I THINK ITS HYPOCRISY TO KEEP US IN A CAGE
A SOCIETY THAT DOESN'T CARE SHOULD JUMP INTO THE FIRE
AND NOT BUILD CONCRETE EPITAPHS TO SOME RICH MANS DESIRE
DOWN THE PRECINCT
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOUR
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
DOWN THE PRECINCT
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOURMONEY ON
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
DOWN THE PRECINCT
SPENDING ALL YOUR
DONT VOTE FOR ME'CAUSE I'LL PULL IT ALL DOWN NOW
SO DON'T BE DIFFERENT WHATEVER YOU DO
"Pressure Sellers"
TURN ON THE T.V,WHAT DO I SEE?
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TALKING AT ME
TELLING ME ABOUT THE THINGS I NEED
PRODUCT FASCINATION IS MAKING ME BLEED
PEOPLE ARE READY TO BELIEVE WHAT THEY HEAR
"THE PACKET SOUP WAS LOVELY,DARLING-TRY THE BEER"
TELLING ME ABOUT THE THINGS I NEED
PRODUCT FASCINATION IS MAKING ME BLEED
PEOPLE ARE READY TO BELIEVE WHAT THEY HEAR
"THE PACKET SOUP WAS LOVELY,DARLING-TRY THE BEER"
PRESSURE SELLERS SELL US LIES
THEIR WASHING'S SO WHITE IT HURTS YOUR EYES
OPEN UP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND YOU'LL GET A SURPRISE
CHOOSING THE BEST IS JUST A COMPROMISE
THEIR WASHING'S SO WHITE IT HURTS YOUR EYES
OPEN UP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND YOU'LL GET A SURPRISE
CHOOSING THE BEST IS JUST A COMPROMISE
WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE GUTTER PRESS, OR EVEN I.B.A
NO COLOUR MAGS.ON SUNDAY,WHAT A HAPPY DAY
THEY YELL AT YOU FROM HOARDINGS,THEY GRIN AT YOU FROM THE WALLS
CONFUSE YOU AND ABUSE YOU AS THE AVON LADY CALLS
EVERYTHING IS LABELED IN BRIGHTLY COLOURED PACKS
THEY TRY TO TRIP YOU UP WITH IT,TO STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS
NO COLOUR MAGS.ON SUNDAY,WHAT A HAPPY DAY
THEY YELL AT YOU FROM HOARDINGS,THEY GRIN AT YOU FROM THE WALLS
CONFUSE YOU AND ABUSE YOU AS THE AVON LADY CALLS
EVERYTHING IS LABELED IN BRIGHTLY COLOURED PACKS
THEY TRY TO TRIP YOU UP WITH IT,TO STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS
PRESSURE SELLERS SELL US LIES
THERE AIN'T NO GRISTLE IN OUR PORK PIES
IT'S THE OTHER BRANDS YOU'VE GOT TO DESPISE
TAKE AWAY THE FINANCE AND THEY DROP LIKE FLIES
THERE AIN'T NO GRISTLE IN OUR PORK PIES
IT'S THE OTHER BRANDS YOU'VE GOT TO DESPISE
TAKE AWAY THE FINANCE AND THEY DROP LIKE FLIES
ADVERTISE,ALIBIS HIDE THE LIES BEHIND THE LABEL
TWIST THE FACTS MAKE MORE MONEY
IT'S QUITE FUNNY
WE'RE STILL TOP OF THE TABLE
TWIST THE FACTS MAKE MORE MONEY
IT'S QUITE FUNNY
WE'RE STILL TOP OF THE TABLE
LAW IS THE PENCIL,THE UTENSIL
THAT YOU USE,TO DRAW THE LINE
INDENTIKIT FOR THAT NEW OUTFIT
THERE ARE MANY NAMES ON THAT LIST
AND ONE IS MINE
THAT YOU USE,TO DRAW THE LINE
INDENTIKIT FOR THAT NEW OUTFIT
THERE ARE MANY NAMES ON THAT LIST
AND ONE IS MINE
HOW YOU WISH THAT I WASN'T HERE
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
RUB ME OUT
ERASE MY VOICE
REDUCE MY FREEDOM OF CHOICE
KEEP YOUR FINGER ON THE BUTTON
SO YOU'RE READY TO DELETE
I'M NO PERMANENT FIXTURE
YOU CAN TAKE ME OUT OF THE PICTURE
YOU CAN ALTER THE MACHINE
SO THE ERROR WON'T REPEAT
REDUCE MY FREEDOM OF CHOICE
KEEP YOUR FINGER ON THE BUTTON
SO YOU'RE READY TO DELETE
I'M NO PERMANENT FIXTURE
YOU CAN TAKE ME OUT OF THE PICTURE
YOU CAN ALTER THE MACHINE
SO THE ERROR WON'T REPEAT
HOW YOU WISH THAT I WASN'T HERE
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
RUB ME OUT
THEY MUST BE CORRECT
WITH WHATEVER THEY SELECT
I'M THE BUZZ OF INTERFERENCE
ON YOUR SYSTEMS CASSETTE
WHEN I'VE LEFT WITHOUT A TRACE
WITH WHATEVER THEY SELECT
I'M THE BUZZ OF INTERFERENCE
ON YOUR SYSTEMS CASSETTE
WHEN I'VE LEFT WITHOUT A TRACE
LIKE A SPOT ON YOUR FACE
THERE'LL BE OTHERS TO TAKE MY PLACE
OTHER DEFECTS
THERE'LL BE OTHERS TO TAKE MY PLACE
OTHER DEFECTS
HOW YOU WISH THAT I WASN'T HERE
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
THERE ARE WAYS
TURN THE PAGE AND IT'S ALL CLEAR
RUB ME OUT
SO WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
DEFENSES CRUMBLE OUT OF HAND
YOU'VE LOST IT ALL,WELL ALL YOU HAD
AND I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO'LL GIVE IT BACK
NO MORE POWER,NO MORE CONTROL
YOU'VE LOST IT ALL,YOU'VE LOST IT ALL
I NEVER THOUGHT THE TIME WOULD ARRIVE
WHEN YOU'D BE STRUGGLING TO STAY ALIVE LITTLE MAN
DEFENSES CRUMBLE OUT OF HAND
YOU'VE LOST IT ALL,WELL ALL YOU HAD
AND I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO'LL GIVE IT BACK
NO MORE POWER,NO MORE CONTROL
YOU'VE LOST IT ALL,YOU'VE LOST IT ALL
I NEVER THOUGHT THE TIME WOULD ARRIVE
WHEN YOU'D BE STRUGGLING TO STAY ALIVE LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
ALL THE FORMS,THE FORMS YOU SIGNED
FILLING FORMS TO FILL HE TIME
LISTENING HARD TO TROUBLED MEN
HOW YOU WERE GLAD THAT YOU WEREN'T THEM
YOU WERE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT
ALL THE BEST OF THE ESTABLISHMENT
YOU COULDN'T AFFORD A SLIP
BUT NOW YOU'VE LEFT YOUR SINKING SHIP LITTLE MAN
FILLING FORMS TO FILL HE TIME
LISTENING HARD TO TROUBLED MEN
HOW YOU WERE GLAD THAT YOU WEREN'T THEM
YOU WERE CHOSEN TO REPRESENT
ALL THE BEST OF THE ESTABLISHMENT
YOU COULDN'T AFFORD A SLIP
BUT NOW YOU'VE LEFT YOUR SINKING SHIP LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHEN THEY WATCHED YOU WOULD TALK SO LOUD
THROW YOUR OPINION'S INTO THE CROWD
YOU WERE CONCERNED,WELL YOU GAVE THAT IMPRESSION
PERSONAL GLORY DIDN'T WARRANT A MENTION
YOU FAILED WHERE OTHERS SUCCEED
THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE BUT NEVER THE WEAK
SUPPOSE YOU MADE YOUR MARK IN HISTORY
AS AN OVERWEIGHT BALDING X.M.P LITTLE MAN
THROW YOUR OPINION'S INTO THE CROWD
YOU WERE CONCERNED,WELL YOU GAVE THAT IMPRESSION
PERSONAL GLORY DIDN'T WARRANT A MENTION
YOU FAILED WHERE OTHERS SUCCEED
THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE BUT NEVER THE WEAK
SUPPOSE YOU MADE YOUR MARK IN HISTORY
AS AN OVERWEIGHT BALDING X.M.P LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW LITTLE MAN
WHAT NOW
http://www.box.net/shared/2364okfoar1homd01ut5
Amazing! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for all your hard work and it is great to see the links still working nearly four years later. The Cravats were definitely one of the more interesting bands that became aligned (however loosely) with the 'anarcho' scene. I can still remember buying the Rub Me Out single as a young teenager all those years ago. (There are some interesting You Tube clips of The Shend in acting mode and some great videos by The Very Things)
ReplyDelete