Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine recently re-issued Straw Donkey, their singles compilation, in an expanded, remastered 2xLP version – it’s an astonishingly good collection, funny, political and packed with banging tunes.
Last week we caught up with one half of the band, singer Jim Bob, who shared 10 songs that had been important in his life – check out his selections here. Today it’s the turn of guitarist Les ‘Fruitbat’ Carter – check out his full playlist here and read more about his choices below.
1) What is your earliest music-related memory? What do you remember being played at home when you were a child?
Along with most people of my generation, I remember being sat in front of the telly watching Top Of The Pops. We are talking early 60’s so Beatles, Stones, Freddie & The Dreamers.
2) What was the first record that you ever bought? Where did you get it and do you have any recollection of the experience?
My dad bought the first record that I really wanted. I remember going to a record shop in West Norwood which had listening booths and also sold irons & toasters. My brother Brian and I were really keen on ‘Bend It’ by Dave Dee Dozy Mick and Titch. The first record I bought for myself was ‘Ernie, The Fastest Milkman’ In The West by Benny Hill.
3) When did you really start to develop a passion for listening to music? How did that come about and what were you into at the time?
I started to become really obsessed after my aunties Eileen and Elsie separately donated a load of 7” singles. Music from Elvis, Frankie Vaughan, Roy Orbison, Beatles, Stones. A neighbour donated an old radiogram and I was away in the wonderful world of music. I became so obsessed that at one point my dad removed the needle from the record player as I was refusing to go out to play. I would have been 9 or 10 at the time.
4) What was the first gig that you went to? Where was it and how was the experience?
Two very early memories of live music come to mind. My brother and I was sent off the West Norwood Salvation Army on every Sunday. One time we had a special treat of The Joystrings coming to play for us. They were singing and playing guitars, but also were using a reel to reel tape recorder with a backing track on it. That idea must have lodged in my mind for later use. The next big one for me was the circus (let’s just say it was Billy Smart’s). We were sitting right next to the full band with drums guitars and horn playing at a sound level I had never heard before. It was amazing.
I used to go and watch live pub bands in The George Canning in Brixton, there was one called Jabba, they played Hendrix stuff as well as soul and reggae. They were a great band.
The first band that I bought a ticket for was welsh band Man. It was at The Hammersmith Odeon. I was down the front and the volume was pretty unbearable. I totally loved it though. During the early punk years, I pretty much lived at The Marquee Club on Wardour Street.
5) What are your memories of starting out making music? What was the first song that you learned to play?
A mate Pete, at school knew some chords and offered to teach me after I had persuaded my dad to buy me a cheap acoustic from the second hand shop. Pete was a big John Denver fan, I don’t remember learning any of his songs. The first song I remember playing was one that I’d written myself called ‘Trucking Tyke’ about life on the road in a band, which, of course I knew zero about. Luckily this was never laid down for history to judge me.
6) What was your first band/musical project? What music was influencing you at that time? What are your memories of playing your first gig and are there any recordings out there?
Myself and Pete played a gig in the geography room at school. I don’t think we were very good. My mum came to that gig, but never came to any others.
7) What are your memories of starting Carter? What was your first release and what do you think now when you listen back to it?
I remember writing ‘Every Time A Churchbell Rings’ with Jim when I moved from Streatham back to Tulse Hill. We had already written loads together but I’m thinking that might have been one of the first specifically written for Carter. Jim probably has different memories of this. They are probably both the truth. Our first single was ‘A Sheltered Life’. I can remember not enjoying recording it and not being very pleased with the production and the final result. I don’t mind it now though.
8) Which band/artist do you think has had the biggest influence on your music over the years? What is it about them that inspires you?
I’d say that my time at the Marquee Club probably has influenced me the most, but like most, everything from that time at the Salvation Army to watching The Pet Shop Boys. Maybe even some modern music has slipped in.
9) Who are some of your favourite current artists? What do you like about them?
I’m currently enjoying Pet Needs and Meryl Streek very much. They have great attitudes and are amazing live.
10) Carter’s singles collection Straw Donkey has just been reissued, listening back, how did your sound develop over that time period? If someone is coming fresh to Carter’s music, never having heard you before, which song would be the best place to start to help them to get what you’re about?
Listening back to the songs I think that we (along with Simon Painter our producer, the true genius behind it all) just got better at getting the sound that we wanted.
I would get them to listen to ‘The Only Living Boy In New Cross’, ‘Glam Rock Cops’, ‘And God Created Brixton’.
Straw Donkey… The Complete Singles is out now on double vinyl and CD/DVD and all the usual streaming services. Order your copy now via Chrysalis Records.
Les’ band Abdoujaparov play Chalk in Brighton on 6th June and St Nicholas Church in Gloucester on 11th June – full details here
Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine: Website / Facebook / Instagram
Abdoujaparov: Website / Facebook
Article by Paul Maps
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