Johnny Never is F.K.D

In 2001 That Peter Scott, Dave Skippa and Chas Groovy of Hartlepool thought they would have a dabble in the local pub rock scene on the assumption that what it needed was a full on psychedelic 60’s rock show. They were proved wrong. After a dozen gigs in which they were told to turn down, play a bit nicely or play something modern they fell apart.

Not however before spending a couple of hours at Pigpen rehearsal Studios whilst owner Alex Morris made a live recording of their set.

‘The showmanship of Hendrix, the blues feel of Rory Gallagher and the incessant fluidity of Jeff Beck, played by the baddy out of Terminator 2’ – Keep it Live Mag

The uncompromising approach of Johnny Never and FKD owed a lot to their internal chemistry, in the classic rock tradition of backstage hate and recrimination – DrumMan Dave Skippa apparently once tried to throw Johnny out of the van somewhere on the A19 whilst Chas Groovy threatened him with a microphone stand for spending too long in idle chit chat with mere fans when the gear had to be put away, which Johnny put down to jealousy on Chas’ part.

FKD had an unusual approach to their live performances as Chas Groovy explained “Johnny refused to tell us what he was going to play, leaving it to spur of the moment whim and chance, and we had to follow him. All we knew is that there would be Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher songs and other odd stuff from the 60’s”

TO BE CLEAR: All of these are rather splendid interpretations of other people’s magnificent songs. We urge to you check out the originals.

I Need You – was written in 1965 by Ray Davies as he hit his first purple patch of songwriting for The Kinks. It is from the same mould as the rather more well-known ‘You Really Got Me’ and in another reality it would be the rock template for all bands from thereon.

Instant Karma – as The Beatles ended in 1970 John Lennon apparently wrote recorded and released this song within a space of 10 days.

Hey Joe – although the exact authorship of this song is still debated, as perhaps it was an update of earlier folk songs it is usually attributed to folk singer Billy Roberts from 1962. Jimi Hendrix started doing his own version in 1966 becoming his first UK single that December.

Purple Haze – hot on its heels was his second single at the beginning on 1967, a proper psychedelic rock song as played by pub rock groups across the globe ever since.

Little Wing – and then he came up with a song of love from the Jimi Hendrix Experience second album released December 1967.

Tobacco Road – originally a slow blues song, written and recorded by John D Loudermilk in December 1959. It was speeded up and became a hit for The Nashville Teens in 1964 and has since been covered by a number of notable groups such as Spooky Tooth, The Blues Magoos, Edgar Winter, Jefferson Airplane and Eric Burdon.

Itchycoo Park – The Small Faces hit from August 1967, written by singer Steve Marriott and bassman Ronnie Lane. Although not included on an album at the time it has since been included on several compilations.

Manic Depression – another song from the first Jimi Hendrix Experience album, 1967’s Are You Experienced.  The FKD version started out as a jazz flavoured jam.

I Can’t Control Myself – and now some pop, written by singer Reg Presley and first released as single by The Troggs, although a hit it was actually banned because of its errr suggestive lyrics.

The Last Time – Mick Jagger and Keith Richards hitting their stride as song-writers with the Rolling Stones third hit single for in 1966

Spanish Castle Magic – more Hendrix!  – although the lyrics sound rather mystical the song was actually inspired from Jimi’s youth going a a roadhouse called The Spanish Castle.

You Really Got Me – and back to The Kinks with Ray Davies’ all-time great rocker, inspiring a milling cover versions. This is but one of them.

All Along the Watchtower – Hendrix once again but this time the celebrated Bob Dylan song which first appeared on his 1967 John Wesley Hardin album.

Axis Bold as Love – once more Hendrix for luck the title track of his second album in 1967.

Route 66 – written in 1946 by songwriter Bobby Troup and first recorded by Nat King Cole. Other versions followed by an assortment of artists including Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones and Dr Feelgood.

Amazing Grace – and final a hymn from 1772, written by clergyman and poet John Newton who was originally involved in the slave trade but in later life became and abolitionist. The melody we all know was set by composer William Walker in 1835.