THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN – Back on Track.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010

In 1969, Pete Townshend of The Who, helped create the band to play songs written by former Who roadie, drummer/singer John 'Speedy' Keen. Townshend produced the single “Something In The Air”, arranged its strings, played its bass under the pseudonym Bijou Drains, recorded it at his house and hired for it eccentric GPO engineer and jazz pianist Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman and 15-year-old Glaswegian guitarist Jimmy McCulloch.

Originally titled "Revolution", but later renamed because the Beatles released a single of that name, "Something in the Air" captured post-flower power rebellion, marrying McCulloch's sweeping acoustic and glowing electric guitars, Keen's powerful drumming and yearning falsetto, and Newman's felicitous piano solo.

The single was No. 1 after just three weeks (hitting the top the week of the moon landing) holding off Elvis Presley in the process. The scale of the song's success surprised everyone, and there were no plans to promote Thunderclap Newman with live performances. Eventually a line-up, augmented by Jim Pitman-Avory on bass and McCulloch's elder brother Jack on drums was formed.

"Something in the Air" has appeared on the soundtracks of the films The Magic Christian (1969), Almost Famous (2000), The Girl Next Door (2004), and The Strawberry Statement (1970) plus many TV advertisements including Vodaphone and British Airways.

A chance conversation between the owner of the relaunched Track Records Ian Grant, and Andy Newman last year, led to rehearsals with a band that drummer Mark Brzezicki (managed by Grant during their time with Big Country) had put together. The rehearsals impressed everyone involved and it was decided it was time to 'test the water' with a couple of live performances. Two gigs have been booked for February (info below).

Mark was a founder member of Big Country. He played drums on all Pete Townshends solo albums and was also a member of Procul Harum for 20 years. His association with the Townshend family is such that he also played in On The Air with Pete's younger brother Simon (and Tony Butler who was also a member of Big Country) during the early 80's and continues that association with Simon's son Josh being in the new lineup of Thunderclap Newman.

Andy Newman says “I look forward to participating in this exciting new project and I have to say it is fascinating with another member of the Townshend dynasty involved”.

Andy Newman - Piano and vocals
Mark Brzezicki - Drums and vocals
Josh Townshend - Guitar
Nick Johnson - Guitar
Tony Stubbings . Bass Guitar

The initial two gigs are -

19 February 2010.
The Con Club
High Street
Lewes (E. Sussex)
BN7 1XS

£6 adv - £8 on door Description:http://www.lewesconclub.co.uk/ Tel: 01273 473076
8pm
Plus special guests to be announced.


27 February 2010.
Farrington Gurney Hall
Church Lane
Farrington Gurney (nr Bristol)
BS39 6TY
£6 adv - £8 on door www.myspace.com/farringtonhootenanny www.farringtonhootenanny.org.uk Tel 01761 451041/492922 OR 07501228272
Special Guest's - Russell Webb (Skids, Armoury Show) & Jake Butler
8pm

Comments: 1

From: Carey Fortune Date: Sunday, 24 January 2010, at 12:13 pm
still think sometings in tha air was a marvellous pyschedelic song

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