Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

SPENCER, JOHN B.

(b 5 June '44, Hammersmith, West London) Rock songwriter, guitarist, bandleader. Spencer's songs were described by one critic as written while God was looking the other way; whether the anti-war 'Acceptable Losses' during the Falklands episode, addressing the problems of relationships in 'Spider On A Log' or merely working the three-chord trick, as in 'Promises, Promises' or 'Out With A Bang', the infl. of American folk blues (Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker, Leadbelly) are strained through a British sieve and delivered in a voice of coarse gravel. He worked solo '60s (Elvis Costello-to-be opened for him), soaked up ska and other elements. Formed the Louts '74 (with Chas Ambler, Johnny G and Dave Thorne); album The Louts' Last LP '78 on Beggar's Banquet was reissued by Round Tower Music as part of a four-cassette suite; except for Jagger/Richards's 'No Expectations' all the songs were Spencer's. The Louts broke up; he fell in with bassist Malcolm Bennett, drummer Michael Gregory and guitarist Graeme Taylor, all satellites in the National Theatre/Albion Band orbit (which led to the breakaway of the Home Service); only a single emerged initially. Concurrently Spencer worked with Johnny G (Out With A Bang '86); continued to write songs which found their way into the repertoires of Augie Meyers, Jerry Williams (who took 'Cruisin' [On A Saturday Night]' into the Swedish top ten) and inevitably the Home Service (which Spencer even temporarily fronted when John Tams was indisposed). Last blossoming of this period was Break And Entry '89. Formed Parlour Games '90, a semi-acoustic band which made Parlour Games on Round Tower '90 and Sunday Best '91, latter incl. 'One More Whiskey' from Home Service's repertoire (on their live Wild Life '92 on Fledg'ling). Spencer's recordings have regularly appeared years after the event; the excellent Blue Smarties on Round Tower had been a limited release sold at concerts incl. much of his finest songwriting including 'Police Presence', 'Cruisin'', 'Stephanie', 'Spider On A Log', 'Drive- in Movies' and 'Whiteboy'. Left Hand Of Love on Round Tower '96 compiled material from The Louts' Last LP through to Sunday Best. He contributed 'Outside The Wall' to Norma Waterson's award-winning album on Hannibal '96; he has also written futuristic thrillers, and worked with actress Susan Penhaligon in poetry and music performance settings.