Back in the 60’s Middlesbrough was a grim old place and didn’t really subscribe to the Counterculture, the Summer Of Love or the underground movement that was sweeping the world.There were three record shops that stocked mostly pop and soul records, with the odd sighting of The Doors’ first album and that was about it. We heard about a shop in London (in those days there were no direct routes or rail services to the capital and London seemed as far away as New York) called ONE STOP in South Molton Street that imported albums from the USA and did mail order. We got the list and drooled over a feast of weird and wonderful names and bang in the middle were the Fugs!

I can’t remember exactly how we got the money together to send away for them but the first to arrive was Tenderness Junction, and I was hooked! This lot made the Mothers look normal, and the music and lyrics were amazing. Working backwards we got all the ESP recordings and just got blown away. Years and years later, at Demon Records, we reissued some of the Fugs, albums and this led to getting in touch with Ed Sanders and the late, great Tuli. Tuli used to send me these magazines he produced, with slogans like “When I hear the word culture, I reach for my cock” and we talked about putting out some of his own stuff, like “Tuli Reads The Ads”

And “Teach Yourselves Fucking” to coincide with the legal action taken against NWA and their “Straight Out Of Compton” album. The Fugs are probably one of the most influential bands from the 60s and were responsible for the whole New York scene in many ways. They have continued to record right up to the 21st century and it was sad that Tuli’s ill health stopped them planning any more shows.

Tuli’s contribution was paramount to the band’s reputation and success and along with his fellow Fug, Ed Sanders, has kept the spirit alive for over four decades.

WHEN THE MODE OF THE MUSIC CHANGES THE WALLS OF THE CITY SHAKE



Link: LA Times Obituary