The Only Ones Shrine
Welcome to Serpents-Shine.com version 2.0, still the only Only Ones fanpage on the web!
Latest News/Updates
La Carene Videos
Me and My Shadow
The Beast
Summer Happenings
No new album 'til 2011, but at the moment one future tour date opening for New York No Wave legend Lydia Lunch (ex-Teenage Jesus and the Jerks) has been confirmed. Kellie's also announced he's got a solo record on the horizon. Stay tuned!Blog Interview with Peter and Alan
Throwng Musings at Music interviewed Peter and Alan after the recent Leeds gig. Click Here to read part one of their conversation and here for part two and three.
London Videos and a Review
The Beast feat Kjartan Kristiansen
Why Don't You Kill Yourself?
Leeds Pics
Photos by Gary Gimmick
Only Ones Kick Off Japanese Tour
The Only Ones kicked off their Japanese tour with two killer sets at Antiknock in Tokyo. Click here for an eyewitness account.
The shows represented the first live airings of 'Language Problem', 'Peter and The Pets', 'You Gave Birth', and 'Oh No' since the band's improbable reunion. The band also played 'Instrumental' for the first time EVER!
Stay tuned for pics and media.
John Perry reports on the French Tour:
Read it HERE.
Fall/Winter Tour '09 Dates - Spain, Japan, UK:
Aug 1: Vibrasons Festival (Spain)
Nov 7-8: Antiknock (Tokyo)
Nov 10: Rockbar Lucrezia (Hammatsu, Japan)
Dec 10: Brudnell Social Club (Leeds, UK)
Dec 11: The Assembly (Leamington Spa, UK)
Dec 12: Garage (London)
Only Ones Tour hits Sweden
Click below for a stunning version of "Is This How Much" from the Stockholm show and listen to the band tear through "The Beast" featuring special guest Stevie Klasson on guitar here.
"Magic Tablet" TV premier
The Only Ones premier the new tune "Magic Tablet" on French TV Canal+. Click below for video and see the Video Archive for clips of the rest of the boys' set.
Two New Sweedish Dates Confirmed
17 April The Strand, Stockholm
18 April Kulturbolaget, Malmo
French Tour Dates June '09
3 June: Ubu, Rennes
4 June: BT59, Begles
5 June: Poste A Galene, Marseille
7 June: Ratpack, Clermont-Ferrand
8 June: Trabendo, Paris
9 June L'Ecaslier, Liege (Belgium)
Audio Archive Update
MP3s from Southampton '09 and Liverpool '79 added to the Live Archive
Peter CityLife Interview
New HQ London Footage
Spanish Tour Poster
Courtesy Mister T. Jones.
Alan and Peter Interviews
SBE Setlist
Courtesy It's Only Rock n Roll Blog.
Alan Mair Q&A
Alan Mair checked in with us from a break in the European tour to answer a few questions from the fans in our Myspace group.
SS: How are rehearsals going? Are there any new tunes that we haven't heard on the '07-08 tour being prepped for the new shows?
AM: Rehearsals have been going well, and there will be a few new songs going into the set for 2009 which have never been heard before... "You Gave Birth" and "Magic Tablet" and the other new songs that were aired last year "Black Operations" "Is this how Much" and new to the Only Ones "Transfixed".
SS: Are there any songs from the back catalogue you haven't done since re-forming that you'd like to resurrect?
AM: Yeah we have resurrected "Immortal Story" and just recently "Trouble in the World".
SS: What's the status of the Field of One Project? Can we expect to hear anything from this soon?
AM: I am really hoping that I will find the time to do some recording outside the band, which was originally going to be with Zal Cleminson from the Alex Harvey Band on guitar, but he has suddenly retired from the industry. These recordings are a long time coming, this'll be the year.
SS: You mention digging electronica such as William Orbit and Massive Attack on your website. What else have you been listening to lately? Anything that might be considered surprising?
AM: My most played album since it came out last September is Elbows 4th studio album "The Seldom seen Kid". love it, very diverse range of songs, self produced and what a brilliant production. " The blues guitar on "Grounds for Divorce" is mind blowing.
SS: Who do you consider your chief influences as a bassist? Also, are you a formally trained musician? Do you read music?
AM: Jaco Pastorius from "Weather Report" who were not one of my favourite bands, but he was an oustanding bass player. No, I'm self taught and can read music do some degree.
SS: Did you keep in touch at all with Freddie Mercury after Queen took off?.
AM: Yeah I kept in touch with Freddie for many years. He had become a good friend as he had worked for me for nearly 4 years in Kensington Market. I went along to most of their London concerts and he recipricated when I joined The Only Ones. He unexpectedly turned up when The Only Ones supported The Who in Los Angeles at The Forum in 1980.
SS: Are you considering producing any of the trackks on the new record?
AM: Yeah I have a real affection for "Transfixed" right from the first time peter played it. I know he did it with "The One", but I never heard their version. Infact made a point of not hearing it as I didn't want to be influenced in any way.
Many thanks to Alan for taking the time to talk to us.
Another Manchester Review
. . . with pics @ EvilSponge.org
York Pics
Click to enlarge. Photos by Garry Gimmick.
More Manchester Pics and a Review
Photos by Mel from Mudkiss
Read a review of the show here.
It's Only Rock N Roll's FTL Review
Just too late for Christmas but just in time for the Only Ones new tour comes the first ever DVD release of ‘Faster Than Lightning’, the only official visual record of the Only Ones first incarnation (1977-1981). Originally released under dubious circumstances on video in 1991 – see Nina Antonia’s excellent book for full gory details – this DVD combines footage from live television performances with CBS promos, the songs being linked by interviews with laconic frontman Peter Perrett. Some minor edits means that the DVD appears to flow better than its video predecessor. The audio re-mastering work done by bass-player Alan Mair has paid off and the sound is considerably improved over the video release. Picture quality is marginally improved throughout and is significantly better on the four live tracks recorded for Dutch cable TV. The improved sound emphasises the crispness and economy of the band on-stage, emphasising that the Only Ones are first and foremost a live band. ‘Planet’ appears twice – mimed as a promo and then live for Belgian TV, the latter also providing a sturdy version of ‘The Beast’. John Perry switches from smoking lead guitar to piano and smoking on ‘Someone Who Cares’ whilst a brace of blonde sirens entice on ‘Out There In The Night’. The band’s individual fashion sense delights throughout. Peter Perrett favours a hippy-punk-waif combo, all cheesecloth and leather jeans whilst John Perry moves from Bond villain (mirror shades, cream blazer and a red rose) to rocking the gentleman farmer look (tweed suit and Fair-Isle sweater). Alan Mair looks dapper throughout as does drummer Mike Kellie. No wonder the punks never knew what to make of them. Incidentally the title ‘Faster Than Lightning’ is a line from ‘As My Wife Says’. Needless to say the song itself does not feature here. The DVD is available at gigs or direct from the bands website (www.theonlyones.biz). It makes an excellent companion to the ‘Live At Shepherds Bush 2007’ DVD (released by Cherry Red) and demonstrates that the bands songwriting and performance abilities are timeless. Now how about putting out that Minneapolis gig ?
[NB: DVD is currently only available in Region 2 format].
Read more reviews and musings here.
Some Manchester Pics
Another strong night in Machester with both acoustic and electric sets from the band. Thanks to Ian for the photos!
Only Ones Kick Off Tour in York
Jan 23: The band kicked off their 2009 European tour with a tight set at the York Duchess. The boys delivered spirited versions of new tracks such as "Black Operations" and "Magic Tablet" alongside selections from their now classic catalogue. Stay tuned for updates and media from the new dates!
Only Ones Celebrate Reissues with Rough Trade Instore
The band will be signing copies of the newly remastered/expanded CBS Albums as well as other memorabilia Monday Feb 2nd at the Rough Trade Vintage shop in London. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Reissues On The Way
Newly remastered and expanded versions of the band's classic studio recordings to be released on Feb 2. See the band's official site for full tracklisting.
New John Perry Interview
http://www.mudkiss.com/johnperry.htm
The Only Ones Begin Work on New LP
The Only Ones are heading into the studio this December to commence work on their first studio recordings in 28 years! Keep it tuned here for updates!
Official Website Relaunched
The Only Ones have relaunched their official newspage theonlyones.biz! Be sure to check out some of the rare vintage merch just uncovered in Peter's basement!
Cool New Desktop Backgrounds
Richard Davis sent these our way. Thanks Richard! Left click and select "save target as" to download.
Peter's Strat for Sale
Hi all, Jamie Perrett here, my dad has asked me to inform you that his black Fender Stratocaster is looking for a new home. The guitar was bought in 1978 and was his main guitar. The guitar was also used by Mick Taylor when he toured with Dylan in 82.
Anyone interested should email me at: jimijames01@hotmail.com
UPDATE: Bidding has now ended.
New 2009 Dates Confirmed
