The Spammed get back in the studio for The Specialized Project, a project in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Each album under the project features numerous acts, all recording cover versions by one artist. However, on this occasion it’s a little different: the trust are looking for an additional track for a vinyl LP of the best of ‘The Spammed’, dating back to the band’s origination in 2015.
Micko Westmoreland, band guitarist (Micko & The Mellotronics), together with artist Harry Pye, have put together an unrivalled line-up of talent from successive generations of deviant pop talent—a supergroup featuring Spider From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey, The Specials’ bassist Horace Panter, The Boomtown Rats’ Paul Cuddeford on lead guitar, comic actor Kevin Eldon on vocals, and PJ Harvey/Gallon Drunk brassmeister and keys player Terry Edwards.
It has been decided, as a nod to former member Neil Innes (RIP), to cover the Bonzos classic ‘Humanoid Boogie’, performed by the band at a celebration of his life and work at the O2 Indigo in late 2024.
John Leckie, famed producer of household names too numerous to mention, has agreed to produce the track at the spectacular Church Studios in Crouch End, developed originally by Dave Stewart and now under the ownership of Paul Epworth.
The live record takes place in the cavernous Studio One, using the 72-channel Neve ex-EMI/Pathé Marconi console. John is happy to be reunited with it after recording many classic 70’s albums, such as the Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. The studio itself is littered with Grade A analogue gear that would make hardened cork sniffers salivate. You could do an extended talk on virtually every piece of kit.
The track itself goes down in two takes, no click. Woody is in excellent form and the timing is great, locking with Horace. From that, various overdubs take place, with punk rock brass supremo Terry Edwards adding cosmic textures, along with E-bow-equipped Paul Cuddeford on fab other worldly drone guitar.
The core personality for the track comes from the vocal. Kev Eldon works up a couple of alternative versions. There’s a ton of tight syllables to pack in. John suggests changing the mic—it sounds too expensive and doesn’t fit the vibe of the track. Kevin is encouraged to cut loose and get a couple of freer takes down; it’s these that make the track excel and sit in the final mix. One of the notable things about John Leckie is how quick he is at problem-solving. It can be argued that it’s his job; however, the speed and precision of how he works must come in part from decades of experience working on brilliant material.
The track is finessed piece by piece by John and lead engineer at the Church Ewan Vickery. At seven, a few of us head to the pub over the road to hear about John’s industry life. The Spammed has had some real highs over the last 11 years, working with Tony Visconti (Bowie), Chris Kimsey (The Rolling Stones), Chaz Jankel and Nick Lowe to name a few. Working at The Church with John has been a spectacular addition to the band’s canon and can’t wait to cut the track to vinyl.
‘Cream of Spam’ will be released as a 12” vinyl album at the end of the summer.
The Specialized Project can be found via their website and on Bandcamp
All photos by Ashley Jones, provided by Micko Westmoreland
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