Babe Ruth were an extravagant, prog-rock group formed in 1971 by Alan Shacklock. Their most popular song, The Mexican’s basslines and breakbeats were a favourite of hip-hop pioneer, DJ Kool Herc. The tight arrangements, musicianship, and solo-heavy nature of the band was a far cry from punk-rock. That notwithstanding, Shanne Bradley has stated that singer Jenny Haan’s stage presence at gigs was as manic and wild as Johnny Rotten’s, years before he took London by storm.
The brand of heavy, theatrical rock music Babe Ruth were making in the early 70s would soon be scorned by punk purists. This is very silly in retrospect, as all of their favourite bands and artists would have been soaking in it. Among them, Shane MacGowan.
But Shane was also a freak. A freak, in this context, is something he actually identified as, something kids called themselves when they took the hippies’ drugs but didn’t buy into their peace and love. Teenage Shane was perfectly at home being a freak, and the music was integral to it. Pub rock and psychedelic acts such as Dr, Feelgood, Hawkwind, and The Pink Fairies were among his favourites. And of course, The Stooges. The kind of raw edge these bands exposed him to only amplified his love for the Sex Pistols when he finally saw them. He was convinced the ultimate rock & roll band had finally arrived.
Shanne Bradley thought they were a joke. In 1975 they played an undocumented gig at St. Alban’s Art College. It isn’t always mentioned in their history because they weren’t on the bill. They seemed to have just snuck in and pretended to be an opening act. This was only their second or third time performing anywhere, and they were awful. They barely knew their instruments and played bad covers of 60s hits.
It was pure entertainment to Shanne. She certainly didn’t think they were the saviours of pure rock & roll, but they were funny enough that she wanted to see them again.
(to be continued…)