It was a night to cherish for everyone!

Photo: Mickmacpix

Carl Morris and Tony Daly PIC courtesy of Mickmacpix (Facebook)

'A Night Of Mod' - review

MODS, mods everywhere! That was the scene inside the packed function rooms at Shure 5 Studios in Royton when John Broadbent and the Pennine Posers Mod Culture Association staged their first Night Of Mod.

Pretty much all the 100 or so tickets available were sold in advance for what was to be a truly special evening of hugely popular yet vintage mod sounds.

It was a night initially dreamed up in memory of Paul "Mouse" Melia, a close friend of all connected to the Pennine Posers, who sadly passed away last year after suffering from cancer.

Paul was a stalwart of the mod scene for many years, and was instrumental in helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust through the ongoing March of the Mods campaign.

Funds raised at the Shure 5 went towards the cost of an engraved marble memorial for placing at the side of Paul's gravestone.

A Night Of Mod was a terrific get-together of like-minded individuals - yours truly included - who were initially treated to a fantastic set of trademark mod and new-wave indie cover versions from hugely talented singer/songwriter Carl Morris.

A popular figure on the north-west mod and scooter scene, Morris captivated his audience with some great tunes, proving exactly why he is currently so in demand on the local circuit.

Slice of history

Then there was a little slice of history created in the room as the buzz stepped up. For the first time ever, Morris enlisted the help of a backing band - namely Royton legend Tony Daly, Charlie Whittaker and Ben Warwick - as the four-piece crashed out the Small Faces' All Or Nothing, Oasis's Whatever and The Who barnstormer Substitute to an ecstatic reception.

The main event, Tony Daly's Originals, followed soon after which featured the local favourite alongside mega-talented young bassist Whittaker and Shadow Palace's Warwick on drums (though he is a guitarist in his regular band!).

Those three whizzed through an energetic and raucous set of mod covers, which, of course, included classics from The Jam and The Who.

Interspersed by mod and Northern Soul anthems spun by DJ Adam "Woff" May - and a classy appearance alongside the Originals from Transmitters frontman Dave Lees - it turned out to be a brilliant night of chat, nostalgia and happy, smiling faces.

No wonder 'A Night of Mod II' is already being planned for the autumn.