Friday, July 17, 2009

B.T.P. Folders: Wot's That Mean Then?

(Cover scans courtesy of the inestimably great Punk Rock from the U.K.)

The B.T.P. Folders mystery deepens. I posted this mod-power-pop-punk single years ago, saying, its "English, it's from 1980, it's their only release, it sells for 80 pounds in the UK, was briefly re-issued in 2001 on vinyl by 1977 records in Japan and I have no clue what their name means" and, incrementally, it has built up a fascinating set of comments. To whit:

RE; BTP Folders. BTP stands for Blue Transparent Polyurethane. I Know this because I am the lead singer with that band. Neil Shaw.
(November 17, 2007 12:06 PM)

Hi Neil, I thought the T in BTP stood for Tinted, anyway hope you are well, Cheers, Pat (Grogan) I think I wrote and played gtr on the single.
(March 20, 2009 7:37 AM)

Wrong Grogan it definitely stands for Transparent.It means nothing but a Blue Transparent Polyurethane Folder! Pat Grogan always a bighead! Bass player Mick was fantastic and still is!

(July 15, 2009 8:43 AM)

Pat Grogan was not a "big head" he had talent. He wrote most if not all the originals in The Folders. I'd give him ideas like....go home and write a song about Star Trek........next day......"Star Trek universal boot boys, Star Trek androids with laser toys..." The boy had talent. "Wet Dream" was another Folders classic. Unfortunately none of these were recorded.
I have a few pictures and even reviews from national magazines about the single "All of a Sudden" which was written in the van, on the way to the studio.
The odd sounds you can hear on "Radio" were created with a WASP. A cheesy black and yellow synth, god knows why we had that, we hated synth bands.
John White, who joined The Folders after we recorded the single went on to moderate success with U.V.POP and is still recording.
The Folders single was played by the BBC on the John Peel show. John said it was his favorite track on Logical Steps and that "it was bright, bouncy, powerful, power pop".

NEIL SHAW (Homosassa Springs Fl. USA., 03/01/10)

So before we get to the music, if any B.T.P. Folders members (or associates) want to share reminisces, photos, music etc. (even stalwarts like Punk 77, Bored Teenagers and the ModPunk Archives come up mostly blank) MRML would love to post a follow-up. (Hell, if someone can give me a rough timeline, I'll write a damn Wikipedia entry.)


(Image courtesy of Artist Reunited)

What we do know is this single is a masterpiece. The two hyper-melodic songs war for dominance, each sharpening each other, with no clear victor.

The explosive a-side is an infectious glam-rockabilly-punk track with a nifty little bridge called, "Radio".



The on the b-side boasts the catchy power-pop-punk rocker, "All of a Sudden".



{Finally, MRML readers please leave a gracious comment for the band on their work - methinks they'll read it, sooner or later.}

Download B.T.P Folders 7"


(Image courtesy of the ever-knowledgeable Bored Teenagers.)

"Fads", the only other B.T.P. Folders song I'm aware of is on a compilation called Logical Steps posted on truly original, greatly-missed blog, Feelin' Kinda Froggy". FKF said of the album, "Some obscure New Wave / Rock / Punk bands from the Hull and Huddersfield region (Yorkshire, UK). The "Logical Steps" sampler first came out in 1980 on Future Earth Records."


(Image courtesy of my Feelin' Kinda Froggy cache)

Download Various Artists Logical Steps L.P.



40 comments:

  1. So 80's to have the obscure letter standing for obtuse words. My own bands included F.U.N., A.O.S. among others. Thanks for sharing this one.

    http://www.archive.org/details/AOS_Rip_It_Up_Deluxe_FLAC

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yep "initialisms" were huge at one point and now band names are all sentence fragments.

    I will listen to the A.O.S. soon (especially that song called "Mary, Mary in the Lavender Pumps".)

    ReplyDelete
  3. great post ! superb work as ever !
    cheers
    razor
    http://shortsharpkickintheteeth.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great, great songs (esp. "All Of A Sudden") but does Joe Jackson get his share of the royalties from them or what?

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  5. Razor

    Thanks for the good words - it was a post I had todo. Now we'll see if any more comes from it,

    (P.P.S. Keep up the incredible over at SSKITT work - I d/l primarily the UK stuff just to keep from becoming buried in beautiful obscurities.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. CPB

    Definitely Jackson-ish but more of a classic power-pop style and with less vitriol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Found "All of a Sudden" on Shake Some Action. vol.8. This is a GREAT GREAT song !!! From the first second till the last, I couldn't believe my ears. Referring to the cd is a guy called Pat Grogan the songwriter. Well done Pat, well done B.T.P. Folders !! Even in 2010 it sounds .... well.... GREAT ! Thanks from Alkmaar, the Netherlands.

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  8. Alkmaar

    Yup this band kicks ass irrespective of time - maybe one day we'll get to hear more.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pat Grogan was not a "big head" he had talent. He wrote most if not all the originals in The Folders. I'd give him ideas like....go home and write a song about Star Trek........next day......"Star Trek universal boot boys, Star Trek androids with laser toys..." The boy had talent. "Wet Dream" was another Folders classic. Unfortunately none of these were recorded.
    I have a few pictures and even reviews from national magazines about the single "All of a Sudden" which was written in the van, on the way to the studio.
    The odd sounds you can hear on "Radio" were created with a WASP. A cheesy black and yellow synth, god knows why we had that, we hated synth bands.
    John White, who joined The Folders after we recorded the single went on to moderate success with U.V.POP and is still recording.
    The Folders single was played by the BBC on the John Peel show. John said it was his favorite track on Logical Steps and that "it was bright, bouncy, powerful, power pop".
    NEIL SHAW (Homosassa Springs Fl. USA.)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Neil.

    Thanks. So much.
    I updated this ever-evolving post with your pithy history. If you're interested in passing on any scans of those reviews or pictures, I'd gladly add those too.

    My e-mail is jeffen69@hotmail.com.

    I'm sad to hear there' no more recorded material so what there is will have to do.

    Once more, thanks for everything.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I saw The BTP Folders when they played a free gig in the street in Doncaster, around 1981 to celebrate the opening of a punk clothing shop called STREETBOY.

    Mick P later joined "The Coil" around the time that they, sadly, changed to "The Outsiders" and lost their bottle.

    The last I heard of him he was working for Miller Brother (local electrical retailer) but that would be at least 10 years ago.

    PW

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  12. PW
    Thanks for the additional info, we're putting the pieces together.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jeffen,

    John White had a house somewhere down Hexthorpe (Doncaster), if I remember correctly.

    He used to occasionally let the band that I played in (The Need To Dance) practice in his cellar until the police came round.

    This would be during his early UV Pop period in 1982/83.

    Paul W

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  14. Paul
    I love how this post grows bit by bit

    Thanks for the added info.

    ReplyDelete
  15. All
    Thanks for the Pat Grogan was not a bighead comment.
    I did some engineering and producing years later for other bands (google for more info). John White is still a good friend and I believe Neil the singer is occasionally in touch with John.

    They were all good guys. Its nice to see some good comments.

    Cheers.

    Sorry if this went on twice (getting old)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pat
    Hey that's almost everybody who's dropped by with an update - this is really developing!
    Thanks for the music!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am Mick Phillipson, bass player and backing vocalist with B.T.P Folders from the start.Interesting to find this site after all these years. Some great comments (apart from the one about Pat!).Still in touch with John who now lives near the centre of Doncaster, great bloke, he never changes and now repairs guitars for a living, as well as playing the odd gig.Unfortunately don't know much about the others would be great to hear from any of them. Would like to remind Neil that although Pat was a great songwriter I also wrote almost half of the songs in the set (no sour grapes intended!).
    So if Neil, Pat or Woody read this it would be great to get there updates.

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  18. WOW ! Only Woodrow left. Hey Mick, ive been trying to find you for years. E mail me korg1600@yahoo.com.
    Neil.

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  19. What a great string! My good friend owns 1977 Records (based out of Tokyo)...I still vividly recall hearing Logical Steps for the first time - in Kobe.

    My (now wife) had a copy. She played it and I almost went through the roof. Song after song (BTP Folders, Shy Tots, Richard and the Taxmen...) - just great pop gems.

    I went back to Nobu (@1977) and asked him where he had compiled all of this from...'can't recall the label.

    But much of the information was unknown (until now)...Thanks guys for creating such great music. If I ever want a morale boost...I'll throw on Logical Steps. And Mick - great basslines in "All of a Sudden" - JP (The Decibels) San Francisco, CA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David Moffrt owned Future Earth Records and sold Logical Steps to 1997 Records.

      Delete
  20. What a great string! My good friend owns 1977 Records (based out of Tokyo)...I still vividly recall hearing Logical Steps for the first time - in Kobe.

    My (now wife) had a copy. She played it and I almost went through the roof. Song after song (BTP Folders, Shy Tots, Richard and the Taxmen...) - just great pop gems.

    I went back to Nobu (@1977) and asked him where he had compiled all of this from...'can't recall the label.

    But much of the information was unknown (until now)...Thanks guys for creating such great much. If I ever want a morale boost...I'll throw on Logical Steps. And Mick - great basslines in "All of a Sudden" - JP (The Decibels) San Francisco, CA

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yeah this is the best thread in this we ever had - the whole group got in contact through the comments!

    P.S. The Decibels as in Create Action Decibels? If so, great band.

    ReplyDelete
  22. John White is still in touch with John Curry and Jamie O'Callaghan (Both of "The Need To Dance") Jamie was always friendly with John White hence him letting us rehearse in his cellar.

    Cheers

    PW

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  23. One of the Folders Roadies just made contact with me, Geoff Bull. We have to find the other roadie, Arksey Al.
    Geoff can remember the song titles and the set list. We openned up at Retford Porterhouse for Ten Pole Tudor, Geoff got up on stage and sang "Who Killed Bambi". Also, w are looking for the drummer, David Woodrow to make contact.....reunion?

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  24. Just gathering up my thoughts and memories and i shall do a write up on THE GREAT TIMES I HAD WITH THE BAND..."ONE OF THE BOYS" EH,NEIL !!!GEOFF BULL

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  25. HERE GOES: THE SET LIST/SONGS;
    POSH SNOBS,MAFIA,SUN INN,STAR TREK,ALL OF A SUDDEN,RADIO,FADS,FREE TICKET,ARKSEY AL,WET DREAM,ONE OF THE BOYS....EVERY ONE A PURE POWER POP-PUNK CLASSIC !!! More to come as/when ;-) GEOFF BULL

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  26. My first ever FOLDERS gig was at the BENTLEY YARBROUGH.I went along with my mate BEAST,LIMELIGHT HEAVY ROCK BAND were on so its fate my path crossed the folders as i liked PUNK.Punky l;ookin ppl were hanging round and i saw a bright yellow drum kit on stage.the lights went down and a thundering drum/bass backline beat commenced.feet were tappin alreadyu!then took guitarists took up position on the left,one a strange type with rolling eyes(JOHN WHITE)and a cheeky griining one with a gold splodge in his hair(PAT GROGAN)took up and joined in the mounting crescendo,when on flew a red jump suited maniac(NEIL SHAW)with black spikey hair,grabbing the mike and throttling it,his one tooth gnarled grin wrapping round it as the band burst into a furious tirade:"WELL I HATE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT ME,YOUR LIKE PEOPLE AT THE BBC,IGNORE ME AND YOU LOOK AWAY,BUT ONE DAY,W'ELL MAKE YOU PAY(SUN INN} AS FAR AS I CAN SEE,YOUR NOT AT ALL LIKE ME,YOU ALWAYS TRIED TO BE ONE,BUT YOUR REALLY NO-OT! The lyrics smacked you straight in the teeth,neil working the stage,john rolling eyes with a stare that sent shivers,dave woodrow,one of the best drummers ive seen setting a furious pace.Well i was hooked,i knew dave from yrs ago!MANIC tune after manic tune,MAFIE,WET DREAMS..neil leering and snarling into the mike,the reggae infused POSH SNOBS,FADS...100 mile an hour RADIO..,catchy ALL OF A SUDDEN,the insane STAR TREK...ARKSEY AL.."works all day on a lorry,tells his boss to 'GET FKD',FOUND HIM IN A BARREL OF BEER,HES A REAL BARREL OF FUN..HE PACKS THOSE DRUMS REAL COOL,HES OUR GREATEST PAL..WHO?ARKSEY AL..and the encore..."ONE OF THE BOYS",each one musically powerful,meanacing bittersweet power pop-punk!!Roll on the next gig...THE WHITE HART @THORNE......GEOFF BULL

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  27. Can we have a Wikapeadia page Please?????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh brash youth full of lofty promises.

      I've registered for Wikipedia but of course since I've made that promise they've doubled down on what they call 'notability'. Which means official and non-blog, non-youtube references.

      Are there published articles on the band anywhere I can cite as references? Even if someone scanned old cuttings from Sounds, NME et al that would probably do.

      Let me know.

      Delete
  28. YES ! Ive got cuttings, where should I send the scans?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jeffen69@gmail.com

      Alright I'll get on this...

      Delete
  29. After the Yarbrough gig,i spent some time re-aquainting myself with Dave Woodrow the drummer and my mate Arksey AL.Full of excitement i said id see them at the White Hart in THORNE,8miles from Donny.Didnt have a clue how we were getting back as it was sunday night and transport links were crap.Me & NEV MARSHALL went thro,on the Bill that evening was THE FLYING ALFONSO BROTHERS,HOBBIES FOR TODAY,RICHARD & THE TAXMEN ,AND HEADLINERS...B.T.P.FOLDERS.Arksey AL was there already as Roadie ,he was setting up the gear with JACK,a scottish guy who was a pain in the arse,and AL was always falling out with him.AL was threatening the DJ to play some PUNK,COCKNEY REJECTS...Then CALIFORNIA UBER ALLES, To which AL proceeded to dance the most amazing contorted cripple dance id ever seen,like IAN CURTIS(GOD REST HIS SOUL)on ice,then frenetic leaping about to the end of the song:'DIE ON ORGANIC POISON GAS,SERPENT EGGS ALKREADY HATCHED,YOU WILL CROAK YOU LITTLE CLOWN ,WHEN YOU MESS WITH PRESIDENT BROWN...CALIFORNIA UBER ALLES..'..cracking start to the night ,the 3 other bands performed then SHOWTIME:'MAFIA MAFIA,WHERE ARE YOU NOW,LYING IN THE SUN WITH SOME DIRTY OLD COW,MAFIA MAFIA WHER HAVE YOU BEEN,BEEN TO LONDON TO FUCK THE QUEEN'...Neils word play to shock as the lyric was corrupt the queen ,but everyone was on top form,the dance floor was full,PAUL MANNIX,the other roadie ,me and nev,ROLO from MOORENDS,A FOOTBALL HOOLIGAN SKINHEAD,no -one could live with us out their on the floor,and THE FOLDERS again blew away all comers.Ending in ONE OF THE BOYS,the gig was magnificent,sweat dripping,the only question was :WHERS THE NEXT GIG?....OH,and how the hell we getting home? Thats when DAVE WOODROW stepped in,he took as all home to bentley ,where we all lived.WOMBWELL REFORM HERE WE COME..!!!!!GEOFF BULL

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  30. Hello Jeff - sorry for the delay! Yes, I am from the same Decibels "Create Action" (and funny enough, we also have a song called "Radio"). We put out a decent comp called the Bart Thurber Sessions on Egging (offshoot of 1977 Records). Check out the precursor to The Decibels, The E-Types, more fun power pop.

    Back to BTP Folders topic - what ever happened to Richard and the Taxmen?, Shy Tots? Was the Future Earth roster a very close scene (as in gigging together, etc)? So good to see all of this progress on the thread - great music gents.
    Joe (SF, CA)

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  31. Neil Here! Richard and the Taxmen, Shy Tots....no idea what happened to them, I think they disbanded soon after Logical steps was released. As far as Future Earth being a "very Close scene" and "Gigging together".........Management wise, yes we were a close bunch, but gigging together....no way! Competition was hot and The Folders HATED synth bands. (we had a couple on our label) so no, it never happened.

    ReplyDelete
  32. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mighty-Past-Tense/107127326034035?ref=hl

    Copy n paste.
    Neils latest venture, playin with Michael Monarch from Steppenwolf !

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  33. No, wrong ! They were a different, but shit hot band !

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  34. At some point in the late 1980s or early 1990s I was back in Doncaster on leave from the army and went into Music Ground on the High Street. Denis Hardcastle, former main brain in The Shy Tots was working in the shop at the time but what happened to him after that I have no idea.

    Paul W

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dennis Hardcastle is still around he has a paving slab manufacturing company somewhere just outside Hatfield on Thorne Rd… …..

      Delete

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