London SS - A Pre-punk History with Pictures.

London SS - Part 1

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The London SS, for all that it was, lasted between March 1975 and January 1976. Jones had been kicked out of his band by Kevin Colney and through him he and James became acquainted and decided to form a band together. James and Jones are regular visitors to Warrington Road in Maida Vale where Matt Dangerfield and Barry Jones share a flat with a small recording studio.

Barry Jones: I remember getting up in Mick's Grannies tower block flat with Tony and we were going to form a band and that was the London SS and our consensus of opinion (and I can hear Mick to this day go) 'Its gotta be rock’n’ roll right?' That was the quantifier.

Barry joins and is dumped from the band and in time honoured fashion they place a musicians wanted ad in the Melody Maker.

Wanted: Lead guitarist and drummer to join bass player and singer guitarist influenced by Stones, New York Dolls Mott The Hoople. Must have great rock 'n' roll image.

Jones and James

Patrik Fitzgerald

Their aim was a high energy band comprising the best of the NYD, MC5 and the Stooges but image as well as musical ability was to be all important.

Various people ring up to try out including a young Patrick Fitzgerald who tries out for the band unsuccessfully.

Patrik Fitzgerald: I remember it was quite funny because they both looked quite hippyish. Mick Jones came over as quite aloof and a bit rock starish and I thought I’m obviously not the right person for them. I was little and quite tubby and certainly not rock starish looking at all. I couldn’t play slide guitar either, which is what I thought was what they wanted as they were advertising for people who liked the Stones. It was appalling. I’m sure they must have thought I was completely useless. I didn’t know they were heading to be honest and I don’t think they did either. There must have been a severe rethink to get to the Clash!!

The name London SS has caused slight controversy. Andrew Matheson (Hollywood Brats) has claimed he made it up and remembers that when they all met they were wearing various swastika paraphernalia and Mick Jones borrowing a swastika armband. James and Jones would later claim that the SS stood for Social Security and the 'London' prefix as a nod to the New York Dolls. 'The SS' was more a frisson of decadence and shock.

Barry Jones: Why the name London SS? I don’t know. That had nothing to do with me with especially me being a black guy. I think it was that radical looking for something that was off the charts.

Barrys flatmate Matt Dangerfield however joins the band which must have made things a bit awkward between them.

Barry Jones

Bryan James

Also trying out was Bryan James currently in a band called Bastard and who looked and sounded the part.

Tony James: The first guy to phone up was Bryan James. He said 'I'm a lead guitarist; I'm really into the Stooges - which fitted our plans perfectly! Then as soon as we saw him we said this is the guy because he had just the New York Doll image we wanted.

Bryan however needed to sort out his affairs in Belgium and while waiting Jones & James put together a band with Matt Dangerfield on Guitar and Geir Wade on drums.

Also there as kind of unofficial manager was Bernie Rhodes, Malcolm McLaren's sidekick.

Matt Dangerfield: The early days of London SS was me, Mick Jones, Tony James and various drummers. In the time I was with them they were constantly looking for singer and we did have Bernie Rhodes. Not officially as manager but to all intents and purposes one.

Barry Jones: I remember Bernie hanging out in the pub and talking about street cred. He thought Mick and Tony didn’t have enough street cred. Mick was ok but he couldn’t play very well.

While looking for a singer they become aware of the Sex Pistols who were advertising for a second guitarist and who were asking for a similar music and image requirement. 'Not older than 20. Not worse looking than Johnny Thunders.'

Bernie Rhodes