After the demise of the Original Mirrors Perkins signed a management contract with Checkmount,
a Scottish Management Company lead by Mick Rossi (whom he had met whilst supporting Roxy Music
with the Original Mirrors), Tommy Crossan and Harry Maguire.
“Mick Rossi is a unique person, a one – off, a passionate man of Italian and Scottish parentage.
He could hold an audience (of even record company execs and musicians) spellbound by his oratory
and humour. We worked together for twelve “happy years” it was a gas, a white knuckle ride.
(Perkins 2005)
Perkins started writing and recording nocturnal demos for his publisher (Peter Reichardt)
Warner Brothers at Screaming Lord Sutch’s studio “Third Party Fire and Theft” in Notting
Hill (during the period of civil unrest, 81-82?).
Engineered by Nick Pyall and Kieran and Brendan Walsh, Perkins worked with
Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Danny Kustow (Tom Robinson Band), Pete Thomas (The Attractions),
Kevin Wilkinson and Anhony from the Water boys, Phil Spalding and Steve Allen
(from the O. Mirrors) Perkins wrote prolifically and recorded as often as possible.
Perkins publisher arranged a cover of his song “We all work out” by the black vocal group
Beggar and Co, this hit the lower end of the charts.
Perkins sent demos to RCA and was signed by Jack Stevens in 1983.
Releasing “I’ll Lay My Silver Spurs She’s Wrong” EP in 1983, produced by Reggae
Producer Godwin Logi at Island Studios, London.
“Extraordinary and seminal”. (TIME OUT. 1983)
“He’s one of the hottest properties around and he’s definitely our tip for the top”
(Look Now Magazine)
Perkins gigged with his Band “The Silver Spurs” playing various gigs in and out of London
and supported Toyah on a British Tour;
“Perkins has got more outrage in his soul than Iggy Pop and Lou Reed could ever muster on
stage” (Toyah)
and as guests of “The Police” at Wembley Stadium and Brighton, Christmas 1983.
“Perkins cranks his Spurs into a blood - curdling frenzy of hard – edged
funking delight. Sax man Dave Winthrop stokes the soul fire cemented with a rock steady
beat by Kevin Wilkinson. Bass man Phil Spalding lassos his rhythm section, accepts control
from Perkins and turns the boiler full on” (Soundcheck Magazine)
“Perkins and his band the Silver Spurs are special” (Sounds)
Perkins and band performed live on the television programme “THE TUBE” and was featured on
the “BEST OF THE TUBE” album released in 1985. Perkins’ A+R man Jack Stephens left RCA in 1985,
Perkins was dropped by RCA soon after.
During his time at RCA Perkins became friends with label mate Kevin Mooney and his girlfriend
Jordan from “Wide Boy Awake” Perkins played keyboards on their recordings
(including the “Billy Hyena” EP produced by Francois Kavorkin) and in the band including their
debut at the Music Machine in Camden Town (or was it the Camden Palace then?)
“Kevin was a genius, his music and style was so very ahead of its time”
(Perkins 2005)
he died some few years later.
While working in Notting Hill Perkins was introduced to “socialite” and Video producer Hilary
Parsons and her partner the Video director Robin Parsons of Ronin Films. Hilary, Robin and
Perkins began making experimental videos to accompany new songs. Philip Saville the Film
Director asked Perkins to write and perform an original song in his film “Shadey”
starring amongst others Anthony Sher. This was released in 1985.
“Black Comedy at it’s best “ (The Standard)
“Jonathan Played a musician in the film, I liked him a lot, he was appealing and looked good
and I like the songs” (Philip Saville)
Perkins resurrected the Silver Spurs and recorded a Radio 1 sessions for John Peel and
Janice Long
“He’s got one of the best voices around” (Janice Long)
from which a single called “Believe in Me” was released on his managers Label Checkmount
distributed through EMI. Remixed by Nick Pyall and Perkins at Eel Pie Studios.
Perkins and band performed live on ITV’s Saturday morning T.V. show “73” along with Spike
Milligan. Perkins also played several London club dates.
This activity bought Perkins to the attention of Record Producer Alex Sadkin, after several
meetings Sadkin, Alex bought Perkins to Chrysalis Records in 1986. Perkins’s manager the
“very dab” Mick Rossi introduced to and signed Perkins with Publisher Stuart Hornall from
Rondor Music around the same time.
Alex wanted to record the album at his old haunt Compass Point Studios in Nassau. Where he
had worked with Bob Marley and the Wailers. The band began recording there in July 1987.
Three weeks later he was tragically killed in a car Accident.
Perkins, Winthrop and Alex’s engineer Will…….? survived the crash, but the album despite
valiant efforts from Alex’s friend Producer Don Gehmen (who flew out to help) did not.
Perkins left Chrysalis soon after.
“Alex had an inner peace and non judgemental acceptance of people rarely seen in the music
Industry, he was an "old soul" his serene presence, vibrations and musical ideas inspired
everyone that worked or hung out with him"
(Perkins 1987)
Returning to London, Solicitor and gentleman James Wylie re-introduced Perkins to Dave Stewart
of the Eurythmics (also signed by Jack Stevens to RCA)
After some meetings in London and New York. Dave signed Perkins to Anxious Records in 1988.
Some of the songs originally rehearsed and recorded with Alex were at last re-recorded for
Dave Stewart’s Anxious Records by the survivors of that original session accompanied by
French Producer / engineer Manu Guiot.
The "Nassau" recordings for Chrysalis, never saw the light of day. The Anxious / BMG LP
“Snake talk” was originally released 1989. it has since been deleted.
The songs on this Miss W release include other B-sides and singles recorded at the same time. |
