The Men They Couldn’t Hang (TMTCH) came together in 1984 to perform at the alternative music festival in Camden Town alongside the legendary Pogues and the Boothill Foot-Tappers.
TMTCH came about as a result of Paul Simmonds, Philip ‘Swill’ Odgers and his brother Jon, (veterans of the Southampton based pop-punk band ‘Catch 22’), meeting the Pogues roadie Stefan Cush whilst busking in Shepherds Bush in London. Their early line up was Stefan Cush (vocals/guitar), Paul Simmonds (guitar/bouzouki/keyboards), Philip Odgers (vocals/guitar, tin whistle, melodica), Jon Odgers (drums/percussion) and Shanne Bradley (bass/flute).
Championed by the late John Peel their first single, a cover of Eric Bogle’s ‘Green Fields Of France’ (1984), became a big hit on the UK Indie charts and a staple of Peel’s festive 50. Their first album, ‘Night Of A Thousand Candles’, was released in 1985. It includes the singles ‘Ironmasters’ and ‘Greenback Dollar’. Signing for MCA the following year, they recorded their second album, ‘How Green Is the Valley’, produced by Mick Glossop. Included on this album are the singles ‘Gold Rush’, ‘Shirt of Blue’ and ‘Ghosts Of Cable Street’.
Wind the clocks forward and the band released their latest 13 track album ‘Cock-A-Hoop’ last year, which was their nineteenth offering. Of particular note in their back catalogue is their 2002 released album of unreleased recordings dating from 1982 and later demo material, which was put together and packaged as ‘The Brighton Sessions’.
Between now and the end of 2019 there are only eight concert dates planned by the band with one of those being an appearance at the ever popular Con Club in Lewes on Saturday 16th November. The tickets have been flying out of the door as also on the bill are 40 Shillings On The Drum and Matilda’s Scoundrels.
‘40 Shillings On The Drum’ are Daniel Scully (vocals), Steven Cobley (lead guitar), Seb Cole (keyboard/backing vocals), David Cobley (bass) and Matt Hill (drums). We reviewed one of their concerts as support to UK Subs back in May – read the review HERE.
Matilda’s Scoundrels are Quinn (vocals/mandolin), Jason (vocals/banjo/acoustic guitar/tin whistle), Jens (accordion), Jon (drums), James (bass guitar), and Dan (guitar). We reviewed Matilda’s Scoundrels back in March as part of the ‘Fat Tuesday’ celebrations in Hastings – read our review HERE.
Purchase your Lewes Con Club concert tickets HERE.
Visit The Men They Couldn’t Hang’s website for further information – www.tmtch.co.uk and to listen to their material visit their Bandcamp page HERE.
Visit and ‘LIKE’ our ‘What’s On – from Brighton and Hove News’ Facebook page HERE.
