Steve Harrison (Omega Record founder / Dead Dead Good)

Steve Harrison can certainly tell you a story or two, or three regarding his early life and love of music, including the opening of his beloved Omega Records, The Charlatans, Man City, motorcycle clubs, I could go on but I suggest you read his memoir available here, easily the best autobiography I’ve read this year. I speak to the man himself who reveals his top ten influential albums plus two groups  that have to get a mention. Read on…

Blue Oyster Cult: Agents of Fortune

I discovered the Blue Oyster Cult ahead of punk in the spring of 1976, when I heard them on the ‘Johnny Walker Radio Show’. I bought the album on our spring bank holidays in Cornwall, at a record shop in Falmouth. I managed to secure copies of the bands earlier albums working like a good un’ cleaning cars in my school holidays. A close second for me was ‘On Your Feet Or On Your Knees’ the live double album. I discovered Patti Smith through my love of BOC. ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’ is the song that the Byrds never wrote. A book and a tv series written by JK Rowing under a pseudonym, “Career of Evil” was based around the songs of BOC.

David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust The most perfect album. Timeless and I would likely say the very best album ever released in the history of music. A poster adorns my front room, whilst ‘Low’ features in the kitchen. I was ten-years old when my Mum and Dad helped me buy this record. Absolute perfection.

The Church: Heyday

I love the Australian band the Church. If they had been based in England (two of the members were in fact English), then they would have been a band that I watched time and time again. I saw them early doors in England and stocked the albums on import. One of my best days in retail was in 1985 when the ‘Heyday’ album arrived on American import, and people as far away as Hampshire travelled to buy it at my tiny Cheshire record shop. A beautiful sleeve, all paisley shirts and ace haircuts…

The Fall: E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G

Unfortunately I had to sell my record collection several years ago. I now listen to most things online. As a result, I rarely listen to albums in the entirety. The issue with the Fall is the volume of music, and unlike say the Church, I don’t really have a moment of connection. I did support the Fall in my group in 1978. The moment with my son at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, in 2011 was outstanding, but not album based memories. I would have said ‘Grotesque’ once upon a time, then ‘Slates’ for a moment, and then ‘This Nations Saving Grace’ but the Fall is this and so much more. The group simply got better with age and remained progressive. One thing I do know is that ‘Reformation’ is my favourite Fall song. Does this slightly obtuse narrative work make any sense?

Genesis: Live

I remain a big fan of Genesis up until the ‘Trick of the Tail’ album, even though I (obviously) attempted to deny such affiliations when punk arrived. I bought this when I was twelve years-old in 1973. Proper weird little kid I was. I imagine that Genesis was in their pomp at this stage. It is a most wonderful album, with a brilliant sleeve. Phil Collins in my opinion is possibly the world’s finest drummer. I can vividly remember how clever I thought I was liking Genesis.

Iggy and the Stooges: Raw Power

The most exciting album I have ever heard. I discovered it when I was fifteen years-old, following my exposure to all things punk rock in the summer of 1976. It made SO much sense then, and it does today. It’s so un hi-fi that it must be offensive to the hi-fidelity wankers, and I as a song person over sound then I think that must be a good thing.

Joy Division: E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G

Probably the entire Warsaw-Joy Division-New Order dynasty and connections mean more to me than anything. From Ian Curtis being a neighbour of my aunty, to my friendship with Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton. My complete bootleg collection (sold). My friendship with Sarge (security). Bernard, Stephen and Peter all visited Omega in Altrincham, Macclesfield and Northwich. I eventually managed Peter Hook and Monaco. Peter also kindly contributed a forward to my memoir. I can’t choose as it all means so much to me. From “At A Later Date” to “No Love Lost” to “Glass”. From ‘Heart and Soul” to “Dreams Never End” to “ Crystal”. Does this make sense…

Led Zeppelin: Four Symbols

A glorious rock n roll album fusing folk and blues sensitivities, with outstanding energy from the much-maligned Zeppelin. I was friends with the bands manager Peter Grant in his later years, and I eventually met both Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. I went to Knebworth, even in my post punk/mod look clobber. Certainly not ‘de riguer’ on the day, I later found out that my friend Craig Cash was at the same show.
A perfect album

Siouxsie and the Banshees: The Scream

I was a huge fan of the Banshees, having seen them early doors in Manchester and Liverpool. Punk finished for me in early 78’ but the Banshees and Warsaw always had the edge for me and simply transcended the original scene. I went to Bromley in Kent to buy the original ’bootleg’ album before they were signed. I saw them as often as I could afford to. ‘The Scream’ is seminal. It was an album that remains fresh and relevant today. Wonderful musicianship and extensively without reference. I felt sad that ‘Love In A Void’ and ‘Make Up to Break Up’ never got included.
Punk Royalty.

Steel Pulse: Handsworth Revolution

The debut single ‘Ku Klux Klan’ gave me an English reggae band to watch and follow. This album, and the general political landscape at the time, taught me a great deal about life, community, and respect. I watched Steel Pulse at the Electric Circus in Collyhurst, I went to the PSV reggae nights in Hulme and enjoyed the pre-gig sound system at Erics in Liverpool. I owned a significant reggae collection, extensively imported from Jamaica and the USA. It remains a timeless and important album from my yoot. Our ‘Two Sevens Clash’.

Wire: Pink Flag

I think this was up there with the likes of Pere Ubu, the Fall and Joy Division in so much as the references were less obvious, and art transcended any scene as such. So very punk in spirit, but so obviously ‘art school’ and intelligent from the get-go. To have such compelling melodies within an albums worth of twenty-one short songs is quite incredible. A groundbreaking record in many ways. If it were food, it would be a Michelin Star tasting menu. An incredible sleeve.

Bobby Womack: The Bravest Man In The Universe

This album means a great deal to me. My first proper gig/outing after significant heart surgery. It was Bobby’s final UK concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The album was made with Damon Albarn and XL Records. I arrived early, and still in recovery of sorts saw Bobby walk out of the stage door, and as much as I wanted to drop to my knees and hold in reverence, then I simply assumed that he would disappoint me given his reputation, so I didn’t speak.
I saw him in his pomp on the ‘Poet II’ tour, at the Manchester Apollo, and I saw him play an acoustic set at the Manchester International One when the MCA album ‘The Last Soul Man” was released.
An important conclusion to an outstanding career.

You can catch me as host at The Delamere Street Dog on 25th July, interviewing Steve live for his book tour. Tickets available here.

Words by Wayne Carey, Reviews Editor for Louder Than War. His author profile is here