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The CUD Story, pt.16
(above) Leeds
Observatory bar. Good idea to hide the singer's face in a promo
photo!
The year begins with a £60,000 publishing deal on the table and the likelihood of signing to Silvertone. A new single, ‘Magic’ from the well-received ‘Leggy Mambo’ album is ready, and a tour to promote it booked.
9
Jan 1991
Photo session at Leeds Observatory bar for ‘Magic’. The
band are awkward and rarely looking at the camera in most of the
pix (see above and below).
11 Jan
An enthusiastic A&R guy, Martin Tower from A&M Records visits
Leeds to see CUD. He’s so young looking, the band choose to
call him ‘Young Shaver’. It seems an odd choice of label
to CUD, with its roster of Sting and Sheryl Crow, but the legacy
of the Herb Alpert and Sergio Mendes days is appealing.
14 Jan
CUD take the train to London for a series of meetings. Today it’s
Alison, the lawyer, dealing with contracts and a Melody Maker interview
with Michael Bonner (who coincidentally wrote a comic strip William
drew for Speakeasy magazine.)
15 Jan
A Thai lunch with Paul Adam from Polygram (The band so relish being
taken out to restaurants!) and a trip to E.G. Records office. This
latter meeting is unlikely to lead to a deal, but gives the band
a contrast. E.G. seem rather stuffy and focussed on the songwriting,
while Polygram seem more enthusiastic about the band’s career.
16 Jan
William stays behind in London for a interview on the BBC World
Service, while the rest of the band head to Leeds. It feels an odd
time to talk to ‘the world’ as a US ultimatum to Saddam
Hussein ends and troops gather on the borders for an invasion.
17 Jan
Desert Storm 1 begins.
18 Jan
Polygram agree to CUD’s terms. A date for signing a publishing
deal (and signing off!) is imminent.
23 Jan
Manchester powwow with Jim and a belated meeting with BMG. Nice
to know they’re interested in the publishing, but the band
have already made their decision.
26 Jan
Start filming ‘Magic’ video with director, Steve Shone
at The Leeds Observatory Bar. It’s packed on a Saturday night
and the band are conspicuously dressed in ill-fitting suits, with
hair brylcreamed down, and playing chess (Wha?!). The resident DJ
keeps pointing out the filming and sends punters to the Upper Bar
“where you could be a star! You might be on Top of the Pops
in a couple of weeks!”
27 Jan
Day Two of filming, the same suits, but an empty bar. While Carl
strolls about, singing into a period microphone, the band perform
sombrely, Mike on a borrowed semi-acoustic, and William on a double
bass. It is hardly the band’s image. CUD resemble Roland Rivron’s
comedy act, Raw Sex. The band are impressed by a new toy, the Steadicam,
though.
 The keen-eyed amongst you may recognise Paul Adam, on the right, as a fomrer judge on Pop Idol. |
1
Feb (left) The deed is done. Mike signs his life away to Paul Adam from Polygram. Note XXXX 'Dutch courage' on table. |
4
Feb
Ex-business manager, Eric Longley finds out and has his lawyers
demand 10% of the deal.
12 Feb
The band meet to watch the edited ‘Magic’ video and head
out for a rare non-working social evening. The mood is very positive.
22 Feb
Magic Tour begins at London ULU.
There is some brief filming at the soundcheck to add to the ‘Magic’
video.
CUD are told 15 record companies are showing up for the gig, plus
the press. Pressure? What pressure?
As it is, the gig is a sell-out, the band play a blinder and the
crowd are fantastic and persistent stage invaders.
  (Informal tour photos, top: Carl & Gordon in van, bottom: Rose and Carl at cafe) |
27
Feb Newcastle Riverside 28 Feb Edinburgh, The Venue 1 Mar Glasgow, Queen Margaret’s College 3 Mar Bournemouth International Centre. This venue is too large and unsuitable – brightly lt, decorated with plants and connected to a sports centre! Still, the 600 folks who showed up helped it go well. Gordon and Chris, the road crew are assigning nicknames to the band. Carl is ‘Mixed Grill’ for his penchant for hearty breakfasts. Mike is ‘Les’ (for the Les Dawsonlike ‘uniqueness’ of his guitar solos) of Adolf for his dictatorial tendencies. 4 Mar Bristol Bierkeller |
Single ‘Magic’ released.
Ltd ed. 7” (two mixes, Farsley Mix by Dave Creffield, Stockport
Mix by Chris Nagle, who’s worked with The Charlatans and Inspiral
Carpets.
12” bw Beyond Hair/Marjorie
+ CD and cassette
Artwork is by Steve's current girlfriend, Carla Abraham.
6 Mar
Sheffield University
Probably the best performance of the tour.
7
Mar 10
Mar |
 |
15 Mar
Carl, Mike and William go to see Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s
Leeds show.
A&M have made an offer and want the band to start recording
ASAP.
19 Mar
Live session in Manchester for Mark Radcliffe’s ‘Hit the
North’ show.
   |
4
Apr 5
Apr |
11
Apr
Train to London to meet lawyers and A&M. CUD get introduced
to the staff and invited to Sting’s party. The deal is not
yet agreed. A&M demand the band get medicals for life insurance.
25 Apr
With deals signed and imminent, Mike’s writing like a demon.
There are now six new songs practised and ready to roll.
26 Apr
CUD’s last hours as an indie band are spent on a train packed
with Yorkshire rugby fans on their way to a London final.
A small gathering of A&M staff, and Paul Adam join the band
for the signing, champagne and prawn sandwiches in the Hammersmith
offices. Carl’s signature is typically much larger than anyone
else’s.
Now the band has a deal and regular income, the band agrees to pay
for a childminder for the Dunphys, so Mike is free to continue songwriting.
The band continue celebrating back in Leeds with more bubbly at
The Faversham.
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