Thanks, I'm afraid they stopped doing this fanzine some time ago... I only got four or five issues from one of my mates, but I'd love to read them all. I will take a look, if they have a blog or something instead...

Anyway, here's some of the Hideaway sounds:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Breed-Soulful-Todays-Dancers/dp/B00005K9MY/ref=pd_sim_m_h__1


http://www.amazon.co.uk/King-New-Breed-Rhythm-Blues/dp/B000067FQ9/ref=pd_sim_m_h__2


http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Breed-R-Added-Popcorn/dp/B0012EBU8Y/ref=pd_sim_m_h__2


Cheers, HBH

A nice new page just added to the JS site: A tribute to the Italian male.

Worth a look, IMO.

Thanks for the many very sweet comments about the website. It is amateurish - absolutely. But then we are all amateurs who love this stuff. I'm a fan, not a designer, as if that wasn't obvious. I'm a bit concerned to hear that so many people have not been able to see the site. This may be because of the amount of visuals on the site. They can take a while to load. I would assume that if you have broadband, and the latest Adobe, and all that sort of stuff, then it should work. Sorry if it still doesn't because it is published and out there. I so agree with the comments about John Simons. I first shopped there in July 1986 with my old mod chums Gary Isaacs and Mark Collins (Hubert Swaine). As happened to Russell Street happened to me - that first visit was a monumental experience. I can still feel that sense of discovery and belonging, which has never completely left me. Shopping there, and working there for a short while in the late 90s, I felt at the epicentre of a kind of unspoken, very metropolitan cool : understated, knowing and very very hip. John has been so consistent, and so charismatic for all of this time. He is our Svengali and we have all fallen under his spell. Oh and I loved Jeff's Cutler and Gross vintage circular retro Ivy frames SO much. Me and the boys went and spent a fortune on Anglo-American tortoiseshells the following week even though we all had 20:20 vision. Spent the next few years watching Woody Allen's 'Manhattan' again and again....

I can only reiterate what other people say. Johns Shop is by far & away my favorite. He is a massive, massive influence on me & has on occasions taken me under his wing & been as kind, generous and interested in me as one could hope for, likewise Ken & Jeff, I love that shop and the people connected with it. I shall remain forever envious of those who have known it for years, as I only discovered it just over a year ago - is it just me, or are people my age/of my generation who are interested in this sort of thing few and far between?!

Russell - John Lally was helping out at J.Simons when I called in there last week. An absolute delight to see him. He was helping John by getting out his needle and thread and fixing a few vintage items, just doing general clothing repairs around the shop. And he was doing it with such skill and care. These guys are a bit special I think. Untouched by ambition or competitiveness but so hugely into their thing and still enthusiastic about stuff. John is still heavily into his jazz and blues guitar and his clothes. Still vain, though short, bald and pot-bellied. And he has bags of style and suss. It cheered me up seeing him. Him and Ian still exchange Christmas cards which I thought quite sweet. They each enclose a fiver so the other one can have a festive drink!

Last edited by Daniele (2008-09-04 01:41:49)

Was just wondering if anybody else had any contributions for the 'Community Page' on the J.Simons website? Thus far I've had some great stuff from three stalwarts of the UK Ivy scene, but apart from these it's all dried up. So please anybody get any stories, reminiscences, pics, recommendations, recollections, irritations, best purchases, worst purchases, Johnny Simons' hairstyles, Ian Strachan's porno collection, Kenny Lovegrove's 27 year penchant for Food For Thought, any dirt, any gossip : throw it my way...  Please PM me any bits and pieces. Thanks.

Can you believe how I feel, after living in London for 6 years on and off between 1998 and 2005 and I discovered the J Simons shop (and seriously this is no joke) on my last day in London out for a farewell booze-up before moving back to Glasgow?

Not only that, it was a Sunday and wasn't even open. I was depressed enough to be leaving that fine city (due to circumstances out-with my control) but that was the final nail in the coffin. Haven't been back since.

It was genuinely strange how exhilarated I was by the place - lovely people, terrific stock.  I am very sad that I probably won't be able to go back before it closes......

Welcome!

Sadly these days John's is it.

More news on John's new project for next year as it comes through. Hands have been shaken & John is as enthusiastic as ever. Motivated, inspired & moving forward.

Best -

Jim