Out Of Our Minds On The Stage

World Of Twist came as part of the second wave of Madchester bands but didn't really share much with the rest of them except geography. A riot of northern soul, mod, psyche, homemade stage props (a giant shell, rotating newsagents signs) with a post-acid house groove, this was their finest moment- Sons of The Stage.

The song's a celebration of losing yourself dancing, being on stage and the euphoria of the crowd-

'The beat breaks so we pick it up
The floor shakes down but it's not enough
The beam is up and the kids are high
I've seen them move and it blows my mind
The floor's an ocean and this wave is breaking
Your head is gone but your body's shaking
There's nothing you can do 'cos there is no solution
You've got to get down to the noise and confusion'

The picture at the top is from Jeremy Deller's march through Manchester earlier this year, with a variety of unusual interest groups, We Miss The World Of Twist being one of them. Apparently King of the Dullards Liam Gallagher and his new band have recently covered Sons Of The Stage. Best to remember them this way.

02 Sons of the Stage.wma

World Of Twist 'Lose My Way'

World Of Twist were the oddballs of the Manchester scene, with their 60s beat and Northern Soul influences and mod clothing. When Juke Box Jury was revived briefly in the late 80s/early 90s Bernard Sumner reviewed them by saying 'They're a bit 'we are weird, but they're from Manchester so I'll give them the thumbs up'. They had a wonderful stage show, including MC Shells giant clam keyboard stand and those rotating signs they used to have outside newsagents. Early single The Storm had beat-psyche backing rather than the funky drummer, and Stones cover She's A Rainbow showed an updated whimsical psychedelic edge. In 1991 they released their stone cold classic, Sons Of The Stage, with it's acid house-northern soul stylings and celebration of the dancefloor, club and gig. The whole song is like riding a wave, a genius pop single. So it was surprising that the Quality Street album was a bit underwhelming, flat production, all a bit same sounding, too quiet and too few dynamic moments. But Quality Street opened with this song, Lose My Way, their other great moment. Starting with trumpet, then driving drums and a 60s beat-pop lyric and vocal, it never fails to bring a smile to my face. Singer Tony Ogden died in 2006 aged 44. RIP Tony.

01 Lose My Way.wma