Red Letters
Red Letters were born in May ’79 from the remnants of a punky anti-Nazi band called “Strange Writing”. The members of the band were Ted Echo – guitar/vocals, Pud Allan – bass/vocals and Jake Herriot – drums/vocals. Pud and Jake were mates from their early childhood in the mining village of Newtongrange, whilst Ted and Pud met in 1st year at Newbattle High School ( a school that was later to produce Tunde the lead vocalist with “The Lighthouse Family”, who was 1 year below them).
The trio originally came together in mid-1976 in punk 5-piece outfit “Vimto Fun(X)” with singer Dinah and a rhythm guitarist named Scroll. “Vimto’s” 1st 3 gigs resulted in them being banned from playing all educational establishments in the Edinburgh area by Xmas of that year. Dinah was sacked a year later because he didn’t even own a mike! He was replaced by a bluesy singer who went by the name “Cake” – “……..we never knew his real name …. honest! And “Vimto” were re-launched as “Strange Writing” in the autumn of 1977.
By early 1979 our three amigos had tired of their tour of the same gigs constantly and craved a new and less aggressive sound, and secretly plotted to remove Scroll’s dirty guitar from the band’s line-up. Unfortunately, they did not expect the enigmatic “Cake” to follow his band-mate down the road, however, the resultant line-up and sound of the new three-piece was more appreciated by agents and audiences, and the band thrived on their extended touring itineraries.
“Sacred Voices” was recorded in a converted cowshed in September of 1979, and subsequently released in November of that year. The disc was well-received by the music media, and made John Peel’s playlist over a couple of weeks, indeed, once encouraging Mr Peel to remark “I like that”! The record’s release and the ensuing airplay resulted in the band gaining greater support across the country and bigger venues to play.
Regrettably, Jake left Red Letters in 1981 after marrying and the band stuttered on for 6 months or so using a procession of drummers only to succumb and die later that year. Ted Echo, under his own name – Eddie Nowak – went on to perform briefly with an acousticky band called “The Fishermen”, but this was short lived. Eddie now lives in London and is a critically acclaimed artist. Pud Allan, now known as Deke is a Guidance teacher at Glenrothes High School in Fife, Scotland, and is rumoured to be playing in, of all things – ssh! Whisper it – a wedding band!
Jake Herriot is now a Community Worker in Edinburgh.
“Red Letters” – A brief history by Jake Heriot. March 2004
Punk77 says Sacred Voices has a Skids feel to it. The pick is Shot In The Dark.
TalkPunk
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