Before JoBoxers
| Between 1980 and 1982, as Vic Godard and the Subway Sect, Rob, Sean, Dave and Chris ran a club where they played every Thursday night at the Whisky-a-Go-Go (later abbreviated to the WAGG) in Wardour Street under the banner ‘Cool Bop & Swing’. Bernie Rhodes had had his eye on this long-forgotten venue for some time; it had a panoramic view overlooking Soho’s Chinatown and was last used as a regular music venue in the 60’s for groups such as Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames. Johnny Britton was the regular DJ and their refined set became the “Songs for Sale” album on Phonogram. |  |
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In addition to Vic, each week Subway Sect performed regular sets for different guest singers; Lady Blue, Bananarama, Tom Cat, Johnny Britton and the great Dig Wayne. Dig’s previous group were Buzz and the Flyers, the influential New York rockabilly band of the late ‘70’s. The club quickly became a magnet for the musical luminaries of the time who were attracted by its laid back and intimate feel. |  |
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Georgie Fame himself returned to perform as well as the legendary Slim Gaillard, (who featured in Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel “On the Road”) who became something of a fixture. They took the whole club on a UK tour and also toured with Bauhuas, Altered Images, John Cale and The Birthday Party before moving the club along the road to Ronnie Scott’s. At Ronnie’s, JoBoxers quickly evolved with Dig as the front man and they used the opportunity to develop with many more influences, both past and contemporary, before signing to RCA records. |
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