ON THIS DAY : THE FALL’S PEEL SESSIONS #1

A series for 2025 in which this blog will dedicate a day to each of the twenty-four of the sessions The Fall recorded for the John Peel Show between 1978 and 2004.

Session #1 was broadcast on 15 June 1978 (and is here a day late so as not to interfere with The Robster’s Excellent SFA series on Sundays).  The session was recorded on 30 May 1978.

1978.

47 years ago.   Take away 47 years from 1978 and you find yourself in 1931.   The musicians of 1931 could never have imagined anyone like Mark E Smith coing to the fore.  The musicians of 2025 owe him a great debt.

Here’s Daryl Easlea’s words, written in 2025, to accompany the booklet:-

Almost exactly a year after their first gigs as a band, the group repaired to Maida Vale studios in leafy Delaware Road, London W9, with their roadie, Marc Riley in tow to embark on their maiden sesion, 23 days after John Walters first saw them in Croydon.  It contained four songs that were to be the cornerstones of the following year’s ‘Live At The Witch Trials’. If reasons are ever requested for The Falls’ longevity, please refer people to ‘Rebellious Jukebox’ and ‘Industrial Estate’ included here.  Bramah played both bass and guitar, as then-bassist, Eric Ferret, took one look at Steve Davis’ congas in the back of the van and refused to play with the group if such percussion was to be used.  The session led to the group signing with Mark Perry and Miles Copeland’s Step Forward label, and more importantly, to them occupying a very special place in John Peel’s heart.

mp3: The Fall – Futures and Pasts (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Mother-Sister (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Rebellious Jukebox (Peel Session)
mp3: The Fall – Industrial Estate (Peel Session)

Produced by Tony Wilson, Engineered by Mike Robinson

Mark E Smith – vocals; Martin Bramah – guitar, bass, backing vocals; Yvonne Pawlett – keyboards; Karl Burns – drums; Steve Davis – congas

JC