The Very Things

The Very Things were one of various outfits launched under the umbrella organization of the Dada Cravats Laboratory (DcL), based in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. This group operated a number of musical projects under Dada principles: ‘Using that banner was a lot simpler than delivering lengthy manifestos’. The key personnel involved were The Shend (b. Chris Harz; vocals) and Robin R. Dallaway (aka Robin Raymond; guitar), plus Gordon ‘DisneyTime’ (drums), and Fudger O’Mad aka Budge (ex-And Also The Trees; bass). Other groups operating out of the same stable included the Cravats, Babymen, and DcL Locomotive. Their first single, ‘The Gong Man’, explored responsibility and the work ethic. Although they were coming from a less strident political standpoint, they found allies in anarcho-punk band Crass, with this being the second of two singles coming out on their label (the previous one under the Cravats logo being ‘Rub Me Out’). On the back of this, and a very successful radio session for BBC disc jockey John Peel, they were signed to Reflex Records for the release of The Bushes Scream While My Daddy Prunes. An early appearance on television music programme The Tube helped bolster their fortunes, while the follow-up single, ‘Mummy You’re A Wreck’, was an equally entertaining offbeat production. After a series of personnel changes, they folded in 1988, leaving behind the Motown -influenced Motortown (produced by Ray Shulman, ex-Gentle Giant, and Derek Birkett, ex-Flux Of Pink Indians). The Shend turned to acting, appearing in television series such as The Bill and EastEnders, playing, somewhat predictably, intimidating characters. The two ‘Robs’ departed to form their own band under the title Hit The Roof.