For one reason or another, none particularly joyful, it has been a while since we’ve posted and it is sad to be dragged back to the keyboard to pay our own, insignificant tribute to the wonderful Stefan Cush of the Men They Couldn’t Hang who died of a sudden heart attack earlier this month.

Folk-punk pioneers, TMTCH were a band I spent many happy times following all over the country to watch play – from the first time I saw them at a raucous Oxford Poly (yep that long ago) gig where they didn’t have enough songs to satisfy the heaving, sweaty throng of punters and ended up playing Ironmasters twice, possibly three times, to gigs in Cornwall on a cliff top, in pubs in Wales and free festivals in London and always, always having that all too rare sense of genuine, generous connection with their audience.

Their 1985 debut Night of a Thousand Candles was a constant companion, a wonderful record of protest, anger, joy, pathos and humour, it was followed the very next year by the equally good How Green Is The Valley. These were records that helped shape my teenage years and educate me on political rights and wrongs, both historically and of the moment, and Cush’s wonderful vocals, barnstorming playing and sheer joy of being will stay with me forever.

Back to the island in the rain
Before the seasons and the weathers change
I’m searching for the ghosts that haunt this island view
One looks like me one has the face of you
One looks like me one has the face of you

RIP Cush, and thank you.

 

 

 

 

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