1970s Menu
John Waterman's websites:
Solent Records
Bandit A&R Newsletter

Stormtrooper's I'm A Mess
- The Sid Vicious connection

"Jeff Piccinini, who was an American living in Havenstreet, came to me with a tape. He said: 'I'm a bit worried about the quality of the tape'. The tape was a bit raunchy, but it was an archetypical punk, or post-punk song. The record sold 3,000 copies, a lot fo which were sold in London. The badge declaring 'I'm A Mess' sold with it became well known. Sid Vicious wore his badge on the Sex Pistols American tour and on a Wreckless Eric sleeve, Wreckless Eric is pictured wearing his." - John Waterman, Solent Records

PRESS RELEASE
Stormtrooper as we appeared in our short but volatile lifespan during the summer and autumn of 1975: Nigel Hutchings, vocals; Jeffery Piccinini, bass guitar; John Pilka, guitars; Mike Lee, drums. After cutting a demo tape in September 1975 and being rejected by one record company after another and also being "Financially Destitute", desertion set in. Our heroic assault as top-billing act at Bath Pavilion on October 1st, 1975 was our last live appearance. By Christmas 1975 Stormtrooper ceased to exist. Two years later a record has been cut from our demo tape and has come out of our own pocket. The track I'm A Mess was conceived over two years ago and although it was well ahead of its time we feel it is still as relevant today as it was two years ago. We hope you enjoy this record and don't forget to Play It Very Loud.

Any enquiries please consult Mess Music, 19 Beaumont Ave., Richmond, Surrey by post only please. Special thanks to John Waterman of Solent Records (I.O.W.) who ultimately made this possible and Melvyn at I.B.C. in London. Artwork by Richard Simmons. Thanks also to Robin Greville.

I'm A Mess

I always go out drinking
on a Friday night
After a week of coming down
I'm bustin' for a fight
My brother gives me pills
and me mother gives me ice
'cause every Saturday morning
my head don't feel so nice

Chorus

I'm a mess
but don't tell me
I'll beat you
Don't need no friends see

My doctor says I'm down
and I need a two week rest
So I take it down in Soho
'Cause I fight down there best
And the man from down the "dilly"
sells me bombers and hash
and I'm always found in Wardour Street,
where the junkies all crash

Chorus

Three o'clock on Friday night
a copper comes along
and after kicking me around
I started to run
But the law was all around me
So I just hit out
now they've thrown me in the nick
where I can scream and loon about

Chorus

Your a dirty mess
I'm a dirty mess

Vic King interviewed John Waterman in Ryde 27/8/94

John Waterman's websites:
Solent Records
Bandit A&R Newsletter

1970s Menu