The Merton Parkas began life as “The Sneakers” in south Merton, London around 1975, playing old Motown Records classics. The line-up comprised brothers Mick (keyboards) and Danny Talbot (vocals), Neil Hurrell (bass) and Simon Smith (drums), and they chose their new name from Merton (the area of south London from which they came) and Parka (the ubiquitous item of mod attire).
The Merton Parkas were great live favourites at the Bridgehouse in Canning Town, London, but were unable to appear on the “Mods Mayday ‘79” live compilation because they were negotiating contracts with Beggars Banquet Records. After the label’s first signing, The Lurkers had recommended them. They were one of the first mod revival (neo-mod) bands to record, and their debut single, You Need Wheels, was a hit in August 1979.
Unfortunately, the rather trite lyrics had the Mertons branded as a novelty act, and they were often unfairly dismissed as bandwagon jumpers. Subsequent singles such as Plastic Smile, Give It to Me Now (produced by Dennis Bovell of Matumbi), and Put Me in the Picture failed to match the success of their debut.
Mick Talbot was meanwhile making his name as an in-demand keyboard player on artist]The Jam’s Setting Sons and an album by The Chords. The Mertons soon disbanded and Talbot went on to join Dexys Midnight Runners and The Bureau, and formed the Style Council with Paul Weller. Smith, meanwhile, joined the psychedelic revivalists Mood Six, and spent a while with The Times, before returning to the re-formed Mood Six. |
