OLI66 (aka OLI the MOD)'s Page

only pic I have of this period. The jam was the first band and 1st record I bought (as a mod). This pic was taken at school and at the time being a mod in France was difficult. But after 30 years I do not regret anything, I've made the right choice!

And then I became quickly a fan of the Small faces and I develop a kind of collecting record maniac period especially living in France where it was at the time easy to find original 45 RPM EPs as The Troggs ( I have one that Reg Presley sign for me..), Them, Small Faces, ... and of course the full Jam 45 RPM collection.. Decade after Decade I've started to complete my collection of soul and RnB but I am more into Jazz now and discovering a new era that I missed when I was younger apart Jimmy Smith (I saw him on stage during a jazz festival - South of France). To be continued...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRElpixImLo

then I also discovered the good side of the french sixties : Ronnie Bird is still my favorite and of course the freakbeat scene related to the Nouvelle Vague 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LuzXI1x5w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_QVUNKGIec&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELxr5asAe-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0mude3nWaY

and many many more...

This is how it begun for me something like like 32-35 years ago and I became a mod at the time my friends at school were into heavy metal or the after punk..

Then I was listening to revival bands without great conviction apart some bands as early Chords, Killermeter and Purple Hearts.At this period TSC was also a contradiction for me after having been fan of the Jam during years.

I was lucky because the scene was changing also with JTQ and Ive started to discover again a new era; I can say after several decades that I have abunch of records that I can't listen anymore and some that will never get me bored. To be continued again..

Yeah... 30 years later, what happen to my modish mood? I'm still dressed sharp and found since Im living in the US more easy ways to find the "right stuff" to be not a "me too". I mean the style is unique and individual cos apart the fish tailed parka to commute under the rain the rest is sooo individual and the codes to stay well dressed and kool must be different from a mod to another one, right? I have an old scooter because nothing is cool than the shape of a Lammy or a Vespa and music and dress code must remain different for each of us to keep it as a unique cultural movement. Okay, Ive started as a "Jam Boy" because I was young, immature and cant find anything cheap to get dressed different. Mum was tayloring all the pants I've found on second hand markets, I bought Fred Perry copies in Spain, a pair of loafers, many pairs of desert boots and my parka! and bought my first 79 PX when I was eighteen. At the time you need to be 18 and a valid motorcycle licence to run a scooter. I've started to be hypnotized by the Small Faces when I was 16 and started to collect original vinyls despite it was already expensive to buy some decades ago. I will make some pics of my favorites to give you a taste of my collection... Then Ive started to discover the british beat (good ones) and became very fan of the Kinks, Eyes, birds, Troggs (I spoke with Reg Presley!) and start at the time to write a modzine called "Fever!" with a typing machine and photocopier.. I had also a radio show on a local radio in France.. I was bored and alone.

I went to the Army when I was 20 (mandatory in France at the time) for one year and had until 25 an active mod life with essentially French mods from Toulouse (my own town) and Tours and collaborate also with another Modzine at the time.

Next 15 years I was occupied with family, my job and no time to enjoy myself as a mod. I suddenly discovered that I am getting old  (arrgghhh...) and started my mid life crisis by rediscovering my modish side. I'm happy to chat with mods again and share on the site more about our common passion.

Stay kool and Sharp.. OLI66