Guest blog: Sam Knee The Bag I’m In

Today we have the last of our selection of amazing photographs from Sam Knee’s new book, The Bag I’m In. We’d like to extend our huge thanks to Sam and Cicada Books for the preview. There are so many great photographs in the book that it was very difficult to choose a selection.

The Bag I’m In is published by Cicada Books and is available to pre-order from Monorail Music. Sam’s previous book A Scene In Between is also available.

Martin Dodd: photograph contributed by Steve Pegrum

Martin Dodd was around during the pre/ proto punk music scene in Southend . A regular gig-goer at the Kursaal and Queens Hotel, attending Hawkwind, Pink Fairies, embryonic Dr Feelgood gigs among others. This photo captures the mystery and diy nature of the Space scenes fashions.

Photograph by Leigh Darlington

This CND shot dates from one of the numerous marches culminating in London during 61. This is probably my favorite scene included in the book. I’ve had a long fascination with the British early-mid 60s since I was a child. It’s probably got a lot to do with the fact my parents were in this scene and always discussed the pre-swinging 60s as the most pivotal period of the decade, when anything seemed possible and the underground scenes were genuinely underground. I feel this period ended around 64, 65 with tv shows like Ready Steady Go and the r&b scene groups going overground into the mainstream societies subconsciousness.

The shot was taken by Leigh Darlington, who documented south eastern CND marches throughout the period with faultless acumen and style.

This Emmett and beat gang pic is actually a still from an episode of tv police drama Z Cars. Emmett Hennessy was a genuine London beatnik, blues musician and part time actor. He was asked to hand select the cast of extras by young director Ridley Scott.

Emmett’s featured in this clip from Primitive London attached, along with a few of the beats in the pic.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpPswGquaaMa

The Conrad Club: photograph by Geoff Ashwood

Here’s the Conrad Club pic by Geoff Ashwood. Geoff was kind enough to send me a whole bunch of previously unseen pics from his mid 60’s Leatherboy days in the Midlands that are quite otherworldly.