Its about 1968. Peter Stringfellow is no longer a DJ at the Torch. The big Mod Groups like Amen Corner, and the New Faces are no longer playing there, though the centre stage, in the middle of the dance floor, where they played is still there. The Mod influence is still strong, witnessed by all of the scooters, bedecked with mirrors, outside testifies, as does all of the parkas in the cloak room.
The main DJ's are Keith Minshull, and Graham "Davo" Davision. Its midweek. Its either free to get in, or else its a few old pennies, with free beer for half an hour later in the evening. That shouldn't matter to most of us, who are only 14 or 15, but it only means you put down your drink, when the police pay a regular visit. The people inside are a range of ages, but at this time you think that anyone over 18 is past it. They are probably trying to become more sophisticated, and will be going to The Place, where they play more mainstream music. Give it a few years, until you are 18 yourself, and you would look back to see the 14 and 15 year olds as "Teeny Boppers".
The music is a bit of a mix as with the people inside. There's a bit of reggae, a bit of rock 'n roll in the form of "Red River Rock by Johnny and the Hurricanes, or Jailhouse Rock, a bit of reggae soul crossover, in the form of "Phoenic City" by Rolando Al and the Soul Brothers, and a lot of Motown. Many of us inisde, would see oursleves as Mods, mainly to distinguish oursleves from the Rockers, but increasingly we are defining ourselves by our dedication to Soul.
But, inside under the ultra violet lights, one of the first things you notice are the brilliant white butchers trousers of the skinheads. They are moonstomping to "The Kid".
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