"Anderton and Butterworth went on to form Vee VV, together with Mark Ormrod, Martin Reynolds and Dave Milner. Initially influenced by post-punk funkers such as A Certain Ratio, 23 Skidoo and The Pop Group, the band recorded a spirited flexi (Love Canal) for Blam! fanzine, before releasing a 7" on Cathexis (Kindest Cut) and the 12" Boom Slump ep on Vinyl Drip. According to Butterworth:
"Vee VV was slightly more together and gained popularity quite quickly - Peel, label interest, a move to London... and a split in Manchester while supporting My Bloody Valentine. Months before, gigs with the Stone Roses and New Order couldn't keep the band together. A few months later Madchester took off and Vee VV were no more."”
“For the very same reasons reasons to mat I moved to a house down the road for a year or two around this time - my favourite show ever at the International would have been Mary Margaret O'Hara (we sat at her feet) and the last time I recall going there was for a Violent Femmes gig. From this flyer I went to the Weather Prophets and the Mighty Lemon Drops for sure.
I remember the venue had a very low-stage, with a small polished wood dance-floor immediately in front of it, and then lots of manky carpet running back to the side bars and the back bar that was enclosed in a weird glass cabin. I know that it's a foodstore now but I wonder what it had been before the International? It was very Working Men's Club style inside...”
“for me the international was perfect! just the right size (for the sort of bands i wanted to see), you could pretty much see the stage from most places - two bars, sticky red carpet.
“A horses leg! Did you keep it? - would have made a great artefact.
I'm pretty sure that during the 1970's The International was called Genevieve's. It was similar to somewhere like Fagin's on Oxford St. ie one of those 'nite-club' venues catering for an older crowd (young people went to 'discos' in the 70's!) -including my Dad.”
“The International building is still there (at least when I last drove by) and it's a kind of cash'n'carry food store - Turkish I think?
The International 2 I'm not so sure about - it's all a bit derelict in that area in preparation for the expansion of MRI so I guess that it's probably gone? I'm also not sure what the building was originally either (a bank, a cinema?) but it was definitely the less exciting of the venues with it's regular high stage, pit etc. I did, however, enjoy seeing Iggy Pop, The Stones Roses, That Petrol Emotion (with the mighty Hugo Largo supporting) and Boogie Down Productions there - at different times I hasten to add...
* OK, just read jsz's comment - another one bites the dust!”
“You found a horse's leg? I found a 3 legged horse on Anson Rd! I wonder if...? What colour was it!?
You can still see something painted high on the gable end of the Int 1. We should get a pic - think it says Genevieve's. Did I hear it operated as a roller disco at some point?
The Int2 was formerly the Carousel club - a venue for local and touring Irish acts - Wolfetones, Brendan Shine, etc.”
“My mate (Derek Butler) was the final drummer with Vee VV before they split in 88/89, though he and Martin Reynolds recorded some funky stuff a few years later that my mate reckons was the best thing they ever did.
I spoke with John Robb acouple of years ago who confirmed Martin was now a teacher (in Derby ?) and that Mark Ormrod had returned to Blackpool.
Yes, The Stone Roses supported Vee VV in Warrington under the alias of The Lightblulbs (or something like that).
....and on a final note the International 1 was definitely the best venue in Manchester to go and see a band. Some great gigs there like REM, Husker Du, The Pale Fountains, World Of Twist and The Go Betweens.......aaah, memories !!”
“yes - world of twist! that was an amazing gig... one of my favourites was seeing blondie there after chris stein had recovered. i was stood a few metres away from debbie harry and the set list was stupendous. i couldn't believe i was seeing them in this venue!”
“Derek Butler, one heck of a drummer. I agree, the funky stuff was the best thing we ever did, I still listen to it even now!
The Lightbulbs (aka Stone Roses) warmed up for Vee VV at The Citadel in St Helens on the 3rd of November 1988.
Mark Ormrod did move back to Blackpool but I came back to Mcr after a year in Denmark. I have never been to Derby!”
“Eeek !....didn't expect you on here, Martin.
Derek is living in Macclesfield at the moment and I'm sure would like to get back in touch with you. Up until recently he was teaching the drums and guitar (not at the same time) and hopes to pick up that particular thread pretty soon.
Let me know if you'd like his number.
.....oh and Derby is overrated anyway - I'm sure you didn't miss much !
“Steve, any chance of you asking Derek to contact me via this site or through Vee VV my space page. I have no other way of contacting him. Thanks,
Martin”
“Still haven't managed to contact Derek. Are you still in contact with him? Iam hoping to release the recordings we made and as he paid for the studio and drummed(obviously!) I wondered if he would be interested?
Cheers Steve”
“Yes The International was previously Ocean 11 then Genevieves night club then The International, Gareth Evans owned both Internationals at the time he was beginning to manage The Stone Roses. I remember seeing New Jersey band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at International 2 1991. I also know 3 members of The Naughty Boys who are on the bill poster. Mole bassist, Dave Gleave guitar and lead singer Iggy .”
“Yes The International was previously Ocean 11 then Genevieves night club then The International, Gareth Evans owned both Internationals at the time he was beginning to manage The Stone Roses. I remember seeing New Jersey band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at International 2 1991. I also know 3 members of The Naughty Boys who are on the bill poster. Mole bassist, Dave Gleave guitar and lead singer Iggy .”
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That's why I moved to flat 100 metres away!”