Photograph
The Valentines
1987

The Valentines, ULU, London 1986/87 - (l-r) (stage hand) Paul Mulligan, Martin Mulligan (part hidden), Phil Morris. Paul used to go F***ing mental on stage, as this photo kind of hints. The gig was supporting Stretford socialists Easterhouse. Paul and Martin had grown up the Kings Road / Quadrant area of Stretford with Ivor and Andy Perry of Easterhouse. Easterhouse had been championed by Morrissey (also of Kings Road but not as I understand from his comments at the Old Trafford / Move gig, a regular in the Quadrant) and I believe he was at the gig for their set (having re-located down to London). I had "auditioned" for the Valentines in the dressing room of the Kilburn National Ballroom while the Smiths were soundchecking for the gig (27/10/86) that would later be released as the "Rank" live album. We were there because we all had mates in the Manchester band Soil who had been handpicked by Morrissey to support them. I also played in Soil for a short time later.