Background for Cult Figures by Gary Jones

Jon and me met in 1976, at Solihull College Of Technology, where we were doing a Art Foundation Course. Epic Soundtracks and Richard [of the Maps] started the same course, and the legendary Spizz was one year into the same course.
Well the heady days of punk came along, Spizz was doing his early things, stage invading etc. The Swell Maps were beginning to find places to play, and ears to listen. Jon was playing in a band called the Scent Organs, who were quite big in Birmingham, and who progressed to the finals [maybe the regional finals] of the Melody Maker's Rock, Pop and Folk Awards. And I literally jumped on the band wagon and formed Cult Figures with another guy at the college. This was Tim Wilday who is name-checked on the single.
...
There was a BIG problem however; I couldn't play guitar, and Tim couldn't drum!! Despite the obvious drawbacks, I paid a neighbour £20 for a Kay electric guitar and a practice amp, and Tim begged some drumsticks off of Rick Buckler [The Jam], after we blagged ourselves backstage at a Birmingham Barbarellas gig . The band was born!!!!!
I started the painful process of learning barre chords etc. and when I had mastered the shape I came up with Zip Nolan [and a few other dodgier songs, one of which was called Vote Vote Vote]. Armed with these songs and lots of enthusiasm we started to exist as a band. Jon started to help out, which was just as well because he could play violin and bass, and guitar. Our first 'gig' was at my old school youth club. Jon's band headlined, and he also played in the Figures. We were appalling, but both bands went down a storm!!!! The youth club has probably never seen anything like it since!!!
Anyway, I was hooked, Jon joined up and we started writing songs together. Tim sort of faded into the background. Epic, was enthusiastic [I was never quite sure why], and when the Swell Maps got their label started via Rough Trade, they offered to put Zip Nolan out as a single on Rather Records. There was a slight problem, as we didn't have a steady line-up; but that was sorted when The Maps offered to 'be the band'! about the "Zip Nolan" single...
The rest, as they say, is history!!!

Zip Nolan (sample) PWT / Zip Dub (full track)

Another Cult Figures single was released by Rather Records (Gear 8) in 1980:

IN LOVE EP
I Remember/Laura Kate/Almost A Love Song.
This one featured Nikki and Epic from Swell Maps on backing vocals. It was recorded at WRMS by John Rivers and was produced by John, Nikki and the Figures.
Gary - lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jonny - guitars and backing vocals, Martin - bass and backing vocals, Jock - drums and backing vocals.

Gary Jones - "It was meant to be a sort of ironic parody of 50's Love Song ep's, but missed a bit! There was a song recorded at the session which the Swell Maps banned..... Epic [god rest his soul] thought it was sexist. A sample of the lyrics.... " I fell in love with you at the bar-b-q/ you looked so pretty that i gave my hotdog to you/ Your the kind of girl I'd like to eat/ i can hardly wait/ I'd cover you in something sweet/ and use you as a p-l-a-t-e" It didn't go down very well at Rough Trade, especially with Epic hanging out with The Raincoats........ it was IRONIC guys!
There was a lovely instrumental called Laura Kate, which sounded kind of Shadows-ish. Jon's step-sister Laura had just been born so we named it after her [she must be 25 or summat now.]"

I Remember (sample) Laura Kate (full track) Almost a Love Song (full track)

band photo from sleeve

anorak notes: The label bears the message "Where's T. Wilday now?" (see above). The run out groove is scratched with the messages, "Pathetico Spizz 80", "DA's not BA's" and "Kenneth Spiers band." The "Rocky" bloke on the cover has a "Nolan" guitar! photo of Gary 1979 at 'Eric's' in Liverpool.

Below follows some information provided by Jonathan Hodgson, about his illustrious career!!

Other records Jon played on:
Violin and Bass on Nikki Sudden LP "Texas" on Creation.
Violin on Jeremy Gluck LP "I Knew Buffalo Bill" on Flicknife.
Violin, Viola and Guitar on Jeremy Gluck LP "Burning Skulls Rise" on Flicknife.
Guitars and Backing Vocals on Cottonmouth single "Shirts and Skins" on Fire.
Guitar on Cottonmouth single "Stand By Your Man" on Fire.
Songwriting credits on Junior Cottonmouth LP "Bespoke" on Atlantic.
Guitar and Backing Vocals on Cottonmouth LP "Corporation Pop" as yet unreleased.
NB. We are looking for someone - ANYONE - to release this brilliant power pop record!

Also might be worth mentioning Jon's brief affiliation with Wah!Heat as rythm guitarist.
(Jon was credited as 'Jonny Figure' on Pete Wylies websit for all those cross referencing anorak types out there!!)

Jon has gone on to become an excellent (and award winning) animator. His CV is on www.sherbet.co.uk.

Jon's animations can be seen at his own webite... HERE!