November 14th 2025 will see a major event on the music calendar for Bridgwater when punk rock poet and bazouki superstar Attila the Stockbroker (no relation) will play the Bridgwater Arts Centre as part of his worldwide tour which has so far included Geldeston, Woking and Harwich. Coincidentally the venue has been double booked by Red Smed and the Hot Trot Smash the System Boogie Band for their own comback tour (cancelled and rescheduled annually for the last 10 years). By mutual agreement of the Praesidium Ents Committee they have agreed to share the date and shoot the bass player just in case.
Attila the Stockbroker (Real name John the Stockbroker) has been playing gigs of varying sorts since around 1982 when he got noticed via a couple of John Peel sessions and a Melody Maker front cover. That was 44 years ago and during those years he's played some 4,000 gigs in 24 countries, (3 of them being with Red Smed supporting) brought out 20 CDs/LPs, 8 books of poetry and an autobiography. About himself. A multi-instrumentalist, it's safe to describe his style of music as 'a bit political'.
Red Smed is a different kettle of fish. And while we could leave it there, we thought we couldn't miss the opportunity to interview the aging fat bloke on his return to the stage. We sent our top reporter Denzil Gravyblend along to BridgwaterTown Hall where the council leader was taking part in his daily question time with members of the public. From which the public are excluded.
GRAVYBLEND; Mr Smed, it's great to see you back after all these years. What made you decide to take this important career step back onto the stage where it first started for you back in the glory years of the Kronstadt uprising?
SMED:- Is that you Gerald? Did you go shopping? Have you got the butter? I've completely run out and this porridge won't butter itself.
GRAVYBLEND: In one sense, when you get bands together it's a bit like the Magnificent Seven
SMED You mean, 4 of them get shot?
GRAVYBLEND No no no. That rarely happens
SMED it does...
GRAVYBLEND No i mean you look around and search out the best musicians for the job
SMED And then settle on the ones that owe me money, yes.
GRAVYBLEND For instance you've got Nick Tuckwell on bass. Most people will remember him for his days playing with Axbridge supergroup Bikeshed
SMED I remember him driving busses in the Czech Republic. Is it the same bloke?
GRAVYBLEND And you have Alan Gadd on drums. He was in your first band The Dangerous Brothers back in the 70s wasn't he.
SMED Yes but he was too good on drums in them days so we made him play guitar. But you're wrong about my first group. That was the Thundermakers which I formed at the age of 9 in a garage on Ffordd lligwy a North Wales council estate. The Welsh used to love us. They'd throw stones, they'd batter the garage door, they'd punch our banjo player, but still we wouldn't stop.
GRAVYBLEND And no Fat Bald Dave at this gig?
SMED We're not sure. He's now so fat he hasn't left his house for 3 years. He might be dead in fact. In which case it might be easier to get him out of his house. In fact he's possibly been cremated. So we might get him on stage for one last performance. Of course that nearly happened back in 1977. He used to set fire to his arm (covered in nail varnish remover) before playing those very fast punk rock chords. Usually the speed of the strumming blew it out. But on several occaisions it could have gone seriously wrong.
GRAVYBLEND Now some people have said your singing isn't terribly good
SMED Yes, they've said it's shite
GRAVYBLEND But I notice you've got 3 excellent singers on stage with you this time. Elaine Di Campo, one of the country's top harmony singers, Jo Cox, who can amazingly sing while playing a flute and Yvette Staelens. Who's Belgian. Was that a conscious choice?
SMED I've never heard of these people in my life.
GRAVYBLEND So what songs will you be playing? Some people have described your music as a blend of rock n roll, political folk and Jake Thackray meets the Shadows
SMED Not to my face they haven't!
GRAVYBLEND Do you think you'll get Attila on stage with you during your set?
SMED I think it'll be hard to stop that happening. He's a very good fiddle player too you know. I remember him coming on stage once back in the late 80's....(fades off into distance, walks under bus)
Attila the Stockbroker and the Red Smed band will be playing at the Bridgwater Arts centre on Friday 14th November. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30 start. Tickets are £12 in advance or £16 on the door.
Red Smed has a You Tube channel ....if you dare
