The Merton Parkas
The Merton Parkas was a British mod revival band formed in the Borough of Merton , London in the mid-1970s . Their band name was made up of the place of origin and the parka , a predominantly green-colored anorak or poplin coat , which is popular with mods .
The group consisted of the brothers Mick Talbot (born September 11, 1958, keyboards) and Danny Talbot (vocals, guitar), Neil Wurrell (bass) and Simon Smith (drums).
With The Jam, the Merton Parkas pioneered the "second wave" of the 1960s mod scene, which was budding in Great Britain at the time, and was one of the first neo-mod bands to quickly receive a contract with Beggars Banquet Records . In 1979 the debut single "You Need Wheels" was released, which became a hit in England. The LP “Face in the Crowd” followed, from which “Plastic Smile” and “Give it to me” were also released as singles. Also included were the cover versions "(I'm not your) Steppin 'Stone" (originally by the Monkees ) and "Tears of a Clown" ( Smokey Robinson ).
The group separated as early as 1980. Mick Talbot founded The Style Council with Paul Weller in 1983 .