unofficial home of the UK progressive rock band

After Family’s break up in 1973, Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney kept things going and recorded an album Streetwalkers, released in 1974. The long awaited official release of the tracks that comprised that first  Chapman/Whitney Streetwalkers album is taken from the original master tapes and re-sequenced by Roger Chapman. This has been much demanded and a long wait for fans of this excellent record. The tracks appear in the original order that the band wished to appear on the record but was changed by “management”. The CD features a new sleeve (per Chapman’s suggestion) plus sleeve notes by Pete Feenstra, lyrics and rare pictures of Roger Chapman and Charlie Whitney.

1. Hangman
2. Roxianna
3. Sue & Betty Jean
4. Call Ya
5. Just 4 Men
6. Tokyo Rose
7. Creature Feature
8. Parisienne High Heels
9. Systematic Stealth
10. Showbiz Joe

All songs written by Roger Chapman & John Whitney Vocals & Percussion – Roger Chapman Guitar & Steel Guitar – Charlie Whitney Keyboards – Max Middleton, Tim Hinkley Drums – Ian Wallace, Mike Giles Guitar – Neil Hubbard Bass – John Wetton, Rick Grech Brass & Woodwind – Mel Collins Congas – Godfrey McLean Vibraphone – Poli Palmer Backing Vocals – John Wetton, Boz Burrell, Linda Lewis, Jim Cregan.

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Previously unreleased BBC tapes from this legendary progressive rock band. Two previously unreleased tracks. This is the third of three Hux volumes of previously unreleased BBC Radio 1 sessions by the band, and features new material as well as different versions of original songs never before available on CD. Included here are Poli Palmer’s debut Radio 1 appearance with Family, plus ‘Here Comes The Grin’, which has never been released before in any form.

The CD closes with the group’s jam, ‘Blow By Blow’, which is another previously unreleased track.The first two titles here have been remastered from the original BBC production tapes. The remaining tracks on this CD are taken from private ‘off-air’ recordings, as the original master tapes no longer exist.

This album has been compiled and released with the full endorsement of the group. The accompanying 12 page booklet includes extensive liner notes, complete recording details and several rare band photographs.

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Tracklisting:
BBC In Concert, 4th January 1970
93’s OK J
Here Comes The Grin

Top Gear session, 5th September 1970
Holding The Compass
Lives And Ladies

John Peel ‘Sunday Show’, 27th September 1970
Good News Bad News
Drowned In Wine
Wheels
Procession + No Mule’s Fool
Holding The Compass
Lives And Ladies
Strange Band
The Weaver’s Answer
Blow By Blow

Hide Go Seek, the new Roger Chapman album, will be released in the UK on 5th May and in Europe on 8th May. It is a double CD set, released by the Hamburg based Hypertension Label and features  28 tracks.

The double CD, close on 2 hours long, is very diverse, featuring a collection of previously unreleased songs, demo’s and alternative versions of tracks already featured on other albums. Asking Roger about the work that had to be carried out to turn what was already ‘in the can’ into Hide Go Seek, he explained:

“There were no ‘Added Extras’, just cleaning up stuff. i.e. ‘topping & tailing’ tracks. Being demos they would have all kinds of stuff on -  beginnings & ends, count ins, rough fades, F`ing & blinding, piss takes etc. Then of course came  the difficult job – the running order. Gee whizz, what a marathon trying to put 28 tracks in order, drove me  mad. Played the real thing yesterday & still want to change it! The record company made me stop `cos I was going on & on – as is my want of course.

All the Cregan stuff, except for Devil & Wings which we did a couple of years ago, we did together in L.A. about 14/15 years ago. Get this, we were trying to write a ‘Family Theme’ album, but then as managers moved on we moved on. Naked Hearts was actually written for a movie about Loch Ness but missed the boat. We wrote it over the phone, London to LA, me humming & Jim writing. He then recorded the back track in his studio in LA, sent it to me where I recorded the vocals in London while recording the ‘Wicked B`s’ & ‘Bring me Your Love’ demos. Anyway, it was a writing thing really, I went there for 3 weeks especially for that reason, to meet up with Jim for a serious writing session. As you`ll know some came out on ‘Kiss’ & some on ‘Stone’.

The rest contain hours & years of me & Stevie in various studios & houses around London. There are also out takes from sessions as far back as ‘Chappo’. Also obvious ones from ‘Cat’. I just hope they`re enough for people to enjoy & have an idea of what goes into our making music. It`s not just write something, record it, wham bam, there’s so much more to it. Whole life changes, thought processes & styles for people through so many years.”

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A little late to report, but in March 2008, Angel Air released “Best of Family & Friends” CD/DVD set. Seems like Family & Roger Chapman’s catalogue has traveled to a new label, so we may expect to see even more (relatively tacky) repackaging of their music. You may order it at our store.

In the mid-90′s, super Family fan Patrick Little created and maintained the Strange Band – The Family Homepage website. About a decade later, FamilyBandstand.com officially launches, helping maintain the legacy of the British progressive, pyschedelic no-nonsenese rock band Family.

Repertoire Records releases limited edition digisleeve remasters of a few Family albums…be sure to add them to your collection! Order them online.

BANDSTAND (limited Edition of 4000 copies) comes with the B side “Rockin’ R’s” as well as three live cuts, “No Mule’ Fool” “The Weaver’s Answer” and “Good News, Bad News” as bonus tracks.

ANYWAY (limited Edition of 4000 copies) with six bonus tracks, “Today” “Song For Lots” ” Today (Edited Version)” “Strange Band” “Part Of The Load (Live)” “Lives And Ladies (Live)”

FEARLESS (limited Edition of 4000 copies) with four bonus tracks, the “In My Own Time”/”Seasons” single and live tracks “Sing ‘Em The Way I Feel” “Between Blue And Me”.