The Men They Couldn't Hang (TMTCH) are a British folk punk group founded in 1984. The original group consisted of Stefan Cush (Vocals, Guitar), Paul Simmonds (Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Keyboards), Philip "Swill" Odgers (Vocals, Guitar, Tin Whistle, Melodica), Jon Odgers (Drums, Percussion) and Shanne Bradley (Bass Guitar). The band split in 1991 and reformed in 1996 minus drummer Jon Odgers who had become Therapy?'s drum technician.
Lead singer Cush sadly died of a heart-attack in February 2021, aged 60.[1]
Links to Peel[]
According to an interview with One Two Testing magazine, published in 1985, Peel mentioned discovering the band when he saw their tape on John Walters' desk and liked the name. [2] The group did three sessions for his show and their first single, The Green Fields of France, finished at number 3 in the 1984 Festive Fifty. After the 80's, Peel seemed to have lost interest in the band and rarely played their music on his programmes.
Festive Fifty Entries[]
- 1984 Festive Fifty: Green Fields Of France #03
- 1985 Festive Fifty: Ironmasters #11
Sessions[]
THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG John Peel 4th July 1984
1. Recorded: 1984-07-04. Broadcast: 12 July 1984. Repeated: 30 July 1984, 19 December 1984
- Walkin' Talkin' / The Men They Couldn't Hang / The Green Fields Of France / Boy Named Sue
2. Recorded: 1985-01-22. Broadcast: 06 February 1985. Repeated: 26 March 1985, 16 December 1985
- The Ironmasters / Night To Remember / Scarlet Ribbons / Donald Where's Your Trousers?
3. Recorded: 1985-07-16. Broadcast: 24 July 1985
- Shirt Of Blue / Where Have All The Flowers Gone? / Greenback Dollar / Kingdom Come
Live[]
THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG ICA London 6th October 1984
Recorded at ICA Rock Week: 1984-10-06. Broadcast: 17 December 1984
- Walkin', Talkin'
- Ironmasters
- The Men They Couldn't Hang
- The Day After
Other Shows Played[]
- Peel June To August 1984: The Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (7") Imp IMP 003
- 15 October 1984 (BBC World Service): The Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (12") Imp IMP 003 T
- 16 October 1984: Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (7") Imp IMP 003
- 28 October 1984 (BFBS): Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (7") Imp IMP 003
- 1985
- 01 January 1985: 'Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (7 inch)' (Imp Records) FF #03
- 11 March 1985: Whiskey In Me Giro (v/a album - Don't Let The Hope Close Down) Hope Springs
- Peel 007 (BFBS): 'Whiskey In Me Giro (Compilation LP-Don't Let The Hope Close Down)' (Hope Springs)
- 17 March 1985 (BFBS): Whiskey In Me Giro (v/a LP - Don't Let The Hope Close Down) Hope Springs
- 18 March 1985 (BBC World Service): Whiskey In Me Giro (v/a LP - Don't Let The Hope Close Down) Hope Springs
- 01 April 1985: 'Whiskey In Me Giro (Compilation LP-Don't Let The Hope Close Down)' (Hope Springs)
- 11 June 1985: Ironmasters (7") Imp IMP 005
- 24 June 1985 (BBC World Service): Ironmasters (7") Imp IMP 005
- 24 June 1985 (BBC World Service): Rawhide (7" - Ironmasters) Imp IMP 005
- 23 June 1985 (BFBS): Ironmasters (7") Imp IMP 005
- 25 June 1985: Ironmasters (7") Imp IMP 005
- Peel 014 (BFBS): 'The Day After (LP-Night Of A Thousand Candles)' (Imp)
- 02 July 1985: Ironmasters (7") Imp IMP 005
- 15 July 1985 (BBC World Service): Walkin', Talkin' (LP - Night Of A Thousand Candles) Imp
- 15 July 1985 (BBC World Service): Green Fields Of France (No Man's Land) (LP - Night Of A Thousand Candles) Imp
- 15 July 1985 (BFBS): 'The Day After (LP-Night Of A Thousand Candles)' (Imp)
- 22 July 1985 (BBC World Service): Johnny Come Home (LP - Night Of A Thousand Candles) Imp
- 23 July 1985: Johnny Come Home (LP - Night Of A Thousand Candles) Imp
- 29 July 1985 (BFBS): Johnny Come Home (LP - Night Of A Thousand Candles) Imp
- Peel 015 (BFBS): 'Johnny Come Home (LP-Night Of A Thousand Candles)' (Imp)
- 23 December 1985: Ironmasters (7") Imp FF #11
- 1986
- 10 February 1986: The Bells (v/a 7" - MM Vinyl Conflict 1) Melody Maker
- 15 February 1986 (BFBS): 'The Bells (v/a 7"-MM Vinyl Conflict 1)' (Melody Maker)
- 17 February 1986: The Bells (v/a 7" - MM Vinyl Conflict 1) Melody Maker
- 1987
- 29 May 1987 (BFBS): 'Ghosts Of Cable Street (7")' (MCA)
- 1996
- 22 July 1996: The Green Fields Of France (session) (John Peel's Classic Sessions)