Malc’s sadly feeling a bit under the weather at the moment, after a spot of food poisoning. He’s made the tough decision to cancel his upcoming Betsey Trotwood gig (originally intended for Friday 27th October) with plans to re-schedule the date for early next year.

Listen up! Malc has a unique solo gig coming up on October the 3rd – a month on from his appearance at the same venue with Man. Both are of course must-see gigs for any fan of Help Yourself, Man and Malc’s rich and varied solo career. This solo appearance is being billed as ‘An Evening with Malcolm Morley’ and will be a rare chance to hear songs and stories from across his career. It also gives fans the chance to hear material from his latest album, ‘Infinity Lake’. The last time songs from the album were played live was just before the first lockdown, back in early 2020. What a night that was, Malc and his band receiving a rapturous standing ovation after they’d ripped through a bewitching set that more than did justice to Infinity Lake’s raw blues-soaked material. The October the 3rd show will inevitably be a lower key affair, minus the full backing band, but will be all the more intriguing. This’ll be your chance to hear the songs and stories from the man himself in an intimate setting. It may never be repeated, so don’t miss out!

Tickets are available now from The Half Moon website.

Very sad to hear about the loss of my old friend Sean Tyla. Although I have not seen him for years now, I’d like to pay tribute to him and some great memories of our times together at Headley Grange when he offered his services as an additional member of Help Yourself. 

During those heady LSD-fuelled days, Sean’s hilarious madcap antics were always an absolute tonic. He was a fine songwriter and a terrific performer. In those days he would galvanise the rest of us when he came charging on stage, sometimes sliding onto one knee with enthusiastic shouts and whoops! 

Artistically, he was very supportive of me at a time when my own performing confidence was almost non-existent. I first met him in the office of Andrew Lauder at United Artists in Mortimer Street, London and I remember feeling an affinity immediately. He was someone I felt at ease with straight away. We talked for some time and I guess it was from that day our musical association began. 

Sean, I would not have missed it all for the world. 

He was an unforgettable man. My condolences to all who loved him.

Malc

What a night! Many thanks to everyone who came to the Half Moon this evening. It was great to see both new and familiar faces. Let’s do it again! 

Special thanks to the band, who were superb – as was Josh Ace’s excellent support slot. It was great to hear Manilo being played!

Here’s a date not to be missed ~ Sunday 16th February, 2020. Why I hear you ask? Well, because on that very evening, Malcolm and assorted musical friends (cunningly dubbed The Infinity Lake Band) will be playing a gig at the Half Moon in Putney. Tickets are on sale now!

The gig is notable in being Malc’s first ever solo full band gig. Yep that’s right, FIRST EVER! James Beck, who many of you will know via his guitar duties with Man, will be playing with the band… more details on the other members as and when they are recruited (or press-ganged) into playing!

There’s lots of conjecture already on which songs will feature in the set. Infinity Lake is sure to feature heavily. But will there be any Help Yourself songs too? You’ll have to come along on the night to and out.

Already, people are booking flights and hotels just to be there. Malc is looking forward to it, and we hope you are too. Please don’t dither in getting tickets… there may never be another gig like this one… EVER!

Click here for the Half Moon website and tickets!

By now, most of you will be aware that Malcolm’s latest solo album, Infinity Lake, is available exclusively via the Starry Eyed & Laughing website. For more information, and to purchase the album, click here.

This Happy Days tour ad, from the NME in April 1973, has kindly been sent in by Martin Storkmann. He’s currently writing for David Christie’s ‘Doo Dah Diaries’ on the history of the Bonzo Dog Band. Martin is wondering whether Roger Spear played every gig of the tour… or indeed, what memories people have of the Happy Days tour.

Please visited Malc’s Facebook page to wax lyrical!

Ahead of finishing the new album, here’s a brand new track, Must Be the Devil in Me. This bluesy number didn’t seem to fit the rest of the album tracks so we’ve decided to release it as a one-off download via the Bandcamp page.

Go here for a quick listen and to download!

Here’s one from the dark recesses of Malcolm’s musical CV… credited as a producer of this demo (the b-side to Wreckless Eric’s cover of Buddy Holly’s Crying, Waiting, Hoping single)… from the heady days of Stiff Records! Or should that be Stiff Wrecords?!

We’re in the process of uploading various soundfiles to Bandcamp ~ albums, EPs and the odd song or two that didn’t quite fit into any particular recording project or session. Feel free to suggest things that we’ve neglected to include. Only restriction is with regard copyright. Most Help Yourself material (Helps 5 aside) belongs to UA… or UA as-was. The ownership has changed many times since the original albums were released!

This screen-grab of the Bandcamp page is of our admin page… note the material we’re pondering releasing into the wild. Hopefully, there’ll be more to come.

Click here to visit Malc’s Bandcamp page.

Dave Charles, the Help Yourself drummer ~ who later became world-renowned for his studio work at the famous Rockfield Studios in Wales ~ has signed copies of the limited edition Help Yourself 5 vinyl album. Malcolm will also be signing the album sleeves soon, after which it will go on sale via Malcolm’s Bandcamp page. The edition is strictly limited to just 100 copies, around half of which have already been reserved. If you wish to bag a copy of this historic ‘lost’ album ~ which has been gaining praise for its audio quality ~ email mike@malcolm-morley.co.uk

We’re frequently asked about the digital download availability for Malcom’s albums. So by popular demand, here’s the first one… Aliens. You can purchase either individual tracks or the entire album. More to follow in the coming days/weeks.

Visit www.malcolmmorley.bandcamp.com to sample the tracks and/or buy.

For those not aware of the Ernie Graham / Help Yourself connection, click here for an article on the irishrock.org website:

We’ll soon be taking delivery of a batch of Help Yourself 5 albums. Originally released in 2004 on CD (on Hux), it has long been unavailable. This is first time it has been released on vinyl. Mastering was by Dave Charles, and it sounds incredible.

We’re currently working out postage costs to make it as affordable for you as possible. The entire run is only 500 copies, so make sure you don’t miss out.

To reserve a copy and to register your interest email: mike(at)malcolm-morley.co.uk

Help Yourself covers are more than a rarity. But here’s one, of Pioneers in the West in the Head (originally on ‘The Return of Ken Whaley), by the Boston-based band Hands and Knees. That’s Boston USA, not Boston Lincolnshire in the UK! Kinda apt that a US band is playing this eh?

You can hear the track by clicking here.

There’s also some talk of the track being issued as a limited edition single. Watch out for more news on that.

Boston-based band, Hands and Knees.

The CD of Help Yourself 5 has long since been deleted. As HUX have no plans to reissue it, we’ve teamed up with Sugarbush Records to produce a limited edition run of 500 on vinyl.

We’ve had to be creative with the sleeve because the original Rick Griffin artwork is believed to have been lost in the forest fires that swept California late last year. Hence its use small here… taken from the only known high res scan of the painting.

Details on how to order will be on the Sugarbush Records website (sugarbushrecords.com) and of course here on malcolm-morley.co.uk

Deke always asked why they always take the good ones. And Jeff was certainly a ‘good ‘un’. The Green Ray play a gig specially for Jeff, fittingly on Remembrance Sunday. RIP Jeff… we will miss you. Hell, we already do. 

The news that Jeff Gibbs of The Green Ray had passed away came not long before Man’s 50th Anniversary tour. Several weeks later and it is still hard to take in and accept. Heartfelt thoughts are with Jeff’s family and The Green Ray.

Jeff… it was an honour to know you. Thanks for the music and the memories. You will be greatly missed.

It was fantastic to hear that the band had supported George Jones’ Son of Man at the Dagenham Roundhouse recently. The set began with applause for Jeff – a fitting tribute and something he’d have been touched by.

For all things Green Ray related, check out their Facebook page.

Many thanks to Martin Ace and Man for giving Malcolm the chance to play live with the band on their 50th Anniversary tour around the UK. The highlight for Helps fans was undoubtedly Malc playing Blown Away backed by the band but the entire Man set was pure joy from beginning to end. If you missed it, Man are playing some more UK gigs in early 2019.