intelligence from the kommissar

Andy Piercy and Dave Clifton have released an album Praise God through Integrity Music in the UK. The duo have re-recorded a selection of their most popular worship songs (taken from their two earlier albums) with producer Jon Kelly (Beautiful South, Deacon Blue). The albums features contributions from Julia Fordham, Terl Bryant, Troy Donockley, David Fitzgerald, and Mark Edwards. Said Clifton:

For more details, and audio samples, go to Intergrity Music.

A variant of the Der Kommissar compilation gets a re-release on 12th June 2001 in the US. Licensed to Collectables Records from Sony, the album seems to be based on the cassette version of the original US release. Track listing includes a number of tracks making their first appearance on CD, notably: Sometimes, and Carry Me Home. The CD also includes the naff US dub mix of Der Kommissar. The John Eden versions of One Rule and Starflight are included, and the linear notes inside are appalling - about 50% factual errors. Details of where you can order a copy of the album via this link. Outside of the US, go to Amazon. You might be able to pick up thge earlier Sony release there, too.

Andy has e-mailed me to say that he was making an appearance on the BBC Sunday morning programme Love Shone Down, on Boxing Day, when he took part in a praise event recorded at Manchester Cathedral, featuring 'fun, music and praise'. Andy sang a new children's chorus he has composed, also titled Love Shone Down. I can't bring you pictures due to a mis-understanding with my VCR.

On 18-9-99, the reunion we once thought would never happen took place in Dagenham when After The Fire took the stage for the first time in 17 years. After a mellower-than-normal version of the Thunderbirds theme tune, the band launched into Joy. With guest drummer Martin Neil filling in on percussion, they took the crowd of 250 family, friends, Friends, and fans through a trip down Memory lane. There were some teething problems to start with, but a few songs into the set, and the fire was back. The lads were clearly enjoying themselves, and sending themselves up during Who's Gonna Love You (When You're Old, And Fat, And Ugly), and Russell was in an impish mood, ribbing Piercy by saying that he couldn't see the set list on the floor any more, and throwing in a few spurious Chaah!'s during Der Kommissar. Banksy, sans 'A' frame keyboard stand, only needed two slim keyboards to re-create the ATF sounds, but had managed to squeeze into his old white leather jacket for the occassion, while Andy Piercy, wielding the old blue bass, had donned his long black jacket with lapel broaches. John Russell, though he didn't wear it on stage, was seen at the bar in a leopard skiun jacket. A connection with then and now was made during the instrumental 1980-F which segued into an ATF version of Piercy's '94 worship classic Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, before finishing with 1980-F again.

Martin Neil, had been thrown into the deep end, having had little over a week's notice to learn the set, but, quite frankly, he knew the set better than anyone else, and did brilliantly. He only had to cope with a few unexpected elongations when Piercy got lost, or forgot the words, and had to wait for his cue again. The main set ended with Starflight, and the lads left the stage in order to be coaxed back on again, as is customary, but instead of Martin Neil, the surprise of the night was then undoubtdedly the guest appearance of Ivor Twydell, who took the stage for the first encore, joining the the band for an historic rendition of Check It Out. Even Piercy's amnesia could not detract from the excitement of seeing this line-up re-assembled for the first time since the Rainbow show in November 1979. Twydell, looked nervous, not having performed with the band for so long, but was virtually beat perfect. He cut his losses, however, and didn't join in the last number Like The Power Of A Jet. ATF then left the stage, and the crowd were left buzzing with the sheer EVENT of it all.

See elswhere for a full account of the procedings.

The band are due to perform a one off gig for Peter Banks' 50th birthday in September at Dagenham. Andy, Peter & John met up for an AGM in November last year in a pub in central London to discuss plans. The show will be the first time the band have played together in over 16 years aside from a private jam in 1995 for Andy's birthday. Iona's Terl Bryant was drafted in for percussion duties on that occasion, and was due to play again at Dagenham, but now the sticks will be held by Martin Neil.

It will be a ticket only event, and the venue is confirmed as the Function Suite at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, Victoria Road, Dagenham (5 mins walk from Dagenham East tube on the District Line) on 18th September 1999 from 8.00pm. There will be a buffet, free drink and the evening will kick off with another band - The Late Show. Tickets are £10 and can be obtained by submitting details in the following form.

The set list has been worked out, but is under wraps. But the Kommissar has been making enquiries, and I can tell you that one of the songs to be performed will be Listen To Me.

The only ATF album currently available on CD, is DER KOMMISSAR, which was released by Sony in July 1995 on the Columbia label as part of their 'Rewind' series. It has now been deleted, but copies are still to be found in some of the megastores, and second-hand outlets.

There are several compilations from Germany and the US with ATF tracks on as well. The full 12" 'extended' version of Der Kommissar can be found on THIS AIN'T NO DISCO, released by Sony in 1994.