The most famous club in the world, Liverpool's Cavern Club opened it's doors for the first time 60 years ago today.

The original club (now sadly demolished) opened in a basement of a fruit sellers warehouse on Mathew Street, a backstreet in Liverpool on the 16th January 1957. The club was originally a jazz club, inspired by the cellar nightclubs of Paris.

Later that same year, a local Skiffle and Rock and Roll band, The Quarrymen, were booked to play the club. On the 7th August, 1957 The Quarrymen - John Lennon's original band - played the Cavern for the first time. The band argued about their set list prior to the performance. Skiffle was tolerated at the jazz club, but Rock and Roll was a no-no. After the first song, Lennon called to his bandmates to start the Elvis Presley song, Don't Be Cruel. Banjo player, Rod Davis warned Lennon not to play it, but he started the song, forcing the others to join in. Halfway through the song a note was passed to the stage; 'Cut out the bloody rock and roll!'

Paul McCartney's Cavern Club debut was on the 24th January 1958, and George Harrison a bit later - on the 9th February 1961. Ringo Starr first played the Cavern as drummer for Rory Storm and The Hurricanes. When the club was sold in 1959 to Ray McFall, it was reopened as a beat and rock and roll club. The first beat night was 25th May, 1960, with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes on the bill.

The Beatles played the Cavern Club a total of 292 time - so the legend goes, and the club's name has become synonymous with Beatles and the start of Beatlemania. It was also at the Cavern Club that Brian Epstein first saw the band and decided he would become their manager.

Following the break up of the Beatles, nostalgia for the club waned and it was sadly closed in 1973 and the original club was filled in to make way for a new Mersey Rail line (which never happened).

But the story wasn't over for the Cavern. Liverpool FC player Tommy Smith took over the club in 1984 and it was rebuilt, using many of the original bricks. The club survived in its new guise until 1989 when financial reasons forced it to close again. It was taken over by present owners Bill Heckle and Dave Jones in 1991 and reopened.

In 1999 Paul McCartney returned to the Cavern to play his last gig of the 20th century in the place where it all began (well, nearly, just to the right of it a bit).

Today, to mark the anniversary a new statue of Cilla Black - who worked as a cloakroom girl at the club in the sixties before going on to be the only female singer managed by Beatles manager, Brian Epstein - was unveiled on Mathew Street, situated where the original Cavern Club entrance was. Artist, Tony Booth, who created many posters for the original Cavern Club and for Brian Epstein's artists, created the pictured poster to celebrate 60 years of the Cavern. Sadly, Tony Booth passed away last week, just days before the anniversary. His son Lee remarked how he began and ended his career with posters for the Cavern Club.

16th January 1957 - 16th January 2017. Here's to the next 60 years of The Most Famous Club In The World.

Up&Atom caught up with Feed The Kid's frontman, Curtis Taylor for issue 7 of Up&Atom magazine. Here's a quick excerpt from that interview...

Up&Atom - Who are Feed The Kid? What’s the story behind the name?

Curtis Taylor - We are a five piece rock and roll band from Manchester. The full band line-up have been together for a year, but before we set that up, myself and Ciaran were writing a year before that. We are:

Curtis Taylor - Lead Vocals
Ciaran Egan - Lead Guitar
Dane Stubbs - Bass and vocals
Jake Murphy - Guitar
Adam Smith - Drums

The name came about as Adam became a dad very quickly (if you know what I mean..! We are young lads..!) Anyway, Ciaran and I were doing open mics, and we wanted to take it to the next step. Smithy needed a bit of help at the time, so we decided to go with the name, ‘Feed The Kid’, until we became more sturdy, then we’d probably change it. The idea was to get money from gigs which would go directly to Smithy. This didn’t happen - Anyone starting a band to get money, stop now! Needless to say, we never changed the name, as it seemed to gather pace and momentum very quickly.

U&A - You’re the frontman for the band. Every singer should think he’s the best, so who, throughout the whole of rock and roll history, do you think is second best? 

CT - I think you have to believe you are one of the best, and that you have your own style, because you have to stay true to who you are. You don’t want anyone knocking your confidence, changing how you sing or how you move. Look, I’m a singer from Manchester, and we have moved on from Oasis, but no one did it better than them. Rightly or wrongly, they didn’t take shit from anyone. I wouldn’t say I have that attitude, but all the band have that self-belief and the belief that music is all we will be.

Anyway, I wouldn’t say Liam gets in my top five singers. I don’t think he would put himself in the top five singers… Actually, he probably would! I believe a frontman must have a strong voice, but really has to be more than just a singer. I’d struggle to pick a favourite, but people who have influenced me are - Paul Rodgers, Marc Bolan, Roger Daltrey, James Morrison, Robert Plant, Rod Stewart and Freddie Mercury.

I didn’t realise I could sing until quite late in life. Someone said I could, so I gave it a go, and so far, it’s going alright! I don’t know if it’s an innate thing, but I have always had a yearning to create. I didn’t realise what until I was there on stage and I thought, this is me! This is what I’m supposed to be doing! I guess only time will tell if I am right or if we will fall flat on our faces at the first hurdle! But if you don’t believe it yourself, no one else will believe it either.

U&A - How hard do you think it is to make it in the music industry today? 

CT - It’s difficult. Everyone is at it. This is still very new to us, and I guess other people would be able to tell you more, but I can already see it all boils down to attitude. Sometimes, you don’t have to be great for your music to get played. I have seen some bands that have a false belief, others have the base to be great but they have forgotten how to change, how to take criticism and have a bad attitude (they think they’ve made it before they have even strummed a chord), and others should have picked up the guitar and put it back down again.

U&A - You have forged a career that blends music and fashion, which happen to be the two driving forced behind Atom Retro as well. Can you tell us about your sideline career in fashion?

CT - It’s weird, isn’t it? Fashion and music have always worked together. Different genres create different fashions. Even though each one of us believe we are an individual, we often conform to a group when it comes to music. Mods, Rockers, Punks, Hippies. Clothes are a creative response to the environment we are in at the time. We will look back and think what was that century about?! What the f**k is that guy wearing?! I have always worked within the clothing industry and trends come and go. I think trying to put any label on yourself is difficult, because if you are self-aware that you are going for a certain look, it all becomes a bit uncool. I try to be myself, but its an amalgamation of things I have listened to, seen and loved, that have inspired me to be who I am. However, I wouldn’t want to look at a photo of me aged twelve, with curtains, looking like Gary Neville! I don’t know what inspired that look, but I guess I was watching a lot of football, so I guess I subconsciously became a Neville.

U&A - In exactly 98 words, describe your sound! Repetition is frowned upon… 

CT - We have been described as; retro, blues, country, but I guess it’s just rock and roll. I think each band member listens to something different and this filters through. I think for now it’s hard to pinpoint what we are, I hope we are something new! All we can give you are the comparisons we usually get - T-Rex, The Doors, The Verve, early Pearl Jam, Free, Creedence, but my favourite is Oasis, if Noel Gallagher was the front man. I don't think anyone will count every word in this statement, but I guess we shall see.

Thanks to Curtis for this interview! 

Follow Feed The Kid:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FeedTheKidMusic/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/feedthekidmusic
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/feedthekidmusic


Would you like your band featured here? Email details to lindsey@atomretro.com and you could be the next Something For The Weekend! (All types of music, bands and artists welcome! All genres, signed, unsigned, young and old!)

Levi's® Jeans are now available from Atom Retro!


All of the Levi's® classics you know and love are either in stock now or will be arriving shortly, from classic Levi's® 501 jeans through to Levi's® denim jackets, sherpa jackets, denim shirts and of course, the Levi's® batwing t-shirt.


Everyone knows the Levi's® 501, but what about the Levi's® 527, or Levi's® 511? We thought this quick reference Levi's® fit guide might be helpful. See below!

The long-awaited issue 7 of Up&Atom is out now! Free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes (while stocks last)!

The fab new issue features:

• Instant Karma: Interview with Craig Sams, the man who brought the Afghan Coat to the UK!
• Ballroom Blitz: Interview with Michael Stanfield of mod band, Blackdog Ballroom. 
• Feed The Kid: We chat to Curtis Taylor, frontman of indie rock band, Feed The Kid. 
• This is MODTreal: The Fab Four's Gavin Pring talks to Patrick Foisy about the Canadian mod festival, MODTreal.
• A Pint With... David Pottinger: Kevin Stone has a swift half with mod blogger, David Pottinger. 
• The Girl With The Strawberry Hair: Interview with singer-songwriter, Sarah Beatrice.
• Who's Next play The Most Famous Club In The World, The Cavern, Liverpool. 
• Plus: Newgate Clocks, Irregular Choice Shoes, Dr Martens Boots, Weekend Offender and more! 

Want to get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com or www.madcapengland.com!

Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out.

(Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

The Overtures in their Madcap England threads

The UK's premier Sixties tribute band, The Overtures are busy touring Holland with their excellent Bootleg Sixties show currently, but you can now enjoy your Overtures show whenever you want with the new, long awaited, Bootleg Sixties show DVD,  Live From The Playhouse!


Featuring highlights from the show and 38 songs from The Overtures extensive repertoire, including songs from The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones and many more and DVD behind the scenes and interviews extras.


The DVD is £15.00 plus P&P and can be purchased from the Bootleg Sixties website here.

Premier UK Who Tribute band, Who's Next played at the legendary Cavern Club, Liverpool recently for a sold out show in the Cavern's Live Lounge.

The show was a special set from Who's Next. The first half was made up of early Who songs and R'n'B tracks the Who covered when they were first starting out, including some quite rare, and even more rarely played live songs. The second half of the show was the Who's huge hits and rock anthems.

The band wore a lot of Madcap England styles for the Cavern Club show, including guitarist Dante DiCarlo in a Madcap England Racing Jumper and Madcap England 'Casbah' Beatle Boots (because what else would you wear on your feet down at The Cavern?!) and also singer, Gary Charman in a Madcap England Pinstripe Marriott Polo.

Dante, writing on the Who's Next blog said about the show, "The gig was an absolute blast and afterwards we were informed we had sold the place out and it had been packed to capacity! We were all beyond chuffed and can’t wait to play there again!"

Check below for some fab pics from the gig.

And then check Who's Next's website for a gig near you - the band is playing all over the UK this year!

All images © Ian Hanson Photography. (Thanks guys!)

Mod Casuals and Football Terrace inspired lads brand, Weekend Offender is now in stock at Atom Retro.

Founded in 2004 in a small town just outside of Cardiff, Weekend Offender was the brainchild of Sam Jones and Rhydian Powell, who wanted to create a brand celebrating weekends, partying and football. Encorporating homages to Mod Casuals, 60s Mod culture and the Britpop nineties phenomenon, Weekend Offender was born!

This season collection features Happy Mondays inspired Tees, a nod to 90s Acid Rave culture and classic Mod gingham shirts and polos.

Also featured is the ultimate lads Weekender Jacket - the Hemlock Terrace Jacket has a hidden inside pocket containing a toothbrush and toothpaste - just what you need for those Saturday Nights that become Sunday Mornings!

Check below for a preview of the collection, in stock now.

Hemlock Terrace Jacket with Toothbrush!

Nic Armstrong & The Thieves play the SXSW festival, in Austin, Texas next week!

Here's the agenda folks:


TUES 15th March @ 8:00 PM - Private Event

FRI 18th March @ 1:00 PM - SouthBites - 604 Driskill St (Culture Collide and Avocados For Mexico Present Guacamole Showdown)

FRI 18th March @ 6:30 PM - Indian Roller - 10006 Manchaca

SAT 19 March @ 6:00 PM - Botticellis (back garden stage) - 1321 South Congress (next door to Continental Club)

SAT 19 March @ 9:00 PM - Whislers - 1816 E 6th St (6th & Chicon)


If you're going to SXSW, make sure you catch a Nic Armstrong & The Thieves show, or two, or all of them!

Check Nic's website for more info.

If you're in the Netherlands this March and April, make sure you catch the UK's premier 60s Tribute band, The Overtures on tour!

The Overtures are kicking off 2016 with a 5 week tour of Holland at the end of March and throughout April, and we dare say they might be sporting some of their Madcap England clobber on stage too! The band were recently photographed wearing Madcap England shirts, jackets, suits and shoes for their new promo pics!

Check here for the full list of tour dates

Issue 6 of Up&Atom is out now! Free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes (while stocks last)!
The fab new issue features:

• 20 Years since The Britpop War - Let's decide it, once and for all - Oasis or Blur?! Win a fab FLY53 Britpop tee by telling us why either Oasis or Blur are the reigning Britpop Kings (www.atomretro.com/britpop)
• A Pint With... Drew Hipson: Kevin Stone chats with All Mod Icon editor, Drew Hipson. 
• Who's Next? Being Pete Townshen with guitarist, Dante DiCarlo from Who's Next
• Mama Roux: Win a signed copy of the Mama Roux debut EP
• Ian Moore: Comedy, France and proper chutney stress with stand up, Ian Moore
• 'Til It's Overtures: Interview with Den Pugsley of top 60s band, The Overtures
• Ev'rything's Coming Up Dusty: A chat with Arabella Rodrigo, co-star in the new Dusty Springfield musical in the West End. 
• The Magic Mod: Interview with the Mod-est Magician you'll ever meet! 
• Plus: Gola Classics, Wrangler Jeans, Bass Weejuns, Traffic People and more! 

Want to get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com! Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out. (Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

Lord John, Carnaby Street in 1967

Very sad to hear that Warren Gold, proprietor and founder of the legendary Lord John shop in Carnaby Street in the 1960s, has passed away. Here's an article and interview we did with Warren Gold for Issue 2 of Up&Atom magazine, originally published in December 2013.


“The codswallop fashions of perverted peacocks!” - so one newspaper christened Carnaby Street in the 1960s.

Far from being ‘codswallop’, Carnaby Steet was revolutionising fashion. The sixties youth - tired of wearing clothes their dads or granddads might have liked - wanted something new, daring, colourful and different, and Carnaby Street did just that.

John Stephen’s His Clothes opened on Carnaby Street in 1957 and more followed. John Stephen had as many as eight shops on Carnaby Street alone, and they were joined by Irvine Seller’s Mates, Tom Salter’s Gear, Henry Moss and Harry Fox’s Lady Jane boutiques, and of course, Warren Gold’s Lord John.

One of the most iconic and enduring symbols of Carnaby Street is the world famous Lord John boutique. In the late Sixties it was painted with a huge psychedelic mural, making it one of the most photographed buildings in London at the time. Up&Atom sent Simon Parr, a 60s fashion enthusiast and sales exec for Gibson London menswear, to catch up with Lord John himself - Warren Gold.

Lord John opened it’s doors for the first time in 1964. Warren Gold and his brother, David had originally began trading on Petticoat Lane, but as Warren explained, the foundations for what became Lord John began long before then. ‘That really goes back many years,’ Warren told us. ‘David and I lived in Stamford hill, North West London. David was studying to be a master tailor which he achieved. My interest was more on the artistic side of the clothing industry and window displays and then I got involved in actually drawing and designing clothing. We complimented each other. My late father, Joseph known as Johnny Gold, was in the mens clothing business as well and I suppose it's in the genes. I knew nothing else.’

The move to Carnaby Street seemed inevitable. Carnaby Street had quickly become the fashion centre of the world. The Gold brothers opened two shops at 27-28 Great Marlborough Street, just off Carnaby Street and what would become the world famous Lord John boutique at 43 Carnaby Street.

Warren recalls it wasn’t an easy start. ‘David and I opened our first shop in Carnaby Street on February the 13th 1964. The rent was £3000 a year. We had to pay a quarters rent up front. We had a bit of money in the family, something like £700, but we didn't have enough to satisfy the landlords. We asked an uncle if he would lend us four or five hundred pounds, but he said, "No, I can't do that because my money is my business.” He was a money lender; a very wealthy man. We managed to overcome that and got the money. As the years went by, this same Uncle, Uncle Len his name was - a lovely man! He wanted to invest in our business when we had about 15 or 16 shops, and being very respectable, from a nice Jewish family, we politely told him to piss off!’

In the sixties, fashion designers became celebrities in their own right for the first time. Warren remembers a taste of this, ‘At times I used to sign customer’s receipts. They said, "Lord John would you please sign this?" and I'd say ‘With pleasure, yes’. They loved it!’

Up&Atom Issue 2, signed by Warren Gold, Lord John of Carnaby Street

John Lennon's Cape

Warren Gold in 2013

Issue 5 of Up&Atom is out! Out now and free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes!
The fab new issue features:

• This Art 2-Tone: Exclusive interview with 2-Tone graphic artist, John 'Teflon' Sims
• Jonny Owen: A chat with Svengali director and star, Jonny Owen.
• A Very British Phenomenon: Author Terry Rawlings on books, Brian Jones and The Small Faces
• A Well Dressed Man About Town: Interview with tailor and designer, Mark Powell
• Black Noire: Darron J Connett's new experimental musical adventure 
• The Famous and Fascinating History of Peckham Rye
• Atom is 10! The pics! 
• The Sounds of The Sixties show.
• A Pint With... DJ Dan Nolan
• Plus: Star Wars Vintage Tees, Lyle & Scott, Lee Jeans and more! 

Want to get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com! Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out. (Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

Issue 4 of Up&Atom is out today! Out now and free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes!
The fab new issue features:

• Atom is 10! October 2014 is the 10th anniversary of Atom Retro. We celebrate with a chat with Atom Retro's founder, a timeline of Atom history... oh, and a new retail shop has just opened in Malton, North Yorkshire! 
• One Step Beyond: Atom Retro & Madcap England team up with artist John Sims (AKA Teflon) who designed the iconic 'Nutty Dancer' Ska man, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. 
• Ready Steady Go! With DJ, presenter and actress Jacqui Carroll. 
• A Pocket Full Of Pretty Green: Interview with Pretty Green's head of wholesale, Dean West. 
• Pretty Green arrives at Atom Retro - our guide to your essential wardrobe. 
• Whitey on Drums! Interview with Steve White, drummer for The Style Council among many other things. 
• Down at The Cavern Club: Interview with Nick Robinson, the Cavern's merchandise manager and a resident Cave Dweller. 
• Mr Cool's Dream: Author Iain Munn gives us the low down on his book, described by Paul Weller as 'The last word on The Style Council.'
• A Pint With... actor Michael Smiley, who you might have caught in films The Worlds End, Svengali or as Tyres in Spaced.
• Lois: Interview with indie rock band, Lois about their new album, The Polperro Horse Bus Company.

Want to get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com! Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out. (Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

Up&Atom is back for it's third issue! Out now and free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes!
The fab new issue features:

• With A Natural Flair: Interview with musician, Nic Armstrong 
• Marmalade's designer, Magda Sokolowska talks fashion and vintage inspiration
• The Original Modernist: The view from 'original modernist' Wayne Kirven
• The British Invasion: The Cavern Club Beatles re-enact The Beatles arrival in the US
• The Beautiful Game: Get ready for a summer of Football Fashion! 
• More Madcap Laughs: Latest styles in stock from Madcap England 
• A Pint With... Kevin Stone chats to author, Paolo Hewitt
• Plus brand focus on Walsh Trainers, Ray-Ban, Boating Blazers and more.

Want to get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com! Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out. (Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

The trailer for the upcoming James Brown biopic movie, Get On Up, has just been released...


The film, due to be released on the 1st of August depicts James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to international fame and stardom as 'The Godfather of Soul'.

James Brown is played by Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis (who previously played Aibileen Clark in The Help) plays James Brown's mother, Susie Brown. The film is directed by Tate Taylor who also directed The Help. The film concentrates on Brown's difficult childhood, his time in prison and rise to fame and also his relationship with his estranged mother, who abandoned him when he was 6 years old.

What you have heard is only the beginning...

Happy new year everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve - and the hangover isn't too bad this morning!

You might be thinking of making some new year's resolutions today -  what are they? Save more, spend less? Eat healthier and lose weight? Or just generally improve your world, live life to the fullest and enjoy every day?! (That's my fave!)

Here's 15 inspirational quotes (in no particular order) to consider as we start afresh in 2014!


1. "When you were born, you were crying and everyone else was smiling. Try to live your life so that at the end, you are the one who is smiling and everyone else is crying."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Issue 2 of Up&Atom is out now! Free with every order! *

• Dedicated Followers Of Fashion: Interview with Carnaby Street's Lord John, Warren Gold
• Copa Football arrives at Atom Retro
• Picking the perfect Parka - we've got loads!
• The Knack and How To Get It: Interview with Gibson London's Simon Parr.
• John Smedley key fashion pieces.
• A Rather Retro Affair: Pics from the Ace Retro photo shoot and interview with Tinite Photography's Jacob Sacks-Jones.
• A Pint With... Kevin Stone has a swift half with author, Mark Baxter
• A Tale of Two Troubadours: Interview with Darron and Joel from The Last Of The Troubadours.
• Beatlemania! Interview with Beatles tribute band, The Fab Four's Gavin Pring.
• Best Foot Forward: Interview with Delicious Junction's Pete Challis.
• Brand previews of Marmalade Dresses and Peckham Rye.

Want to  get your mitts on a copy? Simply place an order at www.atomretro.com! Up&Atom is free with all orders of clothing and/or shoes, until stocks run out. (Some of the articles will also be featured on the Up&Atom blog - right here!)

The winners of our recent Ben Sherman: 50 Years of British Style Culture are...

Winner of the Ben Sherman Book - Cass O'Callaghan from London! 

Winners of the Atom Retro vouchers runners up prizes - Paul Biggerstaff from Marlow and Jimmy Barr from Potterhill in Paisley both win a £25.00 Atom Retro Voucher!

Look out for more competitions soon!