Main singer was actually my French Teacher in high school. I remember when she came out with the fact that she was in a band and we all couldn’t believe it.
i concur with @ UnicornsandUfos... on that point (except, perhaps, the use of the word 'rad' in a sentence ;), probably would have gone with 'phat' myself :9 .) though this proves it really is a small world after all - dope! :)
I remember all the quirky New Wave bands I followed either broke up or became very commercialized after '83. People make fun- the dorky dance moves, thrift store fashions, but for me it was such a magical time.
Talk about being "commercialized"-80s punk rock variety and style can never be matched on the scale that it was especially commercially! IE; Pennywise etc.....
The voice of Ramona Carlier is fantastic Mo-dettes operational years 1979-1982 - formed by guitarist Kate Korris and bassist Jane Crockford and June Miles-Kingston (drums) the genre of this all-female band is Post-punk genre, WHITE MICE it's a piece, a track, a single from 1979 - DO NOT Dismiss NEVER always post rare videos. Clever HUMAN !^_^! COMPLIMENTS R4949
Whoever thought one of my old college projects would one day be available to the world!!! I remember my tutor at the time didn't think much of the video or the song...
@@heathstjohn6775 The LCP (London College of Printing) was (and is) a multi-media college with a great film and tv department. Now called the Loncon College of Communications to clariofy its main function.
I've taken the liberty of fixing the sound on this and submitted it as a response. It took quite a lot of work as the VHS seems to be running at about 97.5% the speed of the original. So I had to spend hours cutting and tweaking to make it work. This song has been in my all time top ten since I was a kid so it was very much a labour of love. Sadly YoutTube have 'detected third party content' on mine and slapped an advert on it :( Hope you don't mind :)
Guitarist Kate Korus, who had previously played with the all-female bands the Castrators and also Slits, was originally from the States, although she'd lived in England since 1974. Bassist Jane Crockford was a teenage runaway whose claim to fame was sharing a squat with Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten. Vocalist Ramona Carlier, a former ballet student from Geneva, Switzerland, had apparently moved to London due to the lack of punk culture in her home country. Prior to joining Mo-Dettes, Ramona was the original singer of another band Kleenex / Liliput, under the pseudonym Regula Sing. And drummer June Miles-Kingston met Kate on the set of the Sex Pistols' film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle, where they were both employed as musicians.
This was actually produced by Chris Reynolds and Simon Fanthorpe. This is only the studio shoot section of a video that contained much location footage. Rather than Direct what was my project, from the studio gallery I directed much of it from the Studio floor whilst operating a Sony 300 portable TV camera. David Rose and Ian Henges were present and sat in the studio gallery and ran VTRs and vision switched from there, so they were involved in the production. Before the studio session neither David or Ian had heard of the group. Simon and I met the group at a gig and asked them to make the video with us and we arrange all the logistics. Following the studio shoot Simon and I shot more material outside and in their flat. Later, David Rose asked me if he could use the studio version on his directors showreel and I agreed. I did not expect him to claim it as his work decades later.
Philippa Denney Jane could play great bass and she was a tough cookie but a nice person. We were neighbours for a while during the 80s. She was married to Woody for a while but they split up. I wonder what happened to her. I thought she was great although some folks were a bit scared of her.
@@commonsense5401 I knew her in the late eighties, when she was a bicycle messenger for a while. She was crazy and fun. She was also a lot prettier than in this vid, with really long black hair.
@@flip1325 you'll see soon enough your group think, victim mentality bullshit is completely unnatural and in fact completely misaligned with the natural order of the WHOLE WORLD!!!!!!!! The lad quite obviously meant no offence at all when he was commending the bass player's capabilities but you FOUND OFFENCE IN A COMPLEMENT because you are a FUCKING MORON GETTING OFFENDED ON OTHER PEOPLE'S BEHALF!!!!!!!!!!
Yes , I totally agree. everyone says a similar thing about the era they grew up with but I really think that the only times where music, culture and "'feeling' " were so enjoyable, important and still relevant, is the 60s scene and the Punk / Post Punk scene. of the late 70s and early 80s . There seems nothing now that people can relate to and express themselves with that is so " whole politically , culturally and socially . and just so obviously enjoyable.!
Lyrics to White Mice written by Jane Perry Woodgate nee Crockford 1979 / Verse Three: I’m not dumb / I’m on the run for someone / Sweet and tasty / Young men always / Turn my head / Can’t help acting hasty / Now it’s said / It’s straight to bed / No need to make it harder / I believe in plenty of / Nice things to / Stock my larder. Chorus
@@thecapricorn11 The mainstream didn't (they were still pretty flared-out, even at that late point), whereas the minority (i.e. the post-punk/new wave set) did..
I'm back to the late late 70's (perhaps early 80's) I saw them at the London Lyceum with Nina Hagen and then in my home town of Bedford at the Bunyan Centre. Both times they let me take photos of them back and front stage which I now treasure. Thank goodness for You Tube
WoW! What a treat to see a video for this old fave of mine. Takes me back to when I was young, snotty & pimply (mind u, only one of those 3 things have changed in the intervening 35 years - lol). Punk & New Wave saved my life. Thanx 4 sharing this!
I always got a kick out of "White Mice" by The Mo-Dettes. I had/have this song on a vinyl album/LP titled "The Last Stiff Compilation," a sort of "greatest hits" by acts from the former (and now revived, I understand) Stiff Records label, a roster which at one time included Elvis Costello, The Damned, Ian Dury & the Blockheads, Lene Lovich, Nick Lowe, and Wreckless Eric, among many others. One other novel aspect of that LP was it featured Lene Lovich's unbilled Japanese version of her cover of Tommy James & The Shondells' "I Think We're Alone Now." Stiff Records also had some great ad slogans. among which were-- "If you can't be sure, Be Stiff!" "Undertakers to the industry" "Where the fun never sets" "Surfing on the New Wave" "Round records for square people" "Hit records for missing people" "Our record is extremely good." "The vinyl is final." "If they're dead - we'll sign 'em." "If it ain't Stiff, it ain't worth a fuck." AND this highly creative gem-- "In '78 everyone born in '45 will be 33 1/3 (a play on the RPM speeds of vinyl records, for those too young to recall)."
WOW! LOVE THIS and bought it when it came out when I was about 13. Had lots of pictures of Ramona on my wall - I loved her! Jane (with the funny eyebrows) was married to Woody from Madness and used to work in my local hairdressers - she was ace.
misternylon The guitarist, Kate Corris, was a founding member of The Slits before getting replaced on guitar duty by Viv Albertine. This was well before "Cut" came out in '80. I've read she had a two second stint in an early incarnation of The Raincoats as well, don't know that for sure, pretty sure they didn't record anything while she was there. Not sure about the bios of the other members.
@pollmeister i've just realised that for the past three years, i've worked with Ramona on a daily basis! - we work in a school in Enfield - completely shocked me when i found out she was in The Mo-Dettes...
Bass player is Jane Crockford, former member of Bank of Dresden. She also sang some lead vo. After a lengthy battle with cancer, Jane passed away at South Lake Regional Health Center, with her family by her side on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, in her 57th year.
@@silviasubstance5125 she is not dead! The above is nonsrnse. Her surname changed when she married. She's currently lives (althoufh divorced) and works, as an artist, in London. Ive reported the above message to RU-vid as missinfomation nut they have ignored it. Im sure someone with the same name, poor thing, did actually die, but Jane is still kicking! (iz alive)
Lyrics to White Mice written by Jane Perry Woodgate nee Crockford 1979 / Verse One: Smile so sweetly / So completely / Dazzle everyone / A smile like yours / Should be on show / Oh Gosh / it’s such Good fun / And there’s a lot / Of other things / About you that I like / The only thing that’s lacking / Is a 1000cc bike. Chorus: Don’t be stupid / Don’t be limp / No girl likes to Love a wimp / Dance and make fun / Nicely done / Come and be my number one.
Lead singer is Swiss-born Ramona Wilkins-Carlier, Teacher at Hasmonean High Screwel, London. Education was at Middlesex University, with a PGCE in Secondary Education and Teaching, 2001 - 2002, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Policy. She has repeatedly turned down requests for her to appear on Britain's Got Talent because of "the friggin' kids!" she has in her life as a teacher. Anyway, it's weird seeing Ramona today and back then side by side. It's almost as if they were the same person.
Got into punk in 1982 or so. when I was around 11 years old. My older brother and all his friends were deep in the scene. From Peni to Adolescents, from Blitz to Bad Brains, etc... But we've always loved this song so much. It was brilliant. I still have the original 45 and the cover that's shown at the start of this video. Still very much into the more hardcore punk, but this song(and Masochistic Opposite which is side B) will always hold a place in my heart.
saw them live back in the day. limited repertoire meant we all screamed "white mice thrice" and guess what happened to the encore 😭 thx so much for the upload 👍
Lyrics to White Mice written by Jane Perry Woodgate nee Crockford 1979 / Verse Two: Your arse is tight / And moves alright / Your eyes / Are big and blue / And if I were / A homely girl / I’d like to marry you / But I’m naughty / Sweet and haughty / Forward with it too / So come and visit and then kiss it / Like all my lovers do. Chorus
P.S I totally cracked up when the ole "infinity" effect kicked in at 2:34. That dorky effect was EVERYWHERE back in the 70s! But the vid's a goodie nonetheless. :-D
Had this tune on "The Last Stiff Compiliation" - later found the single for sale at the local import record shop. I was buying British music magazines - NME, Sounds, Melody Maker and the like - found an article about the Mo-Dettes - more importantly photos! Right then I decided I would propose to Ramona Carlier. If that failed - June. All these years later seeing this video brings back some fond memories of the 80's. especially women's hairstyles, and clothing. I miss the 80's
Used to think the drummer was Gina Schock from the Go-Go’s, but I know for a fact that one of the blondes (bass and/or guitar) was Woody from Madness’ girlfriend…still can’t beat the New Wave/No-Wave era up to ‘81-‘82 or so [my guess on this is roughly 1979-80 school year], you simply COULDN’T buy a bad record no matter WHAT sub-genre of rock/pop/etc. 🎶
This band could have easily been like The Flirts had Bobby "O" (Orlando) played guitar instead of drum & synths, and was more punk or new wave minded instead of disco-centric and gave us The Pet Shop Boys.
Punk Globe: What do you remember about the time you shared a flat with Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious? Jane Crockford: I remember a lot but it was an intense time and really now I would prefer not to share that with the world. John was working hard with the Sex Pistols and really wasn't there with us too much, but I will tell you that Sid could be extremely gentle. Punk Globe: You wrote the most famous song of The Mo-dettes called "White Mice". What can you tell me about that song? Jane Crockford: White Mice is about seducing boys. I wrote it before I met my future husband Woody and really he was such a perfect example, to seduce from afar. It is the girl as predator and this disturbed Rough Trade, our distributors as not being correct! But it was and still is a happy celebration of dating and loving as young, emergent women. Punk Globe: Are you still in contact with your former bandmates? Jane Crockford: I was a very disruptive and energetic force as a song writer and musician, for a couple of the band I think that they have had quite enough of me while I am in contact constantly with Kate and Melissa, the two guitarists. But then they are on another continent. Punk Globe: Did you play in another band after The Mo-dettes disbanded? Jane Crockford: I did try but no, my heart was broken at the demise of the Mo-dettes and I blame the machinations of the record companies and businessmen, I did not want to involve myself with that aspect of music again, so I did play with bands but 'quietly' and with no ambition for commercial success. Punk Globe: If you could live your life again, what would you change? Jane Crockford: I would not change my life, despite the mistakes and darker sequences, as I am now, I am intrigued and still greedy for life and my past has given me that gift. As regards to the Mo-dettes, I wouldn't have let them; (Management and London Records) sack Ramona, for that was the beginning of the end, Kate was soon to follow and then the heart of the Mo-dettes was torn asunder.
Still have a 1979 ad for one of the planned appeaences in Hollywood. Alas, it never came. Still enjoyed their music: UK. French. USA members in the band.
I guess that's a compliment Mr. Smell, considering that the bassist of the Beatles use a Höfner, and he is consider by many as the best bass player of the 20th century ! I finally found thatJane Crockford shows that a Höfner bass can be hot, really hot and sweet, purely delicious ! I love the sound of this Höfner in the hands of Jane Crockford simply brilliant ! She composed this song also.
I saw them in 1981, maybe 1980, at the Agora Ballroom in Hollywood FL and it was a fun fucking night. They grabbed our friend Lisa (from Morbid Opera) onto the stage and did a Rolling Stones song. I think "Paint it Black" but not sure. Who else was there????
Hey , Michael. I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY 1980 , as they opened at The Hot Klub in Dallas that year , and , most likely , were'nt able to spend more than a couple of weeks touring the states , as they had a multi-national lineup (Tho Katy , who's a VERY cool person , is an American.), and it's still difficult for European bands , unless they're colossally famous , to get a tour visa for more than 2 weeks. Same is true , over there.....
Yes there was so much good fresh music in the eighties, but if I turned on the radio in my town you would get shit like the Jefferson Starship and John Cougar ,in the eighties as in now the mainstream for the most part sucks
Never really could understand the lyrics at the time , so really grateful for the translation! remember as kids me and a couple of mates played this to death...we loved the intro. This song has aged very well. Everything on this song is right. Vocal, Bass,Guitar..and boy those drums!!!
Great band. Saw them at Eric's, Liverpool not long before it closed...support was Wah Heat! Didn't know this video existed. Check out the LP" The Story So Far" if you can still get a copy .....
Kleenex formed in Geneva in 1978 with a line-up of Regula Sing (born Ramona Carlier, vocals), Marlene Marder (guitar), Klaudi Schiff (bass, vocals), and Lislot Ha (drums). After releasing an EP in Switzerland, the band were signed by Rough Trade Records and released their debut single "Ain't You" in November 1978. In early 1979, Sing joined the Mo-dettes, and was replaced by Chrigle Freund. Second single "You" was their last under the Kleenex name as the threat of legal action by Kimberly-Clark in 1979 prompted a change of name to LiLiPUT.
thank you! it had been killing me for years! i always thought this singer was Sing from Kleenex, but threw me off cause she always spoke / proclaimed in Kleenex over singing. mystery solved!
I still have this 7" single from rough trade records,,,,an amazing bassline even now....unfortunately I never got to see these ladies play live...thanks for uploading the video :) :) :)
They were the first band that I ever saw live at a plaice called the Coach House , even bought the 7inch version of this track. They also did a cover version of Paint it Black.
Fucking awesome, the year i become a punk i heard this record and basically that was it, awesome life. Thanks mo-dettes you were there at the start, one of the bands. Holly and the Italians, Girls at our best, pink military, The Photos they were all part of an awesome life
I have been looking for the Modettes on RU-vid for a while and just did a search again for the first time in a while. Fantastic vid, thanks for sharing, Your prof was a twit.
I first heard this when I was 14, loved it and luckily acquired a pink vinyl single with the same cover shown at the beginning of this clip. About this time when I realised I didn't want to be a pop following sheep. Still a punk, always a punk. I'm 51 now. Go have a listen to Rudimentary Peni, Conflict, Icons of Filth, Discharge, GBH, Chaos UK, etc. If you're a punk, you'll understand.
R4949 - A sincere thank you for posting this. Nothing dodgy at all. One of my favorite songs of the 80's, and I still dig it. And Jane is right - your tutor just wasn't with it!
This is how I imagine girl groups like The Go Gos and The Bangles started out. I think these girls should have been bigger than the previously mentioned.
