Focal Point
Focal Point are a band largely forgotten amidst the kaleidoscopic blur that was late 60′s psychedelic London. What makes their successful courtship of obscurity all the more surprising is the calibre of backing and money that they had – albeit momentarily – behind them. None other than The Beatles themselves.
Focal Point were the first signing to The Beatles-owned company, Apple Publishing, which would go on to become their record label, Apple Records.
Consisting of Scousers, Paul Tennant and David Rhodes, what at the time must have felt like a rare stroke of luck followed a chance encounter with Paul McCartney in London’s Hyde Park. Quickly signed after approval by the likes of John Lennon, Brian Epstein and Apple’s head honcho Terry Doran, the two formed a group with which to perform their songs and Focal Point released ‘Sycamore Sid’ in 1968, backed by the rather old-fashioned, if melodious, sound of ‘Love You Forever’. In the absence of a fully operational record label at Apple, the single was released on the Deram imprint of Decca. It would be the group’s one and only release.
‘Sycamore Sid’, an ode to the legendary Brits-Bluesman John Mayall, who had taken to living in a tree, failed to create the anticipated buzz and Apple quickly lost interest in their maiden signing. This was despite throwing money at them in the initial stages and even going so far as to rent the group a flat whilst they recorded demos.
For Focal Point, the race was over before they’d even had a chance to put their spikes on. Their return to Liverpool saw them unceremoniously ex-communicated by the management without so much as a bye or leave, as the focus was shifted onto the new Apple golden boys, Grapefruit.
They never recorded again, although there were a number of demos and finished recordings made prior to the bubble bursting. Locked away since the 60s in the Deram vaults, these songs have resurfaced in recent years on the Apple Records compilation 94 Baker Street and the Focal Point retrospective First Bite of the Apple – See what they’ve done there?
The 94 Baker Street CD – the title of which, incidentally, is taken from the address of The Beatles’ Apple Boutique, which also doubled as the makeshift offices for their burgeoning record label – features the single ‘Sycamore Sid’ and its B-side, plus what the group had hoped would be there inaugural release, the surrealist psych-pop nugget ‘Never Never’ and ‘Girl on the Corner’. There is also a rough take of the excellent ”Cept Me’, which sets a slightly darker tone with its two note refrain giving this tale of isolation in a carefree, swinging London, a more sinister edge.
First Bite of the Apple has all these and then some. Twenty tracks in all, although the final six are just demos and alternate takes. Barring these, this is probably the album Focal Point would’ve released in 1968, had they been given half the chance.
Such is fate. It’s fair to say that barring The Iveys, who went on to become Badfinger, none of the initial signings of Apple Publishing came out the other side of deal with any of the longevity or success that had been anticipated. Focal Point were just another casualty of the psychedelic tapestry weaving its way across the English music scene during the late 60s. They may have been forgotten, but their music lives on. It’s just a case of seeking it out.
Edit. Focal Point are still performing as a band to this day. This year they’ll be performing in Liverpool and throughout the North of England as well as supporting Status Quo at the Tidworth Festival in July.
Paul Tennant has just published his McCartney-endorsed book entailing their incredible journey and entitled All You Need Is Luck. It is currently in pre-production for a film scheduled to begin shooting in the summer of this year.
Focal Point feature at Marmalade Skies
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