Taking Sides - Mods Vs Rockers

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Yes, this could be on ILM, but I decided there's more to it than just the music, so it's justified here. So:
Who woz bestest? And, with, 35-odd years of hindsight, who won in the end?

― DG, Monday, 16 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Everyone who either opted out or cynically used the imagery to get somewhere. I admire that in a Machiavellian pop star. See -- Marc Bolan, David Bowie...

― Ned Raggett, Monday, 16 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Mods or rockers - I'm w/ Ringo.
Who "won"? Mods obv. But I don't care, I prefer the co. of losers anyway.

― Duane Forever/Forever Loaded, Monday, 16 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I'm a survivor.

― JM, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Are you telling me you've never *ahem* dissed anyone on the Internet? Because if so then you LIE. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

But he won't dis you in front of your family, yo.

― Sterling Clover, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

And oh yes, Rockers won b/c the indie-kidz picked the other look. If the indie-kidz don't like it, you must be doing something right. Rule #1 of ILM, eh?

― Sterling Clover, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Hmm...do I care more about Italian shoes or motorcycles...I guess mod.

― Mike Hanley, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Mods won, OK!

― masonic boom, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I wasn't born yet, sorry. Glam rock wins every time if you ask me though... ;)

― Paul Strange, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Neither. Though at least Rockers have largely died out.

― Richard Tunnicliffe, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

rockers.

― sundar subramanian, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Mods probably won, all those Vespas and Paul Weller hair styles. Stylistically, I prefer the rockers.

― james e l, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I'd only dis you in front of your girlfriend or life partner.

― JM, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

There is the school of thought (mainly in my head, you understand) that says that the majority of (great) british pop music derives from the mod aesthetic, because it's about getting dressed up and staying out all nite, and shagging lesley ash in dark alleys. No, forget that last one, but you see what i mean. Mods are clearly superior to rockers, although i have been both over the years, or at least their 90s spawn...

― carsmilesteve, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

One Italian scooter maker recently came out with a scooter that looks all retro. Cool but I wouldn't want to ride it in boston for fear of becoming dead.

― Mike Hanle y, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Shagging Lesley Ash is all about being Neil Morrissey, if you believe the telly. This is not a good thing.

― Richard Tunnicliffe, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Does that mean that the 21st century mod would shag Lesley Ash in the aisle at B & Q?

― Emma, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I want a bright orange or crimson vespa.

― anthony, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Right, that's it, i'm driving sting's scooter over the white cliffs of dover...

― carsmilesteve, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Mods liked, and made, far better music. OK their legacy spawned the Merton Parkas, Secret Affair and Menswear, but that's after the fact. At the time (1964-66, I'm guessing, or thereabouts), I think they whipped the Rockers' sad, flabby arses.

Interesting though shit: Ocean Colour Scene in 1996, mod image, but music the epitome of rockism.

― Robin Carmody, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Hooray for Robin! I was hoping this thread would go down that route. It is indeed one of life's great ironies that rockers would end up fetishising mod music/fashion.

― DG, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Ocean Colour Scene in 1996, mod image, but music the epitome of rockism.

What did mods listen to, polka ?!

Just for that, I'll side with the rockers. They were probably all a bunch of thugs, but when you don't have to be in the same room as them, thugs = preferable to fops.

― Patrick, Tuesday, 17 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

three months pass...

mods won, they always have.

lookin´good is the answer. stop havin´motor oil in your hair.

ace

― ace, Sunday, 4 November 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

one month passes...

mods are the best ,rockers stinks! die with ur king!

― , Tuesday, 11 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Mod.

― Will, Wednesday, 12 December 2001 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

one month passes...

Mod...."you and I are going to live forever" (Noel Gallagher)

― Modfather of soul, Sunday, 13 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

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