Wild Billy Childish has been recording and performing since the 1977 punk explosion. The Pop Rivets, Thee Milkshakes, The Headcoats and The Buff Medways being just a few outfits that Billy has been involved with. All that is just a hobby – his day job is being an internationally exhibited artist, writer and vermin poet.
CTMF (The Chatham Forts) was the first group name Billy came up with for a group whilst he was Head of Research for The Medway Military Research Group – investigating the Medway Fortifications (as well as being an Apprentice Stonemason at Chatham Dockyard, Kent, 1976). It wasn’t until 2013 that Billy got around to utilising the name.
CTMF features his wife Julie on bass/vocals and Wolf Howard on drums (both playing with Billy in previous incarnations over the years).
CTMF – described by Billy as ‘the epitome of modern: the sound of yesterday, tomorrow!’, CTMF have released ten albums and over thirty singles/EPs.
Come September 2024, The CTMF found themselves in the studio, the tape machine running. Quick as you like Julie (bass) suggested they record three of her favourite ‘hits’ from The Yardbirds song book.
Precision bass in hand, and taking lead vocals (with their 14 year old kid Atticus on backing vocals), The CTMF got to work, thus revealing these manley Yardbirds ditty’s are gems for the female voice also. Top marks!
‘For Your Love’ takes Face A, with ‘Shapes Of Things’ and ‘A Certain Boy’ for Face B.