'Quadrophenia'
(1979) was a film based on 'The Who's' rock opera of the same
name. Now regarded as a cult mod classic, it was criticised heavily
at the time of it's release as being too graphic and violent.
It starred the likes of Phil Daniels, Sting, Ray Winstone and
Leslie Ash. Although set around the infamous mod vs rockers rivalry
of the mid 60's, this film largely inspired the subsequent revival
mod scene of the late 70's and early 80's.
So why the connection
to Football Casual culture? In our view, the
mod culture of the 60's and susequent revival scene of the late
70's, set the tone and foundations of which the current Football
Casual scene developed it's roots. The combination
of sharp tailoring combined with an equally sharp approach to
defending
reputation is still core to the existing culture. The principles
have remained the same, despite the fashion trends moving on.
This
film in particular highlighted that association of fashion and
violence around a gang culture in an age before the Football
Casual really existed. The purists will have you believe
that there are no connections with the history of the mods,
and that the Football Casual scene developed
purely in it's own right in the 70's and 80's. I personally
feel that the similarities in the basics of the two sub-cultures
are still evident even today.
From a fashion perspective,
the original mod culture centered around slim-cut Italian suits,
Ben
Sherman button-down Oxford shirts, Fred
Perry polos and Parka jackets. Both Fred
Perry and Ben
Sherman are both prominent in modern fashion, but only probably
Fred
Perry can still hold it's own in the Football Casual
scene today.
'Quadrophenia'
(1979) was a film based on 'The Who's' rock opera of the same
name. Now regarded as a cult mod classic, it was criticised heavily
at the time of it's release as being too graphic and violent.
It starred the likes of Phil Daniels, Sting, Ray Winstone and
Leslie Ash. Although set around the infamous mod vs rockers rivalry
of the mid 60's, this film largely inspired the subsequent revival
mod scene of the late 70's and early 80's.