Locomotive — “Mr Armageddon”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — November 13, 2025

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD

1,781) Locomotive — “Mr Armageddon“

“[O]ne of the coolest tunes ever made” (psychotron9, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGI06oi6X68), this “almost gothic” (Urban Aspirines, https://urbanaspirines.blogspot.com/2022/11/) nugget of Birmingham prog gold is “[f]ar and away the best track on [Locomotive’s sole LP We Are Everything You See] . . . a stunningly powerful slice of doomy psych/progressive crossover with brass (!)” that “had the potential . . . to be a hit, [but] instead it flopped.” (Vernon Joynson, The Tapestry of Delights Revisited)

Biffbampow writes:

This has to be one of the most audacious follow up singles ever made. People who loved “Rudi’s In Love” must had been baffled when they heard this since it sounds like a completely different band altogether. Great record!

https://www.45cat.com/record/r5758

Brumbeat explains that:

[“Mr Armageddon”] was a Norman Haines original and a brilliant piece of work (note the spelling “Armageddan” and “Armageddon” were both used on the group’s records and publicity material*). [It] featured the prominent use of Norman’s Hammond organ along with a heavy horn-driven chorus but it was in a strong psychedelic/ progressive vein – much unlike the band’s previous soul/ska-based singles. The group announced their new “progressive” direction and the record drew acclaim from most reviewers but it sold poorly. Fans of the new progressive rock music considered Locomotive to be a “pop” act while those who enjoyed “Rudi’s In Love” were not interested in the band’s new image.

http://www.brumbeat.net/locomoti.htm

Brumbeat tells us about Locomotive:

[I]t was keyboardist/vocalist Norman Haines who defined the most famous line-up of Locomotive. They were unusual in not having a guitarist but instead used horns and hammond organ for their distinctive sound. . . . The first Locomotive line-up was put together in 1965 by jazz musician Jim Simpson . . . . 1966 saw various personnel changes and by the end of the year, only Jim Simpson remained of the original line-up. . . . In early 1967, talented keyboardist Norman Haines became part of the “new” Locomotive line-up . . . . Having worked at a record shop in . . . a part of Birmingham with a large West Indian population . . . Haines developed an interest for the “Blue Beat” and “Ska” music popular in that area. His songwriting talent and Hammond organ was soon put to good use when the band recorded their first single A-side titled “Broken Heart” . . . Although a brilliant composition coupled with Norman’s soulful vocal and catchy horns, the record undeservedly didn’t chart . . . . Simpson had left the Locomotive line-up by 1968 to concentrate on management and promotion. He would also go on to manage local bands . . . and eventually Black Sabbath. . . . [“Rudy’s in Love”, the] second Norman Haines composed ska-flavoured single . . . . reached Number 25 . . . . [W]ith a hit single in the charts, Locomotive . . . record[ed] an album. . . . [B]y January of 1969 the first new Locomotive single from the sessions was issued. ‘Mr. Armageddan’ . . . . Another Locomotive single titled ‘I’m Never Gonna Let You Go’ was issued in 1969. It was a cover of a “Question Mark and The Mysterians” song, but while it was more pop oriented, the record missed the charts. Although Locomotive’s album had been completed for some time, Parlophone continually delayed its release . . . . Haines left Locomotive before the end of the year . . . . On February 1st 1970, the Locomotive album . . . at last reached the record shops. It was a great mix of psychedelic/jazz based compositions with the recording and musicianship all done to a very high standard. Unfortunately, this album did not sell well . . . . [Band member] Tony Hall said of the Locomotive album; “No marketing. No promotion. Nothing. It was just dumped!”. . . Norman Haines formed a band called “Sacrifice” with whom he recorded another . . . album in 1970. They later became known as “The Norman Haines Band”.

http://www.brumbeat.net/locomoti.htm

* ZebedyZak writes that it “is an awesome song, despite looking as if Locomotive learned to spell at the same school as Slade.” (ZebedyZak, https://www.45cat.com/record/r5758) Ha, ha, ha.

Live on the BBC:

Here’s the acetate:

Here is a new version by the Norman Haines band (’71):

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