The Merton Parkas were a mod revival band, formed in the Merton area of South London in the mid 1970s, by Danny Talbot ( vocals and guitar ), his brother, Mick Talbot ( keyboards ), Neil Hurrell ( bass ) and Simon Smith ( drums ).

The Merton Parkas released a few moderately successful singles, such as: " You Need Wheels ", " Plastic Smile ", " Give it to Me Now " and " Put Me in the Picture ".

The Merton Parkas ' most notable track was " You Need Wheels ", which reached # 40 in the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1979.

Archer eventually formed The Blue Ox Babes, while Blythe, Spooner, Williams, Stoker and Mick Talbot ( ex-The Merton Parkas, who had recently joined on keyboards ) left to form The Bureau.

# REDIRECT The Merton Parkas

Talbot played with the late 1970s mod revivalists The Merton Parkas, Dexys Midnight Runners and The Bureau and can be seen in the latter's music video for their song " Only For Sheep ".

Other bands grew up to feed the desire for mod music, often combining the music of 1960s mod groups with elements of punk music, including The Lambrettas, The Merton Parkas, Squire, and Purple Hearts.