In The Trashcan
Records GEM098
"For me the 80s were not Madonna, Prince,
Metallica, or Roxette ..."
Featuring David Smith Paul Aitken, who used to play with punk outfit The Banned (see vol 31). Here they recorded the title theme for the BBC series "Captain Zep", the space detective, on his spaceship Zep One. Recorded in 1983 for BBC Records.
A single track from their "Revelations" album, released in 1982 on EG Records, and produced by the legendary Kraftwerk-producer Conny Plank, who died 5 years later. See vols 5, 6, 7, 9 and 80 for more info on this influential band.
New wave release right after "Do you believe in the westworld" and "The hop" in 1982, as fourth Burning Rome release. It was their own record label, releasing all Theatre Of Hate records, but also Kirk Brandon's next project, Spear Of Destiny.
Nigel Lewis (ex Meteors) was more into garage than psychobilly and also the better songwriter (sorry, Paul Fenech). He was also a member of Tall Boys. "The edge" is a combination of both garage rock and psychobilly, a mix The Stingrays perfected. A 1983 release on Big Beat.
Just like the phenomenal flipside this was produced by the legendary Deniz Tek. Together with Radio Birdman they were the nucleus of OZ garage and power pop. Still we had to wait until 1984 for a full album "Mesmerizer". This is so far away from "Horizontal action", the splendid punk tune from their previous outfit, The Psycho Surgeons.
1980 was the year of Angelic Upstarts. Single after single was released and hit the UK indie charts. The flipside "Shotgun solution" became a live favourite and crowd pleaser.
Not the NY punk band, but a girl band from the UK. Powerpop tune on this B-side. Don't flip over the 45 because it's the worst version ever of a Moody Blues song. A 1980 release on Double D Records.
Kitschy Chinese sounds with an Alan Vega attitude are the main ingredients of this B-side of their first 45. France would never be the same again. Released in 1982 on Clemence Melody (see also vol 69 and 7)
Lupus means wolf in Latin. Trashy noise rock band from Wisconsin and good friends with Big Black and Jesus Lizard, formed in 1984. Five years later they released this 45 on Touch And Go; also available on their album "Twelve point buck".
Fun-billy on Stiff Records. In 1983 it appeared on their first album "Ooh wallah wallah" and a year later also on this 45, as flip to "Banana banana". My fave Kurts single is "The land of ring dang do" from 1987.
1986 post-punk 45 on Crystal Records. The band was formed by Simon Pointon also active in Twelve 88 Cartel and Seatman Separator. As Simon Heartfield he released a lot of solo records as well.
Their debut longplayer was the fantastic eponymous album on Stop It Baby Records from 1988. In 1986 came the first single. This 1989 recording can be found on their 1990 cassette album on Ali Records. Here it is on a splitsingle with The Vindicators (see vol 95), given away with Abus Magazine in 1989.
Self-released postpunk 45 by The Batfish Boys, who remind me of bands like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Alien Sex Fiend and The March Violets. It's the B-side of "Swamp liquor".
Think of Louisiana bayou swamp blues the Australian way. For me this is their only interesting song after 1984. It's the B-side of "Come anytime" from 1989.
B-side of "Wake up" on Arista Records from 1983 and outtake from their debut album "Seduction" from 1982. Seminal UK post-punk group; their synth-pop-wave sound cleared the path for many bands. Their 1984 version of "2000 light years from home" was their best known recording, together with "Heaven is waiting". My personal faves were "Come inside" and "We're so happy".
It sounds like a P.I.L. song with Kirk Brandon's specific vocals. From their third 45, the first on Burning Rome, from 1981. See also vol 67.
