Great mod-punk single that is not very well known, with amazing fast primitive mod songs. Three English piece band, like The Jam, but more garage sixties influences. Any info beatfortwo readers-listeners is welcome.
The Starlings - Plastic Cards [7" Ruffin Records 197?]
The Last first single echoing the exciting reverberated sounds of the classic real punk bands of the 60's: The Standells, Shadows of Knight, Electric Prunes, etc. Not particularly a 'big bucks' production (they did it themselves), sounding as if it could have come out of any garage in 1966 with its cheesy organ, slightly off-base guitars and crude vocals. A punkadelic classic with shaded of the Lollipop Shoppe, Love and the Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The Last - She Don't Know Why I'm Here [7" Bomp Records 1978]
Kiderian Records was out of Chicago. The label was launched somewhere in the mid 60s and released some authentic garage 45s. The Boyz were the Oak Park band on Kiderian Records, contemporaries/friends of Pezband. This band dates back to the mid 60s, with two releases on Destination and an earlier issue of this beatlesque Laughs On Me on I.R.C. Genuine pre-cursor to punk-power pop. They were supposedly born out of The Phaetons and from The Boyz went on to Grim Reaper, Fuse and eventually Cheap Trick. Pretty good disc. These guys had more tracks available on the label-sampler Goodbye Dolores – A Kiderian Records Sampler. The comp is none too spectacular, some nice enough 70s pop, but the two songs from the Boyz 45 are the only stand-outs.
The Boyz - Laughs On Me [7" Kiderian Records 1975]
Talented guy Marc Thor, first appeared is on Live At The Ratz compilation. Trak was his second and last record for Indy label. Stomper rock’n’roll. (Beatfor78)
Marc Thor - Trak [7" Indy Records 1979]
Friday, February 1, 2008
BEATFOR109 - February Singles Weekender I
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
BEATFOR107 - January Singles Weekender I
Digging up some records on holidays, so today we have an eclectic singles session.
A favourite vintage punk rock and roll radio stations intro, back in 1979. From California, The Beans released two singles for Lima Bean Records, the first one let it in, but this Surf’s Up is an stormy punk surf instro with spicy girls inviting to dance it on the beach.
The Beans - Surf's Up [7' Lima Bean Records 1979]
Go Feet label did not have the same level of fame as the 2 Tone Records, but was an important sister label to the 2 Tone genre. The Beat's first release was on 2 Tone Records, but when Madness struck a deal with Stiff Records, The Beat left to form their own label.
The three original members of the Mood Elevators (David Ditchfield, Noel Green, and Jenny Jones) met after literally being thrown together following a street fight. A group initially named Inside Out was soon formed from the three. Once ready to gig in early 1980, the band began to book spots at pubs around Birmingham. Impressed by the performance they witnessed, The Beat offered them an opportunity to record a single on the Go Feet label along with the supporting spot on a UK tour.
Only two 7-inch singles were released by the band. Their first, Annapurna, was a big hit on the indie scene.
The Mood Elevators - Annapurna [7' Go Feet 1981]
The Piranhas were formed in 1977, and were originally part of the Brighton punk scene, achieved their biggest success (classic one-hit wonder) with their cover version of the South African kwela song "Tom Hark", an instrumental hit in 1958 for Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes. With new lyrics written by the band's frontman "Boring" Bob Grover under the Stock-Aitkin-Waterman partnership, it was a Top 10 hit in 1980. It was the first song to feature on BBC Television's pop music programme, Top of the Pops.
Jilly was included in their first single, an infectious punky singalong.
The Piranhas - Jilly [7' Attix 1978]
The Rivvits were a West London-based punk band formed by vocalist and guitarist, Chris Burne. They played all the influential punk/new wave clubs and pubs in and around London, such as, The Marquee, The Roxy, The Vortex, alongside (then) fledgling punk bands such as, XTC, The Lurkers, Subway Sect, The Slits, Jilted John, The Buzzcocks, among others.
The band signed to Alien Records in 1977, run by their new manager, Nigel Lucas, jointly with Chris Burne and Martin Godfrey as artistic directors.
Alien Records continued to bring out singles into early 1980, using personnel formed from the Rivvits under various band names; The Beaks and, Nathaniel Halcrow & The Mastodons written by Burne, which is a classic organ/bass riff pop song with a very catchy chorus. It's about liberty versus the dangers of extremist politics, both right and left!
Nathaniel Halcrow & The Mastodons - Move To The Right [7' Alien 1979]
BEATFOR108 - January Singles Weekender II
Bill Kern was a passionate musician, and a gifted songwriter. He began writing songs at 13 years old, and continued writing throughout his entire life. His Beatles collection was legendary. He had the most complete collection of Apple records in the world.
He was a master songwriter, and this are one of his best songs from the New Wave era, you can imagine the sound.
Bill was one of the founders of Beat Bad Records, and along with Barry Knoedl, the driving force behind the Badbeats, a partnership formed for lasted 32 years, until Bill's death in 2005.
This record was released as a double 'A' side. In order to reinforce the idea that it was a double 'A' side, they put both songs on the 'A' side. The other side of the record is blank. Then people would still assume that the first song was the intended 'A', so they made two versions with each song leading off, using distinctly different mixes on each from the same takes. Each version comes with a different color picture sleeve. You're Not Coming Home is Red, Don't Listen To Them is Blue.
The Trend hailed in a barn in the Derbyshire hills, overlooking Manchester’s Airport. A pop band led by the charismatic Mark Revell from Stalybridge. Released their debut single Teenage Crush in 1979 on their own label Trendy Records.Then, they were picked up my "MCA" Records and went onto release three more singles before disappearing. Polly and Wendy was their second one in 1980. Rumour has it that this song was written about two sisters who went to their gigs.
Led by JP McLain, who compares vocally to a poppier Elvis Costello, The Gems were a slightly under-developed but good new-wave pop. Also features Barry Shank later of The Unclaimed and The Long Ryders. On the power pop label, their lonely single for Titan Records out of Kansas City.Saturday, December 1, 2007
BEATFOR106 - December Singles Weekender I
The Dangtrippers were one of the few Iowa bands to play power Byrdsy-pop for a global audience. Their only album Days Between Stations remains an underrated classic of the genre with consistently fine songs. The songwriting team of singers and guitarists Devin Hill and Doug Robertson penned gorgeous tunes of guitars weave in and around each other over a sturdy rhythm section. Fantastic.
The Dangtrippers - Masquerade / Lover's Again [7' Dog Gone Records 1989]
Craig Hallsworth formed The Bamboos in the West Australian township of Collie. He’s an aussie legend, formerly of Zuvuya, The Bamboos, Healers, Outstation, and as solo artist. The band’s brand of raw guitar trash and country-swamp rock caught the attention of Citadel Records boss John Needham. Wonderful dust and liquor coated vocals, reminds me of Gurus Dave Faulkner singing. This song makes them sound like the great rock & roll band they always were, like most Australian bands creating a distinctly kitschy and catchy sound.
The Bamboos - With Which To Love You [7' Citadel Records 1987]
The Boston-based Dambuilders were a college radio staple for the better part of a decade, thanks to their noisy, chaotic take on guitar pop, in which melodies were laced with feedback and that distinctive, moaning violin played by Joan Wasser. Formed in Honolulu, Hawaii in the late '80s by Dave Derby and Eric Masunga, the band relocated to Boston early in their career, where they solidified their lineup and quickly found a place in Boston's then-thriving alternative music scene. While The Dambuilders are generally considered an "indie" band, they have received some commercial airplay with their single "Shrine" from 1994's "Encendedor". Although the song has no viable chorus, they manage to create an appealing and memorable single using a distinctly melodic verse and an innovative instrumental section used as an intro, outro, and bridge. In this section, the bass guitar plays a melodic riff using two bass strings simultaneously, as opposed to the more conventional method in which the bass player plays one string at a time. Wasser is now performing under the name Joan As Police Woman.
The Dambuilders - Shrine [7' Spinart Records 1992]
From London, an ephemeral quartet pop-rock band, The Passengers, leaded by Robert Randall. Just one single has gone down in history of the unknown, lost and crushed bands. Classic pop song, lively choruses. Enjoy it.
The Passengers - Hell To Heaven [7' True Pass Records 1988].
BEATFOR107 - December Singles Weekender II
The first single from The Shake Shakes, Beatfor97 for the second one. Classic pop, recalling the heyday of the British Invasion with their exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies. One of the obscure great power pop singles of the 1970s.
The Shake Shakes - You Can Run [7' Notown Records 1979]
Guitarist Dean Chamberlain had been a founding member of the original Motels with Martha Davis. Moving to L.A. and leaving that band forming his own personal version of the great, American rock ’n’ roll band, with drummer Randall Marsh and bassist Gary Tibbs (Vibrators, Roxy Music) completing the Code Blue lineup. Despite three good musicians, some decent material and lofty artistic aspirations, the lack of any really killer tracks doomed their first LP to prompt oblivion. “Face To Face” was a touching memory of a high school girlfriend, without a doubt the best singalong.
What should be the disctinctive feature of a good song? This is a fine example : 1:54 minutes of catchy pop, punchy rock with copious hooks.Four lads from the Netherlands released two singles in the golden age of powerpop : “Tomorrow”, “Bad Boy”, and the album “Bad Boy”. Ronald Welgemoed (singer/songwriter) is now the country-folk outfit Rebel.
BEST LPS 2 0 0 7
2- The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns [Warner] http://www.theenemy.com/home.php
3- The View – Hats Off To The Buskers [1965 Records] http://www.theviewareonfire.com/
4- Wilco – Sky Blue Sky [Nonesuch] www.wilcoweb.com
5- Richmond Fontaine – Thirteen Cities [Décor] www.richmondfontaine.com
6- Loney, Dear – Loney Noir [Regal] www.loneydear.com
7- Midlake - Milkmaid Grand Army Ep [Bella Union] www.midlake.net
8- Grand Drive – Everyone [Loose] www.grand-drive.com
9- Softlightes - Say No to Being Cool Say Yes to Being Happy [Modular] www.thesoftlightes.com
10- The Rumble Strips – Girls And Weather [Island] http://www.myspace.com/rumblestripsuk
11- 1990s – Cookies [Rough Trade] http://www.myspace.com/1990sband
12- Hard-Fi – Once Upon A Time In The West [Atlantic] http://www.myspace.com/hardfi
13- The Shins – Wincing The Night Away [Sub Pop] http://www.myspace.com/theshins
14- Band Of Horses – Cease To Begin [Sub Pop] http://www.myspace.com/bandofhorses
15- Little Man Tate – About What You Know [V2] http://www.myspace.com/littlemantatemusic
16- Good Shoes – Think Before You Speak [Brille] http://www.myspace.com/goodshoes
17- The Basement - Illicit Hugs And Playground Thugs [Zealous] http://www.myspace.com/thebasementofficial
18- Edgar Jones – Getting’ A Little Help [Viper] http://www.myspace.com/edgarjonesandthejoneses
19- Shack – Time Machine [Sour Mash] http://www.myspace.com/shacktheband
20- The Right Ons – The Right Ons [2Fer Records] http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=109356602
BEST SINGLES 2 0 0 7
1- Correcto – Joni [Domino Records] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4bYeb6lsRI
2- Frightened Rabbit – Be Less Rude [Fat Cat Records] http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=234
3- The Long Weekend - Record [Mother Tongue] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xnYfVVpH7g
4- Alterckicks – Good Luck [B Unique] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-o6G9Do14w
5- Nine Black Alps – Bitter End [Island] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95gRVPmQ80o
6- Havana Guns – N.Y.C.S. [Cigarette Music] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0IayUIona0
7- The Enemy – It’s Not Ok [Warners] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o03awtSlbkY
8- Mumm-Ra – She’s Got You High [Columbia] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mZkYCbgxTo
9- The Thermals – A Pillar Of Salt [Sub Pop] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Iobo18U9w
10- The All New Adventures Of Us - St Crispin's Got Our Backs [The Mannequin Republic] http://www.myspace.com/tanaoumusic
11- Fanfarlo – Fire Escape [White Heat] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e6453HyewA
12- The Sweet Vandals – Too Much [Unique] http://www.myspace.com/thesweetvandals
13- The Fischers – Down The Days [Lost Music] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5k1kPK5C1U
14- Wake The President - Sorrows For Clothes [Electric Honey] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spQDwqXYfEE
15- It’s A Buffalo – Divorce Song [Akoustik Anarkhy] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchQYxlXmf8
16- The Nightjars – Cease To Exist [Reveal] http://www.myspace.com/thenightjars
17- The Troubadours – Gimme Love [Mod Art Sounds] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=436hj5gE-zQ
18- The Brightlights – Inspired By [Distiller] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3xTk-5UWbY
19- Bedroom Eyes – Valentine Vacancy Ep [Clodberry Records] http://www.myspace.com/bedroomeyesosd
20- Stalkers - Let's Get It Together [Heron] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRSc0jPsuGg&feature=related
21- Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse – Valerie [All Do/Sony] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI_xYIxUTE0
22- Polytechnic - Cold Hearted Business [Shatter Proof] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXKQOYHYJs
23- Shout Out Louds – Tonight I Have To Leave It [Merge] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MVlPV7AF7k
24- Andy Lewis & Paul Weller – Are You Trying To Be Lonely? [Acid Jazz] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DopJRqfJg8
25- Pete & The Pirates – Knots [Stolen] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfgmPqsJQj4
26- Herman Düne – I Wish That I Could See You Sonn [Source] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGAmnjZYxdU
27- Tuomo – Don’t Take It Too Hard [Jupiter] http://www.myspace.com/organkane
28- Buen Chico – Choosing My Religion [Faith & Hope] http://www.myspace.com/buenchico
29- The Shallow Call – Frank Bruno [Cherry Bomb Disco] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcq46xcRnxQ
30- Butcher The Bar – Get Away [Morr Music Germany] http://www.myspace.com/butcherthebarband
31- Scouting For Girls – Elvis Aint Dead [Epic] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFzREgP3RiU
32- Goodbooks – Passchendaele [Columbia] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SsIOWEWOfY
33- College Fall – Gravity [Ride] http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=17464492
34- The Lionheart Brothers – Hero Anthem [Racing Junior] http://www.myspace.com/lionheartbrothers
35- My Psychoanalyst – We Disagree [Hungry Kid] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPk9WmxQcVA
36- Jersey Budd – Bright Soul [This Feeling] http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=99824484
37- Grandmagneto – Night Fever/Tainted Love [Big Single] http://www.myspace.com/grandmagneto
38- The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters ep [Fat Cat] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFCanLfBuMY
39- Scouting For Girls – It’s Not About You [Epic] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Tn4FE1i0U
40- The Bees – Listening Man [Virgin] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opm-qsGxzNY