A bumper fifteen songs were featured in the chart edition of this series a week or so ago. Time now to look at the 45s that weren’t commercial hits.
Let’s start with some noise
mp3 : bIG*fLAME – Sink
Named after a revolutionary socialist feminist grouping that had formed in 1970, this Manchester-based trio were incredibly different from most. Their debut EP was released in April 1984 on their own Laughing Gun label, after which they became part of Ron Johnson Records (you’ll note that I didn’t use the word signed as I don’t think that would have been part of the band’s manifesto). There would be just the four 7″ singles, one 10″ EP and one 12″ compilation issued between 1985 and 1987 before the end of biG*FlaME.
mp3: The Blue Nile – Stay
Cards on table. I’m not a fan of The Blue Nile, but I’m aware that a few readers/visitors to this little corner of t’internet are. There had been a single back in 1981 just after they had formed, but it was really their signing to an unusual record contract with Linn, a Scottish-based and emerging top-end manufacturer of hi-fi products, which got them on the map. This was the first ever 45 issued on Linn Records.
mp3: The Farmer’s Boys – Apparently
The subject of a guest co-ICA back in January 2016, courtesy of Strictly Rockers; the ICA was The Sound of Young Norwich and also featured The Higsons. As it turned out, The Farmer’s Boys would, later in 1984, enjoy a chart hit (and I’ll get there in due course) but April saw the release of Apparently, described in the ICA by SR as The highly polished sound of the major label FB’s with their own horn section and ‘real’ drummer. Reached a staggering #98 in the charts!
mp3: Husker Du – Eight Miles High
More cards on table. I’m not a fan of Husker Du, but I’m aware that a few readers/visitors to this little corner of t’internet are. Indeed, they were the subject of a much-commented guest ICA, composed by Swiss Adam of Bagging Area, back in August 2016. He included this one on his ICA with a very strong recommendation.
“….a cover of 60s group The Byrds, this is essential Husker Du. A searing acid-punk guitar tour de force, Bob (Mould) tears ferociously through the chords and vocals, Greg (Norton) and Grant (Hart) blasting their way through the rhythm. The breakdown section alone is worth the price of entry. This is the cover version against which all other covers must be judged.”
mp3: Bourgie Bourgie – Careless
As mentioned earlier in the series, debut single Breaking Point had been a minor hit, and hopes were high for the follow-up, along with what would be a subsequent debut album. Sadly, after just one session recording said debut album, lead singer Paul Quinn quit and the band subsequently split up. Quinn was soon working again, signed by Alan Horne (ex Postcard Records) to his newly formed Swamplands label, and recording alongside his old pal Edwyn Collins, whose band Orange Juice were in the process of breaking up.
mp3: Red Guitars – Good Technology
As recently featured here in Dirk‘s long-running and outstanding 111 singles series.
Happy listening.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 