My Peel Tapes: Part 19

Hello dear friends,

so here I am, back again with #19 of 'My Peel Tapes'. Enjoy.


(158) Ride - 'Taste' (mp3). From the band's 'Fall' - EP, released in 1990 on Creation Records. As mentioned previously, I used to have all of the three EP's ('Ride', 'Play' and 'Fall'), but gave them away quite some time ago. But the 'Fall' - EP is also incorporated into the CD version of Ride's first LP, 'Nowhere', and this where I took this little gem from. "Shoegazing", you might think ... and perhaps you're right ...

[upon request:
Ride - 'Here And Now']

(159) Galaxie 500 - 'Melt Away' (mp3). One year before the band split up in the spring of 1991, they released their 3rd album, 'This Is Our Music' on Rough Trade Records. It's full of good tunes and I think it's absolutely comparable to the brilliance of the other two albums, 'Today' (1988) and 'On Fire' (1989). Get hold of all three, people: they're outstanding and shouldn't miss in your collection!

[upon request:
Bleach - 'Decadence'
Happy Mondays - 'Kinky Afro']

(160) The High - 'Take Your Time' (mp3). Well, for those, who own 'Somewhere Soon' somewhere hidden in their collection: it might grow on you, if you give it a second chance! I just listened to the album for the first time in a few years, because I must admit I couldn't remember whether 'Take Your Time' was good enough to post it here. It surely is, and so is the rest of the album. Released on London Records in 1990.

[upon request:
Ride - 'Vapour Trail']

(161) Buffalo Tom - 'Birdbrain' (mp3). A 7" and also the opening track for the band's second album from 1990. I took the track from one of those very useful 'Indie Top 20' double albums on Beechwood Music though, who, at the time, brought together the best of 'those sort of bands'. The good thing with these compilations was that the people who compiled them gave a toss about whether the featured bands were fashionable in one form or another. As far as I can tell, their choices didn't relate to the Indie Charts at all, they just picked the bands they liked quite a lot. But back to Buffalo Tom: I know quite a few of their tunes, all of which are simply wonderful. And I think I will start searching for their full back catalogue rather soon. Or catch them live, because, believe it or not, they're still alive apparently. Here's their homepage.

[upon request:
Ride - 'Seagull']

(162) L7 - 'Shove' (mp3). From the L.A. all-female outfit's second album, 'Smell The Magic' (on Sub Pop Records 1990). At the time there were quite a few all-female bands, but L7 surely were one of the better ones.

The band gained a certain amount of notoriety for their performance at the 1992 Reading Festival, when Donita Sparks removed her used tampon off-stage and threw it into the crowd yelling "Eat my used tampon, fuckers!" in protest against the mud being thrown by the crowd. In the UK, the band are most famous for an appearance on the popular late-night entertainment programme The Word, in which Sparks pulled her pants down to reveal her vagina. During a live show in London in 2000, the band offered a one night stand with drummer Dee Plakas as a raffle prize; the winner claimed his prize of sex with her on the tour bus.


(163) Billy Bragg - 'Seven And Seven Is' (mp3). Well, what is there to say about Billy Bragg? Where should I start? I mean, if you don't know who he is and what he did over the years, then I can't help you, I'm afraid. Have a look at his highly informative homepage and then go out and buy EVERYTHING he ever released. Really, even if I tried I couldn't recommend any specific album of the great man, they're all equally brilliant. The song above, originally done by Arthur Lee's Love in 1966, for example is taken from the bonus CD that was issued with the first pressings of the 'Must I Paint You A Picture: The Essential Billy Bragg' - double CD - compilation (on Cooking Vinyl, 2003). Perhaps this set is something for Billy-Bragg-beginners, if such creatures exist ....

(164) The Frantic Elevators - 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' (mp3). Now this is T.H.E. prime example of how a band declines in their career after rather a good start. This is a really nice and uplifting tune, you surely will agree. From a 1981 Peel Session and although I don't know any of the other 4 songs recorded for it, I'm pretty sure they're similarily good. Would you believe me if I told you that on vocals we find this red-haired ninny who later became the frontman of (the bloody awful) Simply Red?! I mean, The Clash's first records for example were just perfect, and if you listen to their final release, 'Cut The Crap', you just think to yourself "Oh my God, that's fucking useless!". But if you compare this Frantic Elevator's tune to what Simply Red do nowadays (correction: to all of what Simply Red ever did!), the difference is even worse. Or bigger, whichever might be grammatically correct.

This one, as well as the next two tracks, is taken from a very fine compilation of Peel Session - tracks, a double album on Strange Fruit Records from 1990 called 'Manchester, So Much To Answer For: The Peel Sessions'.

(165) The Inspiral Carpets - 'Directing Traffic' (mp3). From their second session for the programme from 1989, link to their homepage here ... and on it I just saw that the classic 'Cool As Fuck' - T-Shirt is still available. I'm contemplating to spend a few quid .... even if only to honour them for this awesome song alone!

[upon request:
Dub Sex - 'Swerve' (Session Version)]

(166) A Guy Called Gerald - 'Rockin' Ricki' (mp3). From his first (out of three) sessions for the John Peel Show, recorded at The Hippodrome, Golders Green, London, back in 1988. His homepage doesn't seem to be working, so here's the Wikipedia entry.

(167) The Moonflowers - 'Get Higher' (mp3). Released as a 12" on Pop Good Records in 1990, and although I have it somewhere in my collection, again I put one of the aforementioned Indie-Top 20 - compilations on the record player ... just to show you how useful they are! I think it's a killer track, but then again I'm by no means an expert in 'dance music' and those of you who are might judge this as being boring crap compared to the 300 BPM hardcore tunes you normally listen to. But it's 18 years old today, kids, older than most of you are! So bugger off, okay?! The Moonflowers' homepage: here.

[upon request:
Dinosaur Jr - 'The Wagon'
Ride - 'Kaleidoscope'
Ride - 'Eight Miles High']

(168) The Dylans - 'Godlike' (mp3). The Dylans came out in the late 1980's riding the wave, like so many groups in the 1960's, of acid fueled dance halls, with the idea that "love is all you need," and of course a communal understanding, melding of ideas and values ... and like the 60's, not only the music, but the ideals almost worked again. The Dylans must have had some credibility, because they were picked up by non other then the Beggars Banquet Label, which says something. 'Godlike' was their debut, a 12" from 1991 on BB's Situation Two Records.

[upon request:
Sonic Youth - 'Tuff Gnarl'
Hole - 'Blackburn']

(169) Midwich Cuckoos - 'Show Me' (mp3). A fantastic track, and it's a shame that I know nothing else by this band apart from that. The name of course derives from the science-fiction novel that was filmed as 'The Village Of The Damned' ... that's 'Midwich Cuckoos', not 'Show Me', of course. 'Show Me' was the band's 1990 debut 12" (on Big Noise Records) and despite selling out of the first pressing within 6 weeks, interest from a number of distributors and an on-air appeal by the late great John Peel, the band along with their record company decided to delete the single, to make it a true collectors’ item, as a thank you to their original fans. Original signed copies of “Show Me” are still being sold on various websites for forty quid .... and - typically - my copy is unsigned ...

(170) James - 'Billy's Shirts' (mp3). A track from the classic 'Stutter' album from 1986 on Sire Records. For those of you reading Sexyloser in Portugal, James will be playing there in early September and from September, 14th on they'll be touring the USA. Go and see them if you have the chance to do so, folks, otherwise you'll really miss a treat! One of the best live bands I ever had the pleasure to see, honestly!

(171) The Ramones - 'Suzy Is A Headbanger' (mp3). From their second album from 1977 on Sire. All dead, all gone ... what a freakin' shame. I think The Ramones were the band I saw live most often ... and every time they were just marvellous!

I'll never forget when we went to the Berlin Bizarre open air festival back in 1991 together with a German Ska band who played there early in the morning, before the sausage booths opened, in fact. But either way, we were equiped with nice little all-area backstage passes, so we wandered around there a bit and after a while we decided to leave and go to the city of Berlin in order to have a few more decent beers. Only one of us, the mighty Fatman, decided to stay at the venue, he wanted to lay back and enjoy the sun, so he said .... and so he did. Perhaps I should add the The Fatman listened to nothing else but Elvis and 50's Rock 'n' Roll, I think he didn't have the slightest idea of the festival's line-up. Anyway, eventually we returned from Berlin and found The Fatman not being in the best mood. Apparently he finally fell asleep in the sun in the backstage area, thinking beautiful thoughts whilst laying there in the grass, when all of a sudden some - and I quote him here - 'unbelievably tall, dangerous punk with hairs down to his ass' stumbled over him. 'Did he beat you?', we asked, but The Fatman said that this hadn't been the case, in fact that guy excused himself very politely and even wanted to start a conversation, but The Fatman, partly because he couldn't understand his accent, but even more because he was tired and wanted to continue his nap, told the person to bugger off. Which he did, in fact.

Either way, the evening came up, we watched Iggy Pop play (stinking drunk and most probably full of drugs: I saw him making his way from his caravan to the back of the stage, his asian girlfriend had to give him a helping hand, otherwise he would have fallen over, believe it or not. But when he entered the stage, he acted as if he had been struck by lightning. Such a energetic and powerful performance!). At the end of his gig we moved to some VIP - tribune in order not to miss the (headlining) Ramones. 'Durango 95' started, and all of the stage was covered in this fake-fog or smoke or whatever you call it and when it slowly started to disappear and you could begin to see clearly again, The Fatman suddenly yelled at the top of his voice: 'Look, there's this bastard again who woke me up!!' ..... pointing with his finger right at the allmighty Joey Ramone!

Enough of boring stories accompanied by even more boring music, people *smile* ..... see you next time, okay? Leave comments, requests, fan mail ... whatever you like, really!

Shalom,

Dirk

"And I once had a shower with two American girls ...."

... is only one of a dozen immortal lines from one of the great albums of all time: 'It's Like Everything Else' by I, Ludicrous. My mate J.C. aka The Vinyl Villain (and I can only recommend to have a look at his fantastic site EVERY fucking day of your little worthless life) asked for something by I, Ludicrous some time ago and is now - quite rightly so - eager to hear more upon the evidence of what I chose for him. Well, I thought to myself, why not make the whole album available to you all instead just sending it per mail to J.C.? Please buy it, should you see a copy somewhere (it's long out of print, but perhaps you're lucky ...) and visit the band's site here. It's good throughout and highly informative, with lyrics, interviews and everything else you might possibly need.

The album was issued on Kaleidoscope Sounds back in 1987, catalogue number is KSLP 004.

1. 'Trevor Barker'
2. 'A Pop Fan's Dream'
3. 'My Baby's Got Jetlag'
4. 'Three English Football Grounds'
5. 'Preposterous Tales'
6. 'Fabulous'
7. 'Ludicrous'
8. 'Are You Turning Round And Telling Me?'


Also I gave to J.C. bits of another truly brilliant masterpiece, Jane Bond & The Undercovermen's 'Politically Correct' - LP. As far as I know this record dates 1982, although I'm pretty sure that this can't be right: I think it was not issued before 1984 or even 1985, on Dreamworld in the USA and on Normal Records here in Germany. Either way, it's an awesome album, way better than their (self-titled) debut from 1981. It is not easy to ascertain any information about Jane Bond & The Undercovermen on the internet, apparently they never got the attention they deserved. But judge yourself, here's 'Politically Correct' in it's entirety:

1. 'I Made Love To A Communist'

2. 'Kiss My Gun'

3. 'The Girl Who Knew Too Much'

4. 'Hot Rod Lincoln'

5. 'Politically Correct'

6. 'Modern World'

7. 'Confidential Story'

8. 'Teen Heaven'

9. 'Radio Moscow'

And as with I, Ludicrous: go out and buy a copy of this album, folks! It's still around somewhere in the record shops, filed directly behind Jane Birkin's "Je t'aime... moi non plus", I would like to think ....

Well, I hope not only J.C. was pleased with this, but the rest of you as well.

See you next time!

Peace,

Dirk

Majorca .....

Hello my beauties!


as mentioned in 'My Peel Tapes Pt. 18' below, I was off to Majorca for one week and only returned a few days ago. I'm gorgeous golden brown and if you could see me I'm sure you wanted to dance around me!


Anyway, when I sat there at the beach or at the pool, a glass of Sangria or Osborne in my hands, one song was constantly spinning round in my head (together with the Sangria/Osborne, in fact):


John Cooper Clarke - 'Majorca' (mp3)


From a (JCC-) compilation called 'Me And My Big Mouth' on Epic Records from 1981. More on the great man: here.


Enjoy!


Dirk

Now, this is for Matt from Worksop in the UK ...

... who aked for specific tracks out of Peel Sessions by Siouxsie, Pulp and The Housemartins quite some time ago. In his mail he didn't hesitate to point out that I might not have the requested tracks and of course he was absolutely right (I only wish I had them though ....). Again, all I can do is direct you the wonderful 'Perfumed Garden' blogspot, Matt: if anyone on earth can help you out with these rarities, it's Kris Waah, who - one of these days - is surely gonna kill me, because I keep going on telling people to get in touch with him, so that he can fulfill their requests *smile* ...

But Matt also - very kindly - said that any early Pulp would do as well. Well, I know that Pulp's first record ('It') is from 1983, but I don't have it. The earliest track I got, from 1985 in fact, is 'Little Girl (With Blue Eyes)' (mp3). I took it from an American compilation from 1987 called 'The Great Fire Of London', which features, beneath Pulp, these bands: 1000 Mexicans, Blue Aeroplanes, Close Lobsters, Colenso Parade, Gerard Langley & Ian Kearey, Parachute Men, Perfect Disaster, Rose Of Avalance and The Royal Assassins. Well worth tracking down and Matt, I hope you are pleased with my choice.

Dirk

My Peel Tapes - Part 18

Dear all,

lucky for me - unlucky for you - Mrs Loser finally managed to find an affordable hotel in Majorca, and that was where we spent the whole of last week, enjoying the sun and (probably too much of) the Sangria. All in all it was rather relaxing and if I have a look outside the window today where I see the German rain I only wish I were back at the beach .... but alas I'm not and use the time to work on the 18th episode of 'My Peel Tapes' for you instead ... so there you are:

(146) The Charlatans - 'The Only One I Know' (mp3). I used to play that to death when I was still DJ-ing and I bet the quality of the vinyl will prove this. A mighty record, released as a 12" in 1990 on Beggars Banquet/Situation Two. A nicely updated Charlatans website can be found here.

(147) The Charlottes - 'Love In The Emptiness' (mp3). The Charlottes came from Huntingdon and apart from that I can tell you very little about them, I'm afraid. The only record of theirs I owe is this 12" on Subway Records, released in 1990.

(148) Drag Racing Underground - 'Hellfire' (mp3). Drag Racing Underground were/are some side project out of Big Stick, if not Big Stick themselves. Issued as a 7", limited to 500 copies only (far too few, I would think) on Snakeskin Records in 1989, 'Hellfire' remained one of my favourites ever since ... and I can only hope you will enjoy it as much as I always did! It's a killer tune with daft lyrics and I recommend to listen closely .... especially when he goes on about his brother in-law .... simply unbelievable!

[upon request:

New Order - 'World In Motion']

(149) The Lemonheads - 'Different Drum' (mp3). From a 12" EP called 'Favourite Spanish Dishes' on Roughneck Records from the UK, released in 1990. A very nice version of the Linda Ronstadt favourite, I'm sure you'll agree. I always liked The Lemonheads a lot and also I liked what Dando did on his own and together with various other artists. He really is a great geezer!

[upon request:

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - 'Long Black Veil']

(150) Birdland - 'Sleep With Me' (mp3). From a limitited 7" on Lazy Records (1990), here's the acoustic version of the tune for you. A nice biography, which has all the necessary facts about Birdland, here. Have a look for their self-titled debut album, people: it was never really critically acclaimed, but I think it's rather an enjoyable record ... and I'm willing to have a small bet that can be found for small money in the bargain bin of your local record shop.

(151) Paris Angels - 'All On You (Perfume)' (mp3). One of my very few experiences with music that didn't come from white kids just strumming guitars, I first had with the Paris Angels. This tune is simply adorable and even nowadays, some 18 years later, I just love to listen to it. On Sheer Joy Records, a 12" from 1990. More on Paris Angels here.

(152) Dinosaur Jr. - 'The Lung' (mp3). A live version this time, recorded at the legendary Vera club in Groningen in the north of Holland (homepage) in 1987. All the really good bands played there and some of those gigs were captured on an album called 'Beauty In The Underworld' from 1990. Long out of print and a bit of a rarity these days. It features - amongst others - The Feelies, Dream Syndicate, Sonic Youth, Giant Sand and The Nomads. I've been there once, but only to meet up with John Peel. No band played there at this specific night alas. Do I really need to tell you more about Dinosaur Jr? I don't think so .... you're all adults, right?

(153) The Bridewell Taxis - 'Honesty' (mp3). The third single from the Bridewell Taxis, a band from Leeds, and rather a wonderful record it is to be sure. A 12" on Stolen Records from 1990. Some more information about the band can be found here.

(154) Snuff - 'Do Nothing' (mp3). Another track from the band's 'Flibbiddydibbiddydob' - album on Worker's Playtime Records from 1989. A nice version of The Specials' favourite, so have a listen to it, my beauties! I remember that when I first met John Peel (in 1986, I think it was), I didn't really know where to go to in the evening, so he checked the NME gig section and sent me off to a club in Stoke Newington to see Snuff play there that night. Quite a distance away from the city of London, but it was worth it, as memory serves ...

(155) Bocca Juniors - 'Raise' (mp3). Well, those of you who, back in 1990, were fashionable enough to join the Balearic Rave Scene in Ibiza and spent their nights on the local dancefloors there, will know this little gem. A total classic from Junior Boys Own Records, originally released as a 12". I'm not much into dance music, as you probably will be able to tell (perhaps because I spent my nights in the village pub in 1990, where no-one knew what was going on in Ibiza ... nor did anyone care, to be honest), but this song is truly fantastic, I think. Various mixes are available, I chose the one which can be found on the 4-LP-set 'JBO: A Perspective 1988 - 1998', titled 'Raise (63 Steps To Heaven'. Enjoy!

(156) Slow Bongo Floyd - 'Open Up Your Heart' (mp3). Almost a pure dance record but not quite, 'Open Up Your Heart' explodes like a proper house tune but settles into a whispery sorta psychedelic baggy-dance monster. A white-labelled promo 12" on F.R.O. Records from 1991. I think I haven't listened to that one for ages!

(157) Althea & Donna - 'Uptown Top Ranking' (mp3). I stole this from Wikipedia, I must admit, but it says it all, I think:

The young Jamaican singers Althea Forrest (17), and Donna Reid (18), caused a big surprise with their one-off reggae hit, "Uptown Top Ranking". It was produced by Joe Gibbs using a re-recording of the riddim of the 1967 Alton Ellis' song "I'm Still In Love", which had already been re-popularised in the 1970s by Marcia Aitken's cover "I'm Still In Love With You Boy" and the deejay track "Three Piece Suit" by Trinity. The single's UK release was on the Lightning record label.
"Uptown Top Ranking" reached number one in the UK singles charts in February 1978, after early championing by John Peel, but had only one week at the chart summit. Oddly the surprise was compounded by the act often being billed as "Althia & Donna", and the song sometimes entitled slightly differently, as "Up Town Top Ranking". The lyrics were written by the duo and Errol Thompson. Althea & Donna thus became the youngest female duo to reach the pinnacle of the UK chart.
They released the album of the same name in 1978, but never met with any more tangible success thereafter.

I have it on one of those wonderful and highly recommended compilations from Soul Jazz Records, called 'XXX % Dynamite', all of them are well worth checking out!

[upon request:

Charlatans - 'Then']

Enough for today, friends. I hope you enjoyed my choices and forgive me if they were a bit different compared to previous editions. But after all I follow the chronological order of my tapes and therefore just post what Peel played at the time, so blame it on him, if you dare to!

Any comments and/or requests are highly appreciated. As usual.

Take care,

Dirk

Another Special Request Edition ...

Dear friends,


some more request, so especially Steve Hitchcox and the mighty J.C. should read this carefully. Duncan, for you I'm sorry: I don't have anything by Paul Haig at all, so I can't help you alas ...


Okay, first Steve Hitchcox wrote in and wanted to hear the great Ted Chippington's 'She Loves You (And You Know That Can't Be Bad)' (mp3). A 12" on Vindaloo Records from 1986 and thanks, Steve, for giving me the opportunity to listen to that gem myself again after quite some years.


Also Steve was after 'Sacred Heart Hotel' by The Stars Of Heaven (mp3). From an LP on Rough Trade Records, also called 'Sacred Heart Hotel', released in 1986 as well.


Then Steve asked me if I have something by Mighty Mighty: not very much, Steve, but I hope these two will do for you: 'Law' (mp3) and 'Built Like A Car' (mp3). The first one is on the seminal 'C86' LP from the NME, the latter on one of these very useful 'Indie Top 20' - Double LP's, on #2 of the series in fact.


Also my good friend J.C. aka The Vinyl Villain finally managed to post some requests, I'm willing to have a small bet that up until now he was too busy with his own awesome blog to do it earlier. Have a look here and enjoy what J.C. has to say in The Vinyl Villain: it's well worth a visit every bloody day of the week, kids!!!


J.C., this is for you:


Serious Drinking - '1,2, XU' (segued into) 'Bobby More Was Innocent' (mp3). A nice reading of the old Wire - favourite, I'm sure you'll agree. J.C. says that he doesn't know all too much by Serious Drinking, so, in order to change this poor status right now, here's:


'Don't Shoot Me Down' (mp3)
'Baby, I'm Dying A Death' (mp3)
'Country Girl Became Drugs And Sex Punk' (mp3)


All of them I simply love and I hope you do too, J.C. .... you'll find them on an early Serious Drinking - compilation called 'Stranger Than Tannadice' on Worker's Playtime Records.


Next up the very fine Jane Bond & The Undercovermen. All the songs J.C. wanted to hear are from their second LP, 'Politically Correct' on Normal Records from Germany (albeit Jane Bond came from America) from 1982.


'Politically Correct' (mp3)
'The Girl Who Knew Too Much' (mp3)
'I Made Love To A Communist' (mp3)


Also, J.C., I highly recommend to sroll down to 'My Peel Tapes' Pt. 8 #49 and have a listen to 'Hot Rod Lincoln': it's the best thing they've done, I would say ...


Concerning Shonen Knife from Japan, J.C., alas I only have the live version of 'Choco Bars' (which you already know), so instead you'll get 'Devil House' (mp3) and the live version of The Shirelles' favourite 'Boys' (mp3): enjoy ... and find 'Devil House' on their 'Let's Knife' - LP and 'Boys' on the 'We Are Very Happy You Came' - Mini album. Both records were on Creation Records.


Without wanting to sound lippy: but what a rubbish 'Best Of' - compilation can possibly exclude 'Dance Critters' (mp3) and 'The German Girls' (mp3) by The Colorblind James Experience?! Two of their finest tracks, to be sure, and both can be found on their self-titled debut album, which was released on Fundamental/Earrig Records in 1987.


I, Ludicrous. Well, they're legends to me. Nothing less. Their 'Preposterous Tales' will remain one of my all-time favourites forever, and the one you requested, J.C., 'Three English Football Grounds' (mp3) is also very fine. If you ever see the LP the two tunes are on somewhere, get your hands on it, regardless the costs. It's called 'It's Like Everything Else', was issued on Kaleidsocope Sounds and dates 1987. Also on the album are these wonderful tunes:


'My Baby's Got Jet Lag' (mp3)
'A Pop Fan's Dream' (mp3).


Finally J.C. wanted to hear 'The Light Pours Out Of Me' (mp3) by Trotsky Icepick (and it's Trotsky Icepick, mate, not Totally Ice Pick ... as in The Stranglers' 'No More Heroes' [... "whatever happened to Leon Trotsky? He got an icepick. That made his ears burn ..."], you see.


I took it from a compilation called 'Duck & Cover' on SST Records from 1990. And on another compilation called '1 Pound 99' on Beggars Banquet Records (1985), you'll find another cover of the Magazine favourite, here's Peter Murphy out of Bauhaus and his reading of 'The Light Pours Out Of Me' (mp3).


I hope you were satisfied, Steve and J.C. Any comments - or, in fact, further requests - are of course appreciated.


Cheers,


Dirk

Richard's Request ...

Hola,

Richard Grant wanted to hear 'Grader Spader' by Bailterspace (mp3) from 1988, so here you are, Richard .... I took it from a very useful Flying Nun compilation called 'In Love With These Times', a long deleted item, I might like to think ...

Cheers,

Dirk

My Peel Tapes: Part 17

Hello ladies,

and yessssssssss ...... another edition of MPT ... with some enjoyable tunes for the whole family! Should you visit this site for the first time and wonder what all of this might possibly be all about, well, either scroll down or have a look here.

(132) The Edsel Auctioneer - 'Our New Skin' (mp3). The first single from 1989 from the Leeds outfit on Decoy Records. I still quite care for this tune, there certainly is something special about it, although I can't really identify what it is, nor can I describe it perfectly well. The 7" is of course long deleted, but if you're happy, you might still find a copy of their 'Voice of The Harolds' - Mini - LP (also on Decoy) from 1990, which brings together their first 7" and 12".

[upon request:
Ted Chippington - 'She Loves You'
Birdland - 'Wanted']

(133) Ride - 'Chelsea Girl' (mp3). In one form or another a classic track, I would think. Ride released no less than three EP's within 1990, 'Ride', 'Play' and 'Fall', all on Creation Records. I used to owe them all, but gave 'em away when I was short of money. [Note to myself: kick own ass minimum a dozen times after having finished this post.]. 'Chelsea Girl' was, I think, on the first release and set kind of standards for quite a few bands to come later. I know that those later would be described as 'shoegazing', but as mentioned previously, I hate to put bands into a scheme the music industry has created. They were awesome live, I liked their records at the time and that's about it, really. I don't give a fuck what style they seemed to belong to. Cool website here.

[upon request:
Sundays - 'I Won']

(134) The Would Be's - 'Great Expectations' (mp3). The second-best thing to come from Ireland since The Undertones .... at least this was true in 1990. And yes: I know that The Undertones were from Northern Ireland. Either way: this 7" - again on Decoy Records - made my year, I would think. The A-Side ('I'm Hardly Ever Wrong') was equally good, therefore, if there ever was a "Double A-Side" - single, this is it, that's for sure!

[upon request:
Galaxie 500 - 'Blue Thunder']

(135) The Creamers - 'Sunday Head' (mp3). From the 'Love, Honour And Obey' - LP, quite an early release from Sympathy For The Record Industry Records, SFTRI19 from 1989 in fact. On vocals the mighty Leesa Poole and - judging from the photo on the back of the sleeve, Leesa really looks like a winner! Whatever became of The Creamers though, I have no idea at all alas!

(136) Pale Saints - 'Time Thief' (mp3). A strange thing with this track: It seems not to have been released before 4AD issued the 'Comforts Of Madness' album in 1990. But I'm pretty sure that the tape I have it on dates 1989, which was the year in which I bought the fantastic 'Diamonds & Porcupines' - compilation on Beat All The Tambourines Records, which has 'She Rides The Wave' on it. And I'm sure 'Time Thief' came to my attention before 'She Rides The Wave'. Anyway, all of this was quite a long time ago and I can't remember everything in my age ... sorry for that. A neat track by any means and The Pale Saints (unofficial site of theirs: here) - together with Ride - quite set some standards for bands to come in that area.

(137) The Buzzcocks - 'Promises' (mp3). 'The Peel Sessions Album' was released in 1989 on Strange Fruit Records, the session this fabulous masterpiece is taken from was recorded on 10/4/78 though. A classic track with lyrics to make you think about, people! Nice Buzzcocks homepage: here.

(138) Stiff Little Fingers - 'Nobody's Hero' (mp3). Again an Oldie but Goodie from Clive Selwood's Strange Fruit Records: mind you, setting up this label, getting in touch with the BBC and releasing all these classic Peel sessions was the best idea mankind had at the end of the 80's: thanks, Clive! Recorded on 3/9/79, link to the (still touring after all these years!!) Stiff Little Fingers homepage: here.

(139) The Heart Throbs - 'I Wonder Why' (mp3). A single on One Little Indian Records (also home of The Sugarcubes), released in 1990. Again, I think Peel must have played this as a pre-release a year earlier. Again, a band which faded into nothingless sadly. Their 'Cleopatra Grip' album, also from 1990 is worth checking out though, so should you find it in a bargain bin somewhere, get hold of it for a few quid.

(140) Snuff - 'Can't Explain' (mp3). Okay, I'll just type that once and won't do it again in the course of this series: from an LP called 'Flibbiddydibbiddydob' (phew!) on Workers Playtime Records, 1989. It featured mainly cover songs and TV commercial jingles reworked by the band. The release was the subject of a disgreement with the British Phonographic Industry; Snuff maintained it was an EP - and as such should be eligible for the UK singles chart - but the BPI insisted on classifying it as an album because of the large number of tracks. 'Can't Explain' was originally done by The Who, of course.

[upon request:
Snuff - 'Rods And Mockers']

(141) The Farm - 'Stepping Stone' (mp3). The 'Ghost Dance Mix' thereof, a 12" on Pinnacle Records from 1990. I once spend an entire afternoon (from lunchtime well into the evening, to be precise) together with Peter Hooton, another one out of The Farm and John Peel in a cafe in Regent Street near the BBC Building where we drank quite a lot and had real good fun altogether. Alas Peel had to leave inbetween, because he had his programme to do, and I only wish I'd ever heard that particular one, because I don't think he managed to get himself 100% sober from the time he left to the time of broadcast! That was of course, I should add, before The Farm became rather popular. Also Hooton has the worst Liverpool accent you've ever heard, unbelievable!

[upon request:
Snuff - 'Shaken Black']

(142) Pavement - 'Box Elder' (mp3). A treasure!!!!!!!!! Now, if I ever in my life get around to do a 'The definetely fucking best songs in the history of recorded music' this would be on it for sure! This is a killer of a song, very short into the point, but nevertheless wonderful. Originally released as a 7" called "Slay Tracks (1933–1969)"on Treble Kicker in 1989, 1000 copies only, later, in 1993 in fact, re-released on an LP. More about the 7": here. Download this tune now, folks, it's good throughout!

(143) The Happy Mondays - 'Mad Cyril' (mp3). From the seminal 'Bummed' album on Factory, with which the band first made a cultural impact on a regional and national level. You see, back then, in 1988/1989, common folk didn't know much about acid house, this was something for the 'kids' in the cities. Well, we country boys knew it was there somewhere, but we couldn't really identify where exactly. But 'Bummed' brought it over to us, in a nice combination with psychedelic effects, those we still knew from the early 70's. Also, whenever you got hold of an issue of the NME or Face or whatever here in Germany, you could read an article describing in detail what an arsehole Shaun Ryder was: believe it or not, but this helped the Mondays quite a lot!

(144) Viv Stanshall & The Big Boys - '(There's No Room To) Rhumba In A Sports Car' (mp3). Well, there is so much to say about Viv Stanshall, I wouldn't know where to start. Have a look at Wikipedia here and from there on explore this genius further, if you want to.

The track can be found on 'The Last Temptation Of Elvis' (a 1990 UK NME mail-order only 26-track 2-LP vinyl set) featuring versions of songs from Elvis' movies, including Paul McCartney's version of It's Now Or Never plus three previously unissued takes of King Of The Whole Wide World by Elvis himself, superb colour gatefold picture sleeve by the way. Other contributors were The Pogues, JAMC, Fuzzbox, PWEI, Cramps etc. etc. ......

[upon request:
Would Be's - 'There Is, There Are, That's All'
Edsel Auctioneer - 'Bed, Table, Chair']

(145) The Siddeleys - 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)' (mp3). From another compilation, this time 'Alvin Lives In Leeds', released on Midnight Music in 1990. "The Poll Tax Sucks, Don't Pay It", it reads on the sleeve .. and I suppose you Britons know all about that. I don't, but then again I don't care a great deal (we have our own taxes here in Germany, and they ALL suck!). Some fine bands (amongst others Lush, Cud, Close Lobsters, 14 Iced Bears, Perfect Disaster) do covers of all-time favourites from the 70's. And they all do them pretty well, I would think!

[upon request:
Wedding Present - 'Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)'

Enough for today, my friends. Leave requests and let me know if you were satisfied with my choices, any comments are of course highly appreciated.

Cheerio,

Dirk

Another request ...

.... came in from an anonymous reader who had a closer look at the 'upon request' sections of the different postings. And so should you, dear friends, because this is what Anonymous wanted to hear, so this is what Anonymous gets:



John Cooper-Clarke - '36 Hours' (mp3) [from the (JCC-) compilation 'Me And My Big Mouth', Epic Records 1981. The track itself is from 1980]

Death By Milkfloat - 'The Man Whose Senses Failed' (mp3) [a 7" in the Constrictor Singles Club - Series, Constrictor Records, 1988]

The Smiths - 'What Difference Does It Make' (mp3) [from the - legendary - 12" on Rough Trade from 1984]

The Smiths - 'Shakespeare's Sister' (mp3) [a 7" from 1985 on Rough Trade]

The Smiths - 'I Want The One I Can't Have' (mp3) [from the 'Meat Is Murder' - LP on Rough Trade from 1985]

The Smiths - 'Rusholme Ruffians' (mp3) [dto.]

The Ramones - 'Daytime Dilemma (Dangers Of Love)' (mp3) [from the 'Too Tough To Die' - LP on Sire from 1984]

The Ramones - 'I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You' (mp3) [from the self-titled debut LP on Sire from 1976]

Electronic - 'Getting Away With It' (mp3) [a single from 1989, I took it from the fantastic 'Palatine' - 4-LP - compilation on Factory, FACT 400]



Also Anonymous wanted to hear more from Jilted John. The only thing I can play to you is the backside of the 1978 7": 'Going Steady' (mp3). [EMI 1978]



He asked for something by The Cramps as well, my choice for you is 'Tear It Up' (mp3), a live version thereof, probably one you won't hear all that often, which is always a good thing. [recorded at The Santa Monica Civic, CA - August 15, 1980. You'll find it on the 'Urgh!' - DoLP on A &M Records]



Well, Anonymous, I hope you're pleased with the above.



Take care,



Dirk

More Requests .....

Yes, my lovelies, even more requests came in recently:

Chris R. wanted to hear 'Then & Now' by Dub Sex, the Peel Session Version thereof. I'm sorry, Chris, but I don't have it, although I did some research and found out that the particular track indeed was included in one of the four Peel Sessions Dub Sex did: in fact they used it for the first one, recorded on 20.01.87, transmitted 04.02.87. Have a word with Kris Wah! out of the wonderful 'Perfumed Garden' - blog, I'm willing to have a small bet that he will be able to track it down for you.

In the meantime here are a few Dub Sex tracks I like a lot and I hope you do too, Chris:

- 'Voice Of Reason' (mp3) from their 'Push! - Mini-LP on Ugly Man Records from 1987.

- 'Swerve' (mp3). The Peel Session-Version thereof, available on the 'Manchester, So Much To Answer For' - DoLP. The session was recorded on 26.02.89.

Finally have a look here, Chris. This is a link to a rather recent edition of the fantastic 'Contrast Podcast', where I contributed 'Push!' by Dub Sex. Of course all the other tracks, all the other editions in fact, are worth checking out as well!

Then Craig Keany was keen (sorry, I couldn't resist *smile*) to hear a 7" on Red Records from October 1980. Craig, here you are mate:

The Lines - 'Nerve Pylon' (mp3).

Also Chris & Craig: thanks very much indeed for your nice and warm words upon my little blog: it really made me happy!

So, another two satisfied customers! Time for me now to have a look at the wonderful sites of J.C. aka The Vinyl Villain (here), FiL over at Pogo A Go-Go (here) and Mathew's Song, By Toad (here). And so should you, people!!!

Have fun,

Dirk

Some Requests .....

Dear friends,

some requests poured in eventually and, of course, I'm more than happy to please you, therefore, here come:

For Greer out of 'A Sweet Unrest':

The Only Ones - 'The Big Sleep' (live) (mp3)

For Anonymous:

The Busters & Laurel Aitken - 'Boogie With The Bartender' (mp3)

For Matt from the UK:

The Ramones - 'Pinhead' (mp3)
The Detroit Cobras - 'Last Nite' (mp3)
The Standells - 'Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White' (mp3)
Splodgenessabouts - 'Two Pints Of Lager' (mp3)
The Rezillos - 'Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight' (mp3)
The Damned - 'Jet Boy, Jet Girl' (mp3)
The Untouchables - 'City Gent' (mp)
The Beasts Of Bourbon - 'The Hate Inside' (mp3)
The Nomads - '16 Forever' (mp3)
Sportique - 'I Don't Believe A Word I Say' (mp3)
The Stitched Back-Foot Airmen - 'Wouldn't You Like To Know' (mp3)
The Stone Roses - 'Sally Cinamon' (mp3)

Venerate me utterly, folks .... and enjoy!

Kisses,

Dirk

My Peel Tapes: Part 16

Hi kids,

yet another edition of 'My Peel Tapes' and another fine one, I would like to think (although there's quite a lot of me bragging about included this time ... hope this doesn't turn you off). Here we go:

(120) Galaxie 500 - 'Another Day' (mp3). I may well have told this story before, but back in 1990 - when being in the army and therefore always out of money (back then they forced you to attend for one fucking year, but would pay you no more than ~ 300,- Deutschmarks, not Euros: can you believe that?!) - a mate of mine worked as some manager and/or concert promotor for one or two German Ska combos. I helped him out, doing backstage stuff and stagebuilding and one of the benefits of this relation was that I was often provided with free tickets for other gigs.

And one of those gigs was the WDR Rocknacht, where - amongst others - James played, together with Galaxie 500. It was quite a big venue, but not that crowded, therefore I used to leave the backstage area and stand in the middle of the audience watching a few of the bands playing from there. Suddenly a most beautiful young woman (I could say a goddess as well, male readers: have a look at the link further below and you'll see what I mean!) approached me (mind you: back in those days my belly was tending towards zero and I was as pretty as a picture altogether!!) and placed herself right beneath me and - as it happened very often back in those days (it still happens nowadays, to be absolutely frank to you) - I was too shy to speak to her. So we stood silently together and watched the entire show of whoever was playing then and we thought beautiful thoughts of what we could do together instead. Well, I did, to be precise, she, on the other hand, just watched the band, I think.

You can believe me that I was not little surprised when that women entered the stage right after the band finished and started (she was playing bass) together with her band)) one of the finest performances I've ever seen (although it was surpassed by what James did later in the night). So, Naomi Yang out of Galaxie 500, should you be reading this: I never stopped adoring you!

'Another Day' is on their fantastic 'On Fire' - LP, Rough Trade Records 1989. Not only is the music truly awesome, also the sleeve notes, done by Kramer, are essential:

THEN there was The Great Chicago Fire. I was there. The stories of how the fire began were wildly contradictory, but I was there. Some people say the fire was started by a stampede of cows. Some say it was just one cow. Some tried to blame it on someone they didn't like. One fella tried to blame it on his own brother, just because his brother had stolen away his girlfriend and married her. The wedding took place in Las Vegas. It was a modest affair of about 150 guests, non-denominational(which really pissed off the parents of the bride, but hell, you can't please everybody). During the ceremony some rotten little punks yelled "Fire!" "Fire!" and the whole place cleared out in no time. The maid of honor even broke her ankle in two places after being shoved down the altar by the always overly zealous justice of the peace. Well, the ankle was pretty bad and the maid of honor had to be shot, and exactly one week later the entire block burned to the ground. Even the bricks burned. But at least nobody tried to blame it on a cow. And the wedding went ahead as planned. And some people actually believe that Nero fiddled as Rome burned, and that he really did look like a badly aging Peter Lorre. On Sunday nights we'd all gather round to watch the Disney show, and I would always fall asleep from boredom. But I had a big ol' Siamese cat named Butch who'd always loved to play with my face as soon as my head hit the pillow. So I'd awake startled, sometimes crying, sometimes covered with blood and crying, staring into the idiot box. Sometimes I'd see Walt himself, sometimes Mickey or Goofy. But sometimes I'd see a thousand bright blue caribou racing a dust storm to the finish line, neck and neck all the way, like nature's own Indy 500! Flesh and blood against the elements! And I remember wondering to myself..."Why are they racing?" Then one fine day I understood why the race took place. It was because the hairs on those caribous necks were being tickled by the instinctual knowledge of a fire raging not too far away, and most certainly headed this way. Humans often get the same feeling ... like an oddly warm breeze malevolently fueled by the maddening flames behind it. Come ride the fiery breeze of Galaxy 500!- KRAMER, New York City 1989.

[upon request:

Prudes - 'Something Tells Me']

(121) The Senseless Things - 'Too Much Kissing' (mp3). A perfect little pop song and exactly the type of tune I like most: catchy, simple, neat guitars and a nice chorus. What else could you possibly ask for? And for those of you who have never heard of The Senseless Things, here's a little name-dropping which I stole from Wikipedia:

Keds went onto form Jolt then Trip Fontaine, The Lams and now Like A Bitch. He very briefly played with The Wildhearts. Ben went onto join 3 Colours Red and has since developed a career in public and media relations with diverse organisations including Help the Aged, the Eden Project and the Crown Prosecution Service. Morgan joined Vent with Miles Hunt from The Wonder Stuff then went on to play with The Streets. He is now part of Muse's live set-up. Cass went on to sing for Delakota and then Gorillaz. He also briefly played with Urge Overkill. Senseless Things reformed (minus Morgan, who was unfortunately touring in Japan with Muse) for one short four song performance on 4th March 2007 - over 12 years after the band last performed - as part of a gig to celebrate the life of former Mega City Four frontman Darren 'Wiz' Brown, who died in December 2006.

'Too Much Kissing' is on the band's debut mini album called 'Postcard C.V.', released on Way Cool Records in 1989.

[upon request:

Edsel Auctioneer - 'Strung'

Galaxie 500 - 'When Will You Come Home']

(122) Another Sunny Day - 'You Should All Be Murdered' (mp3). On the wonderful Sarah Record Label from Bristol, home to many great artists back in the early 90's. Their 7" singles were not terribly easy to get hold of at the time, but if you were lucky, you could pick up one of their stunning compilations. This track can be found on a rather early one of them, 'Temple Cloud', released in 1990. The 'You Should All Be Murdered' - 7" dates 1989 though ...

[upon request:

X-Ray Spex - 'Genetic Engineering'

Family Cat - 'Final Mistake'

House Of Love - 'I Don't Know Why I Love You'

Galaxie 500 - 'Snowstorm']

(123) Carcass - 'Ruptured In Purulence' (mp3). Well, still - after all these years - I haven't yet fully come to terms with the sheer explosion of 'those sort of bands' at the end of the decade, nearly 20 years ago. You wouldn't believe how much attention they got, as well Carcass as Extreme Noise Terror, Napalm Death or Morbid Angel: John Peel championed them all in an obsessive way and every programme was bound to be filled with (death) metal/grindcore tracks.

When the whole genre started, the numbers were incredibly short (Napalm Death's 'You Suffer' for example being 0.75 of a second long) and (especially at concerts) it was fun, 'cos when they issued tracks which started to near the one-minute mark, there would be booing and the band would be accused of turning into hippies. Home of them all was Nottingham's Earache Records and the tune above is from Carcass' second album 'Symphonies Of Sickness' from 1989. And yes, my copy is the one with the withdrawn sleeve, so let me know if you're interested in having it. The best thing is this song is, I always thought, the strange sound the singer makes at 0:40 minutes. As though he's some creature from hell ..... bloody spooky stuff!!

[upon request:

Carcass - 'Exhume To Consume']

(124) The Family Cat - 'From The City To The Sea' (mp3). From their debut Mini - LP on Bad Girl Records 'Tell 'Em We're Surfing', released in 1989. A perfect band to watch live, which I actually did (in a cool cellar venue in London, the name of which escaped me) one year later on their 'Place With A Name' - tour. Cool homepage here, with some nice downloads as well ...

[upon request:

Carcass - 'Swarming Vulgar Mass Of Infected Virulencies']

(125) Link Wray - 'Batman' (mp3). The definitive reading of the Neil Hefti classic, I would think. Originally released on Swan in 1966, I took it from a re-release on Norton Records (in their very fine 'Jukebox - Series'), a 7" released in 1995. Peel will surely have played the original Swan 7" at the time of me taping his show in 1989, I think. So start the nuclear power for the Batmobile an let it happen, kids!!

[upon request:

Hüsker Dü - 'Something I Learned Today']

(126) The Leyton Buzzards - 'Saturday Night Beneath The Plastic Palm Trees' (mp3). Their second single and quite contrary to what they did before. Mind you, this 7" was released in 1979, a time - so I might imagine - where quite a lot of die-hard punks were rather furious because of this record, which is, as you can tell, by no means punk-ish. It even entered the charts at No. 53 and a Top Of The Pops appearence followed. Either way, I've bragged about my dislike of labelling-bands-into-genres often enough and this record is a very good example why I'm right with my opinion: it's a pretty neat track, as easy as that. Which you will be able to confirm if you download it. On Chrysalis Records. Here's a little bit more on The Leyton Buzzards .... and also I hope FiL from Pogo A Go-Go will pleased to hear this (again).

[upon request:

James - 'Come Home'

Electronica - 'Getting Away With It']

(127) Grant Hart - 'She Can See The Angels Coming' (mp3). A chilling emotive end to an astonishingly great album. It's a vulnerable, touching, but subtle memorial to the horror of Hüsker Dü's closing months, when band manager Dave Savoy committed suicide just before the band's final fraught tour. Well, I don't know whether Grant Hart was responsible for the more melodic tunes Hüsker Dü did, but listening to this album makes me think that this might well have been the case. So if you liked Hüsker Dü's 'ballads' more than the hardcore stuff, this LP might well be tracking down: on SST Record from 1989.

[upon request:

Family Cat - 'Taken By Surprise'

Fatima Mansions - 'Valley Of The Dead Cars'

A Witness - 'I Love You, Mr Disposable Razors']

(128) The Undertones - 'Rock 'n' Roll' (mp3). From the 'Peel-Session' album (Strange Fruit Records, 1989), which is not terribly easy to track down, I might think, at least not in vinyl form. The perfect reading of the Gary Glitter favourite, done by - definetely (!) - the best band ever to come from Northern Ireland. 'Rock 'n' Roll' is from The Undertones' 3rd session for the John Peel Show, it was recorded on 21.01.1980. This is a mighty tune, folks! Enjoy it .....

[upon request:

Grant Hart - 'Now That You Know Me']

(129) The Sundays - 'Here's Where The Story Ends' (mp3). Now, this track will please Greer out of the very fine 'A Sweet Unrest' - blog. I never tire of listening to this album. I really don't think "Blind" or "Static and Silence" could quite match the quality of "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic". Harriet's voice is well, one of those "that voice" descriptions. She could make polka music interesting. This LP gets it right, chiming guitars, laid back bass, complimentary drums, and did I mention "that voice"? "Here's Where The Story Ends" is absolutely top notch. Probably the best Sundays song, and for that matter one of my favorite songs ever, all these years later. Then again "Can't Be Sure" is equally good ... "Reading, Writing & Arithmetic" was released on Geffen Records in 1990.

[upon request:

Only Ones - 'The Big Sleep']

(130) Fatima Mansions - 'Only Losers Take The Bus' (mp3). Well, whilst trying to find some more info upon this track in the internet, I learnt that apparently there are quite a few versions of this track available. I only know two of them, first the one from the 'Against Nature' - album from 1989, and the one above, which is taken from the 12", released on Kitchenware Records, also in 1989. It's called the 'Hail & Flames' - Mix and it's good throughout! Fatima Mansions were of course led by the brilliant Cathal Coughlan, formerly of Microdisney.

[upon request:

Miracle Legion - 'The Back Yard']

(131) The Orchids - 'Something For The Longing' (mp3). Another one on Sarah Records (Sarah 29 in fact) and another one that grows on you, I would like to think! To be listened to with headphones on, 'cos having those strange helicopter noises spin right in your brain is some kind of a treat indeed .... a very fine 7" from 1989. The Orchids came from Glasgow and apparently they are still releasing records: some 22 years after they first got together .... and I wonder if my mate J.C. aka The Vinyl Villain has ever had the chance to see them playing live in or around his area? Most impressive homepages to be found here (The Orchids) and here (The Vinyl Villain).

[upon request:

Sundays - 'You're Not The One I Know']

I hope you enjoyed bits and pieces of the above and would be more than pleased if anyone could be so kind and leave a comment in order to tell me if this was the case. Annoy me with requests as well, okay?

Cheerio,

Dirk