Never did get the chance to enthuse about this Box Set as the pub burned down before I managed to compose anything.
Brought to you be the compilers of the excellent Scared To Get Happy: A Story Of Indie-Pop ’80-’89 Set, this 4 CD set celebrates an often overlooked period of music, often unfairly referred to as “The Jam and some other bands. Oh, and Quadrophenia too”.
All the big names are here: Secret Affair, The Chords, Purple Hearts, Squire, Merton Parkas
The Jam do not appear (only in the guise of The Jolt performing the Weller song “See Saw” – and (perversely, possibly) that is a good thing. It gives lesser known bands a chance to shine. Bands which (in my opinion (which may not count for much!) that should’ve been massive like The Truth or The Prisoners (a retrospective statement, as I only discovered them 3 or so years ago) to worthy contenders, maybe not so vividly remembered names like The Combine, Untamed Youth, Beggar and The Vandells.
The mid-80s Mod Revival-Revival is also represented in the shape of The Moment, Makin’ Time and the Gents.
Makes you want to buy some dessert boots, Fred Perry shirts and a Lambretta.
and speaking of which, I have just discovered that The Lamabrettas ‘Beat Boys In The Jet Age’ has recently been re-released.
The Lambrettas – Cortina Mk II
James Taylor Quartet – Blow Up
How much more Hammond do you want?
Sounds straight outta the 60s – actually released 1987
Don’t know much about most of these bands, but I’d back your enthusiasm for the Sound of Young Medway – The Prisoners and The JTQ deserve more than they get. And if that drags by the nose the Billy Childish and all his works, you’ll be a happier chappie.
Secret Affair, The Chords, Purple Hearts, Squire, Merton Parkas, The Jolt.
Not exactly keepers are they? Kinda like Brian Epstein s stable without The Beatles. Just about OK, a couple of decent singles but that’s it.
I knew The Jolt back in Summer 77. They were a punk band then. Most of these bands probably were.
I fell for the Mod revival aged 11 in 1980 and pretty much kept the same Fred Perry/Clarks desert boot uniform ever since (two years grace ’88-’90 for baggy). Perfect for any occasion. A Fred and desert boot combo – with choice of sta-prest dog tooth trousers or a nice indigo pair of jeans will still be fashionable in another 35 years.