Games – Dance This Way [7''] (1982, Open Eye Records)

 

Games were a pioneering three-piece synth-pop outfit, formed in 1980 and consisting of Brendan Coyle (synthesisers, percussion, vocals), Colin Hughes (synthesisers, percussion, organ, vocals) and Steve Knott (synthesisers, guitar, vocals), from Wirral, UK. The same year, they self-released their first 7" single 'Childsplay' followed by a contribution of the two tracks "Unrest In The Real World" and "The Song" to the 'Street To Street Volume Two' LP compilation on Liverpool's Open Eye Records in 1981. Then the band fell apart with Steve moving on under the Games moniker including new band members. Their 7" single 'Dance This Way/Love Canal' still saw its release in 1981. Brendan and Colin moved on as Zephyr In The Swamp, Brendan also played in Some Detergents, and Colin in Sense Of Vision.

 
Games were truly ahead of their time and quite unique in that they played credible well-crafted pop songs in a purely electronic style. They did not ride the wave of synth-pop, they were the early creators. The stories of the band waiting outside Hessy’s famous music store in Liverpool waiting for their orders of the Roland SH-09 to be delivered, emphasised that they were the zealots of the synthesiser phenomenon which was to change pop music forever. Looking back their commitment enthusiasm and industry was truly remarkable. Ironically the songs were not dry and mechanical. The crude monophonic synths and very early Dr. Rhythm drum machine were used creatively to produce memorable, dramatic and emotional pop songs. Games truly were visionaries and pioneers. They never got the credit they deserved because they were not in the right place at the right time and lacked the contacts good management could have provided.

This single was recorded at Open Eye Studio, Liverpool in 1981 and released the same year. The tracks were recorded by Dave Hutchman and Steve Knott on a Studer A80 8-track machine. Wayne Hussey played guitar; Brian Rawling played drums; Dave Hutchman played trumpet on "Love Canal"; and Steve Knott played synthesisers, sang, and wrote the songs (published by BMG-Chrysalis). The tracks were produced and mixed by the band, and the single was mastered by Tim Young at CBS in London. The label graphic and typesetting were done by Alex Plain and the sleeve graphic was drawn by Steve Knott (based on dance notation). The Games logo is based on the Omni typeface. The track "Love Canal" is an edited version, the full version contains an extra verse (unreleased). [SOURCE: DISCOGS]

 

 

Label: Open Eye Records – OE 007 

Format: Vinyl, 7" 

Country: UK 

Released: 1982 

Style: New Wave, Synth-pop, Minimal, Minimal Wave, Minimal Synth

 

Tracklist: 

A Dance This Way 

B Love Canal 

 

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