Lawrence & The Comfortable Society – Sleeper [7''] (1986, Not On Label)

 

'Sleeper' was the only known single by Lawrence & The Comfortable Society, a short-lived British independent band that left behind just this self-released 7-inch in 1986 before disappearing from the scene. Backed with "Headache" on the B-side, the record is a fine example of the DIY spirit that flourished across the UK during the mid-1980s, when countless groups pressed their own singles in small quantities and relied on local gigs, independent record shops and fanzines to get their music heard. As a result, original copies have become genuinely scarce and are now sought after by collectors of obscure British indie releases. 

The music sits comfortably alongside the jangly guitar pop and understated alternative rock that were beginning to emerge outside the mainstream. Rather than chasing polished production or chart ambitions, Lawrence & The Comfortable Society opted for a direct, unpretentious sound built around melodic guitars, thoughtful songwriting and an intimate vocal style. There's a homemade charm to the record that captures the atmosphere of independent British music before the explosion of the C86 scene and the wider indie-pop movement.

 

 

Label: Not On Label (Lawrence & The Comfortable Society Self-released) – LC-1 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: Indie Pop, Jangle Pop 

 

Tracklist: 

A Sleeper 

B Heartache 

 

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The Hollow Men – The Man Who Would Be King [LP] (1988, Dead Man's Curve)

 

The Hollow Men were a British indie band from Leeds, England. The group named itself after the poem by T. S. Eliot. The members were David Ashmoore on vocals, Choque on guitar, Howard Taylor on bass, Brian E Roberts on guitar and Jonny Cragg on drums. Between 1985 and 1994 The Hollow Men released four albums and several singles. 

 

Starting out as a two piece for the first single "Late Flowering Lust" (featuring session bassist John Dean) David Ashmoore (David Owen) and Choque (who was previously in Leeds band Salvation) were joined by permanent bassist Howard Taylor for debut album 'Tales of the Riverbank'. The trio recorded another album, 'The Man Who Would Be King', before drummer Jonny Cragg, who had guested on the album and guitarist Brian E. Roberts, a former bandmate of Taylor's when they were in The Passmore Sisters together, joined. 

 

They signed to Arista Records in 1988 and released their debut single, "White Train", which was a remixed version of the song that originally appeared on 'The Man Who Would Be King' album. In December 1989, the British music magazine, NME reported that The Hollow Men, along with others such as Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine and The Charlatans, were their pick as 'stars of tomorrow'. The only album the band recorded for Arista was 'Cresta' released in 1990. The band split up in 1991. The album 'Twisted', made up from unreleased, demo and live tracks was released in the US only on November Records in 1994. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

 

 

Label: Dead Man's Curve – DMC025 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1988 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop 

 

Tracklist: 

A1 The Drowning Man 

A2 Gold And Ivory 

A3 White Train 

A4 Whisper To Me 

B1 Banners And Flags 

B2 Autumn Avenue 

B3 Jasmin Land 

B4 Blow The Man Down 

B5 Juggling Joe 

 

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Holiday – Hello [12''] (1987, Nightshade Vinyl)

Before leading the cranky / sweet Magnapop through an ambitious release schedule in the '90 and '00, Linda Hopper partnered with Lynn Blakely in a Washington DC outfit dubbed Holiday. 'Hello', a lovely 1987 EP, blurs the lines between perky and melancholy in a way that recalls Let's Active debut. By the way, Hopper was in an earlier band called Oh-OK, based out of Athens which inlcuded not only Matthew Sweet but also Linda Stipe, who was the sister of Michael Stipe.

 

 

Label: Nightshade Vinyl – NS-8701 

Format: Vinyl, 12", EP 

Country: US 

Released: 1987 

Style: Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock 

 

Tracklist:

A1 John Buffalo 

A2 At The Movies 

B1 Change 

B2 Ingrid 

B3 Problem To Problem 

 

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Fat Tulips – Early Years EP [7''] (1992, Sunday Records)

 

Peterboro, England-based indie pop combo the Fat Tulips was formed in 1987 by guitarist/songwriter Mark D. and singer Sarah C., the latter exiting upon the release of the duo's debut flexi-disc "You Opened Up My Eyes." Undaunted, Mark D. assembled guitarist Sheggi Clarkson, singer Katie Keen, bassist Paulie and drummer Matt Johnson to form a new Fat Tulips lineup which debuted in 1989 with the single "Where's Clare Grogan Now?," issued on their own Heaven Records imprint. Keen left the group immediately after, with Clarkson assuming vocal duties; the 'Four Songs for Simon EP' followed later that year, and in 1990 the band resurfaced with the four-song 'Ferensway'. A series of EPs including 1991's covers collection 'The Tulip Explodes', 1992's 'Nostalgia' and 1993's acoustic 'Albie' preceded the release of the Fat Tulips' long-awaited first full-length album, 'Starfish', with the group promptly disbanding soon after. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

 

Label: Sunday Records – Sunday 011 

Format: Vinyl, 7", EP 

Country: US 

Released: 1992 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Twee Pop

 

Tracklist:

A Rainbow Sky 

B1 You Opened Up My Eyes 

B2 On Virgin Isles 

 

Notes:

Tracks were recorded at the Music Room, 29th June 1987 

 

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One Plus Two – Once In A Blue Moon [LP] (1986, Homestead Records)

In the early 80's Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was a hotbed of indie pop DIY. One Plus Two was a direct outgrowth of that spirit. They appeared on MTVs Cutting Edge and opened for most of the memorable bands of the era. Most recently included on the Captured Tracks compilation 'Strum and Thrum'. 'Once In A Blue Moon' is more than a decent college radio jangle pop along the lines of early R.E.M. and its progeny. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: Homestead Records – HMS050 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: US 

Released: 1986 

Style: Country Rock, Folk, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Indie Pop

 

Tracklist:

A1 Late Last Night 

A2 Everything's Alright 

A3 Darkness 

A4 Hey Little Girl 

A5 You Can't Run 

B1 Can't Go Back 

B2 Heaven Up There 

B3 Letters 

B4 Midnight Train 

B5 You'll Be Thinking 

 

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Take It – Armchairs / Trends And Relations / Twenty Lines [7''] (1980, Fresh Hold Releases)

 

Take It was an english post-punk and minimal wave band. Their members were Igor (keyboards, vocals, also in Blue Screaming and Collective Horizontal), Simon (guitar, vocals), Alan Tyler (vocals), Paul Platypus (guitar) and Dave Morgan (drums). Inspired by Vic Godard and his "swing jazz" period at Club Left, the band's career culminated in a successful performance at the world famous Ronnie Scott's in Frith Street, London. They released only two 7" singles, 'Man-Made World' (1979) and this 'Armchairs / Trends And Relations / Twenty Lines', both on the Fresh Hold Releases imprint.

 

 
 

Label: Fresh Hold Releases – FHR 1 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM 

Country: UK 

Released: 1980 

Style: New Wave, Post-Punk, Art Punk, Indie Pop

 

Tracklist:

A Twenty Lines 

B1 Armchairs 

B2 Trends And Relations 

 

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The Twins & Rig Veeda – A Banana Fish On The Moon [Cass] (1986, Bi-Joopiter)

 

Founded by Paul Rixon (The McTells) and Gillian Elam in 1983 in Hertford, UK, Bi-Joopiter existed originally as a cassette-only recording label, though later they embraced vinyl. Paul Rixon was also in the The Twins and Rig Veeda with Bi-Joopiter co-founder Gillian Elam. This cassette is a bag full of songs. Exploration through feedback and chime bells. Tunes to hum or play as loud as can be over the trees. A trip to the stars. [SOURCE: SO TOUGH! SO CUTE! AND TOO CUTE TO PUKE]

 

 

Label: Bi-Joopiter – bijoop 010 

Format: Cassette, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: Shoegaze, Slacker Rock, Twee Pop, C86, Indie Pop

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Baby Comfort 

A2 Everytime 

A3 Oh Yeah, Oh No! 

A4 Way Back Home 

A5 This Child 

A6 Sail The Frosty Seas 

A7 Shy Girl 

A8 Falling 

B1 Be There 

B2 Never Mention 

B3 Creep 

B4 Mickey Mouse 

B5 Sign Of Life 

B6 King Moins 

B7 Kansas 

B8 Life Of A Dog 

B9 Away 

 

Notes: 

Cassette came in a tiny cloth bag with screen printed title and illustration. Cassette-cover is hand colored

 

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The Boy Hairdressers – Golden Shower [12''] (1988, 53rd & 3rd)

 

The Boy Hairdressers were the indie band that Norman Blake formed after he left The Pretty Flowers, but before he joined BMX Bandits or formed Teenage Fanclub with fellow Boy Hairdressers member Raymond McGinley. Other members of The Boy Hairdressers included Jim Lambie (now a successful visual artist) and Paul Quinn (later the singer for Bourgie Bourgie). 'Golden Shower'. their only output, it's not very jangly or too overtly twee, though it definitely fits into those scenes by proximity. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC]

 

 

Label: 53rd & 3rd – AGARR 12T 

Format: Vinyl, 12", Single 

Country: UK 

Released: Jan 1988 

Style: Pop Rock, Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Indie Pop, Twee Pop

 

Tracklist: 

A Golden Shower 

B1 Tidalwave 

B2 The Assumption As An Elevator 

 

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The Groove Farm – Plug (The Story Of Pop So Far) [LP] (1989, Raving Pop Blast! Records)

Bristol-based indie popsters The Groove Farm emerged as part of the C-86 movement, serving up shambling guitar with ‘60s undertones. The band formed in 1986, comprised of singer / guitarist Andrew Jarrett, guitarist Jon Kent, bassist Rupert Taylor, and drummer Jez Butler. Founding their own label, Raving Pop Blast!, The Groove Farm released a handful of 7"s and 12" EPs as well as the full-length 'Plug (The Story of Pop So Far)' between 1987 and 1990. Also signed with the Subway Organisation label, the quartet released the 'Alvin Is King!' LP along with a variety of vinyl releases, but creative differences and financial strains led them back on the D.I.Y. track. Gaining fans like Clare Wadd (who would later co-found Sarah Records) and radio personality John Peel, The Groove Farm were covered extensively in the British fanzine press, with their song "Baby Blue Marine" issued as a flexi-disc for Kvatch. Following the breakup of the band, Jarrett formed Beatnik Filmstars -joined in the early years of the band by Kent and Butler- while Taylor went on to perform with Girlboy Girl. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

 

Label: Raving Pop Blast! Records – Rave 5 LP 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1989 

Style: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Noise Pop, Jangle Pop

 

Tracklist: 

A1 I'm Never Going To Fall In Love Again 

A2 I Don't Blame You 

A3 Please Don't Make Me Unhappy 

A4 World Would Die For You 

A5 Number One 

A6 It's Not That I Can't It's Just That I Don't Want To 

A7 No One Like You 

B1 It Might Not Mean That Much To You But It Means A Lot To Me 

B2 Corrupt 

B3 Drag Me Under 

B4 Discotheque 

B5 I Don't Like You (But I Can't Get Used To It) 

B6 Forever Is A Long Time 

B7 Plug 

 

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Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes / The Fizzbombs – Wild Rumpus [7''] (1987, Noakes)

 

Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes was an Edinburgh-based act that emerged in 1986. Initially viewed as an informal venture -its founding line-up was largely drawn from members of another group, Rote Kapelle- The Desperadoes nonetheless established themselves as the leading exponents of the city’s ‘shambling’ scene, alongside the more fêted Shop Assistants. Fran Schoppler (vocals) Andrew Tully (guitar/vocals), Angus McPake (bass) and Marquerita Vazquez Ponte (drums) provided the core of a unit that made its debut with the melodic ‘Splashing Along’, a single sympathetically produced by ex-Jesus And Mary Chain bass player Douglas Hart. 

 

The Fizzbombs were a short lived Edinburgh band who consisted of Katy McCullars on vocals, Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes' members Margarita Vasquez-Ponte (guitar / backing vocals) and Angus McPake (drums) and Ann Donald from the Shop Assistants on bass. The band existed between 1987 and 1989. 

 

Label: Noakes – shep 001 

Format: Flexi-disc, 7", Single Sided 

Country: UK 

Released: 1987 

Style: Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Indie Pop, Noise Pop

 

Tracklist:

A1 The Fizzbombs – You Worry Me 

A2 Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes – Hank Williams Is Dead 

 

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Sindy Arthur – What About [Cass] (1987, Bi-Joopiter)

Sindy Arthur were an UK indie pop formed by Mark Flunder (guitarist and drummer), member of groups Cee Bee Beaumont, Moscovite Five, Sportique, Television Personalities and The McTells, and Gina Hartman, member of Marine Girls and Moscovite Five. Their only release was the 'What About?' cassette in 1987 on the Bi-Joopiter label, founded by Paul Rixon and Gillian Elam in 1983 in Hertford, UK, originally as a cassette-only recording label. 

 

Label: Bi-Joopiter – bijoop 015 

Format: Cassette, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1987 

Style: Lo-Fi, Shoegaze, Indie Rock, Slacker Rock, Indie Pop, Twee Pop

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Waiting For A Raincoat 

A2 Girl On Reins 

A3 The Big Close Up 

A4 Real Shocks 

A5 Peggy Pocket 

A6 Roger Mayne 

A7 The Beat 

B1 What About 

B2 Rave On 

B3 Tetchy 

B4 Maybe Girl 

B5 Sketches 

B6 Suitcase 

B7 Hot Pavements 

B8 Where's The Coat? 

B9 About What 

 

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Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes ‎– Splashing Along [7''] (1986, Narodnik)

This Edinburgh-based act emerged in 1986. Initially viewed as an informal venture -its founding line-up was largely drawn from members of another group, Rote Kopelle- The Desperadoes nonetheless established themselves as the leading exponents of the city’s ‘shambling’ scene, alongside the more fêted Shop Assistants. Fran Schoppler (vocals) Andrew Tully (guitar/vocals), Angus McPake (bass) and Marquerita Vazquez Ponte (drums) provided the core of a unit that made its debut with the melodic ‘Splashing Along’, a single sympathetically produced by ex-Jesus And Mary Chain bass player Douglas Hart. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

 

Label: Narodnik ‎– NRK-001 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop

 

Tracklist:

A Splashing Along 

B Presence 

 

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The Dentists ‎– Naked [10''] (1991, Independent Project Records)

Although The Dentists were arguably the first Brit-pop band, they never were able to capitalize when the style they'd perfected over the course of a decade suddenly became the Next Big Thing around 1994. Their signature sound, a combination of Mick Murphy's veddy British voice and Bob Collins' hyperactively jangly guitar, has been duplicated many times over, but it's never quite been equaled. The Dentists formed in their native Chatham, a small town in rural Kent, in 1983; the original lineup comprised Murphy, Collins, bassist Mark Matthews, and drummer Ian Smith. Oddly, for a band that had been so productive in the early years of their career, The Dentists all but disappeared for over two years, landed exclusive tracks on a number of compilations and finally began an attempt to introduce themselves to the American market, which they had so far ignored. The 10" EP, 'Naked', compiled seven rarities from 1986 and 1987, most of them previously unreleased. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

 

Label: Independent Project Records ‎– IP 036 

Series: Archive Series – ARCHIVE FIVE 

Format: Vinyl, 10", EP, Limited Edition, Numbered 

Country: US 

Released: Jun 1991 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Lo-Fi, Slacker Rock

 

Tracklist:

A1 Ugly 

A2 We Thought We'd Got To Heaven 

A3 Crimson Skies Again 

A4 The Sun In The Sands 

B1 Streets & Houses 

B2 Reading The News 

B3 Naked 

 

Notes:

This 10" is a collection of songs recorded between 1984-1987. 6 of the 7 songs have never been released before in any format. All 7 songs are demos. This release is limited to 2,000 numbered copies! #0001-0500 pressed on colored vinyl, #0501-2000 pressed on black vinyl. 

A1, A3 and B2 recorded live on 25th January 1986 at Unit 37 Studios, Rochester 

A2, B1 and B3 recorded live in the studio on 14th November 1987 at Red Studios, Rochester 

A4 recorded on 4th July 1984 at Oakwood Studios, Canterbury 

 

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The Loft ‎– 1982-1985 Once Round The Fair [LP] (1989, Creation Records)

 

An excellent compilation that gathers this short-lived group's output. The Loft never quite got the attention they deserved as a guitar pop band. The fact that they were on Creation Records and later turned into The Weather Prophets seemed to often overshadow the band's music. The complete, stumbling, perfect imperfections of "Why Did the Rain" highlight the group's strong points, with distinct, melodic guitar leads over a jangling rhythm section. Tracks like this one helped set the stage for the direction of indie pop over the next 20 years. The warm production emphasizes a classic structure that draws from The Velvet Underground, Television, and The Byrds. A crisper production follows on the rest of the tracks, but this short collection never falters in song quality. "Skeleton Staircase" lightly drones and jangles as Pete Astor croons is his faltering, song-speak way. Andy Strickland's clean guitar work balances out the uneven moments. "Winter" is another fine track, with the vocals and guitar raised to the very front of the track as the muffled drums carry the back. It could easily be mistaken for something off of the Flying Nun roster. "Up the Hill and Down the Slope" is the group's swan song -endemic of their entire output- a seemingly tangled mess of guitars and crooked melodies, but structured to perfection. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC] 

 

 

Label: Creation Records ‎– CRELP 047 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation 

Country: UK 

Released: 1989 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop

 

Tracklist:

A1 Why Does The Rain 3:38 

A2 Skeleton Staircase 2:36 

A3 Lonely Street 3:04 

A4 Your Door Shines Like Gold 3:11 

A5 Time 2:52 

B1 Winter 3:05 

B2 Like 2:34 

B3 On A Tuesday 3:04 

B4 The Canal And The Big Red Town 2:54 

B5 Up The Hill And Down The Slope 4:16 

 

Notes:

Title from the spine. Front sleeve ommits the time-frame while the rear only reads "The Loft 1982 - 1985". 

Tracks A1, B1, B2 recorded in 1984. 

Tracks A4, A5, B5 recorded in 1985. 

Tracks A2, A3, B3, B4 recorded for a BBC Radio One session January 1985. 

 

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Jasmine Minks ‎– One Two Three Four Five Six Seven, All Good Preachers Go To Heaven [LP] (1984, Creation Records)

Most known for being one of the first bands on Alan McGee's Creation label, The Jasmine Minks were formed in early-'80s London. Initially a trio centered around singer Jim Shepard, the band went through numerous lineup shuffles throughout their lengthy, bumpy, and ultimately resilient history. The band's diverse musical interests, which ranged from the punk end of the Buzzcocks and Subway Sect to the more experimental likes of Cabaret Voltaire and DAF and to the more classic likes of Motown and Love, prevented them from being a simple pop band. Alan McGee signed the band on the strength of witnessing a lengthy rehearsal at the band's Waterloo hideout and picked the songs that would become the band's first single. With organ and production help from Joe Foster and Dave Musker from Television Personalities, the 'Think!' single was released in 1984. After another single, the '1234567 All Good Preachers Go to Heaven' EP was released, felt by many to be their finest moment. [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

 

Label: Creation Records ‎– CRE LP 003, Creation Records ‎– CRE LP 3 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Mini-Album

Country: UK 

Released: 1984 

Style: Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Indie Pop, Jangle Pop

 

Tracklist:

A1 The Thirty Second Set Up 

A2 What's Gone Wrong 

A3 Somers Town 

B1 Ghost Of A Young Man 

B2 Mr. Magic 

B3 Where The Traffic Goes 

 

Notes:

There are at least two different sleeve colour pressings of this. The yellow/black shown here, and a red/black one. 

 

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The Happy Family ‎– The Man On Your Street [CD] (1992, 4AD)

Hearing Nick Currie singing in a decidedly youthful and almost too precious for words fashion that makes his later work as Momus seem like Bon Scott is one thing, but is the album itself any good? Happily the one full-length work that The Happy Family gave the world, expanded on CD thanks to the inclusion of the 'Puritans' single, is a wry little treat. Its connections to Momus' solo work is almost exclusively through the vocals, and even those, as noted, don't quite sound the same -otherwise, the results from the band are rushed pre-Smiths post-punk indie pop, the type of thing that Girls at Our Best! fans are likely to love. There's plenty of hints of the Postcard-era material that inspired Currie as well (then again, what else could be expected with Weddell in the band) not to mention a bit of goth work here and there (check out the instrumental breaks on "Letter From Hall" or the tense start of the title track). The guest sax from Steve Kettley and violin from Kirsteen McCormick add a nicely off-sense of semi-sophistication to the whole affair, and as a whole 'The Man on Your Street' sounds pitched somewhere between the try-anything-once early-'80s U.K. pop scene and its understated indie milieu. Currie claimed to feel himself as the cross between Mark E. Smith and Kasper Hauser, but generally he comes across as the Bowie-worshipper he undoubtedly was, crossed with a jaunty smoothness that suggests what the musichall tradition would have sounded it if it were more French than Cockney. No matter, it's all good fun spiked with the sly bitterness later Momus records would bring to the fore, and some of the lyrics are still a hilarious scream: "I'm tying up my future with a fine organization/It's called the Red Brigades and they treat employees well." [SOURCE: ALLMUSIC]

Label: 4AD ‎– CAD 214 CD  

Format: CD, Album, Reissue 

Country: UK, Japan 

Released: 16 Nov 1992 

Style: New Wave, Art Rock, Post-Punk, Indie Pop, Art Punk

Tracklist:

1 The Salesman 3:19 

2 Letter From Hall 3:39 

3 The Luckiest Citizen 4:34 

4 Revenge! 4:27 

5 The Courier 3:31 

6 The Man On Your Street 4:46 

7 A Night Underground 4:57 

8 Two Of A Kind 4:15 

9 March In Turin 5:16 

10 Puritans 3:15 

11 Innermost Thoughts 3:18 

12 The Mistake 4:46 

 

Notes: 

Tracks 1 to 9: from 'The Man On Your Street' LP (CAD 214). Tracks 10 to 12: from 'Puritans' 7" (AD 204). Subtitled "Songs From The Career Of Dictator Hall". 

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Goblin Mix & The Exploding Budgies ‎– The Complete Goblin Mix & The Exploding Budgies [CD] (1991, Flying Nun)

The link between the two bands is guitarist David Mitchell (who went on to play in the truly wonderful 3D's and Ghost Club). Exploding Budgies were quite insane in a lot of ways (not that you'd pick up on that from these recordings). They split toward the end of 1984. David Mitchell then joined Goblin Mix, visually quite confusing. Whereas The Budgies had the standard 'back-to-the-dolequeue-on-Monday' look of many of their contemporaries, each member of Goblin Mix sported a distinctive image. Dave Mitchell had the dishevelled drunken slob look and a rather frightening afro, the other guitarist looked like he was about to drop his guitar mid song and head off night-clubbing with his trendy clothes and perfectly coiffed haircut. The bass player had a sort of Teddy Boy look, but with an outrageous mulleted hairstyle and biker jacket. He also constantly looked like he was about to burst into tears. The drummer was a Robert Smith type goth who looked sorta furtive and embarrassed to be there. Musically they ranged from Mitchell's Dinosaur Jr'ish thrashes like "Venus Flye Trap" and "The Travelling Grave", to the other guys folk rocky fare with rather flowery romantic Blakes'ian prose (lots of 'Thy's, Thee's, 'Thou's' etc...) and violins. He may have also been a bit of a Pogues fan 'cos he sounded a lot like Shane McGowan. The Budgies were a really good forgotten band from a time (1983-85) when Auckland had very few decent ones. They knock it up a notch. [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

 

Label: Flying Nun Records ‎– FNCD193 

Format: CD, Compilation 

Country: New Zealand 

Released: 1991 

Style: Indie Rock, Dunedin Sound, Indie Pop

Tracklist:

1 – The Exploding Budgies Thornfield 

2 – The Exploding Budgies Kenneth Anger 

3 – The Exploding Budgies Hank Marvin 

4 – The Exploding Budgies See You Around The Stones 

5 – The Exploding Budgies Sunflower 

6 – Goblin Mix Lament 

7 – Goblin Mix The Water 

8 – Goblin Mix Time Away 

9 – Goblin Mix Unusual Wish 

10 – Goblin Mix Travelling Grave 

11 – Goblin Mix Venus Fleye Trap 

12 – Goblin Mix The Winter Song 

13 – Goblin Mix The Drinking Mans Curse 

14 – Goblin Mix Coleridge / Up From The Sink I Spy 

15 – Goblin Mix Fruit Of The Womb 

Notes:

Sixteen tracks are listed on the rear tray card but only 15 tracks are on the disc. Track 14 is made up of two songs. The back of the CD booklet also lists a 17th title "Ely's On Smack" which doesn't appear on the disc. 

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The Chesterfields ‎– Crocodile Tears [LP] (1988, Household)

The Chesterfields were so archetypal first-wave indie: lazy but bold pink/pastel album cover; nasally and fairyish male vocalist; band made of mid 20 somethings whose fashion sense is entirely derived from The Smiths' 1985 photo shoots; snarky lyrics about lost love and depressive navel-grazing; guitar jangling so treble and frantic that it'll give you thunderclap headaches; random horns; a song titled "Besotted"...

Aesthetics and timeliness aside, however, the actual music here just kinda fun while it's playing, but none of the themes or hooks cling after repeated listens outside a couple standout tracks. Namely the first two tracks and "Besotted." "Alison Wait" is an immediate ear worm, and the latter is a mellower number with a solid chorus. "Lunchtime For The Wild Youth" is the obvious winner here though. It's got a fantastic melody, an anxiously energetic chord progression and some bonus slide action in its bridge, and one of the most memorable and defining lyrical quips from the entire C86 scene: "instead of peace and revolution we've got AIDs and Whitney Houston". [SOURCE: RATE YOUR MUSIC] 

Label: Household ‎– HOLD 4LP 

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album 

Country: UK 

Released: 1988 

Style: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, C86, Indie Pop

Tracklist:

A1 Lunchtime For The Wild Youth 

A2 Alison Wait 

A3 When It All Comes Down 

A4 Hopes For Lauren Or Joseph 

A5 Get Some Religion 

B1 Let It Go 

B2 Twintown 

B3 Goodbye Goodbye 

B4 Besotted 

B5 Blame 

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Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes ‎– Billy The Whizz [12''] (1986, Narodnik)

The original members of Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes were Andrew Tully (guitars / vocals), Eric Webster and Angus McPake (bass guitar), Fran Schoppler (vocals), Margarita Vasquez-Ponte (drums), Kevin McMahon (guitars), and Stuart Clarke (guitar). Tully, Webster and Vasquez-Ponte were also members of Rote Kapelle, a band that was active from 1985–1988.

This initial line-up recorded the first two singles, 'Splashing Along' and 'The Rain Fell Down' (described by one reviewer as a "pop gem that's not to be missed") on Narodnik Records. With the departure of McMahon and Clarke, Bruce Hopkins and John Robb were drafted in for third single, the 'Billy the Whizz' EP; these being replaced on a more permanent basis by Michael Kerr (of Meat Whiplash). [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA]

Label: Narodnik ‎– NRK 005(T) 

Format: Vinyl, 12", EP 

Country: UK 

Released: 1986 

Style: Indie Rock, Shoegaze, Jangle Pop, Indie Pop

Tracklist:

A1 Splashing Along 

A2 The Rain Fell Down 

B1 I'm Up Here 

B2 Leave You Behind 

B3 Up On The Big Wheel 

Notes:

Songs B2+3 from 8-track demos 

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Yeah Yeah Noh ‎– When I Am A Big Girl [12''] (1985, In Tape)

Yeah Yeah Noh are an "unpop" group formed in Leicester, England in 1983. Originally a product of the DIY post-punk era, they released two albums and five singles while still together in the 1980s, and have had two compilation albums issued since they split in 1986. Yeah Yeah Noh was formed by Derek Hammond (vocals, guitar) and John Grayland (guitar); Adrian Crossan (bass) joined them for the first single along with Graham Summers (drums). Sue Dorey (drums, vocals) was then recruited to complete the line up, debuting on the second single. Two of the band members, John Grayland and Sue Dorey (along with Damian S), published "Printhead", a free magazine focusing on independent music in Leicester and its environs. The magazine released 'Let's Cut a Rug', a compilation LP of songs from local independent bands. Signing to In-Tape records, the band debuted in June 1984 with the 'The Cottage Industry EP', featuring humorous and satirical lyrics and post-punk/jangle-pop music. After a further two ep's, the releases so far were collected on the album 'When I Am A Big Girl'. [SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA] 

Label: In Tape ‎– IT 016 

Format: Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, Mini-Album, Compilation 

Country: UK 

Released: 1985 

Style: Indie Rock, Indie Pop

Tracklist:

A1 Cottage Industry 

A2 Brown Shirt 

A3 1901 

A4 Starling Pillowcase And Why? 

B1 Prick Up Your Ears 

B2 Beware The Weakling Lines 

B3 Tommy Opposite 

B4 Bias Binding 

Notes:

Compilation with tracks of early "In Tape" releases 

A1, B3, B4 previously available on "Cottage Industry E.P." IT 008 

A3, A4, B2 previously available on" Weakling Lines E.P." IT 010 

A2, B1, B4 (performed by Terry and Gerry) previously available on " The Prick Up Your Ears E.P. " IT 012

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