#96

No, not the old Aussie soap !!

But just 4 away from the century ( got something planned for that by the way ).

Firstly it's the Batwing Chaps from Hanley, Stoke On Trent, another sticker laden recommendation from Simon Hummingbird at Phantom Records Store back in the day, extolling it's virtues as "GREAT melodic jangly power pop". To be quite honest back in the aforementioned "day" I wasn't that into this single ( but still bought it ) - I was more into it today, listening to it properly for maybe the first time.

One Thousand Violins I trust need no explanation - unlike Pop Mechanix, "they" on this occasion being the NZ band - later called NZ Pop in Australia ( to avoid confusion with the Sydney band of Popular Mechanics ) , this version of The Ritz being the first incarnation of the song, produced by early Enz man Mike Chunn.

After that it's a b-side to The Hoverchairs "Hide & Seek" single, the band as far as I remember being a bunch of Scunny lads ( er that's from Scunthorpe ).

Then N.O. from the Aussie 7 of Bizzare Love Triangle which was kind of a Double-A featuring 'State of The Nation" on the other side ( yeah I had to buy the UK version as well for "Bizzare Dub Triangle" ).

This is followed by a couple of Aussie things in the form of Mssrs Cummings & Armiger collaborating on a cover of the O'Jays classic and some Dugites from their 2nd album "West Of The World".

Then another flexi, a hell of song and all - one of the 3 awesome recorded songs by Edinburgh's Holidaymakers - who featured here way way way back on # 2 with the great "Cincinnati" - ( the usual technical issues with flexis herein occurring ). The flexi came with Woosh fanzine #1 and the actual zine itself is a beauty - check out the roll call of bands on the cover - juicy.

After that it's old fave Bart ( Cummings ) - in his off the race track guise - with his "Friends" in the shape of Girl Of The World from their "Travel Ep". Rounding off today's adventure with old mate Roddy.

Enjoy :)

Podcast 96 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #96
1. I Won't Change - Batwing Chaps ( Full Moon Recs 1984 )

2. If I Were A Bullet ( Then For Sure I'd Find A Way To Your Heart ) - One Thousand Violins ( Report Records 1987 )
3. The Ritz - Pop Mechanix ( Go For It/RCA NZ 1980 )
4. Two Pints & It Rains - The Hoverchairs ( Tempest Records 1989 )
5. Bizzare Love Triangle - New Order ( Factory Australasia 1986 )
6. Backstabbers - Stephen Cummings ( Regular Aust 1983 )
7. Waiting - The Dugites ( Deluxe Aust 1981 )
8. Everyday - The Holidaymakers ( Woosh 1988 )
9. Why Don't We ? - Girl Of The World ( Parasol 1992 )
10. All I Need Is Everything - Aztec Camera ( WEA 1984 )
( duration 35.27, vbr lame mp3 )

#95

A few more flexis showing up at the moment, with that undeniably "special" flexi quality...starting with a song from a Sha La La double featuring Remember Fun and Emily and then a Mayfields/Badgemen double ( btw I see some more Mayfields coming soon as well ).

After that some Aussie bubblegum escapades from The Flying Circus, and some mad hospital tales from Animals That Swim ( which I can totally relate to, especially the bit about blood on the sheets from the drip ! ).  The Positive Noise track is a b-side ( the a side is Charm ). More Oz from Paul Kelly and later the very short lived Sydney band The Kelpies ( on Phantom ). The Monkey Run were Mancurians, the Intense label I suspect was their own ( but don't quote me on that ), this single being the first release on the label ( of at least 4 ).

The others I believe need no introduction, so enjoy :)

Podcast 95 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #95
1. Hey Hey Hate - Remember Fun ( Sha La La 1987 )

2. All You Ever Say - The Mayfields ( Compact & Bijou 1988 )
3. Hayride - The Flying Circus ( Columbia 1969 )
4. Pink Carnations - Animals That Swim ( Elemental 1995 )
5. ...And Yet Again - Positive Noise ( Statik 1981 )
6. Before Too Long - Paul Kelly & The Messengers ( A&M 1987 )
7. I Want The Blood Of A Civil Servant - The Monkey Run ( Intense 1986 )
8. Blood From A Stone - The Heart Throbs ( Profumo 1989 )
9. Felicity - Orange Juice ( Postcard/Polydor 1982 )
10. Take Me Away - The Kelpies ( Phantom Aust 1982 )
( duration 28.20, vbr lame mp3 )

Flipsideroom re-upped

I have re-upped the "flipsides" of #1-17

here at The Flipside Room

back when I was doing it I only got up to 17, but will gradually take on the task of catching up with the other flipsides...which may take some time, but plenty to make your way through in the meantime with #1-17 ( obviously the numbers correspond with the numbers on this blog if that wasn't obvious )

cheers :)

#94 - catch up pt 3 ( more Boys and Girls )

The 3rd and last installment in our catch up series for today and as I mentioned in the last one, "Boys and Girls" is a recurring theme for some reason - from many different angles - though 2nd singles all round in this category from The Cure, Simple Minds and The Sports ( not to much to comment on there other than the Simple Minds track doesn't really stand the test of time versus their later work ).

And further to my earlier explanation of the word "Sheila" in the Australian lexicon, one other thing that comes to mind as needing possible explanation is the "Russell Street" mentioned in The Sports song refers to "police headquarters" ( in Melbourne at least ). Painters & Dockers "...you're going home in the back of a divvy van" another song which springs to mind bound to cause similar confusion outside these shores !

Off on a ( Human League ) tangent - here's some interesting reading on the production of "Don't You Want Me Baby", which outlines later runctions between the band and the late/great Martin Rushent - which I guess partially explains the "Chris Thomas remix" factor to Keep Feeling Fascination.

For now, scroll down for the other 2 parts and enjoy :)

Podcast 94 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #94
1. Boys Don't Cry - The Cure ( Stunn/7 Recs Aust 1979 )
2. Boys ! ( What Did The Detective Say ? ) - The Sports ( Mushroom Aust 1978 )
3. The Ancient Rebels - Alternative TV ( IRS 1981 )
4. ( Keep Feeling ) Fascination - Human League ( Virgin 1983 )
5. Room Full Of Diamonds - The Radiators ( 7 Recs Aust 1981 )
6. Senses Working Overtime - XTC ( Virgin 1982 )
7. Break Down & Cry - The Flaming Hands ( Big Time Aust 1984 )
8. Chelsea Girl - Simple Minds ( Zoom 1979 )
9. Marching Feet - MEO 245 ( Mushroom Aust 1981 )
10. Summer - The Motivaters ( Result Recs Aust 1980 )
( duration 34.05, vbr lame mp3 )

#93, catching up pt 2

Onto the 2nd of our 3 catch up posts for today...

Looking ahead to the this and the next one #94 for some reason it's a story of "boys and girls" as you will discover from the track titles.

I am including in that list "Sheila Take a Bow" - only because "Sheila" is slang in Australia for "girl" or "woman" ( chick in modern parlance ), which adds a humorous twist to The Smiths song.

After Moz we have Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons with one of the singles from the "Screaming Targets" album , ala Pete Solley's first forays with the band - and also the first leanings into the slightly ska'-iefied vibe they fully explored on Hats Off Step Lively. Not sure if it was Pete or Joe Camilleri choosing this direction ( perhaps Joe given his 'Joey Vincent' single on Mighty plus the fact he is credited with "producing" the b-side Dub version of Shape I'm in ). Not sure how all these reggae stylings went down with Big Micheal Gudinski...who knows ??

Then some Hillage era Simple Minds ( from a double 7 pack ), some Cabs - their 3rd 7, Mike Howlett era China Crisis and Hitsville UK from The Clash. Sandinista era in what must have been an amazing recording session, considering the apparent freedom they had and the ground they covered ).

Reggie Lucas then hooks up with Sean and the boys, with a bit of a Severed Heads Big Bigot/Propellerhead vibe - only with Sean Kelly singing on it ( even if there's something ever so slightly "drunk" sounding about Sean's vocal )...still I like the "Severed Head vs Models" concept.

After that we have The Slits - the record being in a fluttery/skipping condition sorry - actually it has always been "fluttery" as long as I've had it ( ie since 1980 ) and I always thought possibly it was down to some dub trickery from Dennis Bovell ( it might still be...who knows )

Then it's a real 70's classic - from the film "Man From Hong Kong", by Jigsaw or as they were known in Australia 'British Jigsaw' - in the same manner as 'British Beat' in this country - and always this song is dedicated to Henry Tatana.

Ending up today with a song that made me laugh - not for the obvious appeal of it's claims about Australian Girl(s) but for the production...Howard Gable at the helm in 1979 ( in essence one could never say the Mike Rudd & The Heaters single was "part of the New Wave" ). Howard had previously worked in the late 60's early 70's with Johnny Farnham, Zoot, Russell Morris, Alison Durban ( ultra early ) Sherbet among others.

One more to come today. enjoy this one

Podcast 93 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #93
1. Sheila Take A Bow - The Smiths ( Rough Trade 1987 )
2. Shape I'm In - Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons ( Mushroom Aust 1979 )
3. Sweat In Bullet - Simple Minds ( Virgin 1981 )
4. Silent Command - Cabaret Voltaire ( Rough Trade 1979 )
5. Wishful Thinking - China Crisis ( Virgin 1983 )
6. Hitsville UK - The Clash ( CBS 1980 )
7. Big On Love - Models ( Mushroom Aust 1984 )
8. Animal Space - The Slits ( Human 1980 )
9. Sky High - (British ) Jigsaw ( Private Stock Aust 1975 )
10. Australian Girl - Mike Rudd & The Heaters ( Mushroom Aust 1979 )
( duration 34.45, vbr lame mp3 )

#92 catch up time pt 1

Time to play catch up - here's the first of 3 mixes going up today, making up for lost time :)

Just a few minor points of trivia to point out from from this lot - The Reels 7" is from a radio only promo version of songs from the "5 Great Gift Ideas" ep - as is evidenced by the writing on the cardboard sleeve, showing a "cold end" and and "run up" time of 0.16 - for the old "announcer talk right up to the first lyric of the song" - ( one of the oldest tricks in the book ! ).

And clarification on which version of Electricity it is - given it's a very fine science keeping track of all the versions ( some of which have the same cat. number ), as far as I can remember from the time / figure out with hindsight, it's the 2nd release - ie the first on DinDisc ( the orginal Hannett as Martin Zero version ) - confused ?? Try this link...

For now though here we go

Podcast 92 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #92
1. Working Girl - The Members ( Albion 1981 )
2. It Ain't What You Dance It's The Way You Dance It - The Swingers ( Mushroom 1981 )
3. Electricity - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark ( DinDisc 1979 )
4. No-one Driving - John Foxx ( Metal Beat 1980 )
5. According To My Heart - The Reels ( Mercury Aust 1980 )
6. City Of Funk - The Sea Monsters ( Green Aust 1985 )
7. Are You Old Enough - Dragon ( Portait Aust 1978 )
8. Crushed By The Wheels Of Industry - Heaven 17 ( Virgin 1983 )
9. Funeral Stomp - Robert Lloyd ( Virgin 1990 )
10. A Beat For You - Pseudo Echo ( EMI Aust 1984 )
( duration 36.10, vbr lame mp3 )

#91 "take the suga, doomp the cruums"

A scary red eyed Frank Tovey gets us underway this time, with FG's 4th single, then a B-side track from The Monochrome Set - deftly bypassing the A-side "The Jet Set Junta" where it must be said that the A-side isn't one of their best, though it was late on in the piece and I feel things were really winding down for 'em by that stage anyway.

Then it's Hert's finest The McTells from their Truffaut 303 ep, then a Sydney band called The Lonely Hearts, the 3rd 7" release on Waterfront Records outa Sydney, followed by Barney & Johnny going through the motions and a bonus 7" from TV 21 that came with some versions of their single "Snakes & Ladders".

Speaking of someone not being at their finest I'd have to lump this 7" from The Gist in that category, lacking the same spark as "This Is Love" & 'Love At First Sight", both of which we've featured before.

The EBTG song being from the other side of a 3-tracker, "Night & Day" being the main track, then we have good old Coops, in league with Mr Hannett and the Invisible Girls, a cutdown/remix of a track from 'Snap Crackle & Bop" and ending up with Do Re Mi and the single of the 2nd version of "Man Overboard"

All there to enjoy :)

Podcast 91 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #91
1. Make Room - Fad Gadget ( Mute 1981 )
2. Love Goes Down The Drain - The Monochrome Set ( Cherry Red 1983 )
3. Jesse Man Rae - The McTells ( Frank 1988 )
4. Tonight - The Lonely Hearts ( Waterfront Aust 1983 )
5. Get The Message - Electronic ( Factory 1991 )
6. Ambition - TV 21 ( Powbeat 1980 )
7. Fool For A Valentine - The Gist ( Rough Trade 1983 )
8. On My Mind - Everything But The Girl ( Cherry Red 1982 )
9. It Man - John Cooper Clarke ( Epic 1980 )
10. Man Overboard - Do Re Mi ( Virgin 1986 )
( duration 33.25, vbr lame mp3 )

#90

Drifting away from the all Aussie vibe this week, though As Clear As Day were one of the great roster of bands on Rampant. After which we have the original Comsat Angels ( well before the later US/Howlett version ), the 3rd single from Jasmine Minks, Ye Olde Moz & Co, Ye Olde Weller & Co, a very Martin Hannett sounding Magazine, some Japan from a double pack 7 ( where I guess the "real" single is Cantonese Boy ), the UK release of Modern Girl, credited only to "James Freud", scandalously no credit given to the Radio Stars ( or Berlin as they had to change their name to in the UK ), and rounding it out with the 3rd Raw Herbs single and some latter day soft-as-marshmallows Housemartins.

Speaking of James Freud, here's a great account of his time spent in the UK with Gary Numan - it's all there, the caravan, the cups of tea, the farting...a very funny read.

Podcast 90 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #90
1. Some Excited Feeling - As Clear As Day ( Rampant Recs Aust 1985 )
2. Independence Day - Comsat Angels ( Polydor 1980 )
3. What's Happening - Jasmine Minks ( Creation 1985 )
4. Ask - The Smiths ( Rough Trade 1986 )
5. Money Go Round ( Pt 1 ) - The Style Council ( Polydor 1983 )
6. A Song From Under The Floorboards - Magazine ( Virgin 1980 )
7. Gentlemen Take Polaroids - Japan ( Virgin 1980 )
8. Modern Girl - James Freud ( Carrere 1982 )
9. She's A Nurse But She's Alright - The Raw Herbs ( Medium Cool 1987 )
10. Build - The Housemartins ( Go! Discs 1987 )
( duration 35 mins, vbr lame mp3 )

#89 - need some obscure early 80's Aussie tracks??

Then you're definitely in the right place !

Let me start by pointing out that single today by The The is NOT by the latter Matt Johnson UK outing, the band here today is the Sydney band, kicking around the inner city at the time, when young Matt was a mere slip of lad, a twinkle in the eye of his old Burning Blue Soul megaphone. "Living In Darlinghurst" a grinding rock tale of life in the dark reaches of urban life ( somehow managing to get a cheap dig in at French's in Darlinghurst among other things ).

We start with a track engineered by Clive Shakespeare ( he of ex-Sherbert fame ), by Trans 262, who if memory serves me correctly started life as ME 262, but with the advent of good ol' MEO 245 they changed their name, the reason given "to avoid confusion". So, um ...er...perhaps making a tacit statement that the punters of the time were perhaps too dumb to pick the difference...???...dunno...

Following hot on their heels is the highly produced ( yet strangely infectious - even 31 years later ) single by Dallimore - featuring Newcastle legend ( Newcastle, NSW that is, not the Alan Shearer territory ) John Dallimore, a former Zoot man.

The another legend - totes legend - Peter Dawkins - in the producer's chair for Sydney band Ves 8, one of their 2 singles ( yes the other one "Ritz Rock" is somewhere around the house ). By the way, speaking of Peter Dawkins, this website outlines Peter's book "The Ice Cream Boy", an autobiography and an accompanying CD "For Pete's Sake", a benefit CD, the proceeds of which aid Peter in costs for his ongoing treatment for Parkinson's, a more than worthy cause given Peter's great contribution to the Oz music scene.

A couple of songs today from the Result Records label, The Eighty-Eights and The Jukes, those bands one half of the entire stable of the label - The Motivators and Colin Stead being the other releases on this short lived Polygram Sydney imprint. I have all the other singles, which will show up one day eventually, which I hope is good news ( ?? !!?? ).

A couple of Sandgropers too ( um, that's people from Perth ), a totally indie effort from The Dugites from 1979 and The Stockings, featuring Bernie Lynch - later of Euroglider's fame ( in earlier Stockings days travelling under the moniker "Rip Torn" ).

Sydney band Tigers ( another oddly catchy thang ) and Brisbane's Mr Meaner are also part of it all today...

as they say in the classics - get it into ya - and enjoy :)

Podcast 89 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #89
1. Don't Hold Me Down - Trans 262 ( no label EMI Custom Aust 1981 )
2. We Are The Kids - Dallimore ( EMI Aust 1980 )
3. Radio Love - VES 8 ( Ch 7 Recs Aust 1980 )
4. Living In Darlinghurst - The The ( no label EMI Custom Aust 1980 )
5. She Fell In Love With James Bond - The Eighty-Eights ( Result Recs Aust 1981 )
6. Hit Single - The Dugites ( no label EMI Custom Aust 1979 )
7. Lets Get Started - Tigers ( EMI Aust 1981 )
8. She's A Devil - The Stockings ( Astor Aust 1980 )
9. Don't Put Me Away - The Jukes ( Result Recs Aust 1980 )
10. I Dig The TV - Mr Meaner ( Peanut Republic Recs Aust 1980 )
( duration 31 mins, vbr lame mp3 )

#88

Back again, starting with a US promo 7" of Iris by Split Enz ( from the album "Waiata" aka "Corroboree" depending how you know it ), then Sydney Band the Tablewaiters ( produced by Spencer Lee - as is the later Outline track ). After that it's Magazine's first single, the 2nd single by Au Pairs - in fact the b-side of 'Diet", "It's Obvious" being an early version of song that was on their later 'Playing With A Different Sex" album.

Then it's a Sydney band "Free Kicks" and their one and only single ( to my knowledge ), and I have to admit the "little grey cells" are failing me in the memory dept. on this band, all I can recall is they're from Sydney and I bought the record approximately 80-81. Feel free to let me know anything you may know/remember about the band !

After that it's Sandie and Moz's mates, Ignatius and his mates, the dudes from Heaven 17, Sydney band Outline's 3rd ( and final ) single, and a Side 2 track from a 4 song Ep by The Wonder Stuff.

as always, enjoy :)

Podcast 88 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #88
1. Iris - Split Enz ( A&M Promo 1981 )
2. Scattered Visions - The Tablewaiters ( Powderworks Aust 1984 )
3. Shot By Both Sides - Magazine ( Virgin 1978 )
4. It's Obvious - Au Pairs ( 021 records 1980 )
5. Industrial Prisoners - Free Kicks ( Know Records Aust 1980? or 81 ? )
6. Hand in Glove - Sandie Shaw ( Rough Trade 1984 )
7. Products Of Your Mind - Jimmy And The Boys ( Avenue Aust 1980 )
8. The Height Of The Fighting - Heaven 17 ( Virgin 1981 )
9. How Can I Get Out ? - Outline ( Powderworks Aust 1981 )
10. Have From The Grave - The Wonder Stuff ( Regular Aust 1988 )
( duration 35 mins, vbr lame mp3 )

#87 Vale Martin

Rushent that is, who sadly left us earlier this year, one of the two great "Martin" Producers of the 80's ( the other being Hannett ).

Bit of a shame then that my copy of Love Action is on particularly crappy Aussie vinyl - ie from a period when some of the record companies in Australia were using the thinnest cheapest vinyl they could source.

We start today with Spy v.Spy, and you might be interested to know they are sharing all their albums on their own website - here.

Other than that, it's our usual random collection today - randomness the only way that fate could possibly conceive The Seekers followed by Rockmelons...though in my head I've always had Ray Rockmelon down as a closet Seeker's fan ;}

as always, enjoy :)

Podcast 87 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #87
1. Injustice - Spy V. Spy ( Powderworks Aust 1985 )
2. The Sound Of God - Watusi Now ( Hot Aust 1984 )
3. Love Action - Human League ( Virgin 1981 )
4. This Is The Day - The The ( Some Bizzare 1983 )
5. Falling In and Out- Mi-Sex ( CBS Aust 1981 )
6. I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers ( W&G Aust 1964 )
7. Sweat It Out - Rockmelons ( Truetone Aust 1985 )
8. Look At Me Now - The Mysterons ( no label ( EMI Custom ) Aust 1982 )
9. Talk Talk- Talk Talk ( EMI 1982 )
10. I Didn't Mean To Be Mean - Mental As Anything ( Regular Aust 1982 )
( duration 34 mins, vbr lame mp3 )