#99 gonna call the papers....

"Or push the whole thing in your faaaace..." - one of the two :)

Kicking off today with an awesome flexi on Playroom Discs ( The Grooveyard & Ever ), both tracks great ;  on the back of the flexi there is the promise of an upcoming ep on the Playroom Discs label from Ever ( not sure if that in fact eventuated - help ? anyone ? know ), based on "Sleepyhead" I'd definitely love to hear more songs from Ever. Usual apologies for the flexi quality.

There's something kind of honestly sad about the cover of the Models single, a bleary eyed James Freud poised over a scotch glass - I suspect partly method acting based on the videoclip and the lyrics of the song, but also some kind of realism given JF's self confessed torrid relationship with alcohol When I saw the cover today I really felt for the man !! On a less serious note - great song, even if I'm well on record as preferring earlier Models.

After Barbados Gregory Webster does his best to try and sing so wildly that needle shifts out of the groove at the end...nearly mate, nearly !!

A brilliant ep from Bouquet follows - "The Pink Blossom in Outer Space Ep", a brilliant 4 tracker, today it's the Waaaaaaaaah! fanzine release, and yes I'm mad enough to have the "official" release as well - which means it will appear again here at some point ( ie I will have the pleasure of choosing another of the tracks ),

A sort of "mini supergroup " in the guise of Care , ie Ian Broudie & Paul Simpson - elements of their various other bands & collaboarations - Wild Swans/Lightning Seeds/Teardrop Explodes/ etc.

The Personnel were a Sydney band, the track today "working Day Song" is in fact the b-side of 'Never Be Your Man". I believe I did also warn you back on #95 that we had more Mayfields coming - well here's the 2nd installment of that promise ( following their appearance on #98) , "A World of Your Own" I guess for want of a better term the a-side here, but both sides equally great.

Not much else to report, other than  another "Julie" track at number 9 - another weird co-incidence....but still it's not "Operation Julie" again ( and I repeat, thank goodness...) and also another b-side from The Parachute Men ( other side to Leeds Station ), on ye olde Fire Records ( and yes Firestation Towers...)

Oh..yeah I've provided the PDF tracklist again, updating it to include all pods up to #99.

See you soon for the "century"...enjoy :)

Podcast 99 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #99

1. Sleepyhead - Ever ( Playroom Discs Flexi 1988 )

2. Destroy The Heart - The House Of Love ( Creation 1988 )

3. Barbados - Models ( Mushroom Aust 1985 )

4. Big Pink Cake - Razorcuts ( Subway 1986 )

5. Dream All The Way - Bouquet ( Bring On Bull 1993 )

6. Flaming Sword - Care ( Arista 1983 )

7. Working Day Song - The Personnel ( Method Recs Aust 1980 )

8. Call My Name - The Mayfields ( Ambition 1989 )

9. Julie Christie - The Driscolls ( Restless Records 1988 )

10. Maybe If I'd Said - The Parachute Men ( Fire Records 1989 )

( duration 32.15,  lame/320 mp3 )

Tracklist as PDF,  all podcasts #1- ( current ) #99

#98 ... it's alright now...

Absolute clear as day memory as though it's happening now...1990, being in The Chinese Laundry at 5am one morning listening to ( and watching ) Sugar Ray play "It's Alright" by The Beloved as the last song in his set and giving him a smile and a nod of appreciation, him giving me a knowing wink back...

It's back to the 7's again today, also providing a PDF of tracklists of this blog, up to date with this one, designed to download and view as a pdf on your pod/pad/mobile/listening device...will update list with new pdf each post from now on. A big thanks to "Andrew of Hunter's Hill" who entered most of the data in a spreadsheet for me one weekend, making this new pdf possible.

Tracks are mostly kinda self explanatory, 'cept The Reels is actually a b-side, we had the a-side Prefab Hearts back on #79, "Spot The Ridge" being the b-side of the UK release of this song ( different b-side in Australia ).

The Strawberry Story Story is the "AA" side to "All For You", also it's kinda raw ( almost a demo ) compared to their later stuff. Thinking Of Julie no relation to "Operation Julie" by Drug Squad ( thank goodness )

Enjoy :)

Podcast 98 link for mp3

Tracklist as PDF,  all podcasts #1- ( current ) #99

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #98
1. Sister Europe - The Psychedelic Furs ( CBS UK 1980 )

2. My Biggest Thrill - The Mighty Lemon Drops ( Blue Guitar/Chrysalis UK 1986 )
3. Deeper Than The Ocean - The Mayfields ( Bus Stop Label 1989 )
4. Euthenics - Modern Eon ( DinDisc 1981 )
5. World At My Shoes - The Great Outdoors ( Uptight Records 1985 )
6. The Murderess - Huxton Creepers ( Big Time Aust 1985 )
7. Spot The Ridge - The Reels ( Back Door UK 1979 )
8. It's Alright Now - The Beloved ( EW 1990 )
9. Thinking Of Julie - Strawberry Story ( Daisy Chain Recs 1988 )
10. This Is Real - Sunnyboys ( Mushroom Aust 1982 )

( duration 33.36, vbr lame mp3 )

#97, more Rescued 12's

See #83 for an explanation of the "Rescued 12's", a sub-series going on here that I get lots of emails about continuing.

The 7's are nowhere near finished by the way, more to come, but for right now enjoy this little diversion ( same concept as the 7's, just a different pile that's all !! )

UPDATE : The Wise Acres have apparentely reformed ( wow, excellent ) - see Comments :)

Podcast 97 link for mp3

Sideroom 7 Inch Singles Podcast #97
1. Affectionate Friend - The Wise Acres ( CHerry Red 1987 )

2. You Don't Miss Your Water ( Till Your Water Runs Dry ) - The Triffids ( Hot UK 1985 )
3. 100 Different Words - The Enormous Room ( Sharp Records 1986 )
4. Don't Leave Me - Rumblefish ( Summerhouse 1988 )
5. Growing Up Absurd - The Brilliant Corners ( ss20 1985 )
6. A Gentle Sound - The Railway Children ( Factory 1986 )
7. Hammer In The Nails - The Skolars ( Waterfront Aust 1986 )
8. Baby Blue Marine - The Groove Farm ( Subway 1988 )
9. What's The Morning For ? - The Apartments ( Rough Trade 1986 )
10. Cactus Cat - Look Blue Go Purple ( Flying Nun 1987 )

( duration 32.03, vbr lame mp3 )

#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.

update Nov 2014 - the labels on this single are on the wrong side(s) of the record....so I originally though the song was called "I Won't Change" but it's in fact called "Crave"

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. Crave - 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 )