I continue the investigation on obscure French demo-tape bands. Today is the turn of Les Mistons, the mischief makers.

Named after the great François Truffaut movie of 1957, this band is known for their appearance on both Heol tapes. That means on the “Heol” comp cassette released by Karen in 1990 (KAREN02) and on the “Heol Daou” released by Katiho that same year (KATIHO 02).

The sound of this band is lo-fi. Probably there is just one person behind the band. Strumming the guitar in a lovely way. But is there any details we know about them?

The song on the “Heol” tape is called “Scar”. The song on “Heol Daou” is called “She Was too Damn Stupid to see I Wasn’t With Her”. We also know the band hailed from France as Fabien from Anorak Records confirmed it when I interviewed him.

Other than what I’ve mentioned there is no more details about them on the web. I’ve found a few other bands names the same way but sounding terribly different and many times from other time periods.

I wonder if my French friends can help on this one?

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Listen
Les Mistons – Scar

Anyone know about the Japanese band The Cartoon Characters? It seems they didn’t get to release any records but a bunch of their songs found their way on many compilations from the late 90s-early 2000s.

The first notice I have is from a fanzine called SPACE on its 8th issue dating from 1997. A cassette came with this zine that included two songs by the band on the A side: “She’s Good a New Spell” and “Transistor”. The other band on the B side was Momoiro Jenny who is actually an alter-ego of Jenny on the Planet who I’ve written about.

Then there is a gap of 3 years. We see the band back on another compilation tape in the year 2000. On the “Beady Compilation Vol. 2” released by Beady (BDCT-2) the band contributes 3 tracks, “The Marriage”, “The Warmest Room” and “Lovers Town Revisited”. There are some familiar bands on this tape like My Coffee Moment, Chain Letter, Bobbie’s Rockin’ Chair or Trans Alphabet.

The following year, 2001, the band has two songs on “Chaan! Ban! Thank You Ben.” released by Monarch Records (MNRC-001) on a limited to 500 copies CD compilation. The band’s contributions were “They Don’t Know” and “Sound of the Sea”.

The superb Bluebadge label would have them on their compilation tape “Boy Should Go! Bluebadge Compilation Tape Vol. 003” (BBCT 003) in 2001. The band would contribute “Strange World” and “Dark Night”. On the insert there is a name for the band members, but sadly I don’t understand Japanese! At least I know the band was formed by just one musician. I do think the last name is Ohashi though.

Then comes the song “Winter Song” from the “Winter Picnic – My Charm Ornament #3” compilation CD released by My Charm Ornament (MRC 001) in 2002. That same year the band works again with the Bluebadge label. They appear on the label’s first compilation CD “Send My Badge! – Bluebadge Compilation Vol. 1” (BBCD 001). Here they appear with “And Your Smile”.

Lastly in 2003 the band has the track “Spaceman” on “My Charm Ornament #6 Voyage a la Mode” released my My Charm Ornament (MCO 002) as a compilation CD.

So yeah, all of their songs on Japanese compilations. Nothing abroad.

And then I hit the jackpot. I figure out who is behind this project. It is Hirokazu Ohashi, the drummer and percussionist of the great band Dizzy Joghurt.

Now, if only I’d be able to get in touch, could interview him about his band and also about his solo project!

Anyone remember The Cartoon Characters? Did they release any other songs? Ever played live?

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Listen
The Cartoon Characters – And Your Smile

Here’s another band I know barely a thing.

What I know is that they appeared on three compilations and for a long time I confused them with The Imaginary Friend.

I want to say they hailed from the UK. But I am not 100% sure. Their first compilation appearance was in the US compilation “Seahorses”. On this tape that came with the fifth issue of the Red Roses for Me fanzine (RRT03), the band contributed the track “Within You”. The year was 1992.

This compilation is well known, having featured half of the bands on the tape on the blog (and who knows, maybe in the next few years the other half?).

That same year, 1992, the band would contribute three songs to a German compilation tape “Sandcastles in the Sun” (MEL 10) was released by Meller Welle Produkte and included the songs “Funseekers Paradise”, “Some Things Aren’t Meant to Happen” and “Fall”. The first two were on the A side while the last one was on the flipside.

A few tears later, Meller Welle Produkte would include them on another cassette comp, “Ha Ha, Funny Feeling!” (MEL 15). This time two more songs, “Break” and “Untitled”, were the contributions by Imaginary.

So in total there were 6 tracks. Maybe all from the same demo tape? Who would know.

There are no names, no credits, as far as I know for these songs. So it is proven difficult to find more details. The name Imaginary is also not easy to Google. So I hope our readers have a detail or too. Maybe you saw them play live? Or have a tape by them? Anything would be great, please share what you know!

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Imaginary – Within You

The Afternoons. That would be the translation of the band Les Après-Midi from France.

I continue trying to find out more about that great French indiepop scene of the early 90s where there were so many great bands but that sadly have been lost in time.

I suspect that today’s band would be very obscure. That I won’t find much information. The band’s name is not easy to google and I don’t have many clues about band members or anything.

The only information I have is that they released one song. It was called “Défauts” and was included in the legendary 1990 cassette compilation “Heol” (KAREN 02) that Karen Records released. The English translation for the name of the song would be defects.

This compilation has been mentioned in the blog many times. I have featured many bands including Les Freluquets,  The Spindle Berries, Bachelor Pad, Jane from Occupied Europe or Change of Seasons. It was a true international compilation.

My suspicion is correct. I google and google and can’t find any details about the band. Who were behind the band? Did they release any records? Whereabouts in France where they from?

Anyone has any clue?

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Après-Midi – Défauts

The first half of the 80s. This is perhaps not yet indiepop. Possibly indiepop is going to be born with the C86 tape. For other fans indiepop already exists, there’s Orange Juice, The Pastels, the Television Personalities. It depends how you understand indiepop.

For me, there are indiepop bands already in 1983-1984. But there are others that are quite indiepop but not completely. It is hard to explain. In previous posts I’ve called them proto-indiepop, like they seem to have the sound that will become indiepop but there are other influences at play at the same time.

For me Tralala is one of these bands. They are pop and have great songs.

They released three singles, three 7″s. I have the last one, “Always Close at Hand”, the only one that came with a sleeve. But there were two earlier ones, a bit more rare, worth tracking down.

Nowadays I buy very few records, so not sure when I’ll catch up with you all, great record collectors. But if anyone has extra copies do let me know.

The band’s first 7″ came out in 1983 and didn’t have a label behind it. It did have a catalog number though, YUN 02, which is a bit strange. No label but yes to catalog number?

The record was a double A sided single, with “Impeccable” on the A side and “What’s the Matter” on the AA side.

This record has a few little details. We know that the producer and engineer was Keith Nichol, who worked from Impulse Studios in Newcastle, England. We also learn that the songs were written by Kevin Ridley and Paul Laing. Ridley was from the Newcastle area, and was in bands like Forgodsake, Screen Idols, Skyclad and Theigns & Thralls. Eventually he would move to Madrid where he lives now.

Kevin Ridley has a website, but strange enough there is no mention of Tralala. I tried to track down Paul Laing, but no luck.

The band’s second single came out in 1984. This time there was a label name, Floating World, and a catalog number, FLOAT 01. Not sure who were behind this label. Perhaps it was the Impulse Studios’ people?

The single had two songs, “Room to Be Cruel” on the A side and “Overjoyed” in the B side.

That same year the band releases their last single, “Always Close at Hand” (FLOAT 02)”. The title song is on the A side and on the B side we find the track “Don’t Take to Love”.

Sadly there is no information online about the band. I am of course hoping this will change. Hopefully some of you remember them and can share some details about Tralala!

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Tralala – Always Close at Hand

Time to head to the US today. The Goldenrods. A trio that seems to be forgotten now formed by Barry Hall and Jenny Gunston in the early 90s.

The band’s first release was in 1992. HARP Records from San Francisco would put their music out. It was a two song single, with “Barbwire Chair” on the A side and “Cagiva Elephant” on the B side. Catalog was HARP 004. 300 copies on black vinyl and 100 on yellow. I read the edition was of 500 copies, so there are other 100. There is a version of this same single with a different sleeve, maybe that’s where the other 100 copies are.  In any case, look for yourself, one sleeve has two people, a girl and a guy, walking and the band’s name in green ink, while the other shows two different people posing by the stairs. I don’t think the photos are of the band.

The record was recorded and mixed at Lowdown Studios in San Francisco by Greg Freeman. On this record Jenny sung, Barry played guitar and keyboards while Kevin played guitar, keyboards and programmed the drums. Barry is credited for writing the songs.

I check a little bit about the band members. I see that Barry hailed from Braintree in Massachusetts. He relocated to San Francisco. He was also in a band called The Cat Heads.

The band’s second single was the “Lesbian Nation & I Can’t Reach You” 7″ (HARP 011) in 1993. As it is obvious the songs on the record were “Lesbian Nation” on the A side and “I Can’t Reach You” on the B side.

Again the songs were recorded at Lowdown Studios by Greg Freeman. Greg also played tambourine in the B, “I Can’t Reach You”, side by the way. This song was a cover of The Who.

The A side was written by Barry and also featured bass by Sam Babbitt from The Cat Heads and The Ophelias. This record also features John Stuart from Flying Color and Map of Wyoming on drums, Oz on guitars and Roger Hand on piano.

The design is credited to Bhdg Sf, Ca., the cover photo to Dave Mamelka, and the model was Johanne.

In 1994 the band would appear on a Motorway Records (MOTOR 002) split 7″. On this Japanese release the band would share the single with Bubble Bus. The band would contribute the song “Prince of Edinburgh” that featured some changes in the band.  We see Alan Korn from Schematix, The Cat Heads, X-tal and She Mob on bass, John Farinacci on drums, Brian Good on guitar and Cindy Wiggington from Bedlam Rovers on violin. Again the songs were recorded by Greg Freeman at Lowdown Studios.

The band appeared on a few compilations. On the CD and LP compilation “It’s All True Harp Records… San Francisco… 1992-94” released by Big Cat (ABB 59) the band had two songs “Barbwire Chair” and “I Can’t Reach You”.

On a compilation CD called “The Moderna Wunda-Major All-Automatic Convenience Centerette” that came with the fanzine Burning the Midnight Firefly #2 that Keith D’Arcy made, the band contributed with the song “Cirque D’Amour”.  On this compilation they appear with great bands including Bomb Pops, Tree Fort Angst or even The Cat’s Miaow among others!

On another fanzine from 1994, Red Roses for Me, there was a tape called “Beyond the Valley of the Polar Bears”. On this tape the band had three songs, “Told You So”, “Prince of Edinburgh” and “Hey Jay (Live)”.

I keep looking for more info. I find a scan of the Gavin magazine from March 26, 1994. Here it mentions that the second 7″, “Lesbian Nation”, was released after the band had split already.

And lastly a very cool find! A live video! The band playing live in the early nineties a venue called Hotel Utah in San Francisco. In this live gig the band was formed by Jen Gunston, Barry Hall, Alan Korn and John Stuart. The songs they played were “Told You So”, “Barbed Wire Chair”, “Cirque D’Amour”, “Lesbian Nation”, “Gone, Gone, Gone”, “Cagiva Elephant”, “I Can’t Reach You”, “Nothing I Do”, “Pale Blue Eyes”, “Discipline”, “Lazy Ways”, “Lullaby”, “I Wrote a Letter” and “See You”.

And this is what I could find! Anyone remembers them?

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The Goldenrods – Barbwire Chair

After a few French bands that appeared on “Teeny Poppers”, the 1992 compilation tape I’ve been going through with a fine comb, now it is time for a one that is not French: In Heaven.

On this cassette that Anorak Records released in France the band would appear opening the B side with the track “It’ll Keep Awhile”. That wouldn’t be their only compilation appearance. in 1992 too they would have the track “Coast to Coast” on a tape titled “Sandcastles in the Sun” released by the German label Meller Welle Produkte (MEL10).

Lastly, in 2021, their song “Aquanova”, was on a British compilation tape called “Deliberately Lo-Fi” that Kyle Productions (001) released.

Speaking of “Aquanova”, that was the name of the band’s 1993 tape album that they self-released. On the sleeve of this tape it has an address as a contact information. It is in Devizes, in the UK. I had never heard of this town before. Looking at Wikipedia I learn…

Devizes is a market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It developed around Devizes Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle, and received a charter in 1141. The castle was besieged during the Anarchy, a 12th-century civil war between Stephen of England and Empress Matilda, and again during the English Civil War when the Cavaliers lifted the siege at the Battle of Roundway Down and the Parliamentarian Army of the West under Sir William Waller was routed. Devizes remained under Royalist control until 1645, when Oliver Cromwell attacked and forced the Royalists to surrender. The castle was destroyed in 1648 on the orders of Parliament, and today little remains of it.

The tracks on this album were: “Ultramarine”, “Kodak”, “Aquanova”, “Coast to Coast”, “Head for Home”, “Seen it All”, “My Mine”, “Setting Sun”, “Mirror Me More” and “It’ll Keep a While”.

That same year, 3 songs from this album would be picked up by Meller Welle Produkte to release a 7″ titled “Aquanova E.P.” (MEL5). This great sounding shoegazey record had “Seen it All Before” on the A side and “Ultramarine” and “It’ll Keep Awhile” on the B side. The songs were produced and engineered by the band. The band also took care of the artwork with a photo of a cat named Bob on the back cover. Tracks were recorded at My Disco in 1992.

There is one name here, on the labels, though, J.M. Philipps. He wrote all the songs. Was his name Justin perhaps? I saw a Justin commenting on a blog post saying it was his band. No last name though.

And that’s what I could find. The songs are available to listen online, on Youtube, so you won’t have have difficulty to check them out. But there is no information about who were behind this band. How long did they last as a band or if they played in other bands before or afterwards. Would be nice to find out!

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In Heaven – It’ll Keep Awhile

I think it will be over soon. Over my investigation on the bands that appeared on the “Teeny Poppers” (SHOUBIDOUWA 01) cassette compilation that the Limoges-based label Anorak Records released in 1992.

I’ve written of quite a few by now. Also I don’t plan to write about all of them (maybe some day), but only about the bands I don’t know anything about, or very little about. That’s why I wrote lately about Monsieur de Foursaings, The Through Corners, Meek and today I will write about the British band The Music Scene.

Yes, they were British, Fabien mentioned that to me when I interviewed him. And I know it was formed by Roy Thirlwall, Pete Jarvis and Emma Saunders.

The song that they have on the compilation is a nice mellow track titled “Isabelle” that appears as the 5th track on the A side of the tape comp.

One wonders then who is this enigmatic Isabelle they dedicate the song. The name Isabelle is French, I’d say. Maybe it has to do with Isabelle from the band Caramel, the band Fabien from Anorak Records was in? Maybe it is a wild guess…

It is also worth noting that in 1991 the band appeared on the classic “The Waaaaaah!” CD released by Bring on Bull (BULL 3-0). On this legendary comp the band had contributed the track “Friend of a Friend”.

Other than what I’ve been able to share here there is no information about the band.

Who were behind this band? Are there more recordings? Anyone knows?

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The Music Seen – Isabelle

Look For The Good In Others And They’ll See The Good In You

This past weekend brought the news that Martin Phillipps, the genius behind The Chills had died.

I woke up to this news. My Facebook feed showed photos and videos of different songs by The Chills. Usually the classics, “Pink Frost”, “Heavenly Pop Hit”, “I Love My Leather Jacket”. Some other friends posted photos with Martin, sharing a special moment when they talked about this or that.

I had to digest it. I love The Chills very much. I’ve been lucky to have seen them 3 times I think. Once in New York. Once in London. Once at Indietracks. I think they played a few years ago here in NYC somewhere in the Upper West Side, a wine bar or something like that. I didn’t go. It was just after the pandemic. I regret this.

These days I go to very few concerts. Usually of bands I hadn’t seen before. I have to pick my battles. But I would do anything to rewind the time clock, and be around and available on October 16, 2022, their last New York City gig.

I am going through my photos. 2016. New York City Popfest. The Chills play Littlefield. I had already seen them in the UK. But this was the one and only time I would talk to Martin.

He was hanging out around the merch area. I don’t remember The Chills having any merch, but maybe I am wrong. I had some Cloudberry merch that year, but Chris Jigsaw was helping with that. But I went and talked to Martin. I asked for a photo afterwards too.

What did we talk? About the gig he was going to play that day. We also chatted a bit about the London gigs and Indietracks. Maybe we talked a bit more. I can’t remember. I just thought he was very cool and down to earth. That made me happy, that one of my heroes didn’t mind chatting with me, an unknown guy, just like that.

The gig that day was amazing. I am pretty sure they ended with “Heavenly Pop Hit”. They played their hits too, but not one of my favourite songs, “Brave Words”. I don’t think I heard The Chills play this song live in any of the three times I saw them.

I remember singing aloud “Wet Blanket”, word by word. I was happy. “Pink Frost” gave me shivers. “Eazy Peazy” made me giggle.

Always.

Now sadly Martin is no longer with us. And won’t be able to see The Chills again. Of course the music will always be around and can listen to the songs over and over. Many great records. Many great tracks.

Today I wanted to do a little tribute to one of his lesser known projects, The Pop Art Toasters. I am sure that about The Chills a lot have been written. And probably everyone reading this blog knows about those songs. Then there is Martin and the Moondogs who did a cover of Abba’s “Tropical Loveland”, but I don’t have an MP3 of this song to share.

So yeah, the Pop Art Toasters. They were on Flying Nun Records in the mid 90s. Released just one record, a self-titled EP, on CD and cassette. Catalog number was FNCD288 or FNMC288 depending on the format that is.

The songs on the record are covers. These were “What Am I Going to Do” by The Dovers, “Everyone’s Gonna Wonder” by The Avengers, “I Won’t Hurt You” by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, “Go Ahead” by The Squires, and “Circles” by The Who.

Behind this project was Martin on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, clavinet, piano, organ and vocals. There was also another New Zealand legend, David Kilgour, playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano and vocals. On bass, acoustic and electric guitar we find Noel Ward from Lanky and The Strangeloves. Mike Dooley from Snapper, The Dri Horrors, Toy Love, The Enemy, The Snares and $100 Band was on drums and percussion. Alan Starrett from Martin and the Moondogs, Mink, The Magick Heads, Waste the Earth was on organ, keyboards, clavinet and viola.

The songs were recorded and engineered by Stephen Kilroy at Fish Street Studios in Dunedin in December of 1993. The band photo on the back was taken by Peter Hannken, while the artwork on the cover was created by Martin.

Discogs list a UK version of the tape, a promo tape put out by Mushroom Records. I don’t know what happened , but doesn’t look like this label released properly the EP.

The opening track, “What Am I Going to Do?”, would appear on three compilation appearances. The first on was on 1994’s “Kiwi Hit Disc 7” released on CD by NZ On Air. I suppose a radio station was behind this one.

Then in 2006, when a Flying Nun revival was happening, the song would appear on the 4CD compilation “Flying Nun 25th Anniversary Box Set” (FNCD500).

The other appearance is on a DVD called “Second Season – Flying Nun DVD II” that was released by Flying Nun (FNDVD489) in 2004. I wonder then, was there a video of this track?

Yes there was. You can see it on Youtube.

There is also another great find on Youtube. There is the Pop Art Toasters playing live at Otago Museum in Dunedin on February 27, 1993. They play the song “Everyone’s Gonna Wonder”.

Martin was a fan of 60s pop. He picked some top tracks and they made some fantastic covers. I wonder, will there be some cool bands releasing covers of The Chills songs? There should be. There should be plenty of them. In my perfect world, we should continue celebrating The Chills.

I am a fan of The Chills. Will always be. So many great songs, many great records. I am just so sad today. I think it is only normal.

Ideas come to my mind. Like why I haven’t traveled to New Zealand yet. Is there anything to see in Dunedin that screams to a fan The Chills? I don’t know! I must know.

Gigs, records, songs. That’s what I am saving and carrying with me. Another of the good ones leaves us. A giant. A legend of pop music. One I will always be grateful for. For his brave words, for his part past part fiction lyrics.

Goodbye genius, goodbye legend.

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Listen
Pop Art Toasters – Go Ahead

I continue going through the “Teeny Poppers” compilation tape. As I had discovered The Through Corners, there are a few other bands that I don’t know and I want to find details. One of them is the French band Meek, who I have heard by name but I had never paid attention. Today’s the day.

Unlike The Through Corners who I couldn’t find any information whatsoever online, and who didn’t release any records, Meek had a release and I am hoping that will mean I can find more details.

On the “Teeny Poppers” (SHOUBIDOUWA 01) comp that Anorak Records released in 1992, the band appeared with the third song on the A side, the sweet lo-fi track “Give Me More”. This appearance would mark the start of the relationship between Fabien Garcia’s Limoges-based label, and the band. How come? The third release on the label, a 7″ titled “Meek”, would be released by Anorak (Anorak 003) in 1995.

The record came with a hand-made photocopied cover according to Discogs. I see a color sleeve with photos of people from different backgrounds. I doubt these are the band themselves. No clue where they got the photos. It is the same case with the labels. These are printed in black and white and we see the same guy with two different women on each side. All of the characters in the photos seem happy.

The record had four songs, “Limonade” and “Fortunately Gone” on the A side and “Arradon” and “As You Told Me Too”. Worth mentioning then that limonade is not lemon juice, but a lemon flavoured soda in France. Also Arradon, the name of the first song on the B side, is a seaside commune in Brittany. Seems like a nice place for a quiet vacation time.

But this is not all. Previously, in 1993, around the same time as the “Teeny Poppers” tape the band had put together a demo tape called “Single of the Meek EP”. This cassette had five tracks which I have never heard and would love to listen one day. These were “Necklace”, “Aradon”, “As You Told Me”, “Meekadance” and “Meekada”.

It does seem that Aradon was misspelled, right? Another good detail from this tape is that it was recorded by Damien Bertrand at Lutecia Garden Studios. Where was this located? It was in Clamart, in Paris, and it was run by Jean-François Marvaud. Another record that was recorded at this place was my all-time favourite “Longer Lasting Beauty” by Evergreen.

Now, that name, Jean-François Marvaud, well, he was not only running the studio, he was also part of Meek. The other two members we know were in the band were Jean-Noël Dastugue and Lionnel Vernois.

The main bulk of recordings by Meek are actually on compilation. Can count 16 different appearances in the 90s.

As early as 1991 we see the band contributing tracks. The songs “Beautiful Evening Sun” and “Beautiful Day” appear on “In the Limelight” a tape compilation from France where bands like Les Chaplinn’s or Des Garçons Ordinaires appear as well. The next year, 1992, the band contributes “Beautiful Day” to Aliénor Records’ tape “Garden Party” (Alien Alpha).

1993 sees them on the aforementioned “Teeny Poppers” but also on “Simple as Them” (OPN 9303) released by Ora Pro Nobis with the song “Behind the Window”. This cassette came out on another French tape with lots of unknown bands for me. Need to check it out in more details.

“Meekadance” then appears in 1994’s tape “Gloomy Biscuit II” released by Gloomy Biscuit. Continuing in this year we see “Necklace” on Germany’s Alphyen Viwit double-tape compilation “Breeze 4” (004) and “Arradon” on the CD comp “Zoumpli” (ZP01) released by Adiam 92, Direction Départementale de La Jeunesse et des Sports (clearly a government effort, right?).

In 1995 they have the song “Damoclès (Mon Chien)” on the double 7″ compilation “Les Lutines” released by Ad Libitum Pop !? (ad lib 6) from France. Did they have a dog called Damoclès? This same year the song “Necklace” appears on the US compilation “Winter’s Mist 2″ that was released on 7” vinyl by the well-known label Silver Girl Records (SG018) and then the track “I Watch Them” finds its way on “Bedroom Palace” a tape compilation released by the French label Lo-Fi Recordings (High2) which I don’t know anything about! (though it has some known bands like Boyracer, Lorelei or Hood).

There are a few more compilations worth mentioning. “Arradon” appears on a 2019 tape called “Côte Ouest”. It is quite interesting as it has 8 bands including ones I’ve written about like Caramel, Les Autres, Daisy Age or Les Poissons Solubles. This cool tape came with the sixth issue of the fanzine called Langue Pendue. Would love to get a copy to be honest! Seems like an important pop artifact to me!

Then there are undated compilations. We have the “Superqualifragilistic” tape (NESS587) that Nessie put out in France where the band appears with the track “Aradon”, “Extract of Breeze A” CDR and tape released by Alphyen Viwit where we see the band  appear with “Necklace” and lastly “Anorak Demos” that Anorak released where there is a song called “Lutetia Gardens”.

And that’s not all. The band recorded a promo video for the track “Necklace”. This one appeared on on the classic VHS “Munch Part I (An International Independent Music Video Compilation)” that Season Records (Season Two) put out in 1994 in Australia. I think I remember seeing this video on Youtube ages ago. But I can’t seem to find it these days.

I do find then a blog post about Meek. Maybe the only one online? It is by a French blog called “Haar Brut” and the post is quite recent, February 2022 (I’m always impressed to see people still writing blogs, it is a lost art in my opinion).

Here I found interesting details. For example about the photos on the 7″ it says that they come from a roll of film found by Christophe, the band’s bassist. And this is also new. We had three names before, but not Christophe. Christophe Degoutin was the band’s bassist. The other three names we had previously, Jean-François, Jean-Noël and Lionnel were guitarists. Who were the drummers? We see two names, Nicolas Gandin and Ludovic Pierre. I suppose they were the drummers at different points of time.

Also worth mentioning is that Christophe and Lionnel would later be in a band called Mr. Quark.

Where are they now then? Did they record more demo tapes other than the 1993 one we found? Did they play live much? Who remembers them?

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Listen
Meek – Give Me More