Well, well, here is a new post.

Univers: our Barcelona friends are back with a release on the Modern Obscure Music label. The A side comes with “Joventuts Unides” and “L’Home i L’Epasa” and the B side comes with a bunch of remixes. I like of course the guitar based songs the best, you know me, not a fan of remixes. But so happy to hear these songs, do check “L’Home i L’Espasa” on Youtube which I’m linking here. Great track!

No Fucks: Discos de Kirlian is releasing a 10″ vinyl record by the wonderful Spanish band No Fucks. 10 short songs, including the superb “Punkipop”, fit perfectly in the record. Formed by Elisa, Stephen and Dani or Dru on bass, the Asturian band looks to be in good form. Now, if I’m lucky when I visit Asturias in the summer, will I get the chance to see them live?

Andy Pawlak: a few days ago the “Lost Demos 1985-1986” album was released by Firestation Records. I noticed I didn’t recommend anyone yet to check the song “Squeeky Clean” which is available on the label’s Bandcamp. I think  it is a good idea to do so and order the record too of course!

Carnival: another new release on Firestation will be that of this Liverpool band on 12″ vinyl. Titled “From Strawberry Fields to the Pyramid Club (With Love)”, the record includes 5 songs. I wasn’t aware of this band before but it seems it was around the early 80s. The story goes that Ian Fradgley from the band ordered a copy of the Candy Opera album that Firestation released and the label was sure to ask if a release could be done for Carnival!

The Linger Effect: I must say that this is fhe first time I listen to this St John’s, Canada, band. But it does say that 2019 marks 20 years since the first release of the band. Wow. To celebrate this landmark Kent Burt, who is behind the band, has re-recorded five favourites from the cassette years (1999-2002).

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I don’t have the complete catalog for the US label Candy Floss. I mean, in my collection. Though I must say I’m not sure if the label only released 17 records. Maybe there was more? Would be great to be in touch with Mike Toy who ran the label back then. I do have a CD and some 7″s. The first ever release on the label, the Delightful Little Nothings 7″ has always been a favourite for example. Or the Poastal 7″. That one is fantastic as well. I should dedicate some posts to the bands on the San Francisco 90s label, as they are not that well known (unless you are The Brian Jonestown Massacre that is). Maybe I can do that in the next months.

About The Cherry Smash I know very little. I know they put out one 7″ on the label though there is no date listed. A safe guess would be sometime between 1995 and 1996. It had the catalog number of CF-010 and it had three songs in it. The A side was “Nowhere Generation” while on the B side we find “Californya Burn Trip [You Made Me Hate the Beach Boys]” and “Airport Girl”. The first one has a sample from the Beach Boys. They must have paid some good money to do that (?)!

The 7″ EP was titled “West Coast Rip-Off”. I wonder why this name. The sleeve shows an illustration of three silhouettes, three guys. Maybe there were three people in the band?

Three compilations are listed. The first dating from 1997 on the Mint Sound (MSRCD4) label, a compilation CD called “Attack of the Terrible Boots” where the band contributes the track “Lousy California Feeling”.  The next year, 1998, they contribute a song to a CD compilation on Candy Floss (CF-017) called “Pure Spun Sugar”. The song was “Split Screen”. I have actually written a bit about this compilation in the past when I wrote about the band The Sleazy Beats who also appear in it.

Lastly, and oddly, in 2009 their song “Nowhere Generation” was included in a Captured Tracks compilation called “Captured Tracks Mix CD”. I don’t understand how the song ended up there, and you know my aversion to this label, but that’s what happened.

According to the superb Wilfully Obscure blog, the guy behind The Cherry Smash was singer/guitarist/songwriter Blake Miller who was later in the band Moving Units. With this band he has released a few albums in the noughties. He has also been in other bands like Lies in Disguise, Spectacle, Trade Secrets and Weird Science. From what I understand Cherry Smash changed names to Spectacle, and under this name they released the album “Glow in the dark Soul” on Supreme Recordings that was part of Island Records. I guess another story of an indie band signing to a major and not succeeding.

Spectacle does have a Wikipedia entry and lists three more members Alex Crain, Brad Laner (ex-Medicine) and Brent Rademaker (later of Further and Beachwood Sparks). So two of them were in The Cherry Smash. Who then?

Not much more information about them on the web as usual. So now I will have to trust in your memories, if any of you remember them. Maybe you saw them live? Maybe you know of more songs? What happened with them? Why did they change names? Had they been in other bands previously? Any information will be appreciated!

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Listen
The Cherry Smash – Nowhere Generation

Last week I got the news that Beatrice Colin from the amazing April Showers passed away. Most of us knew her band through the classic indiepop song “Abandon Ship” and we have played it time and time again. I was lucky to be in touch with her many years ago. I got to interview her for the blog and ask her many questions as her band was a mystery to me. I never understood why they didn’t release more records. Of course later in life Beatrice was a writer and a successful one at that. The Scotland Herald wrote an obituary which I say everyone should read to discover one of the most interesting voices in independent pop. Rest in peace Beatrice.

The Penelopes: a few days ago I interviewed The Penelopes. For our Japanese fans I have to say that there is now a Japanese version of the interview available here: part 1 and part 2.

The Groovy Cellar: the classic German band will be releasing a new album this year on Firestation Records called “Soulmates”. To promote it they have put together a promo film for the title song. It is really groovy of course!

Lost Tapes: our friends from Catalonia, Spain, who released with us a great EP some years ago are back with a new record, a new 7″ on Shelflife and Kocliko, a new tape on Shiny Happy Records, and four wonderful songs on it. This is not to be missed. Do check the wonderful and perfect pop of “The Bill”, “Six by Six”, “Like a Waltz” and “Letter Never Sent”.\

Homecomings: the new video for the song “Hull Down” was released back in November but I am only finding about it today! Wow! I love this Japanese band so much. This song is included in the album “Whale Living” which I need to find myself a copy as I believe it has already been released by Felicity Cap Records.

Joseiknacio: I suppose a José Ignacio is behind this EP called “Floración” that is being released digitally by Gemelo Parásito Records from Chile. There are four bedroom pop songs that are bright and jangly, reminding me of a lo-fi Los Waldners.

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It was 1991 when The Dakota Plains self-released a 7″ with two songs. On the A side they had “She Don’t Understand Me Like You” and on the B side they included “What You’re Doin to Me”. They had a cool artwork for the sleeve, with lots of instruments and a nice logo for the band, all printed in black and white. As they were self-releasing the record they catalogued the record as DAK 001, Dakota 001.

They are not listed to have appeared in any compilations. As far as I know these were the only two songs they released. We do know a few other details of the band thanks to the back of the sleeve and these are important ones. For example we know the band hailed from Newcastle in England. That these two songs were recorded in that same city at Lynx Studio. And also we know the band members for this kind of country-tinged indiepop band.

Charlie Barlow – lead vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar
Jimmy Cousins – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jevvy Moroney – bass, backing vocals
Colin Stephenson – lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, keyboards

Also we know that the A side is credited to Colin Stephenson while the B side to Charlie Barlow.

Thanks to this information I end up stumbling on a great discovery. There was a second 7″ by the band. It had the song “7 Words” on the A side and “Long Way From Home” on the B side. I need more information about this though! It seems there are barely any mentions about this single in the whole world wide web!

I think I stumbled upon the Twitter account of the drummer but it doesn’t look as if he has logged in since early 2017. He seems to still be in Newcastle. I can’t track the other band members though. I wonder why are their records so obscure and if there were more. I had no clue whatsoever that there was a 2nd single!

I know I have a few readers from the Newcastle area so I’m hoping someone remembers them and can tell me a bit more about them!

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The Dakota Plains – She Don’t Understand Me Like You

I feel next week I’ll be able to share some news on future releases. It is taking a long time to be able to get these releases together, but they are coming soon.

As you know I’m also working on an Australian compilation and it is not as easy as I thought it’d be. I have contacted many bands and they seem interested, but it is taking time to get all the assets together. I just need to be patient I suppose. I hope this first volume gets released this year.

Anyhow, finds. New finds. Here they are:

Battery Point: one of the best bands these days have a new song on their Bandcamp titled “Desire”. The Chula Vista, California, band formed by Erick, Sergio, Jessica, Ray, Peter, Alex and Oscar, continue creating haunting indiepop. I hope to see a record released on physical format someday!

Lavender Blush: is a San Francisco bedroom noisepop band who have a tape called “Beauty is What Beauty Does To You” scheduled to be released on April 15th though it seems it will be sold out pretty soon through pre-orders. These are tapes that are handmade by the band. It seems later on a label called Sensitive wil re-release it. There are 6 songs on this tape and just one, “Fire”, is available to stream.

Leathers: Shannon Hemett is behind this interesting post-punk poppy sounding band from Vancouver, Canada. My introduction to her music is through her latest song “Phantom Heart” which sounds great! Dark but luminous at the same time. I look forward to more songs by her for sure.

Astragal: another favourite band is this Houston ensemble. I really would like to see a record of theirs. Do they have one? I wouldn’t mind a 7″. “Moderne Luxury” is their latest effort, a galloping single of guitars that sound great. Maybe the vocals are a bit low in the mix to me, but who cares, it  is a pretty strong track!

Cápsula del tiempo: is the name of the compilation the Spanish label Jabalina Records will release as a celebration of their 25th anniversary! This amazing compilation that includes great bands like Iluminados, Ama, Apenino, Portonovo or Dar Ful Ful among others will be released this March 15 on vinyl LP. Essential!

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There’s been more than a few good releases on Native Records. Some of them are quite obscure for some reason. Others aren’t, like The Darling Buds for example. But let’s say The Kennedy Pill, not much is known about them, right? But we can have a look of course in the depths of the web, see if there’s any worthy information.

Native Records was a small British indie label that was based in Sheffield. It was founded by Kevin Donoghue in 1985 after leaving RCA. They released all sorts of music, all sorts of genres. Happily there were some fine indiepop moments like Treebound Story or Raintree County. And The Kennedy Pill of course, who released a 12″ in 1990.

The “Beside the Sea” 12 (12NTV 57) included three songs. The A side had “Beside the Sea” and “All the Way Down” while the B side had “More than You Ever Know”. Aside from that Discogs only gives us two compilation appearances in 1991. Little really.

The band appeared then on the “Guitars and Drums” comp that was released on CD and vinyl on Native Records (NATVCD 55 / NATVLP 55). The band contributed their B side “More Than You’ll Ever Know”.

The other comp was “Knowing Where it all Leeds” that was released on CD and vinyl (BLAG) by Stolen Sounds. The band contributed the baggy song “Fizz Pop”. It looks like this compilation only featured bands from Leeds, as we see The Wedding Present, Pale Saints, Greenhouse, Bridewell Taxis and more. Safe to assume that The Kennedy Pill hailed from that city then? The

Wikipedia confirms this on an article about the band The Flying Hendersons. Here it mentions taht Steve Whitfield, their bassist, and Julian Coultas, guitar, went to join The Kennedy Pill in 1989.

Looking through the archive of the blog Madchester Rave On there is a post about The Kennedy Pill. In it it is mentioned that the band used to have a Myspace page and on it they had 5 unreleased tracks that I hope to listen one day. They were “Wednesday”, “Sian”, “Please Don’t Go”, “Timothy Leary” and “Me Me You”.

Thanks to this blog, as I dig deeper through their archives, I see a comment by a fellow Flying Hendersons called Rob. He mentions that the final lineup of the band was Pete, Jules, Mike, Aggi and Phil and that they started as a four piece called Wickerman.

Looking through the web I find out that THe Kennedy Pill supported the great band Bob on January 23rd of 1991 at The Duchess in Leeds. On November 5th 1988 and January 24th 1989 they played at the University of Leeds according to this superb PDF that I found.

Then a great find, a Twitter account. An account that mentions that the band supported The Stone Roses. A Pete Gibson appears many times. It must be the Pete that was mentioned in the blog comment. Going through the few tweets I noticed that the band had made red t-shirts with the band logo back in the day.

Not much more. Don’t know if the members went to play in other bands. How did Wickerman sound like? What about those unreleased tracks? Is there a chance for me to listen to them? Why just the one release? Who else did they support? Would be great to find out more about them! Anyone remembers them?

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The Kennedy Pill – Beside the Sea

Here we are again. With little news. Things are not moving as fast as I’d like with the releases I have planned. I guess I have to be patient? Any tips to be patient?

In the meantime I’ve selected new 5 finds from around the net. It’s always nice to hear new music, isn’t it?

Tullycraft: “Your Boyfriend Lost His Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” is a long title for a song name but it is a great song of course. This is the latest video the Seattle band has put out to promote their new album “The Railway Prince Hotel” which is now available!

Tradewinds Sailing Club: I’ve only stumbled upon these recordings made by Dale Marquez from Apple Orchard and Connie Francis Marquez. Three fragile songs recorded in 2013 as an EP titled “Offshore” which I highly recommend.

Perfect Strangers: this band from Gainesville, Florida, is formed by Hector Laguna, Mario Lopez, Myles Matheny and Jason Shusterman. They have just put out on Bandcamp 7 songs, a mini-album titled “Unlikely Partners” that sound pretty interesting. To my surprise these songs were recorded in Miami where I used to live and there was barely an indiepop fan…

The Jasmine Minks: the legendary Scottish band is back with a new 7″ on the A Turntable Records!! The 7″ will include two songs, “Step by Step” and “Gravity”. The first is now streaming on Bandcamp and sounds great, and it is no surprise if you mix in the band and Pat Collier to produce these tracks!

Tom Boyle: the last find today is the new EP by the Getxo, Spain, band titled “Mar de Fondo”. Three songs that are dreamy, melancholic and introspective at the same time. Gloria, Miguel, Oskar and Xabier, have made a very lovely record here which I hope gets a physical release. My favourite song out of the three? I think “Supernova II”.

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The “C89” three CD box set included The Magnificent Lkage. This song too, “Passion”. It is a great sounding band and it is no surprise that Cherry Red was able to track them down (or they just used their song with no permission?). I will do my post too, see if I can get in touch and also try to find more about them. See if I can tell the story of the band one day through an interview. For sure I’ll be able to tell some facts now, thanks to the info available on the web. And hopefully not make really stupid mistakes like saying that Rorschach named themselves after a Marvel comic. Come on. How lazy is that?

We know they hailed from Birmingham and were formed by:
Dean O’Loughlin – vocals and guitar
Andrew Powell – guitar and vocals
Hendricks – drums and vocals
John Morrison – bass

And they had a few releases. The first dates from 1989 and it is on this 12″ maxi single that “Passion” was the A side. Also on the A side was the superb “A Kind of Love Song” and on the B side there was “One Day the Butterfly”. It was released by Gi Records (GI 12-2). Don’t know much about this label but they released a band called Reform Club as well. The label was based in Oxon.

On this record Roberto Cimarosti played keyboards. Cimarosti had been in bands like Electribe 101, Groove Corporation or Overproof Sound System.

“Passion” was recorded at Rich Bitch Studios in January 1989 and was produced by Mark Bruce and the band. Bruce also engineered the song. “A Kind of Love Song” and “One Day the Butterfly” were recorded at The Old Smithy in Worcester in march 1988. These songs were produced by Brian Nordhoff and Joe Steven. They were engineered by Les Fleming and Lord Lucan.

After this release the band signed to a much bigger label, One Little Indian. It seems too that they dropped “The Magnificent” and just kept the Lkage as their name. On this label, in 1991, they released the single “Passion 91” (51 TP) on vinyl and CD. The songs were once again recorded at Rich Bitch Studios in Birmingham and they made four this time around, “Passion 91”, “My Head’s On Fire”, “Sway” and “Another Story from Raintown”. The engineer was Mark Bruce. Both CD and vinyl has the same running order of the songs, they don’t seem to have much difference. Two songs were on the A side and two on the B side.

“My Head’s On Fire” was their second single on One Little Indian (75 TP). Released in 1993 also on both CD and vinyl. Four songs, “My Head’s On Fire”, “Patsy”, “Fear of Falling” and “Another Story from Raintown”. Mark Bruce produced “Another Story from Raintown”, while the renowned Mitch Easter produced “My Head’s On Fire” and “Fear of Falling”. Same running order here too for both versions. The first two songs on the A side, the other two on the B side.

Lastly in 1993 they released an album. It was called “Brazilliant” (what was their connection with Brazil?) and it included 12 songs. It was released by One Little Indian (TPLP 26) and had 12 songs. The vinyl version had “Showtime”, “Dumb Dumb”, “Freed by your Love Cascade”, “Half of Everything”, “My Head’s On Fire” and “Candlesoap”. The B side had “One Day the Butterfly”, “The Loudest Silence”, “No Lullaby”, “She Is”, “Space Dog” and “The Story so Far”. The album was also licensed to the US. The A&M label released the album as a CD that same year.

In 1991 they appeared with the song “Another Story from Raintown” on a CD compilation called “Volume One” that was released by Volume (V1CD). it looks like a mixed bag of bands on it. We find New Order, The Popguns, Kitchens of Distinction, The Shamen and more.

The American label Hits would have them with the song “My Head’s on Fire” on their “It’s a Sunshine Day/Aprils Fools 1993” (HT 013) CD comp in 1993. That same year on a tape released by One Little Indian called “Outlook & Carlsberg Present: The One Little Indian Mix” (OUTMIX 2) they contributed the song “Space Dog”. This tape came alongside the Outlook magazine.

And as mentioned before they appeared on the “C89” boxset this year.

Were the band members involved in any other bands? I could find out that John Morrison, the bassist, played in Hefner and also in Rhatigan, The French and The Machines.

On the Tamworth Bands website I find a mention of the band. They played a gig in Tamworth on March 4th 1990 alongside Honeyjump, Bob Baroque and Lincolns at the Tamworth Arts Centre.

What else? Actually not much more. Even though the band had been in One Little Indian there is not much about them on the web. Would be great to find out the whole story of the band. I’m sure some of you remember them. Where are they now? Are there more releases or recordings? Let’s get the ball rolling.

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The Magnificent Lkage – Passion

Starting a new week, but the good thing is that today it is a holiday here in the US.

In a few days Cherry Red is releasing a very good box set called “Big Gold Dreams: A Story of Scottish Independent Music 1977-1989”. It is a 5CD Boxset that as its name says covers lots of great Scottish music, including a lot of Scottish pop. Of course you know I’m no fan of this label, but I have to be objective and look at the music and the bands on it. So for those that are not aware of this release I’m sharing the info here which includes many bands that have been featured on the blog like The Vultures, The Bachelor Pad, Baby Lemonade or The Wild Indians.

DISC ONE:
1. I CAN’T STAND MY BABY (Sensible Version) – The Rezillos
2. HOOKED ON YOU – The Exile
3. JERKIN’ – The Drive
4. ROBOT LOVE – The Valves
5. PUT YOU IN THE PICTURE – P.V.C. 2
6. DEAD VANDALS – Johnny & The Self Abusers
7. YOU GOTTA KNOW GIRL – Bee Bee Cee
8. GIMME YOUR HEART – Subs
9. REASONS – Skids
10. DANCING WITH MYSELF – Fingerprintz
11. TAKE ME DOWN – The Zips
12. ALL THE BOYS LOVE CARRIE – Another Pretty Face
13. ELECTRIC HEAT – Visitors
14. SEE SAW – The Jolt
15. CHELSEA GIRL – Simple Minds
16. CULTURE SHOCK – Shake
17. THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME – The Headboys
18. TIME WALL – Fire Exit
19. PARANOIA – The Freeze
20. SYLVIA CLARKE – The Fakes
21. SHE’S TOO CLEVER FOR ME – TPI
22. SINGING IN THE SHOWERS – Fun 4
23. CONFESSIONS – Flowers
24. PLAYING WITH FIRE – TV21
25. STAY WITH ME TONIGHT – Alex Fergusson

DISC TWO:
1. DEAD POP STARS – Altered Images
2. DIE TODTEN REYTEN SCHNELL – The Prats
3. TOUS LES SOIRS – Delmontes
4. WALK ON WATER – The Cuban Heels
5. MORE THAN THIS – 35mm Dreams
6. OUT IN THE OPEN – The President’s Men
7. ALL ABOUT YOU – Scars
8. TELL ME EASTERS ON FRIDAY – The Associates
9. SORRY FOR LAUGHING – Josef K
10. EVENT TO COME – Article 58
11. LOVE TO MEET YOU – Restricted Code
12. DON’T – Thomas Leer
13. BIG GOLD DREAM – Fire Engines
14. ON OUR HONEYMOON – The Wake
15. OOH BOP SH’BAM – Boots For Dancing
16. PURITANS – The Happy Family
17. TIGHTROPE – Everest The Hard Way
18. PALACE FILLED WITH LOVE – APB
19. RUNNING AWAY – Paul Haig
20. PICK UP THE RHYTHM – French Impressionists
21. EAT YOUR HEART OUT – Hey! Elastica
22. PARTICIPATE! – The Laughing Apple

DISC THREE:
1. FEATHERS OAR-BLADES – Cocteau Twins
2. OUT OF NOWHERE – The Twinsets
3. CATH – The Bluebells
4. A GIRL CALLED JOHNNY – The Waterboys
5. LUCKY STAR (Moonboot Version) – Friends Again
6. TREES AND FLOWERS (92 Happy Customers Version) – Strawberry Switchblade
7. SIXTEEN REASONS – Jazzateers
8. STOP THE RAIN – The Suede Crocodiles
9. FLOWERS IN THE SKY – The Revolving Paint Dream
10. THINK! – Jasmine Minks
11. THERE MUST BE A BETTER LIFE – Biff Bang Pow!
12. ALL I NEED IS EVERYTHING – Aztec Camera
13. OVER YOUR SHOULDER – Pop Wallpaper
14. DREAMING – The Wee Cherubs
15. CATHEDRAL – Fini Tribe
16. UPSIDE DOWN – The Jesus And Mary Chain
17. BABY HONEY – The Pastels
18. YOU SUPPLY THE ROSES – Memphis
19. AIN’T THAT ALWAYS THE WAY – Paul Quinn
20. UNAMERICAN BROADCASTING – Win
21. SWALLOW – Blood Uncles

DISC FOUR:
1. ALL FALL DOWN – Primal Scream
2. DON’T SLIP UP – Meat Whiplash
3. HAMMERING HEART (Single Version) – Del Amitri
4. SOME INDULGENCE – The High Bees
5. BIG BLUE OCEAN – Jih
6. HOTEL MARQUIS DE SADE – Momus
7. LIVING IN HELL – The Primevals
8. BABY’S GOT A BRAND NEW BRAIN – The Styng Rites
9. BULLY BEEF – The Botany 500
10. WHOLE WIDE WORLD – The Soup Dragons
11. STRAWBERRY SUNDAY – BMX Bandits
12. FIRESTATION TOWERS – Close Lobsters
13. FACE IN A CROWD – The Green Telescope
14. THE RATTLER (Original 12” Version) – Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie
15. PENNILESS – The Wild Indians
16. SOMEWHERE IN CHINA (LP Version) – Shop Assistants
17. HOLLOW GUT – Lowlife
18. SLOW TIME AND TEMPTATION – Kevin McDermott
19. WHERE DO I STAND? – The Incredible Blondes
20. SIGN ON THE LINE… – The Fizzbombs
21. KILLER BEE HONEY – The Beat Poets
22. DON’T SHILLY SHALLY – Edwyn Collins
23. I’M NOT AN AMERICAN – The Dragsters
24. ROOM AT THE TOP – The Motorcycle Boy
25. HEY GIRL (LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE) – The Thanes

DISC FIVE:
1. HAPPY DAYS – The Shamen
2. MEALY MOUTHS – Mackenzies
3. SHE SAID TO THE DRIVER – The McCluskey Brothers
4. JIFFY NECKWEAR CREATION – Baby Lemonade
5. GIRL OF YOUR DREAMS – The Bachelor Pad
6. JENNY NOWHERE – The Clouds
7. MARATHON MAN – Rote Kapelle
8. THE ADAM FAITH EXPERIENCE – Jesse Garon & The Desperadoes
9. TEENAGE SUPERSTARS – The Vaselines
10. TINY WORDS – The Orchids
11. A PLACE IS SO HARD TO FIND – The Groovy Little Numbers
12. GOOD THING – The Vultures
13. THE GREAT DIVIDE – This Poison!
14. HEAD START – The Prayers
15. TAKE ME AWAY – The Submarines
16. THINK LIKE A GIRL – The Church Grims
17. IF YOU LOVE HIM, LET HIM GO – Wilderness Children
18. TRAFFIC DRONE – The Cateran
19. HILLS O’ NEW GALLOWAY – Nyah Fearties
20. MISS O’GRADY – Dog Faced Hermans
21. GROIN DEATH – Stretchheads
22. THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM – Cindytalk

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So who were The Groovers? As far as I know they only released two songs and then disappeared into oblivion. Why?!

I hope I get to find out the reason why. In the meantime I can find out any other details that might come in handy if I end up interviewing them. That would be the ideal situation. I don’t own anything by them but I’ve heard both songs on Youtube.

The band released a 7″ in 1992, probably self-released as there is no label listed. There is a catalog number though, GROOVE 1. The record included the festive “Happy Holiday” on the A side and the more laid-back “Yesterday’s Carnival Queen” on the B side. On the jacket we see someone reading the newspaper on a chair at a British beach. There’s a pier in the back. I’m sure someone might be able to recognize which beach it is thanks to it. We know too that both songs were recorded at Pearl Studios.

Other details that are available on the back cover is that both songs are credited to Thorley and that the songs were produced by someone with the last name Chapman.

There are no compilation appearances listed but Discogs does give us the first name of Thorley, it is Brent. Thanks to that little piece of information I find out that he has been in other bands like The BDI’s, The Lancashire Hustlers and The Panda Gang. All of them bands that happened after The Groovers according to the dates of their releases on Discogs. I would love to listen to them. Find out if they are as poppy as The Groovers.

On 45Cat there are a few of comments about the band. One mentions that the band started in Southport, Merseyside as The Revolvers.

Southport is a large seaside town in Merseyside, England. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England. Southport lies on the Irish Sea coast and is fringed to the north by the Ribble estuary. The town is 16.7 miles (26.9 km) north of Liverpool and 14.8 miles (23.8 km) southwest of Preston.

I have the certainty that the pier, the beach, on the cover, must have been Southport. Don’t you think? This same comment mentions that Brent Thorley was the vocalist and guitarist in the band.

Sadly that’s where I lose the trail. Not much more information about them. Sure I believe there is about the other bands he has been in, as he has even released records in Japan it seems. But about The Groovers there’s nothing else.

So I ask for your help again. Anyone remember them? Were there more songs? Other releases? Compilation appearances? Any detail would be appreciated here!

Update – February 27th:

I got in touch with Brent Thorley and asked him questions for an interview. He answered some of them. I don’t feel this time it requires a new post so I just thought updating the post with the new information he shared with me.

• The band existed from around 1990 to 1992 and were based in Southport.We all attended the same 6th form college(the last 2 years of high school) there apart from the bass player Ed who was the older brother of another friend.
• We played mainly at one bar in Southport,occasionally venturing further afield to nearby towns such as Preston and Wigan.
  The single was organised by the bass players father as far as I remember.
• The Revolvers was the same band,the name being changed when another more successful band called Revolver appeared.I think the name The Groovers came from the T.Rex song “The Groover”.
• We made a few demo tapes recorded live at rehearsals but I can’t recall if these were to sell or to send to record companies.
  The line up was bass,drums,guitar and keyboards.The keyboard player James also played the violin which features on both sides of the single.
• The person in the deck chair on the cover photo is the drummer Leo.
  I couldn’t say precisely why we stopped all these years later and am not in contact with any of the other members.

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Listen
The Groovers – Happy Holiday

One more week is over. Halfway through February now. I have just booked some vacation time in July. I’ll be heading to Asturias, in the north of Spain. If any Asturian want some records do let me know. No hurries. There’s time.

Now some new finds?

Seventeen Years Old and Berlin Wall: “Reflect” is the 2nd mini album by the Tokyo based dreampop band. It came out back in 2018, but I’m only listening to it now. A bit late. But better late than never right? There are 6 songs in the record  which was released on cassette by the Kyoto label Sango Records.

Chestnut Bakery: I actually stumbled upon Sango Records as I noticed they had reissued the album “Diaries” that the Chinese band put out back in 2015 on the superb Boring Productions. The original release has been long sold out so those who missed out have a great opportunity now to get one of course!

The Boys with the Perpetual Nervousness: the magnificent duo formed by Andrew Taylor and Gonzalo Marcos will be releasing their debut album “Dead Calm” on March 1st on the Alicante, Spain, label Pretty Olivia Records. 10 songs of top pop will be included I am sure, but at the moment we can only preview two of them, “Close the Doors” and “Nervous Man”. It is definitely a record I’d want in my collection!

The Oilies: Carly Putnam is The Oilies. She has been part of The Art Museums. That’s a good thing. On her songs she says she wants to combine the subtle creepiness of Rose McDowall with the wistfulness of the Marine Girls. Sounds that she is into something. There is a new EP called “Psychic Dog” on her Bandcamp which will be released on vinyl on April 5th. You can preview one of the songs, “Psychic Dog”, at her Bandcamp.

Boyracer: well I missed this. There was a new Boyracer 7″ that the Finnish label Royal Mint Records put out. It was limited to 75 copies. So good luck finding one. At least we can play time and time again on Bandcamp the two songs that are on the 7″, “Strong Arms” and “Teardrops”. Bear in mind too that these two songs won’t be part of the upcoming Boyracer LP that will be released this year.

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Every couple of weeks it seems like I want to restart that compilations project that was supposed to be The Sound of Starke Adolf. I really loved how the first volume came out many many years ago. As you know I started working on a 2nd volume but because of the lack of interest of the bands it proved almost impossible to complete it. I wonder if these days some of the people behind that amazing music done in Sweden between 2000 and 2007 are still apathetic about it?

As time goes on I discover bands that weren’t in my radar and that could have been part of these compilations. It definitely was a prolific period for indiepop there. And most amazing this band, The Radio Arts, actually hailed from the same place as the legendary Starke Adolf club, Gothenburg.

On Discogs only their last release is listed. A 2005 CD called “This Morning Makes Me Okey”, which was self-released. It included four songs, “04:30 Am”, “Let Go”, “The New Waves to Come” and “The Song I Love”. So far I’ve only been able to listen out of all of their songs, “Let Go”, and it is great. Will I be able to find all their songs one day, be able to listen to them? Which one was their best?

I ask that because there were more songs. Not just these 4. The previous year, 2004, they released two demo CDs. CDRs I am guessing. I’m not sure which one was first. But they do appear listed in Popfakta. There was “People People” which included three songs, “Come On”, “Walk Right Through” and “Endless Show”. These songs were engineered and mixed by Dave McEwan. The photo on the sleeve is credited to Olof Brandt while the design to Bikelife. Then we find the band members:
Hannes Sandahl on bass
Jonas Lyckander on guitar
Nils Lyckander on keyboard
Jonas on vocals
Andreas Hansson on drums and vocals

These same members played on the other CD, “I’m Gonna Shout it Out”. This one included two songs, “Satisfaction” and “The Beautiful”.

Going through different newspapers from Sweden, I find that the band played the Frizonfestivalen in Örebro sometime between the 10th and 14th of August 2005 alongside Tomas Anderson Wij and Wonderland.

Then there is an article with Jonas Lyckander about some Irish Festival that invited the band to play in 2007. Sadly there is a paywall on this article on the website HD, a Helsingborg paper. I can’t read the whole thing. But I could read an interesting detail, that the band had toured not just Sweden but also Europe. Where in Europe is the question then!

Then on the same website, and without a paywall, there is an article from 2010 mentioning that Jonas is doing electronic music, somewhere in between the Tough Alliance and Pet Shop Boys under the name Dufvan. Here I also learn that Jonas was originally from Helsingborg.

Then I lose the trail. Not much written about them. Nor I can’t seem to find whereabouts they played in Europe. Or if they release any other records or songs. Did they appear on compilations? Who remembers them?

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Listen
The Radio Arts – Let Go

Well, happy Valentines to everyone tomorrow. Here are some great new indiepop finds from around the web:

The Claim: the classic band will be playing a gig on March 23rd at the legendary 100 Club in London.  I wish I could be there. But that’s not all. The better part of the news is that their also classic album “Boomy Tella” is going to be re-released on vinyl and CD by the superb A Turntable Friend label. It will even include 4 demo tracks that weren’t in the original record on Esurient Communications!

Jenny Genius: a new indiepop band from New Haven in Connecticut that has just put up their first demo on the web. This demo has 3 songs, “Slow Going”, “Bump & Bones” and “Lately”. They are formed by Maggie, Chris and Dand, and we’ll keep an eye on them of course.

Sungaze: this Cincinnati, Ohio, band have just released their latest digital single which is called “New Familiar”. It is available on Bandcamp but a video  has been made for it, so I’m directing you there. Because it is always nicer to put images to a pretty song, isn’t it?

Ping Pong Club: this Bandung, Indonesia, band have already been featured on the blog. Because they keep getting better I keep recommending them of course. This month the band is releasing their album “Retrospective” which includes 9 songs, many of them released as digital singles in the past. It does look like the album is only available digitally unless someone can’t tell me not?

Châteaubriand: “Saison Froide” is my introduction to this superb sounding band from Montreal, Quebec. This is not their first ever release, it seems the band has been putting songs since December 2016. But well, as it is common to me I only find about them 2 years or so after. This digital EP I’m listening now has 5 songs. It does look like it is only available digitally, which is quite a shame as I believe it deserves to be on a physical format. Don’t you agree?

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I’ve been tracking this record for years. But I have no luck. Maybe by posting about it on the blog someone will give me a hand. I would love to hear the B side someday. Would love to play the record at home. Again and again. I’m positive that one day that will happen.

I know very little about The Other Side. I know that they were a British band and that they put out a 7″ in 1987 on their own Casual Sax label (SRT8KS1432). Actually there were no B sides on it. it was a double A sided single. The A side has the wonderful “Is it Any Wonder” and the AA had “Let’s be Perfect”.

As I said I had listened to the catchy “Is it Any Wonder” with its casual sax on it. A top track, upbeat, and classic heartfelt British vocals over jangly guitars. Who were they?

On 45cat there are scans of the back of the sleeve. Thanks to it I know that the two songs were recorded at Granny Studios in London. I also know the band members:
Chris Goulding – vocals/guitar
Ada Sayegh – keyboards/backing vocals
Paul Kipps – bass
Spike Jefferson – sax
Martin Kelly – drums

Both songs are credited to Goulding.

I see an address for Martin Kelly too. One in West Drayton. Was that where the band were based?
West Drayton is a suburban town in the London Borough of Hillingdon, England with a station on the Great Western main line from London Paddington. It was part of the Yiewsley and West Drayton Urban District of Middlesex, which became part of Greater London in 1965. The settlement is centred close to the Colne Valley regional park 2 1⁄2 miles (4 km) north (and north-west respectively) of terminals 5 and 1 to 3 of London’s largest airport.
So quite close to London city. That makes sense.

I believe I’ve tracked Spike Jefferson on the web, on Mandy.com. It must be him. In his bio it mentions he has recorded music and has played the sax. These days though he is an actor and has been, for 5 years, a lookalike of Sven-Goran Eriksson in ifferent TV programmes and was the star of “Sven, The Coach, The Cash, and his Lovers”.

Chris Goulding proves to be much difficult to track. There seems to be an NHS employee with that name in the area of Hillingdon. But who knows. I keep getting results of a basketball player.

For Ada Sayegh I find an instagram, but it looks like that chances are that it is a daughter or someone in her family. Not her.

There is a Paul Kipps at the University of Toronto. A renowned artist. I like the connection musician-visual artist, but because of the location I tend to think this might not be the same Paul.

Martin Kelly? Well, sadly that’s a common name and it is pretty hard to know.

And that’s as far as I could get. I want to think they were involved in other bands. But I can’t seem to find any information on that. If they were from London, even from suburban London, they must have played gigs, must have met people. I’m sure someone remembers them. It can’t be that there’s nothing about them on the web!

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Listen
The Other Side – Is it Any Wonder

I haven’t been that well the past weekend so haven’t had the time to work much on label-related stuff. I hope this week is much more productive for me. But still, as it is promised I bring you five new finds for you to check out!

The Catherines: the latest from our Hamburg friends is a cover of The Holy Mackerel’s “Bitter Honey”. This track penned by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams gets a very pretty rendition from Heiko and Sandra here. Good stuff!

Thumbuster: now let’s head to Sheffield, where the label Delicious Clam Records have released “NO:P”, a tape album by the band Thumbuster. But this happened back in 2016 really. So not exactly new. But new to me. There are 10 songs of guitar driven pop, sometimes fun, sometimes punky, sometimes even shouty.

Ofrenda Floral: the latest release on Kocliko Records from Spain is this new album called “Las Flores No Me Odian” that packs 9 songs in a 10″ vinyl. On top of that the art for the record is beautiful, designed by Grego from Annika Records. And if that’s not enough, our friend Cris from The Royal Landscaping Society has mastered the album. It does sound good!

Foundlings: Amber, Bry, Matty and Ol form this London band. I have featured them back in August but now they have a new song called “Enemy” which I suppose will be part of the EP they will be releasing in March. So take a moment and give it a listen.

Holiday Ghosts: the second album by this Falmouth, UK, band will be released this month. The album is titled “West Bay Playroom” and sounds real fun. It has 14 songs and 3 of their are available to stream on Bandcamp, “Slipstream”, “Booksmart” and “Just a Feeling”. It seems the band is not too obscure as it mentions that they have been praised by lots of hip sites. So probably many of you know about them. It is the first time I’m listening to them though… as always late to the party.

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Do not confuse them with the more known UK band The Wallflowers (which have been interviewed in the blog I must say). Neither with the crappy one-hit American band. No. These Wallflowers hailed from Germany and they were the first record released by the obscure Heaven Sent Records.

I’ve mentioned this label in the past. That’s when I featured the band Sonic Flower Groove. Sadly I still haven’t found any new information about them nor got in touch with their band members. But little by little I learn more about these bands and the label. Maybe some of them will appear on the next “Leamington Spa” sort of compilation that Firestation is putting together for German bands.

The Wallflowers released only one 7″, one that is still missing in my collection sadly. It was as I said the first release on Heaven Sent (HS001) and it came out in 1990. It was titled “Colorful EP”. It had four songs. On the A side there was “Deacon Song” and “New Love” while the B side had “Colour of her Eyes” and “I Will Remember”. The jacked printed in black ink looks like a couple kissing in a punk bar (?). Ive seen it in white paper and also in orange paper. Are there more colours?

Their song “Deacon Song” also appeared on the tape compilation “Heaven Sent” that this same label put together that same year. I have talked about this compilation in the past as it includes the Wide Plains, The Penny Candles, Sonic Flower Groove, The Sohfas and many more bands that have been featured on the blog. A superb compilation it is.

When I interviewed Bernd from the Wide Plains from Worms, he mentioned that Andi (their keyboardist) joined The Wallflowers and Sonic Flower Groove. On that interview he also mentions that Heaven Sent was run by Ralf Hoffmann, also a member of Sonic Flower Groove. My question is though, was Andi a founding member of The Wallflowers? Or did he joined the band when this one already existed? And I’m pretty sure Andi’s name was Andreas Rauh.

Sadly I can’t seem to find any other information about the band. Who were the other band members or anything. No one seems to have blogged about them or discussed about them in forums. At least I know they were part of the Worms scene in the late and early 90s. That was a thriving indiepop scene back then. I wonder if my German friends remember them and can let us know a detail or two about The Wallflowers!

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Listen
The Wallflowers – I Will Remember

Posting a bit later than other days. I’ve been quite busy I must say!

Olivia’s World: our friend Lica from Go Violets and Tempura Nights moved from Brisbane to Vancouver some time ago. But she didn’t stop making music. Now she fronts Olivia’s World and she just released a new song called “Cereal Boxes” that even features the great Rose Melberg drumming and doing backing vocals!

Cariño: definitely one of the most exciting Spanish bands at the moment. The band who released a wonderful 10″ on Elefant Records have just unveiled a new video, this time for their song “Mierda Seca”. And we can only say it is great!

Westkust: on March 1st the terrific Luxury Records band will be releasinga  new album on vinyl and CD. It will be self-titled and it will have 9 songs. One of them is available to stream on the band’s Bandcamp, the song “Swebeach”, which is great combo of shoegaze and indiepop with female vocals. Looking forward to listening to the whole thing!

Charm: some punky power pop here by this Welland, Canada band. Their latest online single has two songs, “U Don’t Talk” and “Lie To Me” and they sound bouncy, poppy and fun. The band is formed by Martine, Mich, Drew and Shane.

Apple Orchard: and lastly this blast from the past. The 6 songs by the California by way of the Philippines band that was released by Popgun Recordings as a cassette EP in 2003 is now available on Bandcamp. Definitely worth spending some time listening to this lo-fi beauty.

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From Blackpool, in Lancashire, came the band Yeh-Yeh. I suppose they were more of a powerpop or mod band but I think their single “You Will Pay” is a fantastic slice of guitar pop, so why not find out what happened to them?

It seems there are two versions of their 7″ “You Will Pay”. One released by Berlin (BRS 001) and another by TMA (BRS 001). I guess what differs is the sleeve and the year it was released, the B side was “7 Bells” for both versions.

On the back of the sleeve the band members are listed: Andy Houghton on bass and lead vocals, Shem on guitar, Keith Suede on harmonica and vocals and Simon Knowles on drums. Steve Borsley played horns and Teddy Corvo the piano. The two songs were recorded at Berlin Studios and were produced by Ian Richardson and was assisted by Lyth. Both songs are credited to Andy Houghton.

The TMA 7″ came out in 1986, one year after the Berlin one (1985). As mentioned the sleeve was different. This one looks more 60s. The back sleeve has much less information, only the band members. I wonder why this re-release? Anyone knows?

There is a tape called “Live at La Cage” which was released by TMA (TMAC003) in 1988. I am guessing here that La Cage was a venue in Blackpool. Also on this tape I don’t see Simon Knowles listed as a drummer but Darren Adamson. Keith Suede is not in the band either but someone nicknamed Ringo. This tape included 7 songs: “99 1/2 Won’t Do”, “Baby Blue”, “Sweet Sweet Lovin'”, “Lovers Lane”, “Long Legged Baby”, “My Babe” and “7 Bells”. Lots of babies in these songs! I would love to listen to this tape sometime.

There are a bunch of compilation appearances but they are all from recent times, not from they were around.

In 2004’s “Shake” compilation released by Biff Bang Pow Records they contributed “Don’t Try (To Deceive Me)”. The next year on the same label’s comp “Shout!” they had the song “Weekend”. In 2006 on Biff Bang Pow’s “Shimmy” CD comp they had the song “What the Papers Say” and that same year on “The Young Idea: A Pop Tribute to Anthony Meynell & Squire” they contributed “It’s Getting Better”. Lastly that same year, “Mr Jones” was included in “News of the World MK II – Songs for Scootering” that was released by Howitzer Records.

“Does it Look Like Rain?” was included in the 2009 “Do You Wanna Be in the Show? – A Pop Tribute to The Jetset” that was released by Twist Records. That same year they had “And So Begins Another Day” on the “Mods Mayday 2009″ 7” comp released by Rowed Out Records and “And We Still Feel The Same” on “Forty One Sixty: The Songs of the Shambles” released by Blindspot Records. In 2011 they contributed “To All Who Can’t Attend” on Twist Record’s “Power Chords, Harmonies and Mistletoe” and on an unknown date, their song “You Will Pay” was included in “Shake Some Action Vol. 1 UK – A Collection of Powerpop, Mod & New Wave Rarities 197501986”.

Lots of compilations, lots of songs, but only one single. Strange isn’t it?

I check if the members had been involved in other projects. I see that Andy Houghton had been in Tempercalm, releasing an album in 2007 and Simon Knowles had been involved lately in The Freakbeats.

I find a comment on the blog The Songs That People Sing, a comment by Andy Houghton. In it he mentions that the band reformed in 2004 and released 2 CD albums and a 3rd was in progress. The year of the comment is 2008. They were also touring the UK at that time. They were playing Aug. 24 2008 in Burnley.

Then I stumble upon a Facebook page! On it there are plenty of photos and also links to songs by the band. For example here is “This Town“!

I keep digging. I find out that the band started in 1983 as The Catch. I also believe that prior to that they had been in XFX. They released a tape called “Read It About It”. What songs were in it?

There used to be a Myspace. I think that’s were they sold their newer albums. I couldn’t find what their names were. I suppose that many of the songs they contributed to the compilations were from their reformed period. Are they still playing together? There is little information on the web about them. Few blogs have written about them. Why? Anyone remembers them?

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Listen
Yeh-Yeh = You Will Pay

Not much to discuss today either. Lots of new music on the web though, so let’s pick five!

The Sunny Street: is this a comeback? I don’t know. But here is a track of the most wonderful band The Sunny Street covering  The Bats’ “Up to the Sky”. You can’t imagine how happy this has made me, hearing them again, Delphine vocals and Remi’s thoughtful music. Can I hope for more?

Melt: this Jakarta, Indonesia, band released their digital single “RRAD” last January and it sounds great! This shoegaze ensamble is formed by Irfan Muhammad on guitar/vocals, Abba Gabrillin on bass and Rinaldy Shofwan on drums. This  band sounds very promising to me!

Blankenberge: superb! the song “Right Now” by the Saint Petersburg, Russia, dream pop band have released last January are really great!  As a “B side” of the digital single we find “Radiogaze (éntha Remix)” which it is not exactly my taste. But it definitely feels like Russia has a very exciting guitar pop scene these days, every couple of weeks I discover a new band. Blankenberge is formed by Danlil Levshin, Yana Guselnikova, Dmitriy Marakov, Sergey Vorontsov and Dalan Alziatov.

Mini Dresses: the Boston band is back with a tape album called “Heaven Sent” that will be released on March 22nd. 10 songs will be included and at the moment one of them is available for preview on Bandcamp: “Rand and File”.

Fog: and lastly another shoegaze band. So there shoegaze bands today. Those are the trends I guess. This one hails from Seoul, South Korea, and their latest is a digital single with two songs, “Shine” and “DreamingDreamingDreaming”. These two songs were written by one of the members, Gyungwon before the band had formed. it seems that now, as a unit, they are recording new music which will soon be released as an album (or singles?).

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The last few posts about Japanese bands have been focused on the Left Bank label. That because I know very little about the label and the releases they put out. I only own a few of them, and everything I’ve heard has been of great quality. So it makes perfect sense to keep digging their treasures.

The 9th release on the label was a 7″ by the band Trans Alphabet. It was an EP titled “Brighter than the Brightest Star” and it came out in the year 2000 (LBRD-09). It included 4 songs, on the A side there was the title song “Brighter than the Brightest Star” and “Sweet and Sour Love Song” while the B side had “Tomorrow” and “Dreams in Stereo”. I’ve only listened the last one. Hoping to listen to the rest sometime. According to Discogs there were only 1000 copies made.

It seems it was a one-man band. The person behind it was Katsuya Hozaki. He produced, composed, arranged and performed the four songs. The songs were mastered by Katsunari Owa at Studio You. The art for the record is credited to Shie Kutsuna while there is a direction credit for Masaki Yamaguchi from the Left Bank label. Mayumi Hozaki, maybe family of Katsuya, is credited for playing flute and doing backing vocals.

Then on the back of the sleeve there are a bunch of thank yous, to bands, labels and friends. There is a link to a fan site for the band and also for Sunny Spring Day. Is this another band that Katsuya was involved with? We’ll investigate.

But first the compilation appearances. In 2000 the band contributed the song “Dreams in Stereo” to the “Minty Fresh Japan Compilation Vol. 1 A Small, Good Thing” CD. It was released by Minty Fresh Japan (MFJ-1002) which I suppose was sort of a franchise of the US label (?).

5 years later, in 2005, the band contribute a song in Japanese, “恋の花”, to the “Guitar Pop Crazy! (Bluebadge Compilation Vol. 3)” CD comp that came out on the Bluebadge label (BBCD-009). Lastly, on the TKO New Music Corporation CD “Boys (& Girls) Wonder Shibuya-K Indie-pop Collection Vol. 2” (TKOK-002) that came out in 2007 the band contributed the track “We Can Fly Together”.

I found a Soundcloud page for the band. Sadly there are no tracks nor information. But something that caught my attention. The band was based in Tokyo.

Sadly I couldn’t find on Discogs any band by the name Sunny Spring Day. There is a song by Three Berry Icecream with that name though. I do know that Trans Alphabet played some gigs with that band too. Aside from that Google only gives me lots of links to the band’s record on various sites in Japan that sell it. I couldn’t find any worthy bit of information. We know a little about the band. But I find it odd that they only recorded 5 songs. There must be more. Also, what other bands did Katsuya play on? It can’t just be his solo project? Does any of my Japanese friends remember Trans Alphabet?

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Listen
Trans Alphabet – Dreams in Stereo