Thanks so much to Robert Sekula for this fantastic interview! Always been a fan of the 14 Iced Bears, many of their songs are true indiepop classics. Seen them a few times after they reformed some years ago. And then one day Rob got in touch through the blog, about another Brighton band, and I didn’t miss the opportunity to ask if he would be up for an interview… and he was! So here it is, lots of questions to one of the most important bands in p!o!p!

++ Hi Rob! Thanks so much for being up for this interview! How are you? Still based in Brighton?

Hey Roque, no probs. I’m fine ta, considering, hope you’re well. I left Brighton in 1992

++ Are the 14 Iced Bears still going? Are you still making music?

Nah, we reformed in 2010, toured the US twice, Paris and the UK. Then we resplit in 2014. I’m still making music, working on my own stuff

++ I’ve always known you being in the 14 Iced Bears but I’m curious if you have ever been involved in any other bands before, after, or during the time of the 14 Iced Bears?

Just before the Bears, I formed a group called The Velvet Underground when I was at uni. We just did their songs. This was before tribute bands, way ahead of our time! Then from about 1990-1992, along with the Bears, I was in a band with my friends from Brighton called Arthur. I was the lead guitarist. We supported The Stairs among others. Our singer was obsessed with Arthur Lee of Love, and he ended up in a transit van with Arthur driving up to Liverpool, with all the weirdness you can imagine! After the Bears I formed a band to do my new songs, called Easter Sun. We played some gigs but that’s stopped for now.

++ Let’s start from the beginning. What are your first music memories? Do you remember what was your first instrument? How did you learn to play it? What sort of music did you listen at home while growing up?

When I was 4 or 5 I had a go on the glockenspiel at school in Camberwell, South London (St Josephs). The teachers said I was talented and I should have music lessons. My family weren’t well off but my mum really encouraged me to learn the recorder /piano, bless her. I reached Grade 8 recorder (highest possible) but wasn’t into classical music much, apart from Beethoven and a few others. While I grew up I loved pop music. The mid-70s were a golden time for pop music, even the cheesy stuff were great songs. From David Soul and David Cassidy to Suzi Quatro and the Osmonds – loved it all.

++ I’ve read that you were formed in Brighton and have also read that you were formed in South London. What is true? And where were you all originally from?

I’m originally from Camberwell, South London but I went to Sussex University, near Brighton, where the Bears were originally formed – my and my uni mate, the drummer Nick Emery, started it off. The other longest-serving Bears were probably drummer Graham Durrant, from Norfolk, and Kevin Canham, from Oxford. Think the only original Brightonian was Kev (Will ) Taylor, who played bass on the first lp.

++ How was Brighton at the time you started? Were there any bands that you liked? What were the good record stores? Or what about the pubs or venues to go check out up and coming bands?

Brighton was exciting, as there was a lot of interest in bands like the TVPs, the Pastels, June Brides as we were starting. The Big Twang club at the Escape venue was the centre of all that was going on. They put all the new bands on, that’s how we got to support the Wedding Present there on our second-ever gig. It was a real coming together and everyone would have a great time dancing to the newest indie hits. They had their own fanzine. Not only bands, but people like journalist Johnny Dee (as in the Chesterfields song) came from that scene. We all used to mainly go to Borderline records, but there were a few decent shops around.

I’m too out of touch now to recommend anything – apart from the Heart and Hand pub, at least. Great jukebox of classic stuff.

++ When and how did the band start? How did you all meet? How was the recruiting process?

As I said, me and Nick met at university. The main reason I’d gone to uni was to start a band! Then we put an ad in the local Brighton music shop windows and did a little practice with the possibles.

Luckily, soon enough, we had some people.

++ There have been quite a lot of members in the band, right? Why the many lineup changes and what would be the “classic” lineup for the 14 Iced Bears?

Mainly bass players! A bit like Spinal Tap drummers. I think at one stage I believe we’d had 14 members, then we split up. Spooky. It was mainly bass players leaving! Difficult to say, but my preference would be the first lp line-up: Graham, Kevin, Will and me.

++ Why the name 14 Iced Bears?

It’s something that happened to me as a child, is what I used to always say.

++ How was the creative process for you? Where did you usually practice?

I seemed to have songs coming out of my ears at the time. Most weeks I would come up with a song while I wandered the streets of Brighton. If a song was good, I’d feel a weird tingle and rush home to tape it. We’d practice in local rehearsal rooms.

++ And who would you say were influences in the sound of the band?

At first I’d say Burt Bacharach, JAMC, the Pastels, Syd Barrett (our first ever gig we covered Syd’s ‘Late Night’), Primals, Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes and more, then by around 87, the line-up had changed and we went more towards West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, 13th Floor Elevators, Big Star, among others.

++ During the mid and late 80s (and early 90s), there was an explosion of guitar pop bands in the UK. Why do you think that happened? Did you feel part of that?

I think people were a bit bored, after the Smiths first came out people were excited, then nothing much happened for a year or so. It was all a bit miserable goth, and bland pop, at the time. That’s why hearing the Mary Chain’s Upside Down was such a shock at the time. A great tune! Not sure what you mean by guitar pop bands, but we felt part of a growing indie thing across the country, with all the fanzines and local scenes happening.

++ I read that it was at your first gig that Mark Flunder from the TVPs spotted you and offered you a release on his brand new Frank Records. That’s really amazing! Was it really your fist gig? Where was it? Who else was playing?

It’s all a bit hazy now, but I think it was (or our third? 🙂 ). I could be wrong, but can’t remember for sure, any more! I remember it was at Sussex University campus in Falmer, near Brighton. Our first gig was with our friends, Hypnotising Chickens, again on campus. They included a friend from our ex-Velvet Underground days 🙂

++ This first release was the “Inside” 7″ which includes “Inside”, “Blue Suit” and “Cut”. I must say that one of my most favourite songs by the band is “Cut” and would love to take the opportunity to ask you if you could tell me the story behind this song in a few sentences if possible? 🙂

Glad you like “Cut”, one of my faves too. Erm, I was sharing a house with an ex, among others. From what I remember, she got off with one of the Bodines, I think, in the room above mine. I was pretty upset. That’s when I wrote the song! Although it’s all getting more and more hazy these days. Seems like a different world.

++ Also I really like the art for this record, with the white and pink vertical bars and very cool design. But I’m wondering who used to take care of all your art? Was it always you or it was sometimes the label?

It varied. On that occasion it was Mark Flunder’s idea.

++ You then went to release “The Importance of Being Frank EP”, a superb 12″ that included a classic song of yours “Balloon Song”.  I’ve always been curious about the cover version The Aislers Set did of that song. How did that happen and did you like it? Did you ever see them play live or meet any of the members?

Thanks re “Balloon Song”. I think I found out on the grapevine after they’d done it. It was very touching that someone released a version of it. I was glad, it may have got more people into the song. Think I saw them play live in London once in the 90s, but they didn’t do BS 🙁 Met some of them, but it was like 20 years ago!)

++ This same song was later included in a flexi shared with The Hermit Crabs. I read that it was taken from a gig recorded for BBC Radio Sussex for a show called Turn it Up. What was that show about? And why did you choose to use this live recording for this flexi?

Turn it Up was the local music radio show. They were really nice and we did a few interviews with them over the years. It was a ‘Xmas party version’ (as you can tell?) for their yuletide night and was actually called Saloon Bong! We recorded a version of the Chocolate Watchband’s Are You Gonna Be There for them in their studio, a few years later. It’s on youtube if people want to hear it.

++ And again, “Balloon Song”, appears on the Shelter Video compilation. It looks as you are playing live somewhere with the Shelter banner behind. When and where was it recorded?

That was at Bay 63, Ladbroke Grove, London, I think, prob about 87. The sound’s terrible on it unfortunately, I’m a bit embarrassed about it but for years that was the only video thing people knew of us on the internet

++ A year later, in 1988, you were to release the classic “Come Get Me” on Sarah. I’ve always wondered why was it your one and only release on Sarah, why didn’t you continue releasing records with them?

It was our only one because we wanted to make an lp next and they didn’t do them at the time.

++ And because I know many friends love this song, I have to ask, what inspired it?

I was living opposite a small park at the time, and I would imagine popping over there on lazy afternoons with my girlfriend and it was a little oasis from everything. There was never anyone else around. The song just came from being there, really. The feeling of the swings.

++ Most of your records afterwards came out on Thunderball Records. Who were behind this label? How was your relationship with them and how did you end up signing with them?

It was someone we knew a bit from Harlow in Essex, Graeme Sinclair. He did the Shelter and CND video compilations with loads of indie bands on them – An Ideal Guesthouse and Carry on Disarming, I think.

He was into our stuff and was keen to put out an lp, so we did. The first time I met him, at a party in Brighton, he head-butted me as a joke. Quite a good start!

++ I believe that for the “Mother Sleep” 12  you recorded your only promo video, and it was for the title song. Where was this one recorded? It looks like a park and then a studio?

It was recorded in another park in Brighton, and I can’t remember which studio, sorry!

++ Your other promo video, “World I Love” was also for another Thunderball single. How was that experience of doing these videos and why weren’t there more by the 14 Iced Bears? 

It was great doing them, but in those days it wasn’t so easy to do. We made one for Hold On that was really good, filmed by one of Jane Pow. Unfortunately it’s been lost. I’d love to find it again.

++ Something I noticed is that you released a couple of splits with bands like The Hermit Crabs, Crocodile Ride, Splendour in the Grass. Were you friends with them? Or they just happened thanks to the labels?

It was mainly a label thing but we knew Crocodile Ride as they were our mates in Brighton.

++ On the German label Mermaid Records you released a single sided 7″ with a cover of “Julia Dream”, an original by Roger Waters of course. Did you use to play it live? Were covers part of a regular 14 Iced Bears gig? Did you record any others?

Yeah, we used to play that plus, at times, Smell of Incense by West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Bouncing Babies by Teardrop Explodes, even did Whole Lotta Love by Led Zep! Our first gig we played Syd Barrett’s Late Night. I think the Teardrops one live is on our Slumberland comp.

++ Your last releases were to happen in Borderline Records in the early 90s, the “Hold On” 12″ and “Wonder” album. Why the new change of labels? I don’t know much about Borderline, would you tell me a bit about who they were? where were they based?

It was just things changed, can’t remember exactly. Borderline was run by Dave Minns, who ran the town’s best record shop. He was friends with Gene Clark from the Byrds and there was talk of him being on Wonder but unfortunately that was the year he died. It was based in Brighton, and Dave put on a lot of the local gigs. He was always in the Heart & Hand and felt like my Brighton dad.

++ Something that I like about you is that you always made your music accessible by releasing compilations in the 90s, and then in the 2000s, on Overground in the UK and Slumberland in the US, and later on Cherry Red. Was this the intention? To keep your music easily available?

I obviously wanted people to hear the stuff so we were delighted to do the comps. It wasn’t our mission as such but we were glad to do them.

++ I was looking at the compilation appearances and there are many, but most of them are quite recent I’d say. From the ones in the past I’m curious about the “Fingernails” tape that included “Train Song” and was released in 1988 by Toytown. It was an Australian compilation, and I’m quite impressed that your music ended up down under. Do you remember how that happened?

I’m not aware of that! Do you have any details?

++ Lastly I wanted to ask about the latest record you were part of, the “Three Wishes: Part Time Punks” 12″ sessions record that you shared with two other fab bands like Aberdeen and The June Brides. I’m wondering if you ever share a gig with them in the past? And how did you enjoy LA and recording these tracks?

No we just played with them on our West Coast US tour of 2011. We had a friend to stay with in LA, so hung out a bit. Really excited, quite an exotic landscape for a boy from Camberwell. We did the tracks in Robert from Brian Jonestown Massacre’s studio. It was great fun!

++ A couple of weeks ago you mentioned that there will be a new Cherry Red compilation. What’s that about? Or you can’t say much yet?

Sorry not allowed to give any details yet!

++ You recorded not one but two Peel Sessions. One in 1986 and another in 1987. How did that happen? How was that experience? Did you get to meet Peel? Any anecdotes you can share?

He really liked our first single Inside and got in touch with the label. It was an amazing experience, especially being mixed by Dale Griffin from Mott the Hoople. Dale said he really liked Cut, which, for a bunch of kids doing their first stuff, was great news.
The first time went like a dream but, the second one – our van keys broke in the lock after we finished and we had to sleep on the BBC sofas in the foyer overnight!
We didn’t meet him there but we were overwhelmed by his reaction on air to our songs. He loved it. A teenage dream come true!
I met him in the street in London about ten years later and had a nice chat. Although, we used to talk over the phone on rare occasions during his show.

++ Are there any unreleased songs by the 14 Iced Bears? Or has everything been released?

There’s a few early things that were only released live like Jumped in a Puddle and some stuff after Wonder before we split.

++ Was there ever interest big labels?

Apparently Geffen were interested around the time of the first LP but nothing came of it.

++ What about gigs? What were the best gigs you remember? And why?

So many. The best was probably supporting Alex Chilton around 91/92 in Brighton. Had a great time hanging out with him post-gig, and he really liked our set, so I didn’t care what anyone else thought after that! 😀Touring the US was amazing recently. Playing gigs itself was a real rush for me. The first time we got loud cheers from the audience, at our very first gig in Brighton, felt really exhilarating too.

++ And how different was playing Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland, compared to the UK?

You definitely get treated better! We couldn’t believe hotels and meals were organised for us.

++ Had there been any bad gigs?

Erm, playing wise, a couple of times! The Falcon in Camden, around 91, my amp cut out at the gig and we still couldn’t hear the other guitarist. I started pulling the strings out of my guitar during the set, the mic kept falling down while I was singing, and we got a terrible review in the NME! Had to be in London, didn’t it!

++ When and why did the band split? Had members of the band involved with any other bands afterwards?

Long story. I moved up to London in 92. Not sure what everyone’s been up to – I know Kev has a band, Blackthorn Crescent, and Graham still plays drums for people.

++ In 2010 there was a reunion to tour the US and some UK gigs. How did that happen? Was it easy to put the band together once more?

Through some friends on Facebook who were music promoters in the US really. I’d had no plans to reform but this felt like a adventure so I managed to get enough ex- band members together.

++ I remember being lucky to see you at Indietracks and in London. A new generation was excited to see you play and listen to your music. I want to thank you for that. But for you, what were the best gigs of this reunion and the best part of playing with the 14 Iced Bears again?

I loved all of them really, and it was great to play those songs to new people, and we were pretty tight too!

++ Also there was a mention of 14 Iced Bears on the song “Twee” by Tullycraft. I suppose you don’t consider your music twee, do you? And has there been any other good covers or mentions by bands that you remember now? I can remember the The Shapiros’ “Cut” which is great too…

I’m not sure what twee means. It used to mean affected and crap, so I don’t think we were twee in that way. I suppose now it’s more of a genre label, so I have no idea. When we first started it was a counter to all the goth and crap-chartpop around. It felt quite punky to write melodic stuff with a noisy, untamed sound. Then, around 88, we were more interested in 60s psyche. The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band’s third lp changed my life and was constantly on in the tour van.

There was The Aislers Set version of Balloon Song, which probably kickstarted the Slumberland compilation. There’s been a few others over the years.

++ Did you get much attention from the radio? What about TV?

Mainly John Peel in Uk radio, and college radio in the States. We did an interview on Snub TV in 88/89 (UKTV programme) but I don’t know where any copies of that are.

++ What about the press? Did they give you any attention?

We got single of the week for Balloon Song, can’t remember which UK music paper it was. Our lps got strange reviews – one in the NME or similar said we’d be massive if we had a different name! We were mainly in fanzines, I suppose.

++ I suppose you got a fair amount of appearances in fanzines back in the day? Were you perhaps involved in fanzines or not? And what were your favourite fanzines back then?

I wasn’t involved personally but knew Johnny Dee (Especially Yellow). As he was local, I got quite into that fanzine – we did a rather silly interview, I remember.

++ Looking back in retrospective, what would you say was the biggest highlight for the band?

God knows – so many. Being liked on John Peel, releasing any thing at all, playing with some of my musical heroes – among others, we played with Julian Cope, Mo Tucker and Sterling Morrison, as well as Alex Chilton – making our albums, touring. Pretty much all of it, actually!

+ + And aside from music what other hobbies do you have? What about football? Do you support any team?

I’ve made up my own type of yoga meditation which I’m really into, and it has healed me of so many things, including physical things. I love Eckhart Tolle’s writings. I’m quite political – it’s been great to be part of the wave that saw Jeremy Corbyn’s rise. A paradigm shift in UK politics. I’m also a big believer in Cannabis legalisation. There’s been a social revolution with the worldwide change in its perception and that’s been exciting too. As long as we don’t destroy the planet, in the meantime.

I’ve supported Tottenham since I was about 4, and that’s been great recently also!

++ I was in Brighton once some years ago but it is always better to ask a local for some suggestions. Like what are the sights a pop fan shouldn’t miss? Or the traditional food or drinks that you love that I should try? Any good record stores to visit?

I haven’t lived there for 26 years so have no idea. When I go there now, it looks similar but all the bodies are different. A bit like a Body Snatchers film.

++ Anything else you’d like to add?

No! That was pretty exhaustive, are you a detective? 🙂 but seriously, thanks so much for being into our stuff, Roque. It’s very appreciated.

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Listen
14 Iced Bears – Cut

Monday! This week there will be only another post, on Wednesday and after that there won’t be any other updates on the blog until the next Wednesday. I’m heading for a few days to Dublin, to escape Thanksgiving, so that should be pretty good. It’s been a while since I had some time off. But as usual I leave you a bunch of music for you to enjoy!

Sobs: this great Singapore band I had recommended in the past recorded a live session for something called JUICE. The result is on Youtube, there is a lovely video of them performing their song “Girl” which I think everyone should check out! I believe they will be touring soon Japan alongside the super For Tracy Hyde.

Sexores: not sure who these Ecuadorians are. They hail from Quito and they credit themselves as numbers, not names. They do make some great dreamy songs though. Kind of synth-gaze if that’s a term that exists? I don’t know. But surely this is good stuff. Their record “East/West” is available as a limited 12″ in their Bandcamp.

My Raining Stars: “Manhattan” is the latest song by the brilliant French band that is fronted by Thierry Haliniak. This time around the sound of the jangly outfit sounds a bit more early 90s I think. I hope to see a new album by him in the future, especially as I missed his first one many years ago.

Golden Teardrops: two new songs by Ryan and Lei Marquez, our friends from Richmond, California! Or maybe not that new, but they are Bandcamp new. “Since You Came Along (Single version)” is of course the single version of the original that appeared on their album “Promises & Smiles” while “Boy, am I Worth the Trouble?” was recorded back in 2010. Nevertheless these are two lovely tracks!

Herlights: this Russian band have continued posting good songs on Bandcamp since the last time I featured them many months ago. I think I had just discovered them through their song “SHE”, now there are three more, “WET”, “Lost in the Autumn” and their latest “Fairy Tale”.  And I’m happy to revisit their page. These songs are great!

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There are no release dates for any of Les Fleurs releases on Discogs. That complicates things for my investigation. For my research. Listed are a 7″ single and two tapes. I wonder if that was all this French band released.

The 7″ came out on a label called Z & Zoé Records that was based in Auch. Auch is a commune in southwestern France. Located in the region of Occitanie, it is the capital of the Gers department. Auch is the historical capital of Gascony. It is kind of near to Toulouse, an area that in the 90s had a good bunch of indiepop bands. Also just saw the photo of the Auch cathedral and looks amazing. I would love to visit one day. Anyways. They label was founded by Laurent Wencewiez and later joined him in the adventure Michel Lorteau. The label is still alive and I suppose the most known bands in their roster would be Marie Antoinette and Fandor. I do need to explore their releases.

Their 7″ was called “Trop Tôt Pour Aller Dormir” and had the catalog number ZAZ03. This makes me believe that the record was released sometime between 1995 and 1997, as that’s where it would fit in between the 2nd and 4th release on the catalogue. It would also make sense, the 90s was a good time for indiepop in France.

The 7″ had 5 songs. Two on the A side: “Elle N’Aime Pas Les Garçons” and “Monsieur Paul”. The B side had three: “Camille Préfère Attendre”, “Pilule” and “La Fête Est Finie”. Happily there are credits and we get to know the people that played in the record.

Nicolas Falez – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano and programming (he also wrote the songs)
Sébastien Drique – guitar and backing vocals (he also took the photography for the sleeve)
Rudy Audant – bass, tambourine, shaker, backing vocals
Sonia Bricout – backing vocals

The two tapes that are listed might be demos. The first one is called “Vingt et Un Tours du Soleil” that included 6 tracks: “Les Pommiers en Fleurs”, “Alice et Moi”, “Les Choses Que L’On Souhaite, “Vu d’ici”, “Pilule” and “Je Suis Venue te Dire que Je M’en Vais”.

I really like the artwork of this tape, with its cut and paste feel, the colorful flowers and the textures. It looks like something I would have done when young at university. Really cool. And that same style is repeated on the other tape listed, the one called “Chanson(s) Pour Hier Soir)”.

This second tape includes 8 songs, 7 originals and one cover version, John Barry’s “The Persuaders”. The tracklist was as follows: “Wonderbra”, “Le Tour des Mondanités”, “Le Père Lachaise:, “Le Jardin”, “Es-tu une guêpe ou une abeille?”, “Elle & Lui (discotrash)”, “Chanson pour hier soir” and “The Persuaders”.

It is hard for me to read the credits on the tape, from a low quality scan on Discogs. I do notice that there are other band members listed. An Alex and a Laurent I can read. But I can’t figure out their last names.

The band appeared on many compilations during their lifetime. There are 9 listed on Discogs. On the compilation tape “After Nine” that was released in 1994 by Pâte A Modeler (PAM 002), the band contributed “Le Tour Des Mondanités” and “3 Minutes De Parfaite Stupidité”.  I have to say I am very curious about all of these tapes, labels, and bands, that are part of the compilation cassette scene from the 90s in France. Would love to have access to them someway.

Another 1994 tape the band had presence in was “Quatre-quarts” that was put together by Le Taotu Colérique (C94). Three songs by Les Fleurs were included “Carol a New York”, “Trois Minutes de Parfaite Stupidité” and “Je Te Trouve un Peu Trop Sérieuse”.

In 1996 the band would appear on a CD compilation called “Cat’alogue 96” that was released by Presto! (CAT 96) on CD. The band just contributed one song for this album, “Wonderbra”. The year after, 1997, the band contributes “Le Skaï Des Trains Corails” and “Chanson Pour Hier Soir” to the “L’Océane” CD compilation that was released by Pop Earth (PE 002). Both of these compilations are filled with bands I don’t know much about!

In 2000, a year were CDs were reigning supreme, the band appears on a tape comp called “Eden Love” that was released by A Secret Song. Two songs by the band are included “Wonderbra” and “Elle & Lui”.

Those are all the compilations that we can pinpoint a year of release. But there are four more. On the “Plouf” compilation (which I believe has been mentioned on the blog before) that was released by Les Tartines, the band contributes the song “Les Pommiers en Fleurs”. Then on the always interesting Shiny Sunset label from Italy (who I tried to interview with no luck) they had the song “Vu D’ici” on the “A Glittering Christmas” tape comp.

Their song “Les Pommiers en Fleurs” also appear on the “Sassy” tape which doesn’t seems not to have a label but did come with a fanzine. This tape included many great bands from the period like Girl of the World, Silly Pillows or Vicarage Garden among others.

Lastly. on the Pâte A Modeler tape compilation “Tango” the band included two songs “Le Père Lachaise” and “La Fête Est Finie”.

I look for what other bands the members of Les Fleurs might have been in. So, Sonia Bricout had been in a band called Superflu and Ghost Rhythms. Sébastien Drique had also been in Superflu as well as Nicolas Falez. It does look like Superflu was a much bigger band, releasing three albums and a handful of singles between the late nineties and 2007.

I find a PDF with the biography of Superflu. Here there’s a mention of Les Fleurs, telling how they first started. It seems that it all starts in the summer of 1993 when Nicolas was recording songs on his own. Then in 1994 he meets Sonia and Sébastien while attending Journalism School in the city of Lille. Okay great, we have a place they were from! It seems that Gauthier Montury joins the band in 1995 but after that half of them move to Paris, and that’s when they change their name to Superflu.

I keep digging and I find that Nicolas is now in a band called Fontaine Wallace.

It seems there is quite a bit of information about Superflu, with several articles in the famous Les Inrockuptibles. But about Les Fleurs, really nothing. I found a bunch of songs on Youtube though and that was fantastic. Check out “Alice et Moi” or the song I’m sharing here on the blog and you’ll understand my excitement. Who doesn’t love a good song with boy/girl vocals, right?

So I wonder, my French friends, my friends from Lille, if you remember them? I’ve tried many times to do interviews and learn more about French bands on the blog, but only a few have gotten back to me. Would be great to learn more about Les Fleurs and also about that healthy 90s scene that existed in taht country!

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Listen
Les Fleurs – Elle N’Aime Pas Les Garçons

Friday then. Exciting. Next week on Wednesday I’m heading to Dublin for 4 days. Please send my way any record store recommendations, I would love to find used records, some cool indiepop from Ireland!

Here are my newest finds for you to enjoy this coming weekend!

Verano del 83: this Trujillo, Peru, band have been featured a couple of times on the blog. They continue making music and from what I understand this video for their song “El Poder del Sol” will be included in their forthcoming album to be released sometime soon. Would be nice to know where was the video filmed. What area in Peru?

Shadow Girls: “Glorius Flowers” EP, part of a series called Singularidades Jabalina, on the Madrid label Jabalina is the new 7″ by the interesting project formed by Jaime from Souvenir and Charlie Mysterio from Los Caramelos. There are four songs, four cover versions, of which I’m sure you’d be mostly interested in listening the Go-Betweens one, a cover of “Bachelor Kisses”.

Happypills: a new single by this Fukuoka, Japan, band called “So Long/Earth” is now available to stream on Bandcamp. It is a pretty upbeat track of bedroom pop, definitely worth checking out!

The Pleasures Pale: I wasn’t aware this Dayton, OH, band was on Bandcamp. I was hoping to write a post about them later on here in the blog. But maybe now I can get in touch with them? I do own an album that a long time Jessel recommended to me. Now I see on Bandcamp a bunch of the songs that appeared on the album available to stream like the terrific “My Town Has No Cafés”! Totally check this out!

Yawyaw: and lastly here are two catchy songs from yet another Indonesian band! “When I’m Relax” and “Kiss” were released on CDR by Supercrush Records and these are already sold out!! Shame! I would have loved a copy!

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“Book-em Danno”, from the tv police drama Hawaii Five-O, the signature expression uttered by the character of Steve McGarrett (played by Jack Lord) to sidekick Danny Williams (played by James MacArthur), usually at the end of each episode when the criminals had been apprehended.

My first encounter with this wonderful band was where else but through the Sound of Leamington Spa series. Their song “BJs” had appeared on the 6th volume of the series that was released by Firestation Records in 2009. It was a fantastic song.

But for me the big mystery has been if the 12″ released by the Splinter Group label by the band Book’em Danno was the same band. Discogs would tell you it is. But I have my doubts. Especially because on the liner notes of the Firestation compilation there is no mention whatsoever of this record. This is what it says:

Shirts from Oxfam! Pop music from heaven! This was how one person described “Bookendanno”. Formed more by accident than grand design, after the collapse and demise of two local pop outfits, Ink and Yootha Joyce. The core players from both bands combined to form the nucleus of Bookemdanno. The band initially decamped to a dark rehearsal room with a pen, some paper, a bottle of died lemonade and some fruit. From here the plan was hatched to loose any style in terms of a sense of fashion. The band uniform became Hawaiian shirts. Then onto constructing pop songs with a strong hook line and memorable melodies. Tie all this together with a fierce reputation for live performances and you have the essence of the band. The bonus ball would have been for the world to accede to the bands agenda on the all-conquering power of original pop music. After several blistering live outings the logical decision was made to record an album. The end result of the sessions held at shipwreck studios was “For Nobody But Ourselves”, an album that caugth the bands unique ability to craft melodies and tunes into grandiose statements on life, love and happiness. The album included Castro, BJ’s and Shattered Smile which were complimented by a wealth of top quality pop humdingers. The album was to be the band only recording as a unit. Amidst allegations of rumour of deceit, deception and also, a nominal notion he world wouldn’t listen, the band imploded. Which was a shame, really. A couple of the songs live on via roomthirteen, which was borne out of the ashes of the Bookemdanno fiasco. BJ’s and Shattered Smile being regular staples of the roomthirteen live set. 

Bookemdanno were: John Done (vocals guitar), Paul Geraghty (drums), Alan Slack (bass guitar), Brian Mitchell (vocals), Phil Stock (mandolin), Derek Goodwin (keyboards), Paul Walster (sometimes lead guitar sometime bass guitar), Alan Dornan (deputy guitarist).

There is a mention of an album, but not at all of a 12″. And I believe this album was never properly released. So if they had a 12″ EP released they would have for sure mentioned it. Right? What do you think?

I will then not count, not dedicate any lines, to this 12″ until I’m proven wrong. I’ll try to find out what happened to Bookemdanno.

The Firestation liner notes did include a link to a Myspace for the band roomthirteen. I suppose I will start there. But of course it was 2009 when it was released, so Myspace was working and you could stream songs and all. Now it is useless. But you can check it out if you like.

But that’s not all about roomthirteen. They do have a Facebook page where a little bio for John Done and Brian Mitchell are available. It says:

John Done (guitar and vocals) has an extraordinary voice that almost defines the roomthirteen sound. John previous incarnations include front-man with Suburban Daze and Ink. John also joined local pop outfit Yootha Joyce where a long term fraternal relationship was cemented with Mitchell. John also shared lead vocal responsibilities in the band bookemdanno.

Brian Mitchell (guitar and vocals) was lead singer with Tameside band, Yootha Joyce. With demise of Yootha he joined Done in Ink on backing vocals. Mitchell shared lead vocal responsibility in bookemdanno. Mitchell also is lyricist, along with Done, creating original and thought provoking words for the vast number of songs in their portfolio.

But there is a trove, a treasure, on SoundCloud. John Done, the vocalist and guitarist, has uploaded 8 songs by Bookemdanno! They were uploaded 7 years ago, and I’m not sure if the 8 were part of the album, if it was the whole album, or what. I do know though that you can stream “Flowers”, “Shattered Smile”, “Strange”, “Faces”, “Castro”, “BJs”, “Burst” and “Alice”. Not only that, you can check some of his other projects like INK and Suburban Daze. This is great, I’ve spend listening to these songs for hours today.

Another band member, Paul Walster, has a website. It is not that easy to navigate. It seems he is now based in Glossop. And here I could find something interesting, that Bookemdanno had a song called “Bookemdanno”.

Then Derek Goodwin, keyboardist, also has a SoundCloud page with his own recordings as well as Bookemdanno songs. I find the same songs as on John’s, meaning “Burst”, “Shattered Smile”, “Strange”, “Alice” and “Faces”.  They were also uploaded 7 years ago.

I couldn’t find any more information about the band. I do know they hailed from Manchester. Exactly where in Manchester I don’t know. It is interesting that I could find many songs to listen on the web. But there is barely any information about them. You usually find a mention of a gig or two, headlining or supporting, but I couldn’t find any of that. It is not 100% clear who were the ones that put out that 12″ that many collectors want. It is even less clear if the album Bookemdanno recorded was ever released in any format.

I would love to know more about them. I wonder, do you remember them?
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Listen
Bookemdanno – BJs

The BV’s 7″s should be available now (or shortly) at Rough Trade in the UK, Hands and Armas in France, Jigsaw Records in the US, Stone Records in Japan and through us, the label, and also through the band. I hope to be able to get the records to more stores in the coming days and weeks, but as I said before, if you can ask your local store that also helps.

Now, I need to get to work on future records. I have two retrospectives taking shape, but the 7″s are moving much slower. I do think though that next year there will be news about that.

Now what are the latest finds?

Rei Clone: cool and noisy sounding band from Denton, Texas, who have just put up their latest single on Bandcamp. It is called “Wave” and sounds superb. They have made a video for it too! They are formed by Abe, Zach, Charlie and Johnny. Good stuff!

Strawberry Punks Vol. 2: I reviewed some time ago the first volume and it was great. Now the second is as good. Five Indonesian pop bands are featured once again: Hill Street Connection, The Lousy Pop Group, Lazy Eye, Turks & Caicos and The Sensitive. It is available to stream now thanks to Dismantled Records from Jakarta.

Turks & Caicos: this band was featured in the compilation I just talked about. But they also have a Soundcloud where you can check the pretty pretty song “This Town”. I really hope to find more songs here next time I visit. One song by them is not really enough!

Lonely Cookies: I believe this is the band name of this Chinese band. Their label, Wild Records, is based in Wuhan. Is the band too? What I do know is that they have an EP called “Eastlake Swimming” that has five songs of upbeat and catchy tunes. Kind of strange that this wasn’t released on Boring Productions though! But great to see more indiepop coming from China!

Elenin: more from Indonesia. Now from Don’t Fade Away Records from Jakarta. Three noisy songs by Elening. They are “Kalam”, “Massa Masa” and “Technyancolor”. Will this be released in physical format? It is really impressive the quantity and quality of Indonesian pop at the moment!

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I was checking out some of the flexis released by the Sound Affects magazine from Sweden. In the past I had featured some bands/songs that appeared on them like Dream or Pleasurehouse. But I haven’t listened to them all of course. Today I was checking a double sided flexi, the ninth that appeared alongside this iconic and legendary Swedish magazine.

This flexi (SAF 009) included 4 songs. Two on each side. The A side had The Dambuilders from the US with the song “Teenage Bum” and TV Pop Crisis with “Cloud Chamber”. The B side had the soon to be famous The Wannadies with “My Home Town (Midem Mix)” and Rapid Teenagers’ “Storebrosan”. It was released in 1990 and came accompanying the 7th number of the magazine.

The song that caught my attention today happened to be the second on the A side, “Cloud Chamber” by the Swedish band TV Pop Crisis. Who were they? That was the first question I wanted to solve.

Discogs sheds some light listing a demo tape. There is no release year sadly but we do know a few things. There were four songs on it, “He Brings the Money”, “Cloud Chamber”, “Easy” and “Love Chain (Tender Return)”. These same tracks appear on both A and B side. The tape came with two flyers. On one of them we know it was recorded in July 1989 at Studio Urania by Jörgen Sangsta. I believe they dedicate this tape to someone called Tina.

The second flyer kind of describes what to expect from each song. It also gives us a name, Johan Holmlund, and an address in Gothenburg.

This are great hints to uncover the mystery. But Discogs also points us to two aliases of the band. Fly and Easy.

Fly being a band that released an album in 1998 with Dolores Recordings called “Green Lights”. And Easy, well, you must know Easy right?

If not, well, Easy was an indiepop group that had members from both Gothenburg and Jönköping that released the classic “Magic Seed” album in 1990 (which has just been re-released by the A Turntable Friend label) plus another handful of albums and a string of singles. A pretty well known band. And this all makes sense. Easy also recorded “Cloud Chamber” for that first album.

Now, something pretty interesting then is that on the tape of TV Pop Crisis there is a song called “Easy”. Did they name themselves after this song? Could be. Another question, were all the members of Easy in TV Pop Crisis? We do know that Johan Holmlund was. What about the rest?

There is also another compilation where they appeared event though Discogs lists this as a different band. On “Swedish Exotica (Volume 2)”, an LP compilation released by Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth Scandinavia (TOPYSCAN 008) in 1989, the band appears with “Easy”. Here we strike gold. We find the band members names for TV Pop Crisis!

Rickard Jormin on bass
Tommy Jonsson on drums
Tommy Eriksson on guitar
Johan Holmlund on vocals

Now knowing all these names I know all of them were in Easy. So TV Pop Crisis evolved to Easy. But why the name change?

Well I found an interview with Easy on the Ljudmatta blog were they explain the whole issue:
Why did you change your name? (Easy was called first Tv Pop Crisis)
When we got a record deal with English Blast First / Mute, they thought TV Pop Crisis did not fit the music we played and we were not entirely satisfied with the name. So Lars Aldman on the radio program Bommen organized a list competition where you had to submit your nomination suggestions. The fact that we had some self-distance can be seen afterwards as we look at the list of names candidates who were left to the end. I mean the name The Orienteringsdöden probably did not work so well … Or that the work name of the first album was “Mariebo-Råslätt, deferred due to rain”.

Something else that caught my attention from that interview is that it says that the band members moved to Gothenburg mostly because they needed to do their military service there!

The well known Café Kristina label’s first ever gig was with TV Pop Crisis in 1990.

Of course every single piece of writing about TV Pop Crisis is actually about Easy. I mean, that’s fine. They were exactly the same band. But my curiosity right now is about that first period, when they were named TV Pop Crisis and released that demo tape I mentioned. Did they release any others? Was it easy for them to change their name? To accept the demands of a big label? How long did they keep their original name? Did they ever use it again?

What do you remember about TV Pop Crisis?!

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Listen
TV Pop Crisis – Cloud Chamber

Here we go again. A new week of p!o!p!

The Reds, Pinks & Purples: I don’t know if Glenn Donaldson who is behind this band is tricking me to post every single song he makes on the blog. I say that because he adds one song at a time to his Bandcamp. One by one. The latest is the pretty “Human Life (demo)”. I really hope to see a full album soon!

Fanclub: the latest from this Austin, Texas, 3 piece, is the lovely song “Reflection”. Previously they had uploaded the song “Leaves” which is as nice! That’s it. I look forward to more by them. They do have some gigs lined up, even a SXSW appearance next year.

Lovejoy, 1973: “песни о сиянии” is the name of this 7 song album by this terrific Russian band. I know very little about them aside that the tape is being released by Pow! Pop Kids Records from their home country. It is all in Russian, so perhaps you (like me) don’t understand a word. But it doesn’t matter. This is great as it is!

Luby Sparks: there is a new video by the fantastic Japanese band. It is a video for their song “Perfect”. This song was released in physical format on the “(I’m) Lost in Sadness EP” by the Space Shower Music label a couple of days ago. Sounding superb as always!

The Perfect English Weather: the band formed by ex-Popguns have a new album out on Matinée! It is called “Don’t You Wanna Feel the Rain?” and it includes 10 brand new songs. If you follow the link you can preview three of them, “Only Shadows”, “Rocking’ to the Beat” and “Still”. What lovely pop music this is. Classic sounding. Timeless.

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Decoy Avenue went through a few changes from 1981 before settling with their most successful line up in 1982. Playing only their own songs, they were regulars at the London clubs of the day; including The Embassy, The Rock Garden, The Ad Lib, 101 Club and The Moonlight. Their energy needed to be put on disc, so in May 1983 an independent single was recorded “Turn and Face” b/w “Stay”. Interest came from EMI Publishing but was never fulfilled due to internal disputes. The band carried on with different musicians coming and going till 1984, but never reached the heights of the original five boys of Decoy Avenue.

Pete Lancaster: Trumpet/Vocals
Martin Holleyoake: Bass/Vocals
John Varnarva: Guitar
Martin Papier: Keyboard/Vocals
Tony Kutner: Drums/Vocals

That’s the information the compilation The Sound of Leamington Spa Vol. 4 shares with us in its booklet. Decoy Avenue had appeared on this 2003 compilation released by the great Firestation Records. On that compilation they had contributed their song “Gone Native”, which doesn’t appear in the one and only single the band had released. That’s interesting. But even more interesting is that around this time it seems the band was selling a CDR, self-released and all, with 8 songs they had recorded between November 1981 and September 1983. I didn’t know about it then. And actually I only found out now. I always liked the song on the Leamington Spa comp, but never went looking for their records. I mean, I knew my changes of getting a copy of their single was pretty hard. But if I had known there was a CDR maybe I could have tracked it. Today, many years after, it looks like a difficult task.

This CDR which seems self-titled included as I said before 8 tracks. They were: “Gone Native”, “Lord Mountbatten”, “Parallel World”, “In Negative”, “Funk You”, “After Dark”, “Beanpole Blues” and “Reasons”. Discogs doesn’t offer any more details about it.

Previously, of course, they had released their 7″. Just the one. As mentioned it had “Turn and Face” on the A side and “Stay (You’re the One)” on the B side. None of these songs appear on the CDR. The year for its release was 1983 and was put out by themselves with the catalog number COY 1.  There is not much information on the sleeve. There wasn’t one really. But thanks to the labels we know that both songs were produced by David Kenny.

Aside from these two releases and the appearance on The Leamington Spa, there is another compilation appearance listed. They contributed the B side of their single, “Stay (You’re The One)” ,  to the “Pop Renaissance” (EX 014) triple CD comp that Excellent Records from Japan put out in 2004. A superb compilation this one, with incredible bands like La Casa Azul, Mocca, Love Parade or Pale Sunday. A mix of old and new for the time.

Googling for Decoy Avenue I end up noticing that there is actually a Decoy Avenue in London. A proper avenue. Well, it is kind of a small avenue. It is in the Golders Green area, though kind of a very long walk from the tube station.

But even a better find is “Reasons” on Youtube. This song, which is included in the CDR, has been uploaded to the web with a bunch of cool photos and live footage of the band. But that is not all, Tony Kutner has uploaded more stuff to his Youtube. There is “Funk You” with lots of video footage of the band and “Stay (You’re the One)” with a bunch of rare photos of Decoy Avenue. These were uploaded like 9 years ago. Only today I have stumbled upon them. Not good!

I suddenly find a Facebook page for Shaz Lancaster, it seems that’s the name Peter Lancaster uses now. He is an actor/entertainer based in London. He also has a website.

Online I also stumbled upon some photos of the band at the Bedfordshire zoo. It seems like it was a fun day for the band. It also looks like Tony Kutner had been in a band called Equinox before being in Decoy Avenue.

Lastly I find out that both Martin Papier and John Varnava were playing in a band called Ramirez. There is an article on the Brent & Kilburn Times, dating from 2011, were it mentions they were going to play Cricklewood Castle and that they had played Gladstonbury just before.

That’s about it really on the web about Decoy Avenue. I would love to know many more things of course. They sure played a lot in London, but what about outside of London? Why didn’t they get to release more records? Is there a way to get the CDR still? Are there more songs other than the ones in the single and CDR? Were they involved in other bands? Would be fantastic too to get in touch. Maybe do an interview. Why not!

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Listen
Decoy Avenue – Gone Native

Weekend is again with us. That’s great indeed. So let’s take it easy with some nice new music, right?

Boys: there is a brand new video for the song “What if You Would Die?” that was in the debut album “Rest in Peace” and it is of course a great new opportunity to listen to this song. The video was shot by Nora Karlsson, the driving force of the band. Good stuff!

Girl President: the latest from the Japanese label Galaxy Train is this limited tape by the new band of Hiroko Kawakami, ex-Caucus and Smilelove. So this is great stuff, here at Cloudberry we love Caucus, we released a 7″ (do you have it? There aren’t that many copies left) and here she is back alongside Miki Hirose from the Smokebees! Four new songs, one of them a cover of a The Notes original!

Renge: another new release on Galaxy Train is a tape by yeat another band I have featured on the blog before, Renge. It is a 7 song album that sounds very fragile and sweet. The tape edition looks very good, with lots of goodies too!

Life Model: another band that has appeared on the blog in the past has a new song out called “Long Way Round” which will be included in a split 7″ that they will share with Home Economics. It will be released on November 23rd!

The Last Detail: a combo made by Erin Moran from A Girl Called Eddy and Mehdi Zannad from Fugu? Yes, that is happening on this 13 song album that Elefant is released on vinyl and CD a few days ago. You can check all of the songs on Bandcamp and a press released written by Harvey Williams (!).

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I have this vague memory that C de Constancia was recommended once upon a time on my old blog, Mira el Péndulo. I think it wasn’t me who wrote about this enigmatic band, I am pretty sure it was Jotacé. The same one who published a music book, about the death of rock and roll, in Chile last year. If my memory serves me right he was mesmerized and in love with the few songs that were released by this band. At that point, and today too, there are not many details available about them. A true mystery.

I think many of the bands that appear on Siesta Records compilations are a mystery. The label doesn’t really include any credits for them even less a biography. There are many lovely bands that released on these compilations amazing songs but we never get to know who were the people behind them. C de Constancia is one of them.

We know the people behind this band were Spanish. Their accent gives that away. Their name roughly translates as C of Constance. Well, I think that’s a literal translation to be honest. And they had three songs under their belt on two different Siesta compilations.

Two of them appear on the “Educación y Descanso” compilation that was released in the year 2000 (SIESTA 120). This comp was released in both CD and LP versions. C de Constancia appears with a cover of Kiki D’Aki’s “El Futuro” and the song “Agony”.

“Agony” would appear again on a compilation called “Blanco y Negro Music for Siesta”, a compilation of Siesta music on the Japanese label Rambling Records (RBCS-2024) from 2002. I wonder if by any chance in this Japanese release there were any credits included. Anyone knows?

Lastly, and perhaps my favourite song of theirs, “Con los Ojos en Paz”, appears on “Don Quixote. A Quixotic Musical Fantasy with the Touch of Siesta”. A superb compilation released in 2002 (SIESTA 150). Actually there are few tracks from this comp that I hope one day feature on the blog.

I start to suspect though that all of C de Constancia’s songs were covers. I know about the Kiki D’Aki cover. Now I solve another mystery. The song “Con los Ojos en Paz” is actually an original by Cecilia, an Spanish songstress from the early 70s. You can actually listen to the original track here. Now, I haven’t heard “Agony” by C de Constancia. Whose cover would that be then? Anyone can tell me?

It does look like that C de Constancia wasn’t a band at all. Perhaps just a gimmick for the Siesta compilations. I don’t know. It is hard to be sure about it. Still would love to know who were behind these songs, beautifully recorded and arranged. Anyone would know?

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Listen
C de Constancia – Con los Ojos en Paz

Wednesday. All pre-orders have been posted and we are only a few days away of our official release date. I do want to tell our Japanese friends that Stone Records will be getting a batch of The BV’s 7″s in the next few days too.

Our next release will be a retrospective compilation by a Scottish band. Who will that be? Keep tuned on our blog as sooner than later I will be announcing it.

Now, here are some good finds for you to enjoy!

Day & Dream: Abby and Peter form this Asheville, North Carolina, band. They have a Bandcamp where they upload their demos. Their latest ones are four, “First in Flight”, “We’re Gonna Need Some More Coffee”, “Outside” and “Chrysalis”. Plus there is another one called “Nocturnal Creatures”.

Various Artists – Some Sort of Secret Sign: a tribute to Sarah Records by an Italian label? If you’d told me I wouldn’t have believed it. Now that I’m seeing it I am pretty curious. Italy does have indiepop fans, but it is not a country that has produced many indiepop bands. On this compilation, 8 bands cover classic Sarah Records songs. At the time only one of them is available to stream, True Sleeper covering Gentle Despite’s “Bittersweet Kiss”. It will be released on CD.

The Catherines: a new track by them always deserves to appear on the blog. Heiko’s new song for his bedroom project based in Hamburg is called “The More We Kept Moving the Farther Away We Got From Us” and it is lovely. As usual with the band we get a long and verbose title for the song and catchy melodies to sing along.

Art Sick: some 90s American indiepop sounding songs are available to stream thanks to Christina (aka) Riley who used to be in the band Burnt Palms. “Going Down” and “No Clue” reminds me of Cub, Tiger Trap, and especially Bunnygrunt. Joining her are two well known musicians from the Bay area, Mario from Kids on a Crime Spree and Donna from Lunchbox.

Boyracer: here we find the classic band covering The Style Council’s “Walls Come Tumbling Down” as we are in difficult times indeed in the US and the whole world. Lyrics are posted to sing along, and there’s a video too.

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When I feel I’m running out of ideas of Australian bands that need to be featured on the blog, I end up discovering new ones. That makes me happy of course. New songs to listen to, new stories to read.

Don’t confuse this Grooveyard with The Grooveyard from the mid/late 80s UK band that I featured and interviewed many years ago. These are the Australian Grooveyard, a mod revival band who as far as I know released two records in the 80s. At least that’s what Discogs tells me upfront.

Their first single dates from 1984 and it was a two song 7″ released by Geren Records (BTS 1246). This label was based in Sydney and was active in the 80s. I must say I don’t know many of the bands on their catalog but I will try to explore them in the coming weeks. Anyways, the 7″ had two songs. On the A side there was “Avalanche of Love” and “I Told You So” appears on the B side. The tracks were produced by Chris Masuak and engineered at Emerald City Studios on September 1983 by Brett Copeland and Nick Mainsbridge. The art for the single was created by Peter Simpson with photography by Outer Limit Photography.

We do get to know the band members here too. Robert Hood played bass and vocals, Ian Little guitar and vocals, Jonn Schofield guitar and vocals, Sean Maguire drums. Other credits included are that of Richard Lawson for bookings, Christopher M. Dunn as management and Geoff Rhoe as dedicated to the band.

Something interesting that I see on this record is that it was distributed by EMI (and Big Time Records). So they got some big label support. That’s not that common, right? Also it is important to mention that the A side is credited to Jonn while the B side to Robert.

That same year they would appear on a tape compilation called “Drown or Swim” that was released by 48 Crash (Tape No. 3). On this tape they contribute the song “I Don’t Remember”. This song was recorded at The Creative space and was written by Jonn Schofield.

Two years later, in 1986, they contributed the song “Avalanche of Love” to “Countdownunder – Party at Hanging Rock” a UK compilation released by Countdown (DREW 2). This label, whose parent label was Stiff, released a bunch of classic mod revival records like those of Makin’ Time or The Prisoners. This compilation was to be re-released later on, in 1988, by Re-Elect the President label that was run by Eddie Piller.

Their last proper release, their 12″, was released in 1989 by the classic Sydney label Waterfront Records (DAMP 110). It included 5 songs. Three on the A side: “Tenku Town”, “Days of the Week”, “Mean to You”, and three on the B side: “Sea of Hate” and “Mess in Distress”.

Peter Simpson is again credited for the art of the record, but I couldn’t find how the art looked for it. Only the classic Waterfront labels are scanned in Discogs. The songs were recorded at Central Recorders and EMI Studios between October and November 1985. It was mixed at EMI Studios in April 1988 by Steve Clark. The record was engineered by Tony Espie.

The photography for this record is credited to Larry McGrath, David Stead, Louise Sykes and Shemp Murphy.

I do see a new name on the credits. “Rev” Ian Paisley played guitar and vocals in this record too.

Lastly, in 1995, possibly after the band had already split, their song “Avalanche of Love” appeared on a CD comp called “The Bam Balam Explosion Vol. II-Australian Power Pop Compilation” that was released by the Spanish label Bam Balam (B.B.R. 001).

Looking at other bands the Grooveyard may have been involved with I see that Sean Maguire played in Minuteman and Coup de Ville. That Robert Hood played in Razar, Buddies and Screaming Tribesmen, Ian Kelly in the Bam Balams, Richard Lawson in the Lime Spiders and Jonn Schofield in Chinless Elite and Paul Kelly & The Coloured Girls. A cool detail I found too was that Schofield produced the wonderful “Lupe Velez” record by The Mexican Spitfires that one upon a time, in the early stages of this blog, I featured.

In the end I found a great resource, Whammo.com.au. Here there is an “encyclopedia” entry for the Grooveyard. I find that they formed in 1982. That Ian Little was actually “Rev” Ian Paisley. That Robert Hood used the name Bob Wackley as well. And that Geoff Rhoe had also been in the Minuteman.

As expected they were formed in Sydney. Rhoe left early the band to pursue an acting career, appearing for example in Bruce Beresford’s 1981 film “Puberty Blues”. There were some more lineup changes, Maguire being replaced by Lawson on drums. Then in 1984, around September, the band split.

In 1985 they band would reconvene for a bunch of gigs in Sydney. They recorded a mini-album. It is that mini-album on Waterfront. It would take 4 years for it to be released. In 1994, three of the members of the Grooveyard, Schofield, Little and Maguire, formed Deep End and released an album.

Quite some information. I wonder if the other bands they had sounded jangly as well. I wonder what are they doing now? Why did it take so long for their mini-album to be released? If they have had any reunions again? Who remembers them? I know David Nichols, who wrote the Go-Betweens book and the “Dig:Australian Rock and Pop Music 1960-1985″ book said that the Grooveyard 7″ is about as perfect as a 7” can be.

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Listen
Grooveyard – Avalanche of Love

I continue mailing BV’s records. And in the meantime I must say that among these orders I found out that the Je Suis Animal 7″ is sold out. I can’t seem to find any more copies of the vinyl among all the boxes. So, lucky those that got a copy as it is a fantastic record.

The BV’s 7″s have traveled to a few stores these past days for the people that have been asking for this. Jigsaw Records and Rough Trade should have their copies soon. Rough Trade will also be getting a batch of Okama Flannel Boy 7″s.

Again, because of shipping costs get in touch with your mailorder or favourite shops and ask to carry the record. I try to reach out many but I suppose if fans show their interest, the shops will also show theirs. This is the situation with records these days with crazy shipping prices.

Anyways, weekend finds, right?

Various Artists – Stars: this is a new Christmas compilation that will be released as a vinyl LP by WIAIWYA on November 30th and it includes a bunch of great bands. At this point we can only listen to one of the songs though, “Christmas Tree (Burn Burn Burn)” by The Catenary Wires which sounds pretty good to me. Looking forward to the rest!

Various Artists – This Concerns Everyone: another compilation by WIAWYA (and Gare du Nord). This one is released on CD and includes 14 tracks. On Bandcamp you can stream half of them by the likes of Famous Problems, Red Red Eyes or The Leaf Library. This one is out now!

The Sappers: this just showed up on Bandcamp even though it dates from 2016. Never heard this guitar pop band, armed with Rickenbackers, from Sheffield. This short album consisting of 8 songs chimes and chimes, with heartfelt vocals. Are they still going? Playing gigs? Who were behind this band?

Neurotic Fiction: so many records to buy, so little money. Here is a new pre-order, for a vinyl LP that is coming out on November 16. “Pulp! Music” is the debut album by this Bristol band formed by Jess, Livi, Rory and Sean. 10 indiepop with post-punk vibes. Two songs are available to stream right now, “Collateral” and “Loose End”. Check them out!

Rose Ette: one of my favourite bands from the US at the moment is Rose Ette from Houston. They just released their album “Ignore the Feeling” as a limited vinyl LP. 9 tracks of pure indiepop with female vocals and lovely melodies. You can check it out on Bandcamp, stream it and enjoy it. I guess I need to place an order soon.

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Always been a fan of whatever Graham Fellows has put out. Of course his album Love at The Hacienda is a true favourite for me. But there are many other records he had been involved with which are not as well known. One of them is a 1983 7″ by a band called The Pop Guns, that I must say, I have only discovered a few months ago. And of course it has proven impossible to find a copy of it!

Of course we all know of The Popguns who had amazing songs like “Waiting for the Winter” or “Landslide” who are back now releasing records on Matinée. But this is a different sort of Pop Guns. One that sounds closer to The Chefs or Sarah Goes Shopping. A lovely female fronted early 80s indiepop band. One that deserves to be rediscovered!

Graham Fellows, best known for creating the characters of John Shuttleworth and Jilted John made a splash when he was a drama student at Manchester Polytechnic. There with the “Jilted John” record, with it’s classic “Gordon is a moron” line he made himself a well known name. Since that moment in 1978 on he has released many records and even this year he released a new album which is available at his Bandcamp. I wonder what spot does The Pop Guns have in his heart. How important were they.

The Pop Guns only released one 7″. It came out on Toadstool Records (Toadstool 2) which had previously released the “Through the Line” 7″ by Graham Fellows. The Pop Guns record included just two songs, all written and produced by Graham Fellows, “My Mother’s Been Reading My Diary Again” on the A side and “Don’t Finish With Me” on the B side.

The band was a duo of course. It was Graham Fellows playing the instruments and Gemma Wilson the vocals. The viola on the record was played by Beverly aintree and the sleeve, that illustration of the cover, was created by Carol Pendlebury.

There are no compilation appearances listed for the band.

What else there is about them on the web. Nothing really. I know it is very little information but that’s all there is. Perhaps one day I could interview Graham and ask him about this band. That’d be fantastic. I would love to have a copy of this record, these are the sort of songs I love. But I know that is going to be complicated too.

In any case I wanted to share this wonderful song. Let you know that this record exists. And maybe, just maybe, you can share any details about The Pop Guns that you might remember. For example, did they ever play live?

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Listen
The Pop Guns – Don’t Finish With Me

Another week goes by. This week has been busy for me. I’ve visited the post office every single day and I still haven’t finished posting all packages I have. I hope by next Tuesday I should be done unless there are more orders over the weekend. And that, actually, would be great!

As usual there are a few finds I have stumbled upon the past few days!

Fashion Brigade: Elia Einhorn, who used to be in the excellent Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, has a new cassette out under the name Fashion Brigade. There are four songs on it, “Fvck the Heartache”, “Kissyface”, “Kissyface x Tyler Pope” and “Kissyface x Thor Harris”. The songs were recorded in Olympia at Dub Narcotic Studios. And well, the two songs available to stream sound pretty good.

Lazy Eye: “Monday” is the only song on this Palembang, Indonesia, band’s Bandcamp. But I still thought it was worth recommending it as it is a lovely slice of jangle pop with female vocals. I hope to hear more music by them soon!

Ciggie Witch: this Aussie band have released a tape album called “Mad Music” just a few weeks ago on Lost and Lonesome Records. It is actually the third album the band releases, but it is the first I’m listening! The band is formed by Ashley Bundang, Mitch Clemens, Lachlan Denton, Zach Denton, Liam Halliwell, Lauren Huynh and Joe Foley. Good jangly stuff!

Melbourne Cans: another album on Lost and Lonesome is “Heat of the Night” by this Melbourne ensemble that loves Orange Juice as well as 50s pop. There are 11 songs of catchy pop available on vinyl since June 8th. The band is formed by Rob Andrews, Ash Buscombe, Nina Renee and Ian Wallace.

Très Oui: from the ashes of the band Literature comes this new Austin band who have already put out a superb album called “Poised to Flourish”  earlier this year. There are 10 top tracks in total and it is hard to choose a favourite track. Now, I just need to get myself a copy…

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When I heard for the first time Blue Light’s “Take Me Away” I thought they sounded a lot like The Chills. But reading through some comments on Youtube, not sure if they are reliable and all, I read that Blue Light played their first gig in 1984 (at Pegasus), two years before the release of the first Chills album. At this gig the band had played most of their songs from their self-titled album and of course “Take Me Away”. Is this really true?

I stumbled upon the Greek band Blue Light last year when I was doing my sort of “around the world” series on the blog. In the end I wrote a post about The Jaywalkers as it made quite a lot of sense to do that, them being one of the most legendary indiepop bands from that country. But today I thought I’d revisit that project of a post I had, see what I could find about Blue Light whose song “Take Me Away” impressed me.

The band only has one record under their belt. An album with 10 songs. It was released locally in Greece by Di Di Music (Di Di 117) in 1988. This was an independent label founded in Greece by Nikos Loris in Athens that not only released local bands but licensed bigger names like Dead Kennedys, A Witness, Membranes and more.

As mentioned the record had 10 songs, 5 on each side. The A side had “Teens”, “Take Me Away”, “Lighthouse”, “Let Her Pass” and “About Lunch Time”. The B side had “You Pretended, I Surrendered”, “Havensmile”, “I Saw You Laughing”, “Menuet I” and “No Play”. All songs were recorded at Sierra Studio in Athens. The sound engineer was Kostas Kalimeris and was produced by the band.

The band being:
Dimitris Karystinos (guitar)
Aris Avgerinos (bass)
Vagelis Vekios (drums)
Socratis Papahatzis aka. Oannes (vocals and keyboards)

Also we know that

Aside of this album, which you can find it entirely on Youtube, the band appeared on two compilations. The first dates from 1985 and it was a tape called “Λύκος Μαύρος Και Ισχνός” (which translates as Black Wolf and Loneliness) were the band contributed the song “I Saw You Laughing”. This tape came alongside a fanzine called “Λύκος Άσπρος Και Ισχνός” (Lizard White and Lack) which was very limited. Just 23 copies and of those 23, only the first 5 came with this tape. The Blue Light song was recorded live on March 14th 1985. Where at? I am not sure.

“Cicadas (An Electric Guide To The Greek Underground)” was an LP compilation released in 1987 by Pegasus Records (PEG 003). This of course was another independent label from Athens. On this record Blue Light appears first with the song “About Lunch Time”.

I look at other bands the Blue Light members were involved with. Socratis Papahatzis has been involved in Thirty Ντέρτι and lately on the MK-O band, a duo with his wife Marina Kavanaki. Aris Avegerinos had played in 667, Σταμάτης Μάζαρης and Δημήτρης Κοργιαλάς. Vagelis Vekios has played in many bands, too many too list really like Vavoura Band, Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες, Γιώργος Σταυριανός and Ελελεύ. He is also a radio producer. Lastly Dimitris has played in Sunny Μπαλτζή & Santa Fila. Discogs also lists three other members which I’m not sure at what point they were in Blue Light, Yannis Maniatis, Akis Perdikis and Spyros Soukis.

I look on Youtube for some Blue Light footage. And I find it immediately. There’s a complete gig from 1989 at the Rodon in Athens filmed by ET2 (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation) where the band plays the songs “You Pretended, I Surrendered”, “About Lunch Time”, “Puppets”, “Magical Moment”, “Dressed in White Lady” and “I Saw You Laughing”.

I keep looking for answers to my questions. I find an article written on April 30th 2008 on RadioBubble. Here I will learn that Oannes first instrument was a mandolin and he begins to write music at the age of 12. Then he is self-taught guitar and attend 28 or so piano lessons at the Athens Conservatory. Around that time he starts Blue Light with friends Alexis Kalofolias and Giorgios Karanikolas form Last Drive and Yannis Maniatis from Metro Decay. There would be many lineup changes afterwards it says. So I find out when Yannis Maniatis was part of the band. At the start.

Following that trail I stop at Rateyourmusic where I notice there are dates for each of the band members listed. At last. So:
Aris Avegerinos (bass)
Vagelios Vekios (drums 1987-1989)
Dimitris Karystinos (guitar 1987-1989)
Socratis Papachatzis (keyboards, vocals)
Spiros Soukis (guitar 1985-1987)
Akis Perdikis (drums 1985-19879)
Dimitros Kavakapoulos (saxophone 1986)

Also this site has a bunch of related artists listed: 4 Εποχές [4 Epohes], Annabouboula, MK-O (Marina Kanavaki – Oannes), That’s Why, Vavoura Band, Μουσικές Ταξιαρχίες [Mousikes Taxiarhies], Ελελεύ [Elelef], Σπυριδούλα [Spyridoula], Σελάνα.

It is kind of hard for me to find more information about Blue Light especially when most of the websites are written in Greek. I would love to know why only one release by this band. And why so many years after the band had formed. Why so many lineup changes. Are there more compilation appearances? Was there any interest by any big label? What about this comparison with The Chills? Were they aware of the Dunedin sound? How popular were they in Greece? Did they have any contact at any point with the indiepop bands that came after in Athens? Who remembers them?

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Listen
Blue Light – Take Me Away

A bunch of pre-orders for the BV’s 7″s have been posted, as well as copies to some stores and mailorders. You can also always ask your local mailorder or store to order from Cloudberry, if you want to save some bucks from shipping. Or as many people do, get organized with friends within your country or town and order many copies to save on shipping. I know how annoying are the shipping costs from the US for international buyers. So I’m happy to help of course.

What are the new finds for today?

The Passmore Sisters: one of my favourite 80s indiepop bands has just put together a retrospective compilation CD which you can get from their Bandcamp. You can also stream there all 12 songs! It includes all singles and B sides between the years 1985 and 1987. No one should miss this. I ordered mine of course. Essential!

Toy Tambourine: this fantastic Bandung, Indonesia, band have been appearing on our blog a lot. They have great songs, that’s why. Their latest is called “She Never” and it will be included in their upcoming “Vaguely Maybe” EP to be released sometime soon. Will keep an eye!

The Perfect English Weather: the song “Rockin’ to That Beat” was part of a two track single that Matinée released digitally a month ago. As it happens with many digital-only releases I missed it. I wasn’t paying attention. That’s bad. Because even though I refuse and will refuse forever to pay for digital releases I can stream this beauty of a song. And I urge everyone to do that. And hoping the band releases a new record soon too!

Bootchy Temple: I was recommended this band a few days ago by Fuzztone Tom who runs Howlin’ Banana Records telling me he was releasing an album by this French band from Paris that was heavily influenced by Sarah, C86 and Flying Nun Records. So as it is normal in me that picked up my curiosity. The album has 13 songs and it happens to be the 3rd album by the band.  It is available now on vinyl LP.

Cariño: this November 9th this lovely Spanish band will be releasing a new 10″ with 8 songs! Three of them are available to stream now from the Elefant Records Bandcamp: “Canción de Pop de Amor”, “Bisexual” and “Momento Inadecuado”. It is true that two of these songs we have heard before on their 7″, but at least “Bisexual” is new to listen and it is great. The 10″ is called “Movidas”.

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One Hundred and One Dalmatians, often abbreviated as 101 Dalmatians, is a 1961 American animated adventure film produced by Walt Disney and based on the 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. The 17th Disney animated feature film, the film tells the story of a litter of Dalmatian puppies who are kidnapped by the villainous Cruella de Vil, who wants to use their fur to make into coats. Their parents, Pongo and Perdita, set out to save their children from Cruella, all the while rescuing 84 additional puppies that were bought in pet shops, bringing the total of Dalmatians to 101.

I did watch that move when I was a kid. But having named themselves after this novel and movie, it is going to prove very hard to find information about this brilliant mid and late 90s Japanese band.

As I was checking out Bobbie’s Rockin’ Chair I thought about the label that released them, Left Bank. I have to say I’m not very familiar with it. There’s a lot there to investigate and discover. The first release of this record label happened to be a 7″ EP by 101 Dalmatians. So I should start from there.

The “Love Goes Down the Drain EP” (LBRD-01) was released in 1995. It included 4 songs, two on each side. The A side had “Love Goes Down the Drain” and “MG MAN” while the B side was “Old Fashioned Lovers Song (Paddy Just Drags Me Down)” and “Fly My Boy Fly”. At first I thought that “Love Goes Down the Drain” would be a cover of The Monochrome Set classic song of the same name, but no, it is a wonderful pop song by the Japanese band.

The band at this point was formed by Tsuyoshi Shimoda on vocals and guitar, Sho Tajiri on bass, Kei Tajiri on bass, Yuki Takezai on vocals and cornet, Youichiro Nakayama on drums. The songs were all written by Tsuyoshi Shimoda and were recorded at Suizenji Strawberry Studio and Studio Brown House. Masaki Yamaguchi was the producer for the record. The design for the record is credited to Atsushi Itoh. Now, if I can find a copy of this record…

Two years later, in 1998, and on the same label, the band released their debut album “Permanent Waves” (LBCD-01). Again the artwork for the record is credited to Atsushi Itoh who I believe run the record label. Tsuyoshi Shimoda is once again credited for writing the songs with the help of Siji Fukuda in a few of them.

The album included 11 tracks: “Opening (Permanent Waves)”, “Love Goes Down the Drain”, “Half a Turtle”, “Old Fashioned Lover’s Song”, “My Idiotic Love”, “MG Man”, “Fly, My Boy, Fly!”, “Everything Will be Cool”, “Bell”, “Holly Sign” and “Ending (We’re Delicate Dogs)”.

Discogs doesn’t list any other records by the band nor compilation appearances. I do know though that the band appeared on a compilation called “Cherrios!’98” released by Bananafish Records in Japan. On this CD comp released in 1998 the band appears with the song “But I’m Trying A.K.I.”. There was also a tape called “Left Bank Presents Top of the World” (LBCT-01) that was released in 1998. I can’t tell which song the band contributed to this cassette.

What else do we know? Well of course Tsuyoshi Shimoda had been in the legendary band Johnny Dee and Thee Windless Gates. But was he also involved in any other bands?

I can’t find bands related to the other band members though. There is so little written about them. Even in Japanese there’s absolutely nothing.

I just ordered a copy of the CD album. But I doubt it will give me any important details. So I need to get in touch with the band members to interview them and learn their story. Maybe some of the Japanese readers of the blog remember them? I would love to find out so many things about them. Are the band members still making music for example? Did they play many gigs? Are there any unreleased tracks? Anyone knows?

Edit 1/11/2018 – On Twitter I was told that Sho Tajiri was involved in a CD called “Volume Contras One” that was released in 2006. Don’t know much details about this, but here is a blog post about the CD (in Japanese).

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Listen
101 Dalmatians – Love Goes Down the Drain