Various Artists - Under the Bridge 2

 

The good folk at UK label Skep Wax have a promising young label (as well as being members of the smashing band Swansea Sound). They also are alums of the Sarah Records/c86 era bands such as Heavenly, The Pooh Sticks and Talulah Gosh, which leads us into today's post. Calling for contributions from their fellow indie pop veterans of Sarah/c86 days, Skep Wax issued a terrific compilation titled Under The Bridge in 2022 (our feature here: link). However, while that release was stuffed with treasures, not all of the worthy submissions could be included. So the label has decided to issue Under the Bridge 2. Consisting of 20 tracks from beloved bands such as Boyracer, the Orchids, Action Painting and St Christopher, it will be released in digital, CD and vinyl formats on April 6. The astute fan will note that some of the band names reflect current acts not in existence in the Sarah/c86 era. Do not be alarmed as those name simply reflect the current artistic homes of the original artists. This album should be a wonderful buffet treat for indie pop fans.

The first two tracks are available to stream now. The first is "Dodge the Rain" by The Gentle Spring, a song that echoes the material of the main man's former band, The Field Mice. The second is the more rambunctious "Just Who Are The Cockleshell Heroes?" by Action Painting!.

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Skep Wax

The Catburgers - Dreamworld Sessions

 

We can't claim to have been lucky enough to have seen The Catburgers perform in Edinburgh back in the '80s, but probably not many can. More would have heard them if the songs that they recorded for Dan (Television Personalities) Treacy's Dreamword label had ever worked their way to the top of the "print" list, but that didn't happen either. Fortunately the good folks at Copenhagen's FELT label grabbed those recordings and had them remastered. The result is the three-song Dreamworld Sessions. The 7" is available in vinyl or digital at the links below. You might be interested if you are into collecting Scottish music, or it you are a jangle pop fan, or you are a C86 era obsessive, or if you thrill to collecting rare music. But our reason is simple -- these are damn fine tunes that we would want whenever and wherever recorded by anybody. So there!

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Bandcamp for Dreamworld Sessions (digital)

Rubadub page for Dreamworld Sessions (vinyl)

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"Godless" by Close Lobsters

One of the most eagerly anticipated 2020 albums in the marble halls of WYMA world headquarters is Post Neo Anti - Arte Povera In The Forest Of  Symbols. Although the long awaited new album by Scottish band Close Lobsters will not be available until the end of the month, we can assure you that it is terrific. But you don't have to just take our word for it, you can hear a track right here, right now. All of us agree that one of our favorite all time bands hasn't lost a single step over the years.

Neo Anti - Arte Povera In The Forest Of  Symbols is a co-release from Last Night In Glasgow (UK) and Shelflife Records (US). It is available now for pre-order at the Bandcamp link below.



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The Artisans release free song

Why settle for mass-produced, lowest common denominator pop music when you can have music created by artisans.  Yes, real live artisans.  In this case, The Artisans from the northeast of England.  Their carefully handcrafted little gem "However Much I Love You I Love Lloyd Honeyghan More" is a masterpiece of musical craft.  Ringing, jangling guitars over a sturdy backbeat and a melody that brings pleasant memories of Orange Juice and beloved C86 era bands.

With a melancholy edge and a story about boxer Lloyd Honeyghan, this single is likely to be one of your favorite songs for a long while.  You'd expect to pay artisanal prices for a song like this, and the band would deserve to get it.  But in an inspired bit of marketing, and a frightening disregard for their financial future, The Artisans are making the song available for a free download.  Yes even you can afford it.  For the download, see the Soundcloud link below or visit their webpage.  The Soundcloud link contains other songs from the band as well.





The Artisans are Kevin McGrother (vocals/guitar), Nick Thompson (lead guitar), Steve Thompson (drums), and Karen Forster (bass).

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"A Bell" from Expert Alterations, EP forthcoming on Slumberland

Meeting halfway in between the dense jangle of Close Lobsters and more stripped down indie rock of, perhaps, The Clean, we have Expert Alterations.  The Baltimore trio released an excellent five-song self-titled cassette-only EP earlier this year, that probably didn't get the attention it deserved because of the format.  Fortunately -- for the band and music fans -- Slumberland Records is re-releasing the EP in a one-sided 12 vinyl edition.  I've listened to the EP (and you can as well below), and I think that Paul, Alan and Patrick have crafted a very appealing take on jangle pop, including a very welcome spotlight on the bass.





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Bandcamp for cassette

Working - More Weight EP

Nineties-style noise pop (think Velocity Girl and Black Tambourine) has a permanent place in my heart, and my music collection.  So I'm always on the lookout for bands that can satisfy my appetite.  Happily, this week brings Working, a quartet from Rhode Island who has graced us with a three-track EP titled More Weight.  The EP is released in digital-only format by Shelflife Record, an outfit that repeatedly impresses us with its ear for quality indie pop.

On the More Weight EP Working demonstrates a great feel for the critical elements of the noise pop -- good melodies, sweet vocals and a wall of feedback.  Couple that with some affecting songs and you have a band to treasure.  We understand that an LP is planned for next year, but for the present this little nugget will do very nicely indeed.

The members of the band are Catherine Kolodij (vocals/gutar), John Kolodiz (drums), Mary-Kim Arnold (bass), and Matthew Derby (guitar/vocals).



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"Summer's Gone" by Proper Ornaments

Less than a week after featuring a side project of Roxanne Clifford of Veronica Falls (Baggy Attitude, here), we have a song from a band that includes James Hoare of Veronica Falls.  Proper Ornaments also includes fellow singer/songwriter Max Claps, and Daniel Nellis (bass) and Robert Syme (drums).  As the band has signed to Slumberland Records (US) and Fortuna POP! (UK) for its upcoming album, Wooden Head, I was expecting good things.  And based on the delightful "Summer's Gone", it may well exceed my expectations.

There is some interesting backstory about Argentinian Max fleeing to London to dodge a commitment hearing and meeting James during an attempted shoplifting, but that can wait for the review of the album closer to its June release.  For now, rejoice in the arrival of a band that plays West Coast psychedelic jangle pop with a DNA strand from the Velvet Underground.  And here you thought that kind of sublime only existed in your dreams!



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REVIEW: Talulah Gosh - Was It Just A Dream?

I sometimes tend to save posts about compilations for the holidays.  It isn't really about the price, although sometimes that is a factor.  It is that to my mind there is something festive about a collection of notable works by a favorite artist.  So that brings us to Was It Just A Dream?, the complete collection of songs by Oxford, UK band Talulah Gosh.  And by "complete" I mean all the tracks from every EP, every single, all of the radio sessions and even the demos.  Yes, indeed!  There are 29 tracks and it would have to satisfy any TG fan on your shopping list, because there isn't anything more

Talulah Gosh is about as representative of the twee pop and C86 sub-genre of indie pop as a band can be.  Proudly DIY, the band's music was characterized by a rush of sweet, girl group vocals and jangling guitars with a fast tempo and punk rhythm section.  The band was formed in '86, apparently when Amelia Fletcher (vocals and guitar) and Elizabeth Price (vocals) met and discovered a mutual affection for Scots pop band The Pastels (coincidentally, the band's first recording contract was with Stephen Pastel's 53 & 3rd label).  The remainder of the original line up was Mathew Fletcher (drums), Peter Momtchiloff (lead guitar), and Rob Pursey (bass).  When Rob left the band, he was replaced by Chris Scott.  Elizabeth departed in '87 and was replaced by Eithne Farry.  The band split up in '88, but Amelia, Mathew, Peter and Rob reformed as Heavenly, which ran until '96 playing a similar, but tighter and more disciplined approach.

The band's sound and decidedly non-pop star approach to dress inspired both devotion and hostility.  Curiously, they were more broadly accepted in the US, and were considered a major influence on the punk and Riot Grrrl scene spawned in Olympia and championed by Calvin Johnson's K Records.  After spending a good bit of time with this compilation, I have concluded that Talulah Gosh's work bears up very well to the test of time.  While old fans will rejoice at having new material in one place, new fans will realize that the music would plug in very well in certain corners of the current indie scene.

An interesting part of the Talulah Gosh story is the members' post music careers.  Elizabeth Price won a Turner Prize in 2012 for her film "The Woolworth's Choir of 1979".  Amelia Fletcher has served a chief economist and director of mergers at the Office of Fair Trading. Peter Momtchiloff is a senior editor for philosophy at Oxford University Press.  And Eithne Farry is a literary critic.






The retrospective Was It Just A Dream? is available via Damaged Goods Records.

Damaged Goods Records

The Wolfhounds - Divide and Fall

A band often mentioned as a C86 mainstay by reason of their inclusion in the original compilation, but really a noisier, harder edged band, The Wolfhounds are making a welcome return.  Here is a taste of their new work, the two-track Divide and Fall released via Odd Box Records.  We are looking forward to more.





The current members are David Callahan (vocals and guitar), Andy Golding (guitar) and Pete Wilkins (drums and percussion).

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"I'll Be Honest" from The Spook School

The Spook School makes somewhat regular appearances on these pages.  I assure you that they are not blackmailing me due to their possession of scandalous pictures of me.  I think they throw away all the photos I send them.  No, they are frequently featured because they make good music (and have a good sense of humor).    Today's focus is on their double A-Side, "I'll Be Honest" / "Will You Always Be My Friend" 7".  Released on Fortuna POP!, the first side is an energetic song with garage punk flourishes - perhaps a touch of The Buzzcocks.  It concerns the narrator's discovery that some friends knew more than others about certain aspects of the narrator's life.  "Will You Always Be Me Friend?" is a more twee/C86 song about figuring out how relationships work.  The 7" vinyl comes with a digital download.

This is good pop music from a band that deserves some success.

"I'll Be Honest", via stream and video:





"Will You Always Be Me Friend?", via stream:

The Spook School also has released an album titled Dress Up on Fortuna POP!  You may stream and evaluate it here.  "I'll Be Honest" is included on the album, but "Will You Always Be Me Friend?" is available only on the double A-Side single.

The Spook School are Nye Todd (guitar), Adam Todd (guitar), Anna Cory (bass), and Niall McCamley (drums).  They reside in Edinburgh.

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New Joanna Gruesome video - "Sugarcrush"

Well, this is a very silly video. But it's a good excuse to continue to bombard you with the dirty, sweet, sweet sounds of Welsh noise pop outfit Joanna Gruesome.



My review of their album Weird Sister (released Sept. 10 on Slumberland) is here. Short version: It's awesome and you need it. And you can read more, and find tour dates, etc. at their site.

Joanna Gruesome at Slumberland Records
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Return of The Flatmates

Bristol's The Flatmates were, in my opinion, one of the better C86-era bands.  I wrote about them once before in a post about jangle pop bands (here), but assumed that their days as an active band were long past.  To my surprise and joy, The Flatmates are issuing their first new music in over two decades.  Consisting of two of the original band and three new members, the group has recorded the two-track You Held My Heart via Archdeacon Of Pop Records.  And the new songs sound the way that the fans of the band would want them to sound -- driving, fuzzy guitars, hare-hitting percussion and female lead vocals.  Euphoric, fast-paced jangle pop, just the way we like it.

You can stream the record below.  Interested US fans should hit the Jigsaw Records link below to buy the record.  UK fans can hit the Bandcamp link.



The Flatmates' current line-up is Martin Whitehead, Lisa Bouvier, Rocker, Verity Longley, and Brian Price.

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Jigsaw Records.page for record

REVIEW: Joanna Gruesome - Weird Sister

This will be a short review. I love this album - really, everything about this band's sound. WYMA has been fortunate to receive two advance singles, so you are welcome to read my previous ravings here and here. Joanna Gruesome is a Welsh band that calls to mind such greats of guitar rock as Teenage Fanclub, Dinosaur Jr., The Pixies, The Breeders and, to my mind, The Lemonheads (especially when Dando brought Juliana Hatfield in to sing some).

In short, it's an explosion of glorious noise - fast drumming/bass work, layer upon layer of guitar, with plenty of feedback, and female vocal harmonies that are positively luminescent. I take it the subject matter is dark - the band describes it as such, and titles such as opening cut "Anti-Parent Cowboy Killers" would seem to bear that out. The band claims to have written a lot of the album "during a month long stay in a seedy west Brighton hotel (now closed down) called The Hell House... many of the songs were written to distract from the weirdness." This tells me something about the band's talent, because this stuff is really kind of glorious.

Here's "Secret Surprise":



And here's "Sugar Crush":



If you like fast, thrilling, noisy rock music with generous slabs of guitar, offset by male/female harmony vocals that are, at times, almost angelic, this is for you. It's a fantastic ride.

See? I told you it would be a short review.

Joanna Gruesome at Slumberland Records
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REVIEW: Just Handshakes - Say It

My first introduction to Leeds' Just Handshakes was their engaging jangle pop song "London Bound". The sound was wonderful and with the excellent vocals from Clara Patrick I was reminded of one of my favorite C86 bands, The Popguns.  I'm pleased to report that the band's new full length, Say It, does nothing to diminish my early enthusiasm.  The twelve tracks are uniformly high quality, with an up-front sweetness and hints of melancholy.  While there is plenty of C86 jangle, the contributions of the synths and the delicate vocals keep a foot planted in the dream pop world as well.  And the collection ranges between gentle tunes and tracks that show a more than a bit of muscle and fuzz.  The band appears to have a sense of humor as well -- their original name was Just Handshakes (We're British), playing on the reputation of British reserve.

Say It deserves attention for its own qualities, to be sure.  But when one considers some of the qualities that make it so appealing -- he tight interplay of the musicians, the vocals, the carefully structured songwriting -- it looks likely to be a launching pad for exciting future efforts from Just Handshakes.








And here is the video for "London Bound" --



Say It was released on May 20 by California label Bleeding Gold Records.

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REVIEW: The Fireworks - The Fireworks EP

Pop melodies, boy-girl vocals, guitar fuzz and feedback, The Fireworks EP will remind you of the days of C86 bands like The Razorcuts and The Flatmates, and the more pop shaded work of The Jesus and Mary Chain.  The EP is comprised of four tracks, the first three of which are classic, fast tempo C86 guitar pop.  The fourth is gentle, melancholy "unplugged" song and provides a fitting close to the album.  All of the songs display a great pop sensibility, great vocals, and a promise of good things to come.

Here is the opening track --



The Fireworks are Matthew (of Big Pink Cake) on guitar and vocals, Emma (from Pocketbooks) on tambourine and vocals, Isabel (of Things in Herds) on bass, and Shaun (of the Wedding Present) on drums.  The band was founded after friends reacted favorably to songs Matthew wrote and sang to friends over the telephone.

The Fireworks EP is available from Shelflife Records as a physical 7" or digital download.  You may stream it at the Bandcamp link below.

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Bulldozer Crash - Today Will Be Yesterday So Soon: 1991 - 1993

Once upon a time (way back in the ancient early-'90s) there was a British band with the delightful name Bulldozer Crash.  They played indie pop of the C86 and '90s Britpop variety, and they played it very well.  And that is relevant because Chris, the head of Seattle's Jigsaw records -- a man possessed of excellent musical taste (which is the same thing as musical taste that reflects mine) -- compiled a 19-track retrospective collecting just about everything worth having from a productive period for Bulldozer Crash.  The album, titled Today Will Be Yesterday So Soon: 1991 - 1993, was released in October 2012.  If you are as fond of this genre as I am, you will be (1) highly impressed with the quality of the songs, and (2) dismayed at the band's lack of fame.  I've picked out a three-song set for you (tracks 3-5 of the album) plus one from later in the album to show you the quality.  You can stream the entire album at the Bandcamp link below.  By the way, it is available as a physical CD and digital download, and the digital is only $7.









The primary members of Bulldozer Crash were Stephen Maughan and Marc Elston.  Marc also was in Liberty Ship.  Maughan was in Kosmonaut and heads a fanzine and CD-R label named This Almighty Pop!

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Introducing: Just Handshakes and single "London Bound"

The members of Just Handshakes met at school in Leeds, UK.  In April 2012, they released a cassette EP with eight tracks, and they have toured in support of several major acts.  Later this year they will release their debut LP, Say It, on California label Bleeding Gold.  The first single release from the album is the excellent "London Bound".  Featuring clear female vocals, jangly guitars, sparkling keys and driving percussion, it has the unassuming freshness of those C86 tracks that many of us fell in love with, or to, years ago.



"London Bound" is available on February 18.  It will be available as a free download.  The B-side is a remix of the title track.

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REVIEW: Falling Trees - The Memories that Hold Us Together

I'm very fond of this kind of record.  What kind of record is that, you might ask.  It is a record that on the most immediate level dwells in the musical world of the past -- the Postcard, Sarah and Creation labels, the C86 sound, and production that is tasteful and competent by devoid of gloss.  But at a deeper level, it is a record made by musicians that are making the record that they want to make because that is the sound they want and their mates are the guys they want to play with.  Current musical tastes and charts just don't enter the picture.  So The Memories That Hold Us Together by Falling Trees is an album that takes you back to a wonderful era of guitar driven pop music.  And given that introduction, it is perfectly appropriate that the album is released on Exeter, UK's Pastime Records.



The members of the band are Andrew Padfield (lead vocals), Paul Stolworthy (rhythm guitar), Andy Botterill (lead guitar, bass, keyboards) and Chris Head (drums) and Andy Ward (additional drums).  The production duties were handled by Andy Fonda, drummer from C86 favorites, June Brides.

Track 3, "November Rain", boasts a bubbling bass line and has a relaxing vibe.


There is plenty of genuine emotions in The Memories That Hold Us Together, but it never beats you over the head, and it is all adroitly dress in hooks and professional craftsmanship.  The result is an album to savor and explore.

The closing track --


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New single from the June Brides

The June Brides were among the best, and best loved of the C86 bands from the UK from 1983 to 1986.  To the delight of their old and new fans, the band's front man, Phil Wilson, has revived the group.  Their first recording is a double A-side "A January Moon/Cloud", on Slumberland Records in the US and Occultation in the UK.   You can sample both tracks below.

"A January Moon" --



"Cloud" --


In addition to Wilson (guitar/vocals), the current iteration includes original members Frank Sweeney (viola), John Hunter (trumpet), and Simon Beesley (guitar/vocals).  Phil's recent projects under his own name have included Andy Fonda (drums) and Arash Torabi (bass/vocals), and I suspect they were involved on these recordings as well.

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Prospecting for Gold at Pastime Records

We like Exter, UK, musician Andy Botterill not only because he writes and records music we like, but because he is one of a number of UK musician who are keeping the jangle pop/C86 banner waving. Andy releases his music through Exter-based label Pastime Records, which he also runs. And today we are prospecting for gold in Pastime Records' recent catalog by highlighting some excellent 2011 releases from the label that should be of interest to readers who, like me, never tire of the C86/jangle sound. (Facebook link for Pastime Records)
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Andy B

We'll begin with Andy B, which is the recording name for Andy Botterill. Andy released two solo LPs in 2011, Buttons and Badges and Letters Home. For these projects Andy played guitars, keys, piano, bass and sang lead and backing vocals (and drums on the first LP). However, various musicians, including Elisabeth Bennett, Andy Fonda, Andy Ward, and Ant Smith helped out with instruments and vocals on some of the tracks. Andy Fonda (who also plays with Phil Wilson) provided the excellent production.

Andy's recordings feature the classic C86 sound, a "storytelling" feel and Andy's winsome, heartfelt vocals. Here is "Daisy Smiles" from the uniformly delightful Buttons and Badges --


Letters Home begins with one of my favorite Andy B songs, "Television Girl". It is a taut post punk track and showcases Andy's talent for songwriting. It is followed by the more relaxed jangle pop of "At the End of the Day" --


The third track presented here from Letters Home is "Nice to See You Again" --


Andy is a dedicated and industrious guy. In addition to running the label and recording his own music, he plays in Falling Trees and National Pastime (which is discussed below). And he is an articulate and passionate advocate for the music he loves. It is easy for us to urge to to support him.

In additional good news for fans, Andy has recorded new music that we can expect to hear later this year.
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National Pastime

In 2011 Pastime also released the Coma EP by National Pastime, which is the band's second EP for the label. This band consists of Andy Botterill, Andy Padfield, Ant Smith and Chris Head. This four track recording is a really fine C86 nugget. The band has its roots in lo-fi guitar pop, but my current favorite track, “Goldsworthy Gurney”, suggests that the band is fully capable of greater breadth. Here is title track "Coma" (which also appears on Andy B's Letters Home) --


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Bright Lights, Big Zombie

The noisiest of the 2011 Pastime releases we are covering today is the delightfully named Bright Lights, Big Zombie. Also based in Exter, the band is comprised of Leo Collett (guitar and vocals), Tom Davies (drums), Sam Hemmings (bass), and Dan Wright (guitar, piano and vocals). Bright Lights, Big Zombie count Ride, Syd Barrett, The Velvet Underground among their influences, but I hear a bit of Weather Prophets and BMX Bandits in there as well. I recommend that you stream the entire album here, but if you don't have time for the whole thing right now, listen to the first track and the jangle delights of "Figure" and "Voices in the Dark" --


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As you see above, The Morrisons wear there style on the sleeve--their album sleeve for their Rainy Day EP displays a Rickenbacker. And the jangly C86 indie pop inside matches the cover. This band's style is a bit different than the bands discussed above. The vocals are very much to the fore in the mix with warm male vocals and female harmonies.

The fourth track, "Brighter Days" --


By way of background, The Morrisons were formed in 1986. They disbanded in 1988, but reformed in 2004 and have been recording and playing new material. The members are: Elaine Churchward (vocals); Adrian Maxwell (percussion); Dave Clifford, an original member (bass); Ian Churchward, and original member (guitar and vocals); Phil Andrews, and original member (guitar and vocals); and Guy Bolt (drums, keys and vocals since 2004, but currently on leave to spend time with his family).



The Morrisons also have a full length album scheduled for release on Pastime records this year. If this EP is a good indication, it should be a "must have" for any fan of the jangle pop sound.

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