Blood Red Shoes - 7" EP

On the lovely Johnson Family record label, this was BRS's first release back in 2005 and the three tracks present have not been made available again. It's nice to see a band with people you know in it be successful. But quite strange. I went to see them at Bush Hall a few years ago and didn't recognise a single person in the audience. It was full of kids. Which is good, obviously, for them. Last time I saw Steve and Laura-Mary, they were doing an in-store gig and signing at Sister Ray on Berwick Street. Steve still had time to say Hi while he was signing the fawning infants' purchases. An all-round proper geezer he is.

It's getting bloggy by the sea

At The Drive-In - Sunshine/At The Drive-In split E.P

 Turns out I have this on both vinyl and CD for some reason, but until my search through for second A-Z inspiration, realised I didn't have it in my iTunes collection. Just the two ATDI tracks for you here. The first, "Extracurricular" was also a b-side of the "Rolodex Propaganda" single. The second "Autorelocator" only reappeared on their compilation "This Station Is Non-Operational" in 2005.

I remember in the year 2000, when "One Arm Scissor" came out. What a breath of fresh air that was - it caused me to find earlier releases by ATDI including the brilliant "Vaya" and "In Casino Out". They were one of the most exciting live bands I ever saw. And what do we have now? The Mars Volta and Sparta. Never mind.

Invalid twitter department

Yo La Tengo - From A Motel 6

I didn't discover Yo La Tengo until 1997's "I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One" and particularly "Autumn Sweater". Since then I have been constantly amazed by the range of material they produce from sweet pop songs to sheer white noise. This is one of their earlier EPs from 1994 although they'd already been going nearly 10 years by then. "From a Motel 6" appears on their album "Painful". The second track "Ashes On The Ground" can be found on their excellent collection of rarities "Prisoners of Love" but the third track "Nutricia" cannot be found anywhere else as far as I know. A remix of "From a Motel 6" rounds off the EP.

I have it!

Whiteout - Detroit

When every other indie band in the mid-nineties was copying '60s music, Whiteout stuck out like a sore thumb by emulating their '70s heroes. This was my favourite single of theirs. I remember seeing them for the second time in Liverpool supported by an as yet unknown Manchester band called Oasis. Oasis were awful but, despite this, seemed to attract a massive audience; all of whom buggered off immediately after, leaving about 30 people to watch Whiteout. I have hated Oasis ever since. Whiteout must have seen where things were heading and the singer called it a day soon after.

No time to live for tomorrow

The Van Pelt - Self-Titled EP

Have you heard Chris Leo's Vague Angels? Don't bother. But everything by his previous bands The Van Pelt and The Lapse is pure gold. I remember seeing The Lapse at the Underworld in that London after Toko had left (for Enon presumably). Gig was great though and featured one of the songs (Speeding Train) from this 7", a different version of which made it onto the first Lapse album "The Betrayal". There were rumours of a completed but never released third Lapse album including a song called We Are The Romans. Anyone got it? Meanwhile enjoy this three song EP.

Urusei Yatsura - All Hail Urusei Yatsura

Another popular lo-fi indie-rock band from the mid-nineties, this was their first release - a six track mini-album. I can remember when I lived in Cambridge getting the train to that London in '95/'96 to see Urusei Yatsura and Mogwai at the Water Rats and having to run back to King's Cross to get that last train. Those were the days! Death 2 Everyone reappeared on their debut album and Teenage Dream appeared as the b-side of their Love Train single "Kernel". Otherwise, the remaining four songs are exclusive to this release. Takes me back.

Set your faces on stun

Tera Melos - Demo

Now for some proper math rock. Those that know me know that I'm a sucker for anything math - and the more cut up, stop/starty and complex the better. Tera Melos' album "Drugs To The Dear Youth" is pretty much the blueprint for this. These four demos I nabbed from another blog are just as good as anything they've released. Currently on tour in the US with Boris and I'm extraordinarily annoyed to find out I missed their first UK tour earlier this year - they even came to Bristol. How did that happen? They'd better come back is all I can say.

x equals minus b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a

Senseless Things - Andi In A Karmann EP

No-one probably cares about the Senseless Things any more but in the early nineties I was practically obsessed with the band, searching out every release they had. This included this EP, which was never actually released. Three of the six tracks made it onto the Is It Too Late EP on Decoy (note the very similar cover) albeit re-recorded but two of the tracks never made it onto anything; "You Owe Me" and "Never Know Why". I hope Mark 'Keds' Hammerton is still alive and well. Last time I saw him he was kind of grey and scrawny. Stay off the drugs kids!

It's not too late

Rodan - How The Winter Was Passed

If any of you haven't heard Rodan's album "Rusty", I suggest you get it now. Tara Jane O'Neill was in this band as well as other members that went on to form June of 44, Shipping News and Rachel's. Clearly influenced by Slint, but pushing the ideas forward, they lay the path for most post-rock and post-hardcore bands of the 90's. Apart from the album the only other thing they released as far as I am aware is this single. And it's well worth a listen.

Watch out for that giant pterosaur

Quickspace Supersport - Found A Way/Do It Your Own Way

Another great label from the mid-nineties was Love Train. Joeyfat, Mogwai, Prolapse, Hood, Urusei Yatsura to name but a few had singles on this label. I'm sure more of these will appear as time goes on. This was Quickspace's second single and still my favourite. Maybe I'm a heathen but I never liked Tom Culinan's earlier band Th' Faith Healers. And I'll be honest I took a good long while before I got into Quickspace too. Probably because the first thing I heard was the Superplus EP - a long drawn out Can/Neu inspired monotonous racket, and my young ears weren't ready for such things. But like good wine, good music is appreciated with age.

Happy songs

Prolapse - First 3 singles

Oh, do I have a special one for you here! Prolapse were amazing. Unique. How many other bands have recorded a song that is basically a fight between the two vocalists? None. That's how many.

And for a long time I assumed that the "Pointless Walks to Dismal Places" album or the "Doorstop Rhythmic Block" EP were the first things they released. But I was wrong. And happily so. Oh, friendly internet, you made known to me the existence of three early seven inches and, lo, for a not too exorbitant fee, you were able to dispatch said pieces of vinyl to my abode whereupon i was able to transfer the strange scribblings on these black plastic totems into electronic signals for your listening pleasure.


All three EPs; the Crate EP, Pull Thru' Barker and When Space Invaders Were Big were released on Cherry Red. A total of ten songs over the three singles, none of which have appeared on any subsequent releases.

Crate EP:
1. Psychotic Now
2. P.D.F.
3. Screws
4. Kilometrica Banca

Pull Thru' Barker:
1. Pull Thru' Barker
2. Dirge
3. They Slept In Darkness
4. E.O.P.O.

When Space Invaders Were Big:
1. When Space Invaders Were Big
2. Love Like Anthrax

Owen - Near and Far

A Split EP with The Rutabega, here are the three songs by Owen including Mike Kinsella's solo version of the American Football track "Never Meant" - possibly the greatest song ever written. There's some good YouTube footage of him being unable to play the song at a gig somewhere. Bless. His new album "Ghost Town" is just out and it's as beautiful and heartfelt as ever. Either he's had more devastating break-ups than anyone else known to man or an unnatural amount of empathy towards those that have. He should come and play in the UK more often.

The One With The Protocols

Nine Black Alps - Glitter Gulch EP

The first Nine Black Alps album "Everything Is" was great and after a disappointing second album (sales wise) they were dropped from their major label like most bands seem to be. However the band are still going strong, in the process of completing their fourth album. This EP was basically a collection of b-sides from singles off the first album plus their first single Cosmopolitan. Lots more b-sides and special stuff to stream at http://www.nineblackalps.com/.

Get your guns

Mazey Fade - Touchdown/Inside My Blush

So many Ms. Where to start? Well, with another Peel inspired choice. Mazey Fade were well ahead of their time. In 1994 while everyone else was pushing out grunge and indie rock, preparing the way for Brit-pop, they delivered raw noise. According to the Domino website they were a "Liverpool power trio who made an extraordinary racket for a couple of years back in the early nineties. John Peel famously nominated them for a mercury music prize in '93 and the band broke up in shock. Not for the faint hearted." Couldn't agree more. They even had an EP called "Not Good Radio". I love this single.

You will too.

Les Savy Fav - Accidental Deaths

A tour 7" from 2006, I can't remember for the life of me how I got hold of a copy. Neither tracks - "Hit By Car" or "Hit By Train" have appeared on any other release so that alone warrants it inclusion here. But actually, listening again, I really like both songs after initially dismissing them as throwaway. Still one of the most unpredictable lives bands I've seen. Sometimes fantastic, sometimes awful.

Go forth

Kenickie - Catsuit City

Kenickie's first single, released on Slampt. Very lo-fi - most of these 8 songs appeared as re-recorded b-sides on future singles, but never quite lived up to the originals in my opinion, particularly Snakebite and Skateboarding Song. Fortunate enough to meet Lauren several times when Kenickie were still going and some time after thanks to friends in the Toon. She was genuinely pleasant and funny. Glad she's doing well on the box and that. Unfortunate enough to have to deal with Marie and Emmy-Kate in their rubbish follow-up band beginning with R. Those 'ladies' had issues.

Suit up!

Johnny Foreigner - Sometimes, In The Bullring

First single from JoFo. Cost you a packet now. You can buy the tracks as part of their "Every Day is a Constant Battle" compilation of early stuff from their bandcamp site and is probably better quality than these vinyl rips. My copy has a different cover to the one pictured too but I prefer this one, although I still have fond memories of the OLD Bullring. Way Ahead Records, Frank's Wild Records. All the record shops in Birmingham have gone now (Second City Sounds, HQ, Tempest, Reddington's Rare Records, Highway 61) except Swordfish and that's never been the same since it moved from Needless Alley.

I can't explain why I like this band so much. Is it because they're from Brum? Is it because Kelly is so lovely? Is it because their songs are so complex and yet still sing-a-long-able?

You decide

Idlewild - Captain

Remember when you had to buy every Fierce Panda 7" cos you were pretty much guaranteed it would be good? Idlewild's "Chandelier" definitely fell into this category and was soon followed up with the "Satan Polaroid" single and Captain EP on Deceptive. I remember seeing them at a "Jug" or "Pot" pub in Birmingham around this time ensuring I would buy everything they put out from that moment right up until "You Held The World In Your Arms" when I went off them for being weak. This EP has one of my favourite Idlewild tracks of all time in "Annihilate Now".

You have this already, right?

Hooton 3 Car - Driver

One of many US hardcore punk-influenced British bands of the mid-nineties like Leatherface, Drive and Midway Still were Hooton 3 Car. This was their third release - two excellent indie/punk/rock/pop tunes. Neither song made it onto their debut album "Cramp Like A Fox". Don't even remember ever seeing them live, but they still hold a place in my heart.

Get 'it' here

The Grates - The Ouch. The Touch.

On rare occasions when being sent record promos, I'd be sent something that was actually good. This included the "19 20 20" single by The Grates. The Australian Be Your Own Pet if you will. This is one of their earlier EPs from 2004 and contains two tracks that reappeared re-recorded on 2006's "Gravity Won't Get You High" and two that didn't. Apparently they've done two more albums since then but I have to say they fell off my radar somewhat. Shall have to dig those out...

Meanwhile...

Foals - Try This On Your Piano

After the sad demise of The Edmund Fitzgerald, Yannis and Jack formed a little known band called Foals. Their first release was a 7" single on the excellent Try Harder label. More similar in sound to EdFitz than the more polished and dance-oriented Cure songs that Foals perform nowadays, and when Andrew from Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies was singing in the band (I think). At a gig I'd put on at the Rhythm Factory in East London, I overheard Yannis and Andrew arguing with some kid in a band that they were better guitarists than he could ever hope to be. Why?

Anyway, get your math

Enablers - Now You Can Answer My Prayers

This beautiful 10" from Enablers came out in 2009 and was limited to 400 copies. If they have any left I sincerely suggest you get along to Lancashire and Somerset Records and buy it immediately as well as all the other Enablers releases (I did). Just as intense, raw and compelling as any of their album releases, these two tracks are well worth listening to (and owning). The first track Hy features Pete Simonelli reading from a letter he found in San Francisco, which is reproduced facsimile as part of the release.

Get to it.

Done Lying Down - So You Drive

Another mid-nineties band (this will all change soon - promise) that I really liked. I have memories of repeatedly listening to their debut album "John Austin Rutledge" on my way to teaching practice in Manchester. All of their early EPs were collected as a bonus disc on that release so I haven't chosen those. Of course, being an indie completist I also have all the 7" singles. Instead, I picked the second single from their superb second album "Kontrapunkt". Another good selection of b-sides here too, well worth a listen. Had the privilege of having the guys reform and play a couple of times at Silver Rocket in the noughties.

Enjoy

Cable - First two 7" singles

 Aah Cable. One of my favourite bands of the mid-nineties and still sorely missed. Once again, it was a Peel Session that got me into these guys, in particular, it was "Sale of the Century". I never knew of these two singles existence until they split up so was very pleased to find them. Different versions to those that appeared on "Downlift the Uptrodden", the first single is Sale of the Century/Hydra released in 1994 on Krunch Records, the second is Seventy/Oubliette released the following year on the same label. I notice with 'interest' that all tracks were recorded in Redditch. Why a band from Derby would travel to Redditch to record anything is beyond me.

These are ripped from my vinyl copies so apologies for any clicks and/or wobbles.
Sale of the Century/Hydra
Seventy/Oubliette

Enjoy

Bivouac - Good Day Song

First single from their debut album "Tuber", this is proper indie-rock at it's finest. I remember a track called "Rue" on a tape that came free with Deadline magazine that made me buy this. They'd already had two EPs out at this point - now collected on the "Derby & Joan" mini-album, but as far as I'm aware this is the only place to find "Squeaker, Bess, Bread, Beans and Cash", an excellent b-side. It also comes with an acoustic version of "Trepanning" that appeared on the acoustic 10" that came with "Tuber" and eventually appeared in full glory on "Full Size Boy" - one of my favourite Bivouac tracks that I'd be happy to perform for brave people with deaf ears and a hearty constitution.
Get your kicks here

A.C. Acoustics - Stunt Girl

I got into A.C. Acoustics when John Peel (bless 'im) played a track called "Mother Head Sander" from their mini-album "Able Treasury" featuring backing vocals from Paul Yeadon of Bivouac. I was disappointed with the rest of the mini-album but absolutely loved this single when it came out two years later. It's taken from their brilliant "Victory Parts" album which sounds quite Smashing Pumpkins in places. It comes with three exclusive b-sides.

Listen here