Compilation special - early Flowershop compilations

 Well technically not on the Flowershop label but the address on the back is the same. These two excellent compilation 7"s were given away at gigs on the dates shown on the covers. Twelve great tracks in total including a Ligament track that wasn't included in my recent post. Wat Tyler's version of Bryan Adam's "Everything I Do" is a particular highlight. Also included are Fabric, Hood, the joyous Joeyfat, Emperor Julian, Lungleg, the mighty Bob Tilton, Snuff, Elevate, Quickspace Supersport and a live version of Prolapse's "Headless In A Beat Motel". All freshly ripped from my vinyl copies. Enjoy.

Big-bollocked bonfire blow-up

Easter egg-splosion

Zvoov - Everbrown EP

Zvoov is a three-piece instrumental rock band from Brooklyn, New York. Their music is a blend of many themes and influences, such as math rock, post metal, post rock, jazz, and stoner music. They strive to keep their sound fresh by drawing on this diversity and writing songs that differ greatly from one another while still creating a distinct Zvoov mood. Formed in early 2009, their Everbrown EP was self-released in February 2011.

Bandcamp free download

Yo La Tengo - Shaker & Tom Courtenay

The most popular post of the last go through A-Z was Yo La Tengo's "From A Motel 6" EP. So I've decided to post another EP. Drip feed. More will come later. If you're very good.

This one is the Shaker EP. Three tracks; Shaker, "For Shame Of Doing Wrong (Slide Version)" and "What She Wants". Shaker appears on the "Prisoners of Love" compilation, but I'm not sure the other two tracks have been re-released.

Eureka

From the Electr-o-pura album, this is the "Tom Courtenay" EP. A four track EP including two exclusive tracks and a different take of "My Heart's Reflection".

У меня это

Xray Spex singles

 After complaints last time round at a lack of X post, I trawled through my record collection to amend this. The only 7"s I own beginning with X are these two Xray Spex singles. Unfortunately, I don't own the excellent "Oh Bondage Up Yours" single. I shall have to go to a few record fairs to see if I can did one out.

Instead, I have for you their second single "Germ-Free Adolescents" b/w "Age" and their fifth and final single "Highly Inflammable" b/w "Warriors In Woolworths".

Cleanliness is her obsession

You're a pseudo quasi intellectual

We Are Scientists - self-released EPs

 When We Are Scientists burst onto our consciousness in 2005 with their excellent album "With Love And Squalor" I assumed that it was their debut album. But they'd been going for four years by this point and had released another album and number of EPs prior to WLAS, mostly self-released.

The most recent release was "The Wolf's Hour" which contains many tracks re-recorded for the WLAS album and two tracks that were re-recorded for b-sides. So all six songs are different versions to ones you might have already.

Lycanthropy

Before that came the brilliant In Action EP; six songs that have never seen the light of day since but are in everyway comparable to their later releases.

Misanthropy

And finally their very first release Bitchin' which includes two songs that were re-recorded for the In Action EP and six other tracks.

Psilanthropy

The Vidablue

Ten Grand were one of my favourite bands of the early noughties. I was given a copy of "This Is The Way To Rule" by Southern Records and I immediately fell in love with the band. Seeing them live that summer was a highlight in my gig-going experience. Meeting the band was also a joy - four of the nicest guys you could possibly wish to meet. And then less than a month later Matt died suddenly. A terrible loss to music and the world in general.

Ten Grand started life out as The Vidablue before an enforced name change in 2002. They released an album "Our Miracle Point Of Contact" under this name, well worth digging out. Here, for your delectation, is an early single limited to 200 copies (mine has a green cover rather than the brown one pictured) and the Vidablue songs from a split EP with the Khayembii Communique (who they?).

Vida Blue was a baseball player

Ten Grand was the amount the band were paid to relinquish the rights to the name "Vida Blue" to a terrible electronic band.

Both of these facts are true.

Untitled Musical Project - Leftovers

Another Brummie band, Untitled Musical Project entertained our ears and our eyes for far too short a time in the late noughties. Only completing a single (eponymous) album in 2007 before calling it a day in 2009. Thankfully, when doing so, they made available a free download through Tigertrap Records containing their EP and a bunch of demos and live recordings.

Teenage Fanclub - Grand Prix singles

 Teenage Fanclub were the first band I saw live when I went to university on the Bandwagonesque tour. All I had at the time was the "God Knows It's True" EP, even though I'd heard Bandwagonesque and Catholic Education. I don't remember them being all that exciting either. A couple of years later they released Thirteen which was mostly disappointing so the Fannies went off my radar for a while.

But in 1995, a Reading performance turned me back onto them again and Grand Prix was purchased. The first side of this album is classic - not a second wasted - all pure gold. So here are the singles from this landmark album starting with the chilled Mellow Doubt.

Mellowed out

Neil Jung was next, as if we needed to know the influence that Neil Young had on TFC. This single came out as two EPs, the normal one and an alternative version which doesn't sound that different, it's just a bit longer. But with six exclusive b-sides across the two EPs, well worth getting hold of.

Going nowhere

Couldn't take the pain and left it there

Finally, the Sparky's Dream singles, again in a normal version and alternative version so six more b-sides across the two EPs. Whose idea was it to start limiting singles to three tracks in order for them to be eligible for the charts? I think that killed the EP as a format.

Need a magic ball to see her in the morning

And crystal eyes to read between the lines

Retisonic - La Semilla Del Diablo

I'd expected that Retisonic had split up, it being five years since they last released anything and three years since they've toured, but apparently they're writing a new album. And there's a couple of new tracks on their myspace page. It was about 2005 when I last saw them at a tiny venue in Shoreditch, and there that I bought this 7", a collection of cover songs by Judas Priest and Discharge. Jason also tried to sell me one of his solo singles and looked a bit cheesed off when I declined.

I prefer Retisonic to Bluetip, but apparently I'm in the minority

Querelle - Random tracks

Querelle did the rounds for a few years in the mid-noughties. Always a pleasure to watch. Gypsy had a great presence on stage - he once tackled me onto the stage in order to inject some passion into the performance (as he saw it). And Valentina was always one of the great drummers to watch - both in terms of talent and facial expressions.

The picture is of their excellent, one and only, mini-CD on Sink and Stove which you can still get here. So rather than that here is a collection of other tracks that were either release on compilations or not at all.

Nothin' Lost. Something Found.

Pinback - 1999/2000 EPs

 This will no doubt be the first of several Pinback posts. I love this band. Ever since their first album in '99 "This Is A Pinback CD", I have waited eagerly for each next release. At the moment I am waiting for a new album having only had one extremely limited 7" out since 2008. Mind you, there's been plenty of other Rob Crow releases since then. The Ladies, Goblin Cock and his solo work.

But for now here are the two EPs from the debut album plus the tour EP from the following year. Each comes with several exclusive tracks and/or mixes.

Loro

Tripoli

Live In Donny's Garage

Ozzy Osbourne - early live EPs

My first foray into hard rock on this blog. I got heavily into Black Sabbath and Ozzy in my teens. So much so that I got my hair permed like him on the cover of "No Rest For The Wicked" in 1989. Oh dear. Saw him live that same year at the NEC. Most of the early Ozzy singles were bought at record shops in Birmingham, being careful to avoid any of the signed singles at Reddington Rare Records. My friends and I used to joke that they would just get their silver pen out every time they got an Ozzy single in.

Even with the recent reissue of "Blizzard of Ozz" they have excluded the "Mr Crowley" live EP. Strange given that it contains a track "You Said It All" that doesn't appear anywhere else. In fact, this track isn't really live at all but just has crowd noise added on at the start and end.

Won't you ride my white horse? It's symbolic of course

So Tired was a strange choice of single to be taken from 1983's "Bark At The Moon" album, sounding like an ELO outtake. But the five track 12" contained three live tracks including the best available version of "Bark At The Moon". The end solo by Jake E Lee is extended compared to the original version and, for me, much improved. I am still trying to learn to play this over 20 years later.

Spewing from the mouth of hell

Ned's Atomic Dustbin - 1990 EPs

 
Growing up in the Midlands, it was difficult not to be a fan of the local indie heroes. The Wonder Stuff, Pop Will Eat Itself and Ned's Atomic Dustbin. Although known as a T-shirt band I never owned one (not enough cash at the time) but bought all of their output (from a record shop in Redditch as the one in Bromsgrove didn't stock them). I remember while I was at university, they did a tour to support "Are You Normal" and at each venue had a local band to open for them, which they 'auditioned' through the receipt of demo tapes. The winners were announced on Radio 1! In Liverpool, this was a band I had become acquainted with called the Firecharmers. They won on account of one of their songs opening with the Rainbow theme tune.

I did see the Neds on one of their reunion tours at the Forum in Kentish Town. Wasn't quite the same somehow. But back in their heyday, they were a very exciting live act, and the first band I can remember with two bass players. These EPs bring a lot of memories back, playing them in the sixth-form common room etc.

Their first EP was The Ingredients EP with the excellent "Aim" and "Grey Cell Green"

If I have two beans and add two more beans, what does that make?


The second single is their most 'famous' - "Kill Your Television". I really like the remix version on this EP and can remember learning to play it on my guitar.

Soap for sore eyes

Finally, the "Until You Find Out" EP, an excellent track with two of my favourite b-sides; "Flexible Head" and Bite.

It's like getting locked out when the phone rings

My Bloody Valentine - Creation singles

Another obvious choice I know but what're ya gonna do? My Bloody Valentine are one of the most important bands in my musical life. They completely changed the way I thought about music in the late 80s. Until 1989 I was on a strict diet of Heavy Metal. A friend of mine lent me a number of "indie" records which included the first Dinosaur Jr album, Pop Will Eat Itself's "This Is The Day..." LP and "You Made Me Realise". As a fairly closed-mind 16 year old I had dismissed all indie as either jangley pop or metal for people that couldn't do guitar solos. So imagine my initial horror at a song that was both grungy and jangley at the same time and with 45 seconds of noise where the guitar solo should be. But somehow it stuck. Strangely, it was a good number of years before I started to collect MBV records myself. I eventually bought "You Made Me Realise" from a second-hand shop in Liverpool while I was at University in about 1992, but I didn't buy Loveless or Isn't Anything until I was in Manchester 94/95. Consequently I never saw MBV live until their reformation a few years ago, three nights out of the four at the Roundhouse in Camden.

So, anyway, the singles. Starting with the "You Made Me Realise" EP. As well as the astonishing title track, this EP contains the brilliant "Thorn" and "Drive It All Over Me". In a way, this is a transitional EP, containing experimental wall-of-sound treated guitar as well as more traditional indie pop more akin to their previous output on the Ecstasy mini-LP.

You can close your eyes, but you might as well commit suicide

Next is the "Feed Me With Your Kiss" EP. Just the two b-sides as the title track is on Isn't Anything.

Crawl around and kiss the ground

A limited number of the 1988 Isn't Anything album came with a free 7" that I paid £15 for considerably later. It contains two instrumental tracks including one with that famous Public Enemy drum loop (think Madonna's "Justify My Love")

Security of the first world

A two year wait for the next release, while Kevin Shields perfected Loveless, nearly bankrupting Creation in the process. I often wonder if this would have been a good thing. Downside - possibly no Teenage Fanclub, Swervedriver, Ride, Medicine, Super Furry Animals or Sugar. Upside, possibly no Primal Scream or Oasis. OK, on balance probably worth putting up with the crap for all the good stuff. Anyway, the Glider EP...

Wake up, don't fear

A late addition - a vinyl rip of my Glider Remixes EP for completeness. It contains a mix of Soon by Andrew Weatherall and a ten minute version of the instrumental Glider.

Here we go!

Finally, my favourite MBV release, the Tremolo EP. Yes. Even better than Loveless. Or maybe not, but I prefer it. There is no other song quite like "To Here Knows When". It is simply genius. Even the incidental/segue music on this EP is brilliant, between THKW and "Swallow", and between "Honey Power" and "Moon Song".

Close the door, I want you more

Ligament - Singles

 Before Part Chimp, Tim Cedar and Johnny Hamilton (Industry) were in Ligament. They were one of my favourite bands of the mid-nineties. I was fortunate enough to see their last (full-time) gig when I'd just moved to London. It was Upstairs at the Garage and the place was rammed, mostly because Mogwai were supporting. This annoyed me for a start because at this point I'd gone off Mogwai (because they had become relatively popular and self-indulgent). To top it off, Mogwai's set consisted of one 30 minute song. I sulked at the bar reading a book in protest. Ligament themselves were fantastic. I distinctly remember Jamie Hince (now Mrs Kate Moss) of Scarfo crawling around on stage during "His Giz".

Their first single was the "Three Dimensional Pumping Heart" 7" on Flower Shop Recordings, which came with a little bit of paper that explained how to build your heart. A bit rough (maybe it's just my overplayed single) but "Thank You For My Pumping Heart is excellent.

Assembly of tube veins and arteries

Second up is their 1995 EP "Indifferent Cop". This contains one of my favourite ever songs "Theme From Ligament" as well as three other superb tracks.

Ligament's in the house

Thirdly is the single from their first album "Kind Deeds" called "Give It Up", a Pavement-y song. You should get Kind Deeds if you can find a copy - it is mega-brilliant.

If you had a womb, you would give birth to me

Number four is the single from the frankly disappointing follow up album "Halfway Between San Juan and Mendoza" on Kitty Kitty. The single itself, "Me Supreme", is really good though so well worth a download.

With these chocolate pralines you are surely spoiling us

Finally, a collection of tracks from various split singles and compilations, including the aforementioned "His Giz" and two versions of the same song "Stslag"/"Stslaj".

Good Times

Kaito - Early singles

 Kaito were a band that used to travel down from Norwich to Cambridge to play gigs quite regularly. As a result I have enjoyed their music for the entire lifespan of the band. Kaito were never very successful in the UK, but for some reason had a much bigger following in the US. Consequently, they seemed to be forever on tour over there once they had albums out. Kaito split up in 2006. Niki went on to be in Factory Floor. Gemma teaches the ukulele to kids. Don't know what Dave and Dieter are doing now, although Dave's probably back in Norfolk making strange noises to pigs.

Here are some freshly ripped singles from the end of the 20th century. First up is "Whoee Owee" from 1998. A lovely orange vinyl 7" on Vibrations From The Edge Of Sanity Records.

Wowie Zowie


Second up, another single on Vibrations, this time on powder blue vinyl, is "60 Second Popstar/Manual Speed"

A minute to win it

Thirdly, a track that appeared on a split with Derby band Cato on the Sickroom Gramophonic Collective label. The track "Go" re-appeared on their first album "You've Seen Us... You Must Have Seen Us".

Stop!


Finally, their first single on Fierce Panda "Cat-nap", also taken from their first album.

Purr-fect

Joy Zipper - Early EPs and compilation tracks

No I this month due to a lack of Inspiration. So instead, a special treat for you in J.

Husband and wife team Vincent Cafiso and Tabitha Tindale entertained us for nearly 10 years as Joy Zipper with their blend of blissed-out alterno-pop songs. I can remember listening to the first album when it came out on a listening post in Rough Trade, Talbot Road. I didn't buy it. I don't remember why exactly. I've a feeling that it was hyped a little bit and I was underwhelmed. It was four years later that I got into Joy Zipper with the release of their mini-LP "The Stereo and God", in particular it was the songs "If I'm Right" and Gun Control". As usual in these cases I had to reassess my previous opinions of the debut album and hunt out all of the early EPs. And here they are. Firstly is 1999's "Christine Bonilla" EP featuring two exclusive b-sides.

Boy Clipper

Secondly is 2002's "Gun Control" EP featuring the excellent "Christmas Song" and "Gun Control" (different to the version that appears on "The Stereo and God") as well as an exclusive b-side "Moonmoonmoon".

Soy Dipper

And thirdly, the "Ron" EP from the same year with b-sides "Absent Father" and an instrumental version of "Dosed and Became Invisible".

Toy Slipper

To round off the post is a collection of four tracks from compilation albums over the years. All covers, they include The Clash's "Hitsville UK", The Cure's "Just Like Heaven", The Pixies "Wave Of Mutilation" and Daniel Johnstone's "Held The Hand". Enjoy.

Ploy Gripper

In retrospect I think I was right about their first album, but "American Whip" and "The Heartlight Set" more than made up for it.

Helmet - Biscuits For Smut EP

1994's Betty is probably my favourite Helmet album and so I've chosen the singles from that album for today's post.

First is Wilma's Rainbow, a seven track EP containing five live versions of some of their best tracks.

You're mentally endowed

The second single from Betty was "Biscuits For Smut". This EP contains a different version of Milquetoast called Milktoast, an exclusive b-side and a remix of Biscuits.


Better fed than forced

Geisha - Hymns For The Living Dead

This, their second EP from 2004, contains four tracks of mind-blowing riffs and the most extraordinary raw power. I have no idea how to get a hold of their more recent output; albums "Mondo Dell'Orrore", "Die Verbrechen Der Liebe" and "Maudit A Minuit" otherwise I would send you there. I have the first and third but can't remember where I got them. Their website has info on releases but no obvious way of buying them. My copy of this EP is obviously a promo, as it has a press release in it with some terrible quotes including "Geisha have piss all over their chips and an antisocial behaviour order in the post" by manchestermusic.co.uk. The website doesn't have this quote any more - instead it says "This is music for aspiring serial killers where everything is fuzzed up past the point of sensibility. Even the drums and indeed the distortion has distortion on it." Fair enough.

Pish and chips

Fighting With Wire - Singles and compilation tracks

 Few bands have caught my attention more over the last couple of years than Fighting With Wire. Out of the ashes of Jetplane Landing, FWW pushed the rock up a notch and are quite rightfully seen as the Irish Foo Fighters by lazy journalists and me. There's so much good stuff coming out of Ireland at the moment; And So I Watch You From Afar, Bats, Adebisi Shank etc. I've been eagerly awaiting their follow-up album from 2008's "Man vs. Monster" - supposedly due out this year. In the meantime, like me, you will have to put up with a collection of EPs and compilation tracks that have appeared. But what a treat they are!

First off is, what I believe to be, their 2010 tour EP "I Am Ursus". Chances are, when the new album comes out, these four tracks will become generally available because at the moment they really aren't.

Tour de force

Second are the two b-sides from their 2009 single "Sugar" which includes one of my favourite FWW tracks "After The Show".

Sweet sweet music

Third is the four track self-titled EP that got me into the band in 2008. The first track "Everyone Needs a Nemesis" is on the album but the other three are not.

Writing with fire


Finally is a collection of odds and ends. The b-side of their extremely limited (300 copies) "All For Nothing" 7" called "Photograph", and four other tracks that have appeared on various compilations.

Take a picture, it'll last longer

If you want to buy the album or any other releases they make available go to Smalltown America here. I strongly recommend it. They also released three more EPs as far back as 2004 that I have been unable to track down for love nor money: EP1, EP2 and "Machine Parts". If anyone knows where I can locate these items I'd really appreciate it.