SOMETHING TO LOOK OUT FOR (PART 4)

Tired as me of todays indiepop but still in love with jangle guitars?
Check out these, some more obscure british bands from the past. as always, any futher infos about them are more than welcome. enjoy!


3 BOYS & A GIRL


Hailed from Northumberland, this very obscure four-piece played wonderful girl/boy-vocal summerpop in the style of bands as The Siddeleys, Great Scott or Girl Of My Best Friend. Once had two tracks on a compilation LP with the strange name “Zscheisch“. It also contains two early songs by The Nivens. No sure if 3 BOYS & A GIRL ever released more material but if so, i would love to hear these songs!

RECRUITS

I once found their 7“ single at Utrecht Record Fair. Recorded at Ha! Bloody Ha! Studios and released on band's own label in 1989. “See My Face“ is superb male vocal indiepop which let me think on bands as Rumblefish, The Jeremiahs or This Final Frame. Cataloguenumber was RE 2, so what was RE1?

BLAM! BLAM! Y.C.

Not so much my cup of tea but everyone who is into bands like Motorcycle Boy, Fat Tulips or The Rosehips should check out their sole 12“ single which called “Rollercoasting Barbie and the Dumb Angels“, released 1988 on Middlesex-based “Pussy Records“.

BOP SH BAM

Short-lived band put together by John Robinson, once songwriter and guitarist of mighty Respond Records-act THE QUESTIONS, in 1987. Band recorded songs as “How Can I Tell You“ or “Painful World“, but as it seems never released any records. Anyone out there who can play me those tunes?

THE AUCTIONEERS

Classic male vocal guitarpop somewhere between Hurrah! and Onionhead. Around the late 80's.


LIBERTY VALANCE

Once shared the stage with such great bands as Bradford or Raintree County.

THE FLEX

To be honest, this band was unknown for me until the last year. No idea why i never heard their single, “You Lose“, before. This song is one of those tracks which you fall in love with from the start. Think about the moment you first heard songs by Hey Paulette (“Penelope“), 35 Summers (“Really Down“) or Ala Pana Fuzo (“Friend) and you will get an idea about it's greatness. Not to be confused with another band called Flex which was on the road around the same time and which put's out the fine “Whatever Happend To Small Talk“ EP.

RED MONEY

WOW, WOW, WOW, that's what i thought when i first heard the band's 7“ single, “My Erstwhile Companion“. I have to think of early Aztec Camera, The Man Upstairs, The Trash Can Sinatras or The Man From Delmonte while listening to their songs. Band hailed from Croydon and played their first gig in the early days of 1990. Not much more is known about them.

THE FLAT STANLEYS

Oxford-based and once friends with bands as The Anyways, Razorcuts and Heavenly. No further description needed!

CARY GRANT'S WEDDING

It's said that they were one of the original jangle pop darlings of Norwich. While listening to their song “Skid Chicane“ it's easy to see why. Fast jangly indiepop, somewhere between Talulah Gosh and early Wedding Present. Fun Fun Fun!!

LONG WEEKEND

Amazing blue-eyed soul indiepop. Once had a track on the Abstract Compilation-LP, released back in 1984. Somewhere between The Rage, Reflection A.O.B. And Friday Club.

LIBRA

Appeared on the same compilation and nearly as great as Long Weekend. “Only You“ is a fine song which will let you think on Orange Juice during their “Rip It Up“-phase.

THE ASTRIDS

Early 90's outfit which had some fun while playing some kind of Lloyd Cole-style indiepop.

BOOTLESS

Ex MEN OF WESTENESSE! One 7“ single,“The Nineteen Eighty-Hero From The Bikeshead“, released on own label back in the early 90's. Don't look out for it, it's impossible to locate these days!

THE MONK BOUGHT LUNCH

One 7“ single, private release back in 1991. Just two bandmembers, a boy and a girl, three cool songs, a great sleeve, that's all i know about them!