Jangle Pop Boutique

Jangle obscurity of the day#45: The Saving Graces - Acceptable

2011-12-16T23:40:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Saving Graces - Acceptable

Jangle obscurity of the day#44: Conspiracy Of Silence - Innocense (1987)

2011-12-12T12:16:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Conspiracy Of Silence - Innocense

Jangle obscurity of the day#43: Skin Games - Big Me (1989)

2011-12-10T10:25:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Skin Games - Big Me

Jangle obscurity of the day#42: Sometimes Sartre - Good Book

2011-12-09T13:10:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Sometimes Sartre - Good Book

Jangle obscurity of the day#41: The New Dylans - Pampered Wife (1986)

2011-12-08T11:33:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The New Dylans - Pampered Wife

Jangle obscurity of the day#40: Cypress, Mine! - Sounds Like Rain (1987)

2011-12-07T14:51:00.003+02:00

Download mp3: Cypress, Mine! - Sounds Like Rain

Jangle obscurity of the day#39: Kale - Blind (1991)

2011-12-06T11:04:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Kale - Blind

Jangle obscurity of the day#38: The Ryecatchers (UK) - Flowers

2011-12-04T10:50:00.003+02:00

Download mp3: The Ryecatchers (UK) - Flowers

Jangle obscurity of the day#37: Outskirts - Standing Together (1985)

2011-12-03T18:23:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Outskirts - Standing Together

Jangle obscurity of the day#36: The Singing Ringing Tree - Generally Dancing (1988)

2011-12-02T10:28:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Singing Ringing Tree - Generally Dancing

Jangle obscurity of the day#35: The Junk - The World Doesn't Turn (1986)

2011-12-01T15:27:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Junk - The World Doesn't Turn

Jangle obscurity of the day#34: Feargal Is The Applejack - Talking To Yourself (1990)

2011-11-30T15:29:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Feargal Is The Applejack - Talking To Yourself

Jangle obscurity of the day#33: A.D. - You'll Get There

2011-11-29T11:20:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: A.D. - You'll Get There

Jangle obscurity of the day#32: The Hoverchairs - Blue Sunshine

2011-11-27T21:53:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: The Hoverchairs - Blue Sunshine

Jangle obscurity of the day#31: Brilliant Orange - I Don't Know Why (1990)

2011-11-26T10:29:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Brilliant Orange - I Don't Know Why

Jangle obscurity of the day#30: The Gladstones - Garden (1990)

2011-11-25T10:47:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Gladstones - Garden

Jangle obscurity of the day#29: The Second Coming - Scarecrows (1985)

2011-11-23T12:08:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: The Second Coming - Scarecrows

Jangle obscurity of the day#28: A Strange Desire - On Another Day (1987)

2011-11-22T10:48:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: A Strange Desire - On Another Day

Jangle obscurity of the day#27: The Fontaines - Bernadette (1987)

2011-11-21T10:07:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Fontaines - Bernadette

Jangle obscurity of the day#26: The Outpatients - Dog Eared Love (1988)

2011-11-20T10:15:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: The Outpatients - Dog Eared Love

Jangle obscurity of the day#25: Lucky Mary Blonde - Farewell To Grace (1987)

2011-11-19T10:57:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: Lucky Mary Blonde - Farewell To Grace

Jangle obscurity of the day#24: We Are Going To Eat You - What Have Flowers Got To Do With It? (1988)

2011-11-18T10:50:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: We Are Going To Eat You - What Have Flowers Got To Do With It?

Jangle obscurity of the day#23: New English - Wishing (1988)

2011-11-16T11:22:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: New English - Wishing

Jangle obscurity of the day#22: Scale The Heights - Down The Hill (1989)

2011-11-15T11:35:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Scale The Heights - Down The Hill

Jangle obscurity of the day#21: Lovetrain - The Way Of All Flesh (1989)

2011-11-14T11:44:00.003+02:00

Download mp3: Lovetrain - The Way Of All Flesh

Jangle obscurity of the day#20: The Rain Kings - A Kind Of Cruelty (1984)

2011-11-13T12:26:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: The Rain Kings - A Kind Of Cruelty

Jangle obscurity of the day#19: Distant Cousins - Concrete Boxes (1989)

2011-11-12T11:39:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Distant Cousins - Concrete Boxes

Jangle obscurity of the day#18: The Charlottes - How Can You Say You Really Feel (1988)

2011-11-10T11:48:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Charlottes - How Can You Say You Really Feel

Jangle obscurity of the day#17: Furnish Time - Juegos De La Lluvia (1986)

2011-11-08T11:52:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: Furnish Time - Juegos De La Lluvia

Jangle obscurity of the day#16: Twelve Angry Men - Magdalene

2011-11-07T10:44:00.001+02:00

Download mp3: Twelve Angry Men - Magdalene

Jangle obscurity of the day#15: Magdelene Fields - Christmas Island (1988)

2011-11-06T10:33:00.005+02:00

Download mp3: Magdelene Fields - Christmas Island

Jangle obscurity of the day#14: The Beautiful Losers - Be With Me (Not With Them) (1992)

2011-11-05T01:10:00.002+02:00

Download mp3: The Beautiful Losers - Be With Me (Not With Them)

Jangle obscurity of the day#13: Life Without Principle - I Hear You Singing (1989)

2011-10-23T00:23:00.002+03:00

Download mp3: Life Without Principle - I Hear You Singing

Jangle obscurity of the day#12: Sister Rain - Crushed

2011-10-21T16:58:00.003+03:00

Download mp3: Sister Rain - Crushed

Jangle obscurity of the day#11: The Legendary Hearts - Love and Understanding (1988)

2011-10-20T14:28:00.005+03:00

Download mp3: The Legendary Hearts - Love and Understanding

Jangle obscurity of the day#10: The Passengers - The Frances Farmer Song (1988)

2011-10-19T08:30:00.002+03:00

Download mp3: The Passengers - The Frances Farmer Song

Jangle obscurity of the day#9: Penny Priest - Sometimes

2011-10-18T10:58:00.002+03:00

Download mp3: Penny Priest - Sometimes

Jangle obscurity of the day#8: The Fish John West Reject - Twenty Ways (1990)

2011-10-17T10:35:00.002+03:00

Download mp3: The Fish John West Reject - Twenty Ways

Jangle obscurity of the day#7: The Montgomery Clifts - Lovesville USA

2011-10-16T09:37:00.003+03:00

Download mp3: The Montgomery Clifts - Lovesville USA

Jangle obscurity of the day#6: The Terrible Parade - Guardian Angel (1990)

2011-10-15T10:17:00.002+03:00

Download mp3: The Terrible Parade - Guardian Angel

Jangle obscurity of the day#5: Cristcise - Want

2011-10-14T09:37:00.001+03:00

Download mp3: Cristcise - Want

Jangle obscurity of the day#4: Dazy Chains - Back To Bed (1990)

2011-10-13T11:13:00.002+03:00

Dazy Chains were an australian group active from 1986 to 1993. "Back To Bed" is just jangle pop perfection.

Download mp3: Dazy Chains - Back To Bed

Jangle obscurity of the day#3: The Deddingtons - Sheila

2011-10-12T10:41:00.004+03:00

The Deddingtons were a 4 piece pop band from Nottingham in the early 1990s. Comprising of Chris King, Matthew Wright, Chris Morgan and Andy Luczko.

"Sheila" is a warm and heartfelt mellow jangle pop song . Fantastic little gem.

Download mp3: The Deddingtons - Sheila

Jangle obscurity of the day#2: The Artisans - One Look (1990)

2011-10-11T06:36:00.004+03:00

The Artisans were an australian group active from 1988 to 1991. . They only released one recording in 1990, a mini album titled Love and Sleep . The line up for The Artisans consisted of: Gerry Wedd, vocals ; David Lock, drums & vocals ; Brett Bennet, guitar, Paul Arbon, bass ; Mark Kimber, guitars ; Jim Tsinganos, harmonica ; Adam McBeath, guitars; George Wedd,keyboard.

Not to be confunded with the british Artisans, who released the single "Jazz Serenade" in 1992 on Infidel Label.

Download mp3: The Artisans - One Look

Jangle obscurity of the day#1: Friends Of Ghosts - WMT (1987)

2011-10-10T19:20:00.012+03:00

Download mp3: Friends Of Ghosts - WMT

More info about the band here, where you can also download 3 songs from their lp.

Kill Devil Hills - What Comes After (1987)

2010-02-24T13:32:00.003+02:00

Kill Devil Hills were a very obscure band from Lancaster (England). Their only release was the 12" "What Comes After" on Roustabout Records, the home of the Cretaker Race. The band were: Alex (guitar, voice), Paul (guitar, vocals), Jon (bass) and Phil (drums, vocals).

"What Comes After" has a lot of energy and a great jangle sound, very similar to The Wishing Stones, another great band from that era.

Download: Kill Devil Hills - What Comes After

Lions & Ghosts - Wilton House (1987)

2010-02-14T21:05:00.003+02:00

Like Camper Van Beethoven and the Replacements, Lions & Ghosts were adored by college-radio DJs in the ‘80s but received cold shoulders from the mainstream airwaves. Formed in Los Angeles by Rick Parker (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Michael Lockwood (guitar, vocals), Todd Hoffman (bass, vocals), and Michael Martin Murphey (drums, vocals), Lions & Ghosts' melodic guitar rock seemed tailor-made for campus stations; however, the group was lost in a glut of American bands marketed as the next R.E.M., whose surprise Top-40 breakthrough in 1987 inspired record labels to pillage college radio for the Next Big Thing. Lions & Ghosts' 1987 debut LP Velvet Kiss, Lick of the Lime was dismissed by critics who didn't feel the group was doing anything revolutionary or ambitious; in contrast, left-of-the-dial programmers feasted on the record's power-pop grooves. "Mary Goes Round", a dead ringer for the Replacements, and "Man in a Car" enjoyed heavy airplay on small alternative stations. "Mary Goes Round" even became a cult hit on New Wave dials in Manila, Philippines. But commercial outlets in the U.S. felt that the band's music was too understated and moody for mass acceptance. Wild Garden, Lions & Ghosts' second album, was released in 1989 to a similar reaction although the group changed their sound a bit, opting for more of a straightforward, roots-rock approach. Wild Garden didn't sell, and the band split up.

Download: Lions & Ghosts - Wilton House

The Reasons Why - Big Words (1987)

2010-02-12T22:57:00.002+02:00

Great guitar pop song from the australian band "The Reasons Why" from their 1987 single "In the End".

Download: The Reasons Why - Big Words

The Pontoons - Back Again

2010-02-10T20:14:00.002+02:00

Another cool jangly song by The Pontoons, the power pop trio formed by Tom Hunt, Christian Harper and Tony Skutnik. "Back Again" was the B side of the single "Joncos & Robins" and it's a upbeat, happy song with an increasingly 60s feel.

Download: The Pontoons - Back Again

The Swamis - Coffee Song (1989)

2010-02-07T16:56:00.002+02:00

The Swamis were a Chapel Hill based band formed in the 80s. The band leader was Holden Richards, the ex-member of One Plus Two (I posted earlier their song "Letters"). "Coffee Song" is taken from the 1989 ep "Change of Heart" released on New Math Records. An excellent jangly song.

Download: The Swamis - Coffee Song

The Gits (UK) - Cut

2010-02-06T10:18:00.003+02:00

The Gits were a band from Horsham, UK, active in the 80s and early 90s. They had a great post-punk sound and they were compared to Wedding Present and Orange Juice.

Download: The Gits (UK) - Cut

Great Outdoors - Some Things (1985)

2010-02-05T22:04:00.004+02:00

Great Outdoors were a british band from the 80s. They released 2 great singles on Upright Records: "World at My Shoes" (1985) and "Bird in the Hand" (1986).

"Some Things" is from their first single and it's a splendid jangle tune. Sounds very similar to The Smiths and that's not a bad thing.

Download: Great Outdoors - Some Things

The Newcolours - Do You Want to Pray

2010-02-05T17:44:00.007+02:00

A great song from this unknown german band with a killer chorus. Nice jangly guitars and a nice organ solo in the middle. It should've been a hit.

You can find their 1988 LP, "Be Serious", here, on the great "There and Back Again Lane" blog.

Download: The Newcolours - Do You Want to Pray

The Peach Thieves - Out of the Nowhere (1988)

2010-02-03T18:04:00.003+02:00

The Peach Thieved released one flexi in 1988 on Uncle label. "Out of the Nowhere" is just a great jangly song.

Download: The Peach Thieves - Out of the Nowhere

The Longjohnz - Never On Sunday (1990)

2010-01-31T18:31:00.003+02:00

There's no info about this band on the net. All I know is that they released some singles and an album - "You Better Ask" (1991) on Alibi Records.

"Never On Sunday" is a very catchy jangle pop song.

Download: The Longjohnz - Never On Sunday

The Room - In My Evil Hour

2010-01-30T15:41:00.003+02:00

The Room were a post punk band from Liverpool formed in 1980. They released three albums and several singles before breaking up in 1985. Two of the band members went on to form Benny Profane.

The Room formed in 1980 with an initial line-up of Dave Jackson (vocals), Robyn Odlum (guitar), Becky Stringer (bass), and Clive Thomas (drums, percussion). Early releases on the small independent Box label saw the band compared to fellow Liverpool band Echo & the Bunnymen, and gained them strong support from the music press. In 1982 they signed to Red Flame records, debuting with the single "Things Have Learnt to Walk That Ought to Crawl", followed by first album Indoor Fireworks. 1983 saw major changes to the line-up, with Odlum and Thomas departing to be replaced by ex-Wild Swans drummer Alan Wills, guitarist Paul Cavanagh, and keyboard player Peter Baker. The new line-up released the mini-album Clear! in late 1983. Brass player Phil Lucking was added to the line-up in 1984, but departed before third album, In Evil Hour, which was part-produced by Tom Verlaine, who the band had played several dates with earlier that year, the remainder produced by John Porter. An EP of tracks recorded for Janice Long's BBC Radio One programme proved to be the band's final release while still together, in 1985. Clear! and In Evil Hour were later reissued as a double-LP set, titled Nemesis, and an EP of one of the band's four sessions for John Peel's programme was issued by Strange Fruit Records in 1988. Jackson and Stringer formed a new band, Benny Profane, in 1986, and later formed Dust and The Dead Cowboys.

Download: The Room - In My Evil Hour

One Plus Two - Letters (1986)

2010-01-23T16:35:00.005+02:00

Around Fall 1983 Holden Richards started the folk/pop/rock band One Plus Two and landed a record deal with Homestead Records for 2 albums. Members of One Plus Two went on to join the dBs (Eric Peterson) and Snatches of Pink (Andy McMillan). One Plus Two Albums reviewed fairly well and hit high numbers in the college radio charts of the time. At the peak of their popularity One Plus Two was showcased on MTV's The Cutting Edge.

Original Members:

Holden Richards - Guitar, Vocals; Mary Clyde Bridgers - Drums; Eric Peterson - Bass/Guitar (later replaced with Rob Stuart); Andy McMillan - Vocals (later replaced with Bob Cook).

Discography:

Watercolor Haircut - Self released 45 (1983)

The Ivy Room - Homestead Records (1984)

Once in a Blue Moon - Homestead Records (1986)

Download: One Plus Two - Letters

The Chalk Giants - Stay In England (1991)

2010-01-17T11:22:00.003+02:00

The Chalk Giants are an english band formed in the early 90s. They released their debut 12" single, "Throw It Away" in 1991 on Mousse Records. One of their songs, "Pushing Gary Down" appeared on the "Sound Of Leamington Spa Vol.3" in 2003. "Stay In England" is very catchy and is one of their best songs.

Download: The Chalk Giants - Stay In England

The Originals - Steven on the Radio (1989)

2010-01-15T18:07:00.002+02:00

"The Originals" were a short-lived band from Leicester, composed of Gary Blair (vocals), Kevin Young (guitar), Terri Lowe (later member of Po! And husband of Ruth Miller, bass) and Yvonne Blair (drums). They released a 7" single, "Chocolate Box" on Rutland Records in 1989. "Steven on the Radio" is a lovely jangle song.

Download: The Originals - Steven on the Radio

Weeping Messerschmitts - Just to Hold You (1987)

2010-01-11T22:29:00.003+02:00

Weeping Messerschmitts were: Dave Webb (vocals, guitar), Gary Oliver (guitar), Mark Alexander (bass), Mark Jeavons (guitar) and Gary Odea(drums). I liked very much their single "Nothing Yet" released in 1986. Browsing through YouTube I found this single, "Just to Hold You" which I think is their best song. It was probably uploaded by the singer David Webb. You can find additional info about the band just watching the full video. A great lost band that should've been famous.

Download: Weeping Messerschmitts - Just to Hold You

Start - Where I Want to Be (1983)

2010-01-09T14:19:00.002+02:00

Start were an american band from Lawrence, Kansas. Their only album, "Look Around" was released in 1983 on Fresh Sounds Records.

"Where I Want to Be" should've been a big hit back then, but it was never released as a single. I can't think of a better song from 1983. Addictive and catchy as hell.

Download: Start - Where I Want to Be

35 Summers - Candy (1991)

2010-01-08T20:22:00.002+02:00

35 Summers were formed in 1990 by Duncan Lomax and David Pichilingi, both former members and principal songwriters of Wake Up Afrika. . In 1991 the band locked themselves away in Amazon studios in Kirkby, the birthplace of many classic albums. They recorded their only album, "Sketch" in one studio at the same time as Teenage Fanclub laid down the tracks to ‘Bandwagonesque’ next door. As soon as the album was ready, 35 Summers embarked on a national tour, supporting EMF who were flavour of the month at the time, with their single ‘Unbelievable’ ensuring that all the gigs were sold out.

Download: 35 Summers - Candy

Raintree County - Nice Time at the Disco (1988)

2010-01-05T18:57:00.005+02:00

Raintree County formed from the meeting of two members of another unknown band called "The Danny Boys" (formed in 1985, they released just a single entitled Days Of The Week (1987) on Ugly Man Records). In 1988, Craig Ferguson (on vocals and guitar) and Vinnie Carroll (drums), along with two new members Ian Scanlan and Michael Peek started Raintree County. They recorded "Nice Time at the Disco" for the "Manchester, North Of England" cassette compilation the same year. Later in 1990 they would release an EP called "Seven Day Weekend" and a 12 "entitled "Take", and finally in 1991 they released an album of ten songs, called Roadsongs, all with Native Records.

"Nice Time at the Disco" sounds like a cross between The Wild Swans and The Railway Children and it's a lovely guitar pop song.

Download: Raintree County - Nice Time at the Disco

The Hepburns - The World Is (1987)

2010-01-03T12:37:00.002+02:00

The Hepburns have been around for years. First surfacing out of Wales in 1987 they released a couple of singles and an album for Cherry Red. Then their new record company went kaput, taking their unreleased second album with them, and it was not until 2000 that the band resurfaced on the Californian label Radio Khartoum.

"The World Is" is taken from their deput ep: "Goalmouth Incident" released in 1987. I can't get enough of the brilliant guitar work on this song. Although a bit short, I think this is probably their best song.

Download: The Hepburns - The World Is

The Clamheads - Everybody Loves Me Cept You (1989)

2009-12-31T12:26:00.002+02:00

The Clamheads appeared on the Sound Of Leamington Spa Vol.1 back in 2000 with the song "Summer's Comming Down". Few people know that they released a 12" ep in 1989 on Jericho Records. "Everybody Loves Me Cept You" is taken from that release and it's a fantastic guitar driven song.

Download: The Clamheads - Everybody Loves Me Cept You

Whirl - In A Dream (1987)

2009-12-29T21:19:00.002+02:00

Whirl were a band from Manchester active in the late 80s. Their first 12", "Heaven Forbid" was released on Playroom Records in 1987 featuring 4 tracks. "In A Dream" is their catchiest song and has nice jangly guitars.

Download: Whirl - In A Dream

The Shrinking Violets - She Said (1988)

2009-12-22T01:09:00.004+02:00

The Shrinking Violets was a band from Sydney, Australia (1987 -1990). The band members were: Marcus Clement: Vocals, Guitar; Julian Knowles: Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards (Even As We Speak, Big Heavy Stuff); Barry 'Fuzz' Hayes: Bass, Vocals; Andrew Clement: Drums (Other Voices).

Discography:

7" Vinyl Single (Purple Vinyl): Everything b/w She Said - Phantom Records 1988
12" Vinyl Album (Yellow Vinyl): Mask - Phantom Records 1989

Download: The Shrinking Violets - She Said

Ant Farmers - Shower Curtain (1990)

2009-12-21T20:26:00.002+02:00

Low-key, folk-rock-influenced indie-poppers from Albuquerque, NM, the Ant Farmers are primarily a vehicle for the lyrically skewed but unfailingly catchy songs of singer/guitarist Carl Petersen, the band's only constant member. Formed out of the remnants of various local bands in 1988, the group's original lineup was Petersen, lead singer Jon Little, bassist Darrell Sparks (brother of the Handsome Family's Brett Sparks), and drummer Bill Mudd. After gigging around Albuquerque for a couple of years, the quartet recorded their debut album, Trailer Park Music, in 1990. Mudd was replaced by Robert Hobbs II in 1992; the revised band recorded their second album, Yarn, the following year. Another personnel change occurred when Sparks left to form his own band, Pawn Drive. He was replaced by Paula Blanchard, who played bass on the group's third and best album, 1995's Beautician, but left the band the following year to return to school. A period of even greater personnel instability ensued; Steve Siegrist of Thin White Rope replaced Blanchard temporarily before himself being replaced by ex-Strawberry Zots keyboardist Michael Henningsen. The Ant Farmers broke up temporarily when Little left the band in 1997; Petersen and Hobbs formed a new trio called the Webelos, with Petersen as lead singer, but eventually reverted to the Ant Farmers name when Henningsen rejoined.

Download: Ant Farmers - Shower Curtain

Peruvian Hipsters - Tony Hadley

2009-12-20T14:22:00.002+02:00

Peruvian Hipsters were a welsh indie band active in the 80s. The band members were: Nigel Buckland, Ashley Evans, Phillip Holt and Jeff Hughes. They released a 7" single back on the days on Freak Medicine Recordings.

Tony Hadley is guitar pop at its best. A fantastic song waiting to be discovered.

Download: Peruvian Hipsters - Tony Hadley

The Wild Poppies - This Person (1987)

2009-12-19T09:11:00.003+02:00

The Wild Poppies were from New Zealand and released music sometime in the eighties. Although they were not on Flying Nun you can definitely hear that they shared a lot of influences with their artists. Sounds similar to The Bats, Clean, Verlaines, Feelies, Sneaky feelings and The Chills but with their own slightly experimental tendencies in areas.

"This Person" is taken from their only release - the "Heroine" LP.

Download: The Wild Poppies - This Person

The Steelchain - The Restless (1988)

2009-12-18T23:54:00.002+02:00

The Steelchain were a scottish band from the late 80s producing some brilliant melodic guitar pop. The Restless is taken from their 1988 ep and it's a catchy jangle song.

Download: The Steelchain - The Restless

The Driscolls - I Heard A Rumour (1988)

2009-12-17T19:20:00.003+02:00

The Driscolls were an english indie band formed in 1987 by Mike Eagle and John Foster. They released a bunch of singles in the late 80s and they were one of John Peel's favorite bands.

Releases:

Girl I Want You Back (7") 1988
on Restless Records

Julie Christie (7") 1988
on Restless Records

Doctor Good And His Incredible Life Saving S. (12") Apr 1989
on Tea Time Records - TEA 04

Bang EP (7") Feb 1990
on Tea Time Records - TEA 06

Download: The Driscolls - I Heard A Rumour

The Giraffes - Pass Me By (1988)

2009-12-16T19:29:00.002+02:00

UK band "The Giraffes" released their debut single - "Pass Me By" in 1988 on the "Love Madness" label. There is no additional info about this band on the internet. "Pass Me By" is a lovely jangle anthem.

Download: The Giraffes - Pass Me By

St. James Infirmary - Terry Marriagehead (1990)

2009-12-14T19:08:00.002+02:00

St. James Infirmary were an english indie band from Newcastle. "Terry Marriagehead" is the first song from their 7" single - "Angelkagool", released in 1990 on Lust Recordings.

Download: St. James Infirmary - Terry Marriagehead

The Last Peach - Miles Over There (1991)

2009-12-13T09:32:00.003+02:00

The Last Peach were a UK band active in the early 90s. They released two 12"s on Pomona Records: Jarvis (1991) and String-Like (1992). There's no additional info about the band on the net, so they were pretty obscure.

Miles Over There is a stunning jangle pop song that stucks in your head from the first listen. You gotta love the fantastic guitars and drums (especially the solo from the beginning), the bass and the heartfelt vocals.

Download: The Last Peach - Miles Over There

Hope - Singing Vest (1992)

2009-12-12T09:07:00.003+02:00

Hope were an indie band from Bristol, England formed in 1988 after The Visitors split up. They released one 7" - "Funny" on "A Turntable Friend Records", the home of Love Parade, The Apple Moths, The Gravy Train and Boyracer.

Download: Hope - Singing Vest

The Wood Children - Happens Everyday (1987)

2009-12-11T20:36:00.002+02:00

The Wood Children were a late 80's UK band who release a couple of albums and singles before fading into obscurity. "Happens Everyday" is the debut single from the band and it's a nice jangle pop cut.

Download: The Wood Children - Happens Everyday

Fargo - Sunny Day Blue (1968)

2009-12-07T19:33:00.002+02:00

Salt Lake City-based psych-pop duo Fargo teamed Tony Decker and Dean Wilden. After debuting in 1968 with the Capitol single "Robins, Robins," the pair signed with RCA; when their 1969 LP I See It Now--arranged by Al Capps, best known for his work with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, among others--met with virtually no commercial recognition, Fargo dissolved.

"Sunny Day Blue" is the B side of their 1968 Capitol single. Sunshine pop perfection.

Download: Fargo - Sunny Day Blue

Billy James - Blind (1988)

2009-11-28T03:19:00.003+02:00

Billy James was a short-lived jangle pop band from Athens. Their buried treasure ep, "Sixes And Sevens" was produced by Mike Mills from R.E.M. They disappeared shortly after releasing it.

Download: Billy James - Blind

The Candyskins - She Blew Me Away (1991)

2009-11-25T21:08:00.003+02:00

Emerging from the same Oxford, England pop scene which also yielded Radiohead and Supergrass, the Candyskins were formed in 1989 by frontman Nick Cope, his guitarist brother Mark, lead guitarist Nick Burton, bassist Karl Shale and drummer John Halliday. Debuting with the UK hit single "Submarine Song," the group was soon signed by Geffen, which issued their LP The Space I'm In in 1990; Fun? followed in 1993, but the Candyskins' major label tenure was largely disappointing, and two years later they signed with the British label Ultimate. After scoring a major hit at home with the single "Monday Morning," the group issued their comeback LP Sunday Morning Fever in 1997; Death of a Minor TV Celebrity, recorded with new bassist Brett Gordon, followed the next year.

Download: The Candyskins - She Blew Me Away

Dangtrippers - Masquerade (1989)

2009-11-24T19:38:00.004+02:00

The Dang Trippers were a jangle pop group featuring guitarist/vocalist Devin Hill, guitarist Doug Roberson, and drummer Kenn Goodman. Their one and only album, "Days Between Stations" remains an underrated classic of the genre. The songwriting team of singers and guitarists Devin Hill and Doug Robertson penned gorgeous tunes of everyday life with a joyful and mature attitude.

"Masquerade" is a sunny jangle pop cut sounding like a cross between The Byrds, Big Star and early R.E.M.

Download: Dangtrippers - Masquerade

A Riot of Colour - Put To Sleep

2009-11-23T21:31:00.004+02:00

A Riot Of Colour were based in North London's Swiss Cottage, UK in the mid 80s.

They were signed to Dan Treacy's (Television Personalities) Dreamworld Records.

"Put To Sleep" appeared on the "Everlasting" tape compilation back in the days and it's a jangle pop beauty.

Download: A Riot of Colour - Put To Sleep

3-Action! - If Only I Had the Guts (1986)

2009-09-09T11:28:00.002+03:00

3-Action! was a short lived band from Hull. They released 2 singles on Ediesta Records: "(Don't Loose That) Stealin' Feelin') - 1986 and "A Breath of Fresh Air-Gency" - 1987.

"If Only I Had the Guts" is their best song - a glorious jangle pop tune with trumpets and great vocals.

Download: 3-Action! - If Only I Had the Guts

The Incredible Blondes - True (1986)

2009-09-08T17:28:00.004+03:00

Frontman Barry McLeod and drummer Robert Campbell started The Lemons, who evolved into Protection before settling on The Incredible Blondes in 1984. The band always straddled two styles, the jangly melodic pop of the Postcard Records boom and the fuzz rock of the post New Wave movement. To this day the two styles live side by side in the band's repertoire.

After hearing a session for Radio 1’s Janice Long Show, Nick Low immediately offered to release a single on NoStrings. With bass player Stephen Boyle and keyboard player Eddie Campbell (now with the band Texas) they recorded "Where Do I Stand? / True" for release in 1986. The single was played heavily on Radio 1 but failed to chart, and the band folded with their reputation intact and with a few classic trackss in the vault.

Here's a video of their big hit "Where Do I Stand?"

Download: The Incredible Blondes - True

The Boy Hairdressers - Golden Shower (1987)

2009-07-25T22:43:00.005+03:00

The Boy Hairdressers were: Norman Blake (vocals, guitar), Francis MacDonald (drums), Raymond McGinley (guitar), Joe McAlinden (bass guitar, violin), Jim Lambie (vibraphone). This is the band that Norman Blake and Raymond McGinley were in before going onto create the great Teenage Fanclub. The music overall is reminiscent of the C86 tunes with particular reference to "The Pastels" and "BMX Bandits".

Download: The Boy Hairdressers - Golden Shower

The Seaside - Completely (1991)

2009-07-23T19:38:00.004+03:00

The Seaside were a british band playing 60's style jangle pop. "Completely" is taken from their only release: "Idolise" from 1991 and it's a jangle pop delight. You can find their whole EP on Manchester Rave On blog, here.

Download: The Seaside - Completely

Snakes of Shake - Make It Shine (1986)

2009-07-18T19:37:00.003+03:00

Snakes of Shake were a scottish band from Glasgow. They released a 7" - "Southern Cross" in 1985 and then a full album - "Gracelands & The Natural Wood" in 1986, both on Making Waves records. Unfortunately, they break-up shortly after the album was released and two of the band members (Seori Burnett and Neil Scott) formed a new band - "Summerhill".

Download: Snakes of Shake - Make It Shine

Vicarage Garden - You That Is (1991)

2009-07-17T08:53:00.002+03:00

Vicarage Garden were a british pop band.

Releases:

Oh! Dawn (7") May 1991
on Heaven Records - HV 03

Please Do It Again EP (7")
on Cavalcade

On compilations:

Just Another... Compilation (K7)
on Flippin Ace Recording Co.
- Slapped Happy

"You That Is" is from their "Oh!Dawn" single released on Heaven Records.

Download: Vicarage Garden - You That Is

The River Detectives - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (1989)

2009-07-15T18:49:00.003+03:00

Sam Corry and Daniel O'Neil grew up in Craigneuk, Motherwell, where they spent their early years as playground rivals. This rivalry continued throughout the 1980's as their respective bands competed for gigs in the Scottish music scene. A mutual admiration for Bob Dylan and Neil Young, country music and classic guitar bands like Television and Creedence Clearwater Revival eventually brought them together as The River Detectives.
In 1988 the duo moved to Glasgow, ditched their TV and played more than 100 shows from Stirling to Shetland. By the end of the year they became the first Scottish act in more than a decade to sign for American giants Warner Bros. The events leading to their breakthrough began in 1985, when the newly formed duo decided to adopt a year zero approach in their listening habits.
Armed with their first set of songs they were now ready to recruit a band. The first line up consisted of Dan on drums and vocals, Sam on guitar and vocals, with Bernie Doris on bass and Gary Roberts on guitar. On August 18 th 1986 at Jack Daniels Bar in Motherwell The River Detectives took to the stage for the first time.

With no television to distract them, Sam and Dan spent most of their time writing the songs that would comprise their debut album, Saturday Night Sunday Morning.

Download: The River Detectives - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning

Bag-O-Shells - Markers (1988)

2009-07-14T07:56:00.002+03:00

Bag-O-Shells were: Paul Chastain (vocals, guitar, organ), Eric Menck (drums, tambourine), Dougie Montgomery (guitar) and Steve Seng (bass).

Chastain had recorded in the mid-1980s as a solo artist and as a member of The Stupid Cupids, while Menck had been a member of The Reverbs. The long association between Chastain and Menck began in 1987 with the indie pop band Choo Choo Train, who released two singles and an EP and were signed to the British indie label The Subway Organization. The duo also recorded for Sarah Records as The Springfields, and for Bus Stop as Bag-O-Shells. Opting for a more rock-oriented power pop sound, the duo formed Velvet Crush in 1989, with Jeffery Borchardt of Honeybunch.

Download: Bag-O-Shells - Markers

Friends - Coming Out of Winter (1993)

2009-07-11T18:17:00.002+03:00

Friends were formed in 1986 by singer/guitarist/songwriter William Jones, in Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, UK. Drummer and percussionist Martin Parker joined in 1992 and these two form the nucleus of the London-based band today. Friends have released nine albums and six singles on the Summerhouse label, all of which are still available. Their latest album, Spangleland, was released in May 2007. Stylistically the music is classic English romantic pop, with lyrics that range from incurable optimism to the darkest miserablism. Influences include Teardrop Explodes and The Chameleons, and 70s acoustic music such as Nick Drake and Renaissance.

Download: Friends - Coming Out of Winter

Rodney Allen - Circle Line (1987)

2009-07-09T17:32:00.003+03:00

Rodney Allen was signed to Subway after Martin Whitehead had seen him play just the one gig. Allegedly, Allen was sixteen years of age at the time and came from Glastonbury, but Whitehead probably already knew him as The Chestfields’ new guitarist, a Bristol pop group he joined in 1987. He recorded one album in a very brief session and it was followed by a 12” the next year. He even had time to tour Germany! From around 1990, he joined Bristol band The Blue Aeroplanes with whom he continued to develop his songwriting and guitar playing as well as occasionally taking the lead vocals with songs such as “Careful Boy”, “Fun” and “Wond’ring Wild”.

Download: Rodney Allen - Circle Line

Men of Westenesse - Brand New Cardboard Box

2009-07-08T19:22:00.003+03:00

Men of Westenesse were a british pop group with one release: The Coldest Water 7” on Cassie Records in 1989. 2008 saw the release of a retrospective cd on Firestation - "Are You Brothers?", with three tracks from the ep and 12 unreleased songs.

Download: Men of Westenesse - Brand New Cardboard Box

Shine! - Bite the Apple

2009-07-07T18:35:00.003+03:00

Shine! was a late 80's english pop band from Norfolk. They released a flexi in 1989 named "Millions And Millions" on Baz McHat Records. Then, their song " I Just Can't Celebrate Today" was featured on the "Everlasting Happiness" compilation.

"Bite the Apple" appeared on another compilation later. I really like the song. Very catchy and great guitar work and powerful drumming.

Download: Shine! - Bite the Apple

Waxing Poetics - Return (1986)

2009-07-06T17:45:00.003+03:00

Waxing Poetics were based in Virginia, around Norfolk and Richmond, but they also had strong ties to Chapel Hill. Their sound, especially on Hermitage, was fairly unique. You could hear some of the Athens sound in their music (R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills was actually one of the producers on this record, along with North Carolina legend Mitch Easter), but Waxing Poetics were more pop-oriented without being derivative, occasionally sounding like the Connells, the Pressure Boys, and other local favorites from the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. Their later albums didn't capitalize on the promise shown in Hermitage (they instead went for a darker, bluesier sound), but this record remains a classic of its time for those lucky enough to hear it. Five years later, Chapel Hill was inundated with a slew of bands trying to pick up where Hermitage left off, but none of them did it anywhere near as well as the Waxing Poetics, who by that time had released two other albums and all but vanished from the music scene.

"Return" is taken from their "Hermitage" album and it's a nice jangle pop tune.

Download: Waxing Poetics - Return

The Cherry Orchard - This Big Love (1989)

2009-07-04T13:13:00.002+03:00

Cambridge indie band playing sophisticated pop in the sunshine pop / Bacharach vein. Primarily Jason Smith and Sara Onyett, they debuted in 1988 with the So Blind flexi (included on The Sound of Leamington Spa Vol 1), followed by a vinyl 12” - Sing Sister Glory, the next year. After that they disappeared for several years - apart from two songs on the Swedish tape compilation Grimsby Fishmarket 4 Norrköping 0, from 1992. They have released two albums, one in 1997 and one in 2000.

Download: The Cherry Orchard - This Big Love

The Claim - Social Club Blues (1986)

2009-07-03T18:38:00.004+03:00

The Claim were a band originating from Cliffe, Kent and comprised of Dave Read, Dave Arnold, Martin Bishop and Stuart Ellis. They released 2 albums and lots of EP's and singles along their existence. Their song, Loser's Corner was named Single of The Week in Melody Maker in the late 80's.

Social Club Blues is taken from their 1986 EP - This Pencil Was Obviously Sharpened by a Left Handed Indian Knife Thrower.

Download: The Claim - Social Club Blues

The Avons - Everything's Going Right (1986)

2009-07-02T08:58:00.003+03:00

The Avons formed in the mid Eighties by Hal Jordan, Nero Caballero, Ed Street and Baz from the Farmer's Boys. They released one Album - "Songs from Three Rivers Reach" and an EP called "Four Songs". They didn't feature in the music charts but got regular airplay on Radio 1 courtesy of Andy Kershaw.

Download: The Avons - Everything's Going Right

The Prudes - You're Changing Into Something That I Don't Like (And So Am I) (1991)

2009-06-30T19:22:00.004+03:00

The Prudes were formed by Bradleigh Smith and Pete Ellis in 1987. They recorded 5 singles and an album(Designer Karma) on Imaginary Records. Designer Karma was produced by Adrian Borland from the 80's post-punk icons The Sounds.

Download: The Prudes - You're Changing Into Something That I Don't Like (And So Am I)

Brian - A Million Miles (1989)

2009-06-29T09:08:00.003+03:00

Brian was the alias of Dublin-born, London-based indie popster Ken Sweeney, who first surfaced in 1989 with the single "A Million Miles"; the follow-up, "You Don't Want a Boyfriend," was two years in forthcoming, and after releasing the Setanta full-length Understand in 1992, he spent the better part of the decade on the sidelines, working a day job and dismissing the material he wrote in the interim as insufficient for release. The second Brian album, the acclaimed Bring Trouble, finally appeared in 1999.

Download: Brian - A Million Miles