RECORD REVIEWS, JULY-DECEMBER 2024.
THE ADVERTS. Rehearsal Tape EP (2.13.61/In The Red) I’m not sure of all the details, but this record is pretty limited and although it’s a bit expensive, it’s a real piece of history and an otherwise unavailable recording of one of the best of the original UK punk bands ,at a formative moment in their development. Here’s the story… Back in 2022, a cassette appeared on auction-site ebay, claiming to be an Adverts rehearsal from early ’77. Renowned fan Henry Rollins couldn’t resist and placed his bids to win the tape. Once he had the cassette, he realised that the recordings had never been officially released and were surprisingly decent quality, having not deteriorated over the years. He contacted TV Smith to verify them (it was indeed a recording of an early practice that they had made for Chiswick Records, which they had subsequently forgotten) and got permission to release it on vinyl. He then found a suitable studio to re- master the tape as best as possible and, as a true fan, put real effort into making this a worthy release. Those efforts have really paid-off. What we have may only be five songs, but they are undoubtedly the earliest recordings of this seminal band (I can’t imagine anything exists prior to this) and it captures the band just as they were putting everything together. The thing I always loved about The Adverts was the way that they sounded as if they were trying to play beyond the limits of their ability, making the most of the ideas and attitude available to them. Along with many of the early UK punk bands during that brief period, The Adverts were often accused of being unable to play but the fact was, it was due to them always pushing themselves to move to the next level. They weren’t content with what they’d already done and wanted to master the next thing. That’s what these recordings display, even though the songs had only come together in a relatively brief period of time. Howards’ guitar is remarkably efficient and delivers the core of their sound, while Laurie and Gaye provide the drums and bass with a remarkably solid ability. They know what they’re doing, providing the foundation to allow the raw power and melody to exert themselves. Finally, TV’s vocals, whilst perhaps revealing some of his Glam / Art-rock influences, are as sharp and astute as he continues to be to this day. The five songs, although different in some ways, are still recognisable to their classic recorded versions, but these recordings capture their initial angst and determination. It’s not Hi-fi, admittedly, but combined with the excellent artwork and sleeve-notes courtesy of Henry and Dave Thompson it really doesn’t get any better than this. Miss it at your peril.
BAUHAUS. The 1979 Demo Recordings LP (S.B.S) Most, if not all, of the tracks on this album are actually recorded live in a studio rather than actual demo’s and the bulk of them come from the CD which was released as part of the limited edition ‘Beneath the Mask’ book back in 1996. These have been bootlegged a several times before now, but if you haven’t already got them they’re definitely worth hearing, capturing the band playing both familiar and otherwise unreleased songs at a seminal moment in their career. Additionally, there are also four extra tracks which also sound like rehearsal tapes although probably not from the same sessions. Hollow Hills sounds as atmospheric as ever, while early versions of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ and ‘’Spirit in the Sky’ capture the band having some fun with a couple of covers. Sound quality is pretty good so, if you don’t have any of these tracks already then this is a very worthwhile album, but just be wary that you already have most of the tracks on a different release…
MARTIN SAVAGE & THE JIGGERZ. S/T LP (Damaged Goods) While Martin himself is a veteran of the Swedish garage-punk scene, the international flavour of this trio is completed by the French drummer and Japanese bassist from King Salami and the Cumberland Three. The results is something like a raw, trashy combination of The Briefs and The Spivs, had they all grown up together somewhere on the Medway Delta. They’ve only been together for a couple of years but have already released several singles and played in the UK, Europe and even Canada. Their brash, shouty style is catchy and insistent, with plenty of great melodic hooks, compelling tempos and lots of self-perpetuating energy. This is the sort of band that was born to play legendary gigs in the dark, sweaty back-rooms of pubs in the wrong part of town. And we’d all love ‘em. This is a band I hope to see very soon!
THE RESIDENTS. Demons Dance Alone (pREServed) CD (Cherry Red) Originally released in 2002, ‘Demon’s Dance Alone’ was an instant classic and also spawned one of their most striking live shows. This expanded version not only includes the original album, but a whole host of additional material spread over three discs, much of it previously-unreleased. The album itself appears on the first disc (together with bonus tracks) and sounds just as magnificent now as it did over twenty years ago. At first listen, the songs appear to be a collection of narrative tales, while further investigation reveals a recurring theme of loss, which is certainly a part of it. However, in real time this was the Residents first major project following 9/11 and reflects the thoughts and emotions resulting from those events, as well as the inevitable feelings of helplessness. The songs don’t directly reference the attacks but instead delve into the darker sentiments that such traumas create. Strangely, despite the downbeat atmosphere of the album, The Residents still managed to produce some genuinely beautiful music, particularly on tracks like ‘Honey Bear’, ‘Mr Wonderful’ and ‘The Car Thief’, whilst ‘Mickey Macaroni’ appears midway through the album to provide contrast with an almost comic tone. Disc Two features various studio outtakes, demo recordings and alternative versions. A particularly interesting aspect is to see the way that many of the songs developed from demo’s through to the actual album and then often continued to develop (musically and lyrically) when performed live. You’ll need to pay attention, but be assured it’ll be worth the effort. The final disc is based on live recordings, although it’s not just one complete show and, while some tracks are taken from studio rehearsals prior to the tour , others are from later performances. As I mentioned previously, this allows us to see how the songs continued to develop long after the album had been released, which has always been a key element in the Residents’ work ethic. Overall, this is an album that stands out even amongst the Residents’ diverse back catalogue. It has a strong character that’s entirely its’ own and contains’ some truly superb musical performances. (I should also mention that it also includes some of the very best vocals recorded by erstwhile Residents’ collaborator, Molly Harvey, whose talents remain sorely-missed by many fans…) I’d have to say, if you’re completely new to this album (or, indeed, to the Residents) then these three discs may be a bit too much, but as someone who has loved this record since it was originally released, I can’t recommend it enough.
RITES OF HADDA. Soiling Other People’s Knicker EP (ritesofhadda.bandcamp.com) Three track EP, currently only available on bandcamp and featuring three cover versions by bands who are clearly close to the pants of Hadda. ‘Everything Stops for Baby’ was originally by the Astronauts (and was performed by Wasp at the recent Tribute gig for Mark Astronaut.) ‘Fear is the Mind Killer’ is from the most recent Anarchistwood album and, as guitarist Alex plays in both bands, they really had to do a good job with this one! Finally, ‘Pink Mist’ was by (the recently split) T-Bitch, who often played on the same bill with Rites of Hadda. All three songs are played in Hadda’s own style, which is surprisingly sparse on this occasion, allowing all the instruments and particularly the vocals to be heard clearly. Not that it lacks any of their usual energy or drive, both of which are here by the bucket-load! I’m not sure if the band plan to release this as on CD or vinyl, but I think it would work well. It’s a good mix of strangeness and entertainment, and it’s clear that the band enjoyed recording the songs. Additionally, all proceeds are being donated to Deal Radio, a station based in Kent that supports many local and independent bands and artists. It’s time to support the grassroots while we still can!