Vinyl #30 - Alternative TV

"Action Time Vision" (7" single)

Alternative TV were the brainchild of Mark Perry whose main claim to fame was in 1976 creating the first and best fanzine of the punk era - 'Sniffin' Glue'. A certain Danny Baker - a fellow Deptford boy - contributed with articles and we all know what happened to him. More here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sniffin%27_Glue

Like me, Perry was a bank clerk in real life who like a lot of us wanted to play punk music rather than write about it (he managed it, it took me over 20 years!).

Most of ATV's music was pretty ordinary to be honest but I bought this 1978 single because I've always liked it's energy - typical punk/pop fare but that's no bad thing. It's the only thing I own by them, the front cover is a mini-classic too. Here's the music:

https://youtu.be/ysPSqtCaDAk

Vinyl #29 - Jonathan Richman

"Roadrunner" (7" single, no picture sleeve)



I saw Jonathan Richman live at a gig in Portsmouth a few years ago - just him and an acoustic guitar along with a drummer. Fantastic in a quirky, individual way. 

I'm pretty sure this was after he became semi-famous from his appearance up a tree singing the title track to the hit movie "There's something about Mary". See https://youtu.be/v1Ev4kebjq0

Several versions of "Roadrunner" were recorded in 1972 before this version was released and was a hit in 1977. Even this version was actually recorded in 1974, which just shows that there's a time and a place for everything. 

This was Richman's big hit (although he did have another one called "Egyptian Reggae") "Roadrunner" is classic early US indie rock, living the song's title with driving guitars, bass and drums - the early 70's influence of the Velvet Underground is very apparent. All delivered with Richman's quirky (that word again) vocal delivery. It was a great radio hit, and still stands up. It also features a brilliant ending (I love a good ending).

Interestingly the A-side (above) is credited to Jonathan Richman whilst the B-side (below) is yet another (slower) version credited to his backing band The Modern Lovers.

Here's "Roadrunner Once": https://youtu.be/6ZWoJ8_75Mo

And here's "Roadrunner Twice": https://youtu.be/lJAUoBe6K7A

Vinyl #28 - The Smiths

"Ask" (7" single)



One of a string of brilliant singles by The Smiths, "Ask" was released in 1986 - and despite being 32 years old for goodness sake, it still stacks up pretty well. Most great singles don't clock in over three minutes and this was no exception.

Johnny Marr's trademark guitars are there, multi-tracked to provide a wall of sound and Morrissey comes up with his usual lyrical tomfoolery. All in all, it could only be The Smiths.

At the time I bought all their albums and singles, often the latter didn't appear on any original album ("Ask" doesn't). Mrs P and I also saw them live at Portsmouth Guildhall in 1985, and they were certainly a great live act too. Marr is one of the all-time great guitarists in my opinion. Support that night came from an emerging Mancunian band called James...

As ever with The Smiths' releases the cover was also a work of art. This time featuring Yootha Joyce of 'George & Mildred' fame.

Here's the music:

https://youtu.be/zoo9Vu1a9bU

Vinyl #27 - The Undertones

"Jimmy Jimmy" / "Mars Bars" (7" single - green vinyl)



Always had a soft spot for The Undertones and after the initial excitement of their debut "Teenage Kicks" they continued to produce great guitar-driven pop-rock songs combining hummable hooks and melodies, with fun - some might say whimsical - lyrics about family life, friends and in this case chocolate bars.

Both sides of this single steam along and are short and very sweet, the A-side "Jimmy Jimmy" (2 mins 30 secs) got the airplay and lead them to another appearance on Top of the Pops. The B-side "Mars Bars" (2 mins 10 secs) is just as good in my view. To make my purchase even better it came in lurid green vinyl and a see-through plastic sleeve featuring an photo of a young Feargal Sharkey with a school trophy. 

Being a detail man it's worth noting that both songs were written by three different members of the band (as were all of their songs I think) the writing not involving vocalist Feargal Sharkey, who's distinctive voice made The Undertones easily recognisable. Second bit of detail is that the producer Roger Bechirian also worked extensively with Elvis Costello & The Attractions around this time, helping produce some of his famed early work.

Here's the music:

https://youtu.be/NiK-eGbwCj0

https://youtu.be/C5elUkRT1Fc

Vinyl #26 - Stiff Little Fingers

"Gotta Gettaway" (7" single)




Another brilliant single from Ulster's Stiff Little Fingers and another great release from the Rough Trade label.

If memory serves me correctly this was their first single following their debut album "Inflammable Material", so all us SLF fans eagerly awaited this new material. They kept the winning formula of Jake Burn's rasping vocals, power chords and catchy hooks. 

What made SLF stand apart was their lyrics - telling stories from an Ulster that was in an ongoing state of civil unrest. But these stories weren't a distorted view from one side of the religious divide, they told the human story, how it felt to be a helpless teenager with civil war literally outside your door.

It made for powerful music, and one that I think stands the test of time.

Here's the music:

https://youtu.be/_uDLjxyZGI0

Vinyl #25 - The Skids

"Sweet Suburbia" (7" single)

Having bought their debut EP on the Dunfermline-based independent No Bad Records label in 1977 (more of that in a future post), this was The Skids first release for the major label they had just signed - Virgin Records. Released September 1978.

As an early purchaser I managed to get it on rather fetching white vinyl; it was catchy, well produced and showcased The Skids knack for great lyrics (courtesy of lead singer Richard Jobson) and superb guitar playing (by the late Stuart Adamson who found more popularity with his post-Skids band Big Country).

I saw the band live in September 1978 supporting The Stranglers at Portsmouth Locarno and they could certainly cut it live as well.

As was often the case in those days, the B-side "Open Sound" is also worth a listen.

Here's the music:

https://youtu.be/CFT8cnQmiNA

https://youtu.be/6RoE8CtsPpM

Vinyl #24 - Teenage Fanclub

"Long Shot" (7" single)



World Cup theme this time.

Teenage Fanclub are one of my two favourite bands, and this one-off single was released at the height of their most creative period. Signed to the highly influential Creation Records (home to Oasis, Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain and numerous other influential bands), in their usual non-commercial way TFC decided to write an instrumental song for BBC Radio 5's 1998 World Cup programmes (France hosted in '98).

In the end I don't think the BBC took up their kind offer. So they released it as a limited edition, pressing only 3,000 copies on 7" vinyl. And I've got one. Basically I buy anything that the Fannies release as they've never released anything that's anything other than exceptional. 

Having said that, I rarely play this although it's a catchy tune and to these ears it's easily recognisable as being them  Anyway if nothing else at least it's topical...

Here's the song:

https://youtu.be/NWIN5DdUedQ