Vinyl #16 - Stiff Little Fingers

"Suspect Device" / "Wasted Life" (7" single, 45 rpm)

A brilliant band from Northern Ireland who wrote great guitar-based rock songs that spoke about the 'Troubles' in Ulster (hence "Suspect Device"). I immediately warmed to them when John Peel picked up on this - their debut single which was originally released on their own Rigid Digits label [rigid digits = stiff fingers, geddit?], and then picked up by that guaranteed-high-quality label Rough Trade - and this is the version I bought at Focus Records in Waterlooville. They subsequently recorded several great sessions for Peel.

SLF had a raw power and songs with honest lyrics that told the real story of what it was like to be a teenager living in a religiously divided province - they sang about issues that nobody else would sing about - often directly addressing the terrorists in their midst.

A more polished version of the song reappears on their classic debut album "Inflammable Material" but for sheer aggression and power this is my preferred version. I went on to buy several more of SLF's records (which may indeed appear on this blog at a later date) and saw them live at the Portsmouth Guildhall where they didn't disappoint. Like a lot of original punk bands SLF still play live and have a loyal, if ageing following. Personally I don't feel the urge to see them again, they were perfect for the time, but the world and the issues they sang about have moved on...






Here's the song:

https://youtu.be/ZedI0NPU6U4

Vinyl #15 - U.K. Subs

"Stranglehold" (7", 45 rpm)

The UK Subs were part of the original punk rock scene, having formed in 1976, but this  single is the only record of theirs I bought. Although Peel played them a lot, they never really registered with me but this is a little gem of a song, a typical punk song of limited chords but great hook. And only just over two minutes long. Perfect. I love the red vinyl but can't remember whether that was a factor in buying it (quite possibly though!). 

The really interesting thing about the UK Subs is that they are still gigging and touring around the UK, and that 73 year-old (yes I said 73) lead singer Charlie Harper is the only original member left (he also writes the songs). I actually saw him at the Concorde 2 last October - he was at the bar watching his old mates the Buzzcocks who were playing at the venue. Looked pretty good for 73 years old, and still looks cool in a leather jacket...

And here's the song:

https://youtu.be/S0VEFalOnyQ

Vinyl #14 - The Only Ones

"Another Girl, Another Planet" (7", 45 rpm)

Someone once described this as the best rock song ever written and it's hard to disagree with that. I'm not sure where I first heard it when it came out in April 1978 but it was probably the John Peel show. It knocked me sideways and I remember buying it as soon as I possibly could from my local record shop (Focus Records in Waterlooville), getting it home and playing it time after time. In fact I can't remember ever playing the B side which was unusual for me.

I also remember that it was NOT a hit record, and I just couldn't understand why that was the case when it is such a brilliant and hook-laden song. Subsequently it was re-released a few years later and I think it charted and I think it's also been used in various TV series. 

Back then I also had no idea that the song was about lead singer Peter Perrett's heroin addiction. Innocent days indeed...

Here's the beauty:

https://youtu.be/lKuc3faQAEs

Vinyl #13 - The Monochrome Set

"Alphaville" / "He's Frank" (7" single, 45 rpm)

Not a lot to say about this except I remember buying this single in a record shop in Drayton, a district in Portsmouth, when it first came out in 1979.  I think I must have been visiting a girlfriend who lived nearby in Cosham because I'd have had no other reason to go there!

I've always had a soft spot for both songs, again on the always-reliable Rough Trade label (RT005 so not long after it was formed). I never bought anything else by The Monochrome Set although I think they are still going. But both songs still sound great, off-kilter indie with enigmatic lyrics. Here they are:

https://youtu.be/7jSqLJsDJgw

https://youtu.be/oTl_CBiKd7c

Vinyl #12 - Sheila Hylton

"The Bed's Too Big Without You" (7" 45rpm)

As punk withered and died, and we all emerged into the 80's, my musical tastes diversified and Island Records always seemed to produce great records.

I had no idea who Sheila Hylton was, but the clue to what makes this record so good is in the small print on the label. It's one of my favourite tracks by The Police - Sting wrote it for their second album "Reggatta de Blanc". And it was arranged by Jamaican rhythm maestros Sly & Robbie who also played the drums and bass that propel the song forward. And having one of Kingston's top producers Harry J just about seals a sure-fire winner.

And that's about it, I've never bought anything else by Sheila Hylton but I still love this single.

Here it is:

https://youtu.be/MHG-hI5tMbE

Vinyl #11 - The Clash

"The Cost of Living EP" (7" 45 rpm)

Released in May 1979, I bought this because basically I bought anything The Clash released, and it also featured four brand new tracks. On initial listening you could tell they were moving on musically - developing more sophisticated and complex songs and arrangements - away from the three-chord in-your-face sonic assaults of their earlier stuff.

Looking back it was a clear bridge between their earlier agit-punk and the multi-faceted sonic landscape that would be the 'London Calling' album which was released six months after the 'Cost of Living' EP.

It also provided them with a hit - by covering the Bobby Fuller Four 1966 hit 'I Fought The Law' - they immediately broadened their audience (although of course The Clash lived up to their vow of never appearing on Top of the Pops). I love both versions of the song, I also loved playing it when I was in Aeroplane Blondes.

'Capital Radio' was actually a re-recording of an earlier track given away on flexi-disc with the NME, this version having more depth and power although also with a slightly indulgent and over long outro. 

The other two tracks were the Strummer/Jones originals which really marked the move forward. I've always had a soft spot for 'Gates of the West' which featured Mick Jones on lead vocals doing his best Mott the Hoople impression.

It all came in a great 7" gatefold outer sleeve and inner sleeve.

For me personally it was a time when I had been out to work for nine months, was finding my feet in the 'adult' world (although I was still only 16) and it felt great that both me and my musical heroes were pushing on forwards.

The songs:

https://youtu.be/_W-lUtlRpvQ

1. I Fought The Law 00:00 2. Groovy Times 02:46 3. Gates Of The West 06:17 4. Capital Radio 09:46

Vinyl #10 - Echo & The Bunnymen

Echo & The Bunnymen - "The Killing Moon"

I was never a massive fan of Echo & The Bunnymen, something about Ian McCulloch's cocky scouse-about-town character really grated, but they released some sublime singles, and 'The Killing Moon' is the best.

The chorus is a classic earworm which soars and then just keeps soaring even higher - it's best heard on the album version, all five glorious minutes of it. Just when you think the chorus repeat is fading, it comes again and leaves you wanting more.

This is the only piece of Bunnymen music I've ever bought - vinyl, CD or download. But it's one of my favourite singles.

Here it is:

https://youtu.be/LWz0JC7afNQ