Arctic Raiders - Clockwork Boys (1981)

b/w Gentleman Jim

Here's some great New Wave on the sole release from this Hull 4 piece (1980-82)

Geoff Appleby (Voc Bass) ex Buzz / Screen Idols  
Keith 'Ched' Cheeseman (Guitar Voc) ex Buzz / Screen Idols   
Mick Greaves (Guitar Voc) 
Brian Chapman (Drums)

Produced at Fairview Studios in Hull by Roy Neave & the band.

Clockwork Boys was written by Brian Chapman, and the flip was written by Mike Greaves. During a radio interview of the band, Mike explained the story behind his song. 
"There was poor girl on a documentary, who was married with a couple of kids. The whole documentary was devoted to this family. The woman was just obsessed with Jim Reeves. She had the whole room decorated in pictures of Jim Reeves, she spent the whole family's income flying to the States to lay flowers at Jim Reeves' grave. She also reckoned that when she slept with her husband on a night she'd pretend that he was Jim Reeves!"

Geoff Brian Mike Ched

The 45 also had a Portuguese release 
Jim Reeves / Clockwork Boys [RCS – SPE 003]  

Arctic Raiders ceased to exist in '82 after Mick Greaves left. However the remaining 3 formed The MGBs primarily becoming a covers band. 
They recorded their own independent cassette Sweet and Sour to be distributed at gigs. 
Sweet n' Sour / Burn It / I Can Hear The Grass Grow / Hanging Around / I Fought The Law / Shove It / Working Class Hero / Got To Get Away / Here Comes The Sun / Bo Diddley Medley

Useless Info - Mick Greaves has more than a few song writing credits for the Beautiful South (Diamonds /Frank And Delores /One Man's Rubbish /A Way With The Blues /Nearer To God /A Piece Of Sky /Why Can't I /Missing Her Now)

Sounds & Scans

Y Ficar - Byw Mewn Cwt Yng Ngwaelod Yr Ardd (1982)

b/w Cysgu'r Nos

English Translation : Living In A Hut At The Bottom Of The Garden / Sleeping At Night

Y Ficar (The Vicar) were an 8 Piece Welsh Ska/Pop band from Felinheli, North Wales (1981-87). 

  

Ficar At A Screch Awards Night 

Gwyn "Dan" Roberts (Voc)
Dylan "Dygs" Huws (Guitar Voc)

Emyr "Himyrs" Roberts (Bass Voc)

Aled "Ali Bongo" Williams (Drums)
Geoffrey "Jiffar" Jones (Keys)
Gwilym John (Sax)
Wyn Williams (Trumpet)
Martin Fearn (Trombone)
     
With help along the way from 
Richard Morris (Spanish Guitar), Einon Williams (Bodhrán, Congas), Bill Evans (Violin), Elfred Williams (Tuba) & Gwawr Ceiriog (Backing Voc) 

Discography
1982 VA LP Gorau Sgrech Sgrechian Corwen - Seibiria Serenêd {Live 23/01/82}  [Ty Gwyn TG 001S]
1982 7'' Byw Mewn Cwt Yng Ngwaelod Yr Ardd / Cysgu'r Nos [Recordiau Sain SAIN 97S]
1982 VA 7'' EP Gyda Chymorth C.A.C - Ŵ Cyrnol [Recordiau Fflach FFLACH 004]
1982 7'' Cei Felinheli / Annwyl Mr Atlas, Hirodîn [Recordiau Fflach, FFLACH 006]
1983 LP Allan o Diwn {Y Gegin A Ddiflannodd / Cysgod Lleidr / Seibiria Serenêd / Nos Lun Yn  /  Rio / Nos Lun Yn Rio / Clint (Yr Iaith Ar Y Paith) / Rhywbeth I'w Ddweud / Diwrnod  / Marchnad / Diti (Dygs) / Y Ficar Tŵ Tôn / 'Sgidiau' Newydd / Amser Cau} [Recordiau Sain SAIN 1271M]
1983 7'' 5 Diwrnod / Aberdaron [Trons TRONS ‎001]
1984 LP Yn Dal i Gredu {Perlau / Troi'r Olwyn / Y Gwenith Gwyn / Oddi Fewn / Be Sy'n Mynd / Ymlaen?  / Propaganda / Rhy Hwyr / Lliw Haul} [Trons TRONS 002]
1984 VA Cassette Teulu Huw Tan Voel - Bŵts [Recordiau'r Felin]
1885 Cassette Saith Norman (Ar Lan Y Mor) {Fel Cyffur / Taro Bargen / Tynnu Lawr / Pethau Cain /  Fel Yna Mae /  Hi Weithiau / Cei Felinheli / Lawr Ar Y Cei (Megamix) [Trons TRONS 003]

Bi-Monthly Welsh Language Music Magazine Sgrech [1978-85] Held an Annual Awards Night. 
All the below were held at the Corwen Pavilion  

Screch Awards '81    Promising Group of the Year:    Y Ficar
Screch Awards '82    Main Rock Group:                     Y Ficar
Screch Awards '82    Best Single Record:                  Cei Felinheli 
Screch Awards '83    Best LP/Cassette:                      Allan o Diwn 
Screch Awards '84    Best LP/Cassette:                      Yn Dal i Gredu

Sounds & Scans

The Stoat - Up To You (1978)

b/w - Loving A Killer

Great Who styled powerpop from this South-West London trio (1977-79)

John Waters (Voc Guitar) 
Richard Wall (Bass Voc) 
George Decsy (Drums)

Discography

11-1977 7'' - Office Girl / Little Jenny - City Records NIK1
07-1978 7'' - Up To You / Loving a Killer - City Records NIK3
10-1978 Peel Session - Escorts /Don't Say Nothing /Tears Run Dry /No Way To Say Goodbye (Unreleased)

Useless info - Loving a Killer is dedicated to Mary Bell who in 1968 strangled two 10 year-old boys. She was also aged 10 & after her conviction of manslaughter became Britain's youngest female killer.

Scans & Sounds

The Burpas - Fat Man (1981)

b/w - Dummies

A nice mix of Ska & New Wave on the only release from this Cardiff 5 piece (1980-81)

Caroline Limmer (Voc)

Matthew Mars-Jones (Guitar)

Chris Honeybone (Bass)

Sian Edwards (Drums Voc)

Michael Kirkland (Sax)

They Began life as ‘Big Daddy And The Burpas’ when formed at the Cardiff Art College but slimmed down to the above line-up after a few gigs.

Off the back of winning the 1980 Welsh Rock and Pop Competition [held at the Top Rank Cardiff Suite], they released this single on the Dutch Dureco Benelux label early in '81. It was produced by Tony Etoria whom they first met in 1980 when Tony was running events at Mel's Club (111 Bute Street) in Butetown.  

Alex Miles (Ex Vaseline Tigers) joined on drums around June '81, leaving both Caroline and Sian to share vocal duties until Caroline left during July.

The band relocated to Brixton, London during September.

Useless Info 1 Caroline used to run the Bar for Art College events.

Useless Info 2 They played along side many bands during their brief tenure including Moira and the Mice, Reptile Ranch, The Riotous Brothers, The Selecter and Misty In Roots.

Scans & Sounds

Thanks to Cardiff Music History for some of the info.

The KGB - The KGB (1981)

b/w See Me

Great Mod/Punk/Powerpop sounds from this Wallingford Oxfordshire Band

 
Bob Nicols RIP (Voc, Bass)
Arpad Toth (Guitar) & song writer
Steve Harris (Drums)

Special guest appearances on See Me from Steve's brother Peter & future wife Lorraine

The songs were recorded at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge. Sept 1981 & the 45 was released on their own A Major label [KGB 001] in Nov 1981.

Useless Info 1 - Some early copies come with a "The KGB" stamped white sleeve (Designed, Commissioned & Stamped [until he got bored] by Steve)

Useless Info 2 - In March 1982 10 more songs were recorded at the now defunct Roxon Studios in Watlington, Oxfordshire for a proposed LP but due to lack of money it was never released.

Sounds & Scans

The Mint - Marlene (1979)

b/w Mediterranean Nights

Written by Parton (M.S.)

Another 45 I know little to nothing about but Marlene is always worth a few listens (nice Folky New Wave)

Due to the catalogue # HT/SPS-1595 we can surmise it was recorded at the Hollick & Taylor Studios 16, Grosvenor Road, Handsworth, Birmingham B20 3NP.

Leading me to agree with 45 Revs that the band were more than likely from the Midlands area.

Useless info - Hollick & Taylor (q.v.) takes it's name from the building/studio owner John Taylor joining forces with Engineer Charles Hollick.

Sounds & Scans

Freelance - The Writing On The Wall (1983)

b/w Elinor / One More Time

The A-side is not really to my taste (a bit to "Progressive Rock") but the 2 tracks on the B-side are right up my street.

I'm presuming this 5 piece were Nottingham Based due to the record being recorded at Sin City Studios (div of Nohponex Ltd). 228 Forest Rd W Nottingham NG7

According to the Labels the Band were:
Kev
Stu 
Nick 
Phil Cragg
Rick Stoker
& it was Produced / Engineered by Peter Walters (Sin City's Studio Manager)

Useless Info - The Owner/Chief Engineer of Sin City was Byron Sacorafos, who was the First Manager of Plummet Airlines.

(Sin City was advertised in the Press as having Two 16Track Studios, a Recreation Room and a 4Track Rehearsal Studio)

As always if anyone can add any info, please leave a comment.

Sound & Scans

Zipper - Life Of Riley (1979)

b/w Treat Me Pretty

Zipper was a five piece band from Cardiff, Wales (1976-83)

Jon Calvin-Thomas (Voc)
Ray Sinclair (Guitar Voc) Replaced by Steve Wilson after the recording
Mike Gale (Guitar Voc)
Andy Brice (Bass)
Chris Brazier (Drums) Replaced by John Turner after the recording

The Record (Recorded/Engineered by the BBC's Des Bennett at the Stacey Road Studios Cardiff) had 2 outings.

03/1079 on Spanking Records S/79/CUS268 (SPANK 1) [500 Copies]
08/1979 on Virgin Records VS-283

The story goes Howard Marks "a record plugger" had heard the 45 on the John Peel Show so got in touch with the band & asked if he could promote it for them. He took it to Virgin Records which secured them a deal & also played it to Andy Peebles which led to it being Record Of The Week for his Radio1 Breakfast Show.

Zipper released a 2nd 45 in 1982 Tin Soldiers/Cuckoo In The Nest - Spanking Records (SPANK 2)

Useless Info 1 The bald headed man sat next to Jon Calvin-Thomas is the man that sat at the top of the stairs to the entrance of The Moon Club, The Hayes, Cardiff. where the band had a residency.

Useless info 2 Chris Brazier later played on the Spitfire Boys 7'' Funtime

Sounds & Scans

Thanks to Cardiff Music History for the band pic

Sonic Tonix - Don't Go Away (1980)

b/w Telepathy

Great New Wave tunes from this Oxford University College based band [1980-81]

Dave Goldie (Guitar Voc)
Simon Mawby (Guitar Voc) later in The Woodentops   
John Silver (Bass Voc)
Owen Jones (Drums Voc) later in The Jazz Butcher   

Sleeve Design - Crispin Plaskitt
Producer – Pat Fish
Recorded - Duffys
label - Industrial Accident [SGS-114]

The band then shortened their name to The Tonix [1981-82]
Pat Fish AKA Patrick Huntrods (Vocals) later in The Jazz Butcher
Dave Goldie (Guitar)
Max Eider AKA Pete Millson (Guitar Vocals) later in The Jazz Butcher       
John Silver (Bass) 
Owen Jones (Drums)    

Discography
1981 7'' Strangers /Talk To Me - 109 Product [STEG 002]   
1981  Track (Sex Junk) on VA LP – The Wonderful World Of Glass Volume One - Glass Records [GLASS 010]


Useless Info - An earlier band Institution [1978-79] shows Pat & Max's shared history

Discography
1979 7'' Jane And Jon/Stephanie - Industrial Accident [SGS-112]

Full line-up of Institution was:
Patrick Huntrods AKA Pat Fish (Vocals) 
Rolo AKA Richard Ian McGinty (Bass)  later in The Innocents / The Upset / The Woodentops

Max Eider AKA Peter Millson (Guitar) 
Rob Wilford (Drums) later in Streets Ahead  
Other original members included Johnathan Stephenson [Synthesizers] and John Duvall on Drums. Both left before the record was cut. 

Sounds & Scans

You - The Night And Music EP (1980)

01 Wrecker's Song   

02 When You Cry
03 Autopsy
04 Thinking Of You
05 Your Face    

Interesting tunes from this Leeds based 5 piece

Simon Holmes (Voc)
Andy Clarke (Lead Guitar /Trumpet)    
Peter Master (Rhythm /Acoustic Guitar)  
Ken Brown (Bass) 

Bernie Gilmore (Drums & Keys)  

Songs Written By – Peter Master
Sleeve Design - Helen Master

Recorded At – RAM Recording Studios, 64 Ramley Rd, Leeds [the studios own label 2nd release after The Beans - No Boys for you 45]

Below is a review of the 45 in West Yorkshire's Rock Scene Monthly The Wool City Rocker #7 [June July 1980]

Useless Info : Other Songs played by the band included : No Reason / Sarah Makes Me Go / Psychopath / Crimson Spots / Mental Mess

Sounds & Scans