Crysbas - Ond... Mae Di Bwrw EP (1979)

A1 - Mae 'Di Bwrw
A2 - Blws Ty Golchi
B1 - Mor Gryg Y 'Wr Morgrug
B2 - Amser

As promised here's the 2nd 45 from Crysbas

There is a line up change from the 1st 45 in that guitarist Gwyndaf Williams seems to have been replaced by
Dafydd Les Roberts (organ synth piano)

The band seemed to fizzle out in 1980 with Bryn Fon doing a bit (actually quite a lot!) of acting & reappearing as vocalist for Sobin a`r Smaeliaid in the late 80's (More info here)
Also go here for a story about how a seemingly bad event can turn to your advantage!

If you want to hear/read more about what a couple of them are doing now go here

Also go here to see a live 2001 version of Draenog Marw by Bryn Fon a`r Band

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?vh8x6jbwzaxdxdr

Crysbas - Draenog Marw (1978)

b/w -Y Nhw (Wil Bach)

Here's another Welsh sung 45 (1st release of 2) for you. The band were from North Wales Llanberis or Llanrwst (Depending on who's info you read)

and were

Bryn Fon (voc)
Ithel Jones (guitar)
Gwyndaf (John) Williams (guitar)
Alwyn (Phillip) Jones (bass)
Gwynfor Roberts (drums)

With extra vocals from Velvor Lewis & Gaenor Roberts on Y Nhw

All band members have their pubrock beginnings in either Y-Mellt (1967-76) or Mwg Drwg (1973-76) except Bryn Fon who joins the others in 1975 when Crysbas is formed.

Apparently this track (Dead Hedgehog in English) has the accolade of being the 1st song to be played live (Dei Tomos Hall Penrhyn, Bangor) on the BBC's new Welsh language radio service in 1977.

- a bit more info & 2nd 45 tomorrow -

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?w9pbhpxzb7pcpec

Clint Small - On The Fourth Floor EP (1980)

A1 - On The Fourth Floor
B1 - Daeng
B2 - (I'm) Hep Up To Here

Following on from my earlier post here's the 2nd 45 from Clint Small with help from Jarryl Wirth & Mark Graeber

There are also 3 (as far as I know) more 45 on the 4th Floor Records label
Steel (5 tracks) EP (1984)
Loners EP (1987)
Love Has Taken Me/While You sleep (1988)

Clint then became part of "Tram Of Death" - according to the who's who of Oz rock -

BTW - I think Jarryl Wirth also deserves more of a mention as he was guitarist for amongst others Babeez (76-77) News (77-78) Breakers (1980) Innocents (80-82)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?9h2c82qm0ychex7

Clint Small - Crack In The wall EP (1979)

A1 - Crack In The Wall
B1 - Have You Got The Feeling?
B2 - Wyvern Parsons, Where Are You?

Clint Small seems to be best know for his guitar playing in the Melbourne mod band Little Murders.

From what I understand the only released recorded output from his short stay with them, (Dec 1979 - May 1980) was
on A-side of the 45 High school/Trouble With Love (Released August 1980 ~ Au-go-go ANDA6)
& on the B-Side of the guaranteed Synth free 45 100 Drugs/The Beat Goes On (Released 1985 on PolyEster Records ~ Luv One)

This 45 was released (with 2 different 3-D sleeves) before his stint in the band, also on the Au-go-go label (ANDA2) & the next 45 (see tomorrows post) was released just after.

The Band on both the 45's were

Clint Small (voc electric & acoustic guitar)
Jarryl Wirth (lead guitar bass piano voc)
Mark Graeber (drums)

More info tomorrow

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?ng0ixl0xxxwwxu0

Charley Browne - Feeling Under The Weather (1978)

b/w - Sez Lez

2 more cool Powerpop/New wave tunes from North of the Border (Scotland - the Paisley area to be exact!)

This was their lone 45.
There is an unreleased LP (recorded at Rockfield studios) under their next incarnation Snapshots - Anyone got any soundbytes from this?

The Band were

Stephen Reid (voc guitar) later to be found in Buddah Grass Harbour
David Eckford (guitar)
Alan McAulay (bass)
Bob Evans (drums)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?mavjmzznmoy

Gratis - Downtown (1979)

b/w - Please Call My Number

Time for another cover (Petula Clark penned by Tony Hatch in case you need telling)
This time, the bands own tune is also a great track as well.

The Band (from the Hounslow area) were

Martin Spellman (voc guitar)
John Wust (guitar voc)
John Wicks (bass voc)
Mario Watts (drums) ex the doll

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?l4c6bdu942a7b19

Frank Sidebottom - Christmas Is Really Fantastic EP (1986)

A1 Christmas Is Really Fantastic
A2 Oh Come All Ye Faithful
B1 Mull Of Timperley
B2 Christmas Medley

+ As an extra Christmas Gift I was going to include uncut rips of the 12" (Slightly different versions + 2 extra tracks)

A3 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
B3 Football Is Really Fantastic

Most of you will know that Frank Sidebottom was Chris Sievey's (RIP) alter ego (If you didn't, now you do!)

Whilst scanning the internet I noticed that his whole In tape recording output has been packaged together & is now available to buy from Cherry Red + this 45 has been made available via Itunes with a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support

So if you want to hear it go here and support the charity

Gangsters - Rudi The Red Nosed Reindeer (1980)

b/w - White Christmas

Gangsters released 2 45's on Big Bear Records this was the first (BB25) the 2nd being
Woolly Bully/we are the gangsters BB26 (as The Gangsters - the picture below is from the Dutch pic sleeve of Woolly Bully)

I have to admit to knowing nothing about this Brummie Ska band So I started to scour the Internet (for some band member's names etc) & all I came up with was 2 + 2 = 5

I don't want to start any conspiracies but was this a real band or the label owner (Jim Simpson) just re-releasing an old record under another name

If you read the label history, the First Big Bear release was by His old band (Locomotive under


the pseudonym Steam Shovel) doing a ska version of this very record & it's release date was 15/11/1968 (the date shown on the label above)

Whatever it's still a great Ska 45 for this Yuletide.

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?8qp31o0sxkm03ou

The Three Wise Men - Thanks For Chrismas (1983)

b/w - Countdown To Christmas Party Time

I think a lot of you will know which famous "New wave" group this was in disguise.

The Virgin Press release (Included in the download) decided to give this clue..

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree......

I'll leave it at that
(If you really can't get it, I'll tell you in a couple of days! - unless anyone wants to guess in the comments)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?1jbq0818atcoj56

Prof Anonymous With The Marshalls - Christmas Elf EP (1980)

A1 Christmas Elf
A2 Singalong Chrismas Elf (Stacks Of Tracks Version)
B1 Kissing Is The Only Way
B2 It's Surprising (What A Little Change Can Do)

This is the 2nd 45 by the Marshalls from Boston & like all (?) releases on their own Isabelle label
1st was Am ep
3rd was Gettin' Out ep

They are probably more Famous for their links to Jonathan Richman than their own music, which is a shame!

The Main band were

Kevin Marshall (voc guitar)
Ellie Marshall (voc guitar)
Kenny Marshall (bass voc)
Barry Marshall (drums)

but they had plenty of friends helping out on this recording (for info just download & read)

Christmas Elf was also included on a Boston WBCN Christmas compilation Hark The Rock n Rollers Sing with amongst others from the Boston scene, some more Marshalls related tracks.

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?271235e4ul8l2h4

Bijou - La Fille Du Pere Noel (1977)

b/w - Dynarock (Instrumental)

Excellent Tunes from this French (Parisian) band who had a similar sound to Dr Feelgood & The Flamin Groovies

The A side (the Daughter of Santa Claus) is a cover originally done by Jaques Dutronc

They were

Vincent Palmer (voc guitar)
Phillipe Dauga (voc bass)
Joel "Dynamite" Yan (drums voc)

Go here to watch some bad miming to this song.

This was their 1st 45 (apparently, the band wanted their 1st release to be "C'est Un Animal/Dynorock" - & there are promo copies out there to prove this)
If you want to know more about the band (they have made some great music) go here - most of you will need the aid of google translate as it's in French (obviously)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?1r3w4vlo7o1cdaq

The Rochdale Fairies - Edelweiss (1982)

b/w - Three Green Bottles

Strange that this has 17/11/82 on the label yet Spaceward studios (Cambridge) claim it was recorded there much earlier - read on

The Fairies were

Rosie Geary (voc)
Wendy Glock (voc)
Steve Kane (guitar)
Simon Lague (bass)
Nigel Bee (Browning) (drums)

The story goes it's 1979 & Rock against Racism ask a bunch of Amersham based musicians to put a band together & play a fund raising gig that is happening in 2 weeks time (blues brothers anyone!)
This make-shift band do a few rehearsals then head into Spaceward studios to record these 2 songs for a record that's to be sold at the gig.
The gig came & went (they did 4 numbers, received an encore so did them again. Abba's Waterloo was one of the other tunes)
A 2nd gig followed at Whispers nightclub in Chesham with an additional guitarist (Cliff Levens) then the band fell apart.
The 45 was to be picked up by Carrere records but the A&R man doing the signing got seriously injured in a car crash so the deal just fell apart.

The above information was respectfully borrowed from here

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?zmcd5cvsctcjeua

Hi Fi - It's Almost Christmas (1981)

(U.S promo copy, so is the same both sides - B side should be Winter Wonderland)

Here's A track from the short lived (1981 -83) Seattle band that saw Ian Matthews & David Surkamp come together

This was (I believe) their only 7" but there were 2 (mini) LP's

Demonstration Record (also on SP & S 1981) &
Moods For Mallards (First American 1982)

Don't ask me what they are like as I have no idea! (I'm not really sure why I have this!)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?vqg6dpiv5uxhhev

Matt Black And The Doodlebugs - Punky Xmas (1976)

b/w - Nightmare

Not the best 45 in my collection but it's Xmas.

Matt Black was in fact Jeff Black & that's really all I know!

According to 45 Revs Jeff Black later produced both of Suzi Hendrix' 45's

If you want to watch a video go here I'm not sure I need to see it again, once was enough!

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?ru3w186gtb166w0

Allniters - Jingle Bells (1982)

b/w - Juliet

This was the 3rd 45 by these Aussie (Sydney) Ska Heroes (between moving from Green records to Powderworks)

I think it was a gig freebie from their Xmas 82 gig at the Manly Vale Hotel

The B-side was later renamed Juliette & re-released as the B-side to Love & Affection (6th 45)



At the time the band were


Peter Hill Travis (voc)
Brett Pattinson (voc)
Julie Conway (voc)
Martin Fabok (guitar)
Stuart Crysell (guitar)
Perry Andronas (bass)
Dave Bebb (drums)
Phil (Ted) Ayers (sax)
Steve Luke (trombone)
Mark Taylor (keyboards)

For more photos go here

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?mos3sh6gdmgrxv5

Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias - Cruising With Santa (1982)

b/w - Eye and Eye

7th & final 45 for the reformed Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias

For more info On Chris C.P. Lee & his Mancunian cohorts follow the links!!

If you want to hear more just Google them

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?27l99b4128p3kaj

Slow Motion - Christmas Charade (1979)

b/w - Maybe

Nice Punk/powerpop Medley of " White Christmas", "Good King Wenceslas", "Jingle bells" & "God rest ye Merry Gentlemen" arranged by John & Jeff Palmer & recorded at RKO (Robert Kingston Organisation) studios, London in December 1979.

Band members were
John Palmer - (voc)
Mike Norton - (lead guitar)
Graham Wieland - (bass)
Ritchie Carter - (drums)
Jeff Palmer - (keyboards)

For me, the winner is the punky version of Thom Pace's Maybe (this was the theme tune to the life & times of Grizzly Adams)

Thanks to Mike (see comments) for the extra info

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?gyutei91xzbwj07

Hot Press and the Silent Knights - Gobble Gobble Gobble Hey EP (1979)

A1 - Gobble Gobble Gobble Hey (The Gobbling Song)
B1 - Christmas In The Cookhouse
B2 - Born To Roast (St Steven's Day Outside Charlie's Diner)

As it's the start of silly season I thought I'd join in with some Xmas themed 45's

Here's the first of 2 45's by Niall & Dermot Stokes with "friends"

for more info visit Irish rock.org

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?84f2i4zdof1z03d

96 Tears - Know what I mean (1980)

b/w - You think You've got it made

Nice New wave 7" with an XTC /Wire feel to it

The Band were all ex Stadium Dogs & all backed Mike Reid on the 2 trainspotters 45's

Paul Griffiths (voc guitar)
Kirk Thorn (guitar voc)
Kevin Wilkinson (drums)

As well as this 45, they also contributed a Track (A Mansion Melody) to the Swindon Various Artists LP "Songs From Pigland"


The label (Wonderful Records) released 3 45's (that I know of) & the producer is Colin Griffin (who could have been in the End)

In the dead wax its another porky prime cut

just for the sake of it .... ?

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?rdac4s3xwicc1ld

The News - Boomerang (1981)

b/w - Louise Louise

OK this glam/new wave/pop 45 will be of interest to some, whilst others will want to run a mile.

The band (who set up their own record label for this sole release) were

Marty Kristian
Brian Engel
Mick Flinn see also Mick Flinn Band

All 3 being New Seekers at one time or other

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?g52h2kon2t8z72n

The Warm - Floosie EP (1978)

A1 - Floosie
A2 - Bye Bye It's The blues
B1 - Chewing Gum Sue
B2 - Sometimes

I was asked a while back to post some Warm & as I only have this (their 3rd release) & their version of the Kinks "Tired of waiting for you" (5th, 45) you're getting this!

Very D.I.Y but I like it!

Warm were a trio comprising of 2 Portuguese brothers & a west Indian
Rui De Castro Guimaraes AKA Rui Castrator (voc guitar)
George De Castro Guimaraes AKA George Castrator (drums voc guitar)
Leo Pennant AKA Leo Penn or Jah Shumba (bass voc)

It seems that George took a back seat for this recording, letting the other 2 take control

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?0p20lor18382ork

Sneakers - Link Lady (1977)

b/w - Vapour Trails

I managed to get my hands on a copy of this the other day & as I've been asked for it a few times I thought I'd post it straight away.

I have to admit to being slightly disappointed by it (don't get me wrong I still like it!) It's just given Dave Parkinson's other penned items such as:

The Neat - hormones in action

Cuba - furtive winks

I was expecting more (fool me)

Whatever; The Leeds band (active 1976 -78) were

Dave Parkinson (RIP) (voc keyboards)
Russ Elias (guitar voc)
Rob Lowther (guitar voc)
Andy Rawson (bass voc) later of the Roy Sundholm band
Andy Cave (drums) later of the Jerks & Roy Sundholm band

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?j55qmuxba7b6jjq

The Chief - Don't Touch The Receiver (1981)

b/w - Icebreaker

Nice pop/rock (that some may call powerpop - what's in a name!) from the Hardman brothers (John & Bob).

This was posted a few months ago at sing sing but I thought I'd give you the b-side [for what it's worth] as well.

If you can't be bothered to click on the link then I'll tell you that John & Bob Hardman were the owners / producers of Swamp records.

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?0yymeeofnz3

The Defenders - We Are The Stones (1985)

b/w - Down At The Wealdstone

OK this falls in The "Novelty but nice" category.

I'd not heard of Wealdstone FC until after I'd bought this record (I picked it up coz of the label)
but I was pleasantly surprised by the tunes!

Give it a go

Sounds & scans below

Sorry no download link due to infringement - apparently because it has "Stones" in the title

Metro Glider - Do It Right (1980)

b/w - Consequences

Great new wave / ska crossover (consequences being my pick of the 2)

The Cornish Band originally called lip service were

Bert Biscoe (voc guitar) ex Brainiac 5 (hear them)
Chris Price (guitar sculptor)
Carol Mercer (voc)
Vanessa Johnston (bass)
John Parker (?)
Dave Stone (drums)
Chrissise Quayle (guitar sax flute voc)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?zoxz1udjsre4d0v

Rue And The Rockets - I Only Want A Love That's Real (1981)

b/w - 9 Times Out Of 10

Very nice 60's Mod/powerpop from these 3 brothers from Wigton, Cumbria

Rueben (voc drums) Jimmy (guitar voc) & Alan Slater (bass voc) have been playing professionally since the early 60's

For more info go here

For an interview with them go here

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?owmkusf1jvqnl3c

Leeson And Vale - Like A Good Girl Should (1980)

b/w - Mankiller

This is a great powerpopper (which does come in a picture sleeve - I've just not found one yet!)

It's the 2nd of 3 45's by Michael Leeson & Peter Vale under their Leeson & Vale name.

If you do an internet search of their names you'll find the two songwriters will have penned many a tune you know (& probably were happy to forget about)

There is an LP ("A collection of songs" released in 1982) as well that apparently has a few well above average tunes on it

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?e3uinrbi39rcj8u

Hi Fi - Run, Run (1978)

b/w - Sole Kitchen

Included in the download is the demo version of Run Run (see below for more unreleased tracks*)

Very nice Powerpop on this debut 45 from these London boys

Larry Berridge (voc guitar)
Terry Jenkins (guitar voc)
Byron Conn (bass)
Steve Petters (drums) replaced by Steve Jones after the 45 was released






*My real reason for posting this is to direct you HERE where you can read an abridged Hi Fi story & get some excellent sounds (including their 1979 Peel session)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?nx7aq7joux25wlf

Avo-8 - Gone Wrong (1980)

B1 - Target One
B2 - No Hesitation

Great 45 - I always forget how good this is!!

The Edinburgh band on this 45 were

Stevie Haste (voc guitar)
Jon McLusky (bass voc)
Kenny Gourlay (Drums)
Gordon McKinnon (organ synth)

Stevie & Kenny reformed the band 5 years later with a different line up.
For loads more info & to hear the later stuff go to their website

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?hw4by08wzf21dpf

C'est Clave - You Hold The Key (1983)

b/w - Programmed Romance

Ever wonder what happened to the others when Sean O'Conner left with the name Lookalikes?

Look no further - they grabbed a new Vocalist/guitarist
(Anto Drennan) and became C'est Clave

Before downloading & listening to this please go to Shotgun solution & listen to the 1st Lookalikes 45 (I guarantee you it's 1000 times better)

This is their 1st of 2 45's - I've not heard the 2nd so I can't tell you if it's any better or worse (Irish.org seems to hint at it being better)

The Dublin band were

Anto Drennan (voc guitar)
Eamonn Doyle (bass)
Mike Mesbur (drums)
Peter Keenan (keyboards)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?vmqqf96zwtfvu69