Best Of Button Label (1982 - 1984)

OK Here's a a slightly different post to the usual.

My Picks [9 of the 23 45's] from the Edgware based Button Records [1982 - 86] that may be of interest to a New Wave collector. 

The label was predominantly Folk & Country being funded by Mike Redway and having such producers as Ex-Tull & Fairport Members, Martin Allcock & Bill Ward at the recording desk.

However, the label still managed to give us some well above average Synth / Powerpop & New Wave tunes.

7" Label Discography

BTN 101 - Mike Redway - Morris Minor / Happy Birthday [10-1982]
BTN 102 - Tied Logs - Stamp And Swing / Kamikaze Banjos [10-1982]
BTN 103 - Joseph And Giselle - But You Love Me Daddy / Rodeo Special [12-1982]
BTN 104 - Johnny Demestos - Leave My Jelly Babies Alone / Shanghai Sidestreet [11-1982]

BTN 105 - Patti Gold - As Long As We Keep Believing / You [10-1983]
BTN 106 - Charles Anthony - Breakthrough / I Want You [08-1983]
BTN 107 - Pete Dodds ‎- Cardboard City / Sally Ann [08-1983]
BTN 108 - Wooden-Tops ‎- White What? / Biffo [08-1983]
BTN 109 - Annie Lewis - The Lass With The Delicate Air / I Sowed The Seeds [11-1983]
BTN 110 - Gary Knight- Cry Wolf / Dreaming Of You [10-1983]
BTN 111 - Tied Logs - The Bluebell Polka / The Cat On The Mixer [10-1983]
BTN 112 - Private Party - Change / Breakdown [11-1983]
BTN 113 - Charm School ‎– Sun / Excerpts From The Modern Song [01-1984]
BTN 114 - Patti Gold ‎– Don't Take It / The Perfect Love Song [03-1984]
BTN 115 - Estelle Round - Silent Christmas / Heartaches [11-1983]
BTN 116 - Idée Fixe - Easy Madonna / Tell Me No More Lies [07-1984]
BTN 117 - Mike Carter And Dragonfly - My True Love / Let The Rain Fall Down [06-1984]
BTN 118 - Tied Logs - Captain Pugwash / ? [08-1984 Not Released]
BTN 118 - Marie-Anne Emmanuel - Merry Christmas And Happy New Year / Merry Christmas (Instrumental) [11-1984]
BTN 119 - Max Million - Walk My Way / Drunk Again [07-1984]
BTN 120 - Johnny D' Mestos - The Ten Commandments / You Don't Give A Damn [11-1984]
BTN 121 - John E. Loren - Regrets (A Thousand) / Fabienne [09-1985]
BTN 122 - Diana Wins - Peace On Earth / Silent Sleep [11-1984]
BTN 123 - Friendly Persuasion - A Tribute To Karen Carpenter / Only Yesterday [07-1986]

For Sounds & more info just Download

The Shots - A Lethal Dose Of Rock n Roll EP (1983)

 

A1 - Wondering
A2 - Best Of Me
B1 - Not Like Everybody Else
B2 - It's Over

 

70's Powerpop in the 80's from this Townsville based 4 peice. Orginally hailing from Melbourne.

Jeff Salter - Voc, Guitar 
Steve Sampson - Guitar, Voc
Paul Scofield - Bass, Voc, Keys
John Griffin - Drums

Recorded April 1983 : Audio Media Productions Townsville
Pressed : Sundown records

Useless info - Sundown Records was a record label and pressing plant established by Eleanor and John Briskey in 1981. They purchased the press from CM Records in Dubbo, NSW & commenced pressing records in Lawnton, Queensland closing operations in 1993.

Sounds & Scans

Cheek - Powerpop Purveyors EP (1980)

A1 - Do You Have A Soul   
A2 - Take Me For What I'm Worth 
B1 - So Much In Love   
B2 - Still In love

Cool 60's styled Powerpop EP from this Sydney based (Covers) band (1976-78) post-humously released through Greg Shaw's Bomp/Voxx Records




Original line-up:
Lee (Peter) Emmett (Voc) ex Jasper 
Robin Jackson (Guitar) ex Hush, Ricochet
Randy Hall (lead guitar)
Felix Maslin RIP (Bass Voc) ex Jasper
Bud Mangion (Drums) ex Jasper

Lee Emmett, Felix Maslin and Bud Mangion first joined forces in 1974 as Jasper, who issued one 45 [Lola], in early 1976 before calling it a day. (The other member being Steve Hall - Guitar)
The 3 then became Punkz with the addition of Robin Jackson (original lead guitarist with Hush) and Randy Hall, who was quickly replaced by Ray Goodwin (ex-Dragon, John Paul Young and the All Stars).
Punkz came to the attention of Ol'55 manager, pop guru Glenn A. Baker, who helped mould their 1960s revivalist image. With Mushroom Records issuing the singles `Anyway You Want It' and `Take Me for What I'm Worth' Unfortunately though, the band's name was to count against them.
[Being named after the "Nuggets" US 60's punk movement, instead they found themselves being  compared to the punk bands in the UK with whom they had nothing in common. The disconnect between the band's name and their image effectively doomed their records to the deletion racks.]
Goodwin left soon after and the band responded by changing its name to Cheek.
A cover of the Mighty Avengers’ "So Much In Love" was Cheek’s debut single for Mushroom in  December 77. Around this time they also began recording an album, with the addition of Troy Richards on keyboards and guitar.
Unfortunately the album was never finished, and their final single, the Rubinoos' "Leave My Heart Alone", was again unsuccessful, the band split in August 1978.

Jackson and Mangion joined the 'Chris Turner Band' and Maslin joined Adelaide's 'Fat Lip'.

Maslin died as a result of an asthma attack in 1988.

45's Discography
Punkz - Anyway You Want It / I Can't Control Myself - Mushroom K-6631 12/1976
Punkz - Take Me For What I'm Worth / Good Times - Mushroom K-6815 06/1977
Cheek - So Much In Love / Do You Have A Soul - Mushroom K-6998 12/1977
Cheek - Leave My Heart Alone / Still In Love - Mushroom K-7169 06/1978

Sounds & Scans

The Prefects - I Wanna Make Love (1982)

b/w Up All Night

"Percolated Pop dressed in Scraggy Schoolboy Uniforms" (M. Jarrett) Or "Cool Powerpop" from this Perth 4 piece (1979-82)

Doug Allmark - Voc Bass
Tom Matthews - Guitar Voc
Michael Wiltshire - Guitar Voc
Brad Mack - Drums


Discography (2 45's)

L To R Tom, Brad, Doug & Michael

Wait Until Midnight / Little Boys -Infinity K-8487 - 1981
I Wanna Make Love / Up All Night -Infinity K-8682 - 04-1982
both being recorded at the "AAV"  Recording Studios in Melbourne,

There are 2 earlier unreleased tracks recorded Live on Shirl's Neighbourhood (1980) available on You-Tube Restless Nights & Breaking The Rules
The Band then being : Douglas Stehelin Allmark [Voc Bass], Leo Glass [Lead Guitar Voc- later in attcha], Michael Wiltshire [Rhythm Guitar Voc], Brad Mack [Drums],  John Nyman [Keys - later in Geisha]

Wait Until Midnight is Comped on the Pop Power From The Garage (Australian Power Pop 74-86) CD 2014

Useless Info - Drums on The Wait Until Midnight 45 were allegedly played by Rick Evans (I guess [if true] Brad couldn't be bothered to make the journey over to Melbourne?)


Sounds, Scans & Extras

The Word - I Think I'm Falling In Love (1980)

b/w Angel

Great Powerpop from this Canberra band (1978-80)

Michael (Spike) Moriarty (Voc, Guitar) Now In "The Gadflys"
Terry Sounder (Voc, Guitar) later in "No Concept"
Frankie Villegas (Bass)
Darcy Deegan (Drums)

Also Rans were Peter Palij (Guitar) & Archie Van Der Glass (Bass)

Even though they satrted life in Camberra, they soon made the move to Sydney, living in Bondi Beach and regularly playing the local dives (The Metropole Tavern, Astra Hotel etc).
Aparently they called it a day just before an organized nationwide tour was about to begin.

The 45 was released on Festival subsidiary Infinity with Festival house producer Martin Erdman sat behind the desk.

Spike, Darcy & Frankie

Some more info here


If you want more info on the Canberra Punk Scene go here


Sounds & Scans

The Units - Baby You Flirt (1980)

b/w - Grill Room

Recorded at Reel Recorders, Adelaide, South Australia. September 1980.

Adelaide Powerpop/New Wave band (1979-81) that rose from the ashes of East Suburbia (1976-78)  Jack(Gtr/Voc), Ken(Gtr/Voc), Claudio(Gtr), Richard(Bass), John(Drums).

Al Shean (Allan Robins aka Jack Robins) (Guitar Voc) Ex Jaggels
Cloudy Dae (Claudio Katern) (Guitar) Bass for pre Units band "Back Street" later Bassist in Screaming Believers (1985-88)
Lucky Stiff (Mark Cornwall) (Bass Voc 1980-81) Ex Fine Cuts
Vince Gritoli (John Gazzola)  (Drums) later in Bloodloss (1982)
(Additional Voc) Ken Sykes (Guitar Voc) Ex Jaggels pre The Shreds (1980-81), Screaming Believers (1981-88,1991-2)
Richard Opolski (Bass 1979) left to join The Shreds

Doron Kipen (Engineer, Producer)

Useless info 1 - Grill Room Is about a story told to Jack regarding the "Boys in Blue" and their often grey area of handling people in their ‘care’.

Useless info 2 - Grill Room also appears on the Sydney Radio 2UW - VA LP "Homegrown" (11072UW YPRX2020 - Recorded Sept 1982) "Compiled from Demo tapes of undiscovered Bands to look out for in '83" Recorded by a band called Watfo Zymol & The Simpletons - [Anyone know if they became Zygon? who are linked to a 1985 version of The Units -Tony Gow (Bass), Garry Meaklin (Guitar), Mick Rafferty (Voc)]

As well as releasing this excellent 45; Acheivements also include touring Sydney with The Innocents in 1981 & being briefly joined by Giles Barrow (Exploding White Mice) before they imploded in '81.

Finally here's a You Tube clip of The Screaming Believers Live in 1982 covering "Baby You Flirt"

Sounds & Scans

Surfside 6 - Cool In The Tube (1980)

 b/w - Schools Out

Cool Surf Punk/Powerpop from this Sydney bunch

Jolyon Burnett (Voc)
Greg Masuak (Guitar)
Geoff Datsun (Guitar)
Richard McGregor (Guitar)
Cathy Courtenay (Bass)
Toby Cresswell (Keyboards)
John "JJ" Hackett (Drums)  

12'' Acetate (1 in existance)

Recorded at Trafalgar Studios,Sydney
Produced by Greg's older brother Chris Masuak. (Radio Birdman)
Engineered by Dan Gray.
Mastered by Don Bartley at EMI's 'Studios 301'


This was the 2nd release for Sydney's Phantom label. The original 12" Acetate being cut Feb '80 with the release being May 7 1980

Paul Worstead Poster

Cool in the Tube appeared on the 1983 Phantom Records Paths Of Pain To Jewels Of Glory Compilation LP 

There was also a 2nd 45  - (Can't You See) The Sign// Beach Party/Baci! Baci! - PH-7 July 1981 



Sounds & Scans

Z-Cars - This Is Z-Cars EP (1980)

A - Is There Someone Out There?
B - Girls Aren't Just Girls

2 great punk-powerpop tracks on the sole release from this Melbourne 4 piece

Russell Street (Voc), I've also read the name Russel Diggins
Trevor Perrin (Guitar, Voc) 
Craig Russell (Bass, Voc) also in Zorros 
Craig Presnell (Drums).

The 45 was released in August 1980 with a pressing run of 500.

It was recorded at Crystal Clear Studio

Engineered by Ken Stephenson & Produced by Dave Douglas & (Melbourne Drummer) Simon Smith who allegedly aided with the drums on the 45 - For his pedigree just look at the other Melbourne based bands he was in -  AEIOU (1980-81) originaly called The Shots, The Dance Set (1981),   The Gas Babies (1985-86), Macho Clowns (1987-89)

The band formed in 1979, Rob Griffiths (The Fiction, Little Murders) gifting them their name (Z-Cars) which as you may expect is after the 60's UK T.V. drama. They played regularly on the same bill as the Zorros (See the Poster below) Calling it quits in late 1980 shortly after some of them, along with Geoff Martyr were in a serious car accident.

Is There Someone Out There? has been comped on Bloodstains Across Australia
Girls Aren't Just Girls was on Teenline no.5 until it changed to 105

For a full discography of au-go-go 45's go here

For more info & great photos on the earlier mentioned Zorros go here

Finally for more info on the Melbourne Punk Scene go here

Scans & Sounds

The Last Words - Animal World (1977)

b/w - Wondering Why

1st (& most raw sounding) of 3 times the Aussie (Sydney) band (1977-80) would release this (All 3 45's are in the d/load for you)

Malcolm Baxter (Voc)

Andy Groome (Guitar),

Mike Smith [1977] replaced by Leigh Kendall [1978-80] (Bass)

Jeff Wegener [1977] replaced by Ken Doyle [1978] then  John Gunn [1979-80] (Drums).

Later augmented by Steve Beresford (keyboards) & Dick Nightdoctor (sax)

I've read that UK migrants Baxter (Dundee) and Groome (Dublin), grew up in Liverpool (Sydney) and played all of the instruments on this self-funded release (I'm not sure what Smith & Wegener would have to say about that - maybe they were enrolled after the recording to enable the band to perform live)

There's loads of info out there already about the band with most just repeating this

Go here to see the 1978 video promo for Animal World filmed in North Sydney on 16mm film at the cost of (apparently) AU$13,000 (Malcolm in orange, Leigh in stripes, Andy in white & Ken [Or is it Jeff]  sitting down)

As this post is for the Animal World 45 below are some interesting cover versions

 "Tierwelt" released on the album "Himmel & Hölle" by Der Durstige Mann (1987)

Brazilian punk band SCHK played it live (2006) for TV

& "Frag Mich Warum" (Wondering Why)  by Eric Hysteric and the Esoterics (with vocals by Leigh Kendall 1980) [Prior to this collaboration Leigh had also played guitar on An earlier Eric 45]

Discography

7"

Animal World/Wondering Why - Remand RRCS2439 (Aug1977) Oz Only

Animal World/Every Schoolboy's Dream - Wizard ZS196 (Nov 1978) Oz Only

Animal World/No Music In The World Today - Rough Trade RT022 (July 1979) UK

Today's Kidz / There's Something Wrong - Remand REMAND2  (Feb 1980) UK 
 Top Secret/Walk Away (Version) - Armageddon Records AS002 (Aug 1980) UK

LP

The Last Words - Armageddon Records ARM2 (Sept 1980)

The Last Words 1977-1980 - Retro Records (2007)

Sounds & Scans

25/06/2012 - more info about this 45 has been posted here

Double O's - He's Not There (1984)

b/w Standover

Nice female vocal led, surf / 60's nuggets / ska sounding 45

The "Darlings of the Northern Beaches" Sydney band were

Louise Beckett (voc)
Ian Harding (lead guitar)
Hayden Horne (rhythm guitar) left before this 45 was recorded
Dave Stoneman (bass)
Ronnie Welsh (drums) later, replaced by Scott McRae
Meg Brainsky (keyboards) joined sometime after this 45

This; their 2nd of 3, 45's gives us 2 original tunes: the A side being penned by Harding & Stoneman whilst the B was by Dave Maynard (ex Rhythm guitar - replaced by Hayden) It was produced by Phil Sharrock & engineered by Stuart Peters at Albert Studios, King St, Sydney & was pressed by the EMI Custom Records Plant.

The other 45's were
Music Set Us Free / The Point / Why / Surf' n' Sand - EMI Custom Records (1983)
We Can Overcome/? - ? (1985) - Not so sure this exists as a 45

We Can Overcome was also released on the Compilation Sound Of Sydney Vol 3 before it became a 45

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?apsiz45h7e7kn6a

Thanks to Phil Sharrock for helping with the above info

The Debutantes - Adolescent Love (1983)

b/w - Say Hello

Great 60's mod pop sounding 45 from this Australian (All Female) Band - If you like Dolly Mixture, then Give this a go!

Merran Laginestra (Voc, Keys)
Judy Sinclair (lead Guitar, Voc)
Alison Gee (Rhythm Guitar Voc)
Bette Summerson (Bass)
Tina Tsiamis (Drums)

The band was formed whist they were still studying at the Pymble Ladies College in Sydney & lasted a few years doing the pub circuit there.

The only member I could find any info on was Merran Laginestra who has had an interesting career & is now living in Madrid (Myspace).

There is a Writing credit for "Say Hello" of Stighardt. (which, by the way has a great kinks guitar sound to it.)

Thanks to Ali Gee for the extra info - see comments

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?6e8l98nmcd005m3

The Personnel - Never Be Your Man (1980)

b/w - Working Day Song

Great Sydney band that seemed to break up shortly after this 45 was released (recorded May 1980 at the Basilisk studios released September '80)

Steve Morcom (guitar voc) later in Marble Soldiers
Kim Knight (bass) later in the Agents
Dennis Flannery (drums) later in Marble Soldiers / pop mechanix / The Agents

engineer - M. Bishop
producer - Ken Starr & friend

The 3 had been playing together in various bands since the early 70's (Rainbow, Eskadium, Tuesday Morning)

Never Be your Man can also be found on Sound of Sydney Vol 1

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?a3cwkpqhaj5tuj2

The Stockings - (She's A) Devil (1980)

b/w - Tiny Voices

1st 7" from this Perth New wave band who started life in Early '79 as "Rip Torn & The Stockings"
Rip Torn being singer Bernie Lynch [ left in 1980 to form "Living Single" -who became Eurogliders.]

Other band members (1979 - '82)

Pierre Corsage AKA Frank Lee (guitar voc)
Bob "Boris" Garter AKA Bob Fallovic (guitar voc)
Lon Gerae (bass)
Fred A'Snare AKA John Johnson AKA John Bennetts (drums) joined Eurogliders in '82

other stuff

Stockings Ep (5 track 12") -Dada Records MX 191725 (1980) with Bernie Lynch
Good Luck / Makes You Cry 7"- Rough Diamond RDS 3502 (1981)
Red Tango LP - Rough Diamond RDL 8801 (1981)
Limbo / Boy Girls 7" - Rough Diamond RDS 3508 (1982)
Limbo Ep (5 track 12") - Rough Diamond RDM 8803 (1982)

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?gonw15vjb1to9ec

the Notations - In The Midnight Hour (1986)

b/w - Setbacks

"In the midnight hour" is a very good Mod cover of the Wilson Picket/Steve Cropper number in the same style as the Mustard Club/Sets etc.
Personally the B-side is the stand out track.
If you like your mod revival to sound like a lost Purple Hearts track (who doesn't?) then this is also for you.

I can't give you much background on this Sydney Mod band (the 45 was recorded at the Earth Media Studios in Artarmon)

The band were
Stuart Dickie (voc guitar)
Adrian Lee (guitar)
Tim Bosschieter (bass)
Mark Bevan (drums)

with help from

Jennifer Aarts (voc)
Gary Stephenson (sax) later in Sydney band people (1988) - who won 5 heats of star search (!!!)

If you're interested in Aussie mod from this era treat yourself & go here

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?y7w29lyh1vc1127

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

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

The Rivals - Benefit Man (1981)

b/w - Don't Shine The Bright Light

Great punk/powerpop from this four piece.

Glenn Morris (Voc Guitar)
Anthony Kolinac (Guitar)
Ed Johnson (Bass)
Brad Spiller (Drums) 

I can't really tell you anything about this Aussie band (except it's next to Yesterday's post in my filing system)

They were from Sydney - going by the label (named after the recording studio - I believe)

I'd forgotten I had it until I pulled out the other Rivals 45 but on listening to it again, I decided to post it.

* Aparrently not many more than 100 were pressed


Thanks to Glenn, Chris & his partner for the extra info - see comments

Sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?1x3xw7ep4ktgdbx

the Leftovers - Killing time (1980)

b/w - Trudy vasiline

Another excursion from our tiny Island this time to a slightly larger Island.

This is the sole release for these boys from Bendigo, Victoria (Although the 2 brothers went on to join Little Murders in 1981)

The Band were

Chis Harrington (voc guitar)
Kim Holmberg (guitar voc)
Tony Spizzica (bass, voc sax)
Paul Holmberg (drums voc)

The A-side can be found on powerpearls 2

sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?9v7g6tjb0y4xntq

the Aliens - Confrontation (1979)

b/w - The boys in black

1st of 3, 45 releases (+ 1 LP)
I've been reliable informed that only the 1st 2 45's are worth getting hold of (I have them, I agree) as it's pretty much a different band for the final 45.

The Aliens were an Adelaide band who changed their name from "Riff Raff" donned some "black clothes & skinny ties" and moved to Melbourne to play some excellent Mod/powerpop

for more info & you-tube clips go here

sounds & scans below

http://www.mediafire.com/?2juzyjjoz2z