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Nouveau blog consacré exclusivement aux groupes français des années 80

New blog dedicated to the french rock from the 80's

 N°1. SNAPPING BOYS

32. CYNICS "I'm In Pittsburgh And It's Raining" (1985)

Great "official Fan Club Release" on Get Hip. The Pittsburgh's garage kings covering the classic Outcats tune (The Outcasts were actually from san Antonio!). 

More about The Cynics HERE

The original Outcasts Peebles classic

31 DOGS "Charlie was a good boy!" (1977)

This post is dedicated to the memory of Patrick "Midnight Rambler" who ruled the Sons of The Dolls Blog.
This blog inspired me when I began mine. Patrick always did a wonderfull job with so much passion. We shared so much, same musical taste, same memories and even more....
I know this single was one of his favorites...

Ce post est dédié à la mémoire de notre ami Patrick "Midnight Rambler" qui dirigeait le blog Sons of The Dolls et qui nous a quitté il y a peu. Son blog m'a donné envie de partager quelques disques sur le net. Il faisait un boulot énorme avec une telle passion. Nous partagions les mêmes gôuts, les mêmes souvenirs et encore plus...
Je sais que ce single était un des ces préférés ...

 

30. LIME SPIDERS "Slave Girl" (1984)

Hey Kids! I'm back with this classic mid-80's savage australian single by the Lime Spiders. One of the best Citadel releases!

Formed in 79, the Lime spiders disbanded soon after the release of their great "25th hour'" double single.

The group reformed again by August 1983 with Blood and Jakimyszyn joined by Tony Bambach on bass guitar and Richard Lawson on drums. Both were from The Most, one of their rivals in the Battle of the Bands competition^. In March 1984 the new line-up recorded the band's second single, "Slave Girl". It was co-produced by the band with Tom Misner, who Blood described as "an older dude who owned the School of Audio business (Central Recorders). He warmed immediately to the vibe of the song". It was co-written by Blood and Jakimyszyn. Blood later told TheDwarf website about writing the track: "[it] come from a throwaway riff that [Jakimyszyn] used to peel off automatically at rehearsals every time he plugged his guitar into his amp, to check his sound ... I asked [him] to keep playin' the riff, as I thought we could construct a song around it. He looked at me as if I was crazy ... but obligingly cranked his amp & played it with venom, as the band jammed on it for the first time ... I went away with the riff in my head without any lyrics. I woke up one Sat morning at a house I was staying at in [Chippendale] and the lyrics flooded my head and I wrote them down as fast as I was thinking of them ... [later] I came armed with the last verse. I suggested to Jacko that he play something he's never done before for the second guitar solo, to take the song to another level. ... [He] blew us away with a searing metal edged freakout before turning around & shyly seeking approval. It was difficult to speak with our mouths agape".

"Slave Girl" was the number-one independent single in Australia for 1984,. The track received airplay in Europe including France, Germany, Spain and Sweden: "where fans in those territories became hooked on its wild acid-punk sound".In September 1984 the band added Gerard Corben on rhythm guitar (also ex-The Most). The success of "Slave Girl" led to the overseas release of a 12" mini-LP that compiled all six of their recorded tracks as Slave Girl, released in France by Closer records. In January 1985 Jakimyszyn left the band (after being diagnosed with schizophrenia)

"Slave Girl " is actually one of my fave new-garage song!!

29. HYSTERIC NARCOTICS "Wild As Soul" (1985)

Here's the first single by The Nysteric Narcotics a grat unknown band from the second 80's garage revival scene, More psychedelic than many of the garage band of that time  the Hysteric Narcotics delivered a great modern garage music and also released an album higly recommanded and two more singles. You can buy a retrospective of all their music THERE.

"Originally the Hysteric Narcotics came from Livonia, a western suburb of Detroit that wasn’t known for much other than being the home of the local horseracing track.  Livonia didn’t have the “coolness” associated with Royal Oak or Ferndale or the grittiness of Hamtramck or Detroit, but it proved to be a fertile breeding place for musicians like the Hysteric Narcotics and Bob Mulrooney (Ramrods, Bootsey X).  The lineup of the Hysteric Narcotics in 1986 consisted of Mike Murphy (vocals), Charles "Chip" Frayne (aka Sercombe) (drums), Keith Soucy (bass), Dave Feeney (organ), Mark Niemenski (guitar).  Sean Curran was their original guitarist.  According to Mike Murphy, the name “Hysteric Narcotics” was put together by combining the names “the Hysterics” and “the Narcotics” and held no special significance.  By this time Mike Murphy had played in a series of local bands that spawned the original “punk rock” movement in Detroit: the Denizens, the Rushlow-King Combo, Jerry Vile and the Boners.  I was lucky enough to see all of these bands in their heyday at Bookies and the Red Carpet and was constantly amazed at the wide variety of music that could be found around Detroit.

In an interview with Dennis Loren in 1986 for RPM magazine, the music of the Hysteric Narcotics was described as combination of “garage music” and the “psychedelic sound” of the 1960s.  Those influences are heard in their music, but the Hysteric Narcotics sound took that music from the 60s and added their own brand of individuality and some good old-time Detroit edge to it.  During this time the band released their debut single on Tremor Records and followed it up with 2 more singles on Rafscallion Records.  This was followed by their only LP – “Batteries Not Included” from 1986 and also on Rafscallion Records.  This album is essential listening for anybody that loves “garage music” and appreciates how good rock & roll music should sound.  The Hysteric Narcotics also appeared on several Detroit-area compilations that were put out by Tremor Records and others.  They played frequently in such local clubs such as Paycheck’s, St. Andrew’s, Lili’s, Traxx and the like.  Several lineup changes also occurred during their career.  Jerry Barterian came in to play drums and Larry Ulrich played keyboards.  The Hysterics toured around the country playing shows in places as diverse as CBGB’s in New York City, Rochester, NY and San Francisco, CA.  They were working on their second album, which unfortunately was never done because the band parted ways." from the great nestorindetroit blog.

Les Hysteric Narcotics, comme leur blaze peut le laisser supposer, firent partie de la seconde vague revival garage US avec une nette tendance au psychédélisme. Venant de la banlieue de Detroit et ayant joués dans divers obscurs groupes punk, les Hysteric Narcotics épousèrent la cause garage dans le milieu des 80's et produisirent en plus de ce premier single, un album très recommandables "Batteries Not Included" et deux autrex singlex avant de disparaître (pour se reformer pour quelques concerts vers 2010 à l'occasion de la sortie d'un CD compilation). Vous trouverez cette rétrospective de leur oeuvre ICI.

 

 Charlotte's Web from "Batteries Not Included" Lp

28 THE OULETS "Sheila / A Valentine Song" (1985)

The Outlets have been one of the most prolific and exciting live bands in the Northeast since the early 80′s. There have been several line-up changes throughout the years but the music by David Barton, an extraordinarily talented songwriter, has remained brilliantly intense, with power pop hooks and a punk attitude. Live, The Outlets, then and now, create an overpowering presence, great music and kick ass rock! The Outlets’ first releases were on Modern Method (Mike Dreese/Newbury Comics‘ label); they later released singles on American Music/One Way Productions and One Way Productions.This third single is on the great Throbbing Lobster label. A side is a fantastic power-pop song that will directly blow you outta mind! B side is a slowest song specially for nex Valentine DAy!!

Les Outlets étaient de la seconde vague punk/Power pop de Boston, trop jeunes pour faire partie de la bande du Rat et trop précoce pour avoir le succès des futurs Lemonheads. Ils ont sortis 4 singles entre 80 et 85, celui-ci est le troisième avec une superbe power-pop tune "Sheila", du vrai caviar! Il signèrent ensuite chez restless/Enigma sans rencontrer le succès escompté et se reformèrent à la fin des 90's puis dans les années 2000...

Visit their site and buy their records!  http://www.outletsrock.com

27 THE COMMANDOS "Psycho/My Baby Loves Monster Movies" (1985)

Commandos were the band of Suzy Elkins and Garry Felton . They settled in Austin at a time , the mid 80's when the city moved a lot around the Leroi Brothers. On this single, released for Halloween on Jungle , the label of the Leroi Brothers, we also found Mike Buck and Don Leady of Leroi fame and Omar Dykes, from Omar and the Howlers and Wes Star, another Howler . Side A is a cover of  The Sonics "Psycho"  that evokes the early Leroi Brothers  but my favorite is the B-side, "My Baby Loves Monster Movies" , a amazing  rock-country tune, certainly one of the best of that time when it was about country- punk (Jason & The Scorchers ... ) . The Commandos released a more classic album"Edge of town"  ( it was posted on Son Of The Dolls blog a few years ago ) and another single in Holland , it seems thet they even toured in Finland. Suzy was in another band The Drapes with Webb Wilder and made ​​a country album in 2004.Note the participation of Al Lewis, the actor playing the role of "Granpa" in the series "The Munsters".

Les Commandos étaient le groupe de Suzy Elkins et de Garry Felton. Ils s'étaient installés à Austin à une époque, les mid 80's où la ville bougeait beaucoup autour de la clique des Leroi Brothers. Sur ce single, sorti pour haloween sur Jungle, le label des premiers Leroi Brothers, , on retrouve d'ailleurs Mike Buck (qui signe la pochette) et Don Leady des Frères Leroi ainsi que Omar Dykes, le Omar de Omar and the Howlers et Wes Star, un autre Howler. La face A est une reprise du "Psycho" des sonics qui évoque les Lery Brothers des débuts mais ma face préférée est la face B, "My baby Loves Monster Movies", un superbe morceau rock-country, certainement un des meilleurs de cette époque où l'on parler de country-punk  (Jason and The scorchers ...). Les Commandos ont sortis un album plus classique "Edge of town" (il avait été posté sur Son Of The Dolls il y a quelques années) et un autre single en Hollande, ils tournèrent même en Finlande, semble-t-il. Suzy a participé à un autre groupe The Drapes avec Webb Wilder et a réalisé un album country en 2004. A noter la participation de Al Lewis, l'acteur jouant le rôle de "Granpa" dans la série "The Munsters".

Suzy Elkins and Garry Felton 1985

26 THE HIJACKERS "When I Came Home" (1986)

For Christmas, if you tired off christmas songs, here's a powerfull swedish garage quatuor from back in the Eighties! It's on Super Stuff , the same label than the first Highspeed V single and Mats Kempe of the Highspeed is playing piano on "That's my baby", the best song of the EP, a real screamer! Originally started out in ca 1981 as a punk outfit 77-style with Freddy, Anders, Stefan and others called BSB - Begreppslösa Stefans Band playing fast punk rock. Influenced by the New York Dolls and Johnny Thunders the band joined forces with garage rock guru Tommy Ferdi Andersson and the band went back to the roots of punk rock through pub rock to glam/New York Dolls/ Johnny Thunders to the 60's garage bands 60's soul and further back to country music and rockabilly... The Hijackers also appeared on Raw Cuts 5 compilation in 1987 with " Don't Care", and on A Real Cool Time Revisited compilation in 2010 with When I Get Home. So all in all there where only four songs released by the band. Later, Tommy and Anders played with the band Turpentines - touring Europe. Tommy also later did recordnings with The Nomads and The Hellacopters. Stefan, Freddy, Anders and Mats (and also including late Hijacker member Sarah Englund) played for a while in more pop oriented group Blame signing a publishing deal with Sony/ATV music, but split up shortly after. Back in the days, Lindsay Hutton wrote about them "The Hijackers will banish that post psychedelic depression back into it's garage and nail up the door. The smartest thing to do is to let them take you whereever they want to go" and Miriam Linna also loved their stuff. Super stuff for sure!

Pour Noel, si vous êtes fatigués des chansons de noël, voici un excellent groupe garage suédois des mid 80's! C'est sur Super Stuff, le label du premier single des Highspeed V, d'ailleur on retrouve Mats Kempe de ce groupe au piano sur "That's my Baby", le meilleur morceau du disque. Le groupe débuta en 81 avec BSB, un combo formé de Freddy, Anders et Stefan juant un mélange de pub rock et de rock'n'roll à la Dolls... il furent rejoint par Tommy Ferdi Andersson pour revenir plus au source garage et rockab sous le nom des Hijackers. Ce 3 titres et leur seule trace vinylique mais ils ont également un inédit "Don't Care" sur la compil Raw Cuts 5 et on retrouve "When I Get Home" sur la "Real Cool Time revisited". Après les Hijackers, Tommy et Anders jouèrent avec les Turpentines. Tommy a aussi enregistré avec les Nomads et les Hellacopters. Stefan, Freddy, Anders, Mats et Sara (de la dernière formation des Hijackers) jouèrent aussi dans le combo pop Blame qui signa chez Sony mais sans rien sortir... En 86, Lindsay Hutton écrvait "Les Hijackers vont bannir toute la dépression post-psychédélique dans le garage et bien refermer la porte à clé. La meilleur chose à faire et de les laisser vous emmener là où ils veulent aller!".  Super Stuff, pour sûr!

25. J.D. Buhl & The Believers "Five o Clock World / Do ya Blame me" (1981)

In Pop Word, there are sometimes mysteries, how J.D. Buhl never made it is one of them.In 78, J.D. was working at rasputin records in Berkeley when he joined The Jars a new-wave band one of the very first bands to successfully combine 60s garage and 70s punk, they called it psycho-pop (also one of the first to cover Sonics classic "Psycho"). They played gigs around Bekerley opening fo Roky Erickson, The Angry Samoans or The Flaming Groovies, J.D. left before the release of their 2 classic singles. In 1980, he assembled the Believers and self-released the single "Five O'clock World" with the old Jars tune "Do Ya Blame Me?" on the b-side via his own Driving Records imprint. A side is a cover of The Vogues 60's classic with its irrestitible yoddle chorus. It strangely reminds me the Bruce Joyner's work. B-side is a great original covered this year by Driver (hear it on my new Kind Of Kicks). My single is the uk press on Rag Baby Records and don't have sleeve (had it ever have one?). After a second single (the great "Stay True") and a recommended  album (including the singles but not "Do Ya Blame me"), J.D. Buhl left rock'n'roll for a career in education, he's now english teacher at university of San Francisco. here's some words from an interview by Sam Lefevre (SF Weekly nov 2013): "We were writers, painters, journalists, but of a generation that strove for autonomy and not anarchy." He continues, "There was still a sense of continuity with rock 'n' roll history. The Sex Pistols declared that they were out to destroy rock 'n' roll; we were just trying to scrounge up gigs." "Over the years, I did feel as though my music was lost to history," Buhl says. "It never entered my mind that some kids would cover my single in 2013 and learn it right off the record!"  We could hope new stuff from this great pop writer?!

Dans l'univers de la pop, il y a bien des mystères, le fait que J.D. Buhl n'ai pas dépassé le statut de culte du East bay Punk en est un! En 78, alors qu'il vendait des disques à Rasputin (Bekerley), il rejoint The Jars, un combo local mélangeant les racines garage avec le punk 77 pour créer ce qu'ils définirent comme Psycho-pop (ils furent parmi les premiers à reprendre "Psycho" des Sonics, une curieuse version d'ailleurs). Après de nombreux concerts avec les Groovies, Roky Erikson ou les Angry Samoans, J.D. Buhl quitte le groupe avant l'enregistrement de leurs deux singles. Il monte alors son propre groupe The Believers et enregistre un premier single sur son label"Driving records". La face A est une reprise du classique sixties des Vogues "Five O Clock World" ou l'anachronique Yoddle rencontre la modernité d'une pop new wave. La face B "Do Ya Blame Me", un original de l'époque des Jars vaut aussi le détour dans le genre de hit manqué. Mon disque est le pressage anglais et n'a pas de pochette (?) . Après un second single, l'excellent "Stay True" et un album regroupant les singles et des inédits (mais pas "Do Ya Blame Me"), très recommandable et sorti par chez nous sur Line records, J.D. raccrochera le micro pour aller enseigner la langue de Shakespear, ce qu'il fait toujours à l'université de San Francisco. La reprise de "Do Ya blame me" par Driver (voir My New Kind Of Kicks) l'a sorti de sa retraite comme en témoigne ces quelques mots extraits d'un récent interview par Sam Lefevre de SF Weekly: Nous étions écrivains, peintres, journalistes, mais une génération qui cherchait de l'autonomie pas l'anarchie. Il y a toujours une continuité dans l'histoire du R'n'R, les Pistols déclaraient vouloir détruire le Rock'n'Roll, on essayit juste de décrocher des concerts. Au fil des ans, je pensais que mes disques était perdus pour l'histoire, il ne m'est jamais venu à l'esprit que des kids reprendraient mon single en 2013!". peut-être de quoi reprendre plume et micro?!

24. THE SHIFTERS "Coming Too Fast" (1986)

A promise is a promise... here"s the first single of the french Shifters on Teenage Records. It's produced by
Dick Taylor of Pretty Things fame. It's as good as the second single and you can also trust me and buy the album! "Coming Too Fast" is quite the opposite song of "(I Can't Get) no Satisfaction", if you don't see what I mean, have a look at the cover!

Le premier 45 des Shifters, "Coming Too Fast", le meilleure chanson sur l'éjaculation précoce à ma connaissance! 

Je me souviens des concerts endiablés des toulousains dans quelques bars montpelliérains, de l'humour de Zara et du jeu impressionnant de l'Estebe, je me souviens aussi de leur dernier concert dans une grande salle après la sortie de l'album qui s'était terminé en engueulade entre les différents membre du groupe.... Je me souviens avoir rencontré Thierry, le batteur,  quelques temps après dans un train entre Toulouse et Paris, il m'avait confié avoir monté un nouveau groupe "les Elephants"... quelques mois plus tard, il décrochait la timbale avec No On Is Innocent.....

23. THE SINNERS "Hotshot" 7" + bonus (1986)

Hey Kids. I'm back with a real hotshot specially for your young ears!!

The Sinners, Lund's major contribution to the history of rock'n'roll, started playing in the winter of 1982-83. Prior to the Sinners, the members were involved in various punk and new wave bands without gaining more than local success. The Sinners did their first live appearance in September 1983 when they played support to Wilmer X at Fredman's in Malmö. They've been doing gigs regularly ever since and have secured a position as one of the most exciting bands from southern Sweden. In the very beginning they covered old Nuggets standards, but very soon they begun writing their own material. They released three singles (Open Up Your Door/Echoes (From Your Heart), Won't Be Back and Hotshot/I Won't Take That From You) on their own label Teenage Kicks. In April 1986 the Sinners did their first tour abroad with six successful gigs in France and appeared on French TV and radio. That was during this first french tour that I met The Sinners. On stage it was a real hot band, mixing sisties influences with pub rock in very exciting way. Out of stage, they were kind guys quite surprised by the success of their french tour. 

Here's the third single on their own "Teenage kicks" label, pearhaps the best one with "Hotshot" and ""I Won't Take That From You", two great rockers. And for your patience, I deliver you a rare 2 songs' flexi disc on teenage Kicks with 2 covers "Teenage Letter" and "I Can't Tell"

Hey Kids! Me voilà de retour avec un vrai "coup fumant"  pour vos oreilles sensibles!!

The Sinners, contribution majeure de la ville de Lund en suéde à l'histoire du Rock'n'Roll!

Formé en 1982 par différents membres de groupes punk et new wave, les Sinners firent leur première apparition live en septembre 83 en première partie de Wilmer X à Malmö. A leur débuts, ils se contentaient de faire des reprises de vieux standards ou de titres sixties tirées des Nuggets, à la manière de leurs grands frères des Nomads, mais rapidement ils se mirent à écrire leurs propres compos. les trois premiers singles sortirent sur leur propre label "Teenage Kicks"; celui-ci est le troisième, peut être le meilleur, avec deux titres de première bourre "Hotshot" et 'I Won't Take That From You" et pour le même prix j'y ajoute un rare flexi de la même époque avec un medley "Teenage letter/I Can't tell" qui traduit bien l'énergie des 5 garçons sur scène. Au printemps 86, ils avaient tous embarqués dans une camionette pour une tournée des clubs français. Sur scène, leur mix de'influences sixties et de pub rock était diablement efficace et j'ai le souvenir de gars vraiment cools tout surpris du succès de leurs prestations en France. 

23. THE SHIFTERS "I Close My Eyes/It Could Be So Easy" (1986)

The Shifters were one of the best live act from the mid-eighties, Coming from Toulouse, France, this trio produced a great mix of power-pop and rhythm'blues that could remain the Plimsouls. Saw them many times, back in the time, in small club and it was always great shows! 

They released two singles on the small Tenage Records label, managed by the same guy that Sonics Records but specialized in french bands. This one is the second and is produced by Kid Pharaon, also a great french artist. After those singles, the band became a quatuor and released a good Lp "Lazy and Some kind Of Crazy" but disbanded (Pearhaps, they were more Lazy Than Crazy!!)

De tous les groupes à émerger au milieu des années 80, The Shifters étaient certainement les plus efficaces sur scène avec leur mélange de powerpop et de rythm'n'blues, une sorte de Plimsouls toulousains. Formés autour de Jérome Estèbe, légendaire guitariste de la ville roose (Boom Boom Desperados, Action Shakers), de Zara (Queen Bees, Taxmen) et d'Alain (Batteur remplacé plus tard par Thierry des Boys Scouts), les Shifters se font rapidement une réputation sur scène. Ce single est leur second sur Teenage Records, le label créé par Stephane "Rocky" Saulnier (Manager de Fixed-up, maintenant animateur à Canal +) pour soutenir les jeunes groupes français.Deux titres excellents avec un plus punchy "It Could Be So Easy" et un plus mid tempo "I Close My Eyes". Si, comme moi, vous avez vu les Shifters en concert à l'époque, cela ravivera  certainement d'excellents souvenirs!

22. JAMES BAKER EXPERIENCE "I Can't Control Myself" (1985)

James Baker is a R'n'R legend. He drummed for some of the best band from the aussie scene : The Victims, The Scientist, Early Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, Dubrovniks... Here is the only records he recorded as The James Baker Experience in1985 with the help from friends: Roddy Radalj (Scientists, Gurus, Johnnys, Dubrovniks...), Stu Spasm (Salamender Jim, Lubricated Goat) and Greg "Tex" Perkins (Salamender Jim, Beasts of Bourbon). Geoffrey Stapleton, engineer at the Kings Lane Studio, remembers: "There was more beer consumed during this session than any i've come across before or since. It was a very fun day...from what I can remember...I think it was pretty much live but James definitely did overdub a vocal because I remember he took a short nap in the darkened vocal booth while we were doing the take and we heard him snoring while we rewound the tape. Someone, possibly Tex, went in and prodded him back to consciousness with a drum stick. It was classic!". The result is two great r'n'roll side: "Born To Be Punched" is a parody of Thunders "Born To Lose" and the other side is a great cover of "I Can't Control Myself", not surprising cause James is a Troggs fan. Totally Rock'n'roll, a sort of unwinding after leaving the Gurus who began to have success.

James Baker est une légende vivante de la scène australienne, il a battu pour les meilleurs:
The Victims, The Scientist, Early Hoodoo Gurus, Beast of Bourbon, Dubrovniks... Ce single est le seul enregistrement réalisé en tant que James Baker experience en 85 avec l'aide de quelques amis: Roddy Radalj (Scientists, Gurus, Johnnys, Dubrovniks...), Stu Spasm (Salamender Jim, Lubricated Goat) and Greg "Tex" Perkins (Salamender Jim, Beast of Bourbon). 

Geoffrey Stapleton, l'ingénieur du son se souvient de cette session particulière: " Il y avait plus de bière consommée que je n'en ai jamais vu dans un studio. C'était une journée très fun ... du moins pour ce que je m'en souviens... L'enregistrement était live sauf la voix de James. Je me souviens qu'il a fait une courte sieste dans la cabine de chant alors que nous faisions la prise et on percevait son ronflement sur la prise. Quelqu'un, peut-être Tex, entra et le réveilla à coup de baguette. C'était une session classique!"

Le résultat est pourtant de qualité avec une bonne resprise d'I Can't Control Myself", hommage de Baker à son groupe favoris, les Troggs, et un "Born To Be Punch" parodiant avec classe le "Born To Lose" de Thunders! Cette pièce unique peut-être vu comme le défoulement de Baker après son éviction des Hoodoo Gurus après "Stonage Romeos". Certains des protagonistes se retrouveront ensuite dans les excellents Beasts Of Bourbon ..

21. STUDENT TEACHERS "Easter 78 Halloween 80 EP" (1980)

Student Teachers are best known for their 2 titles on the famous "Marthy thau's presents 2x5" compilation or for their firts single on ORK records (that you can find on the great Shotgun Solution blog HERE). here's their last EP on Not Quite Records with four songs included the great "Invitation To" or "Past Tense". It's the same kind of pop-new wave than on the other recordings. You'll find more infos about the band on their nice site HERE. Student Teachers were just kids having fun playing N.Y.C clubs but their one of my fave band from this N.Y. Post Punk scene (with the Comateens or Justin trouble).

Les Student Teachers sont plus connus pour leur single sur ORK (que vous pouvez retrouver sur l'excellent blog "Shotgun Solution" ICI) et surtout pour les deux titres sur la compil de Marty Thau "2x5". Voici leur dernier EP sur Not Quite records avec 4 chansons dont les excellents "Invitation To" et "P
ast Tense", dans la même veine pop-new wave que les autres enregistrements. pour en savoir plus, je vous renvoie à leur très beau site ICI. Juste 6 gosses réalisant leur rève de jouer au CBGB et autres club new-yorkais mais un de mes groupes favoris de cette scène post-punk de NY (avec les Comateens ou Justin Trouble)

20. DOGS " Secrets" (1984)

 

Hey Kids! I'm back from my holidays in the sun and i've got a new offer for you : "French Kiss Special", only french great rock'n'roll and whoelse to start this serie but DOGS, "the most forgotten french boys" and one of my fave bands from all time. This single is from 1984 and you can find two versions of the same song "Secrets" from the "Legendary Lovers" lp but one version is in english (as on the album) and the other is in French. By that time, record companies used to think that french bands had to sing in french to reach success... 

Ce post inaugure une nouvelle série consacrée aux groupes français en commençant par le plus mytique de tous, les Dogs et leur 45t de 84 avec deux versions de "Secrets" en français et en anglais. A l'époque, Epic pensait que, en chantant en français, Dominique Laboubée et sa bande avait plus de change de décrocher un tube. Bien que préférant le chant en anglais, Dominique accepta de faire deux singles en français, celui-ci et "Mon coeur bât encore". On connait la suite, les Dogs ne décrochèrent pas la timbale et demeurèrent ce groupe culte et exceptionnel en live. 

Au passage je ne saurais que vous conseiller le bouquin de Catherine Laboubée sur l'histoire des Dogs vue de l'intérieur. Loin des mythes Rock'n'roll, on y découvre la longue carrière du groupe à travers des anecdotes et témoignages sur la vie au jour le jour d'un rock band et de nombreux documents d'époques (photos, chronique). Les gens qui comme moi ont vécu cette époque y retrouveront beaucoup de bons (et de moins bons) souvenirs...

 

19. SILVERTONE STEVE "Jeff"s Boogie/Yardbird Blues" (1981)

Star-Rythm was one of the best Boston area's independant record label in the early 80's. Directed by dave Pierce, the label released only a few records but in its discography, you'll find some of the best stuff from bosstown roc'n'roll (The Dawgs, The Real Kids, Taxi Boys, The Last Ones...). Here's the first single ever issued on Star-Rythme, it's a single of Silvertone Steve, a blues leftt guitar player who played with rockabilly pioneer Sleepy Labeef or boogie king Cub Koda. It's not really the same style than the later issues by Star-Rythm but it's a cool roots record where you can feel that Steve is a big Beck's fan, the two tunes are covers of Yardbirds "Jeff's Boogie" and Elmore James "Yardbird Blues" (from where the Yardbirds name came).

Dans la région de Boston, au début des eighties, il y avait quelques labels indépendants de qualité, Star-rythm était l'un d'eux. Dirigé par Dave Pierce, il édita peu de disques, mais on retrouve parmi ses références la crème du Boston Rock (Dawgs, Real Kids, Taxi-Boys, Last-Ones). Ce single est la première référence du label, présentant deux instrumentaux par Silvertone Steve, un guitariste de blues gaucher qui joua notamment avec Sleepy LaBeef ou Cub Koda. Sur ces deux titres il rend hommage à son héro Jeff Beck avec des reprises roots du "Jeff's Boogie" des Yardbirds et de "Yardbird Blues" d'Elmore James (dont les Yardbirds tirèrent leur nom...). Pas vraiment le même genre que les références suivantes du label, mais ça mérite d'y jeter une oreille.

Star Rythm Discography

18. THE PANDORAS "Hot Generation/You Don't Satisfy" (1984)

Here's the classic second Pandora's single on Voxx Records. It includes two great 80's garage top tunes. A side is the classic "Hot Generation", a great cover of aussie garage-surfers The Sunsets (also covered by Yhe 54 nude Honeys in tribute to the Pndoras). B-side is a original composition "You Don't satisfy" in wich Paula Pierce wants more from her boyfriend! The  photo on the front cover shows the great paisley bikinis collection of the band! This is certainly The Pandora's at their best in their revival garage period. the two songs are from the sessions that were to be their second album on Voxx. They are also  included on the CD release of "It's About Time." The line up for this release: Paula Pierce (guitar, vocals), Julie Patchouli (bass) who left the band soon after that and played with Bruce Joyner, Melanie Vammen (keyboards) and Karen Blankfeld (drums), both on "Stop Pretending".

C'est le second single des Pandoras sur Voxx records, le label garage de greg Shaw. On y retrouve deux excellents titres, la reprise du "Hot Generation"  des surfeurs australiens The Sunsets (également repris par 54 Nude Honeys en hommage aux Pandoras) et le très 80's Garage "You Don't Satisfy" dans lequel Paula Pierce réclame un peu d'effort de la part de son boyfriend! ces deux titres proviennent des sessions du second album des Pandoras sur Voxx qui ne vit jamais le jour. On y retrouve les Pandoras au sommet de leur période Garage. la pochette mérite aussi le détour pour la collection de bikinis paisley. le line up du groupe est Paula Pierce, Julie Patchouli à la basse qui quitta le groupe peut après et joua avec Bruce Joyner, mélanie Vammen (orgue) et Karen Blankfield) que l'on retrouve sur "Stop Pretending"

  "Hot generation" clip from the Los Angeles cable show "L.A. IN

The original by The Sunsets

17. NERVOUS EATERS "Loretta/Rock With Me" (1976)

In 76 , London was'nt the center of the r'n'r world, neither NY or L.A., the hotter place was actually Boston, and the Nervous Eaters were one of those amazing bands that rocked the Rat Club with DMZ, The Real Kids.... The band issued 2 singles on the legendary Rat records label. This one is the first and includes the eaters classic "Loretta" wich was so much essential in the genesis of the Boston sounds of band like The Dawgs, The Last Ones, The Varmints or even the Del Fuegos, the B side is a more stones influenced mid tempo "Rock with me" wich sounds very like Willie Loco even if Steve Cataldo denied "I think we had more of an effect on Willie than he had on us...". While most often the punkier second single "Just Head/Get stuffed" is prefered, "Loretta" is my favourite one. I even like the poppier version on the Elektra lp ... without forget the Fools cover wich hit the charts in germany (The Fools was a Boston band in wich Cataldo had played before they get a small radio hit with the hilarious cover of Talking Heads "Psycho Killer" renamed "Psycho Chicken").

The two Rat records legendary singles were re-released by Penniman Records which also issued a great comp of the 4 tunes and unreleased material with a great booklet. You can get all that stuff THERE!

En 76, Londres n'était pas le centre du monde, ni NY ou LA, la ville la plus chaude était assurément Boston et les Nervous Eaters étaint un de ces groupes exceptionnels qui mettaient le feu au légendaire Rat Club: DMZ, Real Kids... Le groupe réalisa 2 singles sur le label Rat Records. Celui-ci est le premier avec le classic des Eaters "Loretta" qui influença le son de Boston pendant longtemps , des Dawgs au Del Fuegos. La face B est un mid-tempo plus influencé par les Stones et surtout par Willie Loco Alexander même si Steve Cataldo s'en défend. Le second single est souvent préféré avec les plus punk "Just Head" et "Get Stuffed" mais "Loretta" demeure ma chanson préférée des Nervous Eaters même dans sa version plus aseptisée de l'album Elektra. Le titre fut repris également par les Fools, un groupe de Boston dans lequel joua un temps Cataldo et qui connu un succès éphémère en reprenant le "Psycho Killer" des Talking Heads sous le titre "Psycho Chicken"...ah ces Boston Boyz....

Les deux singles ont été réédités pas Penniman records qui a aussi sorti une compil avec des inédits d'époque et un livret très complet. En vente ICI.

Ne reculant devant aucun sacrifice nous vous proposons une "Loretta" Battle:

16. THE TRYFLES "Your Lies/When I see These Guy" ( 1985)

In the early 80's New-York new garage scene was very active and the 3 main bands "Outta Place", "The Fuzztones" and  "The Tryfles" had their records issued on the same label, DJ Martignon's Midnight Records.

The Tryfles were John Fay (who played also in an early formula of Outta Place), Peter Stuart Kohman, Ellen O"neil et Lesya Karpilov. It was a geat live band, playing main venues in NY. they signed with Midnight and made one LP (that you can find on the great Twilightzone blog THERE) and this single in 85. The band dismissed before the single was out as recalls Fay "the single was released seven month after we did the master I never could figure out why there was such a delay. perhaps the band might have survived if it hat some product". It's good type of 80's revival garage even if it's less wild than Outta Place of the early Fuzztones and more psyche. 

You can read more about the Midnight Records'story on Bananas Magazine HERE.

La scene garage new-yorkaise du début des 80's était très active avec des groupes comme Outta Place, The Fuzztones et The Tryfles, qui tous enregistrèrent pour le label du français DJ Martignon exilé à NY, Midnight Records. Les Tryfles étaient composés de John Fay, un vieux  pote de Elan Portnoy des 'Tones et de Jordan Tarlow d'Outta Place, de Peter Suart Kohman, Ellen O'Neil et Lesya Karpilov. réputés pour leurs prestations scéniques, les Tryfles signèrent sur Midnight pour qui ils enregistrèrent un album (que vous trouverez ICI) et ce single qui sortit après le split du groupe en 85. Les deux titres, moins sauvages que leurs compagnons d'écuries Outta Place ou Fuzztones, demeurent des classiques de revival garage un brin psyché.

15. THE REAL KIDS "All Kindsa Girls" Star Rythm 7" (1981)

OK... htis is the REAL STUFF! The kind of record you would take with you if your house was burnin down! This ain't the legendary Sponge records original issue but it's the american one on the great Star Rythm label and it's the full lenght recording of "All Kinsa Girls" and, as I'm concerned, this song is one of the best rock'n'roll songs ever wrote!! On B side is the great mid-tempo Common at Noon also typically Boston sound ... Imagine what those 4 guys have played  from The Real Kids to the Taxi Boys, The Lyres, The Classic-ruins, The Nervous Eaters, The Varmints ....

OK... Cette fois, c'est du lourd, le genre de galette à emporter le jour ou la maison brûle. D'accord, ce n'est pas le légendaire single Sponge, le label du non moins légendair Phil Garnier, mais c'est la version US sur Star Rythm, autre label non moins légendaire, avec en plus la version non coupée de "All Kindsa Girls" qui supporte aisément ses 4:48 de pur bohneur, une des meilleurs Rock song de tous les temps, à mon humble avis. La face B est l'excellente balade "Common at Noon" très "Willie Locotesque". Les 4 garçons sur la couverture jouèrent dans la fine fleur du Boston Rock des Real Kids aux Lyres en passant par les Taxi Boys, les Nervous Eaters, les Varmints at autres Classic Ruins.

Don't Forget you still can buy this single with another cover and many more great stuff on Norton: HERE.