Elastica Liberty Lunch SXSW Festival Austin Texas 17th March 1995

 

Earlier this week I posted the following on Facebook.

"I noticed recently that I was seeing quite a few Elastica posts turning up on my Facebook feed. Couldn't be a reformation I thought, although a return after 30 years would be in keeping with the sense of urgency in the band. No, the increased traffic would appear to be linked to the upcoming deluxe reissue of the first album, 31 years on. This must have been one of the last vinyl albums that I bought back in March 1995 (before resuming two or three years ago) with the catalogue insert (after the 'Kings of the Wild Frontier' album). Such a great album, even if a tad derivative of other bands' material in parts!

I was also reminded of the fact that at around the time of the release of 'Connection', Gunta decided that she wanted more than anything to be in Elastica! She is still waiting for the call..."

The reissue is something to look forward to and I may even go for the T shirt too!

As a reminder of just how good they were back when the music press deemed Elastica to be the coolest band that Cool Britannia had to offer, here is a great 'first album recording' from Austin, Texas. Undisputedly, many of their songs did not attempt to hide the inspiration behind their composition.... 'Waking Up' (The Stranglers), 'Line Up' (Wire), 'Vaseline' (Blondie), 'S.O.F.T.' (Adam & The Ants)..., they had so much good material. As I remember, in the legal dispute with The Stranglers over similarities between 'Waking Up' and 'No More Heroes' it was the publishers who went after the money whilst the band remained in the background, even publicly stating something along the lines that 'mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery'.

For me, whilst Brit Pop offered something great in comparison with the utterly disposable music that was filling the charts at the time, it was in itself rather contrived. The media set up rivalry between Mancunian swaggerers, Oasis, and mockney scamps, Blur, was a blatant attempt to recreate the Beatles Stones face offs from the 1960's, the previous occasion when a British 'music scene' had garnered the interest of America, being the best known example of biz interference. 

Aside from record company self-interest, Brit Pop did for a very short period appear to be a mirror held up to reflect a positive version of Britain. Of all the bands lumped into the scene, for me it was Elastica and that first eponymous album that represented Brit Pop's finest moment, this ultimate 'girl band' (in the same way that The Slits even with Budgie can't escape the label!) had the most verve and attitude of them all (more so than Oasis!).

Thanks to the original Dime uploader, markp.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-NoLaEXDODKdMcG0L

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-Z9iwAUL7jgk1EuQ2

VK Club Brussells 14th October 1995

 

Thirty years no less since this one was recorded. An anniversary upload for Brussels for you here tonight and it doesn't sound too bad. The set here is perhaps a little uninspiring with the execption of that most elusive of Stranglers tunes 'English Towns' and the wonderful as ever 'Let Me Introduce You To The Family'.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-DwZc8OLUKo

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-GPvTHyDKka

Echobelly John Peel Session BBC Radio 1 1st April 1995

 

Another strong band to emerge at that time were Echobelly. They were reasonably prolific, releasing two studio albums  between 1994 and 1995, but they seemingly only recorded one session for John Peel. And here it is featuring two songs from the second album 'On' and two songs, 'Tarantino' and 'Way Too', that to the best of my knowledge were exclusive to that session.

Echobelly were anoother great example of a band where the ladies were once in the forefront of rock 'n' roll, with or without guitars.

A recording of the band live in Brighton the previous year can be located here.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-ESqXfm1CRT

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-6uD48Tm3vg

Supergrass BBC Radio Sessions 1994 - 1995

 

Another favourite of mine from this time were Supergrass. This was on the strength initially of hearing Steve Lamacq playing 'Caught By The Fuzz' on Radio 1 before Blur came on at their gig at Aston Villa Leisure Centre (see forthcoming post). The song was instantly catchy, but unlike some of those instantly accessible songs that I mentioned in an earlier post, I have never tired of 'Caught By The Fuzz'. 

I tried to get a ticket to see them at the next London gig they were playing, if I remember correctly it was supporting Shed Seven, but the gig was sold out so I had to wait a couple of months before they played at the London Astoria (their first headline tour). They were brilliant, playing with a vigour that can only come from youth (and try as they might most of the bands that I was into could not muster such energy!).

Supergrass went on to enjoy a good level of success and have too done the reformation thing. Take a listen to the Wingmen's rendition of 'Pumping On Your Stereo' on the recently uploaded gig from the O2 Islington, a nod of appreciation to touring keys man, Rob Coombes.

Here is a brief collction of early session tracks recorded for the BBC.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-exBeHi78m1

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pJLieREyTP

Sleeper 'Sound City '95' Anson Rooms Bristol 20th April 1995

 

Another set from BBC Radio 1's 'Sound City '95' Festival that saw Sleeper grace the stage of the Anson Rooms in the fine city of Bristol. Another debut album I bought at the time. It's good but I always had a bit of an issue with singer Louise Wener's breathy delivery of the material... but hey what do I know.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-gbSk2zGlxc

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-8aSv4F7GuN

Elastica 'Sound City '95' Anson Rooms Bristol 18th April 1995

 

For me, Elastica were the pick of the Britpop crop... and until last year one of the last new bands that I really got into (the reputation that I have of being stuck in a musical rut that started in 1977 and ended in about 1985 does have an element of truth about it!). This recording of the band from BBC Radio 1's 'Sound City '95' festival catches the band in Bristol less than a month after the release of their first album. I think that the Anson Rooms is/was the Student Union venue of Bristol University, but here I could be wrong.

This gig has appeared on a couple of bootleg CDs but this version is as I recorded it off the radio. 

Elastica then, utterly derivative and so much the better for that. Listen to the first album to hear one that sounds like Blondie, one that sounds like Wire, one that sounds like Adam and the Ants and one that is a little similar to the Stranglers it was said.

Their candle burned brighty but for a short period of time. They lost momentum as a result of a five year gap before the follow up album was released, in which time things had moved on... and the second album was nowhere near as strong as the first.

Elastica have not reformed. There was some talk a few years ago of a reformation, albeit without Justine Frischmann, but it came to nothing... which is probably for the best. Better that they be remembered for the their brief flash of brilliance that illuminated an otherwise dark and dreary music scene.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-vrnnH0RVYb

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-utmfiwSbpd

Britpop - The Last Great British Music 'Scene'?

 

Right, please bear with me. The following posts are brought to you as a consequence of sorting through a couple of hundred old cassettes and salvaging some of what I found on them. 

For me, most of the music that I heard in the 1990's was horrible. The Stranglers sounded nothing like The Stranglers and you only have to watch one of the Friday night BBC 2 Top of the Pops episodes from that decade to realise just how formulaic and instantly forgettable chart music had become. Then there emerged a handful of bands that dismissed electronica, preferring to revert to guitar, drum and bass. This back to basics approach to music looked backwards towards the happening bands of the sixties, The Small Faces, The Kinks and The Who, not to mention The Beatles. Just as the music brought back a sixties feel, fashion followed suit too. The nostalgic resonnance of the music and fashion created an easy label for the bands that the music press lumped in to a scene... Britpop.

Other parallels with an earlier age followed. The rivallry between The Stones and The Beatles was recreated for a new generation of record buyers (make that CDs) as members of Blur and Oasis entered into regular slanging matches. Such was the media hype around this rivallry that it culminated in a race to the number one slot when Blur and Oasis released 'Country House' and 'Roll With It' respectively... neither of which represented the best of either band. The race, which Blur won, was the top item on news programmes across UK TV channels on the evening when the new chart was announced. Now even on a slow news day that seems to be a bit over the top!

I am not saying that Britpop was brilliant, but for the first time in years there was something more meaningful to hear in the UK music mainstream. And like punk before it, it has endured. The response to the reformation of Oasis was overwhelming (not to mention overstretching in terms of ticket prices) and Blur have periodically reformed and are capable of selling out large venues. Pulp and Suede too have done the reformation thing too and had a good response. 

So here then is a handful of the Britpop that I didn't mind. Then, normal service will be resumed I promise.

Various TV Appearances 1985 - 1995

 

Here's another DVD compilation pulled out from the obscurity of the box of unloved/unfiled discs. A mix of Mk I and II here. Highlights are reasonable quality (i.e. transfers from contemporary VHS recordings rather than pristine digital repeats) appearances on the Kids TV programme No.73 ('Let Me Down Easy'/'Uptown') and Cheggars Plays Pop with the band appearing with 'Nice In Nice'. Nice to see Supergran giving it some in the former clip!

DVD disc image: https://we.tl/t-rzemr1YEkP

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-yhTZYJbTIQ

This Is Britpop At The BBC

 

A bit of a departure here for which I make no apologies. I am of an awkward age. Too young for punk in its prime, I saw those bands either late in the day or at the point that their initial animosities had sufficiently abated to allow them one again to share the same stage. In between there was a musical vacuum in the UK. Just horrible.

That changed a bit in 1994/95 with the appearance of a number of young bands that put guitar, drum and bass at the forefront of their material once more. The music press ever keen to pigeonhole a scene labelled these bands Britpop and the rest is history.

For my part there was one band that got my pulse racing and that was Elastica. I loved them, the sheer neck of the band! Listen to most bands and you can recognise their influences. With Elastica, it was possible to take that to the next level... influence per song. But no matter, they were just brilliant. They had it all, the look, the sound and the attitude. 'Martens and leggings' in Owen's words!

In some ways, Britpop was the next 'punk' revolution... like its older '77 cousin, it was intense, much hyped in the press and very short lived. And yet, as was the case with punk, most of the bands involved are viewed 30 years on with great affection.

The eagle eyed amongst you may well spot an honorary Wingman.

DVD Image: https://we.tl/t-AQCc8kTcdh

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-RSl9wsEok5

De Montfort University Leicester 30th November 1995

 

One from the Winter tour of 1995 here. A good one for fans of the 'About Time' album.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-LEGaZk9UaF

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-3VRKX5l30s

01. Genetix
02. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
03. Golden Boy
04. Straighten Out
05. Paradise Row
06. Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
07. Money
08. Goodbye Toulouse
09. European Female
10. And The Boat Sails By
11. Princess Of The Street
12. Still Life

01. Laughing At The Rain
02. Sinister
03. 96 Tears
04. Let Me Introduce You To The Family
05. All Day And All Of The Night
06. Duchess
07. Nuclear Device
08. Something Better Change
09. Never To Look Back
10. Hanging Around
11. English Towns
12. No More Heroes

Subway Karlsruhe Germany 17th November 1995

 

I had a recent request for an upload of the 'About Time' gig at Rock City in Nottingham. I would happily oblige were I to have it. If anyone is happy to send it to me I will be pleased to add it to the site. 

Here's a substitute from Germany.

Whilst searching on line for suitable images to use for artwork purposes I am constantly amused that the arguments of Hugh versus Paul as vocalist or Baz versus Hugh as guitarist/vocalist still have legs!

I would just say all opinions are valid (I am one of the most opinionated people that I know on a multitude of subjects!). My recommendation is to take what you enjoy and appreciate it, at the same time keep the stuff that does not float your particular boat at arms length for the benefit of the appreciators. The career of The Stranglers is a little bit like European history with ample room for Reformations, Renaissances and Enlightenments.... and the occasional Inquisition!

Thanks to Alarmfan, the original Dime uploader.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-0JZy1or1jN

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-P99zWkJotZ

Elastica On TV In 1995 DVD

 Here's a DVD compilation that I put together many moons ago of Elastica's TV appearances that I had gathered throughout 1995. I am ashamed to say that they were one of the last new bands that I got into (nearly 30 years ago!). I quite liked a few of the Britpop bands, they were certainly a breath of fresh air in a musical environment that favoured instantly forgettable acts that could make someone a quick buck before they moved on to another short lived money spinner. The songs of Blur, Oasis and Pulp have endured for all of that time, surely testament to quality song writing. However, it was Elastica for me all the way. Their songs were great, if not perhaps totally their own! Listen to the first album and you can tell what album was sitting on Justine's turn table at the time, be it Wire, Adam & The Ants, Buzzcocks or even The Stranglers.

Look closely on the 'Later' footage and you may spot a short critter in shorts and a Raven T-shirt!

DVD Iso: https://we.tl/t-Kf4GpoCFLG

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-9qM6qADkb8

Liverpool Royal Court 10th June 1995

 

This one is fulfilling a request and thanks to Malcolm769 for the original upload. This sees the band poll into Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre on the 'About Time' tour in the summer of 1995.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-C1dYveCBcS

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-0wzBBYTXOf

01. (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
02. Golden Boy
03. Bring On The Nubiles
04. Money
05. Nice'N'Sleazy
06. Face
07. Golden Brown
08. Paradise Row
09. Laughing At The Rain
10. Straighten Out
11. Still Life
12. Lies And Deception
13. Goodbye Toulouse
14. Sinister
15. 5 Minutes
16. Something Better Change
17. Duchess
18. Nuclear Device
19. Go Buddy Go
20. All Day And All Of The Night
21. English Towns
22. Choosey Susie
23. No More Heroes

Europe 1 Top Live French Radio 22nd May 1995

 

This is a great one for fans of 'About Time' era Stranglers. This is a radio broadcast of the band's appearance on the major French radio station Europe 1, promoting the release of the aforementioned album. The quality of the recording is great to boot.

MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-eGmpMihlUF

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-I52S8lVior

01. Still Life

02. Face

03. Interview

04. All Day & All Of The Night

05. DJ

06. Always The Sun

07. Sinister

08. Interview

09. Lies & Deception

10. Golden Boy

Ramones Top of The Pops UK TV 29th June 1995

 

Joey Ramone in the Top of the Pops Studio

(Broadcast 29th June 1995)

Da Brudders back in the UK in the Summer of 1995 promoting the final 'Adios Amigos' album. This appearance as I recall was something of a rarity for the show as very few bands had ever been afforded the opportunity to play two songs on the same show. The Beatles did it once, plus one other.... and The Ramones did it with this back to back performance/mime to 'I Don't Wanna Grow Up' and 'Cretin Family'.

Some criticize the band as being one dimensional and perhaps that could be leveled at them towards the end, although personally I thought that their mid career early '80's efforts were the problem rather than what came later. The fact is that the band were iconic and love 'em or hate 'em they inspired just as many young people in the UK to form a band as the Pistols did. 

If you haven't seen it I would recommend that you watch 'The End of the Century' documentary on the band. On the strength of that it is a wonder that they managed to achieve anything let alone some of punk's finest moments!

Johnny and CJ Ramone in the Top of the Pops Studio

(Broadcast 29th June 1995)

DVD disc image: https://we.tl/t-2qwIfIz9Zj

01. I Don't Wanna Grow Up

02. Cretin Family

CJ Ramone in the Top of the Pops Studio

(Broadcast 29th June 1995)

The Specials Gino Stockholm 2nd March 1995

The Specials were back in 1995 with a band centered around a core of Neville, Horace and Roddy. I saw them at The Mean Fiddler in North London at the time. As I recall vocal duties were shared between Neville and Roddy. Whilst it was great to hear the early songs again and see those musicians performing together again, the project lacked an edge and Today's Specials were largely ignored and soon became yesterday's news.

FLAC: https://we.tl/t-vb51fzNIx3

01. Guns Of Navarone
02. (Dawning of A) New Era
03. Rat Race
04. It's Up to You
05. Man at C & A
06. Pressure Drop
07. Message to You Rudy
08. Too Much Too Young
09. Concrete Jungle
10. Gangsters
11. Monkey Man
12. Nite Klub
13. Ghost Town

Town And Country Club Leeds 7th June 1995

Here's one from the 20th Anniversary Tour.

MP3 as received: https://we.tl/Ip8j0FrPxw

01. Waltzinblack
02. Grip
03. Golden Boy
04. Bring on The Nubiles
05. Money
06. Nice 'n' Sleazy
07. Face
08. Golden Brown
09. Paradise Row
10. Laughing At The Rain
11. Straighten Out
12. Still Life
13. Lies And Deception
14. Goodbye Toulouse
15. Sinister
16. 5 Minutes
17. Something Better Change
18. Duchess
19. Nuclear Device
20. Go Buddy Go
21. All Day And All Of The Night
22. English Towns
23. Thrown Away
24. Hanging Around

Adam Ant Shepherds Bush Empire 22nd March 1995

Following on from my Dave Barbarossa plug, I thought that I would put this up. In 1995 Adam announced a tour to promote his then new album 'Wonderful', these were the first shows in the UK for some considerable time. I don't think that I would be courting controversy if I said that at this time Adam was a little flaky. After a handful of dates, the remainder of the tour was cancelled with Adam citing exhaustion as the reason. I went to one of the Shepherds Bush dates, could have been this one or the one on the following night, I don't recall and I can't locate the ticket stub.

This excellent quality recording must have come from Dime as the set is not complete with live those tracks that appeared as part of the 'Gotta Be A Sin' CD singles are cut (in accordance with Dime policy). It's a shame as among those tracks are some of the best that the original Ants recorded. The omitted tracks are:

Cleopatra
Beat My Guest
Red Scab
Desperate But Not Serious
Car Trouble
Physical

Nevertheless, on the surviving set there are some early classics such as Kick! Christian D'ior and Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face) plus a handful of Kings tracks.

FLAC: https://we.tl/kJCmmys2bJ
Artwork: https://we.tl/9xg9J7nq7H

01. Wonderful
02. Alien
03. Vive Le Rock
04. Never Trust A Man (With Egg On His Face)
05. Gotta Be A Sin
06. Beautiful Dream
07. Room At The Top
08. Man Called Marco
09. Kings Of The Wild Frontier

01. Stand & Deliver
02. Vampires
03. Ants Invasion
04. Killer In The Home
05. Ant Music
06. Audience
07. Goody Two Shoes
08. Kick!
09. Band Introduction
10. Christian D'ior
11.20th Century Boy

Elastica 'Brighton Rocks' at The Zap Club 6th September 1995

I never need too much of an excuse to post an Elastica gig no matter how brief. This is from the same celebration of Brit Pop that the Echobelly set came from, namely the BBC Radio 1 hosted 'Brighton Rocks' Festival.

FLAC: http://we.tl/u1W1YqBYUT

01. Spastica
02. Connection
03. Line Up
04. 2:1
05. See That Animal
06. S.O.F.T.
07. Car Song
08. Rockunroll
09. Never Here
10. Stutter

Echobelly The Zap Club Brighton 5th September 1995

Here's a short but sweet set from the time when Brit Pop ruled the word for a few months. Recorded as part of the 'Brighton Rocks' Festival hosted by BBC Radio 1 in September 1995, other bands from the scene also played, notably Elastica and Menswear.

The Zap Club was a great little venue tucked into the arches under the promenade of Brighton sea front.

This one is especially for Nick and Graham who earlier this week, upon discovering that they were both going to see the band in October, manhugged with such gusto that it nearly brought a tear to the eye!

FLAC: http://we.tl/36XDlZUzrl

Artwork: http://we.tl/GUUYJYRO7B

01. Intro (Steve Lamacq)
02. Today Tomorrow Sometime Never
03. Close .... But
04. Insomniac
05. I Can’t Imagine The World Without Me
06. Cold Feet Warm Heart