Bargain



There are a lot of things I like about this record. For a start there’s the synthy/new wavey/power poppy A-side. Then there’s the wonderful instrumental B-side which, just when you think it’s going to just repeat the same riff all the way through, goes into a sparkly bridge/middle eight before the wordless vocal in the final verse almost takes it into ‘Telstar’ territory. I strongly urge you to listen to both sides of this 45.


Best of all it only cost me £1 at a record fair last May. I love a bargain. It was almost like the old days when I would take a gamble on a single because it looked like the sort of thing I might like.

I’m pretty sure this single represents the entire recorded output of The Corvettes which is a shame.

The Corvettes - Love To Hate You (1980)

The Corvettes - Heartbeat (1980)

Penny Heathcote - Vocals
Robyn Banks - Keyboards
Blotto Williams - Bass
Mike Stand - Drums
Jeremy King – Guitar

For more info on the Corvettes check out this website on the Brighton punk scene.

P.S. I know it's been a while but so please leave a comment so I know you're all still out there.

Cedric Sharpley

Just heard the sad news that Cedric Sharpley, drummer of Tubeway Army and Dramatis has died. I really liked his style. To put it bluntly he made some of Gary Numan's more dirgey efforts listenable.

Love Dance

Sheffield band Vision's only UK chart hit (plus b-side), No 74 in July 1983. It's classic 80s synth music but you get the feeling as it fades out that you've listened to half of a really good 12-inch single. I'll probably be buying the 12-inch in the coming weeks so stay tuned and we'll see if I'm right.

Vision - Love Dance (1983)
Vision - Vision (1983)

Mystery

If I see an interesting looking single from the late 70s/early 80s that I’ve never heard for the right price I take a punt. That’s how I got today’s offering. I’d never heard of Scarlett Von Vollenman and Google didn’t help much. There’s a Scarlett Von Wollenmann who sang backing for Kissing the Pink and had some sort of car accident in the 90s that left her in a wheelchair who may or may not be the same person. Anyone out there know?

As for the record, I think it would have gone down well on alternative night in the clubs back in 1981. If you like Hypnotised try the b-side. It’s pretty much more of the same.

Scarlett Von Vollenman – Hypnotised (1981)
Scarlett Von Vollenman – Warm Love (1981)

Friday treat

Somehow I missed this back in 1979 despite the fact it got to No 28 and the band appeared on Top of the Pops. I stumbled on it whilst messing around on Youtube a few weeks ago and I had to have it. This copy, still in its HMV shrink wrap cost me just 99p from Ebay. It’s a sort of mutant Blondie with nice Mick Glossop production.

The Doll - Desire Me (Extended Version) (1979)

Some classic synthpop to reboot the blog

Did you know that after Sailor George Kajanus went all Buggles on us and made some great synthpop? Listen to this:

Data - Fever of Love (1981)

My comparison doesn't do it justice. It is Buggles-ish but much better.

Intermission

As you have no doubt noticed this blog is in the middle of a summer break. I’ve been finding it hard to find the time or inclination to blog since returning from Scotland way back in June. This lethargy coupled with having to deal with three kids on their summer holiday means thing are not likely to improve in the immediate future.

Normal service will be resumed…one day…probably.

Meanwhile, for your enjoyment here’s Bill Nelson playing ‘For Stuart’ at his recent ‘Legends’ show at Metropolis studios. The Stuart in question is Stuart Adamson of The Skids and Big Country.