In compiling the playlists I have been posting since the beginning of the year, I have listened to a lot of what could be considered Britpop. Even though the term was an invention of the media to describe the musical landscape of the mid 90s, a lot of the bands that featured in it shared a few characteristics. These included being influenced by British music of the 60s and 70s, distancing themselves (at least initially) from US grunge music, championing the working class and for the most part, were guitar bands.
However, not all was what it would seem and delving into the murky depths of the B-Sides revealed there was an attempt to appeal to clubbers and dance music. Not everyone got in on the act with Oasis being one such act who avoided a dance remix. This did not stop most of the others joining in, including Suede who enlisted Brian Eno to remix their song ‘Introducing The Band’, but as this was included on the ‘Lost Lullabies’ compilation from a few months back, I decided to not put it here as well. There are also a couple of acts that would not be described as Britpop (e.g. Paul Weller and Portishead) but all of these recordings came out in the era so, like the other volumes in the Britpop Years series, I feel that they can have a home here.
Disc 1
Wide Open Space (Perfecto Remix) – Mansun
Govinda (Monkey Mafia Ten To Ten) – Kula Shaker
The Man Don’t Give A Fuck (Howard Marks Mix)
He’s On The Phone (Motif 8 Remix) – St Etienne
Nighthood (Freaky Aspirin Remix) – Space
Daydreamer (Dubdreamer) – Menswear
Sun Hits The Sky (Bentley Rhythm Ace Remix) – Supergrass
I Don’t Get Enough (PMFF Lite) (Went Down to ‘Frisco Just for the Disco Mix) – Theaudience
Sleeper (The Mr Scruff Mix) – Audioweb
Found You (Underground Excursion Mix) – Dodgy
Disc 2
Jailbird (Sweeney 2 Mix) – Primal Scream
You Showed Me (Attica Blues Vocal Mix) – The Lightning Seeds
Begging You (Chic Mix) – The Stone Roses
Girls & Boys (Pet Shop Boys 7” Remix) – Blur
Science (Lynch Mob Remix) – Paul Weller
Sour Times (Airbus Reconstruction) – Portishead
Hallo Spaceboy (Pet Shop Boys Remix) – David Bowie
Wog (Witchmann Alternative Mix) – Cornershop
Mulder & Scully (The Ex-Files) – Catatonia
Kelly’s Heroes (The Milky Bar Kid Mix) – Black Grape
Here Comes the Big Rush (Midfield General Vocal Remix) – Echobelly
Everything Is Sorrow (Granby Remix) – The Boo Radleys
I am a couple of days early with this one but on 11th May 1979, The Cure released their debut album, ’Three Imaginary Boys’. The members of this first line up had all attended Notre Dame Middle School in Crawley and first appeared on stage together in a one-off school band called Obelisk. Eventually settling down into a four piece called Easy Cure consisting of Robert Smith (guitar, vocals), Porl Thompson (guitar), Michael Dempsey (bass) and Lol Tolhurst (drums). Entering and winning a competition that resulted in the band being signed to German label Hansa, a number of demos were recorded which have yet to see the light of day. The label soon dropped the band because they did not see eye to eye on what they wanted. The band wanted to record original material where as the label wanted them to be a covers band. Released from their contract, Thompson would leave due to conflict with Smith. Smith felt that Thompson’s guitar playing was too busy (or too good) for a punk band. Smith was also writing songs that were considerably more minimalistic than their earlier work. Thompson would rejoin the band in 1983 but for the time being, he was out of the picture.
Dropping the Easy part of the name, the three piece recorded a demo at Chestnut Studios in Essex for distribution to record labels. Eventually, Chris Parry at Polydor decided that he would sign them as one of the first acts on his newly formed Fiction label. The resulting album, ‘Three Imaginary Boys’ did not meet Robert Smith’s standard as he was not given control over the track listing and cover art. This is clearly shown by the inclusion of a cover of the Jimi Hendrix song, ‘Foxy Lady’, which the band used as a soundcheck. As far as I can tell, it is the only cover the band has ever released on one of its records. It also has the distinction of being the only song by The Cure that was not sung by Robert Smith. On this occasion, bass player Michael Dempsey took on vocal duties. Three singles were also recorded during these early days and none of the A-Sides appeared on this album. Dempsey would leave before the recording of the next album as the band would leave this post punk sound behind and go on a much darker path.
The album has been re-released many times over the years but in 2004, a deluxe edition came out which contained a number of unreleased songs from those early days as well as the aforementioned single cuts*. Having been a bit of a Cure fan, and even more so of their earlier work, I knew that there was a number of songs that could have been included to round this collection out and make it more substantial. With this being (nearly) the 45th Anniversary of its release, I though this would be a perfect opportunity to do so.
On disc 1, the first twelve tracks are the same as the original album. We then have all of the Single A and B-Sides, including those recorded at the time but not released until ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ was rereleased with a different vocal in the mid 80s. This disc also includes a number of sessions outtakes, a Peel Session from 1978 and ‘The Weedy Burton’, a hidden track on the original album which sounds as though it should be at the end of the CD and not half way through.
Disc 1
10:15 Saturday Night – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Accuracy – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Grinding Halt – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Another Day – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Object – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Subway Song – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Foxy Lady – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Meat Hook – Three Imaginary Boys Album
So What – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Fire in Cairo – Three Imaginary Boys Album
It’s Not You – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Three Imaginary Boys – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Killing an Arab – Single A-side
Boys Don’t Cry – Single A-side
Plastic Passion – Single B-side (Boys Don’t Cry)
Pillbox Tales – Single B-side (Boys Don’t Cry Reissue)
Do The Hansa – Single B-side (Boys Don’t Cry Reissue)
Jumping Someone Else’s Train Single – Single A-side
I’m Cold – Single B-side (Jumping Someone Else’s Train)
Winter – Three Imaginary Boys Out-Take
Faded Smiles (I Don’t Know) – Three Imaginary Boys Out-Take
Play With Me – Three Imaginary Boys Out-Take
World War – Three Imaginary Boys Out-Take
10:15 Saturday Night – Peel Session (11/12/1978)
Killing an Arab – Peel Session (11/12/1978)
Fire in Cairo – Peel Session (11/12/1978)
Boy’s Don’t Cry – Peel Session (11/12/1978)
The Weedy Burton – Three Imaginary Boys Album
Disc 2 is a deeper dive into the early years of the band, including songs that were recorded when they were still known as Easy Cure. The first four songs are, I believe, from the sessions recorded at Hansa. These show the band as a lot more of a punk band than the tunes included on ‘Three Imaginary Boys’. Opening song is ‘See The Children’ and it is easy to see why this one has never ‘officially’ seen the light of day as it tells the story of a man who prays on children. The demo that secured the band its record deal with Fiction Records is also included as well as few live tracks and another Peel Session.
Disc 2
See The Children – Easy Cure Demo
Meathook – Easy Cure Demo
I Just Need Myself – Easy Cure Demo
I Want to be Old – Easy Cure Demo
Listen (Pillbox Tales) – Easy Cure Demo
I’m Cold – Sav Studio Demo
The Cocktail Party – Group Home Demo
Grinding Halt – Group Home Demo
Heroin Face – Live At The Rocket Crawely, December 1977
It might seem a bit excessive, especially as the listener would have to listen to five different versions of ’10:15 Saturday Night’, but it is a more comprehensive package than the original Deluxe Edition from 2004.
The front cover is the same as the one used on the 2004 Deluxe Edition reissue of the album.
*Except for ‘Killing an Arab’. Even though it is an adaptation of ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus, the song has had a controversial history due to a view that is promotes violence against Arabs. The Cure have even changed the lyrics when performing it in the 21st Century to either ‘Kissing an Arab’ or ‘Killing Another’. This was not concluded on the 2004 re-release of this album.
Following on from last months ‘Unbelievable’ compilation, here we go with another set of songs from just before the Britpop era. The majority of the songs comes from 1992-1993 with the odd song from before this and just after, but these seemed to fit better on this compilation that the main Britpop Years ones. The only anomalies to all these are ‘The Shoe Of The Moon’ by The Waterboys and ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ by Morrissey. The Waterboys songs originally came out in 1985, but I only became aware of it from the 1991 re-release so it fits in here better (for me anyway) than an 80s compilation.
Disc 1
Connected – Stereo MC’s
Hit – The Sugarcubes
Ebeneezer Goode – The Shaman
Jump Around – House Of Pain
Ain’t No Love (Radio Edit) – Sub Sub feat. Melanie Williams
Regret – New Order
Runaway Train – Soul Asylum
For Love – Lush
Sex Type Thing – Stone Temple Pilots
Far Gone & Out – The Jesus & Mary Chain
Rocks – Primal Scream
Spin The Bottle – Juliana Hatfield 3
No Rain – Blind Melon
Two Princes – Spin Doctors
Lenny Valentino – The Auteurs
Hey Jealousy – Gin Blossoms
Is It Like Today – World Party
So Glad (Single Version) – Thrum
Creation – Stereo MC’s
Haze On The Hills/The Majestic Song – The Tea Party
We were unable to recreate this playlist on Spotify due to one or more songs not being available on that platform.
Disc 2
Born Of Frustration – James
Good Morning Britain – Aztec Camera
Friday I’m In Love – The Cure
Movie’ On Up – Primal Scream
Whole Of The Moon – The Waterboys
Motorcycle Emptiness – Manic Street Preachers
Alice, What’s The Matter – Terrorvision
Shadow Of The Season – Strangelove
Lucky You – The Lightning Seeds
Welcome To The Cheap Seats – The Wonder Stuff
Step It Up – Stereo MC’s
Creep – Radiohead
Babies – Pulp
Put The Message In The Box – World Party
Everyday Is Like Sunday – Morrissey
Wild Wood – Paul Weller
One – U2
Me In Honey – R.E.M.
The artwork is adapted from the compilation of the same name that came out in 2002.
For the next set in The Britpop Years collection, there are less of the big hitters and more of the groups that would not be considered Britpop, especially those acts that were not from UK.
Disc 1
Stuck On Amber (Original Mix) – The Boo Radley
I Believe (Edit) – Booth & The Bad Angel
Trash – Suede
Slight Return – The Bluetones
Sick & Tired – The Cardigans
Where The Wild Roses Grow – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
In The Name Of The Father – Black Grape
A Design For Life – Manic Street Preachers
Buddy Holly – Weezer
Caught By The Fuzz – Supergrass
All Gone Away – Joyrider
Better Day – Ocean Colour Scene
This Is Hardcore – Pulp
Your Star Will Shine – The Stone Roses
Tom Petty Loves Veruca Salt – Terrovision
Karma Police – Radiohead
Waiting For The Sun – Thrum
Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis
Stay Together (Full Length Version) – Suede
I cannot reproduce this play list here as one or more of these songs are not available on Spotify
Disc 2
Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
Sale Of The Century – Sleeper
What’s In The Box (See Whatcha Got) – The Boo Radleys
The first of another month has come around and that means it must be time for another compilation of quality Britpop era tunes. I normally pick songs between the years 1994 and 1997, which is when I was at University and Britpop rules the waves. With this volume however, it seems that a stray tracks or two has snuck in from other years. ‘Low’ by Cracker was released in 1993 and Let’s Get Together by Gorky’s Zygotic Mynchi was released in 1998. There also are a few more artists from outside of the British Isles on this one as well as a few song songs taken from the rather wonderful H.E.L.P. compilation. This was a project where several artists went into recording studios on the same day with the idea of producing enough material for an album which would raise money for children living in war torn Yugoslavia. In my opinion, this was one of the greatest charity albums of all time.
Disc 1
Tattva – Kula Shaker
On The Rose – Tiger
Need You Around – Smoking Popes
Disco 2000 – Pulp
Alright – Cast
Girls & Boys – Blur
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Neneh Cherry & Trout
Randrops Keep Falling On My Head – Manic Street Preachers
Ain’t That Enough – Teenage Fanclub
Getting Better – Shed Seven
Where I Find My Heaven – Gigolo Aunts
Let’s Get Together – Gorky’s Zygotic Mynchi
Roads – Portishead
Fighting Fit – Gene
Inbetweener – Sleeper
Australia – Manic Street Preachers
She Said – Longpigs
Step Into My World – Hurricane #1
If You Don’t Want Me To Destroy You – Super Furry Animals
The Masterplan – Oasis
Disc 2
It’s Oh So Quiet – Bjork
Whole Lotta Love – Goldbug
Setting Sun – The Chemical Brothers
Sonnet – The Verve
The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get – Morrissey
Connection – Elastica
In A Room – Dodgy
Shipbuilding – Suede
Dream A Little Dream – Terry Hall & Salad
Angel Interceptor – Ash
Jealousy – Octopus
Low – Cracker
Help The Aged – Pulp
Ride The Tiger – The Boo Radleys
Country House – Blur
For The Dead – Gene
Something 4 The Weekend – Super Furry Animals
Songs Of Love – The Divine Comedy
Nothing Lasts Forever – Echo & The Bunnymen
Street Spirit (Fade Out) – Radiohead
Judas Mon Coeur (French Version) – Belly
One or more of the songs on this collection were not available on Spotify.
It is the first of the month so time for another Britpop Years compilation. Once again, this is not a playlist of Britpop songs/bands (even though the vast majority are), this includes music that came from the years 1994-97.
Disc 1
Wake Up Boo! – The Boo Radleys
Alright – Supergrass
Sorted For E’s & Whizz – Pulp
This Is A Call – Foo Fighters
God! Show Me Magic – Super Furry Animals
Block Rockin’ Beats – The Chemical Brothers
The Day We Caught The Train – Ocean Colour Scene
Everything Must Go – Manic Street Preachers
Oh Yeah – Ash
Peaches – The Presidents Of The United States Of America
Battle Of Who Could Care Less – Ben Folds Five
North Country Boy – The Charlatans (UK)
The Universal – Blur
Staying Out For The Summer – Dodgy
You Can Talk To Me – The Seahorses
King Of The Kerb – Echobelly
Beautiful Ones – Suede
Only Happy When It Rains – Garbage
You Do – McAlmont & Butler
Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead
Smile – The Supernaturals
Disc 2
Reverend Black Grape – Black Grape
Annie – Elastica
Lump – The Presidents Of The United States Of America
Motorbike To Heaven – Salad
Sour Times – Portishead
Lost Myself – Longpigs
One Night Stand – The Aloof
Into The Blue – Geneva
Common People – Pulp
Drop Dead Gorgeous – Republica
Just – Radiohead
Stupid Girl – Garbage
Kung Fu – Ash
Perseverance – Terrorvision
Live Forever – Oasis
The Day Before Yesterday’s Man – The Supernaturals
I cannot believe that it is 30 years since the earliest releases of what would become Britpop came out. Yes, that period of the mid-90s where British bands seems to embraced the British music scenes of the late 60s, punk and glam rock vides of the 70s and even some indie influences of the 80s. This was where Cool Britannia became a thing and lad culture came to the fore. Women also got in on the act for those of you who remember The Girlie Show. Ah Britpop, the soundtrack to my university days and what days they were. I had never been into a current music scene before as I had always been looking backwards to the 60s and 70s for my musical fix. However, I was all over Britpop in a way I had not been before, and as it would turn out, since.
Like any other music scene, it is difficult to pinpoint what the first release was. For me, the first of the so called Britpop bands I heard was Suede, even though it was only through the music press than their music. After hearing ‘Animal Nitrate’ and ‘So Young’ on the radio, I was hooked in and the first album was duly bought. It was also during this time that the infamous Channel 4 programme The Word was broadcast and through that show, I was introduced to the bands that would soundtrack the next three to four years of my life. Oasis, Supergrass and the more obscure Thrum were just some of the bands I heard there and went out the next day to buy their records. The time most associated with Britpop are between 1994 to 1997 and I have plundered these key years to produce a series of compilations, with this being the first.
What is interesting about this movement is that it wasn’t really a movement the acts mostly associated with it wanted to be associated with. Three out of the so called big of Britpop bands have always maintained that they had nothing to do with it. Those bands being Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Suede. It also did not have much of a signature sound with the bands involved taking cues from so many periods in British music. However, one thing that the majority of he bands had was that they were guitar based.
Those eagle eyed of you will notice that there are a number of these artist that would not normally appear on a Britpop complication. Well, you would be correct but the title of the CDs give this away. It is The Britpop Years, not just Britpop. Therefore, American bands such as the Foo Fighters, Smoking Popes and The Presidents Of The United States Of America make an appearance. Bands who would normally be classed as being from the more dance or trip hop music such Massive Attack or Portishead are here. There is even the odd interloper from 1993 and 1998. This isn’t just about Britpop. This is about the Britpop Years, the soundtrack to my time at university and the memories this music brings back.
So, this year I will be presenting a number of Britpop themed compilations, lost albums as well as my usual content.
Disc 1
Yes – McAlmont & Butler
Girl From Mars – Ash
Place Your Hands – Reef
Nancy Boy – Placebo
Breathe – The Prodigy
Scooby Snacks – Fun Lovin’ Crimnals
Wide Open Space – Mansun
Wonderwall – Oasis
One To Another – The Charlatans (UK)
Never Here – Elastica
Novocaine For The Soul – Eels
Richard III – Supergrass
Hey Dude – Kula Shaker
You’ve Got A Lot To Answer For – Catatonia
Sparky’s Dream – Teenage Fanclub
Good Enough – Dodgy
Great Things – Echobelly
Nice Guy Eddie – Sleeper
Ladykillers – Lush
Love Spreads – The Stone Roses
Stardust – Menswear
Disc 2
Miss Sarajevo – Passengers
Life In Mono (Album Version) – Mono
To The End – Blur & Francoise Hardy
Nothing More’s Gonna Get In My Way – Supergrass
Waking Up – Elastica
What Do I Do Now? – Sleeper
What Do You Want From Me? – Monaco
The Riverboat Song – Ocean Colour Scene
Acquiesce – Oasis
Your Woman – White Town
Do You Remember The First Time? – Pulp
Just When You’re Thinking Things Over – The Charlatans (UK)
Ready To Go – Republica
You & Me Song – The Wannadies
Love Fool – The Cardigans
Stripper Vicar – Mansun
Goldfinger – Ash
Stars – Dubstar
Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From – Teenage Fanclub
