The Adverts - Gary Gilmores Eyes

The Adverts second single and what a classic both sides are. Most of you will know the infamous 'Gary Gilmore's Eyes' which broke into the UK top 40 as well as earning 'The Adverts' an appearance on the BBC's 'Top Of The Pops'.

TV smith (lead singer and writer) was inspired to write the song based upon the true story of 'Gary Gilmore'. Gilmore was convicted of a double murder in Utah and gained notoriety for demanding his death penalty was fulfilled. Before his execution (by firing squad) he was asked if he had any words, he replied 'Let's do it'. Gilmore requested following his execution that his eyes be used for transplant services. Within two hours of his execution two people received his corneas, hence the brilliant lyrics below.

The b-side 'Bored Teenagers is another classic, even though I'm well past teenage years I still love playing this and singing along.

Band: The Adverts
Label: Anchor
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Gary Gilmore's Eyes
2. Bored Teenagers

If you like this then go out and buy 'The Adverts' classic debut album (you will not be disappointed). it has the original album plus the a and b-side of their first three singles, plus some live stuff, brilliant.

Crossing the Red Sea (the Ultimate Edition)

Gary Gilmore's Eyes

I´m lying in a hosptal
I´m pinned against the bed
A stethoscope upon my heart
A hand against my head
They´re peeling off the bandages
I´m wincing in the light
The nurse is looking anxious
And she´s quivering in fright

I´m looking through
Gary Gilmore´s eyes

The doctors are avoiding me
My vision is confused
I listen to my earphones
And I catch the evening news
A murderer´s been killed
And he donates his sight to science
I´m locked into a private ward
I realise that I must be

Looking through
Gary Gilmore´s eyes

I smash the light in anger
Push my bed against the door
I close my lids across the eyes
And wish to see no more
The eye receives the messages
And sends them to the brain
No guarantee the stimuli
Must be perceived the same

When looking
through Gary Gilmore´s eyes

Gary don´t need his eyes to see
Gary and his eyes have parted company

© TV Smith

T.V. Smith's Explorers - Tomahawk Cruise

This is T.V.Smith's debut single following the Adverts break up. As far as I'm concerned all of the 'Adverts' singles were outstanding and 'Tomahawk Cruise' continued that run.

T.V.Smith's voice is distinctive and you can instantly hear the influence he had on the Adverts. This is one single you will play and play and play, I promise. the b-side is good but nowhere near as good as the a-side.

I also rate the first explorers album 'Last Words from a Great Explorer' and was surprised when I had a look for it that it is no longer commercially available, so I may post this at a later date if anyone likes what they hear. My copy also came with a free single 'World Of My Own / Walk In A Straight Line" which I couldn't find any sign of (but I only did a quick Google) has anyone else got this?

The lyrics are on the back cover, so as per usual I have included a high resolution scan of the back cover.

Band: T.V.Smith's Explorers
Label: Big Beat
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. Tomahawk Cruise
2. See Europe

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl:


TV Smith is a prolific artist with a large catalogue of recording which continue right up to today. Although some of them are no longer on Amazon, etc. iTunes has a few of his good albums such as Misinformation Overload. One other to recommend is his recent live cover of the classic Adverts tracks:

Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts Live at the 100 Club

The Roxy London WC2: Jan- Apr 1977

One of the great punk classic live albums of all time. The recording is raw and very real, you can hear everyone standing around chatting, and banter between the audience and the bands. You could easily mistake this for a bootleg. For the first time on ASFM we have Eater and X-Ray Spex with the classic 'Oh Bondage Up Yours', but for me the its toss up between Wire and Johnny Moped, and even though I'm a massive Johnny Moped fan, 'Lowdown' by Wire just about wins. I love the way the song just stops, goes quiet and then "Thats the lowdown", Brilliant. Then followed by the classic '12XU', what more could you want.

So come on then, whats your favourite track? Leave a comment and let everyone know.

Ripped from a not so glorious hissing tape:


Bands: Various
Label: Harvest
Year: 1977
Tracks:
1. Runaway - Slaughter and the Dogs
2. Boston Babies - Slaughter and the Dogs
3. Freedom - Unwanted
4. Lowdown - Wire
5. 12XU - Wire
6. Bored Teenagers - The Adverts
7. Hard Lovin Man - Johnny Moped
8. Don't Need It - Eater
9. 15 - Eater
10. Oh Bondage Up Your - X-Ray Spex
11. Breakdown - The Buzzcocks
12. Love Battery - The Buzzcocks

If you like this album, then here is a few more you need to go out and buy:

This Wire album has the full sets for two nights, with a couple of unreleased tracks, a must for any Wire fans.

Live at the Roxy London: April 1st & 2nd 1977

For X-ray Spex a few more tracks (8) at the Roxy

Live at the Roxy Club

If you like Eater this has nearly got everything that you will need

The Compleat Eater

For all of the other bands check earlier ASFM postings for recommendations