THE LEOPARDS - KANSAS CITY SLICKERS (1977)

The album has now officially been re-issued on vinyl and is available at singsingrecords.com
Links removed.

Hailing from Kansas City (Kansas), The Leopards were Dennis Pash (guitar, vocals), James Bordy (guitar), Ross Inden (bass, vocals), and Dennis Bouch (drums), they self released 3 singles on their label Moon records before releasing this very rare and most sought after LP. On first listen, you'd swear that this 1977 indie album from Kansas City, Kansas is Muswell Hillbillies-era Kinks — and on second and third listen, as well. This talented foursome not only perfectly re-creates the Kinks' klassic sound (complete with a spot-on Ray Davies vocal impression by main Leopard Dennis Pash), they also turn out originals that subtly rewrite various Kinks tunes without ever resorting to obvious lifts. Genius. Trouser Press

Special info: This is a brand new rip of the original LP with full artwork. I got the audio files and the scans from two "amic" and "ami" (both are foreign words for friends). I worked just a little on the audio part and i stitched the parts of the scans. The rip is available in 320 mp3 (click on the title) and lossless format.

FLAC: The Leopards

Songs
Road To Jamaica / Mind Of My Own / Dancing In The Snow / 57 Chewy / Bugle Boy / I Wonder If I'll Ever See You Again / Recess / It Must Be Love / I'm On My Way / Raggedy Andy Raggedy Ann / Summer's Gone

KRAMER vs KRAMER (STIFF - CHISWICK DEA/SUK 1)

While Wayne Kramer was in the penitentiary, Stiff Records and Chiswick Records had gotten together and they had put out two tracks as a benefit for Wayne Kramer, and they were gonna give all the money when Wayne Kramer got out of prison. The single (with a numbered pic sleeve) had to be paid no more and no less than £1.00.

Wayne Kramer
Ramblin' Rose / Get Some

End of the battles (at least for now).

This is the end of the Stiff vs Chiswick battle. At the end of 1977, Jake Riviera quit Stiff Records and took with him Elvis Costelo, Nick Lowe and the Yachts to form Radar Records. Any label without Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe could have died, but not Stiff. The new Stiff will be more successful than ever with Ian Dury, Jona Lewie, Kirsty MacColl and later with Madness, but the golden age of Stiff was behind.

I'd like to thank all the readers who have enjoyed all these battles as much as i have. Thank you again for the comments. Much appreciated.

Here are the first results of your votes (winners are in bold)

Stiff BUY 1: 82%
Chiswick SW 1: 17%

Stiff BUY 2: 53%
Chiswick S 2 : 46%

Stiff BUY 3: 13%
Chiswick S 3 : 86%

Stiff BUY 4: 53%
Chiswick S 4 : 46%

Stiff BUY 5: 28%
Chiswick S 5 : 71%

Stiff BUY 6: 87%
Chiswick SW 6 : 12%

Stiff BUY 7: 76%
Chiswick SW 7 : 23%

Stiff BUY 8: 31%
Chiswick S 8 : 68%

Stiff BUY 9: 32%
Chiswick S 9 : 67%

Stiff BUY 10: 76%
Chiswick S 10 : 23%

Stiff BUY 11: 83%
Chiswick S 11 : 16%

Stiff BUY 12: 21%
Chiswick S 12 : 78%

Stiff BUY 13: 66%
Chiswick S 13 : 33%

Stiff BUY 14: 73%
Chiswick S 14 : 26%

Stiff BUY 15: 66%
Chiswick S 15 : 33%

Stiff BUY 16: 87%
Chiswick NS 16 : 12%

Stiff BUY 17: 64%
Chiswick SW 17 : 35%

Stiff BUY 18: 71%
Chiswick NS 18 : 28%

Stiff BUY 19: 60%
Chiswick NS 19 : 39%

Stiff BUY 20: 89%
Chiswick NS 20 : 10%

Stiff BUY 21: 72%
Chiswick NS 21 : 27%

Stiff BUY 22: 78%
Chiswick NS 22 : 21%

Stiff BUY 23: 44%
Chiswick NS 23 : 55%

Stiff BUY 24: 60%
Chiswick NS 24 : 39%

STIFF BUY 24 vs CHISWICK NS24

The Damned's "Don't Cry Wolf / One Way Love" (a double D Side) was the last single released in 1977. It was also the last single with the short-lived "grey" label (20.000 singles were released on pink vinyl with the original Stiff label. The Radiators from Space's third single was never issued although some test pressings in picture sleeve do exist.

CHISWICK NS 24 (1977)
The Radiators From Space
Prison Bars / Teenager In Love (live)

STIFF BUY 24 (1977)
The Damned
Don't Cry Wolf / One Way Love

The votes
Stiff BUY 24: 60% (winner)
Chiswick NS 24 : 39%

STIFF BUY 23 vs CHISWICK NS23

The Radio Stars' "Nervous Wreck" is what you could call "a perfect power pop hit single", a version slightly different from the ones available on the album or the Best Of, and a great cover of Marc Bolan's "You Scare Me To Death" on its B side. Ian Dury's "Sweet Gene Vincent" was the second Stiff single bearing a picture label on its A side, the song remained in his set list for almost his entire carreer.

CHISWICK NS 23 (1977)
Radio Stars
Nervous Wreck / Horrible Breath

STIFF BUY 23 (1977)
Ian Dury
Sweet Gene Vincent / You're More Than Fair

The votes
Stiff BUY 23: 44%
Chiswick NS 23 : 55% (winner)

STIFF BUY 22 vs CHISWICK NS22

Hailing from Scotland, Johnny & The Self Abusers released their first and only single the day they had split. I guess everybody knows the names of the two bands they gave birth to after the split: Cuban Heels and. S...(fill the dots). An early member of the Pink Fairies, Larry Wallis became an in-house producer at Stiff Records, was featured on the "A Bunch of Stiffs" compilation, released this amazing single, and took part in the Live Stiffs Tour '78.

CHISWICK NS 22 (1977)
Johnny & The Self Abusers
Saints & Sinners / Dead Vandals

STIFF BUY 22 (1977)
Larry Wallis
Police Car / On Parole

The votes
Stiff BUY 22: 78% (winner)
Chiswick NS 22 : 21%

STIFF BUY 21 vs CHISWICK NS21

By the time of the end of the 1977 Stiff Tour, Nick Lowe had left the label (Jake Riviera also took with him Elvis Costello and the Yachts and founded Radar Records) . Nick's parting shot was a cover of Billy Fury's "Halfway To Paradise". Raggy Lewis, leader of The Stukas went on to form the power pop combo Autographs.

CHISWICK NS 21 (1977)
The Stukas
Klean Livin' Kids / Oh Little Girl

STIFF BUY 21 (1977)
Nick Lowe
Halfway To Paradise / I Don't Want The Night To End

The votes
Stiff BUY 21: 72% (winner)
Chiswick NS 21 : 27%

STIFF BUY 20 vs CHISWICK NS20

Last EC single released by Stiff Records but also the first official recordings with The Attractions offering the very first full color picture sleeve ever released by Stiff. The cool, cool Amazorblades were formed in 1972, released their first single in 1977 and by the end of the same year, the band had split.

CHISWICK NS 20 (1977)
Amazorblades
Common Truth / Messaround

STIFF BUY 20 (1977)
Elvis Costello
Watching The Detectives / Blame It On Caine (Live) / Mystery Dance (Live)

The votes
Stiff BUY 20: 89% (winner)
Chiswick NS 20 : 10%

STIFF BUY 19 vs CHISWICK NS19

The first Yachts single presented not only the new Stiff label design but a fantastic piece of classic power pop produced by Will Birch (Kursaal Flyers, The Records). Still named The Radiators From Space, the band released "Enemies", their second single and possibly the best song taken from "TV Tube Heart", written as a response to the NME's (geddit?) senseless sensation-mongerring over the kid getting stabbed at a Radiators gig in Dublin.

CHISWICK NS 19 (1977)
The Radiators From Space
Enemies / Psychotic Reaction

STIFF BUY 19 (1977)
Yachts
Suffice To Say / Freedom (Is A Heady Wine)

The votes
Stiff BUY 19: 60% (winner)
Chiswick NS 19 : 39%

STIFF BUY 18 vs CHISWICK NS18

First single from the Damned's second album "Music For Pleasure" with new member Lu Edmunds, the record was produced by Nick Mason (actually the band wanted Syd Barrett). Second and last Chiswick single from the punk band Skrewdriver with a Stones cover on the B Side.

CHISWICK NS 18 (1977)
Skrewdriver
Anti Social / 19th Nervous Breakdown

STIFF BUY 18 (1977)
The Damned
Problem Child / You Take My Money

The votes
Stiff BUY 18: 71% (winner)
Chiswick NS 18 : 28%

STIFF BUY 17 vs CHISWICK SW17

Another great Power Pop record from Martin Gordon and the Radio Stars - of the four songs specially recorded for this EP, only "Johnny Mekon" is available on the highly recommended "Somewhere There's A Place For Us" collection. Originally not included on his first album "New Boots & Panties!!", the first Ian Dury single has now become a punk anthem.

CHISWICK SW 17 (1977)
Radio Stars
No Russians In Russia / Box 29 / Johnny Mekon / Sorry I'm Tied Up

STIFF BUY 17 (1977)
Ian Dury
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll / Razzle In My Pocket

The votes
Stiff BUY 17: 64% (winner)
Chiswick SW 17 : 35%

STIFF BUY 16 vs CHISWICK NS16

First heard on the "A Bunch Of Stiffs" compilation, and more than two decades after its release, "Whole Wide World" has been included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time. It was also acclaimed as one of the "top 40 singles of the alternative era 1975–2000". Jeff Hill released this excellent power pop single for Chiswick before being dropped by the label.

CHISWICK NS 16 (1977)
Jeff Hill
I Want You To Dance With Me / Feel Like Loving You

STIFF BUY 16 (1977)
Wreckless Eric
Whole Wide World / Semaphore Signals

The votes
Stiff BUY 16: 87% (winner)
Chiswick NS 16 : 12%

STIFF BUY 15 vs CHISWICK S15

The first Johnny Moped single was supposed to be "Incendiary Device" but "stick it in her lughole" didn’t go down too well with Radio 1, so Chiswick switched it to the B side and promoted "No One". Some Elvis Costello singles were mispressed and had Max Wall's Dream Tobacco (BUY 12) as their b side instead of the regular "Mystery Dance".

CHISWICK S 15 (1977)
Johnny Moped
No One / Incendiary Device

STIFF BUY 15 (1977)
Elvis Costello
Red Shoes / Mystery Dance

The votes
Stiff BUY 15: 66% (winner)
Chiswick S 15 : 33%

STIFF BUY 14 vs CHISWICK S14

Formed by Twink (of The Pink Fairies) with Alan Shaw, The Rings' single was a one off deal and was produced by Martin Gordon. "Alison" was the second Costello single produced by Nick Lowe and released by Stiff.

CHISWICK S 14 (1977)
The Rings
I Wanna Be Free / Automobile

STIFF BUY 14 (1977)
Elvis Costello
Alison / Welcome To The Working Week

The votes
Stiff BUY 14: 73% (winner)
Chiswick S 14 : 26%

STIFF BUY 13 vs CHISWICK S 13

First and only Stiff 7" from The Adverts before they found fame and success with the macabre "Gary Gilmore's Eyes". Now on Chiswick, the anthemic "Motorhead" was released in July 1977, a few weeks before the first LP of the last of the Heavy Metal Power Trios.

CHISWICK S 13 (1977)
Motorhead
Motorhead / City Kids

STIFF BUY 13 (1977)
The Adverts
One Chord Wonders / Quickstep

The votes
Stiff BUY 13: 66% (winner)
Chiswick S 13 : 33%

STIFF BUY 12 vs CHISWICK S 12

Both songs of the Count Bishops single were taken from their first Chiswick LP and feature the Bishops with their most melodic skills. Maybe the weirdest release of the Stiff catalog, Max Wall's single (a Ian Dury song) was produced by Dave Edmunds and due to the poor sales was given away as a bonus with the Stiff compilation "Hits Greatest Stiffs".

CHISWICK S 12 (1977)
The Count Bishops
Baby You're Wrong / Stay Free

STIFF BUY 12 (1977)
Max Wall
England's Glory / Dream Tobacco

The votes
Stiff BUY 12: 21%
Chiswick S 12 : 78% (winner)

STIFF BUY 11 vs CHISWICK S 11

Here comes Elvis Costello without the Attractions, first single of the four released by Stiff records. Who could ever win over "Elvis is King", maybe not the punk attitude of Skrewdriver.

CHISWICK S 11 (1977)
Skrewdriver
You're So Dumb / Better Off Crazy

STIFF BUY 11 (1977)
Elvis Costello
Less Than Zero / Radio Sweetheart

The votes
Stiff BUY 11: 83% (winner)
Chiswick S 11 : 16%

STIFF BUY 10 vs CHISWICK S 10

Second 7" from The Damned, taken from their first LP, produced by Nick Lowe. The b side brings two versions of the same song (the regular one and the dub one). Hailing from Ireland, The Radiators From Space were the first punk band released on Chiswick and will become a major band of the label.

CHISWICK S 10 (1977)
The Radiators From Space
Television Screen / Love Detective

STIFF BUY 10 (1977)
The Damned
Neat Neat Neat / Stab Your Back / Singalong Scabies

The votes
Stiff BUY 10: 76% (winner)
Chiswick S 10 : 23%

STIFF BUY 9 vs CHISWICK S 9

At last, Chiswick is going Power Pop with the first Radio Stars single, one of the best Power Pop single of the era bringing a fabulous back sleeve. On the Stiff side, the Motorhead 7" was not released because the quintessential head banger's band had been signed by Chiswick in the meantime. The Motorhead single was only available later with the limited edition of the Stiff Box including the first 10 Stiff singles.

CHISWICK S 9 (1977)
Radio Stars
Dirty Pictures / Sail Away

STIFF BUY 9 (1977)
Motorhead
White Line Fever / Leaving Here

The votes
Stiff BUY 9: 32%
Chiswick S 9 : 67% (winner)

STIFF BUY 8 vs CHISWICK S 8

Second and last Gorillas 7" for Chiswick before they were signed by Raw Records and had released the excellent "Message To The World" LP in 1978. Sean Tyla produced the Plummet Airlines single.

CHISWICK S 8 (1976)
The Gorillas
Gatecrasher / Gorilla Got Me

STIFF BUY 8 (1976)
Plummet Airlines
Silver Shirt / This Is The World

The votes
Stiff BUY 8: 31%
Chiswick S 8 : 68% (winner)

STIFF BUY 7 vs CHISWICK SW 7

Seminal Punk vs Pub Rock, EP vs EP, USA vs France. The Stiff EP was licensed from the US release (Ork records) and was a limited edition of 5.000. "Blank Generation" was later re-recorded for the Sire single and LP.

CHISWICK SW7 (1976)
Little Bob Story
I'm Crying / Come On Home / I Need Money / Baby Don't Cry

STIFF BUY 7 (1976)
Richard Hell
(I Could Live With You In) Another World / (I Belong To The) Blank Generation / You Gotta Lose

The votes
Stiff BUY 7: 76% (winner)
Chiswick SW 7 : 23%

STIFF BUY 6 vs CHISWICK SW 6

The most atypical battle. While Chiswick was releasing this fine 7" EP of revival, Stiff was way ahead of history with the first punk single ever released (produced by The Basher). The glamour of Stiff started here.

CHISWICK SW6 (1976)
Rocky Sharpe & The Razors
Drip Drop / What's Your Name / So Hard To Laugh / That's My Desire

STIFF BUY 6 (1976)
The Damned
New Rose /Help!

The votes
Stiff BUY 6: 87% (winner)
Chiswick SW 6 : 12%

STIFF BUY 5 vs CHISWICK S5

Second 7" from the Bishops (this time a license from the Dynamite label) versus the first Lew Lewis single (some months after he had left Eddie & The Hot Rods).

CHISWICK S5 (1976)
Count Bishops
Train, Train / Taking It Easy

STIFF BUY 5 (1976)
Lew Lewis & His Band
Boogie On The Street /Caravan Man

The votes
Stiff BUY 5: 28%
Chiswick S 5 : 71% (winner)

STIFF BUY 4 vs CHISWICK S4

Maybe one of the toughest battle, between the Sean Tyla gang (an artistic breakthrough double "B" side) and the Jesse Hector's combo from Hammersmith. Four great slices of pure rock. Hard to pick one over the other, but you have to.

CHISWICK S4 (1976)
Gorillas
She's My Gal / Why Wait 'Til Tomorrow

STIFF BUY 4 (1976)
Tyla Gang
Styrofoam /Texas Chainsaw Massacre Boogie

The votes
Stiff BUY 4: 53% (winner)
Chiswick S 4 : 46%

STIFF vs CHISWICK

It's a long-standing truism that the most dynamic creative thrusts come from the outside. In the 50's, it was shoe-string local labels catering to supposedly minority tastes that generated easily half of the R&B and rock'n'roll hits. Next decade, in the '67 spirit, indie labels like Island and Harvest flowered. Lately, thanks to impetus given by a few hardly individuals, small was once again beautiful.
It began in '75 with the American Beserkley label, infant upstart Matthew Kaufman. An investigate gambler, Kaufman took the long-shot approach to commercial success and put his race-track winnings behing pressing up a few hundred copies of singles by bands and artists who had somehow come under his wing, people branded commercial non-returns by the big companies
Borrowing his ideas but adding their own flair a year or so later came Stiff, preceded by Chiswick who were actually the first of the new British independents, evolved out of the small Rock On chain of specialist record shops and catering initially to that market with R&B and rock'n'roll issues and re-issues.

So during this Summer 2010, i'll post some battles between both labels, the battles will be chronologically referenced. All posts were ripped from the original 7" releases and converted to 320 mp3. Complete scans have been included.

For every battle, you'll be able to vote and pick the winner. You can vote even though you don't want to download any of the items shared. See right column.

STIFF BUY 3 vs CHISWICK S3

Third battle between the Joe Strummer 's 101'ers and the Danny Adler fronted pub-rock band The Roogalator offering another great fab four sleeve. A very pub rockish battle.

CHISWICK S3 (1976)
The 101'ers
Keys To Your Heart / Five Star Rock'n'Roll Petrol

STIFF BUY 3 (1976)
The Roogalator
All Aboard /Cincinatti Fatback

The votes
Stiff BUY 3: 13%
Chiswick S 3 : 86% (winner)

STIFF BUY 2 vs CHISWICK S2

Second battle between the legendary indie labels, battle between the Vince Taylor '59 classic (later covered by Joe Strummer & The Clash, Joe Strummer had a 7" released on Chiswick) and the pub rock band for whom Ted Carroll (head of Chiswick) organized a one-off reunion concert in 1975.

CHISWICK S2 (1976)
Vince Taylor & His Playboys
Brand New Cadillac / Pledging My Love

STIFF BUY 2 (1976)
The Pink Fairies
Between The Lines /Spoiling For A Fight

The votes
Stiff BUY 2: 53% (winner)
Chiswick S 2 : 46%

STIFF BUY 1 vs CHISWICK SW1

First battle betwwen the Basher's first and and epic single and the band who had to become one of the most endearing Chiswick stalwarts.

CHISWICK SW1 (1975)
Count Bishops - Speedball EP
Route 66 / I Ain't Got You / Beautiful Delilah / Teenage Letter

STIFF BUY 1 (1976)
Nick Lowe
So It Goes / Heart Of The City

The votes:
Stiff BUY 1: 82% (winner)
Chiswick SW 1: 17%