Bullet Train (2022)

 

Various - Overload (1982)

Imposs-019

I know, I know. I should be mugging up on Mattick, Marx and that wee guy who swears by that old council communist zine, 'the Communist Headache'

Never knew that.

"At the time, Hansa had come to the UK and were looking for fresh talent by means of a competition (there was a large advert with an impressive looking woman astride a motorcycle, stating "Wanna be a recording star? Get your ass up! Take your chance!"). Japan auditioned for Hansa at Morgan Studios on Friday 13th May 1977. The winners of the contest were The Cure, but in true Gareth Gates style Japan were also signed just 3 days later (May 23rd 1977) and given £1000 to buy new instruments - which was part of the advertised prize, although it has been denied that they had anything to do with the competition. The following information may make things a little clearer - information courtesy of Robert Smith:

"There was a competition at the back of the Melody Maker. You had to send Hansa a tape and some photos. We ended up doing a three song performance for them in front of a video camera, and they signed us on the strength of what we looked like."

Then The Cure were put into the studio, and emerged with three classics - "Killing An Arab", "Boys Don't Cry" and "10.15 Saturday Night" - all of which Hansa refused to release and henceforth proceeded to drop the group (after attempts to get them to perform cover versions, hmm, sounds familiar doesn't it - read on). Just after that, Japan were given more attention. As with The Cure, Hansa funded studio time, and Japan, with an average age of 17, were allowed to develop their style."

Info via a rather fine (and exhaustive) Japan fan website.

You know the sort of devotional fansite I mean. The sort that'll inform you when the magnificent 'Ghosts' is featured in an episode of Ashes to Ashes. That sort of devotion. (Episode 6 of the series, since you're wondering.)

Xmas Comes Early For A Music Geek

Where have you been all my life?

Hat tip to Church of Me's Marcello for a gateway into a lost world. And why in particular the Top 75 chart for the week ending the 29th of May 1982 as the link? Well, according to Marcello:

"Because the first half of it [1982] was the apex of New Pop; because in particular the chart for the week ending 29 May may well be the greatest Top 40 singles chart ever . . ."

It's too early for me to say whether I agree with him or not. (Though at first glance it does look like a damn fine list.) Get back to me in about 18 hours or so?

In the meantime, enjoy the song that was at number 24 in the charts that week, and which is my all-time second favourite track from Dave Sylvian, Mick Karn and the other two:

Japan - 'Cantonese Boy' mp3

*Cough* Goes without saying that I've uploaded it for sampling purposes, and that you should in fact also check out the album that 'Cantonese Boy' is taken from, Tin Drum.

Friday's Playlist #18 - It's a G-Thing

An ongoing series:

Paris, 'Guerrilla Funk' (Guerrilla Funk)

Kristen Vigard, 'God Give Me Strength' mp3 (Grace Of My Heart Soundtrack)

Cher, 'Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves' (Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves)

The Stranglers, 'Golden Brown' (La Folie)

Japan, 'Ghosts' (Tin Drum)

Liberty X, 'Got To Have Your Love' (Thinking It Over)

Robert Wyatt & Cristina Dona, 'Goccia'

Violent Femmes, 'Gone Daddy Gone' (Violent Femmes)

Electronic, 'Getting Away with It' (Get the Message - The Best of Electronic)

Microdisney, 'Give Me All Your Clothes' mp3 (Crooked Mile)

As you might have guessed, there's a theme - or rather a meme - to this week's playlist. The alphabetised meme was found via here, and hat tip to Will for pointing me in the direction of that particular blog. Even if I did get off at the wrong stop. Apologies Will.

A couple of the songs are available as mp3s for a limited time. Both class tracks, and after hearing them you'll be compelled to go out and buy the back catalogues. The finders fee can be determined at a later date.

Next Tagees?

The usual suspects: Vic Davidson; Patrik Fitzgerald; Sarah Silverman; Mooey and Tegan . . . Sara Nicole Atkins.

Friday's Playlist #13

An ongoing series:

Heaven 17, 'This is Mine' (How Men Are)

The Sound Team, 'Back in Town' (Movie Monster)

Le Tigre, 'Les and Ray' (Le Tigre)

Propaganda, 'P-Machinery' (A Secret Wish)

Heaven 17, 'Soul Warfare' (Penthouse and Pavement)

Malcolm Middleton, 'No Modest Bear' (Into The Woods)

Elvis Costello and the Attractions, 'I Wanna Be Loved' (Goodbye Cruel World)

Japan, 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' (Gentlemen Take Polaroids)

Human League, 'Brute' (Secrets)

The Chameleons, 'Singing Rule Britannia' (What Does Anything Mean? Basic)

Killer One-Liner

"Tanaka just happened to be the unlucky cockroach on the kitchen table when the light was switched on."

Love that line from Michael S. in the latest post from the Socialism Or Your Money Back blog.

Friday's Playlist #11

For that cheeky bastard, Reidski. A resumption of an ongoing series:

The Jam, 'Absolute Beginners' (Snap)

Human League, 'Seconds' (Dare)

Billy Idol, 'Dancing With Myself'

The Pretenders, 'Message of Love' (Pretenders II)

The Associates, 'Message Oblique Speech' (Fourth Drawer Down)

The Passions, '(I'm in love with a) German Film Star'

Dexys Midnight Runners, 'Plan B' (Too-Rye-Ay)

Siouxsie and the Banshees, 'Love in a Void' (Once Upon A Time)

Japan, 'Visions of China' (Tin Drum)

Soft Cell, 'Entertain Me' (Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret)

Why 1981? Why not.

Update 11/11/ 22

I wish I'd picked a better Associates song. And what's the deal with picking that song by Billy Idol? Did I lose a bet?

Spotify Playlist Link.