Field Set assessment
Cabaret Voltaire – Nag Nag Nag is yr zero for electronics and distortion made to out-do guitar-noise. I swear they incorporate a dentist drill within the sound. It’s basic/seminal however I’ve heard it too many instances, nonetheless a dancefloor filler – however the b-side is moody would-be soundtrack music. The one level on this entire set the place the music does sound ‘dated’.
Younger Marble Giants – Closing Day is completely with out query some of the definitive / seminal / influential singles ever. The less-is-more, quiet minimalism retains it’s pure magnificence. A quiet affect on a thousand bands since.
Swell Maps – Learn About Seymour Once more a vastly consultant document – of the Provinces, the outsider, the unusual, and people catalysed by punk however doing it their very own approach.. (The Prefects, Spizz and the Cravats have been from the Midlands too, however by some means it was Swell Maps who acquired nice evaluations in Smash Hits. They have been the primary band a bunch of faculty mates and I attempted to ‘cowl’ in our lunch-hour at college because of a kindly music trainer. ) Blur took their authentic band title from the track title.
We use no perception within the pre-existing faculty
The Raincoats – Fairytale In The Grocery store With no shadow of a doubt some of the sensible, authentic and fascinating songs from the entire punk period and past.
Existential concepts, uncooked expression, untutored music, held collectively by phenomenal drumming and topped with ear-piercing violin, feminine by itself phrases . Poetry virtually in a one other language and sounds and rhythms so alien and new, intriguing and distinctive it stays the some of the inspiring items of music I’ve ever heard.
Even after I didn’t know what the lyrics have been precisely, I knew what the track meant from the texture of it, the decipherable phrases, these rolling drums and violin screech. The very fact this was an all-female band that includes Palm Olive from the Slits… Nobody tells you how-to-live. Nonetheless sends a shiver down my backbone to at the present time.
The track was written by Ana da Silva, after watching (BBC2 documentary) Who’s Poly Styrene. ‘I bear in mind distinctly pondering that her music sounded a bit like fairytales, however in a consumerist society,. Immediately it got here to me. This is sort of a fairytale within the grocery store.’ (Supply)
Fairytale has by no means been devalued over the a long time. At any time when reformed line-ups of the Raincoats have performed it, it nonetheless looks like it’s going to crumble underneath its personal wayward momentum – which is strictly the way it must be.
Nice to see that Gina Birch continues to be bringing out idiosyncratic and sensible music to at the present time. Audrey Goldens ebook Shouting Out Load – Lives of The Raincoats – is printed 31 July 2025
Subway Sect – Ambition / Totally different Story That is two of few recordings that exists in completed type from Subway Sects ‘misplaced’ debut album (Parallel Traces was on the NME C81 tape and Exit No Return on the 20 Odd Years comp) – an album that hypothetically would’ve modified the path of punk within the UK. It will have been smarter, extra Postcard, extra Speaking Heads. Extra Vic.
While Ambition is nice, it’s the b-side which really deserves extra consideration. A track that was rewritten/retitled as Subway Sect progressed. We Oppose All Rock and Roll – grew to become Totally different Story (Rock and Roll Even) and on the 1978 Now album, each are included to open and shut the album. Similar lyric, completely different music.
It’s the obtuse manifesto of the lyric which fascinates me -the headings on this assessment are culled from it. However the music is irresistible too. Which is ironic, as a result of the ‘previous Johanna’ makes it sound just like the rock’n’roll it’s in opposition to.
Tough Commerce 45’s Quantity 1 is a treasure trove and a historical past lesson. Music which predicted the long run and stand as a testomony to Geoff Travis (& Lee’s) imaginative and prescient and style. I can’t wait to see what’s in Quantity 2.
That is the complete tracklisting.
Augustus Pablo – Pablo Meets Mr Bassie
B-side Mr Bassie Particular! RT002 1978
Stiff Little Fingers – Different Ulster
B-side 78 Revolutions A Minute (78RPM) RT004 1978
Subway Sect – Ambition
B-side Totally different Story RT007 1978
Swell Maps – Learn About Seymour
B-sides Ripped & Torn and Black Velvet RT010 1978
The Raincoats – Fairytale In The Grocery store
B-sides In Love & Adventures Shut To Dwelling RT013 1979
Cabaret Voltaire Nag Nag Nag
B-side Is That Me (Discovering Somebody At The Door Once more?) RT018 1979
The Pop Group – We Are All Prostitutes
B-side Amnesty Worldwide Report On British Military Torture Of Irish Prisoners RT023 1979
Younger Marble Giants – Closing Day
Second monitor on A facet Radio Silents B-side Cakewalking RT043 1980
Purchase direct from Tough Commerce
All words Ged Babey
A Plea From Louder Than Conflict
Louder Than Conflict is run by a small however devoted unbiased crew, and we depend on the small sum of money we generate to maintain the location working easily. Any cash we do get shouldn’t be lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to assume and write, or hungry shareholders. We all know instances are powerful, and we need to proceed bringing you information on probably the most attention-grabbing releases, the most recent gigs and anything that tickles our fancy. We’re not pushed by revenue, simply pure enthusiasm for a scene that each considered one of us is obsessed with.
To us, music and tradition are eveything, with out them, our very souls shrivel and die. We don’t cost artists for the publicity we give them and to many, what we do is completely important. Subscribing to considered one of our paid tiers takes only a minute, and every sign-up makes a huge effect, serving to to maintain the flame of unbiased music burning! Please click on the button under to assist.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
