This is the original 1986 Friendly Fires, not to be mixed up with the current XL Recordings artist Friendly Fires. “Arkansas” is from their first 7″ single on Deadbug Records. You’ve got to love bands who can sound like New Order and the Close Lobsters at the same time.

Listen to Friendly Fires – Arkansas.mp3

I keep this “East of Croydon” comp LP in my collection for this song by Greenfield Leisure. They also released the “L’Orange” 7″ (1981) and “Those Far Off Summers” EP (1982) on their own Strange Orchestra label. I tracked those down, but this is by far my favorite track by them.

Listen to “Leisure.mp3”

This is what I believe to be the first song released by Pulp. It’s from the “Your Secret’s Safe With Us” compilation LP on Statik Records from 1982. “What Do You Say” is truly a fantastic track and had me seeking out early Pulp to find more. Unfortunately this song seems to be an oddity in this jangle-y post-punk style, which is very unlike the rest of their output. Looks like I need to track down their 1981 demo tape from which this recording originated. Anyone have it?

Listen to “What Do You Say.mp3”

I need something to get me going today! “Lazy” by The Primitives is from their debut “Thru The Flowers” 12″ on Lazy Records (LAZY 01) from 1986. I wish Paul Court sang more Primitives songs.

The Primitives – Lazy.mp3

www.myspace.com/primitivesmyspace

Listen to Newkansen – Untitled.mp3

The saddest song ever written and recorded in a day and never released, till now.
Art by: Marcel Dzama

Tears Run Rings are recording a new EP today. In an effort to get myself inspired to work on music, here’s my favorite track by Sway.

Sway – US Girls.mp3

www.myspace.com/mywinterheart

Here’s an unreleased track by The Frenchmen! Their cover of Talulah Gosh’s “Steaming Train” that they recorded for fun during the “Powdered Blue” studio sessions.

The Frenchmen – Steaming Train.mp3

Their debut 4 track 7″ “Powdered Blue” is still available from Shelflife.

Powdered Blue 7″
$3.00 + shipping

Order their cd album “Sorry We Ruined Your Party” from ToneVendor or iTunes.