Can't Stop To Mess Around

Since last Sunday's post about Urgh! A Music War, I've been listening to a lot of music from the punk and post-punk period. So much so, in fact, that I've got two Dubhed selections in the bag.

I considered whether to include them all in one bumper post, but reason prevailed (and the realisation that it's Monday, i.e. work, tomorrow). So, it's Side 1 today and Side 2 on Monday.

In the spirit of my original Urgh! mixtape, both of these selections will fit neatly on each side of a C60 cassette. 

As well as some very familiar names such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Only Ones, The Damned and The Slits, I've included a few from outside the UK that I've been introduced to in more recent times by the wonderful blogging community. A couple of examples today: The Rude Kids from Sweden with (I guess) a Stranglers diss song and, from Germany, Abwärts with the title track of the VFM 5-track Computerstaat EP.

The thing that all ten songs have in common is that they are designed to be played LOUD.

More on Monday.

1) Blank Generation (Album Version): Richard Hell & The Voidoids (1977)

2) Suspect Device (Album Version): Stiff Little Fingers (1978)

3) New Race: Radio Birdman (1977)

4) (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) (Single Version): The Stranglers (1977)

5) Stranglers (If It's Quiet Why Don't You Play?): The Rude Kids (1978)

6) Another Girl, Another Planet (Album Version): The Only Ones (1978)

7) New Rose (Album Version): The Damned (1976)

8) Gary Gilmore's Eyes (Single Version): The Adverts (1977)

9) Typical Girls (Album Version): The Slits (1979)

10) Computerstaat: Abwärts (1980)

1977: Blank Generation: 1

1977: Damned Damned Damned: 7

1977: Gary Gilmore's Eyes EP: 8

1977: Grip / London Lady EP: 4

1977: Radios Appear: 3

1978: Stranglers (If It's Quiet Why Don't You Play?) / Punk Will Never Die! EP: 5

1978: The Only Ones: 6

1979: Cut: 9

1979: Inflammable Material: 2

1980: Computerstaat EP: 10

Side One (29:56) (GD) (M)

Still Jammin' On The Moon(s)

My shortlist for yesterday's Justin Robertson mixtape ran to 26 tracks, enough for two 86-minute Dubhed selections, so why keep you waiting?

More of an even split between the 20th and 21st centuries, there are some classic remixes of Finitribe and Stereo MC's, a rare B-side from Justin's late 90s alias Gentleman Thief, a deep cut from Lionrock's hugely underrated second album, plenty from The Deadstock 33s and collaborations with Dot Allison, Michael Rother, Nadine Sutherland, Ernie Ranglin and Brix Smith.

More nourishing than a Sunday roast, well, spiritually at least... enjoy the feast!

1) Arikanto (Justin Robertson Remix): DJ Shine (2011)

2) Forevergreen (Forevermost Excellent Mix By Justin Robertson, Mr. Samples & Phunky Torso): Finitribe (1992)

3) I'm In Love... (Justin Robertson's Deadstock 33s Remix) (Cover of The Passions): Andy Bell ft. Dot Allison & Michael Rother (2025)

4) Who Are You? (Sleuth Mix By Justin Robertson & Richard Hector-Jones): Larceny (1995)

5) The Liquidator: Lionrock 1997)

6) Spain (The Deadstock 33's Edit By Justin Robertson): The Stranglers (2010)

7) Creation (Justin Robertson Instrumental): Stereo MC's (1993)

8) At Peace In The Barber's Chair: Gentleman Thief (1999)

9) Brix Goes Tubular (Extended Version): Justin Robertson's Deadstock 33s & Brix Smith (2022)

10) Ramvong (Justin Robertson Deadstock 33's Remix): Richard Rossa (2014)

11) Seventeen (Justin Robertson Mix): Ladytron (2009)

12) Lost In Space (Lionrock Galactic Boogie Mix By Justin Robertson) (Cover of John Williams): Apollo 440 (1998)

13) Save Me (Album Version By Justin Robertson): Two Culture Clash ft. Nadine Sutherland & Ernie Ranglin (2004) 

1992: Forevergreen (The Justin Robertson Mixes) EP: 2

1993: Creation EP: 7

1995: Who Are You? EP: 4

1997: City Delirious: 5

1998: Lost In Space EP: 12

1999: We Generate Love EP: 8

2004: Two Culture Clash: 13

2009: Light & Magic: Remixed & Rare: 11

2010: Spain EP: 6

2011: Arikanto EP: 1

2014: Ramvong EP: 10

2022: Brix Goes Tubular EP: 9

2025: I'm In Love... EP: 3

Jammin' On The Moon(s) Vol. 2 (1:25:41) (GD) (M)

If you've still got room for desert, please indulge yourself with this trio of JR selections from the Dubhed archives:

 

Truth In The Palm Of Her Hands (Lionrock singles and remixes 1992-1997)

Dip Your Hip (JR/Deadstock 33s tracks and remixes, 2001-2023)

Deadstock Holiday (JR remixes 1990-2023)

Get A Grip

Those of you of a certain vintage may recognise Norman "Gripper" Stebson, Grange Hill wrong 'un from 1980, expelled in 1983. 

Nothing wrong about this line-up, however. The Vinyl Villain's posting Lambchop's superb cover of This Corrosion by The Sisters Of Mercy on Tuesday got me thinking of today's opening song and from there a Dubhed selection was born. 

The similarly-titled song by A Certain Ratio gets a stunning synth rinse by Maps, whilst Thomas Leer dusts off his song of the same name, recorded in 2004 and languishing in the vaults until finally released in 2022.

Amateur Night In The Big Top was essentially a duo of Shaun Ryder and Shane Norton, with one self-titled (and hugely underrated) album and a few singles. Clowns was co-written and co-produced by Pete Carroll and Stephen Mallinder and gets a shoo in here courtesy of the remix artist Gripper.

The selection closes with a 12" remix of The Stranglers' classic, released in 1989 as far as I can recall to promote a greatest hits collection. The remix is an odd, welding the percussion track from The Sound Of The Crowd by The Human League to the undercarriage and generally making the song sound more lightweight. Not a patch on the original version, obviously, but an oddity that I think would have sounded as out of place in 1989 as it does now.

Come back here tomorrow for a tale of raffle tickets, home made marmalade and sweet, sweet music.

 

1) (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) (Cover of The Stranglers): Lambchop (2004)

2) Devil's Grip: The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown (1967)

3) Get A Grip (Maps Remix By James Chapman): A Certain Ratio ft. Maria Uzor (2021)

4) Kick It (Hippy Grip) (Remix By Randy Wilson): Nitzer Ebb (1995)

5) Get A Grip: Thomas Leer (2004)

6) Drums In A Grip (Wax Doctor Mix By Paul Saunders): Frank De Wulf (1996)

7) Clowns (Gripper Mix By Alan Gubby): Amateur Night In The Big Top (2003)

8) Grip Like A Vice (Black Affair Mix By Steve Mason): The Go! Team (2007)

9) Phantom Grip: Rival Consoles (2018)

10) Elektro (He Held The World In His Iron Grip) (Part Two): Stereolab (1992)

11) Grip '89 (Grippin' Stuff Mix By Barry Cooder & Taff B. Dylan): The Stranglers (1989)

Get A Grip (52:20) (KF) (Mega)

Loitering With Intent

The joy of the three-minute pop song in 1978*, however else you want to label it. I missed most of these first time around, as they were B-sides or album tracks, but this music refuses to be denied and at various points in my life have gatecrashed my consciousness and my record collection.

A collection of the usual suspects perhaps though when the songs are this great, is it any surprise? A rollercoaster ride that's over in under 36 minutes but packs a lot in to it's wild ride. Strap in!

* Or, in the case of The Stranglers, the six-minute-plus cover version of a stone cold classic pop song.

The selection includes several songs that appeared in JC's excellent 60 Albums @ 60 series, which revealed All Mod Cons by The Jam at #1. So today's post is dedicated to JC with thanks and love.

1) Friends (John Peel Session): Adam & The Ants

2) Radios In Motion: XTC 

3) Reasons: Skids

4) Action Time Vision: Alternative TV

5) Touch And Go (Single Version): Magazine

6) Just Lust: Buzzcocks

7) Billy Hunt: The Jam

8) Suicide A Go Go: Big In Japan

9) I'm Gonna Love You Too: Blondie

10) Drug-Stabbing Time: The Clash

11) Sand In My Joints (Album Version): Wire

12) Walk On By (Cover of Dionne Warwick): The Stranglers

 

1978: Action Time Vision EP / The Image Has Cracked: 4

1978: All Mod Cons: 7 

1978: Chairs Missing: 11

1978: Charles EP: 3

1978: Ever Fallen In Love... (With Someone You Shouldn't've) EP: 6 

1978: From Y To Z And Never Again EP: 8

1978: Give 'Em Enough Rope: 10

1978: Parallel Lines: 9

1978: Touch And Go: 5

1978: Walk On By EP / Black And White (ltd LP+7"): 12

1978: White Music: 2

1990: The Peel Sessions: 1

 

Loitering With Intent (35:51) (Box) (Mega)

Whatever Happened To The Heroes?

Celebrating Jet Black aka Brian Duffy of The Stranglers, 26th August 1938 to 6th December 2022.

 

When I first started buying vinyl (mostly second hand) in the mid-Eighties, The Collection 1977-1982 was an essential purchase for me, as was the Always The Sun 12" single. In the Nineties and a shift to shiny discs, All Twelve Inches was another must have. Little has changed over the years: I've not bought any of The Stranglers' albums, whether the years with Hugh Cornwell or subsequently with Paul Roberts and Baz Warne.

 

I still keep coming back to those compilations though and I've picked up a few more singles in later years. Jet Black's drumming underpins The Stranglers' sound and it's hard to imagine the band without him (yes, I'm aware that ill health forced him to stop touring in 2015 and officially retire from the band in 2018, whilst The Stranglers continue to this day). It sounds incredible but in 1974 Jet left behind his successful business and a fleet of ice cream vans to return to music full-time with The (Guildford) Stranglers. That's commitment for you. There's a great tribute to Jet on The Stranglers' official website.

 

Today's selection is nowhere near a best of The Stranglers but it does include some personal favourites and several from the aforementioned compilations, including Waltzinblack, which gained greater notoriety as the theme from "gastronaut" and bon viveur Keith Floyd's TV show in the Eighties.

 

Take it easy, Jet. 

1) Always The Sun (Hot Mix) (1986)

2) Shah Shah A Go Go (12" Version) (1980)

3) 5 Minutes (1978)

4) (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) (Single Version) (1977)

5) Let Me Down Easy (Extended Version) (1985)

6) Nice 'n' Sleazy (1978)

7) Waltzinblack (1981)

8) Midnight Summer Dream (Special 12" Mix By Tony Visconti) (1982)

9) No More Heroes (Edit) (1977)

1977: (Get A) Grip (On Yourself) EP: 4

1978: 5 Minutes EP: 3

1978: Black And White: 6

1980: Bear Cage EP: 2

1981: The Gospel According To The Meninblack: 7

1982: Midnight Summer Dream EP: 8

1982: The Collection 1977-1982: 9

1985: Let Me Down Easy EP: 5

1986: Always The Sun EP: 1

 

Whatever Happened To The Heroes? (44:59) (Box) (Mega)

Jubileever

Back to 1977, from platinum to silver and the first Jubilee that I can remember. I had the commemorative coin from Midland Bank, but I think I'd used it as currency by the early 80s, somewhat indifferent even then towards the monarchy, 

I won't pretend that I was listening to all of this music in 1977 at the age of 6. It was all Blondie, David Soul, Belle Epoque, The Stranglers and Patsy Gallant on Radio 1, usually played in my parents' Austin Maxi; they upgraded to an Austin Allegro a few years later.

My deep love for reggae via Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy and Yabby You came much later, but it was seeded in 1977 with chart hits like Althea & Donna's Uptown Top Ranking. Likewise, disco prevailed with I Feel Love by Donna Summer, Everybody Dance by Chic and not forgetting Meco's cover version of the theme from Star Wars. It's fair to say that I wasn't sufficiently switched on in my primary school years to pick up on John Cooper Clarke, The Clash and John Cale, or John Foxx-era Ultravox, for that matter.

What a bloody great playlist it would have made, though. I'm as excited now by the music as I think I would have been, had I been introduced to it all simultaneously back in 1977. 

I love music, that's all there is to it. Nothing more, nothing less, only love.

 

1) One Chord Wonders (Album Version): The Adverts

2) (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear: Blondie

3) Silver Lady: David Soul

4) I Married A Monster From Outer Space (Live @ Electric Circus, Manchester, 1-2 October 1977): John Cooper Clarke

5) I Need You (Cover of The Kinks): The Count Bishops

6) Chicken Shit: John Cale

7) Slavemaster: Gregory Isaacs

8) Black Is Black (Single Version) (Cover of Los Bravos): Belle Epoque

9) The Man Who Dies Everyday (Black Sand Extended Edit): Ultravox

10) I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.: The Clash

11) That's What Friends Are For (Single Version) (Cover of Deniece Williams): Janet Kay

12) No More Heroes (Album Version): The Stranglers

13) From New York To L.A. (Single Version): Patsy Gallant

14) Blood A Go Run Down King Street: Yabby You

15) Mr. Bassie (Discomix By Everton Da Silva): Horace Andy

Jubileever (54:25)

You Never Really Saw...

I unearthed this CD-R, which I compiled and burned on 1st June 2005, featuring "alternative 1980s twelve inch mixes". 

This got me reminiscing about going to alternative clubs in Bristol, such as Badlands and The Whip. The latter I've discovered has had it's own Facebook page for years...I'm always late to the party! 

In all honesty, I think the majority of these songs would never had made it near the turntable of most of the clubs I went to at the time. Attempting to play The Icicle Works or U2 would likely have resulted in a Snakebite shower, but Is This The Life, How Soon Is Now?, Uncertain Smile and She Sells Sanctuary were regularly played, along with Fetish by Vicious Pink and Nag Nag Nag by Cabaret Voltaire. 

I'm not sure if it was always there, but I remember Badlands being in a small room above a huge club called Busbys (maybe Ritzys by that time), so there was always the fun of 'mingling' with the mainstream crowd on the way in and out. The Whip was even more fun in that respect as it was in The Studio, in a small room off the main club area, and you had to run the gauntlet of pissed up lager louts dancing to Stock, Aitken & Waterman to get to and from the bogs. 

A limbering up session at The Bunch Of Goths on Denmark Street usually got you ready for the long night (& morning) ahead, followed by an 'all back to mine' at someone's place in Stokes Croft or a 'keep going til the dawn' refresher at the wonderful Jamaican Good Food in St. Pauls. Great times.

1) The Love Parade (12" Version): The Undertones (1983)

2) Is This The Life (12" Version): Cardiacs (1988)

3) Summertime (Extended Version): Fun Boy Three (1982)

4) Hollow Horse (Long Version: The Icicle Works (1984)

5) She Sells Sanctuary (Long Version): The Cult (1985)

6) Finest Worksong (Lengthy Club Mix): R.E.M. (1987)

7) Two Tribes (Carnage): Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984)

8) How Soon Is Now? (12" Version): The Smiths (1984)

9) Driving Away From Home (I Mean After All It's Only 'Dead Man's Curve'): It's Immaterial (1986)

10) Two Hearts Beat As One (Club Version): U2 (1983)

11) Skin Deep (Extended Version): The Stranglers (1984)

12) Uncertain Smile (Extended Version): The The (1982)

 

You Never Really Saw... (1:18:33) (GD) (M)