THE CHEATERS - 'Spirit In The Sky'

Revo/Albion ION-1028, 1982.

01 - Spirit In The Sky
02 - Diplomat

Mick Brophy - vocals/guitar/harmonica, Neil Cossar - guitar, Neil Brockbank - bass, Stewart Burnett - drums.

A few days ago I was digging out a few records I haven't played in years and here's one that's been neglected for too long.

The Cheaters were formed by Mick Brophy after he headed to Manchester after the break up of punk band Trash. They released several records for a whole host of labels in the first half of the 80's. This great cover of the Norman Greenbaum hit was released in January 1982 in blue and black vinyl (mine is the latter, unfortunately). Despite some daytime airplay on Radio One it somehow failed to chart.

What with this and the Little Roosters post a few months back perhaps the early 80's pub rock revival might get some overdue respect. Should I start picking up those Inmates 45's that seem to weigh down every cheap box at record fairs?

SMACK - 'Edward Fox'

Asprin ASP-001, 1980.

01 - Edward Fox
02 - Come Again

Ged McNulty - vocals, Geoff Crane - guitar/vocals, John Harrison - bass/vocals, Steve Spicer - drums.

The first of two singles released by Smack both recorded at Manchester's Drone Studios. First released on the band's Asprin label and then re-issued by Pinnacle a few months later with unsold Asprin stock being paired with Pinnacle sleeves (which is how my copy comes).

'Edward Fox' was a favourite of John Peel's at the time and features lyrics taken from an interview thespian Fox did for the New Manchester Review over some Wire-like guitar. The B-side 'Come Again' is a more melodic offering.

THE RECORD PLAYERS - 'Double C Side'

Aerco/Wreckord AERE-1104/WRECK-001

01 - MOR
02 - Don't Go Backwards
03 - Wrong Song
04 - Ignore Us

Philip G. Martin - vocals/guitar, Mark Addison - guitar/vocals, Martin Horn - bass/vocals, Gordon Larner - drums.

They don't hang wallpaper on walls in Margate, Kent, apparently they use it to print their record sleeves on. This was the first of three singles by The Record Players, all sounding different, but all great. The four tracks here are like a more focused Desperate Bicycles with added pop hooks. One of my favourite records.