The Unknown Beauty Of The 80's Vol. 135

[Rissan]

The History Of British Progressive Rock Of The Eighties Volume 3

Yes, again a thematic Volume although I must apologize for the diverse quality of the presented songs. They come from a variety of sources, and, of course, especially the songs from with a cassette source bear the quality of the record and cd resources. Not surprising when you consider that many of the cassettes are almost forty years old and I sometimes own a copy from a copy and besides most of the cassette stuff were demos, sometimes not recorded with high tech equipment.

Again the booklet The History Of British Progressive Rock Of The Eighties by François Guirin & André- François Ruaud and the Directory Of British Progressive Rock by David Robinson were used as guideline for this compilation.

Kyte is probably the most obscure band on this compilation. I discovered the band just a couple of months ago, to be honest just after I had started with the first THOBPR Volume. The band released just one demo in 1982 and did some performances.

Gizmo were originally formed in 1975. After the release of two albums they split in 1981 to briefly reform in 1985, when they released a two track demo. Former members of the band later formed the psychedelic rock band HPC which released one album 1991.

Spellbound, formerly known as Mascarade, were from Watford. The band released two demos in 1984.

Craft was formed by three ex-members of The Enid. The band released one album in 1985.

The Quest were formed in 1986 and recorded a two track demo which won the band a place in the final of the Yamaha Band Explosion contest of 1987. A trip to Japan for the finals saw then perform at the legendary Budokan theatre and they gained first place in the “Best Rock Band” category and second in the overall competition. The band supported It Bites in 1988 but were then hit by several line-up changes. Stopping the band entering the studios until late 1990. Two tracks of that session appeared on the Pagan Portfolio 1 Sampler. After some line-up changes the band signed for Now And then and finally released their debut in 1993. In 1995 followed a second album.

Another Part Of The Wood formed in 1983 as The Awakening, but changed names at the beginning of 1984. The band recorded between the summer of 1984 and January 1986 two demos, a live cassette, a single and was featered on a compilation album.

Silas formed in Norfolk under the name Silas Ibey. In March 1985 they released their first demo. The Ibey part was later dropped after a guitarist replacement. A second demo followed in 1987. The band were well known for their live performances, but split in November 1988. Ex-members from the band later formed Stealing The Fire who released an album in 1999.

After The Stranger were first known as Always The Stranger, but changed name in January 1986 and split in 1988. In that period they recorded two demos and one mini album. Most honorable member was Tim Bowness (No-Man, Plenty, Henry Fool, Memories Of Machines, Postcards From space, Slow Electric, ex-Centrozoon, ex-Darkroom). Although Micheal Bearpark (Darkroom, Henry Fool, Pedaltone, Samuel Smiles, ex-Plenty) may sound familiar as well, since he played in the live band of No-Man and Tim Bowness. Drummer Howard Jones later played for Porcupine Tree and Geoff Mann.

Red Jasper formed in 1987 in Stapleton near Bristol by singer Davey Dodds and guitarist Robin Harrison. After two self-releases the band signed to HTD Records. Their breakthrough came with the two releases by the SI Music label, but due to bankruptcy of that label the band nearly split in late 1995. But after their fifth release through Cymbeline Records the band was put on ice for nearly 13 years, when they held a reunion. This resulted in a combined re-release of their first two releases, a live album in 2015 and a new album in 2016. The music of Red Jasper is very English and melodic with a folk feel.

GoGo Street started in 1986 as Borag Thungg. After a demo and a contribution to the Exposure compilation in 1986, they changed their name to GoGo Street and released a single and a demo to split in 1988.

Grace was formed by a group of fellow art students in the late 1970’s taking the best of English folk rock and mixing it with surreal stories. After a self-financed single in 1977 they signed to MCA, through which they released their self-titled debut album. After two singles and a live album the band suddenly split in 1981. Three members, Mac Austin, John and Harry Davies, formed the new wave band White Door, which resulted in an album and three singles all recorded in the Trevor Horn Studios. In 1988 the band reunited for a special Christmas show and did so for the two following years, but gradually started writing new songs. Between 1992 and 1999 the band released three albums and a demo cassette. After 20 years in 2019 the band returned with a new album. Meanwhile White Door is alive as well and just released a new album in April 2020.

Gothique were founded in 1981 as Made In England, and recorded a 7” single under that name. The band recorded, until their split in 1985, three demos. Their singer/guitarist Colin Molloy worked with Samatha Foxx during the second half of the 80’s.

Nigel Mazlyn Jones was born in the Black Country in the 1950’s. He has been playing guitar since 1962 and released his debut album in 1976. He is working in the fields odf singer-songwriter, folk, prog rock and new age music. His prog period mainly lasted from 1979 to 1987, when a song was featured on the Double Exposure compilation.

Dickens were formed by members of various local bands from Nuneaton. Although mainly Nuneaton lads, they played regularly in and around Tamworth including gigs at The Chequers at Hopwas and the Arts Centre. They released their self-produced album "STANDING OUT" on the Hawkmoon Label in 1985. Their singer Mick Rutherford already had released an album in 1979 with his then band Ice. Their music was described as a mix of Genesis, Deep Purple and Ultravox. Shortly after March 1987 their equipment was stolen from their tour bus they called it a day.

Appletwig Cutter another obscure band from the early 1980’s. the band released several demo and live tapes and were active until 1982/83.

Weo Goran the third obscure band who made two demos in 1987.

Porcupine Tree started in 1985 as a project of Steven Wilson (Karma, No-Man). The band released two demo cassettes in 1989 and 1990 before signing to Delirium. Since then the band saw their following growing by the year, and playing for even bigger crowds as well. Although the band is on ice, due to Wilson’s solo efforts, since 2012, seven ‘new’ live performances saw the light of day in 2020.

The tracks:

01. Kyte - Autumn (5:27)
02. Gizmo - Time Waits For No-One (4:17)
03. Spellbound - Tension Rise (5:17)
04. Craft - Cancer (6:57)
05. The Quest - Beat Of The City (3:57)
06. Another Part Of The Wood - On The Wire (4:15)
07. Silas - The Path (4:51)
08. After The Stranger - Chains Of Choice (4:08)
09. Red Jasper - Pull That Thumb... (off the top of your head) (3:29)
10. GoGo Street - 2000 Years (3:32)
11. Grace - Fire Of London (4:20)
12. Gothique - Circle Of Light (5:30)
13. Nigel Mazlyn Jones - Lighthouse (5:13)
14. Dickens - Standing Out (5:15)
15. Appletwig Cutter - International Terrorist (3:41)
16. Weo Goran - Simply Michael (3:18)
17. Porcupine Tree - Radioactive Toy (5:52)

The link: https://mega.nz/file/k8QHgC5Z#J3vUlOfPd ... 8gPYWeL5TQ

Enjoy

[crichert]

Thanks Rissan, love these thematic collections and the tiny write-up for each!

[Gazebo Music]

Another Part Of The Wood - On The Wire

Incredible work Ris! Job well done my friend!

[maccafan076]

I always appreciate these Rissan. I can't believe how much great music I never knew about before with these.