The Mo-Dettes

[schwenko]

from the Other Music mailing list

"I have literally been waiting years for this record to come out on CD... YEARS. Cherry Red answers my distress call (thank you!) with the definitive reissue of the sole album by one of the best European post-punk bands of the era (and one of my all-time faves), the Mo-dettes. Formed in the late '70s by American guitarist Kate Korus, who had previously been the Slits' original guitarist, the band also consisted of Swiss singer Ramona Carlier and British rhythm section Jane Crockford and June Miles-Kingston. They created a buzz on the scene with their single "White Mice" -- often anthologized on post-punk collections with good reason, it's a total jam -- and were quickly signed to Deram, where they released one album, The Story So Far, two singles, and then broke up. This CD collects everything into one handy little package for you -- the album in its entirety, with the 7" A- and B-sides added on as bonus tracks at the end.

Korus' Slits connection makes perfect sense listening to this. Like that band, the Mo-dettes balance razor-sharp punk attitude with girl-group hooks and harmonies, while displaying at times a sinister undercurrent someone like Siouxsie would also put on record. Above all, though, this record is a total blast; it's a pop record in punk's clothing, and that makes it much stronger and less dated than many of its contemporaries. All killer, no filler, if you're a fan of post-punk girl bands, or girl group sounds from any era for that matter, you'd be wise to check this. A thick booklet stuffed with photos and a history of the band by the band, this is hands-down one of the crown jewels in Cherry Red's catalogue."

cannot comment on sound quality

[Bad Penny]

Glad that the reissue appealed. The Mo-Dettes were/are really nice people to work with (same with the Passions).

"I think the one thing that came from my stint with Cherry Red is that I instilled the necessity to utilize studio masters, at least for some releases."

That's hilarious. But it raised a smile, so thanks!

Yup. It's true. I confess. All such fiscal decisions are geared to appeasing the great one.

No-one else cares about quality. Or pushes for the best result possible.

Oh, and in case anyone's experiencing problems getting Cherry Red and other UK CDs - Pinnacle (distribution agent) collapsed towards the end of last year, which has had a huge knock-on effect on most everything. Should now be sorted out, though (ie restocked to consumer sites etc).

[Rubellan]

Alex, you really are just a sad little loser. Not that you would ever admit that both The Passions and Mo-Dettes CD's would have most definitely been mastered from vinyl had I not been involved previously with the label, even though you know it's 100% fact.

[Bad Penny]

Heh heh.

Just returning to your original post, I like the use of "instilled".

The only thing you've ever "instilled" in your whole life is your head in your own ass. Perhaps the day will come when you might consider retrieving it. Perhaps not.

As for your implication that the remastering decisions were affected by your input (I love the 100% fact bit..) I'm afraid I've got the documentation to entirely disprove that. If anyone doubts that, drop me a PM for verification (I'm not posting private correspondence on a public site).

Then again... it's all a little bit sad, isn't it? Why not just celebrate the fact that releases like the Mo-Dettes came out well, without trying desperately to grab credit for something in which you played no part whatsoever?

As someone pointed out on the Passions thread, none of this dignifies the subject at hand at all. But again, if you post lies, I will counter them.

[Rubellan]

i don't care what documentation you have now. i know that when i was in discussion about both releases a couple of years ago, i was going to be tapped to do the remastering (which means no tapes), but the applications at the time were denied by universal. it's no secret that at that time master tapes were bottom of the priority chain at CR when preparing a project, and it was explained to me it was due to cost. and don't be a hypocrite when talking about quality. remember it was your pressuring me to use inferior source material for one of the balaam CD's to meet your stupid deadline that warranted my desire to stop working on projects. i have no doubt that all the talk of the necessity to use masters, to you and especially with iain, influenced the use of them on these, and HOPEFULLY future projects.

[Bad Penny]

Piffle. And like I say, I can prove it.

Though you are kind of right when you mention economics. But not at all in the way you are thinking. Keep guessing!

Love the "stupid deadline" bit. Keep whining from the sidelines, you poor, tortured, misunderstood critter.

Right, my friend the busted flush, busy on other projects (remember that feeling? Must be fading fast). But do leave your absuse, paranoia and half-baked conspiracy theories below. I shall attend to them on my return.