New Wave Outpost Forum

I just recently listened to a 1981 album by Any Trouble called Wheels in Motion. To me, it has very melodic tunes with tight musicianship.
I was previously aware of the tune "Second Choice", but little else.

Does anyone have any information to share about the band? Where they're from, what their 'reputation' was, what genre they were classified under, etc?

Also, is there any albums in their catalog that you would recomend as my next venture?

Thanks.

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“Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list.”

YES! They were considered "pub-rock" with some comparisons to early Elvis Costello or Graham Parker.

Get the debut album "Where Are All the Nice Girls?" (re-released last year). Includes the classic "Girls Are Always Right."

I have both and they're pretty good......but the wiring in the back of my head is faulty because I remember hearing one of their tunes way back when (long before I got both of these) that sounded VERY much like Elvis. It's not one either one of these releases. Maybe a single that never made it to an LP?

[i]Where Are All The Nice Girls?[/i] is a brilliant album - go buy it now!!!

"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"

I love discovering bands by complete accident, as was the case with Any Trouble. I was doing business in MD and stopped into a local record shop, where they were playing "Wrong End Of The Race" which if you're unfamiliar with it is a beautiful (but sad) ballad consisting mostly of vocals and strings. Not representative of their sound, but fantastic. I bought it on the spot.

"Open Fire" (the opening track of the Wrong End Of The Race disc) sounds like Elvis Costello singing to a Springsteen track (the opening sounds very much like "Born To Run"). But yes, it's probably mostly pub rock. Great stuff!

[quote][i]Originally posted by Surly[/i]
<br>[i]Where Are All The Nice Girls?[/i] is a brilliant album - go buy it now!!!

"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"
[/quote]

Absolutely! Along with the Fabulous Poodles and local favorites the Heats, Any Trouble was a staple of Seattle's very early 80's new wave station KZAM. I would call them pub rock/power pop. "Second Choice" is one of my all-time favorites.

Any Trouble were from Manchester, England. Took a long hiatus in 1981-1982 and then broke up in 1984. Reunited last year for a new album (which I haven't heard).

They charted nothing at home and did no better Stateside than a #108 peak on the Billboard bubbling under chart for "Second Choice."

"Second Choice," "Trouble with Love" and "Touch and Go" are their crowning achievements, IMNSHO.

http://www.anytrouble.co.uk

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[b]YouTube Music Video of the Week[/b]

Pale Fountains - "Jean's Not Happening"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6RFhVib1uw

[quote][i]Originally posted by Surly[/i]
<br>[i]Where Are All The Nice Girls?[/i] is a brilliant album - go buy it now!!!

"Words like conviction can turn into a sentence"
[/quote]

Wow. Thanks for the suggestion, guys. I finally got my hands on a copy of "Where Are All The Nice Girls" and it's fantastic.

It may be sacriledge, but I put it right up there with 'Look Sharp' by Joe Jackson as far as general sound and quality. Awesome album.

I can definitely see the Joe Jackson and Elvis Costello comparisons.


________________________
“Racism isn't born, folks, it's taught. I have a two-year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list.”

[quote][i]Originally posted by Max Murdoc[/i]
<br>I have both and they're pretty good......but the wiring in the back of my head is faulty because I remember hearing one of their tunes way back when (long before I got both of these) that sounded VERY much like Elvis. It's not one either one of these releases. Maybe a single that never made it to an LP?
[/quote]

No, you're not imagaining it as he does sound like Elvis Costello. I've got their first album and it's fine, but lacks that star quality to make it a hit as the bloke could write.


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"As chairman of the Cradle of Filth fanclub I'm the most insensitive man in Britain, but even I can see there's tension there"