Berlin Blondes

[Johnnyboy]

FYI, the link provided earlier: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/OOO/blondes2.jpg shows I would call the "science" lineup. L to R Bonomi,Farrell,Russell Barrie?,Spender. Russell Barrie was a local "character" who played bass in numerous local contemporary bands such the Subhumans(punk and The Venigmas(alongside one hit wonder Owen "my favourite waste of time" Paul). I am not aware if Barrie ever played on any recorded material or appeared live,but his inclusion in the band was extremely short lived as by the time of the first gig I saw subsequent to their album release (at the Bungalow Bar in Paisley), Nick Clarke, who is credited on the album was in the lineup. At this show, Spender appeared very "unBlonde-like with an obvious facial hair growth,along with a set that seemed somewhat lacking,and left the band shortly thereafter.

[O]

Thanks for the info. Now can you tell us who this is:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/OOO/Endgames.jpg

Is it a member of Endgames and if so, which one?

[Johnnyboy]

That would be former Berlin Blonde bassist David Rudden. The photo you refer to is from an early "arty" version of Endgames, the Band Rudden formed after leaving the Blondes. Endgames were a sort of local "supergroup" comprised of former "Venigma" Andrew Logan (guitar),p/t "Simple Mind" Paul Wishart and David Murdoch on keys.
Endgames early line up was like the classic Blondes and used drum machines. The Photo you have comes from a compilation album called "live Letters" (which I used to own-loaned it to my bassplayer and never seen it again).That album is somewhat a collectors item as it includes three live early tracks from bands performing live at some London club, with the other artists being The Fix(x), Wang(Huang) Chung and another Band whose name escapes me for the moment.
Endgames went through numerous personnel changes eventually changing guitarists (former Zone Willie Gardiner) and adding former Simple Mind drummer Brian McGhee. Their style also changed, going more mainstream "dance oriented" and did produce a "superb" debut album "Building Beauty" which never recieved the success or credit it merits, and unbeleivably did not inlude their classic single (First,Last,for everything" on it.
What other goodies do you have tucked away ?
The review you posted also reminded me of how much song names and arrangements changed before being recorded eg "The Zero Song" originally being called "Numeral Eye".
I believe the Original title of "Astro" was "White Vision"
Then there are unrecorded classics such as their intro instrumental "the March".

[Rubellan]

I always assumed Bonomi had to be the one in the pink shirt (on the Science single sleeve). The (no offense intended) fey appearance seemed to match the androgynous voice, but then I was just guessing.

The only thing I've ever heard from Endgames is called "Love Cares", and I really disliked it. I have the video, which is also quite bad. I do have the Live Letters LP though, but I bought it for the excellent Fay Ray songs. The Fix(x) songs turned out to be quite good as well. Too bad they were not released in studio versions.

Scott

[O]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Johnnyboy[/i]
<br>former Zone Willie Gardiner
[/quote]

I'm running out of stuff to post but there's a Willie Gardiner demo review on the same page as the Blondes demo review in The RAG:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/ ... review.jpg

I have the "Golden Youth" 45 somewhere. There's also another early Endgames track on a compilation LP from 1981, I've forgotten the name but it was a sequel to the "Hicks from the Sticks" album.

I have to agree with Scott - what I've heard of them doesn't compare with the Berlin Blondes!

[SomebodySomewhere]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Rubellan[/i]
<br>The only thing I've ever heard from Endgames is called "Love Cares", and I really disliked it. I have the video, which is also quite bad.[/quote]

That video is cheap, natch. The video for "Waiting for Another Chance" was pretty good, though. It was modeled after the UK 12" cover (oriental paper fan motif).

You've probably heard the song...
http://s44.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2F3H ... JGGCK9VC0A

Me, I have yet to hear "Natural" -- save for the single, "Shouting Out for Love," which is the only thing I have from it.

[O]

Berlin Blondes article from ZIZ ZAG 1981:

<IMG SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/OOO/blondesZZ.jpg">

[Rubellan]

Wow, thanks for posting this article! It was an interesting read. It's unfortunate that not much happened for the band after this interview. Oh well, at least there's one great album to enjoy. I'd love to see some video material, if any exists. I also wish there was a lyric sheet with the lp. I listen to most songs thinking, what is he saying??

Scott

[vidmarc]

[quote]Does anyone have any photos of this band? [/quote]

Yes, I saw the Berlin Blondes numerous times throughout 1981/2 and have some great colour photos, most of which I took at Fulham's Café des Artistes, where they played several times. I'll dig them out and upload some scans.

Faveourite track - Framework.

Mondo Erotico
http://www.mondo-erotico.com

[O]

Wow, yes, please do!

http://www.thestudentteachers.com

[Johnnyboy]

Looking forward to the scans, meanwhile you can read more about the demise of the Blondes in the Endgames story, here:

http://www.anthroworld.co.uk/ALPHAWORLD ... -index.htm

Also, former Blondes bassist David Rudden has started a MySpacepage:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... D=80731174

[deethelurker]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Johnnyboy[/i]
<br>Looking forward to the scans, meanwhile you can read more about the demise of the Blondes in the Endgames story, here:

http://www.anthroworld.co.uk/ALPHAWORLD ... -index.htm

Also, former Blondes bassist David Rudden has started a MySpacepage:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... D=80731174

[/quote]

I totally knew about the MySpace page because I have Endgames as one of my friends on it, but wow, that Endgames site is a find! Look at all those photos and scans! I've bookmarked it for further reference.

BTW, I didn't know this until very recently, but Endgames were Peel Sessions artists. Wow. They did TWO of them too, the second one happening right around the time [i]Building Beauty[/i] was released. They performed "Waiting For Another Chance" and a few other songs in that session. I mean, can you imagine? Endgames doing two legendary Peel Sessions. That was way awesome to find out.