Louis Tillett & Charlie Owen "The Ugly Truth" (1993)

A CD release on the german limited-edition series Return To Sender, (sub-label of Normal Records and distributed via mail only), "The Ugly Truth" can work, for newcomers, as a very good and finely performed introduction to the lyrical, bluesy world of Louis Tillett. Oldcomers though, or ones who have missed some earlier episodes will find here interesting new material along with refreshing alternate versions of tracks from his first works.

The album was recorded in Australia in 1993 with Louis on piano, hammond, voice, percussion and Charlie  Owen (guitarist in Beasts Of Burbon, New Christs and others) on production, guitar and percussion. Tillett is a little known, perhaps, in Greece, Germany and, i guess, Australia, but the ugly truth is he generally remains an unjustly neglected  artist.

The Ugly Truth

Louis Tillett - An Ancient Song (live, 1999)
(from "Live @ The Basement", Return To Sender, 2001)

Australian Compilations Vol.5

The fifth part of LaFolieDuJour tribute to australian acts.

Severed Heads in flesh (v.a. Live At The Wireless, ep, 1983)
Birds Of Tin Slothy tank (ep, 1981)
Wreckery bending the bars ("Laying Down Law", 1988)
The Moodists chatter shapes ("Engine Shudder", 1983)
Naked Lunch teenage blues ("Little Too Late", single, 1986)
Crystal Set drop in the ocean (single, 1985)
Bo-Weevils illusions ("Where Particular People Congregate",1989)
Pray TV where do i get off ("Swingers Paradise", 1994)
Celibate Rifles back on the corner ("On The Quiet", 1996)
Kim Salmon & The Surrealists sea anemone ("Essence", 1991)
Tendrils Hands are tied ("Soaking Red", 1998)
My Friend The Chocolate Cake algeria ("Good Luck", 1996)
Jackson Code do you feel the pull ("Things you need", 1995)
Steve Kilbey shell ("This Asphalt Eden", single, 1985)
Not Drowning, Waving another pond ("Another Pond", 1984)

Volume 5

V.A. Australian Compilations vol.4

The fourth volume of LaFolieDuJour tribute to Australia's underground  music scenes...

Prod n.w.o.d. (1981)
Persia q-girl (1984)
Fungus Brains death dance (1983)
Denial weatherman (1982)
The End my confession (1983)
Famous pockets (80's)
The Yapocks passionfruit creek (1983)
The Unstrung Harp sticks and stones (1985)
Tactics birthday girl (1986)
Blackeyed Susans enemy mine (1989)
Plug Uglies johnny panic (1990)
Sacred Cowboys canned goods (1988)
Cruel Sea down below (1990)
Distant Locust little boy and the fatman (1988)
Gondwanaland landscape (1983)

compiled by LaFolieDuJour
Vol 4

TACTICS: Breathing The Landscape

Σχήμα εξαρχής προσανατολισμένο στην ελεγχόμενα αντισυμβατική καλλιτεχνία, οι Tactics, αναδεικνύονται μέσα από την γεμάτη ενέργεια μετα-πανκ σκηνή του Sydney, κερδίζοντας τη φήμη που έκτοτε τους συνοδεύει χάρη στα άλμπουμς εκείνης της εποχής, "My Houdini" (1980) και "Glebe" (1981).
Η συνέχεια είναι συναρπαστική, λίγοι όμως την παρακολουθούν. Με δεδομένες αποστάσεις από την καθιερωμένη ηλεκτρική νεύρωση, ο συνθέτης, τραγουδιστής, κιθαρίστας Dave Studdert και η - διαρκώς μεταβαλλόμενη - παρέα του διευρύνουν τον ορίζοντα των αναφορών τους. Τα ονειροϊσκιωτα βασίλεια της ποπ και φολκ ψυχεδέλειας που επισκέπτονται, για να συναναστραφούν παλιά πνεύματα, τους ωθούν σε ζυμώσεις ήχων ασυνήθιστες, απόλυτα όμως μεθυστικές. Πρωτόγνωρα ρίγη μελωδικής ευφορίας διαπερνούν τις συνθέσεις, πλοκές απρόβλεπτες εξυφαίνονται γύρω απ΄τους παράξενους ρυθμούς. Οι ερμηνείες αξιοποιούν πλήρως την ιδιότυπη φωνή του Dave Studdert, οι νεωτερισμοί δε θολώνουν διόλου την ενυπάρχουσα στον πυρήνα κάθε σύνθεσης αισθηματική αγνότητα των Tactics - αυτήν στην οποία επιθυμούν διακαώς να χρίσουν και μας συνεργούς.

Προσφέρουν λοιπόν επι τούτου την πιο διαχρονικά φωτεινή πανδαισία τους: το άλμπουμ "Blue & White Future Whale'' (Folding Chair, 1986). Ένα ασύγκριτο καλειδοσκόπιο βιωμάτων, ανησυχαστικών διαισθήσεων και οραμάτων ταύτισης, μια συνταρακτική αποτύπωση των μυριάδων δονήσεων του ατέλειωτου, φυσικού και μη, αυστραλιανού τοπίου.

Σε μια προσπάθεια γνωριμίας μ' ένα ευρύτερο κοινό, κυκλοφορεί στην Ευρώπη από τη βρετανική Red Flame, που έχει ανατυπώσει το κλασικό ντεμπούτο "My Houdini" καθώς και το θαυμάσιο ΕΡ "Holden Interview", αποτελούμενο κυρίως από σινγκλς.

Η ανταπόκριση παρόλα αυτά παραμένει ελάχιστη και η εκπνοή της μεγάλης δεκαετίας βρίσκει τους Tactics να δοκιμάζουν με ένα ακόμα LP.
Σε σχέση με τις δυνατότητες τους, αλλά και τις προσδοκίες μετά από ένα "Blue & White...", το "The Great Gusto" (Regular, 1989) ηχεί πιο προσγειωμένο, είναι όμως το ύστατο έργο τους και κάθε μικρή ή μεγάλη του στιγμή μας κληροδοτεί την μελαγχολική γνώση πως δεν υπήρξαν ούτε υπάρχουν πουθενά άλλοι όπως αυτοί.
Αμέσως μετά την κυκλοφορία του "The Great Gusto" o Dave Studdert διαλύει οριστικά το γκρουπ και φεύγει στη Μεγάλη Βρετανία. Στα χρόνια που ακολουθούν, η λήθη ευτυχώς δεν είναι ολοκληρωτική. Συλλογές, ανθολογίες, συγκεντρωτικές εκδόσεις, μοιάζουν να κρατούν κατά κάποιο τρόπο το δίαυλο ανοιχτό...
Και είναι πράγματι υπόθεση ανοικτή όσο λίγες, η μουσική των Tactics. Η απαραβίαστη της μοναδικότητα, η βαθιά της μέριμνα, το ίδιο το γενεσιουργό πνεύμα που διαφυλάσεται εντός της μεταλαμπαδεύσιμο, καθιστούν, όσο περνάει ο χρόνος, την επαφή όλο και πιο επι-τακτική.

MOONFROG

Carry the moon across the river
Put it on the other side
Take the light that it gives you
Leave you there so high and dry - and shout!
All your dreams come rushing out and so,
She gives you back just what you know,
And i feel the female side
So long denied.

See the mark outside your window
Left there by the tide of night
And on your arm, below the elbow
Where the skin is soft and white, on your wrist
The moon fades as the darkness dips and leaves
On your skin it's deepest kiss.
And i feel the female side
So long denied.

Last night i saw a bird
The moon was hidden in its beak
By the window i stood and watched;
Finally the moon did speak to me,
Said "These thing i give to you,
Please take them,
All these things you already own".
And i feel the female side
So long denied.


Moonfrog

TACTICS "Fatman / Shark Bed Rally" (AUS, 1985)

Fatman / Shark Bed Rally (1985)

FATMAN

John saw it first he said it's strange
Fatman casts a shadow that's very thin and strained
All those years sleeping in the hall
Wrapped up tight we could hear his snore
Now these days are gone and they never will return
Things are not quite how they were before

Remnants of his reign strewn around the hall
Camera's on the fatman his rise and his fall
All those years shake that money tree
Everything you want everything for free

Now at night you hear all those lonely people calling
Because they can't remember nothing at all

Had land had water
He gave us life we gave him daughters
Jets on strings flew out his window
Had land had water
The reign of the fatman is coming to a close

TACTICS "Coat Tails / Committee Of Love" (AUS, 1986)

" Coat Tails / Committee Of Love "

COMMITTEE OF LOVE

Driving down the road at night
Going to see you in my car so full of light
All around me fields made of ivory
Made of dreaming
Now i feel something real
A white light is how i feel
Committee of love

Hoping that you 're up there waiting for me
In your house behind the harbour
Where the boats [..], touch each other
Cloud and shore rub together
My tank is empty but i don't stop
10,000 hands push me along
Committee of love

Trees are grey and close at hand
One by one they open up and point me on
The clouds are blowing wild, wild horse
The night is bright, the moon is shining
From before and from behind
Everything i knew is cast aside
Committe of love

The moon goes flashing by
Everything is on the fly
Everything is working late
To help me on my way
Committee of love

2 is the starting number
3 is the world around you
4 are the things that hold you
1 are the things that love you
Only with each other will we find the things we want.

V.A. Australian Compilations vol.3

The Go Betweens, Melbourne 1981

Third batch of minor, obscure gems from 80s australian indie scene, compiled by LFDJ

01 NUVO BLOC Living Brigade
02 TRIPPS Crystal Palace
03 THE LIMP Marked Man
04 XL CAPRIS Refrigerator Town
05 SAFEHOUSE Things That You Say
06 THE INTERNATIONAL EXILES Mini Skirts In Moscow
07 PETE LILLY'S GUITAR METHOD Dangerman
08 DANCE SET Nothing's Gonna Break Us Apart
09 THE SWELL GUYS Smack In The Head
10 THE TABLEWAITERS Confrontation With A Mountain
11 TWO WAY GARDEN Overnight
12 THE DAGOES I Do It For Mama
13 PHILISTEINS Point Of No Return
14 THE WRECKERY Everlasting Sleep
15 THE APARTMENTS Make It Count
16 HONEYMOON IN GREEN The Good Mood

Vol. 3 (16 tracks, approx 50 min)

V.A. Australian Compilations vol 2

The Laughing Clowns on stage in Melbourne 1985

Second part of selections from 80s australian underground territories...

MAKERS OF THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST - A Dam From The Diabolist
OTHER VOICES - Another Tuesday
SCATTERED ORDER - I'm not whole
HUNTERS & COLLECTORS - Lumps Of Lead
THE SAME - Time Line
TAME O'MEARAS - Curl Curl
MR KNOTT - another way of walking
THE PRODUCTS - Powerplant
TANGLED SHOELACES - world
DORIAN GREY - Children Of Sombre Town
POLES - Over & Beyond & Through
SPECTRE'S REVENGE - No Moon At Midnight
SKOLARS - Something (Should Be Done)
WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARIES - Forest Or The Trees
X - Don't Cry No Tears

compiled by LaFolieDuJour

LISTEN HERE

PORCELAIN BUS "The Well Is Dry" 7''(AUS, 1987)

Back to 80s australian stuff with another Citadel release. Alternative, garage-psych influenced band PORCELAIN BUS made this two-track single in 1987. Both tracks are among their best. None of them appears in any of their two full albums ("Talking To God", 1988 and "Fragile", 1990)... but can be found instead in the 1990 compilation "Sacred Relics"... and that's where are taken from for the needs of this post.

The Well Is Dry

FRONTIER SCOUTS "Museum Collection" (AUS, 1984)

Following a similar path to the early GO BETWEENS and associated with them, talented australian indiepop songwriter ANDREW WILSON enters late 70's Brisbane scene with his outfit FOUR GODS. Under this moniker WILSON releases (for Able label) the single "Enchanted House / Reastless" (1980), helped by GRANT McCLENNAN on bass and LINDY MORRISON on drums.

His next step is FRONTIER SCOUTS, a band that Wilson forms in Sydney in 1982. Wilson's songwriting is now more matured, moving from post-punk angularity to a fresh indie-pop feeling. FRONTIER SCOUTS though remain a nearly unknown band... and soon disband leaving behind only one single ("When Daddy Blows His Top"/"Out Of Your Shell") and one 5-track EP ("MUSEUM COLLECTION", 1984), both for Au-Go-Go label.

Third and final act in WILSON's music career is ANDREW WILSON + ASSOCIATES. With that outfit, which includes, among others, contributions from Robert McComb (TRIFFIDS), Wilson makes a 12'' EP in Melbourne (1987). Late 80's Wilson quits music as one of the neglected heroes of australian alternative scene... and remains forgotten up to 1999 when Chapter Music presents the retrospective compilation AMATEURISM with 18 cuts from all Wilson's bands... and liner notes by Robert Forster.

FOUR GODS: Andrew Wilson (voice, guitar, percussion) - Grant McLennan (bass) - Lindy Morrison (drums) - Keryn Henry (drums) - Peter Morgan (guitar, vocals)

FRONTIER SCOUTS: Andrew Wilson (voice, guitar, perc.) - Brad Allen Waters (bass) - Graeme Hutchison (drums) - Debbie Auchinichie (backing vocals)

ANDREW WILSON + ASSOCIATES: Andrew Wilson (voice, guitar, perc.) - Nigel Harford (bass) - Steve Miler (guitar) - Robert McComb (guitar, vocals) - Julien Wu (guitar, vocals)


FRONTIER SCOUTS - When Daddy Blows His Top

listen to
FRONTIER SCOUTS - museum collection

Sounds from 80's Australian Underground

LIZARD TRAIN - Beauty Underground

(7'', Greasy Pop, 1987)

tracks:
beauty underground - the day the sky went black

THE NEW CHRISTS - Born Out Of Time
(7'', Citadel, 1986)

tracks:
Born out of time - no next time

MINUTEMAN Voodoo Slaves
(7'', Citadel, 1982)
tracks:
Voodoo slaves - i wanna be your minuteman

YA YA CHORAL - Such A Dutch Man
(7'', M Squared, 1982)
tracks:
waiting time - god's buzzsaw - nonsense



THE CHAMPAGNE EDGE - Selftitled
(7'', Au-Go-Go, 1980)
tracks:
a different direction - the wind - in my house - facelift

THE LAUGHING CLOWNS "History of Rock N'Roll vol.1" (AUS, 1984)

reposted with a new link! as requested

While the third THE SAINTS album "Prehistoric Sounds" has already found the group aesthetics moved towards a bluesier, more soulful ground, guitarist EDMUND KUEPPER separates himself from puristic, narrowminded punk-rock plans, and forms THE LAUGHING CLOWNS, taking off the (embarrassed circa `79-`80) australian post punk status towards even artier, avant-jazz-blues-experimental horizons.

"History Of Rock N'Roll vol.1", released from HOT records in 1984, is a compilation of material selected from EPs the band recorded the 1980-`82 period.

THE LAUGHING CLOWNS,EP, rec Feb1980 (Holy Joe/I want to scream/The laughing clowns)

SOMETIMES, THE FIRE DANCE..., EP, rec June1980 (Sometimes)

LAUGHING CLOWNS 3 , EP, rec Nov1980 (Collapse board, Ghost beat, Clown town)

EVERYTHING THAT FLIES..., EP, rec Nov1982 (Every dog has its day, Everything that flies)

THEME FROM "MAD FLIES, MAD FLIES", 7``single, rec Oct1981 (Theme from "mad flies, mad flies").

THE LAUGHING CLOWNS (1980) : ED KUEPPER(guit, voc), JEFFREY WEGENER(drums), BOB FARRELL(sax), BEN WALLACE CRABBE(bass), DAN WALLACE CRABBE(piano).

THE LAUGHNING CLOWNS (1981-82): ED KUEPPER, JEFFREY WEGENER, LOUISE ELLIOT(sax), LESLIE MILLAR(bass), PETER DOYLE(trumpet).

History Of Rock N'Roll vol.1

CHAD'S TREE "Buckle In The Rail" ( AUS, 1986)

Debut LP of Perth outfit, CHAD'S TREE (1983-1989), members of which later appeared on THE BLACKEYED SUSANS, THE JACKSON CODE and other bands.... "BUCKLE IN THE RAIL" reflects the idiosyncracy of indie-aussie style the same lyrical way as some of the greatest names of the era do. Recommended to fans of (early) TRIFFIDS, LAUGHING CLAWNS, LOUIS TILLETT, THE APARTMENTS ("Evening visits...and stays for years")...

BUCKLE IN THE RAIL

V.A. Australian Compilations vol 1

20 tiny & very tiny lights on the australian post punk map.

1.IDIOM FLESH holiday ( 1982)
2.SYSTEMATICS bovine (1982 )
3.PROD a brick short (1981)
4.EST red tv (1980)
5.VIA VENETO empty (1981)
6.MORAL FIBRO take a walk in the sun (1982)
7.THE SAME in the door (1981)
8.WILD WEST chinchilla (1981)
9.THE GOAT THAT WENT OM pirate song (1980-81)
10.MOVING PARTS heart of darkness (1980)
11.SLUGFUCKERS tricked you! (1981)
12.BRRR COLD turtle maestros (1981)
13.METRONOMES sunday morning (1980)
14.THE LIMB ghost train (1981)
15.MAESTROS & DIPSOS heart and tongue
16.HEIGHT/DISMAY the tinning test (1980)
17.SUNDAY PAINTERS be objective (1982)
18.SCAPA FLOW the end (1980)
19.MAKERS OF THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST zebra crossing (1981)
20.SCATTERED ORDER it's our friends that kill us ( 1984 )

compiled by
LaFolieDuJour
Listen here

THE MAKERS OF THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST " Why Wont We Wake? " (AUS, 1982)

Four-track EP released from M Squared in 1982. One of the incredible avant-art operations, these haunted-soundscape makers tried in the heart of ambient/electronic/industrial/acousmatic experimentalism.
If there is much interest, a 'La Folie' made summary of their other works might follow.

The legendary MAKERS OF THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST were:
Peter Richardson (piano, keyboards), Gregg Addison (guitar), Tim Schultz (sax, bongos), Shane Fahey (synths, loops), Steve Couri (performer).

Why Wont We Wake?

The sonic investigations of ESSENDON AIRPORT (AUS)

Sonic Investigations Of The Trivial

ESSENDON AIRPORT formed in 1978 in Melbourne. They began as a duo (Robert Goodge - guitar, electronics - David Chesworth - electric piano, drum machine etc.), releasing "Sonic Investigations Of The Trivial", a minimal, instrumental EP which was enough to place them near no other australian post punk band, somewhere between Young Marble Giants and electronica's future.
A two-track single with Anne Cessna (Anne Sanger) on lyrics and vocals followed in 1980. The addition of Paul Fletcher (drums) and Ian Cox (sax), turned them into a four piece band. As a quartet they made the LP "Palimpsest" (1982), a work much different from previous output, funkier, closer to the 'no wave' standards of the era.
ESSENDON AIRPORT paused activities in 1983... but 2002's reissue of their early material caused little new noise about the band, so ESSENDON AIRPORT came back, playing some gigs and working on new stuff.

ESSENDON AIRPORT & ANNE CESSNA - Talking To Cleopatra / Lost In Madagascar, 7'', 1980

ESSENDON AIRPORT - wallpaper music (from "Sonic Investigations..." EP, 1979)

complaints received.Link removed!

BELLE DU SOIR " Selftitled EP " (AUS, 1981)

provided by Koroviov

early 80's psychedelic/post-punk aussie firework. Lo-energy garage, short ideas, haunted moments, buried words, girl vocals.

BELLE DU SOIR

MACHINATIONS " Average Inadequacy / Arabia " , 7'', (AUS, 1980)

One of the earliest releases of later well known Sydney pop band.
"Average Inadequacy" can be found in many compilations. Another single version accompanied by the track "Machinations of Dance" released in 1982 from White Label Records. This one released from Phantom Records with b-side track "Arabia".


Average Inadequacy

SARDINE V " Sabotage / Sudan", 7'', (AUS, 1982)

Sabotage / Sudan

Sydney new wave/pop outfit consisted of musicians having played with more famous bands. Core of the band were Ian Rilen (X, Rose Tattoo), Phil Hall (Dropbears, Lime Spiders) and keyboard player and singer Stephanie Rilen. Active the period 1980-83. They also made the mini LP "I Hate You" (1983). Songs of theirs covered by Hunters & Collectors and The Deadly Hume.

THE DEADLY HUME "Passenger Blues", 7'', (AUS, 1986)

Formed circa 1985 in Sydney. Took their name from Hume Highway. Their first recordings -"Basement Tapes" - released on a (very rare now) 12'' called "Starving Whipped!".
"Passenger Blues", their debut 7'' release, comprises two very good songs in the great tradition of australian alternative blues.
They also made the LP "Me Grandma, Iliko & Hilarian" (i think you can find it in the web), the mini LP "Lonely Mr. Happy"(1988) and some more singles...

Passenger Blues / Bed As Big As A Boat

new link!