unpopular

Index

felt index sleeve, originally uploaded by unpop.

Here’s the cover of my copy of Felt’s ‘Index’ 7” on the Shanghai label. As noted previously, the always entertaining Stupefaction posted a link to another copy of the single on his blog a few days ago and mentioned that he had never seen a picture of the record until then. I suspect there are several others in the same boat, as it is a pretty rare artefact. My copy is one of my most treasured records, given to me by a friend of my brother, back in the late ‘80s. As I understand it he used to work at Radio Clyde for a while, and had boxes of records that he’d picked up for free there sitting in his attic. I am not sure that this copy of ‘Index’ was even played before I got it, and the vinyl is still near mint. The sleeve too is in great condition. Not that I’d ever consider selling it of course…

don't forget to dance issue 2

don't forget to dance issue 2, originally uploaded by unpop.

I got my hands on the toner I needed for the printer, so issue two of the ‘Don’t Forget To Dance’ fanzine is now GO! This one includes articles on Leo Malet’s fantastic Parisian Pulp ‘Nestor Burma’ books, Pauline Murray & The Invisible Girls, The Playwrights, The Bomb Pops, and a piece on bicycles and books. Also includes an exploration of new Pop records and a ‘Mass Observation’ Q&A with Slumberland Records boss Mike Schulman. Caramel distribution said that issue one was full of “great writing, great design and cute grumpiness.” Which pretty much says it all I think. Especially the grumpiness.

20 black and white pages printed on 100gsm paper with a colour printed 90gsm tracing paper inset page and cover. Free badge in pot-luck colour as long as stocks last. Cover star this time around is Robert Millar.

You can pick up a copy from the Unpopular store on either Folksy or Etsy. The lovely people at Caramel distro will have copies soon too.

Fat Angel, Skinny Ghost

Living Room booklet september 28, originally uploaded by unpop.

The other day I was listening to the A, TX series with Lee Gillespie on the Tape Relay podcast page. It was a great slot. I admit that American Analog Set passed me by, but there are things there to investigate for sure. The songs that Lee had chosen to play all sounded very fine indeed, and I’ve since been listening to more by the likes of Ola Podrida. I had not realised that some of those groups Lee was talking about went back to the likes of Windsor For The Derby. Indeed, I had all but forgotten about them, and so scurried away and dug out that old Minnie Greutzfeldt set. I remembered it sounding lovely back in the day, and it still sounds so today. It reminded me too of the Living Room club we used to run, and Windsor For The Derby were certainly spinning on the decks in those days. Yes, that’s how hip we were. I also swiped the title of ‘Fat Angel, Skinny Ghost’ for a short story. It appeared in one of the little booklets we used to give away at The Living Room, scans of whose covers can be found amongst other Living Room ephemera here. The short story, meanwhile, can be read here. It’s part of a short run of vaguely interconnected stories, and I cleaned up the code of the pages tonight just for you.

The Diskant tenth birthday party looks like it will be a lot of fun. I'd recommend that anyone in striking distance of Glasgow should put the date in their diaries now. There will also be a chance to pick up some Unpopular goodies in the Indie tombola, including a bunch of 7" singles, the 'I Wish I Was Unpopular' collection of CDRs, badges and a special edition package of drawings.

Hellfire Sermons

Hellfire Sermons, originally uploaded by unpop.

Here's another Esurient live show. This one is Hellfire Sermons, 23rd March 1990.

Emily

The Claim and Emily, originally uploaded by unpop.

Here is the Emily set from the March 30th show at The King & Queen. This is probably my favourite live recording of Emily. They do sound utterly magnificent.

The Claim

Scan-080416-0078, originally uploaded by unpop.

Here's a fabulous live set by The Claim. I think this is from March 30th 1990, at the King & Queen on Foley Street, London. I'll post the Emily set from the same night tomorrow.

A Sense Of Occasion

Esurient for change, originally uploaded by unpop.

I’ve been promising various people I’d do this for ages, and now I’ve finally started to get it together. So here, in the first of a short series, are the recordings of Emily and Hellfire Sermons live at The Horse and Groom on Great Portland Street, London, on September 29th 1989.

Catch the Emily set here, and the Hellfire Sermons one here.

esurientertains

esurientertains, originally uploaded by unpop.

 

Babylon Revisited

Babylon Revisited, originally uploaded by unpop.

If I had a time machine I would go back and KILL to be at that Laugh / East Village show.