Unknown Postcard Pleasures

 "Orange Juice, London, Willesden Green. On the morning of their first Peel Session (21/10/1980). That's Grace Maxwell and Scottish photographer Harry Papadopoulos [on the left]." ©Peter McArthur


For the past week or so Scots Post-Punk has been posting some amazing Peter McArthur photos from the early days at Postcard Records in Glasgow. All the photographs -many previously unseen before (well I've never seen most of them)- date from the 1979-1980 period when Postcard was just about to take over the indie recording world.

Well, in the end, it was only a wee bit of that world but it did at least have a huge influence, before its rapid decline, on a lot of people. Not only fans of the label but even more so numerous bands and musicians which would follow in its footsteps over the next 4 decades.

All photos ©Peter McArthur.  Descriptions by the photographer.

 "Orange Juice at Paisley Tech: 1980 - Edwyn, David McClymont, and Brian (BabyHoney) Taylor of The Pastels." ©Peter McArthur

 "185 West Princes St. 1980: One interesting thing about Postcard, is who was around, but Alan* did not sign. Here on Alan's bed Drew & Rose McDowell (Rose - later of Strawberry Switchblade) of The Poems. Drew is now a New York based avant-garde composer." ©Peter McArthur

*Alan Horne; Postcard supremo.

"Glasgow - West Princes Street 1980: Alan Horne (going out on the town?) and Steven Daly. That's "Nico" sitting on top of the wardrobe." ©Peter McArthur

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I'll maybe add a few more of Peter McArthur's photographs in a second post but if you want to see more right away, I advise you to check out the excellent Scots Post-Punk's Twitter timeline.

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Josek K • The Scottish Affair (Pt 2)

 Josef K • The Scottish Affair (Pt 2) • Les Disques du Crépuscule

Crepuscule presents The Scottish Affair (Part 2), a vibrant live album by iconic Scottish guitar group Josef K recorded at the historic Beursschouwburg arts centre in Brussels on 8th April 1981.

Best known for their association with Postcard Records, Josef K also recorded two singles for Belgian indie Les Disques du Crepuscule (Sorry For Laughing; The Missionary), and also taped studio album The Only Fun In Town in downtown Brussels. The group first performed in the city on New Year's Eve 1980, playing a riotous show with Orange Juice and Marine at legendary warehouse venue Plan K, and resumed their 'Scottish affair' with Crepuscule the following April, cutting their album in a matter of days and performing at the Beursschouwburg as well as a small youth club in Lier three nights later.
At the Beurs show Jokay rattled off 10 songs in just half an hour, with journalist Bert Bertrand noting "several good reasons to get excited" about the visiting quartet. Adds guitarist Malcolm Ross: "We played four dates in Holland on our way to Brussels and then recorded the album in about five days. So we were pretty tight and Paul was in good voice."

Recorded from the mixing desk, all 10 songs have now been newly re-mastered for issue as a vinyl only album, The Scottish Affair (Part 2). Pressed in a limited edition of 1000 copies in clear vinyl, the sleeve features original 1981 poster artwork by designer Jean-Francois Octave printed in black overlaid with metallic gold pantone. The inner bag includes period flyers and images, as well as quotes by Paul Haig, Malcolm Ross, Alan Horne, Michel Duval, Annik Honore, Allan Campbell and Bert Bertrand.*


*Text courtesy of Les Disques du Crépuscule


LP tracklist:
A1. Fun 'N' Frenzy
A2. 16 YearsesE
A3. It's Kinda Funny
A4. Crazy To Exist
A5. Forever Drone
B1. Revelation
B2. Citizens
B3. Chance Meeting
B4. Sorry For Laughing
B5. Final Request

Available as a clear vinyl album (with digital download) or digital copy (MP3).
Release date November 2019. Cat. N° TWI 019

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