sound of young scotland

postcard records badge(s)

2012-01-14T12:01:00.003Z

This post is in reply to a recent comment (about this badge) made by a visitor... A visitor (Brian Hull?) who correctly pointed out that the badge in the above link was neither an original nor an "official" Postcard Records one. So here are a couple of examples of the original, official badges. One with a black background and one with a blue background. The black one is still intact, and in mint condition, whereas the blue has unfortunately developed some sort of stain... I imagine some rainwater infiltrated it when I wore it (for years) on my denim, Levis jacket back in the day. Unlike the denim jacket, which wouldn't possibly fit me nowadays, I've kept these badges for what must now be at least 30 years. Authentic and true artefacts of the wonderful but too short Postcard era. japanese forms

what presence ! - rock photography by harry popadopoulos

2011-12-20T16:52:00.001Z

If you're living in Glasgow or if you'll be visiting the city between 17th December 2011 - 25th
February 2012 be sure to catch the exhibition of Harry Popadopoulos' photos being held at Street Level Photoworks situated in the Trongate part of the city. Features photographs of Aztec Camera, Edwyn Collins, Orange Juice -in their heyday, Postcard Records era- as well as lots of other very fine rock photography.

Many thanks to Nancy ( a Flickr friend in New York) for informing me about this exhibition.

from the darklands

2011-09-04T10:31:00.002+01:00

from the darklands, originally uploaded by japanese forms.

As usual, I haven't been updating this blog very much lately... Surprising because I really have a lot of items that I should add to it... Anyhow, here's at least one post for now... A ticket stub from a Jesus and Mary Chain concert that I went to see in 1987, in Antwerp, Belgium. Hopefully I'll add some more stuff in the coming weeks...

edwyn collins : hope and despair (tape)

2011-04-23T10:36:00.003+01:00

image: ©japanese forms.

Tape cassette of Edwyn Collins' great 1989 'Hope and Despair' album. I've hade this (as well as the vinyl version) ever since it came out; cassettes were great (for then) in car listening pleasure and I used to buy lots of them. Still have numerous tapes: you can check some of them out here. japanese forms

the vaselines : sex with an X

2011-02-11T17:40:00.004Z

image: ©japanese forms.

the vaselines : sex with an X
45 rpm single / sub pop (2010)
sp 901

photo: wattie cheung
design: jeff kleinsmith

Sorry, folks but I've been severly neglecting this blog and have not been updating it enough. I really must take some time out and post and update more often. Anyhow, post featured here involves the latest single by The Vaselines -who also released an album with the same title: Sex With An X, on SubPop late last year. I must admit that I wouldn't have bought this if I hadn't come across it in a small independent record store the other day; a store that opened (hip, hip hooray!) just a few weeks ago apparently and that I'd never been to. Sounds like the usual Vaselines stuff of yesteryear to me... Which doesn't mean that it's bad but I rather tend to steer clear of bands that reform decades after breaking up. For followers, fans and faithful only. That's why I bought it; I suppose. Nice cover art. japanese forms

postcard records tribute (flyer)

2010-12-06T08:53:00.002Z

image ©japanese forms

Flyer for a Postcard Records Tribute Night held at Mono (Glasgow) in October 2007.

postcard records (badge)

2010-11-28T11:25:00.005Z

Postcard Records -
Badge / Button

First version of a series of badges featuring Postcard Records designs.
japanese forms

photo: ©japanese forms

sound of young scotland at flickr

...........................................................................

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

orange juice - coals to newcastle (guardian preview)

2010-11-08T16:40:00.005Z

Orange Juice -
Coals To Newcastle (Boxset)
Released today.
Domino

photo: ©domino

You can listen to 18 tracks from the Orange Juice boxset -released today 8th. of November- at the Guardian online. Follow this link.
japanese forms

sound of young scotland at flickr

...........................................................................

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

aidan john moffat : ten short songs for modern lovers

2010-11-04T16:02:00.005Z

©japanese forms.

aidan john moffat
ten shorts songs for modern lovers
7" mini vinyl LP (10-tracks on a 45 rpm single format)
limited to 1000 copies
chemikal underground (2010)
chem147

artwork / design : aidan john moffat
photography : unknown

Excellent new single (or ultra-mini LP) from former Arab Strap vocalist, Aidan John Moffat. Ten tracks in total, all of which fit onto two sides of a 45rpm 7” single. With a total running time of around nine minutes the ten songslargely deal with issues surrounding love, romance and sex. All delivered in Moffat's own inimitable style. Comes in a superb 60s style ep sleeve. one2zero

Available from Chemikal Underground in a limited edition of 1000 copies.

Download version also available.

.......................

teenage fanclub - star sign 12" promo

2010-09-07T08:34:00.015+01:00

teenage fanclub
star sign
12-inch ep
promotional copy

image © japanese forms

I obtained this disc under the same circumstances as the previous TFC promo of The King album. Actually, I have two copies of this one (I don't know why); both are still in mint condition. As with most Creation Records promo discs from that era it comes in a plain white generic Creation promo sleeve which sports the label logo on the front and the mention: A Creation Records Product. Printed on the back of the sleeve it has: Promotional Copy Only and the label's address. Band name, track titles and catalogue number are printed on one side only of the white label. I don't know if there are many of these about but I imagine it must be on the wishlist of any true TFC collector. one2zero

this side: star sign / heavy metal
other side: like a virgin / star sign (demo version)
creation records (1991)
cre 105 tp

Teenage Fanclub have just released a brand new album.

Teenage Fanclub - Wiki

orange juice - coals to newcastle (boxset)

2010-09-05T12:51:00.007+01:00

Orange Juice -
Reissue Programme (2)
Coals To Newcastle (Boxset)
Domino

photo: ©domino

Back in business, after a long Summer hiatus at SoYS, I'm pleased to announce that the Orange Juice boxset on Domino will be released on the 8th. of November. You can pre-order a copy here (UK) or here (US) and check out exactly what it contains.
A fabulous boxset by the looks it and probably as lovingly made and packaged as was the case with "The Glasgow School, " the Josef K "Entemology" compilation, and the Fire Engines' "Teenage Codex Premonition" album. Certainly an absolute must have for any OJ fan. japanese forms

What I previously had to say about this great initiative by Domino on this post.
Special thanks to Fastnbulbous for letting me know about the boxset release.

sound of young scotland on flickr

...........................................................................

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

the boy hairdressers - golden shower ep

2010-07-04T14:08:00.003+01:00

japanese forms.

A bit of a rarity this 3-track EP by The Boy Hairdressers on Stephan Pastel's 53rd & 3rd label, I imagine. From the ashes of this band rose the mighty and fabulous Teenage Fanclub. Jim Lambie, world-renowned contemporary visual artist, was also a member of this short-lived outfit.

The Boy Hairdressers
Golden Shower
53rd & 3rd (1987)
AGARR 12T

Tracklist:

- Golden Shower

- Tidalwave

- The Assumption As An Elevator

the jesus and mary chain - darklands ep

2010-06-24T11:22:00.007+01:00

From the time when The Jesus and Mary Chain were at their very best. Seems like only yesterday when I bought this but it was actually released all of 23 years ago! The "Darklands" song, as with the eponymously named album, has a much more melodic sound than that of their previous singles but it's just as good as anything else the released in those halycon years as far as I'm concerned. I really like the artwork as well which includes photographs from videos by Tim Broad and John Maybury and design by Helen Backhouse. one2zero

the jesus and mary chain
darklands ep (10" vinyl)
darklands/ rider / here it comes again / on the wall (porta studio demo)
blanco y negro (1987)
neg 29te

wikipedia / myspace / JAMC

teenage fanclub - the ballad of john & yoko

2010-06-21T16:42:00.002+01:00

teenage fanclub - the ballad of john & yoko, originally uploaded by japanese forms.

A bit of a rarity, I imagine but I've no idea how many copies of this were initally pressed. A one-sided single with a photo of John & Yoko on the flipside label and the band members and Don Fleming's names etched into the plastic.

teenage fanclub
the ballad of john & yoko
paperhouse records (1990)
paper 005

teenage fanclub - the king (cd & promo tape)

2010-06-06T13:15:00.008+01:00

image © japanese forms.

teenage fanclub : the king
crecd 096 : creation records (1991)
+
creation records promo cassette for the same album

Album deleted on the first day of release. (wiki)
I really liked Teenage Fanclub back when this was released -their debut album and singles were quite fabulous. Working in record distribution I got the promo tape a couple of weeks before the official album was released. I, of course, immediately snapped up a cd copy the day it arrived in the warehouse. Next day the album was withdrawn from sale due to some sort of contractual problem or whatever (see wiki link above). It's a bit of a collector's item, I imagine, but I'm sure that there must be quite a few copies about. As for me, I haven't bought anything by the band since around 1995 but I've got almost everything issued by them prior to that. So, expect more "Teenage Fanclub" posts because I have quite a decent collection of their earlier releases. That includes their before-they-became-TFC 12" Boy Hairdressers EP! one2zero

Teenage Fanclub have just released a brand new album.

Teenage Fanclub - Wiki

arab strap - there is no ending 7" single

2010-04-30T12:00:00.002+01:00

arab strap
there is no ending / the first big weekend (four tet mix)
7" single (sleeve and label detail)
chemikal underground (2006)
chem094

Sound of Young Scotland - Flickr Group

Label detail from Arab Strap's penultimate single on Chemikal Underground. The label will be releasing a vinyl retrospective of the band's early years in May 2010. See here for more details. one2zero

fire engines - discord / candyskin

2010-04-15T15:59:00.002+01:00

image ©japanese forms
the fire engines
discord / candyskin (back)
45 rpm single
domino records 2006
rug218

See the front cover version of this single by nmarie here, and my front cover version here.

See lots more images at the Sound of Young Scotland - Flickr Group

arab strap - dream sequence 7" single

2010-04-07T14:40:00.008+01:00

arab strap
dream sequence / dead air
chemikal underground - 2005
chem081

photo: ©japanese forms 2010

sound of young scotland @ flickr

The third-last official release by Arab Strap on Chemikal Underground in 2005. Another great track from the fabulous album: The Last Romance; an album more upbeat, as the band put it, but, like the tracks on this single, yet more tunes dealing in some of the darker aspects of relationships. Comes in a similar sleeve to the Speed-Date 45 with matching graphics and typeface. Artwork by Rik Lee. (japanese forms)

Chemikal Underground will be releasing a comprehensive box-set of all their early material sometime in April 2010. See here for more details.

wikipedia / aidan moffat / malcolm middleton

chemikal underground

...........................................................................

arab strap - speed-date 7" ep

2010-04-04T16:01:00.017+01:00

arab strap
speed date (filthy version) / preface: set the scene / the girl i loved before i fucked
chemikal underground - 2005
chem086

photo: ©japanese forms 2010

sound of young scotland @ flickr

Antepenultimate official release from what was one of my favourite Scottish indie bands of fairly recent years. Arab Strap saw the light of day in 1995 and almost immediately became one of the most influential bands on the late 1990s Glasgow music scene. Over the ten-year period that Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton played together, before finally splitting in 2006 to go there separate ways, the band released numerous songs that were no more than a celebration of a sexually empty, drug-and alcohol-dependent life. Indeed, right from the start and throughout their career a lot of their lyrics were sung not only in their native Scots tongue but continued to focus exclusively on drink, drugs and sexual misery. They were brilliant ! Now, as solo performers, both continue to make some fine discs that are certainly worth checking out. This ep, like most of what they released, is an absolute gem and a must have for any fan of the band. Artwork by Rik Lee. More Arab Strap stuff up soon. (japanese forms)

Chemikal Underground will be releasing a comprehensive box-set of all their early material sometime in April 2010. See here for more details.

wikipedia / aidan moffat / malcolm middleton

chemikal underground

...........................................................................

jesus and mary chain - upside down

2010-03-16T14:17:00.012Z

the jesus and mary chain
upside down / vegetable man
creation records - nov. 1984
cre012

photo: ©japanese forms 2010

sound of young scotland @ flickr

The great JAMC 'Upside Down' Creation Records single. I have two copies of this fabulous single but I've no idea just how many copies were originally pressed. the disc also came in several different-coloured sleeves, but again, I've no idea how many different colours were involved -I suppose some "trainspotter" out there would be able to inform us on this point. Anyhow, this aside, it ranks as one of the band's finest recordings in my book and a must have item for any JAMC collector. Fabulous cover version of Syd Barrett's Vegetable Man on the b-side.
Includes an insert for mail-order JAMC t-shirts for the ridiculous price, compared with today's standards, of £3,95. Postage included!(japanese forms)

wikipedia / myspace / JAMC

...........................................................................

orange juice - reissue programme

2010-03-13T16:48:00.011Z

Orange Juice -
Reissue Programme
Albums due for release soon on Domino.

photo: ©japanese forms 2010

Well I've finally got round to posting another update to this blog and sincerely hope to post a few more over the next few weeks or so. I've also started unpacking lots of my vinyl; which has been in storage for almost three years now - so expect to to see some posts on some of those tasty cuts from Scotland's finest shortly. (japanese forms)

In this month's Uncut you can find an extensive feature and interview with Edwyn Collins and the other band members. The group looks back on life in the band, tell the Postcard story from their side, and talk about the various discs they released. Unfortunately we don't get to learn very much about the upcoming release of their back catalogue on Domino nor the dates of when the albums (boxset?) will be available. Not much news on the Domino website either I'm afraid. Anyhow, lets hope that the reissues will be as lovingly made and packaged as was the case with "The Glasgow School, " the Josef K "Entemology" compilation, and the Fire Engines' "Teenage Codex Premonition" album.

In the meantime, get yourself a copy of this month's Uncut. (japanese forms)

sound of young scotland on flickr

...........................................................................

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

captain america - flame on

2009-12-13T13:30:00.005Z

image: © japanese forms

captain america
flame on
paperhouse records (1992)
paper 016cd
3-track ep

Second EP by the short-lived Captain America formed by Eugene Kelly after The Vaselines split in 1989. Kelly formed Captain America -with friends and members of BMX Bandits and Teenage Fanclub- in 1990 but was forced to change the name to Eugenius when Marvel Comics objected about the use of their copyright to the name. Wonder what C&A had to say about this artwork?

MySpace

Wiki

jesus and mary chain - far gone and out (holographic e.p.)

2009-12-12T11:55:00.005Z

image: © japanese forms

the jesus and mary chain
far gone and out - CDEP
def american / blanco y negro
1992 - holographic edition

Well, three posts in almost as many days... Up this time is the MaryChain's holographic edition of their Far Gone & Out EP which was released way back in 1992. I must admit that my interest in the band was beginning to wane a bit but I did catch them in concert that year and they were great. This wasn't the last proper release that I bought by the band as they were still pretty good but after the 10" ep The Sound of Speed their releases weren't on the same level as most of the earlier recordings. the lst thing I bought by them would probably be the Stoned & Dethroned album and it's accompanying singles. Still,in their day, they were one of the best "Scottish" bands ever and this EP is rather splendid too. This is a U.S. edition of it. I've no idea if it's rare or not.

(Thanks to) Wikipedia / My Space / JAMC

captain america - e.p.

2009-12-10T17:19:00.004Z

captain america - e.p., originally uploaded by japanese forms.

captain america
e.p.
paperhouse records (1991)
paper 014cd
4-track ep

First EP by the short-lived Captain America that Eugene Kelly formed after the demise of The Vaselines in 1989. Kelly formed Captain America -with friends and members of BMX Bandits and Teenage Fanclub- in 1990 but was forced to change the name when Marvel Comics objected about the use of their copyright to the name. A second Captain America EP, Flame On was released but to avoid being taken to court by Marvel the band, for their following recordings changed their name to Eugenius. The Vaselines (like so many other bands from yesteryear, sigh!) reformed in 2008 and are back on the tour circuit. their most recent performance being as support to Mudhoney in Edinburgh in October this year.

MySpace

Wiki

primal scream, irvine welsh and on u-sound present...

2009-12-07T12:35:00.007Z

primal scream, irvine welsh and on u-sound present..., originally uploaded by japanese forms.

primal scream, irvine welsh and on u-sound present...
the big man and the scream team meet the barmy army uptown
creation records (1996)
crescd 194
3-track ep

full strength fortified dub
electric soup dub
a jake supreme

---------------------------------------------

I didn't realise that I hadn't taken some time out to post something new at Sound of Young Scotland... Well over a year in fact since I did so! This is all been down to the fact that I've been busy on several other fronts (job, family, moving house, etc.) and that a huge part of my record collection is still packed away in boxes ever since I moved to Glasgow then back to France in 2007 and 2008. The blog had kind of slipped my mind and it wasn't until a recent mail from a follower (thanks, Bjorn) that I decided to at least try and occasionally update this blog on a more regular basis. Believe me, I still have lots of items worthy of post right here. I'm also going to change the layout -if I get a few free hours to do so. So welcome to all of you out there who've had a look at the blog over the past couple of years.

First (new) post is of a rather curious item that was issued, on Creation,to tie in with the 1996 European Nations Cup which took part in England that year. As things would have it, old rivals Scotland and England were drawn together in the same qualifying group. The Scots had a pretty decent team at the time and had managed to get through to the final stages of the event (they also qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France); England, as host nation, qualified automatically. To mark the event this collaboration between Primal Scream, Adrian Sherwood and best-selling author of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh was released as a three track CDEP. This disc sported a sticker which stated: Warning - This Record is Offensive (sticker which I probably removed and stuck in one of my numerous notebooks); and indeed it was considered offensive by a certain category of Scots supporters and notably by fans of Rangers F.C. whom Welsh, being a fan of Hibernian F.C., particularly dislikes. In the end, it's all good clean fun and bit of a joke (that's if you can take one that is). Rather good.

James Kirk (badge)

2008-11-02T08:51:00.002Z

Orange Juice - Badge
(James Kirk)

Given to Allan Kingdom by someone at Freakbeat Records (Los Angeles). A promotional item for the release of "The Glasgow School" on Domino.

photo © Allan Kingdom

see more images @ sound of young scotland

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

orange juice - together again!

2008-10-29T17:14:00.009Z

Orange Juice - Music Award

[ via: Stupefaction ]

The legendary Orange Juice are getting back together for the first time in 26 years to receive a top music award.
The band will get together next month to be honoured by Nordoff-Robbins Scotland.
It will be an emotional reunion after singer Edwyn Collins almost died from a brain haemorrhage in 2005.
The charity raises money to fund music therapists and Edwyn benefited from Nordoff-Robbins' painstaking work during his long road to recovery.

Edwyn, 49, said: "I'm very flattered. It's all part of the renaissance of Orange Juice. I have fond memories of the band and am looking forward to seeing them all again."
The original Orange Juice line-up - Edwyn, bassist David McClymont, guitarist James Kirk and drummer Steven Daly - formed in 1979. (More from the Sunday Mail)

see more images @ sound of young scotland

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

josef k - Sorry For Laughing/Revelation 7"

2008-09-29T11:03:00.012+01:00

josef k
sorry for laughing/revelation
twi 023

7" single
Belgium 1981
Les Disques du Crépuscule

3:01    Sorry For Laughing
4:16    Revelation

I really have to invest more time in this blog as I have so much to add to it. Problem is; I don't have enough spare time right now as I'm also very busy working on other projects. Anyhow, today's post is just some artwork from one of the singles Josef K released on the belgian label, Les Disques Du Crépuscule. You can see the artwork for the other single by the band released on the label here.

image © japanese forms
see more images @ sound of young scotland

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

orange juice (badge) by kingdoma

2008-08-27T09:06:00.004+01:00

orange juice
badge /button

An item of some interest and one of the many photographs you can see at the Sound of Young Scotland group on Flickr.

(Click link below for more).

image © kingdoma
see more images @ sound of young scotland

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

sound of young scotland (uncut feature)

2008-08-08T14:04:00.011+01:00

the sound of young scotland Uncut (feature)
Take 95 - April 2005

Another one of the things I held onto while packing my boxes before moving last year. This magazine -along with all of my vinyl- stayed a whole year in storage as I moved to Scotland then back to France over that period. Anyhow, this issue of Uncut has a great 8-page feature (by Simon Goddard) on all things Postcard and Fire Engines. Also includes lots of photos and a rundown on those 12 original Postcard releases.

image © japanese forms
see more images @ sound of young scotland

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms postcard records orange juice fire engines

josef k - young & stupid

2008-07-25T10:34:00.011+01:00

Josef K
Young and Stupid
LTMCD 2307

After all the moving around in the past year I'm finally getting settled down in my new accomodation. Have the chance now to empty some boxes that had been in storage for almost a year and get some more posts up here at SoYS. Today's post is a photograph of the original CD release of Josef K's Young and Stupid on the LTM label. This edition was originally released way back in 1990-91. Didn't realise that I'd had this for so long. A second edition (with different artwork), now deleted, was released on the same label in 2002. You'll have to shop around to find a copy nowadays. Or check out Ebay.

Young and Stupid is a collection of Josef K singles recorded for the Absolute, Postcard and Crepuscule labels between 1979 and 1981.
------------------------------------------
A comment from Spence (the winnebago orchestra) allows me to add an update to this post:

- This collection was originally titled Young and Stupid/Endless Soul. It came out in 1987 on Allan Campbell's Supreme International Editions label, along with a 12'' called Heaven Sent featuring the Peel sessions.- (Thanks for the info, Spence).

You can read more on the Heaven Sent release at a previous SoYS post here.

images © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms
postcard records
supreme international editions

Coffee & Orange Juice

2008-07-05T10:41:00.002+01:00

Glad to back after a long hiatus following my relocation to France. Hope to be posting more soon.

For today, we have an interesting entry from übercoffee freak djmark1972 to the Sound of Young Scotland pool at Flickr. Here's what he has to say about his post.

"Coffee and Orange Juice. Nobody does the happy/melancholy pop thing quite like the Scottish. Orange Juice would eventually be known best for this song, this compilation features their early stuff from their days on Postcard Records. Good jangly lo-fi, post-punk that points in the direction of the more polished pop sounds that would come from them a bit later."

paul haig - go out tonight

2008-03-15T11:41:00.003Z

go out tonight

"Nearly thirty years since he first rose to prominence in Josef K, Paul Haig releases his tenth solo album. Mining the electonica that has characterised much of his solo career, this album -as it's title suggests - focuses on what happens when you go out, in a world of violence, CCTV and crowded nightclubs. "(read more at: 17 seconds)

rhythm of life

josef k - the only fun in town

2008-03-09T11:31:00.010Z

Josef K
the only fun in town
postcard records

postcard 81-7
(LP with insert)

Fun 'n Frenzy/Revelation/Crazy To Exist/ It's Kinda Funny/The Angle/ Forever Drone/ Heart Of Song/ 16 Years/Citizens/Sorry For Laughing

josef k

(josef k - only fun in town vinyl detail - © japanese forms)

edwyn collins (Smash Hits, 1983)

2008-03-07T20:11:00.004Z

orange juice

ad featured in an issue of Smash Hits from 1983

includes
flesh of my flesh (lyrics)

this post courtesy of fnarf

read the full post

(click image to enlarge)

the musical journey of a nation

2008-02-16T18:45:00.003Z

Postcard on TV!

Caledonia Dreaming - Friday 22 February 2008 BBC Four, 9.00-10.00pm

Scotland has produced some of the world’s most original and influential pop music. Caledonia Dreaming charts the musical journey of a nation and the continued influence of the small Scots indie label, Postcard Records. Unlike Liverpool and London, Scotland of the 1960s and 70s didn’t have much of a home-grown music scene but that all changed in the 80s with the creation of Postcard Records and their iconic ‘Sound of Young Scotland’. From humble beginnings in a tenement flat in the west end of Glasgow, Postcard went on to champion artists such as Orange Juice and Aztec Camera and open doors for bands including Simple Minds, Texas and Altered Images. Caledonia Dreaming highlights Postcard’s continued impact on Scottish pop, inspiring bands like Franz Ferdinand, Teenage Fanclub, Belle & Sebastian and Travis, amongst many others.(more)

Information via : the vinyl villain

the motorcycle boy

2008-01-13T11:30:00.001Z

motorcycleBoy1, originally uploaded by japanese forms.

The Motorcycle Boy formed following the demise of Meat Whiplash -An Edinburgh-based band formed in 1985 and named after a Fire Engines B -side. Meat Whiplash signed and released one Jesus & Mary Chain-produced single on Creation before recruiting lovely blonde Alex Taylor from The Shop Assistants and changing their name to The Motorcycle Boy. The name originating from that of a character in the Francis Ford Coppola movie, 'Rumble Fish' (1983). A character, by the way, played by Mickey Rourke If I remember well, Rourke; still good-looking, was on a roll rolewise at that time. 'Rumble Fish' was also the film that launched Matt Dillon's career. An strikingly visual film shot in black & white and colour with Dennis Hopper in a supporting role and a soundtrack scored by Stewart Copeland (The Police). Dillon went on to star in the fabulous Gus Van Sant movie 'Drugstore Cowboy' among others whereas O'Rourke's career plunged into almost total obscurity only to re-emerge in some excellent cameo roles; such as that of the 'Bookie' in Vincent Gallo's 'Buffalo 66' and particularly in the recent cinema adaptation of Frank Miller's comic book; 'Sin City.' I seem to know more about the movie than about the band, I'm afraid. The Motorcycle Boy; the band that is, later signed to Rough Trade and released one single before moving on to Chrysalis where they released two singles and one album. The band finally called it a day in 1990 after releasing another couple of singles on the Nymphea Pink label. I don't really remember much about this group apart from the fact that Alex Taylor joined them and that 'Big Rock Candy Mountain' got rather good reviews -may have been Single of the Week in NME but I'm not sure. It's also the only disc I ever bought by this band; I probably only picked it up because of the fact that Alex Taylor had joined the band as I quite liked the Shop Assistants at that time.

the royal we / 1990s

2008-01-05T11:08:00.001Z

Not been able to do much posting in recent times. I've been busy setting-up home but the lack of posts is more due to the fact that all of my discs are still in storage. Worse, they'll probably remain there for a good while yet. Anyhow, I recently picked up this split, tribute single by two young Glasgow bands : The Royal We and 1990s covering Orange Juice's 'Poor Old Soul' and Josef K's 'Sorry for Laughing' respectively. As my turntable is also in storage I haven't been able to listen to this as yet. However, and this is why I picked it up in the first place, the artwork, by Stuart White, is great. You can check out all of the artwork here. According to the information -printed on the inside of the fold-over sleeve- both sides were recorded in May 2007 and the disc was mastered by Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub). Some copies may still be available at Monorail or at Hitherto.

Both bands have had albums recently released on Geographic (available through Domino) and Rough Trade

The Royal We

1990s

fire engines @ acute records

2007-11-23T21:56:00.001Z

If you're interested in learning more about the fire engines then check out the excellent page that acute records have set up for their recent CD release of the band's Hungry Beat album.
There's a whole host of
resources online, including samples, press, photos, some cover and flyer artwork.

fire engines (LP vinyl detail)

2007-11-17T13:05:00.001Z

fire engines (LP vinyl detail), originally uploaded by japanese forms.

Fire Engines
Lubricate Your Living Room
Pop Aural ACC 001
1980

The original vinyl edition. Still in my collection. Still in mint condition.

fire engines - candyskin 7"

2007-11-16T21:30:00.002Z

candyskin, originally uploaded by Nmarie.

Fire Engines 2007 UK

From their first John Peel session. Issued to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its first broadcast.

Thanks to nmarie.

fire engines - hungry beat (+sticker)

2007-10-13T14:16:00.001+01:00

fire engines - hungry beat (+sticker), originally uploaded by japanese forms.

Hi. Back after what seems like a very, very long time indeed. My relocation problems still aren't all sorted out but things are shaping up much better than a few weeks ago. As soon as possible I'll be updating SOYS on a much more regular basis.
In the meantime, todays post features the new CD reissue of the Fire Engines' Hungry Beat compilation. Another pic of this release can be found at the Sound of Young Scotland flickr page alongside a whole host of other great images.

fire engines
hungry beat
acute records 2007
act009
(CD front cover detail with sticker)

acute records

relocation blues

2007-08-31T09:54:00.000+01:00

Hi. Sorry that i haven`t been updating for the past few weeks but, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I still haven`t found appropriate accommodation for my family and myself. This is a real drag as the whole process is taking a lot longer than I expected. Hope to have things sorted out soon.

relocating

2007-07-19T14:09:00.000+01:00

sound of young scotland is relocating.
Be back in a few weeks.

josef k - heaven sent

2007-06-26T13:17:00.001+01:00

josef k
heaven sent (12" ep)
supreme international editions
edition 87-7
1987

Bit of a rarity this one I suppose. I've no idea how many copies of this release were ever pressed or sold. Features one track 'Heaven Sent', from a John Peel Session recorded in 1981; a demo version of 'Radio Drill Time' as well as two tracks from Josef K's then unreleased 'Sorry For Laughing' album which should have been issued by Postcard way back in 1980. Supreme International Editions was a label which was run by former Josef K manager, Alan Cambell -who also handled Paul Haig's solo career for a couple of years in the 80s. The label also released the band's 'Young & Stupid' album. Frankly, I don't know much about this label or any of the other stuff released on it. A quick search on the web didn't bring up much information I'm afraid. It's also a bit sad that official sites like josef k.net haven't been updated in a long time. Anyhow, if you want to know what Paul Haig's up to nowadays you can check out his page at myspace.

images © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms
postcard records

orange juice - felicity ( flexidisc)

2007-06-22T14:52:00.001+01:00

felicity flexi, originally uploaded by oh my good gawd.

An excellent addition to the Sound of Young Scotland group at flickr.
Oh my good gawd' s comment on this: "Unlistenable but fabulous" is a bit of a contradiction though.

paul haig - running away

2007-06-18T12:14:00.002+01:00

paul haig
running away / time
les disques du crépuscule
TWI 088
Vinyl, 7"
Belgium, 1982

Getting away from Postcard for a wee bit (I'll be back with more later), Sound of Young Scotland continues with one of the better but least known artists of the 1980s. Well, he may have been quite well known to some but I don't remember Paul Haig being a huge success. Saleswise, I mean. Anyhow, following the Josef K split and the departure from Postcard, Paul Haig found refuge at the Brussels-based, superhip-label: Les Disques du Crépuscule. Label where Josef K had already released two singles ( 'The Farewell Single' and 'Sorry For Laughing') and where Haig would go on to release a fair amount of singles, EPs and albums throughout the 80s and 90s. Although it's a cover of a Sly Stone song, 'Running Away' is my favourite release by the man on this label. I don't have the 7" single (great artwork and special thanks to 4mediafactory for the above image) but I do have the 12" EP version. The disc was in fact issued with three different sleeves. You can check out the artwork for my 12" here and here. Other artwork for this release can be seen here.

paul haig - buy

josef k - buy

special thanks to wikipedia

aztec camera - mattress of wire

2007-06-14T08:33:00.000+01:00

aztec camera
a mattress of wire / lost outside the tunnel
postcard records
postcard 81-8
1981

Roddy Frame's second, and indeed last, release on Postcard before moving on to Rough Trade. This disc was also the last one issued on the label -if you go by the Cat. N°- during it's initial incarnation. In fact, I'm not too sure if this came out before or after Josef K's 'The Only Fun in Town' (Postcard 81-7) album. Releases tended to be a bit erratic with Postcard 81-6; Orange Juice's 'Wan Light' single never being released at all. The track eventually surfaced on the band's 'You Can't Hide Your Love Forever' album.

The 'A Mattress of Wire' single, like some the earlier limited-edition releases, also featured original artwork. A move away from the previous generic 'cowboy' and 'kilties' type sleeves. The 'drumming kitten' logo remains a permanent fixture appearing both on the back of the sleeve and on the yellow 'tartan' label.

Front cover features what looks like a painting of some young Roman emperor with a yellowish (sort of pale ochre) background like the colouring used by the Greeks and Romans on the walls of their villas and other buildings way back then. As I bought this in Belgium, my copy still has the original price sticker of 95 Belgian francs on it. I don't want to remove it in case I damage the sleeve. Back sleeve has the Rough Trade distribution sticker in the bottom, right corner. There's no mention of who did the artwork for this release.

Attention Trainspotters !
A rare postcard version of 'A Mattress of Wire' also exists and was released on the Czecheslovakian label B+H Records. Rather strange item which has grooves on the front so you can play it on your turntable. Never actually seen one myself.
(source: killermontstreet.com)

images © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

sound of young scotland aztec camera japanese forms
postcard records

aztec camera - just like gold

2007-06-08T11:50:00.000+01:00

aztec camera
just like gold / we could send letters postcard records
postcard 81-3
1981

Roddy Frame's excellent debut on Postcard. I really liked both of the singles that he released on the label and later picked up the High Land, Hard Rain album that he released on Rough Trade in 1982. Album which brought him a good bit of critical and some commercial success. My interest in the band sort of waned but I did buy the excellent Love album when it was issued in 1987. An album which, if I remember well, was very successful. Haven't heard or bought anything by aztec camera ever since.

The 'Just Like Gold' single features the famous 'kilties' artwork which was used for only three of the label's releases. Also included in each of these discs was... A Postcard with the lyrics to the song on the A-side.

sound of young scotland aztec camera japanese forms
postcard records

a trainspotter writes...

2007-06-08T10:45:00.000+01:00

While packing some things the other day -I'm relocating soon- I came across an old notebook in which I used to write lists and references of discs that I wanted to acquire. Inside this, I found some cuttings from long-binned copies of the NME.-I've no idea when this one was printed but I imagine it was in the early 90s or thereabouts. The cuttings were mostly lists that the magazine published of the ten most sought after / best releases by various bands or labels. There were Sonic Youth and Suicide lists among others and, amazingly, the one above featuring Postcard Records. Back then, I had marked the discs that I had in the list -correcting an error for the 'Simply Thrilled Honey' catalogue number- and, in my atrocius handwriting, added below the cat. N°, the title, and band name for Josef K's 'It's Kinda Funny' single that wasn't included in the list. In all, just a bit of paper but a nice little addition to the blog.

image © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

ostrich churchyard

2007-06-07T14:55:00.000+01:00

orange juice
ostrich churchyard
postcard records
postcard dubh 922 cd
1992

Yet more from Orange Juice. Ostrich Churchyard -CD release of the previously unreleased debut album for Postcard Records , includes a Peel Session, and, on the Japanese issue, a bonus BBC Radio 1 session track, "Wan Light". Issued in 1992 during Postcard's all too brief revival the album comes in a superb triple-fold-out digipak sleeve and features the 'drumming kitten' logo and some rather neat artwork on the disc itself. There's a picture of someone wearing a 'drumming kitten' t-shirt in the booklet included with this. Mmmmm! Pure class. Wish I had one.

Postcard Records of scotland
"Europe's Only Avant Garde Recording Company."

cd artwork for ostrich churchyard

sound of young scotland orange juice japanese forms
postcard records

lovesick/blue boy - cd version

2007-06-05T09:59:00.000+01:00

orange juice
lovesick / blue boy
postcard dubh 934 cd
postcard records (1993)

During Postcard Records' brief revival in the early 90s the label managed to reissue, on CD, the Lovesick / Blue Boy single by Orange Juice . Like the vinyl version issued at the same time it has the same original, coloured, Sharon Acker atwork. Would have been nice if they had done this with all the original Postcard singles. Maybe one day they'll issue a nice box-set, huh?

sound of young scotland orange juice japanese forms
postcard records

josef k - it's kinda funny

2007-06-03T14:30:00.000+01:00

josef k
it's kinda funny / final request
postcard 80-5
postcard records (1980)

Second Josef K single released on Postcard in May 1980. Comes in one of the brownish 'cowboy' sleeves that were used for some of the label's releases. This was the band that I really preferred on Postcard and was a bit sad when they called it a day after such a short career. In my opinion, this release far outclasses anything Orange Juice put out on the label but I suppose that anyone who is a fan of the label has their own particular favourite.

For more info on Josef K check out this link or this link for a full rundown on the band's history. Other links can be found in the sidebar.

A coloured Josef K paper insert was included with this release but my copy had none. I don't know why but as I lived and bought these abroad I imagine that somewhere along the line; from pressing plant to shop, someone decided to steal this highly desirable item.

sound of young scotland @ flickr

the heather's on fire

2007-06-01T06:26:00.000+01:00

orange juice
the heather's on fire
postcard records
dubh 932 cd
(1993)

Despite the huge critical aclaim heaped upon when the Postcard label first started releasing material -particularly for Josef K and Orange Juice- the initial label was short-lived and it folded in the second half of 1981 - less than two after its inception. In 1992, Postcard reappeared - once again under the auspices of Alan Horne -who had spent some time in the interim period squandering money given to him by a major label- with a compilation album of Orange Juice's Postcard singles which appeared on the superbly packaged "The Heather's on Fire." I remember the joy of picking up a copy of this at the indie-store where I worked as I had been keeping my precious copies of the discs under wraps. I'd copied them to cassette years before so that the vinyl and the sleeves would remain in pristine condition. Don't forget, this was way before home-computers, internet, and mp3s. At that time CDs still had a reputation of being indestructible (they're not) and of producing a better sound than vinyl (they don't). Anyhow, this is a great collection and well worth owning if you're a fan of Postcard, or Orange Juice, and a must-have if you're a fan of both group and label.

images © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

Tracklist:
Falling And Laughing
Moscow
Moscow Olympics
Blue Boy
Lovesick
Simply Thrilled Honey
Breakfast Time
Poor Old Soul
Poor Old Soul Pt. 2
Felicity (Radio One Session Jan 81)
Upwards And Onwards (Radio One Session Jan 81)
Dying Day (Peel Session Aug 81)
Holiday Hymn (Peel Session Aug 81)
Hidden track:
Who Are the Mystery Girls? - The Nu-Sonics (Feb 77)
A bonus track: Three Cheers For Our Side (Peel Session Aug 81), appears on the Japanese issue of this CD in place of Who Are the Mystery Girls? - The Nu-Sonics track.

------------------------------------------

Special thanks to Wikipedia and TweeNet

orange juice - flesh of my flesh

2007-05-31T10:14:00.001+01:00

orange juice
flesh of my flesh / lord john white and the bottleneck train
7 inch single
Black Records
OJ4
Polydor 1983

Released on the Black Records label. Came with a free postcard. There were four different postcards to collect apparently but I only have the one version of this single. Was also released on 12 inch with longer versions of the two same tracks.

flesh of my flesh a-side label detail
image © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

flesh of my flesh + b-side label detail
images © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

sound of young scotland orange juice japanese forms

orange juice - two hearts together

2007-05-30T17:52:00.000+01:00

image © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

orange juice
two hearts together / hokoyo
holden caulfield universal - polydor
posp 470 - 7 inch single
1982

This single appeared on the Holden Caulfield Universal label -Holden Caulfield is the main character of J. D. Salinger's renowned coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye (1951). This label was a subsidiary of Polydor apparently but I don't know anything about its origins. A 10 inch version was also released.

image © japanese forms
sound of young scotland @ flickr

josef k - the farewell single

2007-05-29T10:15:00.003+01:00

josef k
the farewell single
les disques du crépuscule
TWI 053
1982

sound of young scotland josef k japanese forms
les disques du crépuscule

surfin' usa summer mix / kill surf city

2007-05-29T10:07:00.001+01:00

The Jesus & Mary Chain
Surfin' USA - Summer Mix
Warner Brothers
1987 US

Yet another fab image from nmarie. This one features a highly desirable US EP by the once great, and recently reformed, Reid brothers of The Jesus and Mary Chain.

author! author!

2007-05-27T16:41:00.001+01:00

Scars 12" Author! Author ep (1981 US)

This is one from the great collection of album and 45rpm covers to be seen at nmarie's page on Flickr. This girl sure has great taste and an outstanding collection of vinyl artefacts.

scars, sound of young scotland, japanese forms,

lovesick / blue boy (twice)

2007-05-27T09:37:00.001+01:00

On the right the original Postcard Records' Lovesick / Blue Boy single by Orange Juice -which came in a wraparound sleeve. This was the second single released by the band on the label. The first pressing (above) had blue labels and the sleeve was hand-coloured by the band. A second pressing featured brown labels and a brown 'cowboy' sleeve. Apparently there were also a few mispressings issued with yellow and red labels and a white 'cowboy' sleeve.
On the left the reissue version released a few years later when Postcard re-emerged for a short spell in the early 90s. Artwork for both singles by Sharon Acker.

Orange Juice - Blue Boy / Lovesick - DUBH 934 - Postcard Records (1993)
Orange Juice - Blue Boy / Lovesick - PC 80 - 2 - Postcard Records (1980)

sound of young scotland orange juice japanese forms
postcard records

drumming kitten

2007-05-25T10:04:00.001+01:00

Postcard Records of Glasgow, in the early 80s, used one of Louis Wain's cat drawings as their logo. Blue version by japanese forms.

glasgow, postcard records, kitten, logo, sound of young scotland, japanese forms,

SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2007-05-25T10:01:00.001+01:00

SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION