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The Psalms – No Great Cathedral K7

Posted in 1980s, 1983, Doug Hopkins, indie, jangle, the psalms on January 3, 2026 by Frankie Teardrop

Happy new year, everyone. Much love and best wishes for 2026!

I’m pleased to kick off this year with an ultra rarity that just arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I’ll keep this short and sweet, but here we have the second (and final) release from Tempe, Arizona jangle-pop/indie/new wave band The Psalms, which features the guitar work of Doug Hopkins from Gin Blossoms. This highly coveted EP, released on a single-sided cassette in 1983, has been something I’ve been looking forward to hearing in full for years now, and after all the buildup, it certainly does not disappoint.

To read more about the band, please check out my previous post from 2020 as well as the official Doug Hopkins tribute page, which is an incredibly thorough resource on one of the more tragic figures in the 80s/90s music scene.

Without any further ado, hope y’all enjoy…

The Psalms – No Great Cathedral

1. 100 Summers
2. Procession
3. Monique LeShea
4. Where The Grass Once Grew

*download it here*

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Arrevederci Baby! – A Month of Sundays 7”

Posted in 1985, indie, uk on December 5, 2025 by Frankie Teardrop

After the last post, it seems I’ve been slacking a bit. Let’s change that. To get back into the swing of things, here’s a quick 2-track 7” from Arrevederci Baby! a post-punk/indie rock hybrid band from the UK who released this one 7” single released on Vodka Records (cheers!) in 1985. This project featured, among other unnamed members, Bernie Doyle, who was previously in Self Control. Another member is named Kaye, judging from the autograph on my own copy, but not sure if the band featured more Self Control members or just Doyle.

Both tracks are pretty special, if but charmingly lo-fi, with both male and female vocals and a very distinctive sound. The A-side is a more twee version of Venus and Furs, while the B-side is a little more classic indie sounding, but no less great. I love both these tracks, and perhaps you will too?

Much love to Goutroy for sharing this one!

Arrevederci Baby! – A Month of Sundays 7”
1. A Month of Sundays
2. The Fact of Life

*download it here*

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Scarecrow Tiggy – Worth/Mute 7” + Passing For Human 7” (plus bonus)

Posted in 1980s, 1990, 1990s, 1991, australia, australian, indie, post-punk on September 16, 2024 by Frankie Teardrop

Let it be known that I am a sucker for a good rickety, yet powerful post-punk/indie band, especially one with female vocals. Bands like Asmodi Bizarr, Phantom Forth, and even more indie bands like Velocity Girl and Talulah Gosh etc. are a sweet spot that I cannot pass up, not ever.

With that in mind, Scarecrow Tiggy were a four-piece band from Melbourne, Australia. The lineup originally consisted of Alex and Michael Szkutenko (bass & drums, respectively), vocalist Perri Kenrick, and guitarist Mark Johnston. This lineup of the band released two 7”s in 1990 and 1991 and contributed to several Melbourne-based compilations around that time. Soon after, the band released their lone full length album, 1993’s Ghostfish, before calling it a day. Ghostfish featured additional bass from Andrew Gunn and additional drums (and machines) by Simon Ayton, though not sure if they replaced previous members or just filled out the sound – I’ll let you know when my copy of the CD comes in the mail in a few weeks!

Until then, happy to share the band’s first two 7” recordings and the only compilation track I was able to dig up, from 1994’s The Woozy Couch Finder cassette. This compilation track was the band’s final release, whereas the rest of their compilation material dates from 1988-1994. Each of these tracks are exclusive to their respective releases, so please feel free to reach out if you own any of these compilations, or even if you have digital copies of some of them. There will be a follow-up post one of these days, and I’d personally love to hear the rest of their discography.

Without any further ado, here are these tracks. Last, but not least, much love to Matt from Kentucky Fried Wave for putting this band on my radar a few weeks ago!

Scarecrow Tiggy – Worth/Mute (1990)
1. Worth
2. Mute

Scarecrow Tiggy – Passing For Human 7” (1991)
1. Passing For Human
2. Edge of Your Smile

The Woozy Couch Finder K7 (1994)
A5. Tiger

*download all three releases here*

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October 8- October 8 LP

Posted in 1980s, 1987, indie, jangle, post-punk, US on August 4, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Sorry for the delay, folks. Hope everyone’s having a lovely summer (or winter, if you’re in a different hemisphere!). Here’s a recent favorite, chock full of summertime jangle pop/indie rock vibes. This LP was released in 1987 on the E Pluribus Unim imprint. The band was a four (sometimes five) piece from Dallas, Texas, and this is their only LP, and what a humdinger it is… Dreamy, melodic guitars reminiscent of early R.E.M, Grapes of Wrath, Winter Hours,  Ups and Downs, etc. – heavier on the jangly side, but just gloomy enough to catch my interest. Amy Farrington provides vocals on a few tracks and serves as an excellent ethereal counterpoint to Bruce Gregory Dickenson’s more grounded vocals. Dickenson would join power pop band Pop Poppins shortly after recording this LP.

Hope y’all enjoy this LP as much as I do… I can’t seem to get enough of it lately.

October 8- October 8 LP
1. Capitalism
2. Tomorrow’s World
3. The Love I Want
4. A Place To Go
5. Corrupt Means
6. Killing Time

*download it here*

3 Comments »

Primitive Pleasure – The Vision 7”/Jupiter Remote LP

Posted in 1980s, 1985, 1987, indie, jangle, new wave, primitive pleasure on May 20, 2023 by Frankie Teardrop

Been seeing a lot of love for this one on the net since I ripped this, so figured it was due time to post it properly. Here we have 2/3rds of the discography by US-based jangle/new wave/indie rock band Primitive Pleasure. We’re missing the first 7” from 1984 here, but plenty of great tracks to pore over in the meantime. “The Vision” remains a standout, appearing on both the LP and the 7” in identical form, minus the synth blurbs at the beginning of the LP version. These segues feature throughout the entire LP, cementing the album as a pure hybrid of both new wave and jangle pop that’s a perfect listen for springtime.

Guitarist Pascal Tiger also played in a folkier project called Courtney & Western while Axel Kröll would go on to write and engineer with other bands such as The Blow Monkeys. Brook Thaler, who played organ/synth on “The Primetimes,” also recorded with new wave project Social Register, who released one 7” in 1981.

If anyone can contribute a rip of Love is a Nasty Girl from 1984, please give a shout. Otherwise, enjoy!

Primitive Pleasure – The Vision 7” (1985)
1. The Vision
2. Become a Target

Primitive Pleasure – Jupiter Remote LP (1987)
1. Your Carousel
2. Unspoken Words
3. Life In Between
4. Souls Will Shine
5. The Vision
6. Drifter Blues
7. Jupiter Remote
8. The Primetimes
9. Forever…
10. More Than Stars
11. Painting By Miro
12. Requiem

*download both here*

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The Heart Throbs- Early 12” Recordings

Posted in 1987, 1988, dreampop, indie, the heart throbs, uk on April 20, 2022 by Frankie Teardrop

Trying to stay more active these days, for my sanity as well as for your ears’ sake. Up on the slab are 5 (FIVE) 12”s by late 80s dream pop/indie pop band The Heart Throbs. This band has been a forever favorite since I first saw the video for “Dreamtime” back in the early 2000s. That song kills me in every which way. But before that blissful melody was recorded and the band got traction via One Little Indian, the band cut their teeth on a slew of successful 12” singles, each one as good as the last. Some of the tracks were remixed for inclusion on their underrated debut record, Cleopatra Grip, which came out in 1990.

I reckon a lot of folks are already familiar with this band, but if not, best touchstones are bands like Kitchens of Distinction, Darling Buds, Lush, The Primitives, early Throwing Muses, The Sundays, and so on. Rough Trade ahoy!

The Heart Throbs- Toy 12” (1987)
1. Toy
2. I, the Jury
3. Make My Day

The Heart Throbs- Bang 12” (1987)
1. Bang
2. Sick At Heart
3. Naked Bang

The Heart Throbs- Too Many Shadows 12” (1988)
1. Too Many Shadows
2. I See Danger
3. Things That Linger

The Heart Throbs- Here I Hide 12” (1988)
1. Here I Hide (Extended Version)
2. Pale Fire
3. Come (First Version)

The Heart Throbs- Blood From a Stone 12” (1988)
1. Blood From a Stone
2. Cry Hard Cry Fast
3. Smothered

*download it here*

6 Comments »

Beatrain- Change the World 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1984, france, french, indie, new wave, post-punk on July 13, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a French single from 1984 by Beatrain, who previously went under the name The Grave. Both tracks are sung in English, presumably to catch the ears and eyes of the UK scene. This is their only release, though the single caused enough of a splash to secure the band a spot on French 3 program “Avenue Du Rock.”

As for the sounds, both tracks are stellar bouncy post-punk tracks with a slightly rickety post-punk or early indie rock edge, a sweet spot for me that I think you will all enjoy as well. The A-side is strictly female vox, but there is some vocal interplay on the equally excellent B-side. You can check out the pantomimed performances of the tracks here and here respectively (lower quality, sadly).

Enjoy!

Beatrain- Change the World 7”
1. Change the World
2. Two Worlds “Time To Meet You”

*download it here*

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Nu-Este- From This Side of the Window 7”

Posted in 1980s, 1982, indie, jangle, Nu-Este, post-punk, US on June 23, 2021 by Frankie Teardrop

Here’s a rather excellent, if but unassuming 7” from a US-based trio called Nu-Este. I was originally turned on to this single by way of my Harrow bandmate Greg, who sold me on it as a guitar-band who sounds quite a bit like For Against, which I’m inclined to agree… Also has a bit of that early R.E.M./jangle feel, just in time for summer. I dig both tracks, but the b-side is a little more my speed overall!

This is the band’s lone single, released in 1982 on Intense Intents records, which was based in Philly. Not sure if the band was from there as well, but my guess is they’re from the area, as producer/engineer Chas Gerber also worked on Pretty Poison’s excellent Laced 12”.

Enjoy!

Nu-Este- From This Side of the Window 7”
1. From This Side of the Window
2. If You Want It

*download it here*

2 Comments »

Living Links – Discography

Posted in 1980s, 1983, 1985, baton rouge, indie, living links, louisiana, post-punk, US on February 25, 2020 by Frankie Teardrop

To celebrate Mardi Gras- here’s another rare US entry from the post-punk pantheon, consisting of a two piece husband and wife duo from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Living Links originally started as a side outlet for Hans and Margie Van Brackle, who were first active in a band called Times (not to be confused with the Venus in Furs side project of the same name). Margie came from a background of opera, religious, and musical theatre, which can be heard in her playful, almost child-like soprano vocals. The pair recorded with a drum machine, layering overdubs for their debut single in 1983.

After picking up steam, the duo began occasionally performing live with a drummer, headlining regional shows and performing at the World’s Fair in 1984, which was held in New Orleans. This gig was followed up by their lone full-length record, 1985’s Gathering the Forces, which explored several styles outside of traditional post-punk. The duo would soon fade away, though allegedly the Van Brackles still play music together…

Fans of Talking Heads, The Wake, and more playful, yet still well-executed post-punk and indie pop will find much to love across these releases. I’ve included a fresh rip of the debut single (Every Sad Night) and the LP, and while it isn’t my personal rip, I’ve attached the a-side of their second single “Manger” just to sweeten the pot. I’d include the b-side, but it’s identical to the album version, so it’s a bit redundant to have here twice. The duo also released a final 7” in 1990, which also contained two repeat tracks from the LP.

So with that in mind, here’s the (pretty much) full discography for this excellent band. Enjoy!

Living Links- Every Sad Night 7” (1983)
1. Every Sad Night
2. You and the Unknown
3. I Stop Short

Living Links- Manger 7” (1983)
1. Manger
2. I’m Not Streetwise

Living Links- Gathering the Forces LP (1985)
1. I Live In Here
2. Gathering The Forces
3. I’m Awake When I Should Be Sleeping
4. Remember The Battle
5. For The Paramecium
6. Do You Dream In Color
7. Two Girls
8. Like An Animal
9. I’m Not Streetwise

Download all three here

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Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”

Posted in 1980s, 1986, goth, indie, post-punk, uk on February 22, 2019 by Frankie Teardrop

Let’s get some guitars into the mix, shall we? Here’s a relatively cheap, but nonetheless obscure single from UK band Black September, who released this one slab of wax in 1986 via Lost Moment Records (Jesus Couldn’t Drum, Skin Side Out, B-Z Party, etc.).

The band were a four piece, led by Ian Hunter. While most folks might recognize the name from Mott the Hoople, though I’m not familiar enough with their catalog to confirm if this is indeed the same Ian Hunter, or someone with the same name. Otherwise, the music sounds suspiciously close to Death Cult, with a slightly more indie/commercial vibe. Other touchstones might include early Gene Loves Jezebel, Zero Le Creche, or Into a Circle – slightly anthemic, guitar-driven tracks with sweeping synths, through and through. I tend to prefer the b-side, but both tracks aim to please.

As of now, the single is a couple of bucks through the usual channels, so if you dig it, it’s well worth picking up!

Black September- Rainbow Kiss 12”
1. Rainbow Kiss
2. David

*download it here*

 

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