I Have Never Heard These Bands That Start With The Letter S

Scruffs - Not-awful powerpoppers who put out an indie album in 1977 or so that I believe Xgau liked. It was reissued on CD a couple years ago, and it was nice, though not nearly the holy grail that silly powerpop collectors pretend. They were kinda average, seems to me. Probably not even as good as Blue Ash, though I'm not the one to ask.

The Secret -- Had a totally hyper high-pitched Sparksabilly track on A&M's *No Wave* comp that I kinda loved at the time, though in some ways it seemed totally inept and phony. Maybe I liked it *because* it seemed inept and phony. Not to mention hyper and high-pitched, I guess. I never took the time to investigate who the hell they were.

Secret Affair - Mod-clothed Jam wannabes, I think. Never heard 'em.

Shox Lumania - Very silly, insanely outer-space-alien-haired proto-proto-electroclashers from New York; what Fischerspooner only wish they could be. No Zoltan X, though. I still own their ROIR cassete.

Sic Fucks - "Offensive" surf-punks from LA, maybe? Or maybe not.

Single Bullet Theory - Probably from Boston, or maybe I just think that because their name has to do with Kennedy getting shot.

Skeleton Crew -- Something to do with Fred Frith or somebody like that? Aging proggers making a new wave move; doubt I ever heard 'em.

Slow Children - Husband/wife duo doing better-than-Soft-Boys (maybe because slightly verging on, I dunno, Robin Lane and the Charbusters? Quarterflash, even?) new wave pysch pop stuff. I found their album for a dollar last year, played it a couple times. Liked it alright.

T.V. Smith's Explorers - The Adverts guy goes solo, and judging from the album I have at home, does it well. I really kinda love his voice.

Splogenessabounds - Weren't they a joke band included on some oi! compilation? Not as funny as Peter and Test Tube Babies, either way.

Starjets - George Smith hates this band. I kinda liked "War Stories" and, um, I think they did a song about school too, at the time (University of Missouri's radio station KCOU used to play them), for some reason. Totally half-assed post-Buzzcocks/Undertones/Stiff Little Fingers Belfast teen pop-punks, w/ a black and white LP cover.

Walter Steding - An older guy, played guitar. I probably have him on some other people's records at home, but damned if I know which ones.

SVT - Wasn't this some old Jefferson Starship hacks making a new wave attempt that, well, wasn't actually a new wave attempt at all, really?

Swinging Madisons - Rockabilly, I think. Pretty bad, probably.

SVT -- SF hard rock/metal band with members from Hot Tuna, tried to pass off as new wave/punk influenced. They weren't but the records were pretty good and I wish I still had them.

Starjets -- UK new wavey/pub band. Poor man's Jam. I had one record which has recently been reissued.

Doctors Of Madness - Figments Of Emancipation

And "Belfast Boy" invented acid-house 15 years before acid-house invented itself (okay, maybe not, but that synth intro roolz and was way ahead of its time.I love Don Fardon.)

"Wanna' Meet the Scruffs?" [Power Play, 1977]
Only a sucker for rock and roll could love this record, and I am that sucker. A middle-period Beatles extrapolation in the manner of Big Star (another out-of-step Memphis power-pop group on a small, out-of-step Memphis label), it bursts with off harmonies, left hooks, and jolts of random energy. The trouble is, these serve a shamelessly and perhaps permanently post-adolescent vision of life's pain, most of which would appear to involve gurls. To which objection the rockin' formalist in me responds, "I wanna hear `Revenge' again." A-

Midtown [Northern Heights, 1998]
it's Memphis, it's the '80s, and darn it, Big Star lives ("Machiavellian Eyes," "Judy [She Put the Devil in Me]") ***

Skeleton Crew were unbelievably great live. The idea was that Frith and Cora would perform the parts of 6 or 7 musicians (hence the name), simultaneously playing percussion, guitar, bass, fiddle, cello, keyboards, tapes, etc., and singing playfully leftist lyrics. First album, "Learn To Talk," is poorly recorded but classic prog-pop (Recommended/ReR sensibility). Second album, "The Country of Blinds," (with the not-so-interesting Parkins) is even worse recorded and less successful. I'd be happy to yousendit a sample.

Unless I wasn't! Though yeah, I think I must have confused them with the other Skeleton Crew (not to mention Skeleton KEY) at some point.

They had a sizeable hit in the UK with 'Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please'. B-side was the wonderfully named 'Michael Booth's Talking Bum' IIRC. I thought they were funny for about five minutes anyway.

Now I feel like asking if anyone here knows more information on Scary Thieves and where I might be able to acquire that lost LP of theirs. I tried looking at this one location and they were all sold out! But I LOVE everything I've heard from Scary Thieves and I *kinda* know their story but... yeah. OH! And if anyone knows anything about The Sights and what else to check out from them aside from "So Much For Everlasting Love" (which I've become addicted to), that would be really cool.

C'mon people, be my obscure-ish New Wave database for me. ;)

(Also, wasn't Sandii of Sandii & the Sunsetz actually from Hawaii?)

*investigates*

Oh look! More info on Sandii & the Sunsetz:

Sandii & The Sunsetz found some success in Japan and Australia in the 80's (where they had a top 5 hit) but after a few changes of direction and problems with international record companies, began to release albums just under Sandii's name. These began with 1990's "Mercy" which is a stunning collection of ethnic club pop and established her as a successful artist in Malaysia, the Phillipines, Thailand and China, plus it was a big seller in Japan. Sandii's albums "Mercy", "Pacifica" and "Dream Catcher" are excellent, in my opinion, well worth buying if you have the opportunity. She mixes Bhangra, Hawaiian, J-pop, techno, R&B and dub styles to great effect and is comparable to Madonna in a lot of ways. The next album "Watashi" (1996) featured Brazillian styles and was released in France to critical acclaim. Increasingly interested in Hawaiian music and life, Sandii has pursued interests away from the mainstream music industry in recent years and has qualified as a teacher in Hula dance. Her album "Hawaii" has been released in the USA. Sandii owns a dance studio, store and restaurant in central Tokyo.

And apparently there's an official Sandii website. So there.

Secret Affair were basically the Jam without brains.

Shakin' Pyramids were really crap rockabilly.

Sheena & the Rokkets are Japanese, a bit like Princess Princess.

Sic Fucks, as noted elsewhere, included Trish & Snookie, who were indeed part of the same circle as Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. The only thing they did I can recall was a fairly droll white-soul send up that included a chorus in which a male vocalist sang, "Take me to the bridge," and Trish & Snookie replied, "And drop him off!"

Single Bullet Theory weren't Bostonians (sorry, Chuck); they hailed from Richmond and played the D.C. area quite a bit. Seem to recall them as amped-up new wave, but that may be entirely wrong.

There were two Solid Senders, appallingly enough. One were the post-Dr. Feelgood vehicle for guitarist Wilco Johnson, which was pretty much a fans-only proposition. The other were a by-the-numbers blues rock outfit most notable for the presence of onetime Fabulous Thunderbird Keith Ferguson.

SVT was, specifically, a Jack Cassady project, named after his amplifier.

Walter Steding's schtick was very cutesy and annoying. Just some dork and his violin. I never understood why he was everywhere back in early 80s New York. I guess he worked his friends.

The Sic F*cks were lots of fun. They were sort of Dictators-ish, I think, circa their first album. The singer Russel Wolinsky was OK, in a Handsome Dick style, but I mainly liked them for Tish and Snooky. They were so charismatic!

Shox Lumania were very Klaus Nomi-influenced, led by a an artist named Lari Shox. Lenny Kaye's wife was in the band. If there was any sort of New Romantic movement in New York, they were it. I think part of their act was to pretend that they were from some obscure Eastern European country called Lumania. Their big hit was called "I Have No Shoes" and it did kind of sound Eastern European. I loved them! Lari Shox died of AIDS in the late 80s.

Armand Schauobreck Steals' albums always seemed like concept albums about his troubled youth, his time in reform school, etc. They were interesting but I never really listened to them much. They had great covers, though, especially the one with the big grinning Armand with a bullet hole through his head. Also, I think he used to run House of Guitars in Rochester, NY. And he was always sending his picture into Rock Scene.

I never knew Don Farndon was in the Sorrows-thank you, Dr. C! "Belfast Boy" is incredible.

Here's that page w/Shox Lumania videos: http://manparrish.com/video/

"The Stranger" is really catchy!

shit, you are right! then i have heard them cuz i own that movie on vhs. it's a good one.

I have the video, but there are bits I remember from the ICA screening that aren't on it.

Yes

"If so while on a break from Doctors of Madness he stood in for Dave Vanian in the The Damned (or some offshoot)"

Other way 'round actually: Dave joined / replaced Richard Strange as lead singer of Doctors Of Madness for a while after The Damned split up in '78.

">Shrink
This lot I'm sure had a bigger label behind them, I can recall seeing a 10" single (?) at record fairs with a mohawked guitarist on the sleeve (the kind of thing that was always priced at 10p)"

I loved Shrink and I'm sure I've waffled endlessly about him here before.

Shrink was actually one guy rather than a band. He had half a head of pink hair and used to cover his entire face with gold paint before going on stage, until his psoriasis got too bad. Absolutely barking bloody mad. He released a couple of singles (including the absolutely phenomenal "Valid Or Void") and a 10" 6-track thing on an A&M offshoot called Oval around '80 / '81 and had a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in the film Broken Glass. His backing band was The Secret, who were also signed to Oval.

"I went to the delie (sic)
and Mr. Selaginio
dove right into the cans of peas and carrots
I told him, I'm off duty
I'M here to buy a six pack"

http://www.earache.com/catalog/mosh010.html

Back in the day, when we just had filofax users to worry about.

It probably wasn't the one Scott didn't know in 2003 (it could be though since they've been recording since 2001) but there's a band that features members of Pizzing Razors and Seven Witches from Philly with that name. They released two unspectacular but listenable thrash/death/core albums on Crash (formerly Pavement) and continue to tour.

www.singlebullettheory.net
www.myspace.com/singlebullettheory

Streets - Not THE Streets, right?

Nope. Atlanta rock quartet, 1983, featuring Steve Walsh of Kansas. How he got to Atlanta I don't know.

The Skunks from Texas did "Earthquake Shake" (which is on Bloodstains Across Texas, by far the best Bloodstains comp!) and then changed their sound to new wave/power pop - this is off the original list but never mind. I have their power pop album, it's not that good really unfortunately.

7 Seconds I think were (slightly) underrated - hardcore fans hated them because they sold out and went pop in the late 80s (where pop means sounding a bit like Dag Nasty/Descendents) - their early stuff is good old school hardcore.

7 Seconds = "Walk Together, Rock Together" -- hand-wringingly sincere hardcore punk, for those who needed a daily dose of an alternative Kumbaya. And a version of "99 Red Balloons" that makes you want to listen to the entire Nena album in its place.

Yes, "Walk Together, Rock Together" is all those things. Like I said, their early stuff as collected on the "Alt.Music.Hardcore" CD and the "Old School" CD or even the "The Crew" CD is all worth listening to.

Spdfgh

Now there was a great band. Sort of a cross between Splodgenessabounds and Showaddywaddy.

Yes, you're quite right. Somwhere between Shut Up You Cunt and Who Gives A Fuck.

Spdfgh sold millions of records so obviously someone gives a fuck, sister.

I saw Max Splodge the other day!

Godammit i hate rapidshare

i loved 7 seconds. especially the first 7-inch with i hate sports on it. but i still hold on to my copy of the crew. they lost me with new wind, their crossover attempt. we in connecticut took pride in one member of the band wearing a violent children t-shirt on the cover of walk together rock together. (which i also liked despite the nena cover)

"Snopek - is this Violent Femmes keyboardist Sigmund Snopek III? If so he had an ok-ish line in keyboardy prog a la early Utopia."

his band The Bloomsbury People made one of my all-time fave early 70's psych records. you can get it on cd now:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/bloomsbury

and his later-70's power/pop/prog stuff is neat too.

Shox Lumania were very Klaus Nomi-influenced, led by a an artist named Lari Shox. Lenny Kaye's wife was in the band. If there was any sort of New Romantic movement in New York, they were it. I think part of their act was to pretend that they were from some obscure Eastern European country called Lumania.

I'm pretty sure Shox Lumania were actually purporting to be from some undersea country analogous to Atlantis. It was a sci fi concept for sure. I got a great deal of enjoyment out of that cassette. Always wanted to know more about them. Glad to find those video links!

The Secrets were comprised of former members of the band, The Brats

Though I could be wrong, I'm pretty sure The Secrets from Scott's list is The Secrets* (with the asterisk), whose self titled album from 1982 is #81 on John Borack's Top 200 Power Pop albums book. It was reissued in 2000. Here are some details:

* Missouri-based group
* Band's first single in late 70s was "It's Your Heart Tonight" on Titan Records
* Only full-length album was issued in Canada only
* Album was co-produced by former Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch

Sid Rumpo - is it just me or has anyone else just conjured up a mental image of Sid James as "The Rumpo Kid" in Carry On Cowboy???

Savage Grace -- from Ann Arbor, they were in the second wave of 60s Dee-troit sound along w/Brownsville Station. did two -- or maybe three? -- albums on Warner Brothers. don't think they're on CD. sound pretty eclectic judging from the five songs I've streamed on my computer. prog and country influences though 1 track, "Come On Down" delivers the motor city mojo thanks to guitarist Al Jacquez.

Seatrain -- folk/jazz/flute hybrid with former members of Blues project.

Sadat X -- Brand Nubian were brazen anti-semites who ended up getting bounced from Elektra for hassling their (Jewish) publicist. Rolling Stone once quoted -- approvingly! or at least neutrally -- some pretty disgusting christ-killer lyric of theirs in a record review. just thought i'd share that.

What I wrote about 707 (from George's list) on Rolling Metal last year:

707 Greatest Hits Live (GB Music) -- Liking this a lot, too. Know nothing about the band. New Rolling Stone Record Guide (blue 1983 edition) dismisses them as "second-rate Toto." Jasper and Oliver's International Enyclopedia of Heavy Metal raves about their "classic heavy-pomp sound with brutal drumming" and says their second album (apparently called 2nd Album!) went top 20 in the U.S., in 1981, and then they got Angel's bassist Felix Robinson. I thought Martin Popoff might be a fan, but realized I was confusing them with 54-40, whoever they are (Canadians, apparently) by mistake.
Anyway, the live album shows they did indeed make truly catchy hard-pop rock with plenty of smart pomp in the arrangements. Closest of maybe just laziest comparison I can think of would be Prism. But the first cut, "Live With the Girl," is a total ringer for "On Top Of the World" Cheap Trick. Some Babys and early Loverboy in there too. Most brutal (and funkiest) drums are in "Millionaire," one of the two heaviest cuts along with the Zep-like (or okay, I dunno, Fastway-like? Paris-like?) "Pressure Drop" (which is not a Toots and the Maytals cover.) Every other cut sinks its hooks in real quick. "Rockin is Easy" might be a protest against protest songs, but I might have heard its words wrong (defintely stuff in there about people wasting time seeking gainful employment and keeping up with the Joneses, and not knowing about the state of the nation and foreign relations, so let's just rock easy instead okay?)
-- xhuxk, Sunday, May 27, 2007 6:37 PM (9 months ago)

special ed - eighties hiphop. i only know his I'm The Magnificant, but in a version with a completely different beat than the one on youtube.

sleeze beez - glam-y dutch hardrock from the late eighties/early nineties

If you've ever seen a late-night commercial for a CD comp of the greatest power ballads then you've heard Canadian one-hit wonder Sheriff and their song "When I'm With You" ...

That song was a hit TWICE up here! First time in '83, later in '88. There was some weird kinda epidemic in 1988-89, with three different songs ("Red Red Wine" and "Send Me An Angel" being the others) all being rereleased & charting higher than their first go-round 3-5 years previous. Weird...

Suburban Studs - original 76 punks who did one good single: "Questions". It had a sax on it, which was awfully daring for the times. The follow-up was called "I Hate School" and was awful.

I wonder if this band got their name from the scene between Janice Rule and Burt Lancaster in "The Swimmer".

The version of the Sports' Don't Throw Stones is actually a composite of the same-titled Australian release with some tracks from the preceding album, their first---so it goes from more of a pub rock, rootsy, even rockabilly (and other 50s) sound, updated to and from the mid-70s, since they picked it up on the late 70s, from Graham Parker & The Rumor (with whom they toured), transitioning smoothly to the hookier newer tracks---so it's kind of like Graham Parker & The Attractions: Stephen Cummings' voice was deeper than Costello's, raspy around the edges, like Parker's, also not as nasal as EC, but sill kind of, so Parker plus early Richard Butler. A somewhat strict sound, not pompous, but no BS young schoolteacher or coach, with crisp combo incl. versatile guitarist, good LP! I've still got it somewhere.

The Stiff-to-Arista version is what I'm talking about.