Monday's Long Song

 

Life's Hard And Then You Die was the title of It's Immaterials debut album and probably the best title back in 1986. It was an album full of great pop songs and shows the potential of this Liverpool band. I came back to this album a couple of days ago while I was sorting my CD's once again and I enjoyed this album once again after decades. 

It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (Wicked Weather For Walking)

Where Indie-Pop Started

 

Cherry Red is one of those record labels (Germany's Bear Family is another)digging deep in musical history to create a collection of relevant genres. At the end of last year they released The Sun Shines Here a three CD-compilation of songs released between 1980 and 1984 showing the whole spectrum early indie-pop had at these days. It was a period when London was centred around more angular, aggressive music and bands from Scotland, Manchester and Liverpool emerged drawing on the cooler end of 60's/70's music to create something fresh and new. Listening to those songs again made me thinking this could be a theme for a new series.

Liverpool's Pete Wylie released his first single in the late 70's as Wha! Heat and it is a classic because it has everything his later releases were famous for. A straight beat, great guitars and his incomparable voice.

Better Scream

Also from Liverpool It's Immaterial appeared on the scene in the early 80's. Formed by former members of the pub-rock band The Yachts they appeared with fantastic pop songs arranged with additional horns. A good example how great they were was their first single.

Young Man (Seeks Interesting Job)

A shortly existing band were Girls At Our Best from Leeds and their sound based on short guitar riffs, forward driving rhythms and a clear voice. Perfect girl's pop from almost 40 years ago.

Go For Gold!

Driving Away From Home

 

After a short period of sickness I feel ready to take a short trip to visit Dresden. To my shame I have to admit that I wasn't able to visit former East-Germany since the wall broke down. Many people told me that this must be a beautiful town and a lovely area around. So I think It's Immaterial's song from 1986 might be the best to start the trip. It's Immaterial was formed by members of pub rock veterans The Yachts and made a superb mixture of new wave, country, folk, blues and synth pop. 

It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (Full 12 inch version)

It's Immaterial

In 1981 It's Immaterial recorded their first session with John Peel. The Liverpool based band formed by former members of pub rock band Yachts and made a fine combination of post-punk and pop. I almost forgot them when I saw that they were featured on a sampler about Liverpool's new sound of the early 80's. Still a band that was underrated and didn't got the acclaim they should have. In better times with less other big bands around in their times they would be great.

It's Immaterial - A Gigantic Raft
It's Immaterial - Imitate The Worm
It's Immaterial - White Man's Hut