Klakto Vee Sedstein

Almost at the same time Pigbag appeared on the scene a British musical ensemble made the sound of the summer for many at my place. Blue Rondo A La Turk, named after a song by Dave Brubeck, were a musical collective whose music featured elements of salsa, pop and cool jazz. They had their time for a short period and vanished as soon as they appeared after a few members left to form Matt Bianco. Not a music I would like to listen often to but it brings back memories of this year.

Blue Rondo A La Turk - Klakto Vee Sedstein

And in addition a footage from a live performance in German TV from 1982 that shows their live presence and their ability to fascinate the audience. I was lucky enough to be part of this show with a couple of friends.

Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag

Inspired by yesterday's post I grabbed deeper in my old records for some music I didn't listen to for ages and found a 12-inch and an album by Pigbag. Formed by Simon Underwood when he left post-punk legend The Pop Group in 1980. If The Pop Group was named as a crossover band Pigbag absorbed more styles and genres into their unique sound. It was courageous by them as a band that had heavy influences by punk to include funk and horns to their sound. But it worked very well and Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag became a trademark to their sound. Apparently they hit with their percussive tribal power the nerve of the time and the song reached high positions in the charts. Also at my place many of the jazz addicted people could agree to them and this song was played by many DJ's in the early 80's. Probably one of the first independent dance track and still heard in clubs today.

Pigbag - Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag

They also appeared on Top of the Pops in 1982:

The song is based on a song James Brown recorded in the early 60's and also worth to listen after a long time.

James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Indie Scene 1981

1981 was the year independent music changed his face. During the last years a lot of bands became highly rinsed playing short guitar based songs with a lot of verve. Now it seems that pop and the spirit of singer/songwriter get a foot in the door of new music. Fantastic bands like Haircut 100, Aztec Camera appeared on the scene as well as acts like Flock of Seagulls or Hazel O'Conner. I don't want to wail - it was a very good thing that happened to new music - they enriched us with their music. Now I could spread my musical spectrum to even this music.

In my hometown the first so called 'punk bands' showed up in some locations. Absolutely a few years too late but they had the power and the spirit in it. I remember a few concerts where there was for one hour totally weirdness listening to some young fellows playing mostly cover versions of their heroes. Still in 1981 the mainstream ruled my little town. The jazz purists refused to listen to this kind of music, the Deadheads were still smoking pot and the rest was listening to Phil Collins, Journey or Pat Benatar but the scene grew the more we outdistanced from them. I remember one of the first concerts by Fido and the Insects (one of the first local punk bands) in a very small club playing in front of 80 people watching them. Listening to them crudely sound wasn't fun at all but we loved their power and enthusiasm. A few month ago I watched them after more than 30 years when they played a reunion gig. Everyone's got older (and maybe wiser), the dudes learned how to play their instruments and the crowd was happy for another evening to remember these days.

Au Pairs - Inconvience
Aztec Camera - We Could Send Letters
Birthday Party - Release the Bats
Clock DVA - 4 Hours
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - It's my Party
Pigbag - Papa's got a brand new pigbag
Southern Death Cult - Fatman
The db's - Big Brown Eyes
Toyah - I want to be free

More of stuff like these you will find in an older post of mine.