Another interesting band that released some records on Marc Riley's In Tape label. Cool mix of noisepop and punkabilly.
The 'Chicken Stew' 7" was their first release but suffers from poor production. The sound is muddy and you can barely hear the drums. Follow-up is the 'Thunderhead' mini-album. The sound improved a lot as with their 'Good To Be The King' 7". After this release they left In Tape and released some records on Abstract: the 'Deafhead' LP, 'Family Fantastic' and 'Moonshine' 12"s and the 'Halfway To Happening' 7".
The Janitors were requested a long time ago by English Paul. It's possible that he will contribute some music from time to time on this blog so keep your eyes and ears open!
Chicken Stew 7" (In Tape-IT 017-1985)
1. Chicken Stew
2. The Devil's Gone To Whitley Bay
Thunderhead MLP (In Tape-IT Twenty Eight-1986)
1. Thunderhead Johnny
2. Nowhere
3. Both Ends Burning
4. Really Shrinking
5. Mexican Kitchen
6. Wall Star
7. Track Eating Baby
Good To Be The King 7" (In Tape-IT 031-1986)
1. Good To Be The King
2. Wall Star
Janitors
Loved the Janitors. Great live as well. Nice post Curious thanks.
ReplyDeletesounds awesome.
ReplyDeletethank you.
This group were so underrated. I got into them because my brother played drums with them on a few gigs. I've tried to find their songs online for a long time, I had their last peel session on tape but I just can't find it , *weep*. Thank you for this post... made my weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteShared with pleasure! Anyone out there who has their Abstract releases?
ReplyDeleteyou are too good to us sir Rhodri... XXX
ReplyDeleteTake requests?
ReplyDeleteArtist: The Insane Picnic
LP: This is the Winter Darkness
record label: falling a
released sometime in the early 80s
Any idea where this might be on the blogosphere? have heard it compared to everything from The Fall to Joy Division to Killing Joke, depending on the song on it, but haven't heard it.
Hey, very nice blog. I found some really great songs here. You might want to check out The Bonaparte's - Shiny Battles, and Fall of Saigon. Both unappreciated bands that deserve more attention :)
ReplyDeleteMichael, I'm not Rhodri but I'm wondering where he is as he deleted his multiply page. Do enjoy the Dustdevils :)
ReplyDeleteOliver, never heard about them. Another one to look out for.
Erik, would like to know more French wave myself. The Fall Of Saigon has been posted on Mutant Sounds.
Looks like someone made an Insane Picnic myspace tribute page -- mp3s sound pretty cool:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/theinsanepicnic
I used to work with Tim, the Janitors drummer (at least for a time). Top man, and he used to book the bands at the Windmill in Brixton.
ReplyDeleteMind you, I've just remembered he's still got my Gimme Shelter VHS video! The Janitors track on that is fun.
I've got quite some French wave for share on Soulseek if you like.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you Coach.
ReplyDeleteErik, I'm not on slsk. But if you want to contribute, go ahead. Just ask for a decent rip with bitrate not under 192. And a cover scan off course.
The first 50 seconds of Wallstar are what music is about. [Only my opinion, like]
ReplyDeletepeople asking after rhodri?
ReplyDelete(my old flatmate, ex of the keatons, now in scritti politti) is a bit busy being a proper journalist for the independent amongst others.
never asked him why he deleted his multiply.
too many other things to do perhaps.
cx
Hey, i was uploading those two files for a friend and reminded you being interested in French 80's, so you might enjoy this too:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediafire.com/?ctsvfym5u2h (actually, the last two songs are the best I think)
http://www.mediafire.com/?2dhtiy9gurz
If interested, cover scans can be found on http://www.french-new-wave.com/artist.php
By the way, I really enjoy the Cultural Decay - End of the Corridor song. Thanks for that.
Thank you very much Erik!! Excellent quality as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blast from the past!
ReplyDeleteMy brother went to see The Janitors live, on the back of Chicken Stew getting single of the Week in Sounds, back in late 1985.
He then seemed to disapear every weekend for the next couple of years, following The Janitors around the UK.
I saw then a couple of times when they suported Gaye Bykers On Acid on tour in 1987 & then a couple of times at the late, great Duchess of York in Leeds (sadly now a Hugo Boss shop) towards the end of the bands career in 1988
My brother recently bumped into one of the band in London (Craig?) who is now a guitar tech for Coldplay.
Does anyone have a copy of the song/video that they did, titled something like "Halfway to Happening". Can anyone put me in touch with Denton or Craig?
ReplyDeleteWhy? It's a long story...
Thank you!
'Halfway to a Happening' is off of the LP. It's awesome, Alison!
ReplyDeleteLove the Janitors, and have Deafhead on vinyl. Their 1987 gig in Plymouth was my 18th birthday - they blew me away and I bought the LP the next day. Fantastic. AND I was heavily into Industrial stuff at the time!
Hello Eden263, thanks for enjoying stuff from this blog.
ReplyDeleteBlimey, I used to love The Janitors! Got into them c/o their terrific Peel sessions & still have ALL the vinyl (I think!) - I'll have a dig 'round next time I'm in "The Shed" & see what I can come up with... IBx
ReplyDeleteP.S. Yes, great live too.
3rd Peel Session
ReplyDeletehttp://cliffrichardsneck.blogspot.com/2009/01/janitors-3rd-peel-session-20-1-87.html
another great album find on your blog. you've got gooood taste, if i may quote the late, great lux interior.
ReplyDeleteI have thunderhead and family fantastic on vinyl, but can't see myself converting them to mp3 anytime soon. thanks again for the post.
Loved them, even had the thunderhead sun painted on the sleeve of a leather jacket for a while. Nice to find them out here!
ReplyDeleteThe vocalist is now my history teacher. He is awesome, bit of a hardass if you are late with essays....
ReplyDeleteFound Thunderhead LP yesterday, could end up as my favourite album. A fan of Loop and Screaming Blue Messiahs, this is in the same class. What energy ... unbelievable! Makes me 20 years younger. Searching for the second album to listen to, and buy. Wish there were any live recordings.
ReplyDeleteeilivk
Eilivk....I have a few Janitors live bootlegs but no way of transfering them from tape.
ReplyDeleteFrom memory I have Leeds uni 87 (supporting Gaye Bykers), Manchester Boardwalk also from 87 & one or two shows from Leeds Duchess in 1988.
If anyone can do the transfer I'm happy to post them on.
New link. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteonce again I've found something 6 years too late on here…:0) Would you mind re-posting this, please? Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteNew link. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete