Two of the biggest Rough Trade records were 1979's Inflammable Material album and the single Where's Captain Kirk? SLF and Spizz moved to major labels with no hard feelings. (SLF's song "Rough Trade" was not directed toward Geoff Travis & co.)
These major label signings were a vindication of Rough Trade's early business practices as well as their A&R acumen. As new artists joined the label, others left. Some went to the big leagues, others to rival indies or pseudo-indie "sub-labels" like Dindisc (Virgin) and PRE (Charisma). Some formed their own labels, such as Robert Lloyd's Vindaloo and the TVP's Whaam!
The sartorial splendor of Gavin Friday
Today's two compilations feature the first single released after each artist's departure from Rough Trade. Vol.1 includes post-RT singles from SLF, Spizz, Subway Sect, Monochrome Set, Delta 5, Television Personalities, Nightingales, The Fall, and Cabaret Voltaire.
Another wave of major label signings followed the successes of Scritti Politti, Aztec Camera, and Prefab Sprout. Vol.2 includes a lot of drum machines, synthetic horns and blue-eyed soul (some of it excessively verbose). It was the era of Culture Club, Haircut 100 and Simply Red.
Robert Wyatt, Microdisney, Chris & Cosey, and Blue Orchids also left in the mid-80's. Virgin Prunes returned to their own label, Baby Records.
All of the above artists are featured on Vol. 2, which ends with Microdisney's magnificent "Town To Town" and its hysterical b-side, "Little Town In Ireland". To those who may be awaiting the final volume of Rough Trade Singles, please stay tuned. Like a national nightmare, it's almost over.
ROUGH TRAITORS v1: https://tinyurl.com/y5x9vaa3
ReplyDeleteROUGH TRAITORS v2: https://tinyurl.com/y6on6tnl
The Smiths are absent: I don't think they released singles of any new songs between the time they left Rough Trade and their breakup. One might argue that "3 Crepuscule Tracks" was Cabaret Voltaire's first post-RT single, but it was released on Rough Trade in the US, so I went with "Just Fascination" (Some Bizzare/Virgin). I think I read somewhere that Chris & Cosey left only because RT staff didn't like their new material.
Robert Wyatt's "Age Of Self" (like several of his Rough Trade singles) had a different performer on the flipside, usually to raise awareness of a political cause. In this case, it was "Raise Your Banners High" by Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band & 7:84 Theatre Company England & G.C.H.Q. Trade Unions (quite a crowd!) I couldn't find the song online.
PS - My MS Paint skills are pathetic, but I thought it would be amusing to combine the Spizz single with the Boys Don't Cry sleeve (US version). The angle of the horizon and pyramid are nearly identical! Both were released in 1980.
Deletehttps://www.discogs.com/Athletico-Spizz-80-Hot-Deserts/release/856719
https://www.discogs.com/The-Cure-Boys-Dont-Cry/master/20161
Bill Smith did the Cure art: https://www.discogs.com/artist/1833947
I can't find a sleeve credit for the "Hot Deserts" single, but Rocking Russian did the sleeve for the "Do A Runner" LP and may have created the running man logo for Spizz: https://www.discogs.com/artist/570598
Rock on! - Stinky
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOne last set to come, my loyal friend!
DeleteSpeaking of Microdisney, a new Cathal Coughlin album is on the way: https://youtu.be/e6YL06Za4rc
ReplyDeleteGreat comp...cheers!
ReplyDelete