Thrift Store Music: Red Guitars

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Red Guitars - Slow to Fade

Name: Red Guitars
Album: Slow to Fade
Year: 1984
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: The Jam, The Clash, Duran Duran, Talking Heads
"One-Word" Review: Snotty Sophisticated British Dance Party
Based Out Of: Hull, England
Label: Self-Drive Records, Red Rhino & the Cartel

Back, Cover, Record

Lyrics, Credits, Record

Slow to Fade (1984)

Remote Control 3:52
Dive 3:07
Astronomy 3:26
Cloak and Dagger 3:51
Crocodile Tears 4:49 /
Shaken Not Stirred 3:46
Sting in the Tail 4:49
Marimba Jive 5:20 (#1 Indie single)
Slow to Fade 3:56

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

Roy Neave - Producer, Engineer
Neil Drake - Asst Engineer
Grant Ardia - Percussion
Danny Woods - Hammond Organ (Jeremy Kidd)
Tokai - Guitar
Jerry (Jeremy) Kidd - Vox (Carnage in Poland, Czechs, )
Lou (Louise Howard) Barlow - Bass (Weirdies in the Wardrobe, The Planet Wilson, Loudhailer Electric Company, Celtarabia)
Hallam Lewis - Lead Guitar (Carnage in Poland, Czechs, The Planet Wilson, The Fabulous Ducks)
John Rowley - Rhythm Guitar (The Fabulous Ducks, Lovemat)
Matt Higgins - Drums
Syd Shelton - Design, Art Direction
Andy Dark - Hand Colouring

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Was gifted the album by a friend cleaning out stuff he didn't listen to, saying he got this because of Lou Barlow's bass contribution (but it is not the same Lou Barlow as Sebadoh / Dino Jr). I like the clean design, simple coloring, lots of neutral space and British army imagery, which all reminds me of Wire. I figure the music will be simple, minimal, but catchy in the realm of post punk or politically active high-brow new wave.

Album Review: There is a lot of Clash and Police influence in this record, with snotty, nasally vocals sounding like Simon Le Bon much of the time. The special ingredient that made the band unique was Hallam's upbringing in South Africa, which brought a different influence on his guitar playing that gave the band somewhat of a sunny African rhythm and nature. They had 2 big breaks of having their first single played prominently on the John Peel program and opening for the Smiths (including a headlining spot on occasion when Morrissey was too troubled to play a show). They were politically motivated, supporting left wing causes and adopted an anti-corporate ideology. They self-released their material, but Kidd left the band 2 months after this albums release, and they only lasted another 2 years without him before disbanding.

Stand Out Track: Shaken Not Stirred, Marimba Jive

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki