Theatre of Hate & Blancmange

The Theatre of Hate were one of those bands that sort of had a following in the early days like the latter day version of the levellers. But with Theatre of Hate they were in the boundries between post punk but the propaganda look of their artwork on their sleeves meant they were catagorised as being an 'Oi' kind of band. The theatre of Hate best known song is 'Do you beleieve in the westworld'. The Theatre of hate sort of splintered but was responsible for the spear of destiny but also for the cult. Kirk Brandon and Billy Duffy respsectively. Also worth noting is Blancmange, this was before their hits and when they were receiving heavy airplay from Peel(gods kitchen era). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX_6K1xGApY

Duran Duran - Careless Memories.

Well Duran Duran were one of those bands in the 80s that rode the new romantic era and then went onto become absolutely huge in the 84-85 period with tracks like 'The Reflex'. I always remember the post 1984 tracks of 'Something I should know', this was Duran Duran pre-rio period. Carless memories I always remember being one track they played in the sets with their hits. I think what strikes me about the advert is that the woman looks very modern looking for a magazine that is 34 years old. Here is the original video...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmCTZT6w6Mw

Welcome

Welcome to my archive or reviewing blog on all things retro regarding the musical press. I think an intrest in post punk yet being a bit to young to enjoy the first wave. I was constantly intrested in the history of music. What I used to find in the 80s and early 90s the musical press had this over riding desire to find the next big band, so you would buy a musical paper but about a year down the road you would go back to the magazine and find the artists that had succeeded but also to show the path that a band had followed on the path to stardom. With the years passed you realise that the music press of the time was very DIY, as post punk was described as cottage industry. With the music press they had to change with the advent of punk. One of my first reviews of the NME in 1981 almost has this fanzine like appeal even though it was a massed produced paper.In going through the issues I find things that really intrest me , whilst others that make me laugh or other things that are just soooo dated. Hope you like the site. Simon J Allen