Somewhat unexpectedly, Minny Pops, one of the lesser known & least appreciated Factory Records acts, have recently reformed & will shortly be undertaking a European tour (including several British dates in January 2012). Arguably one of the final important bands from the immediate post-punk era to warrant serious reevaluation, they'll be releasing a new CD/DVD on James Nice's exemplary Les Temps Modernes label, comprising archival live material recorded in Amsterdam & New York in 1981, at the same time. With current interest in minimal, cold wave electronica greater than it's ever been, one can only hope that Minny Pops' nervous, sardonic music might (finally) be seriously reassessed & better understood. Either way, I'm really looking forward to hearing further recordings by them, & will certainly be making an effort to see them perform (see you in Sheffield).
LTM's round-up of Minny Pops' back catalogue has been pretty exhaustive so far. A handful of later, post Factory/Crepuscule album tracks aside, James has managed to track down, remaster & re-release virtually everything the band recorded in it's relatively brief, frenetically productive lifetime. The one glaring omission, perhaps, is the band's early, difficult-to-find Live EP. Recorded at 2 Dutch shows (Delft & Amsterdam) in May 1980, it was rush released on vocalist Wally Von Middendorp's celebrated Plurex label following the success of their first English appearances - including a support slot at Joy Division's infamous Bury "riot" show on 8th April - & as a teaser for their first U.K. headlining tour that August. They'd record their debut Factory 7", the benchmark "Dolphin's Spurt"/"Goddess", with Martin Hannett during this return visit. Cut in a single day, along with The Names' "Night Shift" 45, it's become their defining moment, though it's by no means their finest. They'd also find time to complete a John Peel session while they were back in the UK, the first Dutch band to do so, allegedly (that can't possibly be true, can it?).
If you would like to check the veracity of the "first Dutch band to record a Peel session" claim, here's a link (see below) to the complete list of Peel sessions on the BBC website. Fraid I can't help you with passport info for everyone in the 60s and 70s, but the claim does seem to stand up. And Minny Pops' Factory labelmates with a Dutch connection, Quando Quango, recorded their first Peel session later.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/
Hey Anon, I wasn't casting aspersions, I'm just surprised that Peel didn't invite a bunch of grizzly Dutch hairies (Focus, for instance) into Maida Vale back in the 70s? He booked loads of great Netherlands acts in for a session in the 80s though: The Ex, Eton Crop & Buy Off The Bar for starters...
ReplyDeleteBrrr! Yes, you're right, it's amazing that Peel did not have a studio-based soft spot for some Dutch exponents of hirsuititude (if not Golden Earring, then someone equally furry and scarily-dressed) back in the day.
ReplyDeleteBang on! That's EXACTLY the sort of band I figured he'd have booked back in the patchouli-reeking 70s... :)
ReplyDeleteNot sure if your still looking for this, and if you are apologies its not the best quality if you turn up the volume too much.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediafire.com/?jqiey4tsy9iw1d7
Excellent find Gary, many thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood innit?
I am happy to hear Minny Pops will play four dates (Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, London) later this month and are bringing Dutch newcomers Rats on Rafts with them. Prices are also kept at moderate eighties level of 6.00 pnd. How nice.
ReplyDeleteI Love Total Destruction will be attending AT LEAST one of those dates. Can't wait to finally see them live!
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