Madness are an English new wave band that released five albums between 1979 and 1984 on Stiff Records. They emerged as part of the late-seventies 2 Tone ska revival and expanded their sound with R&B and music hall. During their original run, Madness placed sixteen singles in the UK Top 10, including the 1982 No. […]
Deaf School are an English art-rock band that released three albums on Warner Brothers between 1976 and 1978. On its first two albums — 2nd Honeymoon (1976) and Don’t Stop the World (1977) — the band pairs ’30s/’40s ambience (cabaret, music hall) with the lavish arrangements of contemporary theatrical pop (Sparks, Sailor, Cockney Rebel, Brian […]
Big in Japan was an English punk band from Liverpool that recorded ten songs, including “Society for Cutting Up Men” and the four-song 1978 EP From Y to Z and Never Again. Their lineup included two passing members of Deaf School and future stars Budgie (Slits, Siouxsie & The Banshees), Ian Broudie (Original Mirrors, Care), Jayne […]
Rhythm Breaks the Ice is the first and only solo album by Liverpudlian torch/pop singer Bette Bright, recorded with her backing band the Illuminations and released in 1981 on Korova. The album was produced by fellow Deaf School alumni Clive Langer, who wrote/co-wrote four of the songs. The song “Thunder and Lightning,” which originally appeared […]
One Step Beyond… is the debut album by English two-tone/ska sextet Madness, released in October 1979 on Stiff Records. Tracklist: A1. “One Step Beyond…” (2:17) A2. “My Girl” (2:44) A3. “Night Boat to Cairo” (3:28) A4. “Believe Me” (2:28) A5. “Land of Hope & Glory” (2:56) A6. “The Prince” (3:17) A7. “Tarzan’s Nuts” (2:23) B1. […]
English Boys, Working Girls is the third album by English New Wave/art-rock band Deaf School, released in 1978 on Warner Bros. It was produced by South African studio wunderkind Robert John Lange, whose other credits from this period include albums by City Boy, The Boomtown Rats, and Graham Parker and the Rumour. Abandoning the inner-war/music […]
2nd Honeymoon is the debut album by Liverpudlian cabaret/art-rock nine-piece Deaf School, released in 1976 on Warner Bros. It was produced by Muff Winwood, whose other credits from the period include albums by Sparks (Kimono My House, Propaganda), Burlesque, and the Fabulous Poodles. Tracklist: A1. “What a Way to End It All” (2:56) A2. “Where’s […]
Don’t Stop the World is the second album by Liverpudlian New Wave/art-rock octet Deaf School, released in 1977 on Warner Bros. Tracklist: A1. “Don’t Stop the World” (3:14) A2. “What a Jerk” (3:42) A3. “Darling” (3:18) A4. “Everything for the Dancer” (1:08) A5. “Capaldi’s Cafe” (4:51) B1. “Hypertention Yeah Yeah Yeah” (2:56) B2. “It’s a […]
Splash is the first and only full-length album by Liverpudlian writer/producer Clive Langer and his backing band The Boxes, released in 1980 on F-Beat. The ex-Deaf School mastermind shares production duties with fellow bespectacled tunesmith Elvis Costello on two tracks. Tracklist: A1. “Hello” (3:02) A2. “Never Wanted You” (3:10) A3. “Ain’t Gonna Kiss Ya” (2:30) […]
Clive Langer & The Boxes were an English New Wave/art-pop band that released the EP I Want the Whole World on Radar in 1979, followed by the album Splash on F-Beat in 1980. Langer formed the band after serving as the guitarist/songwriter of the Liverpudlian eight-piece Deaf School. He subsequently produced albums for Madness, Elvis […]
