southspecific2020.com - DISC ONE REVIEW

You don’t need me to tell you that 2020 was a lifechanging year. Negatives and positives, confusion and anxiety, fear and loathing. But somehow, hard work determination and a whole lotta Love I think. There was a 40^th anniversary. The gift was to all of us. So Celebrate the Music of Portsmouth. Non specific, No genre, no clique, in 1980 came an LP the cover was amazing, tactile, subversive, unique in its approach, and the vinyl clawing its way out was its Twin. It surged onshore on a wind of discontent, frustration, a sense of “we’ve got something to say” and filled the air of Portsea Island alongside the wailing of the dockyard whistle and the melancholy sobbing of shipping. “South Specific” a masterly compilation of boundary battering local bands gathered together by brainbooster records. The writing sprayed large on the Tricorn concrete. “POMPEY”

But who were these mavericks. The WHO is written elsewhere this is a WHAT. Reviewing the Bands on the original LP from 1980 and the 2 brand new discs on this anniversary celebrating a grand reveal.

... so, this is South Specific 2020 the anniversary of what for 1980’s Portsmouth was an historic labour of pride. Both for the City flexing its muscles alongside other “scenes” of this Time. Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield Glasgow Leeds. But the Pompey Bands and Artistes wanted more. Not content to stay localised, loved by a handful of gig goers and mates. There was no Portsmouth sound. The world didn’t see this small City with its Chameleonic music. But time hasn’t faded this movement. This showcases the undeniable diversity, talent and tenacity shared. There were others some good, some not so. Some shone [and some still do] The future, despite the ongoing difficulties we all have to face, is a bright artistic Landscape, New bands rise, some of the torch bearers show their heads and plug in. We have it all, work together, play together.

JIM CRUTTENDEN

SOUTH SPECIFIC 20202 DISC 1

This was a look at what was achieved with Punk “I can do that” attitude and the dole biting you from behind and the Jackboot of Thatcherism taking you from behind. There is little sand on Southsea beach, But the line drawn in it that denoted “YOU WILL NOT” was erased with some Monkey Boots and DMs because THEY CAN and THEY DID.

ATTIC

The LP starts with 2 songs from ATTIC : This Child Is Dead/Strange Numbers. A single synth motif accompanies a female voice talking about abortion, not a widely discussed topic in 1980 then the track proper kicks in a feisty punker with tough Lydon-esque vocals,Strange numbers musically is very different with a nervous edgy feel to the guitars and vocals and a Stranglers, Devo synth popping up to give it a postpunk push and woosh. Both songs dark and unsettling.

RENALDO AND THE LOAF

Then 3 tracks from semi legends: RENALDO AND THE LOAF. Odd, describes their mixture of freeform Electronica which is mixed with Coltrane jazziness, Bowies “Low” Lp and the head [or is it Eyeball?] scratching treatments on the Vocals and instruments. From windchime trippyness through to Sinister sleaze. It,s all here and still sounds archaically futuristic. Portsmouth must look very different for Renaldo and the Loaf. They are still working and releasing their gourmet dishes on occasion.

TOXICOMAINE

This Nice world. Simplistic and eerily delightful and dark. Lyrically claustrophobic, Musically Click track and mainly acoustic guitars with vocals bittersweet like the Raincoats on a lucid day, this little story will draw you in.

THE NICE BOYS

The Nice Boyys give us a pair of uplifting quality Punk/Pop tunes. Sounding very confident with some great clipped guitars and rolling Bass. Vocally, really clear and both as catchy as a virus. A treat. For fans of early XTC/Bunnymen/teardrop Explodes?

DANCE ATTACK (X)

Next up a packet of 3 from DANCE ATTACK (X) Restless, Funky, Punky, the first is almost instrumental and far too short. The 2^nd is a poignant tip of the Porkpie hat to the mid 60’s with it,s moddy feel, and still one boot in the realtime with a great little punky guitar scratch in the middle. A real “what if?” delight. The 3^rd song from DANCE ATTACK (X) is a skittering clapalong that will be right up the dark alley of Rezillos fans. A fascinating, satisfying meal.

THE CHIMES

Then you lucky music loons you get 3 tunes from THE CHIMES: “I Can’t Smile” Sarcastic with a fab vocal and stuttering, bad tempered guitar. They sound like this was recorded last week. More Apres Punk Modernist cool “Through To You” is shining New wave frustration a la a well loved Manchester Punk band [B’Dum B,Dum] “Who Do I Believe” a jerky, fast ditty with again, slightly aggravated vocals and neat lyrics still sounding relevant 40 years on. Has the world changed at all?

ANNA BLUME

“Mourning In Yellow” is next on the menu, a fabulous stark and spacious slow electronic piece. Brittle slow beats and sci Fi warbles, crashes and wooshes and over this ruined cityscape is a high in the mix un-nerving vocal, reciting spitefully. Could’ve stood alongside Early P.I.L Its sexless surgical cold beauty DEMANDS a 21^st century handful of re-mixes and Dubs.

THE FRAMES

“Lost In Space” is the 1^st track from very popular band THE FRAMES a taut jangle through new wave Sci Fi but the polar opposite to Anna Blume, a feisty singalong with some very fine playing and irresistible vocals Their next shot “Reduced” Is a spiky Post Punk rocker, Penetrating where Banshees fear to tread. Excellently structured sculpture indeed.

THE MEDIA

Whist on the subject of Punk Rocker, Meet Judy brought to you by THE MEDIA. Their Warholian 15 minutes being shown on real TV on program: Going Out. A filthy glam Punk boogie with guitar sizzling ready to blow and Martin, Portsmouths Howard Devoto? At his yearning, in-ya-face finest. Don,t believe all you read. Next again is The Media again with the rip roaring “My Life” added as a bonus track to this CD. Anthemic, sarcastic and produced far better than a lot of the Punk bands of the time: “I fink that come out awrite” The Media are back with a splendid live show and new, still relevant songs. You know what to do!

AGAIN AGAIN

“Beached” By AGAIN AGAIN is a superb, Loud grenade of off kilter Garage/Rockabilly with a vocalist of [Richard] Hellish proportions. Surfs Up and South Parade pier is on fire again.

CLAIR

“Love Has” By the enigmatic CLAIR is next as a bonus track. A major player in Pompey in the 80.s and Later some village called Lundun and now back on the Island still inspiring and influencing. Here Clairs commanding dark voice weaves like heavily scented smoke over crisp acoustic guitar and Bass. Looking out into the World, not entirely comfortable with Love nor Hate, Bewitching dare I say it? Gothic, But like the torment of Mary and Percy Shelly and not the fey peacocking of was is none as “Goth” A Black bloom is a black bloom under any name.

THE CARTOONS

“Over The Top” working by the song alone, I don’t know this Band. Catchy as Malaria, uplifting Post Punk romp. As good as it gets. Anyone ever been to Kilimanjaro? The Sun shines on the obscurely good.

RANK CHARM SCHOOL

Rank Charm School give us eccentric whirling Pop magnificence. Wonky Rockabilly with a Beatles/ Pulp twist. They conjour up a home movie, speeded up of strange dancing on Eastney Beach. F.U.N

ADB

ADB with their skilful tripped out folk charm the seagulls off Portsmouth’s rooftops. They don’t even divebomb you for chips or pull all the stuff out of the bins. “All about You” is a vocal free demo, but satisfies due to recording quality. Eccentric, charming and smelly of the Sea, The Langstone Harbour mud and something just a little bit greener.

ZEBRAZONE

To bring this fabulous trip to the Portsmouth music scene of the 1980,s are ZEBRAZONE with the frantic scratchy dog punk/funk assault “Devils Disco” cheeky, Chicy. Must have got the carpeted bit of the nightclub “Grannys” soaked with beer and roughed up a bit. Back from a time when door staff were sometimes vertical and didn’t rummage through your Pigbag.

JIM CRUTTENDEN