southspecific2020.com - DISC TWO 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 2020 DISC 2

Now we reach out and touch the 2^nd disc of this glorious Art Gallery of all things Musical that was incubated On and around The City of Portsmouth. This section of the journey mostly leaves the original 1980 wonder that is “South Specific” 40 years have passed and, for the most part the fundamentals of the idea worked. Bands/Artistes have come and gone. Tragically some are no longer with us at all. But the Passion, the ability, The want and the need still rises. We do it because we can. Strap yourselves in, this is the 2^nd part of the trip. Meet me opposite the Kings theatre, outside an extraordinary otherworldy shop. Equally is its extraordinary owner. With a head full of tales that rock Portsmouth and out, beyond.

RACE CAR HEARTS

Race Car Hearts are the first over the starting of the circuit. 2 songs :”Magnets Pull Me Back To you” a finely sculpted catchy indie pop gem, charming and reminiscent of the sort of tenderness that Prefab Sprout or Aztec Camera could caress you. The 2^nd song starts quietly with jangly guitar and a resigned melancholy vocal about loss, the passing of time, and the passing of friendships and relationships. Delightful.

WATCH YOU DROWN

“Tectonic” if you want to really know about Punk; The Music, The Culture, The art and design then WYDs Vocalist Russ Bestley is your man, here the band present a track from their “Two Minute Hate” 7 tracker. Tough Post Punk with a slightly surreal, dark filigree woven into the song. Strong vocals and a crisp production keep Watch You Drown safe and secure, head and shoulders above the fading floundering victims. Their sleeve/Packaging design is also worth mentioning, an audiovisual adventure. Be afraid,very afraid.

CURL

Present “Just Like This” an enigmatic mid-paced tripscape of indie guitar, double tracked vocal mystery, wrapped up with Psychedelic baroque jazzy orchestration and keyboards. Impossible to define and all the better for it.

POSITRONS

“Tumbling Man” is another unique treasure, again dark and menacing, a sibling to Joy Division with the warped fairytale landscape the like of which Nick Cave may reside. Moreish, but will never satiate you.

PATRIKK

Gorgon showing that post Punk Portsmouth was an unsettlingly weird place, oozing inspiration, here we get a strident, punky electronic groove. If you take your Numan inhumanity and your Clock strikes DVA welcome to the fiercely lit room of the odd. PATRIKK also serve us: “Bandersnatch” named after a creature that lurked in Lewis Carrols brilliant mind, along with the Jabberwocky. This song has a deceptive New Order danceability, lyrically it is a dark tale of creeping menace: “You’ll be better off dead” Looking back to the past whilst creating an original piece of music that is vibrant with new methods takes a sharp band not afraid of getting cut along the way.

LOUIE SNACKS

“Boast The Most” to review a song as eccentrically funny as this weirdness is for me, a joy. So here we have a rap, an acoustic country tinged tale . Imagine, if you will, a lovely [and I do mean lovely] summers day at the Sallyport jetty, Old Portsmouth. You are fishing, cold hands, wriggly Ragworm, need to pee. Then, woooooo You get a bite on the line. Eventually it is writhing on the jetty close to your feet. You stare because what is it you caught? Never seen anything like “that” Not even on the telly. It makes a odd noise too. Never heard anything like it either. You may have just caught THE LOUIE SNACKS.

HOOCH

Scuttling happily onward we are lucky enough to stumble upon HOOCH with 2 songs: “Angel” and “Crossing The Line”. The First is a rolling guitar led indie tune, mid paced and delicious in its execution. The vocals are heartbreaking as the map out a melancholy song of lost Love. HOOCH’S 2^nd offering is faster with clipped neat guitar with some rough barking chords bursting forth. Again a very confident vocal with a romantic “what if?” theme. Somehow I felt transported to the work of a fledgling U2, before the silliness and the Ego,s tripped them up.

THE GARY 7

Time to get back on the Surf board, follow those spies....It’s the meninblack, shady and shaded. It’s THE GARY 7 comin’ to getcha. The G7 splendidly named as there aren’t 7 of them, and none of them are called Gary. It’s a James Bond thing. I can’t tell you, or I’ll have to kill you. They are the Licensed to thrill secret agent man. This triumphant Surf/Punk instrumental reeks of Speedboats, Car Chases, Villains, and action. THE GARY 7 get the girl, every time.

THE MUVVAS

Then. THE MUVVAS with “Time and Space” and” Let Your Ego Go”. Swooping in from another galaxy, this is hugely influenced by the mid 60’s a wiry explosion of whirling, demanding and bewitching paisley shirted, incense and “herbal” scented Psychedelic harmonious Garage Pop. This really is my bag! So I opened it up and crawled inside: The Caterpillar. How many sugarcubes do you want?...the 2^nd urging us to “Go with the flow” is a fast past groover with a nod to the dancefloors of the Northern Soul weekenders. An absolute stone, sweaty classic....I am quite worn out after some wild frugging.

THE TORPEDOES

The Torpedoes hit you headlong with a blast. 2 tunes: “In The Sky” and” Delirious.” Dark, and intense, Torpedoes gig all around the country filling venues great and small with their unique amalgam of post apocalyptic landscapes and sexy rocking. Strong, feral and dangerous.

TONIC SKA CHOIR

To play until the curtain swings closed on this CD showcasing some of the eclectic musical talent pulsing like a {HMS] Warriors heart is the extraordinary TONIC SKA CHOIR with their infectious “Sweet Sensation” An addictive bubbling Ska bop of fine musicians that really know what Ska is and how it works. The sweet uplifting vocals are provided by...well, a choir. A large number of likeminded denizens of the never-give-up city of Portsmouth. This is not only a song of uplifting spirit is a canvas painted large and beautiful for every non Native inhabitant between our harbours. Race creed and gender is accepted here. Stand proud and never stop.