The Purple Hearts began life as an Essex Punk band called The Sockets, changing their name and fortunes in 1978 to in perfect anticipation of the Mod explosion that was about to blast the nation.
This bright new combo revealed themselves to be:Jeff Shadbolt (Bass), Simon Stebbing (Guitar), Bob Manton (Vocals) & Gary Sparks (Drums)
By 1979, media coverage of the 'Mod Revival' was at an all time high. Secret Affair front man Ian Page even appeared in a news item on BBC TV's 'Nationwide' proclaiming that "Being a Mod was about sitting on a train next to a businessman, and knowing you looked better than he did!" Thanks Ian.
Of course none of this could really hurt anybody, and after a British tour with Secret Affair and Back To Zero, the Purple Hearts signed to Polydor's 'Fiction' imprint.
There debut 45 'Millions Like Us' achieved there highest UK chart placing, Peaking at number 57 in 1979.
They followed this up with 'Frustration' and the B side which, 'Extraordinary Sensations" gave inspiration to the young Mod mover and shaker Eddie Piller, who started a fanzine of the same name. Piller later became a founder of the Acid Jazz label.
The third Fiction 45 was 'Jimmy', which also charted, reaching it's peak at number 60 in 1980 (in fact the first five Purple Hearts singles all made the UK charts).
The Purple Hearts debut album, 'Beat That! ' was released by Fiction in May 1980. The LP was a mixture of 60s cover-versions and original band compositions. The Mod scene was still relatively healthy at this time and the album was well received. But by the summer of 1980, the Mod Revival was in need of CPR and the Purple Hearts were dropped by Fiction Records.
The band was quickly picked up by Safari Records who released the fourth Purple Hearts single 'My Life's A Jigsaw'.
In 1981, details were announced of a forthcoming single on Demon Records. Some time passed and the single 'Plane Crash' eventually surfaced on the Road Runner label, run by Fanzine editor Steve Whiffin.
After a brief split, during which bassist Jeff Shadbolt joined The Rage - whose line up also included former Chords drummer Buddy Ascot - by 1985, the Hearts were back together for a live album 'Head On Collision Time' (recorded at London's famous 100 Club in Oxford Street) and a new studio album 'Pop-ish Frenzy' (1986) both of which were released by Razor Records. They also recorded one last 45 on Mark Johnson's Unicorn Label 'Friends Again' (1986).
It's essentially a music review aggregation service, providing a constantly updated chart of critical reaction to releases, with various ways for users to personalise the chart.
We're hoping the site will be another useful way for music lovers to find new music. So if you like it, please use it and also pass on the link.
THE LAST GREAT ACT OF DEFIANCE SCOOTER CLUB REUNION. SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2009 - COPTHORNE SOCIAL CLUB, COPTHORNE BANK, COPTHORNE (NEAR CRAWLEY), WEST SUSSEX
THIS IS "OFFICIALLY" AN ALL-TICKET EVENT AND ALL ARE WELCOME. TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST SO ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW TO BE SURE
CONCRETE JUNGLE SOUNDS PRESENTA: MOUNTING THE CHICKEN TOUR II IHSKA celebrando sus 20 años como banda y SALLY BROWN presentando en directo su segundo album!!!!
Abbiamo appena caricato alcune delle nostre canzoni sul nostro MySpace, se hai tempo ascoltale, lascia un commento, siamo davvero interessati ad avere la tua opinione!
Grazie
Hi,
We've just uploaded some of our songs on our MySpace, if you've got some time listen them, write us a comment, we're really interested in having your opinion!
UPCOMING DATES: July 10 & 11 th 2009 --- Boiler’s 6th Anniversary! September 12th 2009 November 14th 2009
At JAZZ ROOM Calle Vallmajor nº 33 – Plaza d’Adria (Barcelona) FFCC: Muntaner 23:30 – 05:00 h. Admission: 10 euros (including minimum drink) For more info email us at: theboilerclub@yahoo.es Yahoo Egroup: http://es.groups.yahoo.com/group/THE_BOILER/
GUEST DJs: MARTIN LAWRIE (UK) CAPTAIN VICS (GER) JULIO “APOLO XII” (Madrid)
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