MP3: The Membranes - Tatty Seaside Town

The Membranes formed in Brighton in 1977, but didn't really make any impact until the early eighties. Formed by now Gold Blade frontman John Robb (also then the writer of a Brighton punk zine called Rox), the lineup was Mark Tilton (guitar) and Coofy Sid (drums). They toured around the south coast for a number of years but waited until 1980 to release their first single, Fashionable Junkies. Two EP's followed, Pin Stripe Hype in 1982 and Death To Trad Rock in 1984, both on Criminal Damage. Early singles included Muscles and the classic Spike Milligan's Tape Recorder. Subsequent underground hype meant that they were soon signed to Creation Records, and the resulting LP, The Gift Of Life, is a real underground classic. A more poppy, synth based record called Songs Of Love And Fury appeared in 1987 and was produced by the legendary Jon Langford of The Mekons.

In 1988, their best record, Songs Of Love And Fury was released, featuring the bands most memorable song, Tatty Seaside Town (about their hometown of Brighton), and produced by Steve Albini. That songs production is absolutely tremendous, and the rather well intentioned cover by Therapy? a few years later lacks a lot of the sonic punch of the original. The band were by now beginning to lose momentum, and 1990's To Slay The Rock Pig was to be their last release. Robb would go on to form the lovely Gold Blade, who continue to release records and to tour. Also noteworthy was the band's artwork, always drawn by Simon Clegg, who I suspect also did some artwork for fellow noisemakers Killdozer. In conclusion The Membranes are a sadly forgotten band and much underrated band of the post-punk era, well worth further research if you're at all a fan of that period.

For more info on The Membranes you can check out the rather confusing but comprehensive page on the Gold Blade site, which has info on mail ordering their records as well as more mp3s. Meanwhile below is Tatty Seaside Town. Enjoy.

The Membranes - Tatty Seaside Town - MP3 1.98mb (rapidshare)