Bristol Archive Records

24/07/2024

‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’
Thin Air
Released 9th August 2024 on Strictly Limited (200 copies only) Transparent Red Vinyl and Digital Download
To buy link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-source-of-dreams-1982-1984
Bristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has focused recently on the sub-culture of Mod, Modernism and Power Pop and recently gained considerable success with their release ‘The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987’. They have also released albums from the same scene by The Reaction ‘Shapes of Things To Come’ and The Rimshots ‘A Way With Words 1980-1983’. Now we turn our attention to another undiscovered Bristol band, Thin Air who featured on the Mod Explosion and the song writing genius of a would be Paul Weller, John Lennon, Elvis Costello – Paul Sandrone.

This album covers the period 1982 to 1984 and features 12 tracks compiled in collaboration with drummer Phil Ollerenshaw. When punk rock started to fizzle out many of the UK’s disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with The Jam. Inspired by Paul Weller’s song writing skills Thin Air started out life as Out of Order and supported The Jam at the Bristol Locarno in 1980 (on the day of John Lennons death), Paul was 15 years old.
The band had been formed in 1979 in a local youth club by Bill Waine (18), Phil Ollerenshaw (16) and Paul Sandrone (15), they changed their name to Thin Air in 1981 and continued with this line up until 1983 when Bill Waine left and was replaced by Simon Nicholls. Thin Air were never an authentic Mod band appealing to a strictly Mod audience, they were a Jam influenced, power pop outfit concentrating on writing edgy yet commercial, catchy pop rock music.
In 1982 they signed a deal with Coach House management owned by an American George Lennards. George had achieved considerable success with Bath outfit Naked Eyes. He wanted to replicate this and saw the song writing skills of Paul Sandrone as the vehicle to more chart success. Under his management the band received courtship from Polydor and Magnet Records amongst others.

This album is a soundtrack to an era, remembering a period in time when Top of The Pops was full of The Jam, Squeeze, XTC and Elvis Costello. Thatcherism was killing multi-cultural Britain but to escape, it was ok to write a catchy pop song, it was ok to look smart and it was acceptable to want a major record deal.
Thin Air did not achieve their objectives and remarkably never even got to release a record despite the obvious quality. They cut many demos for major labels, Polydor and Magnet Records appeared especially keen but they remained a secret of the Bristol underground scene until now. Paul Sandrone moved on in other guises from 1985, finally achieving chart success with London artiste Rassia in 1996-99 and Brighton based The Mummers in 2008-2012.
Enjoy the sound of the underground 42 years later than you should have ‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’ is released on 9th August 2024.

Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Thin Air
TITLE: ‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’
RELEASE DATE: 9th August 2024
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / Proper
CAT NO: ARC386V
BARCODE: 5052571211717

Track listing:
Side 1
1. Hunters of The Animal World
2. The Sentry’s Life
3. The Source Of Dreams
4. Maybe I
5. Thousand Burning Voices
6. Liberty Belle

Side 2
1. Stoop To Conquer
2. I’ve Said Sorry
3. This Hell Is Mine
4. Penelope
5. The Lonely Years
6. Lives in The Air (Together)

22/07/2024

A little bit of archive footage:

Mike Darby introduces Thomas Brooman CBE at the launch of "My Festival Romance" 30th June 2017.

13/07/2024

Released now The Bristol Post Punk Explosion 1978-1982 - you can buy it on Trans Yellow vinyl at bandcamp:

12 track album

06/07/2024

New release on our sister label Reggae Archive Records. The rather brilliant Bath reggae band Rhythm-Ites and a rerelease of their hard to find album from 2009 'Stand Strong'. Pre-order link: https://reggaearchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/stand-strong

03/07/2024

The limited edition sleeves of The Bristol Post Punk Explosion 1978-1982 have arrived today and are being hand packed with the Future Days (Dave Massey) fanzine and two reproduction posters for shipping early next week. There a few copies left of the 50 limited edition so get one while you can, they look sensational! Pre-order link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-1978-1982

03/07/2024

Thin Air album review in this months issue of Vive Le Rock magazine: Pre-order link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-source-of-dreams-1982-1984

03/07/2024

Website update completed today 'Bristol Boys Make More Noise!' check -

Bristol Archive Records aim to showcase music from the diverse Bristol Music scene and provide a historical account / document of all things Bristol that should never be forgotten.

01/07/2024

‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978–1982)’ - Various Artists
Due for release on 12TH July 2024 on Limited Edition ’Trans Yellow Vinyl’ (Three hundred copies only) and Digital
Pre-order link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-1978-1982

‘TOO MUCH COMMOTION – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED’

The post punk explosion of the late 1970’s/early 1980’s is regarded as one of the most exciting periods of music making explorations in Bristol. The period is now being revisited, seen as being even more relevant to do so as there is the 2020’s surge of new acts reviving and mining the seam of the genre. Fast forward nearly half a century (gulp!) from that first post punk period and the ever-active chroniclers of West Country musical history, Bristol Archive Records, have focussed on this heady epoch with ‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978-82)’ compilation release, out on vinyl and digital.
Many of the original Bristol bands in question had either been featured on or been rocket fuelled inspired by the success of a local label’s 1980 compilation album of bands from the city on ‘Avon Calling’, that was lauded, championed and played to death by the central tastemaker of indie music of the day, the Radio One DJ, John Peel. He rated the compilation of Bristol bands above those from Manchester and Liverpool, stating on air ‘this really is the standard by which others should be judged in the future. It really is superb with not a bad track on it.’ ‘Avon Calling’ even made Peel’s end of year Playlist of Best Albums of 1980.

That local label releasing it was Heartbeat Records, run by Simon Edwards (who also ran Riot City). Heartbeat was part of a coterie of Bristol indie’s, such as Fried Egg, Wavelength (linked to the innovative magazine/record combination album The Bristol Recorder) and Recreational (the latter operating out of another central destination for music lovers, the Revolver record shop of that name, near the top of Park Street).

The emergent labels were tapping into the range of musical talent responding to the challenges of a new decade, the Thatcher government tearing down hard fought for certainties and securities, allied to the impact of punk that had shifted the shape of the musical landscape so dramatically. Some of the bands here and in the city also went DIY and put out records themselves. Many of the featured Explosion and earlier Avon Calling acts followed the traditional indie route at the time of gigging, Peel programme radio sessions, immersion into the music press machine, negotiating with record labels and a whole mass of variable outcomes.
The quasi-psychedelic, archly poetic Essential Bop even got as far as being praised to the skies in the NME by Paul Morley, as part of a trio of highlighted bands – the others being the earlier, more left field version of ABC, along with the Scottish group Restricted Code – seen by the influential wordsmith in late 1980 as likely breakthrough acts during the decade. He got one of them right! Art Objects ‘a beat combo fronted by a poet’ became the better-known Blue Aeroplanes, releasing several indie albums and eventually signing to Ensign/Chrysalis, home of Sinead O’Connor and the Waterboys. Electric Guitars somewhat incongruously signed to Stiff and - sadly – stiffed.

Latif Gardez from Gardez Darkx signed with EMI and later Virgin. He would release two albums under the name Mystery Slang. Tim Norfolk from the artful, wacky and tight-fitting Shoes For Industry went on to become a member of The Insects and worked with Massive Attack.

What cannot be ignored all this time on when listening to so much of the Explosion album is the quality - the sheer attack of Art Objects, the angular extremities of Electric Guitars along with the caustic sneer of Fishfood. Then there is the more hipster Danceteria driven, percussive and h***y frenetic grooves of Animal Magic, in marked variance to the loose-limbed, guitarless Scream & Dance.
This is all contrasting with more electronic vox ultra uber cool mensch and darker elements of Europeans (featuring later Specimen and Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist, John Klein), Creature Beat and Colortapes (who had Mike Fewins, ex of The Cortinas, in their line-up).

Much can be found in the sheer lyricism of so many of the songs and groups. They aim at a shooting gallery range of targets and hit plenty. Some of the featured acts were or are still active, from well into the 1980’s onwards and into the new millenium. Glaxo Babies even recently performed in Bristol in their current iteration, Dan Catsis being the sole original member. The Objects/Aeroplanes main man Gerard Langley regarded the band in their heyday as the ‘cornerstone of the Bristol scene’ placing them above the Pop Group (usually ranked as being top dogs by national media, though Essential Bop regarded them as ‘beatnik fascists’) in that status.
For Langley the Glaxos were ‘both sophisticated and primitive, they were basically pre-post-punk punk. They were real man, and I loved them’. The Explosion album is the tip of the iceberg of the treasure trove of goodies from the era. Archive label owner Mike Darby, who compiled it, makes that plain:

“THERE’S EASILY ENOUGH FOR A GREAT VOLUME TWO.’’
Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: ‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978-1982)’
FORMAT: Trans Yellow Vinyl 300 copies Limited Edition
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC384V
GENRE: Post Punk, Punk
BARCODE: 5052571210314
RELEASE DATE: 12th July 2024

Tracklisting:

Side one
1. Art Objects – Hard Objects
2. Glaxo Babies – Christine Keeler
3. Animal Magic – Standard Man
4. Electric Guitars – Beat Me Hollow (Demo)
5. Creature Beat – She Won’t Dance
6. Shoes For Industry – Jerusalem

Side two
1.Europeans – Europeans
2.Essential Bop – Croaked
3.Gardez Darkx – Bliss
4.Fishfood – Modern Dance Craze
5.Colortapes – Cold Anger
6.Scream & Dance – In Rhythm

01/07/2024

The Bristol Post Punk Explosion on film, take a look:

The film was commissioned by South West Arts from the Bristol Film Workshop as a community collaboration between the filmmakers and some of the bands and venues…

26/06/2024

Available for pre-order from today. The Bristol Post Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1979-1986) another masterpiece of killa post punk tunes from 'Bristol Boys Make More Noise!' bands. https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-vol-2-1979-1986

22/06/2024

‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’
Thin Air
Released 9th August 2024 on Strictly Limited (200 copies only) Transparent Red Vinyl and Digital Download

Pre-order link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-source-of-dreams-1982-1984

Bristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has focused recently on the sub-culture of Mod, Modernism and Power Pop and recently gained considerable success with their release ‘The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987’. They have also released albums from the same scene by The Reaction ‘Shapes of Things To Come’ and The Rimshots ‘A Way With Words 1980-1983’. Now we turn our attention to another undiscovered Bristol band, Thin Air who featured on the Mod Explosion and the song writing genius of a would be Paul Weller, John Lennon, Elvis Costello – Paul Sandrone.

18/06/2024

New release time - another killa reggae album on our sister label Reggae Archive Records:

9 track album

11/06/2024

The Merch has arrived from the screen printers. We've used Simple Print Studios here in Bristol. Gildan T Shirts with our logo 'Bristol Boys Make More Noise! These haven't been in circulation for ten years! Plus tote bags finished in grey lettering: https://bristolarchiverecords.bigcartel.com/products

08/06/2024

08/06/2024

Boss man on his travels - Thanks to Longwell Records in Keynsham, Bristol for supporting the labels.

01/06/2024

‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978–1982)’
Various Artists
Due for release on 12TH July 2024 on Limited Edition ’Trans Yellow Vinyl’ (Three hundred copies only) and Digital
Preorder link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-1978-1982
‘TOO MUCH COMMOTION – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED’

The post punk explosion of the late 1970’s/early 1980’s is regarded as one of the most exciting periods of music making explorations in Bristol. The period is now being revisited, seen as being even more relevant to do so as there is the 2020’s surge of new acts reviving and mining the seam of the genre. Fast forward nearly half a century (gulp!) from that first post punk period and the ever-active chroniclers of West Country musical history, Bristol Archive Records, have focussed on this heady epoch with ‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978-82)’ compilation release, out on vinyl and digital.

Many of the original Bristol bands in question had either been featured on or been rocket fuelled inspired by the success of a local label’s 1980 compilation album of bands from the city on ‘Avon Calling’, that was lauded, championed and played to death by the central tastemaker of indie music of the day, the Radio One DJ, John Peel. He rated the compilation of Bristol bands above those from Manchester and Liverpool, stating on air ‘this really is the standard by which others should be judged in the future. It really is superb with not a bad track on it.’ ‘Avon Calling’ even made Peel’s end of year Playlist of Best Albums of 1980.

That local label releasing it was Heartbeat Records, run by Simon Edwards (who also ran Riot City). Heartbeat was part of a coterie of Bristol indie’s, such as Fried Egg, Wavelength (linked to the innovative magazine/record combination album The Bristol Recorder) and Recreational (the latter operating out of another central destination for music lovers, the Revolver record shop of that name, near the top of Park Street).

The emergent labels were tapping into the range of musical talent responding to the challenges of a new decade, the Thatcher government tearing down hard fought for certainties and securities, allied to the impact of punk that had shifted the shape of the musical landscape so dramatically. Some of the bands here and in the city also went DIY and put out records themselves. Many of the featured Explosion and earlier Avon Calling acts followed the traditional indie route at the time of gigging, Peel programme radio sessions, immersion into the music press machine, negotiating with record labels and a whole mass of variable outcomes.

The quasi-psychedelic, archly poetic Essential Bop even got as far as being praised to the skies in the NME by Paul Morley, as part of a trio of highlighted bands – the others being the earlier, more left field version of ABC, along with the Scottish group Restricted Code – seen by the influential wordsmith in late 1980 as likely breakthrough acts during the decade. He got one of them right! Art Objects ‘a beat combo fronted by a poet’ became the better-known Blue Aeroplanes, releasing several indie albums and eventually signing to Ensign/Chrysalis, home of Sinead O’Connor and the Waterboys. Electric Guitars somewhat incongruously signed to Stiff and - sadly – stiffed.

Latif Gardez from Gardez Darkx signed with EMI and later Virgin. He would release two albums under the name Mystery Slang. Tim Norfolk from the artful, wacky and tight-fitting Shoes For Industry went on to become a member of The Insects and worked with Massive Attack.
What cannot be ignored all this time on when listening to so much of the Explosion album is the quality - the sheer attack of Art Objects, the angular extremities of Electric Guitars along with the caustic sneer of Fishfood. Then there is the more hipster Danceteria driven, percussive and h***y frenetic grooves of Animal Magic, in marked variance to the loose-limbed, guitarless Scream & Dance.

This is all contrasting with more electronic vox ultra uber cool mensch and darker elements of Europeans (featuring later Specimen and Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist, John Klein), Creature Beat and Colortapes (who had Mike Fewins, ex of The Cortinas, in their line-up).
Much can be found in the sheer lyricism of so many of the songs and groups. They aim at a shooting gallery range of targets and hit plenty. Some of the featured acts were or are still active, from well into the 1980’s onwards and into the new millenium. Glaxo Babies even recently performed in Bristol in their current iteration, Dan Catsis being the sole original member. The Objects/Aeroplanes main man Gerard Langley regarded the band in their heyday as the ‘cornerstone of the Bristol scene’ placing them above the Pop Group (usually ranked as being top dogs by national media, though Essential Bop regarded them as ‘beatnik fascists’) in that status.

For Langley the Glaxos were ‘both sophisticated and primitive, they were basically pre-post-punk punk. They were real man, and I loved them’. The Explosion album is the tip of the iceberg of the treasure trove of goodies from the era. Archive label owner Mike Darby, who compiled it, makes that plain:

“THERE’S EASILY ENOUGH FOR A GREAT VOLUME TWO.’’
Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: ‘The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978-1982)’
FORMAT: Trans Yellow Vinyl 300 copies Limited Edition
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC384V
GENRE: Post Punk, Punk
BARCODE: 5052571210314
RELEASE DATE: 12th July 2024

28/05/2024

Who would have ever thought that a Thin Air LP would start being listed for pre-order in 2024. You just never know what's around the corner do you?

Buy and pre-order vinyl records, books + merchandise online from Rough Trade, independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.

24/05/2024

We've just received these at Archive Towers, The Rimshots featured in Out West Magazine (remember that?) and two very early posters (remember when the bands created them themselves?) Link to purchase The Rimshots Vinyl LP: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-way-with-words-1980-1983

23/05/2024

Available in all good record stores and online from TOMORROW, Friday 24th May... ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977–1981)’
Various Artists
Due for release on Limited Edition ’Crystal Clear Vinyl’
(300 copies only) Link to buy: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-punk-explosion-vol-2-1977-1981

We are delighted to bring you the follow up to the successful ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion (1977-1979) album released in November 2023 - a twelve-track compilation entitled ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)’ issued on Crystal Clear Vinyl and limited to three hundred copies.
The sleeve notes are written by Tim Williams author of the 1977 Loaded Fanzine. Tim talks about the transition from Soul to Punk, the demise of Prog Rock and the fashion culture that sat seamlessly alongside the music. There are three previously unreleased tracks never before available on vinyl.

The Cortinas were the first. They played the Roxy Club, released two singles on Mark Perry and Miles Copeland's Step Forward label, graced the front cover of Sniffin' Glue and recorded a Peel Session. Guitarist Nick Sheppard remembers the night it all slotted into place: “I think a real turning point for us was seeing the Ramones at the Roundhouse on July 4,1976 – we started to write our own songs after that gig. We had been playing and doing gigs for about a year by then – all covers apart from one song, Tokyo Joe as I remember. After that gig we started writing stuff like ‘Television Families’. We saw people like us in the audience at that gig and it must have given us confidence.”

Taking their cue, bands like Social Security (the first band on Heartbeat Records), The Pigs (whose ‘Youthanasia’ single was released by Miles Copeland's New Bristol Records), The Media, 48 Hours and Private Dicks gave Bristol one of the strongest provincial early punk scenes.

The area of Barton Hill gave us The X-Certs, who by 1978 could already pull audiences of five hundred into Trinity Hall. Though we did not realise it at the time, they effectively bridged the gap between the late 70s Bristol scene and what our American cousins like to term the UK82 bands.

In time bands from the suburbs of Bristol started to appear on the scene, Misdemeanor (who were managed by the late Dennis Sheehan U2’s tour manager for thirty plus years), Apartment from Downend (whose photo adorns the front cover) and Noiz Boiz from Weston Super Mare, the seaside town just down the road.

This compilation is designed to give all fans of Punk a snapshot of what Bristol Punk was all about during that period. We close side Two of the album with The X-Certs Clash infused /reggae single ‘Together’ and follow it with one of Bristol finest Roots reggae bands Talisman and their single ‘Wicked Dem’. The punky/reggae party had truly started as we move into the 80’s Bristol Stylee!

Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)’
FORMAT: Crystal Clear Vinyl 300 copies Limited Edition
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC383V
GENRE: Punk
BARCODE: 5052571209615
RELEASE DATE: 24th May 2024

Side A

1. The Cortinas – Fascist Dictator
2. The Media – Wanna Be A Number
3. The Pigs – Psychopath
4. Private Dicks – She Said Go
5. Misdemeanor – Radio Radio
6. The X-Certs – Queen and Country

Side 2

1. Apartment – The Car
2. 48 Hours – Train To Brighton
3. Noiz Boiz – Noiz Boiz
4. Social Security – Stella’s Got A Fella
5. The X-Certs – Together
6. Talisman – Wicked Dem

23/05/2024

News............Bristol Archive Records / Sugar Shack Records relaunch a merch site for T Shirts and Tote Bags - https://bristolarchiverecords.bigcartel.com/products

11/05/2024

‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’
Thin Air

Released 9th August 2024 on Strictly Limited (200 copies only) Transparent Red Vinyl and Digital Download
Preorder link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-source-of-dreams-1982-1984

Bristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has focused recently on the sub-culture of Mod, Modernism and Power Pop and recently gained considerable success with their release ‘The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987’. They have also released albums from the same scene by The Reaction ‘Shapes of Things To Come’ and The Rimshots ‘A Way With Words 1980-1983’. Now we turn our attention to another undiscovered Bristol band, Thin Air who featured on the Mod Explosion and the song writing genius of a would be Paul Weller, John Lennon, Elvis Costello – Paul Sandrone.
This album covers the period 1982 to 1984 and features 12 tracks compiled in collaboration with drummer Phil Ollerenshaw. When punk rock started to fizzle out many of the UK’s disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with The Jam. Inspired by Paul Weller’s song writing skills Thin Air started out life as Out of Order and supported The Jam at the Bristol Locarno in 1980 (on the day of John Lennons death), Paul was 15 years old.

The band had been formed in 1979 in a local youth club by Bill Waine (18), Phil Ollerenshaw (16) and Paul Sandrone (15), they changed their name to Thin Air in 1981 and continued with this line up until 1983 when Bill Waine left and was replaced by Simon Nicholls. Thin Air were never an authentic Mod band appealing to a strictly Mod audience, they were a Jam influenced, power pop outfit concentrating on writing edgy yet commercial, catchy pop rock music.

In 1982 they signed a deal with Coach House management owned by an American George Lennards. George had achieved considerable success with Bath outfit Naked Eyes. He wanted to replicate this and saw the song writing skills of Paul Sandrone as the vehicle to more chart success. Under his management the band received courtship from Polydor and Magnet Records amongst others.This album is a soundtrack to an era, remembering a period in time when Top of The Pops was full of The Jam, Squeeze, XTC and Elvis Costello. Thatcherism was killing multi-cultural Britain but to escape, it was ok to write a catchy pop song, it was ok to look smart and it was acceptable to want a major record deal.

Thin Air did not achieve their objectives and remarkably never even got to release a record despite the obvious quality. They cut many demos for major labels, Polydor and Magnet Records appeared especially keen but they remained a secret of the Bristol underground scene until now. Paul Sandrone moved on in other guises from 1985, finally achieving chart success with London artiste Rassia in 1996-99 and Brighton based The Mummers in 2008-2012.
Enjoy the sound of the underground 42 years later than you should have ‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’ is released on 9th August 2024.

Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Thin Air
TITLE: ‘The Source of Dreams 1982-1984’
RELEASE DATE: 9th August 2024
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock / Proper
CAT NO: ARC386V
BARCODE: 5052571211717

Track listing:
Side 1
1. Hunters of The Animal World
2. The Sentry’s Life
3. The Source Of Dreams
4. Maybe I
5. Thousand Burning Voices
6. Liberty Belle

Side 2
1. Stoop To Conquer
2. I’ve Said Sorry
3. This Hell Is Mine
4. Penelope
5. The Lonely Years
6. Lives in The Air (Together)

Bristol Archive Records is a record label dealing in Bristol post punk, rock, new wave, goth, folk,

06/05/2024

Boom.............

05/05/2024

‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977–1981)’
Various Artists
Due for release on 7TH June 2024 on Limited Edition ’Crystal Clear Vinyl’ (300 copies only)
Pre-order link: https://bristolarchiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-bristol-punk-explosion-vol-2-1977-1981
We are delighted to bring you the follow up to the successful ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion (1977-1979) album released in November 2023 - a twelve-track compilation entitled ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)’ issued on Crystal Clear Vinyl and limited to three hundred copies.

The sleeve notes are written by Tim Williams author of the 1977 Loaded Fanzine. Tim talks about the transition from Soul to Punk, the demise of Prog Rock and the fashion culture that sat seamlessly alongside the music. There are three previously unreleased tracks never before available on vinyl.

The Cortinas were the first. They played the Roxy Club, released two singles on Mark Perry and Miles Copeland's Step Forward label, graced the front cover of Sniffin' Glue and recorded a Peel Session. Guitarist Nick Sheppard remembers the night it all slotted into place: “I think a real turning point for us was seeing the Ramones at the Roundhouse on July 4,1976 – we started to write our own songs after that gig. We had been playing and doing gigs for about a year by then – all covers apart from one song, Tokyo Joe as I remember. After that gig we started writing stuff like ‘Television Families’. We saw people like us in the audience at that gig and it must have given us confidence.”

Taking their cue, bands like Social Security (the first band on Heartbeat Records), The Pigs (whose ‘Youthanasia’ single was released by Miles Copeland's New Bristol Records), The Media, 48 Hours and Private Dicks gave Bristol one of the strongest provincial early punk scenes.

The area of Barton Hill gave us The X-Certs, who by 1978 could already pull audiences of five hundred into Trinity Hall. Though we did not realise it at the time, they effectively bridged the gap between the late 70s Bristol scene and what our American cousins like to term the UK82 bands.

In time bands from the suburbs of Bristol started to appear on the scene, Misdemeanor (who were managed by the late Dennis Sheehan U2’s tour manager for thirty plus years), Apartment from Downend (whose photo adorns the front cover) and Noiz Boiz from Weston Super Mare, the seaside town just down the road.

This compilation is designed to give all fans of Punk a snapshot of what Bristol Punk was all about during that period. We close side Two of the album with The X-Certs Clash infused /reggae single ‘Together’ and follow it with one of Bristol finest Roots reggae bands Talisman and their single ‘Wicked Dem’. The punky/reggae party had truly started as we move into the 80’s Bristol Stylee!

Bristol Boys Make More Noise!

ARTIST: Various Artists
TITLE: ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)’
FORMAT: Crystal Clear Vinyl 300 copies Limited Edition
LABEL: Bristol Archive Records
DISTRIBUTION: Shellshock
CAT NO: ARC383V
GENRE: Punk
BARCODE: 5052571209615
RELEASE DATE: 7TH June 2024

Side A

1. The Cortinas – Fascist Dictator
2. The Media – Wanna Be A Number
3. The Pigs – Psychopath
4. Private Dicks – She Said Go
5. Misdemeanor – Radio Radio
6. The X-Certs – Queen and Country

Side 2

1. Apartment – The Car
2. 48 Hours – Train To Brighton
3. Noiz Boiz – Noiz Boiz
4. Social Security – Stella’s Got A Fella
5. The X-Certs – Together
6. Talisman – Wicked Dem