Surprises.

These are a couple of things that rather surprised me when I got them.

 Mesmoreyes (1984)

Drezniak were from Boston. They're kind of at the tail end of my particular Golden Age for choosing singles, but I did remember the name when I got this. I remembered that I didn't particularly care for them at the time, but since I've so often reconsidered the opinions of my younger and more pretentiously stupid self thought it worth giving another chance despite having a song called "Mesmoreyes". (Terrible puns don't exactly inspire confidence.)

I was right to do so.

Nice three piece early 80's indie pop. Kind of catchy and danceable. I didn't understand why I didn't like this originally. This single certainly seems like something that would have at the very least have been something I'd put on compilation tapes for girls.

There are a couple of videos of a later incarnation with a New Wave/Goth girl playing synth that aren't quite as interesting as this. They look kind of smug too. And the videos just ooze 1984 like one might liquor after an especially long night.

 

She Lets Go (1994)

This one was released on Silver Girl Records. I bought some mail order from the guy who ran the label (I don't even remember what it was. Might have been the Hula Hoop lp maybe...) and he threw this in with my purchase just because he's a swell guy and thought I might like it. He was right.  Some nice shoegazing stuff for everybody's listening pleasure. And from France too. How about that?

Live at Le Disque

It's 1981. It's San Francisco. It's a compilation.

Live at Le Disque (1981)

It's a 2 Lp live compilation of mostly the pop side of San Francisco's indie band scene at the time though it gets a little artsy fartsier at times. Punk rock gets all the love, but there were all these bands too. Chris Hamburger's "City Lights" is quite a good track. There's also an appearance by Red Asphalt whose single will appear hear in some future year when I make it that deep into the boxes. Come to think of it the Richi Ray track is also pretty good too, if I remember correctly.

As always your mileage will vary, but I've had this on my phone for a decent length of time already without feeling like I need to take it off, if that's of any value to you.

Leisure Sounds

Two from the same label (Leisure Sounds) from the same year.
Both quality period UK New Wave.

Dogma Cats (1980)

Ersatz (1980)

I know which one I prefer. You're an adult. You decide for yourself.

Feelings of Dred(d)

Continuing on with the similarly named band theme because that's how the alphabet works.

Dredd Foole and the Din (1982)

The Din here is Mission of Burma.

Dred Scott (1979)

California punk rock circa 1979. Much much better than the Supreme Court decision they took their name from.

A-Hunting We Will Go

Time to crap out another quick post with the band names sharing a theme.

Aren't you fucking lucky.

Egg Hunt (1986)

This was an intensely exciting thing when it came out because it was a one off project by Ian McKaye and Jeff Nelson from Minor Threat. Together they own Dischord Records. It was half of that band making music. We listened to it often. I still like to listen to it. You may too.

 

Duck Hunt (1991)

This is also a one off project on K records by Steve Fisk noted Seattle producer musician & all around good egg and his Pell Mell bandmate Bill Owen.

If I wasn't incredibly lazy I'd look and see if I'd previously posted the single he did in 1980 as Anonymous which is also an odd sonic mish mosh of studio fuckery. I may or may not have. If I didn't I may come back and post it later if anybody gives a shit and maybe asks nicely. But I'm not holding my breath.