Monday 14 October 2019

Beatnik Filmstars - Apathetic English Swine 7"


One of Bristol's unsung heroes of the 90s, this band. In the era of Massive Attack, Portishead and all that (which I also loved), and the Planet Records crowd with Flying Saucer Attack, Crescent and so on, there was also Beatnik Filmstars. They are loud, abrasive, and on many occasions so poorly recorded they are virtually unlistenable. I have one CD by them which I think must be the lousiest production I have ever heard anywhere, and among some of my collection that is quite a claim.

However, this 7" is not poorly produced, it's awesome. The a-side is killer, one b-side starts with the singer having a go at the drummer (and then ends with what sounds like the drummer fighting back), and it's all well worth listening to. Clarinet. I have a feeling they managed to get themselves signed to Merge records at some point, which is surely enough of a recommendation to check them out.

1. Apathetic English Swine
2. Gum
3. Clothes

In Bristol with a pistol.

2 comments:

  1. I know you only post sporadically, and I rarely leave comments, but I've never heard this before and it's fucking brilliant. Please don't leave it another million months before you post your next gem (although I know it will be worth waiting for whenever it appears).

    By which I mean: cheers!

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    1. Thanks very much for your comment, really appreciate it!

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