Saturday, November 8, 2008

Cocteau Twins Fever

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your blog and check it almost daily! But how amazing to see this YouTube clip. I was there at that Cocteau Twins concert and was friends back then with Curt Scheiber, Tim Anstaett, and others in the Columbus scene. In fact, I recognized several concert-goers in the news clips (I actually dated the blonde-haired girl with the gold jacket sitting in the lower left of the screen about 3.40 minutes into the clip!)--but sadly, no sign of me there (I was wearing some bogus red bandana faux-pirate thing on my head--such a dork!). I had just recently moved to Minneapolis before the concert date, and drove all the way back to Columbus to see it. Many thanks for this amazing blast from the past! And please keep up the wonderful stuff you do on this blog--

Bimble said...

God I hope you're still out there. I was so drunk when I first received your comment that all I could do was post it. I meant to reply and say I'm so glad you wrote. Thanks so much for telling your story! XOXOXO
You rule! That clip just makes me ridiculously happy in a way I can't put into words.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, still here! Here's another bit of the story I forgot to mention: I got to meet Robin Guthrie that weekend in Columbus--we had a beer together at a little divey club further north on High St. (Staches?) He, Liz, and Simon were hanging out with Tim Anstaett and Curt Scheiber listening to the Razor Penguins. I lived about 3 blocks from the club and Tim told me they'd be there and to stop by. Never really got to talk to Liz or Simon, but Robin was very nice in his aloof Scottish way. Razor Penguins was a very nice band that never really rose out of the Columbus scene--did a very cool early 4AD sound (kinda like early Wolfgang or very early ModEnglish, but also like some Factory stuff, say, early Section 25). It was a wonderful evening. If you've never heard Razor Penguins, I can send a vinyl rip I did of their one and only single. I think their bassist is now doing soundtrack work for TV in Hollywood!

Bimble said...

Fuck me, but Razor Penguins sounds like a strangely familiar band name to me. In fact, I think I remember the Europeanish dude who first mentioned that name to me. Can you please be a nice person and send me some of their stuff? I love you. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Here's a Mediafire link to my rip of the Razor Penguins' 7-inch--personally I like the B-side best, but maybe that's because it sounds the most Factory-like and has that great 80s flanged bass sound. Enjoy!
http://www.mediafire.com/?ymdmq0mj0m5

Oh, and I've also done a tape rip of a demo they did--the guitarist gave me a copy--it's actually pretty well-done, but my tape ripping skills aren't the best! I can up it, too, if you want. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

There should be a scan I did of the sleeve in that Mediafire zip--you're welcome to put it up.

Glad you like the R. Penguins stuff! I'll post the demo tape soon.

Anonymous said...

OK, so here's the rip I did of the Razor Penguins' demo tape. The tape is old and in just passable condition, and I used Audacity on a laptop to rip it, so the sound's not the greatest quality, but it should give you some idea of the Penguin sound. The guitarist, Dave (can't recall his last name!), sent me this tape way back in about 1985. I briefly roomed with the band's bass player, whose name I've totally forgotten--he was a lousy roomie, as I recall (never cleaned up after himself, was totally oblivous to paying bills, that sorta thing), but he was very nice in sharing his music with me. It was the bass player who turned me on to Crispy Ambulance, Section 25, In Camera, A Certain Ratio, and the Names. I taped a buncha his stuff before he moved out (still have the tapes, but fortunately I've upgraded to digital since then). Based on a Google search, I think he might be the one doing TV soundtracks. The drummer for the band was "Bob"--again, can't recall the last name. He was also the main singer, I think. Anyway, check the zip:

http://www.mediafire.com/?hjhjtyghmgm

xoxox

Curious Guy said...

Never heard of them and I'm glad you uploaded them Skid. Just found out that there is a 2nd 7" released in 1986 with "The Math Professor". Don't know which track is on the other side.

Anonymous said...

these razor penguins tunes are fantastic! thanx for sharing them!

Anonymous said...

The Demo tape is a lovely archival document and bears more than a passing listen - and should be considered noteworthy.

Lovely.

Thank you.

pmc said...

I think Dave's last name would be Troutner, a high school friend, we were both into Beatles. Dave had a younger brother who was a math wiz and ended up a teacher at Worthingon HS. Met up with Dave around '86, he said the Razor Peng had a loyal following in DC, but he decided to return to Colubus and was taking course in Lab Tech. Ole Dave was a unique individual when we first met at age 17, and suspect he is the same.

Anonymous said...

I was the bass player for the RPs in the mid to late 80's. The line up during the time of the demos posted on Mediafire was Dave Troutner, Bob Nerone, Steven Hankinson and me (Rob Frame) Glad you all enjoyed. I haven't heard these in 25 years!

(614) 465-6055 said...

Bob Nerone & Rob Frame of Umberto's fame?

That's takes me back a bit.

Anonymous said...

Jeffrey White was also in RP at some point.