THE DORIS DAYS The Basement, Brighton 24th October 1987

Many years ago in Brighton, THE DORIS DAYS developed their brand of simple pop music of acoustic instruments combined with the latest technology (then) they could beg, borrow or steal, mainly from Brighton (then) Polytechnic. Back then they very kindly contributed to a little cassette compilation me & a friend put together. At this time there were plans to release a split single with THE JUNE BRIDES on Grant Lyons’ fledgling LA-DI-LA label. Sadly, this never came to fruition. THE DORIS DAYS would morph into PACIFIC & after playing a gig in Alan McGhee’s living room (his front room, not the club) released; a single “Shrift”, a 12” EP “Sea Of Sand” & the album “Interference” on the CREATION label.

Here they are supporting McCARTHY at the old Basement that used to be on Grand Parade. The recording is a bit rough, & you have to put up with me & friends swearing at the tape deck in concern over whether the bloody thing was on or not, & talking general bollocks!

Dennis, the hub of THE DORIS DAYS is still making (quite beautiful) music under the name of SHRIFT & I would well recommend “Lost in a Moment”

  1. “Feet Stuck Sound”
  2. “Another Day”
  3. “Henry Said”
  4. “No Time For Feeling Sad”
  5. “View From This Room”
  6. “I Will Die”
  7. “Those Sad Words”
  8. “Remembering”

Buy!

GRAB GRAB THE HADDOCK The Basement Brighton 24th November 1984

This was GRAB GRAB THE HADDOCKs first foray into live performance, supporting the Dan, Jowe & Jeffrey variant of THE TELEVISION PERSONALITIES… Sadly, this is a desk recording & thus highlights all the frailties of Alice’s vocal tuning & the heavily woven plinky plinky guitars. More than anything else I liked the fact that GRAB GRAB THE HADDOCK seemed to have no middle ground with regard to people’s reaction. They were either loved or hated to either extreme. Every reference I see of them today is of being twee or terminally cute. I remember at the time thinking they were just the next DIY generation from the punk(y) bands of 6 or 7 years earlier but playing simple little pop songs that implied the charm of British seaside holiday, but cute? This particular night Alice was sporting a Mohawk & full Annabella Lwin pop pirate garb! OK she looked cute!


  1. When The Leaves Turn Grey
  2. That Day
  3. My Oh My
  4. Love You More
  5. All Of This & More
  6. Last Fond Goodbye
  7. That Big Word But
  8. I’m Alright Shame About You
  9. Times Are Changing
  10. I Say You Say
  11. Wan But Smiling
  12. For All I Know
  13. I’m Used Now

Buy!