Monday, September 6, 2010

Pel Mel - a few singles


Here are a few Pel Mel singles from the collection. The original version of "No Word From China" was recorded at the Double Jay radio station and gathered so much interest that it was rush released on the band's own label "Primate Records". Six months later it was re-mastered and re-released through Gap records.
(info from liner notes of the must have cd - Tales from the Australian Underground)
Both versions are in download here.


Surprising for the times this little post-punk gem got a live (well mimed) spot on countdown.




Pel Mel was an Australian Post-Punk music band. They formed in Newcastle, Aust. in mid 1979 and moved to Sydney, Australia in late 1980. They toured and recorded until 1984.

Pel Mel's early lineup included Graeme Dunne (guitar & vocals), Judy McGee (sax), Jane McGee (guitar), Glenn Hill (bass), Dave Weston (drums) and Nigel Savage (sax). By early 1980 Nigel Savage had left, and by late 1980 Lindsay O'Meara (ex-Voigt/465) replaced Glenn Hill on bass. Judy McGee began playing keyboards in 1980 and began sharing vocals with Graeme Dunne. Jane McGee left in February 1981, and Craig Robertson replaced Lindsay O'Meara on bass in late 1981.   (info from wiki)


The other single included is "Shoes Should Fit" from later in their career.

Pel Mel features in the radio hindsight doco i was raving about a few posts back. In the doco they talk about their close association with the good folk at M Squared. They also appear on the compilation "A Selection"

I found these two posters a few weeks back..  long forgotten in the thermal mass down in the dungeon..

11 comments:

bob nebe said...

A nice surprise while sitting at the airport in London, a brilliant post. Loved this band!

Anonymous said...

In early 80,s film Going Down cough mixture swigging household goes to pel mel gig http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085604/

spavid said...

Sorry to sound ignorant, but where are you hiding the download link for this?

twiceremoved said...

Hi, anyone know the date for the Pel Mel poster scanned between the 2 7"s. I've allways thought 1980 and pre-Gap records, but I am curios to know the truth. Cheers.

Anonymous said...

I've got a copy of that album. Some good stuff on there.

chuck said...

The download link is "here".. let the mouse guide you young downloader . ...


No idea of the poster date sorry... should you ever find out I'd be interested myself. . . .. .

catonmylap said...

fantastic! Dave weston is snoring beside me. I'll ask him the hard questions.... I fell in love with this band on rrr as a young chick in the late 70s and met him years later but never saw them play sadly. they were a really new and different sound when they came out. love someone to remix them now as they had some great tunes. thanks. just saw the posting dates. a year ago. god this year has flown!

dot dot dot said...

remember this band as being refreshingly in contrast to usual pap on countdown..the show we loved to hate...the hindsight radio national special on the bands of post punk is worth a listen...peace out!

Anonymous said...

I dont know much/anything about this band, but i do like this poster. After doing some digging around i would date it 1982 based around the release of "Out Of Reason [Gap Reocrds] 1982". Purely based on the theme of balloon travel and the colours.....just a hunch...

Adam Ford said...

Would love to get my hands on a copy of this - it's almost impossible to come by. Any chance you might re-up it?
Cheers,
Adam

bob nebe said...

Ill see if Chuck can reup this one