Bugs Fuckin' Bunny

 

The Fatima Mansions took their name from a crumbling Rialto, Dublin housing estate. They were formed in London in 1989 by the acerbic Cathal Coughlan, who had recently emerged from the demise of Microdisney, & he teamed up with guitarist Andrias O'Gruama, bassist Hugh Bunker, drummer Nick Allum & keyboardist Zac Woolhouse.

Viva Dead Ponies was released in 1990, when TFM’s sound was transitioning from a more synthy sound to a more guitar driven style. Their musick has been described as ‘Vitriol delivered in a smooth package with a poisonous soft centre’. Cathal Coughlan’s singing is unique & he's a clever songwriter as well, with more than a touch of Scott Walker.

VDP starts off with “Angels Delight”, whose light poppy intro lulls you in, then kicks you in the head with some absolutely vicious lyrics. Then the band comes in with musick that knocks you backwards onto your angelic ass. The album continues from here, alternating between dark & darker bitter pop.  This is a high point for the edgy, assaultive Fatima Mansions.

Viva Dead Ponies was re-released under a short-lived reissue program by Kitchenware Records/Warner Music (UK) under exclusive license of Sony/BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. in the UK & Europe in 2007. It is once again out of print, but you never know about corporate greed, so you better get it while you can.

The Fatima Mansions on Viva Dead Ponies are: Cathal Coughlan - vocals & keyboards; Andrias Ó Grúam - guitar; Hugh Bunker - bass; Nick Bunker - keyboards; Nick Allum - drums & guitar; with Kenny Davis - accordion & Dame Alison Jiear - additional vocals.

The Fatima Mansions - Viva Dead Ponies, Kitchenware Records‎– KWLP 15, 1990.

 decryption code in comments

Side A:

Angel’s Delight

Concrete Block

Mr. Baby

The Door-to-Door Inspector

Start the Week

You’re a Rose

Legoland 3

Thursday

Ceausescu Flashback

Broken Radio No. 1

Concrete Block

Side B:

Look What I Stole for Us, Darling

Farewell Ontario

The White Knuckle Express

Chemical Cosh

Tima Mansio Speaks

A Pack of Lies

Viva Dead Ponies

More Smack, Vicar

The tracklist on the back cover of the album is different from the tracklisting on the record. Above is the order the songs actually appear on the record..

Enjoy,

NØ