Musick that Needed Work - S: Swell Maps

 

Swell Maps were a Solihull UK experimental rock group formed in 1972 by brothers Nikki Sudden (Adrian Godfrey) on guitars & vocals with brother Epic Soundtracks (Kevin Godfrey) on piano & drums. They blended inspirations as varied as glam rock T-Rex to prog rock Can. They really came into their own with the advent of DIY punk around 1977. 

 

By 1977 the band was Sudden & Soundtrack plus Biggles Books (Richard Earl), Phones B. Sportsman (David Barrington), Golden Cockrill (John Cockrill), & Jowe Head (Stephen Bird).. They released the single "Read about Seymour" as their 1977 debut, soon after the brothers Godfrey left Solihull School. It is widely considered a classic punk era single.

Shortly after their first John Peel session, Swell Maps went into WMRS Studio to record their first album A Trip to Marineville, which was released in 1979. With hard rocking punk numbers interspersed with ambient instrumentals & experimental interludes, the album marked the band out as innovative non-musicians. The album went #1 on the new Independent chart.

Although Epic Soundtracks died of unknown causes at the age of 37 in 1997 & Nikki Sudden died in March 2006. Phones Sportsman & Jowe Head still remain active in music today.

 

Swell Maps - A Trip to Marineville LP + 7", Rough Trade rough two, 1979.
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LP Side 1 -
H. S. Art    
Another Song    
Vertical Slum
Spitfire Parade    
Harmony in Your Bathroom    
Don't Throw Ashtrays at Me    
Midget Submarines    
Bridge Head    

Side 2 -
Full Moon in My Pocket    
Blam!!    
Full Moon (reprise)    
Gunboats    
Adventuring into Basketry    
My Lil' Shoppes 'Round the Corner

7" first side -
Loin of the Surf    
Doctor at Cake
    
other side -
Steven Does    
Bronze & Baby Shoes

 

 

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