Slits / The Pop Group Split Single 7"

Split single with "The Slits" and "The Pop Group" from the excellent "Rough Trade" label. I bought this as a Slits fan, with no knowledge of The Pop Group. On first play I can remember being disappointed and filed it in my collection and forgot about it for a while. Then a couple of months later I pulled it out and put it on again and I don't know what happened but I loved "In The Beginning There Was Rhythm" with it's punk/funk/reggae dub sound. The other side from the Pop Group and "Where There's A Will" never grew on me, even though it had a similar sound (not surprising in that both bands shared drummer and manager). The Pop Group split up in 1981 and later on band members went on to form Pigbag and Rip Rig and Panic.

But a usual I'll leave it to you to comment on which side you prefer.

Band: The Slits/The Pop Group
Label: Rough Trade
Year: 1980
Tracks:
1. In The Beginning There Was Rhythm
2. Where There's A Will

Ripped from glorious scratched vinyl

If you like this then your in luck you can still buy the Pop Groups debut album here:

Y [Remastered and Expanded]
and there's lots to choose from the Slits, in my opinion their debut is the best:

Cut
but if you like the sound of this post then try this:

In the Beginning (A Live Anthology)

The Touques - The Touques EP

I was recently contacted by "The Touques" (pronounced the Two-ks) and asked whether I would listen to their new EP.

Guess what? I did and I love it, its been playing non-stop since I got it.

The Touques are from Reno, Nevada, they've been around since 2005 and you can find more about them here and at their myspace site (where you can try these songs out, before downloading).

The first track "4" is the best of the pick and the one that has been buzzing around my head ever since I heard it. There's a blend of post-punk, surf and pop that delivers a dark sound surrounded with guitar riffs, excellent harmonies, hand clapping, well everything actually.

"Roy Stampler" follows with a catchy guitar riff, and then just as you start to tap your feet to it, it changes into a ripping post-punk sound, and it just keeps changing, you gotta love this.

Third up is "White Elephant" a stange instrumental, with an excellent surf riff throughout

Two more tracks "HRPM" and "Goodbye Monsieur" with that now familiar "Touques" sound, but enough of me rambling on, go on to their mysapce site, try them out and if you like them then you can download all five tracks here.

If you like the Touques you can also buy thier earlier material at the same link above.

So what do you think of the Touques?, leave a comment and let everyone know.