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Birmingham’s original punk group The Prefects had been part of The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, recorded a couple of Peel sessions, released a 45 on Rough Trade and, years after splitting up, had a retrospective CD released by NY label Acute Records to all round glowing reviews – from Rolling Stone to webzines.
The Nightingales was formed by former members of The Prefects following that band’s demise in 1979.
Described in John Robb’s definitive book on ‘post punk’ (Death To Trad Rock) as “The misfits’ misfits” and comprising an ever fluctuating line up, based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd, the Nightingales enjoyed cult status in the early ’80’s as darlings of the credible music scene and were championed by John Peel, who said of them – “Their performances will serve to confirm their excellence when we are far enough distanced from the 1980’s to look at the period rationally and other, infinitely better known, bands stand revealed as charlatans”.
2015 saw the release of “Mind Over Matter” – an album that many consider their best ever – and the group played an extensive tour of UK and Ireland prior to a bunch of dates on the U.S West Coast and a tour of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary.
They have also recorded a new six song mini album for release in early 2017. This new 10″ EP will be followed by a 7″ single featuring a special guest collaborator and a new album will be recorded for their latest label Tiny Global Productions.
BLUE ORCHIDS
Blue Orchids have just released their latest album, The Once And Future Thing, which shows Martin Bramah's songwriting to be as strong and diverse as ever, from the powerful opener "Good Day to Live" to the delicate and sensitive "Rosy Hours" and the twisted English city blues of "Motorway." Backing Bramah live is a new band comprising Chris Connolly on drums (Glitter Band, Jah Wobble), John Paul Moran (Monochrome Set) on keyboards and Vince Hunt (A Witness) on bass. They'll be performing a set filled with classics from the group's entire catalog. These dates mark a long-overdue return to the stage for Bramah and his mesmerising, shamanic performances.
The Once And Future Thing confirm Bramah's status as one of the Britain's most inventive and original guitarists and a superbly measured, thoughtful lyricist. Perhaps that's why Blue Orchids were chosen by Nico (Velvet Underground) to back her for several years; why his songs were covered by Aztec Camera, Sonic Youth, Dustdevils, Camper Van Beethoven, Crystal Stilts, Slovenly and many more; why he's been acclaimed by successive generations
of musicians and writers for "making music which is introspective yet exhilarating, sad but stirring."
